GB2596612A

GB2596612A - A carrier device

Info

Publication number: GB2596612A
Application number: GB2016128.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ou Qian
Original assignee: Snowted Ltd
Current assignee: Snowted Ltd
Priority date: 2020-06-29
Filing date: 2020-10-12
Publication date: 2022-01-05
Also published as: GB202016128D0; GB202009863D0

Abstract

A carrier device for elongate ski equipment comprises a body strap 5, an adjustable strap portion 4 and an adjustable securing means 2/3. The adjustable strap portion 4 and securing means 2/3 are operable separately. The securing means 2/3 comprises more than one securing part spaced apart on and by the adjustable strap portion 4. The securing means may take the form of two loops 2 and 3 adapted to loop around and secure the elongate ski equipment. The loops 2 & 3 and the body strap 5 may be formed as one continuous leash. A camera mount, bag or pouch may be provided on the carrier. The carrier may be formed as part of a garment.

Description

A CARRIER DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to carrier device, in particular a device to assist a wearer with carrying bulky elongate objects, such as skis, ski poles or suitable for snowboards or similar.

Background

Increasing numbers of people enjoy skiing or similar activities, however it can be problematic to transport the necessary equipment or objects.

In particular skis are cumbersome and difficult to easily transport, and known carriers are bulky and impractical when transporting the objects and obtrusive when not transporting the objects. Known ski carriers available in the market are typically back carriers which make puffing on and taking off skis or snowboards much harder and less accessible and need to be put away in a bag during the sport activities. Alternatively side carriers, where there is a sling to secure the skis, may be carried over a shoulder, by hand, or back.

A particular disadvantage of these carriers are that the slings need to be put away when not in use, are normally too big for a ski jacket pocket, or if needed to be put in a backpack would reduce accessibility.

In all of these examples of the state of the art it can be difficult to access the objects, particularly when cold and wearing ski clothing, as the known carriers are typically arranged to allow for the removal or carrying of the carrier with the objects.

Prior Art

WO 2016 12 744 (REID) discloses apparatus for carrying a pair of skis, comprising: a strap adapted to encircle a pair of skis to form a bundle, the strap carrying an engagement member; and a belt or bandolier adapted to be worn on the person, the belt or bandolier carrying a holder with which the engagement member is adapted releasably to engage.

US 5 450 991 (NEADING) discloses a combination storage belt and ski carrier accessory includes a belt mounting a pair of releasably and reversibly attachable flexible members at each of a pair of opposite ends of the belt and a storage bag at an 5 intermediate location thereon between the opposite ends of the belt.

US 2 530 695 (HELMER) discloses a ski-carrier and waist belt comprising a central strap adjacent each end of which is connected pivotally intermediate of its ends, a buckle strap having a buckle at one of its ends, and buckle holes spaced apart between the pivoted connection and the other of its ends, the buckle straps being adapted to be used as ski-carrier loops at right angles to the central strap, and as waist belt extensions in elongation of the central strap.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing 15 devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a carrier device comprising a body 20 strap with an adjustable strap portion and a ski securing means, wherein the adjustable strap portion and securing means are operable separately, and the securing means comprises one or more securing part spaced apart on or by the attachment means.

The carrier is intended to carry elongate ski equipment such as skis, ski poles, or snowboard. It is envisaged that the carrier is suitable for carrying any elongate mountain equipment, for which the device may be considered equally appropriate. Therefore, the use of the term ski in the description is considered to include all elongate ski or snow devices or equipment, such as skis, ski poles and snowboards.

In some embodiments the securing means may have a simple hook and clip means to permit quick release of the held items from the device. The hook and clip are securing parts of the securing means.

In some embodiments the body strap may also have a simple hook and clip means to 35 permit quick release of the device from the wearer or to the location that it is secured.

This is advantageous as most skiers are likely to want the skis on and off the device quickly, and want a device that can be worn on their body and easily removed.

Advantageously the carrier device is also intended to be worn when items are not being 5 carried, therefore removing the requirement for the device to be put away when not in use. In this way there is no delay in carrying items on the device.

The device is preferably adjustable so as to easily fit different users and equipment, the device is minimal so as to be discreet, and once the items are secured to the device 10 a user then has their hands free.

Advantageously the device may locate the object being held, in front of a user, for easy access and so that the body strap extends across user's back to distribute the weight of heavy and cumbersome objects, by supporting and pulling at each end, across the 15 user's torso.

Preferably the securing means may comprise a simple means of forming a loop or may define a loop, for easy placement and holding under weight of gravity, elongate items.

Additionally, a lock may be associated with the securing means to ensure elongate items are securely in position.

It is appreciated that the carrie r device may be worn in different positions. For example, the device may also be arranged so that the skis/board are carried on the back of a wearer or, so the skis/board are carried to the side of a wearer. Typically, the wearer first locates the skis/poles/board on the carrier to the wearer's front and once the items are secured, the device and held items are rearranged on the wearer to the desired position.

The device to be left in place, or worn, when the ski/poles/board is/are taken off so that the device is ready to receive items, and a separate carrying means, such as a bag is not required. In this way skiers and snowboarders are advantageously provided with a quick and easy way to carry their skisllpoles/snowboards and be hands-free when walking.

The adjustable portion of the device enables the length of the body strap to be altered, and in embodiments having more than one securing means, the adjustable portion may permit the distance between the two or more securing means to be altered. The adjustable portion may comprise an incremental or elastomeric adjustment means.

In this way the body strap can be adjusted and set to a preferred length or location about the user's body.

The body strap and secure parts are formed from one leash and preferably non-elastomeric material. In some embodiments the leash passes through a sleeve freely and back or with one end secured, forming two securing parts (one being a closed loop and the other being discontinuous) at each end of the body strap. Preferably the leash is not stitched so as to be a fixed sized loop, but has one part stitched to the sleeve or a slider to allow variations of the loops (securing parts) sizes. This may enable the device to accommodate objects of different sizes In some embodiments the adjustable strap portion may be formed from an elastomeric material or include an elastomeric portion. This may enhance comfort when worn and when carrying items and enable comfortable donning and doffing of the device The adjustable portion may be adjustable in different ways. For example, the adjustable strap portion may comprise clip attachment means, a resiliently deformable clip means, a buckle means, a button means, or a hook and loop means such as Velcro (RTM). In this way the adjustable portion of the body strap may be adjusted and set for a particular user or object.

In preferred embodiments the securing means has two, separate securing parts that together form the securing means. Such securing parts may comprise separate parts spaced apart on the strap.

When securing items to the front of a user, the two securing parts in use may be envisaged to be located at the top and bottom of the user's torso. In this way it may be envisaged that the body strap may extend from a shoulder to an opposing hip in use, and the securing parts are located approximate the hip and shoulder.

In some embodiments the securing parts may be envisaged to be arranged to move on the user's body or strap as preferred, so as to accommodate user or object, for example so as to allow repositioning before or during usage.

The securing parts may be envisaged to comprise adjustment means, for example so as to enable adjustment before or in use. For example, in some embodiments the adjustment means of the securing parts may comprise an elastomeric adjustment means, in some embodiments the adjustment means may comprise a resilient clip means, or in others the adjustment means may comprise an incrementally adjustable securing means.

In still further embodiments the securing means may comprise a hook and loop means such as Velcro (RTM) to enable adjustment.

In this way the securing means may be envisaged to allow for a variety of objects to 15 be secured, such that the user is enabled upon securing to adjust for the object.

The securing means may for example comprise two loop securing parts. Such loop parts may comprise closure means to permit formation of the loop and/or may be a closed loop.

For example, in an embodiment where a securing part has a closable loop, the loop may be closed by the adjustment means being connected.

In a preferred embodiment at least one of the securing parts is a leash with a clip that 25 is connected to a simple loop parts to form a closed loop, that is use is arranged around the item. Preferably the loop parts are lightweight.

The loops part(s) are arranged on the leash. Preferably several loop parts are arranged along the leash so as to enable adjustment of the securing means. Ideally 30 the loops parts are formed in a fabric, webbing, plastic or lightweight metal, so that when not in use are lightweight and collapsed against the leash.

In this way when the device is not being used to carry any objects, it may be envisaged that the securing means are advantageously unobtrusive to the user and others.

It is appreciated that when the carrier device is not in use, the device may include a storage section, for example a pocket or elastic holder on the body strap or leash so as to encase the carrier device when not in use.

In some embodiments the device may comprise a camera mount, for example to allow mounting of an action video camera.

In some embodiments the device may comprise a bag or similar storage receptacle, providing a pocket or compartment for items.

In some embodiments there may be provided a carrier device with an integrated camera mount.

In another embodiment a carrier device may be integrated with a bag.

In yet a further embodiment the carrier device may be integrated with a garment. For example, the body strap may be attached to the outer face of a jacket. For example, in some embodiments the strap may be envisaged to be contained within a garment, for example where the strap may pass behind a user's back within a coat, and the securing parts are located to the shoulder and hip of the user in use, and where closure of the coat acts to attach the strap to the user's body safely.

In some embodiments the body strap is formed from a wide band of webbing or similar robust inelastic flexible material.

Preferably part or all of an inner face of the body strap may include a grip means, for example a grip material such as silicone to help secure the strap in use and prevent it slipping about a user.

Preferably the body strap includes a sleeve through which the leash passes.

In some embodiments the body strap may include padding or a padded sleeve for enhanced comfort. Typically, the padding or padded sleeve may only extend along or over part of the body strap, typically the part of the body strap that does not include the securing means and adjustable strap portion, but the part that may be arranged to rear of the user, and shoulder of the user, in use.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention in use; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the strap from the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1 closed into a second position; Figures 3 show rear and front detail views of the embodiment of the bag shown in Figure 6; Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the camera mount and camera from the embodiment shown of the device shown in Figure 6, with securing means; Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; in an open first position; Figure 6 shows a rear view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, with camera, camera mount, and bag attached; and Figure 7 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention, closed into a second position.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the ski carrier device 99 generally comprising a body strap 5 with an adjustable portion 4 and securing means 2,3, wherein the adjustable strap portion 4 and the securing means 2, 3 are operable separately. The securing means 2, 3 are separated by the adjustable strap portion, so as to provide two spaced apart location portions for the skis/board. The adjustable strap portion 4 can be adjusted to change the distance between the ski securing means 2 and 3.

In particular reference to the pictured embodiment there is shown an adjustable strap portion comprised by an elastomeric strap 4, which is attached to the securing means 2, 3 which define two separate loops each forming a separate securing part, an upper loop 2 and a lower loop 3. The securing parts 2, 3 are formed from a non-elastic leash 1 which passes through a sleeve 5, which sleeve 5 in use is in contact with the user's back or shoulder in use.

The leash 1 passes the sleeve 5 and back is completely free or with one part stitched to the top of the sleeve to allow variation of loop sizes of the securing part 2 and 3 The adjustable strap portion 4 is adjustable for the spacing of the securing parts 2, 3 15 that are connected to it.

The adjustable strap portion 4 is sewn to each of the securing parts 2, 3, wherein the adjustable strap portion 4 comprises an elastic webbing strap, with two sliders 6 for adjustment of length of the adjustable strap portion 4. The sliders 6 are displaced away 20 from each other to shorten the adjustable strap portion 4.

The securing loops 2, 3 are located in use at a user's shoulder and opposing hip, as shown in Figures 1 and 6 if the carrier device is intended to be front worn.

In a first position as shown in Figure 5, the lower securing part 3 is secured in a loop by the leash 1 having a carabiner 7, which carabiner 7 clips onto a holder 8, a plurality of which are located spaced along the webbing leash 1, and extend laterally thereacross.

This lower securing part 3 is envisaged to be easily and quickly looped under and around the shoe or boot clip or binding of the ski or snowboard in use so as to allow the weight of the object being carried to act against the loop (securing part) and hold the lower end of the object securely.

The upper securing part 2 is arranged to be passed around, or to receive the top of the skis, snowboard or object The upper loop 2 (securing part) is also provided with a number of lateral spaced apart holders 8 In order to adjust the adjustable strap portion 4 appropriately the sliders 6 are used which thereby acts to shorten or lengthen the spacing between the securing part loops 2, 3 according to the object(s) or user. This provides a very simple adjustment, and once length is adjusted, the securing means (loops) are configured in a way to provide a very convenient means of securing and un-securing the object.

In the second position as shown in Figure 2 the carabiner 7 is used to close the securing means 3 by clipping the leash 1 over and on to an appropriate choice of one of the upper loop holders 8.

The securing means is a leash 1 with two free ends 7, 10. The leash 1 passes through a sleeve on the body strap 5. In the pictured embodiments, the free ends 7, 10 extend from the sleeve 5 at the lower end so that the free ends 7, 10 provide the securing parts 3 that are connected to form a closed loop.

One free end is passed through the carabiner 7 and sewn onto itself. The other free end 10 of the webbing runs through the sleeve and back, forming the upper loop 2 (securing part). The lower loop 3 (securing part) is discontinuous and is closed with a carabiner 7 connected to the free end 10, as shown in the first position (see Figures 1 and 5).

In Figure 2 the carabiner 7 is clipped to the holders 8 of the upper securing means. This is a stowed position for when the carrier device is not in use so that there is no hanging leash and so that there is no loop that may catch on anything whilst the device is worn, but not in use. This arrangement helps to provide a compact configuration that can easily be worn at all times.

The adjustable strap portion 4 is sewn to the leash 1 at either end so that the securing parts 2, 3 are outside the sleeve. This prevents the leash being pulled through the sleeve 5. Preferably on closed loop 2 at the top (shoulder region) is not stitched so as 35 to be a fixed sized loop, but has one part stitched to allow variation of loop size.

The body strap defines a sleeve 5 that is not elastic and has at least one padded face.

In Figures 4 and 6 the sleeve 5 utilises poppers or press studs for temporary attachment of a camera mount 30. The camera mount comprises a disc of material 32 with poppers 32 below. The camera mount further comprises an adjustable diameter looped harness 31, which may be envisaged to be passed around the user's shoulder in use to mount the camera securely.

An independently available bag 40 is shown in use with the device in Figures 3A and 3B. This embodiment has discontinuous hook and loop closure over the webbing.

In use the user will: Extend the strap to full length by disconnecting the carabiner from the device in an open first position Pull the free leash of the top loop (on top of the shoulder) to adjust the upper loop size, 15 until it is large enough to pass around the top of the skis and poles Hold the skis vertically Add poles to skis by slotting the wrist straps of the poles around the top of skis, slot the upper loop over the top of the skis and poles Pull the free end of the bottom leash away from body to extend its length, which also 20 automatically tightens the upper loop and hoist the top part of the skis and poles onto user's body Bend down or lift up the skis (and poles) and pass the bottom free leash under and around the bottom of the boot binding Clip the carabiner onto an appropriate holder, positions near the waist or hip, or in the 25 case of snowboard, clip the carabiner onto the bottom of the boot binding directly Adjust until comfortable With reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 7 the embodiment comprises looped holders 78 formed of a webbing band 77 that is intermittently stitched down so as to form a plurality of looped holders 78. In particular reference to the pictured embodiment, the leash passes through a sleeve on the body strap 5, with one free end 7 extend from the sleeve 5 at the lower end, and the other free end is sewn onto the top of the sleeve and does not run through the sleeve. Looped holders 78 is directly sewn onto the front of the leash of free end 7 (the part extended outside of the bottom of the sleeve but away from the carabiner). Looped holders 78 are for carabiner 7 to connect to form the closed lower loop 3 (securing part), as shown in the first position (see Figures 1 and 5).

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated 5 that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1 A carrier device for carrying elongate ski equipment comprising a body strap, an adjustable strap portion and a securing means, wherein the adjustable strap portion and securing means are operable separately, and the securing means comprises more than one securing part spaced apart on and by the adjustable strap portion.
2. A carrier device according to claim 1 wherein the adjustable strap portion is elastomeric.
3. A carrier device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the adjustable strap portion has sliders used to shorten or lengthen spacing between securing parts.
4. A carrier device according to any preceding claim wherein the securing parts define loops.
5. A carrier device according to claim 4 with two securing parts wherein at least one of the securing parts is discontinuous.
6. A carrier device according to claim 5 wherein the two securing parts are formed by one continuous leash.
7 A carrier device according to claim 6 wherein the sizes of the two securing parts are adjustable by having both free ends of a leash passing through a sleeve completely free; or with one end passing the sleeve free and the other end secured.
8. A carrier device according to any preceding claim, wherein an inner face of the body strap includes grip means
9. A carrier device according to any preceding claim included a camera mount.
10.A carrier device according to any preceding claim include a pouch or bag for storing the device or other items.
11.A garment including the carrier device described in any of claims 1 to 9.
12.A bag including the carrier device described in any of claims 1 to 9.