US20020096481A1

US20020096481A1 - Vehicle temporary stowage device for skis and snowboards

Info

Publication number: US20020096481A1
Application number: US09/766,467
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark Sutliff
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-01-19
Filing date: 2001-01-19
Publication date: 2002-07-25

Abstract

A device made of rubber or plastic adapted to be magnetically attached, or attached by suction cups, to a vehicle for the temporary stowage of skis and snowboards, in slots defined between adjacent fingers which extend parallel to a U-shaped member's two arms, the fingers being on the opposite side of the device from the magnet(s) or suction cup retainer.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention pertains to a device that is vehicle mountable for short periods of time to retain skis and snowboards in a vertical upright position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous patents have been issued for carriers to be mounted either permanently or temporarily in vehicles such as cars, SUV and trucks. Most of these are removably or infrequently permanently attachable to the vehicle and are intended for carrying the skis and/or snowboards from one location to another. That is to carry the equipment from home to the snow or from the chalet back home.

These apparatuses all fit on the top of the vehicle and if not bolted down, are held down by straps, webbing circles, cams and the like and are then removed from the vehicle for storage in the garage or basement in one piece or in sections.

All of these apparatuses only address the issue of transportation of the skis or snowboards from one location to another. They do not address the issue of TEMPORARY retention while the people get rid of their boots and/or perhaps any other skiing/boarding paraphernalia. For temporary stowage, what do the people do, sometimes if there is room they lay the skis or boards (skis collectively) in the snow horizontally. But this doesn't always work due to the crowded spaces for ski removal in a parking lot. So, people tend to lean the skis or snowboards against their vehicle, result, scratched paint and lots of “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that.”

Applicant had his share of apologies cast at him, and enough scratching of the paint particularly from certain ski types with sharp edges. Thus the need was determined for the device of this invention.

The invention accordingly comprises the device possessing the features properties, and the relation of components which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A temporary retaining device that is vehicle mountable and easily removable from the vehicle, for the short term temporary storage of skis and snowboards.

The device has a rubber or plastic body with finger like extensions in the forward side for slots into which skis and snowboards can be placed in a vertical disposition. The rear surface of the rear is magnetized for easy attachment and removal from the door panel of a vehicle. Alternatively, a suction cup retainer may be used for quick attachment and detachment.

It is an object therefore to provide a magnetically attachable device for the short term stowage of skis and snowboards.

It is another object to provide a device that retains skis and snowboards in a vertical disposition spaced from the painted surface of the door or other panel of a vehicle.

It is an additional object to provide a suction cup attachable device for the short term stowage of skis and snowboards.

It is a third object to provide a small device which when not in use for snowboard or ski retention can be stored under a front vehicle seat or in the trunk or in the deck behind the rear seat in front of the rear window.

Other objects of the invention will be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a right top perspective view of the device of this invention. [0015]
FIG. 2 is a left top perspective view thereof, but of the second of two versions of the device as manufactured. [0016]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the magnet portion of this invention. [0017]
FIG. 4 is a right end view of this device. The left view is a mirror image. [0018]
FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of this invention. [0019]
FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the second manufactured version of this invention. [0020]
FIG. 7 is a top plan view of this invention shown in an in use position, on a vehicle. [0021]
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a variant of the device of this invention. [0022]
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a suction cup retainer mountable device according to this invention. [0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The device of this invention is best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Here [0024] device 10 is seen to comprise a U-shaped member 11, having a main section 13 to which are integrally attached outer fingers 12A and 12B on opposite ends of the main section 13. These fingers extend forwardly from the obverse side of the main section 13.
Spaced inwardly from each of the outer [0025] left finger 12A and the outer right finger 12B are left interior finger 15 and right interior finger 17. These are preferably formed integrally with the main section 13.
Spaced from each of [0026] segments 15 and 17 a uniform amount are center fingers 18 and 20. Each finger external, left and right interior, and central fingers 18 and 20 are preferably similarly sized both as to extension (E) and thickness (7), they all need not be of uniform thickness as shown by arrow T in FIG. 1, and E (extension) in FIG. 7. The space between fingers 12A and 15 is sized to accommodate a vertically disposed snowboard. Each of the narrow spaces is designated 25 per FIG. 6. The larger space between finger 15 and 18 and finger 29 and finger 17 are essentially the ones to accommodate a vertically disposed ski on a temporary basis. Each of these large slots are designated 26. See ski 81 in FIG. 7.
On the reverse side of the device's [0027] main section 13, 180 degrees contrary to the extension of the fingers, is a groove 19 in which is placed at least one magnet 21.
In FIG. 1, the face shown is the front face, or when mounted would be considered as the top face of the device. For units made of hard rubber or polyurethane, which would be solid, the rear face would be a mirror image thereof. But for a second version, which is injection molded, as is seen in FIG. 2, the rear face is open, thus showing [0028] shelf 41, while the front face is the same as in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, and else where, [0029] magnet 21 is shown at each of the opposite ends of the groove. The groove 19 is formed between two lips 28, per FIGS. 1 and 2. A third magnet 21 may be depicted in the centre of the groove near central fingers 18 and 20 between slot 19. In this view, which is of the second version of the device, shelf 41 is seen as an actual shelf. See also FIG. 6, a rear elevational view of the second version, where this element appears. This second version is an injected molded version of the device as noted infra.
A [0030] typical magnet 21 is shown in FIG. 3. The magnet 21 features a magnetic member 22 of finite distances sized to fit within the groove 19 between lips 28. This magnetic member 21 has an adhesive layer coextensive in dimension with magnetic member 22. A protective cover sheet 24 provided by the manufacturer is peeled from the adhesive 23 prior to installation of the magnet 21 into the groove 19.
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the device's body prior to the addition of a magnet or a suction cup retainer. The [0031] lips 19 are readily seen in this view.
An adhesive [0032] 23 that is designed to adhere to the plastic or rubber of the device is readily within the skill of the art and such adhesive is deemed conventional in today's world. Such adhesive will serve to help retain either the magnet or the suction cup retainer as may be desired.
In the discussion of the first [0033] 7 FIGURES it was seen that the device would hold 3 individual snowboards and one to two pair of skis depending on the configuration of the skis. There is nothing critical about the number of fingers and slots allocated for either of skis or snowboards. Thus in the unit shown in FIG. 8, there are 3 fingers at the left and right ends and the left centre instead of two. Thus the left fingers are designated 112A, and 115 with the third finger between them being 112C. While on the right the fingers are 117 and 112B with 112D therebetween. In the centre the 3 fingers are 188 and 120 with finger 130 therebetween.
FIG. 9 depicts a suction cup retainer mountable version of the device of this invention. While shown specifically is the first embodiment with this type of mount, the variant shown in FIG. 8 and any other version of the invention can be mounted in like manner. [0034]
Here in FIG. 9, [0035] device 200 is the same in all respects as device 10 but for the mount means. Thus with the understanding that like numbers refer to like parts, the following elements are the same as there counterparts that are not in the 200 series. That is, the enumerated parts are the same as those with only 2 digit numbers; namely 212A & B, 225, 215, 218, 220, 226, 217, and 219 & 228. Therefore additional discussion of these elements is not required.
Disposed in [0036] groove 219 is mount means 203. It comprises a rubber or plastic base strip 204, having at least one, and here three suction members, 205, upstanding therefrom. Each suction member 205 includes a shaft 206 and a conventional flexible cup member at the opposite end thereof, 208. The suction members may be formed integral to the base strip 204 or be attached thereto by conventional means known to the art. The base strip 204 is retained by the lips 228, and may also be glued into position or other wise attached into the groove 219.
Other variants are within the scope of this invention as well. All of them would feature forwardly extending fingers with small slots for snowboards and large ones for skis. All variants would attach in like manner, with magnets disposed in the reverse side, groove. [0037]

CONSTRUCTION

As to materials, the device itself maybe made cheaply and easily as a one piece molded out of ABS, PVC, styrene, skinned high density urethane foam or hard rubber among other materials. The magnetic member of the [0038] magnet 21 is preferably a ceramic strontium ferrite composition. Spun aluminum could also be employed but the cast is believed to exceed that for plastic, plus there is risk of paint scratching. Soft rubber may be employed for the suction members and soft or hard rubber or an elastomer such as polyurethane may be used for the base strip.

USE

When one is ready to remove the skiing or boarding paraphernalia, the device of this invention is pulled from the storage spot in the vehicle magnetically adhered, or pressed into position in the case of suction cup retainer, to any substantially flat surface of a door or fender of a car or truck. The skis or boards are removed and temporarily stored in a vertical disposition within a large or small slot depending on size of the equipment. [0039]
After disrobing to the extent desired, and de-booting, the skis and boards are placed in their long term storage container for transportation home. The device is easily pulled from the vehicle metal surface and stored beneath a seat or ion the trunk, whether it is attached by suction cups or by magnets. [0040]
It is to be seen that when the device is used the snowboards are disposed sidewardly within a slot and the skis are disposed widthwise within their respective slot. If the fingers extend forwardly enough and provided that the magnet is strong enough then 2 skis can be placed in each ski sized slot without the obverse side being front heavy and toppling. [0041]
The preferred materials for manufacture of the device as noted earlier are A.B.S., (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), hard rubber, and polyurethane elastomer. [0042]
Some certain changes maybe made in the herein detailed device without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained herein and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. [0043]

Claims

I claim:

1. A device for temporary stowage of skis and snowboards, which device when in use is magnetically attached to a portion of a vehicle, said device comprising:

a) a U-shaped member having a main section having an obverse side and a reverse side, the arms of the U being on the obverse side of the device;

b) a series of spaced fingers extending forwardly parallel to the arms of the U, on the obverse side of said device;

c) the spacing between any two fingers defining a slot sized to receive at least one of a member of the group consisting of snowboard or a ski;

d) means on the reverse side of said device for removably attaching said device to a vehicle.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for mounting said device comprises a groove on the reverse side of said device, and at least one magnet disposed in said groove.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein a plurality of spaced magnets are disposed in the groove.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the series of spaced fingers comprise left inner, right inner and left and right central fingers.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein one arm of the U-shaped member and one of the left outer and right outer fingers are spaced such as to define slots sized for receipt of snowboards, while the spacing between the left and right inner and their respective central fingers define slots for skis, and the spacing between the left and right central fingers define a slot for a snowboard.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the means for mounting said device comprises a groove on the reverse side of said device, and at least one magnet disposed in said groove.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein there are 4 spaced fingers disposed between the arms of the U-shaped member.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein there are 7 spaced fingers disposed between the arms of the U-shaped member.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein the 7 spaced fingers define 2 slots for skis and 6 slots for snowboards.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein device 6 formed as a one piece integral unit, but for the at least one magnet and is made of A.B.S. plastic.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is formed as an integral unit, but for the at least one magnet, and is made of hard rubber.

12. A device for temporary stowage of skis and snowboards which device when intended for use is to be magnetically attached to a portion of a vehicle, said device comprising:

b) a series of spaced fingers extending forwardly parallel to the arms of the U on the obverse side of said device, said fingers being of equal dimension to the two arms of the U-shaped member;

c) the spacing between any two fingers defining a slot of one of a first size for snowboards, and a second size for skis.

d) a groove on the reverse side of said device, said groove being at least one magnet disposed in said groove.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the removable mounting means is a suction cup retainer.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the suction cup means comprises three suction cups attached to a base member disposed within said device, for removably mounting it to the vehicle.

15. A device for temporary stowage of skis and snowboards which device when intended for use is to be attached by suction to a portion of a vehicle, said device comprising:

d) a groove on the reverse side of said device, said groove having a suction cup retainer comprising a base member therein, with at least one suction member disposed on said base member.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the device body is made of injection molded plastic.

17. The device of claim 15 wherein the device body is made from a member consisting of the group of hard rubber and polyurethane.