US20160136506A1

US20160136506A1 - Ski pole basket

Info

Publication number: US20160136506A1
Application number: US14/540,207
Authority: US
Inventors: Chris LAING
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-11-13
Filing date: 2014-11-13
Publication date: 2016-05-19

Abstract

A ski pole basket is formed to leave an imprint in the snow in the shape of a print. In embodiments, the ski pole basket has a profile of a selected animal footprint. In various embodiments, ski pole baskets disclosed herein may be used for recreation, ski instruction, finding party members while skiing, or other uses. Ski pole baskets may be secured to a typical ski pole by various means. Various types, shapes, and/or sizes of ski pole baskets may be attached and/or interchanged according to a user's personal preferences or specific uses.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to implements for snow skiing and related activities. In particular, the present disclosure relates to baskets for ski poles.
2. Description of Related Art
Various types of skiing activities have incorporated the use of ski poles for hundreds and perhaps thousands of years. Among other things, a skier may utilize ski poles for self-propulsion or for balance. An alpine skier may additionally use ski poles to time turns as the skier moves downhill.
Most ski poles comprise a shaft, a grip at a top end of the shaft, and a basket at or near a bottom end of the shaft. The basket may typically function to prevent or inhibit the pole from sinking into snow beyond a certain point.
Commonly, use of a ski pole may involve the skier planting the pole into the snow. In Nordic skiing, the skier may push off the ground with the planted pole to propel the skier forward. In alpine skiing, a pole plant can initiate a turn.
The size and/or shape of the ski pole basket may be selected for the current snow conditions and for the type of skiing activity. For example, an alpine ski racer typically uses relatively small-diameter, conical ski pole baskets due to weight and aerodynamic considerations. An alpine or Nordic skier in deep snow may choose to use relatively larger-diameter ski pole baskets because a basket having a greater surface area may be less likely to sink down in snow than a smaller ski pole basket.
Some ski poles are constructed to allow the skier to easily remove the pole basket and replace it with another basket that is more suitable to the snow conditions. In some examples, a ski pole basket is attached to a pole by threading. A skier may remove the basket, and subsequently install another basket, by twisting the basket relative to the pole. Some ski pole baskets are secured to ski poles by a friction fit over a tapered section of the ski pole as a type of collet. Other baskets are fastened to the ski pole with an adhesive. Yet other pole baskets may be attached to a ski pole by various combinations of the foregoing.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a ski pole basket is disclosed. The ski pole basket has a disk and an attachment collar on the disk. The disk has a shape of an animal footprint. The attachment collar is for attaching the ski pole basket to a ski pole.
In another embodiment, a method of skiing is disclosed. The method includes striking a ground surface with a ski pole basket having an animal footprint shape, making an impression of the animal footprint shape into the ground surface, and lifting the ski pole basket from the ground surface.
The present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description, and any preferred or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only so that this disclosure will be thorough, and fully convey the full scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 depicts ski poles having animal print ski pole baskets according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A depicts a bottom view of an embodiment of the present disclosure comprising a bobcat print profile;

FIG. 2B depicts a back view of an embodiment of the present disclosure comprising a bobcat print profile;

FIG. 2C depicts a front view of an embodiment of the present disclosure comprising a bobcat print profile;

FIG. 3A depicts a bottom view of an embodiment of the present disclosure comprising a mountain lion print profile;

FIG. 3B depicts a back view of an embodiment of the present disclosure comprising a mountain lion print profile;

FIG. 3C depicts a front view of an embodiment of the present disclosure comprising a mountain lion print profile;

FIG. 4A depicts a bottom view of an embodiment of the present disclosure comprising a mule deer print profile;

FIG. 4B depicts a back view of an embodiment of the present disclosure comprising a mule deer print profile;

FIG. 4C depicts a front view of an embodiment of the present disclosure comprising a mule deer print profile;

FIG. 5A depicts a bottom view of an embodiment of the present disclosure comprising a goose print profile

FIG. 5B depicts a back view of an embodiment of the present disclosure comprising a goose print profile; and

FIG. 5C depicts a front view of an embodiment of the present disclosure comprising a goose print profile.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, reference is made to exemplary embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the concepts disclosed herein, and it is to be understood that modifications to the various disclosed embodiments may be made, and other embodiments may be utilized, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” “one example,” or “an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples.
Various embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a ski pole basket adapted to leave impressions in the snow that resemble various animal hoof prints, paw prints, footprints, and the like. According to various embodiments, an impression of a footprint may include an outer profile of a footprint, inner features of a footprint, or combinations thereof. As used herein, the term “footprint” may refer to an impression formed in or on a surface that resembles a print made by a foot, a paw, a hoof, or other like appendages. As used herein, the term “footprint” may further refer generally to the shape of a foot, a paw, a hoof, or other like appendages.
Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises basket 100. Basket 100 comprises disk 110 having collar 120 and outer perimeter 130. In embodiments, collar 120 is adapted to attach basket 100 to a ski pole 150.
Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2C, outer perimeter 130 has a shape of a bobcat paw print outer profile. Basket 100 further comprises downward protrusions 140 having shapes that match the profiles of the pads and/or additional internal features of a bobcat paw print. In embodiments, protrusions 140 match the shapes of pads of a bobcat paw print. According to one embodiment, protrusions 140 extend downward from disk 110 approximately one-eighth (⅛) of an inch. According to various embodiments, downward protrusions 140 match the shape of digits, pads, or other like internal features of different species of paw prints, hoof prints, or foot prints. In other embodiments, protrusions comprise other depths according to a selected impression depth.
In embodiments, collar 120 is adapted to attach basket 100 to a ski pole 150. In one embodiment, a friction fit is formed between collar 120 and a tapered section of a ski pole 150. In another embodiment, a threaded connection is made when the basket 100 is twisted onto a ski pole 150, where corresponding threads are on the ski pole 150 and collar 120. In another embodiment, an adhesive secures basket 100 to a ski pole 150. In various embodiments, basket 100 may attach to a ski pole 150 via various other attachment means as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing. In some embodiments, collar 120 is roughly at the center of disk 110, thereby roughly centering basket 100 around a ski pole 150. In other embodiments, basket 100 is eccentric to the ski pole 150. In other embodiments, collar 120 is located on disk 110 according to specific needs and/or anticipated uses.
Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3C, one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a ski pole basket adapted to leave impressions in the snow that resemble paw prints of a mountain lion.
Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4C, one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a ski pole basket adapted to leave impressions in the snow that resemble hoof prints of a mule deer. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 4A-4C, in one embodiment of a ski pole basket, the collar is placed approximately one-eighth of the total basket length from the back of the ski pole basket. Such collar placement may be preferred for a cross-country ski pole. Other various collar placements and arrangements may be selected for other embodiments according to particular circumstances and anticipated uses of the ski pole basket.
Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5C, one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a ski pole basket adapted to leave impressions in the snow that resemble footprints of a goose.
According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a ski pole basket may be manufactured from various materials, including molded plastic, for example high density polyethylene, or other materials as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.
According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, ski pole baskets may be manufactured in various sizes. Sizes may be correlated to approximate the sizes of the various animals prints mimicked. For example, referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, a ski pole basket 100 having a shape of a mountain lion footprint may have a diameter that is more suitable to be used by an adult and/or in relatively deep snow, where having large ski pole baskets may be advantageous. Alternatively, referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, a ski pole basket 100 having the shape of a bobcat footprint may have a diameter that is suitable for children or for skiing activities where smaller ski pole baskets may be advantageous. Alternatively, referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, a ski pole basket 100 having the shape of a mule deer footprint may have a diameter that is suitable for skiing activities where a smaller ski pole basket may be advantageous (for example, cross-country skiing).
Referring now to FIG. 2B, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, disk 110 comprises a surface curvature as depicted, resulting in a downward-facing concave surface. The radius and/or size of the curvature of disk 110 may depend on the specific intended uses of the ski pole baskets 100.
In operation, a skier may use an animal print ski pole basket in the same manner as a typical ski pole basket. As the skier carries out a pole plant by penetrating the ski pole into snow, the ski pole basket may leave an outline of the print in the snow.
According to embodiments, one potential use of a ski pole basket of the present disclosure includes using ski pole baskets having various animal print shapes to track one or members of a group. For example, certain skiers may want to follow the path of another member of their party. If those skiers knew that the member they were following had ski pole baskets that left distinctive impressions (for example, mountain lion prints) in the snow, they may be able to more easily follow the person's path. In many circumstances, a person using ski pole baskets that create animal prints may likely create unique and identifiable tracks.
In other embodiments, ski pole baskets of the present disclosure may be utilized as a teaching aid for children learning how to ski with poles. A child may find entertainment in creating animal print impressions in the snow and/or following the print impressions created by an instructor or parent and may thus be more likely to participate in learning exercises.
Although the present disclosure is described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, including embodiments that do not provide all of the benefits and features set forth herein, which are also within the scope of this disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A ski pole basket comprising:

a downward-facing concave surface, comprising at least one downward-facing protrusion forming a perimeter outline of at least one respective print feature, wherein multiple print features combine to depict a shape of an animal footprint and

an attachment collar on the surface for attaching the ski pole basket to a ski pole.

2. The ski pole basket of claim 1, wherein the attachment collar comprises a threading.

3. The ski pole basket of claim 1, wherein the attachment collar comprises a collet.

4. The ski pole basket of claim 1, wherein the attachment collar comprises a friction fitting.

5. The ski pole basket of claim 1, wherein the attachment collar comprises an adhesive.

6. The ski pole basket of claim 1, wherein the shape of the animal footprint further comprises a downward protrusion forming an internal footprint feature.

7. The ski pole basket of claim 1, wherein the shape of the animal footprint further comprises an outer profile forming a footprint profile.

8. (canceled)

9. A method of skiing, comprising:

striking a ground surface with a ski pole basket, the ski pole basket comprising:

a downward-facing concave surface, comprising at least one downward-facing protrusion forming a perimeter outline of at least one respective print feature, wherein multiple print features combine to depict an animal footprint shape and

an attachment collar on the surface for attaching the ski pole basket to a ski pole;

making an impression of the animal footprint shape into the ground surface; and

lifting the ski pole basket from the ground surface.

10. A ski pole basket comprising:

a downward-facing concave surface, comprising at least one downward-facing protrusion forming a perimeter outline of at least one respective print feature, wherein multiple print features combine to depict a shape of an animal track and

11. The ski pole basket of claim 10, wherein the animal track comprises a human print.

12. The ski pole basket of claim 11, wherein the human print comprises a human hand print.

13. The ski pole basket of claim 10, wherein the animal track comprises a mule deer hoof print.

14. The ski pole basket of claim 10, wherein the animal track comprises a bobcat paw print.

15. The ski pole basket of claim 10, wherein the animal track comprises a mountain lion paw print.

16. The ski pole basket of claim 10, wherein the animal track comprises a goose footprint.

17. The ski pole basket of claim 10, further comprising a surface having an outer profile of the animal footprint.

18. The ski pole basket of claim 17, wherein the surface comprises a downward protrusion forming an internal footprint feature.

19. The ski pole basket of claim 18, wherein the internal footprint feature comprises an animal paw print pad.

20. The ski pole basket of claim 10, further comprising a collar.