Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to devices for storing snow skis, snowboards, ski and snowboard accessories and the like. More particularly, illustrative embodiments of the disclosure relate to a snow ski, snowboard and accessory storage device which facilitates storage of snow skis, snowboards and ski and snowboard accessories without altering the camber or shape of the skis or snowboard, in addition to facilitating the storage of an individual snow ski, or snowboard.
Conventional devices for storing snow skis, snowboards and ski and snowboard accessories typically utilize the traditional shape and camber of the snow skis and snowboards to hold the snow skis and snowboards in the device. Conventional storage devices typically require that the snow skis and/or snowboards be compressed together and stored as a pair. Unlike snow skis, which are typically used in tandem, a snowboard is individually used, and as such, cannot be stored in conventional storage devices which require the compression of two objects in order to retain them. In addition, the compression of the snow skis or snowboards alters their natural shape and camber and may permanently alter the shape and camber of snow skis and snowboards in a detrimental way. Moreover, recent advances in snow ski and snowboard fabrication technology have drastically and fundamentally changed the shape and camber of snow skis and snowboards. Due to the non-traditional shape of the newer snow skis and snowboards, the change in camber imparted by the conventional storage devices on the newer snow skis and snowboards may occur at a higher magnitude than on the older, traditionally shaped skis and snowboards.
Accordingly, a snow ski, snowboard and accessory storage device which facilitates the individual storage of snow skis, snowboards and ski and snowboard accessories without altering the camber or shape of the skis or snowboards may be desirable for some applications.
The disclosure is generally directed to a snow ski, snowboard and accessory storage device which facilitates storage of snow skis, snowboards and ski and snowboard accessories without altering the camber or shape of the skis or snowboard. An illustrative embodiment of the device includes a backing plate; a hinge assembly carried by the backing plate, the hinge assembly including at least one hinge rotatable with respect to the backing plate; at least one backing arm carried by the at least one hinge of the hinge assembly, the at least one backing arm having an outer arm segment and an inner arm segment spaced-apart and parallel to the outer arm segment; the at least one backing arm adapted to receive a snow ski or snowboard between the outer arm segment and the inner arm segment; and a spreader and hanging bar carried by the backing plate, the at least one backing arm normally resting by gravity against the spreader and hanging bar and capable of being raised from the spreader and hanging bar as the at least one hinge rotates relative to the backing plate.
Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Moreover, the illustrative embodiments described herein are not exhaustive and embodiments or implementations other than those which are described herein and which fall within the scope of the appended claims are possible. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.
Referring initially to
A hinge assembly 28 is provided on the backing plate 12. As illustrated in
A spreader and hanging bar 30 extends from the backing plate 12 generally beneath the hinge assembly 28. The spreader and hanging bar 30 may include a pair of generally elongated, parallel, spaced-apart main bar segments 30a which extend from the backing plate 12. The main bar segments 30a may be welded, threaded, cast or otherwise attached to the backing plate 12 according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. As illustrated in
A first backing arm 40 is supported by the outer hinge 22 of the hinge assembly 28. The first backing arm 40 may include a generally elongated first main arm segment 40a which extends outwardly from the outer hinge 22. A first outer arm segment 34 may extend forwardly from the first main arm segment 40a, in generally perpendicular relationship to a longitudinal axis of the first main arm segment 40a and in generally parallel relationship to a longitudinal axis of the hinge assembly 28. An elongated first inner arm segment 32 may extend from the first main arm segment 40a in generally parallel, spaced-apart relationship to the first outer arm segment 34. Because the outer hinge 22 rotates relative to the hinge shaft 49 (
The first inner arm segment 32 may be located in proximity to the first outer arm segment 34 of the first backing arm 40 such that the space between the first inner arm segment 32 and the first outer arm segment 34 is sufficiently wide to accommodate the thickness of a snow ski or snowboard. For example and without limitation, in some embodiments the space between the first inner arm segment 32 and the first outer arm segment 34 may be approximately 0.25 inches to 0.75 inches. The first outer arm segment 34 and the first inner arm segment 32 may extend so that their length provides ample bearing surfaces for the top and bottom surfaces of a snow ski or snowboard (not illustrated), which in some embodiments may be approximately 3˜10 inches.
A second backing arm 42 is supported by the inner hinge 20 of the hinge assembly 28. The second backing arm 42 may have a design which is the same as or similar to the first backing arm 40. A generally elongated second main arm segment 42a may extend outwardly from the inner hinge 20. A second outer arm segment 38 may extend forwardly from the second main arm segment 42a, in generally perpendicular relationship to a longitudinal axis of the second main arm segment 42a and in generally parallel relationship to a longitudinal axis of the hinge assembly 28. An elongated second inner arm segment 36 may extend from the second main arm segment 42a in generally parallel, spaced-apart relationship to the second outer arm segment 38. Because the inner hinge 20 rotates relative to the hinge shaft 49 (
The second inner arm segment 36 may be located in proximity to the second outer arm segment 38 of the second backing arm 42 such that the space between the second inner arm segment 36 and the second outer arm segment 38 is sufficiently wide to accommodate the thickness of a standard or conventional snow ski or snowboard. For example and without limitation, in some embodiments the space between the second inner arm segment 36 and the second outer arm segment 38 may be approximately 0.25 inches to 0.75 inches. The second outer arm segment 38 and the second inner arm segment 36 may extend so that their length provides ample bearing surfaces for the top and bottom surfaces of a snow ski or snowboard (not illustrated), which in some embodiments may be approximately 3˜10 inches.
As the first backing arm 40 and the second backing arm 42 pivot via the hinge assembly 28, the back washer 18, the middle washer 24 and the outer washer 26 minimize friction and rubbing between the outer hinge 22 and the inner hinge 20 and between the hinge cap 27 and the outer hinge 22. The first main arm segment 40a and the first outer arm segment 34 thereof may be fabricated from a continuous length of rod and attached to the outer hinge 22. Similarly, the second main arm segment 42a and second outer arm segment 38 thereof may be fabricated from a continuous length of rod and attached to the inner hinge 20.
The spreader and hanging bar 30 may be sufficiently wide to separate the first backing arm 40 from the second backing arm 42. This expedient facilitates easy handling by a user when storing or removing snow skis or snowboards on the first backing arm 40 and/or the second backing arm 42. In some embodiments, the spreader and hanging bar 30 may extend slightly past or beyond the ends of the first inner arm segment 32 and the first outer arm segment 34 of the first backing arm 40 and beyond the ends of the second inner arm segment 36 and the second outer arm segment 38 of the second backing arm 42 to provide easier access for the hanging of accessories from the spreader and hanging bar 30 and may be a distance of approximately 4-11 inches in some embodiments.
Referring now to
Referring next to
As illustrated in
The first snow ski 46 can be selectively removed from the second backing arm 42 as desired by raising the first snow ski 46 such that the second backing arm 42 pivots upwardly around the hinge assembly 28 and the first snow ski 46 disengages the second inner arm segment 36 and the second outer arm segment 38. The first snow ski 46 can then be lifted from between the second inner arm segment 36 and the second outer arm segment 38.
Referring next to
Referring next to
Referring next to
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the device 10 may be fabricated of metal or any other sufficiently rigid and strong material such as high strength plastics, composites and the like. Various components of the device 10 can be made of different materials. Portions of the device 10 which contact the surfaces of snow skis or snowboards may be coated and/or encapsulated with a non-abrasive finish, coating, and/or membrane to allow for a smooth and malleable surface between the snow skis or snowboards and the various components of the device 10.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the device 10 facilitates storage of snow skis, snowboards and related accessories without altering the natural shape and camber of the snow skis or snowboard. Due to the particular characteristics of the device 10, snow skis and snowboards which do not have traditional shape and/or camber can be stored just as quickly and easily as traditionally-shaped snow skis and snowboards. The inherent design of the device 10 does not rely on the compression of snow skis and snowboards into one another to achieve the forces necessary for storage. Rather, the device 10 utilizes the natural properties of the snow skis and/or snowboards to create the forces that support the snow skis and snowboards in the device 10 in a manner that does not affect the shape and/or camber of the stored snow skis and snowboards. Moreover, the design of the device 10 may isolate the stored snow skis and snowboards from one another, allowing for storage of a single snow ski or snowboard. This capability may not be possible using conventional snow ski and snowboard storage devices which rely on compression of the snow skis or snowboards against each other for storage. In addition to storing snow skis and snowboards, the device 10 also allows users to store accessories associated with the activities of skiing and snowboarding such as snow ski poles, snow ski straps, goggles and the like.
While the embodiments of the disclosure have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/606,508, filed Mar. 5, 2012 and entitled SNOW SKI, SNOWBOARD, AND ACCESSORY STORAGE DEVICE, which provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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61606508 | Mar 2012 | US |