WATER SKI RACK
United States Patent 3701436
A water ski rack comprising two spaced rack units for supporting a pair of water skis adjacent the respective ends thereof. Each rack unit includes a fork-like rack element having three tines adapted to receive the skis therebetween. Each rack element has a projecting prong adapted to be plugged into a socket in a bracket mounted on a suitable supporting structure. A spring clip carried by each bracket and engageable with the corresponding prong retains it in its socket. Straps secure the skis in the rack elements.
US Patent References:
Gun carrier
Wilson - March 1953 - 2632619
Attachment for operating tables
Lowe - March 1949 - 2463400
Carrier device for skiers
Pfleider - September 1966 - 3272413
Ski rack
Carlyle - January 1962 - 3018897
Adjustable clasp
Vizner - January 1950 - 2495667
Gun carrier
Wilson - March 1953 - 2632619
Attachment for operating tables
Lowe - March 1949 - 2463400
Carrier device for skiers
Pfleider - September 1966 - 3272413
Ski rack
Carlyle - January 1962 - 3018897
Adjustable clasp
Vizner - January 1950 - 2495667
Application Number:
05/101489
Publication Date:
10/31/1972
Filing Date:
12/28/1970
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Radco Manufacturing Co., Inc. (Santa Maria, CA)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
248/309.100, 114/364, 224/406, 248/201, 280/814, 24/301, 224/917.500
International Classes:
A63C11/02; A63C11/00; A47B81/00; A47F7/00
Field of Search:
211/6SK,64,4,6R 280/11.37K,11.37KA 224/45.16,5.26,42.45R,42.1G 248/201,309,225,224,176,316D 24/23SL,23B,23A
US Patent References:
Primary Examiner:
Frazier, Roy D.
Assistant Examiner:
Frankel, Abraham
Claims:
I claim as my invention
1. In a ski rack unit, or the like, the combination of:
2. A ski rack unit or the like, according to claim 1 wherein said bracket is provided with undercut grooves and wherein said end portions of said spring clip are U-shaped and pressed into said grooves, respectively.
3. A ski rack unit, or the like, as set forth in claim 1 including a strap connectible to the outermost of said tines and adapted to span the spaces between said tines to retain the two skis therebetween.
4. A ski rack unit, or the like, as set forth in claim 1 wherein said prong makes an angle of about 45° with said tines.
5. A ski rack, or the like, including two ski rack units according to claim 1 in spaced relationship with the spaces between the tines of said rack elements in alignment so that said rack elements support the skis at spaced points.
1. In a ski rack unit, or the like, the combination of:
2. A ski rack unit or the like, according to claim 1 wherein said bracket is provided with undercut grooves and wherein said end portions of said spring clip are U-shaped and pressed into said grooves, respectively.
3. A ski rack unit, or the like, as set forth in claim 1 including a strap connectible to the outermost of said tines and adapted to span the spaces between said tines to retain the two skis therebetween.
4. A ski rack unit, or the like, as set forth in claim 1 wherein said prong makes an angle of about 45° with said tines.
5. A ski rack, or the like, including two ski rack units according to claim 1 in spaced relationship with the spaces between the tines of said rack elements in alignment so that said rack elements support the skis at spaced points.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to a ski rack, and, more particularly, to a rack which may be mounted on any suitable structure to support a pair of skis.
Since the invention was originally embodied in and is particularly applicable to a rack for water skis, it will be considered in such connection herein as a matter of convenience, with the understanding that it may be used for supporting snow skis, or other equipment.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF INVENTION
A primary object of the invention is to provide a water ski rack, or the like, comprising two rack units which may be mounted on any suitable supporting structure, such as any convenient part of a boat, in a spaced relation such that the two units support at least one pair of skis adjacent the respective ends thereof.
More particularly, an important object of the invention is to provide ski rack units each of which includes a fork-like rack element capable of supporting at least two skis between the tines thereof, and each of which is removably plugged into a socket in a mounting bracket attached to the desired supporting structure. It will be understood that the spaces between the tines of the two rack elements are aligned so that the rack elements support the skis at spaced points adjacent the respective ends thereof.
Another important object is to provide a rack unit wherein the prong of the rack element is oriented at about 45° to the tines so that the rack element can be positioned to cause the tines to face upwardly with the bracket mounted on a vertical surface, an inclined surface, an upwardly facing horizontal surface, or even a downwardly facing horizontal surface.
Still another important object of the invention is to provide each mounting bracket with a spring clip engageable with the prong of the corresponding rack element to releasably retain such prong in its socket. A related object is to provide a construction wherein each prong has transverse notches spaced apart longitudinally thereof and each of which is capable of receiving the corresponding spring clip therein.
Yet another object is to provide a ski rack unit wherein each spring clip is generally U-shaped over-all and has end portions secured to the bracket and a transverse portion interconnecting the end portions and receivable in any one of the transverse notches in the corresponding rack-element prong. A related object is to provide the bracket with undercut grooves and to provide the spring clip with U-shaped end portions respectively pressed into the undercut grooves in the bracket.
A further object is to provide each rack element with a strap connectible to the outermost tines thereof and adapted to span the spaces between the tines to retain the skis between the tines.
The foregoing objects, advantages, features and results of the present invention, together with various other objects, advantages, features and results thereof which will be evident to those skilled in the ski rack art in the light of this disclosure, may be achieved with the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing and described in detail hereinafter.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
In the drawing:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the water ski rack of the invention mounted on a suitable upwardly facing, horizontal supporting structure, it being understood that the rack may be mounted on a vertical supporting structure, an inclined supporting structure, or even on a downwardly facing, horizontal supporting structure;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one of the rack units constituting the water ski rack of the invention;
FIG. 3 shows one of the rack units from above as it is viewed in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken as indicated by the arrowed line 4--4 of FIG. 2
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF INVENTION
Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawing, illustrated therein is a rack 10 shown as supporting a pair of water skis 12. In the particular installation illustrated, the rack 10 is shown as mounted on an upwardly facing, horizontal supporting structure 14, such as a boat deck, a railing, or the like. However, because of a structural feature to be discussed hereinafter, the rack 10 may equally well be mounted on a vertical supporting structure, an inclined supporting structure, or even under an overhang.
The ski rack 10 includes two ski rack units 20 which support the skis 12 adjacent the respective ends thereof. The rack units 20 are identical so that only one of them will be considered in detail.
Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4 of the drawing, each rack unit 20 includes a fork-like rack element 22 shown as having three spaced tines 24, 26 and 28, one ski 12 being receivable between the tines 24 and 26 and the other between the tines 26 and 28. (If desired, the rack element 22 could be equipped with more tines to receive more skis.) The skis 12 are retained in the rack element 22 by an elastomeric strap 30 provided at its ends with loops 32 engageable with hooks 34 on the outermost tines 24 and 28. With this construction, the strap 30 can be installed readily by engaging one of the loops 32 with one of the hooks 34, stretching the strap around the skis 12, and engaging the other loop 32 with the other hook 34. The strap 30 can be disengaged correspondingly easily.
The rack element 22 of each rack unit 20 includes a prong 40 which is insertable into a socket 42 in a mounting bracket 44 and which makes an angle of approximately 45° with the tine assembly 24, 26 and 28. Because of this angular relationship between the tine assembly and the prong 40, the mounting bracket 44 may be installed on either a horizontal supporting structure like the structure 14, a vertical supporting structure, not shown, an inclined supporting structure, or even under an overhang. More particularly, the rack element 22 can be oriented with the tines 24, 26 and 28 facing upwardly with the prong 40 oriented horizontally, as shown, or with the prong oriented vertically, or at some intermediate angle. Also, if the bracket 44 is mounted under an overhang, the rack element can be reversed relative to the bracket so that the tines face upwardly. Thus, the rack 10 of the invention can be installed on a wide variety of supporting structures, which is an important feature.
The mounting bracket 44 of each rack unit 20 is shown as provided with mounting flanges 46 which may be secured to the desired supporting structure, such as the structure 14, by means of screws 48, or otherwise.
The mounting bracket 44 of each rack unit 20 carries a spring clip 50 which engages the prong 40 of the corresponding rack element 22 to releasably secure it in its socket 42. Preferably, the spring clip 50 is generally U-shaped over-all and has end portions 52 secured to the mounting bracket 44 and a transverse portion 54 interconnecting the end portions and receivable in any one of a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transverse notches 56 in the prong 40. It will be noted that the prong 40 is provided with the notches 56 in two opposed surfaces thereof so that the rack element 22 may be reversed in position with respect to the mounting bracket 44 if the mounting bracket is so oriented as to require reversal to permit the tine assembly 24, 26 and 28 to face upwardly. Preferably, the tip of the prong 40 is pointed to facilitate insertion into its socket 42 past the spring clip 50 and the spring clip is provided with projecting finger grips 58 for releasing it from the notch 56 in which it is disposed.
Considering how the spring clip 50 is secured to its mounting bracket 44, the latter is provided on opposite sides thereof with undercut grooves 60. The end portions 52 of the spring clip 50 are U-shaped or hook shaped and are simply pressed into the undercut grooves 60, being frictionally retained therein. However, if desired, supplementary means, such as screws, may be used to hold the end portions 52 in the grooves 60.
It will be apparent from the foregoing that the present invention provides a very universal ski rack which can be installed easily in any of a wide variety of locations, which is an important feature.
Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in such embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims appearing in the next section of this specification.
The present invention relates in general to a ski rack, and, more particularly, to a rack which may be mounted on any suitable structure to support a pair of skis.
Since the invention was originally embodied in and is particularly applicable to a rack for water skis, it will be considered in such connection herein as a matter of convenience, with the understanding that it may be used for supporting snow skis, or other equipment.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF INVENTION
A primary object of the invention is to provide a water ski rack, or the like, comprising two rack units which may be mounted on any suitable supporting structure, such as any convenient part of a boat, in a spaced relation such that the two units support at least one pair of skis adjacent the respective ends thereof.
More particularly, an important object of the invention is to provide ski rack units each of which includes a fork-like rack element capable of supporting at least two skis between the tines thereof, and each of which is removably plugged into a socket in a mounting bracket attached to the desired supporting structure. It will be understood that the spaces between the tines of the two rack elements are aligned so that the rack elements support the skis at spaced points adjacent the respective ends thereof.
Another important object is to provide a rack unit wherein the prong of the rack element is oriented at about 45° to the tines so that the rack element can be positioned to cause the tines to face upwardly with the bracket mounted on a vertical surface, an inclined surface, an upwardly facing horizontal surface, or even a downwardly facing horizontal surface.
Still another important object of the invention is to provide each mounting bracket with a spring clip engageable with the prong of the corresponding rack element to releasably retain such prong in its socket. A related object is to provide a construction wherein each prong has transverse notches spaced apart longitudinally thereof and each of which is capable of receiving the corresponding spring clip therein.
Yet another object is to provide a ski rack unit wherein each spring clip is generally U-shaped over-all and has end portions secured to the bracket and a transverse portion interconnecting the end portions and receivable in any one of the transverse notches in the corresponding rack-element prong. A related object is to provide the bracket with undercut grooves and to provide the spring clip with U-shaped end portions respectively pressed into the undercut grooves in the bracket.
A further object is to provide each rack element with a strap connectible to the outermost tines thereof and adapted to span the spaces between the tines to retain the skis between the tines.
The foregoing objects, advantages, features and results of the present invention, together with various other objects, advantages, features and results thereof which will be evident to those skilled in the ski rack art in the light of this disclosure, may be achieved with the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing and described in detail hereinafter.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
In the drawing:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the water ski rack of the invention mounted on a suitable upwardly facing, horizontal supporting structure, it being understood that the rack may be mounted on a vertical supporting structure, an inclined supporting structure, or even on a downwardly facing, horizontal supporting structure;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one of the rack units constituting the water ski rack of the invention;
FIG. 3 shows one of the rack units from above as it is viewed in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken as indicated by the arrowed line 4--4 of FIG. 2
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF INVENTION
Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawing, illustrated therein is a rack 10 shown as supporting a pair of water skis 12. In the particular installation illustrated, the rack 10 is shown as mounted on an upwardly facing, horizontal supporting structure 14, such as a boat deck, a railing, or the like. However, because of a structural feature to be discussed hereinafter, the rack 10 may equally well be mounted on a vertical supporting structure, an inclined supporting structure, or even under an overhang.
The ski rack 10 includes two ski rack units 20 which support the skis 12 adjacent the respective ends thereof. The rack units 20 are identical so that only one of them will be considered in detail.
Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4 of the drawing, each rack unit 20 includes a fork-like rack element 22 shown as having three spaced tines 24, 26 and 28, one ski 12 being receivable between the tines 24 and 26 and the other between the tines 26 and 28. (If desired, the rack element 22 could be equipped with more tines to receive more skis.) The skis 12 are retained in the rack element 22 by an elastomeric strap 30 provided at its ends with loops 32 engageable with hooks 34 on the outermost tines 24 and 28. With this construction, the strap 30 can be installed readily by engaging one of the loops 32 with one of the hooks 34, stretching the strap around the skis 12, and engaging the other loop 32 with the other hook 34. The strap 30 can be disengaged correspondingly easily.
The rack element 22 of each rack unit 20 includes a prong 40 which is insertable into a socket 42 in a mounting bracket 44 and which makes an angle of approximately 45° with the tine assembly 24, 26 and 28. Because of this angular relationship between the tine assembly and the prong 40, the mounting bracket 44 may be installed on either a horizontal supporting structure like the structure 14, a vertical supporting structure, not shown, an inclined supporting structure, or even under an overhang. More particularly, the rack element 22 can be oriented with the tines 24, 26 and 28 facing upwardly with the prong 40 oriented horizontally, as shown, or with the prong oriented vertically, or at some intermediate angle. Also, if the bracket 44 is mounted under an overhang, the rack element can be reversed relative to the bracket so that the tines face upwardly. Thus, the rack 10 of the invention can be installed on a wide variety of supporting structures, which is an important feature.
The mounting bracket 44 of each rack unit 20 is shown as provided with mounting flanges 46 which may be secured to the desired supporting structure, such as the structure 14, by means of screws 48, or otherwise.
The mounting bracket 44 of each rack unit 20 carries a spring clip 50 which engages the prong 40 of the corresponding rack element 22 to releasably secure it in its socket 42. Preferably, the spring clip 50 is generally U-shaped over-all and has end portions 52 secured to the mounting bracket 44 and a transverse portion 54 interconnecting the end portions and receivable in any one of a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transverse notches 56 in the prong 40. It will be noted that the prong 40 is provided with the notches 56 in two opposed surfaces thereof so that the rack element 22 may be reversed in position with respect to the mounting bracket 44 if the mounting bracket is so oriented as to require reversal to permit the tine assembly 24, 26 and 28 to face upwardly. Preferably, the tip of the prong 40 is pointed to facilitate insertion into its socket 42 past the spring clip 50 and the spring clip is provided with projecting finger grips 58 for releasing it from the notch 56 in which it is disposed.
Considering how the spring clip 50 is secured to its mounting bracket 44, the latter is provided on opposite sides thereof with undercut grooves 60. The end portions 52 of the spring clip 50 are U-shaped or hook shaped and are simply pressed into the undercut grooves 60, being frictionally retained therein. However, if desired, supplementary means, such as screws, may be used to hold the end portions 52 in the grooves 60.
It will be apparent from the foregoing that the present invention provides a very universal ski rack which can be installed easily in any of a wide variety of locations, which is an important feature.
Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in such embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims appearing in the next section of this specification.