Ski carrying device

The ski transport device with a retention device and elastically deformable connecting strap addresses the instability and time inefficiency of existing backpacks, ensuring quick and stable ski attachment and removal for improved performance.

EP4768099A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-07-01MILLET MOUNTAIN GRP SAS

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
MILLET MOUNTAIN GRP SAS
Filing Date
2025-12-04
Publication Date
2026-07-01

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing ski mountaineering backpacks do not ensure stable and quick attachment and removal of skis, which is detrimental in competitions, and the carrying system is not ergonomic.

Method used

A ski transport device with a retention device comprising a lower retention loop, an upper attachment member, and an elastically deformable connecting strap that facilitates easy and quick attachment and removal of skis, ensuring stable transport.

Benefits of technology

The device provides stable and ergonomic ski transport with reduced attachment/removal time, enhancing performance in competitions.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The ski carrying device (1) comprises a back section (3), a carrying strap (4), and a retention device (7) configured to hold and position the pair of skis in a carrying position. The retention device (7) comprises a lower retention member (8) into which the lower sections of the skis are suitable for insertion, an upper attachment member (9) configured for attaching the upper sections of the skis, and a connecting strap (11) that is elastically deformable and that connects the upper attachment member (9) to the back section (3). The connecting strap (11) notably comprises an upper end portion to which the upper attachment member (9) is attached and which is configured to extend through and beyond a guide loop (19) attached to an upper portion of the back section (3).
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Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of mountaineering and in particular to ski mountaineering, and more particularly concerns a ski transport device configured to be carried on the back of a user and to allow the user to transport a pair of skis. State of the art

[0002] A ski mountaineering backpack typically includes a back panel designed to be in contact with the user's back, two shoulder straps designed to be positioned at the user's shoulders, and a retention device configured to hold and position the skis in a transport position where the skis are inclined relative to the vertical.

[0003] Such a support device includes, in particular: a lower retaining loop fixed to a lower portion of the back section and located on one side of the backpack, the lower retaining loop defining an insertion opening through which the lower parts of the skis can be inserted, and an upper attachment device connected to the upper part of the carrying strap, located on the second side of the backpack, by means of a connecting band which is elastically deformable, the upper attachment device being configured to attach the upper parts of the skis.

[0004] This type of carrying system does not ensure sufficiently stable transport of the skis when they are in the carrying position, which is particularly detrimental when using the aforementioned backpack in ski mountaineering competitions. Furthermore, the time required to secure the skis to the backpack is significant, which is also a drawback when using the aforementioned backpack in ski mountaineering competitions. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.

[0006] The technical problem underlying the invention is therefore to provide a ski transport device, particularly for ski mountaineering, which is of simple, compact and ergonomic structure, while allowing a user to easily and quickly attach a pair of skis to the ski transport device, to easily and quickly remove the pair of skis from the ski transport device, and to transport the pair of skis in a stable and reliable manner.

[0007] To this end, the present invention relates to a ski transport device, and in particular a backpack, for example a ski mountaineering backpack, configured to be worn on the back of a user and to allow the user to transport a pair of skis, the ski transport device comprising: a back section intended to be in contact with the back of a user, at least one carrying strap intended to be positioned at the level of one shoulder of the user, a retention device configured to hold and position the pair of skis in a transport position in which the skis are inclined relative to the vertical and extend partly against the back section, the retention device comprising a lower retention member, such as a lower retention loop, located on one side of the ski transport device and into which the lower parts of the skis are suitable for insertion, and an upper attachment member located on a second side of the ski transport device and configured to attach, and thus to retain, the upper parts of the skis, and a guide loop fixed to an upper portion of the back section and located on the second side of the ski transport device.

[0008] The retention device further comprises a connecting strap which is elastically deformable and which connects the upper attachment member to the dorsal part, the connecting strap having a lower end portion which is attached to a lower portion of the dorsal part and an upper end portion to which the upper attachment member is attached and which is configured to extend through and beyond the guide loop during an operation of attaching the skis with the attachment member, the connecting strap being configured to at least partially encircle the shoulder of the user located on the second side of the ski transport device when the ski transport device is worn by the user and the upper attachment member being configured to be located at least partially beyond the guide loop when the skis are in the transport position,The connecting strap is configured to form an additional carrying strap when the skis are in the transport position.

[0009] Such a configuration of the holding device, and in particular of the connecting strap, and of the guide loop ensures optimal positioning of the skis relative to the user's back when the skis are in the transport position, and also ensures stable transport of the skis.

[0010] Furthermore, the retention device according to the present invention, and in particular the fact that the upper attachment member is fixed to the upper end portion of the connecting strap, greatly facilitates the attachment of the upper part of the skis to the ski transport device according to the present invention, and thus gives the latter increased ergonomics.

[0011] Furthermore, the particular configuration of the holding device according to the present invention significantly reduces the time required to fix the skis onto the ski transport device and also to remove them from the ski transport device, which makes it possible to significantly reduce the stopping phases of an athlete during ski mountaineering competitions.

[0012] The ski transport device may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper end portion of the connecting strap is configured to extend beyond the guide loop when the skis are in the transport position.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower retaining member defines a passage opening through which the lower parts of the skis can be inserted.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper attachment member is configured to be located substantially at the level of the upper portion of the dorsal part when the skis are in the transport position.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide loop is fixed at the level of an upper edge of the dorsal part.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper end portion of the connecting strap is free with respect to the dorsal part.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the ski transport device includes a bracing device fixed to the dorsal part and comprising a bracing surface against which at least one of the skis is able to rest when the skis are in the transport position.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support surface is configured to be inclined with respect to the vertical when the ski transport device is carried by a user.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the stabilizing device is located in a central portion of the dorsal part.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper attachment member is configured to hook the guide loop in the absence of skis, so as to mechanically connect the connecting strap to the upper portion of the back part.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower retaining member is located on the left side of the ski transport device and the upper attachment member is located on the right side of the ski transport device.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper attachment member is configured to attach a portion of each of the skis which is located between the safety binding and the tip of said ski, and more particularly between the stop, or front attachment, of the safety binding and the tip of the respective ski.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower retaining member is configured to cooperate with the heel piece, or rear binding, of the safety binding on each ski. In particular, the heel piece of the safety binding on each ski is configured to bear against the lower retaining member when the skis are in the transport position.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the carrying strap comprises an upper end portion fixed to the upper portion of the back part and a lower end portion fixed to the lower portion of the back part.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the back part includes a storage pocket delimiting a storage compartment.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the storage pocket is located in the upper portion of the dorsal part.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting strap is adjustable in length.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower retaining member is fixed to a lower portion of the dorsal part.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper attachment member defines a receiving housing in which the skis are suitable to be received.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper attachment member comprises an attachment part delimiting the receiving housing, and a fixing part fixed to the upper end portion of the connecting strap.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the receiving housing has a width corresponding substantially to the cumulative thickness of the two skis.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper attachment member has a general U-shape.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the receiving housing includes an insertion opening, and the upper attachment member includes a guide portion configured to guide the insertion of the skis into the receiving housing. Advantageously, the guide portion is inclined with respect to a direction of ski insertion into the receiving housing and converges towards said insertion opening.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide loop is configured to be positioned substantially at the level of one shoulder of the user when the ski carrying device is worn by the user.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the ski transport device includes a belt attached to the lower portion of the back part.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the belt comprises a first portion of the belt extending from a first side of the back part, a second portion of the belt extending from a second side of the back part, and a closure device configured to removably attach the first portion of the belt to the second portion of the belt.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the belt is adjustable in length.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower retaining member includes a gripping part configured to be grasped by the user when inserting the lower parts of the skis into the lower retaining member.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the carrying strap has a maximum width greater than twice the width of the connecting strap. Brief description of the figures

[0041] The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description with reference to the attached schematic drawings representing, by way of non-limiting example, one embodiment of this ski transport device. Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a ski transport device according to the invention. Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the ski transport device of the figure 1 . Figure 3 is a perspective view of the ski transport device of the figure 1 on which a pair of skis is attached. Detailed description

[0042] Unless otherwise stipulated, the term "substantially" means, in this document, "exactly or to within 10% or to within 10°".

[0043] THE figures 1 to 3 represent a ski transport device 1, and more specifically a backpack for ski mountaineering, configured to allow a user to carry a pair of skis 2.

[0044] The ski transport device 1 includes a dorsal part 3, also called the back, intended to be in contact with the back of a user. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the lower portion of the dorsal part 3 has a first lateral projection 3.1 extending from one side of the dorsal part 3, and a second lateral projection 3.2 extending from the other side of the dorsal part 3.

[0045] The ski carrying device 1 also includes a carrying strap 4 intended to be positioned at one of the user's shoulders, for example, the user's left shoulder. The carrying strap 4 has a lower end portion 4.1 attached to the lower portion of the back section 3 (and for example to the first lateral protrusion 3.1), and an upper end portion 4.2 attached to the upper portion of the back section 3. Advantageously, the carrying strap is adjustable in length.

[0046] The ski carrying device 1 further includes a belt 5 attached to the lower portion of the back part 3. The belt 5 more particularly includes a first belt portion 5.1 extending from the first side of the back part 3, a second belt portion 5.2 extending from the second side of the back part 3, and a fastening device 5.3 configured to removably attach the first belt portion 5.1 to the second belt portion 5.2. Advantageously, the belt 5 is adjustable in length.

[0047] The ski carrying device 1 also includes a storage pocket 6 located on the back section 3, defining a storage compartment. Advantageously, the storage pocket 6 is situated in the upper portion of the back section 3.

[0048] The ski transport device 1 further includes a holding device 7 configured to hold and position a pair of skis 2 in a transport position in which the skis 2 are inclined relative to the vertical and extend partly against the dorsal part 3.

[0049] As shown on the figure 1The retaining device 7 comprises a lower retaining member 8, such as a lower retaining loop, located on one side of the ski transport device 1 and into which the lower parts of the skis 2 are suitable for insertion, an upper attachment member 9 located on a second side of the ski transport device 1 and configured to attach, and thus retain, the upper parts of the skis 2, and a connecting strap 11 which is elastically deformable and which connects the upper attachment member 9 to the dorsal part 3. Advantageously, the lower retaining member 8 is located on the left side of the ski transport device 1, and the upper attachment member 9 is located on the right side of the ski transport device 1.

[0050] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the lower retaining member 8 is fixed to the lower portion of the dorsal part 3 (and for example to the first lateral protrusion 3.1), and defines a passage opening 12 which is configured to be oriented upwards and through which the lower parts of the skis 2 are able to be inserted. The lower retaining member 8 is more particularly configured to cooperate with the heel piece, or rear attachment, of the safety binding of each of the skis 2. In particular, the heel piece of the safety binding of each of the skis 2 is configured to bear against the lower retaining member 8 when the skis 2 are in the transport position.

[0051] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the lower retaining member 8 includes a gripping part 13 configured to be grasped by the user when inserting the lower parts of the skis 2 into the lower retaining member 8. The presence of the gripping part 13 makes it easier to fix the skis 2 onto the ski transport device 1.

[0052] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the upper attachment member 9 is configured to attach a portion of each of the skis 2 which is located between the respective safety binding and the tip of said ski 2, and more particularly between the stop, or front attachment, of the respective safety binding and the respective tip.

[0053] The upper attachment member 9 may for example include an attachment part 14 having a general U-shape and defining a receiving housing 15 in which the skis 2 are suitable to be received, and a fastening part 16 attached to the connecting strap 11. Advantageously, the attachment part 14 is configured to be located substantially at the level of the upper portion of the dorsal part 3 when the skis 2 are in the transport position.

[0054] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the receiving housing 15 has an insertion opening 17, and the hooking part 14 has a guide portion 18 which converges towards the insertion opening 17 and which is configured to guide the insertion of the skis 2 into the receiving housing 15. Advantageously, the receiving housing 15 has a width corresponding substantially to the cumulative thickness of the two skis 2.

[0055] The connecting strap 11 is configured to at least partially encircle the user's shoulder on the second side of the ski carrier 1 (and therefore the right shoulder), and is configured to form an additional carrying strap when the ski carrier 1 is being carried by the user and the skis 2 are in the transport position. Advantageously, the connecting strap 11 is adjustable in length.

[0056] As shown on the figure 1The ski carrying device 1 includes a guide loop 19 fixed to an upper portion of the back part 3 and located on the second side of the ski carrying device 1. Advantageously, the guide loop 19 is fixed at the level of an upper edge of the back part 3, and is configured to be positioned substantially at the level of a shoulder of the user, and more particularly the right shoulder, when the ski carrying device 1 is worn by the user.

[0057] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the connecting strap 11 has a lower end portion 11.1 which is fixed to the lower portion of the dorsal part 3 (and for example to the second lateral protrusion 3.2), and an upper end portion 11.2 to which the upper attachment member 9 is fixed, and more particularly the attachment part 16. The upper end portion 11.2 of the connecting strap 11 is free with respect to the dorsal part 3, and is more particularly configured to extend through and beyond the guide loop 19 in particular during an operation of attaching the skis 2 with the upper attachment member 9, and for example also when the skis 2 are in the transport position.Thus, the upper attachment member 9, and more particularly the attachment part 14, is also configured to be located at least partly beyond the guide loop 19 when the skis 2 are in the transport position.

[0058] As shown on the figure 1 , the upper attachment member 9 is further configured to hook the guide loop 19 in the absence of ski 2, so as to mechanically connect the connecting strap 11 to the upper portion of the dorsal part 3 when no ski is supported by the ski transport device 1.

[0059] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the ski transport device 1 also includes a support device 20 fixed to the back section 3 and comprising a support surface 21 against which at least one of the skis 2 can rest when the skis 2 are in the transport position. Advantageously, the support device 20 is located in a central portion of the back section 3, and the support surface 21 is configured to be inclined relative to the vertical when the ski transport device 1 is carried by a user.

[0060] A method for attaching a pair of skis 2 to the ski transport device 1 according to the present invention, worn by a user, is described below. Such a method comprises the following steps performed by the user: grasp the gripping part 13 with one hand, grasp the skis with the other hand and insert the lower parts of the skis into the lower retaining member 8, rotate the upper parts of the skis towards the right shoulder, grasp the hooking part 14 with one hand (for example with the right hand) and exert a rearward pull on the hooking part 14 so as to lengthen the connecting strap 11, insert the upper parts of the skis 2 into the receiving housing 15, and release the hooking part 14 so that the skis are positioned, due to the elasticity of the connecting strap 11, in the transport position in which at least one of the skis is in contact with the support surface 21.

[0061] A method for removing a pair of skis 2 from the ski transport device 1 according to the present invention, carried by a user, is described below. Such a method includes, in particular, the following steps performed by the user: exert a rearward pull on the hooking part 14 so as to lengthen the connecting strap 11 and so as to extract the skis 2 out of the receiving housing 15, and extract the skis out of the lower retaining member 8.

[0062] Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A ski transport device (1) configured to be worn on the back of a user and to allow the user to transport a pair of skis (2), the ski transport device (1) comprising: - a back part (3) intended to be in contact with the back of a user, - at least one carrying strap (4) intended to be positioned at one shoulder of the user, and - a retaining device (7) configured to retain and position the pair of skis (2) in a transport position in which the skis (2) are inclined with respect to the vertical and extend partly against the back part (3), the retaining device (7) comprising a lower retaining member (8) located on one side of the ski transport device (1) and into which the lower parts of the skis (2) are suitable for insertion,and an upper attachment member (9) located on a second side of the ski transport device (1) and configured to attach the upper parts of the skis (2), , characterized in that the ski transport device (1) further comprises a guide loop (19) fixed to an upper portion of the dorsal part (3) and located on the second side of the ski transport device (1), and in thatthe restraint device (7) further includes a connecting strap (11) which is elastically deformable and which connects the upper attachment member (9) to the dorsal part (3), the connecting strap (11) having a lower end portion (11.1) which is fixed to a lower portion of the dorsal part (3) and an upper end portion (11.2) to which the upper attachment member (9) is attached and which is configured to extend through and beyond the guide loop (19) during an operation of attaching the skis (2) with the attachment member, the connecting strap (11) being configured to at least partially encircle the user's shoulder located on the second side of the ski transport device (1) when the ski transport device (1) is carried by the user and the upper attachment member (9) being configured to be located at least partially beyond the guide loop (19) when the skis (2) are in the transport position, the connecting strap (11) being configured to form an additional carrying strap when the skis (2) are in the transport position.

2. Ski transport device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the upper end portion (11.2) of the connecting strap (11) is free with respect to the dorsal part (3).

3. Ski transport device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, which includes a securing device (20) fixed to the dorsal part (3) and comprising a securing surface (21) against which at least one of the skis (2) is able to rest when the skis (2) are in the transport position.

4. Ski transport device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the support surface (21) is configured to be inclined with respect to the vertical when the ski transport device (1) is carried by a user.

5. Ski transport device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the upper attachment member (9) is configured to hook the guide loop (19) in the absence of ski (2), so as to mechanically connect the connecting strap (11) to the upper portion of the back part (3).

6. Ski transport device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lower retaining member (8) is located on the left side of the ski transport device (1) and the upper attachment member (9) is located on the right side of the ski transport device (1).

7. Ski transport device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the dorsal part (3) includes a storage pocket (6) delimiting a storage compartment.

8. Ski transport device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the connecting strap (11) is adjustable in length.

9. Ski transport device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the lower retaining member (8) is fixed to a lower portion of the dorsal part (3).