Ski mount with ratchet-type closure

A ski mount with releasable closure, comprising:

• a stationary bar and a movable bar, each having an open end and a hinge end at which said bars are pivotally joined;
• a hollow end cap affixed to said open end of said movable bar, having an end opening with axis substantially parallel to said movable bar and a lower opening facing said stationary bar;
• an insert sized to be received in said end opening, a portion of said insert shaped to form a button which protrudes through said end opening when said insert is so received, said insert further containing a pawl;
• a post protruding from said open end of said stationary bar, said post being positioned to enter said lower opening of said end cap when said open ends of said stationary and movable bars are drawn together, said post having teeth engageable by said pawl;
• mated members on said insert and said end cap positioned to engaged each other and when thus engaged to permit rotation of said insert in said end cap by pressure on said button, between a locking position in which said pawl is engaged with said teeth of said post when said post is received in said cowl, and a release position in which said pawl is clear of said teeth;
• spring means shaped to fit inside said end cap and to engage said end cap, said insert and said post, and in so doing to urge said mated members of said insert and said end cap into engagement, to rotationally urge said insert toward said locking position, and to immobilize said post against lateral displacement away from said pawl.