US 5,653,467 AGranted

Method and apparatus for easing the strain on legs and knees while on a ski lift

OwnerRobert B. Griffin, Robert A. Griffin +1inventors

InventorsRobert B. Griffin, Robert A. Griffin, Kathleen C. Griffin

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for supporting the weight of legs, boots, and skis of a skier while riding on a ski lift chair which uses a support strap (24) of elongated flexible material attached at one end to each boot in conjunction with a boot attachment strap (20). The other end of the support strap (24) extends up the back of a skier's leg to at least the back of the thigh area. The support strap (24) attaches to either a pull tab (30), a reel (42), an elastic strap (76) or an elasticized cord (50) which draws taut the support strap against the front edge of the chair seat (24) so as to slightly elevate the skier's legs, boots, and skis and support their weight. Either the weight of the thigh and buttock (34) on the support strap (24), a gear lock (46) on the reel (42), or a union between a hook tab (56) which attaches to the support strap (24) and a pile strip (58) which attaches to the ski apparel holds the support strap (24) taut and holds the supported weight of the legs, boots, and skis of a skier. Thus, the apparatus supports the legs, boots, and skis of a skier while riding on a ski lift chair and eases the strain on the skier's knees and legs.

Claims29

Dependent claims

Apparatus which can be worn by a person for supporting the weight of said person's legs, boots, skis and skiing apparatus, while said person is seated on a ski lift chair, comprising:

(a) at least one boot attachment means suitable for fastening to boot of said person,
(b) at least one support member of elongated material having the pliability and flexibility of a cord of a predetermined length, capable of supporting said weight, said support member having a first end affixed to said boot attachment means and having a second end for extending adjacent and alongside said person's leg up to at least the back of said person's thigh area,
(c) holding means for securing said support member to said person adjacent to said person's leg for keeping said support member close to said leg and for enabling a portion or said support member to extend up to at least behind a thigh of said person,
(d) tensioning means for enabling said support member to be drawn taut from said first end up to at least said back or said person's thigh area against a front edge of a chair seat so as to support said weight, said tensioning means allowing said person's leg to be supported in a knee-bent position, and
(e) locking means cooperating with said support member for enabling said support member to maintain said weight,
whereby said apparatus can ease the strain and discomfort to said person's knees and legs when said person rides on a ski lift.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.