Skin cleat
AssigneeNatural H2O Inc.
InventorPatrick Nicholas Gasparro
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is a skin cleat device for increasing grip while ski touring. The skin cleat is configured to be attached around a ski by a skier without disengaging the ski boot from the skis and can be removed and re-attached depending on the needs of the user. The skin cleat is a strap-like device that includes two end sections and a studded central section there-between. The central section is intended to be placed underneath the base of the ski and skin such that the studs extend into the snow. The two end sections can be attached together by a coupling to form a continuous structure around the waist of the ski. Using the coupling, the structure can be tightened around the ski securing it in place and preventing the skin cleat from rotating around the ski or the studs from moving substantially when in use.
Claims20
A skin cleat for use with a ski, ski-boot and binding assembly and to improve purchase while ascending a slope, comprising:
- an elongate strap having first and second end sections and having a central section there-between, wherein the central section has a first thickness and a bottom side and a top side;
- a coupling for selectively attaching the first and second end sections resulting in the formation of a continuous structure;
- a backing having a thickness, a first side abutting the top side of the central section, an opposite second side for placement against an underside of the ski and for protecting the underside of the ski, wherein the backing comprises a first and a second opening for receiving the strap therethrough such that the strap passes along a length of the backing and the backing is positionable along the central section of the strap;
- and
- a stud having a proximal end and a distal end and a head disposed at the proximal end, wherein the stud is mounted to the backing and extends away from the bottom side of the central section.
A skin cleat for use with a ski, ski-boot and binding assembly and to improve purchase while ascending a slope, comprising:
- an elongate strap having first and second end sections and having a central section there-between;
- a coupling associated with one or more of the first and second end sections and configured to attach the first and second end sections resulting in the formation of a continuous structure;
- and
- a backing having a first surface and an opposite second surface for protecting the underside of the ski, wherein the backing comprises a first and a second opening for receiving the strap therethrough such that the strap passes along a length of the backing and the backing is positionable along the central section of the strap;
- one or more studs having a proximal end and a distal end and a body extending therebetween, wherein the one or more studs are mounted to the backing and depend downwardly away from the first side of the backing in a direction away from the backing and the strap.
A skin cleat for use with a ski, ski-boot and binding assembly and to improve purchase while ascending a slope, comprising:
- an elongate strap having first and second end sections and having a central section there-between;
- a coupling associated with one or more of the first and second end sections and configured to attach the first and second end sections resulting in the formation of a continuous structure;
- and
- a backing having a first surface and an opposite second surface, wherein the backing comprises a first and a second opening through the first and opposite second surface for receiving the strap therethrough such that the strap passes along a length of the backing and the backing is positionable along the central section of the strap;
- and
- a plurality of studs mounted to the backing, wherein each of the studs has a proximal end and a distal free end, and wherein the studs depend downwardly away from the first side of the backing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.