Abstract: A ski pole with automatic retractable mechanism for securing ski equipment and preventing theft. The retractor mechanism has a ratchet mechanism in which a gear is fixed to a rotatable spool on which is wound a security line and a pawl which is positioned to engage the gear and to provide a step-wise rotation of the spool. This serves to unwind the security line from the spool. The security line is rewound onto the spool by a spring which extends downward into the hollow interior of the ski pole shaft.

Abstract: An attachment including a timepiece having a function of a stop watch is attached onto the top of a ski stick in order to allow a skier to learn the current time, elapsed time and other time information while skiing, thus more enjoying skiing. By incorporating a thermometer, a barometer, and/or a speed meter in the attachment, the safety of skiing can be heightened.

Abstract: A lightweight, flexible ski pole which is virtually indestructible comprises a filament-reinforced, resin-matrix composite shaft having a diameter of about 0.05 in or less and a tensile strength of about 140,000 or higher. The shaft may be severely bent without damage or deformation. A surface coating of acrylic paint is applied by dip coating. A metal tip is adhesively applied, as are hand grip and basket. The shaft may be solid or hollow, straight or tapered near the lower end. If hollow and tapered, the tapered end is reinforced with a short reinforcing rod.

Abstract: A ski pole according to the present invention is provided with a translucent plastic tubular body portion which is easily and quickly interchangeable. The translucent body portion has an illuminating light source disposed therein which can be "on", "off" or intermittent flashing "on" and "off". The light source is connected to a power circuitry, power source and switch all of which are of solid state construction. A steady light emitting from the translucent body illuminates the skier's surrounding area. Alternatively, an intermittent light emitting from the translucent body provides a flashing signal.

Abstract: A lightweight, flexible ski pole which is virtually indestructible comprises a filament-reinforced, polymeric matrix composite shaft having a diameter of less than 0.5 inches and a tensile strength on the order of 140,000 psi or higher. The shaft is of three-layer construction, having a center layer whose filaments are diagonally offset at a bias angle for lateral bending strength. The shaft may be hollow or solid, and may be formed by either a pultrusion or table-rolling method.

Abstract: Attachments to a standard ski pole include a hook assembly clamped to the upper end of the ski pole, and a footrest crosspiece at the lower end of the pole which is rotatable from a retracted position parallel to the pole to an operative position transverse the pole. In use the hook is hung over a member of a ski lift, and the footrest is pivoted to transverse position where it can support the skier's feet.

Abstract: A ski pole for down hill or cross country skiing. The pole has a coaxial handle end and tip end with a plurality of obtuse angled bends therebetween. The handle end includes a hand grip with attached Velcro type hook or eye attachment material which mates with eye or hook material carried by the hand of the skier. At the end opposite to the handle the pole tip is bent back on itself at an acute angle for a selected distance and then is further formed perpendicular to the axis of the handle and tip and extends outwardly away from the pole a selected distance to form an equivalent to a basket or ring to prevent excess penetration of the pole into the snow.

Abstract: Skiing equipment is disclosed including improvements in ski boots and ski poles. The inventive ski boots include two layers of material for added warmth as well as a plurality of illuminated regions. Each illuminated region includes a lens which is elongated and which may be colored. Within each lens, an optical fiber is disposed. All of the optical fibers are exposed to light from a light source contained in each boot so that all of the lenses are illuminated when a switch is activated. The inventive ski poles have a transparent housing with a handle containing batteries and a light and with an optical fiber extending through the transparent portion to be illuminated by the light within the handle.

Abstract: This invention discloses an adjustable and foldable ski pole which comprises two pole sections hinged together to be foldable into a uniquely convenient compact structure that can be carried safely and easily and can be easily stored in a car, boot bag or its own nylon bag while being adjustable for users of different heights. The ski pole has an especially robust construction to be durable and suitable for professional use. Further benefits are provided for retailers and ski rental agencies.

Abstract: An apparatus for shifting the body weight of a skier from a skier's legs to the skis for enhancing the skier's performance and minimizing leg strain comprises a spring assembly including a loop of elastic rod-shaped material stretchable during crouching movement of a skier's legs between a standing position and a fully crouched position of the skier. A housing defining an elongated channel for enclosing a portion of the loop supports the stretchable material and parallel rod-shaped branches terminating in a base bend. The base bend is secured within one end of the housing. The housing also includes a socket for receiving rigid poles therein and supporting the poles in vertical positions above the skis. The top ends of the poles have pulleys therein over which a cord is fed extending from a top bend of the loop of elastic material to straps disposed about the thigh or thighs of the skier's legs.

Abstract: A ski pole including a cranked/bent rod member having one end which is inserted into a cavity of a handle and another end which receives the ring or bail. The cavity of the handle is inclined by an angle .alpha. relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle. The handle includes a device for providing free rotation of the rod member relative to the handle member and a device for locking the rod member in a selected rotational position.

Abstract: An illuminated ski pole has a light dispersing shaft and/or a light dispersing fiber optic element affixed to its shaft. The light dispersing shaft and the light dispersing fiber optic element have external surfaces which are modified by, for example, roughening, micro-faceting, micro-ridging or micro-grooving so as to enhance the dispersion of light from the shaft and/or the fiber optic element, whereby substantially the entire ski pole can be illuminated.

Abstract: A strong, lightweight, flexible ski pole and a method for making it. The ski pole comprises a filament-reinforced, resin-matrix composite shaft with anti-splinter material to prevent filament splinters from protruding from the outer surface of the shaft. In one embodiment, the shaft comprises a filament-reinforced, resin-matrix composite hollow outer shaft continuously integrally pultruded about a core member. In another embodiment of the invention, the shaft comprises a filament-reinforced, resin-matrix solid pultruded body. In both embodiments, a polyester veil is wrapped around the filaments within the resin matrix to prevent filament splinters from protruding from the outer surface of the ski pole shaft. Cut lengths of the ski pole shaft are fitted with a basket adaptor, a basket, a tip and a grip to make a finished ski pole.

Abstract: A windscreen is described that is selectively mountable to snow ski poles for use by the skier as a screen against the elements when riding on a ski chair lift. The windscreen sheet is also flexible and may be rolled to a storage condition about one of the ski poles. Fasteners are provided to selectively secure the sheet to the ski poles such that the skier may hold the screen in an expanded, operative orientation. The fasteners may also be released to facilitate rolling of the sheet onto one of the poles and securing the rolled sheet in position on the pole for storage and transport on the downhill run. The fasteners are further provided to selectively secure the sheet to the poles against axial motion thereon.

Abstract: A walking and skiing aid is disclosed. The invention provides a tapered, elongate rod having a ground engaging tip end and an upper gripping end. The gripping end is canted forwardly and turned inwardly so that the alignment of the user's wrist is in an osteologically correct position. Additionally, the lower ground engaging tip is canted forwardly to provide for a longer duration of ground engagement while utilizing the walking and skiing aid. Additional embodiments for skiing, walking, and geriatric use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A ski pole clip securely attaches a ski pole to a ski lift relieving a skier of the burden of holding the ski pole during a ski lift ride. The clip includes a first portion adapted for attachment to a ski pole and a second portion adapted for attachment to a portion of the ski lift. The clip is light-weight and remains attached to the ski pole during use of the ski pole, but does not interfere with use of the ski pole.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus for practicing said method, for easing the strain on skier's legs while riding on ski lift chairs, wherein the method involves support means fastened about the waist of a skier, extending over the edge of the ski lift chair so as to support a load, and under the skier's skis so as to relieve the pressure of the leading edge of the ski lift chair against the skier's legs and to relieve the weight of the skis and ski boots from the skier's legs. The method includes utilizing support members extending outwardly from support means bearing against the leading edge of a ski lift chair and supported by body encircling harness, with pouch means to carry the support means when not being used.

Abstract: Apparatus for creating aerodynamic lift to a downhill skier is shown as having a harness adapted to be worn by the skier, a left wing structure is operatively carried by the harness, a right wing structure is operatively carried by the harness, the left wing structure has a first longitudinal axis extending generally transversely of the skier, the right wing structure has a second longitudinal axis extending generally transversely of the skier, the left wing structure is selectively rotatable about the first longitudinal axis, the right wing structure is selectively rotatable about the second longitudinal axis, and the left and right wing structures are respectively rotatable about the first and second axes independently of each other by the skier to respective selected positions, and batten-like members are provided to enhance the airfoil configuration of the wing structures.

Abstract: A temperature measuring device includes a temperature sensor which is located adjacent one end of an elongated member such as a hiking/wading staff or a fishing rod. A temperature measurement display device is located in the vicinity of the other end of the elongated member. Selectable predetermined temperature alarm limits are included to provide visual, or audible and/or tactile alarms when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor exceeds the predetermined alarm limits. In another embodiment, the temperature sensor is electrically connected to the temperature measurement display through a connector disposed in a fishing reel which, when mounted on the handle of the fishing rod, effects the electrical connection between the temperature sensor and the temperature measurement display to be made.

Abstract: A ski pole presenting survival information is set forth and particularly a replacement ski pole handle in combination with a ski pole is disclosed wherein said handle provides a digital readout of both current time and ambient temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus for creating aerodynamic lift to a downhill skier is shown as having a harness adapted to be worn by the skier, a left wing structure is operatively carried by the harness, a right wing structure is operatively carried by the harness, the left wing structure has a first longitudinal axis extending generally transversely of the skier, the right wing structure has a second longitudinal axis extending generally transversely of the skier, the left wing structure is selectively rotatable about the first longitudinal axis, the right wing structure is selectively rotatable about the second longitudinal axis, and the left and right wing structures are respectively rotatable about the first and second axes independently of each other by the skier to respective selected positions.

Abstract: A combination ski pole handle with a hand-operated watch or timing device mounted therein is disclosed, including a molded hand grip for mounting on the top end of a ski pole, a watch protectively mounted within the hand grip thereof and disposed on a rearwardly sloping top portion thereof to be easily viewable by the skier with the ski pole disposed in near vertical fashion which includes a timing function, and a finger-actuated trigger mechanism for controlling the timing function of the watch.

Abstract: A device for removal of matter from shoes and boots is disclosed. The device includes a scraping portion, a mounting portion, and a rotatable member for mounting the scraping portion on the mounting portion so that the scraping portion can be rotated, relative to the mounting portion, between stored and operative positions, with the rotatable member being biased to urge the scraping portion toward the operative position upon actuation of a release mechanism connected with the rotatable member. The device is mounted upon, or integrated with, a handle structure, such as, for example, a ski pole, so that, when so mounted or integrated, the scraping portion is substantially aligned with the handle structure in the stored position and is rotated to a position extending in a direction away from the handle structure in the operative position.

Abstract: Ski pole modifying apparatus including a support portion, a hanger portion, a pivoting portion and a stabilizer portion; the support portion including an elongated main section, the main section being capable of mounting on a ski pole intermediate the ends thereof; the hanger portion extending from the support portion, the hanger portion including an arm member with a free end, the arm member being capable of extending generally perpendicularly from the main section; the pivoting portion including mechanism for changing the position of the hanger portion about a transverse axis through the ski pole from a position in which the free end of the arm member of the hanger portion is remote from the ski pole to a position in which the free end is disposed adjacent to the ski pole; the stabilizer portion retaining the position of the hanger portion with respect to the ski pole; whereby when the modifying apparatus is mounted on a ski pole, the hanger portion can be pivoted to a position so it can lay on a ski lift s

Abstract: Ski pole modifying apparatus includes a seat contacting member and a ski/boot contacting member. The seat contacting member includes a pole encircling portion with an elongated collar section. An arm portion extends from the collar section and includes a transverse section extending the full length of the arm portion disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axis of the collar section. A radial section extends from the periphery of the collar section along substantially the full height thereof and tapers downwardly toward the free end of the transverse section. The ski/boot contacting member includes a platform portion with a central opening surrounded by a cylindrical section and an odd number of substantially equal length peripheral edges with a minimum of five. A generally circular opening extends through the platform portion adjacent a midpoint of each peripheral edge thereof.

Abstract: A ski stick for use in particular in cross country skiing and having a sprung ski stick handle, which is fixed on the top end of a ski stick tube. The ski stick handle body is movable on the ski stick tube against a spring means arranged between the ski stick handle body and the ski stick tube in the direction of the ski stick tip.The ski stick handle is designed in such a way that the spring means which are arranged on the top ski stick handle fixing means, are resiliently stretchable rubber or plastic cords which run through the ski stick handle body toward the ski stick tip and are joined to the ski stick handle body at the bottom end thereof.

Abstract: A ski pole in which the elongated shaft is provided with a mounting device for mounting the ski-pole to the seat of a ski-lift and a foot support device extending from the shaft for supporting the feet of a skier when the ski pole is mounted to the ski-lift seat. The mounting device and foot support device have a stored position on the pole and may be a unitary part of the pole or detachably mounted thereto.

Abstract: A ski rest permanently mountable on a ski pole for use by a skier while travelling on a ski chair lift by engagement with a lift chair whereby a skier may place his attached skis on the basket of the ski pole for support thereof during travel and the supported weight is transferred to the lift chair and having an arm movably mounted on the ski pole intermediate the ends thereof for movement between a retracted position, substantially parallel to the ski pole to avoid interference with the skier during skiing, and an operative position extending generally normal to the ski pole.

Abstract: A ski pole having a detachable coil spring disposed substantially centrally whereby a top portion and bottom portion of the ski pole may be detachably connected to the ends of the coil spring. The coil spring is of such stiffness as not to flex during normal operation of the pole during skiing. However, on application of abnormal bending force to the pole, the coil spring will flex sufficiently to prevent permanent bending or breaking of the pole. The handle of the ski pole may also be detachably secured to one end of a stiff coil spring, the opposite end of which coil spring is detachably secured to the top end of the ski pole so that the spring will not flex during normal operation but will flex upon abnormal bending applied to the handle to prevent hand injury to the skier.

Abstract: A ski pole shaft defined by a tubular element formed of a plurality of continuous filaments extending substantially rectilinearly end to end of the element and spaced in an annular array about the axis of element. The filaments are embedded in a matrix of set synthetic resin and are maintained in a longitudinally stressed condition by the set resin so as to define a prestressed tubular shaft wall.The shaft wall may have an outer diameter of approximately 10 times the thickness of the wall. In one embodiment the wall has a thickness of approximately 0.07 inches. The filaments in the illustrated embodiment are stressed to approximately 5 to 10% of their breaking stress. The filaments in the illustrated embodiment comprise approximately 60 to 70% of the volume of shaft wall. The filaments may include filaments made of different materials and the different filaments may be selectively uniformly distributed in the annular array in the tubular wall.

Abstract: A ski pole according to the present invention is improved so as to provide a foot support when a skier is traveling on a ski chair lift and the like. The ski pole itself is conventional and includes an elongated shaft provided with a handle. A basket is conventionally provided at a lower end of the ski pole and is typically made of a flexible material. The ski pole tapers to a point at the lower end of the pole. The improved ski pole includes a first bracket which is preferably pivotally mounted at approximately a mid-section of the shaft. The first bracket is preferably channel shaped and movable between a first position which is perpendicular to the shaft and a second position which is aligned with the shaft. In the aligned position, the first bracket releasably grips the shaft of the ski pole. The first bracket is selectively fixable relative to the shaft so as to provide a fixed obstruction to movement of the pole relative to an edge of a chair of a ski lift.

Abstract: A beacon device locates ski equipment such as skis and ski poles which has been separated from a skier. The device includes a signaling device such as a strobe light mounted in or to the equipment which is activated by a trigger mechanism operative to sense the separation of the ski equipment from the skier. Various alternative trigger mechanisms are provided including optically actuated, mechanically actuated and magnetically actuated devices. A strobe light reflector is provided which always directs light upward. The beacon device is particularly useful in locating ski equipment buried in powder snow.

Abstract: An annular recessed snap-in fit is provided internally juxtaposed to an opening through the top surface of a molded plastic ski pole grip handle for supporting the dial case of a received stem and dial-type thermometer. A heat transfer composition within the tubular metal shank of the ski pole is adapted to support the distal end of a received thermometer in thermal communication with the ambient weather while convenient readability of the thermometer is provided through the top face opening in the grip handle.

Abstract: A ski pole comprises a shaft, a hand grip, a stop basket, cavity means in said shaft, adapted to contain a liquid, hand strap means on said hand grip, and access means, in said hand grip, to said cavity means.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a ski pole having a hollow handle with a wind and sun shield therein. A guideway is disposed in the handle coaxially therewith and a rod is slidable in the guideway. There are a number of radial ribs pivoted at the end of the rod with a sheet fastened over them to form an umbrella-type structure. Means are provided to move the guideway toward the open end of the handle, carrying the umbrella-like structure outward of the open end, in which position additional means are operative to pivot the ribs outward to extended position.

Abstract: A handle for a ski-stick having a light source optionally operable to emit visible warning signals by means of an electric circuit and a manually operable switch and capable of receiving an electric power source, where said light source is accommodated in the handle of the ski-stick as opposed to being located in the stick and visible through the wall thereof.