Adjustable belt for carrying sporting equipment

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an adjustable belt for carrying sporting equipment, such as skis, poles and accessories. The adjustable belt includes an elongated flexible strap. First and second holding members are releasably attached to opposite ends of the strap. Each holding member includes a flexible pad having first and second ends. A ridged belt extends outwardly from the first end and a ratcheting buckle is proximate the second end. The ridged belt is received and releasably secured within the ratcheting buckle so that the pad forms a loop having an adjustable diameter by operation of the ratcheting buckle. A method of carrying skiing equipment is also disclosed.

1 . An adjustable belt for carrying sporting equipment, comprising: 
 an elongated flexible strap; and    first and second holding members releasably attached to opposite ends of said strap, each holding member comprising a flexible pad having first and second ends, at least a first ridged belt extending outwardly from said first end and a first ratcheting buckle proximate said second end, said ridged belt for being received and releasably secured within said ratcheting buckle so that said pad may form a loop having an adjustable diameter by operation of said ratcheting buckle.    
   
   
       2 . The adjustable belt of  claim 1 , wherein each holding-member is releasably attached to a corresponding end of said strap via a swivel clasp that allows said holding member to rotate 360° relative to said strap.  
   
   
       3 . The adjustable belt of  claim 1 , wherein said pad includes a second ridged belt extending outwardly from said first end and parallel to and spaced from said first ridged belt and a second ratcheting buckle adjacent said first ratcheting buckle for receiving and releasably securing said second ridged belt therein.  
   
   
       4 . The adjustable belt of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible strap includes a buckle for adjusting the length thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The adjustable belt of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one snap hook attached to said flexible strap.  
   
   
       6 . The adjustable belt of  claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of spaced snap hooks attached to said flexible strap.  
   
   
       7 . The adjustable belt of  claim 1 , further comprising a cushion member slidably attached to said flexible strap.  
   
   
       8 . The adjustable belt of  claim 1 , wherein said pad comprises a stiffened cotton member encased in a sealed nylon sleeve.  
   
   
       9 . The adjustable belt of  claim 1 , wherein said pad has a substantially rectangular configuration with rounded corners.  
   
   
       10 . The adjustable belt of  claim 9 , wherein said pad has a width greater than the width of said strap.  
   
   
       11 . The adjustable belt of  claim 9 , wherein said pad is sized to encircle a pair of skis and poles.  
   
   
       12 . The adjustable belt of  claim 1 , further comprising at least a third holding member releasably attached to an end of said strap.  
   
   
       13 . The adjustable belt of  claim 12 , wherein said second and third holding members are releasably attached to said end via one clasp.  
   
   
       14 . The adjustable belt of  claim 13 , wherein said clasp is a swivel clasp that allows said holding members to rotate 360° relative to said strap.  
   
   
       15 . An adjustable belt for carrying sporting equipment, comprising: 
 an elongated flexible strap;    a plurality of spaced snap hooks attached to said strap; and    first and second flexible holding members releasably attached to opposite ends of said strap via a swivel clasp that allows each holding member to rotate 360° relative to said strap, each holding member comprising a flexible elongated pad having first and second ends, a pair of ridged belts extending outwardly from said first end and a pair of ratcheting buckles proximate said second end, each ridged belt for being received and releasably secured within a corresponding ratcheting buckle so that said pad may form a loop having an adjustable diameter by operation of said ratcheting buckles.    
   
   
       16 . The adjustable belt of  claim 15 , wherein said flexible strap includes a buckle for adjusting the length thereof.  
   
   
       17 . The adjustable belt of  claim 15 , further comprising a cushion member slidably attached to said flexible strap.  
   
   
       18 . The adjustable belt of  claim 15 , wherein said pad includes an inner member encased in a water-excluding sleeve.  
   
   
       19 . The adjustable belt of  claim 15 , wherein said pad has a substantially rectangular configuration having a width greater than the width of said strap.  
   
   
       20 . A method of carrying skiing equipment, comprising the steps of: 
 providing first and second holding members releasably attached to opposite ends of a flexible strap via swivel clasps that allow each holding member to rotate 360° relative to the strap, each holding member having a flexible elongated pad with first and second ends, a pair of ridged belts extending outwardly from the first end and a pair of ratcheting buckles proximate the second end;    wrapping the first holding member pad around a front end of a pair of skis and poles until the first holding member pad encircles the front end;    feeding the first holding member ridged belts within the corresponding ratcheting buckles;    tightening the first holding member pad around the skis and poles by operating the ratcheting buckles;    wrapping the second holding member pad around a back end of the pair of skis and poles until the second holding member pad encircles the back end;    feeding the second holding member ridged belts within the corresponding ratcheting buckles;    tightening the second holding member pad around the skis and poles by operating the ratcheting buckles.