Integrated pole-to-ski-coupling arrangment

Abstract

An integrated pole-to-ski coupling arrangement that provides coupling formations on a ski pole and ski that releasably connect the pole and ski to create a unitary ski-pole combination that leaves the rear tail of the ski clear and unencumbered. A pole coupling formation may be placed on either the shaft or the grip of the pole, and a ski coupling formation may be placed on the boot bindings or attachments thereto. Optionally, the surface formation of the boot bindings may be employed as ski coupling formations. Multiple pole and ski coupling formations allow for a secure and rigid connection.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An integrated pole-to-ski coupling arrangement comprising:
 a first pole coupling formation, said first pole coupling formation being operable to attach to a ski pole, and said first pole coupling formation being operable to releasably connect a ski pole to a first ski coupling formation attached to a ski having a rear tail, wherein the rear tail of the ski is clear and unencumbered when the first pole coupling formation and first ski coupling formation couple together to releasably connect the ski pole to the ski.   
     
     
         2 . An integrated pole-to-ski coupling arrangement comprising:
 a ski pole, said ski pole including a shaft and a grip; and   a pole coupling formation attached to said ski pole;   said pole coupling formation being operable to releasably connect said ski pole to a ski coupling formation attached to a ski, wherein a rear tail of the ski is clear and unencumbered when the pole coupling formation and ski coupling formation couple together to releasably connect the ski pole to a ski.   
     
     
         3 . An integrated pole-to-ski coupling arrangement comprising:
 a ski pole, said ski pole including a shaft and a grip;   first and second pole coupling formations attached to said ski pole, wherein said second said pole coupling formation is attached to the shaft of said pole; and   front and rear ski coupling formations on a binding group having a front binding and a rear binding connected to a ski including a rear tail, wherein said front ski coupling formation is on the front binding and the rear ski coupling formation is on the rear binding;   wherein said ski coupling formations and said pole coupling formations are operable to releasably connect said pole to the ski, wherein the rear tail of the ski is clear and unencumbered when the pole coupling and ski coupling formations releasably connect said pole to the ski.