Ski and sports equipment carrier: ski mule

Abstract

Ski Mule is a unique fabric, soft-sided, foldable sling that functions as a means to carry multiple pairs of snow skis and ski poles, or any other sports equipment, including snowboards, with the aid of shoulder and/or handle straps. Ski Mule's easy-to-load system has been designed as a ‘Grab'n go’ Sling for the purpose of being able to horizontally transport a single pair of skis, or multiple pairs of skis, or a snowboard, or snowboards, or sports equipment by a single individual. Snow skis and/or other sports equipment may be placed in the center of the Ski Mule and lifted by straps for hands-free transport. The design allows for the sling to be folded and secured with closures. The design may also allow for backpack-style carrying.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A carrier for transporting elongate athletic equipment, comprising:
 a) a planar fabric body having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the elongate athletic equipment is placed along a central region bordering the first and second portions;   b) a plurality of internal straps attached to an interior face of the planar fabric body for securing the elongate athletic equipment to the interior face of the carrier;   c) a plurality of carrying straps attached to peripheral portions of the first and second portions of the planar fabric body for carrying the carrier when loaded with the elongate athletic equipment; and   d) a plurality of fastening straps attached an exterior face of the planar fabric body for securing the apparatus in a closed folded condition when the elongate athletic equipment is loaded into the carrier.   
     
     
         35 . The carrier of  claim 34 , wherein the plurality of carrying straps include shoulder straps for carrying the apparatus over a shoulder of user. 
     
     
         36 . The carrier of  claim 34 , wherein the plurality of carrying straps include handle straps for carrying the apparatus. 
     
     
         37 . The carrier of  claim 34 , wherein the plurality of carrying straps are attached to each other to prevent slippage of the apparatus on the shoulder. 
     
     
         38 . The carrier of  claim 37 , wherein the plurality of carrying straps are attached to each other by a hook and loop closure wraps. 
     
     
         39 . The carrier of  claim 38 , wherein the plurality of carrying straps include a padded portion for bearing against a user carrying the carrier. 
     
     
         40 . The carrier of  claim 34 , wherein the planar fabric body is formed at least in part from fabric material. 
     
     
         41 . The carrier of  claim 40 , wherein the fastening straps are formed from more than one material. 
     
     
         42 . The carrier of  claim 40 , wherein the fastening straps plurality of at least two different lengths. 
     
     
         43 . The carrier of  claim 34 , wherein the carrier is formed from materials that are resistant to tearing and mold formation. 
     
     
         44 . The carrier of  claim 34 , wherein the planar body includes a supporting reinforcement interior panel positioned in the interior center of the fabric for supporting the elongate athletic equipment. 
     
     
         45 . The carrier of  claim 44 , wherein the supporting reinforcement interior panel is formed from a foam material enclosed within a fabric sheath. 
     
     
         46 . The carrier of  claim 34 , further comprising a supporting reinforcement external panel. 
     
     
         47 . The carrier of  claim 44 , wherein the supporting reinforcement external panel is formed from a foam material enclosed within a fabric sheath. 
     
     
         48 . The carrier of  claim 34 , wherein the outside edge of the fabric is finished with binding tape or a hemmed edge. 
     
     
         49 . The carrier of  claim 34 , wherein the top carrying end of the apparatus is secured with closures. 
     
     
         50 . The carrier of  claim 49 , wherein the closures are located along substantially along the full edges of the planar fabric body. 
     
     
         51 . The carrier of  claim 34 , wherein an exterior surface of the carrier includes a plurality of pouches for transporting additional items. 
     
     
         52 . The carrier of  claim 34 , further including elongate athletic equipment enclosed therein, the equipment extending beyond the width of the apparatus. 
     
     
         53 . The carrier of  claim 52 , wherein the elongate athletic equipment enclosed therein includes a pair of skis. 
     
     
         54 . The carrier of  claim 52 , wherein the elongate athletic equipment enclosed therein includes a pair of snow skis. 
     
     
         55 . The carrier of  claim 52 , wherein the elongate athletic equipment enclosed therein includes a snowboard. 
     
     
         56 . The carrier of  claim 52 , wherein the elongate athletic equipment enclosed therein includes a plurality of snowboards.