Ski ticket holder

[57]

ABSTRACT

Depending from a pad permanently secured to the waistband of a pair of ski pants is a pig tail having a loop on the bottom end to receive the bail of a typical wire wicket to which a ski ticket is affixed. The pig tail is long enough so that the ski ticket hangs below the bottom of a ski jacket far enough to be readily seen by the ski lift attendant without the skier’s having to lift up the bottom of the jacket to show the ticket;

Claims, 6 Drawing Figures

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PATENTED MAY 16 1972

3,662,480

SHEET 1 OF 2

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Attorneys

PATENTED may 16 ig??

3,662,480

SHEET 2 OF 2

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Ronald

Gol die

J. Gilson Sr M. GilSON INVENTORS

BY

Attorneys

3,662,480

SKI TICKET HOLDER

The invention relates to improvements in devices for securing ski tickets to the wearing apparel of a skier.

As is well known to skiers, most ski tickets are bought on a day to day basis, that is to say, a ski ticket is only good for the 5 day on which it is purchased. In order to minimize transfer of a ticket from the purchaser to another person, a T-shaped wire framework, called a wicket, is frequently utilized. The wicket comprises a small gauge but sturdy wire rebent on itself to form a bight, or bail. The distal ends of the wire are bent away ’ θ from each other in opposite directions to form the two arms of the T-shape frame. When installing the wicket on the person of the skier, one end of the wire is led through a pocket buttonhole, a pocket zipper ring, or even through the waistband material, so that the bail supports the two depending and ¹⁵laterally bent wires of the wicket. To the bent wire structure the folded ski ticket is adhesively secured. At the end of the day, the wire is usually cut, as with a pair of pliers, and the wire wicket and attached expired ticket is discarded. 20

One of the problems encountered by skiers when using the foregoing arrangement is that each time the ticket has to be shown to the ski lift attendant, it becomes necessary to reach down and lift the lower end of the ski jacket, parka or other similar outer garment, which usually is so long that it covers 25 the ski ticket fastened to the skier’s waistline area. Frequently, furthermore, the skier is wearing or carrying mittens or gloves as well as skis and ski poles. To have to shift all these items to one hand and then lift the bottom of the jacket so as to show the ticket, followed by reshuffling the items, becomes an an- 30 noyance, especially when repeated many times each day.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a ski ticket holder which obviates the necessity of having to lift the bottom of the ski jacket each time the lift attendant needs to check for compliance. 35

It is another object of the invention to provide a ski ticket holder which not only enables the ticket to be more readily installed and removed, but which also provides a less destrictive and more secure support when in use.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a ski ticket 40 holder which is relatively economical, yet which is sturdy, reliable and long-lived.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a ski ticket holder which can be installed either at the clothing factory, as an original accessory secured to the ski pants, or attached at a later time.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a ski ticket holder which is safe in that it does not interfere with the skier’s normal movements or activities.

It is another object of the invention to provide a generally improved ski ticket holder.

Other objects, together with the foregoing, are attained in the embodiment described in the following description and shown in the accompanying drawings in which: $$

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one form of the ski ticket holder;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on a diameter showing the disc and washer in assembled position, with the interposed fabric of the waistband, preparatory to bonding; gQ

FIG. 3 is a view comparable to FIG. 2, but illustrating the arrangement of the parts after bonding;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view, to a reduced scale, showing the FIGS. 1-3 form of device installed on the waistband of a pair of ski pants; 65

FIG. 5 is a view comparable to FIG. 4, but with a modified form of anchoring member; and,

FIG. 6 is an isometric view, to an enlarged scale, illustrating the modified form of device shown in FIG. 5.

While the ski ticket holder of the invention is susceptible of 70 numerous physical embodiments, depending upon the environment, and requirements of use, substantial numbers of the herein shown and described embodiments have been made and used and all have performed in an eminently satisfactory manner. 75

The ski ticket holder of the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 12, is customarily installed on the right front waistband sector 13 of a pair of ski pants 14.

In the form of device shown in FIGS. 1-4, an anchoring member 16 comprises a circular disc 17 having a central pin 18 sharpened to a point 19, the pin mating with a corresponding aperture 21 in a washer 22. The members preferably are of a thermoplastic or thermosetting material.

Depending from the disc 17 is a flexible pig tail 24 terminating in a ring member 26. The pig tail 24 has a length such that a ski ticket 31 attached to the ring 26 is located below the bottom edge of the wearer’s conventional parka, or the like, and therefore readily visible to the ski lift attendant without having to raise the lower edge of the parka.

As appears most clearly in FIG. 4, the ski ticket 31 ordinarily is a piece of paper with the appropriate date and other indicia printed thereon. The framework 32, or wicket, is of strong wire folded to form a bight 33, or bail, with the free ends 34 bent oppositely to provide a backing for the paper ticket 35 folded about its bottom margin 36 and adhesively secured together with the wicket interposed between the two paper panels.

At the time the ski ticket 31 is purchased, an attendant loops one end of the wire through the ring 26 and after positioning the wicket as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, applies the folded paper, pressing the paper panels together to effect sealing. At the end of the day, week or other determined period, the ticket is removed, as by clipping the wire with a pair of pliers.

In the FIGS. 1-4 form of device the disc 17 is placed on the outside of the waistband and is oriented so that the sharpened point 19 of the pin 18 can be inserted through the several layers of fabric 41 forming the waistband portion of the ski pants.

After piercing the fabric 41, the washer 22 can be placed against the inner surface of the waistband with the aperture 21 aligned with the pin. After urging the disc 17 and the washer 22 toward each other, with the fabric 41 interposed, as shown most clearly in FIG. 2, the end 19 of the pin 18 is exposed. Then, by suitable application of heat, in a manner well known in the field of “plastics” the tip end 19 can be softened and laterally enlarged so as to overlie the outer margin of the washer opening 21. In fact, in some instances, by the selection of appropriate plastics and techniques, the interconnecting material can be fused, as appears most clearly in FIG. 3.

Then, after subsequent cooling and setting, an extremely durable bond is effected.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a modified form of structure wherein the anchoring member 16 comprises a pad 51 which is stitched to the waistband. Fastidious skiers prefer that the pad 51 not appear, and in this case the pad 51 is first located inside the waistband, between one or more folds of material, followed by stitching which passes through all fabric layers. The pig tail 52 in this instance is led exteriorly through an opening 53 in the outer layer of fabric, the margins of the opening being preferably strengthened by stitches of the button-hole variety.

It can therefore be seen that we have provided a ski ticket holder which is not only inexpensive and durable but which also adds materially to the comfort and convenience of the skier.