A wide variety of devices have been proposed for securing a pair of skis together in running surface or base to base relationship, with the bases spaced apart so as to avoid damaging the running surfaces of the skis. These devices have taken various forms, such for example s the mechanical devices shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,562,178 and 3,626,553, the flexible belt devices shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,947,927 and 4,120,437, and the simple flexible straps of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,731,348 and 3,841,648.
The latter two patents disclose relatively inexpensive ties comprised simply of a length of fabric with appropriately located hook and lop fabric fastening means thereon and arranged so that one end of the tie or strap may be inserted between the bases of the two skis and the remainder of the strap may be wrapped around the two skis to hold them together, the hook and loop fastening means being so located as to secure the other end of the strap to the portion of the strap which underlies said other end when the strap is wrapped about the skis. When not being used to tie the skis together, the flexible straps are simply put in the skier's pocket.
The concept is simple and straight forward, but the straps are very difficult to use because the one end of the strap must be manually clamped and held between the skis while the other end is being wrapped around the skis. This requires two hands for use of the strap. Moreover, in cold weather and in the presence of snow and ice, tying of the skis together is difficult to accomplish because the one end of the strap will usually slip out of place before the remainder of the strap can be wrapped around the two skis.