Safer, Easier to use Ski pole Straps

---

Current ski poles and ski pole straps have several specific disadvantages:

• There are literally eight ways you can put your ski pole straps on when you get to the top of the lift, only one of which is correct - the correct pole in the correct hand, with the straps positioned so that you can generate downward force on the pole when on flat or slightly uphill terrain. There is always a clump of people waiting at the top of a lift getting their poles on correctly.
• People often forget to remove their poles when getting on a chair lift, resulting in a rushed removal of the strap over a bulky glove or mitten.
• In a hard fall and, particularly, when backwoods skiing, a pole can get stuck and cause a hyperextension injury, which is usually a rotator cuff tear or "skier's thumb" (rupture of the ulnar  collateral ligament). As a result many, if not most, backwoods skiers do not use ski straps.
• If you want to use your cell phone while on a chair lift, you are at risk for dropping your gloves.
• When putting on your skis, it is often difficult or impossible to insert your poles into hard-packed snow.

• Monkey straps use a unique (patent pending) magnetic coupling from the strap to the pole. In a hard fall or if your pole is trapped in the trees or bushes, they will release from the strap. In a minor fall, they will stay with the skier.
• This is accomplished by a strong disk magnet attached to the top of the pole handle which mates with a second magnet attached to the glove with a leash, making it easy and nearly instantaneous to put them on (see video). There is no right or left pole; either pole can pair with either glove. 
• When the poles are removed, the glove magnet instantly attaches itself to a parking spot on the back of the glove by simply dropping your hand to your side.
• Monkey Straps provide a place for you to safely keep your gloves while on a chairlift if you need to use your phone or perform another task which requires their removal.  
• Monkey Strap-equipped poles can be attached magnetically to the chairlift during your ride if you need a free hand and want to ensure your poles don't fall.
• Monkey Strap-equipped poles can be stored vertically right on your skis when the snow is too hard to plant your poles by jabbing them in hard-packed snow or ice.

We are a father and son team, respectively Lloyd and Matthew Marks. Matthew is a master barber and expert skier (Alpine and Telemark) and Lloyd is a physician, engineer, medical technology consultant and successful inventor (credentials may be found here) with 26 medical device and sports equipment patents (not to mention 56 years of Alpine skiing under his belt).

We are interested in licensing our technology to a ski equipment and/or hiking pole manufacturer. 

Matthew Marks - gahbiya@gmail.com - 908-370-5685

Lloyd Marks, MD, MBA, FACC - marksnj@erols.com  - 908-347-2662