the individual skis of a pair of skis are identified by the reference numerals 1 and 1 &# 39 ;. each ski has a ski brake 2 or 2 &# 39 ; mounted thereon by conventional devices , as by not illustrated screws . each ski brake is of a common construction and , therefore , is not discussed in detail . the braking mechanism of each ski brake 2 or 2 &# 39 ; consists of a pedal 3 or 3 &# 39 ; and two braking mandrels 4 or 4 &# 39 ;, which are manufactured of a spring steel wire . a braking blade 5 or 5 &# 39 ; made of plastic is injection molded onto each wire braking mandrel 4 or 4 &# 39 ;. a notch or recess 6 or 6 &# 39 ; is provided at the end region of each braking blade remote from the braking mandrel . each notch is in the form of an inwardly facing groove , the length of which extends transversely of the length of each blade . each notch is also open at the opposite ends thereof . as shown in fig2 each braking blade 5 or 5 &# 39 ; has a longitudinal length l . the width w of the notch 6 or 6 &# 39 ; is slightly greater than the diameter d of the braking mandrel 4 or 4 &# 39 ; ( see fig3 ). the depth of the notch t is slightly greater than the radius r of the braking mandrel 4 or 4 &# 39 ;. more specifically , and referring to fig3 the two side walls 6a and 6b of the notch 6 are spaced from the outside diameter d of the braking mandrel 4 &# 39 ; by the distance x / 2 . thus , w = d + x . the depth t of the notch 6 is deeper than the radius r of the braking mandrel 4 &# 39 ; by a distance y so that t = r + y . further , the location of each notch 6 or 6 &# 39 ; along the length of the braking blade is within distance m which is 1 / 4 to 1 / 3 the length l from the free end , namely , that end remote from the braking mandrel . if now the two skis 1 and 1 &# 39 ; of a pair of skis , as shown in fig1 are hooked or connected together , then one ski 1 &# 39 ; is first shifted approximately 1 - 2 cm . in the longitudinal direction thereof relative to the other ski 1 . this causes the notches 6 &# 39 ; in the braking blades 5 &# 39 ; on the shifted ski 1 &# 39 ; to receive directly therein the braking mandrels 4 on the other ski , namely , that portion of the mandrels 4 intermediate the braking blades 5 and the pedal 3 . a locking engagement is thus created . if now the hooking together of the two skis 1 and 1 &# 39 ; is to be released , then the two braking mandrels 4 &# 39 ; of the one ski 1 &# 39 ; are manually urged outwardly against the force of their own elasticity until the recesses 6 &# 39 ; on the braking blades 5 &# 39 ; become disengaged from the braking mandrels 4 of the other ski . in this manner , the two skis 1 and 1 &# 39 ; are separated from one another . in the embodiment according to fig2 the reversed position is illustrated , namely , the notches 6 of the braking blades 5 on the ski 1 receive therein the braking mandrels 4 &# 39 ; of the other ski 1 &# 39 ;. otherwise , the manner of use corresponds with the embodiment according to fig1 . for a better handling , the two braking mandrels 4 or 4 &# 39 ;, as is illustrated only on the mandrels 4 in fig1 each have a horizontal axle portion 4b and a section 4c that is inclined to the axle portion at an angle of 45 °. the inclined section 4c is positioned intermediate the axle portion 4b and the mandrel segment 4a on which the braking blades are mounted . however , they can also be arcuately bent . although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes , it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus , including the rearrangement of parts , lie within the scope of the present invention .
the ski brake blades of the present invention have a recess or notch on their inner surface . these notches engage the mandrels of the other ski brake at a point above the blade . the two skis are thus held together .