The Chronicle - Express
By Gwen Chamberlain
Posted Sep 12, 2019 at 12:01 A
Ski enthusiasts are putting away their water skis and wakeboards and thinking about pulling out their snow skis and snowboards in preparation for the coming season. Local inventor John Crowley has patented an invention that will bring new convenience to their ski season, and it’s already getting two thumbs up reviews from area skiers.
Crowley will be marketing the K-K Ski Boot Jack to ski centers, resorts, and sporting goods retailers this fall.
The boot jack, which is fabricated in a shop near Potter, consists of an apparatus that secures a boot in place to allow the wearer to easily slip a foot into the boot or to lift his or her foot out of the boot.
Shelly Fiumano, a member of the ski patrol at Bristol Mountain, says the boot jack would be a welcome addition in their locker room. “After being on the mountain all day we sit down and say, ‘I wish I had someone to take these boots off!’”
Ron Fitzgerald, who has been skiing for more than 45 years says Crowley has a real hit that will be especially welcomed by older skiers. “It really is quite an invention. It has a lot of potential.” he says.
How did a horseman like Crowley come up with the idea for a gadget for skiers? When the boot jack he used to remove his cowboy boots just wasn’t doing the trick anymore, he came up with the concept for a special boot jack.
His patent attorney, an international skier, liked the nifty idea Crowley brought to him, but he suggested the ski application might be more profitable.
M
By Gwen Chamberlain
Posted Sep 12, 2019 at 12:01 A
Ski enthusiasts are putting away their water skis and wakeboards and thinking about pulling out their snow skis and snowboards in preparation for the coming season. Local inventor John Crowley has patented an invention that will bring new convenience to their ski season, and it’s already getting two thumbs up reviews from area skiers.
Crowley will be marketing the K-K Ski Boot Jack to ski centers, resorts, and sporting goods retailers this fall.
The boot jack, which is fabricated in a shop near Potter, consists of an apparatus that secures a boot in place to allow the wearer to easily slip a foot into the boot or to lift his or her foot out of the boot.
Shelly Fiumano, a member of the ski patrol at Bristol Mountain, says the boot jack would be a welcome addition in their locker room. “After being on the mountain all day we sit down and say, ‘I wish I had someone to take these boots off!’”
Ron Fitzgerald, who has been skiing for more than 45 years says Crowley has a real hit that will be especially welcomed by older skiers. “It really is quite an invention. It has a lot of potential.” he says.
How did a horseman like Crowley come up with the idea for a gadget for skiers? When the boot jack he used to remove his cowboy boots just wasn’t doing the trick anymore, he came up with the concept for a special boot jack.
His patent attorney, an international skier, liked the nifty idea Crowley brought to him, but he suggested the ski application might be more profitable.
M