CA1215403A

CA1215403A - Shock-absorbing element for skis

Info

Publication number: CA1215403A
Application number: CA000430133A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Brosi Bettosini; Walter Gerber
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-06-10
Filing date: 1983-06-10
Publication date: 1986-12-16

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The shock-absorbing element, disposed between the upper surface of the ski and the ski binding, comprises a layer of polyurethane and at least one superposed metal layer of an aluminum alloy. It serves the purpose of resiliently taking up impacts and vibrations produced by travelling over rough ground. The shock-absorbing element particularly facilitates skiing, especially swinging, and safety is increased quite generally at high speeds. Owing to the springy, shock-absorbing effect, the element also acts to prevent skiing accidents.

Description

SHOCK-ABSORBING ELEMENT ~OR SKIS

This invention relates to ski construction, and more particularly to a shock-absorbing element for skis, Until now, the sole holder, the heel mechanism, and the - base plate of a ski binding have been directl~ and rigidly fixed to the ski. In this unyielding connection, the ihdividual elements of the ski binding carry out their function which, besides the attachment of the ski boot to the ski r primarly serves the purpose of pro-tecting the skier from injury in case of a fall. Such a tigid mounting of the ski-binding parts on the ski has the important disadvantage that when the skier travels over uneven ground, the resultant impacts and vibrations are directly transmitted to him. This not only makes it difficult to guide the skis but is also tiring and un-pleasant for the skier and can lead to accidents. Thestress on skeleton, ligaments, joints, and muscles is too great.
Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a shock-absorbing element for skis which takes up and attenuates the impacts and vibrations produced upon skiing over rough ground and avoids the disadvantages mentioned above.
To this end, the shock-absorbing element according to the present invention is constructed of one or more parts and of a plurality of layers and is disposed between the upper surface of the ski and the ski binding.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be dlescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
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Figure 1 is an elevation of the shock-absorbing element mounted on a ski between the upper surface of the ski and the binding, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the shock-absorbing element, Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken on the line III-III of Figure 2, Figure 4 is a cross-section taken on the line IV-IY of Figure 2~
Figure 5 is a cross-section through another embodiment of a shock-absorbing element having two metal layers, Figure 6 is a cross-section through a further embodiment of a shock-absorbing element with a laminate consisting of three metal layers, Figure 7 is a cross-section showing a one-piece guiding and shock-absorbing cap, Figure 8 is a cross-section through another design of the aforementioned cap, Figure 9 is a perspective view of one part of a two-part shock-absorbing element, and Figure 10 is a perspective view of part of another em-bodiment of a two-part shock-absorbing element.
Figure 1 shows a shock-absorbing element 1 secured between the upper surface 2 of a ski and a ski binding 3. Binding 3 itself comprises a sole holder 4 and a heel mechanism 5.
At each end of element 1 is a bent-down extremity 6,7 to be secured to surface 2.
In Figure 2 the shock-absorbing element is shown on a larger scale in a perspective view. It is of a sandwich construction and comprises a layer 8 of polyurethane on its underside, resting against the upper surface of the ski.
A metal strip 10 lying upon layer 8 is glued thereto.
Adjacent to bent-down portions 6 and 7 are securing portions 11 and 12; the rearward of the latter relative to the direction of travel of the ski, i.e., portion 11 ~2~5~03 includes one or more, preferably three, holes 13 for re-ceiving screws. In the forward securing portion 12 there are two or more first recesses 14, in each of which a plastic element 15 is inserted. Each element 15 is in turn provided with a center recess 16. Screws 18 are driven through a guiding and shock-absorbing cap 17 for fastening the element to the ski~
The shock-absorbing element is partially shown in longitudinal section in Figure 3, where polyurethane layer 8, metal layer 9, and plastic elements 15 providing longitudinal shock absorption are visible. The foregoing parts are mounted on the surface of the ski by means of a polytetrafluoroethylene plate 19.
In Figure 4, the shock-absorbing element is illustrated by means of a cross-section taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 2.
Another embodiment of the invention is depicted in cross section in Figure 5, which shows a shock-absorbing element having two metal layers 9 and 10 above poly-urethane layer 8. Layers 9 and 10 may be of an aluminumalloy and of spring steel, for example.
An embodiment having a polyurethane layer 8 and three metal layers 21-23 is illustrated in Figure 6. Layers 21-23 form a laminate 20 which may, for instance, be of an aluminum alloy, steel, and spring steel.
In Figure 7, a covering cap 24 of one-piece construction is shown.
Figure 8 shows cap 24 additionally provided with an integral nose 25. The thin plate 19 of polytetrafluoro-- - 30 ethylene is disposed between the metal layer and the sur-face of the ski.

According to the embodiment illustrated i~ Figures 9 and 10, the shock-absorbing element is constructed in two separate parts 26 disposed under the sole holder and under the heel mechanism, respectively, and provided with spring tongues 27 or 28. A shock-absorbing element 29 is provided for under part 26. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 9, the shock-absorbing element is softer than the spring tongue 27. Figure 9 shows spring tongue 27 mounted beneath part 26, while Figure 10 shows spring tongue 28 mounted over and adjacent to part 26. Each part 26 of the shock-absorbing element is fastened to the ski on only one side.
The metal element is preferably mounted in a biased condition. The running conditions can be varied by modifying the bias and thus adapted to the track con-ditions.
One advantage of the shock-absorbing element is that existing mounting gauges for bindings can be used.
The metal element is variably profiled in its thickness.
The Shore hardness of polyurethane element 8 and of plastic element 15 is variable according to the skier and is preferably between 35 und 9O Shore A.
The polyurethane layer can be detachably glued on both sides with a double-adhesive layer.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A shock absorbing element for a ski and adapted to mount a ski-binding, the shock absorbing element including at least a first layer of elastomeric material and at least a metal strip overlying the elastomeric layer, characterized in that the metal strip included a forwardly extending, fastening portion having at least a pair of recesses, the recesses being elongated in the longitudinal direction, the recesses being adapted to receive fastening screws mounting the strip to the ski and having play in the longitudinal direction, resilient members located in said recesses and acting against the screws providing longitudinal shock absorption.

2. A shock absorbing element as defined in claim 1, wherein the forward extending fastening portion of the metal strip being covered by a guiding cap.

3. A shock absorbing element as defined in claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material is polyurethane.

4. A shock absorbing element as defined in claim 1, wherein the metal strip is an aluminum alloy.

5. A shock absorbing element as defined in claim 1, wherein the elastomeric layer has a shore A hardness range of 35 to 90.

6. A shock absorbing element as defined in claim 1, wherein the metal strip is biased.