EP0049427A1 - Layer of the running sole of a ski - Google Patents

Abstract

Outsole covering for skis with an embossed push-off aid, which consists of a number of steps with steeply falling push-off flanks (1 ', 1 ", 3) and ramps running flat in the sliding direction. The top of the steps is made of a seamless honeycomb arrangement of equilateral or biaxially symmetrical hexagonal fields (2 ', 2 "). To achieve an improved repelling effect, the fields (2 ', 2 ") are arranged so that one of the hexagon sides (1', 1") lies transversely to the repelling direction in such a way that this hexagon side (1 ', 1 ") is designed as a repelling edge, and that the hexagonal surfaces form the gently rising step ramps.

Description

The invention relates to an outsole covering for skis according to the preamble of claim 1, and a method for its production.

Many attempts have already been made to find climbing or push-off aids embossed in the outsole covering of skis, which on the one hand enable optimal coordination of push-off and sliding behavior, offer sufficient lateral guidance and smoothness when driving on hard, ribbed tracks, and on the other hand economically are producible or enable an economical production of the required embossing tools.

AT-PS 291 063 discloses a step arrangement in which transversely arranged rows of steps with arc-shaped edges are provided, the individual arc sections directly adjoining one another, and rows arranged one behind the other are preferably offset laterally by half the step width. This arrangement has the disadvantage that acute-angled corners are formed between the arcuate sections, in which snow and ice can accumulate, so that the ability to repel decreases accordingly. In addition, there are no kick edges that are perpendicular to the repulsion direction, so that the transmission of the repulsive forces is not optimal. A guide against slipping sideways is available, but only as long as the mentioned corners between the arched sections do not fill with snow.

DE-OS 29 27 756 discloses a step arrangement, the step edges of which are rectilinear, perpendicular to the direction of repulsion, and the gently rising step flanks of concave or convex lateral surface sections of overlapping rotating surfaces are formed. This arrangement has no acute-angled intersections in which snow could get stuck. In addition, the resulting wavy cross profile also offers sufficient lateral guidance. However, since the gently rising step ramps are sections of rotation surfaces, all sliding surfaces are curved in the transverse direction and therefore do not offer an optimal support on the track. This manifests itself in a deterioration in the sliding behavior, especially on soft tracks. In addition, it leads to uneven wear, since projecting surface parts are present even with very flat curvatures or intersections.

CH-PS 189 690 discloses a ski with a tread surface which, as a repulsion aid, has an arrangement of impressed, parallelogram-shaped fields which are delimited by two intersecting sheets of parallel edges which are arranged at an angle of less than 90 ° to the longitudinal axis of the ski. The diagonals of these fields extend in the longitudinal direction of the ski, so that the abutting edges inclined to the longitudinal axis of the ski intersect at an acute angle. Experience has shown that such intersections fill up relatively easily with ice or snow, so that the tripping effect is reduced accordingly. Since no kick edge is arranged transversely to the kick direction, the transferable kick is not optimal.

AT-PS 348 386 discloses a tread covering with an embossed profile, which, like in CH-PS 189 690, consists of fields which are delimited by a plurality of intersecting sheets of mutually parallel boundary lines. Although there are various distinctive differences to CH-PS 189 690, the disadvantages mentioned are in no way eliminated.

DE-AS 22 43 229 discloses a tread formation for cross-country skis, which consists of a pattern of scale-like projections emerging from the tread, at least some of which have a straight edge on their sides, at least one of which is inclined at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the ski , and an edge runs transversely to the longitudinal axis of the ski. The individual projections of a transverse row are separated from one another by narrow, acute-angled depressions that can fill with snow or ice and thus become ineffective. A special process and a relatively complicated tool are required for the production. In addition, protrusions protruding from the tread require special measures in ski manufacture.

Finally, from DE-GM 7 831 297 an outsole covering with an embossed push-off aid is known, which consists of a plurality of steps with steeply falling push-off edges in the push-off direction and flat ramps in the sliding direction, the upper side of the steps being more equilateral from a seamless honeycomb arrangement or biaxially symmetrical hexagonal fields is formed.

In the case of this known outsole covering, the knowledge is taken into account that the flexitime is generally many times longer than the braking time, namely by dividing the available total length per step into a sliding and climbing zone in a corresponding ratio. On the other hand, due to the proposed arrangement of the hexagon fields in such a way that the tips point forwards or backwards, there is again the danger that snow or ice will settle in the corners between two adjacent steps.

Another disadvantage is that due to the above-mentioned arrangement of the hexagonal fields, there are only edges that are inclined to the direction of repulsion, with the result that the edges are reduced th _A bstoßwirkung. Furthermore, the existing in the known outsole covering, extending in the direction of the guide strips between two adjacent hexagon fields extremely expensive embossing tools, whereby it is questionable whether such an increased effort is worthwhile with regard to the effect of these guide strips.

The present invention is based on the object of providing an outsole covering for skis with an embossed push-off aid which ensures optimum transmission of the push-off forces and good lateral guidance, substantially reduces the tendency to block the effective steps by ice and snow and, in addition, a enables simple and economical production of the embossing tool.

This object is achieved in that the outsole covering is designed according to the characterizing part of patent claim 1.

Surprisingly, the design of the outsole covering according to the invention optimally solves the rather complex task which the inventor has set himself. Compared to the solution at first glance, which is quite similar according to DE-GM 7 831 297, the outsole covering according to the invention is characterized in particular by a considerably enlarged effective scuff edge with the same tread width. The embossing of the tread according to the invention is also much less problematic than the embossing of the tread according to the German utility model mentioned. There is no risk of snow or ice getting stuck in the embossing.

The top side of the individual steps is preferably inclined or curved differently in the longitudinal direction in different sections of their length. Thereby an improved sliding behavior of the outsole covering can be achieved.

An optimal transmission of the repulsive forces is obtained by the training according to claim 3.

The solution according to claim 4 is particularly suitable for cross-country skis with a width of less than 55 mm in the middle of the ski area.

In claims 5 and 6, preferred methods for producing the outsole covering according to the invention are described in more detail. The method according to the invention enables simple and economical production with uncomplicated flat or roller-shaped embossing tools.

• Fig. 1 eine Draufsicht auf einen erfindungsgemäß ausgebildeten Laufsohlenbelag;
• Fig. 2 und 3 zwei verschiedene Ausführungsformen von Stufenrampen im Querschnitt längs der Linie A-B in Fig. 1;
• Fig. 4 eine weitere Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäß ausgebildeten Laufsohlenbelages in Draufsicht, und
• Fig. 5 einen größeren Teil eines Laufsohlenbelages in Draufsicht.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawing. Show it:

• 1 shows a plan view of an outsole covering designed according to the invention;
• Figures 2 and 3 show two different embodiments of step ramps in cross section along the line AB in Fig. 1.
• 4 shows a further embodiment of the outsole covering designed according to the invention in plan view, and
• Fig. 5 shows a larger part of an outsole covering in plan view.

In Fig. 1, the hexagonal surfaces are formed on the same side. The longitudinal direction of the base or ski extends from left to right in the drawing. The hexagonal sides 1 ′ arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction or the hexagonal sides 1 ″ offset in the longitudinal direction by the side spacing are kept as steps edges formed. The hexagonal surfaces 2 'or the hexagonal surfaces 2 "offset in the longitudinal direction by half the side distance are designed as gently rising step ramps. Depending on the slope or curvature of the hexagonal surfaces 2' or 2", at least parts of the hexagonal sides 3 lying obliquely to the repelling direction are also formed steeply falling step edges that can transmit a tangential force.

This can also be clearly seen in FIG. 2, which represents a cross section along the line A-B in FIG. 1. The steeply sloping step edges 1 'are offset by half the side distance in the longitudinal direction compared to the same edges 1 ". The hexagonal surfaces 2' or 2" drop over their longitudinal extent with a constant inclination angle to the desired step depth, which is advantageously between 0.1 and 1.0 mm. It can clearly be seen that the hexagonal sides lying at an angle to the push-off direction also form 3 push-off edges with a flank part that transmits force in the tangential direction. The result is a two-dimensionally connected network of abutting edges forming all edges of the hexagon, of force-transmitting surfaces in the tangential direction, the height of which is determined by the depth of the step. A large part of all kick edges is perpendicular to the kick direction, so that there is a very effective kick. The sloping edges at an angle to the push-off direction provide very good lateral guidance, since they are arranged symmetrically to the push-off direction. There are no acute-angled intersections that could fill with ice or snow and thus reduce the repelling effect.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section along the line AB in FIG. 1 through a further embodiment of the subject matter of the invention. The hexagonal surfaces fall not with a constant incline, but partly lie in the plane of contact of the surface with the track and only then fall off. As a result, a striking sliding surface is formed on the top of the step edges, the size of which can be increased to a substantial part of the total hexagonal surface. This makes it possible to vary the sliding behavior over a wide range.

Furthermore, it is possible to curve the hexagonal surfaces in the longitudinal direction, which results in a particularly smooth transition with very good sliding behavior. For example, the kink that results from the intersection of the surface parts with different inclinations in FIG. 3 could be alleviated by a convex curvature.

Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of the subject of the invention in plan view. The hexagon fields are not equilateral, but only two-axis symmetrical, so that they have a greater length than width. This makes it possible to choose a particularly flat increase in the hexagonal areas, so that this embodiment offers the possibility of particularly good sliding behavior. However, it would also be possible to choose the width larger than the length.

If the sides of the hexagon, which are designed as abutting edges, have a side length between 4 and 15 mm, the tread covering according to the invention is particularly well suited for cross-country skis with a width in the ski center area of less than 55 mm.

The hexagons are - as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 - preferably arranged so that in both edge areas of the covering each extending transversely to the direction of repelling edges are arranged.

In addition to its functional advantages over the previously known solutions, the outsole covering according to the invention also enables very efficient production. While the embossing tools are predominantly produced in one piece by engraving, which is very complex and expensive, the embossing tools can be assembled from individual, similar elements in the covering according to the invention. A flat embossing stamp can, for example, be composed of individual parts with a hexagonal cross section, the size of which corresponds to the hexagonal fields of the covering, and the end face of which is designed in accordance with the slope and curvature of the gently rising step ramp. An embossing roller can simply be assembled from individual, identical disks, the width of which corresponds to the length of the diagonal lying transversely to the repelling direction and the end faces of which are profiled in accordance with the hexagonal sides lying obliquely to the repelling direction. The development of the disks thus has a shape which corresponds to the strongly drawn-out part designated by a in FIG. 1. The lateral surface of the disks must be designed in accordance with the distance between the sides of the hexagon in the longitudinal direction and the inclination and curvature of the gently rising step ramp. Neither with such a production of a flat embossing stamp, nor an embossing roller, are indentations to be made without an outlet, so that one can work with conventional milling machines, and engraving is unnecessary. The production of the embossing tools is therefore much cheaper than with the previously known solutions. It is also simpler and does not require a special workshop that is set up for roller engraving. This is of particular advantage also in the prototype and test stage, for which the production of a complex roller is no longer necessary.

Since the push-off and sliding behavior of an outsole covering depends very much on the length of the step edges arranged transversely to the push-off direction and on their number per unit area, the embossing of the tread over a ski length is preferably carried out in such a way that in the middle area, i.e. in the area at Connection to the ski body is below the boot, in particular the ball of the foot, the hexagon fields have a greater longitudinal extent in the direction transverse to the repelling direction or the longitudinal direction of the covering than in the direction parallel to the repelling direction or the longitudinal direction of the covering. In the sliding portions, so in the Bereicl ^e P of the covering, the front and rear in the part of the cross-country skis are, embossing is done the other way round, or so as shown in FIG. 4. In these areas, the repulsion effect is less important.

5, the aforementioned goal can be achieved very simply by making the hexagon fields of different lengths in different lengths A, B, C, D with the same width. As a result, the number of step edges lying transversely to the repulsion direction is varied per unit area and can easily be adapted to the above-mentioned requirements. Three areas B, C, D, which have increasingly longer fields in the repelling direction and the longitudinal direction of the covering, are added to a middle area A of an outsole covering embossed to ski length with equilateral hexagon fields. Mind you, the width of the hexagon fields does not change, so that the tread can be produced in a simple manner by the method according to the invention.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, the central area A of the tread is characterized by equilateral hexagon fields. However, as already explained above, the hexagonal fields in the longitudinal direction of the covering or repelling direction could also be shorter in the central area A of the tread be as transverse to the longitudinal direction of the covering or repulsion direction

As can also be easily seen from FIG. 5, a series of fields of different widths would only be possible with the interposition of non-hexagonal, non-symmetrical fields, some of which point against the sliding direction when their step edges are formed in steps. It is a merit of the invention to have recognized that it is more advantageous to keep the width of the hexagonal fields constant and to vary only their length, ie their longitudinal extension in the direction of repulsion. Within the areas A, _B , C and D, all hexagon fields are the same and biaxially symmetrical. Only the overlapping fields 4, each marked with a point, are uniaxially symmetrical in order to enable a seamless transition to another field length.

In Fig. 5 the facing width is not chosen so that there are transverse hexagonal sides at the edges. However, as has been explained above, the embodiment with transverse hexagonal sides at the edges is particularly advantageous with regard to the repelling effect. However, the embodiment according to FIG. 5 is also characterized by a considerably better repelling effect than the treads according to the prior art discussed at the outset.

• 1 = Länge der Bereiche A, B, C, D und G (= A + B + C + D);
• a = Länge der sich quer zur Abstoßrichtung bzw. Belagslängsrichtung erstreckenden Sechseckseiten;
• b = größte Quererstreckung der Sechseckfelder;
• c = Längserstreckung der Sechseckfelder in den einzelnen Belagsbereichen A, B, C, D;
• n = Anzahl der Sechseckfelder pro Längsreihe der Felder A, B, C, bzw. D.

In the table belonging to FIG. 5, dimensions of the fields A, B, C, D and the hexagon fields are given, which have proven to be particularly advantageous in practice after a test. In the table mean:

• 1 = length of areas A, B, C, D and G (= A + B + C + D);
• a = length of the hexagon sides extending transversely to the direction of repulsion or the longitudinal direction of the covering;
• b = greatest transverse extension of the hexagon fields;
• c = longitudinal extension of the hexagon fields in the individual covering areas A, B, C, D;
• n = number of hexagon fields per longitudinal row of fields A, B, C and D.

The values for 1, a, b and c given in the table are millimeter values.

The area A is only half shown in FIG. 5.

All features disclosed in the documents are claimed as essential to the invention, insofar as they are new compared to the prior art, individually or in combination.

Claims (8)

1.Outer sole covering for skis with an embossed push-off aid, which consists of a large number of steps with steeply falling push-off flanks in the push-off direction and ramps running flat in the sliding direction, the top of the steps consisting of a seamless honeycomb arrangement of equilateral or biaxially symmetrical hexagonal fields (2 ', 2 ") is formed,
characterized in that
the fields (2 ', 2 ") are arranged so that one of the hexagon sides (1', 1") is transverse to the repelling direction, that this hexagon side (1 ', 1 ") is designed as a repelling edge, and that the hexagonal surfaces form gently rising step ramps. 2. outsole covering according to claim 1, characterized in that the top of the individual steps in the longitudinal direction in different sections of their length is differently inclined or curved. 3. Outsole covering according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least partial areas of the hexagon sides which are transverse to the repelling direction and which are designed as abutting edges and which lie obliquely to the repelling direction are designed as abutting edges. 4. Outsole covering according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the side length of the hexagon sides formed as abutting edges (1 ', 1 "; 3) is between 4 and 15 mm. 5. outsole covering according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the step depth is between 0.1 and 1.0 mm. 6 '. Outsole covering according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the push-off aid is stamped only in partial areas of the length corresponding to the ski. - 7. A method for producing an outsole covering according to one of claims 1 to 6 by embossing with an embossing tool arranged in a flat surface,
characterized in that
the die is composed of individual parts with a hexagonal cross-section, the cross-section of which corresponds to the shape of the fields of the repulsion aid and the end face of which is designed in accordance with the inclination or curvature of these fields. 8. A method for producing an outsole covering according to one of claims 1 to 6 by stamping with a roller-shaped stamping tool, characterized in that
the embossing roller is composed of disks of the same type, the width of which corresponds to the diagonal distance transversely to the direction of repulsion of the hexagonal surfaces, the end faces of which have a profile corresponding to the hexagonal sides lying at an angle to the direction of repulsion, and the lateral surface of which corresponds to the side distance in the direction of repulsion, the depth of the steps and the inclination ratios or the curvature the hexagonal surfaces are formed.

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