EP0553417A1 - Improvement to skis comprising central protruding foot-plate - Google Patents

Abstract

Ski having the shape of an elongate beam comprising a lower gliding face (3), an upper face (5) and two lateral edges (9, 10), the said upper face comprising, in its central part (17), a foot-plate (19) protruding such that the upper face of the ski consists of a central upper surface (60) protruding with respect to a front upper surface (61) and a rear upper surface (62) and arranged between these two surfaces, characterised in that the central foot-plate (19) is extended forwards and/or rearwards by at least one connecting protuberance (20a-21a,20r-21r) whose width (ls) is smaller than the width (l) of the foot-plate (19) and whose height (h) diminishes at least in its connecting part with the front or rear upper surface. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a ski, such as an alpine ski, a cross-country ski, a monoski or a snowboard. It relates more particularly to an improvement to this type of ski and in particular to those which include a central projecting platform.

We already know different types of ski and there are many variations. These consist of an elongated beam, the front end of which is curved upwards to form a spatula, the rear end also being more slightly to form the heel.

Current skis generally have a composite structure in which different materials are combined so that each of them intervenes optimally, taking into account the distribution of mechanical stresses when using the ski. Thus, the structure generally comprises peripheral protective elements, internal resistance elements to resist the flexural and torsional stresses, and a core. These elements are assembled by gluing or by injection, the assembly generally being carried out hot in a mold having the more or less final shape of the ski. Then, the lower surface of the ski is ground or sanded to give it its flatness and its surface condition which must be impeccable, to give the ski its qualities of gliding and maneuverability. This operation is conventionally carried out by passing the lower surface of the ski over an abrasive roller rotating at high speed, the longitudinal movement of said ski on the roller being ensured by a drive roller which is supported on the upper surface of the ski. The slightest change in the longitudinal drive of the ski causes a change in abrasion of the sole which then has defects. If the continuity of the drive of a conventional ski whose upper surface is without rupture, does not pose any particular problems, it is not the same for skis having for example at the level of the mounting area of the bindings , a protruding platform. In this case, when the drive roller suddenly climbs on the platform, there is a break in the continuity of the drive and the abrasion of the sole is disturbed, and the sole of the ski then has defects of flatness and surface finish.

The present invention therefore seeks to overcome these drawbacks and proposes a ski having the shape of an elongated beam comprising a lower sliding face, an upper face and two lateral edges, said upper face comprising in its central part a projecting platform so that the upper face of the ski is constituted by a central upper surface projecting from a front upper surface and a rear upper surface and disposed between these two surfaces, and which is characterized in that the central platform is extended forward and / or rearwards by at least one connection projection whose width is less than the width of the platform and whose height decreases at least in its connection zone with the corresponding upper front or rear surface. The projection decreases for example over its entire length, from the zone of connection with the platform towards its end where it is connected with the upper front or rear surface.

According to one of the arrangements, the platform is extended by two lateral projections, while according to another arrangement, it is extended by a central projection.

According to another possible variant, the platform is extended by a connection assembly constituted by two partial lateral projections and a complementary central projection, while according to another variant, it consists of a partial central projection and two complementary lateral projections.

According to an additional characteristic, the protrusion (s) are a substantially rectangular profile whose section gradually decreases and the upper face of which constitutes a connection surface connecting the upper surface of the platform to the upper front or rear surface. According to another arrangement, the profile is substantially triangular, and its section gradually decreases for constitute a connection ramp connecting the upper surface of the platform to the upper front or rear surface.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows with reference to the appended drawings which are given only by way of nonlimiting examples.

Figures 1 to 9 show a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side view of the first embodiment.

Figure 2 is a top view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along III-III of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along IV-IV of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along V-V of FIG. 2.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the ski according to the first embodiment.

Figure 7 is a partial perspective view showing a detail of the invention according to one of the embodiments.

Figures 8 and 9 are detailed side and top views respectively.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 are perspective views similar to Figure 7 showing three other embodiments.

Figures 13, 14 and 15 are views similar respectively to Figures 7, 8 and 9 showing an alternative embodiment.

Figures 16, 17 and 18 are views similar respectively to Figures 7, 8 and 9 showing another alternative embodiment.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate another embodiment, FIG. 19 being a perspective similar to FIG. 7, and FIG. 20, a sectional view similar to FIG. 4.

Figures 21 and 22 are side views of a ski showing two alternative embodiments.

Figures 23 and 24 are perspective views showing other alternative connection areas.

Figure 25 is a detail view illustrating in cross section an alternative connection projection.

As known per se and as shown in the figures illustrating it, the ski (1) according to the invention has the form of an elongated beam (2) comprising a lower sliding surface (3) limited laterally by two lower edges (4, 5); it comprises inter alia, an upper surface bounded laterally by two upper edges (7, 8), and two lateral faces (9, 10) connecting the lower edges (4, 5) to said upper edges (7, 8). The body of the ski proper extends between a front contact line (11) and a rear contact line (12) to extend forwards by a raised front part (13), forming the tip (14) and backwards, by a shorter and less raised posterior part (15) forming the heel (16).

It can be seen in FIG. 1 that the body of the ski considered between the two front (11) and rear (12) contact lines is, in a manner known per se, slightly arched in the rest position without load.

The ski according to the invention comprises a central part (17) extended forwards by a front part (18a) extending between the central part (17) and the front contact line (11), and a rear part ( 18r) extending between the central part (17) and the rear contact line (12). The central part (17) of the ski corresponding to the central area for mounting the bindings, comprises a platform (19) projecting from the rest of the upper surface of the ski and in particular the front (18a) and rear (18r) parts. So the upper surface of the ski is constituted by a central upper surface (60) projecting from the general upper surface (S) of the ski constituted by the upper front surface (61) and by the rear upper surface (62). Said central upper surface (60) being disposed between said front upper surface (61) and said rear upper surface (62). Thus, the platform has for example a thickness (e) relative to the general upper surface (S). The thickness (e) can for example be greater than 0.7 millimeter and be substantially constant, as shown in Figures 1 and 6, but it could be variable, as shown in Figures 21 and 22.

According to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 9, the central platform (19) is extended forward (AV) and rearward (AR) by two lateral connection projections respectively (20a, 21a ) for the front, and (20r, 21r) for the rear. According to this variant, each of the projections is disposed laterally on either side of the plane (P) of general symmetry of the ski and connects the central upper surface (60) to the front upper surface (61) and to the rear upper surface ( 62). To do this, each of the connection projections includes an upper connection surface (22a, 23a-22r, 23r). Note that according to one characteristic, the width (ls) of each connection projection is less than the width (l) of the upper surface (60) of the platform, and that according to the first embodiment, this width is variable in order to decrease gradually from the platform (19) towards the ends (A). Note also that the height (h) of each projection varies to decrease progressively from the platform (19) towards the ends. Thus, each of the projections (20a, 21a-20r, 21r) has a height (h) at the level of the platform, equal to the thickness (e) thereof and gradually decreases to become zero at the extreme point (A) connection with the upper front (61) and rear (62) surface. Thus in this embodiment, the cross section along a transverse plane (TT) of each of the connecting projections is variable in its dimensions, both in its height (h) and in its width (ls). Note that the connection projection could have a constant width (ls) while having a height (h) which gradually decreases, as according to the variant illustrated in Figure 10. Note also that the very shape of the projection could be variable.

It goes without saying that the ski according to the invention could be such that the platform (19) comprises only a central projection (200) disposed substantially in the plane (P) of general symmetry of the ski, as illustrated in the figure 11. But this unique connection projection may not be in the center, but offset laterally, as shown in figure 12.

According to the variant illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, the connection of the upper surfaces (61, 62) with the upper surface (60) of the platform (19) is produced by a connection assembly (210a) constituted by two projections partial side (20'a, 21'a) and a complementary central projection (200'a). Note and as it clearly appears in the figures, that the height (h) of each projection varies by a height (h1) equal to the thickness (e) of the platform to decrease progressively in order to have at its ends and in the transverse plane (T1-T1) thereof, a height (h2) less than (h1). The complementary central projection (200'a) is a projecting profile disposed between the two partial lateral projections (20'a, 21'a) so that its end on the side of the platform is between the transverse plane ( T1, T1) and the end (190a) of the platform (19). The height (h3) of this central projection at its end located towards the platform, is equal to the height (h3) that the lateral projections have in the transverse plane (T2-T2) to decrease progressively until becoming zero .

Note that a reverse construction could be adopted. It could for example be as shown in Figures 16, 17 and 18 where the connection assembly (211a) consists of a central partial projection (200''a) extending the platform and two complementary lateral projections ( 20''a, 21''a).

The previously described embodiments are such that the connection projection (s) comprise an upper connection surface (22, 23) having the shape of an inclined connection plane connecting the upper surface (60) of the platform to the upper front (61) and / or rear (62) surface.

It goes without saying that the upper face of the projections could be only a simple connection ramp (220, 230), and in this case, the connection projection (s) are for example constituted by a projecting profile, of section substantially rectangular transverse. Such an embodiment is illustrated by FIGS. 10 and 20.

The length (L) of the connecting projections must be large enough so that the drive roller passes gradually and smoothly, for example from the upper front surface to the upper surface of the platform and from the latter to the rear upper surface. This length (L) can be between 1% and 20% of the total length (LT) of the ski.

Figures 21 and 22 show two variants according to which the central platform (19) does not have a constant thickness. According to FIG. 21, the thickness gradually increases towards the rear of the ski, but the increase in thickness could be made towards the front in a reverse variant not illustrated. FIG. 22 and another variant according to which the central platform (19) comprises at each of its ends, an end projection (191, 192).

The connection ramps illustrated above are formed by planes, but could also be formed by curved surfaces, as illustrated in Figures 23 and 24. Note also that in a cross section, the ramp can be curved, as shown schematically in Figure 25.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a ski whose platform is extended forward and backward by connecting projections according to the invention. But of course, it could be that the platform is only extended forward or backward.

Figures 7 to 20, 23 and 24 illustrate different embodiments of a platform connection area. The references of the different elements corresponding to a connection area before. The different embodiments of a rear connection zone would be illustrated with the same figures, knowing that the references (20a, 21a, 22a, 23a, 61,190a) would be respectively (20r, 21r, 22r, 23r, 62,190r), and (20 '' a, 21''a, 211a, 200''a) would be respectively (20''r, 21''r, 211r, 200''r).

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown by way of examples, but it also includes all the technical equivalents and their combinations.

Claims (15)

Ski having the shape of an elongated beam comprising a lower sliding face (3), an upper face (S) and two lateral edges (9, 10), said upper face comprising in its central part (17) a platform (19 ) projecting so that the upper face of the ski is constituted by a central upper surface (60) projecting from a front upper surface (61) and a rear upper surface (62) and disposed between these two surfaces, characterized in that the central platform (19) is extended forward and / or rearward by at least one connection projection (20a-21a, 20r-21r) whose width (ls) is less than the width ( l) of the platform (19) and whose height (h) decreases at least in its part of connection with the upper front or rear surface. Ski according to claim 1, characterized in that the height (h) of the projection decreases over its entire length from the zone of connection with the platform towards its end (A) where it connects with the upper front or rear surface. Ski according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the projection (20a-21a, 20r-21r) is a substantially rectangular profile whose section decreases progressively and whose upper face constitutes a connecting surface (22a-23a; 22b-23b) connecting the upper surface (60) of the platform to the upper front (61) and / or rear (62) surface. Ski according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the projection (20a-21a, 20r-21r) is a substantially triangular profile whose section decreases progressively and whose upper face constitutes a connecting ramp (220, 230 ) connecting the upper surface (60) of the platform to the upper front (61) and / or rear (62) surface. Ski according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the connection surface (22a-23a; 22r-23r) or the connection ramp (220, 230) is straight. Ski according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the connection surface (22a-23a; 22r-23r) or the connection ramp (220, 230) is curved. Ski according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the projection (20a-21a, 20r-21r) has a section whose width (ls) is constant. Ski according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the projection (20a-21a, 20r-21r) has a section whose width (ls) varies. Ski according to claim 8, characterized in that the width (ls) decreases progressively from the platform (19) towards the ends. Ski according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the platform (19) is extended at least by two lateral projections (20a-21a, 20r-21r). Ski according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the platform (19) is extended by a central projection (200). Ski according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the platform (19) is extended by a connection assembly (210) constituted by two partial lateral projections (20 ', 21') and a complementary central projection ( 200 '). Ski according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and 11, characterized in that the platform (19) is extended by a connection assembly (211) constituted by a partial central projection (200 '') and two complementary lateral projections ( 20 '', 21 ''). Ski according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the platform (19) has a thickness (e) greater than 0.7 millimeter. Ski according to claim 14, characterized in that the length (L) of the projection (20a-21a, 20r-21r) of connection is between 1 and 20% of the total length of the ski.

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