EP0620027B2 - Ski with side walls and upper shell - Google Patents

Abstract

This ski includes longitudinal reinforcing elements (9) each bearing on an edge (8), and forming the side walls of the ski, which extend, at least in the case of one of them, over a part of the height of the latter, and a shell (10) forming the topsheet (upper face) and a part of at least one of the lateral walls of the ski, and the longitudinal sides (12) of which rest and are fastened on the topsheet of the side walls (9), the respective heights of a side wall and of the shell over at least one of the side faces of the ski varying in the same proportions over the length of the ski. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a ski, and in particular an alpine ski with edges and a hull higher.

A traditional ski has a lower surface consisting of a sole bordered by longitudinal edges, on which rigid edges rest, for example in ABS or phenolic laminate. These songs, which extend over the entire height of the ski are generally perpendicular to the sole thereof. Between the edges, is arranged the core, which can be made of different ways, the nucleus itself being located between reinforcing elements, the whole being covered by an upper wall which also rests on the top edge of edges

The advantage of such a ski is that the rigidity of the edges ensures excellent transmission of the forces exerted by the skier on the snow surface.

It is more and more common, for reasons aesthetic, and for reasons of industrialization of the manufacture of skis, to make skis in shape, that is to say skis of non-rectangular section, having a shell forming the upper face and the lateral faces skiing, these lateral faces possibly being inclined over at least part of their height. In such an assumption, the core is most often realized made of synthetic foam, for example polyurethane, which has excellent properties of stability over time, while being of little weight Student.

However, this last type of ski, illustrated in particular by documents FR 2 611 518. US 3 272 522 and FR 2 522 976, does not entirely satisfy the fact that the transmission of forces on the edges from the face upper part of the ski is not firm, taking into account the absence of edges and the inclination side walls. This transmission is only done by hull reinforcement sheets, which are pressed against the inclined sides and which take occasional support on the edges. These skis have therefore average behavioral characteristics and cannot meet the requirement criteria required, especially in competition, where the precision of desired guidance for skis, requires transmission as perfect as possible efforts since the upper face of the ski towards the edges.

Generally, the hulls constituting the skis modern include a superior protective element supporting the decor of the ski, covering a frame glass cloth possibly containing carbon or aramid fibers constituting the reinforcement superior of skiing. This reinforcement fabric could, in the upper part corresponding to the upper face of the ski, consisting only of unidirectional fibers. However, it is imperative that the flaps, constituting the side faces of the ski, have oriented fibers in the direction of the frame, necessary for obtaining of sufficient strength, particularly in torsion, and providing support on the edges. So it is necessary to use fabrics comprising a warp and a frame, even if this structure is oversized for the realization of the upper surface of the ski which must primarily provide flexural strength simple skiing.

A technical description is also known concerning skiing V- Prestige of the company BLIZZARD, made available to the public from 28/2/91, which discloses all the features of the preamble of claim 1.

In addition, the connection between the shell and the lower part skiing is ensured by bonding. take in account the forces to which the assembly area is subjected, it frequently results from detachments between the hull and the lower part of the ski comprising the sole.

The object of the invention is to provide a ski, in which the transmission of forces from the upper face skiing towards the edges is carried out in best possible conditions, which has a hull forming its upper side and at least part of its side faces, in order to obtain good qualities aesthetic, and that is of great solidity.

To this end, the ski which it concerns comprises the characteristics of the characterizing part of claim 1.

The height of the edges is substantially equal to the hull height.

This ski has longitudinal reinforcing elements forming songs, which are supported on which ensure good transmission of reactions of the skier towards the underside of the ski. In In addition, the fact that the assembly between the hull and the edges is made substantially halfway up the ski, that is to say substantially at the same height as the neutral fiber of the ski core, area in which the forces compression and traction are balanced at inside the ski, improves resistance characteristics in transverse flexion, in lateral flexion and in torsion.

Advantageously, under these conditions, the fabric of upper reinforcement of the shell consists of unidirectional oriented fibers only in the longitudinal direction of the ski, which is a factor savings, without harming the qualities of skiing.

The edges can be perpendicular to the plane of the sole, or inclined with respect to this perpendicular. Insofar as the outer face of each reinforcement element forming the edge is inclined, this inclination can be different or equal to that of the inclined part of the hull. In addition, this inclination can be symmetrical or asymmetrical of a song by compared to the other song of the same ski.

The reinforcing elements arranged on both sides of the ski may have characteristics of shape and / or concerning the nature of identical materials or different, and have a constant width on the entire length of the ski or on the contrary have variable width.

Each reinforcement element can be monolithic or made up of several vertical layers and juxtaposed extending over the length of the ski. These different layers of material can have the same height or on the contrary the different layers can have decreasing heights from the layer located on the core side of the ski to the one located on more outside.

According to another embodiment, the two elements reinforcement on both sides of the ski have different heights. We then obtain a asymmetrical ski. It is possible to have a ski with, in particular in the skate area, an element of reinforcement located on the side of the inner edge, which has a height greater than that of the element of reinforcement located on the side of the outer edge. This layout provides a ski with good qualities guide on hard snow, as well as good qualities of powder snow behavior, due to that it is possible to slim the ski on the edge side exterior.

According to another embodiment of this ski, the longitudinal reinforcing elements belong to the same room which occupies the entire width of the ski. This part can be of rectangular section, of section in general H shape, or section in general U shape. In this case, the part of the part located in the center of the ski, constitutes part of the core of the ski.

According to an embodiment of this ski, the shell has at its two longitudinal edges, two returns parallel to the sole plane ski, based on the two reinforcing elements.

According to another embodiment, the shell comprises at its two longitudinal edges two returns inclined to the plane of the ski sole, bearing on the inclined upper faces of each of the reinforcing elements.

Advantageously, these two returns constituting the edges of the shell are of constant width over the entire ski length.

The two hull returns can be located at the level of the side faces of the ski or set back vis-à-vis of these side faces.

According to one possibility, each element reinforcement has a width greater than that of the corresponding return of the hull, and goes up partly along the internal inclined part of the shell.

According to another embodiment of this ski, the edges of the shell are embedded in the elements of longitudinal reinforcement.

According to one embodiment, this ski contains a metal or glass laminate reinforcement plate, carbon or aramid which, extending over all or part the length of the ski, occupies the entire width of it.

This metal plate reinforces the ski in lateral flexion. It can be present on any the length of the ski or only part of it length, and preferably in the area of skate. This plate can be made of an alloy lightweight, such as an aluminum alloy known under the brand ZICRAL. This plate can be full or perforated.

According to one embodiment, the reinforcement plate is inserted between the upper side of the longitudinal reinforcement and the base of the hull.

According to another embodiment, the longitudinal edges of the reinforcement plate are embedded in the longitudinal reinforcing elements. In this case, the metal plate is embedded in the elements longitudinal reinforcement before injection of the polyurethane foam constituting the core, the plate being perfectly positioned and retained in the desired position thanks to the installation of its edges in grooves provided in the elements of longitudinal reinforcement.

According to another embodiment, the reinforcement plate is profiled by several longitudinal folds and is moved away from the hull.

Figure 1 est une vue de côté d'un ski selon l'invention;

Figures 2 et 3 en sont deux vues en coupe transversale et à échelle agrandie selon les lignes II-II et III-III de figure 1 ;

Figures 4 et 5 sont deux vues similaires, respectivement à figures 2 et 3, d'une variante d'exécution de ce ski;

Figure 6 est une vue en coupe transversale similaire à figure 4 représentant une variante d'exécution de ce ski ;

Figure 7 est une vue en coupe transversale, similaire à figure 2, représentant une variante d'exécution de ce ski ;

Figures 8 à 10 sont trois vues en coupe transversale d'un ski dans lequel chaque élément de renforcement latéral est réalisé à partir de plusieurs couches ;

Figure 11 est une vue en coupe transversale d'un ski dans lequel chaque base de la coque s'étend sur une partie seulement de la largeur de l'élément de renforcement correspondant ;

Figure 12 est une vue en coupe transversale d'un ski dans lequel la largeur de chaque élément de renforcement est supérieure à la largeur de chaque retour de la coque ;

Figure 13 est une vue en coupe transversale d'un ski dans lequel les bords de la coque sont encastrés dans les éléments de renforcement longitudinaux.

Figure 14 est une vue en coupe transversale d'un ski dans lequel les hauteurs des deux éléments de renforcement longitudinaux sont différentes ;

Figures 15 à 17 sont trois vues en coupe transversale de ski dans lesquelles les éléments de renforcement longitudinaux appartiennent a la même piéce ;

Figures 18 à 21 sont quatre vues en coupe transversale de ski comportant des plaques de renfort.

In any case, the invention will be clearly understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of nonlimiting examples, several embodiments of this ski:

Figure 1 is a side view of a ski according to the invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are two views in cross section and on an enlarged scale along lines II-II and III-III of Figure 1;

Figures 4 and 5 are two similar views, respectively to Figures 2 and 3, of an alternative embodiment of this ski;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 4 showing an alternative embodiment of this ski;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view, similar to Figure 2, showing an alternative embodiment of this ski;

Figures 8 to 10 are three cross-sectional views of a ski in which each lateral reinforcement element is produced from several layers;

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a ski in which each base of the hull extends over only part of the width of the corresponding reinforcing element;

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a ski in which the width of each reinforcing element is greater than the width of each return of the hull;

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of a ski in which the edges of the shell are embedded in the longitudinal reinforcing elements.

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of a ski in which the heights of the two longitudinal reinforcing elements are different;

Figures 15 to 17 are three cross-sectional views of ski in which the longitudinal reinforcing elements belong to the same part;

Figures 18 to 21 are four cross-sectional views of ski comprising reinforcement plates.

Ski 2 shown in Figure 1 includes a tip 3, a skate area 4 and a heel 5. This ski is essentially consisting of a filling core 6, for example in polyurethane foam, resting on the lower part of the ski, which includes a sole 7 delimited by two longitudinal metal edges 8 On each square 8 rests a reinforcement element 9 forming a ski edge. In the form of execution shown in Figures 2 and 3, the edges 9 are perpendicular to the plane of the sole 7. The upper face skiing, as well as the upper parts of side walls, are constituted by a shell 10. This shell 10 has two edges 12, substantially parallel to the plane of the sole, providing support against the two upper faces, of the same orientation, contained in the edges 9. At this shell 10 is associated with a reinforcing sheet 15, arranged under the shell in contact with the latter, constituted by example with a fabric with oriented unidirectional fibers longitudinally, impregnated with resin. Leaf lower reinforcement 16 is arranged above the sole 7.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the heights respective (H1, H2) of the edges 9 and of the shell 10 are substantially equal, so that the area support and assembly of the edges 12 of the shell 10 and edges 9 is located at approximately the same height than the neutral fiber of the ski core.

It is therefore a ski with edges 9 ensuring very good transmission of forces from the upper face of the ski equipped with the binding from shoe to edge 8. In addition, the area between the shell and the edges is located substantially at the level of the neutral fiber.

The skis shown in the following figures are simplified representations in which some elements, such as reinforcing sheets 15, 16 are not shown.

Figures 4 and 5, which correspond to Figures 2 and 3 respectively, represent a ski comprising edges 9a inclined with respect to the perpendicular in the plane of the sole 7.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, each longitudinal reinforcing element 9b has an inclined outer face 13, and an inner face 14 perpendicular to the plane of the sole.

The ski represented in FIG. 7 is a variant of the ski of Figures 1 to 3, in which each edge 12 of the shell 10 is supported on the upper face of a song 9, tilted up and down and from the inside to the outside.

Figures 8 to 10 show three skis, in which each reinforcing element is made up by three layers of material juxtaposed vertically 19a, 19b 19c. In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the three layers have the same height and the return 12 associated with each side of the ski spans the entire width of the three layers, made up of different materials, such as wood, resins phenolics, aluminum alloy, acrylonitrite-butadiene-styrene, .... In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the heights of the layers 19a, 19b and 19c, are decreasing from that 19a located on the side of the core of the ski towards that 19c located outside. In FIG. 9, each return 12 of the hull does not is supported only on layer 19a, and the upper faces layers 19c and 19b are cut at an angle so as to form an inclined surface. In the form shown in Figure 10, each return 12 only rests on the upper side of the layer 19a, and the upper faces of layers 19b and 19c are parallel to the upper plane of the hull, which translated by a general staircase structure.

FIG. 11 represents a ski, in which each back 12 of the shell 10 is supported on a part only the width of a reinforcing element 9 and is embedded in it.

In the embodiment shown in the figure 12, the width of each reinforcing element 29 is greater than the width of the corresponding return 12 of the shell, and the reinforcing element rises to part under the hull, so that it is not visible over its entire height from outside the ski.

In the embodiment shown in the figure 13, the shell 10 does not have lateral returns, but simply substantially oriented edges 16 which are embedded in the elements of longitudinal reinforcement 9.

FIG. 14 represents an asymmetrical ski, comprising a reinforcing element 39a located on the side of the inner edge, of height greater than that of the reinforcing element 39b located on the side of the edge exterior. In this case, the shell includes a part plane corresponding to the upper face of the ski, taking support directly on the reinforcement element 39a, an inclined part, and a return 12 supported on the upper face of the reinforcing element 39b.

The ski represented in FIG. 15 includes a part 49 of rectangular section, made of a material hard, e.g. wooden, spanning the entire width of the ski, and forming the reinforcing elements longitudinal.

FIG. 16 represents a ski comprising a part 59 of H section, of which the two branches 59a form the longitudinal reinforcing elements and whose central part 59b forms part of the core of the ski

FIG. 17 represents another ski comprising a part 69 of hard material, for example wood, general shape of U whose two branches 69a form the longitudinal reinforcing elements, and whose core 69b belongs to the core of the ski.

Figures 18 to 21 show skis, in which the same elements are designated by same references as before. In each one of these skis is provided a reinforcement plate, metallic or laminate, ensuring a reinforcement of the ski in lateral flexion. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the plate 13 is inserted between the upper face of the reinforcing elements 9 and the hull base.

In the embodiment shown in the figure 19, the plate 13a is embedded by its longitudinal edges in the walls opposite the two elements of reinforcement 9, which makes it possible to achieve a perfect positioning of the plate before injection of the synthetic foam intended to form the core.

In the embodiments shown in the figures 20 and 21, the reinforcing plate, respectively 13c and 13d, is profiled by longitudinal folds, and inserted between the upper face of the reinforcing elements 9 and the hull returns 12. In the form of execution shown in Figure 20, the plate 13c is profiled in the same direction as the hull, while in the embodiment shown in figure 21 the plate 13d is profiled in the opposite direction to the hull.

It is advantageously possible to insert a seal elastic between the base of the shell and the elements of enhancement.

The angle formed by the side walls of the hull with the top wall thereof can vary over the length of the ski, this angle being for example greater in the skate area than in the end areas, ski tip and heel.

The edge delimiting the upper wall of the shell, and each inclined wall thereof, can be parallel to the longitudinal median axis of the ski, or, on the contrary, have an orientation which varies with respect to this axis, the line formed by this edge, straight or curved, which can for example diverge from the back to the front of the ski.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to only embodiments of this ski, described above as examples. This is how certain characteristics described as part of a combination could be implemented as part of another combination, or that the shape of the shell could to be different, for example to come up with an elliptical section in the ski end zones, without getting out as much of the scope of the invention defined by the claims.

Claims (34)

1. Ski comprising a filling core in one or more parts, for example made of polyurethane foam, a lower face equipped with a running sole (7) and delimited by two longitudinal metal edges (8), as well as reinforcing and decorative sheets, and a shell (10) forming at least the upper face of the ski, longitudinal reinforcing elements (9) each bearing on one edge (8) and forming the sides of the ski, the sides extending, at least in the case of one of them, over a part of the height of the ski, and the shell (10) forming part of at least one of the lateral walls of the ski, the longitudinal borders (12) of the shell resting and being fixed on the upper face of the sides (9), characterized in that the respective heights of a side and of the shell on at least one of the lateral parts of the ski vary in the same proportions over the length of the ski.
2. Ski according to Claim 1, characterized in that the height (H1) of the sides (9) is substantially equal to the height (H2) of the shell.
3. Ski according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the outer face of each reinforcing element (9) is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the sole (7).
4. Ski according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the outer face of at least one reinforcing element (9) is inclined with respect to the perpendicular to the plane of the sole (7).
5. Ski according to Claim 4, characterized in that the angle of inclination of the outer face (13) of each reinforcing element (9b) is equal to the angle of the inclined part of the shell.
6. Ski according to Claim 4, characterized in that the angle of inclination of the outer face of each reinforcing element is different from the angle of the inclined part of the shell.
7. Ski according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it contains two separate reinforcing elements (9) forming the two sides of the ski.
8. Ski according to Claim 7, characterized in that each reinforcing element (9) has a constant width over the entire length of the ski.
9. Ski according to Claim 7, characterized in that each reinforcing element has a width which is variable over the length of the ski.
10. Ski according to Claim 7, characterized in that the two reinforcing elements (9) of one and the same ski are identical.
11. Ski according to Claim 7, characterized in that the two reinforcing elements of one and the same ski have characteristics of shape and/or concerning the nature of the materials constituting them which are different from one element to the other.
12. Ski according to any one of Claims 7 to 11,
    characterized in that each reinforcing element consists of several vertical and juxtaposed layers (19a 19b, 19c) of material extending over the length of the ski.
13. Ski according to Claim 12, characterized in that the various layers (19a, 19b, 19c) forming each reinforcing element have the same height.
14. Ski according to Claim 12, characterized in that the height of the various layers (19a, 19b, 19c) forming each reinforcing element decreases from the layer (19a) situated beside the core of the ski to that (19c) situated furthest outward.
15. Ski according to any one of Claims 7 to 14, characterized in that the two reinforcing (39a, 39b) elements located on the two lateral parts of the ski have different heights.
16. Ski according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the longitudinal reinforcing elements belong to one and the same piece which occupies the entire width of the ski.
17. Ski according to Claim 16, characterized in that the piece (49) including the longitudinal reinforcing elements has a rectangular cross section.
18. Ski according to Claim 16, characterized in that the piece (59) including the longitudinal reinforcing elements has a cross section of general H-shape.
19. Ski according to Claim 16, characterized in that the piece (69) including the longitudinal reinforcing elements has a cross section of general U-shape.
20. Ski according to any one of Claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the shell (10) includes, at its longitudinal borders, two returns (12) parallel to the plane of the sole of the ski, bearing on the two reinforcing elements.
21. Ski according to any one of Claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the shell (10) includes, at its longitudinal borders, two returns (12) bearing on the outer faces of the two reinforcing elements (9), which are inclined downward and outward.
22. Ski according to either of Claims 20 and 21, characterized in that the two returns (12) of the shell (10) are of constant width over the entire length of the ski.
23. Ski according to either of Claims 20 and 21, characterized in that the two returns of the shell entirely cover the reinforcing elements (9).
24. Ski according to either of Claims 20 and 21, characterized in that the two borders of the shell are situated set back from the lateral faces of the ski.
25. Ski according to either of Claims 20 and 21, characterized in that each reinforcing element has a width greater than that of the corresponding return of the shell, and rises in part along the inclined part othe shell.
26. Ski according to any one of Claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the borders (16) of the shell (10) are embedded in the longitudinal reinforcing elements (9).
27. Ski according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it contains a metal (13) or laminate reinforcing plate which, extending over all or part of the length of the ski, occupies the entire width thereof.
28. Ski according to Claim 27, characterized in that the plate (13) is made of a light alloy,such as an aluminium alloy known under the brand name ZICRAL.
29. Ski according to either of Claims 27 and 28, characterized in that the plate is openworked.
30. Ski according to any one of Claims 27 to 29, characterized in that the reinforcing plate (13) is inserted between the upper face of the longitudinal reinforcing elements (9) and the base of the borders (12) of the shell (10).
31. Ski according to any one of Claims 27 to 29, characterized in that the longitudinal borders of the reinforcing plate (13a) are embedded in the longitudinal reinforcing elements (9).
32. Ski according to Claim 30, characterized in that the reinforcing plate (13c, 13d) is profiled by several longitudinal folds and is separated from the shell (10).
33. Ski according to any one of Claims 1 to 32, characterized in that an elastic joint is inserted between the base of the shell and the reinforcing elements (9).
34. Ski according to any one of Claims 1 to 33, characterized in that the reinforcing fabric of the shell, located in contact with the inner face thereof, consists of unidirectional fibres oriented in the longitudinal direction of the ski.

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