EP0755703B1 - Sliding board with platform for holding and raising of the ski bindings - Google Patents

Abstract

The snow ski has an upper face (9) connecting two lower lateral ribs via two lateral inclined surfaces (10,11). The ski has, in its foot area, at least one rigid platform (12) which raises and supports the bindings for the ski boot. The platform has an inverted U-shaped cross section spaced above the ski surface. The platform is fixed on the lateral faces of the ski via a visco-elastic spacer which is connected to the exterior face of each side.

Description

The present invention relates to a board of slides on snow, a ski, which includes, in its skating area, at least one platform for receiving and raising skier's shoe bindings.

It is known to provide a ski with a platform heightening of the shoe bindings, in the form of a raised plate which is added to the skate area and on the upper surface of the ski via a layer of material having damping properties, typically a layer of visco-elastic material.

By "raised platform" is meant a platform providing an effective elevation of the fasteners, and therefore formed of a plate whose total thickness, comprising that of the visco-elastic intermediate layer, is by example greater than 5 millimeters.

These raised plates are now required due to the current decrease, in the area of skate, the width of modern alpine skis including one consequence is then a risk of skidding the ski when cornering tight, because the shoe, which protrudes laterally, then comes touch the snow each time you take a sharp edge. With a sufficient elevation, the shoe practically no longer risks to come and rub on the snow at each lateral tilt important of skiing, and skiing can therefore be used normally, especially in slalom.

In addition to these functions of raising the shoe and vibration damping, this elevating plate has, or may have an unlocking function for the ski.

Indeed, the front stop and the heel of the system fastening tightening the skier's shoe, due to relatively large forces due to spring tension included in these devices, this tension of the springs comes exert a moment of force which, without an intermediate plate, just increases the bending of the ski, which is very annoying because the functional camber of the ski has been particularly defined in stage of the design of each ski by the producer. In in this case, the fasteners therefore tend to modify the characteristics of the ski. With the elevating plate, these forces due to the fixings then come to act on this plate which is particularly studied not to retransmit to the ski structure.

. Conversely, it can be designed by the manufacturer of the ski to, in the rest position, exert a pre-tension at each end by two adjustable stops by screws, thus generating an effect of adjusting the camber of the ski as a function of the weight of the skier.

As a state of the art, for example, cited US Patents No. 3,260,532 and No. 2,550,002, as well as document FR-A-2.638.651.

These known devices are quite heavy. In addition, they provide damping of ski flexion by shear as well as vertical shock absorption which are both insufficient.

Document WO-A-93/12845 describes a ski which comprises a platform for receiving shoe bindings, this platform being fixed to the ski by means of elastomer cylinders. These support cylinders are pushed in in lateral holes, which are made in the body of the ski and therefore lead to the lateral faces thereof.

This solution, which requires drilling side in the ski body, has the disadvantage of weakening its structure. In addition, the fact that these elastomeric cylinders essentially work on crushing, the elastomer they are constituted must have, to be effective, not only a significant thickness, but still relatively hard shore weak to be sufficiently deformable upon crushing. It results in platform instability, with rolling effect very detrimental to the precision of driving turns.

The invention aims to remedy these drawbacks. She is for this purpose relates to a board for gliding on snow, the upper surface connects to the two side edges lower through two side surfaces respective, this gliding board being provided, in its zone skate, at least one rigid receiving platform and heightening of the shoe bindings, this platform having an inverted U section, being positioned at a distance from the upper surface of the board and its faces lateral, and being characterized in that said platform is fixed to said lateral faces of the board by through a viscoelastic bonding material and of bracing which is reported on the surface of each face lateral, which it covers at least partially in the area of skate and which alone ensures the connection between the board and this platform.

These are thin visco-elastic spacers, with a thickness of the order of a millimeter to fix ideas, working in shear, which allows good guidance of the ski, without rolling effect, and shock absorption and vibrations by shearing effect which is optimal

Advantageously, an air space remains formed between the upper surface of the board and the base of the part superior combined of this platform.

• Figure 1 est une vue perspective, avec écorchement partiel, d'un ski à coque selon l'invention, dans sa zone de patin.
• Figure 2 est une vue très partielle de ce même ski, avec coupe transversale selon II-II de Figure 3.
• Figure 3 montre partiellement ce même ski, en vue latérale de profil, ce dernier étant en position de repos.
• Figure 4 est une vue semblable à Figure 3, le ski étant en position de flexion correspondant par exemple au passage dans un trou de la piste et Figures 5 et 6 en sont des sections selon V-V et VI-VI.
• Figure 7 est une section transversale médiane d'un ski traditionnel conforme à l'invention.
• Figure 8 montre, de façon similaire à Figure 6, la déformation de la section de Figure 7 en cours de flexion, semblable à Figure 4, de ce ski traditionnel.
• Figure 9 est une coupe horizontale partielle, selon IX-IX de Figure 7, d'une variante de réalisation de ce ski traditionnel.

The invention will be clearly understood, and its advantages and other characteristics will emerge more clearly from the following description of two nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended schematic drawing in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view, with partial flaking, of a hull ski according to the invention, in its skate area.
• Figure 2 is a very partial view of this same ski, with cross section along II-II of Figure 3.
• Figure 3 partially shows this same ski, in side profile view, the latter being in the rest position.
• Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, the ski being in the bending position corresponding for example to the passage through a hole in the runway and Figures 5 and 6 are sections according to VV and VI-VI.
• Figure 7 is a median cross section of a traditional ski according to the invention.
• Figure 8 shows, similar to Figure 6, the deformation of the section of Figure 7 during bending, similar to Figure 4, of this traditional ski.
• Figure 9 is a partial horizontal section along IX-IX of Figure 7, of an alternative embodiment of this traditional ski.

• une semelle de glissement 1 bordée par des carres métalliques 2 ;
• un renfort inférieur 3 composé par exemple d'une couche de fibres de verre imprégnée de résine;
• un noyau 4, en polyuréthanne par exemple, obtenu par un procédé d'injection
• et enfin une coque plastique 5 qui forme la partie externe visible du ski et qui s'étend d'un bord latéral à l'autre de ce ski, cette coque étant doublée intérieurement par une couche 6 de même nature que la couche 3 et constituant un renfort supérieur et latéral.

Referring to all of FIGS. 1 and 2, this is a modern alpine ski, of the so-called "hull" type, which conventionally comprises:.

• a sliding sole 1 bordered by metal edges 2;
• a lower reinforcement 3 composed for example of a layer of glass fibers impregnated with resin;
• a core 4, made of polyurethane for example, obtained by an injection process
• and finally a plastic shell 5 which forms the visible external part of the ski and which extends from one side edge to the other of this ski, this shell being internally lined with a layer 6 of the same nature as layer 3 and constituting an upper and lateral reinforcement.

In FIG. 1, the ski is only represented in its "skate area" which is the intermediate area, located between the front and rear of the ski, on which the fastenings (front stop 7 and heel 8) of the shoe.

As we can see in the drawing, we define, in what relates to the visible external surface delimited by the shell 5, a upper surface 9 and two respective side faces 10 and 11.

In this embodiment, the upper surface 9 is substantially planar and, for each section, parallel to the sole 1, but this is in no way limiting and in particular this upper surface could very well have a more or less domed.

On the ski which is represented, the lateral faces 10 and 11 of the ski are, in the skate area and in no way limiting, substantially orthogonal to the sliding sole 1. In front and behind this area, these faces could have a lower angle of inclination relative to the sole at 90 degrees.

Note again that, still in this example of embodiment and therefore without limitation, the lateral faces 10 and 11 are respectively connected to the edge ski correspondent via an area longitudinal, respectively 22 and 23, which is planar, relatively narrow, parallel to the sole 1, which is called "overflowing".

The bindings 7.8 of the skier's shoe are fixed on a rigid platform (for example metallic) 12, with cross-section in the shape of an inverted U, which surrounds as shown the faces side 10,11 and the upper surface 9 of the ski, while being kept away from them.

This platform 12 is of length limited to that of the skate area, and it is fixed on the side faces 10,11 skiing through two thin longitudinal strips 13.14 in visco-elastic material, these two thin strips bracing strongly adhering to said side faces and to said platform and extending longitudinally over at least part of the length of the platform 12.

These thin viscoelastic bands 13,14 constitute the only means of attachment of the platform 12 to the ski, a air space "e" being consequently provided between the surface upper 9 of the ski and base 15 of the upper part horizontal conjugate of the platform facing it.

To fix ideas without limitation, the common length of platform 12 and visco-elastic bands 13 and 14 is about 50 cm, the air space "e" is, at rest (position in Figure 2), of the order of 5 millimeters, while the thickness of the thin visco-elastic bands 13 and 14 is of the order of a millimeter.

Note that, in this first exemplary embodiment, the two lower lateral edges 16 and 17 of the platform 12 are positioned far away from the two "overlapping" respectively 22 and 23 that they overlook, they are for example distant by a vertical height f of about 3 millimeters.

We are finally in the presence of a platform "floating" but stable which, thanks to the thin side strips visco-elastic 13 and 14, can be wrestled, with effect visco-elastic damping, in all directions, but without however, create a roll effect.

In particular, as shown in Figures 3 to 6, the platform 12 can be moved vertically, with movement relative damping, when the ski passes through hollows or on bumps, or while turning. We see in Figures 4 and 6 that the above-mentioned air space "e" has grown in the center of the platform when going into a hollow to adopt the value "e '", the two bands 13 and 14 being deformed upwards in consequence and providing, by their viscoelastic properties, significant damping by shearing effect. Of even, this space "e" has decreased at both ends longitudinal of the platform, according to Figures 4 and 5, for adopt a value "e ''", the two bands 13 and 14 then being deformed downwards, this resulting deformation, too, a damping effect.

As we can finally see, the platform 12 then exercises on the ski, in combination with these visco-elastic bands side 13 and 14, a very significant effect shear damping, but without creating a roll resulting in platform instability.

Positioning the visco-elastic bands on the side faces of the ski make it possible to benefit, on these bands, much larger deformations (about 100 times more important in fixing ideas) than those provided by the prior art, which consists in providing the visco-elastic band on the upper surface of the ski. It is then possible significantly reduce the amount of visco-elastic material, and therefore to have weight gain and cost savings very appreciable, while nevertheless increasing greatly the effectiveness of shear damping.

Figures 7 and 8 homologous to Figures 2 and 6, show an alternative embodiment for which, when the ski is at rest, the two lower side edges 16.17 of the platform 12 rest respectively, as shown in Figure 7, on the upper surface of the overhangs respectively associated 22.23 instead of being maintained distance "f" above these as is the case for the realization according to figures 1 to 6.

• Une semelle de glissement 1 bordée par des carres métalliques 2.
• Un renfort inférieur 3 surmonté du noyau 4, cet ensemble 3,4 étant bordé par des chants latéraux 24 qui définissent les faces latérales 10,11 du ski.
• Une couche supérieure de protection et de décor 25 qui est doublée intérieurement par une autre couche de renfort 26.

As can be seen in the drawing, for this last embodiment, it is not a hull ski but a traditional ski with a "sandwich" structure, this structure conventionally comprising:

• A sliding sole 1 bordered by metal edges 2.
• A lower reinforcement 3 surmounted by the core 4, this assembly 3,4 being bordered by lateral edges 24 which define the lateral faces 10,11 of the ski.
• An upper protective and decorative layer 25 which is internally doubled by another reinforcing layer 26.

Advantageously, each side face 10, 11, and therefore each edge 24, has a shoulder 27 in the shape of a "step" staircase ", on which the platform 12 rests in the position of rest (Figure 7).

When flexing the ski, corresponding for example either at a bend, or at a passage in a hollow, the edges lower sides 16.17 of the front and rear ends of the platform remain in contact with the upper surface 22,23 shoulders 27 (Figure 7). This keeps a energetic contact when taking the edge, while, in the central part of platform 12, due to the arrow of the ski, the lower lateral edges 16.17 of the platform deviate from the upper surface 22,23 of shoulders 27 (Figure 8) creating a shear in the visco-elastic bands 13,14, and therefore a damping effect.

In addition, during a turn, only the side of the platform that is outside the turn lifts up from skiing, while on the contrary the other side comes to rest strongly on the associated overflow of the ski, thus promoting edge taking.

Referring to Figure 9, we see that the shoulders 27 of Figure 7 are made by clearances lateral 18,19 produced longitudinally in the two edges 24 of the ski, the transverse width L of the ski after machining these two clearances 18,19 being adjusted so that, apart from these two clearances (i.e. in front and behind the platform 12), the side faces 10, 11 of the ski constitute the coplanar extension of platform 12, so that one does not meet an allowance on both sides of the ski, and more precisely at the level of this platform 12. The two 18.19 clearances are at least slightly longer than the platform 12, of which they project forward and backward to allow the longitudinal beat of the latter.

Where the two viscoelastic bands 13,14 exist, the depth of the clearances 18.19 is therefore substantially equal the sum of the thicknesses of the visco-elastic layer, 13 or 14, and platform 12.

Note that, in addition, Figure 9 illustrates, for this ski the front part of which is assumed to be on the left in the drawing and the rear part on the right, an interesting variant ski according to FIGS. 7 and 8. Here, in fact, the two bands viscoelastic 13,14 do not extend over the entire length of platform 12, but they stop back from its part before, so there are almost no layers viscoelastic lateral 13,14 at the level of the front stop fixation.

At this location (areas marked A on the drawing), the depth of clearances 18.19 is only equal to the thickness of the platform 12, so that the platform 12 here comes to lean against the lateral surfaces 20,21 of the ski, with of course a possibility of sliding, in particular longitudinal, relative. This is very advantageous, because we get thus excellent precision of the guidance exerted by the stop before fixing on the ski.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been described. She applies to any board for gliding on snow, and in particular for cross-country skis as well as piste or cross-country skis hiking, or even surfing, the presence or absence of lower metal edges not necessarily decisive.

Claims (9)

1. Board for gliding over snow, such as a ski, of which the upper surface (9) joins the two lower lateral edges via two respective orthogonal or inclined lateral surfaces (10, 11), this gliding board being provided, in its binding-mounting area, with at least one rigid platform (12) for receiving and elevating the bindings (7, 8) of the boot, this platform (12) having a cross-section in the form of an upturned U and being positioned at a distance (e) from the upper surface (9) of the board and its lateral faces (10, 11),
   characterized in that said platform is fixed on said lateral faces (10, 11) of the board via a visco-elastic bonding and bracing material (13, 14) which is added on the outer surface of each lateral face (10, 11) that it coats at least partially in the binding-mounting area, and which therefore ensures, alone, the bonding between the board and this platform (12).
2. Gliding board according to Claim 1, characterized in that said visco-elastic bracing and bonding material (13, 14) has a thickness of the order of a millimeter.
3. Gliding board according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that an air space (e) is arranged between the upper surface (9) of the board and the conjugate upper part (15) of this platform (12).
4. Gliding board according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said visco-elastic bonding and bracing material is constituted by two longitudinal visco-elastic strips (13, 14) which respectively coat at least a part of said respective lateral faces (10, 11).
5. Gliding board according to one of Claims 1 to 4, this board being provided with "projections" (22, 23) which connect its lateral faces (10, 11) to its respective lateral edges, characterized in that the two lower lateral edges (16, 17) of the platform (12) are, at rest, respectively positioned plumb with and at a distance (f) above these projections (22, 23).
6. Gliding board according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the two lower lateral edges (16, 17) of the platform (12) rest respectively (22, 23), at rest, on the shoulders (27) which are provided to that end in said lateral faces (10, 11) of the board.
7. Board for gliding over snow according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the visco-elastic strips (13, 14) and the associated lateral parts of the platform (12) are received in lateral undercuts (18, 19) which are made longitudinally in the lateral faces (10, 11) of the board, these undercuts being at least a little longer than the platform (12) from which they project forwardly and rearwardly.
8. Gliding board according to Claim 7, characterized in that, where the two visco-elastic strips (13, 14) exist, the depth of the undercuts (18, 19) is substantially equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the visco-elastic layer (13 or 14) and of the platform (12).
9. Gliding board according to Claim 8, characterized in that:

   the two visco-elastic strips (13, 14) do not extend over the whole length of the platform (12) but they stop, inset with respect to its front part, with the result that there are virtually no lateral visco-elastic layers (13, 14) beneath the front abutment of the binding,

   and, at that spot (A), the depth of the undercuts (18, 19) is chosen so that the platform (12) here abuts against the lateral bearing surfaces (20, 21) of the board, with the possibility of relative slide, in particular of relative longitudinal slide.

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