EP0887090A1 - Process for producing ski edges for snowboards - Google Patents

Abstract

The process of preparing the edges (5) of a snowboard comprises filling the spaces or cavities (2) left between the edge anchoring fins (1) with a synthetic material (6). This filling is made so that its internal surface intended to be in contact with the base plate is smooth and without depressions. The process enables the internal surfaces in contact with the base plate to be without any depressions.

Description

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of Snow board edges, such as a ski, a monoski, or a snowboard example. Being a ski, this ski can be a snow ski generally of the Alpine kind, but it can also be a ski touring or even a cross-country ski. The invention also relates to gliding boards obtained with this method.

Most snowboards, especially piste skis or Alpine skis, are fitted with metal side edges.

These metal edges are often, as shown in Figure 1 attached, provided with mechanical anchoring fins 1 in the ski. The experience indeed shows that the edges can be torn off when the ski hits very violently a stone or a rock on the track. These fins, being drowned in the synthetic material during the manufacturing phase, provide a appreciable mechanical anchoring effect of the edges in the internal structure of the ski.

On the other hand, the short transverse slits determining the fins make it easier to bend the edges to follow the shape of the plank slips.

Unfortunately, we were led to note that these fins 1, or rather the empty spaces 2, or cavities, left between these fins, were cause of small depressions 3, as shown in Figure 2 which represents a piece of ski seen from below, appearing during the operation of molding, on the sliding sole 4 of the ski bordered by the metal edges 5.

These depressions are not tolerable because the sole of a board of gliding on snow must be smooth to allow a good gliding, so that one is forced to engage in multiple manual operations out of the mold sanding the sole to remove them, which penalizes very heavily the cost price of each ski. In addition, these sandings lead to a reduction in the thickness of the gliding sole, and therefore faster wear of the board.

To favor the holding in an injection mold of certain constituent components of the structure of a gliding board, it is possible to make metal edges whose profile has an upper rib continuous allowing the maintenance of the lateral elements also called "edges". This requires the production of costly specific tools.

Another solution to keep the elements intended to form the edges of the gliding board, consists of raising (or to twist) certain fins which thus occupy a stop function to maintain certain elements in place. This method is not very industrial and therefore expensive.

The invention aims to remedy this drawback. To this end, it relates to a process for preparing edges for snow gliding boards, these edges being provided with fins or cavities,
characterized in that one fills, at least partially and before the incorporation of these edges into the structure of the board, the spaces left free between these fins or by these cavities with a synthetic material capable of solidifying without shrinking, this filling in such a way that the lower surface of the edge, that is to say that intended to be in contact with the sole, is very smooth and therefore free of depressions.

The invention therefore makes it possible to eliminate the hollows appearing along metal edges after molding on the sole of the gliding boards, everything retaining the ability to bend the edges and without penalizing their hooking mechanical inside the structure.

Another characteristic of the invention is to replace the strip of elastic covering generally arranged between the edge and the elements superiors.

Indeed, it is common to have, above each square, a layer of material capable of accepting a certain shear so as to favor the behavior of the board by reducing its vibrating effect.

The invention therefore makes it possible, at the same time as filling the inter-fin cavities, to deposit a thin layer of material if necessary elastic or viscoelastic on the upper surface of the edges.

• Figure 3 est une vue partielle, en perspective, d'une carre conforme à l'invention.
• Figure 4 est une demi coupe transversale d'un ski de piste traditionnel, mais muni de carres selon l'invention, la coupe étant réalisée au niveau de la ligne IV-IV de la carre représentée en Figure 3.
• Figure 5 est une coupe, réalisée de manière similaire à Figure 4, de la carre de l'invention dans une première variante de réalisation.
• Figure 6 et 7 sont des vues semblables à Figure 5, et montrant deux autres variantes de réalisation, Figure 7 étant spécifiquement une coupe selon VII-VII de la figure 8.
• Figure 8 est une vue de dessus de la carre selon Figure 7, dans une de ses formes de réalisation.
• Figure 9 est une coupe transversale partielle d'un ski de piste traditionnel muni de carres selon la figure 7.
• Figure 10 est une coupe transversale partielle d'un ski injecté à structure dite « à coque », ce ski étant muni de carres selon les figures 7 et 8.
• Figures 11 et 12 sont des vues semblables aux figures 7 et 8, et montrant une variante de réalisation.
• Figure 13 montre comment sont fabriquées, par un procédé d'injection dans un moule approprié, les carres conformes à l'invention.

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

• Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of an edge according to the invention.
• FIG. 4 is a half cross section of a traditional piste ski, but provided with edges according to the invention, the cut being carried out at the level of line IV-IV of the edge shown in FIG. 3.
• Figure 5 is a section, made similarly to Figure 4, of the edge of the invention in a first embodiment.
• Figure 6 and 7 are views similar to Figure 5, and showing two other alternative embodiments, Figure 7 being specifically a section along VII-VII of Figure 8.
• Figure 8 is a top view of the edge according to Figure 7, in one of its embodiments.
• Figure 9 is a partial cross-section of a traditional piste ski provided with edges according to Figure 7.
• FIG. 10 is a partial cross-section of an injected ski with a so-called “shell” structure, this ski being provided with edges according to FIGS. 7 and 8.
• Figures 11 and 12 are views similar to Figures 7 and 8, and showing an alternative embodiment.
• Figure 13 shows how the edges according to the invention are manufactured, by an injection process in an appropriate mold.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the aforementioned spaces or cavities 2, left free between the fins 1, are, before the edges 5 are placed in the ski manufacturing mold, filled with a synthetic material 6, such as A.B.S. (Acrylonitril Butadiene Styrene) for example.

Figure 4 shows the structure of a traditional ski, equipped with edges 5 according to the invention.

This ski comprises a sliding sole 7, bordered by said edges 5, a reinforcement fabric 8 which covers the sole 7 as well as the edges side 5, a core 9, side edges 10, and an upper layer of protection and decoration 11.

When placed in the mold, the sole 7 and the reinforcement fabric 8 are previously glued. In this way, the material 6 for filling the fins 1 is, after the total baking operation in the mold, firmly secured by bonding to the two layers 7 and 8 which trap it: this synthetic layer of filling 6 with better bondability than the steel constituting the edge metallic, keeps the anchoring qualities that must have fins.

On the other hand, we then note that, due to the filling of the spaces inter fins, we no longer create depressions 3 (Figure 2) on the finished ski.

According to the improvement illustrated in FIG. 5, the material of filling 6 can also be added above the edges 5 so as also completely cover these with a layer 12 of this synthetic material. We thus obtains better sliding comfort by facilitating a shearing effect between edge 5 and reinforcement 8 (Figure 4) which overhangs it. This interface shear located between the rigid edge and the adjacent polymerized layers, therefore rigid too, considerably improves the behavior of the ski, which is then more tolerant, softer, and less vibrant.

Note that it is known to promote adhesion between the edge metallic and adjacent layers, to interpose a strip of material rubbery between these edges and these adjacent layers. This is a delicate operation and a high production cost, which overcomes the present embodiment according to the invention, as already mentioned previously.

According to Figure 6, we can also take the opportunity to report another layer 13 of this synthetic material 6 under the fins, still with the aim of facilitate shearing, this time between the sole 7 and the edge 5.

An interesting variant of the invention according to one of FIGS. 3.5, or 6, is illustrated in FIG. 7. It consists in bringing back this synthetic material 6 by making it further define, on the upper face of the edge 5, a rib longitudinal 14 which can be either a continuous rib, and therefore extending from a end to end of the edge, advantageously, as shown in Figure 8, a discontinuous rib and therefore made up of an alignment of elongated studs 14A

Figure 9 shows a portion of a ski similar to that according to Figure 4, but provided with edges 5 according to FIG. 7, therefore with a continuous rib 14 or discontinuous 14A. We see that the edge is well held in position by the rib 14 or 14A, which is an advantageous advantage for the production of an injected ski In Located according to the structure presented.

Similarly, Figure 10 shows another interesting application of the edges according to FIG. 8, that is to say filled with discontinuous studs 14A, to an In Situ injected ski, comprising a core 15 of injected Polyurethane, a rigid lower internal reinforcement 8, and a plastic shell 16 lined internally by an upper reinforcement 17. In this case, the studs 14A also serve to support the lower reinforcement 8 during the core 15 injection operation, which is advantageous because currently, special bosses must be provided in the reinforcement 8 to keep it at a distance above the sole 7 during the operation injection to allow the passage of the foaming product between the sole and this reinforcement, the foaming product becoming an intermediate bonding.

Figures 11 and 12, similar to Figures 7 and 8, show another variant according to which the synthetic material 6 which fills the intervals between fins 1 is provided, on its upper face 19 only, with blind 18 depressions, which increases the anchoring function which must be generated by fins 1. More generally, it is possible to not fill the space between the fins 1 with synthetic material 6 only incompletely, provided that the lower surface 20 of this filling 6 is very smooth and therefore free of depressions capable of generating the faults 3 mentioned previously with reference to FIG. 2.

The preparation of the edge according to the invention is carried out by conventional means of injection into a mold shaped for this purpose, according to the example shown in Figure 13.

As seen in this figure 13, a mold 25 is used which, with its cover 26 has a shape suitable for the production by injection of two edges 5 according to Figure 3 for example.

The two metal edges 5 are placed in the mold 25. The cover 26 is then put in place, then the components of the synthetic material are injected hot into the injection orifice 27.

After polymerization and cooling, the cover is opened and we take out the bunch which we cut to obtain two edges according to figure 3.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the examples of realization which have just been described.

Thus, for example, the synthetic filling material 6, and possibly covering 12, 13, 14, could be another matter thermoplastic, chosen from styrenics, polyamides, polyethers block amides, thermoplastic rubbers, softened PVC, etc.

This filling material 6 could also be chosen from among the thermosets: Polyurethane casting, Epoxy, rubber, etc.

Instead of a continuous 14 or discontinuous rib 14A, the part added 6 could also be surmounted by various other continuous reliefs or discontinuous, made by molding, and therefore in one piece, with this part of filling 6.

In the case where provision is made, according to FIGS. 5 and 6 for example, a synthetic layer 12 which covers the upper face of the edge 5, it is possible to provide this layer 12 of thickness which varies along the ski. For a ski of competition, this thickness is then minimal at the level of the skate area, and it gradually grows on both sides of this area, towards the front ends and rear of the ski, which favors the precision of the turns. Conversely, for a ski "General public", for which maximum gliding comfort is sought, this thickness is maximum in the skate area, and it decreases gradually from on either side of this area, towards the two ends of the ski.

To fix the ideas, the thickness of this upper layer 12 is advantageously between 0.1 and 4 millimeters.

Of course, the fins 1 and the spaces 2 left between them could be replaced by cavities made in the edges 5, these cavities being either through or blind and therefore not through.

Claims (13)

Process for preparing edges (5) for snow gliding boards, these edges being provided with fins (1) or cavities,
characterized in that one fills, at least partially and before the incorporation of these edges into the structure of the board, the spaces or cavities (2) left free between these fins (1) with a synthetic material (6) suitable to solidify without shrinking, this filling being done so that its lower surface (20), that is to say that intended to be in contact with the sole (7), is very smooth and therefore free of depressions . Metal edges produced according to claim 1, these edges being provided with fins (1) or cavities intended to be incorporated in the structure of the snow gliding board on each side of a sole sliding (7), characterized in that the spaces (2) left free between these fins (1) or are filled, at least partially, with a synthetic material (6). Edges according to claim 2, characterized in that they are further covered on their upper face (19) with a layer (12) of the same synthetic material (6). Metal edges according to claim 3, characterized in that that a layer (13) of the same synthetic material (6) is added under the fins. Metal edges according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that this synthetic material (6) is added by making it further define, on the upper face (19) of the edge (5), a longitudinal rib continuous (14) capable of serving as a means of setting the associated edge (10) of the ski. Metal edges according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that this synthetic material (6) is added by making it further define, on the upper face of the edge (5), a longitudinal rib discontinuous (14A) capable of serving either as a means of setting the associated edge (10) of the ski, or means for supporting an internal reinforcement (8) of the ski. Metal edges according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that this synthetic material (6) is added in such a way the bottom surface in contact with the sole is always smooth while the upper surface has either protuberances or cavities. Edges according to claim 3, characterized in that said layer (12) is of variable thickness along the gliding board. Edges according to claim 8, characterized in that this thickness is minimal at the level of the skate area, and it gradually increases by on either side of this area, towards the front and rear ends of the board slips. Edges according to claim 8, characterized in that this thickness is maximum in the skate area, and it decreases gradually on either side of this area, towards the two ends of the board. Edges according to one of Claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the synthetic material (6) which fills the gaps between the fins (1) or the cavities is provided, on its upper face (19) only, with depressions blind (18). Edges according to one of Claims 2 to 11, characterized in that said synthetic material (6) is a thermoplastic material. Edges according to one of Claims 2 to 11, characterized in that said synthetic material (6) is a thermosetting material.

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