EP1066861A1 - Snowboard for practising snow surfing - Google Patents

Abstract

Snowboard (1) has first open cavity (16) reaching first edge (4), and upper side (6), and second open cavity (17) reaching second edge (5), and upper side. Cavities are symmetrical relative to longitudinal axis, and are placed in central zone on board. Thickness of board also has upper reinforcement (18) placed near upper side, lower reinforcement (19) near lower side (7), and core (20) separating reinforcements. Superposition of reinforcements and core improves rigidity of board. Rigidity of board increases with thickness of core.

Description

The invention relates to the field of gliding boards intended for the practice of snowboarding, or snowboarding.

A snowboard has an elongated shape bounded by length, width, and thickness.

To allow the board to be driven, the feet of a user are joined to the board, oriented substantially in a transverse direction of the board, and separated from each other.

While driving, the user exerts efforts on the board with the feet to steer it, to perform jumps or tricks, to manage jump receptions, or other.

Of course by reaction, snow also exerts forces on the board, some of which disrupt driving, particular in two cases.

The first case occurs while driving in the middle natural, usually called free ride. The trajectories of the free ride boards are essentially curves, whose shapes are determined by the efforts that the user transmits with the feet to the board. By reaction, the snow exerts on the board forces which are distributed along from the edge resting on the snow. The efforts exerted by the snow at the feet of the user are necessary for the driving, in particular because they inform the user about the behavior of the board. On the other hand the efforts exerted by snow between the user's feet, or efforts are not necessary for driving the board.

Central efforts often create friction and vibrations that interfere with driving.

The second case occurs while driving on a track arranged in the form of a concave half-tube, generally called half-pipe. This behavior causes the user to jump alternately at each edge of the half-tube. At each reception a lot of effort is applied by the snow to the level of one of the ends of the board. In the case where the effort is applied both to the edge and to the level of a end, the board is unbalanced. It means that the intensity of the effort impairs the control of the trajectory of the board by the user.

The invention particularly relates to a board whose driving is less disturbed, compared to known boards, by the forces exerted on it in free-ride curves or at the reception of a half-pipe jump.

For that a board of gliding intended for the practice of snowboard according to the invention has a length delimited in a longitudinal direction by a first and a second end, a width delimited according to a transverse direction by a first and a second edge, and a thickness delimited by an upper face and a face lower or sliding face, the thickness comprising in particular an upper reinforcement and a lower reinforcement, the board presenting successively, from the first to the second end, a first zone end, a first zone intermediate separated from the first end zone by a first contact line, a first retention zone, a central area, a second containment area, a second area intermediate, and a second end zone separate from the second intermediate zone by a second contact line, the board having at least one open cavity opening to both on one of the edges and on the upper face, the bottom of the cavity being substantially parallel to the sliding face.

The board according to the invention is characterized by the fact that the upper reinforcement and the lower reinforcement are juxtaposed at the bottom of the cavity.

The juxtaposition of the reinforcements gives the board a maximum flexibility in the cavity. So the edge of the board deforms more easily at the level of the cavity, by compared to the other parts of the edge, when the snow exerts efforts on the edge.

In the case of free ride, a cavity between the feet allows a deformation of the edge between the feet. So the efforts central create less annoying friction or vibrations, because the deformation of the edge allows a reversible folding of the sliding face.

In the case of the half-pipe, a cavity located at the level of a contact line isolates the end zone of the zone intermediate. The deformation of the edge absorbs the energy created by receiving the jump. As a result, the board is less unbalanced.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une planche de glisse selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue de côté de la planche de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une coupe selon III-III de la figure 1,
• la figure 4 est une coupe selon IV-IV de la figure 1,
• la figure 5 est une coupe selon V-V de la figure 1,
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective d'une planche de glisse selon un second mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 7 est une vue de côté de la planche de la figure 6.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended drawing illustrating, according to non-limiting examples, how the invention can be implemented, and in which:

• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gliding board according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a side view of the board of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a section on III-III of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 4 is a section on IV-IV of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 5 is a section along VV of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sliding board according to a second embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 7 is a side view of the board of FIG. 6.

The first embodiment of the invention is described below with the help of figures 1 to 5. It concerns a board intended for the practice of free ride.

As is known in FIG. 1, a board 1 has a length delimited in a direction longitudinal L by a first 2 and a second 3 extremities. Direction L is represented by a line in mixed line M substantially median of the board 1. A width of the board 1 is delimited in a transverse direction, perpendicular to the direction L, by a first 4 and a second 5 edges. A thickness of the board 1 is delimited by an upper face 6 and a lower face or face of slide 7, designed to slide on snow.

Plate 1 presents successively, from the first 2 to the second 3 end, a first end zone 8, a first intermediate zone 9 separated from the first zone end 8 by a first contact line G1, a first retention zone 10, a central zone 11, a second retention zone 12, a second intermediate zone 13, and a second end zone 14 separate from the second zone intermediate 13 by a second contact line G2.

Each of the retention zones 10, 12 comprises means anchorages which are provided for fasteners, not shown, are secured on the upper face 6. The anchoring means are represented in the form of orifices threaded 15.

As can be better understood using Figure 2, each contact lines G1, G2 is a line of the sliding face 7 which touches a flat surface G when the board 1 rests on surface G. Preferably, lines G1, G2 are oriented each substantially in the transverse direction of the plate 1.

According to the invention as best seen in Figure 1, the board 1 has a first open cavity 16 which opens out both on the first edge 4 and on the upper face 6, as well as a second open cavity 17 which opens at the same time on the second edge 5 and on the upper face 6.

Preferably but not compulsory, the shapes of the cavities 16, 17, as well as the edges 4, 5, are symmetrical by in relation to the midline M.

Each of the cavities 16, 17 is located in the central area 11, that is to say between the feet of the user.

The way in which the cavities 16, 17 are produced is explained below.

Outside the cavities 16, 17, as is better understood for example using figure 3, the thickness of the board 1 includes in particular an upper reinforcement 18 located on the side of the upper face 6, a lower reinforcement 19 located on the side of the underside 7, and a core 20 which separates the reinforcements 18, 19.

The superimposition of the lower reinforcement 19, of the core 20, and of the upper reinforcement 18, gives the structure a certain rigidity. For a given thickness of each reinforcement 18, 19, the rigidity of the structure is all the greater as the thickness of the core 20 is important.

The core 20 has, in the central zone 11, a narrowing which delimits the cavities 16, 17. It follows that the thickness of the board 1 at the level of the cavities 16, 17 does not includes no core, as seen in Figures 4 and 5. This means that the upper reinforcement 18 is glued directly on the lower reinforcement 19 where a cavity extends. By way as a result, the rigidity of the structure is reduced to level of the cavities 16, 17, relative to the rigidity obtained there where is the nucleus 20.

It follows that in a transverse direction which passes by the cavities 16, 17, the structure of the board 1 has reduced rigidity at each edge 4, 5, and important between the cavities 16, 17.

The effects of this variation in rigidity will be explained further.

The core 20 can be produced according to any known technique skilled in the art, with any type of material. In particular, it may include wood, plastic foam, combination of wood and foam, or other.

In a complementary but not obligatory way, a layer 21 is added to the upper reinforcement 18. The layer 21 protects the upper reinforcement 18 from attacks due to mechanical actions, humidity, sunlight, or other. Layer 21 delimits the upper face 6 of the board 1.

In the same spirit, a layer of gliding or sole 22 is added to the lower reinforcement 19. The layer 22 facilitates a sliding of board 1 on snow. Layer 22 delimits the underside 7 of the board 1.

Edges 23, 24 are located respectively at the level of the edges 4, 5 to facilitate driving on icy snow.

The different constituent parts of the board 1 are assembled by pressure bonding using any technique known to those skilled in the art.

According to a preferred joining technique, a film of bonding is used to assemble each upper reinforcement or lower than the nucleus. This is for example a film thermoplastic.

Advantageously, the two bonding films are superimposed in the cavities, which helps to reduce stress in the board along the contour of the cavity. For such assembly technique, the bonding film must be understood as being included in the reinforcement layer.

For convenience, the geometry of only one of the cavities is described below.

For example, the second cavity 17 has a bottom 25 and a outline 26.

The bottom 25 is substantially parallel to the sliding face 7. This is due to the fact that the respective thicknesses of the sole 22, reinforcements lower 19 and upper 18, as well that of the protective layer 21, are substantially constants.

The contour 26 has a measured height between the bottom 25 and a portion of the upper face 6 located plumb with the core 20.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the outline 26 has the general appearance of a curvilinear notch and continuous curvature.

If we run board 1 lengthwise between the first retention zone 10 and the second retention zone 12, the contour 26 extends between a starting point 27 and a end point 28, both located at edge 5 in the central zone 11.

At the starting point 27, the contour 26 is tangent to the edge 5. Then by traversing the contour 26 towards the end point 28, we first meet a first inflection point 29 where the contour curvature is reversed, then a second inflection point 30 where the curvature reverses again. At end point 28, the outline 26 is also tangent to the edge 5. The points inflection 29, 30 are each identified by a center line perpendicular to the upper face 6.

Of course, there are an infinite number of ways to make the shape of the outline 26 in the above-mentioned frame.

According to the first embodiment, the contour 26 does not has no symmetry with respect to a transverse axis of the Plate 1. This means in particular that the distance between the starting point 27 and the first inflection point 29 is different from the distance between the second point inflection 30 of the end point 28.

Of course, the distances are measured by traveling the outline 26.

Figure 2 also identifies the position of the characteristic points of the contour 26 in the direction longitudinal L.

The distance d1 is measured between the starting point 27 and the projection on edge 5 of the first inflection point 29. The distance d2 is measured between the end point 28 and the projection on edge 5 of the second inflection point 30. The distance d3 is measured between the starting point 27 and the projection on edge 5 of point 31 of contour 26 most away from the edge 5.

Point 31 is identified in the figures by an axis line.

The distance d4 is measured between the end point 28 and the projection on edge 5 of point 31 of contour 26 most away from the edge 5.

In general, the distances d1 and d2 are different from one of the other. The same is true for distances d3 and d4, one by compared to each other.

As seen in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the dots inflection 29, 30 are not necessarily located at the same distance from edge 5.

The effects due to the variation in transverse stiffness of the board 1 at the level of the cavities 16, 17 are explained below.

When the user negotiates a curve, he presses with the feet at one of the edges 4, 5, so that the edge located at the edge guides board 1. It is important that the efforts of the feet are transmitted to the edge in the retention zones 10, 12 and in the zones intermediaries 9, 13. In return the snow exerts forces on the edge along the edge.

At a cavity 16, 17, the forces exerted by the snow distort the thickness of the board 1. For example in in the case of a support on the edge 24, the thickness of the board 1 flexes at cavity 17 so that the bottom 25 of the cavity moves away from a plane containing the sole 7.

The direction of bending is shown in Figure 5 using the arrow.

The advantage is that the friction of the board on the snow are reduced. In addition, the parasitic forces of the snow on board 1 are absorbed by the reversible deformation of the thickness at the level of the cavity.

On the other hand, the reduction in transverse stiffness, at level of the cavities 16, 17, facilitates a twisting of the board 1 along a median longitudinal axis.

It follows that the user can more easily dose efforts with the feet. In particular, it is easier to press where he wants, because the deformation of the edge at the level a cavity prevents a force exerted in a retaining area have effects in the other containment area.

The second embodiment of the invention is presented below using Figures 6 and 7. It concerns a board intended for the practice of the half-pipe.

The essential difference, between the first and the second embodiment, is that the cavities of the boards are not not arranged in the same places on one and on the other. AT other than that, the structural features are similar. For this reason they are not described again.

As is known in FIG. 7, a board 40 has a first end 41, a second end 42, a first edge 43, a second edge 44, a face upper 45, and a sliding face 46.

Plate 40 also has a first zone end 47, a first contact line G3, a first intermediate zone 48, a first retention zone 49, a central zone 50, a second retention zone 51, a second intermediate zone 52, a second contact line G4, and a second end zone 53.

According to the invention, the board 40 has four cavities 54, 55, 56, 57 which each leads to both an edge and on the upper face 45.

Each cavity is located substantially at the level of a line of contact.

Preferably, two cavities located on the same line of contact are symmetrical with respect to the center line of the plate 40, also designated by the letter M.

Each cavity has a continuous contour to the shape curvilinear, like for example the contour 58 of the cavity 55 at second edge level 44.

As best shown in Figure 7, the bottom of each cavity is substantially parallel to the sliding face 46, as by example the bottom 59 of the cavity 55.

The arrangement of the cavities allows a reduction of the transverse rigidity of the board 40 at the level of the lines of contact G3, G4.

Therefore a strong deformation of an end zone, like the one shown by the arrow in figure 7, has a reduced influence on the stability of the board 40.

This scenario occurs in particular on receipt of a jump. In this case, a significant effort is exerted on the board 40 by snow at an edge in an area end. Since the edge is deformable by the presence of the cavity, all or at least a large part of the energy due to the impact of board 40 on snow is absorbed. It follows that plate 40 is less unbalanced.

The advantage is that the user keeps a good control of the trajectory of the board 40, at the time of the resumption of contact of the board 40 with the snow.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the modes of realization thus described, and includes all the equivalents techniques which may fall within the scope of the claims which will follow.

For example, it is not necessary that all cavities of the same board each have the same shape.

The cavities do not have to be symmetrical relative to the center line of the board.

A board can have cavities at the level of only one edge, or present a different number of cavities for each edge.

Again, a board with six cavities can be produced. so as to present both the cavities according to the first and according to the second embodiment. The board becomes in this case both suitable for free ride and half-pipe.

It can also be provided that the outline of a cavity has more than two inflection points.

Finally, we can plan along the outline of each cavity a gradual decrease in the thickness of the nucleus.

Claims (7)

Gliding board (1, 40) intended for surfing on snow, the board (1, 40) having a defined length in a longitudinal direction (L) by a first (2, 41) and a second (3, 42) end, a width defined according to a transverse direction by a first (4, 43) and a second (5, 44) edges, and a thickness delimited by a face upper (6, 45) and a lower face or sliding face (7, 46), the thickness comprising in particular an upper reinforcement (18) and a lower reinforcement (19), the board (1, 40) having successively, from the first (2, 41) to the second (3, 42) end, a first end zone (8, 47), a first intermediate zone (9, 48) separate from the first zone end (8, 47) by a first contact line (G1, G3), a first retention zone (10, 49), a central zone (11, 50), a second retaining zone (12, 51), a second zone intermediate (13, 52), and a second end zone (14, 53) separated from the second intermediate zone (13, 52) by a second contact line (G2, G4), the board (1, 40) having at least one open cavity (16, 17, 54, 55, 56, 57) opening at the same time on one of the edges (4, 5, 43, 44) and on the upper face (6, 45), the bottom (25, 59) of the cavity (17, 55) being substantially parallel to the sliding face (7, 46), characterized in that the upper reinforcement (18) and the lower reinforcement (19) are juxtaposed at the bottom (25) of the cavity (16, 17). Gliding board (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it has two cavities (16, 17) located in the central area (11), a cavity (16) being located at the first edge (4), the other cavity (17) being located at the second edge (5). Gliding board (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that each cavity (17) has a bottom (25) substantially parallel to the sliding face (7), and a contour (26) with a continuous and curvilinear shape whose points start (27) and end (28) are tangent to the edge (5) of the board (1). Gliding board (40) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it has four cavities (54, 55, 56, 57), each cavity being substantially located at the level a contact line (G3, G4). Gliding board (40) according to claim 4, characterized in that each cavity (55) has a bottom (59) substantially parallel to the sliding face (46), and a contour (58) with a continuous and curvilinear shape, the start and end points are tangent to the edge (44) of the board (40). Gliding board (1, 40) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the upper reinforcement (18) and the lower reinforcement (19) are glued to each other at the level of the bottom (25) of the cavity (16, 17). Gliding board (1, 40) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that its thickness comprises, in outside the cavities (16, 17, 54, 55, 56, 57), a layer of slide (22), the lower reinforcement (19), a core (20), the upper reinforcement (18), and a protective layer (21).

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