EP1082977A1 - Ski, or other gliding board having rigid and distinct sidewalls and method of making the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A ski, or another board for gliding on snow, has two lateral and longitudinal edges which are constituted by elements in separate rigid longitudinal members (6, 7) called “edges”. These edges (6, 7) comprise, incorporated and distributed in their structure, a multitude of discrete metallic inclusions (11), made of metal unalterable to corrosion and of shiny appearance. These edges are made of thermosetting or thermoplastic polymer materials. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a ski, or other board for sliding on snow, with rigid and distinct side edges, materialized by rigid reinforcing elements in the form of longitudinal rods.

The present invention also relates to a method for producing rigid and distinct side edges in the form of rigid reinforcing elements.

Field of the invention

Figure 1 shows, schematically and in cross section, a traditional skiing.

• un ensemble inférieur comprenant une semelle de glissement 1 bordée de part et d'autre par des carres métalliques latérales 3 et 4 ; cet ensemble est surmonté d'une couche de renfort fibreux 2 ;
• un noyau 5 surmontant cet ensemble inférieur, et bordé de part et d'autre par deux éléments de renfort en longerons rigides 6, 7 ; et
• un ensemble supérieur comprenant une couche de renfort fibreux 15, surmontée d'une couche supérieure plastique 10 de protection et de décor.

This ski has:

• a lower assembly comprising a sliding sole 1 bordered on either side by lateral metal edges 3 and 4; this assembly is surmounted by a fibrous reinforcing layer 2;
• a core 5 surmounting this lower assembly, and bordered on either side by two reinforcing elements in rigid longitudinal members 6, 7; and
• an upper assembly comprising a fibrous reinforcement layer 15, surmounted by a plastic upper layer 10 for protection and decoration.

The two rigid reinforcing elements 6, 7, which are called “edges” in trade language, are located above the lower set, and they have a significant thickness. The external lateral faces 8, 9 of the two elements of rigid reinforcements 6, 7 form at least part of the lateral faces of the ski.

• transmettre directement des efforts du pied de l'utilisateur à la neige ; ils permettent, en particulier, d'éviter « l'écrasement » des différents composants empilés dans la structure du ski lorsque le ski est sollicité ; la force d'impulsion générée par le skieur notamment au moment de conduite du virage, tend en effet à écraser le ski entre ses pieds et la neige ; cet écrasement se traduit par une perte de temps de réaction et une perte d'énergie donc par une perte d'efficacité ;
• consolider la tenue des carres métalliques à l'intérieur de la structure du ski ; au cours de son utilisation, le ski est souvent malmené par la présence de pierres sur les pistes ; si l'appui situé au-dessus de la carre n'est pas assez ferme, les carres s'enfoncent ou s'arrachent sous un choc important ;
• renforcer la structure du ski en flexion et en torsion, avec des éléments latéraux de renfort 6, 7 présentant un haut module d'Young ; on améliore les raideurs et on obtient une amélioration des résistances à la rupture ;
• renforcer la résistance des chants du ski à l'abrasion ; les chants d'un ski alpin sont soumis à l'abrasion de la neige, à l'usure par frottement contre des obstacles rencontrés sur la piste, (sapins, rochers, ...) et à l'agression des carres de l'autre ski de la paire ;
• participer à l'aspect esthétique du ski ; les chants du ski sont une zone bien visible de tous.

The two rigid lateral reinforcement elements 6, 7 are intended for:

• directly transmit forces from the user's foot to the snow; they make it possible, in particular, to avoid "crushing" of the various components stacked in the structure of the ski when the ski is stressed; the impulse force generated by the skier especially when driving the turn, tends to crush the ski between his feet and the snow; this crushing results in a loss of reaction time and a loss of energy, therefore in a loss of efficiency;
• consolidate the hold of the metal edges inside the ski structure; during its use, the ski is often abused by the presence of stones on the slopes; if the support located above the edge is not firm enough, the edges sink or tear away under a strong shock;
• reinforce the structure of the ski in bending and in torsion, with lateral reinforcing elements 6, 7 having a high Young modulus; the stiffness is improved and an improvement in breaking strength is obtained;
• strengthen the resistance of the ski edges to abrasion; the edges of an alpine ski are subject to abrasion by snow, wear by friction against obstacles encountered on the track, (fir trees, rocks, ...) and the aggression of the edges of the another pair ski;
• participate in the aesthetic aspect of skiing; ski chants are a visible area for everyone.

A traditional ski therefore comprises edges, or lateral elements of reinforcement, or rigid reinforcement rails, located on each side of a central core called the core and arranged above the metal edges.

These beams can have a length substantially equal to the carrying length of the ski, or less than this. Likewise, the height of these side members may correspond to the total height of the ski, or be less than this height.

These beams thus correspond to a need for consolidation of at least minus an area of the ski subjected to significant pressures or stresses.

State of the art

For example, it is known from US Patents 3,967,992, US 4,093,268, and US 4,455,037, to make skis with reinforcing elements corresponding in dimensions to the side surfaces of the skis, that is to say having substantially the length and height of the ski.

Other intermediate solutions comprising elements of localized reinforcement exist by documents FR-A-2,683,734 and FR-A-2,703,915 of the Applicant.

These side reinforcing elements are of different types, and different production methods make it possible to obtain them.

• un composite lamifié, avec résine thermodurcissable à base de phénol ou de mélamine, par exemple.
• un matériau polymère thermoplastique extrudé puis injecté tel que l'Acrylonitrile-Butadiène-Styrène (A.B.S.), par exemple.

For the production of gliding boards comprising metal lower edges, there are, at present, the reinforcing elements essentially in two forms:

• a laminated composite, with thermosetting resin based on phenol or melamine, for example.
• a thermoplastic polymer material extruded and then injected such as Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS), for example.

Summary of the invention

The subject of the invention is a ski, or other board for sliding on snow, whose characteristics are optimized by the use of lateral elements of improved reinforcements.

A ski, or other board for gliding on snow, having the two edges lateral and longitudinal consist of elements in rigid beams distinct called "songs".

According to the present invention, the ski or other board for sliding on snow is characterized in that these edges include, incorporated and distributed in their structure, metallic particles unalterable to corrosion.

Typically, these particles or inclusions can be beads metallic with a maximum diameter of 100 µm, or metallic flakes of which the length can vary between 5 and 100 µm, and they are arranged discreetly in the structure of said songs. They are preferably made of a noble metal and relatively low density compared to steel. As the metal used for these inclusions, mention may be made, for example, of Titanium or Zirconium, of white appearance and shiny, or Gold, yellow and shiny appearance.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a method of production of rigid and distinct side edges intended for one ski or another snow gliding board includes the steps of covering a thin sheet of paper with a layer of thermosetting resin, sprinkle this layer of thermosetting resin of metal particles, renew many times these first two steps, in order to obtain a stack of leaves glued, press this stack and trigger the polymerization of the resin, and cut the stack to the dimensions of the side edges.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, a method of making rigid and separate side edges for a ski or other board sliding on snow includes the steps of incorporating particles to the granules of polymeric materials, extrude them and cut molded plates obtained to the dimensions of the side edges.

Description of Figures

• la Figure 2 est une coupe transversale d'un ski conforme à l'invention ;
• la Figure 3 est une vue latérale partielle de ce même ski ;
• la Figure 4 est une coupe schématique d'un composite lamifié utilisable pour la réalisation d'un ski de l'invention.

The invention will be better perceived, in its various aspects, during the following description of a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment, with reference to the appended schematic drawing in which:

• Figure 2 is a cross section of a ski according to the invention;
• Figure 3 is a partial side view of the same ski;
• Figure 4 is a schematic section of a laminated composite used for the production of a ski of the invention.

detailed description

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, this ski differs from a ski traditional according to FIG. 1 by the fact that its songs 6, 7 comprise, incorporated and distributed inside their structure, a multitude of inclusions metallic 11 constituted here by titanium flakes whose length is typically between 5 and 100 µm.

If these edges 6, 7 are produced by cutting a plate 19 in laminated composite according to FIG. 4, the invention consists, in the design of plates 19, place a thin sheet of paper 16, cover it with a layer of thermosetting liquid resin 17, to sprinkle this layer of resin metallic glitter liquid 18 and then to renew many times this operation to obtain a stack of glued sheets, finally put under press this stack to trigger polymerization of the resin. The plaque thus obtained will then be cut to the desired dimensions of the edge of the ski.

If the edges 6, 7 are made of a polymer material thermoplastic as in A.B.S., metallic flakes are incorporated in polymer granules intended to make A.B.S. by molding, in which will be cut edges or obtained from extrusion profiles.

Given the fact that the side faces 8, 9 of the ski are produced, with their classic lower side edges 12, 13, or "projecting", by machining of the lateral sides of the ski during finishing operations following molding of the ski, the metallic inclusions 11, 18 become apparent on these side faces, as seen in Figure 3.

As they are made of a shiny metal, the effect visual result is particularly striking, this visual effect tending to enhance the quality of this ski.

Note that, over the entire apparent surface of the two projecting 12, 13, this striking aspect is "renovated" with each sharpening of the edges 3, 4 because a new surface of the overflows 12, 13 is then exposed.

• d'augmenter le module d'Young des chants donc d'améliorer la résistance à l'écrasement et les résistances en flexion et torsion ;
• d'augmenter la résistance à l'abrasion sans pénaliser l'aptitude à l'usinage du débordant ;
• d'obtenir un effet esthétique et un aspect « technique » persistant, qu'une peinture métallisée (de surface) n'aurait pas pu assurer après usure par abrasion.

The inclusion of low density metallic elements in the lateral reinforcing elements has the following effects:

• to increase the Young's modulus of the edges therefore to improve the resistance to crushing and the resistances in bending and torsion;
• increase the abrasion resistance without penalizing the machinability of the overhang;
• obtain an aesthetic effect and a persistent "technical" aspect, which a metallic (surface) paint could not have ensured after abrasion wear.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment which comes to be described.

Instead of metallic flakes, one can choose to incorporate, in edges 6, 7, metal balls with a diameter of up to 100 µm about.

The metal of these beads or flakes must be a metal unalterable to corrosion, typically unalterable to water and air. The particles chosen metal must be stainless. In this case, unlike others fibrous reinforcements the metallic charges are hydrophobic, and we therefore do not run no risk of edge deterioration by water infiltration, the latter which can also transform into destructive ice particles.

It must also have a shiny appearance. In order not to weigh down the ski, it it is preferable that it be of relatively low density compared to steel or other common metals.

We can of course use Aluminum, or an alloy Aluminum, or a Copper alloy, or Magnesium or Zirconium. It is possible to use a noble material, such as Titanium or Gold.

Claims (11)

Ski, or other board for gliding on snow, the two lateral and longitudinal edges of which are made up of elements in separate rigid spars (6, 7) called “edges”,
characterized in that these edges (6, 7) comprise, incorporated and distributed in their structure, metallic particles (11), unalterable to corrosion. Ski or other snow gliding board according to claim 1, characterized in that these metal particles (11) are metallic glitter. Ski, or other board for sliding on snow, according to claim 2, characterized in that these metallic flakes (11) have each a length between 5 and 100 µm approximately. Ski or other snow gliding board according to claim 1, characterized in that these metal particles are balls metallic. Ski or other snow gliding board according to claim 4, characterized in that these metal balls have a diameter ranging up to approximately 100 µm. Ski, or other snowboard, according to one of the Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that these particles are in noble metal. Ski, or other board for gliding on snow, according to claim 6, characterized in that these particles are made of Titanium. Ski, or other board for gliding on snow, according to claim 6, characterized in that these particles are made of Gold. Ski, or other board for gliding on snow, according to claim 6, characterized in that these particles are made of Zirconium. Method for producing rigid and separate side edges for a ski or other snow gliding board, comprising the steps consisting in: cover a thin sheet of paper (16) with a layer of thermosetting resin (17); sprinkle this layer of thermosetting resin (17) with metal particles (18); repeat these first two steps many times, in order to obtain a stack of glued sheets; press this stack and initiate polymerization of the resin; and cut the stack to the dimensions of the side edges. Method for producing rigid and separate side edges for a ski or other snow gliding board, comprising the steps consisting in: incorporating metallic particles into the granules of polymeric materials; extrude them; and cut molded plates, obtained to the dimensions of the side edges.

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