EP1129748B1 - Ski treatment machine with lateral driving device - Google Patents

Abstract

Machine comprises tools (2) and guiding devices for the skis (3), some supporting devices (5,6,7) and some side guiding devices (11,12).

Description

The present invention relates to machines for the treatment of skis or snowboards.

During their lifespan, skis or snowboards require maintenance operations during which they come to treat their surface with the help of treatment tools to restore it.

For example, it is periodically necessary to sharpen the side edges of the ski or snowboard to ensure its effective grip on the ice. The degradation of the gliding sole of the ski may be subject to repair by overmoulding and / or sanding. The sliding properties of the gliding sole can be improved by covering it with a film of wax.

During these processing operations, there is provided a relative movement between the ski or snowboard surface to be treated and treatment tools. This movement can be done manually. However, it is advantageous to provide mechanized means of relative displacement, ensuring a more regular and continuous movement and a better treatment.

When positioning the ski or the snowboard on a fixed frame and that the tools are moved, it is necessary to provide a frame having a space significantly greater than the length of the ski. This results in a large footprint, which is not adapted to the usual conditions of use in winter sports stores, whose premises are generally too small.

A reduction in the footprint can be sought by moving the ski or the snowboard facing tools in a fixed position on a frame. But a difficulty then comes from the fact that skis or snowboards have irregular surfaces, especially on the side edges and on the attachment surface. Side chants are generally of a wasp-like, non-rectilinear shape. The fasteners and the spatula are protruding elements that protrude substantially from the fastening surface. The ski brakes substantially exceed the side edges of the ski.

Another difficulty comes from the fact that skis or snowboards have very variable sizes depending on the models, especially in width.

It was proposed in the document EP 0 367 684 A associating the ski with a reported straddle structure which covers the ski-binding face and constitutes a regular surface capable of cooperating with rotary drive means in translation of the straddle-ski assembly. This requires additional manipulations to secure the straddle and ski before treatment, then to separate the straddle and ski after treatment. In addition, this structure is not adapted to very variable dimensions of skis or snowboards.

The document US 4,813,371 discloses a ski waxing machine, in which the ski slides on lower supports and is driven in translation by conical rollers driven by means of belts. Each conical roller is independently mounted on a swinging arm urged by a spring pushing it against one of the lateral edges of the ski. The axes of rotation of the tapered rollers are vertical. Such a ski training and guiding structure does not make it possible to ensure in a certain manner the centering of the ski along the longitudinal axis of displacement, since a lateral displacement of the ski remains possible, for example under the action of the ski. a tool, against the restoring force of the springs holding the tapered rollers. It follows that it is not possible to know with certainty the position of the ski in the transverse direction. These means of driving and guiding ski are even less suitable for machining skis by means of tools requiring lateral pressure, especially when one wants, for speed issues, to machine simultaneously the two lateral edges of the ski. . The lack of centering of the ski then causes risks of rebound of tools, and differences in machining between the two sides of the ski.

A problem that the present invention highlights is to design means for driving and guiding skis or snowboards to ensure, in a simple and economical way, a centered guide and a reliable drive of the ski or the board in snow facing tools in a fixed position, regardless of the width of the ski or the snowboard in a wide range of variation corresponding to all types of skis or snowboards in use.

The invention also aims to facilitate the use of the processing machine, avoiding the assembly and disassembly of the ski or snowboard with an additional element such as a straddle.

The invention also aims to ensure an effective and reliable central training and positioning of the ski or the snowboard, despite the presence of the protruding elements such as ski brakes and bindings.

Preferably, the invention aims to ensure a complete positive drive of the ski or the snowboard during the entire treatment cycle, with an effective and regular training to ensure a good quality treatment.

• des moyens d'appui définissant généralement un plan d'appui et sur lesquels la semelle de glisse du ski ou de la planche à neige peut venir en appui en se déplaçant longitudinalement le long d'un axe longitudinal de transfert,
• au moins un couple de rouleaux de guidage en opposition de part et d'autre de l'axe longitudinal de transfert, montés rotatifs selon des axes de rotation sensiblement perpendiculaires au plan d'appui, avec des moyens de serrage pour les solliciter en appui souple contre les chants latéraux du ski ou de la planche à neige,
• des moyens moteurs pour entraîner en rotation l'un au moins des rouleaux de guidage du couple de rouleaux de guidage et pour entraîner ainsi le ski ou la planche à neige en translation le long de l'axe longitudinal de transfert,
• les deux rouleaux de guidage d'un couple de rouleaux de guidage étant mobiles latéralement vers et à l'écart de l'axe longitudinal de transfert de façon symétrique de part et d'autre de l'axe longitudinal de transfert.

To achieve these objects as well as others, a machine for treating skis or snowboards according to the invention comprises, in general, treatment tools and means for driving and guiding in longitudinal translation of a skiing or snowboarding with regard to treatment tools; the driving and guiding means comprise:

• bearing means generally defining a support plane and on which the gliding sole of the ski or the snowboard can come to bear while moving longitudinally along a longitudinal axis of transfer,
• at least one pair of guide rollers in opposition on either side of the longitudinal axis of transfer, rotatably mounted along axes of rotation substantially perpendicular to the support plane, with clamping means for biasing them in flexible support against the side edges of the ski or the snowboard,
• motor means for rotating at least one of the guide rollers of the guide roller pair and thereby driving the ski or snowboard in translation along the longitudinal transfer axis,
• the two guide rollers of a pair of guide rollers being movable laterally towards and away from the longitudinal transfer axis symmetrically on either side of the longitudinal transfer axis.

This ensures the permanent and effective centering of the ski or the snowboard along the longitudinal axis of transfer, allowing in particular to achieve a good quality treatment when the treatment tools must treat the side edges or side areas of the ski or the snowboard, simultaneously.

To provide a lateral displacement of one and the other of the guide rollers of a pair of guide rollers in a symmetrical manner, one solution consists in providing that the guide rollers are mounted on two axially parallel oscillating arms. and generally perpendicular to the support plane, the oscillating arms being synchronized in rotation.

Preferably, the two guide rollers of a pair of guide rollers are motorized in opposite directions of rotation. This ensures a more effective training of the ski or the snowboard in the machine.

To ensure a complete positive skiing or snowboarding training throughout the treatment cycle, and a better regularity of training, advantageously at least one pair of guide rollers is provided at the input upstream of the tools and at the minus a pair of guide rollers outputting downstream of the tools.

The flexible support of the guide rollers on the edges of the ski or the snowboard can advantageously be ensured by biasing the guide rollers towards and away from the longitudinal axis of transfer by clamping means comprising one or several pneumatic cylinders.

Preferably, the guide rollers comprise an elastic structure such as at least one peripheral layer of adhering and elastically deformable material, for example natural or synthetic rubber.

Automation of the lateral displacement of the guide rollers towards and away from the longitudinal transfer axis can be ensured by providing at least one input sensor, upstream of the tools, to detect the ski or the snowboard and to control the approach of the guide rollers. Preferably, there is provided an output sensor, downstream of the tools, for controlling the spacing of the guide rollers when both of the Input and output sensors detect the absence of a ski or a snowboard.

Generally, it can be provided that the support plane is horizontal, and that the gliding sole of the ski rests on the support plane by gravity. The guide thus formed can be sufficiently effective if the tools come in lateral support on the songs of the ski or, in the case where the tools come to rest on the sole of the ski, if their support force is weak.

As an alternative, it is advantageous to provide pressing means for urging the ski or the snowboard to bear on the support plane. The pressing means may be constituted by the guide rollers themselves, each then having an axis of rotation slightly inclined downstream in a longitudinal plane perpendicular to the support plane, inducing on the side edges of the ski or the board to snow a force component oriented towards the support plane.

• la figure 1 est une vue générale de dessus d'une machine de traitement de skis ou planches à neige selon un mode de réalisation de la présente invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de côté de la machine de la figure 1 ; et
• la figure 3 est une vue en bout de la machine de la figure 1.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

• Figure 1 is a general view from above of a ski or snowboard processing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention;
• Figure 2 is a side view of the machine of Figure 1; and
• Figure 3 is an end view of the machine of Figure 1.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, a machine for treating skis or snowboards according to the invention comprises, on a frame 1, processing tools 2, and driving and guiding means for moving a ski or snowboard 3 along a longitudinal transfer axis II through the area occupied by the tools 2.

The driving and guiding means comprise bearing means generally defining a support plane A and on which the gliding base 4 of the ski or the snowboard 3 can come to bear while moving longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of transfer II.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the support means comprise three support rollers 5, 6 and 7, freely journalling on respective transverse axes 8, 9 and 10 of the frame 1, and distributed along the longitudinal transfer axis II. For example, the support rollers 5 and 6 are arranged upstream of the zone occupied by the tools 2, while the support roller 7 is disposed downstream of the zone occupied by the tools 2.

According to the invention, the drive and guide means further comprise at least one pair of guide rollers 11 and 12, in opposition on either side of the longitudinal transfer axis II, rotatably mounted along axes respective rotational members 13 and 14 substantially perpendicular to the bearing plane A, with clamping means 15 for biasing them in flexible support against the side edges 16 and 17 of the ski or the snowboard 3. The guide rollers 11 and 12 in opposition can be positioned along the same transverse line, or they can be shifted longitudinally along the longitudinal transfer axis II.

Motor means rotate at least one of the guiding roller torque guide rollers, thereby driving the ski or the snowboard 3 in translation along the longitudinal transfer axis I-I. In the illustrated embodiment, each guide roller 11 and 12 of the guide roller pair is driven by a respective geared motor 18 or 19, so that the guide rollers 11 and 12 are driven in opposite directions of rotation as illustrated. by arrows 20 and 21 in FIG. 1. Thus, in FIG. 1, the ski or the snowboard 3 is driven in translation towards the right, as illustrated by the arrow 22.

The two guide rollers 11 and 12 of the pair of guide rollers are movable laterally towards and away from the longitudinal transfer axis II, symmetrically on either side of the longitudinal transfer axis II. Their lateral movement is illustrated by the arrows 23 and 24. For this, the guide rollers 11 and 12 are mounted on two respective oscillating arms 25 and 26 with parallel axes 27 and 28 and generally perpendicular to the support plane A, and are synchronized in rotation. Their synchronization in rotation can be provided by two toothed wheels 29 and 30, integral with the respective oscillating arms 25 and 26, and meshing with one another. Thus, the oscillating arms 25 and 26 and the guide rollers 11 and 12 that they carry are laterally displaceable between a close position, shown in solid lines in FIG. 1, in which the guide rollers 11 and 12 bear on each other. the side edges 16 and 17 of the ski or the snowboard 3, and a rest position shown in dotted lines in which the guide rollers 11 and 12 are spaced from the longitudinal transfer axis II. In their movement towards and away from each other, the oscillating arms 25 and 26 are urged by clamping means such as the pneumatic cylinder 15 engaged between the frame 1 and the oscillating arm 25.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first pair of guide rollers 11 and 12 is arranged at the outlet, downstream of the zone occupied by the tools 2, and a second pair of guide rollers 31 and 32 is provided. the entry, upstream of the zone occupied by the tools 2. The guide rollers 31 and 32 are similarly mounted on respective oscillating arms 33 and 34 urged in symmetrical rotation around respective axes 35 and 36 by a pneumatic cylinder 37.

The force of the pneumatic cylinders 15 and 37 is chosen so that the guide rollers 11, 12, 31, 32 each bear on one of the side edges 16 or 17 of the ski or snowboard 3 according to a force of support between 20 and 100 newtons approximately.

Preferably, the guide rollers 11 and 12, 31 and 32 have an elastic structure, for example having at least one peripheral layer of adhering and elastically deformable material such as natural or synthetic rubber.

Advantageously, an input sensor 38, upstream from the zone occupied by the tools 2, is provided for detecting the presence of a ski or a snowboard 3 and for controlling the approach of the guide rollers 11, 12, 31 and 32. Preferably, an output sensor 39 is also provided. on the frame 1 downstream from the area occupied by the tools 2, to control the spacing of the guide rollers 11, 12, 31, 32 when both of the input and output sensors 38 detect the absence of a ski or snowboard 3.

To ensure effective plating of the gliding base 4 of the ski or snowboard 3 on the support plane A, that is to say on the support rollers 5, 6 and 7, it is possible, if necessary , provide pressing means that request the ski or snowboard 3 to the support plane A.

According to a first embodiment, the pressing means comprise a support wheel 40, mounted on an oscillating arm 41 and freely rotating about a transverse axis 42 parallel to the support plane A, resting by gravity on the fixing face. The diameter of the support wheel 40 is sufficiently large, so as to roll without longitudinal force on the uneven mounting face 43 of the ski or snowboard, having in particular the irregularities formed by the Fixations 44. The support wheel 40 can rest by gravity, or be solicited by a spring. It includes an elastic bandage.

According to a second embodiment, the pressing means may be constituted by the guide rollers 11, 12, 31 and 32 themselves, providing that their axes of rotation are slightly inclined downstream, that is to say by following the direction of progression of the ski, in a longitudinal plane perpendicular to the support plane A, thus inducing on the lateral edges 16 and 17 of the ski or the snowboard 3 a force component oriented towards the plane of A. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates, by exaggerating it, the angle of inclination B according to which one could orient the axis of rotation 13 of the guide roll 11. The angle B can be a few degrees, for example and preferably about 2 °. Simultaneously, the guide rollers 11, 12, 31 and 32 may advantageously be slightly conical, with a cone angle of about 10 °.

Thanks to the elasticity provided by the pressing means such as the pneumatic cylinders 15 and 37, and the presence of two pairs of guide rollers at the entrance and exit of the machine, as well as the elastic constitution of the rolls of 11, 12, 31, 32 themselves, the training of the ski or the snowboard 3 is regular, despite the presence of prominent lateral elements such as ski brakes 45, and despite the non-linear form of side edges 16 and 17 of the ski or snowboard 3.

The figures show an advantageous application of the invention to the production of a ski or snowboard processing machine for simultaneously and quickly sharpening the external lateral faces of the edges 46 and 47 of the ski or the snowboard. In this case, the tools 2 comprise two rotating abrasive belts 48 and 49 arranged opposite one another on either side of the longitudinal transfer axis II, each tensioned between a drum 50 or 51 and a return pulley 52 or 53. mounted on a rotary plate 54 or 55. Each plate 54 or 55 is rotatably mounted about a respective vertical axis 56 or 57 of the frame 1, and is biased by a pneumatic cylinder 58 or 59 between a close position shown in solid line on Figure 1 and a rest position shown in dashed lines. In the close position, the abrasive strips 48 and 49 bear elastically against the respective side edges 16 and 17 of the ski or the snowboard 3. The drums 50 and 51 are rotated by motors such as the motor 60 (FIG. 2), for rotating the respective abrasive belts 48 and 49 in opposite directions of rotation.

Thus, the abrasive belts 48 and 49 are movable towards and away from the ski or the snowboard 3, and bearing means such as the pneumatic cylinders 58 and 59 urge them resiliently against the side edges 16 and respective 17 of the ski or snowboard 3.

According to another application, the axes 56 and 57 and the abrasive strips 48 and 49 can be oriented horizontally to sharpen the lower faces of the edges 46 and 47 of the ski or the snowboard 3.

It will be understood that the general machine structure as illustrated in FIG. 1 has a symmetry on either side of the longitudinal transfer axis II, allowing great ease of adaptation to very different widths of skis or snowboards 3, and thus ensuring great flexibility of operation.

The centering function of the ski along the longitudinal transfer axis II, effectively provided by the invention, also improves the treatment performed by tools on the lower ski gliding surface, and avoids the use of tools more wide width.

Thus, according to another application, the tools 2 comprise at least one tool for sanding the lower surface of the glide of the ski or snowboard.

Also, according to yet another application, the tools 2 comprise a waxing head or an overmoulding head, centered on the longitudinal transfer axis I-I, and resting on the sliding surface of a ski or snowboard.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variants and generalizations thereof within the scope of the claims below.

Claims (12)

1. Machine for treating skis or snowboards, comprising treatment tools (2) and means for driving and guiding a ski or a snowboard (3) in longitudinal translation past the treatment tools (2), the driving and guiding means comprising:

   - support means (5-7) generally defining a support plane (A) and over which the sliding sole (4) of the ski or of the snowboard (3) can be supported as it is moved longitudinally along a longitudinal transfer axis (I-I),

   - at least one pair of guide rollers (11, 12) in opposition on each side of the longitudinal transfer axis (I-I), these being mounted so that they can rotate about axes of rotation (13, 14) substantially perpendicular to the support plane (A), with clamping means (15) to urge them to bear flexibly against the side edges (16, 17) of the ski or of the snowboard (3),

   - drive means (18, 19) for driving the rotation of at least one of the guide rollers (11, 12) of the pair of guide rollers and for thus driving the ski or the snowboard (3) translationally along the longitudinal transfer axis (I-I),

   characterized in that the two guide rollers (11, 12) of a pair of guide rollers are able to move laterally towards and away from the longitudinal transfer axis (I-I) symmetrically on each side of the longitudinal transfer axis (I-I).
2. Machine for treating skis or snowboards according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide rollers (11, 12) are mounted on two swinging arms (25, 26) the axes (27, 28) of which are mutually parallel and generally perpendicular to the support plane (A), the swinging arms (25, 26) being synchronised in terms of rotation.
3. Machine for treating skis or snowboards according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the two guide rollers (11, 12) of a pair of guide rollers are driven in opposite directions of rotation (20, 21).
4. Machine for treating skis or snowboards according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one pair of guide rollers (31, 32) is provided at the entrance upstream of the tools (2) and at least one pair of guide rollers (11, 12) is provided at the exit downstream of the tools (2).
5. Machine for treating skis or snowboards according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the guide rollers (11, 12, 31, 32) are merged towards and away from the longitudinal transfer axis (I-I) by clamping means such as a pneumatic actuator (15, 37).
6. Machine for treating skis or snowboards according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the guide rollers (11, 12, 31, 32) have an elastic structure such as at least one peripheral layer of a grippy and elastically deformable material.
7. Machine for treating skis or snowboards according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises an entrance sensor (38) upstream of the tools (2) to detect the ski or the snowboard (3) and to command the guide rollers (11, 12, 31, 32) to move closer.
8. Machine for treating skis or snowboards according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises an exit sensor (39) downstream of the tools (2) to command the guide rollers (11, 12, 31, 32) to move apart when both the entrance sensor (38) and the exit sensor (39) detect that there is no ski or snowboard (3) present.
9. Machine for treating skis or snowboards according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it further comprises pressing means consisting of the fact that the guide rollers (11, 12, 31, 32) have an axis of rotation (13, 14) that is slightly inclined in the downstream direction at an angle (B) in a longitudinal plane perpendicular to the support plane (A), thus causing a force component directed towards the support plane (A) to be applied to the lateral edges (16, 17) of the ski or of the snowboard (3).
10. Machine for treating a ski or a snowboard according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the tools (2) comprise two rotary abrasive belts (48, 49) positioned one on each side of the longitudinal transfer axis (I-I) to sharpen the undersides or the external side faces of the edges (46, 47) of the ski or of the snowboard (3), the abrasive belts (48, 49) being able to be moved towards and away from the ski or the snowboard (3) and being urged by pushing means (58, 59) which push them so that they bear elastically against the edges (46, 47) of the ski or of the snowboard (3).
11. Machine for treating the ski or a snowboard according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the tools (2) comprise a waxing head or an overmoulding head, centred on the longitudinal transfer axis (I-I) and bearing against the sliding surface of a ski or of a snowboard.
12. Machine for treating a ski or a snowboard according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the tools (2) comprise at least a tool for polishing the sliding underside of the ski or of the snowboard.

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