EP1213042A1 - Board-like gliding device on a wet surface like snow, ice or water and it's method of manufacturing - Google Patents

Abstract

The ski, made from a moisture-sensitive inner core (10) e.g. of wood, covered on top and bottom with reinforcing and sole layers, has transverse slots (12, 13) machined in the middle of the upper surface of the core immediately below the reinforcing layer to receive blocks of a water- resistant plastic material. The ski, made from a moisture-sensitive inner core (10) e.g. of wood, covered on top and bottom with reinforcing and sole layers, has transverse slots (12, 13) machined in the middle of the upper surface of the core immediately below the reinforcing layer to receive blocks of a water- resistant plastic material. After the blocks have been fixed in place the core is machined to give it the required curvature and width before its surface layers are applied, and transverse holes are drilled through at the level of the blocks for boot fastenings.

Description

The invention relates to a board for sliding on a wet surface such as snow, ice or water and the manufacturing process for this board.

In particular, the invention relates to the method of manufacturing a ski intended for practice downhill skiing.

The invention also relates to a set for skiing on a wet surface such as water, snow or ice.

In the case of an alpine ski, in a known manner, a ski comprises a central wooden core or foam, with a layer of reinforcing layers on top and bottom fibers impregnated with resin, metal or other.

For recently built skis, the reinforcing and decorative layers placed on the above the core descend along the sides of the ski to join the edges and form thus a shell.

One of the functions of the lower and upper reinforcement layers is to isolate the central core of external humidity. This is important especially when the nucleus is in wood, or a material that retains moisture.

When the upper reinforcement layer is drilled for the assembly of the elements of retained, we are used to depositing a drop of glue in each of the holes. Glue prevents loosening of the screws but also forms a barrier against the ingress of water by direction of the nucleus. However, it does happen that moisture reaches the nucleus through these holes.

A problem also arises when one wishes to assemble an element which is not not static compared to skiing. For example, patent application EP 1 000 641 describes a interface device comprising two support plates for the retaining elements which are assembled to the ski by connecting pins transversely crossing the structure of the ski. At during the practice of skiing, the ski and the plates can pivot relative to each other around one and / or the other of the axes over a limited amplitude.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved gliding board which has better protection of the core against water penetration.

The gliding board includes a central core made of a material sensitive to humidity in particular in wood covered on the top and the bottom with layers of sole and reinforcement and at least one hole passing through a reinforcing layer and penetrating into the core. She is characterized in that at the level of the bore, the core immediately comprises under the reinforcing layer at least one cleat housed in a groove in the core.

The method of manufacturing the gliding board comprising a central core covered on the underside and the upper with sole and reinforcement layers is characterized by the it includes the steps of machining in a rough blank of the core at least one groove of defined section, of positioning in the groove of a cleat which fills the groove, joining the cleat to the rest of the core blank, machining the core blank thus obtained to give it the desired thickness and width curve.

By doing so, the cleat isolates the rest of the core from any moisture that could penetrate at the level of the hole made.

The invention will be better understood by referring to the description below and to attached drawings attached to it.

FIG. 1 represents a ski assembly comprising a finished ski produced according to a mode nonlimiting implementation of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the starting step of the method according to the invention applied to the manufacture of the ski of FIG. 1.

Figure 3 shows schematically the result of the first machining operation.

Figure 4 relates to the next step.

FIG. 5 illustrates the final phase of shaping the core.

Figure 6 shows schematically the next step in manufacturing the ski.

Figure 7 shows a side view of the finished ski.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the ski of Figure 7 at the drilling back.

Figure 1 shows by way of illustration of the invention a ski assembly as it is described in patent application EP 1 000 641. This set includes a ski 1 surmounted in its central area of two rear and front retaining elements 2 and 3. Elements 2 and 3 are supported by plates 4 and 5 which are connected to the ski by connecting pins transverse 6 and 7. The axes 6 and 7 pass through the structure of the ski. Preferably, at the level axes 6 and 7, the central area of the ski has two bumps 8 and 9 which increase locally and gradually its thickness.

We will now describe the process according to the invention applied to the production of ski 1 with its transverse holes planned for axes 6 and 7.

Initially, we start with a rough core 10 blank as shown in figure 2.

The blank 10 initially appears as an elongated beam of section rectangular. It is here formed for example of strips of wood of different species vertically oriented which are glued together. For example, the blank 10 is produced at from boards which are cut to the desired length and width. Other modes obtaining the draft may also be suitable.

First, the blank is machined to make two transverse grooves 12 and 13. The grooves are located in the areas of the core which will be crossed later by axes 6 and 7, once the ski is finished, that is to say which will be located later in the central ski area.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the grooves 12 and 13 open onto the faces lateral and to the upper face of the blank. Their cross section is of any shape appropriate. Figure 3 shows in a nonlimiting manner a dovetail section. The sections may be different.

Two cleats 14 and 15 are provided to be housed in the grooves 12 and 13. The cleats are made of a material which is insensitive to humidity, in particular a material plastic such as ABS possibly loaded with fiber fibers.

The cleats 14 and 15 are provided to completely fill the grooves 12 and 13 in projecting relative to each of these surfaces as shown in Figure 4 or flush with the upper surface and the lateral surfaces of the blank 10. In other words, the battens have in their lower part at least one section which is adjusted to the section of the grooves 12 and 13, and they preferably have a length equal to or greater than the length of the grooves 12 and 13. At the very least, the length of the cleats is greater than the width of the finished core, in this area of the ski.

The section of the cleats is chosen so as to subsequently fill them with holes in the lengthwise to a diameter equal to the diameter of the connecting pins 6 and 7 and the inserts which surround them if necessary. For example, we obtained good results with a cleat of trapezoidal section, whose large base measures 18 mm, the small one 14 mm and the height 11 mm. This cleat is designed to be drilled right through with a 7 mm diameter hole.

Preferably, the cleats are bonded to the rest of the core by any suitable means, by example using a solvent. This prevents them from moving during the handling of the ski, and this facilitates subsequent machining of the core.

In the next step of the process, in fact, the core blank 10 is machined at the curve desired thickness and width. During this operation, the cleats 14 and 15 are machined on top and sides with the rest of the core, so their side surfaces and their upper surface is flush with the external surfaces of the rest of the nucleus. There exists a continuity of external surface between the wooden part of the core and the cleats.

Advantageously, this operation reduces the length of the cleat to the width of the ski whatever this width. That is to say, we can use the same model of cleat for make skis of different width.

Preferably, the machining operation creates lateral recesses 20, 21, 22, 23 of the core at each of the ends of the grooves and cleats. These recesses are provided to provide housing for the lateral wings of the plates 4 and 5 once the ski is finished.

In Figure 5, we can see at each of the cleats 14 and 15 a kind of donkey 18, 19, at the top of which is the cleat. These donkeys are intended for form the bumps 8 and 9 of the finished ski. For example, we got good results with a back donkey with a maximum thickness of 5 mm, and a cleat reduced to a height of 10 mm by the machining operation.

Figure 6 shows schematically the next step in manufacturing the ski. Core 10 with its cleats 14 and 15 is placed in a heating mold between two series of layers, layer of sole 25 with its lateral edges 26, 27, and a lower reinforcement layer 28 for the below, upper reinforcement layer 29 and decoration layer 30 for the top. These different layers cover the core. Preferably, the upper reinforcing layer and the decoration layer descend along the flanks of the core to form a shell. In this Regarding the reinforcement layers, it is usual to use fiber reinforcement layers coated with epoxy resin. Other construction methods may be suitable.

At this stage of manufacture, the method of construction of the ski is not limiting, and many variations exist depending on the structure of the ski, for example depending on whether the ski has or not metallic reinforcements, intermediate glue films. Skiing can be done according to various known manufacturing techniques, in particular as regards the shape of the mold, the temperature and pressure curves used, etc.

By being pressed against the core 10, the reinforcing layers adhere completely to the outer wall of the core, in particular thanks to the resin which creeps under the effect of pressure in all available spaces or interstices, which hardens and sticks the reinforcing layers to the core.

In particular, the upper reinforcement layer forms a shell, but also a kind of skin that completely protects the core.

Once the ski thus shaped according to a ski blank 30, transverse holes 31 and 32 are produced for each of axes 6 and 7.

At the core level, these holes do not pass through the wooden part, but through the battens 14 and 15. To facilitate this drilling operation, it is preferable to choose a high rate of reinforcing fibers, of the order of 30% for making the cleats.

Then, a cylindrical insert is preferably inserted inside each hole in which is housed the axis.

Finally, the ski blank undergoes recovery operations if necessary and operations finishing. These operations are not concerned with the subject of the invention, they are carried out in the usual way.

Under these conditions, during the use of the ski, humidity can only penetrate in the drilling of cleats. It is not likely to seep into the wooden part of the core neither by skirting the internal wall of the reinforcing layer, nor by crossing the cleat, the material is resistant to humidity, even if moisture penetrates inside the hole.

In addition, as the cleat has a more homogeneous structure than the strip structure of the core, the drilling operation of the transverse holes is facilitated and carried out so more precise.

The invention is not limited to the manufacturing process which has just been described. She can be applied each time an accessory is attached to the ski by a fastening member which crosses the reinforcing layer and is partially housed in the core.

To illustrate this, FIG. 9 represents a blank of wooden core 35 in which four longitudinal grooves 36, 37, 38, 39 have been machined. The grooves are filled with cleats 40, 41, 42, 43 made of a moisture-resistant material. The grooves and cleats are placed in the ski areas where, for example, the holes for the screws are provided of the retaining elements. In this case, the depth of the grooves and the thickness battens are greater than the length of the screws.

As in the previous case, the core blank 35 is then machined to give the core its final form. During this operation, the cleats are also machined from so that their upper surface is flush with that of the rest of the core.

Once the ski is finished, the assembly screw holes penetrate the battens and not more in the wooden part of the core. There is therefore less risk of water penetration or humidity in the core, and risk of swelling of the core near the holes.

The invention is not limited to wooden cores. It generally applies to cores whose material is likely to retain water or humidity.

Finally, the invention applies generally to any type of gliding board provided. to be used in a humid environment, especially on snow, ice or water.

Claims (11)

Gliding board comprising a central core (10) made of a moisture-sensitive material, in particular wooden covered on the top and the bottom with sole and reinforcement layers (25, 28, 29, 30) and at least one hole passing through a reinforcing layer and penetrating into the core, characterized in that at the level of the bore, the core comprises immediately under the reinforcing layer at least one cleat (14, 15, 40, 41, 42, 43) housed in a groove (12, 13, 36, 37, 38, 39) of the core. Board according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleat (14, 15, 40, 41, 42, 43) is made of a plastic material insensitive to moisture. Board according to claim 2, characterized in that the cleat (14, 15, 40, 41, 42, 43) is made of ABS. Board according to claim 1, characterized in that the core comprises two transverse battens (14, 15) located in the central area of the board, and that it has two holes (31, 32) each made at a cleat. Kit for skiing on snow comprising a gliding board (1) and two retaining elements (2, 3) of a boot on the board, characterized in that the board conforms to any one of claims 1 to 4 preceding. Method for manufacturing a gliding board, the board comprising a central core covered on the bottom and the top with sole and reinforcement layers, characterized in that it comprises the steps of machining at least one groove (12, 13, 36, 37, 38, 39) of section defined in a rough blank of the core (10), of placement in the groove of a cleat (14, 15, 40, 41, 42, 43) which fills the groove, assembling the cleat to the rest of the core blank, machining the core blank to give it the desired thickness and width curve. Method according to Claim 6, characterized in that the material of the cleat (14, 15, 40, 41, 42, 43) is chosen from plastics which are insensitive to moisture. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the material of the cleat (14, 15, 40, 41, 42, 43) is an ABS loaded with fibers. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the groove is transverse (12, 13) to the core blank and it opens on both sides of the core blank (10). Method according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises the following phases of covering the machined core with sole and reinforcement layers (25, 28, 29, 30) to form a blank of the board, then drilling of the blank of board (31) at the level of the cleat. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the rough core blank is machined in two transverse grooves (12, 13) located in the central region of the ski, that cleats (14, 15) are housed in the grooves, and that the board blank has a transverse hole which passes through each of the cleats.

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