EP1279420B1 - Method of manufacturing an alpine ski and the resulting ski - Google Patents

Abstract

The method of making a snow ski (1) involves using a mould with additional inserts (43) positioned in the mould prior to use. The inserts are placed between the mould sections at the level of each side face of the ski. At least part of each insert is eliminated after moulding to form a groove (12) along each side edge of the ski. Claims include a ski made by the method

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to the field of snow sports, specifically an alpine ski. It is more particularly a ski which comprises a zone of enhancement of the attachment formed by an over-thickness of the ski structure itself. The invention makes it possible to optimize the mechanical properties of a ski having such a structure. The invention also provides a method for making such skis.

Previous techniques

In general, the upper face of the ski is equipped in the area of the pad with a safety fastener consisting of a stop and a heel. For various reasons, and in particular to facilitate the tilting of the ski from one edge to the other, it seeks to elevate the elements of the binding relative to the sole of the ski. This elevation can be obtained in different ways, and for example through the use of a lift platform screwed, or more generally secured, to the upper face of the board. Numerous types of platforms have already been proposed such as in particular that described in US 5 879 019.

It has also been proposed to raise the attachment, not by using an additional element attached to the board, but on the contrary by configuring the structure of the board so that it has an over-thickness forming the zone itself. of enhancement. Thus, in document FR 2 718 650, there is described a ski whose structure comprises, at the level of the shoe area, an additional element raising the upper face of the ski, relative to the areas of the spatula and the heel. This elevation forms an enhancement zone on which are mounted the abutment and the heel. Another example of an enhancement zone created by a particular configuration of the structure of the board itself is described in document FR 2,686,520, corresponding to document US Pat. No. 5,346,244.

It is conceivable that the influence of this raising zone formed by the structure on the mechanical properties of the board is important, and in particular induces a significant stiffening of the pad area. An object of the invention is to modulate this influence, to obtain a ski whose dynamic behavior can be optimized.

US Pat. No. 2,196,925 describes a particular ski whose skid zone is elevated and which is machined. More precisely, the upper surface of the pad zone has several through slots which open into recesses that are laterally excavated. In this way, the wedge of snow present under the sole of the shoe is eliminated by the slots, especially when it melts. Of course, the realization of such skis is relatively complex, since it requires very specific machining operations, which weaken the structure of the board, and are incompatible with modern manufacturing techniques and composite structures.

Presentation of the invention

The invention therefore relates to a method of manufacturing an alpine ski which comprises at least one attachment enhancement zone formed by an extra thickness of the structure of the ski forming a projection at the region of the pad. The ski may comprise a single raising zone which accommodates the two elements of the binding. This raising zone can also be divided into two parts, a first part receiving the stop, the other part the heel. For some cases, only the stop or the heel can be mounted on an enhancement zone. In a traditional way, during this process, the different components of the ski are placed in a mold, between a bottom and a mold cover

• avant moulage, on dispose au-dessus du fond du moule, entre le fond et le couvercle, et au-dessus de chaque face latérale du ski, des éléments additionnels pénétrant à l'intérieur du moule ;
• après moulage, on élimine, au moins en partie, lesdits éléments additionnels de manière à former des rainures dans les faces latérales du ski.

The process according to the invention is characterized in that:

• before molding, there are disposed above the bottom of the mold, between the bottom and the cover, and above each side face of the ski, additional elements penetrating inside the mold;
• after molding, at least partly eliminating said additional elements so as to form grooves in the lateral faces of the ski.

In other words, the characteristic grooves are obtained by extracting after molding, the additional elements that protrude from the songs of the ski. These additional elements, possibly wedge-shaped, are easily removable, since they have been put in place in the mold with a strong zone projecting laterally.

In practice, the additional elements can be eliminated either completely or partially after molding. Thus, if these additional elements are of a relatively flexible and deformable material, they can be extracted by tearing. When it comes to more rigid elements, they can be removed by machining. The grooves are then formed within these additional elements.

According to the invention, the ski obtained according to such a method thus has a groove dug over at least a portion of the length of each of its lateral faces. This groove is located between the upper face of the raising zone and the edge of the ski.

At the level of the raising zone, on its side flanks, the ski has hollow portions which may extend over all or part of the length of the raising zone. These grooves can be made in the area of raising itself, that is to say above the level that the ski would have if it did not include the raising zone. These grooves may also be below this level, above the edges. The presence of these grooves, forming recesses, and in particular their length and their depth, influences the overall stiffness of the structure, especially at the level of the zone of the pad. The behavior can thus for example be closer to that of a traditional ski equipped with a platform reported on its upper face, while retaining the advantages an enhancement area integrated into the structure of the ski, including lightening.

Advantageously in practice, the additional elements used during the manufacturing process may be parallel to the sole of the ski, so as to give grooves substantially parallel to the upper face of the raising zone.

In a particular embodiment, the additional elements used during the process can be put in place so as to come into contact with one another. They thus make it possible to make a through zone when they are then eliminated. This contact zone between the additional elements may be disposed at any level of the raising zone, and preferably at the central level of the latter.

In other words, the grooves cut on each of the lateral faces can meet to define, over at least part of their length, at least one through opening transversely below the upper face of the raising zone. In other words, the groove formed on one side of the board is hollowed sufficiently deep to open into the groove formed on the other side, and thus form a material-free zone across the width of the ski.

These through openings may also be made independently of the characteristic grooves.

Advantageously in practice, the through opening is located longitudinally, substantially at the central level of the raising zone. In other words, the recessed area made in or below the raising zone is located between the zones accommodating the abutment and the heel of the binding.

In practice, the bottoms of the facing grooves define between them a substantially vertical partition located below the upper face of the raising zone. In other words, the structure of the board has a region of width less than the width of the ski, and on which rests a part of the raising zone. This region therefore forms a partition on which rests the upper part of the raising zone, and through which the supports are transmitted. This partition contributes to the overall rigidity of the raising zone whose configuration is also lightened by the presence of characteristic grooves.

In a preferred embodiment, the ski has a through opening and two partitions as described above, these partitions being located one in front. and the other behind the through opening. The partitions can thus advantageously be located longitudinally in line with one of the elements of the binding, so as to allow a good transmission of forces towards the sole of the ski.

The shape of the different partitions formed between the grooves can be various. Thus, these partitions may have a thickness, measured transversely to the ski, which is either substantially constant or variable. More specifically, the cross section of the partition can be either constant or even move in the direction of the length of the ski. In the latter case, this thickness can decrease to reach a minimum at the limits of the through hollow zone.

The width of the partitions measured transversely, can also vary with the height of the partition. In other words, this partition may have flanks that are not strictly vertical, but on the contrary inclined. Thus, in a particular form, over at least a fraction of its length, the partition or partitions may extend in its lower part to near the lateral faces of the ski, so as to contribute to the transmission of the supports in the direction of edges. In other words, in their upper part, the partitions have a relatively small width. This partition widens downwardly, so as to have a substantially trapezoidal cross section. This configuration makes it possible to lighten the raising zone, without altering the vertical transmission of the supports.

In certain particular embodiments, the partition may include at least one element made of a material lighter than the rest of the ski, so as to reduce the influence of the raising zone on the weight and the overall stiffness of the ski.

Advantageously in practice, the upper part of the raising zone may include at least one rigid insert, adapted to receive the mounting screws of the fastener. This insert, located below the upper face of the raising zone, is made of a material that can accommodate mounting mounting screws with minimum risk of fouling.

In practice, the grooves formed on the lateral faces of the ski may allow the establishment of particular fasteners. These elements are advantageously arranged to cooperate with the characteristic grooves made in the ski. These grooves can therefore be used to maintain the position and the longitudinal adjustment of the position of the stop and / or the heel. Thus, when these grooves are parallel to the upper face of the raising zone, they can accommodate ribs oriented towards the median longitudinal plane of the ski, made under a slide supporting the abutment or the heel.

In a particular embodiment, at least one safety fastening element is mounted via a gripper system including lateral jaws cooperating with the complementary lateral grooves of the ski. These jaws are advantageously held transversely in position on the ski by locking means.

Brief description of the figures

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective sommaire d'un ski selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue de côté du ski de la figure 1,
• les figures 3 et 4 sont des vues en coupe selon des plans III-III', IV-IV' de la figure 2,
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe analogue à la figure 3, montrant une variante de réalisation,
• la figure 6 est une vue en coupe selon un plan VI-VI' de la figure 2,
• les figures 7 à 12 sont des vues en coupe d'un ski montré au fur et à mesure de l'enchaînement des étapes du procédé de réalisation selon l'invention, et de certaines variantes d'exécution,
• les figures 13 et 14 sont des vues en coupe transversale illustrant le montage d'un des éléments de la fixation sur le ski selon l'invention.

The invention as well as the advantages derived therefrom will emerge clearly from the description of the embodiments which follow in support of the appended figures in which:

• FIG. 1 is a summary perspective view of a ski according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a side view of the ski of FIG.
• FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views along planes III-III ', IV-IV' of FIG. 2,
• FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing an alternative embodiment,
• FIG. 6 is a sectional view along a plane VI-VI 'of FIG. 2,
• FIGS. 7 to 12 are cross-sectional views of a ski shown as the steps of the production method according to the invention are sequenced, and of certain variant embodiments,
• Figures 13 and 14 are cross-sectional views illustrating the mounting of one of the elements of the binding on the ski according to the invention.

Way of realizing the invention

As already mentioned, the invention relates to both an alpine ski having an attachment enhancement area forming an integral part of the ski structure, and a manufacturing method for obtaining such a ski.

Such a ski (1) is illustrated in Figure 1, and has known in a known pad region (2), a spatula zone (3) and a heel zone (4). The ski (1) comprises, at the level of the shoe area (2), a raising area of the binding (5) which is formed by a protrusion of the ski structure itself. The upper face (6) of this raising zone (5) determines an extra thickness of the ski with respect to the edges (9) which is more accentuated to the pad than in the heel zone (4) and in the spatula zone (3). The upper face (6) of the raising zone (5) is intended to receive the abutment and the heel of the binding.

In an accessory manner, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, this raising zone (5) may include extensions (10) forming arms extending forwardly and rearwardly of the raising zone (5) proper.

According to the invention, the ski (1) has on each of its lateral faces (11) at least one groove (12) dug in the direction of the median longitudinal plane (13) of the ski. This groove (12) may, like the shape illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, extend over almost the entire length of the raising zone (5). It may also extend over only part of this raising zone or may extend over the entire length, and lead to the front and rear of the raising zone (5).

According to one characteristic of the invention, the grooves (12) may be parallel to the upper face (6) of the raising zone (5): they are then parallel to the sole of the ski. These grooves (12) can be located at different height levels between the edges (9) and the upper face (6) of the raising zone (5). In the illustrated form, the groove (12) is located at a height slightly greater than the ski thickness measured in the heel and spatula zones. Nevertheless, these grooves could be located at a slightly lower level, closer to the edges (9).

According to one characteristic of the invention, and as illustrated in FIG. 6, each groove (12) may comprise different zones (15-20) having a different depth. Thus, in the front (15, 16) and rear (19, 20) portions of the groove (12), the groove (12) has a depth less than half the width of the ski, so that the bottoms (25, 26 ) grooves define a partition (21, 22) connecting the upper part (27) of the raising zone (5) to the lower part (28) of the ski structure. In the form illustrated in Figures 2 and 6, the grooves (12) define two walls (21, 22) located substantially in line with the areas for receiving the stop and the heel of the fastener. Between the two partitions (21, 22), the portions (17, 18) of the groove (12) meet to form a through opening (23). This through opening is located substantially at the median level of the raising zone (5).

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the partitions (21,22) have a width that is variable in the direction of the length of the ski. The bottoms (25, 26) of the portions (15, 16, 19, 20) of the groove (12) are not parallel to the edges (9) of the ski, but on the contrary have a certain angulation relative to the median plane (13) of the ski. The adjustment of this variation of width of the partitions (21, 22) makes it possible to modify as desired the influence of the stiffness of the raising zone (5) on the rest of the structure of the ski. Thus, when these partitions (21, 22) have a very small width, it promotes a slight transverse flexion of the board. Conversely, when the grooves (12) are relatively less hollow, the partitions (21, 22) intervene more sensitively in the overall stiffness of the ski.

The length of the through zone (23) is also determined to optimize the dynamic behavior of the ski, while reducing its structure.

The influence of the stiffness of the raising zone can also be regulated by the choice of a particular profile or section with regard to the partitions (21,22).

Thus, in the form illustrated in Figure 5, the partition (30) has a generally trapezoidal section. The partition (30) therefore has a lower width in its upper part. This small width modifies the bending stiffness of the upper part (31) of the raising zone (5), to allow a slight movement of this upper zone (31) around the longitudinal axis of the ski. Conversely, in its lower part, the partition (30) is connected to the section of the lower part (32) of the ski structure. In this way, the supports exerted on the upper face (33) of the raising zone (5) are efficiently transmitted towards the edges (9), to promote the setting of edges.

As shown in Figure 5, the partition (30) can integrate different types of inserts that give it special mechanical properties. Thus, for the sake of lightening, an insert (34) can be incorporated into a sparse material, of the cellular or alveolar type.

The upper zone (31) of the raising zone (5) being intended to receive the abutment and the heel, it will be possible advantageously, as illustrated by FIG. FIG 5, include a reinforcement (37) to stiffen it. This reinforcement (37) disposed below the upper protective face (38) can be drilled and receive the mounting screws of the elements forming the attachment.

In an embodiment not shown, the ski may comprise two zones of enhancement of the binding, one receiving the abutment, the other hosting the heel. In a particular embodiment, only one of the elements of the binding, for example the abutment, can be mounted on an enhancement zone of the attachment, the other element, and typically the heel, being mounted on a platform traditional enhancement.

As already mentioned, the invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a ski according to the invention.

This method can, as illustrated in Figures 7 to 12, chain the following steps.

First of all, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the various elements used to make the lower part of the ski structure are placed in a mold base (40). These include the edges (9), the sole (41) and lateral reinforcing elements (42) for forming the songs of the ski. Subsequently, two additional elements (43) are placed above the lateral reinforcing elements (42). These additional elements are based on a shoulder (44) formed in the bottom (40) of the mold. These elements (43) protrude inside the structure of the ski by a portion (45) which may extend more or less deeply depending on the depth that it is desired to give the characteristic grooves. The remainder of the structure intended to form the ski has not been represented, since it may be either preformed elements intended to form the core, or different reinforcements without influence on the other characteristics of the invention. The ski can also be made by injecting components that react in situ to form a polyurethane core.

In a second step, after having arranged the additional characteristic elements (43), the lid of the mold (47) is put in place after having deposited a sheet (48) intended to form the upper protective layer. This sheet (48) may be associated with a reinforcing element (49), typically made of glass fibers impregnated with epoxy resin, and which will serve to anchor the mounting screws of the elements of the binding.

After molding, regardless of the type of process employed, the assembly thus produced is demolded. The structure illustrated in FIG. 9 is thus obtained. The additional elements (43) as well as a portion of the upper sheet (48) project laterally beyond the final shape of the ski. The layer (48) is then cut at the boundaries of the upper portion of the raising zone. According to the invention, the elements (43) are then extracted. They thus define, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the two characteristic grooves (12).

The process according to the invention can be carried out according to other variants, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12.

Thus, in a first ski variant of rectangular section shown in Figure 11, the additional elements (43) are placed in the bottom of the mold (40) above the lateral reinforcing elements (42). Above these additional elements (43) is placed a metal sheet (50) which also protrudes laterally from the structure of the ski. This sheet (50) is folded at its center to form a housing (51) sinking into the structure of the ski between the additional elements (43). This housing (51) receives a filling element (52) which will form the bulk of the characteristic partition. This metal foil (50) is then covered with a plastic layer (54) which will form the upper protective layer. A fibrous reinforcing element (not shown) may be added between the metal insert (50) and the protective layer (54).

After molding, the additional elements (43) are eliminated. The metal sheet (50) and the protective layer (54) are then leveled at the level of the lateral reinforcing elements (42). The metal layer (50) may advantageously be threaded to receive the fixing screws of the fasteners.

In another alternative embodiment, illustrated in Figure 12, there is used an additional piece (55) which is placed in the bottom of the mold (40) above the lateral reinforcing elements (42). This additional element (55) may have at its center a depression area (56) to balance the upper and lower parts of the structure, and facilitate the positioning of the various elements during the setting mold. In the bottom of this depression (56) are drilled openings (57) intended to allow the passage of the polyurethane foam, when it expands after injection of the liquid mixture of the reactive chemical components. By expanding, this foam plate under the mold cover the upper layer of protection (58) and the associated reinforcement (59). After demolding, the upper protective layer (58) and the characteristic piece (55) are trimmed in their portions protruding laterally from the final structure of the ski. The plastic part (55) can then be machined to achieve the characteristic grooves with the desired depth.

The ski thus obtained therefore has an enhancement zone equipped with lateral grooves, over all or part of its length. This raising zone can accommodate the various elements of the binding which are then screwed through its upper face. With reference to FIG. 13, this raising zone may also accommodate an element of the fastener (60) via a base (61) cooperating with the characteristic grooves (12). This base (61) then has a shape complementary to the upper part (63) of the raising zone. This base has in particular two portions (64) forming ribs embedded in the grooves (12) formed on the lateral faces of the ski. It is thus possible to slide the base (61) and thus the elements of the binding relative to the ski. The introduction of this base (61) is permitted when the characteristic grooves (12) open at the front and / or rear of the fixing enhancement zone, although the latter has a narrowing width allowing introducing the ribs (64) into the characteristic grooves (12). Blocking in longitudinal position of the element of the fastener (60) is effected for example by screwing the base (61) on the raising zone.

This locking in position can also be obtained, as illustrated in Figure 14, by the use of a clamp system including lateral jaws. The base (65) is equipped on one side with a rib (66) substantially similar to that illustrated in Figure 13. On the other side, the base (65) is equipped with a mechanism (68) pivoting around an axis (67) secured to the base. The pivoting piece (68) has a rib (69) fitting into the characteristic groove (12). Elastic means are provided at the pivot axis (67) so that the ribs (69 and 66) are plated within the grooves. These locking means may be replaced by a derivative device in which the part (68) penetrates inside the grooves by lateral translation, for example under the effect of a not shown adjustment screw. Other means can be envisaged to ensure the rapid locking of these jaws on the raising zone.

• la possibilité de régler la raideur globale du ski, grâce à la zone de rehaussement, faisant partie de la structure même du ski,
• la possibilité d'adapter différents types de fixations sur cette même zone de rehaussement, et notamment des fixations possédant une capacité de réglage longitudinal, par coulissement dans les rainures caractéristiques.

It follows from the foregoing that the ski according to the invention has many advantages, and in particular:

• the possibility of adjusting the overall stiffness of the ski, thanks to the raising zone, which is part of the structure of the ski,
• the possibility of adapting different types of fasteners on the same raising zone, and in particular fasteners having a longitudinal adjustment capacity, by sliding in the characteristic grooves.

Claims (17)

1. A method of manufacturing a ski comprising a binding-raising zone formed by an extra thickness of its structure located in the region of the runner zone, in which the various component elements of the ski are positioned in a mold, between a mold bottom (40) and a mold cover (47), characterized in that:

   ■ before molding, additional elements (43) extending into the mold are arranged above the bottom (40) of the mold, between the bottom and the cover (47), and in the region of each lateral face of the ski;

   ■ after molding, said additional elements (43) are, at least in part, removed so as to form grooves (12) in the lateral faces of the ski.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the additional elements (43) are parallel to the sole of the ski.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the additional elements (43) are positioned so as to come into contact with one another.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the additional elements come into contact with one another in the central region of the raising zone.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the additional elements (43) are removed in totality after molding.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the additional elements (55) are removed by machining so as to form the grooves inside additional elements.
7. A ski (1) obtained according to the method of claim 1, comprising at least one binding-raising zone (5) formed by an extra thickness of the structure of the ski forming a projection in the region of the zone of the runner (2), which has a groove (12) let in over at least a portion of the length of each of its lateral faces (11), said groove (12) being located between the upper face (6) of the raising zone (5) and the edge (9) of the ski, characterized in that the grooves (17, 18) let in on each of the lateral faces meet to define, over at least part of their length, at least one opening (23) passing through transversely below the upper face (6) of the raising zone (5).
8. The ski as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the grooves (12) are parallel to the upper face (6) of the raising zone (5).
9. The ski as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the through-opening (23) is located longitudinally, essentially in the central region of the raising zone.
10. A ski (1) obtained according to the method of claim 1, comprising at least one binding-raising zone (5) formed by an extra thickness of the structure of the ski forming a projection in the region of the zone of the runner (2), which has a groove (12) let in over at least a portion of the length of each of its lateral faces (11), said groove (12) being located between the upper face (6) of the raising zone (5) and the edge (9) of the ski, characterized in that the bottoms (25, 26) of the opposite grooves define between them an essentially vertical partition (21, 22) located below the upper face (6) of the raising zone (5).
11. The ski as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that at least one partition is located longitudinally straight below one of the elements of the binding.
12. The ski as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the partition has a thickness, measured transversely in relation to the ski, which is constant.
13. The ski as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the partition (21, 22) has a thickness measured transversely in relation to the ski which varies in the longitudinal direction.
14. The ski as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the partition (30), over at least a fraction of its length, extends in its lower part to close to the lateral faces (11) of the ski, so as to contribute to the transmission of the bearing forces in the direction of the edges (9).
15. The ski as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the partition (30) includes at least one element. (34) made of a material which is lighter than the rest of the structure of the ski.
16. The ski as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the upper part (31) of the raising zone includes at least one rigid insert (37) which is capable of receiving the screws for mounting the binding.
17. The ski as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that which comprises at least one safety binding element (60) mounted by means of a clamp system including lateral jaws (66, 68) interacting with the complementary lateral grooves (12) of the ski, said jaws being held in position transversely on the ski by locking means.

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