EP1350543B1 - Snowboard or skateboard - Google Patents

Abstract

The board (2), which has a thickness between its lower (7) and upper (8) surfaces that varies in a transverse direction, has receiving zones (22, 24) for fastenings on its upper surface. The receiving zones are fitted with wedges (42, 43, 44, 45) to compensate for the variations in thickness and provide flat supporting surfaces for the fastenings. The wedges can be in pairs or in one piece or, in another variant, in the form of rectangular parallelepiped blocks let into recesses in the board surface. They can be fixed to the board by adhesive, welding or solvent, depending on the materials used.

Description

The invention relates to the field of gliding machines comprising a board.

These machines are used for the practice of sports such as surfing on snow or snowboard, surfing on water or wakeboard, or other.

A gliding apparatus according to the prior art comprises a board having a length measured in a longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end, a width measured in a direction transverse between a first edge and a second edge, a height measured between a sliding face and a receiving face, and a first and a second reception area of the feet of a user.

During driving, the pulses given by the user generate deformations of the board, in particular in bending along a transverse axis and in torsion along a longitudinal axis.

To give the board of the given mechanical characteristics, it is known to give it a structure such that its relief varies transversely in certain areas other than the reception areas of the feet.

For example, it is possible to provide a central zone of the board with a substantially triangular section, whose base is the sliding face, and whose apex is towards the middle of the receiving face. In this zone, such a structure makes it possible to increase the bending strength along a transverse axis and to reduce the torsional strength along a longitudinal axis of the board.

In the case of snowboarding, this structure makes the board easy to drive, especially on flat and hard surfaces.

Of course, other forms of section may be considered to give the board characteristics given. However, the reception areas of the feet have a relatively flat surface. This allows the placement of a shoe on the receiving face, either directly or via a base.

In the case of snowboarding, it is common that the base is part of a restraint of the shoe. The base has a flat bearing face which bears on the receiving face of the board in a reception area.

In any case, the user is able to easily transmit driving pulses with the feet to drive the board. The latter flexes or twists in correlation with the impulses.

Since to accommodate the feet of the user they have a relatively flat surface, the reception areas do not participate in the determination of the mechanical characteristics of the board, especially as regards the bending deformation along a transverse axis and or in torsion along a longitudinal axis.

A snowboard according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from FR-A-2 789 323.

The invention particularly aims to involve the reception areas of the feet to the determination of the mechanical characteristics of the board.

For this, the invention proposes a gliding machine according to claim 1.

The transverse variation of the relief of a reception zone of the board confers on the zone of the given mechanical characteristics.

The wedge, by its complementary shape to the receiving face of the board in a reception area, is mounted stably on the board. As a result, a shoe or the base of a binding is stably supported on the board in the reception areas, and the wedge provides by its receiving face a flat support zone for the shoe or the base of fixation.

The use of one or more shims has the advantage of giving design freedom for the structure of the board, without hindering the reception of a shoe or a base on the board.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective partiellement éclatée d'un engin de glisse ou de roulage, selon un premier exemple de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'une partie d'une cale vue du côté de sa face d'appui, selon le premier exemple,
• la figure 3 est une coupe selon III-III de la figure 1,
• la figure 4 est une coupe similaire à la figure 3, pour un deuxième exemple de réalisation.

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

• FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a gliding or rolling machine, according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a part of a shim seen from the side of its bearing face, according to the first example,
• FIG. 3 is a section along III-III of FIG. 1,
• Figure 4 is a section similar to Figure 3 for a second embodiment.

The first example is described below using Figures 1 to 3.

In known manner as seen in Figure 1, a gliding apparatus 1 comprises a board 2. The latter has a length measured in a longitudinal direction L1 between a first end 3 and a second end 4.

The board 2 also has a width measured in a direction transverse between a first lateral edge 5 and a second lateral edge 6, as well as a height measured between a sliding face 7 and a receiving face 8.

Of course, the transverse direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L1, and parallel to the sliding face 7.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the board 2 comprises, in the sense of its height, for example, a stack of a gliding layer 9, a first reinforcement 10, a core 11, a second reinforcement 12 and a protective layer 13.

Of course, other structures could be provided to make the board 1, such as a molded plastic envelope or the like.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the board 2 also has, from the first end 3 to the second end 4, a first end zone 20, a first contact line W1, a first intermediate zone 21, a first zone 22, a central zone 23, a second reception zone 24, a second intermediate zone 25, a second contact line W2 and a second end zone 26. Each reception zone 22, 24 is intended to receiving respectively a device for retaining a foot of a user. For convenience, the devices are not shown.

It can be provided in each reception area 22, 24 anchoring means of the retainer. This anchoring means is represented in the form of a set of threaded holes 27. However, any other structure, such as an enlarged groove at its base, could be suitable.

According to the invention, at least one of the reception zones 22, 24 of the plate 2 has a transversely variable relief.

As can be seen in FIG. 3 for the second reception area 24, the height of the board 2 is greater towards the middle than at the edges 5, 6. In this area 24 the receiving face 8 is formed by two sections 35, 36, which meet towards the middle of the board 2 to form a top 37.

The latter is represented in the form of a slightly rounded edge, but it could be constituted by a sharp edge, or on the contrary by a wider band. In this case the strip could be parallel to the sliding surface 7, or form an angle with it.

Each panel 35, 36 is represented in the form of a substantially flat face, but it could have been convex, concave, or itself present a relief such as a ripple, streaks, or any other form of hollow or protruding.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the gliding apparatus 1 comprises a first shim 40 disposed in the first reception area 22, and a second shim 41 disposed in the second reception area 24.

Each shim 40, 41 is an intermediate element between the board 2 and the boot or a device for retaining the boot. This element can be monoblock or formed of several distinct parts.

In this case, for the first example, the first wedge 40 comprises a first portion 42 and a second portion 43, and the second wedge 41 comprises a first portion 44 and a second portion 45.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the first portion 44 of the second wedge 41 has a bearing face 46 opposite to a receiving face 47, and the second portion 45 of the second wedge 41 has an opposite bearing face 48. at a receiving face 49.

Each bearing face 46, 48 of the second wedge 41 has a shape complementary to the receiving face 8 of the board 2, as defined in the second reception zone 24.

Thus ribs 55, 56, 57 and 58, 59, 60 of the bearing faces 46, 48, of the two parts 44, 45 of the second wedge 41, rest on the receiving face 8 of the plate 2. The ends of the ribs 55, 56, 57 and 58, 59, 60 respectively constitute the bearing surfaces of the parts 44, 45 of the wedge 41 on the board 2. Since the sections 35, 36 are substantially flat, the ends of the ribs 55, 56, 57 and 58, 59, 60 are respectively contained in a plane. Of course, the use of ribs is not mandatory, and the bearing faces 46, 48 could have been planar.

As shown in Figure 2 in the case of the first portion 44 of the second wedge 41, the ribs on the side of the bearing face 46 give this face a honeycombed appearance. The fact of making ribs on the bearing face 46, 48 makes it possible to lighten the shim.

Referring again to Figure 3, each portion 44, 45 of the second shim 41 has the general shape of a wedge. These portions 44, 45 are dimensioned so that the receiving faces 47, 49 of the portions 44, 45 of the wedge 41 are substantially coplanar.

Preferably the receiving faces 47, 49 of the second wedge 41 project from the top 37 of the receiving face 8. This facilitates the mounting of a retaining device in the second reception area 24 of the board 2.

The parts 44, 45 are secured to the board 2 by any means. Preferably there is provided a non-removable fastening means such as gluing, welding or other. For welding the wedge 41 and the protective layer 13 of the board 2 may be of the same nature, or natures compatible. Thus a localized fusion, for example by ultrasound or with the aid of a solvent, allows the welding of the wedge on the board. The materials used may be a synthetic material based on polyurethane, acetyl butadiene styrene, or other.

Of course, it can be provided that the securing means of the wedge 41 to the board 2 is removable. It can be achieved by snapping, with screws, any mounting force, or other.

Of course, what has been described for the second reception zone 24 applies to the first reception zone 22.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the profile of the two reception areas 22, 24 of the board is of a substantially identical triangular shape. This profile gives the board 2, in the reception areas 22, 24, the given mechanical characteristics. In this case the triangular profile increases the bending stiffness along a transverse axis of the board 2, and reduces the torsional stiffness along a longitudinal axis of the board 2.

The use of the wedges 40, 41 has given the reception areas 22, 24 these specific characteristics while allowing a flat support for the foot or for the restraint.

Complementarily, the central zone 23 of the plate 2 also has a transversely variable relief.

According to the first example, the relief of the central zone 23 is substantially the same as that of the reception zones 22, 24. Thus the structure of the plate 2 is substantially uniform along the three reception zones 22, 24 and central 23 This allows to decline specific mechanical characteristics on the entire part of the board 2 which extends from one foot to the other of the user. Again the triangular profile of the central zone 23 increases the bending stiffness and reduces the torsional rigidity. The central zone 23 may optionally have a triangular profile whose section evolves gradually between the two reception areas 22, 24.

The second embodiment of the invention will be described later with the help of Figure 4. For reasons of convenience, only the differences from the first example are highlighted.

For the second example according to FIG. 4, a gliding machine 70 comprises a board 71 and a shim 72.

The board 71 has a transversely varying relief, with two sides 73, 74 which join to form an apex 75 in a reception area 76.

The shim 72 is shown in the form of a one-piece piece. It has a bearing face 77 opposite to a receiving face 78.

The bearing face 77 has a shape complementary to the receiving face of the board 71 as defined in the reception area 76.

The receiving face 78 is substantially flat to accommodate a shoe or a retainer. The receiving face 78 is parallel to the board 71, but it could be inclined and form an angle therewith.

For all the examples, the invention is made from materials and according to implementation techniques known to those skilled in the art.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes all technical equivalents that fall within the scope of the claims that follow.

In particular the cross sections of the board can be very diverse along the board, and wedge shapes can also be diverse.

In all cases, the bearing face of the wedge may be complementary to the receiving face of the board only in part.

The invention makes it possible to change very freely the cross section of the board according to the desired effects, while ensuring a stable support feet.

It may also be provided different materials for the holds or parts of the holds.

For the first example, a first flexible wedge 40 can be provided for the first reception zone 22, and a second wedge 41 is harder than the first for the second reception zone 24. This differentiates the nature of the driving pulses for each end 3, 4 of the board 2.

It is also possible that the first parts 42, 44 of the shims to the first lateral edge 5 of the board 2 are flexible, while the second parts 43, 45 of the shims to the second side edge 6 of the board 2 are harder than the first. This differentiates the nature of the driving pulses on each side 5, 6 of the board 2.

Claims (9)

1. Gliding apparatus (1, 70) adapted for snowboarding, the apparatus comprising a board (2, 71) with a length measured along a longitudinal direction between a first end (3) and a second end (4); a width measured along a transverse direction between a first edge (5) and a second edge (6), a height measured between a gliding surface (7) and a receiving surface (8), as well as a first (22) and second (24) zones for receiving feet or a device for retaining feet on the receiving surface (8), at least one of the receiving zones (22, 24, 76) having a relief that varies transversely,
   characterized in that in one of the receiving zones (22, 24, 76), the height of the board is greater toward the middle than in the area of the edges (5, 6), the receiving surface (8) being made of two panels (35, 36) that are joined toward the middle of the board to form an apex (37),
   in that the apparatus (1, 70) comprises at least one support device (40, 41, 72) that has a support surface (46, 48, 77) opposite a receiving surface (47, 49, 78) of the support device, the support surface (46, 48, 77) of the support device (40, 41, 72) having a form that is at least partially complementary to the receiving surface (8) of the board (2, 71) such as defined in a receiving zone (22,24, 76),
   and in that the support devices (40, 41, 72) allow for a planar support for the foot or the retaining device.
2. Gliding apparatus (1, 70) according to claim 1, characterized in that the apex (37) is a strip that is parallel to the gliding surface (7).
3. Gliding apparatus (1, 70) according to claim 1, characterized in that the apex (37) has the shape of a ridge.
4. Gliding apparatus (1, 70) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the support device (40, 41, 72) comprises a first portion (42, 44) and a second portion (43, 45) distinct from the first.
5. Gliding apparatus (1, 70) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support device (40, 41) is affixed to the receiving zone.
6. Gliding apparatus (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that each portion (42, 43, 44, 45) of the support device (40, 41) has the general shape of a wedge.
7. Gliding apparatus (1, 70) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the second portions (43, 45) of the support devices (40, 41) located toward the second lateral edge (6) of the board (2) are harder than the first portions (42, 44) located toward the first lateral edge (5).
8. Gliding apparatus (1, 70) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a central zone (23) of the receiving surface (8), located between the receiving zones (22, 24), has a relief that is substantially the same as that of the receiving zones (22, 24).
9. Gliding apparatus (1, 70) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the second support device (41) for the second receiving zone (24) of the board (2) is harder than the first support device (40).

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