EP1479416A1 - Snowglider with an external decorative and protection assembly and production method - Google Patents

Abstract

A procedure consists of making the outer decorative/ protective assembly and at least one additional component before the final manufacturing stages of the ski or snowboard. One or more holes are made in the assembly to receive fixing elements on the additional component, which are inserted through it so they project from its inner surface and can penetrate the inner structure of the ski prior to completion. The procedure consists of making the outer decorative/ protective assembly (3) and at least one additional component (8) before the final manufacturing stages of the ski or snowboard. One or more holes (17) are made in the assembly to receive fixing elements (11) on the additional component, which are inserted through it so they project from its inner surface (7) and can penetrate the inner structure of the ski or snowboard prior to completion. The fixing elements (11) have recesses (13) that are filled with a material that connects them to the inner structure of the ski or snowboard during the final stages of manufacture, e.g. incorporating an injection process. In one variant the recesses can be grooves, enabling the fixing elements to be retained by locking keys or rings (16). The additional components can be fitted so that their outer surfaces lie flush with the surface of the ski or snowboard.

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a board for gliding on snow with an exterior decoration and protection package. The current invention also relates to a snow gliding board with an external face including a protective film.

The decoration is an important criterion for the marketing of a board of slides on snow, such as alpine skiing, surfing, monoskiing, cross-country skiing, ... decorative exterior forming the upper part and sometimes the lateral parts is more intended to ensure the protection of the internal structure of the board. It must be high quality, durable, resistant to external aggressions and inexpensive. This external assembly must indeed resist scratches, U.V., low temperatures, moisture, cleaning solvents, ...

State of the art

It can be particularly interesting to insert in the exterior assembly of decoration and protection one or more pieces of a material having different properties, especially for localized wear reinforcement or for for example, being able to easily maintain your gliding board with or without its gloves, without feeling cold or smooth and slippery on the surface higher.

Document US-6,478,917 describes a process for producing a plank of slides on snow including an exterior decoration and protection package. Before the steps of molding the gliding board, the method comprises a step consisting of to glue, on a sheet intended to become the external assembly, of at least minus one additional localized piece positioned on the exterior surface. Then, by compression in the mold, the additional part is embedded in the sheet intended to become the exterior assembly, so as to come flush with the surface final exterior of the gliding board.

• on ménage au moins une partie découpée selon un motif déterminé dans l'ensemble extérieur ;
• on positionne ensuite, dans la ou les parties découpées de l'ensemble extérieur, une ou plusieurs pièces de dimensions inférieures ou égales à celles de la ou des parties découpées ; et
• on recouvre chaque pièce avec une ou plusieurs portions d'un film polymère barrière ayant des dimensions supérieures à celles de la ou des parties découpées, afin d'assurer l'étanchéité entre la ou les pièces et l'ensemble extérieur.

We also know from document FR-2,823,126 a method of manufacturing a board for gliding on snow, comprising in particular a step consisting in producing an exterior decoration and protection assembly, in which:

• at least one part cut out according to a pattern determined in the exterior assembly;
• then one or more pieces of dimensions less than or equal to those of the cut part (s) are positioned in the cut part or parts of the exterior assembly; and
• each part is covered with one or more portions of a barrier polymer film having dimensions greater than those of the cut part or parts, in order to ensure sealing between the part or parts and the external assembly.

However, with these two methods, it turns out that the part (s) added to the surface of the exterior decoration and protection assembly are not fixed sufficiently solid. Indeed, such parts must be able to withstand significant deformation, impact and snagging with the edges of others gliding boards, with pebbles, with branches, ..., without being torn off.

We also know from document EP-1,161,972 a gliding board on snow with a rail-shaped profile located on top of the board. The profile in rail shape extends in the longitudinal direction and is used to fix elements functional, such as for example fasteners, by snapping into this profile.

The housings necessary for the locking, although described in a way incomplete in this document, seem to be obtained either at the time of molding by deformation of the protective layer, either in final operation by machining the board. In all cases the adhesion is obtained by gluing. This process of realization is complex expensive and relatively unreliable.

Statement of the invention

The problem which the invention proposes to solve consists in implementing a process for manufacturing a snow gliding board with an external assembly of protection and decoration, including one or more additional pieces very solidly fixed to the structure of the board when the board is made, that is to say without screwing, snapping, or gluing operation on a finished board. This process is applicable both during a press molding operation and of an injection operation, both of which are hereinafter called "subsequent steps of production ".

The invention therefore relates to a method of manufacturing a gliding board on snow which notably includes a stage, prior to the subsequent stages of realization of the gliding board, consisting in manufacturing an exterior set of decoration and protection, the exterior assembly being provided with at least one room additional and then being positioned in a mold for the subsequent stages of realization of the board.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the method is characterized in that the phases presented below are also used. All first, the external assembly is produced, having an external surface and a surface internal. Then, at least one opening is made in the external assembly produced. And finally, we place, on the external surface of the external assembly, the part or parts additional, each having at least one through fixing zone, passing through the through the opening (s). This additional part projects from the internal surface, while the fixing zones penetrate into an internal structure obtained by the subsequent stages of production of the board, so as to constitute a or several means of joining.

In other words, with the through fixing zone (s) giving one or several means of securing found inside the internal structure of the gliding board, we considerably improve the grip between the part and the gliding board. In the description which follows, in subsequent stages one means one or more steps constituting the molding operation in press or the injection operation.

It is preferable to provide one or more recesses in advance in the through fixing zone (s) of the additional piece (s). This can allow the filling of the recess (s) with a material intended to bind the internal structure, during the later stages of making the board. Thanks to the penetration of the material into this or these recesses, the part can no longer be removed from the mold.

According to a first operating mode, the material intended to bind the internal structure can be a resin, if the later stages of making the board include in particular a press molding operation. According to a second operating mode, the material intended to bind the internal structure may be a polyurethane foam, if the subsequent stages of making the board include in particular an operation injection.

To further promote a particularly resistant attachment of the or pieces, we can add a phase, located after the phase in which we place the or the additional parts on the exterior decoration and protection assembly, in which can be provided at the level of the through fixing zone (s) at least a brake intended to prevent tearing of the additional part or parts. Favorably, it is possible to constitute the brake or brakes provided at the level of the zone or zones fastening through one or more grooves. We can constitute, in a way preferential, the brake (s) provided at the level of the fixing zone (s) through one or more locking keys or washers embedded in the or the grooves or in the recess (s) made beforehand. We can also constitute the brake or brakes provided at the level of the through fixing zone or zones by one or more prominent elements, made by a punching operation in the groove (s) or in the recess (s) made beforehand.

To make a gliding board with a substantially smooth and continuous surface, the or additional parts can be embedded at least partially in the structure of the gliding board, so that their upper surface is flush with the outside face of the gliding board. In order to allow the passage of each of the fixing zones one or more openings can be made in the exterior assembly corresponding respectively to the through fixing zone (s).

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a board for sliding on snow, including a gliding sole, an internal structure and a exterior decoration and protection assembly, the exterior assembly comprising on its external surface one or more additional parts, each having at least a fixing zone, is characterized in that the fixing zone or zones are through, passing through the external assembly, projecting and penetrating into the internal structure of the board, so as to constitute one or more means of secured by anchoring in the external assembly and / or in said internal structure.

Brief description of the figures

• la Figure 1 représente une vue en coupe transversale partielle d'un ski dont l'ensemble extérieur de protection et de décoration est muni d'une pièce additionnelle selon un premier positionnement ;
• la Figure 2 représente une vue en éclaté de l'ensemble extérieur de protection et de décoration avec la pièce selon la Figure 1, prête à être insérée ;
• la Figure 3 représente une vue latérale de l'ensemble extérieur de protection et de décoration avec une pièce insérée ;
• la Figure 4 représente une vue en coupe transversale partielle d'un ski avec la pièce insérée après les étapes ultérieures d'injection ;
• la Figure 5 représente une vue en coupe transversale partielle d'un ski dont l'ensemble extérieur de protection et de décoration est muni d'une pièce additionnelle selon un deuxième positionnement ; et
• la Figure 6 représente une vue en coupe transversale partielle du ski dont l'ensemble extérieur de protection et de décoration est muni d'une pièce additionnelle selon un troisième positionnement.

The invention will be clearly understood and its various advantages and various characteristics will become more apparent from the following description, from the nonlimiting exemplary embodiment, with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a ski whose external protection and decoration assembly is provided with an additional part in a first position;
• Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the exterior protection and decoration assembly with the part according to Figure 1, ready to be inserted;
• Figure 3 shows a side view of the exterior protection and decoration assembly with an inserted part;
• Figure 4 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a ski with the part inserted after the subsequent injection steps;
• Figure 5 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a ski whose external protection and decoration assembly is provided with an additional part according to a second positioning; and
• Figure 6 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the ski, the external protection and decoration assembly of which is provided with an additional part in a third position.

Detailed description of the invention

A classic snowboard, such as an alpine ski (1) includes a front area with a spatula, a rear area with a raised heel, a central area called the skate area, an outer face (2) forming the top and possibly the edges and a face forming the gliding sole demarcated by and on the other by the two side edges (not shown). Ski (1) also includes an internal structure (4) most often produced by a step of injecting a foam polyurethane in a corresponding mold or by a molding step in press. The outer face (2) is formed by an outer protection assembly and decoration (3) which has an external surface (6) and an internal surface (7).

According to the invention, the ski (1) comprises an additional part (8) can be embedded (see Figures 1, 4 and 5) in the outer face (2) of the ski (1) including the exterior assembly (3) or that can be installed (see Figure 6) on the exterior assembly (3). The additional part (8) has an external shape (9) and a fixing zone (11).

The external shape (9) can be substantially flat (see Figures 1 and 2), or more complex shape, especially if it serves to guide an element of the binding, toe or heel. The outer shape (9) is provided as a substantially rounded (see Figures 3 to 5), if it is intended to be positioned on a surface rounding of the exterior assembly (3), for example in the case of skis known as “skis” cockles ".

Once the ski (1) is finished, the lower surface (12) of the part (8) will come press against the external surface (6) of the external protection and decoration (3). According to a first embodiment (Figures 1, 4 and 5), the surface outer (9) of the part (8) comes flush with the upper face (2) of the ski (1). According to a Another embodiment (Figure 6), the outer surface (9) of the part (8) comes above of the upper face (2) of the exterior assembly (3).

The fixing zone (11) is deployed substantially perpendicular to the to the external shape (9) or relative to the lower surface (12) of the part (8). The fixing zone (11) has a substantially cylindrical projection with brakes. These brakes are in the form of one or more grooves or recesses (13 and 14) formed around the substantially cylindrical projection. As an example (see FIG. 5), an axial recess (14) is housed in the fixing zone (11), under the form of a blind hole and a transverse recess (15), perpendicular to the recess axial (14).

In a first embodiment (see Figures 4 and 5), the material constituting the internal structure (4) will fill the groove (s) (13) or else the recesses (14 and 15). The groove (s) and recesses (13, 14 and 15) allow a increase in the contact surface between the material constituting the structure internal and the part (8). The part (8) is much more difficult to tear off after molding.

In a second embodiment (see Figures 1 and 2), a means forming a brake in the form of an attached washer (16) which is inserted in the throat (13). This washer (16) prevents an untimely exit of the part (8) relative to the external assembly (3) before, during and after the operations of molding. This washer can also be a pin, a pin, a key or a pin housed in one or more of the grooves (13) or in one or more of the recesses (14 and 15).

According to the invention, in the method of making the ski (1) with the additional piece (8), first of all the exterior decoration and protection (3). Then, at least one opening (17) is spared through this assembly exterior (3) produced. Then according to Figure 3, we place the part (8) on the surface external (6) of the external assembly (3). The fixing zone (11) will pass through the opening (17) of the exterior assembly (3). If necessary, a washer (16) is snapped into place. the back of the part (8), so as to lock the assembly between part (8) and assembly exterior (3).

For subsequent injection operations, the projecting part of the fixing (11) located inside the internal structure (4) will be surrounded by the polyurethane foam constituting the core of the ski (1).

For subsequent press molding operations, according to a variant of the method of making the ski (1), a pre-machined core (18) is produced comprising in particular blind holes or cavities (19) corresponding to each of the zones of fixing (11) of the additional part (8). The exterior assembly (3) is then placed on the pre-machined core (18). During molding, these holes (19) will be filled with resin tying.

• une pièce de renforcement à l'usure locale ; et/ou
• une pièce destinée à rendre la préhension du ski plus agréable, par un meilleur contact et/ou par une meilleure adhérence, ... ; et/ou
• un élément de fixation, tel que l'embase de la butée ou de la talonnière ; et/ou
• un élément destiné à recevoir la fixation, tel qu'une réglette de positionnement rapide.

The additional part (s) (8) can be:

• a reinforcement piece for local wear; and or
• a part intended to make the grip of the ski more pleasant, by better contact and / or by better grip, ...; and or
• a fastening element, such as the base of the stop or the heel; and or
• an element intended to receive the fixing, such as a rapid positioning strip.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated. Many modifications can be made, without leaving the framework defined by the scope of the set of claims.

The number of additional parts (8), of fixing zones (11) per part (8) can vary. The shapes and materials of the additional parts (8) can be very different according to the wishes of the manufacturer.

Claims (10)

Method for manufacturing a snow gliding board (1), comprising in particular a step, prior to the subsequent steps for producing the gliding board (1), consisting in manufacturing an exterior decoration and protection assembly (3), the external assembly (3) being provided with at least one additional piece (8) and then being positioned in a mold for the subsequent stages of production of the board (1), characterized in that further use is made the following phases, in which: a) the external assembly (3) is produced, having an external surface (6) and an internal surface (7); b) cleaning at least one opening (17) in the external assembly (3) produced; and c) placing, on the external surface (6) of the external assembly (3), the additional piece or pieces (8), each having at least one through fixing zone (11), passing through the openings (17), projecting with respect to the internal surface (7) and penetrating into an internal structure (4) obtained by the subsequent stages of production of the board (1), so as to constitute one or more securing means. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more recesses (13, 14, 15) are provided in the fixing zone (s) (11) of the additional part (s) beforehand. filling the recess (s) (13, 14, 15) with a material intended to bind the internal structure (4), during the subsequent stages of production of the board (1). Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the material intended to bind the internal structure (4) is a resin, if the subsequent stages of production of the board (1) include in particular a press molding operation, and in that the material intended to bind the internal structure (4) is a polyurethane, if the subsequent stages of production of the board (1) notably include an injection operation. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a phase is added, located after the phase in which the additional part (s) (8) are placed in the opening (s) (17) of the external assembly (3), in which there is provided at the level of the fixing zone (s) (11) at least one brake intended to prevent tearing of the additional part or parts (8). Method according to Claim 4, characterized in that the brake or brakes provided at the level of the fixing zone (s) (11) consist of one or more grooves (13). Method according to any one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the brake or brakes provided at the level of the fixing zone (s) (11) consist of one or more locking keys or washers (16) embedded in the or the grooves (13) or in the recess (s) (14, 15). Method according to any one of Claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the brake or brakes provided at the level of the fixing zone (s) (11) consist of one or more prominent elements, produced by a punching operation in the or the grooves (13) or in the recess (s) (14, 15). Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additional piece or pieces (8) will be embedded at least partially in the structure of the board (1), so that their upper surface (9) is flush the outer face (2) of the gliding board (1). Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more openings (17) are provided in the external assembly (3) corresponding respectively to the fixing zone (s) (11). Snow gliding board, comprising in particular a gliding sole, an internal structure (4) and an exterior decoration and protection assembly (3), the exterior assembly (3) comprising on its external surface (6) one or more additional parts (8), each having at least one fixing zone (11), characterized in that the fixing zone or zones (11) are through, passing through the external assembly (3), projecting and penetrating in the internal structure (4) of the board (1), so as to constitute one or more means of securing by anchoring in the external assembly (3) and / or in said internal structure (4).

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