EP1670556B1

EP1670556B1 - Apparatus for treating the sliding surface of sports gear

Info

Publication number: EP1670556B1
Application number: EP04767051A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mika Aunola
Original assignee: COMPOMEC Oy
Current assignee: COMPOMEC Oy
Priority date: 2003-09-15
Filing date: 2004-09-15
Publication date: 2008-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 2024-09-15
Also published as: WO2005025689A1; ATE401943T1; FI20031315A0; EP1670556A1; FI20031315A; DE602004015314D1; FI117691B; US20070272145A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a treatment apparatus of the sliding surface of sports gear comprising at least one treatment web ( 1 ), which is arranged to pass from a web roll ( 2 ) into a removal space ( 5 ) via a first guide surface ( 3 ) and a second guide surface ( 4 ), and a heating element ( 6 ) disposed between the first and second guide surface at a distance from the treatment web. According to the invention, the treatment apparatus includes at least one means ( 7, 8, 17 ) for contacting the treatment web ( 1 ) with the heating element ( 6 ) by moving the guide surfaces ( 3, 4 ) with respect to the heating element ( 6 ) and/or by moving the heating element ( 6 ) with respect to the treatment, web ( 1 ), and the heating element ( 6 ) includes elasticity ( 13 ) so that the heating element follows the sliding surface being treated uniformly and substantially with a standard pressure.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus for treating the sliding surface of sports gear, specifically cross-country skis, slalom skis and a snowboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, winter sports gear, such as skis and the like that slide on the snow are waxed completely manually by applying suitable waxes by hand, and by smoothing them by hand, by a glove or a suitable means so as to be uniform. At present, the application of the wax is performed mainly with an iron or a similar means, by which the waxes are melted and smoothed to the ski bases. Lately, there have been introduced into the market usable paper strips which have a ready-to-use wax applied thereon to form a film-like layer, which then can be transferred to the ski bases e.g. by means of an iron using heat.
The facts referred to above mean significant improvements to the waxing techniques of skis, but still the waxing of the bases of skis and of other winter sports gear that slide on the snow is relatively slow and cumbersome and stains your cloths and hands. Due to this, especially the specialists in the field, such as sports gear traders and ski rentals, have not been able to offer ski waxing services, instead the waxing is left to the users.
The selections of waxes have, however, come more versatile, and their use has become more complicated even to such an extent that hobbyists rarely have their waxing sufficiently well done. In this way, the possibilities offered by skiing and downhill skiing remain unsatisfactory, often just a mere unpleasant memory as one cannot or does not bother to do the waxing well enough.
However there is known an apparatus for the hot application of wax to a running surface, especially of a ski, described in document AT-B-400112 . A description is given of an apparatus for the hot application of wax to a running surface (1), especially of a ski (2), having a heatable sliding shoe (3) which can be resiliently pressed against the running surface (1), with the interposition of a fabric web (9) and can be displaced with the fabric web (9) relative to the running surface (1) over the length thereof, with a metering device for liquid wax removed from a reservoir (5). In order to ensure a uniform application of wax to the running surface (1), it is proposed that the sliding shoe (3) possess distribution ducts (21) for the wax on its upper side (8) receiving the fabric web (9), that the metering device provided should be a pump connected on one side to the reservoir (5) and on the other side to the distributor ducts (21), preferably a piston pump (17) or a gear pump, and that the fabric web (9) should consist of a glass fibre fabric.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the invention is to eliminate the disadvantages referred to above.
One specific objective of the invention is to disclose a novel possibility, especially for specialists in sports gear, to offer fast and inexpensive waxing services e.g. in conjunction with ski sales or rental.
Further, the objective of the invention is to provide a treatment apparatus enabling fast and efficient treatment of the sliding surfaces of sports gear, not just waxing but also the removal of the old wax and the purification of the surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The treatment apparatus in accordance with the invention is characterised by what has been presented in the claims.
The apparatus for treating the sliding surface of sports gear includes at least one treatment web, which is arranged to pass from a web roll through a first guide surface and a second guide surface into a removal space, such as a collection roll, a box, a sack or the like. Similarly, the apparatus includes a heating element disposed between the first and second guide surface at a distance from the treatment web. According to the invention, the treatment apparatus includes at least one means of contacting which enables one to contact the treatment web with the heating element by moving the guide surfaces with respect to the heating element, and/or by moving the heating element with respect to the treatment web that passes through the guide surfaces. Furthermore, the heating element includes elasticity so that the heating element uniformly follows the sliding surface being treated, and with a substantially standard pressure.
In one embodiment of the invention, the treatment apparatus includes, as the means of contacting, a spring member which is arranged in conjunction with the first and second guide surface. In this embodiment, the treatment web is contacted with the heating element by pressing the guide surfaces downward towards the heating element.
Advantageously, the spring member is a spring structure, spring-loaded structure or the like to be guided automatically or manually.
In one embodiment of the invention, the treatment apparatus includes, as the means of contacting, a lifting means which is arranged in conjunction with the heating element. In this embodiment, the treatment web is contacted with the heating element by lifting the heating element upward towards the treatment web.
Advantageously, the lifting means is a lifting device to be guided automatically or manually. The lifting device can be mechanical, e.g. one operating with a counterpressure, a pneumatic, hydraulic, electromechanical or a spring-loaded device or the like.
Advantageously, as the guide surfaces, suitable guide rolls are used, although also different guiding sliding surfaces can be used. The guide rolls can be rotating.
Advantageously, the treatment apparatus includes a pulling device for moving the treatment web from the web roll into a removal space, such as a collection roll. It is, however, also possible that the moving of the web is performed manually, i.e. by moving the sliding surface of the skis in their longitudinal direction against the rolls so that the rolls and the treatment web along with them move.
Advantageously, the pulling device includes two pulling rolls, and the treatment web is arranged to pass through a nip between them. The rotation speed of the pulling rolls of the pulling device can be used to determine the speed of movement, i.e. the treatment speed of the sliding surface.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in conjunction with the spring means and/or lifting means there are mechanical or electrical couplers for using the pulling device.
In one coupling embodiment, it is enough just to press the sliding surface of the skis against the guide surfaces to make the pulling device operate, i.e. to make the web move in contact with the heating element.
The couplers can be mechanical in structure so that connected to the movement of the guide surfaces, such as guide rolls, are levers, gears, wheels or tightening belts, which, when pressing the guide surfaces so as to be in a certain position, couple the rotating motor being used to the pulling device of the rotating movement. In that case, the start-up and stop of the motor can operate manually. In this way, connected to the motor can be rotating brushes or the like, independent of the waxing, which can be used to treat the sliding surface being treated before or after the waxing or removal of wax.
In one coupling embodiment, the spring means, guide rolls, lifting means and/or heating element are connected to electrical couplers, whereby separate manual start-up and stop of the motor become unnecessary, and so becomes also the mechanical coupling between the motor and the pulling device. In that case, for example, in a certain position of the guide surface, such as a guide roll, the motor of the pulling device is started up by a coupler connected to the guide surface, and on the other hand is also stopped by the same when releasing the guide roll so as to go up after the treatment of the sliding surface. Alternatively, e.g. the lifting of the heating element gives a signal to the coupler, which starts up the motor of the pulling device and similarly stops the motor when lowering the heating element.
In one embodiment, the pulling device can be started up manually.
In one embodiment of the invention, the treatment web is formed by a bearing web having on one side thereof a wax film or layer to wax the sliding surface, or a portion thereof, of sports gear. In this way, the apparatus in accordance with the invention heats, through the bearing web, the wax layer on one side thereof, the wax layer at the same time adhering to the sliding surface of the skis. Specifically preferably, the treatment web is formed by a web into which no separate wax feeding or the like is introduced.
When waxing the sliding surfaces using the apparatus, the second guide surface, i.e. the latter one, e.g. a guide roll, preferably is relatively small-sized in diameter so that as the bearing web folds up above it, the wax film is released from the bearing web, and sticks to the sliding surface.
In another embodiment of the invention, the treatment web is formed by a porous web, e.g. a porous paper, to remove the wax from the sliding surface heated by the heating element. In this way, the apparatus functions contrary to the waxing device, i.e. the wax on the sliding surface gets warm near the heating element through the porous web, whereby the molten wax is absorbed in the porous web, and sticks to it.
In this way, in waxing, e.g. a wax-coated paper web is used, from which the wax film is released more easily than from a ski base, whereby the wax is stuck to the ski base, and in wax removal, a suitable porous paper or some other web in which the hot wax is absorbed and stuck as it cools.
To ensure a uniform waxing result and also a uniform and good wax removal, it is possible to use, in the treatment apparatus, a first finishing device disposed after the heating element and before the second guide surface. The finishing device can be e.g. a brush, a rotating brush or a roll, by which the treatment web can be pressed against the sliding surface of sports gear to ensure uniform adherence and adhesion of the wax.
In one embodiment of the invention, there is in the apparatus, after the second guide surface, yet another finishing device, such as a brush, an abrasive surface, a scraping blade, a means that smoothes or polishes the waxed surface, or some other finishing device, a member or means enabling one to treat and finish, e.g. polish, in the same work phase, the waxed surface or a surface that was purified from the wax.
As, in the apparatus of the invention, the treatment web always is at a distance from the heating element when the apparatus is not used, the heating element preferably is a mass component having a big heat capacity that is substantially always on. In that case, the apparatus is always ready for use because one does not need to wait for its warm-up. Furthermore, as it has a big amount of heat, it can be used to treat either a pair of skis or even a big snowboard uniformly and non-stop.
In one embodiment of the invention, the heating element includes at least two, preferably four, springs to achieve elasticity in the heating element. The springs have been attached to the lower surface of the heating element, to suitable places, so that good elasticity is achieved in the heating element, preferably floatability, hinged on the springs. The heating element preferably is mounted with springs on the substrate so that it uniformly follows the sliding surface being treated, flexibly following e.g. the rigidity and shape of the ski. Similarly, in this way, the pressure of the heating element against the sliding surface can be made substantially standard.
In one embodiment of the invention, the treatment apparatus includes at least one pressure means for pressing the sports gear and the sliding surface thereof against the treatment web and the heating element. The pressure means preferably is movable, e.g. a rotating wheel or a belt-like conveyor or the like. It is advantageous that the pressure means moves or rotates on top of the sports gear substantially at the same speed as the sports gear moves forward along with the treatment web.
In one embodiment of the invention, the treatment apparatus includes at least one identification member and guide means for guiding the treatment of the sliding surface of sport gear based on a signal transmitted from the identification member to the guide means.
In one preferred embodiment, the guide means guides the spring/lifting means, pulling device, pressure means and/or finishing devices based on the signal transmitted from identification member.
In one preferred embodiment, the treatment apparatus includes at least one identification member before the first guide surface, the identification member identifying e.g. the entering of a ski tip or ski tail the so-called treatment area, and gives a signal to the guide means. In that case, the guide means guides the contacting of the treatment web and the heating element with one another. In a preferred embodiment, the treatment apparatus includes, in addition, at least a second identification member after the second guide surface, or alternatively after the second finishing device, the identification member identifying the moment the ski leaves the treatment area. In that case, on the other hand, based on the signal transmitted from the second identification member, the guide means guides to stop the contact between the treatment web and the heating element. In addition, there may be identification members e.g. between the first and second guide surface to identify a particular place in the ski, e.g. to temporarily stop the waxing.
In one embodiment, the treatment apparatus includes an electrical coupler in conjunction with the lifting means for moving the heating element towards the treatment web e.g. based on the signal transmitted from the identification member.
Advantageously, the guide means guides the treatment of the sports gear in a predetermined manner so that wax is passed from the web onto the sliding surface of the ski in the desired area. In one embodiment, it is possible to program the guide means beforehand to perform the desired treatment in the desired area. In addition, it is possible to program in the guide means beforehand the desired values relating to the delay times of the different means/members/devices included in the treatment apparatus, to the contact of the treatment web with the heating element, and to the treatment phases. In that case, the guide means guides the treatment of the sports gear based on the signals transmitted from the identification members so that the start-ups and stops of the different members/means/devices are performed in a certain order and with a certain delay from the signal. Usually, the delay times are dependent on the speed of movement of the web.
In one embodiment, arranged in the guide means of the treatment apparatus is a possibility to introduce the length of the sports gear and/or the length/portion of the area to be waxed into the guide means before treating the sports gear. In that case, the guide means guides the treatment by means of the identification members as desired so that it is possible to wax a portion of the desired length of the sliding surface of sports gear, or to leave a portion of the desired length non-waxed.
In one preferred embodiment, a fixed heating element and movable guide surfaces are used. In another preferred embodiment, fixed guide surfaces and a movable heating element are used. In a third preferred embodiment, movable guide surfaces and a movable heating element are used. However, from the viewpoint of the invention, substantial is the movement of the heating element and of the treatment web with respect to one another so that the heating element is not constantly in contact with the web.
In one embodiment, the treatment apparatus includes a conveyor means, e.g. a conveyor belt, for conveying the sports gear to the treatment area and/or away from the treatment area.
A treatment area is herein used to mean an area in which the sports gear is being treated, e.g. waxed or dewaxed.
In one embodiment, the treatment apparatus includes two treatment webs, of which one includes slide wax for the sports gear and the other one includes grip wax. The guide means guides the sports gear for the treatment so that arranged in the slide wax area of the sports gear is slide wax from the first web, and in the grip area grip wax from the second web.
In one preferred embodiment, the treatment apparatus functions so that e.g. the sliding surface of a ski is pressed against the guide surfaces or against the second guide surface, whereby the sliding surface comes into contact with the treatment web. In keeping pressing, the treatment web comes into contact with the heating element, i.e. the treatment web is sandwiched between the sliding surface of the ski and the heating element. As the sliding surface of the ski is pressed against the guide surface(s), the spring means goes down, coupling the pulling device. When the pressing is stopped, the treatment web goes up, and the contact between the treatment web and the heating element is lost. In this manner, it is possible to treat the whole sliding surface of the entire ski without stopping, or just the desired portion thereof.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the treatment apparatus functions so that e.g. a ski is conveyed with the tip or tail foremost and the sliding surface of the ski pointing downward towards the treatment area that starts from the first guide surface. Arranged before the first guide surface is an identification member. As the tip or tail of a ski passes the identification member, the identification member sends a signal to the guide means, which guides the treatment of the ski so that the heating element comes into contact with the treatment web, and at the same time the sliding surface of the ski is pressed against the treatment web by means of the pressure means, whereby the treatment web is sandwiched between the sliding surface of the ski and the heating element. As the heating element comes into contact with the web, the pulling device is coupled at the same time. Similarly, as the tip or tail of the ski passes the second identification member, which is arranged after the second guide surface, based on the signal transmitted from the identification member, the guide means guides the heating element to go down, the pressure means to go up and the pulling device to stop. The treatment apparatus may include also other identification means, which send a signal to the guide means e.g. as the tip or tail of the ski reaches a certain identification point e.g. between the first and second guide surface, whereby the heating element is lowered and/or the pressure means are lifted up to stop the contact between the treatment web and the heating element and/or between the sliding surface of the ski and the treatment web e.g. for a certain period of time, or alternatively, the contact between the sliding surface of the ski and the treatment web and/or between the treatment web and the' heating element is rearranged. In this manner, the web being heated treats the sliding surface in a manner each time desired and along the desired stretch.
As compared with prior art, the treatment apparatus of the sliding surface of sports gear in accordance with the invention has considerable advantages. The invention enables easy, fast and uniform care and maintenance of the sliding surfaces of cross-country skis, slalom skis and snowboards; i.e. professional provision of services of this kind is enabled for large user groups.
Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the treatment of the sliding surface of sports gear can be done substantially automatically, which further facilitates and makes the treatment quicker.
The apparatus in accordance with the invention is well suitable e.g. for sports gear traders, who can quickly wax all the skis and boards they have sold, which is impossible using the slow present technique. Similarly, the apparatus is well suitable for ski rentals and as an additional service for downhill skiing centres, as well as for sports clubs and organisers of competitions and ski tours, i.e. generally everywhere where there are larger groups of skiers and downhill skiers.

LIST OF FIGURES

In the following, the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 schematically represents one treatment apparatus of skis in accordance with the invention; and
Fig. 2 schematically represents another treatment apparatus of skis in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The treatment apparatus of skis and snowboards as schematically shown in Fig. 1 comprises an elongated treatment web 1, which is rolled up in the apparatus. From the roll 2, the web is passed upwards to a first guide roll 3, which is used to turn the direction of travel of the web so as to be substantially horizontal. In this way, the web track proceeds in the horizontal direction , i.e. on the upper surface of the apparatus to reach a second guide roll 4, from which the track turns substantially downwards, ending up in a collection roll 5, which functions as a removal space in this embodiment and in which the used web coils up to form a roll.
Between the guide rolls 3 and 4, there is, in a rest position and at a distance from the treatment web 1, in the vertical direction, a heating element 6, which is formed by a massive, high-capacity component to be heated with an electric resistor 15. Arranged underneath this component are four springs 13 to allow the elasticity of the heating element, i.e. vertical and horizontal movements of a certain size when it is pressed on the top, whereby the heating element 6 uniformly follows the sliding surface being treated and with a standard pressure.
Both guide rolls 3 and 4 include a spring means 7 and 8, i.e. they have got a spring-loaded suspension so that the rolls can be pressed downwards a certain stretch. This stretch is at least as long as the distance of the treatment web, which passes in a straight form between the guide rolls, from the upper surface of the heating element 6. In this way, by pressing the guide rolls downwards it is possible to get the treatment web into contact with the upper surface of the heating element 6.
After the second guide roll 4, the treatment web 1 passes via the pulling device 9. The pulling device 9 includes two pulling rolls 10, which are in contact with one another so that the web 1 passes through a nip between the pulling rolls, i.e. is sandwiched between the rolls. Connected to one of the pulling rolls is a motor 14, which is used to rotate the rolls. The start-up and stop of the motor 14 is arranged by means of couplers 11 between the guide rolls 3 and 4, i.e. when pressing either one of the guide rolls downwards to a sufficient extent, the motor starts up, starting to rotate the pulling device 9. Similarly, when pressure is released from the guide rolls, the motor and the pulling device stop.
Furthermore, the treatment apparatus includes a finishing apparatus 12 after the heating apparatus, i.e. a rotating brush roll below the treatment web 1.
The apparatus of the invention as shown in Fig. 1 functions as follows. When there is a wish to wax the base of a ski or a snowboard, as the treatment web, a wax-coated paper web is used, on the surface of which there is arranged beforehand, as early as in the preparation phase of the web, a uniform film or layer of the desired ski wax. The web roll 2 is put in place, and its open end is pulled into the collection roll 5 through the nip between the guide rolls 3 and 4 and the pulling rolls 10. Current is switched in the resistor 15 of the heating element 6, keeping the resistor at a suitable temperature at any times.
When a ski 16 is introduced for waxing, the ski base is used to press the first guide roll 3 and possibly also at the same time the second guide roll 4, depending on the stretch in the ski base that one wishes to wax. When pressing to a sufficient extent, the paper side of the treatment web 1 touches the upper surface of the heating element 6, i.e. the web is sandwiched between the heating element and the ski base. At the same time, the couplers 11 start the motor 14, and the web gets in motion. In that case, the ski moves at the speed of the web on top of it and in contact with the web, at least near the heating device. By the effect of heat, the wax on the upper surface of the web starts to melt, and as it cools after leaving the heating device, it adheres to the ski base. The rotating brush functioning as the finishing device 12, smoothes and ensures uniform adherence of the wax film to the ski base.
As the treatment web 1 and the ski base enter the second guide roll 4, which is relatively small in diameter, the treatment web turns strongly downwards. In that case the wax film, which is more tightly stuck to the ski base than to the web, is released from the web, remaining wholly stuck to the ski base. When the ski that was waxed along the desired stretch, is lifted up from top of the guide rolls, the apparatus stops, the treatment web 1 goes up so as to be at a distance from the heating device, and the apparatus is ready for the next ski.
The treatment apparatus of skis and snowboards as schematically shown in Fig. 2 comprises a treatment web 1, a treatment web roll 2, a first guide roll 3, a second guide roll 4, a collection roll 5, a heating element 6, a pulling device 9, pulling rolls 10 and a motor 14 of the pulling device, which are similar in structure to those shown in the embodiment of Fig. 1.
The treatment apparatus includes a hydraulic lifting device 17 arranged in conjunction with the heating element 6. By means of the lifting device 17, the heating element 6 can be lifted upwards against the treatment web 1. In this manner, by lifting the heating element 6, the upper surface thereof can be contacted with the treatment web 1.
Arranged underneath the heating element are four springs 13 similar to those shown in the embodiment of Fig. 1.
In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the guide rolls 3 and 4 do not include the spring-loaded suspensions 7 and 8.
The treatment apparatus of Fig. 2 includes two identification members 20a and 20b and a guide means 19, enabling one to guide the treatment of the sliding surface of a ski. Identification member 20a is arranged in the treatment apparatus before the first guide roll 3, and identification member 20b is arranged after the second guide roll 4. In that case, as a predetermined part of the ski passes identification member 20a or 20b, the identification member transmits a signal to the guide means 19.
The lifting of the heating element 6 is so arranged that as identification member 20a sends a signal to the guide means 19, the guide means guides the operation of the lifting device 17 by means of the coupler (not shown in the figure) of the lifting device to lift the heating element 6 so as to be in contact with the treatment web 1. Similarly, as identification member 20b sends a signal to the guide means 19, the lifting device 17 lowers the heating element 6 downwards to a so-called rest position, whereby the close contact between the treatment web 1 and the heating element 6 ends.
The start-up and stop of the motor 14 connected to the pulling device 9 is arranged by means of the guide means 19 so that lifting the heating element 6 so as to be in contact with the treatment web 1 gives a signal to the coupler (not shown in the figure) of the motor, which coupler starts the motor, which then starts to rotate the pulling device 9. Similarly, lowering the heating element 6 downwards, whereby the contact with the treatment web 1 ends, gives a signal to the motor 14, whereby the motor and the pulling device stop.
The treatment apparatus as shown in Fig. 2 further includes two rotating wheels 24 for pressing the ski against the treatment web 1. The wheels 24 are arranged in the treatment apparatus so that the first wheel is arranged between the first guide roll 3 and the heating element 6, and the second wheel is arranged between the heating element 6 and the second guide roll 4. The guide means 19 guides the wheels separately, enabling one to lower the first and the second wheel against the ski or lift up at different times or alternatively simultaneously. In this embodiment, the first wheel is pressed against the ski after a pre-programmed delay time has elapsed from the signal transmitted from identification member 20a to the guide means 19, which delay time is mainly based on the speed of movement of the treatment web. The second wheel is pressed against the ski after a second pre-programmed delay time has elapsed.
Furthermore, the treatment apparatus includes two finishing devices, a first finishing device 12, i.e. a fixed brush underneath the treatment web 1 between the heating device 6 and the second guide roll 4, as well as a second finishing device 21, i.e. a rotating brush roll after the treatment web 1 and the second guide roll 4. The finishing devices 12 and 21 and their operation are guided by means of the guide means 19.
Furthermore, the treatment apparatus includes conveyor belts 22 and 23 for conveying the ski to the treatment area and away from it.
The apparatus of the invention as shown in Fig. 2 functions as follows. When there is a wish to wax the base of a ski or snowboard, a wax-coated paper web as shown in figure embodiment 1 is used as the treatment web. The web roll 2 is put in place and its open end is pulled into the collection roll 5 through a nip between the guide rolls 3 and 4 and the pulling rolls 10. Current is switched in the resistor 15 of the heating element 6, keeping the resistor at a suitable temperature at any times.
When the ski 16 is introduced for waxing, the ski is placed in a given manner with the tail or tip foremost and the sliding surface downward onto the conveyor 22, which conveys the ski to the treatment area of the treatment apparatus. As the tip or tail of the ski passes first identification member 20a, a signal is transmitted from the identification member to the guide means 19. The guide means 19, in turn, guides, by means of an electrical coupler, the heating element 6 to get into contact with the treatment web 1, and to start up the pulling device 9. Further, the guide means 19 guides the lowering of the pressure wheels 24 against the ski 16. In that case, the treatment web 1 is sandwiched between the heating element 6 and the base of the ski 16, whereby the paper side of the web touches the upper surface of the heating element 6, and the wax side of the web is against the sliding surface of the ski.
The ski moves at the speed of the web on top of it and in contact with the web. By the effect of heat, the wax on the upper surface of the web starts to melt, and as it cools after leaving the heating device, it adheres to the ski base. The rotating brush functioning as the first finishing device 12, smoothes and ensures uniform adherence of the wax film to the ski base.
As the treatment web 1 and the ski base enter the second guide roll 4, which is relatively small in diameter, the treatment web turns strongly downwards. In that case the wax film, which is more tightly stuck to the ski base than to the web, is released from the web, remaining wholly stuck to the ski base.
The second finishing device, i.e. a rotating brush 21, disposed after the second guide roll 4, finishes the waxed sliding surface of the ski e.g. by smoothing the wax and polishing the sliding surface.
As a predetermined point of the ski passes second identification member 20b, a signal is transmitted from this identification member to the guide means 19, which guides the heating element 6 to go down, whereby the contact between the heating element 6 and the treatment web 1 ends. The guide means 19 also guides the pulling device 9 to stop and the wheels 24, which function as the pressure means, to go up. The desired delay times may have been programmed in the guide device 19, the delay times being calculated from the signal transmitted from identification member 20b and relating to the lowering of the heating element, the stopping of the pulling device and the going up of the first and second pressure wheel. The ski is conveyed out of the treatment area by means of a conveyor belt 23.
Before starting the treatment, it is possible to input into the guide means 19 information relating to the length of the ski and/or the length of the desired waxing area in the ski base. In that case, the guide means guides the treatment of the ski so that the waxing of the sliding surface of the ski is performed along the desired stretch, after which the pressure means 24 are lifted up and the heating element 6 is lowered down, whereby the contact between the heating element 6 and the treatment web 1 is lost. In that case, the wax does not adhere from the treatment web to the ski base. However, the treatment web may have been arranged to be movable forward by means of the pulling device 9 to convey the ski forward. Alternatively, the conveyor belts 22 and/or 23 convey the ski forward. When one has passed by the desired non-waxed area, the heating element 6 goes up and the pressure means 24 go down to press the ski against the treatment web 1 and the heating element 6, whereby the treatment of the ski proceeds from the desired point.
The treatment apparatus can be used to wax skis and snowboards of different lengths either in one go by using a broader treatment web or by performing the wax strokes several times side by side in the lateral direction of the ski/board. It is possible to use in the apparatus a treatment web containing a wax film having e.g. the width of 60 to 340mm.
When the apparatus is used for wax removal, a porous paper functions as the treatment web. The treatment of the ski itself is similar, but during heating, the heating element heats the wax layer in the ski base through the porous paper web, which wax film is absorbed in the porous web material as it melts, and the ski base remains substantially non-waxed.
The invention is not limited merely to the examples referred to above, instead many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive idea defined by the claims.

Claims

An apparatus for treating the sliding surface of sports gear including at least one treatment web (1), which is arranged to pass from a web roll (2) through a first guide surface (3) and a second guide surface (4) into a removal space (5), a heating element (6) disposed between the first and second guide surface at a distance from the treatment web; the apparatus includes at least one means (7, 8, 17) for contacting the treatment web (1) with the heating element (6) by moving the guide surfaces (3, 4) with respect to the heating element (6), and/or by moving the heating element (6) with respect to the treatment web (1); and the heating element (6) includes elasticity (13) so that the heating element follows the sliding surface being treated uniformly and substantially with a standard pressure.
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, characterised in that the treatment apparatus includes a spring means (7, 8), arranged in conjunction with the first (3) and second (4) guide surface so that the treatment web (1) can be contacted with the heating element (6) by pressing the guide surfaces towards the heating element.
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the apparatus includes a lifting means (17), arranged in conjunction with the heating element (6) so that the treatment web (1) can be contacted with the heating element (6) by lifting the heating element towards the treatment web.
The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1-3, characterised in that the spring means (7, 8) is a spring structure or the like.
The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1-4, characterised in that the lifting means (17) is a spring-loaded, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic or electromechanical device.
The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1-5, characterised in that the first (3) and/or second (4) guide surface is a guide roll.
The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1-6, characterised in that the apparatus includes a pulling device (9) for conveying the treatment web (1) from the web roll (2) into the removal space (5).
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, characterised in that the pulling device (9) includes two pulling rolls (10), the treatment web (1) being arranged to pass through a nip between them.
The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1-8, characterised in that in conjunction with the spring means (7, 8) and/or the lifting means (17) there are mechanical or electrical couplers (11) for using the pulling device (9).
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, characterised in that the treatment web (1) is formed by a bearing web having on one side thereof a wax film for waxing the sliding surface of sports gear.
The apparatus as defined in claim 10, characterised in that the second guide surface (4) has a small diameter so that as the bearing web folds up above it, the wax film is released from the bearing web, sticking to the sliding surface.
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, characterised in that the treatment web (1) is formed by a porous web, such as a porous paper, for removing the wax from the sliding surface heated by the heating element.
The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1-12, characterised in that after the heating element (6), before the second guide surface (4), the treatment apparatus includes a first finishing device (12), such as a brush or a roll, for pressing the treatment web against the sliding surface of sports gear.
The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1-13, characterised in that after the second guide surface (4), the treatment apparatus includes a finishing device (21) for finishing the treatment of the sliding surface of sports gear.
The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1-14, characterised in that the heating element (6) is a mass component having a big heat capacity that is substantially always on.
The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1-15, characterised in that the heating element (6) includes at least two, preferably four, springs (13) to achieve elasticity, the springs being attached to the lower surface of the heating element (6).
The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1-16, characterised in that the apparatus includes at least one pressure means (24) for pressing the sports gear and the sliding surface thereof against the treatment web (1) and the heating element (6).
The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1-17, characterised in that the apparatus includes at least one identification means (20a, 20b) and a guide means (19) for guiding the treatment of the sliding surface of sports gear based on a signal transmitted from the identification member to the guide means.