EP2082787A1 - Glide board for powder snow - Google Patents

Abstract

The ski has a skate zone defined between front and rear contact lines (L-CAV, L-CAR), where width (l-mc) of the ski is identical at a level of the front and rear contact lines. The skate zone has a dimension line such that the width of the ski at a middle of the skate zone is lower than width measured at the front or rear contact line. A ski sliding base has a camber at the skate zone such that the middle of the skate zone does not contact with a plane when the ski is unloaded on the plane. A front spatula has maximum width (l-MAV) higher than maximum width (l-MAR) of a rear spatula.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to the field of snow sports, and more particularly to the practice of alpine skiing. It is more specifically a definition of gliding boards that have a versatility for practices known as "free style" or "free ride".

Previous techniques

In general, we are seeing the emergence of some alpine skiing practices that deviate from traditional practice on groomed trails, according to conventional trajectories. Thus, a practice known as "free ride" is to evolve outside groomed trails, and most often in relatively steep areas, covered with a layer of powder snow. This practice requires a good knowledge of snow conditions and terrain, especially since it can be enhanced by the jump of certain natural obstacles such as rock bars.

The evolution in deep powder snow therefore requires skis that have good lift, and are therefore generally equipped with an enlarged front spatula. Similarly, to increase the lift, this spatula, which is defined as the area beyond the forward contact line, has an increased length compared to traditional skis. In general, the front and rear contact lines are defined in a standardized way, as the most forward and rearward points beyond which the ski is no longer in contact with the plane on which it rests, when it is loaded. at its midpoint.

Thus, when the ski is laid flat and loaded, the front contact line is much closer to the binding than in traditional skis, so that the raised portion of the board has a long length, typically greater than 25. cm. An example of a ski equipped with such a spatula is in particular described in the document US 5,375,868 .

Other emerging practices include the so-called "free style". In this practice, the skier evolves on tracks generally groomed and executes figures such as jumps or reversals which make it evolve back to the slope. This more playful practice therefore requires skis that have a spatula at the front and rear, that is to say, raised areas that can overcome the obstacles of the track. Given the two directions of evolution, these skis have a difference between maximum widths at the front and rear that can be reduced, in contrast with traditional skis, and even skis "free ride" which are more wide at the front and back. Similarly, skis "free style" have a structure that makes them more flexible, and therefore less rigid than traditional skis, or even the skis "free ride" to the extent that they must allow skiers to perform passages on extremely raised bumps, or more generally figures in which the flexibility of the ski is appreciated.

It is therefore conceivable that skis designed specifically for the practice of "free ride" are not really suitable for the practice of "free style" and vice versa.

However, we note that many skiers wish to practice skiing both "free ride" and "free style", depending on snow conditions in particular. Generally, skiers who engage in these activities, evolve according to these two practices and therefore need to have two different pairs of skis, which they selectively use depending on the snow conditions.

One of the objectives of the invention is therefore to provide boards that allow the practice of "free style" for skis with however intrinsic qualities dedicated to the practice of "free ride". Conversely, another objective of the invention is to allow evolution in "free ride" conditions with skis designed initially for the practice of "free style". In other words, one of the objectives of the invention is to obtain versatile boards, which can be used for both practices.

Presentation of the invention

The invention thus relates to the family of skis called "bi-spatulate", comprising elongate spatulas. More precisely, these skis therefore comprise a slipper zone defined between the front contact line and the rear contact line beyond which the spatulas respectively front and rear are defined. The lengths of these spatulas, measured up to the ends respectively front and rear are typically greater than 250 millimeters. Likewise, these two-spatula skis have a region of maximum width situated between the front or rear contact line and the corresponding end.

The Applicant has thus determined that the combination of several geometrical characteristics makes it possible to design "free ride" skis which have a behavior compatible with the practice of "free style", and conversely skis intended for "free style" which possess abilities. to evolve in conditions of "free ride".

• ■ la largeur du ski est sensiblement identique au niveau des lignes de contact avant et arrière ;
• ■ le patin présente une ligne de cote telle que la largeur du ski au milieu du patin est inférieure à celle mesurée au niveau des lignes de contact avant ou arrière ;
• ■ la semelle de glisse du ski présente au niveau de la zone patin un cambre tel que lorsque le ski repose non chargé sur un plan, le milieu du patin n'est pas au contact dudit plan ;
• ■ la largeur maximale de la spatule avant est sensiblement supérieure à la largeur maximale de la spatule arrière.

Thus, in a first version of the invention, the combination of these parameters is such that:

• ■ the width of the ski is substantially identical at the level of the front and rear contact lines;
• The pad has a dimension line such that the width of the ski in the middle of the pad is less than that measured at the level of the front or rear contact lines;
• ■ the gliding sole of the ski has at the skate zone a camber such that when the ski rests unloaded on a plane, the middle of the pad is not in contact with said plane;
• ■ the maximum width of the front spatula is substantially greater than the maximum width of the rear spatula.

In other words, this ski has a globally symmetrical skate, that is to say, as wide at the front as at the rear, which therefore appears to be a ski of "free style", having a capacity to evolve in both directions when the ski is on a groomed track, and that most of the lift is done by the skate zone. This skate, however, has a side line dug and a camber which make the bearing length is sufficient for an evolution allowing the execution of turns on groomed trails.

On the other hand, when the skier evolves in powdery snow, the greater width of the front spatula, and therefore the smaller width of the rear spatula, gives this ski a satisfactory lift and a good maneuverability when cornering. powdery snow.

• ■ la largeur du ski au niveau de la ligne de contact avant est sensiblement supérieure à la largeur du ski au niveau de la ligne de contact arrière ;
• ■ le patin présente une ligne de cote telle que la largeur du ski au milieu du patin est inférieure à celle mesurée au niveau des lignes de contact arrière ;
• ■ la semelle de glisse du ski présente au niveau de la zone patin, un cambre tel que lorsque le ski repose non chargé sur un plan, le milieu du patin n'est pas au contact dudit plan ;
• ■ la largeur maximale de la spatule avant est sensiblement identique à la largeur maximale de la spatule arrière.

According to a second version of the invention, the combination of the geometric properties is similar, but with certain inverted parameters. Thus, this second version is characterized in that:

• The width of the ski at the level of the front contact line is substantially greater than the width of the ski at the level of the rear contact line;
• The pad has a dimension line such that the width of the ski in the middle of the pad is less than that measured at the level of the rear contact lines;
• ■ the gliding sole of the ski present at the pad area, a camber such that when the ski rests unloaded on a plane, the middle of the pad is not in contact with said plane;
• ■ the maximum width of the front spatula is substantially identical to the maximum width of the rear spatula.

In other words, the skate of this ski has a directional character, because it is wider at the front than at the back. Thus, in evolution on packed snow, such a pad facilitates the turns, since parasitic hooking phenomena of the rear of the pad are mitigated, due to the smaller width of the rear of the pad. On the other hand, for the evolution in powdery snow, the ski presents two spatulas similar, which allows an evolution of type "free style", that is to say with a quasi-symmetry of behavior in both directions of progression.

Advantageously in practice, to facilitate turns on groomed tracks, the radius of the side line at the middle of the pad can be chosen less than 20 meters, and preferably close to 18 meters.

Similarly, in order to ensure sufficient lift of the pad for the evolution on groomed track, the camber of the pad can be chosen greater than 2 mm, and typically close to 5 mm.

An interesting compromise in terms of skate directivity, maneuverability on groomed snow was found with a pad such that the distance between the front and rear contact lines (that is to say the load length) is between 70 and 115 cm, depending on the total length of the ski. In practice, it appears that this compromise is interesting when the ratio between the total length (that is to say the length deployed) and bearing length is between 1.6 and 2.3, and preferably between 1.7 and 2.

Conversely, for sufficient lift in the powdery snow, spatulas of great length are preferred, and typically greater than 450 mm for the front spatulas and 350 mm for the rear spatulas.
More specifically, it has been found that the ability to trigger turns and to drive them in powder snow, in a "free ride" type of development, is facilitated when the ratio between the maximum width of the front spatula divided by the maximum width of the rear spatula is greater than 1.03, and preferably greater than 1.05 or 1.07.

Furthermore, the directionality of the pad, and therefore its skiability on groomed track, is improved when the ratio between the width measured at the level of the line of front contact divided by the width at the rear contact line is greater than 1.03, and preferably greater than 1.05 or 1.07.

In a particular embodiment, the maximum width of the front spatula is greater than 110 mm, is preferably between 115 and 150 mm, preferably between 118 and 128 mm.

Brief description of the figures

• La figure 1 est une vue de côté d'un ski conforme à l'invention, montrée chargée.
• La figure 2 est une vue de côté du ski de la figure 1, montrée dans un état non chargé.
• Les figures 3 et 4 sont des vues de dessus de skis conformes à deux variantes de réalisation de l'invention.

The manner of carrying out the invention, as well as the advantages which result therefrom, will emerge from the description of the two embodiments which follow, in support of the appended figures in which:

• The figure 1 is a side view of a ski according to the invention, shown loaded.
• The figure 2 is a side view of the ski from the figure 1 , shown in an uncharged state.
• The Figures 3 and 4 are top views of skis according to two embodiments of the invention.

It should be noted that the invention being essentially related to skis dimensioning and geometry issues, some of these dimensions have been exaggeratedly represented for ease of illustration.

Way of realizing the invention

The figure 1 illustrates a ski according to the invention which comprises a pad area (1) on which are mounted the elements of the safety binding (4, 5). This pad area is delimited at the front by the front contact line (L _CAR ) defined in a standardized manner. This characteristic line is determined when the ski is loaded while resting on a horizontal plane and is defined as the foremost point where the gliding sole is in contact with this plane. The symmetrical definition applies for the rear contact line (L _CAR ).

Beyond the front contact line, the ski has a front spatula (2). The rear spatula (3) corresponds to the portion of the ski located behind the rear contact line.

Similarly, the ski shown at figure 2 is an unloaded ski. In this case, the camber can be measured as the distance (d) between the plane on which the board of the gliding sole (6) rests, at the level where this gap is maximum.

We notice as illustrated in the figure 1 that the spatulas of the skis according to the invention have a long length, typically greater than 250 or even 500 mm, which gives them an ability to evolve in deep snow.

A first embodiment variant is illustrated in the figure 3 . In this embodiment, the pad (1) defined between the front contact lines (L _CAV ) and the rear contact lines (L _CAR ) has a substantially symmetrical geometry. This means that the width (l _CAV ) at the front contact line (L _CAV ) is substantially identical to the width (I _CAR ) of the pad at the rear contact line (L _CAR ). In practice, it is considered that two lengths are substantially identical when they differ by less than 1.5% relative to each other.

Typically, this width (I _CAV ) is between 90 and 120 mm, and preferably between 95 and 110 mm.

The width of the board ( _MC ) at the midpoint of the ski is between 80 and 120 mm, and preferably between 85 and 100 mm.

At the mid-point of the skate, the radius of curvature (R) of the side line is of the order of 18 meters, to allow the taking turns and driving the ski on a packed snow. Typically, the length of the pad between the front and rear contact line is of the order of 98 to 108 mm.

Regarding the spatulas of the ski shown at figure 3 , the front spatula (2) has a maximum width (l _MAV ) of the order of 118 to 128 mm.

This maximum width is at a distance of between 150 and 270 mm, and preferably in the vicinity of 260 mm in front of the front contact line.

On the other side of the board, the rear spatula (3) has a maximum width (I _MAR ) of the order of 114 to 123 mm, which is less than the maximum width of the front spatula (l _MAV ). This maximum width is at a distance of between 40 and 170 mm, preferably close to 155 mm behind the rear contact line. Thus, the surface of the front spatula (2) is greater than that of the rear spatula (3), which gives a directional behavior to the board for the evolution in deep snow.

The pad (1) has on the contrary a substantially symmetrical geometry between the front and the rear, which facilitates the evolutions in both directions of sliding, for the realization of figures on packed snow.

The second example of embodiment illustrated in figure 4 has a pad (1) of asymmetrical geometry. Thus, the width ( _CAV ) at the front contact line (L _CAV ) is greater than the width (I _CAR ) at the rear contact line.

The pad is therefore wider at the front than at the rear, which facilitates, like a traditional ski, the handling and steering of turns and in particular the end of turn skid, on groomed snow. The length of the pad measured between the front and rear contact lines is of the order of 98 to 108 mm.

Typically, the width at the level of the front contact line can vary between 120 mm and 130 mm, depending on the declination of the models in a given range, it being understood that this width at the front contact is greater than the width at the rear contact line which is of the order of 115 to 125mm, and of about 5% lower.

Concerning the spatulas (2) and (3), these have widths (1 _MAV ) and (1 _MAR ) substantially identical, and between 130 and 150 mm, and advantageously close to 140 mm. Such spatulas thus make it possible to have substantially similar lift at the front and rear level of the ski, which makes it possible, in case of evolution in the powdery snow, to have substantially similar behaviors irrespective of the direction of progression.

Conversely, the pad (1) is more directional, because wider at the front level, the steering of turns and in particular the skidding phase at the end of turns can be better controlled.

It follows from the foregoing that the skis according to the invention have, according to the choice of dimensional parameters, the ability to make figures on groomed tracks while being particularly well adapted for the evolution in powder snow according to a practice of "free ride ".

Conversely, the invention also makes it possible for a ski that is globally directional on snow-groomed snow to evolve in both directions for practicing powder snow.

Claims (11)

Ski, comprising a skid zone (1) defined between the front contact line (L _CAV ) and the rear contact line (L _CAR ), beyond which the spatulas respectively before (2) and rear (3) are respectively defined, of which the lengths measured to the front and rear ends respectively of the ski are greater than 250 millimeters, each spatula (2, 3) having a region of maximum width respectively forward (L _CAV ) of the contact line forward and backward (L _CAR ) of the rear contact line, characterized in that: ■ the width of the ski (l _CAV , I _CAR ) is substantially identical to the level of the front and rear contact lines; ■ the shoe (1) has a dimension line such that the width of the ski ( _MC ) in the middle of the pad is less than that measured at the level of the front or rear contact lines ( _CAV , _CAR ); ■ the gliding sole of the ski has at the level of the skate zone a camber (d) such that when the ski rests unloaded on a plane, the middle of the pad is not in contact with said plane; ■ the maximum width ( _MAV ) of the front spatula is substantially greater than the maximum width ( _MAR ) of the rear spatula. Ski, comprising a pad zone defined between the front contact line (L _CAR ) and the rear contact line (L _CAR ), beyond which the spatulas respectively before (2) and rear (3) are defined, the lengths of which measured to the ends respectively front and rear of the ski are greater than 250 millimeters, each spatula having a region of maximum width respectively forward of the line of contact before and after the rear contact line, characterized in that: The width of the ski ( _CAV ) at the level of the front contact line is substantially greater than the width of the ski ( _CAR ) at the level of the rear contact line; The shoe has a dimension line such that the width of the ski ( _MC ) in the middle of the shoe is less than that ( _CAR ) measured at the level of the rear contact line ( _CAR ); ■ the gliding sole of the ski has at the level of the skate zone a camber (d) such that when the ski rests unloaded on a plane, the middle of the pad is not in contact with said plane; ■ the maximum width ( _MAV ) of the front spatula is approximately the same as the maximum width ( _MAR ) of the rear spatula. Ski according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the radius R of the side line at the middle of the pad is less than 20 meters, preferably close to 18 meters. Ski according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the camber (d) is greater than 2 millimeters. Ski according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the distance between the front and rear contact lines is between 70 and 115 centimeters. Ski according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the ratio between the total length and bearing length is between 1.6 and 2.3, and preferably between 1.7 and 2. Ski according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the length of the front spatula is greater than 450 millimeters. Ski according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the length of the rear spatula is greater than 350 millimeters. Ski according to claim 1, characterized in that the ratio between the maximum width (L _MAV ) of the front spatula (3) divided by the maximum width (L _MAR ) of the rear spatula (3) is greater than 1.03, and preferably greater than 1.05 or even 1.07. Ski according to claim 2, characterized in that the ratio between the width (l _CAV ) measured at the level of the front contact line divided by the width (l _CAR ) at the level of the rear contact line is greater than 1, 03, and preferably greater than 1.05, even 1.07. Ski according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the maximum width ( _MAV ) of the front spatula is greater than 110 millimeters and preferably between 115 and 150 millimeters, preferably between 118 and 128 millimeters.

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