EP2110164B1 - Running sole material for winter sport device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a covering material, a covering material for an outsole of a winter sports device and a winter sports device with such a covering material, as described in the claims 1, 25 and 39.

A through the CH 579 929 A5 has become known method consists in the production of blocks of sintered, preferably macromolecular plastic powder using pressure and heat. In this case, about 10% pre-dried wood flour with a grain size of about 0.1 mm and stabilizers and the like accompanying substances, such as paints and pigments, are added to a powdered polyethylene granules with a grain size of about 0.1 mm and mixed. This mixture is then pressed in a cylindrical mold and subjected to a heat treatment and thus sintered into a block. Due to the decomposition process of the wood meal by distillation, charring or the like, which takes place during the sintering, this leads to a change in the structure of the sintered product as a result of the gases formed during the decomposition and the shrinkage of the wood grains taking place. These blocks are subsequently cut by peeling into thin layers, which are attached as a coating on the ski run surface. Apart from the inconvenience of this process and the high but unavoidable loss of material in dicing the blocks, it was disadvantageous that the pore size inside the block was different. Thus, the pores of the sintered blocks near the walls of the block were smaller than in the interior thereof. Furthermore, it was disadvantageous that a stretching of the lining material in the longitudinal direction was carried out by cutting the block.

From the AT 371 727 B has become known a method for producing a Schilaufbelages of sintered plastic, wherein the plastic powder is brought into the shape of a body. In this case, the plastic powder is applied to a conveyor belt in the form of a preferably endless belt and then subjected to the powder alternately several times the action of pressure and heat. Due to the multiple alternating action of pressure and heat, a defined porosity and thus a uniform surface structure is achieved after the grinding process. The desired degree of sintering and the associated porosity are by adjusting the pressure, temperature and Dwell time easy to reach and easily reproducible at any time. The pores are used for the subsequent absorption of additives.

The AT 332 273 B or the DE 24 14 185 describe coverings for the absorption of ski wax, which instead of closed surfaces have those with open surfaces. Such surfaces are produced by curing a polyurethane-based coating in the presence of increased amounts of moisture, thereby producing a bubble-containing structure. If such coatings are sanded, a coarse to fine-pored surface is obtained. Such Schibeläge can also be produced by sintering fine-grained plastic particles, wherein the sintering in the coating creates a coherent Kapillargefüge. By appropriate grinding or cutting an open surface is created. In contrast to an open-celled foamed material, the webs between the pores are wider, so that a higher mechanical strength is achieved with good elasticity. In the resulting pores then the applied ski wax can anchor better and is rubbed off less when sliding on the snow.

Similar methods for the production of sheet-like covering material are also known from AT 374 685 B as well as the EP 0 447 356 A1 known. In this case, an endless belt in the desired thickness of the covering material was always peeled off from a cylindrical sintered body.

The present invention has for its object to provide a method for producing a covering material, a covering material and a winter sports device with such a covering material, in which the covering material good Ver or processing properties and over a longer period has good sliding properties.

This object of the invention is achieved in the method by the features of claim 1. The surprising advantage resulting from the features of claim 1 lies in the fact that at least one additive is incorporated into the pores, which still have a relatively large volume, in the continuous open-pored plastic material of the support structure even before the hot-pressing process, thus allowing a higher amount of additives within the Stored support structure. Characterized in that first the support structure is made with the pores formed therein and introduced only for the hot pressing process, the additive is, a much higher number of additives for storage is available. Thus, the incorporation of the additive in the support structure of the production of the support structure is decoupled and so finds no adverse effect on the additives during the production of the support structure instead. By subsequently introducing the additives into the pores of the support structure, it is also possible to use additives which tend to separate during the production process of the support structure, since they are "sucked" into the semifinished product in the process step of filling the pores. Furthermore, however, significantly higher concentrations of additives can also be incorporated into the pores of the support structure than was possible with hitherto known production methods of covering materials. The introduction of the additive into the pores of the support structure is then dependent on the respective state of aggregation of the additive, wherein prior to the hot pressing process, the volume of the individual pores has a sufficient size to accommodate a large amount of additives. By the subsequent hot pressing process after the incorporation of the additives into the pores, a highly compressed sliding surface is created, in which the lubricant is stored in the manner of storage chambers in the entire covering material. Furthermore, but also the processing and storage is facilitated because a uniform support structure of the open-cell plastic material can be produced and only depending on the manufactured winter sports equipment or the additives are incorporated into the pores. By Wannpressvorgang a semi-finished product can be produced, which can be supplied to the further processing for the completion of winter sports equipment. Furthermore, the hot pressing process can also be carried out at a lower pressure and at a lower temperature than was previously possible with comparable sintering processes.

Furthermore, a procedure according to the features specified in claim 2 is advantageous, because it can be easily taken into account for different conditions of use and additionally the amount of available additive in the covering material can be easily varied.

Also advantageous is a variant of the method according to claim 3, as this partial sections of the sliding surface can be formed differently depending on the selected initial thickness and the subsequent compression of the support structure of the degree of compaction or the pore portion. Thus, it is possible, for example, in the region of the longitudinal side edges to form the support structure with a higher proportion of plastic material and at the same time to choose a higher pore content with appropriate incorporation of additives in the middle area.

By a procedure according to the features specified in claim 4, each predetermined individual portion of the lining material can be adapted to different purposes. For example, a more resistant plastic material can be used in the region of the longitudinal side edges, whereas a different, for example softer, base material can be used in the central or central region. This can be achieved on the one hand on extreme edge loads and on the other hand on improved sliding properties in just resting on the ground winter sports equipment.

A further advantageous procedure is described in claim 5, whereby depending on the volume pore content, the strength of the covering material and the available amount of additives can be adapted to a wide variety of conditions, while still a smaller amount of pores even a sufficient amount of additives within the Covering material is available.

Furthermore, a procedure according to the features specified in claim 6 is advantageous, since so the covering material can be made exactly predictable to its individual purpose. Thus, a firmer and more stable covering material can be achieved with a smaller proportion of pores and thus the increased proportion of plastic of the support structure, whereas, with a higher percentage of pores, the quantitative incorporation of additives can be increased. Thus, e.g. the sliding or climbing characteristics of winter sports equipment can be improved.

Also advantageous is a method variant according to claim 7, characterized in that over the entire thickness or thickness of the lining material additives can be incorporated. As a result, a sufficient amount of additives is always available over the entire thickness or thickness, with the additional possibility that additives can be transported out of the pores in the covering material during the sliding process.

By an approach according to the features indicated in claim 8 ensures that without subsequent rework already an open-pored support structure for the storage of additives is available and so the storage process can be performed easily and inexpensively.
Another advantageous procedure is described in claim 9, because on the one hand, the amount of the stored additive can be easily determined and on the other hand, the degree of deformation of the support structure can be predetermined.

Furthermore, a procedure according to the features specified in claim 10 is advantageous, because in turn it is in turn made it possible to vote the B elagmaterial depending on its purpose exactly on this.

Another advantage is also a method variant according to claim 11, characterized in that the support structure forms the predominant surface portion of the sliding surface and still additives are stored within the support structure, which serve to improve the sliding properties.

Furthermore, a procedure according to the feature specified in claim 12 is advantageous, so as to be able to provide a greater possibility of variation in transparent or translucent covering structures for the optical design. Furthermore, it also improves or facilitates the connection process with the supporting structure of the sliding device.

A further advantageous procedure is described in claim 13, whereby costs for the printing process can be saved, since it is much easier to apply a printed image on the adhesive layer than on the back of the support structure.

Also advantageous is a variant of the method according to claim 14, because it can be easily taken into account for a variety of applications and at the same time while the bond with the supporting structure of the sliding device can go along.

By the procedure according to the features indicated in claim 15, a view-tightness is achieved with transparent or translucent covering materials. In addition, but also the bonding can be improved or achieved with the supporting structure of the sliding device.

Also advantageous is a variant of the method according to claim 16, because thereby the covering material can be easily adapted to different conditions of use and thereby a significant improvement in the sliding properties can be achieved.

However, it is also an approach according to the features specified in claims 17 or 18 features advantageous because stress-free covering materials can be produced because the material or the support structure is not subject to tensile stress during compression. Also in the subsequent manufacturing steps there is no further stretching of the covering material, whereby much more transparent or translucent coverings for winter sports equipment can be produced. In addition, during storage of the semi-finished product no undesired deformation or warping to unevenness takes place. As a result, the subsequent connection with the supporting structure of the sliding device is substantially simplified and rejects avoided.

Also advantageous is a variant of the method according to claim 19, characterized in that depending on the winter sports equipment to be made this a corresponding blank of the covering material can be produced and so in the subsequent connection process a cost effective and perfect connection can be ensured.

Furthermore, a procedure according to the features specified in claim 20 is advantageous because it can be prepared with additives pre-filled semi-finished products that can be connected in a single step with the gliding device for winter sports equipment. The fact that no thermal stress is introduced into the semifinished product until the connection process, there is no subsequent delay during storage, whereby always flat and flat components are available for connection to the gliding device.

Also advantageous is a process variant according to claim 21, as can be found Auslangen for the connection process with the slider with a lower pressure and / or a lower temperature than was customary in previously used sintering or sintering, since already the hot pressing before the Connection has been made with the sliding device. Furthermore, this allows a certain prefabrication of Achieve covering material, depending on the incorporated therein additives can be quickly taken into account for different sliding properties of winter sports equipment. Furthermore, it is also possible to create a certain stock of semifinished products and to be able to react quickly to different customer requirements.

Furthermore, however, an approach according to the features indicated in claim 22 is advantageous because it can be achieved in dependence on the selected plastics of the support structure and the additives incorporated therein an optimum for the materials pressing operation. In addition, but also thermal overloading of the support structure can be avoided.

A further advantageous procedure is described in claim 23, which thus not only form the pore sections in the sliding surface, but in addition can also take shape for a variety of uses of winter sports equipment shaping. The different shapes of the embossings can serve for the additional absorption of sliding aids or else for the form-fitting support on the terrain surface facing the sliding surface.

Finally, however, a variant of the method according to claim 24 is advantageous, since in the pores of the support structure before the hot pressing process, a basic amount or basic substance can be introduced to additives, which can be subsequently easily matched for special applications.

However, the object of the invention is independently achieved by the features of claim 25. The advantages resulting from the combination of features of this claim are that on the one hand the amount of the stored additive can be easily determined and on the other hand the degree of deformation of the support structure can be predetermined. The fact that at least one additive is incorporated into the still relatively large volume having pores in the continuous porous plastic material of the support structure before the hot pressing process, so a higher amount of additives can be stored within the support structure. The fact that first the support structure is made with the pores formed therein and only for the hot pressing process, the additive has been introduced, a much higher number of additives for storage is available. In order to if the incorporation of the additive into the support structure has been decoupled from the production of the support structure, no disadvantageous influence on the additives during the production of the support structure takes place. By subsequently introducing the additives into the pores of the support structure, it is also possible to use additives which tend to segregate during the production process of the support structure or else would not be suitable for this, since they are "sucked" into the semifinished product in the process step of filling the pores , Furthermore, however, significantly higher concentrations of additives can also be incorporated into the pores of the support structure than was possible with hitherto known production methods of covering materials. The introduction of the additive into the pores of the support structure is then dependent on the respective state of aggregation of the additive, wherein prior to the hot pressing process, the volume of the individual pores has a sufficient size to accommodate a high amount of additives can. By the subsequent hot pressing process after the incorporation of the additives into the pores, a highly compressed sliding surface is created, in which the lubricant is stored in the manner of storage chambers in the entire covering material. Furthermore, but also the processing and storage is facilitated because a uniform support structure of the open-cell plastic material can be produced and only depending on the manufactured winter sports equipment or the additives are incorporated into the pores. By the hot pressing process, a semi-finished product can be created, which can be supplied to the further processing for the completion of winter sports equipment.

Another advantage is also a development according to claim 26, characterized in that the support structure forms the predominant surface portion of the sliding surface and still additives are stored within the support structure, which serve to improve the sliding properties.

Also advantageous is an embodiment according to claim 27, characterized in that over the entire thickness or thickness of the lining material additives are incorporated. As a result, a sufficient amount of additives is always available over the entire thickness or thickness, with the additional possibility that during the sliding process additives can be transported out of the pores in the covering material.

Furthermore, an embodiment according to the features specified in claim 28 is advantageous, since so the covering material made to its individual application exactly predictable can be. Thus, a firmer and more stable covering material can be achieved with a smaller proportion of pores and thus the increased proportion of plastic of the support structure, whereas, with a higher percentage of pores, the quantitative incorporation of additives can be increased. Thus, for example, the sliding or climbing properties of winter sports equipment can be improved.

Due to the design according to the features specified in claim 29, each predetermined individual portion of the lining material can be adapted to different purposes. For example, a more resistant plastic material can be used in the region of the longitudinal side edges, whereas a different, for example softer, base material can be used in the central or central region. This can be achieved on the one hand on extreme edge loads and on the other hand on improved sliding properties in just resting on the ground winter sports equipment.

Also possible is a training according to the features specified in claim 30, as already without subsequent rework an open-pored support structure for the storage of additives is available and the storage process can be performed easily and inexpensively.

Also possible is a training according to the features specified in claim 31, because this in turn makes it possible to vote the lining material depending on its purpose exactly on this.

Furthermore, an embodiment according to the features specified in claim 32 is advantageous, since a higher variation possibility can be created with transparent or translucent covering structures for the optical design. Furthermore, it also improves or facilitates the connection process with the supporting structure of the sliding device.

A further advantageous embodiment is described in claim 33, whereby costs for the printing process can be saved, since it is much easier to apply a printed image on the adhesive layer than on the back of the support structure.

Also advantageous is a development according to claim 34, because it can be easily taken into account very different applications and at the same time while the bonding of the supporting structure of the sliding device can go along.

Due to the design according to the features specified in claim 35, a visual tightness is achieved with transparent or translucent covering materials. In addition, but also the bonding can be improved or achieved with the supporting structure of the sliding device.

Also advantageous is a development according to claim 36, because thereby the covering material can be easily adapted to a wide variety of operating conditions and thereby a significant improvement in the sliding properties can be achieved.

However, it is also an embodiment according to claim 37 advantageous since in the pores of the support structure before the hot pressing process, a basic quantity or basic substance can be introduced to additives, which can be subsequently easily matched for special applications.

A further advantageous development is described in claim 38, so that not only the pore sections form the sliding surface, but in addition can also take place for a variety of uses of winter sports equipment shaping. The different shapes of the embossings can serve for the additional absorption of sliding aids or else for the form-fitting support on the terrain surface facing the sliding surface.

Finally, the object of the invention is but independently solved by the features of claim 39. The resulting from the combination of features of the characterizing part of this claim advantages are that such a winter sports equipment with different sliding properties can be produced depending on the embedded in the lining material additives.

For a better understanding of the invention, this will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

Fig. 1

ein Wintersportgerät mit einem die Gleitfläche bildenden erfindungsgemäßen Belagmaterial;

Fig. 2

das Belagmaterial in seinem unverformten Ausgangszustand, in Ansicht geschnitten und stark vereinfachter Darstellung;

Fig. 3

das Belagmaterial nach Fig. 2 mit einem in die Poren eingebrachten Additiv;

Fig. 4

das Belagmaterial nach den Fig. 2 und 3 nach dem Warmpressvorgang in seiner verkleinerten Einsatzdicke;

Fig. 5

das Belagmaterial mit zusätzlichen Schichten noch vor dem Verbindungsvorgang mit dem Gleitgerät in voneinander distanzierter Anordnung der einzelnen Schichten;

Fig. 6

das Belagmaterial mit unterschiedlichen Teilabschnitten, in Draufsicht und vereinfachter schematischer Darstellung;

Fig. 7

einen weiteren möglichen Querschnitt des Belagmaterials vor dem Warmpressvorgang und ohne näherer Darstellung der Tragstruktur mit den Poren, in Ansicht geschnitten und stark vereinfachter Darstellung.

Each shows in a highly schematically simplified representation:

Fig. 1

a winter sports device with a lining material forming the sliding surface according to the invention;

Fig. 2

the lining material in its undeformed initial state, cut in view and greatly simplified representation;

Fig. 3

the covering material after Fig. 2 with an additive introduced into the pores;

Fig. 4

the covering material after the FIGS. 2 and 3 after the hot pressing process in its reduced insert thickness;

Fig. 5

the lining material with additional layers even before the connection process with the slider in spaced apart arrangement of the individual layers;

Fig. 6

the covering material with different sections, in plan view and simplified schematic representation;

Fig. 7

Another possible cross-section of the covering material before the hot pressing process and without a closer view of the support structure with the pores, cut in view and greatly simplified representation.

By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals or the same component names, wherein the disclosures contained in the entire description can be mutatis mutandis to the same parts with the same reference numerals or component names. Also, the position information selected in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc. related to the immediately described and illustrated figure and are to be transferred to a new position analogous to the new situation.

All statements on ranges of values in the description of the present invention should be understood to include any and all sub-ranges thereof, e.g. is the statement 1 to 10 to be understood that all sub-areas, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10 are included, ie. all subregions begin with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end at an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g. 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1 or 5.5 to 10.

In the Fig. 1 is a winter sports device 1 with a board-like sliding device 2 and a coupling device 3 for connecting to a shoe not shown in detail simplified illustrated schematically. The winter sports equipment 1 or the gliding device 2 may be, for example, a ski, a snowboard, a cross-country ski, a short ski, a firing ladder or the like.

The winter sports device 1 or the sliding device 2 comprises an outsole 4, which forms a sliding surface 5 on the side facing away from the coupling device 3. The outsole 4 with its sliding surface 5 serves to slide in a sliding process on snow and / or ice on the surface of the terrain along. As a result of the occurring during sliding interaction between roughness peaks of the outsole 4 with its sliding surface 5 and the snow or ice crystals, the locally generated frictional heat leads to melting or melting of snow or ice crystals. The resulting meltwater in situ leads subsequently to hydrodynamic lubrication conditions, whereby a low coefficient of sliding friction can be achieved. Especially at high sliding speeds, as these occur in alpine racing usual way, the parameters that lead to an undisturbed sliding in the dynamic process, essential. Also, the storage, processing and subsequent processing of the outsole 4 are of particular importance.

The outsole 4 of the winter sports device 1 is formed by a covering material 6 arranged on the sliding device 2, which will be described in detail in the following figures.

In the Fig. 2 to 4 is the covering material 6 for forming the outsole 4 of the winter sports equipment 1 in different state forms, as they occur during the production thereof, simplified schematically shown.

That's how it shows Fig. 2 a support structure 7 of a preferably continuous, open-pored plastic material 8. The support structure 7 thus includes the plastic material 8 and a plurality of contiguous pores 9, which together form an approximately sponge-like structure. The plastic 8 of the support structure 7 forms an approximately net or grid-like support frame, between which the individual pores 9 are formed or arranged.

The plastic 8 used to form the support structure 7 may, for example, be a polymeric material which may be e.g. produced in a continuous sintering process. In this case, for example, the plastic powder of a certain particle size in a layer of preferably constant, predetermined thickness and width can be applied to a conveyor belt. Subsequently, the plastic powder can be precompressed and then heated or heated so far that the sintering process takes place, in which the planar, in particular web-shaped support structure 7 is formed with the pores 9. Regardless, however, the porous supporting structure 7 could also be produced by a foaming process or similar production measures. As materials, for example, plastics from the group of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polypropylene (PP) can be selected.

The support structure 7 has in the area of the tread in the area facing this sliding surface 5. In an initial thickness 10 starting from the sliding surface 5, the support structure 7 is limited on the side facing away from it by a rear surface 11. The support structure 7 for forming the covering material 6 forms a flat, in particular web-shaped body, wherein the initial thickness 10 in a lower limit of 0.5 mm, in particular 2.0 mm and an upper limit of 8.0 mm, in particular 5.0 mm, is selected.

In its undeformed initial thickness 10, the support structure 7 has a proportion in a lower limit of 20%, preferably 40% and an upper limit of 90%, preferably 60%. The pore content may preferably be 50%. The details of the pore fraction are based on the total volume of the support structure 7. As can be seen from the simplified illustration of the pores 9, these form a continuous Kapillargefüge within the support structure 7. Thus, it is possible that, for example, air in the undeformed starting position can pass from the sliding surface 5 through the entire initial thickness 10 to the rear surface 11 therethrough.

Furthermore, it is still simplified that not only the plastic material 8 but also the pores 9 of the support structure 7 in the undeformed starting thickness 10 form a surface portion 12 of the sliding surface 5. Thus, the sliding surface 5 is formed both by the plastic 8 and by the arranged in or between this pores 9.

In the Fig. 3 is the support structure 7 according to the Fig. 2 represented, wherein in the pores 9 of the support structure 7 at least one additive 13 has been arranged or introduced. In this case, the proportion of the additive 13 with respect to the volume fraction of the pores 9 in the support structure 7 with the initial thickness 10 still undeformed can be in a lower limit of 50% and an upper limit of 100%.

The additive 13 can be selected from the group of liquid or solid substances, suspensions or even aggregate state-changing substances. The liquid substances include, for example, oils, solutions, etc. As solid materials, a wide variety of materials in any particle size such as powder, particulate matter, nanoparticles, graphite, polytetrafluoroethylene or quartz can be used. The suspensions include e.g. Pastes or gels. After all, a wide variety of waxes are among those substances that can change their state of aggregation when the temperature is affected. As a result of the introduction of the additives 13 after the production of the support structure 7, a wide variety of additives 13 can be incorporated into the pores 9, which was not or only conditionally possible with interference in the plastic material 8 prior to the production of the support structure 7. Thus, first, the support structure 7 can be made for themselves and subsequently only the additives 13 are stored in the pores 9 before the hot pressing process.

In the Fig. 4 is the support structure 7 according to the Fig. 3 after the compression process, starting from the initial thickness 10 toward an insert thickness 14. In addition, a pressing tool 15 is even more simplified.

In this case, the support structure 7 together with the additive 13, for example, in a hot pressing process, starting from its initial thickness 10 by an amount in a lower limit of 20% and an upper limit of 90%. The extent is preferably also chosen between 40% and 60%, in particular of 50%. In this case, only the thickness of the support structure 7 is reduced with the one or more incorporated therein additives 13. The hot pressing process is carried out in a temperature range with the lower limit of 20 ° C, in particular 80 ° C and an upper limit of 250 ° C, in particular 175 ° C. Hot press operation is understood to mean any pressing process in which heat is introduced into the support structure 7 of the plastic 8 and the additive 13 in addition to the application of force. This can be done in a simplified manner by heaters of various types or other electromagnetic or optical radiation.

The pressure force (F) required during the hot pressing process is applied statically to the support structure 7 and preferably exclusively in the vertical direction with respect to the sliding surface 5.

As further simplified shown here, the pores 9 of the support structure 7 of their undeformed output by the hot pressing process to micropores 16 with a size in a lower limit of 1 .mu.m, in particular of 2 microns and an upper limit of 500 .mu.m, in particular of 50 microns reshaped, especially reduced. Due to the fact that the additive 13 is introduced into the still undeformed pores 9 before the hot pressing process, the additive 13 is in a uniform proportion over the entire micropores 16 and thus over the entire volume the compressed support structure 7 distributed. Since the pores 9 form a coherent Kapillargefüge before hot pressing or compacting, and the micropores 16 in the support structure 7 form such a continuous Kapillargefüge. Due to the above-described open porosity, both the plastic material 8 of the covering material 6 and the micropores 16 therein form the common sliding surface 5 in the compressed insert thickness 14 of the supporting structure 7. The predominant areal proportion, however, is formed by the plastic 8 of the support structure 7. As a result, a virtually smooth, compact sliding surface 5 is formed, since the micropores 16 form only a minimal surface section of the entire sliding surface 5.

The micropores 16 serve as storage chambers within the support structure 7, whereby a sufficient amount of additive 13 in the support structure 7 is present during the sliding process is. If the additive 13 is removed or removed from the micropores 16 during the sliding process, this can be subsequently introduced again into the micropores 16 in a subsequent separate service procedure. These may be, for example, various lubricants such as waxes or the like.

The micropores 16 of the support structure 7 are filled after compression with a proportion in a lower limit of 50% and an upper limit of 100% with the additive 13. The details of the degree of filling of the micropores 16 are in turn based on the volume fraction.

In the Fig. 5 is the covering material 6 with its sliding surface 5 before the connection process with the sliding device 2 to form the winter sports equipment 1 simplified schematically and shown in a separate position of the individual layers. The support structure 7 formed from the plastic material 8 has already been reduced to its insert thickness 14 and, for the sake of clarity, is shown at a distance from the further construction of the sliding device 2.

For connecting the support structure 7 with the further construction of the winter sports device 1, it is advantageous if an adhesive layer 17 is arranged, in particular integrally formed, on or on the support structure 7 on the side facing away from the sliding surface 5. The connection can be made in many different ways. The adhesive layer 17 can in turn be selected from the group of woven, knitted, nonwoven, knitted, hard paper, Al composites, plastic film composites, etc. Depending on the choice of the adhesive layer 17, this can already effect an adhesive or gluing process on its own and e.g. be formed by a heat-activatable adhesive layer or even be coated with such a self. In the case of naturally smooth substances, the surfaces to be joined should be pretreated accordingly, because of better adhesion. This can e.g. by the application of primers, paint layers, grinding or the like.

The plastic material 8 as well as the incorporated or stored therein additives 13 may be either translucent to transparent or completely opaque. This depends on the coloring of the plastic material 8 or also on the coloring of the incorporated additives 13. If, for example, a transparent or translucent plastic material 8 for the support structure 7 as well as also a translucent or transparent additive 13 is used, on a support structure 7 facing surface 18 of the adhesive layer 17 before the connection process with the support structure 7, a printed image 19 can be applied. The printed image 19 is indicated schematically here by thick lines in different lengths. Depending on the choice of the printed image 19 and the adhesive layer 17, it may additionally be advantageous if an additional background layer 20 is applied to the adhesive layer 17 on the side facing away from the sliding surface 5. This background layer 20 serves to avoid a transparent view or translucently selected plastic material 8 through to the supporting structure of the sliding device 2. In this case, the background layer 20 may be formed, for example, by a lacquer, an opaque polymer layer or the like. The background layer 20 may, for example, also be referred to as a decorative or contrast layer. On the one hand, it serves to achieve a certain opacity and, on the other hand, with the appropriate choice of material, also serves as an adhesive or adhesive layer.

As shown here in simplified form, the covering material 6 has been correspondingly adapted and cut in its outer contour shape prior to being connected to the winter sports device 1 to be produced. The fitting or cutting is dependent on the produced winter sports equipment 1. In the in the Fig. 5 illustrated winter sports equipment 1 is a ski or a snowboard with a side edge arranged thereon of an iron or steel material. The covering material 6 is to be cut in its outer outline such that it can be inserted into the available receiving space and finally connected to form the winter sports device 1. The bonding process, which is usually carried out with the application of pressure and / or heat, a better compensation of manufacturing errors in the blank is achieved because the covering material 6 is still slightly deformed and can be adapted to the outline of the receiving space of the sliding device 2. After cooling, a seamless transition between the side edge and the covering material 6 is thus achievable.

For example, if a cross-country ski is produced, which usually has no steel edges, the covering material 6 is cut with a corresponding oversize, for example as a parallel strip, and then connected to the supporting structure of the gliding device 2 for winter sports equipment 1. Subsequently, the corresponding packaging process of the Covering material 6 by cutting along the outline contour of the sliding device 2. The arrangement of the layers described above can also be done analogously here.

The hot pressing process described above can be carried out either during the connection process with the winter sports equipment 1 or even before connecting to the winter sports equipment 1. This can be freely selected according to the selected manufacturing process for the winter sports equipment 1.

In addition, however, it is also possible for an embossment 21 to be formed in the sliding surface 5 of the covering material 6 during the hot pressing process. Such an embossment 21 is in the Fig. 5 simplified as a longitudinal groove indicated. However, the embossing 21 can also be, for example, a scale, a fish scale pattern, a ground structure or even a microstructure. Such scales or scales can be used as a climbing aid in cross-country skiing.

If the covering material 6 has already been hot-pressed before being connected to the sliding device 2 and thus reduced from its starting thickness 10 to the insertion thickness 14, at least one of the additives 13 can be additionally introduced into the micropores 16 of a surface layer 22 of the covering material and enriched with them. As a result, a higher possibility of variation of the additives 13 embedded in the micropores 16 is achieved.

From the Fig. 6 is simplified, the covering material 6 with its sliding surface 5 as a prefabricated cargo before the connection operation with the sliding device 2 shown. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the detailed description in the previous ones will be used FIGS. 1 to 5 referred or referred. Furthermore, the same component designations or reference numerals for the same components as in the preceding FIGS. 1 to 5 used.

The covering material 6 has a blank in the region of its outer circumference, which here already corresponds to the winter sports device 1 to be produced. The covering material 6 has transverse to the longitudinal extent of the same seen from each other distant longitudinal edge 23. These longitudinal edges 23 come in certain winter sports equipment 1 with a so-called Steel edge in contact, wherein the steel edge forms the outer boundary region of the winter sports equipment 1.

Furthermore, 5 different sections of the sliding surface 5 are spatially separated from each other by thin lines in the area of the sliding surface. Thus, for example, the sliding surface 5 a the longitudinal edges 23 adjacent edge portion 24 and in the region of a longitudinal axis 25 each distanced from each other have a front and rear central portion 26, 27. Between the front and rear central portion 26, 27 can still further be formed a central portion 28. The longitudinal axis 25 extends from a tip 29 to an end 30 of the covering material 6.

These schematically indicated sections 24 and 26 to 28 are chosen only by way of example and can be freely arranged on the sliding surface 5 as desired. It is only important that the covering material 6 is always formed as a one-piece component.

The arrangement or provision of the different sections 24 to 28 now allows a very large variety of possible combinations for the formation of the support structure 7 of the plastic material 8, arranged in the plastic material 8 pores 9, the porosity and the embedded in the pores 9 additives 13th
Thus, for example, the support structure 7 with respect to the sliding surface 5 sections of a different plastic material 8 in the individual sections 24 and 26 to 28 may be formed. Regardless, however, the pore portion in the support structure 7 with respect to the sliding surface 5 sections can be formed differently. Furthermore, in the individual pores 9 of the support structure 7 with respect to the sliding surface 5, in turn, sections of different additives 13 can be incorporated. Thus, for example, sand or quartz grains could be stored in the central section 28 and thus serve the covering material 6 for cross-country skiing with a climbing aid formed therein. As a result, an increased friction between the central portion 28 of the covering material 6 and the terrain area, not shown, is achieved during the loading process. On discharge, however, there is a support of the covering material 6 in the region of the front and rear central portion 26, 27 which in turn may have favorable sliding properties with appropriately stored additives 13.

If, in sections, different additives 13 are incorporated into the individual pores 9 of the support structure 7, this can be done selectively by pre-programmed application to the sliding surface 5. This would be similar to the order of the additives 13 similar to an ink jet printing process. Thus, each of the different additives 13 can be applied to precisely predeterminable sections 24 and 26 to 28 of the sliding surface 5 and incorporated into the pores 9. Since the pores 9 or the compacted micropores 16 form a surface section 12 together with the plastic material 8 of the support structure 7, it is possible here to speak of a microscopic design of the surface section 12. By contrast, the described sections 24, 26 to 28 refer to macroscopic surface sections.

In the Fig. 7 a cross-section through the facing material 6 is shown in simplified form prior to deformation and incorporation of the additives 13. For the sake of simplicity, the representation of the individual pores 9 and the support structure 7 has been dispensed with and only a simple hatching has been selected. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the detailed description in the previous ones will be used FIGS. 1 to 6 referred or referred. Likewise, the same reference numerals or component designations for the same components as in the preceding FIGS. 1 to 6 used.
Thus, seen in cross-section, the support structure 7 with respect to the sliding surface 5 in sections to each other to a different initial thickness 10. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the initial thickness 10 in the region of the longitudinal edges 23 is selected to be greater than in the region of the longitudinal axis 25. Because a higher volume fraction of plastic material 8 is available in the edge sections 24, a higher compression factor than in the case of the same porosity can, for example Central or central portion 26, 27, 28 can be achieved.

In order to achieve a high operational stability of the covering material 6, especially in the region of the longitudinal edges 23, resistant additives 13 can be incorporated in the edge sections 24 against the influence of temperature and high pressure and friction forces. Likewise, however, a high-strength plastic 8 can also be selected as the material of the edge sections 24 to be formed. It is only important that the covering material 6 is integrally formed, even if this is formed in the individual sections 24, 26 to 28 different plastic materials 8.

As a result of the widely described variation possibilities of the covering material 6 with the additives 13 incorporated therein, the processing, the assembly, the grinding process, etc., can be substantially improved and simplified.

The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiments of the covering material 6, wherein it should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments of the same.

For the sake of order, it should finally be pointed out that, for a better understanding of the structure of the covering material 6 or of the winter sports device 1, this or its components have been shown partially unevenly and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Winter sports equipment

2

gliding

3

coupling device

4

outsole

5

sliding surface

6

covering material

7

supporting structure

8th

Plastic material

9

pore

10

initial thickness

11

rear surface

12

surface section

13

additive

14

operational thickness

15

press tool

16

micropore

17

adhesive layer

18

surface

19

print image

20

Background layer

21

embossing

22

surface layer

23

longitudinal edge

24

edge section

25

longitudinal axis

26

Front middle section

27

Rear middle section

28

Central section

29

top

30

The End

Claims (39)

1. A method for producing a flat, particularly web-like, facing material (6) with a gliding surface (5) for a running sole (4) of a winter sports device (1), in which

   ➢ a base structure (7) is formed from a continuously open-pored plastic material (8) having an initial thickness (10);

   ➢ at least one additive (13) is introduced into the pores (9) of the base structure (7);

   ➢ the base structure (7) together with the additive (13) is reduced from its initial thickness (10) by an amount within a lower limit of 20% and an upper limit of 90% in a hot pressing operation.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the initial thickness (10) of the base structure (7) is selected so as to be within a lower limit of 0.5 mm and an upper limit of 8.0 mm.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the base structure (7) has an initial thickness (10) that is embodied to be different with respect to different portions of the gliding surface (5).
4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base structure (7) is made from different plastic materials (8) with respect to different portions of the gliding surface (5).
5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base structure (7) is designed such that the porosity thereof in the non-formed initial thickness (10) is within a lower limit of 20% and an upper limit of 90%.
6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the porosity of the base structure (7) is designed to be different with respect to different portions of the gliding surface (5).
7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a cohesive capillary structure is formed in the base structure (7) by the pores (9) therein.
8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a surface portion (12) of the gliding surface (5) is formed by the pores (9) of the base structure (7) in the non-formed initial thickness (10).
9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pores (9) of the base structure (7) in the as yet unformed initial thickness (10) are filled with a percentage of additive (13) between a lower limit of 50 % and an upper limit of 100%.
10. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pores (9) of the base structure (7) are filled with different additives (13) with respect to different portions of the gliding surface (5).
11. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pores (9) of the base structure (7) are re-shaped, particularly reduced in size compared with the unformed initial size thereof to a size within a lower limit of 1 µm, particularly of 2 µm, and an upper limit of 500 µm, particularly of 50 µm, to form micropores (16) by said hot pressing operation.
12. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that an adhesive layer (17) is applied to the base structure (7) on the side facing away from the gliding surface (5).
13. The method according to claim 12, characterised in that a printed image (19) is applied to the adhesive layer (17) on a surface (18) facing the base structure (7) before the process of joining to the base structure (7).
14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the adhesive layer (17) is selected from the group comprising woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, non-woven materials, hardboard, Al composites, plastic film composites.
15. The method according to any of claims 12 to 14, characterised in that a background layer (20), such as a varnish, an opaque polymer coating, is applied to the side of the adhesive layer (17) facing away from the gliding surface (5).
16. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the additive (13) is selected from the group comprising liquid or solid substances, suspensions or substances which change their aggregate state, for example oils, solutions or powders, with various grain sizes, particulate substances, nanoparticles, graphite, polytetrafluoroethylene, quartzes, pastes, gels or waxes.
17. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pressing force (F) is applied statically during the hot pressing operation.
18. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pressing force (F) is applied exclusively in a direction perpendicular to the gliding surface (5) during the hot pressing operation.
19. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the facing material (6) is adapted and cut so that its external contour matches the winter sports device (1) to be produced before it is joined with the winter sports device (1).
20. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hot pressing operation is carried out during the process of joining to the winter sports device (1).
21. The method according to any of claims 1 to 19, characterised in that the hot pressing operation is carried out before the process of joining to the winter sports device (1).
22. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hot pressing operation is carried out in a temperature range having a lower limit of 20 °C, particularly 80 °C, and an upper limit of 250 °C, particularly 175 °C.
23. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that an indentation (21), such as a groove, a scale, a fish scale pattern, a ground structure, a microstructure, is formed in the gliding surface (5) of the facing material (6) during the hot pressing operation.
24. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one of the additives (13) is additionally introduced into the micropores (16) of a surface coating (22) of the facing material (6) after the hot pressing operation, increasing the concentration thereof.
25. A facing material (6) having a gliding surface (5) for a running sole of a winter sports device (1), comprising a base structure (7) made from an open-pored plastic material (8) and at least one additive (13) disposed in the pores (9) of the base structure (7), wherein the pores (9) of the base structure (7) are formed by micropores (16), characterised in that the micropores (16) of the base structure (7) are filled with the additive (13) to a percentage between a lower limit of 50 % and an upper limit of 100%, and that the additive (13) is distributed evenly among all of the micropores (16).
26. The facing material (6) according to claim 25, characterised in that the micropores (16) have a size with a lower limit of 1 µm and an upper limit of 500 µm.
27. The facing material. (6) according to claim 25 or 26, characterised in that the micropores (16) form a cohesive capillary structure in the base structure (7).
28. The facing material (6) according to any of claims 25 to 27, characterised in that the porosity of the micropores (16) in the base structure (7) is different with respect to different portions of the gliding surface (5).
29. The facing material (6) according to any of claims 25 to 28, characterised in that the base structure (7) is made from different plastic materials (8) with respect to different portions of the gliding surface (5).
30. The facing material (6) according to any of claims 25 to 29, characterised in that the base structure (7) and the micropores (16) together form the gliding surface (5).
31. The facing material (6) according to any of claims 25 to 30, characterised in that the micropores (16) of the base structure (7) are filled with different additives (13) with respect to different portions of the gliding surface (5).
32. The facing material (6) according to any of claims 25 to 31, characterised in that an adhesive layer (17) is applied to the side of the base structure (7) facing away from the gliding surface (5).
33. The facing material (6) according to claim 32, characterised in that a printed image (19) is applied to the surface (18) facing the base structure (7) on the adhesive layer (17).
34. The facing material (6) according to claim 32 or 33, characterised in that the adhesive layer (17) is selected from the group comprising woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, non-woven materials, hardboard, Al composites, plastic film composites.
35. The facing material (6) according to any of claims 32 to 34, characterised in that a background layer (20), such as a varnish, an opaque polymer coating, is applied to the side of the adhesive layer (17) facing away from the gliding surface (5).
36. The facing material (6) according to any of claims 25 to 35, characterised in that the additive is selected from the group comprising liquid or solid substances, suspensions or substances which change their aggregate state, such as oils, solutions or powders with various grain sizes, particulate substances, nanoparticles, graphite, polytetrafluoroethylene, sand grains or quartzes, pastes, gels or waxes.
37. The facing material (6) according to any of claims 25 to 36, characterised in that at least one of the additives (13) is additionally introduced into the micropores (16) of a surface layer (22) of the facing material (6).
38. The facing material (6) according to any of claims 25 to 37, characterised in that an indentation such as a groove, a scale, a fish scale pattern, a ground structure or a microstructure, is formed in the gliding surface (5) of the facing material (6).
39. Winter sports device (1) comprising a running sole (4) consisting of a facing material (6), characterised in that the facing material (6) is created according to any of claims 25 to 38.

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