EP2689816B1 - Snowboard - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to the field of snow sliding sports, and in particular alpine skis and snowboards. It relates more particularly to an arrangement of the lower surface which allows an effective practice, particularly as regards the execution of turns, while being compatible with a simple method of manufacture.

PRIOR TECHNIQUES

In general, the gliding boards have a lower face, also called sliding sole, which ensures contact with the snow, and is laterally edged with edges to allow the attachment on the snow when the ski is inclined relative to the sliding surface. This gliding sole is therefore flat, which means that when the ski is loaded to annoy its camber at the central level, the gliding sole comes into full contact with the plane on which it is applied, with the exception of the extremal portions forming the spatula or heel. In other words, the lower surface of the board is a geometrically defined surface, meaning that in cross section, the sole represents a straight segment.

Different proposals have already been made with boards whose lower face is not flat, but on the contrary has a worked form, with different objectives. Thus, it has been proposed in the documents WO 2011/155845 , WO 2007/094690 and WO 95/21662 snowboards whose gliding sole has areas at different altitudes. A central zone comes into direct contact with the snow, while the lateral zones of the gliding sole are slightly elevated. The shape of the central zone is arranged to allow a good transmission of the supports at the level where the feet rest on the board, and thus occupies almost all, see all, the width of the board. Conversely, outside the central area of the surf, the central portion of the gliding sole, which comes into contact with the snow, is of reduced width. Such a configuration, specific to snowboarding has the major disadvantage of being particularly complex to achieve, since it requires very precise machining of the gliding sole.

Other proposals have been made in order to improve the handling of a surf, in particular the passage from one edge to another on a surf. For example, the document WO 89/06560 which describes a surf equipped with two sets of edges, of which a first series of edges is located on the lateral edges of the central portion of the gliding sole, and thus constitutes the active edges when the surf is slightly inclined. The gliding sole is extended laterally by two raised areas, which form a recess upward to allow the first edges to hang the snow. These lateral portions of the gliding sole which are offset relative to the remainder of the sole induce a discontinuous and non-progressive behavior during the inclination of the board.

Similar solutions have also been proposed in the documents US 5,462,304 , or DE-U-8705677 . These documents describe boards that are laterally equipped with extensions that can be flexible, or that play a particular role when the inclination of the board is important. Such constructions are particularly complex to manufacture or fragile, insofar as they require the incorporation into the board of an additional element to the conventional structure, or they require the implantation of the edges in an area that does not correspond to the side edge of the board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is therefore a need for boards that are both more manageable, with an improved ability to switch from one edge to another, while being easy to manufacture and reliable.

• une face inférieure bordée de carres, et incluant une portion plane et centrale, cette portion centrale se prolongeant de façon continue par des portions latérales s'étendant transversalement jusqu'à la ligne de côte, en s'écartant vers le haut du plan formé par cette portion centrale ;
• deux lignes transversales de plus forte largeur avant et arrière, situées à proximité ou à l'intérieur des zones respectivement spatule et talon.

The invention thus relates to a board for gliding on snow which comprises:

• a lower face edged with edges, and including a planar and central portion, said central portion extending continuously by lateral portions extending transversely to the coastline, away from the plane formed by this central portion;
• two transverse lines of greater width front and rear, located near or inside the respectively spatula and heel areas.

This board according to the invention is characterized in that the structure of the board comprises a core extending transversely above the lateral portions of the lower face and whose thickness, measured in transverse planes, is decreasing in size. heading towards the dimension line. Meanwhile, when the board is loaded so that the entire surface of the central planar portion is plated on a horizontal plane, between the two lines of greater front and rear width, the edges are at a non-zero height and substantially constant with respect to the plane formed by the central portion of the lower face, over an area extending at least between the two transverse lines of greater width.

In other words, the glide base of a board according to the invention has a particular core structure, which makes it possible to give the sole a specific configuration. Thus, the central longitudinal zone is lined with inclined portions, forming an extension direct without discontinuity, so that a lateral inclination of the board allows to move gradually from a support on the central portion to a support on these side portions. In this configuration, the ends of these lateral zones of the gliding sole, at which the edges are located, are at a substantially identical altitude over the almost entire length of the board, and in particular between the points. the widest of the board, located at front and back.

In other words, when the board is placed on a horizontal plane, and this by canceling its central camber, and part of the spatula or heel, the edges appear on the side face at a distance almost constant relative to to this reference plane. With this positioning of edges, it reduces the risk of snagging when changing on ramps or platforms, in practice "free-style".

According to another aspect of the invention, the width of these lateral zones, measured transversely and in plan view is substantially constant. In other words, the boundary between the central portion and the lateral portions of the glide base draws a curve which is deduced from the lateral edge of the board, that is to say from the coast line, by a translation cross. The boundary between the central zone and the lateral zones of the gliding sole is understood as the line from which the gliding soleplate is no longer in contact with a reference horizontal plane when the plank is plated on the latter. the conditions already mentioned.

Given the radii of curvature conventionally practiced on the gliding boards, this transverse measure of the width of the lateral portion is substantially equivalent to the measurement made perpendicular to the tangent of the coastline.

In practice, different variants can be used concerning the profile of the lateral portions of the gliding sole. Thus, in a first embodiment, in a transverse plane, the lateral zones can adopt a rectilinear profile thus defining a substantially flat surface in the conditions already mentioned. It is also possible in a variant that the lateral zones adopt a curved profile, whose curvature is oriented upwards to ensure in particular increased progressivity in the transition of the supports when the board tilts laterally. Reverse curvature can also be considered.

Geometrically, it is possible for the lateral zones of the lower face to extend beyond the lines of greater front or rear width, and even extend to the front or rear end so as to cover the entire periphery. of the board.

In terms of internal structure, different embodiments can be employed, so as to ensure overall rigidity of the board, including in the side portions which are more constrained, since they are less thick. Thus, because of the inclined configuration of the lateral zones of the gliding sole, when the upper face of the board is substantially flat, the thickness of the board decreases continuously approaching the edges. Nevertheless, the invention is not limited to a particular geometry of the upper face of the board, and can be declined to different types of structures and geometries, including three-dimensional, with respect to the upper face of the board.

Thus, the core may have a central portion of substantially constant thickness and side portions whose thickness decreases towards the outside of the board. It may also have a three-dimensional shape in its upper face, that is to say non-planar.

At the same time, the invention can be broken down into different structural designs, namely "sandwich" structures, in which the core is lined with longitudinal elements, but also "shell" structures, for which the upper assembly joins the whole assembly. below the level of the dimension line.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES:

• la figure 1 est une vue de côté d'un ski conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de dessus du ski de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de dessous du ski de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de côté du ski de la figure 1 montré dans une configuration dans laquelle la quasi-totalité de sa longueur est plaquée sur un plan horizontal ;
• La figure 5 est une vue en coupe du ski de la figure 4, au niveau du plan V-V'.
• Les figures 6 et 7 sont des vues en coupe analogues à la figure 4, pour différentes variantes de réalisation.

The manner of carrying out the invention, as well as certain advantages derived therefrom, will emerge from the description of the 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;
• the figure 2 is a top view of the ski from the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is a bottom view of the ski from the figure 1 ;
• the figure 4 is a side view of the ski from the figure 1 shown in a configuration in which substantially all of its length is plated on a horizontal plane;
• The figure 5 is a sectional view of the ski from the figure 4 , at the plane V-V '.
• The Figures 6 and 7 are sectional views similar to the figure 4 , for different embodiments.

The different elements represented in the figures have been without necessarily taking into account their real dimensions, and this, to clearly view certain aspects of the invention. Thus, the thicknesses of different layers and the angles that form different surfaces may have been increased in the figures compared to reality, to allow a good understanding of the invention.

MANNER OF REALIZING THE INVENTION

As already mentioned, the invention can be applied to different types of gliding boards and although described hereinafter more particularly for snowboards, it can of course be transposed to other types of boards, particularly alpine skis.

In general, and as illustrated in figure 1 , a snowboard (or "snowboard" or "surf") has a lower face that forms the sole glide, and comes into contact with the snow.

In the form illustrated in figure 2 , the surf 1 is shown without being loaded, and the gliding sole has a central zone 3 forming a camber at which the lower face is not directly in contact with the horizontal reference plane 7.

The board is in contact with the reference plane 7 by two zones 4 and 5 located near the ends 8 and 9 forming the heel and the spatula of the board. As illustrated in figure 2 , the board has two transverse lines 10 and 11 of greater width, between which the board has a smaller and substantially minimal width at the median longitudinal level 12.

In the form illustrated in figure 3 , the lower face of the board is bordered with edges 20, 21 which are present on the edges of the board and most of the periphery thereof, extending beyond the lines of greater width 10, 11. The lower face 2 has a central portion 23, which is flat according to the definition mentioned above, that is to say which has a rectilinear profile in cross section. This flat central zone 23 is laterally bordered by two lateral zones 24,25 which extend from 26,27 limit of the central zone 23 to the edge 20,21.

According to one aspect of the invention, the width ℓ of these lateral zones 24,25 is substantially constant between the lines of greatest width 10.11. The width ℓ of these areas is measured in plan view and in a transverse direction that is to say perpendicular to the median longitudinal axis 6 of the board.

Thus, the shape of the curve delimiting the central area 23 and the side zones 24,25 can be deduced from the dimension line, or in other words, the curve formed by the edges, by a simple translation.

According to another aspect of the invention, the height h at which the edges 20, 21 are located is also remarkable. Thus, to measure the height of the edges with respect to a horizontal reference plane 7, the board is loaded in such a way that it comes into contact with the reference plane over most of its length, and at least between the lines of highest width 10,11. The load is distributed so that the camber of the central portion in which the fasteners are located is canceled. When the wide points are beyond the contact lines, for example in boards that have a survey commonly called "rocker", the load is also exerted to cancel these statements spatula and heel. In this case, and as shown in figure 4 , the height h of the edge is constant over the entire length of the board between the two lines of greater width 11 11, and even beyond if the side zones of the underside extend.

The height h of the edge is measured at the lower outer edge of its bead, that is to say at its most prominent edge. In the case where the metal edge is located at another point of the board, or nonexistent, the term "square", the lower edge and side of the structure, at the level of the line of dimensions.

Different geometries can be used and each correspond to specific manufacturing modes.

Thus, as illustrated in figure 5 , the board has a layer 50 forming the gliding sole. This layer, of substantially constant thickness, is shaped to present a flat central portion 23 , and in contact with the plane of reference 7. This central portion 23 extends laterally by two lateral portions 24,25. In the illustrated form, both side portions 24,25 are substantially planar, such that they form an angle α with respect to the reference plane 7.

The limit 26,27 between the central zone 23 and the lateral zones 24,25 is reduced to one line, but finishing operations can lead to the attenuation of the angular character of this boundary, in which case the width ℓ of the zone lateral is measured from the point where the central zone 23 is no longer in contact with the reference plane 7.

Such a conformation of the sliding sole 50 is made possible by the use of a core 52 whose shape is provided accordingly. Thus, the core 52 has a central portion 53 of substantially constant thickness, and side portions 54,55 whose thickness lessens going towards the outside of the board.

In the form illustrated in figure 5 this core 52 rests on the sole 50 via a reinforcing layer 56. This core 52 is also covered with a second reinforcement 57 and a top layer of decoration and protection 58. The core is, always in the form illustrated in the figure 5 , bordered by longitudinal elements 60,61 which form the songs of the board and which rest on the edges 20,21.

Of course, the number and position of the various reinforcement layers, as well as their nature, may vary depending on the mechanical properties that are to be given to the board.

In the form illustrated in figure 5 , the upper face of the board is rectilinear and flat, but other variants can be envisaged.

Thus, as illustrated in figure 6 , the core 62 has a three-dimensional shape in its upper face, so that the reinforcements 67 and the upper layer of decoration and protection 68 adopt a geometry also three-dimensional. In the form of the figure 6 , the board has no longitudinal elements, forming the edges, but instead is designed according to a "shell" structure, so that the upper protective layer and the upper reinforcements come into contact with the reinforcing layer 66 to the edge of the edges 20,21.

In a variant illustrated in figure 7 , the layer 70 forming the sliding sole has a central portion 73 which is in contact with reference plane 7. This central portion 73 is laterally extended by side portions 75 74 which have a curved profile, whose curvature is oriented towards the high.

In this way, during the inclination of the board, the contact area between the sole and the reference plane gradually moves towards the edges. The core 72 is thus provided so that its lower face 71 has a similar profile. Thus, during molding inside the mold base which has a complementary profile, the sole 70 formed by a layer of substantially constant thickness deforms to adapt the desired profile.

As already mentioned, this board structure can be declined for both snowboarding and skiing. As an indication, all applications combined, the width ℓ of the lateral zones of the lower face may be between 10 and 100mm, preferably between 20 and 70 mm. The height h can be between 0.4 and 8 mm, and preferably between 0.5 and 5 mm.

More specifically, for its application to surfs, the width ℓ of the lateral zones of the lower face is between 30 and 50 mm, and the height h for the edges is between 1 and 2 mm. For application to alpine skiing, the width ℓ of the lateral zones of the lower face is of the order of 10 to 30 mm, while the height of the edges in this configuration is between 0.4 and 1.5 mm.

Such boards have the advantage of being able to be achieved by employing a finishing process of the gliding sole which is particularly easy to implement and does not require complex tools. Indeed, insofar as the profile of the sliding sole in a transverse plane remains constant over almost the entire length of the board, the finishing operation can be achieved using a grinding wheel which has a complementary profile, at least in the lateral areas of the lower face.

Thus, this wheel may be of conical shape or comprise an abrasive roller whose axis of rotation is inclined relative to the horizontal with all possible geometries depending on the angle, length and profile that the we want to get. This roller may be disposed between a flat portion on which rests the central portion of the sole, and a lateral stop against which abuts the rib line.

Claims (10)

1. Snow gliding board (1), comprising:

   • a bottom face (2) lined by edges (20,21) and including a central planar portion (23), said central portion extending continuously with side portions (24,25) extending transversely to the side cut by moving away upwardly from the plane formed by said central portion (23);

   • two transverse lines (10,11) of greater front and rear width, located near or within the areas respectively tip (8) and toe (9),

   characterised in that the structure of the board comprises a core (52) extending transversely over the side portions (24,25) of the bottom face and having a thickness, measured in the transverse planes, decreasing by moving towards the side cut, and in that when the board is loaded so that the entire surface of the central planar portion (23) is pressed against a horizontal plane (7) between said two transverse lines of greater width (10,11), the edges (20,21) are at a non-zero height (h) substantially constant relative to the plane formed by the central portion (23) of the bottom face (2) over an area extending at least between said two transverse lines of greater width (10,11).
2. Gliding board according to claim 1, characterised in that the thickness (ℓ) of said side zones (24,25), measured transversally and from a top view is substantially constant.
3. Gliding board according to claim 1, characterised in that the width of the board, measured in transversal planes, is increasing from the side cut to the side portions (24,25) of the central planar portion (23) of the bottom face.
4. Gliding board according to claim 1, characterised in that in a transversal plane, the side portions (24,25) have a rectilinear profile.
5. Gliding board according to claim 1, characterised in that in a transversal plane, the side portions (74,75) have a curved profile, the curvature of said profile being orientated upwards.
6. Gliding board according to claim 1, characterised in that the side portions of the bottom face are extending beyond the lines with greater front and/or rear width.
7. Gliding board according to claim 1, characterised in that the core (52) has a central portion (53) with a thickness substantially constant, and side portions (54,55) with a thickness decreasing towards the outside of the board.
8. Gliding board according to claim 1, characterised in that the core (52) is lined with longitudinal elements (60,61).
9. Gliding board according to claim 1, characterised in that the core (62) has a three-dimensional shape in its upper face.
10. Gliding board according to claim 1, characterised in that the gliding board is designed as a « shell » structure.

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