EP3028749B1 - Gliding board in which the core includes a highly flexible element - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to the field of sliding sports on snow or on water, and in particular more precisely the field of boards for sliding on snow for a downhill evolution, in particular on groomed track, whether it is alpine skis or snowboards, or boards intended for water sports such as surfing or "kite-surfing". The invention relates more particularly to an internal structure of this type of board, which gives advantageous mechanical properties.

Invention background

In general, snow gliding boards, whether on skis or snowboards, have an internal structure formed mainly of a core separating two lower and upper reinforcement layers. These reinforcing layers give its rigidity to the board, and in particular its rigidity in longitudinal bending and its stiffness in torsion, and allow the transmission of the forces exerted by the user at the edges. Indeed, when the user makes a turn, or more generally that he does not move with the flat board on the snow, the board is inclined around the edge by which is exerted on the snow the forces generated by the user. For the steering of the turn to take place as efficiently as possible, it is necessary that these forces are transmitted as directly as possible from the upper face of the board to the edge, by means of the upper reinforcement, of the core and lower reinforcement. It can therefore be seen that the use of very rigid structures makes it possible to improve this transmission.

However, the reaction exerted by the snow on the board causes vibrations, all the more important that the snow surface is rigid in the case of hard snow, packed or frozen, or that the surface is irregular. Direct transmission of this reaction can cause some discomfort to the user.

Statement of the invention

We understand that it is necessary to achieve a compromise between on the one hand a good transmission of forces to the edge, and on the other hand a feeling of comfort to prevent excessive vibrations from disturbing the user. Thus, the Applicant has designed a board for gliding on snow, the internal structure of which comprises a core bordered with lateral edges, this core separating at least two layers of upper and lower reinforcement, and in which the core includes at least one additional element, formed of a material having greater flexibility than the rest of the core.

According to the invention, this board is characterized in that this additional element is elongated, of constant width and curved in a plane parallel to the underside of the board.

In other words, the invention consists in integrating into the core a more flexible member, of the elastomeric type in particular, having a greater deformation capacity than the rest of the core, and which separates the core into at least two distinct regions. In other words, the gliding board according to the invention includes in its core an element of greater flexibility, which makes it possible to give local deformation capacities of the board. This additional element is housed in a recess in the core which has a shape that is not straight but curved, with a curvature inscribed in a plane parallel to the gliding sole which forms the underside of the board, when the camber of the board is possible. is canceled for example on a horizontal plane. In other words, this additional element is curved in a substantially horizontal plane, after cancellation of the camber of the board. Thanks to the curved shape of this additional element, the intrinsic mechanical properties of the board are modified in its specific zones near the additional element, with a progressiveness both for the stiffnesses in longitudinal and transverse bending, as well as in torsional stiffness

Thus, the discontinuity of the core formed by the characteristic additional element makes it possible to ensure a certain decoupling of the two regions thus separated, while retaining good transmission of forces.
Of course, different configurations and locations are possible for the additional element.
Thus, in a first embodiment, a fraction of the additional element can be inclined angularly relative to the central longitudinal axis of the board, by a angle included 5 ° and 85 °. In this configuration, the additional element locally modifies the rigidities in longitudinal and lateral bending, as well as in torsion. This facilitates flexural movements of the structure along an axis which is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the board. The inclination of this additional element causes the flexural rigidity (transverse or longitudinal) to change gradually as a function of the location of the forces exerted by the user. Thus, the impact of the properties of the additional element on the stiffness in transverse and longitudinal bending is felt over a wider area than if the additional element were oriented in a purely longitudinal or transverse direction. On the other hand, the fact that this additional element is inclined avoids creating zones of concentration of excessive stresses, in the purely longitudinal and / or transverse directions, which avoids weakening the mechanical strength of the structure.

In another embodiment, the additional element may extend over the entire length of the board, following the coast line. In this case, a local deformation of the board is allowed at the edge, in transverse bending, which allows the edge to better match the ground, while limiting the transmission of vibrations, thus providing a feeling of damping and comfort.

In a particular embodiment, the additional element may extend at the ends of the board by following their external profiles. In other words, the additional element has a strongly curved shape in the main surface of the board which follows the shape of the outer contour of the tip and / or the heel.

In another configuration, the additional element can extend substantially from one side to the other of the board. In this case, the additional element separates two areas of the board located at different longitudinal levels. When the additional element crosses the entire width of the board, it acts as a hinge, causing localized flexibility effects as well as damping effects.

In practice, the additional element can adopt a configuration in which it comprises two regions whose directions are angularly spaced by more than 20 degrees. In other words, the additional element, which has a slender shape has a longitudinal axis which is curved and whose tangents taken in two regions distinct consecutive on either side of a curved area, and in the horizontal plane, form between them an angle of more than 20 degrees.

In practice, the additional element may have a concavity oriented towards the center of the board. In other words, the additional element may have a V-shape or the like, the point of which is oriented towards the tip if the additional element is located on the front side of the board, or near the heel, if the element additional is located in the rear part of the board.

In another configuration, the additional element may have a concavity oriented towards the outside of the board. In other words, the curved additional element has a V-shape or the like, the point of which is oriented towards the center of the board, the two branches of the V being oriented towards the lateral edge of the board. Similar, more rounded shapes, similar to arcs of a circle are also possible.

In practice, this additional element can lead to a lateral side of the core, near the edge. In other words, the core has a discontinuity zone directly above the edges. In this case, an additional local deformation is created, generating a more effective attachment point at the edge located near the additional element.

In a particular configuration, the additional element may have a region which has a wavy shape. In other words, this additional element has a geometry in which its curvature is oriented alternately on either side of its longitudinal axis, always in the horizontal plane. This configuration makes it possible to obtain a specific behavior at the edge, with alternating over-hooking points and additional localized transverse deformation zones.

In a particular application of the invention to snowboards also called "snowboards", or to "kite-surf" for which the board is wider and receives both feet of the user, the additional element may partially surround at least one of the areas of implantation of a binding.

In other words, on a gliding board which has two fixing implantation zones, the additional element delimits a region which includes one and / or the other of these fixation implantation zones.

In a complementary form, this snowboard can have two additional additional elements, arranged between the areas of implantation of the bindings, and in the form of a V or the like symmetrically arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis of the board.

Brief description of the figures

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe partielle d'une planche de glisse conforme à l'invention
• les figures 2 et 3 sont des vues de dessus de différentes variantes de réalisation d'une planche de glisse selon l'invention, dans lequel l'élément additionnel caractéristique a été mis en évidence.
• les figures 4 à 6 sont des vues de dessus de différentes variantes de réalisation de noyaux de planches conformes à l'invention, dans lequel l'élément additionnel caractéristique a été mis en évidence.

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

• the figure 1 is a partial section view of a gliding board according to the invention
• the figures 2 and 3 are top views of different embodiments of a gliding board according to the invention, in which the characteristic additional element has been highlighted.
• the figures 4 to 6 are top views of different alternative embodiments of plank cores according to the invention, in which the characteristic additional element has been highlighted.

detailed description

Gliding board 1 illustrated in figure 1 mainly comprises a core 2 which separates a lower reinforcement layer 3 from an upper reinforcement layer 4. The lower reinforcement layer 3 rests on the sole 5, which is laterally bordered by edges 6 comprising a bead 7 and several fins 8.

The upper reinforcement 4 is covered with an upper decorative and protective layer 9. Laterally, the board comprises a song element 10 interposed between the lower reinforcement layer 3 and the upper reinforcement layer 4. This song element 10 is disposed laterally in the extension of the core 2, and is visible towards the outside. In the illustrated form, this edge element 10 has a beveled or trapezoidal shape, the width of its base 11 being less than the width of its face exterior 12. Nevertheless, the invention covers the variants in which these edge elements are of rectangular section, or have an outwardly facing face which is perpendicular to the main plane of the board. The invention also covers alternative structural embodiments known as “shells” in which no edge elements 10 are provided and in which the upper reinforcing layer 4 is extended laterally with the upper protective layer 9 as close to plumb to the edges 6.

According to the invention, the core 2 has a particular structure, which incorporates an additional element 20, present inside a recess delimited by two walls 21, 22, separating the main part of the core 2 from an outer portion 23. The additional element 20 is therefore positioned inside the core and constitutes one of the elements of the core 2.

In practice, and by way of example, the core 2 can be made on the basis of wood, or alternatively on the basis of a polymeric foam of the polyurethane type. The additional element 20 can be made from a polymeric and in particular elastomeric material such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS). This material must have a greater flexibility than that of the material constituting most of the core 2, that is to say that its compressibility is higher, and that its rigidity, measured by the YOUNG module, is lower. In other words, at the cross sections of the board where the additional element 20 is present, the core has two materials of different stiffness.

In the illustrated form, the additional element 20 is therefore present in a recess made over the entire thickness of the core, and which thus delimits two regions 23, 24 arranged on either side of the additional element 20. L he additional element is of constant width for manufacturing facilities. This width can be between 5 and 25 mm, preferably between 10 and 20 mm. The additional element can be glued inside the recess, without being compressed to maintain a constant density in its three dimensions. The additional element 20 is therefore covered on its upper face by at least one reinforcing layer 4 and on its lower face by at least one reinforcing layer 3.

The shape and positioning of this additional element in the core can be variable depending on the mechanical properties sought, as well as the type of board on which it is used.

Among the different possible configurations, we can note that illustrated in figure 2 , which represents a snowboard 30. This board 30 conventionally has two areas 31, 32 for mounting the bindings. These zones 31 32 are materialized by different holes arranged in parallel lines to ensure the mounting of the fixing members.

In this particular embodiment, the characteristic additional element 35 extends over the entire periphery of the board, remaining substantially at a constant distance from the lower outer edge of the edge, and at constant distance from the edge of the core. In other words, this additional element follows the profile of the dimension line. With respect to the edge of the edge, the additional element 35, and more precisely its outer edge, is located at a distance of between 5 and 30 mm, preferably close to 20 mm for a snowboard. Thus, the additional element 35 comprises two main portions 36,37 which extend substantially between the contact lines 38,39. Each of these portions 36,37 is mainly composed of two segments 40,41,42,43 located respectively on either side of the line 46 materializing the transverse medium of the board. These four portions 40 - 43 are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the board by an angle of the order of 5 ° to 10 °

In addition, the additional element 35 is extended at the front and rear by two curved portions 46 47 which follow the contour of the tip and the heel, remaining at a distance from the edge of the board equivalent to that which separates the portions 40. - 43 of the additional element between the contact lines 38.39. Thanks to this arrangement, the peripheral portion 48 49 of the board, located beyond the additional element 35, on the lateral sides of the board, between the contact lines 38 39, has a certain local capacity for bending deformation. transverse to the central area of the board, imparting an effect of decoupling and softening the edge relative to the central part of the board. For this local softening effect in transverse bending, there is a damping effect due to the shear created within the additional element which gives the board a much softer contact with the snow at the edge.

A similar configuration can be used for an alpine ski, as illustrated in the figure 3 . In this case, the ski 50 has two additional elements 56 57, arranged essentially in the lateral zones. More specifically, the element 56 has a first segment 60 extending between the rear contact line 58 and the line 66 representing the narrowest point of the shoe. A second segment 61 extends between the line 66 and the front contact line 59. With respect to the edge of the edge, the additional element 56, and more precisely its outer edge, is located at a distance of between 5 and 15 mm, preferably around 10 mm for a ski board. These two segments are located at a distance of the order of 10 mm from the outer edge of the board, at the edges and therefore follow the dimension line of the ski. These two segments 60,61 are extended by more curved portions 67,68 disposed behind the rear contact line 58 and in front of the front contact line 59. The portions 67 68 were spaced from the outer edge of the board. a distance equivalent to that which separates the additional element 56 from the same edge of the board between the contact lines 58 59.

In this configuration, the portion 69 of the board located beyond the additional element 56 has a certain latitude of movement relative to the rest of the board, which gives the board damping and decoupling properties already mentioned. giving an effect of softness and comfort on the edge when the ski is tilted during the turning phases.

Another alternative embodiment, relating to snowboarding, is illustrated in figure 4 . This board 70 has two areas for mounting the bindings 71 72. This board 70 has four additional elements characteristic of two different types.

Two of these additional elements 73 78 are arranged beyond the areas of implantation of the fixings 71 72. Each additional element 73 78 has a general V shape, comprising two segments 74 75 77 79, connected by a curved connection zone 76 80. These curved connecting zones 76 80 are arranged in the middle of the additional element, and positioned on the center of the board. They are directed to the end 80, 81 closest to the board. In other words, the additional element has a concavity oriented towards the location area of the binding. The two segments of the same additional element have tangents which form an angle between them greater than 20 °, preferably between 45 ° and 135 °, and in the illustrated form close to 90 °. The segments 74,75,77,79 each open laterally on the dimension line. The V- shaped configuration of these additional elements 73,78 generally surrounds the outer part of the implantation area of the nearest binding 72 72 .

Thanks to this configuration, when the board is inclined on a square, the central part 94 of the board has a certain degree of decoupling with respect to the end zones 95, 96, located beyond the additional elements 71,72. Thus, this flexibility allows a certain additional localized twisting of the board, and prevents the vibrations generated at the ends 95 96 of the board from being transmitted too intensely to the central part 94 where the fasteners are installed. The additional elements 73, 78 open directly above the edges and create zones of local flexibility and therefore of over-hooking of the board on the snow.

In addition, the board also includes two additional additional elements 85 86. Each of these additional elements 85 86 also has a general V shape, composed of two segments 87 88 91 92 opening laterally at the level of the dimension line. In other words, the additional element has a concavity oriented towards the outside of the board. The two segments of the same additional element have tangents which form an angle between them greater than 20 °, preferably between 45 ° and 135 °, and in the illustrated form close to 90 °. Each pair of segments 87,88,91,92 and connected by a curved central portion 89,90, which is oriented towards the longitudinal axis of the board 93.

Thanks to this configuration, the portions 98 , 97 of the board situated outside the additional elements 85, 86 are mechanically slightly decoupled from the central zone 94 on which the fasteners are installed. It follows that the local deformations in bending and torsion are modified, and that the vibrations collected at the level of the zones 97.98 are not fully transmitted to the central zone 94, and therefore to the user's foot. This configuration also creates over-hooking points at the ends of the additional element opening onto the sides of the core.

In the case of alpine skiing, the configuration can be adapted with additional elements having their center on the longitudinal axis which are located in the front and / or rear part of the ski, in front and / or behind the area receiving the fixation. The concavities of these additional elements can be oriented towards the front or towards the rear of the board. Independently of the previous configuration, the additional elements associated in pairs and symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the board can be located, in front and / or rear of the area receiving the binding. Other combinations are possible.

An alternative embodiment is illustrated in figure 5 wherein the snowboard 100 has two additional elements 101,111, which are arranged around the locations of the fixings 106, 107, symmetrically with respect to the transverse axis 109 marking the middle of the board. More specifically, the additional element 101 is mainly composed of two segments 102, 103 which extend over the entire width of the board, which are linked by a curved connecting portion 104 , which comes to tangent the dimension line. In the illustrated form, the opposite ends of the segments 102, 103 lead to the opposite rib line situated on the side of the user's toes, with a slightly curved portion 107, 108. The curved portion 104 is located at the plumb to the edge located on the rear side of the user's feet. The inclination between the two segments 102, 103 of the same additional element 101 is of the order of 30 ° to 90 ° It is noted that the inclination of the segment 103, located between the area of implantation of the fasteners 106 and the 'central axis of the board 109 is lower relative to the transverse axis of the board than that of the segment 102 located between the implantation area of the binding and end closest to the board. The choice of these inclinations makes it possible to find a compromise between the position of the over-hooking points on the edge and the feeling of comfort.

Likewise, the additional element 111 comprises two segments 112 113 and a curved connecting portion 114 implanted symmetrically with the other additional element 101 with respect to the central transverse axis 109.

This configuration makes it possible to delimit five different zones within the board. The two end zones 121, 125 are located beyond the external segments 102, 113 of the additional elements 101. 111. A central zone 123 is defined between the internal segments 103, 112 of the two additional elements 101, 111. Two zones 122, 124 are also delimited inside additional elements 101 111, and form regions integral with the fasteners. Thanks to this configuration, when the board is on the front edge located on the side of the user's tiptoe, the vibrations undergone at the central zone 123 and the end zones 121, 125 are not fully transmitted. to regions 122, 124 in which the fasteners are installed, with better comfort resulting for the user. Conversely, when the user exerts efforts to tilt the board on the rear edge, located on the side of his heels, the transmission of these efforts through the zones 122, 124 is not integral towards the end zones 121, 125, and the central zone 123, thus giving flexibility in driving the board. It will be noted that the transmission of forces at the front edge is effected by four over-hooking points, while only two over-hooking zones are present at the rear edge. It follows that the sensation of the radius of curvature of the dimension line is different on the rear and front edges, with a radius felt at the front which is larger than the radius felt at the rear.

Another variant illustrated in figure 6 , in which the snowboard type board 140 has two additional characteristic elements 151, 152. These two additional elements are in the illustrated form symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the board, so that only one of the two will only be described in detail. However, the invention also covers other configurations in which these two elements are not strictly symmetrical.

The additional element 150 has a generally wavy shape comprising three corrugations, and extends near the edge of the core, between the front and rear ends of the board. The substantially rectilinear regions of the additional element have an inclination of the order of 5 ° to 20 ° relative to the longitudinal axis of the board. Specifically, this additional element 150 has zones 153,155,157,159 in which it comes to tangent the edge of the core, close to the dimension line. Outside and between these tangent zones, the additional element has curved regions 152, 154, 156, 158 and 160 which are slightly offset towards the inside of the core. We take note that the zones 155, 157 of the same additional element 150 tangent to the edge of the core are located at the transverse level of the zones for mounting the fasteners 161, 162. Thanks to this configuration, the additional element defined in specific zones 172, 173, 174 of the dimension line that is partially decoupled from the rest of the board. The forces thus transmitted by the user are at the level of the tangent regions 153, 155, 157, 159 which are mechanically directly connected to the central part of the board 163 on which the fasteners are located. At these tangent regions, an over-hooking and created at the edge due to the higher local deformation. Conversely, the regions located outside the additional element 150, namely the regions 171, 172, 173, 174, 175 are slightly decoupled from the center of the board, and allow additional local deformation in transverse bending. , as well as an attenuated transmission of the vibrations undergone on the edge.

It emerges from these different configurations that, at a cross section of the board, the core can integrate either no additional element, or a single additional element, or two additional elements, depending on the longitudinal position of this section in the longitudinal direction of the board. A greater number of additional elements at the level of a cross section can be envisaged, taking care however not to locally weaken the mechanical strength of the board.

Of course, the precise positioning of the various undulations in a substantially horizontal plane, and the particular geometry of the surfaces of the decoupling zones can be adapted according to the type of practice desired. In particular, for alpine skiing, one or more undulations can be envisaged, with one or more over-hooking points formed in the area of the skate. Among the variants envisaged, it is possible that the additional element opens not only at the edge of the core, but also at the edge of the side edge in which a corresponding recess will be made.

In addition, the use of a transparent material for the additional element makes it possible to give particular visual effects, since it creates a translucent zone allowing a fraction of light to pass through the overall thickness of the board. This effect is all the more interesting as the elements located above and / or below the additional element consists of layers of translucent reinforcements, a transparent protective layer and a transparent or translucent sole.

• de créer des points de sur-accrochage au niveau de la carre qui permettent une conduite plus efficace, lorsque l'élément additionnel débouche sur les bords latéraux du noyau,
• de modifier la flexion transversale à proximité des bords latéraux de la planche lorsque l'élément additionnel est décalé vers l'intérieur du noyau d'une distance adaptée pour donner de la douceur et du confort
• de modifier localement les flexions longitudinales, transversales et les propriétés de torsion de façon progressive dans la longueur de la planche lorsque l'élément additionnel s'étend sensiblement d'un côté à l'autre du noyau
• de découpler certaines zones périphériques de la ligne de côtes pour modifier la sensation du rayon de la ligne de côtes lorsque l'élément additionnel débouche sur les bords latéraux du noyau
• de limiter également la transmission des vibrations au sein de la planche et de créer de l'amortissement local autour de l'élément additionnel pour un confort et une conduite améliorée.

It appears from the above that the boards according to the invention have the advantage

• create over-hooking points at the edge which allow more efficient driving, when the additional element opens onto the lateral edges of the core,
• to modify the transverse flexion near the lateral edges of the board when the additional element is offset towards the inside of the core by a suitable distance to give softness and comfort
• to locally modify the longitudinal, transverse flexions and the torsional properties in a progressive manner in the length of the board when the additional element extends substantially from one side to the other of the core
• to decouple certain peripheral areas of the rib line to modify the feeling of the radius of the rib line when the additional element opens onto the lateral edges of the core
• also to limit the transmission of vibrations within the board and to create local damping around the additional element for improved comfort and handling.

In addition, the configurations presented for boards for gliding on snow can also be reproduced for boards for gliding on water, in particular for boards of kite-surfing or surfing. In this case, the side line of the board will no longer be convex as for snow gliding boards but will be concave and the edge will not be a separate element from the sole of the board.

Claims (12)

1. Sliding board (1), whose internal structure has a core (2) edged with side ski edges (10), said core (2) separating two lower (3) and upper (4) reinforcing layers, in which core (2) includes at least one additional component (20) made of material with greater flexibility than the remainder of the core, characterised in that said component is slender, of a constant width, and curved in at least one curve in a plane parallel to the lower face of the board.
2. Sliding board according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one fraction (75) of additional component (73) is inclined at an angle with respect to the longitudinal centre-line (93) of the board, at an angle of between 5° and 85°.
3. Sliding board according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the additional component (37) runs over the entire length of the board, following the side line.
4. Sliding board according to claim 3, characterised in that additional component (37) extends at board ends (44, 47), following their outside profile.
5. Sliding board according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that additional component (150) has a portion with an undulating shape, including at least two undulations.
6. Sliding board according to one of the claims 1 or 2, characterized in that additional component (37) extends more or less from one side of the core to the other.
7. Sliding board according to one of the claims 1 or 2, characterized in that additional component (73) has a concavity orientated towards the centre of the board.
8. Sliding board according to one of the claims 1 or 2, characterized in that additional component (86) has a concavity orientated towards the longitudinal axis of the board.
9. Sliding board according to one of the claims 1, 2 or 7, characterized in that additional component (73) has at least two regions (74, 75) the directions of which deviate at an angle of more than 20 degrees.
10. Sliding board according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes two additional components (86) in a Vee shape, symmetrically arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis (93) of the board.
11. Sliding board according to claim 1, characterized in that additional component (73) opens out on at least one lateral side of the core, near the ski edge.
12. Sliding board according to claim 1, designed for snowboarding or kite surfing, characterized in that the additional component (101) partially encloses the installation area of a binding.

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