FR2611345A1 - MONOSKI SEPARABLE IN TWO ELEMENTS OR INDEPENDENT BOARDS - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION RELATES TO A MONOSKI THAT CAN BE SEPARATED INTO TWO INDEPENDENT ELEMENTS. THIS MONOSKI IS IN THE FORM OF A PAIR OF SKI BOARDS 2, 3 WHICH CAN BE SEPARATED FROM ONE ANOTHER AND BY LOCKING MEANS 4 SUITABLE TO FIX THESE BOARDS SIDE BY SIDE TO FORM THE MONOSKI. THE MAIN CHARACTERISTIC CONSISTS OF IN THAT THE INTERIOR EDGES OF THE BOARDS SHOW JOINT PROFILES WHILE, THE LOCKING MEANS 4 ARE FORMED BY REMOVABLE LATCHES CAPABLE OF LOCKING THE JOINT EDGES ONE AGAINST THE OTHER SENSITIVELY WITHOUT INTERSIGNING. IN THIS WAY, THE SOLES OF THE TWO BOARDS, WHICH HAVE A WIDTH ABOUT ONE AND A HALF OF THE WIDTH OF A NORMAL SKI, TOGETHER FORM A SINGLE LOADING SURFACE 16. MAIN APPLICATION: SKIS TRANSFORMABLE INTO MONOSKI.

Description

MONOSKI SEPARABLE IN TWO ELENENTS OR BOARDS

INDEPENDENT.

  The present invention relates to a monoski of improved type, particularly well suited to alpine skiing, formed by a pair of elements or boards independent of each other, and by means for fixing the two elements side by side in a demountable way; in this way, the monoski can be divided into two independent elements to allow the uphill walk and it is however usable as a normal monoski downhill, bringing the known benefits, especially for descents in fresh snow.

  Monoskis of the type described which are known today

  There are many disadvantages that can be attributed to the fact that monoskis that are divisible into independent elements are not true monoskis but are rather the result of a simple side-by-side assembly of a normal pair of monoskis. downhill skis: examples of these monoskis known are monoskis according to French Patent Nos. 2 564 000 and 2 501 515. Since normal downhill skis have an elliptical lateral longitudinal profile, the result is that the "monoski" obtained by their meeting is not continuous but that it presents one or more relatively wide interstices to the right of the adjacent interior edges of the two skis fixed one to the other; this prevents a bearing surface having a width and continuity to ensure the phenomenon of "gliding" during the descent, especially fresh snow, so that the yield of known divisible monoskis is very insufficient and, in any case much less than that of non-divisible monoskis, that is to say constituted by a single board of great breadth, analogous to a water-skiing. In addition, the known divisible monoskis, being constituted by a pair of normal skis fixed to each other, have a width equal to the sum of the widths of the two skis and, consequently, much lower than that presented by the monoskis not divisible, and which is necessary to obtain the gliding effect, which is the characteristic characteristic of these; finally, the assembly device used to assemble the two skis so as to form the monoski is complicated, it requires the use of tools to perform the separation of the elements, and it does not confer sufficient rigidity to the coupling this which leads to further deterioration

  the benefits of known divisible monoskis,

  monoskis that are not divisible

in independent elements.

  The object of the invention is to realize a monoski which has all the features and advantages of known monoskis, formed of a single board, and, in particular, the ability to glide during deep snow descents, however, it can be divided into a pair of independent elements, which allow the user to advance uphill, in much the same way as with a pair of normal skis. The above object is achieved by the invention in that it relates to a monoski, particularly suitable for alpine skiing, of the type consisting of a pair of elements

  or boards, substantially flat and elongated, which include

  each a respective lower sole formed to form a bearing surface, and which can be fixed, each to a foot of a user, and means that allow to assemble the two elements or boards to each other removably, in juxtaposed positions, characterized in that said elements or boards are each shaped like a normal ski but each have a width substantially greater than that of a normal ski, and in that said soles of the elements or boards are delimited laterally to each other by respective inner edges shaped so as to have conjugate profiles; said means for joining said elements or boards to each other being adapted to block said mating edges of the flanges against each other so that said flanges substantially form a single bearing surface devoid of continuity solution when the elements or planks are coupled. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of nonlimiting example with respect to the attached deskins in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a monoski made in accordance with the principles of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the monoski of Figure 1, divided into two independent elements; Figure 3 is a top plan view, on a larger scale, of the monoski of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a section on an enlarged scale, taken along a trace plane IV-IV, a detail of the monoski according to the invention; Figure 5 shows on an enlarged scale a cross section of the monoski of Figure 1; Figure 6 shows the same section as Figure 5, according to a possible variant of the monoski of Figure 1; FIG. 7 represents on an enlarged scale and in perspective an exploded view of a detail of the monoski according to the invention; and Figure 8 shows the detail of Figure 7,

  realized according to a preferred variant.

  In Figures 1 to 3, indicated as a whole by 1 a divisible monoski, the type particularly suitable for alpine skiing; the monoski 1 is formed of a pair of elements 2 and 3, symmetrical to each other, each of which is composed of a substantially flat and elongated board, preferably constructed of composite material, and shaped like a ski normal, and respective means for assembling the elements 2 and 3 to each other removably and side by side, these means being constituted according to the invention by respective transverse latches 4; the elements or boards 2 and 3 each comprise, as well as a normal ski, a curved spatula and which shrinks at an acute angle 5, a narrowed and truncated heel 6, which is opposite to the spatula 5, and a lower sole 7 shaped in a known manner, for example provided with appropriate grooves and inserts, known and omitted to be represented to simplify the drawings, so as to form a bearing surface capable of sliding on the snow with low friction, and to spread over its entire extent the weight applied to the corresponding element 2 or 3. Each element further has a flat upper face 7, which is opposite the sole 6 and on which can be mounted in a manner known and in a suitable position a corresponding attachment, which has been omitted to simplify the drawing and which can be of any known type, and by means of which each element 2 or 3 can be fixed to the corresponding foot the user, in a known manner, as for normal skis, but that was omitted to simplify the drawing; however, unlike normal skis, elements 2 and 3 each have a width approximately equal to one and a half times that of a normal alpine ski and are delimited laterally in the longitudinal direction by opposite sides, respectively outer 9 and inner 10, which have a rectilinear profile instead

an elliptical profile.

  In particular, the flanges 6 are delimited laterally, towards each other, by respective edges 11 which are part of the inner flanks 10 and which, according to the invention, and whatever their shape, have conjugate profiles or still profiles that can mate with each other without a break in continuity over their entire length; as can be seen with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the two elements 2 and 3 can be provided with sharpened or square metal blades of known type, able to ensure the monoski on the ice, only on their outer sides, defined by the flanks 9 (FIG. 5), or alternatively, according to a variant

2611345

  possible, also on the inner flanks 10 (Figure 6); in the latter case, the blades 15 are arranged at the right of the conjugate edges 11 which define the flanges 6 and they are shaped so as to define the edges 11 by their lateral edges. On the contrary, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the edges 11 of the flanges 6 are defined by the lower edges of the inner blanks 10. In any case, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the edges 11 are in the two rigorously rectilinear cases, as well as the flanks 9 and that, consequently, the whole of the profile

side of elements 2 and 3.

  According to the invention, the latches 4, which are preferably three in number, arranged at regular intervals, are designed to be able to block the conjugate edges 11 of the flanges 6 against each other, substantially without any interstice between these edges, so that when the elements 2 and 3 are assembled, the flanges 6 form, substantially without continuity solution, a single bearing surface 16 having a width equal to about three times that of a normal ski. In the version shown in FIG. 6, the presence of blades or squares 15 also on the inner sides 10 prevents direct contact between these flanks but, however, one always obtains a single and continuous surface 16, because the edges 11, which are defined in this case by the squares 15, are in direct contact with each other, -without interstice between them, so that the possible gap, which is formed above between the faces 7, is absolutely without any incidence. In any case, it is obvious that this gap could be eliminated by appropriate profiling of the flanks 10. The latches 4 are fixed transversely on the faces 7, on the side which is opposite the flanges 6 and, according to the invention , they are shaped so as to substantially prohibit any relative rotation of the elements 2 and 3, and to maintain these elements rigidly coupled in the same plane, and this regardless of the presence or absence of a large lateral bearing surface mutually between the elements 2 and 3, so that they are just as capable of performing their function if they are used in the embodiment of FIG. 5 as if they are in the embodiment of FIG. 6. As can be seen now referring also to FIGS. 4 and 7, each latch 4 comprises a pair of rectilinear guides 20 made of a stamped material or of a single piece by molding, which guides have the shape of aC in cross section (Figure 4) and are fixed transversely, each on a corresponding element 2 or 3, with their open side directed towards the upper face of this element so as to define with this face a respective slot 21 channel profile. It further comprises a respective removable clamping member 22 which is slidably insertable into the transverse housings defined by these channels when the elements 2 and 3 are arranged with the guides 20 of each pair in juxtaposed and coaxial positions. in order to block the guides 20 in this position, this clamping element being moreover able to be locked in the tensioned state in the housings 21, on the guides 20. These guides are permanently fixed to the elements 2 and 3, in corresponding positions, by means of screws 23, or by any other means of attachment, both, for example, by incorporation in the composite structure which constitutes the elements 2 and 3, and, according to the invention, the element 22 of each latch 4 is made in a form which comprises a rod 25, preferably constituted by a C-section which has a length substantially equal to the sum of the lengths of the 20 corresponding guide rod, which rod can be slidably inserted substantially without play in the guides. A tie rod 26 is provided with a curved end 27 which can be hooked into a corresponding end 28 of one of the guides 20, and a toggle clamping mechanism 29 is fixed integrally, on one side, to the tie rod 26, on one end 30 of this tie rod which is opposite the curved end 27, for example by means of a rivet, 32 and on the other side, at one end of the rod 25, by means of a cylindrical hinge defined by a bracket 31 which is fixed to the rod 25, for example by means of another rivet 32, and an eyelet 33 engaged in the stirrup 31 and which is part of the mechanism 29. The latter is known per se, used in other fields, and it comprises (see Figure 7) a T-bracket 35 on one end of which is fixed the tie rod 26 while at its other end is hinged hinge a wing handle 38 which can be rotated in the direction of the arrows, and a threaded rod 37, which is screwed the eyelet 33, and which is articulated on the handle 38, in an eccentric position relative to the point of articulation of this handle on the stirrup 35. In addition, according to a possible variant, which has been omitted to represent for simplicity, the rigid tie rod 26, with the locking mechanism 29, can be usefully replaced by a resilient tie rod defined by a rigid tie rod entirely analogous to the tie rod 26, but shorter, and by a helicoidal spring articulated on the rigid tie rod; in addition, the guides 20, instead of being C-shaped, may be provided in their upper part with respective rectilinear grooves placed in line with the recesses 21, which give them an H-profile in section and which are suitable receiving and concealing the locking device of the rods 25, that this device is the one that is defined by the tie rod 26 provided with its mechanism 29 or that it is

  constituted by the aforementioned elastic tie rod.

  A similar conformation of the guides 20 is

  in the variant of Figure 8, in which the details similar or identical to those already described are designated for simplicity by the same reference numbers. In particular, on the elements 2 and 3, are fixed, always by means of the screws 23 or by other means, guides 20a, which have precisely a section substantially in H, but are of greater width than the guides 20 and provided in their lower part, grooves which define the housing 21 in combination with the surfaces 7 and, in their upper part, corresponding straight grooves 40; the removable locks 22 are replaced by locks 22a functionally equivalent but of a simpler and more economical construction; each latch 22a in fact comprises a rod 25 entirely similar to that of the latches 22 and constituted here by a folded metal profile, instead of a C-profile, and an elastic tie 41 which replaces the rigid tie 26 with its locking mechanism 29, and which is functionally equivalent to the elastic tie rod not shown described above, but simpler; in fact, the tie rod 41 is constituted by an elongated, elastically deformable annular tie rod, made of an elastomeric material, or by a rubber band itself; this elastic 41 is fixed at one end 42 of the rod 25, for example by means of a hooking bracket 43 and, in a position diametrically opposite the stirrup 43, it carries, incorporated in its mass, a metal block 44, for example, the block 44 is provided, in its middle, with a transverse hole 46 adapted to be traversed by the elastic 41 and it is integrally locked on this elastic by tightening the one against the other two tabs 47 in which the ring 45 is fixed, this ring thus serving to also ensure the retention of the block 44 even if the legs

loosen or open.

  In use, for uphill walking, we use

  the monoski 1 with its components 2 and 3 separated. The utili-

  Sateur carries the clamping elements 22, separate locks 4, for example in his bag, along with his other luggage, while the guides 20 are only attached to the elements 2 and 3 but this does not give rise to any discomfort. While having a width greater than that of normal skis, elements 2 and 3 allow the user to perform the same maneuvers as those allowed by a pair of normal skis; if squares 15 are also provided on the inner flanks 10, the elements 2 and 3 have substantially the same stability and the same efficiency as the normal skis; it is also possible to mount on these skis accessories such as skins of seals or equivalent, for the attachment of which one can also provide appropriate grooves on the sidewalls 9 and 10; before starting the descent, the user can reform a monoblock monoski; for this, it will suffice to juxtapose the elements 2 and 3 and to block the latter side by side by means of the elements 22; indeed, it will be sufficient to insert the rods 25, firstly in a guide 20 of each pair of juxtaposed guides, then in the other guide 20, to block these guides coaxially; then, by keeping the handles 38 tilted 90 relative to the rods 25, the end 27 of each tie rod 26 is inserted into the corresponding end 28 of one of the guides 20, inside the rod 25 and, after having adjusted the tension of the tie rod 26 by unscrewing or screwing the eyelet 33 onto the rod 37, the latch 4 is locked by snapping the handle 38 downwards until it is placed parallel to the rod 25. In this position, the element

  22 forms an integral whole-with the guides 20, in the form of

  therefore, the two elements 2 and 3 in a one-piece assembly. It is clear from what has been described that, under these conditions, there is obtained below the elements 2 and 3 a single flat continuous surface 16, of great width and substantially free of gaps, except those resulting from the possible presence of the aforementioned lateral grooves provided for mounting the accessories but which, because of their reduced dimensions, do not cause any discomfort; therefore, downhill, the monoski 1 behaves like a monoski monoblock normal, formed of a single board and it allows the user to ski easily, even in the fresh snow, thanks to the phenomenon of gliding, that the presence of

  the continuous surface 16 causes a hydrodynamic effect

  than. It is obvious that, in the case where the locking rods 25 are provided with elastic tie rods in place of the tie rods 26 and the mechanisms 29, the assembly method of the monoski is entirely similar, the only difference being that it is necessary to lengthen elastically. the tie rods to ensure the attachment of the ends 27; the rods 25 then remain locked in a state of tension by the effect of the elastic reaction of the tie rods. For example, in the case of the variant of FIG. 8, the rods 25 are inserted into the housings 21, thereby determining the assembly of the elements 2 and 3 in a single block, and then locking the rods 25 on the 20a guides by grasping the ring 45 and exerting a suitable traction to elongate the elastic 41 until we can insert the block 44 in the end 28 of the guide 20a of the element 3, as well as in the corresponding end of the rod 25, which is opposite the end 42, and which is placed in line with the end 28; during this phase of the insertion, the elastic 41 is passed through the grooves 40, where it remains housed and

  hidden, in a protected position.

  The advantages of the present invention are evident from what has been described above. The monoski describes in fact all the advantages of the non-divisible monoskis, including the gliding ability, although it can be subdivided into two elements so as to have a functionality similar to that of a usual pair of skis; the assembly system of the two elements is not otherwise simple and effective and

  it does not require tools for its use.

  Finally, it is obvious that one can make various other variants and modifications to what has been described without departing from the scope of the invention such

than claimed.

Claims (9)

  1- Monoski, particularly suitable for alpine skiing of the type consisting of a pair of elements or planks (2,3) substantially flat and elongate, each comprising a respective lower sole (6) shaped to form a bearing surface , and which can be each fixed to a user's foot, and means (4) which enable the two elements or boards to be assembled to one another in a disassembled manner in juxtaposed positions, characterized in that that said elements or planks (2, 3) are each shaped like a normal ski but each have a width substantially greater than that of a normal ski, and in that said flanges (6) of the elements or planks are delimited laterally. to each other by respective inner edges (11), shaped to have conjugate profiles; said means (4) for joining the elements or boards to each other being able to block said mating edges of the flanges against each other, so that said flanges form substantially a single bearing surface (16) without a break in continuity, where the elements or planks are coupled.   2- Monoski according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (4) for joining together the elements or planks comprise a plurality of transverse latches disposed on the respective upper faces (7) of said elements. , opposite said sole plates (6), said latches being shaped to substantially prevent relative rotation of the elements and to maintain these elements rigidly coupled in a same plan.   3- Monoski according to one of claims 1 and 2,   characterized by the fact that said inner edges (11),   soles (7) are strictly rectilinear.   4- Monoski according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that said elements or planks (2,3) are provided on their outer sides (9), opposed to the inner conjugate edges (11) of the flanges (6), of sharpened or square metal blades (15) adapted to ensure holding on the ice.   - Monoski according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that said elements or boards (2,3) are also provided with sharpened or square metal blades (15) also to the right of said conjugate edges (11), the latter being precisely defined by these blades or squares.   Monoski according to one of claims 2 to 5,   characterized by the fact that said latches each comprise: a pair of rectilinear guides (20) fixed transversely and integrally, each on one of said elements or planks (2,3), at the level of said upper face (7) of these elements, in such a way as to define in an upper position on the elements of the respective channel-shaped transverse housings (21), and a respective removable clamping element (22, 22a), able to be slidably inserted into said transverse housings (21) defined by each pairs of guides (20), for blocking these and, with them, said elements or boards (2,3) which they are integral, in juxtaposed and coaxial positions, each of said clamping elements being adapted to be locked in a voltage state in said housings (21) on said guides (20).  7- Monoski according to claim 6, characterized in that said guides (20), are made in the form of folded elements stamped or in one piece by molding, shaped with a transverse cross-section and fixed transversely, each on one of the elements or planks (2,3) with the open side directed against the upper face (7) of this element, so as to define said housings (21) in combination with this face higher.   Monoski according to claim 6 or 7, characterized   in that said removable clamping element (22), -   comprises a rod (25) of length substantially equal to the sum of the lengths of said pair of guides (20), which rod can be slidably inserted in these guides, a tie rod (26) provided with a curved end (27) which can be hooked into a respective end of one of said guides (20), and means (29) to ensure the voltage lock on these guides.   Monoski according to Claim 8, characterized in that the said locking means consist of   a toggle clamping mechanism (29) fixedly secured   on one side of said tie rod (26), on one end thereof which is opposite said curved end (27) and, on the other side, at one end of the rod   (25) by a cylindrical hinge (31).   11- Monoski according to one of claims 6 and 7,   characterized by the fact that said removable clamping member (22a) comprises a rod (25) of length substantially equal to the sum of the lengths of said pair of guides (20), which rod can be slidably inserted in these guides, a tie rod elastic member defined by an elastically deformable annular element (41), made of an elastomeric material, fixed on one side to said rod, and which integrally bears, in a diametrically opposed position, a block (44) which is itself provided transversely with a catch ring (45) which can be hooked into a respective end (28) of a said guides.