FR2670393A1 - Winter sports ski consisting of a base, a stiffener and a support for bindings - Google Patents

Abstract

Ski characterised in that it consists of a first lower assembly or base, the front end of which is raised in order to form the tip, and a second upper assembly or stiffener, the front and rear ends of which are linked to the said base by flexible and/or partially rigid linking means, and comprising at least one support or stirrup piece (clevis) linked to the base intended to receive the bindings in order to hold the boot on the ski.

Description

SKI FOR WINTER SPORTS CONSISTING OF A BASE. OF A
STRAINER AND SUPPORT FOR FASTENERS
The present invention relates to a ski, such as an alpine ski, a cross-country ski, a monoski or a snowboard. It relates more particularly to an improvement in this type of skiing.

 We already know different types of ski and there are many variations. These consist of an elongated beam, the front end of which is curved upwards to form a spatula, the rear end also being more slightly to form the heel.

 Current skis generally have a composite structure in which different materials are combined so that each of them intervenes optimally, taking into account the distribution of mechanical stresses when using the ski. Thus, the structure generally comprises peripheral protective elements, internal resistance elements to resist the flexural and torsional stresses, and a core. These elements are assembled by gluing or by injection, the assembly generally being carried out hot in a mold having the final shape of the ski, with a front part strongly raised in a tip, a rear part slightly raised in the heel, a central arched part. .

 Despite the manufacturers' concern to manufacture good quality skis, these have not, to date found a high performance ski satisfactory in all conditions of use.

 The present invention relates to improvements made to these skis, with the aim of facilitating their manufacture which makes it possible to obtain the desired characteristics, by the diversity of the parameters that can be chosen.

 The ski according to the invention is characterized in that it is constituted by a first lower assembly or base and a second upper assembly or stiffener, the front and rear ends of which are linked to said base by flexible connection means and / or partially rigid, and comprising at least one support or stirrup linked to the base intended to receive the bindings for holding the boot on the ski.

 According to an advantageous arrangement, the stiffener has a length less than the length of the surface of the base in contact with the snow.

 According to an additional characteristic, the base and / or the stiffener is an elongated beam.

 According to the invention, the stiffener is linked to the base by a link located at its two ends, and this link is flexible and / or partially rigid.

 According to a preferred embodiment, the support has the shape of a stirrup having the shape of an inverted "u" and comprises an upper wall extended laterally and downwards by two side walls to constitute a lower housing having the shape of a hollow profile extending longitudinally intended for the passage of the stiffener. This support can receive the front fixing at the front and extend rearwards under the rear fixing. But the ski can be such that it comprises two supports spaced from one another, a first front support on which is fixed the front stop for retaining the boot, and a second support or rear support on which is fixed the heel piece.

 Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, which are given only by way of nonlimiting examples.

 Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a ski according to the invention.

 Figure 2 is a top view of Figure 1.

 Figure 3 is a side view showing the various components of the ski according to the first embodiment.

 Figures 4, 5 and 6 are sections along IV-IV, V-V, VI-VI of Figure 1.

 Figure 7 is a perspective view.

 Figure 8 is a top view showing a variant.

 Figure 9 is a side view showing another embodiment.

 Figures 10 and 11 show a variant in partial schematic views respectively lateral and in section.

 Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a variant.

 Figure 13 is another embodiment shown in side view.

 Figures 14 and 15 are views similar to Figure 10 showing two alternative embodiments.

 FIG. 1 represents a ski according to a first embodiment according to the invention. It comprises a lower assembly or base (1) and an upper assembly or stiffener (2) Said stiffener (2) is disposed above the base (1) and linked to the latter by connecting means (3).

 The base (1) is the element in contact with the snow and is in the form of an elongated beam (10) having its own distribution of thickness, width and therefore its own stiffness. This elongated beam also having a lower stiffness than that of a conventional ski, at least in its part covered by the stiffener (2).

The base (1) comprises a central part (113) slightly arched, having a lower sliding surface (114) and an upper surface (115). The central part (113) occupies most of the length of the base and is extended on the one hand at the front by an anterior part (116) raised to form the spatula (117) and on the other hand by a rear part (118) slightly raised to form the heel of the ski. The rear part (118) being relatively short and of low lift, and the front part (116) is longer and much more arched, as is known per se and shown in the figures.

 The structure of the base (1) can be of the sandwich type or of the box type or of any other type. In FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, a preferred structure is shown comprising, a rigid upper reinforcement (101) in the form of a shell with "U" section forming a top wall (102) and two side walls (103 and 104), covering a core (105), the assembly being closed at its lower part by a lower element (106) comprising the metal edges (107,108), a sliding layer (109) generally made of polyethylene as well as lower reinforcement elements (110,111 ). An upper surface layer (112) covers the upper reinforcement to form the decor of the base.

 The reinforcing layers (101,110,111) can be of any type such as layers of composite materials such as fiberglass, carbon fiber with epoxy or polyester resin or a metal alloy.

The core (105) can be filled or unloaded foam, wood or aluminum honeycomb;
The monolayer or multilayer surface layer providing the decoration can be made of polyamide, or other such as a thermoplastic material.

 According to one of the characteristics of the invention, the upper face (115) of the central part (113) of the base (1) is covered with a stiffener (2). This element is intended to complete the distribution of the stiffnesses of the base (1) so as to obtain the desired overall distribution. Said stiffener (2) can be of any kind, any shape and any structure.

 According to an advantageous arrangement, the stiffener (2) is in the form of an elongated part (20) also having its own distribution of thickness, width and therefore stiffness.

 In the embodiment given by way of example and represented by FIGS. 5 and 6, the structure of the stiffener is of the box type and is formed of a core (201) disposed between an upper reinforcement (202) and a lower reinforcement (203). It can also consist of a simple profile made of a single material.

 The upper reinforcement (202) is covered with another additional reinforcement layer (204) in the shape of an inverted "U" and forming an upper wall (205) and two side walls (206,207). A surface layer (208) covers the top and the side faces of the stiffener (2) to form the finish and the decoration thereof.

As previously for the base, the reinforcing layers of the stiffener can be of all types such as layers of composite materials such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, with epoxy or polyester resin. The core (201) can be filled or unloaded foam, wood or aluminum honeycomb. The surface layer providing the decoration may be made of polyamide, or other such as a thermoplastic material. It can be monolayer or produced by several layers
According to an advantageous arrangement, the stiffener (2) has a length "L2" less than the length "L1" of the base (1). Thus, the front end (209) of the stiffener is located between the point (119) tip contact of the base and the front end (120) of the standardized area for mounting the fasteners Similarly, the rear end (210) of the stiffener is located between the rear contact point (121) and the end rear (122) of the standard area for mounting the fasteners. Thus, if the base (1) has a length "L1" of contact with the snow, the stiffener (2) has a length "L2" such that "L2" is less than "L1".

 For example, the length "L2" of the stiffener is between 50% and 80% of the length "L1". In addition, the relative longitudinal position of the stiffener (2) relative to the base (1) may for example be such that the middle (211) of the stiffener (2) is at the middle (123) of the length (L1 ) contact of the base (1) with snow.

But it could be otherwise; thus the middle (211) of the stiffener (2) can be further forward (AV) or further back (AR) relative to the middle (123) of the base.

 As regards the width of the two elements, the stiffener (2) may have a width "12" less than the width "11" of the base (1) and thus be narrower than the latter, as shown schematically in Figures 2, 5 and 6.

 Note also that the width of the two base unit (1) and / or stiffener (2) can be constant or variable.

 The base (1) and the stiffener (2) are elongated parts of respective height "hl" and "h2". Of course in a cross section the two heights "hl" and "h2" can have the same value, but also be different. Thus, in a cross section "hl" can be greater or less than "h2". In addition, "hl" and / or "h2" can be constant depending on the longitudinal position where the measurement is made.

However, to obtain a good distribution of the stiffness it is advantageous to vary one or the other of the heights "hl" or "h2" and even the two "hl" and "h2". Advantageously, the height "hl" of the base and the height "h2" of the stiffener decrease forward and backward, as shown in the figures.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the stiffener (2) is linked to the base (1) by connection means (3) such that the connection between the two elements is partially flexible and / or partially rigid.

 The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 represents an example according to which the connection (3) between the two base (1) and stiffener (2) assemblies is partially flexible, and extends only under the front end ( 209) and rear (210) of said stiffener. To this end, the connecting means (3) are produced by two flexible interfaces (31 and 32).

A first flexible front interface (31) of length "131" and a second flexible rear interface (32) of length "132" being disposed respectively under the front (209) and rear (210) end of the stiffener.

 The interfaces (31 and 32) are produced by a layer of a flexible material of the elastic type, and in particular of the viscoelastic type, which is glued or welded on the one hand to the upper surface (115) of the base (1) and on the other hand under the lower surface (216) of the stiffener. The material used can be elastic with a hardness of 10 to 85 shores A or viscoelastic material with a modulus of elasticity of 15 to 160 megapascal, a hardness of 50 to 95 shores A and a damping value of 0 , 13-0.72.

(alpha tangent) Of course these data are only examples of implementation for measurements made at 20 "C and at frequencies of 15 Hz.

 The interfaces (31, 32) are fixed to the base (1) and the stiffener (2) for example by a thermosetting resin of the polyester, vinyl ester or polyurethane epoxy type or a thermoplastic film, or any other means.

 According to the invention, the ski comprises at least one support (4) intended to receive the binding (s) (5) for retaining the skier's boot.

Said support (4) has the shape of a stirrup (FIG. 6) having the shape of an inverted "u" and comprises an upper wall (40) extended laterally and downwards by two side walls (41,42) for constitute a lower housing (43) having the shape of a longitudinally extending hollow profile intended for the passage of the stiffener (2). It should be noted that the dimensions of the housing both horizontal "14" and vertical "h4" are greater than the horizontal dimensions "12" and vertical "h2" of the stiffener to form a space "e" necessary for the freedom of the latter.

 According to a characteristic of the invention, the stiffener does not directly receive the stresses of the skier. Also, the support or the bracket (4) is supported only on the base (1).

 To this end, the lower ends (44 and 45) of the side walls of the support are connected to the upper surface (115) of the base (1).

Advantageously, the connection between the support and the base is rigid and obtained for example by gluing, welding or any other means, such as mechanical.

 The support (4) thus constitutes the mechanical element for transmitting and distributing the stresses of the skier. On the base.

 As can be seen in Figure 6, the stiffener (2) has at least in the area of the support (4) a width "12" less than the width "11" of the base, to allow passage and maintenance side walls of said support on the upper side edges (125, 126) of base.

 FIG. 8 represents a variant in top view according to which the stiffener (2) comprises in its central zone (212) a narrowing in width, to form two lateral clearances (213, 214) extending over a reduced length "L ' 2 "less than" L2 ". The stiffener (2) thus comprising a central part of reduced width.

According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6, the central part of the lower surface (216) of the raiser is not linked to the base. This non-fixed area is located at the level of the support (4), and one can even leave a clearance "el", between the lower surface of the stiffener and the upper surface of the base. The stiffener being free between points A and B separating the two interfaces (31, 32)
According to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 7, the support (4) receives at the front the front attachment (51) and extends rearward over a length "L4" as far as the rear attachment (52). Said rear attachment (52) commonly called heel being itself fixed on the rear part of said support (4)
FIG. 9 represents a variant according to which the ski comprises two supports (4) spaced from one another, a first front support (4a) on which the front stop (51) for retaining the boot is fixed, and a second support or rear support (4b) on which the heel piece (52) is fixed.

 The support (4, 4a, 4b) can be an injected plastic element or a metal profile, a pultruded or extruded plastic element.

 Of course, the support (4, 4a, 4b) can be in one and the same part or be made up of different parts, or even constitute by a part of the corresponding fixing (5, 51, 52).

 Note also that the connection (6) between the support (4, 4a, 4b) and the base can be rigid as described above, but also flexible. Figures 10 and 1 1 showing such a variant, and in which the connection is made by an interface (60) of flexible material.

 The link (6) could also be of the slide type (60) to allow possible longitudinal sliding of the support (4) relative to the base (1). This longitudinal sliding being able, for example, to adjust and lock the binding in the chosen position, or to slide against the action of a spring, as is customary and well known in the heel retaining heel of a shoe .

 Note also that the connection (3) between the stiffener (2) and the base (1) can be flexible as in the embodiments described above, but it can also be rigid as shown in Figure 13. According to this alternatively, the front and rear ends (209, 210) of the stiffener (2) are rigidly secured to the upper surface of the base (1) to leave the central area free. This rigid connection (3) can be obtained by any means such as bonding, by mechanical connection such as screws or rivets or even by welding, in particular by ultrasound or by vibration.

 It can also be added that the stiffness of the stiffener may be equal to that of the base or equal to 150%.

 Let us add that the space "e" (figure 6), between the support (4) and the stiffener (2) can be filled with a very flexible foam to prevent the formation of ice.

 The skier's shoe bears directly or indirectly on the support (4). Any time the shoe retained laterally and vertically by its corresponding binding could be supported on the top of the stiffener.

 Figures 14 and 15 show variants according to which the flexible interface (60) connecting the support to the base, at a thickness which is not constant. In the variant of FIG. 14, the thickness increases towards the front, but this could soon also increase towards the rear.

In the variant shown in FIG. 15, the interface increases in thickness both at the front and at the rear.

 Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown by way of examples, but it also includes all the technical equivalents as well as their combinations and other variants are also possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (30)

 1. Ski characterized in that it is constituted by a first lower assembly or base (1), the front end of which is raised to form the tip (117), and a second upper assembly or stiffener (2), the ends of which front (209) and rear (210) are linked to said base by flexible and / or partially rigid connection means (3), and comprising at least one support or stirrup (4) linked to the base intended to receive the fasteners (5, 51, 52) for holding the shoe on the skL  2. Ski according to claim 1, characterized in that the stiffener (2) has a length "L2" less than the length "L1" of the surface of the base (1) in contact with the snow.  3. Ski according to claim 2, characterized in that the length "L2" of the stiffener is between 50 and 80% of the length "L1".  4. Ski according to claim 3, characterized in that the front end (209) of the stiffener (2) is located between the tip contact area (119) of the base and the front end (120) of the area mounting fixings.  5. Ski according to claim 3, characterized in that the rear end (210) of the stiffener (2) is located between the heel contact zone (121) of the base and the rear end (122) of the zone mounting fixings.  6. Ski according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the middle (211) of the stiffener (2) is located at the middle (123) of the area in contact with the snow from the base.  7. Ski according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the middle (211) of the stiffener (2) is located in front of the middle (123) of the area in contact with the snow from the base.  8. Ski according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the middle (211) of the stiffener (2) is located behind the middle (123) of the area in contact with the snow of the base.  9. Ski according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width "12" of the stiffener. (2) is in the region of the support (4) less than the width "11" of the base (1) in this same area.  10 Ski according to claim 9, characterized in that the height "hl" of the base (1) and / or the height "h2" of the stiffener is constant.  11. Ski according to claim 9, characterized in that the height "hl" of the base (1) and / or the height "h2" of the stiffener is variable.  12 Ski according to claim 11, characterized in that the height "h2" of the stiffener decreases towards the front.  13 Ski according to claim 11, characterized in that the height "h2" of the stiffener decreases towards the rear.  14. Ski according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (1) and / or the stiffener (2) is a beam of elongated shape.  15. Ski according to claim 14 characterized in that the base (1) is a beam constituted by a core (105) disposed between two reinforcements, a first upper reinforcement (101) and a second lower reinforcement (110,111), and comprises a sliding layer (109) laterally comprising two lateral metal edges (107, 108), said upper reinforcement being covered at least in part with a surface layer (112).  16 Ski according to claim 15, characterized in that the surface layer (112) of the base (1) is interrupted at the level of the stiffener (2).  17. Ski according to any one of claims 14, 15 or 16, characterized in that the stiffener (2) is a beam constituted by a core (201) disposed between two reinforcements, a first upper reinforcement (204) and a second lower reinforcement (203), said upper reinforcement being covered with a surface layer (208).  18. Ski according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stiffener (2) is linked to the base by a link (3, 31, 32) located at its two ends.  19. Ski according to claim 18, characterized in that the connection (3) is of the flexible type.  20. Ski according to claim 19, characterized in that the flexible connection (3) is produced by two interfaces, a first flexible front interface (31) disposed under the front end (209) of the stiffener (2) and a second interface rear flexible (32) disposed under the rear end (210) of said stiffener (2).  21. Ski according to claim 20, characterized in that the interfaces (31 and 32) are constituted by a sheet of elastic material or visco elastic.  22. Ski according to claim 18, characterized in that the connection (3) is of the rigid type.  23. Ski according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (4) has the shape of a stirrup having the shape of an inverted "u" and comprises an upper wall (40) extended laterally and towards the bottom by two side walls (41,42) to form a lower housing (43) in the form of a hollow profile extending longitudinally intended for the passage of the stiffener (2).  24. Ski according to claim 23, characterized in that the dimensions of the housing both horizontal "14" and vertical "h4" are greater than the horizontal dimensions "12" and vertical "h2" of the stiffener to form a space "e" necessary to the latter's freedom.  25. A ski according to claim 24, characterized in that the support (4) receives the front binding at the front (51) and extends rearward over a length "L4" as far as the rear binding (52) .  26. Ski according to any one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that it comprises two supports (4) spaced from each other, a first front support (4a) on which is fixed the front stop ( 51) for retaining the boot, and a second support or rear support (4b) on which the heel piece (52) is fixed.  27. Ski according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (s) (4, 4a, 4b) is in one and the same piece or is made up of different pieces.  28. Ski according to claim 27, characterized in that the support is formed by a part of the corresponding binding (5, 51, 52).  29. Ski according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection (6) between the support (4, 4a, 4b) and the base is rigid.  30. Ski according to any one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that the connection (6) between the support (4, 4a, 4b) and the base is flexible and produced by an interface (60) made of flexible material .