FR2702668A1 - Ski, or other snow board, and method of making the same. - Google Patents

Abstract

Ski or other board for sliding over snow, including a protective and decorative top or shell. This top or shell consists of a multi-layer complex (7) which includes at least one opening (9) in the upper plastic layer (2). This upper layer (2) is transparent and it protects the decoration upstream (3) and downstream (4) of the central zone (6) which includes the underfoot zone (6).

Description

SKI, OR OTHER SNOWBOARD BOARD,

AND ITS MANUFACTURING METHOD

  The present invention relates to a ski, or other snow board (monoski, snowboard,), which comprises a top or shell protective and decorative made of plastic It also relates to a method of manufacturing at mold of such a ski or other snow board. The skis currently most widespread can be classified into two large families: Skis called "traditional" whose structure comprises essentially, from the bottom up, a sliding sole bordered by metal edges, a first layer of reinforcement consisting for example by a solid fiberglass fabric, a core, side edges that line this core and rest on the edges, a second reinforcing layer that covers the core, and finally a generally flat top, made of plastic such as

  for example ABS (acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene).

  The more modern "skis", for which the aforementioned songs and top are replaced by a single plastic shell whose section is

  roughly that of a trapezium with rounded corners.

  An extremely important element from the commercial point of view is the decoration which is worn on the visible outer part of the ski, that is to say finally either on the layer of plastic material which constitutes the abovementioned top of a traditional ski, or on the plastic shell of a ski hull It is worn various inscriptions and decorative patterns pleasant to 1 'eye that make the ski attractive to the eyes of the customer regardless of its intrinsic qualities and properly technical. In this regard, it should be noted that the plastic layer that forms the top of a traditional ski or the hull of a ski

  hull is often referred to as "layer of protection and decor".

  One of the objects of the present invention is to obtain a ski, or other snowboard, whose external appearance is considerably improved from an aesthetic point of view, and on which particularly striking effects

  from the visual point of view can be obtained.

  In the traditional design, the patterns and inscriptions that are reported in various places of the upper part of the ski are protected by a thin layer of varnish. Such a design is not totally satisfactory, because the upper part of a ski undergoes, in particularly upstream and downstream of the skating zone, multiple mechanical aggression, either when the skier accidentally crosses his two skis, or when another skier passes on these same skis, or even walks on them when for example In such conditions, the layer of varnish forms an insufficient protection, and the screen printing itself

  can be quickly attacked and damaged.

  This is why the Applicant Company now plans to cover the top layer of certain skis that it manufactures, especially skis, from a fairly

  thick layer of transparent protective plastic material.

  As a state of the art relating to this type of modern realization can be cited document FR-A-2660251 of

the Applicant Company.

  The choice of the constituent material of this transparent protective layer is particularly delicate, and depends very much on the manufacturing process that is used for the ski in question. The skis are indeed currently manufactured in the mold according to two very different types of processes: A first method is the so-called "wet method" which schematically consists of: firstly stacking, in the open mold, the constituent elements of the ski: the sole bordered by the edges, one or more lower reinforcing layers, the solid core surrounded by the possible edges, one or more upper reinforcing layers, and finally the plastic top (flat or shaped), all of these elements being precoated with resin mixed with its hardener but not yet reticulated or cooked; then to close the mold with its lid under a pressure which, for example being of the order of ten bars, is sufficient to ensure the correct placement of the elements, and to mount the assembly in temperature for a predefined time, this temperature being for example of the order of a hundred degrees Celsius, so as to cause the fluidization and curing of the resin, and finally the cooking of the assembly; after cooling of the structure thus obtained, the mold is opened, the ski is extracted and the procedure is carried out

finishing operations.

  A second method, more modern, called "injected form" which consists of: placing in the open mold the sole, bordered by any edges, and one or more lower reinforcement layers pre-glued or preassembled together and to the sole, then the shell plastic preassembled to one or more upper layers of reinforcement, arching this shell to introduce it into the mold down to the height of the edges of the sole, thus defining a hollow interior space defined by this shell; then to close the mold with its lid and to inject, in this internal space, the liquid components of a synthetic foam which expansant form the core while pressing the shell against the inner face of the lid; if the aforementioned layers are already preassembled, this injection is made at a relatively low temperature (about 60 degrees Celsius) in a first process variant; conversely, if these layers are pre-coated, this injection is done at high temperature (about 120 degrees Celsius) in a second variant (called "V H P") of this process; after hardening of the glue and cooling of the ski, it is removed from the mold and

  the finishing operations are carried out.

  It is apparent from this review of the manufacturing processes that in one case, the mold - making of a ski is carried out under a relatively low temperature, of the order of 60 degrees Celsius, which makes it possible to use, as a transparent plastic material, silkscreen protection, an inexpensive compound but of limited use due to its low temperature resistance In the other two cases, on the contrary, the manufacture is carried out under a temperature equal to or greater than 1000 C, which requires choosing, as a transparent plastic material for protection of the screen printing, a compound having a good temperature resistance and whose price of

returns is rather expensive.

  As another state of the art in the field of

  decoration of skis can also be cited documents FR-A-

  2,313,953 and FR-A-2,366,039 which relate to the decoration of a ski by means of successive segments consisting of parts of plastic sheets colored differently in the mass, these segments engaging in each other transversely to the longitudinal direction of the ski by means of

complementary marginal areas.

  As a state of the art in the more general field of protection of the particularly aggressed areas of a ski, FRA-2 672 810 can be cited which provides openings in the hull of a ski in the most exposed places to the aggressions. outside, these openings being filled with a

  deformable plastic foam and elastic protection,

even covered with a membrane.

  A second object of the invention is to propose a method of manufacturing a ski, or other snowboarding board on snow, as well as to propose a ski or board made according to this method, which has an optimized performance depending on the need

  real that is the protection of the scenery of this ski or board.

  To these effects, the invention relates to a ski, or other snow-sliding board, comprising a protective top and shell which is made of plastics material, characterized in that: this top or shell comprises a multi-layer complex formed from a laminate of planar plastic layers, and in that at least this upper layer of the laminate is perforated or interrupted in at least one location, thereby defining in this complex at least one window or interruption which lets see, on this board,

  at least one of the underlying layers of this laminate.

  The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a ski or other snow sliding board in the mold, comprising at least: a skid plate possibly bordered by edges, a central core, one or more reinforcement layers. , a shell or protective plastic top and decor, this method consisting at least, in a manner known per se is, in the so-called "wet" mode: to stack, in the open mold, successively the sole, optionally bordered by the edges, one or more lower reinforcement layers, the solid core surrounded by any edges, one or more upper reinforcing layers, and finally said top or plastic shell, all of these elements being pre-glued, and then closing the mold to 1 'using its lid and under high pressure, to raise the temperature, etc is, in the mode "injected form": to place in the mold open the sole, possibly bordered by the edges, and one or more lower reinforcement layers pre-assembled or pre-glued together and to the sole, then said plastic shell preassembled to one or more upper layers of reinforcement, arching this shell to introduce it into the mold until it goes down to height edges of the sole, thus defining a hollow interior space delimited by this shell, then to close the mold with its lid and to inject, under high pressure and into this internal space, the liquid components of a synthetic foam which while expanding forms the core while plating said shell against the inner face of the lid, etc. and this method being characterized in that the above or plastic shell is, at least in its upper part taken in the direction of 1 'thickness , made of a multilayer complex formed of a laminate of successive layers, at least the upper layer of this laminate having at least one discontinuity in the form of a window or interruption which finally allows to leave, after demolding, at least one judiciously selected piece of at least one of the underlying layers

of this laminate.

  The invention will be well understood, and its advantages and

  characteristics will stand out better, when describing

  The following is a few nonlimiting examples of embodiment, with reference to the appended schematic drawing in which: Figure 1 is a partial representation, in perspective, of the multilayer complex which is prepared beforehand for the manufacture in the mold of a ski conforming to the 'invention. Figure 2 schematizes the deformation of this complex

  multilayer during the manufacture of this ski mold.

  Figure 3 is a top view of this ski, made according to

The invention.

  Figures 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views of this ski,

  respectively along IV-IV and V-V of Figure 3.

  Figures 6 and 7 are views similar to Figures 1 and 3,

  but showing another form of execution of this ski.

  Figure 8 is a cross section, according to VIII-VIII of Figure

7, of this last ski.

  Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 but showing a

variant embodiment.

  Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 1, and showing a

  another embodiment of this multilayer complex.

  Figure 11 is a longitudinal section of the multilayer complex

of Figure 10.

  Figure 12 schematizes the deformation of the multilayer complex

  according to Figure 11, during the manufacture of the ski mold.

  Figures 13 and 14 are views respectively similar to Figure 10 and 12, but showing another embodiment of

this ski.

  Figures 15 and 16 are views respectively similar to Figures 10 and 12, but showing yet another form of

realization of this ski.

  Referring to Figures 1 to 5, it is in this first embodiment of a ski track 1 (Figures 3 to) for which it is expected to protect the screen printing by a

  quite thick layer 2 of transparent plastic material.

  According to a particularly interesting aspect of the present invention, this protection by the transparent plastic layer 2 is provided only on the front portion 3 and on the rear portion 4 of the ski, that is to say only upstream and downstream of a central zone 5 which includes the skate zone 6 which

supports fixations.

  To fix the ideas in a nonlimiting manner, this central zone 5, for which the screen printing is not protected by the transparent plastic layer 2, has a length of the order of 550 to 600 millimeters, and it extends little near

  symmetrically on both sides of the skate zone.

  In fact, this central zone 5 defines a gap, or interruption, of the transparent and protective plastic layer 2. Of course, the screen printing is not protected in this zone 5, except by a thin layer of traditional varnish , but on reflection this is not a real disadvantage because experience shows that this screen printing is almost never assaulted in this area

  central 5 since it is protected by the shoe.

  The ski according to these FIGS. 3 to 5 is made in the following manner: Firstly, it is possible to produce, for example by the plaxing technique, a multilayer complex 7 that is elongated, here in two layers only, having a lower layer 8 made of opaque and resistant plastic material. , for example ABS, and a top layer 2 of transparent and protective plastic material. By producing this bilayer complex 7, there is provided in the transparent upper layer, a longitudinal and substantially central interruption 9 which constitutes the aforementioned central zone 5. The dimensions (length and width) of this bilayer complex 7 are chosen sufficient so that it can constitute, after manufacture of the ski 1 to the mold, the hull 10 of the

  ski 1, which is therefore a "ski-hull" in this example.

  The decoration of the upper face of the ski has of course been carried out, by a known technique such as a screen printing, before the assembly of the two layers 8.2 of the bilayer complex 7 It may for example have been made either by screen printing on the upper face of the ABS layer 8, either by interposing a pre-decorated veil, as described

  in the document FR-A-2660251 cited above.

  We then proceed to the manufacture of the ski mold 1, for example by the now conventional method called "injected form". For this, we first glue the reinforcing fabric

  upper 11 (FIGS. 4 and 5) beneath the bilayer complex 7.

  The sliding plate 12, the metal edges 13 and the reinforcement are successively laid in the mold

lower 14.

  These elements are glued to each other by resin

  mixed with its hardener but not yet cooked.

  The hull 10 is then introduced into the mold until it comes to bear on the edges 13 It has, at this stage,

not its definitive form.

  The lid of the mold is then closed, and then the interior is heated up to about 600 ° C. in the simplest method mentioned above, ie up to about 1200 ° C. in the VHP process. Then, the polyurethane foam is injected. Once

hardened, will form the core 15 of the ski.

  The pressure P exerted by the polyurethane foam during the injection then comes to press the shell 10 against the walls of the lid of the mold, so that this shell 10

takes its final form.

  This pressure P also comes, at the place of the opening 9, deforming the layer 8 of ABS to bring it, at this place, at the same level as the transparent layer 2, as shown schematically in Figure 2 At the place of the interruption or gap 9, the lower layer 8 of the bilayer complex 7 thus comes "up", under the effect of the pressure P exerted by the polyurethane foam during the injection of the core 15, in this opening 9 to finally get to

  same level as the transparent upper layer 2.

  After cooling and demolding, conventional sanding, deburring and more

  generally finishing ski 1.

  Note that this embodiment of a ski 1 by a modern process called "injected form" is illustrative and not preferential In the case of the realization of a ski by the traditional method of manufacturing the mold under high pressure and temperature , the core is not then injected but prefabricated, exactly the same deformation, according to Figure 2, of the lower layer 8 is obtained by simply providing to lay in the mold an additional reinforcing layer 16 (dotted in Figure 2 ) which has substantially the size of the opening 9, this layer 16 being placed under the laminate 7 When the lid is closed, it exerts upwardly a pressure P on the laminate 7, this pressure being a dozen bars to fix the ideas This pressure then press on the transparent layer 2 on both sides of the opening 9, and subsequently "sink" this layer 2 to finally force it to go down ju at the level of the layer 8 at the location of the opening 9: the configuration of Figure 2 is

  then also obtained in such a case.

  Note that the opening 9 may have other dimensions, shape, and location, and that there may be several openings of this type, resulting in the most varied aesthetic effects, and in this regard Figures 6 to 14 show some other examples of realization among many others. Figures 6 to 8 illustrate a variant of the ski 1 previously described, for which the screen printing is protected by the transparent plastic layer 2 only on the front and rear edges of the ski, always only in front and rear of the central zone 5 The opening 9 of the layer 2 then comprises not only the central zone 5, but also

  the longitudinal median areas before 17 and rear 18 of the ski.

  An even more economical embodiment is thus obtained, the transparent layer 2 being shrunk to the minimum necessary to protect the screen printing from external shocks, and of an effect

aesthetic even more striking.

  Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, but for which, following a corresponding form of the mold cover used, the rear and / or front middle portion 18 overhangs. Figures 10 and 12 illustrate, by comparison with Figures 1 and 2, an alternative embodiment of the ski 1 for which it is provided, in addition to the aforementioned central opening 9, at least one other opening 19 in the layer 2 which is constituted by a window After making the ski mold (Figure 12), the ABS layer 8 is "mounted" also in the window 19

  to get there at the same level as layer 2.

  In this way, not only is a pleasant aesthetic effect obtained, but it is also possible to mark, at the location of the window 19, the location of an internal technical element of the ski,

  for example a vibration damping plate.

  It should be noted that until now, it has been a question of a transparent upper layer 2 and of a lower layer 8 tinted in the mass, because so far the problem of the protection of the screen printing has been The invention is not however fixed to this kind of embodiment. The two layers 8 and 2 can both be colored in the mass, while being visually of different colors, and then the aesthetic effect obtained by an embodiment according to the invention. , for example according to Figures 1 to 12, is particularly striking Similarly, the two aforementioned layers can be reversed, the upper layer 2 being tinted in the mass while the lower layer 8 is transparent can be seen by transparency of elements techniques of the body of the ski: considering Figure 12 for example, we can see in this case the plate for screwing fasteners at the central opening 9, and for example a damping plate

vibration under the window 19.

  Comparing FIGS. 13 and 14 to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 2, it can be seen that it is also possible to obtain, with a corresponding form of the mold cover, an embodiment for which the pad zone 6 is raised with respect to the surface of the ski The plate 20 in which the fasteners are screwed then passes into the opening 9 of the

upper plastic layer 2.

  The multilayer complex 7 may also comprise more than two layers and, in this connection, Figures 15 and 16 illustrate, by comparison with Figures 10 and 12 for example, an interesting embodiment for which this laminate 7 is composed of three superimposed layers. , including a lower layer 21 of transparent plastic material, an intermediate layer 8 of ABS dyed in the mass, and a layer

  upper 2 in transparent plastic.

  In such a case, the window 19 is cut at a time

  in the upper layer 2 and in the intermediate layer 8.

  In the mold, a technical element 22, such as a vibration damper, is placed under the window 19, the lower face of the mold is left flat, that is to say without prominences, so that after demolding, the result obtained is that of FIG. 16: the technical element 22 is mounted in the window 19, whereas in this window 19 the transparent lower layer 21 is mounted at the same level as the transparent upper layer 2, that it comes into somehow continue At the level of the window 19, we see by transparency the technical element 22, which is well protected by the layer 21, while the visible screen printing on the layer 8 is well

  protected by the transparent layer 2.

  As goes without saying, the invention is not limited to these few examples of applications The number of layers of the multilayer complex 7 may be greater than three, the openings may be very varied and practiced, in one place, on a number of judiciously chosen layers The colors of the various layers of the laminate 7, and their transparency or not, can be very varied, so that the aesthetic and technical effects thus obtained

can be varied to infinity.

Claims (11)

  A ski or other snow-sliding board, comprising a protective or decorative top or shell (10) which is made of plastics material, characterized in that said top or shell (10) comprises a multilayer complex (7) formed from a laminate of flat plastic layers (8,2), and in that at least this upper layer (2) of the laminate is perforated or interrupted in at least one location (9, 19), thereby defining in this complex (7) at least one window (19) or interruption (9) which shows, on this   gliding board (1), at least one of the sub-layers   jacentes (8) of this laminate (7).   Ski or other snow sliding board according to claim 1, characterized in that said upper layer (2) of the multilayer complex (7) is a transparent plastic layer for protecting the decoration of this gliding board (1). Ski or other snow sliding board according to claim 2, characterized in that this transparent plastic layer (2) is at least interrupted in the central zone   (5) which comprises the pad area (6).   Ski or other snow sliding board according to claim 3, characterized in that this transparent plastic layer is further interrupted in the middle longitudinal zones of the front (17) and / or the rear (18). of the board (1).   Ski or other snowboarding board according to 1   any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that   lower layer (8,21) of the laminate (7) arrives, in the openings (9) or windows (19), at the same level as said upper layer (2).   6 Skiing or other snowboarding board according to one of   any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that   lower layer (8,21) of the laminate (7) arrives, in the openings (9) or windows (19), above said layer superior (2).   7 Ski or other snowboard according to 1 moon   any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that   multilayer complex (7) has more than two layers (21,8, 2), in that the upper layer (2) and the lower layer (21) of this multilayer complex are both transparent, and in that at least one of the apertures or windows (19) is cut in all the layers (8,2) which cover this lower layer (21), so that finally said transparent upper layer (2) protects at least a portion of the decoration of the board, while said lower layer (21) shows and protects a portion (22) of the internal part of the ski.   Ski or other snow-sliding board according to claim 7, characterized in that this portion of the inner part of the ski comprises a technical element (22) of the ski, such as for example a vibration-damping plate or a   plate for screwing fasteners.   Ski or other snow sliding board according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that, at the location of said openings or windows (19), these two transparent layers (2, 21) are at the same level, one (21) coming in   somehow continue the other (2).   Ski or other snowboard according to snow   any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that   at least the upper layer (2) of the multilayer complex (7) is visually different from the other layer (s) (8) of this multilayer complex.   Ski or other snow-sliding board whose decoration is protected by a transparent plastic layer (2), characterized in that this protection by said transparent plastic layer (2) is provided only on the front part (3) and on the rear part (4) of the board (1), that is to say upstream and downstream of a central zone (5) which encompasses the area of pad (6).   Ski or other snow sliding board according to claim 11, characterized in that this transparent plastic layer protection (2) is furthermore not provided in the median longitudinal zones of the front (17) and / or   the back (18) of the board (1).   13 A method of manufacturing in the form of a ski (1), or other snow sliding board, according to any one of   Claims 1 to 12 and comprising at least:   a sliding sole (12) optionally bordered by edges (13), a central core (15), one or more reinforcing layers (14, 11), a plastic or protective shell (10) and decor, this method consisting at least, in a manner known per se, in the so-called "wet mode" mode: to stack, in the open mold, successively the sole (12), optionally bordered by the edges (13), one or more layers of lower reinforcement (14), the solid core (15) bordered by possible edges, one or more upper reinforcing layers (11), and finally said top or plastic shell (10), all of these elements being pre-glued, then to close the mold with the aid of its lid and under high pressure, to increase the temperature, etc. in the "injected form" mode: to place the sole (12) in the open mold, possibly bordered by the edges ( 13), and one or more lower reinforcement layers (14) pre-assembled or pre-glued together and to the sole (12), then said plastic shell (10) preassembled to one or more upper layers of reinforcement (11), arching this shell (10) to introduce it into the mold until there down to the edges of the sole (12), thus defining a hollow interior space defined by this shell, then to close the mold with its lid and to inject, under high pressure and into this internal space, the liquid components of a synthetic foam that expands form the core (15) while pressing said shell (10) against the inner face of the lid, etc, characterized in that said plastic top or shell (10) is, at least in its upper part taken in the direction of the thickness, made of a multilayer complex (7) formed of a laminate of successive layers (8,2), at least the upper layer (2) of this laminate (7) ) having at least one discontinuity made It forms a window (19) or interruption (9) which finally allows to expose, after demolding, at least one judiciously selected piece of at least one of the underlying layers (8) of this multilayer complex (7). ).  Method according to claim 13, executed according to said "injected form" mode, characterized in that, in order to obtain a uniform level for the upper surface of this board (1) despite the presence of said discontinuities (9,19) the internal face of the lid is of uniform surface, so that during the injection of the core 15, the pressure (P) due to this injection stretches, in these discontinuities (9,19) the lower layer (8) of the laminate (7), this lower layer (8) "rising" then in each of these discontinuities (9,19) to finally arrive, on the finished board, at the same level   the upper layer (2) of the laminate.   Process according to Claim 13, carried out according to said "wet" mode, characterized in that, in order to obtain a uniform level for the upper surface of this board (1) despite the presence of said discontinuities (9, 19), an additional reinforcing layer (16) is placed in the mold under each discontinuity (9, 19), this additional layer (16) being substantially of the same dimensions as the discontinuity corresponding (9,19).