FR2841479A1 - SLIDING MACHINE COMPRISING TWO WALLS - Google Patents

Abstract

Gliding device (1) comprising a support wall (2) and a sliding wall (3), the walls (2, 3) facing each other so as to leave a gap between them. The walls (2, 3) have substantially the same length. The bearing wall (2) is wider than the sliding wall (3). A closed volume (42) is delimited between the bearing walls (2) and sliding walls (3).

Description

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  SLIDING MACHINE COMPRISING TWO WALLS

  The invention relates to a sliding device comprising a bearing wall and a sliding wall. The machine is intended to be driven by the physical action of a user, with or without

using gravity.

  Such devices are generally used on slippery floors such as snow or

  ice, and sometimes on grass or sand.

  Document US 3,343,847 discloses such a device.

  According to this document, the machine has a support wall intended to support the two feet of the user and a sliding wall intended to slide. The two walls are joined to one another so as to be opposite one another, and so as to provide a gap between a connecting face of the support wall and a connecting face of the sliding wall. The walls

  have substantially the same length, and the support wall is wider than the sliding wall.

  This machine allows to evolve, following a continuous trajectory or intersected by figures,

  on soils of different natures.

  In the case of hard ground, consisting for example of ice or packed snow, the machine remains on the surface. A user can adopt any driving style. However it appears that the snow

  accumulates between the walls, especially during turns.

  In the case of soft or powdery ground, comprising for example powdery or soft snow, the machine sinks, sometimes until contact of the bearing wall with the ground, sometimes until 20 full immersion. Whatever the level of penetration, again the snow accumulates

  between the walls to form a filling plug for the volume between the walls.

  This plug rubs itself on the snow while driving the machine, which brakes the latter. Also, the plug weighs down the machine. As a result, driving the craft is more difficult,

because it requires more effort.

  One of the aims of the invention is to facilitate the operation of the machine, in particular on ground

soft or powdery.

  For this, the invention provides a sliding device comprising a support wall intended to support the two feet of a user and a sliding wall intended to slide, the two walls facing each other of so as to provide a gap between them, the walls having

  substantially the same length, the support wall being wider than the sliding wall.

  The device according to the invention is characterized in that a closed volume is delimited between the support and sliding walls. For example, a first spatula of the support wall and a first spatula of the sliding wall join, a second spatula of the support wall and a second spatula of the sliding wall join, a first lateral edge connects a first edge of the sliding wall to a connecting face of the supporting wall, and a second lateral edge connects a second edge of the sliding wall to the connecting face of the supporting wall. The junctions of the end zones of the walls and the edges close the volume between the walls. As a result, snow or other materials cannot accumulate there. he

  no plug is formed between the walls.

  It follows that no additional friction is induced by the nature of the ground covered, and that no additional weight is added to the vehicle while driving. An advantage that

  is easier to drive, especially on soft or powdery ground.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood using the

  description which follows, with reference to the appended drawing illustrating, according to examples not

  restrictive, how the invention can be implemented, and in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view over a sliding device according to a first embodiment of the invention, - Figure 2 is a view in perspective from below of the machine of Figure 1, - Figure 3 is a side view of the machine of Figure 1, - Figure 4 is a section along IV-IV of Figure 3, - the Figure 5 is a section along VV of Figure 3, - Figure 6 is a section similar to Figure 4, according to a second embodiment of the invention, - Figure 7 is a section similar to Figure 4, according to a third exemplary embodiment

of the invention.

  The first example is described below using Figures 1 to 5.

  In a known manner as can be seen in FIG. 1, a gliding device 1 comprises a support wall 2 provided for supporting the two feet of the user and a sliding wall 3 provided for sliding. The two walls 2, 3 are opposite one another so as to provide a

gap between them.

  The machine 1 extends longitudinally from a first 4 to a second limit 5, each of the limits 4, 5 can be considered as the rear or as the front. The machine 1 extends transversely from a first 6 to a second 7 side, each of the sides 6, 7 being able to be

  considered as right side or left side.

  The perimeter of the support wall 2 comprises a first end 10, a first lateral edge 11, a second end 12, and a second lateral edge 13. A top 14 of the

  support wall is provided to receive the feet of the user.

  According to the exemplary embodiment, a mat 15 is preferably provided affixed to the top 14.

  The mat 15 allows in particular good adhesion of the feet or shoes on the top 14. This facilitates the driving of the machine. The mat 15 may consist of one or more layers of flexible materials with a relatively high coefficient of friction. For example, a layer of flexible plastic foam, made with polyurethane, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, or any comparable material, may be suitable. The mat 15 is secured to the top 14 by any suitable means, such as gluing, stapling, sewing, riveting,

a screwing or other.

  Preferably, the mat 15 covers substantially the entire top 14, but it could not

cover only part.

  Of course the mat 15, although shown in the form of a single piece, can

  include several parts juxtaposed or not.

  Furthermore, the support wall 2 has, from the first 10 to the second 12 end, a first spatula 20, a first reception portion 21, a central portion 22, a second reception portion 23 and a second spatula 24 Each spatula 20, 24 must be understood as being an end portion raised from the support wall 2. Each of the spatulas 20, 24 is shown in the form of a curved portion, the center or centers of curvature of which are on the side of the top 14. However, each of the spatulas could have a different structure, like that of a raised straight portion, or of a curved raised portion, but of which

  the center (s) of curvature would be on the opposite side above 14.

  Each reception portion 21, 23 must be understood as being a privileged portion for accommodating the feet of the user, during driving where the gliding apparatus 1 remains in contact with the snow over its entire length. The feet can however be positioned on

  the entire surface of the support wall 2.

  The support wall 2 is preferably made from a plastic material such as a

  polyoxymethylene, a polyethylene, an acetyl-butadiene-styrene, a polyurethane, or the like.

  However, other materials may be suitable. For example, provision could be made to use wood, in the form of a glulam or equivalent. Provision could also be made to stack a reinforcement of composite material, a core of foam and / or wood, and another reinforcement of composite material. Reinforcements can be covered with layers of

  protection against external aggressions, such as a layer of plastic.

  As best seen in Figure 2, the sliding wall 3 has a perimeter which includes a first end 25, a first side edge 26, a second end 27

and a second lateral edge 28.

  A bottom 35 of the sliding wall 3 is provided for sliding on a support, the latter

  can be ice, snow, grass, synthetic fabric, or other.

  The sliding wall 3 has, from the first 25 to the second 27 end, a first spatula 36, a central portion 37, and a second spatula 38. Here again each spatula 36,

  38 should be understood as being a raised end portion of the sliding wall 3.

  Each of the spatulas 36, 38 is shown in the form of a curved portion, the center or centers of curvature of which are situated on the side opposite the bottom 35, this shape not being limiting. The sliding wall 3 is preferably constituted by a plate made from a plastic material. For example a polyoxymethylene, a polyethylene, an acetylbutadiene-styrene, a

  Polyurethane, or the like, may be suitable.

  However, the sliding wall 3 could be constituted by a ski. It would for example be formed by a vertical stack which may consist, from bottom to top, of a sliding layer, of a lower reinforcement, of a core, of an upper reinforcement, and possibly of a layer of protection. This stack essentially comprises composite materials, and possibly wood. The edges 26, 28 and / or the ends 25, 27 of the sliding wall 3

may have edges.

  Of course, other materials could be used to make the sliding wall 3.

  The bearing 2 and sliding 3 walls have substantially the same length. Each wall 2, 3 can be slightly shorter, the same length, or longer than the other. The support wall 2 is wider than the slide wall 3. The lateral edges 11, 13 of the support wall 2 are cantilevered relative to the slide wall 3. Thus the forces exerted by the feet of the user on the top 14, at the lateral edges 11, 13 are transmitted to the sliding wall 3 while being amplified. An advantage which results from this is a reduction in fatigue when driving the machine 1. Thanks to the overhang the user can exert a tilting torque of the machine with the feet. This allows the edge to be taken by pressing into the

  snow from one of the side edges 26, 28.

  According to the invention as best seen in Figure 3, the first spatula 20 of the support wall 2 and the first spatula 36 of the sliding wall 3 join. By analogy the second

  spatula 24 of the support wall 2 and the second spatula 38 of the sliding wall 3 join.

  Towards each of the first 4 and second 5 limits of the gliding apparatus 1, the first 20, 36 and the second 24, 38 spatulas are respectively tangent to one another and joined to one another. The first 20, 36 and second 24, 38 spatulas overlap respectively to form a single end portion. Of course, each portion has an appearance similar to that of the spatulas. In particular, each portion has a curvature the center or centers of which are located on the top side 14 of the support wall 2. This structure gives the machine

  1 good ability to make your way through the snow.

  As can be seen in FIG. 4, a first lateral edge 39 connects the first lateral edge 26 of the sliding wall 3 to a connecting face 40 of the support wall 2. By analogy, a second lateral edge 41 connects the second lateral edge 28 of the sliding wall 3 to the connecting face 40. The top 14 and the connecting face 40 delimit the thickness of the support wall 2. The first 39 and second 41 edges close, in the direction transverse, the space between the

support walls 2 and sliding 3.

  Consequently, a closed volume 42 is delimited between the bearing 2 and sliding 3 walls.

  The closing of the volume 42 prevents the accumulation of foreign bodies, such as snow, between the walls 2, 3. This is why the machine 1 does not weigh down while driving. Moreover, the

  edges 39, 41 respectively have a regular contact surface 43, 44 with snow.

  This promotes the sliding of the edges 39, 41, and of the machine 1 consequently, in the snow. According to the first example, the support wall 2 has a central longitudinal opening closed by a cover 51. This makes it possible to manufacture the gliding apparatus 1 in two main parts. The first part includes the support wall 2, with the exception of the cover 51, the side edges 39, 41, the sliding wall 3, as well as, non-obligatorily, ribs 52, 53, 54 from the sliding wall and projecting towards the central opening 50. An example of distribution of the ribs is visible in FIG. 5. The first part is preferably a single piece obtained for example by injection of a plastic material. Of course, any other manufacturing process could be suitable, such as assembling the different parts of the first part by any means. The second part is in turn constituted by the cover 51. The latter is preferably

  made from a plastic material.

  To form the gliding device 1, it suffices to close the opening 50 of the bearing wall 2 with the cover 51. The closure is preferably final. It can be carried out by any means such as

  1 0 than bonding, welding, or the like.

  Of course, the closure could be temporary. In this case, the cover 51 can be screwed, snapped on, or affixed by any suitable means. The closed volume 42 is thus delimited by the cover 51 on the side of the support wall 2. This volume can remain hollow or be filled with a foam of plastic material or any equivalent material. The nature of the filling plays a role in damping vibrations. The mat 15, in addition to its main function

  mentioned before, hides the peripheral limit 55 of the opening 50 and of the cover 51.

  In addition as seen in Figures 2 and 4, there are provided guide grooves. These grooves are formed on the underside side of the sliding wall 3. They are oriented in the direction of the length of the machine 1. They improve the stability of the machine in

  2 0 driving, especially when the machine 1 slides flat on the snow.

  According to the example, there are three grooves, namely a first lateral groove 56, a central groove 57, and a second lateral groove 58. For each of the lateral grooves 56, 58 there is provided a profile with edges, to facilitate stability when driving flat. For the central edge, a concave rounded profile has been provided, which can be useful for certain figures of style. Indeed the user can take support with the bottom 35 on a

  relief itself rounded, such as that of a barrier.

  Of course, a different number of grooves could be provided, as well as various

shapes for their profiles.

  Preferably the grooves extend both along the central portion 37 and in part

  at least along the tips 36, 38. This makes them efficient on all types of snow.

  The other exemplary embodiments of the invention are presented below with the aid of the figures.

6 and 7.

  For convenience, only the differences from the first example are

described in detail.

  The second example is presented with the aid of FIG. 6. It relates to a sliding device which comprises a support wall 71 and a sliding wall 72. The walls 71, 72 are connected to each other. another by a first lateral edge 73, a second lateral edge 74, and ribs, 76, 77 from the sliding wall 72. Again, the machine 70 comprises two main parts. However, these parts differ from those according to the first example. The first part comprises the sliding wall 72, the side edges 73, 74, and the ribs 75, 76, 77. The second part is formed by the bearing wall 71. Each of the parts is preferably a

  monobloc piece. The parts are assembled by any means to form the gliding apparatus 70.

  The third example is presented with the aid of FIG. 7. It relates to a sliding device 90 which comprises a bearing wall 91 and a sliding wall 92. Here again the device 90 comprises two main parts. However, these parts differ from those according to the previous examples. The first part is the sliding wall 92, the second being the bearing wall 91. The parts are joined to one another by an intermediate layer 93 which extends between the walls 91, 92 facing the sliding wall 92. The intermediate layer can be made with any natural or synthetic material, such as cork, wood, plastic foam, or the like. The intermediate layer is joined to the walls

by any means.

  In any case, the invention can be made from all the materials used

  according to all the techniques known to those skilled in the art.

  1 5 The device is preferably substantially symmetrical longitudinally, that is to say with respect to a central transverse axis. It is also preferably substantially symmetrical transversely, with respect to a central longitudinal axis. So each limit 4, 5 of the craft

can be front or rear.

  The length of the machine 1, 70, 90 is preferably between 60 and 100 cm, its width

  2 0 between 15 and 30 cm, and its central height between 3 and 10 cm.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples described above, and includes all

  technical equivalents which may fall within the scope of the claims which follow.

  In particular, it is possible to provide other structures for the constituent parts of the machine.

Claims (9)

  1- Gliding device (1, 70, 90) comprising a support wall (2, 71, 91) intended to support the two feet of a user and a sliding wall (3, 72, 92) provided for sliding , the two walls (2, 71, 91, 3, 72, 92) being opposite one another so as to provide a gap between them, the walls (2, 71, 91, 3, 72, 92 ) having substantially the same length, the bearing wall (2, 71, 91) being wider than the sliding wall (3, 72, 92), characterized in that a closed volume (42) is delimited between the support walls (2, 71, 91) and of sliding (3, 72, 92).   2- sliding device (1, 70, 90) according to claim 1, characterized in that a first spatula (20) of the bearing wall (2, 71, 91) and a first spatula (36) of the sliding wall (3, 72, 92) join, that a second spatula (24) of the bearing wall (2, 71, 91) and second spatula (38) of the sliding wall (3, 72 , 92) join, that a first lateral edge (39, 73) connects a first edge (26) of the sliding wall (3, 72, 92) to a connecting face (40) of the bearing wall (2, 71, 91), and that a second lateral edge (41, 74) connects a second edge   (28) from the sliding wall (3, 72, 92) to the connecting face (40) of the bearing wall (2, 71, 91).   3- sliding device (1, 70, 90) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first (20, 36) and the second (24, 38) spatulas are respectively tangent to one   the other and joined to each other.   4- gliding device (1, 70, 90) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that each spatula (20, 24, 36, 38) is a curved portion whose center (s) of curvature are   on the side of a top (14) of the support wall (2, 71, 91).   - Sliding device (1, 70, 90) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact   that a mat (15) is affixed to a top (14) of the support wall (2, 71, 91).   6- Gliding apparatus (1, 70, 90) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact   that longitudinal grooves (56, 57, 58) are formed on the side of a bottom (35) of the sliding wall (3).   7- Sliding device (1, 70, 90) according to claim 6, characterized in that the grooves (56, 57, 58) extend both along a central portion (37) and in part at   less along the spatulas (36, 38) of the sliding wall (3).   8- Gliding apparatus (1, 70, 90) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the there are three grooves.   9- Gliding apparatus (1, 70, 90) according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized by the fact   that it comprises two main parts, a first part which comprises the support wall (2), the side edges (39, 41), and the sliding wall (3), the support wall (2) having a opening (50), and a second part constituted by a cover (51) for closing the opening (50).   - Sliding device (70) according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that it   comprises two main parts, a first part which includes the sliding wall (72) and   the side edges (73, 74), and a second part formed by the support wall (71).   11- Sliding device (90) according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that it   comprises two main parts, the first part being the sliding wall (92), the second part being the bearing wall (91), the two parts being joined to each other by an intermediate layer (93) which extends between the walls (91, 92), opposite the sliding wall (92).