JPH05212144A - Apparatus for varying rigidity of ski - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To make a ski controllable according to the quality of snow or the sill of a skier by alternately setting the outer circumferential part of a cam disc pivotally movable around a fixed axis crossing the ski so as to be protruded toward a finger member, and changing the bending rigidity of the ski by the outer circumferential part and the elastic finger. CONSTITUTION: Finger members 31, 32, 33, 34 are provided on the free end part of a support means, and a cam disc 20 pivotally movable around a fixed axis crossing a ski is provided on an adjustable stopper means. The circumferential parts 21, 22, 23 of the cam disc 20 are alternately set so as to be protruded toward the finger members 31, 32, 33, 34, and the circumferential part and the elastic fingers are cooperated to change the bending rigidity of a ski 17. When the ski 17 is bent, the slide member 5 of the support plate is moved forward and makes contact with the surface of the outer circumferential part 22, and the outer circumferential part 22 is slid along the tapered inner edge parts of the fingers 32, 33, and the fingers 32, 33 are laterally extended to make the ski 17 rigid.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention changes the characteristics of a ski according to the nature of the snow, the type of skiing, the nature of the ski (board) and the skill of the skier in order to improve the quality of skiing and the safety of the skier. The present invention relates to a ski control device, and more particularly to a device for changing the rigidity (stiffness) of a ski according to the above conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Important conditions affecting downhill downhill skiers are the nature of the snow, the type of ski run, the type of ski and binding, and the skill of the skier. Snow quality and skiing slopes change during the day, while skis and skiers generally do not. Snow quality ranges from icy hard snow to very loose or soft snow (called powder snow)
Change. The turn and speed when skiing vary greatly depending on the type of snow. One key characteristic of skiing is that when a skier rides on a ski, it bends (b
The ability to end or flex. The ski flexes and flexes as the skier slides along the contour of the slope to maintain control of the skier and to allow the skier to steer as the ski bounces and rebounds down the slope. Skiing is restricted on hard snow.
Turning is primarily done in hard snow by the skier tilting the ski by moving their weight and body position, causing the bottom edge of the ski to bite into the snow. On the other hand, powder snow allows skis to make large turns. The longitudinal side of the ski has a convex arc shape, and when the skier turns, the side cut and bending of the ski are used. However, the edge of the ski is not important for turning in powder snow. There is another problem for skiers in regular snow (snow between textured snow and powder snow with a degree of texture and packing). Experience, communication with racers and other ski technicians, and the results of tests have shown that skis with stiff footsteps are suitable for very hard snow conditions, while overall flexible skis It has been found to be suitable for soft snow conditions. Skis with these intermediate properties are suitable for snow with medium softness. If the ski is loosely attached to the skier, when the ski hits an obstacle, the energy from the ski is hardly transmitted to the skier, so that the skier can run at a higher speed, but it is difficult to control the ski when turning. Become. Therefore, it is preferable to wear the ski loosely when sliding down a straight line at high speed, and to tightly mount the ski when making a turn that requires large control. The vibration characteristics of skis are also considered important. Skis have several vibration modes that they exhibit during gliding. High frequency vibrations reduce contact between the ski support surface and the snow to improve speed. In very hard snow conditions, reduced contact between the ski's running surface and the snow does not offer the same level of benefit, but the ski still vibrates and produces an audible rattle. To do. Under such conditions, it is preferable to reduce the rattling noise. Therefore, there are various requirements for the rigidity and vibration of the stepped portion according to the snow quality conditions.
In the face of different snow conditions, different types of skiing, and different skiers and bindings, ski designers can develop skis that can reasonably address all of these characteristics, but in the end Skis are not optimal for any particular condition. Every ski binding also affects the stiffness of the footsteps of a ski boot. If the ski bends during skiing, the ski bends upward and the binding toe piece (toe fastener) and heel piece (heel fastener) move relative to each other, so the distance between these two pieces changes. However, the length of the sole of the ski boot is kept constant. Therefore, the backward movement of the heel piece clamped on the ski is restricted as a whole, and the contact with the ski boot cannot be maintained. The force required to move the heel unit rearwardly stiffens (i.e. increases rigidity) the binding and the ski portion immediately below the ski boot. Most ski bindings on the market today are considered to be of this type. Therefore, ski manufacturers take this stiffening effect of the binding device into account when designing the ski. Therefore, the stiffness of the stepping portion of the ski / binding combination is optimized to suit the type of skier and the intended desired snow quality condition of the ski. Various binding and separate devices configured for use with the ski, as well as commercially available bindings, are manufactured to increase or decrease the tread stiffness of the basic binding / ski structure. There is. Some other devices affect the normal ski vibration. The combination of lowering the rigidity of the stepped portion improves the gliding property in soft snow quality, but on the other hand, the sliding property is impaired toward the end of the hard snow quality spectrum. In some devices, the binding is configured to allow the ski to be more flexible. ESS v.
a. r. In the device, a ski support plate with a front part that can slide in the ski groove allows the ski to be more flexible. However, since the shoe support plate is fixed to the ski by another tightening means, it is considered that the advantage in the soft snow condition is limited. That is, the bending of the ski is reduced by fixing the shoe support plate. The Tyrolia Freeflex device uses a flexible plate attached to the top surface of the ski.
The flexible plate is fixed to the ski at the toe (toe) portion of the binding, and is held at a predetermined position around the heel by a slidable clamp fixed to the ski. Both the toe unit and the heel unit of the binding are attached to the shoe support plate. When the ski bends, the heel clamp moves toward the toe unit, but the flexible plate can slide backwards, reducing the tendency of the heel unit to move toward the toe unit as with a normal binding structure. It Therefore, the foot of the ski can be more flexed. The flexible plate is movable in a slidable clamp, but is held on the ski by another sliding position between the toe and heel. This mounting structure increases sliding friction and therefore the overall increase in ski stiffness is relatively small. A device having this feature is described in US Pat. No. 3,937,4.
No. 81. Most binding manufacturers produce bindings that increase the stiffness of the ski. If the ski has a high rigidity, the edge is surely bite into the snow, and it is possible to turn in a hard snow quality or an intermediate snow quality. In this respect, it is very similar to a skater that swivels into the ice with a blade. The flexible blades of the skates impair the skater's sense of turning, as if the area directly beneath the ski boots impairs the skier's sensation when turning through hard snow on very soft skis. Some skilled skiers performing giant slalom or super giant slalom have found that turning ability can be improved by attaching a thin plate to the top surface of the ski binding area, such as by gluing. This added plate increases the distance between the skier's shoe and the ski edge, increasing the leverage for the skier to bite the ski edge into the snow. WIPO Document83 / 00039
U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,049 discloses a device for holding plates supporting toe and heel pieces to skis with adhesive and elastomeric materials. The elastomeric material absorbs some of the ski's vibrations on hard snow and some alleviates the unpleasant noise of the ski hitting the snow at high speeds. In addition, this device
Stiff ski / plate / binding bindings in the ski foot area to improve edge control on hard snow. In another device, described in EP-A-0 0497493 and also called Rossi-Bar, stoppers made of an elastomeric material are provided at the front and rear ends of the ski support bar. However, the support bar is locked to the ski by a clamp along the length of the bar, and it is the clamp, rather than the rubber, that prevents the bar from sliding on the ski. Therefore, the skis reduce the bending of the ski. The aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,937,481.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 1994-242242 discloses a technique in which a ski binding is mounted on a long plate to give a skier cushioning properties when a forward collision occurs. This device (binding)
It is said that the plate follows the bending of the ski because only its front part, that is, the toe part, is fixed to the ski. In fact, this device prevents the ski from bending because it is fixed to the ski at many points. A similar device with similar drawbacks is disclosed in Austrian Patent 373,786, a device of this type being a Derbyfle.
Sold under the name x. Higher ski bindings with such plates impair the skier's ability to control the skis, as the skier may have to approach the snow to see the "feel" of the snow (and thus the ski). It is considered by many skilled people. The inventor and other manufacturers believe that this idea does not apply to most skiers, and that holding the boot in a somewhat elevated position on the ski enhances the ski control ability of the skier.
Other patents that disclose ski bindings that increase the rigidity of the ski include German Patent No. 2,135,450 and European Patent Publication No. 0409749A1. While this added plate is of benefit, it is only applicable for gliding on hard snow where a rigid tread is desired. When used in softer or powder snow, the added stiffness reduces the ability of the skier to control the ski, as it adds flexibility to the ski's turnability in soft snow. Other devices are known in which a ski is provided with a movable shoe support plate, for example the shock-absorbing buffer disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,867 is located between the ski and the binding. It has nothing to do with the rigidity of. The skier's skill is a different condition than that which the ski system must take into consideration. Although stiff skis may be useful for good skiers doing things like giant slalom and super giant slalom, generally beginner skiers should use flexible skis in all cases. This is because flexible skis provide reasonable performance at the expense of edge control during turns.
We are not aware of any ski binding or ski that can change the stiffness at the binding position of the ski device according to the quality of the snow or the type of skiing. Further, they are not aware of any ski device that can adapt well to various ski conditions by changing rigidity and vibration characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an advanced device capable of controlling skis according to snow quality, skiing type, ski type and / or skier's skill. Another object of the present invention is to provide a support plate for a ski binding that controls the rigidity of the ski under various skiing conditions. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of automatically controlling the rigidity of a ski under various turning conditions. Another object of the present invention is to provide a ski rigidity control device in which a plate that can be fixed to a ski and that has a slidable portion is incorporated, and a suppression device that controls the slidable device to obtain a desired rigidity. To provide. Another object of the invention is a support plate assembly for controlling the stiffness of a ski, the support plate having a support plate attached to the ski and an adjustable stopper, the position of the stopper allowing the support plate to move. It is an object of the present invention to provide a support plate assembly configured so that the effect on the amount of ski bend can be controlled. A further particular object of the invention is a support plate and an adjustable stopper, which allows the device to be very stiff for hard snow, bendable for soft snow. It is an object of the present invention to provide a support plate and an adjustable stopper configured so as to be loose and free when sliding on a straight line and movable to a rigid step portion when turning. Another object of the present invention is to provide a ski damping means which has improved control of the skier when the ski vibrates. A broad object of the present invention is an improved ski control device which can be used adapted to different snow qualities, different skier skills, and different types of skis,
An object of the present invention is to provide a ski control device that can be efficiently manufactured and used. Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and claims.

In a preferred form of the invention, a ski device support assembly includes a support member, the support member being fixed at one end and free at the other end. A supporting plate (the free end can slide longitudinally when the ski bends). A set of resilient finger members are arranged longitudinally towards an adjustable stop, which is a cam disc which can rotate around a fixed axis transverse to the ski. The position of this finger member determines the bending resistance of the ski when cooperating with the cam disc. The cam disk has a set of outer perimeters which engage different finger members when the ski bends, but do not engage the finger members when the ski bends. The setting of the cam disc determines the stiffness of the ski with respect to the amount of ski bend.

The present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings. Note that the same reference numbers are used for similar components. Referring now to the preferred form of the invention, FIG.
1 shows a ski 17 to which a substrate 13 is attached. A supporting yoke 18 is arranged on the base plate 13, and the supporting yoke 18 is fixed to the ski 17 by a screw tightening tool 19. The front jaw of the ski binding is connected to the sliding member 5 of the support plate by a mounting screw 7, which is screwed into a screw bushing 8 as best shown in FIG. As shown, an elastic finger 32 extends from the sliding member 5 of the support plate, and the finger 32 can be engaged with the outer peripheral portion of the cam disk 20. As will be described in more detail below, finger 32 is one of a number of finger members that can engage the protruding outer periphery of cam disk 20. The cam disc 20 is attached to the ski 17 by means of a smooth shank-type tightening tool 9 passed through a bush 12 which functions as a pivot for pivoting the cam disc 20. In addition to the outer periphery 22 protruding from the cam disc 20, the cam disc 20 also has a concave outer periphery 23 and other protrusions. As will be described later, each outer peripheral portion of the cam disk 2 is at various positions.
Performs some of the zero functions. The front jaw of the ski binding is free to move longitudinally with the end of the sliding member 5 of the support plate. Although not shown, the main member of the support plate is a part of the embodiment. This main member is variably fixed to the sliding member 5 of the support plate so that ski shoes of any commercially available length can be used for this ski binding. The main member of the support plate is
It supports the heel of the ski binding. Figure 2
2 is a plan view of the end of the support plate assembly of FIG. 1, but with the front jaws of the safety ski binding removed. As shown, a plurality of elastic fingers 31, 32, 33, 34 extend from the sliding member 5 of the support plate. A cam disk 20 is provided opposite the ends of these fingers to
Skis 17 with a smooth shank type fastener 9 passing through 2.
Is attached to. The cam disc 20 is free to rotate about the shank clamp 9 as it is moved between the various setting positions indicated by the indicia I, II, III. Movement of the cam disc 20 between the various setting positions is achieved by moving a lever 30, which is held in the selected setting position by the action of a detent 27 which engages this recess 26. .. The cam disc 20 has a large number of outer peripheral portions (including outer peripheral portions 21 and 22) protruding from the cam disc 20,
And an optional intermediate outer peripheral portion 10 disposed between the outer peripheral portions 21 and 22 and protruding outward from the cam disk 20. Also, the cam disc 20
Has a concave outer peripheral portion 23. The rigidity of the ski 17 is
It is determined by whether one or more outer peripheral portions are engaged with one or more fingers forming a part of the sliding member 5 of the support plate. Shown in the drawing is a bushing 8 which receives a clamping screw 7 which holds the front jaw of the safety ski binding against the sliding member 5 of the support plate. The sliding member 5 of the support plate can freely move back and forth within the support yoke 18. The support yoke 18 is a substantially T-shaped substrate 1.
It is supported by 3 and guides the sliding member 5 when the sliding member 5 of the supporting plate moves due to the bending of the ski 17. Both sides of the support yoke 18 are bent inward,
The sliding member 5 is held in the support yoke 18. "T"
A bush 12 is arranged on the bar having a character shape, and the bush 12 functions as a pivot for controlling the cam disk 20 as described above. Substrate 13 has edges 14, 15 bent upward along its longitudinal sides and substrate 13
And the bridge 11 at the front end of
Above is the identification number (I, II,
III) is marked. The lever 30 projects from below the bridge 11. Further, at the position shown in the drawing, the concave outer peripheral portion 23 of the cam disk 20 has the fingers 32, 33, 34.
Is adjacent to. On the other hand, the outer peripheral portion 22 is spaced from the fingers 31, and at this position of the cam disk 20,
It allows a substantially unrestricted forward movement of the sliding member 5 of the support plate and allows the ski 17 to bend. Finger 3
1, 32, 33, 34 are preferably made of an elastic material (more specifically, an elastic plastic material). Cam disc 2
Although any plastic material is suitable for the present invention as long as it is a material that can be elastically moved by the engaging contact action between the outer peripheral portion of 0 and the finger, it can be reinforced with a material such as glass fiber. However, it is particularly effective for the present invention. An example of such a material is Delr commercially available from DuPont.
There is in-acetal resin. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support plate assembly of FIG. 2, showing the relative position of each component. As shown, the sliding member 5 of the support plate moves back and forth within the support yoke 18. The support yoke 18 is arranged on a substrate 13, which has edges 14, 15 bent upwards on its longitudinal side and a bridge 11 at its front end. The detent 27 is
It engages with a recess of the cam disc 20 which has been moved to the setting position I by means of a lever 30, in which the recessed outer peripheral part 23 extends from the front end of the sliding member 5 of the support plate. It is arranged adjacent to 32, 33, and 34. In the illustrated setting position of the cam disc 20, the fingers 32 are spaced from the outer periphery 22 so as to allow an unrestricted forward movement of the sliding member 5 of the support plate, thus allowing the ski 17 to bend. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the support plate assembly of the present invention showing the cam disc 20 in another setting position. As shown in the figure, the sliding member 5 of the supporting plate (the sliding member 5 is arranged in the supporting yoke 18 and is provided with a bush 8 for mounting the toe piece of the ski binding) is a cam disk. It has elastic fingers 32, 33 in operative engagement with the outer periphery 22 of 20. At this position, the outer peripheral portion 1 of the cam disk 20 is
No. 0, 21 (whether or not the outer peripheral portion 10 is provided) is not engaged with the fingers. This setting position is
The lever 30 is set to the intermediate rigidity position II of the device of the present invention. The cam disc 20 is held in the position shown by the engagement of the detents 27 and the corresponding recesses 26 of the cam disc 20. The support yoke 18 is arranged between the upright side portions 14 and 15 of the substrate 13 (the bridge 13 is also provided on the substrate 13). When the ski 17 bends at the setting position II, the sliding member 5 of the supporting plate moves forward and comes into contact with the surface of the outer peripheral portion 22,
As a result, the outer peripheral portion 22 slides along the tapered inner edge portions of the fingers 32 and 33. This movement, which acts as a resistance force against the movement of the sliding member 5, causes both fingers 3 to move.
2, 33 are laterally pushed apart, which serves to stiffen the ski 17. When the ski 17 is further bent and the sliding member 5 of the support plate is further pushed forward (to the left in FIG. 4), both fingers 32 and 33 have inner edges of the fingers 31 and 34, respectively. Laterally until it engages. The strengthening action of the fingers 32, 33 obtained by the engagement between the outer edge portions of the fingers 32, 33 and the inner surfaces of the fingers 31, 34 serves as a resistance force to the further forward movement of the support plate, and the rigidity of the ski 17 is increased. Granted. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the support plate assembly of the present invention set to another position. In FIG. 5, the lever 30 has been moved to the setting position III, and the sliding member 5 of the supporting plate (the sliding member 5 is disposed in the supporting yoke 18 and extends from the front end portion thereof). 31, 32, 33, 34 are provided),
It is located opposite the cam disk 20 in the most rigid position of the device. In this setting position, the fingers 31, 34 are arranged to cooperate with the outer peripheral portions 21, 22, respectively. Also in this case, the cam disc 20
Are held in the selected setting position by the engagement of detents 27 and corresponding recesses 26. In this setting position, the outer peripheral portion 10 has fingers 32, 3 although the concave outer peripheral portion 23 does not play any role.
3 (However, these fingers 32,
33) (spaced from 33). As shown, the support yoke 18 includes the upright side portions 14 of the substrate 13,
Located between 15 and the substrate 13 comprises a bridge 11 marked with setting marks. The cam disc 20 is pivoted about the bush 12 in the center of the cam disc 20 by the pressure applied to the lever 30 and moved to the position shown. Fingers 31 and 34 are finger 3
As long as the fingers 31 and 34 and the outer peripheral portions 21 and 22 are engaged with each other, the sliding member 5 of the support plate 5 of the support plate is bent when the ski 17 is about to bend as long as the fingers 31 and 34 are engaged with each other. The resistance to forward movement is great. Therefore, in this case, the setting position I or I
The rigidity of the ski 17 is higher than that of either case I. Also, in the case of the optional embodiment, the ski 17
If the ski 17 is bent more than the capacity of the fingers 31 and 34 due to the force acting on the sliding member 5, the sliding member 5 of the support plate may be additionally provided with an outer peripheral portion provided as an option when moving forward. 10 engages the fingers 32, 33 and resists the sliding member 5 from moving further forward. In either setting position I or II, when the force tending to bend the ski 17 is removed and the ski 17 is stretched, the fingers move away from the outer perimeter they are in contact with and the device is reset. It The elastic fingers 31-34 also function as shock absorbers for the device. These fingers 31 to 34 and the outer peripheral portion 10,
When engaging with 21, 22, shock during sliding
Is absorbed. From the above, it will be understood that in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the rigidity of the ski 17 can be gradually increased by moving the lever 30 in the order of the setting positions I, II and III. When making this adjustment, the illustrated stiffening device will move from the setting position I where there is essentially no resistance to the ski flexing to 2
Through setting position II that gives level resistance,
Eventually, it is moved to setting position III, which gives an optional two-level resistance. The effect of imparting rigidity at these setting positions is based on the properties of the fingers (more specifically, the shape and dimensions of the fingers). If the relativity of the above-mentioned rigidity is roughly estimated, the rigidity at the setting position I has a small value ( The stiffness of the setting position II, which is caused by the inward friction of the design as shown in the figure), has intermediate and high levels of resistance (about 35 kg to 50 kg in the illustrated device), Rigidity has a high level of resistance (about 200 kg in the illustrated device).
Different shaped fingers can be used to obtain different magnitudes of resistance. So far, only three setting positions have been described in connection with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 6, but setting positions designed to obtain a degree of rigidity other than the above may be provided. This is easily accomplished by adding more engaging contact positions between the added fingers and their corresponding outer peripheral portions of the cam disk. FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of an embodiment of the support plate assembly of the present invention shown in FIGS. In this embodiment, the rigidity control assembly 101 has engaging means (which may be constituted by a support plate 103), one end 105 of which is supported by a tightening member 108 on the ski 1.
The second end 109, which is fixed to 07, is a free end that can slide in the longitudinal direction of the ski 107 in a guide means such as a support clamp 111. Second end 10 of support plate 103
9 is arranged on the front end side of the ski 107. Figure 6
In the figure, the restraining means is shown as an adjustable stop member 113, which is adjustable.
The support plate 103 and the ski 10 in the clamp 117.
7 can be moved as shown by an arrow 115. In order to keep the bending capacity of the ski 107 intact, the distance between the adjustable stopper 113 and the free end 109 of the support plate 103 is made relatively large so that they are not connected. To do. This allows the support plate 103 to be irrespective of the degree of bending of the ski 107.
Cannot engage the stopper 113, so that the support plate 103 does not add rigidity to the ski 107. However, if it is desired to minimize bending of the ski 107 by the stiffness control assembly 101, such as when turning on hard snow, the adjustable stopper 11
3 is set to engage the free end 109 of the support plate 103, causing an interaction between the stopper 103 and the free end 109 so that the ski 107 bends smaller (or larger) .. The degree of adjustment to be selected is based on the snow conditions, so that the desired ski stiffness is obtained. For example, in the intermediate rigidity position obtained by the setting position shown in FIG.
The engaging force of the two elastic fingers 32, 33 acts on one outer peripheral portion 22 of the protruding outer peripheral portions of the cam disk 20. This can be shown in FIG. 6 as the initial engagement connection between the adjustable stopper member 113 (which stopper member 113 corresponds to the outer periphery 22) and the support plate 103, and the spring R (the spring R Fingers 32, 3
3 corresponding to the elasticity of the stopper member 113 and the free end 109 (the free end 109 is the fingers 32, 3).
(Corresponding to 3). However,
When the ski is bent further, these two fingers 3
2, 33 are the two elastic fingers 31,
34 are laterally extended to each other until they come into contact with 34. The elastic fingers 31, 34 form a support for the fingers 32, 33 initially engaged with the outer circumference 22 and thus the resulting rigidity is increased. In FIG. 6, this added rigidity is due to the fact that the free end 109 of the support plate 103 has a spring R ′.
(The spring R'corresponds to the elasticity of the fingers 31, 34)
Also, it is shown by moving the support plate 103 to a position where it also comes into contact (therefore, the effect of imparting rigidity to both springs R and R'is obtained). However, FIG. 6 can also represent the adjustable stop 113 in its maximum stiffness position. As shown in FIG. 5, the two protruding outer peripheral portions 21 and 22 of the cam disk 20 are initially arranged in the fingers 3
Engage with two fingers 31 and 34 that are stiffer than 2, 33 and spring R in FIG. 6 (equivalent to the elasticity of fingers 31 and 34)
The degree of rigidity indicated by is added. The rigidity at this time is shown in FIG.
, Which is significantly greater than the stiffness of the intermediate stiffness (fingers 32, 33) in the initial position. In another configuration, the support plate 103 has an adjustable stop member 113 when the ski 107 is subjected to a very large bending action.
Move with great force towards the free end 10
9 (corresponding to the fingers 32, 33 in this case, because the fingers 31, 34 are the respective outer peripheral portions 21,
22 (because it is already engaged) also moves toward the adjustable stopper member 113 (corresponding to the outer peripheral portion 10). This will be described with reference to the case of FIG. 5, in which the third protruding outer peripheral portion 10 of the cam disk 20 provided as an option is
To increase the rigidity by moving to a position where it comes into contact with the two elastic fingers 32 and 33. This additional contact is shown in FIG. 6 by the free end 109 (corresponding to fingers 32, 33) and the spring R '(fingers 32, 33).
(Corresponding to the elasticity of 33), and at this time, the cumulative effect of the resistance of both springs R and R '(corresponding to the elasticity of all four fingers) occurs, and the ski 107 is given the maximum rigidity. It The various devices for controlling the rigidity of skis have been described above. The skier will manually adjust the stiffening device to the desired state (perhaps by stock or other means). In the last embodiment, this adjustment is done automatically by the device itself. Skiers do not have to prepare different ski equipment according to different snow qualities or different skills of the skier. There is also no need to select a binding that is suitable for only one type of gliding, or a binding that can cope with various types of gliding but that does not adequately control the rigidity to accurately adapt to various types of gliding. The skier simply adjusts the device of the invention to the various stiffnesses desired and adapts it to ski conditions. The settings can be changed according to the skier's wishes. The invention also comprises damping means for controlling the vibration of the ski. Also, in some embodiments, the skier can continuously change the stiffness of the ski. The adjusting member is not only the front end portion of the support plate, but also the rear end portion,
It can also be provided at both ends and / or the central part. Although a number of embodiments have been shown herein, other modifications may be envisioned which are within the scope of the invention. While this invention has been described in sufficient detail for those skilled in the art to make it, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications within the spirit and scope of this invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing one end of a support plate assembly of the present invention supporting a front jaw of a safety ski binding.

2 is a plan view showing an end portion of the support plate assembly of FIG. 1 with the front jaw of the safety ski binding removed. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the support plate assembly of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a support plate assembly of the present invention set to a rigidity applying position different from the rigidity applying position of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the support plate assembly of the present invention set to another position for imparting rigidity.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of the support plate assembly of the present invention shown in FIGS.

[Explanation of symbols]

 5 Sliding member of support plate 9 Shank type tightening tool 10 Intermediate outer peripheral portion 12 Bushing 13 Base plate 17 Ski 18 Supporting yoke 20 Cam disc 21 Outer peripheral portion of cam disc 22 Outer peripheral portion of cam disc 23 Recessed outer peripheral portion of cam disc 26 Recessed portion 27 Detent 30 Lever 31 Elastic Finger 32 Elastic Finger 33 Elastic Finger 34 Elastic Finger 101 Stiffness Control Assembly 103 Support Plate 105 Support Plate One End 107 Ski 108 Tightening Member 109 Support Plate Second End 111 Support Clamp (Guide Means) 113 Stopper member (suppression means) 117 Clamp

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Ludwig Wagner Germany Day 8105 Farchant-sur-Strasse 10 (72) Inventor Edvin Lehner Germany Day 8105 Farchant-Frickenstrasse 6a

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. Supporting means attachable to a ski (5,
103), and the supporting means (5, 103) are
A first end (105) attachable to the ski and a free end (10) slidable on the ski when the ski bends.
9) and a device for varying the stiffness of a ski further comprising adjustable stop means (113) cooperating with said free end (109), said free end (109) It comprises a set of finger members (31, 32, 33, 34) projecting from it, said adjustable stop means (113) being pivotable about a fixed axis transverse to the ski. 20), and the cam disk (20) has an outer peripheral portion (10, 21, 2).
2, 23) and these outer peripheral portions (10, 2)
1, 22, 23) are the finger members (31, 32, 3).
3, 34) are alternately set so as to project toward the outer peripheral portion and the elastic fingers,
A device characterized by varying the stiffness of the ski when it is bent. 2. The cam disk (20) has an opposed relationship with the finger members (31, 32, 33, 34), and the cam disk (20) rotates about the axis to allow the outer periphery to be rotated. It is characterized in that each of the parts (10, 21, 22, 23) is arranged in opposed relation to said finger members (31, 32, 33, 34) and cooperates with these finger members when the ski bends. The device according to claim 1. 3. An outer peripheral portion (2) of the cam disk (20)
3) is concave so that the outer peripheral portion (23) is set such that it projects towards the finger members (31, 32, 33, 34), even when the ski is bent, The device of claim 2, wherein the device does not engage with. 4. The finger members (31, 32, 33,
34) extending in the longitudinal direction, the two finger members (31, 34) are restricted in their lateral movement, and the two finger members (32, 33) are relatively free in their lateral movement. An apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that 5. The cam disc (20) is rotated,
One of the outer peripheral portions (22) is connected to the finger member (32,
Device according to claim 4, characterized in that it is in operative engagement with 33) to give the ski an intermediate stiffness when it bends. 6. The cam disc (20) comprises several outer peripheries (31, 34), the cam disc (2) comprising:
0) can adjust the setting so that the outer peripheral portion (21, 22) engages with the finger member (31, 34) of which lateral movement is restricted, which provides great rigidity to the ski when the ski bends. The device according to claim 4, wherein the device can be applied. 7. The cam disk (20) comprises an outer periphery (10) for engaging finger members (32, 33), the finger member (3) being provided after the ski has been fully bent.
5. The ski is provided with a certain amount of flexure so as to give a ski more rigidity.
The device according to.