US20100102533A1

US20100102533A1 - Snotz snow skis

Info

Publication number: US20100102533A1
Application number: US12/403,465
Authority: US
Inventors: Louis R. Edmunds; M. Richard Edmunds
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-10-24
Filing date: 2009-05-04
Publication date: 2010-04-29

Abstract

The SNOTZ Snow Skis are made from synthetic space-age material that exceeds the performance of other skis that have been produced in the past. SNOTZ skis possess the strength and flexibility of a performance ski and weighs less than its closest rival. The base, Teflon, has been compared to the surface of ice which has proved to be very slippery. This factor makes the SNOTZ Skis one of the fastest skis on the ski slopes today. There is no need for preparation of the base with ski waxes since the Teflon base has no porosity to absorb the wax. Also, the ski base has good abrasive resistance to help prevent tears, scratches, and gouges that are randomly found on the surface of the snow.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

SNOTZ SNOW SKIS, developed by Edmunds Speedy Skis , utilize an impervious slippery ski base made of poly tetra fluorinated ethylene having the trade name of “Teflon” and manufactured by DuPont Chemical Corp. The complete composition of the ski includes a top cover sheet of polycarbonate and/or polyethylene adhered by an epoxy three part system, including a urethane adhesive that bonds a multitude of carbon fiber sheets. Inserted in the middle of the ski, a two piece unified aluminum metal stiffener or a wooden reinforced stiffener which provides longitudinal stability to the structure. The ski rides on the Teflon base that is encased by steel alloyed edging, running continuously along the outside the perimeter of the ski base.
The invention improves the quality of alpine and snowboard skiing by using sophisticated space-age synthetic materials, making the skis lighter and stronger. The advantage of the Teflon bases permits less friction between snow and the ski base since the TFE or Teflon material is as slippery as ice. Teflon is impervious to liquids, acids, and bases. It is also abrasive resistance which eliminates deep gouges and tears. The ski bases do not need waxing, ever. The base material has the color of white but can be changed to other colors. In addition, expansion/contraction with TFE is minimal and not a problem. The Teflon sheet is flexible and moves with the steel alloy edging that encompasses the bottom of the skis. Another important aspect of the Snotz ski, aside from its tight turning capabilities and strong flexibility, is the GPS sensor that is embedded in the internal construction, fastened by wrapped carbon fiber. This GPS will aid in the location of lost or stolen skis and avalanche accident victims. Construction of the lightweight, thin design, carbon fiber/Teflon Snotz Skis are produced by using layers of carbon fiber materials glued with Sauereisen epoxy and urethane cements. Internally and centrally placed are two lengths of aluminum or wood stiffeners that help form the camber and stiffen the skis. The aluminum strips' length are 80% of the original length of the ski. These strips are 1.25 to 1.50 inches in width and the thickness varies from 0.125 inches to 0.0625 inches. The strips are adhered to the carbon fiber with the epoxy glue
Now the made up skis are placed into a mold that aligns and compresses them. The ski mold had been constructed with pine boards, 2″×6″×8′ using 5 pieces and glued, screwed, and nailed together. The exact design of the ski is traced and cut out so that the top part of the mold separates from the bottom and represents the mirror image of the cambered skis. Top and bottom of the mold surfaces have been plated with thick aluminum sheet to insure a smooth riding surface. The first step with ski manufacture entails assembling the steel edges to the cut outline of the ski's bottom Teflon base. The edges are bonded to the Teflon with epoxy and allowed to cure. Thereafter, the cured skis are set on the bottom of the mold, aligned, than laid up with 2 layers of carbon fiber sheets that are bonded with epoxy glue. The first and second aluminum stiffeners are then bonded to the bottom 2 layers. Next, 10 layers of carbon fiber a re bonded to the skis. After assembled, skis are placed in the mold and locked into place with 22 clamps, until cured.
Temperature, pressure, and humidity are crucial for even and thorough curing. Allowable curing time varies from 24 to 48 hours. Next step in construction calls for the second and the last part to be built with an additional 12 pieces of carbon fiber/epoxy resin glue and allowed to cure, using the ski mold. This process is used again for the additional 2 part construction of the Snotz ski which provides the following: One section of Teflon base- bonded to carbon fiber/aluminum sheet bonded to the 10 piece carbon fiber. One section of 12 piece carbon fiber to the first section. The final part is assembly of the Teflon base piece to the 12 layered pieces. This is done by cementing the 2 sections with urethane adhesive, then using the ski mold. The mold is closed and clamped into position then allowed to cure. After sufficient curing time, the skis are released from the mold and excessive adhesive is removed from the skis. Inspection may reveal deficiencies that can be repaired and corrected. Once the skis are tuned, then a top cover sheet, consisting of powder ethylene, is applied and the logo/trademark attached.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The SNOTZ Snow Ski is composed of the following materials, appearing on page 1A of Drawings. FIG. 1 represents the front internal view of the ski. FIG. 2 is a view of the side, utilizing the uniform materials for ski construction:

A—Top cover sheet protects the surface and contains the logo, make, and size of the ski.
B—The internal make-up of carbon fiber sheets, bonded with epoxy and pressed in a mold.
C—Alloy steel edging adhered to the outer perimeter of the Teflon ski base.
D—Slippery, smooth as ice Teflon ski base.
E—Aluminum sheets embedded in the carbon fiber material.

FIG. 3 exhibits the full length of the SNOTZ Snow Ski, with logo and trade name. The middle section is marked to show FIG. 2 section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The patent pertains to the bottom or base of the ski which is composed of polytetrafluorinated ethylene synthetic material. The interior composition consists of carbon fiber woven fabric, adhered by epoxy resin glue, and aluminum sheet. The TFE base is bonded to the ski steel edges. The invention will revolutionize skiing by providing the skier with the speed and maneuverability required to compete in racing. With the improved ski base material, TFE, any ski, regardless of its internal composition has the ability to run faster than previous plastic-base skis. Teflon or TFE possesses flexibility, hardness, strength, and a near-frictionless surface. The durability of the TFE ski base is acquired from its molecular structure, having closed cell bondage to negate porosity. This Teflon ski base is the future of skiing.

Claims

1. This claim pertains to the bottom or base of the snow ski that rides on the surface of the snow. The base is made of poly tetra fluorinate ethylene synthetic material called Teflon and manufactured by DuPont Chemical Company. The advantages of the Teflon base are: No waxing of any kind. The surface is non porous and as slippery as ice. The base is abrasive resistance and is not easily damaged by rough terrain. Illustration 1 shows the SNOTZ snow skis' composition on; page 1A, FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3.