WO1997026958A1

WO1997026958A1 - Binding anchor

Info

Publication number: WO1997026958A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/000452
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernard Gervasoni
Original assignee: Ride Manufacturing, Inc.
Priority date: 1996-01-22
Filing date: 1997-01-16
Publication date: 1997-07-31

Abstract

A system for anchoring a binding to a ski (12) by incorporating a backing plate (24) within the laminated structure of the ski. The backing plate has holes (26) formed therein to receive internally threaded (14) inserts (16) and each of the holes is countersunk (28) in a configuration to lock the insert in position. The binding is attached by engaging the appropriate inserts with threaded fasteners.

Description

BTNDTNG ANCHOR

Background of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to the attachment of bindings to a ski

device and more particularly pertains to the anchoring of fasteners to the interior structure

of the ski device in order to enhance the strength of such mounting.

Modern skis, including waterskis, alpine and cross-country snow skis as well as

snowboards, can have fairly complex internal structures wherein a plurality of different

materials are combined in order to achieve desired strength, flexibility and damping

characteristics. The net effect of such characteristics defines the performance envelope

as well as the feel of a ski. A wood core is often employed which is encased in layers of

plastic resins to define a bottom surface for contacting the snow or water and a top

surface for supporting the skier. Bindings of various configurations are available for

mounting to the ski and serve to transfer loads between the ski and the skier. The forces

the various components are subjected to can be of significant magnitude.

The mounting of bindings to the skis is typically accomplished by the use of

threaded fasteners that are driven directly into the interior structure. Such a configuration

is, however, prone to pull out unless a relatively hard and expensive wood core is used.

In addition to increasing the cost of the ski, use of such a core may not impart the desired performance characteristics to the ski. The use of large diameter fasteners may

alternatively be relied upon to increase the tensile strength of the binding to ski

interconnection but may similarly interfere in the performance of the ski.

Alternatively, rails or grooves have been incorporated in a ski's structure to serve

as an anchoring device to which the bindings are affixed. While such a configuration

may overcome any pull out problems, such a component is relatively expensive and the

incorporation of such substantial hardware within the structure of the ski could again

adversely affect the performance of the ski.

As a further alternative, it has been proposed to through-bolt the binding to ski,

albeit typically as a means to repair a pulled-out mounting. This, however, has the

disadvantage of disrupting the continuity of the bottom surface of the ski as the presence

of the bolt head surfaces, even when mounted as flush as possible, would affect the

sliding characteristic of the ski across the snow.

An improved system for mounting a binding to a ski, and more particularly for

anchoring a fastener in the ski is needed that is not prone to pull out, does not adversely

affect the performance characteristics of the ski and achieves such goal in an economical

manner. 3 Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides for the attachment of a binding to a ski by

employing an anchoring system that is fully integrated within the internal structure of the

ski without adversely affecting the performance characteristics of the ski. As such, the

anchoring system serves to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art.

In accordance with the invention, a flexible backing plate is incorporated within

the larninated structure of the ski. The plate is preferably positioned against the bottom

side of the ski's central core. The plate has plurality of perforations formed therein that

are dimensioned to receive internally threaded inserts that extend through the plate and

core to near the top surface of the ski. Each insert-receiving perforation in the backing

plate is countersunk to accommodate the head of the insert and shaped so as to cooperate

with the shape of the insert's head to rotationally lock it in place.

Additional perforations across the face of the backing plate and along its edges

serve to permit the influx of resin through and around the plate during the lamination

process. As the resin hardens, the plate becomes fully integrated within the ski's internal

structure and is thereby securely locked in place. The plate has substantially rounded

corners so as to avoid the formation of undesirable stress risers that could otherwise lead

to the failure of the laminate when the ski is subjected to substantial loads. The backing plate's flexibihty renders its presence substantially transparent with a negligible effect on

the ski's performance characteristics.

The backing plate may be formed in any of a variety of shapes in order to

accommodate a pattern of inserts that are needed to mount bindings throughout the

anticipated range of attachment positions. Preferred shapes include an oblong shape, a

composite of joined circular discs or a series of circular disc pairs. The plate may

optionally be countersunk into the bottom surface of the wood core.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become

apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which,

taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrate by way of example the

principles of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a snowboard showing the position of a preferred

embodiment of the anchoring system of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of Figure

l; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of another preferred embodiment of the present

invention; and

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a further preferred embodiment of the present

invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The figures illustrate embodiments of the anchoring system of the present

invention which facilitate the secure attachment of bindings to a ski device such as, for

example, a snowboard. The various components are integrated in the ski during the

lamination process to provide a plurality of internally threaded inserts terminating along

the top surface of the ski. Bindings are fastened directly to the ski by engaging the

appropriate pattern of the threaded bores with screws or bolts.

Fig. 1 illustrates the general positioning of the anchoring system of the present

invention as adapted to a snowboard 12. The two arrays of threaded bores 14 terminating

on the board's top surface enable bindings of different sizes to be positioned thereon

throughout a range of relative spacings. Fig. 2 is a greatly enlarged cross sectional view

showing a single one of the inserts 16, in which the threaded bore 14 is formed, and the manner in which the insert is anchored in the ski. The structure of the ski shown

comprises a core 18 sandwiched between a top surface 20 and a bottom surface 22. A

backing plate 24 is positioned against the bottom surface of the core. The backing plate

has a hole 26 formed therein that is centrally located in a countersink 28. The bottom

face of the core 18 has a recess 30 formed therein to accommodate the backing plate 24

including the countersink 28, while a bore 32 extending through the core is aligned with

the hole formed in the backing plate. The insert 16 has a shank 15 which is internally

threaded 14 and a head 34 which may have any of various geometric configurations. In

the preferred embodiments illustrated, the head shape is hexagonal. The countersink 28

has the corresponding geometry so as to rotationally lock the insert 16 in position upon

insertion.

As is shown in Fig. 3 the backing plate 24 has a plurality of countersunk holes 26

formed therein as well a multitude perforations 36 distributed across its face as well as

along its edges. The plate is stamped/formed of 0.015" 304 stainless steel. The insert 16

comprises machined or cast stainless steel.

Fig. 4 shows another preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the backing

plate 38 takes the form of a conglomeration of joined circular discs 40 each surrounding

a hexagonal countersink 28 and a concentric hole 26. The smaller perforations 36 are

arranged so as to an encircle each countersink. Fig. 5 illustrates the most preferred embodiment wherein a series of backing plates

42 is employed, each consisting of a pair of joined circular discs 44. Each disc has a

hexagonal countersink 28 surrounding a hole 26 formed at its center. The smaller

perforations 36 are arranged so as to encircle each of the countersunk holes 26.

In assembling the ski, the core consisting of either solid wood or of laminated

strips or sheets is provided which is bored and routed to form holes 32 and countersinks

30 in the appropriate pattern. The backing plates 24, 38, or 42 are placed in position after

which the inserts 16 are extended through the backing plates and pressed into the core 18.

By slightly undersizing the bores 32 formed in the core, an interference fit is achieved

between the insert and the core which serves to hold the assembly together during

subsequent processing. The insert bores 14 are temporarily masked to prevent the

intrusion of the resin that is used in the lamination process. During injection or hand

application of the resin and subsequent pressure molding, the small perforations 36 in the

backing plates ensure that the resin gains complete access in and around the backing

plate. Upon hardening, the resin extending through the holes in its face and along its

edges serves to mechanically lock the plate in place and thereby fully integrates the metal

backing plate within the lamination.

In mounting a binding to the finished ski, screws or bolts are simply extended

through flanges in the bindings and threaded into those bores that define the appropriate

pattern for a particular binding configuration and positioning. The cooperation of the hexagonal insert head 34 with the hexagonal countersink 28 in the backing plates 24, 38,

or 42 prevents rotation while the fastener is being tightened. In use, the backing plate

serves to distribute loads exerted on the insert 16 to a substantial area of core to thereby

effectively obviate the possibility of pull-out even when using very light weight or

inexpensive cores. The rounded corners prevent the formation of stress risers to thereby

maintain the integrity of the laminate and enhance the ski's load bearing capacity as well

as extend its service life.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will

also be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without

departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Most notably, the anchoring system

of the present invention can be incoφorated in any ski design to enhance the strength of

the binding mounting, any of a wide variety of interlocking insert head and countersink

geometries can be employed and the backing plate can assume any shape and size that

adequately distributes the anticipated loads. Accordingly, it is not intended that the

invention be limited except by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An anchoring system for mounting a binding to a ski, comprising:

an insert having an internally threaded shank and a head of a cross-section

greater than that of said shank;

a backing plate, for incoφoration within the ski, having a countersunk hole

formed therein, said hole being dimensioned to receive the shank of said insert and said

countersink being configured to cooperate with the head of said insert so as to preclude

rotation of said insert relative to said plate.

2. The anchoring system of claim 1 wherein said insert head and said

countersink have a hexagonal shape.

3. The anchoring system of claim 1 wherein said ski is comprised of a

laminated resin structure and said backing plate has holes formed therein so as to

facilitate the flow of resin therethrough.

4. The anchoring system of claim 1 wherein said backing plate is formed of

flexible material.

5. The anchoring system of claim 4 wherein said flexible material comprises

stainless steel.

6. The anchoring system of claim 1 wherein said backing plate has rounded

covers.

7. The anchoring system of claim 1 wherein said backing plate has an oblong

shape with a plurality of said countersunk holes formed therein.

8. The anchoring system of claim 1 wherein said backing plate comprises a

plurality of joined circular discs, each disc having one of said countersunk holes centered

therein.

9. The anchoring system of claim 1 wherein said backing plate comprises

joined disc pairs, each disc having formed at its center one of said countersunk holes.

10. An anchoring system for mounting a binding to a snowboard, comprising;

an insert having an internally threaded shank and a hexagonal head;

a backing plate defining two circular discs that are joined, each of said discs

having a countersunk hole centered therein, dimensioned to receive said shank and

wherein said countersink has a hexagonal shape dimensioned to receive said head.

11. The anchoring system of claim 10 wherein said discs have a plurality of

perforations formed therein surrounding said countersink.

12. A method for anchoring a binding to a ski of laminated construction

including a core member, comprising the steps of:

selecting an insert having an intemally threaded shank and a head of a cross

section greater than that of said shank;

selecting a backing plate having a countersunk hole formed therein, said

hole being dimensioned to receive said shank and said countersink being configured to

cooperate with said head to preclude rotation thereof therein;

perforating said core member to receive said insert;

placing said backing plate against the bottom surface of said core;

mserting said insert through said backing plate and said core;

constructing said ski by encasing said core in a resin; and

attaching a binding to said ski by threadly engaging said inserts.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of dimensioning said

perforation formed through said core to be slightly undersized relative to said shank so

as to create an interference fit upon insertion.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of countersinking the

bottom surface of said core to receive said backing plate.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein said insert head has a hexagonal shape.