WO2002056979A1

WO2002056979A1 - Ski with integrated platform

Info

Publication number: WO2002056979A1
Application number: PCT/SI2001/000032
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pavel Skofic; Drago Zupan; Jurij Franko; Andrej Hrovat; Janez Ravnik
Original assignee: Elan, D.D.
Priority date: 2001-01-19
Filing date: 2001-11-21
Publication date: 2002-07-25
Also published as: WO2002056979A8; SI20678A

Abstract

The aim of the present invention is to ensure placing the ski-boot in appropriate position by appropriate enlarged distance i.e. height from the sliding surface (50), and on the other hand, without disturbing any common aesthetic features of the skis, to enable maintaining the technical features like stifness, elasticity and deformability practically the same as by the skis without the platform. By the ski according to the invention, at least in the central area (3) of the ski, namely in the area which is foreseen for mounting a ski binding or also surmounting a platform as a supplement to the ski, a non-bearing layer (9) is arranged beyond the load-bearing parts (6, 7, 73) and beneath the coating layer (8) of the ski, and is herewith together with the said load-bearing parts (6, 7, 73) covered by the said covering layer (8) and integrated within the ski as such.

Description

Ski with integrated platform

The present invention belongs to the field of sports requisites, namely skis, and relates to a ski with integrated platform or the so-called lifter plate.

The aim of the present invention is - at the one hand - to ensure placing the ski- boot in appropriate position by appropriate enlarged distance i.e. height from the sliding surface, and on the other hand, without disturbing any common aesthetic features of the skis, to enable maintaining the technical features as stiffness, elasticity and deformability practically the same as by the skis without a platform.

When discussing the proposed invention, it should be clearly understood, that any ski in the sense of quite physical aspects may be determined as a thin elastic loading beam which is merely exposed to various bending stresses, but in certain measure also to various torsion stresses. Of that reason, the ski has to be adapted, with respect to its overall length and also with respect to. its bending stiffness and/or elasticity and/or deformability and/or torsion resistance and/or other relevant physical features, to any desired purpose and also to the skier, especially to his weight and capacity (i.e. his knowledge or experiences, power, explosiveness and similar). Only in such manner it is possible to ensure appropriate manoeuvring or navigation performances of the ski in each desired conditions. Moreover, it should be also noted that a ski binding needs to be mounted onto the ski, by means of which a ski-boot should be firmly attached to the ski, by which also via the contact areas between the ski and the ski-binding relatively intensive dynamic stresses are transferred from the ski to the ski-binding and vice-versa.

Furthermore it has been found out that whenever the ski is lead along the curvature, the pressure onto the ski-edges as a result of quite physical conditions being a consequence of both, the weight of the skier and also of the power generated by the skiers musculature, is transferred in especially comfortable manner, when the ski-boot is placed on certain height beyond the ski-edge i.e. the sliding surface (on the so-called standing height), by which the said height has to be essentially larger than ordinary thickness of a conventional ski in its central part as determined by requirements in course of achieving physical characteristics (e.g. elasticity and similar, as said before). By simply enlarging the thickness of the ski in its central part, the weight of the ski would be essentially enlarged, which is not desired, and simultaneously, by changing stiffness or elasticity of the ski, essential disturbances with respect to physical characteristics of the ski would occur. The only measure in course of solving the said problem, which is moreover known in the art, is appliance of the so-called platform, by which the ski is upgraded in its central part, i.e. in the area of mounting the ski-binding or attaching the ski-boot.

Platforms, as described in US 5,413,371 and US 5,344,176, or e.g. also in WO 92/22361 , form an upgrade of commonly known and therefore also from quite physical aspects more or less acceptable ski. A platform as an additive to a ski commonly enables desired placing of a ski-shoe in appropriate distance from the sliding surface or the ski-edges, i.e. the so called standing height, but on the other end, it also means s source of disturbances resulting in hindered bending and elasticity of the ski, the consequence of which is often a cracked or at least irregularly curved bending line of a ski, which regularly has to be uniform, slightly curved and continuously. Such platforms are ordinary subsequently attached to a ski by skilled people in appropriate service and repair centers. In addition, manufacturers of skis are among others occupied also with achieving attractive appearance of the skis, which also may be hindered by such platform attached subsequently. Moreover, when using a ski in the winter conditions, some snow, ice or water may penetrate into the contact area between the ski and the platform, which is of course not desired.

Accordingly, the invention relates to a ski with integrated platform, comprising at least three characteristic areas, namely a forward area i.e. a tip, a rearward area i.e. a tail, and also a central area which is ananged there-between and is foreseen for mounting a ski-binding or also for surmounting a so-called platform. From quite physics point of view, the ski is conceived as an uniform elastic bending loading beam, by which beyond a sliding layer arranged between the ski-edges and provided by a sliding surface faced towards the ground, there are arranged appropriate load-bearing parts, especially a core surrounded by a monocoque jacket and equipped by a reinforcing tensioning layer, if desired. These load- bearing parts determine the physical characteristics of the ski, especially bending stiffness and torsion rigidity, stiffness/elasticity, deformability and similar, by which the said load-bearing parts are covered by a coating. By this, the thickness of the ski in its central area is ordinary greater than the thickness of the ski in its forward area and rearward area. According to the invention, at least in the central area of the ski, namely in the area which is foreseen for mounting a ski-binding or also for surmounting a platform as a supplement to the ski, a non-bearing layer is arranged beyond the load-bearing parts and beneath the coating layer of the ski, and is herewith together with the said load-bearing parts covered by the said coating layer and integrated within the ski as such. By this, the said essentially non-bearing layer consists of at least a wrapper made of essentially non-bearing or non-resilient materials or alternatively also of load-bearing materials available in non-bearing shape or function, by which presence of these materials has no significant influence with respect to loading characteristics of load-bearing parts and to the physical characteristics of the ski as such. The said at least essentially non-bearing layer consists of at least a wrapper made of essentially non-bearing or non-resilient materials or alternatively also of load-bearing materials available in non-bearing shape or function, namely a felt and/or fleece and/or silk and/or the so-called texalium (i.e. a textile-like material woven of thin aluminium wires) or similar, having no significant or at least no essential influence with respect to bearing capability of the load-bearing parts of the ski i.e. to the physical characteristics of the ski. It may furthermore be useful, if the said at least essentially non-bearing layer, which consists of at least a wrapper made of essentially non-bearing or non-resilient materials or alternatively also of load- bearing materials available in non-bearing shape or function and has therefore no significant influence with respect to the bearing capability of the load-bearing parts of the ski, includes an attaching insert, the stiffness of which is on the one hand sufficient to enable screwing the mounting screws for ski-binding, and which is on the other hand surrounded by the said wrapper, so that its presence has no significant influence with respect to the bearing capability of the load-bearing parts and herewith to the physical characteristics of the ski as such. Consequently, the presence of the said non-bearing layer mounted beyond the load-bearing parts and beneath the coating, the thickness i.e. the height of the ski in its central area essentially corresponds to the height of the central area of an ordinary ski enlarged for a height of a subsequently surmounted platform. According to the invention it is therefore achievable that due to the presence of a non-bearing layer mounted beyond the load-bearing parts and beneath the coating, the thickness i.e. the height of the ski in its central area, may be for 10-100% greater than the height of the central area of an ordinary ski, i.e. a ski without surmounted platform. The said at least essentially non-bearing layer is preferably covered by a covering layer which consists of a decoration layer placed over the said non-bearing layer, as well as of the protective layer placed over the said decoration layer.

By at least one of possible variations of the ski according to the invention, the said at least essentially non-bearing layer being incorporated within the ski beyond the load-bearing parts and beneath the coating, is foreseen also in the areas lying outwards the said central area, namely in or at least close or adjacent to the forward area and/or in or at least close or adjacent to the rearward area of the ski. Preferably, the said at least essentially non-bearing layer, which is incorporated within the ski beyond the load-bearing parts and beneath the coating, is foreseen also within the ribs extending longitudinally towards the forward area of the ski and/or towards the rearward area of the ski.

The invention will be described in more detail on the basis of two embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing, where

Fig. 1 is a top-view of the first embodiment of a ski with integrated platform; Fig. 2 is a top-view of another embodiment;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the skis as shown in Fig. 1 and 2, in a transversal plane III - III according to Fig. 1 ; and

Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the ski as shown in Fig. 1 , in a plane IN - IV according to Fig. 1. A ski (Fig. 1 and 2) is conceived as a uniform elastic loading beam, on which the forward area 1 (the so-called tip) is visible, which is slightly bent in direction from the ground away, and moreover the rearward area 2 (the so-called tail) and also the central area 3 of the ski, which is foreseen for mounting a not-shown ski-binding and herewith also the ski-boot. Laterally, the ski-edges 4', 4" are visible, which extend practically along the overall length of the ski, and between which the sliding layer 5 is available, extending also practically along the overall length of the ski and comprising a sliding surface 50 which is faced towards the ground.

As evident from the attached drawing (Fig. 3 and 4), the overall height or thickness (H) of the ski in its central area 3 is essentially greater than the height (h') in its forward area 1 or rearward area 2, and is especially greater than the height (h) of a conventional ski without any platform.

Configuration of the forward area 1 or rearward area 2 of the ski is shown in the Fig. 3. By the known skis, such a structure has been used not only in the forward area 1 and rearward area 2, but also in the central part 3 having height h, which is slightly thicker or higher. When comparing Fig. 3 and 4, it can be found out that the ski according to the invention may be characterized by improved structure of the central area 3 in a manner which will be described later in more detail and by which the exposed problem is solved.

As evident from the Fig. 3, the ski according to the invention comprises the forward area 1 and rearward area 2 (having height h in its central part like the modern known skis) which are conceived as a monocoque structure consisting of a core 6 which is in the given case completely surrounded by a laminated load- bearing jacket 7. By the discussed embodiment, the said jacket is available by D- shaped cross-section, so that under its flattened or elongated end areas 71, 72, the ski-edges 4', 4" can be arranged. A sliding layer 5 is available between the said edges, which is placed in the ground plane. Beyond the said sliding layer 5 and between the said edges 4', 4", and at the same time also beneath the said jacket 7 surrounding the core 6, by the discussed embodiment also an additional tension bearing layer 73 is available, which serves for supplemental reinforcement of the said monocoque jacket when exposed to extremely tensioning loadings in the border areas adjacent to the sliding area 5 due to the bending of the ski.

The monocoque bearing jacket 7 is covered by a coating 8, which by the described embodiment consists of a bottom layer 81 serving preferable mainly for decoration purposes, as well as of a transparent top layer 82. The coating 8 is available along the whole top surface of the ski and moreover also along its lateral surfaces when available, adjacent to the ski-edges 4', 4".

In accordance with the present invention, the ski in its central area 3 (Fig. 4) also consists of a core 6 which is surrounded by a monocoque jacket 7, beneath of which the sliding layer 5 with a sliding surface 50 is available between the edges 4', 4", and which is preferably equipped by additional load-bearing layer 73. In this case, however, over the said monocoque jacket 7 surrounding the said core 6 an additional, essentially non-bearing layer 9 of appropriate thickness is arranged, which is similar like in the other areas 1, 2 of the ski covered by appropriate coating 8, which is arranged in the same manner and made of the same materials as in the other areas of the ski and which again consists of a printed or non-printed bottom layer 81 as well as of the printed or non-printed top layer 82 arranged over the before mentioned layer. The said essentially non-bearing layer 9, which is arranged over the load-bearing parts of the ski, in common cannot have any influence to the physical characteristics of the load-bearing parts arranged beneath of it, like the load- bearing jacket 7 with the core 6, the additional load-bearing layer 73 or any other. On the other hand, the said non-bearing layer 9, which may be attached onto the said load-bearing parts of the ski during the assembling thereof e.g. by means of adhesive or similar and before placing the said coating layer 8, is extremely suitable quite for ensuring appropriate thickness or height H of the ski in the central area 3 thereof.

The said non-bearing layer 9 my however preferably be equipped by an attaching insert 91 which is surrounded by a wrapper 92 consisting of essentially non- bearing materials or also from various bearing materials which should however for this purpose be available in a non-bearing form or function (e.g. like felt, fleece, silk, texalium or similar). The attaching insert 91 being incorporated within the said wrapper 92 and forming a non-bearing layer 9 therewith, is foreseen exclusively in order to enable mounting the ski-binding by means of appropriate screws which are not shown in the drawing and which can be screwed into the said insert 91. Since the insert 91 is surrounded by the said wrapper 92, the presence thereof has no significant influence with respect to the bending features of the ski itself.

Another embodiment of the ski is shown in the Fig. 2, which is also equipped by a thickened or elevated central area 3, the structure of which completely corresponds to those as described in connection with the ski according to Fig. 1, i.e. the ski, the cross-section of which is shown in the Fig. 4. By this embodiment, the central area 3 is elongated by two pairs of ribs 31', 31 " and 32', 32", by which a pair is extended forwardly towards to the tip 1 of the ski, and the other pair is extended rearwards in the direction towards the tail 2 of the ski. The ribs 31', 31" and 32', 32", the number or arrangement of which may in common also vary, are also made of appropriate non-bearing materials, and provided by a coating 8, which in the given case consists of decoration layer 81 which is covered by the protection layer 82. Accordingly, the presence of ribs 31', 31" and 32', 32" cannot have any significant influence with respect to the physical characteristics of the load-bearing parts of the ski, especially with respect to the stiffness or elasticity of the ski as such. Also in this case, the cross-section of the ski in its forward area 1 and rearward area 2 fully corresponds to those as visible in the Fig. 3.

With respect to the thickness i.e: the height H of the ski in its central area 3, this height completely corresponds to the height h of an ordinary ski as known from the prior art, upgraded by a platform having an additional height hp which is however not separately shown in the drawing. Bearing in mind the ski according to the invention, the platform, if this term could be used in order to determine the non- bearing layer 9 as available on the central area 3 of the ski, is integrated within the ski itself. Thanks to such solution, the ski according to the invention can be also characterized by a visual appearance of a finalized product of uniform design without any supplements, which would have any essential, influence to the said visual appearance thereof. Which is of essentially importance, is the fact, that by the ski according to invention, despite to enlarged thickness or height (Η) of its central area 3, the expected original physical characteristics determined by . construction and embodiment of its load-bearing parts, especially the jacket 7 with the core as well as the additional load-bearing layer 73 and optionally also any other parts, remain essentially unchanged.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Ski with integrated platform, comprising at least three characteristic areas, namely a forward area (1) i.e. a tip, a rearward area (2) i.e. a tail, and also a central area (3) arranged there-between and foreseen for mounting a ski-binding or also for surmounting a so-called platform, by which the ski is conceived as an uniform elastic bending loading beam, by which beyond a sliding layer (5) arranged between the ski-edges (4', 4") and provided by a sliding surface (50) faced towards the ground, there are arranged appropriate load-bearing parts, especially a core (6) surrounded by a monocoque jacket (7) and equipped by a reinforcing tensioning layer (73) if desired, by which these load-bearing parts determine the physical characteristics of the ski, especially bending stiffness and torsion rigidity, stiffness/elasticity, deformability and similar, and by which the said load-bearing parts (6, 7, 73) are covered by a coating (8), and by which moreover the thickness (h) of the ski in its central area (3) is greater than the thickness (h') of the ski in its forward area (1 ) and rearward area (2), characterized in that at least in the central area (3) of the ski, namely in the area which is foreseen for mounting a ski-binding or also for surmounting a platform as a supplement to the ski, a non-bearing layer (9) is arranged beyond the load-bearing parts (6, 7, 73) and beneath the coating layer (8) of the ski, and is herewith together with the said load-bearing parts (6, 7, 73) covered by the said coating layer (8) and integrated within the ski as such.

2. Ski according to Claim 1, characterized in that an essentially non-bearing layer (9) consists of at least a wrapper (92) made of essentially non-bearing or non- resilient materials or alternatively also of load-bearing materials available in non- bearing shape or function, by which presence of these materials has no significant influence with respect to loading characteristics of load-bearing parts (6, 7, 73) and to the physical characteristics of the ski as such.

3. Ski according to Claim 2, characterized in that the said at least essentially non-bearing layer (9) consists of at least a wrapper (92) made of essentially non- bearing or non-resilient materials or alternatively also of load-bearing materials available in non-bearing shape or function, namely a felt and/or fleece and/or silk and/or the so-called texalium or similar, having no significant or at least no essential influence with respect to bearing capability of the load-bearing parts (6, 7, 73) of the ski i.e. to the physical characteristics of the ski.

4. Ski according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said at least essentially non-bearing layer (9) consists of at least a wrapper (92) made of essentially non- bearing or non-resilient materials or alternatively also of load-bearing materials available in non-bearing shape or function and has therefore no significant influence with respect to the bearing capability of the load-bearing parts (6, 7, 73) of the ski, includes an attaching insert (91) the stiffness of which is on the one hand sufficient to enable screwing the mounting screws for ski-binding, and which is on the other hand smrounded by the said wrapper (92), so that his presence has no significant influence with respect to the bearing capability of the load-bearing parts (6, 7, 73) and herewith to the physical characteristics of the ski as such.

5. Ski according to any of the preceding Claims 1 - 4, characterized in that as a consequence of presence of the non-bearing layer (9) being mounted beyond the load-bearing parts (6, 7, 73) and beneath the coating (8), the thickness i.e. height (H) of the ski in its central area (3) essentially corresponds to the height (h) of the central area (3) of an ordinary ski enlarged for a height (hp) of a subsequently surmounted platform.

6. Ski according to Claim 5, characterized in that as a consequence of presence of the non-bearing layer (9) being mounted beyond the load-bearing parts (6, 7, 73) and beneath the coating (8), the thickness i.e. height (H) of the ski in its central area (3) is for 10- 100% greater than the height (h) of the central area (3) of an ordinary ski, i.e. a ski without surmounted platform.

7. Ski according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said at least essentially non-bearing layer (9), which is incorporated within the ski beyond the load-bearing parts (6, 7, 73) and beneath the coating (8), is foreseen also in the areas (31', 31 "; 32', 32") lying outwards the said central area (3), namely in or at least close or adjacent to the forward area (1) and/or in or at least close or adjacent to the rearward area (1) of the ski.

8. Ski according to Claim 7, characterized in that the said at least essentially non-bearing layer (9), which is incorporated within the ski beyond the load-bearing parts (6, 7, 73) and beneath the coating (8), is foreseen also within the ribs extending longitudinally towards the forward area (1) of the ski and/or towards the rearward area (2) of the ski.

9. Ski according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said at least essentially non-bearing layer (9) is covered by a coating (8), which consists of a decorative layer (81) placed over the mentioned non-bearing layer (9), as well as of a protective layer (82), which is placed over the said decorative layer (81).