EP1050324B1 - Alpine ski - Google Patents

Abstract

Ski (1) comprises tip zone, skate zone and heel zone. Ski also comprises series of grooves (21-26) parallel to longitudinal of ski. External grooves (21, 23, 24, 26) are used to reinforce longitudinal ends of ski (7, 8). Middle grooves (22, 25) are lon than external grooves so as to ensure good longitudinal guiding of ski.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to the field of sliding sports, and more precisely alpine skis. It relates more particularly to the Alpine ski family of small, with a relatively deep dimension line.

Previous techniques

As we know, the current trend is towards improving ease, that is to say maneuverability and comfort, particularly by saving weight. This can be obtained by reducing the length of the skis. So, for ten years, the average length of a slalom ski has decreased by more than 30 cm from one average size greater than 2 m, to reach today a size close to 1.70 m. Most of the size reduction has taken place in all last years.

In addition, in order to maintain a sufficient bearing surface, we have observed that the width of the skis, especially in the tip area, is constant increase.

Thus, in the same time interval, the width of the tip area of a ski slalom increased from around 85mm to 102mm, which represents a twenty percent (20%) increase, most of which occurred during last few years.

In addition, there is also another modification concerning skis alpine, namely the tendency to adopt more and more hollow dimension lines. This is the result of an evolution in the practice of alpine skiing.

Indeed, the turns are more and more "cut", that is to say that the skids at the back of the ski at the end of a turn are progressively reduced, and very often non-existent. In this case, the cornering is carried out preferably on the edge which provides a gain in precision and speed. More precisely, the tendency to widen the dimension line is measured by increasing the difference between the width of the spatula area and the width of the skate area.

This difference has practically doubled over the past ten years, and the main increase is mainly concentrated in the few last years.

Thus, given the different changes in the dimensions of the skis, it a stability problem appears when the ski is flat on snow and at large speed. Indeed, we observe a tendency to transverse floating, which turns out disturbing for the skier and increases the risk of falls.

Thus, a first problem which the invention proposes to solve is that the transverse stability of a relatively short ski, when it is flat on snow and at high speed.

In addition, the practice of cutting corners, and driving turns mainly on the edge, lets appear a problem of maintenance in the bend of the ends of the skis, by reducing skids or the phenomena of "Grazing".

Thus, a second problem which the invention proposes to solve is that of the attachment, and therefore the bending and torsional rigidity of a short ski, in particular in its front and rear areas, so as to ensure sufficient pressure at the edge level when driving cut corners.

The invention aims to simultaneously solve these two problems by proposing a short ski whose grip is greatly improved at high speed, whether when it is on the edge by increasing the pressure of the front and rear ends of the ski, or when it is in direct track by controlling transverse friction.

Statement of the invention

• une longueur inférieure à 1800 mm ;
• une largeur maximale au niveau de la zone spatule comprise entre 100 et 140 mm ;
• une largeur minimale au niveau de la zone patin comprise entre 60 et 100 mm.

The invention therefore relates to an alpine ski comprising a tip zone, a skate zone and a heel zone, and having:

• a length less than 1800 mm;
• a maximum width at the spatula area of between 100 and 140 mm;
• a minimum width at the level of the pad area between 60 and 100 mm.

• une partie inférieure composée d'une semelle de glisse bordée par des carres métalliques et recouverte par une feuille de renfort,
• une partie intermédiaire composée d'un noyau et des chants,
• et une partie supérieure.

This ski is of composite structure and includes:

• a lower part composed of a gliding sole bordered by metal edges and covered by a reinforcing sheet,
• an intermediate part composed of a core and edges,
• and an upper part.

This ski also has at least one groove of stiffening in the lower part, parallel to the longitudinal plane median, said groove embedding the sole and the lower reinforcement in a additional deformation to form a rib on said reinforcing element, improving its flexural stiffness characteristics.

In other words, the ski according to the invention incorporates at the level of its sole, one or more grooves which both provide longitudinal guidance when the ski is in direct trace, and which gives the lower reinforcement element a rigidity which is more particularly effective in increasing the pressure on the edges when driving the turn.

In other words, the ski has at least one groove which is produced by deformation of the lower elements, namely the sole and the lower reinforcement which covers.

In this way, the ski is allowed to resist transverse movements when it is flat on the snow, and thanks to the same grooving means, we provides rigidity that allows better transmission of support at the squares.

The ski of the invention is characterized in that it also has two sets of grooves stiffening (21-23, 24-26) formed in the lower part, parallel to the median longitudinal plane (5), these grooves (21-26) embedding the sole (6) and the reinforcement in a complementary deformation to form a rib (12) in said reinforcing element, improving its flexural stiffness characteristics, a first set of grooves (21-23) being located at the heel area, and a second set of grooves (24-26) being present at the spatula area, and in which inside each set, the grooves (22, 25), located at near the median longitudinal plane, have a length greater than that grooves (21-23, 24-26) closest to the edges (7).

In a particular embodiment, the grooves are present only in the tip or heel areas, while the skate area does not contain any any.

In this way, preference is given to stiffening in areas requiring increased support when driving the turn. So when the ski presents a wider spatula, the grooves may only be present at the level of the area spatula.

In the particular form where the skate area is free of grooves, the grooves present in the heel zone and the spatula zone, may be collinear, of so as to be arranged in alignment with one another, or else offset.

The shape of the grooves can have an advantageous profile. So in a preferred shape, the grooves have a width greater than 5 mm which can range up to 15 mm and a depth greater than 2 mm up to 8 mm.

In a preferred form, the grooves have a circular arc section, which ensures a good channeling of snow at the level of the sole. In however, their front and rear ends are progressive so as to impose only weak ruptures of slopes with internal reinforcements.

Brief description of the figures

La figure 1 est une vue de dessous d'un ski ne comprenant pas les caractéristiques de l'invention.

La figure 2 est une vue en coupe du ski de la figure 1 selon le plan repéré (II, II').

La figure 3 est une vue de dessous d'un ski conforme à une variante de réalisation.

La figure 4 est une vue en coupe du ski de la figure 1 selon le plan repéré (IV, IV').

The manner of carrying out the invention as well as the advantages which result therefrom will emerge clearly from the description of the embodiments which follow, with the support of the appended figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a bottom view of a ski not including the features of the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the ski of Figure 1 along the plane marked (II, II ').

Figure 3 is a bottom view of a ski according to an alternative embodiment.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the ski of Figure 1 along the plane marked (IV, IV ').

Way of realizing the invention

The invention relates to a ski (1) for short adults (L), typically less than 180 cm.

The ski (1) breaks down, longitudinally, in three contiguous zones, know a first spatula zone (2), located at the front, a skid zone (3) on which will be fitted with safety bindings, and a heel area (4), at the rear of the skate area (3).

The skis in accordance with the invention belong to the family of skis whose tip area (2) has a maximum width (L ₁ ) of between 100 and 140 mm.

In addition, the skate area (3) of the ski has a minimum width (L ₂ ), between 60 and 100 mm. In this way, the skis according to the invention include, but are not limited to the only family of so-called "parabolic" skis, intended for known practice according to the English expression of "carving".

These skis, shorter than those used in the past, have a very wide dimension line in-ground making it possible to make very marked turns on the edge, that is to say with the minimum slip.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, such a ski (1) has, seen in section, a sole (6) intended to come into contact with snow, and forming the sliding surface.

This sole (6) is laterally bordered by metal edges (7, 8) intended to bite into the snow during turns.

This sole (6), as illustrated in FIG. 2, is covered with an element of reinforcement (9) present over a large part of the width of the ski. This reinforcing element (9) can be of various constitution, and can for example be a metallic reinforcement made of steel or aluminum alloy. It can also be a fibrous reinforcement, and incorporate glass, kevlar® or carbon fibers.

This ski has at least a groove (10) formed in the sole (6), parallel to the longitudinal plane median (5).

This groove (10) present in the sole (6), is produced by deformation lower elements of the ski, namely the sole (6) and the reinforcement element (9). Of the kind, the reinforcing element (9) disposed above the sole (6) has also a groove (11) forming a chute inside which is embedded the rib (10) of the sole.

Thus, the trough (11) of the reinforcing element forms a rib (12) stiffening in flexion the reinforcing element (9).

In this way, the areas of the ski in which these grooves are present have increased rigidity, which is particularly appreciable for exert efforts at the edges, when driving the turn.

In the ski of FIG. 1, the sole (6) has two grooves (10, 15) arranged along the median longitudinal plane (5) of the ski, and separated by a flat sole zone (16), at the level of the shoe zone (3).

In the illustrated form, the grooves (10, 15) present at the front and at the rear of the sole, are located in the same alignment, but the different grooves could be offset relative to each other.

As seen in Figure 3, the ski according to the invention comprises grooves (21-26) which are associated by a set of parallel grooves. The external grooves (21, 23, 24, 26) are in particular intended to reinforce skiing near the edges (7, 8).

To ensure good longitudinal guidance, the grooves (22, 25) located near the median longitudinal plane (5) have a length greater than that of the grooves (21, 23, 24, 26) closer to the edges (7, 8).

As illustrated in Figure 2, the geometry of the groove (10) can adopt a preferential profile. Thus, to limit the breaks in curvature and facilitate the manufacturing we will adopt profiles as softened as possible, while not excluding not, in some places there are sudden breaks in slopes.

Thus, the ski illustrated in FIG. 2 has a groove whose profile is a half ellipse, width between 5 and 15 mm, and depth between 2 and 8 mm.

Similarly, the longitudinal ends of the grooves have a profile in gradual gentle slope, limiting the deformations of the internal reinforcements.

• une bonne stabilité lorsqu'il est utilisé en trace directe, malgré sa forte largeur ;
• une bonne capacité à l'inscription en virage, notamment lorsque ceux-ci sont coupés.

It follows from the above that the ski according to the invention has both:

• good stability when used in direct trace, despite its large width;
• a good ability to register in turns, especially when these are cut.

Claims (5)

1. Alpine ski (1) including a tip region (2), an underboot region (3), and a heel region (4), and having:

   a length (L) less than 1800 mm;

   a width (L₁) maximum at the tip region (2) of between 100 and 140 mm;

   a width (L₂) minimum at the underboot region (3) of between 60 and 100 mm, said ski having a composite structure and comprising:

   a lower part composed of a gliding sole bordered by metal edges and covered by a reinforcement sheet;

   an intermediate part composed of a core and sides;

   and an upper part;

   characterized in that it also includes two sets of stiffening grooves (21-23, 24-26) made in the lower part, parallel to the longitudinal mid-plane (5), said grooves (21-26) embedding the sole (6) and the reinforcement in a complementary deformation in order to form a rib (12) in said reinforcement element, improving its characteristics of bending stiffness, a first set of grooves (21-23) being located at the heel region, and a second set of grooves (24-26) being present at the tip region, and in which inside each set, the grooves (22, 25) located in the vicinity of the longitudinal mid-plane have a length greater than that of the grooves (21-23, 24-26) the closest to the edges (7, 8).
2. Ski according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two of the grooves are collinear.
3. Ski according to claim 1, characterized in that the grooves have a width greater than 5 mm, and preferably close to 10 mm.
4. Ski according to claim 1, characterized in that the grooves have a depth greater than 2 mm, and preferably close to 5 mm.
5. Ski according to claim 1, characterized in that the grooves have a section in arc of ellipse.

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