EP1232775B1 - Interface for a snowglider and a snowglider with such an interface - Google Patents

Abstract

A raising platform for a binding for a board for gliding over snow, including a planar central zone capable of receiving the front stop and the heel piece of the binding, and two lateral portions of which the lower edge is intended for interacting with the board for gliding, wherein the lower edge of the lateral portions has, in a longitudinal plane, a certain gradient relative to the plane of the central zone.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to the field of snow sliding sports, and more particularly to downhill skiing. It relates more specifically to alpine skis equipped with a platform for raising the attachment. It is more particularly a new configuration of the contact zone between the ski proper and the raising platform.

Previous techniques

In general, alpine skis are equipped with a safety binding consisting of a stop and a heel. It has already been proposed to mount the two elements of the binding not directly on the gliding board, but on a raising platform itself secured to the board. This raising platform ensures unclamping of the binding relative to the ski, that is to say, to limit the influence of the stiffness of the sole of the shoe vis-à-vis that of the gliding board.

Various enhancement platform architectures have already been proposed, and in particular that described in document EP 0 744 196, corresponding to document US Pat. No. 5,944,336.

One of the platforms described in this document has a flat central zone capable of receiving the stop and the heel of the binding. This flat central zone extends laterally by two lateral portions whose lower edge cooperates with the gliding board. For this purpose, the gliding board has in its lateral areas recesses within which are placed the side portions of the platform. More precisely, in these lateral zones, the gliding board has areas of lesser thickness. The raising platform therefore straddles the central part of the gliding board coming from resting both on the central part of the gliding board and on the bottom of the recesses formed on the lateral zones of the board.

Another example of an enhancement platform has been described in document FR 2 781 166. The gliding board described in this document has recesses in its lateral areas on which the lateral portions of the platform can rest. . These recesses are made above a reinforcing element that forms the song of the ski. This reinforcing element is located above the bead of the metal edges, and allows the transmission of the supports in the direction of the latter effectively.

Yet another example is provided by FR 2786403.

By the geometry of the lateral zones of the platforms described in these documents, the bottoms of the recesses formed on the board are completely parallel to the gliding sole.

The presence of the recesses on the side faces of the board affects the stiffness of the latter as well as the way in which the forces are transmitted from the foot of the user to the edge.

One of the objectives of the invention is to improve the behavior of the ski by modifying the influence of these recesses.

Presentation of the invention

The invention relates first of all to a platform for raising the attachment of gliding boards. In known manner, such a platform comprises a flat central zone adapted to receive the abutment and the heel of the binding, as well as two lateral portions whose lower edge is intended to cooperate with the gliding board or to come opposite with portions of the latter.

According to the invention, this platform is characterized in that the lower edge of the lateral portions has, in a longitudinal plane, a non-zero inclination with respect to the plane of the central zone.

In other words, the platform comes into contact with or facing the gliding board, or more generally cooperates with the latter by areas that are not parallel to the gliding sole or the upper face of the ski, but which on the contrary presents an inclination.

In this way, moving in a longitudinal direction, the point of contact between the platform and the gliding board is at a variable height relative to the gliding sole. The lateral portions of the platform, when they come into contact with the gliding board, therefore exert a force on a contact point which is located at a variable distance from the plane which receives the stop and the attachment. This arrangement is advantageous and provides better behavior of the ski especially during the transition between the phases of triggering and cornering.

Advantageously, in practice, the lateral portions of the platform extend on either side of the position of the middle of the boot.

• ◆ une surface inférieure de glissement composée d'une semelle de glisse bordée de carres métalliques ;
• ◆ une face supérieure ;
• ◆ des zones latérales s'étendant de part et d'autre de la face supérieure et coopérant avec les bords inférieurs des portions latérales de la plateforme.

The invention also relates to a gliding board equipped with such a platform. In known manner, this board comprises:

• ◆ a lower sliding surface composed of a gliding sole bordered by metal edges;
• ◆ an upper face;
• ◆ lateral zones extending on either side of the upper face and cooperating with the lower edges of the lateral portions of the platform.

According to the invention, this plate is characterized in that the lateral zones have recesses, the lower part has a slope inclined longitudinally with respect to the sliding surface of the board.

In addition, the lower edges of the lateral portions of the platform have a complementary slope inclined longitudinally with respect to the sliding surface of the board.

In other words, the platform according to the invention is put in place on the gliding board with its side portions which are inserted into housing or complementary recesses located on the board. The inclination of the lower edges of the lateral portions of the platform is identical to the inclination of the bottom of the recess of the board relative to the sliding surface, so that the area in which the platform and the recesses of the board are facing extends over a major part of the recess.

The variable thickness of the gliding board at the recesses gives the board properties that improve the distribution of the forces exerted by the skier, particularly in the phases of triggering and driving turns.

This arrangement can be used on many board architectures regardless of their internal structure, whether skis called "songs" or ski called "shell".

Thus, in the case of a ski with edges, the board has lateral reinforcing elements located in line with at least a portion of the bead of the metal edges. In this case, the recesses of the lateral zones form recessed zones which are connected to said lateral reinforcing elements. In other words, the recesses of the lateral zones of the board form recessed areas inside the lateral reinforcing elements. In these recessed areas, the thickness of the lateral reinforcing element is less than that it has in the rest of the ski, and is also variable, thus forming the characteristic slope.

In a particular embodiment, the bottom of the recesses may have an inclined orientation towards the front and the bottom of the board. In other words, the thickness of the ski is lower in front of the recesses relative to the rear of the latter. Of course, the other orientation may also have some interests. In this case, the bottom of the recesses has a slope oriented towards the rear and the bottom of the ski.

In the latter case, the inclination of the zone of cooperation between the platform and the board, in particular when it is carried out inside the reinforcing element itself, carries back the bearing pressure towards the front of the ski during the turn, and thus improves the driving of the turn itself. In other words, when the characteristic recesses are less deep on the front side of the board, the latter is relatively stiffer in the front part of the pad area, compared with the rear part of this same pad area. In the case of using a reinforcing element, the least height of the lateral reinforcing element is located rather in the rear part of the pad zone. This phenomenon concentrates the maximum power when taking the edges, and therefore the maximum grip of the ski under the foot, at the initiation of the turn.

In a particular embodiment, the gliding board may include front and rear side portions of the platform, an additional element interposed between the underside of the platform and the upper face of the board. This additional element is intended to modify the dynamic behavior of the board. This additional element can be made either from a viscoelastic material, when it is desired to obtain certain damping properties. This element can also be made from an elastic material when it is desired to energize the board and ensure a return to position faster following a bending of the board to which the platform is opposed.

In certain variants, the gliding board may comprise several recesses made on the same side of the board. These recesses, in number of 2 or 3, may have inclinations oriented in the same direction, or in a preferred form in opposite directions. The platform then has lateral portions whose lower edges have complementary inclinations.

Thus, in a particular embodiment, the board has two recesses on each side. The recess at the front has a downward and forward inclination. The recess at the rear has a tilt oriented upwards and forwards (or equivalently downwards and backwards).

Brief description of the figures

• La figure 1 est une vue de côté générale d'un ski conforme à l'invention.
• La figure 2 est une vue de dessus du ski de la figure 1.
• La figure 3 est une vue de côté de la plateforme conforme à l'invention, montrée seule.
• La figure 4 est une vue de côté de détail du ski de la figure 1 dans la zone de coopération de la plateforme et du ski proprement dit.
• Les figures 5 et 6 sont des coupes respectivement selon les plans V-V' et VI-VI' de la figure 4.
• La figure 7 est une vue en coupe analogue à celle de la figure 4, dans une variante de réalisation.
• La figure 8 est une vue de côté schématique d'une variante de réalisation de la planche conforme à l'invention.
• La figure 9 est une vue en coupe selon le plan IX-IX' de la figure 8.
• La figure 10 est une vue de côté schématique d'une autre variante de réalisation.

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, in support of the appended figures in which:

• Figure 1 is a general side view of a ski according to the invention.
• Figure 2 is a top view of the ski of Figure 1.
• Figure 3 is a side view of the platform according to the invention, shown alone.
• Figure 4 is a detail side view of the ski of Figure 1 in the cooperation zone of the platform and the actual ski.
• Figures 5 and 6 are sections respectively along the planes VV 'and VI-VI' of Figure 4.
• Figure 7 is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 4, in an alternative embodiment.
• Figure 8 is a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of the board according to the invention.
• Figure 9 is a sectional view along the plane IX-IX 'of Figure 8.
• Figure 10 is a schematic side view of another alternative embodiment.

Way of realizing the invention

As already said, the invention relates to a ski board equipped with such a platform in which the area of contact or cooperation between the board and the platform has a particular geometry.

More specifically, and as illustrated in Figure 1, the ski (1) according to the invention comprises a spatula zone (2) and a heel zone (3) located on either side of the pad region (4). In the pad area (4), the ski is equipped with a platform (5) for raising the abutment (6) and the heel (7) of the binding.

The abutment (6) and the heel (7) of the binding are fixed on a portion of the raising platform which forms a flat area (8) extending over at least the space between the abutment (6) of the heel (7), or beyond, possibly bearing on the upper face of the ski (1). This central zone (8) extends laterally by lateral portions (9) which are substantially perpendicular to it, and which descend towards the lower edge (11) of the ski.

More precisely, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, these lateral portions (9) are located substantially at the level of the boot medium (12), that is to say substantially mid-length of the platform. According to a characteristic of the invention, these lateral portions (9) have a lower edge (13) which is not parallel to the upper plane of the central zone (8) of the platform. More specifically, the lower edge (13) of these lateral portions (9) is slightly inclined at an angle of between 1 ° and 20 °, and preferably between 2 ° and 5 ° with respect to the central zone (8) of the platform. In other words, the distance d which vertically separates the central zone (8) from the platform and the point (15) the most bottom of the lateral portions (9) at a given longitudinal level, evolves along the length of the lateral portion (9) in question.

As already mentioned, the invention also relates to a characteristic gliding board which is configured to receive the platform described above.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the gliding board (1) according to the invention comprises a lower sliding surface (20) which mainly comprises a gliding sole (21) and metal edges (22). The metal edges (22) themselves consist of two main portions, namely a bead (23) which forms the lower edges of the board, and which is intended to come into contact with the snow, as well as a fin ( 24) of elongated general shape, and which extends inside the structure of the board to ensure the anchoring of the edge (22) in the actual structure.

The board also has an upper face (26) which is intended to receive the contact of the raising platform (5), and which has a substantially flat geometry. This face (26) may also have recesses or other protruding areas along its length. Referring to Figure 4, the upper face (27) may in particular have a housing in which the platform is embedded, so that the upper face (27) of the platform and the (26) of the ski forward and backward platform are substantially in continuity with one another.

Between the upper face (26) of the board and the edges formed by the edges (22), the board according to the invention comprises side areas (28) which can match different geometries according to the internal structure used to make the board. Thus, in a first ski family according to the invention, the lateral zones of the board are equipped with lateral reinforcing elements (30) forming the songs of the ski.

In another embodiment corresponding to skis of shell structure, the lateral zones (40) of the board are slightly inclined so that the ski matches a substantially trapezoidal section.

According to the invention, the lateral zones of the board have recesses or recessed areas (32) for receiving the lateral portions (9) of the raising platform. As illustrated in Figure 2, these recesses create a decrease in the thickness of the ski in these lateral areas. These recesses may extend beyond the area of implantation of the raising platform (5), to give the board special mechanical and / or aesthetic properties.

In the zone in which is implanted the raising platform (5), the recesses (32) have a particular geometry in which their bottom (33) has a non-zero inclination with respect to the gliding sole. In this way, the bottom (33) of the recesses forms a slope inclined longitudinally, which has the inclination complementary to that of the lower edge (13) of the platform (5).

In the case where the edge of the ski has a lateral reinforcing element, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the characteristic recess results in a localized reduction in the height of this reinforcing element. More specifically, and as illustrated in FIG. 5 in the deepest zone of the recess, the lateral reinforcing element (30) has a reduced height. The partial stiffness of the board near this particular area is therefore relatively diminished.

Conversely, and as illustrated in Figure 6, in the opposite region longitudinally of the recess, the lateral reinforcing element (38) has a greater height, so that the partial stiffness of the board is locally higher.

The shape of the bottom of the recess is not limited to the single embodiment illustrated in the figures, but also covers variants in which the slope is not constant, but progressive over the length of the characteristic recess, or still in which the orientation of the slope is not directed upwards and forwards, but downwards and forwards. In addition, the bottom of the recess may also have a transverse inclination combined with the characteristic longitudinal inclination.

Moreover, the characteristic geometry of the recesses receiving the lateral portions of the platform is not limited either to the internal structures of planks comprising lateral reinforcing elements, but also covers the so-called "shell" plank structures as illustrated in FIG. In this case, the side faces (40) of the board have recesses (41) whose bottom (42) also has the characteristic inclination. At these recesses, the upper reinforcement (43) has deformed areas (44) corresponding to the recesses of the recesses (41).

In general, the invention is not limited to these particular structures called "songs" or "shell", but also covers variants combining these two structures for example in the case where the lower part of the board is made with lateral reinforcing elements, while the upper part has a box or shell structure.

The invention is also not limited to a particular constitution of nucleus, but can instead be declined for a very large number of structures.

In an alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the board further comprises an additional element (45, 46) interposed between the lower face (48) of the platform (5) and the upper face (49) of the board.

This additional element is arranged in front and / or behind the lateral portions (9) of the platform, and is intended to confer particular mechanical properties depending on the material used.

This element can extend over the entire width of the board, or even be limited to the periphery of the platform, as shown in Figure 9, and serve as a sort of seal between the outside and the bottom of the platform.

The provision of the additional element can also be chosen so that the effect of the latter is maximum or optimal in certain areas of the board.

Different materials can be used to form this additional element. Thus, when the material used is an elastomeric material possessing viscoelastic properties, its presence will tend to dampen the comfort of the board by absorbing part of the efforts passing through the zone where it is placed. Part of the vibrations propagating in the board can thus be damped.

When the additional element is made of a purely elastic elastomeric material, it plays a spring effect which accelerates the return to position when this additional element is compressed. Thus, when the ski is bent under the effect of forces exerted in line with the additional elastomeric element, the disappearance of these efforts when the skier modifies his position, causes thanks to the additional element the return of the board towards its initial curvature more quickly. This is a boost effect that can be appreciated when it is necessary to quickly make turns, for example.

The choice of the materials used, namely: either essentially elastic or viscoelastic, as well as their location at the front or at the rear, or at both locations makes it possible to vary and optimize the behavior of the board associated with the platform according to the desired performances.

Another variant embodiment is illustrated schematically in FIG. 10. In this case, the board has two recesses (53, 54) made on each lateral zone of the board. Each of these recesses (53, 54) is of similar design to those described above. In the particular form illustrated, the bottom (55) of the front recess (53) has a downward and forward inclination. The bottom (56) of the rear recess (54) is inclined upwardly and forwards (or equivalently downwardly and rearwardly).

The length (ℓ) of the substantially horizontal portion (57) separating the two recesses (53, 54) is variable according to the slopes and the lengths of the recesses (53, 54). It can even be reduced to a zero value, so that these two recesses are then contiguous.

The platform (60) has on each side two side portions whose lower edge (63, 64) is also inclined at the slope complementary to that of the recesses (53, 54).

Portions (65, 66) extending the platform further forward and further back than the side portions (61, 62) are illustrated in Figure 10, but the platform may be free of them, without departing from the scope of the invention.

It follows from the foregoing that the gliding board equipped with the characteristic platform has many advantages, and in particular a distribution of the stiffness in the pad area which allows to concentrate the maximum power at the edges, and therefore the maximum of ski hooking, under the foot, when triggering the turn.

In addition, in the case where the inclination of the characteristic recess is oriented forward and upward, there is a postponement of the pressure of the support points towards the front of the ski during the turn, and therefore improving the driving of the turn itself.

Claims (9)

1. A Board for gliding including a raising platform for a binding, including a planar central zone (8) capable of receiving the front stop (6) and the heel piece (7) of the binding, and two lateral portions (9) of which the lower edge (13) is intended for interacting with the board for gliding (1), this board for gliding including :

   • a lower gliding (20) surface composed of a gliding sole plate (21) bordered by metal edges (22);

   • a topsheet (26);

   • lateral zones (28), extending on either side of the topsheet (26), receiving the contact of the lower edges (13) of the lateral portions (9) of the platform (5);

   characterized in that said lateral zones (28) have recesses, the lower part of which includes a slope (33) which is inclined longitudinally relative to the gliding surface (20) of the board, and wherein the lower edges (13) of the lateral portions (9) of the platform (5) include a complementary slope which is inclined longitudinally relative to the gliding surface (20) of the board.
2. The board for gliding as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the lateral portions (9) extend on either side of the boot (12) center position.
3. The board for gliding as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that which has lateral reinforcement elements (30) located in line with at least one part of the bead (23) of the metal edges (22), and wherein the recesses of the lateral zones form hollowed zones which are connected to said lateral reinforcement elements.
4. The board for gliding as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the lower part of the recesses has a gradient oriented toward the front and toward the bottom of the board.
5. The board for gliding as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the lower part of the recesses has a gradient which is oriented toward the rear and toward the bottom of the ski.
6. The board for gliding as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that which, to the front and to the rear of the lateral portions of the platform, includes an additional element (45, 46) interposed between the lower face (48) of the platform (5) and the topsheet of the board (49).
7. The board for gliding as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the additional element is produced from a viscoelastic material.
8. The board for gliding as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the additional element is produced from an elastic material.
9. The board for gliding as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each lateral zone has two recesses (53, 54), the lower part (55, 56) of which includes a gradient which is inclined longitudinally relative to the gliding surface.

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