EP1997541B1 - Snowboard with lateral edges - Google Patents

Abstract

The snowboard has a slider bordered on a side by metallic lateral edges (210, 211), where each edge is provided with an edge body and anchorage fins. The anchorage fins of the bars are oriented opposite to each other. Inextensible connection elements (220) e.g. nylon wires, connect the fins of the edges along a part of length of a structural beam that defines a longitudinal direction of the snowboard. The elements are oriented in extension of the fins. Connection segments e.g. blade (220a), are oriented in the extension and alignment of the fins.

Description

The invention relates to a gliding board with side edges. Such a snowboard can be for example a ski for the practice of alpine skiing or a snowboard surf.

In known manner, a ski has a composite structure with a gliding sole which is bordered by two side edges. The edges are usually metallic, and each edge has a square body with two faces and one edge that are visible from the outside. Formerly the edges were screwed. Now they are held by an anchor wing which is embedded in the structure of the ski.

The edges must be flexible, on the one hand to follow the line of dimensions of the ski, and on the other hand to accompany the bending movements of the ski during the glide. Thus, usually, the anchoring fins are openwork so as not to oppose major resistance to bending. Some squares are also built in end-to-end segments.

During the glide, the edges are subjected to stresses which are sometimes intense and brutal, for example when turning on a frozen snow or when the ski meets a stone. The risk is then a tear of the edge. Various means have been proposed to reinforce the embedding of the edge in the structure of the ski. For example the utility model AT001880U1 proposes, for example, anchoring tabs which are bent, patent applications EP0887090 or EP1297868 propose protruding ribs or studs which are trapped in the structure of the ski.

Another solution is described in the patent US3297332 . According to this document, the two edges are connected by bridge connecting strips which are embedded in the structure of the ski.

This last mode of construction gives good results. Nevertheless it is adapted to a particular structure and geometry of the ski in terms of width and length. Therefore, the implementation of this solution is extremely complex and expensive, especially for a range of ski of different lengths, and it requires the ski manufacturer to completely review the design of the ski to incorporate the connecting strips. In addition the bridge form of the bands of Link is not the construction mode that offers the best tear resistance for the edges.

Given this state of the art, there is a need for a gliding board of traditional structure, the edge resistance to tearing is improved.

This and other objects and advantages which will become apparent from the following description are achieved by the subject of the invention.

The gliding board according to the invention comprises a structural beam having a gliding sole bordered on each side by a lateral edge, each edge having a body of edge and an anchoring fin, the anchoring fins of the two edges being oriented. vis-à-vis, an inextensible connecting element connects the anchoring fins, and this element is oriented in the extension and alignment of each of the fins.

• La figure 1 montre une vue générale d'un ski.
• La figure 2 est une vue en section du ski de la figure 1.
• La figure 3 illustre un premier exemple.
• La figure 4 est relative à un autre exemple.
• La figure 5 montre un premier mode de mise en oeuvre.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the description below and attached drawings attached thereto.

• The figure 1 shows a general view of a ski.
• The figure 2 is a sectional view of the ski from the figure 1 .
• The figure 3 illustrates a first example.
• The figure 4 is relative to another example.
• The figure 5 shows a first mode of implementation.

Referring to the figure 1 , the ski 1 shown is an elongated beam defining a longitudinal direction and comprising a central zone 2 or skid, a curved spatula 3 and a heel 4. In the longitudinal direction the beam is arched, with a skid raised relative to a horizontal plane on which the ski would rest.

The beam of the ski is structural, that is to say that it consists of several components that contribute to give it specific static and dynamic mechanical properties.

In section the ski structure of the figure 2 is formed by a central core 6 which rests on a lower subset 7 and which is covered with an upper subassembly 8. The core forms a kind of spacer between the two subsets.

The kernel is of any suitable type. It may be a shaped core obtained for example by machining, and made of wood or polyurethane foam. Or the core can be injected into a ski-making mold after placing the different components of the ski. Conventionally the lower subassembly comprises a lower gliding sole 9 bordered by two side edges 10 and 11. The gliding sole is made of any suitable material, for example polyethylene optionally loaded with additional powders.

The gliding sole is covered by the lower reinforcing structure 12 which comprises one or more superposed reinforcing layers. The reinforcing layer or layers are of any suitable type. For example they are formed by a fiber reinforcement embedded in a resin matrix, or metal blades. As fibers can be taken glass fiber, carbon, aramid or any other suitable material. The reinforcements may use fibers of different types. As metal reinforcement can be used a blade of aluminum alloy, steel or amorphous metal.

The upper subassembly comprises an outer decorative layer which is for example made of a thermoplastic material, in particular polyurethane, polyamide-11, polyamide-12, or others, or in ABS or ABS / PU. The decorative layer can be complex, that is to say be formed of the superposition of unit films. It is decorated by any appropriate means, including screen printing or sublimation.

Under the decorative layer 14 the upper subassembly 8 comprises an upper reinforcing structure 15 formed of one or more reinforcing layers. As for the lower subset, the reinforcing layers can be composite or metallic or a combination of these materials.

Note that for the lower and upper reinforcement structures can be locally additional reinforcing sheets, especially in the pad area.

In a conventional manner, the various components of the ski are placed in a mold, and they are assembled together with the aid of the resin which forms the matrix of the reinforcing layers, and / or with the aid of glue sheets which are interleaved between the different layers, or using the material of the core for an injected core ski.

The structure of the ski is not limiting, and other ski construction methods may also be suitable.

Typically, the edges are made of metal, or another material that is different from the materials used for the other components of the ski.

Each edge has a edge body, respectively 11a, 10a and an anchor fin, respectively 11b, 10b. The edge bodies have a polygonal section, and they have faces 11c, 11d, 10c, 10d visible from the outside, which form between them an edge 11e, 10e.

The anchoring fins 11b, 10b are raised relative to the sliding surface defined by the lower surface of the sole, and they are oriented vis-à-vis parallel to the plane defined by the gliding sole. The anchoring fins 11b, 10b have indentations 11f, 10f distributed evenly along each edge. These notches are more particularly visible in the figure 3 . The notches can be opened or closed. In the embodiment illustrated in figure 3 they are open.

A connecting element connects the edges 10 and 11 through the anchoring fins. The connecting element is oriented in the extension of the fins, that is to say that it is oriented parallel to the plane of the fins, and that it extends in alignment, or that it rests on their upper face and / or on their underside. The connecting element is formed of a succession of connecting segments, each end of which is hooked to the anchor fin of a square at locations distant from each other so as to form a sort of mesh between the edges. . From one edge to another, the segments are oriented transversely, that is to say perpendicular to the longitudinal direction defined by the beam of the ski, or they are oriented obliquely. Segments can also intersect. Segments are independent unit elements, or more than one segment may be from a common subset. For a pair of skis, the connecting segments of each of the skis may have an asymmetric disposition relative to the longitudinal direction of the ski, and they may have a symmetrical disposition from one ski to another.

The connecting element has a low thickness, it is flexible for example it is a wire or a braid, or rigid for example it is a metal strip. Moving from one edge to another, the wire forms a succession of connecting segments that connect the two edges. In this way, it integrates into the structure of the ski without requiring a particular arrangement of the structure and is flexible in the longitudinal direction of the ski, to accompany the bending movements of the ski without opposing a significant resistance. The link segments are inextensible and they are stretched between the two edges preferably without prestressing at rest, so that the connecting element holds the two edges relative to one another and it opposes the local tearing of a square by directly returning the pulling stresses on the another square which itself is based on the structure of the ski.

The figure 3 illustrates an example not forming part of the invention. A wire 20 is stretched between the edges, the wire is hooked in the beaks 10g, 11g which delimit the notches 10f, 11f of the edges and it forms between the edges a zigzag by a continuous succession of anchoring segments 20a which extend in the extension of the fins, and whose ends are sometimes on the top and sometimes on the underside of the fin.

It may be that the notches are closed, in this case the thread is threaded into the holes of the indentations.

Any type of wire or braid may be suitable, such as nylon wire, aramid fiber braid, metal braid or the like. The thread can be simple as shown, or it can have a cross thread, in the manner of a lace shoe. The wire extends over all or part of the length of the edges, and in the latter case it preferably covers at least the area of the pad which is the area of the most exposed ski. Also, over the length of the ski it is possible to vary the angle formed by the different connecting segments with the longitudinal direction of the ski by jumping a more or less significant number of notches between two successive attachment areas. The ends of the wire are attached by any appropriate means, for example by means of a node. It is also possible to make a knot at the passage in the notches of the edges.

A flexible yarn is advantageous because the length of the connecting segments adjusts itself according to the spacing of the points of attachment to the edges. Thus, the same type of yarn can be used for a ski range of different lengths, or for skis that have different sidecuts. Also because of its flexibility, the wire does not oppose resistance to the bending of the ski. Its presence therefore does not modify the mechanical properties of the ski. In the manufacture of the ski, the wire integrates and fits into the element or elements that are in contact with the anchoring fins and on which the fins are supported. For example, the wire is embedded in a reinforcing layer, a layer of glue, or in the core for an injected core ski.

The figure 4 relates to another example not forming part of the invention. The two edges 110 and 111 are connected locally by a connecting element 120 formed by a succession of independent connecting blades 120a which each form a connecting segment. The blades have a small thickness, they are oriented transversely, their ends are engaged and are hooked into the notches 110f and 111f of the edges. For example, the ends are folded so as to form a hook, or the hooking is carried out using a metal stud reported. The blades rest indifferently on the top or bottom of the anchor fins. Other attachment means are also suitable.

As in the previous case, the blades 120a can be placed at varying distances by jumping a greater or lesser number of notches between two successive blades. The blades can be oriented obliquely.

The figure 5 is relative in implementation mode of the invention. The notches 210f and 211f of the edges 210 and 211 are open. The blade 220a of the connecting element 220 has a fastening head 220b, 220c at each of its ends which fits into a notch of one or other of the edges in the manner of a puzzle piece. . In this way the blade is in line with and in alignment with the edge fins.

Other modes of construction are still possible.

Naturally, the present description is given only as an indication and other embodiments of the invention could be adopted without departing from the scope thereof. In particular, the invention also applies to snowboard surfboards, and generally to any gliding board provided with side edges.

The invention also applies to boards whose edges are formed by a succession of edge segments placed end to end.

Claims (9)

1. Gliding board comprising a structural beam defining a longitudinal direction and having a gliding sole (9) bordered on each side by a lateral edge (10, 11, 110, 111, 210, 211), each edge possessing an edge body (10a, 11a) and an anchoring fin (10b, 11b), the anchoring fins of the two edges facing one another, an inextensible linking element (20, 120, 220) locally connecting the anchoring fins at least along at least one portion of the length of the beam, and this element being oriented along the extension of each of the fins, characterized in that the linking segments (220a) are oriented along the extension of and in alignment with the anchoring fins.
2. Board according to Claim 1, characterized in that the linking element (20, 120, 220) comprises a plurality of linking segments (20a, 120a, 220a).
3. Board according to Claim 2, characterized in that the linking segments (20a, 120a) rest on the top side or the underside of the anchoring fins.
4. Board according to Claim 2, characterized in that the linking segments (20a, 120a, 220a) are tensioned, with no prestress at rest.
5. Board according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the linking element (20) is formed by a wire.
6. Board according to Claim 5, the edges of which include indentations (10f, 11f), characterized in that the wire is hooked onto the indentations at discrete points.
7. Board according to Claim 6, characterized in that the wire (20) forms a zigzag between the edges.
8. Board according to one of Claims 1 to 4, the edges of which include indentations, characterized in that the linking element (120, 220) comprises a plurality of blades (120a, 220a) having two ends engaged in indentations of each of the edges.
9. Board according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacing between two successive zones where the linking element (20, 120, 220) is hooked onto an edge can vary over the length of the beam.

Images