EP1813319B1 - Improvement for a snowboard - Google Patents

Abstract

The ski has a central platform (3), on which the ski bindings are mounted. U-shaped extension pieces (6a, 6b) can be fitted on the platform whose arms (60 - 63) form a suspension system for the base (2) of the ski.

Description

The present invention relates to a snow board on snow such as a ski, a monoski, a surf, or other. It relates more particularly to an improvement relating to a gliding board comprising a base, on which is fixed at least one complementary element.

The practice of boardsports is becoming more and more followers and has evolved terribly in recent years with practitioners increasingly demanding about the quality of products. This is, for example, the case of snow sports.

Numerous models of gliding boards, and in particular skis, which are constituted by an elongated beam whose front end is raised to form the spatula, while the lower surface comprises a sliding sole bordered by metal edges.

Despite all the efforts made by the manufacturers to satisfy the customers, there is not, to date, ski combining perfectly the comfort of use with satisfactory characteristics of behavior in the trajectories, whatever the type of ground, and whoever the user is.

Some attempts have been made, for example by the constructions disclosed by the patents French 2,670,392 and 2,675,391 . The applicant, by his ski disclosed by the patent French N ° 2,726,193 , at already proposed a ski construction according to which there is provided a body on which is fixed a platform.

The plaintiff also proposed in her patent FR 2831 829 , a platform for raising shoe attachments, divided into two longitudinal parts each placed directly on the base of the ski interconnected by a bridge which advantageously allows the skier, depending on the turns to be made, to exert pressure different on each side of the board.

The applicant has finally proposed in its unpublished patent application FR 04 07955 another improvement for a gliding board according to which a complementary element consisting of two longitudinal parts extending longitudinally substantially parallel and interconnected by at least one transverse connecting part, the complementary element being fixed at least in the zone of the pad so that its two longitudinal parts are located laterally in recessed housing in the body of the board.

It is also known from the disclosure made by the EP 0 610 272 , a snow sliding board comprising a main part, called body or base, a platform fixed to the base extending in the region of the pad and intended to support the fastening elements of a shoe to the board, a complementary element constituting a dynamic return means of the base extending said platform, the complementary element being fixed to the platform removably by means of removable connections to be dismantled. This device, which is so sophisticated, is not entirely satisfactory, especially when the ski is twisted.

The present invention provides versatile skis consisting of a base and at least one complementary element whose cooperation of shapes, dimensions and structure, gives the entire ski its necessary characteristics, both comfort and driving ski again improved.

Thus, the snow sliding board such as a ski, a monoski or a surf, of the invention comprises a main part, called body or base, and a platform attached to the base extending in the zone of the skid and intended to support the fastening elements of a shoe at the board, which further comprises at least one complementary element extending said platform, is characterized in that the complementary element is fixed to the platform removably by means of removable connections to be removed, while the complementary element comprises two longitudinal side arms connected by a transverse connecting portion which constitutes the connecting portion of the complementary element to the platform, the longitudinal side arms constituting a dynamic return means of the base.

According to a complementary characteristic, the platform is extended at the front and / or at the rear by a complementary element, while the lateral arms of each complementary element are arranged laterally with respect to the general plane of symmetry to extend towards the front end for the front complementary element, or towards the rear of the base for the rear complementary element.

According to other complementary features, the front complementary element and / or the rear element is (are) such that the rear ends of each of the lateral arms are connected by a transverse connecting portion.

According to another characteristic, the removable connection means are constituted by first means integral with the complementary element or elements intended to cooperate with second complementary means integral with the corresponding end of the platform, whereas said removable connection means comprise recessing means and locking and unlocking means.

Note also that means for viewing the connection and the perfect locking, and in the correct position, of the element or elements complementary to the platform, are provided.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given by way of non-limiting examples.

• La figure 1 est une vue de dessus.
• La figure 2 est une vue latérale.
• La figure 3 est une vue en perspective montrant l'embase avec sa plate-forme, avant mise en place des éléments complémentaires.
• La figure 4 est une vue en perspective montrant l'embase avec sa plate-forme, les éléments complémentaires ayant été mis en place.
• Les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues de détail illustrant comment se fait l'assemblage de l'élément complémentaire avec l'embase.
• La figure 5 est une illustration avant assemblage.
• La figure 6 est une illustration après assemblage.
• Les figures 7 et 8 sont des vues de dessus illustrant une autre réalisation possible des moyens de visualisation de bon assemblage.
• La figure 7 est une illustration avant assemblage.
• La figure 8 est une illustration après assemblage.
• La figure 9 est une vue de dessus d'une variante de réalisation de moyens de connexion de l'élément complémentaire avec l'embase.
• Les figures 10,11, 12A,12B,12C, représentent un mode préféré de l'invention.
• La figure 10 est une vue de dessus.
• La figure 11 est une vue latérale.
• Les figures 12A, 12B, 12C sont des vues en coupe selon A-A, B-B, C-C, de la figure 10.
• La figure 13 est une vue de dessus d'une variante d'exécution d'un élément complémentaire.
• Les figures 14a, 14b, 15 illustrent des variantes de réalisation d'un élément complémentaire.
• Les figures 14a, 14b montrent une première variante.
• La figure 14a est une vue de dessus
• La figure 14b est une vue latérale éclatée.
• La figure 15 est une autre variante en vue de dessus d'un élément complémentaire dont chacun des bras comprend une succession de trous débouchant.

The Figures 1 to 6 represents a first embodiment of the ski according to the invention.

• The figure 1 is a view from above.
• The figure 2 is a side view.
• The figure 3 is a perspective view showing the base with its platform, before introduction of complementary elements.
• The figure 4 is a perspective view showing the base with its platform, the complementary elements having been put in place.
• The Figures 5 and 6 are detailed views illustrating how the complementary element is assembled with the base.
• The figure 5 is an illustration before assembly.
• The figure 6 is an illustration after assembly.
• The Figures 7 and 8 are views from above illustrating another possible embodiment of the good assembly visualization means.
• The figure 7 is an illustration before assembly.
• The figure 8 is an illustration after assembly.
• The figure 9 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of connection means of the complementary element with the base.
• The Figures 10.11 , 12A, 12B, 12C , represent a preferred embodiment of the invention.
• The figure 10 is a view from above.
• The figure 11 is a side view.
• The Figures 12A, 12B, 12C are sectional views along AA, BB, CC, of the figure 10 .
• The figure 13 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a complementary element.
• The Figures 14a, 14b, 15 illustrate alternative embodiments of a complementary element.
• The Figures 14a, 14b show a first variant.
• The figure 14a is a view from above
• The figure 14b is an exploded side view.
• The figure 15 is another variant in plan view of a complementary element, each of the arms comprises a succession of through holes.

The figure 1 represents a board for gliding on snow (1), and in particular a ski of alpine ski type, of vertical plane of general symmetry (P), comprising a main part, called body or base (2), and also comprises a platform (3) attached to the base and extending in the zone of the pad (ZP), said platform being intended to support the fastening elements (4, 5) of a ski boot to the ski.

The invention finds its application for alpine type skis, or it finds its full dimension, but it can be applied to any other type of snowboard on snow such as a ski, a monoski, a surf, or other .

According to one characteristic of the invention, the platform (3) is extended at the front (AV) and / or at the rear (AR) by at least one complementary element (6a, 6b) and according to the invention this (or these) element (s) complementary (s) (6a, 6b) are independent elements fixed to the platform removably to be disassembled.

The base (2) has its own distribution of thickness, line of coast, width and stiffness and can be of all types and constitutions. Thus, the elongate beam constituting the base (2) can be of all types of designs such as those known to date as, for example, sandwich type, box type, or shell type, or even the type combining shell and side fields, taken alone or in combination, or mixed and consisting of a set of elements and components known in themselves.

The complementary elements (6a, 6b) are reinforcing technical elements which confer with their cooperation with the base the technical characteristics (rigidity, flexion, torsion etc.) necessary for the practice of skiing.

Thus, the complementary elements (6a, 6b) are made for example of plastics material such as thermoplastic (polyamide, polycarbonate) or thermosetting material, for example example reinforced fiberglass carbon fiber, aramid fiber etc ....

According to one embodiment of the invention as illustrated by the Figures 1 to 9 , the platform (3) is extended at the front (AV) and at the rear (AR) by a complementary element respectively (6a, 6b) each comprising respectively two longitudinal arms (60-61, 62-63 ).

Thus, the front complementary element (6a) which extends forward (AV) the platform (3) comprises two longitudinal side arms (60, 61), while-the rear complementary element (6b) which extends rearward (AR) said platform (3) comprises two longitudinal side arms (62, 63).

Each of the lateral arms (60-61, 62-63) of each complementary element (6a, 6b) is arranged laterally with respect to the general plane of symmetry (P) to extend towards the front end (AV) for the front complementary element (6a), or rearward (AR) of the base (2) for the rear complementary element (6b).

It should be added that the lateral arms (60-61, 62-63) of each complementary element (6a, 6b) which are arranged laterally on either side of the plane (P) are connected by their connection end to the platform. formed by a transverse connecting portion respectively (70, 71).

Thus the front complementary element (6a) is such that the rear ends of each of the lateral arms (60, 61) are connected by a rear linkage cross section (70). Similarly, the rear complementary element (6b) is such that the front ends of each of the lateral arms (62, 63) are connected by a front connecting cross section (71).

It is understood that in the preferred embodiment, each of the complementary elements in the form of a U open forwards (AV) for the front complementary element (6a) and open towards the rear (AR) for the element rear complementary (6b). It is also understood that each of the transverse link portions (70, 71) constitutes the connecting portion of the complementary element corresponding to the platform.

It has been seen previously that the connection according to the invention, of the element complementary to the platform was a removable connection allowing the disconnection of said platform element. That is, the one or more complementary elements are or are retained at the platform removably.

Thus, the ski, and more particularly the platform and the complementary element or elements, comprise connection means that will be called removable connection means intended to enable connection and disconnection or the complementary elements of the platform.

Thus, the removable connection means are constituted by first means integral with or complementary elements for cooperating with second complementary means integral with the corresponding end of the platform.

Moreover, the removable connection means comprise recessing means and locking and unlocking means.

It will also be added that the ski comprises means for viewing the perfect connection in the connected and locked position, the element or elements complementary to the platform, to avoid any risk of breakage or inadvertent decoupling.

As we have seen previously, the front complementary element (6a) which extends forwardly the platform comprises two longitudinal lateral arms (60, 61), extending towards the front (AV), which are connected by their rear end by a transverse connecting portion (70) constituting the connecting portion. Said transverse connecting portion comprises on the one hand two embedding arms (8a, 8b) intended to be engaged and cooperate in two corresponding housings (9a, 9b) made in the platform.

Furthermore, the connecting part (70) comprises a bolt (10) movable in downward movement biased upwards by an elastic system, said latch comprising a projection (11) intended to cooperate after complete engagement with a corresponding housing ( 12) realized in the platform.

Similarly, the rear complementary element (6b) which extends backwards the platform comprises two rearwardly extending longitudinal rear arms (62, 63), which are connected by their rear end by a transverse connecting portion (71) constituting the connecting portion. Said transverse connecting portion comprises on the one hand two embedding arms (8a, 8b) intended to be engaged and cooperate in two corresponding housings (9a, 9b) made in the platform.

Furthermore, the connecting part (71) comprises a bolt (10) movable in downward movement biased upwards by an elastic system, said latch comprising a projection (11) intended to cooperate after complete engagement, with a corresponding housing (12) made in the platform.

Such a connection makes it possible to dismantle the complementary element quickly and easily, for example to change it by replacing it with another complementary element having other characteristics or another geometry, making it possible to obtain a ski having a different behavior.

According to a complementary feature, means are provided for visualizing the proper assembly of the elements complementary to the platform. According to the realization illustrated Figures 1 to 6 it is the latch projecting (11) with the corresponding locking housing (12) constitutes the display means. Indeed, it will suffice for the user to see that the projection (11) is in place in the housing (12) and for example exceeds the plane of the platform.

The Figures 7 and 8 are views from above illustrating another possible embodiment of the good assembly visualization means. According to this embodiment the base (2) comprises for example a hole (15) while the corresponding embedding arm (8b) comprises a marking (16) intended to appear once the embedding perfectly made, such as that is represented at the figure 7 .

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the invention, the complementary elements are such that their respective longitudinal side arms are of the same length. Thus the front longitudinal arms (60, 61) have the same length, and the rear longitudinal arms (62, 63) are also of the same length. Of course it could be otherwise, and the front longitudinal arms (60, 61) could be of different length, and the rear longitudinal arms (62, 63) could also be of different lengths.

Moreover according to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the invention, the rear complementary element (6b) has the same length as that of the front element (6a), but of course it may be otherwise without departing from the scope of the invention. This is for example the case of the preferred embodiment which is illustrated in the Figures 10.11 and 12 . According to this embodiment the front complementary element (6a) is longer than the rear complementary element (6b)

According to the preferred embodiment, the free end of each longitudinal lateral arm (60, 61 - 62, 63) is in free support in sliding translation on the base (2). Preferably, the free end of each longitudinal free-support side is in the form of an inverted U to internally present a groove (13) intended to translate on a longitudinal projection (14) complementary shape and integral with the base (2).

It will be noted that the longitudinal lateral arms (60, 61 - 62, 63) of the complementary elements (6a, 6b) have a variable cross-section, that is to say which evolves as it moves away from the flat -form.

Thus, the thickness of the complementary elements may advantageously decrease towards the ends, the thickness of the front complementary element (6a) decreasing towards the front, and the thickness of the complementary rear element (6b) decreasing towards the back.

In addition, the width of the longitudinal side arms decreases towards the ends. Thus, the width of the front longitudinal arms (60, 61) decreases forwards, likewise, the width of the rear longitudinal arms (62, 63) decreases towards the rear.

Add that in the illustrated embodiment, the fixing platform (3) is fixed to the base (2) for example by means of screws, or any other means.

The complementary elements (6a, 6b) are compressed during the bending of the gliding board (1) in use conditions and releasing participate in the dynamic restart (recall) of the base (2).

• permettent d'augmenter la pression appliquée par l'utilisateur directement dans la zone d'appui libre et de la répercuter ainsi au niveau de la carre, ce qui facilite les prises de carre et les amorces de virage qui en découlent ;
• constituent un moyen simple et efficace de rappel dynamique de l'embase vers sa position de repos lorsqu'elle est sollicitée en flexion dynamique lors de la glisse.

The longitudinal lateral arms of the complementary elements according to the invention:

• allow to increase the pressure applied by the user directly in the zone of free support and thus to transmit it to the level of the edge, which facilitates the edge grips and the resulting cornering baits;
• constitute a simple and effective means of dynamic return of the base to its rest position when it is biased dynamic bending during sliding.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented by way of examples, but it also includes all the technical equivalents as well as their combinations.

It is also understood that the platform (3) which extends according to the embodiment shown over a sufficiently large length, to receive the fasteners for retaining the shoe, could be constituted by two independent parts, namely constituted by a front part and a rear part.

The figure 9 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of connection means of the complementary element with the base. According to this variant, the two recessed arms (8a, 8b) each comprise a lateral latch (100) intended to engage in a corresponding housing of the platform.

Furthermore, the ends of the longitudinal lateral arms could be connected by a transverse connection branch (700), as illustrated in FIG. figure 13 .

It will be added that the lateral arms of the complementary elements could consist of a base structure (600) intended to be completed by reinforcement elements (601) intended to give each of the arms its technical characteristics and in particular of flexion. These reinforcing elements (601) could be mounted to the lower part of each of the corresponding arms, as shown in FIGS. Figures 14a, 14b .

The reinforcing elements (601) are for example mounted under the arms and removably retained so that the user can by replacing the reinforcing elements mounted by other elements of different characteristics to modify the characteristics of the arms ( 61, 62, 63, 64) complementary elements (6a, 6b) and thus change the behavior of his ski.

The ski can therefore be sold with a set of reinforcing elements of different characteristics, which would be marked by their color.

The reinforcing elements (601) are for example flat profiles made of metal or plastic and for example reinforced plastic material.

The figure 15 is a top view of a complementary element each of the arms comprises a succession of through holes (602) allowing the user to see through these holes what type of reinforcing element is put in place.

Claims (19)

1. Board for sliding on snow (1), such as a ski, a monoski or a surfboard, with a general vertical plane of symmetry (P), comprising a main part, referred to as the body or base (2), and a platform (3) fixed to the base (2) extending in the area of the binding (ZP) and intended to support the elements (4, 5) for fixing a boot to the board, the said board comprising at least one supplementary element (6a, 6b) extending the said platform (3), the supplementary element (6a, 6b) being fixed to the platform removably by removable connection means (10, 12) in order to be able to be removed, the removable connection means consisting of first means secured to the supplementary element or elements intended to cooperate with second supplementary means secured to the corresponding end of the platform, the supplementary element (6a, 6b) comprising two longitudinal lateral arms (60, 61-62, 63) connected by a transverse connecting part (70, 71) that constitutes the part connecting the supplementary element to the platform while the longitudinal arms constitute a means for the dynamic return of the base (2), and characterised in that the removable connection means comprise recessing means (B, 8b - 9a, 9b) and locking and unlocking means (10, 11, 12).
2. Board for sliding on snow (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the platform (3) is extended to the front (AV) and/or to the rear (AR) by a supplementary element (6a, 6b).
3. Board for sliding on snow (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lateral arms (60-61, 62-63) of each supplementary element (6a, 6b) are disposed laterally with respect to the general plane of symmetry (P) so as to extend towards the front end (AV) in the case of the front supplementary element (6a) or towards the rear (AR) of the base (2) in the case of the rear supplementary element (6b).
4. Board for sliding on snow (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the front supplementary element (6a) is such that the rear ends of each of the lateral arms (60, 61) are connected by a rear transverse connecting part (70).
5. Board for sliding on snow (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the rear supplementary element (6b) is such that the front ends of each of the lateral arms (62, 63) are connected by a front transverse connecting part (71).
6. Board for sliding on snow (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the removable connection means comprise means (11, 12, 15, 16) of viewing the connection and the perfect locking in the correct position of the supplementary element or elements on the platform.
7. Board for sliding on snow (1) according to any of one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the front supplementary element (6a) that extends the platform forwards comprises two longitudinal lateral arms (60, 61), extending towards the front (AV), which are connected by their rear ends by a transverse linking part (70), constituting the connecting part.
8. Board for sliding on snow (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that the transverse connecting part comprises two recessing arms (8a, 8b) intended to be engaged and to cooperate in two corresponding housings (9a, 9b) produced in the platform, while the linking part (70) comprises a bolt (10) which is able to move downwards and urged upwards by an elastic system, said bolt comprising a projection (11) intended to cooperate, after complete engagement, with a corresponding housing (12) produced in the platform.
9. Board for sliding on snow (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rear supplementary element (6b) that extends the platform towards the rear comprises two longitudinal lateral arms (62, 63), extending towards the front (AR), which are connected by their rear ends by a transverse linking part (70) constituting the connecting part.
10. Board for sliding on snow (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the transverse connecting part comprises two recessing arms (8a, 8b) intended to be engaged and to cooperate in two corresponding housings (9a, 9b) produced in the platform, while the linking part (71) comprises a bolt (10) which is able to move downwards and is urged upwards by an elastic system, said bolt comprising a projection (11) intended to cooperate, after complete engagement, with a corresponding housing (12) produced in the platform.
11. Board for sliding on snow (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the front (6a) and/or rear (6b) supplementary elements are such that the respective longitudinal lateral arms thereof (60, 61), in the case of the front element (60, 61), are of the same length and, in the case of the rear element (62, 63), are of the same length.
12. Board for sliding on snow (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the front (6a) and/or rear (6b) supplementary elements are such that the respective longitudinal lateral arms thereof (60, 61), in the case of the front element (60, 61), are of different lengths and, in the case cf the rear element (62, 63), are of different lengths.
13. Board for sliding on snow (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rear supplementary element (6b) has the same length as the front element (6a).
14. Board for sliding on snow (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the front supplementary element (6a) is longer than the rear supplementary element (6b).
15. Board for sliding on snow (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the free end of each longitudinal lateral arm (60, 61 - 62, 63) is in free abutment in sliding translation on the base (2).
16. Board for sliding on snow (1) according to claim 15, characterised in that the free end of each longitudinal lateral end in free abutment is in the form of an inverted U so as to have internally a groove (13) which is intended to translate on a complementary-shaped longitudinal protection (14) secured to the base (2).
17. Board for sliding on snow (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the longitudinal lateral arms (60, 61 - 62, 63) of the supplementary elements (6a, 6b) have a variable transverse section.
18. Board for sliding on snow (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the longitudinal lateral arms (60, 61 - 62, 63) of the supplementary elements (6a, 6b) consist of a base structure (600) which is intended to be supplemented by reinforcement elements (601) intended to give to each of the arms its technical characteristics and in particular bending.
19. Board for sliding on snow (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the reinforcement elements (601) are mounted on the arms and held removably so that the user can by replacing the mounted reinforcement elements with other elements with different characteristics so as to modify the characteristics of the arms (61, 62, 63, 64) of the supplementary elements (6a, 6b) and thus modify the behaviour of his ski.

Images