WO1999065577A1

WO1999065577A1 - Serrated ski edge

Info

Publication number: WO1999065577A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/011680
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vincent E. Alvarez
Original assignee: Alvarez Vincent E
Priority date: 1998-06-18
Filing date: 1999-05-26
Publication date: 1999-12-23

Abstract

An edge (20) for a ski member (10) having a bottom surface (21) and an outer wall (22) forming a substantially continuous cutting edge (27) therebetween, and a plurality of serrations (24) disposed on the outer wall (22) which provide greater control and edge grip during turning and stopping, particularly on hard snow or ice. The serrations (24) also reduce the frictional forces at the edge/snow interface (27) and provide a sharper cutting edge (27) which retains its grip or 'bite' over a longer period of time.

Description

SERRATED SKI EDGE

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of ski members for traveling over a snow and/or ice covered surface. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved outer edge for ski members, such as skis and snowboards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Snow skiing and snow boarding have, for many years, been extremely popular with a wide variety of participants. Despite this popularity, however, skiing and snow boarding remain relatively difficult sports to learn and master.

The ability of the participant to traverse down a slope covered in snow and ice, or a combination thereof, is dependent on the shape of the ski member (e.g., ski or snowboard) and the metal edge that envelopes the body of the ski member. By applying pressure to one side of the edge or the other, the participant can control their speed and degree of turn.

The metal edge is typically comprised of a metal strip which is wrapped around the perimeter of the ski member. The metal strip includes a sharp "cutting" edge adapted to cut into the surface of the snow/ice to aid in turning (and stopping) of the ski member.

Various techniques have been employed to enhance the turning characteristics of ski members. Such techniques typically comprise design modifications of the ski member body. Illustrative are the ski designs disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,212,787; 4,343,485 and 4,705,291.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,212,787, a ski design is disclosed wherein the ski defines a relatively thick center portion above which a skier's boot is supported and a forwardly extending thinner more flexible portion having a plurality of upwardly angled facets and terminating in a pointed shovel portion. The angle between the running surface and the facets increases as the facets approach the upwardly turned shovel portion. The tail portion of the ski also tapers with the distance from the skier's boot.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,485, a ski design is disclosed wherein the bottom surface of the ski is curved upwardly in either direction from the location of the skier's boot and a curved shovel portion and curved tail portion are formed at the front and rear of the ski. The side camber configuration of the ski defines an hour glass shape thinner at the region of the skier's boot and larger at the tail and shovel sections.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,291, a ski design is disclosed wherein a relatively rigid ski is formed to define a generally planar upper surface supporting a ski boot and a convex front to rear curved undersurface. The ski has a maximum effective width substantially in-line with the pivot point over which the skier's weight is to be centered. The ski assumes a narrower effective width both forward and rearward of the pivot point and an intermediate effective width closer to the front and rear respectively.

Although the noted ski designs have been well received, little, if any, modifications to the ski edge or edges are incorporated into the designs. Indeed, most of the designs employ a conventional metal edge which requires regular sharpening to maintain the integrity of the cutting edge.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,175,766, a technique is however employed wherein the bottom surface of the ski edge is modified to improve the turning characteristics of the ski. According to the invention, a continuous relief or undercut is added to the edges by machining or grinding a one-sixteenth inch radius along the length of the exposed steel edge. Although this techniques has achieved limited success, the cutting edge still, however, requires regular sharpening to maintain its integrity.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a readily variable ski edge which increases the gripping action when turning or stopping, particularly on hard snow or ice.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a sharper ski edge which retains its sharp cutting edge for a much longer period of time. It is another object of the present invention to provide a self-sharpening ski edge.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a ski edge which accommodates the varying skill levels of participants and surface conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the above objects and those that will be mentioned and will become apparent below, the serrated ski edge in accordance with this invention comprises an edge member having a bottom surface and outer wall forming a substantially continuous cutting edge at the intersection thereof, and a plurality of serrations disposed on the outer wall proximate the cutting edge.

The advantages of this invention include (i) a ski edge which enhances the gripping action or "bite" during turning or stopping; (ii) a ski edge having a cutting edge which requires less machine sharpening; (iii) a ski edge which readily accommodates the varying skill levels of participants; (iv) a ski edge which may be readily customized to accommodate slope and/or surface conditions; and (v) a ski edge which may be customized to accommodate a variety of snow sports (i.e., downhill or slalom racing). Additional advantages of the invention are that it assists novice participants in learning to ski by reducing side slip thereby preventing falls at slow and high speeds, and enhances the performance (i.e., speed and control) of advanced participants during competitive events.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following and more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and in which like referenced characters generally refer to the same parts or elements throughout the views, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a ski constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ski shown in FIGURE 1 along lines A-A according to the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a partial side view of the ski according to the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view of the ski according to the invention; and

FIGURE 5 is a partial front plan view of the ski edge and snow interface illustrating the shear zones according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The serrated ski edge of the present invention substantially reduces or eliminates the disadvantages and shortcomings associated with prior art techniques. As will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art, the unique ski edge may be employed on a variety of ski members designed for traversing a snow and/or ice covered surface.

By the term "ski member", as used herein, it is meant to mean a device employed to traverse snow or ice, or a combination thereof, such as skis, snowboards, sleds, skates, etc. For illustrative purposes, the unique ski edge will be described herein in connection with a ski.

Referring first to Fig. 1, there is shown a ski constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced by numeral 10. The ski 10 includes a contact (or turning) zone T_z, a tail portion 12 extending rearwardly from the contact zone T_z, and a tip portion 14 extending upwardly from the contact zone T_z. A conventional boot (not shown) is received upon the top surface 15 of the ski 10 and secured thereto utilizing a pair of conventional bindings 16 and 18.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the ski 10 further includes an edge member 20 which preferably envelopes the body of the ski 10. Separate edge members may, however, alternatively be employed. The edge member 20 is preferably fabricated out of stainless steel or like material.

According to the invention, the edge member 20 includes a plurality of serrations 24 disposed on the outer wall 22 thereof (see Fig. 3). As discussed in detail below, the serrations 24 provide (i) an optimum shear condition which reduces the frictional forces between the ski edge and mating surface (i.e., snow and/or ice) and, hence, increases speed and control of the ski and (ii) a sharper cutting edge which retains its integrity (i.e., sharpness) for a much longer period of time by virtue of the self-sharpening characteristic of the serrations 24.

Referring to Fig. 4, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the noted embodiment, the edge member 20 includes a bottom surface 21 and an outer wall 22 forming a cutting edge 27 at the intersection thereof.

Disposed on the outer wall 22 of the edge member 20 proximate the cutting edge 27 is a plurality of serrations 24. In a preferred embodiment, the serrations 24 are disposed on a portion of the edge member 20 coincident with the contact zone T_z. In an alternative embodiment, the serrations 24 are disposed proximate the contact zone T_z. In additional envisioned embodiments (not shown), the serrations 24 are employed throughout the length of the edge member 20.

According to the invention, each serration 24 has (i) a radius (r) in the range of 0.2 in. to 0.3 in., preferably 0.25 in., (ii) a depth (d) in the range of 0.006 in. to 0.010 in., preferably 0.008 in., and (iii) an included angle ø in the range of 1° degree to 10°, preferably 8° (see Fig. 2). As illustrated in Fig. 3, the serrations 24 further have a pitch (p) in the range of 0.120 in. to 0.130 in., preferably 0.125 in..

In accordance with the invention, each serration 24 further includes a shear zone 25 defined by the noted parameters r, d, ø. As illustrated in Fig. 5, during motion of the ski 10 relative to the snow (or ice) 30, air is entrapped within the shear zone (or recess) 25. The entrapped air provides an optimum shear condition which reduces the frictional forces at the metal edge/snow interface 27 and enhances the speed, edge "bite" and, hence, control of the ski. As will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art, the noted serrations 24 could thus be employed in a variety of devices to achieve the above described optimum shear condition. Such devices include, but are not limited to, cutting blades and the bows of water vessels.

Applicants have found that the noted serrations 24, having the preferred parameters r, d, ø, significantly improve the turning and stopping characteristics of ski members and provides a self-sharpening cutting edge which maintains its integrity over a longer period of time. Applicants have further found that increasing or decreasing the noted parameters r, d, ø, will change the amount of edge "bite" to accommodate varying skill levels and surface conditions.

As will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art, the advantages of the present invention are numerous, including (i) a ski edge which requires less machine sharpening, (ii) a ski edge which readily accommodates the varying skill levels of the participants; (iii) a ski edge which may be readily customized to accommodate slope and/or surface conditions; and (iv) a ski edge which may be customized to accommodate a variety of snow and/or ice sports (i.e., downhill or slalom racing, ice skating, tobogganing). An additional advantage of the invention is that it assists novice participants in learning to ski by reducing side slip thereby preventing falls at slow as well as high speeds.

Without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, one of ordinary skill can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. As such, these changes and modifications are properly, equitably, and intended to be, within the full range of equivalence of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is Claimed is:

1. A ski member, comprising:

an elongated ski body having a top and bottom surface, said bottom surface having outer edges;

said ski body including an edge member attached to said outer edges of said

bottom surface, said edge member having a bottom surface and an outer wall;

said edge member including a plurality of serrations disposed on said outer wall proximate said bottom surface.

2. The ski member of Claim 1 , wherein said edge member is comprised of metal.

3. The ski member of Claim 1 , wherein each of said serrations has a radius in the range of 0.2 in. to 0.3 in.

4. The ski member of Claim 1 , wherein each of said serrations has a depth

proximate said bottom surface in the range of 0.006 in. to 0.010 in.

5. The ski member of Claim 1 , wherein each of said serrations has an included angle in the range of 1┬░ to 10┬░.

6. The ski member of Claim 1 , wherein said ski body includes a contact zone.

7. The ski member of Claim 6, wherein said serrations are disposed coincident with said contact zone.

8. The ski member of Claim 6, wherein said serrations are disposed proximate

said contact zone.

9. A ski for skiing on snow having an edge member attached to the outer edges

of the bottom of said ski, said edge member comprising:

a bottom surface and an outer wall forming a substantially continuous cutting edge therebetween; and

a plurality of serrations disposed on said outer wall proximate said cutting

edge.

10. The ski of Claim 9, wherein each of said serrations has a radius in the range

of 0.2 in. to 0.3 in.

11. The ski of Claim 9, wherein each of said serrations has a depth proximate said engaging edge in the range of 0.006 in. to 0.010 in.

12. The ski of Claim 9, wherein each of said serrations have an included angle in the range of 1┬░ to 10┬░.