DE29924126U1 - Ski, especially alpine skiing - Google Patents

Abstract

The layers with a core arranged between them form at least one sandwich component, in which there is at least one anchoring component for retention of a ski binding. The anchoring component (54,55) extends over a part area of a width of the ski (2), and over a part area of the length of the ski. It is formed by a layer, which extends in or parallel to the neutral layer plane (58) of the ski.

Description

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- 1-

ATOMIC Austria GmbH 15 Lackengasse 301

&Agr;-5541 Altenmarkt im Pongau

20 skis, especially alpine skis

The invention relates to a ski, in particular an alpine ski, with a plurality of layers arranged between a running surface covering and a cover layer, which form at least one sandwich element with a core arranged between the layers and the ski has anchoring elements spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction, which extend essentially transversely to the longitudinal direction and essentially parallel to the running surface of the ski and, starting from the sidewalls of the ski, are provided for holding a ski binding mounted on a support element.

In WO 93/12845 A2 a ski is shown with a plate-shaped mounting element for the coupling parts of a ski binding. The mounting element for the ski binding is formed by a relatively hard plate which is connected to the ski body with the interposition ^of a damping layer.

A98/00160

The mounting element supported against the ski body in the damping position is movable relative to the ski body in the longitudinal direction of the ski body at least in its front and rear end area. For this purpose, it is proposed, among other things, to provide recesses in the side walls of the ski or also openings through the two side walls, which are filled with the damping material and embed a cross bolt. The cross bolts embedded in the damping material to hold the mounting element are intended to achieve the desired "floating mounting" of the mounting plate relative to the sports equipment. The disadvantage here is that the proposed mounting of the mounting element for the ski binding delays the transfer of the steering forces to be applied by the skier to the long side edges of the ski body and consequently the steering behavior of the ski appears sluggish. In addition, the edge grip is reduced, which impairs the driving behavior on hard slopes in particular. Another disadvantage is that the recesses or openings in the ski body, which have to be made relatively large for comprehensive embedding, represent a significant weakening of the ski body. The bending characteristic of the ski will therefore show significant breaks in the area of the recesses provided with the damping material and the cross bolts, which means that such a ski has a relatively high tendency to vibrate or flutter, which has an additional negative effect on the handling. In addition, the recesses in the ski body provided with the damping material and thus flexible represent significant weak points in terms of strength, and excessive loads on the ski primarily lead to breakages starting from these recesses in the ski body.

FR 2 734 490 A1 shows a support plate for holding binding parts of a ski binding, which is held by projections that protrude from the side wall parts of the ski body at a distance above the top of the ski. On the one hand, it is proposed that the projections, which are integrally connected to the side wall parts, be provided centrally to the binding plate or in its end areas and that the side wall parts with the projections for supporting the binding plate be supported directly on the steel edges of the ski. The disadvantage here is that the ski can only be used in conjunction with the binding support plate provided and that binding plates cannot be mounted directly on the top of the ski body.

EP 0 744 197 A1 shows a ski with a binding part carrier integrated into the ski and passing through the top of the ski body. The binding part carrier extends

The bridge-like structure of the ^chiköiMers is connected by a

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directly on the steel edges. At least one projection that runs through the top of the ski body supports a binding support plate for the ski binding parts. The disadvantage here is that the skier exerts a high load directly on the steel edges within a relatively short longitudinal extension, which can result in a deviation from the ski body or even a slight deformation when the load is applied, and the risk of delamination of the ski increases if moisture penetrates. On the other hand, the formation of relatively wide support arms for support on the steel edges causes a disadvantageous stiffening of the ski.

EP 0 755 703 A1 discloses a support element with a substantially U-shaped cross-section for accommodating the coupling parts of a ski binding. The legs of the support element are connected to the side walls of the ski body with an elastically deformable layer in between, so that relative movements between the U-shaped support element and the ski are possible when correspondingly high forces are applied. The disadvantage here is that the support element for the ski bindings can move vertically to the top of the ski body, which means that the ski has indirect steering characteristics and a relatively passive driving behavior.

CH 571 872 A5 shows a system for the quick assembly of ski binding parts on a ski. For this purpose, recesses are formed in the top of the ski, which can be brought into positive engagement with projections on the underside of the binding part or with projections on a mounting plate for the binding body. This positive connection between the ski and the respective ski binding part represents the essential means of transferring load between these two parts and at least one screw connection is also provided as a securing element for maintaining the positive connection. The disadvantage here is that the recesses formed in the top of the ski body or the insert parts provided with corresponding recesses and integrated in the ski body require penetration of the upper layers of the ski body that are relevant to strength and thus impair the bending strength and have a negative effect on the resulting bending characteristic of the ski body.

A ski with a support device for a ski binding is known from DE 41 12 299 A1. The support device supporting the coupling parts of the ski binding is connected to the ski in its central area via an axis running transversely to the longitudinal direction of the ski.

flexibly connected, stable connection of the carrying strap with ski binding

-A-

around this central axis. Spring-elastic support elements are arranged between the ski and the support device in the area in front of the axis and in the area behind the axis, which provide a defined resistance to the pivoting movement of the support device relative to the ski. The disadvantage here is that the pivoting movements of the support device for the ski binding relative to the ski caused by loads can occasionally cause the user to wobble or have difficulty maintaining balance, which can lead to a fall. Furthermore, the forces that the user has to transfer to the sports equipment, particularly the forces acting in the vertical direction, are delayed, making it difficult to control the ski precisely.

Furthermore, a ski with a binding support plate is known from DE 21 35 450 A. This binding support plate is connected to the ski via bearing devices that are spaced apart from one another in the lengthwise direction of the ski and fixed to the top of the ski. One of the bearing devices forms a joint connection between the binding support plate and the ski and the other bearing device forms a joint and guide device between the binding support plate and the ski. The disadvantage here is that the bearing devices for the binding support plate attached to the top of the ski cannot withstand the forces that occur during skiing or, with large-dimensioned bearing devices, the desired, unaffected elasticity or deformability of the ski cannot be achieved.

The present invention is based on the object of creating a ski, in particular for practicing alpine skiing, which shows hardly any changes in the characteristic parameters even after the ski binding has been mounted and which enables a simplified mounting of the ski binding.

This object of the invention is achieved in that the support element is designed in several parts, in particular in two parts, and the two support element parts are each connected to the ski in an articulated manner via a joint connection with pivot axes running transversely to the longitudinal direction and aligned essentially parallel to the running surface, and for each support element part a coupling part of the ski binding is mounted in a longitudinal guide device and legs of the support element parts or the ski binding extend in groove-shaped recesses provided on the side walls of the ski.

The resulting advantage is that the ski is ready for mounting the ski bindings.

dung in its structure ^entirely rivefand^rt'bJeSjtund'Sanercite.voni producers as on

The most favourable parameters, such as the bending value, the bending stiffness distribution and the breaking force, are also retained after the binding has been fitted. When fitting the ski binding to the ski, no mechanical processing of the ski body is required, such as machining by drilling holes in the ski body, or chemical processing such as gluing. Mechanical processing has always caused changes in the parameters, e.g. the flexibility of the ski, which can be clearly identified and recorded using suitable measuring equipment. The claimed design has now largely eliminated these disadvantageous effects. Another advantage is that the width of the ski is not changed by fitting the ski binding or the support element for the ski binding. Furthermore, sudden variations in width, with reference to a top view of the ski, are avoided and harmoniously running boundary edges of the ski body are achieved, which enhance the overall visual impression. In particular, the usual outline of the ski is hardly changed and a harmonious appearance is created. In addition, with skis that are not tapered, snags between the supporting elements or between the legs of the two supporting elements of a pair of skis are excluded, which enables uninterrupted ferry operations.

A design according to claim 2 and/or 3 is advantageous in this case, since this achieves a tear-proof anchoring of the ski binding without having a significant influence on the ski characteristics.

A further advantage is a design according to claim 4, since this allows the surface pressure in the ski body to be greatly reduced and thus the stress on the individual components is particularly low.

The design according to claim 5 makes it possible to adopt individual mounting positions of the ski binding relative to the ski.

Due to the design according to claim 6, the components of the ski which significantly influence the properties of the ski composite construction and which are usually arranged near the edge zones thereof are completely unaffected by the anchoring elements integrated in the ski body or are not changed in their geometry or dimensions by them.

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According to the advantageous embodiment according to one or more of claims 7 to 9, a highly stable support element can be used for the ski binding, which has no influence on the natural flex of the ski due to the corresponding mounting on the ski. In addition, this design eliminates the need for complex compensation mechanisms in the ski binding to compensate for the movements of the binding bodies of the ski binding caused by the bending of the ski.

By means of the design according to claim 10, the anchoring element or the anchoring layer can be given a bending characteristic which is adapted to the ski body and which optimally complements or influences the bending characteristic of the ski body.

A design according to claim 11 is also advantageous, since the surface pressure inside the ski body is particularly low and thus relatively thin-walled anchoring elements can be used.
15

According to an embodiment as described in claim 12, a high-strength connection between the ski and the support element is possible, wherein the components required for this can be manufactured relatively easily and inexpensively.

In this case, an embodiment according to claim 13 proves to be advantageous since it ensures that the ski binding is reliably held even under very high forces and that undesirable positional deviations thereof are excluded.

According to an advantageous development according to claim 14, different relative positions of the ski binding in relation to the ski can be assumed in a simple manner.

However, a design according to claim 15 is also advantageous, since this allows the usual sidecut or the usual width of the ski to be retained and the relatively far-spaced support points of the ski binding on the ski result in favorable force ratios.

In the embodiment according to claim 16, the anchoring element can be easily embedded in the core of the ski.

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A design according to claim 17 is possible here, since the fixing of the anchoring elements in the relatively solid and large-volume core of the ski body results in a reliable and highly stable fixing of the anchoring elements in the ski body.

The advantageous embodiments according to one or more of claims 18 to 20 enable a reliable fixing of the ski binding or the support element for the ski binding on the ski, whereby on the one hand a detachable connection is provided via the connecting elements and, in addition, the pre-tension between the parts to be connected can be regulated in a simple manner and can also be changed at a later point in time.

The design according to claim 21 is also advantageous because it results in an elevated standing position of the user's foot or shoe, which enables steep inclines when cornering with the sports equipment without the shoe touching the ground.

However, a design according to claim 22 is also advantageous, since this allows the deformation movements of the ski caused when traveling through undulating terrain to take place unhindered and therefore stiffening in certain areas, especially in the binding mounting area of the ski, is avoided.

A design according to claim 23 is also advantageous, since the support element can be mounted very easily on the ski and the high-strength design of the same enables the construction of a highly stable and reliable connecting device for the two support element parts.

Due to the advantageous developments according to one or more of claims 24 to 28, the mounting of the support element on the ski is simple and can be carried out in a short time. In addition, all parts relevant for the connection of the support element to the ski are effectively assigned to the two support element parts, which have a high level of strength, whereby a correspondingly high connection force can be applied.

By means of the advantageous development according to one or more of claims 29 to 31, the guide device is arranged between the two large-area support element parts.

forms, whereby the surface pressure is reduced. The guide rail is very

A98/00160

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is low and therefore signs of wear are excluded even during hard and long-term operation. The decoupling of the longitudinal guide device from the joint arrangement, i.e. the joint arrangement and the guide device are separated from each other in terms of area, also enables larger joint and guide parts. 5

The advantageous embodiment according to claim 32 prevents tensions and changes in the safety-relevant release values between the coupling parts of the ski binding that hold the boot when the ski is deformed or bent.

However, a further development according to one or more of claims 33 to 35 is also advantageous, as this enables the ski binding or the support element for the ski binding to be attached quickly and easily. In addition, the support element or the ski binding can be removed from the ski particularly easily at any time and without great effort.

With the advantageous embodiment according to one or more of claims 36 to 39, a particularly simple and largely automated fastening process of the ski binding or the support element for the ski binding on the ski is achieved.

The advantageous embodiment according to one or more of claims 40 to 48 creates a system for mounting a binding or a support element on a ski, which is highly reliable and significantly shortens the process of mounting the ski binding on the ski, thus also allowing it to be dismantled at any time without the use of tools.

Further advantageous embodiments are described in claims 49 to 51, since they maintain the harmonious course of the characteristic curve of the flexural stiffness distribution of the ski despite the high-strength anchoring elements.

Furthermore, a design as described in claims 52 and/or 53 is possible, since the joints can also be assigned to the relatively large and dimensionally stable parts of the support element and the legs for supporting the ski binding or the support plate for the ski binding can be connected to the ski in a movement-proof manner. The joint and the joint and guide device can then be arranged in the end areas of the plate part between this and the legs that are firmly connected to the ski.

35 trained.

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The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

Show it:
5

Fig. 1 shows a variant of a structure for the storage of a ski binding or a support element for the ski binding on a ski, in side view and highly simplified, schematic representation;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ski and the support element mounted thereon, cut along the lines II - II in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a further cross-sectional view through the ski and the support element according to

the section lines III - III in Fig. 1;
15

Fig. 4 is a diagram with exemplary stress curves in the ski body under bending stresses directed perpendicular to its running surface in a highly simplified, schematic representation;

Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of a ski with a support element of a ski binding mounted thereon in side view and half section as well as a highly simplified, schematic representation;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the support element and the ski in a section along the lines VI - VI in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 shows another embodiment for connecting a ski binding or a support element for a ski binding to a ski via a detachable connecting device in the ski in cross section and highly simplified, schematic representation;

Fig. 8 shows a further embodiment for connecting a ski binding or a support element for a ski binding to a ski, in particular an alpine ski, in side view and highly simplified, schematic representation;

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Fig. 9 shows the ski according to Fig. 8, sectioned along the lines IX - IX in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 a support bolt anchored in the ski body to hold the ski binding or

of the supporting element on the ski;
5

Fig. 11 shows a further embodiment of a connecting device for the detachable connection of the ski binding or the support element for a ski binding to a ski;

Fig. 12 shows another embodiment of a ski with a ski binding mounted thereon with supporting element parts of the jaw bodies of the ski binding movable relative to one another;

Fig. 13 the ski and the ski binding, sectioned along the lines XIII - XIII in Fig. 12.

To begin with, it should be noted that in the different embodiments described, identical parts are provided with identical reference symbols or identical component designations, whereby the disclosures contained in the entire description can be transferred mutatis mutandis to identical parts with identical reference symbols or identical component designations. The position information chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., also refers to the figure directly described and shown and, if the position changes, is to be transferred mutatis mutandis to the new position. Furthermore, individual features or combinations of features from the different embodiments shown and described can also represent independent, inventive or inventive solutions in themselves.

In Figs. 1 to 4, an embodiment of a sports device 1, in particular a ski 2, with a support element 3 attached thereto, which supports coupling parts 4, 5 of a ski binding 6 for detachable connection to a shoe of a user, is shown.

The sports equipment 1 or the ski 2 is formed from a sandwich element 7, which consists of several interconnected layers, whereby approximately the central layer of the multi-layer sandwich element 7 represents a core 8, which has comparatively large quartz crystals in relation to the layers surrounding it. The core 8 consists primarily of

made of wood, in particular of several slats 9,10 glued together and thus connected to form a one-piece component, which are preferably made of hardwood.

The support element 3, which is essentially U-shaped in cross section, is designed in several parts, preferably in two parts, wherein a first support element part 11, which is essentially L-shaped in cross section, can be connected via a connecting device 12 to a further support element part 13, which is also essentially L-shaped in cross section, to form the aforementioned one-piece support element 3, so that overall the essentially U-shaped cross-sectional shape of the support element 3 is formed.

The U-shape of the support element 3 in relation to cross-sectional planes is present in this embodiment at least in the end regions 14, 15 of the same, whereas the support element 3 in a central region 16 lying between them essentially corresponds in cross-section to the cross-section of a plate-like component. Accordingly, at least in the end regions 14, 15 of the support element 3, two legs 17, 18; 19, 20, which are spaced apart from one another approximately in accordance with the width of the ski 2, protrude in the direction of the ski 2 arranged below a support surface 21 on the support element 3 for the user's foot.

The legs 17, 18 assigned to the front end region 14 and spaced apart from one another by a distance approximately corresponding to the width of the ski 2 have bearing devices 22, 23 in an end region facing away from the support surface 21 for the user's foot, via which the support element 3 can be connected to the sports equipment 1, in particular to the ski 2. Likewise, the legs 19, 20 of the support element 3 assigned to the end region 15 of the support element 3 and also spaced apart from one another by approximately the width of the ski 2 have bearing devices 24, 25 in their lower end regions facing away from the support surface 21 for connection to the sports equipment 1, in particular to the ski 2.

The support surface 21 on the support element 3, which is essentially rectangular in plan view of the sports equipment 1 and is aligned in its longitudinal extension essentially parallel to a longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2 and essentially parallel to a running surface 27 of a running surface covering 28, thus has in this embodiment in its corner areas a leg 17 to 20 directed in the direction of the sports equipment 1 below, which fix the support surface 21 at a distance 29 above an upper side 30 of the ski 2. On a lower side 31 of a substantially flat,

the support surface 23 aJi£bi]den*de&,Jzdnira!en"PJfl|tgrjteirs:32 de?Tiber <3ie|connecting device

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In the four corner regions of the support element 3 assembled in accordance with the direction 12 to form a one-piece component, a leg 17 to 20 is formed in each of the four corner regions, which legs protrude essentially at right angles from the underside 31 of the plate part 32 and are connected to the ski 2 in their end region facing the running surface 27 via a bearing device 22 to 25. The underside 31 of the central plate part 32 of the support element 3 is arranged at a distance 33 above the top side 30 of the ski 2 by a corresponding arrangement of the bearing devices 22 to 25 in the legs 17 to 20 and/or by a corresponding choice of the connection points with the ski 2, in relation to the vertical direction and/or by a corresponding choice of the length of the legs 17 to 20, so that a free space 34 is formed between the support element 3, in particular between the central plate part 32 receiving the legs 17 to 20 and the top side 30 of the ski 2, which allows the relative movements between the ski 2 and the support element 3, which are explained in more detail below. The free space 34 between the underside 31 of the support element 3 and the top side 30 of the ski 2 is provided over the entire length and width of the plate part 32 between this and the top side 30 of the ski 2.

At least in the end regions 14, 15, the support element 3 is thus essentially U-shaped in cross section, the plate part 32 forming the support surface 21 for the user's foot and in the corner regions the legs 17 to 20 are preferably formed in one piece in accordance with the previous description.

As already described above, the support element 3 is designed in several parts and has at least two support element parts 11, 13 which are L-shaped in cross section and which can be assembled via the connecting device 12 to form the one-piece support element 3.

A separating and/or joining area 35 between the two support element parts 11, 13, which are essentially L-shaped in cross section, runs in the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2 and essentially parallel to the running surface 27. In the separating and/or joining area 35, the support element parts 11, 13 can be optionally assembled to form the one-piece support element 3 or separated from one another via the connecting device 12. Leg plates 36, 37 of the support element parts 11, 13, which face one another and run in the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - are preferably additionally connected to one another in a form-fitting manner. The leg plates 36, 37 facing one another of each essentially L-shaped support element part 11, 13 thus form a two-part, multi-part

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Plate part 32 of the support element 3. For the positive connection of the two support element parts 11, 13, corresponding indentations 38, 39 are provided in the mutually facing longitudinal edge regions of each leg plate 36, 37, which enable a mutual positive connection.
5

In the simplest case, the leg plates 36, 37 of each support element part 11, 13 are flattened to half the plate thickness, so that the flattened, mutually associated side areas of each support element part 11, 13 can be put together and, in total, an essentially continuous, uniform thickness of the plate part 32 is maintained. The flattened, mutually facing longitudinal edge areas of the two support element parts 11, 13 thus result in a simple folded connection, which is secured against loosening by means of suitable fastening means 40, in particular by means of screws 41.

The positive connection between the two support element parts 11, 13 aligned in the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2 in the separating and/or joining area 35 between them can also be formed by a tongue and groove connection, as shown schematically in Fig. 2. For this purpose, the indentations 38 of the horizontally aligned leg plate 36 are designed in such a way that a tongue 42 is formed in the longitudinal edge area facing the other support element 13. This tongue 42 is dimensioned in such a way that it can engage in a positive fit in a groove 43 assigned to it in the leg plate 37 of the other support element part 13. The groove 43 is therefore formed by the indentation 39 in the support element part 13. The mutually corresponding tongue 42 and groove 43 of the support element parts 11, 13 are connected to one another via the fastening means 40, in particular via the screws 41, in such a way that a relative movement between the two support element parts 11, 13 is prevented.

It is of course also possible to connect the support element parts 11, 13 to one another without using independent fastening means 40. In this case, the support element parts 11, 13 are preferably permanently coupled to one another via snap connections. Such snap connections are known from the prior art and can be formed, for example, by a locking strip with a substantially circular cross-section running in the longitudinal edge area of the support element part 11 and by a locking recess with a substantially opposite, pan-shaped cross-section formed in the longitudinal edge area of the further support element part 13. Both support element parts 11, 13 are to be fed to the support element frame 3 Bz _# w.JdjirI§j5iiBin3ijng 6 äijf cleji StAi 2 feintincter for assembly.

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and to connect them permanently to one another by applying an appropriate pre-tensioning force. By applying or exceeding this pre-tensioning force, the locking strip then jumps into the locking recess, whereby the snap connection between the two support element parts 11, 13 is established. Such a snap connection is possible in a simple manner, particularly with materials with a sufficient modulus of elasticity, in particular with plastics or fiber-reinforced plastics or composite materials.

The support element parts 11, 13 are thus connected by the force-fitting and/or form-fitting connection via the connecting device 12, which comprises fastening means 40 and/or form-fitting connections, to form a one-piece support element 3, which has a high degree of dimensional stability overall. The support element 3, which is two-part by the two support element parts 11, 13 but assembled into a one-piece component via the connecting device 12, has a high degree of torsional and bending stiffness in particular, which withstands all torsional and bending forces that usually act on the support element 3, such as can occur when driving the sports equipment 1. Due to the high torsional and bending stiffness of the support element 3, the coupling parts 4, 5 of the ski binding 6 remain completely unchanged in their relative position to one another under all operating conditions occurring during driving, so that the preload of the coupling parts 4, 5 of the ski binding 6 on the boot remains unchanged by the absolutely bending and torsional stiff or deformation-stable support element 3.

The support element 3 is coupled to the ski 2 in the end region 14 via an articulated connection 44. This articulated connection 44 between the support element 3 and the ski 2 in the front end region 14 related to the direction of travel of the sports equipment 1 comprises the bearing devices 22, 23, in particular borehole-like recesses 45, 46 with a circular cross-section in the legs 17, 18 and bearing pins 47, 48 corresponding to these recesses 45, 46. These bearing pins 47, 48 are connected to the sports equipment 1 or to the ski 2 in a movement-proof manner and have an essentially circular cross-section, the diameter of which essentially corresponds to the diameter of the associated recesses 45, 46, so that an articulated connection 44 with as little play as possible between the support element 3 and the ski 2 is ensured.

In the rear end region 15, which is spaced apart from the front end region 14 in the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2, the support element 3 is connected to the sports equipment via a joint and guide device j bfeW» with*the!S.<!r5.2:ge1eji]<3g.ver6tinciQn jtr as in the !longitudinal direction - arrow

&diams;· »

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26 - of the ski 2 are relatively movable, in particular translationally displaceable and movable relative to one another. This joint and guide device 49 between the support element 3 and the ski 2 in the rear or further end region 15 related to the direction of travel also comprises recesses 50, 51, which are formed in particular as elongated holes in the legs 19, 20 pointing in the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2, the width of which essentially corresponds to a diameter of bearing pins 52, 53 with a circular cross-section that are firmly connected to the ski 2. The slot-shaped recesses 50, 51 in the legs 19, 20, in cooperation with the bearing pins 52, 53 firmly connected to the ski 2, form the joint and guide device 49, which enables both a rotational movement between the ski 2 and the support element 3 and a translational movement of the ski 2 relative to the support element 3 or relative to the legs 19, 20.

The bearing pins 47, 48 are formed at the ends of an anchoring element 54 integrated in the ski body, which is aligned essentially parallel to the running surface 27 or the running surface covering 28 and runs essentially transversely to the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2 over approximately its entire width. The other rear bearing pins 52, 53 related to the direction of travel are also formed at the ends of an identical anchoring element 55 integrated in the ski body, which is also aligned essentially parallel to the running surface 27 or the running surface covering 28 and also runs essentially transversely to the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2. The anchoring elements 54, 55 integrated in the ski body and spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2 form, via the bearing pins 47, 48; 52, 53 pivot axes 56, 57 which are aligned essentially parallel to the running surface 27 and transversely to the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2 and in the two connection areas of the ski 2 with the support element 3 which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2, each enable a relative rotational movement when the ski 2 is bent up or down, as is inevitably the case when driving through undulating terrain or when cornering due to the waist and/or the pre-tension height of the ski 2. The support element 3 with the coupling parts 4, 5 of the ski binding 6 attached to it therefore does not influence the flexural rigidity or flexibility of the ski 2, since the articulated connection 44 and the articulated and guide device 49 between the support element 3 and the ski 2 allow the ski body to work freely. The natural flex of the ski 2 is therefore retained and the ski binding 6 mounted on the support element 3 has no negative influence on the bending characteristic value provided by the manufacturer of the ski 2 or on the bending strength considered _by the manufacturer to be the most favorable.

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The two pivot axes 56, 57 formed by the anchoring elements 54, 55 run absolutely parallel to each other when projected onto a horizontal plane as well as when projected onto a vertical plane running transversely to the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2. The anchoring elements 54, 55 integrated in the ski 2 for connecting the ski 2 to the support element 3 are arranged in a plane 58 aligned essentially parallel to the running surface 27 or the running surface covering 28 and, under certain conditions, connect several surface centers of gravity 59, 60 spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - in relation to several cross-sectional sections of the ski 2 spaced apart from one another. The anchoring elements 54, 55 or the pivot axes 56, 57 are in any case arranged in the neutral fiber or in the neutral layer of the sports equipment 1 or the ski body, i.e. the pivot axes 56, 57 or the anchoring elements 54, 55 are arranged in those areas in the ski body in which the tensile and compressive stresses occurring in the event of a load or during bending or flexing cancel each other out and become zero. The neutral fiber or neutral zone of the ski 2, which is largely unaffected by tensile and compressive forces, depends in particular on the elastic moduli of the individual layers of the ski 2 as well as on their thickness and shape or geometry, but normally runs in the area of the core 8 and thereby parallel to the running surface 27 and in the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2. The neutral fiber or the neutral zone of the ski 2 is represented by the plane 58 and usually runs parallel to the running surface 27 at about half the thickness of the ski 2. This plane 58 connects, especially in the case of a homogeneous, uniform ski body, all the area centers of gravity 59, 60 running in the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2 in the individual cross-sectional sections of the ski 2. The pivot axes 56, 57 lie in the plane 58 or in the neutral zone of the ski body, in particular the multi-layered one, and are transverse to the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski. 2. In the embodiment shown, the neutral zone or the plane 58 of the ski body runs through the core 8, in particular through the hardwood core of the ski 2. The anchoring elements 54, 55 thus pass through the core 8 in the transverse direction of the ski 2 and are firmly connected to it or held in it under pre-tension, so that displacements between the anchoring elements 54, 55 and the ski 2 are prevented. The anchoring element 54, 55 preferably extends continuously over the entire width of the ski 2 and forms the bearing pins 47, 48; 52, 53 at each of the two ends. The preferably metallic anchoring elements 54, 55 pass through the core 8, in particular the hardwood core, via through holes 61, 62. The anchoring elements 54, 55 are essentially rigid and absolutely tear-proof in the ski body due to the core 8,

55 or the Sc5iwj§pkac|^fe4n:56, 5?7 ab^o|trt.tear-proof and high-strength

-17-

held in the ski 2 or fixed extremely rigidly and unyieldingly. The tear-out resistance or the absolutely stationary fixation of the anchoring elements 54, 55 in the ski body can be increased further by wing-like protruding projections 63, 64. The anchoring elements 54, 55 can be formed by bolt-like elements 65, 66 with a circular cross-section, with the plate-like projections 63, 64 protruding radially from the outer surfaces of the elements 65, 66. The plate-like projections 63, 64 can steadily taper in thickness with increasing distance from the central, bolt-like element 65, 66, so that cutting-like longitudinal edges are formed in the areas spaced away from the central element 65, 66. The projections 63, 64 therefore have an approximately triangular or cutting blade-like cross-sectional shape.

In this case, several projections 63, 64 can also be arranged distributed over the circumference of the bolt-like elements 65, 66. Preferably, however, two projections 63, 64 are provided for each element 65, 66, the flat sides of which are aligned essentially parallel to the running surface 27 or parallel to the plane 58, so that the relatively high forces directed perpendicular to the plane 58 or essentially perpendicular to the running surface 27 can be safely absorbed and deviation of the central, bolt-like elements 65, 66 in the ski body from the intended position is excluded. The projections 63, 64 on the anchoring elements 54, 55 result in a higher contact surface for the same in the ski body, so that deviation, e.g. sinking of the same in the ski body or rotational movement of the same about the pivot axes 56, 57, is avoided. The diameter of the bearing pins 47, 48; 52, 53 arranged at the end areas of the anchoring elements 54, 55 is approximately 4 mm to 14 mm and is preferably made of a high-strength metallic material, e.g. steel or metal alloys such as Titanal. The wing-like projections 63, 64 of the anchoring elements 54, 55 in the ski body each run in the plane 58 or in the neutral fiber of the sports equipment 1 or the ski 2. Likewise, the pivot axes 56 of the anchoring elements 54, 55 lie exactly in the plane 58 or in the neutral fibers of the ski structure and are aligned transversely to the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2.

The sandwich element 7, which is constructed from several layers and forms the sports equipment 1 or the ski 2, comprises, in addition to the essentially centrally arranged core layer or the core 8, in particular made of wood, further layers which at least partially surround it. In particular, the sandwich element 7 has an upper belt 67 arranged in the upper edge regions of the ski body and a lower belt 68 assigned to the running surface 27 or the running surface covering 28.Oatfeji&EumfijdesCeei^QbeiiguJI Öj7 and at least

a lower belt 68 is provided near the edge zones of the ski cross-section, these layers of the ski 2 being made of materials of high strength and rigidity. Elastic inserts made of plastic or foam are preferably arranged between the core 8 and the upper and lower belts 67, 68. If necessary, a filler 69, in particular made of plastic or foam, can also be arranged between the core 8 and the supporting belts, which has a higher elasticity than the core 8 or a lower resistance to pressure loads and can therefore also take on a damping function in the ski body. This composite of the core 8, the upper and lower belts 67, 68 and the filler 69 is surrounded on the one hand by the running surface covering 28 and on the other hand by a shell 70 which has a high mechanical strength. If necessary, the supporting belts and the core 8 as well as the filler 69 can be surrounded by two shells, the outer shell 70 being hard and the inner shell being comparatively soft. The longitudinal edge regions of the shell 70 are supported - as is known per se - directly on the running edges 71, 72 which delimit the running surface covering 28 and which preferably consist of steel, whereby an optimal power transmission is achieved.

The sports equipment 1 is therefore comparable to a rod made of composite material. The position and orientation of the neutral fibers - represented by the plane 58 - is determined by the different elasticity moduli of the individual layers and by the cross-sectional geometry of the ski 2. In the embodiment shown, the individual elasticity moduli and geometries of the individual layers of the ski body are designed in such a way that the center of gravity 59, 60 lies in the plane 58 or in the neutral fiber of the ski body. Of course, it is also possible for the center of gravity 59, 60 to lie next to the plane 58 or next to the neutral fibers of the ski body, depending on the individual elasticity moduli and geometries of the individual layers or layers of the composite material. Due to the cross-sectional halves of the ski body being generally symmetrical to a vertical axis 73, in particular to the z-axis, the surface centers of gravity 59, 60 always lie on this vertical axis 73. The preceding descriptions refer to forces acting perpendicular to the running surface 27 or to the upper side 30 of the ski 2 when the ski 2 is held in the shovel and end region.

In Fig. 4, the stress curve of the ski 2 is shown when it is bent around a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction - arrow 26. The stress curve is shown in a highly simplified and schematic manner and represents one of many possible stress curves as an example. From the diagram of the individual layers

of the ski 2, the jumps at the individual material boundaries of the composite material are clearly visible. When the ski 2 bends, i.e. when the ski 2 is loaded perpendicular to the surface 30, the lower chord 68 acts as a tension chord and the upper chord 67 as a compression chord, with some of the tensile and compression forces that arise being symbolized in part by arrows 74, 75 for the tensile forces and by arrows 76, 77 for the compression forces. In the neutral fiber - plane 58 - the oppositely directed tensile and compression forces cancel each other out and a zero stress line 78 is formed, which defines the neutral fibers or plane 58. The anchoring element 54, 55 for supporting the dimensionally stable load-bearing element 3 is arranged precisely on this zero stress line 78 or in the neutral fiber - plane 58. The direction of the arrows 74 to 77 provides information about the tension or compression conditions in the ski body and their length provides information about the amount or magnitude of the forces.

As can be seen in particular from Fig. 2 and 3, the legs 17 to 20 of the support element 3 are inserted into recesses 79 to 82 in the sports equipment 1 or in the ski 2. These recesses 79 to 82 are arranged in the area of side walls 83, 84, wherein the free space formed by the recesses 79 to 82 essentially corresponds to the volume of the legs 17 to 20 of the support element 3 to be inserted or introduced therein. Outer surfaces 85 to 88 facing away from one another on the legs 17 to 20 are largely level with the side surfaces 89, 90 formed by the side cheeks 83, 84, so that a largely stepless transition is formed between the legs 17 to 20 of the support element 3 and the side surfaces 89, 90 on the side cheeks 83, 84. Thus, the width of the sports equipment 1 is not increased by attaching the support element 3 and individual projections on the side cheeks 83, 84, which could cause the pair of skis to get caught on one another when skiing, are excluded, since the side surfaces 89, 90 of the side cheeks 83, 84 are completely level or have no significant projections. The inclination of the outer surfaces 85 to 88 of the legs 17 to 20 of the support element 3 is adapted to the inclination of the side surfaces 89, 90 on the side walls 83, 84 of the ski 2, whereby in general two outer surfaces 85, 86; 87, 88 diverge from each other and a theoretical intersection line of the same is formed in a vertical direction above the running surface 27. Inner surfaces 91 to 94 of the legs 17 to 20 are absolutely perpendicular to the pivot axes 56, 57 and rest as free of play as possible on the inner boundary surfaces 95 to 98 of the recesses 79 to 82. In relation to the cross-sectional area of the support element 3, the outer surfaces 85 to 88 and the inner surfaces 91 to 94 of the

Legs 17 to 20 3l*s"<3 ivinkeltg^iiei^cSider/wer^idie^inenflattien <il t>is*p4 perpendicular to

the pivot axes 56, 57 and a theoretical intersection point is formed above the upper side 30 of the ski 2.

When projected onto a vertical plane pointing in the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - the recesses 79 to 82 or the corresponding indentations in the ski body have lateral boundary surfaces 99 to 102 which extend at an angle to one another, wherein a theoretical crossing line of the lateral boundary surfaces 99, 100; 101,102 lies below the pivot axes 56, 57 or below the anchoring elements 54, 55 with respect to a vertical direction. The recesses 79 to 82 are thus designed to expand continuously from the running surface 27 in the direction of the upper side 30, so that in relation to the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - free spaces are formed between the legs 17 to 20 and the inner boundary surfaces 99 to 102 of the recesses 79 to 82, which allow relative movements between the ski 2 and the legs 17 to 20 of the support element 20. In order to prevent the free spaces between the legs 17 to 20 and the inner boundary surfaces 99 to 102 of the recesses 79 to 82 from icing up, they can be filled with an elastic filler 103, e.g. a foam-like filler, which has a certain resilience and is comparatively easy to deform. Likewise, the remaining free spaces between the bearing pins 52, 53 and the recesses 50, 51 in the legs 19, 20 can be filled with an elastic filler 104 to prevent the accumulation of ice and snow.

The injection of the filler 103, 104 into the remaining free spaces of the recesses 79 to 82 is preferably carried out after the assembly process of the support element 3 onto the ski 2.

The anchoring elements 54, 55 can either be integrated directly during the manufacture of the sandwich element 7 or inserted between the individual layers or can be fixed in the ski body after the manufacture of the ski 2. To do this, the bolt-like anchoring elements 54, 55 are pressed or hammered into the through holes 61, 62 in the ski 2. In particular, when the anchoring elements 54, 55 are subsequently inserted into the ski body, they have the radially protruding projections 63, 64, which increase the tear-out strength of the anchoring elements 54, 55, since these projections 63, 64 cut through the material around the through holes 61, 62 and anchor accordingly.

After the anchoring feet have been fixed in the body, the carrying element

element 3 can be attached to the ski 2 in a simple manner. To do this, the two halves of the support element 3 or the support element parts 11, 13 are simply placed on the bearing pins 47, 48; 52, 53 arranged in the recesses 79 to 82 and the two support element parts 11, 13 are connected to form a one-piece support element via the connecting device 12. After activating the connecting device 12, the support element parts 11, 13 or the legs 17 to 20 are then prevented from sliding off the bearing pins 47, 48; 52, 53.

The inner surfaces 91 to 94 of the legs 17 to 20 preferably rest against the comparatively hard, lateral boundary surfaces of the core 8 and/or the upper flange 67 and/or the lower flange 68 with as little play as possible.

In Fig. 5, 6 a further variant of the sports device 1 or the ski 2 is shown, whereby the same reference numerals are used for the parts already described above. The embodiment according to Fig. 5, 6 can optionally represent an independent embodiment of the sports device 1 or the ski 2.

The support element 3 is formed in one piece and is supported in the recesses 79 to 82 in the ski body via the legs 17 to 20 formed in the corner areas of the plate part 32. The support element 3 is preferably formed by an extruded or continuously cast profile with a U-shaped cross section, on which the central area 16 of the support element 3 is reworked to form the four legs 17 to 20. In particular, the legs protruding from the central plate part 32 are removed in the central area 16 of the profile, so that the relatively narrow legs 17 to 20 are formed in the end areas 14, 15. The one-piece, one-piece support element 3 is in turn coupled to the ski 2 via the articulated connection 44 and the articulated and guide device 49. The anchoring elements 54, 55 of the articulated connection 44 and the articulated and guide device 49 which are firmly connected to the sports equipment 1 or integrated therein are formed by hollow cylindrical bearing bushes 105, 106. A longitudinal center axis of the bearing bushes 105, 106 runs essentially parallel to the running surface 27 and transversely to the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2. These bearing bushes 105, 106 extend between the boundary surfaces 95, 96; 97, 98 of the recesses 79, 80; 81, 82, which can be seen accordingly in FIGS. 2 and 3. The end faces of the hollow cylindrical bearing bushes 105, 106 preferably end flat with the boundary surfaces 95, 96? which can be seen in particular in FIGS. 2 and 3. 91, 9*8 _# är>,.s§>dlaß the jn ^p ScTjik'öcpoi'cjngsarfeei'ttite exceptions

79 to 82 are not penetrated by the various bearing parts between the support element 3 and the ski 2 when the support element 3 is removed, or do not protrude into them. The distance between adjacent legs 17, 18; 19, 20 is again selected such that they lie flat and with as little play as possible on the boundary surfaces 95, 96; 97, 98 of the recesses 79 to 82. The bearing bushes 105, 106 representing the anchoring elements 54, 55 are rigidly and immovably fixed in the ski body. The deviation-resistant positioning of the bearing bushes 105, 106 can again be increased by the projections 63, 64 projecting radially from the outer surface.

To mount the support element 3 or the ski binding 6 on the sports equipment 1, the support element 3 with the legs 17 to 20 only has to be inserted into the recesses 79 to 82 and the connection completed using two bearing bolts 107, 108. The cross-sectional shape of the bearing bolts 107, 108 is selected such that they can be inserted into the bearing bushes 105, 106 with as little play as possible. The length of the bearing bolts 107, 108 is selected such that it is greater than the length of the bearing bushes 105, 106, in particular the length of the bearing bolts 107, 108 is selected to be approximately twice the thickness 109 of the legs 17 to 20, so that the legs 17 to 20 are at least partially penetrated by the bearing bolts 107, 108. The bearing bolts 107, 108 in turn form the bearing pins 47, 48; 52, 53 in the end regions, the diameter of which essentially corresponds to a diameter of the recesses 45, 46; 50, 51 in the legs 17 to 20.

The bearing bolts 107, 108 are secured against accidental falling out of the bearing bushes 105, 106 after the mounting of the support element 3 by any means known from the prior art. For example, it is possible to glue the bearing bolts 107, 108 into the bearing bushes 105, 106 or to press the bearing bolts 107, 108 into the bearing bushes 105, 106 with a corresponding fit accuracy and thus prevent them from falling out.

The central longitudinal axis of the bearing bolts 107, 108 forms the pivot axes 56, 57 between the support element 3 and the ski 2. The pivot axes 56, 57 in turn lie on the neutral fibers - plane 58 - of the ski 2, so that the anchoring elements 54, 55 are embedded in a largely stress-free manner. The neutral fiber - plane 58 - in relation to the cross-section of the ski 2 again runs approximately in the center area and parallel to the running surface 27.

-23-

To ensure that the anchoring elements 54, 55 or the bearing bushes 105, 106 are secured in a way that is absolutely tear-proof, the outer casing area can be provided with projections 63, 64 in the form of threads, so that the bearing bushes 105, 106 can be screwed into the ski body or into the through-hole 61, 62 in the ski body and are thus connected to the ski 2 in a form-fitting manner. Screwing the anchoring elements 54, 55 or the bearing bushes 105, 106 is preferably used for skis 2 with wooden cores. The bearing bushes 105, 106 with the threads arranged on the outer casing allow in particular a subsequent attachment of the anchoring elements 54, 55 in the ski body, namely after the through holes 61, 62 have been machined essentially parallel to the running surface 27 and transversely to the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2.

By means of a detachable connection of the bearing bolts 107, 108 with the bearing bushes 105, 106, it is possible in a simple manner to arrange a wide variety of support elements 3 with different ski bindings 6 quickly and without tools on a specific ski 2 or to carry out a corresponding exchange without any problems.

Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of the sports equipment 1 or ski 2 with the anchoring elements 54 designed to connect the ski 2 to the support element 3 within the ski body. In the embodiment shown, the same reference numerals are used for parts already described above, whereby the previous explanations apply analogously to the same parts.

The cross-sectional view through the sports equipment 1 or the ski 2 with the one-piece support element 3 fixed thereon for holding the ski binding is a sectional view through the bearing points on the ski 2 in the end areas 14, 15 of the support element 3, i.e. the anchoring elements 54 and 55 are each largely identical in the end area and integrated in the end area 15 of the support element 3 in the ski body. In the following description, reference is only made to the front anchoring element 54.

Here, the anchoring element 54 consists of a piston-cylinder arrangement, wherein at least one cylinder 110 is designed with two pistons 111, 112 guided therein. The cylinder 110 is designed in particular as a hollow cylinder 113 or as a sliding bushing 114 for the pistons 111, 112. The cylindrical pistons 111, 112 are aligned in the sliding bushing 114 in such a way that their longitudinal center axes 115, 116 form the pivot axis 56 and thereby in the neutral springs -*EJ>eiiQ|5H.-: of the $ch&örpörs*]iegerr..DiabiJideli piston 111,

112 are axially adjustable relative to one another in the sliding bushing 114 with respect to their longitudinal center axes 115, 116, i.e. the pistons 111, 112 are guided by the sliding bushing 114 in such a way that they can be moved towards one another and away from one another in the direction of their longitudinal center axes 115, 116, but are held as immovably as possible in the other spatial directions. At least the end regions of the two pistons 111, 112 facing away from one another have a circular cross-section and form the bearing pins 47, 48 for the support element. The pistons 111, 112 preferably have a circular outline throughout with respect to their cross-section. Of course, it is also possible to form the end regions facing each other, i.e. the regions adjacent to the bearing pins 47, 48, in a rectangular cross-section, for example, and to provide correspondingly rectangular guide bores 117, 118 in the sliding bush 114.

The mutually facing end regions of the bolt-like pistons 111, 112 guided in the sliding bushing 114 preferably have heads 119, 120 which prevent the pistons 111, 112 from falling out of the sliding bushing 114. A cross-sectional dimension of the heads 119, 120 at the mutually facing ends of the pistons 111, 112 is selected to be larger than a diameter of the bearing pins 47, 48 in the end regions spaced apart therefrom. The heads 119, 120 are assigned a corresponding guide recess 121 in the central region of the sliding bush 114, wherein at the transition from the guide recess 121 into the two guide bores 117, 118 a shoulder 122, 123 is formed which limits the movement of the pistons 111, 112 from the sliding bush 114 in cooperation with the heads 119, 120 formed thereon.

The pistons 111, 112 are forced to their greatest possible distance from one another under the action of a spring-elastic pre-tensioning device 124, in particular a compression spring 125, in the initial or resting state of the anchoring element 54. The elastic pre-tensioning device 124 thus causes the two pistons 111, 112 to be displaced into the position furthest apart from one another, with the bearing pins 47, 48 then projecting from the end regions 126, 127 of the sliding bush 11.4 or the bearing pins 47, 48 projecting beyond the end regions 126, 127.

In particular, the anchoring element 54 forms a connection device 128 between the ski binding or the support element 3 for the ski binding and the ski 2, which can be released as required and which can be activated and/or deactivated without tools. This connection device 128, which is only operated manually, is preferably

- 25 -

lockable snap closure, which enables an immediate and largely automatic connection of the ski binding to the ski 2 as well as a corresponding disassembly of the same. The sliding bush 114 is preferably formed in two parts, with the separation plane preferably being formed in the middle area or in the area of the central guide recess 121 in order to be able to insert the two pistons 111, 112 with the heads 119, 120 into the sliding bush parts and to be able to attach the pretensioning device 124 between the two heads 119, 120. The two parts of the sliding bush 114 are then assembled via a connecting device, such as a threaded arrangement 129, to form the one-piece sliding bush 114. Of course, it is also possible to form the connecting device by any other form-fitting connections or by force-fitting connections, such as by gluing, by welding or by a corresponding press and/or shrink fit, between the two sliding bush parts.

The anchoring element 54 comprising the pistons 111, 112, the sliding bushing 114 and the spring-elastic pre-tensioning device 124 is integrated in the ski body in a tear-proof manner, with its front end areas 126, 127 forming at least a partial area of the boundary surfaces 95, the recesses 79, 80 or indentations in the ski body for inserting the legs 17, 18 of the support element 3. The anchoring element 54 is embedded between the individual layers of the ski 2, in particular it is arranged between the upper chord 67 and the lower chord 68 and is partially enclosed by the filler 69 of the ski 2. The absolutely deflection-proof mounting of the anchoring element 54 in the ski body can optionally be increased by the projections 63, 64 designed in accordance with the previous descriptions or figures. Such embedding of the anchoring element 54 in the ski body preferably takes place directly during the manufacture of the sports equipment 1 or the ski 2.

In addition, it is also possible to provide a thread arrangement 130 on the outer casing of the anchoring element 54. This thread arrangement 130 has a relatively large pitch and relatively high thread flanks in order to be able to subsequently insert the anchoring element 54 into an already manufactured ski 2. In this case, a through hole 61 connecting the recesses 79, 80 lying opposite one another is provided, into which the anchoring element 54 with the thread arrangement 130 can be screwed in in a simple manner and is thereby anchored in the ski body in a tear-proof manner.

A98/00160 , .,

-26-

Anchoring element 54 has recesses 45, 46 arranged in the legs 17, 18 with a cross-section corresponding to the bearing pins 47, 48. These recesses 45, 46 can be designed as blind holes or as through holes in the legs 17, 18.
5

To mount the support element 3 on the ski 2, the pistons 111, 112 only have to be pushed into the sliding bush 114 against the action of the elastic pre-tensioning device 124, so that the bearing pins 47, 48 are at least flush with the end faces 126, 127 of the sliding bush 114. The support element 3 can then be inserted with the legs 17, 18 into the recesses 79, 80, and when the guide bores 117, 118 overlap or are aligned with the recesses 45, 46, the pistons 111, 112 are moved apart by the elastic preloading device 124, in particular by the compression spring 125, so that the bearing bolts 47, 48 engage in the recesses 45, 46 and produce the articulated connection 44 or also the articulated and guide device 49 in the rear end region of the support element 3.

The support element 3 can be coupled to the ski 2 in a simple manner by means of such an anchoring element 54 and is thereby connected to it in a highly stable manner. For automatic or tool-free coupling of the support element 3 to the ski 2, guide tracks 131, 132 can be provided on the legs 17, 18, which enable the support element 3 to be snapped onto the ski 2 without hindrance and automatically. These guide tracks 131, 132 are formed by beveled planes on the legs 17, 18, which, when the support element 3 is placed on the ski 2 and a pressure force acting in the vertical direction is applied to the ski 2, automatically drive the pistons 111, 112 into the sliding bushing 114 and then, when the recesses 45, 46 overlap, they protrude from the sliding bushing 114 again and engage in the recesses 45, 46. Such an anchoring element 54 or such a design of the support element 3 therefore enables the support element 3 with the ski binding to be mounted on the ski 2 with absolutely no tools. Accordingly, any support elements 3 with any ski bindings can be clicked or clipped onto a specific ski 2 in a simple manner.

For a possible disassembly of the support element 3 from the ski 2, the recesses 46 can be provided as through holes, via which the pistons 111, 112 or the bearing pins 47, 48 can be disengaged from the legs 17, 18 of the support element by pushing them back into the sliding bush 114.

can therefore be carried out at any time if required by forcing the pistons 111, 112 or the bearing pins 47, 48 into the sliding bush 114 using suitable means. Preferably, the recesses 45, 46 for mounting the support element 3 on the ski 2 can then be optionally closed with a plug 133 in order to prevent the ingress of ice or snow. 5

In addition, it is also possible to design the pistons 111, 112 without the heads 119, 120 if the recesses 45, 46 in the legs 17, 18 are designed as blind holes, via which the extension movement of the pistons 111, 112 from the sliding bush 114 is limited. In particular, with such a design it is also possible to design the pistons

- 111,112 via plugs 133 which can be screwed into the recesses 45, 46 from the outside in the

To limit the extension movement from the sliding bushing 114. Preferably, such plugs 133 are screwed into the legs 17, 18 and hold the pistons 111, 112 in such a way that they engage in the recesses 45, 46 on the one hand and are also guided in the sliding bushing 114 on the other. By removing the plugs 133 from the legs 17, 18, at least one piston 111, 112 can then be removed and the support element 3 can thereby also be detached from the ski 2.

Furthermore, it is possible to design the anchoring elements 54, 55 as bearing bushes 105, 106 integrated into the ski body - as can be seen in particular from Fig. 6 - which preferably connect opposite recesses 79, 80; 81, 82 via their inner guide hole, which is designed to receive and hold a preferably continuous bearing bolt 107, 108 or also to receive two pistons 111, 112. The support element 3 is then placed on the sports equipment 1 in such a way that the recesses 45, 46; 50, 51 are aligned with the inner bearing bores of the bearing bushes 105, 106, whereupon the bearing bolts 107, 108 can be inserted and connect the support element 3 to the ski 2 in an articulated manner. At least one of the opposite recesses 45, 46; 50, 51 can be designed as a blind hole-like recess which limits at least one axial displacement movement of the bearing pins 107, 108. After inserting the bearing pin 107, 108, the recess 46; 51 designed as a through hole can be closed with the plug 133 or the plug 133 can be screwed into the recess 46; 51 so that the bearing pin 107, 108 cannot fall out. The bearing pin 107 is preferably fixed so that it cannot be moved in the axial direction by screwing in or inserting the plug 133.

Regardless of the training presented, it is of course also possible to use the KoI-

ben 111, 112 the ScJieftReln 17, 18%ui:ilpj"$inen.iiciitiius*(3ie*seji itfc- unti dinfahrbar to design

and therefore the bearing pins 47, 48 which can be extended and retracted from the legs 17, 18 are to be assigned to a corresponding sliding bush 114 which is integrated in the ski body and can optionally also be formed as a blind hole-like recess. Such a design would represent an equivalent design to the previously described embodiment in detail.

The preceding description is not limited to the design of the anchoring element 54 in the front end region of the support element 3, but can of course also be applied in a corresponding manner to the anchoring element 55 assigned to the rear end region by assigning corresponding reference numerals.

Figures 8 and 9 show a further embodiment of the sports equipment 1 or of a support element 3 connected to the ski 2, which supports the ski binding 6. The same reference numerals are used for parts already described above, and previous descriptions can be applied analogously to the same parts with the same reference numerals.

The support element 3 is essentially U-shaped in cross-section over its entire longitudinal extent, ie the leg plates which protrude essentially at a right angle from the central plate part 32 extend continuously over the entire length of the plate part 32 forming the support surface 21 for the ski binding 6 or for the user's foot. The legs 17, 18; 19, 20 protruding on both sides of the plate part 32 therefore also extend over the central region 16 of the support element 3. In the assembly area of the support element 3 on the ski 2, continuous recesses 79, 80; 81, 82 corresponding to the shape of the legs 17, 18; 19, 20 are arranged in the side walls 83, 84 of the ski 2, into which recesses the legs 17, 18; 19, 20 of the support element 3 can be inserted in such a way that their outer surfaces 85, 86; 87, 88 are essentially stepless or flush with the side surfaces 89, 90 of the side cheeks 83, 84. Front ends 134, 135 of the support element 3 preferably form an acute angle with the support surface 21, ie the front surface areas of the support element 3 in the end regions 14, 15 extend conically from the running surface 27 in the direction of the support surface 21 or, in a side view - according to Fig. 8 - V-shaped boundary edges of the legs 17, 18; 19, 20 are formed in relation to the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2. The recesses 79, 80; 81, 82 in the longitudinal side areas of the ski 2 are, in relation to the side view according to Fig. 8, size _# p ge$»h,h| as the area of the continuous canal.

A98/00160

-29-

17, 18; 19, 20, so that between the boundary edges of the legs 17, 18; 19, 20 and the boundary edges of the recesses 79, 80; 81, 82 a free space is formed which allows a largely unhindered deformation of the ski 2 relative to the support element 3. Thus, in particular between the front ends 134, 135 and the boundary surfaces 99, 100 as well as between the longitudinal edges 136, 137 of the legs 17, 18; 19, 20 facing the running surface 27 and the lower boundary surface of the recesses 79, 80; 81, 82 free spaces 138, 139 are formed, which allow a largely free movement in relation to the rigid support element 3 in the event of deformations of the ski 2 and therefore in particular represent a compensation margin.

Of course, it is also possible to fill the free spaces 138, 139 with a filler that is relatively easy to deform and prevents ice and snow from settling in the free spaces 138, 139. The support element 3 is mounted transversely to the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2 in a largely immovable manner relative to the ski 2. This can be achieved in particular by the inner surfaces 91 to 94 resting largely without play on the boundary surfaces 95 to 98 of the recesses 79 to 82.

The support element 3 with the ski binding 6 is supported on the ski 2 via the anchoring elements 54, 55 integrated in the ski body or is connected to the ski 2 via these. The bolt-like elements 65, 66 assigned to the end regions 14, 15 are preferably integrated into the ski body during manufacture. The longitudinal extent of the bolt-like elements 65, 66 corresponds approximately to the width of the ski 2 in the assembly area for the ski binding 6, so that the bearing pins 47, 48; 52, 53 assigned to the end regions 14, 15 and preferably circular in cross-section protrude into the recesses 79, 80; 81, 82 or protrude over the boundary surfaces 95 to 98 of the recesses 79 to 82. The bearing pins 47, 48; 52, 53 firmly connected to the ski 2 are preferably integrated into the ski body during manufacture of the ski 2. 52, 53 are assigned corresponding recesses 45, 46; 50, 51 in the legs 17 to 20. The recesses 45, 46; 50 are worked into the leg plates in a slot-like manner starting from the boundary edges of the legs 17 to 20. Longitudinal center axes 140, 141 of the slot-shaped recesses 45, 46; 50, 51 worked into the legs 17 to 20 run essentially at right angles to one another when looking at a side area of the support element 3. For example, the longitudinal center axis 140 of the recesses 45, 46 runs essentially parallel to the running surface 27, whereas the longitudinal center axis 141 of the other slot-shaped recesses 50, 51 is aligned essentially perpendicular to the running surface 27 or perpendicular to the support surface. TheiABr&eesungej? Hejjs^hJitz'fQrrpjgen ÄiisnehötöngeiJ 45, 4J5 are so ge-

A98/00160 . ,,

-30-

is selected such that the support element 3 is guided on the ski 2 in the vertical direction via the bolt-shaped element 65 with as little play as possible, but is relatively displaceable in the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2. The dimensions of the further slot-shaped recesses 50, 51 in the end region 15 are selected such that the support element 3 is fixed immovably in relation to the longitudinal direction arrow 26 - of the ski 2. The support element 3 is supported via the recesses 45, 46; 50, 51 in relation to a vertical direction in each case rigidly on the bearing pins 47, 48; 52, 53.

The slot-shaped recesses 45, 46; 50, 51 are preferably machined into the legs 17 to 20 of the essentially U-shaped profile by means of a separate machining process, wherein the recesses 45, 46 are machined or milled into the legs 17, 18 starting from the front end 134 of the support element 3 in the longitudinal direction of the support element 3. The slot-shaped recesses 50, 51 in the end region 15 of the support element 3 are machined or milled into the legs 19, 20 starting from the longitudinal edges 136, 137 perpendicular to the support surface 21.

Due to the previously described design of the support element 3 and the recesses 45, 46; 50, 51, this can be easily mounted on the ski 2 via the bearing pins 47, 48; 52, 53. To mount the support element 3 with the ski binding 6 on the ski 2, the end region 14 must first be brought into operative connection with the ski 2 and then the end region 15 must be brought into operative connection with the bolt-shaped element 66. To do this, the bearing pins 47, 48 must simply be inserted into the recesses 45, 46 and then the recesses 50, 51 must be brought into engagement with the bearing pins 52, 53 or the end region 15 must be placed on the bearing pins 52, 53.

To ensure a secure connection of the support element 3 to the ski 2, at least one recess 50, 51 is assigned a locking element 142 that can be operated by the user of the sports equipment 1 and that selectively blocks an opening 143 of the recesses 50, 51. When the locking element 142 is deactivated, the opening 143 of the recesses 50, 51 is released, whereby the bearing pins 52, 53 can be inserted into the recesses 50, 51 or removed from them. The locking element 142 can then be activated by the user of the sports equipment 1, whereby the opening 143 is closed and separation of the support element 3 from the bearing pins 52, 53 is prevented. When the locking element 142 is activated, the end region 15 of the support element 3 is connected to the sports equipment 2 in an articulated manner, whereby translational movements

movements between the end points, the carrier axis 3*ifiid.der6 Sfchi52 largely

> · · &igr;&igr; * &igr;&igr;

-31-

are prevented.

In the embodiment shown, the locking member 142 is formed by a locking bolt 144 that can be moved in the longitudinal direction according to arrow 26. The locking bolt 144, which can be moved by the user of the sports equipment 1 using a handle 145, can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the support element 3 in a guide hole 146 in at least one leg 19, 20 of the support element 3. The locking bolt 144 of the locking member 142 is preferably pushed by a spring-elastic pre-tensioning device 147 into the end position in which the support element 3 is prevented from lifting off the ski 2. This spring-elastic pre-tensioning device 147, which is preferably formed by a compression spring 148, thus holds the locking bolt 144 in the rest or normal state in the end position in which the opening 143 of the slot-shaped recess 50, 51 is closed. When the locking bolt 144 is moved by means of the handle 145 against the force of the pre-tensioning device 147, the end region of the locking bolt 144 facing away from the compression spring 148 is removed from the recess 50, 51, whereby the opening 143 of the recess 50, 51 is completely exposed and the support element 3 can be lifted off the bearing pins 52, 53. The bearing devices 22, 23 in the front end region 14 of the support element 3 can then also be released and the support element together with the ski binding 6 can be removed from the ski 2.

A possible displacement path of the locking bolt 144 is selected to be at least as large as a projection of the locking bolt 144 from the guide bore 146 receiving the compression spring 148 relative to the locking position of the locking member 142. The longitudinal axis of the guide bore 146 runs essentially at right angles to the longitudinal center axis 141 of the recess 50, 51.

The guide bore 146 is preferably machined into the leg 19, 20 starting from the front end 135 in the longitudinal direction of the support element 3 and crosses the slot-shaped recess 50, 51. The locking bolt 144 is secured against falling out of the guide bore 146 running essentially parallel to the running surface 27 by the handle 145, which can preferably be screwed to the locking bolt 144, the handle 145 protruding radially from the locking bolt 144 and the displacement path of the locking bolt 144 being defined by a slot-like guide track 149 for the handle 145. The longitudinal extension of the guide track 149 runs parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the guide bore 146 for the locking bolt 144. In the end regions of the guide track 149 for the handle 145 -

as shown schematically - each locking bolt 144

A98/00160 .

··

-32-

A branch running along the guide track 149 may be provided, which enables the locking bolt 144 to be secured at the respective position of the branch by gripping behind it with the handle 145. In particular, by radially rotating the locking bolt 144 at the respective positions at which such a locking lug or branch is formed in the guide track 149, the handle 145 can become hooked onto this locking lug, as a result of which the locking bolt 144 is held in place in the respective position. When the handle 145 is pivoted back into the guide track 149 again, the locking bolt 144 is automatically forced into the locking position via the pretensioning device 147. In this locking position of the locking bolt 144, a locking lug or branch may also be provided in the guide track 149, which prevents the locking bolt 144 from automatically moving against the spring force into the release position of the locking member 142. The combined, translational and rotational movement of the locking bolt 144 via the handle 145, which is predefined via the guide track 149, can be realized with or without the effect of a pretensioning device 147.

The adjustment movements of the locking member 142 are similar to the adjustment movements of the locking piston of firearms.

The previous description thus again forms a detachable connecting device 128 between a ski binding 6 or between a support element 3 for a ski binding 6 and a ski 2, which can also be activated and deactivated by any user as well as by laypersons in a very short time and thereby replaces the usual binding assembly via screw connections to be carried out by experts.

The two anchoring elements 54, 55 are in turn arranged in the neutral zone or in the neutral layer - level 58 - of the ski body, which is formed in the ski body when bending stresses are directed perpendicular to the running surface 27. The anchoring elements 54, 55 can in turn be provided with projections 63, 64 for highly rigid fixing in the ski body, which run essentially parallel to the running surface 27.

The support element 3 is preferably formed from a pultruded or extruded profile made of aluminum, aluminum alloys, plastics or fiber-reinforced plastics with high bending strength and torsional rigidity. Preferably, each side wall 83, 84 of the ski 2 is assigned a locking member 142, which locks the support element 3 on each long side with the bearing pins 52, 53 and fixes it in place.

A98/00160

-33-

element 3 or the entire sports equipment 1.

As can be seen in particular from Fig. 9, the indentations or recesses 79 to 82 for the legs 17 to 20 of the support element 3 can be directly delimited by the material of the hard, outer shell 70, i.e. the recesses 79 to 82 in the ski body are already formed during the manufacture of the ski 2 by a one-piece shell 70 with corresponding indentations in the assembly area for the support element 3, whereby a ski structure is provided which is uniformly covered by the shell 70 and which reliably prevents liquids from penetrating the ski core.

10

Of course, it is also possible to achieve optimal watertightness for recesses 79 to 82 incorporated into the ski body after the manufacture of the ski 2 by subsequently coating their surfaces with a waterproof and/or elastic coating, such as varnish.

15

Fig. 10 shows another embodiment of an anchoring element 54, which is designed for the subsequent fixing of the same in the ski body and is used, for example, to hold a support element according to Fig. 8 on a ski. This bolt-shaped element 65 has the thread arrangement 129 in the central region on its outer circumference and a bearing pin 47, 48 with a circular cross-section is formed in each of the end regions related to its longitudinal direction. Blind hole-like locking elements 150 with a polygonal cross-section can be formed in the front ends of the bolt-shaped element 65, via which the bolt-shaped element 65 can be connected to a corresponding tool and can be set in rotation, whereby the locking element 150 can absorb a relatively high mechanical torque. The locking element 150 can, for example, have a square or hexagonal cross-section and the tool can be formed by an Allen key, for example, via which the corresponding torque can be transmitted to the bolt-shaped element 65. The bolt-shaped element 65 can therefore be coupled to the corresponding tool via this locking element 150 and can be screwed into a correspondingly prepared through hole in the ski body via the thread arrangement 129. The through hole extends from one side of the ski to the opposite side and runs essentially parallel to the running surface and transversely to the longitudinal direction of the ski. A diameter of this through hole is selected such that the thread arrangement 129 of the bolt-shaped element 65 engages in the ski body and pulls it out after screwing.

-34-

Fig. 11 shows a further embodiment of a largely fully automatic connecting device 128 between the ski binding or the support element 3 for the ski binding and the ski 2. In addition, a further embodiment of the locking element 142 on the connecting device 128 is shown to prevent arbitrary release of the support element 3 from the ski 2. The locking element 142 comprises a locking pawl 151 which is pivotally mounted about an axis 152 which runs parallel to the pivot axis 57 of the bearing pin 52. In the locking position of the locking device, the locking pawl 151 engages behind the surface area of the bearing pin 52 associated with the opening 143 of the recess 45 with a locking lug 153. This pivotally mounted locking pawl 151 is preferably urged into the locking position in the normal state via the pretensioning device 147, which is preferably formed by a compression spring 148, in which the bearing pin 52 is engaged behind by the locking lug 153 of the locking pawl 151 and thereby fixes the support element 3 immovably relative to the bearing pin 52, but allows rotational movements about the bearing pin 52 or about the pivot axis 57. The pawl 151 is preferably provided with the handle 145, which enables a comfortable pivoting of the pawl 151 against the action of the pre-tensioning device 147 about the axis 152, wherein the locking lug 153 is then moved out of the region of the recess 50 and thus releases the support element 3 from the ski 2.

The angle enclosed by the locking lug 153 between its boundary edges is preferably less than 90° or the locking lug 153 is designed at an acute angle, so that when the locking pawl 151 hits the bearing pin 52, it is automatically pivoted, for example, anti-clockwise and after the bearing pin 52 has been fully inserted into the recess 50, the locking pawl 151 automatically springs back and thus automatically puts the locking member 142 into the locking state. The design of such a pivotable locking pawl 151 with an acute-angled locking lug 153 that engages behind the bearing pin 52 in the locking state thus enables fully automated locking of the support element 3 on the ski 2, wherein the support element 3 only has to be clicked onto the ski 2. This fully automatic "click-in system" for the support element 3 with the ski binding for securing it to the ski 2 can of course also be used in all of the previously described embodiments.

In the locked state of the locking member 142, a locking edge 154 of the locking lug 153, which engages behind the bearing pin 52, runs essentially at right angles to the longitudinal center axis 141 of the slot-shaped arrangement and locks the opening 143 thereof.

-35-

If necessary, the handle 145 or the pivotable pawl 151 can also be assigned locking means which prevent unintentional pivoting of the pawl when the sports equipment 1 is in operation.

The pivot axes of the axis 152 and the pivot axis 57 of the bearing pin 52 lie approximately on the longitudinal center axis 141 of the recess 50 or in the extension thereof.

In Figs. 12 and 13, a further embodiment of a ski 2 or sports equipment 1 is shown, wherein the same reference numerals are used for previously described parts.

In this case, the support element 3 is also made up of several parts, in particular two parts, with the separating and/or joining region 35 running transversely to the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2 or the support element 3 approximately in the middle region 16 thereof. The support element parts 11, 13 formed in this way are in turn positively connected to one another in the separating and/or joining region 35 via a connecting device 12, in particular via a telescopic guide arrangement 155, and thus form the support element 3. The guide arrangement 155 enables the two support element parts 11, 13 to be moved relative to one another in the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - and away from one another. In the other spatial directions, the two support element parts 11, 13 are immovably fixed to one another via the guide arrangement 155. The guide arrangement 155 formed in the central region 16 of the support element 3 between the two support element parts 11, 13 in the illustrated embodiment can be formed by any guide formations known from the prior art between two profile parts. For example, the support element part 11 can be designed in such a way that it at least partially surrounds the support element part 13 on the outside and thus the support element part 13 can be pushed in and out of the support element part 11. Furthermore, as shown schematically, the support element part 13 can have a guide extension 156 with a circular or polygonal cross-section on the end region facing the support element part 11, which can be inserted into a corresponding guide recess 157 in the second support element part 11 with a corresponding cross-section. In the two end regions 14, 15 of the support element 3 related to the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2, the coupling parts 4, 5 of the ski binding 6 are each mounted in a longitudinal guide device 158, 159.

-36-

The longitudinal guide devices 158, 159 hold the coupling parts 4, 5 on the support element 3 and allow them to be adjusted in the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2 relative to the support element parts 11 and 13. In particular, the coupling part 4 is mounted on the support element part 11 via the longitudinal guide device 158 and can optionally be adjusted in the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - relative to it. Similarly, the coupling part 5 is mounted on the support element part 13 via the longitudinal guide device 159 and can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction - according to arrow 26 - relative to the support element part 13, guided by the longitudinal guide device 159. The longitudinal guide devices 158, 159 therefore allow the coupling parts 4, 5 to be adjusted in the longitudinal direction - according to arrow 26. In the other spatial directions, the coupling parts 4, 5 are largely fixed immovably. The coupling part 4, which is designed in particular as the front jaw of a safety ski binding, is connected via a connecting element 160 to the coupling part 5, which is designed in particular as the heel piece of a safety ski binding. The connecting element 160 connecting the two coupling parts 4, 5 can be formed, for example, by a connecting rod or a connecting band in a rigid or flexible design. The connecting element 160 is, however, designed in particular to be stretch-resistant, so that the coupling parts 4, 5 connected to one another via the connecting element 160 are held at the distance from one another determined by the connecting element 160. If necessary, the connecting element 160 can be designed to be adjustable in length via an adjusting and/or locking device 161 in order to be able to change the distance between the coupling parts 4, 5 and thus to be able to adapt the ski binding to different shoe sizes in a simple manner.

At least one coupling part 4 or 5 can be fixed in a fixed position relative to the respective support element part 11 or 13 via the adjustment and/or locking device 161. In the embodiment shown, the coupling part 4 or the front jaw is fixed in its relative position to the support element part 11 via the adjustment and/or locking device 161. The adjustment and/or locking device 161 has an actuating element 162 via which the coupling part 4 can be fixed in relative positions to the support element part 11 in the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - so that it is fixed in a fixed position in the desired position when the locking device is activated. The coupling part 5 is connected in terms of movement to the coupling part 4 via the connecting element 160 and remains freely sliding in the longitudinal guide device 159. Using the adjustment and/or locking device 161, the user of the sports equipment 1 can thus change the relative position of the entire ski binding 6 relative to the ski 2 or the support element 3, whereby the ski binding 6 is connected to the two coupling parts 4, 5

-37-

is maintained unchanged by the stretch-resistant connecting element 160. The actuating element 162 cooperates with a locking pin or the like, which, when the actuating element 162 is adjusted, optionally connects the coupling part 4 to the support element 3 or to its longitudinal guide device 158 in a movement-resistant manner. 5

The support element part 11 comprises the legs 17, 18 directed from the support surface 21 in the direction of the underlying ski 2, which are spaced apart from one another at a distance corresponding to the width of the ski 2. The end regions of the legs 17, 18 facing the ski 2 are articulated to the ski 2 via the bearing devices 22, 23. In the embodiment shown, the articulated connection 44 in the end region 14 of the support element part 11 with the ski 2 comprises connecting elements 163, which are formed in particular by a pair of fastening screws 164, 165, which can be screwed into the anchoring element 54 or 55 integrated into the ski body.

The anchoring element 54, 55 extends continuously between the two side surfaces 89, 90 of the side cheeks 83, 84 of the ski 2. Accordingly, the front ends of the anchoring elements 54, 55 are flush with the side surfaces 89, 90 of the ski 2. The legs 17, 18 rest with their inner surfaces 91, 92 over the entire surface on the side cheeks 83, 84 and on the front surfaces of the anchoring element 54, 55. To produce the articulated connection 44 between the support element part 11 and the ski 2, the connecting elements 163, in particular the fastening screws 164, 165, pass through one leg 17, 18 each via the recesses 45, 46 and are connected to the end regions of the anchoring element 54, 55 in a rigid and tear-proof manner. The fastening screws 164, 165, which are screwed or can be screwed into the two anchoring elements 54, 55, which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - via the side walls 83, 84 of the ski 2, transversely to the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the same and essentially parallel to the running surface 27, form the bearing pins 47, 48 for the articulated mounting of the support element part 11. The fastening screws 164, 165 are fixed in a rotationally secure manner after the support element part 11 has been attached and, as mentioned, form the bearing pins 47, 48 in a shaft part facing the screw head. The shaft part of the fastening screws 164, 165 preferably has a larger diameter than the threaded section of the fastening screws 164, 165 facing away from the screw head. The screw heads of the fastening screws 164, 165, in conjunction with the threads, enable the legs 17, 18 to fit snugly against the side surfaces 89, 90 of the ski 2 and

prevent a decline in the ScWibtVj, l«ö\cpi.den GagerzanFen 47, 48.:

-38-

In the front end area 14 of the support element 3, the legs 17, 18 form a pair of legs and in the rear end area 15 related to the direction of travel - arrow 26 - the legs 19, 20 also form a pair of legs, each of which extends to the underlying ski 2 and, when the support element 3 is in place, rests directly on the side walls 83, 84. The anchoring elements 54, 55 assigned to the pair of legs and integrated in the ski 2 are each located in the neutral zone or in the neutral layer - plane 58 - of the ski 2 when the latter is subject to bending stresses directed perpendicular to the running surface 27.

Furthermore, the anchoring elements 54, 55 are arranged on a common anchoring layer 166 integrated in the sandwich element 7. This plate-shaped anchoring layer 166, which accommodates the anchoring elements 54, 55 and connects them to one another, is aligned with its two large flat sides essentially parallel to the running surface 27. A longitudinal extension of the anchoring layer 166 runs parallel to the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - approximately over the entire length of the support element 3 or over the entire binding assembly area of the ski 2. The anchoring layer 166 is arranged in the neutral layer or in the neutral fiber - plane 58 - of the ski 2. The neutral layer of the ski 2 - plane 58 - runs parallel to the running surface 27 over the entire length of the ski 2, which is considered a composite material, and is essentially aligned parallel to the running surface 27 of the ski 2, provided that the latter is exposed to bending stresses directed perpendicular to the running surface 27.

A difference from the previously described embodiments is that the two pairs of legs, or the legs 17, 18 and the legs 19, 20 in the two mutually spaced end regions 14, 15, are connected to the ski 2 in an articulated manner via a respective joint connection 44 on the side walls 83, 84, and the longitudinal compensation device required for the free formability of the ski 2 is formed directly on the support element 3 in that the latter comprises at least two support element parts 11, 13 which are displaceable relative to one another via a guide arrangement 155 directed in the longitudinal direction - arrow 26. The guide arrangement 155 acting in the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - is thus realized via at least two support element parts 11, 13, wherein the two support element parts 11, 13 are each connected to the ski 2 in an articulated manner via a respective articulated connection 44 with pivot axes 56, 57 running transversely to the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - and aligned essentially parallel to the running surface 27.

- 39 - ■

Instead of arranging the guide arrangement 155 in the middle area 16 of the support element 3, it is also possible to arrange both coupling parts 4, 5 of the ski binding 6 on just one support element part 11 and thus to provide the guide arrangement 155, for example, in the end area 15 of the support element 3. In this case, the connecting element 160 can then be omitted and both coupling parts 4, 5 can be held directly on the one support element part 11 or carried by it. The longitudinal compensation via the guide arrangement 155 can then take place by the relative displacement of the support element part 13 relative to the support element part 11, for example in the rear end area 15 of the support element part 13. If necessary, it is also possible to reinforce the bearing devices 22 to 25 via support cams 167 to 170. These support cams 167 to 170 protrude from the inner surfaces 91 to 94 of the legs 17 to 20 or from the underside 31 of the support element 3 and form a linear support surface on the upper side 30 of the ski 2. These support cams 167 to 170 thus provide additional support for the support element part 13 on the upper side 30 or on the upper cover layer or shell 70 of the ski 2. The linear contact surfaces between the ski 2 and the support cams 167 to 170 arranged on the support element 3 are achieved by support bodies with an arcuate outer surface, wherein the surface of the ski 2 or the cover layer of the ski 2 runs tangentially to the outer surfaces of these support cams 167 to 170. The contact surface is arranged essentially vertically above the pivot axes 56, 57. The support cams 167 to 170 result in a direct, low-loss force transmission from the support element 3 to the running edges 71, 72 of the ski 2, since they transmit the force directly via the legs of the shell 70 to the running edges 71, 72. Impairments to the joint connection 44 between the support element 3 and the ski 2 are negligible with appropriate dimensions or with appropriately soft support cams 167 to 170, but nevertheless result in a stabilization of the connection device between the support element 3 and the ski 2 as well as an undelayed introduction of force into the ski 2 and vice versa.

The anchoring elements 54, 55 have a polygonal, e.g. square, cross-section in cross-section, i.e. viewed transversely to the longitudinal direction - arrow 26 - of the ski 2, but can also take on a circular or any other cross-sectional shape. The anchoring elements 54, 55 can in turn be integrated in the core 8 of the ski 2, which can be made of wood or other core building materials, or the anchoring layer 166 receiving the anchoring elements 54, 55 is fixed in the ski core.

If necessary, the *pJa%jjfojmig*e _# Vf rankef&ngsj&ge. 1 66iiid block-like event

&bull; * &diams; »

-40-

anchoring elements 54, 55 via slot-shaped openings with a corresponding cross-section arranged in them, so that the distance between the two anchoring elements 54, 55 can be adapted to different lengths of support elements 3 by simply moving them on the reinforcement layer 166 before embedding them. 5

In summary, it can be stated that the support element 3 for the ski binding 6 is supported in each of its end areas 14, 15 on the anchoring elements 54, 55 or anchoring layers 166 integrated in the ski body and arranged in the neutral zone - level 58 - of the same, or is connected to them. Furthermore, the support element 3 for receiving several coupling parts 4, 5 of the ski binding 6 is attached to the ski 2 on its side walls 83, 84 in the decentralized areas, which are spaced apart from one another approximately according to the length of the boot.

Finally, for the sake of clarity, it should be pointed out that in order to better understand the structure of the sports equipment 1, this equipment or its components have been shown partly out of scale and/or enlarged and/or reduced.

Claims (53)

1. Ski, in particular alpine ski, with several layers arranged between a running surface covering and a cover layer, which form at least one sandwich element with a core arranged between the layers and the ski has anchoring elements spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction, which run essentially transversely to the longitudinal direction and essentially parallel to the running surface of the ski and are provided starting from the side walls of the ski for holding a ski binding mounted on a support element, characterized in that the support element ( 3 ) is designed in several parts, in particular in two parts, and the two support element parts ( 11 , 13 ) are each connected in an articulated manner to the ski ( 2 ) via a respective articulated connection ( 44 ) with pivot axes ( 56 , 57 ) running transversely to the longitudinal direction - arrow ( 26 ) - and aligned essentially parallel to the running surface ( 27 ), and each support element part ( 11 , 13 ) has a respective coupling part ( 4 , 5 ) of the ski binding ( 6 ) is mounted in a respective longitudinal guide device ( 158 , 159 ) and legs ( 17 to 20 ) of the support element parts ( 11 , 13 ) or of the ski binding ( 6 ) extend in groove-shaped recesses ( 79 to 82 ) provided on side walls ( 83 , 84 ) of the ski ( 2 ). 2. Ski according to claim 1, characterized in that the anchoring elements ( 54 , 55 ) extend at least over a partial area of a width of the ski ( 2 ). 3. Ski according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the anchoring elements ( 54 , 55 ) extend at least over a portion of the length of the ski ( 2 ). 4. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anchoring elements ( 54 , 55 ) are formed by an anchoring layer ( 166 ) which extends substantially in or parallel to the neutral layer plane ( 58 ) of the ski ( 2 ). 5. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anchoring element ( 54 , 55 ) and/or the anchoring layer ( 166 ) has a plurality of receiving points for fastening the ski binding ( 6 ) distributed in the longitudinal direction - arrow ( 26 ) - and/or in the vertical direction. 6. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a layer of material with high tensile strength is arranged between the cover layer and the running surface covering ( 28 ). 7. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a support element ( 3 ) which is relatively dimensionally stable in relation to the ski ( 2 ) and supports the ski binding ( 6 ) is connected in an end region ( 14 ) via the articulated connection ( 44 ) to an anchoring element ( 54 ) in the ski ( 2 ) in a rotational manner and in the further end region ( 15 ) via a joint and guide device ( 49 ) to the further anchoring element ( 55 ) in a rotational and translational manner. 8. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element ( 3 ) is supported in each of its end regions ( 14 , 15 ) on the anchoring elements ( 54 , 55 ) integrated in the ski body and arranged in the neutral zone - plane ( 58 ) - of the same. 9. Ski according to claim 7, characterized in that the articulated connection ( 44 ) and the articulated and guide device ( 49 ) form the two pivot axes ( 56 , 57 ) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction - arrow ( 26 ) - and substantially parallel to the running surface ( 27 ) of the ski ( 2 ) for pivoting the ski ( 2 ) relative to the support element ( 3 ) as well as a guide track pointing in the longitudinal direction - bearing ( 26 ) - of the ski ( 2 ) to enable a relative displacement between one end of the support element ( 3 ) and the ski ( 2 ). 10. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anchoring element ( 54 , 55 ) and/or the anchoring layer ( 166 ) is formed by a multi-layer component, in particular by a sandwich component. 11. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anchoring element ( 54 , 55 ) and/or the anchoring layer ( 166 ) extends at least over the entire length of the ski binding ( 6 ). 12. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anchoring element ( 54 , 55 ) is formed by a bolt-shaped element ( 65 , 66 ) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction - arrow ( 26 ) - of the ski ( 2 ) and anchored in the ski ( 2 ) or by a corresponding bearing bush ( 105 , 106 ). 13. Ski according to claim 12, characterized in that the bolt-shaped element ( 65 , 66 ) or the bearing bush ( 105 , 106 ) is provided with projections ( 63 , 64 ) projecting over its outer surface in the radial direction. 14. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the longitudinal direction - arrow ( 26 ) - of the ski ( 2 ) several anchoring elements ( 54 , 55 ) running parallel to one another are arranged next to one another and preferably at a distance from one another. 15. Ski according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the bolt-shaped element ( 65 , 66 ) or the bearing bush ( 105 , 106 ) projects outward beyond side walls ( 83 , 84 ) of the ski ( 2 ). 16. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anchoring element ( 54 , 55 ) is embedded between two core parts of the core ( 8 ) arranged one above the other perpendicular to the running surface ( 27 ). 17. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anchoring element ( 54 , 55 ) is arranged within the cross-section of the core ( 8 ) running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction - arrow ( 26 ) - of the ski ( 2 ) and is provided with bearing pins ( 47 , 48 ; 52 , 53 ) penetrating the side walls ( 83 , 84 ) of the ski ( 2 ). 18. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element ( 3 ) is connected to the anchoring element ( 54 , 55 ) via connecting elements ( 163 ), in particular fastening screws ( 164 , 165 ), aligned approximately parallel to the running surface covering ( 28 ). 19. Ski according to claim 18, characterized in that the connecting elements ( 163 ), in particular the fastening screws ( 164 , 165 ), penetrate the flank regions or side surfaces (89, 90) of the ski ( 2 ). 20. Ski according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the connecting elements ( 163 ) pass through the legs ( 17 to 20 ) of the support element ( 3 ) which are aligned substantially parallel to the side walls ( 83 , 84 ) of the ski ( 2 ). 21. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a support surface ( 21 ) for the ski binding ( 6 ) or for the user's foot is held on a plate part (32) of the support element ( 3 ) at a distance ( 29 ) above an upper side ( 30 ) of the cover layer of the ski ( 2 ) via the legs ( 17 to 20 ) . 22. Ski according to claim 21, characterized in that a lower side ( 31 ) of the central plate part ( 32 ) of the support element ( 3 ) is arranged at a distance ( 33 ) above the upper side ( 30 ) of the ski ( 2 ). 23. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the multi-part support element ( 3 ) is assembled via a connecting device ( 12 ) to form the one-piece support element ( 3 ). 24. Ski according to claim 23, characterized in that the connecting device ( 12 ) is formed by a fastening element ( 40 ) which detachably connects the support element parts ( 11 , 13 ). 25. Ski according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the connecting device ( 12 ) connects the support element parts ( 11 , 13 ) in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner via screws ( 41 ). 26. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a separation and/or joining region ( 35 ) of the support element ( 3 ) or of the support element parts ( 11 , 13 ) runs in the longitudinal direction - arrow ( 26 ) - of the ski ( 2 ) or of the support element ( 3 ). 27. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element ( 3 ) is divided in the longitudinal direction - arrow ( 26 ) - of the ski ( 2 ) and guide devices for the two support element parts ( 11 , 13 ) of the support element ( 3 ) are arranged in an overlapping region. 28. Ski according to claim 27, characterized in that the leg plates ( 36 , 37 ) of the support element parts ( 11 , 13 ), each connected to two legs ( 17 , 19 ; 18 , 20 ), extend over a partial area of the width of the ski ( 2 ) and overlap one another. 29. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separating and/or joining region ( 35 ) between the support element parts ( 11 , 13 ) runs transversely to the longitudinal direction - arrow ( 26 ) - of the ski ( 2 ). 30. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting device ( 12 ) comprises a guide arrangement ( 155 ) which guides the support element parts ( 11 , 13 ) in the longitudinal direction - arrow ( 26 ) - so as to be movable relative to one another. 31. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element ( 3 ) is designed in two parts and the telescopic guide arrangement ( 155 ) is arranged between the pair of legs extending in the vertical direction from the legs ( 17 , 18 ) in the front end region ( 14 ) and the pair of legs ( 19 , 20 ) also extending in the vertical direction in the rear end region ( 15 ) of the support element ( 3 ). 32. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the coupling parts ( 4 , 5 ) is immovably connected to the corresponding support element part ( 11 , 13 ) and the further coupling part ( 4 , 5 ) is mounted in the longitudinal guide device ( 158 or 159 ) arranged on the associated support element part ( 11 , 13 ) so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction - arrow ( 26 ) - of the ski ( 2 ) and is connected to the first coupling part ( 4 or 5 ) via a stretch-resistant connecting element ( 160 ). 33. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a detachable connecting device ( 128 ) is arranged between the support element ( 3 ) and the anchoring element ( 54 , 55 ). 34. Ski according to claim 33, characterized in that the connecting device ( 128 ) can be activated and/or deactivated without tools by mere manual actuation. 35. Ski according to claim 33 or 34, characterized in that the connecting device ( 128 ) is formed by a preferably lockable snap closure. 36. Ski according to claim 34, characterized in that the anchoring element ( 54 , 55 ) forms the detachable connecting device ( 128 ) which comprises at least one piston ( 111 , 112 ) displaceably guided in a hollow cylindrical sliding bush ( 114 ) transversely to the longitudinal direction - arrow ( 26 ) - of the ski ( 2 ). 37. Ski according to claim 36, characterized in that the sliding bush ( 114 ) supports two pistons ( 111 , 112 ) which are axially adjustable relative to one another and a spring-elastic pretensioning device ( 124 ) acts between the end regions facing one another, which urges the two pistons ( 111 , 112 ) into the greatest possible distance from one another. 38. Ski according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in that the end regions of the pistons ( 111 , 112 ) facing away from one another form the bearing pins ( 47 , 48 ; 52 , 53 ) for the support element ( 3 ). 39. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing pins ( 47 , 48 ; 52 , 53 ) of the anchoring elements ( 54 , 55 ) integrated in the ski ( 2 ) have a circular cross-section and engage in corresponding recesses ( 45 , 46 ; 50 , 51 ) in the legs ( 17 , 18 ; 19 , 20 ) of the support element ( 3 ). 40. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in an end region ( 14 ) of the support element ( 3 ), starting from a front end ( 134 ) in the legs ( 17 , 18 ) of the support element ( 3 ), slot-shaped recesses ( 50 , 51 ) open on one side run essentially parallel to the support surface ( 21 ) and in the direction of the further end region ( 15 ), and in the further end region ( 15 ), slot-shaped recesses ( 45 , 46 ) open on one side run essentially at right angles to the first recesses ( 50 , 51 ) in the legs ( 18 , 19 ). 41. Ski according to claim 40, characterized in that at least one opening ( 143 ) of the slot-shaped recess ( 45 , 46 ) pointing in the vertical direction is assigned a locking member ( 142 ) which selectively blocks and releases this opening ( 143 ). 42. Ski according to claim 41, characterized in that the locking member ( 142 ) comprises a locking bolt ( 144 ) which is adjustable substantially transversely to a longitudinal central axis ( 141 ) of the recess ( 45 , 46 ). 43. Ski according to claim 41, characterized in that the locking member ( 142 ) comprises a locking pawl ( 151 ) which can be pivoted about an axis ( 152 ) running parallel to the pivot axis ( 56 , 57 ) of the bearing pins ( 47 , 48 ; 52 , 53 ) and which, in the active position, engages behind the bearing pin ( 47 , 48 ; 52 , 53 ) on the anchoring element ( 54 , 55 ) with a locking lug ( 153 ). 44. Ski according to claim 43, characterized in that in the active position of the locking member ( 142 ) the locking pawl ( 151 ) rests with a locking edge ( 154 ) on the surface area of the bearing pin ( 47 , 48 ; 52 , 53 ) facing the opening ( 143 ). 45. Ski according to claim 44, characterized in that in the active position of the locking member ( 142 ) the locking edge ( 154 ) on the locking lug ( 153 ) extends substantially at right angles to the longitudinal center axis ( 141 ) of the recess ( 45 , 46 ). 46. Ski according to claim 45, characterized in that the locking edge ( 154 ) forms an acute angle with the further limiting edge of the locking lug ( 153 ). 47. Ski according to claim 43, characterized in that the pivot axis ( 56 , 57 ) and the axis ( 152 ) lie on the longitudinal center axis ( 141 ) of the recess ( 45 , 46 ) or cross it. 48. Ski according to one or more of claims 42 to 47, characterized in that the locking bolt ( 144 ) or the locking pawl ( 151 ) of the locking member ( 142 ) is urged into the active position via a spring-elastic pretensioning device ( 147 ). 49. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anchoring element ( 54 , 55 ) and/or the anchoring layer ( 166 ) extends only over a part of the width of the ski ( 2 ) in the neutral layer of the ski ( 2 ) receiving them - plane ( 58 ). 50. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that several anchoring layers ( 166 ) and/or anchoring elements ( 54 , 55 ) are arranged in the longitudinal direction - arrow ( 26 ) - of the ski ( 2 ) at a distance from the fastening points of the ski binding ( 6 ). 51. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anchoring elements ( 54 , 55 ) for receiving and supporting the support element ( 3 ) are permanently integrated in the ski ( 2 ) and connected to the anchoring layer ( 166 ). 52. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anchoring element ( 54 , 55 ) has vertical holding arms extending within the outer perimeter of the ski ( 2 ) in the region of the side walls ( 83 , 84 ) in the direction of the upper side ( 30 ) of the cover layer and projecting beyond it for fastening the support element ( 3 ) and/or coupling parts ( 4 , 5 ) of the ski binding ( 6 ) or a longitudinal guide device ( 158 , 159 ) for the coupling parts ( 4 , 5 ). 53. Ski according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vertical holding arms are connected to the anchoring elements ( 54 , 55 ) and/or to the support element ( 3 ) or to the coupling part(s) ( 4 , 5 ) via a joint with at least one pivot axis ( 56 , 57 ) running approximately parallel to the running surface ( 27 ) and transversely to the longitudinal direction - arrow ( 26 ) - of the ski ( 2 ).