WO2001080959A1

WO2001080959A1 - A plate device for the optimization of the bending and reactivity and with anti-vibrating functions for use in skiing

Info

Publication number: WO2001080959A1
Application number: PCT/IT2000/000409
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio Guidi; Filippo Carpani
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-04-20
Filing date: 2000-10-13
Publication date: 2001-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 2002-10-20
Also published as: IT1317020B1; ITRM20000216A0; ITRM20000216A1

Abstract

A plate device for the optimization of the bending and reactivity and with anti-vibrating functions for use in skiing, placed between the bindings and the surface of the ski, allowing the free longitudinal bending, improving the dynamic reactivity thereof and reducing its vibration, consisting of four structures: two containing structures (1) linked to the ski, and two sliding ones (2) to which the bindings are fixed which, through eyelets (34), allow the ski not to be influenced in its buckling by the stiffening of boot and binding.

Description

"A PLATE DEVICE FOR THE OPTIMIZATION OF THE BENDING AND REACTIVITY AND WITH ANTI- VIBRATING FUNCTIONS FOR USE IN SKIING"

The present invention concerns a plate device for the best exploitation of tlie conventional skis, tl e longitudinal bending whereof is highly stressed, maldng up the main feature for an optimization of high level siding in active conduction.

A damping device is known to tlie art for a coupling device between boots and skis, described in French patent no. 2 666 512, in Swiss patent no. CH 684 313 A5 and, in particular, in Austrian patents nos. AT 402 476 B and AT 403 994 B, having the following features:

- a plate consisting of two different and unique elements arranged on tlie same plane;

- a damping element placed between the two structures, which - during tlie dinamic action of the ski, is subjected to compression;

- the sliding of tlie two structures towards tlie centre of the plate when tlie ski buckles;

- a plurality of holes for the fixing elements (screws) of tlie shoe and of the heel;

- systems for guiding the longitudinal sliding consisting of forks for containing the sliding and of sliding tracks. It is tlie aim of the present invention to realize a high performance device with the following features: - the plate between the two constituent elements has an elastomer having the sole function of aesthetic and non reagent connection to the buddings of the ski, as there is no sliding towards the centre of the ski; - when tlie ski gets buckled said plate has a sliding on the containing structure that occurs towards the (front and back) ends of said plate;

- each single element of said plate has, between the sliding and tlie containing structure, a plurality of elastomers which regulate said sliding: it shall be noted that the plate of the cited

Austrian patent has no elastomers as the single element is not divided into two structures;

- the lack of holes: they are obtained according to tlie binding to be mounted; - guiding systems for the longitudinal sliding;

- containing structures having, in their extreme part an end that, during the buckling of the ski, ftirther compresses the elastomer on the extreme thus causing a double squeezig of the same and enlarging the reaction thereof; - special anti-vibrating material is arranged between the lower part of the containing structure and the surface of the ski, so as to realize a plate that supplies free bending to the ski, without varying tlie initial centre, as well as a considerable reactvity.

The aims set forth are reached by means of the plate device accordmg to the present invention, mainly consisting of four structures: two containing structures linked to the ski and two sliding stractures to which the bindings are connected which, tlirough the eyelets, allow the ski not to be influenced in its buckling, by tlie stiffening of the boot and binding and therefore consisting of:

- two containing structures for creating resting points for special elastomers and for forming sliding planes for the structures to which they get coupled by means of two screws and three bushings; the particular realization thereof also has an end which, during the buckling of the ski, further compresses the elastomer placed at the extremes, thus causing a double squeezing of the same and enlarging its reaction;

- two sliding structures to which the ski bindings are fixed, the main fiinc tion whereof consists in allowing the free moving of the ski by means of the sliding towards the extremes of the plate, said sliding structures having transversal grooves which allow said rigid structures to conform to the natural bending of the ski;

- special elastomers placed at the extreme parts of said sliding structures, having a different density according to tlie use and to the user; - a central elastomer with the sole fimction of aesthetic and not functional connection;

- a damping element arranged between the containing structures and the ski, with a particular alveolar weft surface working , placed towards the ski for increasing the damping effect; - an active compression, external to the area of the ski bindings;

- a system for fixing the plate by means of self-threading screws and bushing with tlie double function of fixing and sliding of the supports inside the containing structures, regulated by said elastomers placed at the extremes, while the latter perform a double action: they improve the elastic return and they regulate tlie bending of the ski according to the hardness thereof. The elastomer placed between the two stractures improves the homogeneity of tlie mechanic buckling of the ski witliout modifying its initial geometric features but it does not actively participate in the functioning of the plate, due to its position between two pairs of screws. In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, tlie dimensions of the same may be the following: length: 621 mm, width: 58 mm and height: 15 mm.

The device according to the present invention has been realized for agonistic use as it is able to make the ski highly elastic and gives the same also a high precision in the transmission of tlie movement.

The plate does not alter the peculiar features of the sl and is particularly suited for tourist or athlete skiers.

The rigid insert and the containing stractures, preferably out of plastic material, may also be realized out of ferrous or non- ferrous material, aluminium and its alloys, titanium, laminate wood and compound materials.

The elastomers, out of rubber materials, may be special mini leaf springs or springs. Materials with silicone, wood, plastic, rubber or cork base are used as anti-vibrating materials. The present invention will be described more in detail hereinbelow relating to the enclosed drawings in wliich some embodiments are shown.

Figures 1 and 2 show a lateral scheme and the plan of a plate device for the optimization of the bending and reactivity and with anti-vibrating functions for use in skiing.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 show a lateral, top and bottom view of a containing stracture with passing tlirough holes for the sliding bushings and a projection for the improvement of the contact between the containing stracture and the ski.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show an exemplification of a sliding stracture with sliding eyelets and joint projections for blocking the elastomers.

Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 show the various sections of the sliding structure.

Figures 13, 14 and 15 show a top, lateral and section view of a sliding bushing.

Figures 16, 17, 18 and 19 respectively show a vertical section, a top view, a lateral scheme and a bottom view of a variant of the device according to the present invention with an active prominence.

Figures 20, 21 and 22 show a lateral scheme, a section and a plan of a variant of the device according to the present invention with extroversions which, tlirough tliree resting points - two of which are sliding - has the maximum bending capacity with a high torsional resistance.

Figures 23, 24 and 25 show the relative realization details. Figure 26 shows a square section of the filling element of above mentioned variant.

Figures 27-32 show the sections and the views of tlie sliding system of above mentioned variant. Figures 33 and 34 show a plan and a lateral view of an antifriction blade.

The enclosed figures show a plate device for the optimization of the bending and reactivity and with anti-vibrating functions for use in skiing, placed between the bindings and the surface of the ski, thus allowing the free bending thereof in longitudinal sense, improving its dinamic reactivity and reducing the vibration thereof, comprising:

- two containing stractures 1 that will form resting points for special elastomers 3 and 4 so as to realize sliding planes for sliding structures 2, placed on said stractures 1 by means of fixing elements;

- bushings 6;

- walls 7 of said stractures 1 with resting functions for said elastomers 3 and 4; - an extremity 8 placed in the extreme part of said stractures 1 which, during the buckling of the ski, further compresses said elastomer 3 placed at the extremities so as to determine a double squeezing thereof, enlarging its reaction;

- a projection of said stractures 1 for blocking a central elastomer 9; - a sliding plane 5 which, at the extremity of said structures 1, shows two holes 10 towards tlie centre of the plate having tlie function of joint with said sliding stracture 2;

- two holes 11 and a hole 12 for the passing and joint of said sliding bushing 6, placed on the part towards the outside of the plate of the sliding plane 5;

- a projection 13 for improving the contact between said structure 1 and tlie sld, in the lower outline of holes 11 and 12;

- holes 22 in said structures 2 for the passing of fixing elements or sliding screws and eyelets 14 and 15, placed in a triangle;

- transversal grooves 16, performed in the lower part in contact with said containing structure 1 for allowing said rigid sliding stractures 2 to fit the natural curving of the ski;

- ribbings 17, placed in the lower part of said sliding stractures 2, in contact with said stracture 1 for giving mechanic resistance for the longitudinal bending and torsion;

- cavities 18 in said structures 2, performed in the lower part in contact with said structure 1, which may be filled with material 23 for damping the vibrations, applied by sticking, hot or cold vulcanization or by bi-injection;

- projections 19 of said stractures 2, placed at the extremities, having the fimction of blocking said elastomers 3 and 4;

- cylindric projections 20 of said structures 2 having the function of a joint in said holes 10 of said structures 1 and of resting on tlie ski.

Said elastomers 3 are subject to compression with a relative reaction and to active compression with the relative reaction wliich occurs in tlie area outside tlie ski bindings, and tliey may be independent bodies or united by of sticking, cold or hot vulcanization or bi-injected to said stractures 1 or 2.

An elastomer 9 may be placed between said containing stractures with aesthetic connection functions and not reacting to the bucklings of the ski, as it is placed between two pairs of constraints as an independent body or united by sticking or in any other way.

In a possible variant of the device according to the present invention, anti-vibrating material 21 is placed between the lower part of said stracture 1 and the surface of tlie ski, in the shape of independent body or united to the lower part of said stractures 1, even with a working, on one or on both surfaces, whereby said material increases the exposed surface with the consequent increase, with the same material, of damping power.

In possible variants of the device according to the present invention, said elastomers 4 - placed between said stractures 1 and 2 in the area nearest to the centre of the plate, may be eliminated and replaced by a projection of said sliding structure 2, while the central elastomere 9 may be absent.

Said sliding stractures 2 may have cavities provided with eyelets turned towards said stracture 1 which may house particular fixing and sliding bushings, linked to the ski.

Above mentioned elastomers 3, 4 and 9 may be replaced by springs.

In tlie variant of the device according to the present invention shown in figures 16, 17, 18 and 19, the device is provided with a structure 24 having the function of fixing the bindings and of sliding on the ski's surface to which it is coupled by means of screws and bushings, resting on the surface of the ski, and that allows, by sliding towards the extremity of the plate, tlie free movement of the ski during the deed and has, in its extreme part, an extremity 8 and, in the most external part of the plate, a plurality of sliding eyelets 26, 27, placed at the top of a triangle and that contain the busliings that comiect said sliding structure to the sld, and a plurality of transversal grooves 16 placed in the lower part, in contact with the ski, for allowing tlie same the fitting to the natural curving of the sld, and ribbings 17, in the lower part, for supplying to said structure 24 tlie right mechanic resistance, for the longitudinal bending and torsion.

The cavities 18 in the lower part of said structure 24 may be filled with material 23 for damping the vibrations, that may be applied by means of sticking, cold or hot vulcanization or by bi- injection.

Also in this variant the insertion of an elastomer may be arranged in tlie area between the outer sliding bushings and the extremity, whereby said elastomer is subject to compression during tlie buckling of the ski.

The variant of the device according to the present invention shown in figures 20-34 has been realized so as to exploit to the maximum the newest, very short and flexible skis, with the following purposes:

- to create the less possible obstacle to tiie bending of the ski, without any loss of centrality to the slder; - to help modern apparatuses to resist the torsion they are subject during the skiing deed.

The aims set forth are reached by means of a device as above described, but provided with a main stracture 28 with an extroversion geometry with wing shape, so as to form an elastic sliding system 29 raised from the plane of the ski because it occurs on two supports 30 with an S-shaped geometry, wherein said man stracture 28 and said supports 30 are connected between each other with a special sliding teπninal 31 which, by means of tliree resting points - two of which are sliding - is able to unite the maximum flexibility with a high torsional resistance, and comprising:

- folds 32-33 in tiie extreme (front and back) parts with the function of torsional stiffening, and one of said folds is placed in the extreme (front or back) part with a more accentuated angle with respect to the other part;

- eyelets 34 in the extreme (front or back) parts, with the function of sliding and fixing;

- two holes 35 placed on the transversal axis of said main structure 28, for the passing of the screws;

- a central upwards curving so as not to hinder the buckling of tlie ski and an inclination towards the front or back part of the plate;

- two holes 36 placed in the area of the curving of the plate, having the function of passage for the fixing elements (screws) of the filling element 37; - holes 38 for the passing of the screws and holes 39 in said supports 30 for the support of said S-shaped stracture 28, for the hooking of the sliding end part 31 and with the main structure 28 and with the supports 30; - folds 40 of said supports 30 which assure a particular elasticity and torsional rigidity to said supports;

- projections 41 of the sliding end part 31, which assure the joint in tlie sliding eyelets 34 of the main stracture 28;

- holes 42 for the passing of the fixing elements; - lateral walls 43 of the sliding end parts 31, which cover the mechanism;

- anti-friction blades 44, between said main structure 28 and said supports 30;

- holes 45 for the passing of the fixing elements; - an anti- vibration material 46 having also an aesthetic fimction, fixed in the lower part, of the straight area 47 of the main stracture 28, that may be an independent body or united by means of sticking, cold or warm vulcanization or injected at the lower part of the main structure; - differentiated folds, placed in the front and back parts of the plate, different one from the other in so far as the back fold has a smaller angle than the front one and therefore allows to improve the torsional resistance of the back part of the plate, which is the area most exposed to this stress. In a practical realization, the device according to the present invention shows, at a functioning level, the following features: - a central curve resting: in the realization phase of the plate, tlie central resting receives an upward curving, such as not to interfere with the buckling to which the ski is subject during curving, and not to vary the natural centre of the ski; the hooking of tlie plate to the ski takes place by meanas of two screws placed in the central point of the curving, while the plate may be realized with a frontward inclination that allows to improve the centrality of the slder, with a backward inclination for increasing the pressure onto the spatula of the ski or parallel to the plain of the ski.

An alternative system to above described passive sliding completes the S-shaped supports with ball- or roll-bearings etc., or to use sliding rolls or magnetic mechanisms for making the system active. End parts 31 placed at the two extremities of the plate and mounted in a joint in the sliding eyelets have the double fimction of assuring tiie sliding of the main stracture onto said S-shaped supports and to fix tiie latter to said supports, besides being a cover and protection of the mechanism. The central element 37, that is a filling stracture per increasing the mounting surface of the bindings on the plate, is linked to the main stracture by means of two screws.

The main stracture is preferably out of aluminium alloys, like the S-shaped supports, but in a variant also carbon, plastic materiale, ferrous and non-ferrous materials, titanium, resins and laminate wood or compound materials. The fixing end parts of plastic maternal may also be out of ferrous and non-ferrous material, aluminium and alloys thereof, titanium etc.

The central element of plastic material may also be realized out of ferrous and non-ferrous material, aluminium and alloys thereof, titanium etc.

The aluminium structure with a special extroversion geometry with wing shape for reducing to a minimum the stiffening area of the sld, has at its two extremities two S-shaped supports which have a triple function: a supporting function, the fimction of supplying to the plate a sliding plain above the sld in so far as, when the ski bends in a curve, tiie two S-shaped supports get near and allow the free bending of the ski; this function is assured by the special S-shape of the supports and is performed in synergy with the main stracture. The whole elasticity of the stracture assures the damping effect. The S-shaped supports with their special folds assure torsional rigidity to the plate. The main stracture and the two S-shaped supports are united by two fixing end parts sliding in two eyelets obtained in the main stracture. The two anti-friction blades and the sliding end parts get fixed to the two S-shaped supports by means of two self-tapping or three-lobbed screws. The main structure and the S-shaped supports are fixed to the sld by means of self-threading screws. The damping material is vulcanized below the wing stracture. As in all existing plates, also above described plate is screwed to tiie sld but, in a possible variant according to the present invention, the integration of ti e containing stracture to tiie ski may be perfomed.

Claims

1. A plate device for the optimization of the bending and reactivity and with anti-vibrating functions for use in skiing, placed between the bindings and the surface of the ski, allowing the free longitudinal bending, improving the dinamic reactivity thereof and reducing its vibration, characterized in:

- two containing stractures (1) that will form resting points for special elastomers (3 and 4) so as to realize sliding planes for sliding stractures (2), placed on said stractures (1) by means of fixing elements;

- bushings (6);

- walls (7) of said structures (1) with resting frmctions for said elastomers (3 and 4);

- an extremity (8) placed in the extreme part of said stractures (1) which, during the buckling of the sld, further compresses said elastomer (3) placed at the extremities so as to determine a double squeezing thereof, enlarging its reaction;

- a projection of said stractures (1) for blocking a central elastomer (9); - a sliding plane (5) which, at the extremity of said stractures (1), shows two holes (10) towards the centre of the plate having the fimction of joint with said sliding stracture (2);

- two holes (11) and a hole (12) for the passing and joint of said sliding bushing (6), placed on the part towards the outside of the plate of the sliding plane (5); - a projection (13) for improving the contact between said structure (1) and tl e ski, in the lower outline of holes (11 and 12);

- holes (22) in said stractures (2) for the passing of fixing elements or sliding screws and eyelets (14 and 15), placed in a triangle;

- transversal grooves (16), performed in the lower part in contact with said containing structure (1) for allowing said rigid sliding structures (2) to fit the natural curving of the ski; - ribbings (17), placed in the lower part of said sliding stractures (2), in contact with said structure (1) for giving mechanic resistance for the longitudinal bending and torsion;

- cavities 18 in said stractures (2), performed in the lower part in contact with said structure (1), which may be filled with material (23) for damping the vibrations, applied by sticking, hot or cold vulcanization or by bi-injection;

- projections (19) of said structures (2), placed at the extremities, having the fimction of blocking said elastomers (3 and 4); - cylindric projections (20) of said stractures (2) having the function of a joint in said holes (10) of said stractures (1) and of resting on the ski.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said cavities (18) of said structures (2) are left empty.

3. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said elastomers (3) are independent bodies or united by means of sticking, cold or hot vulcanization or bi-injected to said stractures (1 or 2).

4. A device according to claim 1, characterized in an elastomer (9) placed between said containing structures having the function of aesthetic and not reactive connection to the buddings of the ski, being placed between two pairs of constraints as an independent body or united by sticking or in any other way.

5. A device according to claim 1, characterized in the presence of an anti-vibration material (21) paced between the lower part of said structure (1) and the surface of the ski, in the shape of an independent body or united to the lower part of said stractures (1), even with a working, on one or on both surfaces, which increases the exposed surface with a consequent increase - with the same material - of the damping power.

6. A device according to claim 1, characterized in the elimination of said elastomers (4) and in the replacing thereof by a projection of said sliding structure (2).

7. A device according to claim 1, characterized in the absence of said central elastomer (9).

8. A device according to claim 1, characterized in a stracture 24 having the fimction of fixing the bindings and of sliding on the ski's surface to which it is coupled by means of screws and bushings, resting on the surface of the ski, and that allows, by sliding towards the extremity of the plate, the free movement of the ski during the deed and has, in its extreme part, an extremity 8 and, in the most external part of the plate, a plurality of sliding eyelets 26, 27, placed at the top of a triangle and that contain the busliings that connect said sliding stracture to the ski, and a plurality of transversal grooves 16 placed in the lower part, in contact with the sld, for allowing the same the fitting to the natural curving of the ski, and ribbings 17, i the lower part, for supplying to said stracture 24 the right mechanic resistance, for the longitudinal bending and torsion.

9. A device according to claim 1, characterized in a main stracture (28) with an extroversion geometry with wing shape, so as to foπn an elastic sliding system (29) raised from the plane of the ski because it occurs on two supports (30) with an S-shaped geometry, wherein said man stracture (28) and said supports (30) are connected between each other with a special sliding teπninal (31) which, by means of tliree resting points - two of which are sliding - is able to unite the maximum flexibility with a high torsional resistance, and comprising:

- folds (32-33) in the extreme (front and back) parts with the fimction of torsional stiffening, and one of said folds is placed in the extreme (front or back) part with a more accentuated angle with respect to the other part; - eyelets (34) in the extreme (front or back) parts, with the fimction of sliding and fixing;

- two holes (35) placed on the transversal axis of said main stracture (28), for the passing of the screws;

- a central upwards curving so as not to hinder the buckling of the ski and an inclination towards the front or back part of the plate; - two holes (36) placed in the area of the curving of the plate, having the function of passage for the fixing elements (screws) of the filling element (37);

- holes (38) for tiie passing of tlie screws and holes (39) in said supports (30) for the support of said S-shaped stracture (28), for the hooking of the sliding end part (31) and with the main structure (28) and with the supports (30);

- folds (40) of said supports (30) which assure a particular elasticity and torsional rigidity to said supports; - projections (41) which assure the joint in the sliding eyelets (34) of the main structure (28);

- holes (42) for the passing of the fixing elements;

- lateral walls (43) of the sliding end parts (31), which cover the mechanism; - anti-friction blades (44), between said main stracture (28) and said supports (30);

- holes (45) for the passing of the fixing elements;

- an anti-vibration material (46) having also an aesthetic fimction, fixed in the lower part of the straight area (47) of the main structure (28);

- differentiated folds, placed in the front and back parts of tlie plate, different one from the other.

10. A device according to claim 1, characterized in an upward ciirving such as not to interfere with the buckling to wliich the ski is subject while curving and such as not to vary the natural centre

11. A device according to claim 1, characterized in a plate realized with a foreward inclination that allows to improve the centrality of tlie slder, and with backward inclination for increasing the pressure onto the spatula of the ski, or parallel to tl e plain of the ski.

12. A device according to claim 1, characterized in sliding eyelets (34) provided in the front as well as in the back part of the main structure, and that allow the sliding of the plate onto said S- shaped supports assuring the natural buckling of the sld while curving.

13. A device according to claim 1, characterized in S-s aped supports in which the double fold (40) assures a high torsional resistance to the whole plate.

14. A device according to claim 1, characterized in the fixing hooking by means of tliree screws placed at the top of a triangle and that links the supports to the apparatus.

15. A device according to claim 1, characterized in the presence of small anti-friction blades placed between said supports and said main stracture for improving the sliding of the plate onto said S- shaped supports.

16. A device according to claim 1, characterized in in end parts 37 placed at the two extremities of the plate and mounted in joint in said sliding eyelets.

17. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said containing structure is realized out of one piece with the ski.