U.S. patent application number 11/404022 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-19 for interface device between a gliding board and a boot biding element.
This patent application is currently assigned to SALOMON S.A.. Invention is credited to Gilles Renaud-Goud, Philippe Schary.
Application Number | 20060232045 11/404022 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35207370 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060232045 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schary; Philippe ; et
al. |
October 19, 2006 |
Interface device between a gliding board and a boot biding
element
Abstract
An interface device between an element for binding a boot and a
gliding or rolling board, the device including at least one
longitudinally extended platform having a lower surface provided to
be applied against the ski, and an upper surface provided for
receiving at least one element for binding a boot. The platform has
at least one set of transverse notches, the notches being made over
the entire width or height of the platform and opening out onto two
opposite surfaces of the platform, so that the plate has at least
two platform blocks connected by an extensible and retractable
connecting zone.
Inventors: |
Schary; Philippe; (Groisy,
FR) ; Renaud-Goud; Gilles; (Gruffy, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1950 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
SALOMON S.A.
Metz-Tessy
FR
|
Family ID: |
35207370 |
Appl. No.: |
11/404022 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/617 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 2009/008 20130101;
A63C 9/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/617 |
International
Class: |
A63C 9/00 20060101
A63C009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 15, 2005 |
FR |
05.03777 |
Claims
1. An interface device for positioning between at least one binding
element for a boot and a gliding or rolling board, said device
comprising: at least one longitudinally extending platform
comprising: a lower surface to be supported above the board; an
upper surface including at least one receiving zone for receiving
at least one binding element for a boot; at least one set of
transversely extending notches; said set of notches being made in
said receiving zone over an entirety of the width or an entirety of
the height of the platform; said notches of said set of notches
opening out on two opposite surfaces of said platform, thereby
defining at least two platform blocks in said receiving zone of
said platform, said two platform blocks thereby being connected by
an extensible and retractable connecting zone.
2. An interface device according to claim 1, wherein: said set of
notches comprises a series of notches alternately opening
successively onto said two opposite surfaces of said platform.
3. A interface device according to claim 1, wherein: two adjacent
notches of said set of notches are spaced apart by one centimeter
or less than one centimeter.
4. An interface device according to claim 1, wherein: for a
complete set of said set of notches, a bottom of each notch opening
onto the upper surface of the platform is lower than a bottom of
each notch opening onto the lower surface of said platform.
5. An interface device according to claim 1, wherein: said platform
includes: rows of housings to house screws for assembling said
platform to the board; and rows of holes for assembling a binding
element to said platform; each of said two platform blocks has at
least one row of holes or at least one row of housings.
6. An interface device according to claim 1, wherein: said platform
has an upper portion comprising opposite lateral extensions, said
lateral extensions forming opposite lateral rails to guide a
support plate of a binding element for adjustable movement to a
fixed position on said platform; said notches opening out on two
opposite surfaces include notches opening out onto said upper
surface of said platform; said notches opening out onto said upper
surface of said platform create discontinuities in said lateral
extensions.
7. An interface device according to claim 1, wherein: said platform
has a lower portion and anchoring pins extending from said lower
portion to be nested within the board; at least a respective one of
said anchoring pins is associated with each of said platform
blocks.
8. An interface device according to claim 1, wherein: said platform
has two parallel arms; each of said two parallel arms includes a
plurality of said notches of said set of notches; notches of said
two parallel arms are aligned with one another.
9. An interface device according to claim 1, wherein: at least one
set of said at least one set of notches connect said two platform
blocks and comprises notches opening out onto a single one of said
two opposite surfaces of said platform joined together to form a
connecting arch between said two platform blocks, said connecting
arch having a thickness reduced relative to a width of said
platform.
10. An interface device according to claim 1, wherein: said upper
surface of said longitudinally extending platform comprises a
receiving zone for a front binding element, for securing a front of
a boot onto the board, and a receiving zone for a rear binding
element for securing a rear of a boot onto the board.
11. An assembly comprising an interface device according claim 1 in
combination with at least one binding element for a boot, said
binding element adapted to be fixed to said platform of said
interface device.
12. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein: said binding
element comprises a toe binding and/or a heel binding.
13. An interface device for an alpine ski, adapted to be positioned
between the ski and at least one binding for a boot, said interface
device comprising: at least one longitudinally extending platform
comprising: a lower surface to be supported above the board; an
upper surface including at least one receiving zone for receiving a
toe binding and/or a heel binding for a boot; at least one set of
transversely extending notches; said set of notches being made in
said receiving zone over an entirety of the width or an entirety of
the height of the platform; said notches of said set of notches
opening out on two opposite surfaces of said platform, thereby
defining at least two platform blocks in said receiving zone of
said platform, said two platform blocks thereby being connected by
an extensible and retractable connecting zone.
14. An assembly comprising an interface device according claim 13
in combination with at least one of a toe binding and a heel
binding, said toe and/or heel binding element adapted to be fixed
to said platform of said interface device.
15. An assembly according to claim 14, wherein: said binding
element has a greatest width greater than a greatest width of said
platform.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119
of French Patent Application No. 05.03777, filed on Apr. 15, 2005,
the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto
in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to an interface device between a
gliding board and a binding element for a boot that is mounted on
the gliding board. The invention also relates to a gliding board
provided with such an interface.
[0004] 2. Description of Background and Relevant Information
[0005] In the field of alpine skiing, skis provided with front and
rear binding elements are commonly used.
[0006] In order to be able to adapt the spacing of the binding
elements to various boot sizes, and also to enable the ski to bend
more freely during gliding while in use, which is conventionally
referred to as the return function, at least one of the
bindings--generally the rear binding--is mounted on a slide. Two
superposed slide mechanisms are sometimes used for a rear return
element, one for adjusting the position, the other one for the
return function, or yet a first mechanism for a rough adjustment of
the position, and the other for a fine adjustment and the return
function.
[0007] In a known manner, a ski slide includes two slide elements,
which slide one with respect to the other; one of the elements is
fixedly mounted on the board and the other is associated with the
binding element. The slide element of the ski is assembled by any
appropriate means, and especially by means of screws, or by
welding, as disclosed in the documents EP 0 448 936 and U.S. Pat.
No. 5,338,051.
[0008] It is known to incorporate the slide element associated to
the ski in the structure thereof. The documents WO 91/04770, DE 39
24 899, U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,809, EP 1 329 243, and WO 02/49728
disclose arrangements of this type. However, these methods of
construction are not entirely satisfactory. Indeed, due to their
relatively large distance in relation to the neutral layer of the
ski, the slide elements, which are metallic, significantly affect
the bending of the ski; and during bending, the connection zone
between the slide element and the ski is subject to very
substantial forces.
[0009] Skis have been produced recently that have a slide element
already mounted on the boards so as to simplify the mounting of the
binding elements. The slide elements therefore have a structure
that is less rigid than the previous element and, being generally
made of plastic material, they can bend more easily. These slide
elements are assembled to the ski by means of screws, or are
anchored in the ski structure by means of pins that are retained in
the core of the ski. The following documents disclose examples of
this type of construction: WO 03/043707, US 2005/0116444, EP 1 424
107, US 2004/0108687, EP 1 161 972, U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,162, and DE
100 63 923.
[0010] These systems yields good results, but one disadvantage
subsists, caused by the bending of the ski. Indeed, to enable the
ski to bend, the slide elements, in general two parallel rails,
have one of their ends fixedly attached to the ski, and their other
end attached with the possibility of sliding longitudinally. This
necessity to slide freely makes mounting the slide element on the
ski rather complicated.
[0011] A similar drawback arises from the platforms, which are used
to raise the binding elements. As a general rule, these platforms
have one of their ends fixedly attached to the ski, and their other
end attached to the ski with the possibility of sliding.
[0012] To lessen the effect of the sliding element on the bending
of the ski, it is known to make transverse grooves in the rails;
the aforementioned document DE 100 63 923 discloses such grooves.
These grooves soften the slide elements when they are being bent,
but do not solve the problem of the relative movement during
bending of the ski.
[0013] The document FR 2 763 861 is also known, which describes a
platform including at least one series of generally transverse
grooves that open out onto its upper and lower surfaces. According
to this document, the grooves are located between the binding
elements, or at the back of the rear element, or at the front of
the front element. Such an arrangement is not entirely
satisfactory.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] An object of the invention is to improve the existing
devices by providing a slide element that can be fixedly attached
along the entire length of a gliding board and which can bend with
the board without it being necessary to provide movement of a
portion of the slide element in relation to the ski.
[0015] This object and other objects, which will become apparent
from the description that follows, are achieved with the interface
device according to the invention, which includes at least one
platform elongated longitudinally and having a lower surface
provided to be supported by the ski, and an upper surface provided
to receive at least one element for binding a boot.
[0016] The platform has a least one zone for receiving a binding
element, such zone having at least one set of transverse notches,
the notches being made along the entire width or height of the
platform, and opening out on two opposing surfaces of the platform,
so that the plate has at least two platform blocks connected by an
extensible and retractable connecting zone.
[0017] It is indeed in the zones for receiving the binding elements
that the effect of the notches is desirable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will
become apparent upon reading the following description, with
reference to the attached drawings, and in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is an overall view of a set for skiing;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the platforms in FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 shows an alternative construction of the
platforms;
[0022] FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIGS. 5 and 6 are alternative constructions;
[0024] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 8 a side, exploded view of the various elements in FIG.
7;
[0026] FIGS. 9-12 show alternative constructions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] FIG. 1 shows the central portion 1 of an alpine ski on which
front and rear elements, 3 and 4, respectively, for binding a boot
are mounted.
[0028] These elements, or bindings, can be of any of various types
known to those skilled in the art and, therefore, they are not
described in further detail here.
[0029] According to the illustrated embodiment, the front binding
element 3, or toe binding, includes a binding jaw 6 connected to a
structure 7 that is itself mounted on a base 8. The base 8 is
extended rearwardly by a support plate 9 provided for
receiving/supporting the boot.
[0030] Similarly, the rear binding element 4, or heel binding,
includes a jaw 11 connected to a structure 12 that is itself
mounted on a base 13. The base is extended forwardly by a support
plate 14 for the sole of the boot, which is used to support a
braking device 15. Conventionally, the structure 12 is slidably
mounted along its base 13 by means of a mechanism by having a slide
and a lock, or latch, for adjusting the position of the structure
12.
[0031] Alternatively, any of other types of binding elements can
also be used, according to the invention, including bindings of the
non-releasable type.
[0032] According to the illustrated first embodiment of the
invention, the binding elements 3 and 4 are mounted on the ski 1
with intermediate platforms 17 and 18. Each of the platforms has a
lower surface that rests on the ski, or at least that is supported
on the ski, and an upper surface having a zone 171, 181 for
receiving a front or rear binding element, respectively. The
function of these platforms is, for example, to raise the binding
elements and the boot, and to channel the transmission of the
forces between the boot and the ski in order to modify the
distribution of these forces in the direction of the running edges
and of the gliding sole of the ski. In addition, the platforms
facilitate the mounting of the binding elements, that is, the skis
are delivered to the retailer with pre-assembled platforms for the
retailer to mount the binding elements in one of the several
predetermined positions in the area of the platforms to complete
the assembly.
[0033] According to the illustrated embodiment, the platforms 17
and 18 have, when viewed from above, a size and shape that enable
them to support the bases 8 and 13 of the binding elements.
Optionally, as shown, the platforms have a lengthwise dimension
that is greater than that of the base of the associated binding
element to be mounted, so that the binding element can be mounted
in any of various positions.
[0034] According to this illustrated embodiment, the thickness of
the platforms is constant, but this is non-limiting. Alternatively,
one could provide an increasing or decreasing thickness over the
length of the platforms.
[0035] In the case of the illustrated embodiment, the platforms 17
and 18 are mounted on the ski by means of screws. Such screws 19a,
20a, 21a, 22a, are schematically shown in FIG. 1, and their
respective housings 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b, 27a, 27b, 28a, and 28b are
shown in FIG. 2. The number and position of the screws is
non-limiting. In a particular embodiment, including that which is
illustrated, each platform has at least three assembly screws
distributed at the front and at the back in order to immobilize the
platform with respect to the ski, at least in these two zones. The
housings for the screws are arranged in rows that are transversely
oriented and longitudinally spaced apart, each row including one or
more housings, depending upon the total number of screws.
[0036] As a general rule, the rows of housings, or at least some of
them, are located inside the receiving zone 171 upon which the
binding is mounted.
[0037] Contrary to common constructions, the housings 25a, 25b,
26a, 26b, 27a, 27b, 28a, and 28b are adjusted to the
cross-sectional dimensions of the screws, which means that there is
no oblong housing, and that all of the screws enable a local
immobilization of the platforms on the ski, without relative
sliding.
[0038] The binding elements 3 and 4 are assembled to the platforms
also by means of screws. Such screws 29a, 30a, 31a, 32a are
schematically shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows series of holes 33a,
33b, 34a, 34b, 35a, 35b, 36a, and 36b, which are provided to the
retailer already made, such as by pre-drilling, through the upper
surface of the platforms. The series of holes are arranged along
rows that are transversely oriented and longitudinally spaced ones
from the others. The rows of the series of holes are shown as being
located inside the receiving zone 171. According to a particular
feature of this embodiment, these holes are clearly distinct from
the rows of housings so as to avoid any interference, such as
mis-identification, between a housing for mounting the platform on
the ski and a hole for mounting a binding element on the
platform.
[0039] The mounting is conventionally carried out by screwing each
one of the screws into respective ones of the holes of the series,
i.e., the ones that correspond to the correct or desired
longitudinal position of the binding element.
[0040] The number of holes per series is non-limiting. One could
also provide to have only one hole defining a single position of
the binding element. As mentioned above, one could provide series
of housings.
[0041] The holes of the series of holes are adjusted to the
dimensions of the screws so that the screws are tightened in their
respective holes and enable a local connection of the bases on the
platforms, without relative sliding.
[0042] Transverse notches or grooves are localized on the upper
surface and on the lower surface of the platforms in the receiving
zone 171. In the illustrated embodiment, the depths of a notches
are greater than half of the thickness of the platform in this
zone, although this is not essential and other depths could be
employed.
[0043] Also shown in the illustrated embodiment, a notch opening
out onto one platform surface is located longitudinally at a short
distance from at least one other notch opening out onto the
opposite platform surface. In this context, a short distance means
one centimeter or approximately one centimeter. The notches are
thus grouped by sets of notches that alternatively open onto each
opposite surface of the platform. For each platform, these sets of
notches demarcate platform blocks and form, between these blocks,
extensible and retractable connecting zones.
[0044] The object is to locally divert the neutral layer of the
platform, so that it follows, longitudinally along the platform, an
undulation which facilitates a retraction or a longitudinal
elongation of the platform during bending and counter-bending
movements of the ski. The object is also to locally lower the
neutral plane within the thickness of the platform so as to bring
the neutral plane of the platform closer to the ski.
[0045] In a particular embodiment, such as that which is
illustrated, there is at least one set of notches between two
adjacent rows of housings and at least one set of notches between
two adjacent rows of holes for each platform. Also in such
embodiment, there is a set of notches between a row of housings and
each adjacent row of holes. It is however possible to have a row of
holes and a row of housings on the same block, or else two rows of
holes on the same block, provided that there is no interposed row
of housings.
[0046] This way, for each platform, each row of holes or housings
is located on a distinct block of the platform, the blocks being
isolated ones from the others by the sets of notches that form
extensible or retractable zones along a longitudinal direction. A
single platform block can bear both a row of holes and a row of
housings, or two directly adjacent rows of holes. The sets of
notches enable the various blocks to move closer to or away from
another during the bendings or counter-bendings of the ski in order
to follow the relative displacement of the screws for assembling
the platforms to the ski, and of these screws relatively to the
screws for assembling the bases on the platforms, while keeping the
constant spacing of these assembly screws for the same binding
element.
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front platform 17 includes
two rows of housings formed by the housings 25a, 25b, and 26a, 26b,
and two rows of holes formed by the series 33a, 33b, and 34a, 34b.
The platform is further traversed by two sets of notches, a first
set formed by the notches 37a, 37b, 37c, and a second set formed by
the notches 38a, 38b, 38c. The sets of notches are partially open
on the upper surface, and partially on the lower surface of the
platform. Their depth is such that, for each set of notches, the
bottom of a notch opening on the top is lower than the top of a
notch opening on the bottom of the platform.
[0048] The platform is thus divided into three blocks 17a, 17b,
17c. The first block 17a has a row of housings and a row of holes,
the two other blocks have a single row of housings and holes,
respectively.
[0049] Similarly, the rear platform 18 has two rows of housings
formed by the housings 27a, 27b, and 28a, 28b, and two rows of
holes formed by the series 35a, 35b, and 36a, 36b. The rows of
holes and at least part of the rows of housings are located in the
receiving zone 181.
[0050] The two sets of notches formed by the notches 39a, 39b, 39c,
and 40a, 40b, 40c, define three blocks 18a, 18b, and 18c. The first
block has two rows, the others only have one row of holes or
housings.
[0051] According to what is shown in FIG. 2, the blocks that have
two rows are located at one end of the platform, toward the middle
of the ski. This arrangement is non-limiting, and these blocks
could be located toward the middle of the platforms or toward the
far ends of the platforms.
[0052] According to the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the
notches are vertical instead of horizontal. Thus, this drawing
shows two platforms 42 and 43, each of the platforms including
three blocks, 42a, 42b, 42c and 43a, 43b, 43c, respectively. Each
block has one or two rows of holes or housings as previously
described.
[0053] The three blocks of each platform 42, 43 are separated by
sets of vertical notches 46, 47 and 48, 49, respectively. According
to the embodiment shown, due to the notches, the transition zones
between two consecutive blocks have the shape of leaf springs
opposed by the top. The transition zones allow for the blocks to
move toward or away from each other to allow the platforms to
follow the bending and counter-bending movements of the ski.
[0054] For the previously described embodiments, the binding
elements are mounted on two distinct platforms. This is
non-limiting, i.e., in an alternative embodiment a single platform
that carries the two binding elements, each on a receiving zone
supported by a platform portion, could be provided.
[0055] To exemplify this, FIG. 4 shows a unitary platform 52 having
a front portion 53 and a rear portion 54 united by an intermediate
portion 55.
[0056] The front and rear portions 53, 54 are constructed the same
way as the previous platforms 17 and 18, and have receiving zones
531, 541 and sets of notches in each of the receiving zones.
[0057] According to the embodiment shown, the intermediate portion
includes an additional set of notches, namely, three notches 56a,
56b, 56c. This set of notches enables the intermediate portion to
extend or, on the contrary, to retract, according to the bending
and counter-bending movements of the ski.
[0058] Instead of a set of notches, a system with sliding elements
or a block of deformable material, such as a shock-absorbing or a
visco-elastic block, could be provided. For example, such material
could be fitted within the notches.
[0059] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the notches
57a, 57b, 57c, 58a, 58b, 58c, 59a, 59b, 59c, 60a, 60b, 60c, 61a,
61b, 61c or at least some of them, are relatively slanted instead
of being parallel to one another. According to what is shown, all
of the notches converge toward an imaginary point located on one
side of the platform 62, or beyond the side of the platform. This
is non-limiting, and any other arrangement, in particular such as
having the notches converge toward two points located on, or
beyond, both sides of the platform, can be adopted.
[0060] According to the alternative embodiment in FIG. 6, the
notches 63a, 63b, 63c, 64a, 64b, 64c, 65a, 65b, 65c, 66a, 66b, 66c
of the platform 68 are herringbone-shaped.
[0061] FIGS. 7 and 8 show another embodiment of the invention
according to which the binding element is assembled to the platform
by means of a system of rails and a slide instead of screws. In
this case, the receiving zones include rails along which the
binding element is guided.
[0062] FIG. 7, which can be considered a view along a transverse
cross section of FIG. 8 through the platform 72 and the portion of
the ski 71, shows a front binding element 70 mounted in this manner
on a platform 72, the platform 72 being assembled on one ski
portion 71. As shown in this figure, the ski can be regarded as an
alpine ski with the width of the widest part of the front binding
element 71, or toe binding, being greater than the width of the ski
at this point greater than the width of the platform.
[0063] The platform 72 has in its upper portion a receiving zone
721 with two projecting lateral extensions 72a and 72b that form
rails for guiding and retaining the two rounded edges 74a and 74b
of a plate 74, which thus form a slide. The binding element 70 is
assembled to the plate 74 via its base 75.
[0064] In this manner, the binding element can be displaced in the
receiving zone 721 along the longitudinal direction of the platform
72. It can be immobilized by any known appropriate means, for
example by means of a toothed latch, the teeth of which are engaged
in housings or recesses made in the platform, or else in the
catches of an attached plate that is immobilized in relation to the
platform.
[0065] FIG. 8 shows the three superposed elements, namely, the ski
portion 71, the platform 72, and the binding element 70 with its
plate 74.
[0066] As shown, the platform 72 is assembled to the ski 71 by
means of screws, such as the screws 76 and 77, which are shown in
FIG. 8. The screws are housed in recesses of the platform without
any longitudinal play. In a known manner, the screws are screwed in
housings extending within the ski 71. As previously shown and
described, the assembly screws are arranged in rows. In the case of
the embodiment of FIG. 8, there are two rows, but there could be
more. At least part of the rows are located in the receiving zone
721.
[0067] Between the rows of assembly screws, the platform has at
least one set of notches in the receiving zone 721. In this case,
there are two sets of notches, one made of the transverse notches
79a, 79b, 79c, and the other made of the transverse notches 80a,
80b, 80c. For each of the sets, part of the notches open out onto
the top of the platform, and the other part onto the bottom of the
platform.
[0068] The notches that open onto the top of the platform, in this
case the notches 79a, 79c, and 80a, 80c, create discontinuities in
the lateral extensions 72a and 72b that form the guiding rails.
[0069] The sets of notches separate the platform into blocks, here
three blocks 73a, 73b, 73c. In this particular arrangement, at
least one block out of three has a row of screws for assembling the
platform onto the ski. This is determined by the length of the
blocks in relation to the length of the slide. In the case where
one block or more is not directly assembled to the ski by means of
screws, the length of the rounded edges 74a, 74b of the plate is
provided to be greater than the length of a block, so that at least
part of the slide is engaged with a block directly assembled to the
ski. The length of the blocks can vary from one block to the
next.
[0070] With a construction of this type, the blocks move closer to
and farther from one another with the bending and counter-bending
movements of the ski while maintaining the connection between the
platform and the plate of the binding element.
[0071] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a platform associated with a front
binding element. The invention encompasses the possibility that the
mode of construction of the platform for the front binding is the
same, or is similar, to that of the platform for the rear binding.
In this regard also, there could be a single platform associated
with the two binding elements as described above in relation to
FIG. 4.
[0072] Furthermore, the two binding elements could be connected by
means of a metallic plate or blade such as described, for example,
in documents FR 2 501 514, U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,422, EP 1 314 458,
and US 2005/0116444.
[0073] Apart from the sets of notches, the platform can have other
notches such as the notches 82 and 83 opening out on the lower
surface of the platform in order to soften the platform when it is
bent.
[0074] The position of the rails and slide between the platform and
the binding element could also be reversed to allow for a guiding
system having a hollow shape in the area of the platform and
projecting in the area of the binding element.
[0075] Finally, recesses such as the recesses 85 and 86, shown in
FIG. 7, could be provided in the area of each surface of the
platform. The purpose of such recesses made in the median zone of
the platform would be to reduce the friction between the ski, the
platform, and the slide between the rows of holes or housings.
[0076] FIG. 9 relates to an alternative construction. As shown, the
platform 88 includes two longitudinal arms 89 and 90, which are
connected by a bridging section 91 located toward the middle of the
length of the arms 89, 90. The arms are parallel, or substantially
so, and are assembled to the ski 92 by means of screws fitted in
housings 93, 94 or by any other appropriate means, for example by
anchoring elements attached to or extending from the arms, and
which are nested in the structure of the ski 92.
[0077] The platform 88 also has rows of holes for assembling the
binding elements. As shown, these rows are formed by series of
holes 96a, 96b, 97a, 97b, and 98a, 98b, 99a, 99b located on each
one of the arms and provided for each of the binding elements,
respectively.
[0078] As provided above, sets of notches divide each of the arms
into blocks, each of the blocks having, with the block associated
with the other arm, a row of housings and/or a row of holes in
accordance with what has been described above. Thus, the arm 89 is
cut at the front of the bridging into three blocks 89a, 89b, 89c
and at the rear 89d, 89e, 89f. Similarly, the arm 90 includes three
blocks 90a, 90b, 90c at the front of the bridging section 91, and
three at the rear, i.e., 90d, 90e, 90f. The notches 100a, 100b,
100c for the arm 89, and 101a, 101b, 101c and for the arm 90 are
aligned with one another and form a set of notches. The three
blocks 89a, 89b, 89c form, with the three blocks 90a, 90b, 90c of
the other arm, a platform portion with a zone for receiving the
binding element. It is the same for the other portions of the arms.
The number of blocks, the number of sets of notches, and the number
of notches per set are non-limiting. The notches between the two
arms could also be shifted to create a skewed effect.
[0079] The bridging section 91 could be located more toward the
front or the back of the arms.
[0080] FIG. 10 shows an alternative construction. The platform 104
includes two distinct arms 105 and 106 assembled to the ski 108 by
means of anchoring pins 109, 110. These anchoring pins cross
through the upper layers of the ski and are nested in the ski
structure, particularly in the core.
[0081] Similar to the platform of FIGS. 7 and 8, the arms 105 and
106 have lateral extensions 105a, 106a that form rails for guiding
and securing the slides associated with the front and rear binding
elements.
[0082] As in the previous case, the sets of notches divide the arms
into blocks, 105b, 105c, 105d, 105e, 105f, 105g for the arm 105,
and 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, and 106f, for the arm 106. The
blocks of the two arms located toward the front form the front
portion of the platform with a zone for receiving the front binding
element, the blocks located toward the back form the rear portion
with a rear receiving zone. The sets of notches are, at least in
part, in each one of the receiving zones.
[0083] As shown, an anchoring pin 109, 100 is associated with each
of the blocks. This is non-limiting and, as previously described,
an anchoring pin could be provided every two blocks, or even every
three blocks or more, depending upon the length of the blocks
involved. Alternatively, two blocks or more associated with an
anchoring pin could be provided.
[0084] The anchoring pins of the arms can be nested in the ski
structure during the manufacture of the ski in the mold. They can
also be assembled later, for example by gluing, during a repair
phase of the ski.
[0085] Similarly, pins could be used instead of screws for the
modes of construction described above.
[0086] According to the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 11,
the sets of notches form connecting arches between the various
blocks, these arches having a lesser material thickness. Due to
their lesser thickness and to their curvature, the arches enable
the blocks to move toward or away from each other, dependent upon
the bending of the ski. In this case, it can be said that each set
of notches is formed by joining two adjacent notches opening out on
the same surface of the platform.
[0087] Thus, in FIG. 11 the platform 112 has four blocks 112a,
112b, 112c, 112d, separated by sets of notches, the set that
separates the blocks 112a and 112b being formed by notches 113a,
113b, 113c, with the notches opening on the upper surface of the
platform 113a and 113c being joined together.
[0088] As described above, at least one set of notches is located
in the zone for receiving a binding element.
[0089] For this embodiment, each of the blocks is preferably
assembled to the ski. As shown, the assembly is formed by anchoring
pins 115 shaped like an upside down fir-tree, which originate from
each of the blocks and which are provided to be nested in the ski
structure.
[0090] The assembly could also be obtained with attached anchoring
pins or screws.
[0091] FIG. 12 relates to another embodiment according to which the
various blocks 122a, 122b, 122c, 122d, of the platform are
assembled to the ski by gluing or by welding. For example, they can
be welded to the ski by means of a welding technique such as
described in the documents EP 0 448 936 and U.S. Pat. No.
5,338,051.
[0092] As described above, the blocks are separated by sets of
notches 123, 124, 125; and at least one set is located in the zone
for receiving a binding element on the platform 122.
[0093] The platforms of any of the embodiments described and
illustrated can be made of any appropriate material, including a
molded plastic material.
[0094] In order to prevent snow and debris from settling within the
notches, they could be filled with a flexible material, such as
solid foam material.
[0095] This description is only given by way of example and other
embodiments of the invention could be adopted without leaving the
scope thereof.
[0096] For example, the various alternative constructions or
embodiments which have been described and illustrated can be
combined with one another. The arrangement of the notches at the
top or bottom of the platforms is non-limiting and can be
reversed.
[0097] Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the field of
alpine skiing; it applies to the field of snowboarding and
generally to any gliding or rolling board having one or more
elements for binding a boot, and at least one interface platform
between the boot and the board.
* * * * *