Land vehicles – Skates – Runner type
Patent
1994-05-25
1997-06-10
Johnson, Brian L.
Land vehicles
Skates
Runner type
280607, 280634, A63C 506
Patent
active
056368550
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to a device for modifying the pressure distribution of a ski, particularly such as an alpine ski, along its gliding surface. The invention is also related to an assembly of front and rear alpine ski binding elements, as well as an alpine ski.
2. Discussion of Background and Relevant Information
Skis used for alpine skiing are constituted by relatively long beams on which the skier's boots are retained by front and rear binding elements. The boots and binding elements are located approximately in the median zone of the ski, which is commonly known as the middle sole.
The ski itself possesses a natural arch when at rest, whereby the middle sole is naturally raised with respect to the front end of the ski, or shovel, and the rear end of the ski, or tail. In addition, the ski possesses a flexibility. While skiing, the ski deforms elastically in response to the various biases it is subjected to from the skier, but also from the terrain over which it glides.
The main bias to which the ski is subjected is constituted by the weight of the skier, and by the reaction to which the gliding surface subjects the ski.
The ski is also biased by the binding elements. In fact, it is known that the binding elements pinch the boot longitudinally. To do this, the rear binding element is generally slidably mounted, and it is elastically returned frontwardly by springs which are commonly known as return springs. The reaction to this pinching action is transmitted by the binding elements to the ski. However, this reaction differs in nature depending upon the mode of assembly of the rear binding element to the ski. Indeed, certain rear binding elements are assembled directly to the ski, whereas others are connected to the front binding element by a non-extensible link, such as a metallic blade that extends beneath the boot.
The ski is also influenced by the position of the skier on his or her boots, depending upon whether the skier carries his or her weight towards the front or towards the rear.
It is known that one can modify the behavior of the ski on the snow, especially its ease of turn initiation, its operational quality in turns and in straight lines, by influencing the arch of the ski, or else by playing with the longitudinal pressure distribution of the ski on the snow. By playing with this pressure distribution, it is known that one can render the ski more or less pivotal or more or less guiding, i.e., one can promote its ability to turn easily, and to provide considerable operational stability. For skis currently on the market, pressure distribution of the ski on the snow is determined mainly by the internal structure of the ski and by the assembly mode of the binding elements to the ski, i.e, with or without the connection blade between the front and rear elements. The pressure distribution can also be influenced by the thrust intensity provided to the return spring.
There are devices with attached elements that enable the pressure distribution of the ski on the snow to be modified. As such, European Patent Application No. 183 586 describes a blade of elastic material attached above the ski, between the binding elements and the ski. In the area of its front end and its rear end, this blade has cursors by means of which a portion of the forces to which the ski is subject are transmitted vertically. However, this device has the disadvantage of mediocre performance with a substantial space requirement. It is adapted for the case where both feet of the skier are in support on the same ski, so as to avoid the entire weight of the skier from being concentrated in the middle sole zone. On the contrary, it would be maladapted in the case of a pair of conventional skis.
In European Patent Application No. 409 749 a device is disclosed that is constituted by a plate, raised with respect to the upper surface of the ski, maintained between two longitudinal abutments. Elastic shock absorption means are inserted between the plate and the abutments, and the
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Couderc Bernard
Szafranski Pierre
Johnson Brian L.
Salomon S.A.
Yu Min
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