JPH03106384A - Ski with mendable bottom and mending method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To realize very simple partial repairs of a bottom by forming a layer of a thermoplastic material, which has a lower softening temperature than those of the materials used for the under surface and the bottom of a main body, between a lower reinforcing thin sheet and the bottom. CONSTITUTION: A layer 16 made of a thermoplastic material is formed between a ski board main body 7 and its bottom 8. The thermoplastic material is selected so that its softening temperature is lower than those of materials forming the bottom 8 of the ski board and the under surface of the main body 7. When a repair is desired only for a damaged region 17 of an under surface 2 for gliding, a peripheral notch part 18 is formed on the bottom 8 all around the damaged part 17. The bottom 8 in the damaged region 17 is locally heated to warm the layer 16 of the thermoplastic material up to a slightly higher temperature than its softening temperature. Then, a part to be cut out 19 is removed to expose a part 20 of an under surface 9 of the main body. At this stage, a member 21 of a material with a high gliding capability is mounted with a layer of thermoplastic material similar to the thermoplastic layer 16 in between. Then, the whole is heated and kept under pressure for several seconds to get bonded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to skis used in winter sports for sliding on snow and ice.

The ski typically has a lower sliding surface connected to two sides along the lower ridge, optionally with metal edges, which sides accommodate bindings. Connected to the top surface for

Modern skis typically have a composite structure in which different materials are combined to optimally interact with each other. Therefore, its structure can be divided into 14-2 main parts as follows, which are integrally connected to each other.

b) Ski body in the form of an elongated beam with upturns and tails curved at both ends: this body guarantees the mechanical strength of the ski against bending and torsion. The main body is also defined by an upper surface 1 and 2 side surfaces forming the upper surface and both side surfaces of the ski, respectively. The body is further defined by a lower surface.

(Example) A certain sliding sole made of a strip material having high gliding performance on snow: its inner surface is fixed to the lower surface of the ski body by fixing means, and its outer surface constitutes the lower surface for sliding of the ski, and Guarantee performance.

In known constructions, the sliding sole is usually irreversibly glued to the underside of the ski body.

When using skis, it often happens that the skier inadvertently slides over a rock or other hard object, causing damage to the underside of the ski. As a result, the sliding performance of the bottom is reduced due to the recesses or grooves formed in the lower sliding surface, and the bottom has to be repaired.

Conventional methods of repairing ski bottoms actually have to rely on one of the following two methods.

In the first method, the bottom of the ski is completely stripped away and polyethylene is extruded or shaped onto the underside of the ski body in order to reconstruct the entire bottom. This extrusion or shaping operation requires large and expensive specialized machinery. In mass-produced skis, low-density, high-molecular-weight polyethylene is replaced by high-density, low-molecular-weight polyethylene that can be extruded but has inferior strength and glide performance.

The second method involves cutting out the damaged area along the exact contours and stripping it off. A piece of bottom material of the same shape is then glued in place. The work of gluing the pieces of material is carried out using epoxy resin and requires temporary pressure.

The pressurization time varies depending on the temperature, but is never less than 15 minutes. The use of adhesives of this type is clearly necessary in view of the nature of the members to be adhered. fact,
The lower surface of the ski body is generally made of a composite material of glass fiber and resin or an aluminum alloy, and the bottom part is made of high-density or low-density polyethylene.

Both of these known repair methods are relatively complex and require skill. Extrusion shaping or bonding using epoxy resins has high repair costs due to their complexity, and repair costs are often disproportionate to the cost of repair.

With the known repair methods that allow localized repairs of the bottom, it seems difficult to faithfully realize a repaired local area that is uniformly planar and has the same thickness as the existing local area.

The present invention improves the known structure of skis by proposing a new structure that allows much faster and easier bottom repairs without the need for qualified personnel or special tools. The purpose is to eliminate the shortcomings in

The invention also seeks to provide a method of repairing a ski bottom that is compatible with this new construction of the ski.

One of the advantages of the present invention is that when repairing ski soles,
Since the lower surface of the ski body is not damaged, the uniformity of the resulting running surface is clearly improved.

Moreover, it is clear that the method according to the invention makes it possible to carry out partial repairs of the bottom very easily. That is,
It is possible for the replaced bottom part to have exactly the same thickness as the existing bottom part and to form a completely uniform and continuous plane that perfectly connects with the existing part of the bottom without the need for rework.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it allows ski bottoms to be repaired very quickly without having to wait for the relatively long bonding times of adhesives such as epoxy adhesives.

In order to achieve these and other objects, the fastening means according to the invention between the body of the ski and its bottom consists of a thermoplastic material occupying the entire interface between the body and the bottom; This is the layer of This thermoplastic material is
It is solid at the temperatures at which skis are normally used.
and its softening temperature is selected to be lower than that of the material constituting the bottom of the ski and the lower surface of the ski body. This thermoplastic material has strong adhesion properties to the inner surface of the ski bottom and the lower surface of the ski body.

In the structure described above, by heating at a temperature slightly above the softening temperature of the thermoplastic material, this layer of thermoplastic material can be selectively softened, and at the same time part or all of the bottom can be softened. It can be removed from the ski body without causing any damage to the underside of the ski body.

Preferably, the thermoplastic material is selected to have a softening temperature below the temperature at which the material constituting the bottom irrecoverably loses all or part of its gliding properties.

In particular, in the case of high molecular weight polyethylene soles, the selected softening temperature must be lower than the temperature at which the molecules of the high molecular weight polyethylene break down and convert into lower molecular weight molecules.

The thickness of the thermoplastic material layer is preferably small, for example several tens of microns. While this thickness is sufficient to ensure an effective integral connection between the underside of the ski body and the bottom, when the bottom is removed, any residual portion of the thermoplastic material remaining on the underside of the ski body will It is thin enough not to significantly change the thickness of the bottom in the repair area after the new part is deposited.

In order to repair the ski having the above structure according to the present invention, the following series of steps are carried out.

a) Heating part or all of the base to a temperature sufficient for the thermoplastic material to reach its softening temperature.

b) Separate the heated bottom part and the ski body.

C) Applying a new strip of material with high gliding properties to the underside of the body where the bottom is missing, with an intervening layer of thermoplastic material.

d) Heat and pressurize the whole for a few seconds to bring the bottom into close contact with the body, adhering the thermoplastic material to the bottom and body.

e) Cool the whole thing while keeping it pressurized.

f) After the thermoplastic material has hardened, stop applying pressure.

Repairs can be carried out in general or locally.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of specific embodiments, taken in light of the accompanying drawings.

-11- As shown in Figures 1 and 2, skis usually
It includes an upper surface 1, a lower surface 2 (ie a sliding surface), a first side surface 3, and a second side surface 4.

The front end 5 of the ski is curved upwards into an upturn shape. The rear end 6 of the ski is slightly curved upwards into a tail shape. As shown in FIG. 1, the middle section of the ski is slightly curved.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a ski in a possible embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the structure of the ski is of the mechanically strong caisson type and includes a generally elongated beam-shaped ski body 7 and a sliding sole 8 .

The elongated beam-shaped body 7 is curved at both ends to form the upturn section 5 and the heel section 6, ensuring mechanical strength against bending and torsion of the ski. The main body 7 is a part of 1 which respectively forms the upper surface 1 and the side surfaces 3 and 4 of the ski.
2 - a top surface and 2 - side surfaces. The wooden body 7 is further stabilized by a lower surface 9.

In the embodiment shown, the body 7 comprises a rigid shell 10 of inverted U-shaped cross-section, containing a core 11 of a confectionery-like filler, the lower surface of which has a high mechanical strength. It is closed with a reinforcing lower lamella l2 made of material.

For example, the lower sleeve reinforcement thin plate 12 can be made of metal, fiberglass composite, or other strong material fiber composite. The shell 10, which is covered with an aesthetic outer layer if necessary, is made of glass, carbon,
or other fabrics, the layers may be pre-impregnated with a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin. The core l1 can be made of various materials, such as wood, plastic foam or other honeycomb materials.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 shows the construction of an alpine ski, which further includes metal edges 13 and 14 that border the lower sliding surface 2 and form the lower ridge of the ski.

The sliding sole h, is made of a strip-shaped material having high sliding performance on snow, preferably high-density or low-density polyethylene, and its inner surface 15 is fixed to the lower surface 9 of the main body 7 formed by the lower surface of the lower reinforcing thin plate 12. ing.

According to the invention, a layer 16 of thermoplastic material is interposed between the lower reinforcing sheet 12 and the bottom 8 and occupies the entire interface between the body 7 and the bottom 8.

This layer 16 of thermoplastic material is in a solid state at the normal temperatures in use of the ski and has a softening temperature lower than that of the other materials constituting the lower surface 9 and bottom 8 of the body 7. selected from materials. The thermoplastic material
is selected to simultaneously have strong adhesion performance to the inner surface 15 of the body 7 and the lower surface 9 of the main body 7. The layer 16 is thin, on the order of tens of microns.

For example, the bottom 8 can be constructed of polyethylene (preferably of high molecular weight).

Also, ionomer. It is also advantageous to use (modified copolymers of ethylene and methacrylic acid) type materials or EVA (ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers) type materials for the layer 16 of thermoplastic material.

If the ski is constructed as described above, repair of the bottom becomes considerably easier and can be carried out in the manner described below.

FIG. 3 shows a ski that includes a failure area 17 on the underside 2. FIG. This damage consists of dents or grooves due to the crushing or delamination of material that occurs during use of the ski.

Damaged area 17 leaving most of the lower sliding surface 2 intact
If only the damaged area 17 is to be repaired, a peripheral cut 18 is first made in the bottom 8 along the thickness of the bottom 8 and around the entire circumference of this damaged area 17, as shown in FIG. In Figure 5,
The bottom 8 is heated at least locally within the failure zone 17 by external heating or other means allowing localized heating to bring the layer 16 of thermoplastic material slightly below its softening temperature. Raise the temperature to a high temperature. In FIG. 6, the bottom cutout 19 is removed and the lower surface 9 of the main body is
20 is exposed. In FIG. 7, a member 21 made of a material with high sliding performance and having the same shape as the cutout portion l9 at the bottom is prepared with a layer of thermoplastic material similar to the layer 16 of thermoplastic material interposed therebetween. Attach to. The whole is kept under heat and pressure for a few seconds to adhere the member 2l to the body 7. The whole body is allowed to cool while being pressurized, and when the temperature of the layer 16 falls below its softening temperature and the layer solidifies, and the integral connection between the member 21 and the body 7 is ensured, the pressurization is discontinued. .

If the entire bottom 8 is replaced, a similar method can be used. In that case, the first step is to heat the entire bottom 16 to a temperature just sufficient to soften the layer 16 of thermoplastic material, to separate the entire bottom from the body of the ski, and to create a new layer of thermoplastic material. It is sufficient to apply, with the interposition of a layer 16, a new strip of material with high sliding properties forming the new bottom 8 to the underside of the body where the bottom is missing. Other steps such as heating and maintaining the pressurized state, cooling, etc. are the same as those of the local repair method.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described in detail above, but includes various modifications and generic concepts falling within the scope of the appended claims.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a side view of the ski. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ski plate taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the underside of the ski including the damaged area. 4 to 7 are partial perspective views of the damaged area of a ski, illustrating the steps of the repair method according to the invention; FIG. [Explanation of symbols of main parts]

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An elongated beam-shaped ski body (7) whose ends are curved into an upturn (5) and a tail (6); a ski made of a strip-shaped material that has high gliding performance on snow; a sole (8), said body (7) imparting sufficient mechanical strength to the ski to resist bending and torsion, and having an upper surface and a side surface, respectively, the upper surface of the ski; (1) and the side (
3, 4) and further defines a lower surface (9), and the inner surface (15) of the sliding bottom (8) is fixed to the lower surface (9) of the ski body (7) by a fixing means. In a ski for sliding on snow, the outer surface (2) constitutes the lower surface for sliding of the ski to ensure the sliding performance, wherein the fixing means is attached to the ski body (7) and the bottom part. (8)
consisting of a layer (16) of thermoplastic material occupying the entire interface between said body (
7) is selected to be lower than the softening temperature of the material forming the lower surface (9) and the bottom (8), and said thermoplastic material is selected as (9) having strong adhesion to the ski body, such that the layer of thermoplastic material can be heated to selectively soften and remove all or part of the bottom from the ski body; skis. 2. The thermoplastic material (16) is selected to have a softening temperature lower than the temperature at which all or part of the sliding performance of the material constituting the bottom (8) is irreversibly lost. Ski according to claim 1. 3. According to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bottom part (8) is made of a band-shaped polyethylene material, and the thermoplastic material (16) is an ionomer type resin or an ethyl/vinyl acetate type resin. skis. 4. Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the thermoplastic material layer (16) has a thickness of about several tens of microns.
skis by. 5. A method for repairing a ski according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) heating the thermoplastic material (16) just enough to reach its softening temperature; heating all or part of the ski bottom to temperature; b) heating the heated part of the bottom (8) and the ski body (7);
c) installing a new strip (21) of high-gliding material on the underside (9) of said body (7) lacking a bottom part, with an intervening layer of thermoplastic material; d) heating the whole under pressure for a few seconds to bring the bottom (8) into close contact with the body (7) and adhering the thermoplastic material to the bottom and the body; e) cooling the whole under pressure; f) discontinuing the application of pressure when the temperature of the layer of thermoplastic material falls below its softening temperature; 6. Confining the repair to a partial area (17) of the bottom part (8); prior to step a), repairing the entire circumference of the partial area (17) along the entire thickness of the bottom part (8); , forming a cut in the bottom part (8); in step a), forming a cut in the bottom part (8);
Locally heating said partial area (17) of said bottom part (8) during said step b);
); and in step c), prepare a piece of material (21) with high sliding performance having the same shape as the cut-out portion (19) of the bottom with a layer of thermoplastic material interposed therebetween. death,
6. A repair method according to claim 5, characterized in that it is attached to the removed part.