SHOCK-ABSORBING ELEMENT FOR SKIS

ELEMENT AMORTISSEUR POUR SKIS

English Abstract

- 1 -
ABSTRACT
The shock-absorbing element, disposed between the upper
surface of the ski and the ski binding, comprises a layer
of polyurethane and at least one superposed metal layer
of an aluminum alloy. It serves the purpose of resiliently
taking up impacts and vibrations produced by travelling
over rough ground. The shock-absorbing element particularly
facilitates skiing, especially swinging, and safety is
increased quite generally at high speeds. Owing to the
springy, shock-absorbing effect, the element also acts
to prevent skiing accidents.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive
property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A shock absorbing element for a ski and adapted to
mount a ski-binding, the shock absorbing element including
at least a first layer of elastomeric material and at least
a metal strip overlying the elastomeric layer, characterized
in that the metal strip included a forwardly extending,
fastening portion having at least a pair of recesses, the
recesses being elongated in the longitudinal direction, the
recesses being adapted to receive fastening screws mounting
the strip to the ski and having play in the longitudinal
direction, resilient members located in said recesses and
acting against the screws providing longitudinal shock
absorption.
2. A shock absorbing element as defined in claim 1,
wherein the forward extending fastening portion of the
metal strip being covered by a guiding cap.
3. A shock absorbing element as defined in claim 1,
wherein the elastomeric material is polyurethane.
4. A shock absorbing element as defined in claim 1,
wherein the metal strip is an aluminum alloy.
5. A shock absorbing element as defined in claim 1,
wherein the elastomeric layer has a shore A hardness range
of 35 to 90.
6. A shock absorbing element as defined in claim 1,
wherein the metal strip is biased.
- 6 -

Description

203
SHOCK-ABSORBING ELEMENT ~OR SKIS
This invention relates to ski construction, and more
particularly to a shock-absorbing element for skis,
Until now, the sole holder, the heel mechanism, and the
- base plate of a ski binding have been directl~ and
rigidly fixed to the ski. In this unyielding connection,
the ihdividual elements of the ski binding carry out
their function which, besides the attachment of the
ski boot to the ski r primarly serves the purpose of pro-
tecting the skier from injury in case of a fall. Such a
tigid mounting of the ski-binding parts on the ski has
the important disadvantage that when the skier travels
over uneven ground, the resultant impacts and vibrations
are directly transmitted to him. This not only makes it
difficult to guide the skis but is also tiring and un-
pleasant for the skier and can lead to accidents. Thestress on skeleton, ligaments, joints, and muscles is
too great.
Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a
shock-absorbing element for skis which takes up and
attenuates the impacts and vibrations produced upon
skiing over rough ground and avoids the disadvantages
mentioned above.
To this end, the shock-absorbing element according to
the present invention is constructed of one or more
parts and of a plurality of layers and is disposed
between the upper surface of the ski and the ski
binding.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be
dlescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
,: ~

5403
-- 3 --
Figure 1 is an elevation of the shock-absorbing element
mounted on a ski between the upper surface of the ski
and the binding,
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the shock-absorbing
element,
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken on the line
III-III of Figure 2,
Figure 4 is a cross-section taken on the line IV-IY of
Figure 2~
Figure 5 is a cross-section through another embodiment
of a shock-absorbing element having two metal layers,
Figure 6 is a cross-section through a further embodiment
of a shock-absorbing element with a laminate consisting
of three metal layers,
Figure 7 is a cross-section showing a one-piece guiding
and shock-absorbing cap,
Figure 8 is a cross-section through another design of the
aforementioned cap,
Figure 9 is a perspective view of one part of a two-part
shock-absorbing element, and
Figure 10 is a perspective view of part of another em-
bodiment of a two-part shock-absorbing element.
Figure 1 shows a shock-absorbing element 1 secured between
the upper surface 2 of a ski and a ski binding 3. Binding
3 itself comprises a sole holder 4 and a heel mechanism 5.
At each end of element 1 is a bent-down extremity 6,7 to
be secured to surface 2.
In Figure 2 the shock-absorbing element is shown on a
larger scale in a perspective view. It is of a sandwich
construction and comprises a layer 8 of polyurethane on its
underside, resting against the upper surface of the ski.
A metal strip 10 lying upon layer 8 is glued thereto.
Adjacent to bent-down portions 6 and 7 are securing
portions 11 and 12; the rearward of the latter relative
to the direction of travel of the ski, i.e., portion 11

~2~5~03
-- 4 --
includes one or more, preferably three, holes 13 for re-
ceiving screws. In the forward securing portion 12 there
are two or more first recesses 14, in each of which a
plastic element 15 is inserted. Each element 15 is in turn
provided with a center recess 16. Screws 18 are driven
through a guiding and shock-absorbing cap 17 for fastening
the element to the ski~
The shock-absorbing element is partially shown in
longitudinal section in Figure 3, where polyurethane
layer 8, metal layer 9, and plastic elements 15 providing
longitudinal shock absorption are visible. The foregoing
parts are mounted on the surface of the ski by means of a
polytetrafluoroethylene plate 19.
In Figure 4, the shock-absorbing element is illustrated
by means of a cross-section taken on the line IV-IV of
Figure 2.
Another embodiment of the invention is depicted in cross
section in Figure 5, which shows a shock-absorbing
element having two metal layers 9 and 10 above poly-
urethane layer 8. Layers 9 and 10 may be of an aluminumalloy and of spring steel, for example.
An embodiment having a polyurethane layer 8 and three
metal layers 21-23 is illustrated in Figure 6. Layers
21-23 form a laminate 20 which may, for instance, be of
an aluminum alloy, steel, and spring steel.
In Figure 7, a covering cap 24 of one-piece construction
is shown.
Figure 8 shows cap 24 additionally provided with an
integral nose 25. The thin plate 19 of polytetrafluoro-
- - 30 ethylene is disposed between the metal layer and the sur-
face of the ski.

- 121S403
According to the embodiment illustrated i~ Figures 9
and 10, the shock-absorbing element is constructed in
two separate parts 26 disposed under the sole holder
and under the heel mechanism, respectively, and provided
with spring tongues 27 or 28. A shock-absorbing element
29 is provided for under part 26. In the embodiment
illustrated in Figure 9, the shock-absorbing element is
softer than the spring tongue 27. Figure 9 shows spring
tongue 27 mounted beneath part 26, while Figure 10
shows spring tongue 28 mounted over and adjacent to
part 26. Each part 26 of the shock-absorbing element
is fastened to the ski on only one side.
The metal element is preferably mounted in a biased
condition. The running conditions can be varied by
modifying the bias and thus adapted to the track con-
ditions.
One advantage of the shock-absorbing element is that
existing mounting gauges for bindings can be used.
The metal element is variably profiled in its thickness.
The Shore hardness of polyurethane element 8 and of
plastic element 15 is variable according to the skier and
is preferably between 35 und 9O Shore A.
The polyurethane layer can be detachably glued on both
sides with a double-adhesive layer.