The present invention relates to a device for grinding of the soles of skis according to the introduction of claim 1.
Several different devices for grinding of patterns in ski soles are previously known. Examples of such devices are, for example, Wintersteiger Sigma RS350 from the company Wintersteiger AG in Austria, Reichmann Profi B350 from the company Reichmann Skiservice, Germany and Montana Crystal from the firm Montana Sport International AG, Switzerland.
Common to all these known devices is that a grinding stone is used for grinding a pattern into the sole of a ski, and that the ski moves gradually into the grinding apparatus during the grinding process.
In addition, a number of different apparatus for the grinding of skis and structuring of the grindstone are known. Examples of such known solutions are, for example,
A waxing machine for skis from www.montana-international.com is known, where the ski is at rest while the waxing machine moves relative to the ski.
A disadvantage with these known grinding devices, is that the grinding stone which is used, will gradually be worn down, which means that it is difficult to achieve reproducible results. Even if one sets up the stone again (grind it up again), the surface will not be the same as the first time, so that the grinding of the ski will be different than before. Thus you will not be able to repeat a successful grinding and chance determines whether the grinding will be only useful, or whether it will be very good.
Another disadvantage with this is that peripheral speed of the grinding stone will change as the grindstone wears down, because the radius will gradually be reduced. Another disadvantage with the known devices is that the ski is moving in the grinding apparatus during the grinding process. This will inevitably result in the ski moving sideways to a certain degree, so that the grinding is not sufficiently accurate. The sidewise movement will vary every time the ski is led through the grinding machine.
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The present invention intends to provide a device of the initially mentioned type, where the above mentioned disadvantages are not present, or are at least substantially reduced.
Tests have shown that skis ground with a device in accordance with the invention, provide better results as well as more reproducible results than the grinding performed with the previously known grinding machines.
This is achieved with a device for grinding the soles of the ski, said device incorporates a grinding unit, a device for holding/clamping the ski and a foundation for support of the grinding device, wherein the grinding unit encompasses a grinding wheel made from a metallic material, and that the grinding unit and the device that holds/clamps the ski, in the longitudinal direction of the ski, is set up to make a relative movement, and that the grinding wheel rotates with a peripheral speed which is different from the speed of the relative movement.
The relative movement is produced either in that the grinding unit moves and the ski is held stationary or in that the grinding unit is held stationary and the ski moves.
The grinding unit includes a sensor and a regulating appliance to regulate the force of the grinding wheel against the sole of the ski.
The grinding unit preferably includes a sensor and a regulating appliance for regulating the force of the grinding wheel against the sole of the ski.
The foundation is fitted with rails or the like in the longitudinal direction of the ski and the grinding unit is fitted with complementary shaped wheels or engagement bodies to cooperate with the rails.
Furthermore, the device can be fitted with a drive appliance, for example, in the form of a toothed rack, a screw rod or a chain, linked to a motor, so that the grinding unit can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the ski.
The invention will be explained in more detail in the following with the help of an embodiment example with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which
The grinding device 5 is shown in more detail in
Contrary to the previously known solutions described above, the grinding wheel 10 is made of metal. The purpose of this is to reduce the wear on the grinding wheel 10 to a minimum so that reproducible results can be obtained. Furthermore, the drive appliance of the grinding wheel 10 is set up so that it regulates the pressure of the grinding wheel against the base of ski 3 all the time. In this way, it is possible to achieve a uniform grinding across the whole length of the ski 3.
The grinding wheel can be fitted with different types of grooves in the wheel surface, for example, a helical groove that extends one or more times around the grinding wheel from the one side of the wheel to the other, diagonal grooves that stretch across from one edge of the grinding wheel to the other or a combination of different grooves. These grooves can, for example, be milled or machined into the grinding wheel and it will be possible to vary them to provide a desired grinding result. Since the grinding wheel is made of metal, the grinding wheel will not wear significantly as a result of the use against the relatively soft ski soles and the grinding result will be repeatable even over a long time.
The grinding head can be equipped with a pressure sensor which ensures that the grinding wheel is pressed against the ski sole at a predetermined constant pressure.
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.