[0001] The present innovation (invention) concerns an instrument defined bridge for ski
set-up, essential to move the ski with its bindings through the machinery used for
its processing.
[0002] Current condition of the processing technique: to process and recondition skis we
use machinery for splattening, imprinting, polishing, foils (lamina) sharpening etc.
This machinery is often equipped with a dragger (6), that is a rubber-coated wheel
that applies a pressure on the ski (9) and makes it run over its processing devices
(7), which can be abrasive grinders, stones, hollow cutters etc
[0003] The two functions of the bridge are: allow the dragger (6) to override the bindings
of the ski (8), if they are with it; and to transfer the pressure of the dragger (6)
to the ski surface (9).
[0004] Up to now, the bridges have been are manufactured with materials such as plastics,
metals, wood, aiming to get the minimum of warping, without worrying about the weight
of the end product.
[0005] Both the heavy weight and expecially the stiffness of the structure are the limits
to overcome. The current bridges lay and press on the surface of the ski in small
contact points set at their ends. In these points centers the push of the dragger
that, in its turn, is distributed on the ski provoking its stiffening. This arrangement
generates an irregular and fluctuating pressure on the contact area between the ski
and the processing devices that is affected by many variables among which the inclination
of the bridge ramps, the warping of the structure of the ski, the leverage points
made by supporting rollers on the machinery, if any, etc..
[0006] Some bridges can be equipped with a connecting and supporting system set at the binding
of the ski, which in itself can represent another variable.
[0007] Skis of today are very different from those of the past: they are shorter, thinner,
consisting of structures made with cutting-edge materials and techniques.
[0008] Today, it has been shown by ever more sophisticated ski processing, together with
their new structures, the failing of the bridges as described above. In fact, they
can manufacture irregular jobs caused by an uneven and wavering pressure on the ski.
[0009] Moreover, the high weight of the traditional bridges, added to the weight of the
ski with bindings and plates, makes tiring and uneasy the use of these instruments.
Solution: create a dynamic flexing bridge (fig.2), extremely lightweight, with manufacturing
features that allow it to transfer on the ski (9) the pressure provided by the dragger
(6) in the most focused and steady way, in each area. To achieve this goal the concept
of a stiff bridge has been completely abandoned.
[0010] The supporting structure (1) of the dynamic bridge has been manufactured with composite
materials such as carbon fibre, glass, kevlar, resins and other light structural materials,
combined together using the most innovative techniques borrowed from the aero-space
industry. Given that the innovation resides on the flexing dynamic outcome of the
whole set, it is possible to think that the dynamic bridge can be manufactured with
materials different from those mentioned above. The profile of the supporting structure
(1) of the new dynamic bridge is of an arching and curvy design to allow the smoothest
of flowing to the dragger (6) on its surface. The thickness, and the resulting opposition
to the flexing of the supporting structure (1), tapers increasingly to the ends. This
structure allows a different elastic flexing between the ends and the central area,
with a behaviour similar to a bow shock. Thus, when the dragger (6) works on the surface
of the dynamic bridge (1), it effects a different warping near the ends than in the
central area. The dimensions, for guidance, could be: lenght 130 cm, width 8 cm, depth
1 cm. Nonetheless it is possible to consider different sizes depending on the kind
of ski we intend to work on (ski for adults, for children, snow board, etc..).
[0011] Another functional element of the innovative bridge for ski are the wedges 2 3 4.
They are big wedges made of an expanded plastic material, light and elastic, attached
to the underside of the supporting structure (1) of the dynamic bridge in the area
between its ends and the area taken by the bindings (8) of the ski.
[0012] They give stability and balance to the dynamic bridge (1) because of their wide contact
surface when they rest on the ski (9) and then, connecting the underside of the bridge
(1) directly with the upperside of the ski (9), they transfer the push imparted by
the dragger (6) directly to the surface of the ski (9), providing an original transmission
of loads.
[0013] Without the wedges 2 3 4 or similar systems of transferring the loads of the dragger
(6) to the ski (9), it would not be possible to create a supporting structure (1)
of the bridge so light and dynamically flexing.
[0014] As already said, the wedges 2 3 4 are manufactured with a plastic material, elastic,
rubbery and with a low specific weight. In this case, a product called e.v.a. has
been used.
[0015] The wedges can be provided with holes or other workings that lower their weight or
alter their resistance to compression. On the whole, they can have a width equivalent
to that of the supporting structure (1).
[0016] They can be firmly secured to the under side of the bridge or by ways that can allow
their removal or shifting.
[0017] The middle wedge (4) eases the placement of the dynamic bridge (1) onto the ski (9),
and transmits the pressure of the dragger (6) in the area binding-underlay (8).
[0018] When the dragger (6) passes over the dynamic bridge (1) above the wedges (2) and
(3), the structure of the bridge (1) thinner and flexible, warps without any particular
resistance. The weight conveyed by the dragger (6) is cushioned almost in its entirety
by the involved wedge (2) or (3), that transmits it directly to the ski (9) under
it; only a residual part of the pressure will involve the other areas of the bridge.
[0019] When the dragger (6) then passes over the central areas of the bridge (1), it weighs
on a thicker structure of the bridge that allows a shifting of pressures from the
frontal wedge (2) to the central wedge (4), and at last to the posterior wedge (3).
[0020] During this passage, that sees the middle wedge (4) as the main agent of thrust,
the two ends of the bridge (1) are nearly unburdened b any pressure.
[0021] These workings generate a transmission of weight from the dragger (6) to the ski
(9) direct and limited, area to area, gradual, avoiding any dispersion of pressure
or creation of unwanted tensions on the surfaces of the ski (9).
[0022] This allows manufacturing results comparable to those achievable working with the
dragger (6) directly on the surface of skis without bindings and underlays (ideal
working condition).
[0023] The first flexing warping of the structure (1) appears also with very light loads,
below a kilo, and for this reason it is not necessary that the wedges 2 3 4 with an
unloaded bridge stick perfectly to the ski (9); the contact will happen automatically
and it will finish as soon as the dragger (6) will ascent the dynamic bridge (1).
[0024] At the same time, the dynamic bridge (1) supports without any problem the top operating
pressures referred to the instruments for ski set-up.
[0025] The upperside of the dynamic bridges will rather be of a non slippery material and
at its ends there will be rubber tips (5) with the aim of helping the smooth ascent
and the descent of the dragger (6).
[0026] Many and substantial the benefits in comparison to the pre-existent technique. The
weight of our dynamic bridge (1) is up to five times lower than a bridge of old craftmanship
and easily under 1 kg; our prototype weighs 0.6 kg, and this effects a lesser strain
on the operator and thus a better productivity.
[0027] The easy adaptation to particular morphologies of the ski upper part (9) thanks to
the wide and conformable wedges 2 3 4, gives stability and adherence to the surface
of the ski (9) and produces a great user friendliness.
[0028] But above all the innovative transmission of pressures from dragger (6) to ski (9),
allowed by the special flexibility of the dynamic bridge (1), affords excellent set-ups
of the skis of today.
[0029] In special models, the wedges 2 3 4 could be made with various joynted parts with
the aim of achieving apt dimensional, structural, functional, or aesthetic alterations
and, moreover, they could be removable and/or replaceable under the supporting structure
(1), so giving further multifunctionality to the dynamic bridge. The supporting structure
(1), with similar characteristics of dynamics and weight, could be achieved with numerous
alternative design solutions, such as for instance different profile shapes, different
section shapes.
[0030] It is not to be excluded that other materials different from those mentioned can
produce similar performances. They would be only equivalent solutions because the
core of this innovation consists in the dynamic-functional warping of the whole structural
set 1 - wedges 2 3 4 that effects a new and more direct transmission of the pressures
from the dragger (6) to the ski (9).
[0031] Figure (1) shows a side view of the dynamic bridge in a simulation of usage; elements
are shown that help to understand its scope.
[0032] Let's point out the arched structure of supporting bridge (1). It rests on a ski
(9) in a set with bindings (8). The front wedge (2) fills the space between the front
binding and the front end of the bridge (1). The rear wedge (3) fills the space between
rear binding e rear end of the bridge (1). The middle wedge (4), that has the job
of supporting the tip binding (8), assists on the correct positioning of the bridge
(1) on the ski (9) and transmit the pressure of the dragger (6) to the bindings area
(8).
[0033] The dragger (6), thanks to its rotation, applies a precise pressure on the bridge
(1) so moving the ski (9) on the tool (7) (abrasive grinder) that, with a contrary
rotation to that of the dragger (6), carries out the work on the ski (9).
[0034] The rubber non-slip tips (5) have the function of easing the ascent and discent of
the dragger (6) without any jolt.
[0035] In figure (2), side view of the dynamic bridge, we can notice:
the profile of the supporting structure (1), the front wedge (2), the middle wedge
(4), the rear wedge (3), the two rubber tips (5).
[0036] In figure (3), view from above of the dynamic bridge, we can notice:
the upperside of the dynamic bridge with anti-slip (1), rubber tips (5).
[0037] In figure (4), view from below of the dynamic bridge, we can notice:
rubber tips (5), front wedge (2), middle wedge (4), rear wedge (3), structure end
of the bridge (1).
1. Covering bridge for ski binding, made of an arching supporting structure (1) with
a non-slip surface, and tips (5) set at the two ends; it is characterized by the fact that the supporting structure (1), more rigid and stable in the centre and increasingly
yielding and flexible while reaching the ends, subjected to the action of the dragger
(6), will flex and flatten towards the ski surface; fastened to the supporting structure
there are wedges (2) and (3) that mainly occupy the space between the unloaded supporting
structure and the ski (9), in the areas before and after the ski binding (8); the
wedges allow a free bending and flexing of the supporting structure, until they touch
the ski surface (9) when, mediating between the two elements, they transfer the pressure
applied by the dragger (6) to the ski surface (9), focusing it above the working device
(7); the middle wedge (4), set at the tip of the ski binding (8) with the same function
of the wedges (2) and (3), also allow the right settling of the bridge unto the ski
and rules the angle of inflection of the whole assemblage.
2. Covering bridge for ski binding, following the above claim, in which the part of the
supporting structure above the wedges (2) and (3), rectangular or trapezoidal in section,
around 7-8 cm large and 15 mm thick, can hold intensive loads like those caused by
the dragger (6), usually under 50kg, undergoing a minimal flexing.
3. Covering bridge for ski binding, following any of the above claims, in which the sections
of the supporting structure set above the wedges (2) and (3), with a profile tapering
towards the tips, easily flex even with loads under 1 kg.
4. Covering bridge for ski binding, following any of the above claims, characterized by the fact that, set onto the ski (9) and subjected to working load, has an angle of
inflection of the whole assemblage from 0 to 6 cm.
5. Covering bridge for ski binding, following any of the above claims, in which the supporting
structure is made of sandwiches of composite materials like fibre glass, carbon, Kevlar,
dynema, resins and structural foams.
6. Covering bridge for ski binding, following any of the above claims, in which the wedges
are made of elastomers, apt to modulate the warping of the more flexible sections
of the structure (1), adhering to the ski surface (9) with the least warping.
7. Covering bridge for ski binding, following any of the above claims, in which one or
more wedges (2 3 4) is fastened with arrangements that permits their anchoring or
their moving, thus affecting the angle of inflection of the whole assemblage.
8. Covering bridge for ski binding, following any of the above claims, in which one or
more wedges (2 3 4) is made with different elements put together with any arrangement
that permits their junction or dismembering (joints, Velcro, etc.).
9. Covering bridge for ski binding, following any of the above claims, in which the supporting
structure (1) is achieved with types of section and/or profile different from those
proposed, that beget similar functions.