FOLDING SKI

Description

Field of Invention

[0001] The invention relates to a folding ski for sporting or military purposes.

Prior Art

[0002] A folding ski is known from prior art. When assembled, a folding ski functions as a classic ski, its advantage being its possibility of being folded and is as such more handy for carrying, transporting and storing. A collapsible ski is disclosed in patent SI 25117. The ski comprises a ski front section having a front end with a tip bent upwards from the base and a rear end, and a ski rear section having a front end and a rear end with a tail slightly bent upwards, wherein the rear end of the ski front section is inseparably connected with the front end of the ski rear section by means of a folding connection. The folding connection is stiffened by a connecting platform engaging the grooves formed on the ski front and rear sections. The upper portion of the connecting platform is provided with bindings for fastening a ski boot.

[0003] Traditional skis (non-folding) are also known from prior art, which are formed arcuately bent so that between the front end of the front section of the ski and the rear end of the rear section of the ski a bridge is formed. An expert term for the preload arc is ski camber. The front section of the ski is distant from the ground when the skis are placed on a flat ground and not loaded by a skier's weight. Said ski camber provides for a proper transfer of the force from the middle section of the ski towards the front end of the front section of the ski and towards the rear end of the rear section of the ski. In skiing, the ski camber shape ensures a proper distribution of the load exerted on the ski edge of the ski to the snow surface from the front end of the front section of the ski towards the rear end of the rear section of the ski. The ski camber shape also provides for the desired dynamic properties of the ski. While a ski is in use, the ski camber shape allows the energy input into the bending of a ski when entering a turn to translate as an acceleration of the ski while exiting the turn.

[0004] When a traditional ski is transversally halved, the camber shape is lost and so are the mechanical and dynamic properties of the ski in use, the properties as possessed by a traditional ski (a non-folding ski).

Technical Problem

[0005] The technical problem is how to conceive a folding ski that would have all the above-indicated mechanical and dynamic properties of a traditional, non-folding ski.

Solution to the Technical Problem

[0006] The relative expressions such as front, rear, upper, lower, etc. are herein defined from the perspective of the ski user, when the ski is in its functional state.

[0007] The technical problem is solved by a folding ski that comprises:

• a ski front section having a front end with a tip slightly bent upwards and a rear end,
• a ski rear section having a front end and a rear end with a tail slightly bent upwards,
• a folding connection that inseparably connects the rear end of the ski front section with the front end of the ski rear section,
• a connecting platform serving to reinforce the folding connection of the ski in its functional state, wherein the connecting platform has at least four tongues, one at each end of the connecting platform and two in the central area of the connecting platform proximal to the folding connection, one from each side of the folding connection,

wherein two respective grooves are formed on the front section of the ski and the rear section of the ski, respectively, said grooves being arranged in a way to engage, in the functional state of the ski, the tongues of the connecting platform,

wherein the connecting platform is formed in the shape of ski camber bent upwards in an arcuate manner and formed from an elastic material.

[0008] In the functional state of the ski, i. e. when assembled with the ski, the arcuate shape of the connecting platform made from an elastic material preloads the ski in a way that the ski is shaped like camber.

[0009] Although the camber shape can be achieved by four tongue-and-groove pairs, there should preferably be several tongue-and-groove pairs equidistantly arranged along the connecting platform.

[0010] The advantage of the folding ski of the invention over known folding skis is to provide such mechanical and dynamic properties of the ski as possessed by a traditional, non-folding ski. In skiing, the ski of the invention ensures a proper distribution of the load exerted on the ski edge of the ski to the snow surface from the front end of the front section of the ski towards the rear end of the rear section of the ski. It further allows the energy input into the bending of a ski when entering a turn to translate as an acceleration of the ski while exiting the turn.

Figure 1: Folding ski with a connecting platform in a non-assembled state

Figure 2: Connecting platform

Figure 3: Folding ski with a connecting platform in a non-assembled state

Figure 4: Folding ski with a connecting platform in a functional state

Figure 5: Folding ski with a connecting platform pivotally connected with the ski

Figure 6: Folding ski in a folded state

Figure 7: Folding connection of the folding ski with a latching mechanism

Figure 8: Folding connection of the folding ski in a latched state

[0011] The invention is described in more detail hereinbelow.

[0012] The technical problem is solved by a folding ski 1 that comprises:

• a ski front section 2 having a front end 2a with a tip slightly bent upwards and a rear end 2b,
• a ski rear section 3 having a front end 3a and a rear end 3b with a tail slightly bent upwards,
• a folding connection 4 that inseparably connects the rear end 2b of the ski front section with the front end 3a of the ski rear section,
• a connecting platform 5 serving to reinforce the folding connection 4 of the ski in its functional state, wherein the connecting platform 5 has at least four tongues 61, 62, 63, 64, one at each end of the connecting platform and two in the central area of the connecting platform proximal to the folding connection, one from each side of the folding connection,

wherein two respective grooves 71, 72, 73, 74 are formed on the front section of the ski and the rear section of the ski, respectively, said grooves being arranged in a way to engage, in the functional state of the ski, the tongues of the connecting platform, wherein the connecting platform 5 is formed in the shape of ski camber bent upwards in an arcuate manner and formed from an elastic material.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, there are more than four tongue-and-groove connections equidistantly arranged along the connecting platform. A larger number of tongue-and-groove connections and an equidistant distribution result in a smoother bending line of the ski and a stiffer connection between the ski and the connecting platform 5 in the functional state of the ski.

[0014] The ratio between the height (h) and the length (1) of the ski camber of the connecting platform ranges from 1:170 to 1:280, is preferably about 1:240.

[0015] The connecting platform 5 can be formed of aluminium.

[0016] The connecting platform 5 can be formed from a injection moulded plastic material such as polyamide (PA). The connecting platform can be reinforced with fibres, particularly carbon fibres or glass fibres. The connecting platform can further be reinforced with a fabric layer from fibres, particularly carbon fibres or glass fibres. The advantage of the plastic connecting platform over the aluminium one is more than halved mass of the connecting platform. A further reduction in the mass of the connecting platform 5 is achieved by longitudinal grooves formed in its bottom side. If the connecting platform is made of aluminium, the grooves are made by milling, which is time consuming and cost inefficient. If the platform is made of plastics, the grooves are formed in the tool already and further processing is not necessary.

[0017] The tongues 61, 62, 63, 64 of the connecting platform and the grooves 71, 72, 73, 74 on the front and rear sections of the ski can be flat. In this case, the ski is assembled to a functional state by pushing the tongues of the connecting platform into the grooves of the ski in a transversal direction with respect of the ski. Here, the connecting platform is detachable from the ski.

[0018] In a second embodiment, the tongues of the connecting platform and the grooves on the front and rear sections of the ski are formed as circular arcs, wherein the circular arcs are formed with a radius derived from the same axis a of rotation extending perpendicularly to the upper surface of the ski. The connecting platform can be detachable from the ski.

[0019] Alternatively, the connecting platform can be non-detachably connected with the ski front 2 and rear 3 sections. In this case, the connecting platform is formed to be pivotal around the axis a of rotation, wherein the connecting platform is directly pivotally connected with the ski front 2 and rear 3 sections and arranged such that the transversal middle axis b of the connecting platform 5 in the functional state of the ski is located in the area of the folding connection 4, wherein the connecting platform has tongues formed as circular arcs, wherein the circular arcs are formed with a radius derived from the same axis a of rotation, wherein the grooves on the ski are formed with the circular arcs matching the circular arcs of each belonging tongue on the connecting platform.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the connecting platform can be non-detachably connected with the front 2 or rear 3 section of the ski via a connecting plate, said plate being connected via a hinge with one end to the front 2 or rear 3 section of the ski and with another end via the folding connection with the connecting platform.

[0021] The folding connection 4 between the ski front and rear sections may be provided with a latching mechanism 13 that stiffens the connection in the functional state of the ski. The latching mechanism 13 can be formed by a recess 13a and a spring 13b that clips into the recess 13a when the ski is in the functional state. This is of particular importance when the ski is assembled to a functional state in the field when the user has not flat surface available. In assembling the ski, the ski is first pivoted around the folding axis c to the extended position, the connecting platform is subsequently pivoted around the axis a of rotation from the folded into the functional state. If the ski is not in its fully extended position, some tongue-and-groove connections might not be well established or more effort is needed for their establishment. When assembling the ski, the latching mechanism 13 maintains the ski in its completely extended position, which contributes to an easier establishment of connections between the grooves of the connecting platform and the tongues of the ski.

Claims

1. A folding ski (1) that comprises:

- a ski front section (2) having a front end (2a) with a tip slightly bent upwards and a rear end (2b),

- a ski rear section (3) having a front end (3a) and a rear end (3b) with a tail slightly bent upwards,

- a folding connection (4) that inseparably connects the rear end (2b) of the ski front section with the front end (3a) of the ski rear section,

- a connecting platform (5) serving to reinforce the folding connection (4) of the ski in its functional state, wherein the connecting platform (5) has at least four tongues (61, 62, 63, 64), one at each end of the connecting platform and two in the central area of the connecting platform proximal to the folding connection, one from each side of the folding connection,

wherein grooves (71, 72, 73, 74) are formed on the front section of the ski and the rear section of the ski, said grooves being arranged in a way to engage, in the functional state of the ski, the tongues of the connecting platform,

wherein the connecting platform (5) is formed in the shape of ski camber bent upwards in an arcuate manner and formed from an elastic material characterized in that in the functional state of the ski, the arcuate shape of the connecting platform preloads the ski in a way that the ski is camber-shaped, wherein the ratio between the height (h) and the length (1) of the ski camber of the connecting platform ranges from 1:170 to 1:280, is preferably about 1:240.

2. Folding ski (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that there are more than four tongue-and-groove connections that are substantially equidistantly arranged along the connecting platform.

3. Folding ski (1) according to any of preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting platform (5) is made from aluminium.

4. Folding ski (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting platform (5) is made from injection moulded plastics.

5. Folding ski (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the connecting platform is reinforced with fibres, particularly carbon fibres or glass fibres.

6. Folding ski (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the connecting platform (5) is reinforced with a fabric layer, particularly from carbon fibres or glass fibres.

7. Folding ski (1) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the tongues (61, 62, 63, 64) of the connecting platform and the grooves (71, 72, 73, 74) on the front and rear sections of the ski are flat.

8. Folding ski (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the tongues of the connecting platform and the grooves on the front and rear sections of the ski are formed as circular arcs, wherein the circular arcs are formed with a radius derived from the same axis (a) of rotation.

9. Folding ski (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the connecting platform (5) is directly pivotally connected with the ski front (2) and rear (3) sections and arranged such that the transversal middle axis (b) of the connecting platform (5) in the functional state of the ski is located in the area of the folding connection (4).

10. Folding ski (1) according to any of preceding claims, characterized in that the folding connection (4) is provided with a latching mechanism (13).

11. Folding ski (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the latching mechanism (13) is formed by a recess (13a) and a spring (13b).

Ansprüche

1. Klappbarer Ski (1), der Folgendes umfasst:

- einen vorderen Skiabschnitt (2), der ein vorderes Ende (2a) mit einer Spitze, die leicht nach oben gebogen ist, und ein hinteres Ende (2b) aufweist,

- einen hinteren Skiabschnitt (3), der ein vorderes Ende (3a) und ein hinteres Ende (3b) mit einem Abschluss, der leicht nach oben gebogen ist, aufweist,

- eine Klappverbindung (4), die das hintere Ende (2b) des vorderen Skiabschnitts mit dem vorderen Ende (3a) des hinteren Skiabschnitts untrennbar verbindet,

- eine Verbindungsplattform (5), die dazu dient, die Klappverbindung (4) des Skis in seinem Funktionszustand zu verstärken, wobei die Verbindungsplattform (5) mindestens vier Federn (61, 62, 63, 64) aufweist, eine an jedem Ende der Verbindungsplattform und zwei im Mittelbereich der Verbindungsplattform nahe der Klappverbindung, eine an jeder Seite der Klappverbindung,

wobei Nuten (71, 72, 73, 74) an dem vorderen Abschnitt des Skis und dem hinteren Abschnitt des Skis ausgebildet sind, wobei die Nuten derart angeordnet sind, dass sie, im Funktionszustand des Skis, die Federn der Verbindungsplattform in Eingriff nehmen,

wobei die Verbindungsplattform (5) in der Form der Skiwölbung in einer gekrümmten Weise nach oben gebogen ausgebildet ist und aus einem elastischen Material ausgebildet ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass, im Funktionszustand des Skis, die gebogene Form der Verbindungsplattform den Ski derart vorspannt, dass der Ski eine gewölbte Form aufweist, wobei das Verhältnis zwischen der Höhe (h) und der Länge (1) der Skiwölbung der Verbindungsplattform von 1:170 bis 1:280 reicht, vorzugsweise etwa 1:240 beträgt.

2. Klappbarer Ski (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mehr als vier Nut-und-Feder-Verbindungen vorhanden sind, die im Wesentlichen in gleichen Abständen entlang der Verbindungsplattform angeordnet sind.

3. Klappbarer Ski (1) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Verbindungsplattform (5) aus Aluminium hergestellt ist.

4. Klappbarer Ski (1) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Verbindungsplattform (5) aus spritzgegossenen Kunststoffen hergestellt ist.

5. Klappbarer Ski (1) nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Verbindungsplattform mit Fasern, insbesondere Kohlenstofffasern oder Glasfasern, verstärkt ist.

6. Klappbarer Ski (1) nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Verbindungsplattform (5) mit einer Gewebelage, insbesondere aus Kohlenstofffasern oder Glasfasern, verstärkt ist.

7. Klappbarer Ski (1) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Federn (61, 62, 63, 64) der Verbindungsplattform und die Nuten (71, 72, 73, 74) an dem vorderen und dem hinteren Abschnitt des Skis flach sind.

8. Klappbarer Ski (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Federn der Verbindungsplattform und die Nuten an dem vorderen und dem hinteren Abschnitt des Skis als kreisförmige Bögen ausgebildet sind, wobei die kreisförmigen Bögen mit einem Radius ausgebildet sind, der von der gleichen Rotationsachse (a) abgeleitet ist.

9. Klappbarer Ski (1) nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Verbindungsplattform (5) direkt schwenkbar mit dem vorderen (2) und dem hinteren (3) Skiabschnitt verbunden ist und so angeordnet ist, dass die querlaufende Mittelachse (b) der Verbindungsplattform (5) im Funktionszustand des Skis im Bereich der Klappverbindung (4) angeordnet ist.

10. Klappbarer Ski (1) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Klappverbindung (4) mit einem Verriegelungsmechanismus (13) versehen ist.

11. Klappbarer Ski (1) nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Verriegelungsmechanismus (13) durch eine Aussparung (13a) und eine Feder (13b) ausgebildet ist.

Revendications

1. Ski pliable (1) qui comprend :

- une partie avant de ski (2) ayant une extrémité avant (2a) avec une pointe légèrement courbée vers le haut et une extrémité arrière (2b),

- une partie arrière de ski (3) ayant une extrémité avant (3a) et une extrémité arrière (3b) avec un talon légèrement courbé vers le haut,

- un raccordement pliable (4) qui raccorde de manière indissociable l'extrémité arrière (2b) de la partie avant de ski à l'extrémité avant (3a) de la partie arrière de ski,

- une plate-forme de raccordement (5) permettant de renforcer le raccordement pliable (4) du ski dans son état fonctionnel, dans lequel la plate-forme de raccordement (5) comporte au moins quatre languettes (61, 62, 63, 64), une à chaque extrémité de la plate-forme de raccordement, deux dans la zone centrale de la plate-forme de raccordement à proximité du raccordement pliable, une de chaque côté du raccordement pliable,

dans lequel des rainures (71, 72, 73, 74) sont formées sur la partie avant du ski et la partie arrière du ski, lesdites rainures étant agencées de manière à venir en prise, dans l'état fonctionnel du ski, avec les languettes de la plate-forme de raccordement,

dans lequel la plate-forme de raccordement (5) a la forme d'un cambre de ski courbé vers le haut de manière arquée et est constituée d'un matériau élastique, caractérisé en ce que, dans l'état fonctionnel du ski, la forme arquée de la plate-forme de raccordement précontraint le ski de sorte que le ski a une forme cambrée, dans lequel le rapport entre la hauteur (h) et la longueur (1) du cambre de ski de la plate-forme de raccordement est compris entre 1:170 et 1:280 et est de préférence environ de 1:240.

2. Ski pliable (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que plus de quatre raccordements à rainure et languette sont agencés de manière sensiblement équidistante le long de la plate-forme de raccordement.

3. Ski pliable (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la plate-forme de raccordement (5) est constituée d'aluminium.

4. Ski pliable (1) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que la plate-forme de raccordement (5) est constituée de matière plastique moulée par injection.

5. Ski pliable (1) selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que la plate-forme de raccordement est renforcée avec des fibres, notamment des fibres de carbone ou des fibres de verre.

6. Ski pliable (1) selon la revendication 4 ou 5, caractérisé en ce que la plate-forme de raccordement (5) est renforcée avec une couche de tissu, constituée notamment de fibres de carbone ou de fibres de verre.

7. Ski pliable (1) selon une quelconque revendication précédente, caractérisé en ce que les languettes (61, 62, 63, 64) de la plate-forme de raccordement et les rainures (71, 72, 73, 74) sur les parties avant et arrière du ski sont plates.

8. Ski pliable (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que les languettes de la plate-forme de raccordement et les rainures sur les parties avant et arrière du ski sont en forme d'arcs de cercle, dans lequel les arcs de cercle sont formés avec un rayon dérivé du même axe (a) de rotation.

9. Ski pliable (1) selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que la plate-forme de raccordement (5) est directement raccordée de manière pivotante aux parties avant (2) et arrière (3) du ski et agencée de sorte que l'axe médian transversal (b) de la plate-forme de raccordement (5) dans l'état fonctionnel du ski est situé dans la zone du raccordement pliable (4).

10. Ski pliable (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le raccordement pliable (4) est muni d'un mécanisme de verrouillage (13).

11. Ski pliable (1) selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que le mécanisme de verrouillage (13) est formé par un évidement (13a) et un ressort (13b).

Drawing