Shock-Absorbing Element for Skis

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a ski with a shock-absorbing element according to the invention and including a mounted ski binding,

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the element,

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section through the element taken on the line III--III of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the front end of the element without cover plate,

FIG. 5 is a perspective bottom view of the element, and

FIG. 6 is a cross-section through the shock-absorbing element taken on the line VI--VI of FIG. 2.

The manner in which the shock-absorbing element 1 is mounted on the top surface 2 of the ski may be seen in FIG. 1. A ski binding 3, comprising front clamping jaws 4 and an automatic heel mechanism 5, is then mounted on element 1. Element 1 is secured to the ski at the rearward end 11 by screws and longitudinally displaceably connected to top surface 2 at the front end 12 by means of an attachment and guiding part 17.

Details of shock-absorbing element 1 are shown in FIG. 2. Disposed on an elastomer layer 8 is a metal plate 9 having bent-down portions 6 and 7 at the front and rear. These portions merge into end pieces 11 and 12 intended to rest directly on the ski. End piece 11 includes holes 13 used in mounting element 1, while openings 16 for screws 18 in front end 12 are oval. These elongated openings 16 are provided so that front end 12 may move relative to screws 18 when the ski is subjected to bending. Attachment and guiding part 17 is pressed on front end 12 by screws 18. This arrangement prevents lateral and vertical movements of end piece 12 while allowing the desired longitudinal movement. Through co-operation between resilient pieces 14 and a guide piece 15 inserted in each of the openings 16, a supplementary damping effect is achieved. Disposed under metal plate 9, preferably made of a stable light metal alloy, is elastomer support 8, which is from 5 to 10 mm thick, preferably 8 mm and of polyurethane, and may be either adhesively bonded to plate 9 or foamed directly thereon.

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section through the inventive shock-absorbing element mounted on surface 2 of the ski by screws 10 and 18. Rearward end piece 11 of metal plate 9 is secured to the ski by screws 10 passing through holes 13. Disposed under plate 9 between bent-down portions 6 and 7 is elastomer layer 8. The latter has on its underside at least one groove 20 for receiving a pressure-sensitive adhesive 19. The thickness of the layer of adhesive 19 corresponds to the depth of groove 20. Preferably, the layer of adhesive 19 tops groove 20 slightly and, after mounting of elastomer layer 8, adapts itself exactly owing to the plastic properties of adhesive 19. Front end piece 12 lies directly on the ski. Alternatively, a layer of the polytetrafluoroethylene substance sold under the registered trademark "Teflon" may also be disposed between end piece 12 and ski surface 2. An opening 16, holding damping pieces 14 and guide pieces 15, is also seen in longitudinal section. Placed over end piece 12 is attachment and guiding part 17, connected to the ski by screws 18 passing through guide piece 15. By means of this arrangement, screws 18 and attachment and guiding part 17, together with the integrated guide pieces 15, are made fast to the ski. If the ski is now flexed, front end piece 12 moves longitudinally relative to the screws 18 fixed to the ski, this movement being additionally damped by the resilient parts 14.

FIG. 4 shows front end piece 12 in perspective, the arrangement of guide pieces 15 and damping inserts 14 forming part of attachment and guiding part 17 being illustrated. Guide pieces 15 are now dampingly movable longitudinally.

In FIG. 5, shock-absorbing element 1 is seen in perspective from below. A preferred arrangement of the contact adhesive locations is illustrated, pressure-sensitive adhesive 19 is contained in grooves 20 aligned longitudinally. The depth of grooves 20 corresponds to the desired thickness of the layer of adhesive 19, which is preferably about 1 mm. Grooves 20 are already filled with adhesive 19 and covered with anti-adhesive guard strips 21 during manufacture. Strips 21 are then removed prior to mounting of shock-absorbing element 1 so that contact adhesive 19 comes in contact with the top surface 2 of the ski after it has been cleaned.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the best mode of carrying out the invention as illustrated in the drawing figures may be modified without departing from the spirit and principles of the inventive concept.