PORTABLE DEVICE FOR SHARPENING THE EDGES OF A SKI

Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20100330889
  • Publication Number
    20100330889
  • Date Filed
    January 28, 2009
    15 years ago
  • Date Published
    December 30, 2010
    14 years ago
Abstract
A portable device for sharpening the edges of a ski is composed of a carriage equipped with first and second pressing means on the ski in lateral and transverse directions, and of a support mounted on the carriage and comprising fixing means of a machining unit. The fixing means enable translation of the machining unit with respect to the support in a first adjustment direction included in a lateral-transverse plane. The connecting means between the carriage and support enable on the one hand swivelling of the support through 90 degrees around a swivelling axis oriented in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the lateral-transverse plane, and on the other hand translation of the support in a second adjustment direction included in the lateral-transverse plane and perpendicular to the first adjustment direction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a portable device for sharpening the edges of a ski, each edge having a bottom face running along the base of the ski and a lateral face bordering its side, a device comprising a frame having:

    • first means for pressing in a lateral direction designed to be applied against the side, and second means for pressing in a transverse direction designed to be applied against the base,
    • and fixing means of a machining unit comprising a tool that is abrasive by rotation and a drive motor of the abrasive tool, said means for fixing enabling translation of the machining unit in a first adjustment direction included in the lateral-transverse plane and coinciding with the axis of rotation of the abrasive tool.


STATE OF THE ART

An edge is a suitable steel strip that runs along the base of a ski or of any other snow-riding means such as snowboards.


The edges have to be sharpened periodically to be able to perform their function to the full. Fixed machines and portable machines exist to proceed with sharpening of the edges. The invention relates to a machine of the second category, with all the obvious advantages this represents for the user.


The document CH661876 describes a portable device for sharpening an edge that enables the lateral and bottom faces of the edge to be machined by successively running the device over the whole length of the edge. The device comprises a machining unit equipped with a tool that is abrasive by rotation and with a drive motor of the tool, and a frame supporting the machining unit and equipped with means for positioning on the ski. The means for positioning in particular comprise first and second means for pressing in two perpendicular directions designed to press respectively on the side and on the base of the ski. The frame is such that the only possible adjustments are that of the angle of attack of the abrasive tool and that of the depth of running. The latter adjustment results from a possibility of translation between the machining unit and frame in a fixed adjustment direction with respect to the directions of the pressing means. Switching from the operation of machining the bottom face to the operation of machining the lateral face, or vice versa, is achieved by turning the whole device, including the frame.


Such a portable device does not circumvent the risk of machining the plastic material of the ski that constitutes the side or the base. It further requires doubling-up of the pressing means: first and second pressing means for machining the bottom face and first and second pressing means for machining the lateral face. Furthermore, switching over from the operation of machining one face of the edge to the operation of machining the other face means that the positioning is lost resulting in risks of imprecision of the sharpening obtained.


OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention consists in providing a portable device for sharpening the edges of a ski that is simple and that enables the two faces of an edge to be machined successively without any risk of imprecision of the sharpening obtained, while at the same time circumventing the risk of machining the plastic material of the ski.


The device according to the invention is remarkable in that the frame is composed of a carriage equipped with first and second pressing means, and with a support comprising said fixing means mounted on the carriage by connecting means having:

    • first means enabling the support to swivel through 90 degrees around a swivelling axis oriented in a longitudinal direction of the device perpendicular to the lateral-transverse plane, between a first machining position of the lateral face and a second machining position of the bottom face,
    • and second means enabling the support to be translated in a second adjustment direction included in the lateral-transverse plane and perpendicular to the first adjustment direction.


Further to rough adjustment of the angle of attack of the abrasive tool, swivelling of the support, and therefore of the machining unit, by means of the fixing means enables the carriage to be left pressing simultaneously against the side and against the base of the ski when switching from a machining operation of one face of the edge to a machining operation of the other face. This results in the positioning being kept thereby eliminating risks of imprecision of the sharpening obtained. The ability of translation of the machining unit in two perpendicular adjustment directions further provides a means for adjustment of the depth of running and a possibility of adjusting the positioning of the abrasive tool so that the latter does not machine the plastic material of the ski.


According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting means comprise means for precise adjustment of the angular position of the support with respect to the carriage around the swivelling axis in each of the first and second positions. Such adjustment means enable the angle formed by the bottom face of the edge with respect to the base of the ski after machining and the angle formed by the lateral face of the edge with respect to the bottom face after machining to be adjusted more finely, depending on the applications.


Other technical features can be used either alone or in combination:

    • the connecting means comprise means for fine adjustment of the position of the support with respect to the carriage in a second adjustment direction in each of the first and second positions,
    • the fixing means comprise means for precise adjustment of the position of the machining unit with respect to the support in the first adjustment direction in each of the first and second positions,
    • the connecting means are formed by a linear movement system having a sliding part connected to the support and a guiding part connected to a rotating part of a rotary system a fixed part whereof is connected to the carriage,
    • the first pressing means comprise rollers designed to roll on the side of the ski,
    • the second pressing means comprise rollers designed to roll on the base of the ski.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages and features will become more clearly apparent from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention given for non-restrictive example purposes only and represented in the accompanying drawings, in which:



FIGS. 1 and 2 represent an example of a sharpening device in a machining situation of a bottom face of an edge of a ski respectively in perspective and side view,



FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrate the device of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a machining situation of a lateral face of the edge respectively in perspective view, laterally and transversely.





DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the present description, for reasons of simplification, the term “ski” will be used with a broad acceptation to designate both skis as such and snowboards or other snow-riding means equipped with edges.


An example of a portable sharpening device 10 of the edges of a ski is represented in FIGS. 1 to 5 and is mainly composed of a frame 11 and a machining unit 12. Frame 11 is designed to perform guiding and positioning of machining unit 12.


Machining unit 12 comprises an tool 13 that is abrasive by rotation and a drive motor of tool 13 of electric type supplied via the power grid or via battery. Abrasive tool 13 is mounted in collinear manner on the axis of rotation of the motor by any suitable transmission system. The axis of rotation of abrasive tool 13 is noted X and coincides with the axis of rotation of the motor. The motor and transmission system are housed in a cylindrical housing 17 the axis of revolution of which coincides with axis of rotation of X.


Frame 11 is composed of a carriage 15 designed to slide along the ski and of a support 16 supporting machining unit 12. Support 16 and carriage 15 are assembled by connecting means, described further on, which provide possibilities of movement of support 16 with respect to carriage 15.


Machining unit 12 is linked to support 16 by fixing means supported by support 16. For this purpose, support 16 is mainly formed by an assembly socket 18 of cylindrical shape. The internal diameter of assembly socket 18 enables housing 17 to be inserted axially inside assembly socket 18. Such an assembly enables machining unit 12 to be fixed onto support 16 with a connection leaving machining unit 12 at least a degree of freedom in translation in the direction coinciding with axis of rotation X of abrasive tool 13. Support 16 is also equipped with a reversible mechanism for blocking translation of machining unit 12 in assembly socket 18. The blocking mechanism is formed for example by a securing bolt 19 screwed radially into the thickness of assembly socket 18. The head of securing bolt 19 is placed outside assembly socket 18 so as to be accessible manually, whereas the opposite end of the bolt applies a sufficient radial force on housing 17 to block translation of machining unit 12 in assembly socket 18 by friction. The mechanical link formed by assembly socket 18 combined with the reversible action of the securing mechanism constitute fixing means of machining unit 12 allowing translation of machining unit 12 in a first adjustment direction D1 coinciding with axis of rotation X of abrasive tool 13.


The connecting means enabling support 16 to be mounted on carriage 15 are formed by a linear movement system 20 having a sliding part 20a connected to support 16 and a guiding part 20b connected to a rotating part (not shown) of a rotary system 21, a fixed part 20a whereof is connected to carriage 15. Linear movement system 20 and rotary system 21 constitute the connecting means. The link between support 16 and sliding part 20a is achieved by fixing of a coupling member 22 provided salient from the external face of assembly socket 18. Fixing of coupling member 22 onto sliding part 20a can be performed by any suitable means, for example using fixing screws (not shown). Sliding part 20a and guiding part 20b can be formed for example by complementary profiles in the form of a dovetail. Linear movement system 20 comprises a first control knob 20c controlling movement of sliding part 20a with respect to guiding part 20b, which movement takes place in a straight sliding direction that is perpendicular to first adjustment direction D1. This results in connecting means between carriage 15 and support 16 having means formed by system 20 enabling translation of support 16 in a second adjustment direction, noted D2, that coincides with the straight sliding direction. Second adjustment D2 is therefore perpendicular to first adjustment direction D1.


Rotary system 21, the rotating part whereof is for example formed by an axis screwed into guiding part 20b of linear movement system 20, constitutes means enabling support 16 to swivel through 90 degrees around a swivelling axis Y oriented in a longitudinal direction D3 of portable sharpening device 10. The orientation of swivelling axis Y is such that longitudinal direction D3 is simultaneously perpendicular to first and second adjustment directions D1 and D2. Rotary system 21 comprises a second control knob 21b controling swivelling of the rotating part with respect to fixed part 21a.


Carriage 15 is first composed of a plate 23 having two parallel faces 23a, 23b, respectively bottom and top faces. Plate 23 comprises a first series of rollers 24, the axes of rotation of which are perpendicular to the plane of plate 23 so as to be salient from one of the lateral faces of plate 23 in a manner aligned with one another. A second series of rollers 25 is provided with axes of rotation parallel to the plane of plate 23. Rollers 25 of the second series are arranged such as to be salient from bottom face 23a while being coplanar with one another. A lateral face of plate 23 is a face joining bottom face 23a and top face 23b. The number of lateral faces is variable according to the shape of the outline of plate 23.


Carriage 15 further comprises a fixing panel 26 rising up perpendicularly from top face 23b of plate 23 perpendicularly to longitudinal direction D3. The shape of the outline of fixing panel 26 can be any shape. On the contour, fixing panel 26 is equipped with a handle 27 located near to the top face 23b of plate 23. Fixing panel 26 is designed for fixing onto carriage 15 the above-mentioned connecting means. More precisely, fixed part 21a of rotary system 21 is secured against one of the faces of fixing panel 26 by any suitable means, for example by means of a tightening bolt 28 inserted via the opposite face of fixing panel 26 and passing through the thickness of panel 26 through an opening till being screwed into fixed part 21a. Screwing of such a tightening bolt 28 has the effect of creating sufficient tightening of panel 26 between the head of tightening bolt 28 and fixed part 21a of rotary system 21 to secure rotary system 21.


To perform sharpening of a ski edge, the lateral face and bottom face of the edge have to be machined independently from one another. These two successive operations can be performed in any order. Both of them involve application of portable sharpening device 10 over the whole length of the ski.



FIGS. 1 and 2 enable it to be understood how machining of the bottom face of an edge is performed. In addition to device 10 that has just been described, they show a ski 29 the base 29a whereof is equipped with at least one edge 30. Edge 30 has a bottom face 30a running along base 29a of the ski and a lateral face 30b bordering a side 29b of ski 29. Bottom face 30a and lateral face 30b join to form a cutting edge.


To perform machining of bottom face 30a of edge 30, ski 29 is arranged on a baseplate that is not represented, with its base 29a facing upwards. The drive motor being switched on, portable sharpening device 10 is placed at one of the ends of to ski 29 applying the second series of rollers 25 against base 29a and pressing first series of rollers 24 against side 29b, more precisely against lateral face 30b of edge 30. Device 10 is then moved from one end of ski 29 to the other by means of handle 27.


This results in rollers 24 of the first series, designed to be applied against and to run on side 29b of ski 29, constituting first pressing means of carriage 15 in a lateral direction D4 of device 10. In complementary manner, when guiding of carriage 15 and therefore of device 10 is performed, rollers 25 of the second series, designed to be applied against and to run on base 29a of ski 29, constitute second pressing means of carriage 15 in a transverse direction D5 of device 10. Lateral and transverse directions D4, D5 are perpendicular to one another. The location of rollers 24, 25 and the orientation of fixing panel 26 with respect to plate 23 are chosen such that lateral and transverse directions D4, D5 are both perpendicular to longitudinal direction D3. In other words, longitudinal direction D3 is perpendicular to a lateral-transverse plane including lateral and transverse directions D4, D5. Carriage 15 performs placing of device 10 in such a way that direction D3 is parallel to ski 29.


As first and second adjustment directions D1 and D2 are perpendicular to one another and perpendicular to longitudinal direction D3, each of first and second adjustment directions D1 and D2 is also included in the lateral-transverse plane, while at the same time being perpendicular to longitudinal direction D3 and to the direction of ski 29.


In the particular example of FIGS. 1 and 2, abrasive tool 13 delivers a work called “envelope work”. Bottom face 30a of edge 30 is machined by punctual generation with a generating point digging a groove. Machining unit 12 has to be arranged in support 16 in such a way that abrasive tool 13 protrudes out from assembly socket 18. Rotary system 21 is operated by means of second control knob 21b so as to orient support 16 around swivelling axis Y, for axis of rotation X of abrasive tool 13 to be perpendicular to bottom face 30a of edge 30.


In such a configuration of device 10, translation of machining unit 12 with respect to support 16 in a first adjustment direction D1, authorized by the fixing means of machining unit 12, enables the depth of running to be adjusted. In complementary manner, translation of support 16 with respect to carriage 15 in the second adjustment direction D2, authorized by the connecting means between carriage 15 and support 16, enables axis of rotation X to be positioned laterally for the generating point of abrasive tool 13 not to machine base 29a of ski 29. Swivelling of support 16 further enables rough adjustment of the angle formed between bottom face 30a of edge 30 and base 29a of ski 29 after machining.


For complete sharpening of edge 30, lateral face 30b of edge 30 also has to be machined (FIGS. 3 to 5). For this, rotary system 21 is controlled by means of second control knob 21b so as to make support 16 swivel around swivelling axis Y to orient it in such a way that axis of rotation X of abrasive tool 13 is perpendicular to lateral face 30b of edge 30.


In such a configuration of device 10, translation of machining unit 12 with respect to support 16 in first adjustment direction D1, authorized by the fixing means of machining unit 12, enables the depth of running to be adjusted. In complementary manner, translation of support 16 with respect to carriage 15 in the second adjustment direction D2, authorized by the connecting means between carriage 15 and support 16, enables axis of rotation X to be positioned transversely for the generating point of abrasive tool 13 not to machine side 29b of ski 29. Swivelling of support 16 further enables rough adjustment of the angle formed between lateral face 30b of edge 30 and side 29b of ski 29 after machining.


It is apparent from the foregoing that the connecting means, in particular rotary system 21, enable support 16 to be made to swivel around its swivelling axis Y through an angle of 90 degrees between a first position (FIGS. 3 to 5) for machining lateral face 30b of edge 30 and a second position (FIGS. 1 and 2) for machining bottom face 30a of edge 30. Swivelling of support 16, and therefore of machining unit 12, by means of the fixing means enables carriage 15 to be left pressing simultaneously against side 29b and against base 29a of ski 29 while switching from a machining operation of a face 30a, 30b of edge 30 to the machining operation of the other face 30a, 30b. This results in the positioning being kept and the risks of imprecision of the obtained sharpening being eliminated. The three-dimensional reference frame formed by directions D3 to D5 remains invariant with respect to carriage 15 and to ski 29, whereas the pair of adjustment directions D1 and D2 swivel with support 16.


To increase the precision of the angle obtained, after machining, between machined face 30a, 30b of edge 30 and respectively base 29a and side 29b of ski 29, the connecting means can comprise precise adjustment means (not shown) of the angular position of support 16 with respect to carriage 15 around swivelling axis Y in each of the first and second positions. Such precise adjustment means can advantageously be integrated in rotary system 21. To increase the precision of the depth of running when machining a face 30a, 30b of edge 30, the fixing means can comprise precise adjustment means (not shown) of the position of machining unit 12 with respect to support 16 in first adjustment direction D1 in each of the first and second positions. Finally, to adjust finely the transverse or lateral positioning of axis of rotation X during machining of a face 30a, 30b of edge 30, the connecting means can comprise precise adjustment means (not shown) of the position of support 16 with respect to carriage 15 in the second adjustment direction D2 in each of the first and second positions. Such precise adjustment means can advantageously be integrated in linear movement system 20.


In an alternative embodiment, not represented, abrasive tool 13 delivers a work called “shaping work”. In each machining operation, face 30a, 30b of edge 30 is machined by linear generation with a generating line. Rotary system 21 is controlled by means of second control knob 21b so as to orient support 16 around swivelling axis Y so that axis of rotation X of abrasive tool 13 is parallel to face 30a, 30b of edge 30 to be machined.


In such a configuration of device 10, translation of machining unit 12 with respect to support 16 in first adjustment direction D1, authorized by fixing means of machining unit 12, enables abrasive tool 13 to be positioned so that its generating line does not machine base 29a or side 29b of ski 29. In complementary manner, translation of support 16 with respect to carriage 15 in second adjustment direction D2, authorized by the connecting means between carriage 15 and support 16, enables axis of rotation X to be positioned laterally or transversely to adjust the depth of running.


Thus, whatever the type of abrasive tool 13, the ability of translation of machining unit 12 in the two perpendicular adjustment directions D1, D2 gives a means for adjusting the depth of running and a possibility of adjusting the positioning of abrasive tool 13 so that the latter does not machine the plastic material of ski 29 at the level of base 29a or of side 29b. Swivelling of support 16 further enables the angle formed between face 30a, 30b of edge 30 and respectively base 29a or side 29b of ski 29 after machining to be adjusted.

Claims
  • 1. Portable device for sharpening the edges of a ski, each edge having a bottom face running along the base of the ski and a lateral face bordering its side, a device comprising a frame having: first pressing means in a lateral direction designed to be applied against the side, and second pressing means in a transverse direction designed to be applied against the base,and fixing means of a machining unit comprising an abrasive tool that is abrasive by rotation and a drive motor of the abrasive tool, said fixing means authorizing translation of the machining unit in a first adjustment direction included in the lateral-transverse plane and coinciding with the axis of rotation of the abrasive tool, wherein the frame is composed of a carriage equipped with the first and second pressing means, and with a support comprising said fixing means, and mounted on the carriage by connecting means having:first means enabling swivelling of the support through 90 degrees around a swivelling axis oriented in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the lateral-transverse plane, between a first machining position of the lateral face and a second machining position of the bottom face,and second means enabling translation of the support in a second adjustment direction included in the lateral-transverse plane and perpendicular to the first adjustment direction.
  • 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means comprise means for precise adjustment of the angular position of the support with respect to the carriage around the swivelling axis in each of the first and second positions.
  • 3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means comprise means for precise adjustment of the position of the support with respect to the carriage in the second adjustment direction in each of the first and second positions.
  • 4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing means comprise means for precise adjustment of the position of the machining unit with respect to the support in the first adjustment direction in each of the first and second positions.
  • 5. Device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means are formed by a linear movement system having a sliding part connected to the support and a guiding part connected to a rotating part of a rotary system a fixed part whereof is connected to the carriage.
  • 6. Device according to claim 1, wherein the first pressing means comprise rollers designed to roll on the side of the ski.
  • 7. Device according to claim 1, wherein the second pressing means comprise rollers designed to roll on the base of the ski.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
08 00645 Feb 2008 FR national
PCT Information
Filing Document Filing Date Country Kind 371c Date
PCT/FR09/00098 1/28/2009 WO 00 7/28/2010