The present invention relates to skis and snowboards, that is devices adapted to glide across snow or other surfaces, such as artificial ski matting.
Skis and snowboards are well known devices for enabling people, vehicles and other apparatus or equipment to glide over snow and other surfaces. Sports skis for attachment to boots are very well known, as are skis for use as landing gear on aircraft, and use on vehicles such as skidoos etc. Skis may also be referred to as runners, for gliding over snow. Snowboards may also be referred to as snowblades. Thus, the term “ski or snowboard” will be understood to encompass runners, snow blades and other such devices for gliding over snow or other surfaces.
The lower surface of a ski or snowboard that is in contact with the snow (or other glide surface) is known as the running surface. In many instances it is desirable to reduce friction between the running surface and the glide surface as much as possible. The glide surface in this sense is any surface over which the ski or snowboard is adapted to glide.
For example, skis for recreational and sports use may comprise bases (running surfaces) formed from solid or sintered hydrophobic polymers to give low friction. To reduce friction yet further between the running surface and the glide surface it is known to coat the running surface with wax. A commonly used technique to apply wax involves hot ironing the wax into the base. Typically, this necessitates access to a workshop. Cold wax candles and preparations may be used between hot waxes but tend not to give such high performance because of inconsistencies in their application and because they quickly wear away through abrasion.
Wax coating of the running surface to reduce friction can increase speed, and hence raise performance and/or increase recreational enjoyment. It also helps to protect the running surface from abrasive damage. A problem, however, is that the wax coating wears off, and re-application becomes necessary. When a wax coating has been workshop applied, wear is dependent on the distance travelled on the ski or board.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,169 discloses an attempted solution to this problem. This document describes a ski waxing system in which pumps (electrically or heel operated) are used to drive lubricant from a reservoir worn by the skier to the running surface of a ski. An alternative system is disclosed in which a chamber inside the ski body contains pressured gas, and this is used in a controlled fashion to drive lubricant from a further chamber inside the ski to the running surface. Although the described systems do enable wax to be applied to the ski during use, they have a number of problems associated with them. Firstly, wearing of a lubricant container (reservoir) by the skier (for example, on his or her back) represents a safety hazard, in addition to being a further encumbrance. Secondly, building compressed gas and lubricant chambers into the ski body can severely degrade its strength. Thirdly, the described systems employ discrete nozzles (outlet ports) in the running surface to dispense lubricant. These nozzles can be easily blocked, for example, by external fouling. Another disadvantage with the systems incorporating a single heel pump is that the pump puts an alpine skier into an unnatural and unsafe off-balance ski position. Also, the use of external connections (for example, piping to the reservoir and links to ski-pole mounted pump activation switches) causes safety risks through impact injuries or strangulation. Yet another problem with the systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,169 is that by utilising compressed gas, electrically activated switches and valves, and springs in heel pumps, they fall foul of ski competition equipment regulations, in particular, the Federation International de Ski (FIS) equipment regulation 1.2.6.1 2003/2004 which states “no additional equipment is permitted which: (a) makes use of foreign energy (e.g. heaters, chemical energy accumulators, electric batteries, mechanical aids, etc); b causes or intends to cause changes in the outer conditions of the competition to the disadvantage of fellow competitors (e.g. changes to piste or snow); (c) increase the risk for the users or other persons, when used for the purpose it was intended for.
Thus, the systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,169 contravene Part (a) when using compressed gases, electrically actuated switches and valves, pistons and springs, and contravene Part (c) when using external compressed gas canisters and piping to the sticks and fluid reservoirs that can cause injury to the user and others. Thus the systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,169 would not be permitted in current ski competitions.
It is therefore an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide skis and/or snowboards with lubrication systems that overcome, at least partially, one or more of the above mentioned problems associated with the prior art. A particular aim is to provide skis and snowboards with lubrication systems that satisfy current specifications for competition equipment.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ski or snowboard having a lower running surface and comprising: means for attaching a boot to the ski or snowboard; a deformable lubricant reservoir; and means for conveying lubricant from the reservoir to the running surface, the arrangement being such that, in use, an attached boot can exert pressure on the reservoir to deform the reservoir and drive lubricant from the reservoir, via the conveying means, to the running surface.
In other words, the reservoir and boot attachment means are arranged such that, in use, a wearer of the boot exerts a force on the reservoir to pressurise lubricant inside it, and so drive lubricant to the running surface. The reservoir is adapted to deform under pressure from an attached boot.
Thus, lubricant is forced from the lubricant reservoir to the lower running surface by action of pressure from a boot on the reservoir. This pressure may be applied directly or indirectly to the reservoir. It will be appreciated that, in use, the pressure applied by an attached boot to a ski or snowboard will vary with time and will also vary widely in magnitude. For example, the pressure may vary rapidly when the user is travelling over an undulating surface. Depending on the speed of travel and the contours of the slope surface, the instantaneous pressure on the ski may greatly exceed that which would be experienced by the ski when the user is stationary on flat ground. Thus, in use, the reservoir incorporated in the present invention will be subjected to time-varying pressure which can be thought of as a pseudo—random series of pressure pulses. These pressure pulses are used to drive the lubricant from the reservoir to the running surface.
It will be appreciated that, because of the large fluctuation in pressure exerted by the attached boot in typical use, the reservoir may be semi-rigid or even substantially rigid, i.e. a significant force may have to be applied to achieve even a small deformation. The deformation need not be large. The rigidity of the reservoir may be tailored so that a suitable pumping action (that is driving of lubricant from the reservoir to the running surface) is achieved in the particular application. For example, for high speed, downhill racing applications, a stiffer reservoir may be used than for recreational use.
It will also be appreciated that in this first aspect of the present invention the “pumping” of the lubricant is achieved without using any actuators or switches. The activation is achieved solely by natural skier pressure. Displacement of the lubricant to the running surface is achieved using skier pressure alone.
Before use of the ski or snowboard, the reservoir is typically filled (or charged) with lubricant via a suitably arranged inlet, which may comprise a self-sealing (i.e. self-closing) valve for example The refill supply is then disconnected, so that the reservoir is then a closed, self-contained local supply of lubricant, carried on the ski or snowboard itself. When the ski/board is in use, the reservoir is not connected to any lubricant supply; it has no open lubricant inlet, but just one or more lubricant outlets.
Preferably the reservoir is resilient, such that in use it is repeatedly deformed under pressure from the boot, and then returns to its original shape when pressure is reduced. This repeated deformation and recovery of the reservoir can drive the lubricant pumping action, and it will be appreciated that only small changes in reservoir dimensions may be required to achieve suitable lubricant flow.
Conveniently, the ski or snowboard may comprise a non-return valve through which lubricant flows from the reservoir to the running surface. A further non-return valve may be arranged to permit air to enter the reservoir (i.e. to enable air to be drawn into the reservoir, to take up a volume corresponding to the ejected lubricant). Thus, pumping action may be achieved using no actuators or switches, but just with fluidic non-return valves with no user control or intervention.
The reservoir may comprise a single lubricant outlet through which lubricant is driven to the running surface, or a plurality of such outlets.
Preferably, the reservoir comprises an outlet arranged at or near a forward end of the reservoir such that it continues to be covered by lubricant even when the reservoir is nearly empty when the ski or snowboard is travelling down a slope.
Preferably, the means for conveying lubricant is arranged to convey lubricant to a plurality of positions on the running surface. It may have a branching structure, such that a plurality of positions may be supplied from a single outlet of the reservoir.
The means for conveying lubricant may take a variety of forms. It may comprise a conduit, which may, for example, comprise one or more tubes and/or channels. In certain preferred embodiments it may comprise a plurality of micro channels, that is channels having dimensions in the region of 1 to 2000 μm.
The means for conveying may be arranged to convey lubricant through the ski or snowboard to the lower running surface (i.e. it may be arranged to convey lubricant down through a body of the ski/board).
Preferably, the means for conveying comprises at least one plate attached to an upper surface of the ski or snowboard, the plate having an inlet arranged to receive lubricant from the reservoir and defining a plate conduit arranged to convey lubricant from the plate inlet over the upper surface (i.e. along a length and/or across a width of the ski or board). This plate may be described as a distribution plate or distributing plate, as it distributes lubricant from the reservoir to desired lubrication points/regions on the running surface.
In certain preferred embodiments, the means for conveying comprises a plurality of conduits each extending from different respective positions on the upper surface, through the ski or snowboard towards the running surface, and the plate conduit is arranged to convey lubricant to this plurality of conduits. The plurality of positions may comprise positions spaced apart along a length and/or across a width of the ski or snowboard.
The plate conduit may comprise at least one channel in a lower surface of the plate, the plate lower surface being attached to an upper surface of the ski or snowboard. Thus, the plate conduit which conveys lubricant may conveniently be defined between the distribution plate and the upper surface of the body of the ski or snowboard.
In preferred embodiments, the reservoir may be attached to an upper surface of the plate, providing the advantage that the reservoir and plate together form a race-plate structure, elevating the boot attachment position. Thus, the distributing plate may also function as a race/riser plate.
Alternatively, the reservoir may be attached to an upper surface of the body of the ski or snowboard. Preferably, the ski or snowboard may further comprise at least one porous member having a lower surface and an upper surface, the porous member being arranged such that its lower surface forms part of the running surface of the ski or snowboard, and the means for conveying delivers lubricant from the reservoir to the upper surface such that lubricant can pass through the porous member to the running surface. The upper surface may be a surface parallel to the lower surface, or may have an alternative profile.
Delivery of the lubricant to the running surface through a porous member provides the advantage that, unlike use of discrete nozzles or apertures, the pores are less prone to blocking, and also this permits lubricant to be delivered over a greater surface area. In particular, it will be appreciated that relatively large particles or pieces of debris which could block a nozzle or delivery tube will simply be swept over the surface of the porous member, leaving its lubricant delivery capability undiminished.
Preferably, the ski or snowboard comprises a plurality of such porous members, distributed over the lower running surface.
Preferably, each porous member comprises a porous membrane. Advantageously, each porous member is mesoporous (i.e. it comprises pores having diameters in the range 100 to 1000 nanometres, although larger pores will also prove effective).
Preferably, the reservoir is arranged above a body of the ski or snowboard, and the means for conveying lubricant is arranged to convey the lubricant down through the ski or snowboard body to the running surface.
The reservoir may be attached to an upper surface of the ski or snowboard, or may be attached to a race plate (also known as a rise plate or booster) which is itself attached to a ski or snowboard upper surface. The race plate may have dual function, in that it is also a distribution plate. Boosters are used between the ski upper surface and the ski boot bindings to elevate the position of the skier to enable tight cornering at high angles of angulation.
Alternatively, the ski or snowboard may comprise a race plate, and the reservoir may be housed inside the race plate itself.
Preferably, the means for attaching comprises a toe-binding and the reservoir is arranged beneath the toe-binding. Thus, the reservoir may function as a toe pump. The location of the reservoir at the toe enables the skier position to be optimised. A secondary heel pump may be used as well, offering combined performance which is slightly better than when using a toe pump alone.
The toe-binding may be attached directly to an upper surface of the reservoir. Alternatively, pressure may be applied to the reservoir from the toe-binding by means of some intermediate member or structure.
Preferably, the means for attaching a boot comprises a heel binding, which may be rigidly attached to the ski or snowboard body (directly, or indirectly by means of a suitable spacer member or plate), with no deformable reservoir beneath the heel binding. In such examples, the driving of lubricant to the running surface (i.e. the pumping) is achieved solely by means of pressure applied via the toe binding. Alternatively, the ski or snowboard may comprise a second deformable lubricant reservoir, which may additionally be arranged beneath the heel binding. In such examples, the means for conveying lubricant is adapted to convey lubricant from each reservoir to the running surface.
In certain preferred embodiments the deformable lubricant reservoir comprises a substantially rigid reservoir body and a flexible reservoir lid. A gasket may be arranged to form a seal between the reservoir body and lid. Advantageously, the gasket may comprise self-sealing elastomeric material and may be further arranged to seal a lubricant refill inlet to the reservoir.
Also, in certain preferred embodiments the means for conveying lubricant comprises a lubricant distribution system arranged inside a body of the ski or snowboard. In other words, the distribution system (which may be a system or pipes, tubes, channels or other conduits) may be an integral part of the ski body, embedded or otherwise incorporated in it. The distribution system is preferably arranged to distribute lubricant along a length of the ski or board, to a plurality of positions on the running surface. The distribution system may be connected via suitable connection means to a single outlet from the reservoir, or to a plurality of outlets. The connection means may, for example, include a short length of tube, pipe, or other conduit that is internal or external to the ski body.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ski or snowboard having a lower running surface and comprising at least one porous member, the porous member having a lower outer surface, which forms part of the running surface, and an upper surface, the ski or snowboard further comprising means for conveying lubricant to the upper surface such that lubricant may pass through the porous member to the running surface.
Thus, rather than supplying lubricant to the running surface through nozzles or other such orifices, this aspect of the invention provides the lubricant via a porous member. This provides numerous advantages. The porous outer surface of the porous member is less prone to blockage, enables lubricant to be delivered over a wide area, does not interrupt the otherwise smooth running surface of the ski or snowboard and, by avoiding the requirement for holes in the running surface, can offer a ski or snowboard with improved strength and structural integrity.
The porous member may be embedded in a body of the ski or snowboard such that its upper surface is a surface located inside the body.
The means for conveying lubricant may comprise at least one tube, channel or conduit extending down through the body to the upper surface of the porous member. Preferably the ski or snowboard further comprises a lubricant reservoir adapted to feed lubricant to the means for conveying lubricant. The ski or snowboard may further comprise pumping means to deliver lubricant to the porous member, although in certain embodiments gravity feed alone may be used.
In embodiments adapted to be worn by a person, the ski or snowboard may further comprise means for attaching a boot, wherein the reservoir is arranged to be deformed, in use, under pressure from an attached boot to force lubricant to the porous member. In such embodiments, the pumping means preferably comprises non-return valves arranged to allow lubricant to be pumped from the reservoir, and to allow air to be drawn into the reservoir as the reservoir is repeatedly flexed under pressure from the attached boot.
Preferably, the porous member is in the form of a porous membrane. Preferably the porous member or membrane comprises mesoporous material.
The ski or snowboard may comprise a lower polymer layer which forms the running surface and the porous membrane may be located in a window in the lower polymer layer, the surfaces of the lower polymer layer and porous membrane being co-planar.
Preferably, the ski or snowboard comprises a plurality of porous members, with their lower outer surfaces being distributed over the lower running surface.
A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a snowboard including a reservoir and a distribution plate, which together create a rise plate that allows riders with large boot sizes to additionally avoid catching their toes on the snow or artificial sliding surface when carving turns in the toe forward position, thereby increasing the carve efficiency and the comfort of the ride.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided method of lubricating a running surface of a ski or snowboard, the method comprising the steps of: providing the ski or snowboard with a boot binding and a deformable lubricant reservoir beneath the boot binding; before using the ski or snowboard, filling the reservoir with a quantity of lubricant; attaching a boot to the ski or snowboard using the binding; using the ski or snowboard and exerting a pressure on the reservoir whilst using the ski or snowboard to deform the reservoir and progressively drive said quantity of lubricant from the reservoir; whilst using the ski or snowboard, admitting air to the reservoir to replace expelled lubricant; and conveying expelled lubricant from the reservoir to the running surface of the ski or snowboard, whereby the quantity of lubricant is progressively delivered to the running surface during use.
Advantageously, the step of conveying may comprise conveying the lubricant down through a body of the ski or snowboard, for example using a distribution system incorporated in the body.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings (not to scale) of which:
Referring now to
It will be appreciated that the general lubricant delivery/dispensing system illustrated in
Modern performance skis often have an integrated ski body, with a race/rise plate and binding device. The race plate is often a hollow plastic shell that provides for extra height of the ski boot above the ski surface thereby allowing a higher degree of ski edge angulation. This aids turn carving. In
In the embodiment showed in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring again to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring to the assembled reservoir of
The top plate 500 is provided with a plurality of fixing holes at positions corresponding to those of the holes in the base 50, and although it cannot be seen in the figure, the perimeter of the top plate is typically arranged to correspond to that of the base (i.e. with a pointed front portion to match the base from
As mentioned above, in the present embodiment the gasket 502 is neoprene. Although not shown in FIGS. 12 or 13, in addition to providing a seal between base and lid, this gasket may advantageously be utilised in a self-sealing reservoir fill system. For example, the gasket may be arranged beneath an aperture (e.g. window, nozzle, or some other conduit) in the lid such that a lubricant refill tube can be inserted into the aperture, through the gasket material, and into the enclosed volume inside the reservoir. After charging the reservoir via the tube, the tube can then be withdrawn, and the gasket material then reseals itself so that, again, the lubricant can only escape the reservoir via the outlet 52. Although neoprene may be used, it will be appreciated that other suitable self-sealing elastomeric materials may be used in alternative embodiments.
The reservoir of
Referring now to
Referring now to
It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention can provide integrated non-obtrusive ski and snowboard lubrication systems. Skis and snowboards embodying the invention may adhere to FIS rules on equipment design, as the pumping systems use no external energy sources. They may replace currently used race/rise plates. Pumping occurs as a consequence of the skier's natural pressure with no external energy being supplied. Embodiments may employ distribution systems that are based on micro fluidic systems, thereby allowing precise spatial and temporal control of the lubricant delivery without user intervention. The means for conveying lubricant from the reservoir to the running surface may utilise a lubricant release system incorporating a mesoporous polymer membrane built into the gliding surface as an integral component. This reduces fouling that would be observed with direct holes in the glide surface. This enables the base of the ski or snowboard to remain flat with no added surface grooves or apertures. Embodiments of the invention may employ a microfluidic distributor formed from moulded plastic, or other convenient material to be integrated into the top surface of a ski or board.
Certain embodiments of the invention use micro channels to distribute lubricant (which would typically be an environmentally friendly formulation based on a number of organic, inorganic and aqueous components) from a reservoir contained in the ski body to the base (i.e. running surface) at well defined points of need. Pumping is achieved using the pressure of the skier on the boot foot plate of the binding.
Skis embodying the invention have been shown in controlled tests to have superior speed and hence race performance and a longer lifetime between relubrication in a recreational environment. Furthermore, because of the constant release system the lubricant does not wear off as a function of distance travelled, thereby giving superior constant glide.
In certain embodiments of the invention, micro channels in an extension to the race plate are used to convey lubricant from a reservoir to the glide surface, thereby preserving the structural integrity of the ski body. Use of a membrane distributor integrated into the glide surface avoids the problems associated with blocking of fluidic channels.
Certain embodiments use skier pressure alone to drive lubricant from the reservoir to the glide surface. Alternatively, gravity flow alone can be used, given the correct choice of lubricant. In other embodiments, a combination of gravity and skier pressure assisted flow may be used. Changes in skier pressure can be used to re-enforce the effects of gravity, as can the steepness of the slope down which the device is travelling.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
0400113.7 | Jan 2004 | GB | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB05/00013 | 1/6/2005 | WO | 6/22/2006 |