Anti-slip system for skis and method for producing a ski for skiing activities

Abstract

An anti-slip system (10) for skis, in particular for skiing activities, comprises an anti-slip strip (20) comprising a plurality of protruding elements (23) movable relative to the anti-slip strip (20) itself and, moreover, a support panel (30) having a lower face (32) couplable with a base (101) of the ski (100) and an upper face (31) couplable with a main panel (104) of a ski (100), present in which there is a groove (33) adapted to contain the anti-slip strip (20). The groove (33) has a plurality of through holes passing through towards the lower face (32), each of which is adapted to receive a corresponding protruding element (23) of the anti-slip strip (20). The system (10) also comprises a movement means (40) configured to move the anti-slip strip (20) inside the groove (33) between a neutral configuration, in which the protruding elements (23) are arranged outside the holes or only partly inside the holes without protruding from them beyond the lower face (32), and an anti-slip configuration, in which the protruding elements (23) are arranged inside the holes so as to pass through them in a projecting manner relative to the lower face (32) of the support panel (30). The subject matter of the present invention also relates to a method for producing a ski for skiing activities.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention fits into the sector of activity to be carried out in the mountains during the wintertime and / or when snow is present, in particular ski mountaineering, ski touring and cross-country skiing.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to an anti-slip system for skis.

[0003] The invention also concerns a ski comprising the aforesaid anti-slip system for skis and a method for producing a ski for skiing activities.Prior art

[0004] It is well known that, in the mountains, during the periods of snowfall, one may engage in various skiing-mountaineering sports disciplines, such as ski mountaineering, ski touring and cross-country skiing.

[0005] Such disciplines are usually engaged in outside ski areas with lifts and pistes using specific equipment, including ski skins.

[0006] Ski skins, which in ski mountaineering are applied on the bottom of the ski before an uphill climb and removed before every downhill stretch, enable a skier to move forward uphill along slopes without slipping backwards, thanks to the anisotropic orientation of the fibres they are made up of.

[0007] In the case of ski touring and cross-country skiing, ski skins are similarly applied to the bottom of the ski during the whole time of the tour so as to provide sufficient friction during the pushing off phase for every stride of the skier and, at the same time, in order to allow good sliding only in the desired direction.

[0008] At present, ski skins are made of synthetic skin, natural skin (i.e. mohair), mixed materials, or plastic material treated to create a "scaly" surface. In any case, irrespective of the material they are made of, ski skins have the same method of attachment to skis.

[0009] Generally, ski skins may only be attached to skis with the use of clips and / or thanks to the presence of an adhesive layer, useful for increasing the adhesion with the base. The clips can be elastic or non-elastic and can be placed on the tip and / or on the tail to be attached, respectively, to the tip and / or tail of the ski.

[0010] At present, therefore, ski skins are the only system that may be applied to skis in order to be able to engage in the aforesaid skiing-mountaineering sports disciplines. However, the use of ski skins is not free of drawbacks.

[0011] Manual application of ski skins requires precision to be able to assure a correct adhesion to the ski for the whole duration of the sports activity.

[0012] In addition, the manual application and removal of ski skins takes time and, moreover, necessarily requires that the skier not be wearing the skis in order that such operations can be carried out (in particular the operation of application).

[0013] Due to their application on the base of skis, ski skins tend to deteriorate rapidly, especially if maintenance operations are not correctly and regularly performed after their use. Therefore, this also implies an increase in management costs.Summary

[0014] In this context, the technical task at the basis of the present invention is to propose an anti-slip system for skis and a method for producing a ski for skiing activities which overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0015] In particular, one object of the present invention is to provide an anti-slip system for skis that requires less management and maintenance, being less subject to wear than the ski skins known in the prior art.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-slip system for skis that does not require the skier to take off the skis in order to be applied and / or removed. Therefore, specifically, the invention pursues the object of simplifying the activation and / or the deactivation of the anti-slip system of the skis so as to be able also to reduce times, for example in the event that the skier wants to proceed immediately to descend a slope after climbing it in the case of ski mountaineering or to move forward without superfluous friction in the case of cross-country skiing or ski touring.

[0017] A further object of the present invention is to propose a method for producing a ski for skiing activities capable of integrating an anti-slip system within the skis while maintaining the weight and overall dimensions of the skis themselves substantially unchanged. In other words, the invention aims to propose a production method whose result is a ski comprising an anti-slip system which has, at most, a weight and overall dimensions comparable to those of the normal skis to which the known ski skins are applied.

[0018] The stated technical task and specified objects are substantially achieved by an anti-slip system for skis and a method for producing a ski for skiing activities which comprise the technical features disclosed in the independent claim. The dependent claims correspond to further advantageous aspects of the invention.

[0019] It should be noted that this summary introduces, in simplified form, a selection of concepts which will be further elaborated on in the detailed description provided below. The invention is aimed at an anti-slip system for skis, in particular for skiing activities such as ski mountaineering, ski touring and cross-country skiing.

[0020] In particular, the anti-slip system for skis comprises at least one anti-slip strip extending along a longitudinal direction and comprising, moreover, a plurality of protruding elements movable relative to a plane of extension of the anti-slip strip.

[0021] The system also comprises a support panel extending along the longitudinal direction and having, moreover, an upper face couplable with a main panel of a ski - the so-called "core" of the ski - and a lower face couplable with a base of the ski. The upper face has a groove extending along the longitudinal direction to contain the anti-slip strip and present in which there is a plurality of through holes passing through towards the lower face, each of which is adapted to receive a corresponding protruding element of the anti-slip strip itself.

[0022] In addition, the system comprises a movement means associated with the anti-slip strip and configured to move the anti-slip strip itself inside the groove between a neutral configuration and an anti-slip configuration. In the neutral configuration the protruding elements are arranged in the groove completely outside the holes or only partly inside the holes without protruding from them beyond the lower face (at most they could protrude relative to the lower face but by a length which is less than the thickness of the applicable base and they would thus remain within the overall dimensions of the ski). In the anti-slip configuration, by contrast, the protruding elements are arranged inside the holes so as to pass through them in a projecting manner relative to the lower face of the support panel (and, more precisely, they protrude by a length such that they also protrude beyond the applicable base in order to achieve the anti-slip function).

[0023] In this manner, when the anti-slip strip is applied on a ski (between the base and the main panel or "core") and configured in the anti-slip configuration, the aforesaid anti-slip system is advantageously capable of performing an anti-slip function, i.e. an increase in the friction and the resistance between the ski and the snow, which enables the skier to climb up snow-covered slopes in the case of ski mountaineering, or to move forward with ease in the case of ski touring and cross-country skiing, as if he or she had fitted ski skins onto the outer surface of the base, i.e. the surface in direct contact with the snow.

[0024] Even more advantageously, with a simple and rapid movement of actuation on the movement means, it is possible to configure the anti-slip strip from the anti-slip configuration to the neutral configuration so as to retract and protect the protruding elements inside the ski and, consequently, enable the skier to descend the snow-covered slope in the case of ski mountaineering or, in the case of ski touring and cross-country skiing, to avoid having any pointless element of friction between the base of the ski and the snow-covered surface over which to move forward.

[0025] The present invention also relates to a method for producing a ski for skiing-mountaineering activities, comprising the operating steps of: preparing a base of a ski and a support panel having a shape substantially superimposable on that of the base; coupling the base with a lower face of the support panel; creating a groove on an upper face of the support panel along a longitudinal direction along which the support panel itself extends; creating, along at least a part of the groove, a plurality of through cavities passing through the lower face and the base; preparing an anti-slip strip extending along the longitudinal direction and comprising a plurality of protruding elements protruding relative to a plane of extension of the anti-slip strip; inserting the anti-slip strip into the groove so that each protruding element is inserted into a corresponding through cavity; preparing a main panel having a shape substantially superimposable on that of the support panel; creating an opening on the main panel at a rear end of the anti-slip strip arranged in the groove; coupling the main panel with the upper face of the support panel; preparing a movement means configured to move the anti-slip strip inside the groove of the support panel between a neutral configuration, in which the protruding elements are arranged completely outside the through cavities or only partly inside them without protruding beyond the lower face of the support panel, and an anti-slip configuration, in which the protruding elements are arranged inside the through cavities so as to pass through them in a projecting manner relative to base in order to perform an anti-slip function capable of allowing the ascent of a snow-covered slope in the case of ski mountaineering, or a facilitated forward movement in the case of ski touring or cross-country skiing; associating the movement means with the rear end of the anti-slip strip; positioning the movement means over the main panel at the opening.

[0026] In this manner, the aforesaid method makes it possible to produce a ski into which an anti-slip system is advantageously integrated, a system that is instantly activatable and deactivatable on command, respectively, to climb up snow-covered slopes in the case of ski mountaineering, or to move forward with ease in the case of ski touring and cross-country skiing, and to descend the snow-covered slope in the case of ski mountaineering or, in the case of ski touring and cross-country skiing, in order not to have any pointless element of friction between the base of the ski and the snow-covered surface.

[0027] In addition, the method makes it possible to obtain a ski for skiing-mountaineering activities wherein the maintenance operations are considerably reduced and simplified and, moreover, wherein it is not necessary to use outer ski skins that can get lost and / or ruined during their use.Brief description of the drawings

[0028] Additional features and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the approximate, and thus non-limiting, description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of an anti-slip system as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which: figure 1 illustrates, according to an exploded perspective view, an anti-slip system in accordance with the present invention; figures 2a-2d illustrate, according to a bottom view, different embodiments of the anti-slip strip of the anti-slip system in figure 1; figures 3 and 4 illustrate, according to sectional side views, the anti-slip system in figure 1 wherein the anti-slip strip is moved - respectively - into the neutral configuration and into the anti-slip configuration and respective enlargements to make some features clearer; figure 5 illustrates, according to an exploded perspective view, a ski comprising the anti-slip system illustrated in figure 1; figures 6 and 7 illustrate, according to side views, the ski illustrated in figure 5 in the deactivated mode and the activated mode, respectively; figures 8 and 9 illustrate, according to bottom perspective views, the skis in figures 6 and 7, respectively.

[0029] With reference to the drawings, they serve solely to illustrate embodiments of the invention with the aim of better clarifying, in combination with the description, the inventive principles at the basis of the invention.Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0030] The present invention is aimed at an anti-slip system for skis which, with reference to the figures, has been generically indicated by the number 10.

[0031] Any modifications or variants which, in the light of the description, should be evident to the person skilled in the art must be considered as falling within the scope of protection established by the present invention, according to considerations of technical equivalence.

[0032] Figure 1 illustrates, according to an exploded perspective view, an anti-slip system 10 for skis, in particular for skiing activities such as ski mountaineering, ski touring and cross-country skiing.

[0033] In detail, the anti-slip system 10 comprises at least one anti-slip strip 20, a support panel 30 and a movement means 40.

[0034] The anti-slip strip 20 extends along a longitudinal direction L - on a fictitious plane of extension thereof - between a front end 21 thereof and a rear end 22 thereof for a predefined length, depending on the type of ski it is to be installed in. Typically, a ski has a length ranging between 150 and 200 cm and, therefore, the anti-slip strip 20 can have a length of about 120 cm.

[0035] Furthermore, the anti-slip strip 20 has a width substantially comparable to the width of the ski, generally between 4 and 12 cm, and a thickness of a few millimetres, generally approximately 1 mm.

[0036] Figures 2a-2d illustrate some possible embodiments in which it is possible to produce the anti-slip strip 20.

[0037] In detail, figure 2a illustrates the preferred embodiment also illustrated in figure 1. This embodiment has a substantially rectangular shape.

[0038] However, in accordance with figure 2b, the anti-slip strip 20 can be divided for nearly its entire length into distinct strips (there are three in the example illustrated), on each of which the protruding elements 23 are present.

[0039] Figures 2c and 2d, by contrast, illustrate an anti-slip strip that has front and rear ends 21, 22 which are narrower than the central portion in which the protruding elements 23 are substantially arranged. In the embodiment in figure 2d, moreover, an opening is present in the centre of the aforesaid central portion, so as two create two strips which are distinct but connected to each other by means of the front end 21 and the rear one 22.

[0040] The anti-slip strip 20 comprises a plurality of protruding elements 23 (schematically illustrated in figures 2a-2d and better visible in figures 3, 4, 7 and 9) projecting relative to the aforesaid plane of extension of the anti-slip strip 20 itself.

[0041] Preferably, the protruding elements 23 project with the same orientation relative to the same surface of the aforesaid plane of extension.

[0042] In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, each protruding element 23 is movable along a respective plane orthogonal to the aforesaid plane of extension of the anti-slip strip 20.

[0043] In other words, as better explained below, the protruding elements 23 are preferably capable of moving in a swinging manner - or with a similar movement - closer to or away from the anti-slip strip 20.

[0044] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the protruding elements 23 are normally configured in an operating position that is at least partially inclined by a predefined angle relative to the plane of extension of the anti-slip strip 20.

[0045] In accordance with an alternative aspect of the invention, the protruding elements 23 have an initial curved operating position that extends away from the plane of extension of the anti-slip strip 20.

[0046] As will be better explained below, the inclined or curved operating position is useful for simplifying the passage between the neutral configuration and the anti-slip configuration of the anti-slip system 10.

[0047] Preferably, the protruding elements 23 are movable in a flexible manner between different operating positions so that, in the absence of forces applied from the outside, they automatically go back into the initial operating position, i.e. the operating position in which they are normally configured.

[0048] In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, the anti-slip strip 20 is made of a polymeric material such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene ("UHMWPE"), polytetrafluoroethylene ("PTFE"), polyamide ("PA66"), polypropylene ("PP") and high-density polyethylene ("HDPE").

[0049] Alternatively, the anti-slip strip 20 is made of a metallic material, e.g. aluminium, or a composite material, e.g. carbon fibre and fibreglass.

[0050] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the protruding elements 23 have a needle-like shape.

[0051] Preferably, each protruding element 23 has a thickness and a width ranging between 0.5 mm and 3 mm. The length, i.e. the dimension extending along the longitudinal direction L, is preferably between 10 mm and 30 mm.

[0052] Even more preferably, each protruding element 23 can have a cylindrical or prismatic shape.

[0053] The length of the protruding elements 23 varies as a function of the thickness of the main strip 30 and of the base 101 which - as explained below - must be connected thereto. Preferably, the length of each protruding element 23 must be such as to enable a protrusion starting from a few tenths of a millimetre, preferably between 0.5 and 7 millimetres, when the anti-slip strip 20 is moved into an anti-slip configuration (better described below).

[0054] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the protruding elements 23 define a single body with the anti-slip strip 20, as they are directly obtained on the surface of the aforesaid anti-slip strip 20, for example by cutting. In this manner, the protruding elements 23 are advantageously able to be arranged completely coplanar with the anti-slip strip 20 itself, for example during the movement thereof into a neutral configuration (as better explained below).

[0055] Alternatively, if they do not define a single body with the anti-slip strip 20 as described previously, the protruding elements 23 may be applied to the anti-slip strip 20 at a later time, for example by gluing, or welding, or by snap fitting or another method, for example based on the type of material from which they are made and / or the anti-slip strip 20 is made.

[0056] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the protruding elements 23 are arranged in a grid parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0057] In other words, the protruding elements 23 are divided among several rows parallel to each other and to the longitudinal direction L. In addition, the protruding elements 23 of the various rows are also aligned with each other along corresponding directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L.

[0058] In accordance with an alternative aspect of the invention (not illustrated), the protruding elements 23 are arranged in a grid transversely to the longitudinal direction L. In other words, the protruding elements 23 are divided among several rows parallel to each other and to the longitudinal direction L but, unlike before, the protruding elements 23 of the various rows are offset from each other - i.e. not aligned along directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L - so as to increase the surface of interference that the anti-slip strip 20 defines with the snow on which it must create anti-slip adherence.

[0059] As mentioned earlier and as may be seen at least in figure 1, the anti-slip system 10 also comprises a support panel 30 extending along the longitudinal direction L and having, moreover, an upper face 31 couplable with a main panel 104 of a ski 100 - the so-called "core" - and a lower face 32 couplable with a base 101 of the ski 100. The upper face 31 has at least one groove 33 extending along the longitudinal direction L to contain at least one anti-slip strip 20 and present in which there is a plurality of through holes 34 passing through towards the lower face 32, each of which is adapted to receive a corresponding protruding element 23 of the anti-slip strip 20.

[0060] Advantageously, therefore, the protruding elements 23 are configured to slide through the through holes 34 and take on an inclination relative to the anti-slip strip 20 (and hence to the base 101 of the ski 100) analogous to that of the through holes 34 in which they slide. As better explained below, therefore, the protruding elements 23 are advantageously capable of completing a movement of translation or roto-translation in the passage of the anti-slip strip 20 between the neutral configuration and the anti-slip configuration.

[0061] In greater detail, the anti-slip strip 20 is preferably an element that is distinct from the base 101. In other words, the base 101 is not shaped so as to also incorporate within it, in a monolithic manner, the anti-slip strip 20 including the protruding elements 23. The support panel 30 is preferably made of a polymeric material and has a thickness (i.e. a height) of about 5 millimetres in order to enable the creation of the groove 33 and the through holes 34.

[0062] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, not illustrated, the upper face 31 of the support panel 30 has a plurality of grooves 33 all created parallel to the longitudinal direction L and not necessarily having the same shape and / or distribution of the through holes 34, since an anti-slip strip 20 with different structural characteristics (shape and / or distribution of the corresponding protruding elements 23) - for example any combination of the anti-slip strips 20 illustrated in figures 2a-2d - could be positioned in each groove 33.

[0063] In accordance with one aspect of the invention better visible in figures 3 and 4, each hole of the plurality of holes 34 extends along a direction inclined by an angle typically ranging between 30° and 60°, relative to the longitudinal direction L and relative to the plane of extension of the anti-slip strip 20.

[0064] Preferably, each hole of the plurality of holes 34 has the same angle of inclination as the others.

[0065] Alternatively, the aforesaid holes 34 can have different angles from one another but always comprised in the aforesaid angular range.

[0066] In any case, the through holes 34 are preferably made with a specific, unmodifiable inclination that defines a so-called angle of attack of the protruding elements 23 when the anti-slip strip 20 is in the anti-slip configuration. Therefore, the angle of attack is constant with every use of the anti-slip system 10 and does not undergo any unintentional change due to external forces acting on the ski 100 such as, for example, the skier's weight.

[0067] For example, the holes 34 can be divided (fictitiously) into groups based on their position on the ski 100, so that the holes 34 of each group have a specific angle of inclination. According to another example, the holes 34 can have an angle of inclination that is progressively larger from the tip to the tail of the ski 100. The holes located closer to the tip of the ski 100 and substantially side by side (along a direction transverse to the ski 100) thus have a same angle of inclination of 40°, whereas the subsequent holes have a larger angle, arriving up to an angle of 50° in the case of the holes located closest to the tail of the ski 100.

[0068] In this manner, as better explained below, when the anti-slip strip 20 is moved into the anti-slip configuration (figure 4), each protruding element 23 is inserted into a corresponding through hole 34 so as to project at least beyond the support panel 30 (and, as mentioned earlier and better explained below, beyond the base 101) along an inclined direction useful for achieving the anti-slip hole function which enables the skier to climb up a snow-covered slope in the case of ski mountaineering or to move forward more easily in the case of ski touring or cross-country skiing.

[0069] Preferably, the groove 33 has a number of holes 34 at least equal to the number of protruding elements 23 present on an anti-slip strip 20.

[0070] Even more preferably, the holes 34 created along the groove 33 are distributed in a manner analogous to the distribution of the protruding elements 23 along the anti-slip strip 20, for example with one of the two grid distributions described previously. Alternatively, along the groove 33 there can be a number of holes 34 that is larger than the number of protruding elements 23 of the anti-slip strip 20 in order to create different distribution patterns of the holes 34 so that, irrespective of the distribution of the protruding elements 23 along the anti-slip strip 20, there is always a unique correspondence between a protruding element 23 and a through hole 34.

[0071] In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, which may be clearly seen in figure 1, the groove 33 has a width that is substantially equal to that of the anti-slip strip 20 and a greater length than the anti-slip strip 20 to allow the sliding of the anti-slip strip 20 itself along the longitudinal direction L. In this manner, the anti-slip strip 20 is able to move in the groove 33 only along the longitudinal direction L, in both forward and backward movement, in order to maintain the alignment between the protruding elements 23 and the through holes 34 of the support panel 30.

[0072] In any case, as also better described below, the groove 33 must have a shape that is suitable for the sliding of the anti-slip strip 20 irrespective of the embodiment of the anti-slip strip 20 itself (figures 2a-2d). Preferably, the groove 33 has a substantially rectangular shape so as to be suitable for receiving any of the previously described embodiments of the anti-slip strips 20.

[0073] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the anti-slip strip 20 is completely contained within the groove 33. In other words, the height or thickness of the groove 33 is such as to allow the complete insertion of the anti-slip strip 20. In this manner, as better explained below, the anti-slip strip 20 remains freely movable along the groove 33 also following the application of a cover panel 102 on the upper face 31 of the support panel 30.

[0074] As mentioned earlier and as may be seen at least in figure 1, the anti-slip system 10 comprises a movement means 40 associated with the anti-slip strip 20 and configured to move the anti-slip strip 20 itself inside the groove 33 between a neutral configuration (figure 3) and an anti-slip configuration (figure 4).

[0075] In the neutral configuration, the protruding elements 23 are arranged in the groove 33 completely outside the through holes 34 or only partly inside the through holes 34 without protruding beyond the lower face 32 of the support panel 30.

[0076] Alternatively, in the neutral configuration the protruding elements 23 could also project beyond the support panel 30 by a length which, however, does not enable them also to project beyond the thickness of the base 101 to be constrained to the lower face 32 for the production of the ski 100. In this manner, the protruding elements 23 are advantageously comprised within the overall dimensions of the anti-slip system 10 (i.e., fundamentally, inside the support panel 30), thus not performing any anti-slip function. In other words, the protruding elements 23 remain protected at least almost entirely inside the support panel 30 and / or within the thickness of the base 101 and, therefore, "inactive" as they are not in contact with the snow-covered surface.

[0077] In the anti-slip configuration, by contrast, each protruding element 23 is arranged inside a respective hole 34 so as to pass through it in a projecting manner relative to the lower face 32 of the support panel 30 in order to enable an anti-slip function to be performed. In detail, as mentioned earlier, in the anti-slip configuration each protruding element 23 projects relative to the support panel 30 by a length such that it can also pass completely through the thickness of the base 101 which will have to be applied to the lower face 32 of the support panel 30 for the production of the ski 100. In this manner, the protruding elements 23 are advantageously capable of projecting towards the snow-covered surface by a length such as to define the aforesaid anti-slip function which enables the skier to climb up a snow-covered slope in the case of ski mountaineering or to move forward more easily in the case of ski touring or cross-country skiing.

[0078] In figures 3 and 4, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, one may see the correlation between the shifting of the movement means 40 and the length of the projection of the protruding elements 23 relative to the lower face 32 of the support panel 30.

[0079] In detail, in figure 3, which illustrates the neutral configuration, the movement means 40 is positioned at a minimum height "h" relative to the support panel 30 and, consequently, the protruding elements 23 have a minimum projection "d" relative to the lower face 32. If the base 101 were present, the protruding elements 23 would be totally contained therein.

[0080] Figure 4, on the other hand, illustrates the anti-slip configuration whereby the movement means 40 is positioned at a greater height "H" compared to the previous distance "h" and, consequently, the protruding elements 23 have a corresponding projection "D" greater than the previous projection "d". If the base 101 were present, the protruding elements 23 would also project from it in order to perform the anti-slip function useful to the skier.

[0081] Recapping, when the anti-slip strip 20 is moved into the neutral configuration (figure 3), no anti-slip function is performed and thus the ski 100 comprising the corresponding anti-slip system 10 will be configured in a deactivated mode (figures 6 and 8) which may be used by the skier, for example, to freely descend a snow-covered slope in ski mountaineering or to move forward without interferences in the case of ski touring and cross-country skiing.

[0082] In contrast, when the anti-slip strip 20 is moved into the anti-slip configuration (figure 4) the protruding elements 23 are able to project beyond the base 101 of the ski 100 and thus act directly on the snow in order to carry out the activated mode (figures 7 and 9) and, therefore, the anti-slip function useful for the skier in order to complete his or her ascent in the case of the ski mountaineering, or to aid the forward movement of the skier as needed in the case of ski touring or cross-country skiing.

[0083] Advantageously, the movement means 40 enables the anti-slip strip 20 to be easily moved between the anti-slip configuration and the neutral one, thus considerably simplifying the operations for setting the ski 100 in the activated mode whereby it is possible to climb up snow-covered slopes in the case of ski mountaineering or to move forward more easily in the case of ski touring and cross-country skiing.

[0084] In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, the movement means 40 is advantageously configured to move the anti-slip strip 20 into a plurality of positions, each of which corresponds to a different protrusion (also relative to the base 101 when present) of the protruding elements 23, so as to achieve different degrees of anti-slip friction.

[0085] For example, the movement means 40 can have a regulating device allowing the anti-slip strip 20 to be constrained in different positions inside the groove 33 and, consequently, the protruding elements 23 inside the respective through holes 34.

[0086] Even more advantageously, the anti-slip system 10 in accordance with the invention is capable of providing a system - integrated into the ski 100 - which, when activated (i.e. anti-slip strip in the anti-slip configuration), prevents the ski 100 from sliding backwards, and thus enables the skier to climb up a snow-covered slope in the case of ski mountaineering or to move forward more easily in the case of ski touring or cross-country skiing.

[0087] In addition, thanks to integration of the anti-slip system 10 within the ski 100, the weight and overall dimensions of the ski remain substantially unchanged compared to a ski coupled with ski skins known in the prior art.

[0088] In accordance with an embodiment (not illustrated) wherein various grooves 33 are created on the upper face 31 of the support panel 30 - and various anti-slip strips 20 are thus present - the anti-slip system 10 can comprise a single movement means 40 connected with all the anti-slip strips 20, a movement means 40 for each anti-slip strip 20, or a movement means 40 comprising a selector element advantageously configured to select, at the skier's discretion, which anti-slip strips 20 are activated / deactivated and which are not.

[0089] In accordance with an aspect of the invention that may be seen in figures 3 and 4, the movement means 40 is connected to at least one end of the anti-slip strip 20, preferably to the rear end 22.

[0090] In accordance with the example embodiment illustrated in figures 3 and 4, the movement means 40 comprises a piston 41 easily manipulatable by the skier and positioned in a rear portion of the ski 100, for example in a position behind the ski boot binding. An adjustable clamp 42, which may be used to constrain the rear end 22 of the anti-slip strip 20, is arranged inside the piston 41.

[0091] Preferably, the piston 41 may be removed in order to easily access the clamp 42 and thus adjust the constraint of the rear end 22 of the anti-slip strip 20, for example if it should become loose and / or or in the event of a replacement of the anti-slip strip 20. Even more preferably, the movement means 40 can comprise a sliding element 43, for example a roller, configured to gently divert the change in inclination of the anti-slip strip 20 in the passage between the groove 33 and the area of constraint at the adjustable clamp 42.

[0092] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the movement means 40 comprises an elastic element 44 configured to maintain the anti-slip strip 20 in the neutral configuration. The elastic element 44, for example a spring or an elastic fabric, can be interposed between the front end 21 of the anti-slip strip 20 and a fixed portion of the support panel 30 as it works by traction, or between the rear end 22 and another fixed portion of the ski 100, for example of the support panel 30, since it works by compression.

[0093] In accordance with variant embodiments of the invention, it would be possible to replace the movement means 40 just described with a mechanism comprising a lever - incorporated within the ski boot binding or in a dedicated position, likewise on the cover panel 102 - and a wire interposed between the aforesaid lever and a portion of the anti-slip strip 20, for example the rear end 22. In such a case, it is useful to provide the aforesaid elastic element 44 (as shown in figure 1) at the front end 21 so that the latter tends to bring the anti-slip strip 20 back into the neutral configuration, while the lever can be used by the skier to overcome the return force of the elastic element and thereby bring the anti-slip strip into the anti-slip configuration and maintain it in that configuration. On the other hand, if the aforesaid wire is rigid so that it behaves similarly to a lever mechanism, the elastic element could prove to be superfluous.

[0094] In accordance with other variant embodiments of the invention, the movement means 40 comprises electromechanical actuator systems or fluid-based ones (for example, hydraulic and / or pneumatic). In any case, the passage between the anti-slip configuration (activated mode of the ski 100 as in figure 7) and the neutral configuration (deactivated mode of the ski 100 as in figure 6) takes place through a control mechanism that is easily accessible to the skier, as it is positioned in the upper part of the ski 100. Moreover, the interaction is ergonomically simple, as it entails pressing a button or operating a lever, without the need to take off the ski 100 or to apply or remove external devices such as the known ski skins.

[0095] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the movement means 40 comprises a regulator element configured to move the anti-slip strip 20 in a continuous manner between the neutral configuration (in which there is no protrusion of the protruding elements 23 from the base 101) and the anti-slip configuration (in which there is maximum protrusion of the protruding elements 23 from the base 101) to enable the skier to select an intermediate position in which the protrusion from the base 101 of the protruding elements 23 is intermediate.

[0096] In other words, the movement means can move the anti-slip strip 20 between the neutral configuration and the anti-slip one in a discrete manner or in a continuous manner thanks to the aforesaid regulator element, for example a rack or a small hydraulic piston.

[0097] For example, in accordance with the previously described example embodiment, if the maximum travel of the piston 41 is 8 millimetres, the regulator element could be advantageously configured to enable the selection of seven intermediate positions, one for each millimetre of travel of the piston 41, corresponding to which there are seven degrees of protrusion of the protruding elements 23 relative to the base 101.

[0098] Figure 5 illustrates, according to an exploded perspective view, a ski 100 for engaging in skiing sports disciplines such as ski mountaineering, ski touring and cross-country skiing and comprising the anti-slip system 10 described previously.

[0099] The structure of a ski 100 is composed of at least the following components: a main panel 104 - usually defined as the "core" and preferably made of wood or of a polymeric material - interposed between a base 101 and a cover panel 102 and, in accordance with the present invention, the anti-slip system 10 interposed between the base 101 and the main panel 104, with the exception of the movement means 40, preferably positioned over the main panel 104 and even more preferably positioned over the cover panel 102.

[0100] The base 101 is preferably made of polymeric material and the so-called metal strips, i.e. steel bands having the purpose of enabling the grip of a ski on harder snow, are generally arranged on the lateral edges thereof.

[0101] The cover panel 102, by contrast, is preferably made of a polymeric material and has a protective and aesthetic function.

[0102] The main panel 104, the so-called "core", is preferably made of wood and defines the main structure of the ski 100.

[0103] There exist different types of skis, each of which has particular constructive features - shapes, materials, sizes, additional functional layers / components, etc. - which vary based on the type of sports discipline one intends to undertake.

[0104] As mentioned earlier, the ski 100 in accordance with the present invention also comprises an anti-slip system 10 having one or more of the previous described features and useful for engaging in skiing activities such as ski mountaineering, ski touring and cross-country skiing.

[0105] In detail, the anti-slip system 10 - more precisely the support panel 30 and the anti-slip strip 20 - is interposed between the base 101 fixed to the lower face 32 of the support panel 30 and the main panel 104 fixed to the upper face 31 of the support panel 30.

[0106] In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, better visible in figures 8 and 9, the base 101 has a further plurality of through holes arranged so as to correspond with the plurality of through holes 34 of the support panel 30 in order to create a respective plurality of through cavities passing through the support panel 30 and the base 101.

[0107] In this manner, as described previously, the through cavities allow the protruding elements 23 of the anti-slip strip 20 to project beyond the base 101 when the anti-slip strip 20 itself is moved into the anti-slip configuration.

[0108] Advantageously, the base 101 of the ski 100 equipped with the aforesaid anti-slip system 10 is maintained substantially unchanged, since the only processing that needs to be performed on it is the creation of the further plurality of holes that must enable the passage of the protruding elements 23 of the anti-slip strip 20.

[0109] Figures 7 and 9 illustrate, according to different viewpoints, a ski 100 in the activated mode, thus wherein the protruding elements 23 project beyond the surface of the base 101 so as to perform the anti-slip function that may be used by the skier to climb up a snow-covered slope in the case of ski mountaineering or to move forward more easily in the case of ski touring or cross-country skiing.

[0110] Figures 6 and 8, by contrast, illustrate a ski 100 in the deactivated mode, thus wherein the protruding elements 23 are contained completely within the overall dimensions of the ski 100. Indeed, in figure 6 in particular, no portion of protruding elements 23 may be seen to project beyond the base 101.

[0111] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the movement means 40 is arranged on the main panel 104 and, if present, over the cover panel 102, preferably at an opening adapted to place the movement means 40 itself in communication with the anti-slip strip 20 of the anti-slip system 10. As mentioned earlier, in fact, the main panel 104 is constrained to the upper face 31 of the support panel 30 so as to protect the support panel 30 itself and, moreover, to close off the anti-slip strip 20 in the groove 33. At this point, the movement means 40 is arranged over the main panel 104 and / or the cover panel 102 so as to be easily manipulatable and, at the same time, requires the presence of the opening in order to come into contact with the anti-slip strip 20 in the groove 33.

[0112] In particular, the movement means 40 is configured to move the anti-slip strip 20 inside the groove 33 between the neutral configuration and the anti-slip configuration so that the protruding elements 23 are arranged inside the through cavities and project beyond the base 101 of the ski 100 in order to perform the anti-slip function.

[0113] Preferably, each hole present on the base 101 extends along the same inclined direction as the respective holes of the plurality of holes 34 present in the groove 33 of the support panel 30.

[0114] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the ski 100 comprises an inlet slot adapted to enable the insertion of the anti-slip strip 20 into the groove 33, in particular in the case where the main panel 104 is already constrained to the upper face 31 of the support panel 30.

[0115] Preferably, the aforesaid inlet slot coincides with the opening present in the main panel 104 and the cover panel 102, if present.

[0116] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the ski 100 comprises an outlet slot adapted to allow the removal of the anti-slip strip 20 from the groove 33.

[0117] Preferably, the aforesaid outlet slot coincides with the opening present in the main panel 104 and / or the cover panel 102. By applying a sufficiently strong pulling force on the rear end 22 of the anti-slip strip 20, in fact, it is possible to extract the protruding elements 23 from the through cavities and thus extract the anti-slip strip 20 to be replaced.

[0118] Alternatively, the outlet slot can be obtained in a front portion of the ski 100 so as to place each groove 33 in communication with the outside of the ski 100 with the aim of simplifying the operation of removing each anti-slip strip 20. In such a configuration, in fact, the removal of each anti-slip strip 20 is simplified - if previously released from the movement means - since the orientation of the protruding elements 23 in the through cavities does not create any impediment to the extraction thereof.

[0119] Preferably, in accordance with this latter aspect of the invention, not illustrated, the ski 100 also comprises a closure cap to be positioned over the outlet slot so as to prevent snow or other undesirable foreign elements from being able to penetrate into the groove 33 during normal use of the ski 100.

[0120] The present invention also relates to a method for producing a ski 100 for skiing activities, comprising the operating steps of: preparing a base 101 of a ski 100 and a support panel 30 having a shape substantially superimposable on the base 101; coupling the base 101 with a lower face 32 of the support panel 30; creating at least one groove 33 on an upper face 31 of the support panel 30 along a longitudinal direction L along which the support panel 30 extends; creating, along at least a part of the groove 33, a plurality of through cavities passing through the lower face 32 (the aforesaid plurality of through holes 34) and the base 101 (the aforesaid further plurality of through holes); preparing at least one anti-slip strip 20 extending along the longitudinal direction L and comprising a plurality of protruding elements 23 protruding relative to a plane of extension of the anti-slip strip 20 itself; inserting the anti-slip strip 20 into the groove 33 so that each protruding element 23 is inserted at least partly into a corresponding through cavity; preparing a main panel 104 having a shape substantially superimposable on that of the support panel 30; creating an opening in the main panel 104 at a rear end 22 of the anti-slip strip 20 arranged in the groove 33; coupling the main panel 104 with the upper face 31 of the support panel 30; preparing a movement means 40 configured to move the anti-slip strip 20 inside the groove 33 of the support panel 30 between a neutral configuration, in which the protruding elements 23 are arranged completely outside said through cavities or only partly inside them without protruding beyond the lower face 32 of the support panel 30, and an anti-slip configuration, in which the protruding elements 23 are arranged inside the through cavities so as to pass through them in a projecting manner relative to the base 101 in order to perform an anti-slip function capable of enabling the ascent of a snow-covered slope in the case of ski mountaineering or an easier forward movement in the case of ski touring or cross-country skiing; associating the movement means 40 with one end, preferably the rear one 22, of the anti-slip strip 20; positioning the movement means 40 over the main panel 104 at the opening. Advantageously, the production method just described makes it possible to provide a ski 100 for skiing-mountaineering activities wherein the anti-slip system 10 is integrated and, at the same time, the resistance, weight and volume of the ski 100 are substantially unchanged. Even more advantageously, the integration of the anti-slip system 10 makes it possible to considerably reduce the risk of breaking or losing the protruding elements 23, i.e. the elements equivalent to the known ski skins which, being applied externally, are much more subject to deterioration.

[0121] Even more advantageously, the integration makes it possible to always have at one's disposal the anti-slip system, which is easily activatable and deactivatable according to the need to confront differences in elevation, whether positive (ascent) or negative (descent).

[0122] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the aforesaid coupling steps are carried out by gluing, preferably using epoxy resin or analogous anchoring substances.

[0123] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the aforesaid method for producing a ski 100 also comprises one or more of the following additional steps: coupling, preferably by gluing, the lateral strips to the base 101 prior to application of the support panel 30; preparing a thin polymeric layer (i.e. having a thickness of a few tenths of a millimetre) between the upper face 31 of the support panel 30 and the main panel 104 so as to prevent the anchorage substance used from penetrating into the groove 33 and blocking the movement of the anti-slip strip 20; providing a cover panel 102, mainly having aesthetic purposes, over the main panel 104 and on which the movement means 40 and other components useful to the skier, such as bindings for the ski boots, may be positioned. This step further comprises a step of carrying out several processing operations (before or after the application of the cover panel 102) such as the creation of a communication opening analogous to the opening of the main panel 104; preparing one or more reinforcement layers, preferably made of a composite material such as carbon fibre or fibreglass, or metal, mainly between the main panel 104 and the cover panel 102, but also between the main panel 104 and the support panel 30.

[0124] In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, the aforesaid method for producing a ski 100 comprises a preliminary step of preparing an anti-slip system 10 having one or more of the previously described features.

[0125] In this manner, therefore, part of the previously described steps are carried out beforehand with the production of the anti-slip system 10, thereby simplifying the assembly of the ski 100. In fact, the preliminary production of the anti-slip system 10 makes it possible to apply the remaining components of the ski 100 at a later time, based on the skier's preferences.

[0126] For example, the preliminary step in the production of the anti-slip system 10 can be associated with the step of coupling with the main panel 104, so as to leave the choice of which base 101 (including the lateral strips) and cover panel 102 to apply up to the end user and / or the technicians who normally oversee the production of the skis 100. In any case, the aforesaid method makes it possible to produce a ski 100 in which the anti-slip system is completely integrated into the ski 100 itself, thus assuring a high safety of use. In fact, compared to the known prior art systems applicable externally to skis, what is provided in accordance with the present invention is not affected by a risk of accidental detachment.

Claims

1. An anti-slip system (10) for skis (100), in particular for skiing activities, comprising: - at least one anti-slip strip (20) extending along a longitudinal direction (L) and comprising a plurality of protruding elements (23) protruding relative to a plane of extension of said anti-slip strip (20); - a support panel (30) extending along said longitudinal direction (L) and having an upper face (31) couplable with a main panel (104) of a ski (100) and a lower face (32) couplable with a base (101) of the ski (100), said upper face (31) having at least one groove (33) extending along said longitudinal direction (L) to contain said anti-slip strip (20), said groove (33) having a plurality of through holes (34) passing through towards said lower face (32), each of which is adapted to receive a corresponding protruding element (23) of said anti-slip strip (20); - a movement means (40) associated with said anti-slip strip (20) and configured to move said anti-slip strip (20) inside said groove (33) of said support panel (30) between a neutral configuration, in which said protruding elements (23) are arranged completely outside said through holes (34) or only partly inside said through holes (34) without protruding beyond said lower face (32) of said support panel (30), and an anti-slip configuration, in which said protruding elements (23) are arranged inside said through holes (34) so as to pass through them in a projecting manner relative to said lower face (32) of said support panel (30) in order to perform an anti-slip function capable of allowing an increase in friction with a snow-covered surface.

2. The system (10) according to claim 1, wherein said anti-slip strip (20) is made of a polymeric, or metallic, or composite material.

3. The system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said protruding elements (23) are normally configured in an initial operating position that is at least partially inclined by a predefined angle relative to said plane of extension of said anti-slip strip (20).

4. The system (10) according to claim 3, wherein said protruding elements (23) are movable, preferably in a flexible manner, into said different operating positions relative to said initial operating position.

5. The system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said protruding elements (23) are arranged in a grid parallel to said longitudinal direction (L).

6. The system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each hole of said plurality of through holes (34) extends along a direction that is inclined relative to said longitudinal direction by an angle of between 30° and 60°.

7. The system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said groove (33) has a width that is substantially equal to that of said anti-slip strip (20) and a greater length than said anti-slip strip (20) to allow the sliding of said anti-slip strip (20) along said longitudinal direction (L).

8. The system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said movement means (40) is connected to at least one end (21, 22) of said anti-slip strip (20).

9. The system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said movement means (40) is configured to move said anti-slip strip (20) in said anti-slip configuration into a plurality of positions, each of which corresponds to a different protrusion of said protruding elements (23) relative to said lower face (32).

10. A ski (100), in particular for skiing-mountaineering activities, comprising: - an anti-slip system (10) in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 9; - a base (101) fixed to said lower face (32) of said support panel (30) and having a further plurality of through holes arranged over said plurality of through holes (34) of the groove (33) of said support panel (30) in order to create through cavities passing through said support panel (30) and said base (101); - a main panel (104) fixed to said upper face (31) of said support panel (30) and on which said movement means (40) is arranged at an opening adapted to place said movement means (40) in communication with said anti-slip strip (20), wherein said movement means (40) is configured to move said anti-slip strip (20) inside said groove (33) into said anti-slip configuration so that said protruding elements (23) are arranged inside said through cavities in a projecting manner relative to said base (101) of the ski (100).

11. The ski (100) in accordance with claim 10, wherein each hole of said further plurality of holes extends along the same inclined direction as the corresponding holes of the plurality of holes of said groove (33).

12. A method for producing a ski (100) for skiing activities, comprising the operating steps of: - preparing a base (101) of a ski (100) and a support panel (30) having a shape substantially superimposable on said base (101); - coupling said base (101) with a lower face (32) of said support panel (30); - creating a groove (33) on an upper face (31) of said support panel (30) along a longitudinal direction (L) along which said support panel (30) extends; - creating, along at least a part of said groove (33), a plurality of through cavities passing through said lower face (32) and said base (101); - preparing an anti-slip strip (20) extending along said longitudinal direction (L) and comprising a plurality of protruding elements (23) protruding relative to a plane of extension of said anti-slip strip (20); - inserting said anti-slip strip (20) into said groove (33) so that each protruding element (23) is inserted into a corresponding through cavity; - preparing a main panel (104) having a shape substantially superimposable on said support panel (30); - creating an opening in said main panel (104) at a rear end (22) of the anti-slip strip (20) arranged in said groove (33); - coupling said main panel (104) with said upper face (31) of said support panel (30); - preparing a movement means (40) configured to move said anti-slip strip (20) inside said groove (33) of said support panel (30) between a neutral configuration, in which said protruding elements (23) are arranged completely outside said through holes (34) or only partly inside said through holes (34) without protruding beyond said lower face (32) of said support panel (30), and an anti-slip configuration, in which said protruding elements (23) are arranged inside said through cavities so as to pass through them in a projecting manner relative to said base (101) in order to perform an anti-slip function capable of allowing an increase in friction with a snow-covered surface. - associating said movement means (40) with said rear end (22) of said anti-slip strip (20); - positioning said movement means (40) over said main panel (104) at said opening.

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