PORTABLE SKI EDGE SHARPENING MACHINE

Abstract

The invention relates to a portable ski edge sharpening machine comprising a fluid spray conduit on the active surface of the grinding wheel and an injection / suction module connected to the grinding head. The invention aims to improve user safety by preventing toxic dust, exposure to ambient humidity, and the risk of fire; to extend the lifespan of the machine and the grinding wheel; and to improve the quality of the edge sharpening.

Description

Title of the invention: PORTABLE SKI EDGE SHARPENING MACHINE

[0001] The invention relates to an improvement of portable ski edge sharpening machines with the aim of improving working conditions and quality, material durability and safety. technical field

[0002] The machine, the object of the invention, is intended for sharpening the lateral faces of the metal edges of a snow board such as a ski or a single board known in English as a snowboard (For simplicity of understanding, this board will be called a ski for the rest of this document) in order to regenerate the edge of the edges after damage to it.

[0003] Each edge, located on either side of a ski base, has a lower face in the same plane as the ski base and a lateral face that extends slightly beyond the sidewall on either side of the ski. The intersection of these two surfaces, lower and lateral, forms an edge necessary for grip and guidance of the ski, especially on very hard snow or ice. Thus, a circular arc can be carved on hard or icy snow surfaces without lateral slippage that would compromise the precision of the turn.

[0004] Since commercially available skis are intended for users of all levels, they are marketed with a standard edge sharpening, i.e. moderately aggressive in order to give more tolerance, and therefore more pleasure, to skiers of average technical level or physical condition. To optimize this factory sharpening, or to regenerate the edges of the skis, which, while skiing, will deteriorate due to wear caused by abrasion from the ice, or by passing over undesirable hard obstacles such as stones or protruding rocks, or even simply by the impacts of the skis against each other, demanding skiers, or even competitive skiers, have various means at their disposal. Previous techniques:

[0005] A skier can sharpen their own skis using a file, but this operation requires some skill because it risks altering the continuity of the edge angle. They can also use devices such as those described in US patents 4721020, US 5400679, US 4850252, or US 4060013. These rudimentary devices produce a poor quality of sharpening because the results are inconsistent.

[0006] Other solutions, protected by US patents 6,702,656, US 5,136,816, FR 2516004 or DE 4413935, are provided by small portable sharpening machines, comprising a motor rotating an abrasive tool of the belt or grinding wheel type. The operator moves the machine along the edge of the ski to be resharpened using positioning devices that ensure correct machining. However, these machines have several drawbacks: - Being generally used in small ski preparation workshops, often located at the foot of the slopes, the grinding of the steel edges produces sparks, which can cause fires, especially since ski preparation is generally completed by waxing operations using products that can be flammable. - The movement of these portable machines relative to the ski being manual, it is irregular and can therefore, if the user is not careful, create overheating points in certain areas and burn the edge which risks destroying its hardness characteristics. - In addition, since the abrasive tool is made up of grains, for example corundum or diamond, this overheating will accelerate the wear of the grains which will first become less aggressive before detaching prematurely, accelerating the wear of the grinding wheel.

[0007] It is known, in the general field of machining of mechanical parts by grinding using fixed machines, in particular by patents PCT / GB03 / 03271 or US4619078 or even US 4216630, to direct a coolant onto the part being machined.

[0008] Operators working on this type of machine are forced to endure this humid environment (liquid mist carried by the grinding wheel); moreover, the longevity of these machines working in these conditions is limited.

[0009] Competitive skiers using this type of machine are required to travel with it to get to the competition or training venues.

[0010] Description of the invention

[0011] The invention relates to a portable machine for sharpening the lateral faces of the metal edges of a snowboard. This machine is sufficiently light and maneuverable to be moved manually along the edges of a ski, itself placed in a vise.

[0012] One of the objects of the present invention relates to an improvement of this type of machine with the aim of improving the working conditions of the user.

[0013] The dry grinding operation of steel results in the projection of fine dust (a mixture of iron filings and abrasive grain particles). Since this dust is inhaled by the operator and is toxic to the user's health, the invention proposes, for to trap these dusts as soon as they appear, by injecting a liquid under pressure onto the active face of the grinding wheel, just before the contact area with the edge to be machined.

[0014] In order that this injection of liquid does not condemn the operator to work in a humid environment amidst a mist due to the liquid carried by the grinding wheel, several means are provided by the invention. - The injection nozzle is not only directed towards a precise area but the flow rate of projected liquid must be limited. - The protective casing of the grinding wheel is designed so that it can recover all of the cooling fluid by suction.

[0015] It should be noted that the present invention not only improves the user's working conditions, but, by spraying the sparks as soon as they are created, will eliminate any risk of fire during the use of the machine.

[0016]

[0017] The invention applied to these portable ski edge sharpening machines also makes it possible to improve their lifespan by eliminating abrasive dust before it gets into sensitive mechanical parts.

[0018]

[0019] The invention also allows for continuous cleaning of the grinding wheel, which ensures consistent machining quality. This is an essential criterion for the performance of competitive skiers, who are major users of this type of machine.

[0020]

[0021] Finally, by cooling the machining zone of the edge, the invention eliminates the risk of burning the metal, thus preventing a loss of its hardness. Furthermore, this cooling of the grinding wheel grains significantly extends its lifespan.

[0022]

[0023] The invention relates to a portable machine for sharpening the lateral faces of the metal edges of a snowboard, consisting in particular of: - a sharpening head comprising a motor block driving a grinding wheel - means of positioning and guiding the head on the ski - and a protective casing around the grinding wheel

[0024] and is characterized in that: - on the one hand, an injection conduit is arranged in the sharpening machine. One end of this conduit is in the form of a nozzle, directed on the grinding wheel, in front of the working area, that is to say, before the contact of the grinding wheel with the square to be machined, the other end of this conduit having a connection device. - On the other hand, the grinding wheel's protective casing is designed so that it can recover, by suction, most of the fluid from Cooling is provided by a nozzle. A connection device is provided at the bottom of the housing for draining the sprayed fluid. - and in that an injection / aspiration (I / A) module is attached to the sharpening machine.

[0025] The invention provides that an injection / suction unit (also called module 1 / A) is connected to the sharpening machine via flexible hoses: one for injection and the other for extraction of the liquid, each being connected to the sharpening machine via connecting devices. Advantageously, these devices are quick-connect fittings or swivel couplings to provide greater ease of handling for the operator.

[0026] The invention consists of enabling the injection of liquid at a targeted location but also in a limited quantity. It is characterized in that the volume of fluid projected is between 0.1 centiliters per second (cl / s) and 1.5 cl / s. The injection pressure of this fluid is between 2 bar and 8 bar.

[0027] The fluid injected according to the invention is water, but we do not depart from the scope of the invention if we add certain additives in particular coolants or antioxidants.

[0028] The I / A module connected to the portable sharpening machine is designed, according to the invention, to extract between 40 liters per second (l / s) and 70 l / s of liquid. This suction operation is intended to virtually dry the ski after this machining operation.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the module consists of a clean water tank propelled by means of a pump through the conduit and the injection nozzle; and a suction turbine which recovers the dirty water in a second tank.

[0030] The portable sharpening machine according to the invention is characterized in that the total weight of the sharpening machine assembly and LA module does not exceed 25kg.

[0031] The manner in which the invention can be realized will become clearer from the following example of embodiment, with support from the attached figures. Brief description of the drawings

[0032] [Fig.l] is a succinct cross-section of the machine during the sharpening of a lateral face of a metal edge of a ski.

[0033] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of the entire sharpening machine and FA module

[0034] [Fig.3] shows the positioning of the fluid injection zone on the grinding wheel.

[0035] [Fig.4] is a representation of the injection conduit

[0036]

[0037] Referring to [Fig. 1], the ski 1 is placed in the machining position (the clamping vise is not shown), with the base and metal edges 2 facing upwards. The sharpening machine rests on the base via support rollers 3 and a guide roller 16; the machine body or sharpening head 5 consists of a motor M and a shaft 10 on which a grinding wheel 9 is mounted. An injection conduit 4 passing through the body 5 of the machine has at its end directed towards the active face of the grinding wheel 9 a spray nozzle 11, the other end of the conduit 4 is extended by a secondary pipe 7 equipped with a rotating fitting 12 for water supply. The grinding wheel 9 is enclosed by a casing 8, the base of which has a water drainage orifice 15 fitted with a swivel fitting 13. A seal 14 ensures the sealing of this casing.

[0038]

[0039] Fig. 2 is a representation of the entire device where the sharpening machine described in Fig. 1 is found, connected on the one hand by the supply pipe 22 using the fitting 12, and on the other hand by the discharge pipe 19 using the fitting 13, to the injection / suction module 25 I / A. The I / A module includes an Injection part with a clean water tank 23 and a water pump 24 and an Suction part with an extraction turbine 18 with its motor 17, a dirty water recovery and separation tank 20 and an air exhaust duct 21.

[0040]

[0041] Figure 3 shows the positioning of the fluid injection zone on the grinding wheel. This figure is a view of the active face 29 of the cup wheel 9. The arrow shows the direction of rotation of the grinding wheel and area 26 shows the position of the injection zone through the end of the nozzle 11. The hatched area 27 is the machining area of ​​the grinding wheel 9 on the edge 2 of the ski 1. The housing is shown in the upper part 8 around the grinding wheel and in the lower part 15 as a suction collector, with the maximum suction area 28.

[0042]

[0043] Figure 4 highlights the injection circuit. In particular, this figure shows the position of the nozzle 11 relative to the grinding wheel 9 and the edge 2 of the ski 1.

[0044]

[0045] It goes without saying that we would not depart from the scope of the invention if the injection conduit did not pass through the body of the machine. It could be fixed to the housing or to the support or guide means of the sharpening head.

Claims

Demands

1. A portable machine for sharpening the side faces of the metal edges of a snowboard, comprising, in particular: • a sharpening head including a motor unit driving a grinding wheel; • means for positioning and guiding the head on the ski; • a protective housing around the grinding wheel, designed to recover most of the cooling fluid by suction. A connection device is provided at the bottom of the housing for draining this fluid; • a fluid injection conduit located in the sharpening machine, which is shaped at one end into a nozzle and is directed onto the active face of the grinding wheel, in front of the working area, i.e., the contact area with the edge to be sharpened; its other end comprising a connection device; • and in that an injection / suction module (I / A) is attached to the sharpening machine.characterized in that: the volume of fluid projected is between 0.1 centiliter per second (cl / s) and 1.5 cl / s.

2. Portable sharpening machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the aspirated volume is between 40 liters per second (l / s) and 70 l / s.

3. Portable sharpening machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the fluid injection pressure is between 2 bars and 8 bars.

Images