Salomon S.a.

Elf Atochem S.a.

Gilles Recher

Roger Pascal

Jean-Luc Diard

Philippe Grandjacques

Maurice Legrand

Michel Vuachet

Thierry Vasselin

Jean-Pierre Nurit

Jean-Mary Cazaillon

Pierre Y Lavorel

A thermoplastic film, adapted for adhesion, composed of a compound of polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomers and of copolymers of olefins, the latter preferably being constituted of at least two different monomers of olefins. The composition of the thermoplastic film is such that the thermoplastic elastomers represent at least 50% and preferably 60% of the total weight of the compound.

Adhesive film composition

The invention relates to adhesion of various elements of a structure, such as a ski, consisting of an assembly of at least one first element and a second element by the action of an adhesive layer made of resin or foam, by interspersing at least one thermoplastic film, adapted for adhesion, and composed of a compound of polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomers and of copolymers of olefins, the latter preferably being constituted of at least two different monomers of olefins, between the adhesive layer and the junction surface of the first element. The composition of the thermoplastic film is such that the thermoplastic elastomers represent at least 50% and preferably 60% of the total weight of the compound.

Ski structure obtained from a polyamide based thermoplastic elastomer

A process for manufacturing a ski, and a ski manufactured by the process. The process according to the invention includes at least the following steps for manufacturing a ski whose body includes a core covered with a shell, wherein the shell is a composite sub-assembly: positioning the sub-assembly adjacent the cavity of a mold; positioning the core adjacent the shell; and exerting a force against the core to thereby force the shell within the mold cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the sub-assembly includes at least one layer of a filling material, preferably a thermoplastic material, which is caused to soften and flow under predetermined temperature and pressure conditions. In a modified embodiment, the mold cavity includes a depression or a projection on, for example, its lower surface which thereby produces a corresponding projection or depression, respectively, on the upper surface of the ski. By virtue of such a molding process, a variety of skis having various cross-sections and compositions are possible. For example, the upper edges of the skis thus manufactured can be reinforced with elements embedded in the filling material of which the edges can be made. Likewise, shock-absorbing material can be embedded within the aforementioned projections which can be made on the upper surface of the ski.

Process for manufacturing a ski, and a ski manufactured by the process

A ski comprising an upper decoration and protection subassembly, and a lower mechanical assembly, and the process of its manufacture. The decoration and protection sub-assembly is a double layer comprised of a polyamide, a copolymer of styrene, and either of carboxylic acid or its anhydride or a mixture containing those copolymers. This double layer can be coextruded, and it has excellent adhesive properties with the lower mechanical subassembly during the ski molding operation.

Ski and process for its manufacture

Process for manufacturing a ski

A ski having a lower sliding surface and a pair of opposite lower edge portions; an upper surface; a central zone, a front contact zone and a rear contact zone; a pair of lateral surfaces on opposed sides of the ski, each of the pair of lateral surfaces extending between the upper surface and a respective one of the pair of opposite lower edge portions of the lower sliding surface; at least one of the pair of lateral surfaces being disposed, with respect to the lower sliding surface, to form an angle, in transverse cross-section, between a line representative of the at least one of the pair of lateral surfaces and a line extending between the pair of opposite lower edge portions, the angle decreasing continuously between said central zone and at least one of the front contact zone and the rear contact zone. The body of the ski can include a core which extends substantially the length of the body and a casing substantially surrounding the core for establishing the mechanical resistance properties of the ski. The outer profile of the ski, or the outer profile of the casing, is constructed and arranged such that the mechanical resistance properties of the ski at each location along the length of the ski is a function of such location.

Ski having improved sliding and gripping properties

Cross-country ski

A process of assembling a ski and a ski structure assembled according to the process. The ski includes a plurality of subassemblies which are attached by applying a thermoplastic material to each of the subassemblies; placing the thermoplastic surfaces of adjacent subassemblies together; heating the thermoplastic junction or junctions; and cooling the thermoplastic junction or junctions to thereby effect a weld. The process of assembling the ski permits the shape of the ski to be modified or at least one of the subassemblies to be removed and replaced by subsequent heating of at least the thermoplastic junctions. The use of glue to attach the subassemblies together is avoided to obtain the reversibility of the assembly of the subassemblies.

Method of making a ski by reversible thermoplastic assembly

A process for decorating an article using a sublimation process includes the step of preparing a cover sheet having at least two superposed layers of plastic material, one of which is substantially transparent and the other which is opaque. A carrier sheet is prepared carrying a motif in the form of sublimable coloring agents. The carrier sheet is applied to the opaque layer of the cover sheet and a sublimation transfer process is effected by which the motif in the carrier sheet is transferred to the opaque layer of the cover sheet such that the coloring agents migrate into and beyond the opaque layer. Finally, the process involves applying the cover sheet to the article such that the opaque side of the cover sheet faces the article so that an observer views the motif through the transparent layer.

Process for decorating articles

A ski includes a longitudinally extending body defining a longitudinal median plane and having a sole substantially perpendicular to said plane and adapted to slidably engage a surface, the sole having a central zone lying between front and rear contact zones. The body has opposite side exterior surfaces and comprises a core which extends substantially the entire length of the body, and a plurality of elements operatively associated with the core, the elements including mechanical reinforcing elements, viscoeleastic shock absorption elements, and filling elements connecting the reinforcing elements to the other elements. The shock absorption elements are continuous and extend substantially over the entire length of the body of the ski. The shock absorption elements are constructed and arranged so that the mechanical shock absorption property of the ski at a given location along the length of the ski is a function of the given location.

Ski with distributed shock absorption

Process of decorating an article having a substantially transparent surface portion, wherein a decorative design formed of sublimable coloring agents contained on a support is transferred into an opaque monolayer contrast sheet. The opaque monolayer contrast sheet is adhered to the surface portion to form a surface portion/contrast sheet complex having a joint therebetween. This complex is assembled to the remainder of the article to be decorated by applying heat for a period of time sufficient to adhere the complex to the article and to achieve further sublimation and migration of the coloring agents from the opaque monolayer contrast sheet into the joint.

Process of decorating articles

A ski having an outer appearance layer constituted by a sheet of thermodeformable material which is heat deformable during a molding process. The sheet of thermodeformable material forming the appearance layer is composed of at least one outer layer of a substantially transparent plastic material and an inner layer made from substantially opaque plastic material. The inner layer contains coloring agents defining a decoration or inscription which is visible from the exterior through the outer layer. The plastic materials forming the sheet of thermodeformable material are such that the melting point and the heat softening temperature of the material forming the outer layer is less than the melting point and the softening temperature of the material forming the outer layer is less than the melting point and the softening temperature of the material forming the inner layer. The molding process is also disclosed for producing such a ski. In the present invention, the inner decoration layer is not substantially deformed during the molding process.

Process for forming a ski, and a ski formed according to the process

Ski comprising a longitudinal rib at its top part

Cross country ski comprising an upper longitudinal rib having a generally vertical trapezoid cross section. The longitudinal rib has at least two superimposed layers extending to form the upper base, and two sides of the trapezoid.

Growing community of inventors

Annecy, France

Gilles Recher