Abstract: A method of making a finished product, a semi-finished product for making the finished product, as well as the products made thereby. The semi-finished product includes at least one surface having a plurality of recesses, or alveoli, therein, in which the method includes determining a depth of material to be removed from the surface during a finishing process, and forming each of the plurality of recesses in the surface to have a substantially cylindrical section which extends for a predetermined depth within the surface which is greater than or equal to the predetermined depth of material. The substantially cylindrical section of each of the plurality of recesses extends along an axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the product. During an abrasion step, material is removed from the surface of the semi-finished product to a depth less than or equal to the predetermined depth.

Abstract: Golf clubs are disclosed having weighted tips and weighted hosels so as to achieve a predetermined weight distribution in both the horizontal and vertical direction. The distance between the hosel and tip weights is maximized as a result of their respective geometries relative to the center of gravity of the club head, and the stability of the club head is increased both about a horizontal axis and about a vertical axis through the center of gravity. In one version the tip weight is at least twice the weight at the hosel and in another version these weights are substantially indentical.

Abstract: A ski comprises an elongated body having opposed lateral surfaces and opposed upper and lower walls, a longitudinal core having upper and lower walls extending along the length of the body between front and rear ends of the ski, mechanical resistance elements, internal longitudinal shock absorption elements made of a viscoelastic material, and filling elements connecting the resistance elements to the other elements. At least one of the internal shock absorption elements is a strip of viscoelastic material which is substantially continuous over the entire length of the body of the ski. The width of the strip is limited by the lateral surfaces of the ski, and the thickness of the strip is limited by a wall of the core and a wall of the body. The strip has a thickness along the length of the body which is a nonconstant function of the length of the body conferring on the ski mechanical shock absorption properties which vary along the length of the ski.

Abstract: A ski comprises a longitudinally extending body defining a longitudinal median plane and having a sole substantially perpendicular to the plane and adapted to slidably engage a surface. The sole has a central zone lying between front and rear contact zones. The body comprises a core having opposed top and bottom walls, and opposed lateral walls, the core extending substantially the length of the body. The body further includes a shell having a top layer overlying the top wall of the core and lateral surfaces spaced from respective lateral walls of the core. The shell further includes lateral strips of viscoelastic material interposed between each lateral surface of said shell and the respective lateral walls of the core for forming a shock absorber. The cross-sectional area of the lateral strips are a non-constant function of length along the body of the ski at least between said contact zones.

Abstract: A ski for use on snow comprises a longitudinally extending body defining a longitudinal median plane and having a sole substantially perpendicular thereto for slidably engaging a surface. The sole has a central zone lying between front and rear contact lines. The width of the body is established by opposed lateral surfaces, and the thickness of the body is established by an upper wall opposed to the sole. A longitudinal core extends along the length of the body between front and rear ends of the ski and has a width established by lateral side walls that respectively face the lateral surfaces of the body. The thickness of the core is established by upper and lower walls. The ski also includes mechanical resistance elements, internal longitudinal shock absorption members made of a viscoelastic material, and filling elements connecting the resistance elements to the other elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching one end of a boot to a ski. The apparatus includes a support, a movable lock, and a journal. The support is attached to the ski and is adapted to engage the boot. The movable lock pivots around the journal between an inactive, non-retention position in which the boot is free to be attached to and removed from the ski, and an active, retention position in which the boot is locked on the ski. The journal is positioned between the walls of a housing of the apparatus. The journal is spaced from these walls of the housing so as to produce play between the journal and the housing in response to the movable lock pivoting into its active, retention position.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a boot on a ski including a mobile lock adapted to be displaced between a retention position and an open position. In the retention position the lock retains the boot on the ski. In the open position the lock permits the boot to be disengaged from the ski. Also provided is a generally upside down U-shaped spring in the form of a stirrup having a two ends which are pivotally attached to the ski and a median portion including a projection which extends toward these ends and which is adapted to be displaced on the surface of the lock. Both the lock and the spring are pivotally attached to the ski around different transverse axes so that the lock and the spring form a toggle mechanism. As a result, when the projection is displaced on the surface of the lock to one side of a plane passing through the two transverse axes, the lock is biased and displaced into one of its two positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a boot on a ski including a mobile lock adapted to be displaced between a retention position and an open position. In the retention position the the lock retains the boot on the ski. In the open position the lock permits the boot to be disengaged from the ski. Also provided is a generally upside down U-shaped spring in the form of a stirrup having a two ends which are pivotally attached to the ski and a median portion including a projection which extends toward these ends and which is adapted to be displaced on the surface of the lock. Both the lock and the spring are pivotally attached to the ski around different transverse axes so that the lock and the spring form a toggle mechanism. As a result, when the projection is displaced on the surface of the lock to one side of a plane passing through the two transverse axes, the lock is biased and displaced into one of its two positions.

Abstract: A lateral guidance and support apparatus for a ski boot attached, at its front end, to a cross-country ski, whose heel is free to be displaced at least vertically with respect to the ski. The apparatus includes a longitudinally extending retention rib positioned at the upper surface of the ski which is adapted to engage a longitudinally extending groove in the sole of the boot having substantially the same cross-sectional configuration as the rib. The groove progressively covers the rib when the boot is flattening on the ski. Also provided are one or more projections extending laterally from the rib. These projections are positioned under a support zone of the boot when the boot is attached to the binding and when the grooves in the boot engage the rib on the ski. The support zone of the boot is that portion of the boot positioned under the metatarsus of the foot or positioned under a region of the foot in front of the metatarses.

Abstract: Latching apparatus for a ski brake that has three elements: at least one braking element journalled on a base plate and movable between an active position, in which the braking element projects under the sole of the ski, and an inactive position, in which the braking element is raised with respect to the ski; an elastic system biasing the braking element toward the active position; and activation means for activating the braking element to move from the active to the inactive position in response to downward pressure from a boot on the activation means. The latching apparatus is a removable bar positioned either, between two of the movable elements of the brake or between the braking element and an element integral with the ski, to lock the braking element in its inactive position. The latching apparatus also includes an extension element, extending vertically above the bar, and positioned in front of the binding so as to block the insertion of the boot into the binding.

Abstract: Latching apparatus for a ski brake that has three elements: at least one braking element journalled on a base plate and movable between an active position, in which the braking element projects under the sole of the ski, and an inactive position, in which the braking element is raised with respect to the ski; an elastic system biasing the braking element toward the active position; and activation means for activating the braking element to move from the active to the inactive position in response to downward pressure from a boot on the activation means. The latching apparatus is a removable bar positioned either, between two of the movable elements of the brake or between the braking element and an element integral with the ski, to lock the braking element in its inactive position. The latching apparatus also includes an extension element, extending vertically above the bar, and positioned in front of the binding so as to block the insertion of the boot into the binding.