Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A ski boot, and a binding for binding the ski boot onto the ski. The boot is provided with blocking means which prevents its attachment by bindings other than those which should properly be used with the specific boots. The binding itself however is capable of use with any standardized boot, whether or not it has blocking means. This assures that boots requiring specially modified bindings will not be used otherwise, but nevertheless permits the use of such boots with bindings used with standardized boots having no blocking means.

Abstract: A ski provided with an upper surface, a lower surface, and two lateral surfaces connecting the upper and lower surfaces. At least a portion of each lateral surface is inclined with respect to the lower surface, and the width of the lower surface, at each point along the length of the ski, is greater than the width of the upper surface at each point along the length of the ski.

Abstract: A ski binding for releasably securing a boot to a ski. The boot includes a pivotable plate adapted to be pivotably secured to the ski whereby the plate is pivotable on the ski around an axis substantially perpendicular relative to the upper surface of the ski. The plate pivots to an unaligned position relative to the binding during release of the boot. First and second assemblies are provided for securing the front and rear of the boot onto the ski. The second assembly is mounted on the plate. The first assembly is elastically pivotable to allow for release of the boot with pivoting of the first assembly, and is operatively associated with the plate whereby realignment of the first assembly relative to the binding is accompanied by automatic realignment of the plate.

Abstract: A ski which includes a lower sliding surface connected to an upper surface by a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface along two opposed sides of the ski. Each of the first and second lateral surfaces is inclined and forms first and second inclination angles, respectively, with the lower surface. In the front portion of the ski, the first inclination angle is less than the second inclination angle, while in the rear portion of the ski first inclination angle is greater than the second inclination angle.

Abstract: A ski which includes a lower sliding surface connected to an upper surface by a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface along two opposed sides of the ski. The lateral surfaces are each inclined to form with the lower surface an average inclination angle of less than 90.degree.. The first average inclination angle is less than the second average inclination angle along the useful zone of the ski.

Abstract: A ski including a lower sliding surface connected to an upper surface by two lateral surfaces along opposed sides of the ski. At least one of the lateral surfaces has at least one portion which is inclined with respect to the lower surface and forms an angle of inclination.

Abstract: A ski which includes a lower sliding surface connected to an upper surface by a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface along two opposed sides of the ski. The lateral surfaces are each inclined to form with the lower surface an average inclination angle of less than 90.degree.. The first average inclination angle is less than the second average inclination angle along the useful zone of the ski.

Abstract: A ski binding adapted to pivot both laterally and vertically. The binding includes a support attached to the ski and an assembly adapted to pivot therearound. The assembly includes a jaw, a pivoting element and an elastic system which biases the pivoting element and support into contact with each other. The pivoting element and the support form a lateral pivoting system having two projections and complementary grooves, each of which form a line of support around which the pivoting element and assembly may laterally pivot. The elastic system in one embodiment contacts the rear of the support. In another embodiment the elastic system contacts the rear of a rocker pivoting around the pivoting element, and contacting the rear of the support. Both the rear of the rocker and the rear of the support comprise a downwardly and rearwardly extending release incline and a downwardly and forwardly extending opening incline.

Abstract: A ski boot, and a binding for binding the ski boot onto the ski. The boot is provided with blocking means which prevents its attachment by bindings other than those which should properly be used with the specific boots. The binding itself however is capable of use with any standardized boot, whether or not it has blocking means. This assures that boots requiring specially modified bindings will not be used otherwise, but nevertheless permits the use of such boots with bindings used with standardized boots having no blocking means.

Abstract: A safety binding for releasably holding a boot to a ski which increases its release threshold in the event of a shock. The binding includes a maintenance element for releasably holding a boot on a ski, a device for biasing the maintenance element against release of the boot, and a non-electronic device for selectively increasing the bias of the maintenance element against release of the boot in response to a shock to the leg. The non-electronic device includes an auxiliary mechanical abutment attached to the ski. The abutment includes an inertial control device adapted to move from a rest position to an operating position in response to a shock. In the rest position, the auxiliary mechanical abutment has no effect on the release threshold of the maintenance element. In the operating position, the inertial control device biases the abutment against rotation.

Abstract: A ski binding for releasably securing a boot to a ski. The boot includes a pivotable plate adapted to be pivotably secured to the ski whereby the plate is pivotable on the ski around an axis substantially perpendicular relative to the upper surface of the ski. The plate pivots to an unaligned position relative to the binding during release of the boot. First and second hold down are provided for securing the front and rear of the boot onto the ski. The second hold down is mounted on the plate. The first hold down is elastically pivotable to allow for release of the boot with pivoting of the first hold down, and is operatively associated with the plate whereby realignment of the first hold down relative to the binding is accompanied by automatic realignment of the plate.

Abstract: Anti-friction plate for use on a ski or ski binding. The anti-friction plate has a surface to be adhesively secured and means for shielding the surface of the plate from solar radiation.

Abstract: A release mechanism for assisting a binding to resist pivoting about an element fixed to the ski. The mechanism includes an adjustable mechanical release mechanism for producing an initial release retention force, and a hydraulic pneumatic or mechanical assistance mechanism controlled by an electronic control, for increasing the initial release retention force. The initial release retention force is produced by a spring biasing a piston against the element fixed to the ski. The assistance mechanism increases the initial release retention force in response to a signal received by sensors on the binding indicating that the boot is attached to the binding. When shocks are sensed by the sensors, a signal is produced reducing the release retention force added by the assistance system. In the event that the electronic control fails, the binding still experiences the initial release retention force produced by the mechanical release mechanism.

Abstract: A safety ski binding having a jaw for holding a boot on a ski and permitting lateral release of the boot, an elastic system for biasing the jaw longitudinally forward against lateral pivoting, and a mechanism for compensating for the additional bias against lateral pivoting arising from friction between the boot and the ski during a forward fall. The compensation means includes a sensor which produces a force on the jaw which opposes the bias of the elastic system, in response to downward movement of the boot. The sensor includes a pedal and a reversing lever. The boot rests on the pedal and the pedal pivots around an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the ski when the pedal is pushed downward by the boot. The reversing lever is in contact with the pedal and pivots in the opposite direction from the pedal when the pedal pivots.

Abstract: A ski binding adapted to pivot both laterally and vertically. The binding includes a support attached to the ski and an assembly adapted to pivot therearound. The assembly includes a jaw, a pivoting element and an elastic system. The support has a substantially flat surface biased into contact with a substantially flat surface on the pivoting element. The pivoting element pivots around a single vertical axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of the binding. The elastic system in one embodiment contacts the rear of the support. In another embodiment the elastic system contacts the rear of a rocker pivoting around the pivoting element, and contacting the rear of the support. Both the rear of the rocker and the rear of the support comprise a downwardly and rearwardly extending release incline and a downwardly and forwardly extending opening incline. The elastic system is compressed when it pivots vertically along the release incline, so as to bias the assembly toward its centered boot retaining position.