DEVICE FOR PROCESSING THE RUNNING EDGES OF SPORTS EQUIPMENT

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for machining the running edges of a sporting device, more particularly a ski or a snowboard, comprising a transport apparatus, which can be temporarily connected to the sporting device, for the automated movement of the sporting device in a movement sequence having, at least in parts, a movement direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sporting device, wherein the following are located one behind the other in said movement sequence of the sporting device: —a lower-edge machining unit for machining a lower surface of at least one running edge, said lower surface laterally adjoining the running-surface covering of the sporting device; —a lateral-edge machining unit for machining a lateral surface of the at least one running edge, said lateral surface adjoining the bottom of the lateral surface of the sporting device; and —a deburring unit for removing a burr formed by the lateral-edge machining unit on the at least one running edge.

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus for machining the running edges of a piece of sports equipment, in particular a ski or a snowboard, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such apparatuses are already known and are used for the automated machining of skis, in particular for preparing the running surface layer and for abrading the edges.

In the case of earlier apparatuses, the individual devices for machining the running edge are arranged such that the lateral surface of the running edge was machined first and then the lower edge was machined, provided with a so-called tuning angle of a few degrees deviating from the orientation of the running surface layer.

The object of the invention is to specify an apparatus for machining the running edges of a piece of sports equipment, in particular a ski or a snowboard, according to the preamble of claim 1, with which more precise and sharper cutting edges, and thereby better grip of the ski, can be achieved. In addition, a minimal removal of the metallic material of the running edges, and thus a long service life of the ski, is to be achieved.

To achieve this object, the invention proposes an apparatus with the features of claim 1.

In contrast to known apparatuses according to the state of the art, according to the invention (if necessary after a flat pre-processing of the running surface and of the undersurface of the running edge) in the automated movement sequence the lower edge is machined first of all—preferably at a particular tuning angle of a few degrees—and then the lateral surface of the running edge. In the last-named step, an initially undesired burr forms, which points downwards from the lateral surface of the running edge. According to the invention, in a preferably last machining step, this burr is now removed by means of a deburring device, which ultimately results in a precise and sharp cutting edge between the undersurface machined first and the lateral surface machined after it.

The movement sequence of the piece of sports equipment is brought about by the transport apparatus in an automated manner. In particular in the region of the individual machining stations, the movement sequence can comprise straight sections, in which the direction of movement runs parallel to a longitudinal direction of the piece of sports equipment. However, the movement sequence need not run continuously in a straight direction. The important thing is that, by the automated movement sequence, the piece of sports equipment is guided to the lower-edge machining device first, then to the lateral-edge machining device and finally to the deburring device, and is preferably moved through these devices.

Further advantages and details of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the following description of the figures.

FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic view, the devices of the embodiment example of the invention machining the piece of sports equipment, which are passed through one after another.

FIG. 2 shows, in a schematic side view, a further embodiment example with a transport device, which can be connected temporarily to the piece of sports equipment, for the automated movement of the piece of sports equipment relative to the individual devices, which machine the piece of sports equipment, in particular the running surface layer and the running edge.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment example of a running-surface machining device in a schematic cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the piece of sports equipment or perpendicular to the direction of movement thereof in an apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment example of a lower-edge machining device according to the invention in a similar manner of representation to FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment example of a lateral-edge machining device likewise in a similar manner of representation to FIG. 3.

FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d in each case show embodiment examples of a deburring apparatus according to the invention in a similar representation to FIGS. 3 to 5.

FIG. 7 shows the last, seen in the direction of movement x, section of the embodiment example of an apparatus according to the invention in a perspective representation.

As the following embodiment examples describe, in the invention, for one thing, the lateral-edge machining follows the lower-edge tuning and, for another, a deburring device is used as preferably the last working step.

FIG. 1 shows, entirely schematically, a running-surface machining device 1, which is followed—seen in the direction of movement x—by a lower-edge machining device 2, a lateral-edge machining device 3 and a deburring device 4.

According to the invention it is provided that the lower-edge machining device 2, unlike in the state of the art, is arranged before the lateral-edge machining device 3 and a deburring device 4 then also follows, which removes the burr formed on the running edge by the lateral-edge machining device.

In the embodiment example shown in FIG. 2, a frame 5 or support or the like, which is arranged spatially fixed and holds the individual components of the apparatus according to the invention, is represented generally. A transport apparatus 6 can be connected to the top of the piece of sports equipment 9 temporarily, for example via holding elements 8 that can be raised and lowered in the direction of the arrow 7, for example by applying a negative pressure. However, other mechanical holding elements are also entirely conceivable and possible.

The transport apparatus 6 moves the piece of sports equipment 9 in the direction of movement x past the individual machining devices 1-4. This is effected in an automated manner and controlled by a computing unit, not represented, known per se.

In the embodiment examples represented a machining of the running surface layer and of the undersurface, adjoining it in a flush manner, of the running edge is effected first of all.

This is represented in detail with reference to one of the two running edges of the piece of sports equipment. In the embodiment example represented, the running-surface machining device 1 has two rotatory abrasive elements lying one behind the other. Several, in particular four, such rotatory abrasive elements can also be provided, in order to implement the following steps:

• • coarse pre-grinding (high machining intensity with a high removal rate),
  • pre-grinding (completes the pre-grinding with a finer structure),
  • smooth grinding (smoothing of all fine hairs and fibres of the running surface layer and of the edge),
  • structural grinding to form a perfect layer design.

In FIG. 3 the running surface layer is denoted by 10. It is located on the underside of the ski body 11 of the piece of sports equipment 9. The metallic running edge 12 has an edge limb 12a, which is anchored in the ski body 11 in a manner known per se. The actual running edge is formed by the edge bar 12b, which has an undersurface 13 and a lateral surface 14. The undersurface 13 is sometimes also called the lower edge, the lateral surface 14 is sometimes called the lateral edge.

The undersurface lies flush with the lower surface of the running surface layer 10 and, in the working step represented in FIG. 3, is machined together with the running surface in order to obtain a planar geometry over the running surface layer 10 and the undersurface 13 of the running edge 12. The machining is effected, for example, by means of an abrasive belt (in particular corundum abrasive paper) or—as represented in FIG. 2—by means of abrasive discs, wherein in particular abrasive tools with ceramically bonded abrasive particles can be used. FIG. 3 substantially corresponds to the state of the art.

What is novel in the apparatus according to the invention now is a lower-edge machining device 2, as is represented in FIG. 4, which lies before the lateral-edge machining device 3—seen in the direction of movement x—according to FIG. 5. These two machining devices according to FIGS. 4 and 5 are then also followed by a deburring apparatus 4, embodiment examples of which are represented in FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d.

In FIG. 4, the lower-edge machining device 2 is explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment example. It advantageously produces on the running edge an undersurface which runs straight in a cross section with respect to the longitudinal direction of the piece of sports equipment 9 and is oriented at an adjustable tuning angle α with respect to the flat running surface layer 10—more precisely: the underside thereof. The tuning angle is very relevant for how the ski handles and can preferably be adjusted between 0.2° and 1°. In this working step, a small lateral burr 15 can form, which is not relevant, however, because this small burr is automatically removed anyway in the following step according to FIG. 5 during the lateral-edge machining.

In the embodiment example of a lateral-edge machining device 3 represented in FIG. 5, the lateral edge 14 is machined at an angle β with respect to a perpendicular to the undersurface of the running surface layer 10, and in the process a burr 16 forms, which points downwards.

Abrasive belts, preferably a corundum abrasive paper, moved by a motor are suitable in particular as devices for machining the lower edges and the lateral edges. However, motor-driven abrasive discs, in particular with ceramically bonded abrasive particles, are also entirely possible. Motor-driven cup wheels, in particular with ceramically bonded abrasive particles, are likewise possible. In addition to abrasive particles based on corundum, those based on diamond can also be used as abrasive particles.

As the example in FIG. 2 shows, the apparatus according to the invention is constructed such that the deburring is effected as the last working step, namely by a deburring device arranged last, seen in the direction of movement.

FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d show embodiment examples of such a deburring apparatus.

In the embodiment example represented in FIG. 6a, the deburring device 4 comprises a machining element, which during operation is stationary relative to the frame 5 of the apparatus and past which the transport apparatus 6 moves the piece of sports equipment 9.

In the process, the burr 16 is in abrasive contact with the stationary machining element 17 and is thereby removed.

Such a stationary machining element 17 can be, for example, a stationary abrasive disc, a file or an abrasive rubber, in particular with abrasive particles made of diamond. The position of the stationary machining element 17 can be adjusted advantageously relative to the frame 5. In the case of a flat abrasive surface, the position will be adjusted such that it substantially corresponds to the tuning angle α according to FIG. 4.

FIG. 6d likewise shows stationary machining elements 17, which here consist of dimensionally stable dowels with ceramically bonded abrasive particles.

Movable machining elements, in particular machining elements rotationally driven by means of a motor (not represented), are provided in the embodiment examples according to FIGS. 6b and 6c. The embodiment example represented in FIG. 6b is a brush 18, the axis of rotation of which is parallel to the direction of movement. In FIG. 6b this is perpendicular to the plane of drawing and is denoted by 19.

The embodiment example represented in FIG. 6c is likewise a brush as machining element, which is rotationally motor-driven. Here, the axis of rotation 20 is perpendicular to the direction of movement x.

The output-side end region of an apparatus according to the invention, with a lateral-edge machining device 3 in the form of a rotating abrasive disc and a deburring apparatus 4 with a stationary machining element 17 in the form of an abrasive layer 17, can be seen in the embodiment example represented in FIG. 7. This abrasive layer 17 lies on a support 21, the position of which is adjustable relative to the frame 5. For this, the support 21 is pivotable about the pivot 22. The pivot position can be adjusted via the adjustment wheel 23. The formation of FIG. 7 substantially corresponds to the schematic representation of FIG. 6a.

In each case only one of the two sides of the piece of sports equipment 9 is represented in FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d as well as in the present FIGS. 3 to 5 and in FIG. 7. The pieces of sports equipment are usually formed substantially symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal direction (centre line) and have running edges formed mirror-symmetrically to the left and right. The machining devices will accordingly also beneficially be formed such that they machine the left-hand and the right-hand running edges at the same time during one pass. This feature is state of the art in its own right.

A complete preparation of the ski then involves yet another step, namely waxing of the running surface, but this is not directly related to the preparation of the running edge according to the invention and is therefore not represented in more detail here.

Overall, in the case of a piece of sports equipment, in particular a ski or a snowboard, with the apparatus according to the invention a more precise and sharper cutting edge can be formed on the running edge and the grip of the piece of sports equipment can thereby be increased. It is possible to work such that the abrasive removal rate of the metallic running edge is kept low, as a result of which a long service life of the piece of sports equipment can be achieved.

The angles represented above, namely the tuning angle α and the lateral edge angle β, can preferably be adjusted electronically via a control computer. However, manual adjustments are also entirely conceivable and possible. The same applies to the angle or the orientation and position of the deburring apparatus 4. This can also be adjusted either manually or in an automated manner from a central control computer.

The individual components can be attached to a common frame or support. However, it is also possible, for example, to implement the deburring device separately or to arrange it outside the rest of the system, with a waxing station for example. This also enables a simple retrofitting to existing systems which are otherwise only slightly modified.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

• • x direction of movement
  • 1 running-surface machining device
  • 2 lower-edge machining device
  • 3 lateral-edge machining device
  • 4 deburring device
  • 5 frame
  • 6 transport apparatus
  • 7 direction of arrow
  • 8 holding element
  • 9 piece of sports equipment
  • running surface layer
  • 11 ski body
  • 12 running edge
  • 12a edge limb
  • 12b edge bar
  • 13 undersurface of the running edge
  • 14 lateral surface of the running edge
  • 15 lateral burr
  • 16 burr
  • 17 stationary machining element
  • 18 movable machining element
  • 19 axis of rotation
  • 20 axis of rotation
  • 21 support
  • 22 pivot
  • 23 adjustment wheel
  • 24 lateral surface of the piece of sports equipment

Claims

1. An apparatus for machining the running edges of a piece of sports equipment, in particular a ski or a snowboard, with a transport apparatus, which can be connected to the piece of sports equipment temporarily, for the automated movement of the piece of sports equipment in a movement sequence, which comprises at least in sections a direction of movement that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the piece of sports equipment, wherein in this movement sequence of the piece of sports equipment the following are arranged one after another:

a lower-edge machining device for machining an undersurface of at least one running edge laterally adjoining the running surface layer of the piece of sports equipment,

a lateral-edge machining device for machining a lateral surface of the at least one running edge adjoining the bottom of the lateral surface of the piece of sports equipment, and

a deburring device for removing a burr formed by the lateral-edge machining device on the at least one running edge.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a running-surface machining device, which machines flat the running surface layer of the piece of sports equipment and an undersurface, adjoining it in a flush manner, of at least one running edge, is arranged upstream of the lower-edge machining device in the movement sequence.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lower-edge machining device and/or the lateral-edge machining device and/or the deburring device and/or the running-surface machining device—preferably in each case at the same time—machines the left-hand and right-hand running edges of the piece of sports equipment being moved past it by the transport apparatus.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein through material removal the lower-edge machining device forms an undersurface—preferably straight in a cross section with respect to the longitudinal direction of the piece of sports equipment—of the running edge, which undersurface is oriented at an adjustable tuning angle (α) with respect to the running surface layer which preferably lies between 0.2° and 1°.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lower-edge machining device has one or more of the following components:

an abrasive belt, in particular a corundum abrasive paper, moved by a motor,

a motor-driven abrasive disc, in particular with ceramically bonded abrasive particles,

a motor-driven cup wheel, in particular with ceramically bonded abrasive particles.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein through material removal the lateral-edge machining device forms a lateral surface—preferably straight in a cross section with respect to the longitudinal direction of the piece of sports equipment—of the running edge, which lateral surface is oriented at an adjustable lateral edge angle with respect to a perpendicular to the running surface layer which preferably lies between 0° and 5°.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lateral-edge machining device has one or more of the following components:

an abrasive belt, in particular a corundum abrasive paper, moved by a motor,

a motor-driven abrasive disc, in particular with ceramically bonded abrasive particles and/or diamond abrasive particles,

a motor-driven cup wheel, in particular with ceramically bonded abrasive particles.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deburring device has at least one—preferably rotationally—motor-driven machining element.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the axis of rotation of the machining element lies parallel to the direction of movement (x) of the piece of sports equipment in the region of the machining element.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the axis of rotation of the machining element lies perpendicular to the direction of movement of the piece of sports equipment in the region of the machining element.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the machining element is a brush with preferably metallic bristles.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deburring device has a machining element, which during operation is stationary relative to a frame or the like of the apparatus and past which the transport apparatus moves the piece of sports equipment, wherein the burr formed by the lateral-edge machining device is in abrasive contact with the stationary machining element and is removed.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the stationary machining element comprises an abrasive disc, a file and/or an abrasive rubber, in particular with abrasive particles made of diamond.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the stationary machining element comprises a dimensionally stable dowel with ceramically bonded abrasive particles.

15. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the orientation and/or position of the machining element relative to a frame or the like of the apparatus is adjustable by means of an adjustment apparatus.