A damping device is knawn to the art for a coupling device between boots and slcis, described in French patent no. 2 666 512, in Swiss patent no. CH 684 313 A5 and, in particular, in Austrian patents nos. AT 402 476 B and AT 403 994 B, having the following features : -a plate consisting of two different and unique elements arranged on the same plane ; -a damping element placed between the two structures, which- during the dinamic action of the ski, is subjected to compression ; -the sliding of the two structures towards the centre of the plate when the ski buckles; -a plurality of holes for the fixing elements (screws) of the shoe and of the heel ; -systems for guiding the longitudinal sliding consisting of forks for containing the sliding and of sliding tracks.

It is the aim of the present invention to realize a high performance device with the following features :

-the plate between the two constituent elements has an elastomer having the sole function of aesthetic and non reagent connection to the buildings of the ski, as there is no sliding towards the centre of the ski ; -when the ski gets buckled said plate has a sliding on the containing structure that occurs towards the (front and back) ends of said plate ; each single element of said plate has, between the sliding and the containing structure, a plurality of elastomers which regulate said sliding: it shall be noted that the plate of the cited Austrian patent has no elastomers as the single element is not divided into two structures ; -the lack of holes : they are obtained according to the binding to be mounted; -guiding systems for the longitudinal sliding; -containing structures having, in their extreme part an end that, during the buckling of the ski, further compresses the elastomer on the extreme thus causing a double squeezig of the same and enlarging the reaction thereof ; -special anti-vibrating material is arranged between the lower part of the containing structure and the surface of the ski, so as to realize a plate that supplies free bending to the ski, without varying the initial centre, as well as a considerable reactvity.

The aims set forth are reached by means of the plate device according to the present invention, mainly consisting of four structures : two containing structures linked to the ski and two sliding structures to which the bindings are connected which,

through the eyelets, allow the ski not to be influenced in its buckling, by the stiffening of the boot and binding and therefore consisting of : -two containing structures for creating resting points for special elastomers and for forming sliding planes for the structures to which they get coupled by means of two screws and three bushings ; the particular realization thereof also has an end which, during the buckling of the ski, further compresses the elastomer placed at the extremes, thus causing a double squeezing of the same and enlarging its reaction; -two sliding structures to which the ski bindings are fixed, the main function whereof consists in allowing the free moving of the ski by means of the sliding towards the extremes of the plate, said sliding structures having transversal grooves winch allow said rigid structures to confonn to the natural bending of the ski ; -special elastomers placed at the extreme parts of said sliding structures, having a different density according to the use and to the user; -a central elastomer with the sole function of aesthetic and not functional connection ; -a damping element arranged between the containing structures and the ski, with a particular alveolar weft surface working, placed towards the ski for increasing the damping effect ; -an active compression, external to the area of the ski bindings ; -a system for fixing the plate by means of self-threading screws and bushing with me double function of fixing and sliding of

the supports inside the containing structures, regulated by said elastomers placed at the extremes, while the latter perfonn a double action: they improve the elastic return and they regulate the bending of the ski according to the hardness thereof.

The elastomer placed between the two structures improves the homogeneity of the mechanic buckling of the ski without modifying its initial geometric features but it does not actively participate in the functioning of the plate, due to its position between two pairs of screws.

In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, the dimensions of the same may be the following: length : 621 mm, width : 58 mm and height : 15 mm.

The device according to the present invention has been realized for agonistic use as it is able to make the ski highly elastic and gives the same also a high precision in the transmission of the movement.

The plate does not alter the peculiar features of the ski and is particularly suited for tourist or athlete skiers.

The rigid insert and the containing structures, preferably out of plastic material, may also be realized out of ferrous or non- ferrous material, aluminium and its alloys, titanium, laminate wood and compound materials.

The elastomers, out of rubber materials, may be special mini leaf springs or springs.

Materials with silicone, wood, plastic, rubber or cork base are used as anti-vibrating materials.

The present invention will be described more in detail hereinbelow relating to the enclosed drawings in winch some embodiments are shown.

Figures 1 and 2 show a lateral scheme and the plan of a plate device for the optimization of the bending and reactivity and with anti-vibrating functions for use in skiing.

Figures 3,4 and 5 show a lateral, top and bottom view of a containing structure with passing through holes for the sliding bushings and a projection for the improvement of the contact between the containing structure and the ski.

Figures 6,7 and 8 show an exemplification of a sliding structure with sliding eyelets and joint projections for blocking the elastomers.

Figures 9,10,11 and 12 show the various sections of the sliding structure.

Figures 13,14 and 15 show a top, lateral and section view of a sliding bushing.

Figures 16,17,18 and 19 respectively show a vertical section, a top view, a lateral scheme and a bottom view of a variant of the device according to the present invention with an active prominence.

Figures 20,21 and 22 show a lateral scheme, a section and a plan of a variant of the device according to the present invention with extroversions which, through three resting points-two of which are sliding-has the maximum bending capacity with a high torsional resistance.

Figures 23,24 and 25 show the relative realization details.

Figure 26 shows a square section of the filling element of above mentioned variant.

Figures 27-32 show the sections and the views of the sliding system of above mentioned variant.

Figures 33 and 34 show a plan and a lateral view of an anti- friction blade.

The enclosed figures show a plate device for the optimization of the bending and reactivity and with anti-vibrating functions for use in skiing, placed between the bindings and the surface of the ski, thus allowing the free bending thereof in longitudinal sense, improving its dinamic reactivity and reducing the vibration thereof, comprising : -two containing structures 1 that will form resting points for special elastomers 3 and 4 so as to realize sliding planes for sliding structures 2, placed on said structures 1 by means of fixing elements ; -bushings 6; -walls 7 of said structures 1 with resting functions for said elastomers 3 and 4; -an extremity 8 placed in the extreme part of said structures 1 which, during the buckling of the ski, further compresses said elastomer 3 placed at the extremities so as to determine a double squeezing thereof, enlarging its reaction ; -a projection of said structures 1 for blocking a central elastomer 9 ;

-a sliding plane 5 which, at the extremity of said structures 1, shows two holes 10 towards the centre of the plate having the function of joint with said sliding structure 2; -two holes 11 and a hole 12 for the passing and joint of said sliding bushing 6, placed on the part towards the outside of the plate of the sliding plane 5; -a projection 13 for improving the contact between said structure 1 and the slci, in the lower outline of holes 11 and 12; -holes 22 in said structures 2 for the passing of fixing elements or sliding screws and eyelets 14 and 15, placed in a triangle; -transversal grooves 16, performed in the lower part in contact with said containing structure 1 for allowing said rigid sliding structures 2 to fit the natural curving of the ski ; -ribbings 17, placed in the lower part of said sliding structures 2, in contact with said structure 1 for giving mechanic resistance for the longitudinal bending and torsion; -cavities 18 in said structures 2, performed in the lower part in contact with said structure 1, which may be filled with material 23 for damping the vibrations, applied by sticking, hot or cold vulcanization or by bi-injection ; -projections 19 of said structures 2, placed at the extremities, having the function of blocking said elastomers 3 and 4; -cylindric projections 20 of said structures 2 having the function of a joint in said holes 10 of said structures 1 and of resting on the ski.

Said elastomers 3 are subject to compression with a relative reaction and to active compression with the relative reaction

which occurs in the area outside the slci bindings, and they may be independent bodies or united by of sticking, cold or hot vulcanization or bi-injected to said structures 1 or 2.

An elastomer 9 may be placed between said containing structures with aesthetic connection functions and not reacting to the bucklings of the ski, as it is placed between two pairs of constraints as an independent body or united by sticking or in any other way.

In a possible variant of the device according to the present invention, anti-vibrating material 21 is placed between the lower part of said structure 1 and the surface of the ski, in the shape of independent body or united to the lower part of said structures 1, even with a working, on one or on both surfaces, whereby said material increases the exposed surface with the consequent increase, with the same material, of damping power.

In possible variants of the device according to the present invention, said elastomers 4-placed between said structures 1 and 2 in the area nearest to the centre of the plate, may be eliminated and replaced by a projection of said sliding structure 2, while the central elastomere 9 may be absent.

Said sliding structures 2 may have cavities provided with eyelets turned towards said structure 1 which may house particular fixing and sliding bushings, linked to the ski.

Above mentioned elastomers 3,4 and 9 may be replaced by springs.

In the variant of the device according to the present invention shown in figures 16,17,18 and 19, the device is

provided with a structure 24 having the function of fixing the bindings and of sliding on the ski's surface to which it is coupled by means of screws and bushings, resting on the surface of the ski, and that allows, by sliding towards the extremity of the plate, the free movement of the ski during the deed and has, in its extreme part, an extremity 8 and, in the most external part of the plate, a plurality of sliding eyelets 26,27, placed at the top of a triangle and that contain the bushings that connect said sliding structure to the slci, and a plurality of transversal grooves 16 placed in the lower part, in contact with the ski, for allowing the same the fitting to the natural curving of the ski, and ribbings 17, in the lower part, for supplying to said structure 24 the right mechanic resistance, for the longitudinal bending and torsion.

The cavities 18 in the lower part of said structure 24 may be filled with material 23 for damping the vibrations, that may be applied by means of sticking, cold or hot vulcanization or by bi- injection.

Also in this variant the insertion of an elastomer may be arranged in the area between the outer sliding bushings and the extremity, whereby said elastomer is subject to compression during the buckling of the ski.

The variant of the device according to the present invention shown in figures 20-34 has been realized so as to exploit to the maximum the newest, very short and flexible skis, with the following purposes: -to create the less possible obstacle to the bending of the ski, without any loss of centrality to the skier ;

-to help modem apparatuses to resist the torsion they are subject during the slciing deed.

The aims set forth are reached by means of a device as above described, but provided with a main structure 28 with an extroversion geometry with wing shape, so as to form an elastic sliding system 29 raised from the plane of the ski because it occurs on two supports 30 with an S-shaped geometry, wherein said man structure 28 and said supports 30 are connected between each other with a special sliding terminal 31 which, by means of three resting points-two of which are sliding-is able to unite the maximum flexibility with a high torsional resistance, and comprising : -folds 32-33 in the extreme (front and back) parts with the function of torsional stiffening, and one of said folds is placed in the extreme (front or back) part with a more accentuated angle with respect to the other part; -eyelets 34 in the extreme (front or baclc) parts, with the function of sliding and fixing; -two holes 35 placed on the transversal axis of said main structure 28, for the passing of the screws; -a central upwards curving so as not to hinder the buckling of the ski and an inclination towards the front or back part of the plate; -two holes 36 placed in the area of the curving of the plate, having the function of passage for the fixing elements (screws) of the filling element 37;

-holes 38 for the passing of the screws and holes 39 in said supports 30 for the support of said S-shaped structure 28, for the hooking of the sliding end part 31 and with the main structure 28 and with the supports 30; -folds 40 of said supports 30 which assure a particular elasticity and torsional rigidity to said supports; -projections 41 of the sliding end part 31, which assure the joint in the sliding eyelets 34 of the main structure 28 ; -holes 42 for the passing of the fixing elements; -lateral walls 43 of the sliding end parts 31, which cover the mechanism ; -anti-friction blades 44, between said main structure 28 and said supports 30; -holes 45 for the passing of the fixing elements; -an anti-vibration material 46 having also an aesthetic function, fixed in the lower part of the straight area 47 of the main structure 28, that may be an independent body or united by means of sticking, cold or warm vulcanization or injected at the lower part of the main structure; -differentiated folds, placed in the front and back parts of the plate, different one from the other in so far as the back fold has a smaller angle than the front one and therefore allows to improve the torsional resistance of the back part of the plate, which is the area most exposed to this stress.

In a practical realization, the device according to the present invention shows, at a functioning level, the following features :

-a central curve resting : in the realization phase of the plate, the central resting receives an upward curving, such as not to interfere with the buckling to which the ski is subject during curving, and not to vary the natural centre of the slci ; the hooking of the plate to the ski takes place by meanas of two screws placed in the central point of the curving, while the plate may be realized with a frontward inclination that allows to improve the centrality of the skier, with a backward inclination for increasing the pressure onto the spatula of the ski or parallel to the plain of the ski.

An alternative system to above described passive sliding completes the S-shaped supports with ball-or roll-bearings etc., or to use sliding rolls or magnetic mechanisms for making the system active.

End parts 31 placed at the two extremities of the plate and mounted in a joint in the sliding eyelets have the double function of assuring the sliding of the main structure onto said S-shaped supports and to fix the latter to said supports, besides being a cover and protection of the mechanism.

The central element 37, that is a filling structure per increasing the mounting surface of the bindings on the plate, is linked to the main structure by means of two screws.

The main structure is preferably out of aluminium alloys, like the S-shaped supports, but in a variant also carbon, plastic materiale, ferrous and non-ferrous materials, titanium, resins and laminate wood or compound materials.

The fixing end parts of plastic materual may also be out of ferrous and non-ferrous material, aluminium and alloys thereof, titanium etc.

The central element of plastic material may also be realized out of ferrous and non-ferrous material, aluminium and alloys thereof, titanium etc.

The aluminium structure with a special extroversion geometry with wing shape for reducing to a minimum the stiffening area of the ski, has at its two extremities two S-shaped supports which have a triple function : a supporting function, the function of supplying to the plate a sliding plain above the ski in so far as, when the ski bends in a curve, the two S-shaped supports get near and allow the free bending of the ski ; tins function is assured by the special S-shape of the supports and is performed in synergy with the main structure. The whole elasticity of the structure assures the damping effect. The S-shaped supports with their special folds assure torsional rigidity to the plate. The main structure and the two S-shaped supports are united by two fixing end parts sliding in two eyelets obtained in the main structure. The two anti-friction blades and the sliding end parts get fixed to the two S-shaped supports by means of two self-tapping or three-lobbed screws. The main structure and the S-shaped supports are fixed to the ski by means of self-threading screws.

The damping material is vulcanized below the wing structure.

As in all existing plates, also above described plate is screwed to the ski but, in a possible variant according to the present invention, the integration of the containing structure to the ski may be perfomed.