Background Art Skis available on the sports market are currently produced by combining various elements whose characteristics determine the performance and features of the ski.

Said elements are substantially constituted by a core, a topskin, lateral edge blades and a base; a structure is obtained by means of processes which entail several steps in different molds.

Conventional structures are substantially of two types: a sandwich-like structure, constituted by superimposed layers of different materials, in particular wood; and a structure having a core made of wood or injected polyurethane foam.

In the latter case, the various elements, whether pre-formed or not, are arranged inside a final mold into which the filler material, such as polyurethane or synthetic foam, which partially or fully constitutes the core, is injected so as to obtain a monolithic body and therefore the final product constituted by the ski.

A problem which is strongly felt by most skiers in using said conventional skis is the poor resistance to abrasion of the topskin of the ski, which is usually made of polyethylene.

This poor abrasion resistance causes gradual changes to the aesthetic appearance, particularly to the upper surface of the ski, as it is used.

Said topskin is in fact subjected, during skiing, to many different stresses and to rapid wear which quickly compromise its structural and aesthetic integrity.

One of the main causes, for example, is the destructive action produced by the sliding of the lateral metal edge blades of another ski on the topskin; this occurs when the two skis accidentally collide or, even more severely,

when the tips or tails of the skis cross, or due to skis of other skiers while waiting at ski-lifts.

The main drawback therefore relates to the rapid alteration of the surface of the so-called cap, which contrasts with the longer durability of the lower part of the ski, which is constituted by the edge blades and the base; said edge blades and said base can in fact be repeatedly restored to their original state rapidly and simply.

Accordingly, even after a short use of the ski, its aesthetic appearance may be permanently compromised, with severe annoyance of the skier, and this entails the need to change the ski even though its technical characteristics are substantially unchanged.

Disclosure of the Invention The aim of the present invention is therefore to solve the above problems, eliminating the drawbacks of the cited prior art, by providing a ski which maintains its technical and aesthetic characteristics over time despite contacts and impacts occurring during skiing.

An important object is to provide an invention which allows to use substantially the same technologies used in the production of conventional skis.

Another important object is to provide an invention which achieves the above aim while ensuring the technical characteristics of rigidity, mechanical strength and cushioning of stresses from the ground that are offered by currently commercially available conventional skis.

Another object is to provide a ski which is pleasant to the touch.

Another object is to provide a ski which is structurally simple and has low manufacturing costs.

These and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a ski, comprising a core, a topskin, lateral edge blades and a base, characterized in that said topskin is made of scratch-resistant and/or friction-resistant material.

Brief Description of the Drawings Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description of a particular embodiment, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a front sectional view of a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a front sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a front sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention.

Wavs of carrying out the Invention With reference to Figure 1,1 designates a ski constituted by a core 2 which is advantageously made, for example, of polyurethane foam and is longitudinally elongated with a transverse cross-section which is advantageously trapezoidal; flat reinforcement elements, adapted to increase the rigidity of said ski 1, are arranged above and below said core 2 and are respectively designated by the reference numerals 3a and 3b.

A complementarily shaped topskin 4, known as cap, is associated above said core 2 and accordingly has a box-like shape; said cap is advantageously made of scratch-resistant and/or friction-resistant material, such as polyurethane material, so as to withstand abrasion and impacts.

Said cap 4, advantageously constituted by one or more sheets which optionally partially overlap, has side walls, designated by the reference numerals 5a and Sb, which advantageously diverge; each side wall ends with a lower edge 6a and 6b which is conveniently directed outwards.

Said lower edges 6a and 6b are contiguous to a pair of lateral edge blades 7a and 7b which are arranged proximate to the lower edges, designated by the reference numerals 8a and 8b, of the core 2.

The lateral edge blades 7a and 7b are longitudinally elongated with a transverse cross-section advantageously rectangular, with two respective rectangular recesses 9a and 9b which face each other and are arranged in a

downward region, in order to accommodate an underlying base 10 arranged below the core 2.

Although Figures 2 and 3 have the same numbering, the skis illustrated therein differ in the shape of certain components and in the absence or presence of additional elements. The ski 101, illustrated in Figure 2, has a core 2 constituted by a wood center 11 which is partially covered with foamed polyurethane, designated by the reference numeral 12. The ski 201, illustrated in Figure 3, has a cap 4 having a transverse cross-section which is arc-shaped in its upper region.

The cap 4, being made of scratch-resistant and friction-resistant material, allows to use a ski 1 which offers considerable durability as regards both its aesthetic qualities and its physical structure.

It is advantageous that the technologies used in the production of said ski 1 are substantially the same ones used to produce conventional skis.

It has thus been observed that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects, a ski having been provided which maintains its aesthetic qualities over time and has a cap which withstands surface abrasion caused, for example, by contacts or impacts which can occur when skiing.

The materials used, as well as the dimensions of the individual components of the invention, may of course be the most pertinent according to specific requirements and in accordance with the appended claims.