Background Art As a prior technique there is a waxing apparatus for coating wax onto the skidding surface of a ski plate. As a technique associated with this waxing apparatus an explanation will now be given of a technique disclosed in Japanese patent Application Laid- Open Publication No. Sho 63-163481 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 2- 13484).

This technique concerns an automatic waxing apparatus for use on a ski, which "comprises a box member having a ski plate located in an internal space thereof, a fixing device for fixing the ski plate located with the box member, a brushing device for applying waxing to a skidding surface of the fixed ski plate, a moving device for moving the brushing device in a longitudinal direction of the ski plate, and a wax jetting device for supplying wax from a wax nozzle to the skidding surface of the ski plate, characterized in that the brushing device is equipped with a brush for brushing the skidding surface of the ski plate".

The above technique can be applied also to a snow board which has recently become popular. That is, it is possible to improve the fixing device so as to enable the wax coating to be performed with respect to the skidding surface of a snow board in place of that of a ski plate or to provide a fixing device for exclusive use on a snow board or a waxing apparatus as a whole for exclusive use thereon.

It is to b noted that it was general that in consideration of the installation space of the apparatus a ski plate or snow board was fixed so that the skidding surface thereof might be made vertical.

However, the above-described waxing apparatus involved the following problems.

Firstly, in order for the brushing device to function normally, the ski plate or snow board must be reliably fixed beforehand. To this end, a user of the waxing apparatus must reliably set the ski plate or snow board. However, it was not easy against the designer's will for the user to set the slender plate-like ski plate or snow board so that this ski plate or snow board might become vertical. Although improvements such as provision of auxiliary fittings for helping the fixation were made therefor, new problems arised in that a lesser number of auxiliary fittings had only a small effect on the reliable fixation and a larger number of auxiliary fittings necessitated a larger amount of time for making the fixation.

Secondly, since the fixing operation of the ski plate is committed solely to the user himself, there may be a case where the fixing operation is not performed normally and reliably. In this case, there is a case where the apparatus cannot be normally operated, or the wax coating cannot be cleanly performed. Particularly, since each of the ski plate and snow board is equipped with a top bend (the warp of the forward end portion), in a case where the reverse side has been accidentally set as the skidding surface at the time of normal setting, there is the likelihood that the apparatus may fall into trouble or breakage.

Thirdly, despite the fact that the ski plate is curved in such a way that the binding thereof is located outside an arcuate portion thereof, the locus of the brushing device was made to be a straight line under the assumption that the wax coating of the curved portion be realized utilizing the flexibility of the rotary brush.

On the other hand, with regard to the rotary brush of the brushing device which has hitherto been adopted for the purpose of orientating (encasing) the wax or shaving off the unnecessary wax resulting from the uneven coating, it has become clear that waxing is better finished when the uneven coating is leveled than when the uneven coating is shaved off. It has resulted from this that the apparatus should be equipped with a heater for leveling the uneven coating rather than the rotary brush. If this is the case, a heater which can follow the curve of the ski plate becomes necessary.

Fourthly, in a state where the ski boots have been taken off, an anti-flow member projects on the skidding surface side of the ski plate. It was difficult to perform waxing while avoiding this anti-flow member smoothly. In addition, while the apparatus is equipped with a wax jetting device for supplying the wax from a wax nozzle to the skidding surface of the ski plate, the wax is cooled by the outside air immediately after it has been jetted from the wax nozzle and resultantly solidifies before it is leveled, with the result that it was difficult to coat the wax uniformly.

And fifthly, the waxing operation is performed by initially removing the mud, dust and snow having attached onto the skidding surface of the ski plate by using the brushing device. For this reason, it was likely that the mud, dust, etc. which dropped when the ski plate was set uprightly or when the mud, dust, etc. were removed with the use of the brushing device heaped up on the bottom of the accommodator interior. Further, it happened that unnecessary wax which was jetted from the wax nozzle or removed from the skidding surface of the ski plate or the like attached onto the bottom of the accommodator. Even when it was attempted to remove these mud, dust, etc., in a case where a lower end portion of an opening/closing member (e.g., an opening/closing door for causing the ski plate or snow board to be located within the accommodator) equipped to the accommodator was provided at a position higher than that of the bottom of the accommodator, it was difficult to sweep away the mud, dust, etc. to outside the accommodator. Further, in a case where the wax sticked on the bottom of the accommodator, a significantly large amount of time and labour was needed to remove such wax.

Furthermore, while the above-described waxing apparatus has been directed to being used on the ski plate only, it is desired that the waxing apparatus can also cope with the snow board which has recently increased in number. At this time, also, the same problems as those which were involved in the above-described waxing apparatus could arise.

Under the above-described circumstances, the object to be attained by the inventions claimed in claims 1 and 2 is to provide a technique enabling the simple and reliable installation of the ski plate or snow board by the user.

Also, the object to be attained by the inventions claimed in claims 3 and 4 is to provide a waxing apparatus which in the case where the fixing operation of the ski plate or snow board is not normally and reliably performed can be prevented from falling in trouble or breakage.

Also, the object to be attained by the inventions claimed in claims 5 and 6 is to provide a control method for controlling the waxing apparatus which in the case where the fixing operation of the ski plate or snow board is not normally and reliably performed can be prevented from falling in trouble or breakage.

Also, the object to be attained by the invention claimed in claim 7 is to provide a waxing apparatus which can dissolve the uneven coating of the wax by following the curve of the skidding surface regardless of whether this skidding surface is that of the ski plate or that of the snow board.

Also, the object to be attained by the invention claimed in claim 8 is to provide a heater device which can dissolve the uneven coating of the wax by following the curve of the skidding surface regardless of whether this skidding surface is that of the ski plate or that of the snow board.

Also, the object to be attained by the invention claimed in claim 9 is to provide a waxing apparatus which even when the anti-flow member of the ski plate exists enables the easy performance of the waxing operation and which further enables the uniform waxing operation to be performed at even a place of low outside air temperature.

Also, the object to be attained by the invention claimed in claim 10 is to provide a waxing apparatus which can additionally mitigate the preparatory operation for performance of the waxing finishing operation.

Also, the object to be attained by the invention claimed in claim 11 is to provide a waxing apparatus which can additionally finish the waxing to a more appropriate uniform thickness.

Also, the object to be attained by the invention claimed in claim 12 is to provide a waxing apparatus which can additionally omit the manual operation for coating the wax.

Also, the object to be attained by the invention claimed in claims 13, 14 and 15 is to provide a waxing apparatus which can additionally prevent the wax from being scattered onto other surface than the wax coated surface.

Also, the object to be attained by the invention claimed in claim 16 is to provide an accommodator of the waxing apparatus which enables the easy performance of the removing operation for removing the mud, dust, etc. within the accommodator.

Also, the object to be attained by the invention claimed in claim 17 is to provide an accommodator which prevents the wax from being scattered to outside the accommodator.

Disclosure of the Invention The waxing apparatus of claim 1 comprises an accommodator (20) having a member to be waxed (10) located in an interior space thereof, a fixing device (70) for fixing the member to be waxed (10) located within the accommodator (20), and a waxing finishing device (40) for performing waxing finishing with respect to a skidding surface of the member to be waxed (10) fixed to the fixing device (70), the fixing device (70) is formed so that the fixing thereof may be performed with an angle (90° - a) defined between the skidding surface of the member to be waxed (10) and a horizontal plane on a side where a binding of the member to be waxed (10) is located being set to be an acute angle.

Here, the "waxing apparatus" means an apparatus which automatically waxes liquid wax onto the skidding surface of the ski plate or snow board.

Also, the "member to be waxed (10)" means the ski plate, snow board, etc.

Also, the "a" in the above explanation means the angle which is defined between the "member to be waxed (10)" and the vertical plane as illustrated in Fig. 2.

In order to use the waxing apparatus of claim 1, the member to be waxed (10) is inclined so that the angle (90° - a) defined between the skidding surface thereof and the horizontal plane on a side where the binding of the member to be waxed (10) is situated may be an acute angle and, in this condition, the fixing device (70) fixes the member to be waxed (10). That is, the member to be waxed (10) is fixed with the skidding surface being inclined.

By so doing, since unlike the case where the fixing attempts to be done so that the skidding surface may become vertical the member to be waxed is inclined beforehand and since further the top bend or binding is situated on the downside of the inclined skidding surface, the member to be waxed is stabilized. Accordingly, the fixing operation can be readily performed. Also, since the member to be waxed (10) is stably fixed even after the same has been fixed, it is less likely that the member to be waxed (10) may be displaced due to the waxing operation or brushing operation.

The waxing apparatus of claim 2 is one which has been prepared by applying numerical value restriction to the invention concerning the waxing apparatus of claim 1. The waxing apparatus comprises the fixing device being formed so that the fixing thereof may be performed with the angle (90° - a) defined between the skidding surface of the member to be waxed (10) and the horizontal plane on the side where the binding thereof is situated may be in a range of from 80" to 89".

While with regard to the angle (90° - a) restriction is made to 80" to 89°, this is due to the fact that the installation space or user's feeling of use is taken into consideration.

More preferably, the angle is from 85" to 88". The reason for having excluded the range of 80" or less is because there is the problem that the installation space increases, the load applied to the waxing finishing device (40) increases, or the like.

According to the waxing apparatus of claim 2, the fixing operation can be performed in a simple way and, even after the performance thereof, stable fixation can be made. Particularly, in a case where the size of the ski plate in its longitudinal direction is long, stable fixation can be made without causing a large increase in the installation space.

The invention of claim 3 is a waxing apparatus which comprises an accommodator (20) having a member to be waxed (10) accommodated in an interior space thereof, a fixing device (70) for fixing the member to be waxed (10) located within the accommodator (20), and a waxing finishing device (40) for performing waxing finishing with respect to a skidding surface of the member to be waxed (10) fixed to the fixing device (70), and the waxing finishing device (40) is controlled so that when a state of overload is sensed in its moving direction the waxing finishing device (40) may be stopped.

The user accommodates the member to be waxed (10) into the interior space of the accommodator (20) and fixes the member to be waxed (10) by means of the fixing device (70). Thereafter, the waxing finishing device (40) starts to operate.

If the member to be waxed (10) is fixed at a normal position, the waxing finishing device (40) operates as is. In a case where the member to be waxed (10) is not fixed at the normal position and overload is applied to the waxing finishing device (40), this is sensed as is, whereby the waxing finishing device (40) is stopped. As a result of this, the device is prevented from falling into trouble or breakage.

The invention of claim 4 is one which has been made by restricting the waxing apparatus of claim 3 and the waxing apparatus further comprises an informing device which when the waxing finishing device (40) is stopped informs a user that the user should re-fix the member to be waxed (10).

Here, the "informing device" includes means for making display in a place the user can see, means for making information with a sound, etc.

In a case where the member to be waxed (10) is not fixed at the normal position and a load is applied to the waxing finishing device (40), this is sensed as is, whereby the waxing finishing device (40) is stopped. And, the user is informed that the user should re-fix the member to be waxed, by means of the informing device.

The invention of claim 5 is directed to providing a control method for controlling a waxing apparatus comprising an accommodator (20) having a member to be waxed (10) accommodated in an interior space thereof, a fixing device (70) for fixing the member to be waxed (10) located within the accommodator (20), and a waxing finishing device (40) for performing waxing finishing with respect to a skidding surface of the member to be waxed (10) fixed to the fixing device (70), the control method further comprising a sensing step for sensing a state of overload, and a stopping step for, when a state of overload has been sensed by the sensing step, stopping the waxing finishing device (40).

The user accommodates the member to be waxed (10) into the interior space of the accommodator (20) and fixes the member to be waxed (10) by means of the fixing device (70). Thereafter, the waxing finishing device (40) starts to operate.

If the member to be waxed (10) is fixed at a normal position, the waxing finishing device (40) operates as is. In a case where the member to be waxed (10) is not fixed at the normal position and overload is applied to the waxing finishing device (40), this is sensed as is, whereby the waxing finishing device (40) is stopped. As a result of this, the device is prevented from falling into trouble or breakage.

The invention of claim 6 is one which has been made by restricting the control method for controlling the waxing apparatus as claimed in claim 5, and further comprises an informing step for, after the waxing finishing device (40) is stopped by the stopping step, informing a user that the user should re-fix the member to be waxed (10).

In a case where the member to be waxed (10) is not fixed at the normal position and a load is applied to the waxing finishing device (40), this is sensed as is, whereby the waxing finishing device (40) is stopped. And, the user is informed that the user should re-fix the member to be waxed, by means of the informing device.

The waxing apparatus of claim 7 is a waxing apparatus which comprises an accommodator (20) having a member to be waxed (10) located in an interior space thereof, a fixing device (70) for fixing the member to be waxed (10) located within the accommodator (20), and a waxing finishing device (40) for performing waxing finishing with respect to a skidding surface of the member to be waxed (10) fixed to the fixing device (70), and is characterized in that the waxing finishing device (40) includes a waxing finishing member (e.g., a center wax leveling member 82) for bringing the skidding surface to a waxing finished state, the waxing finishing member (82) being formed so that the waxing finishing member can follow a curve of the skidding surface of the member to be waxed (10).

Here, the "waxing finished state" means a state where the wax has been coated onto the skidding surface to a thin and uniform thickness with a directionality suitable for the user to glide.

Also, the "waxing finishing member" may be formed, for example, as the wax leveling member (e.g., the center wax leveling member 82) for leveling a liquid state of wax.

Also, the waxing finishing member may be formed being equipped with a heater (e.g., center heater 83) for liquefying the wax solidified on the skidding surface and the wax leveling member (e.g., the center wax leveling member 82) for leveling the liquefied wax. Also, the waxing finishing member may be formed as a device for shaving off the unnecessary wax solidified on the skidding surface to thereby enable the formation of a wax film having an appropriate uniform thickness on the skidding surface.

The waxing finishing member may be formed not only as one which is restricted in claim 7 but also as one which in a state where a pantagraph structure (30) is expanded as illustrated in Fig. 8 can cover an entire lateral width of the skidding surface.

With regard to the "waxing finishing member", as the means for "forming" the waxing finishing member "so that the waxing finishing member can follow a curve of the skidding surface" there are, for example, means for urging the center wax leveling member (82) toward the skidding surface side by means of a spring (44) or the like, means for causing the waxing finishing device (40) to move the center wax leveling member (82) along a trajectory following the curve of the skidding surface, etc.

The waxing finishing device (40) of claim 7 levels the wax by the waxing finishing member (82) thereof contacting with the skidding surface. At this time, since the heater (42) follows the curve of the skidding surface of the member to be waxed (10), it is possible to mitigate the uneven coating over the entire skidding surface.

The heater device of claim 8 is a heater device for use in a waxing apparatus comprising a waxing finishing device for performing waxing finishing with respect to a skidding surface of a member to be waxed (10), the heater device comprising a moving base member (41) movable in a longitudinal direction of the member to be waxed (10), a heater (e.g., center heater 83) located on a member to be waxed (10) side of the moving base member (41) and intended to bring the wax having solidified on the skidding surface of the member to be waxed (10), and a supporting member (43, 44) for supporting the heater (83) so that the heater (83) may be supported therethrough by the moving base member (41) so as to follow a curve of the member to be waxed (10), the supporting member (43, 44) being diposed to support the heater (83) so that the moving base member (41) may support the heater (83) therethrough at a plurality of positions and the supporting member supports the heater (83) in such a way as to urge it toward the skidding surface.

The moving base member (41) moves in the longitudinal direction of the member to be waxed (10). At this time, the heater (43) which has been supported by the supporting members (43, 44) while being urged toward the skidding surface follows the curve of the skidding surface of the member to be waxed (10) and heats the wax and levels the same.

The waxing apparatus of claim 9 is a waxing apparatus adapted to perform waxing by moving relative to a skidding surface and avoiding an obstacle (e.g., an anti-flow member 15) existing in the mid-course of its movement, the waxing apparatus comprising a moving base member (41) moving relative to the skidding surface and a pantagraph structure (30) installed on the moving base member (41) and expanding and contracting in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the moving base member (41), the pantagraph structure (30) includess a pantagraph main body portion (31) expanding and contracting in order to avoid the obstacle (15) and a regulating portion (35) for regulating the movement of the expanding and contracting pantagraph main body portion (31), the pantagraph main body portion (31) comprising on a skidding surface side a waxing finishing member (e.g., both side heater 82) for bringing the wax having solidified on the skidding surface to a waxing finished state.

The "obstacle existing in the mid-course of its movement" is, for example, the anti-flow member (15) of the ski plate (10), a clamping device of the ski plate (10) or snow board, etc.

The wording "moving relative to the skidding surface" used with regard to the moving base member (41) means that in the waxing apparatus according to the present invention either the moving base member (41) may be made to move or the skidding surface may be made to move.

The "regulating portion (35)" may be any part if this part is one which can regulate the expanding and contracting movement of the pantagraph main body portion (31).

For example, in an embodiment as later described, the pantagraph main body portion (31) is equipped with two projections which project from the pantagraph main body portion (31), whereby the regulating portion (35) has been formed by using a spring connecting these two protections and slits for forming the paths of the two projections.

According to the invention of claim 9, the waxing finishing member (82) finishes wax coating with respect to the skidding surface of the ski plate (10) while moving along the moving direction of the moving base member (41). When this moving base member (41) moves up to a position where the obstacle (e.g., the anti-flow member 15) exists and the pantagraph main body portion (31) contacts with this obstacle (15), the pantagraph main body (31) is pushed by the obstacle (15) and resultantly the width thereof becomes narrow. By the width of the pantagraph main body portion (31) being narrowed in this way, the moving base member (41) can move without being obstructed by the obstacle (15). And, when the moving base member (41) moves up to the position of its being brought out of contact with the obstacle (15), the pantagraph main body portion (31) returns to its configuration which was before it has been narrowed, by the regulating portion (35) of the pantagraph structure (30). Through this series of operations, wax coating can be finished on the skidding surface by the moving base member (41) avoiding the obstacle (15) during its movement.

The waxing apparatus of claim 10 is one which has been prepared by technical restriction of the waxing apparatus of claim 9 and is provided a separate waxing finishing member (e.g., the center wax leveling member 82) which is separate from the waxing finishing member (e.g., the both side wax leveling members 81, 81) provided on the pantagraph main body portion (31) is provided on the skidding surface side of the waxing finishing device (40) .

For example, as illustrated in Fig. 7, the waxing finishing member equipped to the pantagraph main body portion (31) is formed as the both side wax leveling members (81, 81). These both side wax leveling members are formed in such a way that in even a state where the pantagraph structure (30) is expanded these members cannot cover the entire lateral width of the skidding surface and perform waxing finishing on only both sides thereof. In this case, the waxing finishing member equipped separately from the both side wax leveling members (81, 81) is formed as the center wax leveling member (82) for performing waxing finishing with respect to the central part which cannot be waxing finished by the both side wax leveling members (81, 81).

According to the waxing apparatus of claim 10, by providing a plurality of the waxing finishing members (e.g., 81, 82), the wax can be coated on the skidding surface more uniformly.

The waxing apparatus of claim 11 is one prepared by technical restriction of the waxing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 and the waxing finishing device (40) is equipped with a squeegee (50) for removing the attachments of the skidding surface before solidifying new wax.

Here, the wording "attachments of the skidding surface" means, for example, snow, mud, dust, old wax, etc. having attached onto the skidding surface (11) of the ski plate (10).

The "squeegee (50)" means, for example, a snow take-off rubber plate, brush, shaving-off plate for shaving off unnecessary wax having solidified, etc. or a combined unit of these members. More specifically, the squeegee (50) may be equipped to other portion than the waxing finishing member (81) of the pantagraph main body portion (31) or may be so formed as to remove the attachments at the central part of the skidding surface by being so equipped as to intersect the moving direction of the movable base member (41) at a right angle with respect thereto.

The function of the invention of claim 11 will now be explained.

First, with the movement of the movable base member (41), the squeegee (50) moves to remove the attachments of the skidding surface. Then, the wax is solidified by a suitable means. And, waxing finishing can be done with respect to the thus-cleaned skidding surface. As a result of this, it is possible to prevent foreign substances from being added to and mixed with the wax to thereby enable waxing finishing easily and cleanly. Also, it becomes unnecessary to perform manually the removing operation of the attachments of the skidding surface before setting of the ski plate (10) or snow board on the waxing apparatus, with the result that it is possible to perform the pre-waxing operation without spending time and labour very much.

The waxing apparatus of claim 12 is one prepared by technical restriction of the waxing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11, and the waxing finishing device (40) is equipped with a wax jetting device (e.g., the wax jetting nozzle 45) for supplying the wax to the skidding surface.

That is, as the waxing apparatus prepared by restricting claim 9 there is provided one whose movable base member (41) is equipped with the waxing finishing member (e.g., 81) and the wax jetting device (45), as the waxing apparatus prepared by restricting claim 10 there is provided one whose movable base member (41) is equipped with a plurality of the waxing finishing members (e.g., the both side wax leveling members 81 and the center wax leveling member 82), squeegee (50) and wax jetting device (45), and as the waxing apparatus prepared by restricting claim 11 there is provided one whose movable base member (41) is equipped with the waxing finishing member (e.g., 81), squeegee (50) and wax jetting device (45).

The "wax jetting device (45)" means, for example, one which has been formed such that it can store wax in itself and it is equipped with a supply opening which with the movement of the movable base member (41) enables continuous supply of a fixed quantity of wax onto the skidding surface. In a case where the configuration of the supply opening is formed as a nozzle configuration with a large number of holes and the wax is thereby jetted onto the skidding surface in an atomized form, it is possible to cause the wax to attach onto the skidding surface while the wax unevenness thereon is being reduced. For this reason, the waxing finishing operation which is later performed can be easily performed.

The waxing apparatus of claim 12 can supply wax on the skidding surface while moving because of its movable moving member (41) being equipped with the wax jetting device (45). For this reason, there is no need to coat wax through the manual operation, whereby the waxing operation can be easily performed.

The waxing apparatus of claim 13 is one prepared by technical restriction of the waxing apparatus as claimed in claim 12 and the waxing finishing device (40) is equipped with a scatter prevention function portion (60) for preventing the scatter of the wax supplied from the wax jetting device (e.g., the jetting nozzle 45).

Here, the "scatter prevention function portion (60)" may be formed, for example, as a non-bottomed frusto-conical or frusto-pyramidal member which spreads from the supply opening of the wax jetting device (45) toward the skidding surface, or may be formed being equipped with an opposition-to-jet surface (61) opposing the supply opening and a scatter prevention surface (62) provided on a peripheral edge thereof as will be explained also in the later described embodiment or being further equipped therein with a heater for liquefying the wax.

The waxing apparatus of claim 13 supplies the wax onto the skidding surface with the movement of the movable base member (41). At this time, it is possible to prevent the wax from flowing onto an opposite-to-skidding-surface side of the ski plate (10) or from being scattered around the ski plate (10) by the scatter prevention function portion (60). As a result, it is possible to coat the wax onto only a position to which the wax is wanted to be supplied and also to omit the time and labour for removing the wax which has been scattered or flown out.

The waxing apparatus of claim 14 is one prepared by technical restriction of the waxing apparatus as claimed in claim 13 and the scatter prevention function portion (60) comprises the opposition-to-jet surface (61) for receiving the wax jetted from the wax jetting device (e.g., the jetting nozzle 45), the scatter prevention surface (62) for preventing the wax from being scattered from the peripheral edge of the opposition-to-jet surface (61), a partitioning portion (63) for partitioning the opposition-to-jet surface (61) in parallel with the moving direction of the moving base member, and an outflow opening (64) for causing the wax received by the opposition-to-jet surface (61) to flow onto the skidding surface.

The "scatter prevention function portion (60)" of this waxing apparatus includes one which is connected with a heater for liquefying the wax supplied from the wax jetting device (45) and causing easy flow of the liquefied wax through the outflow opening (64).

The waxing apparatus of claim 14 is arranged to receive the wax by the opposition-to-surface (61) of the scatter prevention function portion (60). At this time, the opposition-to-jet surface (61) is divided into a plurality of portions by the partitioning portion (63). Therefore, the wax supplied from the wax jetting device (45) can be dispersed into the respective portions of the opposition-to-jet surface (61) partitioned by the partitioning portion (63). And, the wax is made to flow through the outflow opening (64).

As a result of this, it is possible to prevent the wax from being concentratedly coated onto only the portion of the skidding surface opposing the wax jetting device (45) and thereby make it easy to level the wax uniformly. Also, it is possible to prevent the wax from flowing from other portion than the outflow portion (64) by the scatter prevention surface (62).

The waxing apparatus of claim 15 is one prepared by technical restriction of the waxing apparatus as claimed in claim 14 and the outflow opening (64) is provided in the vicinity of a center of the width of the skidding surface as viewed in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the moving base member (41).

The wording "provided in the vicinity of a center of the width of the skidding surface as viewed in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the moving base member (41)" means that it is sufficient that the outflow opening (64) be provided at the position capable of preventing the wax having flown out from the outflow opening (64) from flowing onto the opposite-to-skidding-surface side.

The wax which flows onto the skidding surface is prevented from flowing onto the opposition-to-skidding-surface side surface. For this reason, there is no need to remove the unnecessary wax having otherwise attached onto the opposite-to-skidding- surface side surface or having otherwise dropped down. Therefore, it is possible to mitigate the time and labour for cleaning the waxing apparatus, etc.

The invention of claim 16 is an accommodator (20) of a waxing apparatus, the accommodator (20) comprising a box member (22) capable of accommodating the member to be waxed (10) therein and a tray (25) located at a lower part of the box member (22) and capable of being drawn out from the box member (22), the tray (25) is formed so that when the tray (25) is situated at the lower part of the box member (22) the tray (25) can receive therein unnecessary substances within the box member (22) and retain these unnecessary substances therein and when the tray (25) has been drawn out from the box member (22) the unnecessary substances retained therein can be taken away therefrom.

Here, the "unnecessary substances" means not only the wax jetted or spilled from the waxing apparatus but also the dust, mud, snow or water produced by the snow being molten, etc. which have attached onto the skidding surface of the ski plate or snow board.

Also, the wording "the tray (25) is formed so that the tray (25) can receive unnecessary substances within the box member (22) and retain these unnecessary substances therein" means that the tray (25) is formed so that when the tray (25) is situated at the lower part of the box member (22) and when the tray (25) is being drawn out therefrom the unnecessary substances existing on the upper surface of the flat plate-like tray (25) may be prevented from being spilled. For example, this can be achieved by the tray being equipped with a rising portion along a peripheral edge thereof. Besides, the tray (25) may be formed so that when a hygroscopic released paper is placed on the upper surface of the tray (25) and the resulting tray (25) is located at the lower part of the box member (22) the mud or wax may be received by the upper surface of the released paper or the water produced by the snow being molten may be received thereby, and so that the mud, wax, etc. may be taken away by drawing out the tray (25) and peeling off the released paper.

According to the waxing apparatus of claim 16, when unnecessary substances such as unnecessary wax, mud, snow, etc. are spilled from the waxing apparatus or member to be waxed within the box member (22), the tray (25) situated at the lower part of the box member (22) receives these unnecessary substances therein. And, when the tray (22) is drawn out from the box member (22), it is possible to taken out the unnecessary substances to the outside of the box member (22). Therefore, it is possible to easily perform the removing operation of the unnecessary substances having theretofore existed within the box member (22).

The invention of claim 17 is the invention made by technical restriction of the invention as claimed in claim 16. The accommodator (20) further comprises a locking device (26) for controlling the drawing-out of the tray (25), and the locking device (26) is electrically connected to the waxing apparatus located within the accommodator (20) and is formed so that when the locking device (26) is unlocked the waxing apparatus does not operate.

Here, the "locking device" may be formed so that when the tray (25) is kept to be drawn out the locking device may be unlocked and so that when the tray (25) is left to be taken away from the box member (22) also the locking device may be unlocked.

According to the waxing apparatus of claim 17, when the tray (25) is kept drawn out, the locking device (26) is unlocked. For this reason, in a state where the tray (25) is left to be drawn out, the waxing apparatus does not operate. As a result, the wax is prevented from being scattered to the outside of the box member (22). Also, if the locking device is kept locked, the tray (25) cannot be drawn out so long as there is no need, for example, to perform the removing operation of the unnecessary substances. For this reason, it is possible to prevent someone else from drawing out the tray (25) and conducting, for example, his mischievous acts thereon, whereby the management of the accommodator (20) becomes easy.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a view illustrating a state where a front door of a waxing apparatus is made open. Fig. 2 is a side view illustrating the waxing apparatus. Fig. 3 is a side view illustrating a main part of the waxing apparatus. Fig. 4 is a view illustrating a case where a ski plate has been normally fixed to the waxing apparatus. Fig. 5 is a view illustrating a case where a ski plate has been abnormally fixed to the waxing apparatus. Fig. 6 is a view illustrating the motion of a waxing finishing device portion of the waxing apparatus. Fig.

7 is a view illustrating the motion of a pantagraph structure of the waxing apparatus. Fig. 8 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a variation of the pantagraph structure of the waxing apparatus. Fig. 9 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a scatter prevention function portion of the waxing apparatus. Fig. 10 is a front view illustrating an accommodator of the waxing apparatus. And, Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a tray of the accommodator of the waxing apparatus.

Best Mode For Carrying Out The Invention In order to explain the present invention in more detail, the present invention will now be explained in further detail with reference to the appended drawings.

Fig. 1 is a view illustrating a state where a front door of a waxing apparatus is made open. Fig. 2 is a side view illustrating the waxing apparatus.

The waxing apparatus is one which is equipped with an accommodator 20 for causing a member to be waxed 10 to be located in an interior space thereof, a fixing device 70 for fixing the member to be waxed 10 which has been located within the accommodator 20, and a waxing finishing device 40 for waxing a skidding surface of the member to be waxed 10 which has been fixed to the fixing device 70. As illustrated in Fig. 1, as the member to be waxed 10 there is adopted a ski plate 10, and this ski plate 10 is used in a state of being erected substantially vertically.

Also, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the fixing device 70 fixes the two ski plates 10 whose lower ends as viewed when top bends thereof are situated up are supported in such a way as to clamp substantially central portions thereof. The waxing finishing device 40 moves in a longitudinal direction of the fixed ski plate 10 and, when stopped, is situated above the ski plates 10.

Fig. 3 is a side view illustrating a main part of the waxing apparatus, and shows a fixed state of the ski plates 10.

That is, the fixing device 70 fixes the ski plate 10 so that the angle (90° - a) defined between the skidding surface of the ski plate 10 and the horizontal plane on a side where the binding of the ski plate 10 is located may become 85" to 88". The range of from 85" to 88" results from the fact that the apparatus is formed so that a supporting member for supporting the lower end of the ski plate 10 or the position of the fixing device 70 can be slightly adjusted, or from the fact that the ski plate itself differs in configuration according to the kind of the ski plate, etc. Since the ski plate is slightly inclined and in addition the top bends or binding is situated on the downside of the inclined ski plate, the ski plate is stabilized. As a result of this, it is possible to provide a technique enabling user's simple and reliable installation of the ski plate or snow board.

It is to be noted that although the illustration is omitted, there is provided a control mechanism which when the ski plate is not normally fixed warns this to the user or inhibits the operation of the waxing finishing device 40.

Subsequently, the control of the waxing finishing device 40 will be explained while referring to Figs. 4 and 5. Here, Fig. 4 is a view illustrating a case where the ski plate has been normally fixed to the waxing apparatus and Fig. 5 is a view illustrating a case where the ski plate has been abnormally fixed to the waxing apparatus.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the waxing finishing device 40 is controlled to be stopped when a state of overload is sensed in the advancing direction thereof. A further detailed explanation thereof will now be given below.

If the ski plate 10 is fixed at a normal position such as that illustrated in Fig.

4, the waxing finishing device 40 operates as is. On the other hand, if, as illustrated in Fig.

5, this ski plate 10 is not fixed at a normal position, for example is fixed such that when fixing the ski plate 10, the fixing has been done with the obverse and reverse surfaces thereof being inverted, the waxing finishing device 40 collides with the top bend of the ski plate 10.

At this time, it is arranged that a sensing device senses that a state of overload has been reached to thereafter stop the waxing finishing device 40. As a result of this, it is possible to prevent the device from falling into trouble or breakage. Then, although the illustration is omitted, the device is returned to the position at which the device is out of operation. As a result of this, it is possible to provide the waxing apparatus which when the fixing operation of the ski plate or snow board is not normally and reliably performed can be prevented from falling into trouble or breakage.

Additionally, although the illustration is omitted, there is provided an informing device which when the waxing finishing device 40 is stopped informs the user so as for him to re-fix the ski plate 10. The "informing device" referred to here in this specificatin includes means for displaying on a place capable of being seen by the user, means for informing by a sound, etc. By means of this informing device, it is possible to instruct the user to correctly use the waxing apparatus.

Since the ski plate 10 is curved so that the binding may be situated outside an arcuate portion thereof, it is needed to use a mechanism for performing waxing so that this waxing may follow the curved surface. The waxing finishing device 40 which has realized this mechanism will now be explained while referring to Fig. 6. Here, Fig. 6 is a view illustrating the motion of a waxing finishing device portion of the waxing apparatus.

The waxing finishing device 40 is equipped with a moving base member 41 which is movable in the longitudinal direction of the ski plate 10, both side heaters 84, 84 for heating the skidding surface of the ski plate 10 by being situated on the ski plate 10 side of the base member 41 for leveling the wax, and supporting members 43, 43 for causing the both side heaters 84, 84 to be supported therethrough by the moving base member 41 so as to cause the both side heaters 84, 84 to follow the curve of the skidding surface of the ski plate 10. Also, the waxing finishing device is equipped with a wax jetting device for supplying the wax to the skidding surface.

The wax jetting device is diposed such that a jetting nozzle 45 for jetting wax, a wax tank 46 for supplying wax to the jetting nozzle 45 and a squeegee 50 for causing snow or dust having attached on the skidding surface to fall off therefrom. are fixed to the moving base member 41.

The jetting of wax is arranged to jet liquid wax mixed with compressed air and the wax jetting device is equipped with a wax pump, compressed air cylinder, flow control valve, etc. though the illustration thereof is omitted.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the moving base member 41 is so formed as to reciprocatingly move on a straight trajectory. A further detailed explanation will now be given of the moving mechanism. The moving mechanism for the moving base member 41 comprises a rail for guiding the movement of the moving base member 41, a reversible rotation motor which is a power source for causing the moving base member 41 to make its reciprocating movement along the rail, a wire which is a medium for transmitting the power of the reversible rotation motor to the moving base member 41, a tension pulley for imparting a tension to the wire, and a top/bottom confirmation sensor for determining a point of change in the rotation direction of the reversible motor. The rail for guiding the movement of the moving base member 41 is set as a straight line defining an angle (90° - a) with the vertical direction. The reversible rotation motor is normally rotated, stopped or reversely rotated according to an instruction from the top/bottom confirmation sensor. The top/bottom confirmation sensor is provided at two positions, one being in the vicinity of an upper end of the rail and the other being in the vicinity of a lower end thereof.

The supporting members 43, 43 support the both side heaters 84, 84, respectively at two positions, so as to cause them to be supported therethrough by the moving base member 41. The supporting members 43, 43 have fitted thereonto, respectively, has coiled springs 44, 44 to support the both side heaters 84, 84 while urging them toward the skidding surface. By the waxing finishing device 40 being equipped at a plurality of positions with the supporting members 43 having the springs 44 fitted thereonto, the heater can follow also the curved portion of the ski plate 10 to thereby enable a decrease in the uneven coating of the wax. As a result of this, it is possible to provide the waxing apparatus enabling the uneven coating of the wax to be decreased by the heater following the curve of the skidding surface. Although in Fig. 6 the top bend portion has been illustrated, the waxing apparatus can also cope with the curve in the vicinity of the binding.

It is to be noted that the larger in number the supporting position at which the supporting member supports the heater is, the more delicately made the movement thereof can be and so the supporting member is provided at three or more positions according to the cases.

It is to be noted that although it has been explained that the rail for guiding the movement of the moving base member 41 is set as a straight line defining an angle (90° - a) with the vertical direction, following the curve more accurately is possible by curving the rail substantially in conformity with the curve of the ski plate 10.

There may be a case where a device such as a hot-air drier for drying liquid wax coated on the skidding surface is added to the waxing finishing device 40.

A pantagraph structure of the waxing finishing device 40 will now be explained with reference to Fig. 7. Here, Fig. 7 is a view illustrating the motion of the pantagraph structure of the waxing apparatus.

The waxing apparatus is equipped with the moving base member 41 which moves relatively to the skidding surface and the pantagraph structure 30 which is installed on the moving base member 41 and which expands and contracts in the direction intersecting the moving direction of the moving base member 41 at a right angle with respect thereto.

The pantagraph structure 30 is formed being equipped with a pantagraph main body portion 31 which expands and contracts in order to avoid an anti-flow member 15 and a regulating portion 35 for regulating the movement of the expanding/contracting pantagraph main body 31. And, the pantagraph main body portion 31 is formed being equipped on the skidding surface side with a waxing finishing member for bringing the wax solidified on the skidding surface to a finished state. In this embodiment, the waxing finishing member is equipped two in kind. Specifically, on the skidding surface side of the moving base member 41 there are provided both side wax leveling members 81, 81 equipped to the pantagraph main body portion 31 and a center wax leveling member 82 equipped to the moving base member 41.

The both side wax leveling members 81, 81 cannot level the lateral width of the skidding surface over an entire region thereof and can perform waxing finishing at only both sides thereof even when the pantagraph structure 30 is in a state of being expanded. In this case, the central part which cannot be waxing finished by the both side wax leveling members 81, 81 is waxing finished by the center wax leveling member 82. And, the both side wax leveling members 81, 81 and center wax leveling member 82 are equipped, respectively, with both side heaters 84, 84 and center heater 83 for liquefying the solidified wax. And, the both wax leveling members 81, 81 and 82 are formed as the wax leveling members for leveling the liquefied wax. By the pantagraph main body portion 31 being equipped with a plurality of the wax leveling members in this way, the wax can be coated on the skidding surface with a higher level of uniformity. By providing those heaters, it is possible to provide a heater device which can dissolve the coat unevenness of the wax by following the curve of the skidding surface.

Also, the moving base member 41 of the waxing apparatus illustrated in Fig.

7 is equipped with a squeegee 50 for removing the attachments of the skidding surface prior to solidifying the new wax. More specifically, as the squeegee 50 there are provided both side squeegees 51, 51 equipped to other portions than those where the both side wax leveling members 81, 81 of the pantagraph main body portion 31 are provided as well as a center squeegee 52 provided so as to intersect the moving direction of the moving base member 41 at a right angle with respect thereto and intended to remove the attachments at the central part of the skidding surface. Although the both side squeegees 51, 51 and center squeegee 52 have been formed as rubber plates for falling off the snow, mud, etc., these squeegees may be formed as brush-like squeegees or shaving-off plates each having a plane-like blade on the end portion at the skidding surface side of the center squeegee 52 and intended to shave off the solidified unnecessary wax.

By providing this squeegee 50, the squeegee 50 moves in accordance with the initial movement of the moving base member 41 to thereby remove the attachments of the skidding surface. Thereafter, the wax is solidified by suitable means, e.g., means which uses a wax jetting device such as that as later described. And, waxing finishing can be done with respect to the cleaned skidding surface. As a result, it is possible to prevent foreign substances from being added to and mixed with the wax which solidifies, whereby it is possible to perform clean waxing finishing. Also, it becomes unnecessary to perform manually the operation of removing the attachments of the skidding surface before setting the ski plate 10 or snow board on the waxing apparatus, whereby it is possible to perform the pre-waxing operation without spending time and labour very much.

The function of the pantagraph structure will now be explained.

The wax leveling members finish the wax-coating on the skidding surface of the ski plate 10 while moving along the moving direction of the moving base member 41.

When the moving base member 41 moves to the position where an obstacle, for example, the anti-flow member 15 exists and the pantagraph main body portion 31 is brought into contact with this anti-flow member 15, the pantagraph main body portion 31 is pushed by the anti- flow member 15 and the width thereof is narrowed. By the width of the pantagraph main body portion 31 being narrowed in this way, the moving base member 41 can move without being obstructed by the anti-flow member 15. And, when the moving base member 41 moves up to the position where no contact thereof with the anti-flow member 15 is made, the pantagraph main body portion 31 is restored to its configuration before it is narrowed by the regulating portion 35 thereof. Through this series of operations, the wax leveling members can finish the wax-coating on the skidding surface while avoiding the anti-flow member 15 in the course of their movement.

This waxing apparatus can cope with any ski plate 10 regardless of whether the width thereof is large or small. That is, even when the width of the ski plate 10 is large, the apparatus can finish the wax-coating only if this width is not larger than the expanded width of the pantagraph main body portion 31 of the pantagraph structure 30. Conversely, when the width of the ski plate is small, the apparatus can cope with this ski plate only if the width thereof is the same as, or larger than, the width of the moving base body 41. Also, by equipping the moving base member 41 with the wax jetting device, it is possible for this wax jetting device to supply the wax onto the skidding surface while moving above the ski plate 10 cleaned by the squeegee 50. For this reason, there is no necessity of coating the wax by the manual operation, with the result that the waxing operation can be easily performed. By the provision of this waxing apparatus, there has been enabled the provision of the waxing apparatus which can easily perform waxing even when the anti-flow member of the ski plate exists and which further can perform uniform waxing in even a place where the temperature of the outside air is low. Also, in addition, by equipping the moving base member 41 with the squeegee, there has been enabled the provision of the waxing apparatus which can mitigate the preparatory operation for performing the waxing finishing. Also, in addition, by providing the center heater 83, there has been enabled the provision of the waxing apparatus which can finish the wax coating to an appropriate uniform thickness. Also, in addition, by providing the wax jetting device, there has been enabled the provision of the waxing apparatus which can omit the manual operation for coating the wax.

A variation of the pantagraph structure will now be explained with reference to Fig. 8. Here, Fig. 8 is a partial perspective view illustrating the moving base member 41 and pantagraph structure 30 of the waxing apparatus.

The largest difference between the waxing apparatus illustrated in Fig. 8 and the waxing apparatus illustrated in Fig. 7 resides in the pantagraph structure 30. That is, the pantagraph structure of Fig. 8 is equipped with the two regulating portions 35 for regulating the movement of the pantagraph main body portion 31 in such a way that these two regulating portions diverge downward. And, the both side wax leveling members 81, 81 equipped to the pantagraph main body portion 31 are formed so that the locus which in accordance with the movement of the moving base member 41 is described by the both side wax leveling member 81 situated on the right side and the locus which in accordance therewith is described by the both side wax leveling member 81 situated on the left side may be partly doubled at around a center of the width as viewed in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the moving base member 41. As a result of this, the waxing can be finished over an entire lateral width of the skidding surface by the both side wax leveling members 81, 81 equipped to the pantagraph main body portion 31. As a result, it is possible to omit the center wax leveling member 82 equipped to the waxing apparatus of Fig. 7.

Also, the center wax leveling member 82 serves as a device for preventing the scatter of the wax and shaving off the unnecessary wax having solidified on the skidding surface to thereby lessen the unevenness of the coated wax before the both side wax leveling members 81, 81 finish the wax coating. However, since the both side wax leveling members 81, 81 can perform waxing finishing over an entire lateral width of the skidding surface, the provision of this center wax leveling member 82 can be omitted.

It is to be noted that since the remaining structure is substantially the same as that of the waxing apparatus illustrated in Fig. 7, the same constituent elements are denoted by like reference numerals and an explanation thereof is omitted.

A scatter prevention function portion of the waxing apparatus will now be explained with reference to Fig. 9. Here, Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the scatter prevention function portion 60 for preventing the wax supplied from the wax jetting device from being scattered. This scatter prevention function portion 60 is a member which can be used in combination with the wax jetting device illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8.

The scatter prevention function portion 60 is equipped with an opposition-to- jet surface 61 for receiving the wax supplied from the wax jetting device and a scatter prevention surface 62 for preventing the wax from being scattered from a peripheral edge of the opposition-to-jet surface 61. And, the opposition-to-jet surface 61 is divided into two parts by a partitioning portion 63 in parallel with the moving direction of the moving base member 41. Also, the wax received by the divided opposition-to-jet surfaces 61 is allowed to flow from an outflow opening 64 equipped to the opposition-to-jet surface 61 to the skidding surface.

The "scatter prevention function portion 60" is formed as a device which is heated by the heat transferred from a heater separately provided in order to cause the wax supplied from a jetting nozzle 45 to easily flow from the outflow opening 64. However, if no hindrance occurs to causing the wax to flow from the outflow opening 64, no heater is needed to be connected thereto.

Also, although in Fig. 9 the "opposition-to-jet surface 61" has been made up into a substantially square configuration, the opposition-to-jet surface may be made up into a substantially triangular configuration, semi-circular configuration, etc. and therefore is not limited to the square configuration.

Although the "scatter prevention surface 62" has been provided on the peripheral edge of the opposition-to-jet surface 61, this scatter prevention surface 62 may be formed, for example, as a non-bottomed frusto-conical or frusto-pyramidal member which diverges from a supply port of the jetting nozzle 45 toward the skidding surface.

Although the "partitioning portion 63" has been provided one in number at the center as viewed in the width direction, this portion 63 may be provided two or more in number.

The "outflow opening 64" is provided in the vicinity of a center of the width of the skidding surface as viewed in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the moving base member 41. As a result of this, the outflow opening 64 is provided in the vicinity of the center of the width of the skidding surface as viewed in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the moving base member 41, whereby it is possible to prevent the wax, which flows onto the skidding surface, from flowing onto an opposite-to- skidding-surface side surface. Therefore, it is not needed to remove the unnecessary wax which has otherwise attached onto the opposite-to-skidding-surface side surface or which has otherwise fallen down, with the result that it is possible to decrease the time and labour to be spent for cleaning of the waxing apparatus, etc.

The function of the scatter prevention function portion 60 illustrated in Fig.

9 will now be explained.

With the movement of the moving base member 41, the wax is supplied to the skidding surface. At this time, it is possible to prevent the wax from flowing onto the opposite-to-skidding-surface side of the ski plate 10 or scattering around the ski plate 10 by the scatter prevention function portion 60. As a result, it is possible to cause the wax to be coated onto only the portion to which the wax is wanted to be supplied and also to omit the time and labour for removing the wax which has been otherwise scattered or flown out.

Also, the wax is received by the opposition-to-jet surface 61 of the scatter prevention function portion 60. At this time, the opposition-to-jet surface 61 is divided into the plurality of portions by the partitioning portion 63. For this reason, the wax supplied from the jetting nozzle 45 can be dispersed into the respective portions of the opposition-to- jet surface 61 partitioned by the partitioning portion 63. And, the wax is allowed to flow from the outflow opening 64 onto the skidding surface. As a result of this, it is possible to prevent the wax from being concentratedly coated onto only the portion of the skidding surface opposing the jetting nozzle 45, thereby making it easy to level the wax and make it uniform. Also, it is possible to prevent the wax from flowing through other portions than the outflow opening 64 by the scatter prevention surface 62. By the provision of this scatter prevention function portion, there has been enabled the provision of the waxing apparatus which can prevent the wax from being scattered to other portions than the wax coated surface.

It is to be noted that the scatter prevention function portion 60 is not limited to one illustrated in Fig. 9. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the scatter prevention function portion may be formed as a plate-like member 65 which has been equipped to the moving base member 41 on a side opposite to the side of the pantagraph structure 30 with respect to the wax jetting device. It is to be noted that Fig. 9 is a partially enlarged view illustrating the scatter prevention function portion of the waxing apparatus.

Next, an accommodator for installing the above-described waxing apparatus therein will now be explained with reference to Figs. 10 and 11. Fig. 10 is a front view illustrating the accommodator of the waxing apparatus. Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a tray of the accommodator of the waxing apparatus.

The accommodator 20 is equipped with a box member 22 within which the waxing apparatus can be accommodated so that the ski plate 10 or the snow board can be set in an uprightly erected state, and an opening/closing door 11 for opening and closing the box member 22. Also, the accommodator 20 is equipped, at a center thereof, with a transparent plastic-made light transmission plate 21 so that the accommodated state thereof can be seen from a front surface thereof. Accordingly, the user can see a state in the course of the operation.

It is to be noted that although the illustration is omitted, the opening/closing door 11 of the accommodator 20 is equipped with a door locking device. This door locking device is one which is intended to prevent the wax from being scattered to outside the waxing apparatus by the opening/closing door 11 being inconveniently opened during the operation of the waxing apparatus. It is constructed being equipped with a door locking air- cylinder, lock confirmation sensor and door locking electromagnetic valve.

The door locking air-cylinder locks or unlocks the opening/closing door 11 by a compressed air supplied from a compressed air supplying device. The lock confirmation sensor is a sensor which senses whether or not the opening/closing door 1 is locked and, when the door is not exactly locked, supplies to the waxing apparatus 40 an instruction making it inoperative. The door locking electromagnetic valve is an electromagnetic valve for, when the door locking air-cylinder locks or unlocks the opening/closing door 11, making an on/off control of whether or not the compressed air needed as the power therefor is to be supplied. Further, although not illustrated, a coin insertion opening is provided on the outer surface of the openig/closing door 11.

If the ski plate or snow board is uprightly erected and fixed within this accommodator 20, waxing finishing can be easily performed at even a narrow place. Of course, the waxing apparatus may be accommodated to within the accommodator enabling waxing finishing to be performed with the ski plate 10 being laid.

The accommodator of Fig. 11 is equipped with a tray 25 which is located at a lower part of the front portion of the box member 22 and which can be drawn out from the front portion thereof. The tray 25 is formed into a box-shaped configuration made open at the top and shallow in depth. And, the tray 25 is formed so that when the tray 25 is located at the lower part of the box member 22 the tray 25 can receive and retain therein unnecessary substances within the box member 22 and that when the tray 25 has been drawn out from the box member 22 the unnecessary substances retained therein can be taken out therefrom. In Fig. 11, the tray 25 is formed so that the opening/closing door 11 and the tray 25 may be able to operate independently from each other. That is, the tray 25 is formed so that the tray 25 can be drawn out irrespective of whether or not the opening/closing door 11 is opened. By the provision of this tray, there has been enabled the provision of the waxing apparatus enabling the easy performance of the operation for removing the mud, dust, etc. within the accommodator.

It is to be noted that the tray 25 may be formed as a flat plate configuration.

In this case, on the upper surface of the flat plate-like tray 25 there is placed a hygroscopic released paper. In a state where this tray 25 is located at the lower part of the box member 25, the mud or wax is received by the upper surface thereof or the water produced by the snow being molten is absorbed thereinto. Further, if this tray 25 is drawn out and the released paper is peeled off therefrom, the mud, wax, etc. are taken away therefrom.

When the unnecessary substances such as unnecessary wax, mud, snow, etc. fall off from the waxing apparatus, ski plate or snow board within the box member 22, the tray 25 located at the lower part of the box member 22 receives such unnecessary substances.

And, by drawing the tray 25 from the box member 22, the unnecessary substances can be taken out to outside the box member 22. Thereafter, the unnecessary substances in the tray 25 are taken away. Therefore, the removing operation of the unnecessary substances having existed within the box member 22 can be easily performed. Also, since the tray 25 can be drawn out from the front portion of the box member 22, even when a plurality of the accommodators 20 are located by being arranged laterally, the drawing-out of the tray 25 becomes possible. Further, in a state where the tray 25 has been drawn out, a locking device 26 is unlocked. For this reason, if the tray 25 is kept in a state having been drawn out, or in a state where it is not set to within the box member 22, the waxing apparatus does not operate. As a result, it is possible to prevent the wax from falling off and attaching onto the bottom of the box member 22 or from being scattered to the outside of the box member 22.

The accommodator 20 is equipped with the locking device 26 for controlling the drawing-out of the tray 25. The locking device 26 is equipped, although not illustrated, with a keying main body provided within the accommodator 20, a key hole portion 27 provided in the tray 25, and the lock confirmation sensor for sensing whether or not the tray 25 is keyed. This lock confirmation sensor is electrically connected to the waxing apparatus.

And, if the tray 25 is not keyed and if the tray 25 is not set to within the box member 22, the lock confirmation sensor supplies to the waxing apparatus an instruction for it not to operate.

Only if this locking device 26 is set to a state of its being locked, the tray 25 cannot be drawn out so long as there is no need to perform, for example, the removing operation of the unnecessary substances. Therefore, it is possible to prevent someone else from drawing out the tray 25 and conducting his acts, e.g., mischievous acts thereon, whereby the management of the accommodator 20 becomes easy. Also, by the accommodator equipped with the locking device, there has been enabled the provision of the accommodator capable of preventing the wax from being scattered to outside the accommodator.

As a variation of the tray, the accommodator 20 may be equipped with a maintenance door for performing maintenance of the waxing apparatus at a side surface portion of the box member 22. Also, the accommodator 20 may be formed so that the tray 25 may be drawn out from the side surface equipped with the maintenance door. As a result of this, since the tray 25 cannot be seen from the front surface of the box member 22, it is possible to enhance the quality of the outer appearance of the front surface portion of the box member 22. Also, when the maintenance of the waxing apparatus located within the accommodator 20 is performed by opening the maintenance door, the maintenance operation can not only be performed but it is possible to perform the removing operation of the unnecessary substances from the tray 25.

It is to be noted that the above-described embodiment has been explained as the waxing apparatus for use on the ski plate. However, the invention of this application can of course be used also as the waxing apparatus for use on the snow board. It is also to be noted that in the above-described embodiment reference has been made to the waxing apparatus usable for the ski plate only and that, although not illustrated, the waxing apparatus for use on the snow board has been prepared separately from the waxing apparatus usable for the ski plate only. This is for the purpose of the user's convenience. However, if the fixing device 70 or accommodation space is devised, the waxing apparatus for concurrent use on both the ski plate and the snow board can also be manufactured.

Industrial Utilizability As described above, the waxing apparatus according to the present invention makes it easy to fix the ski plate or snow board and is useful as an automatic waxing apparatus which even when erroneously fixed can be prevented from being broken. Also, the waxing apparatus is also useful as a waxing apparatus which facilitates waxing in a cold district. Further, the accommodator of the waxing apparatus is useful as an accommodator for preventing the scattering of wax and receiving and installing the waxing apparatus therein.11. A waxing apparatus comprising an accommodator having a member to be waxed located in an interior space thereof, a fixing device for fixing the member to be waxed located within the accommodator, and a waxing finishing device for performing waxing finishing with respect to a skidding surface of the member to be waxed fixed to the fixing device, the fixing device is formed so that an angle defined between the skidding surface of the member to be waxed and a horizontal plane on a side where a binding of the member to be waxed is located may be an acute an, the waxing finishing device is equipped with a squeegee for removing the attachments of the skidding surface before solidifying new wax.