Tapered tenon-type coupling device for connecting the elements of two-piece ski

Claim 1

In a tapered tenon-type coupling device for use in firmly connecting the separate elements of a two-piece ski into an integral single ski of normal length with each of said separate elements having a band affixed to its bottom face, said device comprising first and second coupling units adapted to be attached to said separate elements, respectively, said coupling units being structured so as to be coupled to each other in a tenon-tomortise fashion by their tapered members, the improvement wherein: at least one of said units is provided with a snow impact blocking projection for protecting the adjacent ends of said bands, said projection extending downwardly from the bottom face at the free end of said coupling unit for a short distance to such an extent that the lowermost free edge of said projection is aligned with the lower surface of said ski; said first coupling unit (1) defines said mortise and comprises a substantially rectangular cross-sectional configuration for a greater portion of its longitudinal length, said portion having two relatively wide inclined underside surfaces (3) extending from the free end of saId unit, which has a rectangular cross section, down to a snow impact blocking projection (4), and, a guide section (5) between said two inclined surfaces, said guide section having the form of an inverted U-shaped recess with relatively short legs and being open to the underside of said first unit and extending longitudinally thereof, said guide section defining a tenon-receiving hole (7) which is closed at one end by a tapered wall (6) which joins with the bottom wall of said first unit; and said second coupling unit defines said tenon and comprises a central projecting member (15) having a substantially triangular cross section, two relatively wide upper faces (16) of said unit flanking said projecting member and being tapered and extending from the baseline to a snow impact blocking projection (17) adjacent to the apex of said central projecting member, and the respective ends of said upper faces having a substantially rectangular cross section.