Invention: “Combining Cross Country Ski Wax and Cork”

Abstract

This invention merges traditional cross country skiing wax and with cork that is used to evenly distribute the wax in the kick area. The prime benefit being to prevent waxes (of different types) from mixing on the ski. In addition it eliminates one component (the cork) from what the skier has to carry on the trail.

Background of the invention

Most cross country skis require a kick wax that closely matches the temperature of the snow. The kick wax is applied manually just before heading out on the trail. The kick wax is corked in using a separate cork. Corking is intended to smooth out the freshly applied wax in the kick area of the ski. If conditions become slippery during your ski, then the wax can be reapplied and corked in again. Kick wax comes in A typical skier would have at least 5 different temperature waxes. The pros carry more than 10 different waxes. Matching the wax to the snow can mean the difference between winning and losing a race.

The problem using a single cork is that you end up mixing the wax on the ski over repeated uses of the cork. For example, one day may be warm (softer wax), the next day may be cold (harder wax). On the second day you will end up applying some of the softer wax left on the cork which would slow you down on the trail. If the skier gets Klister on the cork (for very warm days), it becomes extremely difficult to clean off the cork.

Another problem is that you have to carry the cork in addition to the wax just in case you need to re-apply. Cross country skiers want to minimize what they carry.

The leading manufactures of cross country ski wax including Toko,Vauhti,Red Creek and Ski*go always sell the kick wax separately from the cork. In addition the cork has to be big so the user can grip the cork firmly during the corking process.

Summary of the invention


This invention introduces a simple solution to the problem. Glue a thin layer of cork onto the bottom of the kick wax tube (like an eraser on a pencil). This would prevent mixing the wax on the ski and having to carry a separate cork while skiing. In addition one could mount different types cork material onto the bottom of the kick wax tube that is specifically suited to the wax type. A synthetic cork is typically used on warmer waxes such as Klister where as natural cork is used on cold temperature waxes.

With the cork attached to the wax container, the whole unit becomes a handle for the application. This minimizes the amount of cork required. The cork can be very thin for this application.

Description of the method

1. Glue a thin slice of cork to the top or bottom of the kick wax tube.
2. Glue different types of corks onto different types of kick wax tubes to apply different waxes better.
3. Glue different types of cork shapes onto the kick wax tube for better erganomics.

Summary

This invention specifically describes the following concepts:

Attaching a cork layer to the cross country kick wax container in any fasion.

1. Attaching different types of cork material for different wax types.
2. Shaping the combined container and cork to optimize the user application of wax and subsequent corking.
3. Optimizing the amount of cork used for the application.
4. A fresh cork is provided with every kick wax in the skiers bag.
5. Ski wax is never mixed.

References

▪                Skiwax.ca