Patent Publication Number: US-7216887-B2

Title: Board-type runner device with at least one device for increasing resistance to slipping and friction

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to a board-type runner device, consisting of at least one top surface and a slipping layer with a slipping surface opposing it, and optionally edging elements extending in the longitudinal direction of the runner device, the top surface of the top layer and/or the running surface of the running layer having at least one recess. 
   2. The Prior Art 
   The idea of providing recesses in part regions of surface layers of runner devices and placing insert elements in these recesses is already known from the prior art. A runner device of this type is known from document DE 201 20 351 U1, for example. The described runner device has a running layer on the bottom surface directed towards the ground, which may be fitted with longitudinally extending edges if necessary, the surface and optionally side faces of which are coated with a surface coating. At least one orifice is provided in this surface layer, which is filled with at least one insert, and the contour of the respective insert, which may be a single piece or a plurality of pieces, conforms to the contour of the orifice. 
   The purpose of such features known from the prior art has been to use the relevant parts of the surface layer to give skis a more attractive aesthetic appearance and improve the technical properties of the ski, such as resistance to wear, increased strength and rigidity, as well as improved damping properties. 
   A ski or snowboard is also known from document DE 297 09 232 U1, in which the zones susceptible to scratching have a surface made from materials with a relatively high impact and abrasion resistance. 
   The purpose of this design of ski or snowboard is to ensure that the ski surface does not exhibit wear, after longer periods of use, and provide an inexpensive means of manufacturing the ski or snowboard. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The objective of the invention is to improve handling of a runner device by a user. Yet another objective of the invention is to enhance the comfort of the runner device during use. 
   This objective is achieved by the invention due to the fact that the at least one recess co-operates with a device intended to increase slipping or friction resistance at the running surface and/or at the top surface, at least in the region of the recess, advantageously providing a climbing and/or handling aid integrated in the runner device which can be activated as and when required and facilitates carrying. If the device is provided in the running surface, the slipping and friction resistance in at least certain regions can be increased without the need for additional external components when the device is in the active position, thereby obviating the need for and effort involved in fitting the runner device with extra fittings. Integrating a climbing aid in the running surface of the runner device in this manner makes it easier and more comfortable for a user to move forward with runner devices on surfaces such as snow, for example, and the device is of particular advantage in runner devices designed for special applications, such as a cross-country skis or touring skis, whereby a forward movement or acceleration is effected by a motion sequence, for example skating or by the user pulling ahead and pushing back a respective runner device. Providing the device in the top surface can improve the manipulation of runner devices when carried in the hands of the user because the adhesion between the hands of a user gripping the runner devices and the top surfaces is significantly improved, thereby enabling runner devices to be transported safely and with less effort. 
   Another advantage is the fact that the device has at least one active element which can be displaced so as to engage with the surface directed towards the running surface or top surface, especially in an active position, and/or the at least one active element of the device is provided in the form of a projection disposed at least partially in one of the recesses so that when the active elements engage with a surface directed towards the running surface or top surface, friction between the runner device and the surface is increased and/or a clawing effect of the active elements with the surfaces occurs, increasing slipping resistance, and the active elements can be disposed directly in the top layer and on the running layer. 
   The advantage of one practical embodiment of the board-type runner device, in which the device has an operating mechanism for switching the device from a passive position, in particular an inactive position, into an active position to increase slipping resistance, and/or from the active position into the passive position, is that the device can be fixed in an active and passive position by means of an operating mechanism, so that slipping and friction resistance at the top and/or running surface is increased only as and when necessary and the intrinsic sliding properties of the material used for the top layer and the running layer prevail unaltered in the passive position. 
   Also of advantage is another embodiment of the board-type runner device in which, when the device is in the active position, at least one region of the projection stands proud of the running surface of the running layer or the top surface of the top layer by a certain amount because the contact established between the projection and a surface directed towards it provides an easy means of increasing slipping and friction resistance. 
   In another embodiment of the board-type runner device, at least one recess along an external surface extends through a thickness of the top layer or the running layer, and in particular is provided as an orifice, the advantage of which is that a ski interior is rendered accessible through the recess via a running layer incorporating orifices which is easy to produce, and projections connected to components of the ski interior can be placed at least partially inside the recesses. 
   It is also of advantage to provide at least one housing compartment for an insert part between the top layer and the running layer of the runner device, and/or the housing compartment is bounded by the internal surface of the running layer or the top layer and a boundary surface, for example of a core element or a top or bottom belt, and/or the housing compartment merges into at least one of the recesses extending through the thickness of the top layer or running layer, because an insert piece can be disposed in the runner device in the housing compartment and the housing compartment is expediently disposed between the top layer and running layer, as a result of which the device with the active elements for increasing slipping and friction resistance can be easily accommodated in the housing compartment and recess of the runner device. 
   In another embodiment of the board-type runner device, the device comprises an insert piece disposed at least partially in the housing compartment, which forms at least one active surface on an active element which increases friction and slipping, in particular an active section, the advantage of which is that the at least one active surface of the insert piece designed to enhance friction and slipping resistance can be used to obtain the effect of the climbing aid or can facilitate carrying and handling due to the intermittent contact thereof with a surface directed towards it. 
   The at least one insert piece has a substantially plate-shaped basic body extending flat underneath the top layer and/or the running layer and/or it extends into at least one housing compartment via at least one of the recesses opening into the housing compartment, and/or the insert piece is of an integral design and extends so that it spans several recesses, the advantage of which is that the insert piece is secured to the runner device and is prevented from unintentionally working loose and may optionally be disposed close to the top layer or the running layer, in particular underneath the latter, and hence close to the active region of the insert piece at the top or running surface. 
   The at least one projection is disposed on the at least one insert piece and the distribution of the projections essentially corresponds to the distribution and/or contour of the projections formed by the side faces in the substantially peripheral contour of the recesses, and/or the projections extend from an abutment surface of the insert piece in the direction towards the running surface or top surface into the recesses, the advantage of which is that the insert piece is designed so that the disposition of the projections essentially matches the distribution or disposition of the recesses so that projections line up with the recesses in the top layer and running layer. 
   Advantage is to be had from one embodiment of the runner device in which the device is disposed in a binding mounting region of the runner device, in particular in the end region of the binding mounting region facing the ski tip, because this means that the device will essentially be disposed in the support region for a shoe on the binding of the runner device and the device can therefore be used as a means of introducing force into this region, for example so that the climbing aid can be automatically activated in the binding region by a weight distribution or weight shift or as a result of impact forces of a user. It is also of advantage to dispose the carrying or handling aid in this region because runner devices are usually taken in the hand and picked up by the binding mounting region or the region just in front of binding mounting region and this process will now be facilitated. 
   In one embodiment of the board-type runner device, the insert piece is provided in the form of an elastically flexible and rebounding element, which is also of advantage because the insert piece is able to deform, causing the active elements to be displaced out of the recesses, where the active surfaces can impart increased friction and slipping resistance, and this displacement counteracts a resistance force or return force but this will subside when the insert piece is restored to the initial shape or initial position, thereby obviating the need for additional return mechanisms. 
   The recesses with the projections extend across a longitudinal section in a lattice pattern and/or the running layer and/or at least certain regions of the top layer are of a lattice-type design, especially within the longitudinal section, and/or webs extend between the recesses which bound the recesses at their external surfaces, the advantage of which is that it enables an effective higher slipping resistance to be obtained over a large surface area in the longitudinal section but this region will nevertheless have good running properties at the running layer when in the passive position due to the lattice-type structure or webs. 
   In another embodiment of the board-type runner device, the top layer and/or the running layer is mounted so as to be at least slightly displaceable in the direction towards the interior, at least in the longitudinal section or an operating zone, the advantage of which his that the operating mechanism can be provided directly by the top layer and/or the running layer and, when sufficient force is applied, the top and/or running layer will be displaced, in particular deformed, so that the insert piece is displaced, whereby the insert piece is transferred from the passive position into the active position. 
   In other embodiments of the board-type runner device, the material of the at least one insert piece has a modulus of elasticity which is lower than a modulus of elasticity of the material used for the running layer and/or the top layer and the material from which the core-side boundary surface of the housing compartment, and/or the at least one insert piece is made from an elastically deformable material, preferably a plastic, such as an elastomer, for example, and/or the at least one insert piece is designed so that it can be at least partially forced out of the housing compartments and/or recesses in the direction towards the running surface of the running layer or the top surface of the top layer, and/or the active surfaces of the projections can be temporarily displaced due to the material moved of the recesses or housing compartments, the latter being formed by raised areas on the running surface and/or the top surface in the active position, the advantage of which is that the insert piece is made from a softer material than the surfaces surrounding and bounding it, in particular the housing compartments and recesses, so that when pressure is exerted on them, the surfaces bounding the insert piece are deformed onto at least certain regions of the latter and at least part-sections of their projections are forced out of the recesses enabling the active surfaces of these projections to be moved into an active position in which they enhance friction and slipping resistance. 
   In other embodiments of the board-type runner device, the device has a thrust element, in particular a thrust plate, which is actively connected to the operating mechanism and/or the thrust element displaces the active elements, in particular the projections, into the active position when a thrust force acts on the thrust element, in particular when the operating mechanism is operated, which is also of advantage because only one thrust element needs to actively co-operate with the insert piece and the active elements can be displaced into the active position when the thrust element is displaced. 
   In other embodiments, the insert piece is provided in the form of a hollow body with a variable volume and a housing compartment of the hollow body can be or is filled with a medium, in particular a fluid or gas, the advantage of which his that because the insert piece is a hollow body of variable volume, the cavity of the hollow body can be filled to increase its volume, thereby causing at least its active elements to be transferred out of the housing compartments or recesses so that they stand proud of the running and/or top layer. Using fluid or gas as a medium offers a simple way of varying the volume via inlet and outlet orifices. 
   In another embodiment of the board-type runner device, at least two different devices, in particular insert pieces, are linked to one another in displacement via a connecting element, the advantage of which is that several inset elements can be displaced by the connecting element irrespective of motion, and the active and passive position at the top layer and at the running layer are dependent on one another due to the coupled motion of the different devices so that only one operating mechanism is needed for several insert pieces. 
   In other embodiments, the operating mechanism is provided in the form of a top layer and/or running layer which is displaceable or flexible in the region of an operating zone and/or the top layer and/or the running layer is cambered, in particular convex, in the direction remote from the interior, and is preferably elastically flexible in the direction towards the interior, the advantage of which is that the operating mechanisms are the top layer and/or running layer themselves, obviating the need for additional components or mechanisms and, when forces act on the cambered region, less force is needed to displace the top layer and/or running layer due to the fact that the top layer or running layer is outwardly cambered. 
   Advantage is to be had from another embodiment of the board-type runner device in which the core element in the region of the operating zone is a separate component which can be displaced relative to the rest of the core element, because motion or force can be transmitted through the interior of the runner device via a displaceable core component so that thrust forces acting on the top layer, for example, can be transmitted to the device co-operating with the running layer. 
   Also of advantage is another embodiment of the board-type runner device in which the at least one insert piece has a gripping surface which is preferably gripped by a user and has a coefficient of static friction which is higher than a coefficient of static friction of the top surface of the top layer, and/or the at least one insert piece has a surface roughness on its gripping surface which is more pronounced than the surface roughness of the top surface of the top layer, because the higher coefficient of static friction and/or the more pronounced surface roughness on the gripping surface of the runner device makes it much easier for a user to hold this region and requires less force, and such runner devices are much safer and much more comfortable to carry. Another advantage is the fact that only the gripping surface need have an improved coefficient of static friction and the insert piece can therefore be finished with a surface finish or surface treatment or prepared with a separate surface coating accordingly. 
   An advantage is obtained due to the fact that the at least one insert part is provided in the form of a surface inset with a gripping surface which can be placed in contact with the surface, at least when necessary, and/or the gripping surface of the surface inset at least partially replaces the top surface of the top layer, and the surface inset is recessed in the top surface of the top layer and/or the recess is provided in the form of a groove, in particular an indentation, in the top layer or running layer and the insert part, in particular the surface inset, is secured at a surface region to the groove surfaces by an adhesive compound, for example, in particular a bonding compound, as a result of which friction and slipping resistance at the top layer can be increased by a surface inset incorporating a gripping surface in the top layer by very simple structural means. 
   In another embodiment of the board-type runner device, the gripping surface of the insert piece extends flush with the top surface of the top layer and/or the running surface or is set back from it, the advantage of which is that resistance to friction and slipping can be increased without the need to provide any elements standing proud of the top layer, thereby avoiding anything which might impair the aesthetic design of a runner device. 
   In yet another embodiment of the board-type runner device, the operating mechanism has at least one operating element and when the operating element is activated, the device can be positioned in the active position, the advantage of which is that the active and passive position of the device in the runner device can be fixed by the operating element and an active mechanical connection between the operating element and the active elements enables the latter to remain in the active or passive position irrespective of prevailing stress or forces which might be acting on the runner device. Another advantage is the fact that the user can activate and deactivate the position he desires using the operating element, and the operating element is provided in the form of a switch type handle, for example, which can be operated using a ski stick, for example. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to examples of embodiments illustrated in the appended, simplified drawings. Of these: 
       FIG. 1  is a simplified, schematic plan view illustrating a board-type runner device as proposed by the invention; 
       FIG. 2  shows the runner device illustrated in  FIG. 1  along line II—II indicated in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a longitudinal section showing another embodiment of the runner device proposed by the invention incorporating the device for increasing slipping resistance if necessary; 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram in cross section illustrating another possible embodiment of the runner device; 
       FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of a board-type runner device viewed from underneath as indicated by arrow V in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross section through another embodiment of a board-type runner device; 
       FIG. 7  is a longitudinal section through another embodiment of a board-type runner device; 
       FIG. 8  shows another embodiment of the board-type runner device viewed along line VIII—VIII indicated in  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 9  shows the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8  in a view from above, as indicated by arrow IX in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a longitudinal section through another embodiment of a board-type runner device; 
       FIG. 11  is a cross section through another embodiment of a board-type runner device; 
       FIG. 12  is a cross section through another embodiment of a board-type runner device; 
       FIG. 13  is a plan view of another embodiment of a runner device; 
       FIG. 14  shows the embodiment of a runner device illustrated in  FIG. 13 , viewed in section along line XIV—XIV indicated in  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 15  is a plan view of another embodiment of a runner device. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Firstly, it should be pointed out that the same parts described in the different embodiments are denoted by the same reference numbers and the same component names and the disclosures made throughout the description can be transposed in terms of meaning to same parts bearing the same reference numbers or same component names. Furthermore, the positions chosen for the purposes of the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., relate to the drawing specifically being described and can be transposed in terms of meaning to a new position when another position is being described. Individual features or combinations of features from the different embodiments illustrated and described may be construed as independent inventive solutions or solutions proposed by the invention in their own right. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a board-type runner device  1 , which has a top layer  2 , with a running layer  3  lying opposite it. On the side remote from the running layer  3 , the top layer  2  has a top surface  4 , and the running layer  3  has a running surface  5  on the side remote from the top layer  2 . 
   The basic structure of board-type runner devices  1 , in particular ski-type apparatus, is already well known from the prior art, and a more detailed description of the individual components and structural parts will therefore not be given.  FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a standard structure used for a runner device  1 , in which the runner device  1  has, in addition to the top layer  2  and the running layer  3 , two edging elements  6  and a core element  7 . The core element  7  may in turn be made up of and/or surrounded by several layers, such as a multi-layered timber core, a supporting top belt and/or a supporting bottom belt for strengthening the runner device  1 , for example. 
   The top layer  2  and the running layer  3  may also be made up of several layers or belts. However, the running layer  3  has at least one running surface layer  10 , which is disposed adjacent to a bottom belt  11 , for example. The running layer  3  may or may not also comprise several parts, for example a multi-part running surface layer  10 . On the face remote from the top layer  2 , the running layer  3  forms the running surface  5  by which the runner device  1  comes into contact with a surface, for example a snow surface, when in the operating state and glides along it. 
   The top layer  2 , which is made up of the top surface  4  forming the outer surface of the runner device  1 , may also be disposed adjacent to a supporting top belt  12  and the top layer may also be provided in the form of a composite part comprising a plurality of individual parts. 
   The different parts or layers of the runner device  1  may be joined to one another by a joining process known from the prior art and can therefore be adhesively joined to one another by filler or adhesive layers, for example. 
   Generally speaking, the runner device  1  may be used in applications for skis or snowboards and the present invention has proved to be of particular advantage if used for a cross-country ski or touring ski, in particular to enable a user to effect a forward movement, but may naturally also be used for an alpine ski. 
   The top layer  2  and/or the running layer  3  each have one or more recesses  13 ,  14 . The recesses  13 ,  14  are provided at least in the top surface  4  and/or the running surface  5  and extend through an external surface  15 ,  16  in the direction of the core element  7 . 
   One or more recesses  13 ,  14  may be provided respectively in the top layer  2  and in the running layer  3  and in the case illustrated in  FIG. 2 , for example, the recesses  14  provided in the running layer  3  may extend through a total thickness  17  of the running layer  3 , and the recesses  13 —indicated by broken lines—in the top layer  2  extend through a thickness  18  of the top layer  2 , in which case the recesses  13 ,  14  may be provided as orifices in the running layer  3 . 
   At least one of the recesses  13 ,  14  is fitted with a device  21  which may be disposed on the running surface  5  and/or top surface  4  to increase slipping resistance if necessary. In the embodiment illustrated as an example in  FIG. 2 , only the device  21  associated with the running layer  3  is illustrated in detail, although the device  21  may be provided also for or only for the top layer  2 —as indicated by broken lines—and, this being the case, the functional aspects of the device  21  described here may be applied in the same way to the recess  13  disposed in the top layer  2 . 
   The device  21  is designed so that the slipping and friction resistance at the external surfaces of the top layer  2  and/or the running layer  3  can be increased, at least in the region of the recesses  13 ,  14 . A surface  22  in contact with the running surface  5  forms the support surface for the runner device  1  on a ground material, in particular snow, so that when the device  21  is in an inactive passive position  23 , the running surface  5  of the runner device  1  is able to move along the surface  22  with what is preferably a very low slipping resistance. If necessary, however, the slipping resistance at the running surface  5  can now be increased, in order to prevent any unintended slipping. 
   In addition to the passive position  23  of the device  21 ,  FIG. 2  has broken lines indicating an active position  24  of the device  21 , in which the slipping resistance at the running surface  5  is significantly increased. 
   In the active position  24 , the device  21  extends at least partially across an amount  25  along the running surface  5  in the direction towards the surface  22 , as a result of which the slipping properties of the runner device  1  are limited by raised areas  26  on the running surface  5  which engage in the surface  22  and therefore increase slipping resistance along the surface  22 . The raised areas  26  are provided in the form of elements which project into the surface  22  in a clawing arrangement, thereby causing a braking action, in particular a clawing effect, of the device  21  in contact with the surface  22 . In the active position  24 , therefore, the slipping properties of the running surface  5  are impaired due to a change in the surface structure at the running surface  5 , where one or more raised areas  26  may be provided as necessary in certain regions. By forcing or compacting a material  28 , in particular snow, the raised surface regions cause a reduction in the gliding speed of the runner device  1 . The gliding properties of the runner device  1  are also impaired by the raised areas  26  because of an increased coefficient of friction between surface  22  and the running surface  5 , in other words the slipping friction coefficient is higher when the device  21  is in the active position  24  than it is in the passive position  23 . 
   When the device  21  is in the active position  24 , therefore, at least one active element  29 , preferably in the form of a raised area  26 , is positioned so that it engages with the surface  22  directed towards the running surface  5 , the effect of which is to increase gliding resistance. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the device  21  preferably extends along a longitudinal section  30  of the runner device  1  and several devices  21  may be provided in the top layer  2  and/or in the running layer  3 . As explained above, it would also naturally be possible for the device  21  described above used as a means of increasing gliding resistance at the running surface  5  to be provided in a similar manner in the top layer  2 , the difference being that the slipping resistance between the top surface  4  and a gripping surface of a hand of a user applying force to the top surface  4  is increased, as will be explained later on in the description. 
   The longitudinal section  30  incorporating the device(s)  21  is preferably disposed in a binding mounting region  33  or directly adjacent to a binding  31 , provided as a means of accommodating a user&#39;s shoe. The advantage of disposing the devices  21  in the region of a binding  31  is that the device  21  can be easily activated if necessary by a distribution of force which can be defined by a user, for example by applying a more pronounced force at a point in a force-transmitting region  32  which preferably lies within the longitudinal section  30 , i.e. to place the device  21  in the active position  24 . Another reason why it is of advantage to dispose the devices  21  on the top layer  2  in the region of a binding  31 , in particular in a gripping region  33  just in front of the binding  31 , is that a user can pick up the runner device  1  with his hands in the usual way but the increased slip resistance at the top surface  4  will make the runner device  1  much easier and more comfortable to carry. 
   It would naturally be possible for the longitudinal sections  30  in which the devices  21  are incorporated to extend across broad regions of the runner device  1 , for example across the entire length  34  of the running surface  5 , in particular across half or two thirds of a length  34  of the runner device  1 , and/or several mutually spaced devices  21  extending respectively across a longitudinal section  30  may be provided in the top layer  2  and/or the running layer  3  and may be are arranged across the length  34  of the runner device. 
   The active elements  29  of the device  21  are expediently provided in the form of projections  35 , extending at least partially into the recesses  13 ,  14  in the passive position  23 . Such a projection  35  extending into one of the respective recesses  14  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the projection  35  preferably extending through a depth  36  from an internal face  37  of the running layer  3  in the direction towards the running surface  5 . The projection  34  extending at least partially into the recess  14  is preferably designed so that its position can be moved so that an active surface  38  of the projection  35  can be displaced into at least one position flush with the running surface  5 , preferably into the active position  24  in which the bottom dead centre of the active surface  38  projects out from the running surface  5  by an amount  25 . 
   As mentioned, it is possible to provide several projections  35  disposed in different recesses  13 ,  14 , each of which can be moved into a usage position in which the active surfaces  38  project from the running surface  5  by different and/or to a certain extent the same amounts  25 . Consequently, in the region which is intended to have the effect of increasing braking and resistance to slipping, there may be projections  35  which stand out from the running surface  5  by a greater amount  25  than in a region where the resistance effect is not intended to be so pronounced. 
   The runner device  1  is preferably provided with a housing compartment  41  in an interior  39 , bounded by the running surface  5 , the top surface  4  and side faces  40 . The housing compartment  41  may be bounded by at least the internal face  37  of the running layer  3  and another boundary surface  42 , in which case the compartment may be closed off by adjoining end faces  43 . 
   The boundary surface  42  may be provided directly on the core element  7 , for example, in particular on the bottom belt  12 , and the end faces  43  may be provided by means of a part of the core element  7  and/or a part of the edging elements  6 . 
   As illustrated, it is of advantage if the housing compartment  41  incorporates at least one of the recesses  14 , in other words the housing compartment  41  merges into the recesses  14 , so that the external surfaces  16  form part of the surface bounding the housing compartment  41 . 
   At this stage, it should be pointed out that the housing compartment  41  may also be formed between other components of the runner device, for example between two layers in the core element  7  or between one layer in the core element  7  and the top or bottom belt  11 ,  12 , etc. However, care must be taken to ensure that the housing compartment  41  communicates with or can communicate with one or more of the recesses  13 ,  14  in the top layer  2  and/or the running layer  3 . 
   As may also be seen from  FIG. 2 , the device  21  is preferably disposed in the housing compartment  41  so that the device  21  constitutes at least one insert piece  44 . The at least one insert piece  44  has a bearing surface  45 , by means of which the insert piece  44  sits against the internal face  37  of the running layer. The insert piece  44  is preferably also bounded by the end faces  43  and the boundary surfaces  42  so that a top peripheral surface  46  and a lateral peripheral surface  47  are in contact with the boundary surface  42  and the end face  43 . By preference, the insert piece  44  therefore has a substantially plate-shaped basic body  48 , which is laid flat in the interior  39  of the runner device  1 , in particular in the housing compartment  41 . The at least one insert piece  44  therefore extends across at least one of the recesses  14 , so that this recess  14  is covered by the insert piece  44  in the open region directed towards the internal side  37 , in particular so that the recess  14  is closed in this open region. 
   The insert piece  44  of the device  21  also incorporates the projections  35  constituting the active elements  29 , which are preferably provided on a basic body  48  of the device  21  extending through the depth  36  into the recesses  14 . The projections  35  are therefore preferably bounded at side faces  49  by the external faces  16  of the recesses  14 , as a result of which the projections  35  in the embodiment illustrated as an example here have a peripheral contour matching that of the recesses  14 . 
   It would naturally also be possible for the basic body  48  of the insert piece  44  to extend across several recesses  14 , in which case an integral insert piece  44  is disposed in a housing compartment  41  encompassing several recesses  14  so that several projections  35  of an integral insert piece  44  each extend into different recesses  14 . Another option is to provide several insert pieces  44  in the housing compartment  41 , each of which extends across one or more of the recesses  14 . 
   When the runner device  1  is assembled, the insert piece  44  disposed in the housing compartment  41  can be inserted in the runner device  1  so that it is then bounded around its entire periphery once the running and/or top layer  3 ,  4  have been joined to the other components of the runner device  1 , for example. Accordingly, once the layers of the runner device  1  have been joined to form a composite piece, the insert piece  44  can be introduced into the housing compartment  41  subsequently, in which case a curable but preferably deformable material is introduced into the housing compartment  41  by injection or injection moulding. 
   As may be seen from  FIG. 3 , for example, the running layer  3  and/or the top layer  2  may be provided in the form of a perforated sheet  50 , in particular of a lattice-type design, incorporating recesses  14  with identical and/or having at least some differently shaped contours across a longitudinal section  30  of the runner device  1 . The contours of the recesses  14  and/or projections  35  may be round, oval, or polygonal, for example, such as circular, square, trapezoid or lozenge-shaped, etc., or, as will be explained later on in the description in connection with  FIG. 13 , slot shaped, or may extend over a larger surface area across the entire longitudinal section  30 . If the device  21  is provided by disposing the insert pieces  44  between the running layer  3 , in particular the running surface  10 , and a boundary surface  42 , for example of the core element  7  or bottom belt  12 , the projections  35  and active surfaces  38  of the device  21 , which are displaceable relative to the running surface  5 , in particular in a direction perpendicular thereto, can be relatively displaced in order to assume the active position  24 . 
   In one particularly preferred embodiment of the at least one insert piece  44 , the projections  35 , in particular the active surfaces  38 , can be moved or displaced due to the fact that the at least one insert piece  44  is made from a material with a modulus of elasticity which is lower than the modulus of elasticity of the materials from which the components bounding the insert piece  44  are made. In particular, the modulus of elasticity of the at least one insert piece  44  is lower than that of the material from which the running surface  5  and top surface  4  and the core element  7  are made, in particular the top belt  12  and bottom belt  11  at its boundary surface  42 . The top and bottom belts  11 ,  12 , which might be made from rolled steel or sheet steel for example, are made from a material with a high strength and rigidity, for example highly tensile plastic reinforced with glass fibre, metal alloys containing titanium, woven textile materials, leather, etc., in order to impart the best possible strength and elasticity properties to the runner device  1 . The core element  7  may be made from a timber material or an expanded plastic such as polyurethane foam, for example. The running layer  3 , in particular the running surface layer  10 , and/or the top layer  4  are preferably made from a thermoplastic synthetic material. The insert piece  44  is preferably a flexible element  51  and is preferably made from materials with elastic properties, in particular from a material selected from the group consisting of elastomers, so that the material from which the insert piece  44  is made is preferably elastically deformable and therefore automatically expends a return force when subjected to force. The components forming the boundary surface  42  surrounding the insert piece  44  are therefore preferably made from a material with a greater hardness than the hardness of the material used for the insert piece  44 . The transfer of the device  21  into the active position is therefore based on the interplay between a hard component pushing on a soft component, in particular the insert piece  44 . 
   Since the insert piece  44  is elastic and provided in the form of a flexible, rebounding element  51 , it can be at least partially displaced out of the housing compartment  41  and/or the recesses  14  in the direction towards the running surface  5  on the running layer  3  whenever the volume of the housing compartment  41  is reduced. It is therefore of advantage to completely fill the housing compartment  41  with the element  51  and to do so through the entire volume of the housing compartment  41 , possibly with the exception of each recess  14  in the region of the free space in contact with the foreign surface extending between the running surface  5  and the active surface  38  spanning an amount  52  in the direction of the active surface  38 . As a result of this design, when the volume of the housing compartment  41  in which the flexible element  51  is disposed is reduced, at least some of the material of the insert pieces  44  is displaced in the direction of the running surface  5  through the recesses  14 , and, being elastic, a return force will oppose the reduction in volume, which will cause the insert piece  51  and volume of the housing compartment  41  to rebound automatically into the initial position. 
   In the embodiment illustrated as an example in  FIG. 3 , the insert piece  44  is a flexible element  51  made from a single piece of solid material with a low intrinsic friction and therefore retains its original volume of extension when displaced by pressure applied in certain regions or at certain points. Suitable materials for this purpose would be rubber materials selected from the group consisting of elastomers, plastics, gels, etc., for example, in which case these materials should be homogeneous and very tough. It would also be conceivable to provide a bag-like hollow body in the housing compartment  41 , with a volume which may be expanded if necessary, for example by filling the cavity with a medium to vary the extension of a sleeve of the hollow body, as will be explained later on in the description (see  FIG. 11 ). 
   So that the device  21  can be moved into the active position  24 , it preferably has an operating mechanism  53 . The broken lines indicated in the diagram of  FIG. 3  illustrate how such an operating mechanism  53  works. 
   When a force or pressure is applied to the top surface  4 , the runner device  1  or at least the region of the top layer  2  flexes. Due to the resultant force acting on the core element  7 , the boundary surface  42  delimiting the housing compartment  41  moves in the direction towards the running layer  3 , causing a reduction in the volume of the housing compartment  41 . The flexible element  51  is therefore at least partially forced out of the recesses  14 . In the embodiment illustrated as an example here, a split core element  7  is provided in the region of the longitudinal section  30 , the separate core part of which can be displaced relative to the rest of the core element  7 , making it easier for movement to be transmitted to the boundary surface  42 , although it would naturally also be possible to provide the core element  7  as a single piece in the longitudinal direction of the runner device  1 . 
   The projections  35  indicated by broken lines are therefore moved into the active position  24  in which the active surfaces  38  stand proud of the running surface  5 . 
   An example of a different embodiment of a runner device  1  with a device  21  incorporating an operating mechanism  53  is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
   In this case, the device  21  is designed so that when pressure is applied to the running surface  5  with a sufficient and, for example, definable, operating pressure, indicated by arrow  54  in  FIG. 4 , the running layer  3  or at least part of it, in particular the running surface layer  10 , is able to move towards the core elements  7 , causing the insert piece  44  to be displaced through the recesses  14  in the direction towards the surface  22 . 
   The running layer  3  preferably has a convex camber in the longitudinal and/or transverse direction, extending in the direction remote from the top layer  2 . The insert piece  44 , in particular the flexible element  51 , therefore lies against the internal face  37  with its bearing surface  45  along and directly on the concave curvature of the internal face  37  and is fixed so that it can not move or is rigidly bounded at the peripheral surfaces  46 ,  47  so that when force or pressure is applied to the running surface  5  in the direction of arrow  54  causing a displacement or movement of the running layer  3 , the insert piece  44  is partially moved through the recesses  14  and out of them so that the projections  35  project at least partially out from the running surface  5  and the device  21  is moved into the active position  24 . When the device  21  is in the active position  24 , for example, the running surface  5  is essentially flat. Accordingly, the operating mechanism  53  is designed without any additional components due to the fact that the shaping, in particular the camber, of the running layer  3  makes it easier for the internal surface  27  to apply force to or exert pressure on the internal surface  37  on the insert piece  44  producing the projections  35 , which are thus moved into the active position  24 . 
   The camber of the running layer  3  preferably runs between the edging elements  6  and extends in the longitudinal direction of the runner device  1  across into longitudinal section  30  (see  FIG. 1 ). Since this transverse camber of the running layer  3  is disposed in the region of a binding  31  and a support surface for a shoe  55 , the force introduced into the running surface  5  as indicated by arrow  54  can be controlled by a user. The device  21  can therefore be used as a climbing aid or pushing aid due to the fact that better adhesion properties can be imparted to the running surface  5  in contact with surface  22  if necessary. Such a climbing aid is of advantage in situations when it is necessary to prevent the runner device  1  from slipping undesirably, for example if it is desirable to keep the runner device  1  stationary on a surface  22  with a gradient by exerting an increased or higher force on the runner device  1  with a shoe  55  of a user, in particular when pushing or going uphill. During such an ascent or descent, the heel region of a shoe  55  is raised and—as illustrated in FIG.  3 —force is transmitted to a particular spot or region in a force-transmitting zone  57  on a support region  56 . 
   This force applied by a user naturally also works in the same way on the running surface  5 , and if the user applies enough force or pressure in the direction of arrow  54  to a force-transmitting zone  57 , the running layer  3  will be deformed in the direction towards the flexible insert piece  44  as with the embodiment illustrated as an example in  FIG. 4 , or the top layer  2  is deformed and pressure is transmitted via the interior of the runner device  1  as is the case with the embodiment illustrated as an example in  FIG. 3 . 
   Such a climbing aid or pushing aid will make the runner device  1  much more comfortable for the user. Particularly in the case of special designs of runner devices  1 , such as cross-country skis or touring skis, the state of the art is such that it has been necessary to use either permanently profiled facings or extra external mechanisms as a climbing aid. As a result of the invention, however, the forces which occur following the usual motion sequences caused by a user shifting his weight and expending additional pushing forces, can be used to increase the adhesion of the running surface  5  temporarily and for the requisite time. This makes it easier to perform the motion sequences, thereby improving forward motion with the runner device  1 , and the training effect on the user can be optimised. During normal operation of the runner device  1  with a uniform spread of forces across the entire support region of a shoe, for example when a user wants to effect a desired gliding motion, the device  21  is moved into an inactive passive position  23 , in which the gliding properties of the running surface  5  correspond to those defined by the material or surface condition of the running surface  5  and there is no increased resistance to gliding. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates a view of a runner device  1  from underneath in the direction indicated by arrow  54  in  FIG. 4 . As illustrated, the insert piece  44  preferably extends across several recesses  14  in the running layer  3 , and several recesses are preferably provided in the running surface  5 . Also as illustrated, the projections  35  are also disposed on the bearing face  45  of the insert piece  44  extending in the direction towards the running surface  5  so that they line up with and locate in one of the recesses  14 . This being the case, the contour  27  of a projection  35  respectively matches the contour of the external surface  16  of the respective recess  14 . As may also be seen from the embodiment illustrated as an example in  FIG. 5 , the device  21  consists of several insert pieces  44  and in this particular case two. 
   The recesses  14  may be arranged in any pattern in the running layer  3  spaced at a distance  58  apart from one another so that the distances  59  between the projections  35  must essentially correspond to the distances  58  to enable the projections  35  to fit in the recesses  14 . Due to the fact that the insert piece  44  extends across several recesses  14 , it is also of advantage that any unintentional loosening of the projections  35  or parts of the insert piece  44  can be practically ruled out because the bearing surface  45  sits against the internal face  37  of the running layer  3  and it is not possible for the insert piece  44  as a whole to work loose through one of the orifices  14 . 
     FIG. 6  illustrates a runner device  1  incorporating a device  21  but in this case the device  21  does not co-operate with the running layer  3  but with the top layer  2 . 
   It should basically be pointed out that the operating principle of the device  21  disposed at the top layer  2  may essentially be the same as that of the device  21  described above in conjunction with the running layer  3 . The one or more recesses  13  in the top layer  2 , which are bounded by the external surfaces  15 , extend as continuous orifices  17  through the thickness  17  of the top layer  2  in the embodiment illustrated as an example here and in turn preferably co-operate with a housing compartment  41  for an insert piece  44  provided in the form of a flexible element  51 . The housing compartment  41  is therefore bounded by at least one internal face  61  of the top layer  2  and a boundary surface  62  of the core element  7 , in particular the top belt  11 . The housing compartment  41  may incorporate several recesses  13  or merge into them, in other words is open in certain regions due to the recesses  13 . 
   At least one insert piece  44  is disposed in the housing compartment  41 , which essentially corresponds to the insert piece  44  described above in connection with  FIGS. 2 to 5 . This results in a device  21  that is conducive to increasing slipping resistance on the top surface  4  of the top layer  2  if necessary. The increase in slipping or friction resistance in the preferred embodiment illustrated as an example here is again obtained by a displacement of the material of the insert piece  44  due to pressure applied to at least a part-region of the surface of the insert piece  44 , in particular by reducing the volume of the housing compartment  41 , as a result of which the projection or projections  35  are at least partially displaced out of the recess  13  in the direction towards the top surface  4  so that the projection  35  stands proud of the top surface  4  by a distance  65  in the active position  24 . 
   The advantage of runner device  1  incorporating a device  21  on the top surface  4  is that when the insert element  44  is deformed under pressure applied to the top surface  4  as indicated by arrow  66 , the top surface  4  becomes easy to grip and has a high slipping resistance. The force or pressure indicated by arrow  66  preferably acts within an operating zone spanned by the insert piece  44 . 
     FIG. 7  illustrates a device  21  used in conjunction with the top layer  2 , viewed in longitudinal section, which extends across the operating zone  67  which is preferably disposed above a region which extends on the face directed towards the top of the runner device  1  across a longitudinal section  30  to just in front of a binding  31 . 
   In the embodiment illustrated as an example here, the operating zone  67  in the top layer  2  is provided in the form of a perforated plate  50  which cambers outwardly on the top surface  4  of the top layer  2 , in particular is convex in the direction remote from the running layer  3 , and the housing compartment  41  with the insert piece  44  is disposed between the perforated plate  50 , in particular the internal face  61 , and the boundary surface  62 . 
   The regions of the top layer  2  extending between the recesses  13  are provided in the form of webs  68 , which sit against thrust surfaces  69  directed towards the interior  39  of the runner device  1  directly adjacent to the insert piece  44 , and when force is applied to the perforated plate webs as indicated by arrow  66 , the projections  35  are displaced into a position standing proud of the top surface  4  due to movement of the webs  68  relative to the regions of the top layer  2  disposed outside the operating zone  67 . Consequently, the top layer  2  preferably has a lattice-type structure in the operating zone  67 , which can be displaced in the direction towards the core element  7 . 
   This significantly improves the handling of the runner device  1  by a user, who will find it mulch easier to pick up and carry the runner device  1  as a result of the projections  35  projecting out from the top surface  4  of the top layer  4  in the active position  24 , in other words the top surface  4  is now profiled as a result of the raised areas  26 , making it easier to grip and requiring less force. Carrying safety is also improved because the top surface  4  in the operating zone  67 , which corresponds to the region by which the user normally takes hold is profiled, so that the top surface  4  will adhere to the hand or a glove of the user much better, preventing the runner device  1  from slipping out of the user&#39;s hand. It should be pointed out that the operating zone  67  may also run in other regions along the longitudinal extension  34  of the runner device  1  and need not be limited to the region in front of the binding  31  as illustrated, although this is of advantage because runner devices  1  are usually carried with the running surfaces  5  placed one against the other and then gripped by the user&#39;s hand just in front of the binding so that the rear part of the ski can be placed easily on the user&#39;s shoulder for carrying. 
     FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate another embodiment of a runner device  1  incorporating a device  21 . An insert piece  44  is provided, again in the form of a flexible element, and co-operates with the top layer  2  so that the projections  35  can be made to stand proud of the top surface  4  in the operating zone  67  if necessary. 
   In the embodiment illustrated as an example here, a recess  13  is provided in the top layer  2  which extends across a broad width  70  of the runner device  1 , for example more than 50%, in particular 75% or 50 to 90%, of the width  70 . The insert element  44  disposed in the recess  13  is cambered at an external face  71 , and is preferably outwardly convex, although it would also be conceivable for the external surface  71  in this example of an embodiment, as with the embodiments described above and below, to be flat or parallel with the top surface  4  in the region outside the operating zone  67 . Specifically in the example illustrated here, however, an external face  71  with a cambered design is of advantage because when the external surface  71  is gripped by applying pressure, for example with the hand of a user, the projections  35  automatically stand out from the housing compartment  41   m  proud of the top surface  4 , and there is no need to exert further pressure to displace the thrust surfaces  69  from a flat or level position. 
   As illustrated, thrust elements  72  are disposed in the region of the external surface  71  of the insert piece  44  but in the form of separate components which do not form an integral part of the top layer  2 . The thrust elements  72  are expediently provided as rigid components made from a material with a higher modulus of elasticity than the material of the insert piece  44  so that when a pressure force as indicated by arrow  73  is directed onto a contact surface  74  of the thrust elements  72 , the latter are moved in the direction of core element  7 , causing the material of the insert piece  44  to be displaced above the level of the contact surface  74  or top surface  2  in the manner described above, so that the projections stand proud of the contact surfaces  74 . The thrust elements  72  may be made as a composite part  75  together with the insert piece  44 , in which case the thrust elements  72  may be adhesively bonded to the composite part  44 . This approach offers an inexpensive device  21  of a very simple structure. 
   It should be pointed out at this stage that, generally speaking, when the device  21  is in the active position  24 , the extra slipping or friction resistance is achieved due to a profiled design of the respective surface, in particular the top surface  4  and running surface  5 , and in the passive position  23 , this profiled surface is not available. 
     FIG. 10  illustrates another embodiment of a device  21  incorporated in a runner device  1 . Again, the insert piece  44  is provided in the housing compartment  41 , which is bounded by the internal surface  37  of the running layer  3  and a boundary surface  42 . The running layer  3  has a flat, level extension and preferably does not have a camber, so that the internal face of the running layer  2  is essentially rigid and not susceptible to variation. The insert piece  44  in this case is bounded at the external face  46  by the boundary surface  42  of a thrust element  76 , in particular a thrust plate  77 . The thrust element  76  is displaceable relative to the running layer  3  so that there is at least a partial movement of the boundary surface  42  in the direction towards the internal face  37 , enabling the volume of the housing compartment  41  to be reduced in order to achieve the effect described above whereby the insert piece  44 , made from a flexible, in particular elastic, material is pushed through the orifices  14  in the direction of the running surface  5 . 
   As illustrated, the thrust element  76  is provided in the form of a thrust plate  77 , at least certain regions of which can be displaced when force is applied. The thrust plate  77  is of a cambered design, for example, and can be moved under the action of force applied as indicated by arrow  79  so that it lies flat, whereby the volume of the housing compartment  41  can be reduced with very little effort by displacing the boundary surface  42 . As illustrated, force can be transmitted to the thrust element  76  by means of a transmitter element  78 , for example, which is moved as and when necessary in the direction of arrow  79 , enabling the device  21  to be shifted into the active position  24 . The transmitter element  78  used for this purpose might be a mechanical displacement linked to the operating device  53 , for example, which co-operates with the binding depending on the position of a shoe transmitting a motion in the direction of arrow  79  so that a force is exerted on the thrust element, moving the latter in the direction towards the running layer  3 . An operating mechanism  53  is indicated by broken lines and is linked to the transmitter element  78  in order to transmit movement and/or force. The operating mechanism  53  may also incorporate one or more activatable operating elements if necessary, by means of which the device  21  can be fixed in the desired position by the user, in particular the passive position  23  or the active position  24 . The operating system may be mechanical, in which case switching elements will be linked to the transmitter element  78  and a transmitter element  78  linked to the shoe  55  by electromechanically, pneumatically or hydraulically displaceable transmitter elements  78 , etc. Generally speaking, it should be pointed out that the active and passive positions of the device  21  can be fixed by the user by means of an operating element co-operating with the operating mechanism  53 . 
   Naturally, it would also be possible to dispense with a transmitter element  78 , in which case the requisite force or pressure on the external face  4  of the runner device  1  will be transmitted via the core, for example due to a slight deformation of the runner device  1  in this region, to the thrust element  76  and hence without the need for additional parts, in the same way as the force is used to act on the insert piece  44  described in connection with the preceding Figs. 
   In the embodiment of a device  21  illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the insert piece  44  is provided in the form of a hollow body  80  bounding a housing compartment  81  by means of a casing  82 . The hollow body  80  may be disposed in a housing compartment  41  corresponding to one of housing compartments  41  described above and preferably extends at least partially into the recesses  14 . It is preferable if the hollow body  80  can be filled with a medium  83  so that the volume of the hollow body  80  can be varied at least in the region of the recesses  14  to the degree that the projections  35  are created and stand proud of the running surface  5  to enable the hollow body  80 , in particular the projections  35 , to move at least partly out of the recesses  13 ,  14  associated with the housing compartment  41  and stand out from the running surface  5 , in particular the hollow body  80 , by an amount  25  in an active position  24 . 
   To this end, the hollow body  80 , in particular the casing  82 , is preferably made from a flexible or elastic material, which may be of a film type or collapsible, for example. The hollow body  80  may have an orifice  84  in the casing  82 , for example, which is preferably fitted with a shut-off valve by which the housing compartment  81  of the hollow body  80  can be filled with medium  83 , causing the volume of the hollow body  80  to expand. The medium used might be a gas, for example, such as air or fluid, in which case the hollow body  80  of the device  21  will be designed so that it can be pneumatically and/or hydraulically transferred into the active position  24  and the hollow body  80  of the device  21  is returned to the passive position by evacuating the housing compartment  81  of the hollow body  80 , for example. The broken lines in  FIG. 11  also indicate an inlet passage by which the housing compartment  81 , in particular the orifice  84 , of the hollow body  80 , can be placed in flow communication or connected and actively linked to an operating mechanism  53  for introducing and evacuating the medium  83 . 
     FIG. 12  illustrates another embodiment of a device  21  incorporated in a runner device  1 . In this case, the insert piece  44  is a rigid component with non-elastic material properties. This being the case, the basic bodies  48  are linked in displacement to the projections  35  disposed on them by means of connecting elements  85 , so that the projections  35  can be transferred to the usage position with only one moving or displacement element of the device  21  on the top surface  5  and the running surface  5 , and the insert piece  44  can be positioned in a substantially neutral intermediate position in which the active surfaces  38  of the projections  35  are positioned flush with the running surface  5  or top surface  4 . 
   In order to place the insert piece  44  in a specific position, the operating means used may be an operating mechanism  53  of the type described above, for example based on a force acting on the runner device  1  in the support region for a shoe  55 . 
   However, in this particular embodiment, it is of advantage to use an operating mechanism  53  by means of which the position of the device  21  is definably fixed and immobilised by a user irrespective of the force applied by a shoe in the operating zone  67  so as to remain activated. As explained above, this may be done by a movement linked to a binding  31 , whereby the devices  21  can placed in the active position and, if a certain binding position is not activated, into a passive position, irrespective of certain binding positions and or the position of an operating element of the binding, for example an activated climbing device in the heel region of a touring ski binding. 
     FIG. 13  illustrates another embodiment of a runner device  1  with a device  21  at least partially incorporated in the top layer  2 . The recesses  13  are provided in the top layer  2 , which are merely indentations extending from the top surface  4  in the direction towards the core  7 . The recesses  13  are therefore preferably provided in the form of grooves  86 , the groove surface  87  of which, in particular a groove base, is disposed at a depth  88  in the top layer  2 . One or more insert pieces  44  may be disposed in the grooves  13 . 
   The insert pieces  44  in the embodiment illustrated as an example in  FIGS. 13 and 14  are surface insets  89 , which are disposed in the grooves  26 , at least partially set back from the surface region  90 . The surface insets  89  are preferably bounded by the groove  86  within the runner device  1  along the entire peripheral contour  91  of the surface inset  90 . The recessed surface region  90  may be at least partially affixed to the groove surface  87 , in particular by adhesive bonding, such as glue for example. 
   The surface insets  89  each have gripping surfaces  92 , disposed level with and spanning a part of the top surface  4  or form a part of the top surface  4 , so that when these gripping surfaces  92  come into contact with a surface  93 , which might be the active surface of a user&#39;s hand  94 , for example, there is coefficient of static friction μ 0  between the surface  93  and the gripping surface  92 , even when a low force is normal force is acting on the gripping surface  92 , which is greater than the coefficient of static friction μ 0  between the surface  93  and the top surface  4 . This can be achieved by a gripping surface  92  with a coefficient of static friction that is greater than a coefficient of static friction on the external face  4  of the top layer  2 , at least in a region surrounding the surface inset. The device  21  and the surface insets  89  co-operating with it therefore increase slipping and friction resistance at the external face  5  of a runner device  1 , thereby imparting the advantages described above, namely making the runner device  1  easier for the user to carry. The surface insets  89  may be made from a rigid, non-deformable material, which need have nothing more than an appropriate gripping surface  92  with a higher coefficient of static friction than the top surface  4  in the region of the device  21 . As an example, it would also be possible for the surface insets  89  to be made from a hard compound with a surface coating to form the gripping surfaces  92  or the gripping surfaces  92  may be prepared by a surface treatment or surface finishing process to produce an increased coefficient of static friction. 
   It is of advantage if the gripping surfaces  92  stand proud of the top surface  4  or the top layer  2  by an amount  95 , since this will make it very easy for a user to grip in his hand  94  and will be very effective. However, it would naturally also be possible for the gripping surfaces  92  to sit flush with the top surface  4  or the gripping surfaces  92  might be recessed in the grooves  86  by only a slight distance from the top surface  4 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the recesses  13 , in particular the grooves  86 , are of a slot-type or rectangular design, as a result of which only a few insert pieces  44  need be provided in the recesses because of the large active surface available for increasing slipping resistance at the top face  4 , in particular in a contact zone  96 . Another possibility would be to provide surface insets  89  with a peripheral contour  91  that is round or oval, for example, as illustrated in the preceding drawings. 
   Finally,  FIG. 15  illustrates another embodiment of a runner device  1  incorporating a device  21  in the top surface  4  in order to increase slipping resistance, only one surface inset  89  being provided in the top layer  2  in this particular embodiment. It has a gripping surface  92 , with is substantially an extension of the surface  93  which comes into contact with the top surface  4 . The contact zone  96  in this case may extend in a region just in front of a binding  31 , which will also offer the same advantages as those described above. 
   In the embodiment illustrated here, the top layer  2  has a recess  13  which extends through the entire thickness  17  (see  FIG. 6 ) and the insert piece  44  has a basic body  48  on which the surface inset  89  is provided in the form of a projection or protrusion. The insert piece therefore has a bearing surface  97  which sits against the internal face  61  and in particular is affixed thereto, so that the insert piece  44  is also secured to prevent it from inadvertently working loose from the runner device  1 . 
   The gripping surfaces  92  may also have a surface roughness, which is more pronounced than the surface roughness of the external surfaces, in particular the running surface  5  and the top surface  4  of the running layer  3  and the top layer  2 , at least in a region surrounding the gripping surfaces  92 . The greater roughness depth on the gripping surface  92  means that static friction between it and the surface  22 ,  93  in contact with it will be higher. The gripping surfaces  92  may also incorporate special structures, such as adhesive fibres, for example, in order to improve contact with a surface  22 ,  93 . 
   It should generally be pointed out that the different variants of the device  21  and the different embodiments of the insert pieces  44  may be used in any combination on a runner device  1 , so that a runner device  1  could have the device  21  in the running layer  3  as a climbing aid and another device  21  on the top layer  2  to facilitate handling and carrying. 
   Furthermore, the device  21  co-operating with the running layer  3  may also be provided with an insert piece  44  incorporating gripping surfaces  92  so that the slipping resistance between the running surface  5  and a surface  22  can be further increased. 
   The examples illustrate various different possible embodiments of the runner device  1  but it should be pointed out at this stage that the invention is not restricted to the embodiments illustrated here and instead, various different combinations of the individual embodiments may be mixed with one another, it being within the reach of the skilled person to use the teaching of the invention to obtain these various different options. Accordingly, all combinations which can be obtained from the individual detains are possible and the described embodiments all fall within the scope of the invention. 
   For the sake of good order, it should be pointed out that in order to provide a clearer understanding of the structure of the runner device  1 , it and its constituent parts are illustrated to a certain extent out of scale and /or on an enlarged scale and/or on a reduced scale. 
   The individual solutions proposed by the invention and the related objectives may be found in the description. 
   Above all, the individual embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ;  2 ;  3 ;  4 ,  5 ;  6 ;  7 ;  8 ,  9 ;  10 ;  11 ;  12 ;  13 ,  14 ;  15  may be construed as individual solutions proposed by the invention in their own right. The objectives and solutions proposed by the invention may be found in the detailed descriptions of these drawings. 
   List of Reference Numbers 
   
       
         1  Board-type runner device 
         2  Top layer 
         3  Running layer 
         4  Top surface 
         5  Running surface 
         6  Edging element 
         7  Core element 
         10  Running surface layer 
         11  Top belt 
         12  Bottom belt 
         13  Recess 
         14  Recess 
         15  External surface 
         16  External surface 
         17  Thickness 
         18  Thickness 
         21  Device 
         22  Surface 
         23  Passive position 
         24  Active position 
         25  Amount 
         26  Raised area 
         27  Contour 
         28  Material 
         29  Active element 
         30  Longitudinal section 
         31  Binding 
         32  Force-transmitting region 
         33  Binding mounting region 
         34  Length 
         35  Projection 
         36  Depth 
         37  Internal surface 
         38  Active surface 
         39  Interior 
         40  Side face 
         41  Housing compartment 
         42  Boundary surface 
         43  End face 
         44  Insert piece 
         45  Bearing surface 
         46  Peripheral surface 
         47  Peripheral surface 
         48  Basic body 
         49  Side face 
         50  Perforated plate 
         51  Flexible element 
         52  Amount 
         53  Operating mechanism 
         54  Arrow 
         55  Shoe 
         56  Support region 
         57  Force introduction zone 
         58  Distance 
         59  Distance 
         61  Internal face 
         62  Boundary surface 
         65  Distance 
         66  Arrow 
         67  Operating zone 
         68  Webs 
         69  Thrust surface 
         70  Width 
         71  External surface 
         72  Thrust element 
         73  Arrow 
         74  Contact surface 
         75  Composite part 
         76  Thrust element 
         77  Thrust plate 
         78  Transmitter element 
         79  Thrust force 
         80  Hollow body 
         81  Housing compartment 
         82  Casing 
         83  Medium 
         84  Orifice 
         85  Connecting element 
         86  Groove 
         87  Groove surface 
         88  Depth 
         90  Surface region 
         91  Peripheral contour 
         92  Gripping surface 
         93  Surface 
         94  Hand 
         95  Amount 
         96  Contact zone 
         97  Bearing surface