Adjustable Ski Binding Insert Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ski seat assemblies are typically fixed to skis and cannot accommodate different size ski bindings, limiting their versatility and usability across various ski setups.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable binding insert mechanism comprising a toe piece, a heel piece, and an adjustable connector that allows the length of the binding insert mechanism to be adjusted to fit different size bindings, featuring a locking mechanism to secure the adjusted position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a ski seat assembly is fastened directly to an alpine ski via threaded fasteners, then the ski seat assembly remains fixed to the ski, but it cannot accommodate different size bindings on different skis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixed connectionVSAvoidcompatibility with different bindings

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The binding insert mechanism incorporates an adjustable connector that can change its length between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the mechanism to adapt to different binding sizes while maintaining a secure fixed connection to the ski seat assembly through threaded fasteners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connector's length parameter can be changed between extended and retracted states. When extended, it accommodates larger bindings; when retracted, it fits smaller bindings. This parameter change enables the same binding insert mechanism to be compatible with multiple different binding sizes without requiring remounting or adjustment of the binding itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the binding insert mechanism has an adjustable connector, then it can fit different size bindings, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different bindingsVSAvoidadjustable connector mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The binding insert mechanism is divided into distinct segments: a toe piece, a heel piece, and an adjustable connector. This segmentation allows the connector to be independently adjusted in length while the toe and heel pieces remain fixed, simplifying the adjustment process despite the added versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connector provides dynamic adjustability through simple extension and retraction movements. This dynamic feature adds versatility for different binding sizes while keeping the mechanism relatively simple, as it only requires the connector to change length without complex adjustments to other components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11786800B2Adjustable ski seat assembly

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 COX DAVID J

AI summary

A ski seat assembly is provided that includes a support structure, a seat coupled to the support structure, and an adjustable binding insert mechanism coupled to the support structure. The adjustable binding insert mechanism including a toe piece, a heel piece, and an adjustable connector connecting the toe piece to the heel piece, wherein the adjustable connector is adjustable to adjust a length of the adjustable binding insert mechanism to fit into a binding on a ski.