Articulated Snowboard Boot Shell for Edge Control and Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current snowboard boot and binding systems fail to provide both the control and flexibility needed for freestyle and recreational snowboarding, with rigid boots offering edge control but lacking lateral flexibility, and soft boots providing flexibility but compromising on edge control and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A boot and binding system featuring articulated hard-shell components that encase a soft inner layer, allowing the boot to act like a rigid boot for control and a soft boot for flexibility, with toe and heel pegs for secure attachment and a strap system that creates tension across the instep for enhanced performance and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid boots are used, then edge control and stability are improved, but lateral flexibility and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is divided into multiple articulated segments (cuffs) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the boot to provide rigid support for edge control while enabling lateral flexibility through the articulated joints between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure where the cuffs can move and adapt. This dynamic capability allows the boot to maintain rigidity when needed for control while providing flexibility when needed for comfort and lateral movement.
2Ease of operation
If soft boots are used, then lateral flexibility and comfort are improved, but edge control and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is divided into multiple articulated segments (cuffs) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the boot to provide rigid support for edge control while enabling lateral flexibility through the articulated joints between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure where the cuffs can move and adapt. This dynamic capability allows the boot to maintain rigidity when needed for control while providing flexibility when needed for comfort and lateral movement.
3Strength
If mountaineering-type boots with molded plastic shells are used, then edge control and stability are improved, but lateral flexibility and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is divided into multiple articulated segments (cuffs) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the boot to provide rigid support for edge control while enabling lateral flexibility through the articulated joints between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure where the cuffs can move and adapt. This dynamic capability allows the boot to maintain rigidity when needed for control while providing flexibility when needed for comfort and lateral movement.
4Ease of operation
If soft-shell bindings with insulated snow boots are used, then lateral flexibility and comfort are improved, but edge control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is divided into multiple articulated segments (cuffs) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the boot to provide rigid support for edge control while enabling lateral flexibility through the articulated joints between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure where the cuffs can move and adapt. This dynamic capability allows the boot to maintain rigidity when needed for control while providing flexibility when needed for comfort and lateral movement.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4A
Figure 3~4B
AI summary
The present invention contemplates a binding system for a snowboards and the like. The system includes a soft-soled boot having a hardened exterior shell consisting of a toe portion and a heel portion, which are linked by at least one sidewall portion. The toe and heel portions include two toe and two heel pegs respectively. The boot includes an instep portion having instep cables for adjusting the boot to the wearer and the cables are adjusted by grommets and tightened in position by at least one resting bar. The binding has a base plate for connecting to the snowboard. The base plate further supports a pair of toe hooks adapted to engage the toe pegs and a pair of heel peg levers adapted to releasably engage the heel pegs of the boot. A grappling hook and ratchet mechanism grabs the resting bar on the boot.