Elevated Toe Device for Ski Boots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ski boots restrict toe flexibility, preventing optimal downward pressure and maneuverability during downhill skiing and mountaineering by locking toes in a prone position, which limits control, comfort, and safety.
Innovation Solution
An elevated toe device or base system is integrated into the boot's toe box, allowing toes to be elevated to a perpendicular or near-perpendicular orientation relative to the line of gravity, providing adjustable angular orientations through interchangeable or adjustable inserts, mechanisms, and configurations to enhance control and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the boot sole is made rigid to provide stability and support during downhill skiing and mountaineering, then stability and support are improved, but toe flexibility is restricted, preventing optimal downward pressure application and maneuverability
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is divided into two distinct regions: a rigid sole portion for stability and support, and a flexible toe region that allows upward flexure. This segmentation enables the boot to simultaneously provide structural support while permitting natural toe motion for optimal performance
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the boot have different rigidity characteristics. The sole maintains rigidity for stability, while the toe region incorporates flexibility to allow upward flexure. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between overall stability and localized toe flexibility
2Ease of operation
If the boot sole is made rigid to maintain foot position and provide control, then control is improved, but the natural range of toe motion is restricted, reducing performance and increasing strain
Solution Approach 1:
The boot transitions from a completely rigid structure to a dynamic structure where the toe region can flex upward naturally. This allows the foot to adapt its position according to terrain and activity requirements, optimizing performance while maintaining control through the rigid sole portion
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional boot design is used to simplify construction, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but toe flexibility and maneuverability are limited, affecting safety and comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The boot construction is segmented into a standard rigid sole portion and a modified flexible toe region. This segmentation allows manufacturers to use conventional boot-making techniques for the majority of the boot while incorporating a specialized flexible toe section, balancing manufacturing simplicity with enhanced toe mobility for safety and comfort
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a novel elevated toe device system that allows the wearer's toes to be elevated to a perpendicular or approaching a perpendicular orientation relative to the line of gravity and undertake activities, such as downhill skiing, with a greater amount of control of the skis and/or snowboard as a result of the elevated toes. The conventional systems do not make use of the natural qualities of the foot. On a downward slope, the device permits the wearer to enjoy the dynamics of the foot and assume a stance that presents less strain on the foot while accentuating maneuverability. The device can be a preset system, in which the wearer can interchange devices of different angular orientations to modify the posture of the toes, or adjustable. In an alternate embodiment, the device can be provided so that the surface under the big toe presents an elevated angular orientation.