Floatable Skier Training Device with Arcuate Seat
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Beginners in water skiing face difficulties in transitioning from a deep water start to an upright position, making it physically tiring and often resulting in falls, and existing training devices do not effectively teach the use of actual water skis or wakeboards.
Innovation Solution
A floatable skier training device with inflatable supports and an arcuate seat that allows the skier to start in a seated position above the water, enabling a novice to practice water skiing without assistance and transition to standing while wearing actual skis or a wakeboard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a deep water start is used, then the skier can start in any water depth, but the transition from vertical to planed orientation is difficult and physically tiring
Solution Approach 1:
The training device serves as an intermediary between the deep water start position and the planed skiing position. The device provides a seated platform that allows the skier to start above water level, eliminating the need for the difficult transition from vertical to planed orientation while still enabling water skiing in various water depths.
Solution Approach 2:
The device positions the skier in an upright seated orientation above the water before the actual skiing begins. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need to perform the difficult transition from vertical to planed orientation, as the skier already starts in the correct upright position.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a deep water start is used, then the skier can start in any water depth, but the physical strain increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The training device acts as an intermediary that eliminates the physically demanding transition phase. By providing a seated platform above water level, the device allows skiers to start without expending the significant energy required to transition from vertical to planed orientation in deep water.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs the preliminary action of positioning the skier in the correct upright orientation above water before skiing begins. This eliminates the need for the skier to expend energy on the difficult transition from vertical to planed position.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a deep water start is used, then the skier can start in any water depth, but failure to maintain proper orientation results in face plants or failure to launch
Solution Approach 1:
The training device serves as a reliable intermediary that ensures proper orientation is maintained during the launch. The seated platform provides stable support that prevents face plants or failure to launch, while still allowing operation in various water depths.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary positioning that ensures the skier is already in the correct upright orientation above water before the launch. This eliminates the risk of face plants or failure to launch that occurs when skiers attempt transitions from vertical positions in deep water.
4Ease of operation
If an inflatable towable craft is used for training, then the skier can stand upright while being towed, but the skier cannot wear actual water skis or wakeboard
Solution Approach 1:
The training device is designed to be universal and compatible with actual water skis and wakeboards. The seated platform configuration allows skiers to wear and use real skiing equipment while still benefiting from the stable upright positioning that eliminates the need for deep water starts.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables novice water skiers to learn and start water skiing in any water depth without assistance, reducing physical strain and improving the learning process by starting above the water, increasing comfort and success rates.
Implementation Method 1
a floatable skier training device that includes a first floatable support that includes a first leading end and a second end, a second floatable support that includes a first leading end and a second end
Data Source
AI summary
A floatable skier training device that includes a first floatable support comprising a first leading end and a second end, a second floatable support a first leading end and a second end, a seat (e.g., an arcuate seat) extending from the first floatable support to the second floatable support, the arcuate seat having a first forward section, a second rearward section, a top and a bottom, when the device is placed on a body of water, the bottom forms an angle with the surface of the body of water that is no greater than 45 degrees, and a method of using the same to allow a user to start from a position above the water.