Integrated Plastic Climbing Aid for Ski Ascent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing climbing aids for ski touring, such as climbing skins and plastic aids, face issues like high production costs, weight, and inadequate grip in varying snow conditions, particularly forming lumps or icing that hinder ascent, and fail to provide sufficient support on slopes.
Innovation Solution
A climbing aid featuring a flexible plastic carrier material with anti-slip elements formed in one piece, designed with angled push-off flanks in lateral areas and perpendicular elements in the central area, reducing sliding resistance and ensuring adequate grip across different snow conditions, while being lightweight and adaptable to ski geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If climbing skins with fiber pile are used, then grip on snow is improved, but weight increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from natural fibers to synthetic plastic carrier material with integrated anti-slip elements, achieving comparable grip performance while reducing weight and manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining plastic carrier material with integrated anti-slip elements formed from the same material, creating a lightweight yet effective climbing aid that maintains grip reliability
2Reliability
If climbing skins with fiber pile are used, then grip on snow is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the carrier material and anti-slip elements into a single integrated component made from one piece of plastic material, eliminating separate manufacturing steps for attaching fibers and reducing overall production cost
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes from a multi-component fiber-based structure to a single-component thermoplastic structure that can be manufactured in one process, significantly simplifying production and reducing costs
3Reliability
If conventional anti-slip elements are used, then backward slip resistance is improved, but sliding resistance in forward direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different anti-slip element geometries to different regions: angled push-off flanks in lateral areas for forward movement and perpendicular elements in central area for backward slip resistance, optimizing performance for each direction
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses asymmetric anti-slip element designs with angled push-off flanks that provide directional resistance, allowing easy forward sliding while preventing backward slip through the angled geometry
4Reliability
If climbing skins are used in wet snow conditions, then initial grip is improved, but clumping occurs during ascent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material from absorbent natural fibers to non-absorbent thermoplastic material, preventing water saturation and subsequent clumping while maintaining grip effectiveness in wet snow conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a synthetic plastic material that does not degrade or clump like natural fibers, providing durable performance across multiple uses without the clumping issue that plagues traditional climbing skins
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
The solution provides optimal grip and reduced icing issues, ensuring efficient ascent in changing snow conditions and improved support on slopes, while being lightweight and cost-effective to produce, thus addressing the limitations of prior climbing aids.
Implementation Method 1
anti-slip elements (6) are provided on the outside, which act against a walking direction
Implementation Method 2
fastening means (3) for detachable attachment to a running surface (4) of the ski
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~10
AI summary
Disclosed is a climbing aid (1) for a ski (1'), in particular a touring ski, comprising a flat base element (2), which is connected on the inner side to fastening means (3) in order to be detachably fastened to a running surface (4) of the ski (1') and which is connected on the outer side to backwards-slipping prevention elements (6) acting contrary to a direction of travel (W), wherein a flexible plastic substrate material (2') is provided as a base element (2), and the backwards-slipping prevention elements (6) are integrally formed with the plastic substrate material (2'), wherein, in lateral regions, the base element (2) has backwards-slipping prevention elements (6') with push-off wings (8) positioned obliquely to the direction of travel (W) and, in the central region, has backwards-slipping prevention elements (6'') with push-off wings (8) arranged substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel (W), or, in lateral edge regions, the base element (2) has backwards-slipping prevention elements (6a) of a first type, and, in the central region, has backwards-slipping prevention elements (6b) of a second type, wherein the push-off wings (8) of the backwards-slipping prevention elements (6a) of the first type are of lesser length and/or of lesser height than the push-off wings (8) of the backwards-slipping prevention elements (6b) of the second type. Further disclosed are a ski (1') comprising such a climbing aid (1) and a method for producing such a climbing aid (1).