Pivoting Lever Snowboard Binding Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing snowboard binding locking devices require complex mechanisms or additional features like inclined surfaces for efficient angular locking and unlocking, making them difficult to assemble and disassemble quickly and efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A disc-based locking device with a hinged lever that pivots from an unlocking to a locking position, using a clamping force transmitted onto a shoulder within the disc's opening, allowing for angular locking without additional inclined surfaces, and enabling easy removal by passing through the opening in the unlocking position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a clamping lever with inclined surfaces is used for angular locking, then reliable angular locking is achieved, but the device complexity increases and assembly/disassembly becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular locking reliabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the inclined surfaces from the locking mechanism. Instead of using inclined surfaces for angular locking, the invention uses a lever that pivots about an axis to engage with the opening, removing the need for complex inclined surface geometries while maintaining reliable angular locking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention inverts the conventional approach by having the lever pivot about an axis that is offset from the lever's center of gravity, rather than having the lever rotate about its own center. This inversion allows the lever to engage with the opening in a way that achieves angular locking without requiring inclined surfaces, thereby simplifying the mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If complementary inclined surfaces are provided for locking, then efficient angular locking is achieved, but the ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking efficiencyVSAvoidassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the need for complementary inclined surfaces by using a lever that pivots about an offset axis. The lever engages directly with the opening through its geometric configuration, eliminating the manufacturing complexity of creating and assembling complementary inclined surfaces while maintaining locking efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a complex locking mechanism is used, then reliable locking is achieved, but the speed of assembly and disassembly decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidassembly speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a dynamic lever mechanism that pivots about an offset axis, allowing the lever to quickly transition between locked and unlocked positions. This dynamic design enables fast assembly and disassembly while maintaining reliable locking through the lever's engagement geometry with the opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If additional features like inclined surfaces are added, then locking functionality is improved, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking functionalityVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes additional features like inclined surfaces that complicate operation. The lever's offset pivot axis creates a natural mechanical advantage and intuitive operation, allowing users to easily engage and disengage the locking mechanism through simple pivoting motion without dealing with complex inclined surface interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 an efficient and reliable locking mechanism that allows for quick assembly and disassembly of snowboard bindings without requiring complementary inclined surfaces, ensuring compatibility with standard bindings and facilitating easy removal.

Implementation Method 1

the lever is a locking lever, overlapping the shoulder of the opening of the base in the locking position and transmitting a clamping force onto said shoulder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

a lever, which is hinged to the base and pivots from an unlocking position to a locking position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLever mechanism: Lever

Implementation Method 3

a lever, which is hinged to the base and pivots from an unlocking position to a locking position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPivoting motion: Hinge

Data Source

PatentUS12257490B2Device for locking a binding to a snowboard comprising a pivoting locking lever

Publication Date: 2025.03.25 NIDECKER

AI summary

A device for locking a binding to a snowboard, comprising a disc, having a base attached to the snowboard and housed in an opening of a base of the binding and a lever, which is hinged to the base and pivots from an unlocking position to a locking position, wherein the base is locked in any angular position relative to an axial direction of the base of the disc, the opening of the base being provided with a shoulder; According to the invention, the lever is a locking lever, overlapping the shoulder of the opening of the base in the locking position and transmitting a clamping force onto said shoulder, exerted by a clamping means, the lever fitting into the opening of the base in the unlocking position.