Rounded Ski Geometry for Multi-Directional Gliding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional snow skis are limited to movement in a forward direction and often dig into snow or ice due to their rectangular shape and edges, restricting directional flexibility and acrobatic possibilities.

Innovation Solution

The design of snow ski assemblies featuring skis with rounded or elliptical shapes and upturned peripheral regions that extend around the bottom wall, allowing for movement in any direction without interference from snow or ice, and incorporating adjustable mounting features for secure boot attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional rectangular skis with edges are used, then turning and stopping capability is improved, but directional flexibility and acrobatic possibilities deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveturning and stopping capabilityVSAvoiddirectional flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ski is designed with a rounded or elliptical shape instead of a conventional rectangular shape. This curvature eliminates the directional preference inherent in rectangular skis, allowing the ski to glide smoothly in any direction without the need for edges to engage the snow surface for turning or stopping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If rectangular skis with edges are used, then control during sliding is improved, but the ski digs into snow or ice restricting movement, worsening surface interaction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol during slidingVSAvoidski digging into snow or ice

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rounded or elliptical shape of the ski prevents the edges from digging into the snow or ice surface. The curved geometry allows the ski to glide over the surface in any direction without the directional engagement that causes digging, thereby eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Device complexity

If conventional forward-direction skis are used, then structural simplicity is improved, but movement directionality and acrobatic possibilities deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidmovement directionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rounded or elliptical shape provides inherent multi-directional movement capability without requiring complex mechanical systems. The geometry itself enables gliding in any direction, achieving versatility through simple form rather than complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS11007421B2Snow ski assemblies

Publication Date: 2021.05.18 J&M SPORTS ENTERPRISES LLC

AI summary

A snow ski assembly is provided for use by an individual to slide across a snow covered surface, for example, under the force of gravity. The assembly includes a ski having a bottom wall for engaging a snow covered surface and an upturned peripheral region extending around a perimeter of the bottom wall to help facilitate sliding movement of the ski across a snow covered surface in any direction, without preference to a particular direction, and to help inhibit the ski from digging into the snow covered surface when sliding across the snow covered surface. The assembly also includes a mounting feature for coupling a binding to the bottom wall of the ski, such that an individual can position a foot in the binding and use the ski to slide across the snow covered surface.