Profiled Adaptation Piece for Ski Binding Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hard-shell waterski bindings suffer from reduced control and risk of injury due to 'unexpected releases' caused by the narrow contact area between inline skating boots and the ski, leading to diminished control and potential joint twisting during falls.

Innovation Solution

A binding system with a profiled adaptation piece that complements the boot's bottom surface, providing adjustable angles and lateral support, and a back release mechanism to securely attach the heel, enhancing control and stability while preventing unwanted releases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If inline skating boots are used for waterskiing, then the boot structure is available, but the contact area between boot and ski is narrow, reducing control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot compatibilityVSAvoidcontact area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate adaptation piece between the inline skating boot and the ski binding. This adaptation piece has a planar bottom surface that contacts the ski binding and a profiled top surface that conforms to the boot's bottom surface, thereby increasing the contact area and improving control while maintaining compatibility with existing inline skating boots

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The adaptation piece adds a dimensional interface layer that transforms the narrow linear contact of the boot with the binding into a broader two-dimensional contact area, effectively increasing the contact surface without modifying the boot or ski themselves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If hard-shell boots with narrow contact area are used, then the boot structure is simple, but unexpected releases occur during falls, causing injury risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot structureVSAvoidattachment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adaptation piece serves as a mediator that distributes forces across a larger contact area, preventing the concentration of stress that leads to unexpected releases. It maintains the simple hard-shell boot structure while adding the reliability needed to prevent injuries during falls

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The adaptation piece acts as a cushioning interface that absorbs and distributes impact forces before they reach the binding mechanism, preventing unexpected releases during falls and reducing injury risk while maintaining the simplicity of the original boot design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Shape

If the boot bottom surface is narrow, then the boot fits the foot well, but control of the ski is diminished

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot fitVSAvoidski control

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adaptation piece with its profiled top surface conforms to the narrow boot bottom surface, maintaining the good foot fit, while its planar bottom surface provides a broad contact area with the ski binding, thereby improving ski control without compromising boot comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10421004B2Ski binding equipment

Publication Date: 2019.09.24 X SPORTS

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a binding equipment for binding a hard-shell boot comprising a profiled bottom surface to a ski, the ski comprising a bottom surface to be directed towards a gliding element and a top surface to be directed towards the boot, wherein the binding equipment is configured to adapt the top surface of the ski to the profiled bottom surface of the boot.