Cross-Country Ski Binding Cleat and Frame Plate Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cross-country ski bindings lack compatibility with older models, leading to ergonomic and control issues, and fail to optimize for both skating and classic style skiing.
Innovation Solution
A binding system featuring a cleat with a flange and base attached to the boot sole, a single frame plate with a specific opening on the ski, and a movable lever or slide for precise engagement, allowing for a short distance between the ski and foot for accurate control, and compatibility with older models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a connection is made at the very front end of the boot, then the binding structure is simplified, but ergonomic movement of the user's foot is compromised and accurate control of the ski is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single front-end connection point to a distributed connection system involving multiple attachment points along the boot sole and ski binding. This dimensional expansion allows the binding to maintain structural simplicity while enabling ergonomic foot movement through multiple degrees of freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The binding system is divided into separate functional components: attachment means on the boot sole, corresponding receiving elements on the ski, and a locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, maintaining overall structural simplicity while improving ergonomic performance.
2Reliability
If bindings are designed with specific construction types for different skiing styles, then performance for each style is optimized, but compatibility with older boot and ski models is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment means are designed with universal geometric features that can interface with both classic and skating style binding configurations. The attachment means include attachment points arranged to accommodate different skiing styles, allowing a single boot to be used with multiple binding types without sacrificing performance optimization for either style.
Solution Approach 2:
The binding system incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow the attachment geometry and locking characteristics to be modified based on the skiing style being used. This enables the same physical components to adapt their functional behavior to match the requirements of different skiing disciplines.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple features are accumulated in boots, skis and bindings to ensure compatibility with older models, then backward compatibility is maintained, but the system becomes more complex and harder to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The invention achieves compatibility across different models by utilizing standardized geometric parameters and dimensions for the attachment means. Rather than accumulating multiple incompatible features, the system maintains a consistent set of attachment point locations, angles, and locking mechanism dimensions that work across classic and skating styles while simplifying manufacturing.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5A~7
AI summary
The invention concerns a binding (1) disengagebly fixing a boot (20) into a cross-country ski (10). The boot (20) has a sole (22) with an outer surface (23) adapted to positioning towards a top surface (13) of the ski. The binding has a cleat (30) comprising a flange (31) at a lock distance (S1) from the outer surface (23) of the sole (22), and a base (24) extending from said flange, whereupon said base has a smaller base cross-section (A2) than a flange cross-section (A1) of the flange. The binding further comprises a single frame plate (9) having a frame opening (14) with an opening cross-section (A3) larger than said base cross-section (A2) and larger than said flange cross-section (A1); and a lever (8) or a slide (7) movable in directions (P1 or P2) parallel to said top surface (13) of the ski. The lever/slide is between said outer surface (23) and said flange (31).