Ski Binding Cursor Mechanism for Rapid Boot Size Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski mountaineering bindings require cumbersome and time-consuming adjustments for different ski boot sizes, especially in rental scenarios, as they necessitate the use of equipment to slide and position the hooking device on the plate, leading to delays for skiers.
Innovation Solution
The ski binding incorporates a cursor with a coupling mechanism and elastic means that allows for easy and rapid adjustment of the hooking device's position by decoupling and recoupling manually, enabling sliding without equipment and providing impact damping through elastic compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a threaded screw and nut screw system is used to enable sliding of the hooking device on the plate, then the binding can accommodate different ski boot sizes, but the adjustment process becomes complex and requires equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional threaded screw and nut screw mechanical system with a cursor-based system that uses elastic means and coupling portions. This substitution eliminates the need for rotational adjustments and specialized equipment, allowing skiers to easily decouple and recouple the cursor to adjust the hooking device position for different boot sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The cursor system enables skiers to perform adjustments themselves without requiring external equipment or assistance. The elastic means automatically provide tension and guidance, while the coupling portions allow simple manual decoupling and recoupling operations that anyone can perform quickly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a threaded screw system is used for adjusting the hooking device position, then the binding can adapt to different boot sizes, but the adjustment time increases to several minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The cursor is pre-positioned on the plate with coupling portions that align with the first coupling portion. The elastic means are pre-tensioned to provide immediate guidance and tension. This preliminary arrangement allows skiers to quickly decouple and recouple the cursor without complex adjustment procedures, reducing setup time from minutes to seconds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static threaded connection requiring rotational movement to a dynamic cursor-based system where the hooking device can be quickly repositioned by simple decoupling and recoupling actions. The elastic means provide continuous tension while allowing rapid reconfiguration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the cursor is rigidly coupled to the plate, then the structure is stable, but impact forces can cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates elastic means (such as springs) between the cursor and the plate structure. These elastic elements are pre-positioned to absorb and dampen impact forces before they can transmit damaging stresses to the rigid components. This beforehand cushioning protects the binding from damage during skiing impacts while maintaining structural stability during normal use.
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
This solution allows for quick and effortless adjustment of the hooking device's position relative to the ski, reducing setup time and protecting against impact damage by utilizing elastic means for damping forces, thus enhancing user convenience and equipment durability.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic means are included, the hooking device continues to have a degree of freedom. In particular, in a case where a force is applied on the hooking device and therefore on the slide which force is directed towards the second wall and which exceeds a predetermined value, a compression of the elastic means is caused
Implementation Method 2
the presence of the elastic means and the possibility for the slide to perform a sliding movement means that the impact can be damped and thus any possible damage can be limited
Data Source
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AI summary
A binding (1) for ski mountaineering, comprising a plate (2) fixable to a ski and a hooking device (3) for hooking a ski boot to a ski. The binding comprises: a slide (5) fastenable to the hooking device so as to slide along the plate (2); a first coupling portion (6) fixed to the plate (2); a cursor (7) comprising a second coupling portion (7a) conformed for coupling with the first portion (6); removable locking means (8), for locking the cursor (7) against the plate (2), comprising a wedge element (82) accessible from outside, a fourth coupling portion (83) which is a part of the cursor (7) and which couples with the third portion (82a) and elastic means (84). The cursor (7), the wedge element (82) and the elastic means (84) are reciprocally arranged and dimensioned so that the elastic means (84) can press against the cursor (7) and/or the wedge element (82) so as to lock the cursor (7) to the plate (2) and in such a way that it is possible to move the wedge element (82), by compressing the elastic means (84), determining the decoupling of the cursor (7) from the plate.