Variable-Profile Front Strap for Flexible Ski Binding Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski or snowshoe bindings with front straps that extend over the boot's front part are excessively stiff, leading to boot movement restriction and potential strap breakage due to torsion, especially when the heel is lifted during skiing.
Innovation Solution
A front strap with varying cross-sectional profiles is designed to allow bending and twisting, featuring a narrow first profile portion, a widening and thinning second profile portion, and an edge-reinforced third profile portion, enhancing flexibility and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the front strap is made with a uniform cross-sectional profile extending under the binding body, then the strap provides structural support and restraint, but it becomes excessively stiff and prevents the boot from moving naturally during skiing
Solution Approach 1:
The strap is designed with different cross-sectional profiles at different locations: a first profile portion under the binding body maintains structural support, while a second profile portion extending forward has reduced width and thickness to enable flexibility and natural boot movement during skiing
2Shape
If the front strap is pre-moulded with a curved portion to rise up from the binding, then the strap fits the boot contour, but it becomes very stiff and presses the boot, preventing movement
Solution Approach 1:
The strap features a second profile portion with reduced cross-sectional dimensions (width and thickness) in the curved extension area, allowing the strap to maintain its curved shape for boot contour fitting while enabling sufficient flexibility for boot movement during skiing
3Reliability
If the front strap is made rigid to prevent boot movement, then the strap provides stable restraint, but it causes excessive wear and breakage due to torsion when the heel is lifted during skiing
Solution Approach 1:
The strap is designed with a first profile portion under the binding body that maintains structural support for stable restraint, while the second profile portion extending forward has reduced dimensions to provide flexibility that reduces torsional stress and wear during skiing movements
Solution Approach 2:
The strap transitions from a rigid uniform structure to a dynamic structure with varying cross-sectional profiles, allowing different portions to perform different functions: the first profile portion provides stability while the second profile portion provides flexibility to accommodate natural skiing movements and reduce wear
Data Source
AI summary
The proposed solution relates to a ski or snowshoe binding, to which binding a normal boot is attachable with general attachments which are part of said binding, such as with a strap in a front part of the binding and with a strap arrangement in a back part of the binding. The strap of the front part of the binding is transverse to the binding, adjustable in length and extends in a toe part of the binding under the body or inside the body of the binding. The cross-sectional profiles of the strap of the front part have been made in such a way that as the strap comes out from the body and turns upwards, a first profile portion is, in this region, in a direction of width at its narrowest substantially in the entire upward turn, after which a second profile portion is widening and thinning towards a third profile portion.