Ski Boot Cuff Locking Mechanism for Ice Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cuff locking devices in mountaineering ski boots are prone to operational limitations, particularly for less-experienced users, as snow and ice encrustations can prevent the movable arm from properly engaging the anchoring structure, leading to accidental disengagement during skiing.
Innovation Solution
A cuff locking device with a supporting plate, a pivotally joined movable arm, an elastic member, and a manually operated command lever, which includes a locking member to maintain the movable arm in a locked position even if snow or ice encrustations prevent full engagement, ensuring the cuff remains securely locked.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the movable arm is manually lowered to engage the anchoring structure, then the cuff is locked in the down-hill position, but snow and ice encrustations can prevent proper engagement leading to accidental disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positive locking mechanism with a locking protrusion and locking groove that engages before the movable arm reaches its final position. This preliminary engagement ensures that even if snow or ice prevents complete engagement of the movable arm with the anchoring structure, the cuff remains securely locked through the backup locking feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a specific locking feature (locking protrusion and locking groove) at a particular location on the movable arm and supporting plate, respectively. This localized positive locking mechanism provides enhanced engagement reliability at the critical locking point, independent of the overall engagement status of the movable arm with the anchoring structure.
2Device complexity
If the cuff locking device uses a simple movable arm mechanism, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation deteriorates for less-experienced users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an automatic locking feature where the locking protrusion automatically engages with the locking groove when the movable arm is lowered, without requiring additional user action. This self-locking mechanism provides visual and tactile confirmation of proper engagement, making the operation intuitive and reliable even for less-experienced users while maintaining the simplicity of the overall mechanism.
3Shape
If the movable arm extends downwards flush with the cuff surface, then the device has a compact appearance, but the lower end cannot properly engage the anchoring structure when encrusted with snow or ice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the locking protrusion and locking groove to engage in advance, creating a redundant locking system. This ensures that even if the lower end of the movable arm cannot properly engage the anchoring structure due to snow or ice encrustations, the primary locking function is already secured through the positive engagement of the locking features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a specialized locking interface (locking protrusion and locking groove) at a specific location on the movable arm assembly, providing a dedicated engagement point that is less susceptible to snow and ice interference while maintaining the overall compact shape of the device.
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
The solution enhances the safety and usability of the ski boot by preventing accidental disengagement of the cuff, simplifying the locking mechanism, and maintaining reliability even in adverse conditions, while being cost-effective and compatible with existing ski boot designs.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member, which connects the movable arm to the supporting plate and is capable of elastically bringing and maintaining the movable arm, on choice and alternatively, in the above-mentioned lowered or locking position
Data Source
AI summary
Ski boot comprising: a rigid foot-case, which is adapted to accommodate the user's foot; a rigid cuff, which is pivoted on the foot-case so as to be able to swing around a first rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the midplane of the boot; and a manually-operated cuff locking device, which is adapted to selectively lock the cuff to the foot-case in a predetermined down-hill position, and which comprises: a supporting plate positioned on the cuff, above the heel of the boot; a movable arm, which is pivoted on the supporting plate so that it can rotate about a second transverse axis, to and from a locking position in which the movable arm extends downwards and couples its lower end in a rigid and releasable manner to an anchoring structure integral with the foot-case; and a manually-operated locking member which is fixed to the movable arm with the capability of moving between a first operating position in which it immobilises the movable arm in the locked position, and a second operating position in which it allows the movable arm to move freely on the supporting plate.