Ski Boot Duckbill Appendix for Telemark Force Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ski fastening devices fail to effectively transfer the skier's push to the ski during the initial lifting movement of the boot heel, resulting in reduced performance in Telemark skiing.

Innovation Solution

The ski boot design incorporates a duckbill-shaped protruding appendix with side grooves and a lower flat bevel on the shell, which enhances the kinematic interaction with the ski fastening device by allowing the push to be transferred during the lifting movement, while maintaining the tip anchored to the ski.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the ski fastening device is designed to allow boot heel lifting movement, then the skier can perform Telemark skiing movements, but the push cannot be effectively transferred to the ski during initial lifting

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTelemark skiing movement capabilityVSAvoidforce transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The duckbill-shaped protruding appendix acts as an intermediary element between the boot shell and the ski fastening device. It provides a dedicated contact surface that mediates the force transfer during heel lifting, enabling both movement capability and effective force transmission through its geometric design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protruding appendix introduces local structural differentiation at the front sole area. By creating a localized protruding structure with specific geometry (duckbill shape), it concentrates and directs forces locally during heel lifting, improving force transfer efficiency without affecting the overall boot structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the toepiece tightens the shell at the front sole, then the boot is securely fixed to the ski, but the shell cannot rotate about the optimal axis for Telemark skiing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot fixation stabilityVSAvoidrotation axis adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The protruding appendix extends the contact interface into a new spatial dimension (vertically upward from the front sole). This dimensional extension creates a higher rotation axis that better aligns with the skier's anatomy and Telemark skiing mechanics, while the appendix's geometry maintains stable fixation through its engagement with the toepiece

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9161589B2Ski boot

Publication Date: 2015.10.20 CALZATURIFICIO S C A R P A

AI summary

Ski-boot includes a rigid shell shaped to accommodate the foot, and a rigid cuff which is shaped to surround the ankle and is hinged on the shell so to be rotatable about a transversal reference axis; the shell being provided with a front sole and with a substantially duckbill-shaped front appendix which protrudes from the tip of the shell to form an extension of the front sole, and is structured so as to engaged in the front jaw of a specific ski fastening device; the front appendix having, on each lateral side, a respective side groove which starts on the appendix upper face at a distance from the appendix tip ranging between 10 and 20 millimeters, and continues by flanking the shell tip while increasing its depth, so to form a descending slope above which a corresponding prong of the front jaw of the ski fastening device is arranged.