Ski Boot Lacing System with Single Lace and Common Tightener
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski and snowboard boots face challenges in providing secure support and ease of use, particularly due to independent lacing zones that require simultaneous loosening for removal, leading to impaired support and difficulty in putting on and taking off, especially when icy.
Innovation Solution
A lacing system with a single bootlace anchored in the upper and lower zones, connected by a common lace-tightening device that allows simultaneous operation of both zones for easy donning and doffing, featuring a middle tension-equalizing zone formed by the bootlace crossing over itself, and optionally enhanced by a U-shaped or V-shaped cutout for uniform pressure distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If two separate bootlaces are used for independent lacing zones, then each zone can be tightened or loosened independently, but the transition region between zones receives insufficient tension and the boot cannot be easily removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate lacing systems into a single continuous bootlace that runs through both the upper and lower lacing zones. This single bootlace ensures continuous tension distribution across all zones including the transition region, while allowing the boot to be removed by loosening only one end, resolving both the support and ease of removal requirements
2Ease of operation
If a single bootlace is used for both upper and lower zones, then the boot can be easily removed by loosening one end, but the lacing system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single bootlace into functional sections with distinct anchoring points and redirection elements for upper and lower zones. This segmentation allows independent tension control in each zone while maintaining the simplicity of a single-bootlace system, reducing overall complexity compared to coordinated multi-lace systems
3Reliability
If multiple redirection elements are used to guide the bootlace through both zones, then tension can be distributed uniformly, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs redirection elements that serve multiple functions: guiding the bootlace through proper paths, distributing tension uniformly across zones, and providing structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, maintaining simplicity while achieving uniform tension distribution
Data Source
AI summary
A boot includes a lacing system having an upper zone of action associated with an upper portion of the boot body and a lower zone of action associated with a lower portion of the boot body. The lacing system includes a single bootlace, the first end of which is anchored in the upper zone of action and the second end of which is anchored in the lower zone of action. The boot also includes a common lace-tightening device, having a handpiece, for the upper zone of action and the lower zone of action of the lacing system. The common lace-tightening device cooperates with the bootlace in such a way that, on operation of the handpiece, the upper zone of action and the lower zone of action of the lacing system are acted upon simultaneously in respect of lacing up and opening the boot.