Ski Boot Transversal Locking Band Coupling Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mountaineering ski boots' foot-case closing mechanisms are inefficient and complex, often featuring protruding metallic elements that can cause damage and are difficult to operate.
Innovation Solution
A ski boot with a transversal locking band and a manually-operated coupling assembly that allows the band to be anchored to either the foot-case or cuff, using a flexible ribbon-like element and a cable-tightening device for secure and adjustable closure, eliminating the need for protruding metallic elements and simplifying operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional lever closing buckles are used in the foot-case closing mechanism, then the foot-case can be tightened against the user's foot, but the mechanism becomes complex with protruding metallic elements that can cause damage and are difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex lever closing buckle mechanism with its protruding metallic elements and replaces it with a simplified cable-tightening device that operates through a protective tongue. This extracts the harmful complex components while maintaining the essential tightening function through a cleaner, more operable mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective tongue serves as an intermediary element that mediates between the cable-tightening device and the foot-case. It transmits the tightening force while protecting the internal elements from protruding outward, thus simplifying the external appearance and operation while maintaining the closing function.
2Reliability
If traditional lever closing buckles with protruding metallic elements are used, then the foot-case can be secured, but these internal elements can cause damage during use
Solution Approach 1:
The protective tongue acts as a protective intermediary that shields the internal elements of the closing mechanism from protruding outward. It allows the mechanism to function reliably for securing the foot-case while preventing the harmful protrusion of metallic elements that could cause damage to the user's foot or surrounding equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective tongue provides beforehand protection by being positioned in advance to cover and shield the internal elements of the closing mechanism. This prior protective measure prevents potential damage before it can occur during the tightening or wearing process.
3Strength
If a flexible strip with multiple fairlead members and cablewinding winch is used, then the closing mechanism can be tightened, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex assembly of multiple fairlead members and cablewinding winch from the closing mechanism. It retains only the essential cable-tightening device, thereby maintaining the tightening capability while significantly reducing the overall device complexity and number of components.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A ski boot (1) comprising: a substantially rigid foot-case (2), which is adapted to accommodate the user's foot and has the lower part structured to couple with a ski binding device; a substantially rigid cuff (3), which is adapted to surround the lower part of the user's leg, and is pivotally joined to the foot-case (2) so as to be able to rotate about a reference axis (A) substantially perpendicular to the midplane of the ski boot; and foot-case closing means (15) which are adapted to selectively close/tighten the foot-case (2) against the user's foot, and comprise: an oblong, transversal locking band (18) with a flexible and substantially inextensible structure, which extends transversally to the midplane of the ski boot, astride of and flush to the protective tongue or gaiter (13, 201), and has a first end firmly fixed to a first lateral side of the foot-case (2); and a manually-operated coupling assembly (19), which is adapted to connect the second end of the transversal locking band (18) selectively and alternatively to the foot-case (2) or to the cuff (3), at a second lateral side of the foot-case (2) opposite to said first lateral side.