Ski Boot Toe Piece Automatic Torsion Release Lever
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski boot binding systems for ski touring lack safety in case of falls, particularly twisting falls, and are complex, heavy, and costly, failing to meet safety standards such as ISO9462 and ISO13992.
Innovation Solution
A compact, economical, and lightweight boot fixing system with a toe piece and heel piece, where the toe piece allows automatic release in torsion and the heel piece releases only in forward falls, utilizing a lever mechanism with blocking and trigger elements to ensure safe and efficient detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heel piece is added to automatically release the boot in the event of a fall, then safety is improved, but device complexity, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heel piece release function with the existing toe piece structure by integrating a lever mechanism that shares the same pivot axis and spring system. The lever is actuated by the boot heel itself during a twisting fall, eliminating the need for separate complex release mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever mechanism serves multiple functions: it controls the jaw closure during normal operation, enables automatic release during twisting falls, and works in coordination with the toe piece jaws. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby reducing complexity and weight while improving safety.
2Reliability
If a rocker mechanism is used to prevent jaw tilting, then reliability is improved, but device complexity, volume, and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the bulky rocker mechanism from the design and replaces it with a simpler lever system that uses the boot heel as the actuating element. The lever pivots on the same axis as the jaws and works in conjunction with the spring system, eliminating the need for separate rocker components and reducing device volume and weight while maintaining the prevention of unwanted jaw tilting.
3Ease of operation
If a lever mechanism with multiple positions is used to control jaw closure, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the jaw closure control function with the boot insertion/removal operation. The lever is actuated by the boot heel during insertion and automatically returns to its closed position via the spring system. This integration eliminates the need for separate control mechanisms, reducing complexity and weight while maintaining ease of operation through the natural boot insertion motion.
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 system provides optimal safety during falls, complies with relevant standards, and reduces equipment weight and cost, ensuring efficient and secure boot attachment and release.
Implementation Method 1
The two jaws are articulated by a spring system to occupy a first stable position called closed in which the retaining elements cooperate with corresponding hollow parts arranged laterally in the front part of the touring ski boot
Implementation Method 2
a lever (16) actuable from outside the stopper and occupying a locking position in which locking elements integral with the lever prevent the jaws from tilting
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The toepiece (10) has a mobile part (12) mounted on a fixed part (11) for relative movement with a transverse component. Jaws (13d, 13g) are mounted on the mobile part to pivot about a longitudinal axis. A lever (16) is actuable from outside of the toepiece, and achieves a blocking position in which blocking elements prevent tilting of the jaws to keep the toepiece in a closed configuration. Protrusion and hollow cooperate with the elements such that the movement beyond a preset travel allows the lever to pass automatically to a freeing position in which the elements allow the jaws to tilt. An independent claim is also included for a binding device for securing a boot to a gliding board.