Ski Climbing Attachment With Under-Binding Bracket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ski climbing mechanisms, such as climbing skins and fish-scale base skis, face challenges with time-consuming installation and removal, adhesive issues in wet conditions, and performance degradation in packed snow, making them cumbersome for small hikes and varied terrain.
Innovation Solution
A ski climbing attachment system featuring a climbing track assembly with a fastening mechanism and an under-binding bracket assembly, which includes a friction mechanism for gripping snowy surfaces and can be easily installed and removed without requiring ski removal, using materials like slant-fiber pile fabric or embossed patterns for traction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If climbing skins with adhesive coating are used to increase traction on slippery snow, then traction is improved, but the skins become time-consuming to attach and remove, and the adhesive loses tackiness when wet or snowy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the adhesive coating from the climbing skin system and replaces it with a mechanical fastening mechanism consisting of a base plate with attachment elements that clip directly to the ski base. This eliminates the time-consuming adhesive application and removal process while maintaining reliable traction through the mechanical grip of the base plate against the ski.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the chemical adhesion mechanism (adhesive coating) with a mechanical fastening system (base plate with attachment elements). This substitution provides consistent traction without being affected by wet or snowy conditions that degrade adhesive performance, and enables quick attachment and removal without time-consuming adhesive handling.
2Reliability
If climbing skins are used for long treks, then traction is maintained, but they become cumbersome for small hikes with frequent attachment and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the adhesive coating component entirely and replaces it with a mechanical clip-based fastening system that can be quickly attached and detached. This extraction of the problematic adhesive element enables the climbing aid to be easily operated in frequent small-hike scenarios without the cumbersome adhesive handling required for long treks.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a dynamic fastening system where the base plate can be quickly clipped onto and removed from the ski base. This dynamic attachment mechanism adapts to different usage scenarios - providing secure traction for long treks when needed, while enabling rapid attachment and removal for frequent small hikes, thus improving ease of operation across varying conditions.
3Reliability
If fish-scale base skis are used to improve traction on moderate slopes, then grip is enhanced, but they chatter and become slow in packed or firm snow conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies a localized friction mechanism (base plate with attachment elements) specifically at the climbing portion of the ski, rather than using a full-length fish-scale base. This local quality approach provides enhanced grip where needed for climbing while maintaining a smooth base for the downhill portion, preventing chatter and speed loss in packed snow conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the ski base into two distinct functional zones: a climbing section with the base plate attachment mechanism for traction on moderate slopes, and a downhill section with a smooth base for speed and stability in packed snow. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its performance for its specific function, eliminating the chatter and speed reduction problems of full-length fish-scale bases.
4Reliability
If climbing skins are used on small hikes with alternating uphill and downhill sections, then traction is provided, but the time required to attach and remove them makes the process too cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the adhesive coating that causes time-consuming attachment and removal, replacing it with a mechanical clip system that can be quickly fastened and detached. This extraction enables the climbing aid to be efficiently applied and removed multiple times during small hikes with alternating terrain, significantly improving the overall productivity and efficiency of the hiking process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a pre-configured mechanical fastening system where the base plate with attachment elements is designed to snap into place on the ski base. This preliminary design of the fastening mechanism allows for rapid attachment without time-consuming adhesive application, enabling skiers to quickly prepare for climbing sections and efficiently transition between uphill and downhill portions of small hikes.
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 enhanced traction and ease of use by allowing quick attachment and detachment, maintaining performance across various snow conditions without compromising downhill skiing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a bottom surface having a friction mechanism configured to grip a snowy surface
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for attaching with a ski to provide improved traction while climbing snowy grades. Exemplary climbing track assemblies can include an attachment to the bottom of a ski that improves traction for hiking or climbing uphill. Assemblies can also include an under-binding bracket, which is mounted under the toe-piece binding of the ski which allows the device to be securely fastened. Assemblies may further include a shim, provided as a small plate mounted under the heel-piece binding, which operates to keep the binding level.