Adjustable Ski Pole Basket Plate for Snow Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski pole tips lack variability in contact surface size, making it difficult to adapt to different snow conditions, and existing solutions are either cumbersome or require additional components.
Innovation Solution
A two-part tip attachment design featuring a rigid plate area with a separately fastened disk plate that can shift to provide a larger contact surface, allowing for adjustable contact area without additional components, using a concave underside for stabilization and easy shape adaptation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size plate is used on the ski pole tip, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot adapt to different snow conditions requiring different contact surface sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is divided into two separate components: a plate area that is integrated into the tip attachment and a separately formable disk plate that can be attached to the plate area. This segmentation allows the disk plate to be adjusted or removed independently, enabling different contact surface sizes without changing the entire tip attachment structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The disk plate can be moved to different positions on the plate area and fastened at these positions. By shifting the disk plate between different locations, the contact surface size can be dynamically adjusted to match different snow conditions, transforming a static structure into a dynamic, adaptable one.
2Reliability
If a larger contact surface plate is used, then stability on soft snow is improved, but weight increases and the plate may get stuck in hard frozen snow
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is segmented into a plate area and a separately attachable disk plate. This allows the user to attach the disk plate only when needed for soft snow conditions, leaving the tip attachment lightweight when traveling on hard frozen snow or when the disk plate might get stuck.
Solution Approach 2:
The disk plate can be dynamically attached and detached based on snow conditions. On soft snow, the disk plate is attached to provide a larger contact surface for stability. On hard frozen snow, the disk plate can be removed to minimize weight and prevent sticking.
3Ease of manufacture
If the plate is made as a single integrated component, then manufacturing is simpler, but adjustability between different sizes is difficult or requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is divided into a plate area that can be manufactured as a single integrated component with the tip attachment, and a separately formable disk plate. This segmentation allows the plate area to be manufactured simply while the disk plate can be attached separately to create different size configurations without requiring complex integrated manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate area serves multiple functions: it provides a base structure for the tip attachment, and it also serves as an attachment surface for the disk plate. This multi-functionality allows the same component to support both the basic tip structure and the adjustable disk plate, achieving adjustability without requiring entirely separate components.
4Reliability
If the disk plate is fastened securely to the plate area, then stability is improved, but the construction becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is segmented into a plate area and a disk plate that can be fastened together. This segmentation allows for simple fastening mechanisms to be used, as the connection only needs to secure the disk plate to the plate area, rather than requiring complex mechanisms to adjust an entire integrated plate structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening mechanism is designed to be simple and straightforward, allowing the disk plate to be securely attached to the plate area through basic fastening means. The design assumes that the user will perform the fastening operation themselves using simple tools or methods, avoiding the need for complex automated or integrated fastening systems.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The invention relates to an attachment for a ski pole, especially for downhill or cross-country skiing, comprising a tip attachment (3) that is provided with an upward-facing receiving area (4) for a pole tube (1), a downward-facing pole tip (7, 8), and a rigid basket area (5) which essentially extends on a plane that runs perpendicular or at a 60° to 120° angle to the axis of the pole tube (1). In order to be able to easily adjust the ski pole to different snow conditions, a basket plate (9) is disposed in the basket area (5) in such a way that said basket plate (9) can be fastened in a first position (15) and in at least one second position (16) in which the basket plate (9) is displaced relative to the first position substantially along the plane of the basket area (5), the supporting surface that is effective on the ground being larger in the second position (16) than in the first position (15).