Ski Support Member for Vertical Storage Without Tail Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ski storage solutions, such as traditional racks that store skis on end or parallel to a support structure, often lead to damage of the tail end of the skis and inefficient use of space, as they do not effectively keep the skis off the ground, which can cause damage and occupy excessive lateral space.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a ski support member, spacer, and coupling element that positions the ski vertically on a support structure, with a binder engaging portion that fits within the ski's receiving space to maintain orientation and prevent rotation, utilizing a contact bumper for stability and adjustment mechanisms to secure the ski at a desired position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If skis are stored on end with tails supported by the ground, then storage is simple and requires minimal structure, but the tail end of the skis is subjected to damage from the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ski support device as an intermediary between the ski tail and the ground. This device includes a vertical support member with a ski-engaging portion that contacts the ski tail, and a ground-engaging portion that contacts the ground, thereby mediating the support function and preventing direct ground damage to the ski tail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal ground contact to vertical orientation support. By positioning the ski support device vertically with the ski tail resting on the ground through the device rather than directly, it changes the dimensional approach to support, elevating the ski tail off the ground while maintaining simple storage.
2Area of stationary object
If skis are stored with deck surface parallel to support structure, then space efficiency is improved, but the distance between binder tops becomes larger than braking element distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an adjustable mechanism that allows the support device to adapt to different ski configurations. The adjustable component enables modification of the support position or angle, allowing users to optimize both space efficiency and binder alignment based on specific storage requirements and ski dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and system are disclosed for supporting a ski on a support structure. The apparatus includes a ski support member, a spacer, and a coupling element. The ski support member includes a ski engaging portion and a binder engaging portion. The binder engaging portion is positionable within a receiving space in a binder toe piece. The ski engaging portion includes a substantially flat surface engageable with one of a deck surface of the ski and an element disposed on the deck surface of the ski to maintain the ski in a desirable orientation. The spacer is positioned between the ski support member and a the support structure. The coupling element is configured to couple the ski support member to the support structure.