Snowboard Boot Liner Harness with External Tensioning Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports boot liners require users to remove or loosen the outer shell to adjust tightness, which is inconvenient, especially in snow sports, as it exposes the boot to environmental conditions and disrupts usage.
Innovation Solution
A sports boot with an internal harness featuring a flexible panel, cord keepers, and a tensioning mechanism that allows users to tighten or loosen the liner without removing the outer shell, using a cord that can be accessed through an aperture in the boot shell for adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the liner has a separate tightening system with laces or straps, then the user can achieve a more comfortable fit and adjust tightness, but the user must remove or loosen the outer shell to adjust the liner, which is inconvenient in snow sports
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the tightening mechanism from the lacing system. The tensioning mechanism is a self-contained device that independently controls the cord tension, while the lacing system handles the upper closure. This segmentation allows the tensioning mechanism to be accessed and operated separately without disturbing the outer shell laces.
Solution Approach 2:
The cord acts as an intermediary element that connects the tensioning mechanism to the liner harness. The cord transmits the tensioning force from the accessible external mechanism to the internal liner, enabling adjustment without removing the boot shell.
2Ease of operation
If the tightening mechanism is externally disposed on the back of the boot upper, then the user can easily access it to tension the lace, but it requires a suitable external surface for mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning mechanism is designed to be universally applicable to different boot configurations. It can be mounted on various external surfaces including the boot upper, tongue, or other suitable locations, making it adaptable to different boot designs and styles.
Solution Approach 2:
The tensioning mechanism can be positioned in multiple spatial locations rather than being fixed to a single mounting surface. It may be disposed on the back of the upper, on the tongue, or at other locations, providing dimensional flexibility in placement while maintaining external accessibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A boot, such as a snowboard boot, having an outer shell including a flexible upper and a harness assembly disposed in the outer shell. The harness assembly wraps about a user's ankle, includes a plurality of cord keepers. A cord-for example, a lace or a stainless steel cable-slidably engages the cord keepers, for tightening the harness about the user's ankle. A tensioning mechanism such as a spool mechanism or a lace keeper is attached to the flexible upper and engages the cord, such that the user can releasably tension the cord. The cord extends through an aperture in the outer shell whereby the user can tighten or loosen the harness without removing the boot. In an embodiment, the tensioning mechanism is a lace locker fixedly attached to the shell tongue, wherein the tongue includes apertures disposed near the bottom of the lace locker to slidably accommodate the cord.