Splitboard Heel Lock Spring Clamp Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Splitboarders face safety hazards due to the lack of a reliable heel release mechanism that automatically disengages the heel when torsional forces exceed a safe level, while maintaining stability and security in ski touring mode, and compatibility with soft boots and dual interfaces for easy mode switching.

Innovation Solution

A heel lock and release mechanism featuring a spring clamp mounted on each ski under the heel, which engages contralateral flanges on the baseplate, allowing reversible snap-free release when a critical pull force is exceeded, with a safety threshold set at 125 pounds to prevent injury.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a heel lock mechanism is used to secure the rider's heel to the ski, then turning and carving performance is improved, but the risk of Achilles tendon injury increases due to inability to release under excessive force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveturning and carving performanceVSAvoidAchilles tendon injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spring clamp is designed with specific elastic properties and geometric dimensions to establish a release threshold of approximately 125 pounds of pull force. This parameter optimization allows the mechanism to maintain secure locking during normal skiing operations while automatically releasing when excessive force threatens to injure the rider's Achilles tendon.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The heel lock mechanism automatically detects and responds to excessive force conditions by releasing the heel without requiring rider intervention. The spring-loaded design self-activates when the pull force exceeds the predetermined threshold, providing protective function autonomously to prevent Achilles tendon injury.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a hard boot with clamp mechanism is used for safety release, then injury protection is improved, but compatibility with soft boots is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjury protectionVSAvoidboot compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The spring clamp mechanism is designed to universally accommodate both hard boots and soft boots with leather or synthetic uppers. The clamp engages with the boot heel structure regardless of boot type, providing safety release functionality across diverse boot configurations while maintaining compatibility with the baseplate and binding system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If a fixed heel binding is used for aggressive skiing, then performance is improved, but safety release capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaggressive turning performanceVSAvoidsafety release capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heel lock transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic system where the spring clamp can automatically disengage under excessive force. The mechanism maintains a locked state during normal aggressive skiing for optimal performance, but dynamically releases when the pull force exceeds the safety threshold, combining performance and safety in a single adaptive system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the release threshold is set low to prevent injury, then safety is improved, but inadvertent release increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjury preventionVSAvoidinadvertent release

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spring clamp's elastic properties, pre-load tension, and engagement geometry are optimized to establish a release threshold of approximately 125 pounds. This parameter selection balances safety and reliability by setting the threshold high enough to prevent inadvertent release during normal aggressive skiing, yet low enough to protect against Achilles tendon injury from excessive force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 mechanism effectively reduces the risk of serious injury by automatically releasing the heel when excessive force is applied, while maintaining stability and compatibility with soft boots and dual interfaces for seamless mode switching.

Implementation Method 1

a spring clamp moveably positioned on said heel rest bracket; wherein the spring clamp is moveable between a heel lock position and a free heel position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a spring clamp moveably positioned on said heel rest bracket; wherein the spring clamp is moveable between a heel lock position and a free heel position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS9220968B2Heel lock for splitboard binding interface

Publication Date: 2015.12.29 SPARK R&D IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A heel lock and release combination for a splitboard boot binding. For use in ski touring mode, the binding includes a baseplate for receiving a rider's boot and a spring clamp affixed to a ski member of a splitboard binding interface. The baseplate is pivotably affixed to the ski at the toe. The spring clamp is mounted on a heel rest and may be repositioned between a heel locking and a free heel position. When locked, the spring clamp engages the heel end of the baseplate and prevents heel release. The engagement of the spring clamp is configured so that release of the heel occurs under stress: reducing injury.