One-Piece Molded Ankle and Toe Straps for Splitboard Bindings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional snowboard and splitboard ankle and toe straps are complex, leading to durability and weight issues, with padding fabric wearing out during uphill touring and affecting the riding experience due to stiffness and extra weight.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece molding ankle and toe strap design with indented portions for cushioning, continuous ribbing for stiffness, and threaded inserts for easy adjustment and field replacement, allowing for customizable flexibility and performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional multi-layer padded straps are used, then comfort and cushioning are improved, but weight and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure discomfortVSAvoidstrap construction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate components (spine, foam padding, fabric cover) into a single integrated molded strap structure. The strap is molded as one piece with integrated cushioning elements, eliminating the need for separate layers and reducing overall complexity while maintaining comfort functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The strap utilizes a composite material approach by integrating different material properties into a single molded structure. The strap combines rigid structural elements with softer cushioning regions in one piece, achieving both support and comfort without requiring separate material layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional multi-layer padded straps are used, then comfort and cushioning are improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure discomfortVSAvoidstrap weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If fabric-covered foam padding is used, then comfort is improved, but durability worsens due to fabric wear and fraying

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure discomfortVSAvoidstrap durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the fabric cover layer from the strap design, extracting the problematic element that caused wear and fraying. The strap uses a molded surface finish to provide comfort without relying on a separate fabric layer that can deteriorate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the durable but complex multi-layer construction with a simpler molded structure that sacrifices the need for protective fabric covering. The molded strap surface provides sufficient comfort while eliminating the fabric wear issue entirely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Stability of the object's composition

If stiff structural elements are added to maintain shape, then structural integrity is improved, but flexibility and maneuverability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrap shape stabilityVSAvoidstrap flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different structural qualities to different regions of the strap. Certain areas have reinforced ribbing for structural support while other areas remain softer and more flexible. This local variation in stiffness allows the strap to maintain its shape where needed while remaining comfortable and adaptable where it contacts the boot.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design results in a durable, lightweight strap that enhances maneuverability and speed, with adjustable parameters for varying the feel and performance, and facilitates easier maintenance in the field.

Implementation Method 1

The indented portions create a series of corresponding outdented portions on the boot-facing surface of the ankle strap. The outdented portions flex when pressed against the surface of the snowboarder's boot and act as cushioning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The length-wise ribbing has sufficient stiffness to help hold the one-piece molding in a semi-rigid arc-like (i.e. arcuate) shape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRigidity:

Data Source

PatentUS9782664B1Ankle and toe straps for splitboard and snowboard bindings

Publication Date: 2017.10.10 SPARK R&D IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

Disclosed is a novel ankle strap and a toe strap that secures snowboard or splitboard rider's boots to corresponding boot bindings. The straps are generally made from a one-piece molding that includes indented portions on the outside surface of the molding that creates corresponding outdented portions on the boot-facing surface for cushioning. The indented portions are bound by ribs, the ribs forming a continuous interconnected rib structure. As the outdented portions flex, the continuous interconnected rib structure helps the strap maintain its shape and structure.