Its good to see young guys like you having a go. Im sure you can make something of it.
Maybe get your haircut finished off and relax a bit, you sound like you just took duromine for the first time lol.
Get someone to hold the camera so you have 2 hands free to show how it works.
What about the toe ratchet?
The only thing I would suggest is don't directly bag out the competition by putting in comments like the whole "cough flow cough" bit in the description of your vid. If it were to take off and you were looking for backers then you need to display maturity and the right attitude. Remember, you can't demand respect - you've got to command it.
And thanks man! I changed the description because you have a great point. I just get carried away sometimes with how much I dislike some binding designs. Ha
Sorry man, I've just been waiting over a year to make this video haha. I also have Asperger's syndrome, so I am a little "off." It could be used for the toe cap strap too if everything were re-dimensioned and some tweaks were made, but I didn't really work on that yet. I was more concerned with the ankle strap because it gets in the way the most.
Get a 3D printer! But seriously, definitely consider weight along with durability. If you can use a light composite, I think that would be preferable to steel or even alum, as long as you can retain strength and stiffness.
3D printers are expensive and I have no investors (yet). I'm not concerned about lightweight as of now because I am going to be seeking a licensee this winter. I'm hoping I will get the chance to work with a snowboard company on refining and perfecting this, that way I'll have more resources.
I had the same idea few years ago. Threw it out for multiple reasons. One of them being knowing of other patented quick buckles. I would love to read your patent application and what other patents were referenced in it.
You can actually patent new uses/improvements on ideas, so as long as no one else is using it for a snowboard binding, the other patents do not really interfere.
I like your idea and as said before glad to see a younger person taking some design, engineering and imagination to make a go and several prototypes.
Kudo's there !!!! I like Flows that said I think your design has promise. I have no vested interest of the inside working of this sport.
few questions:
Are you making these to just replace the ladder strap on "all" bindings?
The hook strap, that is just a rapid prototype for testing right? As it seems quite bulky if the newer part is going to follow that design.
What material is the loop part going to be made of for strength. As that big loop just isn't aesthetically pleasing
Are you making this for the toe cap as well if not what real time or convenience saving is there since you still need to ratchet the toe?
Big concern for me is that black hook. How durable is that? If the hook is weak and breaks not good. If the hook wears out the base part where it hooks to is also a weak point I would believe.
I know it's very early but Price Point $50 kinda steep, $20 maybe not much profit .....
Again nice job and hope it works out. Very impressed with your attempts and willingness to put your passion into a working prototype. Just pointing out some of the issues I see not bashing your attempts !!!!
I would try them
Good Luck !!!
1. This is actually more directed towards urban riding, where there is a ton of strapping in and unstrapping. However, if it turns into something more than that, then sweet deal.
2. Yes, that is just for testing haha. The black strap I hold in the video (over the pool table) will be closer to the final design. The bulky hook is well... bulky, heavy, stiff, and made from common parts at Lowe's.
3. Strap, plastic. Loop, aluminum.
4. As of now, I do not plan on making it for the toe cap myself. I'm actually hoping a company will get on this with me to do the final prototyping and develop a system for the toe cap strap. I kind of don't want to make it for the toe cap strap though because with the ratchet on it, you can keep the strap pushed forward and out of the way and just use the quick ankle strap if you want to do one-footed tricks then quickly strap back in.
5. The black hook actually doesn't need to be strong. 99% of the time, there is no force being applied to it. The latch functions perfectly fine without it because the tension holds it shut. That's just for reassurance, so it doesn't release if someone hits it on the lift, you hit it falling on a rail, etc..., so really, it just has to be strong enough to occasionally take an impact.
6. I'll figure out price point if I can't get a licensing deal. Probably $40 or so
I would recommend looking at K2's Auto tech. If you could combine the item you made with the auto to strap it might work really well.obviously you would have to work with k2 in that case but if could lend thier quick entry bindings that little something extra to put them ahead of other methods
don't let the cat out of the bag....oops, too late
ask yourself......will this satisfy a NEED or a WANT?....
if you know it will satisfy a NEED...then you may be onto something.
if you yourself would actually use it....you really may be onto something.
the key is making it practical, efficient and durable.
the big key is trying to keep it as quiet as possible while developing
because there are people with the wherewithal out there who will
take your idea,.....develop it themselves and market it.......lol
If you really believe your product is viable,...seek a patent attorney
and what you need to do to protect your idea.
that being said....with further developing you may just be onto something
there.
ask yourself......will this satisfy a NEED or a WANT?....
if you know it will satisfy a NEED...then you may be onto something.
if you yourself would actually use it....you really may be onto something.
the key is making it practical, efficient and durable.
the big key is trying to keep it as quiet as possible while developing
because there are people with the wherewithal out there who will
take your idea,.....develop it themselves and market it.......lol
If you really believe your product is viable,...seek a patent attorney
and what you need to do to protect your idea.
that being said....with further developing you may just be onto something
there.
It's something I used all last season and I actually refuse to put ratchets and ladders back on that binding. That's why I decided to start designing, get some plastic prints, and fill out/file my patent application haha. Nothing in snowboarding satisfies a need because the entire sport is not necessarily a "need." I'm getting CNC machined aluminum parts soon of the final prototype. The strap will still look a little bulky and cheap, but the latch will be solid at that point.
While this isn't the worst idea I've ever seen in snowboarding I do want to say I saw something similar to this on a demo rental binding about 10 years ago or more.
You need to re-shoot that video. Get a tripod, get yourself presentable, and learn to breath. A haircut wouldn't hurt as no one wants to look at some hipster inspired emo over the eye haircut, but that's your personal style so whatever.
There are a few flaws in this design that I can already see. Some you've mentioned others that you've over looked as you're too invested and close to this project.
The lock to heel strap is one of them. That bolt right there is non flexing and a direct pressure point. I can tell the plastic you used will flex but that metal hoop and bolt won't. That is going to really suck when someone presses out over it or drives into it to flex the board. You need to find a way to have a hinge connection piece there, something similar to what is on the heel straps of the K2 Formulas or IPO's.
The reason the ladder and ratchet system exists and is still in use is that you do get micro adjustment. Every click on that ladder is one more adjustment. Also if you're stripping out ladders you have your strap adjusted wrong and it's stripping due to the teeth slipping and not gripping, go readjust your bindings. Your system is designed to be 100% dialed in before you hit the slopes and that's that. If you set it up with your pant leg tucked in and it's not, it won't fit the same. Snow build up in the binding and it won't fit the same. Your boots break in, won't fit the same. See what I'm getting at here? You need to have the ability to micro adjust. Using one of those flip of screw tabs like Burton or Flux would be key in this.
You mention that if it breaks finding a replacement part will be impossible. Go to the hardware store, find some of the most common nuts/bolts/screws. Make sure it's something that people can find in the base area at a repair shop. With Flow or Gnu I can find those parts at any repair shop at any resort I go to. The only thing I can't find is the cable which if that's broken you're probably dead or seriously fucked up. Maybe even a bit of a moron, but that's another story.
You might be on to something in terms of innovation as we've used ladders and ratchets since the late 80's. The problem is you have some fundamental design flaws, you're not addressing certain needs of the rider, and your video is piss poor. My suggestion is to try cold calling/emailing a few of the big guys to see if you can talk to someone in their design department. I think using the guise of an engineering student looking for help on a school project might help. This will allow you to see what/how they do things and hopefully give you some more feedback to drive you in the right direction. I've seen a lot of crappy ideas over the years, this isn't one of them but it's still rudimentary and needs refinement, keep it up and you could create something that changes snowboarding.
I will be shooting more videos once I get the CNC machined aluminum prototype parts. I am also very aware that I need a haircut Lol I actually don't usually let my hair grow into my face this much. I just got really excited that it was finally patent pending because I'd been working on this project for over a year under the radar, so I made a quick video and posted it to spread my stoke! This video does definitely suck, but there will be more to come that will be put together much better.
The bulky bolt was just a temporary prototype for tested. It doesn't actually create pressure points even though it does not flex because it basically attached to a hinge, which allows it to move. However, it still won't be the final design. Everything you see in this video was financed on a part time job $11/hour tutoring alg-calculus at a local college.
For micro adjustments, I actually want to make both sides of the strap like the fixed side of the Nitro bindings. Super easy to adjust. You actually don't really need micro adjustments every time though, which is why Flows, Gnus, and rear entry work. Some people actually like the consistent pressure and feel of those bindings. My binding system is quicker to adjust than those though because you can keep your foot in the binding while adjusting, as opposed to having to take it out every time. I also (typically) don't strip out ladders anymore, but let's face it, many people do and snowboard companies have to cover this expense under warranty pretty often.
Essentially the system you are using is used by ski boots. Basically along the lines of what BA was saying, you need to have a way to micro adjust. Ski boot buckles do this by spinning the buckle, plus they have options of where to latch onto. Your best option might just be copy the ski boot setup. Heck, buy a cheap ski boot, remove the buckles and try it out. This could actually be a fairly easy DIY for anyone.
closer to this design from fulltilt boots... almost the same. except the lock. something to look into i suppose.
As an outsider. i dont think there is enough benefit. the buckle time is only slightly quicker on the ankle strap (still gotta ratchet the toe).... at the cost of loss of micro adjustability, possible dead spots.
seeing that k2's autos didnt survive even though it was a good idea. that the super quick rear entry or traditional strap bindings are going to trump anything else.
It needs to be exceedingly beneficial in today's world. a slight enhancement isnt worth peoples time it seems.
Dont take this as a "foot on your head" to keep you down but encouragement to bring this above and beyond. its not there yet.
you're trying to take tech from 1989 and make a better modern binding.... ????? go look at old snowboard bindings, like from before you were born and you'll slap yourself of the forehead with a "DoH!" worthy of Homer.
this will:
make the binding heavier
make the binding release when you don't want it to much easier
make the binding less adjustable
solve a problem that simply does not exist
cost you alot of $ to figure out that no one wants this and literally every binding company knows all about that style of hinge and no one has used it for over a decade.
people don't wear their bindings on the same setting all day. your feet swell, get sore, you ride different terrain with your straps different...
no.
the edge of every snowboard can open a bottle.... hell i used to do it with my teeth
No, I have never seen my tech before. I'm not taking anyone else' idea. The device is no larger than a ratchet, so the weight difference is unnoticeable. It won't unintentionally release because of that black piece shown on the plastic print. The binding will not be less adjustable if I had more resources than an $11/hour job, plastic prints, and Lowe's. It is a hassle to use ratchets and ladders for yard and street sessions.
Just for the record, I don't drink either (in fact, I have never even been drunk), so I have no idea how much anyone would care that it opens bottles. I was just throwing that in there. As I mentioned earlier in this post, I have Asperger's/a form of autism, so norms, social interactions, and communication aren't natural for me.
If haters want to hate, they can go ahead. Just keep in mind, you'll be mocking someone with autism, and I do not think society will be with you on that at all.
I don't want a yacht, fancy car, or any of that nonsense. I can think of at least 100 other good uses for that kind of money.
Just for the record, I don't drink either (in fact, I have never even been drunk), so I have no idea how much anyone would care that it opens bottles. I was just throwing that in there. As I mentioned earlier in this post, I have Asperger's/a form of autism, so norms, social interactions, and communication aren't natural for me.
If haters want to hate, they can go ahead. Just keep in mind, you'll be making fun of someone with autism, and I do not think society will be with you on that at all.
whoa buddy relax - no one is making fun of you. i don't give a shit what kind of ADD you have.
i don't drink either and as a matter of fact i might acually be a sociopath if we're going off of some kind of clinical definitions....
its an idea. i happen to think it has been done before. its a function of binding straps from about 25 years ago.
you've had alot of people giving you positive feedback - if you can't take negative feedback you shouldn't post shit on the internet. butthurt will get you nowhere.
Good work on this. It's good to see a kid actually doing something besides playing video games and/or sitting at their computer playing armchair quarterback.
Of all the dumb "inventions" we see every single year with snowboard bindings, this isn't one of those (In my humble opinion).
Here's my advice - Don't waste your money on patents. This system already exists, and is currently on the market. The fact that it works so well, leads me to think we'll be seeing a lot more of it in the future.
Make some sets, get them on snow, and see where it goes from there.
Good work on this. It's good to see a kid actually doing something besides playing video games and/or sitting at their computer playing armchair quarterback.
Of all the dumb "inventions" we see every single year with snowboard bindings, this isn't one of those (In my humble opinion).
Here's my advice - Don't waste your money on patents. This system already exists, and is currently on the market. The fact that it works so well, leads me to think we'll be seeing a lot more of it in the future.
Make some sets, get them on snow, and see where it goes from there.
Thanks! Well, video games aren't as fun as challenging the mind and trying to take yourself to your full potential in my opinion. Ha
Yeah, I've seen those crazy "inventions." They all shared one common thing: over-complicating what doesn't need to be over-complicated. I decided to go the opposite route and try to simplify things. Not trying to say that my invention is awesome, next best thing, and all that, but that was my thought process.
I am already in the process of trying to get a hold of a fully functional CNC part. I'll be doing some filming/testing this season and I'll keep you guys posted! Resorts here won't be open for at least another 1.5 months though.
It just seems like if that latch get hits on something it would release although not too often but I think this is the main problem IMO. Hard to tell without feeling it out in person but like you said it did release one you one time. Maybe if the release latch wasnt sticking out so far to get caught on stuff but i realize its an early prototype. I have never had a good pair of regular bindings come undone that I can remember. My second biggest concern would be weight but I think that and and looks of it would get better once you develop it further.
Anyways yeah keep going with it I think its pretty cool what youre trying to do who knows maybe it will take off one day. Good luck!
It would release without the piece that locks into the bottom of the base, but with that piece on the plastic prototype, it will not release unintentionally. I'll do another video with more detail once I get the CNC machined parts to explain what I mean. I am shortening the lever extension and if a snowboard binding company wanted to use it, then they could mount it higher to prevent it from hitting rails and other objects, but I'm not altering my heelcups at the risk of ruining my bindings. Haha
I think its a pretty good start too, and definitely more interesting than many other attempts to bring the next-best-thing into snowboarding.
Burton has a simple lock-down lever on their Bootlegger Restricted toecap for this year, and yes similar things have been done in the past, and yes easy micro-adjustment should be solved, but I like how you are looking at this.
Keep it up and this might go somewhere!
I would probably never try it because I don't see how it's really that much faster. Ratchets are fast enough and currently seem better for adjustments as people have mentioned.
However, where you might be able to market it would be in kids' bindings. First, they tend not to have a toe strap anyways and secondly they tend to have a real need to keep things simple, as your design does. Several times I helped youngsters who were struggling with their bindings. This might be a really good niche for you to pursue.
Congrats on having a the balls to go at something like this. I hope it works out for you.
It's faster because:
-It's super easy to line up. Literally just slap it on and push down
-All the leverage is utilized at once vs. in increments
-Everything is on one side, so you can't step on ladders
-It wraps the strap around the boot, rather than pushing against friction. This also leaves less wear and tear on your straps and boots
I'd be interested to get people's opinions after they were to try it. I'm mostly doing this for a street binding, adults who are switching to skiing for convenience, and I guess kids now! Thanks for your thoughts.
Oh I get that it's faster, but I'm just saying that it's not enough of a perceived difference to matter much to me; hell Flows are probably faster yet but are still not enough to convince me away from ratchets. I was merely suggesting that it might fill a better need with kids bindings, rather than providing a mere convenience for older riders. Just my two cents, anyways.
I understand some of you are worried about unintentional release, but here are some pictures to show how it stays shut in all conditions:
Notice the black piece that slides under the notch in the base. 99.9% of the time, the tension holds the latch/binding shut. The locking piece is only there for:
-Safety on lift rides
-In case you hit it on something
-If you want to tweak out a one-footed nose grab like crazy
-Liability
-If you want to secure your highbacks in the folded down position
I also realize some of you are worried about that large, bulky loop and the aesthetics. Here is a picture to give you (more of) an idea of what it will look like on a binding
Yes, I plan to do something about the excessive overhang.
No, screws that require screwdrivers is not the optimal way to adjust something. I am aware of that, and I plan to do something about that as well.
Yes, the loop is also sitting crooked. That is because 1. there is no tension being applied to center it and 2. I bent that loop into shape using a 3/16" metal rod I found at Lowe's, so it's certainly not perfect.
If i were buying it, I would be more likely to buy it if it was made out of aluminum instead of plastic and a little smaller. But as a prototype it looks prety good.
Well you're in luck, because it will be made out of metal and it will also be a little smaller! I am getting CNC machined aluminum parts soon.
That picture is strictly for giving an idea of what looks like on the binding, but that is, in no way, a fully functioning prototype due to the durability of parts made through the utilization of plastic printing.
Thanks, man. I really appreciate it! Yeah, if anything, this has definitely been an incredible learning experience! Can't put a price on everything I've learned by doing this. CAD designing, learning about patents, researching 3D printing, expanding my capabilities to recognize and utilize resources... all very useful.
Regardless of what everyone says, if you enjoy what you're doing keep at it! Don't focus on making millions (which you don't seem to) because if you enjoy what you're doing that will be worth a million.
BTW I've been a lurker on this site for a while and never felt a need to post but your creativity and determination is an inspiration.
I enjoy it very much. I couldn't stop if I tried. Haha
Yeah, I've never been one to focus on money. Money only exists if more than one person believes it exists (stole that from somewhere, not sure where). The goal of this project was to create something that I, as well as other snowboarders, could get stoked on and enjoy. If it "makes millions", then cool, that's why I protected the idea with patent pending, but that's not what is driving me. What's driving me is my dream to work in the snowboard industry and give back to the sport that has been a huge part of my life for the past 12 years.
I actually made a post on facebook the other night that sums up my views on money and society pretty well (if you're interested):
"On the largest scale of things, life is meaningless. There is no purpose to anything we do, say, create, or destroy. Businesses, jobs, and the entire structure of our society were just created to try and create purpose in a world that has none, so don't get too caught up in the system. It is empty. Live for love, or live for nothing."
Did you happen to find this. Patent US3363288 - Boot buckle - Google Patents It is basically identical to your design except that it is on a ski boot instead of a binding. I know the patent office has been pretty shitty the last few decades so maybe your will get past. Oddly I found this while trying to find the patent on Roces memory buckle for inline skates.
As I said that was one of my main reasons for never pursuing the design. One other was a matter of leverage and pull distance. The vast majority of people that board use their bindings' ankle strap to compensate for poor fitting boots. This is a big part of why so many people hate Flows. The amount of racheting most people do would be outside of the range of any latch system of a reasonable size.
Don't think I'm trying to discourage you. It's obvious you have the right mentality to be pursuing designing and making things. As one maker to another, keep at it. I've built some awesome stuff and some not so awesome stuff. Looking back it was all worth it.
I did not happen to find that one. Definitely the same concept, but I still think my design is different enough due to the locking device that hooks under the notch, the straight sections in the loop, how it mounts, and some of the other components. I wish I could show you the provisional patent application that has all the details, but I'm not going to make the patent application public because it's possible that someone could hire some prick of a lawyer to start picking through it and find loopholes for stealing my idea. Chances of that happening? Very low. Not worth the risk though.
I really appreciate it though. Thanks for taking the time to find that and post the link on here for me to look at it. It would be cool to see some of the awesome stuff you've made too.
Pretty cool that a kid would put this much time, effort and money into this kind of project. I wish you good luck with it and remember most inventors who have had success have a 100/1 failure to success rate. Keep at it.
Thanks, man. I appreciate you leaving a post and sharing your thoughts!
Well, the way I think of it... As long as I'm finding the resources to do what I love doing, then I consider myself successful. I think it just depends on what you define as a success or failure.
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