New Quick Entry System

6609 Views 57 Replies 23 Participants Last post by quikboarder93, Nov 6, 2013

quikboarder93

Discussion Starter · Nov 5, 2013

Trying to get some feedback. What do you guys think of this invention I made?
Snowboard binding Quick Flip Technology (Patent Pending!) - YouTube

(Sorry for originally posting in binding reviews and leaving that thread there. If someone tells me how to delete a thread, I will delete that one)

41 - 58 of 58 Posts

trapper

· #41 · Nov 5, 2013

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.

quikboarder93

Discussion Starter · #42 · Nov 6, 2013

trapper said:
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.

trapper

· #43 · Nov 6, 2013

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.

TorpedoVegas

· #44 · Nov 6, 2013

Isn't this just basically the same way the old original Sims bindings worked in the 80s?

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quikboarder93

Discussion Starter · #45 · Nov 6, 2013

TorpedoVegas said:
Isn't this just basically the same way the old original Sims bindings worked in the 80s?

I would have to see it up close, but from the looks of it, it doesn't look like it.

quikboarder93

Discussion Starter · #46 · Nov 6, 2013 (Edited)

3

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.

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mr_____awesome

· #47 · Nov 6, 2013

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.

quikboarder93

Discussion Starter · #48 · Nov 6, 2013

mr_____awesome said:
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.

freshy

· #49 · Nov 6, 2013 (Edited)

quikboarder93 said:
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'm not so sure about that. Just saw an episode of Dragon's Den where an inventor tried to patent a new screwdriver bit that combined a Robertson (Square head) with a flat bit, but it was just a modification to an existing patent so the patent office wouldn't give it to him.
Maybe try to get on Dragon's Den while were on the subject.

In your vid you mention who ever loosens their binding on the lift or something along those lines. Well I do, I like to tighten them up for certain situations and it's a relief to loosen them up for the lift.
Stepping on my ladders has no consequences either, the plastic they use now can withstand a step at cold temperatures. Plus if they do break it's super easy to find a replacement. But I seriously have not broke one since 1999.

*Edit, just noticed you from the states and probably have no idea what Dragons Den or a Robertson is. Dragon's Den is a show where inventors try to get rich pricks to give them money for a percentage of their business more or less.

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quikboarder93

Discussion Starter · #50 · Nov 6, 2013

freshy said:
I'm not so sure about that. Just saw an episode of Dragon's Den where an inventor tried to patent a new screwdriver bit that combined a Robertson (Square head) with a flat bit, but it was just a modification to an existing patent so the patent office wouldn't give it to him.
Maybe try to get on Dragon's Den while were on the subject.

In your vid you mention who ever loosens their binding on the lift or something along those lines. Well I do, I like to tighten them up for certain situations and it's a relief to loosen them up for the lift.
Stepping on my ladders has no consequences either, the plastic they use now can withstand a step at cold temperatures. Plus if they do break it's super easy to find a replacement. But I seriously have not broke one since 1999.

*Edit, just noticed you from the states and probably have no idea what Dragons Den or a Robertson is. Dragon's Den is a show where inventors try to get rich pricks to give them money for a percentage of their business more or less.

Sounds similar to Shark Tank. Well, I spent hours looking through patents for something similar to my design, but couldn't find anything. If there was something I missed, then that would really suck, but I honestly could not find anything that looked similar. I plan to go the kickstarter route if I cannot find a licensee or a company to work with me on this within the next few months.

I was more referring to the annoyance of stepping on ladders than actually breaking them. They also strip if they're not adjusted properly, but that's another topic.

I'm not saying this binding is for everyone, but for street snowboarding, hiking park features, yard sessions, and guys who like doing one-footed tricks, it could be very beneficial. I actually had a feeling that some guys from bigger mountains might not want it, and that's OK. I will say that the final design I have in mind will be very easy to adjust though. Flip it up, adjust it, flip it back down.
Check out the little clamps on the fixed side of Nitro bindings. That's the type of adjustment I had in mind for both sides of the binding strap.

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modusoperandi

· #51 · Nov 6, 2013

I'm impressed. If you do a kickstarter to get a 3D printer, patent lawyer and whatever else you need to get going I'll throw in.

Either way keep it up man. This sort of experience (and attitude) will take you places.

quikboarder93

Discussion Starter · #52 · Nov 6, 2013

modusoperandi said:
I'm impressed. If you do a kickstarter to get a 3D printer, patent lawyer and whatever else you need to get going I'll throw in.

Either way keep it up man. This sort of experience (and attitude) will take you places.

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.

Jrham

· #53 · Nov 6, 2013

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.

quikboarder93

Discussion Starter · #54 · Nov 6, 2013 (Edited)

Jrham said:
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."

I'm glad to hear you find this project inspiring!

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john doe

· #55 · Nov 6, 2013 (Edited)

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.

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quikboarder93

Discussion Starter · #56 · Nov 6, 2013

john doe said:
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.

2hipp4u

· #57 · Nov 6, 2013

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.

quikboarder93

Discussion Starter · #58 · Nov 6, 2013

2hipp4u said:
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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