ChallengeDesign winter sport gear for traveling on ice and snow
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SolutionMaglon is the only magnetic binding system for ice climbers that attaches crampons efficiently and securely
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124 people have died over the last 50 years
from incorrect crampon operation
— American Alpine Club
Climbers’ Concerns
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Mark Petnuch Age 62, Male 33 years experience "Current crampons are difficult to use and still has potential danger" Usability & Security
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Josh Pollock Age 39, Male 12 years experience "Ensuring the crampon can't come off the boots while in the middle of climbing" Security
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Issues of Use
Crampons occasionally detach
Current crampons still have this
potential danger. None are 100% secure 
Problems with heavy gloves
When the climber ties his straps with heavy gloves, it is difficult to hold and pass them through the bail
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Heavy snow build up
The climber needs to clean a flat platform for attaching
crampons. It takes about 2 to 5 minutes |
Design Criteria
Effortless
Easy to use, and attach
crampons with no mess |
Efficient
Use minimal time to attach crampons on boots
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Secure
Fully protect climbers on ice
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Integrated
Integrated system with crampons and boots
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Concept Development
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Concept 1: Screw adjustment Using screw to adjust the height of crampons in outsole. Before climbers reach approach spot, they raise their crampons. When they start to climb, lower the crampons, and ready to go Crampons built in boots |
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Concept 2: Magnetic attachment Use magnet to attach crampons to boots. When climb starts, put crampons on the ground, and move their foot over magnet, which automatically attaches to outsole. Crampons and boots are independent pieces |
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Mockup Testing
Material: plastic work boots, MDF, and water jet on stainless steel
Concept 1:
Screw adjustment
Screw adjustment
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Problem:
MDF is too weak to support body weight, so it broke when I was wearing it |
Concept 2:
Magnetic attachment
Magnetic attachment
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Problem:
I screwed magnet into rubber outsole, but it couldn’t hold the force. It came out while I was climbing |
Both issues: MDF is slippery to climb and spikes are too short to grab the ice
Concept Selection
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Screw adjustment
This involves complex mechanical function, and need a space to place screw |
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Magnetic attachment
Easy to attach, and only need a space for magnet in both crampons and boots |
Mockup Refinement
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1. Add an extra rubber layer instead of MDF, and fasten it on outsole
2. Fasten magnet on current crampons instead of water jet stainless steel |
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Aesthetic Ideation
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Crampons
Inspired by natural animals’ claw, such as crab.insect,leopard and talon 
Talon chosen
From different ideas, talon is a inspiration for crampons and product name |
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Sole design Inspired by mountain goat’s outsole, will gives boots traction while traveling on snow |
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Ankle support
The ankle is surrounded a closed cell foam. This the ideation of shapes |
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Fidlock
Magnetic buckle provides ease of locking while attaching crampons |
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Final sketch Crampons off |
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Crampons on |
