Research shows that there are 70,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in skiing every year, 17,000 in the US alone. Vermont inventor Rick Howell hopes to change those statistics with his newly patented KneeBinding. Rick’s scientifically proven design is based on a clever heel piece that releases sideways as forces build in the classic ACL-ripping backwards twisting fall. After five years of development and rigorous testing by the TUV Testing Institute in Munich, Germany, the KneeBinding is ready for market. The secret is in three individual springs that control all release modes so the binding stays on when it should and releases only when forces could injure the ACL. Not only is KneeBinding able to reduce the risk of knee injury, it could also serve as a safety net for skiers that are wary of re-injuring old ACL tears.

Rick Howell is no stranger to invention. He left Geze bindings after eight years to develop CycleBinding, which he claims was the first hands-free clipless bicycle pedal. Clipless pedals now dominate cycling. He also holds the patent for the snowshoe binding that launched Tubbs into the 21st century.

Howell is on a mission to reduce knee injuries in skiing and we could all benefit.