Abstract: A connecting interface device adapted to be fixed on a boot and mounted pivotally on a sports apparatus which procures rear retention when climbing. The device includes a plate to which a boot is fixed, which is pivotally mounted on an axle in relation to the sports apparatus. This device also includes a base plate that is pivotally mounted in relation to the plate about an axis. This base plate is arranged beneath the plate and includes a housing for receiving a climbing wedge that is mounted so as to be inserted between the plate and the base plate. This device finds an application in particular in snowshoes and cross country skis.

Abstract: A snow shoe (1) includes a tubular frame (2) defining an interior zone. A deck (4) which is surrounded by the frame is made in part of a film (3). A binding (7) retained on the deck for securing the boot of the user. A central technical bottom piece (15) enhances the traction and floatation properties, as well as the comfort of the snowshoe (1). The central technical bottom piece (15) which is arranged along the central portion of the tubular frame (2) includes a traction surface having lateral longitudinal traction portions (18a, 18b) extending vertically from the frame (2), in this manner, the traction characteristics in the transverse direction are enhanced. The traction portions (18a, 18b) may comprise lateral walls, spikes, blades, or the like. The traction portions (18a, 18b) extend in the downward direction from the outer edge of the snowshoe rather than from the middle areas of the snowshoe (1) to increase the comfort of the shoe (1).

Abstract: A snowshoe has an integral deck and frame molded from a high impact, plastic material, the frame having integral molded hubs for accepting a unique binding pivot system which includes a molded two piece axle with integral bearings journalled in the molded hubs of the frame, the axle being located in close proximity to the operating plane between the snowshoe and the snow, a non-slip, easy-to-adjust binding, and a steel crampon having teeth with rounded edges which diminishes the risk of children being cut by sharp, pointed teeth.

Abstract: The snowshoe includes a closed loop frame carrying an intermediate decking attached to the frame. The decking is made from a full sheet of semi-flexible plastic material, and is peripherally attached to the frame. A toe hole is provided at the front end portion of the decking. On its edge rearwardly adjacent to the toe hole, the decking forms an integral first hinge, in the form of an arcuate boss having an upwardly convex upper surface, and a downwardly concave lower surface. A harness is pivotally attached to the decking. The harness has a cradle plate made of semi-flexible plastic material, and a flexible strap attached thereto. The cradle has an upper surface for receiving the foot of the person wearing the snowshoe, and a lower surface which forms an integral second hinge, in the form of an arcuate seat and a pair of cylindrical lugs spacedly adjacent to the arcuate seat.

Abstract: A snowshoe that includes a support piece for the user's foot which extends transversely within the frame of the snowshoe and which allows the foot to pivot in order to ease walking. The support piece is elastically suspended within the frame by attachment elements connecting it to the sides of the frame. The support piece can thus be lowered in its entirety depending on the direction and/or the value of the weight to which it is subjected transversely with respect to the snowshoe while remaining substantially horizontal. The snowshoe as disclosed is particularly intended for traversing along a sloped terrain.

Abstract: An improved snowshoe is provided which is composed of a semi-rigid plastic web base which has a toe area having a downwardly extending flange encompassing a toe hole. The web base has a heel deck which has a raised retaining wall for maintaining the user's heel in the heel deck to reduce left or right sideslipping. A longitudinal slot is disposed between the toe hole flange and the heel deck. The slot relieves stresses along the web base during a walking motion by the wearer. A binding assembly may include a binding unit and tongue member which are connected to form a flexible two-piece hinge which allows both the user's toe to depress into the toe hole and the snowshoe web to fall away from the wearer's heel as the wearer bends his/her foot in a walking or running motion. A one piece, easy-to-use lace fastening mechanism is also provided to hold the binding assembly in tight engagement with the wearer's boot or shoe.

Abstract: A snowshoe heel lift for preventing heel strain and fatigue is disclosed. The snowshoe heel lift described herein is comprised of a substantially planar heel platform and a bail member coupled thereto. The bail member articulates between a deployed and a retracted position. When in the deployed condition, the bail member abuts against an external support which is coupled to the heel platform. The external support keeps the bail member deployed and the bail member and external support are together capable of supporting the weight of a snowshoer, without collapsing. A heel lift and snowshoe combination is also disclosed.

Abstract: A snowshoe attachment is provided including a resilient assembly including a top extent having a front end connected to a snowshoe and a second end rested thereon. The resilient assembly further includes a bottom extent forming a pocket with the top extent. A boot of a user is situated in the pocket for maintaining the same secured to the snowshoe. The boot may be removed by the lifting of the second end of the top extent.

Abstract: The novel snowshoe (400) includes at least one tail extender (404) to provide variable flotation characteristics and traction bars (412) that provide improved side slip protection such as when traversing steep terrain. The snowshoe (400) is thereby especially advantageous for use in back country mountaineering. A three (or more) point attachment mechanism is disclosed for coupling the tail extender (404) to the flotation plate (416) of snowshoe (400) so as to reduce stress on the coupling elements and provide a more secure interface.

Abstract: A snowshoe is configured to receive a boot-mounted crampon, such that the crampon teeth serve as the front and rear cleats for the snowshoe. Two openings are included in the snowshoe deck, at toe and heel, the toe harness assembly including a plate configured to receive the front portion of a crampon such that the crampon is inserted into the snowshoe with the toe tipped down, then the heel is rotated down to lock the crampon to the plate. A single strap is included to secure the boot to the harness at a location behind the ball of the foot. In a preferred embodiment, left and right portions of the tooth assembly near the toe of the crampon fit closely within a clearance at each side of the plate, so that as the crampon is placed into the plate the crampon becomes located and registered to a certain position, rigidly holding the crampon on the plate against rotation about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A snow shoe (1) has a peripheral frame (2) which defines an interior zone or screen (8). A retention device (3) retains a shoe (4) of a user on the snow shoe. The retention device includes a pivoting plate (7) which is articulated on the screen around a transverse pivoting axle (9), a front strap (10), arranged on the pivoting plate, and a positioning and a control mechanism which permits modification of the longitudinal position of the user's shoe. Specifically, the retention device permits positioning of the front or rear end of the shoe relative to the pivoting axle (7), or of the pivoting axle relative to the screen (8).

Abstract: A binding (5) for a snow shoe (1) includes a front binding portion (9). The front binding portion (9) includes a base plate (11) from which a pair of side walls (9a, 9b) extend upward. The side walls have upward extensions (13a, 13b) which have transverse slots (14) defined therein. Upper wall portions or straps (10a, 10b) have detents (16) which are slidably received in the slots. A heel engaging loop (21) is connected with cables (18a, 18b) which engage the top wall portions or the detents. As the loop is pulled over the heel of the boots, the cables pull the detents downward through the slots, drawing the side walls together, contracting a cavity (15) which they define tightly around the toe of the boot.

Abstract: A snow shoe (1) has a peripheral frame (2) which defines an interior zone. A central part (14) is disposed centrally in the open zone to receive a binding (5). A plurality of support walls (40) extend transversely between the central part and the peripheral frame. The support walls are downwardly concave, having a central portion (40c) disposed between front portions (40a) and rear portions (40b). Forward downward extending edges (42a) extend downward from the front wall portion and rearward downward extending edges (42b) extend downward from the rear wall portions.

Abstract: In a composite snowshoe, a thermosetting plastic deck or jacket wholly or partially encapsulates an aluminum tubing frame which includes an integral toe cord axle insert molded with the deck or jacket, with a boot binding system mechanically interlocked with the deck and frame which includes integral traction cleats, a crampon, longitudinal, serrated ribs on the underside of the deck to provide lateral stability when traversing a slope and improved traction when climbing an incline and diagonal ribs on the deck for strengthening the longitudinal ribs and adding traction in packed snow.

Abstract: A snowshoe includes a perimeter frame carrying sheet-type floatation and having a hinge rod supported transversely of the frame. A bearing sleeve or bushing is disposed about the hinge rod and a cooperates therewith to enable snap-on assembly and release of a claw plate having a binding supported thereon, thereby enabling interchanging of claw plates and bindings for a particular snowshoe frame and decking. The hinge rod and bushing cooperate to vary the frictional resistance to relative rotation between the claw plate and hinge rod, and thereby provide a shock absorber effect. Various features of the claw plate enable adjustment of the frictional resistance to rotation of the claw plate about the hinge rod to accommodate different uses of the snowshoe and different characteristics of the user. Other features include an improved arrangement for securing the outer marginal edge of the sheet-type decking or floatation material to the frame.

Abstract: Snow-shoe consisting of a boot retaining device of the type including a retainer device in front (9) in which is retained the front extremity of said boot, which is there acted upon by at least one pulling device toward the front (11) characterized in that the front retainer device is an elastic envelope made up by a set of walls (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) of pliable material forming a retainer cavity open toward the rear, characterized in that the retainer cavity consists of two lateral retainer walls (15b, 15c) converging toward the front, and the convergence of which and their distance from each other is such that the front extremity of the boot is maintained laterally by these walls at two lateral points separated from each other.

Abstract: A binding system for attaching a boot to a snowshoe wherein a greater percentage of the energy from the movements of the boot is transmitted to the snowshoe binding and the snowshoe which then assists in the more efficient movement of the snowshoe. The binding system also provides increased control of the snowshoe. The binding system comprises resilient elastic flexible material attached to the perimeter of the boot and straps looped through the front of the toe area of the boot to points in the front perimeter of the snowshoe and also a resilient elastic strap around the instep of the boot attached to the rear section of the snowshoe.

Abstract: A snowshoe has both a compact stored configuration and a usable configuration. A frame of the snowshoes includes a plurality of segments which can be disconnected from each other, folded upon each other, or telescopically inserted into one another thus allowing the frame to be collapsed to a fraction of its original size when not being used. When collapsed the effective length of the frame members is greatly reduced. The frame can be readily assembled and disassembled. The frame is fabricated from a material which is both lightweight and strong. A snowshoe binding structure is also lightweight and compactible to a small size and particularly suited for use with a compatible snowshoe. A deck, fabricated from a flexible material, is coupled to the frame during use and is removed when the frame is compacted for storage. When in its compact storage configuration the snowshoe components are arranged in an easily stored bundle.

Abstract: An improved snowshoe includes a frame at least partially covered by a membrane, a front claw, and biased mounting means for pivotally attaching the front claw to the frame at an offset relative to a neutral frame plane. The biased mounting permits the user's foot to pivot the front claw downward increasing friction with the underlying terrain, but also urges the snowshoe to pivot toward an angle restoring the offset when the snowshoe is lifted. This results in the back of the snowshoe being urged downward, minimizing snow throwing by the snowshoe back, without producing dragging. At the same time, the front of the snowshoe is urged upward, tending not to trip the user. The biased mounting means preferably includes at least one resilient strap attached to the frame and, at the strap center, to the front claw. The preferred embodiment includes a rear cleat mounted to the upper membrane surface, and including at least one wall projecting downward through the membrane.

Abstract: A snowshoe has a front claw and shoe harness assembly including a molded, conclave footpad. The footpad has front-to-back concavity so as to cradle the ball of the user's foot, helping the user locate the foot properly and preventing slippage fore-and-aft and rotationally relative to the snowshoe. In preferred embodiments, the contoured footpad is of a rubbery, somewhat compliant material to further promote friction and cradling of the ball of the shoe.

Abstract: A snowshoe includes a perimeter frame carrying sheet-type floatation and having a hinge rod secured transversely of the frame by hinge rod straps. A foot plate is pivotally mounted on the hinge rod and supports a binding to attach the snowshoe to a user's shoe or the like. A bearing sleeve is disposed between the hinge rod and a retainer plate secured to the underside of the foot plate. The hinge rod, bearing sleeve, retainer plate, and hinge rod straps, act independently or cooperatively to vary the frictional resistance to relative rotation between the foot plate and hinge rod, and thereby provide a shock absorber effect. Various features enable variation of the shock absorbing characteristics to accommodate different uses of the snowshoe and different characteristics of the user. Other features provide improved discharge of snow which accumulates on the snowshoe, and improved retention of the user's boot longitudinally within the binding.

Abstract: The snowshoe having a tubular, elongated, open, main frame, a flexible sheet decking extending over the main frame and defining a peripheral edge section anchored to the main frame, and a telescopic cross-bar, extending transversely of the main frame intermediately thereof. The cross-bar releasably biases the elongated main frame in such a way as to vary its overall width, whereby the widthwise tensioning of the flexible sheet decking is concurrently varied. The sheet decking receives and supports a wearer's foot harness assembly, located directly above the cross-bar.

Abstract: A snowshoe includes a perimeter frame carrying sheet-type floatation and having a hinge rod secured in transverse relation thereto. A claw plate is pivotally supported on the hinge rod and supports a binding for attaching the snowshoe to a user's boot or the like. A bridle strap or cable cooperates with the claw plate and hinge rod to limit upward pivotal movement of the claw plate relative to the frame.

Abstract: A combination snowshoe and binding, wherein the binding cooperates upon the snowshoe, for evenly distributing a user's weight thereupon. The binding includes an outboard half and an inboard half, the outboard half being horizontally movable upon the inboard half, in a slidable manner. The outboard half remains loosely coupled upon a pivoting member and moves freely in a horizontal direction, to accommodate the foot widths of a variety of users. The inboard half remains stationary, while in use, but can loosened, and adjusted in a horizontal direction. By moving the inboard half to a desired adjustment position, a proper positioning for evenly distributing a user's weight upon the snowshoe can be achieved. The snowshoe further includes an asymmetric frame member for allowing a user to walk with a normal stride upon a snowy surface.

Abstract: A collapsible snowshoe is constructed of an elongated frame having right and left side bars and front and rear end bars. A web extends between the end bars of the frame. A shoe binding is attached to the frame above the web and between the right and left side bars for pivotal motion along a transverse pivot axis. A resilient member urges relative pivotal motion between the shoe binding and the frame along the transverse pivot axis, causing the front of the frame to be urged upwardly with respect to the shoe binding.

Abstract: An improved snowshoe includes a frame at least partially covered by a membrane, a front claw, and biased mounting means for pivotally attaching the front claw to the frame at an offset relative to a neutral frame plane. The biased mounting permits the user's foot to pivot the front claw downward increasing friction with the underlying terrain, but also urges the snowshoe to pivot toward an angle restoring the offset when the snowshoe is lifted. This results in the back of the snowshoe being urged downward, minimizing snow throwing by the snowshoe back, without producing dragging. At the same time, the front of the snowshoe is urged upward, tending not to trip the user. The biased mounting means preferably includes at least one resilient strap attached to the frame and, at the strap center, to the front claw. The preferred embodiment includes a rear cleat mounted to the upper membrane surface, and including at least one wall projecting downward through the membrane.

Abstract: An improved snowshoe includes a frame at least partially covered by a membrane, a front claw, and biased mounting means for pivotally attaching the front claw to the frame at an offset relative to a neutral frame plane. The biased mounting permits the user's foot to pivot the front claw downward increasing friction with the underlying terrain, but also urges the snowshoe to pivot toward an angle restoring the offset when the snowshoe is lifted. This results in the back of the snowshoe being urged downward, minimizing snow throwing by the snowshoe back, without producing dragging. At the same time, the front of the snowshoe is urged upward, tending not to trip the user. The biased mounting means preferably includes at least one resilient strap attached to the frame and, at the strap center, to the front claw. The preferred embodiment includes a rear cleat mounted to the upper membrane surface, and including at least one wall projecting downward through the membrane.

Abstract: Snowshoes that have been designed to allow one shoe to be reversed, inverted and assembled onto the second, forming a container for storage of various items of emergency equipment. Constructed for longterm storage, such as in the trunk of a car or aboard a private plane, design includes a movable bracket to receive a field expedient handle for utilization as an emergency snow removal device.

Abstract: A cross-country ski boot comprising a sole (2) made of a molded plastic material, having a longitudinal groove (2a) by means of which it covers a longitudinal rib (3a) provided on the upper surface of the ski (3), when the boot is flat on the ski. The boot comprises, at least in the area of its heel (4), a shaped, rigid reinforcing element (5) which shapes itself so as to fit the transverse profile of the groove (2a) of the sole (2) and which is embedded at least partially in the plastic material of the sole (2), and this reinforcing element (5) carries walking and/or wear-resistant runners (6) which are mounted on its surfaces (5b, 5c) which come to rest for support on corresponding surfaces (3c, 3d; 3e, 3f) of the ski.

Abstract: A snowshoe having a flexible framework demountably engaged in a fabric shell. The individual elements of the framework are rigid but are releasably joined together through rotatable joints so as to provide the flexible framework. The fabric shell forms the deck for the snowshoe and holds the various rigid elements together into the flexible framework. A shoe clamp on the top surface of the fabric deck is mounted to a cleat on the bottom surface of the fabric deck.

Abstract: A snowshoe is provided with a transverse steel cable that engages the opposite longitudinal side members of its frame structure. A harness secured to this cable consists of two jaw members which are pivotally connected to one another at one end thereof and cooperate to clamp the edge of the front sole portion of a user's boot. A rubber strap is attached at its opposite ends to one of the jaw members for further securing the boot to the harness. The decking of the snowshoe has an opening to allow the pivotal movement of the front portion of the boot during use. The jaw members have finger-engaging portions to facilitate the mounting and dismounting of a boot to and from the harness.

Abstract: A quick-lock-quick-release device for attaching a boot to a foot plate which doubles as an ice crampon or mounting plate for an alloy snowshoe is provided. The lock-release foot plate design is such that it can readily be adjusted for any size of boot by simply moving the lock-release lever on the foot plate. This design also lends itself to the use of the Arctic vapor barrier boots used by the military. In addition, three crampon designs are included as well as a quick release mechanism for attachment/detachment of the foot plate to/from the snowshoe without the necessity of tools. An articulated foot plate for use with an alloy snowshoe for running in snow is also shown. The articulated foot plate consists of two pieces, a toe portion and a heel portion, which are hinged together around the pivot pin to allow for flexing of the sole of the wearer's shoe during running.

Abstract: A snowshoe or racket is provided comprising a frame with T cross section having a pivot pin on which is hingedly mounted a pivoting structure for fixing different sized shoes. An intermediate spacer connects together the side members of the frame below a central lattice forming a perforated bearing surface. A fin extends the outer side member outwardly over the whole of its length and forms a sliding bearing surface. The pivoting structure comprises a rigid base plate with a front stirrup piece and a rear heel piece.

Abstract: This ski boot comprises a member for locking the upper in relation to the lower portion of the boot in the downhill running position, in the form of a rocker pivoted to a transverse axis in a cavity formed in the pivoted upper of the boot, and adapted to cooperate with a stop carried by the lower portion of the boot. The rocker can be released from the stop for straightening the skier's leg to a walking or non-skiing position by simply depressing the upper portion of the rocker. When the skier bends his leg the rocker is restored automatically to its locked position by a spring.

Abstract: A one-piece light metal alloy snowshoe is coupled to a boot attached to a crampon/binding assembly via a fixed pivot assembly. A quick lock-release device of the crampon/binding assembly may be adjusted to accommodate any size boot. Thereafter, the simple moving of a locking-release lever will firmly attach and release the boot to the crampon assembly and the snowshoe.

Abstract: A harness for a snowshoe having toe chord is shown as having an elongated binding extending generally tranversely of said snowshoe and being secured generally medially of opposite first and second ends to said toe chord as to have said first and second ends movable with respect to said snowshoe, first and second toe straps respectively secured to said first and second ends of said binding, a first strap fastener carried by said first strap, third and fourth heel strap respectively secured to the first and second ends of said binding, a second strap fastener carried by said third heel strap, the first and second toe strap being operative for drawing the first and second ends of the binding against opposite sides of a boot worn by a person walking on the snowshoe and the first fastener being effective to maintain the first and second ends tightly against the boot regardless of the size or configuration of the boot, the third and fourth heel straps being operative for drawing and holding the toe portion of the b

Abstract: An improved snowshoe includes a rigid soleplate swingably mounted for pivotal motion about the forward edge of a rigid cross member extending transversely across and adjustably affixed to the peripheral frame of the snowshoe. A strap binding assembly is mounted to the upper surface of the soleplate to secure a wearer's boot to the soleplate. A spring assembly resiliently retains the soleplate and urges it forwardly about the forward edge of the cross member to augment the conventional action of the snowshoe in lifting the leading edge of the snowshoe upwardly with each step to thereby avoid catching of the leading edge in loose snow.

Abstract: A unitary, light weight metal I-beam frame member of generally oval plan configuration bears a first transverse spreader rod between lateral sides to support a flat swivel toe plate which extends across the top of the rod. The plate has fixed at its center a flexible strip material toe binding for partial wrapping of its opposite lateral sides about the toe of an inserted boot of the snow shoe wearer. The I-beam frame carries opposed sharp edges at its base for improved traction. Flexible sheet material pads are laced to the interior of the frame forward and aft of the binder to resist snow shoe penetration into the snow field during use. A U-shaped traction device is fixed to the bottom of the I-beam frame member, beneath the toe plate, and is notched on its lower edge to bite into the snow.

Abstract: Snow-shoe with a hingedly divided frame in order to facilitate walking.

Abstract: The snowshoe employs a configuration in which the binding is mounted asymmetrically with respect to the rectilinear centerline of a snowshoe frame. Typically, the binding herein will be mounted in a relationship wherein the centerline of the binding is disposed with one and a half times as much area of the snowshoe on the outboard side as the inboard. Other adaptations herein include angular juxtapositions of the binding to compensate for pigeon-toedness and similar foot disorders.

Abstract: A snowshoe has a tubular, elongated frame with spaced side portions and rounded toe and heel portions. A plurality of discrete tie strips bind a heel decking and a toe decking comprised of a resin-impregnated nylon fabric to the frame. An adjustable frame cross member is positioned in a space between the toe and heel decking and carries the snowshoe binding. The binding is constructed to loosen the heel strap on the wearer's boot when the heel is tilted forwardly and upwardly while walking in the snowshoe to allow lateral movement of the wearer's heel but securely holds the boot in the desired position when the heel is rotated back down into the rest position on the snowshoe.

Abstract: A support for the lower leg of a skier comprises an arm pivotally connected at one end to the upper part of the lower leg and at the other end to the ski through jaws gripping the ski-boot and firmly connected with the ski by the pressure of the boot sole thereon. Pivoting of the arm is controlled by a double acting resilient device which is adjustable to vary the force on the arm and to vary the neutral position of the arm.

Abstract: A harness adapted to secure the boot of a user to a snow shoe in such manner that the toe of the boot is pivotally secured to the shoe and the heel of the boot is free to move vertically relatively to the shoe whereby increased mobility is attained and less effort is required for use.

Abstract: A shoe attachment device is disclosed herein for use in a variety of sporting activities which comprises an elongated platform or foot support member having a flat bottom surface and an upwardly extending continuous sidewall carried in parallel along the opposite side edges and along the front edge. A stiffening rod is incorporated into the front wall for reinforcement purposes. Detachable runners are carried on the platform and downwardly project from the underside thereof for ground engaging purposes. The upper surface of the platform carries a shoe or boot attachment having an adjustable heel securement and an adjustable toe securement whereby the users foot is firmly secured on the platform.