Abstract: A snowshoe having a pivot axle for pitch rotation of the footbed platform relative to the snowshoe frame is supported from the frame in a manner that provides for significant lateral flexing, i.e. pivoting on the roll axis, to accommodate use of snowshoes on side hill terrain. Instead of a relatively rigid support from the snowshoe frame, the footbed platform is supported by left and right tension bands that are connected to the snowshoe frame and to left and right ends of the transverse pivot rod that provides pitch rotation. Preferably the connection to each end of the pivot rod is with a rotatable spindle over which the tension band engages, such rollers being connected at right angles to the two ends of the pivot rod. A rotation limiter can be included to limit free rotation of the binding in the pitch direction to a selected arc. The footbed support system can be employed on any type of snowshoe, whether a tubular frame, non-tubular frame or molded composite snowshoe.

Abstract: A binding for securing the boot of a user to a snowshoe has a semi-rigid base with integral boot toe and boot heel control members and flexible upper members of a softer and more compliant material then that of the base connected to the base for embracing the boot upper; toe stops are fixed to the boot toe control members for engagement by and proper positioning of the toe of the boot; a heel strap extends between the boot heel control members and embraces the boot heel for securing the boot to the binding; and a 3-point closure system with quick mid-point connect/disconnect interconnects between the flexible upper members for varying the pressure exerted by the upper members on the boot upper while permitting easy separation of the upper members.

Abstract: A snowshoe having a pivot axle for pitch rotation of the footbed platform relative to the snowshoe frame is supported from the frame in a manner that provides for significant lateral flexing, i.e. pivoting on the roll axis, to accommodate use of snowshoes on side hill terrain. Instead of a relatively rigid support from the snowshoe frame, the footbed platform is supported by left and right tension bands that are connected to the snowshoe frame and to left and right ends of the transverse pivot rod that provides pitch rotation. Preferably the connection to each end of the pivot rod is with a rotatable spindle over which the tension band engages, such rollers being connected at right angles to the two ends of the pivot rod. A rotation limiter can be included to limit free rotation of the binding in the pitch direction to a selected arc. The footbed support system can be employed on any type of snowshoe, whether a tubular frame, non-tubular frame or molded composite snowshoe.

Abstract: A snowshoe has a frame and a pivot axle assembly extending across an opening in the frame for pivotally supporting a boot binding assembly for limited front and rear rotation, a resilient pad is disposed between the pivot axle assembly and the boot binding assembly for permitting frontal plane, side to side movement of the boot binding assembly.

Abstract: A snowshoe binding has a body member which is molded from an elastomeric synthetic material which easily conforms to the contour of a wide range of boot configurations and incorporates a pair of ladder cinch buckles mounted on synthetic straps positioned over the instep of the boot, the buckles not being anchored to any supporting component on the body member and operating in opposite directions, the straps being permanently installed in the buckles, and secured against removal from the buckles by the placement of snap hardware on the straps.

Abstract: A snowshoe has a frame and a pivot axle assembly extending across an opening in the frame for pivotally supporting a boot binding assembly for limited front and rear rotation, a resilient pad is disposed between the pivot axle assembly and the boot binding assembly for permitting frontal plane, side to side movement of the boot binding assembly.

Abstract: A snowshoe binding has a body member which is molded from an elastomeric synthetic material which easily conforms to the contour of a wide range of boot configurations and incorporates a pair of ladder cinch buckles mounted on synthetic straps positioned over the instep of the boot, the buckles not being anchored to any supporting component on the body member and operating in opposite directions, the straps being permanently installed in the buckles, and secured against removal from the buckles by the placement of snap hardware on the straps.

Abstract: A snowshoe crampon system has toe and heel crampons which are fabricated from strong, hard abrasion resistant material such as stainless steel, titanium, or tool steel, the toe crampon having a depending formed skirt and a trio of tooth pairs depending angularly therefrom, namely: a pair of forward climbing teeth, a pair of lateral traction teeth and a pair of rear braking teeth, each tooth of each pair having an outwardly curved, convex, crowned outer face which Is grooved to form a gusset, each tooth pair being disposed at such an angle as to contribute to the traction provided by the other two pair; the heel crampon having two pair of teeth, namely: a pair of lateral traction teeth and a pair of rear braking teeth, the pair of lateral traction teeth being disposed on a plane parallel to the direction of snowshoe travel and the pair of rear braking teeth being disposed at an angle relative to the direction of snowshoe travel.

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: 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 incorporates a semi-rigid boot housing assembly which encloses the boot of a user on either side and bottom of the foot, and an integral heel crampon assembly which precludes deflection of the snowshoe flotation member and heel crampons by ensuring that the downward force of a user's weight is transmitted directly to the crampons whereby the crampons remain perpendicular to the snow surface, the boot housing assembly extending to the heel area and upward to the ankle area and including an adjustable heel stop assembly attached to the housing for ensuring that the ball of the foot is positioned directly over the snowshoe axle, the housing assembly having semi-rigid side walls which extend the lateral rigidity to the ankle area, and provide a tension member to resist foot movement during descents, the housing walls being designed to comfortably restrain the foot using an instep clamp assembly, the boot housing assembly including a width adjustment system which allows the user to pre-set the proper wi