Abstract: A snowshoe having a tubular frame supporting a flexible deck has a molded tail piece connecting the tail ends of the tubular frame. The tail piece has two dowel members which are angled to form a rear apex, such that the tail ends of the tubular frame extend over the dowel members for secure connection. In addition, the molded tail piece has a connecting bracket extending forwardly, with a wide slot in which the tail of the stretched membrane decking is secured. In this way a rear support and connection point for the decking is provided by the tube end connector, while also providing tension on the tail piece retaining it in place without the need for fasteners.

Abstract: A binding for a snowshoe has a base secured to a footbed connected to the snowshoe frame, and a tongue piece above the footbed, connected at front to the footbed in a flexible hinge and positioned to engage the top of a user's boot, from the toe to the arch. At each side of the binding, between the tongue piece and the footpad, lacing extends in zig-zag configuration from the front to the back of the binding, passing through lacing eyes and slidable through the eyes with relatively low friction, for drawing the tongue piece down onto the boot. At the back of the binding, a heel strap is positioned to extend around the heel of the foot, and this heel strap is connected to the lacing at both sides, such that when the heel strap is tightened via slip-through type adjustment buckles, this pulls on the lacing to tighten the lacing at both sides and snug the tongue piece down against the boot, firmly engaging the boot in the binding.

Abstract: A harness for a snowshoe has straps, buckles and strap slip connections configured such that a single pull will snug the harness down to the boot, both at the toe and at the top of the arch, firmly engaging over the shoe or boot. The straps, which may be formed as a single strap, extend up from one side of the toe end of a footbed secured to the snowshoe, and pass through loops and buckles of the harness assembly in such a way that the ends of the straps, or a loop of the single strap can be pulled from between the buckles to tighten the harness at toe and arch areas simultaneously. Mechanical advantage preferably is provided at the toe end, by the strap looping back once before it reaches the buckle. The strap or straps are arranged and connected such that a flexible harness shell that extends up from one side of the footbed “floats” in position, accommodating a wide range of shoe or boot sizes.

Abstract: A snowshoe having a tubular frame supporting a flexible deck has a molded tail piece connecting the tail ends of the tubular frame. The tail piece has two dowel members which are angled to form a rear apex, such that the tail ends of the tubular frame extend over the dowel members for secure connection. In addition, the molded tail piece has a connecting bracket extending forwardly, with a wide slot in which the tail of the stretched membrane decking is secured. In this way a rear support and connection point for the decking is provided by the tube end connector, while also providing tension on the tail piece retaining it in place without the need for fasteners.

Abstract: A binding for a snowshoe has a base secured to a footbed connected to the snowshoe frame, and a tongue piece above the footbed, connected at front to the footbed in a flexible hinge and positioned to engage the top of a user's boot, from the toe to the arch. At each side of the binding, between the tongue piece and the footpad, lacing extends in zig-zag configuration from the front to the back of the binding, passing through lacing eyes and slidable through the eyes with relatively low friction, for drawing the tongue piece down onto the boot. At the back of the binding, a heel strap is positioned to extend around the heel of the foot, and this heel strap is connected to the lacing at both sides, such that when the heel strap is tightened via slip-through type adjustment buckles, this pulls on the lacing to tighten the lacing at both sides and snug the tongue piece down against the boot, firmly engaging the boot in the binding.

Abstract: A harness for a snowshoe has straps, buckles and strap slip connections configured such that a single pull will snug the harness down to the boot, both at the toe and at the top of the arch, firmly engaging over the shoe or boot. The straps, which may be formed as a single strap, extend up from one side of the toe end of a footbed secured to the snowshoe, and pass through loops and buckles of the harness assembly in such a way that the ends of the straps, or a loop of the single strap can be pulled from between the buckles to tighten the harness at toe and arch areas simultaneously. Mechanical advantage preferably is provided at the toe end, by the strap looping back once before it reaches the buckle. The strap or straps are arranged and connected such that a flexible harness shell that extends up from one side of the footbed “floats” in position, accommodating a wide range of shoe or boot sizes.

Abstract: A strap buckle, particularly for use in a snowshoe binding, operates somewhat as a cam lock buckle but instead of exhibiting pinching force on the strap which increases with increased back-pulling force, the buckle's spring loaded lever engages a nipple or protrusion more deeply into a hole in the hole-punched strap as back-pulling force increases. The buckle lever has a strong downward bend, so that a front end of the lever tucks the strap tail against the user's boot and aids in the releasing of the lever from the strap.