Snowshoe

Abstract

A snowshoe comprising a deck having an upper surface and a bottom surface, the deck being longer than it is wide, and defining a longitudinal travel direction along its length; a boot binding mounted to the deck to hold a boot such that the boot can pivot in its toe area about a pivot axis that is above the deck and transverse to the longitudinal travel direction, to allow the heel to come off the upper surface of the deck while maintaining the toe above or on the deck upper surface; and one or more rails projecting from the bottom surface of the deck and extending along the travel direction, to stabilize the showshoe.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an improved snowshoe construction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Snowshoes are an efficient means of walking on relatively deep snow cover. However, it takes an incredible amount of energy to move on snowshoes at more than a walk. Also, snowshoes are an inefficient means of moving on a down-slope because they do not glide.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is therefore a primary object of this invention to accomplish a snowshoe that meets these limitations of the prior art.

[0004] It is a further object of this invention to provide such a snowshoe that allows the user to glide.

[0005] It is a further object of this invention to provide such a snowshoe that can glide downhill like a ski.

[0006] It is a further object of this invention to provide such a snowshoe that is laterally stable.

[0007] It is a further object of this invention to provide such a snowshoe that accomplishes variable drag so that the grip and glide can be controlled.

[0008] This invention results from the realization that a snowshoe that can glide on the snow and is laterally stable like a ski can be accomplished by providing a solid snowshoe deck with a binding that allows pivoting above the top surface of the snowshoe so that the snowshoe can glide through the snow. Lateral stability can then be accomplished with one or more length-wise rails formed in the bottom surface.

[0009] This invention features a snowshoe with a deck having an upper surface and a bottom surface, and a boot binding mounted to the deck to hold a boot such that the boot can pivot in its toe area about a pivot axis that is above the deck and transverse to the longitudinal travel direction, to allow the heel to come off the upper surface of the deck while maintaining the toe above or on the deck upper surface, comprising: the deck being longer than it is wide, and defining a longitudinal travel direction along its length; and one or more rails projecting from the bottom surface of the deck and extending along the travel direction, to stabilize the snowshoe.

[0010] The snowshoe may further comprise one or more cleats extendable below the bottom surface of the deck. The snowshoe may then include a mechanism for extending each cleat below the bottom surface of the deck, and retracting each cleat above the bottom surface of the deck. The mechanism may be operated by a movable member on the top of the deck. The mechanism may be a rack and pinion cleat positioning device.

[0011] There are preferably at least two cleats. In one embodiment, there are at least three cleats, two closer to the front of the deck and one closer to the rear of the deck. Preferably, at least one cleat is proximate a rail.

[0012] The snowshoe preferably comprises at least two parallel rails. One or more rails preferably extend along at least most of the length of the deck. The deck preferably has wider front and rear portions and a more narrow mid portion. The boot binding may be in the mid-portion of the deck. The cleats may define a generally “V” shaped cross section, with the narrow portion facing forward.

[0013] Featured in another embodiment is a snowshoe, comprising: a deck having an upper surface and a bottom surface, the deck being longer than it is wide, and defining a longitudinal travel direction along its length; a boot binding mounted to the deck to hold a boot such that the boot can pivot in its toe area about a pivot axis that is above the deck and transverse to the longitudinal travel direction, to allow the heel to come off the upper surface of the deck while maintaining the toe above or on the deck upper surface; one or more rails projecting from the bottom surface of the deck and extending along the travel direction, to stabilize the snowshoe; and one or more cleats extendable below the bottom surface of the deck.

[0014] In yet another embodiment, the invention features a snowshoe, comprising: a deck having an upper surface and a bottom surface, the deck being longer than it is wide, and defining a longitudinal travel direction along its length; a boot binding mounted to the deck to hold a boot such that the boot can pivot in its toe area about a pivot axis that is above the deck and transverse to the longitudinal travel direction, to allow the heel to come off the upper surface of the deck while maintaining the toe above or on the deck upper surface; at least two rails projecting from the bottom surface of the deck and extending along the travel direction, to stabilize the snowshoe; at least two cleats extendable below the bottom surface of the deck; and a mechanism for extending each cleat below the bottom surface of the deck, and retracting each cleat above the bottom surface of the deck..

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a top schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the snowshoe of the invention;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the preferred embodiment of the snowshoe of this invention, with a boot shown in phantom;

[0018] FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of the snowshoe of FIG. 2 detailing one of the moveable cleats; and

[0019] FIG. 4 is bottom view of the front portion of the snowshoe of the previous figures showing the preferred embodiment with two rails, and showing the two front cleats.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] This invention may be accomplished in a snowshoe that has a solid deck. A boot binding is mounted to the top of the deck and holds the toe above the deck in a fashion such that the boot can pivot about the toe region so that the user can lift his or her heel when taking a step. Because the toe stays above the deck, the snowshoe can glide like a ski. Accordingly, longer gliding steps can be taken, and the snowshoe can be used to glide downhill. Lateral stability is accomplished with one or more longitudinal rails projecting from the bottom surface of the deck.

[0021] Additional grip can be provided with one or more retractable cleats that can be manipulated to project from the bottom surface of the deck, or retracted. The depth of protrusion can be controlled. Thus, grip and drag can be controlled depending on the circumstances in which the snowshoe is being used, for example, the slope or the iciness of the snow.

[0022] There is shown in FIG. 1 a top view of a preferred embodiment of snowshoe 10 according to this invention. This view is partially schematic as will become apparent with reference to the other drawings. Snowshoe 10 comprises deck 12 that has upper surface 13 and lower surface 15 (FIG. 2). Deck 12 is solid except for the small openings through which the cleats can move, as explained below. Deck 12 has wider front 14 and rear 16 portions as compared to the more narrow mid-portion 18 to create sides that allow carving turns, as can be accomplished with a ski. This particular outline shape is not a limitation of the invention, however. The outline shape can be as desired in order to create a desired turning radius, and also for aesthetic purposes.

[0023] Deck 12 carries boot binding 20 that is mounted to the deck to hold the boot such that the boot can pivot in its toe area about a pivot axis that is above the deck and transverse to longitudinal travel direction 9. This pivoting action allows the boot heel to come off the upper surface of the deck while maintaining the toe above or touching the upper surface of the deck. Because the toe does not project through the deck, the snowshoe is better able to glide over the surface of snow or ice. As described below, particularly with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the preferred embodiment of the invention includes one or more cleats that can be selectively extended below the bottom surface of the deck to provide additional grip or drag as desired.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a right side view of snowshoe 10 according to this invention. One longitudinal rail 36 is shown in this view, projecting from bottom surface 15 of deck 12, and extending along the travel direction of the snowshoe for most or virtually all of the length of the snowshoe, to provide lateral stability. One or more such rails help to laterally stabilize the snowshoe so that the user can more easily traverse slopped terrain and glide downhill and make carved turns, much as with a ski.

[0025] Also shown in more detail in FIG. 2 is binding 20 which comprises plate 40 fixed to upper surface 13 of deck 12. Plate 40 holds portion 47 that holds pivot pin or axis 45. Portion 41 is pivotably coupled to portion 47 at pivot 45, so that the rear portion can move up and down as shown by arrow 42, and the front portion can pivot as shown by arrow 43. This allows heel 50 of boot 46 to lift off of surface 13 while maintaining toe portion 48 above or touching the top surface 13. Accordingly, the toe of the boot does not extend through the deck when a step is taken, which allows the snowshoe to glide on the snow. Thus, steps can be followed by a short glide, which makes jogging or running easier. Also, this allows the wearer to glide downhill, with the rails providing the necessary lateral stability, and the narrow waist allowing ski-like turns.

[0026] FIG. 2 also depicts cleat enclosures 31 and 32. The preferred embodiment of the cleats is shown in a cross-sectional, partially disassembled view in FIG. 3. Deck 12 comprises a typical ski-like construction with foam core 60 and outer layers 61 and 62 that define upper surface 13 and lower surface 15. Cleat 70 can be moved from the retracted position shown in solid line in the figure, in which end 71 does not project below bottom surface 15, to an extended position shown by dotted portion 71a, in which the cleat extends below bottom surface 15. Preferably, the mount of such extension is selectable by the user so that a desired amount of grip and/or drag can be accomplished with the one more cleats. In the preferred embodiment, cleat 70 carries rack portion 74 that is engaged with pinion 76 that can rotate in the direction of arrow 78. Rotation is accomplished by movable lever member 80 that is coupled to pinion 76. Other mechanisms for extending cleats below the bottom surface of the deck and retracting cleats above the bottom surface of the deck can be used. For example, a two position mechanism with a locking pin or detent could be used. There are myriad other possibilities that would be apparent to those skilled in the mechanical arts. Preferably, the cleats are held at the desired position using a spring-loaded detent (not shown in the drawing) that holds the pinion in place, unless sufficient force is placed on the cleat (such as by stepping on a rock) to cause the pinion to rotate against the force of the detent. Enclosure 31 prevents snow from jamming the cleat movement mechanism and the detent.

[0027] In the preferred embodiment as shown partially in the bottom view of front portion 14, FIG. 4, there are two cleats, 71 and 81, in front snowshoe portion 14. The preferred form of the cleats is the generally “V” shape cross-section as shown in FIG. 4, with the narrow portion facing forward. This provides a more stream-lined shape for forward gliding motion while also providing grip for a forward kick. Longitudinal rails 36 and 37 project from the deck bottom surface 15 and may have a generally triangular shape as shown, or other desirable shape. Preferably, the rails and cleats are arranged such that the cleats are fairly close to the rails as shown by area 75, to accomplish additional drag resulting from small build up of snow in area 75. Obviously, this is not a limitation of the invention. In the preferred embodiment as best depicted in FIG. 1, there is one cleat 32 in the rear portion of deck 12, with this cleat located between rails 36 and 37. Again, however, this is not a limitation of the invention.

[0028] Although specific features of this invention are shown in some drawings and not others, this is for convenience only, as the features may be combined as would be apparent to those skilled in the field. Other embodiments will occur to such persons skilled in the field, and are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A snowshoe with a deck having an upper surface and a bottom surface, and a boot binding mounted to the deck to hold a boot such that the boot can pivot in its toe area about a pivot axis that is above the deck and transverse to the longitudinal travel direction, to allow the heel to come off the upper surface of the deck while maintaining the toe above or on the deck upper surface, comprising:

the deck being longer than it is wide, and defining a longitudinal travel direction along its length; and

one or more rails projecting from the bottom surface of the deck and extending along the travel direction, to stabilize the showshoe.

2. The snowshoe of claim 1, further comprising one or more cleats extendable below the bottom surface of the deck.

3. The snowshoe of claim 2, further comprising a mechanism for extending each cleat below the bottom surface of the deck, and retracting each cleat above the bottom surface of the deck.

4. The snowshoe of claim 3, wherein the mechanism is operated by a movable member on the top of the deck.

5. The snowshoe of claim 3, wherein the mechanism includes a rack and pinion cleat positioning device.

6. The snowshoe of claim 2, wherein there are at least two cleats.

7. The snowshoe of claim 6, wherein there are at least three cleats, two closer to the front of the deck and one closer to the rear of the deck.

8. The snowshoe of claim 2, wherein at least one cleat is proximate a rail.

9. The snowshoe of claim 1, comprising at least two parallel rails.

10. The snowshoe of claim 1, wherein the one or more rails extend along at least most of the length of the deck.

11. The snowshoe of claim 1, wherein the deck has wider front and rear portions and a more narrow mid portion.

12. The snowshoe of claim 11, wherein the boot binding is in the mid-portion of the deck.

13. The snowshoe of claim 2, wherein the cleats define a generally “V” shaped cross section, with the narrow portion facing forward.

14. A snowshoe, comprising:

a deck having an upper surface and a bottom surface, the deck being longer than it is wide, and defining a longitudinal travel direction along its length;

a boot binding mounted to the deck to hold a boot such that the boot can pivot in its toe area about a pivot axis that is above the deck and transverse to the longitudinal travel direction, to allow the heel to come off the upper surface of the deck while maintaining the toe above or on the deck upper surface;

one or more rails projecting from the bottom surface of the deck and extending along the travel direction, to stabilize the snowshoe; and

one or more cleats extendable below the bottom surface of the deck.

15. A snowshoe, comprising:

a deck having an upper surface and a bottom surface, the deck being longer than it is wide, and defining a longitudinal travel direction along its length;

a boot binding mounted to the deck to hold a boot such that the boot can pivot in its toe area about a pivot axis that is above the deck and transverse to the longitudinal travel direction, to allow the heel to come off the upper surface of the deck while maintaining the toe above or on the deck upper surface;

at least two rails projecting from the bottom surface of the deck and extending along the travel direction, to stabilize the snowshoe;

at least two cleats extendable below the bottom surface of the deck; and

a mechanism for extending each cleat below the bottom surface of the deck, and retracting each cleat above the bottom surface of the deck..