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: Crampon and snowshoe combinations are disclosed, wherein the crampon or terrain-engaging cleat can be a traditional ice crampon used on a rigid and essentially unbending boot, or a soft boot cleat which engages only the front portion of the boot, forward of the heel, permitting boot flexing. The snowshoe has in a toe or ball area a registry plate configured to engage with the crampon, preferably between depending teeth or other structure of the crampon, and preferably with a self-centering feature as the crampon is lowered down onto the registry plate. Once the cleat or crampon is fully engaged down against the plate, it is substantially locked in position against relative shifting or rotation, and lifting of the boot off the back of the crampon is restricted by clips or straps, preferably flexible straps extending up from the registry plate and securable to brackets or hooks on the crampon device. Specific configurations of cleats or crampons are also disclosed, for use with or without snowshoes.

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 load-bearing apparatus including a raised front portion, the so-called shovel, that maintains the direction of the apparatus while allowing gliding. The lower surface of the shovel includes a protuberance that is oriented substantially along a longitudinal axis. The protuberance is connected to one of the edges of the shovel by a gliding surface that has substantially continuous slope.

Abstract: Crampon and snowshoe combinations are disclosed, wherein the crampon or terrain-engaging cleat can be a traditional ice crampon used on a rigid and essentially unbending boot, or a soft boot cleat which engages only the front portion of the boot, forward of the heel, permitting boot flexing. The snowshoe has in a toe or ball area a registry plate configured to engage with the crampon, preferably between depending teeth or other structure of the crampon, and preferably with a self-centering feature as the crampon is lowered down onto the registry plate. Once the cleat or crampon is fully engaged down against the plate, it is substantially locked in position against relative shifting or rotation, and lifting of the boot off the back of the crampon is restricted by clips or straps, preferably flexible straps extending up from the registry plate and securable to brackets or hooks on the crampon device. Specific configurations of cleats or crampons are also disclosed, for use with or without snowshoes.

Abstract: A removable ice cleat for an outer frame member of a snowshoe provides traction for snow packed and icy conditions. For looser conditions including powdery snow, the ice cleats are quickly removable thus making the snowshoe versatile for all weather conditions. The ice cleat is attached using a metal band clamp that is tightened by a screwdriver or nut driver thereby making deployment of the ice cleats possible while outdoors. The ice cleat has an ice pick that is clamped by the band to the bottom of the outer frame member of the snowshoe. Several ice picks can be clamped in this manner. The picks have legs that extend downwardly and outwardly from a mid portion thereof to pointed ends having a generally triangular shaped penetrating portion that maintains good penetrability even as the pointed end becomes dull.

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 is constructed of molded plastic nose and tail pieces, both connected to a pair of rigid rails to complete the snowshoe frame. A stretched deck membrane, in an area over the heel of a user's shoe or boot, has left and right sides secured to the rails, and preferably is also supported on the tail piece and on aft portions of the nose piece. In one embodiment the rails are of tubular metal, secured to aft portions of the nose piece and forward portions of the tail piece via reinforced, shaped cavities in the molded plastic, contoured to receive the rails. The snowshoe construction is efficient in assembly and cost because there is no need for bends in the rails, the molded plastic components are relatively inexpensive, and snowshoes of different lengths may be produced simply by changing the lengths of the rails and of the deck membrane.

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 described in which both a simple toe strap and a simple ankle strap are connected to a single, large claw plate, wherein the heel of the user's foot is maintained on an upper surface of the decking.

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: A snowshoe is described in which both a simple toe strap and a simple ankle strap are connected to a single, large claw plate.

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 snow shoe (1) has a longitudinal support structure or ridge (18) surrounded by a screen (4). The longitudinal ridge defines a plurality of apertures (180a, 180b, 180c), an upper surface (20), and lower projecting surfaces (21a, 21b, 25a, 25b). A detachable blade or knife (30) includes a central projection (33) which extends through the aperture in the central ridge and mates with portions of the lower ridge which define the aperture. The blade includes a rearward extending tab (330a) which extends through the aperture and engages the upper wall of the central ridge. A rivet or other pivot pin (34) pivotally holds a bar (35) to the upper projection of the blade. When the upper projection is received in the aperture, the bar pivots to engage the upper surface of the central ridge. A plurality of knives or teeth (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d) extend downward to engage ice or packed snow.

Abstract: A snowshoe is constructed of molded plastic nose and tail pieces, both connected to a pair of rigid rails to complete the snowshoe frame. A stretched deck membrane, in an area over the heel of a user's shoe or boot, has left and right sides secured to the rails, and preferably is also supported on the tail piece and on aft portions of the nose piece. In one embodiment the rails are of tubular metal, secured to aft portions of the nose piece and forward portions of the tail piece via reinforced, shaped cavities in the molded plastic, contoured to receive the rails. The snowshoe construction is efficient in assembly and cost because there is no need for bends in the rails, the molded plastic components are relatively inexpensive, and snowshoes of different lengths may be produced simply by changing the lengths of the rails and of the deck membrane.

Abstract: A snowshoe is provided with an integrally molded and supported hinge pin. A foot plate rotates about the hinge pin, and has mating structure which provides outstanding structural support, particularly during transverse loading conditions. The foot plate extends both forward and rearward of the hinge pin to further stabilize a wearer's foot. The bottom surface of the deck includes a plurality of traction ribs which also provide stiffening support to the deck. The mid portion of the deck is heavily reinforced with a plurality of mid support ribs which further stabilizes the hinge pin. A removable crampon plate attaches to the foot plate, and extends across the hinge pin. It may be adjusted to vary the depth of the engagement with the ground.

Abstract: A snowshoe (1) has a peripheral frame (2). A deck (4) extends across an interior of the peripheral frame and supports a binding (5) for retaining the boot of the user. The snowshoe has horizontal surfaces for supporting the snowshoe and the user on top of the snow and downward depending on traction members (3a, 3b, 50a, 50b) for engaging the snow to facilitate walking without slipping. The traction members are preferably disposed vertically and extend downward below a horizontal plane (H) of the deck. The traction members have regions of reduced height (100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e, 100f) relative to a forward portion (7a) of the traction members or the rearward portion (7c) of the traction members in a central zone (B) aligned with the region which receives and holds the user's boot (6).

Abstract: A snowshoe has a metal heel cleat of one-piece construction, providing the dual functions of angularly disposed teeth which extend down from the snowshoe's deck to engage snowy or icy terrain, and rows of serrations extending upwardly through a membrane, to a position for contact with the bottom of the user's boot heel for high friction, gripping engagement when weight is placed on the heel. The heel cleat device has a base platform which is positioned between two deck membrane layers, a lower of which is penetrated by the terrain-engaging cleat teeth and the upper of which is penetrated by the smaller, upwardly facing serrations which engage with the boot heel.

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 snowshoe rear cleat assembly comprised, in a first embodiment, of a rigid substrate for mounting a rear cleat beneath, the rigid substrate underlapping a conventional rubberized snowshoe decking. The rigid substrate and rubberized decking together function to comprise the entire decking of a snowshoe. This underlapping design serves to cause the rear cleat to protrude a greater distance below the snowshoe frame, thereby allowing the cleat to penetrate a greater depth into snow, for better traction. Additionally, a heel strike plate is designed to prevent slippage of a snowshoer's footwear, and to serve to self-clean the bottoms of the snowshoer's footwear of snow and ice. In an alternate embodiment of the rear cleat assembly, the rigid substrate comprises the entire snowshoe decking and the rear cleat attaches underneath the rigid substrate.

Abstract: An improved snowshoe is provided which includes a unitary molded planar platform and a peripheral curved lip extending away from the platform. Integral with the underside of the platform is a plurality of stiffening ribs to provide support to the platform. Retaining straps are provided for securing a wearer's foot to the snowshoe platform. A plurality of slots are formed through the platform which enables snow trapped on the surface of the platform to fall therethrough. In a first embodiment, the slots also serve as anchor points for selective placement of the retaining straps and selective positioning of the foot on the platform. Based upon the wearer's desire, the straps may be arranged in a number of different combinations and selectively adjusted to accommodate the particular type of foot gear worn. A second embodiment enables the platform to receive either a cross-country ski binding or a snowboard binding. A third embodiment discloses a snowshoe adapted for use by children.

Abstract: A climbing snowshoe assembly includes a snowshoe having a peripheral frame and decking on the frame. The peripheral frame is formed by forward and rearward members having U-shaped configurations with facing pairs of opposite open ends, and rod-shaped insert connectors slidably interfitted with the facing pairs of opposite open ends of the forward and rearward frame members to assemble the forward and rearward frame members. The decking is made of solid flexible material formed into a front pocket section and a rear sleeve section spaced from one another and removably mounted over the forward and rearward frame members.

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: 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

Abstract: A skishoe having a central, downwardly concave arch portion, an upwardly concave toe portion, an upwardly concave heel portion, and a snow gripping blade. The snow gripping blade is pivotable about an axis lying within the camber of the arch portion and extending transversely of the skishoe. A first adjustable stop is provided for limiting the angular deflection of the gripper blade from its fully retracted position in the camber. A second adjustable blade stop is provided for limiting the retraction of the blade into the camber, and a spring is provided for resiliently biasing the blade toward the first adjustable blade stop. Electric drive motors are provided for selectively positioning said stops. Manually operated control means, attached to the body of the user, are provided for controlling said electric drive motors.

Abstract: A snowshoe (1) formed from a semi-flexible platform (6) including binding means (34, 37, 39, 41, 42) for binding the heel and toe of a user's shoe or boot (50) to the platform, which is substantially imperforate, and the platform being molded from semi-flexible plastics material that can flex with the user's footwear, such as a shoe or boot.

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 skishoe having a central, downwardly concave arch portion, an upwardly concave toe portion, an upwardly concave heel portion, and a snow gripping blade. The snow gripping blade is pivotable about an axis lying within the camber of the arch portion and extending transversely of the skishoe. A first adjustable blade stop is provided for limiting the angular deflection of the gripper blade from its fully retracted position in the camber. A second adjustable blade stop is provided for limiting the retraction of the blade into the camber, and a spring is provided for resiliently biasing the blade toward the first adjustable blade stop.

Abstract: A snowshoe including a perimeter frame having a horizontal center line and horizontally spaced side portions, each of the frame side portions having a width, sheet-like material extending between the frame side portions, and a cleat having an upper surface, the cleat being connected directly to the sheet-like material and not directly to the frame so that a portion of the upper surface of the cleat is adjacent to and within a distance not greater than the width of a frame side portion from one of the frame side portions and below the horizontal center line of the frame.

Abstract: A snowshoe binding (304) which provides improved foot stability is disclosed. The binding (304) includes a heel stabilizing extension (308) and a flexible footwrap assembly (310) which cooperate to stabilize the wearer's foot (316). A motion limiter for limiting the range of pivotal movement of the binding (304) with respect to the snowshoe flotation plate (318) is also disclosed. The motion limiter comprises a protrusion (300) which extends from at least one of the snowshoe traction bars (212) to contact a pivot arm (302) of crampon (214) when a limit angle (A) is reached.

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 snowshoe (10) which provides improved sideslip protection, forward tracking guidance and overall stability is provided. The snowshoe (10) includes a convex flotation plate (12), side bars (14 and 16), a crampon (18) and a binding (20). The side bars (14 and 16) provide sideslip protection and rigidity which makes it possible to construct the flotation plate (12) from lightweight semi-rigid or somewhat flexible material. Channels (34, 36 and 38) are formed in a rear portion (40) of snowshoe (10) which, together with the convex flotation plate (12) and side bars (14 and 16), enhance forward tracking guidance as well as provide additional rigidity to the somewhat flexible flotation plate (12). The binding (20) includes straps (90, 92 and 94) and a one piece fabric foot wrap (96).

Abstract: A base frame is arranged to securably mount one of a plurality of tail frames, as well as one of a plurality of corresponding head frames, to permit the snow shoes to accommodate various terrains and conditions of snow. In this manner, an individual snow shoe construction is adapted to accommodate various terrain and snow fall.

Abstract: A snowshoe binding providing facilitated entry and exit which includes a support housing made of semi-rigid material having rearwardly extending lateral support arms integral with the support housing to increase lateral support. The toe binding utilizes a yoke assembly that requires only a single, relatively short strap extending both in the transverse as well as forward direction by the use of a yoke member which permits the strap to remain flat for wearer comfort. By the use of a modified buckle, the free end of the heel strap extends toward the body so that ergonomic cinching is possible. Additionally, facilitated attachment and detachment of a crampon without the use of tools is made possible by the particular pivotal arrangement of the toe stop of the toe binding part.

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 snowshoe constructed of a solid piece of rigid material having a cross brace for pivotally supporting a binding for the boot of the wearer. An opening forward of the cross brace permits the toe of the boot to pivot downwardly. The snowshoe is provided with braces of L-shaped construction and openings to reduce weight. Studs may be employed for traction on hardpacked snow and ice. The solid piece making up the platform of the shoe is made from a light weight rigid plastic material such as polypropylene.

Abstract: Crampons formed of straight-sided frame members with at least one such member on each side, but preferably joined together in pairs at each side for lateral and/or longitudinal adjustment to provide for changes in the dimensions of the crampon to suit boots of various sizes, or, if desired, articulation around a horizontal axis, further including integral depending pointed members located and arranged in an aligned configuration for the purpose of piercing snow and ice to provide additional traction for climbers and hikers, and preferably having improved means for quickly and securely fastening the crampon to a boot to stress the sole thereof and thus afford greater rigidity to the crampon.

Abstract: An article of footwear for walking on sheet ice and the like without slipping has self-deicing non-skid sole structure comprising a conventional flexible sole with a flexible aluminum flyscreen substantially loose covering over it, secured around the periphery of the sole; for preventing slipping on hard, smooth tile floors and the like are two other features, either or both of which may be provided: soft "Silicone" type rubber pads adhering to and flexing with selected portions of the flexible aluminum flyscreen loose covering for traction on such hard surfaces and also an all around downward projection of a soft trim strip of "Silicone" type rubber for the same purpose.

Abstract: A pair of collapsibly foldable snowshoes for walking upon deep or shallow snow; each shoe including a tubular frame consisting of interfitted sections that snapfit rigidly together for use, a flexible endless cord passed through all the sections for holding them together in tension, a web inside the frame consisting of separate fillers at front, center and near sections, and cleats on an underside of the fillers for traction against slipping on a snow; the frame supporting shoe bungees.

Abstract: A ski-shoe for traveling on snow has an elongated generally flat base plate having an upwardly curved front end and a pair of longitudinally extending side edges. Respective upright sides extending the full length of the base plate have lower edges joined to the side edges of the base plate. A pair of side rails extending outwardly and downwardly from the upper edges of the sides and having lower edges lying above the base plate form downwardly open channels with the respective sides. The foot of the user is secured to the base plaate between its front and rear ends and between these sides. At least one flap is pivotal underneath the base plate between an axis lying ahead of the flap between an upper position lying generally against the base plate and a down position extending transversely downwardly from the base plate. The sides, rails, and base plate all are made integrally of a synthetic resin and the device has an overall length of less than 1 meter.

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

Abstract: A snow shoe, useful also in sand, comprises a flat member which is bisymmetric in the sense that its upper and lower sides are mirror images of each other. A pair of such snow shoes thus comprises two identical members disposed in mirror image relationship. The portion that supports the foot is displaced toward the inner side of the snow shoe, and the laterally outer portion comprises an open gridwork supported by a frame, the whole being of molded plastic construction. The portion that supports the foot is provided with holes therethrough adjacent the margins of the foot or shoe of the user; and a single lace can be inserted through these holes to provide front and rear bindings for the foot or shoe.

Abstract: A lightweight snowshoe is disclosed utilizing longitudinally extending spaced apart frame members having a cross-section in the form of a rectangle, preferably with concave sidewalls and end walls. Spaced countersunk openings are provided along the length of the frame member to receive webbing which criss-crosses the area between the frame members. The frame members are flexible along their minor axes but substantially rigid along their major axes. When the weight of the wearer is imposed on the webbing, the flexing of the frame members allows the webbing to sag downwardly to contact the snow and form a traction surface to prevent forward or backward slippage. When the weight on the webbing is relieved the frame members spring back to their original position. The lower edges of the frame members have relatively sharp edges to penetrate the snow and prevent side slippage when traversing sloping terrain.