With Binding Permitting Foot To Pivot Patents (Class 36/125)
  • Patent number: 11805849
    Abstract: A single-pull tightened snowshoe binding is provided, the binding comprising: a sole plate configured to be hingedly interconnected to a snowshoe; a toe cap interconnected with the sole plate with a first anterior strap and a second anterior strap, wherein the anterior straps are configured to wrap around the lateral aspects of a toe box of a shoe inserted within the snowshoe binding, and wherein the toe cap is configured to interface with a top aspect of the shoe; a first lateral strap extending outward from the sole plate, wherein the first lateral strap is configured to wrap upward along a lateral aspect of the shoe and extend toward a posterior aspect of the shoe; a second lateral strap extending outward from the sole plate, wherein the second lateral strap is configured to wrap upward along a lateral aspect of a shoe and extend toward the posterior aspect of the snowshoe binding; a first tightening strap having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first tightening strap interconnected to a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Kwik Tek, Inc.
    Inventors: Corey A. Lewison, Kevin J. Kresch
  • Patent number: 11633002
    Abstract: A frame of a snowshoe has an annular frame, a vamp, a plurality of teeth and an upper, wherein the annular frame is made from a metal pipe with a triangular cross-section, the front end of the annular frame is upturned, the middle portion of the annular frame is horizontal, and the rear portion of the annular frame is horizontal or upturned; the annular frame has a top surface for mounting a vamp and has a bottom surface with a sharp downward angle, and the lateral teeth for anti-skid effect are mounted on the bottom surface of the frame. The snowshoe is simple in structure, light and easy to carry, high in strength, and firm and stable to mount, and is lightweight, safe and skid proof when walking on the snow and is convenient for climbing, so that it is suitable for people who like snow sports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Ninghai Xingda Leisure Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jinxue Hu
  • Patent number: 11590407
    Abstract: A system for securing a snowboard binding to a snowboard may be an intermediary between the snowboard binding and the snowboard. In some embodiments, the system includes an expandable snowshoe attachment device. The system for securing a snowboard binding to a snowboard may include an upper piece and one or more lower pieces. The upper piece may be configured to attach to a lower surface of a baseplate of a snowboard binding. The one or more lower pieces may be rails. The rails may be fastened to a snowboard. The upper piece may include one or more extensions. The one or more extensions may deploy to increase a bottom surface area of the upper piece. Increasing the bottom surface area of the upper piece may increase the flotation of the upper piece on surfaces such as snow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventors: Jayson Boren, Nelson Tate Floyd
  • Patent number: 11154767
    Abstract: The invention relates to a snowshoe including a base structure forming a shoe area and a lift area, in which the lift area comprises a side projection on each side of the shoe area, a front portion of the snowshoe substantially corresponding to the front of the shoe area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: MARTIN PLASTIQUE PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Joël Varaine, Hervé Piron, Olivier Reboullet
  • Patent number: 10834994
    Abstract: Sole (20) for a sports shoe, notably for a cross-country ski boot, comprising a first component (1) acting as a framework and at least one second component (21) assembled with the first component (1), characterized in that the second component (21) comprises an anterior part (32) extending substantially longitudinally in the anterior part of the sole (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: ROSSIGNOL LANGE S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Garbujo, Giovanni Meneghini, Massimo Poloni
  • Patent number: 9107469
    Abstract: A snowshoe with an integrated articulating link is provided, where a surface support structure and a foot connector plate are connected by a multi-axial articulating link. The surface support structure, the foot connector plate and the articulating link constitute a structural unit, a mono-construction. The multi-axial tilt motion in the articulating link is achieved by extension and compression in the material structure. The extension and compression in the material structure is controlled by one or more corrugations in the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: SNOWMOTION AS
    Inventors: Christian Brunsvig, Fredrik Wenstøp, Kristian Wenstøp, Liam Thomas Frank Woolley
  • Patent number: 8931188
    Abstract: A snowshoe has an improved spring-loaded suspension system that reduces or eliminates snow flip as the user lifts the boot and advances it forward. In a principal embodiment the footbed and front claw of the binding are positioned on a spring-suspended frame in such a way that the footbed/claw can freely rotate relative to the snowshoe deck beyond a certain degree of pitch angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: K-2 Corporation
    Inventor: Chris Barchet
  • Publication number: 20140041258
    Abstract: A snowshoe with an integrated articulating link wherein said surface support structure and said foot connector plate are connected by a multi-axial articulating link. The surface support structure, said foot connector plate and said articulating link constitute a structural unit, a mono-construction. The multi-axial tilt motion in said articulating link is achieved by extension and compression in the material structure. The extension and compression in the material structure is controlled by one or more corrugations in the arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: SNOWMOTION AS
    Inventors: Christian BRUNSVIG, Fredrik WENSTØP, Kristian WENSTØP, Liam Thomas Frank WOOLLEY
  • Patent number: 8595958
    Abstract: A snowshoe apparatus having a frame assembly, a pivot assembly pivotally attached to the frame assembly, and a binding assembly pivotally attached to the pivot assembly is disclosed. The snowshoe apparatus may also include first and second crampons pivotally attached to the frame assembly, with the first crampon configured to pivot relative to the frame assembly substantially independent of the second crampon. In addition, at least one of the first crampon and the second crampon may be laterally movable relative to the frame assembly. The snowshoe apparatus may also comprise a resilient heel support assembly coupled to the frame assembly. A corresponding method of assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Easton Technical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Chartrand, Teddy D. Palomaki, Gregory J. Easton
  • Patent number: 8544194
    Abstract: A length-adjustable snowshoe includes a frame and a carrier fixed to the frame. A connecting member mounted to the frame includes two receiving holes. A pivotal portion is formed on a top side of the connecting member. A compartment extends from the pivotal portion through one of the receiving holes. An extension member includes legs slideably received in the receiving holes and is slideable between first and second positions. A sliding member is mounted on the extension member to move therewith. A positioning member is received in the compartment and pivotable between a stop position and a releasing position. The positioning member in the stop position retains the extension member in any location including and intermediate the first and second positions. The extension member can slide between the first and second positions when the positioning member is in the releasing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Chao-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 8302331
    Abstract: The snowshoe has a hinge member for mounting a harness to the snowshoe's frame, the hinge member having a rigid pivot rod for extending between first and second side segments of the frame and comprising opposite first and second end portions, the pivot rod for pivotally receiving the harness. The hinge member also includes a first rigid rod attachment mount having a first frame socket for pivotal attachment to the frame first side segment so as to be pivotable about the frame first side segment, and a first rod socket wherein the rigid pivot rod first end portion is pivotally mounted, the first rod socket being spaced apart from the first frame socket so as to allow the pivot rod to pivot about an axis which is generally parallel to and spaced from the first frame socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Faber & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Faber, Richard Faber
  • Patent number: 8020321
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: K-2 Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Vinton Matthews, Francis E. Mahoney
  • Patent number: 7984572
    Abstract: A snowshoe (1) whose webbing includes a flexible wall (4) maintained in tension inside a framework (2) by portions of the flexible mounting wall which define flexible mounting projections. Supplemental protection parts (8) are disposed surrounding the mounting projections to protect them from wear and impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: TSL Sport Equipment
    Inventor: Philippe Gallay
  • Publication number: 20110173845
    Abstract: The snowshoe has a hinge member for mounting a harness to the snowshoe's frame, the hinge member having a rigid pivot rod for extending between first and second side segments of the frame and comprising opposite first and second end portions, the pivot rod for pivotally receiving the harness. The hinge member also includes a first rigid rod attachment mount having a first frame socket for pivotal attachment to the frame first side segment so as to be pivotable about the frame first side segment, and a first rod socket wherein the rigid pivot rod first end portion is pivotally mounted, the first rod socket being spaced apart from the first frame socket so as to allow the pivot rod to pivot about an axis which is generally parallel to and spaced from the first frame socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Guy Faber, Richard Faber
  • Publication number: 20110113651
    Abstract: A snowshoe of the general type as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,630 has an improved spring-loaded suspension system that reduces or eliminates snow flip as the user lifts the boot and advances it forward. In a principal embodiment the footbed and front claw of the binding are positioned on a spring-suspended frame in such a way that the footbed/claw can freely rotate relative to the snowshoe deck beyond a certain degree of pitch angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: Chris Barchet
  • Patent number: 7930842
    Abstract: Provided is a snowshoe with crampons, whose portion equipped with the crampons can be removed from a snowshoe body, and that is compactly portable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Mont-Bell Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Isamu Tatsuno
  • Patent number: 7797858
    Abstract: A snowshoe (1) whose binding (5) for retaining of the boot is mounted on a cross-piece (9) whose ends are mounted laterally to the snowshoe itself, characterized in that the aforementioned ends are mounted via two couplings (7a, 7b) of two rings, namely a left coupling (7a) and a right coupling (7b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: TSL Sport Equipment
    Inventor: Philippe Gallay
  • Patent number: 7793439
    Abstract: A snowshoe apparatus having a frame assembly, a pivot assembly pivotally attached to the frame assembly, and a binding assembly pivotally attached to the pivot assembly is disclosed. The snowshoe apparatus may also include first and second crampons pivotally attached to the frame assembly, with the first crampon configured to pivot relative to the frame assembly substantially independent of the second crampon. In addition, at least one of the first crampon and the second crampon may be laterally movable relative to the frame assembly. The snowshoe apparatus may also comprise a resilient heel support assembly coupled to the frame assembly. A corresponding method of assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Easton Technical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Chartrand, Teddy D. Palomaki, Gregory J. Easton
  • Publication number: 20100132225
    Abstract: A molded plastic snowshoe of the type with a boot binding permitting pivoting in the pitch direction has a boot heel contact area formed of a flexible material. This provides for a soft strike as the boot comes in contact with the snowshoe deck in each step, eliminating the noise that usually accompanies the heel strike on a hard deck, and also increases comfort in use of the snowshoe, with the hard strike feel eliminated. Another advantage is that with a cleat mounted at the bottom of the soft section of decking the snowshoe adapts better to irregularities of terrain since the heel cleat is essentially suspended relative to the stiffer molded portions of the snowshoe. The flexibly suspended heel cleat can be pushed down to engage with snow or ice despite the irregular surface of the terrain and the rigidness of the snowshoe deck surrounding the cleat area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Rudy Lucas Samuels, Chris Barchet, Dodd Grande, Rachel Lin, Mark S. Williams, Scott Youmans
  • Patent number: 7716855
    Abstract: A snowshoe (1) includes a binding (4) intended to retain the boot of the user and a plate pivoting around a transverse pivot axis (X, X?) including a retaining assembly for the boot. A longitudinal position of the rear retaining assembly is adjustable for in order to conform the longitudinal dimension of binding, with the size of the boot, by displacement toward the front or towards the rear and locking it in the chosen position. The front retaining stirrup is mounted to a front horizontally extending plate (7), which is pivotally retained on the webbing around the pivot axis (X, X?), while the rear retaining part is mounted on a lower support wall (9), extended toward the front by a sliding member (10) intended to cooperate, with a slide channel of corresponding form defined under the front plate (7) of the front retaining assembly (4a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: TSL Sport Equipment
    Inventors: Philippe Gallay, Bruno Deloustal
  • Publication number: 20090265957
    Abstract: A snowshoe including a platform for flotation and a binding for attaching the platform to a wearer's footwear. At least one of the platform and the binding can be formed at least in part from a foam material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: CRESCENT MOON SNOWSHOES
    Inventor: Tamara Lynn Laug
  • Patent number: 7594666
    Abstract: A skate assembly has a boot having a substantially completely open base with a sole plate of more rigid material than the boot secured over the open base. The base has an opening extending along at least substantially the entire length of the boot from the heel to the toe, with side rims extending along opposite sides of the base opening. The sole plate may be releasably or permanently secured to the boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Sunshine Distribution, Inc.
    Inventor: Andreas C. Wegener
  • Patent number: 7497034
    Abstract: A binding for a snowshoe has, in several different embodiments, a pair of straps to draw the binding tight over a user's boot, the two straps reversing direction at side loop points and being secured to a pair of buckles on a floating tongue at the top of the binding, generally over the ball area of the foot. In one form the straps are anchored at toe points on the binding and extend back in a crossing, X configuration, as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,814,360. In another form the straps are shorter and do not cross, the forward ends being replaced with toe-cradling strap-like members that extend up and back and come together at a pivot connection with a tongue, in this case a shorter tongue, to which the two buckles are connected. The binding tends to open with release of the straps. In a third form the tongue is a larger, padded X-shaped flexible member under which the boot is slid to engage the binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: K-2 Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel T. Emerson, Rudy Lucas Samuels
  • Patent number: 7493709
    Abstract: An improved snowshoe (49, 138, 220) having a binding (105) attachable to a flotation platform (51). The snowshoe (49, 138, 220) may be adjusted to accommodate to changes in snow conditions and terrain while on a snowshoe excursion. Certain embodiments permit quick removal of the binding (105) from the platform (51) for use as a detached walking crampon (203). Certain platforms (51) may be adjusted in size to present a plurality of footprint sizes to ssnow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventors: David V. Trask, Brian C. Trask, Valorie J. Downs, Renae L. Trask Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20090007456
    Abstract: A snowshoe accessory is provided. The snowshoe accessory can be purchased at low cost as an after-market device and be installed easily by the purchaser on his/her own snowshoes for upgrading them or snowshoes can also be purchased along with the snowshoe accessory already installed. The snowshoe accessory is to be installed on snowshoes having a tubular outside frame to provide lateral longitudinal crampons for preventing side-sliding. Lateral longitudinal crampons are disposed in a region proximate to the portion of the snowshoe where the weight of the snowshoer is applied—i.e., near the foot pivot system and the heel stand—and penetrate in the snow to efficiently prevent side-sliding when snowshoeing on a tilted snow surface for example and to provide additional traction. A snowshoe accessory without crampon can also be provided to provide spacing between the tubular frame and the ground in order to prevent early wear out of the pivot strap or the deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Louis GARNEAU
  • Patent number: 7461471
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: K2 Snowshoes, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Kiniry, Francis E. Mahoney, Steven R. Burke
  • Publication number: 20080184599
    Abstract: A device is disclosed that traverses snow and ice covered terrain. The device includes footwear that has the ability to mount directly to a sliding device or snowshoe and pivot without the need of a mounting plate or base plate. The footwear may also be configured for use in snowboard boot retaining bindings. The footwear may have strapless and detachable crampons. Additionally, the crampons may have a coating for repelling snow and ice covering exterior surfaces of the crampon. A configurable crampon may additionally be joined to a rear portion of the footwear. Furthermore, a mounting plate with a toe cleat and heel cleat are disclosed as being removably coupled with the mounting plate able to be attached to sliding or snowshoe devices in a quick-release manner and quick connecting manner. Also disclosed is a movable traction system that may be raised and lowered through a sliding surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: Lane Ekberg
  • Publication number: 20080178494
    Abstract: A snowshoe (1) made of a frame (2) holding a deck (3) meant to hold the user's boot, the aforementioned boot being held on the deck by a binding, characterized in that the snowshoe includes a transverse retaining element (4) extending transversely at the front of the user's foot, the aforesaid transverse element (4) being held by its lateral ends to the frame (2), while the aforementioned transverse element (4) is made of the combination of an upper transverse element (4a) and a lower transverse element (4b) so that the frame (2) is sandwiched between the ends of the respective transverse elements (4a, 4b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Philippe Gallay, Stephane Latruffe
  • Publication number: 20080141564
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory Vinton Matthews, Francis E. Mahoney
  • Patent number: 7308767
    Abstract: A perfected device for walking on snow or ice consisting of platforms (1) that are fitted on the upper face of the rackets (20) and have a swivel mechanism (6) formed by a spherical or similar piece equipped with axles (22) at the heel end. At the bottom of the platforms (1), they also have housings (24), spikes (8), rackets (20) and, at the heel end, semi-cylindrical parts (23) and (23?) equipped with fastening elements (10) and (10?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventors: Antonio Cutando Soriano, Antonio Del Castillo Lopez
  • Patent number: 7194825
    Abstract: The snowshoe includes an opened U-shaped frame supporting a semi-rigid decking having a toe hole and a harness pivotally attached to the decking near the toe hole. The absence of a rear tail portion on the frame forms a gap that helps prevent the dragging effect of the snowshoe while it trails on the ground during gait. Also, the harness is pivotally attached to the decking by means of a harness attachment that includes an anti-torsion shoulder that will abut on the edge of the decking in the toe hole, to prevent the harness from rotating about an axis that is transversal to the decking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Faber & Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Guy Faber, Richard Faber
  • Patent number: 7150464
    Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for a configurable snowshoe and ski device. The device may include a base member having a bottom for traversing over snow, and a plurality of wings rotatably coupled to the member, the wings convertible between a skiing configuration in which the wings form a surface for gliding over snow and a snowshoe configuration in which the wings extend outward laterally. Also, the device may include a traction device connected to the base member and configured for gripping snow or ice when the plurality of wings is in the snowshoe configuration. The method may include rotatating a plurality of wings coupled to a base member outward laterally to form a snowshoe configuration, and rotating the plurality of wings inward to form a skiing configuration in which the wings form a surface for gliding over snow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Inventor: Lane Ekberg
  • Patent number: 7080850
    Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for a configurable snowshoe and ski device. The device may include a base member having a bottom for traversing over snow, and a plurality of wings rotatably coupled to the member, the wings convertible between a skiing configuration in which the wings form a surface for gliding over snow and a snowshoe configuration in which the wings extend outward laterally. Also, the device may include a first locking device configured to maintain the plurality of wings in the snowshoe configuration, and a second locking device configured to maintain the plurality of wings in the skiing configuration. The method may include rotatating a plurality of wings coupled to a base member outward laterally to form a snowshoe configuration, and rotating the plurality of wings inward to form a skiing configuration in which the wings form a surface for gliding over snow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Inventor: Lane Ekberg
  • Patent number: 6931769
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: K2 Snowshoes, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis E. Mahoney, Daniel P. Kiniry
  • Patent number: 6898874
    Abstract: A snowshoe has a pivoted mounting on its boot harness, for rotation about a pitch axis for a first degree of freedom in movement of the user's boot relative to the snowshoe; and provision for a second degree of freedom of motion along a roll axis, allowing the user's boot to tip from side to side, particularly for uneven or sidehill terrain. In both axes the boot preferably is spring-biased toward a neutral position. At the same time, freedom of movement is restricted and essentially prevented between the boot and snowshoe relative to a third axis, the yaw or vertical axis. Several different structural arrangements are disclosed in several types of snowshoes, for achieving the second degree of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: K2 Snowshoes, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Emerson, Rudy Lucas Samuels, Charles Bentley Warner
  • Publication number: 20040250453
    Abstract: A snowshoe includes numerous adjustment mechanisms for accommodating varied snow conditions and terrain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph J. Settelmayer
  • Publication number: 20040231200
    Abstract: A snowshoe includes a lightweight frame that provides traction and maintains the snowshoe's shape when traveling over at least one of the following surfaces: snow, hard-packed snow and ice, and a binding to fasten the snowshoe to a boot with a gloved hand. The frame includes a peripheral component having a length, a height orthogonal to the length, and a width orthogonal to the height and at least two times shorter than the height at all locations along the height. The binding includes a strap, and a retention element coupleable with the strap. The retention element includes a body defining a main passage in which the strap is disposed when coupled with the retention element, an access passage through which the strap passes to enter the main passage, and a locking element to secure the strap to the retention element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: William Edwin Forrest, Jane Andrea Verrall
  • Publication number: 20040187355
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: TUBBS SNOWSHOE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Francis E. Mahoney, Daniel P. Kiniry
  • Publication number: 20040083626
    Abstract: An improved snowshoe (49, 138, 220) having a binding (105) attachable to a flotation platform (51). The snowshoe (49, 138, 220) may be adjusted to accommodate to changes in snow conditions and terrain while on a snowshoe excursion. Certain embodiments permit quick removal of the binding (105) from the platform (51) for use as a detached walking crampon (203). Certain platforms (51) may be adjusted in size to present a plurality of footprint sizes to ssnow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: David V. Trask, Brian C. Trask, Valorie J. Downs, Renae L. Trask Schwartz
  • Patent number: 6694645
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Winterquest LLC
    Inventors: Nathan J. Messmer, Charles Bentley Warner, Deirdre O'Mara, Luca Innocente, Franco Bastasin, Giancarlo Pozzobon
  • Publication number: 20030167657
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel P. Kiniry, Francis E. Mahoney
  • Publication number: 20030126765
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Nathan J. Messmer, Charles Bentley Warner, Deirdre O'Mara, Luca Innocente, Franco Bastasin, Giancarlo Pozzobon
  • Publication number: 20030126764
    Abstract: A snowshoe has a pivoted mounting on its boot harness, for rotation about a pitch axis for a first degree of freedom in movement of the user's boot relative to the snowshoe; and provision for a second degree of freedom of motion along a roll axis, allowing the user's boot to tip from side to side, particularly for uneven or sidehill terrain. In both axes the boot preferably is spring-biased toward a neutral position. At the same time, freedom of movement is restricted and essentially prevented between the boot and snowshoe relative to a third axis, the yaw or vertical axis. Several different structural arrangements are disclosed in several types of snowshoes, for achieving the second degree of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel T. Emerson, Rudy Lucas Samuels, Charles Bentley Warner
  • Publication number: 20030101623
    Abstract: A snowshoe having a floatation structure and a binding configured to secure a wearer's foot to the snowshoe. The floatation structure is adapted to distribute the weight of the wearer over an area larger than the wearer's foot. The snowshoe may include a pivot adjuster secured to the snowshoe and configured to enable selective adjustment of pivotal movement occurring between the binding and the floatation structure. The pivot adjuster typically is configured to enable operation by the wearer while wearing the snowshoe. Additionally, or alternatively, the snowshoe may include a pivot limiter configured to enable selective adjustment of a permitted range of pivoting between the binding and floatation structure. In addition to or instead of these features, the snowshoe may include an extension configured for selective attachment to the floatation structure so as to permit selective variation of the area over which weight is distributed by the snowshoe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph J. Settelmayer
  • Patent number: 6526629
    Abstract: A snowshoe having a boot harness assembly includes one or more cam lock type buckles through which webbing straps are tightened. The cam lock buckle allows low friction pulling of the tail end of a strap for tightening, while providing a positive lock against slippage in the opposite direction. A particular configuration of cam lock buckle is disclosed by which friction in tightening the strap is reduced further.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Tubbs Snowshoe Company LLC
    Inventors: Charles Bentley Warner, Daniel T. Emerson
  • Patent number: 6505423
    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 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Tubbs Snowshoe Company
    Inventors: Perry A. Klebahn, James D. Klingbeil
  • Publication number: 20020162249
    Abstract: Insert for the sole of a boot of a snowshoe (100), characterized by the fact that said insert runs transversely, whereby its two ends are positioned on the lateral edges of said sole, so as to be able to work with holdings means (101) that are provided on the snowshoe, while the length of the insert is independent of the size of the boot, whereby it is understood that said insert is designed to be used on at least two different sizes of boots so that the length of the insert will be the same for at least two boots of different sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Thierry Barboux
  • Publication number: 20020104234
    Abstract: A system for binding a boot on a support surface of a sports apparatus, of the type in which the binding system includes a rear binding. The binding system is provided with a front binding in the form of a hook that is affixed to the sports apparatus and which demarcates a notch open longitudinally rearwardly and transversely on both sides to receive a front transverse rod of the boot. The rear binding longitudinally immobilizes the boot in a position such that the transverse rod of the boot is maintained within the notch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.
    Inventors: Bruno Lancon, Eddy Yelovina
  • Publication number: 20020104235
    Abstract: An improved binding for use with snowshoes and like sport apparatus is disclosed which employs a novel mounting arrangement similar to the calcanean wrapping technique used by athletic trainers to wrap the ankles of athletes, thereby resulting in an ambidextrous binding which comfortably and securely fits a wide variety of sizes of feet in an ergonomic manner while enhancing the performance of both the binding and the snowshoe to which it is attached. The binding has left and right side members pivotally mounted on a base member between the front and an intermediate longitudinal position thereupon, and left and right calcanean wrap members pivotally mounted on the base member near the rear thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Terrence K. Mahon, Daniel A. Matre
  • Patent number: 6363628
    Abstract: An improved binding for use with snowshoes and like sport apparatus is disclosed which employs a novel mounting arrangement similar to the calcanean wrapping technique used by athletic trainers to wrap the ankles of athletes, thereby resulting in an ambidextrous binding which comfortably and securely fits a wide variety of sizes of feet in an ergonomic manner while enhancing the performance of both the binding and the snowshoe to which it is attached. The binding has left and right side members pivotally mounted on a base member between the front and an intermediate longitudinal position thereupon, and left and right calcanean wrap members pivotally mounted on the base member near the rear thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventors: Terrence K. Mahon, Daniel A. Matre