Snowshoe

Abstract

A snowshoe (1) for mountain winter sports includes: a plate (2) for resting on the snow and distributing a user's weight, having an upper face (2′) and a lower face (2″); elements for fixing, at least partially, the user's foot to the upper face (2′) of the plate (2); and a plurality of spikes (3),
where the plate (2) includes a mobile structure (4) adapted to make the plurality of spikes (3) alternately available below the lower face (2″) of the plate (2), so as to define an uphill and a downhill configuration.

Claims

1. A snowshoe (1) comprising: a plate (2) for resting on the snow and adapted for distributing a user's weight, the plate having an upper face (2′), a lower face (2″), and a main longitudinal extension; means adapted to fixing, at least partially, the user's foot to the upper face (2′) of said plate (2); a plurality of spikes (3); a movable structure (4) associated with the plate, the movable structure (4) being rotatable to make said plurality of spikes (3) alternately positioned above and below the lower face (2″) of said plate (2), so that i) in a first position, the movable structure (4) defines an uphill configuration of the snowshoe with the spikes showing and ii) in a second position, the movable structure (4) defines a downhill configuration of the snowshoe with the spikes hidden; and a hinge that connects said movable structure (4) to said plate (2), the hinge having an axis of rotation and being located at a tip on an extreme end of the plate (2′″) of the plate, the tip (2′′′) of said plate comprising a slot (6), wherein said movable structure (4) has a shape of a “U” and the axis of rotation of said hinge (5) is arranged transversal with respect to said main longitudinal extension of the plate, wherein said movable structure (4) is switchable from said uphill configuration to said downhill configuration, by said movable structure (4) being turned about said hinge (5), and wherein said hinge (5) includes a pin (7) attached to said movable structure (4) and engaged with said slot (6), said hinge (5) having a variable axis of rotation, which allows for raising or lowering of said movable structure (4) about said hinge (4), where i) upon completion of the upward rotation of said movable structure (4) into the first position, the movable structure (4) and the plate (2) are in contact with one another, and ii) upon completion of the downward rotation of said movable structure (4) into the second position, the movable structure (4) and the plate (2) are in contact with one another.

2. The snowshoe (1) according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of spikes (3) is located on the lower face (2″) of said plate (2) and said movable structure (4) is adapted to cooperate with the upper face (2′) or lower face (2″) of said plate (2) respectively, so as to reversibly cover said plurality of spikes (3).

3. The snowshoe (1) according to claim 2, wherein said movable structure (4) comprises a smooth first face (4′) and a second face (4″) for housing said plurality of spikes (3).

4. The snowshoe (1) according to claim 3, wherein said movable structure (4) comprises two strips arranged along longitudinal edges of the smooth first face (4′).

5. The snowshoe (1) according to claim 1, wherein said lower face (2″) of said plate (2) is smooth and said plurality of spikes (3) is located on said movable structure (4) and adapted to cooperate with the upper face (2′) and the lower face (2″) of said plate (2) respectively, so as to alternately position said plurality of spikes (3).

6. The snowshoe (1) according to claim 5, wherein said plate (2) comprises a central portion (2a) for resting stably on the snow and two side wings (2b, 2c) raised with respect to said central portion.

7. The snowshoe (1) according to claim 6, wherein said plate (2) comprises two strips (17′) arranged along longitudinal edges of said central portion (2a) and further two strips (17″) arranged along longitudinal edges of said side wings (2b, 2c).

8. The snowshoe (1) according to claim 1, wherein said hinge (5) has a variable axis of rotation.

9. The snowshoe (1) according to claim 8, wherein said hinge (5) comprise a slot (6) associated with said plate (2) and a pin (7) associated with said movable structure (4), wherein the variable position of said axis is defined by said pin (7) moving within said slot (6).

10. The snowshoe (1) according to claim 1, wherein said hinge (5) changes a front part (2′″) of said plate (2).

11. The snowshoe (1) according to claim 1, wherein said shape of a “U” of said movable structure (4) comprises two arms (4a, 4b) and a connecting portion (4c), wherein between each of said arms (4a, 4b) and said connecting portion (4c) there is interposed a further hinge (13) with a vertical axis, adapted to allow the rotation in a substantially horizontal plane of the relative arm (4a, 4b) in order to open the relative arm (4a, 4b) with respect to an operating position.

12. The snowshoe (1) according to claim 11, wherein between said arms (4a, 4b) and said connecting portion (4c) there are interposed further rotation limitation means (14, 15).

13. The snowshoe (1) according to claim 12 wherein said limitation means comprise a fixed tooth (14) associated with said connecting portion (4c) and a rack (15) associated with the respective arm (4a, 4b).

14. The snowshoe (1) according to claim 1, further comprising restraining means (8, 9, 10) for reversibly fixing said movable structure (4) to said plate (2).

15. The snowshoe (1) according to claim 14, wherein said restraining means comprise: a tooth (8) associated with said movable structure (4); a first (9) and a second (10) flexible ratchet associated with said plate (2), adapted to cooperate with said tooth (8) when said movable structure (4) cooperates respectively with said upper face (2′) or said lower face (2″) of said plate (2).

16. The snowshoe of claim 1, wherein the hinge (5) is located at a tip of the plate (2) located at one end of the plate (2).

17. The snowshoe (1) according to claim 1, wherein between said two arms (4a, 4b) and said connecting portion (4c) there are interposed further rotation limitation means (14, 15).

18. The snowshoe (1) according to claim 17 wherein said further rotation limitation means comprise a fixed tooth (14) associated with said connecting portion (4c) and a rack (15) associated with the respective arm (4a, 4b).

19. A snowshoe (1) comprising: a plate (2) for resting on snow and adapted for distributing a user's weight, the plate having an upper face (2′) adapted to be positioned under the user's foot, a lower face (2″) adapted to be positioned resting on the snow, and a main longitudinal extension, one end of the plate ending with a tip (2′″), said tip including a slot (6); a plurality of spikes (3) adapted to grip the snow; a first hinge (5) located at the tip of the plate (2), said first hinge (5) including a pin (7) engaged with said slot (6) of said tip, an axis of rotation of said first hinge (5) being arranged transversal with respect to said longitudinal extension of the plate, the axis of rotation of said first hinge (5) being a variable axis of rotation; and a structure (4) rotatingly connected to the plate (2) by the first hinge (5), the structure (4) being rotatable about said first hinge (5) to make said spikes (3) alternately be positioned above and below the lower face (2″) of said plate (2) with said structure (4) in a first position and a second position, where the first position of the structure (4) defines an uphill configuration with the spikes showing and the second position of the structure (4) defines a downhill configuration with the spikes hidden, said structure (4) having a shape of a “U” and comprised of two arms (4a, 4b) and a connecting portion (4c), wherein a mid-portion of the connecting portion (4c) includes the tip which is rotatingly connected to the plate (2) by the first hinge (5), wherein the axis of rotation of the first hinge (5) is raised or lowered by rotation of said movable structure (4) about said first hinge (5), where i) upon completion of the upward rotation of said structure (4) into the first position, the movable structure (4) and the plate (2) are in contact with one another, and ii) upon completion of the downward rotation of said movable structure (4) into the second position, the movable structure (4) and the plate (2) are in contact with one another, wherein the variable position of said axis of rotation is defined by said pin (7) being engaged in said slot (6) and movable therewithin to take up either of two end positions with the slot, respectively when the movable structure (4) and the plate (2) are in contact with one another in the first and second positions, and wherein between each of said two arms (4a, 4b) and said connecting portion (4c) there is interposed an additional hinge (13) with a vertical axis, each said additional hinge (13) adapted to allow rotation outward from the longitudinal direction in a substantially horizontal plane of the relative arm (4a, 4b) in order to open the relative arm (4a, 4b) with respect to an operating position.

20. A snowshoe (1) comprising: a plate (2) for resting on snow and adapted for distributing a user's weight, the plate having an upper face (2′) adapted to be positioned under the user's foot, a lower face (2″) adapted to be positioned resting on the snow, and a main longitudinal extension, one end of the plate ending with a tip (2′″), said tip including a slot (6); a plurality of spikes (3) adapted to grip the snow; a hinge (5) located at the tip of the plate (2), said hinge (5) including a pin (7) engaged with said slot (6) of said tip, a variable axis of rotation of said hinge (5) being arranged transversal with respect to said longitudinal extension of the plate; and a structure (4) rotatingly connected to the plate (2) by the hinge (5) and the tip (2′″), the structure (4) being rotatable about said hinge (5) to make said spikes (3) alternately be positioned above and below the lower face (2″) of said plate (2) with said structure (4) in a first position and a second position respectively, where i) the first position of the structure (4) defines an uphill configuration with the spikes showing and ii) the second position of the structure (4) defines a downhill configuration with the spikes hidden, said structure (4) having a shape of a “U” and comprised of two arms (4a, 4b) and a connecting portion (4c), wherein a mid-portion of the connecting portion (4c) includes the tip which is rotatingly connected to the plate (2) by the pin (7) of the hinge (5), wherein the axis of rotation of the hinge (5) allows for raising or lowering by rotation of said movable structure (4) about said hinge (5), where i) upon completion of the upward rotation of said structure (4) into the first position, the movable structure (4) and the plate (2) are in contact with one another, and ii) upon completion of the downward rotation of said movable structure (4) into the second position, the movable structure (4) and the plate (2) are in contact with one another, wherein the variable position of said axis of rotation is defined by said pin (7) being engaged in said slot (6) and movable therewithin to take up either of two positions, respectively when the movable structure (4) and the plate (2) are in contact with one another in the first and second positions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

(1) These and other advantages will become more apparent from the following description or preferred embodiments of the invention, which is illustrated by no way of limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIGS. 1-5 show, respectively, an overhead plane view, a longitudinal and transversal cross-section view, a side view and a front view of a snowshoe according to a first embodiment of the invention and in a first operating configuration, particularly for uphill use;

(3) FIGS. 6-8 show, respectively, a top plane view, a partial sectioned side view and a cross-section view of a snowshoe according to a first embodiment of the invention and in a second operating configuration, particularly for downhill use;

(4) FIG. 9 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section and a detail of the snowshoe shown in FIGS. 1-8, in the switch from the first operating configuration to the second;

(5) FIGS. 10-13 show, respectively, a top plane view and view from below, and a longitudinal and cross-section view of a second embodiment of the snowshoe, in the first operating configuration, i.e. for uphill use;

(6) FIGS. 14-17 show, respectively, a top plane view and view from below, and a longitudinal and cross-section view of a second embodiment of the snowshoe, in the second operating configuration, i.e. for downhill use;

(7) FIGS. 18 and 19 show, respectively, a top plane view and a detail of the snowshoe according to a particular, more functional embodiment than that shown in FIG. 15;

(8) FIGS. 20 and 21 show, respectively, a side view and cross-section view of a component of the snowshoe in a particular version of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-17;

(9) FIG. 22 shows a cross-section view of a detail of FIG. 21, with proportions that have been deliberately altered for the sake of clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) With reference to the Figures, the snowshoe 1 substantially comprises a plate 2, generally made of plastic, to be positioned under the user's foot, for resting on the snow and distributing his/her weight over a wide surface area.

(11) Said plate 2 has an upper face 2′ and a lower face 2″.

(12) Said upper face 2′ is provided with known means for fastening the user's foot. Particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention envisage the user being able to wear normal footwear or trekking boots and said fastening means being of a type similar to the known bindings used on snowboards, thereby ensuring the maximum safety and protection for the user's foot, and the maximum versatility of the snowshoe itself.

(13) On the lower face 2″ of said plate 2, said spikes 3 are alternately made available depending on the operating configuration required, for uphill or downhill use.

(14) To that end, said plate 2 comprises a mobile structure 4 adapted to make available said plurality of spikes 3 below the lower face 2″ of said plate 2 to define a first uphill configuration, and to make said spikes unavailable in a second downhill configuration.

(15) With particular reference to FIGS. 1-9, a first embodiment of the snowshoe 1 according to the invention is shown.

(16) The spikes 3 are firmly associated with the lower face 2″ of said plate 2, and are mainly distributed in the median side portions 2″a, where they protrude so that they can stick into the snow and provide grip when walking uphill, thereby preventing the foot from slipping.

(17) The plate 2 also comprises a structure 4, associated therewith and adapted to cooperate with its upper face 2′ or lower face 2″ respectively.

(18) Said structure 4 is needed to reversibly cover said plurality of spikes 3 with its thickness compensating for their protrusion.

(19) With particular reference to FIGS. 1-5, a snowshoe 1 is shown in a first operating configuration for walking uphill in the mountains in the snow, wherein said structure 4 cooperates with the upper face 2′ of said plate 2.

(20) With particular reference to FIGS. 6-8, the same snowshoe 1 is shown, in a second operating configuration for walking downhill in the mountains in the snow, wherein said structure 4 this time cooperates with the lower face 2″ of said plate 2.

(21) Said structure 4 therefore comprises a smooth face 4′ and a shaped face 4″ with ribs 11 that define housings 12.

(22) Said smooth face 4′ cooperates with the upper face 2′ of the plate 2 in the uphill configuration, while it constitutes the sliding surface in the downhill configuration.

(23) Said shaped face 4″ with ribs 11, faces upwards in the uphill configuration, while it is in contact with the lower face 2″ of the plate 2 in the downhill configuration. In the latter case, the plurality of spikes 3 is contained in housings 12 and the thickness of the structure 4 entirely compensates for their protrusion.

(24) Said structure 4 has a substantially U-shape conformation and is rotatingly associated with said plate 2 by means of hinge means 5 placed near the tip 2′″ of the plate.

(25) The U-shape of the structure 4 ensures complete coverage of the spikes 3.

(26) To enable the switch from said first uphill configuration to said second downhill configuration, said structure 4 turns about said hinge means 5, as shown in FIG. 9.

(27) In particular, said hinge means 5 have a variable axis of rotation, which can be raised or lowered to enable, upon completion of the rotation, the structure 4 and the plate 2 to be always in contact with one another.

(28) Said hinge means 5 comprise a slot 6 associated with said plate 2 and a pin 7 associated with said structure 4.

(29) The variable position of said axis is defined by said pin 7 which engages said slot 6 and can move therewithin to take up either of the two end positions, respectively when the structure 4 and the plate 2 are in contact with one another in the two operating configurations for the snowshoe 1.

(30) With particular reference to FIGS. 10-17, a second embodiment of the snowshoe according to the invention is shown, wherein the lower face 2″ of said plate 2 is smooth and the spikes 3 are instead firmly associated with the mobile structure 4 and turn with it.

(31) In this case, too, the mobile structure 4, in fact, is adapted to cooperate respectively with the upper face 2′ and the lower face 2″ of said plate 2 so as to make alternately available said plurality of spikes 3 depending on the operating configuration required by the user, for uphill or downhill use.

(32) FIGS. 18 and 19, on the other hand, show an embodiment of the snowshoe 1 that makes it particularly functional and practical.

(33) Advantageously, said U-shape structure 4 comprises two arms 4a and 4b and a connecting portion 4c, and between each of said arms 4a, 4b and said connecting portion 4c there is an interposed hinge 13 with a vertical axis, adapted to allow the rotation in a substantially horizontal plane of the relative arm in order to open it with respect to its operating position.

(34) Near each hinge 13, between said arm 4a, 4b and said connecting portion 4c, there are also interposed rotation limitation means, so as to allow an opening of the arm to an angle α equivalent to a maximum of around 45°.

(35) As shown in detail in FIG. 19, said limitation means comprise a fixed tooth 14 firmly associated with said connecting portion 4c and a rack 15 firmly associated with the respective arm 4a or 4b.

(36) Said rack 15 ends with a blocking element 16 to define the maximum opening angle α.

(37) In all the embodiments shown, said snowshoe 1 also comprises restraining means for holding said structure 4 safely to said plate 2.

(38) Said restraining means comprise a tooth 8 protruding from said structure 4, a first flexible ratchet 9 and a second flexible ratchet 10 provided on said plate 2.

(39) Said first ratchet 9 cooperates with said tooth 8 when said structure 4 is in contact with the upper face 2′ of said plate 2, while said second ratchet 10 cooperates instead with said tooth 8 when said structure 4 is in contact with the lower face 2″ of said plate 2.

(40) FIGS. 20 and 21 show a further embodiment of the snowshoe 1 which is particularly functional and practical when walking downhill.

(41) The plate 2 that constitutes the snowshoe 1 is shaped with two levels.

(42) On a first level, said plate 2 comprises, in fact, a long narrow central portion 2a, adapted to ensure a stable support for the snowshoe 1 on the snow when walking downhill and in a straight line.

(43) To the sides of said central portion 2a, placed on a second level and raised with respect to it, two side wings 2b and 2c are provided, the edge of which acts as a support on bends and sharp turns when walking downhill, when the snowshoe 1 needs to be slightly inclined with respect to the plane of the snow on which only the central portion 2a normally rests.

(44) Along the longitudinal edges of said central portion 2a and of said side wings 2b and 2c metal strips 17′ and 17″ are provided, which help the snowshoe 1 to grip the frozen snow in bends and when braking.

(45) Said strips 17′ and 17″, as demonstrated by the detailed stratigraphy shown in FIG. 22, have different thicknesses: the strips 17′ provided on the edges of the central portion 2a are contained within the thickness of that portion 2a of the plate 2 and have a thickness of around 2 mm, for example, while the strips 17″ provided on the edges of the side wings 2b and 2c have a thickness of around 2.5 mm, for example, and protrude towards the snow by around 0.5 mm from the thickness of the side wings 2b and 2c of the plate 2, so as to further improve the downhill performance of the snowshoe 1.

(46) Still with particular reference to the section shown in FIG. 22, the composition of the plate 2 that constitutes the snowshoe 1 is shown.

(47) The material used is a co-pressed element made of two coupled materials that also hold said strips 17′, 17″ along the edges in a sandwich configuration.

(48) In particular, the face 2″ of the plate 2, which when in use and when sliding is turned towards the snow, is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), while the opposing face 2′ of the plate 2 is made of polyamide with 30% glass fiber content (PA 66 30FV).

(49) The use of a snowshoe 1 according to the invention is described below with reference, purely by way of example, to the first embodiment of the snowshoe 1 shown in FIGS. 1-9.

(50) The user puts on the snowshoe 1 by inserting his/her foot into the known type of bindings provided, not shown.

(51) The snowshoe 1 starts in the uphill configuration and therefore the structure 4 is in contact with the upper face 2′ of the plate 2 and the spikes 3 are free below the plate.

(52) The user begins his/her hike using the breadth of the plate 2 and digging the spikes 3 into the snow so as not to slip during the ascent.

(53) Once the user has reached the end of the uphill stage of the hike, just before starting the descent, or any time that there is a change of slope and he/she possibly has to walk downhill, the user, without releasing his or her foot from the snowshoe 1 bindings, switches the snowshoe to the downhill configuration.

(54) In particular, the user releases the tooth 8 and the first flexible ratchet 9 so as to unhook the structure 4 from the plate 2 and rotates the structure 4 until it is below the lower surface 2″ of said plate.

(55) Once the structure 4 has been rotated, it is positioned automatically in such a way that its housings 12 perfectly cover the spikes 3 and the user only needs to re-engage the tooth 8 with the second flexible ratchet 10, re-fastening the structure 4 to the plate 2.

(56) The lower face 2″ of the plate 2, covered by the smooth face 4′ of the structure 4, is now smooth and ideal for sliding downhill on the snow.

(57) The operation of the snowshoe 1 shown in FIGS. 10-17 is similar, the only difference being that in the first uphill configuration the structure 4 is associated with the lower face 2″ of the plate 2, while in the second downhill configuration it is associated with the upper face 2′.