Snowshoe

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.

Claims

1. A snowshoe including a base structure forming a shoe zone and a lift zone and in which the lift zone includes a lateral projection on each side of the shoe zone, wherein the front of the snowshoe and the front of the show zone correspond, thereby forming a snowshoe without a front shovel, and wherein the front of the snowshoe terminates in a toecap accommodating the front part of a shoe and wherein the base structure is elastically deformable.

2. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 1, in which the front portion of the snowshoe is raised.

3. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 1, in which the base structure includes a main reinforcing element including at least three sectors respectively corresponding to support zones A for the first metatarsal, B for the fifth metatarsal and C for the heel.

4. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 3, in which the base structure includes a secondary reinforcing element having a level of stiffness lower than that of the main reinforcing element, said secondary reinforcing element extending between said sectors of the main reinforcing element.

5. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 3, in which the base structure also includes an expanded or non-expanded material comfort layer covering all or part of the main reinforcing element.

6. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 1, in which the base structure includes a solid surface.

7. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 1, further including two lateral rims arranged on respective opposite sides of the shoe zone.

8. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 1, in which the lift zone is curved along the lateral projections.

9. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 1, in which each of the lateral projections includes a lower surface, said lower surface being inclined with respect to the base structure.

10. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 1, in which the base structure is made of a thermoplastic material.

11. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 1, in which the rear of the shoe zone forms a rear shovel.

12. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 11, in which the rear shovel is raised and/or twisted toward the outside and/or includes an opening.

13. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 10, wherein the thermoplastic material is selected from at least one of polyurethane thermoplastic and elastomer thermoplastic.

14. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 10, wherein the thermoplastic material is at least one of polyethylene vinyl acetate and styrene butadiene styrene.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) All implementation details are given in the following description, complemented by FIGS. 1 to 11c, provided by way of nonlimiting example only, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a snowshoe example intended to be worn on the left foot, seen from above;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the snowshoe from FIG. 1 seen in elevation, with shading symbolizing a shoe of a user for various shoe sizes;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of another snowshoe example, seen in perspective from the rear;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the snowshoe from FIG. 3, seen in perspective from the front;

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the snowshoe from FIG. 3, seen in elevation;

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the snowshoe from FIG. 3, seen in elevation from the rear;

(8) FIGS. 7a to 7g are schematic sections showing various examples of cross sections of base structures with various types of lateral projection profiles;

(9) FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of an example of main and secondary reinforcing elements of a base structure of a snowshoe intended to be worn on the left foot;

(10) FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of another example of main and secondary reinforcing elements of a base structure of a snowshoe intended to be worn on the left foot;

(11) FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a further example of main and secondary reinforcing elements of a base structure of a snowshoe intended to be worn on the right foot;

(12) FIG. 11a to 11c are schematic sections showing various examples of longitudinal sections (FIG. 11a) and cross sections (FIGS. 11b and 11c) of a snowshoe including a comfort layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(13) Body of the Snowshoe and Base Structure

(14) FIGS. 1 to 6 show from various points of view one example of a snowshoe according to the invention. As clearly visible in FIGS. 1 and 3, the snowshoe 1 includes a base structure 2 including a shoe zone 3 and a lift zone 4 that surrounds the shoe zone 3, except at the front of the shoe zone, where the snowshoe terminates to form a front portion 7. This front portion includes a toecap 8 substantially corresponding to the front of the shoe zone 3. This results in a snowshoe with no front shovel, considerably benefiting ergonomics and walking comfort. Moreover, the user can use their snowshoes to walk in a similar manner to normal walking in shoes, rolling the foot, that is to say by first setting down the heel, then the sole of the foot, and finally the front of the foot. The rolling movement then continues with the raising of the heel and finishes with propulsion at the level of the toes. As shown, the toecap 8 is advantageously of curved shape, forming a kind of protection shell for the front end of the shoe.

(15) The lift zone 4 includes a lateral projection 5 on each side of the shoe zone 3. At the rear, the lift zone 2 is extended beyond the shoe zone 3 to form the rear of the shoe zone 3. As clearly visible in FIG. 1, the base structure includes a solid surface. The lift zone 4 therefore procures an effect of optimum distribution of weight, for minimal digging into the snow, and for a well balanced gait. The continuity of the surface also enables good thermal isolation to be provided, protecting the feet from cold and wet.

(16) Further to benefit ergonomics and to benefit ease of use and comfort, the base structure 2 is preferably made from an elastically deformable material conferring on it great flexibility of use. The deformability of the base structure enables the rear shovel to flex under the weight of the walker when the latter moves their heel toward the ground and sets it down. The flexibility of the snowshoe moreover enables optimization of ergonomic behavior, in agreement and compliance with the biomechanics of the foot, to generate walking with a rolling motion of the foot, as mentioned above.

(17) FIG. 5 and FIGS. 7a to 7g show the shaping of the curved lift zone 4, preferably on the lateral projections 5. The lateral projections can therefore be produced with various types of profiles, for example rectangular (FIG. 7a), with inclined external walls (FIG. 7b), circular arc (FIG. 7c), flat (FIG. 7d), inclined outward (FIG. 7e), or inward (FIG. 7f), or with a “V” shape (FIG. 7g).

(18) Each of the lateral projections 5 includes a lower surface 16, said lower surface 16 being raised on at least one of the two lateral projections 5, as shown in the examples from FIGS. 7d, 7e, 7f and 7g. The lateral projections are sufficiently flexible to espouse the various hole, stone or other type obstacles of the terrain.

(19) The base structure 2 is advantageously made of a thermoplastic type material, preferably included in the list of the following families: polyurethane thermoplastic, elastomer thermoplastic. Polyethylene vinyl acetate or styrene butadiene styrene is advantageously used. The material of the base structure 2 may be expanded or non-expanded, depending on the application.

(20) As shown in the FIG. 1 example, the rear of the shoe zone 3 is preferably asymmetrical and advantageously includes a cutout 15 freeing the interior side.

(21) As shown in FIG. 6, the rear of the shoe zone 3 is raised and/or twisted toward the outside. It preferably includes an opening 19.

(22) Reinforcing Structure

(23) According to one advantageous embodiment, to prevent the snowshoe being too flexible and generating little or no lift, the base structure 2 includes a main reinforcing element 20 provided to confer sufficient stiffness for the transfer of the weight of the walker to be properly distributed over all of the surface of the snowshoe.

(24) As shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and FIG. 10, the main reinforcing element 20 comprises at least three sectors 21, 22, 23 respectively corresponding to support zones A of the first metatarsal, B of the fifth metatarsal and C of the heel.

(25) The main reinforcing element 20 is designed to transmit any forces that the sectors 21, 22, 23 are liable to receive to the rest of the base structure 2.

(26) As shown in the FIG. 8a example, the main reinforcing element 20 has for example a substantially T-shaped profile.

(27) The sectors 21, 22 may extend into adjacent lateral projection zones 5. Similarly, the heel sector 23 may also extend into the lateral projection zone 5 toward the rear of the heel and/or on each side of the latter.

(28) To obtain the continuous (or opening-free) structure of the lift zone 4 and to contribute to distributing the weight of the user, the base structure 2 includes a secondary reinforcing element 30. This secondary reinforcing element has a level of stiffness lower than that of the main reinforcing element 20.

(29) The secondary reinforcing element 30 is arranged between the sectors 21, 22, 23 of the main reinforcing element 20.

(30) For improved comfort, the base structure 2 also includes an expanded or non-expanded foam comfort layer 40 covering all or part of the main reinforcing element 20, as shown in the FIGS. 11a, 11b and 11c examples, in median axial section in FIG. 11a and at different longitudinal positions of the snowshoe in FIGS. 11b and 11c. A thermoplastic material is used to produce the comfort layer for example.

(31) As shown for example in FIGS. 2 to 5, two lateral rims 9 are arranged on respective opposite sides of the shoe zone 3. The lateral rims 9 are preferably in one piece with the base structure 2, for maximum robustness.

(32) As shown in the FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 embodiments, the main reinforcement may also include a cubo-scaphoidal sector 24, 25 that extends substantially between the support zones of the scaphoid and the cuboid.

(33) In the FIG. 10 example the cubo-scaphoidal zone 24, 25 is extended on either side into the area of the adjacent lateral projections 5.

(34) Also in the FIG. 10 embodiment, the main reinforcing element includes a cuboid-5th metatarsal axis extending substantially between the support zones of the cuboid 24 and the 5th metatarsal 22.

(35) FIG. 10 also shows that the main reinforcing element may include lateral sectors 26, 27 extended over at least a portion of each of the lateral projections 5. Alternatively, these lateral sectors 26, 27 are interconnected.

(36) According to a further embodiment, the reinforcing structure described above may be used on one or more other types of snowshoes, for similar functions.

(37) Fixing System

(38) According to a further advantageous embodiment, shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the snowshoe includes an upper-cover 10 extending longitudinally from said front toecap 8 as far as the neck of the foot and laterally between the lateral rims 9. The upper-cover with the front toecap 8 and the lateral rims 9 forms a shoe front housing 6, adapted to accommodate the front part of the shoe.

(39) Considering the snowshoe in the axial direction, that is to say in the lengthwise direction, the upper-cover 10 is preferably constituted of a unitary piece covering the shoe from the toecap 8 as far as the neck of the foot. This unitary piece is globally elastic, either because of an elastic material or because of areas of elasticity.

(40) To provide this elasticity, the elastic material is for example an elastic fabric, and preferably substantially watertight. According to various variants, the fabric includes for example lattices oriented substantially at 45° relative to the longitudinal axis of the snowshoe, or again the fabric includes one or more zones of lattices oriented substantially at 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the snowshoe. In another variant, the fabric is expanded and preferably contains neoprene.

(41) Considering the snowshoe in the transverse direction, or perpendicularly to the axial direction, the upper-cover 10 covers all of the area situated between the toecap 8 on the one hand and at least one of the lateral rims 9 on the other hand. In the embodiment from FIGS. 2 and 3 a clamping element 18, for example laces or a strap or belting, cooperates with the upper-cover 10.

(42) An anti-recoil element 13, fixed for example to the lateral rims 9 and adapted to surround at least partly the rear of the shoe, is shown in the FIGS. 2 to 6 examples. A clamping element 18 of this kind may be coupled to one or more immobilizers 14, as shown in the FIG. 2 example.

(43) According to various potential embodiments, the upper-cover 10 is removable and/or extended to form a vamp in one piece with said upper-cover 10. In another variant the upper-cover 10 and the front toecap 8 are in one piece.

(44) According to a further embodiment, the fixing system described above may be used on one or more other types of snowshoes, for similar functions.