Snowshoe

Abstract

A snowshoe provides a way for outdoor enthusiasts to traverse the backcountry effectively and efficiently. The snowshoe allows the user to glide through the snow like a cross-country ski, but with the minimal footprint of a traditional snowshoe. The snowshoe includes a board and a binding mechanism that secures the user to the board, but allows for a pivoting motion. The pivoting motion allows the user to ascend steep terrain by performing a motion similar to cross-country skiing.

Claims

1. A snowshoe comprising: a board having a top and bottom surface, the top surface including a continuous portion in which no openings exist through the board, the bottom surface also including a continuous portion in which no openings exist through the board; a binding mechanism that secures a user's boot to the board, the binding mechanism including a boot support plate that is positioned overtop the continuous portion of the top surface, the boot support plate having a front end that is coupled to the continuous portion of the top surface of the board via a hinging mechanism and a back end that is free to pivot away from the top surface of the board thereby allowing a heel of the user's boot to be lifted away from the top surface of the board when the user's boot is secured to the boot support plate, the hinging mechanism causing the boot support plate to remain fully above the continuous portion of the top surface of the board while the back end of the boot support plate pivots such that a toe of the user's boot remains above the top surface, the binding mechanism further including a heel riser structure that includes two or more risers each of which has a different length to thereby allow the back end of the boot support plate to be selectively supported at different heights; and a skin that at least partially covers the continuous portion of the bottom surface of the board.

2. The snowshoe of claim 1, wherein the binding mechanism further comprises a mounting bracket coupled to the continuous portion of the top surface of the board, the front end of the boot support plate being coupled to the mounting bracket via the hinging mechanism, the binding mechanism further comprising one or more securing mechanisms that maintain contact between the user's boot and the boot support plate.

3. The snowshoe of claim 2, wherein the board has a substantially horizontal section on which the continuous portions of the top and bottom surfaces are formed, an upwardly sloping front end, and a tapered rear end.

4. The snowshoe of claim 3, wherein each of the two or more risers pivots between a horizontal position and a vertical position.

5. The snowshoe of claim 4, wherein the boot support plate includes a first vertical securing mechanism that extends from opposing sides of the boot support plate.

6. The snowshoe of claim 5, wherein the boot support plate includes a heel strap that is coupled to the back end of the boot support plate and a second vertical securing mechanism that extends from opposing sides of the heel strap.

7. The snowshoe of claim 1, wherein the board is rigid and planar.

8. The snowshoe of claim 1, wherein the board has a substantially horizontal section on which the continuous portions of the top and bottom surfaces are formed, an upwardly sloping front end, and a tapered rear end.

9. The snowshoe of claim 1, wherein the board is constructed of a wooden core and composite exterior layers.

10. The snowshoe of claim 1, wherein each of the two or more risers pivots between a horizontal position and a vertical position.

11. The snowshoe of claim 1, wherein the boot support plate includes a first vertical securing mechanism that extends from opposing sides of the boot support plate.

12. The snowshoe of claim 11, wherein the boot support plate includes a heel strap that is coupled to the back end of the boot support plate and a second vertical securing mechanism that extends from opposing sides of the heel strap.

13. A snowshoe comprising: a board that dissipates the user's weight over a snow surface, the top surface including a continuous portion in which no openings exist through the board, the bottom surface also including a continuous portion in which no openings exist through the board; and a binding mechanism that secures the user to the board, the binding mechanism including a boot support plate that is positioned overtop the continuous portion of the top surface, the boot support plate having a front end that is coupled to the continuous portion of the top surface of the board via a hinging mechanism and a back end that is free to pivot away from the top surface of the board thereby allowing a heel of the user's boot to be lifted away from the top surface of the board when the user's boot is secured to the boot support plate, the hinging mechanism causing the boot support plate to remain fully above the continuous portion of the top surface of the board while the back end of the boot support plate pivots such that a toe of the user's boot remains above the top surface, the binding mechanism further including a heel riser structure that includes two or more risers each of which has a different length to thereby allow the back end of the boot support plate to be selectively supported at different heights.

14. The snowshoe of claim 13, wherein the binding mechanism further comprises a mounting bracket coupled to the continuous portion of the top surface of the board, the front end of the boot support plate being coupled to the mounting bracket via the hinging mechanism, the binding mechanism further comprising one or more securing mechanisms that maintain contact between the user's boot and the boot support plate.

15. The snowshoe of claim 13, wherein the board is rigid and planar.

16. The snowshoe of claim 13, wherein the board has a substantially horizontal section on which the continuous portions of the top and bottom surfaces are formed, an upwardly sloping front end, and a tapered rear end.

17. The snowshoe of claim 13, wherein the board is constructed of a wooden core and composite exterior layers.

18. The snowshoe of claim 13, further comprising, a skin that at least partially covers the continuos portion of the bottom surface of the board.

19. A pair of snowshoes, each snowshoe comprising: a board having a top and bottom surface that extend along a length and a width of the board, the length of the board being less than 36 inches, the width of the board being greater than 5 inches, the top surface including a continuous portion in which no openings exist through the board, the bottom surface also including a continuous portion in which no openings exist through the board; a binding mechanism that secures a user's boot to the board, the binding mechanism including a boot support plate that is positioned overtop the continuous portion of the top surface, the boot support plate having a front end that is coupled to the continuous portion of the top surface of the board via a hinging mechanism and a back end that is free to pivot away from the top surface of the board thereby allowing a heel of the user's boot to be lifted away from the top surface of the board when the user's boot is secured to the boot support plate, the hinging mechanism causing the boot support plate to remain fully above the continuous portion of the top surface of the board while the back end of the boot support plate pivots such that a toe of the user's boot remains above the top surface; and a skin that at least partially covers the continuous portion of the bottom surface of the board.

20. The pair of snowshoes of claim 19, wherein the width of the board of each snowshoe is greater than six inches.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a snowshoe in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2A is a left side view of the snowshoe of FIG. 1 with the binding mechanism in a horizontal position;

(4) FIG. 2B is a left side view of the snowshoe of FIG. 1 with the binding mechanism in an elevated position;

(5) FIG. 3A is a bottom view of the snowshoe of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the snowshoe of FIG. 1 with a skin attached to the bottom of the snowshoe;

(7) FIG. 4 is a front view of the snowshoe of FIG. 1;

(8) FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a snowshoe with another binding mechanism; and

(9) FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a boot support plate of the binding mechanism of FIGS. 5A and 5B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) FIGS. 1-4 each depict a snowshoe 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Snowshoe 100 allows a user to easily and efficiently traverse through the snow. Snowshoe 100 is constructed of a light weight material with a compact size to allow for easy storage when not in use. Snowshoe 100 prevents a user from sinking into the snow and allows the user to slide through the snow by performing a skating or walking motion.

(11) In some embodiments, snowshoe 100 may be designed specifically to attach to a user's existing snowboard boots or any other type of snow boot. In other words, snowshoe 100 does not require the use of a boot that is customized for specific bindings.

(12) FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of snowshoe 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Snowshoe 100 comprises a board 102 and a binding mechanism 104 that provides an interface between the user's boot (not pictured) and board 102.

(13) Although it could be configured in any reasonable size, snowshoe 100 may preferably be configured so that the length of board 102 ranges from 15 inches to 36 inches and the width of board 102 ranges from 5 inches to 10 inches. For example, an embodiment of board 102 may be 34.75 inches long by 6.75 inches wide. In such an embodiment, a distance from the rear edge of board 102 to the commencement of the curve (as described below) may be approximately 28.75 inches.

(14) Board 102 can be constructed of a supportable, yet flexible material. For example, board 102 may comprise a wooden core and one or more composite exterior layers. Board 102 may also be made of a plastic material. As shown, board 102 forms a continuous surface on top of which the user's boot can be placed. In other words, there is no hole in board 102 through which the user's boot would pivot as is the case with traditional snowshoes.

(15) In some embodiments, board 102 is substantially planar. As shown in the figures, board 102 can have an upward sloping front 108 and a tapered back 110. Upward sloping front 108 may be utilized to allow snowshoe 100 to glide through the snow rather than digging into the snow. A tapered back 110 may reduce drag and improve efficiency. In some embodiments, the back of the board (e.g., tapered back 110) may also slope upward similar to upward sloping front 108.

(16) Binding mechanism 104 is configured to pivot to allow the user to glide over the snow by performing a skating or walking motion. Binding mechanism 104 comprises a mounting bracket 112 which secures binding mechanism 104 to board 102, a boot support plate 116, a hinging mechanism 118 that couples boot support plate 116 to mounting bracket 112, and a vertical securing mechanism 120 that is configured to maintain contact between the user's boot and boot support plate 116. In some embodiments, mounting bracket 112 may be attached to board 102 through the use of a fastener 114. In some embodiments, fastener 114 may be a glue, epoxy, screw, nail, bolt, rivet or combination thereof.

(17) Hinging mechanism 118 forms a pivot point to allow boot support plate 116 to rotate with respect to board 102. In some embodiments, hinging mechanism 118 may be a traditional hinge. In other embodiments, hinging mechanism 118 may be a pin at the interface between boot support plate 116 and mounting bracket 112.

(18) Boot support plate 116 may be configured with vertical returns 121 that maintain the lateral stability of the user's boot. One or more vertical securing mechanisms 120 may connect to boot support plate 116 at vertical returns 121 and function to secure the user's boot to boot support plate 116. Vertical securing mechanism(s) 120 may substantially restrict the vertical movement of the users boot with respect to boot support plate 116, and vertical returns 121 on boot support plate 116 may substantially restrict the lateral movement of the users boot with respect to boot support plate 116.

(19) In some embodiments, such as is depicted in the figures, vertical securing mechanism(s) 120 may be a toe strap formed of a fabric and/or plastic material. In such embodiments, the toe strap may include hook and loop fasteners or similar material to secure the users boot to boot support plate 116. The hook and loop fasteners can allow the user to secure his or her boots tightly within vertical securing mechanism(s) 120. Other types of fasteners may equally be employed. For example, vertical securing mechanism(s) 120 could comprise one or more plastic straps that may be ratcheted to fit the user's boot size.

(20) FIGS. 2A and 2B depict a side view of snowshoe 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, the thickness of board 102 may vary along the length of the board. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the thickness of board 102 is greatest near the center of the length (i.e., underneath binding mechanism 104) and tapers towards the front and back of the board. The variable thickness of board 102 provides stability in critical locations while minimizing the weight. The variable thickness of the board may also provide the requisite flexibility to ensure that the user can efficiently glide through the snow.

(21) In some embodiments, boot support plate 116 may have a heel riser 116a near the back of boot support plate 116. Heel riser 116a may limit the rotation of boot support plate 116 so that boot support plate 116 will not rotate below a parallel position to board 102. This may improve durability, efficiency or user comfort.

(22) FIG. 2A depicts boot support plate 116 in a horizontal position with respect to board 102. The horizontal position is commonly associated with the leading foot when using snowshoe 100. FIG. 2B depicts boot support plate 116 with the heel elevated with respect to board 102. The elevated heel position is commonly associated with the trailing foot when using snowshoe 100. Boot support plate 116 may freely rotate between the horizontal position and the elevated position to facilitate ascending a mountain.

(23) FIG. 3A depicts a bottom view of board 102 in accordance with one or more embodiments of snowshoe 100. The bottom of board 102 may include a smooth outer layer 122 that allows board 102 to glide over the surface of the snow. In contrast, FIG. 3B depicts the bottom view of board 102 after smooth bottom layer 122 of board 102 has been covered with a skin 124. Skin 124 provides the requisite friction to allow the user to ascend the mountain slopes. The user may select a skin material based on the desired traction, glide, durability and cost. In some embodiments, the skins are made of nylon or mohair. In some embodiments, snowshoe 100 may have a fixed or permanent skin 124. Such skins may be coupled to or incorporated into the bottom surface of board 102 in a permanent or semi-permanent fashion.

(24) FIG. 4 depicts a front view of snowshoe 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. As shown, upward sloping front 108 of board 102 may be arched. In some embodiments, back 110 of board 102 may have a similar design to upward sloping front 108.

(25) FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate snowshoe with another embodiment of a binding mechanism 504. Binding mechanism 504 is structurally similar to binding mechanism 104. In particular, binding mechanism 504 comprises a boot support plate 516 that is connected to a mounting bracket 512 via hinging mechanism 518. Boot support plate 516 includes openings 521 on opposing sides by which a vertical securing mechanism 520a is coupled to the boot support plate. Openings 521 are positioned so that vertical securing mechanism 520a will be above the toe region of the user's boot. A heel strap 526 is coupled to the back end of boot support plate 516 and functions to prevent the user's boot from sliding backward out of binding mechanism 504. A second vertical securing mechanism 520b can extend from opposing sides of heel strap 526 so that it is positioned towards the ankle region of the user's boot. Vertical securing mechanisms 520a, 520b can be adjustable to accommodate boots/users of different sizes.

(26) Binding mechanism 504 also includes a heel riser structure 516a that is secured to board 102 below the back end of boot support plate 516. Heel riser structure 516a can include two or more risers 517, 518 of different lengths to allow the user's heel to be supported at different heights. More specifically, each of risers 517, 518 can be configured to pivot between a vertical position and a horizontal position. In the vertical position (e.g., in the position of riser 517 in FIGS. 5A and 5B), the riser will contact the underside 519 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B which show boot support plate 516 in isolation) of boot support plate 516 to retain the back end of boot support plate 516 elevated above board 102. The user can select to use no riser, riser 517, or riser 518 to retain an elevation of boot support plate 516 that is desired for a particular terrain. Although heel riser structure 516a is shown as including two risers 517, 518, in some embodiments, a heel riser structure could include one riser or more than two risers.

(27) The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.