Injection molded plastic snowshoe

Abstract

A plastic showshoe having a lengthwise center frame. The frame forms a semicircular opening to accommodate for the downward pivoting of the forward portion of the binding and boot. Integrated with and laterally extending on both sides of the lengthwise center frame is a weight distribution member having increased upward flexibility toward the edges. On each side of the frame it is independently flexible in order to stabilize the snowshoe in a horizontal position when stepping down, thereby supporting the balance of the snowshoer. The frame is positioned above the weight distribution member in front of and behind the binding and under the weight distribution member opposite the binding. Traction is provided by the portion of the frame positioned under the weight distribution member and by the metal cleat and numerous traction lugs on the underside of the weight distribution member. Snowshedding is facilitated by the smooth upper side of the weight distribution member, the snow plow shape of the frame forming the semicircular opening, by the inverted V-shape of the weight distribution member, by the increased inverted V-shape of the front portion of the weight distribution member and by the frame's position above the weight distribution member in front of and behind the binding. The snowshoe is provided with a full length binding having an adjustable boot centering heel support, a quick release device for safety and convenience and a heel lock down device.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A device to facilitate walking in deep snow conditions commonly called snowshoe characterized by: 
 A narrow beam lengthwise center frame ( 15 ) and a weight distribution member ( 16 ) said weight distribution member integrated with and laterally extending on both sides of said narrow beam lengthwise center frame, said weight distribution member on each side of said narrow beam lengthwise center frame having independent and outwardly from said narrow beam lengthwise center frame increasing flexibility.    
     
     
         2 . A snowshoe as claimed in  claim 1  further characterized by: 
 (a) said narrow beam lengthwise center frame located on the upper side of said weight distribution member in the front and rear portion ( 15  A,D,B) and on the underside ( 15  C, E) in the mid portion of said snowshoe;  
 (b) said frame extending opposed portions ( 15 D) from the cross portion ( 15 E) of said frame upwards and forwards through a generally semicircular opening ( 29 ) in the forward portion of said weight distribution member, said opposed portions of said frame forwardly converging to form a snow plow shape;  
 (c) a cross section of said weight distribution member having a slight inverted V shape in the mid (FIG. 6) and rear (FIG. 5) portion and substantially increased, inverted V shape (FIG. 7) in the front portion of said snowshoe.  
 
     
     
         3 . A snowshoe as defined in  claim 1  further characterized by a plurality of flexible, downwardly pointed traction lugs ( 28 ) on the underside of said weight distribution member.  
     
     
         4 . A snowshoe as defined in  claim 1  having a full length binding provided with a quick-release device for ankle strap characterized by: 
 (a) an ankle strap ( 14 )  
 (b) a heel support ( 21 ) having a holding arm ( 21 A), said heel support slidably connected to the full length binding ( 20 );  
 (c) a tension lever ( 23 ) pivotally attached to said heel support and releasably connectable to said holding arm ( 21 A)  
 (d) a lock pin ( 24 ) pivotally and releasably connectable between said tension lever and said ankle strap  
 
     
     
         5 . A snowshoe and full length binding as defined in claims  1 ,  2  and  4  further characterized by a heel lock down device slidably attached to the rear portion of said frame ( 15 B) said heel lock down device characterized by a flexible arm ( 27 C) to engage the rearmost portion of the full length binding ( 20 ), said flexible arm flexibly releasing said full length binding if excessive upwardly directed force is applied to said full length binding.