Ergonomic snowshoe binding

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. A first set of straps overlies the side member and the calcanean wrap member on the left side are encircles the right side of the calcaneus of the foot of a wearer, and a second set of straps overlies the side member and the calcanean wrap member on the right side are encircles the left side of the calcaneus of the foot of a wearer.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A binding for mounting on a snowshoe or like sport apparatus for releasably retaining the foot of a wearer therein, said binding comprising: 
 a base member which may be mounted on the snowshoe or like sport apparatus, said base member being arranged and configured to support at least a forward portion of the foot of a wearer, said base member having a left side and a right side and a front side and a rear side;    a first fastening member having first and second ends, said first end of said first fastening member being connected to said base member at a location near said left side and said rear side of said base member, said second end of said first fastening member being connected to said base member at a location near said left side of said base member and intermediate said front and back sides of said base member, said first fastening member being arranged and configured to wrap around the right side of the calcaneus of the foot of a wearer; and    a second fastening member having first and second ends, said first end of said second fastening member being connected to said base member at a location near said right side and said rear side of said base member, said second end of said second fastening member being connected to said base member at a location near said right side of said base member and intermediate said front and back sides of said base member, said second fastening member being arranged and configured to wrap around the left side of the calcaneus of the foot of a wearer, said first and second fastening members being of adjustable length to accommodate a variety of foot sizes and to allow said binding to be releasably secured to the foot of a wearer.    
     
     
         2 . A binding as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said base member comprises: 
 a binding chassis made of metal, said binding chassis having a top side and a bottom side and a left side and a right side and a front side and a rear side; and    a foot pad located on said top side of said binding chassis, wherein said foot pad is made of a material providing a relatively high coefficient of friction.    
     
     
         3 . A binding as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said binding chassis comprises: 
 a toe stop which extends upward vertically from the front side of said binding chassis.    
     
     
         4 . A binding as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said binding chassis comprises: 
 a front base portion; and    a rear base portion;    wherein said front base portion is angled upwardly from said rear base portion.    
     
     
         5 . A binding as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said binding chassis comprises: 
 a first toothed claw segment extending downwardly from said front base portion at said left side of said binding chassis;    a second toothed claw segment extending downwardly from said front base portion at said right side of said binding chassis;    a third toothed claw segment extending downwardly from said rear base portion at said left side of said binding chassis; and    a fourth toothed claw segment extending downwardly from said rear base portion at said right side of said binding chassis;    
     
     
         6 . A binding as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first fastening member comprises: 
 a first strap member having a first end secured to said base member at a location near said left side and said rear side of said base member, said first strap member also having a second end;    a second strap member having a first end secured to said base member at a location near said left side of said base member and intermediate said front and back sides of said base member, said second strap member also having a second end; and    a first buckle secured to said second end of one of said first and second strap members, said first buckle being operable to engage said second end of the other of said first and second strap members in a manner allowing for a variable adjustment of the length of the portion of said other of said first and second strap members between said first end of said other of said first and second strap members and said first buckle;    and wherein said second fastening member comprises:    a third strap member having a first end secured to said base member at a location near said right side and said rear side of said base member, said third strap member also having a second end;    a fourth strap member having a first end secured to said base member at a location near said right side of said base member and intermediate said front and back sides of said base member, said fourth strap member also having a second end; and    a second buckle secured to said second end of one of said third and fourth strap members, said second buckle being operable to engage said second end of the other of said third and fourth strap members in a manner allowing for a variable adjustment of the length of the portion of said other of said third and fourth strap members between said first end of said other of said third and fourth strap members and said second buckle.    
     
     
         7 . A binding as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said first buckle is secured to said second end of said second strap member, said first buckle being operable to engage said second end of said first strap member in a manner allowing for a variable adjustment of the length of the portion of said first strap member between said first end of said first strap member and said first buckle, and wherein said second buckle is secured to said second end of said fourth strap member, said second buckle being operable to engage said second end of said third strap member in a manner allowing for a variable adjustment of the length of the portion of said third strap member between said first end of said third strap member and said second buckle.  
     
     
         8 . A binding as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said second strap member comprises: 
 a first looping strap having a first end secured to said base member at a location near said left side and said front side of said base member, said first looping strap also having a second end secured to said base member at a location near said left side of said base member and intermediate said front and back sides of said base member;    a first connecting strap having a first end and a second end, said second end of said first connecting strap comprising said second end of said second strap member; and    a first slip ring connecting said second end of said first looping strap to said first end of said first connecting strap;    and wherein said fourth strap member comprises:    a second looping strap having a first end secured to said base member at a location near said right side and said front side of said base member, said second looping strap also having a second end secured to said base member at a location near said right side of said base member and intermediate said front and back sides of said base member;    a second connecting strap having a first end and a second end, said second end of said second connecting strap comprising said second end of said fourth strap member; and    a second slip ring connecting said second end of said second looping strap to said first end of said third connecting strap.    
     
     
         9 . A binding as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said first and second ends of said first connecting strap, said first and second ends of said second connecting strap, and said first ends of said first and third strap members are all secured to said base member in a manner allowing for lateral pivoting of first and second ends of said first connecting strap, said first and second ends of said second connecting strap, and said first ends of said first and third strap members.  
     
     
         10 . A binding as defined in  claim 6 , additionally comprising: 
 a first side member secured to said base member at a location near said left side of said base member and intermediate said front and back sides of said base member, said first end of said second strap member being located intermediate said first side member and said base member at the point at which said first side member and said first end of said second strap member are secured to said base member;    a second side member secured to said base member at a location near said right side of said base member and intermediate said front and back sides of said base member, said first end of said fourth strap member being located intermediate said second side member and said base member at the point at which said second side member and said first end of said fourth strap member are secured to said base member;    a first calcaneus wrap member secured to said base member at a location near said left side and said rear side of said base member, said first end of said first strap member being located intermediate said first calcaneus wrap member and said base member at the point at which said first calcaneus wrap member and said first end of said first strap member are secured to said base member; and    a second calcaneus wrap member secured to said base member at a location near said right side and said rear side of said base member, said first end of said third strap member being located intermediate said second calcaneus wrap member and said base member at the point at which said second calcaneus wrap member and said first end of said third strap member are secured to said base member.    
     
     
         11 . A binding as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said first side member has an inner surface which will face the foot of a wearer and an outer surface, a proximal portion of said second strap member being located close adjacent said outer surface of said first side member, and wherein said second side member has an inner surface which will face the foot of a wearer and an outer surface, a proximal portion of said fourth strap member being located close adjacent said outer surface of said second side member, and wherein said first calcaneus wrap member has an inner surface which will face the foot of a wearer and an outer surface, a proximal portion of said first strap member being located close adjacent said outer surface of said first calcaneus wrap member, and wherein said second calcaneus wrap member has an inner surface which will face the foot of a wearer and an outer surface, a proximal portion of said third strap member being located close adjacent said outer surface of said second calcaneus wrap member.  
     
     
         12 . A binding as defined in  claim 11 , additionally comprising: 
 a first integral retaining loop located on said back side of said first side member, said second strap member passing through said first integral retaining loop;    a second integral retaining loop located on said back side of said second side member, said fourth strap member passing through said second integral retaining loop;    third and fourth integral retaining loops located on said back side of said first calcaneus wrap member, said third integral retaining loop being located intermediate said fourth integral retaining loop and a plane containing said base member; and    fifth and sixth integral retaining loops located on said back side of said second calcaneus wrap member, said fifth integral retaining loop being located intermediate said sixth integral retaining loop and said plane containing said base member; wherein said first strap member passes consecutively through said third integral retaining loop and said sixth integral retaining loop prior to being engaged by said first buckle, and wherein said third strap member passes consecutively through said fifth integral retaining loop and said fourth integral retaining loop prior to being engaged by said second buckle.    
     
     
         13 . A binding as defined in  claim 11 , additionally comprising: 
 a first cushioning pad located on said inner surface of said first side member;    a second cushioning pad located on said inner surface of said second side member;    a third cushioning pad located on said inner surface of said first calcaneus wrap member; and    a fourth cushioning pad located on said inner surface of said second calcaneus wrap member.    
     
     
         14 . A binding as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said first, second, third, and fourth cushioning pads are made of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) resilient plastic foam material.  
     
     
         15 . A binding as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said first and second side members and said first and second calcaneus wrap members are made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material.  
     
     
         16 . A binding as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said first side member is Y-shaped, the tops of the arms of the Y of said first side member being secured to said base member at a first location near said left side and said front side of said base member and a second location near said left side of said base member and intermediate said front and back sides of said base member, and wherein said second side member is Y-shaped, the tops of the arms of the Y of said second side member being secured to said base member at a first location near said right side and said front side of said base member and a second location near said right side of said base member and intermediate said front and back sides of said base member.  
     
     
         17 . A binding as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said arms of said Y's of said first and second side members are secured to said base member in a pivotable manner to allow said first and second side members to better conform to the foot of a wearer.  
     
     
         18 . A binding as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said first calcaneus wrap member is L-shaped, the top of the leg of the L of said first calcaneus wrap member being secured to said base member at a location near said left side and said rear side of said base member with the leg of the L oriented generally upward from said base member and the base of the L oriented generally toward said front side of said base member at said left side thereof, and wherein said second calcaneus wrap member is L-shaped, the top of the leg of the L of said second calcaneus wrap member being secured to said base member at a location near said right side and said rear side of said base member with the leg of the L oriented generally upward from said base member and the base of the L oriented generally toward said front side of said base member at said right side thereof.  
     
     
         19 . A binding as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said tops of said legs of said first and second calcaneus wrap members are secured to said base member in a pivotable manner to allow said first and second calcaneus wrap members to better conform to the foot of a wearer.  
     
     
         20 . A binding as defined in  claim 1 , additionally comprising: 
 a heel pad for placement on top of said snowshoe; and    a rear claw member for placement on the bottom of said snowshoe, said heel pad and said rear claw member being secured together.    
     
     
         21 . A binding as defined in  claim 1 , additionally comprising: 
 an Achilles strap member, said first and second fastening members passing therethrough such that said Achilles strap member serves to retain said first and second fastening members therein in close proximity to each other, said Achilles strap member having a loop extending therefrom which may be used to facilitate installation of said binding.    
     
     
         22 . A binding for mounting on a snowshoe for releasably retaining the foot of a wearer therein, said binding comprising: 
 a base member which may be mounted on the snowshoe, said base member being arranged and configured to support at least a forward portion of the foot of a wearer, said base member having a left side and a right side and a front side and a rear side;    a toe stop which extends upward vertically from the front side of said base member;    a first strap member having a first end secured to said base member at a location near said left side and said rear side of said base member, said first strap member also having a second end;    a first calcaneus wrap member secured to said base member at a location near said left side and said rear side of said base member, said first end of said first strap member being located intermediate said first calcaneus wrap member and said base member at the point at which said first calcaneus wrap member and said first end of said first strap member are secured to said base member;    a second strap member having a first end secured to said base member at a location near said left side of said base member and intermediate said front and back sides of said base member, said second strap member also having a second end;    a first side member secured to said base member at a location near said left side of said base member and intermediate said front and back sides of said base member, said first end of said second strap member being located intermediate said first side member and said base member at the point at which said first side member and said first end of said second strap member are secured to said base member;    a first buckle secured to said second end of one of said first and second strap members, said first buckle being operable to engage said second end of the other of said first and second strap members in a manner allowing for a variable adjustment of the length of the portion of said other of said first and second strap members between said first end of said other of said first and second strap members and said first buckle;    a third strap member having a first end secured to said base member at a location near said right side and said rear side of said base member, said third strap member also having a second end;    a second calcaneus wrap member secured to said base member at a location near said right side and said rear side of said base member, said first end of said third strap member being located intermediate said second calcaneus wrap member and said base member at the point at which said second calcaneus wrap member and said first end of said third strap member are secured to said base member;    a fourth strap member having a first end secured to said base member at a location near said right side of said base member and intermediate said front and back sides of said base member, said fourth strap member also having a second end;    a second side member secured to said base member at a location near said right side of said base member and intermediate said front and back sides of said base member, said first end of said fourth strap member being located intermediate said second side member and said base member at the point at which said second side member and said first end of said fourth strap member are secured to said base member;    a second buckle secured to said second end of one of said third and fourth strap members, said second buckle being operable to engage said second end of the other of said third and fourth strap members in a manner allowing for a variable adjustment of the length of the portion of said other of said third and fourth strap members between said first end of said other of said third and fourth strap members and said second buckle; and    an Achilles strap member, said first and third strap members passing therethrough such that said Achilles strap member serves to retain said first and third strap members therein in close proximity to each other.    
     
     
         23 . A binding for mounting on a snowshoe or like sport apparatus for releasably retaining the foot of a wearer therein, said binding comprising: 
 a base member which may be mounted on the snowshoe or like sport apparatus, said base member being arranged and configured to support at least a forward portion of the foot of a wearer, said base member having a left side and a right side and a front side and a rear side;    a first fastening member having a first end connected to said base member at a location near said left side and said rear side of said base member, said first fastening member having a second end connected to said base member at a location near said left side of said base member and intermediate said front and back sides of said base member; and    a second fastening member having a first end connected to said base member at a location near said right side and said rear side of said base member, said second fastening member having a second end connected to said base member at a location near said right side of said base member and intermediate said front and back sides of said base member, said first and second fastening members wrap around the calcaneus of the foot of a wearer and forming an X over the forward portion of the foot of a wearer.    
     
     
         24 . A method of making a binding for mounting on a snowshoe or like sport apparatus for releasably retaining the foot of a wearer therein, said method comprising: 
 providing a base member which may be mounted on the snowshoe or like sport apparatus, said base member being arranged and configured to support at least a forward portion of the foot of a wearer, said base member having a left side and a right side and a front side and a rear side;    connecting a first end of a first fastening member to said base member at a location near said left side and said rear side of said base member;    connecting a second end of said first fastening member to said base member at a location near said left side of said base member and intermediate said front and back sides of said base member, said first fastening member being arranged and configured to wrap around the right side of the calcaneus of the foot of a wearer;    connecting a first end of a second fastening member to said base member at a location near said right side and said rear side of said base member; and    connecting a said second end of said second fastening member to said base member at a location near said right side of said base member and intermediate said front and back sides of said base member, said second fastening member being arranged and configured to wrap around the left side of the calcaneus of the foot of a wearer, said first and second fastening members being of adjustable length to accommodate a variety of foot sizes and to allow said binding to be releasably secured to the foot of a wearer.