Adjustable binding for snowshoes

Abstract

A snowshoe having an adjustable binding. The adjustable binding includes a fore foot member and a rear foot member. The rear foot member is attached to a freely slidable heel plate member to accommodate different sizes of boots. Strap members attach to the fore foot member and the rear foot member to fasten the boot in the binding. Another feature of the present invention includes a clear decking that provides the illusion of free floating on the snow.

1 . An adjustable binding for a snowshoe, said binding comprising: 
 a fore foot member;    a pivotable mechanism for attaching said fore foot member to said snowshoe so that said fore foot member pivots relative to said snowshoe;    a heel plate;    a rear foot member attached to said heel plate; and    strap member attached to said fore foot member and said rear foot member.    
   
   
       2 . The adjustable binding of  claim 1  wherein said pivotable mechanism includes: 
 a rod extending through said fore foot member; and pivotable securing mechanisms attaching each of said rod to said snowshoe.    
   
   
       3 . The adjustable binding of  claim 1  wherein said pivotable mechanism includes: 
 a rod extending through said fore foot member; and    a first strap attaching one end of said rod to said snowshoe; and    a second strap attaching the opposing end of said rod to said snowshoe.    
   
   
       4 . The adjustable binding of  claim 1  wherein said adjustable binding further includes: 
 said heel plate being slidable relative to said snowshoe to accommodate different sizes of footwear.    
   
   
       5 . The adjustable binding of  claim 1  wherein said adjustable binding further includes: 
 a tail portion on said heel plate; and    a mounting mechanism on said snowshoe having a slot for receiving said tail portion to allow said tail portion to slide relative to said snowshoe.    
   
   
       6 . The adjustable binding of  claim 1  wherein said fore foot member includes: 
 opposing curved members for receiving the footwear of a user.    
   
   
       7 . The adjustable binding of  claim 1  wherein said fore foot member includes: 
 opposing resilient curved members for receiving the footwear of a user.    
   
   
       8 . The adjustable binding of  claim 1  wherein said binding includes: 
 a strap fastening mechanism connecting said fore foot member and said rear foot member for fastening the footwear of a user to said adjustable binding.    
   
   
       9 . The adjustable binding of  claim 1  wherein said snowshoe includes: 
 a translucent decking extending at least along the upper surface of said snowshoe.    
   
   
       10 . An adjustable binding for a snowshoe, said binding comprising: 
 a fore foot member mounted to said snowshoe;    a heel plate slidably mounted to said snowshoe; and    a rear foot member attached to said heel plate.    
   
   
       11 . The adjustable binding of  claim 10  wherein said adjustable binding further includes: 
 said heel plate being slidable relative to said snowshoe to accommodate different sizes of footwear.    
   
   
       12 . The adjustable binding of  claim 10  wherein said adjustable binding further includes: 
 a tail portion on said heel plate; and    a mounting mechanism on said snowshoe having a slot for receiving said tail portion to allow said tail portion to slide relative to said snowshoe.    
   
   
       13 . The adjustable binding of  claim 10  wherein said fore foot member includes: 
 a rod extending through said fore foot member; and    pivotable securing mechanisms attaching each of said rod to said snowshoe.    
   
   
       14 . The adjustable binding of  claim 10  wherein said pivotable mechanism includes: 
 a rod extending through said fore foot member; and    a first strap attaching one end of said rod to said snowshoe; and    a second strap attaching the opposing end of said rod to said snowshoe.    
   
   
       15 . The adjustable binding of  claim 10  wherein said fore foot member includes: 
 opposing curved members for receiving the shoewear of a user.    
   
   
       16 . The adjustable binding of  claim 10  wherein said fore foot member includes: 
 opposing resilient curved members for receiving the shoewear of a user.    
   
   
       17 . The adjustable binding of  claim 10  wherein said binding includes: 
 a strap fastening mechanism connecting said fore foot member and said rear foot member for fastening the footwear of a user to said adjustable binding.    
   
   
       18 . The adjustable binding of  claim 10  wherein said snowshoe includes: 
 a translucent decking extending at least along the upper surface of said snowshoe.    
   
   
       19 . A snowshoe, said snowshoe comprising: 
 a translucent decking extending at least along the upper surface of said snowshoe.    
   
   
       20 . The snowshoe of  claim 19  wherein said snowshoe further includes: 
 an adjustable binding, said adjustable binding comprising:    a pivotable fore foot member mounted to said snowshoe;    a heel plate slidably mounted to said snowshoe; and    a rear foot member attached to said heel plate.    
   
   
       21 . The adjustable binding of  claim 20  wherein said adjustable binding further includes: 
 a tail portion on said heel plate; and    a mounting mechanism on said snowshoe having a slot for receiving said tail portion to allow said tail portion to slide relative to said snowshoe.    
   
   
       22 . The adjustable binding of  claim 20  wherein said fore foot member includes: 
 a rod extending through said fore foot member; and    pivotable securing mechanisms attaching each of said rod to said snowshoe.    
   
   
       23 . The adjustable binding of  claim 20  wherein said pivotable mechanism includes: 
 a rod extending through said fore foot member; and    a first strap attaching one end of said rod to said snowshoe; and    a second strap attaching the opposing end of said rod to said snowshoe.    
   
   
       24 . The adjustable binding of  claim 20  wherein said fore foot member includes: 
 opposing curved members for receiving the footwear of a user.    
   
   
       25 . The adjustable binding of  claim 20  wherein said binding includes: 
 a strap fastening mechanism connecting said fore foot member and said rear foot member for fastening the footwear of a user to said adjustable binding.