U.S. patent number 3,802,100 [Application Number 05/325,507] was granted by the patent office on 1974-04-09 for snowshoe.
Invention is credited to William N. Prater.
United States Patent |
3,802,100 |
Prater |
April 9, 1974 |
SNOWSHOE
Abstract
A snowshoe having a frame, crossbars and webbing laced thereon
is disclosed wherein the webbing supports, at a forward end portion
of the frame, a metallic cross hinge rod. A binding, having a
relatively rigid or metallic foot plate, is pivotally mounted on
the hinge rod. The foot plate supports, at its underside, a
downwardly projecting, relatively rigid, or metallic cross cleat at
its forward end portion and at a location forward of the hinge rod.
Also, downwardly projecting, and generally, lengthwise extending
cleats are connected to the bottom surface of the foot plate. The
forward end portions of the lengthwise extending cleats diverge
from each other. Another cleat is carried crosswise of the snowshoe
and by a crossbar and ahead of the first mentioned cleat. The
cleats preferably are serrated on their bottom edges. The
undersurfaces of the foot plate and of the forward cross bar are
lined with a flexible, waterproof sheet of material, which repels
ice and snow buildup. Portions of the sheet material lining the
foot plate are puffed or spaced from the undersurface of the plate
to lessen the adherence of snow to the lining.
Inventors: |
Prater; William N. (Tacoma,
WA) |
Family
ID: |
23268170 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/325,507 |
Filed: |
January 22, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/124 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C
13/005 (20130101); A63C 13/003 (20130101); A63C
13/006 (20130101); A63C 13/001 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63C
13/00 (20060101); A43b 000/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;36/2.5R,2.5AA,2.5AB |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lawson; Patrick D.
Claims
I claim:
1. In a snowshoe having a frame, crossbars and webbing thereon, the
combination comprising a relatively rigid, cross hinge rod
supported by the webbing at a forward end portion of the frame; a
relatively rigid foot plate having a sleeve on its underside,
pivotally connected to said hinge rod by said sleeve; and
relatively rigid, downwardly projecting, cleat means positioned at
the underside of said foot plate, extending generally crosswise of,
and longitudinally offset sufficiently from said hinge rod, so that
said cleat means will enter and exit from snow during use of the
snowshoe while walking and pivoting said foot plate about said
hinge rod.
2. The combination of claim 1, wherein relatively rigid, downwardly
projecting, and generally longitudinally extending cleat means are
connected with the bottom portion of the foot plate and are
angularly disposed to each other and the trailing end portions
thereof converge toward each other.
3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the undersurface of the foot
plate is lined with a sheet of flexible material and the flexible
material is fitted with portions in spaced relation thereto to
permit relative movement between the flexible material and the foot
plate.
4. The combination of claim 1, wherein an additional cross cleat
means is carried by a frame crossbar forward of said foot plate and
wherein said foot plate and said cleat means are all metallic.
5. The combination of claim 4, wherein said additional cleat means
is lined with a snow-repellant material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
Snowshoes have been convenient, and often necessary, equipment for
those who must travel by foot over relatively deep and soft snow.
The number of parties who must now use snowshoes has increased many
fold due to the great number of sport oriented people who are now
present on areas where snow fields are or may be expected, all in
addition to people who are present on the snow fields for reasons
of necessity or business.
2. Description of Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,333 is illustrative of the prior art except
such patent shows a plastic one-piece snowshoe which, in my
opinion, is not an entirely satisfactory device. In general, the
prior art failed to teach, in connection with a snowshoe frame,
crossbars, and webbing laced thereon, of a metallic cross hinge rod
secured to the webbing. Also, it failed to teach the use of a
binding embodying relatively rigid or metallic foot plate,
supporting on its undersurface, a bearing journaling the cross
hinge rod. Also, it failed to disclose suitable traction devices
for engaging the snow surface without substantial slippage and
means to prevent caking of the snow on bottom portions of the
binding.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a snowshoe having a frame, crossbars, and
webbing, wherein a relatively rigid, cross, hinge rod is supported
at a forward end portion of the frame by the said webbing. Next, a
binding with a relatively rigid foot plate is provided with a
bearing on its undersurface and which bearing journals the cross
hinge rod. The boot, on the foot of the user of the snowshoe, is
held by an appropriate binding with the ball of the foot of the
user alined over said bearing.
The underside of the foot plate of the binding carries downwardly
projecting cleats, one of which extends crosswise, and two others,
which extend generally lengthwise, and with their forward ends
diverging. Also, the cross cleat is carried by one of the crossbars
of the snowshoe. Preferably, the bottom edge portions of all cleats
are serrated and the bottom of the foot plate is lined with a sheet
of flexible material, having portions thereof puffed or spaced from
the foot plate, to lessen the tendency of the snow to adhere with
the bottom of the foot plate.
These and other objects of my invention will become implicit and
explicit as the description thereof proceeds in connection with the
accompanying specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like parts:
FIG. 1 is an elevational view, with the shoe of the wearer and the
snowline in phantom, illustrating an embodiment of my
invention;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, bottom view; and
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on broken line 4--4
of FIG. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the figures, a frame 10 forms the periphery of the
snowshoe and a conventional form thereof is illustrated. While
wood, such as white ash, is preferably employed in fabricating the
frame 10, other materials may be employed as is conventional. The
frame 10 is reinforced by forward crossbar 12 and rear crossbar 14
and in a conventional manner. The webbing 16 is laced tightly to
the frame 10. Such webbing 16 is preferably formed of synthetics,
as nylon fabric with a heavy Neoprene coating. Cross webbing 18
comprises a plurality of loops and the end portions thereof are
secured to opposite side rails forming the frame 10. A hinge rod 20
(FIG. 4) terminates in end eyelets 22 (FIG. 3). Longitudinally
extending webbings 24 comprise a plurality of webbings and are
connected with cross webbing 18, eyelets 22, and forward crossbar
12. Webbings 24 secure end eyelets 22 between forward crossbar 12
and cross webbing 18 and with a space 26 between the eyelets 22 and
the forward crossbar 12. Two short cross webbings 28, each
comprising a plurality of webbings, are provided, and each thereof
connects between a side rail of the frame 10 and an eyelet 22. All
of the various webbings 16, 24, and 28 are maintained in a taut or
very tight condition as walking on snowshoes with loose webbing is
highly unsatisfactory. One author has well characterized the
unsatisfactory character of loose webbings by stating:
"Walking on snowshoes with slack webbing is rather like walking on
a soggy pancake fried in cold grease,--an awful sensation!"
In addition, it is desired that the hinge rod 20 be maintained
relatively rigid by its supporting structure for the greatest
advantages of the present invention.
A binding having a relatively rigid foot plate 30 (may be formed of
aluminum alloy sheet metal) has a forward end portion which
projects downwardly and the lower end portion thereof forms a
relatively rigid, downwardly projecting, cross cleat 32. The
trailing end portion of the foot plate 30 is provided with
downwardly projecting side portions forming downwardly projecting
cleats 34 which extend generally lengthwise of the foot plate 30
and preferably at an angle thereto so that the trailing end
portions thereof converge toward each other or, conversely, the
forward end portions diverge from each other.
Below the foot plate 30, a bearing retainer clip 36 is detachably
secured thereto and by laterally spaced nuts and bolts 38. A split
bearing 40, formed of suitable plastic material, encircles hinge
rod 20 and journals said rod 20 for angular movement thereof. Then
the bearing 40 and the rod 20 are held in place by bearing retainer
clip 36 and such clip is held in place by nuts and bolts 38. Before
securing hinge rod 20 in place by webbing 18, 24, 28, the hinge rod
was originally equipped with two side thrust washers 42 thereon
(see FIGS. 3 and 4) and such washers serve as side thrust bearing
means after the foot plate 30 is mounted on such rod 20 and provide
thrust bearings for the ends of bearing 40 or the ends of bearing
retainer clip 36 and the end eyelets 22.
A rigid, metallic, cross cleat 44 (may be formed of an aluminum
alloy metal sheet) is secured to and has a portion thereof
projecting downwardly from the forward crossbar 12. All the other
metal parts may likewise be formed of suitable metal such as
aluminum alloy sheet metal. All the cleats 44, 32, and 34
preferably have their lower vertical edges serrated to facilitate
insertion into snow, and particularly ice-crusted snow. Sheets of
flexible material, 46 and 47, are coated nylon or other tough
waterproof, flexible sheeting and are thus water repellant. Such
sheets are fitted to the undersides of the metallic elements, cleat
44 and foot plate 30, and such sheets are held in place,
respectively, by rivets 48 to plate 30 and by nut and bolt means 50
to the forward crossbar 12. The sheet 46 preferably has portions
thereof puffed or spaced from the underside of the binding foot
plate 30. Thus, portions of the sheet 46, preferably, may move
independently of the foot plate 30 and in so doing can release snow
tending to adhere to the said material 46. The nut and bolt means
50 secure the cross cleat 44 to the forward crossbar 12.
A boot 52 (FIG. 1) of the user of the snowshoe is releasably
secured to the snowshoe by a binding body member 54 formed of
tough, flexible, waterproof material and straps 56 laced in hooks
58 and around the heel of the boot 52. The boot 52, binding body
member 54, binding 56, and hooks 58 are typical of a desirable
binding as to construction and material.
In constructing the snowshoe, the frame 10 is preferably of
desirable wood, such as white ash. Then the various webbings 18,
24, and 28 are secured in place with the proper tension and at the
same time the hinge rod 20 is secured in place and with the eyelets
22 thereof secured to the longitudinal webbing 24 and to the short
cross webbings 28. These webbings 24 and 28 should be tight so that
the hinge rod will be maintained firm. All the weight of the user
on a foot plate 30 is transmitted therefrom to the snowshoe through
the hinge rod 20 and thus the said webbings must be tight for
proper functioning of the snowshoe. Surrounding the rod 20 is a
bearing 40 which is split for ready insertion. Then this bearing 40
is secured to the binding foot plate 30 by bearing retainer clip
36. This type of bearing provides for minimum friction connection
between the plate 30 and the hinge rod 20 even though the parts may
be cold during operation and are oftentimes ice coated. Also, as
the wearer walks, the boot 52 and the hinge rod 20, carrying the
snowshoe, may articulate and the snowshoe lifted and drawn forward
and with the shoe itself taking the more complex movements inherent
in walking. Also, the toe of the boot 52 can move into and out of
the space 26 forward of the hinge rod 20 and thus permit free
angular movement of the foot plate 30 about the hinge rod 20 and
without interference with the normal movements of the boot 52 while
walking with the snowshoes.
The cross cleat 32, side cleats 34 and rigid cross cleat 44, all
have their lower edge portions serrated to enhance the snow
penetration and particularly where an ice crust is present. By
having the flexible sheeting 46 on the under horizontal surfaces of
the metallic foot plate 30 and also having such sheeting 46 loosely
fitted or puffed or spaced, then as the weight of the snowshoe user
is brought to bear upon and released from such sheeting 46, the
sheeting is caused to move relatively to the plate 30 and with the
result of snow loosening and tending to maintain the sheeting 46
snow free.
SUMMARY
From the foregoing, it will now be apparent that the snowshoe of my
invention comprises a frame 10, crossbars 12 and 14, and webbings
16, 18, 24, and 28 thereon and where webbings 24 and 28 firmly hold
hinge rod 20 in place through the end eyelets 22. This hinge rod 20
is connected to the binding foot plate 30 through a bearing
comprising a split plastic bearing 40. The binding foot plate 30
has a cross cleat 32 positioned at its forward end portion and
forward of the hinge rod 20 and thus during walking the toe of a
boot 52 will move downwardly into the space 26 and the cross cleat
32 and side cleats 34, mounted on the movable binding foot plate
30, will enter into the snow below the snowshoe as the user rocks
forward on his feet in walking and move out of the snow as the user
rocks on his feet in the other direction. More in detail, the
rearmost foot of a user, in walking, will first have both cleat
means 32 and 34 piercing the snow surface. During the travel of
such foot to a foremost position, first the side cleat means 34
will be withdrawn from the snow and the cross cleat means 32 will
be more deeply embedded. Next the user can push forward and against
said cleat means 32. Then the said foot is moved to the foremost
position and while the body weight of the user rests on the other
foot and while both cleat means 32 and 34 under said other foot
pierce the snow surface. Then the said other foot becomes the
rearmost foot and may then function as described. Thus, the cleat
means 32 and 34 carried by the underside of the foot plate 30 have
distinct function by reason of such position.
The side cleats 34 extend generally lengthwise of the snowshoe and
the trailing end portions thereof converge toward each other.
Whenever a snowshoe is moved downwardly into engagement with the
snow, then the rigid cross cleat 44 will enter into the snow
therebelow. The bottom edge portions of cleats 32, 34 and 44 are
all preferably serrated on the bottom edge portions thereof to
facilitate penetration into ice-crusted snow. Also, preferably, the
rigid cross cleat 44 is carried by forward crossbar 12 and is lined
with snow-repellant material. The under horizontal surface of foot
plate 30 is lined with a sheet of tough, flexible, waterproof
material 46, and such material is puffed or spaced from the foot
plate 30 to permit movement between the metallic foot plate member
and the flexible material 46 and thus loosen adherence of snow to
the material 46.
Obviously, changes may be made in the forms, dimensions and
arrangements of the parts of my invention without departing from
the principle thereof, the foregoing setting forth only preferred
forms of embodiment of my invention.
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