SNOWSHOE SIEVE

Abstract

The invention relates to a snowshoe (1) comprising: - a screen (3) forming a ground support surface, - a binding (5) for attaching a shoe to the screen of the snowshoe (1), characterized in that the screen (3) has a shape inducing at least one transverse tilting axis (B, B1, B2) when the foot rolls, relative to a horizontal plane HOR, said at least one tilting axis (B, B1, B2) being located longitudinally in a zone (Z) 8 centimeters long distributed over 4 centimeters on either side of the longitudinal center (C) of said screen (3). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: SNOWSHOE SIEVE

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of winter sports, and more particularly to snowshoes for walking on snow.

[0002] Snowshoeing and the associated snow walking have gone from being a utilitarian domain, reserved for northern and mountain populations, to a sport practiced by the majority.

[0003] This sporting practice involves in particular a search for comfort when walking which was previously secondary to the search for solidity and lightness.

[0004] Snowshoes are made up of two distinct parts: the frame, which is larger than the foot, in order to increase the bearing surface, and the binding, which connects the shoe to the frame.

[0005] The sieve, formerly made of wood and rein skin, is now made of modern materials such as polymer or plastic, or a metal frame with a plastic platform, or even composite sieves, all of which are most often equipped with crampons.

[0006] The binding was previously composed of leather straps and was generally integral with the frame. Today, the bindings are more sophisticated and for this purpose snowshoes are known in particular having a binding connected to the frame by a joint, for example from document FR2896430, from the applicant. The upward pivoting of the binding allows in particular the snowshoe to follow the natural movement of the foot during climbs, which are consequently less tiring for the user.

[0007] Snowshoes in general, and more particularly those whose binding is integral with the frame, do not follow, or do not sufficiently follow, the natural rolling movement of the foot. The rolling of the foot is not fluid, and is interrupted when the frame is flat on the snow.

[0008] Walking with snowshoes is therefore unpleasant and excessively tiring. In fact, the natural movement, known as "rolling of the foot" observed when walking is not respected. This rolling occurs in three distinct stages: - first a heel attack, foot raised, toes up, - secondly, the foot is pressed against the ground, the ankle works to transfer the weight from the heel to the front of the foot, and - thirdly, a push on the toes, foot lowered, heel raised.

[0009] Most snowshoe frames also have front tips and some also have the rear curved upwards, which allows them to partially follow the rolling of the foot when walking in the first and third phases of the rolling of the foot.

[0010] With each step, in the second phase, friction at the level of the shoes and more particularly above the heel is however still induced, which can lead to the formation of blisters at the level of the instep, above the heel, which are painful and can force the user to stop.

[0011] Indeed, during the second part of the foot's roll (transfer of weight from the heel to the front of the foot), there is a break in this roll, leading to discomfort and injuries at the ankle and heel.

[0012] There is therefore a need for a snowshoe that allows for more pleasant walking, and in particular that can follow the user's natural walking movement.

[0013] To address this problem, the invention proposes a snowshoe comprising: - a sieve forming a support surface on the ground, - a binding for attaching a shoe to the frame of the snowshoe, characterized in that the frame has a shape inducing at least one transverse axis of tilting when the foot of a user having put on the snowshoe rolls, said at least one transverse axis of tilting being located longitudinally in the center of the frame, in a central zone at the level of the longitudinal middle of said frame.

[0014] Indeed, the applicant has noted that the friction at the instep and more particularly the heel is essentially induced by the rectilinear nature of the racket under the arch of the foot, which prevents the racket from following the second phase of the rolling movement of the foot, during the transfer of weight with the foot pressed to the ground.

[0015] Even if the foot is considered relatively immobile during this stage, a movement of the ankle causes a transfer of weight from the back to the front of the foot. When walking, the deformability of the shoes and their soles absorbs said movement, while in snowshoeing said movement causes friction at the instep, particularly above the heel.

[0016] The sieve of the snowshoe according to the invention allows, by the tilting at the central level of the length of the sieve, to follow a more natural and pleasant movement when walking, more particularly when transferring weight from the back to the front of the foot, and reduces the work of the ankle during said weight transfer.

[0017] Friction, particularly at the instep, is then reduced, and walking on snow using snowshoes according to the invention is more pleasant and can be prolonged without becoming uncomfortable.

[0018] The snowshoe screen may further have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0019] The central zone can be distributed over 4 centimeters on either side of the longitudinal center of said sieve.

[0020] Alternatively, the central zone may be distributed over five percent of the total length of the racket on either side of the longitudinal center of the sieve.

[0021] The sieve may further comprise a front spatula and / or a rear spatula raised upwards.

[0022] The sieve may have a segmented longitudinal shape, with at least two longitudinal segments forming an elbow, located in the central zone of said sieve, said elbow forming the transverse tilting axis.

[0023] The sieve may comprise three longitudinal segments forming two elbows located in the central zone of said sieve, defining two transverse tilting axes.

[0024] The screen may have a longitudinally curved surface, convex downwards, in the central zone of said screen.

[0025] The curved surface then advantageously extends over the entire screen and the lowest point of the screen, considered placed on a horizontal plane, is located in the central zone of said screen allowing rear / front tilting.

[0026] If the snowshoe further comprises a curved front spatula and / or a curved rear spatula, they can advantageously have a radius of curvature different from the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the sieve.

[0027] The sieve may have an external frame forming a support on the ground, and the shape of which induces at least one transverse tilting axis in the central zone.

[0028] The frame may comprise side members forming supports on the ground, and the shape of which induces at least one transverse tilting axis. The screen may comprise crampons having their points at different heights, following the curvature of the screen frame, and one of the crampons, located in the central zone has its point vertically lowest, thus forming the tilting axis.

[0029] The screen may alternatively comprise under its lower face transverse traction bars, at least one of which is located in the central zone of the screen, and has a sufficient height to act as a transverse tilting axis.

[0030] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the following description of the attached figures, among which:

[0031] [Fig.l] is a representation of a snowshoe in side view according to a first embodiment of a snowshoe according to the invention,

[0032] [Fig.2] is a representation of two snowshoes in top view illustrating the measurement of their length,

[0033] [Fig.3] is a three-quarter rear view representation of the embodiment of [Fig.l],

[0034] [Fig.4] illustrates the rolling of the foot when walking with the snowshoe of figures 1 and 3,

[0035] [Fig.5] is a side view of another embodiment of snowshoe according to the invention, with articulated fixing,

[0036] [Fig.6] is a cross-section of the snowshoe screen of [Fig.5],

[0037] [Fig.7] is a side view of yet another embodiment of a snowshoe according to the invention,

[0038] [Fig.8] is a three-quarter rear view of the snowshoe of [Fig.7],

[0039] [Fig.9] is a side view of a variant of snowshoe according to Figures 7 and 8,

[0040] [Fig. 10] is a side view of a variant of a snowshoe screen,

[0041] [Fig. 11] is a side view of a variant of snowshoe according to Figures 1 and 3,

[0042] [Fig. 12] is a side view of a variant of snowshoe according to the invention comprising crampons.

[0043] [Fig. 13] is a side view of a variant of snowshoe according to the invention comprising lateral grips whose crampons placed on either side of the frame, near the center of the length of the frame act as a transverse tilting axis,

[0044] [Fig. 14] is a three-quarter rear view of a variant of snowshoe according to the invention where a traction bar integral with the sieve acts as a transverse tilting axis,

[0045] [Fig. 15] is a side view of a variant of snowshoe according to the invention where the attachment has a traction bar which acts as a transverse tilting axis.

[0046] The examples are given for illustrative and non-limiting purposes. Other embodiments of the invention are easily obtained by variations and combinations of the embodiments shown.

[0047] [Fig.l] is a representation of snowshoe 1 in side view. A horizontal line HOR is shown for information purposes to represent a ground.

[0048] The snowshoe 1 is composed of two parts: the sieve 3, and the binding 5.

[0049] The sieve 3 is larger than the shoe (not shown) in order to to ensure better flotation on snow. The surface of the sieve 3 may be solid or may have holes.

[0050] The sieve 3 extends in a longitudinal direction LG, going from the toes to the heel of a user having put on the snowshoe 1. Gravity, when the snowshoe is placed on horizontal ground, gives a vertical direction VT. The third direction is then transverse TR.

[0051] The sieve 3 comprises a peripheral frame 31. The entire sieve 3 is for example in the form of a piece of polymer material which can be molded, machined, injected or 3D printed. The sieve can also be metallic, made of composite material, or even mixed, for example with a combination of metallic and plastic elements.

[0052] The total length L of the sieve 3 is defined as the distance between the two ex front and rear ends of the sieve 3 projected onto the horizontal ground plane. In particular, the snowshoe 1 is not unrolled during its measurement and the total length L is defined by the front and rear extreme points in the longitudinal direction LG determined by the general orientation of the foot attached to the binding.

[0053] A point C is shown, which demarcates the longitudinal center of the sieve 3. Around the point C is defined a central zone Z, which extends on either side of said central point C over a length less than or equal to four centimeters on each side, more particularly less than three centimeters on each side, and even more particularly less than two centimeters. The central zone Z therefore has a length less than or equal to eight centimeters, more particularly less than six centimeters and even more particularly less than four centimeters.

[0054] According to an alternative, the central zone Z can be defined by a fraction of the total length of the racket 1, in the sense of the length L of the sieve 3 previously described. In particular, the central zone Z can extend on either side of the longitudinal center C of the sieve 3 over a length representing five percent of the total length L of the sieve 3. According to a variant, the total length of the central zone Z can correspond to five percent of the total length L of the racket 1.

[0055] In said central zone Z is located the lowest point of the sieve 3 relative to the horizontal line HOR. The sieve 3, and more particularly the frame 31, has a segmented shape, with a bend or corner forming a transverse tilting axis B, said tilting axis B being located longitudinally in the central zone Z.

[0056] The frame 31 of the sieve 3 is notably produced in the form of a peripheral skirt with a substantially longitudinal transverse surface of the sieve 3, corresponding to the support surface when walking on hard snow. This skirt may also be located in whole or in part several centimeters from the outer edges of the sieve 3.

[0057] [Fig.2] illustrates more generally the measurement of the length L of the rackets 1.

[0058] [Fig.2] shows two snowshoes 1, seen from above.

[0059] The racket 1 on the left in [Fig.2] has an elliptical sieve 3, with a tail 30 at the rear which extends the sieve. The user's foot 10 defines a longitudinal axis A, independent of the overall orientation of the sieve 3 once the foot 10 is fixed by the binding 5.

[0060] The tail 30 and the longitudinal axis of the sieve 3 are therefore not those used to measure the length L, defined essentially along the longitudinal axis A of the user's foot 10.

[0061] The racket 1 on the left in [Fig.2] has a sieve 3 of elliptical shape, inclined towards the outside, and with on the inside a truncated side 38 in a rectilinear manner, for example so that the rackets 1 do not touch each other when walking.

[0062] The ellipse of the sieve 3 is slightly inclined relative to the user's foot 10, and notably has a major axis which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis A of the user's foot 10.

[0063] The length L is then always measured along the longitudinal axis A of the foot 10 and not along the major axis of the ellipse of the sieve 3.

[0064] [Fig.3] is a three-quarter rear view representation of racket 1 of [Fig.l].

[0065] The snowshoe 1 of [Fig.3] is in side view and comprises a sieve 3 forming a ground support surface and a fixing 5 for attaching a shoe (not shown), to the snowshoe 1. A dotted line representing the tilting axis B, the transverse axis of rear / front tilting passes through the two vertices corresponding to the lowest points of the frame 31 of the sieve 3.

[0066] The binding 5, cited as an example and the subject of a patent application FR2113511, is attached to the sieve 3, and here comprises in particular a front part 51, which comes, in the worn state, on the top of the shoe (not shown), at the front of the latter. The binding 5 also comprises a rear part 53, which comes, in the worn state, at the heel of the shoe (not shown).

[0067] The binding 5 here further comprises a locking mechanism with a winder 55 on the top of the front part 51, and a wire stretched by means of the winder 55, passing through a return 57 which brings the rear part 53, which tilts, closer to the front part 51 and thus locks the binding 5 by fixing the shoe.

[0068] Other forms of attachment 5 can of course be used without departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

[0069] The sieve 3 further has a front spatula 33 and a rear spatula 35 raised upwards. The sieve 3 therefore has, in side view, a lower support surface visible in the form of four rectilinear segments bent relative to each other. These segments comprise, from front to rear: - the front spatula 33, - a first segment SI located under the front part of the binding 51, between the front spatula 33 and the tilting axis B, - a second segment S2 located substantially under the rear part of the foot, between the tilting axis B and the rear spatula 35, - the rear spatula 35.

[0070] The bend at the level of the tilting axis B between the segment SI and the segment S2 of the sieve 3 has in particular an open angle with a value between 120 and 175°. This bend is merged with the rear / front tilting axis B and materializes it.

[0071] [Fig.4] illustrates the rolling movement of the foot when walking with the snowshoe 1 of figures 1 and 3, the binding 5 of which is integral with the frame 3.

[0072] [Fig.4] includes four representations of the snowshoe 1, numbered I, II, III and IV, illustrating from left to right said rolling movement, with the horizontal line HOR representing horizontal ground, and each time an arrow indicates the force exerted by the user's foot on the ground.

[0073] First I, on the left in [Fig.4], is shown the so-called “heel strike” phase. The rear spatula 35 is resting on the ground and horizontal, and an oblique force inclined forward and downward is exerted, a combination of the weight and the forward movement of the user's foot.

[0074] The following two steps II and III correspond to the so-called backward / forward tilting step during the rolling of the foot, subdivided into two sub-steps, the arrows indicating the forward tilting direction.

[0075] In second step II, the second segment S2 is supported against the ground and horizontal, after tilting around the elbow between the rear spatula 35 and said second segment S2. The force exerted by the user is only his weight and is vertical. It is exerted at the longitudinal level of the middle of the second segment S2 of the sieve 3.

[0076] When moving from the second stage II to the third stage III, there is a backward / forward tilting on elbow B, the junction point between the second segment S2 and the first segment SI, which allows for perfect foot rolling. This backward / forward tilting is shown by semi-circular arrows.

[0077] The tilting about the tilting axis B between the second and third stages II and III allows the transfer of the user's weight from the rear to the front of the sieve 3 without relative movement of the tibia relative to the foot at the ankle.

[0078] The absence or at least the reduction of said movement at the ankle reduces the friction at the back of the instep, which induces in the snowshoes of the prior art repeated friction with each step. This repeated friction is a source of discomfort and is avoided or reduced by means of the snowshoe 1 equipped with this type of sieve 3 according to the invention.

[0079] In third step III, the first segment SI is supported against the ground and horizontal, after tilting around the tilting axis B materialized by the elbow between the first segment SI and the second segment S2. The force exerted by the user is again only his weight and is vertical. It is exerted at the longitudinal level of the middle of the first segment SI of the sieve S3.

[0080] In fourth step IV, on the right in [Fig.4], is represented the so-called "push on the toes" phase of the rolling of the foot. The front spatula 33 is resting against the ground and horizontal, after a tilting around the elbow between the front spatula 33 and the first segment SL The force exerted by the user is a combination of his weight and a push towards the rear, and obliquely inclined downwards and backwards.

[0081] [Fig.5] illustrates an alternative embodiment of snowshoe 1.

[0082] In [Fig.5], the binding 5 is articulated around a joint 59, and can be inclined with the heel upwards. A climbing wedge 52 is shown at the rear part 53 of the binding 5, which can be deployed under the heel of the shoe (not shown) when walking uphill.

[0083] Independently of the articulation 59 of the binding 5, the sieve 3 of the snowshoe 1 of [Fig. 5] has two transverse tilting axes B1, B2 which are the subject of the invention, which divides the lower contour of the sieve 3 in side view into five segments bent two by two: - the front spatula 33, - a first segment SI located under the front part 51 of the binding 5, between the front spatula 33 and the first tilting axis Bl, - a second segment S2 located under the central part of the attachment 5, between the first and second tilting axes B1, B2, objects of the invention - a third segment S3 located under the rear part 53 of the binding 5, between the second tilting axis B2 and the rear spatula 35, - the rear spatula 35.

[0084] The two tilting axes B1, B2 are located longitudinally in the central zone Z of the sieve 3, that is to say at the central level of the sieve 3 of the snowshoe 1.

[0085] The so-called backward / forward tilting phase of the foot roll is then divided into three sub-stages, each time with one of the three segments SI, S2, S3 substantially horizontal and pressed to the ground.

[0086] [Fig.6] is a cross-sectional view of the sieve 3 of [Fig.5].

[0087] The sieve 3 has an upper curved surface 34, the frame 31 visible below form of two substantially vertical rectangular portions at the transverse ends of the curved surface 34, extending downwards thereof.

[0088] The sieve 3 further comprises two vertical longitudinal beams 39, visible in the form of two substantially vertical rectangular portions, which extend downwards, under the curved surface 34.

[0089] The side members 39 extend vertically lower than the frame 31, and therefore form the supports on the ground. The side members 39 have in particular the longitudinal shape in side view with the rectilinear segments S1, S2, S3 and the tilting axes B1, B2.

[0090] The section in [Fig.6] is notably made longitudinally at the level of the first tilting axis B1, which is shown at the free end of the side members 39.

[0091] [Fig.7] is a side view of another embodiment of snowshoe 1 according to a variant of the invention. [Fig.8] is a three-quarter rear view of the snowshoe of [Fig.7].

[0092] The snowshoe 1 of [Fig.7] is similar to that of figures 1 and 3.

[0093] The snowshoe 1 of [Fig.7] differs from that of figures 1 and 3 in that the frame 31 of the sieve has a longitudinally curved shape, convex downwards allowing continuous tilting, the lowest tilting axis B1 relative to the horizontal plane HOR being located in a zone Z of 8 centimeters in length distributed over 4 centimeters on either side of the center C of the length L of said sieve 3.

[0094] The curved portion extends over the entire length of the sieve 3. The tangents at the ends of the curved portion form in particular an angle with a value between 120 and 175°.

[0095] [Fig.9] illustrates a variant of racket 1 of figures 7 and 8.

[0096] In this variant, the curved portion of the sieve 3 extends longitudinally to the middle of sieve 3 in the central zone Z of 8 centimeters in length distributed over 4 centimeters on either side of the center of the length L of said sieve 3. The lowest point of this curved portion is also located in the central zone Z of sieve 3.

[0097] The front 33 and rear 35 spatulas are however flat, so as to form effective support surfaces during the heel attack and toe push phases.

[0098] [Fig. 10] illustrates a variant of sieve 3. In this variant, the front 33 and rear 35 spatulas are curved, with a radius of curvature less than the radius of curvature of the curved surface in a zone Z of 8 centimeters in length located at the center of the length L of said sieve 3.

[0099] [Fig. 11] illustrates a variant of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 3, in which the elbow between the two rectilinear segments SI, S2 is in the form of a rounded portion.

[0100] [Fig. 12] represents a variant of the embodiment of [Fig. 8], further having crampons 32. The crampons 32 have their points at different heights, following the curvature of the frame 31 of the sieve 3. One of the crampons 32, located in the central zone Z of 8 centimeters in length distributed over 4 centimeters on either side of the center of the length L of said sieve 3 has its point vertically lowest.

[0101] Thus, if the ground is sufficiently soft (loosely compacted snow), the crampons 32 sink, and the curved frame 31 ensures the transfer of weight from the rear to the front of the foot with minimal ankle movement. If the ground is sufficiently hard (ice, frozen compacted snow), the crampons 32 will not sink, and the crampons 32 of the sieve 3 cut the support surface into flat segments S1, S2, S3, between the tips of two consecutive crampons 32.

[0102] [Fig. 13] represents a variant of the embodiment, having a sieve 3 whose central part is substantially flat and parallel to the horizontal surface HOR, comprising peripheral teeth 37 at the level of its frame, forming a grip in the snow on either side of the sieve 3, at least one of which, located in the central zone Z, is of larger size and forms the tilting axis B.

[0103] [Fig. 14] shows a variant of the embodiment where the screen 3 has transverse traction bars 58 under its lower face. One of the transverse traction bars 58 is located in the central zone of the screen 3, and has a sufficient height to act as a transverse tilting axis B.

[0104] In [Fig. 15], the attachment 5 is articulated to the sieve 3. The transverse traction bars 58 are here integral in rotation with the attachment 5 and engage with the ground when said attachment 5 is lowered. One 581 of said transverse traction bars 58, located in the central zone Z when the attachment 5 is lowered, has a greater length than the others. Said longer transverse traction bar 581 forms the transverse tilting axis B at its free end.

[0105] The invention makes it possible to obtain a comfortable snowshoe 1, suitable for intensive and prolonged use and therefore adapted to long hikes, on varied terrain and slopes.

Claims

Claims

1. Snowshoe comprising: - a screen (3) forming a ground support surface, - a fastener (5) for attaching a shoe to the screen (3) of the snowshoe (1), in which the screen (3) has a shape inducing at least one transverse tilting axis (B, B1, B2) when the foot of a user having put on the snowshoe rolls, said at least one transverse tilting axis (B, B1, B2) being located longitudinally in the center of the screen (3), in a central zone (Z) at the longitudinal center (C) of said screen (3), characterized in that the frame of the screen (3) has under its lower face transverse traction bars (58) of which at least one is located in the central zone (Z) of the screen (3), and has a height sufficient to act as a transverse tilting axis (B), and crampons (32) having their points at different heights, in which one of the crampons (32),located in the central zone (Z) has its vertically lowest point, thus forming the transverse tilting axis (B, B1, B2),

2. Snowshoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the central zone (Z) is distributed over 4 centimeters on either side of the longitudinal center (C) of said sieve (3).

3. Snowshoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the central zone (Z) is distributed over a length corresponding to five percent of the total length (L) of the snowshoe (1) on either side of the longitudinal center (C) of the sieve (3).

4. Snowshoe according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that its sieve 3 further comprises a front spatula (33) and / or a rear spatula (35) raised upwards.

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