Two-part snowshoe

Abstract

Snowshoe (1) comprising a deck and a fastening for attaching the deck to a user's foot, the deck being made in two parts (2, 4), namely a front deck (2) for positioning at the front of the foot, and a rear deck (4) for positioning under the heel of the foot. FIGURE 2

Description

Title of the invention: Two-part snowshoe technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a snowshoe comprising a sieve and a fastener for attaching the sieve to a user's foot. The snowshoe has advantageous characteristics of flexibility and ergonomics. Previous technique

[0002] Snowshoes have been known for many years. They were initially designed to allow people to move across ground covered with a large amount of snow. They are also very common in Nordic countries, which are frequently affected by heavy snowfall. However, these extreme conditions increasingly fail to reflect the reality of current snowshoe use. Indeed, nowadays, they are mainly used in a "sport and leisure" context by hikers. Since users vary greatly in skill level, from beginners to expert hikers, the requirements of each level are very different. This diversity compels manufacturers to constantly develop new products to best meet these various expectations. As a result, several product ranges are now available, each with its own specific advantages.But manufacturers are still searching for innovative solutions that can provide greater comfort and improved dynamic performance.

[0003] Generally speaking, snowshoes consist of a deck, a front tip, a rear section, and a binding system. This basic configuration allows for easy movement on the snow due to increased flotation, preventing sinking into the snow.

[0004] Snowshoes are also generally known in bulky sizes and formats, often making them difficult to handle. Thus, in use, the snowshoer's gait is often arduous, as the walker must lift the front of the snowshoe, pull it forward, and then place it flat, without being able to perform a natural and ergonomic foot roll. These constraints mean that the vast majority of users quickly show signs of fatigue and / or discomfort, even after a short hike.

[0005] There is therefore a need for snowshoes that are less bulky, easier to carry, and easier to handle.

[0006] Various documents illustrate the different types of existing snowshoes that present the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0007] For example, document FR2903022 describes a snowshoe whose frame comprises an anterior part and a posterior part linked together by a flexural zone.

[0008] Document EP2672855 describes a snowshoe comprising two sections connected together by their sides by means of joints giving a certain flex between the two sections.

[0009] US4228601 describes a snowshoe in two sections connected by a hinge facilitating flexion and making walking easier.

[0010] The aforementioned disadvantages also apply to these latter rackets.

[0011] To overcome these various drawbacks, the invention provides various technical means. Summary of the invention

[0012] First of all, a first objective of the invention is to provide a flexible and ergonomic snowshoe.

[0013] Another objective of the invention is to provide a snowshoe with good range and optimal grip on all types of ground and varied terrain.

[0014] Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a snowshoe of simple and inexpensive design.

[0015] Finally, another objective of the invention is to provide a snowshoe that facilitates walking and has the necessary characteristics to allow the user to have the most natural gait possible.

[0016] To this end, the invention provides for a snowshoe comprising a sieve and a fastening for attaching the sieve to a user's foot, the sieve being in two parts, namely a front sieve for positioning at the front of the foot, and a rear sieve for positioning under the heel of the foot.

[0017] Such a snowshoe offers numerous advantages. Ergonomically, the separation between the two decks provides great flexibility during use and makes storage easy when not in use. The separate and spaced-apart decks allow the snowshoe to be adapted to all shoe sizes. This design allows the snowshoes to be used on slopes of gentle or steep inclines and / or with varying inclines. Furthermore, the two-part design allows the foot to be inserted without pre-adjusting the boot binding. Finally, the absence of a direct connection between the two decks provides a virtual articulation, improving walking ergonomics.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment, the front sieve comprises a front sieve attachment having a front tip and a heel strap designed to bypass the rear of the foot, and the rear sieve comprises a rear sieve attachment equipped with a heel guard and an instep strap designed to go around the front of the foot.

[0019] Attaching each of the sieves is simple. The strap materials are flexible to facilitate easy placement along the profile of the shoe. Attachment can be achieved using elastic fastening elements or rigid elements with flexible fasteners, such as laces.

[0020] Advantageously, the front sieve attachment and the rear sieve attachment form an intersection zone.

[0021] The intersection zone creates a contact surface between the two fasteners. Depending on the case, the intersection zone may or may not allow the two fasteners to be connected.

[0022] According to yet another advantageous embodiment, the front panel comprises a spatula extending towards the front of the shoe. The elongated spatula provides better support in the forefoot area.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment, the two sieves are independent and without contact between them in use and the two fixings are independent.

[0024] Depending on the user's preferences and the type of terrain, the user can use either only the front sieve, only the rear sieve, or both, thus allowing for easy adaptation to all types of terrain. This configuration also offers the user a choice between various types of sieves, such as a rear sieve with or without fins.

[0025] According to another advantageous embodiment, the snowshoe includes a cooperation element between the two sieves.

[0026] According to an advantageous example, the cooperation element is a connecting strip forming a bridge connecting the two sieves.

[0027] Alternatively, the cooperation element is a single fixing, common to both sieves.

[0028] As a further alternative, the cooperation element is an overlap zone between the front sieve and the rear sieve.

[0029] Brief description of the drawings

[0030] All implementation details are given in the following description, supplemented by Figures 1 to 7, presented solely for the purpose of non-limiting examples, and in which: Fig. 1

[0031] [Fig.1] [Fig.1] illustrates a first example of a racket with the front and rear sieve independent of each other, in side view; Fig. 2

[0032] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates a second example of a racket with independent strings, also in side view; Fig.3

[0033] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] illustrates a third example of a racket with independent strings, also in side view; Fig. 4

[0034] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a top view of an example batch or kit with several rear sieves; Fig. 5

[0035] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] illustrates a first example of a racket with the front face and the rear sieves interconnected with each other, in side view; Fig. 6

[0036] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] illustrates a second example of a racket with the front face and the rear sieves interconnected with each other, in side view; Fig. 7

[0037] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] illustrates a third example of a racket with the front face and the Rear sieves interconnected with each other, perspective view. Description of the implementation methods

[0038] Figure 1 illustrates a first example of a snowshoe 1 with a two-part deck 2 and 4. Conventionally, a snowshoe comprises a deck and a fastener for attaching the deck to a user's foot. Originally, the deck has two parts 2 and 4: a front deck 2 designed to be positioned under the front of a user's foot, and a rear deck 4 designed to be placed under the back of the foot, more specifically under the heel. Both decks can extend either towards the front of the foot for the front deck and behind the foot for the rear deck. In the example of Figure 1, the two decks are separated from each other by a gap that prevents any contact between them and ensures complete independence of each. Laterally, the decks can be the same width as the boots or extend laterally to the sides.

[0039] This design offers numerous advantages. First, when the rackets are not in use, they can be stacked on top of each other, significantly reducing their size. This makes them easy to transport to the playing area. When in use, the separate racket faces allow the racket to be adapted to all shoe sizes, with or without pre-adjusting the binding system. Furthermore, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], this design allows for various combinations of the front and rear racket faces. In the example shown in [Fig. 4], the user can choose a rear racket face with 15 fins to increase grip. Sixteen fins adjacent to the wings improve their efficiency. A rear deck without fins is also an option. Furthermore, if such a kit is provided, the user can change the rear deck during use, depending on the terrain. Finally, due to the separation of the two decks, the snowshoe's rigidity is dependent on that of the boot. For example, with a mountaineering boot with a very rigid sole, the snowshoe behaves similarly to a rigid, one-piece snowshoe. Conversely, with a flexible boot, the snowshoe benefits from the boot's flexibility, offering excellent ergonomics for walking or running.

[0040] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, each of the sieves 2 and 4 has its own fastening element for maximum flexibility. This allows, in particular, the use of only one of the two sieves, front or rear, without the other. Thus, the front sieve 2 has a front sieve fastening 3, and the rear sieve 4 has a rear sieve fastening 5. In the examples in Figures 1 and 2, the front sieve fastening 3 has a front toe piece 7 and a heel strap 8 designed to go around the back of the foot. The rear sieve fastening 5 has a heel piece 6 and an instep strap 9 designed to go around the front of the foot. In the example in [Fig. 2], the fastenings 3 and 5 have laces to facilitate fitting and adjustment depending on the shoes used. In this same example, the heel strap 8 and the heel piece 6 can, alternatively, cooperate with each other, for example, by means of a rigid link supplementing the laces..

[0041] In the racket examples in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the front head attachment 3 and the rear head attachment 5 intersect to form an intersection zone 10. The intersection zone creates a contact surface between the two attachments. Depending on the case, the intersection zone may or may not allow the two attachments to be connected.

[0042] Fig. 6 illustrates another variant in which the front sieve 2 has a spatula 11 extending towards the front of the shoe. independent sieves

[0043] Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 illustrate a first approach to implementing the invention, in which the front face 2 and the rear face 4 of the racket are completely independent of each other. This disconnection is also ensured by the fact that each face has its own attachment. This allows, as already mentioned, the use of a single face (front or rear) or offers the user a choice of combinations between several faces, as illustrated in the embodiment shown in [Fig. 4], where the user is offered a choice between a rear face with or without fins 15 and fin openings 16. The arrangement with fins 15 and openings 16 adjacent to the fins improves the racket's grip, both in braking and / or pulling mode. The openings 16 are preferably of The shape and dimensions are identical to those of the fins and allow snow to be ejected onto the top of the snowshoe. The preferred minimum surface area for the fin openings is 200 mm². These dimensions are required to allow snow to flow towards the top of the snowshoe without obstructing the opening. The fins are preferably formed from the same material as the sieve. This embodiment, with a one-piece sieve and fins, simplifies manufacturing and ensures greater durability than with added fins. Also in the example in [Fig. 4], the finless sieve can be solid or have openings. In the illustrated example, it has a large end opening, facilitating, for example, gripping.

[0044] Sieve with interconnection

[0045] Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate a second approach to implementing the invention, in which the two sieves of the racket are connected to each other by a cooperation element ensuring an interconnection between the two sieves.

[0046] In the example of [Fig. 5], the cooperating element is a connecting strip 12. As illustrated, the strip creates a bridge connecting the two sieves. The strip 12 may be integral to the material of the two sieves or attached, for example, by gluing or clipping. Alternatively, the strip is fixed to the front sieve and connectable to the rear sieve.

[0047] In the example of [Fig. 6], the cooperation element is a single, or unit, fixing 13, common to both sieves. The single fixing, by being connected to each of the sieves, ensures an interconnection between them.

[0048] In the example in [Fig. 7], the cooperation element is an overlap zone 14 between the front sieve and the rear sieve. In the illustrated example, the rear portion of the front sieve overlaps the top of the front portion of the rear sieve. Alternatively (not illustrated), the overlap is reversed, and the front portion of the rear sieve overlaps the top of the rear portion of the front sieve. List of reference signs

[0049] 1. Snowshoe 2. Front sieve 3. Front sieve attachment 4. Rear sieve 5. Rear sieve attachment 6. Heel pad 7. Front edge 8. Heel strap 9. Kick strap 10. Fixing intersection zone 11. Spatula 12. Connecting strip 13. Single fixing 14. Superposition 15. Fin 16. Fin opening

Claims

Demands

1. Snowshoe (1) comprising a sieve and a fastening for attaching the sieve to a user's foot, the sieve being in two parts (2, 4), namely a front sieve (2) for positioning at the front of the foot, and a rear sieve (4) for positioning under the heel of the foot, characterized in that the front sieve (2) and the rear sieve (4) of the snowshoe are entirely independent of each other, each of the sieves having its own fastening.

2. Snowshoe (1) according to claim 1, wherein the front sieve (2) has a front sieve attachment (3) having a front tip (7) and a heel strap (8) designed to go around the back of the foot and the rear sieve (4) has a rear sieve attachment (5) having a heel piece (6) and a kick strap (9) designed to go around the front of the foot.

3. Snowshoe (1) according to claim 2, wherein the front sieve attachment (3) and the rear sieve attachment (5) form an intersection zone (10).

4. Snowshoe (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the front sieve (2) has a spatula (11) extending towards the front of the boot.

5. Snowshoe (1) according to claim 1, wherein the two sieves (2, 4) are independent and without contact between them in use and the two fixings (3, 5) are independent.

6. Snowshoe (1) according to claim 1, comprising a cooperation element between the two sieves (2, 4).

7. Snowshoe according to claim 6, wherein the cooperation member is a connecting strip (12) forming a bridge connecting the two sieves together.

8. Snowshoe according to claim 6, wherein the cooperation member is an overlap zone (14) between the front sieve and the rear sieve.

9. Snowshoe according to claim 6, wherein the cooperation member is a single attachment (13), common to both sieves.

Images