Boots – shoes – and leggings – Boots and shoes – Occupational or athletic shoe
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-12
2001-01-30
Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Boots and shoes
Occupational or athletic shoe
C036S124000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178666
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a molded snowshoe having an integral deck and frame.
2. Description of Related Art
Snowshoes of the prior art usually have a frame formed from metal or wood with a separate deck attached to the frame as by webbing or the like, complicated bindings for securing the snowshoes to a user's boots, and crampons with sharp, pointed teeth.
The manufacture of such snowshoes is time consuming and expensive and the end product is not always reliable in its use in that they provide inadequate traction, the bindings tend to become loose from the user's boots, and the sharp teeth of the crampon can be dangerous, especially for children.
The design challenge of molding lightweight, rigid molded shoes, usually results in designs with a domed cross section. This design strategy requires that the boot mounting surface be positioned some distance above the plane of the contact between the snowshoe and the snow. This factor creates a condition of diminishing control (less stability), and a tendency to require more walking energy. When walking on snow, especially in downhill situations, there is an angular variation as the foot is placed. If the foot is placed above the operating surface, there is also an offset which must be absorbed by leg muscles.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The molded snowshoe of the invention comprises an integral deck and frame molded from a high impact, plastic material, the frame having integral molded hubs for accepting a unique binding pivot system which includes a molded two piece axle with integral bearings journalled in the molded hubs of the frame and located in close proximity to the operating plane between the snowshoe and the snow, a non-slip, easy-to-adjust binding, and a steel crampon having teeth with rounded edges which diminishes the risk of children being cut by sharp, pointed teeth.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3638333 (1972-02-01), Sprandel
patent: 3802100 (1974-04-01), Prater
patent: 4604817 (1986-08-01), Ramboz
patent: 5014450 (1991-05-01), McGrath
patent: 5517773 (1996-05-01), Forrest et al.
patent: 6003249 (1999-12-01), Watson
Kiniry Daniel P.
Mahoney Francis E.
Arnold Troy
Ross, Ross & Flavin
Sewell Paul T.
Tubbs Snowshoe Company LLC
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