EP3498347B1 - Snowshoe with hybrid sculpture elements - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a snowshoe comprising a base structure forming a foot zone and a lift zone. The lift zone includes a lateral overhang on each side of the foot zone and extends rearward of the foot zone to form a tail tip. The snowshoe has advantageous characteristics of flexibility and ergonomics.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

Snowshoes have been known objects for many years. They were originally designed to allow people to move on ground covered with a large amount of snow. They are also very widespread in the Nordic countries, which are frequently affected by heavy snowfalls. However, these extreme conditions reflect less and less the reality of the current use of snowshoes. Indeed, nowadays, they are mainly used in a "sport and leisure" setting by hikers. The adepts being of very varied levels, starting from the amateur beginner to the expert hiker, the requirements of each of the levels are very different. This heterogeneity forces manufacturers to constantly develop new products to best meet the various expectations. Today, there are several product lines, each with specific advantages. But manufacturers are still looking for innovative solutions likely to provide greater comfort and increased dynamic performance.

In general, snowshoes are made up of a sieve, a front spatula, a rear portion and a fastening system. This basic configuration makes it possible to move easily on the snow due to increased lift, avoiding sinking into the snow.

The front and rear spatulas are also provided to allow an easy gait, with an unrolling of the foot, facilitating walking by making it more natural. However, this objective is generally not achieved because of the size of the snowshoes, their shape and surface often making them unwieldy. Thus, in use, the snowshoer's gait is often difficult, because the walker must lift the front of the snowshoe, tow the snowshoe forward, then lay it flat, without being able to perform a natural and ergonomic rolling motion of the foot. . These constraints have the effect that the vast majority of users quickly show signs of fatigue and/or discomfort even after a short hike.

Many users use snowshoes very occasionally, for example during a stay in a winter resort. In these cases, the rackets are rented in specialized stores. To respect profitability constraints, rental companies want to keep equipment for as long as possible and require manufacturers to produce very robust and durable products. In response to these requirements, manufacturers offer snowshoes with a rigid structure.

This aspect has several drawbacks. First of all, the lack of flexibility makes the snowshoes not very ergonomic. The racket with a rigid structure does not follow the shape of the shoe or the surface on which it is placed. Secondly, the materials used are selected with the primary aim of meeting the requirements of lightness, durability and rigidity. These types of materials generally provide poor to poor tensile performance. To overcome these limitations, several products are equipped with metal inserts designed to increase grip on snow or ice. This feature has a practical aspect for these types of ground, but users may have to walk on hard ground, when crossing a road for example, where snowshoes are no longer suitable.

Finally, to compensate for the rigidity of the snowshoe and facilitate walking, the snowshoes have either a double spatula, that is to say a spatula at the front of the foot and another at the rear or a very raised front spatula associated with a substantially flat rear portion. These features allow the user to have a more natural gait than with fully flat snowshoes. However, the front spatulas force the user to lift the foot relatively high, which requires additional effort with each step. Without this movement, which is not natural, the front spatula could hit an obstacle and/or catch on the ground and cause a fall. Furthermore, because the feet have a slight opening angle, the rear spatulas can interfere with each other when walking. If they get stuck together, there is a risk of falling.

According to another aspect, in order to always improve the comfort of users when walking on snowshoes, the ergonomics of snowshoes has been improved according to various lines of development. One of these axes includes the grip of the snowshoes thanks to elastomer soles provided with indentations and/or studs.

For example, the document WO9506502 describes a snowshoe formed of a semi-flexible platform comprising connecting means for connecting a user's shoe to the platform. The platform is molded in a semi-flexible plastic material which can flex with the shoe, such as thermoplastic polyurethane. The hardness of the platform is between 50 and 90 Shore D at approximately 18°C. This characteristic makes it a slightly flexible racquet, but not enough to obtain real comfort when rolling with the foot. Additionally, the underside of the platform is formed with indentations and/or protrusions to increase traction when using the rackets. The circular recesses each contain an oval recess oriented according to their location on the underside. The semi-flexible plastic material as well as the indentations make it possible to increase the level of grip of the snowshoes, which however remains perfectible.

The document FR2743501 describes a snowshoe for walking, in particular on snow, consisting of a substantially flat platform, provided with reversible attachment of the user's foot to said platform, made of cellular elastomer. This racket is light, rigid but with a certain elasticity and with good grip. The underside has studs formed by molding, distributed according to the distribution of the load in use. These characteristics allow the user to have a racket that is more comfortable than conventional rackets and also to have better grip thanks to the distribution of the studs. However, the grip provided by the elastomer studs and their distribution do not provide optimum grip on the racquet. In addition, the front part of the racquet forces the user to lift their foot more than usual, which can lead to premature fatigue.

The document US2009/265957 describes a walking racket according to the preamble of claim 1.

The document US6003249 describes a snowshoe having an integral hinge allowing pivotal movement of the foot when walking. The racket is also provided with crampons arranged under the sole. However, such types of crampons are ineffective in soft snow.

To overcome these various drawbacks, the invention provides various technical means.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

First of all, a first objective of the invention consists in providing a flexible and ergonomic snowshoe having good traction and braking performance.

Another objective of the invention consists in providing a snowshoe having good range and optimum grip on any type of ground, in particular on snow in a more or less thick layer.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a snowshoe of simple and inexpensive design.

Finally, another objective of the invention consists in providing a snowshoe facilitating walking and having the characteristics necessary for the user to have the most natural gait possible.

To do this, the invention provides a snowshoe according to claim 1.

The plurality of peripheral sculpture elements are arranged in the form of slots. Such an arrangement provides good traction, braking and lateral support characteristics, for excellent dynamic performance of the racket.

Such an architecture makes it possible to obtain significantly higher grip performance than for a conventional material of a racket structure, such as a thermoplastic material. Moreover, the profiles of the elements of tread create edges which exert particularly effective traction and braking forces in the snow. The substantially transverse orientation of the tread pattern elements makes it possible to position the zones effective in traction in the main direction in which this traction must be exerted in normal operation. The arrangement of the peripheral sculpture elements allows better stability of the snowshoe in particular when the snowshoe is in a laterally inclined position, such as for example on a mountainside.

Advantageously, the sculpture elements are continuous or discontinuous.

Also advantageously, said tread pattern elements cross the foot area over a width greater than 50% of the width of the foot area where said tread pattern elements are located.

This arrangement makes it possible to have better transmission of the forces from the foot to the ground.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the sculpture elements have their main axis substantially parallel to the transverse axis of the racket.

According to various variant embodiments, the sculpture elements are substantially rectilinear, in the shape of a “V” or in the shape of an inverted “V” between the front and the rear of the racket.

The architecture with a "V" shaped zone and an inverted "V" shaped zone improves traction and braking performance while respecting the natural course of walking. Indeed, the "V" shaped sculpture elements at the front of the racquet allow to accentuate the efforts of traction and the inverted "V" shaped sculpture elements at the back of the racquet allow to increase braking effort.

Advantageously, said sculpture elements are arranged so that their main axis forms an angle alpha less than 60° and preferably 45° with respect to the transverse axis of the racquet.

Also advantageously, the front portion of the racquet is raised and also comprises, on the contact face, a plurality of sculpture elements.

These sculpting elements are active in particular at the end of the rolling phase of the foot, to minimize or avoid the tendency to skids and slips, which are frequent when only the front end of the snowshoe remains in contact with the ground.

The front portion of the racquet corresponds substantially to the front of the foot area. Removing the front spatula makes it possible to obtain an ergonomic racquet and optimal performance.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the base structure comprises a reinforcing element, at least a portion of the sculpture elements being mounted in cooperation with said reinforcing element.

Advantageously, the reinforcement element comprises a main reinforcement element, comprising at least three substantially "T"-shaped sectors and corresponding respectively with bearing zones of the first metatarsus, of the fifth metatarsus and of the heel, at least a portion of the sculpture elements being mounted in cooperation with said main reinforcing element.

Such an architecture makes it possible to distribute the weight of the user over a large surface of the racket. This feature optimizes the lift of the racquet. This architecture also provides good stability when walking. This arrangement is also in perfect harmony with the anatomy of the foot, for increased efficiency and optimal comfort.

Also advantageously, the base structure and the sculpture elements are elastically deformable. This arrangement makes it possible to obtain a snowshoe that is sufficiently flexible to adapt to the relief of the ground, but also sufficiently rigid to provide a good level of lift and good grip thanks to the reinforcing element. This characteristic makes it possible to respect the physiological gait, moreover by allowing an ergonomic and natural rolling of the foot.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the base structure comprises a solid surface.

The absence of screens, holes or perforations provides better lift and creates thermal insulation between the snow and the shoe.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the base structure is made of material of the thermoplastic type, preferably included in the list of the following families: thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer such as for example polyethylene vinyl acetate or styrene butadiene styrene.

These materials withstand a rigorous environment of use, offer good resistance to wear (in particular by friction), and make it possible to produce a structure that is substantially flexible and particularly light. All these characteristics contribute to the comfort of the user and provide an increased pleasure of use. The density of polyethylene vinyl acetate is substantially 0.1 to 0.2, and thermoplastic polyurethane or thermoplastic elastomer substantially 0.4 to 0.8.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment, the base structure comprises a secondary reinforcing element having a lower level of rigidity than that of the main reinforcing element, said secondary reinforcing element extending between said sectors of the main reinforcement, at least a portion of the tread pattern elements being mounted in cooperation with said secondary reinforcement element.

This arrangement makes it possible to provide a good level of lift, while maintaining structural flexibility favoring the ergonomics of the racket.

According to another variant embodiment, the sculpture elements comprise slats. These slats are preferably oriented in the same direction as the sculpture element. The slats can be external, and/or internal. In the latter case, in the event of wear, the internal slats are exposed when the rate of wear corresponds to the positioning of the internal slat.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

• la figure 1 est une représentation schématique d'un exemple de face de contact de raquette;
• la figure 2 est une représentation schématique, en vue de dessus, d'un exemple de raquette à neige susceptible d'utiliser une face de contact telle que celle de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une représentation schématique de la raquette de la figure 2, vue en perspective ;
• la figure 4 est une représentation schématique de la portion inférieure de la raquette de la figure 3, vue en élévation ;
• les figures 5a et 5b illustrent des coupes transversales de la raquette de la figure 4, aux positions indiquées par les flèches B-B (figure 5a) et C-C (figure 5b).
• la figure 6 est une représentation schématique d'un exemple d'éléments de renfort principal et secondaire d'une structure de base de raquette destinée à être portée au pied gauche ;
• la figure 7 est une représentation schématique d'un autre exemple d'éléments de renfort principal et secondaire d'une structure de base de raquette destinée à être portée au pied gauche ;
• la figure 8 est une représentation schématique d'encore un autre exemple d'éléments de renfort principal et secondaire d'une structure de base de raquette destinée à être portée au pied droit.

All the implementation details are given in the following description, supplemented by the figures 1 to 8 , presented solely for the purpose of non-limiting examples, and in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic representation of an example racquet contact face;
• the picture 2 is a schematic representation, in top view, of an example of a snowshoe capable of using a contact surface such as that of the figure 1 ;
• the picture 3 is a schematic representation of the racket of the picture 2 , perspective view;
• the figure 4 is a schematic representation of the lower portion of the racket of the picture 3 , elevation view;
• them figures 5a and 5b illustrate cross-sections of the racquet of the figure 4 , at the positions indicated by the arrows BB ( figure 5a ) and DC ( figure 5b ).
• the figure 6 is a schematic representation of an example of main and secondary reinforcement elements of a basic structure of a racket intended to be worn on the left foot;
• the figure 7 is a schematic representation of another example of main and secondary reinforcing elements of a racket base structure intended to be worn on the left foot;
• the figure 8 is a schematic representation of yet another example of primary and secondary reinforcement elements of a racket base structure intended to be worn on the right foot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION RACKET BODY AND BASE STRUCTURE

The figures 1 to 5 illustrate, from various points of view, an example of a racket according to the invention. As clearly visible to figures 2, 3 and 4 , the racket 1 comprises a base structure 2 comprising a foot zone 3 and a lift zone 4 which surrounds the foot zone 3, except at the front of the foot zone, where the racket ends by forming a portion front 7. This front portion comprises a front beak 8 corresponding substantially to the front of the foot area 3. This results in a racket without a front spatula, considerably promoting ergonomics and walking comfort. In addition, the user can use his snowshoes by walking in a manner similar to normal walking with shoes, by unrolling the foot, that is to say by placing the heel first, then the sole of the foot, and finally the forefoot. The roll then continues with the raising of the heel while keeping the toes on the ground. As illustrated, the front beak 8 is advantageously curved in shape, forming a sort of protective shell for the front end of the shoe.

On each side of the foot zone 3, the lift zone 4 comprises a lateral overhang 5. At the rear, the lift zone 2 extends beyond the foot zone 3 to form a spatula 11 behind. As clearly visible at the figure 2 , the base structure has a solid surface. Lift zone 4 thus provides an optimal effect of weight distribution, for minimal sinking in the snow, and for a well-balanced gait. The continuity of the surface also makes it possible to provide good thermal insulation, protecting the feet from cold and humidity.

To further promote ergonomics and promote ease of use and comfort, the base structure 2 is preferably made from an elastically deformable material, giving it great flexibility of use. The deformability of the base structure allows the rear spatula to flex under the effect of the weight of the walker when the latter brings his heel to the ground and puts it down. The flexibility of the snowshoe also makes it possible to optimize the ergonomic behavior, in accordance with and respecting the biomechanics of the foot, which generates walking with an unrolling of the foot, as previously mentioned.

The base structure 2 is advantageously made of material of the thermoplastic type, preferably included in the list of the following families: thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer. Advantageously, polyethylene vinyl acetate or styrene butadiene styrene is used. The material of the base structure 2 can be expanded or non-expanded, depending on the applications.

As shown in the example of the picture 2 , the rear spatula 11 is preferably asymmetrical and advantageously comprises a recess 15 releasing the inner side.

As shown at picture 3 , the rear spatula 11 is raised and/or twisted outwards. It preferably has an opening 19.

REINFORCING STRUCTURE

According to an advantageous embodiment, to prevent the racket from being too flexible, and generating little or no lift, the base structure 2 comprises a main reinforcing element 20 provided to confer sufficient rigidity so that the weight transfer of the walker is well distributed over the entire surface of the snowshoe.

As illustrated in figure 6 , 7 and 8 , the main reinforcing element 20 comprises at least three sectors 21, 22, 23 corresponding respectively with support zones A of the first metatarsus, B of the fifth metatarsus and C of the heel.

The main reinforcing element 20 is designed to transmit any forces likely to be received by the sectors 21, 22, 23 to the rest of the base structure 2.

As shown in the example of the figure 6 , the main reinforcing element 20 has for example a substantially “T” shaped profile.

The sectors 21, 22 can extend into adjacent lateral overhang zones 5. Similarly, the heel sector 23 can also extend in the lateral overhang zone 5 towards the rear of the heel and/or on each side of the latter.

To obtain the continuous structure (or without opening) of the lift zone 4 and to contribute to distributing the weight of the user, the base structure 2 comprises a secondary reinforcing element 30. This secondary reinforcing element comprises a level of rigidity lower than that of the main reinforcing element 20.

The secondary reinforcing element 30 is arranged between the sectors 21, 22, 23 of the main reinforcing element 20.

To improve comfort, the base structure 2 also includes a comfort layer 40 of expanded foam or not, covering all or part of the main reinforcing element 20, as shown in the examples of figures 5a and 5b , at different longitudinal positions of the racket. For example, a thermoplastic material is used to produce the comfort layer.

As shown for example in figures 2 and 3 , two side flanges 9 are arranged on either side of the foot area 3. The side flanges 9 are preferably integral with the base structure 2, for maximum robustness.

As illustrated in the example embodiments of the figures 7 and 8 , the main reinforcement may also comprise a cubo-scaphoidal sector 24, 25, which extends substantially between the support zones of the scaphoid and of the cuboid.

In the example of the figure 7 , the cubo-scaphoidal zone 24, 25 extends on either side into the zone of the adjacent lateral overhangs 5.

Also in the embodiment of the figure 7 , the main reinforcing element comprises a cubo-fifth metatarsal axis extending substantially between the support zones of the cuboid 24 and of the fifth metatarsus 22.

The figure 7 also illustrates that the main reinforcing element may comprise lateral sectors 26, 27 extending over at least a portion of each of the lateral overhangs 5. Alternatively, these lateral sectors 26, 27 are interconnected.

SCULTURAL ELEMENTS

The racket 1 has a contact face 50 and a fixing face 60. The contact face 50 advantageously corresponds to the lower surface 17 of the base structure 2. A plurality of sculpture elements 31 made of rubber material are arranged on all or part of said foot area 3. These sculpture elements can be continuous or discontinuous.

As illustrated, the sculpture elements 31 are of substantially elongated shape and cross the foot area 3 over a width greater than at least 25% and more preferably greater than 40% of this area, the width being measured at the point where the element of sculpture considered is located. Such an architecture makes it possible to produce numerous relatively long successive stops, effective in traction and in braking. Maximum surface area of the racquet is used to produce many areas of elongated edges.

As a variant, the sculpture elements 31 cross the foot area 3 over a width greater than 50% of this area.

The sculpture elements can have several types of profile, such as for example a substantially rectilinear or “V” shaped profile.

In the example of the figure 1 , an arrangement with opposing sculpture elements 31 is illustrated. In this example, at the front of the racket, the sculpture elements 31 are arranged in the shape of a “V”, the point of the “V” being oriented towards the front of the racket. At the rear of the racket, the elements 31 are arranged in the shape of an inverted "V", that is to say with the tip of the "V" facing rearward. These reverse arrangements make it possible to better manage the traction forces (in particular with the sculptural elements of the front of the racquet illustrated in figure 1 ) and braking (especially with the sculpting elements of the back of the racquet also illustrated in the figure 1 ). Several “V” shaped elements can follow one another, with or without intermediate space.

As illustrated at figure 1 , some sculpture elements 31 are arranged so that their main axis forms an angle alpha less than 60° and preferably 45° with respect to the transverse axis of the racket.

Furthermore , at least one lateral overhang 5 of the contact face 50 comprises a plurality of peripheral sculpture elements 32 substantially elongated and oriented in the longitudinal direction of the racquet. Similar to the transverse sculpture elements 31, the sculpture elements 32 arranged on the edges, and oriented in the longitudinal direction of the racquet, provide an arrangement of active edges capable of stabilizing the racquet well to prevent it from slipping laterally. when the walker is on laterally sloping ground. In this example, the peripheral tread elements 32 provide a slotted arrangement. This arrangement in the form of slots provides a double effect. First of all, the portions oriented in the longitudinal direction make it possible to stabilize the snowshoe on sloping or sloping ground. Then, the portions in the transverse direction make it possible to transmit the traction and braking forces when the tread pattern elements of the foot zone are little or not in contact with the snow. These peripheral sculpture elements 32 also make it possible to produce an external grip zone complementary to the rest of the surface of the racket.

As shown at figure 3 and 4 , the front portion 7 of the racquet is raised and also comprises, on the contact face, a plurality of sculpture elements 31. These sculpture elements make it possible to lengthen the traction zone to allow a transmission of force up to the end of the rolling phase of the foot.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the racket, the front portion 7 of the racket corresponds substantially to the front of the foot zone 3, as shown for example in figures 2 and 3 . Such an arrangement, coupled with the sculpting elements 31 and 32, makes it possible to obtain a perfectly ergonomic racket, the performance of which is substantially increased. Indeed, the natural gait and roll of the foot in respect of the biomechanics of the human body makes it possible to transmit increased efforts to the area of the sole in comparison with a traditional snowshoe. The sculpture elements receive therefore the mechanical impulses of the walker practically without interference, and can thus transform these impulses into traction, or even into braking force, as the case may be. The traction and braking performance thus obtained exceeds the potential performance of conventional snowshoes which are affected by imperfect ergonomics and by the presence of a front spatula.

As previously described, the base structure 2 comprises reinforcement elements 20 and 30. To optimize the traction of the racket, at least a portion of the sculpture elements 31, 32 are mounted in cooperation with at least a portion of the elements of reinforcement. The efforts of the walker are thus directly transmitted to the tread elements, which can thus act directly in the snow, for optimum efficiency.

Reference numbers used in the figures

1

Snowshoe

2

Basic structure

3

foot area

4

Lift area

5

Lateral overhang

6

Lodging

7

Front portion

8

Front spout

9

Side edge

10

rod cover

11

Spatula

12

Kick protection zone

13

Anti-recoil

14

Blocker

15

Spatula clearance

16

Side overhang bottom surface

17

Bottom contact face of base structure

18

Clamping element

19

Rear spatula opening

20

Main reinforcement element

21

^1st metatarsal support sector

22

5th metatarsal support sector

23

Heel support sector

24

Cuboid support sector

25

Scaphoid support sector

26

Lateral sector

27

Lateral sector

30

Secondary reinforcement element

31

transverse tread element

32

Longitudinal tread element

40

Comfort layer

50

contact face

60

Fixing face

Claims (10)

1. Snowshoe (1) comprising a base structure (2) in thermoplastic material forming a foot zone (3) and a lift zone (4) comprising a lateral overhang (5) on each side of a foot zone (3) and extending to the rear of the foot zone (3) to form a rear spatula, and a front portion (7) located in front of the foot zone (3), said snowshoe (1) comprising a contact face (50) and a fixing face (60), said lift zone (4) comprising on the side of the contact face (50):

   i) a plurality of elongated peripheral tread pattern elements (32) made of thermosetting material or reticulated elastomer, preferably diene, oriented in the longitudinal direction of the snowshoe, arranged on at least one of the lateral overhangs (5);

   ii) a plurality of tread pattern elements (31) made of thermosetting material or reticulated elastomer, preferably diene, arranged over all or part of the foot area (3), said tread pattern elements (31) being of elongated shape, crossing the foot zone (3) over a width greater than 25% and preferably greater than 40% of the width of the foot zone (3) where said tread elements (31) are located characterized in that the plurality of peripheral tread elements are arranged in the form of crenels.
2. Snowshoe (1) according to claim 1, wherein said tread pattern elements (31) are continuous or discontinuous.
3. A snowshoe (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said tread pattern elements (31) cross the foot area (3) over a width greater than 50% of the width of the foot area ( 3) where said sculpture elements (31) are located.
4. Snowshoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the said tread elements (31) have their main axis parallel to the transverse axis of the snowshoe.
5. Snowshoe (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the said tread pattern elements (31) are rectilinear.
6. A snowshoe (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said tread pattern elements (31) are "V" shaped.
7. Snowshoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the said tread pattern elements (31) are arranged so that their main axis forms an angle alpha less than 60° and preferably 45° with the transverse axis of the snowshoe.
8. Snowshoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the front portion (7) of the snowshoe is raised and also comprises, on the contact face, a plurality of tread pattern elements (31).
9. Snowshoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the base structure (2) comprises a reinforcing element (20, 30), at least a portion of the tread pattern elements (31, 32) being mounted in cooperation with said reinforcing element.
10. Snowshoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the base structure (2) and the tread elements are elastically deformable.

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