WO2023113608A1

WO2023113608A1 - Snowshoe binding and snowshoe comprising a binding

Info

Publication number: WO2023113608A1
Application number: PCT/NO2022/050280
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas GOVERUD-HOLM; Magnus Anderssen; Jørn Frode DANIELSEN; David Klovning Flem; Edvard JONES
Original assignee: Rottefella As
Priority date: 2021-12-16
Filing date: 2022-12-06
Publication date: 2023-06-22

Abstract

A snowshoe (S) and a snowshoe binding (1) arranged for securing a boot (B) to the snowshoe (S) are provided. The snowshoe binding (1) comprises a base part (10) which comprises a first part (11) which is arranged to be mounted onto the snowshoe (S), a second part (12) which is arranged to receive a boot toe portion (B1) and a third part (13) which is arranged to receive a flexible heel strap. The binding (1) further comprises a flexible heel strap (20) with a first portion (21), a second portion (22) and an intermediate portion (23) which extends between the first portion (21) and the second portion (22). The binding (1) also comprises a heel cap (30), arranged to be mounted on the intermediate portion (23) of the flexible heel strap (20).

Description

SNOWSHOE BINDING AND SNOWSHOE COMPRISING A BINDING

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments herein relate to a snowshoe binding. Embodiments herein further relate to a snowshoe comprising a snowshoe binding.

BACKGROUND

Snowshoes have been used for a long time, and the design enable persons to move over areas covered with large quantities of snow.

A snowshoe generally comprises a lattice and a binding for fixating the lattice to a boot of a user. The lattice has a relatively large surface or lift area which may prevent sinking of the snowshoe and its user through the snow. It may have several gripping portions which prevent the lattice to slide horizontally on packed snow or ice. The lattice or lifting area may be more or less rigid, or it can be designed with a circumferential frame onto which a canvas or piece of cloth is stretched.

An example of a rigid snowshoe is shown in USD424644 and an example of a frame based snowshoe is shown in US2003101623A1.

The binding is commonly attached to an upper surface of the lifting area and can comprise a pivoting arrangement. A user may attach a boot to the pivoting arrangement, wherefore the entire snowshoe may pivot relatively the boot. This facilitates walking with the snowshoes. The binding also often comprises a strap, wire or other fixation device which extends around the boot.

While known snowshoe bindings have been working well in some applications, there remains a need for a snowshoe binding which provides for great flexibility and easiness to use. There also remains a need for a snowshoe binding and a snowshoe with good manoeuvrable characteristics. Thus, improvements in the field of snowshoe bindings and snowshoes are still desirable. SUMMARY

Embodiments herein aim to provide a snowshoe binding, eliminating or at least reducing the problems and/or drawbacks associated with prior art solutions.

According to an embodiment, this is provided by a snowshoe binding arranged for securing a boot to a snowshoe, the binding comprising a

- base part which comprises; a first part which is arranged to be mounted onto the snowshoe, a second part which is arranged to receive a boot toe portion and a third part which is arranged to receive a flexible heel strap,

- a flexible heel strap with a first portion, a second portion and an intermediate portion which extends between the first portion and the second portion,

- wherein the binding comprises a heel cap, arranged to be mounted on the intermediate portion of the flexible heel strap.

Since the binding comprises a heel cap, a boot heel which is inserted into the binding can be positioned accurately. When the boot is inserted into the binding and locked thereto, the heel cap receives the boot heel and keeps the heel in the desired position.

The heel cap also facilitates entry of the boot inte the binding when the boot is to be attached and release of the boot heel from the binding then the boot is to be released.

During development of the binding and snowshoe according to embodiments of this application, the inventors have realized that snowshoes may demand different binding properties compared to other types of binding applications. A snowshoe is relatively short and wide, and it may be important for a user thereof to have good control of the snowshoe. Snowshoes should allow the user to move in difficult terrain, over rough surfaces covered with snow and ice. The snowshoes should enable sufficient lifting properties and grip properties on the snow, which may be e.g. powder snow, wet and heavy snow and/or snow with crust.

The heel cap interacts with the heel portion of the boot, and during use of the snowshoe both rotational movements, translational movements and acceleration/decceleration from the foot and boot are transferred to the snowshoe via the binding with the heel cap. During field tests of the binding and snowshoe according to embodiments described herein, the heel cap has proven to surprisingly well increase the maneuverability of the snowshoe.

Further, in some areas of use, such as in military applications, it may be necessary for a user to attach/detach the binding in darkness and under time pressure. The heel cap then enables fast and correct positioning of the boot into the snowshoe binding.

Thus, hereby is provided a snowshoe binding, eliminating or at least reducing the problems and/or drawbacks associated with prior art solutions.

According to some embodiments the heel cap is arranged to restrict relative movement between a boot heel portion and the flexible heel strap. Hereby control of the snowshoe is increased. The snowshoe better follows the movement of the boot and its heel part. This allows for better stability and better control. The restriction can be achieved e.g. by shape locking, by complementary shaped surfaces and/or locking organs, by friction, adhesion, pressure or similar.

According to some embodiments the heel cap is arranged to restrict lateral displacement of a boot heel portion. Hereby control of the snowshoe is increased. The snowshoe better follows the movement of the boot and its heel part, in particular sideways and with regards to rotation in a substantially horizontal plane when the snowshoe is used on flat ground. This allows for better stability and better control. The restriction can be achieved e.g. by shape locking, by complementary shaped surfaces and/or locking organs, by friction, adhesion, pressure or similar.

According to some embodiments the heel cap is rigid. Hereby the heel cap can positioning the boot heel portion by an inherent stiffness.

According to some embodiments the heel cap comprises a concave surface, facing towards a boot heel portion in a mounted state. A concave surface may effeciently positioning a convex boot heel portion when the boot is attached in the binding. According to some embodiments the heel cap comprises a grip portion. The grip portion enable easy and intuitive attachment and detachment of the binding to/from the boot. It facilitates use in darkness, and when the binding is covered with snow and ice.

According to some embodiments a position of the heel cap can be adjusted along the intermediate portion of the flexible heel strap. Hereby increased flexibility is achieved, and the heel cap can be correctly positioned independently of boot size or how/where the flexible heel strap is attached to the base part of the binding.

According to some embodiments the intermediate portion of the flexible heel strap comprises a plurality of apertures, and wherein the heel cap comprises at least one heel cap protrusion for engagement to a selected one of said plurality of apertures. This enables flexible and secure positioning and fastening of the heel cap to the flexible heel strap.

According to some embodiments the third part of the base part comprises a first attachment portion for releasable attachment of the first portion of the flexible heel strap. This enables flexible and secure attachment of the first portion of the flexible heel strap to the first attachment portion. The first portion may be one end of the flexible heel strap, an area in close vicinity to one end of the flexible heel strap, or an area at a distance from an end of the flexible heel strap. The first portion of the flexible heel strap may be fully released from the base part, i.e. such that the flexible heel strap is no longer in contact, directly or inderectly, with the third part of the base part.

According to some embodiments the third part of the base part comprises a second attachment portion for releasable attachment of the second portion of the flexible heel strap. This enables flexible and secure attachment of the second portion of the flexible heel strap to the second attachment portion. The second portion may be one end of the flexible heel strap, an area in close vicinity to one end of the flexible heel strap, or an area at a distance from an end of the flexible heel strap. The second portion of the flexible heel strap may be fully released from the base part, i.e. such that the flexible heel strap is no longer in contact, directly or inderectly, with the third part of the base part. Accordingly, the flexible heel strap can be completely removed from the base part of the binding. Hereby the flexible heel strap can easily and quickly can be exchanged if broken or worn. The same kind of flexible heel strap can be used both on a left binding/snowshoe and a right binding/snowshoe.

According to some embodiments the first attachment portion comprises at least one first protrusion for engagement to a selected one of said plurality of apertures and the second attachment portion comprises at least one second protrusion for engagement to a selected other one of said plurality of apertures. This enables flexible and secure positioning and fastening of the flexible heel strap to both the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion. This also allows the flexible heel strap to be attached and detached in a tool-free manner. Thus, a user may attach or detach the flexible heel strap with his/her bare hands, or with gloves on.

According to some embodiments the flexible heel strap comprises a buckle arrangement for attachment to the second attachment portion. The buckle arrangement can be arranged along the intermediate portion of the flexible heel strap and allows for quick and easy adjustment. The flexible heel strap can be composed of two different parts which can be connected via the buckle arrangement. The buckle arrangement can then position the two different parts relatively each other, such that a length of the flexible heel strap between the first and second attachment portions of the base part can be adjusted. The flexible heel strap can alternatively be arranged as one single part, where the bucke arrangement is in contact with different portions of the flexible heel strap such that a length of the flexible heel strap between the first and second attachment portions of the base part can be adjusted.

If the flexible heel strap comprises a buckle arrangement, the flexible heel strap can be totally released from the base part without opening/release of the buckle arrangement.

In some embodiments herein, the flexible heel strap does not comprise any buckle arrangement at all. A length of the flexible heel strap between the first and second attachment portions of the base part can then be adjusted by selection of which apertures of the flexible heel strap that is attached to the protrusions of the first and/or secon attachment portions. According to some embodiments the plurality of apertures are indicative of a respective boot size, for enabling pre-adjustment of the snowshoe binding. This enables for a user, or for different user of the same binding, to always have the heel cap at the right position for receiving the boot heel portion independently of boot size. The indication may be alphanumeric, based on colors, different surfaces or similar.

Embodiments herein also aim to provide a snowshoe with a snowshoe binding without the problems or drawbacks described above. According to some embodiments, this is provided by a snowshoe, wherein the snowshoe comprises a snowshoe binding according embodiments disclosed herein.

Further features of, and advantages with, the embodiments herein will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following detailed description. Those skilled in the art will realize that different features of the embodiments herein may be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects of embodiments herein, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a heel cap according to some embodiments,

Fig. 2 illustrates a top view of the Fig. 1 heel cap,

Fig. 3 illustrates a rear view of the Fig. 1 heel cap,

Fig. 4 illustrates a cross section view of the Fig. 1 heel cap, Fig. 5 illustrates a flexible heel strap according to some embodiments,

Fig. 6 illustrates a side view of a snowshoe binding according to some embodiments,

Fig. 7 illustrates a section of a snowshoe binding according to some embodiments,

Fig. 8 illustrates a top view of a snowshoe binding according to some embodiments,

Fig. 9 illustrates a rear view of a snowshoe binding according to some embodiments,

Fig. 10 illustrates a front view of a snowshoe binding according to some embodiments,

Fig. 1 1 illustrates a perspective view of a snowshoe binding and a snowshoe according to some embodiments,

Fig. 12 illustrates a top view of a snowshoe binding and a snowshoe according to some embodiments,

Fig. 13 illustrates a side view of a snowshoe binding and a snowshoe according to some embodiments,

Fig. 14 illustrates a side view of a snowshoe binding and a snowshoe according to some embodiments when in use,

Fig. 15 illustrates a top view of a snowshoe binding and a snowshoe according to some embodiments when in use,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. However, this application should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Disclosed features of example embodiments may be combined as readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

Spatial orientations, such as front/forward, back/rearwards, up/upwards, down/downwards, left and right are indicating directions of the binding and its different parts in a normal operating position, i.e. when the binding is mounted on a snowshoe laying on a substantial horizontal surface. These directions are indicated in Fig. 14 and 15, and should not be interpreted as limiting in any way, they are only provided for facilitating understanding of internal relations between the parts illustrated.

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a heel cap 30 for a snowshoe binding 1 (shown in Figs. 6-15). The heel cap 30 is shown from above in Fig. 2 and from rear in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 illustrates the heel cap 30 along section A-A shown in Fig. 3.

The heel cap 30 comprises a heel cap base 34 with a channel 35. The base part 34 may have a height 34h of at least 20 mm. The base part 34 may have a width 34w of at least 30 mm.

The channel 35 has a height 35h and a thickness 35t. The height 35h may be larger than the thickness 35t. The height 35h may be in the range of 5-30 mm, preferably in the range of 10-25 mm. The thickness 35t may be in the range of 1 -5 mm, preferably in the range of 2-4 mm.

The embodiment shown further comprises a grip portion 32. The grip portion 32 can be arranged as a lug or projection which extends upwards and/or backwards from the heel cap base 34. The grip portion 32 may extend with an angle a relatively the height direction of the heel cap base 34, as illustrated in Fig. 4. The angle a may be in the range of 10-60 degrees, preferably in the range of 25-45 degrees. Hereby it is easy for a user to get a good grip of the heel cap 30, also with glowes on. The grip portion 32 may comprise a grip portion opening 32a. The grip portion opening 32a further facilitate gripping and handling of the heel cap 30. When the binding should be quickly released, a user may rotate the grip portion 32 backwards/downwards until the heel cap 30 passes an equilibrium point and the heel cap 30 snaps off the boot heel B2 (shown in Fig. 14). This allows a user to detach/remove the snowshoe S very quickly, also in darkness. In a corresponding manner, when the binding should be quickly attached, a user may tilt the grip portion backwards and then press the boot heel downwards until it is in the correct position. The heel cap then may have the function as a shoe horn.

The heel cap 30 can be made of a relatively rigid or stiff material, such as plastics, nylon, polypropylene or similar. The heel cap 30 can be made a material with a modulus of elasticity exceeding a predetermined value. The heel cap 30 may also be rigid due to its thickness.

As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the heel cap 30 may comprise a concave surface 31 . The concave surface 31 is arranged to face towards a boot heel portion B2 in a mounted state. As shown, the concave surface 31 may have a curvature in the left-right direction and be relatively flat in the vertical direction. This for being complementary shaped to a common boot heel portion B2. Alternatively the surface 31 can be double-curved, with a concave shape both in the horizontal and vertical direction, to fit boot heel portions which are convex both in the horizontal and vertical direction. Since the heel cap 30 is relatively stiff and the contact surface, i.e. the base part height 34h x the base part width 34w, is relatively large, the heel cap 30 provides support to, and positions, the boot heel portion B2 when mounted.

The channel 35 may extend substantially in parallel with the concave surface 31 , such that the channel 35 is slightly curved. The base part 34 may further comprise channel openings 36a and 36b. The channel opening or openings 36a extends between the channel 35 and the concave surface 31 . The channel opening or openings 36b extends between the channel 35 and a rear surface of the base part 34. The openings 36 allows a user to insert the flexible heel strap 20 into the channel in a meandering way. When the flexible heel strap 20 is streched, the heel cap protrusion 33 can enter/snap into a selected aperture 24 of the flexible heel strap 20. Hereby the heel cap 30 is locked relatively the flexible heel strap 20, and will stay locked as long as the flexible heel strap 20 is positioned in the channel 35. A user may detach or unlock the heel cap 30 from the flexible heel strap 20 by bending or flexing the flexible heel strap 20 such that parts thereof enter the openings 36a, 36b and the heel cap protrusion 33 exits the aperture 24 which it previously was inserted to. Hereby a position of the heel cap 30 can be adjusted along the intermediate portion 23 of the flexible heel strap 20, or the heel cap 30 can be completely removed from the flexible heel strap 20.

The heel cap 30 is arranged to be mounted on a flexible heel strap 20 with a first portion 21 , a second portion 22 and an intermediate portion 23 which extends between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22, as shown in Fig. 5.

The flexible heel strap 20 has a height 20h, a length 20I and a thickness (not shown). The height 20h may be in the range of 15-30 mm. The thickness may be in the range of 1 -4 mm. The height 20h and/or the thickness may be adopted after the dimensions of the channel 35 of the base part 34 of the heel cap 30, so it may fit relatively tight into the channel 35. The dimensions of the flexible heel strap may be in the range of 80-100 %, or preferably in the range of 85-98 % of the dimensions of the channel 35. Hereby the flexible heel strap 20 can position the heel cap 30 in a torsionally rigid manner and transfer forces and momentum between the snowshoe S and the boot B.

The flexible heel strap 20 may be made of any suitable material, such as plastics or nylon. The second portion 22 may comprise a heel strap grip portion 22a, which facilitates for a user to fasten the flexible heel strap 20. The first portion 21 of the flexible heel strap 20 may be relatively uniform in height and thickness, so it can be inserted into the channel from rear. Thus, it does not comprise any protrusions, grip portions or similar. Hereby the entire flexible heel strap 20 may be attached and detached as one unit, also when it is provided with a buckle arrangement along its length. As mentioned, it comprises a plurality of apertures 24 which allows the flexible heel strap to be snapped on protrusions of the base part, and which allows a heel cap protrusion 33 to be snapped into an aperture, thereby positioning the heel cap 33 in a desired position along the length of the flexible heel strap 20. According to some embodiments, the flexible heel strap 20 is relatively easy to flex and/or bend, and relatively non-elastic/rigid the length direction. In some embodiments, the flexible heel strap 20 is made of two different parts where a first part with the first portion 21 is attachable to the first attachment portion 13a and the second part with the second portion 22 is attachable to the second attachment portion 13b. The two parts are then connectable to each other via the buckle arrangement 25 or any other kind of attachment. In some embodiments the second part with the second portion 22 is attached to the buckle arrangement 25 in a releasable manner. In some embodiments the second part with the second portion 22 is permanently attached to the buckle arrangement 25 such that they together form a unit. The second portion 22 of such a unit is arranged to be inserted from a rear direction into channel C2 of the second attachment portion 13b.

In the attached state, entire first portion 21 , or substantially the entire first portion 21 is comprised in the channel C1 . In the attached state, entire second portion 22, or substantially the entire second portion 22 is comprised in the channel C2. The inserted ends of the unit with the first and second portions 21 , 22 and the buckle arrangement is inserted into the channels in a meandering or tortouros manner. The channels C1 and C2 may be substantially straight, or may have a slight curvature, and may be meandering.

The inserted ends of the unit with the first and second portions 21 , 22 and the buckle arrangement is thus locked by the boot of the user when the boot is arranged within the binding. As an alternative the first 21 and/or second 22 portions may be arranged at outer sides of the attachment portions 13a, 13b. A user may then be able to adjust a length of the heel strap without use of any buckle, since the length is dependent on which apertures that is attached to the protrusions of the attachment portions.

Figs. 6-8 show different views/sections of the snowshoe binding 1 . The snowshoe binding 1 comprises a base part 10 with a first part 1 1 which is arranged to be mounted onto the snowshoe S. The first part 1 1 may comprise an attachment organ of any kind, which can interact with an attachment organ of the snowshoe. In the embodiment depicted in Figs. 6-8 the first part 1 1 comprises a first part channel 1 1 a which can be arranged around a sprint or pin which is fastened to the snowshoe. The base part 10 can then, together with the parts which are attached to the base part 10, rotate relatively the snowshoe. The snowshoe and/or the base part 10 may comprise stops which restrict the possibility of rotation to predetermined angles. The rotation may facilitate walking with the snowshoe. In some embodiments the base part 10 is fixed to the snowshoe such that no rotation is possible.

The base part 10 comprises a second part 12 which is arranged to receive a boot toe portion B1 (shown in Figs. 14, 15). The second part 12 may project upwards from the relative flat first part 1 1 , thereby allowing the boot toe portion B1 to rest agains the second part 12. A top part 12a may be permanently or releasably attached to the first part 11 via one or more attachment portions 12b.

The base part 10 further comprises a third part 13 which is arranged to receive the flexible heel strap 20. The third part 13 of the base part 10 may comprise a first attachment portion 13a for releasable attachment of the first portion 21 of the flexible heel strap 20 and a second attachment portion 13b for releasable attachment of the second portion 22 of the flexible heel strap 20. The base part 10 may be formed as one integral unit, or it may be made of several different parts.

As illustrated, the third part 13 may protrude upwards from peripher portions of the first part 11 , such that they become arranged on a right and left side of a boot B when the boot B is inserted into the binding.

The first attachment portion 13a and the second attachment portion 13b may be substantially identical but mirrored. Thus, the left side of the binding 1 , showed below a center line C in Fig. 8, may be substantially identical but inverted or reversed to the right side, showed above the center line C in Fig. 8. An advantage with this design is that the same snowshoe binding 1 may be used both for a left snowshoe and a right snowshoe. Also the snowshoes may be identical. Accordingly, a snowshoe with a mounted binding 1 may be used as desired on right- or left boot. The flexible heel strap may be totally detached from the attachment portions 13a and 13b, turned 180 degrees and be attached again. Hereby a user may freely select to which foot/boot the binding should be attached. He/she may also freely select if a bucke arrangement 25 should be positioned on the inside of the foot/boot, towards the sagital plane of the user or on the outside of the foot/boot, facing away from the sagital plane of the user. In some embodiments the flexible heel strap 20 does not comprise any buckle at all. The flexible heel strap may still be totally removed from the first attachment portion 13a and the second attachment portion 13b and turned 180 degrees. Thus, the user may select if a grip portion 22a of the flexible heel strap 20 should be arranged on the inside or outside of the foot.

A uniform or identical design of the binding 1 , which thus selectively can be used on left- and right boot, decreases design and production cost. If one snowshoe or binding needs to be replaced, it is sufficient to replace that one, instead of the pair. This provides great flexibility, not least for military applications, or when the snowshoe is used far away from repair shops and replacement possibilities. If a flexible heel strap 20 breaks or is worn down, it is easy to replace with a spare one, independenly if the old one was attached to right or left binding.

The flexible heel strap 20 has a first portion 21 , a second portion 22 and an intermediate portion 23 which extends between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22. It further comprises a plurality of apertures 24 along its length.

The first attachment portion 13a may comprise at least one first protrusion 13a’ for engagement to a selected one of said plurality of apertures 24. The first portion 21 of the flexible heel strap may be bent and inserted from a rearward direction into a channel of the first attachment portion 13a. When the flexible heel strap 20 is straightened, the aperture or apertures 24 snaps onto the protrusion or protrusions 13a’ such that the flexible heel strap is locked in position.

The second attachment portion 13b may comprise at least one second protrusion 13b’ for engagement to a selected other one of said plurality of apertures 24. The second portion 22 of the flexible heel strap may be bent and inserted from a rearward direction into a channel of the second attachment portion 13b. When the flexible heel strap 20 is straightened, the aperture or apertures 24 snaps onto the protrusion or protrusions 13b’ such that the flexible heel strap is locked in position.

The base part 10 may further comprise a third attachment portion 14a and a fourth attachment portion 14b, arranged for releasable attachment of a flexible top strap 40. The design of the flexible top strap 40 resembles of the design of the flexible heel strap 20, and it comprises apertures which can be snapped onto protrusions of the third attachment portion 14a and a fourth attachment portion 14b. It may or may not be provided with a buckle. In some embodiments, the design and/or dimensions of the top strap 40 and the flexible heel strap are similar or identical, such that the the same kind of strap may be used as top strap and heel strap.

Fig. 9 illustrates a rear view of the snowshoe binding 1 and Fig. 10 illustrates a front view of the snowshoe binding 1 . As shown, the plurality of apertures 24 can be indicative of a respective boot size, for enabling pre-adjustment of the snowshoe binding 1 . In Fig. 9 and 10 the flexible heel strap 20 is arranged within the channel of the heel cap 30.

Fig. 11 illustrates the binding 1 when mounted on a snowshoe S in perspective view, Fig. 12 illustrates the binding 1 when mounted on a snowshoe S in a top view and Fig. 13 illustrates the binding 1 when mounted on a snowshoe S in a side view.

The snowshoe S may be made of a strong, durable material such as plastics, and some parts and details may be made of metal. Grip organs S10 may protrudes downwards for increased grip when the snowshoe is used on snow, crust and ice. Some grip organs may be made in metal, and may be attached under the snowshoe and/or base part 10.

The snowshoe S may comprise a heel lifter S20 which may be arranged in different positions for providing support to boot, for example when a user climbs uphill.

As illustrated in e.g. Fig. 1 1 , the base part 10 can be arranged without any buckle attached to it, and it may then be referred to as a buckle-free base part. The flexible heel strap 20 with its buckle arrangement 25 may be a self-contained heel unit which can be attached to attachment portions 13a and 13b without tools.

The flexible top strap 40 with its buckle arrangement may be a self-contained top unit which can be attached to attachment portions 14a and 14b without tools.

Since no buckle is attached to the base part, it is very easy to repair the binding if a buckle becomes broken or defect, since it is only to replace the self-contained unit. Further, a self-contained top unit may be used as a self-contained heel unit and vice versa.

Fig. 14 illustrates the snowshoe binding 1 and snowshoe S in a side view when a boot B is inserted into the binding 1 . In Fig. 15 the snowshoe binding 1 and snowshoe S are illustrated from above when the boot is inserted into the binding 1 . It is shown that the heel cap 30 can be arranged to restrict relative movement between a boot heel portion B2 and the flexible heel strap 20. The heel cap according to embodiments herein can be arranged to only face a rear side of the boot heel portion, i.e. it is not in contact with the downwardly facing sole portion of the boot.

Thanks to the apertures and the attachment portions, a length of the flexible heel strap 20 between the position of the attached heel cap 30 and the first attachment portion 13a can be freely selected. Thanks to the apertures, the attachment portions and possibly a buckle arrangement 25, a length of the flexible heel strap 20 between the position of the attached heel cap 30 and the second attachment portion 13b can be freely selected.

The heel cap 30 can therefore, at a selected position along the flexible heel strap, be arranged to restrict lateral displacement of a boot heel portion B2, i.e. to fix or position the boot heel portion B2 in a side-to-side or left-right direction.

Although the aspects has been described with reference to example embodiments, many different alterations, modifications and the like will become apparent for those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and the scope of the appended claims is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, combinations of features of disclosed embodiments as well as other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

As used herein, the term "comprising" or "comprises" is open-ended, and includes one or more stated features, elements, steps, components or functions but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps, components, functions or groups thereof.

Claims

1 . A snowshoe binding (1 ) arranged for securing a boot (B) to a snowshoe (S), the binding (1 ) comprising a base part (10) which comprises; o a first part (1 1 ) which is arranged to be mounted onto the snowshoe (S), o a second part (12) which is arranged to receive a boot toe portion (B1 ) and o a third part (13) which is arranged to receive a flexible heel strap,

- a flexible heel strap (20) with a first portion (21 ), a second portion (22) and an intermediate portion (23) which extends between the first portion (21 ) and the second portion (22), wherein the binding (1 ) comprises a heel cap (30), arranged to be mounted on the intermediate portion (23) of the flexible heel strap (20).

2. The snowshoe binding (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the heel cap (30) is arranged to restrict relative movement between a boot heel portion (B2) and the flexible heel strap (20).

3. The snowshoe binding (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heel cap (30) is arranged to restrict lateral displacement of a boot heel portion (B2).

4. The snowshoe binding (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heel cap (30) is rigid.

5. The snowshoe binding (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heel cap (30) comprises a concave surface (31 ), facing towards a boot heel portion (B2) in a mounted state.

6. The snowshoe binding (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heel cap (30) comprises a grip portion (32).

7. The snowshoe binding (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a position of the heel cap (30) can be adjusted along the intermediate portion

(23) of the flexible heel strap (20).

8. The snowshoe binding (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate portion (23) of the flexible heel strap (20) comprises a plurality of apertures (24), and wherein the heel cap (30) comprises at least one heel cap protrusion (33) for engagement to a selected one of said plurality of apertures

(24).

9. The snowshoe binding (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third part (13) of the base part (10) comprises a first attachment portion (13a) for releasable attachment of the first portion (21 ) of the flexible heel strap (20).

10. The snowshoe binding (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third part (13) of the base part (10) comprises a second attachment portion (13b) for releasable attachment of the second portion (22) of the flexible heel strap (20).

1 1 . The snowshoe binding (1 ) according to claim 9 and 10, wherein the first attachment portion (13a) comprises at least one first protrusion (13a’) for engagement to a selected one of said plurality of apertures (24) and the second attachment portion (13b) comprises at least one second protrusion (13b’) for engagement to a selected other one of said plurality of apertures (24).

12. The snowshoe binding (1 ) according to claim 10, wherein the flexible heel strap (20) comprises a buckle arrangement (25) for attachment to the second attachment portion (13b).

13. The snowshoe binding (1 ) according to claim 8, when the wherein the plurality of apertures (24) are indicative of a respective boot size, for enabling preadjustment of the snowshoe binding (1 ). 18 A snowshoe (S), wherein the snowshoe (S) comprises a snowshoe binding (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims.