Improvements in or relating to the Construction of Snow-shoes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 12th Feb., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Construction of Snow-shoes.
FRITZ MANN and GOTTLIEB SCHLEGELMILCH, Manufacturers, of Neundorf, near
Suhl, in the Empire of Germany, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
-
This invention has for its object improvements in the construction of snow-shoes
and relates to the means of securing the same on the feet of the user.
The object of the new device is to secure the snow-shoes on the foot in a
sufficiently firm manner and to do away with the usual straps, buckles and similar
fastenings and to enable the snow-shoes to be readily removed without using the
hands for that purpose.
This is effected by means of a fixed cap for the point or
toe of the foot and a heel cap or casing which is pivoted or otherwise secured to a
spring yoke or blade capable of vertical movement, and secured to the foot plate or
top surface of the snow-shoe or runner.
The accompanying drawing illustrates the invention.
In this drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective view of part of a snow-shoe provided with
a securing device according to the present invention.
Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively an elevation and plan of Fig! 1, and
Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are detail views.
On the board or tread surface of the shoe is mounted in front a slipper-like cap
or toe piece f for the point of the foot whilst at the back there is secured preferably
by means of wooden-screws a plate p adapted to receive the spring yoke carrying
the heel part h. The yoke comprises a bent spring blade or part directed upwards
carrying in it forked end the heel part by means of pins s and a part w formed by
bending the end of the upper part into a horizontal direction, the bend forming a
spring connection for rendering the forked portion 6 resilient.
The lower part w can be adjusted as desired within certain limits so as to fit the
foot by means of screws e which can be screwed into a series of screw-threaded
holes in the plate p.
The point of the foot is introduced into the slipper like cap f and the raised cap h
is depressed by the heel, this being facilitated by the cap h turning about its
pivots ss, whereby the shoe is secured on the foot of the user.
When moving one foot forward the spring 6 with the cap h is depressed by the
weight of the body and the other foot rises at the heel at least to that height at
which the cap h is situated when there is no pressure on it.
The result is that the
foot need not always be pressed against the show and the shoe is firmly secured to
the foot in such manner that it can be taken off in any position of
the foot without the use of the hands which in former devices is usually combined
with great difficulties and loss of time. With the device according to the present
invention on the contrary, the foot is released simply by lifting the heel out of the
heel cap h and then drawing the toe out of the cap f.
Other advantages of the new device are:-
When travelling steering especially in turning curves is facilitated no snow

page_text: getting under the point of the foot. To avoid snow sticking to the lower surface of
the heel cap the sole of the cap h may be provided with a steel or metal plate.
1.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we-declare that what we
claim is: -
1. A device for fastening snow-shoes comprising a spring supported heel cap
longitudinally adjustable on the snow-show and a fixed slipper like cap for the front
end of the foot for the purpose of securing the snow-shoe without straps buckles or
similar fastenings substantially as described.
2. The combination and arrangement of parts forming the complete means for
securing snow-shoes to the feet substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 6th day of December 1897.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicants.