Patent attributes
A snowshoe of the type with a peripheral frame formed of metal tubing and a stretched and suspended deck connected to the frame has different regions of the frame partially flattened into an approximate elliptical cross section, the major dimensions of the ellipses being in different planes in different regions of the frame. Most of the nose loop at the front end of the snowshoe frame is elongated in cross section within the plane of the nose loop, while the sides of the frame, aft of the binding suspension, may be elongated in a generally vertical plane. The orientation of these elongated cross sections in specific regions affords more strength to the frame where needed, enabling the frame to be produced of lighter material. In addition, selected local regions of the frame can be swaged to form recesses at desired sides of the frame to receive and hold the binding suspension bands or deck connecting material that wraps over the frame. Preferably the frame is formed of malleable but heat-treatable metal such as aluminum 7075 or 6061.
