Atlas Snowshoes Leads Innovation with 10 Patents

Snowshoes technology innovator, Atlas Snow-Shoe Company announced it has a total of ten patents issued to date with numerous pending. The most significant include the following:

HEEL CLEAT - PATENT No. 5,440,827
The first patent that revolutionized snowshoe performance and created an industry standard. The heel cleat adds stability and traction for climbing, descending and traversing various terrain. Found on all Atlas models.

CONTOURED FOOTBED No. 5,687,491
An innovation that significantly increases performance and adds comfort. The contoured footbed cradles the ball of the snowshoer's foot, locates optimum foot placement in the snow shoe binding and helps prevent slippage. Found on the Atlas 8, 10,12 and Dual-Trac models.

SWITCHBACK HARNESS - PATENT No. 5,918,387
Injection-molded from high-tensile polyurethane separately for the right and left foot, the snow shoe binding comfortably wraps the arch and ball of the foot while the switchback webbing eliminates pressure points for warmer feet. The switchback patent design is included on the 7,8,10 and Dual-Trac models.

SPRING-LOADED BINDINGS - PATENT No.5,699,630
A revolutionary binding that is the only snowshoe binding that allows natural footing on uneven terrain. The binding system limits snow shoe rotation and provides better maneuverability. This is the only binding that allows the ankle to rotate side to side while eliminating heel twist. Winner of the American Alpine Institute Guide’s Choice Award, it is featured on the 10,12 and Dual-Trac models.

HEEL CLEAT - PATENT No. 5,918,388
A redesign of the original patent to create greater transfer between the snowshoer's heel and the heel cleat, increasing stability and reduces snow build-up. Standard on all snowshoe models.