Snowshoe binding with top buckles

A binding for a snowshoe, comprising:

• a body or base member for the binding, for attachment to a snowshoe,
• a pair of toe stops positioned at left and right at a front end of the base member, the toe stops being of a plastic material and extending up from the base member then back to an intersection of ends of the two toe stops, thus forming essentially two intersecting loops that are positioned to engage with and cradle the toe end of a user's shoe,
• a tongue secured to the ends of the two toe stops, at an upper location in the binding,
• a pair of strap buckles secured to the tongue rearward of the connection to the toe stops, the two buckles being oriented essentially oppositely,
• a pair of straps, each having a first end connected to the tongue and extending rearwardly and laterally outwardly therefrom, and
• a pair of low friction loops secured to the base member at laterally outward positions rear of the tongue, and the straps each passing through a respective one of the loops then returning to a respective buckle on the tongue, where the strap passes through the buckle and a strap tail extends from the buckle,
• whereby the toe stops, straps and tongue with opposed buckles form an efficient, easily deployed binding which is tightened by pulling in essentially opposite directions on the two strap tails and released by releasing the two buckles.

A binding for a snowshoe, comprising:

• a body or base member for the binding, for attachment to a snowshoe,
• a stiffening rib extending up from the front end of the base member generally in an arch shape, being deflected such that a top portion of the stiffening rib tends to spring upwardly and forwardly,
• a tongue secured to the top portion of the stiffening rib,
• a pair of strap buckles secured to the tongue rearward of the connection to the stiffening rib, the two buckles being oriented essentially oppositely,
• a pair of straps, each having a first end connected to the tongue and extending rearwardly and laterally outwardly therefrom, and
• a pair of low friction loops secured to the base member at laterally outward positions rear of the tongue, and the straps each passing through a respective one of the loops then returning to a respective buckle connected to the tongue, where the strap passes through the buckle and a strap tail extends from the buckle,
• whereby the base member, straps and tongue with opposed buckles form an efficient, easily deployed binding which is tightened by pulling in essentially opposite directions on the two strap tails, pulling the stiffening rib back and downwardly into a further deflected position, and released by releasing the two buckles and thus releasing the stiffening rib, which lifts the tongue and helps open the binding.