US20180193720A1

US20180193720A1 - Snowshoe

Info

Publication number: US20180193720A1
Application number: US15/845,567
Authority: US
Inventors: John Frederick Herter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-01-12
Filing date: 2017-12-18
Publication date: 2018-07-12

Abstract

A snowshoe. The snowshoe includes a base and straps. The base is made of polyethylene foam. The base includes an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer edge. The lower surface is substantially flat and is designed to prevent the user from sinking into snow. The plurality of straps each include a first end opposing a second end. The first end and the second end are secured to the upper surface forming a loop. The straps are an attaching mechanism to keep the snowshoe on the user's boot or shoe.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/445,443, filed Jan. 12, 2017, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to snowshoes and, more particularly, to an inexpensive snowshoe.
A snowshoe is footwear for walking over snow. Snowshoes work by distributing the weight of the person over a larger area so that the person's foot does not sink completely into the snow, a quality called “flotation”. Snowshoeing is a form of hiking. Traditional snowshoes have a hardwood frame with rawhide lacing. Some modern snowshoes are similar, but most are made of materials such as lightweight metal, plastic, and synthetic fabric. Currently, snowshoes are made using expensive materials.
As can be seen, there is a need for an inexpensive snowshoe that children may use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a snowshoe comprises: a base made of polyethylene foam, the base comprising an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer edge, wherein the lower surface is substantially flat; and a plurality of straps each comprising a first end opposing a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are secured to the upper surface forming a loop.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method of using snowshoes comprises the steps of: providing a pair of snowshoes each comprising a base made of polyethylene foam, the base comprising an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer edge, wherein the lower surface is substantially flat, and a plurality of straps each comprising a first end opposing a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are secured to the upper surface forming a loop; placing a pair of shoes over a user's feet so that the user is wearing the pair of shoes; and strapping the pair of shoes to the pair of snowshoes using the plurality of straps.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a pair of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The present invention includes a polyethylene foam snowshoe. The polyethylene foam snowshoe helps kids and adults walk on top of snow. The snowshoe keeps boots and pants out of the snow, thereby keeping the user warm and dry.
Additionally, the foam snowshoe is made using low cost materials. The snowshoes further provide a cushioned and insulated barrier to the snow and cold. The snowshoes may be attached to any shoe or boot and come on and off very easily. The straps for the snowshoes may be made as a one size fits all and may be adjustable in length. The snowshoes may also be made into any shape for the user to make fun shapes in the show. For example, the snowshoes may be in the shape of sasquatch, the abominable snowman, a wolf, a bear and the like.
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the present invention includes a snowshoe 10. The snowshoe 10 includes a base 12 and straps 16. The base 12 is made of polyethylene foam. The base 12 includes an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer edge. The lower surface is substantially flat and is designed to prevent the user from sinking into snow. The plurality of straps 16 each include a first end opposing a second end. The first end and the second end are secured to the upper surface forming a loop. The straps 16 are an attaching mechanism to keep the snowshoe on the user's boot or shoe.
The base 12 of the present invention may include a height, a width, and a length to support a person above the snow. The polyethylene foam may further include a density to properly support the user. The upper surface and the lower surface of the base 10 may each be planar while the outer edge forms the shape of the imprint.
The straps 16 may be secured to the upper surface of the snowshoe 10 at a central location of the base 12. For example, the ends of the straps 16 may be secured to the upper surface of the base 12 at a substantial distance from the outer edge of the base 12. Therefore, the straps 16 may secure the shoes or boots of a user to a central portion of the base 12, which allows the snowshoes 10 to displace the user's weight while walking on the snow.
The plurality of straps 16 may be made of an elastic material, making the present invention a one size fits many. The straps 16 may include a front strap 16 and a pair of rear straps 16. The front strap 16 may be secured to the upper surface of the base 12 closer to the front end of the snowshoes 10 and the rear straps 16 may be secured to the upper surface of the base 12 closer to the rear end of the snowshoes 10.
In certain embodiments, the front strap 16 may include a releasably attached central portion. In such embodiments, the front strap 16 may include a first strap and a second strap each having a first end secured to the upper surface of the base 12 and a second loose end. The second loose ends of the first and second straps may releasably attach together by a hook and loop fastener, tying together, a buckle, snap buttons and the like. The pair of rear straps are disposed at an angle relative to the upper surface of the base 10 to overlap or cross over one another.
As mentioned above, the snowshoe 10 may form the shape of sasquatch, the abominable snowman, a wolf, a bear and the like. As illustrated in the Figures, the outer edge of the snowshoe 10 may form the shape of a sasquatch with a plurality of pointed toes 14.
A method of using snowshoes includes the steps of: providing a pair of snowshoes each comprising a base made of polyethylene foam, the base comprising an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer edge, wherein the lower surface is substantially flat, and a plurality of straps each comprising a first end opposing a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are secured to the upper surface forming a loop; placing a pair of shoes over a user's feet so that the user is wearing the pair of shoes; and strapping the pair of shoes to the pair of snowshoes using the plurality of straps.
A method of making the present invention may include the following. A polyethylene foam is extruded into long planks, and then cut into shapes to use as snowshoes. The foam includes the proper density to provide stability and support and make a print in the snow. Then the foam extrusion is fitted with straps to attach to the users boot or shoe. The straps hold the snowshoe base in place, so the user can walk or play on top of the snow.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A snowshoe comprising:

a base made of polyethylene foam, the base comprising an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer edge, wherein the lower surface is substantially flat; and

a plurality of straps each comprising a first end opposing a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are secured to the upper surface forming a loop.

2. The snowshoe of claim 1, wherein the plurality of straps comprises:

a front strap comprising a releasably attached central portion; and

a pair of rear straps disposed at an angle relative to the upper surface to overlap one another.

3. The snowshoe of claim 1, wherein the plurality of straps are made of an elastic material.

4. The snowshoe of claim 1, wherein the upper surface is planar and the lower surface is planar.

5. The snowshoe of claim 1, wherein the outer edge forms a shape of an animal foot.

6. A method of using snowshoes comprising the steps of:

providing a pair of snowshoes each comprising a base made of polyethylene foam, the base comprising an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer edge, wherein the lower surface is substantially flat, and a plurality of straps each comprising a first end opposing a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are secured to the upper surface forming a loop;

placing a pair of shoes over a user's feet so that the user is wearing the pair of shoes; and

strapping the pair of shoes to the pair of snowshoes using the plurality of straps.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of straps comprises:

a front strap comprising a releasably attached central portion; and

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of straps are made of an elastic material.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the upper surface is planar and the lower surface is planar.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the outer edge forms a shape of a foot.