Foam snowshoe

Abstract

A snowshoe including a platform for flotation and a binding for attaching the platform to a wearer's footwear. At least one of the platform and the binding can be formed at least in part from a foam material.

1 . A snowshoe comprising:
 a platform for flotation; and   a binding for attaching the platform to a wearer's footwear, wherein at least one of said platform and said binding is formed at least in part from a foam material.   
   
   
       2 . A snowshoe as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said platform and said binding is formed at least in part from a lightweight foam resin. 
   
   
       3 . A snowshoe as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said platform and said binding is formed at least in part from ethylene vinyl acetate. 
   
   
       4 . A snowshoe as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said platform is formed substantially entirely from said foam material. 
   
   
       5 . A snowshoe as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said binding is formed from at least one foam member extending upwardly from said platform and at least one strap attached to said foam member. 
   
   
       6 . A snowshoe is set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said binding is mounted on said platform so as to allow pivoting of said binding in relation to said platform. 
   
   
       7 . A snowshoe as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said pivoting is enabled by a fabric hinge formed from said foam material. 
   
   
       8 . A snowshoe as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a crampon. 
   
   
       9 . A snowshoe as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said crampon is attached to said foam material. 
   
   
       10 . A snowshoe as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said crampon is formed from plastic. 
   
   
       11 . A snowshoe as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said crampon is mounted within a recess formed from said foam material. 
   
   
       12 . A snowshoe set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said platform comprises at least a first layer of foam material and a second layer of foam material, wherein said first and second layers of foam material are bonded together. 
   
   
       13 . A snowshoe as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said platform further comprises an intermediate layer disposed between said first layer of foam material and said second layer of foam material. 
   
   
       14 . A snowshoe as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said platform has a bottom surface that is molded to impart desired traction characteristics. 
   
   
       15 . A snowshoe as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said binding includes a molded foam member dimensioned to receive and substantially enclose a toe section of the wearer's footwear. 
   
   
       16 . A method for use in manufacturing a snowshoe, comprising the steps of:
 providing a foam material; and   molding the foam material to form at least a part of a platform or a binding of said snowshoe.   
   
   
       17 . The method as set forth in  claim 16 , further comprising the step of attaching at least one component to said foam material. 
   
   
       18 . A method as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein said step of attaching comprises attaching at least one strap to said foam material to form a binding. 
   
   
       19 . A method as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein said step of attaching comprises attaching a crampon to said base.