Abstract:
A snowshoe including a unitary molded polymer deck having a bottom surface defining a toe portion and a heel portion. The toe portion is divided from the heel portion. A toe panel together with the toe portion defines a generally enclosed space into which a lighting module including a battery, a switch; electrical leads and at least one electrically illuminated light source. The light module is substantially contained in the enclosed space and the at least one electrically illuminated light source is located in at least one light source pocket that passes through a portion of the unitary molded polymer deck such that the electrically illuminated light source is visible from above the deck. The switch selectively completes a circuit between the battery and the electrically illuminated light source upon actuation.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates generally to snowshoes. More particularly, the invention relates to snowshoes especially designed to be worn by young children. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    It is well known that young children enjoy participating in adult activities with their parents and other family members to the extent that they are capable to appropriately participate. One outdoor activity that is appealing to young children is that of snowshoeing. Because of young children&#39;s light weight and their less developed physical skills, snowshoes for very young children are made differently from snowshoes for adults or older children. In particular, the snowshoes can be smaller because of the lower weight of the children and, quite often, they are made in such a way to provide additional entertainment value to the children. Snowshoes that are made in a form to resemble animal tracks are known and are produced by the owners of the present patent application. 
         [0003]    During the winter, days are shorter and more of the hours when one might engage in outdoor recreation with children are during darkness. It is also well known that some children have a certain degree of fear of darkness but are less fearful in the presence of some sort artificial illumination. 
         [0004]    However, presently available children&#39;s snowshoes that are molded from plastic leave room for improvement. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A lighted child&#39;s snowshoe, according to an example embodiment of the invention, generally includes a deck, a toe panel, a lighting module and a snowshoe binding. The deck may be shaped to generally resemble an animal track or foot. The lighting module includes at least one electrically illuminated light source such as an LED. 
         [0006]    The deck according to an example embodiment of the invention generally includes a toe portion and a heel portion, each having a top and a bottom. 
         [0007]    When viewed from above, the lighted child&#39;s snowshoe generally includes footbed and a paw portion. The footbed is centrally located and has a generally oval shape, somewhat wider at the front of the snowshoe than at the rear of the snowshoe. The footbed presents binding mount holes and heel grips thereon. 
         [0008]    The paw portion extends generally outward from the footbed to some degree in all directions and presents an extended heel, side extensions and forward extending toes. Extending forwardly, outwardly from the toes are claws and claw reinforcements. 
         [0009]    According to an example embodiment, claws include a first claw, a second claw, a third claw and a fourth claw. Each claw presents a light emitting diode, (LED) pocket. Claw reinforcements extend outwardly on each side of each claw and extend back to each respective toe. The paw portion also presents toe ovals including a first toe oval, a second toe oval, a third toe oval and a fourth toe oval. 
         [0010]    When viewed from the bottom, the deck generally presents a toe portion and a heel portion. 
         [0011]    The bottom of the toe portion generally presents a light module enclosure, a longitudinal rib, a transverse rib and a surrounding toe perimeter wall. 
         [0012]    When viewed from the bottom, the heel portion generally presents the footbed wall and the heel perimeter wall. The footbed wall further includes footbed wall pegs extending downwardly therefrom. The heel perimeter wall generally presents heel perimeter wall pegs extending downwardly therefrom. 
         [0013]    The toe panel is a generally flat structure that is securable to the toe portion of the bottom side of the snowshoe deck. The toe panel, when placed together with the toe portion of the bottom of the main deck, bounds an enclosure. The toe panel generally includes a plate presenting toe grips including first toe grip, second toe grip, third toe grip and a fourth toe grip. The toe grips are presented on an outer side of the plate. The inner side of the plate presents LED supports including a first LED support, a second LED support, a third LED support and a fourth LED support. The inner surface of the toe panel also presents engagement members. 
         [0014]    The present invention also includes a lighting module including a battery, an impact activated switch or pressure activated switch, LEDs and leads. The LED&#39;s according to an example embodiment of the invention includes four LEDs, for example, including a first red LED, a blue LED, a green LED and a second red LED. According to the present example embodiment of the invention, the lighting module also includes long leads, short leads and continuity leads. Long leads in this example embodiment extend to the first and second red LED&#39;s while the short leads extend to blue and green LEDs. Continuity leads are of unequal lengths and have a small portion of stripped wire at the end and are present to prevent continuity of the lighting module until it is installed in the snowshoe to prevent depletion of the battery prior to sale. The continuity leads are coupled and insulated during final assembly. 
         [0015]    The binding of the snowshoe according to the invention, is a generally conventional binding having a toe pocket, in step strap and a heel strap. The binding may also include a flex joint built therein and two screws for mounting. 
         [0016]    The toe panel may be coupled to the deck by, for example, a screw or by ultrasonic welding. The toe panel and the deck may be formed by injection molding or other molding techniques as well as other techniques known to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a right snowshoe deck according to an example embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the right snowshoe deck of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the right snowshoe deck according to an example embodiment of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the right snowshoe deck taken along section line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a left snowshoe deck according to an example embodiment of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the left snowshoe deck of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of a snowshoe deck according to an example embodiment of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of a toe panel for a snowshoe according to an example embodiment of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the toe panel of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of the toe panel according to an example embodiment of the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the toe panel according to an example embodiment of the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a cross sectional of the toe panel taken along section line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of the toe panel according to an example embodiment of the invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a top plan view of a lighting module according to an example embodiment of the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of the lighting module of  FIG. 14 ; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of snowshoe and binding according to an example embodiment of the invention; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    Child&#39;s lighted snowshoe  30  according to an example embodiment of the invention, depicted in  FIGS. 1-16 , generally includes deck  32 , toe panel  34 , lighting module  36  and snowshoe binding  38 . Deck  32  and toe panel  34  may each be formed of a molded polymer as a unitary piece such as by injection molding. A molded polymer may for example include polypropylene or talc filled polypropylene. Other polymer materials may be utilized as well. Snowshoe binding  38  may be formed for example from injection molded polyurethane. Other appropriate polymers may be utilized as well. In addition, snowshoe binding  38  may include any sort of known snowshoe binding or any snowshoe binding to become known in the future. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , deck  32  generally includes deck top  40  and deck bottom  42 . When viewed from above, deck top  40  generally presents footbed  44  and peripheral portion  46 . 
         [0035]    Referring particularly to  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  5 , footbed  44  according to the depicted example embodiment, is generally oval or racetrack shaped and presents wider front portion  48  and narrower rear portion  50 . Footbed perimeter  52  generally demarks a separation between footbed  44  and peripheral portion  46  of deck  32 . 
         [0036]    Footbed  44  further presents lower front portion  54  and raised rear portion  56 . Lower front portion  54  is recessed relatively below peripheral portion  46 . Raised rear portion  56 , according to the depicted example embodiment, is elevated relative to peripheral portion  46 . This relationship can be seen particularly in  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  6 . 
         [0037]    Footbed  44  also generally presents binding mounting holes  58  and heel grips  60 . Binding mounting holes  58 , according to the example embodiment, are located within wider front portion  48  which coincides generally with lower front portion  54 . Referring particularly to  FIG. 5 , binding mounting holes  58  may be angled relative to perpendicular  62  of central line axis  64 . Accordingly, inboard mounting hole  66  is located behind outboard mounting hole  68 . 
         [0038]    Heel grips  60 , in the depicted embodiment, are generally conical in shape. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will be aware that heel grips  60  can be made in many shapes. In the depicted embodiment, heel grips  60  are ten in number. However, different numbers of heel grips  60  may be used as well. According to the depicted embodiment, heel grips  60  include four center line heel grips  70 , four rear lateral heel grips  72  and two forward lateral heel grips  74 . Other arrangement of heel grips  60  may be utilized as well. 
         [0039]    Peripheral portion  46  generally includes extended heel portion  76 , side extensions  78  and forward extending toe portion  80 . Extended heel  76  extends generally rearward relative to footbed  44 . 
         [0040]    Side extension portions  78  include inboard side extension  82  and outboard side extension  84 . In the depicted embodiment, inboard extension  82  is generally a mirror image of outboard extension  84 . However, inboard side extension  82  may be asymmetrical relative to outboard extension  84 . 
         [0041]    Forward extending toe portion  80  extends generally forward from footbed  44  and generally presents toes  86 , claws  88  and claw reinforcements  90 . Claws  88  extend generally forwardly of toes  86  and include first claw  92 , second claw  94 , third claw  96  and fourth claw  98 . Each of claws  88  presents light emitting diode pocket  100 . Each of claws  88  is bracketed on each side thereof by claw reinforcements  90 . 
         [0042]    Claw reinforcements  90  include inboard claw reinforcement  102  and outboard reinforcement  104  positioned inboard and outboard relative to claws  88 . 
         [0043]    Forward extending toe portion  80  further presents toe ovals  106 . Toe ovals  106  generally include first toe oval  108 , second toe oval  110 , third toe oval  112  and fourth toe oval  114  and are raised relative to surrounding portions of deck  32 . 
         [0044]    Referring particularly to  FIGS. 2 and 7 , when viewed from below, deck bottom  42  generally presents toe portion  116  and heel portion  118 . 
         [0045]    Toe portion  116  is generally divided from heel portion  118  at the location of transverse rib  120 . Toe portion  116  further generally presents light module enclosure  122 , longitudinal rib  124  and toe perimeter wall  126 . Longitudinal rib  124  in the depicted embodiment extends generally from light module enclosure  122  to transverse rib  120 . 
         [0046]    In the depicted embodiment, light module enclosure  122  generally includes rear wall  128 , side walls  130  and short front walls  132 . Toe portion  116  also presents alignment pegs  134 . 
         [0047]    Light emitting diode pockets  100  extend into toe portion  116  as can be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 7 . Light emitting diode pockets  100  generally include first LED pocket  136 , second LED pocket  138 , third LED pocket  140  and fourth LED pocket  142 . 
         [0048]    Referring again to  FIGS. 2 and 7 , heel portion  118  generally presents footbed wall  144  and heel perimeter wall  146  surrounding heel portion  118 . Footbed wall  144  is located generally beneath footbed  44 . Footbed wall  144  couples to traverse rib  120 . Footbed wall  144  also presents footbed wall pegs  148  extending downwardly therefrom. As depicted, footbed wall pegs  148  include rounded extension  150 . Footbed wall pegs  148  may take another shape as well. 
         [0049]    Heel perimeter wall  146  extends generally around a perimeter of deck  32  behind traverse rib  120 . Heel perimeter wall  146  presents heel perimeter pegs  152  extending downwardly therefrom. Heel perimeter pegs  152  as depicted presents rounded extensions  154 , though other shapes may be utilized as well. 
         [0050]    Referring to particularly to  FIGS. 8-13 , toe panel  34  is a generally planar structure shaped to conform to toe portion  116 . Toe panel  34  generally presents top surface  156  and bottom surface  158 . 
         [0051]    Referring particularly to  FIGS. 9 and 11 , top surface  156  of toe panel  34  is bounded by toe panel perimeter wall  160  which is relatively shorter than, for example, toe perimeter wall  126 . Toe panel perimeter wall  160  includes four toe panel towers  162  joined thereto. Toe panel towers  162  extend upwardly adjacent to toe panel perimeter wall  160 . 
         [0052]    Top surface  156  also presents alignment peg receivers  164  and LED supports  166 . Alignment peg receivers  164  are positioned to be aligned with and complement alignment pegs  134 . LED supports  166  are positioned to align with light emitting diode pockets  100 . Led supports  166  are generally c-shaped and define wire passage  168 . 
         [0053]    Referring particularly to  FIGS. 8 and 10 , bottom surface  158  of toe panel  34  is generally planar and presents toe grips  170 . Toe grips  170 , in the depicted embodiment, are generally oval in shape having perimeter wall  172  surrounding recess  174 . This shape should not be considered limiting. In the depicted embodiment, toe grips  170  generally include first toe grip  176 , second toe grip  178 , third toe grip  180  and fourth toe grip  182 . 
         [0054]    Referring particularly to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , lighting module  36  generally includes battery box  184 , leads  186  and LEDs  188 . Battery box  184  is sized and shaped to be received into light module enclosure  122  in close fitting relation to light module enclosure. Leads  186  extend outwardly from battery box  184  and coupled to LEDs  188  in electrically conductive relationship. 
         [0055]    Battery box  184  is an enclosure generally containing battery  190  and switch  192  which are schematically depicted. Battery  190  may be any available battery providing sufficient power for operation of LEDs  188  including but not limited to a lithium battery or an alkaline battery. 
         [0056]    Switch  192  may include a normally open impact activated switch or pressure activated switch. Switch  192  electrically couples battery  190  to leads  186  of LEDs  188 . 
         [0057]    Leads  186  as depicted, generally include two short leads  194 , two long leads  196  and continuity leads  198 . LEDs  188  are sized to be received into light emitting diode pockets  100 . According to an example embodiment of the invention, LEDs  188  include two red LEDs  188 , one blue LED  188  and one green LED  188 . In the depicted embodiment, red LEDs  188  are coupled to long leads  196 . Blue LEDs  188  and green LEDs  188  are coupled to short leads  194 . Continuity leads  198  are of unequal length and include a short stripped area  200  near the ends thereof. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , binding  38  is generally conventional in nature and can be any binding presently known to those of ordinary skill in the art or any binding to become known in the future. 
         [0059]    In operation, prior to sale and use, child&#39;s lighted snowshoe  30  is assembled by inserting lighting module  36  into deck  32  and securing toe panel  34  to deck  32 . 
         [0060]    Toe panel  34  is aligned with toe portion  116 . Prior to securing toe panel  34  to deck  32 , lighting module  36  is inserted so that battery box  184  is positioned snuggly inside light module enclosure  22  with leads  186  extending outwardly through the gap between short front walls  132 . LEDs  188  are inserted into light emitting diode pockets  100 . LEDs  188  at the end of long leads  196  are inserted into first LED pocket and fourth LED pocket. LEDs  188  at the end of short leads  194  are inserted into second LED pocket  138  and third LED pocket  140 . Stripped areas  200  of continuity leads  198  are electrically joined and may be sealed in an insulator if desired. Accordingly, switch  192 , when activated, electrically couples battery  190  to LEDs  188  thus, causing illumination of LEDs  188 . 
         [0061]    Thereafter, toe panel  34  is aligned with toe portion  116 , so that alignment pegs  134  are received into alignment peg receivers  164 . Leads  186  are arranged to pass through wire passages  168  and LED supports  166 . Toe panel towers  162  are received within and adjacent to toe perimeter wall  126 . Toe panel  134  may then be secured to deck  32  by, for example, a screw or screws or ultrasonic welding. Generally, for smaller volume manufacturing production, a screw is more appropriate. For larger volume production, ultrasonic welding may be utilized. 
         [0062]    Snowshoe binding  38  is secured to deck  32  at binding mounting holes  58  generally by fasteners such as bolts and nuts. 
         [0063]    In use, child&#39;s lighted snowshoe  30  is secured to the footwear of the child by the application of snowshoe binding  38  to the child&#39;s footwear. When the child walks or runs in child&#39;s lighted snowshoe  30 , switch  192  is actuated by pressure or impact thus completing the circuit between battery  190  and LEDs  188  illuminating LEDs  188 . Accordingly, child&#39;s lighted snowshoe  30  provides comforting illumination of the child as well as a certain degree of entertainment. Further, the presence of lighted LEDs  188  permits a parent or guardian to keep visual contact with the child during low illumination conditions. Further, because of the shape of child&#39;s lighted snowshoe which resembles an animal track, a child may be entertained by the fact that the tracks left behind in the snow look unusual and provide an opportunity for creative play with the tracks. 
         [0064]    Heel grips  60  engage to a heel of the child&#39;s footwear to inhibit slippage of the heel relative to footbed  44  when the child&#39;s weight is on the heel. Footbed wall pegs  148 , heel perimeter pegs  152  and toe grips  170  act as crampons to inhibit slippage of child&#39;s lighted snowshoe  30  relative of surfaces snowshoed on while being safe for young children in that the lack sharp edges. Footbed wall  144  and heel perimeter wall  146  sink into and engage snow and other formable materials to inhibit slippage of child&#39;s lighted snowshoe  30  relative to snow and the other formable materials. 
         [0065]    While child&#39;s lighted snowshoe  30  has been described with reference to a snowshoe deck  32  resembles an animal track, it should be understood that should not be considered limiting. The shape of deck  32  may take other forms. 
         [0066]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the essential attributes thereof; therefore, the illustrated embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.