Snowshoe

Abstract

A snowshoe designed to create an impression of a unique shape in the surface on which it engages. For example, the snowshoe may include a lower surface which creates the impression of an animal footprint in the snow. Other impressions may include fanciful or legendary creatures, or other ornamental or unique shapes. The snowshoe of the preferred embodiment has a body formed as a one-piece molded plastic snowshoe with a binding attached on to it.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A snowshoe, said snowshoe comprising: 
 a body; and    means on said body forming an imprint of a unique shape in a surface upon which said snowshoe is engaged.    
     
     
         2 . The snowshoe of  claim 1 , wherein said body includes: 
 an exterior frame in the shape of an animal paw.    
     
     
         3 . The snowshoe of  claim 1  wherein said means on said body for forming an imprint includes: 
 an exterior frame in the shape of an animal paw; and  
 recessed portions in the lower surface of said body adjacent said exterior frame.  
 
     
     
         4 . The snowshoe of  claim 1  wherein said means on said body for forming an imprint includes: 
 indentations in the lower surface of said body forming the imprint of an animal paw print.  
 
     
     
         5 . The snowshoe of  claim 1  wherein said body further includes: 
 an upper surface formed in the shape of an animal paw; and  
 means on said upper surface for attaching the snowshoe to the foot of a person.  
 
     
     
         6 . The snowshoe of  claim 1  wherein said snowshoe further includes: 
 an aperture extending through said body;  
 a talon; and  
 means for pivotal attachment of said talon through said aperture.  
 
     
     
         7 . The snowshoe of  claim 1  where said means on said body forms an imprint in the shape of a fanciful design.  
     
     
         8 . The snowshoe of  claim 1  wherein said means on said body forms an imprint in the shape of an ornamental design.  
     
     
         9 . The snowshoe of  claim 1  wherein said means on said body forms an imprint in the shape of an imaginary figure.  
     
     
         10 . The snowshoe of  claim 1  wherein said base is formed as a single molded plastic unit.  
     
     
         11 . A snowshoe, said snowshoe comprising: 
 a molded plastic body having an upper surface and a lower surface;    binding means attached to said upper surface; and    means formed on said lower surface to create an imprint of a unique shape in the surface on which said snowshoe engages.    
     
     
         12 . The snowshoe of  claim 11  wherein said means formed on said lower surface to create an imprint of a unique shape includes: 
 a plurality of recesses of differing depths and shapes.  
 
     
     
         13 . The snowshoe of  claim 11  wherein said means formed on said lower surface to crate an imprint of a unique shape includes: 
 said unique shape is in the form of an animal footprint.  
 
     
     
         14 . The snowshoe of  claim 11  wherein said means formed on said lower surface to crate an imprint of a unique shape includes: 
 said unique shape is in the form of a footprint of a fanciful creature.  
 
     
     
         15 . The snowshoe of  claim 11  wherein said means formed on said lower surface to crate an imprint of a unique shape includes: 
 said unique shape is in the form of a footprint of a legendary creature.  
 
     
     
         16 . The snowshoe of  claim 11  wherein said means formed on said lower surface to create an imprint of a unique shape includes: 
 said unique shape is in the form of an impression of an ornamental design.  
 
     
     
         17 . The snowshoe of  claim 11  wherein said body includes: 
 a friction-engaging pad formed on said upper surface.  
 
     
     
         18 . The snowshoe of  claim 11  wherein said body includes: 
 an outer surface formed in the shape of said unique shape.