Inflatable snowshoe

Abstract

An inflatable snowshoe. In its deflated state, it can be flattened and rolled, which allows a pair of these snowshoes to be stored inside the cowling of a snowmobile. The snowshoe consists of a web flotation deck that has a tubular shaped air bladder frame. When inflated, the frame and deck take on the properties of a rigid conventional snowshoe. A puncture and abrasion resistant fabric covers the inner membrane that forms the bladder type, tubular air chamber. This air chamber makes up the peripheral frame of the snowshoe and is held to its teardrop shape by the multi-point restraint of the nylon web flotation deck. The nylon web flotation deck distributes the weight of the wearer. The binding attachment and the cross points of the nylon straps that form the deck are affixed with metal rivets, which also act as traction studs.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.