Method and device for collecting metallic debris

Abstract

A method of and device for picking up ferrous debris off of a walking surface in a work area provides a way for workers to passively help maintain the work area and keep it free from the debris. Workers wear magnetic footwear onto the walking surface. A magnet is inserted or affixed in any recessed portion of a sole of the footwear such that a receptacle is created in the bottom of the sole to which any metallic debris that is capable of being magnetized can be attracted and retained as the workers move around the walking surface. The footwear can then be cleaned when the workers leave the work area, either by cleaning the debris from the magnet or removing some part that has retained the debris with its magnetic attraction.

1 . A method for collecting magnetic debris from a walking surface, the method comprising:
 placing a device that attracts and retains magnetic debris on a foot before entering a work area with magnetic debris on the walking surface;   wearing the device while working in the work area, allowing the magnetic debris to be attracted to and retained by the device; and   removing the device after leaving the work area.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the device comprises:
 an article of footwear having a sole, the sole having at least one indentation; and   at least one magnet shaped to fit inside the indentation, the magnet having a collection surface to which magnetic material and debris are attracted.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  and further comprising:
 cleaning the device of debris when the person has left the work area.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  and further comprising:
 inserting a magnetic device that attracts and retains magnetic debris into at least one recessed portion of a sole of an article of footwear; and   removing the magnetic device from the recessed portion after leaving the work area.   
     
     
         5 . A device for collecting magnetic debris off a walking surface comprising:
 an article of footwear having a sole, the sole having at least one indentation; and   at least one magnet shaped to fit within the indentation, the magnet having a collection surface to which magnetic material and debris are attracted.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the indentation is created by a tread on the sole of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the indentation is created by an arch in the sole of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the indentation is sufficiently deep to allow the collection surface of the magnet to remain above the walking surface when the sole of the article of footwear is touching the walking surface. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the magnet is thin enough to allow its collection surface to remain above the walking surface when the sole of the article of footwear is touching the walking surface. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein a space is created between the collection surface of the magnet and the walking surface when the sole of the article of footwear is touching the walking surface. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein magnetic force of the magnet is at least strong enough and the collection surface of the magnet is at least close enough to the walking surface as to attract and retain magnetic material and debris lying on the walking surface. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 5  wherein there are multiple indentations on the sole of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the indentations are in a spatial relationship that creates a continuous pattern, and wherein the magnet is shaped to fit in the continuous pattern of the indentations. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the indentations are in a spatial relationship that creates a noncontinuous pattern of separate indentations and wherein multiple magnet pieces are shaped to fit in the separate indentations. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the magnet is affixed to the sole with an adhesive. 
     
     
         16 . A magnetic element for use in conjunction with an article of footwear to collect magnetic debris off a walking surface, the magnetic element being shaped to fit within a recessed portion defined by a tread on a sole of the article of footwear; and the magnetic element having a magnetic force to attract and retain the magnetic debris. 
     
     
         17 . The magnetic element of  claim 16  wherein the magnetic element has a thickness less than a depth of the recessed portion to allow the magnetic element to remain above the walking surface when the sole of the article of footwear is touching the walking surface. 
     
     
         18 . The magnetic element of  claim 16  wherein there are multiple recessed portions on the sole of the article of footwear in a pattern that creates one continuous recessed portion, and the magnetic element is shaped into that pattern out of one piece. 
     
     
         19 . The magnetic element of  claim 16  wherein multiple recessed portions create a noncontinuous pattern made up of separate recessed portions, and the magnetic element comprises multiple magnets to fit inside the separate recessed portions. 
     
     
         20 . The magnetic element of  claim 16  and further comprising an adhesive for connecting the magnetic element to the sole.