Foot covering for collecting debris

Abstract

Disclosed are foot coverings 20 for collecting debris D from walking surfaces S. The foot coverings 20 include an upper portion 22 connected to a lower sole 24. The sole 24 includes a magnet 38 attached to an arch segment 30 of the sole 24. A magnet collection surface 40 is exposed to the debris D.

1 . A foot covering for collecting ferrous material from a surface comprising:
 a sole, said sole including heel and toe segments for contacting the surface and an arch segment disposed between said heel and toe segments;   a magnet, said magnet disposed at said arch segment; and   wherein said magnet is exposed to the surface and is spaced from the surface.   
     
     
         2 . The foot covering of  claim 1 , wherein said magnet is permanently attached to said sole at said arch portion. 
     
     
         3 . The foot covering of  claim 2 , wherein said arch portion further comprises a pocket, and said magnet resides in said pocket. 
     
     
         4 . The foot covering of  claim 3 , wherein said arch portion further comprises a ceiling surface, said magnet further comprises a collection surface, and said collection surface is flush with said ceiling surface. 
     
     
         5 . The foot covering of  claim 3 , wherein said arch portion further comprises a ceiling surface, said magnet further comprises a collection surface, and said collection surface is recessed from said ceiling surface. 
     
     
         6 . The foot covering of  claim 3 , wherein said arch portion further comprises a ceiling surface, said magnet further comprises a collection surface, and said collection surface extends beyond said ceiling surface. 
     
     
         7 . The foot covering of  claim 1 , wherein said arch portion comprises means for removing said magnet. 
     
     
         8 . The foot covering of  claim 7 , wherein said arch portion further comprises a pocket, and said magnet resides in said pocket. 
     
     
         9 . The foot covering of  claim 8 , wherein said arch portion further comprises a ceiling surface, said magnet further comprises a collection surface, and said collection surface is flush with said ceiling surface. 
     
     
         10 . The foot covering of  claim 8 , wherein said arch portion further comprises a ceiling surface, said magnet further comprises a collection surface, and said collection surface is recessed from said ceiling surface. 
     
     
         11 . The foot covering of  claim 8 , wherein said arch portion further comprises a ceiling surface, said magnet further comprises a collection surface, and said collection surface extends from said ceiling surface. 
     
     
         12 . The foot covering of  claim 1 , wherein said magnet is cylindrical. 
     
     
         13 . The foot covering of  claim 1 , wherein said magnet material is chosen from the group comprising Hard Ferrite, Flexible Ferrite, Samarium Cobalt, Neodymium Iron Boron and Alnico. 
     
     
         14 . The foot covering of either of  claim 5  or  10 , wherein said arch segment is in contact with the walking surface. 
     
     
         15 . The foot covering of  claim 1 , wherein said magnet comprises a collection surface, and said collection surface is spaced between 0.25 inches and 1.0 inches (0.635 cm and 2.54 cm) from the walking surface. 
     
     
         16 . The foot covering of  claim 1 , wherein the sole is made from an insulating material. 
     
     
         17 . A foot covering for collecting ferrous material comprising:
 a sole, wherein said sole includes a magnet; and   wherein the magnet comprises a collection surface that is exposed to the ferrous material.   
     
     
         18 . The foot covering of  claim 17 , wherein the sole comprises an arch segment and the magnet is disposed at the arch segment. 
     
     
         19 . The foot covering of  claim 18 , wherein the magnet is at least partially recessed within the sole. 
     
     
         20 . The foot covering of  claim 18 , wherein the magnet is fully recessed within the sole.