Magnetic attachment for board sports

Abstract

A magnetic device comprises a magnet adapted to suspend free-floating from a hole in a bottom of a shoe, the magnet capable of attaching the shoe to magnetized metal on a sports board. The magnet can be raised and lowered in the shoe and is “on” when in a down position and “off” when in an up position. Switching between “on” and “off” by moving the magnet up or down in the shoe is accomplished manually. When the magnet is up or off the space in the shoe can be occupied with a plug. The design of the attachment system allows a rider optimal freedom of foot movement for doing tricks while attached to the board. The small surface area of the magnet relative to its significant strength, the round contour of the magnet's face, the magnet's suspended free-floating configuration from the support, the position of the magnets on the shoe, and the position of the magnetized metal on the sports board are all factors that contribute to increased maneuverability for the board rider using the invention. Release of the shoe from the board is facilitated by the rider lifting or swiveling a heel to an angle greater than that which allows the magnet to remain attached. The magnetic device and system, provides ideal training for any board sport, and also provides skilled board riders new opportunities to be creative. Tricks thought to be impossible (along with newer undiscovered tricks) become possible with the aid of the invention.

1 . A magnetic device for attaching a rider to a sports board, the device comprising:
 a magnet adapted to free-float through a hole in a bottom of a shoe, the magnet capable of magnetic attraction for a magnetized surface on a sports board when placed in contact with the surface,   a support positioned inside the shoe adapted to suspend the magnet free-floating through the hole in the bottom of the shoe, and   a shoe adapted to hold the magnet suspended free floating from the support through a hole in the bottom of the shoe,   wherein a rider wearing a pair of the shoes attaches the magnet in each of a right and left shoe to one of a front and a back magnetized surface on the board, and moves each shoe in a range of motion permitting tricks with the board without releasing either shoe from the board, the device adapted to release from the board when the rider raises or swivels a heel of the shoe at a release angle.   
     
     
         2 . The magnetic device of  claim 1 , the magnet and support having a down (on) and an up (off) position in each shoe. 
     
     
         3 . The magnetic device of  claim 2 , wherein the device further comprises a plug having at least two metal contact points on an inner surface, for attracting to and covering the magnet in the up position. 
     
     
         4 . The magnetic device of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet is removable from the support and the shoe, and further comprising a plug adapted to fill the hole in the shoe upon removal of the magnet. 
     
     
         5 . The magnetic device of  claim 4 , further having a storage system comprising a rubber coated metal plate for holding the magnets removed from a pair of shoes, one magnet positioned on each side of the plate. 
     
     
         6 . A system of board riding comprising,
 a pair of shoes having a magnetic device in at least one shoe of the pair, the device comprising a magnet adapted to suspend free-floating through a hole in a bottom of the shoe from a support in the shoe, the magnet capable of magnetic attraction to a magnetized surface on the board when the magnet is placed in contact with the surface,   a sports board having at least one plate of magnetized metal, wherein the plate is in a position on the board for a rider to attach at least one shoe and ride the board, the position of the plate adapted to maximize the rider's performance on the board.   
     
     
         7 . The system of board riding of  claim 6 , wherein the magnetized metal plate is positioned at the tail of the board. 
     
     
         8 . The system of board riding of  claim 6  comprising,
 a pair of magnetic shoes and at least two magnetic plates, one plate in a position at a front of the board and a second plate in a position at a back of the board, the two positions adapted to maximize performance on the board. 
 
     
     
         9 . The system of board riding of  claim 8 , wherein the position at the back of the board is the tail. 
     
     
         10 . The system of board riding of  claim 7 , wherein the magnet in the at least one shoe is positioned about ⅔ of the distance from the heel to the toe of the shoe, off-center of a width of the shoe, and near a position in the shoe approximately underneath a ball of a foot. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the magnet is a neodymium magnet, and the metal is ferrous metal. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A shoe for magnetized attachment, the shoe comprising:
 a shoe sole having   a front portion adapted for increased flexibility,   a back portion also adapted for increased flexibility, and   a middle portion adapted for stiffness compared to the flexible front and back portions, wherein the flexibility of the front and back portions is relative to the stiffness of the middle portion,   the middle portion also adapted to retain a magnet for attachment of the shoe to a magnetized board for engaging in magnetized board sports activities.   
     
     
         17 . The shoe of  claim 16 , wherein the middle portion of the shoe sole is thicker than either the front or back portions.