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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Board sports have been extremely popular in the last two decades. Skate boarding, snow boarding, wake boarding and surfing all provide dynamic and exciting means for individuals inclined to a sport that requires balance, strength, coordination, and a sense of adventure.[0002]The board used in any of these board sports is often made air-born for tricks and maneuvers, and while board sports such as snowboarding and wakeboarding have required the use of bindings, others such as skateboarding have been limited in the degree to which one can acquire an extended aerial pursuit without the use of a binding system.[0003]A skateboarder, after dedicating much practice and effort, can learn how to elevate into the air with a move called an “ollie” which has become the basis for most modern tricks in skateboarding today. An ollie maneuver is done when the rider snaps the tail of the skateboard with their back foot so that the back of the board hits the ground sh...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The inventor was motivated to invent the magnetic device to provide a releasable magnetic attachment system. The inventor also wanted to design a system that would enhance rather than inhibit performance on a sports board in contrast to previous attachment systems. Such a system could be a viable training tool for young board riders and a tool for optimized performance for the experienced rider. Such a system carries with it the possibility of taking any board sport to new levels of physical achievement and excitement and further opens the door to inter-combining sports techniques.

Problems solved by technology

The board used in any of these board sports is often made air-born for tricks and maneuvers, and while board sports such as snowboarding and wakeboarding have required the use of bindings, others such as skateboarding have been limited in the degree to which one can acquire an extended aerial pursuit without the use of a binding system.

However, the devices described in all these applications severely compromise a rider's freedom of movement.

The two magnets made the shoe stiff and unmovable once attached, therefore not allowing a rider to adjust their stance and keep balanced.

Furthermore, the ferrous metal plate in the board was a large oval-ish rectangle that made the board too heavy for optimum performance.

This system is particularly cumbersome.

The positioning required with the 4Size design makes maneuvering and trick performance nearly impossible, and forces a rider to adopt a stiff stance while riding attached to the board with no utilization of either end of the board for critical tricks.

Images