Abstract:
A pivoting magnetic binding system for sports boards offering a self-acting binding action that allows rider and board to move in unison. A pivoting action mitigates dynamic movement of the user upon the sports board while maintaining firm contact to the board through magnetic attraction. Vertical liftoff, lateral sliding and torque rotation of the magnet offer mechanisms for separation at the rider&#39;s will or during an inadvertent fall.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to binding systems for use on sports boards and more particularly to magnetic binding systems for connecting to and releasing from a sports board. The invention has broad applicability to most types of sports boards including surfboards, jetboards, hoverboards, kiteboards, kneeboards, paddleboards, sailboards, skimboards, skateboards, standup paddleboards, wakeboards, windsurfing boards and stand-upon video game controllers, among others. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many sports involve a board upon which the rider stands during the activity. Surfing is one such sport and has the further requirement that the rider be able to make a fast transition from a prone to a standing position. To-date there have been few, if any, commercially available products that can serve as a binding system for this sport. A practical self-acting binding system suitable for use with surfboards would allow beginning surfers to quickly find optimal foot position and learn edge control for turning the board. Such a system would allow intermediate surfers to improve speed through aggressive “pumping” and would allow expert surfers to better perform advanced aerial maneuvers. 
         [0003]    Sports boards such as kiteboards, kneeboards, sailboards, snowboards, wakeboards, water skis, windsurfing boards and the like presently have binding systems which firmly attach the user to their board. These allow for aggressive acceleration maneuvers with the assurance that the board will remain attached to the user. Examples of situations requiring a firm attachment between a user&#39;s foot and the board include snowboarders riding half pipes, wakeboarders performing inverted jumps and kiteboarders catching “big air.” The binding systems used in these sports (i.e. snow skiing, water skiing, snowboarding and the like) require the user to manually fasten the binding into a fixed-position and are therefore not suitable for the paddle-in surfer who requires flexibility in foot positioning. Moreover, the binding systems used in the aforementioned sports do not incorporate a quick release mechanism. The lack of a quick release mechanism, can, and upon occasion has, resulted in injuries to users during falls or improper dismounts. A quick release mechanism is essential in a binding system suitable for use with surfboards because surfers need to be able to swim, if necessary, at all times. 
         [0004]    The design of a quick release binding suitable for use with surfboards requires careful consideration of the range of motion typically experienced by a participant&#39;s feet while surfing. Examination of the foot during an upward jump, a common action in surfing, shows the heel rising from the surface first with the toes leaving last, with the order being reversed on the downward return. Close inspection of a surfer&#39;s foot in action also reveals dynamic pivoting, swiveling and positioning during a ride while the rider balances, causes the board to turn, or performs aerial maneuvers. Any binding system suitable for use by surfers must be able to accommodate the wide dynamic range of foot motion required by the sport. 
         [0005]    In designing a quick release binding suitable for use with surfboards where the quick release mechanism is to be based upon magnetic coupling, careful consideration must be given to the properties of available magnetic materials because the materials will be subject to both impact loading and the corrosiveness of a saltwater environment. Magnetic attractive force is a complex combination of magnet size, shape, material composition, magnetic field strength and the permeability of the corresponding ferromagnetic object and physical separation between the magnet and ferromagnetic object. A magnet&#39;s attractive force drops as the inverse of the fourth power of the distance between the magnet and ferromagnetic object. By way of example, a permanent magnet with 10 pounds-force attraction when attached to a steel plate will drop to 1.5 pounds-force at a separation of only 0.25 inches, highlighting the need to keep the magnet and ferromagnetic object in physical contact to achieve maximum attractive force. 
         [0006]    Of the relatively common, commercially available high-energy permanent magnet materials, i.e. neodymium, iron-nitride, samarium-cobalt, cerium and manganese materials, all have a crystalline structure, which tends to be brittle and readily subject to damage—an important factor which must be considered when using these materials in a binding system which will be subject to impact loading, such as in surfing. In addition, these materials are also subject to rapid oxidation which can lessen their mechanical integrity over time. This factor too must be carefully considered in a binding system that will be used in a saltwater environment which would include any binding system suitable for use with surfboards. 
         [0007]    Several attempts have been made to develop binding systems suitable for use in the sport of surfing. Most of the prior art designs however, have limitations which have prevented them from achieving commercial success. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,863,583 to Takahashi presents a concept for a magnetic binding system for use with surfboards where the system principally comprises a ferromagnetic region, i.e. metal plates, embedded within the surfboard and a sandal which features a plurality of magnets spaced about the periphery of the toe, midsole and heel regions of the shoe. It is questionable whether the plurality of magnets spaced about the toe, midsole and heel regions would create sufficient magnetic force to be effective in holding a user&#39;s foot to the board during jumping. Because a jump raises the heel first, the magnets may peel from the ferromagnetic plate embedded in the board in a one-at-a-time fashion, similar to a zipper being opened. It appears from the design that the vertical magnetic attractive force is not the sum of all magnets but rather a subset depending upon the relative lifting action of the foot. 
         [0009]    Conversely, the plurality of distributed magnets suggests that a user may experience difficulty in pivoting, swiveling or sliding when the user&#39;s foot is pressed flat against the ferromagnetic region of the board. Further, the binding design of the Takahashi reference requires that the ferromagnetic region of the board be embedded in the board during manufacture. In addition to the technical drawbacks, this requirement presents a commercial drawback because it requires surfers to buy new boards in order to be able to use the system. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,220,158 to Norris represents another variant on the general concept of providing a binding system for surfboards where a ferromagnetic material is attached to the board and a magnet is attached to footwear worn by a surfer. The design of Norris teaches creating a magnetic contact patch for placement on a surfboard where the contact patch comprises a ferromagnetic plate sandwiched between a layer of nonmagnetic cushioning material on the bottom or board facing side and a layer or overlay of nonmagnetic traction enhancing material on the topside. The system of Norris further teaches incorporating a single magnet in footwear, i.e. in either a bootie or an ankle and midfoot strap arrangement. 
         [0011]    Several problems appear to be presented by the Norris concept. In particular, the traction layer on the board contact patch decreases magnetic attractive force between the plate in the board and the magnet in the footwear and thus seems contradictory to the concept of a binding system. Also, the footwear disclosed in the reference for retaining the magnet, while seemingly lightweight and versatile, does not teach how to hold the position of the magnet relative to the foot during aggressive maneuvering. The reference depicts a relatively small magnet as being located directly under the arch of a user&#39;s foot. Lacking any means of dispersing the resultant load, this is a configuration that would likely prove uncomfortable to a user and could possibly lead to injuries when a surfer jumps on a board or attempts aggressive maneuvers. The Norris design may otherwise pose a safety risk to users because a possible consequence of the relatively small magnet, positioned as shown in the reference&#39;s figures, is instability of a user&#39;s foot on the board due to a lack of sufficient surface area on the magnet to stably support a foot. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,192 to Bryce discloses a binding system for use with sports boards such as skate boards. The system features two knobs integral with the top of the board and which insert into matching recesses in each of the user&#39;s shoes. The knobs may include a compression ring or the knobs and shoes may include magnets that hold the two together up to a predetermined breakaway force. One limitation of this system is that the user&#39;s feet are fixed at the position of the knobs which renders the system unsuited to surfboard use as a surfer must frequently change foot positions to maintain balance on the board. Further, attaching the shoes to the protuberances requires accurately aligning each shoe with the protuberance and subsequently stepping upon the protuberance to effect engagement, a process which is not easily performed during the brief moment between the surfer&#39;s prone and standing positions when catching a wave. A further limitation is that it is not possible to reposition the foot for maneuvering during the ride. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,837,218 to Flaig inverts the assembly of Takahashi and Norris by placing magnets in the surfboard and ferromagnetic plates in the footwear. This type of configuration requires extensive modifications to the surfboard and may compromise its structural integrity. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,276,921 to Walker discloses the design for a step-in snowboard binding. This binding system comprises two cooperating plate-like assemblies. One assembly is mounted to the snowboard and one is mounted a user&#39;s shoe. The assemblies allow a user to step into the binding and rotate the foot to lock the binding in place for use. Magnets are used in the assemblies to assist in aligning and retaining the board and shoe mounted plates during the step-in process. This system is not suitable for use with surfboards because it locks the foot into a single position during use and does not allow for foot repositioning on the board. 
         [0015]    U.S. Patent Publication 2010/0237599 by Bianchi is directed to a magnetic binding system principally for use with skateboards. The reference discloses locating ferromagnetic plates proximate to each end of a skateboard and pivotally suspending a magnet in the toe-box area of specially designed shoes. This system, while possibly well-suited to skateboarding, may lack the mechanical strength to withstand the sizeable forces experienced in other board sports, including surfing. Additionally, the ferromagnetic plates disclosed in the reference lack a means for affixing to the curved surfaces of most sports boards. With regard to surfing in particular, the design is not optimized for use in a saltwater environment. 
         [0016]    As discussed above, a number of attempts have been made to develop a binding system suitable for use with surfboards, all of which appear to have drawbacks. To the inventor&#39;s knowledge, no binding system for use on surfboards has presently achieved commercial success. Therefore, there remains substantial room for improvement in the art. What is needed is a binding system that allows for firm attachment to the board while maintaining flexibility of movement. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The present invention is directed to a system for magnetically binding a user to a sports board. This system provides a way for a user to quickly mount and maintain contact with a sports board during use, while also providing the ability to reposition the feet once mounted on the board and further providing the ability to easily and quickly dismount from the board. 
         [0018]    The magnetic binding system comprises a footwear assembly and a board-plate assembly. The footwear assembly comprises a shell assembly, pivot plate, and magnet assembly. The footwear assembly is worn on a foot to facilitate attaching, maneuvering, and detaching from the board-plate assembly. The board-plate assembly comprises a ferromagnetic region and a transition plate. The board-plate assembly is attached to a sports board and provides areas for a user to magnetically bind the footwear assembly. 
         [0019]    An object of the magnetic binding system is to provide a quick attachment system so that a board rider&#39;s feet bind to target locations. This would allow, for example, a board rider to quickly and easily move from a prone position to a standing position. 
         [0020]    An object of the magnetic binding system is to provide increased attachment to the sports board while maintaining range of movement. The magnetic binding system of the present invention permits a user the freedom to dynamically pivot, swivel, and re-position the foot while maneuvering. This would help board riders at all levels, aiding in teaching beginners optimal foot position and edge control, intermediate users in aggressive maneuvering, and advanced users in performing advanced aerial tricks. 
         [0021]    An object of the magnetic binding system of the present invention is to provide mechanisms for detachment when repositioning, dismounting or inadvertently falling. These mechanisms would increase control of the dismount and reduce the risk of injury. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in use with a surfboard. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a backstrap of the invention in a detached or decoupled position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2C  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a topstrap of the invention in a detached or decoupled position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of an embodiment of the footwear assembly. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is an inside or top view of an embodiment of a shell assembly of the present invention in an open configuration. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 6 a    is a top view of an embodiment of the pivot plate. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6 b    is a top view of an embodiment of the pivot plate with recessed channels. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6 c    is a side view of an embodiment of the pivot plate. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a top view of an embodiment of the board-plate assembly. 
           [0033]      FIG. 8 a    is a front sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention through the pivot fastener. 
           [0034]      FIG. 8 b    is a front sectional view of an embodiment of the board-plate assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0036]    It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first gesture could be termed a second gesture, and, similarly, a second gesture could be termed a first gesture, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0037]    The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the invention comprises a footwear assembly  300  and a board-plate assembly  700 . The footwear assembly  300  is worn on a foot, while the board-plate assembly  700  is attached to a sports board  100 . The footwear assembly  300  and board-plate assembly  700  magnetically attach to each other to allow a user to easily mount, maneuver, and dismount the sports board  100 . 
         [0039]    The board-plate assembly  700  is attached to the sports board  100  on a top deck surface  101 . In the example embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the board-plate assembly  700  is aligned along a longitudinal reinforcing member or stringer  102  which adds mechanical strength to the sports board. The placement of the board-plate assembly  700  may be dependent on the preferences of the user. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C , the board-plate assembly  700  comprises a ferromagnetic region  701  and a transition ring  702  and is secured to the sports board  100 , such as through the use of double-sided adhesive tape  705  (see  FIG. 8A ), or structural adhesives. The ferromagnetic region  701  provides a magnetically attractive region for a magnet assembly  500  of the footwear assembly  300  to attach. The transition ring  702  encompasses the border of the ferromagnetic region  701  and provides a means for the user to slide the magnet assembly  500  from the top deck surface  101  of the sports board  100  (see  FIG. 1 ) to the ferromagnetic region  701  in case of a misstep, and thereby prevents damage to the top deck surface  101  of the sports board  100  from the magnet assembly  500 . 
         [0041]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C , the footwear assembly  300  comprises a shell assembly  301 A, a pivot plate or member  600 , a magnet assembly  500 , and a pivot fastener  505 . The pivot plate  600  is worn on the bottom of the arch of a user&#39;s foot and is bound to the foot by the shell assembly  301 A. The magnet assembly  500 , a cup magnet assembly in the exemplary embodiment, is attached to the pivot plate  600  at a bottom of the shell assembly  301 A near the peak of the medial longitudinal arch of the user&#39;s foot using a pivot fastener  505 . 
         [0042]    When a rider wearing the footwear assembly  300  steps upon the board-plate assembly  700 , the magnet assembly  500  couples magnetically to the ferromagnetic region  701 , binding the user to the sports board  100 . The pivot plate  600  is connected to the magnet assembly  500  via the pivot fastener  505  which allows a user&#39;s foot to flex and pivot during the normal course of a ride while the magnet assembly  500  maintains a secure hold. 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  depicts an outside or bottom view of an embodiment of the shell assembly  301 A in an open configuration.  FIG. 4  depicts an inside or top view of an embodiment of the shell assembly  301 A in an open configuration. The shell assembly  301 A comprises a shell  301 B, a liner  401 , a topstrap  302 , first and second backstraps  312  and  322 , and mating hook and loop fasteners  304 / 405 ,  306 / 307  and  324 / 414 . In the exemplary embodiment, the shell  301 B comprises polyester coated nylon fabric (Cordura 1000 denier) to which the liner  401 , composed of thick fabric-covered neoprene rubber, is attached. The pattern of the shell  301 B is bias cut to the grain of weft and weave to allow flexing and stretching. The inner neoprene liner  401  provides a cushioning effect between the various parts of the footwear assembly  300  and the user&#39;s foot. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , the shell assembly  301 A includes means for securing the footware assembly  300  to a user&#39;s midfoot and ankle. Securement to a user&#39;s midfoot is accomplished by means of the topstrap  302 , attached to the shell  301 B, and the mating hook and loop closures or fasteners  304 / 405  and  306 / 307 , attached to the topstrap  302  and shell  301 B. In the exemplary embodiment, the topstrap  302  comprises a section of two-inch wide by sixteen-inch long polyester-coated nylon webbing which is thermoformed to a gentle arc to create a comfortable fit around the circumference of a user&#39;s midfoot. The fabric hook fastener  304  is attached to an outside surface of the shell  301 B, and the mating fabric loop fastener  405  is attached to an inside surface of the topstrap  302 . The fabric hook fastener  306  is attached to an outside surface of the topstrap  302 , its mating fabric loop fastener  307  is attached to an inside surface of the topstrap  302 . 
         [0045]    In use, the topstrap  302  is wrapped about a user&#39;s midfoot and is partially secured by the mating hook and loop fasteners  304  and  405 . The top strap  302  is fully secured by the attachment of the mating hook and loop fasteners  306  and  307 . The combination of hook and loop fasteners  304 / 405  and  306 / 307  provides for a secure and adjustable closure of the topstrap  302  when wrapped around the user&#39;s midfoot. Alternatively, the shell  301 B and topstrap  302  may comprise a semi-rigid plastic assembly which conforms to the contour of the user&#39;s midfoot. Alternatively, buckles, loops, d-rings, latches or other fastening mechanisms may be used in place of hook and loop fasteners to accomplish the closure function. The shape and design of the shell assembly  301 A provides for secure heel and toe contact on the board regardless of whether a user is barefoot or shoed. 
         [0046]    Attachment of the footwear assembly  300  to a user&#39;s ankle is accomplished by means of the first backstrap  312  and second backstrap  322 , and again by the associated hook and loop fasteners  324 / 414 , attached to the shell  301 B of the shell assembly  301 A. The first backstrap  312 , comprised in the exemplary embodiment of a section of one-inch wide by twelve-inch long polyester-coated nylon webbing, is attached orthogonally to the topstrap  302 . The fabric loop fastener  414  is attached to an inside surface of the backstrap  312 . The second backstrap  322 , also comprised in the exemplary embodiment of a section of one-inch wide by eight inch long polyester-coated nylon webbing, is also attached orthogonally to the topstrap  302 . The fabric hook fastener  324  is attached to an outside surface of the topstrap  322 . The loop fastener  324  mates to the hook fastener  414  to provide a means for an adjustable fit. 
         [0047]    In use, the first backstrap  312  and second backstrap  322  wrap around the back of the user&#39;s heel just below the ankle and provide a secure means to prevent the footwear assembly  300  from sliding off the front of the user&#39;s foot. Alternatively, the first backstrap  312  and second backstrap  322  may comprise semi-rigid plastic assemblies for performing the same function. The shape and design of the footwear assembly  300  provides a means for a secure yet adjustable fit to the user&#39;s foot whether they are barefoot or shoed. 
         [0048]    As described previously, the shell assembly  301 A will typically include the liner  401 . The liner  401  is intended to make the footwear assembly  300  more comfortable for the user, or protect the user from internal components or external forces. In the exemplary embodiment, the liner  401  comprises 0.062 inch thick fabric-covered neoprene rubber which functions to cushion a user&#39;s foot from the pivot plate  600 , topstrap  302 , and first backstrap  312  and second backstrap  322 . 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-4 , the pivot plate  600  is attached to the footwear assembly  300  in a position that allows the pivot plate to transversally span the bottom of the user&#39;s midfoot. More particularly, the pivot plate  600  is affixed to the magnet assembly  500  using a pivot fastener  505 , preferably at a position near the peak of the medial longitudinal arch of the user&#39;s foot. This position is close to the natural pivot point of the foot and imparts a minimal perception of magnet bulk to the user. The semi-rigid nature of the pivot plate  600  provides a means to stabilize or inhibit the shell assembly  301 A from rotating around the circumference of a user&#39;s midfoot during maneuvering. The pivot plate  600  distributes magnetic binding forces to the outside of a user&#39;s foot reducing compression or squeezing of the metatarsals during aggressive maneuvers. The pivot fastener  505  passes through the shell  301 B, liner  401 , and topstrap  302  and is secured by fastener  507 . The shape and design of the footwear assembly  300  and pivot plate  600  provide a means for securely positioning the cup magnet assembly  500  in the arch of the user&#39;s midfoot. 
         [0050]    In the exemplary embodiment, the component parts of the shell assembly  301 A are composed of fabric, i.e. the shell  301 B, liner  401 , topstrap  302 , backstraps  312  and  322 , and the mating hook and loop fasteners ( 304 / 405 ,  306 / 307 ,  324 / 414 ), and are attached to the shell  301 B via stitching  303 . Stitching is a cost effective and secure method of attaching fabric components. However, other methods such as rivets or adhesives are known in the art and may also be suitable. 
         [0051]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the footwear assembly  300 , including the cup magnet assembly  500 , and as well as the board-plate assembly  700 , which illustrates the connection between the components.  FIG. 8  is an enlarged transversal cross sectional view which shows the interrelationship between the footwear assembly  300 , magnet assembly  500 , and board-plate assembly  700 , when assembled. 
         [0052]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , in the exemplary embodiment, the footwear assembly  300  incorporates the cup magnet assembly  500 . The cup magnet assembly  500  comprises a magnet enclosure  501 , permanent magnet  502 , countersunk hole  503 , and radial gap  504 . The magnet enclosure  501  is an open-ended cylindrical housing made of ferromagnetic stainless steel which forms a protective housing for the permanent magnet  502 . The permanent magnet  502  is a cylindrical disc magnet with magnetic poles at the round faces of the disc. The permanent magnet  502  may comprise neodymium based elements, although other elements such as iron-nitride, samarium-cobalt, cerium, and manganese may be used. The magnet enclosure  501  has an axial countersunk hole  503  that matches a hole  313  in topstrap  302 , a hole  314  in shell  301 B, and a hole  601  in pivot plate  600 , in order to accommodate the pivot fastener  505 . 
         [0053]    In the exemplary, the magnet  502  is approximately 1.2 inches in diameter and 0.2 inches in height. Experimentation has shown that a magnet of this size provides a breakaway force, i.e. force at which the binding disconnects or decouples, suitable for a wide range of users at various levels of skill in the sport of surfing. The size of the magnet  502  can be varied however to accommodate users of greater or lesser weight, strength and skill. 
         [0054]    The magnet enclosure  501  couples lines of magnetic flux from a top surface of magnet  502  to the same plane as a bottom surface of magnet  502  (much as a common horseshoe magnet does) and comes in contact with the ferromagnetic region  701  as shown in  FIG. 8A . The opposite pole of the magnet  502  couples to the ferromagnetic region  701  across a 0.015 inch air gap  508  without physical contact with the ferromagnetic region  701 . This air gap recess protects the magnet  502  from physical damage during use. The radial gap  504  between the magnet enclosure  501  and the magnet  502  is typically filled with epoxy. 
         [0055]    The dimensions and strength of the magnet assembly  500  are chosen based on several factors. While the typical weight of a sports board may be from about five (5) to about 10 pounds, the impact forces generated by board sports can be very high, dictating the need for a high magnetic attractive force. Experimentation has shown that a 1.2 inch diameter cylindrical magnet  502  of 0.20 inch thickness composed of neodymium-iron-boron composition and a ferromagnetic stainless steel ferromagnetic region  701  of 0.062 inch thickness and sufficient area to completely couple to the periphery of magnet enclosure  501 , a magnetic attractive force  800  of approximately 60 pounds is achieved. With the use of a thicker ferromagnetic region  701  or larger magnet  502 , magnetic attractive forces in excess of 120 pounds are practical. 
         [0056]    The pivot fastener  505  links the pivot plate  600  to the cup magnet assembly  500 . The pivot fastener  505  is secured at a first end to the pivot plate  600  and at a second end to the cup magnet assembly  500 . The pivot fastener  505  extends through pivot washer  506  and holes  313 ,  314 ,  503 , and  601  and fastens at the end with a fastening member  507 . In the exemplary embodiment, the fastener  505  and fastening member  507  comprise a machine screw and a T-nut, respectively. Other fasteners, such as rivets and pins are also suitable. In the exemplary embodiment, the pivot fastener  505  is a stainless steel UNC 10-24×⅝ inch machine screw. 
         [0057]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 5 and 8   a , a pivot washer  506  of appropriate size to fit the countersunk recess  503  of the cup magnet assembly  500  provides a smooth bearing surface between the pivot fastener  505  and the magnet  502 . The pivot fastener  505 , washer  506 , countersunk recess  503 , and T-nut  507  comprise an assembly for pivoting and swiveling the cup magnet assembly  500  with respect to the footwear assembly  300 . During maneuvers such as jumping, the pivot fastener  505  acts in tension  802  at the radial center of the cup magnet assembly  500  to provide an upward tensile force  802 . The magnet enclosure  501  distributes this force evenly across the magnetic contact area with ferromagnetic region  701  which results in maximal attractive force  800  between the rider and the board  100 . 
         [0058]      FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    show orthogonal top views of embodiments of the pivot plate  600 , while  FIG. 6 c    shows a side view of the pivot plate  600 . In the exemplary embodiment, the pivot plate  600  is made of polypropylene. Other plastic, resin-based fiber-reinforced polymer materials which can be thermoformed or injection molded into the curved shape depicted in  FIG. 6 c   , are also suitable. Metallic materials may also be suitable. The pivot plate  600  features an upward lateral curve  604  at a first end, a rise  605  at an interim, and a medial curve  606  at a second end. The rise  605  follows the contour of a user&#39;s midfoot. The plate  600  fixes the position of the cup magnet assembly  500  and prevents it from rolling or sliding relative to a user&#39;s foot. This is an important aspect to the user who must be able to place their foot consistently without visually identifying the position of magnet assembly  500  relative to the board-plate  700 . 
         [0059]    When the user stands on the sports board  100  using the binding system of the present invention, the pivot plate  600  partially distributes the user&#39;s weight across an area larger than the magnet assembly  500  mitigating any point loading or discomfort the foot may experience. 
         [0060]    While the embodiment of the pivot plate  600  in  FIG. 5  is depicted as embedded between the shell  301 B and liner  401 , other embodiments of the pivot plate  600  may comprise different locations, shapes, or sizes as tailored to the user and the sport. In embodiments used with other footwear, the pivot plate  600  may be shaped to follow the contours of the other footwear. 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 6 b   , the pivot plate  600  may have additional tapered regions  602  or recessed channels  603  in order to alter the flexure of the pivot plate  600 . During maneuvering, the user&#39;s foot, via footwear assembly  300 , imparts a leveraging force or torque  805  onto the magnet assembly  500 , effecting separation of magnet assembly  500  from ferromagnetic region  701  of the board-plate assembly  700 . The ease of separation of the magnet  505  from the ferromagnetic region  701  of the board-plate assembly  700  can be tailored by increasing or decreasing the rigidity of the pivot plate  600  and/or increasing or decreasing the degree of coupling between the pivot fastener  505  and the footwear assembly  300 . Increasing pivot plate rigidity and/or pivot fastener to footwear coupling results in easier separation between the user and the board. 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a top view of the board-plate assembly  700  is depicted. The ferromagnetic region  701  and the transition ring  702  which comprise the board-plate assembly  700  are affixed to the topdeck  101  of the sports board  100  via double sided adhesive tape  705 . A very high-bond double-sided, pressure-sensitive, closed-cell acrylic foam adhesive tape such as 3M No. 5952 is preferred in surfing applications. Alternatively, the board-plate assembly  700  may be affixed using epoxy or other suitable adhesive. 
         [0063]    Tapes suitable for use in the present invention should be water resilient and provide high shear and peel adhesion while conformably filling the gap between the board-plate assembly  700  and topdeck  101  as shown in  FIGS. 8 a  and 8 b   . The tape should have good viscoelastic properties that assist in mitigating impacts occurring atop the board-plate assembly  700  from propagating to the sports board  100 . The tape must also translate the planarity of the board-plate assembly  700  to the usually curved or sometimes damaged topdeck  101  found on many sports boards. 3M No. 5952 double-sided adhesive tape is a commercially available tape that meets the above requirements. The dimensions and properties of the double-sided adhesive tape  705  may vary based on the size, shape, material, and type of sports board  100 . 
         [0064]    The ferromagnetic region  701  is the magnetically attractive region of the board-plate assembly  700 . In the exemplary embodiment, the ferromagnetic region  701  comprises a stainless steel plate. Stainless steel ferromagnetic materials have a limited magnetic permeability and can saturate given the high magnetic flux provided by the magnet assembly  500 . The strength of the magnetic attractive force may be altered by adjusting the thickness of the plate or the amount of ferromagnetic material. The magnetic attractive force profile can be altered by removing material from a region  711  via holes, blind holes, channels, serrated or scalloped edges, and/or tapering in thickness. This profile can aid the user in positioning their foot at the optimal location. The ferromagnetic region  701  is preferably stadium shaped, meaning an oblong figure formed by joining two semicircles to opposite ends of a rectangle. This shape provides a length-wise track for the round shape of the cup magnet assembly  500  to attach and to slide along. 
         [0065]    The transition ring  702  encircles the ferromagnetic region  701  and provides a smooth ramp to the topdeck  101  of the sports board  100 . In some embodiments, the transition ring  702  comprises a flat region  703  adjacent to the ferromagnetic region  701 , a downward sloped convex region  704 , and a tapered region  706  to provide a flush contact region to the topdeck  101 . The transition ring  702  conforms to the complex shape of the topdeck  101  yet provides rigid support to a rider&#39;s weight. If the magnet assembly  500  slides partially off the ferromagnetic region  701  and partially onto the flat region  703 , it is displaced in a planar fashion with respect to the ferromagnetic region  701  without the magnet assembly  500  tilting away from the ferromagnetic region  701 . 
         [0066]    With reference to  FIG. 8 b   , the transition ring  702 , may optionally further include a ridge  811  as a captive feature to limit the lateral sliding action of the magnet assembly  500  along the ferromagnetic region  701  to prevent inadvertent lateral release of the user from the board. This ridge  811  may be a raised portion of the transition ring  702  between regions  703  and  704 . When lateral force  801  causes the magnet assembly  500  to slide, the ridge  811  provides a mechanical stop when the magnet enclosure  501  slides up against it. 
         [0067]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ferromagnetic region  701  is an approximately 2×8×0.062 inch series 400 stainless steel plate, the transition ring  702  is approximately a 4×10×0.062 inch semi-rigid acrylic-polyvinyl chloride plastic (Kydex) thermoformed ring encircling the ferromagnetic region  701  measuring 1 inch from an inner edge to an outer edge, and the tape  705  comprises two strips sized 1×9×0.045 inch that binds both the ferromagnetic region  701  and the transition ring  702  to the sports board  100 . In some embodiments, the thickness of each component is variable. For example, in some embodiments, the thickness of the stainless steel plate may range from 0.030 to 0.187 inches, the thickness of the transition ring may range from 0.030 to 0.187 inches, and the thickness of the tape  705  may range from 0.005 to 0.080 inches. 
         [0068]      FIG. 8 a    shows a transversal cross sectional view of an embodiment of the footwear assembly  300  and board-plate assembly  700  to illustrate the forces and degrees of freedom possible through embodiments of the present invention. These affect a user&#39;s mobility when wearing the footwear assembly  300  in attaching and detaching, pivoting, or sliding along the boardplate assembly  700 . 
         [0069]    The board-plate assembly  700  is shown spanning the curved topdeck  101  which is common to many sports boards  100 . Used boards often have an uneven topdeck  101  due to compression damage caused by the user stepping upon the board. This damage is concentrated near and often accentuates the height of the stringer  102 . The thickness and placement of tape  705  creates a recessed region  810  which spans the stringer  102  and protects the stringer from damage and levels the board-plate across the topdeck  101 . Board-plate assembly  700  comprises a means of affixing a magnetic binding region to a user&#39;s board  100  while mitigating board damage or protuberance. 
         [0070]    With continued reference to  FIG. 8 a   , during jumping maneuvers, a user&#39;s foot generates upward tensile force  802  in the fastener  505 . This force is distributed evenly around the periphery of the magnet enclosure  501  to the ferromagnetic region  701  through magnetic attractive force  800 . Force  802  passes through the tape  705  to the topdeck  101 . When the tensile force  802  is less than the magnetic force  800 , a binding action occurs between foot assembly  300  and the user&#39;s board and the footwear assembly  300  remains magnetically attached to the board-plate assembly  700 , and thus the user remains coupled to the sports board  100 . This mechanism comprises a means of binding a user&#39;s foot to the user&#39;s board  100  up to the magnetic attractive force  800 . When the upward tensile force  802  is greater than the magnetic attractive force  800 , the magnet assembly  500  and consequently footwear assembly  300  detach or decouple from the board-plate assembly  700 , which results in the user being separated or decoupled from the sports board  100 . 
         [0071]    In addition to vertical attachment and detachment, it is possible for a user to slide the footwear assembly  300  along or off the boardplate assembly  700 . Static friction is created between magnet enclosure  501  and ferromagnetic region  701  as a result of the combination of the magnetic attractive force  800  and the user&#39;s body weight. The coefficient of static friction can be altered by surface finishing the magnet enclosure  501 , ferromagnetic region  701  or transition ring  702  with either a smoother or rougher surface. The user may impart a tensile force  802  in combination with a lateral force  801  to reduce and overcome the static friction. If the user creates sufficient lateral force  801  to exceed the static friction between the cup magnet assembly  500  and ferromagnetic region  701  and transition ring  702 , a sliding action will occur. This sliding movement is important in repositioning a user&#39;s foot along the boardplate assembly  700 . If the sliding of the magnet assembly  500  continues beyond the extent of the ferromagnetic region  701 , the magnet assembly  500  will separate from the ferromagnetic region  701  releasing the user from the sports board  100 . 
         [0072]    A user may also detach the footwear assembly  300  from the board-plate assembly  700  through the use of torque. The design of the pivot plate  600 , pivot fastener  505 , and the cup magnet assembly  500  allow the pivot plate  600  and pivot fastener  505  to work as a class  2  lever on the cup magnet assembly  500 . As shown in  FIG. 8 a   , when the pivot plate  600  has an angle  803  beyond a threshold angle, one end of the pivot plate  600  makes contact with the magnet assembly  500  to create a fulcrum region  804 . The user&#39;s foot then begins to impart a torque  805  which is amplified through mechanical advantage. When the force  802  due to the torque  805  exceeds the magnetic attractive force  800 , the magnet assembly  500  separates from the ferromagnetic region  701 . 
         [0073]    The footwear assembly  300  comprising the shell assembly  301 A, pivot plate  600 , pivot fastener  505 , and magnet assembly  500  used with the board-plate assembly  700  allows dynamic and yet secure contact between a user and his board  100  while pivoting and controlling the sports board  100 . The release mechanisms of sliding, vertical release, or torque release provide superior convenience, control, and safety. 
         [0074]    The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention have been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims appended hereto.