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.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to a foot covering, such as a boot, shoe, sneaker, clog or sandal, and more specifically to a foot covering including a magnet for collecting ferrous debris from a walking surface. 
         [0003]    (2) Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    In certain industrial environments, where machining, assembly or disassembly occur, the walking surfaces tend to accumulate foreign objects or debris. The debris is often made up of small fasteners such as nuts, bolts, screws, nails or machining shavings or chips. The debris is a safety hazard to workers, and is attributable to puncture, cut, slip and fall injuries. 
         [0005]    Product quality is also be negatively impacted by foreign object damage, also known as (FOD). Foreign objects enter the product during assembly and can cause quality defects such as operational malfunction or complete product failure. The potential consequences of these quality defects may be loss of a customer, loss of a house by fire, or in the case of a carrier launched jet fighter, loss of the aircraft. As can be seen by the preceding examples, FOD presents a clear and present danger, and must be eliminated from industrial environments. 
         [0006]    For various reasons, fasteners are typically made of ferrous alloys that include iron. Design constraints such as thread strength, corrosion resistance and cost, make ferrous fasteners ideal for many assembly applications. Because of their attraction to magnetic fields, the use of magnets can facilitate the collection of ferrous-material debris. 
         [0007]    Magnetic sweeping devices, such as those disclosed in Conrad et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,957, Haase et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,310 and Ottens U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,024, require active interaction by a worker. A worker moves the sweeper device about a surface to collect ferrous debris as an additional activity during the workday. Because these sweeping devices require active interaction, an additional worker must hired or a skilled worker must be utilized to sweep the walking surface for ferrous debris. 
         [0008]    Magnetic insole  24 s, such as those disclosed in Humphreys U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,768, Qui, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,151,807 and Bove et al U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,491, are utilized for therapeutic purposes. The magnets are imbedded into a sole  24  or insole  24  of a shoe to ensure they are in close proximity to the foot. The associated magnetic fields dilate the blood vessels, providing increased blood circulation in the foot. Because of the close proximity to the foot and insulative properties of the sole  24   s,  the magnetic force does not extend to the walking surface. 
         [0009]    What is presently needed is a magnetic device for passively collecting ferrous debris from a walking surface throughout the day. The elimination of debris from the walking surface will improve worker safety, enhance product quality and improve customer satisfaction. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In accordance with the present invention, a foot covering for collecting ferrous debris from a surface is provided. A magnet is disposed in an arch portion of the sole  24 , between the toe and heel portions. The magnet is at least partially exposed to the surface and is spaced from the surface. The space between the magnet and the surface allows ferrous debris to accumulate, without causing a safety hazard. 
         [0011]    A primary advantage of the present invention is the ability to easily collect ferrous objects throughout the workday, without the need for a separate sweeping activity. When all workers in a facility wear the inventive foot covering, the walking surface is continuously swept of ferrous debris as the workers walk about. 
         [0012]    These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in view of the following detailed description and accompanying figures of multiple embodiments, where corresponding identifiers represent like features between the various figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side view, illustrating a foot covering according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the foot covering of  FIG. 1  as viewed in the direction of line  2 - 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of an embodiment of a sole  24  of the foot covering of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  3 - 3 , illustrating a magnet that is permanently attached to an arch surface; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of another embodiment of a sole  24  of the foot covering of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  3 - 3 , illustrating a magnet that is removable to an arch surface; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of a sole  24  of the foot covering of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  3 - 3 , illustrating a magnet that is permanently attached to an arch pocket, with a debris collection surface flush with an arch ceiling surface; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of a sole  24  of the foot covering of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  3 - 3 , illustrating a magnet that is removable from an arch pocket, with a debris collection surface flush with an arch ceiling surface; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of yet another an embodiment of a sole  24  of the foot covering of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  3 - 3 , illustrating a magnet that is permanently attached to an arch pocket, with a debris collection surface recessed below an arch ceiling surface; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of a sole  24  of the foot covering of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  3 - 3 , illustrating a magnet that is removable from an arch pocket, with a debris collection surface recessed below an arch ceiling surface; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of a sole  24  of the foot covering of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  3 - 3 , illustrating a magnet that is permanently attached to an arch pocket, with a debris collection surface extended beyond an arch ceiling surface; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of a sole  24  of the foot covering of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  3 - 3 , illustrating a magnet that is removable from an arch pocket, with a debris collection surface extended beyond an arch ceiling surface. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a foot covering  20  includes an upper portion  22  and a sole  24  attached beneath the upper portion  22 . The upper portion  22  is typically made of a formable material such as leather, while the sole  24  is typically made of an insulating material such as molded urethane rubber. In the examples, the foot covering  20  is illustrated as a work boot style, but a shoe, sneaker, clog or sandal would similarly benefit from the present invention. 
         [0024]    The sole  24  is divided into three lengthwise segments; a rearward heel  26 ; a forward toe  28 ; and a central arch  30  located between the heel  26  and toe  28 . An arch ceiling  32  is a surface that is raised from a walking surface S, providing an arch void  34  therebetween. Each of the heel  26  and toe  28  segments has a contact surface  36  that meets the walking surface S. In some embodiments, the arch segment  30  also contains a contact surface  36 . The contact surfaces  36  may be flat or they may contain any number of raised patterns to improve traction and comfort. 
         [0025]    Further details of the sole  24  are illustrated in  FIG. 2 . One or more magnets  38  are attached to the sole  24  in the arch  30  segment. A magnet  38  is permanently attached or is removable from the sole  24  to provide periodic removal for cleaning of accumulated debris D and/or replacement of the magnet  38 . Although a round magnet  38  is illustrated, a magnet  38  may be rectangular, ring or polygon shaped to fit into the arch  30 . The magnet  38  material may be; Hard Ferrite; Flexible Ferrite; SmCo, Samarium Cobalt; NdFeB, Neodymium Iron Boron; AlNiCo, Alnico; or any other magnet  38  material known in the art. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3-4 , an embodiment of a foot covering  20  with an arch ceiling  32  mounted magnet  38  is illustrated. In the present embodiment, the magnet  38  is attached to the arch ceiling  32  with a majority of the magnet  38  exposed to the walking surface S. A collection surface  40  is raised above the walking surface S to allow debris D to accumulate on the collection surface  40  and around a periphery surface  42  without creating a tripping hazard. The collection surface  40  is raised from 0.25 inch to 1.0 inch (0.635 cm and 2.54 cm) above the walking surface S, and preferably is raised 0.25 inch to 0.5 inch (0.635 cm and 1.27 cm) above the walking surface S. The magnet  38  is permanently attached with an adhesive material  44  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , or is removable as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Removal means  46 , such as tabs, clips or other fasteners, attach the magnet  38  to the arch ceiling  32 , providing for periodic removal. Periodic removal of the magnet  38  allows for cleaning of accumulated debris D and/or magnet  38  replacement. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5-6 , an embodiment of a foot covering  20  with a pocket  48  mounted magnet  38  is illustrated. In the present embodiment, the magnet  38  is attached to a pocket  48  above the arch ceiling  32 . The collection surface  40  of the magnet  38  is approximately flush with the arch ceiling  32 , and only the collection surface  40  of the magnet  38  is exposed to the walking surface S. The collection surface  40  is raised above the walking surface S to allow debris D to accumulate on the collection surface  40  without creating a tripping hazard. The collection surface  40  is raised from 0.25 inch to 1.0 inch (0.635 cm and 2.54 cm) above the walking surface S, and preferably is raised 0.25 inch to 0.5 inch (0.635 cm and 1.27 cm) above the walking surface S. The magnet  38  is permanently attached with an adhesive material  44  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , or is removable as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Removal means  46 , such as tabs, clips or other fasteners, attach the magnet  38  to the arch ceiling  32 , providing for periodic removal. Periodic removal of the magnet  38  allows for cleaning of accumulated debris D and/or magnet  38  replacement. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7-8 , an embodiment of a foot covering  20  with a pocket  48  mounted magnet  38  is illustrated. In the present embodiment, the magnet  38  is attached to a pocket  48  in the arch segment  30 . Please note that the arch segment  30  contacts the walking surface S in this, sole  24  embodiment. The collection surface  40  and portions of the periphery surface  42  of the magnet  38  are exposed to the walking surface S. The collection surface  40  is raised above the walking surface S to allow debris D to accumulate on the collection surface  40  without creating a tripping hazard. The collection surface  40  is raised from 0.25 inch to 1.0 inch (0.635 cm and 2.54 cm) above the walking surface S, and preferably is raised 0.25 inch to 0.5 inch (0.635 cm and 1.27 cm) above the walking surface S. The magnet  38  is permanently attached with an adhesive material  44  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , or is removable as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Removal means  46 , such as tabs, clips or other fasteners, attach the magnet  38  to the pocket  48 , providing for periodic removal. Periodic removal of the magnet  38  allows for cleaning of accumulated debris D and/or magnet  38  replacement. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIGS. 9-10 , an embodiment of a foot covering  20  with a pocket  48  mounted magnet  38  is illustrated. In the present embodiment, the magnet  38  is attached to a pocket  48  in the arch segment  30 , and the collection surface  40  extends below the arch ceiling  32 . The collection surface  40  and portions of the periphery surface  42  of the magnet  38  are exposed to the walking surface S. The collection surface  40  is raised above the walking surface S to allow debris D to accumulate on the collection surface  40  without creating a tripping hazard. The collection surface  40  is raised from 0.25 inch to 1.0 inch (0.635 cm and 2.54 cm) above the walking surface S, and preferably is raised 0.25 inch to 0.5 inch (0.635 cm and 1.27 cm) above the walking surface S. The magnet  38  is permanently attached with an adhesive xx as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , or is removable as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . Removal means  46 , such as tabs, clips or other fasteners, attach the magnet  38  to the pocket  48 , providing for periodic removal. Periodic removal of the magnet  38  allows for cleaning of accumulated debris D and/or magnet  38  replacement. 
         [0030]    Other alternatives, modifications and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art having read the foregoing description. Parties interested in licensing the present invention for incorporation in a shoe covering, such as a work boot, may contact the assignee. Accordingly, the invention embraces those alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the broad scope of the appended claims.