Magnet carrying insert and method of incorporating same

Abstract

A novel insert assembly for use in snowboards and other sporting equipment provides for embedded insert location, regardless of the properties of the insert material per se, and without requiring either expensive equipment or a complex location process. This is achieved by positioning a small inexpensive magnet on or within the insert cavity, or placing a plug-like magnet in the open threaded end of the inserts. After the board assembly is complete, a magnetic material such as iron powder is dusted on the surface of the board to react with the field lines created about each insert, revealing the insert location. Then, the board can be drilled to pierce the insert cap, and facilitate removal of any plug in the insert. It is also possible to provide, through powdered metal technology, an insert material which itself will produce the desired magnetic field of sufficient intensity at the dusted surface of the board.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A threaded insert for attachment to a board to form an anchor integral with the board, comprising 
 a hollow post having an open end and a closed end,    said post having an axially threaded interior cavity extending from said open end and an anchoring plate integral with said closed end of said post and extending normal to said post,    said plate having substantially larger area than the cross-section of said post creating an exposed face about the periphery of the post,    a cap for covering said open end of said post, and    a permanent magnet associated with said post to create a force field in the region of said open end of said post.    
     
     
         2 . An insert as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said cap is formed of permanent magnet material.  
     
     
         3 . An insert as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said insert is molded of powdered metal which includes particulate permanent magnet material.  
     
     
         4 . An insert as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said permanent magnet is affixed to said cap.  
     
     
         5 . An insert as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said permanent magnet is formed as a plug sized to fit within said cavity.  
     
     
         6 . An insert for attachment to a board to form an anchor integral with the board, comprising 
 a circular post having an anchoring plate integral with one end of said post and extending normal to the surface of said post,    said plate having substantially larger radial dimension than said post creating an exposed face about the periphery of the post, and    said threaded interior containing a magnet associated with the other end of said post opposite from said plate.    
     
     
         7 . The process of constructing a board intended for sport purposes, wherein a plurality of anchors are embedded in the completed board and accessible from the upper surface of the board, comprising the steps of 
 a) providing an elongated relatively thin core member having a top and bottom and having a length and width generally corresponding to the desired dimensions of the finished board,    b) forming a plurality of holes through said board, said holes being counterbored from the bottom,    c) placing in the holes anchor inserts comprising a cylindrical body with an open end and an integral plate fitted into the counterbores, said bodies including internally threaded cavities within the open ends,    d) placing caps over said open ends of said inserts,    e) providing permanent magnets associated with each insert to create a magnetic force field in the vicinity of the open ends of said inserts,    f) attaching laminates to the top and bottom of the core to cover the entire surfaces thereof and provide a finished board within which the inserts are concealed,    g) applying particulate ferrous material to the top surface of the board, whereby the magnetic force fields attract the particulate material into concentrations overlying the location of the inserts,    h) then drilling through the top laminate and underlying cap to open the cavities in the board for access from the top of the finished board.