CURRENT CONDUCTING INSERT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to grounding systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a personal two-way grounding system for collecting beneficial free electrons from the earth’s surface and removing harmful EMF’s and static electricity from the human body.

By way of definition, static electricity is the accumulation of electric charge in an insulated body, most frequently caused by friction, but also by other means, such as induction and atmospheric factors of an electrical character from all around us (e.g. computers to ac appliances to cell phones Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is the transfer of electric charge between two bodies, often accompanied by a visible spark, as in the familiar phenomenon of doorknob shock. While electrostatic discharge per se may not be immediately harmful to the body, it is at least at levels of voltage less than about 3000 volts, discharges whether visible or not of much smaller voltages are known to be damaging at various biological levels.

When the body makes physical contact with the ground, as has been the case throughout human evolution, it naturally attenuates the positive electrical charges on the body and transfers the negative electrical properties from the earth so that the body becomes electrically neutral like the earth. In this state any extraneous electricity that is present in or on the body is naturally dissipative and thereafter prevented from accumulating in or upon the body. Furthermore, negative free electrons that are abundant on the earth’s natural surface are transferred into the body. This free electron transfer from the earth into the body is responsible for the proper function of many metabolic processes in the human body and in maintaining its health. It is also responsible in maintaining a beneficial homeostatic balance in the body resulting in optimal physiological performance. Due to the common practice today of wearing insulating rubber soled shoes and living in environments that hold the body in free space above the earth, humans by and large no longer make contact with the earth. As a result, free electrons whether internally or externally generated cannot be naturally dissipated by the negative electrical potential of the earth. Consequently, bodily stored electricity now interferes with normal cellular communications and, as such, interferes with the self- regulating and self-healing mechanisms of the body, which in turn create stress, disorder and other malfunctions of the body. More specifically, with the loss of natural ground contact, externally- originating electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) create harmful electric currents in the body. Scientists and researchers in the field of electromagnetic radiation and bio-electromagnetics have confirmed that these exogenous fields interfere with the endogenous fields of the body and produce adverse physical changes at the cellular level. It has been found that the unnatural presence of these currents and continuously generated electrostatic charges and discharges within and on the body adversely affects the bioelectrical nervous system of the body and consequently causes body muscles to become weaker and remain abnormally tense. Prolonged exposure to such electrostatic charges can result in muscle stiffness and back pain. In this physiologically stressed state, blood pressure rises, heart rate increases and the digestive process slows. It is believed that the unnatural presence of endogenous currents and electrostatic charges in the body may also have a correlation with certain diseases related to chronic inflammation, such as arthritis, diabetes and multiple sclerosis amongst others.

The footwear provided in accordance with the invention exhibit an electro- conductive insole which contacts the foot and an outsole electrically connected with the insole by insert/plug of a conductive material having a grounding area. The footwear, of the present invention may take the form of comfort shoes, boots of any kind, sandals, sport-shoes, overshoes, working shoes, nursing shoes, lady’s shoes or shoes of any type, including fashion and medical shoes. The invention is particularly applicable to sports shoes, working shoes, sandals, and nurse shoes in all climates and specifically in arid climates in which people are affected to a more considerable extent by static electricity. Furthermore, in medical and therapeutic footwear the invention has proven to be effective in helping to improve specific pathologies and medical conditions.

The present shoes with conductive metatarsal plug prevent fatigue brought by accumulated static electricity, endogenous charges or injuries caused by discharges of static electricity and by energizing the body with free electron transfer from the earth. For instance, athletes or players who use shoes of the instant type experience less fatigue and enhanced endurance. In general, the sole of all shoes is composed of an insole just under the foot, an outsole which contacts the ground and a mid-sole between the insole and the outsole. The insole of the shoes of the present invention have at least a function of transfer of static electricity generated in a human body during walking or running to a grounding area of the outsole. In lieu of the above, a sandal may be employed having a single sole but with the inventive insert strategically located in the metatarsal region near to the K1 acupressure point, proximal to the metatarsal area.

The instant invention responds to a long-felt need in the art to provide a more cost and functionally efficient solution to the issues of ESD and endogenous currents having an external atmospheric source.

Prior art, known to the Inventors that attempt to address issues of ESD using a shoe-related solution are U.S. Patent No. 6,982,861 (2006) to Lex et al; U.S. Pat. Appln. Pub. US 2007/0000155 (2007) TO Laufer et al; U.S. Pat. Appln. Pub. US 2008/0134546 (2008) to Rigletto; U.S. Pat. Appln. Pub. US 2008/0289217 (2008) to Horvath; PCT Publication WO 98/25492 to Fukimura (1988); and PCT Publication WO/00/04801 (2000) to Janke. This does not teach use of a conductive insert of the type taught herein that addresses ESD endogenous current, and provides the orthopedic and other physiologic benefits of the within invention.

Omega Shoe Manufacturers of Greece sells a shoe having a copper insert within the outer sole thereof, this under the brand name GEOSES. Further <www.Juil.com> is another company in the U.S.A using a copper insert to connect the human body to the earth. Copper is a high-level conductor but generally not optimal in physiologic applications in footwear and entails certain safety risks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention provides for a shoe having a special-purpose metatarsal pad and insert that further relates to a method to relieve orthopedic injuries of the foot and to reduce and prevent chronic inflammation and other illnesses in humans; as well as to enhance physiological performance by the establishment of electrical communication to the ground by discharging_electrostatic discharge and endogenous currents of external origin namely free electrons from the earth. The shoe includes a resilient conductive insert having a raised metatarsal pad connected, from the outsoie, to a sock liner or the insole of the shoe. The insert functions both as a recognizable pedorthic off-loading pad against the plantar surface of the foot situated immediately proximally to the metatarsal, and concurrently facilitates conductivity with the major acupuncture point also known as the K-1 acupressure point which corresponds to the kidney and other nerve endings in the human foot, these constituting a recognized exit for the conduction of free radicals to the surface of the earth, i.e., the release of charged static electricity from the human body to the earth.

The static electricity discharging shoe of the invention comprises: an optional conductive sock liner or insole contacting with a sole of a foot of a user; an outer sole conducting with the ground; and an electro-conductive insert having an upper base, said insert having a lateral geometry proportioned for circumferential engagement with at least said outer sole, said insert positioned opposite to the plantar region of the sole of the foot proximally to the K-1 acupressure point when the foot abuts the conductive insole, said upper base of the insert defining a slightly raised pad having orthopedic benefit in off-loading of metatarsal stresses on the foot in the area of the K-1 acupressure point.

It is an object of the invention to provide a two-way electrical link to the ground in an electrostatically dissipative shoe which provides increased comfort and physiological benefit to the metatarsal region, and plantar surface, which may be economically added to otherwise all other conventional shoes or sandals and footwear.

It is another object to provide an electrostatic discharge athletic shoe, which allows for the infusion of free electrons from the surface of the earth to be transferred in direct contact with the human body.

It is another object of the invention to provide added protection to the body from EMF’s potential health hazard by dissipating excess electrostatic build up on the body into the ground. It is still a further object of the invention to provide enhanced pedorthic offloading to the plantar surface of the sole of the foot proximally to the metatarsal region.

It is yet further object to provide a shoe enabling a direct source of electrical contact substantially to provide constant pressure to the K 1 acupressure point that is, to a kidney-related coupling to the body. The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention and Claims appended herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic invention of a grounding part of the earth.

Fig. 2 is a non-grounding part of Fig. 1, showing the earth.

Fig. 3 is an electroconductive shoe. Fig. 4 is a major insert of the bottom of the shoe.

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the shoe.

Fig. 6 is an upper major base.

Fig. 7 is one embodiment of a metatarsal of the shoe.

Fig. 8 shows the lower minor base of the embodiment of Fig. 7 and the lower minor base thereof.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional diagonal central portion of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a platform sole of the human foot shown at its reflexology areas.

Fig. 11 is a complete shoe of the invention, Fig. 12 is an embodiment of Fig. 3 but taken in the form of a sandal. Fig. 13 is a further embodiment but showing in which, no midsole is used with the electroconductive insert thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ancient practice of medicine stresses the importance of man’s harmonious relationship with earth and sky. In furtherance of this belief, modern science has established that the earth possesses an electromagnetic dynamic field, that is, a continually changing field and in which exists between the sky or atmosphere and the earth, the earth providing the negative charge of this field which the ionosphere is provided with the positive charges of the electromagnetic dynamics field. This has been established by Burr and Norhrup of Yale University and by Miculin of the University of Moscow. A recognized natural phenomenon, known as the Schumann Resonance between the atmosphere and the core of the earth has been calculated to have a frequency of 7.9 Hz cycles per second, which correlates with the human alpha brain wave pattern of 8.0 Hz cycles per second in a relaxed state.

The above, as it relates to the instant invention, posits that man, as he walks upon the earth, absorbs, through his feet, negative charges while his head and rest of his body draw positive charges from the ionosphere. This is schematically shown in Fig. 1. These two opposing electrical charges balance each other (at area E) within the human body, contributing to one’s physical wellbeing and optimal physical performance. However, if the negative charges become absent due to lack of contact with the earth, the body is forced to convert useful energy used by its chemical oxidation processes into a weak negative charge in an effort to compensate for the lack of negative charge which would normally enter the body through the earth. This resultant energy loss may manifest in neuro-muscular physical performance, mental fatigue, stress, and various cardiovascular issues. This condition of lack of physical conductivity with the earth is schematically shown in Fig. 2, showing the lack of equilibrium E when needed and potentially harmful positive and negative ions accumulate both in and upon the human body.

Stated otherwise, an evolutionary function of the earth is to maintain a satisfactory level of negative charge in humans, namely, homeostasis. Well-known in contemporary medicine is that the sole of one’s foot constitutes a network of nerve endings connected to the body’s vital organs such that, when proper grounding to the earth is present, direct neurologic benefit occurs throughout the entire body at a cellular level at least through this neural network. Given however the development of modern life in the last several hundred years, various factors have contributed to minimize or, in many instance, completely, negate, man’s direct contact with the surface of the earth, i.e., his natural source of negative electrical charge to the body. However, in recent years, as is reflected in the prior art discussed above, researchers and others have begun to experiment with shoes intended to restore one’s electrical contact with the earth to enable one to more normally absorb and replenish lost negative charge electrons and dissipate the accumulation of excess static electricity built-up in the body caused by numerous factors as are more fully set forth above in the Background of the Invention. Furthermore, grounding the body through this invention also helps to protect the body from positive build up of EMF’s as a result of man made electrical current. The grounding insert of the present invention may be integrated into a shoe or sandal, including flip-flops, in various ways including, as is more fully set forth below, integration into the midsole, the outersole, or through the entire sole as, for example, in the case of a sandal constructed in accordance with the invention. In Figs. 3-5 is shown an embodiment of the invention in which an electro- conductive insert 20 is provided within an insole 22 for a static electricity discharging shoe 64. As may be appreciated, the geometry of the electro- conductive insert varies slightly from shoe-to-shoe but, in general, includes an upper major base 26 and a lower minor base 28 (see Figs. 4 and 6) which are joined by a central cylindrical portion 30. The minor base may be similar in diameter to the central portion. See Fig. 9. From Figs. 4 and 6 it may be appreciated that the central cylindrical portion 30 and lower minor base 28 serve to stabilize the insert within insole 22 while the upper major base 20 also acts as a pad opposite to the plantar metatarsal region of the sole of the foot. The lower minor base also rests upon the top of outersole 32, in the embodiment of Figs. 3-8. The lower minor base also can touch the ground directly. See Figs. 12-13

As may be seen in Figs. 3-9, the metatarsal pad defining upper major base 26 may, in one embodiment, be somewhat oval-shaped in its appearance. Inner sole 34- typically will then cover upper base 26 of the insert. The lower minor base also can touch the ground directly.

The possible dimensional relationships between upper surface and pad 26, lower surface 28, and connecting integral cylindrical portion 30 is shown in Figs. 6 an and 8. Thereafter, one may appreciate that the greatest dimension of said major base 26 of insert 20 to the greatest dimension of said minor base 30 is in the range of about 3:1 to about 1 :1. It is noted that the reverse relationship of minor to major base dimensions may have utility. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 -6, at least a portion of the outer sole 32 must be in contact with insert 20 formed of suitable conductive material of one of the types set forth below in regard to the insert itself.

Shown in Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a further embodiment 120 of insert 20 described above. Therein, the curvature upon the upper major base 126 of the insert is less than that described and shown above, particularly with reference to Figs. 4 and 6. Also, in the embodiment of Fig. 9, central cylindrical portion 130 extends downwardly such that lower minor base 128 thereof possesses the same diameter as does central portion 130.

With reference to Fig. 10, there is shown the plantar sole of a human foot including the reflexology areas which are relevant to the present invention. More particularly, shown in Fig. 10 upon the plantar side proximal to the metatarsal area 34 of the foot is kidney region 36, pancreas region 38, adrenal region 40, colon region 42, spleen region 44, stomach region 46, diaphragm 48, and the solar plexus 50. Dotted line 52 corresponds to the nerve endings associated with the waist line.

Fig. 4 corresponds to the area shown in the circle 54 in Fig 10 upon which major base 26 asserts pressure during the normal use of the inventive insert within a shoe provided therewith. This location is also known as the K1 or kidney 1 acupressure point and represents a major recognized entryway for the absorption of free electrons from the surface of the earth. See Fig. 1. As may be noted in Fig. 6. Kidney region 36 is closely situated to pancreas region 38, adrenal region 40, stomach region 46, and colon region 42. As such, the pressure applied by upper major base or metatarsal pad 26 of the instant invention provides unique acupuncture and reflexology benefits to the human body through its use.

Yet further, the strategic metatarsal location of upper base 26 of the inventive insert provides for metatarsal off-loading in a region of the plantar surface of the foot which is prone to chronic and repetitive stresses. The instant invention therefore provides benefits at three distinct medical levels, namely, ground body conductivity, reflexology pressure at a strategic area, and the physiologic benefit of off-loading in the metatarsal heads of the sole of the foot.

A complete shoe 56 is shown in Fig. 1 1.

In Fig. 12 is shown the application of the inventive insert 120 into a sandal 58. Therein insert is simply placed within an opening 60 within a unitary resilient sole 62, such that direct contact of lower minor base 128 of the insert to ground 64 may be readily accomplished. See also Figs. 6 and 1 1. Therein, the lower base 128 maybe of like diameter to the central cylinder of the insert.

With reference to Fig. 13, there is shown a further embodiment of the invention in which no midsole is employed so that the electro-conductive insert 20 with its major base 26 defining a slightly raised orthotic pad is inserted directly into the outersole 32 of the shoe, and its upper base is in direct contact with a sock liner or insole 34 of the shoe. Conductivity is transferred through the sock liner to the foot in Figs. 3 and 13

With respect to the materials of which the insert is preferably formed, it has been found that an elastomeric or polymeric resilient material having a characteristic known as a Shore A, in a range of about 25 to about 80 degrees is preferable. Alternatively, an elastomeric or polymeric resilient material having a Shore C in a range of about 35 to about 65 degrees is also desirable.

With respect to the significant factor of conductivity of the insert, as well as the outsole 32 where the outsole is in direct contact with the ground, the level of resistance (the inverse of conductivity) has been found to be critical in providing a suitable property of static electricity dissipation. Through experimentation, the inventors have found that an optimal point to point resistance falls in a range of about 1000 Ohms to about 100,000 Ohms. In other words, at a higher level resistance than that of a true conductive material such as a metal, but a lesser resistance than that of an insulator such as rubber or a typical polymer. As such, so-called static dissipative materials possess an electrical resistance which is between that of insulative and conductive materials. This provides an electron flow across or through such dissipative materials, but the same is controlled in large part by the surface resistance and volume resistance of the material. As with the other categories of materials of greater and lesser resistance, charge can be generated on a statistic dissipative material, however, like a true conductive material, the static dissipative material will allow the transfer of charge to ground to occur as well as to other conductive surfaces upon which a user may walk with shoes provided with the inventive insert. The transfer of charge from the static dissipative material will generally take longer than that of a conductive material of equivalent size or dimension. It has been found to be beneficial, respective of safety and efficiency in light of the objects of the present invention, in minimizing or reducing electro-static discharge between bodies as well as the dissipation of undesirable externally originating endogenous currents within the human body. In other words, the speed of transfer of static and undesirable non-static charge (endogenous current) has been found to be an important factor in optimizing the function of the insert for use in its grounding function. Physiological studies have shown that the level of electron transfer from the earth into the human body is optimized and most beneficial at between 1000 Ohms and 100,000 Ohms.

While there has been shown and described above the preferred embodiment of the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specific all shown and described and that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the Claims appended herewith.