FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[Para 1 ] The present invention generally relates to grounded shoes. More particularly, the present invention relates to grounded foot-worn sandals, wherein a wearer’s foot is conductively coupled and grounded to the earth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[Para 2] The earth is widely regarded as a powerful energy source that has an abundance of electrons and thus has a negative charge. When we make direct contact with the earth, we absorb electrons into our bodies which helps return us to a more normalized healthy body state. When the body is in conductive contact with the earth, they become a single conductor with one equipotential surface.

[Para 3] Continuous contact with the surface of the earth is desirable to maximize the effects of grounding the body to the earth. In a relatively short period of time of continuous contact with the earth’s surface, positive physiological benefits have been found to be achieved. Evidence-based claims by scientists and medical professionals show that grounding, direct physical contact with the naturally occurring free-flowing electrons from the surface of the earth promotes multiple physiological changes of important clinical significance to the wearer’s wellbeing.

[Para 4] Studies have shown an immediate decrease in skin conductance, a measure of an autonomic nervous system (ANS) function, indicating an immediate relaxation of the body at grounding. This can happen in as little as one second. This relaxation of the ANS disappears almost instantaneously when the person is not grounded. It has also been observed that after only twenty to thirty minutes of continuous grounding, there were observable changes in physiology function that promote healing as could be observed within a study using thermal imaging. Additional studies show normalization in muscle tension, calming of brain waves, improvement in vagal tone and a reduction of inflammation. These studies suggest the importance of continuous grounding of the body for optimal results. Changes in the body’s native electric potential can directly affect the body and health of the individual. [Para 5] Such grounding can occur when an individual walks barefoot on grass, sand, soil, rocks, unsealed tile, bricks or stone or even concrete sidewalks. However, when insulated from the earth, the body equalizes with the earth’s atmospheric potential, which increases by approximately one hundred volts per meter relative to the earth’s surface and reaches about four hundred thousand volts at fifty kilometers up in the atmosphere where there is a highly conductive layer of air. Loss of the earth’s charge creates an atmospheric (positive) charge in the body that is measurable via changes in skin electric potential, heart rate variability, and the surface charge on red blood cells. Another electrical change that commonly occurs when the human body loses its earth potential is that it becomes electrified with static charges. A well-known example is that many factory employees must be earth-grounded when handling electronic chips and components. Other employees in the chemical, gasoline and explosive industries are also grounded to prevent static sparks that can otherwise promote electrical damage, fire or explosions.

[Para 6] Footwear today is commonly manufactured with non-conductive rubber or other synthetic materials that prevent the flow of electrons between the wearer and the earth and prevent their bodies from maintaining the earth’s electric potential. By creating a non-penetrable barrier between people and the earth, synthetic footwear has exasperated the internal electrical imbalance that has been found to compromise our health.

[Para 7] Accordingly, there is a continuing need for footwear which can be worn by a user and create a conductive path between the user’s foot and the earth so as to achieve the benefits of being grounded with the earth. There is also a continuing need for inexpensive footwear which is worn by the user in bare feet, such as sandals, including flip-flops, which are commonly worn outdoors and which have the grounding benefits mentioned above. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[Para 8] The present invention resides in a grounding foot-worn sandal or soft-sole shoe, such as a flip-flop. The sandal of the present invention generally comprises a sole having an upper foot-supporting surface and a lower ground-engaging surface. The sole may be substantially planar. The sole is preferably comprised of a flexible material.

[Para 9] A strap extends upwardly over the upper surface of the sole for receiving a portion of a foot therein. The strap may be Y-shaped and configured to extend over opposite sides of the foot and between a big toe and an adjacent toe of the foot.

[Para 10] An elongated conductive strip extends from the upper surface of the sole to the lower surface of the sole, wherein the elongated conductive strip simultaneously contacts the ground and the user’s foot and provides a conductive path therebetween. The conductive strip may be comprised of an elastomeric material having a conductor embedded therein sufficient to maintain 10/4 ^th conductivity. The conductive strip may be comprised of a rubber material having carbon embedded therein.

[Para 1 1 ] The conductive strip may extend substantially a length of the upper and lower surfaces of the sole. For example, the conductive strip may extend from a metatarsal pad to a heel of a foot of the user on the upper surface of the sole and to the lower surface of the sole. The conductive strip may be disposed within a groove formed in the upper surface of the sole and the lower surface of the sole.

[Para 12] The conductive strip may extend from the upper surface of the sole through a slot formed in the sole and to the lower surface of the sole. The slot may be formed in a heel area of the sole. [Para 1 3] The conductive strip may extend from the upper surface of the sole over an edge of the sole and to the lower surface of the sole. For example, the conductive strip may extend from under the strap along the upper surface and over a back edge of the sandal to a lower surface of the sole.

[Para 14] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[Para 1 5] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

[Para 16] FIGURE 1 is a side perspective view of a grounding sandal embodying the present invention;

[Para 1 7] FIGURE 2 is a top view of the sandal of FIG. 1 ;

[Para 18] FIGURE 3 is a bottom plan view of the sandal of FIG. 1 ;

[Para 19] FIGURE 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the sandal of

FIG. 1 , illustrating a conductive strip used in accordance with the present invention and a groove formed in a sole of the sandal, in accordance with the present invention;

[Para 20] FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a foot on the sandal and in contact with the conductive strip, in accordance with the present invention; [Para 21 ] FIGURE 6 is a side perspective view of a grounding sandal embodying the present invention having a conductive strip extending through a sole of the sandal;

[Para 22] FIGURE 7 is a bottom plan view of the sandal of FIG. 6; and

[Para 23] FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a foot on the sandal and in contact with the conductive strip, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[Para 24] As shown in the accompanying drawings, for purposes of illustration, the present invention is directed to grounding soft-soled footwear and particularly to a grounding foot-worn sandal, generally referred to by the reference number 100. The sandal 100 of the present invention, as more fully described below, grounds a foot of a wearer of the sandal with the underlying ground, resulting in conductive contact with the earth. An aim of the present invention is to effectively reduce and prevent static charges on the body and restore the natural electric potential of the earth to the body.

[Para 25] With reference now to FIGS. 1 -3, a sandal 100, in the form of a flip-flop which is particularly suited for the present invention, is shown. The sandal 100 is comprised of a sole which is preferably comprised of a flexible material, such as an elastomeric material, including rubber, plastic, polyurethane, or the like, which may be comprised of a foam material. The sole 102 could also be comprised of other flexible materials, such as leather, suede or even fabric. While the sole 102 illustrated herein is shown as a single member, it will be understood that the sole 102 could be multi-layered, such as having a bottom sole, mid sole, and upper insole or the like. The different layers or sections or areas of the sole 102 could be comprised of different materials.

[Para 26] The sole 102 may be substantially planar, as illustrated, and as is common with flip-flop style sandals. Substantially planar as used herein encompasses the sole 102 being completely planar and also taking into account curvatures and configurations for supporting a user’s foot and providing traction.

[Para 27] The sole 102 has an upper foot supporting surface 104 and a generally opposite lower ground engaging surface 106. As is well known, a user places his or her foot onto the upper surface 104 when wearing the sandal 100 and the lower surface 106 engages the ground, such as when the user is standing or walking.

[Para 28] A strap 108 extends upwardly over the upper surface 104 of the sole 102 for receiving a portion of a user’s foot therein, permitting the user to wear and walk in the sandal 100. As such, the strap 108 extends over at least a portion of the user’s foot. In the illustrated preferred embodiment of a flipflop sandal 100, the strap 108 comprises a Y-shaped strap having first and second side member 1 10 and 1 12 which extend along a length of the sole 102 so as to extend over opposite sides of a user’s foot, and converging to a peg or post 1 14 which the user disposes between his or her big toe and an adjacent toe of the foot.

[Para 29] It will be appreciated, however, that the strap 108 can have different configurations so long as it serves to retain the sandal 100 to the user’s foot when in use. For example, the sandal 100 could comprise what is known as a slider sandal, commonly referred to as a “slide” which is a sandal with a flat, soft flexible sole and a single thick strap extending substantially across a front portion of the sandal through which a user inserts a portion of his or her foot to retain the slide on the foot. There are also other strap or sandal configurations, wherein typically they are open-toed and leave the back end of the sandal exposed. In the case of a Y-shaped strap, as illustrated herein and commonly used in connection with flip-flop style sandals, the strap 108 fastens between the big and second toe and branches out, securing to the sole 102 on both sides of the foot, usually as far back as the arch of the user’s foot.

[Para 30] With continuing reference to FIGS. 1 -3, the sandal 100 of the present invention also includes a conductive member 1 16 configured and arranged so as to simultaneously contact the ground and a user’s foot, so as to provide a conductive path therebetween, when the sandal 100 is worn by the user. Preferably, the conductive member 1 16 is comprised of a flexible material, such as an elastomeric material, which is capable of bending and flexing with the soft, flexible sole 102 of the sandal 100 so a not to cause discomfort to the user when wearing the sandal 100. The elastomeric material has a conductor embedded therein sufficient to maintain 10/4 ^th conductivity. Typically, the conductive strip is comprised of a rubber material having carbon embedded therein.

[Para 31 ] In a particularly preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the conductive member 1 16 comprises an elongated conductive strip which extends from the upper surface 104 of the sole, which the user’s foot contacts, to the lower surface 106 of the sole, which contacts the ground, so as to create a conductive path therebetween.

[Para 32] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 -5, the conductive strip 1 16 may extend from the upper surface 104 of the sole and over an edge of the sole 102 and to the lower surface of the sole 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the conductive strip 1 16 extends substantially a length of the upper and lower surfaces of the sole 102. In a particularly preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the conductive strip 1 16 extends substantially a length of the sole, such as from a metatarsal area 1 1 8 of the sole 102, where the user’s metatarsal portion of his or her foot would be placed, typically under the strap 108, to a heel portion 120 of the sole 102, where the user’s heel of his or her foot would typically be placed on the sandal 100 when standing. The elongated strip 1 16 may then extend over a back edge 1 22 of the sole 102 to the lower surface 106 of the sole 102.

[Para 33] The conductive strip 1 16 extends a length of the sole 102 along the bottom surface 106 thereof sufficient so as to contact the ground when the user is wearing the sandal 100. Preferably, as mentioned above, the conductive strip 1 16 extends substantially the length of the bottom surface 106 of the sole 102, such as to an area below the metatarsal portion or area 1 1 8 of the sole 102. Preferably, the conductive strip 1 16 extends from the metatarsal area 1 18 of the upper surface 104 of the sole 102 over the edge and to a corresponding area below the metatarsal portion 1 18 of the lower surface 106. When walking in a flip-flop or other open heel sandal the metatarsal or foot pad area 1 1 8 remains in contact with the user’s foot and the ground when walking, whereas the user’s heel of his or her foot and possibly even the heel portion 1 20 of the sandal 100 may be lifted off the ground and/or not remain in contact with the user’s heel portion of his or her foot.

[Para 34] With reference now to FIG. 5, a partially cross-sectioned view is shown of the sandal 100, in the form of a flip-flop, having a user’s foot 2 thereon, with the post or portion 1 14 of the strap 108 positioned between the user’s big toe 4 and adjacent toe 6 and the user’s metatarsal or footpad area 8 being in direct contact with the elongated strip 1 16 at the metatarsal portion or area 1 18 of the sole 102 and the user’s heel 10 also in contact with the conductive strip 1 16 at the heel portion or area 120 of the sole 102. Such would be the case, for example, when the user is standing upright. It will be understood, however, that when walking the user’s heel 10 may be lifted upwardly and out of contact with the heel portion 120 of the sole 102. However, the user’s metatarsal or footpad region 8 of his or her foot 2 will remain in contact with the sole 102 at the metatarsal portion or region 1 18, and thus in continuous contact with the conductive strip 1 16, which extends to the lower surface 106 of the sole 102 so as to come into contact with the ground surface. Thus, when either standing or walking, a conductive pathway will be formed between the ground and the user’s bare foot.

[Para 35] The conductive strip 1 16 may be integrally formed with the sole 102, laminated or adhered on the upper and lower surfaces 104 and 106, or otherwise attached by any acceptable means which will allow the conductive strip 1 16 to extend between the upper and lower surfaces 104 and 106 of the sole 102 to create the conductive pathway between the ground and the user’s foot, as described above. With reference to FIG. 4, in a particularly preferred embodiment, an open-faced groove or channel 124 is formed in the sole 102 and the conductive strip 1 16 is placed therein to be secured to the sole 102. This may be, for example, by means of adhesive, heat bonding or the like. The open-faced groove 1 24 may be formed during the manufacturing process and molding of the sole 102.

[Para 36] The elongated strip 1 16 is then inserted into the open-faced groove so as to extend from the upper surface 104, across the edge of the sole 102 and to the lower surface, as illustrated and described above, and then affixed into place.

[Para 37] It will be appreciated that the conductive strip 1 16 either extends slightly above the surface of the open-faced groove 1 24, is substantially flush with the upper or lower surface 104 and 106 of the sole forming the open- faced groove 1 24 or is only slightly below these surfaces so as to be in contact with at least a portion of the user’s foot 2 and the underlying ground surface when the sandal 100 is worn and being used. In this manner, a conductive pathway is created between the ground surface and the user’s foot.

[Para 38] It will be understood that the conductive strip 1 16 may be of varying thicknesses and/or width. Typically, the conductive strip is between one-half and one inch in width, such as approximately three quarters of an inch in width, although this may vary as deemed desirable or necessary. The conductive strip 1 16, however, should present sufficient contact area so as to create the desired conductive pathway between the ground and the user’s foot. [Para 39] As mentioned above, the conductive strip 1 16 is comprised of a material which has a sufficient softness and stretchable thickness so as to maintain the user’s foot with continuous conductive contact with the earth when walking or sitting and wearing the sandal 100 and remaining comfortable to the user.

[Para 40] With reference now to FIGS. 6-8, another sandal 100 embodying the present invention, in the form of a flip-flop, is shown. The same reference numbers are used for the corresponding structure in the embodiments illustrated and described above as this embodiment shares many of the same aspects as the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 -5.

[Para 41 ] More particularly, the sandal or flip-flop 100 illustrated in FIGS. 6- 8 is comprised of a sole 102 having a foot-engaging upper surface 104 and a ground-engaging lower surface 106. A strap 108, as described above, enables a user to secure his or her foot on the upper surface 104 of the sole 102 so as to wear the sandal or flip-flop 100. An elongated conductive strip 1 16 also extends substantially a length of the upper surface 104 and lower surface 106, preferably between the metatarsal or foot pad area 1 1 8 and the heel portion 120 of the sandal 100.

[Para 42] In this case, however, instead of the elongated conductive strip 1 16 extending over an edge, such as the back edge 1 22 of the sole 102, a slot 126 is formed through the sole 102 through which the conductive strip 1 16 extends. While the conductive strip 1 16 could comprise a plurality of interconnected or attached strips, in a particularly preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, the elongated strip 1 16 is of a single member of unitary construction and extends from the upper sole surface 104, through slot or passageway 1 26, which extends from the upper surface 104 to the lower surface 106, and then the conductive strip 1 16 extends a length along the lower surface, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[Para 43] Thus, when an individual is wearing the sandal 100, as illustrated in FIG. 8, his or her foot 2 will come into contact with the conductive strip 1 16 on the upper surface 104 of the sole 102, creating a conductive pathway to the ground through the conductive strip 1 16 disposed on the lower surface 106 of the sole 102, which is in contact with the ground, as mentioned above. This will be the case whether the individual is standing or walking, as the elongated conductive strip 1 16 extends substantially a length of the sole 102, such as between the metatarsal or foot pad area 1 18 to the heel area 120 on both the upper and lower surfaces 104 and 106 of the sole 102. [Para 44] As mentioned above, the conductive strip 1 16 may be integrally formed with the sole 102, laminated or adhered on the upper and lower surfaces 104 and 106, or otherwise attached by any acceptable means, but preferably is inserted in an open-faced groove or channel 124 and secured to the sole 102 by adhesive, heat bonding or the like.

[Para 45] It will be understood that the conductive strip 1 16 has the same properties and characteristics and may be comprised of the same materials, as described above, so as to create a conductive pathway between the user’s foot 2 and the ground surface. The elastomeric material comprising the conductive strip 1 16 has a conductor, such as carbon, embedded therein sufficient to maintain a 10/4 ^th conductivity. Preferably, the conductive member 1 16, as described above, is comprised of a flexible material capable of bending and flexing with the soft, flexible sole 102 of the sandal 100.

[Para 46] The conductive strip 1 16 typically extends from the heel area 120, such as the slot 1 26 being formed approximately an inch from the back edge 122 of the sole 102 to the metatarsal foot pad area 1 1 8. However, the conductive strip 1 16 may extend a longer length of the sole 102 of the sandal 100 or even a shorter length. It is particularly important that the conductive strip 1 16 be in contact with the metatarsal or foot pad of the user’s foot when wearing and using the sandal 100, although it is preferable that the user’s heel will also contact the conductive strip 1 16 when in use. While the width of the conductive strip 1 16 can vary, it should be of a sufficiently large width so as to create conductive contact between the user’s foot and the ground. While the strap 108 illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 is of a particularly preferred configuration, it will be appreciated that other straps or means of retaining the user’s foot on the sole 102 so as to wear the flip-flop or sandal 100 are also contemplated by the present invention.

[Para 47] Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.