CN113660878A

CN113660878A - Article of footwear

Info

Publication number: CN113660878A
Application number: CN202080010497.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 傅大卫
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-01-25
Filing date: 2020-01-23
Publication date: 2021-11-16
Also published as: EP3914120A1; EP3914120A4; WO2020151766A1; US20220125156A1

Abstract

An article of footwear (200a) for providing an electrostatic discharge from a body of a user of the article of footwear (200a) to a ground surface, the article of footwear (200a) comprising: an outsole (200a) having one or more apertures extending therethrough to provide access to a ground surface from an upper surface (224a) of the outsole (220 a); an upper (222a), the upper (222a) extending from at least a portion of a perimeter of the outsole (222a) and over at least a portion of a user's foot to secure the shoe to the user's foot; an insole (250a) located above the outsole (220 a); and a conductive discharge element (242a) located within the passageway of the outsole (220a), extending between the outsole (220a) and the insole (250a), and in electrical communication between the ground surface and the foot of the user; wherein, after an electrostatic charge has been generated in the user's body, the electrostatic charge is at least partially discharged by the flow of charge from the user's feet to the discharge element (242a) and from the discharge element (242a) to the ground surface.

Description

Article of footwear

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an article of footwear, and in particular to an article of footwear for providing a discharge of static electricity generated and accumulated in a user of such footwear, and in particular for providing a discharge of static electricity generated and accumulated in a user of such footwear during walking (including walking and running) of the user.

Background

The background of the invention relates to the problem of the generation and accumulation of static electricity in the human body, which is generally thought to be caused by human motion. This build-up of static electricity can cause occupational hazards and can adversely affect the health of the user.

It is well known that most people experience electric shocks when touching objects such as door handles, escalator guide rails, handrails, and even another person, especially during dry winter. Such electric shocks are the result of electrostatic discharges that accumulate within the human body.

A well-known effect of static electricity on humans is the electrical shock of a spark discharge. This typically occurs when a charged person touches or contacts a grounded or buried object, or when the person is in contact with another person at a different potential.

In currently used garments and footwear, typically insulated shoes, there is no way to prevent the human body from generating high electrostatic charges. Thus, the grounding of the person allows electrostatic discharge from the person's body.

The generation of static electricity inside or on the human body can lead to a variety of adverse effects, including inconvenience and discomfort, occupational hazards, and adverse health effects:

(i)inconvenience and discomfort

Electrical shock to a person by a spark discharge during grounding or discharge can be distracting, disconcerting, and may also produce a degree of pain.

Although this phenomenon is well known, there is no well-defined range or consensus in the literature as to what level of body voltage or charge will result in a discharge that can be felt by humans.

However, it is believed that discharging below about 1000V is noticeable to few people, most people begin to feel uncomfortable at around 2000V, and almost everyone complains when discharging above 3000V.

(ii)Occupational hazards

In workplaces and industrial sites, the build up and release of human static electricity can cause a variety of hazards.

In workplaces or locations with sensitive electronic equipment, such as in computer and electronic device manufacturing and assembly environments, static electricity discharged by people or workers may damage electronic equipment and components.

In other workplaces and environments where sensitive electronic equipment is used, human electrostatic discharge can also cause equipment damage or interference, and in some cases can cause equipment readings and controls to be incorrect.

For example, in a hospital environment, important and sensitive monitoring and control equipment is used in wards and arenas. Electrostatic discharges generated and accumulated in a doctor or nurse may radiate electromagnetic waves or EMF, which may interfere with or even damage various technical equipment, such as equipment for medical examination and treatment, monitoring equipment, or life support equipment. While hospitals have introduced conductive floors in some instances in an attempt to reduce this risk exposure, this problem and risk exposure still exists to some extent despite the measures taken to reduce risk and electrostatic discharge.

Other workplace environments where electrostatic discharge is considered to pose an occupational risk include chemical manufacturing environments, environments with flammable or volatile liquids and gases, and environments where fine particulate matter is suspended in the air, which may be flammable mixtures, and therefore, must have stringent safety standards.

(iii)Adverse health effects

In many cases, the effect of static electricity on human health is considered to be detrimental, or at least undesirable. In the morbid architectural syndrome era, it was pointed out that some of the many non-specific effects on humans due to imperfect indoor climate are almost inevitably due to electrostatic phenomena.

Human static electricity is sometimes considered to be a cause of headaches, dry mucous membranes, itchy skin, and other similar diseases.

(iv)Solution for electrostatic accumulation

To address the occupational and potential health risks associated with the accumulation and release of static electricity within and from the human body, footwear-specific footwear exists in the art seeking to address static electricity accumulation and discharge issues.

At present, in particular in hospital and clinical environments, footwear of the clogs type commonly used generally comprises an outsole and an upper, open at the rear and generally formed integrally by moulding a polymer SEBS (styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene).

Advantageously, such a shoe can be easily cleaned, however the polymer material forming the shoe is electrically insulating and therefore does not discharge static electricity from the user's body. Thus, the electrical discharge from the user's body to ground is typically through the first conductive article contacted by the user, which may damage or interfere with the electro-medical instrument.

To overcome this problem, in the prior art, antistatic getas have been proposed, which comprise a conductive insert passing through the sole to connect the surface of the sole or heel of a person with the surface of the ground, so as to allow electrical discharge from the body of the person to the ground.

An example of the prior art is EP- ｃA-1186403, which discloses ｃA method for forming ｃA static dissipative shoe by moulding using two injection ducts, one of which injects an antistatic mixture to form ｃA central dominant part for ground contact on the foot-supporting base to transmit the electrostatic energy, and the other injects the material for forming the remaining insulating part to complete the shoe.

Another example and solution of prior art is EP- ｃA-1203539, which discloses an antistatic sole comprising ｃA hole and ｃA plug in the hole, the plug comprising an electrically conductive material to reduce static electricity that accumulates in the sole during use.

Other prior art anti-static shoes are typically manufactured by embedding thin electrical conductors in the toe and heel regions inside the sole. These electrical conductors are used to discharge static electricity accumulated by the user to the ground.

Another prior art solution for releasing static electricity from the human body is the solution of US 7,997,014, which discloses an antistatic shoe for men, women and children, comprising a vamp portion, an outsole and an insole arranged between the outsole and the vamp portion. One or more electrical conductors are disposed within the outsole and are in contact with one or more electrically conductive areas of the insole, providing electrical contact between the user's foot and the ground.

Disclosure of Invention

Objects of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an article of footwear which allows the discharge of static electricity generated and accumulated in the body of the user, overcoming or ameliorating at least some of the drawbacks associated with the prior art.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides an article of footwear that allows for electrostatic discharge from the body of a user of the article of footwear to a ground surface, the article of footwear comprising: an outsole having one or more apertures extending therethrough to provide access to a ground surface from an upper surface of the outsole; an upper extending from at least a portion of the perimeter of the outsole and over at least a portion of a user's foot to secure the shoe to the user's foot; an insole located above the outsole; and a conductive discharge element positioned within the passageway of the outsole and extending between the outsole and the insole and in electrical communication between the ground surface and the user's foot; wherein, after an electrostatic charge has been generated in the user's body, the electrostatic charge is at least partially discharged by the charge flowing from the user's feet to the discharge element and from the discharge element to the ground surface.

Preferably, the upper substantially surrounds the foot of the user.

In a first embodiment, the upper and outsole are integrally formed. The upper and outsole may be formed from a polymer material. The polymeric material is preferably an expandable polymeric material. The polymeric material may be Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA). The article of footwear is preferably a molded article of footwear.

In another embodiment, the outsole and the upper may not be integrally formed, and the outsole and the upper may be formed of different materials.

The discharge element may be in electrical communication with the side of the user's foot. The discharge element may include a contact portion for contacting a side of a user's foot.

The discharge element may be in electrical communication with at least a portion of the perimeter side of the user's foot.

The discharge element may be in electrical communication with the upper side of the user's foot.

In one embodiment, the upper may include a material lining extending around at least a portion of an interior surface of the upper, wherein the material lining includes an electrically conductive element and the material lining is in electrical communication with the discharge element, and wherein the material lining provides contact and electrical communication with a foot of a user. The material may comprise a conductive thread or yarn.

In a further embodiment, the discharge element may be in electrical communication with the underside of the user's foot.

The discharge element includes a plug portion, wherein the plug portion is formed of a polymer material, a rubberized material, or a silicone material, and is engageable within the aperture of the outsole. The plug portion is preferably sealingly engageable with the outsole so as to substantially prevent liquid from entering through the aperture from beneath the outsole during use. A conductive material is included in the material of the plug portion to form a conductive composite.

Preferably, the electrically conductive material is a carbon material, more preferably, the carbon material is provided in the form of fibers or particles.

Preferably, the discharge element includes a contact portion to be contacted with a user's foot, and the contact portion of the discharge element may be integrally formed with the plug portion of the discharge element.

The article of footwear is an article of footwear selected from the group comprising a surgical slipper, an athletic shoe, a running shoe or a dress shoe.

The insole of the footwear may be removable and interchangeable.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a conductive discharge element to provide electrostatic discharge from the body of a user of an article of footwear to a ground surface;

wherein the electrically conductive discharge element is locatable within a passageway of an outsole of an article of footwear, the passageway extending between the outsole and an insole of the article of footwear;

wherein the electrically conductive discharge element provides electrical communication between a ground surface and a foot of a user wearing the article of footwear; and is

Wherein, after an electrostatic charge has been generated in the user's body, the electrostatic charge is at least partially discharged by the charge flowing from the user's feet to the discharge element and from the discharge element to the ground surface.

The discharge element preferably comprises a plug portion, wherein said plug portion is formed of a polymeric, rubberized or silicone material and is engageable within said aperture of said outsole.

Preferably, the plug portion is sealingly engageable with an outsole of the article of footwear so as to substantially prevent liquid from entering through the aperture from beneath the outsole during use.

The conductive material may be included in the material of the plug portion so as to form a conductive composite material, and the conductive material may be a carbon material. The carbon material may be provided in the form of fibers or particles.

The discharge element may include a contact portion to be contacted with a user's foot.

The contact portion of the discharge element may be integrally formed with the plug portion of the discharge element.

The discharge element and the plug portion may be formed of a polymer material, a rubberized material, or a silicone material.

The conductive material may be a carbon material, and the carbon material may be provided in the form of fibers or particles.

The electrically conductive discharge element may be located within a pathway of an outsole of an article of footwear extending between the outsole and an insole of the article of footwear, wherein the article of footwear may be an article of footwear selected from the group consisting of a surgical slipper, an athletic shoe, a running shoe, or a dress shoe.

Drawings

In order that the invention described above may be more accurately understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings.

FIG. 1a shows a schematic drawing of a transverse cross-sectional view through an embodiment of an article of footwear of the prior art;

FIG. 1b shows a schematic drawing in transverse cross-section through another embodiment of an article of footwear of the prior art;

FIG. 2a shows a schematic drawing of a transverse cross-sectional view through an embodiment of an article of footwear of the present invention;

FIG. 2b shows a schematic drawing in transverse cross-section through another embodiment of an article of footwear of the present invention;

FIG. 3a shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an article of footwear according to the present invention;

FIG. 3b illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the article of footwear of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 3c shows a bottom view of the embodiment of the article of footwear of FIGS. 3a and 3 b;

FIG. 3d illustrates a transverse cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the article of footwear of FIGS. 3 a-3 c through line A-A of FIG. 3 c;

FIG. 3e illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the article of footwear of FIGS. 3 a-3 c through line B-B of FIG. 3 c;

FIG. 3f illustrates a perspective view of a discharge element used in the article of footwear of FIGS. 3 a-3 c;

FIG. 3g shows a perspective view of an insole for use in the footwear of FIGS. 3 a-3 c and the discharge element of FIG. 3 f;

fig. 4 shows the footwear of fig. 3a to 3c, the discharge element of fig. 3f and the insole of fig. 3g in an assembled state;

FIG. 5a shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an article of footwear according to the present invention;

FIG. 5b shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an additional embodiment of an article of footwear according to the present invention;

FIG. 5c shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of an article of footwear according to the present invention;

FIG. 5d shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of yet a further embodiment of an article of footwear according to the present invention; and

figure 5e shows a longitudinal section view of yet another embodiment of an article of footwear according to the invention.

Detailed Description

The present inventors have recognized the shortcomings of prior art footwear that discharge static electricity or electrical charge from the body of the footwear user, have provided solutions and articles of footwear that overcome the shortcomings recognized by the present inventors, and have provided an article of footwear of superior quality with advantages not provided by the prior art.

(i)Prior Art

Referring first to fig. 1 ｃA, there is shown ｃA schematic transverse cross-section through an article of footwear 100 ｃA of the prior art, such as that provided in EP- ｃA-1203539.

As shown, the article of footwear 100a includes an outsole 120a and an upper 121a, which as shown are integrally formed, such as provided in a clog-type article of footwear used, for example, in a hospital environment. In any event, it should be understood that the prior art need not be an integrally formed product, and is shown as such for illustrative purposes only.

Outsole 120a has an outer surface 122a for engaging a ground surface 130a, and an inner surface 124a for engaging the underside of the user's foot 110 a.

As shown, the electrically conductive plug member 140a extends through the aperture 122a in the outsole 120a, and the underside of the user's foot 110a engages the plug member 140a, while the opposite end of the plug member 140a may engage and contact the ground surface 130 a.

It will be appreciated that, since the plug member 140a provides a discharge path to ground by contacting the ground surface 130a, the accumulated static charge of the user's body may be discharged to ground through the plug member 140a as schematically represented by arrow 150a in order to reduce the accumulation of static charge within the user's body.

As shown, the electrical discharge, as schematically represented by arrow 150a, exits the underside 115a of the user's foot 110a, which, as shown, is in direct contact with the electrically conductive plug member 140a, and the electrically conductive plug member 140a is in direct contact with the ground surface 130 a.

It is well known that a sock may be placed on a user's foot 110a, such as may be worn with a sock having a plug element 140a, and still achieve static discharge from the user's body via the underside 115a of the user's foot 110a through contact with the underside 115a of the user's foot 110 a. However, in such an arrangement, it is desirable for the underside of the user's foot 110a to contact the plug member 140a extending through the outsole 120 a. Such contact with the underside 115a of the foot 110a may be direct contact or indirect contact, for example, if the user is wearing a sock.

Referring to fig. 1b, there is shown a schematic representation of a transverse cross-sectional view through a further embodiment of a prior art article of footwear 100b having features such as described by US 7,997,014.

The footwear 100b comprises an outsole 120b and an insole 150b with conductive portions, the insole 150b being intended to overlap the upper surface 124b of the outsole 120b inside the footwear 100b and to be interposed between the outsole 120b and the user's foot 110 b. The underside 115b of the user's foot 110b contacts the upper surface of the insole 150 b.

In such prior art, the discharge of static electricity from the user's body is accomplished by providing electrical communication between the underside of the user's foot 110b and the floor surface 130 b. This is provided by providing a grounding post or plug 140b in electrical communication with the conductive insole 150b, whereby the grounding post or plug 140b passes through the aperture of the outsole 120b and can engage the ground surface 130 b.

When underside 122b of article of footwear 100b engages ground surface 130b such that the discharge column of plug 140b engages ground surface 130b, charge 160b is achieved from the user's body to the ground surface.

The charge 160b from the user's body is transferred from the underside of the user's foot 110b to the conductive insole 150b, through the discharge column of the plug 140b, and to the ground surface 130b, as indicated by arrow 160 b.

According to the above exemplary and other prior art, the discharge 160b from the user's body to ground is accomplished by electrostatic discharge that is grounded from the human body via the underside of the human foot, via a conductive plug 140b (shown in FIG. 1 a) that abuts the underside 115b of the user's foot 110b, or via an interposed conductive insole 150b to a ground post or plug 140b, wherein the underside 115b of the user's foot 110b abuts the conductive insole 150 b.

As the present inventors have recognized, such prior art has drawbacks which the present inventors propose to overcome.

(ii)The invention

Referring now to FIG. 2a, a schematic drawing of an embodiment of an article of footwear 200a according to the present invention is shown. Article of footwear 200a includes an outsole 220a engageable with a ground surface 230a, and includes an upper 222a engaged with outsole 220 a. It should be appreciated that in other or alternative embodiments, the outsole 220a and the upper 222a may be integrally formed.

The article of footwear 200a further includes electrically conductive discharge elements 242a that extend through apertures in the outsole and are engageable with the ground surface 230a during walking.

The article of footwear 200a further includes an insole 250a disposed over the discharge elements 242a and engaged with the upper surface 224a of the outsole. This may be an indirect joint if further materials or layers are arranged between them.

In the present embodiment, the discharge element 242a extends laterally between the outer sole 220a and the inner sole 250a, and the contact portion 244a contacts the side of the user's foot 210 a.

As shown, the static charge 260a accumulated in the user's body is discharged to the ground by the transfer of charge from the user's foot 210a to the discharge element 242a at the contact point 244a, the charge flowing under the insole 250a and between the insole 250a and the outsole 220a, and discharging when the discharge element engages the ground surface 230 a.

In the present embodiment, the discharge element 242a is integrally formed and is formed of a polymer or rubberized material or compound. The discharge element has conductivity by containing carbon (such as fibers or particles) therein.

In other embodiments, the medial surface of upper 222a may include a material lining, which may include conductive elements or portions, such as conductive filaments or yarns, that are provided in electrical communication with the discharge elements, such that when a portion of the user's foot 210 is in contact with the medial surface, whether the bare foot or a sock on the foot, electrical communication is provided from the person's body to the discharge elements 242a and to ground via ground surface 230a, in order to discharge the user's static charge.

Referring now to FIG. 2b, a schematic view of an additional embodiment of an article of footwear 200b in accordance with the present invention is shown. The article of footwear includes an outsole 220b engageable with ground surface 230b and an upper 222b engaged with outsole 220 b. It should be appreciated that in other or alternative embodiments, the outsole 220b and the upper 222b may be integrally formed.

The article of footwear 200b further includes an electrically conductive discharge element 242b that extends through an aperture in the outsole and is engageable with the ground surface 230b during walking.

The article of footwear further includes an insole 250b, the insole 250b being disposed over the discharge elements and engaged with the upper surface 224b of the outsole. This may be an indirect joint if further materials or layers are arranged between them.

In this embodiment, the discharge element 242b extends laterally between the outer sole 220b and the inner sole 250b, surrounds the inner sole 250b and returns above the inner sole 250b, and the contact portion 244b contacts the underside of the user's foot 210 a.

As shown, the static charge 260b accumulated in the user's body is discharged to the ground by the transfer of charge from the user's foot 210b to the discharge element 242b at the contact point 244b, the charge flowing between the foot 210b and the insole 250b and between the insole 250b and the outsole 220b around the edge of the insole below the insole 250b, and discharging when the discharge element engages the ground surface 230 b.

In the present embodiment, the discharge element 242b is integrally formed, and is formed of a polymer or rubberized material or compound. The discharge element has conductivity by containing carbon (such as fibers or particles) therein.

The present inventors have recognized the shortcomings of the prior art, such as the prior art article of footwear shown and described with reference to fig. 1a and 1b, and have provided solutions that overcome the shortcomings and drawbacks of the prior art.

Referring specifically to the prior art of fig. 1a, these articles are typical of those used in clinical settings and are generally stiff and uncomfortable due to the absence of an insole.

Referring now specifically to the prior art of fig. 1b, such an article, while including various insoles, is a specialized insole that requires electrical conductivity of the insole and electrical communication with the discharge column, and therefore is not easily replaceable or configurable.

In contrast, as can be seen in fig. 2a and 2b, the present invention provides an article of footwear that includes an insole, however, an insole is not used at all in the electrostatic discharge path.

Advantageously, the present invention provides an article of footwear in which various orthopedic inserts, combination insoles and customized insoles for support, therapy, rehabilitation, etc. can be easily inserted and used, in sharp contrast to the prior art.

The present invention thus provides a versatile, adaptable and versatile article of electrostatic discharge-type footwear that can be used for extended periods of time due to the ability of a suitable insole to be used in conjunction with such footwear.

The provision of the discharge path provided by the discharge element of the present invention provides an electrostatic charge discharge path extending between the insole and outsole, allowing easy removal of the insole, and easy insertion of a requisite or desired insole.

The invention provides the user with a footwear article having electrostatic discharge capability and capacity, which can be worn for a long time without impairing the electrostatic discharge capability of the footwear article, by allowing the insertion of a suitable insole and orthosis.

Referring now to fig. 3 a-3 g, there is shown a preferred embodiment of an article of footwear 300 according to the present invention for discharging static electricity or charge from the body of a user of the article of footwear 300.

As shown in fig. 3a and 3b, a perspective view and a side view of an article of footwear 300 are shown. Such an article of footwear 300 includes an outsole 320 and an upper 332 that are integrally formed, or alternatively, in other embodiments, they may simply contact one another.

Referring to fig. 3d, which illustrates a transverse cross-sectional view of the article of footwear 300 through line a-a of fig. 3c, an upper 322 is shown integrally formed with an outsole 320 of the article of footwear 300, wherein the outsole 320 has an aperture 330 extending therethrough from an upper surface of the outsole 320 to a ground surface.

Such apertures 330 of the outsole 320 provide access to the ground surface from the upper surface of the outsole 320 toward the rear of the article of footwear 300, as shown in fig. 3e, which shows a transverse cross-sectional view of the article of footwear 300 through line B-B of fig. 3 c.

The apertures 330 of the outsole 320 allow the conductive discharge elements 340 to be located therein such that there is good electrical communication between the discharge elements 340 and the user's foot and the ground surface.

Referring now to fig. 3f, there is shown a conductive discharge element 340 formed separately on its own.

As shown, the conductive discharge element 340 includes: a plug portion 342, the plug portion 342 being inserted into the passageway formed by the aperture 330 of the outsole 320; and a contact portion 344, which in this embodiment is formed with the plug portion 342 so as to contact the side of the user's foot, similar to that described in fig. 2 a.

In other embodiments, the contact portion 344 contacts the underside of the user's foot as shown in fig. 2 b.

Accordingly, static charge accumulated in the user's body may be discharged from the feet to the plug portion 342 of the discharge element 340 at the contact portion 344 and ultimately to the ground when the discharge element 340 engages the ground surface.

Such discharge elements 340 may be formed of a polymer material, a rubberized material, or a silicone material, may have sufficient elasticity and flexibility to provide comfort when in contact with a user's foot, and may not create any unpleasant feeling during use by the user.

The plug portion is sealingly engageable with an outsole of the article of footwear so as to substantially prevent liquid from entering through the aperture from beneath the outsole during use.

In the present embodiment, the discharge element 340 is depicted as being integrally formed, including the plug portion 342 and the contact portion 344 of the discharge element 340.

However, and as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the discharge element 340 need not be integrally formed, and the plug portion 342 and the contact portion 344 may be separate components and may be formed of the same or different materials.

The discharge element 340 of the present invention is suitable for use in various types of footwear, such as surgical slippers, athletic shoes, running shoes, or dress shoes.

Moreover, it should be understood and readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that while the apertures extending through the outer side are shown as being circular and vertical, this need not necessarily be the case in alternative and other embodiments. For example, the apertures may be convoluted passages extending from the upper surface of the outsole to the ground surface so as to provide the necessary electrical path through the outsole regardless of the shape or path of the apertures.

Further, it should be understood that other layers may be present between the outsole and the insole of the footwear, however, and in any event, any such additional layer or material disposed between the outsole and the insole of the footwear does not affect the function of the discharge element so long as the conductive discharge element is or can be located within the pathway of the outsole and extends between the outsole and the insole, and there is electrical communication between the ground surface and the user's foot, and thus when an electrostatic charge has been generated on the user's body, the electrostatic charge is at least partially discharged by the flow of charge from the user's foot to the discharge element and from the discharge element to the ground surface.

In use, the insole 350 as shown in fig. 3g is placed over the outsole 320 of the footwear 300. The design of such an insole 350 is not limited to any material, form or shape, it is replaceable, and may be customized for the user to specifically meet their needs, and may be a realistic device provided by a healthcare professional.

Such an antistatic shoe 300 with a replaceable insole 350 of the present invention is very advantageous compared to the prior art of fig. 1a, which generally has no insole and is generally hard, inflexible and uncomfortable to wear.

Comfortable footwear is particularly important for those working in workplaces such as hospitals, clinics, high-tech laboratories, and manufacturing plants because these environments require employees to stand for extended periods of time while having to wear antistatic footwear due to safety measures.

If an employee working in the above-mentioned working environment wears prior art antistatic shoes or clogs, which are often heavy and composed of a hard and inflexible insole, their foot may easily get tired and uncomfortable, may even cause fatigue in the user's foot muscles, and may cause other physiological effects, such as back pain.

The footwear 300 of the present invention is advantageous over prior art footwear because it allows the insole 350, which is in direct contact with the user's foot, to be replaceable and customized to fit a particular shape, size, and any other user's particular needs.

For example, people with flat feet or sagged arch have difficulty working in tasks that require a lot of standing because they do not have arch support while standing. In some cases, these workers may experience extreme pain when wearing prior art antistatic footwear for extended periods of time, which is hard, heavy and without support, and which may easily cause the user's foot to accumulate high stresses.

In contrast, the article of footwear 300 of the present invention allows a user to apply a unique and customized insole 350 therein, or alternatively, to use a standard and supportive footbed. For example, a person with a flat foot may select a more comfortable insole 350 that has flexibility and resiliency to absorb shock, and also has an arch to support the foot to provide support for the foot.

Furthermore, the appearance of prior art antistatic shoes or clogs is often socially unacceptable and embarrassing. The staff working in the above working environment needs to replace the normal shoes before taking a rest or temporarily leaving the workplace, which causes inconvenience to the user.

However, the article of footwear 300 of the present invention allows for a stylish appearance. The footwear 300 of the present invention is not limited in design, shape and appearance, and a user may wear the footwear 300 of the present invention without embarrassment in any situation.

Referring now to fig. 4, there is shown a transverse cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of an article of footwear 400 according to the present invention, in which an upper 422, an outsole 420, an insole 450, and a conductive discharge element 442 are assembled together.

As shown, fig. 4 is similar to fig. 3e, which also shows a transverse cross-sectional view of the shoe 400, but with the insole 450 placed over the outsole 420 and the discharge elements 442 located within the apertures 430 of the outsole 420 of the article of footwear 400.

The contact portion 444 of the discharge element 442 contacts the user's foot during use, thus providing electrical communication between the floor surface and the user's foot.

Thus, after the electrostatic charge has been generated in the user's body, the electrostatic charge is at least partially discharged by the flow of the charge from the user's feet to the discharge element and from the discharge element to the ground surface.

As shown in fig. 3 a-3 f and 4, embodiments of the present invention are provided as a unitary construction and may be advantageously formed by a molding process whereby an article of footwear may be formed from a suitable polymeric material or mixture of polymeric materials. Suitable such materials include Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), and thus the article of footwear may be formed by an expansion molding process.

(iii)Discharge element of the invention

In some embodiments, the discharge element may be formed from a polymeric or rubberized material or mixture of materials, whereby the material has been modified to have suitable electrical conductivity so as to allow static charge to be conducted from the body of the user, for example, by incorporating an electrically conductive material into the polymeric or rubberized material so as to form an electrically conductive composite.

Such conductive material may include carbon, such as carbon, carbon fiber, or conductive filaments or fibers. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that sufficient electrical conductivity is required to allow discharge of static charge accumulated in the user's body.

The discharge elements in the above exemplary embodiments are described as being formed of a rubberized material and having a unitary construction, however in other and alternative embodiments the discharge elements may be formed to include portions or components made of a conductive metallic material so as to also provide an electrical path to ground.

Referring to fig. 5a, in other and alternative embodiments, the discharge element need not be a unitary structure or a plug-type device, and further there may be a plurality of individual discharge elements 542a of the shoe 500a that may be in electrical communication with one another in some embodiments through a linking portion 545a between the outsole 520a and the insole 550a, such as shown in another embodiment shown in fig. 5a, and may have more than one contact portion 544a to provide contact with the user's foot and for providing discharge of the charge 560a in accordance with the present invention.

Alternatively, as shown in the further embodiment of fig. 5b, the article of footwear 500b may be a plurality of discharge elements 542b that may be electrically isolated from one another and thus have individual contact portions 544b, each contact portion 544b being in electrical communication with its corresponding discharge element 542b, which also provides electrical communication, and which extends between the outsole 520b and the insole 550b to provide discharge of the electrical charge 560b in accordance with the present invention.

In yet another embodiment of an article of footwear 500c of the present invention, as shown in fig. 5c, for example, two discharge elements 542c (although in other embodiments there may be one, three, or more discharge elements) are electrically interconnected by a linking portion 545c, between the outsole 520c and the insole 550c, and a contact portion 544c in electrical communication with the discharge elements 542c is disposed at a heel portion of the article of footwear 500c and positioned to contact the heel of the user.

In yet a further embodiment of the article of footwear 500d of the present invention, the electrically conductive material liner 560d is in electrical contact with the foot of the user through a conductive material liner 560d disposed within an interior surface of the upper 522d of the article of footwear 500d, the conductive material liner 560d being in electrical communication with one or more discharge elements 542d extending through the outsole 520d, the discharge elements being interconnected by link portions 545d and configured to abut and engage the foot of the user so as to provide an electrical path to ground to discharge static electricity from the body of the user.

In embodiments of the invention, the entire interior of the upper may be formed of a sufficiently conductive material that provides for electrostatic discharge from the user's body when in electrical communication with the discharge element.

Alternatively, the upper may include a sufficiently conductive material formed therein and integrally formed that, when in communication with the discharge element, provides electrical discharge from the user's body.

Those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that there are no structural, material, or physical limitations with respect to the manner in which the engagement of the upper of the article of footwear with the user's foot is provided.

In yet another embodiment, again for exemplary purposes, an article of footwear 500e is illustrated having a plurality of discharge elements 542e disposed in an outsole 520e thereof extending therethrough. The discharge elements 542e are electrically interconnected to each other and to contact portion 544e by link portions 545e, the contact portion 544e being configured to fold or move on the insole so as to provide electrical communication with the underside of the user's foot for discharging electrostatic charges on the user's body. It should be understood that in this embodiment, the insole 550e does not form part of the electrical path for the discharge and may be removed and replaced, and is interchangeable in accordance with the present invention.

It should be appreciated that contact portion 544e may take a variety of forms, such as being provided as a rubberized or polymer or silicone conductive material, or even a conductive fabric material that may be overlaid on the inner base.

Again, and as noted and understood, for single and multiple discharge embodiments, the discharge elements may be formed of any suitable conductive material, and may be formed as a unitary structure, such as by a molding process using a rubberized or polymer type of substantially conductive material, and may also include contact portions to engage the user's feet.

Alternatively, the one or more discharge elements may be formed separately and may be connected with the contact portion, or with the conductive liner by a separate connection portion, such as in the embodiment of fig. 5 d.

In any event and in any case, such discharge element arrangements according to the present invention provide for a more comfortable and versatile article of footwear than those provided by the prior art by not using an insole as part of the discharge path.

(iv)Modes for carrying out the invention

The invention proposed by the present inventors provides an article of footwear which allows the implementation of an insole, which may be interchangeable or replaceable, which advantageously provides comfort to the user, without requiring the insole to be electrically conductive.

The discharge element, or portion thereof, is in electrical communication with a floor surface on which a user may stand or walk during use, providing a pathway or flow of electrostatic charge from the user's feet to the floor surface.

Advantageously, this feature not only provides footwear that is more comfortable than clogs-type shoes commonly used in the art, but also allows the use of a device-independent or specialized insole, since the footwear of the invention:

(i) an article of footwear suitable for static-sensitive environments is provided having an insole,

(ii) providing an article of footwear with an insole, thereby providing more comfortable footwear for such occupational environments, an

(iii) Additionally, an article of footwear is provided that allows for interchangeability of insoles to meet the needs of individual users.

An article of footwear is provided having an interchangeable insole that allows for the discharge of accumulated static electricity from the user's shoe, as described above, through the use of an insole that does not necessarily require a portion of the charge discharge path formed between the user's foot and the ground surface.

(v)Workplace environment suitability

As discussed above, the present invention is applicable to footwear used in static-sensitive workplace environments, such as in medical care environments, e.g., hospitals, and in electronics manufacturing and assembly environments.

In such applications, embodiments of the present invention may provide footwear articles that are more aesthetically pleasing and lighter weight than clogs-type polymers or plastics, thus creating superior footwear articles, at least from an abrasion resistance perspective and user-preferred perception, in addition to any enhanced treatment or comfort related issues.

(vi)Workplace environmental treatment advantages

It will be appreciated that in professional environments such as clinical environments and sensitive electronic environments, users often stand for long periods of time, and the prior art used in such applications, while having some degree of cushioning in some cases, does not allow users to insert their own specific insole.

In addition to the greater comfort provided by the insole and the prevention of foot-associated disease injury, many people require a special insole to treat and prevent the recurrence of disease from a clinical perspective.

Persons suffering from conditions such as arch, flatfoot, or plantar fasciitis require insoles or orthoses that can be purchased to help provide comfort, prevent or treat such conditions, or generally need to be manufactured on a custom made basis for the person.

Whether the insole is a standard support insole or an insole tailored to the patient and to the specific case, in the workplace, prevention of foot injury or treatment or maintenance of injury or the original condition is critical from an occupational health and safety (OH & S) perspective due to the prolonged wearing of footwear, particularly clog-type antistatic footwear, as is commonly used in clinical and electronics assembly environments.

(vii)Applicability to other types of footwear

Although embodiments of the present invention are described above with reference to footwear suitable for use in a clinical setting or an electronic assembly setting, the present invention is equally applicable and can be implemented in other or alternative types of footwear.

For example, the invention is applicable to other types of footwear, including articles of athletic footwear, fashion-style footwear, and the like.

Similar to the articles of footwear discussed above, outsoles are generally considered to be electrically insulating, and similar to environmental conditions and physical activity, a person's body may accumulate static charges, which may occur when discharged, such as when a user touches a sufficiently grounded article or contacts the body of another person, causing accidents, jarring, discomfort, and distraction, and in some cases, subsequent physical injury to the user, other persons, or property due to such unexpected electrostatic discharges.

The implementation of the discharge element according to the invention in jogging shoes, running shoes, specific sports shoes for specific activities, therefore, helps the user to gradually discharge the static charge of the user's body and to reduce or at least significantly ameliorate the above-mentioned harmful and undesired accumulation consequences and to discharge it from the user's body afterwards.

Advantageously, in such footwear, as will be inherently understood as having a substantially electrically insulating outsole, and thus the presence of accumulated static charge in the user's ungrounded body, implementation of the present invention provides for gradual discharge from the person's body, similar to that described with reference to the above-described embodiments.

Furthermore, (i) because the insole can be used in footwear embodying the present invention, and (ii) because the insole according to embodiments of the present invention need not form part of the discharge path, sufficient flexibility and autonomy is again provided with respect to the selection and deployment of insoles, including orthotics and other therapeutic types of inserts, including partial insole inserts, and sport-appropriate insoles and inserts for absorbing shocks during impact and repeated use, while still allowing electrostatic discharge according to the present invention.

Accidental electrostatic discharge from the human body to the ground (as discussed above) and its potential consequences, as well as embarrassment and embarrassment, are of concern not only in the context of the assembly of clinical and electrical components, but also in many other working environments or in social or everyday environments. In many other environments, people may use and wear different types of shoes and footwear, and such articles embodying the present invention provide articles with adequate comfort and foot support while allowing the release of static electricity build-up within the user's body.

(viii) Health, safety and happiness

The feeling of electrocution may provide a "shock" discomfort due to static electricity. Typical activities, such as closing the doors and pushing or closing a supermarket cart in a supermarket, can cause a person to feel voltages in excess of 10,000 volts. However, it is reported that such electric shock rarely causes physical influence because the time for which the current flows is so short.

In a factory workplace environment, machine operators may be directly subjected to electrostatic shock from the products they are using or using, and in some industrial environments, may also be charged by induction when they stand in the electric field of a charged object. Static charge can build up on the operator until the operator touches the ground or grounded portion of the machine and a discharge occurs, causing a shock to be felt. Likewise, while this is unlikely to cause any serious injury to the operator, occupational accidents may occur where an electric shock is sufficient to cause operator recoil reactions, or at critical times such as mechanical operation, as the operator may collide with colleagues or trip into the path of other machines, causing incorrect control actions to be performed, causing injury to the operator, colleagues or the public (as the case may be).

Thus, the reduction of the likelihood and risk of electrostatic shock as provided by the present invention is important to avoid workplace injury and to show due care and concern for employee welfare and safety.

If such static shocks occur frequently, the efficiency of the production and workplace can be further adversely affected because people can intuitively work at slower and more hesitant speeds if they think they are at risk of receiving a shock.

If the incidence of electrostatic shock is reduced, people generally do not have any concern and expectation for static electricity in all aspects of life, not just workplaces. Thus, without being exposed to the anticipated threat of sustained exposure to electrostatic shocks, the general anxiety level of the person will be reduced, thus providing a more calming and balanced environment.

The invention provided by the present inventors has addressed significant shortcomings in the prior art by providing footwear that at least:

(i) the static electricity accumulated on the user's body is discharged,

(ii) comfort is also provided by the provision of an insole, an

(iii) Providing versatility and interchangeability of insoles for users.

Claims

1. An article of footwear for providing an electrostatic discharge from a body of a user of the article of footwear to a ground surface, the article of footwear comprising:

an outsole having one or more apertures extending therethrough to provide access to a ground surface from an upper surface of the outsole;

an upper extending from at least a portion of a perimeter of the outsole and over at least a portion of a user's foot to secure the shoe to the user's foot;

an insole located above the outsole; and

a conductive discharge element positioned within the passage of the outsole, extending between the outsole and the insole, and in electrical communication between a ground surface and a user's foot;

2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the upper substantially surrounds a foot of a user.

3. The article of footwear of claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper and the outsole are integrally formed.

4. The article of footwear of claim 3, wherein the upper and the outsole are formed from a polymer material.

5. The article of footwear of claim 4, wherein the polymeric material is an expandable polymeric material.

6. The article of footwear of claim 4 or 5, wherein the polymer material is Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA).

7. The article of footwear of any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the article of footwear is a molded article of footwear.

8. The article of footwear of claim 1 or 2, wherein the outsole and the upper are not integrally formed

9. The article of footwear of claim 8, wherein the outsole and the upper are formed of different materials.

10. The article of footwear of any of the preceding claims, wherein the discharge element is in electrical communication with a side of a user's foot.

11. The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the discharge element includes a contact portion for contacting the side of a user's foot.

12. The article of footwear of any of the preceding claims, wherein the discharge element is in electrical communication with at least a portion of a perimeter side of a user's foot.

13. The article of footwear of any of the preceding claims, wherein the discharge element is in electrical communication with an upper side of a user's foot.

14. The article of footwear of any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper includes a material lining extending around at least a portion of an interior surface of the upper, wherein the material lining includes an electrically conductive element, and the material lining is in electrical communication with the discharge element, and wherein the material lining provides contact and electrical communication with a foot of a user.

15. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein the material comprises conductive filaments or yarns.

16. The article of footwear of any of claims 1-9, wherein the discharge element is in electrical communication with an underside of a foot of a user.

17. The article of footwear of any of the preceding claims, wherein the discharge element includes a plug portion, wherein the plug portion is formed of a polymer material, a rubberized material, or a silicone material and is engageable within the aperture of the outsole.

18. The article of footwear of claim 17, wherein the plug portion is sealingly engageable with the outsole to substantially prevent liquid from entering through the aperture from beneath the outsole in use.

19. The article of footwear of claim 17 or 18, wherein a conductive material is included in the material of the plug portion to form a conductive composite.

20. The article of footwear of claim 19, wherein the electrically conductive material is a carbon material.

21. The article of footwear of claim 20, wherein the carbon material is provided in the form of fibers or particles.

22. The article of footwear of any of claims 17-21, wherein the discharge element includes a contact portion for contacting a foot of a user.

23. The article of footwear of claim 22, wherein the contact portion of the discharge element is integrally formed with the plug portion of the discharge element.

24. The article of footwear of any of the preceding claims, wherein the article of footwear is an article of footwear selected from the group consisting of a surgical slipper, an athletic shoe, a running shoe, or a dress shoe.

25. The article of footwear of any of the preceding claims, wherein the insole of the article of footwear is removable and interchangeable.

26. An electrically conductive discharge element for providing an electrostatic discharge from the body of a user of an article of footwear to a ground surface;

27. The conductive discharge element according to claim 26, wherein said discharge element comprises a plug portion, wherein said plug portion is formed of a polymeric material, a rubberized material, or a silicone material and is engageable within said aperture of said outsole.

28. The conductive discharge element according to claim 27, wherein the plug portion is sealingly engageable with the outsole of the article of footwear so as to substantially prevent liquid from entering through the aperture from beneath the outsole in use.

29. The conductive discharge element of claim 27 or 28, wherein a conductive material is included in the material of the plug portion to form a conductive composite.

30. The conductive discharge element of claim 29, wherein the conductive material is a carbon material.

31. The conductive discharge element according to claim 30, wherein the carbon material is provided in the form of fibers or particles.

32. The conductive discharge element according to any of claims 27 to 31, wherein the discharge element comprises a contact portion to contact a user's foot.

33. The conductive discharge element of claim 32, wherein the contact portion of the discharge element is integrally formed with the plug portion of the discharge element.

34. The conductive discharge element according to claim 33, wherein said discharge element and said plug portion are formed of a polymeric material, a rubberized material, or a silicone material.

35. The conductive discharge element of claim 35, wherein the conductive material is a carbon material.

36. The conductive discharge element according to claim 35, wherein the carbon material is provided in the form of fibers or particles.

37. The conductive discharge element according to any of claims 26 to 36, wherein the conductive discharge element is locatable within a passageway of an outsole of an article of footwear, the passageway extending between the outsole and an insole of the article of footwear, wherein the article of footwear is an article of footwear selected from the group consisting of a surgical slipper, an athletic shoe, a running shoe, or a dress shoe.