US2273563A - Grounding contact for footwear - Google Patents

Description

Feb, 17, 1942, J. DELAMERE GROUNDING CONTACT FOR FOOTWEAR Filed May 5, 1941 11V VEN TOR.

Patented Feb. 17, 1942 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE GROUNDING CONTACT FOR FOOTWEAR John Delamere, Denver, Colo.

Application May 3, 1941, Serial No. 391,815

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a device adapted to be installed in boots and shoes whereby an electrical contact can be established between the body of the wearer and the ground so as to provide a means for dissipation of electrical currents generated by the body.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is simple an inexpensive in construction and can be readily applied to a shoe either at the time of manufacture or subsequently thereto.

A further object is to provide a grounding contact which will not cause discomfort to the user nor be objectionably conspicuous.

A still further object is to provid a grounding contact the wearing element or brush of which can be renewed easily when necessary.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawing the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawing Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of the heel portion of a shoe showing the present invention therein.

Figure 3 is a top plan view thereof.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, I designates a guide sleeve extending from and opening into a cup-like body 2 which, as shown, is provided with attaching ears 3. This body 2 is normally closed by a screw plug 4 or the like which can be provided with a kerf 5 by which it can be easily screwed into or out of position in the body. A vent opening 6 is also formed in the plug.

Mounted to slide in the sleeve l is a contact pin or brush 1 having a head 8 at one end thereof slidable within the body 2 and cooperating with the bottom 9 of the body for limiting the movement of the pin or brush in one direction. A coiled spring l0 or other suitable cushioning means is seated in the body 2 and bears at one end against the head or enlargement 8 and at its other end against the screw plug 4. Thus one end of the pin or-brush l is held normally projected beyond the end of the sleeve I,

In using the device an opening II is extended through the heel l2 of a shoe l3 or the like, the upper end of this opening being counterbored as at H so that sleeve l and body 2 can thus be fitted snugly in the heel. The in-sole or other portion of the shoe can be recessed at l5 to receive the ears 3 so that they will not form any objectionable projection within the shoe likely to cause discomfort.

The parts are so proportioned that when the device is seated in the heel and fastened in place by means of nails I6 or the like extending through the ears 3, the lower end of the pin or brush 1 will project slightly below the bottom surface of the heel as shown particularly in Figure 3. Thus while in use, this projecting end will form a contact with theground so that electricity generated by the body of the user while in motion, will thus be dissipated. The pin or brush 1 can be made of copperor other material sufliciently soft to wear uniformly and should the pin become too worn to work efilciently, anew one can be substituted readily simply by removing the screw plug 4, lifting the spring Ill and pin or brush I and substituting a new brush or pin after which the other parts can be returned to their. proper positions.

What is claimed is:

The combination with the ground-engaging portion of a shoe provided with a counterbored opening therethrough, of a grounding contact including a guide sleeve seated in the opening, a hollow enlargement at one end of the sleeve seated in the counterbore, thereby to support the sleeve in the shoe, means for attachingsaid' enlargement to the shoe, a screw plug constituting a closure for the enlargement and accessible from within the shoe, a contact pin slidabie in the sleeve, a head at one end thereof slidable in the enlargement, and a cushioning spring within the enlargement and bearing against the head and plug for holding one end of the pin normally projected beyond the ground-engaging surface of the shoe.

JOHN DELAMERE.

Images