Ergonomic insoles with electrostatic protection

Abstract

An insertable shoe insole or shoe integrally formed therewith having electrostatic protection and a method of categorizing and selecting same which provides individual solutions to workplace fatigue and stress by determining the specific support needed for each individual. Specifically, the present invention defines and utilizes an ergonomic interaction factor to enable selection of a proper fitting shoe. Such selection occurs in one embodiment by dividing a person's weight by the contact area of the bottom of their feet. The insole includes an electrically conductive material for the purpose of eliminating the buildup of static charge by conducting static charges from the user's feet to conductive shoes which then transfer the charge to the floor.

1 . An insole for use in a shoe comprising at least one compressible padding consisting essentially of an open-cell material characterized by a maximum compression set of 3% as measured according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) test specification D1056 and a compression deflection up to 70 psi as measured according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) test specification D3574, said insole including electrically conductive material for the purpose of eliminating the buildup of static charge. 
     
     
         2 . The insole of  claim 1 , wherein the compression deflection is in the range of about 3 psi to about 13 psi. 
     
     
         3 . The insole of  claim 1  wherein the compression deflection is selected from the group consisting of a range of from 3 to 7 psi, a range of from 5.0 to 9.0 psi. a range of from 9 to 13 psi., and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The insole of  claim 1  wherein the compression deflection is from 3 psi to 70 psi as measured according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) test specification D3574. 
     
     
         5 . The insole of  claim 1 , further comprising additional compressible padding that consists of closed-cell material. 
     
     
         6 . The insole of  claim 5  wherein the closed-cell material is characterized by a compression set of about 25%. 
     
     
         7 . The insole of  claim 5  wherein the closed-cell material is characterized by a compression set of about 40%. 
     
     
         8 . The insole of  claim 1  wherein the insole is selected in accordance with an ‘ergonomic interaction factor’ calculated by dividing a user's weight in pounds by the ground contact area of said user's feet in square inches. 
     
     
         9 . An insole for use in a shoe to be worn by a user, the insole consisting essentially of at least one multi-compressible layer including at least one compressible layer consisting of open-cell material characterized by a maximum compression set of 3% as measured according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) test specification D1056 and a compression deflection of up to 20 psi., said insole being removably insertable in a shoe worn by a user, said insole including electrically conductive material for the purpose of eliminating the buildup of static charge. 
     
     
         10 . The insole of  claim 9  wherein the at least one multi-compressible layer includes at least one compressible layer that consists of closed-cell material. 
     
     
         11 . The insole of  claim 10  wherein the closed-cell material is characterized by a compression set of about 25%. 
     
     
         12 . The insole of  claim 9  wherein the closed-cell material is characterized by a compression set of about 40%. 
     
     
         13 . The insole of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one compressible layer consisting of open-cell material comprising said multi-compression layer is disposed on top of said at least one compressible layer consisting of closed-cell material. 
     
     
         14 . The insole of  claim 9  wherein the at least one multi-compressible layer includes at least one additional open-cell material having a different compression set value in the same layer. 
     
     
         15 . The insole of  claim 9  wherein the compression deflection is selected from the group consisting of a range of from 3 to 7 psi, a range of from 5.0 to 9.0 psi. a range of from 9 to 13 psi., and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The insole of  claim 9  wherein the closed-cell material is characterized by a compression set of about 25%. 
     
     
         17 . The insole of  claim 9  wherein the closed-cell material is characterized by a compression set of about 40%. 
     
     
         18 . The insole of  claim 9 , including a shoe comprising a heel, a toe, an upper, an outer sole, and a tongue. 
     
     
         19 . An insole comprising at least one compressible layer including open-cell material characterized by a maximum compression set of 3% as measured according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) test specification D1056 and a compression deflection up to 20 psi, and said at least one compressible layer including said open cell material being characterized by an ergonomic interaction factor (“EIF”), in the range of from 4 to 13 pounds per square inch, said ergonomic interaction factor being based on determining the user's weight divided by the contact area of the bottom of a user's feet, said insole including electrically conductive material for the purpose of eliminating the buildup of static charge. 
     
     
         20 . The insole of  claim 19 , including a shoe comprising a heel, a toe, an upper, an outer sole, and a tongue formed integrally therewith.