Grounded sandal

Abstract

A grounding foot-worn sandal has a sole with an upper foot-supporting surface and a lower ground-engaging surface. A strap extends upwardly over the upper surface of the sole for receiving a portion of a user's foot therein. An elongated conductive strip extends from the upper surface of the sole to the lower surface of the sole, such that the elongated strip simultaneously contacts the ground and a user's foot to provide a conductive path therebetween and ground the user with the earth's surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A grounding foot-worn sandal, comprising:
 a sole having an upper foot supporting surface and a lower ground engaging surface;   a strap extending upwardly over the upper surface of the sole for receiving a portion of a foot therein; and   an elongated conductive strip extending from the upper surface of the sole to the lower surface of the sole;   wherein the elongated conductive strip simultaneously contacts the ground and a user's foot and provides a conductive path therebetween.   
     
     
         2 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive strip extends from the upper surface of the sole through a slot formed in the sole and to the lower surface of the sole. 
     
     
         3 . The sandal of  claim 2 , wherein the slot is formed in a heel area of the of the sole. 
     
     
         4 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive strip extends from the upper surface of the sole over an edge of the sole and to the lower surface of the sole. 
     
     
         5 . The sandal of  claim 4 , wherein the conductive strip extends from under the strap along the upper surface and over a back edge of the sandal to the lower surface of the sole. 
     
     
         6 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive strip is disposed within a groove formed in the sole extending from the upper surface of the sole to the lower surface of the sole. 
     
     
         7 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive strip extends substantially a length of the upper and lower surfaces of the sole. 
     
     
         8 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive strip extends from a metatarsal pad area to a heel area on the upper surface of the sole. 
     
     
         9 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive strip is comprised of an elastomeric material having a conductor embedded therein sufficient to maintain 10/4 th  conductivity. 
     
     
         10 . The sandal of  claim 9 , wherein the conductive strip is comprised of a rubber material having carbon embedded therein. 
     
     
         11 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the sandal comprises a flip flop. 
     
     
         12 . The sandal of  claim 11 , wherein the strap is Y-shaped and configured to extend over opposite sides of the foot and between a big toe and an adjacent toe of the foot. 
     
     
         13 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the sole is substantially planar. 
     
     
         14 . The sandal of  claim 1 , wherein the sole is comprised of a flexible material. 
     
     
         15 . A grounding foot-worn sandal, comprising:
 a sole having an upper foot supporting surface and a lower ground engaging surface;   a strap extending upwardly over the upper surface of the sole for receiving a portion of a foot therein; and   an elongated conductive strip extending between a metatarsal pad area to a heel area of the upper surface of the sole and through a slot formed in the sole to the lower surface of the sole;   wherein the conductive strip is comprised of an elastomeric material having a conductor embedded therein sufficient to maintain 10/4 th  conductivity; and   wherein the elongated conductive strip simultaneously contacts the ground and a user's foot and provides a conductive path therebetween.   
     
     
         16 . The sandal of  claim 15 , wherein the slot is formed in a heel area of the of the sole. 
     
     
         17 . The sandal of  claim 15 , wherein the conductive strip is disposed within grooves formed in upper and lower surfaces of the sole. 
     
     
         18 . The sandal of  claim 15 , wherein the conductive strip extends substantially a length of the lower surface of the sole. 
     
     
         19 . The sandal of  claim 15 , wherein the conductive strip is comprised of a rubber material having carbon embedded therein. 
     
     
         20 . The sandal of  claim 15 , wherein the sandal comprises a flip flop, wherein the strap is Y-shaped and configured to extend over opposite sides of the foot and between a big toe and an adjacent toe of the foot, and wherein the sole is substantially planar and comprised of a flexible material. 
     
     
         21 . A grounding foot-worn sandal, comprising:
 a sole having an upper foot supporting surface and a lower ground engaging surface;   a strap extending upwardly over the upper surface of the sole for receiving a portion of a foot therein; and   an elongated conductive strip disposed within a groove formed in the sole and extending from the upper surface of the sole over an edge of the sole and to the lower surface of the sole;   wherein the conductive strip is comprised of an elastomeric material having a conductor embedded therein sufficient to maintain 10/4 th  conductivity; and   wherein the elongated conductive strip simultaneously contacts the ground and a user's foot and provides a conductive path therebetween.   
     
     
         22 . The sandal of  claim 20 , wherein the conductive strip extends from under the strap along the upper surface and over a back edge of the sandal to the lower surface of the sole. 
     
     
         23 . The sandal of  claim 20 , wherein the conductive strip extends from a metatarsal pad area to a heel area on the upper surface of the sole and substantially a length of the lower surface of the sole. 
     
     
         24 . The sandal of  claim 20 , wherein the conductive strip is comprised of a rubber material having carbon embedded therein. 
     
     
         25 . The sandal of  claim 20 , wherein the sandal comprises a flip flop and wherein the strap is Y-shaped and configured to extend over opposite sides of the foot and between a big toe and an adjacent toe of the foot, and wherein the sole is substantially planar and comprised of a flexible material.