Footwear

Abstract

A sole assembly for footwear supporting a foot over a ground surface. The sole assembly includes a sole made of insulating material. The sole has a top surface configured to support the foot, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface configured to contact the ground surface. At least one contact extends between the top and bottom surfaces and is generally surrounded by the sole. The at least one contact has a conducting material that is configured to allow a flow of electrical current between the foot adjacent the top surface and the ground surface adjacent the bottom surface.

1 . A sole assembly for footwear supporting a foot over a ground surface, the sole assembly comprising:
 a sole made of insulating material, the sole having a top surface configured to support the foot and a bottom surface opposite the top surface and configured to contact the ground surface;   at least one contact extending between the top and bottom surfaces and generally surrounded by the sole, the at least one contact having a conducting material configured to allow a flow of electrical current between the foot adjacent the top surface and the ground surface adjacent the bottom surface.   
   
   
       2 . The sole of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating material includes a polymer. 
   
   
       3 . The sole of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one contact is a first contact configured to be positioned adjacent an arch of the foot. 
   
   
       4 . The sole of  claim 3 , further comprising a second contact, wherein the second contact is configured to be positioned adjacent a heel of the foot. 
   
   
       5 . The sole of  claim 4 , further comprising five additional contacts, each additional contact of the five additional contacts is configured to be positioned adjacent a respective toe of the foot. 
   
   
       6 . The sole of  claim 4 , further comprising a length of conductive material positioned along the top surface to electrically connect the first and second contacts. 
   
   
       7 . A footwear assembly for supporting a foot over a ground surface, the footwear assembly comprising:
 a sole made of insulating material, the sole having
 a top surface configured to support the foot, and 
 a bottom surface opposite the top surface and configured to contact the ground surface; and 
   at least one contact extending between the top and bottom surfaces and generally surrounded by the sole, the at least one contact having conducting material configured to allow flow of electrical current between the foot adjacent the top surface and the ground surface adjacent the bottom surface.   
   
   
       8 . The footwear assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the insulating material includes a polymer. 
   
   
       9 . The footwear assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one contact is a first contact configured to be positioned adjacent an arch of the foot. 
   
   
       10 . The footwear assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a second contact configured to be positioned adjacent a heel of the foot. 
   
   
       11 . The footwear assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a length of conductive material positioned along the top surface to electrically connect the first and second contacts. 
   
   
       12 . The footwear assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising five additional contacts, each additional contact of the five additional contacts configured to be positioned adjacent a respective toe of the foot. 
   
   
       13 . The footwear assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a length of conductive material positioned along the length of the footwear assembly to electrically connect the five additional contacts with the first contact. 
   
   
       14 . A method of transferring electrical energy through a sole assembly of footwear, the method comprising;
 providing at least one contact in a sole of the sole assembly, such that the contact extends through the sole between top and bottom surfaces of the sole;   placing the bottom surface of the sole on a ground surface;   inserting a foot into the footwear adjacent the top surface of the sole;   supporting a foot with the sole;   positioning at least a portion of the foot adjacent the contact;   resisting electrical energy through the sole; and   communicating electrical current through the contact between the ground and the foot.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising inserting an electrically conductive sock into the footwear between the foot and the at least one contact. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the contact is a first contact, and wherein the method further comprises electrically connecting the first contact and a second contact with a length of electrically conductive material on the top surface. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising positioning the first contact adjacent an arch of the foot. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising positioning the second contact adjacent a heel of the foot. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising positioning five additional contacts adjacent respective toes of the foot. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising electrically connecting the first and second contacts and the five additional contacts with electrically conductive material along the top surface.