WO2014146278A1

WO2014146278A1 - Footwear conductive loop and footwear thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2014146278A1
Application number: PCT/CN2013/073001
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kek Hing Kow
Original assignee: Esd Technology Consulting & Licensing Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2013-03-21
Filing date: 2013-03-21
Publication date: 2014-09-25
Also published as: TWI589242B; CN104349692A; CN104349692B; TW201446169A

Abstract

A unique footwear conductive loop comprises at least one upper footwear conductive loop formed by one upper conductive wire and at least one lower footwear conductive loop formed by one lower conductive wire. The upper conductive wire contacts the bottom of a person's foot and the lower conductive wire contacts the floor. The upper footwear conductive loop is electrically connected the lower footwear conductive loop for draining static charges from the person to the floor. The unique footwear conductive loop achieves a simple, easy-to-make, highly durable and a low cost means to convert ordinary footwear to precisely controlled body-to-ground electrical resistance footwear for use in a cleanroom or non-cleanroom high technology manufacturing environment.

Description

FOOTWEAR CONDUCTIVE LOOP AND FOOTWEAR THEREOF

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to electrostatic discharge field, and most specifically to a footwear conductive loop and footwear equipped with the footwear conductive loop.

Background of invention

With the rapid miniaturization trend of the microchips in the electronics industry, electrostatic discharge (ESD) has become one of the major considerations in improving product quality and reducing rejects due to such electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage. The management of electrostatic discharge (ESD) control has already become a very important and an indispensible function to fight against such ESD damage in a highly competitive, high technology and fast-moving electronics manufacturing industry globally.

Typically in an ESD control program, the grounding of all materials, people and machines are necessary in order to eliminate or minimize the occurrence of electrostatic discharge (ESD) events in an ESD-sensitive electronics assembly work environment. There are numerous prior arts that touch & emphasize on the use of shoe grounding device or attachment in the ESD footwear industry and some of them include the followings.

US Patent 4249226 highlights an electrically conductive strap that secured to an ordinary shoe to ground static electricity accumulated on the body of a person.

US Patent 4812948 highlights a shoe ground strap with a static dissipative exposed surface and offers protection against static charges building on the wearer and offers protection against electrical hazards if contacting a source of electrical power.

German Patent DE19716332A1 highlights an attachable flexible conductive strap that wraps externally over the shoe and underneath the shoe and extends to rest freely on the surface of the sole to allow easy conversion of ordinary footwear to electrostatic discharge footwear.

Korean Patent KR2010008914U highlights an electrostatic removal device comprising a U-shape footwear hanger holder that attaches to the heel region of footwear to provide a conductive path to drain static charge from body to ground.

Malaysia Patent PI201000262 highlights an electrically conductive loop that is threaded through the shoe sole in different ways or configurations to achieve a conductive path to drain static charge from body to ground.

PCT application PCT/CN2011/081005 highlights an electrically conductive strap comprises a U-shape holder with a tail resting freely on a surface of an sole and a split design at the bottom of the shoe sole to enable it to effectively strap on to the front portion of the shoe to provide yet another means to convert an ordinary shoe to an electrostatic discharge shoe.

However, all these cited prior art exhibit certain common problems that hinder the large scale use in the industrial and consumer market due to one or more of the following shortcomings.

The attached loop is not lasting if it is soft, causing high wear and tear when a wearer walks with the bottom portion of the loop rubbing or abrading on the floor.

If the loop is hard (such as made of metal), it is not elastic when attaches onto the shoe. The attachment loosens quite readily especially after some time of use, causing safety and long term attachment problem.

A solution is found by choosing and selecting material that exhibits a fair amount of elasticity that withstands high wear and tear by incorporating high abrasive resistance mineral or chemical compound into such elastomer. Such approach will help to provide certain amount of loop elasticity as needed for a good-fit and right-fit attachment design. However, when come to cleanliness especially use in a clean environment or cleanroom application in today's many high technology electronics manufacturing industry, the particle shedding, flaking or marking on floor caused by these abrasive fillers is generally not acceptable due to the dust particles generated from the footwear that can contaminates the clean air or cross contaminates their highly sensitive electronic components or devices.

In addition, many of the cited prior art are not suitable for use with shoes with soft uppers at the top portion of the shoes. A shoe with soft uppers is a popular choice in modern design due to comfort and good-fit for wearers. However, practical experience teaches us that a soft upper will collapse easily and crumble into an ugly and unsightly look after the flexible conductive strap put on for just a short duration like a few minutes, few hours or a few days depending on how soft is the shoe's upper design. The collapsed electrical conductive strap will create another problem of loose attachment and fastening ability.

Therefore, further research and development is needed in developing a simple, easy-to-make, highly durable and a low cost means to convert ordinary footwear to precisely controlled body-to-ground electrical resistance footwear for use in a cleanroom or non-cleanroom high technology manufacturing environment.

Summary of Invention

The primary objective of this invention is to provide a unique footwear conductive loop comprising at least one upper footwear conductive loop formed by one upper conductive element with at least one bended end inserted in a shoe sole and an upper straight portion contacting a bottom of a person’s foot, and at least one lower footwear conductive loop formed by one lower conductive element with at least one bended end inserted in the shoe sole and a lower straight portion contacting a floor, wherein the upper footwear conductive loop is electrically connecting the lower footwear conductive loop for draining static charges from the person to the floor.

Optionally, the lower conductive wire has the two bended ends bended upward in a range of 10 degree to 80 degree or in a range of 100 degree to 170 degree from a horizontal axis so as to form a lower self-locking structure for insertion into a bottom surface of the shoe sole.

Optionally, the lower conductive wire has the two bended ends bended upward at an angle of 45 degree or 135 degree to form a claw-like self-lock structure locking into the bottom surface of the shoe sole permanently.

Optionally, the lower conductive wire has one bended end bended upward at an angle in a range of 80 degree to 100 degree and then bended left or right at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 170 degree, and one bended end bended upward at an angle in a range of 80 degree to 100 degree and then bended right or left at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 170 degree, so as to form a lower self-locking structure for insertion into a bottom surface of the shoe sole.

Optionally, the lower conductive wire has the two bended ends bended upward at an angle of 90 degree and then bended left or right at angle of 90 degree from a vertical axis so as to form two L-shape ends for insertion into a bottom surface of the shoe sole.

Optionally, the lower conductive wire has one bended end bended upward at an angle in a range of 80 degree to 100 degree, and then bended left or right at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 170 degree, and has other bended end bended upward at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 80 degree or in a range of 100 degree to 170 degree from a horizontal axis so as to form a lower self-locking structure for insertion into a bottom surface of the shoe sole.

Optionally, the lower conductive wire has the one bended end bended upward at an angle of 90 degree from a horizontal axis and then bended left or right at angle of 90 degree from a vertical axis so as to form one L-shape end and has other one bended end bended upward at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 80 degree or in a range of 100 degree to 170 degree from a horizontal axis so as to form the lower self-locking structure for insertion into a bottom surface of the shoe sole.

Optionally, the upper conductive wire has the two bended ends bended downward at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 80 degree or in a range of 100 degree to 170 degree from a horizontal axis so as to form an upper self-locking structure for insertion into a top surface of the shoe sole.

Optionally, the upper conductive wire has two bended ends bended downward at an angle of 45 degree or 135 degree to form a claw-like self-lock structure locking into the top surface of the shoe sole permanently.

Optionally, the upper conductive wire has one bended end bended downward at an angle in a range of 80 degree to 100 degree and then bended left or right at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 170 degree, and one bended end bended downward at an angle in a range of 80 degree to 100 degree and then bended right or left at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 170 degree, so as to form a upper self-locking structure for insertion into a top surface of the shoe sole.

Optionally, the upper conductive wire has the two bended ends bended downward at an angle of 90 degree from a horizontal axis and then bended left or right at angle of 90 degree from a vertical axis so as to form two L-shape ends for insertion into a top surface of the shoe sole.

Optionally, the upper conductive wire has one end bended downward at an angle in a range of 80 degree to 100 degree, and then bended left or right at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 170 degree, and has other bended end bended upward at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 80 degree or in a range of 100 degree to 170 degree from a horizontal axis so as to form a upper self-locking structure for insertion into a top surface of the shoe sole.

Optionally, the upper conductive wire has the one bended end bended downward at an angle of 90 degree from a horizontal axis and then bended left or right at angle of 90 degree from a vertical axis so as to form one L-shape end and has other one end bended downward at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 80 degree or in a range of 100 degree to 170 degree from a horizontal axis so as to form the upper self-locking structure for insertion into a top surface of the shoe sole.

Optionally, the upper and lower conductive wires have a thickness between 0.1mm to 3mm in diameter, preferably between 0.5mm to 1mm.

Optionally, the upper and lower conductive wires are metallic wires. The metallic wires are made of steel, copper, iron, brass, nickel or an alloy of two or more of these materials to achieve good strength and rust-free property. The metallic wires are non-particle shedding, non-flaking or non-marking on floor making it ideal for use in a high technology cleanroom manufacturing environment.

Optionally, the cross-section view of metallic wire is round, square, rectangular, hexagon, oval, etc or the wire is braided. All these choices of the metallic wire can be used as long as to achieve the fastening objective.

Optionally, a resistor is then attached or joined to the upper and lower conductive wires by conventional means using a fine metallic connecting wire. In that way, the resistor serves as a safety device to limit the current flow through the shoe or a human body in the event of an electrical short circuit that occurs between the body of a person and the ground, etc.

The secondary objective of this invention is to provide footwear equipped with the footwear conductive loop discussed above.

In this way, the present invention achieves a simple, easy-to-make, highly durable and a low cost means to convert ordinary footwear to precisely controlled body-to-floor electrical resistance footwear for use in a cleanroom or non-cleanroom high technology manufacturing environment. Accordingly, the invention overcomes all the shortcomings as highlighted in the background of the invention and achieves a unique advantage compared to all the existing cited prior-art.

Brief Description of the Drawings

So as to further explain the invention, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the below drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagram of the footwear conductive loop according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the footwear conductive loop of Fig.1 inserting into the shoe sole;

Fig. 3 is a diagram of the footwear conductive loop according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a diagram of the footwear conductive loop according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5a is a diagram of the footwear conductive loop according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5b is a diagram illustrating the upper footwear conductive loop of Fig.5a inserting into the shoe sole;

Fig. 5c is a diagram illustrating the lower footwear conductive loop of Fig.5a inserting into the shoe sole;

Fig. 6a is a diagram of the footwear conductive loop according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6b is a diagram illustrating the footwear conductive loop of Fig.6a inserting into the shoe sole;

Fig. 6c is a diagram of the footwear conductive loop according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6d is a diagram of the footwear conductive loop according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention;

Fig.7a-b are diagrams of the footwear conductive loop according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig.8a-b are diagrams of the footwear conductive loop according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig.9 is diagram of the footwear conductive loop according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig.10a-c show different location of the unique footwear conductive loop on the footwear;

Fig.11 is a diagram of the footwear equipped with the footwear conductive loop according to the first embodiment of present application;

Fig 12 is a diagram of the footwear equipped with the footwear conductive loop according to the second embodiment of present application.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

These and other advantage, aspect and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings, while various embodiments of the present invention are presented by way of examples only, not limitation.

The unique footwear conductive loop of present application comprises at least one upper footwear conductive loop formed by one upper conductive wire with two bended ends inserted in a shoe sole and a upper straight portion contacting a bottom of a person’s foot and at least one lower footwear conductive loop formed by one lower conductive wire with two bended ends inserted in the shoe sole and a lower straight portion contacting a floor, wherein the upper footwear conductive loop is electrically connecting the lower footwear conductive loop for draining static charges from the person to the floor.

Fig. 1 is a diagram of the footwear conductive loop according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig.1, the unique footwear conductive loop comprises one upper footwear conductive loop 1 formed by one upper conductive wire with two bended ends 11 and an upper straight portion 12 contacting a bottom of a person’s foot, and one lower footwear conductive loop 2 formed by one lower conductive wire with two bended ends 21 inserted in the shoe sole and a lower straight portion 22 contacting a floor. The upper footwear conductive loop 1 is electrically connecting the lower footwear conductive loop 2 for draining static charges from the person to the floor.

In present embodiment, the two bended ends 11 of the upper footwear conductive loop 1 are bended downward at an angle of 45 degree from the horizontal axis to form a self-locking structure. The two bended ends 21 of the lower footwear conductive loop 2 are bended upward at an angle of 45 degree from the horizontal axis to form a self-locking structure. Such self-locking structures can be inserted into the shoe sole.

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the footwear conductive loop of Fig.1 inserting into the shoe sole. As shown in Fig.2, the self-locking structure formed by the two ends 11 of the upper conductive wire is inserted from the top surface into the inside of the shoe sole, and then the conductive wire "locks" onto the shoe sole permanently and become an integrated part of the shoe sole as shown in Figure 2. The upper straight portion 12 lying on the top of the shoe sole contacts with the bottom of a person’s foot. As further shown in Fig.2, the self-locking structure formed by the two ends 21 of the lower conductive wire is inserted from the bottom surface into the inside of the shoe sole, and then the conductive wire "locks" onto the shoe sole permanently and become an integrated part of the shoe sole as shown in Figure 2. The lower straight portion 22 lying outside the shoe sole contacts with the floor.

In present embodiment, the upper and lower footwear conductive loops are electrically connected to form the unique footwear conductive loop of present application for draining static charges from the person to the floor.

Optionally, the upper footwear conductive loop 1 has two ends bended downward at an angle of 135 degree from the horizontal axis to form a claw-like self-lock structure as shown in Figure 3. Similarly, the lower footwear conductive loop 2 has two ends bended upward at an angle of 135 degree from the horizontal axis to form a claw-like self-lock structure.

Optionally, the upper footwear conductive loop 1 has two ends bended downward at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 80 degree or in a range of 100 degree to 170 degree to achieve different fastening effectiveness upon insertion into the shoe sole, and the lower footwear conductive loop 2 has two ends bended upward at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 80 degree or in a range of 100 degree to 170 degree to achieve different fastening effectiveness upon insertion into the shoe sole.

Optionally, the conductive wire of the upper and lower footwear conductive loops has two ends bended with a same or different angle to form different self-lock structures. Moreover, each end of the conductive wire can be bended in the same or different way to form different self-lock structures.

For the purpose of clarification, a 90 degree bend from the conductive wire inserted into the shoe sole is not a perfect self-locking structure as shown in Figure 4. This is because any outwards push force created within the body of shoe sole due to the bending action of the shoe sole during normal walking movement will cause the 90 degree bended metallic wire to migrate out from the shoe sole quite easily causing loose or defective attachment. Based on this, a more preferable embodiment is shown in Fig. 5a.

As shown in Fig.5a, the unique footwear conductive loop comprises one upper footwear conductive loop 5 and one lower footwear conductive loop 6. As shown in Fig.5a, the upper footwear conductive loop 5 has one end 51 bended downward at an angle of 90 degree from the horizontal axis and then bended left at angle of 90 degree from the vertical axis, and the other end 52 bended downward at an angle of 90 degree from the horizontal axis and then bended right at angle of 90 degree from the vertical axis, so as to form an L-shape self-locking structure. Such L-shape self-locking structure is inserted into the shoe sole. The upper footwear conductive loop 5 further has an upper straight portion 53 on the top of the shoe sole contacts with the bottom of a person’s foot.

As shown in Fig.5a, the lower footwear conductive loop 6 has one end 61 bended upward at an angle of 90 degree from the horizontal axis and then bended left at angle of 90 degree from the vertical axis, and the other end 62 bended upward at an angle of 90 degree from the horizontal axis and then bended right at angle of 90 degree from the vertical axis, so as to form an L-shape self-locking structure. Such L-shape self-locking structure is inserted into the shoe sole. The lower footwear conductive loop 6 further has a lower straight portion 62 lying outside the shoe sole and contacting with the floor.

In present embodiment, the insertion of the self-lock structure is done by any conventional means by first cutting a slit with a determined depth and width in the shoe sole. One end of the conductive wire is inserted into the slit and poked into the shoe sole material and hook up securely as shown in Fig 5b and 5c. The same procedure is repeated for the other end of the metallic structure.

Optionally, the upper footwear conductive loop 5 has one end 51 bended downward at an angle of 90 degree from the horizontal axis and then bended right at angle of 90 degree from the vertical axis, and the other end 52 bended downward at an angle of 90 degree from the horizontal axis and then bended left at angle of 90 degree from the vertical axis, so as to form an L-shape self-locking structure as shown in Fig.6 a. Such L-shape self-locking structure can be inserted into the shoe sole. The upper footwear conductive loop 5 further has an upper straight portion 53 on the top of the shoe sole contacts with the bottom of a person’s foot. Insertion of the conductive wire is done by any conventional means by the cutting of a slit with determined depth and width followed by inserting the wire structure as shown in Fig.6 b. Similarly, the lower footwear conductive loop is constructed as that shown in Fig.6 a, so is not shown for concision.

Optionally, the upper footwear conductive loop 5 has one end 51 bended downward at an angle about 80 degree and then bended right at angle of 100 degree, and the other end 52 bended downward at an angle about 80 degree from the horizontal axis and then bended left at angle of 100 degree, so as to form an L-shape self-locking structure as shown in Fig.6c. Similarly, the lower footwear conductive loop can be constructed as that shown in Fig.6c and not shown for concision.

Optionally, the upper footwear conductive loop 5 has one end 51 bended downward at an angle of 100 degree and then bended right at angle of 100 degree from the vertical axis, and the other end 52 bended downward at an angle of 100 degree from the horizontal axis and then bended left at angle of 100 degree from the vertical axis, so as to form an L-shape self-locking structure as shown in Fig.6 d. Similarly, the lower footwear conductive loop is constructed as that shown in Fig.6 d and not shown for concision.

Optionally, the upper footwear conductive loop and lower footwear conductive loop have two ends bended with same or different angles to form same or different self-lock structures.

Optionally, the upper and lower conductive wires of the upper footwear conductive loop and lower footwear conductive loop have a thickness between 0.1mm to 3mm in diameter, preferably between 0.5mm to 1mm.

Optionally, the upper and lower conductive wires of the upper footwear conductive loop and lower footwear conductive loop are metallic wires. The metallic wires are steel, copper, iron, brass, nickel or an alloy of two or more of these materials to achieve good strength and rust-free property. The metallic wires are non-particle shedding, non-flaking or non-marking on floor making it ideal for use in a high technology cleanroom manufacturing environment.

Fig.7a-b are diagrams of the footwear conductive loop according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig.7a-7b, the footwear conductive loop comprises an upper footwear conductive loop 1 formed by one upper conductive wire and a lower footwear conductive loop 2 formed by one lower conductive wire. The upper conductive wire has one end 11 bended downward to insert in the shoe sole and electrically connect one end 21 bended upward of the lower conductive wire. The rest portion of the upper conductive wire forms an upper straight portion 12 contacting a bottom of a person’s foot. The other end 25 of the lower conductive wire is also bended upward for inserting into the shoe sole, and the end 25 is a folded tip 23 for preventing sharp tip and for better securing the shoe sole. The rest portion of the lower conductive wire forms a lower straight portion 22 contacting the floor. As shown in Fig.10a-b, the lower straight portion 22 can be formed in an M-shape for increasing contacting surface. In other embodiment, the lower straight portion 22 can be formed in an S-shape, U-shape, or other shapes. In present embodiment, the upper conductive wire and lower conductive wire are formed in one-piece. This one-piece design has the advantage of a simpler attachment method and a faster installation work for the metallic grounding loop. Optionally, a resistor 18 is incorporated along the electrical path of end 11 for the purpose of personal safety against any incidental electrical short circuit from body to ground.

Fig.8a-b are diagrams of the footwear conductive loop according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig.8a-b, the footwear conductive loop comprises an upper footwear conductive loop 1 formed by one upper metal wire and a lower footwear conductive loop 2 formed by one lower metal spring. In present embodiment, metallic wire is used to connect the electrical path starting from the surface of the insole to the two different spots located at the front and back portion of the bottom of the shoe sole via a connecting resistor. One skilled in the art knows that in other embodiment, the footwear conductive loop comprises an upper footwear conductive loop 1 formed by one upper metal spring and a lower footwear conductive loop 2 formed by one lower metal wire.

One skilled in the art knows that, besides the embodiment in Fig.8a-ba, the metal spring also can be used to form the footwear conductive loop shown in Fig.1-7.

Fig.9 shows another configuration of the invention that only uses an upper footwear conductive loop 1 formed by one upper metal spring, a lower footwear conductive loop 2 formed by one lower metal spring and two resistors 24 connected in series. This design has the advantage of the simplicity of the electrical conductive path to provide more option of the invention.

It should be noted that the position of the insole grounding spring is placed along the lateral arch in parallel to the longitudinal (Y-axis) centre line of the insole to achieve a more desirable position where the weight of a person is distributed more uniformly to achieve a more uniform pressure between the bottom of a person’s foot and the surface of the insole for yet another design option.

Optionally, the unique footwear conductive loop is positioned at any desirable spot at the bottom of the shoe sole as shown in Figure. 10a-10c.

One skill in the art knows that different unique footwear conductive loop formed by a combination of two or more of the previously or following described footwear conductive loop can be used on a shoe sole to achieve various attachment objectives based on different applications.

One skilled in the art knows that a combination of metal spring, metal tubing or metal wire of the same design can be used to achieve yet more design flexibility.

Fig.11 is a diagram of the footwear equipped with the footwear conductive loop according to the first embodiment of present application. As shown in Figure. 11, the unique footwear conductive loop comprises one upper footwear conductive loop 8 formed by one upper conductive wire and one lower footwear conductive loop 9 formed by one lower conductive wire.

In present embodiment, the upper conductive wire has one end 82 bended downward at an angle of 90 degree from a horizontal axis and then bended left at angle of 90 degree so as to form one L-shape end. The upper conductive wire has the other end 81 bended at an angle of 45 degree from the horizontal axis for insertion into the top surface of the shoe sole. The L-shape end and the other end bended at an angle of 45 degree are inserted from the top surface into the inside of the shoe sole, and then the conductive wire "locks" onto the shoe sole permanently and become an integrated part of the shoe sole. The upper conductive wire further has a straight portion lying outside the shoe insole contacting with the bottom of a person’s foot.

The lower conductive wire has one end 91 bended upward at an angle of 90 degree from a horizontal axis and then bended left at angle of 90 degree from the vertical axis, and has the other end 92 bended upward at an angle of 90 degree from a horizontal axis and then bended right at angle of 90 degree from the vertical axis, so as to form two L-shape ends for insertion into a bottom surface of the shoe sole.

The electrical connection of the upper and lower conductive wires is done first by making a cut-through slit from the top surface of the shoe sole to the bottom surface of the shoe sole as shown in Figure 11. A resistor 20 is then attached or joined to the upper and lower conductive wires by conventional means using a fine metallic connecting wire. In that way, the resistor serves as a safety device to limit the current flow through the shoe or a human body in the event of an electrical short circuit that occurs between the body of a person and the ground, etc.

Fig.12 is a diagram of the footwear equipped with the footwear conductive loop according to the second embodiment of present application. As shown in Figure. 12, one upper footwear conductive loop 1 and two lower footwear

conductive loops

2 and 3 are electrically connected by a resistor 20 for forming the unique footwear conductive loop.

One skill in the art knows that more than two lower footwear conductive loops can be incorporated at different spots of the bottom of the shoe sole to achieve yet more choices of design flexibility of the current invention.

One skill in the art knows that two or more upper or lower footwear conductive loops can be incorporated at different spots of the top or bottom of the shoe sole to achieve yet more choices of design flexibility of the current invention.

The invention disclosed above achieves a simple, easy-to-make, highly durable and a low cost means to convert ordinary footwear to precisely controlled body-to-ground electrical resistance footwear for use in a cleanroom or non-cleanroom high technology manufacturing environment. The invention overcomes all the shortcomings as highlighted in the background of the invention and achieves a unique advantage compared to all the existing cited prior-art.

Claims

1. A unique footwear conductive loop comprising at least one upper footwear conductive loop formed by one upper conductive element with at least one bended end inserted in a shoe sole and an upper straight portion contacting a bottom of a person’s foot, and at least one lower footwear conductive loop formed by one lower conductive element with at least one bended end inserted in the shoe sole and a lower straight portion contacting a floor, wherein the upper footwear conductive loop is electrically connecting the lower footwear conductive loop for draining static charges from the person to the floor.

2. The unique footwear conductive loop according to claim 1, wherein, the lower conductive element has two bended ends bended upward in a range of 10 degree to 80 degree or in a range of 100 degree to 170 degree from a horizontal axis so as to form a lower self-locking structure for insertion into a bottom surface of the shoe sole.

3. The unique footwear conductive loop according to claim 2, wherein, the lower conductive element has the two bended ends bended upward at an angle of 45 degree or 135 degree to form a claw-like self-lock structure locking into the bottom surface of the shoe sole permanently.

4. The unique footwear conductive loop according to claim 1, wherein, the lower conductive element has one bended end bended upward at an angle in a range of 80 degree to 100 degree and then bended left or right at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 170 degree, and one bended end bended upward at an angle in a range of 80 degree to 100 degree and then bended right or left at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 170 degree, so as to form a lower self-locking structure for insertion into a bottom surface of the shoe sole.

5. The unique footwear conductive loop according to claim 4, wherein, the lower conductive element has the two bended ends bended upward at an angle of 90 degree and then bended left or right at angle of 90 degree from a vertical axis so as to form two L-shape ends for insertion into a bottom surface of the shoe sole.

6. The unique footwear conductive loop according to claim 1, wherein, the lower conductive element has one bended end bended upward at an angle in a range of 80 degree to 100 degree, and then bended left or right at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 170 degree, and has other bended end bended upward at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 80 degree or in a range of 100 degree to 170 degree from a horizontal axis so as to form a lower self-locking structure for insertion into a bottom surface of the shoe sole.

7. The unique footwear conductive loop according to claim 6, wherein, the lower conductive element has the one bended end bended upward at an angle of 90 degree from a horizontal axis and then bended left or right at angle of 90 degree from a vertical axis so as to form one L-shape end and has other one bended end bended upward at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 80 degree or in a range of 100 degree to 170 degree from a horizontal axis so as to form the lower self-locking structure for insertion into a bottom surface of the shoe sole.

8. The unique footwear conductive loop according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein, the upper conductive element has two bended ends bended downward at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 80 degree or in a range of 100 degree to 170 degree from a horizontal axis so as to form a upper self-locking structure for insertion into a top surface of the shoe sole.

9. The unique footwear conductive loop according to claim 8, wherein, the upper conductive element has two bended ends bended downward at an angle of 45 degree or 135 degree to form a claw-like self-lock structure locking into the top surface of the shoe sole permanently.

10. The unique footwear conductive loop according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein, the upper conductive element has one bended end bended downward at an angle in a range of 80 degree to 100 degree and then bended left or right at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 170 degree, and one bended end bended downward at an angle in a range of 80 degree to 100 degree and then bended right or left at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 170 degree, so as to form a upper self-locking structure for insertion into a top surface of the shoe sole.

11. The unique footwear conductive loop according to claim 10, wherein, the upper conductive element has the two bended ends bended downward at an angle of 90 degree from a horizontal axis and then bended left or right at angle of 90 degree from a vertical axis so as to form two L-shape ends for insertion into a top surface of the shoe sole.

12. The unique footwear conductive loop according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein, the upper conductive element has one end bended downward at an angle in a range of 80 degree to 100 degree, and then bended left or right at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 170 degree, and has other bended end bended upward at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 80 degree or in a range of 100 degree to 170 degree from a horizontal axis so as to form a upper self-locking structure for insertion into a top surface of the shoe sole.

13. The unique footwear conductive loop according to claim 12, wherein, the upper conductive element has the one bended end bended downward at an angle of 90 degree from a horizontal axis and then bended left or right at angle of 90 degree from a vertical axis so as to form one L-shape end and has other one end bended downward at an angle in a range of 10 degree to 80 degree or in a range of 100 degree to 170 degree from a horizontal axis so as to form the upper self-locking structure for insertion into a top surface of the shoe sole.

14. The unique footwear conductive loop according to claim 1, wherein, the upper conductive element has one end bended downward, and the lower conductive element has two ends bended upward, one end of the lower conductive element is electrically connected with the end bended downward of the upper conductive element, and the other end of the lower conductive element is a folded tip for better securing the shoe sole, wherein, the upper conductive element and lower conductive element are formed in one-piece.

15. The unique footwear conductive loop according to any one of claims 1-14, wherein, the upper and lower conductive elements comprises metallic wires, springs, tubings or a combination of which with a cross-section view of round, square, rectangular, hexagon, oval and a thickness between 0.1mm to 3mm in diameter, preferably between 0.5mm to 1mm.

16. The unique footwear conductive loop according to claim 1, wherein, a resistor is then attached or joined to the upper and lower conductive elements.