BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a barefoot grounding system embodying the present invention comprising a conductive floor mat, for positioning on a floor and directly connected to an earth ground anchor.
FIG. 2 is a view of the conductive fibers running throughout the conductive layer of the floor mat.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a conductive snap connector in contact with the conductive fibers.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3, illustrating he conductive snap connector extending through the conductive fibers and mat.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a barefoot grounding system embodying the present invention comprising a conductive wide area floor covering, for positioning on a floor and directly connected to an earth ground anchor.
FIG. 6 is a perspective bottom view of footwear in accordance with present invention comprising a conductive bottom layer and a conductive top layer that are conductively coupled together with a conductive insert to provide conductivity between a barefoot and a conductive floor covering.
FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the footwear of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 8-8 of FIG. 7, illustrating a conductive insert extending between the conductive top layer and the conductive bottom layer, in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of use of FIG. 5 footwear to make conductive contact with a wide area conductive floor covering that is connected an earth ground anchor.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a conductive shoe sole insert, for use in conventional leather soled shoes or conventional conductive soled shoes, with a conductive fabric top layer and a conductive fabric bottom layer, conductively coupled together with a conductive insert.
FIG. 11 is a perspective bottom view of FIG. 9 conductive fiber fabric bottom and conductive insert.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 12-12 of FIG. 11, showing a conductive top layer, a dielectric polymer foam layer in between and a conductive bottom layer with a conductive insert conductively connecting the top and bottom layers.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional leather soled or conventional conductive soled shoe with the conductive insert of FIG. 10 included therein.
FIG. 14 is a partially fragmented view of a chair seat covered with fabric containing conductive fibers that are conductively connected with a snap connector to ground lead that is connected to a ground system connected to an earth ground anchor.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of clothing containing conductive fibers.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a personal grounding system embodying the present invention via a person wearing FIG. 15 conductive clothing while sitting on FIG. 14 chair with conductive fibers conductively connected via a ground lead to a ground system that is connected an earth ground anchor.
FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a personal grounding system comprised of a mattress with the bottom half covered in fabric containing conductive fibers that are conductively connected with a metal snap to a ground lead that is connected to a ground system that is connected to an earth ground anchor.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a fitted bottom sheet containing conductive fibers.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of FIG. 17 mattress covered with FIG. 18 sheet with the conductive fibers of the sheet making conductive contact with the conductive fibers contained in the bottom portion of the mattress which is connected via a ground lead to a ground system that is connected to an earth ground anchor.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a half sheet containing conductive fibers that is placed at the foot end of bed and conductively connected via a ground lead to a ground system that is connected an earth ground anchor.
FIG. 21 shows a half sheet containing conductive fiber in the sheeting fabric with a metal snap connector placed therein making conductive contact with conductive fibers.
FIG. 22 is a side view of snap making contact with conductive fibers.
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a personal grounding system embodying the present invention comprising a sleeping bag containing conductive fibers connected via a conductive snap connector to a ground lead that is connected to an earth ground anchor.
FIG. 24 is a schematic view of a fabric strip containing conductive fibers with a metal snap connector fastened at one end.
FIG. 25 is a side view of FIG. 24 showing snap connector securely attached to conductive fabric strip.
FIG. 26 is the reverse side if FIG. 24 showing an adhesive layer with a removable protective covering.
FIG. 27 shows adhesive protecting covering being removed.
FIG. 28 illustrating FIG. 24 conductive fabric strip being applied to the body with a ground wire extending there from and connecting to an earth ground anchor.
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a conventional pet bed covered with fabric containing conductive fibers connected via a conductive snap connector to a ground lead attached to an earth ground anchor.
FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a conventional desk mat or computer mouse pad covered with fabric containing conductive fibers connected via a conductive snap connector to a ground lead attached to an earth ground anchor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention relates to an improved personal body grounding system that can restore and maintain the natural electrical balance of the human body. More particularly, the present invention relates to personal grounding devices and systems that conduct the earth's mobile free electrons, from the earth, to the body of an animal or human, similar to that which would occur in nature if the animal or human were standing barefoot on the earth, and thus provide an abundant supply of free electrons to the body to reduce and prevent metabolic and residual immune system-produced free radicals from oxidizing normal tissue and promoting chronic inflammation in the body. The system also couples the body to the oscillating electrical field of the earth that serves to synchronize physiological rhythms.
Sufficient conductive contact between the body and the surface of the earth, and its beneficial consequences, can be achieved most naturally and preferentially through the bare feet. This contact is preferably established via direct contact between the feet and a conductive footpad or bed sheet. In the preferred an embodiment of the present invention, conductivity is established with fabrics containing silver fibers. Silver provides improved conductive coupling with the feet and also gives the invention advantageous anti-microbial, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. This disclosure provides advantages and enhancements over the '779 patent, that disclosed grounding comprising a sitting or sleeping pad and including a mesh layer substrate comprised of a plurality of electrically conductive carbon fibers.
With reference to FIG. 1, the system includes a grounding pad 20 in the form of a floor mat for placement under a computer desk or other work area. The pad 20 is sufficiently large enough for a person to maintain barefoot contact with the pad no matter how a person positions their feet when sitting at a desk. The pad 20 includes a mesh layer substrate 22 illustrated in FIG. 4 which is comprised of a plurality of silver coated nylon fibers. Typically the substrate 22 comprises 95% nylon fibers and 5% silver coated nylon fibers knitted into a conductive grid pattern. Although 5% silver fiber content is preferred, the silver fiber content may range between 1% and 10% silver fibers.
The use of silver in this application provides further advantages. Silver is the most electrically conductive metal. Its thermal properties are advantageous in temperature regulation because silver is thermally the most conductive and reflective element. The use of silver in a bed sheet effectively dissipates heat and keeps the users cooler in hot climates and warmer in cold climates. Silver is recognized in modern medicine as the most effective antimicrobial agent known. It outperforms all natural and synthetic products with a 99.9% kill rate of over 800 micro-organisms in analyses conducted in accordance with the relevant standards and testing procedures. Silver fibers kill many bacteria, including odor-causing forms, within one hour of exposure. Silver is also effective at killing “tough” microbes that currently have no other treatment options, such as Staphyloccous aureus. Silver bandages are currently class 1 and class 2 FDA approved medical devices in the United States, and silver is also a registered pesticide with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and there are no known side effects from use of silvered products. No microbe has ever been proven to develop a resistance to silver treatment. Silver as used in this invention may also assist in the treatment of bedsores by killing bacteria which in turn promotes healing.
A ground lead 24 is connected at a first end thereof to the conductive snap connector 26 which is in contact with the silver fibers of the conductive mesh grid of the pad 20 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The ground lead 24 is comprised of a conductive material, such as a copper wire. The ground lead is of sufficient length to extend from the grounding pad 20 to an earth ground anchor 28. Alternatively, the ground lead 24 is of sufficient length to attach to an electrical outlet ground port 30 as illustrated in FIG. 2.
As described in the '779 patent, one end of the ground lead can include a connector such as a banana clip which can be removably attached to a wall plate. Although the connector can comprise a plug, such as a banana clip, for insertion into an outlet-like aperture of a wall plate, the connector may also comprise a snap-fit connector of the circular or ring variety which can be snapped onto a mating member of the wall plate so that children cannot accidentally insert the connector into an electrical socket. Alternatively or additionally a snap-fit connector of the circular or ring variety can be snapped onto a mating member coupled to the grounding pad.
A meter or fuse or current limiting resistor may be associated with the system, and typically installed within the ground lead 24 or electrical outlet ground port 30, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The fuse or current limiting resistor is intended to prevent potential harm from an electrical event.
With reference again to FIG. 2 which illustrates a schematic view of a ground system interface device 30 related to the present invention comprising a box containing electrical contact terminals that are connected to a test circuit residing in the device 30 that tests the wiring configuration of the outlet and confirms that an earth ground wire is connected to the third prong electrical outlet port. If the outlet wiring is correct and a ground wire exists a green light will indicate that the electrical outlet earth ground is in working order. This device will also contain banana jack type ground ports for connecting ground leads from personal grounding devices to the earth ground system as illustrated. Each ground port outlet of the device will contain an inline current limiting resistor, such as a 1 megohm resistor, which meets current established standards to protect a grounded person against harm from an electrical event. Further, a noise reduction component may be placed inline on the ground port side within the interface ground device to reduce electrical noise that may exist on the earth ground system. Finally, those familiar with electrical wiring systems will be aware that appropriate modifications of the ground interface device will be required in different countries that utilize different types of electrical outlets and wiring configurations.
With reference now to FIG. 5 the system comprises a wide area floor covering 21 large enough in size for a person to maintain barefoot contact with the covering when walking or standing in various areas of an average size room. The grounding pad 21 is similar to the grounding pad 20 described above in that it includes a plurality of conductive fibers to form a conductive grid as described above. The grounding pad 21 includes a foam base 32 for cushioning purposes. Similar to that described above the system includes a ground lead 24 interconnected to the conductive connector 26 of the pad and an earth ground system.
With reference now to FIGS. 6-9, the system comprises conductive footwear 40 to be worn as illustrated in FIG. 9 when a person needs to be grounded for extended periods for health reasons but it is not permissible to go barefoot in a particular work or living environment for cultural or sanitary or safety reasons. The conductive footwear 40 as shown in FIG. 8 is comprised of a conductive top layer 32, a center layer of foam 44, and a conductive bottom layer 46 with a conductive rivet 48 conductively connecting the top and bottom conductive layers 42 and 46. This provides a conductive path between the bottom of a person's bare foot and the conductive floor mat 21 that is connected to an earth ground anchor 28. The conductive top and bottom portions of the footwear 40 contain 1%-10%, preferably 5%, silver fibers in a mesh grid as outlined above that is bonded to the foam center portion of the foot pad. FIG. 8 illustrates use of a thong 50 type apparatus for holding the conductive foot pad on the foot. The thong may be composed of plastic containing carbon to create conductivity between a person's bare feet and a conductive floor covering as illustrated FIG. 9.
With reference now to FIGS. 10-13, the system comprises a conductive shoe sole insert 52 to replace nonconductive inserts in conventional leather soled shoes or conventional conductive soled shoes 54 to make conductive contact between a persons bare feet and a conductive floor covering 21 as illustrated in FIG. 9 or a conductive floor pad 20 as illustrated in FIG. 1. As also illustrated in FIG. 12, the bottom conductive fabric layer 60 of the insert contains 1%-10%, preferably 5%, silver fibers in a mesh fabric grid that is bonded to the foam core 58 of the insert. FIG. 12 shows a conductive rivet 62 making contact with both the top and bottom conductive fabrics 56 and 60. FIG. 13 shows the conductive insert placed in a conventional leather soled shoe 54 which would also resemble placement in a conventional conductive soled shoe. It is widely known that leather soled shoes, after worn for only a few days, becomes saturated with body salts and perspiration that make leather soles conductive. This is why electricians' do not wear leather soled shoes when handing or working around live electrical wires.
With reference now to FIG. 14 the system illustrated comprises a chair seat 64 covered with fabric 66 that contains 1%-10%, preferably 5%, silver coated nylon fibers woven in a grid with a conductive snap 26 connector attached to the fabric for connecting first end of a ground lead 24 to the conductive fibers of the fabric 66 and the second end connecting to ground system that is connected to an earth ground anchor 28. Conductive contact between the body and the conductive seat pad is made via hydration of clothing from normal body perspiration.
With reference now to FIG. 15 the system comprises clothing 68 made from fabric that contains conductive silver coated nylon fibers. The conductive silver fibers are woven in a pattern throughout the fabric to create a conductive path between the body and a conductive chair seat as illustrated in FIG. 16 showing a person sitting on a conductive chair seat that is connected to a ground lead that is connected to an earth ground system. Although 5% silver fiber content is preferred for clothing fabrics, the silver fiber content may range between 1% and 10% silver fibers.
With reference now to FIG. 17 the system illustrated comprises a mattress 70 with ticking on the lower portion (foot end) of the mattress 72 that contains 1%-10%, preferably 5%, conductive silver fibers woven into a conductive grid pattern throughout the ticking with a conductive snap 26 placed through the ticking to conductively connect the first end of a ground lead 24 that is connected to an earth ground system 28 and 30. Mattress 70 illustrated in FIG. 17 is to be covered with sheet 74 illustrated in FIG. 18, which is comprised of 95% cotton fibers and 5% silver coated nylon fibers with the silver fibers woven in a conductive grid pattern throughout the sheet. Although 5% silver fiber content is preferred, the silver fiber content may range from 1% to 10%. When the sheet 74 is placed over the mattress 70 as illustrated in FIG. 19, the bottom portion of the sheet 74 makes conductive contact with the conductive fibers of the bottom portion 72 of the mattress which is connected via a ground lead to an earth ground system as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 19.
With reference now to FIG. 20, a system comprised of a half sheet 76 containing conductive silver coated fibers, as described above in reference to sheets illustrated in FIG. 18, which is placed at the foot end of the bed 70 on top of the existing bottom fitted sheet and conductively connected to the first end of a ground lead 24 that connects at the other end to an earth ground system 28. FIG. 21 shows the conductive snap connector placed in the half sheet 76 for connecting a conductive ground lead. FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of the conductive snap connector of the half sheet in conductive contact with the silver fibers that are woven in a cross linking pattern throughout the sheet. The sheet is sufficiently large enough that a person's bare feet will remain on the sheet during sleep, no matter what position the person's feet are in during sleep.
With reference now to FIG. 23 illustrating a ground system comprised of a sleeping bag 78 made with the sheeting material described in FIG. 18 above that contains a conductive snap connector 26 that is connected to the first end of a ground lead 24 with the other end connected to an earth ground anchor 28.
With reference now to FIG. 24 a system comprised of a fabric tape strip 80 containing conductive silver coated nylon fibers woven in a conductive grid throughout the fabric 80 with a conductive snap connector 26 that makes conductive contact with the silver fiber at one end of the fabric strip. FIG. 25 illustrates a side view of fabric tape strip snap connector 26. FIG. 26 illustrates an adhesive layer 82 on one side of the strip with a protective covering and FIG. 27 illustrates removal of the protective covering prior to application of the tape strip to the body. FIG. 28 illustrates use of the conductive strip being used to ground an area of the body with a ground lead 24 attached to the conductive snap connector 26 with the first end of ground lead and the other end connected to an earth ground anchor 28. The length and width of the conductive fabric tape may vary, such as from 12 to 240 inches in length and from 2 or more inches in width.
With reference now to FIG. 29 a system comprised of an animal bed 84 covered with fabric 86 that contains 5% conductive silver coated nylon fibers that are woven in a conductive grid pattern throughout the fabric with a snap connector 26 attached to the fabric in contact with the silver fibers that is conductively connected to the first end of a round lead with the other end connected to an earth ground anchor 28. The size of conductive animal beds will vary similar to beds sold in pet stores for varying sizes of animals.
With reference now to FIG. 30 a system comprised of a desk or computer mouse pad or wrist pad covered with fabric 88 that contains 1%-10%, preferably 5%, conductive silver coated nylon fibers that are woven in a conductive grid pattern throughout the fabric with a snap connector 26 attached to the pad 88 in contact with the silver fibers that is conductively connected to the first end of a ground lead 24 with the other end connected to an earth ground anchor 28. The size of the conductive desk pad 88 may vary similar to desk pads and computer mouse pads normally used in office and work space environments.
Although several embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.
Patent Application
20080068773
