Patent Publication Number: US-2017360150-A1

Title: Static dissipating and conductive footwear

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to static dissipating and conductive footwear, and methods for manufacturing such footwear. 
     Static dissipating and conductive footwear are available from a variety of footwear suppliers. Conventional static dissipating and conductive footwear are designed to provide a conductive path from wearer&#39;s foot through an article of footwear to ground. In use, this flow path allows static electricity and other electrical charges to dissipate from an individual to the ground. In the context of static dissipating footwear, an appropriately-sized resistor is generally provided along the flow path. For example, applicable ASTM standards provide for static dissipative footwear to have electrical resistance between 1M ohm and 100M ohm. Conductive footwear is designed to have significantly lower electrical resistance. Applicable ASTM standards provide for conductive footwear to have electrical resistance between  0  and 500K ohms. 
     In a typical article of static dissipating or conductive footwear, the footbed or insole is provided with conductive elements that are arranged to contact the bottom of the wearer&#39;s foot. The footbed or insole is, in turn, electrically coupled to the midsole and outsole. For example, the midsole may include a conductive strap that extends along the top, wraps around the side and extends along the bottom of the midsole. The outsole may be manufactured from a conductive material. For example, the outsole material may be inherently conductive or it may be doped with an additive that renders the finished outsole conductive. 
     The conventional approach suffers various disadvantages. First, conventional aftermarket orthotics, footbeds and insoles cannot be used with static dissipating and conductive footwear because they are not conductive and would not provide a conductive path from the wearer&#39;s foot to the midsole. This can significantly affect comfort for individuals that prefer aftermarket footbeds/insoles, and may present even greater problems for those individuals that require custom orthotics. In fact, this can effectively prevent an individual with an acute need for orthotics from using conventional static dissipating footwear and conductive footwear. Second, it can be relatively costly to incorporate conductive elements into a footbed or insole in a way that reliably provides the desired electrical flow path. Third, the presence of conductive elements in the footbed or insole can impact other performance characteristics, such as cushioning and support. For example, design choices for the footbed or insole may be limited by the need to provide a conductive electrical flow path. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides static dissipating and conductive footwear in which an electrical flow path is provided in the upper. The upper includes at least one conductive element extending along at least a portion of the inside of the upper in a position where it will directly contact the wearer&#39;s foot. In some applications, the upper may include a plurality of conductive elements located in different regions to collective provide improved electrical contact with the wearer&#39;s foot. For example, conductive elements may be positioned along the inside the tongue and/or along the inside of the quarter on both sides of the tongue. 
     The conductive elements may be positioned in essentially any region or number of regions where electrical contact can be established with the wearer&#39;s foot. In one embodiment, the conductive elements may be positioned in line with the lacing structure so that tightening of the laces urges the conductive elements into greater contact with the wearer&#39;s foot. 
     In one embodiment, the conductive element is a flexible conductive material that is sewn or otherwise affixed to the inside of the upper. The flexible conductive material may be a ribbon or other strip of fabric that includes one or more conductive threads. The ribbon or fabric strip may be woven in and out of the lining material, if desired. 
     In one embodiment, the conductive element(s) may be positioned in alignment with the closure system for the article of footwear so that the forces applied by the closure system may assist in providing electrical contact between the wearer&#39;s foot and the conductive elements. For example, with footwear that includes a tongue opening and a lacing system, the conductive element(s) may be positioned on the inside of the upper on lateral and/or medial sides of the tongue opening so that tightening of the laces draws the conductive element(s) into firm engagement with the top of the wearer&#39;s foot. 
     In one embodiment, the conductive element or elements can be incorporating into functional upper components. It is not uncommon for footwear uppers to include webbing or straps that are strategically positioned to reinforce or provide enhance strength in select regions of the upper. For example, a variety of footwear uppers include sections of webbing, such as nylon straps, that extend upwardly from the sole and either directly receive the laces or support a lacing eyelet or similar lacing element. In one embodiment, one or more conductive elements are incorporated into one or more lacing straps. When the laces are tightened, the associated forces may draw the straps, and consequently the conductive elements, into firm contact with the wearer&#39;s foot. 
     In one embodiment, the upper wraps beneath the footbed or insole and is in electrical contact with the midsole. As a result, a conductive path is formed from the wearer&#39;s foot to the midsole through the conductive element(s) in the upper. To complete the conductive path to ground, the midsole is electrically coupled to the outsole and the outsole is electrically coupled to ground. For example, a conductive strap may be provided that extends along the top, wraps around the side and extends along the bottom of the midsole. The outsole may be manufactured from a conductive material. For example, the outsole material may be inherently conductive or it may be doped with an additive that renders the finished outsole conductive. The conductive flow path may include a resistor when appropriate to provide the desired electrical resistance. 
     In one embodiment, the upper may include a lining material that is conductive throughout or has one or conductive regions. For example, the lining material may be knitted, woven or otherwise formed from threads, yarns other elements that are conductive. As another example, the lining material may be manufactured from underlying material that is nonconductive, but include conductive threads that are added to the underlying material to provide the desired conductivity. 
     The present invention provides a simple and effective construction that is easily incorporated into a wide range of footwear article. The present invention provides static dissipation and conductive footwear that can be used with conventional aftermarket footbeds and shoe inserts, as well as custom orthotics. The conductive elements can be easily positioned at one or more locations within the upper. The location or locations can be selected to facilitate reliable electrical contact with the wearer&#39;s foot. In some applications, the conductive elements can be disposed in or near lacing components so that tightening or other engagement of the lacing components can assist in providing electrical contact between the wearer&#39;s foot and the conductive elements. 
     These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiment and the drawings. 
     Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components. Any reference to claim elements as “at least one of X, Y and Z” is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z individually, and any combination of X, Y and Z, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z ; and Y, Z. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an article of footwear incorporating the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the article of footwear. 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the midsole. 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the outsole. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the upper with the upper open to show the conductive elements on the interior. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the upper with the upper closed by a lasting board and showing the ribbons overlaying the lasting board. 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the article of footwear taken along the forward upper conductive element. 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view of a first alternative article of footwear taken along the forward upper conductive element. 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view of a second alternative article of footwear taken along the forward upper conductive element. 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view of a third alternative article of footwear showing the conductive elements incorporating into the lacing system. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT 
     An article of footwear  10  incorporating a conductive system  12  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . The conductive system  12  includes an electrical flow path  14  in the upper  16  that may be configured to provide static dissipating footwear or conductive footwear. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical flow path is provided by at least one conductive element  14  incorporated into the upper  16  and extending through a location where it will directly contact the wearer&#39;s foot. In some applications, the upper  16  may include a plurality of conductive elements  14  located in different regions to collectively provide improved electrical contact with the wearer&#39;s foot. The conductive element(s)  14  extend from the upper  16  to the sole assembly  18 . For example, the conductive elements  14  may wrap beneath the upper  16  and extend along the top surface of the midsole  20  in engagement with one or more conductive elements incorporated into the midsole  20 . The conductive element(s) in the midsole  20  may, in turn, be in contact with a conductive outsole  22 , thereby completing an electrical flow path from the wearer&#39;s foot to the ground. When providing a static dissipating article of footwear, an electrical resistor  24  may be positioned along the electrical flow path  14 , for example, between the conductive element(s) in the midsole  20  and the outsole  22 . When providing a conductive article of footwear, the electrical resistor may be eliminated. 
     Directional terms, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer” and “outwardly,” are used to assist in describing the invention based on the orientation of the embodiments shown in the illustrations. Further, the terms “medial,” “lateral” and “longitudinal” are used in the manner commonly used in connection with footwear. For example, when used in referring to a side of the shoe, the term “medial” refers to the inward side (that is, the side facing the other shoe) and “lateral” refers to the outward side. When used in referring to a direction, the term “longitudinal direction” refers to a direction generally extending along the length of the shoe between toe and heel, and the term “lateral direction” refers to a direction generally extending across the width of the shoe between the medial and lateral sides of the shoe. The use of directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specific orientation. 
     Further, as used herein, the term “arch region” (or arch or midfoot) refers generally to the portion of the footwear or sole assembly corresponding to the arch or midfoot of the wearer&#39;s foot; the term “forefoot region” (or forefoot) refers generally to the portion of the footwear forward of the arch region corresponding to the forefoot (for example, including the ball and the toes) of a wearer&#39;s foot; and the term “heel region” (or heel) refers generally to that portion of the footwear rearward of the arch region corresponding to the heel of the wearer&#39;s foot. The forefoot  90 , arch  92  and heel  94  regions are generally identified in  FIG. 1 , however, it is to be understood that delineation of these regions may vary depending upon the configuration of the sole assembly and footwear. 
     For purposes of disclosure, the present invention is described in the content of a static dissipating or conductive shoe. The present invention may, however, be incorporating into essentially any style or type of footwear that incorporates an upper and a sole. For example, the present invention may be incorporated into essentially any safety shoes, safety boots, work shoes, work boots, athletic shoes, running shoes, sneakers, tennis shoes, hiking shoes, hiking boots, biker boots, boat shoes, deck shoes, dress shoes, military footwear, uniform footwear and sandals. 
     The present invention is described in the context of the article of footwear shown in  FIGS. 1-7 . In the illustrated embodiment, the article of footwear  10  is a static dissipating shoe, but it can readily be adapted to provide a conductive shoe, for example, by removing the electrical resistor  24  (described below) from the electrical flow path. Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the article of footwear  10  generally includes an upper  16  and a sole assembly  18 . The upper  16  may be essentially any footwear upper. For purposes of disclosure, the present invention is described in the context of a generally conventional upper, the bottom of which is closed by a lasting board (not shown). Although the construction of the upper  16  may vary from application to applications, the upper  16  of  FIG. 1  generally includes a vamp  40  (or toe box), a tongue  42  and one or more quarters  44 . The vamp  40  generally forms the forefoot portion of the upper  16  and may be manufactured from any combination of pieces of upper material. The tongue  42  may be joined to the vamp  40  and extend rearwardly to underlie the laces  32 . As with the vamp  40 , the tongue  42  may be manufactured from any combination of pieces. The tongue  42  may be padded, which in part helps to protect the wearer&#39;s foot from the laces  32 . The quarter or quarters  42  form the heel portion of the upper  16  and may be manufactured from any combination of pieces of upper material. The various pieces of the upper  16  may be manufactured from any of a wide range of materials, such as leather, synthetic leather, mesh, canvas, textile (e.g. woven, knit, bonded), fabric and molded components. The upper  16  may include various trim, cushioning and reinforcing elements. For example, a heel counter (not shown) may be fitted into the heel region to reinforce the heel cup and increase support. As another example, a toe cap (not shown) may be provided to reinforce the vamp  40 . Further, padding may be sandwiched between the layers of the upper  16 , such as between the vamp  40  and the lining material. Reinforcing elements may be affixed to the upper  16  to reinforce the portions of the upper  16  that receive the laces. The interior of the upper  16 , such as the vamp  40 , tongue  42 , quarters  44  and heel counter (not shown), may be covered by a lining material  46  (or liner), such as a layer of DriLex, Cambrelle or other lining materials. The lining material  46  may be a single layer of material or it may be a laminated combination of a plurality of materials. For example, the lining material  46  may include integrated padding throughout or in select regions, such as around the ankle and the foot opening. The construction of the illustrated upper  16  is merely exemplary, and the present invention may be incorporated into footwear that includes essentially any upper construction. 
     As noted above, the upper  16  includes one or more conductive elements  14  that are configured to engage the wearer&#39;s foot when it is seated in the interior of the upper  16 . The present invention may be implemented with essentially any conductive element capable of providing an electrical flow path from the wearer&#39;s foot to the sole  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, the conductive elements include a plurality of ribbons  14  (or other fabric strips) that are integrated into the upper  16 . The ribbons  14  may be manufactured from inherently conductive materials or conductive materials may be added to the ribbons  14  to provide adequate conductivity. For example, conductive threads may be incorporated into the ribbons  14  during manufacture or may be added to the ribbons  14  after manufacture. In the illustrated embodiment, each ribbon  14  is manufactured from nylon and is provided with a plurality of conductive threads that extend longitudinally along the full length of the ribbons. More specifically, each of the illustrated ribbons  14  includes six conductive threads  15  (but the number may vary) that are spaced apart and extend parallel to one another along the full length of the ribbon. The ribbons  14  (or other conductive elements) may be positioned in essentially any region or number of regions where electrical contact can be established with the wearer&#39;s foot. As perhaps best shown in  FIG. 3 , this embodiment includes four ribbons  14  that are exposed through at least portions of the interior of the upper  16 . More specifically, the upper  16  includes two ribbons  14  that extend laterally along the lateral side of the upper  16  and two ribbons  14  that extend laterally along the medial side of the upper  16 . In this embodiment, the ribbons  14  are positioned to engage the top of the wearer&#39;s foot. As shown, the ribbons  14  are generally aligned with the lacing system so that tightening of the laces  32  draws the upper closed and urges the ribbons  14  toward the wearer&#39;s foot to help provide sufficient electrical contact between the wearer&#39;s foot and the ribbons  14 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , each ribbon  14  may be woven into and out of the lining material  46 . In this embodiment, the upper end of each ribbon  14  is sewn in place between the upper  16  and the lining material  46 , for example, by stitching  17 . Each ribbon  14  then passes through a first slit in the lining material  46  so that it is exposed on the inside surface of the lining material  46 . The ribbons  14  extend along the inside surface of the lining material  46  for substantially the full height of the upper  16 . This provides four sections of exposed conductive material that extend along the inside of the upper to engage the wearer&#39;s foot. The bottom portion of each ribbon  14  passes through a second slit in the lining material at or near the bottom of the upper  16 . The ribbons  14  are sewn in place between the upper  16  and the lining material  46  beneath the second slit. As can be seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the ribbons  14  extend beyond the bottom edge of the upper  16  so that they can be brought into engagement with the sole  18 , as described below. The number, size, shape, configuration and location of the ribbons  14  are merely exemplary, and may vary from vary from application to application. For example, additional or alternative conductive elements may be incorporated into the toe box, the tongue and/or heel region. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the conductive element includes additional elements secured to the lining material  46  (or liner). Alternatively, the conductive element may be in the form of a conductive lining material  46 . For example, the lining material  46  may be provided with conductive threads or be formed from conductive strands, and a portion of the lining material containing the conductive threads or strands may be brought into contact with the midsole conductive element to provide an electrical flow path from the wearer&#39;s foot to the sole  18 . In one embodiment, conductive threads (not shown) may be sewn or embroidered into the lining material  46  after the lining material  46  has been formed. In another embodiment, the lining material  46  may be formed with conductive strands (e.g. warps/wefts if a woven material). In applications where the lining material forms the conductive element, the lining material may extend beyond the remainder of the upper so that the lining material may be brought into direct contact with the midsole conductive element. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom of the upper  16  is closed by a lasting board  54 . The lasting board  54  of the illustrated embodiment is generally conventional and therefore will not be described in detail. Suffice it to say that the lasting board  54  may be manufactured from essentially suitable material, and may be shaped to provide the closed bottom of the upper  16  with the desired shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom end of the upper  16  terminates in a lasting allowance  50  that is wrapped inwardly beneath and is joined to undersurface of the lasting board  54 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lasting allowance  50  is secured to the lasting board  54  by adhesive. Although the illustrated embodiment includes a board lasted construction, the present invention may be incorporated into other footwear constructions, such as strobel constructions, welted constructions, slip lasted constructions and direct-attach constructions, just to name a few examples. In each of these alternative constructions, the upper conductive elements  14  are configured to engage the sole  18  (e.g. the midsole  20  or the outsole  22 ) to provide a conductive flow path from the wearer&#39;s foot to the sole  18 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the ribbons  14  may be positioned along the bottom surface of the lasting board  54  where they will come into contact with the top surface of the sole  18 , such as the midsole  20 . 
     As noted above, the sole assembly  18  generally includes a midsole  20  and an outsole  22 . One of the primary functions of the midsole  20  is to provide resilient cushioning for the wearer&#39;s foot. Although the midsole  20  may vary from application to application, the midsole  20  of the illustrated embodiment is manufactured from a relatively resilient material selected to provide the sole assembly  10  with a desired level of cushioning. For example, the midsole  20  may be formed from ethyl vinyl acetate (“EVA”) foam, expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (“E-TPU”) foam, thermoplastic elastomer (“TPE”) foam or polyurethane (“PU”) foam. The specific characteristics of the selected foam may vary from application to application. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the midsole 20 hardness is in the range of 55-60 Shore C or more broadly in the range of 40-60 Shore C. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the midsole  20  is first manufactured and then attached to the upper  16 . In this embodiment, the top surface  34  of the midsole  20  is configured to be secured to an upper  16 , for example, to the underside of the lasting board. The midsole  20  may be secured to the upper (not shown) using any suitable attachment, for example, by adhesives or stitching. These are simply examples and the midsole  20  may be secured to the upper using other techniques and apparatus. For example, the midsole  20  may be direct-attached to the upper. Although the illustrated midsole  20  is generally continuous in the illustrated embodiment, it may be implemented in discrete parts. 
     The midsole  20  of the illustrated embodiment includes a conductive element  26  that is configured to be electrically coupled to the upper conductive element(s)  14  and to the outsole  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the midsole conductive element  26  is a single conductive strand disposed along the top surface  34  of the midsole  20 . The midsole conductive element  26  may be conductive webbing, thread or tape. The midsole conductive element  26  is secured to the midsole  20 , for example, by adhesive. In this embodiment, the midsole conductive element  26  is electrically coupled to the upper conductive elements  14  by direct contact. More specifically, the ribbons  14  are wrapped beneath the lasting board  54  and positioned to be in direct contact with the midsole conductive element  26  when the midsole  20  is secured to the bottom of the upper  16 . To facilitate the electrical coupling, the adhesive used to the secure the midsole  20  to the upper  16  may be electrically conductive or adhesive may be absent in the regions where the ribbons  14  and midsole conductive element  26  overlap. Although the ribbons  14  and midsole conductive element  26  are electrically coupled by direct contact, they may be electrically coupled by an intermediate conductive element, such as a conductive layer on the bottom of the lasting board  54 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the midsole conductive element  26  is electrically coupled to the outsole  22 . This electrical coupling can be provided in essentially any way. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the midsole conductive element  26  extends through the midsole  20  and is coupled to an outsole conductive element  28  extending along the top surface of the outsole  22 . Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the midsole  20  may define a through-hole  30  that extends through the midsole  20  in the heel region to provide a passage for routing the midsole conductive element  26  and/or the outsole conductive element  28 . In the context of a static dissipating construction, a resistor  24  of the desired electrical resistance may be connected in series between the midsole conductive element  26  and the outsole conductive element  28 . If desired, the resistor  24  may be situated above, within or below the through-hole  30 . Although the midsole conductive element  26  and outsole conductive element  28  are described as separate components in the illustrated embodiment, it should be understood that they can be integrated into a single component if desired. For example, a single strip of conductive material may be secured to the top of the midsole  20 , fed through the through-hole  30  and the secured to the top surface of the outsole  22  (e.g. using a conductive adhesive). 
     As noted above, the sole  18  includes an outsole  22  that is configured to provide a durable, high traction ground-engaging structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the outsole  22  is disposed below the midsole  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the outsole  22  is manufactured from a single, one-piece layer that extends over the entire bottom surface of the midsole  20 . The outsole  22  need not, however, cover the entire bottom surface of the midsole  20 , and it may be manufactured from a plurality of discrete segments that are separately secured to the undersurface of the midsole  20 . For example, in alternative embodiments, the outsole may include a forefoot section that is secured to the undersurface of the midsole  20  in the forefoot region of the shoe  10  and a heel section that is secured to the undersurface of the midsole  20  in the heel region. In this alternative embodiment, there may be no outsole in the arch region. Instead, the arch region of the midsole  20  may be exposed. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom surface of the outsole may also include a plurality of ground engaging lugs  70  or otherwise be textured or contoured to provide the desired performance characteristics. The number, size, shape, arrangement and configuration of lugs  70  may vary from application to application. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the outsole  22  is manufactured as a single, unitary component formed from an electrically conductive material. The outsole  22  may alternatively be manufactured from a plurality of different materials with one or more portions being non-conductive and one or more portions being electrically conductive. The outsole  22  may be manufactured from a material that is inherently conductive or that includes an additive that renders the outsole  22  sufficiently conductive. In the illustrated embodiment, the outsole  22  is constructed from rubber that includes an additive to ensure that it is sufficiently conductive. Alternatively, the outsole  16  can be constructed from a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU), synthetic rubber, nylon or other polymer blends that includes nylon and/or TPU. If the desired outsole material is not sufficiently conductive, the material may be provided with an additive to provide the desired level of electrical conductivity. These materials are merely exemplary, and the outsole  22  can be constructed from essentially any relatively wear resistant polymer, elastomer and/or natural or synthetic rubber or other materials capable of providing the desired functional characteristics. The outsole also can be constructed to include thermoplastic elastomers and/or thermoset elastomers. Other materials such as fiber-reinforced polymers can be used. These can include epoxy, polyethylene, polyester, thermosetting plastic reinforced with carbon, glass and/or aramid fibers. 
     As noted above, the outsole  22  of the illustrated embodiment includes a conductive element  28  that is configured to be electrically coupled to the outsole  22  and to the midsole conductive element  26 . In the illustrated embodiment, the outsole conductive element  28  is a single conductive strand disposed along the top surface  36  of the outsole  22 , but its position may vary. The outsole conductive element  28  may be conductive webbing, thread or tape. The outsole conductive element  28  is secured to the top surface  36  of the outsole  22 , for example, by an electrically conductive adhesive. In this embodiment, one end of the outsole conductive element  28  is electrically coupled to the midsole conductive element  26 . For example, one end of the outsole conductive element  28  may be joined to the midsole conductive element  26  by soldering, by twisting or by an electrical connector. In the illustrated embodiment, a resistor  24  is connected in series between the midsole conductive element  26  and the outsole conductive element  28 . The resistor  24  is selected to have the desired an electrical resistance. In the context of a static dissipating article of footwear, the resistor  24  may be selected to provide the electrical flow path  14  with an electrical resistance of between 1M ohm and 100M ohm. For conductive footwear, the resistor may be eliminated or replaced with a resistor selected to provide the electrical flow path  14  with an electrical resistance of between 0 ohm and 500K ohm. 
     The article of footwear  10  may also include additional cushioning and/or support components. For example, one or more additional cushioning or support elements may be incorporated into the article of footwear  10  above the midsole  20 . Although not shown, an inner sole, insole, footbed, orthotic or other type of cushioning component may be fitted into the interior of the upper  16  to underlie the wearer&#39;s foot and provide additional cushioning and/or support. 
     In alternative embodiments, the conductive elements in the upper may bypass the midsole and be in electrical contact with the outsole. For example,  FIG. 8  shows an alternative article of footwear  10 ′ in which the ribbons  14 ′ (or other conductive elements) pass through slots  21 ′ in the midsole  20 ′ and are situated in direct electrical contact with the upper conductive element  28 ′. In this embodiment, the midsole  20 ′ may define four slots  21 ′ that extend fully through the midsole  20 ′ to provide a channel or passage for routing the conductive elements  28 ′ beneath the midsole  20 ′ where they can be situated in direct contact with the upper conductive element  28 ′. 
     Another alternative embodiment is shown in  FIG. 9 . In this embodiment, the ribbons  14 ″ (or other conductive elements) extend along the sides and wrap beneath the midsole  20 ″. In this embodiment, the midsole  20 ″ may include shallow recesses (not shown) to receive the ribbons so that they are flush with the remainder of the side of the midsole  20 ″. As shown, the outsole  22 ″ of this embodiment may extend upwardly along the sides of the midsole  20 ″. In the illustrated embodiment, the outsole  22 ″ is configured to fully cover the ribbons  14 ″ so that they are concealed from view. 
     In another alternative embodiment, the conductive element(s) can be incorporating into functional upper components. It is not uncommon for footwear uppers to include webbing or straps that are strategically positioned to reinforce or provide enhance strength in select regions of the upper. For example, a variety of footwear uppers include sections of webbing, such as nylon straps, that extend upwardly from the sole and either directly receive the laces or support a lacing eyelet or similar lacing element. These sections of webbing can be provided with conductivity and can be electrically coupled to the sole in any of the various ways discussed above. In an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , the conductive elements  114  are incorporated into one or more lacing straps. In this embodiment, the lacing straps  114  are conductive and extend along the sides of upper  116 . For example, the lacing straps  114  may be manufactured from inherently conductive materials or conductive threads can be added to the straps  114  to provide the required conductivity. The lacing straps  114  of the illustrated embodiment terminate at the upper end in lacing loops  115  configured to receive the lace (not shown). For example, the upper end of each lacing strap  114  may be folded back onto itself and secured (e.g. sewn) to create a loop of sufficient size to receive a shoe lace. As an alternative to loops, lacing components, such as rings or eyelets, may be secured to the top end of each strap  114 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lacing straps  114  are woven through the upper  116  so that the lacing loops  115  at the top are exposed on the outside of the upper  116  while the remaining length of each lacing strap passes through the upper  116  and is exposed along the inside where it can contact the wearer&#39;s foot. The bottom section of each lacing strap  114  can be electrically coupled to the midsole  120  or to the outsole  122 , for example, using any of the constructions described above. When the laces are tightened, the associated forces may draw the straps  114  into firm contact with the wearer&#39;s foot, thereby facilitating good electrical contact between the conductive elements  114  and the wearer&#39;s foot. 
     The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.