A Means of Maintaining the Human Body in Electrical Connection with the Earth.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 15th July, 1893-Accepted, 7th Oct., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Means of Maintaining the Human Body in Electrical Connection
with the Earth.
ELDRIDGE SPRATT Physician 11 Hinde Street Manchester Square London.
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to a means of maintaining the human body in electrical
connection with the earth through the medium of boots shoes or the like foot
coverings which usually act as non-conductors of electricity and consequently such
foot coverings as usually hitherto constructed when in use on the feet of the
wearer have prevented electrical communication between the body of the wearer
and the earth in other words have acted as insulators between the wearer and the
earth.
Now the object of my present invention is to destroy this insulation and to
provide electrical conductors in such foot coverings so as to ensure electrical com-
munication between the feet of the wearer and the earth.
For this purpose I proceed as follows:-
Firstly I introduce in any suitable manner rivets wires or the like metallic
electrical conductors into the sole (and also heel if desired) of the boot and shoe
so that such rivet or other electrical conductor passes from the exterior where it
comes in contact with the ground right through the outer sole and inner sole to the
interior wearing surface of the boot etc. and there comes in contact with the foot
of the wearer either through the medium of wires inserted in the soles of the socks
or stockings or through the medium of holes or open work in the sock or stockings
so as to permit the skin of the foot to come into direct contact with the inner ends
of these metallic conductors or contact pieces embedded in the sole of the boot.
Thus I provide a means of direct communication or electrical connection between
the foot of the wearer of foot coverings (having my present invention applied
thereto) and the earth either with or without terminals so that whether sitting
reclining standing walking or taking other muscular exercise any excess of
electricity in the human body can thus pass away to the earth or on the other
hand any deficiency in electricity in the body of the wearer will be instantly
replenished through the means I have thus provided.
It will be obvious that my present invention can be adopted and applied in
various forms which need not here be further described as any person skilled in the
art could readily carry my invention into practice in any desired manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
The combination with a boot or shoe or other foot covering of an electrical
conductor passing right through from the exterior to the interior of the foot
covering so that this conductor while coming in contact with the earth on the
exterior comes in contact with the foot-or with another conductor such as a wire
in the sock in contact with the foot-in the interior of the boot thereby bringing

page_text: the body of the wearer in direct electrical communication with the earth sub-
stantially in the manner and for the purposes herein before described.
Dated this 15th day of July 1893.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.