US3596134A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for discharging electrostatic energy
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-10-08
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1988-10-08
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus adapted to be worn by persons working in an electrostatic field for eliminating the discomfort and ill effects of discharges of electrical energy through the person. It comprises one or more bands in the form of wearable garters or a belt, each having a flexible conductive element that will conform to the body shape and thus lie close to the skin so that electrical discharges will occur a relatively large body area rather than at a small area or point contact thereon. The garters and belt are each connected by flexible leads to conductor devices for contacting grounded structures, such as foot sandals, gloves or bonding devices at the ends of the leads.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick D Burke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/14; A43; A43B; A43B1/00; A43B1/0054; A43B7/00; A43B7/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for protecting a person from electrical discharges in an electrostatic field comprising: an elongated, flexible, bandlike device adapted to be worn around a portion of a persons''s body said device having a conductive surface on a front side, a rear side of conductive material connected to said front side around its edges, insulation material between said front and rear sides, and means on said device for holding its conductive surface close to the person''s skin when being worn; terminal connector means spaced apart on said rear side of said device; lead means attached to one of said terminal connector means; and bonding means at the end of said lead means for making an electrical ground connection with structure near the wearer; whereby the electrical charge on the person''s body is collected from a relatively large area and is forced to travel from said front side to said rear side of said device before reaching said terminal connector means, thereby eliminating a concentration of charge at any one point on the wearer''s body that can cause discomfort.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for protecting a person from electrical discharges in an electrostatic field comprising: an elongated, flexible, bandlike device adapted to be worn around a portion of a persons''s body said device having a conductive surface on a front side, a rear side of conductive material connected to said front side around its edges, insulation material between said front and rear sides, and means on said device for holding its conductive surface close to the person''s skin when being worn; terminal connector means spaced apart on said rear side of said device; lead means attached to one of said terminal connector means; and bonding means at the end of said lead means for making an electrical ground connection with structure near the wearer; whereby the electrical charge on the person''s body is collected from a relatively large area and is forced to travel from said front side to said rear side of said device before reaching said terminal connector means, thereby eliminating a concentration of charge at any one point on the wearer''s body that can cause discomfort.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said bonding means comprises a sandal attachable to the wearer''s boot; a conductive sole on said sandal; and an electrically conductive member forming the termination of said lead means and embedded in said sole of said sandal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
103 words
The apparatUs as described in claim 1 wherein said bonding means comprises a pair of gloves to provide additional protection for the person wearing said device, each said glove comprising a flexible outer cover, a lining of conductive material attached to the inner surface of the outer cover and a terminal means electrically connected to said conductive lining and by a lead means to said rear side of said device, whereby any contact of a said glove with structure of a different potential will cause a charge flow from said bandlike device through the glove instead of through the wearer''s hand and body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said bandlike device comprises: an outer cover having said front and rear sides formed of rubberized cloth material that is electrically conductive; a braided metal strip located directly adjacent the inside surface of said cloth material along said rear side of said device and connected to said terminal connector means; a flexible strip of insulation material between said braided metal strip and said front side of said device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
A protective device adapted to be worn by a person working in an electrostatic field comprising: an outer cover having outside and inside surface having two side portions and formed of flexible, conductive material; a flat flexible strip of metal between said cover side portions of the inside surface and directly adjacent the inside surface of one of them; a flat strip of insulating material between the other side portion of the inside surface of said cover and said metal strip; means holding said cover side portions together at their edges with said strips inside; and spaced-apart lead connector means fixed to said metal strip and extending through and outside said cover from its side portion, not adjacent to said insulating material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
A protective device adapted to be worn by a person working in an electrostatic field comprising: an outer cover having outside and inside surface having two side portions and formed of flexible, conductive material; a flat flexible strip of metal between said cover side portions of the inside surface and directly adjacent the inside surface of one of them; a flat strip of insulating material between the other side portion of the inside surface of said cover and said metal strip; means holding said cover side portions together at their edges with said strips inside; and spaced-apart lead connector means fixed to said metal strip and extending through and outside said cover from its side portion, not adjacent to said insulating material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device as described in claim 5 wherein said flexible outer cover is a conductive, rubberized cloth providing a relatively high impedance and said metal strip is braided copper providing a relatively low impedance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 5 including means on one side portion of said cover for securing it tightly around a portion of a person''s body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device as described in claim 5 wherein said insulating means is a thin strip of varnished cambric.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for protecting a person from electrical discharges in an electrostatic field comprising: an elongated, flexible band adapted to be worn around the waist, and a pair of garters each adapted to be worn around the legs of a person, both said band and said garter including an elongated, flexible cover of conductive material formed from first and second side portions connected together along their edges, means on said cover adapted to hold a first side portion close to the wearer''s skin, an elongated strip of braided metal between said side portions and connected to terminal means extending outside of said second side portion and a slightly larger strip of insulating material secured between said metal strip and said first cover side portion; glove means having a conductive inner liner adapted to be next to the wearer''s skin and electrically connected to said band; and footwear means having a conductive sole electrically connected to one of said garters.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for protecting a person from electrical discharges in an electrostatic field comprising: an elongated, flexible band adapted to be worn around the waist, and a pair of garters each adapted to be worn around the legs of a person, both said band and said garter including an elongated, flexible cover of conductive material formed from first and second side portions connected together along their edges, means on said cover adapted to hold a first side portion close to the wearer''s skin, an elongated strip of braided metal between said side portions and connected to terminal means extending outside of said second side portion and a slightly larger strip of insulating material secured between said metal strip and said first cover side portion; glove means having a conductive inner liner adapted to be next to the wearer''s skin and electrically connected to said band; and footwear means having a conductive sole electrically connected to one of said garters.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |