MXPA97009994A - Static electricity dissipation garment - Google Patents

Abstract

A static electricity dissipation garment where the body of the garment is constructed of fabric within wich is woven strands of carbon. The body will be constructed as a smock or as a pant suit. The pant suit garment includes a pair of side seams located between the torso section of the garment and down each leg section of the garment. The smock includes a similar pair of side seams in the torso section. A first embodiment of the garment includes sleeve seams that extend along the entire length of each sleeve of the garment and then along the connection of the sleeve to the upper part of the torso section and then along the collar of the garment. Within each of these seams, along the entire length of the seam, is includes an electrically conductive ribbon. The ribbon of the side seam is designed to overlap a substantial length of the sleeve seam. The ribbons of the two sleeve seams and side seams overlap each other in theárea of the collar. An apprpiate electrical connector is connected to the ribbon of at least one side seam. An electrical conductor is to be connected to the electrical connector which is to function to remove static electricity that accumulaes on the garment. A second embodiment of garment has each side seam extendign down each sleeve and terminates at the cuff. Transverse ribbons are mounted across the torso secion of the (first embodiment, second embodiment, smock and pant suit) garment which provide a dual pair of electrical connectors each of wich may be used to remove static electrical by being connected to an output electrical conducting grounding wire. Boots and gaiters could be manufactured to include similar electrically conductive ribbons and hence be dissipative of static electricity.

Description

CLOTHING FOR DISSIPATING STATIC ELECTRICITY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l) Field of the Invention The field of this invention refers to garments and more particularly to a garment that is designed primarily to minimize the static electricity generated in a controlled environment (clean room). 2? Description of the Previous Technique During the manufacture of certain equipment, there is a need for the workers involved to be as free as possible of static electricity. Typically, the construction of electronic equipment, such as disk drives, requires an almost static-free environment. In the past, as long as the people involved in the disk drive generation generated less than a couple of volts of static electricity, the process was not adversely affected. Recently however, disc drives are being created that have a higher degree of sensitivity, and it has become mandatory that workers have less than twenty volts of static electricity on their person. This is an excessively small amount of static electricity, particularly in view of the fact that the simple act of moving an arm through the air would normally generate at least that amount of voltage.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The primary objective of the present invention is to build a garment to dissipate static electricity that will result in the person using the garment generating less than twenty volts of static electricity at any given time. Another objective of the present invention is to construct a garment for dissipating static electricity that is manufactured in a simple form and therefore can be built economically and finally sold at a relatively low price to the customer. The static removal garment of the present invention is constructed of a 100% polyester monofilament fabric material, which is intended to be used as a cover over the garments worn by the wearer. The body of the garment is constructed of cloth, and within this cloth are woven filaments of carbon with these strands that form a crisscross pattern within the body of the garment. The garment includes a pair of leg sections that are located in juxtaposition connected to the lower end of a torso section. On each side of the torso section a sleeve section is mounted, with the two sleeve sections mounted on the upper end of the torso section ending in a neck opening surrounded by a collar. The garment includes a side seam on each side of the garment. The side seam extends the entire length of the leg section and approximately half the length of the torso section ending in the armpit area directly adjacent to a sleeve section. There is a sleeve seam that extends all the way down the length of each sleeve, ending at the outer end of the seam in the area of the cuff that is to be placed around the wearer's wrist. The inner end of the sleeve seam is placed in the connection between the torso section and the sleeve and ends in the collar that surrounds the neck opening. Within each of the seams, and electrically connecting with the numerous cross or cross strands of carbon fibers stitched to the body of the garment, electrically conductive tapes are sewn. The electrically conductive tape of each side seam also continues down the sleeve seam almost to the cuff with the electrically conductive tape of the side seam that overlaps with this portion of the electrically conductive tape mounted within the sleeve seam. In the collar, the electrically conductive tapes in both sleeve seams overlap each other. An electrical outlet connector is mounted within each side seam and connects respectively electrically with the tape of its side seam. It will be understood that there are two separate electrical connectors. Each electrical connector is capable of being connected to an electrical conductive wire with this wire that will then be connected to an appropriate grounding connector in the outer structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a rear view of a first embodiment of the garment for static electricity dissipation of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing the neck opening inside the collar and also illustrating the hollow interior of the garment; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken through one of the leg seams incorporated within the garment of the present invention taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken through one of the sleeve seams incorporated within the garment of the present invention, which is taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1; Figure 5 is an enlarged view of one of the cuff areas forming the outer end of the sleeve of the garment for the present invention, which is taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1; Figure 6 is an enlarged view illustrating more clearly the electrical connector that is assembled in conjunction with one of the side seams of the garment that is taken on line 6-6 of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken through the cuff of the garment along line 8-8 of Figure 5; Figure 9 is a rear view of a second embodiment of a garment for static electricity dissipation of the present invention; Figure 10 is an enlarged view of the connector assembly used in conjunction with the second embodiment of this invention taken on line 10-10 of Figure 9; and Figure 11 is an enlarged view of the additional connector assembly used in conjunction with the second embodiment of a static electricity dissipation garment of this invention, taken on line 11-11 of Figure 9. NETAU-ADA DESCRIPTION OF THE MODALITY PREFERRED With particular reference to the drawings, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the first embodiment of the garment 10 constructed in accordance with this invention. The garment 10 is formed of a body 12, with this body 12 defining a pair of leg sections 14 and 16, a torso section 18 and a pair of sleeves 20 and 22. The leg sections 14 and 16 are connected in the seam 24 at the lower end of the torso section 18. The leg sections 14 and 16 are joined together in the seam 42. The sleeve 20 is connected by the seam 26 to the torso section 18. The sleeve 22 is connected by the seam 28 to the torso section 18. The leg sections 14 and 16 are basically identical and of the same length and are located in juxtaposition. The sleeves 20 and 22 are also substantially identical and aligned and extend in opposite directions away from the torso section 18. Typical construction material of the garment body 12 would be a polyester 32 fabric, within which are strands or woven carbon filaments 30. Typically, the filaments 30 are spaced approximately 635 cm (1/4") and are located in a crisscross pattern that gives the appearance of a chessboard The leg section 14 is constructed of the fabric 32 that it is formed in a tubular configuration and sew together in the side seam 34. The torso section 18 is also formed in a tubular configuration constituting an internal compartment 19 and connected together in a seam that aligns with and forms part of the seam lateral 34 terminating in the area of the armpit 40. In a similar manner, the leg section 16 is formed in the side seam 36, with this lateral seam 36 extending over on the torso section 18 ending in the armpit area 38. The front portion of the torso section 18 includes a zipper 23 which is to be manipulated by the user, as required. The lower ends of each of the leg sections 14 and 16 are sewn together with the fabric 32 overlapped. A similar type of seam structure is located in the seam 42 connecting the leg sections 14 and 16 together and also in the seam 24 connecting the leg sections 14 and 16 to the torso section 18. It will be understood that the lower end of each of the leg sections 14 and 16 will be open. The sleeve 20 is also tubular in shape having a sleeve seam 46 formed. A similar sleeve seam 48 is formed inside the sleeve 22. The sleeve seam 46 connects with the seam 26 ending in a collar 50. The collar 50 encircles the neck opening 51 of the garment 10. A continuous length of electrically conductive tape 52 is sewn by yarns 54 within the overlapping sections of the fabric 32 of the side seam 34. The ribbon 52 has an approximate width of .635 cm (1/4") and has the approximate thickness of conventional fabric.The tape 52 is basically constructed of a polyester and nylon fabric, having more closely spaced carbon fibers incorporated in the belt. The result is the electrically conductive tape 52 comprising an electrical conductor. The electrically conductive tape 52 extends from the outer end of the leg section 14 over the entire length of the leg section 14 to the armpit area 40 of the torso section 18. Hence, the electrically conductive tape 52 extends over the seam 26 to the collar 50. Formed within the cuff 54 is the second section of tape 56 which is sewn by wires 58 in butt confinement with the electrically conductive tape 52. Therefore the electrically conductive tapes 52 and 56 overlap in the upper torso area of the garment 10. This overlap helps to ensure that a positive electrical connection is continuously established between the belts 52 and 56. A similar belt 60 extends from the cuff 62 of the sleeve 22 with this belt 60 driven on the seam 28 to the collar 50. It can be seen in the lip of the collar 50 that several centimeters overlap from both tapes 56 and 60. Within the area of the collar 50, these tapes are going to be sewn tight with each other. It will be understood that there is a tape 64 formed within the seam 36, with this tape 64 extending from the collar 50 to the total length of the side seam 36. It will be understood that any static electricity accumulated in the body 12 of the garment 10 is led through the carbon fibers 30 to one of the belts 52 and 56, 60 or 64. Mounted to the side seam 36 is an electrical connector 66. It should be understood that a similar electrical connector (not shown) is mounted on the set with the side seam 34. The electrical connector 66 comprises a female member 68 and a male member 70. The male member 70 is inserted into the female member 68 with sections of the tapes 60 or 64 as well as layers of the fabric 32 that is they unite tightly between them. A positive electrical connection is subsequently formed with the side seam 36 and also a similar electrical connection is formed with the side seam 34. The electrical connector 66 is to be connected to the socket 71, which is connected to an electrically conductive wire 72 illustrated connected to the electrical connector assembled in conjunction with the side seam 34. It should be understood that only one electrical conductor wire 72 can be used that only connects to one of the electrical connectors 66 but not both at the same time. The electrically conductive wires 72 include a plug 74 that is to be connected to a socket of property (not shown) of an outer grounding connector. The accumulated static electricity of the garment is then discharged through the electrically conductive wire (s) 72 to the appropriate electrical ground. It will be noted that the entire garment 10 is constructed in a way that facilitates normal cleaning, without impacting its effectiveness in minimizing static electricity over a prolonged period of time. With particular reference to Figures 5 and 8 of the drawings, there is a cloth cuff 62 which is sewn in the seam 76 to the sleeve 22. It should be understood that the fabric cuff 52 is also sewn in the seam 78 to the sleeve 20. The cuffs 62, and 54 are essentially identical. The sleeve 22 ends in a tubular section of fabric 80. The sleeve 20 terminates a similar shape in a tubular section of fabric 82. Each of the fabric tubular sections 80 and 82 has a mass of carbon fibers 84 sewn together. 60 is sewn together with the tubular section 80. An electrical connector 86 that is substantially identical to the electrical connector 66 is assembled in conjunction with the overlapping sections of tubular section 80 with the tape 60 that is joined therebetween. An appropriate electrical connection is now provided with the tubular section 80. It will be understood that the tubular section 80 will expand to allow passage of the user's hand, with the tubular section 80 to rest on the user's wrist. The tubular section 80 is to be placed on the right wrist of the user with the tubular section 82 to be located on the user's left wrist. It is also assembled in conjunction with the tubular section 80, a pair of quick coupling fasteners 88 and 90. A pair of female fasteners 89 are mounted on the cuff 80, with each fastener 89 for connecting with quick-coupling fasteners 88 and 90. These fasteners 88 and 90 are also for facilitating the connection with a glove 96 that is going to be used by the user. The body of the glove is held between fasteners 89 and 88 and also between fasteners 89 and 90. It will be understood that a glove is required for static dissipation. Each of the quick-coupling fasteners 88 and 90 are connected to the tubular section 80 by a ring 92 that is tightly mounted on the rear portion of the quick-coupling fasteners 88 and 90. To prevent the ring 92 from cutting the tubular section 80, a small portion of cloth insert 94 is inserted between the ring 92 and the tubular section 80. With particular reference to Figure 9 of the drawings, a second embodiment 98 of the garment 132 of this invention is illustrated. Similar numbers have been used with respect to the garment 10 to refer to like parts. The second embodiment 98 of the garment of this invention has an electrically conductive tape 100, which is assembled within the side seam 34 with this tape 100 which also extends over the sleeve seam 46. This electrically conductive tape 100 within the seam of sleeve 46 ends in a cuff section 102. Within the lateral seam 36, an electrically conductive tape 104 is mounted which is conducted over the sleeve seam 48 and terminates in a cuff section 106. Connecting electrically with the tape 100 is find a cross section 108 of tape. A similar cross section 110 of electrically conductive tape is electrically connected to the electrically conductive tape 104. The outer end of the cross section 108 is located directly adjacent to the electrically conductive tape 104. In a similar manner, the outer end of the cross section 110 is located directly adjacent to the belt 100. Mounted together with the outer end of the cross section 110, and electrically connecting therewith is an electrical connector 112. The cross section 110 is assembled in conjunction with the transverse seam 114. The electrical connector 112 is basically identical to the electrical connector 86. A similar electrical connector 116 is assembled in conjunction with the tape 100 at the seam 34. An electrically conductive wire 118 electrically connects to the connector 112 with a second wire 120 electrically connecting to the Connector 116. Electrically conductive wires ores 118 and 120 are joined in and from the conductor 122 to be wound in a coil 124. The conductor 122 terminates in a plug-in connector 126, the plug-in connector 126 is to be connected to an electrical conductor plug which is not illustrated and discussed previously in relation to the plug connector 74. The coil 124 is to be expanded in order to allow the individual wearing the garment 98 to move within a confined area and still remain electrically connected to the plug connector. 126. The cross section 108 is mounted within a transverse seam 128. The outer end of the cross section 108 is electrically connected to a connector 130 that is mounted within the garment 132. An additional connector 134 is assembled in conjunction with the belt. 104 and is located within the seam 36. The user has the option of connecting the conductor 122 either to the connectors 116 and 112 or to the connectors 130 and 134. If the conductor 122 is connected to the connectors 112 and 116, the conductor 122 is connected to the left side of the user's body. If the user has chosen that the conductor 122 be connected to the connectors 130 and 134, the conductor 122 is connected to the right side of the user's body. With any connection, total removal of the static electricity from the garment is achieved 132.

Claims (17)

1. CLAIMS 1.- A garment for dissipation of static electricity, characterized in that it comprises: that the garment has a torso section and two sleeves that are aligned with each other and that extend from the torso section each in an opposite direction, the section torso has a collar that circumscribes a neck opening at its upper end, each sleeve ends in a cuff at its outer end, the garment is constructed of a fabric that is completely impregnated with electrically conductive threads or filaments; the torso section has a pair of side seams and a pair of sleeve seams, each sleeve seam extends between the sleeve and the torso section, an electrically conductive tape mounted within each side seam and each sleeve seam, the electrically conductive tape extends substantially over the entire length in each side seam and each sleeve seam; and an electrical connector that connects to one of the seams, the electrical connector is adapted to connect with a grounded wire that extends from the garment and is adapted to connect with an external grounding connector.
2. 2. The static electricity dissipation garment, characterized in that it comprises: that the garment has a torso section and two sleeves that are in alignment with each other and that extend from the torso section each in an opposite direction, the section torso has a collar that circumscribes a neck opening at its upper end, the sleeve ends in a cuff at its outer end, the garment is constructed of a fabric that is completely impregnated with electrically conductive threads or filaments; the torso section has a pair of side seams and a pair of sleeve seams, each of the sleeve seams extends between the sleeve and the torso section, an electrically conductive tape mounted within each side seam and each seam sleeve, the electrically conductive tape extends substantially over the entire length in each side seam and each sleeve seam; and a first cross-section of electrically conductive tape mounted across the torso section connecting with one of the side seams, a second cross section of electrically conductive tape, which extends through the torso section connecting with the other of the side seams, a first pair of electrical connectors connecting between the first cross section and one of the side seams, a second pair of electrical connectors connecting between the second cross section and the other of the side seams, whereby the user is able to choose a connection with either the first pair of electrical connectors or the second pair of electrical connectors with this connection to a grounding wire.
3. 3. - A garment for dissipation of static electricity, characterized in that it comprises: a body constructed of a fabric that is completely impregnated with electrically conductive filaments, the body has an elongated seam, the seam includes an electrically conductive tape, an electrical connector that connects to the sewing and electrically connecting with the tape, with which the electrical connector will connect with a grounding wire that extends from the body to be connected inside an external grounding connector.
4. 4. The garment for static electricity dissipation according to claim 3, characterized in that the tape is mounted inside the seam.
5. 5. The garment for static electricity dissipation according to claim 4, characterized in that the tape is held within the seam when sewing.
6. 6. The garment for static electricity dissipation according to claim 3, characterized in that the electrical connector connects to the belt by means of empalación.
7. 7. A garment for dissipation of static electricity, characterized in that it comprises: a first sleeve and a second sleeve, each constructed of material that is completely impregnated with electrically conductive fibers; a. torso section constructed of material that is completely impregnated with the electrically conductive fibers; a first sleeve seam connecting the first sleeve with the torso section; a second sleeve seam connecting the second sleeve with the torso section; a first electrically conductive tape mounted within the first sleeve seam, to effect electrical contact between the electrically conductive fibers of the sleeve and the torso section; and a second electrically conductive tape, mounted within the second sleeve seam to effect electrical contact between the electrically conductive fibers of the second sleeve and the torso section.
8. 8. The static electricity dissipation garment according to claim 7, characterized in that it also includes: a first torso seam; and a first electrically conductive torso belt mounted within the first torso seam to effect electrical contact with the electrically conductive fibers of the torso section.
9. 9. The static electricity dissipation garment according to claim 8, characterized in that the first electrically conductive torso belt is sewn by sewing to and in electrical contact with the first electrically conductive belt.
10. 10. - The static electricity dissipation garment according to claim 8, characterized in that the first electrically conductive torso belt and the first electrically conductive belt are integral.
11. 11. The static electricity dissipation garment according to claim 8, characterized in that it also includes: a second torso seam; and a second electrically conductive torso belt mounted within the second torso seam, to effect electrical contact with the electrically conductive fibers of the torso section.
12. 12. The static electricity dissipation garment according to claim 11, characterized in that the second electrically conductive torso belt is sewn by sewing to and in electrical contact with the second electrically conductive belt.
13. 13. The static electricity dissipation garment according to claim 8, characterized in that the torso section includes a first leg of trousers and a second leg of trousers, the garment also includes: a second torso seam spaced from the first torso seam; and a second electrically conductive torso belt mounted within the second torso seam to effect electrical contact with the electrically conductive fibers in the torso section, the first torso seam extends longitudinally throughout the first leg of the pants and the second seam of torso extends longitudinally throughout the second leg of pants.
14. 14. The garment for static electricity dissipation according to claim 13, characterized in that the garment further includes: a first electrically conductive boot and a second electrically conductive boot, the first electrically conductive boot has a first releasable electrical connector, the second electrically conductive boot has a second electrically releasable connector; and the first torso seam includes a first electrical connector positioned for connection to the first releasable electrical connector, the second torso seam includes a second electrical connector positioned for connection to the second releasable electrical connector.
15. 15. The static electricity dissipation garment according to claim 13, characterized in that the garment further includes: a first electrically conductive assembly and a second electrically conductive assembly, the first electrically conductive assembly having a first releasable electrical connector, the second electrically conductive assembly has a second releasable electrical connector; and the first torso seam includes a first electrical connector positioned for connection to the first releasable electrical connector, the second torso seam includes a second electrical connector positioned for connection to the second releasable electrical connector.
16. 16. - The static electricity dissipation garment according to claim 7, characterized in that the garment further includes: a first electrically conductive glove and a second electrically conductive glove, the first electrically conductive glove has a first electrically releasable connector, the second glove electrically conductor has a second releasable electrical connector; and the first sleeve seam includes a first electrical connector positioned for connection to the first releasable electrical connector, the second sleeve seam includes a second electrical connector positioned for connection to the second releasable electrical connector.
17. 17. The static electricity dissipation garment according to claim 7, characterized in that the garment also includes: a collar; a first torso seam; a first electrically conductive torso belt, sewn by sewing within the first torso seam to effect electrical contact with the electrically conductive fibers of the torso section, the first electrically conductive torso belt extends adjacent to the first electrically conductive belt in a portion of the first sleeve seam and collar; a second torso seam; and a second electrically conductive torso belt held by stitching within the first torso seam, to effect electrical contact with the electrically conductive fibers of the torso section, the second electrically conductive torso belt extends adjacent to the second electrically conductive tape. in a portion of the second sleeve seam and collar.