WO1988008242A1 - Bracelet de poignet conducteur d'electricite ayant des maillons amovibles de serrage et une bande elastique - Google Patents

Bracelet de poignet conducteur d'electricite ayant des maillons amovibles de serrage et une bande elastique Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1988008242A1
WO1988008242A1 PCT/US1988/001270 US8801270W WO8808242A1 WO 1988008242 A1 WO1988008242 A1 WO 1988008242A1 US 8801270 W US8801270 W US 8801270W WO 8808242 A1 WO8808242 A1 WO 8808242A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bracelet
links
band
electrically conductive
clasp member
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1988/001270
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Rolland Hee
Original Assignee
Jes, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Jes, Inc. filed Critical Jes, Inc.
Publication of WO1988008242A1 publication Critical patent/WO1988008242A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
    • A61N1/14—Leading-off electric charges, e.g. by earthing

Definitions

  • the present invention generally pertains to electrically conductive bracelets worn on the leg or arm to drain or wick static electrical charge from the wearer.
  • the present invention specifically concerns adjustable length expansion bracelets with an insulating surface upon the external circumference of the bracelet.
  • Such measures include providing workers and work stations with antistatic carpet, conductive or dissipative grounded desk top work surfaces; hot air ion generators which emit ions to neutralize static charges? and grounding straps to keep workers at zero potential.
  • conductive herein, and according to its customary usage in the art, means an electrical resistance of between zero and 10 5 ohms.
  • dissipative means a resistance of between 10 and 10 ohms
  • anti-static means a resistance of between 10 and 10 1 ohms
  • insulative means a resistance of more than
  • a grounding strap must have several features in order to perform its grounding function effectively. First, it must ensure that "the wearer's skin is electrically connected to ground. This connection is typically accomplished by a conductive surface on the inside of a strap contacting the skin. The conductive surface is electrically connected to a grounding- cord which - leads from the strap to a grounded electrical connection. If the electrical contacting means on the inside of the strap becomes dirty or fouled by oil, perspiration or hair, then the strap may lose its effectiveness. It is therefore important to use a conductive material on the inner surface of the strap that does not easily become dirty or fouled.
  • Swainbank discloses an expansive metal conductive wrist strap improved for having a resistor, enclosed within a housing, in the ground lead proximate the point of plugged electrical connection to the wrist strap.
  • the housing is adapted to be grasped by the finders for plugging and unplugging the ground lead from the wrist strap.
  • Another type of. prior art wrist strap - is one wherein an all textile strap is impregnated with a thermosetting conductive coating and fastened about the wrist of an operator.
  • the wrist strap is connected by way of a swivel type snap connector and insulated conductor to a suitable device for making a connection to ground at the work station.
  • Face yarns exposed on the outer surface are woven to form designs.
  • the woven fabric material of the strap is attached to a clasp allowing the strap to be adjustable in size. Because of the woven nature of the fabric material and the adjustable clasp, the strap is reported to be more comfortable than other conductive eleastic wrist straps.
  • the woven fabric material is also reported to be advantageous because it stretches easily, it is inexpensive, and it does not roll over onto itself as it is being drawn over the hand. This woven stretchable grounding strap is in widespread industrial usage circa 1987.
  • This adaption does not account for establishing (i) maximum size range, (ii) maximum ease of size adjustment,
  • the present invention is embodied in an electrically conductive wrist bracelet, particularly,made of metal and plastic, which connects via a plugable grounding cord to electrical ground for draining static electrical charge from the wearer of such wrist bracelet.
  • the bracelet includes a spring-biased expansion band made from a multiplicity of metal bar members. This band attaches at one end, nominally by a spring-loaded watchband pin, to a clasp member.
  • the clasp member nominally having a metal base and a plastic shell, or housing, also mounts an electrical plug jack to which a swivel connection is made by a coiled grounding cord which further connects to ground.
  • the expansion band permanently attaches at its other end to a plurality of links, nominally formed of plastic.
  • Each one of a plurality of such links presents a pivot bar on one end and a clasp aperture or slot which is formed in a complementary configuration to snap over a pivot bar of an adjacent link and pivotably retain the same.
  • a linear array of these seperately removable and replaceable plastic links, nominally five in number, are snapped together one to the next between the band and clasp member in order to complete the circumference of the bracelet.
  • preliminary lengthening or shortening of the bracelet may be readily obtained by user insertion or removal of one or more of the plastic links. Regardless of the number of links used, the bracelet may be readily manually clasped and unclasped between the end one of the plurality of links connected as an array and the clasp member in which it engages, and/or between any adjacent ones of the plurality of links. Another adjustment in the length in the bracelet is obtained at the time of manufacture by varying the number of spring-biased bar members, nominally 92, which are within the expansion band.
  • the size-adjusted bracelet may readily be placed onto the wrist either by slipping the hand into the closed bracelet through extending the expansion band or, if preferred, by opening and then reclosing the bracelet by respectively unsnapping and resnapping any one or ones of the plastic links.
  • the metal expansion band and metal/plastic clasp member are electrically conductive at the bracelet's interior circumference, but are electrically insulating at the bracelet's exterior circumference.
  • the exterior circumference of the expansion band may be painted and the exterior shell of the clasp may be formed of plastic.
  • the grounding cord which makes a swivel plugjack electrical connection at the clasp member, electrically connects through the shell of the clasp member to the electrically conductive metal base of the clasp member at the interior circumference of the bracelet.
  • the exterior surface of the bracelet may be colored coded and/or legended with information or identification in any of its parts including the clasp member, the expansion band of bar members, and/or the array of links.
  • the bracelet is durable, sanitary, readily cleaned, and inexpensive.
  • the bracelet is generally heavier than fabric wristband, and presents an appropriate heft to maneuver the ground lead to which it is plugably affixed.
  • the metal and plastic components feel generally cooler to the flesh than do fabric wristbands, and impart the normal weight and feel of a metal expansion watchband and an accompanying metal watch.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a grounding system incorporating the preferred embodiment electrically conductive wrist bracelet in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the clasp member, the plurality of links, and a portion of the expansion band, which are all part of the preferred embodiment wrist bracelet in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 3 is a second exploded perspective view particularly showing the detailed construction of the clasp member and of the links, both part of the preferred embodiment wrist bracelet in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is a detailed perspective view showing the top surface of the expansion band, part of the preferred embodiment wrist bracelet in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 5 is a detailed perspective view showing a bottom surface of the expansion band, part of the preferred embodiment wrist bracelet in accordance with the present invention.
  • the present invention is embodied in an electrically conductive wrist bracelet which includes both removable and replaceable links, a clasp member electrically ⁇ onnectable by a grounding cord to ground, and an expansion band.
  • the circumference of the bracelet may be adjusted upon its initial fabrication by a varying the number of spring-biased members within the expansion band, and may be further increased or decreased by the
  • the bracelet is expandable by a distension of the expansion band.
  • the bracelet may be readily unclasped at . the point of attachment of the end link to the clasp member, or between any successive ones of the links themselves.
  • FIG. 1 A perspective view of a preferred embodiment electrically conductive wrist bracelet in accordance with the present invention, particularly for in use within an electrical grounding system, is shown in Figure 1.
  • the bracelet 10 is normally affixed around the wrist 70, but may be affixed around the ankle or at other locations upon the human appendages.
  • the bracelet 10 includes an expansion band 20 consisting of a multiplicity of spring-biased bar members or elements 22, 24 arrayed as an expansible linkage. There are nominally 46 each of interior bar members 22 and exterior bar members 24, which are nominally formed of metal and interconnected in a conventional manner with metal springs.
  • the expansion band 20 is equivalent to expansion watchbands, such as those manufactured by the Speidel Corporation under the trade name "Twist-O-Flex".
  • the expansion band 20 is connected at one end to a clasp member 30.
  • the clasp member 30 pluggably receives and electrically connects to the grounding cord 40, which preferably contains a one megaohmn resister (not shown) for preventing electric shock to the user if such grounding cord 40 were to accidentally contact a power source.
  • the grounding cord 40 is normally connected to a ground 50, thereby draining, or wicking, body . electrical static charges from the wearer's wrist to electrical ground.
  • the grounding cord 40 further nominally includes loop coils 42 which allow for convenient expansion and contraction in the length of the grounding cord.
  • the end of grounding cord 40 opposite to clasp member 30 includes electrical plug jack connectors 44, 45 which are nominally of the banana plug type.
  • the end of ground cord 40 terminates in an electrical clip connector 46, nominally of the alligator type, for convenient electrical connection to ground plane 50.
  • the bracelet 10 is completed by a plurality of selectively separately " removable and replaceable links 60.
  • FIG. 2 An expanded perspective view of the preferred embodiment electically conductive wrist bracelet in accordance with the present" invention is shown in Figure 2.
  • the expansion band 20 is made up of a multiplicity of exterior spring-biased bar members 24, which collectively provide an outer circumferential surface to the expansion band 20, and also of a multiplicity of interior spring-biased bar members 22 which likewise provide an inner circumferential surface to the expansion band 20.
  • the expansion band 20 is connected at one end to clasp member 30 in a manner which will be shown in expanded detail in Fig. 3, and at the other end to a first end one of links 60.
  • Each of the links 60 (of which a nominal five are illustrated) is individually selectively seperately removable and replaceable within the wrist bracelet 10.
  • Each link 60 presents a pivot bar 61 on one end, and a pivot aperture or clasp slot 62 on the other end sized to releasably pivotably snap onto and retain, or clasp, a pivot bar 61 of an adjacent one of the plurality of links 60.
  • the pivot bar 61 of the individual one end link 60 which connects to an individual end one of the spring-biased bar members 22, 24 of the expansion band 20, nominally to an exterior spring-biased bar member 24, is preferably permanently grasped by this end one spring-biased bar member.
  • an individual end one spring-biased bar member 22, 24 has an aperture (not shown) which might normally slip a watchband pin 37 (shown in Fig. 3).
  • this aperture within the individual end one exterior spring-biased bar member 24 is permanently affixed about the pivot bar 61 of an individual first end one of the links 60.
  • the clasp member 30 presents at one end its own pivot rod 36. This pivot rod 36 is received into the pivot aperture 62 of a second end one of the arrayed and clasped links 60.
  • the bracelet 10 may be manually clasped and unclasped between the second end one of the arrayed and clasped links 60 and the clasp member 30.
  • the bracelet may equally as well be manually clasped and unclasped between adjacent one or ones of the links 60 themselves.
  • the links 60 which are normally formed of molded plastic, are inexpensive and therefore disposable. As such, plural links may be supplied with the wristband at the time of manufacture and, at a later time of use, may be removed or replaced by the user to adjust the length of the wristband with extra links being discarded.
  • the links are normally stocked in a large number of solid colors in support of a manufacturing operation employing many electrically conductive wrist bracelets in accordance with the present invention.
  • the links 60 may bear legends, personel identification, stick-on watchband-type calenders, or innumerable like features upon their surfaces.
  • a modified link 60 (modified) may be employed which presents two pivot apertures 62 and no pivot bar 61.
  • Such a female-female clasping link 60 (modified) permits the inclusion of the user's own watch within bracelet 10 in substitution for that portion of the circumferential extent of the bracelet 10 which is normally occupied by several of the links 60.
  • the colors, and color codings of the plurality of links 60 permit personalized identification, and customization to personal esthetics of bracelet 10.
  • FIG. 3 An exploded perspective view of the detailed construction of clasp member 30 and links 60 is shown in Figure 3.
  • the clasp 30 mounts, in an approximately central position upon its top surface (which is disposed toward the outer circumference of bracelet 10) an electrical connector 32, nominally a plugable free-swivel snap connector.
  • This snap-on swivel electrical connector 32 mates with a complementary electrical connector 48 encased within plastic strain relief 47 at the end of the grounding cord 40.
  • the male portion of the snap-on electrical connector is mounted to the clasp member 30 as connector 32, and the female portion is mounted to at the end of the grounding cord 40 as connector 48 — although this can be reversed.
  • the clasp member 30 includes an upper member 31 nominally made of molded plastic, and a lower member 38 nominally made of metal.
  • the two members are affixed to each other, additionally securing the electrical connector 32, by a fastener, nominally a metal rivet 34, which attaches both members.
  • the expansion band 20 is affixed to lower member 33 (and thus also to upper member 31) either at the first set of registry holes 38a, or at the second set of registry holes 39a, by spring-loaded watchband pin 37.
  • the spring-loaded watchband pin 37 slips a complementary cavity (not shown) formed upon an end one of spring-biased members 22, 24 at the end of the watchband 20, and projects into one of the opposed registry hole sets 38a or 39a.
  • the projections resultant from the stamping of registry hole sets 38a,
  • the lower member 33 to clasp member 30 is made symmetrical with two registry hole sets 38a, 39a for ease of manufacturing assembly.
  • the watchband pin 37 will project into that set of registry holes, in order to connect watchband 20, which are at that end of lower member 33 which is opposite to that end which will be proximate to pivot rod 36 in the completed assembly of clasp member 30. In Figure 3 this means that watchband pin 37 will project into registry hole set 38a.
  • the watchband pin 37 will also always project into relieved areas 38b.
  • the expansion band 20 shown in expanded top perspective view in Figure 4 and corresponding bottom perspective view in Figure 5, has exterior (to bracelet 10) spring-biased bar members 24 and interior spring-biased bar members 22 which are mechanically equivalent. However, these members 22, 24 are not electrically identical. Mainly, the exterior spring-biased bar members 24 are formed to be electrically insulating whereas the interior spring-biased bar members
  • the links 60 are normally entirely formed of plastic, and are entirely electrically insulating. If such links are, as is possible, alternatively formed of metal, then the exterior surfaces of such links are also preferably painted so to form an insulating barrier.
  • the upper body member, or shell r 31 of the clasp member 30 is plastic save for the electrical connector 32.
  • the electrical connector 32 is normally completely covered and surrounded by the electrical attachment of grounding cord 40.
  • the bracelet 10 is thus electrically insulating on its entire exterior circumference while being electrically conductive in at least part of its interior circumference.
  • the electrically conductive interior circumference of expansion band 20 is formed from the unpainted metal surfaces of interior spring-biased members 22 and the lower body member 33 of clasp member 30. Both these components electrically contact the body appendage of the user, nominally the user's wrist 70.
  • An electrical path is thereby enabled from these conductive metal members through rivet 34 through electrical connector 32 (both part of clasp member 30) through electrical connector 48 and hence via grounding cord 40 to ground 50. This electrical path serves to drain, or wick, static electrical charge to ground which might elsewise accumulate upon the body of the user.
  • the electrically conductive wrist bracelet 10 in accordance with the present invention ma be readily positioned over the hand and onto its preferred operative position upon wrist 70 merely by expansion of band 20.
  • the bracelet 10 may be clasped and unclasped at the position of any of links 60.
  • the bracelet 10 feels substantially similar to a metal expansion watchband, and exhibits a generally similar weight, tension, and feel. This type of wrist bracelet is preferred by some users, particularly for evidencing characteristics which are close to those with which the user may be familiar with from wearing a standard metal expansion watchband.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Elimination Of Static Electricity (AREA)

Abstract

Bande élastique à ressorts (20) composée de barres métalliques (22), (24) fixées à un élément de serrage (30) à une extrémité ainsi qu'à un réseau linéaire de maillons (60) remplaçables et amovibles séparément comprenant une tige pivot (61) à une extrémité, et une ouverture de forme complémentaire (62) à l'autre extrémité terminant le bracelet. Chaque maillon (60) a une tige pivot (61) à une extrémité, et une ouverture de forme complémentaire (62) à l'autre extrémité s'emboîtant sur la tige pivot (61) d'un maillon adjacent. L'utilisateur peut régler la taille en ajoutant ou en retirant un ou plusieurs maillons (60) de la bande (20). La bande (20) et l'élément de serrage (30) sont conducteurs d'électricité sur la circonférence intérieure du bracelet, et non conducteurs sur la circonférence extérieure du bracelet.
PCT/US1988/001270 1987-04-17 1988-04-13 Bracelet de poignet conducteur d'electricite ayant des maillons amovibles de serrage et une bande elastique WO1988008242A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US3963387A 1987-04-17 1987-04-17
US039,633 1987-04-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1988008242A1 true WO1988008242A1 (fr) 1988-10-20

Family

ID=21906533

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1988/001270 WO1988008242A1 (fr) 1987-04-17 1988-04-13 Bracelet de poignet conducteur d'electricite ayant des maillons amovibles de serrage et une bande elastique

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1988008242A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0414467A2 (fr) * 1989-08-23 1991-02-27 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Bracelet à deux conducteurs

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2928100A (en) * 1958-11-24 1960-03-15 Maurice A Gagnon Separable plastic links
US2998697A (en) * 1958-07-11 1961-09-05 Speidel Corp Detachable sheet metal link and linkage formed therefrom
US3237395A (en) * 1962-12-20 1966-03-01 Foster Metal Products Inc Expansible band with detachable links
US4459633A (en) * 1981-09-18 1984-07-10 Nu-Concept Computer Systems, Inc. Device for draining static electricity

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2998697A (en) * 1958-07-11 1961-09-05 Speidel Corp Detachable sheet metal link and linkage formed therefrom
US2928100A (en) * 1958-11-24 1960-03-15 Maurice A Gagnon Separable plastic links
US3237395A (en) * 1962-12-20 1966-03-01 Foster Metal Products Inc Expansible band with detachable links
US4459633A (en) * 1981-09-18 1984-07-10 Nu-Concept Computer Systems, Inc. Device for draining static electricity

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0414467A2 (fr) * 1989-08-23 1991-02-27 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Bracelet à deux conducteurs
EP0414467A3 (en) * 1989-08-23 1992-03-25 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Dual conductor wristband

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