Static dissipator for electronic devices

摘要

This invention relates to a protective device for dissipating static electrical charges in the order of magnitude of 30,000 volts which if transferred by a person to a computer terminal or other piece of electronic equipment requiring such protection would damage or cause malfunction to the same, the device being characterized by a resistive means capable, first of all, of repeatedly momentarily withstanding the aforesaid voltage while, at the same time, slowing down the rate of change of the static electrical charge transferred to the protective device to a level equal to or less than that of the rate of change of the internal signals generated within the protected apparatus. Secondly, the protective device, while slowing down the rate at which the static electrical charge is transferred to the protective device to the aforementioned level, must also do so within approximately the shortest time interval (approximately 100 milliseconds) a person can touch the protective device, react to the fact they have done so and remove his or her finger therefrom. Third, the capacity of the protective device to accept the static electrical charge from the person must be a small fraction of the capacity of the transferor's body to hold the charge thereby minimizing the transfer of the charge from the latter to the former. Finally, the protective device must be capable of receiving the static discharge from the person without causing such person any significant pain.