Retractable anti-static devices and methods of using same
AssigneeBellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
InventorsBradley C. Moore, Joey K. Horney
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A retractable anti-static device includes a conductive grounding line that can be unwound from a wrist strap for use and wound back to the wrist strap when not being used. The conductive line, therefore, can be attached to ground when being used but can retract out of the way when not being used.
Claims33
A device to be worn on a wrist to drain static electricity from a wearer to ground, the device comprising:
- a strap that is configured to be worn on a wrist;
- a conductive line that is configured to attach to ground to drain static electricity to ground;
- and
- an unwinding mechanism that is coupled to the strap and to the conductive line and that is configured to enable the conductive line to be reversibly unwound from the strap.
A device to be worn on a wrist to drain static electricity from a wearer to ground, the device comprising:
- means for attaching the device to a wrist;
- a conductive line that is configured to attach to ground to drain static electricity to ground;
- and
- means for enabling reversible unwinding of the conductive line from the means for attaching.
A device to be worn on a wrist to drain static electricity from a wearer to ground, the device comprising:
- a housing that is configured to be worn on a wrist;
- a spiral spring in the housing;
- and
- a conductive line that is coupled to the spiral spring and is configured to attach to ground to drain static electricity from the wearer to ground.
A device to be worn on a wrist to drain static electricity from a wearer to ground, the device comprising:
- a housing that is configured to be worn on a wrist;
- a spool in the housing;
- and
- a conductive line that is wound on the spool and is configured to attach to ground to drain static electricity from the wearer to ground.
A method of handling electronic components comprising:
- unwinding a conductive line to extend from a wrist strap that is worn by a wearer who handles the electronic components;
- attaching the conductive line to ground;
- handling the electronic components during which the conductive line drains static electricity from the wearer to ground;
- and
- winding the conductive line back toward the wrist strap after handling the electronic components.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.