Electrostatic discharge protection system

For use with an assembly for electrostatic sensitive devices having signal circuits, power circuits and ground circuits, an electrostatic discharge protection system comprising:

• circuit board means for supporting electrostatic sensitive devices and for supporting conductors for making predetermined electrical interconnection of selected ones of said devices;
• juncture means mounted on said circuit board means for providing an electrical common interconnection point;
• circuit means for connecting all ground circuits to said juncture means;
• contact means for providing a path of discharge of electrostatic charge, said contact means including electrically conductive spring means having a first portion for making electrical contact with said juncture means, a second portion, and a third portion for interconnecting said first and second portions;
• centering means for centering said circuit board means and arranged for supporting said contact means and
• electrostatic charge dissipation means arranged for making contact with said contact means prior to any signal circuits being brought into contact for causing discharge of said electrostatic charge without causing damage to any of the signal circuits in the electrostatic sensitive devices, said electrostatic discharge dissipation means including electrically conductive guide pin means for cooperating with said centering means for making electrical contact with said second portion of said electrically conductive spring means as said guide pin means is moved into cooperative relationship to said centering means.