John F Dempsey

US Patent:

54226309, Jun 6, 1995

Filed:

Sep 6, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/302072

Inventors:

James A. Quinn - Tewksbury MA
George D. Deneault - Nashua NH
Carl H. Bridge - Lawrence MA
John R. Dempsey - Andover MA

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Lexington MA

International Classification:

G08B 2100

US Classification:

340661

Abstract:

A monitoring system is shown to include a connector, having an input path and a current return path, for connecting a two section wrist strap to said connector, said two section wrist strap, when affixed to an operator's wrist, would complete an electrical path between the input path and the current return path of the connector across the wrist skin surface. The monitoring system further includes a current source for providing an electrical current to the input path and a comparator for comparing a voltage at the input path to a high limit value and a low limit value and for providing an alarm signal whenever the voltage at the input path is not between the high limit value and the low limit value. With such an arrangement, an operator is ensured that a proper connection between the operator and ground is maintained thus significantly reducing the possibility of an electrostatic discharge harming an electronic component handled by the operator.