Device for discharging electrostatic energy

Abstract

An electrostatic discharge device painlessly discharges electrostatic energy from a computer operator and/or an optical element such as a filter mounted on a cathode ray tube (CRT) computer monitor. The electrostatic discharge device preferably is mounted on the frame of the optical filter, and includes an electrostatic discharge pad circuit which includes a discharge pad comprising a substrate coated with a conductive material and connected to ground. A person such as a computer operator who contacts the coated substrate is discharged of any electrostatic charge through the coated substrate, to ground. A display to indicate the discharge can be connected between the discharge pad and ground and in parallel with a resistor to control the rate of discharge through the display. The device also includes an electrostatic field drain circuit for discharging electrostatic energy emanating from the face of a CRT monitor. The field drain includes a transparent, electrically conductive coating which is formed on the face of the optical filter and is connected to an input terminal of a display, the output terminal of which is connected to ground. Electrostatic charge emitted from the monitor and deposited on the filter is transmitted through the display, which indicates the discharge, to ground.