Patents by Inventor Donald E. Klepel

Donald E. Klepel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Die cut disposable grounding wrist strap
    Patent number: 5083367
    Abstract: An inexpensive grounding wrist strap and tether for draining excess electrostatic charge, which may be used once and then disposed. The strap and tether are formed integrally and include a conductive strip having a discrete resistance portion for safety considerations. The discrete resistance portion is formed by making a zig-zag pattern of cuts in the conductive strip, thereby increasing the length of the current path through the discrete resistance portion. Due to the slight resistivity of the conductive strip, the lengthened current path results in a discrete resistance being built into the strip. The cuts may be made in the strip at the same time the strip is fashioned out of a sheet of the conductive material, such as carbon loaded polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Donald E. Klepel
  • Die cut disposable grounding wrist strap
    Patent number: 5032948
    Abstract: An inexpensive grounding wrist strap and tether for draining excess electrostatic charge, which may be used once and then disposed. The strap and tether are formed integrally and include a conductive strip having a discrete resistance portion for safety considerations. The discrete resistance portion is formed by making a zig-zag pattern of cuts in the conductive strip, thereby increasing the length of the current path through the discrete resistance portion. Due to the slight resistivity of the conductive strip, the lengthened current path results in a discrete resistance being built into the strip. The cuts may be made in the strip at the same time the strip is fashioned out of a sheet of the conductive material, such as carbon loaded polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Donald E. Klepel