Patent ID: 7583490
Filing Date: 2009-09-01
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for discharging static electricity from a vehicle on a roadway, comprising: electrically-conductive material suspended from said vehicle; means for controlling said material to be in contact with said roadway when said vehicle is stopped and to automatically break said contact when said vehicle is moving in a forward direction wherein said controlling means comprises a wind-engagement mechanism suspended from said vehicle and supporting said material, said mechanism being oriented in a direction to encounter wind resistance when said vehicle is moving forward to cause said mechanism to raise said electrically-conductive material from said roadway and break said contact; and means for avoiding damage to said mechanism if said material encounters debris or holes in said roadway when said vehicle is moving in a reverse direction comprising said electrically conductive material including a metal rod conductively connected at an end of said rod to a rotatable metal wheel which makes contact with said roadway to permit said wheel to roll over said debris or said holes; whereby said static electricity is discharged from said vehicle through said material to said roadway when said vehicle is stopped and said material does not experience frictional force from said roadway when said vehicle is moving in a forward direction.