GB2327381A

GB2327381A - Movable wrist support for a computer keyboard

Info

Publication number: GB2327381A
Application number: GB9715136A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jerome Lin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-07-17
Filing date: 1997-07-17
Publication date: 1999-01-27
Also published as: GB9715136D0

Abstract

The wrist support 10 comprises a housing 20 containing a resilient element 30 (e.g. an inflated bag). The housing has a recessed bottom 21 containing balls 23 which enable the support to move smoothly over the surface of a desk or table. A strap 60 attaches the support to a user's wrist.

Description

SUPPORTING PAD FOR A JOINT The present invention relates to a supporting pad, more particularly, to a wrist supporting pad in which the forearm is firmly supported on the supporting pad to facilitate quick and comfortable typing. The supporting pad is provided with rollers by which the supporting pad can be readily moved along a flat surface.

The personal computer has become an indispensable facility for our daily life because large amounts of data can be quickly processed within seconds. In order to establish a database, a great deal of data has to be input into the computer via the keyboard. In doing so, the operator or typist must continuously input a great deal of information. Normally, both hands of the typist are carried by the shoulders without further support. This typing style imposes a great deal of strain on the muscles in the arm as well as the shoulders. This can be referred to as "wrist bone syndrome".

In order to provide a suitable support for the wrist of the typist, many auxiliary devices have been introduced, for example those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,280; U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,441; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,449 has proposed an improved keyboard device in which the above described problems can be ameliorated. Even though these keyboards may readily attain their intended purpose, the manufacturing cost is comparatively high. On the other hand, the user is also unwilling to replace his/her old keyboard for the new one. In light of this, it is important to provide an auxiliary device in which the above described problem can be effectively solved with no need to replace or modify the existing keyboard.

The present invention seeks to provide a supporting pad for wrist in which the forearm is firmly supported on the supporting pad to facilitate quick and comfortable typing.

The invention further seeks to provide a supporting pad which features a simplified configuration and which can be readily manufactured with lowest cost. Most importantly, all customers can afford it.

In order to achieve the objectives set forth, the supporting pad made according to the present invention generally comprises a bracket and an elastic element disposed on the bracket. The bracket comprises a bottom, a receiving cell, and a plurality of sliding elements.

Typical examples of such a sliding element include, but are not limited to, a ball, wheel, or convex shape. The elastic element can be readily disposed within a receiving slot. The elastic element can be an inflated bag, or of foaming plastics or sponge material.

The supporting pad according to the present invention can be readily attached to the wrist and provide a firm support for the wrist during typing work. Since the supporting pad is provided with a plurality of sliding elements, it can readily move along the desk or table.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the supporting pad; Figure 2 is a partially broken, perspective view of the supporting pad of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a schematic illustration showing the application of the supporting pad.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the supporting pad 10 for the wrist or lower arm generally comprises a bracket or base portion 20 and an elastic or resilient element 30 which is disposed within the bracket 20. The bracket 20 includes a bottom 21, a receiving cell or chamber 22 and a plurality of sliding elements or balls 23 which are movably disposed under the bottom 21. The elastic element 30 is configured by an inflated bag having an inlet 31 for injecting pressurized air therein. On the other hand, the injected air can also be discharged from the inlet 31 as well. The elastic element 30 is disposed within the receiving cell 22 of the bracket 20 and the inlet 31 can be positioned within the side hole 26 of the bracket 20.

The bottom 21 of the bracket 20 is provided with three recesses 24 and each of the recesses 24 is provided with a ball 23 which is movably retained within the recess 24 and will not fall out. In order to increase comfort, a soft lining 40 made from silicon rubber or silicon high polymer can be disposed above the elastic pad 30. In order to provide an aesthetic appearance, a decorating layer 50 can be disposed above the soft lining 40.

The bracket 20 is further provided with a pair of retaining rings 25. A fastening strap 60 can be fixedly attached to the retaining rings 25 at both ends 61.

Referring to Figure 3, in use, the user may insert his/her palm through the fastening strap 60 and rest his/her lower arm on the supporting pad 10. By this arrangement, the lower arm of the user can be firmly and comfortably supported thereon. Consequently, the user may perform the typing in a more comfortable manner. As clearly shown in Figure 2, part of the ball 23 projects out of the recess 24 such that the supporting pad 10 can be readily moved with the help of the balls 23. The weight of the supporting pad 10 is comparatively light and, when the fastening strap 60 is used to fix it to the lower arm, no load will be imposed on the forearm. Even when the supporting pad is lifted above the table, no uncomfortable feeling will occur.

From the foregoing description, it will be clear that the supporting pad according to the present invention may readily achieve its intended purpose and the problems of the prior art can be readily solved.

Claims

1. A pad suitable for supporting a wrist, comprising a base portion having a bottom, a receiving chamber and a plurality of sliding or rolling elements, a resilient element being disposed within said receiving chamber.

2. A pad according to claim 1, wherein said bottom of said base portion is provided with a plurality of recesses and each of said recesses is provided with a sliding or rolling element.

3. A pad according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said base portion further comprises two retaining rings to which the ends of a fastening strap can be fixedly attached.

4. A pad according to any preceding claim, wherein said resilient element is an inflated air bag.

5. A pad according to claim 4, wherein a soft lining covers the top of said inflated bag.

6. A supporting pad substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.