GB2429049A

GB2429049A - Slidable cushioned wrist support with a central recess

Info

Publication number: GB2429049A
Application number: GB0604930A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shaun Justin Moore; Jonathan William Fox
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-08-05
Filing date: 2006-03-10
Publication date: 2007-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-10
Also published as: GB2429049B; GB0516169D0; GB2428772A; GB0604930D0

Abstract

The invention provides a sliding wrist support 102 for use with a computer mouse; the wrist support 102 comprising a base 106 having a low friction felt, nylon or PrFE surface 108 to allow it to slide over a surface and a cushion 104 formed from a resilient moulded foam material connected to the base 106; the cushion being a substantially circular or near circular shape or a regular six or more sided polygonal shape in plan, and having a central recess 110 in the upper surface 112 thereof; wherein, when the cushion is in an uncompressed state, the central recess 110 has a depth corresponding to between 40% and 60% of the total depth of the cushion 104, and a maximum diameter corresponding to at least 30% of the maximum width of the upper surface 112 of the cushion. Another embodiment (fig 4) has a recess which has a maximum diameter less than 70% of the maximum width of the upper surface 112.

Description

1 2429049

WRIST SUPPORT

This invention relates to a wrist support for use in conjunction with a computer mouse.

Back2round of the Invention The computer mouse has become well established as a means of controlling various computer operations and few, if any, desktop computers are manufactured without the capability of using a mouse in addition to a keyboard.

In the past, the mouse has been used in conjunction with a flat pad known as a "mouse mat" which facilitates the mouse movements and provides a surface providing the required degree of friction to allow the tracker ball on the base of the * mouse to operate properly. More recent mouse devices do not require a "mouse mat" and are capable of functioning perfectly when sliding about directly on the S...

surface of a desk or table. *..S

* : It is well known that frequent use of a computer mouse can lead to injuries and S..

problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome, and pain and numbness in the fingers and * :* :.* arms, and various attempts have been made to overcome the problems arising from repeated use of a computer mouse.

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For example, US573071 I (Kendall et al) discloses a wrist support device including a compressible support or pillow mounted on a sliding base plate. The compressible pillow has either a generally planar or somewhat concave configuration when in an uncompressed state. Several designs are illustrated in US573071 1. In one design, the pillow or cushion comprises an outer skin surrounding a cushioning material such as a polymeric foam. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the cushion is planar. In two further embodiments, the cushion is hollow and relies upon internal air pressure to provide a cushioning effect. In the two embodiments shown, one has a planar upper surface, and the other has a slightly concave upper surface.

FR2829339 (Ergograf) disloses an arc-shaped pad for using in conjunction with a computer mouse, the concave surface of the pad being configured to fit around a computer mouse.

FR28453 14 (Nova) discloses a support comprising a pair of parallel support cushions on a rotating base.

US5 165630 (Connor) discloses a wrist protector comprising a low-friction base upon which is mounted a square pad of a cushioning material. The pad is provided with means for securing it to a computer mouse.

US5340067 (Martin) discloses a support pad which is shaped to fit around three sides of a mouse.

* *. US6027080 (Mastech Enterprises) discloses a forearm and wrist support for S...

* . *. computer mouse users. The support comprises a foam ilmer cushion covered by an S...

outer shell of a breathable material. The support is of elongate shape, with a groove : : along its length for receiving the forearm of a user. S..

US2002/1 13175 (Dillon) discloses a support for supporting a hand, wrist and * :* :.* forearm of a person using a computer mouse. The support forms a channel or * : s* cradle for receiving the wrist and a portion of the forearm.

US2003/0 169236 (Crocker) discloses a hand and/or wrist support having a pair of raised areas between which is a central channel or trough which, in use, is configured to lie generally parallel to the carpal tunnel of the user. In the embodiment illustrated, mounting means are provided for coupling the support to a computer mouse.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a wrist support which is easy to manufacture and which can be used in any orientation with respect to the mouse.

Accordingly, the invention provides a sliding wrist support for use in conjunction with a computer mouse; the wrist support comprising a base having a low friction surface to allow it to slide over a surface; and a cushion formed from a resilient foam material connected to the base; the cushion being of substantially circular or near circular shape or a regular six or more sided polygonal shape in plan and having a central recess in the upper surface thereof; wherein, when the cushion is in an uncompressed state, the central recess has a depth corresponding to between 40% and 60% of the total depth of the cushion and a maximum diameter corresponding to at least 30% of the maximum width of the upper surface of the cushion.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a sliding wrist support for use in conjunction with a computer mouse; the wrist support comprising a base having a : .. low friction surface to allow it to slide over a surface; and a cushion formed from a * resilient foam material connected to the base; the cushion being of substantially **** circular or near circular shape or a regular six or more sided polygonal shape in **.* * : plan and having a central recess in the upper surface thereof wherein, when the * : cushion is in an uncompressed state, the central recess has a depth corresponding to * :* :.* between 40% and 60% of the total depth of the cushion and a maximum diameter * : * corresponding to between 30% and 70% of the maximum width of the upper surface of the cushion.

The base and cushion can be integrally formed, but more typically, the base and cushion are formed separately and are then assembled together. The base is preferably formed from a relatively rigid or semi-rigid material, for example a plastics material or a metal such as aluminium.

The base has a low friction under surface to allow it to slide over a surface such as wooden, plastics or metal desk top or table top. The term "low friction" as used herein is used in its normal sense to denote a substance having a low coefficient of friction, for example a coefficient of friction less than or equal to that of nylon. The low friction under surface may be formed from or coated with a low friction material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or may be provided with a plurality of feet formed from or coated with a low friction material such as PTFE.

Where the base is provided with a plurality of feet, the feet can take the form of pads of a low friction material such as PTFE having a thickness of up to 1 mm, more usually up to 0.75mm, for example, up to 0. 6 mm in thickness. In one preferred embodiment, the pads have thickness of approximately 0.5 mm. The pads can be circular in shape, although other shapes may be used instead.

Typically, there are at least four pads or feet.

The resilient foam material from which the cushion is formed is a polymeric foam which may be selected from, for example, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, ethylene propopylene diene monomer (EPDM) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene : * (ABS) foams. In one preferred embodiment, the polymer foam is a polyurethane foam. * S S...

The sliding wrist support of the invention is typically circular in shape, or is of a shape which corresponds approximately to a circular shape. Thus, for example, the 5.

support can have a regular polygon shape, the polygon having six or more sides, * :* : * and more usually eight or more sides.

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* e When the cushion is in an uncompressed state, the central recess has a depth corresponding to between 40% and 60% of the total depth of the cushion and a maximum diameter corresponding to at least 30% (e.g. at least 40% or at least 50% or at least 60% or at least 70% or at least 80%) of the maximum width of the upper surface of the cushion. Thus the central recess of the wrist support of the invention differs significantly from the planar or slightly concave surface employed in US573071 1.

More typically, the central recess has a depth corresponding to between 45% and 55%, e.g. approximately 50% of the total depth of the cushion.

In one embodiment, the maximum diameter of the central recess corresponds to between 30% and 70%, e.g. 40% and 60%, or 45% to 60% of the maximum width of the upper surface of the cushion.

In another embodiment, there is a smooth transition between the central recess and the upper surface of the cushion and the maximum diameter of the central recess corresponds to greater than 80% (e.g. greater than 90%) of the maximum width of the upper surface of the cushion.

The central cavity is typically substantially circular, although a shape which is near circular may also be employed. Preferably the recess is circular.

The central cavity may taper in a downwards direction, and may be, for example, of a substantially frustoconical shape. Alternatively, the central cavity can have a : * : : smoothly curved concave shape. Se.. * * S...

The cushion may have side walls that are inclined inwardly towards the upper * : surface of the cushion, thus, the upper surface of the cushion may be narrower than * . 15 the base. The side walls can be substantially straight so as to provide the cushion * with a frustoconical profile, or they can be curved inwardly towards the upper surface.

5.5555 * S In one preferred embodiment, the cushion has a circumferential side surface which curves radially inwardly in a direction from the base to the upper surface of the cushion.

The circumferential side surface can link smoothly into the upper surface of the cushion, there being no edge between the side surface and upper surface.

The lower surface of the cushion and the base are typically of the same or very closely similar dimensions.

The wrist supports of the invention are designed to be lightweight, thereby affording them greater manoeuvrability, a feature which is of considerable importance where rapid manoeuvring of a mouse is required, for example, when playing fast moving computer games. Accordingly, the wrist support of the invention typically has a total weight of 50 grams or less, or usually 40 grams or less.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a plan view of a wrist support according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a view from below of the wrist support of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side view of the wrist support of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation along line A-A in Figure 1.

: *. 10 Figure 5 is a view from below of a wrist support according to a second embodiment a..

of the invention. S.

* :: : Figure 6 is a plan view of the wrist support of Figure 5.

* Figure 7 is a perspective view of the wrist support of Figures 5 and 6. * S

Figure 8 is a side view of the wrist support of Figures 5,6 and 7. 5.5..

Figure 9 is a sectional elevation along line A-A in Figure 6.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will now be illustrated, but not limited, by reference to the specific embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings Figures 1 to 9.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, in one embodiment, the wrist support 2 comprises a supporting cushion 4 mounted on a base 6. To the underside of the base 6 are attached (by adhesive, e.g. a rubbery adhesive such as a silicone adhesive) between five and seven discs 8 formed from a low friction material such as PTFE or nylon, or a low friction fabric such as felt, which function as feet and provide the base with a low friction under surface.

The base 6 is formed from a lightweight material such as a relatively rigid plastics material or a lightweight metal such as aluminium.

Bonded to the upper surface of the base 6 is a cushion 4 formed from a resilient polymeric foam, preferably polyurethane foam. The cushion may be bonded to the base by means of an adhesive, for example a cyanoacrylate adhesive. Alternatively, the cushion can bond to the base during curing of the foam. The foam may contain one or more anti- bacterial compounds to prevent the build up of bacterial contamination on the support.

The cushion has a circular central recess 10 which tapers in a downwards direction.

The broadest diameter of the recess, at its upper end, corresponds to about 55% of the total diameter of the upper surface 12 of the cushion. The depth of the recess : * corresponds to about 50% of the total depth of the cushion.

*: : ::* The side walls 14 of the cushion are inclined inwardly towards the upper surface 12 and hence the diameter of the upper surface is smaller than the diameter of the * : 15 lower surface of the cushion and the base 6. **

* Purely by way of example, a wrist support of the type shown in Figures 1 to 4 can * 1 have a maximum diameter at the base of 80 mm. The upper surface can have a a.....

* S diameter of 60-70 mm and the central recess can have a maximum width of 35 mm tapering down to approximately 18.50 mm at the bottom of the recess. The cushion can have a thickness of 15 mm and the base can have a thickness of about 3 mm.

Each of the PTFE feet can have a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm.

A wrist support according to a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 5 to 9. In Figures 5 to 9, exemplary dimensions are given but it is to be understood that the embodiment shown in the Figures is not limited to the dimensions shown and that the wrist support may be presented in a different size.

As shown in Figures 5 to 9, the wrist support 102 comprises a supporting cushion 104 mounted on a base 106. To the underside of the base 106 are attached (by adhesive, e.g. a rubbery adhesive such as a silicone adhesive) between five and seven discs 108 (six discs are shown) formed from a low friction material such as PTFE or nylon, or a low friction fabric such as felt, which function as feet and provide the base with a low friction under surface.

The base 106 is formed from a lightweight material such as a relatively rigid plastics material or a lightweight metal such as aluminium.

Bonded to the upper surface of the base 106 is a cushion 104 formed from a resilient polymeric foam, preferably polyurethane foam. The cushion may be bonded to the base by means of an adhesive, for example a cyanoacrylate adhesive.

Alternatively, the cushion can bond to the base during curing of the foam. The foam may contain one or more anti-bacterial compounds to prevent the build up of bacterial contamination on the support.

: : : : The cushion has a circular central recess 110 which tapers in a downwards direction *: : : :* and has a smoothly curved concave shape. The broadest diameter of the recess, at S.. its upper end, corresponds to more than 90% of the total diameter of the upper surface 112 of the cushion. The depth of the recess corresponds to about 55% of the total depth of the cushion. * .

::::; The circumferential side surface 114 curves radially inwardly in a direction from * the base to the upper surface 112 of the cushion and links smoothly into the upper surface 112 of the cushion, there being no edge between the side surface 114 and upper surface 112.

In use, with each of the embodiments illustrated, the user rests his or her wrist on the cushion whilst holding on to the mouse. In this way, the problems arising from compression of the wrist against a hard surface for prolonged periods are avoided.

An advantage of the wrist supports of the invention is their ease of manufacture, thus, the cushion can be formed by injecting a polyurethane foam into a mould using conventional moulding equipment. The cushion can then be bonded to a disc of a suitable plastics material or metal by means of a suitable adhesive. Finally, the low friction feet 8 or 108 can be fixed by means of adhesive.

A further advantage of the wrist supports of the invention is that the central recess affords a much greater degree of comfort to the user than a cushion having a planar upper surface. Furthermore, an advantage of the circular shape of the wrist support is that it can be used in any direction and there is no need to move the wrist support into a particular orientation before it can be used in conjunction with a mouse. This, together with the lightness of the wrist support (a typical weight would be approximately 20 - 40 grams) is that it can be used in situations where rapid mouse movement is required, for example, when playing computer games.

Ei uivalents It will readily be apparent that numerous modifications and alterations may be made to the specific embodiments of the invention described above without departing from the principles underlying the invention. All such modifications and alterations * : :* are intended to be embraced by this application. S... * S * S.. S.. . * S S *. S

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Claims

1. A sliding wrist support for use in conjunction with a computer mouse; the wrist support comprising a base having a low friction surface to allow it to slide over a surface; and a cushion formed from a resilient foam material connected to the base; the cushion being of substantially circular or near circular shape or a regular six or more sided polygonal shape in plan and having a central recess in the upper surface thereof; wherein, when the cushion is in an uncompressed state, the central recess has a depth corresponding to between 40% and 60% of the total depth of the cushion and a maximum diameter corresponding to at least 30% of the maximum width of the upper surface of the cushion.

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2. A sliding wrist support for use in conjunction with a computer mouse; the : : wrist support comprising a base having a low friction surface to allow it to **.. . . . slide over a surface; and a cushion formed from a resilient foam material * 15 connected to the base; the cushion being of substantially circular or near *:. circular shape or a regular six or more sided polygonal shape in plan and having a central recess in the upper surface thereof wherein, when the * :*:. cushion is in an uncompressed state, the central recess has a depth : * corresponding to between 40% and 60% of the total depth of the cushion and a maximum diameter corresponding to between 30% and 70% of the maximum width of the upper surface of the cushion.

3. A sliding wrist support according to claim 1 wherein the base and cushion are integrally formed.

4. A sliding wrist support according to claim 1 wherein the base and cushion are formed from different materials.

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5. A sliding wrist support according to any one of the preceding claims which is circular.

6. A sliding wrist support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the central cavity is substantially circular.

7. A sliding wrist support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the central cavity tapers in a downwards direction.

8. A sliding wrist support according to claim 6 wherein the central cavity is of a substantially frustoconical shape.

9. A sliding wrist support according to claim 6 wherein the central cavity is a smoothly curved concave shape.

10. A sliding wrist support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper surface of the cushion is narrower than the base.

* . * 11. A sliding wrist support according to any one of the preceding claims *.*.

* ** wherein the cushion has a circumferential side surface which curves radially *:: : inwardly in a direction from the base to the upper surface of the cushion.

* 12. A sliding wrist support according to claim 11 wherein the circumferential * :*:. 15 side surface links smoothly into the upper surface of the cushion, there being no edge between the side surface and upper surface.

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13. A sliding wrist support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the base has an under-surface formed from or coated with a low friction material such as PTFE.

14. A sliding wrist support according to any one of claims I to 12 wherein the base has a plurality of feet formed from or coated with a low friction material such as PTFE.

15. A sliding wrist support according to claim 14 wherein the feet take the form of pads of a low friction material such as PTFE having a thickness of up to 1 mm, more usually up to 0.75 mm, for example up to 0. 60 mm, e.g. approximately 0.5 mm.

16. A sliding wrist support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the resilient foam material is a polymer foam selected from polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, EPDM and acrylonitrile-butadienestyrene foams.

17. A sliding wrist support according to claim 16 wherein the polymer foam is a polyurethane foam.

18. A sliding wrist support according to any one of the preceding claims having a total weight of 50 grammes or less, for example 40 grammes or less.

19. A sliding wrist support substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings Figures ito 4.

: ** 20. A sliding wrist support substantially as described herein with reference to IS..