GB2386406A

GB2386406A - Keyboard user forearm rest having counter-weights or sprung counterbalancing

Info

Publication number: GB2386406A
Application number: GB0206147A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter John Holman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-03-15
Filing date: 2002-03-15
Publication date: 2003-09-17
Also published as: GB0206147D0

Abstract

A device for reducing fatigue of operators of a keyboard 104 adjacent to a computer monitor 103, comprising a pair of semi-cylindrical rests 114 adapted to receive the forearms of an operator of the keyboard, the rests being mounted on a framework 101 to permit unrestricted universal movement of the hands of a computer user. The framework has a crossbar 106 having pulleys 107,108,109,110 over which cords 111,112 run with counterweights inside tubes 115,116 or uprights of the framework. The weights and pulley positions may be altered to suit different users. Other embodiments (not illustrated) have rests attached to counter-balanced universally-jointed linkages, and/or counter-balancing provided by opposed springs.

Description

FATIGUE-RE:DUCING DEVICE FOR KEYBOARD OPERATORS

The present invention relates to a device for reducing fatigue of operators of keyboard devices Typists and operators of other keyboardcontrolled devices are trained to operate their equipment with their arms and hands so held that their fingers are pointed downwards. The purpose of this is to ensure an adequate flow of blood to their fingertips. Unfortunately, this posture is to unnatural and leads to operator fatigue, unless frequent breaks in the use of a keyboard are undertaken.

A form of device to alleviate this problem which has been proposed is a padded rest upon which the wrists of a keyboard operator are placed.

Is Unfortunately, even though the rest may be covered with a slippery material, it restricts the free movement of the hands of the keyboard operator. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for reducing 20 fatigue of the operators of keyboard operated devices.

According to the present invention, there is provided a device for reducing fatigue of operators of keyboard-operated devices, comprising a pair of rests adapted to receive the forearms of an operator of a keyboard-operated 2s device, the said rests being so mounted as to permit unrestricted universal movement of the hands of a user of the device.

In one form of the invention, the rests comprise semi-cylindrical members which are suspended from a frame.

In a second form of the invention, the rests comprise two semicylindrical members which are attached to universallyjointed counterbalanced members. The counterbalancing may be provided by opposed springs.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a top view of an embodiment of the invention. lo Referring to the drawing, a device for reducing fatigue in operators of personal computers and other keyboard-operated devices consists of a framework 101 which incorporates feet 102. The framework 101 is so dimensioned as to encompass the screen of a monitor 103, keyboard 104 and mouse mat 105 of a personal computer. Mounted on a cross- bar 106 of 5 the framework 101 are pulleys 107, 108, 109 and 110, pulleys 108 and 109 being so mounted that the distance between them can be adjusted to suit a given user of the device. Cords 111 and 112 run over pairs of pulleys 107, 108 and 109, 110 respectively. Attached to one end of the cords 111, 112 are arm rests 113, 114, respectively. The arm rests 113, 114 are of part-circular to crosssection and are made of a suitable plastics material and are provided with soft, removable liners. Attached to the other end of the cords 111, 112 are adjustable weights which are contained in bags (not shown) which are a loose fit in tubes 115, 116 attached to the rear of uprights 117, 118 which form parts of the f amework 101. The weights are varied for different users 25 of the device so as to ensure that the forearms of the user of the device, when placed in the arm rests 113, 114 are counterbalanced and so able to move freely in any desired direction.

If so desired, the tubes 115, 116 can be omitted and the weights made to operate within the uprights 117, 118 of the framework 101, which are made to be hollow for this purpose.

5 In an alternative arrangement, which is not illustrated, the arm rests are attached to respective counter-balanced universallyjointed linkages arranged to provide unrestricted movement to the forearms of a user of the device.

Claims

CLARIS

1. A device for reducing fatigue of operators of keyboard-operated devices, comprising a pair of rests adapted to receive the forearms of an operator of a keyboard-operated device, the said rests being so mounted as to permit unrestricted universal movement of the hands of a user of the device.

2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein the rests comprise open

members of circular cross-section which are suspended from a frame via a system of pulleys and counter-weights so as to permit the unrestricted universal movement of the hands of the user of the device.

3. A device according to Claim 1 wherein the rests are attached to a universallyjointed, counter-balanced linkage so as to permit the unrestricted universal movement of the hands of the user of the device.

4. A device according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the means for providing the counter-balancing forces are adjustable SO as to enable the device to be adjusted to suit any given user of the device.

5. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the rests are provided with removable liners.

6. A device for reducing fatigue in the operators of keyboard-operated devices, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.