GB2425710A

GB2425710A - A forearm guard to prevent repetitive strain injury

Info

Publication number: GB2425710A
Application number: GB0512709A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tracey Jane Graham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-05-07
Filing date: 2005-06-22
Publication date: 2006-11-08
Also published as: GB0512709D0; GB0509398D0

Abstract

A forearm guard comprising a tubular band with internal padding that prevents repetitive strain injury when using a computer mouse or keyboard. The band is formed from a woven stretchable material with an absorbing pad made from flexible foam such as visco elastic foam. The guard cushions and protects the forearm when it rests upon a desk, and raises the wrist of the user away from the desk preventing wrist from coming into contact with the desk.

Description

DESCRI PTION

Title: Forearm Guard Description: Upper forearm guard to reduce pressure

Background of the Invention:

1. The utilization of protective equipment for computer operators is well known in the prevention of repetitive strain injury. There are a number of devises to sit in front of the keypad and the mouse or incorporated into the mouse pad. These are effective but can impede the operator.

2. There are also a number of devise to protect the wrist and notwithstanding the protection purportedly offered by other devices, this invention was created after looking at ways in which to allow correct wrist and hand alignment whilst helping to protect against repetitive strain injury. The conclusion is this invention to be worn on the upper forearm, raising the wrist away from the desk so as to avoid any contact and pressure to the wrist.

Object of the Invention 3. It is the object of this invention to provide a more comfortable devise which raises the forearm and correctly aligns the wrist and hand, raising the wrist from the desk and resting on the devise worn on the upper forearm and thus preventing any pressure on the wrist and preventing the wrist from coming into contact with the desk or any pressure.

4. More specifically it is the principle object of this invention to help prevent against repetitive strain injury.

5. It is another object of this invention to provide a forearm guard suitable for use for any desk worker wherein the guard is light and can be removed without any fasteners.

Summary of the Invention

6. The above and related objects are achieved by providing a forearm guard which comprises a,sleeve of stretchable material and a flexible impact absorbing pad affixed to the inside of the sleeve. The sleeve is preferibly comprised of washable fabric that includes an elastomeric component, and/or is woven to provide stretch ability. The sleeve can be of any suitable length and diameter effective to secure the impact absorbing pad over the forearm and thereby protect the forearm of the wearer during desk work. In the preferred embodiments of this invention, the forearm guard is particularly suitable in the protection of the forearm of a computer operator more particularly to be worn on the same forearm used to operate the mouse. The structure of the forearm guard, as proposed by this invention, allows freedom of movement of the forearm during computer or desk work while at the same time protecting the forearm from resting hard upon the desk and raising the wrist and hand into correct alignment to help prevent against repetitive strain injury.

Essential Features: 7. Comfortable stretchable fabric - a full range of colours, designs and styles.

8. Internal cushioning material or product the preferred material for this invention is visco elastic foam.

9. Sewn into a tube, filled with foam and edges sewn to form a band.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig 1. Depicts a view of the forearm guard of this invention showing the stretch fabric including its overall dimensions and how the tubular devise is to be sewn to form a tubular band.

Fig 2. Depicts a view of the absorbing internal pad of the forearm guard including its overall dimensions.

Fig 3. Depicts where the band is to be worn.

Detailed description of the invention including preferred embodiments 10. The forearm guard of this invention shown in Fig I is designed for use by a computer or desk worker specifically to protect the forearm and worn on the same arm that operates the mouse to correctly align the wrist and hand and raise the wrist off the desk whilst resting on the forearm guard.

The components specifically a stretch material sleeve and an absorbing internal pad. These components are to provide effective protection of the forearm.

11. In the preferred embodiments of this invention, the sleeve is slim tubular in design to stretch over the hand and push up the forearm to below the elbow. The flexible nature of the sleeve allows comfort and flexibility for the wearer.

12. The absorbing internal pad is flexible, the preferred material for the internal pad is visco elastic foam which provides comfort, padding and restores itself to it original state after being subjected to pressure. The thickness of the pad is typically 13mm in thickness. The preferred embodiments of this invention achieve protection without substantial weight or restriction of movement.

13. The forearm guard of this invention is described in reference to computer operators but it may also be desirable for other desk workers eg. Students writing as the forearm guard assists in raising the wrist off the desk and allows correct alignment of the hand and wrist to help prevent strain and stress to the wrist. Claim

Claims

14. A forearm guard having a sleeve and absorbing pad associated

comprising: (i) A sleeve of tubular construction wherein the overall length conforms to the dimensions of the forearm of the wearer as is the overall diameter.

(ii) The sleeve being fabricated from a woven fabric containing stretchable material.

(iii) An absorbing pad comprising of flexible foam preferably visco elastic foam with an effective thickness of about 13mm.