WO1998016170A2

WO1998016170A2 - Wrist rest

Info

Publication number: WO1998016170A2
Application number: PCT/US1997/018809
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas M. Grimm; Bradley M. Hanggi
Original assignee: Ergodyne Corporation
Priority date: 1996-10-11
Filing date: 1997-10-10
Publication date: 1998-04-23
Also published as: AU5081798A; WO1998016170A3

Abstract

A portable, light weight device and to provide support to a person performing repetitive motions with one or more hands on a generally horizontal surface. The device includes a base (12) and a resilient and flexible support member (14). The base includes retaining elements (18). The support member is reversibly disposable within the retaining elements when in a biased position.

Description

O 98/16170 WRIST REST PCT/US97/18809

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a portable, easily assembled and disassembled support device for persons operating keyboards and other computer equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disorders in the upper extremities are frequently encountered by persons whose jobs require motions of a repetitive nature. Persons performing word-processing or other data entry on keyboards connected to video display terminals are especially prone to these repetitive stress injury disorders. These repetitive stress disorders can assume a number of forms.

In performing keyboard-related, repetitive tasks, steady contraction of the muscles of the upper arms and shoulder-chest region is necessary to maintain the hands and arms in an outstretched position over the keyboard. Continuous muscle contraction can lead to muscle fatigue. However, muscle fatigue is seldom serious, and can be corrected by occasional breaks and by keeping distances to work materials to a minimum. In contrast to muscle fatigue, tendons and nerves are more generally susceptible to repetitive stress injury. Sources of tendon irritation include the result of overuse and of improper sliding or contact between tendons and other tendons or proximate anatomical structures. The resulting inflammation and possible deterioration of the tendon may result in the need for extended rest or a permanent change in work habits. The more serious tendon injuries include ulnar nerve irritation and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Tension on certain flexor muscles in the elbow and wrist may cause the ulnar nerve to compress at the elbow or wrist, often resulting in reduced sensation in the ring and little fingers, and in a partial loss of hand dexterity. Occasionally, nerve entrapment from repetitive overuse requires surgery to alleviate. The main nerve of the hand, the median, passes through a narrow channel through the wrist. This channel is formed by the wrist bones on the top and by a ligament on the bottom. Termed the "carpal tunnel," the channel also houses the tendons from the forearm muscles, which are responsible for curling and closing the hand and fingers. Blood vessels in the hand also pass through the carpal tunnel. When the hands are bent back or forward sharply, there is a three-fold increase in the pressure in the carpal tunnel compared to the straight alignment of the hands. This compression results in an increase in carpal tunnel compression, potentially damaging the median nerve at this site. Moreover, the lubrication lining around the tendons may become swollen due to the abrasion caused by repetitive hand movement, thereby further compressing the nerve against the side of the tunnel.

From the foregoing, it is seen that a device to alleviate the risk of damage due to repetitive computer peripheral and keyboard operation is desirable.

U.S. Patent No. 4,976,407, issued to Schwartz et al. and assigned to the Edtech Company, discloses an adjustable wrist support which is attached to the edge of a work surface by means of a mounting bracket. A pad is disposed on a support bar which is vertically adjustable. A locking mechanism maintains the vertical orientation of the support bar and pad once they are in a desired position. This device does not appear to be portable, nor does it appear to be easily assembled and disassembled, or conveniently stored between periods of use.

U.S. Patent No. 5,125,606, issued to Cassano et al. and assigned to Wrist- Eze Products, Inc., discloses a wrist support device for computer keyboards. This device features a wrist pad disposed on a plate. The wrist pad is made by overlaying a rigid, wooden slat with a layer of foam and surrounding the foam with a cover. A non-skid backing is emplaced on the back of the pad to prevent displacement from the plate during use. An alternate embodiment features a platform attached to the pad and upon which the keyboard is placed.

U.S. Patent No. 5,163,646, issued to Engelhardt, discloses a wrist support arrangement for use with a stand alone keyboard. The patent discloses a resilient pad disposed in an elongated structure, the elongated structure for removably mounting the pad. The elongated structure features sidewalls to keep the pad in place during use. One embodiment of this invention includes a planar portion extending from a bottom surface of the elongated structure. The keyboard is placed upon this extension, thereby further securing the pad from displacement during keyboard operations.

U.S. Patent No. 5,203,527, issued to Rubey and assigned to Media Recovery, Inc., discloses a wrist support device for keyboards. This device includes upper and lower generally planar sections, ideally joined in an integral fashion, the device generally U-shaped in cross section. The lower planar section extends below the keyboard. In use, the upper and lower sections are biased apart to admit a frontal portion of the keyboard therebetween and then released, thereby biasing the upper and lower sections against the keyboard. This invention further features a foam portion on the upper section. While easily mounted onto a keyboard, this device does not appear to be readily used in connection with a mouse or track ball.

U.S. Patent No. Des. 342,242, issued to Hassel et al. and assigned to Microcomputer Accessories, Inc., discloses a combined keyboard support and wrist rest. This device is pivotably mountable to a work surface by means of a shaft, the shaft disposed within a rear portion of the device. In use, the keyboard is placed on the keyboard support, rearward of the wrist rest. While providing wrist support to an operator, this device is neither portable nor easily assembled and disassembled between uses.

U.S. Patent No. 5,358,203, issued to Smith et al. and assigned to Silicon Sports, Inc., discloses a wrist rest pad optionally and reversibly attached to another pad upon which a keyboard or mouse pad may be disposed. This pad includes a surface layer, a support layer and a base layer. The surface layer includes a low friction surface such as nylon, polyester, and Lycra™. The support layer may be foam rubber or neoprene and is intended to provide proper support for the operator's hands. Beneath the support layer, the base layer may include hard materials such as wood or plastic or softer foam rubbers and neoprene. These materials are preferably treated or scored, to give the pad better contact with the work surface and imparting a resistance to sliding during use. U.S. Patent No. 5,088,668 and Design Patent No. 337,463, both issued to

Grimm and assigned to the assignee of the present Invention, discloses a wrist rest which is adjustable both in length and in height. The length of this wrist rest is adjustable by sliding sections which are assembled in a concentric fashion. Height is adjusted by releasably attaching segments of these concentric elements by means of a tenon and mortise arrangement.

U.S. Patent No. 5,288,042, issued to Grimm and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, enables the foregoing invention of Grimm to be attached to an edge of a work surface by means of an extension clamp. The extension clamp includes a cantilever plate, cantilevered away from the working surface. Disposed upon the cantilever plate is a groove for receiving a portion of the wrist rest.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device to provide support to a person performing repetitive motions with one or both hands on a generally horizontal work surface. The device includes a flexible and resilient support member and a substantially rigid base. The support member has two oppositely disposed longitudinal edges, and is configurable to a biased position in which the longitudinal edges are forced toward each other. The substantially rigid base includes means for retaining the resilient support member when the resilient support member is in a biased position. The substantially rigid base may further include means for retaining the device in a fixed location. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of providing an air-arched support member for supporting at least one arm of a person, the process including the steps of providing a base with a planar element and a plurality of retaining elements, configuring a support member into an air-arched configuration by biasing the longitudinal edges of the support member toward each other, and disposing the configured support member between the retaining elements, so that the support member is resiliently and frictionally retained by the retaining elements in an air-arched position.

Thus, there is a need for a wrist rest which will prevent injury due to repetitive motions and which is inexpensive to make. There is also a need for a wrist rest which may be quickly assembled, disassembled and stored or transported with a minimum space requirement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wrist rest showing the front, top and left sides;

Figure 2 is a perspective view thereof showing the rear, bottom and right sides;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view; Figure 4 is a rear elevational view;

Figure 5 is a left side elevational view, the right side elevational view being substantially a mirror image thereof;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view thereof;

Figure 7 is a rear elevational detail view of a part thereof shown disassembled;

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional detail taken along line 8-8 of Figure 7, and;

Figure 9 is a front elevational view similar to that of Figure 3 showing the part depicted in Figure 7 partially removed from assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the Figures, wrist rest 10 broadly includes base 12 and resilient support member 14. Base 12 further includes planar element 16, a plurality of retaining elements 18 and retaining strips 20 (Figures 2-5). Planar element 16 has top surface 22, bottom surface 24, and oppositely disposed longitudinal edges 26 and terminal edges 28.

Each of two retaining elements 18 is ideally disposed proximate longitudinal edge 26, extending away from top surface 22. Ideally a pair of retaining strips 20 is disposed on bottom surface 24 of planar element 16, generally proximate and parallel to each longitudinal edge 26. Each retaining element 18 includes inner surface 30, outer surface 31 and a pair of opposite corners 32 (Figures 2-6).

Referring to Figures 6-8, resilient support member 14 has oppositely disposed longitudinal edges 42, corners 43 and curved terminal edges 44, and includes inner surface 46 and outer surface 48. In one embodiment, resilient support member 14 further includes base layer 50, adhesive layer 52, cushion layer 54 and cover layer 56.

In use, wrist rest 10 may be assembled by disposing base 12 upon a flat surface. Resilient support member 14 is then re-shaped or biased inwardly by forcing longitudinal edges 42 towards each other, thereby assuming a biased, or air-arched, position. The resultant biased support member 14 is then disposed within base 12 such that the portions of outer surface 48 proximate longitudinal edges 42 contact inner surfaces 20 of retaining elements 18 and the top surface 22 of base 12. Finally, the assembled wrist rest 10 is placed adjacent a keyboard, mouse pad, or other device and a user.

A method of providing an air-arched support member for supporting one or more extended portions of a person's arms includes: providing a base, such as base 12; configuring a support member; such as support member 14, into an air-arched conformation by biasing the longitudinal edges, such as longitudinal edges 42, toward each other; and disposing the configured support member proximate retaining elements, such as retaining elements 18, so that the support member is resiliently and frictionally retained in an air-arched configuration therein.

The user utilizes wrist rest 10 advantageously by resting the user's lower arm and palm upon biased support member 14. Since an important function of wrist rest 10 is to support and diminish the stress on the muscles of the upper shoulders, a most advantageous use occurs when wrist rest 10 is such a distance from the keyboard (or keypad or mouse pad) that a portion of the user's wrist and a portion of the user's lower palm may rest upon support member. During use, pencils, pens and other articles may also be conveniently stored within assembled wrist rest 10 on top surface 22 of base 12. Wrist rest 10 may be various lengths to accommodate a keyboard or other device of any length. By way of illustration and not limitation, wrist rest 10 may be of sufficient lengths to accommodate a traditional keyboard or of a length to accommodate a mouse pad, a ten key pad or a lap top computer. If wrist rest 10 is intended to accommodate the user of a traditional keyboard, base 12 would ideally have a length of about 17.5 inches and resilient support member 14 would have a length of approximately 18.75 inches. If wrist rest 10 were intended for a user of a mouse pad, ten key pad or lap top computer, wrist rest 10 would have a base 12 with a length of about 9.75 inches and a resilient support member 14 with a length of about 11 inches. In both cases, the width of base 12 would be approximately 3.6 inches and the width of resilient support member 14 would be approximately 3.9 inches. Also in both cases the curvature or arc of terminal edge 44 may be between about 2 - 5 inches, and preferably in one embodiment about 3.4 inches in radius, and with terminal edges 44 curving or arcing outwardly between .3 - .9 inches, and preferably in one embodiment about 0.625 inches from each corner 43. These outwardly curved edges 44 facilitate assembly of wrist rest 10. Outwardly curved edges 44 also serve to provide an increased working area on outer surface 48 of installed resilient support member 14 and to prevent contact between the user and the tips of corners 43.

In both embodiments retaining elements 18 would extend approximately 0.32 inches from longitudinal edge 26 and would be oriented at an approximately 30° angle inwardly from the vertical. Inner surface 30 of retaining elements 18 and top S irface 22 of planar elements 16 would intersect in a curved fashion, with a radius of generally about 0.03 inches. Outer surface 31 of retaining element 18 would join bottom surface 24 of planar element 16 at a curved edge, preferably with a radius of about 0.09 inches, although similar angles and lengths are contemplated within this invention. In one embodiment, a plurality of oppositely disposed retaining strips

20 extend proximate and generally parallel to longitudinal edges 26 on one or more portions of bottom surface 24 of planar element 16. Retaining strips 20 are preferably integral with planar element 16. Alternatively, the entirety of bottom surface 24 may include a soft durometer or other non-skid, friction- imparting material. Other materials suitable for retaining wrist rest 10 in a desired location include strips or films of tacky materials overlaying all or a portion of bottom surface 24, or more generally various polymers with characteristics suitable for retaining the device.

Base 12 is preferably integrally constructed of a durable and resilient material such as PVC. Retaining strips 20 include lower surfaces 21 which may be made of non-skid materials known to the art and as discussed above. Base 12 may be made by an extrusion process, wherein planar element 16, retaining elements 18 and tack strips 20 are integrally formed. Alternatively, retaining elements 18 may be pivotally secured to base 12 by hinges or other equivalent means. Moreover, the height of base 12 may be adjusted by incorporating any of several means known to the art.

Resilient support member 14 includes base layer 50. Base layer 50 is bonded to cushion layer 54 by means of an adhesion layer 52. In one embodiment, base layer 50 is ideally a clear plastic with the desired resilient and flexible properties, preferably PETG (Lustro Plastics Co., Evansville, IL). Base layer 50 is preferably about 0.03 inches in thickness. Adhesive layer 52 preferably includes a contact bond adhesive such as CON-BOND 3086, available from Columbia Cement Company, Inc. Cushion layer 14, generally about 0.125 inches in thickness, is preferably a flexible polyurethane foam and may possess a durometer of about 1.8 pounds. Finally, cover 56 may be a sueded polyester, flame-laminated to cushion layer 54. Cover 56 provides a smooth, non-abrasive surface, and may be any of several colors. Alternatively, cover 56 includes algacidal properties and is resistant to the formation of static electricity. When cover 56 is made of suede or other similar materials, an increased coefficient of friction results between outer surface 48 of support member 14 and inner surface 30 of retaining elements 18, thereby resulting in a more secure fit between support element 14 and base 12. Thus, the wrist rest of the present invention provides a device which is portable, light in weight, inexpensive to manufacture and which may be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled. The resilient support member returns to a flat shape when not positioned with base 12, thereby requiring a minimum of space for storage or transport. Because numerous modifications may be made of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, the scope of the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments illustrated and described. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A device to provide support to a person performing repetitive motions with one or both hands on a horizontally oriented work surface, the device comprising: a flexible S ipport member having a generally planar shape when in a first position, with oppositely disposed first and second longitudinal edges, the flexible support member resiliently conformable to a second position in which the first longitudinal edge is biased toward the second longitudinal edge; and a base with means for retaining the flexible support member in an arced shape in cross section when the support member is in the second biased position within the base, so that the support is provided to the user by disposing a portion of the person's hand or wrist upon the biased support member while performing the repetitive motions.

2. The device of claim 1, in which the retaining means includes two oppositely disposed retaining elements.

3. The device of claim 1, in which the base includes a planar element with a top surface and a bottom surface and in which the retaining means includes two oppositely disposed, peripheral retaining elements integral to the planar element and extending away from the top surface of the planer element and inclined toward the top surface of the planar element at an acute angle from the top surface.

4. The device of claim 3, in which the retaining elements are inclined toward the top surface of the planar element at an angle between about 15° and 75° from the top surface.

5. The device of claim 3, in which the retaining elements are inclined toward the top surface of the planar element at an angle of about 60° from the top surface.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising means configured on the base of the device for retaining the device in a fixed location.

7. The device of claim 6, in which the base includes a planar element having a top surface and a bottom surface and in which a tack imparting means includes a plurality of tack strips disposed on the bottom surface.

8. The device of claim 1, in which the support member further includes a flexible plastic layer, a cushion layer and a cover layer, the cushion layer bonded to the plastic layer and the cushion layer bonded to the cover layer.

9. The device of claim 8, in which the cover layer further includes a nonabrasive outer surface.

10. The device of claim 8, in which the cover layer further includes means for reducing the generation of static electricity during use.

11. The device of claim 1, in which the support member further includes a pair of oppositely disposed and outwardly curved terminal edges.

12. A device to provide support to a person performing repetitive motions with one or both hands on a horizontal work surface, the device comprising: a base, the base including a planar element, a first and second retaining element and a first and second retaining strip; the planar element having a top surface, a bottom surface and oppositely disposed first and second longitudinal edges, the first retaining element integral to the first longitudinal edge, the second retaining element integral to the second longitudinal edge, both retaining elements extending generally away from the top surface, the retaining strips disposed on the bottom surface; and a flexible, resilient support member with a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal edges and a pair of oppositely disposed and outwardly curved terminal edges, the support member including a flexible base layer, a cushion layer and a cover layer, the base layer and the cushion layer adhesively bonded together and the cushion layer bonded to the cover layer, the support member resiliently conformable within the base by biasing the longitudinal edges toward each other, disposing the first longitudinal edge of the support member proximate an interior surface of the first retaining element and the second longitudinal edge of the support member proximate an interior surface of the second retaining element.

13. The device of claim 12, in which the first retaining strip is proximate and generally parallel to the first longitudinal edge of the planar element and the second retaining strip is proximate and generally parallel to the second longitudinal edge of the planar element.

14. The device of claim 12, in which the first and second retaining strips are integral with the planar element.

15. A method of providing an air-arched support member for supporting one or more extended portions of a person's arm or arms, comprising the steps of: providing a base with a planar element and a plurality of retaining elements; configuring a support member into an air-arched configuration by biasing a first longitudinal edge of the support member toward a second longitudinal edge of the support member; disposing the configured support member between the retaining elements of the base, so that the support member is resiliently and frictionally retained by the retaining elements in an air-arched configuration.