WO1998049922A1

WO1998049922A1 - Forearm support

Info

Publication number: WO1998049922A1
Application number: PCT/AU1998/000309
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bela Kodobocz; Christian Goerlitz
Original assignee: Ael Pty Ltd.
Priority date: 1997-05-01
Filing date: 1998-04-30
Publication date: 1998-11-12
Also published as: AU687335B3

Abstract

A forearm support (11) for use by a person operating a computer mouse or other hand operated device, the support including means (21) for attaching the support to a work area (13) such that in use, the support is substantially horizontal, the support (11) having an upper surface which includes a first zone for supporting the mouse or other hand operated device and a second zone for supporting an operator's forearm.

Description

TITLE FOREARM SUPPORT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a forearm support for use by a person operating a hand movable device such as a computer mouse .

The present invention will be described with reference to the operation of a computer mouse. However, the support of the present invention may be used to provide support to a person's forearm when a person is operating other hand operable devices including digitizers, track balls, touch pads, pens and no limitation is intended thereby.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Computers are often operated by moving a computer mouse horizontally across a work surface. Non- slip pads are often placed on the work surface to facilitate operation of the mouse. These pads are generally referred to as "mouse pads". An operator generally rests part of the hand on the mouse and moves the mouse by moving the wrist. The mouse and mouse pad are generally located towards an edge of the work surface, which is typically a desk. In this position a person is only able to rest the wrist and lower part of the forearm on the desk surface. The upper part of the forearm is not supported at all. After continuously operating the mouse with the forearm in this position, the operator may experience fatigue and undue stress of the forearm, upper arm, shoulder and neck. Continued fatigue and stress may also contribute to repetitive motion injuries. Also, when in this position, the lower part of the forearm, rests against a corner of the edge of the work surface. This may also cause the operator discomfort and particularly so if the corner is sharp. It is possible to relocate the mouse pad and mouse on the work surface so that at least most of the forearm is supported by the work surface. However, such location of the mouse and pad is generally inconvenient and takes up a disproportionate amount of available space on the work surface. Also, the operator must place the hand and forearm in a position which is more forward than is generally comfortable.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a forearm support for use by a person operating a computer mouse, digitizer tablet or other hand operated device. BRIEF DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to a broad form of the invention there is provided a forearm for use by a person operating a computer mouse or other hand operated device, the support including means for attaching the support to a work area such that in use, the support is substantially horizontal, the support having an upper surface which includes a first zone for supporting the mouse or other hand operated device and a second zone for supporting an operator's forearm. The forearm support of the present invention can be attached to the work area by any suitable means . Typically the work area is a desk, counter or table top. The support can be permanently or removably attached to the work area. Preferably the support can be attached about an edge of the work area. Preferably the means of attachment is adjustable so that the support can be fitted to edges of different sizes. Typically the support is attached by a bolt, bracket or clamp. Preferably the support is removably attached so that the position of the support relative to the work area can be moved if desired.

The support may also be provided with roller bearings or the like to allow a person to slide the support along the edge of the work area between attachment positions.

The attachment means attachs the support to the work area such that in use, the support is substantially horizontal. This means that the forearm is supported in a substantially horizontal position. It is believed that the horizontal positioning of the forearm assists in minimising stress and fatigue to the upper arm, shoulder and neck.

Typically, the support is attached to the work area so that at least part of the support overlies part of the upper surface of the work area. The mouse may then be placed on the upper surface of the support. In this embodiment the persons' wrist, hand and forearm are located above the upper surface of the work area. In some cases, fatigue and stress caused by prolonged use of a computer mouse may be alleviated if the forearm, wrist and mouse are located at this higher position. Preferably the upper surface of the support is between about 25 and 45mm and preferably about 35mm above the upper surface of the work surface. The support may also be provided with means for varying the distance between the upper surface of the support and the upper surface of the work area.

Preferably, a mouse pad can also be placed on the upper surface of the support . Preferably the upper surface has a recess for receiving the mouse pad. Preferably, the recess is sized such that the upper surface of the mouse pad received therein is flush with the upper surface of the support. This enables the person to operate the mouse with less bending of the wrist than when using a mouse pad placed directly onto a surface. This may assist to reduce stress and fatigue of the wrist after prolonged use of the mouse. Alternatively the upper surface of the support or a portion thereof may comprise a non-slip material, similar to that from which a mouse pad is made. The support can also be adapted to allow operation of other computer operable devices such as a track ball or touch pad. In one embodiment, a track ball is mounted within the first zone of the support. In another embodiment the support may be adapted to receive an electronic touch pad. Preferably, the touch pad may be removably inserted into a recess in the support . Preferably, the recess is sized such that the touch pad is flush with the upper surface of the support. The support may further be provided with electrical connection means to enable a track ball or touch pad to be connected to the computer via the support. In these embodiments it is preferred that the portion of the upper surface of the support upon which the wrist rests comprises a resilient material such as a foam. This provides comfort to the user and also may minimise the likelihood of repetitive stress injuries and in particular carpal tunnel syndrome. Compression of the tissues of the wrist by resting the wrist on a hard surface for prolonged periods is believed to contribute to such injuries.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the support includes pivot means such that when mounted to the work area the support can pivot about a vertical axis with respect to the work area. The allows the support to be adjusted to an angle relative to the work station as desired.

The support may be of any suitable shape or size which can support a person's forearm. The support may be made from any suitable material such as vacuum foiled fibre board or chipboard. The support may also be made from timber veneer or a synthetic plastics material . The surface of the support may be flat. If desired, the upper surface may be shaped or moulded to provide further comfort or support to the forearm.

BRIEF DISCLOSURE OF THE DRAWINGS By way of example only, the present invention will now be described with reference to the following Figures in which: Figure 1 illustrates a preferred support of the present invention attached to a work surface,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the support of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a side view of the support of Figure 1 attached to a work surface . BEST METHOD OF PERFORMING THE INVENTION

Figure 1 illustrates a forearm support 11 attached to an edge 12 of a work surface 13. The support 11 has a first zone 15 which overlies part of work surface 13. A tapered end portion 14 extends away from work surface 13. The support 11 has a recess 16 located in end portion 15. A mouse pad 17 is located in recess 16. A mouse 18 is located on the mouse pad 17. Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the support

11 when attached to the edge 12 of the surface 13. The upper surface of the support 11 is about 35mm above the level of the work surface 13. A steel plate 19 is attached to the lower surface 20 of the support 11. The plate 19 is pivotally attached to a G type clamp 21 by pivot pin 22. The clamp 21 is held in place with respect to the edge 12 of the work surface 13 by screw 23.

The support 11 is attached to work surface 13 by placing clamp 21 about edge 12 and tightening screw 23. The attached support 11 can pivot about a horizontal axis relative to work surface 13. This allows the angle of the support relative to the work surface to be varied as desired by individual users. Once attached a person can rest the forearm on the support 11 with the elbow resting on end portion 14. In this way the whole of the persons forearm may be supported when operating mouse 18.

It can be seen that the support of the present invention can provide support to a persons forearm.

The upper surface of the support is above the level of the work surface. The height and location of the support relative to the work surface enables the support to support an operator's forearm in a horizontal position which may minimise or reduce neck, shoulder and arm strain. Still further by providing a recess for receiving a mouse pad or device such as a track ball or touch pad, bending of the wrist may be reduced. This further reduces strain to the wrist which may be caused by bending the wrist for prolonged periods. The tapered end portion of the support facilitates use by either right or left handed persons.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A forearm support for use by a person operating a computer mouse or other hand operated device, the support including means for attaching the support to a work area such that in use, the support is substantially horizontal, the support having an upper surface which includes a first zone for supporting the mouse or other hand operated device and a second zone for supporting an operator's forearm. 2. The support of claim 1 in which the support further includes pivot means to enable the support to pivot about a vertical axis.

3. The support of claim 1 in which the first zone has a recess for receiving a mouse pad. 4. The support of claim 1 in which the first zone has a recess for receiving a touch pad.

5. The support of claim 4 which further includes electronic connection means for electronically connecting the touch pad and a computer. 6. The support of claim 1 which when mounted to a work area, the upper surface is about 25 to about 45mm above an upper surface of the work area.

7. The support of claim 6 wherein the upper surface is about 35mm above the surface of the work area. 8. The support of claim 1 wherein the second zone is tapered.

9. The support of claim 8 wherein the attachment means attachs to an edge of the work area.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 22 July 1998 (22.07.98); original claim 1 amended; new claim 10 added; remaining claims unchanged (2 pages)]

1. A forearm support for use by a person operating a computer mouse or other hand operated device, the support including means for attaching the support to a

5 work area such that in use, the support is located in a substantially horizontal position above the work surface, the support having an upper surface which includes a first zone for supporting the mouse or other hand operated device and a second zone for supporting an operator's 10 forearm.

2. The support of claim 1 in which the support further includes pivot means to enable the support to pivot about a vertical axis.

3. The support of claim 1 in which the first zone 15 has a recess for receiving a mouse pad.

4. The support of claim 1 in which the first zone has a recess for receiving a touch pad.

5. The support of claim 4 which f rther includes electronic connection means for electronically connecting

20 the touch pad and a computer.

6. The support of claim 1 which when mounted to a work area, the upper surface is about 25 to about 45mm above an upper surface of the work area.

7. The support of claim 6 wherein the upper surface 25 is about 35mm above the surface of the work area.

8. The support of claim 1 wherein the second zone is tapered.

30 10. A forearm support for use by a person operating a computer mouse or other hand operated device, wherein the support has means for detachably mounting the support to a work area and when mounted to the work area, the support is able to pivot in a plane which is

35 substantially parallel to the work area but is unable to pivot towards or away from the work area and to move in a linear direction relative to the work area, the support having an upper surface which includes a first zone which in use locates over part of the work area, said first zone having a recess for receiving a mouse pad so as to allow operation of the computer mouse or other hand operated device by the person and a second zone adapted ^'-> to support the person's forearm when operating the mouse or other device.