WO2001017393A1

WO2001017393A1 - Adjustable arm support and work surface

Info

Publication number: WO2001017393A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/023676
Authority: WO
Inventors: Greg S. Sundheim; John M. Sundheim
Original assignee: Ourbod Research Corporation
Priority date: 1999-09-10
Filing date: 2000-08-29
Publication date: 2001-03-15
Also published as: AU7084900A

Abstract

An arm support portion and a work surface portion are independently mounted on a base portion for adjustment relative to one another. The arm support and work surface portions are adjustable in up/down, tilting left/right and tilting forward/backward directions. An inflatable/deflatable pneumatic bellows may perform the adjustment function mechanism. Being individually inflatable, the bellows permit great freedom of adjustment for the arm support and the work surface. One or more air valves permit air to enter and exit each bellows individually for individual adjustment. Releasing the valve stops expansion or contraction of each bellows, so the arm support or work surface is held in the desired position. A spring biasing member may bias the arm support or work surface away from the base to make adjustments easier.

Description

ADJUSTABLE ARM SUPPORT AND WORK SURFACE

This invention relates to work piece support devices, such as armrests or lap desks, to assist in comfortably performing tasks with the hands. More particularly, the present invention relates to a new and improved device for comfortably supporting the user's arms and positioning a work piece on a work surface for interaction ergonomically with the hands. The device is adjustable to accommodate almost any user's physical characteristics or needs.

Background of the Invention Many people find it necessary or desirable to perform work in a variety of different environments and situations. Businesspeople frequently perform work on a portable or laptop computer while traveling, such as when seated in an airplane or in a hotel room. Many people do not have an office or desk to use when performing their work because of the mobile nature of the work that they perform. Students attend different classrooms and take notes in different environments, as well as prepare documents and reports at a variety of different locations other than at a desk.

Much of the mobility in working environments has arisen because of the popularity and use of portable, notebook and laptop computers. In addition, many other types of work pieces such as typewriters, computer keyboards, writing pads, drawing papers, books, calculators, knitting equipment or other hand-manipulated articles may also be operated by the user in a working environment. These portable work pieces generally do not themselves accommodate an ergonomic relationship between the user and the computer. Comfort while working, and convenience and ease of use, are significant considerations in a mobile or portable work environment, as well as stationary environments in which to perform the work. Since each person is physiologically different, each person may want to rest his or her arms at a different orientation relative to the work piece. One person may want to keep his or her arm position the same for long periods of time, while another person may want to change the arm and hand relationship with the work piece frequently. Long term use of work pieces in an uncomfortable or ergonomically deficient manner can cause stress, body fatigue and muscle strain, and possibly may result in repetitive stress syndrome due to the uncomfortable manner in which the user is required to work with the work piece. Flexibility in positioning the work piece to achieve a level of comfort, ease-of-use and an ergonomic relationship between the arms, hands and work piece is generally not easily accomplished. It is largely up to the user to establish the extent, if any, of convenience of use and ergonomic relationship with the work piece. If a comfortable and ergonomic relationship with the work piece is established, the user must generally improvise the means for accomplishing such a relationship, since the work piece itself generally does not include adjustment or positioning features.

Work piece support devices have previously been developed with a view toward establishing a more comfortable and ergonomic relationship between the user and the work piece. Stationary desktops and tabletops, whether adjustable or rigid, are common. Work surfaces that are portable and lightweight, or that can be placed in the user's lap, are also known. For example, a common type of lap desk has a flat work surface, such as a simple board, upon which the work piece is positioned. A pillow or bean bag is sometimes connected onto the underside of the board to make it more comfortable to place in the user's lap. The flexibility of the pillow or bag also allows the user to adjust the tilt of the work piece in the limited manner, but not to sustain the position of the work piece. Another type of lap desk incorporates a flat base, such as a board, and a flat work surface hinged to the base to allow the work surface to tilt in the user's lap. Various types of adjustment mechanisms have been used to permit the angle of inclination of the work surface to be adjusted.

Arm supports have also been incorporated with work surfaces. Such arm supports are usually connected to the user's stationary desk, table or chair, and thereby fail to achieve a level of portability or mobility. Although these arm supports may be adjustable, they must still be used with the stationary chair or desk. Foam or gel filled pads are available to rest the user's wrists while typing on the keyboard. Another type of arm support connects to a stationary desktop and extends from the desktop toward the user, so the user's forearms can rest on the extending surface. This type of arm support surface has to be connected to or weighted down on the desktop to prevent the weight of the user's arms from flipping it and/or a keyboard which rests upon it off of the desktop. This type of forearm support device may also be mounted directly underneath the desktop, such as with a moveable keyboard drawer, and integrated with the work surface. As a forearm support device, it generally offers no adjustability to enhance the user's overall comfort relative to the work piece itself. Other types of more adjustable forearm support devices are known, but their mechanical complexity and the requirement that they be attached to a stationary desk inhibits or prevents ease-of-use, mobility or portability.

It is with respect to these and other considerations, that the present invention has evolved.

Summary of the Invention An improved aspect of the present invention relates to an arm and work piece support device which is fully portable for use with a variety of different types of work pieces and in a variety of different work environments, and which ergonomically supports the user's forearms and hands relative to the work piece to minimize the physical stress on the person and to increase the ease of use and the efficiency of use of the work piece. One of the improvements available from the present invention involves an arm and work piece support device having independent adjustability for both an arm support and work surface portion, such that almost any person can achieve a comfortable working position in almost any environment, such as sitting at a desk or table or sitting on a sofa or easy chair or the floor or a bed or in a car. The comfort and convenience of the device lessens the physical strain experienced by a user due to repetitive tasks performed with the hands, such as typing, writing, drawing, knitting and other such hand manipulation activities where the person typically sits at a workstation and works on some type of work piece or apparatus. The usability of the device in many different places, however, eliminates the need to be restricted to a fixed workstation.

Another improvement involves an arm and work piece support and positioning device that permits adjustment in a plurality of degrees of freedom such that the user can customize the position of both the arm support and the work surface to fit his or her physical characteristics or comfort needs. The arm support and work surface portions can be adjusted, independently of each other, in up/ down translating, left/right tilting and back-and-forth tilting movements, providing almost any user with fully customizable positioning of both portions for almost any appropriate work task. The freedom of adjustment also permits the user to work, not only with the device placed in his or her lap, but also with the device resting on almost any other surface, such as a desktop, a tabletop, the floor or other surface. Another improvement is that the device can be fully collapsed to a thin-profile configuration for convenience of storage or portability. For example, for a user who typically uses a notebook computer because of the need to travel from place to place, the arm support and work surface device is as portable and convenient to carry as the average notebook computer. Another improvement involves the ease with which the arm support and work surface portions can be adjusted. With just the press of an activator button, either portion is easily moveable in each of the above-mentioned directions of movement. When the activator button is released, the adjusted portion is retained in the desired position. An additional improvement involves the convenience of biasing the arm support or the work surface away from the base so that the user only has to press down on the arm support or work surface while holding the activator button. Lifting either portion can be much more difficult than pressing down for some people, so the automatic upward biasing of either portion when activated by the activator button provides the user with greater ease of operation. Also, pressing down on either portion can provide the user with a better sense of the actual position that the portion will take when either the user's forearms or a work piece rests on the portion.

The device incorporates two portions, an arm support and a work surface, mounted on a base, or alternatively, an arm support mounted on a base or an adjustable work surface mounted on a base, each portion being adjustable. In more specific embodiments, a positioning mechanism for either or both portions is adjustable. In this manner, each portion can be adjusted independently of the other portion. The adjusted portion is also retained in a desired position after adjustment. The retained portion may be released from the desired position to be readjusted to a new position.

In other embodiments, the adjustable positioning mechanism includes a pneumatic device, such as an expandable and collapsible bellows, to perform the adjustments. Air may enter and exit the bellows through a valve, which when open permits adjustments and when closed causes the bellows to retain its position. More than one bellows may be used to support the arm support or work surface portions at different points. With each bellows individually inflatable and deflatable, the portion may be adjusted to any position. In other embodiments, the device includes a spring or other biasing means to bias, or push, the arm support or work surface portion away from the base. To make adjustments, the user pushes against the spring bias member. When the adjusted portion is retained in the desired position, however, the bellows or other adjustable retaining system holds the portion against the biasing force.

A more complete appreciation of the present invention and its scope, and the manner in which it achieves the above noted improvements, can be obtained by reference to the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly summarized below, and the appended claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an arm and work piece support device which incorporates the present invention, shown in an expanded position. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the arm and work piece support device shown in Fig. 1 , with an arm support portion tilted backward and a work surface portion tilted forward, and with the forearms and hands of a user and a portable computer shown in phantom resting on the arm and work piece support device.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the arm and work piece support device shown in Fig. 1 , with the arm support portion tilted laterally to one side and with the work surface portion tilted laterally to the other side.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the arm and work piece support device shown in Figs. 1-3, but shown in a collapsed position. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of view of the arm and work piece support device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a front end elevation view of the arm and work piece support device shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the bellows and a portion of tubing of the arm and work piece support device shown in Figs. 1-6.

Fig. 8 is partial cross sectional view taken substantially in the plane of 8- 8 shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a partial cross-sectional and partial elevational view taken substantially in the plane of line 9-9 shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a partial cross sectional and partial elevational view similar to that shown in Fig. 9, with the arm and work piece support device shown in the collapsed position shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of a base portion of the arm and work piece support device, taken substantially in the plane of lines 11-11 in Figs. 5 and 6.

Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view of arm support and work surface portions of the arm and work piece support device, taken substantially in the plane of lines 12-12 in Figs. 5 and 6.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a valve assembly of the arm and work piece support device shown in Figs. 1 -6, with a portion broken away.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged partial view taken substantially in the plane of line 12-12 in Figs. 5 and 6 of the valve assembly shown in Fig. 13 as positioned in the arm and work piece support device.

Fig. 15 is a partial side view of the valve assembly in the arm and work piece support device as shown in Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is an exploded cross sectional and perspective view taken substantially in the plane of lines 16-16 in Figs. 11 and 12, illustrating a locking device of the arm and work piece support device, when the device is in the expanded position shown in Figs. 1 -3. Fig. 17 is an exploded cross sectional view of the locking device shown in

Fig. 16, shown in a collapsed position of the arm and work piece support device. Detailed Description An arm and work piece support device 100, shown in Fig. 1 , has an arm support portion 102 and a work surface portion 104. Both portions 102 and 104 are adjustably mounted on a base portion 106. Typically, the device 100 is used with the base portion 106 resting in a user's lap while the user is in a sitting position, but there are many other appropriate places or positions to set the device 100 while using it, such as on a desktop, tabletop, floor or other convenient place. The arm support portion 102 provides comfortable support for the user's forearms and hands (107, Fig. 2) while working on a work piece such as a keyboard, notebook computer (109, Fig. 2), pad of paper, knitting equipment or other hand-manipulated article. The work surface portion 104 holds and supports the work piece. A generally U-shaped indention 110 is formed in a forward end of the arm support portion 102 and a matching U- shaped indention 112 is formed in a forward end of the base portion 106 to allow more space for the user's torso to fit closer to the device 100, so the user may have extensions 114 of the arm support portion 102 for more surface area on which to rest comfortably his or her forearms.

Padding (not shown) may be placed on the underside of the base portion 106 to provide comfort for the user's legs and on the topside of the arm support portion 102 to provide comfort for the user's forearms. A non-slip material (also not shown) may be placed on the topside of the work surface portion 104 to prevent the work piece from sliding off. Alternatively, the base portion 106, arm support portion 102 and/or work surface portion 104 may be made of an appropriate soft or non-slip material. It is preferred, however, that each of these portions 102, 104 and 106 be made as hollow, blow-molded plastic pieces for light weight and durability.

An adjustable positioning mechanism, such as a plurality of bellows 108, are positioned between the arm support portion 102 and the base portion 106, and between the work surface portion 104 and the base portion 106. The adjustable positioning mechanism supports the arm support portion 102 and the work surface portion 104 in a variety of different user-selected positions relative to the base portion 106, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The selectable position of the arm support portion 102 and the work surface portion 104 relative to each other and to the base portion 106 establishes a comfortable, ergonometric and convenient use position for the work piece which is supported on the work surface portion 104. This position is established relative to the users hands and forearms which are supported on the arm support portion 102, as shown in Fig. 2.

Each of the bellows 108 is individually inflatable and deflatable to provide complete adjustability for both portions 102 and 104 in up/down translational movement, side-to-side (left/right) tilting movement, forward and backward tilting movement, and combinations thereof. Thus, the arm support 102 and the work surface 104 can be adjusted to positions that are selected for almost any user. As shown in Fig. 2, the arm support 102 is tilted backward and the work surface 104 is tilted forward, but any other combination of forward and backward tilting angles is possible. An elongated ridge 116 is formed on the work surface 104 next to its forward edge nearest the arm support portion 102. The ridge 116 provides a barrier to prevent the work piece from sliding off of the work surface 104. Similarly, as shown in Fig. 3, the arm support portion 102 is tilted laterally to the right and the work surface 104 tilted laterally to the left when viewed from the front of the device 100. Again, however, any other combination of side-to- side tilting angles is possible. Furthermore, any combination of side-to-side and forward-backward tilting and height adjustment is possible.

The adjustable positioning function provided by the bellows 108 is achieved as a result of controlling the amount of air which is trapped within each bellows 108, thereby establishing the extent to which the bellows is inflated or deflated. Air valves 117 (Figs. 13-15) are pneumatically connected to each of the bellows 108, and the air valves 117 are controlled by depressing an activator button 118 exposed at the edge of the underside of the arm support portion 102 and the work surface portion 104. Depressing an activator button 118 opens the air valves 117 to permit air to flow into each bellows 108 or to flow out of each bellows 108. Air flows into each bellows 108 as a result of applying a separating force between one of the portions 102 or 104 and the base portion 106, thereby expanding each bellows 108. Air flows out of each bellows 108 as a result of applying compression force between the portions 102 or 104 and the base portion 106. Once the desired position has been achieved by manual adjustment from the user, the activator button 118 is released and the air valve 117 is closed to trap and seal the desired amount of air within each bellows 108. The trapped air resists further expansion or compression of the bellows 108 and thereby retains the bellows 108 in the desired position established by the user. The desired position is selected by the user to achieve the desired level of convenience of use, comfort and ergonomic positioning.

Bias springs 119, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, are positioned between the arm support portion 102 and the base portion 106 and between the work surface portion 104 and the base portion 106 for the purpose of applying a separating force between the two portions to assist the user in establishing the desired position of the portions. The springs 119 force or bias the portions toward the expanded position, and allow the user to apply compressive force by pushing downward on the portions 102 and 104 toward the base portion 106. In general, it is usually easier for the user to establish the desired position by applying compression force in this manner than to also be required to apply the separation force. The springs 119 also resist compression of the bellows 108 against force applied on the arm support portion 102 and the work surface portion 104, thereby reducing the amount of force required to be resisted by the bellows 108. The arm support portion 102 and work surface portion 104 are shown in

Fig. 4 in a fully collapsed position against the base portion 106. The device 100 is locked into the fully collapsed position by manual compression force applied on β-portions 102 and 104 to force them against the base portion 106. When moved in the collapsed direction the activator button 118 is depressed to open the air valve and allow the air within the bellows 108 to escape and deflate the bellows. The portions 102 and 104 are held in a locked position against the base portion 106 by a locking mechanism (Figs. 16 and 17) operative between the base portion 106 and the portions 102 and 104. The locking mechanism for the arm support portion 124 is released by applying finger pressure in the opposing recesses 120 and 124. The locking mechanism for the work surface portion 104 is released by applying finger pressure between the opposing recesses 122 and 126. The finger pressure separates the arm support 102 and the work surface 104 from the base 106. Of course, the activator buttons 118 are depressed to open the air valves 117 and allow the bellows to inflate for separation of the portions 102 and 104 from the base portion 106.

The fully collapsed configuration of the device 100 shown in Fig. 4 is typically used when the device is stored or carried. The device 100 has a relatively slim profile in the fully collapsed configuration. Furthermore, the relatively light weight of the device 100 makes it highly portable. When the device 100 is used to support a notebook computer, the device 100 can be easily carried along with the notebook computer.

Although the adjustable positioning mechanism of the device 100 incorporates bellows 108, the invention is not so limited, but rather the broader aspects of the present invention contemplate any type of adjustable positioning mechanism that provides adjustability of both the arm support portion 102 and the work surface portion 104 relative to the base portion 106 and relative to each other. Additionally, although each portion 102 and 104 is shown supported on four bellows 108, it is understood that any other appropriate number of bellows 108 may be used, such as three bellows for a three-point triangular support. Moreover, it is not necessary that a locking mechanism be employed, although the locking mechanism is desirable.

Each bellows 108 is formed by a flexible sidewall portion 127 which is closed at an upper end by an end cap portion 128 and which is closed at a lower end by an end cap portion 129, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The sidewall

127 and the end caps 128 and 129 are formed in the conventional manner of integral flexible plastic materials. As such, the sidewall 127 and the end caps

128 and 129 define an enclosed chamber 130 within which to trap and retain air or other fluid. The flexibility of the materials of the sidewall 127 and its corrugated configuration allow each bellows 108 to expand and contract in a vertical dimension as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, respectively.

Air is conducted into the interior chamber 130 of the bellows 108 through a tube 131 which extends to each bellows 108, as shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 12. The tube 131 is fixed to a cylindrical projection 132 which extends from an end 146 formed in the top end cap 128 of the bellows 108. The tube 131 leads to the valve assembly 117 (Figs. 12-15) which is activated by the activator button 118. When the valve assembly 117 is operated to an open position, air can flow into or out of the interior chamber 130 through the tube 131. When the valve assembly 117 is operated to a closed position, the air within the interior chamber 130 is trapped within the bellows 108. The air trapped within the closed bellows 108 resists compression of the bellows 108 and also resists expansion of the bellows 108. Accordingly, the trapped air creates resistance force for changing the amount of expansion or compression of the bellows 108, thereby establishing a relative firm support and positioning dimension along the vertical axis of the bellows 108 (as shown in Figs. 7 and 8). To establish a different relative vertical support and positioning dimension, the valve assembly 117 is operated to its open position. The user then applies force between the arm support portion 102 and the base portion 106, or between the work surface portion 104 and base portion 106 to expand or compress the bellows 108. Expansion and compression along the vertical dimension occurs because the air is free to flow into or out of the internal chamber 130. Once the desired vertical support and positioning dimension is achieved, the valve assembly 117 is again closed to trap air in the interior chamber 130 of the bellows 108 and hold the bellows in the selected position.

Each of the bellows 108 is generally formed in an elliptical configuration in the horizontal transverse plane as shown in Fig. 7. It is understood that any other shape, including circular or rectangular shapes, is contemplated for use in invention.

The bellows 108 are shown in an expanded configuration in Fig. 9 and in a fully collapsed configuration in Fig. 10. In the fully collapsed configuration, each bellows 108 fits within opposing depressions 144 (Figs. 11 and 12) formed in the top side of the base 106 and the bottom side of the portions 102 and 104. The depressions 144 are also elliptical in shape to generally match the elliptical cross-sectional shape of the bellows.

The bellows 108 have similar top and bottom ends 146 and 148, respectively, that fit into matching holes 150 and 152 (see also Figs. 11 and 12) formed in the depressions 144. On lateral opposite sides 154 of the bellows ends 146 and 148, notches 156 extend into the ends 146 and 148. On opposite laterally facing sides 158 of holes 150 and 152, detents 160 protrude into the holes 150 and 152 to engage the notches 156 when the bellows ends 146 and 148 are inserted into the receiving holes 150 and 152, respectively. Thus, the bellows 108 are attached to the portions 102, 104 and 106 by snapping the ends 146 and 148 into the matching holes 150 and 152 such that the detents 160 engage the notches 156. In this manner, the bellows 108 and the portions 102, 104 and 106 of the device 100 are easily assembled during manufacture and can be easily disassembled for service or replacement.

The relative positions and orientations of the bellows 108 in the arm support portion 102, the work surface portion 104 and base portion 106 are illusstrated by Figs. 11 and 12. The depressions 144 shown in Figs. 11 and 12 show the general elliptical orientation of each of the bellows, because each depression 144 generally corresponds in shape to the elliptical transverse shape of the bellows 108.

As a shown in Fig. 11 , the base portion 106 supports eight bellows 108 in the depressions 144. As shown in Fig. 12, the arm support portion 102 and the work surface portion 104 are each supported by four bellows 108. The depressions 144 in the portions 102, 104 and 106 align with one another as shown in Fig. 10. The major elliptical axes of two of the bellows 108 which support each portion 102 and 104 are mutually perpendicular to the major elliptical axes of the two other bellows 108 which support each of the portions 102 and 104. The position of the bellows 108 and their elliptical configurations provide lateral stability for the arm support portion 102 and the work surface portion 104 relative to the base portion 106. Each of the bellows 108 is less flexible in a lateral direction along its major axis of the elliptical shape and is more flexible in a lateral direction along its perpendicular minor axis. By positioning two of the bellows supporting each portion 102 and 104 in a mutually perpendicular orientation relative to the two other bellows which support each portion 102 and 104, each of the portions 102 and 104 are provided with relative stability in both of the mutually perpendicular horizontal dimensions. By orienting the major axes of the bellows 108 which adjoin the portions 102 and 104 parallel to one another, a slightly greater amount of forward and backward flexibility is provided at this location to allow the portions 102 and 104 to be adjusted relative to each other as exemplified by Fig. 3. The tubes 131 leading to each of the bellows 108 are disposed within the grooves 162 in the underside of the arm support portion 102 and the work surface portion 104. The grooves 162 provide a path for the tubes 131 from each of the bellows 108 to the valve assembly 117 for each portion 102 and 104. Fig. 12 shows that two tubes may be superimposed on top of one another in some portions of the grooves 162. Located in the grooves 162, the tubes 131 do not interfere with the closure of the arm support portion 102 and the work surface portion 104 against the base portion 106, as shown in Fig. 4.

The tubes 131 extend to the valve assemblies 117 and the activator buttons 118, which are located in receptacles 163 adjacent to the recesses 120 and 122 in the bottom side of the arm support portion 102 and the work surface portion 104, as shown in Figs. 12 14 and 15. As shown in Fig. 13, each valve assembly 117 has a generally cylindrical shape with annular grooves 164 and flanges 165. As shown in Fig. 14, each receptacle 163 is shaped to generally match the outer shape of the valve assembly 117, including an annular ridge 167 to fit within the groove 164 between the flanges 165, so that the valve assembly 117 is held in place longitudinally by the annular groove 164 and flanges 165. The valve assembly 117 snaps into the receptacle 163 past detents 166 in the part of the receptacle 163 that receives the flanges 165, thereby holding the valve assembly 117 in place.

The four tubes 131 from each of the four bellows 108 associated with each portion 102 and 104 are connected to a single valve assembly 117 located in the receptacle 163 of the portion 102 or 104, respectively, as shown in Fig. 13. The valve assembly 117 includes a housing 168 within which the activator button 118 is retained. An outside end of the activator button 118 is rounded or curved and preferably made of a non-slip material to facilitate the application of finger pressure thereto. An inside the end of the activator button 118 includes an enlarged flange 170 which is located within an inner chamber 172 of the housing 168. The inner chamber 172 of the housing 168 is spaced from the outer edges of the flange 170, to provide a clearance there between. The flange 170 thereby prevents the activator button 118 from moving outward from the housing 117. A cylindrical opening 173 is formed in the housing 168 to receive a generally cylindrical center portion 174 of the activator button 118 and to allow the activator button 118 to move axial ly within the housing 168. The cylindrical opening 173 generally has a greater diameter than the cylindrical center portion 174, to provide a clearance between these elements.

Four spring-biased valves 176 are connected to a rear wall 178 of the housing 168. Each valve 176 includes a cylindrical housing 180 which is connected in an airtight manner to the rear wall 178 of the housing 168. The tubes 131 are connected flush up against the rear wall 178 of the housing 168 inside holes (not shown). Each valve 176 also includes a plunger 182 having a stem 184 and a flange cap 186. The cylindrical housing 180 surrounds the stem 184. A spring 194 surrounds the stem 184 within the housing 180 and extends between the flange cap 186 and the rear wall 178 of the housing 168. The spring 194 is in tension to bias the plunger 182 toward the activator button flange 170. An outer end 200 of the cylindrical housing 180 forms a valve seat against which the flange cap 186 of the valve plunger 182 is normally held in sealing contact by the force from the tension spring 194. A slight radial clearance exists between the outer diametrical surface of the flange cap 186 and the inner surface of the tube 131 which is connected on the housing 180. The force from the tension spring 194 also biases the ends of the stem 184 into contact with the activator button flange 170, thereby also normally biasing the activator button 118 to an outward extended position as shown in Fig. 13. When the activator button 118 is pressed inwardly, in the direction of arrow A shown in Fig. 13, force is applied to the ends of the stems 184. The flange 170 presses simultaneously on all four of the stems 184 to separate the respective flange caps 186 from the valve seat ends 200 of the cylindrical housings 180. An open airflow pathway is thereby established through the cylindrical opening 173 in the housing, around the activator button flange 170, through the cylindrical housings 180, and past the flange caps 186 which have been separated from the valve seat ends 200. In this manner, air can enter or exit all four of the bellows 108 simultaneously with a single activation of the button 118 to inflate or deflate the attached bellows 108 and permit adjustment of the portions 102 and 104.

The device 100 also includes a locking mechanism to hold the device 100 in the fully collapsed position shown in Fig. 4. The locking mechanism is formed by four locking devices 204 that are positioned on the arm support portion 102, the work surface portion 104 and the base portion 106 shown in Figs. 11 and 12. As shown in Fig. 12, two locking devices 204 are formed on each of the arm support and work surface portions 102 and 104. The preferred structure and function of each locking device 204 is shown in Figs. 16 and 17. Each locking device 204 is preferably formed by a projection 206 which extends out from the base portion 102, and by a correspondingly located recess 208 formed in the portions 102 and 104. A pair of projections 206 on the base portion 106 are thereby co-located with a pair of recesses 208 on the arm support portion 102, and a pair of projections 206 on the base portion 106 are also co-located with a pair of recesses 208 located on the work surface portion 104. Each projection 206 has a small detent 210 that protrudes outward. Each recess 208 has a depression 212 to receive the detent 210 of the co-located projection 206. When the projections 206 are received in recesses 208, as shown in Fig. 17, the detents 210 snap into the depressions 212, thereby locking the portions 102 and 104 to the base 106.

The detents 210 for each pair of projections 206 and the depressions 212 of each pair of recesses 208 of each portion 102 and 104 are located to face in opposite directions. Facing in opposite directions, the locking devices 204 provide opposing interlock forces that grip the portions 102 and 104. Opposing finger pressure applied to the recesses 120, 124 and 122, 126 on both sides of the portions 102 and 104 (see Figs. 11 and 12) cause the locking devices 204 to move out of the locked position shown in Fig. 17 and into the unlocked position shown in Fig. 16. By locating the detents 210 and the depressions 212 of each pair of locking devices 204 in opposite facing directions, an inadvertent laterally applied force on one of the portions 102 or 104 is not likely to, or is less likely to, accidentally dislodge and disconnect that portion from the base portion 106.

Figs. 11 and 12 show the relative locations of the locking devices 204 on the arm support, work surface and base portions 102, 104 and 106, respectively. These locations may be dictated by the best paths required for the grooves 162 in the underside of the portions 102 and 104 for the tubes 131 that connect the valve assemblies 117 to the bellows 108. Furthermore, the positions of the locking devices 204 may be selected to best resist accidental disconnection of the portions 102 and 104 from the base portion 106, and to best allow the portions 102 and 104 to be intentionally disconnected from the base portion as a result of finger pressure applied in the recesses 120 and 122. The bias springs 119 are retained in depressions 214 formed in the top side of the base 106 and by depressions 216 formed in the bottom surfaces of the arm support portion 102 and the work surface support portion 104. The depressions 214 receive the bottom end of the biasing springs 119, and the depressions 216 receive the top end of the springs 119. The springs 119 are held in place in the depressions 214 and 216 by their own biasing force.

Against this biasing force, the retaining force from the detents 160 located within the depressions 156 at the top and bottom ends of the bellows 108 (Figs. 9 and 10) prevent the arm support and work surface portions 102 and 104 from separating from the base portion 106. This retaining capability from the bellows 108 also prevents the springs 119 from separating from the portions 102, 104 and 106.

When the activator button 118 is activated, the air trapped within the interior chamber 130 of the bellows 108 no longer holds the portion 102 or 104 in a fixed or resistive position relative to the base 106. Instead, due to the lack of resistance from the bellows 108, the spring 119 pushes the portion 102 or

104 away from the base 106, which causes the bellows 108 to expand or inflate. Downward pressure by the user on the portion 102 or 104 causes the bellows 108 to collapse or deflate.

When the activator button 118 is released, the air trapped within the bellows 108 retains the portion 102 or 104 in the approximate desired position against the bias of the spring 119.

In operation, the user places the device 100 on a desired support surface, such as his or her lap. The arm support portion 102 and the work surface portion 104 are released to their unlocked positions and thereby separated from the base portion 106. The user adjusts each portion 102 and 104 to a desired position by pressing on the respective activator button 118 while simultaneously manipulating the portion 102 or 104. Once the portion 102 or 104 is in the desired position, the user releases the activator button 118, thereby trapping and sealing the air in the interior chamber 130 (Fig. 8) of the bellows 108, causing the bellows 108 to retain their positions. Once each portion 102 and 104 is retained in the desired position, the user places the work piece on the work surface portion 104 and rests his or her forearms on the arm support portion 102 and begins to work in an ergonomically desirable position with comfort and ease.

The arm support and work surface device 100 provides support for both the user's forearms and the user's work piece. Full adjustability for both the arm support and the work surface is available to achieve an ergonomically desired relationship between the user's hands and work piece, to obtain effective working positions for repetitive hand-manipulation tasks, such as typing, writing, drawing, or other activities. The device also has the advantage of providing simple, easy and immediate adjustment at the press of a finger while the user simultaneously holds and manipulates the edges of either the arm support or the work surface portions. Assistance in achieving the position is achieved by the bias spring so that the user does not have to lift either portion, but only has to more easily apply downward pressure to make adjustments. Adjustment of all of the bellows may be made at the same time. The device may also be locked in a fully collapsed position for ease of storage or transport. Many other advantages and improvements will be apparent to those having skill in the art, after gaining a complete understanding and comprehension of the present invention.

Presently preferred embodiments of the invention and its improvements have been described with a degree of particularity. This description has been made by way of preferred example. It should be understood that the scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims, and should not be unnecessarily limited by the detailed description of the preferred embodiment set forth above.

Claims

The Invention Claimed Is:

1. An arm and work piece support device for positioning a work piece relative to hands and forearms of a user when working with the work piece, comprising: an arm support portion adapted to support the forearms; and a work surface portion adapted to support the work piece in an ergonomic relationship relative to the hands while the forearms are supported on the arm support portion, and wherein: the arm support portion extends in a non-planar relationship relative to the work surface portion to establish an ergonomic relationship between the user's forearms and hands and the work piece.

2. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 1 wherein the arm support portion is adjustable relative to the work surface portion to establish a plurality of different non-planar relative relationships therebetween.

3. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 2 wherein the arm support portion and the work surface portion are adjustable to tilt forwardly and backwardly toward and away from one another.

4. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 2 wherein the arm support portion and the work surface portion are adjustable to tilt laterally from side to side with respect to one another.

5. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 2 further comprising: a base portion; and an adjustable positioning mechanism connecting the arm support portion and the work surface portion to the base portion.

6. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 5 wherein the adjustable positioning mechanism positions the arm support portion and the work surface portion relative to the base portion independently of one another.

7. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 6 wherein the arm support portion and the work surface portion are adjustable to tilt forwardly and backwardly toward and away from one another and are adjustable to tilt laterally from side to side with respect to one another.

8. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 5 wherein the base portion is adapted to be supported on a lap of the user.

9. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 5 wherein the adjustable positioning mechanism includes at least one pneumatic device to move at least one of the arm support or the work surface portion relative to the base portion.

10. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 5 wherein the adjustable positioning mechanism comprises: at least one expandable and collapsible bellows extending between the base portion and one of the arm support and work surface portions, each bellows expanding and collapsing to adjust the one of the arm support or work surface portions relative to the base portion.

11. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 10 wherein the adjustable positioning mechanism further comprises: a biasing member disposed between the base portion and the one of the arm support and work surface portions to bias the one of the arm support and work surface portions away from the base portion.

12. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 11 further comprising: a locking and release mechanism interconnected between the base portion and each of the arm support and work surface portions to selectively lock the arm support and work surface portions against the base portion and to selectively release each of the arm support and work surface portions from the base portion to allow the biasing member to move the arm support and work surface portions away from the base member.

13. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 10 further comprising: a valve pneumatically connected to each bellows and manually controllable to selectively admit air into each bellows to expand each bellows, to selectively discharge air from each bellows to collapse each bellows, and to selectively trap air in each bellows to resist a change in dimension of each bellows.

14. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 10 wherein the adjustable mechanism further comprises: a plurality of bellows extending between each of the arm support and work surface portions and the base portion at a plurality of points.

15. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 14 wherein each of the bellows has a generally elliptical configuration in transverse cross-sectional shape.

16. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 14 wherein: four bellows are positioned between each of the arm support and work surface portions and the base portion; and the four bellows support the each of the arm support and work surface portions at four points.

17. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 16 wherein: each of the bellows has a generally elliptical configuration in transverse cross-sectional shape; and two of the four bellows which support each of the arm support and work surface portions have a major axis of their elliptical configuration oriented perpendicularly to the other two of the four bellows which support each such arm support and work surface portion.

18. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 16 wherein: the four points at which the four bellows support each of the arm support and work surface portions are located at positions in which no three of the points are generally linearly positioned.

19. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 14 wherein each of the bellows is individually expandable and collapsible.

20. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 14 further comprising: a valve pneumatically connected to each bellows to selectively admit air into each bellows to expand each bellows, to selectively discharge air from each bellows to collapse each bellows, and to selectively trap air in each bellows to resist a change in dimension of each bellows.

21. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 20 wherein the valve is connected to one of the arm support, work surface or base portions at a location for manual actuation by the user, the valve is connected to each of the bellows by tubing, and actuation of the valve simultaneously admits air into and discharges air from each of the bellows or simultaneously traps air in each bellows.

22. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 21 further comprising: a pair of valves, one of which is located at a peripheral edge of the arm support portion and another of which is located at a peripheral edge of the work surface portion; and wherein: the tubing connecting the valve located on the arm support portion extends only to the bellows connected between the arm support portion and the base portion; and the tubing connecting the valve located on the work surface portion extends only to the bellows connected between the work surface portion and the base portion.

23. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 22 wherein the adjustable positioning mechanism further comprises: one biasing member connected between the base portion and the arm support portion to bias the arm support portion away from the base portion; and another biasing member connected between the base portion and the work surface portion to bias the work surface portion away from the base portion.

24. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 23 wherein the biasing member connected to each of the arm support and work surface portions moves the arm support and work surface portions away from the base portion when the valve is activated to admit air into each bellows to expand each bellows.

25. An arm and work piece support device as defined in claim 24 further comprising: a locking and release mechanism interconnected between the base portion and each of the arm support and work surface portions to selectively lock the arm support and work surface portions against the base portion with the bellows and the biasing member collapsed between the locked- together portions, and to selectively release each of the arm support and work surface portions from the base portion to allow the biasing member to move the arm support and work surface portions away from the base member to a released position and expand the bellows.

26. An adjustable work surface device for positioning a work piece relative to hands and forearms of the user when the user is working with the work piece, comprising: a base portion; and a work surface portion mounted to the base portion and adjustable in an up/down translational movement, a forward/backward tilting movement and a side-to-side tilting movement, each movement being relative to the base portion.

27. An adjustable work surface device as defined in claim 26 further comprising: an adjustable positioning mechanism connecting the base portion and the work surface portion, the adjustable positioning mechanism including a plurality of adjustable pneumatic support devices arranged to support the work surface at a plurality of points.

28. An adjustable work surface device as defined in claim 27 wherein: the plurality of adjustable pneumatic support devices are individually adjustable.

29. An adjustable work surface device as defined in claim 26 wherein each pneumatic support device includes: at least one bellows connected between the base portion and the work surface portion to expand and collapse to adjust the adjustable positioning mechanism and the work surface portion relative to the base portion; and a biasing member connected between the base portion and the work surface portion in a constant biasing configuration that biases the work surface portion away from the base portion to expand the bellows.

30. An adjustable work surface device as defined in claim 29 further comprising: a value pneumatically connected to the bellows and which has a closed operative configuration which prevents air from entering or exiting the bellows to prevent the bellows from expanding and collapsing which holds the work surface portion in a desired position against the bias of the biasing member and an open operative configuration which permits air to enter and exit the bellows to permit the bellows to expand and collapse.

31. An adjustable work surface device as defined in claim 26 in combination with an arm support device, wherein: work surface portion is adjustable relative to the arm support device.

32. An adjustable work surface device as defined in claim 26 wherein: the base portion is adapted to rest on and position the work surface device in the lap of a user.

33. An arm support device for holding and positioning a forearm of a user relative to a work piece supported on a work surface while the user uses his or her hands to work with the work piece, comprising: an arm support portion adapted to support the user's forearm; and an adjustable positioning mechanism connecting the arm support portion relative to the work surface to establish a user-selected ergonomic relationship between the user's forearm and the work piece.

34. An arm support device as defined in claim 33 further comprising: a base portion adapted to be supported on the user's lap; and wherein: the work surface is connected to the base portion; the adjustable positioning mechanism connects the arm support portion to the base portion to position the arm support portion relative to the base portion and the work surface.

35. An arm support device as defined in claim 34 wherein : the adjustable positioning mechanism comprises: at least one pneumatic device to move the arm support portion relative to the base portion.

36. An arm support device as defined in claim 34 wherein the adjustable positioning mechanism comprises: at least one expandable and collapsible bellows extending between the base portion and the arm support portion, each bellows expanding and collapsing to adjust the arm support portion relative to the base portion.

37. An arm support device as defined in claim 36 wherein the adjustable positioning mechanism further comprises: a plurality of bellows extending between the base portion and the arm support portion at a plurality of points.

38. An arm support device as defined in claim 37 wherein each of the bellows is individually expandable and collapsible.

39. An arm support device as defined in claim 36 further comprising: a valve pneumatically connected to each bellows and manually controllable to selectively admit air into each bellows to expand each bellows, to selectively discharge air from each bellows to collapse each bellows, and to selectively trap air in each bellows to resist a change in dimension of each bellows.

40. An arm support device as defined in claim 34 wherein the adjustable positioning mechanism comprises: a biasing member disposed between the base portion and the arm support portion to bias the arm support portion away from the base portion.

41. An arm support device as defined in claim 34 wherein: the base portion is adapted to position the arm support device in the lap of a user.

42. An arm support device as defined in claim 33 in combination with a work surface device, wherein the arm support portion is adjustable independently of the work surface device.