WO2001080687A2

WO2001080687A2 - Forearm rest positioning the hands above a computer keyboard or other interface

Info

Publication number: WO2001080687A2
Application number: PCT/IL2001/000355
Authority: WO
Inventors: Isaac Wagner
Original assignee: Isaac Wagner
Priority date: 2000-04-18
Filing date: 2001-04-18
Publication date: 2001-11-01
Also published as: IL135717A0; WO2001080687A3; AU5063101A

Abstract

A step-like forearm support (6,7,8) that enables the forearm (1) to rest on a platform (6) that is higher than a computer keyboard (3) or other interface while typing, so that the hands will hang downward and the wrist's angle (α) between the upper back of the forearms and the back of the hands and the angle (β) between the fingers (5) and the back of the hands shall be equal or greater than 180 degrees.

Description

FOREARM REST POSITIONING THE HANDS ABOVE A COMPUTER KEYBOARD OR OTHER INTERFACE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to creating a forearm support which positions and supports the hands higher than the a keyboard or other interface, for working on a computer or other electronic equipment, so that the fingers may hang loosely above the keyboard, the fingertips easily touching the keys, to prevents stress and damage to the hands and wrists.

A computer operator usually rests his wrists on the surface in front of the keyboard or on a pad which is attached to it, his palms almost touching the keyboard, and the weight of the hands and forearms press on the wrists, which is the cause of the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Since the typing is carried out by the fingertips, the hands must be bent upwards in relation to the forearm and the fingers must be bent upwards so that the wrist's angle α between the back of the hand and the forearm is smaller than 180°, and the angle β between the fingers and the back of the hand equals or exceeds 180°. This situation exerts great stress on the muscles, ligaments and joints of the fingers, hands and the wrists; this stress is than transferred to the forearms, elbows, arms, shoulders, neck and eyes of the operator and reduces productivity. Many keyboard operators suffer from problems of cartilage dwindling and tenditis, in the joints of the fingers, hands and wrists and cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in the wrists.

Keyboard operators, who use them occasionally and for short periods, instinctively hold their hands in the air above the keys, so that the fingers (and they generally use one or two fingers) hang downwards, which is the best typing position (but it exerts pressure on the hands and the shoulders). In order to reach an ideal working position, the following conditions must prevail:

Finger position: Since the typing is performed by the fingertips, the ideal position would be for the fingers to hang downwards, slightly bent, with fingertips slightly touching the keys, in the same manner a pianist is holding his fingers. In such a position, angle β is larger than 180°. This is our natural finger position; we never hold the fingers entirely straight; they are always slightly bent. Hand position: The hands must be free, in a downward position from the wrists, so that angle α shall be as near or greater than 180°. In this position, the wrist is in the air, not touching the support due to the hand downward curvature. This may be verified by putting the forearm horizontally on a support near the wrist and moving the hand quickly upward several times, comparing it to an equal downward movements of the hand. The difference is felt up to the shoulders.

Forearm support: Keyboard operators must rest their forearms during typing, in order to free and loosen their arms, shoulders and neck. The best position is when the keyboard is placed on a tray, which is lower than the table because when the keyboard is placed on the table, the user must raise his shoulders and arms. Supporting the forearms relieve muscle tension from the shoulder and from the neck, which may prevent eyes fatigue, and prevent elbow's problems known as Tennis Elbow.

BACKGROUND ART

Today, three types of solutions have been filed as patents or implemented: (a) A padded support on which the wrist rests during typing. These pads support the wrists, but since they are not higher than the keyboard, the angles α and β are still smaller than 180°. Some keyboards have such a pad in front of them to support the wrist, but it does not solve the problem of angles α and β, since the hand is still on the same level as the keyboard. Most pads, may it be an independent pads or pads which are attached to keyboards are made for the purpose of resting the wrist on it, which cause the weight of the hand to rest on a narrow area, mainly the wrist, a situation which exerts stresses causing the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and as a partial solution, the pads are rilled with soft gels, or are made of flexible plastic foams. The present invention offers a wide support on which a substantial part of the forearm, or all of it is supported on (according to the different shapes of the proposed forearm support), and free the wrists from the pressure exerts on it in the present typing modes.

(b) A morphologic solution for the shape of the keyboard. One of the best solutions is the US. Pt. No. 5145270, which suggests a keyboard with an adverse inclination, where the part close to the user consist of an elevated shelf for resting the wrists, but in order to type the letters, especially those closer to the palms, the fingers must be bent upward, and angle β is smaller than 180°. There is also the US. Pt. No. 5892499, which consists of two parts, the first one suggests a surface for resting the hand, which partly solves the problem of angle α, but the fingers are placed as a direct continuation of the hand and must be bent while typing. The second part suggests an ergonomic keyboard, but here, too, the fingers must be bent, and in both solutions the angle β is smaller than 180°;

(c) Forearms support through surfaces, which is the object of the present invention. US. Pt. no. 5147090, which provides two arms to support the forearms on the keyboard plane, or US Pt. no. 5492291 which provides U shaped forearm support, both in continuation of the surface the keyboard stands on, but both patents do not solve the problems of angles α and β since the arms are on the same level as the keyboard.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved forearms support while operating a computer keyboard, or any electronic interface so that the wrists will be free, and will not suffer the weight of the forearms, and the wrist will be bent downward, instead of being bent upwards as in the present common use of keyboards, and the solution lays in positioning the forearms on supports which are on a higher level than the keyboard or other interface. The present invention is a device in the shape of a step, including a tread in the shape of a raised platform as forearm support which may have two side extensions to rest the forearms on them, elevated from the surface the keyboard is placed on by a riser or risers in the shape of a vertical, slanted or curved part, and the device is placed between the user and the keyboard, and the height of the device will be determined in such manner that the wrist's angle α between the upper back of the forearms and the back of the hands equals or exceeds 180°, with the fingers hanging downward and the angle β between the fingers and the back of the hand equals or exceeds 180°, and each user may adjust the height of the forearms support to fit his hands size, and the forearm support may be revolved upward and stay in this position in order to enable the user an easy access or exit from the chair in limited spaces, and to avoid hits from the chair handles . Another embodiment of the present invention may be in the shape of two handles or an accessories which may be attached to a chair, each having a "L" shape, its elongated part is parallel and to the side of the user, and the short parts are directed inwardly, one against the other and parallel to the keyboard, and they may be revolved upward or rotate horizontally to the sides so the user may access or exit the chair's seat. The present invention provides support to the forearms, not to the wrist, leaving the wrist free, so the weight of the hand doesn't stress the wrist as in the existing practice, and which is the cause for Carpal tunnel Syndrome. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is for working places where the keyboard stands on a table, wherein the keyboard support will be in the form of a raised platform which rests on vertical parts also used as legs or in the form of a solid body or a box, its upper side uses as a forearm support, and in this practice, it is important that the forearm support will be inclined in the direction of the user, to gap the difference in height of the elbow and the hands.

Further objects of this invention are:

1. Supporting the forearms in order to avoid stress on the arms, shoulder and neck. 2. To enable personal adjustment of the device to any user according to his measurements.

3. To enable the lifting or rotation of the forearms support, in order to allow the user to get up without having to move the chair too far back in case of a limited working space, and providing means so that the forearm support will stay in that position without falling back or falling toward the monitor or the keyboard. 4. Enable easy to install accessory to existing working surfaces, and offering a perfect working environment.

5. Offering a solution for operating portable computers or wireless keybords, especially when they are used in the operator's lap. In that case, the device will be made of metal, in order to prevent electromagnetic radiation damage to the inner parts of the body, a problem which will get worse when all the external contacts of the laptops will be wireless.

6. Solving a situation where the keyboard is placed on a normal table 28-30 inches high, and it is important that the forearm support will be inclined, in order to bridge the level of the hands with the lower level of the elbows, so there will be no stress on the forearms and arms, including the possibility to adapt the angle of the surface. 7. Solving the use of the mouse, since the mouse is operated mainly by movements of the hand and forehand, and the hands are placed differently when using the mouse than when using the keyboard since the mouse is offering an ergonomic support to the palms and fingers, so the best position for a mouse is: (a) Parallel to the forearm support so it will be closer to the user than the keyboard, and moving the hand from the keyboard to the mouse will be only a lateral motion, without moving the forearm forward. (b)The hand will be placed lower than its position for using the keyboard and the elbow may rest on the chair's handles, or, alternately, (c) to raise the surface on which the mouse stands to a level closer or equal to the forearm support. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood from the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof with references to the attached drawings wherein: Fig. 1 shows the common position of a typist's hand as at the present.

Fig. 2 shows the improved position of a typist's hand in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-section of the forearm support as an accessory for existing surface or shelf on which the keyboard stands. Fig. 4 shows a top view of a TJ' shaped forearm support.

Fig. 5 shows a top view of another forearm support shape with side extensions.

Fig. 6 shows a top view of a forearm support halved into two separate parts.

Fig. 7 shows another top view of a forearm support halved into two separate parts with side extension. Fig. 8 shows a top view of an elongated rectangular shaped forearm support.

Fig. 9 is an across-section showing a mode of changing the level of the forearm support and fixing it.

Fig. 10 is across-section showing another mode of changing the level of the forearm support and fixing it. Fig. 11 is across-section showing another mode of changing the level of the forearm support and fixing it.

Fig. 12 is across-section showing a mode of changing the angle of the forearm support.

Fig. 13 is across-section showing another mode of changing the angle of the forearm support, and means for fixing it. Fig. 14 is across-section showing another mode of changing the angle of the forearm support, and means for fixing it.

Fig. 15 is across-section showing another mode of changing the angle of the forearm support, and means for fixing it.

Fig 16 is a cross-section showing the forearm support stands or joined to a table. Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing a plane, which is attached to the forearm support.

Fig. 18 is a cross-section showing a forearm support with a lower surface on which a portable computer is placed, being carried on the user's lap.

Fig. 19 is a perspective showing the forearm support adapted for a portable computer. Fig. 20 is a perspective showing the forearm support for a portable computer, which may use also as a handle.

Fig. 21 is a cross-section of another embodiment of the device wherein the forearm support is placed on a table-top. Fig. 22 is a top-view showing a surface for keyboard and mouse, below a forearm support with adaptation to place the mouse closer than the keyboard to the user's body.

Fig. 23 is another top-view showing a surface for keyboard and mouse, below a forearm support, with adaptation to place the mouse closer than the keyboard to the user's body.

Fig. 24 is a cross-section of a padded box, which stands on a table before a keyboard and forms the forearm support.

Fig. 25 is a cross-section which demonstrate another method of adjusting the height of the forearm support by sliding two vertical raisers one against the other.

Fig. 26 depicts another way in which the raisers are inserted into the retractable rails, which support the surface the keyboard is placed on. Fig. 27 is a cross-section of another embodiment of the present invention in which two raisers are adjacent to each other.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawing wherein the showings are for purposes of clarifying the principles which lay in the basis of the present invention and not for purpose of limiting the invention solely to what is shown in the drawings and in the preferred embodiments.

Fig. 1 shows the position of a person's hand when using a keyboard as at present. The forearm 1 rests on the work surface 2 on which the keyboard 3 is placed and, as a result, the hand 4 is raised, turned upwards and the angle α that is formed above the wrist between the forearm and the back of the hand is less than 180°, and the angle β between the fingers 5 and the back of the hand is less than 180°.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which shows the position of a hand when using a keyboard according to the present invention. The forearm 1 rests on the forearm support 6 that is joined by means of the riser 7 to the lower surface 8, on which the keyboard 3 is placed, and which is joined by means of telescopic rails on its sides to a table or other surface. The height difference 9 is set so that the fingers 5 hang downwards, the wrist angle α shall be as near to, or greater than 180°, and the angle β exceeds 180°. A gap 10 between the keyboard and the riser is set in order to enable the user to have his wrists in the air, not touching the forearm support, and he wouldn't have to bend his fingers inwards for using the first row of keys. The forearm support 6 may be separate from the riser 7 as marked by a dotted line 11 and it may be joined to the riser 7 by means of a hinge 12.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section illustrating another preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein a step-like device is joined to the surface 13 on which the keyboard 3 is placed, and which is joined to a work table and below it by means of telescopic rails. Such a surface has a vertical railing 13A, that serves as a handle. The riser 14 joins the surface 13 to the forearm support 15, and is joined by means of a horizontal protrusion 16 at its lower edge to the surface 13, and at its upper edge, a protrusion 17 joins it with the forearm support near the edge facing the keyboard. The raiser 14 will have at its lower edge a vertical part 18 that is parallel to the railing 13A, and above it the riser will be inclined in the direction of the user in order to create the gap 10 between the riser and the keyboard, yet, in a new device the riser may be entirely vertical, as shown by the dotted line 15. The riser could have a circular or curved cross-section that is inclined in the direction of the user, and may be joined to the forearm support with a hinge 19, and in this case, the protrusion 17 will be used as a support to the forearm support.

Fig. 4 is a top-view illustrating one of the forms of the forearm support device according to the present invention, that consists of an elongated arm 20 that is parallel to the keyboard 3, to which are joined two longitudinal arms 21,22 on either side of the user's body 23, his forearms rest on them and converge at an angle from the shoulders towards the keyboard, and a mouse 20A may be combined into the forearm support. The forearm support is joined to the surface 24 on which the keyboard 3 is placed by means of a riser, its vertical part 14 is shown by the dotted line. The longitudinal arms 21,22 may be perpendicular to the elongated arm 20. Fig. 5 is a top-view illustrating another preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein a recess 25 has been cut from the user's side of the forearm support 26, as shown in dotted lines 27, that enables the body of the user 23 to come nearer the keyboard without reducing the depth of the forearm support for resting the user's forearms. Also illustrated are an extensions from the sides of the forearm support, as extension 28 of the forearm support left-hand side or a right-hand side extension 28A as shown by dotted lines, for the purpose of placing a mouse on it, either both of which may be implemented or only one of them. Extension 29 as shown, is another version that protrudes from the right-hand side of the forearm support, and retracts from the edge of the forearm support that faces the keyboard, in order to permit the passage of the forehand from the keyboard when using a mouse which stands parallel to the keyboard without moving the elbow. It is understood that extension 29 may also be on the left-hand side of the surface or on both sides simultaneously. Extensions 28,28A,29 may be lower than the surface of the forearm support 26 because the difference in height that is suitable for typing is unsuitable for work with a mouse. It is clear that the sideways extensions for working with a mouse illustrated here may be implemented to any shape of a forearm support.

Fig. 6 is a top-view illustrating another preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the forearm support halved into two separate parts, right-hand and left-hand, in order to permit personal adjustment for the body width of every user 23. The right-hand forearm support consists of an arm 30 parallel to the keyboard 3 and a longitudinal arm 31 projects from its right-hand side towards the user's right side. The left-hand forearm support consists of an arm 32 parallel to the keyboard 3 and a longitudinal arm 33 projects from its left-hand side towards the user's left side. The two parts are joined by means of separate risers, its vertical parts 34 are shown, to the surface 24 on which the keyboard 3 and a mouse 35 are placed. The longitudinal arms 31,33 may be perpendicular to arms 30,32.

Fig. 7 is a top-view of another preferred embodiment of the forearm support as illustrated in Fig. 6 wherein an outwards extension 37 from the user end of the right side forearm support 38, designed to support the elbow of the user while working with a mouse 39. It is clear that the outward extension 37 may be implemented to the left forearm support 40 or to both of them simultaneously, and to any other shape of a forearm support. An extension 41 protrudes from the left arm support for supporting the forearm for using a mouse 39, and may be lower than the forearm support, and may be on the right forearm support, or on both sides simultaneously. The forearm support 38,40, are joined by risers, its vertical part 34 is shown, to the surface 24 whereon the keyboard 3 and mouse 39 are placed, and the right side of surface 24 protrudes toward the user so he doesn't need to move his elbow when he switches his forearm from the keyboard to the mouse.

Fig. 8 is a top-view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the forearm support have the form of an elongated platform 44,45,46, that is joined by means of a riser, its vertical part 47 is shown, to the surface 24 on which the keyboard 3 is placed. The two lateral sides of the forearm support 45,46 shall be lower than its middle part 44 that faces the keyboard, for working with a mouse 39,39A, although possibly only one of the sides, right-hand or left-hand, might be lowered. Fig. 9 is a cross-section that illustrate another preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the height of the forearm support may be adjusted to each user's needs, and the raiser is made of two separate parts: the lower part 50 is joined to the surface 51 on which a keyboard 3 is placed by means of protrusion 50A or forms a part thereof, and the upper part 52 is joined to the forearm support 53 by means of protrusion 52A or forms a part thereof, and a wing nut 54 that passes through holes or groves 55 in the two parts fix them together in any preferable position. In this illustration the raiser 50,52 is slanted toward the user in order to form the gap 10 between the edge of the forearm and the keyboard 3 for easier typing, especially when using the first row of keys and for seeing it, and for this purpose, the raiser may be curved toward the user, or vertical. It is understood that the positioning of the two vertical raisers 52, 51 may reverse their relative position so that part 52 will be on the other side of part 50 so that it will be nearer to the keyboard, as is shown in fig. 27.

Fig. 10 is a cross-section illustrating another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The raiser is made of two separate parts: an upper part, its vertical part is made of a bar, or a surface, or tubing 60 that is joined to forearm support 61 by means of protrusion 60A or forms a part thereof, and a lower part, its vertical part 62 is made of tubing or profile in which raiser 60 may move, and which is joined to the surface 63 on which the keyboard 3 is placed by means of horizontal protrusion 62A or forms a part thereof, and a wing nut 64 that passes through holes or groves 65 fix them together in a preferable height. The raiser may be circular, curved or slanted toward the user.

Fig. 11 is a cross-section illustrating another preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the surface 68 on which the keyboard is placed, has at its end a vertical part 69, and near the edge facing the keyboard of the forearm support 70, there are two vertical parts 71,72 that protrude downward, and the vertical part 69 enters between them, and together they form the riser or risers, and a wing nut 73 that passes through holes or groves 74 fixes them together in a preferable height. The vertical part 69 and protrusions 71,72 may be circular, curved or slanted toward the user. Protrusions 71,72, may have inward horizontal projections and part 69 may have horizontal recesses that fit the projections or vice versa, and together they may fix the device in place, and it will be possible to change the height of the device by sliding horizontally the forearm support till it is free, and than inserting it to a new position, higher or lower according to the user's need.

Fig. 12 is a cross-section illustrating another preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the forearm support 75 is joined by means of a hinge or hinges 76 to the vertical part of the riser 77 so that the user will be able to lift it in order to get up from the chair. The edge of the forearm support facing the keyboard shall protrude in the direction of the keyboard relative to the raiser by dimension 78, so that when the forearm support is turned towards the keyboard, its edge will touch the raiser and stop in an almost vertical position as shown by the dotted line 79, deviating by a few degrees from the vertical toward the monitor, so that it may not fall back, or in the direction of the monitor, and it is possible that the same position will be achieved by attaching a limit stop on or close to the hinge. The raiser 77 is joined to surface 80 on which the keyboard is placed by means of two ribs 81,82, and surface 80 enters the gap between them and a nut, or a wing nut 83 fixes them together. The riser 77 has at least one protrusion 84 which supports the forearm support, and which may be inclined toward the user, and the forearm support may be set and fixed at any desired angle above the protrusion 77A by means of screw 76A that presses on the hinges or forms part thereof, or by any other means. The hinges may be placed at the lower part of the riser, adjacent to the surface 80, or in any other place along its vertical part, and the vertical part may be circular, curved or slanted toward the user. Despite the preferable positioning of the raiser adjacent to the edge of the forearm support facing the keyboard, as in most of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is clear that the raiser may be located in any location relative to the edge of the raised platform used as a forearm support, as described in dotted lines 75A. The vertical part of the riser may be circular, curved or slanted toward the user. Fig. 13 is a cross-section illustrating another preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the forearm support 84 is joined by means of a hinge or hinges 85 to the vertical part of the raiser 86 that is joined to a surface 87 on which the keyboard is placed or forms a part thereof, and the forearm support has at least one lower rib 88 with a seating 89 for a screw 90 that touches the vertical part of the raiser 86, and by turning the screw, the angle of the forearm support may be changed, as shown by the dotted line 91. It is clear that the sitting for the screw may be on the riser, the screw's head protrudes toward the keyboard, and its end touches the lower rib. The vertical part of the riser may be circular, curved or slanted toward the user.

Fig. 14 is a cross-section illustrating another preferred embodiment of the present invention which shows another method of changing the angle of the forearm support 100, which is joined by means of a hinge or hinges 101 to the vertical part of the raiser 102, that is joined to a surface 103 on which the keyboard is placed by protrusion 102A, or forms a part thereof, and which, by raising or lowering a part 104, that is joined to the vertical part 102 of the raiser as shown, or to a lower rib 105 of the forearm support, and is placed between them, to any preferable position, as shown by the dotted lines 106,107. The vertical part of the riser may be circular, curved or slanted toward the user.

Fig. 15 is a cross-section illustrating another preferred embodiment of the present invention which shows another method of changing the angle of the forearm support 110, which is joined to the raiser 112 with a hinge or hinges 76. A part 111 protrudes from the vertical part of the raiser towards the lower rib 113 of the forearm support, and a wing nut 114 is joined to it or pass through it, and also passes through the curved slot 115 in the lower rib, and by fastening the wing nut 113, the forearm support may be set at any desired angle, as shown by the dotted line 116. The raiser is joined to the lower surface 117 on which the keyboard is placed by means of protrusion 112A. A padded part 118 is added to the forearm support near its edge facing the keyboard, where the maximal pressure of the palms and forehand is exerted on the forearm support, and it is clear that the entire forearm support may be padded. The vertical part of the riser may be circular, curved or slanted toward the user.

Fig. 16 is a cross-section illustrating another preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the device stands on a table or other surface on which the keyboard 3 is placed, and because the position of the forearm that rest on the forearm support 120 is higher than the height of the elbows, it must be inclined to gap the height difference. The forearm support is joined to the table by means of a raiser or raisers 122 which set the height difference 123 between the forearm support and the keyboard, or stand on the table as shown, and the forearm support is joined to the table by means of part 124, and a wing nut 125 may change the height and the angle of the forearm support, or the forearm support may be fixed to part 124 by a part 126 in dotted lines. It is understood that the raiser 122 may replace part and be joined to the surface edge so the forearm support will protrude from the surface toward the user.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a work surface 130, placed on the forearm support or forearm supports 131, 132 and overlaying it, the surface 130 shall be held in place on the forearm support by the bottom ribs 133, 134 or by means of the downward projections 135, 136, that enter the slots 137, 138 on the forearm support, or by both of them.

Fig. 18 is a cross-section that illustrate the use of the present invention while working with a portable computer 141, placed on the user's body. The device consists of a lower surface 142, on which the computer is placed, a raiser 143 is joined to the lower surface 142 on the user's side and, at its upper end it is joined to the forearm support 144. The part shall be implemented in metal, in order to shield the body from electromagnetic radiation. A padding layer 145 may covers the parts that come into contact with the user's body. It is clear that the device may be used for supporting wireless keyboard or other similar interface instead of a portable computer.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view illustrating another preferred embodiment of the present invention, which describes another method of supporting the forearms according to the present invention, when working with a portable computer. Forearm support 151 is joined to recesses in the computer's body 152 by means of risers 153, 154, or by one elongated riser, two diagonal parts 155, 156 will fix the forearm support while typing. The forearm support may be joined to the risers using a permanent joint or by means of hinges, and the risers may be joined to the computer by means of hinges, so that the device may be folded, and the raisers may be curved or slanted toward the user.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view illustrating another preferred embodiment of the present invention, which describes another method of forearm support for working with a portable computer. The device is made of a handle 160, which is joined directly to, or by means of hinges, on either of its sides to arms 161, 162 that are joined by means of hinges 163 to the body of the portable computer 164, and are fixed in place by screws 165 or other means. Two arms 167, 168 are joined at the outer ends to the handle 160 by means of hinges 169, and at their other end to an elongated part 170 that is parallel to the handle 160. The part 167, 168, 170 will be held in place by supports 171,172 that are joined to the arms 161,162 or to the body of the computer, or by means of screws 173 on both sides that fixes the hinges 169, the parts 167, 168, 170 and the handle 160 forms together a forearm support. The part 167, 168, 170 may be folded parallel to the arms 161, 162, as shown by dotted line 175 when carrying the computer. The handle 160 may have, instead of the part 167, 168, 170, an elongated cross-section and be joined by hinges to the side arms 161, 162, so that it may be turned and fixed parallel with the keyboard as shown by the dotted line 176. The arms 161,162 may be inclined or curved toward the user. Fig. 21 is a cross-section illustrating another preferred embodiment of the present invention, which includes forearm support 180 that rests on table 181 on which the keyboard 182 is placed, by means of a rear leg 183 and a front leg 184, and the height of the legs and the angle of the forearm support may be change as described in the foregoing claims, and the two legs may be perpendicular to the depicted legs 183,184. A pad 185 may pad the forearm support 180. The front leg may be joined to the keyboard as shown by the dotted lines 186 or by a lower surface 189 as shown by dotted lines or forms a part thereof, to achieve the gap 10. A lower surface 187 in dotted lines may join the raisers or legs to form a hollow section, and the volume beneath the forearm support may be used as a container for stationary. The device may be part of the lower surface on which the keyboard is placed.

Fig. 22 is a top-view illustrating another preferred embodiment of the present invention which includes a lower surface 190,190A, on which the keyboard 191 and a mouse 192,192A are placed, the lower surface has two extensions 193, 193A on either of its sides on which the mouse stands, and that are closer to the user than the raiser 194, to the upper end of which a forearm support is joined. It is clear that a work surface with only one extension may be manufactured, the dotted line 196 is the left-hand end of the lower surface 190 which has an extension 193 on the right-hand side for right-handed persons, and the dotted line 197 is the right-hand end of the surface 190A which is suitable for left-handed persons with the extension 193A for the mouse. In this illustration, the projection 193 is raised above the surface 190, to the line 198, in order to permit comfortable use of the mouse.

Fig. 23 is a top-view illustrating a variation of Figure 21 right-hand version, in which the raiser 201 that is parallel to the keyboard 207, is joined to surface 202 at a certain distance from its end. Room for the mouse 204 is formed between the right-hand edge of the raiser and the lateral right-hand side of the surface 202. The area between the raiser and the side of the surface 202 which faced the user may be enclosed by means of three vertical ribs 205, 206, 207 which, together with raiser 201, form a compartment for stationery and the forearm support may rest on them. The forearm support may also rest on rib 206, and rib 206 may have means to change its height in order to change the forearm's angle. An appropriate variant that will be a mirror image of the device as shown in this drawing may be made for left-handed users.

Fig. 24 is another preferred embodiment of the invention as described in Fig. 21, wherein the device is in the form of a box that stands on the surface 210 the keyboard 211 is placed on, the forearm support 212 forms its upper side, 213,214 are the side parallel to the keyboard, and 215 is one of the two lateral sides. In order to adjust the height of the forearm support to each user, spacers 216 may be stacked and secured one on top of the other, and to the box. The forearm support may be padded 217, and at least one side of the box or its lowest spacers may be joined to the surface on which the keyboard is placed on, or forms a part thereof, and by adding the spacers to one of the box's sides which are parallel to the keyboard or to two of its corners, it will be possible to change the angle of the forearm support. The spacers may be in the shape of a ring that fits the box's sides. Another version of adjusting the device height to each user may be in the form of spacers 218 which may be stacked and secured one on top of the other underneath the keyboard, raising the keyboard to the appropriate height for each user while the device remains in its original height.

Fig. 25 is a cross-section of another method of changing the height of the device in which the raiser is made of two separate parts, which may slide one against the other. The lower part of the raiser is made of two vertical parts 220,221 that protrude upwards, and the upper part of the raiser 222 enters the gap between them. Part 222 has tongues and grooves 223 that fit tongues and grooves 224 in parts 220,221, and by pulling it out, and inserting it again in another position, the user may adjust the height of the forearm support 225, as described in dotted lines 225A. The lower part of the raiser is joined to surface 226 on which the keyboard is placed on by means of two ribs 227,228 and surface 226 enters the gap between them, and a nut, or wing nut 229 fixes them together. The upper part of the raiser 222 is joined to the forearm support by means of a hinge 230. It is clear that the upper part of the raiser may have the two parts protruding downward and the lower part of the raiser may have one part that enters the gap between them, and instead of two vertical parts that the opposite part is inserted between them, it is possible that there will be one vertical part which will have a wedged shaped tongues and grooves, in the dovetail shape of old carpentry joints style, into which opposite and similar tongues and groves of the other vertical part will slide.

Fig. 26 is a cross-section of another embodiment of the present invention wherein the keyboard is placed on a tray that is joined to a table by means of two telescopic rails and the forearm support is joined to the telescopic rails or to an extension of the rails. The forearm support 235 is joined to the two retractable telescopic rails 236 by means of two raisers 237 that pass through grooves in the rails or are joined to it in other ways. A tray 238 in dotted lines is placed between the two rails and joined to them and the keyboard 239 is placed on it. The device is joined to a table below its upper surface 240 by means of the stationary part of the telescopic rails 241. The two raisers are joined by rods 242,243, and rod 242 forms an axis for the forearm support. The forearm support has at least one lower rib 244, and a rod 245 is joined to it and leans on rod 243, and has the means 246 to change its position and to fix it to rib 244, and thus to change the angle of the forearm support. Holes 247 in the raisers enable to change the height of the forearm support and to fix it to rails 236 by means of nuts 248 or by other means. Nut 248 may also be another rod that joins the two telescopic rails, or it may be a hinge that enables the raiser and the forearm support to change its angle, and will have means to fix it. It is clear that the raiser may be a part of the retractable rails, and another way of changing the height of the forearm support will be by lowering the forearm support by lowering the rods 242, 243 and fix them to lowers holes on the raisers. An exterior tray for a mouse may be joined to the outer sides of the retractable rail by means of holes 249 or other ways, or may be joined to the tray the keyboard is placed on, or may form a part thereof.

Fig 27 is another preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the forearm support 245 has a downward pointing raiser 245a, and the surface 246 on which a keyboard is placed has an upward pointing raiser 246a, and raiser 245a contains a hinge 247 in its lower end, and hinge 247 has an extension 248 which may be a part of it or connected to it, and which has a thread in its end that faces the user, and wing nut 249 secure the two raisers together, and a groove 250 which is cut in part 245a enables the forearm support to rotate till it may stands inclined toward the monitor, so it wouldn't fall back. Holes 251 enable to change the relative height of the raisers, and thus to change the height of the forearm support. A recess 252 enables the padding material 253 to be thicker. It is understood that the hinges may by performed in many other shapes and configurations, like connecting the two risers from their sides.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

A considerable percentage of the heavy users of keyboards are suffering or may suffer in the future health injuries due to the present practice of typing, including problems of cartilage dwindling, tendinitis, wrist and ligament inflammation, Tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome.

All these people are the future user of the present invention.

Today, millions of retractable trays are sold, which enable to put the keyboard on a lower level than a table, since working on a keyboard which is place on a normal table exert an accumulating burden on the hand, shoulders and neck, which decrease the efficiency of the user. The present invention is a logical continuation of this trend, but it is improving the existing technique of these trays by adding an ergonomic support to the hands, and by enabling the palms to "hang down" while typing and thus to prevent health hazards as was previously described, and constitute a huge improvement in preventing and avoiding all the health damages caused by the present practice of typing. From the practice of people with hands and wrists injuries who tested a pre-industrial prototype, it was proven that all their symptoms disappeared! and thus proved that the present invention is ready for mass production.

Claims

1. An auxiliary device for typing that enables the forearm to rest on a platform that is higher than the keyboard or other interface while typing, so that the wrist's angle between the upper back of the forearms and the back of the hands shall be equal or greater than 180°, and the angle between the fingers and the back of the hand exceeds 180°, and which includes:

(a) A forearm support in the form of a raised platform situated between the keyboard and the user, and is higher than the keyboard;

(b) A lower surface, which is lower than the forearm support, and used for placing the keyboard or any other interface;

(c) At least one riser in the form of a vertical part is situated between the forearm support and the lower surface, and joins them together, and determines the difference of height between them.

And a certain gap between the keyboard and the device may be maintained to enable the user's palms to protrude from the forearm support, which may use as a compartment for stationary.

2. A step-like auxiliary device for typing, that enable the forearms to rest on a platform that is higher than the keyboard or other interface while typing, so that the wrist's angle between the upper back of the forearms and the back of the hands shall be equal or greater than 180°, and the angle between the fingers and the back of the hand exceeds 180°, and which includes:

(a) A tread used as a forearm support in the form of a raised platform is situated between the keyboard and the user, and is higher than the keyboard;

(b) at least one riser in the form of a vertical part which is joined at its upper end to the forearm support or forms a part thereof and is joined at its lower end to a table or other surface on which the keyboard or other interface is placed, or to a telescopic rails that join the surface which the keyboard is placed on, or to a portable computer, and determines the difference of height between them, and the height and the angle of the forearm support may be changed and fixed. And a certain gap between the keyboard and the device may be maintained, to enable the user's palms to protrude from the forearm support, which may use as a compartment for stationary.

3. A device as described in claim 2, wherein the forearm support is joined to a table or other surface the keyboard is placed on, and the joint may enable the forearm support to change its angle and fix it.

4. An auxiliary device for typing that enable the forearms to rest on a platform that is higher than the keyboard or other interface while typing, so that the wrist's angle between the upper back of the forearms and the back of the hands shall be equal or greater than 180°, and the angle between the fingers and the back of the hand exceeds 180°, and which includes:

(a) a forearm support in the form of a raised platform situated between the keyboard and the user, and that is higher than the keyboard; (b) at least two risers in the form of vertical parts also used as legs, for placing the device on another surface on which the keyboard or other interface is placed, and which determine the difference of height between the forearm support and the keyboard.

5. An auxiliary device for typing in the form of a box that enables the forearm to rest on a platform that is higher than the keyboard or other interface while typing, so that the wrist's angle between the upper back of the forearms and the back of the hands shall be equal or greater than 180°, and the angle between the fingers and the back of the hands exceeds 180°, the upper side of the box used as forearm support, and it may not have a lower side, and the box may be hollow or "u" shaped so that two of its sides may be open, or it may be in the shape of a solid box, which may have at least one cavity, and in order to change its height, spacers may be joined to the lower sides of the box or to its corners, and the spacers may be stacked and secured one on top of the other, and the forearm support may have a means to change its angle and secure it.

6. A device as described in claims 4,5, wherein the device is joined to a keyboard or forms a part thereof.

7. A device as described in claims 1-4, wherein the device is joined to the surface on which the keyboard or a portable computer or a wireless keyboard is placed on, or forms a part thereof.

8. A device as described in the foregoing claims, wherein the forearm support is an elongated platform, its axis parallel to the keyboard, and the lateral parts on one side or both its sides may be lowered for using the mouse.

9. A device as described in the foregoing claims, wherein on the side facing the user of the forearm support a recess is made, enabling the user to place his body closer to the keyboard without reducing the depth of the surface for placing the forearms.

10. A device as described in claims 1-8, wherein two longitudinal arms protrude from the outer sides of the raised platform used as forearm support in the direction of the user, one on his right-hand side and the other on his left-hand side, so that the user's body will be between the longitudinal arms and his forearms will rest on them.

11. A device as described in claims 1-3, 9,10, wherein the forearm support is halved, and permits the two halves to be moved or slide sideways to adapt the forearm support to the typist's body build, and the raiser may be halved to fit the separate forearm support.

12. A device as described in claims 9,10,11, wherein the forearm support includes an extension of at least one surface that protrudes sideways and outwards from its lateral sides, from the right-hand side or from the left side, or from both sides at the same time, which is intended to support the forearm while using a mouse, or as a surface for placing the mouse on it, and the extension or extensions may be lower than the forearm support.

13. A device as described in claims 1-4, 7-12, wherein the height of the riser or risers may be changed and fixed, and permits a change in the difference of height between the forearm support and the surface the keyboard is placed on.

14. A device as described in claims 1-3, 8-12, wherein the riser or risers consist of two separate parts: one part is joined to the surface on which the keyboard is placed or forms a part thereof, and has a vertical part facing upwards, and a second part is joined to the forearm support or forms a part thereof, and has a vertical part facing downwards, the two vertical parts may move one next to the other or one inside the other, and thus adapt the height of the forearm support to the user, and the two vertical parts may be joined by a hinge or hinges, and may include means for fixing the two parts of the riser at various heights and means to change the angle of the forearm support and fix it.

15. A device as described in claims 1-4, 8-14, wherein the angle of the forearm support may be changed so that the side closer to the user may move upward or downward, and which includes means for fixing it at any desired angle.

16. A device as described in claims 1-4, 8-14 wherein the angle of the forearm support may be changed by means of:

(a) a hinge or hinges that join the forearm support to the riser or risers, or to an extension or extensions of the raiser or raisers;

(b) a hinge or hinges that join the raiser or raisers to the surface on which the keyboard is placed;

(c) a hinge or hinges which are situated on the riser or raisers. And the hinge or hinges may enable the forearm support to revolve toward the monitor, and the device includes means for fixing the forearm support at any desired angle.

17. A device as described in claims 1-4, 8 -16, wherein the riser or risers may be circular, curved or slanted, and deviate from the vertical towards the user.

18. A device as described in claim 2 for use with a portable computer or a wireless keyboard, wherein the riser or risers may be joined to the body of the computer or the wireless keyboard, and the risers and the forearm support include means to fix them together and to the portable computer or the wireless keyboard while typing, and the forearm support may be dismantled from the riser, or they may be folded one on top of the other, so that the device may be used as a handle for a portable computer.

19. An auxiliary device for typing in the shape of a chair handles which enable the forearm to rest on a platform that is higher than the keyboard or other interface while typing, so that the wrist's angle between the upper back of the forearm and the back of the hands shall be equal or greater than 180°, and the angle between the fingers and the back of the hand exceeds 180°, and the auxiliary device is made of two "L" shape handles, each having a longitudinal part at each side of the user, and each longitudinal arm has at its end facing the keyboard an inward extension which faces each other, where the left handle have a rightward directed extension, and the right handle have a leftward directed extension, so that the two extensions create together a surface parallel to the keyboard used as forearm support, and each handle may be rotated sideways and outward from the chair and than folded down, to enable the user access or exit from the seat, or for the same purpose the handles may revolve upward and to the sides in a plan perpendicular to the ground or slightly inclined and than may be folded down, and the device is connected to a chair in two different modes: a. the device is part of the handles of the chair, b. The device is an accessory which may be added to a chair frame or to its handles, wherein the chair frame or the handles has means to join the device to it.

20. A device as described in claim 1,2,3, wherein the riser or raisers are joined to the surface that a keyboard is placed on, and at a certain distance from the edge of the surface that faces the user, and an upward vertical rib is joined to the edge of the surface that faces the user or forms a part thereof, so it may be used as another support to the forearm support, and two vertical lateral ribs may connect the sides of the raiser or raisers and the sides of the vertical ribs so that the certain distance between the raiser or raisers and the vertical rib may form a compartment for stationery, and between the lateral side of the riser, and adjacent to the lateral side of the vertical rib and the raiser there may be a vacant area for the mouse, so that the mouse will be closer to the user than the keyboard, and the vacant area may be on either side of the surface or also on both its sides.

21. A device as described in claim 1,2 wherein the side that faces the user of the surface on which the keyboard is placed, is divided into three sections, two lateral sections that protrude in the direction of the user for placing the mouse, and a middle section for placing the keyboard and which is remote from the user relative to the lateral sections, and the raiser or raisers are joined to it.

22. A device as described in claim 21 wherein the side that faces the user of the surface on which the keyboard is placed, is divided into two sections, one lateral section that protrude in the direction of the user for placing the mouse, and a second section for placing the keyboard and which is remote from the user relative to the lateral section, and the raiser or raisers are joined to it.

23. A device as described in the foregoing claims, wherein part of the forearm support and its edge, which faces the keyboard is padded, and the forearm support has a recess adjacent the edge facing the keyboard that fits the padding, or enable a layer of padding which covers the forearm support to be thicker.

24. A flat panel for putting papers on it that will conform to the shape of the forearm support, and which will be placed on it and overlaying it, and which has at least two lower protrusions that may enter recesses in the forearm support, or coincide with its sides, in order to fix it to the forearm support.

25. A device as described in claims 12,20,21,22, wherein part of the surface on which the mouse is placed is higher than the surface the keyboard is placed on.

26. An auxiliary device for typing as described in the description of the present invention, together with the enclosed figures.