US20160066685A1

US20160066685A1 - Wrist and forearm support device

Info

Publication number: US20160066685A1
Application number: US14/850,231
Authority: US
Inventors: Dennis Alan MITCHELL
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-09-10
Filing date: 2015-09-10
Publication date: 2016-03-10
Also published as: WO2016040611A1

Abstract

A support device adapted for improving the ergonomic support for the arm and wrist and forearm of a user of computer-related input devices is provided. The support device may include a body dimensioned and adapted for maintaining two support pads spaced apart along a shared horizontal axis so as to form a predetermined void along said horizontal axis and at a predetermined vertical distance above a supporting surface. The predetermined void prevents direct pressure to a carpal tunnel canal region of a supported wrist and forearm. The support device provides a low-friction base for sliding along the supporting surface for maintaining wrist and forearm support as the user transitions between input devices.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/048,483, filed 10 Sep. 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to computer accessories and, more particularly, to a device adapted for improving the ergonomic support for the arm and wrist and forearm of a user of computer keyboards, computer mouse devices and other computer-related input devices.
The devices currently employed to support the arms and hands of users of computer-related input devices have one or more of the following ergonomic flaws: 1) such supporting devices support the user's wrist and forearm too low relative to the input device whereby the resulting wrist and forearm posture over extends the users' wrist and forearms while typing or “mousing”; 2) such supporting devices apply direct pressure on the carpal tunnel canal and middle of the wrist and forearm of the user; 3) such supporting devices are not adapted to continuously maintain support for the weight of the user's arm when they transition between two input devices—i.e., the arm goes unsupported when the user transitions between the mouse and the keyboard; and 4) such supporting devices are integrated to either the computer mouse device or the computer keyboard, and so preclude the use of a preferred input device.
In other words, current wrist and forearm rests are too low, forcing the wrist and forearm to assume an awkward “non-neutral” posture on the device, while the carpal tunnel canal region directly bears on said current wrist and forearm rests, thereby compounding overall arm discomfort and stress on the finger tendons disposed within the middle of the forearm. Also, the current static wrist and forearm rests do not support the weight of the arm while transitioning from keyboard to mouse device, and vice versa, which tends to transfers stress to the user's shoulders.
As can be seen, there is a device adapted for improving the ergonomic support for the arm and wrist and forearm of a user of computer keyboards, computer mouse devices and other computer-related input devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a wrist and forearm support device for supporting a wrist and forearm during the use of computer-related input devices resting on a supporting surface includes two support pads; and a body dimensioned and adapted to maintain the two support pads spaced apart along a shared horizontal plane.
In another aspect of the present invention, a wrist and forearm support device for supporting a wrist and forearm during the use of computer-related input devices resting on a supporting surface includes two support pads disposed on an upper portion of a body; the body dimensioned and adapted to maintain the two support pads spaced apart along a shared horizontal plane; and a low-friction base disposed along a lower portion for the body, wherein the two support pads and the body form a predetermined void adapted to accommodate a carpal tunnel canal region of a human wrist and forearm, whereby the human wrist and forearm is supported between the two supporting pads.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the present invention.
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a support device adapted for improving the ergonomic support for the arm and wrist and forearm of a user of computer-related input devices. The support device may include a body dimensioned and adapted for maintaining two support pads spaced apart along a shared horizontal axis so as to form a predetermined void along said horizontal axis and at a predetermined vertical distance above a supporting surface. The predetermined void prevents direct pressure to a carpal tunnel canal region of a supported wrist and forearm. The support device provides a low-friction base for sliding along the supporting surface for maintaining wrist and forearm support as the user transitions between input devices.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 6, the present invention may provide a support device 10 adapted for improving the ergonomic support for the arm and wrist and forearm 30 of a user of computer keyboards 24, computer mouse devices 26 and other computer-related input devices.
The support device 10 may include a body 12 dimensioned and adapted for supporting two, spaced-apart support pads 14. Each support pad 14 may be disposed an approximately equal vertical distance above a supporting surface 28. In certain embodiments, the predetermined vertical distance may range from approximately 0.75 inches to approximately 3 inches. It being understood that terms ‘vertical,’ ‘above,’ ‘horizontal,’ ‘upper,’ ‘lower’ and ‘downwardly’ are defined relative to the direction of gravity, from ‘above’ and directed ‘vertically’ ‘down’ toward the presumed flat, horizontal supporting surface 28. In other words, a vertical distance between the supporting surface 28 and each support pad 14 is approximately equal. Each support pad 14 is spaced apart a ‘horizontal’ distance so as to form a predetermined void dimensioned and adapted to accommodate a carpal tunnel canal region 32 of the user's wrist and forearm 30, as illustrated in FIG. 4.
The two support pads 14 may be dimensioned and adapted so that a human user's wrist and forearm maintains a generally neutral wrist and forearm posture while using the supporting device 10, thereby lessen musculoskeletal stress. In certain embodiments, each support pad 14 includes a generally horizontal portion 13 joined to an angled portion 15, wherein the angled portion 15 slopes downwardly toward its opposing angled portion 15 at a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle may be adapted to maintain the neutral wrist and forearm posture while supporting the wrist and forearm 30 without directly pressuring the carpal tunnel canal region 32, whereby supporting pressure is maintained near and along the sides of the user's wrist and forearm 30, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. In certain embodiments, the predetermined angle may range from approximately five degrees to approximately 50 degrees, relative to the joined horizontal portion.
In certain embodiments, the body 12 may form a generally U-shaped channel 18 so that two support pads 14 are spaced apart a shared horizontal plane/axis so as to form the predetermined void disclosed above, and illustrated in FIG. 2. In certain embodiments, the body 12 may be hollow, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, while in alternative embodiments, the body 12 may be a solid body 22, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-6. The body 12 may include a lower portion 36 and an upper portion 38. The support pads 14 may be disposed on the upper portion 38. A base 16 may be disposed on the lower portion 36.
The base 16 may be a low-friction component, such as but not limited to, a low friction material, rotating wheels or the like. As a result, the base may be adapted to glide/slide the body 12 along the supporting surface 28. In certain embodiments, the supporting surface 28 is shared by the computer keyboard 24, tablet and/or the computer mouse device 26 so that the user's wrist and forearm 30 is supported while keying, mousing and/or transitioning in between input devices, thereby reducing musculoskeletal stress to the user's upper arm, neck and shoulder. In alternative embodiments, the supporting device 10 may be used for other types of manually operated controls and input devices having a supporting surface 28 nearby. As way of example, the supporting device 10 may be used by a light rail operator maintaining the control throttle.
A method of using the present invention may include the following. The supporting device 10 has described above may be provided. The user rests their wrist and forearm 30 between the two supporting pads 14 in a comfortable, neutral posture for keying, mousing, or transitioning between the input devices, whereby the user may apply pressure so that the low friction base 16 slides along the supporting surface 28. To disengage from the present invention, the user simply raises their wrist and forearms 30 from the supporting pads 14.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be mad without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A wrist and forearm support device for supporting a wrist and forearm during the use of computer-related input devices resting on a supporting surface, comprising:

two support pads; and

a body dimensioned and adapted to maintain the two support pads spaced apart along a shared horizontal plane.

2. The wrist and forearm support of claim 1, wherein the two support pads and the body form a predetermined void.

3. The wrist and forearm support of claim 2, wherein the predetermined void is dimensioned and adapted to accommodate a carpal tunnel canal region of a human wrist and forearm,

whereby the human wrist and forearm is supported between the two supporting pads.

4. The wrist and forearm support of claim 1, wherein the shared horizontal plane is a predetermined vertical distance above the supporting surface,

whereby a human wrist and forearm supported between the two supporting pads maintains a neutral posture.

5. The wrist and forearm support of claim 4, wherein the predetermined vertical distance ranges from approximately 0.75 inches to approximately 3 inches.

6. The wrist and forearm support of claim 1, further comprising a low-friction base disposed along a lower portion for the body.

7. The wrist and forearm support of claim 1, wherein each supporting pad comprising a horizontal portion joined to an angled portion, wherein each angled portion slopes downwardly toward the other angled portion at a predetermined angle.

8. The wrist and forearm support of claim 4, wherein the predetermined angle ranges from approximately five degrees to approximately 50 degrees, relative to the joined horizontal portion.

9. A wrist and forearm support device for supporting a wrist and forearm during the use of computer-related input devices resting on a supporting surface, comprising:

two support pads disposed on an upper portion of a body;

the body dimensioned and adapted to maintain the two support pads spaced apart along a shared horizontal plane; and

a low-friction base disposed along a lower portion for the body,

wherein the two support pads and the body form a predetermined void adapted to accommodate a carpal tunnel canal region of a human wrist and forearm,

10. The wrist and forearm support of claim 9, wherein each supporting pad comprising a horizontal portion joined to an angled portion, wherein each angled portion slopes downwardly toward the other angled portion at a predetermined angle.