WO1993021019A1 - Wrist support - Google Patents

Wrist support Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1993021019A1
WO1993021019A1 PCT/FI1993/000142 FI9300142W WO9321019A1 WO 1993021019 A1 WO1993021019 A1 WO 1993021019A1 FI 9300142 W FI9300142 W FI 9300142W WO 9321019 A1 WO9321019 A1 WO 9321019A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pillow
support
wrist
base
hand
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI1993/000142
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Antti Limingoja
Original Assignee
Antti Limingoja
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from FI921637A external-priority patent/FI921637A0/en
Application filed by Antti Limingoja filed Critical Antti Limingoja
Priority to EP93907883A priority Critical patent/EP0638021A1/en
Publication of WO1993021019A1 publication Critical patent/WO1993021019A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J5/00Devices or arrangements for controlling character selection
    • B41J5/08Character or syllable selected by means of keys or keyboards of the typewriter type
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47BTABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B21/00Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
    • A47B21/03Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards with substantially horizontally extensible or adjustable parts other than drawers, e.g. leaves
    • A47B21/0371Platforms for supporting wrists

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a wrist support and especially to such a wrist support which is used to support a person's hand, arm or wrist when typing with a typewriting machine and especially with a keyboard of a computer or when using the mouse of a computer.
  • US Patent specification 5,050,826 tries to solve this problem with a horizontal shaft having rotatable cylindrical support pads which can be moved along the shaft.
  • the apparatus has some advantages it, however, has also disadvantages.
  • One of the main disadvantages is that the apparatus is quite expensive to manufacture.
  • Another disadvantage is that the same is inevitably quite heavy as it is aimed to rest on a desk or table as it is.
  • the support pads are also short and so the user of the pads must always relocate the pads to be in right position is respect of the wrists.
  • the present invention gives a support that is also inexpensive to manufacture and always ready for use without any excessive steps to relocate any pads.
  • the solution of the present invention is suitable to be used both when typing and when using of a mouse of a computer.
  • Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the invention as a side view
  • Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the invention as a same kind of side view as in Figure 1 in the connection of a mouse;
  • Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the invention as a same kind of side view as before.
  • Figure 4 shows the movements of the solution, which is of the type shown in Figure 1 , when the hand moves resting on the same.
  • Figure 1 thus shows the first embodiment of the invention where a pillow like support part 2 has been attached in a plate like part 1 .
  • the keyboard 3 of a comptuter is located at least partly on the plate 1 and is at a small, adjustable distance from the pillow 2.
  • the pillow 2 has been designed, according to the invention, so that its upper part 6 is separated from the lower part 7 by a narrow neck 4.
  • the pillow 2 has been notched 5 on each side of the same so that the neck 4 remains between the notches 5.
  • This kind of pillow construction allows the hand/wrist resting on it to be moved forward and backward (right and left in the figure) so that the contact point between the pillow and the hand changes only by "rolling" the pillow along the lower surface of the wrist. This happens so that the upper part 6 of the pillow 2 moves to certain extent and on the other hand inclines bending in the neck 4.
  • Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the invention showing an analogous solution to figure 1 but the pillow has been constructed in another way.
  • the mouse has been designated with the reference number 3 which mouse is moved by the hand resting on support to thereby move an arrow or another pointer on the computer's monitor.
  • the flexibility of the upper part 6 of the pillow 2 is effected so that there is a hollow 8 in the pillow which is extended nearly from one side to the other whereby there remains quite narrow necks 4 on both sides of the hollow.
  • the hollow 8 By making the hollow 8 suitably large the upper part 6 may move in a suitable way.
  • Figure 3 shows a third alternative of the invention wherein the pillow 2 has been supported on springy members 9 on the plate like part 1 whereby the whole pillow 2 may move forward and backward following the movements of the arm resting on it.
  • the members 9 may be for instance metal springs or plate like parts made of plastics having springy properties.
  • Firure 4 shows how the wrist support according to one embodiment of the invention yeilds and moves following the movements of the wrist when the fingers type using the keyboard.
  • the invention has been described above only schematically and for that reason the persons skilled in the art may find in the embodiments shown in the drawings many parts which may be modified. So the design or form of the pillow 2 is irrelevant in respect of the invention.
  • the pillow 2 may be designed with round or angular forms or as is seen suitable.
  • the upper part of the pillow may be made of material which does not induce perspiration of the hand resting on it and the lower part and especially the part 4 between the upper and the lower parts is made of suitably springy and firm material which does not loose its properties but gives, for long periods, a form which is resilient and returns flexibly to its original form.

Abstract

The invention relates to a wrist support especially for computer work, comprising a plate like part (1) coming under the keyboard and a pillow part (2) which moves with the movements of the hand.

Description

Wrist support
This invention relates to a wrist support and especially to such a wrist support which is used to support a person's hand, arm or wrist when typing with a typewriting machine and especially with a keyboard of a computer or when using the mouse of a computer.
Recently it has been noticed that writing with a computer and using of a mouse of a computer is, despite of its apparent easiness, work that causes high stress to certain parts of one's arm. Inflammations of the tendon and other complaints which are caused by static stress are often very painful and invalidating.
To help the work with a computer there have been developed wrist supports of which a model which has the widest use includes a plate like member which lies under the keyboard and on the front part of which there is attached a pillow of foam plastics, on which the wrist can rest continuously or when needed. This solution is good and it has relieved the situation in respect of getting complaints but the same has couple of disadvantages. Namely, the hand is by no means on its place during typing but tends to move forward and backward, normally however, only quite little. Moving along the support surface causes, of course, galls on the part of the skin which is against the support surface and on the other hand the stresses of the shoulder area maintain nearly as severe as before because the muscles of the upper arm work to move the arm and the friction along the support surface resists the movement.
US Patent specification 5,050,826 tries to solve this problem with a horizontal shaft having rotatable cylindrical support pads which can be moved along the shaft. Even though the apparatus has some advantages it, however, has also disadvantages. One of the main disadvantages is that the apparatus is quite expensive to manufacture. Another disadvantage is that the same is inevitably quite heavy as it is aimed to rest on a desk or table as it is. The support pads are also short and so the user of the pads must always relocate the pads to be in right position is respect of the wrists.
It is the aim of this invention to achieve such a solution in the wrist support which is steady enough in the desired directions, but however, gives space to move the arms resting on it, whereby all extra stresses which would be directed to the hands of the person typing or using the mouse are minimized. The present invention gives a support that is also inexpensive to manufacture and always ready for use without any excessive steps to relocate any pads. The solution of the present invention is suitable to be used both when typing and when using of a mouse of a computer.
The advantages of the invention have been achieved with a solution, the characterizing features of which have been given in the accompanying patent claims.
The invention is described now in more detail with reference to the accom¬ panying patent drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the invention as a side view;
Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the invention as a same kind of side view as in Figure 1 in the connection of a mouse;
Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the invention as a same kind of side view as before; and
Figure 4 shows the movements of the solution, which is of the type shown in Figure 1 , when the hand moves resting on the same.
Figure 1 thus shows the first embodiment of the invention where a pillow like support part 2 has been attached in a plate like part 1 . The keyboard 3 of a comptuter is located at least partly on the plate 1 and is at a small, adjustable distance from the pillow 2.
The pillow 2 has been designed, according to the invention, so that its upper part 6 is separated from the lower part 7 by a narrow neck 4. In other words the pillow 2 has been notched 5 on each side of the same so that the neck 4 remains between the notches 5. This kind of pillow construction allows the hand/wrist resting on it to be moved forward and backward (right and left in the figure) so that the contact point between the pillow and the hand changes only by "rolling" the pillow along the lower surface of the wrist. This happens so that the upper part 6 of the pillow 2 moves to certain extent and on the other hand inclines bending in the neck 4.
Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the invention showing an analogous solution to figure 1 but the pillow has been constructed in another way. In this figure the mouse has been designated with the reference number 3 which mouse is moved by the hand resting on support to thereby move an arrow or another pointer on the computer's monitor. The flexibility of the upper part 6 of the pillow 2 is effected so that there is a hollow 8 in the pillow which is extended nearly from one side to the other whereby there remains quite narrow necks 4 on both sides of the hollow. By making the hollow 8 suitably large the upper part 6 may move in a suitable way.
Figure 3 shows a third alternative of the invention wherein the pillow 2 has been supported on springy members 9 on the plate like part 1 whereby the whole pillow 2 may move forward and backward following the movements of the arm resting on it. The members 9 may be for instance metal springs or plate like parts made of plastics having springy properties.
Firure 4 shows how the wrist support according to one embodiment of the invention yeilds and moves following the movements of the wrist when the fingers type using the keyboard.
The invention has been described above only schematically and for that reason the persons skilled in the art may find in the embodiments shown in the drawings many parts which may be modified. So the design or form of the pillow 2 is irrelevant in respect of the invention. The pillow 2 may be designed with round or angular forms or as is seen suitable.
It is possible to choose materials for the invention in many ways. Foam plastics have been used widely and the same is suitable also for this purpose. The materials are chosen separately to fit the case. It is also possible to use combinations of several materials and in certain cases it is recommended to do so. So the upper part of the pillow may be made of material which does not induce perspiration of the hand resting on it and the lower part and especially the part 4 between the upper and the lower parts is made of suitably springy and firm material which does not loose its properties but gives, for long periods, a form which is resilient and returns flexibly to its original form.

Claims

Claims
1 . Wrist support intented to be as a support fot the hand, arm or wrist for a person working with computer terminal like typing with a keyboard or using a mouse or in corresponding situations where the wrist needs support, comprising a plate like base (1 ) and a support pillow (2) or the like fixed to the same, characterized of resilient parts (4, 9) with the assistance of which the upper part of the support pillow (2) has been connected to its lower part or directly to the base (1 ) so that the forward and/or backward movement of the upper part of the pillow with the hand is possible.
2. Support according to claim 1 , characterized in that the pillow (2) is formed of an upper part (6) and a Tower part (7) which are connected by a quite narrow, springy neck (4), which makes the movement of the part (6) in respect of the part (7) possible.
3. Support according to claim 1 , characterized in that the pillow (2) has a hollow (8) so that necks (4) are formed on both sides of the hollow, which necks make the movement of the upper part (6) in respect of the lower part possible.
4- Support according to claim 1 , characterized in that the pillow (2) has been connected to its base ( 1 ) with the assistance of a spring (9) which makes the movement of the pillow in respect of the base possible.
5. Support according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises two kinds of material, one kind of material being for the upper part (6) of the pillow and being comfortable against the skin and other kind of material being for the lower part of the pillow and having good springy or toughness properties.
PCT/FI1993/000142 1992-04-13 1993-04-02 Wrist support WO1993021019A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP93907883A EP0638021A1 (en) 1992-04-13 1993-04-02 Wrist support

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI921637 1992-04-13
FI921637A FI921637A0 (en) 1992-04-13 1992-04-13 SKRIVSTOED.
FI930427 1993-02-01
FI930427A FI90401C (en) 1992-04-13 1993-02-01 wrist Support

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1993021019A1 true WO1993021019A1 (en) 1993-10-28

Family

ID=26159215

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/FI1993/000142 WO1993021019A1 (en) 1992-04-13 1993-04-02 Wrist support

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0638021A1 (en)
AU (1) AU3891993A (en)
FI (1) FI90401C (en)
WO (1) WO1993021019A1 (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5467952A (en) * 1993-10-28 1995-11-21 Martin; John R. Wrist support for a keyboard
US5568907A (en) * 1995-04-27 1996-10-29 Wolfe; Jimmy V. Dynamic wrist rest
US5570268A (en) * 1994-12-23 1996-10-29 International Business Machines Corporation Stowable wrist rest for portable computers
US5730403A (en) * 1995-10-26 1998-03-24 Johnson; Mark C. Arched panel wrist support
GB2327256A (en) * 1997-06-26 1999-01-20 Listawood Limited A wrist rest for use with a keyboard or a computer mouse
US5890694A (en) * 1997-03-27 1999-04-06 Possick; Amity Pressure-sensitive wrist pad useable with a computer input device
US5915659A (en) * 1996-07-08 1999-06-29 Scannell, Jr.; Gerard Adjustable keyboard podium
WO2001068511A1 (en) * 2000-03-15 2001-09-20 Brisby Stewart P Wrist rest for use with computer mouse
CN1077301C (en) * 1996-03-18 2002-01-02 宏碁电脑股份有限公司 Computer device

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4481556A (en) * 1980-04-04 1984-11-06 Joseph J. Berke Computer terminal support and hand rest
US4545554A (en) * 1981-08-31 1985-10-08 Latino Richard M Wrist support for use with an office machine having a keyboard
US4996977A (en) * 1989-05-26 1991-03-05 Tiedeken Edwin T Tremor control device
US5108057A (en) * 1990-11-14 1992-04-28 Dandy Iii Walter Free sliding hand rest

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4481556A (en) * 1980-04-04 1984-11-06 Joseph J. Berke Computer terminal support and hand rest
US4545554A (en) * 1981-08-31 1985-10-08 Latino Richard M Wrist support for use with an office machine having a keyboard
US4996977A (en) * 1989-05-26 1991-03-05 Tiedeken Edwin T Tremor control device
US5108057A (en) * 1990-11-14 1992-04-28 Dandy Iii Walter Free sliding hand rest

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5467952A (en) * 1993-10-28 1995-11-21 Martin; John R. Wrist support for a keyboard
US5570268A (en) * 1994-12-23 1996-10-29 International Business Machines Corporation Stowable wrist rest for portable computers
US5568907A (en) * 1995-04-27 1996-10-29 Wolfe; Jimmy V. Dynamic wrist rest
US5730403A (en) * 1995-10-26 1998-03-24 Johnson; Mark C. Arched panel wrist support
CN1077301C (en) * 1996-03-18 2002-01-02 宏碁电脑股份有限公司 Computer device
US5915659A (en) * 1996-07-08 1999-06-29 Scannell, Jr.; Gerard Adjustable keyboard podium
US5890694A (en) * 1997-03-27 1999-04-06 Possick; Amity Pressure-sensitive wrist pad useable with a computer input device
GB2327256A (en) * 1997-06-26 1999-01-20 Listawood Limited A wrist rest for use with a keyboard or a computer mouse
WO2001068511A1 (en) * 2000-03-15 2001-09-20 Brisby Stewart P Wrist rest for use with computer mouse

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FI90401C (en) 1994-02-10
EP0638021A1 (en) 1995-02-15
AU3891993A (en) 1993-11-18
FI90401B (en) 1993-10-29
FI930427A0 (en) 1993-02-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5161760A (en) Movable keyboard forearm, wrist and hand support device
US5072905A (en) Wrist and forearm support apparatus
US5416498A (en) Prehensile positioning computer keyboard
US4973176A (en) Appendage rest
EP0495040B1 (en) Apparatus and method for reducing repetitive or maintained stress injuries
US5234186A (en) Wrist rest for keyboard
US5004196A (en) Keyboard accessory
US5108057A (en) Free sliding hand rest
US5160919A (en) Ergonomic keyboard
CN100594471C (en) Ergonomical mouse
US5395088A (en) Keyboard stand
US5892499A (en) Forearm support for computer interface device
US7324019B2 (en) Adjustable ergonomic keyboard for use with stationary palm and elements thereof
US5201485A (en) Apparatus and method for reducing repetitive or maintained stress injuries
US5913497A (en) Angle adjustable hand rest
US20030030625A1 (en) Data entry device
US5762302A (en) Adjustable hand rest device
EP0638021A1 (en) Wrist support
US5638062A (en) Ergonomic input device
US6402100B1 (en) Ergonomic lower arm support rest
US6585198B2 (en) Wrist support for use with a computer mouse
WO2005015348A2 (en) Ergonomic mouse
US9282826B1 (en) Ergonomic chair and system
US5120010A (en) Biplanar structural additive for planes of work
WO1992007489A1 (en) Hand and wrist support

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT AU BB BG BR CA CH CZ DE DK ES FI GB HU JP KP KR LK LU MG MN MW NL NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SK UA US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN ML MR NE SN TD TG

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref country code: US

Ref document number: 1994 318694

Date of ref document: 19941011

Kind code of ref document: A

Format of ref document f/p: F

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 1993907883

Country of ref document: EP

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 1993907883

Country of ref document: EP

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA

WWR Wipo information: refused in national office

Ref document number: 1993907883

Country of ref document: EP

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Ref document number: 1993907883

Country of ref document: EP