Wrist support system

• US 5,356,099 A
• Filed: 06/28/1993
• Issued: 10/18/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fellowes Manufacturing Company (Fellowes Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Joel L. Sereboff
• Inventors: Sereboff, Joel L.
• Primary Examiner(s): FOSS, J
• Application Number:
  US08/082,498
• Time in Patent Office: 477 Days
• Field of Search: 248/118, 248/118.1, 248/118.3, 248/118.5, 248/918, 297/411, 297/416, 400/715, 5/644
• US Class Current: 248/118.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/0378 filled with liquid or gel
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0371 Platforms for supporting wrists
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0093 Wrist pad cover
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2230/0011 Hooks and loops as in hook and look-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/00 Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

This invention provides for a wrist support system (10) which is generally positioned adjacent a keyboard (12) of a computer system (14) or typewriter which is directed to alleviating the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. The wrist support system includes a support member (22) which is mounted on a base surface (28) adjacent the keyboard (12). A liquid containing pack (30) is mounted on an upper surface (32) of the support member (22) for resiliently interfacing with a user'"'"'s palm area (20) and wrist area (18) when the user is operating the keyboard (12). The liquid containing pack (30) is deformable to the contours of the palm area (20) and wrist area (18) and provides a flexible support for the user'"'"'s interfacing areas.

Claims

1. A wrist support system positionally located adjacent a keyboard for alleviating symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, comprising:

(a) a substantially planar and longitudinally extending support member mounted on a base surface adjacent said keyboard; and

,

(b) a liquid containing pack positionally located contiguous an upper surface of said support member continuously and substantially conforming to at least a portion of a user'"'"'s palm and wrist when said user is operating said keyboard for resiliently supporting said user'"'"'s palm and wrist, said liquid substantially filling an interior volume of said liquid containing pack.

2. The wrist support system as recited in claim 1 where said liquid containing pack includes a contained liquid having a viscosity approximating the viscosity of water.

3. The wrist support system as recited in claim 1 where said liquid containing pack includes a gel composition contained therein.

4. The wrist support system as recited in claim 1 where said liquid containing pack is fixedly coupled to said upper surface of said support member.

5. The wrist support system as recited in claim 4 where said liquid containing pack is adhesively coupled to said upper surface of said support member.

6. The wrist support system as recited in claim 1 including means for releasably securing said liquid containing pack to said upper surface of said support member.

7. The wrist support system as recited in claim 6 where said means for releasably securing said liquid containing pack includes:

(a) at least a first releasable securement strip member fixedly attached to said upper surface of said support member, said first releasable securement strip member substantially extending a longitudinal dimension of said upper surface of said support member; and

,

(b) at least a second releasable securement strip member fixedly attached to a lower surface of said liquid containing pack.

8. The wrist support system as recited in claim 7 where said first and second releasable securement members comprise hook and loop elements for mutual engagement thereof.

9. The wrist support system as recited in claim 8 where said first and second releasable securement members form a Velcro releasable attachment therebetween.

10. The wrist support system as recited in claim 1 where said liquid containing pack includes an extended longitudinal dimension substantially equal to a longitudinal extension dimension of said support member.

11. The wrist support system as recited in claim 1 where said liquid containing pack is adjustably positionable in secured relation to said upper surface of said support member.

12. The wrist support system as recited in claim 11 where said liquid containing pack includes a longitudinal dimension substantially less than a longitudinal dimension of said support member.

13. The wrist support system as recited in claim 1 including flexible covering means for substantially encompassing said liquid containing pack and said support member for maintaining said liquid containing pack and said support member as a unitary assembly.

14. The wrist support system as recited in claim 13 where said flexible covering means includes a covering member forming a pocket for insert of said unitary assembly.

15. The wrist support system as recited in claim 14 where said covering member includes an outer surface having indicia formed thereon.

16. The wrist support system as recited in claim 14 where said covering member is formed of a textile material composition.

17. The wrist support system as recited in claim 1 where said support member is formed of a plastic composition.

18. The wrist support system as recited in claim 1 where said liquid containing pack includes indicia formed on an outer surface thereof.

19. The wrist support system as recited in claim 1 where said support member is formed of a metal composition.

20. The wrist support system as recited in claim 1 where said liquid containing pack is a gel pack.