Variably adjustable chair having an adjustable ergonomic keyboard

• US 5,612,718 A
• Filed: 12/07/1994
• Issued: 03/18/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jed A. Bryan
• Original Assignee: Jed A. Bryan
• Inventors: Bryan, Jed A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Powell, Mark R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kovalick, Vincent E.
• Application Number:
  US08/352,418
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 297/115, 297/411.2, 297/411.35, 297/411.36, 297/411.37, 297/411.38, 297/411.39
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/84 characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback legends H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/034 Support for hands or arms
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/011 with integrated photo- or thermovoltaic cell as power supply

Abstract

Variably adjustable chair (100) having adjustable arms for optimal positioning by a user to attain greater comfort and operation with reduced stresses and tensions. Each adjustable arm assembly (198) and (199) includes keyboard supports (195) and (196) and auxiliary supports (145) and (146). Keyboard supports are for use with keyboard sections. Right and left keyboard sections (200) and (300) are divided for independent right- and left-hand actuation. More specifically, a standard computer keyboard, QWERTY keyboard layout, with a numeric data pad, is divided at an optimum location for normal left-and right-hand usage. Each keyboard section includes keys which are optimally positioned for natural orientation actuation by an operator'"'"'s thumb. Wherein, each adjustable arm assembly and each keyboard section is ergonomically designed for an operator'"'"'s natural arm-hand-wrist contours for optimal use and comfort with reduced stresses and tensions.

Claims

1. An improvement in a computer, keyboard and chair arrangement for reducing stress and tension experienced by a human operator, said computer including receiving means for receiving data signals, said chair of a type having a seat and a base, said seat positionally oriented along an x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis, the improvement comprising:

first and second adjustable arms, said adjustable arms including;

a. first and second locking means for locking said first and second adjustable arms in position, said first and second locking means mounted to said base, said first and second locking means defining first and second bores;

b. a rod frame composed in part of first and second rods respectively located in said first and second bores for adjustably locating said first and second adjustable arms, said first and second rods for slidable movement respectively between first and second distal positions and first and second proximal positions from said first and second locking means, said first and second rods movable in a direction substantially parallel to said x-axis, said first and second locking means for locking said first and second rods in position;

c. first and second motional means respectively connected to said rod frame for movement of said first and second adjustable arms;

d. first and second cantilevered arms, one end of said first and second cantilevered arms respectively connected to said first and second motional means for curvilineal and axial movement, said first and second cantilevered arms capable of curvilineal movement in three planes defined by said x-axis, said y-axis and said z-axis, said first and second cantilevered arms axially movable partially about said z-axis for vertical movement in said y-axis and horizontal movement in said x-axis, said first and second cantilevered arms axially movable partially about said x-axis for vertical movement in said y-axis and lateral movement in said z-axis, said first and second cantilevered arms rotatable about said y-axis for lateral movement in said z-axis and horizontal movement in said x-axis, an end opposite said one end of said first and second cantilevered arms may be moved in a space above said seat defined by said x-axis, said y-axis and said z-axis, said end opposite said one end of said first and second cantilevered arms each capable of being simultaneously moved in the three planes, defined by said x-axis, said y-axis and said z-axis, said end opposite said one end of said first and second cantilevered arms further capable of being simultaneously pivoted in a horizontal plane defined by said x-axis and said z-axis and in a vertical plane defined by said x-axis and said y-axis; and

e. first and second supports pivotally mounted to the other end of said first and second cantilevered arms respectively, said first and second supports pivotally mounted for movement respectively between first and second down positions and first and second up positions, said first and second down positions substantially co-planar with planes defined by said x-axis and said y-axis, said first and second up positions substantially co-planer with planes defined by said x-axis and said z-axis;

f. pneumatic means for controlled positioning of said first and second adjustable arms connected to said first and second cantilevered arms and to said rod frame;

first and second keyboard sections coupled to said first and second supports, respectively, said first and second sections having predetermined keys located thereon, said predetermined keys arranged in first and second predetermined patterns on each said first and second section, one said first and second section for operation with one hand and the other said first and second section for operation with the other hand, said first and second keyboard sections for producing electronic signals; and

transmission means coupled to said first and second keyboard sections for transmitting said electronic signals to said receiving means;

wherein an operator can adjust the position of said adjustable arms and said first and second keyboard sections for reduced stress and tension.

2. The improvement of claim 1, wherein each said first and second keyboard sections are contoured for reduced stress and tension.

3. The improvement of claim 2, wherein each said first and second keyboard sections have a space bar, each said space bar positioned on each said first and second keyboard sections for natural placement of the thumb.

4. The improvement of claim 3, wherein each said first and second keyboard sections include a wrist pad for reduced stress and tension.

5. The improvement of claim 2, wherein said first and second motional means include ball joints.

6. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first support is pivotally mounted to said cantilevered arm with a hinge.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein said hinge includes ratchet means for adjustably locating and maintaining said first support at a determined angle.