Method and apparatus for supporting various parts of a person's body
First Claim
1. A method for supporting a body appendage above a work surface, the method comprising steps of:
- (a) placing a support pad on the work surface, the support pad including a plurality of fluid-filled cells separated by a plurality of seams;
(b) adjusting the support pad into a user selected configuration by folding the support pad along at least one of the plurality of seams so that a first group of the plurality of cells lies above a second group of the plurality of cells; and
(c) resting the body appendage on the support pad above the work surface.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for supporting a person in a seated or lying position, and for supporting a person'"'"'s appendages, such as arms, wrists, hands and elbows, above a work surface. An appendage can be rested on an upper surface of a support pad provided on a work surface, the support pad having a plurality of fluid-filled cells separated by a plurality of seams. The support pad can be folded along at least one of the plurality of seams so that a first portion of the plurality of cells lies above a second portion of the plurality of cells to adjust the height of the support pad above the work surface. A portion of the plurality of cells can be removed from the support pad to create a desired configuration for a support pad. The support pad can be configured and used as a wrist rest for operating data input devices, such as a keyboard, a computer mouse, and a calculator, and used as an arm rest for writing or performing manual tasks on a work surface. The same support pad can be configured and used as a wrist/arm rest in a first manner, the reconfigured and used as a wrist/arm rest in a second manner. The support pad can also be used as a back support and a seat cushion, and used in a seat cushion assembly and in a mattress overlay.
89 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for supporting a body appendage above a work surface, the method comprising steps of:
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(a) placing a support pad on the work surface, the support pad including a plurality of fluid-filled cells separated by a plurality of seams; (b) adjusting the support pad into a user selected configuration by folding the support pad along at least one of the plurality of seams so that a first group of the plurality of cells lies above a second group of the plurality of cells; and (c) resting the body appendage on the support pad above the work surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for supporting a body appendage above a work surface, the method comprising steps of:
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(a) placing a support pad on the work surface, the support pad including a plurality of fluid-filled cells separated by a plurality of seams; (b) adjusting the support pad into a user selected configuration by removing at least one of the plurality of cells from the support pad; and (c) resting the body appendage on the support pad above the work surface. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A method for supporting a body appendage on a work surface, the method comprising steps of:
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(a) adjusting a support pad into a first configuration, the support pad including a plurality of fluid-filled cells separated by a plurality of seams; (b) positioning the support pad in a first position on the work surface; (c) resting the body appendage on the support pad in the first position; (d) readjusting the support pad into a second configuration; (e) repositioning the reconfigured support pad in a second position on the work surface; and (f) resting the body appendage on the support pad in the second position, wherein at least one of steps (a) and (d) includes a step of folding the support pad along at least one of the plurality of seams so that a first portion of the plurality of cells overlies a second portion of the plurality of cells. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A seat cushion comprising:
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a base pad having an upper surface, a front wall and a rear wall, the base pad being wedge-shaped so that the upper surface tapers from a first thickness at the front wall to a second thickness at the rear wall; a support pad including a plurality of fluid-filled cells arranged in an array of cells, the support pad disposed on the upper surface of the base pad with the plurality of cells facing away from the base pad; and a seat pad disposed on the support pad. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A mattress overlay comprising:
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a first cushion layer of a resilient material; a plurality of support pads, each of the plurality of support pads including a plurality of fluid-filled cells separated by a plurality of seams and arranged in an array of cells, each of the plurality of support pads disposed on the cushion first layer and being selectively positioned to support portions of an individual'"'"'s body when the person is lying on a mattress; and a second cushion layer of a resilient material disposed on the plurality of support pads. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification