Arm/wrist positioning and rest device

• US 5,823,488 A
• Filed: 03/08/1997
• Issued: 10/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bernard E. Nettekoven
• Original Assignee: Bernard E. Nettekoven
• Inventors: Nettekoven, Bernard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Braun, Leslie A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Tan
• Application Number:
  US08/812,534
• Time in Patent Office: 591 Days
• Field of Search: 248/118, 248/118.1, 248/118.3, 248/118.5, 248/188.2, 248/187.1, 248/346.01, 248/346.05, 248/349, 248/349.1, 248/687, 248/918, 248/921, 403/84, 403/66, 403/164, 254/104, 254/42, 52/126, 52/712
• US Class Current: 248/118
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0371 Platforms for supporting wrists
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0095 Computer mouse platform
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0395 Mouse pads
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32262 At selected angle

Abstract

An apparatus which reduces arm, wrist and shoulder stress and pain while using a computer mouse device. This apparatus includes an adjustable working surface which is capable of aligning the angle inclination as well as the angle of rotation of a mouse device user'"'"'s hand, wrist and forearm with respect to the stationary working surface of the structure on which the apparatus is resting while operating the mouse device. The apparatus is adaptable to fit any adult size and is capable of use with either the left or right hand.

Claims

1. A hand and wrist positioning and rest apparatus comprising:

a first cylindrical shaped body having a cylindrical shaped side surface, a parabolic shaped planar top surface and a circular shaped planar bottom surface;

a second cylindrical shaped body having a cylindrical shaped side surface, a circular shaped planar top surface and a parabolic shaped planar bottom surface, wherein said first cylindrical shaped body is configured to be rotatably coupled to said second cylindrical shaped body such that said circular shaped planar bottom surface and said circular shaped planar top surface mate substantially flush against one another, and wherein said parabolic shaped planar top surface forms an angle of from about 0 degrees to about 20 degrees with said parabolic shaped planar bottom surface when said first and second cylindrical shaped bodies are rotatably coupled; and

a friction brake configured to prevent accidental rotational movement between said first and second cylindrical shaped bodies.

2. The hand and wrist positioning and rest apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second cylindrical shaped bodies are adapted to be removably and rotatably coupled via a quick-lock mechanism.

3. The hand and wrist positioning and rest apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a substantially flat working surface attached to said parabolic shaped planar top surface.

4. The hand and wrist positioning and rest apparatus of claim 3 wherein said quick-lock mechanism comprises a neck having a first end attached to said circular shaped planar bottom surface and a second end attached to a collar, and further comprising a plurality of rigid flexible tabs disposed within said second cylindrical shaped body, said plurality of rigid flexible tabs adapted to removably receive said collar such that said rigid flexible tabs are urged against said neck.

5. A hand and wrist positioning and rest apparatus comprising:

a mounting platform having an outer side surface, an inclined planar bottom surface and a right angular planar top surface;

a hand and wrist supporting body having an outer side surface. an inclined planar top surface and a right angular planar bottom surface, wherein said mounting platform is adapted to be rotatably coupled to said hand and wrist supporting body such that said right angular planar bottom surface and said right angular planar top surface mate substantially flush against one another, and further wherein said inclined planar top surface forms an angle of from about 0 degrees to about 20 degrees with said inclined planar bottom surface when said mounting platform and said hand and wrist supporting body are rotatably coupled; and

a friction brake configured to prevent accidental rotational movement between said mounting platform and hand and wrist supporting body.

6. The hand and wrist positioning and rest apparatus of claim 5 wherein said mounting platform and said hand and wrist supporting body are adapted to be removably and rotatably coupled via a quick-lock mechanism.

7. The hand and wrist positioning and rest apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a substantially flat working surface attached to said inclined planar top surface.

8. The hand and wrist positioning and rest apparatus of claim 7 wherein said quick-lock mechanism comprises a neck having a first end attached to said right angular planar bottom surface and a second end attached to a collar, and further comprising a plurality of rigid flexible tabs disposed within said hand and wrist supporting body, said plurality of rigid flexible tabs adapted to removably receive said collar such that said rigid flexible tabs are urged against said neck.

9. A hand and wrist positioning and rest apparatus comprising:

a mounting base having an outer side surface, an inclined planar top surface and a right angular planar bottom surface;

a hand and wrist supporting platform having an outer side surface, an inclined planar bottom surface and a right angular planar top surface, wherein said mounting base is configured to be rotatably coupled to said hand and wrist supporting platform such that said inclined planar bottom surface and said inclined planar top surface mate substantially flush against one another, and further wherein said right angular planar top surface forms an angle of from about 0 degrees to about 20 degrees with said right angular planar bottom surface when said mounting base and said hand and wrist supporting platform are rotatably coupled; and

a braking means having at least one friction brake tab configured to prevent accidental rotational movement between said mounting base and said hand and wrist supporting platform.

10. The hand and wrist positioning and rest apparatus of claim 9 further including a snap-fit collar for removably and rotatably coupling said mounting base to said hand and wrist supporting platform.

11. The hand and wrist positioning and rest apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a substantially flat working surface attached to said right angular top surface.