Method for facilitating multiple fields of motion in using a computer pointing device

• US 5,865,404 A
• Filed: 08/15/1997
• Issued: 02/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William Hesley
• Original Assignee: ERGO Devices Corporation
• Inventors: Hesley, William P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LIPCSIK, ROBERT N
• Application Number:
  US08/911,960
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 248/118, 248/118.1, 248/118.3, 248/118.5, 248/918, 400/715, 345/163, 345/164, 345/165, 345/166, D14/115
• US Class Current: 248/118
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/039 Accessories therefor, e.g. mouse pads
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

A hand support device for use with a computer pointing device relieves repetitive motion stress and includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter surface connecting the top surface and the bottom surface. The top surface includes: a palm support region, that is an inclined planar surface; a little finger support portion extending from the palm support region; a thumb support region extending from the palm support region; a front index positioned on a side of the palm support region, and between the little finger and thumb support regions; and a side index adjacent to and extending from the palm support and thumb support regions. The bottom surface facilitates sliding of the hand support device on a work surface. The hand support device reduces stress and risk of injuries resulted from repetitive motions by encouraging the user of a computer pointing device to employ two fields of motion to control the pointing device. The user engages the fingers, the hand, and the wrist to make fine movements while holding the hand support device stationary. The user moves the computer pointing device and the hand support device in unison with the arm and shoulder when making coarse movements.

Claims

1. A method of using a computer pointing device comprising:

using a hand support device to limit movement of said computer pointing device to a first field of motion wherein said first field of motion is used for fine movement of said computer pointing device wherein said hand support device positions a user'"'"'s hand (i) in a same plane as said computer pointing device, and (ii) in a neutral position with said user'"'"'s palm resting on said surface with a wrist and a forearm of said user aligned substantially in a straight line along a longitudinal axis of said wrist and said forearm, while limiting said movement of said computer pointing device to said first field of motion; and

moving said hand support device and said computer pointing device in unison within a second field of motion wherein said second field of motion is used for coarse movement of said computer pointing device.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

separating a thumb support region and a little finger support region of said hand support device by an opening wherein said opening limits movements of said computer pointing device to said first field of motion.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

positioning a surface between said thumb support region and said little finger support region of said hand support device wherein said surface bounds said opening and further wherein said surface is a control surface.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said control surface includes a portion of a perimeter surface.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said control surface includes an inner cavity surface formed by extending another surface of said hand support device over said opening to form a cavity.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said control surface includes an inner cavity surface formed by extending another surface of said hand support device over said opening to form a cavity.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

shaping a surface of said hand support device to permit grasping said computer pointing device while resting a hand on said hand support device and then moving said hand support device and said computer pointing device in unison within said second field of motion.

8. A method for facilitating multiple fields of motion in using a computer pointing device comprising:

separating a thumb support region and a little finger support region of a hand support device by an opening wherein said opening limits movement of said computer pointing device to a first field of motion wherein said first field of motion is used for fine movement of said computer pointing device; and

shaping a surface of said hand support device to permit grasping said computer pointing device while resting a hand on said hand support device and then moving of said hand support device and said computer pointing device in unison within a second field of motion wherein said second field of motion is used for coarse movement of said computer pointing device and further wherein said hand support device positions a user'"'"'s hand (i) in a same plane as said computer pointing device, and (ii) in a neutral position with said user'"'"'s palm resting on said surface with a wrist and a forearm of said user aligned substantially in a straight line along a longitudinal axis of said wrist and said forearm.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

positioning a surface between said thumb support region and said little finger support region of said hand support device wherein said surface bounds said opening and further wherein said surface is a control surface.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said control surface includes a portion of a perimeter surface.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said control surface includes an inner cavity surface formed by extending another surface of said hand support device over said opening to form a cavity.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said control surface includes an inner cavity surface formed by extending another surface of said hand support device over said opening to form a cavity.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein said shaping further comprises:

extending said thumb support region and said little finger support region from a palm support region of said hand support device wherein said palm support, little finger support, and thumb support regions position a hand of a user resting on said hand support device so that said user can grasp said computer pointing device and move said computer pointing device and said hand support device in unison within said second field of motion.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said shaping further comprises:

inclining said palm support region in a direction from said little finger support region to said thumb support region.

15. The method of claim 8 wherein said shaping further comprises:

inclining a palm support region in a direction from said little finger support region to said thumb support region.

16. The method of claim 8 wherein said shaping further comprises:

placing a first tactile index along a palm support region and said thumb support region of said hand support device.

17. The method of claim 8 wherein said shaping further comprises:

placing a tactile index between said little finger support region and said thumb support region, and along a side of a palm support region closest to said computer pointing device.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein said shaping further comprises:

placing a second tactile index between said little finger support region and said thumb support region, and along a side of said palm support region closest to said computer pointing device.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein said shaping further comprises:

placing a first tactile index along said palm support region and said thumb support region of said hand support device.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said shaping further comprises:

placing a second tactile index between said little finger support region and said thumb support region, and along a side of said palm support region closest to said computer pointing device.