Apparatus and method for reducing repetitive strain injuries

• US 5,868,647 A
• Filed: 07/14/1997
• Issued: 02/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert J. Belsole
• Original Assignee: Robert J. Belsole
• Inventors: Belsole, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US08/891,948
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1-9, 482/900-902, 482/44-47, 434/247, 434/256-258, 434/219, 434/227-233, 345/156-172, 702/41, 702/176, 601/33, 601/40, 602/61, 602/64, 602/21, 400/489, 400/480, 400/481
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/16 for hands or fingers for teaching typing G09B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/044 Repetitive strain injury [RSI] considerations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 having computer circuitry

Abstract

An apparatus and method for reducing, preventing, lessening and treating the incidence and severity of Repetitive Strain Injuries ("RSI") comprising a combination of computer software and hardware that provides a "prompt" and system whereby the computer operator exercises their upper extremities during data entry and word processing thereby maximizing the excursion (range of motion) of the joints involved directly and indirectly in computer operation. In summary, the apparatus and method of the present invention includes 1) specialized target means with optional counters which serves as "goals" or marks towards which the hands of the typist are directed during prolonged key entry, 2) software that directs the movement of the limbs to and from the keyboard, and 3) software that individualizes the frequency and intensity of the exercise sequence.

Claims

1. An apparatus for preventing, lessening and treating repetitive strain injuries, comprising:

a plurality of target means wherein each of said target means comprises an elongate member having a first end and a second end and an upper and a lower surface, wherein said first end is fixedly attached to a computer display monitor and said second end has a plurality of contact interfaces disposed thereon;

computer software which provides a stimulus for a computer operator to remove their limbs from the computer keyboard;

wherein upon receipt of said stimulus a computer operator initiates an exercise pattern utilizing said target means as a trajectory goal.

2. An apparatus for preventing, lessening and treating repetitive strain injuries, comprising:

a plurality of target means wherein each of said target means comprises an elongate member having a first end and a second end and an upper and a lower surface, wherein said first end is fixedly attached to a computer display monitor and said second end has a plurality of contact interfaces disposed thereon;

wherein a right-side target means is fixedly attached to the upper top corner of the right-hand side of the computer display monitor and a left-side target means is fixedly attached to the upper top corner of the left-hand side of the computer display monitor;

computer software which provides a stimulus for a computer operator to remove their limbs from the computer keyboard;

wherein upon receipt of said stimulus a computer operator initiates an exercise pattern utilizing said target means as a trajectory goal.

3. An apparatus for preventing, lessening and treating repetitive strain injuries as in claim 2, wherein said contact interfaces disposed upon said second end of said target means comprise an upper contact interface on said upper surface and a lower contact interface on said lower surface opposite thereof, wherein said contact interfaces are oriented at specific angles which define the trajectory of the movement of the computer operator'"'"'s limbs when they leaves the keyboard.

4. An apparatus for preventing, lessening and treating repetitive strain injuries as in claim 3, wherein said contact interfaces are pivotally connected to said elongate member.

5. An apparatus for preventing, lessening and treating repetitive strain injuries as in claim 3, wherein said contact interfaces are formed integrally with the elongate member.

6. An apparatus for preventing, lessening and treating repetitive strain injuries as in claim 2, wherein said target means further comprises a counter means.

7. An apparatus for preventing, lessening and treating repetitive strain injuries as in claim 2, wherein said computer software tracks the number of keystrokes made by the computer operator.

8. An apparatus for preventing, lessening and treating repetitive strain injuries as in claim 2, wherein the frequency of said computer generated stimulus is based upon the number of computer keystrokes made by a computer operator, the age of the computer operator and the symptom of the computer operator.

9. A method of preventing, lessening and treating repetitive strain injuries comprising:

obtaining an apparatus for preventing repetitive strain injuries, comprising;

a plurality of target means wherein each of said target means comprises an elongate member having a first end and a second end and an upper and a lower surface, wherein said first end is fixedly attached to a computer display monitor and said second end has a plurality of contact interfaces disposed thereon;

wherein a right-side target means is fixedly attached to the upper top corner of the right-hand side of the computer display monitor and a left-side target means is fixedly attached to the upper top corner of the left-hand side of the computer display monitor;

computer software which provides a stimulus for a computer operator to remove their limbs from the computer keyboard;

wherein upon receipt of said stimulus a computer operator initiates an exercise pattern utilizing said target means as a trajectory goal.

17. The method of preventing, lessening and treating repetitive strain injuries as in claim 9, wherein said exercise pattern includes a first and second sequence, based upon the use of a non-keyboard input device, each of said sequences directing the movement of one of the operator'"'"'s hands to a specific target means.

18. The method of preventing, lessening and treating repetitive strain injuries as in claim 17, wherein a first sequence is initiated when the hand of the computer operator is employing a non-keyboard input device, is directed to leave the non-keyboard input device and contact said upper contact interface disposed on the opposite-side target means, wherein said sequence is based upon the following frequency:

space="preserve" listing-type="tabular">______________________________________Age CI/Grade1 60 secondsAge CI/Grade2 45 secondsAge C1/Grade3 30 secondsAge CII/Grade1 30 secondsAge CII/Grade2 30 secondsAge CII/Grade3 15 secondsAge CIII/Grade1 15 secondsAge CIII/Grade2 15 secondsAge CIII/Grade3 15 seconds.______________________________________

19. The method of preventing, lessening and treating repetitive strain injuries as in claim 17, wherein a second sequence is initiated when the hand of the computer operator employing a non-keyboard input device, is directed to leave the non-keyboard input device and contact said lower contact interface disposed on the opposite-side target means, wherein said sequence is based upon the following frequency:

space="preserve" listing-type="tabular">______________________________________Age CI/Grade1 120 secondsAge CI/Grade2 90 secondsAge C1/Grade3 60 secondsAge CII/Grade1 60 secondsAge CII/Grade2 60 secondsAge CII/Grade3 30 secondsAge CIII/Grade1 30 secondsAge CIII/Grade2 30 secondsAge CIII/Grade3 30 seconds.______________________________________

10. A method of preventing, lessening and treating repetitive strain injuries comprising:

obtaining an apparatus for preventing repetitive strain injuries, comprising;

a plurality of target means wherein each of said target means comprises an elongate member having a first end and a second end and an upper and a lower surface, wherein said first end is fixedly attached to a computer display monitor and said second end has a plurality of contact interfaces disposed thereon;

wherein said contact interfaces disposed upon said second end of said target means comprise an upper contact interface on said upper surface and a lower contact interface on said lower surface opposite thereof, wherein said contact interfaces are oriented at specific angles which define the trajectory of the movement of the computer operator'"'"'s limbs when they leaves the keyboard;

wherein a right-side target means is fixedly attached to the upper top corner of the right-hand side of the computer display monitor and a left-side target means is fixedly attached to the upper top corner of the left-hand side of the computer display monitor;

computer software which provides a stimulus for a computer operator to remove their limbs from the computer keyboard;

wherein upon receipt of said stimulus a computer operator initiates an exercise pattern utilizing said target means as a trajectory goal;

wherein said exercise pattern includes four sequences, each sequence occurring at a set frequency, which direct the movement of one of the operator'"'"'s hands to a specific target means.

11. The method of preventing, lessening and treating repetitive strain injuries as in claim 10, wherein a first sequence is initiated when the right hand of a computer operator is directed to leave the keyboard and contact said lower contact interface on said right-side target means;

wherein a second sequence is initiated when the left hand of a computer operator is directed to leave the keyboard and contact said lower contact interface on said left-side target means;

wherein a third sequence is initiated when the right hand of a computer operator is directed to leave the keyboard and contact said upper contact interface on said left-side target means; and

wherein a fourth sequence is initiated when the left hand of a computer operator is directed to leave the keyboard and contact said upper contact interface on said right-side target means.

12. The method of preventing, lessening and treating repetitive strain injuries as in claim 10, wherein the frequency of said computer generated stimulus is based upon the number of computer keystrokes made by a computer operator, the age of the computer operator and the symptom grade of the computer operator.

13. The method of preventing, lessening and treating repetitive strain injuries as in claim 11, wherein said first sequence is initiated based upon the following frequency:

space="preserve" listing-type="tabular">______________________________________Age C I/Grade 1 four lines or 300 keystrokesAge C I/Grade 2 three lines or 225 keystrokesAge C I/Grade 3 two lines or 150 keystrokesAge C II/Grade 1 two lines or 150 keystrokesAge C II/Grade 2 two lines or 150 keystrokesAge C II/Grade 3 one line or 75 keystrokesAge C III/Grade 1 one line or 75 keystrokesAge C III/Grade 2 one line or 75 keystrokesAge C III/Grade 3 one line or 75 keystrokes.______________________________________

14. The method of preventing, lessening and treating repetitive strain injuries as in claim 11, wherein said second sequence is initiated based upon the following frequency:

space="preserve" listing-type="tabular">______________________________________Age C I/Grade 1 eight lines or 600 keystrokesAge C I/Grade 2 six lines or 450 keystrokesAge C I/Grade 3 four lines or 300 keystrokesAge C II/Grade 1 four lines or 300 keystrokesAge C II/Grade 2 four lines or 300 keystrokesAge C II/Grade 3 two lines or 150 keystrokesAge C III/Grade 1 two lines or 150 keystrokesAge C III/Grade 2 two lines or 150 keystrokesAge C III/Grade 3 two lines or 150 keystrokes.______________________________________

15. The method of preventing, lessening and treating repetitive strain injuries as in claim 11, wherein said third sequence is initiated based upon the following frequency:

space="preserve" listing-type="tabular">______________________________________Age C I/Grade 1 twelve lines or 900 keystrokesAge C I/Grade 2 nine lines or 675 keystrokesAge C I/Grade 3 six lines or 450 keystrokesAge C II/Grade 1 six lines or 450 keystrokesAge C II/Grade 2 six lines or 450 keystrokesAge C II/Grade 3 three lines or 225 keystrokesAge C III/Grade 1 three lines or 225 keystrokesAge C III/Grade 2 three lines or 225 keystrokesAge C III/Grade 3 three lines or 225 keystrokes.______________________________________

16. The method of preventing, lessening and treating repetitive strain injuries as in claim 11, wherein said fourth sequence is initiated based upon the following frequency:

space="preserve" listing-type="tabular">______________________________________Age C I/Grade 1 sixteen lines or 1200 keystrokesAge C I/Grade 2 twelve lines or 900 keystrokesAge C I/Grade 3 eight lines or 600 keystrokesAge C II/Grade 1 eight lines or 600 keystrokesAge C II/Grade 2 eight lines or 600 keystrokesAge C II/Grade 3 four lines or 300 keystrokesAge C III/Grade 1 four lines or 300 keystrokesAge C III/Grade 2 four lines or 300 keystrokesAge C III/Grade 3 four lines or 300 keystrokes.______________________________________