Adjustable wrist rest support and method

• US 5,954,303 A
• Filed: 08/28/1997
• Issued: 09/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Darvell, Wayne K., Wolf, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAXTER, GWENDOLYN WRENN
• Application Number:
  US08/924,048
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 249/188.1, 249/188.2, 249/118.1, 249/118.3, 249/118.5, 249/118, 249/918, 249/911, 400/715, 400/718
• US Class Current: 248/118.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0371 Platforms for supporting wrists
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

An adjustable wrist rest assembly that comprises a base portion having an first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge opposite the first edge. The wrist rest assembly further includes an elongate pad comprising a support layer and opposite first and second surfaces, wherein the second surface is supported on the first surface of the base portion. The wrist rest assembly further comprises at least one height adjustment member having a first surface and at least one support surface generally opposite the first surface, wherein the first surface of the height adjustment member is mounted on the second surface of the base portion, and wherein the wrist rest pad assembly is supported by the at least one height adjustment member at a first distance above the support surface when located thereon. The wrist rest assembly further includes at least one height adjustment pad having a thickness and a first position being removably attached to the at least one support surface of the at least one height adjustment member, wherein the wrist rest pad assembly is supported by the height adjustment member and pad at a second distance above the support surface when located thereon, and a second position being removed from the at least one support surface of the at least one height adjustment member, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

Claims

1. An adjustable wrist rest assembly positionable on a support surface along the front edge of a device to be operated by a user'"'"'s hands or fingers for supporting the wrists of the user who is positioned adjacent to the front edge of the support surface, the wrist rest assembly comprising:

a wrist rest pad assembly comprising a base portion having an first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge opposite the first edge, and an elongate pad comprising a support layer and opposite first and second surfaces, wherein the second surface of the pad is supported on the first surface of the base portion, and wherein the pad has sufficient support material between the first and second surfaces to afford supporting the wrists of the user on the first surface with a portion of the support layer beneath the wrists of the user;

at least one height adjustment member having a first surface and at least one skid-resistant support surface generally opposite the first surface, wherein the first surface of the height adjustment member is mounted on the second surface of the base portion so that the at least one support surface of the height adjustment member projects away from the base portion, and wherein the wrist rest pad assembly is supported by the at least one height adjustment member at a first distance above the support surface when located thereon; and

at least one skid-resistant height adjustment pad having a thickness and a first position being removably attached to the at least one support surface of the at least one height adjustment member, wherein the wrist rest pad assembly is supported by the height adjustment member and pad at a second distance above the support surface when located thereon, and a second position being removed from the at least one support surface of the at least one height adjustment member, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

2. The adjustable wrist rest assembly of claim 1, further comprising first and second height adjustment members, wherein the first height adjustment member is positioned closer to the first end of the base portion than to the second end and the second height adjustment member is positioned closer to the second end of the base portion than to the first end.

3. The adjustable wrist rest assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one height adjustment members further comprises at least one leg portion.

4. The adjustable wrist rest assembly of claim 3, wherein each of the at least one leg portions comprises the at least one support surface of the height adjustment member.

5. The adjustable wrist rest assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one height adjustment pad is removably attached to each of the at least one height adjustment members closer to the first longitudinal edge of the wrist rest pad assembly than to the second longitudinal edge to incline the wrist rest assembly relative to the support surface.

6. The adjustable wrist rest assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one height adjustment members further comprises a first leg portion and a second leg portion spaced from the first leg portion, wherein the first leg portion of each of the at least one height adjustment members is closer to the first longitudinal edge of the wrist rest pad assembly than to the second longitudinal edge.

7. The adjustable wrist rest assembly of claim 6, wherein the first leg portion comprises a first support surface and the second leg portion comprises a second support surface.

8. The adjustable wrist rest assembly of claim 6, wherein the at least one height adjustment pad is removably attached to the first leg portion of each of the at least one height adjustment members to incline the wrist rest assembly relative to the support surface.

9. The adjustable wrist rest assembly of claim 1, wherein the support layer comprises a layer of gel for conforming to the supported wrists of the user and to afford significant motion of the first surface of the pad with the supported wrists relative to the second surface of the pad in a horizontal plane.

10. The adjustable wrist rest assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one height adjustment pad is comprised of a polyurethane material.

11. The adjustable wrist rest assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one height adjustment member is comprised of a polyurethane material.

12. The adjustable wrist rest assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one height adjustment pads has a top surface that is generally parallel to an opposite bottom surface.

13. An adjustable wrist rest assembly positionable on a support surface along the front edge of a device to be operated by a user'"'"'s hands or fingers for supporting the wrists of the user who is positioned adjacent to the front edge of the support surface, the wrist rest assembly comprising:

an elongate pad comprising a support layer and opposite first and second surfaces, wherein the pad has sufficient support material between the first and second surfaces to afford supporting the wrists of the user on the first surface with a portion of the support layer beneath the wrists of the user;

at least one height adjustment member having a first surface and at least one skid-resistant support surface generally opposite the first surface, wherein the first surface of the height adjustment member is mounted on the second surface of the pad so that the at least one support surface of the height adjustment member projects away from the second surface of the pad, and wherein the elongate pad is supported by the at least one height adjustment member at a first distance above the support surface when located thereon; and

at least one skid-resistant height adjustment pad having a thickness and a first position being removably attached to the at least one support surface of the at least one height adjustment member, wherein the elongate pad is supported by the height adjustment member and pad at a second distance above the support surface when supported thereon, and a second position being removed from the at least one support surface of the at least one height adjustment member, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

14. The adjustable wrist rest assembly of claim 13, wherein the elongate pad comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and further comprising first and second height adjustment members, wherein the first height adjustment member is positioned closer to the first end of the elongate pad than to the second end and the second height adjustment member is positioned closer to the second end of the elongate pad than to the first end.

15. The adjustable wrist rest assembly of claim 13, wherein each of the at least one height adjustment members further comprises at least one leg portion.

16. The adjustable wrist assembly of claim 15, wherein each of the at least one leg portions comprises the at least one support surface of the height adjustment member.

17. The adjustable wrist assembly of claim 13, wherein the elongate pad further comprises first and second opposite longitudinal edges wherein each of the at least one height adjustment members further comprises a first leg portion and a second leg portion spaced from the first leg portion, and wherein the first leg portion of each of the at least one height adjustment members is closer to the first longitudinal edge of the elongate pad than to the second longitudinal edge.

18. The adjustable wrist rest assembly of claim 17, wherein the at least one height adjustment pad is removably attached to the first leg portion of each of the at least one height adjustment members to incline the wrist rest assembly relative to the support surface.

19. An adjustable wrist rest assembly positionable on a support surface along the front edge of a device to be operated by a user'"'"'s hands or fingers for supporting the wrists of the user who is positioned adjacent to the front edge of the support surface, the wrist rest assembly comprising:

a wrist rest pad assembly comprising a base portion having an first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge opposite the first edge, and an elongate pad comprising a support layer, the pad having opposite first and second surfaces, wherein the second surface of the pad is supported on the first surface of the base portion, and wherein the pad has sufficient support material between the first and second surfaces to afford supporting the wrists of the user on the first surface with a portion of the support layer beneath the wrists of the user;

at least two height adjustment members having a first surface and two support surfaces generally opposite the first surface, wherein the first surface of each height adjustment member is mounted on the second surface of the base portion so that the two support surfaces of the height adjustment member project away from the base portion, and wherein the wrist rest pad assembly is supported by the at least two height adjustment members at a first distance above the support surface when located thereon; and

at least one height adjustment pad having a thickness and a first position being removably attached to the at least one of the two support surfaces of the at least two height adjustment members, wherein the wrist rest pad assembly is supported by the height adjustment member and pad at a second distance above the support surface when located thereon, and a second position being removed from at least one of the two support surfaces of the at least two height adjustment members, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

20. An adjustable wrist assembly positionable on a support surface along the front edge of a device to be operated by a user'"'"'s hands or fingers for supporting the wrists of the user who is positioned adjacent to the front edge of the support surface, the wrist rest assembly comprising:

a wrist rest pad assembly comprising a base portion having an first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge opposite the first edge, and at least one skid-resistant height adjustment member comprising at least one support surface projecting away from the base portion, and wherein the wrist rest pad assembly is supported by the at least one height adjustment member at a first distance above the support surface when located thereon, and an elongate pad comprising a support layer and opposite first and second surfaces, wherein the second surface of the pad is supported on the first surface of the base portion, and wherein the pad has sufficient support material between the first and second surfaces to afford supporting the wrists of the user on the first surface with a portion of the support layer beneath the wrists of the user; and

at least one skid-resistant height adjustment pad having a thickness and a first position being removably attached to the at least one support surface of the at least one height adjustment member, wherein the wrist rest pad assembly is supported by the height adjustment member and pad at a second distance above the support surface when located thereon, and a second position being removed from the at least one support surface of the at least one height adjustment member, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

21. An adjustable wrist rest assembly positionable on a support surface along the front edge of a device to be operated by a user'"'"'s hands or fingers for supporting the wrists of the user who is positioned adjacent to the front edge of the support surface, the wrist rest assembly comprising:

a wrist rest pad assembly comprising a base portion having an first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge opposite the first edge, and an elongate pad comprising a support layer and opposite first and second surfaces, wherein the second surface of the pad is supported on the first surface of the base portion, and wherein the pad has sufficient support material between the first and second surfaces to afford supporting the wrists of the user on the first surface with a portion of the support layer beneath the wrists of the user;

at least one skid-resistant height adjustment member having a first surface and at least one support surface generally opposite the first surface, wherein the first surface of the height adjustment member is mounted on the second surface of the base portion so that the at least one support surface of the height adjustment member projects away from the base portion, and wherein the wrist rest pad assembly is supported by the at least one height adjustment member at a first distance above the support surface when located thereon; and

at least one skid-resistant height adjustment pad having a thickness and a first position being removably attached to the at least one support surface of the at least one height adjustment member, wherein the wrist rest pad assembly is supported by the height adjustment member and pad at a second distance above the support surface when located thereon, and a second position being removed from the at least one support surface of the at least one height adjustment member, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance, and wherein the at least one height adjustment pad is removably attached to each of the at least one height adjustment members closer to the first longitudinal edge of the wrist rest pad assembly than to the second longitudinal edge to incline the wrist rest assembly relative to the support surface.

22. An adjustable wrist rest assembly positionable on a support surface along the front edge of a device to be operated by a user'"'"'s hands or fingers for supporting the wrists of the user who is positioned adjacent to the front edge of the support surface, the wrist rest assembly comprising:

a wrist rest pad assembly comprising a base portion having an first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge opposite the first edge, and an elongate pad comprising a support layer and opposite first and second surfaces, wherein the second surface of the pad is supported on the first surface of the base portion, and wherein the pad has sufficient support material between the first and second surfaces to afford supporting the wrists of the user on the first surface with a portion of the support layer beneath the wrists of the user;

at least one height adjustment member comprising a first surface, a first leg portion having a first support surface, and a second leg portion spaced from the first leg portion and having a second support surface, wherein the first surface of the height adjustment member is mounted on the second surface of the base portion so that the first and second support surfaces of the first and second leg portions project away from the base portion, and wherein the wrist rest pad assembly is supported by the at least one height adjustment member at a first distance above the support surface when located thereon; and

at least one height adjustment pad having a thickness and a first position being removably attached to at least one of the first support surface and the second support surface of the at least one height adjustment member, wherein the wrist rest pad assembly is supported by the first and second leg portions of the height adjustment member and at least one height adjustment pad at a second distance above the support surface when located thereon, and a second position being removed from the at least one of the first and second support surfaces of the at least one height adjustment member, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

23. An adjustable wrist rest assembly positionable on a support surface along the front edge of a device to be operated by a user'"'"'s hands or fingers for supporting the wrists of the user who is positioned adjacent to the front edge of the support surface, the wrist rest assembly comprising:

a wrist rest pad assembly comprising a base portion having an first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge opposite the first edge, and an elongate pad comprising a support layer and opposite first and second surfaces, wherein the second surface of the pad is supported on the first surface of the base portion, and wherein the pad has sufficient support material between the first and second surfaces to afford supporting the wrists of the user on the first surface with a portion of the support layer beneath the wrists of the user;

at least one height adjustment member having a first surface and at least one support surface generally opposite the first surface, wherein the first surface of the height adjustment member is mounted on the second surface of the base portion so that the at least one support surface of the height adjustment member projects away from the base portion, and wherein the wrist rest pad assembly is supported by the at least one height adjustment member at a first distance above the support surface when located thereon; and

at least one height adjustment pad having a thickness and a first position being removably attached to the at least one support surface of the at least one height adjustment member, wherein the wrist rest pad assembly is supported by the height adjustment member and pad at a second distance above the support surface when located thereon, and a second position being removed from the at least one support surface of the at least one height adjustment member, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance, and wherein the at least one height adjustment pad is removably adhered to the second surface of the base portion for convenient storage when removed from the at least one support surface of the at least one height adjustment member.

24. An adjustable wrist rest assembly positionable on a support surface along the front edge of a device to be operated by a user'"'"'s hands or fingers for supporting the wrists of the user who is positioned adjacent to the front edge of the support surface, the wrist rest assembly comprising:

a wrist rest pad assembly comprising a base portion having an first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge opposite the first edge, and an elongate pad comprising a support layer and opposite first and second surfaces, wherein the second surface of the pad is supported on the first surface of the base portion, and wherein the pad has sufficient support material between the first and second surfaces to afford supporting the wrists of the user on the first surface with a portion of the support layer beneath the wrists of the user;

at least one height adjustment member having a first surface and at least one support surface generally opposite the first surface, wherein the first surface of the height adjustment member is mounted on the second surface of the base portion so that the at least one support surface of the height adjustment member projects away from the base portion, and wherein the wrist rest pad assembly is supported by the at least one height adjustment member at a first distance above the support surface when located thereon; and

at least one height adjustment pad having a thickness and a first position being removably attached to the at least one support surface of the at least one height adjustment member, wherein the wrist rest pad assembly is supported by the height adjustment member and pad at a second distance above the support surface when located thereon, and a second position being removed from the at least one support surface of the at least one height adjustment member, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance, and wherein each of the at least one height adjustment pads has a top surface that is inclined relative to an opposite bottom surface.

25. An adjustable wrist rest assembly positionable on a support surface along the front edge of a device to be operated by a user'"'"'s hands or fingers for supporting the wrists of the user who is positioned adjacent to the front edge of the support surface, the wrist rest assembly comprising:

an elongate pad comprising a support layer and opposite first and second surfaces, wherein the pad has sufficient support material between the first and second surfaces to afford supporting the wrists of the user on the first surface with a portion of the support layer beneath the wrists of the user;

at least one height adjustment member having a first surface and at least one support surface generally opposite the first surface, wherein the first surface of the height adjustment member is mounted on the second surface of the pad so that the at least one support surface of the height adjustment member projects away from the second surface of the pad, and wherein the elongate pad is supported by the at least one height adjustment member at a first distance above the support surface when located thereon; and

at least one height adjustment pad having a thickness and a first position being removably attached to the at least one support surface of the at least one height adjustment member, wherein the elongate pad is supported by the height adjustment member and pad at a second distance above the support surface when supported thereon, and a second position being removed from the at least one support surface of the at least one height adjustment member, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance, and wherein the at least one height adjustment pad is removably adhered to the second surface of the elongate pad for convenient storage when removed from the at least one support surface of the at least one height adjustment member.