Ergonomic hand support for use with a computer pointing device

• US 6,193,196 B1
• Filed: 02/05/1999
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fellowes Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ERGO Devices Corporation
• Inventors: Hesley, William P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LANDRY, WALTER J
• Application Number:
  US09/246,031
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 248/118, 248/118.1, 248/118.3, 248/118.5, 248/918, 248/371, 248/396
• US Class Current: 248/118.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• 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 computer pointing device system comprising:

a computer pointing device having a head portion; and

a hand support device comprising;

a bottom surface;

a top surface including;

a palm support region;

a little finger support region extending from said palm support region wherein said little finger support region is adjacent to and transitions into said palm support region; and

a thumb support region extending from said palm support region,

wherein said thumb support region is adjacent to and transitions into said palm support region so that said palm support region, said little finger support region and said thumb support region form a continuous surface of said hand support device and so that at least a portion of said thumb support region and at least a portion of said little finger support region are in a plane of said palm support region; and

said thumb support region and said little finger support region define an opening positioned between said thumb support and little finger support regions wherein a position of said thumb support region and a position of said little finger support region are selected to provide a size of said opening to permit said head portion of said computer pointing device to be moved within said opening; and

a control surface extending from said bottom surface to said top surface, and defining a perimeter of said opening wherein said control surface limits motion of said computer pointing device to a first field of motion, and a top surface of said computer pointing device and said top surface of said hand support device are aligned to position a hand and foreman of a user in a neutral position that minimizes stress on fingers, said hand, and a wrist of said user.

2. The computer pointing device system of claim 1 wherein said palm support region has a slope in a direction from said little finger support region to said thumb support region.

3. The computer pointing device system of claim 1 further comprising:

a front index extending from a portion of said palm support region between said little finger support region and said thumb support region.

4. The computer pointing device system of claim 2 further comprising:

a front index extending from a portion of said palm support region between said little finger support region and said thumb support region.

5. The computer pointing device system of claim 3 further comprising:

a side index extending from said thumb support region and said palm support region.

6. The computer pointing device system of claim 1 further comprising:

a side index extending from said thumb support region and said palm support region.