Keyboard support apparatus

• US 6,543,949 B1
• Filed: 03/23/2000
• Issued: 04/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Craig E. Ritchey, Eugene B. Ritchey
• Original Assignee: Craig E. Ritchey, Eugene B. Ritchey
• Inventors: Ritchey, Eugene B., Ritchey, Craig E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Anthony H.
• Application Number:
  US09/533,329
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 400/691, 400/693, 400/715, 400/472, 248/118.1, 248/118.3, 248/918, 341/22, 312/208.1, 312/208.4
• US Class Current: 400/691
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0314 Platforms for supporting office equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0371 Platforms for supporting wrists

Abstract

A keyboard support apparatus is provided to allow a keyboard to be placed in a reverse inclination or angle thus allowing a user'"'"'s hands and fingers to be placed at a level at or below the level of the user'"'"'s forearms and wrists when the user'"'"'s forearms are extended for keyboarding operations. A first embodiment includes an inclined panel rotatably connected to a base panel, and an adjustment panel which has a free end for engaging adjustment slots in the base panel thereby allowing a selective inclinations of the inclined panel with respect to the base panel. In a second embodiment, the keyboard support apparatus may be used in conjunction with a common computer desk or table which incorporates a pull-out tray. The keyboard support apparatus is installed on the pull-out tray allowing a user to adjust the reverse inclination of the keyboard, or to allow the keyboard to remain in its normal horizontal position.

Claims

1. A keyboard support apparatus for supporting a keyboard and a user'"'"'s wrists during keyboard operations, said apparatus comprising:

a base panel including a plurality of adjustment slots formed thereon;

an inclined panel having first and second ends, said first end of said inclined panel rotatably connected to said base panel;

an adjustment panel having first and second ends, said first end of said adjustment panel being rotatably connected to said second end of said inclined panel to form a connection, said second end of said adjustment panel being selectively engageable with a desired one of said adjustment slots to vary the reverse inclination of said inclined panel with respect to said base panel, said inclined panel extending at an angle from said base panel at less than thirty degrees; and

wherein the keyboard support apparatus enables a user'"'"'s wrists to rest on said connection between said inclined panel and said adjustment panel.

2. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

a stop positioned at said first end of said inclined panel.

3. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

a non-slip surface bonded to said inclined panel.

4. An apparatus, claimed in claim 1, further including:

a wrist pad placed at said connection between said inclined panel and said adjustment panel.

5. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said inclined panel extends continuously under a keyboard mounted on said inclined panel.

6. A non-collapsible keyboard support apparatus for supporting a keyboard and a user'"'"'s wrists during keyboard operations, said apparatus comprising:

base panel having first and second ends;

an inclined panel having first and second ends, said first end of said inclined panel connected to said first end of said base panel, said inclined panel being positioned at an angle of less than thirty degrees with respect to said base panel;

a positioning panel rigidly interconnecting said second end of said base panel to said second end of said inclined panel, said base panel, said inclined panel, and said positioning panel forming a triangular cross-sectional shape; and

wherein the keyboard support apparatus enables a user'"'"'s wrists to rest on said connection between said inclined panel and said positioning panel.

7. A keyboard support apparatus for supporting a keyboard and a user'"'"'s wrists during keyboard operations, said apparatus comprising:

a base panel;

an inclined panel having first and second ends, said first end of said inclined panel rotatably connected to said base panel, and said inclined panel extending at an angle from said base panel at less than thirty degrees; and

means for adjusting the inclination of the inclined panel with respect to said base panel, said means for adjusting interconnecting said second end of inclined panel to said base panel; and

wherein the keyboard support apparatus enables a user'"'"'s wrists to rest on said connection between said inclined panel and said means for adjusting.

8. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 7, further including:

a non-slip surface bonded to said inclined panel.

9. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 7, further including:

a wrist pad placed at said second end of said inclined panel for supporting wrists of a user.

10. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 7, further including:

a stop positioned at said first end of said inclined panel to prevent a keyboard mounted thereon from sliding off said inclined panel.

11. A method of reducing physical discomfort for a user of a keyboard, said method comprising:

(a) providing a keyboard support apparatus having

(i) abase panel including a plurality of adjustment slots formed thereon;

(ii) an inclined panel having first and second ends, the first end of the inclined panel rotatably connected to the base panel;

(iii) an adjustment panel having first and second ends, the first end of the adjustment panel being rotatably connected to the second end of the inclined panel to form a connection, the second end of the adjustment panel being selectively engageable with a desired one of the adjustment slots to vary the reverse inclination of the inclined panel with respect to the base panel;

(b) positioning the keyboard support apparatus in front of the user;

(c) adjusting the keyboard support apparatus by placing the second end of the adjustment panel in the desired one of the adjustment slots on the base panel to adjust the reverse inclination of the inclined panel with respect to the base panel, the inclined panel being adjustable so that the inclined panel extends from said base panel at less than thirty degrees;

(d) placing a keyboard on the keyboard support apparatus;

(e) placing the user'"'"'s wrists on the connection; and

(f) using the keyboard in an inclined position.