Ergonomic apparatus for personal computer use

• US 6,772,980 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2002
• Issued: 08/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oʼneill, John M.
• Original Assignee: Oʼneill, John M.
• Inventors: OʼNeill, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOOD, KIMBERLY T
• Application Number:
  US10/310,848
• Publication Number:
  US 20040108422A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 248/118.5, 248/118.1, 248/444, 248/918, 248/118, 224/201, 224/265, 224/266, 224/270, 224/259, 224/930, 108/43
• US Class Current: 248/118.1
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0525 Personal portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/10 Pack-frames carried on the body
• CPC Class Codes: B43M 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/93 Attached to animate bearer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

The inventive apparatus is a convenient, unobtrusive appliance for providing support in the prevention of injury due to personal computer keyboard use. In particular, the inventive apparatus supports the entire arm and further assists the keyboard user in that it allows the shoulder muscles to remain relaxed, and the knuckles, wrists, and forearms to maintain the same plane during keyboard usage. Further, the inventive apparatus is designed to support and maintain good posture at the keyboard. The inventive apparatus is worn by a user on the user'"'"'s upper body and it receives it support from the wearer'"'"'s waist and upper back, while avoiding contact at the wearer'"'"'s shoulder and neck. It supports both arms and the upper body without encumbering the wearer of the apparatus. The inventive apparatus supports the wearer'"'"'s upper body movements by acting as a suspension system in that it absorbs the damaging energy that so often is the initial cause of repetitive stress injury to keyboard users.

Claims

1. An ergonomic apparatus adapted to be worn by a user of a keyboard, comprising:

a central post,

a shoulder assembly connected to an upper end of the central post,

a waist bar having a front end and a back end, the back end of the waist bar connected to a lower end of the central post, and two palm rests each comprising a spoon shaped support attached to the waist bar,

the shoulder assembly extending from the central post so as to be positionable over the user'"'"'s shoulders and supported on the user'"'"'s back without contact with the user'"'"'s neck or upper and front shoulders, and the waist bar extending forward from the central post to provide support for the user'"'"'s forearms and upper body, and the palm rests extending forward beyond the front end of the waist bar to provide support of the user'"'"'s palms,

wherein when the apparatus is in use, the shoulder assembly contacts the user'"'"'s back, and the waist bar supports the user'"'"'s forearms and upper body such that the user comfortably uses the keyboard in a manner which alleviates tension and stress when the user is engaged in keying the keyboard.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said central post is adjustable.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said central post comprises telescoping means for adjusting the central post.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said waist bar additionally comprises a wrist brace.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said waist bar additionally comprises a console.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said console is configured to communicate with a computer such that operating the console performs operations typically associated with a computer mouse.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said shoulder assembly is comprised of:

at least two members, wherein a first end of a first member is in contact with the user'"'"'s back, a first end of a second member is in contact with the user'"'"'s back, and a second end of the first member is in contact with a second end of the second member.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said first end of said first member and said first end of said second member are padded.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said second end of said first member and said second end of said second member are in contact with the central post.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein shoulder assembly is comprised of a integral component having at least two shoulder branches, wherein said at least two shoulder branches are in contact with the user'"'"'s back.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said shoulder assembly additionally comprises a central connection branch, and said center connection branch is in contact with the central post.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said at least two shoulder branches are padded.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the palm rests are adjustable in attachment to the waist bar.