The present subject matter relates to supports for manual computer input devices and upper limbs. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to ergonomically designed supports for manual computer input devices and upper limbs.
During usage of a computer, particularly manual computer input devices, such as a computer keyboard and a mouse, elbows, forearms and wrists of a user have to be supported, and bending of the hand relative to the forearm has to be avoided, in order to prevent pain, inflammation and the like. In addition, ergonomically, the computer keyboard has to be centered relative to the body. However, currently available furniture for computer users does not provide proper support to the elbows, forearms and wrists of the user, in most cases force bending of the hands relative to the forearms and in some cases forces bending of the back of the user, with all the accompanying complications as known in the art. For example, a chair having armrests provides only partial support to the elbows and forearms, and in most cases the armrests are not in line with, mostly below, and relatively distant from, a working surface on which the computer input device stands, for example a table or a desk. This is a result of design constraints because the chair has to fit under the table or desk, and because the user has to be able to access the chair without interference by the armrests. As a result, the armrests do not properly support the weight of the arms of the user. In some cases, the armrests are too narrow to fully support the forearms to a full range of use that is required when working with a computer keyboard, especially with typewriter keys of the computer keyboard, and a mouse.
Thus, back and neck vertebrae and muscles of the neck and shoulder bear the entire weight of the arms for prolonged periods of time during usage of a computer, leading to chronic shoulder and neck pain, upper back problems and the like. In addition, the lowered position of the armrests relative to the working surface forces bending of the hands relative to the forearms, which can be harmful to the user as mentioned above.
Furthermore, most of the currently available working surfaces are flat and horizontally positioned, while ergonomically an inclined working surface is preferred in order to bring an object being worked on, for example a computer keyboard, closer to the eyes of the user. Therefore, mechanisms for inclining the computer keyboard towards to the user's eyes are available, for example foldable legs at a distant edge of the computer keyboard relative to the user. However, inclining the computer keyboard forces an even worse incline of the hands relative to the forearms, which can be harmful to the user, especially in the wrist area, as mentioned above.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this subject matter belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present subject matter, suitable methods and materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
According to one aspect of the present subject matter, there is provided a support for manual computer input devices and upper limbs, the support comprising: either one, or two, forearm supports; a keyboard support positioned distantly from each of the either one, or two, forearm supports; and a space configured to allow presence of a user inside the space, wherein the either one, or two, forearm supports are aside the space.
According to one embodiment, the support comprises a left forearm support and a right forearm support.
According to another embodiment, the space is between the left forearm support and the right forearm support.
According to yet another embodiment, the support further comprises either one, or two, mouse supports, distantly from the either one, or two, forearm supports and aside the keyboard support.
According to still another embodiment, the support comprises a left mouse support and a right mouse support.
According to a further embodiment, the support further comprises a center mark marking substantially a center of the space.
According to yet a further embodiment, the keyboard support is positioned in such a way that a center of a typewriter keys area of a computer keyboard placed in the keyboard support is aligned with the center mark.
According to still a further embodiment, a surface of the keyboard support is lower than a surface of the either one, or two, forearm supports.
According to an additional embodiment, the surface of the keyboard support is lower than the surface of the either one, or two, forearm supports in a manner that a surface of a computer keyboard that is placed on the keyboard support is in line with the surface of the either one, or two, forearm supports.
According to yet an additional embodiment, a height of a computer keyboard placed on the keyboard support is adjustable.
According to still an additional embodiment, the support further comprises a keyboard support cover configured to be placed on the keyboard support and cover the keyboard support.
According to another embodiment, when the keyboard support cover is placed on the keyboard support, a height of the keyboard support cover is similar to a height of the either one, or two, forearms supports.
According to yet another embodiment, the support is configured to be inclined in a manner that a distant side of the support, relative to the space, is higher than a proximate side of the support, relative to the space.
According to still another embodiment, a degree of incline of the support is adjustable.
According to a further embodiment, the support further comprises at least one extender configured to extend beyond the keyboard support, and thus support a computer keyboard that is larger than the keyboard support.
According to another aspect of the present subject matter, there is provided a supporting desk comprising a support part according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments, connected to a desk.
According to one embodiment, the support part is pivotally connected to the desk.
According to another embodiment, the support part is configured to be inclined relative to the desk, when while inclined the support part is lower than the desk.
According to yet another aspect of the present subject matter, there is provided a combination of a support according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments and a computer keyboard.
According to still another aspect of the present subject matter, there is provided a collapsible support according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments.
According to one embodiment, a distance between a left forearm support and a right forearm support is adjustable.
According to another embodiment, a position of a mouse support is adjustable.
According to yet anther embodiment, a degree of incline of the keyboard support is adjustable.
According to still another embodiment, a size of the keyboard support is adjustable.
Embodiments are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the embodiments. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how several forms may be embodied in practice.
In the drawings:
Before explaining at least one embodiment in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The subject matter is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. In discussion of the various figures described herein below, like numbers refer to like parts. The drawings are generally not to scale.
For clarity, non-essential elements were omitted from some of the drawings.
The present subject matter provides a support for manual computer input devices and upper limbs. More particularly, the present subject matter provides a support for manual computer input devices that are configured to be placed on a working surface and operated manually, for example a computer keyboard, a mouse and the like. The support of the present subject matter is further configured to support the upper limbs of a user operating the manual computer input devices. An upper limb of a human user comprises an arm, a forearm, an elbow serving as a joint between the arm and the forearm, a hand and a wrist serving as a joint between the hand and the forearm.
For the sake of simplicity only, the support for manual computer input devices and upper limbs is occasionally referred to hereinafter as “support 1”.
According to one embodiment, the support 1 is configured to support at least one manual computer input device, for example a computer keyboard and a mouse. According to a preferred embodiment, the support 1 is configured to support a computer keyboard and a mouse. The verb “support” refers to an ability of the support 1 to accommodate and fix a computer keyboard so it would not move aside. The verb “support” further refers to an ability of the support 1 to serve as a mouse pad on which a mouse can be moved by a user during operation of a computer. The verb “support” additionally refers to an ability of the support 1 to allow full positioning of both forearms of a user while working on the support 1 namely operating a computer, typing, handwriting and the like. Full positioning of both forearms on the support 1 means that the entire lower surface of the forearms, including the elbows and the wrists, are in full contact with surfaces of the support 1, in a manner that the support 1 is configured to bear the weight of both upper limbs of the user.
According to one embodiment, the support 1 is configured to support the entire forearms of a user in an ergonomically correct and comfortable position.
According to one embodiment, the support 1 is configured to be placed on a working surface. Any type of working surface known in the art is under the scope of the present subject matter, for example a table; a desk; a working surface having a fixed angle relative to the ground, for example a horizontal or an inclined working surface; a working surface having an adjustable angle relative to the ground, and the like.
According to one embodiment, when used, the support 1 is configured to be inclined relative to the ground in a manner that brings an object placed on the support closer to the eyes of the user. An object can be a computer keyboard, a book, a notebook or any reading material or material that has to be viewed by the user while using the support 1. Besides bringing the object closer to the eyes of the user, another advantage of the incline of the support 1 is that it can minimize deleterious effects such as muscle strain, neck pain and upper back aches while using the support 1.
According to one embodiment, the support 1 is configured to support fully forearms of a user, while the forearms are positioned at least partially, preferably fully, aside a user's body. As shown hereinafter, parts of the support 1 that are configured to supports the forearms of the user can extend beyond a working surface on which the support 1 is placed, towards the user, while letting the body of the user be positioned between the parts of the support 1 that support the forearms of the user.
According to one embodiment, the support 1 is configured to accommodate a computer keyboard in a manner that an, upper surface of the computer keyboard is substantially at a same plane as an upper surface of the support 1. An advantage of this embodiment is that it eliminates incline of the hand relative to the forearm of the user when using the computer keyboard. This is in contrast to prior art settings in which the upper surface of the computer keyboard that is placed on a working surface is higher than the upper surface of the working surface, thus forcing incline of the hand relative to the forearm of the user. According to another embodiment, height of the computer keyboard, when placed on the support 1, can be adjusted, so the computer keyboard can be placed in line of the upper surface of the support 1, as described in the previous embodiment, or below the upper surface of the support 1, or above the upper surface of the support 1, as desired by the user.
According to one embodiment, the support 1 is configured to support any type of computer keyboard known in the art, for example a computer keyboard that is separated from other components of the computer, a laptop and the like.
According to one embodiment, the support 1 comprises either one, or two, forearm supports. According to another embodiment, the support 1 comprises a left forearm support 102 positioned on a left side of the support 1 and configured to support a left forearm of a user. According to yet another embodiment, the support 1 comprises a right forearm support 104 positioned on a right side of the support 1 and configured to support a right forearm of a user. According to still another embodiment, the support 1 comprises both a left forearm support 102 and a right forearm support 104 positioned as described above and as illustrated in
According to one embodiment, when the support 1 comprises a left forearm support 102 and a right forearm support 104, as illustrated in
According to one embodiment, the support 1 can further comprise either one, or two, mouse supports, distantly from the either one, or two, forearm supports. According to another embodiment, the support 1 comprises a left mouse support 108 positioned on a left side of the support 1, distant from the left forearm support 102 relative to the user. The left mouse support 108 is configured to support a mouse positioned on a left side of the user. According to yet another embodiment, the support 1 comprises a right mouse support 110 positioned on a right side of the support 1, distant from the right forearm support 104 relative to the user. The right mouse support 110 is configured to support a mouse positioned on a right side of a user. According to still another embodiment, the support 1 comprises both a left mouse support 108 and a right mouse support 110 positioned as described above and as illustrated in
According to one embodiment, the support 1 further comprises a keyboard support 112 positioned substantially in front of the space 106 and in a certain distance from the space 106. In other words, the keyboard support 112 is positioned in front of a user of the support 1. The keyboard support 112 is configured to support a computer keyboard. Any type of computer keyboard know in the art is under the scope of the present subject matter, for example a computer keyboard that is separated from other components of the computer, a laptop and the like.
According to one embodiment, the support 1 further comprises a center mark 114 marking substantially a center of the space 106.
As can be seen in
As can be seen in
According to one embodiment, the keyboard support 112 has a niche-like structure. In other words, a surface of the keyboard support 112 on which a computer keyboard 20 is placed is lower than the surfaces of the forearm supports and the mouse supports. Thus, according to another embodiment, when a computer keyboard 20 is placed on the keyboard support 112, an upper surface of the computer keyboard 20 is substantially at a same plane as an upper surface of the forearm supports and the mouse supports. An advantage of this embodiment is that it eliminates incline of the hand relative to the forearm of the user when using the computer keyboard 20. This is in contrast to prior art settings in which the upper surface of the computer keyboard 20 that is placed on a working surface, for example a table or a desk, is higher than the upper surface of the working surface, thus forcing, incline of the hand relative to the forearm of the user during usage of the computer keyboard 20. According to yet another embodiment, a height of the computer keyboard 20, when placed on the keyboard support 112, can be adjusted, so the computer keyboard 20 can be placed in any desired height, for example, when the upper surface of the computer keyboard 20 is in line with the surfaces of the forearm supports and mouth supports, or below the surfaces of the forearm supports and mouse supports, or above the surfaces of the forearms supports and the mouse supports, as desired by the user.
Any mechanism known in the art for adjusting the height of the computer keyboard 20, when placed on the keyboard support 112, is under the scope of the present subject matter. An exemplary mechanism for adjusting the height of the computer keyboard 20, when placed on the keyboard support 112, can be using at least one height adjustor that is configured to be placed on the keyboard support 112, change its height as desired by a user, and allow placement of the computer keyboard 20 on the height adjustor.
An exemplary at least one height adjustor can be at least one screw that is configured to be screwed into the keyboard support 112 and on which the computer keyboard 20 can be placed. When it is desired, for example, to lower the height of the computer keyboard 20, the at least one screw can be further screwed into the keyboard support 112, thus lowering the height of the at least one screw and as a result lowering the height of the computer keyboard 20 placed on the at least one screw. However, when it is desired, for example, to elevate the height of the computer keyboard 20, the at least one screw can be screw out of the keyboard support, thus elevating the height pf the at least one screw and as a result increasing the height of the computer keyboard 20 placed on the at least one screw.
Another exemplary at least one height adjustor is at least one height block. A height block can be in a shape of, for example, a cube, a cuboid, a cylinder and the like. The at least one height block is configured to be placed on the keyboard support 112 and allow placement of the computer keyboard 20 on the height block. In addition, height blocks can be placed one on top of the other, thus increasing their height, or be removed one from the top of the other, thus lowering their height, and as a result increasing or decreasing, respectively, the height of the computer keyboard 20 placed on the at least one height block.
Yet another exemplary at least one height adjustor is at least one slidable height adjustor, as illustrated hereinafter in
According to the embodiment illustrated in
According to a further embodiment, the at least one slidable height adjustor 120 can comprise on one of its surfaces a protrusion 120-2, configured to further increase the height of a computer keyboard 20 placed on the protrusion 120-2 of the at least one slidable height adjustor 120 that is sled inside the keyboard support 112. Thus, as can be seen in
According to one embodiment, the support 1 further comprises a keyboard support cover 130, seen in
According to one embodiment, the support 1 is configured to be inclined in a manner that a distant side of the support 1, relative to the space 106, is higher than a proximate side of the support 1, relative to the space 106. This embodiment can be seen in
Any mechanism known in the art for inclining the support 1 in the aforementioned manner is under the scope of the present subject matter. Thus, according to one embodiment, illustrated in
According to a further embodiment, a degree of incline of the support 1 is adjustable as desired by the user. Any mechanism known in the art for adjusting the degree of incline of the support 1 is under the scope of the present subject matter. For example, the height of the legs that are attached to the distant side of the support 1, relative to the space 116, can be adjusted. An exemplary adjustable leg can have a form of a screw that is configured to be screwed into the support 1 or out of the support 1. Another exemplary adjustable leg can be a foldable leg configured to fold in various heights, thus inclining the support 1 in various degrees.
According to one embodiment, the size of the keyboard support 112 fits the size of a standard computer keyboard 20. Thus, the keyboard support 112 is configured to support a computer keyboard 20 having a standard size. A person skilled in the art would appreciate, of-course, that the keyboard support 112 is also configured to support a computer keyboard 20 smaller in size than the keyboard support 112. According to another embodiment, the keyboard support 112 is configured to support a computer keyboard 20 larger in size than the keyboard support 112. Any mechanism known in the art for supporting a computer keyboard 20 larger, in size, than the keyboard support 112, is under the scope of the present subject matter. An exemplary such mechanism is illustrated hereinafter in
According to one embodiment, the keyboard support 112 further comprises at least one extender 118. According to another embodiment, the at least one slidable height adjustor 120, described for example in
For example, according to one exemplary embodiment, the at least one extender 118 can be foldable. According to this embodiment, the at least one extender 118 can be in a folded state, not influencing the size of the keyboard support. Alternatively, the at least one extender 118 can be in an unfolded state, extending beyond the keyboard support 112 and thus increasing the size of the keyboard support 112.
According to another exemplary embodiment, the at least one extender 118 can be detachable. According to this embodiment, when the at least one extender 118 is not attached to the keyboard support 112, the keyboard support 112 has its original size. Alternatively, when the at least one extender 118 is attached to the keyboard support 112, the size of the keyboard support 112 is extended.
According to yet another exemplary embodiment, illustrated in
As can be seen in
As described above, the support 1 can be placed on the working surface 500 as desired by the user, including in a manner in which the left forearm support 102 and the right forearm support 104 extend beyond an edge of the working surface 500, as illustrated in
As can be seen in
As can be further seen in
According to one embodiment, the supporting desk 600 comprises a support 1 part connected to a desk having a role of a working surface 500 part. It should be noted though that the term “supporting desk 600” should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present subject matter. Any type of working surface 500, for example a table, can become a supporting desk 600 by connecting it with a support 1. Furthermore, the working surface 500 part can be a table that its height is adjustable, as can be seen in
According to one embodiment, the support 1 part of the supporting desk 600 comprises all the embodiments od the support 1 described herein, except that instead of being placed on a working surface 500, the support 1 is connected to the working surface 500, while together the form the supporting desk 600.
According to one embodiment, the side of the support 1 part that is distant from the space 106 is pivotally connected to the working surface 500 part. Thus, the surface of the support 1 part can be in line with the surface of the working support 500 part, as illustrated in
According to one embodiment, the supporting desk 600 is suitable for usage by a user sitting on wheelchair 700. Moreover, the supporting desk 600 is advantageous over a standard prior art working surface 500, like a table and a desk, since it allows the user to sit close to the computer keyboard 20 and mouse 30, due to the opening 106 of the support 1 part.
According to one embodiment, there is provided a combination of a support 1 and a computer keyboard 20. In other words, the support 1 is manufactured in combination with a computer keyboard 20. In other words, the support 1 is attached to the computer keyboard 20. This embodiment is illustrated, for example, in
According to one embodiment, the support 1 is rigid, as described above. According to another embodiment, the support 1 is collapsible. All the embodiments of the support 1 described above pertain also to the collapsible support 1 described hereinafter. An advantage of a collapsible support 1 is that when not in use the collapsible support 1 can be collapsed and stored while occupying little space. Another advantage of the collapsible support 1 is that it is portable. A user can collapse the collapsible support 1 and carry it with him to other places, since the collapsible support 1 in the collapsed state is small and compact. Yet another advantage of the collapsible support 1 is that its dimensions and orientation can be adjusted according to a user's needs and desires. For example, the distance between the left forearm support 102 and the right forearm support 104 can be adjusted, for example, by providing rails in which they can slide. This allows adjustment of the position of the forearm supports to the dimensions of the user and to his preferences. Similarly, the distance between parts of the keyboard support 112, that will be described hereinafter, can be adjusted, for example, by providing rails in which they can slide. This allows adjustment of the size of the keyboard support 112 to the size of the computer keyboard 20 that is to be supported by the keyboard support 112.
Any mechanism known in the art for rendering the support 1 collapsible is under the scope of the present subject matter. Hereinafter, an exemplary mechanism for rendering the support 1 collapsible is described. In this exemplary mechanism, the collapsible support 1 comprises several parts that are configured to assemble to form a whole support 1 and collapse to bring the collapsible support 1 to a collapsed state. It should be emphasized again that the embodiments of the collapsible support 1 described hereinafter are exemplary only, and that any mechanism for collapsing the collapsible support 1 and any type of parts of the collapsible support 1 are under the scope of the present subject matter.
According to one embodiment, the separate parts of the collapsible support 1, illustrated in
According to one embodiment, the forearm supports connector 103 is foldable. According to another embodiment, the forearm supports connector 103 comprises a connector pivot 103-2 about which the forearm supports connector 103 is configured to fold as indicated with arrow 902 in
According to one embodiment, the forearm supports connector 103 is straight, as illustrated for example in
According to one embodiment, the right forearm support 104 is configured to connect to the right lower keyboard support 1120. Any mechanism known in the art for connecting the right forearm support 104 with the right lower keyboard support 1120 is under the scope of the present subject matter. An exemplary mechanism is illustrated in
According to one embodiment, the keyboard support 112 is configured to support a large computer keyboard 20, for example a laptop.
In addition,
According to one embodiment, the keyboard support 112 is configured to support a standard computer keyboard 20. For this purpose, the lower keyboard supports 112A and 1120 are enough to support the standard computer keyboard 20.
It is appreciated that certain features of the subject matter, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the subject matter, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub combination.
Although the subject matter has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/718,399, filed Aug. 14, 2018, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/IB2019/056900 | 8/14/2019 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62718399 | Aug 2018 | US |