US4481556A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer terminal support and hand rest
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-04-04
•
Granted: 1984-11-06
•
Expires: 2000-04-04
Abstract
Abstract A computer terminal support and hand rest to be placed on a desk top and interposed between the computer terminal and a computer operator as well as being interposed between the computer terminal and the desk top. The computer terminal support provides a hand rest for supporting the hands of the computer operator both during use of the computer terminal and during rest intervals. In a preferred embodiment, the support also includes a conductive portion for draining static charges from the computer terminal operator to prevent circuit damage and erroneous command signals to the computer and to prevent electrical shock to the operator. Several embodiments of the support are disclosed including alternate structures for providing a static discharge path, alternate structures for supporting the hands and alternate structures for supporting the computer terminal. In addition, some embodiments include a trough into which the fingers of the computer operator may be placed during rest intervals and the trough also functions as a receptacle for pens, pencils and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph J. Berke
- 👤 Eric L. Gay
- 👤 Henry P. Doble, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:16
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05F; H05F3/00; H05F3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A computer terminal, keyboard or the like, and a computer terminal support adapted to be placed on a desk top or the like, the desk top being of the type having a generally flat upper surface terminating in a forward edge, the computer terminal support comprising: a first generally flat section to be interposed between the desk top and the computer terminal, said first generally flat section extending generally parallel to the desk top; and a second section attached to said first section, said second section adapted to be interposed between the computer terminal and a computer terminal operator in close proximity to the computer terminal; said second section extending side-to-side an amount generally the same as the width of the computer terminal; said second section including a rest of narrow depth, front to back, for supporting the hands of the computer terminal operator during periods of non-use of the computer terminal; said support including conductive means for draining static charge from the computer terminal operator prior to any static charge on the operator being transferred to the computer terminal so that any such static charge by-passes the computer terminal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A computer terminal, keyboard or the like, and a computer terminal support adapted to be placed on a desk top or the like, the desk top being of the type having a generally flat upper surface terminating in a forward edge, the computer terminal support comprising: a first generally flat section to be interposed between the desk top and the computer terminal, said first generally flat section extending generally parallel to the desk top; and a second section attached to said first section, said second section adapted to be interposed between the computer terminal and a computer terminal operator in close proximity to the computer terminal; said second section extending side-to-side an amount generally the same as the width of the computer terminal; said second section including a rest of narrow depth, front to back, for supporting the hands of the computer terminal operator during periods of non-use of the computer terminal; said support including conductive means for draining static charge from the computer terminal operator prior to any static charge on the operator being transferred to the computer terminal so that any such static charge by-passes the computer terminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said conductive means is a thin flat material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said conductive means is a thin flat material of substantially the same configuration as said second section of the computer terminal support.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said conductive means is a thin wire embedded in the surface of the computer terminal support.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said second section includes an elongated tubular member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said first section and said second section are integrally formed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said first section and said second section are integrally formed as part of the computer terminal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said first section includes a pair of parallel spaced apart members each of which is secured to said second section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said first generally flat section extends outwardly of said desk top forward edge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said computer terminal has a plurality of feet depending downwardly from the bottom thereof and said computer terminal support includes apertures therethrough so that the computer terminal feet extend through said apertures thereby maintaining the computer terminal level relative to the generally flat upper surface of the desk top.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said first generally flat section is secured to said computer terminal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said second section includes a stop member against which the front of said computer terminal may be aligned.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said second section includes a trough for the storage of pens, pencils, erasers and the like.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
169 words
A computer terminal, keyboard or the like and a computer terminal support to be interposed between the computer terminal and a computer terminal operator, said computer terminal support comprising: an elongated rest upon which the hands of the computer terminal operator may be placed particularly in a resting posture; said elongated rest positioned with its elongated dimension extending in a side-to-side relationship in front of and closely adjacent to said computer terminal; the elongated dimension of said elongated rest extending essentially the same width as the width of the computer terminal; said elongated rest being of a narrow dimension relative to its elongated dimension in a direction between the computer terminal operator and the computer terminal; said elongated rest being of narrow height in a direction perpendicular to the elongated dimension; and conductive means on said support for draining static charge from the computer terminal operator prior to any static charge on the operator being transferred to the computer terminal so that any static change by-passes the computer terminal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
169 words
A computer terminal, keyboard or the like and a computer terminal support to be interposed between the computer terminal and a computer terminal operator, said computer terminal support comprising: an elongated rest upon which the hands of the computer terminal operator may be placed particularly in a resting posture; said elongated rest positioned with its elongated dimension extending in a side-to-side relationship in front of and closely adjacent to said computer terminal; the elongated dimension of said elongated rest extending essentially the same width as the width of the computer terminal; said elongated rest being of a narrow dimension relative to its elongated dimension in a direction between the computer terminal operator and the computer terminal; said elongated rest being of narrow height in a direction perpendicular to the elongated dimension; and conductive means on said support for draining static charge from the computer terminal operator prior to any static charge on the operator being transferred to the computer terminal so that any static change by-passes the computer terminal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein said elongated rest includes a vertically extending bulbous portion for supporting the hands of the computer terminal operator.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-11-06 | 1988-05-07 | 1988-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-11-06 | 1992-05-07 | 1992-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-11-06 | 1996-05-07 | 1996-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |