US5135190A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Articulating ergonomic support system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-11-30
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Granted: 1992-08-04
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Expires: 2010-11-30
Abstract
Abstract An articulating ergonomic support apparatus is disclosed for supporting an individual's forearm, wrist, and palm of the hand while performing repetitive tasks such as operating the keyboard of a computer. The apparatus can be adapted to a variety of mounting devices depending on the particular work-place environment, but preferably it is adapted to an articulating arm assembly which permits the user to freely adjust the apparatus for position, height, and horizontal and vertical tilt. The forearm rest portion of the apparatus supports the user's arm in a feeder tray, while the hand rest portion supports the palm and wrist of the hand with a cylindrical rest which rotates about an axis between extending through the ends of the cylindrical rest, the axis being offset in relation to the axis extending through the center of the cylindrical rest. Alternatively, the hand rest portion supports the palm and wrist of the hand with an inverted spoon-shaped member having a convex platform which fits the natural curvature of the palm of an individual's hand and an elongated arm which supports the wrist.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:36
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C1/00; A47C1/02; A47C1/022; A47C1/03; A47B; A47B21/00; A47B21/03; A47B21/0371; A47B97/00; A47C7/00; A47C7/54; A47B2200/00; A47B2200/0084; A47B2200/0092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An ergonomic support apparatus for prevention of cumulative trauma disorders of the forearm, wrist and hand, comprising: (a) first support means for supporting the wrist of an individual's hand; (b) second support means for supporting the palm of said individual's hand while freeing the fingers of said individual's hand for performing manipulative taks, said second support means joined to said first support means, said second support means having a vertically inclined surface relative to the surface of said first support means; and (c) third support means for supporting said individual's forearm, said third support means coupled to said first support means, said third support means being in general planar alignment with said first support means, whereby said first support means and said third support means maintain planar alignment of said wrist and said forearm during pronation of said palm, thereby reducing compression of the tendons, synovial sheaths and vascular system passing through the wrist area between said forearm and said hand.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
An ergonomic support apparatus for prevention of cumulative trauma disorders of the forearm, wrist and hand, comprising: (a) first support means for supporting the wrist of an individual's hand; (b) second support means for supporting the palm of said individual's hand while freeing the fingers of said individual's hand for performing manipulative taks, said second support means joined to said first support means, said second support means having a vertically inclined surface relative to the surface of said first support means; and (c) third support means for supporting said individual's forearm, said third support means coupled to said first support means, said third support means being in general planar alignment with said first support means, whereby said first support means and said third support means maintain planar alignment of said wrist and said forearm during pronation of said palm, thereby reducing compression of the tendons, synovial sheaths and vascular system passing through the wrist area between said forearm and said hand.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said third support means comprises a saddle, said saddle including a concave portion for placement of said forearm therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising deforming means for deforming said concave portion of said saddle, said deforming means being responsive to the placement of said forearm upon said saddle, whereby said saddle cradles said forearm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: (a) tilting means for vertical tilting motion of said first, second, and third support means; (b) swivel means for horizontal swiveling motion of said first, second, and third support means, said swivel means attached to said tilting means; and (c) rocking means for rocking motion of said first, second, and third support means, said rocking means attached to said third support means, said rocking means including a convex arcuate surface, said rocking means pivotally coupled to said tilting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising sliding means for sliding motion of said first, second, and third support means, said rocking means including said sliding means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising: (a) fourth support means for supporting said swivel means; and (b) attachment means for attaching said swivel means to said fourth support means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said fourth support means comprises: (a) a first connecting arm, one end of said first connecting arm being attached to said attachment means; and (b) mounting means for mounting said first connecting arm to an external support device for horizontal swiveling movement and for vertical swiveling movement, said mounting means being attached to the other end of said first connecting arm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said first and second support means form an inverted spoon-shaped member including an arm and a platform, said platform extending from one end of said arm, said platform being convex near its central portion, said arm pivotally coupled to said third support means, said arm pivoting laterally in relation to said third support means, said arm providing support for said wrist, said platform providing support for said palm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 8, including a tab, said tab positioned near the edge of said platform, said tab providing support for the heel area of said palm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said first support means is slidably coupled to said third support means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said first support means comprises an elongated arm, said arm having a first end and a second end, said arm pivotally coupled to said third support means, said arm pivoting laterally in relation to said third support means, said arm providing support for said wrist.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
91 words
The apparatus recited in claim 11, wherein said second support means comprises: (a) a platform, said platform extending from one end of said arm, said platform being centrally convex in relation to an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between said first and second end of said arm, said arm and said platform generally defining an ivnerted spoon-shaped member, said platform providing support for said palm; and (b) a tab, said tab extending from one edge of said platform, said tab providing support for the heel area of said palm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said first support means is slidably coupled to said third support means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
273 words
An apparatus for supporting the forearm, wrist and palm of an individual, comprising: (a) a base; (b) an inverted spoon-shaped member, said spoon-shaped member including an elongated tongue and a platform, said platform extending from one end of said tongue, said platform having a vertically inclined surface relative to the surface of said tongue, said platform being convex near its central portion, the other end of said tongue pivotally coupled to said base, said tongue pivoting laterally in relation to said base, whereby said platform supports said individual's palm while freeing the fingers for performing manipulative tasks and said tongue supports said individual's wrist; (c) support means for supporting an individual's forearm, said support means connected to said base, said support means and said tongue being in eneral planar alignment, whereby said spoon-shaped member and said support means maintain planar alignment of said wrist and said forearm during pronation of said palm, thereby reducing compression of the tendons, synovial sheaths and vascular system passing through the wrist area between said forearm and said hand; (d) tilting means for vertical tilting motion of said spoon-shaped member and said support means; (e) swivel means for horizontal swiveling motion of said spoon-shaped member and said support means, said swivel means attached to said tilting means; and (f) sliding means for sliding motion of said spoon-shaped member and said support means; and (g) rocking means for rocking motion of said spoon-shaped member and said support means, said rocking means attached to said base, said rocking means including a convex arcuate surface, said rocking means pivotally coupled to said tilting means, said rocking means including said sliding means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
273 words
An apparatus for supporting the forearm, wrist and palm of an individual, comprising: (a) a base; (b) an inverted spoon-shaped member, said spoon-shaped member including an elongated tongue and a platform, said platform extending from one end of said tongue, said platform having a vertically inclined surface relative to the surface of said tongue, said platform being convex near its central portion, the other end of said tongue pivotally coupled to said base, said tongue pivoting laterally in relation to said base, whereby said platform supports said individual's palm while freeing the fingers for performing manipulative tasks and said tongue supports said individual's wrist; (c) support means for supporting an individual's forearm, said support means connected to said base, said support means and said tongue being in eneral planar alignment, whereby said spoon-shaped member and said support means maintain planar alignment of said wrist and said forearm during pronation of said palm, thereby reducing compression of the tendons, synovial sheaths and vascular system passing through the wrist area between said forearm and said hand; (d) tilting means for vertical tilting motion of said spoon-shaped member and said support means; (e) swivel means for horizontal swiveling motion of said spoon-shaped member and said support means, said swivel means attached to said tilting means; and (f) sliding means for sliding motion of said spoon-shaped member and said support means; and (g) rocking means for rocking motion of said spoon-shaped member and said support means, said rocking means attached to said base, said rocking means including a convex arcuate surface, said rocking means pivotally coupled to said tilting means, said rocking means including said sliding means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 14, further comprising: (a) second support means for supporting said base; and (b) attachment means for attaching said base to said second support means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
273 words
An articulating ergonomic forearm, wrist and palm support apparatus, comprising: (a) a base; (b) an inverted spoon-shaped member attached to said base, said spoon-shaped member including an elongated arm and a platform, sid platform extending from one end of said arm, said platform having a vertically inclined surface relative to the surface of said tongue, said platform being convex near its central portion, the other end of said arm pivotally coupled to said base, said arm pivoting laterally in relation to said base, said arm providing support for said individuals wrist, said platform providing support for said individual's palm while freeing the fingers for performing manipulative tasks; (c) a saddle, said saddle including a concave portion for placement of said individual's forearm therein, said saddle attached to said base, said saddle and said tongue being in general planar alignment, whereby said spoon-shaped member and said saddle maintain planar alignment of said wrist and said forearm during pronation of said palm, thereby reducing compression of the tendons, synovial sheaths and vascular system passing through the wrist area between said forearm and said hand; (d) tilting means for vertical tilting motion of said spoon-shaped member and said support means; (e) swivel means for horizontal swiveling motion of said spoon-shaped member and said support means, said swivel means attached to said tilting means; and (f) sliding means for sliding motion; and (g) rocking means for rocking motion of said spoon-shaped member and said support means, said rocking means attached to said base, said rocking means including a convex arcuate surface, said rocking means pivotally coupled to said tilting means, said rocking means including said sliding means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
273 words
An articulating ergonomic forearm, wrist and palm support apparatus, comprising: (a) a base; (b) an inverted spoon-shaped member attached to said base, said spoon-shaped member including an elongated arm and a platform, sid platform extending from one end of said arm, said platform having a vertically inclined surface relative to the surface of said tongue, said platform being convex near its central portion, the other end of said arm pivotally coupled to said base, said arm pivoting laterally in relation to said base, said arm providing support for said individuals wrist, said platform providing support for said individual's palm while freeing the fingers for performing manipulative tasks; (c) a saddle, said saddle including a concave portion for placement of said individual's forearm therein, said saddle attached to said base, said saddle and said tongue being in general planar alignment, whereby said spoon-shaped member and said saddle maintain planar alignment of said wrist and said forearm during pronation of said palm, thereby reducing compression of the tendons, synovial sheaths and vascular system passing through the wrist area between said forearm and said hand; (d) tilting means for vertical tilting motion of said spoon-shaped member and said support means; (e) swivel means for horizontal swiveling motion of said spoon-shaped member and said support means, said swivel means attached to said tilting means; and (f) sliding means for sliding motion; and (g) rocking means for rocking motion of said spoon-shaped member and said support means, said rocking means attached to said base, said rocking means including a convex arcuate surface, said rocking means pivotally coupled to said tilting means, said rocking means including said sliding means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 16, further comprising deforming means for deforming said saddle, said deforming means being responsive to the placement of an individual's forearm upon said saddle, whereby said saddle molds to the shape of said forearm.
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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) | 1995-08-04 | 1996-02-03 | 1996-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-04 | 2000-02-03 | 2000-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-04 | 2004-02-03 | 2004-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |