US6075516A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ergonomic data entry device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1998-07-31
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Granted: 2000-06-13
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Expires: 2018-07-31
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a palm rest (220) for use with a computer data entry device such as a computer keyboard (222) that minimizes an alleviated posture- and stress-related disorders associated with the use of computer devices. The palm rest includes a hand-support section (226) that is substantially rectangular-shaped to allow the fingers of a user to readily access the computer keyboard, a base (224), and a curvilinear section (226) that couples the hand-support section to the base. The curvilinear section allows a user to adjust the height of the hand-support section according to user preference and the heights of individual data entry devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory H. Rice
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:42
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/039; G06F3/0395; A; A47; A47B; A47B21/00; A47B21/03; A47B21/0371; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1616; G06F1/1624; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1656; G06F1/1684; G06F1/169; G06F3/02; G06F3/0202; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03543; A47B2021/0385; A47B2200/00; A47B2200/0084; A47B2200/009; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/033; G06F2203/0333; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S248/00; Y10S248/917; Y10S248/918
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
An apparatus for data entry by a hand of a user, said apparatus comprising: (a) a base that includes an upper surface; (b) a tracking mechanism, whereby movement of the tracking mechanism causes a corresponding data signal, the tracking mechanism including a user hand interface and being integrated and incorporated in and coupled to the base, the user hand interface including index, third, ring and little finger pads for engagement by the distal phalangeal pads of the index, third, ring and little fingers, respectively, of a hand of the user for manipulation of the tracking mechanism by the user, each finger pad being located in a curved line, and further including a thumbwall attached to the index finger pad, the thumbwall lying in a substantially vertical plane roughly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the user's forearm, the thumbwall including a slight depression therein for comfortably receiving a user's thumb, the index finger pad being at a vertically higher location than the middle finger pad, the middle finger pad being vertically higher than the ring finger pad, the ring finger pad being vertically higher than the little finger pad; and (c) a palm support section for supporting a user's palm, the palm support section being connected to the base at a location such that the fingers of the user's hand fall naturally upon the user hand interface of the tracking mechanism.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
231 words
An apparatus for data entry by a hand of a user, said apparatus comprising: (a) a base that includes an upper surface; (b) a tracking mechanism, whereby movement of the tracking mechanism causes a corresponding data signal, the tracking mechanism including a user hand interface and being integrated and incorporated in and coupled to the base, the user hand interface including index, third, ring and little finger pads for engagement by the distal phalangeal pads of the index, third, ring and little fingers, respectively, of a hand of the user for manipulation of the tracking mechanism by the user, each finger pad being located in a curved line, and further including a thumbwall attached to the index finger pad, the thumbwall lying in a substantially vertical plane roughly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the user's forearm, the thumbwall including a slight depression therein for comfortably receiving a user's thumb, the index finger pad being at a vertically higher location than the middle finger pad, the middle finger pad being vertically higher than the ring finger pad, the ring finger pad being vertically higher than the little finger pad; and (c) a palm support section for supporting a user's palm, the palm support section being connected to the base at a location such that the fingers of the user's hand fall naturally upon the user hand interface of the tracking mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each finger pad includes a depression thereon for comfortably holding the respective finger.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, in which the tracking mechanism is moveable relative to the palm support section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1, in which the palm support section is adjustably mounted on the base, for adjustment of the position of the palm support section relative to the tracking mechanism.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, in which the palm support section overlies the base.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus for data entry by a hand of a user, said apparatus comprising: (a) a base that includes an upper surface; (b) a tracking mechanism, whereby movement of the tracking mechanism causes a corresponding data signal, the tracking mechanism including a user hand interface and being integrated and incorporated in and coupled to the base, the user hand interface including index, third and ring finger pads for engagement by the distal phalangeal pads of the index, third and ring fingers, respectively, of a hand of the user for manipulation of the tracking mechanism by the user, each finger pad being located in a curved line, the index finger pad being at a vertically higher location than the middle finger pad, and the middle finger pad being vertically higher than the ring finger pad; and (c) a palm support section for supporting a user's palm, the palm support section being connected to the base at a location such that the fingers of the user's hand fall naturally upon the user hand interface of the tracking mechanism.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus for data entry by a hand of a user, said apparatus comprising: (a) a base that includes an upper surface; (b) a tracking mechanism, whereby movement of the tracking mechanism causes a corresponding data signal, the tracking mechanism including a user hand interface and being integrated and incorporated in and coupled to the base, the user hand interface including index, third and ring finger pads for engagement by the distal phalangeal pads of the index, third and ring fingers, respectively, of a hand of the user for manipulation of the tracking mechanism by the user, each finger pad being located in a curved line, the index finger pad being at a vertically higher location than the middle finger pad, and the middle finger pad being vertically higher than the ring finger pad; and (c) a palm support section for supporting a user's palm, the palm support section being connected to the base at a location such that the fingers of the user's hand fall naturally upon the user hand interface of the tracking mechanism.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 6, further including a thumbwall attached to the index finger pad, the thumbwall lying in a substantially vertical plane roughly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the user's forearm, the thumbwall including a slight depression therein for comfortably receiving a user's thumb.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each finger pad includes a depression thereon for comfortably holding the respective finger.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 6, in which the tracking mechanism is moveable relative to the palm support section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 6, in which the palm support section is adjustably mounted on the base, for adjustment of the position of the palm support section relative to the tracking mechanism.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 6, in which the palm support section overlies the base.
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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) | 2003-06-13 | 2003-12-13 | 2004-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-13 | 2007-12-13 | 2008-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-13 | 2011-12-13 | 2012-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |