Retrofitting Armrest Supports

Abstract

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, is a solitary, cushioned, rigid platform, that creates support for the elbow or forearm of an individual who is seated in a task chair by means of retrofitting said task chair armrest. The invention, Retrofitting Armrest Support, is attached to said task chair armrest by means of a strong secure attachment to create a rigid, immobile, inflexible, padded support surface beyond the top weight bearing surface boundary of said task chair armrest in the forward, backward, inward, or outward horizontal transverse plane relative to said top cross sectional, surface area of said task chair armrest creating said support during the performance of desktop or computer work tasks. The invention, Retrofitting Armrest Support, positions the wrist and hand of said individual in a straight anatomically neutral position and non weight bearing position to reduce ergonomic risk factors which are associated with cumulative trauma of the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, shoulder, neck, and back during desktop and computer work tasks. The invention, Retrofitting Armrest Support, is adjustable, attachable, and detachable by means of a Velcro cinch strapping system that creates a secure attachment and that creates a level padded cushioned armrest support.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of PPA Ser. No. 61/184,911

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, relates to the field of ergonomic armrest support of an individual seated in a task chair, specifically to support the arm of an individual who needs ergonomic armrest support to prevent, alleviate, or accommodate a cumulative trauma injury, musculoskeletal injury, musculoskeletal limitation, or musculoskeletal condition.

Ergonomic armrest support is described as supporting the bottom aspect of a 90 degree bent elbow along the dorsal aspect of said elbow and of the contiguous forearm segment while the elbow is hanging comfortably close at the side of said individual by means of an adequately padded, large, level, weight bearing surface area in a manner to position the forearm and hand parallel to the ground in the horizontal plane while having freedom of movement a top said surface area of said armrest support while said individual is seated in said task chair performing desktop or computer tasks.

Armrest support devices are distinguished from armrest cushioning devices in that said armrest cushioning devices cushion the available surface area of a task chair armrest. The current art of armrest cushioning devices are not designed to create ergonomic armrest support beyond the available horizontal weight bearing surface area of said task chair armrest.

Many task chairs have fixed, small, short., rounded, or minimally adjustable armrest support surface area or have an armrest that is positioned excessively wide relative to an individual seated in the seat pan, precluding ergonomic armrest support, of said task chair.

Many task chair armrests have hard or narrow armrest support surface areas. These dimensional qualities and conditions of said armrests often preclude ergonomic weight bearing of an individual. on an armrest of said task chair by means of not creating adequate surface area in the horizontal plane of the said armrest or having available surface area that is hard or having surface area containing an edge or having a surface area that does not provide a change in position on said armrest while maintaining said armrest support.

Due to an increase in occupational computer use and the anthropometric variety of individuals who use said task chair to perform occupational desktop and computer work, proper ergonomic arm support has become an imperative need to offset many ergonomic risk factors that damage vital tissue by means of sustained exertion of the back stabilizing musculature, sustained exertion of the shoulder blade musculature, sustained exertion of the shoulder joint musculature, contact weight bearing of the elbow, contact weight bearing of the forearm, and contact weight bearing of the palm aspect of the wrist.

In many instances, the armrest of said task chair is inadequately narrow, short, low, or hard to provide said ergonomic armrest support relative to an individual while said individual performs prolonged occupational desktop or computer tasks.

The current art of armrest support devices create ergonomic arm support through attaching directly to the front edge of the workstation desktop such as the U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,291. Some armrest support devices provide said support through replacing the task chair armrest assembly such as the U.S. Pat Nos. 5,975,639 and 6,592,085. These replacement devices necessitate proper hardware configuration and coupling with said task chair. These devices replace the original armrest assembly or portions of the armrest assembly and are not retrofitting devices. Said replacement devices cannot be used universally or economically on all task chairs due to excessive hardware configuration needs, coupling needs, or uneconomical costs associated with these needs.

The current art of armrest cushions, as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,578,914 (Adjustable Armrest Cushion) and 5,605,374 (Adjustable Padded Armrest), are comprised of various straps, clips, or other mechanisms used to attach the arm cushion to the chair. Said devices emphasize padding the existing said task chair armrest and not creating additional ergonomic support surface area, beyond the horizontal boundary of the top of said task chair armrest, to create ergonomic positioning of an arm on said task chair in the transverse horizontal plane.

The limitation with U.S. Pat No. 5,605,374 (Adjustable Padded Armrest), compared to the invention of the Retrofitting Armrest Support, is that the Adjustable Padded Armrest does not create an ergonomic support area beyond the surface area of the said task chair armrest with which it is attached.

The adjustable Padded Armrest has no source of stability to the cushion of said device to create rigid or immobile aim support beyond the surface area of said task chair. The Adjustable Padded Armrest cushion does not have a means to create level arm support beyond the boundaries of said task chair armrest. The Adjustable Padded Armrest does not create arm support during work tasks when arm weight bearing occurs outside of the top surface area of said device when attached to said task chair armrests. This is an important limitation with regard to task chairs that have small, narrow, short, or rounded armrest surface area.

The Adjustable Padded Armrest creates by design a rounded armrest support surface when the straps are cinched securely, unlike the invention of the Retrofitting Armrest Support, that creates a fiat solid immobile surface when the invention of the Retrofitting Armrest Support is attached securely to said task chair armrest.

The Adjustable Padded Armrest straps are sewn into the material cover and have only the tensile strength that the fabric cover can bear which is also used as the weight bearing surface texture a top the cushion element of this device, unlike the invention of the Retrofitting Armrest Support, which creates a system with a tensile strength of greater than 140 pounds and which does not come in contact with the weight bearing surface of the armrest support area.

The limitation with U.S. Pat No. 6,578,914 (Adjustable Armrest Cushion), compared to the invention of the Retrofitting Armrest Support, is that the Adjustable Armrest Cushion does not create an ergonomic support area beyond the surface area of the said task chair armrest with which it is attached. The Adjustable Armrest Cushion does not create a rigid inflexible surface area beyond the surface area of said task chair armrest by design.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, creates a means to stabilize the armrest cushion, the Foam Platform Assembly 1, in a different and superior means by the means of the Strap Stabilizing System 2 which secures this invention, Retrofitting Armrest Support, to said task chair armrest, creating a rigid, level, larger, and. padded weight: bearing surface area beyond the weight bearing surface area of said task chair armrest, unlike the Adjustable Armrest Cushion which has materials, configuration, and design to create a “flexible” armrest for the design of cushioning. The Adjustable Armrest Cushion states its support layer “bends” and is “flexible” to “accommodate chair armrest shapes.” The Adjustable Armrest Cushion states that the support layer will “fit the contour of round armrests.” The Adjustable Armrest Cushion has a significantly different functional design compared to the invention, Retrofitting Armrest Support. The Retrofitting Armrest Support creates a rigid, inflexible support surface, which is an essential function of the invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support. The invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, creates an armrest support surface area beyond the weight bearing surface boundaries of said task chair armrest, in the horizontal plane, that have small, short, narrow, or rounded armrests or have armrests that are positioned to wide relative to an individual seated in a task chair seat pan. The invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, creates a necessary functional advantage for many individuals who require ergonomic arm support beyond the front or inner surface boundary of said task chair armrest while seated performing desktop or computer work tasks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, creates in task chairs with open armrests, a larger, padded, adjustable, rigid and level armrest surface support.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, creates a comfortably padded armrest support device larger than said armrest surface area of said task chair to an individual seated in said task chair and who are performing desktop or computer work tasks.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, is particularly useful for an individual who must sit in a task chair for extended periods of time and who needs to lean on one or both of said task chair armrests while performing desktop or computer work tasks but can not attain said armrest support from said task chair armrests due to dimensional limitations of said task chair.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, creates a highly ergonomic task chair armrest for an individual by means of retrofitting an ordinary, less expensive, task chair armrest with limited adjustability or inadequate dimensions to create said ergonomic armrest support for an individual.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, creates a rigid, inflexible, large, padded, and level surface area. A large and level armrest surface area creates unencumbered and increased freedom of arm movement atop the invention while no losing ergonomic arm support during the performance of multiple and differing desktop tasks or computer tasks.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, creates superior adjustability of an ergonomic armrest support by means of the Foam Platform Assembly 1 and the Strap Stability System 2 dimensions. This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, can be positioned to create rigid, inflexible, and padded support surface inward, outward, in front of, or behind the said armrest weight bearing surface area. relative to the central cross section of the top weight bearing surface area of said task chair armrest.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, creates ergonomic arm support for individuals with differing anthropometrics who sit in a task chair that has an armrest shape or dimension or limitation, that precludes ergonomic armrest support for said individual.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support is a device wherein said device attaches to said task chair armrest by means of retrofit for supporting an elbow and forearm ergonomically, in front of a workstation.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support is a device wherein said device comprises a solitary, cushioned, rigid, and inflexible platform, with a transverse component with a preferred embodiment of a rectangular shape with an armrest surface adequate for arm weight bearing, the Foam Platform Assembly 1, having a width distance that is about ⅔ of the length distance.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support is a device wherein said device comprises a removable fixation means with the preferred embodiment of a Velcro cinch strap 7 that creates a very strong attachment to said task chair armrest and can easily be attached or be detached to the said task chair armrest.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support is a device wherein said device comprises an armrest cushion platform, the Foam Platform Assembly 1, with ample width, height, and length as a means of creating adequate elevation, width, height, and length to said task, chair armrest in a manner to create comfortable ergonomic support for an arm of a person seated in said task chair.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support is a device wherein said device comprises a surface which contacts the top weight bearing surface of a task chair armrest that includes slip resistance material with the preferred embodiment of a rubberized fabric cover 9.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support is a device wherein said device comprises a configured High Density Foam Cushion 4 with the preferred embodiment of Q61 synthetic foam or similar cushioning material enclosed in a suitable low-friction fabric cover or similar material cover with the preferred embodiment of a Polyester Fabric Cover 3.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, is a device wherein said device comprises an armrest support cushion 4 with the preferred embodiment of 4.75 inches in width and 7.75 inches in length and 1 inch of depth. The said cushion creates necessary comfort, padding, and 1 inch of elevation.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, is a device wherein said device comprises a Foam Platform 5 with the preferred embodiment of plywood with rounded corners that is 4.5 inches of width and 7.5 inches of length and 0.5 inches of depth or other suitable material with rounded corners. The said platform creates a necessary inflexible rigid surface for the support of an elbow or forearm on the said cushion of the invention.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, is a device wherein said device comprises a Strap Stabilizer Board 6 with the preferred embodiment of wood that is 3 inches of width and 6 inches of length and 0.5 inches of depth or other suitable material. The said board creates a necessary rigid inflexible level surface to extend the Foam Platform Assembly beyond the horizontal boundaries of said task chair armrest. The said board attaches the Foam Platform 5 of the Foam Platform Assembly 1 to the Foam Platform 5 by means of screws 10 with a preferred embodiment of 5 wood screws.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, is a device wherein said device comprises Velcro cinch straps or strap 7 with the preferred embodiment of 2 industrial grade Velcro cinch straps that have 2 inches of width, 18 inches of length, 11 inches of loop, 7 inches of hook, greater than 140 pound tensile strength, a bullet nose, and a “D” ring 8 or other suitable configurations or materials. The said strap creates necessary rigid inflexible attachment of the Strap Stabilizer Board 6 with the said Task Chair Armrest 12.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, is a device wherein said device comprises a Non-Slip Fabric Cover 9 that covers the Strap Stability Board and the Screw 10 heads with the preferred embodiment of a rubberized fabric cover 9, 11. The said fabric creates necessary friction and rigid immobility of the Strap Stabilizer Board 6 and the said Task Chair Armrest 12.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, is positioned a top the said Task Chair Armrest 12 so that the top of the invention, the Foam Platform 1 creates a rigid inflexible arm support surface for the elbow or forearm of an individual during desktop or computer work tasks.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, is positioned a top the said Task Chair Armrest 12 so that the top of the invention, the Foam Platform 1, is horizontal and level to the ground in the transverse plane.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, is positioned a top said Task Chair Armrest 12 so that the top of the invention, the Foam Platform Assembly, creates a rigid inflexible arm support surface for the elbow or forearm of an individual during desktop or computer work tasks which, in some instances, involves positioning the Foam Platform Assembly of the invention beyond the weight bearing surface area of said task chair armrest in the horizontal transverse plane.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, is attached to said Task Chair Armrest 12 by lacing the Velcro Cinch Strap 7 around the Task Chair Armrest 12 followed by lacing the bullet nose end of said strap through the “D” ring 8, followed by pulling the strap in order to cinch the said strap tightly, followed by pressing the Velcro hook and loop together.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, retrofits a task chair armrest to create a larger, padded, adjustable, and level armrest surface area, beyond the horizontal boundaries of the top surface area of said task chair armrest in a manner to create ergonomic armrest support while an individual performs repetitive desktop or computer work tasks.

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, creates said arm rest support by means of creating a rigid inflexible armrest support surface that creates proper body alignment, reduces muscle fatigue, or reduces or eliminates contact stress damage to vital structures of the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, shoulder, upper back, neck, and low back.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the front, bottom, and side perspective view of the invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support.

FIG. 2 shows the invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, from a front perspective view with the invention creating additional inward armrest weight bearing support surface area relative to the boundary of the top weight bearing surface area of said Task Chair Armrest.

FIG. 3 shows the invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, from a side perspective view with the invention creating additional forward armrest weight bearing support surface area relative to the boundary of the top weight bearing surface area of said Task Chair Armrest.

REFERENCE NUMERALS OF DRAWINGS

• 1 Foam Platform Assembly
• 2 Strap Stability System
• 3 Low Friction Fabric Cover
• 4 High Density Foam Cushion
• 5 Foam Platform
• 6 Strap Stabilizer Board
• 7 Velcro Cinch. Strap
• 8 “D” Ring
• 9 Non-Slip Fabric Cover
• 10 Screw
• 11 Non-Slip Screw Cover
• 12 Task Chair Armrest (Not part of this invention)

Claims

1. An arm support device that retrofits a task chair armrest that creates ergonomic arm support through the forearm or elbow, in front of a workstation or desktop, by means of attaching said device to a task chair armrest, comprising:

2. a top surface with adequate height, width, depth, length, and shape, of the arm support device of claim 1, to create a cushioned rigid support surface, relative to said task chair armrest, for an arm of an individual seated in said task chair, beyond the top of the cross sectional surface boundary of said task chair armrest weight bearing surface area in the forward, backward, inward, or outward horizontal transverse plane relative to said top cross sectional surface area of said task chair armrest weight bearing surface.

3. a bottom surface with adequate height, width, depth, length, and shape to attach the arm support device of claim 1 on said task chair armrest in a manner that creates a rigid, inflexible, level, support surface of the top weight bearing portion of the arm support device of claim 1 that can exceed the top of the cross sectional surface area of said task chair armrest weight bearing surface.

4. a bottom surface that can be attached to said task chair armrest that creates a rigid, immobile, and inflexible attachment, for said arm support device of claim 1.

5. a secured, rigid, inflexible, immobile attachment of said arm support device of claim 1 to said task chair armrest by means of a Velcro cinch strap or straps or other similar attachment means in a manner for said arm support device of claim 1 to be attached or detached from said task chair armrest.

6. a secured, rigid, inflexible, immobile attachment of said arm support device of claim 1 to said task chair armrest by means of a Velcro cinch strap or straps or other similar attachment means in a manner for said arm support device of claim 1 to create a padded rigid, level weight bearing surface area for an arm of an individual supported on the invention beyond the top of the cross sectional surface boundary of said task chair armrest weight bearing surface area in the forward, backward, inward, or outward horizontal transverse plane relative to said top cross sectional surface area of said task chair armrest weight bearing surface.

7. a configured or shaped, synthetic foam material or padding material or similar fill material enclosed in a suitable fabric cover or other suitable material cover as a means of creating a forearm or elbow cushion on said arm support device of claim 1.

8. a cover assembly comprising a suitable fabric cover or other suitable material cover as a means of creating said suitable cover for said arm support device of claim 1 in a manner that maintains the general shape of said cushion of said arm support device of claim 1.