Armrest For Writer Patents (Class 248/118.1)
  • Patent number: 6417843
    Abstract: A pointing device with a planar element for supporting it on a horizontal surface. On top of the planar element is a housing having a palm and finger-supporting surface extending from a thumb-side to a small-finger side, and from back to front across the planar element. A soft-grip is coupled to the palm and finger-supporting surface and is made of material which is more resilient than the rest of the housing, and is also less porous than foam so as to be resistant to soiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Brian Stephens, Peter Sheehan, Aldo Bussien, William J Sheehan
  • Publication number: 20020079410
    Abstract: A keyboard assembly includes an integral keyboard device having a keyboard pad support, a keyboard pad, and a wrist rest. An attachment assembly attaches the integral keyboard device to a work surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Walter T. Kochanski
  • Patent number: 6402101
    Abstract: A formable cushion is produced by providing a mold having a first cavity and the second cavity in a fluid communication with one another, with the first cavity having a greater depth than the second cavity. A first volume of foam/gel is deposited into the first and second cavities in an amount providing a level surface of foam/gel. The level surface is covered with a formable sheet and the second volume of foam/gel is disposed onto the formable sheet. Thereafter, heat and pressure applied to the first and second volume of foam/gel within the mold in order to provide a cushion having a relatively firm back pliable layer, a relatively firm mouse pad and a conjoining relatively soft compressible cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Trico Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Yates
  • Patent number: 6396478
    Abstract: A computer pointing device includes a conventional computer mouse in combination with an ergonomic extension. The ergonomic extension is attached to the computer mouse for movement therewith and is positioned adjacent to the computer mouse for facilitating use of the mouse by a user in an ergonomically correct position. An adjustment mechanism enables the user to adjust the position of the computer mouse relative to the ergonomic extension for enabling use of the computer mouse and ergonomic extension by users having different size hands. In one embodiment the adjustment mechanism includes an extension arm fixed to the computer mouse; a slot in the ergonomic extension adapted to receive the extension arm; and a lock for releasably locking the extension arm in a desired position in the slot. In another embodiment, the ergonomic extension includes a cavity therebeneath for insertion of a rear portion of the computer mouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: SoftView Computer Products Corp.
    Inventors: Bensen Kravtin, Oliver Hood
  • Patent number: 6390423
    Abstract: A new ergonomic soft feel mouse is provided. The soft feel mouse includes a palm rest that is softer and squishier than palm rests of other mouses. The palm rest includes a gel layer that provides the soft and squishy feel. The gel layer can be formed using a liquid gel that is molded. The palm rest may also include a foam layer and/or a film layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Fellowes, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard L. Danzyger, Heidi Jessup, Chris Jones
  • Patent number: 6390432
    Abstract: A mouse pad support adapted for mounting to a keyboard support and having a platform adapted to support a computer mouse, a connector arm adapted for mounting to the keyboard support, and a joint mounting the connector arm to the platform for swivel movement of the platform with respect to the connector arm. The joint typically includes ball and socket portions. The mouse pad support has a connector adapted to removably mount the connector arm to a complementary pocket in the keyboard support without the use of tools. A keyboard support includes a first platform having a pocket for receiving a connector on a connector arm, and a second platform adapted to support a computer mouse, the connector arm extending between the first and second platforms for detachably mounting to the first platform and for adjustably mounting the second platform relative to the first platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Craig L. VanderHeide, David H. Hodge
  • Patent number: 6382580
    Abstract: An assembly for mounting a keyboard includes first and second members each having a clamping device, and mounting means for mounting the members for converging/diverging movements for removably placing the clamping devices in clamping engagement with a keyboard when placed therebetween. The mounting means includes a first part fixed to one of the members, a second part fixed to the other of the members, wherein the first part defines an opening for slidably supporting the second part, and thus the other of the members for converging/diverging movements, a locking device for releasably restraining manually induced diverging movement, while freely permitting convergent movement, of the members, and means for adjustably supporting an auxiliary art device support, such as a mouse support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Weber Knapp Company
    Inventor: Michael G. Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 6362811
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved form of computer mouse. In particular, the physical form of this mouse is designed such that the hand position required to manipulate the mouse is a natural “resting” or neutral position. This position will allow the mouse to be used for long periods of time while minimizing pain and disability in the hand and wrist. The hand is inclined to the horizontal plane typically at an angle of at least 50 degrees. The fingers are flexed, the thumb and index finger are opposed and in close proximity. The wrist is not pulled backwards nor drooped, nor is it angled to one side or the other. There is no deviated wrist movement. Wrist movement is in the natural plane of the wrist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventors: George Neil Edwards, Stephen Lee Lippert
  • Patent number: 6357703
    Abstract: A computer mouse support and lower arm rest is mounted on a primary support surface having a front edge thereon. The arm rest includes a padded, foldable arm support surface adapted to support the lower arm of the user. The arm support surface defines an upper support region, and a lower support region. The upper support region is connected to the primary support surface by attachment structure and is adapted to support an input device, such as a mouse, thereon along with the hand and wrist of the user. The lower support region has an operating position coplanar with the upper support region for supporting the forearm and elbow of a user, and a storage position folded forwardly over the upper support region for protectively covering the mouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventor: James J. DiOrio
  • Patent number: 6336614
    Abstract: This invention relates to ergonomic hand rests for computers and other electronic devices. In particular, the invention relates to soft, conforming hand pads constructed integrally with the keyboard body of portable laptop or notebook computers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: Benjamin J. Kwitek
  • Patent number: 6332596
    Abstract: A device for releasably mounting a wrist support to a keyboard is disclosed. The device includes a slide movably received in a slot defined in a front extension of the keyboard. The slide has a bottom projection extending beyond a bottom face of the keyboard for manually moving the slide and an L-shaped top projection having a segment spaced from a top surface of the slide for defining a channel. A guide plate is fixed to the keyboard by a bolt and has an edge movably received in the channel for retaining the slide in the slot and guiding the movement of the slide. A catch is attached to the slide to be movable therewith between a released position and a secured position. The catch forms a barb whereby when the catch is at the secured position, the barb engages an opening defined in the wrist support for securing the wrist support to the keyboard and when the catch is at the released position, the barb disengages from the opening of the wrist support for releasing the wrist support from the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Behavior Tech Computer Corp.
    Inventor: Chih-Wen Su
  • Patent number: 6328266
    Abstract: A formable cushion is produced by providing a mold having a first cavity and the second cavity in a fluid communication with one another, with the first cavity having a greater depth than the second cavity. A first volume of foam/gel is deposited into the first and second cavities in an amount providing a level surface of foam/gel. The level surface is covered with a formable sheet and the second volume of foam/gel is disposed onto the formable sheet. Thereafter, heat and pressure applied to the first and second volume of foam/gel within the mold in order to provide a cushion having a relatively firm back pliable layer, a relatively firm mouse pad and a conjoining relatively soft compressible cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Paul M. Yates
  • Patent number: 6304249
    Abstract: A computer mouse collapses into a smaller form. In one embodiment a cover slides to hide or reveal buttons and collapse or extend the length of the mouse. In another embodiment a lever is moved in one direction to bow the mouse surface and reveal buttons. Move the lever the other way and the mouse collapses in height and the buttons are hidden. In another embodiment a contoured leaf spring shapes the mouse. When relaxed, the spring is generally convex. Push down on the mouse and a latch captures the spring in an extended position reducing the height for storage and transport. Release the latch and the spring relaxes popping the mouse into an operable configuration. In another embodiment the mouse folds in half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Michael D Derocher, Glen A Oross, Jacques H Helot
  • Patent number: 6279859
    Abstract: A keyboard support arrangement which includes both a main support pad for supporting a computer keyboard and an auxiliary support pad for supporting a computer mouse. The auxiliary pad is removably and angularly positionable adjacent either side of the main keyboard pad to provide increased convenience and flexibility of use. The auxiliary mouse pad is totally separable from the main keyboard pad, and a multi-positionable connecting structure enables the auxiliary pad to be positioned relative to the main keyboard pad at one of a plurality of angular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel C. K. West, Richard N. Roslund, Jr., Brian D. T. Alexander, Jim LeClair, Ron Vanderloo, David Tonizzo, Mihai L. Ola
  • Patent number: 6273382
    Abstract: A keyboard support device having a structure for being slidably secured to an underside of a desktop. The structure includes first and second side members. First and second tray support side members are vertically adjustably secured to respective structure first and second side members. The tray support side members are positionable between a lowest position and a highest position. A keyboard support is secured to the first and second tray support members. The keyboard support includes a front portion pivotably secured to the tray support members such that the keyboard support can be tilted to a downwardly sloping position away from the front portion while the vertical position of the front portion remains substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Gregory L. Pemberton
  • Publication number: 20010009263
    Abstract: A computer wrist pad comprises a bottom seat, an outer layer, two end plates, and at least one air sac. The bottom seat is provided with an open-ended receiving space in which the air sac is disposed. The receiving space is sealed off at both ends thereof by the two end plates. The air sac is inflatable and deflatable for adjusting the hardness and the thickness of the computer wrist pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Chien-Fa Chou
  • Patent number: 6257531
    Abstract: An adjustable keyboard or workstation tray supported by a pair of articulating arms that are linked together in key locations by torsion tubes. The assembly is attached to the bottom horizontal surface of the user's desk or workstation and used from the desk edge it originates from. This assembly has lift assistance through adjustable torsion springs that are incorporated in the six pivot hubs forming the range of motion of the entire assembly and secures the assembly from movement with their normally latched mechanisms. The user changes the elevation of the keyboard tray by grasping the handles and using his/her thumbs to depress the mechanism release triggers. The first release increment will allow only angular adjustment of the keyboard tray itself by releasing only two pivot hubs at the handle subassemblies. Further depression of the trigger to the next increment allows movement of six pivot hubs, thus enabling movement from under the desk to above or any range between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Phillip R. Penner
  • Patent number: 6247672
    Abstract: A wrist rest for stenotypists and other keyboard operators has an apertured base with two arms mounted thereon via fasteners disposed in apertures in the arms and in an elongated slot in the base. The arms can be rotated, in a common plane, relative to the base, and translated toward and away from each other. The fasteners include a securing device which can be released for adjusting the positions of the arms relative to the base and then engaged for fixing the position of the arms relative to the base. Each arm is covered with a cushion for engaging the forearms and wrists of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: B.E.S.T. Physical Therapy Injury Prevention Services, P.C.
    Inventor: Raymond Bello
  • Patent number: 6244547
    Abstract: A keyboard support tray arrangement includes both a main support tray for supporting a computer keyboard and an auxiliary support pad for supporting a user's palm or wrist. The auxiliary pad is removably and height adjustably positionable adjacent the front of the main keyboard tray to provide increased convenience and flexibility of use. The auxiliary support pad is completely separable from the main keyboard tray. A multi-height connecting and actuating structure enables the auxiliary pad to be positioned relative to the main keyboard tray at one of a plurality of heights by manual actuation of a single lever which is swingable through only a small angular extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: David Tonizzo, Mihai L. Ola, Daniel C. K. West
  • Publication number: 20010001476
    Abstract: A hand support device for use with a computer pointing device relieves repetitive motion stress and includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter surface connecting the top surface and the bottom surface. The top surface includes: a palm support region, that is an inclined planar surface; a little finger support portion extending from the palm support region; a thumb support region extending from the palm support region; a front index positioned on a side of the palm support region, and between the little finger and thumb support regions; and a side index adjacent to and extending from the palm support and thumb support regions. The bottom surface facilitates sliding of the hand support device on a work surface. The hand support device reduces stress and risk of injuries resulted from repetitive motions by encouraging the user of a computer pointing device to employ two fields of motion to control the pointing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: ErgoDevices Corporation
    Inventor: William P. Hesley
  • Patent number: 6216988
    Abstract: A padded wrist rest that is integral with a portable electronic device, meaning that the wrist rest is sold with the device and does not have to be removed from the device to close and store the device, is disclosed. While integral to the portable electronic device, the wrist rest of the present invention can be removed by the user or owner of the portable electronic device for maintenance or replacement. The wrist rest may be single- or multiple-part, and includes one or more pads manufactured from encapsulated gel, closed-cell foam, fabric-covered padding, vinyl-covered padding, or leather-covered padding. The wrist rest may include one or more bases that are slid, screwed, or snapped into place on the portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jimmy Ming-Der Hsu, Peter Y. Hsu
  • Publication number: 20010000109
    Abstract: Notebook computers having an integrated wrist support device are disclosed. Also disclosed are wrist supports for use with notebook computer keyboards, a wrist support kit, and notebook computer kits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: April 5, 2001
    Inventor: Stanley A. Kim
  • Patent number: 6195255
    Abstract: Notebook computers having an integrated wrist support device are disclosed. Also disclosed are wrist supports for use with notebook computer keyboards, a wrist support kit, and notebook computer kits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: Stanley A. Kim
  • Patent number: 6193196
    Abstract: A hand support device for use with a computer pointing device relieves repetitive motion stress and includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter surface connecting the top surface and the bottom surface. The top surface includes: a palm support region, that is an inclined planar surface; a little finger support portion extending from the palm support region; a thumb support region extending from the palm support region; a front index positioned on a side of the palm support region, and between the little finger and thumb support regions; and a side index adjacent to and extending from the palm support and thumb support regions. The bottom surface facilitates sliding of the hand support device on a work surface. The hand support device reduces stress and risk of injuries resulted from repetitive motions by encouraging the user of a computer pointing device to employ two fields of motion to control the pointing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Ergo Devices Corporation
    Inventor: William P. Hesley
  • Patent number: 6190072
    Abstract: An armrest (1) for providing wrist and forearm support during keyboard and mouse operations is provided. The armrest (1) is placed at the front edge of the keyboard and supports most of the forearm from the elbow to the wrist so that the operator can operate the keyboard and handle the mouse, with the forearm supported close to the keyboard. The armrest (1) includes an enlarged support area (12, 22), an elbow protrusion area (13) at the longitudinal ends of the armrest (1), and two mouse pads (2: 21, 22) on the same surface running from the center area (11, 21) to one of the longitudinal ends. The armrest is positioned so that the center area (11, 21) of the mouse pad (2) faces the space bar (4), and the enlarged support area (12, 22) faces the number keypad (5) and projects out to the right of the number keypad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventors: Hiroshi Udo, Akiko Udo, Akihiro Udo
  • Patent number: 6187398
    Abstract: The present invention is a mouse pad for use with a computer mouse or tracking device. The mouse pad includes a planar plate including a top surface, adapted for use as a computer mousing surface. It also includes a flexible outer membrane including a bottom; wherein the planar plate is fastened to the flexible outer membrane, such that said outer membrane and planar plate define a cavity. It further includes fluid like fill media received within the cavity for supporting the planar plate such that the membrane bottom is adapted to substantially conform to the contour of an uneven surface it is placed upon, thereby providing a stable base and a usable mousing top surface when placed on uneven surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Patrick Eldridge
  • Patent number: 6183823
    Abstract: A support device for a computer mouse (mouse pad) comprises, extending over the lower foil made of foam material, at least one thin, colored liquid layer which is enclosed between two foils welded together along the edge in a liquid-tight manner and is visible through the transparent foil or foils. The liquid occupies the available cavity only incompletely and it spreads out in puddle-like patterns to define void spaces which change continuously due to the actuation of the mouse, thereby providing the mouse pad with an optically interesting appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hirsch & Partner GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Hirsch
  • Patent number: 6179254
    Abstract: A detachable wrist rest for a keyboard has a generally U-shaped body with the recessed portion conformed to and firmly attached to the lower part of keyboard by a pair of snap based mechanisms each provided between a side junction contacting keyboard and wrist rest including a first snap member on an outer surface of the keyboard and a second snap member on an inner surface of the wrist rest. Disposition of first and second snap members may be reversed. Various snap based mechanisms are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsung Min-Chen