Abstract:
Apparatus for suspending a user&#39;s hands and wrists above a work piece, such as a typewriter or computer keyboard to prevent repetitive stress injury. The apparatus has a frame of sufficient height and width so as to allow the work piece to be positioned below the frame. A pair of adjustable slings are suspended from the frame. Each sling includes a loop on the bottom ends to secure the user&#39;s forearms and suspend the user&#39;s arms and hands above the work piece.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to provisional application Serial No. 60/170,624, filed Dec. 14, 1999. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to supports for a user&#39;s hands engaged in repetitive motion work, such as typing on a computer keyboard and, more specifically, to a frame and suspended sling apparatus used to support the user&#39;s forearms and wrist and relieve pressure on the user&#39;s hands and wrists.  
           [0003]    Repetitive motion or stress injuries are well documented. For example, it is well recognized that repetitive hand movements and positioning, such as occurs when a worker types on a computer or typewriter keyboard for extended periods of time, can cause injury to the worker&#39;s hands and wrist. Most notably, many such workers are afflicted with carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is characterized by tingling, numbness and pain in the hand which can be disabling and require surgical intervention. Such painful conditions, as will as surgery, can result in job absence, loss in productivity, and costs.  
           [0004]    Various prior art methods of alleviating or preventing such repetitive motion disorders caused by extended work at a keyboard. For examples, workers sometimes use wrist splints to support and partially immobilize the wrists. Ergonomically designed keyboards have been touted as a preventative measure. Often the keyboard itself can be equipped with a riser or pad along the front edge on which the typist can rest his or her forearms or wrists to alleviate pressure.  
           [0005]    For the most part, prior art attempts to prevent the repetitive motion injuries have been unsatisfactory. For example, the use of risers or pads, or even redesigned keyboards, still require the typist to place pressure on the forearm and wrist as it rests on the riser or pad. Furthermore, it can be awkward to type with speed and accuracy while resting the wrists and forearms on a pad or riser.  
           [0006]    It would be advantageous, therefore, to have an apparatus that nearly completely alleviates pressure on the wrists of a typist working at a keyboard.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    It is among the several objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus, which can be used by a typist at a keyboard to nearly completely alleviate any pressure on the typist&#39;s wrists.  
           [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which allows the typist hands to be suspended above the keyboard so as to prevent pressure.  
           [0009]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus, which is simple and economical to construct, easy to use, and well suited for its intended purposes.  
           [0010]    In accordance with the invention, generally stated, an apparatus for suspending a user&#39;s hands and wrists above a work piece, such as a typewriter or computer keyboard is provided. The apparatus comprises a frame having two vertical end members and a cross member connecting the upper ends of the end members. The frame can be mounted to the front edge of the work surface support surface, most commonly a desk, with C-clamps or other appropriate means. The frame is of sufficient height and width so as to allow the keyboard, for example, to be positioned on the desktop between the vertical members.  
           [0011]    The apparatus includes a pair of adjustable slings suspended from the cross member. The slings can consist of a pair of straps with a loop at the upper end for sliding engagement of the cross member, and loop on the bottom end for the introduction of the typist&#39;s forearms. Either of the loops can be formed by looping the end of the strap back onto itself and securing the end to the strap with Velcro®. The Velcro® strips on the strap are elongated and allow the loop to be adjusted so as to vary the length of the strap so that the length of the sling can be custom fitted to the typist. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the arm support apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the arm support apparatus of the present invention mounted to a desk and in use to illustrate environment;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the arm support apparatus having floor bases and frame extensions; and 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]    The arm support apparatus of the present invention is indicated generally by reference numeral  10  in the drawings. Apparatus  10  includes a frame  12  and a pair of suspension devices or arm supports,  14  and  16  suspended from the frame. As best seen in FIG. 2, apparatus  10  is designed to support the arms A of a typist T working at a keyboard K resting on a desk D. Although the apparatus  10  is illustrated in use with a desk and keyboard, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that apparatus  10  can be used by any worker engaged in repetitive manual activity with the hands. For example, an assembly worker engaged in assembly pieces at a workbench or like activity who desires free-floating support of the wrists and forearms.  
         [0016]    As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 the frame  12  includes a pair of opposed vertical members,  18  and  20  and a horizontal top or cross member  22  extending between the upper ends of the vertical members  18  and  20 . It will be appreciated that the frame  12  can be constructed from one integral piece of PVC pipe, aluminum or any other appropriate, strong durable and light weight material which can be bent, connected or shaped into the appropriate configuration. The illustrated embodiment, however, is constructed of separate sections, which form the vertical members and cross member and are connected with elbows  24  and  26 .  
         [0017]    The length of the vertical members  18  and  20  and horizontal cross member  22  can be any desired dimension. As shown in FIG. 2, however, the dimensions should be such so as to allow for clearance for the appropriate positioning of the work piece, the keyboard for example, and head clearance for the user U. In one preferred embodiment, the vertical members  18  and  20  are twenty-eight inches long and the cross member  22  is thirty inches long.  
         [0018]    As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each bottom end of the vertical members  18  and  20  includes attachment hardware  28  and  30 , respectively. The hardware  28  and  30  as illustrated are C-clamps which can be attached appropriately to the edge of the work surface such as desk D shown in FIG. 2. The clamps  28  and  30  are removably attached to the vertical elements so that they can be removed to allow the vertical elements to slide into extensions, as will be discussed below. It will be appreciated that although the vertical members are shown employing C-clamps, any appropriate attachment hardware can be used, such as L-brackets or the like.  
         [0019]    The arm supports  14  and  16 , which function as suspension devices, are virtually identical, as now will be described. The arm supports  14  and  16  are comprised of straps  32  and  34 , respectively, which terminate at one end with slings  36  and  38 , respectively. The straps are generally flat, elongated and flexible. Slings  36  and  38  generally are wider than the straps so as to afford greater comfort to the user when the user&#39;s arms are cradled in the slings. In the illustrated embodiment the straps and slings are constructed from a soft fabric, such as cotton or canvas. It will be appreciated, however, that the straps could have round cross sections, like cord or rope, and be constructed from other appropriate material. Likewise the slings could be fabricated from other material, such as soft leather, or leather with a padded inner circumference, or the like, as long as they are of sufficient flexibility and width to afford comfort to the user.  
         [0020]    One end arm supports  14  and  16  includes an elongated strips of loop or hook fastener material  40  and  42  such as Velcro®. The opposite ends of the straps  32  and  34  on or adjacent the slings, include complementary strips of loop and hook fastener  44  and  46  or Velcro®. The straps can then be looped over the horizontal cross member  22  and the opposed strips of Velcro® secured to hold the straps. It will be appreciated that because the opposed strips of Velcro® are elongated, the distance of the slings from the work surface can be adjusted for individual users. It also will be appreciated that other attachment devices for attaching the straps to the cross member, such as snaps, buttons or buckles, may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. It is advantageous, however that the method of attachment allow the straps to slide in horizontally along the cross member so that the distance between the straps can be adjusted for individual users. Moreover, other methods of adjusting the length of the straps may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0021]    As shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus  10  can be adapted to rest on the floor instead of attachment to the work surface. Extensions  48  and  50  are comprised of vertical members  52  and  54  respectively. The bottom ends of the vertical members  52  and  54  can be secured in a base  56  and  58 . The bases  56  and  58  are designed to rest on the floor and are of sufficient dimension and weight to resist tipping. The upper ends of the vertical members  52  and  54  include sleeves  60  and  62  respectively. It will be appreciated that the sleeves  60  and  62  are slightly oversized with respect to the vertical members  18  and  20 . The attachment hardware  28  and  30  is removed from the ends of vertical members  18  and  20  and the ends then can be inserted into sleeves  60  and  62  to be secured with a snug friction fit or a cotter pin or other appropriate methods.  
         [0022]    In use, the apparatus is appropriately positioned relative to the work surface, as shown in FIG. 2. The typist T then adjusts, one at a time, the length of the straps so that the user&#39;s hands are position the appropriate distance from the keyboard to allow the hands and fingers to access the keys for typing, but allow the arms to free float above the keyboard, thereby eliminating pressure on the wrists and forearms.  
         [0023]    It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made in the apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing description and accompanying drawings are illustrative and should not be construed in a limiting sense.