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.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an ergonomic support device for a keyboard apparatus or the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Carpal tunnel syndrome is manifested by numbness, tingling and pain in hand and fingers of the user and may be caused by improper computer keyboard positioning relative to the posture of the user. Prevention of carpal tunnel syndrome has become important with the widespread use of personal computers in the office environment. With increased productivity due to increased typing speeds and elimination of non-productive hand movements previously required in using an electric typewriter, such as manual error corrections, carriage return, replacing paper, more forceful actuation of the keys, etc., the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome appears to have increased. 
     It has been found that proper orientation of the keyboard relative to the user&#39;s forearms, wrist and fingers may mitigate the occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome. 
     Adjustable keyboard support devices are well known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,250, issued to Pemberton et al., discloses a keyboard support apparatus that allows the inclination of the keyboard to be adjusted downwardly relative to the user. However, the apparatus does not allow for vertical adjustment of the keyboard other than what is afforded by the tilt adjustment. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable keyboard support device where the height and the tilt of the keyboard can be adjusted independently of the other adjustment. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable keyboard support device where the keyboard can be tilted downwardly away from the user for a more natural and comfortable positioning of the user&#39;s fingers, wrist and forearms. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable keyboard support device that keeps the vertical position of the device constant while adjustment to the tilt is made, thereby minimizing adjustment iterations between the vertical and the tilt adjustments. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable keyboard support device that can be stored out of the way underneath a desktop when not in use. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable keyboard support device that can be relatively easily retrofitted to an existing desk or workstation. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable keyboard support device that minimizes the flexing of the user&#39;s wrist, thereby minimizing the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable keyboard support device that provides the user support for the whole arm during pauses and keying operation. 
     In summary, the present invention provides a keyboard support device comprising 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 being positionable between a lowest position to 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 a user while the vertical position of the front portion remains substantially the same. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is perspective view of an adjustable keyboard support device made in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of FIG. 1, showing the device secured to an underside of a worksurface and showing the vertical adjustability of the device. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B are enlarged detail views of a lock to keep the device in place when in use. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG.  2 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A keyboard support device R made in accordance with the present invention is disclosed in FIG.  1 . The device R includes a stationary frame  2  for being secured to a support structure, such as the underside of a desk  4 , as best shown in FIG.  2 . The frame  2  includes a pair of tracks  6  for receiving therein a plurality of rollers  8 , as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The frame  2  includes a mounting base  9  that advantageously keeps the tracks  6  aligned to each other for simplified installation. The frame  2  may be formed from a single sheet of metal or other suitable materials. 
     A front portion of the frame  2  includes an L-shaped section  10  that provides a stop to the forward motion of the rollers  8 , as best shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. A horizontal flange  12  forming part of the L-shaped section includes a pair of openings  14 , each disposed at opposite ends. The openings  12  are used to keep the device from sliding along the tracks  8  when in use, as will be described herein. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a support structure  16  is supported by the rollers  8 . The structure  16  includes opposing side members  18 , each including a vertical sidewall  20  connected to a horizontal wall  22 , which is in turn connected to a vertically extending wall  24 . The rollers  8  are pivotally secured to respective vertical walls  24  such that the support structure  16  can freely slide horizontally along the tracks  6 . A member  26  interconnects the two sides members  18 , as best shown in FIG.  1 . Each side wall  20  includes a pair of parallel inclined slots  28 , which are aligned with respective slots in the opposite sidewall  20 . The support structure  16  may be made from sheet metal, molded plastic or other suitable materials. 
     Vertically adjustable frame  30  is secured to the support structure  16 . The frame  30  includes a pair of sidewalls  32  connected to each other with a member  34 . Each sidewall  32  includes a pin  36  and a threaded rod  38 , both extending outwardly from respective sidewall and received within respective slots  28 , as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. An internally threaded knob  40  cooperates with the respective threaded rod  38  to provide clamping pressure to lock the frame  30  at any desired location along the length of the slots  28 , between a most vertical position and a least vertical position, shown in solid and phantom lines, respectively, in FIG.  2 . The frame  30  may be made of sheet metal, molded plastic or other suitable materials. 
     A tray  42  configured to receive and support a computer keyboard (not shown) is secured between the two sidewalls  32 , as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The tray  42  includes a platform  44 , a rear sidewall  46  and end walls  48 . The tray  42  may be made of sheet metal, molded plastic or other suitable materials. An auxiliary support  50  is disposed along the rear end of the tray  42  to provide support to the user&#39;s wrists and forearms. The auxiliary support  50  is preferably made of resilient material, such as rubber, foam or other suitable materials. 
     The tray  42  is secured to the frame  30  by means of pivots  52 , one on each side of the sidewalls  32 . A threaded rod extends outwardly from each end wall  48  and is received within respective arcuate slots  54  in the respective sidewall  32 , similar to that shown in FIG.  5 . Each slot  52  has the same radius about the each pivot  52  to allow the tray  42  to tilt about the pivots  52 . Internally threaded knobs  56  provide clamping action to lock the tray  42  at any desired angular tilt bounded by the end limits of the arcuate slots  54 . The tray  42  can be positioned substantially horizontally when the threaded rods are located at the top ends  58  of the arcuate slots  54 , as best shown in FIG. 2, or at its maximum tilt when the threaded rods are at the bottom end  60  of the arcuate slots  54 , or any position in between. The tray  42  may be made from sheet metal, molded plastic or other suitable materials. 
     A spring  62  secured between the member  26  and  34  provides sufficient counterbalance to the weight of the frame  30 , the tray  42  and the keyboard (not shown) so that when the knobs  40  are loosened to adjust the support  30  vertically, the support  30  would not suddenly drop down in case it was previously positioned at its upper location and that the user would not have to support the entire weight of the structure. 
     In operation, the knobs  40  are loosened when it is desired to change the vertical position of the keyboard. When the proper height is attained with reference to the rear portion of the tray  42 , the knobs  40  are then tightened to lock in place the frame  30 . To adjust the tilt of the keyboard, the knobs  56  are loosened and the tray  42  is pivoted about the pivots  52  until the desired tilt is obtained. The knobs  52  are then tightened to lock in place the tray  42  at the desired tilt. It will be apparent that during adjustment, once the vertical height of the auxiliary support  50  is fixed by the user, no further vertical adjustment will be necessary after the tilt of the tray  42  has been adjusted. The independent vertical and tilt adjustments advantageously avoid the inconvenience of a prior art device which uses combined vertical and tilt adjustments, wherein adjusting the vertical or tilt position would automatically change the other position, whether or not desired by the user, requiring further adjustments to be made. 
     Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, each wall  24  has a triangular corner  64  adapted to be received within the respective opening  14  to lock the support structure  16  relative to the tracks  6  and prevent it from rolling horizontally during use. The support structure  16  is slightly lifted upwardly at the end of its rearward travel toward the user to place the triangular portion  64  into the respective opening  14 , as best shown in FIG.  4 B. To stow the carriage below the desktop, the carriage is merely pushed forward, causing the sloping edge  66  of the triangular portion to lift the triangular portions  64  and, therefore, the carriage from the openings  14 . 
     The threaded rod  38  and the corresponding pin  36  define an imaginary line between them that is inclined upwardly towards the user, affording a greater distance between them than the separation of the slots would allow. This feature advantageously provides resistance against rotation during use and adjustment. Since the frame  30  is cantilevered from the support structure  16 , there is rotational tendency about the support structure  16  whenever weight, such as the user&#39;s forearms, is imposed on the frame  30 . By being inclined upwardly toward the user, the weight of the structure and any other force imposed on it during use will generate frictional forces between the pin and the front wall (toward the user) of the respective slot  28 , thereby helping to hold the frame  30  in place. 
     While this invention has been described as having preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modification, uses and/or adaptations following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.