Abstract:
An ergonomic support apparatus is disclosed. The support apparatus is adapted to be received and supported by a planar surface of a desktop or workstation when the user adopts a reclining position relative to the support apparatus adjacent the desk or workstation, and includes a shaped limb receiving main body portion extending to a lip or shoulder portion that embraces and overhangs a forward facing edge of the desk or workstation to support an aspect of the limb against undesired pressured contact against the edge while simultaneously comfortably supporting the user&#39;s foot or lower leg portion atop the main body portion.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to ergonomic support apparatus for receiving and supporting a foot and/or leg of a person on a supporting surface, and more specifically to ergonomic support apparatus for use in connection with a raised support surface such as a desktop. 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]    There are numerous support apparatuses which are pertinent to the invention at hand. Generally, it is known that persons sitting and working in front of desks and workstations may from time to time seek a reclining position whether during a period of relaxation or during a freestyle activity when direct desktop-related work is not an issue, such as when using a telephone or conversing with another person within immediate proximity, or even during a period of chair-based exercise. Such selected position may be chosen from any number of postural orientations, particularly during sitting, when the selected position directly affects the body weight distribution on the spine and other portions of the body. 
         [0003]    Specifically, ergonomic research appears to support the concept of proper body weight distribution by maintaining certain postures. Such positions are not necessarily limited to a full, classic upright position. At such times when a position different from the upright position is desired, it has been discovered that heretofore no apparatus exists which would enable a person, particularly engaged in work involving task seating systems and related operations, to shift into a comfortable, reclined position, whereby one or more lower portions of the legs are quickly, conveniently, and uniformly supported about the top surface of the desk without disrupting work. 
         [0004]    Various medical studies have shown that prolonged static postures in any of known configurations such as, for example, sitting and standing cause discomfort, pain and ultimately injury. Modern work stations such as computer related work stations require that the operator be oriented in a sedentary, upright seated position. When a person is so oriented in a limited movement sitting position, muscle stress and discomfort typically occurs. Specifically, during sitting, the vertebral column transmits the weight of the body through the pelvis to the lower limbs. When the vertebral column experiences prolonged stress due to the resulting sedentary posture, a deformity of the spine may result leading to serious medical problems such as kyphosis which is characterized by a posterior curvature of the vertebral column. Further, prolonged sedentary sitting may contribute and/or aggravate scoliosis, characterized by a lateral curvature of the vertebral column and lordosis, characterized by an anterior curvature of the vertebral column. 
         [0005]    Movements of the vertebral column are freer in the cervical and lumbar regions and these regions are the most frequent sites of discomfort and pain. The main movements of the vertebral column are flexion or forward bending, extension or backward bending, lateral bending or lateral flexion, and rotation or twisting of the vertebra relative to each other. Some circumduction which consists of flexion-extension and lateral bending also occurs. It is thus apparent, that the person be provided with some body-positioning options to enable and even encourage routine body movement in an effort to overcome some of the problems associated with sedentary sitting. 
         [0006]    In addition to the vertebral column, a body support system implemented to position a person proximal to a desk or work station must be ergonomically balanced with the desk or work station. In this regard the upper limb should be allowed to move freely such that the shoulder, arm, forearm and hand generally comprising the upper limb must be positioned to provide stability and to gain mobility. Because any slight injury to the upper limb is further aggravated by repeated motion of the hand and arm muscles, it is important to provide comfortable positioning and support to the upper limb at all postures related to a task seating workstation. 
         [0007]    Similarly, a well-designed body support system should consider neck and head positions. The neck contains vessels, nerves, and other structures connect in the head and the trunk. There are several known causes of neck pain. As it relates to neck pain resulting from bad postures, muscle strain and protrusion of a cervical intervertebral disc may be the cause. Many vital structures are located in the neck and proper positioning and support of the neck must be made to avoid muscle strain. Further, posterior positioning to the head is important to avoid strain, headache and head pain. Lumbar and thoracic support are also vital to promote good breathing and elimination of stress on the lumbar and thoracic vertebrae. 
         [0008]    The lower limb, including the upper and lower leg, ankle, and foot, is also a load bearing element. The parts of the lower limb are comparable to those of the upper limb. Since a vast number of vital networks of arterial vessels are located in the lower limb, it is likewise medically important to promote the flow of blood through these arterial vessels. Thus, in sedentary postures, frequent removal of weight off the lower limb is recommended to eliminate muscle tension, fatigue and related degenerative joint disease. 
         [0009]    Heretofore, the related art was incapable of providing a full anthropometric range to users with the option to switch to different comfortable and healthy postures while keeping them within an acceptable ergonomic range of a desk or work station depending on the task at hand. Particularly, the related art heretofore failed to provide apparatus or mechanism to support all or part of the lower limb in a manner that promotes a healthy posture in the reclined position. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, there exists a need for an apparatus which consistently and comfortably supports a foot or lower leg portion of the lower limb with uniformity in combination with supporting the lower limb about the desk or workstation, while simultaneously protecting the desk or workstation on which the foot or leg portion is rested. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ergonomic support apparatus for enabling a seated person to be comfortably positioned in a reclined positions while situated adjacent to a desk or workstation. It is another object of the present invention to provide an ergonomic support apparatus for enabling a seated person to transition to a consistent and predictable reclined position and to be comfortably secured in that reclined position. 
         [0012]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ergonomic support apparatus for enabling a seated person to selectively secure his/her lower limb within the apparatus in the reclined position, by situating one or both feet and/or legs about the apparatus as selected for a particular orientation when positioned about a planar surface of the desk or workstation. 
         [0013]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an ergonomic support apparatus having different configurations for accommodating a user&#39;s feet and/or legs according to the invention. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ergonomic support apparatus supported at a raised surface such as a planar surface of a desktop or workstation for supporting a lower appendage of a person for therapeutic purposes. 
         [0014]    According to the present invention, an ergonomic support apparatus for supporting a portion of a lower limb is disclosed, the support apparatus adapted to be received and supported by a surface such as a planar surface of a desktop or workstation, when the user adopts a reclining position relative to the support apparatus adjacent the desk or workstation. It will be appreciated that the inventive support apparatus need not be provided at a raised elevation relative to ground to provide some degree of support of a lower limb. 
         [0015]    According to the invention, the support apparatus includes a shaped limb receiving main body portion extending to a lip or shoulder portion that embraces and overhangs a forward facing edge of the desk or workstation to support an aspect of the limb against undesired pressured contact against the edge while simultaneously comfortably supporting the user&#39;s foot or lower leg portion atop the main body portion. 
         [0016]    The main body portion according to the invention is contemplated to be configured in any of a wide variety of shapes designed to receive a lower limb (hereinafter understood to include a foot and/or calf and/or lower leg as so chosen by the user). By way of example as will be more fully described and shown below, it will be appreciated that a generally triangular shaped main body portion will comfortably receive a lower limb at an acute angle to the leading edge of the desk or workstation, while minimizing excessive overlap of the planar desk area. The triangular shape may be substituted with circular, oval, rectilinear, semicircular, crescent or compound shapes including such geometric shapes to provide alternate lower limb receiving options. Within each main body portion one or more concavities may be optionally formed to provide enhancements to lower limb receipt and placement and to further secure the user while in a reclined position. 
         [0017]    The main body portion may be further formed with a memory foam or other shape compliant material, and optionally, an internally contained metallic or non-metallic frame, truss, or brace may be provided to provide even greater structural enhancements. With respect to the lip or shoulder portion extending from the main body portion, it has been further contemplated that such lip or shoulder portion may be flexibly or inflexibly supported from the main body portion receiving portion body, and no matter that attachment and suspension configuration, the overall construction prevents direct contact between an aspect of the lower limb against undesired pressured contact against the edge of the desk or workstation during use. When positioned, a tacky undersurface adhered to the underside of the main body portion may be provided. Alternately, a clamp, suction cups, or other securement means may be provided to secure the apparatus against unintended excursions during periods of use, and when released readily enables relocation or removal of the apparatus from the desk or workstation. 
         [0018]    It should be noted and understood that with respect to the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein, the materials and apparatus disclosed and suggested may be modified or substituted to achieve the desired protected structures without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed and claimed invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of user situated in a chair in a reclined position, supporting both extended lower limbs on the ergonomic support apparatus of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the ergonomic support apparatus of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a side-elevational view taken through section  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 , showing a shaped concavity extending from the major axis of the transition of the main body portion and lip or shoulder portion in a direction generally perpendicular thereto across the main body portion; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a side-elevational view taken through section  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 , showing an exemplary lateral outer edge portion of the main body portion, further showing the overhanging lip or shoulder portion supported by the leading edge of the main body portion; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along section  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 , showing an exemplary internal metallic brace or frame for providing additional structural rigidity to the inventive apparatus; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment for the ergonomic support apparatus of the invention having a right triangle shape; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment for the ergonomic support apparatus of the invention having a unilateral triangle shape; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment for the ergonomic support apparatus of the invention having a circular shape and a circular or curved lip or shoulder; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment for the ergonomic support apparatus of the invention having a circular shape with a straight lip or shoulder; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the ergonomic support apparatus of the invention, showing a generally planar main body portion and an orthogonally oriented planar lip or shoulder portion extending therefrom; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the ergonomic support apparatus of the invention, showing a generally planar main body portion such as that shown in  FIG. 10 , and an orthogonally oriented planar lip or shoulder portion extending therefrom by interconnecting straps or panels; 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a generally planar limb receiving upper surface; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the present invention, showing a reverse sloping limb receiving upper surface; 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the present invention, showing a reverse sloping limb receiving upper surface transitioning to a concavity. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like and corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  shows an ergonomic support apparatus  10  for supporting a portion of a lower limb  12  of a user  14 . User  14  is seated in a reclining position in chair  16  having a headrest  18 , backrest  20 , seat cushion  22 , and arm rests  24  (one shown) directly or indirectly supported by chair base  26 . Ergonomic support apparatus  10  includes main body portion  30  supporting lip or shoulder portion  32  sized and shaped to be received and supported by generally planar surface  34  of a desktop or workstation  36  supported at an elevation by legs  38 ,  40 . 
         [0034]    With reference now to  FIGS. 2-4 , it will be seen that main body portion is contemplated to be configured in any of a wide variety of shapes designed to receive a lower limb (hereinafter understood to include a foot and/or calf and/or lower leg as so chosen by the user). By way of example as will be more fully described and shown below, it will be appreciated that a generally triangular shaped main body portion  50  will comfortably receive a lower limb at an acute angle to the leading edge of the desk or workstation, while minimizing excessive overlap of the planar desk area on which it is to be received. As will be more fully described below in connection with  FIGS. 6-11 , the generally triangular shape of the main body portion  50  may be substituted with circular, oval, ellipsoid, rectilinear, semi-circular, crescent or compound shapes including such geometric shapes to provide alternate lower limb receiving options. In a preferred embodiment, main body portion  50  transitions to downwardly extending supporting lip or shoulder portion  52  which is sized and shaped to be received and supported by generally planar surface  34  of a desktop or workstation  36  in embracing relationship to protect the user against direct contact with a leading edge of  58  of the desk or workstation  36 . 
         [0035]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , it will be seen that a concavity  60  may be optionally formed in the main body portion  50  to assist in positioning and retaining the lower limb during use of the apparatus  10 . It will be appreciated that a single concavity  60  may be provided extending in a direction perpendicular to the major axis of lip or shoulder portion  52 , and centered in relationship thereto, or alternatively, a plurality of concavities may be provided at acute angles to the lip or shoulder portion  52  to accommodate a user&#39;s limb extending also at an acute angle, such as might be expected when the user is seated other than square with the leading edge of  58  of the desk or workstation  36 . 
         [0036]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , main body portion  50  and lip or shoulder portion  52  may be further formed with a memory foam or other shape compliant material, and optionally, an internally contained metallic or non-metallic frame, truss, or brace  62  may be provided to provide even greater structural enhancement. With regard to the such materials of construction, memory foams of desired density and resiliency may be selected as will be appreciated by the skilled artisan. Alternatively, shaped cushions may be filled with compressed air, gels, silicon, or non-memory foams depending on intended use and market factors. It is further contemplated that slip covers (not shown) may be provided which are sized and shaped to accommodate the structural fillings. 
         [0037]    With regard to frame  62 , it will be further appreciated by the skilled artisan that such frame may be constructed of metals such as aluminum, steel or other metallic components or alloys or combinations thereof, or of non-metallic components such as plastics, wood, or even heavier density plastics acting in cooperation with the basic foam construction to achieve an ergonomic support apparatus  10  having desired flexibility/rigidity properties. No matter which construction is selected, the apparatus may be simply installed about the leading edge of the desk  36  in opposing relationship with the user  14  and supported in place by the resulting friction between the lower surface  51  of main body portion  50  and generally planar surface  34  of desktop or workstation  36 . 
         [0038]    Alternatively, enhanced friction may be provided by providing a textured surface to the lower surface  51  of main body portion  50  to prevent undesired slippage therebetween when the user moves his lower limb. Yet other slippage reduction apparatus may be provided, including but not limited to one or more suction cups secured to lower surface  51  for adhesion to the selected surface  34  (whether planar or not). A further embodiment contemplates the use of “c” shaped clamp installed at the underside of main body portion  50 , for removable installation to a desk or workstation having an exposed edge to which the clamp may be removably secured. Such clamp may include either a screw type tensioning attachment, or may be constructed with a flexible, memory-based material (metallic or polymeric) for being secured to an exposed edge. Ideally, any such attachment means includes surfaces and edges which are non-destructive and non-marring when applied to the desk surface. 
         [0039]    With reference now to  FIGS. 6-11 , additional preferred embodiments of the support apparatus  10  are shown, all of which utilize the underlying construction previously described. Specifically,  FIG. 6  shows a right triangle shaped main body portion  70  and a lip or shoulder portion  72  extending therefrom.  FIG. 7  shows a unilateral triangular shaped main body portion  74  and a lip or shoulder portion  76  extending therefrom.  FIG. 8  shows a generally circular shaped main body portion  78  and a generally circular lip or shoulder portion  80  extending therefrom.  FIG. 9  shows a generally circular shaped main body portion  82  and a generally straight lip or shoulder portion  84  extending therefrom.  FIG. 10  shows a generally planar main body portion  86  and an orthogonally oriented planar lip or shoulder portion  88  extending therefrom.  FIG. 11  shows a generally planar main body portion  90  such as that shown in  FIG. 10 , and an orthogonally oriented planar lip or shoulder portion  92  extending therefrom by interconnecting straps or panels  94 . It will be appreciated that straps/panels  94  may be adjusted in length co raise or lower the height of lip or shoulder portion  92  relative to main body portion  90  as necessary or desirable to overlap a surface edge (such as surface edge  58 ,  FIG. 1 ) for the reasons previously discussed. 
         [0040]    With reference now to  FIGS. 12-14 , the upper surface of main body portion of any of the disclosed embodiments of any shape may be provided with a generally planar limb receiving upper surface  94  ( FIG. 12 ), a reverse sloping limb receiving upper surface  96  ( FIG. 13 ), or a reverse sloping limb receiving upper surface  98  transitioning to a concavity  100  bounded by a rear forward sloping surface  102 . It will be further appreciated that a central concavity  60  such as that shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , or any other concavity such as those previously described may be formed in the main body portions shown in  FIGS. 12-14 , and any such combination is to be construed as being with the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
         [0041]    It is to be understood that although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broader aspects and, therefore the aim in the appended claims is to cover such changes and modifications as may fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.