U.S. patent application number 09/894548 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-28 for computer navigator armrest device.
Invention is credited to De Shann, Barbara A..
Application Number | 20020023994 09/894548 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26923278 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020023994 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
De Shann, Barbara A. |
February 28, 2002 |
Computer navigator armrest device
Abstract
A portable support tray attachable to a chair arm for
accommodating a hand-movable computer navigation device. The
support tray includes a tray component for supporting movement of
the navigation device and a mount component for tightly
circumferentially engaging the chair arm. A positional interface
can be disposed between the tray component and the mount component
for permitting planar movement and placement of the tray component
in relation to the mount component. Angular vertical orientation of
the tray component can be established and maintained as needed with
a ramp member positionable beneath the tray component. The portable
support tray here defined permits a user to ergonomically
beneficially situate a custom armrest site for operating a computer
navigation device such that muscle, tendon, ligament, and nerve
distresses are at least reduced while navigation-device usage
occurs.
Inventors: |
De Shann, Barbara A.; (Aliso
Viejo, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THOMAS C. NABER
STETINA BRUNDA GARRED & BRUCKER
SUITE 250
75 ENTERPRISE
ALISO VIEJO
CA
92656
US
|
Family ID: |
26923278 |
Appl. No.: |
09/894548 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60229419 |
Aug 31, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/346.01 ;
248/229.23; 248/231.51; 248/918 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/70 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/346.01 ;
248/229.23; 248/231.51; 248/918 |
International
Class: |
B65D 019/00; A47G
029/00; A47B 091/00 |
Claims
1. A portable support tray attachable to a chair arm for
accommodating a hand-movable computer navigation device, the
support tray comprising: a) a tray component having a generally
flat top surface for supporting movement of the computer navigation
device; and b) a mount component comprising an engagement member
for tightly circumferentially engaging the chair arm such that the
mount component is substantially immovable.
2. A portable support tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tray
component additionally includes an upwardly projecting lip as a
perimeter boundary for the flat top surface.
3. A portable support tray as claimed in claim 2 wherein the lip is
discontinuous along at least one portion thereof for forming at
least one generally flat lateral entry through said lip to the top
surface of the tray component.
4. A portable support tray as claimed in claim 3 wherein the at
least one generally flat lateral entry has a width dimension from
about 1/8 to about 1/4 inch.
5. A portable support tray as claimed in claim 3 wherein the at
least one generally flat lateral entry has a width dimension from
about 3 to about 4 inches.
6. A portable support tray as claimed in claim 1 additionally
comprising a positional interface between the tray component and
the mount component for permitting planar movement and placement of
the tray component in relation to the mount component.
7. A portable support tray as claimed in claim 6 wherein the tray
component and the mount component are releasably separable from
each other and wherein the positional interface additionally
releasably retains the tray component with the mount component.
8. A portable support tray as claimed in claim 7 wherein the
positional interface comprises a plurality of respective hook and
loop elements complimentarily positioned to each other on
respective interfacing tray-component and mount-component surfaces
for releasably retaining the tray component and mount component to
each other in a plurality of planar placements relative each
other.
9. A portable support tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein the top
surface of the tray component is provided with an abrasive surface
for traction with the computer navigation device.
10. A portable support tray as claimed in claim 1 additionally
comprising a leveler for placement beneath the tray component for
overcoming a sloping chair arm and maintaining the tray component
in a generally horizontal plane.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date and
disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/229,419, filed Aug. 31, 2000.
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
[0002] (Not Applicable)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates in general to support surfaces
for computer navigation devices such as a mouse, track ball, or the
like, and in particular to a portable support tray attachable to a
chair arm for accommodating a navigation device such that a user is
able to operate the navigation device without enduring typically
uncomfortable reaching and stretching normally associated with
navigator use.
[0004] With the on-going continued growth of computer uses for
business, education, communication, and personal endeavors, more
and more individuals are subjected to the physical rigors of
computer operation. In particular, these rigors include keyboard
typing, key-code command usage, and, usually of great demand,
computer navigator operation as exemplified in hand movement of a
computer mouse or similar navigation device. This extensive use of
computer hardware, when coupled with the traditional placement of
keyboard and mouse on a desk top surface in proximity to a computer
screen, many times causes certain untoward medical conditions which
can progress into serious afflictions that impact upon the ability
to work and the overall health of the affected individual.
[0005] One major malady category is that which relates to hand,
wrist, and/or arm dexterity and movement after a usually relatively
lengthy time period of repetitive and/or distended limb movements.
A common affliction is carpal tunnel syndrome wherein nerves within
the carpal tunnels serving a hand become distressed upon repetitive
hand/wrist activity and wherein surgery many times is the singular
manner for relieving the condition. In any event, when reaching and
twisting of hands, wrists, and/or arms continues, a minimal
consequence generally is moderate to severe discomfort.
[0006] In view of the extensiveness of potential disability for
millions of computer users, it is apparent that a significant need
is present to help alleviate present and future health problems.
Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to
provide a portable support tray attachable to a chair arm for
accommodating a hand-movable computer navigation device, thereby
significantly reducing arm, wrist, and hand stress by providing an
ergonomically beneficial location for mouse operation.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
portable support tray having planar mobility which, upon chair-arm
engagement, permits limited movability to achieve comfortable
placement for a user.
[0008] These and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent throughout the description thereof which now follows.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is a portable support tray attachable
to a chair arm for accommodating a hand-movable computer navigation
device. The support tray first comprises a tray component having a
generally flat top surface for supporting movement of the computer
navigation device. Second, the support tray includes a mount
component for tightly circumferentially engaging the chair arm such
that the mount component is substantially immovable when so
engaged. In a preferred embodiment, an upwardly projecting lip is
included as a perimeter boundary for the flat top surface, with
cut-outs therein to accommodate a cord for the navigation device
and for accommodating a wrist or arm portion of a user. A
positional interface can be disposed between the tray component and
the mount component, which themselves can be separable from each
other, for permitting planar movement and placement of the tray
component in relation to the mount component. Finally, if desired,
vertical angular orientation of the tray component can be
established and maintained with a ramp member positionable beneath
the tray component. In this manner, the portable support tray here
defined permits a user to ergonomically beneficially situate a
custom armrest site for operating a computer navigation device such
that muscle, tendon, ligament and nerve distresses are eliminated
or at least reduced while navigation-device usage remains constant
or increases.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] An illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the
invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable support tray
attached to a chair arm for accommodation of a computer navigation
device;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the support tray
of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the support tray
of FIG. 1 in place on the chair arm and additionally includes an
optional support arm;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an end elevation view partially in section of the
support tray in place on a generally horizontal chair arm; and
[0015] FIG. 5 is an end elevation view partially in section of the
support tray in place on an axially angular chair arm utilizing an
adjuster for leveling the support tray.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a portable support tray 10
attachable to a chair arm 12 for accommodating a hand-movable
computer navigation device, here shown as a mouse 14, is
illustrated. The support tray 10 includes a tray component 16
having a generally flat top surface 18, preferably with an abrasive
finish to enhance mouse traction, and an upwardly projecting lip 22
as a perimeter boundary for the top surface 18. The lip 22
preferably has a first entry 24 there through for accepting and
generally retaining a cord 26 leading to the mouse 14. Width of the
first entry 24 is from about 1/8 inch to about 1/4 inch.
Additionally, the lip 22 preferably has a second entry 28 for
accepting a wrist or arm portion of a user as the wrist or arm
rests during hand operation of the mouse 14. Width of the second
entry 28 is preferably from about three to about four inches.
[0017] The support tray 10 additionally includes a mount component
30 for retaining the support tray 10 to the chair arm 12. In
particular, the mount component 30 includes an engagement member
here non-limitedly exemplified as an elongated generally U-shaped
rigid bar 32 attached at one end thereof with a hinge 34 to the
underside of a flat plate 36. The opposite end of the bar 32 is
releasably attachable to the plate 36 with two standard bolts 38,
which optionally can have respective coil springs there around for
spring-tensioning as required, and wing-nuts 40 for tightly
circumferentially cinching the bar 32 around a chair arm 12 as
clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The mount component 30 additionally
includes a tray support plate 20 with which the tray component 16
is engaged as described below. As would be recognized by the
skilled artisan, other engagement members can be employed, and are
non-limitedly exemplified as elasticized and non-elasticized
straps, opposing clamp-half structures that tightly engage each
other beneath the chair arm, opposing hook-and-loop straps that
engage each other beneath the chair arm, and other attachment
devices as would be so recognized. In any event, the engagement
member should effectuate a substantially immovable mount component
when in place.
[0018] Disposed between the tray component 16 and mount component
30 is a positional interface here non-limitedly exemplified as a
plurality of respective hook 46 and loop 48 elements
complimentarily situated with respect to each other on respective
interfacing tray-component and mount-component surfaces 50
(underside of tray component 16), 52 (top of support plate 20) for
releasably retaining the tray component 16 and mount component 30
to each other over a plurality of planar placements of user choice
relative each other. Thus, while the mount component 30 is secured
to the chair arm 12, the tray component 16 can be separated by a
user from the mount component 30, moved axially and/or laterally
and/or angularly in a single generally horizontal planar
orientation until comfortable for the user, and thereafter secured
by the respective hook 46 and loop 48 elements interfacedly
presented to each other in the tray-component position so chosen.
Optionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tray component 16
can be provided with a releasably retained support bar 25 so
retained by a downwardly projecting loop structure 27 passed
through a proximal slot of the support bar 25 and thereafter
flexibly retained in place with a cotter pin 29. The support bar 25
is indicated where a particular chair arm may be so constructed
such that additional stability is needed by interfacing the distal
arc of the bar 25 with a cooperating forward portion of the
particular chair arm. As is apparent, the support bar 25, whose
distal end can be provided with a non-slip coating as would be
recognized in the art, will function to support the weight of the
tray component 16 at its front edge. While the embodiment here
shown provides for separation and re-orientation of the tray
component 16 and mount component 30 with respect to each other, it
is to be understood that these components need not be separable
from each other to achieve planar movement of the tray component.
In particular, a track-and-rail slide interface, a swivel
interface, and/or other movable connection-structure interface, all
as would be recognizable to the skilled artisan, can be employed to
provide comfortable placement of the tray component 16. Finally,
the support tray 10 can include a leveler here non-limitedly
exemplified as a wedge structure 54 for use as where a chair arm
slopes downwardly. The wedge structure 54 can be inserted between
the top of the chair arm and the bottom of the support plate 20 of
the mount component 30 as shown in FIG. 5 a distance sufficient to
produce a level tray component 16.
[0019] In use, and as generally taught throughout the above
description, a user positions the mount component 30 at a generally
desired chair arm position and thereafter secures the mount
component 30 to the chair arm 12 by positioning the U-shaped bar 32
to encircle the chair arm 12 and tightening the wing-nuts 40 until
the mount component 30 is tightly secured. The user then places the
tray component 16 of the support tray 10 above the top of the flat
plate 36 in a desired orientation and thereafter places the tray
component 16 in contact with the flat plate 36 for engagement of at
least one pair, and preferably a plurality of, hook 46 and loop 48
elements such that the user can comfortably move a computer
navigation device (e.g. a mouse) on the surface 18 of the tray
component 16. Should a downward slope of the chair arm be present,
the wedge structure 54 is inserted between the top of the chair arm
and the bottom of the support plate 20 a distance sufficient to
maintain the tray component 16 in a generally horizontal plane. Any
cord leading to the navigation device is positioned through the
first entry 24 through the lip 22 of the tray component 16 for cord
position maintenance, while the second entry 26 comfortably
accommodates the wrist and/or arm portion of the user during
navigator-device movement.
[0020] While an illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of
the invention has been described in detail herein, it is to be
understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously
embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to
be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited
by prior art.
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