Background Of The Invention With the ever growing popularity of the Internet, World Wide Web and sophisticated softwares, more and more individuals are spending an increasing amount of time in front of their computers for work and play. As a result, users have become more and more concerned with comfort in using their computers as well as reducing repetitive stress syndrome which results from extended and repetitive use of input devices such as computer mouses, keyboards and touch pads. Additionally, as the computer has become the center of the workplace tasks as far as their use for word processing, communication via e-mails, generating spreadsheets and graphics capabilities, conducting research and analysis, workers are spending increased amounts of time in front of the computer typing and/or manipulating the computer mouse. Also, school children are starting to use computers at an early age due to the need for information technology in current work environments. Extended manipulation of a computer mouse or typing on a keyboard can often result in pain and has also led to an increase in the incidences of repetitive stress syndrome, most notably Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a form of tendinitis within the arms and wrists of a user of a computer, which results from stress in a computer user's wrists and forearms, and sometimes extends to the shoulder, due to

extended typing or manipulation of a computer mouse. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is often quite painful and can be debilitating to the point of preventing computer use, causing loss of time at work or even a permanent disability from ever again working with a computer mouse or keyboard. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is also one of the top workplace injuries based on the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

The prior art includes numerous devices for reducing or eliminating pain, stress and the incidences of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome resulting from repetitive typing.

For instance, U. S. Pat. No. 5,193,771 discloses a wrist support which is designed to maintain a typists hand, wrist and forearm in a neutral or aligned position using a substantially rigid base member having an upper curved surface which partially conforms with the typist's wrist. The base member includes an arm portion which extends forward and upward from a front edge of the base member. The base member is fastened to the user's wrist with a strap and is generally positioned under the user's palm to support the user's hand without restricting the pivoting of the user's finger's during typing. This device, however, is uncomfortable to many users who do not wish to arch their wrists upward or to users who wish to have more mobility in their wrist movement during typing. Furthermore, the wrist support is directed for use with immobile work station devices such as keyboards and is prohibitive to the use of a computer mouse.

In U. S. Pat. No. 5,183,230 there is disclosed a keyboard support for use with computer keyboards. The keyboard support includes a foam covered baseplate that securely positions and cushions the keyboard. A padded wrist support is attached to the baseplate along the front edge of the baseplate. This device, however, must be placed on a surface close to the computer system or workstation and requires securing the keyboard

to a baseplate which includes the padded wrist support for use only with the keyboard.

A similar device is disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 5,356,099 which teaches a wrist support system which is generally positioned on a base surface adjacent a keyboard of a computer system or typewriter. This device included a support member having an attached liquid containing wrist support pack mounted thereon. This device, however, is also directed only for reducing pain and stress related to keyboard use. Since this device is required to be positioned adjacent a keyboard, use with a computer mouse is prohibited.

U. S. Pat. No. 5,131,614 is directed to a wrist rest support for supporting a user's wrist during the performance of tasks involving repetitive motion with the hands and fingers during operation of a keyboard or computer mouse. The wrist rest support includes a base pad positioned partially under the keyboard and includes a section extending away from the keyboard that has a top surface above the level of the keys for supporting the wrists. The base pad may be separable from the base section so that base pads of varying heights may be interchanged. The wrist rest support of this invention is, however, large and is stationary for placement of a keyboard or computer mouse thereon.

As such, it can be used only with the keyboard and computer mouse of the computer system to which it is placed under.

Accordingly, there is a need for a wrist support device for portable use with a variety of computer mouses and keyboards and which eliminates the painful vibrations and stress caused by repeated use of these computer input devices.

Furthermore, there is a need for a wrist support device for portable use with a variety of computer mouses and keyboards and which is compact, lightweight, inexpensive and

easy to manufacture.

Objects And Summary Of The Invention It is thus a general object of the present invention to provide a wrist support for reducing stress, strain and pain associated with repetitive and long term manipulation of computer input devices.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an individual, portable wrist support apparatus which is worn on a users forearm and includes a wrist support pad positioned in the wrist region on the palmar side of the user's hand for reducing stress, strain and pain associated with repetitive and long term manipulation of a computer mouse or typing on a keyboard.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable wrist support apparatus which is worn on a users forearm and includes a wrist support pad positioned in the wrist region on the palmar side of the user's hand and which reduces stress and strain on the user's hand, wrist and forearm by elevating the user's wrist into a neutral plane when the user's wrist is naturally positioned on a surface while manipulating or operating a computer input device.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a portable wrist support apparatus having a wrist support pad positioned in the wrist region on the palmar side of the user's hand and which is deformable so as to fit within the contour of the user's wrist area.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable wrist support apparatus which includes deformable securement means such that the wrist

support apparatus can be worn by user's with different sized wrists.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a portable wrist support apparatus to be worn on a user's wrist such that the user's fingers, hand and wrist have freedom to move within their natural or desired range of motion.

It is still an additional object of the present invention to provide a portable wrist support apparatus which is machine-washable (more hygienic), simple to manufacture, compact, lightweight and inexpensive.

These and other objects of the invention are realized by providing a portable wrist support apparatus for use with computer input devices such as computer mouses and keyboards, and which comprises a wrist support pad for reducing muscular strain on the wrist and forearm of a user, and means for detachably securing the wrist support pad to the palmar side of the user's wrist. The wrist support pad is fabricated from a cushioning material which elevates the user's wrist off a surface to a neutral position which eliminates stress incurred by the wrist and forearm during mouse usage and/or typing. The cushioning material of the wrist support pad also serves to absorb the vibration of finger, wrist, hand and forearm movement which occurs while the user manipulates a computer mouse or operates a keyboard while typing.

The wrist support pad may be fabricated from a variety of cushioning materials, including sponge, foam, dried or organic husk, down or feathers. Additionally, the wrist support pad may be provided with an exterior lining which may be inflated with air or filled with a liquid so that the addition or removal of air or water renders the wrist support pad capable of being inflated or filled to a particular height comfortable to individual users.

Securement means are provided which are attached to opposite sides of the exterior surface of the wrist support pad. The securement means may be an elastic or adjustable band or strap. Alternatively, the securement means may include Velcro- type hook and loop fasteners for mating engagement with each other. In use, the user inserts his/her hand through the securement means and positions the wrist support pad in the wrist region on the palmar side of the hand. In this position, the cushioning material in the exterior pack of the wrist support pad conforms to the contour of the wrist area to provide adequate support to the hand, wrist and forearm during manipulation of a computer mouse and/or during typing, while at the same time permitting the user's fingers, hand and wrist complete freedom to move within their natural range of motion.

In addition to providing support, the wrist support apparatus reduces muscular strain on the hand, wrist, arm and shoulder of the user and lessens pain and discomfort associated with long hours spent manipulating a computer mouse and/or typing on a keyboard.

Accordingly, medical treatment costs and time lost due to injury are reduced.

Since the wrist support apparatus is worn on an individual user's wrist, it is portable and does not require the placement of wrist support systems at each personal computer or workstation. As a result of the wrist support apparatus'light weight and compactness, it can be easily stored and transported.

In alternative embodiments, the securement means and/or the wrist support pad may be provided with pockets for containing money and keys, for example.

Additionally, the wrist support pad may be provided in a variety of colors and design patterns and may also incorporate logos, characters, and marketing slogans. Furthermore, the wrist support pad may be manufactured to be machine-washable with comfortable

cotton-like material to the skin and/or may be provided with a water resistant exterior lining such as when dried or organic husk, liquid or down feathers are used as the cushioning material.

The above description sets forth rather broadly the more important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be understood, and in order that the present contributions to the art may be better appreciated. Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for the purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims.

Detailed Description Of The Drawings In the drawings in which like reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the portable wrist support apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the portable wrist support apparatus shown in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of the wrist support apparatus according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the portable wrist support apparatus shown in FIG. 4 according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a portable wrist support apparatus positioned on a user's wrist and illustrating its positioning as a user operates a computer mouse; FIG. 6 illustrates a portable wrist support apparatus positioned on a user's wrist and illustrating its positioning as a user operates a computer keyboard; FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of alternative embodiment of the portable wrist support apparatus of the present invention which includes a hook and loop type fastening strips positioned on securement strips for securing the wrist support apparatus to a user's wrist; FIG. 8 illustrates a top perspective view of an additional embodiment of the portable wrist support apparatus having a wrist band which circumferentially surrounds the user's entire wrist; FIG. 9 illustrates a side perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 having a wrist band which circumferentially surrounds the user's entire wrist; and FIG. 10 illustrates the portable wrist support apparatus illustrated in the FIGS. 8 and 9 positioned on a user's wrist and illustrating its positioning as a user operates a computer keyboard.

Detailed Description Of The Invention Referring now to the drawings for a more detailed description of the present invention and more particularly to FIGS. 1-4 thereof, a wrist support apparatus 10 is shown and described. With specific reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a first embodiment of wrist support apparatus 10 comprising a wrist support pad 12 and securing means 14 for detachably securing wrist support pad 12 to the wrist and forearm

of a user as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. In the first embodiment as illustrated in FIGS.

1 and 2, wrist support pad 12 is configured as a miniature pillow having first and second sides 16,18 opposite one another. Securement means 14 are attached to wrist support pad 12 at first and second sides such that wrist support apparatus 10 may be worn by a user when a user places his or her hand through securement means 14. When properly positioned, wrist support pad 12 is disposed in the user's wrist region on the palmar side of a user's forearm. It is understood that although FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a single securement band 14, the invention is not limited in this respect and any number of type and size of securement bands may be utilized to secure wrist support apparatus 10 to a user's wrist.

In the first embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, securement means 14 comprises a single band or strap connected to first and second sides 16,18 of wrist support pad. The securement means is advantageously a flexible, elastic and resilient band capable of being stretched and deformed to fit on wrists of different sizes. Wrist support pad 12 may be fabricated from a cushioning material or may include an exterior lining 20 within which the cushioning material is retained such that when properly positioned on a user's wrist, wrist support pad elevates the user's wrist to a neutral plane when the user's wrist is naturally positioned on a surface while manipulating a computer input device such as a computer mouse 40 or keyboard 42, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The cushioning material may be one of numerous soft materials such as foam rubber, sponge, dried or organic husk, and feathers or down. Exterior lining 20 may also be fabricated from an air-tight, anti-static and/or water resistant material which may be inflated with air or filled with a liquid. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, an inlet tube 22

may be provided on exterior lining 20 for adding and removing air or liquid such that the addition or removal of air or liquid from within exterior pack 20 of wrist support pad 12 permits a user to adjust the size of wrist support pad 12 for comfort and to provide maximum reduction of vibration and stress resulting from repetitive manipulation of a computer mouse and/or from repetitive typing on a keyboard. Regardless of the cushioning material from which wrist support pad 12 is fabricated or which is contained within exterior lining 20, wrist support pad 12 is deformable to the contours of the palmar wrist area 30, as illustrated in FIG. 5, and provides a flexible support for the user's interfacing areas.

In a second embodiment of wrist support apparatus 10 illustrated in FIGS.

3 and 4, wrist support pad 12 is provided with side supports 24,26, each of which are attached at first ends 24a, 26a to first and second sides 16,18 of wrist support pad 12.

Side supports provide for greater comfort and support of the side of the user's wrist area.

Securement means 14 are attached between second ends 24b, 26b of side supports 24,26 for securing wrist support apparatus 10 to a user's wrist as illustrated in FIG. 6. Similar to the first embodiment, securement means 14 is advantageously a flexible, elastic and resilient band capable of being stretched and deformed to fit on wrists of different sizes.

It is understood that although FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate two securement bands 14, the invention is not limited in this respect and any number of type and size of securement bands may be utilized to secure wrist support apparatus 10 to a user's wrist.

As with the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes a wrist support pad 12 which may be fabricated from a cushioning material such as foam rubber or sponge, or which may include an exterior

lining 20 within which the cushioning material (not shown) is disposed and retained such that when wrist support pad 12 is properly positioned, the user's wrist is elevated to a neutral plane when the user's wrist is naturally positioned on a surface while manipulating a computer input device such as a computer mouse 40 or keyboard 42, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. As further explained hereinabove with reference to FIGS.

1 and 2, the cushioning material may be one of numerous soft materials such as foam rubber, sponge, dried or organic husk, and feathers or down. Additionally, exterior lining 20 may be fabricated from an air-tight, anti-static and/or water resistant material capable of being inflated with air or filled with a liquid. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, an inlet tube may be provided on exterior lining 20 for adding and removing air or liquid such that the addition or removal of air or liquid from within exterior lining 20 of wrist support pad 12 permits a user to adjust the size of wrist support pad 12 for comfort and to provide maximum reduction of vibration and stress resulting from repetitive manipulation of a computer mouse and/or from repetitive typing on a keyboard. Regardless of the cushioning material from which wrist support pad 12 is fabricated or which is contained within exterior lining 20, wrist support pad 12 is deformable to the contours of the palmar wrist area and provides a flexible support for the user's interfacing areas as illustrated in FIG. 5.

In an additional alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, a securement means 14 is in the shape of a band that extends from first and second sides 16,18 of wrist support pad 12 and is advantageously fabricated from a gauze material or an elastic material similar to that from which the well known and widely used medical bandages, such as ACE8 bandages are made. Unlike the embodiment illustrated in

FIGS. 3 and 4 which provide support for the sides of a user's wrist, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 provides complete support around the entire wrist, as illustrated in FIG. 10, such that those with preexisting wrist ailments are afforded greater support and are thus rendered capable of manipulating a computer mouse or typing on a keyboard with additional comfort and a reduction of pain.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to the use of elastic bands as securement means 14. Securement means 14 may also comprise first and second straps 32,34 extending from first and second sides 16,18 of wrist support pad 12. First and second straps 32,34 may be provided with patches of hook and loop type fastening strips 36a, 36b, generally recognized under the Trademark Velcro (», for mating engagement with each other and for permitting adjustment of first and second straps 32, 34 so as to permit use of wrist support apparatus 10 by users having different wrist sizes.

First and second straps 32,34 provided with patches of hook and loop type fastening strips 36a, 36b thereon, may be made of elastic material so as to allow the user to adjust the tension exerted around the wrist. This allows for additional support similar to the embodiment that employs elastic material as illustrated in FIGS 8 and 9. In all embodiments of the present invention, wrist support apparatus 10 permits the user's fingers, hand and wrist complete freedom to move within their natural range of motion during manipulation of a computer mouse and while typing on a keyboard.

Since wrist support apparatus 10 is a personal article worn on a user's wrist, wrist support pad 12 may be provided with a sealable pocket 28 for containing money, keys or other small items, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. Side supports 24,26, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, may also be provided with sealable pockets (not shown) for

containing money and other small items.

Additionally, wrist support pad 12 and side supports 24,26 may be provided in a variety of colors and design patterns and may also incorporate logos, characters, and marketing slogans. Furthermore, wrist support apparatus 10 may be manufactured to be machine-washable and/or may be provided with a water resistant exterior lining 20 when dried or organic husk, liquid or down feathers are used as the cushioning material.

In general, the manipulation of a computer mouse requires one hand as illustrated in FIG. 5. It is understood that typing on a keyboard generally requires the use of both hands. Accordingly, a user typing at a keyboard with wear two wrist support apparatuses 10, one on the wrist of each hand. It is also understood that while wrist support apparatus 10 of the present invention has been discussed with reference to manipulation of a computer mouse and to typing on a keyboard, wrist support apparatus may also be advantageously worn and used by adding machine and keypad operators such as bookkeepers, accountants and other financial professionals.

The support provided when wrist support apparatus 10 is worn by a user reduces muscular strain on the hand, wrist, arm and shoulder of the user and lessens pain and discomfort associated with long hours spent manipulating a computer mouse and/or typing on a keyboard. Accordingly, medical treatment costs and time lost due to injury are reduced.

Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form

and details of the disclosed invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

It is to be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but that they are merely conceptual in nature.