Support for a wrist of a human hand capable of using a computer mouse.

Abstract

The present invention relates to wrist supports connected to a hand of a human being capable of using a computer mouse. The support comprises two arms 11, 12, each arm being defined between a first and a second end 11-1 / 2, 12-1 / 2, means 15 for connecting the two first ends of the two arms so that their two second ends are distant from each other, means 20 for supporting and moving the two arms, a band 30, and means for fixing two opposite ends of this band respectively on the two arms 11, 12 substantially close to their second ends 11-2, 12-2.

Description

Title of the invention: Support for a wrist of a hand of a human being capable of using a computer mouse.

[0001] The present invention relates to supports for a wrist of a hand of a human being capable of using a computer mouse.

[0002] It is known that using a computer mouse for a long period of time causes problems for the joints of the arms, fingers and wrists, leading to the development of ailments which can be severe and incurable.

[0003] Devices are already known which attempt to remedy these drawbacks.

[0004] Such devices are commonly presented in catalogs specializing in the field of IT or office automation. But many of these devices do not give complete satisfaction.

[0005] The present invention therefore aims to provide a support for a wrist of a hand of a human being capable of using a computer mouse, which attempts to limit as much as possible the disadvantages of the devices of the prior art.

[0006] More specifically, the present invention relates to a support for a wrist of a hand of a human being capable of using a computer mouse capable of moving it on a surface, characterized in that it comprises two arms, each arm being defined between a first and second end; means for cooperatively mounting the two first ends of the two arms so that their two second ends are capable of being spaced apart from each other; means for supporting and moving the two arms so that these arms are substantially parallel to a plane representing the surface and move relative to this plane at a non-zero distance determined as a function of the structure of the mouse; a band; and means for fixing two opposite ends of this band respectively on the two arms substantially close to their second ends.

[0007] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the following description given with reference to the attached drawings for illustrative but in no way limiting purposes, in which:

[0008] [Fig.l] represents a schematic diagram of the support according to the invention for a wrist of a hand of a human being capable of using a computer mouse capable of moving it on a surface, and

[0009] [Fig.2] represents, in top view, a preferred embodiment of the support according to the invention applying the diagram according to [Fig.l].

[0010] It is specified that, when, according to the definition of the invention, the object of the invention comprises “at least one” element having a given function, the embodiment described may comprise several of these elements. Conversely, if the embodiment of the object according to the invention as illustrated comprises several elements of identical function and if, in the description, it is not specified that the object according to this invention must necessarily comprise a particular number of these elements, the object of the invention may be defined as comprising “at least one” of these elements.

[0011] It is specified that when, in the present description, an expression defines on its own, without any specific particular mention concerning it, a set of structural characteristics, these characteristics may be taken, for the definition of the object of the protection requested, when this is technically possible, either separately, or in total and / or partial combination.

[0012] It is further specified that, in the present description, if the adverb "substantially" is associated with a qualifier of a given means, this qualifier must be understood in the strict or approximate sense.

[0013] It should also be noted that, in both figures, the same references designate the same means having the same function, regardless of their graphic representation.

[0014] With reference to the [Fig.l] functional schematic, the support according to the invention for a wrist Poi of a hand of a human being capable of using a computer mouse Sou capable of moving it on a surface Sur according to the invention comprises two arms 11, 12, advantageously cylindrical and preferably of revolution, each arm being defined between a first end 11-1, 12-1 and a second end 11-2, 12-2. It comprises means 15 for cooperatively mounting the two first ends 11-1, 12-1 of the two arms 11, 12 so that their two second ends 11-2, 12-2 are capable of being spaced apart from each other. An embodiment of these means 15 will be described below with reference to [Fig.2].

[0015] The support also comprises means 20 for supporting and moving the two arms 11, 12 so that these arms are substantially parallel to a plane representing the surface Sur and move relative to this plane at a non-zero distance determined as a function of the structure of the mouse Sou.

[0016] A strip 30, advantageously flexible, and means for fixing two opposite ends of this strip respectively to the two arms 11, 12 substantially close to their second ends 11-2, 12-2 are also provided.

[0017] The support according to the invention is used in the following manner.

[0018] The user positions his hand according to the arrow ([Fig.l]), so that his wrist and / or part of his hand rests on the band 30 and the rear part of the wrist rests on the means 15, such as those which will be described below with regard to [Fig.2].

[0019] With his fingers, he manipulates the computer mouse in a conventional way as he can do without the support but, with such a support according to the invention, he can control moving the mouse by moving his arm with the hand and wrist always supported by the support which slides on the surface Sur thanks to the means 20, which allows him not to bend the wrist or to subject it to twists which are harmful to him in the long run.

[0020] [Fig. 2] represents a preferred embodiment of the support according to the invention, explaining particular embodiments of the means defined above with reference to the diagram according to [Fig. 1].

[0021] More particularly: the means 15 for cooperatively mounting the two first ends 11-1, 12-1 of the two arms 11, 12 are constituted by ball joint means 16 with two elements 16-1, 16-2 capable of moving relative to each other according to at least one degree of freedom in rotation. In this way, the two arms 11, 12 can be separated at will depending for example on the width of the user's wrist.

[0022] Advantageously, these ball joint means 16 comprise elastic means 17 to tend to return the two elements 16-1, 16-2 to an original position for, in particular but not exclusively, space-saving reasons when the support is not in use.

[0023] As for the means of support and movement 20 of the two arms 11, 12, they are constituted, according to the embodiment of [Fig.2], by bodies capable of moving by friction on the surface Sur on which the mouse must move, which is generally a relatively flat and smooth surface. These bodies are advantageously mounted in cooperation respectively with the ends of each arm 11, 12.

[0024] According to a very advantageous embodiment, these bodies are constituted by four spheres 22-1 to 4 having a diameter greater than the thickness of the arms, these spheres being mounted in cooperation respectively with the ends of the arms so that their centers are located on the longitudinal axes of the arms. The fact that these bodies are constituted by spheres as defined above has two advantages. Firstly: each sphere makes it possible to obtain a very small contact area with the surface Sur, theoretically according to substantially one point. Secondly, the spheres being centered on the axis of the arms, it is possible to turn the support if necessary.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, these four spheres all have the same diameter, essentially, but not exclusively, for manufacturing reasons.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment, the spheres and the arms are made in a single piece by molding, for example from plastic or similar material.

[0027] According to another advantageous embodiment, as illustrated in [Fig.2], the two spheres 22-3, 22-4 mounted at the first ends 11-1, 11-2 of the two arms 11, 12 constitute the elements 16-1, 16-2 of the ball joint means 16.

[0028] According to another embodiment, in order to properly maintain the wrist, it is possible for the two spheres 22-3, 22-4 mounted at the first ends 11-1, 11-2 of the two arms 11, 12 each have a cutaway 46, 47, the two cutaways forming a V-shaped surface in which the wrist or the rear part of the wrist can fit comfortably.

Claims

Claims

1. Support for a wrist (Poi) of a hand of a human being capable of using a computer mouse (Sou) capable of moving it on a surface (Sur), characterized in that it comprises: • two arms (11, 12), each arm being defined between a first end (11-1, 12-1) and a second end (11-2, 12-2), • means (15) for cooperatively mounting the two first ends (11-1, 12-1) of the two arms (11, 12) so that their two second ends (11-2, 12-2) are capable of being moved away from each other, • means for supporting and moving (20) the two arms (11, 12) so that these arms are substantially parallel to a plane representing said surface and move relative to this plane at a non-zero distance determined as a function of the structure of said mouse (Sou), • a band (30), and • means for fixing two opposite ends of this strip respectively on the two arms (11,12) substantially close to their second ends (11-2, 12-2).,

2. Support according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (15) for cooperatively mounting the two first ends (11-1, 12-1) of the two arms (11, 12) consist of ball joint means (16) with two elements (16-1, 16-2) capable of moving relative to each other according to at least one degree of freedom in rotation.

3. Support according to claim 2, characterized in that said ball joint means (16) comprise elastic means (17) to tend to return the two elements (16-1, 16-2) to an original position.

4. Support according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means of support and movement (20) of the two arms (11, 12) are constituted by bodies capable of moving by friction on said surface, these said bodies being mounted in cooperation respectively with the ends of each arm (11, 12).

5. Support according to claim 4, characterized in that these bodies are constituted by four spheres (22-(1 to 4)) having a diameter greater than the thickness of said arms, these spheres being mounted in cooperation respectively with the ends of said arms so that their centers are located on the longitudinal axes of the arms.

6. Support according to claim 5, characterized in that the four spheres (22-(1 to 4)) have equal diameters.

7. Support according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the spheres and said arms are made in a single piece by molding in plastic material.

8. Support according to claims 2 and 6, characterized in that the two spheres (22-3, 22-4) mounted at the first ends (11-1, 11-2) of the two arms (11, 12) constitute the elements (16-1, 16-2) of the ball joint means (16).

9. Support according to claim 8, characterized in that the two spheres (22-3, 22-4) mounted at the first ends (11-1, 11-2) of the two arms (11, 12) each comprise a cut side (46, 47), the two cut sides forming a V-shaped surface.

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