WO1998004168A1

WO1998004168A1 - An adjustable, ergonomic arm provided with a mouse platform

Info

Publication number: WO1998004168A1
Application number: PCT/DK1997/000102
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kai Jørgen Fløe CLEMMENSEN; Heine Lerke Larsen
Original assignee: Clemmensen Kai Joergen Floee; Heine Lerke Larsen
Priority date: 1996-07-12
Filing date: 1997-03-10
Publication date: 1998-02-05
Also published as: AU2566897A; DK9600248U4

Abstract

An adjustable, ergonomic arm provided with a mouse platform to be secured to a desk or a computer table and an arm support. According to the invention, the ergonomic arm is provided with a sleeve (5) for securing said arm to a table leg such that it can be adjusted in height, rotated around the vertical axis and is further provided with a ball joint (1) such that the mouse platform and the elbow support (6) can be secured in any orientation relative to horizontal and rotated around the vertical axis.

Description

AN ADJUSTABLE, ERGONOMIC ARM PROVIDED WITH A MOUSE PLATFORM

Technical Field

The invention relates to an adjustable, ergonomic arm provided with a mouse platform to be secured to a desk or a computer table and an arm support.

Background Art

The known mouse platforms and arm supports are essentially of the stationary type. Either the mouse platform per se is removably arranged on the table without support of the elbow and arm or with wrist support by means of a moulded wrist pad. This pad prevents free movability when using the mouse. Correspondingly, various types of support members and table leafs exist which are either stationary or only slightly movable. A common feature of all of the platforms is that none of them fully meet the demand for optimum ergonomic adjustment of the workspace for working with a mouse and a keyboard at the same time. Correspondingly, no small and frequent changes in the working posture are possible, whereby the "dynamic" work situation cannot be obtained resulting in frequent industrial injuries.

Brief Description of the Invention

The object of the invention is to show how these draw-backs can be remedied. An adjustable, ergonomic arm of the above type is according to the invention characterised in that it is provided with a fastening means for securing it to a table such that it can be adjusted in height, rotated around the vertical axis and further is provided with a ball joint such that the mouse platform can be secured in any orientation relative to horizontal and rotated around the vertical axis.

A mouse platform with an integral elbow support combined with a ball joint and a sleeve allows frequent adjustments of the position of the mouse platform/elbow arm in all directions both as regards the inclination and rotation as well as adjustment in height and represents in its entirety an ergonomic advance preventing industrial injuries on the mouse users. In addition the intermediate member, the intermediate pipe and the sleeve offer great flexibility in the mouse platform/elbow support and in the position options for the arm. These options are available as a result of the segmentation and the adjustability of the platform, the arm and the ergonomics obtained thereby.

Moreover according to the invention the mouse platform may be cast in one piece with the elbow support made of foamed plastics with a non-slip, velvet surface.

Furthermore according to the invention the base of the mouse platform/elbow support may be formed of an additional plate with a milling for the mouse platform/elbow support.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 illustrates a mouse platform with an elbow support,

Fig. 2 illustrates the mouse platform with the elbow support mounted on a computer table having a tilting and height adjustable keyboard shelf,

Fig. 3 illustrates the mouse platform with an elbow support,

Fig. 4 illustrates the mounting options on round table legs,

Fig. 5 illustrates the mounting options on square table legs,

Fig. 6 illustrates a ball joint used for adjustment and

Fig. 7 illustrates how the mouse platform with the elbow support can be secured to the lower face of a table top .

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

It is increasingly acknowledged that during a work day mouse users need to change their working posture slightly, the "dynamic work situation".

The present invention makes this possible by combining a new design of a mouse platform with an elbow support using a ball head and a fitting on a table leg.

According to the invention an adjustable, ergonomic arm with a mouse platform is provided with a fastening means in form of a sleeve 5 for securing it to for instance a table leg such that it can be adjusted in height, rotated around the vertical axis, said fastening means further provided with a ball joint 1 such that the mouse platform and the elbow support can be secured in any orientation relative to horizontal level and rotated around the vertical axis.

When being tightened the mouse platform is secured below the ball head 1 and to the sleeve 5 on the table leg. When securing the clamping device 13 the mouse plat- form/elbow support 6 may be adjusted within 25° in all directions relative to horizontal and rotated 180° around the vertical axis. An intermediary 4 serves as a connecting joint for the ball head 1 and the intermediate pipe 2 respectivel . The intermediate pipe 2 can be replaced by a shorter or longer intermediate pipe, for instance when moved from one table to another. As a result the positioning of the mouse platform/elbow support 6 and the arm is particularly flexible. Releasing the clamping means 12 enables the user to elevate or lower the mouse platform/elbow support 6 and the arm to the desired height. Correspondingly when using sleeves for round legs it is possible to turn the mouse platform/elbow support 6 and the arm 180° under the table when the mouse platform is not in use.

The mouse platform may be cast in one piece with the elbow support in foamed plastics with a non-slip, velvet surface. The mouse platform 6 has a thickness of 3 mm and the elbow support has an inclination of 5 to 15 mm from its end and towards the mouse platform. An ergonomically correct support of the elbow and free movement of the user's wrist when using a mouse is thus obtained. The platform is exchangeable.

The bottom plate 7 of the mouse platform 6 can be made of a solid wooden plate of a thickness of 30 mm, the upper face thereof having a milling of 3 mm for the mouse platform. The design of the plate is ergonomically adjusted to the individual table. On its lower face the plate 7 is secured to the flange 10 of the ball joint 1 by means of four screws. The flange 10 is connected to the ball head by means of a pin. The ball head is formed of a solid steel ball 1 provided with a circular bar welded thereto and inserted through a removable pipe passage and subsequently into the bottom of a flange. The pipe passage 16 is welded to a flange having an internal thread in which a steel sill is screwed, said sill provided with a hole for the ball. The top of the steel sill is provided with an external thread onto which the pipe passage of the ball joint 1 is screwed. The steel sill is provided with a hole of 10 mm with an internal thread receiving the end of the clamping means 13 when being secured to the ball per se and tightening thereof in the desired position. The lower face of the steel sill is secured to an elbow pipe 3 provided with an internal thread in one end. Due to its ability to tilt (25° in all directions relative to horizontal) and to rotate (180° around the vertical axis) the ball head 1 ensures the possibility of the mouse platform and the elbow support for individual changes in working postures and further ensures a correct working posture when working with the mouse close to the body and exploitation of the back rest of a chair. As a result the risk of industrial injuries in the shoulder, elbow and wrist are prevented.

Each intermediary is formed of a solid steel joint having a central piece of the same diameter as the intermediary pipe 2. The central piece of the steel joint is provided with a 10 mm hole so as to receive a round steel bar for clockwise rotation of the joint (used for screwing the elbow pipe of the ball head into the intermediate pipe) . The steel joint 4 is provided with an external thread of a length of 15 mm in each end. The intermediate pipe 2 is produced in individual lengths and in a pipe thickness of 2 mm. The intermediate pipe 2 is provided with an internal thread in each end. The interme- diate joints increase the application options of the mouse platform/elbow support 6 on separate computer tables, the length of the intermediate pipe 2 determining on which types of the tables the mouse platform/elbow support 6 can be mounted.

The sleeve 5 for the fastening to a table leg may be formed of a strong round pipe of various diameters or of triangular, rectangular, hexagonal or octagonal pipe sections of the desired diameters. The sleeve 5 has a solid round branch piece of iron 8 welded to said branch piece having an external thread for securing the intermediate pipe 2 thereto. The sleeve 5 is internally lined with a 3 mm polyamide lining 1 1 to ensure a firm slide and grip about the table leg and to prevent scratching of coated legs. The sleeve 5 is provided with a hole of 10 mm with an internal thread for the clamping means 12. The clamping means 12 is a conventional handle. The sleeve ensures that the mouse platform/elbow support 6 may be lowered or elevated separately in the entire length of the table leg. Frequent changes in the working posture relative to the position of the keyboard are thus possible. It is furthermore ensured that the shoulder girdle is horizontal and that the elbow and forearm are supported in the most optimum manner.

Fig. 1 illustrates a mouse platform/elbow support 6 in a base plate 7. The arrows indicate the directions of inclination. The mouse platform/elbow support 6 is secured to a table leg by means of an arm communicating with the mouse platform/elbow through the adjustable ball joint 1. The tilting and rotation options of the ball joint are indicated by means of arrows (can be adjusted 25 ° in all directions relative to horizontal and rotated 180° around the vertical axis). The ball joint 1 is secured by means of a clamping means 13. An elbow pipe 3 of 45° is welded to the bottom of the ball joint and provided with an internal thread in the end opposite the ball joint 1. An intermediate pipe 2 is available in individual lengths and provided with an internal thread in both ends so as to be screwed on. Moreover the pipe is provided with a branch sleeve. An intermediate joint is screwed onto the elbow joint 3 and in each end of the intermediate pipe 2.

A round branch piece of iron having an external thread is welded to the sleeve 1 having an inner lining of 3 mm polyamide. A 10 mm hole is provided in one side of the sleeve 1 , said hole having an internal thread for the clamping means 2.

Fig. 2 illustrates the mouse platform/elbow support with the arm mounted on an ergonomic desk provided with a tilting and height adjustable keyboard shelf.

Fig. 3 is an exploded view the mouse platform/elbow support 6 seen from below. The mouse platform is arranged removably in a base plate 7. The mouse platform is made in one piece of foamed plastics with non-slip, velvet on the surface. The base plate 7 is formed of a solid wooded plate having a thickness of 30 mm and on the surface provided with a milling of a depth of 3 mm in which the mouse platform/elbow support is placed. The base plate 7 is screwed into a flange 10 by means of screws. The flange 10 is welded to a ball head comprising three elements, a solid steel ball la with a branch in round iron welded thereto and inserted through a removable pipe passage 16 with a flange welded thereto. The pipe passage 16 has an internal thread into which the steel sill of the ball joint 1 is screwed. The steel sill has an external thread in its top end onto which the pipe passage of the ball joint 1 is screwed. The steel sill is provided with a hole of a diameter of 10 mm and with an internal thread for the clamping means 13 which is provided with an external thread in its end face.

The intermediate member comprises an intermediary of the same diameter as the intermediate pipe 2 and the elbow pipe and having an external thread in each end onto which the elbow pipe 3 and the intermediate pipe 2 respectively can be screwed. A round steel bar is used for the fastening by inserting said bar in the 10 mm hole and turning it clockwise. The intermediate pipe 2 is produced in individual lengths and in a pipe thickness of 2 mm. The pipe has an internal thread in each end. The intermediate pipe 2 is fastened between the intermediate member 4 and the sleeve branch 8. The sleeve branch 8 is provided with an external thread and welded to the sleeve 5. The sleeve 5 is made in a pipe thickness of 4 mm and welded to a solid branch 8 having a thread in round iron.

A 10 mm hole is provided in one side of the sleeve, said hole having an internal thread for a clamping means 12. The sleeve 5 is internally lined with a polyamide lining having a thickness of 3 mm.

Fig. 4 illustrates the mounting options of the mouse platform/elbow support and the arm on rounded legs.

Fig. 5 illustrates the mounting options of the mouse platform/elbow support and the arm on square legs.

A mouse platform with integral elbow supports combined with the ball joint and the sleeve allows frequent adjustments in the position of the mouse platform/elbow arm in all directions both as regards the inclination and rotation as well as height adjustment and represents in its entirety an ergonomic advance preventing industrial injuries on the mouse users. In addition the intermediate member, the intermediate pipe and the sleeve offer great flexibility in the mouse platform/elbow support and in the position options for the arm. These options are thus the combination per se of the segmentation and the adjustability of the plates and the arm and the optimum ergonomic position obtained thereby.

The mouse platform is cast in one piece with the elbow support and arranged removably in an ergonomically formed base plate of solid wood, thus making it exchangeable.

Furthermore the intermediate member forms an stabilising element from the arm. Moreover the assembling of the arm is simplified, as by means of a round iron bar can be rotated in a stable manner together with the intermediate pipe 2, confer the 45° elbow pipe 3 shown in Fig. 3.

Finally the sleeve may be a clamping/elevation/lowering means for the mouse platform/elbow support and the arm due to its mounting branch piece 8 welded thereto, its polyamide lining 11 and the clamping means 13.

Fig. 7 illustrates how the mouse platform with the elbow support may be secured to the lower face of a desk for a shortened table leg secured to the lower face of the desk.

Optionally the mouse platform with the elbow support may be secured to the edge of a table top.

Claims

1. An adjustable, ergonomic arm provided with a mouse platform to be secured to a desk or a computer table and an arm support, c ha rac te r i s e d in that it is provided with a fastening means in form of a sleeve (5) for securing it to a table, optionally to a table leg, such that it can be adjusted in height, rotated around the substantially vertical axis and further provided with a ball joint (1) such that the mouse platform and the elbow support (6) can be secured in any orientation relative to horizontal and rotated around the vertical axis.

2. An adjustable arm according to claim 1, characterised in that the ball joint (1) is provided with a flange (10) ensuring that the platform and the elbow support can be secured in any orientation relative to horizontal and rotated around the vertical axis.

3. An adjustable arm according to claim 1, characterised in that the sleeve (5) can be elevated or lowered in vertical direction relative to a table leg and rotated around the table leg when a clamping means (13) has been loosened.

4. A adjustable arm according to claim 1 or 2, cha racte ri se d in that the mouse platform (6) is cast in one piece with the elbow support, said elbow support made of foamed plastics with a non-slip, velvet surface.

5. A adjustable arm according to claim 1,2 or 3, characterised in that the base of the mouse platform/elbow support (6) is an additional plate (7) provided with a milling for the mouse platform/elbow support.

6. An adjustable arm according to claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that it is provided with an intermediate pipe (2) which can be of any length.

7. A adjustable arm according to claims 1 to 5, characte ri sed in that the sleeve (5) for fastening to a table leg is formed of round pipes or square pipe section of all diameters.

8. A adjustable arm according to claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the sleeve (5) is provided with a flexible inner lining (11) so as to ensure a firm slide and grip about the table leg and so as to prevent scratching of coated table legs.