4,166,299 DATED APRIL 4, 1984

COMPUTER TERMINAL SUPPORT AND HAND REST
COMREST®

The purpose of this invention is to increase production of stenographers, typists and keyboard operators who frequently because of the repetitive use of these devices develop carpal tunnel. We invented a wrist rest which will eliminate repetitive flexion and extension movements which cause carpal tunnel syndrome.

This invention relates generally to a support member to be interposed between a computer terminal, electric typewriter or other piece of office equipment and the equipment operator, and which is also interposed between a table top, desk top or the like and the equipment.

In the use of computer terminals and other electric office equipment, there are usually time intervals when the hands of the operator are not on the keyboard such as when the operator is waiting for a command or instruction from the computer. Because the keyboards of computers are extremely sensitive to touch, it is imperative that the operator's hand be completely removed from the keyboard during these intervals.

Heretofore, it has been the practice for the computer operator's hands to be moved sufficiently far from the keyboard, such as being placed on the lap of the computer operator, as to create a substantial loss of efficiency when the computer operator's hands are then placed back on the keyboard. Prior to the present invention, there has been no suitable hand rest provided for computer terminals or other types of office equipment.

In addition, it is well known that a computer operator may develop a static charge which can cause a substantial shock when the operator touches the computer equipment. There are also instances where the draining of the static charge from the computer operator to the computer result in an erroneous response from the computer and/or damage to the computer circuitry.

Various techniques have been developed for draining the static charge from the computer operator such as a suitable grounded conductive pad on the desk top or a suitably grounded conductive pad on the floor underneath the feet of the computer operator. Most of these mechanisms are unacceptable because of their appearance and difficulty of use. The difficulty of use is that a deliberate effort must be made to touch the conductive pad prior to touching the equipment to obtain the benefit of a static discharge.

The present invention, in certain embodiments, provide a hand rest, terminal support and electrical grounding apparatus which is complementary to and cooperative with the keyboards and keyboard-equipped operator terminals of various types.

In addition, a preferred form of the electrical grounding apparatus is formed and positioned so that it is routinely touched or grasped by the computer operator, allowing for easy removal of any capacitively created voltages from the operator when they are generated, while also providing for restful breaks in hand movement of the operator with minimum loss of efficiency. In addition, the computer terminal support of the present invention is adapted to be interposed between the computer terminal and the desk top to support and distribute the weight of the computer terminal and to prevent the computer terminal from skidding or moving relative to the table top.

The present invention provides a new and improved support member and, more particularly, an improved support member for a computer terminal or the like which provides a convenient resting or grasping place for the hands of the computer operator both during use of the computer and during periods of non-use thus increasing operator efficiency and decreasing operator fatigue:

Furthermore, a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a combined hand rest and carrying handle. The handle provides added convenience where a computer terminal keyboard is a separate unit since the handle permits easy lifting, positioning and carrying of the keyboard unit.

The present invention also provides for convenient and safe draining of static charge from the computer operator for the protection of the computer.