Retrofitting Armrest Supports

Abstract

This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, is a solitary, cushioned, rigid platform, that creates support for the elbow or forearm of an individual who is seated in a task chair by means of retrofitting said task chair armrest. The invention, Retrofitting Armrest Support, is attached to said task chair armrest by means of a strong secure attachment to create a rigid, immobile, inflexible, padded support surface beyond the top weight bearing surface boundary of said task chair armrest in the forward, backward, inward, or outward horizontal transverse plane relative to said top cross sectional, surface area of said task chair armrest creating said support during the performance of desktop or computer work tasks. The invention, Retrofitting Armrest Support, positions the wrist and hand of said individual in a straight anatomically neutral position and non weight bearing position to reduce ergonomic risk factors which are associated with cumulative trauma of the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, shoulder, neck, and back during desktop and computer work tasks. The invention, Retrofitting Armrest Support, is adjustable, attachable, and detachable by means of a Velcro cinch strapping system that creates a secure attachment and that creates a level padded cushioned armrest support.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of PPA Ser. No. 61 / 184,911FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH[0002]Not ApplicableSEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM[0003]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, relates to the field of ergonomic armrest support of an individual seated in a task chair, specifically to support the arm of an individual who needs ergonomic armrest support to prevent, alleviate, or accommodate a cumulative trauma injury, musculoskeletal injury, musculoskeletal limitation, or musculoskeletal condition.[0005]Ergonomic armrest support is described as supporting the bottom aspect of a 90 degree bent elbow along the dorsal aspect of said elbow and of the contiguous forearm segment while the elbow is hanging comfortably close at the side of said individual by means of an adequately padded, large, level, weight bearing surface area in a manner to position the forearm and hand parallel to t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0042]This invention, the Retrofitting Armrest Support, creates said arm rest support by means of creating a rigid inflexible armrest support surface that creates proper body alignment, reduces muscle fatigue, or reduces or eliminates contact stress damage to vital structures of the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, shoulder, upper back, neck, and low back.

Problems solved by technology

The current art of armrest cushioning devices are not designed to create ergonomic armrest support beyond the available horizontal weight bearing surface area of said task chair armrest.

These dimensional qualities and conditions of said armrests often preclude ergonomic weight bearing of an individual. on an armrest of said task chair by means of not creating adequate surface area in the horizontal plane of the said armrest or having available surface area that is hard or having surface area containing an edge or having a surface area that does not provide a change in position on said armrest while maintaining said armrest support.

In many instances, the armrest of said task chair is inadequately narrow, short, low, or hard to provide said ergonomic armrest support relative to an individual while said individual performs prolonged occupational desktop or computer tasks.

These devices replace the original armrest assembly or portions of the armrest assembly and are not retrofitting devices.

Said replacement devices cannot be used universally or economically on all task chairs due to excessive hardware configuration needs, coupling needs, or uneconomical costs associated with these needs.

The limitation with U.S. Pat No. 5,605,374 (Adjustable Padded Armrest), compared to the invention of the Retrofitting Armrest Support, is that the Adjustable Padded Armrest does not create an ergonomic support area beyond the surface area of the said task chair armrest with which it is attached.

The adjustable Padded Armrest has no source of stability to the cushion of said device to create rigid or immobile aim support beyond the surface area of said task chair.

This is an important limitation with regard to task chairs that have small, narrow, short, or rounded armrest surface area.

The limitation with U.S. Pat No. 6,578,914 (Adjustable Armrest Cushion), compared to the invention of the Retrofitting Armrest Support, is that the Adjustable Armrest Cushion does not create an ergonomic support area beyond the surface area of the said task chair armrest with which it is attached.

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