Notebook computer with integrated wrist support

Abstract

Notebook computers having an integrated wrist support device are disclosed. Also disclosed are wrist supports for use with notebook computer keyboards, a wrist support kit, and notebook computer kits.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A notebook computer comprising: a computer body having a front panel and a top panel, a keyboard, and a wrist support, said wrist support being compressible and integrated within said computer body.  
     
     
         2 . The notebook computer of    claim 1   , wherein said wrist support is integrated within the top panel of said computer body.  
     
     
         3 . The notebook computer of    claim 1   , wherein said front panel of said computer body comprises a panel door behind which said wrist support is stowable, said panel door being reversibly configurable between an open position and a closed position.  
     
     
         4 . The notebook computer of    claim 1   , wherein said wrist support is reversibly inflatable.  
     
     
         5 . The notebook computer of    claim 4   , wherein said notebook computer further comprises an inflation controller fluidly connected to said wrist support, said inflation controller comprising a fluid pump mounted on said notebook computer.  
     
     
         6 . The notebook computer of    claim 4   , wherein said notebook computer further comprises an inflation controller fluidly connected to said wrist support, said inflation controller comprising a bleed valve.  
     
     
         7 . The notebook computer of    claim 6   , wherein said bleed valve automatically opens when it is subjected to a predetermined threshold level.  
     
     
         8 . The notebook computer of    claim 4   , wherein said notebook computer further comprises an inflation control switch operatively connected to said inflation controller.  
     
     
         9 . The notebook computer of    claim 8   , wherein said inflation control switch is switchable between an inflate position, a stop position, and a deflate position, whereby placement of said inflation control switch in the inflate position activates the inflation controller to inflate said wrist support, placement of said inflation control switch in the deflate position activates the inflation controller to deflate said wrist support, and placement of said inflation control switch in the stop position inactivates the inflation controller such that it neither inflates or deflates said wrist support.  
     
     
         10 . The notebook computer of    claim 8   , wherein said inflation control switch is a push-button type switch.  
     
     
         11 . The notebook computer of    claim 1   , wherein said wrist support further comprises an elastic bladder, said bladder being fillable with a compressible substance.  
     
     
         12 . The notebook computer of    claim 11   , wherein said compressible substance is a synthetic sponge.  
     
     
         13 . The notebook computer of    claim 12   , wherein the synthetic sponge comprises latex or synthetic rubber.  
     
     
         14 . The notebook computer of    claim 11   , wherein said compressible substance is a fluid.  
     
     
         15 . The notebook computer of    claim 14   , wherein said fluid is air.  
     
     
         16 . The notebook computer of    claim 1   , wherein said wrist support is reversibly detachable from said computer body.  
     
     
         17 . The notebook computer of    claim 16   , wherein said wrist support is attached to said computer body by a hook and loop type connector.  
     
     
         18 . The notebook computer of    claim 16   , wherein said wrist support is attached to said computer body by a magnetic connector.  
     
     
         19 . The notebook computer of    claim 16   , wherein said wrist support is attached to said computer body by a mechanical connector.  
     
     
         20 . A notebook computer comprising: a computer body having a front panel and a top panel, a keyboard, and a wrist support, said wrist support being filled with a gel and integrated within said computer body.  
     
     
         21 . The notebook computer of    claim 20   , wherein said wrist support is integrated into the front panel of said computer body.  
     
     
         22 . The notebook computer of    claim 20   , wherein said wrist support is integrated into the top panel of said computer body.  
     
     
         23 . The notebook computer of    claim 22   , wherein the computer body further comprises at least one depression in the top panel of said computer body, said at least one depression being adapted to engage said wrist support.  
     
     
         24 . A notebook computer comprising: a computer body having a front panel and a top panel, a keyboard, and at least a first and a second depression in the top panel of said computer body, said first depression being adapted to engage a first wrist support, and said second depression being adapted to engage a second wrist support.  
     
     
         25 . The notebook computer of    claim 24    further comprising a first gel-filled wrist support and a second gel-filled wrist support, said first gel-filled wrist support being mounted in said first depression, and said second gel-filled wrist support being mounted in said second depression.  
     
     
         26 . The notebook computer of    claim 24    further comprising a pointing device, said pointing device being mounted on said computer body between said first depression and said second depression.