Wrist protection and support mechanism

Abstract

An article of manufacture for protecting a wrist of a person as the person operates equipment over a work surface. The article of manufacture includes a sheet and multiple protrusions attached to and extending from the sheet. The sheet may be placed on the work surface and the protrusions are adapted to provide support of the wrist. Two edges of the sheet may include fasteners allowing the article of manufacture to be worn as a band on the wrist. The sheet and protrusions may be manufactured in a single manufacturing process.

1 . An article of manufacture for protecting a wrist of a person as the person operates equipment over a work surface, the article of manufacture comprising: a sheet and a plurality of protrusions attached to and extending from said sheet. 
     
     
         2 . The article of manufacture according to  claim 1 , whereby said sheet is adapted for placement on the work surface said protrusions are vertically oriented adapted to provide support of the wrist. 
     
     
         3 . The article of manufacture according to  claim 1 , wherein said sheet and protrusions are manufactured in a single casting. 
     
     
         4 . The article of manufacture according to  claim 1 , wherein said protrusions have a lateral dimension of between 2 and 10 millimeters. 
     
     
         5 . The article of manufacture according to  claim 1 , wherein said protrusions have a number density on said sheet between half and ten per square centimeter. 
     
     
         6 . The article of manufacture according to  claim 1 , wherein said sheet is of an elastic material. 
     
     
         7 . The article of manufacture according to  claim 6 , wherein said sheet includes a woven textile matrix. 
     
     
         8 . The article of manufacture according to  claim 6 , wherein said sheet includes a synthetic textile matrix. 
     
     
         9 . The article of manufacture according to  claim 1 , wherein said protrusions are of an elastomer. 
     
     
         10 . The article of manufacture according to  claim 1 , wherein said protrusions are of selectably either silicone rubber, latex rubber or natural rubber. 
     
     
         11 . The article of manufacture according to  claim 1  wherein said sheet is a non-flexible material. 
     
     
         12 . The article of manufacture according to  claim 1  wherein two edges of said sheet include fasteners to be worn as a band on the wrist. 
     
     
         13 . The article of manufacture according to  claim 1 , wherein said sheet is of a semi-rigid material. 
     
     
         14 . The article of manufacture according to  claim 1  wherein the article is used as a mat on the work surface, wherein the protrusions are selectably either oriented upward toward the wrist or downward toward the work surface. 
     
     
         15 . A article of manufacture for protection a wrist of a person as the person operates equipment over a work surface, the article of manufacture comprising: a sheet with protrusions whereby said protrusions provide support of the wrist, wherein said sheet functions as selectably either a mat for placement on the work surface or as a wristband both for the protection of the wrist. 
     
     
         16 . The article of manufacture according to  claim 15 , wherein said sheet and said protrusions are manufactured in a single casting. 
     
     
         17 . A wristband for supporting a wrist of a person as the person operates equipment over a work surface, the wristband comprising:
 a wristband of substantially elliptical cross-section in the plane of the wristband, said wristband having a plurality of protrusions extending selectably either outward or inward from said wristband.   
     
     
         18 . The wristband according to  claim 17 , wherein said sheet is manufactured as a single casting. 
     
     
         19 . The wristband according to  claim 17 , wherein said protrusions have a lateral dimension of between 2 and 10 millimeters. 
     
     
         20 . The wristband according to  claim 17 , wherein said protrusions have a number density on said sheet between half and ten per square centimeter.