Cushioned Forearm Support Arrangement For A Work Area Or User Input Or Interface Device

Abstract

A work arrangement includes a work component that is manually manipulated by a user, e.g. a keyboard, and a cushioned support arrangement located between the work component and the user. The cushioned support arrangement includes a cushioned support area that supports the user's forearms and wrists. The cushioned support arrangement includes a cushion member having a device support area. The cushioned support area is located rearwardly of the device support area, and may be arranged on a work surface having a front edge such that the cushioned support arrangement is positioned between the front edge of the work surface and the device support area. A front portion of the cushioned support arrangement may overlie the front edge of the work surface. The device support area may include a recess within which the device is received. A releasable engagement arrangement may be interposed between the device and the device support area.

1 . A work arrangement, comprising a work component configured to be manually manipulated by a user, and a cushioned support arrangement located between the work component and the user, wherein the cushioned support arrangement includes a cushioned support area configured and arranged to support the user's forearms and wrists during use of the work component. 
     
     
         2 . The work arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the work component comprises a user input or interface device. 
     
     
         3 . The work arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein the user input or interface device comprises a keyboard. 
     
     
         4 . The work arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein the cushioned support arrangement comprises a cushion member having a device support area, and wherein the cushioned support area for the user's forearms and wrists is located rearwardly of the device support area. 
     
     
         5 . The work arrangement of  claim 4 , wherein the cushioned support arrangement is arranged on a work surface having a front edge, and wherein the cushioned support arrangement is positioned between the front edge of the work surface and the device support area. 
     
     
         6 . The work arrangement of  claim 5 , wherein the cushioned support arrangement includes a front portion that overlies the front edge of the work surface. 
     
     
         7 . The work arrangement of  claim 5 , wherein the device support area includes a recess within which the device is received. 
     
     
         8 . The work arrangement of  claim 7 , wherein the cushioned support arrangement comprises a series of cushion sections, wherein the cushion sections are selectively configurable so as to define a recess that can be positioned in varying locations within an area defined by the cushioned support arrangement. 
     
     
         9 . The work arrangement of  claim 5 , wherein the cushioned support area is oriented at an angle relative to horizontal. 
     
     
         10 . The work arrangement of  claim 4 , further comprising a releasable engagement arrangement interposed between the device and the device support area. 
     
     
         11 . The work arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein the releasable engagement arrangement comprises a releasable magnetic engagement arrangement. 
     
     
         12 . The work arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the cushioned support arrangement is adapted to be positioned on a work surface, and further comprising a movable engagement arrangement interposed between the work surface and the cushioned support arrangement. 
     
     
         13 . A work arrangement, comprising;
 a work surface defining an upwardly facing work area;   a work component configured to be manually manipulated by a user; and   a cushioned support arrangement positioned on or forming a part of the work surface, wherein the cushioned support arrangement is located between the work component and the user, and wherein the cushioned support arrangement includes a cushioned support area configured and arranged to support the user's forearms and wrists during use of the work component.   
     
     
         14 . The work arrangement of  claim 13 , wherein the work component comprises a user input or interface device. 
     
     
         15 . The work arrangement of  claim 14 , wherein the cushioned support arrangement comprises a cushion member having a device support area, and wherein the cushioned support area for the user's forearms and wrists is located rearwardly of the device support area. 
     
     
         16 . The work arrangement of  claim 15 , wherein the work surface has a front edge, and wherein the cushioned support arrangement is located between the front edge of the work surface and the device support area. 
     
     
         17 . The work arrangement of  claim 15 , wherein the device support area includes a recess within which the device is received. 
     
     
         18 . The work arrangement of  claim 15 , wherein the work surface is incorporated in a desk having a frame that positions the work surface above a support surface such as a floor. 
     
     
         19 . The work arrangement of  claim 18 , further comprising a treadmill located below the work surface. 
     
     
         20 . A method of operating a user interface device, comprising:
 providing a user interface device having a user input area;   supporting the user interface device on a work surface defining an edge, wherein the user input area of the user interface device is located inwardly of the edge of the work surface;   providing a cushioning forearm support between the edge of the work surface and the user input area of the user interface device; and   supporting a majority of the length of the user's forearms on the cushioning forearm support while the user operates the user input area of the user interface device; wherein the cushioning forearm support includes resilient cushioning material located under the user's forearms that forms around downwardly facing areas of the user's forearms to provide even distribution of pressure on the user's forearms during operation of the user input area of the user interface device.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the cushioning forearm support extends over the edge of the work surface.