Notebook computer with wrist support

#The invention relates to notebook computers and wrist supports.

#Frequent use of computer keyboards can lead to hand strain and repetitive motion injuries such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. To prevent these injuries, cushioned pads have been developed that elevate and support a computer operator's wrists while the operator is using a computer keyboard.

#A conventional wrist support pad is typically composed of a moldable, gel-like or sponge-like substance that is encased in a non-porous sheath and supported on its bottom by a rigid or semi-rigid base. It is rectangular in shape with a length generally greater than 18 inches and a width usually between about 3 and 5 inches. The length of the pad is fashioned so that it overlaps or approximates the width of a standard keyboard. The width of the pad is designed to accommodate an average person's wrist. Because conventional wrist support pads are generally not affixed to a keyboard or a computer, they may be placed in any one of a multitude of positions to suit a particular computer operator and/or a particular keyboard.

#The invention is pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. The above and further advantages of this invention may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention;

#FIG. 2A is a right side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, shown with the wrist support deflated and the video display support in the closed position;

#The invention encompasses notebook computers having an integrated wrist support as well as standard notebook computer components such as a keyboard, pointing device and computer body. As can be seen by comparing different models of currently available notebook computers (e.g., IBM Thinkpad 770™ and Compaq Presario® computers), these standard components may be arranged in myriad different orientations. This notwithstanding, two types of conventional layouts predominate in the marketplace. The first of these has a keyboard oriented on top of the computer body near the video display (see, e.g., FIG. 1). This layout features a relatively large unoccupied space on top of the computer body in the area between the keyboard and the front edge of the computer body. A pointing device such as a touchpad is usually located within this space. In the second type of conventional layout, the keyboard is placed on top of and near the front edge the computer body (see, e.g., FIG. 3A). This layout has only a very small unoccupied space on top of the computer body in the area between the keyboard and the front edge of the computer body.

#The below described preferred embodiments illustrate adaptations of wrist supports for use with notebook computers having their components arranged in each of these two conventional layouts. Nonetheless, from the description of these embodiments, other notebook computers of the invention can be readily fashioned by repositioning and/or making slight modifications to the components discussed below.

#In brief overview, referring to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, an embodiment of notebook computer 5 includes a computer body 10 having a front panel 11, side panels 12 (right side panel is shown; left side panel is not shown), a top panel 13a, a bottom panel 13b and a back panel 14; a video display support 15 containing a video display 16; wrist supports 17a (left) and 17b (right); a pointing device 18; a keyboard 19; an inflation controller 20; an inflation control switch 21; a fluid connector 28; and a switch connector 29.