Wednesday, October 15, 2014

CompUrest - A solution to computer use induced repetitive stress injuries

CompUrest  
 

"I've been typing since the '60's 
on computers since the 70's and
an independent computer person since 1984.
My keying speed has been clocked as fast as 119 wpm.

By the late 1980's I had 
extreme repetitive stress injuries.

In response Bernard Hirschenson and I 
invented CompUrest.

After using CompUrest for a month, 
I could use my arms and walk again.
Since 1991 the injuries never returned."

J. Nayer Hardin - Co-inventor, computer user since July 7, 1977



As an old school computer junkie, who considers my Emancipation Proclamation Day when IBM announced affordable personal computers, I lost the ability to walk from computer induced osteoarthritis (wear and tear on the joints and nerves), my right arm was paralyzed, I had constant body pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc. 

CompUrest eliminated my computer pain and prevents new computer injuries by providing ample support where there is stress when computing. Lowering the keyboard eliminates bending wrists, preventing carpal tunnel syndrome. 

Bernie and I designed ergonomically designed CompUrest to heal and prevent computer injuries by fully supporting fingers, hands, forearms, elbows, upper arms and shoulders. Lowering the keyboard keeps the carpal tunnel flat, straight and open rather than pinching nerves in bent wrists. The arm rest portion removes computer stress by eliminating the need to hold the upper body unsupported at an angle.  Relaxing my shoulders took the strain off my neck.

According to the University of Michigan’s Center For Ergonomics, which studies ways to adapt working conditions to suit workers "…with better workplace and equipment design, and with more breaks for relaxing, occupational health specialists say most repetitive stress injury problems can be avoided.” CompUrest is "better workplace and equipment design"...a missing link between hardware and software, "humanwear"


“The key advantage of the CompUrest keyboard Stand over a wrist rest is that the muscles and the tendons that move through the wrist don’t originate at the wrist but at the elbow.  Therefore the whole forearm and not just the wrist, needs to be supported.  CompUrest provides this support.” Dr. Ivan Black

The intense blessing for me is that almost a quarter century later, with daily use on my computer(s) not a day of computer pain.

The initial market roll out in the early 1990’s met with industry resistance, having nothing to do with the fact that CompUrest not only helps heal existing computer injuries, it also prevents new injuries from happening. Let's just say it was the 'greed is good' era of management in the computer, legal, media and health industries.  The details are for a future blog entry.  

As data entry devices evolved, my newest CompUrest now holds my laptop. I use two now, both independently standing on legs. One has the tray area modified to fit my laptop, the other for traditional keyboard input.  

Since game has changed, plans are in process to make CompUrest again using professional grade 4D / 3D printing sold on line, once again making it available to the public.

Stop Computer Stress With A CompUrest. Stay tuned. 

Friday, October 3, 2014

CompUrest, U.S. Patent No. 5,188,321 Inventor's Experience


CompUrest Keyboard Stand
Comfortable Computing 
US PATENT NO. 5,188,321


CompUrest is an ergonomic keyboard stand that solves the problem of repetitive stress injuries. 

When the problem is stress, the solution is ample, comfortable, non-restrictive support.  


When the problem's cause, the stress, is removed, the effect, the pain, can heal in as little as 30 days of regular use. 


How? When on your computer use a CompUrest to provide ample, physical, ergonomically correct support for computer and many other technologies that are the foundation of repetitive stress injuries.

To get a feel of the comfort, sit back and put your keyboard on your lap. Notice the reduction of tension in your shoulders, arms and elbows?  That's just the beginning.

CompUrest was created in response to co-inventor J. Nayer Hardin's severe computer injuries.  

"Back in the 70's and '80's I use to type up to 119 w.p.m. and by the mid 80's I had every computer injury in the book.  At the time my right arm was paralyzed for the second time as a result of my extensive (my sister Jacquie called it obsessive) computer use.  Since not computing wasn't an option, my friend Bernie Hirschenson and I got to work. 

For the razor sharp pains in my arms, we placed a solid oak armrest (since evolved into high density foam armrest) under my forearms.  We created the armrest with an indentation in it to remove stress and allow me to keep my elbows and upper arms comfortably positioned at my sides when keying.  This indentation extends the armrest's support all the way to the shoulders.  We lowered the keyboard to eliminate the bending that was pinching the nerves in my wrists.  I immediately felt relief when I rested my arms on my CompUrest.  Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!

Though I still type very fast with many days on my computer from when I wake up to when I go to bed, since 1990, my repetitive stress injuries never returned." 

When CompUrest was invented the market was just starting and chaotic.  Now with social media, 3D printing and other modern innovations, CompUrest is in the process of being re-introduced to the market.

Stay tuned!


STOPS COMPUTER PAIN NOW

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Ergonomics Made Simple - CompUrest Keyboard Stand, US Patent No 5,188,321

CompUrest Installed At
Milbank Tweed
Problem: STRESS! Computer induced repetitive stress Injuries have been an acknowledged problem for over a quarter century.  

Solution COMPUREST!  Keyboard Stand, US Patent No 5,188,321, by Bernard Hirschenson and J. Nayer Hardin SUPPORT! Provide Ample, Non-Intrusive Support Where There Is Stress 

Technique: PROVIDE ERGONIMIC SUPPORT WHERE THERE IS STRESS! Eliminating the physical stress that's part of computing eliminates the repetitive stress.  Fully supporting hands, arms, elbows and shoulders. Aid in maintaining good posture that provides neck and back support.  Taking upper body support off of legs when feet are placed flat on the floor while in a siting position eliminates stress there too. This keyboard stand is custom designed to support various technology devices.




This blog will tell the story of CompUrest, an ergonomic innovation in computers.