Ergonomic arm support

An ergonomic arm support for supporting the forearm during typing, keying, or assembly operations. The arm support includes an armrest pivotally mounted on a slide or a shroud for sliding the armrest to and away from a base which is secured to a table or chair. The slide or shroud is pivotally mounted in the base such that the armrest, which is pivotal relative to the slide or shroud and slidable to and away from the base, is also rotatable about the base to provide for a wide range of fluid motion for the forearm. The armrest further includes a plurality of roller bearing arrangements for facilitation of the slide or shroud and arm support. The roller bearing arrangements engage the slide or shroud proximate to the housing to provide for the fluid movement of the slide or shroud. A shroud may also be provided for enclosure of the roller bearing slide arrangement to prevent inadvertent engagement between an individual and/or the individual's clothes and the slide.

What is claimed:

1. An arm support connectable to an object, comprising:

(a) a base connectable to the object;

(b) an arm rest for engaging at least a portion of an arm; and

(c) a pillow block having at least one linear slide, said pillow block confining a plurality of roller bearing means, said roller bearing means engaging a portion of said linear slide for reducing friction generated by said linear slide, said linear slide and said pillow block connectable between said base and said arm rest for sliding said arm rest to and away from said base, said linear slide being swingable relative to said base, said linear slide having a front stop and a rear stop, said pillow block preventing axial rotation of said linear slide, said pillow block further having a standard connected and vertically adjustable to said base whereby a wide range of fluid motion is provided for said arm supported by said arm rest; and

(d) a shroud engaged to said front stop and to said rear stop.

2. The arm support according to claim 1, wherein said shroud substantially covers said front stop, said rear stop, said pillow block, and said linear slide.

3. The arm support according to claim 1, said shroud comprising a slot disposed adjacent to, and adapted for, passing engagement of said standard during movement of said slide with respect to said pillow block.

4. The arm support according to claim 1, wherein said shroud is engaged to said front stop and said rear stop by machine pressing.

5. The arm support according to claim 1, wherein said shroud has a substantially oval cross-sectional shape.

6. The arm support of according to claim 1, wherein said shroud is formed of extruded aluminum material.

7. An arm support connectable to an object, comprising:

(a) a base having a vertically adjustable standard connectable to said object;

(b) an arm rest for engaging at least a portion of an arm; and

(c) an extension means comprising a linear slide and a pillow block between said base and said arm rest for connection and extension of said arm rest relative to said base, said linear slide being slidable relative to said pillow block, said linear slide having a front stop and a rear stop, said pillow block having a roller bearing means slidably engaging said linear slide whereby a wide range of fluid motion is provided for the arm supported by the arm rest, said pillow block being engaged to said standard whereby said arm support is provided with pivotal and swingable rotation relative to said object; and

(d) a shroud engaged to said front stop and to said rear stop.

8. The arm support according to claim 7, wherein said shroud substantially covers said front stop, said rear stop, said pillow block, and said linear slide.

9. The arm support according to claim 7, said shroud comprising a slot disposed adjacent to, and adapted for, passing engagement of said standard during movement of said linear slide with respect to said pillow block.

10. The arm support according to claim 7, wherein said shroud is engaged to said front stop and to said rear stop by a machine pressing.

11. The arm support according to claim 7, wherein said shroud has a substantial oval cross-sectional shape.

12. The arm support according to claim 7, wherein said shroud is formed of extruded aluminum material.