Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided
in this document is only of a general nature and nothing included
here or anywhere else on this site should be taken as specific
medical advice or construed as a claim of any kind. You should
always seek advice from a health professional.
FAQ Index
1 Does the MouseBean® Hand Rest work with any
input device?
2 Do I need to use the coupling and slider?
3 What's the best way to fit the coupling?
4 What type of mousepad works best?
5 Should I use MouseBean® Hand Rests with a
keyboard?
6 What else can the MouseBean® Hand Rest be used
for?
7 What does the term RSI mean?
8 Is the MouseBean® Hand Rest washable?
9 Apart from the new colours, what has been changed
on the new model?
10 Help! Somebody pulled my socket off!
11 Where can I get a replacement coupling socket?
12 Can I use another adhesive to stick the socket to the mouse?
1 - Does the MouseBean® Hand Rest work with any input
device?
The current coupling is designed to work well with the
majority of 'traditional' mice commonly shipped with most
computers. It won't connect properly if you have a mouse that is
unusually pointed or very long and thin. It does work fine with
the MS Intellimouse Explorer and most optical mice but
you may need to trim a little off the bottom edge of the socket
to prevent it touching the mousing surface. Providing the mouse is not
too long, you should be able to use the hand rest without the coupling.
If your mouse has an overhang at the rear then you can turn the
coupling socket over so that it hinges at the top. This will
allow the slider to move freely.
Apple Optical
The MouseBean® Hand Rest works well with the clear Apple
optical mouse - the socket fits perfectly onto the curved rear
surface. However, because the whole of the top is a button, we
have found that users with exceptionally long hands tend to rest
their fingers well back from where the button would normally be
and they may feel that the slider is just a little too short and
prefer to leave it uncoupled.
Mouse safety - always seek urgent advice
If you encounter any problems using a mouse, you should consult
an ergonomist or other specialist health professional as soon as
possible. They may advise changing your mouse for a different
design or altering the workstation or seating. Whatever device
you use, it is important to ensure that you adopt and maintain a
good posture with the wrist in a neutral position and your elbow
at the same height as your input device. All your muscles should
be relaxed and your fingers should not strain to press the
buttons or turn trackballs and wheels. It is worth mentioning
that we have come across users who have tried various designs of
trackball controls but, after experiencing joint
pain in the finger or thumb used to operate the trackball, have
reverted to a simple mouse and a MouseBean® Hand Rest. Even
though some alternative input devices feature an extended convex
support for the palm, this can still have negative effects -
possibly increasing pressure in the carpal tunnel and severely
restricting fine finger movement, arguably the cause of more
stress and related problems in the shoulder and neck.
FAQ Index
2 - Do I need to use the coupling and slider?
Most types of mouse user will find that they can use the
MouseBean� Ergonomic Hand Rest perfectly well without having it
coupled to the mouse. Spend a few minutes getting used to the new
way of mousing and you will probably never need to use the socket.
The sliding bar clicks neatly into the body.
FAQ Index
3 - What's the best way to fit the coupling
socket?
Click here for detailed
(printable) instructions (Adobe Acrobat PDF 171k)
If you use the supplied coupling, it must be positioned at the
correct height on the mouse. The slider must move freely in and
out, especially when you move the mouse with your fingers and the
heel of your hand stays fixed on the hand rest.
To get the maximum comfort and benefit from the MouseBean®
Hand Rest, follow these simple steps to ensure you fit the
coupling in the correct position.
How to Fit the Coupling to the Mouse
- Clean the rear of the mouse with a screen wipe or detergent
and let it dry. The surface must be clean and dry for maximum
adhesion.
- Choose a flat, level surface.
- Pull the slider out from the hand rest and position it
centrally behind the mouse.
- At the point where the end of the slider touches the mouse,
draw a small pencil mark. This should be about 9mm above the
surface of the mouse pad (the mouse may tend to lift if the
socket is too low).
- Taking care not to lift the adhesive tape, remove the release
papers.
- Carefully align the socket hole over the pencil mark and
press lightly into position.
- Push the end of the slider into the socket and test the hand
rest. If the location looks and feels correct, press both sides
of the coupling hard against the mouse to stick the tape firmly
in position. (The adhesive will not reach full strength for about
24 hours so it may be possible to carefully reposition it.)
Removing the MouseBean® Hand Rest from the
Coupling
- Gently move the hand rest away from the mouse so that the
slider is fully extended.
- Gently lift and peel one corner of the socket away from the
slider with your left thumb (or right thumb if you are
left-handed) and withdraw the hand rest.
- For protection, the slider can be pushed all the way in until
it clicks.
If your coupling comes unstuck or you need a replacement when
you change your mouse see here.
FAQ Index
4 - What type of mousepad works best?
The slippery bottom of the MouseBean® Hand Rest seems to
slide better on a hard plastic-topped mat than on a fabric one.
It also works well on most hard desk surfaces. If the mousing
surface is not clean, you may notice slight surface abrasion
on the base of the hand rest but this should not affect the
performance and can easily be removed with a little metal
polish.
TIP: you will find it easier to keep both
mouse and hand rest on the mousepad if you turn your mat into
portrait rather than landscape orientation.
Gaming Pads
We have done some tests with a few of the leading gaming pads
and found the friction between the surfaces to be almost
negligble, allowing for rapid and effortless motion. Whilst this
is a fantastic bonus for game players, it may not be ideal for
detailed mouse movements, since the heel of the hand is probably
better kept anchored so that the fingers can make very fine
movements without having to brace the upper arm. A good solution
for occasional detailed work is to slide the MouseBean® Hand
Rest off the front edge of the mousepad and rest it on the surface of
the desk. On balance, go for a larger model (front to back) but
consider how much space you have available on your work surface
(to keep your mousing hand close to your keyboard). Some of these
pads tend to be quite thick (around 8mm) and there is no doubt
that using one with a MouseBean® Hand Rest greatly reduces
the wrist extension problem that such a thick pad may accentuate.
The Speed-Pad™ mousepad from Compad in Germany
is much thinner (4mm) and this allows the MouseBean® Hand Rest to ride
over the edge with ease. Since the Speed-Pad™ is injection moulded
(as opposed to being routed from extruded sheet) the quality and
finish are first class. The surface pattern is similar to grained
leather and is very well defined with no hint of the mouse ball slipping.
It is also big enough to allow the use of two mice if you have to
manage two computers. The Speed-Pad™ mousepad is the best gaming
mousepad we have tested. Visit the Compad website
Gaming pads are so hard-wearing you will probably never need to buy
another pad. Don't let the comparatively high prices put you off
the investment.
FAQ Index
5 - Should I use MouseBean® Hand Rests with a
keyboard?
There is nothing to stop you but commonly-circulated opinion
(often based on the experiences of typists using traditional
mechanical typewriters) is that the hands and wrists should be
kept straight and level when using a keyboard. This is confusing
when you consider that there are dozens of keyboard wrist rests
on the market as well as some keyboards with built-in rests. Some
responsible manufacturers include basic advice and some even
issue a warning that they are only to be used
when taking a short break from actually hitting the keys.
Obviously it could harm your wrists if you were to rest them on
the sharp edge of a desk or keyboard, so virtually any wrist rest
(even quite hard ones) will offer some protection during a rest
break. The danger is that it is not obvious that continuous
pressure on the underside of a typist's wrists can cause nerve
damage and other injuries, even when the wrist rest is quite
soft.
Another common condition is caused when you rest your chin in
your hand and put too much pressure on your elbow. This is known
to cause ulnar nerve entrapment.
An experienced typist knows not to sit in a chair set at the
wrong height for the keyboard but things are a little more
complicated when the emphasis is on using a mouse. For instance,
a computer user may be browsing the web for very long periods and
hardly ever touch the keyboard. Under these circumstances, the
posture is often badly controlled and can result in continuous
pressure on the wrist and the median nerve in the carpal tunnel.
The gap between the pads of the MouseBean® Hand Rest is
designed to reduce pressure in this sensitive area and the height
of the device also corrects the unfavourable wrist angle created
when the elbow is not at the same level as the mouse. Although it
is a matter of personal preference, until such time as more
research has been conducted into the causes of keyboard-related
injuries, the widely-held advice is to adjust your workstation
and correct your posture when using the keyboard and not rest
your hands or wrists on anything during typing.
FAQ Index
6 - What else can the MouseBean® Hand Rest be used
for?
Notebook computer users who use a built-in touchpad will find
the MouseBean® Hand Rest useful to raise and support the heel
of the hand in front of the computer. This reduces severe
hyper-extension of the wrist and could also help to reduce upper
limb strain. The hand rest slider locks neatly out of the way and
is small enough to slip into a shirt pocket or notebook case. For
a variety of reasons, notebook computers are not ideally suited
to full-time use - always seek the advice of a health
professional with regard to maintaining good posture and avoiding
neck, back and other injuries. Some types of notebook stand are
worth considering, especially to raise the viewing angle.
Many artists will find it useful for supporting the edge of
the hand when sketching. This allows you to draw curves with ease
and the low friction base reduces drag and increases accuracy. It
also keeps your hands above the surface of the material which
prevents soiling.
We recently heard of a customer who uses a MouseBean® Hand
Rest in her job at a firm that processes data for the health
service. She finds it alleviates pressure when thumbing through
piles of prescriptions. This could also apply to cashiers
counting bank notes.
FAQ Index
7 - What does the term RSI mean?
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is a general term for a variety
of conditions, many of which are painful and possibly disabling,
usually in or near the wrist. RSI conditions are often associated
with occupations involving prolonged or repeated manipulation of
the hand or wrist, not just computer users. Another term for
similar conditions is called Work-Related Upper Limb Disorder (WRULD).
More detailed information on RSI/WRULD
FAQ Index
8 - Is the MouseBean® Hand Rest washable?
Yes, the whole device is washable (in fact, we have put them
through several dishwasher cycles and even boiled them in a pan
of water) but the pads are easy to detach so you can quickly
wash them with warm soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry before
reinserting. If you are sensitive to particular soaps, detergents
or other solvents, then please ensure you have removed all traces
before using the pads against your skin.
FAQ Index
9 - Apart from the new colours, what has been changed on
the new model?
Better Pads
The soft pads now have much smaller bumps which are a lot more
comfortable for extended use. Hands can get sticky in hot weather
and the new surface design has been found to be a good compromise
between comfort and grip.
Improved Slider
The end of the slider has been modified to incorporate a
four-sided barb that stays connected to the socket, even if you
are heavy-handed. It is also much easier to insert and simpler to
remove (peel one corner of the socket before withdrawing the
slider).
Close-Coupling
The hand rest now slides even closer to the mouse and can even be
locked in this position for users who move the mouse with their
whole hand rather than their fingers.
Stronger Adhesive
The double-sided adhesive tape used to hold the socket to the
mouse has been greatly improved. The mouse should still be thoroughly
cleaned before application, but the new tape is much stronger.
FAQ Index
10 - Help! Somebody pulled my socket off!
You may get pestered by colleagues wanting to 'borrow'
your MouseBean® Hand Rest. If you are lucky enough to ever see
it again, you will probably find that the tape no longer sticks.
Unfortunately, the adhesive tape is not designed to be removed
and replaced after it has cured (about 24 hours). If you have been
hit by a 'bean-thief, the next two items should help.
FAQ Index
11 - Where can I get a replacement coupling socket?
If your coupling comes unstuck or you need a replacement when
you change your mouse, your dealer should be able to supply you
with a free replacement. Simply send a stamped, self-addressed
envelope marked 'Spare Coupling' and indicate a preferred colour.
We are happy to help if you have any problems. Our address is
on the contacts page.
FAQ Index
12 - Can I use another adhesive to stick the socket to the mouse?
The adhesive tape supplied with the socket should be good enough
to give a strong bond after about 24 hours providing it is never
removed or repositioned. However, the tape is not meant to be
completely permanent since it may need to be removed for a
variety of reasons such as servicing the mouse. To create a more
permanent bond, you will find that about five or six tiny drops
of superglue on each flap will work extremely well. Ensure the
surfaces are clean and dry before proceeding. We recommend using
Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) to clean the surfaces of the mouse and socket.
Please ensure that the glue has fully dried before using the mouse.
Always refer to the manufacturer's
safety precautions when using any adhesive product.
FAQ Index
We value your feedback and will always try to respond
promptly to any enquiries or suggestions you may have about the
product or its application. In particular, we welcome suggestions
for new colour combinations.
Feel free to .
The MouseBean® Hand Rest is constantly
being improved and we reserve the right to vary the design and
specification without notice.
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