Kinesis Evolution KB450PC User Manual page 5

the knobs and repeat the process with the other side.
Preliminary adjustment of chair
Refer to the instructions for your chair if you are not familiar with its adjustment
mechanisms. First adjust the seat height and tilt, with your feet flat on the floor,
to make yours thighs level with the floor, then adjust the height, depth, and tilt
of the backrest.
If your chair has armrests, adjust their width and height so your arms are
comfortably draped at your sides. Your forearms should be parallel to the floor
when supported by the arm rests.
Final adjustment of the keyboard
Now refine the adjustments of your keyboard. Adjust one side at a time, being
careful not to use force which might damage the keyboard mechanisms.
Loosen the keyboard adjusting knob directly under the arm rest to adjust the
keyboard for your forearm length and shoulder width. Then loosen the knob
under the keyboard to set the amount of "tenting" (lateral slope; see figure).
Important warranty note: Damage to the keyboard caused by careless use,
such as by forcing the keyboard to move without adequately loosening knobs , is
not covered by your warranty.
Ergonomic guidelines: Posture and your Health
The Kinesis Evolution fully-adjustable keyboard was designed to improve
keyboard operator comfort and at the same time, increase productivity.
Remember that there is no one right position as long as your follow certain
general guidelines: keep joints straight, muscles relaxed.
Posture while keying is known to be one of the contributing factors for RSI.
Finding a position that is right for you will require some initial time
experimenting with adjustments. Does the chair feel right? Have you tried the
adjustment levers? Below we discuss ways in which the Kinesis Evolution
track-mounted keyboard can help you achieve your comfort objectives.
Back
Your back should be resting against the chair back. Adjust your chair back and
seat tilt accordingly. The forward flexion of the trunk while working at a desk or
on the keyboard can contribute to low back problems.
Shoulders
Working on a conventional keyboard with hands and arms in front of the trunk
encourages rounding the shoulders This undesirable shoulder rounding is not
desirable as it decreases circulation into the extremities and puts strain on the
upper back. The Evolution keyboard relaxes the shoulder area into a neutral
posture and improves circulation into the extremities.
Head and Neck
The conventional keyboard encourages the user to crane both head and neck
forward to see the keyboard and screen. The Evolution keyboard facilitates an
upright posture for the head and neck, positioning them in proper alignment
over the shoulders. The use of the arm rests to gently supports the arms further
assists in properly aligning the head and neck with the trunk. Resting the palms
on the integrated, padded palm support relaxes and reduces muscle tension in
the head, neck, and shoulders.
Arms/Elbows
The Evolution keyboard provides support for the upper extremities in their
natural position, by your sides. Your arms are likely to be most comfortable if
they are positioned shoulder width apart, with your forearm resting naturally on
the padded arm of the chair. The height and width adjustments on the arm rests
allow the user to adjust for upper arm length and body type.
Hand/Wrist
The most relaxed resting posture for the forearm and hand is the "handshake"
position. However, this is not the most effective position for typing, because
your hands will tend to fall off the keys and you won't be able to see the keytops
to reposition the hands. A slight central elevation ("tenting") of a split keyboard
(10-20 degrees elevated from horizontal) has been shown to be optimal for most
people to allow typing with relaxed forearm muscles. The Evolution track-
mounted keyboard addresses this aspect of keyboard ergonomics by providing
infinitely tenting adjustments.
Adjusting your keyboard and chair
Once you are comfortable in your chair, you can start adjusting the keyboard.
While you are seated comfortably in your chair, your arm should be straight
from the elbow to the fingers with no twist of the wrist. Adjust the keyboard so
your forearm is resting on the arm pad and your palm is on the palm rest. Try
adjusting the keyboard to different angles, and don't be shy about trying several
positions until you find one that works for you.
Note About Force
It is not necessary to press each key to its end point for activation. The harder a
key is pressed, the greater the pressure on the fingers, hand and wrist. Repeated
extra hard depressions put a user at risk for pain and discomfort.
11 12