Corner Converters
What are Corner Converters?
Corner Converters are usually metal rectangular 'sleeves'
that bridge the 90° corner of an L-shaped desk (i.e. a desk
with a return). By bridging over the corner, the corner
of the desk can be 'converted' into a more usable space as it
becomes easier to access and move around.
What are the Ergonomic Benefits of a Corner Converter?
Corner Converters increase the amount of workspace and allow
the user to make use of the corner of the desk without Overreaching.
They also free up space on the both the main and return
sections of the desk. They are often used in conjunction
with an Articulating
Keyboard Arm to create a less linear workspace, allowing
the keyboard arm to extend from the corner of the desk at a
45° angle.
What are Potential Concerns when Considering a Corner
Converter?
The main concern arises from the thickness of the desk
surface. The Corner Converter must be capable of being
securely mounted on the desk. A secondary concern is the width
of the Corner Converter. Care must be taken to ensure
that a sufficient size is selected which will allow a keyboard
tray to 'clear' the desk when brought up (so that it doesn't
catch on the two edges of the desk). The desk itself
must be composed of a material that can support the Corner
Converter and any Keyboard
Arm and associated weight which will be applied to
it. If the desk is made of particle board or is not
particularly strong, an additional sheet of plywood may be
required (affixed with a large number of shallow screws) to
provide a suitable mounting location for the Corner Converter.
On smaller desks, the desired size of Corner Converter may
actually make the current desk space unusable (for example, if
a return is only 3' long, some Corner Converters will mount
half of the length of the return). Finally if the Corner
Converter is being used without a Keyboard
Arm, the metal surface may feel 'cold' or uncomfortable
for users.
For what Types of Tasks / Users are Corner Converters
Suitable?
Corner Converters are ideal for applications where it is
desirable to have a Keyboard
Arm extending from the corner of a desk with a return.
What Physical Injuries or Conditions Typically Benefit from
a Corner Converter?
Individuals who have pain in their hands, wrists, arms and
shoulders will see immediate benefits from working on a work
surface at the appropriate height. Injuries such as Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome, Guyon's
Canal Syndrome and Lateral
Epicondylitis can become aggravated as pressure from the
edge of a desk will be felt on the underside of the wrist if
the work surface is too high. The addition of a Corner
Converter to permit the installation of a Keyboard
Arm would yield significant benefits for individuals
such as this.
