KEYBOARD ACTUATOR
First Claim
1. A keyboard actuating device for changing a keyboard layout comprising a unitary base member having first and second sides, a first plurality of fluid control means carried by said base member on said first side thereof for manual operation, a second plurality of fluid control means carried by said base member on said second side thereof for operating the keys of a keyboard, said base member, first fluid control means and second fluid control means defining an assembly, and fluid containing passages in said assembly communicating between said first and second fluid control means, said first fluid control means having a normal position extended with respect to said base member, said second fluid control means having a normal position retracted with respet to said base member, each of said first fluid control means being operable to a retracted position with respect to said base member for extending an associated one of said second fluid control means through one of said passages.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A keyboard actuator in which the keys on a keyboard are operable in response to manual depression of fluid operating devices. The fluid operating devices are arranged in any suitable preselected pattern independent of the keyboard layout effecting any desired rearrangement of the keyboard layout. In one embodiment, the fluid actuating elements are located in one or more arcuate planes for improved accessibility of the fingers of the operator. In another embodiment the angle of the keyboard actuator is modified to comply with the anatomical structure of the human hand. Means may also be provided for positively positioning the hand of the operator to minimize fatigue and mistakes. Feeler means may also be included so that the operator may sense, by touch, the location of his fingers with respect to the fluid operating means of the keyboard adapter.
19 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A keyboard actuating device for changing a keyboard layout comprising a unitary base member having first and second sides, a first plurality of fluid control means carried by said base member on said first side thereof for manual operation, a second plurality of fluid control means carried by said base member on said second side thereof for operating the keys of a keyboard, said base member, first fluid control means and second fluid control means defining an assembly, and fluid containing passages in said assembly communicating between said first and second fluid control means, said first fluid control means having a normal position extended with respect to said base member, said second fluid control means having a normal position retracted with respet to said base member, each of said first fluid control means being operable to a retracted position with respect to said base member for extending an associated one of said second fluid control means through one of said passages.
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2. An actuating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base member comprises a plurality of sheets of material fastened together in fluid-tight relationship, said passages in said assembly including grooves in the surface of at least one of said sheets of material, said grooves being closed by another of said sheets of material.
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3. An actuating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of said fluid control means comprises a plurality of pneumatic cells formed as an integral part of a sheet of flexible material.
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4. An actuating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of said fluid coNtrol means comprises at least one piston and an associated passage includes means defining a cylinder for slidably receiving said piston.
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5. An actuating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fluid containing passages are formed as part of said fluid control means.
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6. An actuating device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said base member comprises a sheet of material, said passages in said base member including grooves in the surface of said sheet of material, said grooves being closed in fluid tight relationship at least partly by said sheet of flexible material.
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7. An actuating device as claimed in claim 2 wherein grooves are provided in the surfaces of at least two sheets of material.
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8. An actuating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the end of a groove in one sheet of material is in communication with the end of a groove in another sheet of material.
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9. An actuating device as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least one of said pneumatic cells is in the form of a collapsible bellows.
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10. An actuating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second sides lie in spaced parallel planes.
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11. An actuating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base member is substantially rigid.
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12. An actuating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said passages in said assembly include grooves in the surfaces of said first and second sides, at least one groove in one side crossing at least one groove in the other side.
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13. An actuating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said assembly has a substantially low profile.
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14. An actuating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said passages in said assembly include grooves in the surfaces of said first and second sides with an end of a groove in one side being in communication with an end of a groove in the other side.
Specification