Breath actuated pointer to enable disabled persons to operate computers

A device for permitting a person with limited or no use of the hands to operate the keyboard of a computer, said device comprising:

• a base including means for supporting a computer keyboard in a generally upright position for easy viewing of the keyboard by an operator of said device;
• support arm means extending from said base and secured at one end thereto;
• and
• an elongate pointer element adjustably mounted at the other end of said support arm means for operative engagement of a computer keyboard positioned on said base and having a proximal end engageable by the face of the operator and a distal end selectively actuateable to move from a first retracted position to a second extended position and back to said retracted position, said elongate pointer element comprising an operator face actuated transducer positioned in the proximal end of said pointer element, a solenoid operatively connected to said movable distal end of said elongate pointer element, and circuit means electrically connecting said operator actuated transducer and said solenoid;
• whereby actuation of said transducer by the operator serves to actuate said solenoid and said distal end.

A device for permitting a person with limited or no use of the hands to operate the keyboard of a computer, said device comprising:

• a base including means for supporting a computer keyboard in a generally upright position for easy viewing of the keyboard by an operator of said device;
• pivotable adjustable support arm means extending from said base and secured at one end thereto;
• and
• an elongate pointer element adjustably mounted at the other end of said support arm means for operative engagement of a computer keyboard positioned on said base and having a proximal end engageable by the face of the operator and a distal end selectively actuateable to move from a first retracted position to a second extended position and back to said retracted position, said elongate pointer element comprising an operator breath actuated transducer positioned in the proximal end of said pointer element, a solenoid operatively connected to said distal end of said pointer element for moving said distal end from said first retracted position to said second extended position and back to said retracted position, and circuit means electrically connecting said transducer and said solenoid;
• whereby intermittent breath actuation of said transducer by the operator serves to actuate said solenoid and said distal end.

A device for permitting a person with limited or no use of the hands to operate the keyboard of a computer, said device comprising:

• support means adapted for securement at one end to the body of an operator or to a work surface;
• and
• an elongate pointer element adjustably mounted at the other end of said support means for operative engagement of a computer keyboard and having a proximal end engageable by the face of the operator and a distal end selectively actuateable to move from a first retracted position to a second extended position and back to said retracted position, said elongate pointer element comprising operator face actuator means for allowing the operator to position the distal end of said elongate pointer element adjacent a desired key of said computer keyboard and to then actuate said distal end so as to depress said computer keyboard key;
• wherein said operator face actuator means comprises a breath actuated transducer positioned in the proximal end of said elongate pointer element, a solenoid operatively connected to said distal end of said pointer element, and circuit means electrically connecting said transducer and said solenoid;
• whereby actuation of said transducer by the operator serves to actuate said solenoid and said distal end to actuate selected keyboard keys.