Air drive keyboard tester

Claim 3

The method as described in claim 1, further comprising the step of: actuating said directing means individually and selectively to produce a sequence of outputs from said keyboard.

Claim 4

Apparatus for exercisiNg keys on a keyboard by directing jets of fluid against them, comprising: a body; said body being divided into first and second body portions; cavity means defined by said first and second body portions for confining fluid under pressure therein; inlet means for admitting pressurized fluid to said cavity means; a plurality of output means for passing fluid from said cavity through said second body portion to the outside of said body; a flexible, perforate diaphragm means in said cavity means and separating said first and second body portions; said perforate diaphragm means contacting a surface carried on said second body portion to close said perforations under the urging of said pressurized fluid in said cavity to confine said fluid in said cavity means; a plurality of individually movable magnetic slug means for contacting the side of said diaphragm means which is in contact with said surface carried by said second body portion; said slug means each being located adjacent to an individual one of said outlet means; a plurality of individually actuable magnet means for magnetically attracting said slug means; said magnet means being located on said first body portion and spaced from the surface of said diaphragm means and opposite the location of said diaphragm means behind which said magnetic slug means reside; and means for selectively magnetizing said magnet means to attract said slug means opposite therefrom, whereby said slug means is magnetically attracted and moved toward said magnet means and into contact with said flexible diaphragm means to deflect a portion of said diaphragm means out of contact with said surface carried by said second body portion whereby fluid in said cavity means of said first body portion is permitted to pass through said perforations in said diaphragm means which are nearest to said slug means and from there through said outlet means in proximity with said slug means and out of said body to kinetically impact said keys to exercise them.

Claim 5

Apparatus for exercisiNg keys on a keyboard by directing jets of fluid against them, comprising: a body; said body being divided into first and second body portions; cavity means defined by said first and second body portions for confining fluid under pressure therein; inlet means for admitting pressurized fluid to said cavity means; a plurality of output means for passing fluid from said cavity through said second body portion to the outside of said body; a flexible, perforate diaphragm means in said cavity means and separating said first and second body portions; said perforate diaphragm means contacting a surface carried on said second body portion to close said perforations under the urging of said pressurized fluid in said cavity to confine said fluid in said cavity means; a plurality of individually movable magnetic slug means for contacting the side of said diaphragm means which is in contact with said surface carried by said second body portion; said slug means each being located adjacent to an individual one of said outlet means; a plurality of individually actuable magnet means for magnetically attracting said slug means; said magnet means being located on said first body portion and spaced from the surface of said diaphragm means and opposite the location of said diaphragm means behind which said magnetic slug means reside; and means for selectively magnetizing said magnet means to attract said slug means opposite therefrom, whereby said slug means is magnetically attracted and moved toward said magnet means and into contact with said flexible diaphragm means to deflect a portion of said diaphragm means out of contact with said surface carried by said second body portion whereby fluid in said cavity means of said first body portion is permitted to pass through said perforations in said diaphragm means which are nearest to said slug means and from there through said outlet means in proximity with said slug means and out of said body to kinetically impact said keys to exercise them.

Claim 6

Apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein: said fluid is a gas; said magnet means comprises a plurality of individually wound solenoids having adjustable position magnetizable cores therein; and said means for selectively magnetizing said solenoids comprises an electrical gating means for directing current to selected solenoids.

Claim 7

Apparatus as described in claim 4, wherein: said gas is air; said electrical gating means comprises a means for sequentially generating coded solenoid drive signals; decoder means for converting said signals into signals at unique individual outputs thereof; said generating means being connected to said decoder means; individual electrical gate means for directing drive signals to solenoids; and said decoder means having said outputs connected to said individual electrical gates to drive said solenoids.