Finger keyer for code transmission

A telegraphic keyer fitting over a finger, preferably the index finger, of an operator, is disclosed for tapping against the operator's thumb or any convenient object in practice or transmission of code with portable equipment. The keyer is useful when walking, sitting, standing, driving, or during other activities of the operator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The invention relates to a device for formation of code, such as Morse 
code, Naval code, or similar codes, such as are made up of dots and 
dashes. The device comprises a keyer fitting over an operator's finger and 
permitting contact points to alternately open and close an electrical 
circuit, permitting practice or transmission of code with portable 
equipment. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Finger keyers at fixed location for transmission of telegraphic code are 
known, where opening and closing of electrical contact points causes a 
coded sequence of electrical impulses which with appropriate sensing 
equipment can be used to transmit verbal information. 
The prior art also contains reference to code practice devices, such as 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,125,752, issued Mar. 17, 1964, to Burns, showing a sound 
generating electroacoustical device for reproducing the sound of a high 
frequency radio signal for code practice, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,935,564, 
issued May. 3,1960, to Burns, Jr., shows an educational code device. A 
portable telegraphic instrument for carrying on the body of the operator 
is taught by Zelenka in U.S. Pat. No. 868,621, issued Oct. 15, 1907, 
showing a wrist-mounted telegraphic instrument for receiving messages and, 
with cooperation of the opposite hand, for sending messages. 
None of the prior art cited above, however, discloses use of a keyer 
attached to an operator's finger and useful for practice or transmission 
of code independent of the other hand. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the invention to provide a keyer for code transmission 
mounted on the finger or thumb of an operator and permitting practice or 
transmission of code by movement of the digit upon which the device is 
mounted. 
Another object of the invention is to permit practice or transmission of 
code by portable equipment carried on or near the person of the operator. 
Still another object of the invention is to provide a portable device for 
practice or transmission of code by persons having the use only of one 
hand, such as handicapped persons or persons who are otherwise occupied, 
such as in standing, sitting, walking, driving or other activities. 
Yet another object of the invention is to enable telegraphic operators who 
may be deaf or blind to practice and transmit telegraphic code in the 
capacity of keyer operator. 
A further object of the invention is to provide a self-contained 
telegraphic finger keyer usable in corrosive, aqueous or other adverse 
environments, such as under water during fresh or salt water diving, 
during cleaning of the interior of railroad tank cars, and similar 
circumstances. 
These and other objects are obtained by use of a flexible material tubing 
fitting over the finger or thumb of the operator and containing on its 
outside a keyer mechanism sealed to the tubing in a hollow cavity. Contact 
points within the cavity are opposably disposed on parallel lengths of 
spring metal, each contact point being in electrical connection with feed 
wire lines forming a part of the code practice set or transceiver, which 
is conventional and forms no part of the novel features of the present 
invention. The digit on which the keyer is held is pressed against a solid 
object, such as a work surface, chair, steering wheel, another digit, or 
the like, causing the contact points to touch and closing an electrical 
circuit. As pressure is removed, the points separate, thereby opening the 
electrical circuit. Standard telegraphic signals, such as dots and dashes 
or Morse code, Naval code, and the like, can thereby be formed, enabling 
the operator to practice or transmit coded information. 
These together with other objects and advantages which will become 
subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation 
as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to 
the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals 
refer to like parts throughout.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The finger keyer, designated generally by the numeral 10 in FIG. 1, 
comprises a flexible material sheath 12 for receiving a finger or thumb of 
the operator of device 10, hollow cavity 14 for receiving the keyer 
mechanism 16 of the device, and wires 18 and 20 for completing an 
electrical circuit with a conventional code practice set or transceiver 
(not shown). Keyer mechanism 16 comprises contact points 22 and 24, 
respectively held on spring metal supports 26 and 28, which are fastened 
respectively to sheath 12 and cavity 14 by a glue or adhesive, such as an 
epoxy glue. Alternatively, spring metal supports 26 and 28 can be fastened 
mechanically, such as with staples, interfitting support strips, or other 
suitable fastening means. 
Insulator 30 separates spring metal supports 26 and 28 mechanically and 
electrically, and prevents contact of connectors 32 and 34, which receive 
pins 36 and 38 attached, and preferably soldered, to wires 20 and 18, 
respectively. Pin 36 is insertable in connector 32 and pin 38 is 
insertable in connector 34, respectively, making electrical connection 
with spring metal support 26 and spring metal support 28. Wires 18 and 20 
are insulated in a conventional manner with a material resistant to the 
environment within which use of the device is contemplated. Accordingly, 
if use in an aqueous environment, such as sea water or the like, is 
expected, the insulation on wires 18 and 20 will be water resistant and 
resistant to any chemicals expected to be encountered during use of the 
device. 
In operation, the device is conveniently placed over the index finger 40 of 
the operator, as shown in FIG. 2. When the tip of the finger 44 is pressed 
downwardly in the view shown in FIG. 2, pressure on the undersurface of 
flexible cavity 14 causes spring metal supports 26 and 28 to flex so as to 
permit contact points 22 and 24 to move toward each other and come in 
physical contact. At the moment of physical contact, electrical contact is 
also established, causing a flow of current through the connected elements 
between the transceiver or code practice set connected to wires 18 and 20, 
through insulated wire 20, connected in sequence to pin 36, connector 32, 
spring metal suport 26, contact point 22, contact point 24, spring metal 
support 28, connector 34, pin 38 and insulated wire 18. As pressure is 
released by finger tip 44, contact points 22 and 24 separate due to the 
resilience inherent in spring metal supports 26 and 28, causing the 
electrical and mechanical contact between contact points 22 and 24 to be 
broken. This opens the electrical circuit which has been established by 
contact of the contact points 22 and 24. The sequence of contact and 
release results in patterns, such as dots and dashes, which make up a code 
such as the conventional Morse code or Naval code. 
In the event that use in a corrosive environment is contemplated, such as 
sea water, chemicals encountered during use, or otherwise, wires 18 and 20 
can be sealed at the entrance to hollow cavity 14. Alternatively, pins 36 
and 38 as well as connections 32 and 34, and spring metal supports 26 and 
28 can be constructed of a non-corrosive material, such as stainless 
steel, and insulator 30 can sealingly present admission of corrosive 
against into the interior portion of hollow cavity 14 which encloses 
contact points 22 and 24. In this manner, an electrical short is prevented 
in this region. 
The keyer 10 is useful when the operator is occupied in routine activities, 
such as walking, sitting, or just standing and even while driving. Code 
can be practiced or transmitted with portable equipment attached or 
carried on the person of the operator. When the keyer 10 is attached to 
the index finger, tapping against the thumb by pressing hollow cavity 14 
against the tip of the thumb near the region below contact 24 is 
conveniently accomplished by the operator when otherwise occupied. 
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the 
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily 
occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the 
invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and 
accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted 
to, falling within the scope of the invention.