Hands-free light controller for headgear mounted illumination device
OwnerHady Salehinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A control device is provided, for controlling the supply of power from a remote power source to a headgear mounted illumination device to selectively turn the corresponding illumination source on and off. The control device includes an attachment feature that facilitates donning the control device on the body of a user. To operate the control device, the wearer causes hands-free, tactile contact with a switch contact surface of the control device, e.g., by bumping, pressing or otherwise engaging the switch contact surface against a limb or external structure.
Claims20
A control device for controlling the supply of power from a remote power source to a headgear mounted illumination device, comprising:
- a housing having a first major surface;
- a switch secured within the housing, the switch having at least a first contact, a second contact and a switch element;
- a switch contact surface arranged with respect to the first major surface of the housing such that suitable tactile contact with the switch contact surface causes corresponding operation of the switch element;
- a first electrical interconnect electrically connected to the first contact of the switch, the first electrical interconnect having a terminal end having a coupler that electrically couples the first contact of the switch to a corresponding power input of the headgear mounted illumination device;
- a second electrical interconnect electrically connected to the second contact of the switch, the second electrical interconnect having a terminal end having a coupler that electrically couples the second contact of the switch to the remote power source;
- and
- an attachment feature that facilitates donning the control device on the body of a user so as to position the control device for operation of the switch by the user wherein the user operates the switch by causing hands-free, tactile contact with the switch contact surface to selectively make and break electrical continuity between the first electrical interconnect and the second electrical interconnect, thus turning the illumination source on the headgear mounted illumination device on and off at the discretion of the user in a hands-free manner.
A control device for controlling the supply of power from a remote power source to a headgear mounted illumination device, comprising:
- a housing having a first major surface;
- a switch secured within the housing, the switch having a switch element;
- a switch contact surface extending from the first major surface of the housing such that suitable tactile contact with the switch contact surface causes corresponding operation of the switch element;
- a battery connector within the housing that is electrically connected in series with the switch, the battery connector for holding a battery;
- a coupler electrically connected to the switch and battery connector such that when a battery is installed in the battery connector, closing the switch makes electrical continuity from the battery to the coupler and opening the switch electrically breaks electrical continuity from the battery to the coupler, the coupler configured to connect a cable between the housing and the corresponding head mounted illumination source;
- and
- an attachment feature that facilitates donning the housing on the body of a user so as to position the control device for operation of the switch by the user, wherein the user operates the switch by causing hands-free, tactile contact with the switch contact surface to selectively make and break electrical continuity between the battery connector and the coupler, thus turning the illumination source of the headgear mounted illumination device on and off at the discretion of the user in a hands-free manner.
A method of activating a headgear-mounted light in a sterile environment, the method comprising:
- wearing headgear including the mounted light;
- wearing a control device that electrically couples to the light of the headgear, wherein the control device includes:
- a housing having a first major surface including an aperture there through,
- a switch within the housing including at least two positions for selectively controlling the light wherein the light is active when the switch is in a first position and the light is inactive when the switch is in a second position,
- a switch contact surface arranged with respect to the first major surface of the housing such that suitable tactile contact with the switch contact surface causes corresponding operation of the switch element;
- and
- bumping the switch without using hands to transition the switch position, thus toggling the headgear-mounted light on and off.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.