Foot controlled light operation

• US 7,824,052 B1
• Filed: 03/12/2008
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary V. Halm
• Original Assignee: Gary V. Halm
• Inventors: Halm, Gary V.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US12/075,617
• Time in Patent Office: 965 Days
• Field of Search: 362/103, 362105-107, 362/276, 362/802, 362/804
• US Class Current: 362/105
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00973 pedal-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/502 Headgear, e.g. helmet, spectacles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/30 Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/35 Supports therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 1/0023 Foot control
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/00 Electric lighting devices with self-contained electric batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0435 activated by remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/202 for dentistry
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/04 Illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/395 Linear regulators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A hands-free dental or surgical light system (100) is disclosed which allows the dentist or surgeon to dim and turn a light (12) on and off by simply pressing pedals on a foot operated assembly (106). First and second receivers (102, 104) are mounted in a power pack (28) usually worn about the waist. First and second foot operated transmitters (112, 114) are turned on and off or activated with the foot of the operator. The first transmitter (112) and receiver (102) operate to toggle the light (12) between the dim and brightened states while the second transmitter (114) and receiver (104) operate to toggle the light on and off.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a light source positioned on the head of an operator;

a first receiver positioned proximate the light source, the first receiver operating the light source upon activation of the first receiver;

a second receiver positioned proximate the light source, the second receiver operating the light source upon activation of the second receiver;

a power supply to power the light source; and

a first foot operated transmitter operating with an encoded radio signal located remotely from the light source and first receiver, said first foot operated transmitter having no physical connection with the light source and first receiver, the first receiver activated by the first foot operated transmitter;

a second foot operated transmitter operating with an encoded radio signal located remotely from the light source and second receiver, said second foot operated transmitter having no physical connection with the light source and second receiver, the second receiver activated by the second foot operated transmitter;

the light source being dimmed when the first receiver is activated by the first foot operated transmitter and restored to full brightness when the first receiver is again activated by the first foot operated transmitter and the light source being turned off when the second receiver is activated by the second foot operated transmitter and turned on when the second receiver is again activated by the second foot operated transmitter.