Hands-free headlamp system

Abstract

A hands-free headlamp system for an item of headwear, the hands-free headlamp system including: a housing including headwear fastener, the headwear fastener configured to attach to the item of headwear an energy storage affixed to the housing; a light source mechanically coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to the energy storage; a motion sensor mechanically coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to the energy storage, the motion sensor configured to detect hand motion of a user; a controller mechanically coupled to the housing, electrically coupled to the energy storage, and communicably coupled to the motion sensor, the controller configured to operate the light source in response to detected hand motions of the user.

Claims

1. A headlamp system comprising: a first housing including a headwear fastener; an energy storage affixed to the housing; a headlamp connected to the housing, electrically connected to the energy storage, and oriented to illuminate a workspace; and a controller connected to the housing, electrically connected to the energy storage, and connected to the headlamp; and a second housing including a motion sensor connected to the controller.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the motion sensor includes an infrared (IR) sensor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a hands-free headlamp system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hands-free headlamp system during an in-use condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hands-free headlamp system of FIG. 1, according to different embodiments of the present disclosure.

(4) FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the hands-free headlamp system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(5) FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the hands-free headlamp system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(6) FIG. 5 is a listing of components for use with the hands-free headlamp system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(7) The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an illumination device and more particularly to a hands-free headlamp system as used to improve the wearable illumination device.

(9) Generally, the hands-free headlamp system for an item of headwear comprises: a housing including headwear fastener, the headwear fastener configured to attach to the item of headwear an energy storage affixed to the housing; a light source mechanically coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to the energy storage; a motion sensor mechanically coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to the energy storage, the motion sensor configured to detect hand motion of a user; a controller mechanically coupled to the housing, electrically coupled to the energy storage, and communicably coupled to the motion sensor, the controller configured to operate the light source in response to detected hand motions of the user.

(10) The aforementioned headwear may include a helmet, eyewear, a headband, a hat, or similar types of headwear. The light source may include at least one light-emitting diode (LED) which receives power from an energy source that may include one or more batteries that are removable and replaceable, or may include one or more batteries that are rechargeable. The motion sensor may include an infrared (IR) sensor which is configured to detect body heat of a hand of the user. The controller is able to toggle between illumination and an inactive state based on input from the motion sensor. The controller is further configured to activate the light source in response to hand motions of the user having a duration of at least 1.5 seconds. The motion sensor is positioned on the housing so as to be located between a temple and an ear of the user while attached to the item of headwear and when the item of headwear is worn by the user. The motion sensor has a detection range limited to 6 inches. The motion sensor is further configured to detect hand motions of the user on both sides of the item of headwear while attached to the item of headwear. The light source may be a directional light source configured to project a focused beam of light or may be configured to project a broad beam of light that is broader than the focused beam of light.

(11) Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a hands-free headlamp system 100. FIG. 1 shows a hands-free headlamp system 100 during an in-use condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Illustrated, the hands-free headlamp system 100 may include a housing 120 which may include headwear fastener 110, the headwear fastener 110 configured to attach to the item of headwear; an energy storage affixed to the housing 120; a light source 130 mechanically coupled to the housing 120 and electrically coupled to the energy storage 160; a motion sensor 140 mechanically coupled to the housing 120 and electrically coupled to the energy storage 160, the motion sensor 140 configured to detect hand motion of a user; a controller 150 mechanically coupled to the housing 120, electrically coupled to the energy storage 160, and communicably coupled to the motion sensor 140, the controller 150 configured to operate the light source 130 in response to detected hand motions of the user. The motion sensor 140 is preferably positioned on the housing 120 so as to be located between a temple and an ear of the user while attached to the item of headwear.

(12) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the hands-free headlamp system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the hands-free headlamp system 100 may include a housing 120 which may include headwear fastener 110, the headwear fastener 110 configured to attach to the item of headwear. An energy storage 160 is affixed to the housing 120; a light source 130 mechanically coupled to the housing 120 and electrically coupled to the energy storage 160. The motion sensor 140 is mechanically coupled to the housing 120 and electrically coupled to the energy storage 160, the motion sensor 140 configured to detect hand motion of a user; a controller 150 mechanically coupled to the housing 120, electrically coupled to the energy storage 160, and communicably coupled to the motion sensor 140. The controller 150 is configured to operate the light source 130 in response to detected hand motions of the user.

(13) FIG. 3 shows a side perspective view of the hands-free headlamp system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the hands-free headlamp system 100 may include a housing 120 which may include headwear fastener 110. The headwear fastener 110 is configured to attach to the item of headwear; an energy storage 160 affixed to the housing 12. A light source 130 is mechanically coupled to the housing 120 and electrically coupled to the energy storage 160. The motion sensor 140 is mechanically coupled to the housing 120 and electrically coupled to the energy storage 160. The motion sensor 140 configured to detect hand motion of a user. The controller 150 is preferably mechanically coupled to the housing 120, and electrically coupled to the energy storage 160, and being communicably coupled to the motion sensor 140. The controller 150 is configured to operate the light source 130 in response to detected hand motions of the user.

(14) FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of the hands-free headlamp system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the hands-free headlamp system 100 may include a housing 120 which may include headwear fastener 110. The headwear fastener 110 is configured to attach to the item of headwear; an energy storage 160 affixed to the housing 120; a light source 130 mechanically coupled to the housing 120 and electrically coupled to the energy storage 160; a motion sensor 140 mechanically coupled to the housing 120 and electrically coupled to the energy storage 160, the motion sensor 140 configured to detect hand motion of a user; a controller 150 mechanically coupled to the housing, electrically coupled to the energy storage 160, and communicably coupled to the motion sensor 140, the controller 150 configured to operate the light source 130 in response to detected hand motions of the user, as previously mentioned.

(15) FIG. 5 is a listing of components for use with the hands-free headlamp system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as described in FIGS. 1-4. A method of using the present invention may be as follows: providing the device; using the device to illuminate as desired and controlling the illumination via waving next to the temple or other as desired.

(16) The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.