摘要：
Illumination devices characterized in that they include one or more light sources disposed within a housing attached to a clip adapted to receive a portion of a wearer's headdress, for example a chin strap or bill of a cap. An upper surface of the clip may be shaped to be worn under the wearer's chin and may also include a groove adapted to facilitate attachment of the illumination device to nylon or other strap-like webbing. One or more of the light sources is operable by a switch mounted on an opposite side of the housing from the clip when the clip is in a closed position, that is, when the clip rests on an upper surface of the housing. In addition to light sources, the illumination device may further include one or more imaging devices, e.g., a camera, and/or audio communication devices, e.g., a microphone.
权利要求：
CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. An illumination device, comprising one or more light sources disposed within a housing, said housing being attached to a clip adapted to receive a mounting means, one or more of said light sources operable by a hands-free switch mounted on an opposite side of the housing from the clip when the clip is in a closed position.
2. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein the one or more light sources comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).
3. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein the clip is adapted to receive a strap as a mounting means.
4. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein the clip is shaped to be worn under the wearer’s chin.
5. The illumination device of claim 1, further including one or more imaging devices in the housing.
6. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein one of said light sources is operable by said hands-free switch and others of said light sources are operable by one or more other switches.
7. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein one of said light sources is operable by said hands-free switch and others of said light sources are operable under the control of a programmable controller.
8. An illumination device comprising a light source operable by a hands-free switch mounted to a housing including said light source, said housing being rotatably attached to a clip adapted to receive a strap.
9. The illumination device of claim 8, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode (LED).
10. The illumination device of claim 8, wherein the clip includes a groove adapted to facilitate attachment of the illumination device to strap-like webbing.
11. The illumination device of claim 8, wherein the clip has an upper surface cupped to receive a wearer’s chin.
12. The illumination device of claim 8, wherein the hands-free operable switch is mounted on an opposite side of said housing from said clip when said clip rests on an upper surface of said housing.
13. The illumination device of claim 8, further comprising audio communications means included in said housing.
14. The illumination device of claim 13, wherein the audio communications means includes a microphone.
15. The illumination device of claim 8, wherein the housing comprises one or more of plastic, metal and/or a metal alloy, carbon fiber, cellulose acetate, and an epoxy resin.
16. An illumination device comprising a light source operable by a hands-free switch mounted to a housing including said light source, said housing being attached to a
U-shaped clip loadable from both a front side and a back side of the illumination device.
17. The illumination device of claim 16, wherein the clip defines two gaps, one of which is loadable from the front side of the illumination device front side and another of which is loadable from the back side of the illumination device, the two gaps being different in size.
18. The illumination device of claim 16, wherein the clip is rotatably attached to the housing.
19. The illumination device of claim 16, wherein the clip is hingibly attached to the housing.
20. The illumination device of claim 16, wherein the clip is both hingibly and rotatably attached to the housing.