Abstract:
The universal walker headlight is a lightweight, portable light source adapted for easy attachment to the frame of any walker or rollator. The universal walker headlight uses low power, high brightness light emitting diodes (LEDs) to extend battery life. The universal walker headlight simultaneously illuminates both the area in front of the walker or rollator, and the feet area below the walker or rollator.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This is an ordinary application of Provisional Application No. 60/826,095, filed Sep. 19, 2006, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to illumination and relates specifically to a portable headlight adapted for attachment to a walker or rollator.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Old age, medications, and medical conditions can cause muscle weakness and balance problems. Muscle weakness and balance problems can make mobility difficult and can increase the risk of falling. Falling can cause fractures and other serious injuries, particularly to people with conditions often associated with old age such as osteoporosis. People with muscle weakness and balance problems often use a walker or rollator (a walker with wheels) to enhance mobility and reduce the risk of falling.  
         [0004]     Poor lighting is another factor that increases the risk of falling. Good lighting helps people avoid obstacles and tripping hazards. Good ambient lighting is not always available. A light switch may be across the room, or a light bulb may be burned out. Sometime, especially outside at night, no lighting is available at all. Handheld flashlights are known in the art for providing a portable light source.  
         [0005]     Handheld flashlights are impractical for people who require use of both hands to operate a walker or rollator. People using a walker or rollator need illumination of the path ahead to see where they are going. People using a walker or rollator also need illumination of the area beneath the walker or rollator to see where they are placing their feet. A need exists for a lightweight, portable light source that can be affixed to a walker or rollator. The portable light source should be easy to turn on and off, should use power efficiently, should illuminate a path ahead of the walker or rollator and should illuminate the area beneath the walker or rollator.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     The universal walker headlight is a lightweight, portable light source adapted for easy attachment to the frame of any walker or rollator. The universal walker headlight uses low power, high brightness light emitting diodes (LEDs) to extend battery life. The universal walker headlight simultaneously illuminates both the area in front of the walker or rollator, and the feet area below the walker or rollator. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. Aspects of the invention themselves, as well as preferred modes of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will be understood best by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the universal walker headlight;  
         [0009]      FIG. 1B  is a view of the bottom of universal walker headlight;  
         [0010]      FIG. 1C  shows the universal walker headlight attached to a walker;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the universal walker headlight;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a view of the top of the universal walker headlight;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the universal walker headlight;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a view of the back of the universal walker headlight;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is an alternate configuration of the universal walker headlight;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a functional diagram of the universal walker headlight; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  shows features of the universal walker headlight. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]     Universal walker headlight  100  is shown in  FIG. 1A . First light source  130  and second light source  135  are oriented at a ninety degree angle from each other, as described in  FIG. 8 . In a preferred embodiment, first light source  130  and second light source  135  each comprise a row of individually mounted light emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs are a preferred light source because they have a long life and consume lower amounts of power compared to other light sources with the same brightness. In another embodiment, first light source  130  and second light source  135  each comprises at least two individually mounted LEDs, such as three LEDs or four LEDs. Alternatively, the first light source  130  and the second light source  135  can each comprise of other light sources known in the art, such as incandescent, fluorescent, halogen light bulbs, or combinations thereof. Panel  140  can be removed to access an internal battery compartment. The fixed ends of first strap  111  and second strap  112  are attached near the midpoint on the body of universal walker headlight  100 . The loose ends of first strap  111  and second strap  112  can be affixed to tab  121  and tab  122  respectively, for securing universal walker headlight  100  to a walker. The loose ends of first strap  111  and second strap  112  can be made of hook and loop fasteners or can use buckles or other known fastening means for securing universal walker headlight  100  to a walker. When used to mount the universal walker headlight  100  to a walker or a rollator, part of the fastening device goes around a section of the walker or the rollator and the other part or parts of the fastening device is secured to the universal walker headlight,  FIG. 1B  shows universal walker headlight  100  positioned on tube  10 . Tube  10  is a structural member of a walker or rollator.  FIG. 1C  shows universal walker headlight  100  coupled to tube  10 , a horizontal member on walker  11 .  
         [0019]     Additional perspective views of universal walker headlight  100  positioned on tube  10  are shown in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 2  shows the bottom of universal walker headlight  100 .  FIG. 3  shows a top view of the universal walker headlight.  FIG. 4  shows a side view of the universal walker headlight.  FIG. 5  shows a view of the back of the universal walker headlight.  FIG. 6  shows universal walker headlight  200 , an alternate configuration of the invention. Universal walker headlight  200  is a compact embodiment utilizing a single strap  211  and a single tab  221  for coupling universal walker headlight  200  to tube  10 . Single light source  230  is on the opposite side of universal walker headlight  200  from strap  211  and tab  221 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  shows a functional diagram of universal walker headlight  100 . Power source  740  is shown as a standard dry cell battery. A first electrode of power source  740  connects to switch  770  via electrical connection  761 . A second electrode of power source  740  connects to first light source  130  via electrical connection  764 . First light source  130  is connect in series to second light source  135  via electrical connection  763 . Switch  770  connects to second light source  135  via electrical connector  762 . When switch  770  is closed, first light source  130  and second light source  135  are supplied with power from power source  740 , turning universal walker headlight  100  on. When switch  770  is opened, no power reaches first light source  130  and second light source  135 , turning universal walker headlight  100  off. In another embodiment of universal walker headlight  100 , switch  770  is coupled with an electric eye, automatically closing whenever the ambient light is low to turn universal walker headlight  100  on. Although universal walker headlight  100  is shown here with first light source  130  and second light source  135  wired in series, a parallel circuit could be used. In an alternate embodiment of universal walker headlight  100 , switch  770  allows a user to turn on first light source  130  and second light source  135  independently from each other, depending on the desired illumination pattern.  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  shows features of universal walker headlight  100  from the side. Universal walker headlight  100  couples to horizontal tube  10  by first strap  111 . The loose end of first strap  111  loops through first tab  121  located on the back side of universal walker headlight, then attaches to itself with hook and loop fasteners. Alternate embodiments of first strap  111  can attached to the main body of universal walker headlight  100  with hook and loop fasteners, or other known fastening devices such as buckles, clips, or snaps. In other embodiments, universal walker headlight  100  couples to horizontal tube  10  with two-sided adhesive tape, clamps, clips or screws. Grooves, teeth or rubberized pads may be added to the curved portion on the bottom side of universal walker headlight  100  to prevent rotation around tube  10 . First light source  130  shines from the bottom of universal walker headlight  100  to illuminate that area around the base of a walker or rollator to assist users when placing feet. Second light source  135  shines from the front of universal walker headlight  100  to illuminate a path ahead of a walker or rollator. Concave mirrored surfaces above first light source  130  and behind second light source  135  can help focus and direct light in the desired directions. In an alternate embodiment, a single light source with a concave mirrored surface can direct light both below and in front of a walker or rollator. Switch  170  is located on the top of universal walker headlight  100  for easy access, but can also be placed on the back or sides. Panel  140  on the top of universal walker headlight  100  is removable to facilitate replacing an internal power source, such as a dry cell battery.  
         [0022]     A preferred form of the invention has been shown in the drawings and described above, but variations in the preferred form will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The preceding description is for illustration purposes only, and the invention should not be construed as limited to the specific form shown and described. The scope of the invention should be limited only by the language of the following claims.