Telephone headset with indicator light

Abstract

A telephone headset with an in-use or off-hook indicator light that uses a light source on or attached to the headband, ear hook, earpiece or boom components of the headset to indicate when the wearer of the headset is using the telephone. The telephone headset is configured for use with the headband type headset where the light source is at the end of an extension member attached to the headset, incorporated into the extension member or incorporated into the headset. The telephone headset is configured for use with the over-the-ear type of headset where the light source is at the end of the extension or incorporated into the extension attached to the ear hook or earpiece component. The extension member can be formed from a section of fiber optic cable. The light source can also connect to a microphone or microphone clip configured for hands-free telephone use.

1 . An improved telephone headset for use with a telephone unit, comprising: 
 a headband for supporting said headset on the head of a user;    an earpiece connected to said headband and said telephone unit;    a boom connected to said earpiece, said boom having a microphone thereon; and    indicator means on said headset and electrically connected to said telephone unit for indicating when said telephone unit is in an off-hook condition.    
   
   
       2 . The telephone headset of  claim 1 , wherein said indicator means comprises an elongated extension member extending upwardly from said headset.  
   
   
       3 . The telephone headset of  claim 2 , wherein said indicator means comprises a light source at the upward end of said extension member.  
   
   
       4 . The telephone headset of  claim 2 , wherein said indicator means comprises a light source disposed inside said extension member.  
   
   
       5 . The telephone headset of  claim 2 , wherein said extension member is adjustable in height.  
   
   
       6 . The telephone headset of  claim 2 , wherein said elongated extension member is connected to said headband.  
   
   
       7 . The telephone headset of  claim 2 , wherein said elongated extension member is connected to said earpiece.  
   
   
       8 . The telephone headset of  claim 2 , wherein said elongated extension member is connected to said boom.  
   
   
       9 . The telephone headset of  claim 1 , wherein said indicator means is a fiber optic cable on said headband.  
   
   
       10 . The telephone headset of  claim 1 , wherein said indicator means is one or more strips of light emitting diodes on said headband.  
   
   
       11 . An improved telephone headset for use with a telephone unit, comprising: 
 a headband for supporting said headset on the head of a user;    an earpiece connected to said headband and said telephone unit;    a boom connected to said earpiece, said boom having a microphone thereon; and    an extension member on said headset, said extension member configured to be adjustable in height and extend upwardly from said headset, said extension member having a light source electrically connected to said telephone unit for indicating when said telephone unit is in an off-hook condition.    
   
   
       12 . The telephone headset of  claim 11 , wherein said light source is located at the upward end of said extension member.  
   
   
       13 . The telephone headset of  claim 11 , wherein said light source is disposed inside said extension member.  
   
   
       14 . The telephone headset of  claim 11 , wherein said extension member is telescoping.