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 in-use indicator for use with a telephone unit, comprising: 
 a microphone attached to a microphone clip, said microphone in operational connection with said telephone unit; and    a light source 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 light source is incorporated into said microphone.  
   
   
       3 . The telephone headset of  claim 1 , wherein said light source is incorporated into said microphone clip.  
   
   
       4 . The telephone headset of  claim 1  further comprising an extension member on said microphone, said extension member configured to extend upwardly from said microphone.  
   
   
       5 . The telephone headset of  claim 4 , wherein said light source located at the upward end of said extension member.  
   
   
       6 . The telephone headset of  claim 1  further comprising an extension member on said microphone clip, said extension member configured to extend upwardly from said microphone clip, said light source located at the upward end of said extension member.  
   
   
       7 . The telephone headset of  claim 6 , wherein said light source located at the upward end of said extension member.