Instruments to supplement and take the place of hands

Claim 3

The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a yoke having a central body portion and a pair of laterally and rearwardly extending arms, a loop element extending about the operator''s head, the ends of said loop element being affixed to said yoke arms, a head strap element adjustably affixed to said loop element, said head strap element comprising said first portion of said support means and said yoke comprising said second portion of said support means.

Claim 4

The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a yoke having a central body portion and a pair of laterally and rearwardly extending arms, said arms having extensions passing along the sides of the operator''s head, a head strap element adjustably affixed to said extensions, said head strap element comprising said first portion of said support means and said yoke comprising said second portion of said support means.

Claim 5

The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a loop element having its end portions crossed and located adjacent each other one above the other, a head strap element adjustably mounted on said loop element, said head strap element comprising said first portion of said support means and said crossed end portions comprising said second portion of said support means.

Claim 6

The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said tool actuating means comprises a member adapted to be contacted by the operator''s chin and an actuating rod, the first end of said actuating rod being affixed to said contact member, said actuating rod being slidably mounted in a perforation through said second portion of said support means, said actuating rod-contact member assembly being longitudinally slidable by the operator''s chin between a forwardmost position in a direction away from the operator''s chin and a rearwardmost position in A direction toward the operator''s chin, means for biasing said assembly toward its rearwardmost position, the second end of said actuating rod being operatively connected to said tool, whereby actuation of said assembly by the operator''s chin will result in actuation of said tool.

Claim 7

The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said tool actuating means comprises a member adapted to be contacted by the operator''s chin and an actuating rod, said contact member being hingedly affixed to said second portion of said support means with a portion of said contact member being located beneath the operator''s chin, said contact member being pivotable by the operator''s chin about said hinge between an uppermost position and a lowermost position, said actuating rod being slidably mounted in a perforation through said second portion of said support means, said actuating rod being slidable longitudinally between a forwardmost position in a direction away from the operator and a rearward most position in a direction toward the operator, a first end of said actuating rod being operatively connected to said contact member so that said actuating rod is moved to its rearwardmost position when said contact member is moved to its uppermost position and said actuating rod is moved to its forwardmost position when said contact member is moved to its lowermost position, means to bias said contact member to its uppermost position and hence said actuating rod to its rearwardmost position, the second end of said actuating rod being operatively connected to said tool, whereby actuation of said contact member by the operator''s chin will result in actuation of said tool.

Claim 8

The structure claimed in claim 2 including at least one counterbalance weight removably affixed to said loop element and located behind the operator''s head.

Claim 9

The structure claimed in claim 2 wherein said tool actuating means comprises a member adapted to be contacted by the operator''s chin and an actuating rod, the first end of said actuating rod being affixed to said contact member, said actuating rod being slidably mounted in a perforation through said central body portion of said yoke, said actuating rod-contact member assembly being longitudinally slidable by the operator''s chin between a forwardmost position in a direction away from the operator''s chin and a rearwardmost position in a direction toward the operator''s chin, means for biasing said assembly toward its rearwardmost position, the second end of said actuating rod being operatively connected to said tool whereby actuation of said assembly by the operator''s chin will result in actuation of said tool.

Claim 10

The structure claimed in claim 2 wherein said tool actuating means comprises a member adapted to be contacted by the operator''s chin and an actuating rod, said contact member being hingedly affixed to said central body portion of said yoke with a portion of said contact member being located beneath the operator''s chin, said contact member being pivotable by the operator''s chin and about said hinge between an uppermost position and a lowermost position, said actuating rod being slidably mounted in a perforation through said second portion of said support means, said actuating rod being slidable longitudinally between a forwardmost position in a direction away from the operator and a rearwardmost position in a direction toward the operator, a first end of said actuating rod being operatively connected to said contact member so that said actuating rod is moved to its rearwardmost position when said contact member is moved to its uppermost position and said actuating rod is moved to its forwardmost position when said contact member is moved to its lowermost position, means to bias said contact member to its uppermost position and hence said actuating rod to its rearwardmost position, the second end of said actuating rod being operatively connected to said tool whereby actuation of said contact member by the operator''s chin will result in actuAtion of said tool.

Claim 11

The structure claimed in claim 3 including a downwardly depending adjustable foot affixed to said central body portion of said yoke and positioned to contact the operator''s chest.

Claim 12

The structure claimed in claim 3 wherein said tool actuating means comprises a member adapted to be contacted by the operator''s chin and an actuating rod, the first end of said actuating rod being affixed to said contact member, said actuating rod being slidably mounted in a perforation through said central body portion of said yoke, said actuating rod-contact member assembly being longitudinally slidable by the operator''s chin between a forwardmost position in a direction away from the operator''s chin and a rearwardmost position in a direction toward the operator''s chin, means for biasing said assembly toward its rearwardmost position, the second end of said actuating rod being operatively connected to said tool whereby actuation of said assembly by the operator''s chin will result in actuation of said tool.

Claim 13

The structure claimed in claim 3 wherein said tool actuating means comprises a member adapted to be contacted by the operator''s chin and an actuating rod, said contact member being hingedly affixed to said central body portion of said yoke with a portion of said contact member being located beneath the operator''s chin, said contact member being pivotable by the operator''s chin and about said hinge between an uppermost position and a lowermost position, said actuating rod being slidably mounted in a perforation through said second portion of said support means, said actuating rod being slidable longitudinally between a forwardmost position in a direction away from the operator and a rearwardmost position in a direction toward the operator, a first end of said actuating rod being operatively connected to said contact member so that said actuating rod is moved to its rearwardmost position when said contact member is moved to its uppermost position and said actuating rod is moved to its forwardmost position when said contact member is moved to its lowermost position, means to bias said contact member to its uppermost position and hence said actuating rod to its rearwardmost position, the second end of said actuating rod being operatively connected to said tool whereby actuation of said contact member by the operator''s chin will result in actuation of said tool.

Claim 14

The structure claimed in claim 4 wherein said tool holding means comprise extensions on said crossed ends of said loop element, said extensions being directed forwardly of said operator, means on the free ends of said extensions for attaching said tool thereto, said actuating means comprising a member located between said crossed loop element ends and the operator''s chin and adapted to be contacted by the operator''s chin, at least one link being pivotally connected at its one end to said contact member and at its other end to one of said crossed loop element ends, at least one link being pivotally connected at its one end to said contact member and at its other end to the other of said crossed loop element ends, said contact member being movable by the operator''s chin between a forwardmost position in a direction away from the operator''s chin and a rearwardmost position in a direction toward the operator''s chin, said crossed loop element ends being capable of scissors-like movement so that when said contact member is moved from its rearwardmost position to its forwardmost position said free ends of said extensions will move toward each other and when said contact member moves from its forwardmost position to its rearwardmost position said free ends of said extensions will move away from each other and means to bias said contact member to its rearwardmost position and hence said free ends of said extensions to their spaced position.

Claim 15

The structure claimed in claim 5 wherein said actuating rod-contact member assembly is rotatable by the operator''s chin about The long axis of said actuating rod whereby said tool may be rotated.

Claim 16

The structure claimed in claim 5 wherein said tool holding means comprises an elongated rigid tube, one end of said tube being affixed to said second portion of said support means, a tool supporting means affixed to the other end of said tube, said actuating rod extending through said tubular tool holder, said tool supporting means comprising a cylindrical member coaxial with said tubular tool holder, said tool having a portion slidably mounted within said cylindrical member, said actuating rod being connected to said tool portion within said cylindrical member, said tool being actuable by reciprocation within said cylindrical member as said actuating rod moves between its forwardmost and rearwardmost positions.

Claim 17

The structure claimed in claim 5 wherein said tool holding means comprises an elongated rigid tube, one end of said tube being affixed to said second portion of said support means, a tool supporting means pivotally attached to the other end of said tube, said actuating rod extending through said tubular tool holder with its forwardmost end pivotally attached to said tool supporting means, whereby a tool in said tool supporting means will be swung toward and away from the operator as said actuating rod is moved between its forwardmost and rearwardmost positions.

Claim 18

The structure claimed in claim 5 wherein said tool holding means comprises a first rigid elongated member affixed to and extending forwardly of said second portion of said support means, a second elongated member being pivotally attached intermediate its ends to the forwardmost end of said first elongated member, said second elongated member having a tool at one end and a counterweight at the other end, said second elongated member being swingable between a first position wherein said tool is in a position remote from the operator and a second position wherein said tool is in a position adjacent the operator''s mouth, lever means pivotally affixed to said first and second elongated means, said actuating rod being operatively connected to said lever means whereby when said actuating rod is moved to its forwardmost position said second elongated member will be moved by said lever means to its first position and when said actuating rod is moved to its rearwardmost position said second elongated means will be moved by said lever means to its second position.

Claim 19

The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein said contact member and said actuating rod are connected by a link, said link having an over center position when said actuating rod is in its forwardmost position whereby said actuating rod may be releasably locked in its forwardmost position.

Claim 20

The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein said tool holding means comprises an elongated rigid tube, one end of said tube being affixed to said second portion of said support means, a tool supporting means affixed to the other end of said tube, said actuating rod extending through said tubular tool holder, said tool supporting means comprising a cylindrical member coaxial with said tubular tool holder, said tool having a portion slidably mounted within said cylindrical member, said actuating rod being connected to said tool portion within said cylindrical member, said tool being actuable by reciprocation within said cylindrical member as said actuating rod moves between its forwardmost and rearwardmost position.

Claim 21

The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein said tool holding means comprises an elongated rigid tube, one end of said tube being affixed to said second portion of said support means, a tool supporting means pivotally attached to the other end of said tube, said actuating rod extending through said tubular tool holder with its forwardmost end pivotally attached to said tool supporting means, whereby a tool in said tool supporting means will be swung toward and away from the operator as said actuating rod is moved between its forwardmost and rearwardmost positions.

Claim 22

The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein said tool holding means comprises a first rigid elongated member affixed to and extending forwardly of said second portion of said support means, a second elongated member being pivotally attached intermediate its ends to the forwardmost end of said first elongated member, said second elongated member having a tool at one end and a counterweight at the other end, said second elongated member being swingable between a first position wherein said tool is in a position remote from the operator and a second position wherein said tool is in a position adjacent the operator''s mouth, lever means pivotally affixed to said first and second elongated means, said actuating rod being operatively connected to said lever means whereby when said actuating rod is moved to its forwardmost position said second elongated member will be moved by said lever means to its first position and when said actuating rod is moved to its rearwardmost position said second elongated means will be moved by said lever means to its second position.

Claim 23

The structure claimed in claim 8 wherein said tool holding means comprises an elongated rigid tube, one end of said tube being affixed to said central body portion of said yoke, a tool supporting means affixed to the other end of said tube, said actuating rod extending through said tubular tool holder, said tool supporting means comprising a cylindrical member coaxial with said tubular tool holder, said tool having a portion slidably mounted within said cylindrical member, said actuating rod being connected to said tool portion within said cylindrical member, said tool being actuable by reciprocation within said cylindrical member as said actuating rod moves between its forwardmost and rearwardmost positions.

Claim 24

The structure claimed in claim 8 wherein said tool holding means comprises an elongated rigid tube, one end of said tube being affixed to said central body portion of said yoke, a tool supporting means pivotally attached to the other end of said tube, said actuating rod extending through said tubular tool holder with its forwardmost end pivotally attached to said tool supporting means, whereby a tool in said tool holding means will be swung toward and away from the operator as said actuating rod is moved between its forwardmost and rearwardmost positions.

Claim 25

The structure claimed in claim 8 wherein said tool holding means comprises a first rigid elongated member affixed to and extending forwardly of said yoke, a second elongated member being pivotally attached intermediate its ends to the forwardmost end of said first elongated member, said second elongated member having an eating utensil at one end and a counterweight at the other end, said second elongated member being swingable between a first position wherein said eating utensil is in a food pick-up position remote from the operator and a second position wherein said eating utensil is in a position adjacent the operator''s mouth, lever means pivotally affixed to said first and second elongated means, said actuating rod being operatively connected to said lever means whereby when said actuating rod is moved to its forwardmost position said second elongated member will be moved by said lever means to its first position and when said actuating rod is moved to its rearwardmost position said second elongated means will be moved by said lever means to its second position.

Claim 26

The structure claimed in claim 9 wherein said tool holding means comprises an elongated rigid tube, one end of said tube being affixed to said central body portion of said yoke, a tool supporting means affixed to the other end of said tube, said actuating rod extending through said tubular tool holder, said tool supporting means comprising a cylindrical member coaxial with said tubular tool holder, said tool having a portion slidably mounted within said cylindrical member, said actuating rod being connected to said tool portion within said cylindrical member, said tool being actuable By reciprocation within said cylindrical member as said actuating rod moves between its forwardmost and rearwardmost positions.

Claim 27

The structure claimed in claim 9 wherein said tool holding means comprises an elongated rigid tube, one end of said tube being affixed to said central body portion of said yoke, a tool supporting means pivotally attached to the other end of said tube, said actuating rod extending through said tubular tool holder with its forwardmost end pivotally attached to said tool supporting means, whereby a tool in said tool holding means will be swung toward and away from the operator as said actuating rod is moved between its forwardmost and rearwardmost positions.

Claim 28

The structure claimed in claim 9 wherein said tool holding means comprises a first rigid elongated member affixed to and extending forwardly of said yoke, a second elongated member being pivotally attached intermediate its ends to the forwardmost end of said first elongated member, said second elongated member having an eating utensil at one end and a counterweight at the other end, said second elongated member being swingable between a first position wherein said eating utensil is in a food pick-up position remote from the operator and a second position wherein said eating utensil is in a position adjacent the operator''s mouth, lever means pivotally affixed to said first and second elongated means, said actuating rod being operatively connected to said lever means whereby when said actuating rod is moved to its forwardmost position said second elongated member will be moved by said lever means to its first position and when said actuating rod is moved to its rearwardmost position said second elongated means will be moved by said lever means to its second position.

Claim 29

The structure claimed in claim 11 wherein said tool holding means comprises an elongated rigid tube, one end of said tube being affixed to said central body portion of said yoke, a tool supporting means affixed to the other end of said tube, said actuating rod extending through said tubular tool holder, said tool supporting means comprising a cylindrical member coaxial with said tubular tool holder, said tool having a portion slidably mounted within said cylindrical member, said actuating rod being connected to said tool portion within said cylindrical member, said tool being actuable by reciprocation within said cylindrical member as said actuating rod moves between its forwardmost and rearwardmost positions.

Claim 30

The structure claimed in claim 11 wherein said tool holding means comprises an elongated rigid tube, one end of said tube being affixed to said central body portion of said yoke, a tool supporting means pivotally attached to the other end of said tube, said actuating rod extending through said tubular tool holder with its forwardmost end pivotally attached to said tool supporting means, whereby a tool in said tool holding means will be swung toward and away from the operator as said actuating rod is moved between its forwardmost and rearwardmost positions.

Claim 31

The structure claimed in claim 11 wherein said tool holding means comprises a first rigid elongated member affixed to and extending forwardly of said yoke, a second elongated member being pivotally attached intermediate its ends to the forwardmost end of said first elongated member, said second elongated member having an eating utensil at one end and a counterweight at the other end, said second elongated member being swingable between a first position wherein said eating utensil is in a food pick-up position remote from the operator and a second position wherein said eating utensil is in a position adjacent the operator''s mouth, lever means pivotally affixed to said first and second elongated means, said actuating rod being operatively connected to said lever means whereby when said actuating rod is moved to its forwardmost position said second elongated member will be moved by said lever means to its first position and when said actuating rod is Moved to its rearwardmost position said second elongated means will be moved by said lever means to its second position.

Claim 32

The structure claimed in claim 12 wherein said tool holding means comprises an elongated rigid tube, one end of said tube being affixed to said central body portion of said yoke, a tool supporting means affixed to the other end of said tube, said actuating rod extending through said tubular tool holder, said tool supporting means comprising a cylindrical member coaxial with said tubular tool holder, said tool having a portion slidably mounted within said cylindrical member, said actuating rod being connected to said tool portion within said cylindrical member, said tool being actuable by reciprocation within said cylindrical member as said actuating rod moves between its forwardmost and rearwardmost positions.

Claim 33

The structure claimed in claim 12 wherein said tool holding means comprises an elongated rigid tube, one end of said tube being affixed to said central body portion of said yoke, a tool supporting means pivotally attached to the other end of said tube, said actuating rod extending through said tubular tool holder with its forwardmost end pivotally attached to said tool supporting means, whereby a tool in said tool holding means will be swung toward and away from the operator as said actuating rod is moved between its forwardmost and rearwardmost positions.

Claim 34

The structure claimed in claim 12 wherein said tool holding means comprises a first rigid elongated member affixed to and extending forwardly of said yoke, a second elongated member being pivotally attached intermediate its ends to the forwardmost end of said first elongated member, said second elongated member having an eating utensil at one end and a counterweight at the other end, said second elongated member being swingable between a first position wherein said eating utensil is in a food pick-up position remote from the operator and a second position wherein said eating utensil is in a position adjacent the operator''s mouth, lever means pivotally affixed to said first and second elongated means, said actuating rod being operatively connected to said lever means whereby when said actuating rod is moved to its forwardmost position said second elongated member will be moved by said lever means to its first position and when said actuating rod is moved to its rearwardmost position said second elongated means will be moved by said lever means to its second position.

Claim 35

The structure claimed in claim 13 wherein said looped element is made of resilient material, said looped element comprising said means to bias said contact member to its rearwardmost position and said free ends of said extension to their spaced position.

Claim 36

The structure claimed in claim 13 including a counterbalance weight affixed to said loop element and located behind the operator''a head.

Claim 37

The structure claimed in claim 13 wherein said tool is a grasping tool, said tool comprising a pair of elongated rod-like elements, one end of each of said rod-like elements being affixed to said free ends of said extension, the other end of each of said rod-like elements terminating in a grasping surface.

Claim 38

The structure claimed in claim 13 wherein said tool comprises a hemostat having a pair of handle portions and a pair of jaws, each of said handle portions having a link pivotally affixed thereto, each of said links being affixed to said free end of one of said tool holding extensions by its respective attaching means whereby when said contact member is moved to said forwardmost position said tool holding extensions will move toward each other and said hemostat jaws will close and when said contact member is moved to said rearwardmost position said tool holding extensions will move away from each other and said hemostat jaws will open.

Claim 39

The structure claimed in claim 37 including an additional tool mounted in a tool holding means, said tool holding means having a tubular extension, one of said hemostat jaws being inserted within said tubular extension, the other of said hemostat jaws contacting the exterior of said tubular extension when said jaws are in said closed position.

Claim 40

The structure claimed in claim 38 wherein said additional tool is a writing instrument.

Claim 41

The structure claimed in claim 38 wherein said additional tool is a cutting blade.

Claim 42

The structure claimed in claim 17 wherein said tool comprises a holder for a smoking device.

Claim 43

The structure claimed in claim 21 wherein said tool comprises a holder for a smoking device.