Hands-free filter assembly

Abstract

A hands-free filter assembly suitable for use with a loupe light is described. The hands-free filter assembly includes a filter that moves between an in-use position, where it is filtering light from the loupe light, and a non-use position, where it is not filtering light from the loupe light. The filter can be moved between the in-use position and the non-position without manual manipulation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A filter assembly comprising:
 a filter;   a filter attachment capable of being coupled to a loupe light;   a filter swivel coupling the filter to the filter attachment, wherein the filter may be moved between an in-use position and a non-use position without manual manipulation; and   a filter stop coupled to the filter attachment, the filter stop capable of maintaining the filter in the non-use position.   
     
     
         2 . The filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the filter attachment is configured to fit completely around an end of the loupe light. 
     
     
         3 . The filter assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the filter attachment is held in place by a press fit. 
     
     
         4 . The filter assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the filter attachment is held in place by a set screw. 
     
     
         5 . The filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the filter attachment is configured to fit partially around an end of the loupe light. 
     
     
         6 . The filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the filter swivel is a pin. 
     
     
         7 . The filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the filter swivel is a bolt. 
     
     
         8 . The filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the filter swivel is fixed to the filter attachment. 
     
     
         9 . The filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the filter swivel is fixed to the filter. 
     
     
         10 . The filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the filter swivel is fixed to neither the filter attachment nor the filter. 
     
     
         11 . A method of using a filter assembly, the method comprising:
 providing a filter;   providing a filter attachment capable of being attached to a loupe light;   coupling the filter to the filter attachment with a filter swivel, wherein the filter may be moved between an in-use position and a non-use position without manual manipulation; and   providing a filter stop coupled to the filter attachment; the filter stop supporting the filter in the non-use position.   
     
     
         12 . A filter assembly for use with a loupe light, the filter assembly comprising:
 a filter attachment configured to be coupled to a light end of the loupe light without obstructing the light end of the loupe light;   a filter having an in-use position in which the filter substantially covers the light end of the loupe light, and a non-use position in which the filter does not cover the light end of the loupe light, the filter defining a filter hole;   a pin coupled to the filter attachment, the pin being substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the filter attachment, the pin being positioned in the filter hole and allowing the filter to rotate freely about the pin between the in-use position and the non-use position, the pin being configured to prevent the filter from separating from the filter attachment; and   a filter stop coupled to the filter attachment, the filter stop configured to maintain the filter in the non-use position;   wherein a user is able to move the filter between the in-use position and the non-use position without manual manipulation by flicking the user's head.   
     
     
         13 . The filter assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the light end of the loupe light is substantially circular, and wherein the filter attachment is substantially circular and fits around the light end of the loupe light. 
     
     
         14 . The filter assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the filter attachment is substantially circular with a protruding attachment tab at or near a top of the filter attachment, the pin being coupled to the attachment tab, and wherein the filter is substantially circular with a protruding filter tab, the filter tab defining the filter hole. 
     
     
         15 . The filter assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the filter hangs from the pin and is maintained in the in-use position by gravity. 
     
     
         16 . The filter assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the filter rests on the filter stop and is maintained in the non-use position by gravity. 
     
     
         17 . The filter assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the filter rotates more than 270 degrees between the in-use position and the non-use position.