Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a pivoting body attached to a base with a front surface. The pivoting body has a front end and rear end and at least one friction reducing member biased rearwardly against the front surface of the body. The friction reducing member is retractable relative to the pivoting body substantially parallel to the direction of the bias. The front surface has an inclined portion and an apex. When the pivoting body is in a rest position the at least one friction reducing member is maintained at the apex. The pivoting body is pivotable in a first direction to an activation that causes the friction reducing member to roll along the inclined portion with the friction reducing member retracting in the forward direction against the bias. When force is removed from the pivoting body in the activation position, the bias against the contoured front surface returns the pivoting body to the rest position via indirect forces.

Abstract: A wireless foot control system includes a receiver and at least one transmitter. The transmitter includes a medium generator for emitting a communication medium, a power supply and at least one foot pedal. The power supply includes a power source, a capacitor bank having a discharge current capacity sufficient to power the medium generator, and a current limiter. The current limiter connects the power source to the capacitor bank, charging the capacitor bank from the power source over a period of time. The foot pedal selectively energizes the medium generator from the capacitor bank. The receiver includes a medium collector for collecting the emitted medium and an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit includes a converter for converting the collected medium to an input control signal and a microprocessor in communication with the converter, the microprocessor having an operating system for generating an output control signal commensurate with the input control signal.

Abstract: A foot operated control unit for controlling a power circuit of an associated power driven device. The control unit includes at least one control mechanism which may be connected with the power circuit. The control unit also has a unitary base, composed of electrically non-conductive material, defining two mounting stations. Each mounting station includes a mounting bracket, a pair of positioning pins and a mounting slot in the base plate for mounting a control mechanism and an actuating lever. A foot operated unitary cover, or actuating member, composed of electrically non-conductive material is pivotally mounted to the base. The actuating lever cooperates with the actuating member to actuate the control mechanism in response to pivotal movement of the actuating member relative to the base.