Illumination – Machinery lighting – Sewing
Utility Patent
1999-05-18
2001-01-02
Cariaso, Alan (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Machinery lighting
Sewing
C362S216000, C362S217060, C362S287000, C112S001000
Utility Patent
active
06168284
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, generally, to a lighting apparatus for a sewing machine.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a lighting apparatus for a sewing machine, having a lamp holder for retaining at least one lamp arranged on the underside of the head of the sewing machine, within the range of the needle bar and the presser foot bar. The lamp loops around the needle bar and the pressure foot bar over an angular range of more than 180°.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Room lighting in homes and on commercial premises is generally found to be inadequate for sufficiently illuminating the work field around a sewing machine and, particularly, within the area of the needle. Devices are known to the prior art by which the work field can be illuminated directly. Light bulbs are arranged for this purpose on the head of the sewing machine.
A lighting device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,310, wherein an incandescent lamp is arranged with vertical adjustability within the head laterally of the needle and presser foot bars. Such an incandescent light is quite capable of fully illuminating the work site within the range of lighting of the lamp. However, the drawback in this type of lighting device is that the needle bar and the bar of the presser foot cause shadows to be cast in precisely the stitching area of the needle.
Additionally, a lighting device is known to the prior art from Federal Republic of Germany patent application No. 35 25 698, which comprises two rod-shaped luminous elements, which are arranged on the side of the needle or presser foot bar. It is possible with this tandem arrangement to realize relatively good illumination of the work site. However, mounting two luminous elements and their electrical feeds requires a great deal of space that is not otherwise available on a sewing machine. The luminous elements, therefore, need to be arranged very close to the work area, i.e., are very close to the support of the sewing stock, which constantly poses the risk that the slightest inattentiveness on the part of the seamstress will cause the latter to come into contact with the hot surface of the luminous elements and suffer burns. Furthermore, working within the range of the high level of heat radiated from such lamps can be quite uncomfortable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a lighting device for a sewing machine, which permits a complete lighting of the work site, particularly the stitching area of the needle, without casting shadows and without posing a hazard to the seamstress, or other persons, in the area.
The foregoing and related objects are accomplished by the lighting apparatus for a sewing machine of the claimed invention, in which a lamp holder, which retains at least one lamp, is arranged on the underside of the head of a sewing machine, and within the range of the needle bar and the presser foot bar. The lamp is constructed to loop around the needle bar and the presser foot bar over an angular range of more than 180°. Preferably, the type of lamp used is a cold-light-cathode florescent lamp, which substantially radiates little, if any, heat, while emitting a pleasant light.
More particularly, the use of a tubular, curved lamp, which surrounds the needle bar and the presser foot bar, at least, within an angular range of 180°, permits mounting of such a lamp within a very small space below the head of the sewing machine, while supplying it with energy.
The use of a cold-light-cathode fluorescent lamp (“CFL-lamp”) supplies a bright and pleasant light and causes almost unmeasurable heat radiation. This makes it possible to mount the lamp in very close proximity to the sewing machine housing and, further, to install the lamp so that it is able to curve around the needle and presser foot bar in an arc of close to 360°.
Reflectors can be used and may be made of plastic with a reflecting coating, which can be manufactured and installed at a very favorable cost.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when considered in combination with the accompanying drawing figures which illustrate certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should, however, be noted that the accompanying drawing figures are intended to illustrate only certain embodiments of the claimed invention and are not intended as a means for defining the limits and scope of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1955284 (1934-04-01), Goosman
patent: 2677042 (1954-04-01), Peets et al.
patent: 4747024 (1988-05-01), Guthier
patent: 4841415 (1989-06-01), Dobner
patent: 5089943 (1992-02-01), Wolfelschneider
patent: 5105118 (1992-04-01), Shinada et al.
patent: 5448460 (1995-09-01), Belfer et al.
Anderegg Christian
Spring Andreas
Wacker Niklaus
Cariaso Alan
DelGizzi Ronald E.
Fritz Gegauf Aktiengesellschaft
Schindler Edwin D.
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