Abstract:
A directional lighting apparatus that is configured to be placed adjacent a sewing machine to provide illumination to one or more sewing work areas peripheral to the central sewing work area below the sewing machine arm and head. The result is an enhanced view of the fabric sewing area and a substantial reduction in shadows.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to an apparatus that is adapted to provide illumination to the sewing work area for a sewing machine, and more particularly, to an apparatus that is adapted to provide additional or supplemental illumination to portions of the sewing work area for a standalone or tabletop sewing machine that are peripheral to the central sewing work area illuminated by traditional illuminated sewing machines and sewing machine illumination devices. 
     There are many examples of illuminated sewing machines and sewing machine illumination devices. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 1,609,147 to White (1926), U.S. Pat. No. 1,846,345 to McCarten (1932), U.S. Pat. No. 1,955,284 to Goosman (1934), U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,310 (1983) to Adams, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,324 (1992) to Dusch, each disclose sewing machines configured with illumination sources (typically light bulbs) directed only toward the sewing work area beneath the needle-housing head of the sewing machine and to some extent beneath the sewing machine arm—i.e., the primary or “central” sewing work area. No illumination is provided for either multiple portions of the sewing work area or for any area outside the central sewing work area, i.e., they do not address the need for light in more than one location or additional light for activities such as seam ripping or hand needlework. 
     In recent years, sewing machine manufacturers have offered many models of sewing machines with directional illumination, including for example: Singer Sewing Machine Company&#39;s Quantum XL-6000, Futura CE-250 and Futura CE-350; Janome Sewing Machine Company&#39;s Memory Craft 11000; Husqvarna Viking Sewing Machine Company&#39;s Designer Topaz, Designer Diamond and Designer SE; Pfaff Sewing Machine Company&#39;s Creative Vision; Brother Sewing Machine Company&#39;s Quattro 6000D and Duetta; Baby Lock Sewing Machine Company&#39;s Ellisimo and Ellegante 2; and Bernina Sewing Machine Company&#39;s 8 Series. Unfortunately, the illumination provided by such traditional models is likewise directed only to the central sewing work area beneath the sewing machine arm and head. As in the patents cited above, no illumination is provided for either multiple portions of the sewing work area or for any area outside the central sewing work area. Hence, again, this lighting does not help if seam ripping, additional hand needlework is required or if the individual wants to craft. 
     Yet, for a number of sewing operations and techniques, including for example seam ripping, large fabric sewing, quilting, embroidering, large craftwork, and hand needlework associated with machine sewing, the central sewing work area is simply not large enough, and additional or support sewing work areas surrounding the central sewing work area are often utilized. Hence, for such operations and techniques, the sewing work area that needs to be viewed and illuminated is not limited to the central sewing work area directly beneath the sewing machine arm and head. Rather, the sewing work area for such operations and techniques includes the area bordering and extending away from the outer boundary of the central sewing work area—i.e., a support or “peripheral” sewing work area. It would therefore be desirable for an apparatus to illuminate at least a portion of the peripheral sewing work area. It would also be desirable for an apparatus to illuminate more than one portion of the entire sewing work area. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The illustrative embodiments of the present invention are shown in the following drawings which form a part of the specification: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a directional lighting apparatus for a sewing machine of the present disclosure according to one representative embodiment. 
         FIG. 2A  is a plan view from the underside of the representative embodiment of the directional lighting apparatus for a sewing machine of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2B  is a plan view from the top of the representative embodiment of the directional lighting apparatus for a sewing machine of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a different perspective view of the representative embodiment of the directional lighting apparatus for a sewing machine of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the representative embodiment of the directional lighting apparatus for a sewing machine of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a longitudinal side view of the representative embodiment of the directional lighting apparatus for a sewing machine of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6A  is yet a different perspective view of the representative embodiment of the directional lighting apparatus for a sewing machine of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6B  is an exploded view of the representative embodiment of the directional lighting apparatus for a sewing machine of  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 7A  is yet a different perspective view of the representative embodiment of the directional lighting apparatus for a sewing machine of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7B  is yet a different perspective view of the representative embodiment of the directional lighting apparatus for a sewing machine of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7C  is yet a different perspective view of the representative embodiment of the directional lighting apparatus for a sewing machine of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7D  is yet a different perspective view of the representative embodiment of the directional lighting apparatus for a sewing machine of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of the representative embodiment of the directional lighting apparatus for a sewing machine of  FIG. 1  positioned aside a representative sewing machine. 
         FIG. 8B  is a different perspective view of the representative embodiment of the directional lighting apparatus for a sewing machine of  FIG. 1  positioned aside a representative sewing machine. 
         FIG. 8C  is yet a different perspective view of the representative embodiment of the directional lighting apparatus for a sewing machine of  FIG. 1  positioned aside a representative sewing machine. 
         FIG. 8D  is yet a different perspective view of the representative embodiment of the directional lighting apparatus for a sewing machine of  FIG. 1  positioned aside a representative sewing machine. 
         FIG. 9  is yet a different perspective view of the representative embodiment of the directional lighting apparatus for a sewing machine of  FIG. 1  positioned aside a representative sewing machine. 
         FIG. 10  is a view of the underside of the top of the representative embodiment of the directional lighting apparatus for a sewing machine of  FIG. 1 , schematically depicting wiring for the apparatus. 
     
    
    
     It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure or the disclosure&#39;s applications or uses. Before turning to the figures and the various exemplary embodiments illustrated therein, a detailed overview of various embodiments and aspects is provided for purposes of breadth of scope, context, clarity, and completeness. 
     As described and disclosed herein are various embodiments of the directional sewing machine lighting apparatus of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-10 , a first embodiment of a directional lighting apparatus  10  for use in combination with a sewing machine  20  is disclosed. As can be seen in  FIGS. 8A-8D  and  9 , the sewing machine  20  comprises a bed  22  with a substantially flat upper surface  24  having an outer perimeter  25  defined by a first side  26 , an opposing second side  28 , an end  29  and the intersection between the upper surface  24  and a neck  30  that rises substantially vertically from the bed  22  adjacent the first side  26  of the upper surface  24 . An elevated and elongated arm  32  extends substantially horizontally from the neck  30  and terminates at a head  34 . The neck  30 , the arm  32  and the head  34  are all positioned at least in part above the upper surface  24 . As is well understood in the art, the sewing machine head  34  has an underside  36  (see  FIG. 9 ) adapted to releasably secure a sewing needle having a tip operatively directed directly downward toward the upper surface  24 . 
     A substantially horizontal central sewing work area  40  ( FIGS. 8B ,  8 C), defined by the contours of the sewing machine  20 , is oriented atop the upper surface  24  and generally bounded by the outer perimeter of the arm  32  and head  34  projected perpendicularly downward onto the upper surface  24 . The central work area  40  thereby has a boundary  42  defining a generally rectangular shape with an elongate first side  44  and an opposing and generally parallel elongate second side  46 . The first and second sides  42 ,  44  both extend perpendicularly away from a third side  48  formed at the intersection between the upper surface  24  and the neck  30 , and terminate at a fourth side  49  opposite the third side  48 . Hence, the central sewing work area  40  is generally positioned directly below the arm  32  and the head  34  and terminates at the neck  30 . As can be seen, for the particular embodiment of the sewing machine  20  depicted in  FIGS. 8A-8C  and  9 , the work area  40  substantially coincides with the contours of the upper surface  24 . While the central work area  40  will not always coincide with the upper surface  24  on all sewing machine configurations, for most tabletop sewing machines, the central work area  40  extends from the inside of the neck  30  at one end to the distal end of the head  34  at the other end, and has a width generally equaling that of the arm  32  and head  34 . 
     As is well understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, material and fabrics being sewn by the sewing machine  20  will regularly extend beyond the boundary  42  of the central sewing work area  40 . Accordingly, adjacent and surrounding the central work area  40  is a generally horizontal support or peripheral work area generally depicted at  50 . This peripheral work area  50  therefore substantially borders the central work area  40  and expands outwardly to varying distances from the central work area boundary  42  depending upon the specific sewing operation being conducted and the object or material being sewn in that operation. Of course as can be readily understood, lacking the vertical support provided by the upper surface  24  of the sewing machine base  22 , fabric or material extending into the peripheral work area  50  may be somewhat less than horizontal as it drops over the edge of the upper surface  24  and drapes away from the central sewing work area  40 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1-7 , the lighting apparatus  10  has a body  110  with a relatively thin, flat, rounded rectangular base  112 , a relatively thin flat top  114  positioned above and horizontally parallel to the base  112 , and a vertical support  116  mounted atop the base  112  and bearing the top  114 . The support  116  has a relatively thin, rectangular vertical spine  117  that spans perpendicularly between a relatively thin inner wing  118  and a relatively thin parallel outer wing  119 . The spine  117  and wings  118 ,  119  span between the top of the base  112  and the underside of the top  114 . Both of the wings  118  and  119  share the same vertical profile, having matching generally rectangular portions  118   a  and  119   a , and matching arms  118   b  and  119   b . The arms  118   b  and  119   b  are approximately one third the height of the rectangular portions  118   a  and  119   a  and extend along and attach to the underside of the top  114 , where they form a three-walled downwardly directed channel  120  (see  FIGS. 2A and 3 ). 
     From a plan perspective, the base  112  has a proximal end  122  and an opposing distal end  124  with parallel sides  126  and  128  extending there between. Similarly, from a plan perspective, the top  114  an elongate portion  130  having a proximal end  132  and an opposing distal end  134  with parallel sides  136  and  138  extending there between. As can be seen, the top  114  is “L” shaped such that a leg  140  extends perpendicularly from its distal end  134 . Although the base  112  is shorter in length than the top  114 , both are of approximately the same width, the distal end  132  is positioned directly above the distal end  122 , and the sides  132 ,  134  are directly above and parallel to the sides  122 ,  124 , respectively. 
     A first light source  160 , by way of example in this embodiment a cylindrically encased directional LED light, is secured to the underside of the top  114  in the channel  120  approximately half-way across and midway along the length of the elongate portion  130 . The light source  160  is pointed downward, and in conjunction with the shading limitations imposed by the sides of the wings  118   b  and  119   b , the light from the light source  160  projects downward below the elongate portion  130 . 
     A second light source  162 , by way of example in this embodiment a cylindrically encased directional LED light, is secured to the underside of the top  114  approximately half-way across and near the far end of the leg  140 . Although not constrained by sidewalls, such as the neck wings  118   b  and  119   b  surrounding the light source  160 , the light source  162  is nonetheless pointed downward and therefore when activated projects light downward below the leg  140 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 8A-8D  and  9 , the lighting apparatus  10  is configured for placement in proximity to the sewing machine  20  with the top  114  at least in part adjacent the sewing machine arm  32 . In particular, the apparatus body  110  is configured to abut and wrap around one side of the neck  30  and arm  32  of the sewing machine  20 , and the two adjoining sides of the head  34 . In this way, the lighting apparatus  10  complements the sewing machine  20 . 
     As can be appreciated, when the lighting apparatus  10  is positioned adjacent a sewing machine, such as the sewing machine  20  as depicted in  FIGS. 8A-8D  and  9 , the light sources  160  and  162  are adapted to project light upon areas adjacent the central work area  40 . In particular, when activated the first light source  160  projects light onto a first portion of the peripheral sewing work area  50 , generally depicted at  52 , that is peripheral and adjacent to the central work area  40  along the elongate second side  46 . Similarly, when activated the second light source  162  projects light onto a second portion of the peripheral sewing work area  50 , generally depicted at  54 , that is peripheral and adjacent to the central work area  40  along the fourth side  49 . The depictions of the first and second portions of the peripheral work area  50  at  52  and  54  are not intended to expressly delineate the precise outline of either the first or second portions. Rather, the exact areas of illumination provided by the light sources  160  and  162  will vary to some extent upon, e.g., the specific light bulb(s) or LED(s) used, their exact position and orientation under the top  114 , and the positioning of the material in the peripheral work area  50 , but will always be primarily directed to the general areas depicted as  52  and  54 . Moreover, the illumination provided by the first and second light sources  160  and  162  may somewhat overlap each other, and may project to some extent into the central work area  40 . Nonetheless, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the primary illumination provided by the both light sources  160  and  162  will be in the peripheral work area  50 . Further, although depicted in  FIG. 10  as operating in a single series circuit, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the lighting apparatus  10  may readily be configured with different wiring and/or switches such that the light sources  160  and  162  may be electively operated individually or simultaneously. 
     While we have described in the detailed description two configurations that may be encompassed within the disclosed embodiments of this invention, numerous other alternative configurations, that would now be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, may be designed and constructed within the bounds of our invention as set forth in the claims. Moreover, the above-described lighting apparatus  10  and the sewing machined  20  with which the apparatus  10  may be associated can both be arranged in a number of other and related varieties of configurations without expanding beyond the scope of our invention as set forth in the claims. 
     For example, the lighting apparatus  10  may be configured to fit a variety of models and configurations of the sewing machine  20 , or the apparatus  10  may alternately be configured specifically to mate with or otherwise complement a specific configuration, model or set of models of sewing machines  20 . Accordingly, the apparatus  10  may be configured without the leg  140  for the top  114 , or may include more than one such leg  140 . Further, the lighting apparatus  10  may be configured to attach to the sewing machine  20  using any number of devices and components well understood in the art. 
     In addition, the light sources  160  and  162  need not be positioned only as shown in  FIGS. 1-10 . Rather, the light sources  160  and  162  can be positioned in variety of orientations on the underside of the top  114 , including for example, linearly along the elongate portion  130  or on different positions on the elongate portion  130  and/or the leg  140 . Further, the light sources  160  and  162  may be configured to be directionally adjustable, or may be configured to direct light to more than one area. The lighting apparatus  10  may have more than the two light sources  160 ,  162 . The light sources, including  160  and  162 , may be, for example, an incandescent bulb, a gas-discharge bulb, or an LED bulb. Also, the light sources  160 ,  162  may all be the same type of light source or a mixture of different types of light sources. 
     Light shades or “blinders” such as wings  118   b  and  119   b  may also be positioned about the light source  162  and any other light sources that may be added to the apparatus  10 . These shades or “blinders”, including wings  118   b  and  119   b , may be of differing sizes and shapes in order to control the direction of the light from the various light sources, including  160  and  162 , so as to provide illumination to the peripheral sewing work area  50 . 
     When describing elements or features and/or embodiments thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements or features. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements or features beyond those specifically described. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes can be made to the exemplary embodiments and implementations described above without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     It is further to be understood that the processes or steps described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative processes or steps may be employed.