Sewing machine light fixture

A light assembly for a sewing machine includes a housing of a generally half shell configuration having an open side adapted to mount in a vertical position on a vertical planar face at the head of a sewing machine and includes an opening at the lower end of the housing with a light disposed inside the housing and adapted to project light on the foot and needle of the sewing machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to light fixtures and pertains particularly 
to a special light fixture for sewing machines. 
It is important to have adequate lighting when utilizing a sewing machine. 
While many light fixtures are available which may provide adequate light 
under most circumstance, most of such fixtures are inconvenient for a 
variety of reasons. Preferably the light is positioned to shine directly 
on the place of sewing, namely the needle and foot of the sewing machine 
during sewing operation without shining into the eyes and and blinding the 
sewing machine operator. Moreover, it is desirable that the light be 
located and positioned so as not to interfere with manipulation of the 
machine or the material being sewn. 
Ceiling and overhead lights are generally inadequate because of their 
distance from the needle and foot of the sewing machine and because it is 
necessary to carefully position the sewing machine which may not be 
possible in order to obtain the appropriate light. 
Lights placed or mounted on the sewing machine have proven unsatisfactory 
because they tend to either interfere with the manipulation of the machine 
itself or with the material being sewn. Adjustable floor or stand lights 
and table lights or lamps are for the most part unsatisfactory for this 
reason. 
It is therefore desirable that a simple, inexpensive and effective light be 
available that is convenient and easy to use with sewing machines. 
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved 
sewing machine light. 
In accordance with the primary aspect of the present invention a sewing 
machine light assembly includes a housing adapted to be fitted to the head 
of a sewing machine and direct light directly onto the needle and foot of 
the machine during sewing operation. 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will 
become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction 
with the drawings wherein:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Turning to FIG. 1 of the drawings there is illustrated a sewing machine 
designated generally by the numeral 10 and having a light fixture or 
assembly 12 in accordance with the invention mounted on the head thereof. 
The sewing machine illustrated is illustrative of the typical heavy duty 
sewing machine of the industrial type that is available and widely used in 
this country today. The machines are typically driven by an electrical 
motor not shown and are generally of substantially similar, somewhat 
conventional construction. The machines are typically mounted on a stand 
or table at a level where the worker can sit in a chair or on a stool and 
manipulate the machine and material from that position. The worker 
normally sits in a position in front of the machine such that the head of 
the machine where the needle is located is to the operator's left. The 
material being sewn is typically fed from the operator's side of the table 
or stand into the needle and exits from the machine away from the 
operator. It is important that the operator be able to see the needle and 
the location and positioning of the stitching with respect to seams, other 
stitching and the like. 
The machine typically includes a flat, planar surface or platform 14 which 
is normally mounted to be flush with the surface of the table or platform 
on which the machine is mounted. The machine includes a pedestal portion 
16 extending upward from the base 14 and a neck 18 extending outward from 
the pedestal and including a head 20 mounted on the outer end thereof. The 
needle, the pressure foot and the like are mounted in the head of the 
machine. The needle is typically mounted in the lower end of a 
reciprocating plunger or rod member 22 and extends through the material 
being sewn to a position below the surface of the platform 14 where the 
bobbin or other mechanism assists in making the stitching. 
The typical machine includes a needle operating mechanism and the foot 
pressure adjusting mechanism within the head of the machine. A flat, 
planar cover plate 24 covers the opening into a cavity in the head 20 in 
which these mechanisms are positioned. The cover 24 is typically held in 
place on the head of the machine by means of a plurality of screws which 
extend into the head. 
The light assembly of my invention is adapted to fit the head of the 
typical sewing machine of this type which has a flat planar surface on the 
outer end of the head. The light housing is typically shaped as shown in 
FIGS. 1-4 such as to fit either over the cover plate 24 or fit in lieu of 
the cover plate. In most installations I have found it most satisfactory 
to place the light housing or fixture in lieu of the cover 24. However, 
the light assembly is adapted to fit directly over the cover directly to 
the head of the machine as shown in FIG. 4. 
The light assembly comprises a housing 12 which has a generally half shell 
configuration as shown with the walls thereof shaped to define a cavity 26 
which is open at one side to be closed by the cover plate 24 or face of 
the machine. The cavity is open as shown in FIG. 2, and includes an 
opening 28 at the lower end thereof for directing light to the needle and 
foot 30 below the head 20 of the machine. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the 
wall edges of the housing are shaped to conform to the outer configuration 
of the plate 24 and head 20 of the machine. This provides a uniform 
extension of the head of the machine and a full cover which may be 
utilized in lieu of the cover 24. 
The light fixture includes a base or socket member 32 mounted in the upper 
end in a base portion 34 of the housing. A light bulb 36 preferably of the 
flood light type of configuration mounts within the socket in the usual 
manner and projects downward toward the light opening 28 for projecting 
light directly onto the foot and needle of the machine. A power cord 38 of 
the usual construction providing two or more conductors for electrical 
power are connected to the light socket and includes a plug or the like 40 
connecting to a source of electrical power. The light assembly can include 
a switch which may be provided in the housing at the base of the light 
socket or in the cord 38 as preferred. 
The housing as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 defines a cavity which is enlarged at 
substantially the center thereof to accomodate a light of the type 
illustrated. The housing member is adapted to be vertically positioned as 
shown to fit to the head of a sewing machine and present the opening 28 to 
the lower end thereof for directing the light onto the needle and foot of 
the machine. 
Turning to FIG. 5 of the drawings an alternate embodiment is shown wherein 
a light assembly includes a housing 42 substantially identical in 
configuration to that of the previous embodiment including a cavity 44 and 
an opening 46 at the lower end thereof. A light socket 48 includes a light 
bulb 50 mounted therein. The electrical circuit includes a switch 52 
mounted in the housing and adapted to alternately interrupt and complete 
the circuit for turning the light 50 on and off. A light cord 54 connects 
to a source of electrical power. 
The housing is mounted directly to the head 20 of the sewing machine, the 
plate 24 having been removed. This embodiment illustrates the light 
assembly with the light switch included or embodied therein eliminating 
the necessity for plugging and unplugging the light. Moreover, the housing 
14 in this embodiment displaces the cover 24 and serves or functions 
directly a the cover for the machine. 
Thus, while I have illustrated and described my invention by means of a 
specific embodiment, it is to be understood that numerous changes and 
modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and 
scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.