Solar powered indicating device for sewing machines

• US 4,763,589 A
• Filed: 10/13/1987
• Issued: 08/16/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Singer PLC (Hayleys Plc)
• Original Assignee: SSMC, Inc.
• Inventors: Laidig, Manfred R., Garron, Stephen A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NERBUN, PETER P
• Application Number:
  US07/107,190
• Time in Patent Office: 308 Days
• Field of Search: 112/278, 112/273, 112/121.11, 323/906
• US Class Current: 112/278
• CPC Class Codes: D05B 59/02 Devices for determining or indicating the length of thread still on the bobbin
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/291 Applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 323/906 Solar cell systems

Abstract

A solar cell powered detecting and indicating system applicable to mechanically controlled sewing machines without D.C. power supplies connected to regular A.C. house mains, and detecting and indicating circuits minimizing power consumption for compatability with solar generated power supply.

Claims

1. In a sewing machine having stitch forming instrumentalities, a lighting device on said sewing machine, and means on said sewing machine for detecting and indicating a condition incident to the operation of said stitch forming instrumentalities, said detecting and indicating means including electronic elements requiring low voltage D. C. power supply, and a solar cell positioned on said sewing machine for response to illumination from said lighting device for generating the power supply required by said electronic elements of said detecting and indicating means, in which switch means are provided between said solar cell generated power supply and said detecting and indicating means, and in which means driven by said sewing machine are provided for alternately opening and closing said switch means to provide for intermittent operation of said detecting and indicating means.