Auxillary control apparatus for sewing machines

Claim 1

A portable auxillary control apparatus for selectively adapting a conventional cabinet-type, electric-motor-powered sewing machine for use by handicapped persons wherein said sewing machine includes a standard knee or foot-operated or other type of standard control; said control apparatus comprising: (a) a housing having means for being removably mounted on a selected surface area of said cabinet; (b) a variable means mounted in said housing for controlling the start-up, speed, and stopping of said electric motor; (c) a control arm hingedly mounted on the exterior of said housing and to which pressure is applied for activating said variable means; (d) plunger means passing through said housing and operatively connecting said control arm and said variable means for transmitting pressure from said control arm to said variable means: (e) electrical outlet means for receiving the electrical plug from said knee or foot operated control, thereby selectively connecting said auxillary control to said sewing machine motor such as to bypass said standard knee or foot operated control; whereby application of pressure to said control arm is transmitted to said variable motor-control means and thus to said machine motor.