Lighting apparatus for operating machines with overhead obstructions and method

Lighting apparatus for use in illuminating obstructed areas of producing machines comprising:

• support apparatus carried in spaced relation to the producing machines having obstructed areas to be illuminated;
• an elongated housing having ballast on an upper side and a single elongated fluorescent lamp aligned within a lower side of the housing fixed to the structural apparatus;
• a lower side of the elongated housing for emitting light upon producing machines:
• a specular reflector within the elongated housing configured for directional distribution of light across the obstructed areas;
• and
• a downwardly inclined component of the specular reflector asymmetrically positioned in respect to the single elongated fluorescent lamp for reflecting light in a cross-directed path.

The method of lighting weaving machines having a weaving area on a cloth side of a heddle assembly opposite a warp side and an air conditioning system including an air duct positioned over the weaving machines supported by columns between weaving machines comprising the steps of:

• positioning structural support apparatus on the duct between the columns and extending downwardly on one side of the air duct;
• supporting an elongated housing having ballast on an upper side and at least one elongated fluorescent lamp aligned within a lower side of the housing on the structural support apparatus;
• sealing a lower side of the elongated housing with a lens for lighting weaving machines below the duct;
• and
• positioning a specular reflector within the elongated housing configured for distributing light from the fixture evenly across the weaving area and warp side of respective weaving machines.

The method of lighting textile machines having obstructed areas comprising the steps of:

• positioning structural support apparatus in spaced relation to the textile machines;
• supporting an elongated housing having ballast on an upper side and at least one elongated fluorescent lamp aligned within a lower side of the housing on the structural support apparatus;
• and
• positioning a specular reflector within the elongated housing having a downwardly inclined leg asymmetrically arranged with respect to said lamp for distributing light from the fixture, in a pattern including a cross-directed path, in respect to the textile machines.

Lighting apparatus for use in illuminating obstructed areas of textile weaving machines comprising:

• structural support apparatus carried above the textile weaving machines;
• an elongated housing having ballast on an upper side and a single elongated fluorescent lamp aligned within a lower side of the housing fixed to the structural support apparatus;
• a lower side of the elongated housing for emitting light upon the textile weaving machines;
• a specular reflector within the elongated housing configured for directional distribution of light across the textile weaving machines;
• and
• a downwardly inclined component of the specular reflector asymmetrically arranged in respect to said lamp for reflecting light in a cross-directed path.