Abstract: An acoustical shield assembly and mating thread preguide unit include a series of acoustically insulated panels that substantially surround a sewing machine so as to be operative in attenuating any generated noise. A portion of the top panel, including a downwardly extending flange, is hinged to move between an opened position allowing access to the sewing machine and a closed position for mating with the preguide unit. The preguide unit is mounted to the sewing machine by a pair of adjustable mounting rods and includes two face plates spaced apart by means of a pair of spacer posts. Each face plate includes eyelets between the spacer posts for the passage of thread to the sewing machine. When the hinged portion of the top panel is closed, an elongated opening is formed between the downwardly extending flange and the top edge of the adjacent rear side panel of the shield assembly.

Abstract: An acoustical shield assembly for an industrial sewing machine includes a plurality of shield components readily movable from operating sound attenuating positions to open positions permitting easy access to a sewing machine. The assembly preferably includes front and face shields pivotally mounted in overlapping relationship. A lower side shield is positionable beneath a sewing plate of a sewing machine and movable to an overlapping relationship with the front shield. A tubular shield is pivotally mounted above and to the rear of the sewing plate. Acoustical material is mounted in top of the tubular shield to dissipate machine generated noise. The assembly may also include a rear shield for partially enclosing the rear and one side of the sewing machine. The rear shield preferably has a top face cooperating in spaced relationship with a top face of the front shield, but defining an opening for passage of thread and the dissipation of heat.