Abstract: A driving apparatus for an oscillating catcher of a sewing machine includes a toothed pinion being eccentrically mounted on a driving shaft for the catcher for the sewing machine. A transmission device, having teeth, is guided in a back-and-forth movement by an oscillating crank drive, with the teeth of the transmission device engaging the tooth pinion on the driving shaft. By arranging the toothed driving gear eccentrically on the driving shaft of the catcher, it is possible to substantially increase the speed of the point of the catcher when it seizes the loop of the upper thread offered by the needle.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus for a sewing machine having a lamp holder, which retains at least one lamp, is arranged on the underside of the head of a sewing machine, and within the range of the needle bar and the presser foot bar. The lamp is constructed to loop around the needle bar and the presser foot bar over an angular range of more than 180°. The type of lamp used is, preferably, a cold-light-cathode florescent lamp, which radiates little, if any, heat, while emitting a pleasant light.