Abstract: A needle protector for sewing machines operatively connected to the machine's horizontal shaft for driving its looper in an orbital pathway about the machine's needles. The horizontal shaft is simultaneously driven through oscillating and reciprocating movements. The needle protector is carried on a pivotable support and the reciprocating movement of the horizontal shaft is effective in moving the needle protector toward and away from the needles in timed sequence with the stitch forming cycle.

Abstract: A workpiece trimming device for sewing machines having a fixed blade mounted in one side of the machine's presser foot and a movable blade operatively associated with the underside of the fixed blade reciprocally driven within a passage formed on the opposite side of the presser foot in alignment with the fixed blade. A first biasing force acting on the presser bar continually urges the presser foot in the direction of the needle plate and a second biasing force acting in the opposite direction of the first maintains contact between the fixed and movable blades. The first and second biasing forces acting in opposite directions provides an improved means for controlling the intended functions of the presser foot and cooperating trimming blades.