Abstract: A pressure switch strip assembly for use with a motorized chair having user-supporting elements that support a user and are movable by a motor connected by a circuit to a controller. The pressure switch strip assembly includes a pair of elongate contact strips that extend over a spring in one of the user-supporting elements. The contact strips are separated by spacers in a “normally open” position that prohibits operation of the motor by the controller. Between the contact strips and the spring is a contact wire that acts as a pressure point to deflect the contact strips together. Deflection of the contact strips closes the circuit between the controller and motor, allowing control of the chair by the user resting thereon. A pair of the pressure switch strips may be spaced apart across the user-supporting element so as to detect the user in several positions on the user-supporting element.

Abstract: A pressure switch strip assembly for use with a motorized chair having user-supporting elements that support a user and are movable by a motor connected by a circuit to a controller. The pressure switch strip assembly includes a pair of elongate contact strips that extend over a spring in one of the user-supporting elements. The contact strips are separated by spacers in a “normally open” position that prohibits operation of the motor by the controller. Between the contact strips and the spring is a contact wire that acts as a pressure point to deflect the contact strips together. Deflection of the contact strips closes the circuit between the controller and motor, allowing control of the chair by the user resting thereon. A pair of the pressure switch strips may be spaced apart across the user-supporting element so as to detect the user in several positions on the user-supporting element.

Abstract: A seat back reclining mechanism for use in recliner and non-reclining chairs for selective movement of the seat back portion relative to and independently of the seat portion between a sitting position of the seat back portion and a reclined position of the seat back portion.

Abstract: An extendable and retractable step structure mounted to a recreational or like vehicle to facilitate passenger ingress and egress. The step structure basically includes a frame mountable to the vehicle beneath a doorway or other passenger ingress-egress location, at least one step tread and a movable linkage arrangement supporting the step tread from the frame for controlled movement between a retracted position wherein the step tread and the linkage arrangement are withdrawn into frame and an extended position wherein the step tread and the linkage arrangement are extended outwardly from the frame. Four embodiments are disclosed, two being equipped with a single step tread, a third having two step treads, and a fourth having three step treads, for selective use in differing vehicles having differing above-road elevations.

Abstract: A device for connecting springs together to define a support surface includes four arms each which extend in an outward radial direction from a center of the connecting device, the length of each arm defined by two sides extending in spaced relation to one another. Each arm includes a stiffening portion extending in a widthwise direction between the sides of the arm and extending from an end thereof towards the center of the connecting device only partially along the length of the arm. The straight sides of each arm have identical height dimensions and the stiffening portion has a lesser height than the height of the sides. The sides and the stiffening porting of each arm together define a planar surface of the arm and a finger portion extends from the end of the arm to define with the planar surface a U-shaped recess for gripping a top coil of a coil spring.

Abstract: A folding bed frame structure comprises spaced apart folding side frame assemblies connected with transversely extending cross members by a combination of mating frictionally interfitting "swaged" and tongue-and-slot connections which do not require or utilize fasteners, thereby permitting the structure to be shipped and stored in disassembled condition. Side frame elements of the bed frame structure have an angled base portion with an arcuate portion extending therefrom to simulate the appearance of tubular elements.

Abstract: A nestable box spring foundation includes support modules each formed of a single length of wire defining a top base, a bottom base, and four straight legs. The top base is welded to a wire grid assembly and includes two upper wire segments each having a straight wire portion and respective first and second curved end portions, each upper wire segment lying in a first plane with the straight wire portions lying in angularly converging mirror image relation to each other, each upper wire segment being spaced from one another with first end portions thereof lying closer together than second end portions thereof. The bottom base includes two straight lower wire segments lying in parallel relation to and in a second plane with one another and a straight cross wire segment fixedly intersecting orthogonally the lower wire segments proximate first ends thereof, with the first plane being parallel with the second plane.

Abstract: A wire spring module and wire grid for use in a furniture spring assembly for mounting an array of multiple spring modules to the wire grid and the resulting furniture spring assembly. The wire grid includes a plurality of straight, coplanar wires arranged in a first sub-plurality of parallel spring placement wires and a second sub-plurality of parallel spring seating wires extending in generally perpendicular relation to the spring placement wires, the spring seating wires being arranged in a plurality of seating wire pairs with the spring seating wires of each seating wire pair disposed at a first predetermined spacing from one another and with each seating wire pair disposed at a second greater predetermined spacing from each seating wire pair adjacent thereto. The unitarily-formed wire spring module comprises a generally coplanar top and a pair of legs extending from opposite ends of the top and in spaced relation to one another.

Abstract: A folding sofa bed frame structure has a TV control link and an associated toothed ratchet element connected thereto, by which the rear end section of the structure can be selectively positioned in two differing "TV" positions. A cam portion on the ratchet element automatically effects disengagement from either TV position upon pivoting of the rear end section into a substantially perpendicular relation to the main intermediate section of the structure. The ratchet arrangement is effective to automatically engage into and disengage from either TV position without manual manipulation, other than manual lifting of the rear end section, and is automatically effective to disengage when the bed frame structure is folded into the sofa frame.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam is produced using acetone as an auxiliary blowing agent. A polyol, an isocyanate, water, acetone and a catalyst for catalyzing the formation of polyurethane are mixed to produce an unfoamed liquid mixture, which is then retained in bulk form, preferably in an open-topped reaction vessel, for a dwell time during which an exothermic reaction occurs and the liquid foams. Finally, the foaming liquid is spread on to a surface on which it is allowed to expand and form a solid polyurethane foam material. Significant reductions in the amount of auxiliary blowing agent can be achieved, as compared with conventional formulations using methylene or CFC's as auxiliary blowing agents.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively disabling rocking the swiveling movement of a rocker-swivel assembly includes a pivoting member coupled to the top plate of the rocker unit and movable into engagement with the swivel base plate to prevent rocking and swiveling movement. A linkage assembly connecting a rod rotatable by the chair user and the pivoting member provides for actuating of the pivoting member into and out of such engagement. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a threaded stem which selectively engages the top and bottom plates of the rocker unit and the swivel base plate.