Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle seat comprising a support wire having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion between the first and second ends, such that the support wire is folded approximately in half at the middle portion. The suspension system further comprises a coating of overmolded plastic applied to the first and second ends such that the first end second ends are held together by the coating; a bend in the middle portion of the support wire to attach the support wire to a frame of the vehicle seat, wherein the bend is coated with overmolded plastic; a crossbar overmolded on the support wire; an integral attachment clip molded onto the crossbar; and a seat cushion module held adjacent the support wire using the integral attachment clip.

Abstract: Combination quilted patterns of which at least one component pattern is continuous are sewn on a multi-layered web of material with the sewing heads on one bridge as the material is advanced longitudinally. The bridge might or might not also move longitudinally. Simultaneously, different patterns, either continuous or discontinuous, are sewn with another independently moveable bridge. The continuous patterns extend substantially the lengths of quilted panels on a web, and may extend without thread cuts or tacks along the web across the lengths of more than one panel. One pattern can be changed while the other pattern continues along the web. New patterns, intermediate quilted products and methods for quilting them are provided.

Abstract: A lift chair includes: a base; a seat; a backrest; at least one ottoman; a lift-reclining mechanism attached to the base and to the seat; a backrest reclining mechanism coupled with the lift-reclining mechanism and attached to the seat, the backrest and the ottoman; a lift power unit attached to the base and to the lift-reclining mechanism; and a backrest reclining power unit attached to the base and to the backrest reclining mechanism. The lift-reclining mechanism is configured to move the chair between an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed and positioned above the base at a first height and at a first pitch angle that is positive relative to horizontal, the backrest is generally upright, and the ottoman is positioned below the seat, and a lifted position, in which the seat is raised to a second height that is higher than the first height and at a second pitch angle that is negative relative to horizontal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a cantilever having a distal end and a proximate end, a frame portion coupled to the distal end, a base portion coupled to the proximate end, and a locking apparatus coupled to the frame portion, the base portion, or the cantilever, wherein the locking apparatus has a locked position and an unlocked position, and wherein the locking apparatus prevents the frame portion from tilting relative to the base portion when the locking apparatus is in the locked position.

Abstract: The ottoman recliner chair includes a pair of opposed side panels, a seat coupled between the side panels, and a back pivotably coupled to the seat. The back is pivotable between a stowed, horizontal position and a generally vertical position. A footrest is coupled to the side panels and seat with a footrest linkage. The footrest is movable between a stowed and extended position wherein the ottoman recliner chair is movable between a stowed ottoman position with the back in the horizontal position and the footrest in stowed position, and a reclined position with the back in the generally vertical extended position and the footrest in extended position.

Abstract: Upset forging is utilized to join formed wire (40) to metal tubing (20). The ends (41) of formed wires (40) are passed completely across the width of the tube and heating electrodes (74) positioned only on the side of the tubing (20) from which the ends protrude and only the protruding ends (41) are heated to a plastic state. Back plates (30) are employed about the ends (41) to facilitate the upset forging process. An improved ISOFIX support is provided wherein a wire (40) is mounted across the width of a tube (20) and a bracket (30) placed over the wire (40) in contact with the tube (20) and these components are held together by upset forging the wire ends (41).

Abstract: A method for making a strain aging resistant steel comprises adding boron to the steel, wherein substantially all of the boron in the steel forms boron nitride. A method for making steel comprises adding a nitride-forming element to the steel to lower the free nitrogen content of the steel to a free nitrogen content specification. A high-carbon steel contains boron nitride, wherein the free nitrogen content of the steel is less than 80 ppm. A strain aging resistant steel wherein the carbon content of the steel is between about 0.54 percent and about 0.75 percent.

Abstract: A seating unit has a base pivotably coupled to a back by a reclining mechanism, which has a pair of arms pivotably coupled to the base side members. The arms are coupled to a rearward transverse member that swings forward and compresses a cylinder actuator as the user reclines the back. The opposed end of the actuator is coupled to a forward transverse member, which is in turn coupled between the base side members. The actuator has a release valve that is operated by pulling a manual lever of a release mechanism. The release mechanism frees the cylinder actuator from a rigid position thereby allowing the user to force the back rearward or allowing the predisposed extension force of the cylinder to return the reclining back to the fully upright position. Discontinuing the release mechanism will cause the actuator to arrest the back in a reclined position.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a chair leg rest assembly or kit. The assembly or kit may include, among other things, a leg rest and a frame for extension and retraction of the leg rest. In addition, the invention may include a roller assembly connected to the leg rest for covering the frame. The invention is also related to a combination of the chair leg rest assembly or kit with a chair. In such a combination, the invention also includes a back which hingedly rotates independently from a seat.

Abstract: An adjustable bed includes a stationary seat deck board and independently movable front and rear carriages powered by linear actuators supported by a stationary base. A head deck board is hingedly secured to the front carriage and moves with it. Leg and foot deck boards hingedly joined together are supported by the rear carriage and move with it. Additional linear actuators move the head deck board and leg deck boards between horizontal and inclined positions independently.

Abstract: This invention is related to an ottoman convertible to a seating unit comprising a back-support assembly, a seat-support assembly, a base frame, and a pair of opposed armrests. Additionally, the ottoman includes a linkage system comprising a plurality of pivotably interconnected linkages, where the linkage system is configured to rotatably couple the seat-support assembly to the back-support assembly, and translatably couple the seat-support assembly and the base frame. In operation, this furniture piece is moveable between a closed position, resembling an ottoman, and an open position, wherein the back-support assembly forms the backrest of a seating unit accessible to a seated occupant. Specifically, the pivotably interconnected linkages operate such that rearward rotational movement of the back-support assembly induces forward translation of the seat-support assembly in relation to the base frame. This movement coincidentally induces the pair of opposed armrests to raise.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a bi-layered carpet underlay. More particularly, the method includes bonding a layer of non-woven fibers and a layer of re-bonded foam particles together to form the bi-layered carpet underlay. The layers of the carpet underlay can be bonded together with the use of adhesives, by heating a surface of one or both layers to a soft bondable state for lamination between the layers, by applying a film having adhesive surfaces between the layers, or by other suitable bonding means. The bi-layered carpet underlay combines the soft cushioning resilience of foam with the high durability bridging ability of fiber to provide a carpet underlay that maintains its height or thickness and firmness, while imparting softness and cushioning effects over an extended period of wear.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for feeding and slitting mattress covers, quilts and other soft goods supported on a table. The apparatus has a first slitting wheel rotatable by a motor. A second slitting wheel is rotatable by the motor and contacts the first slitting wheel to provide a cutting action. The apparatus further includes a conveyor operable by the motor for conveying the soft goods past the slitting wheels, and a compression assembly having an actuator, a swing arm, and wheels for compressing the soft goods and holding the soft goods against the conveyor to preventing slippage or twisting.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for feeding and slitting mattress covers, quilts and other soft goods supported on a table. The apparatus has a first slitting wheel rotatable by a motor. A second slitting wheel is rotatable by the motor and contacts the first slitting wheel to provide a cutting action. The apparatus further includes a conveyor operable by the motor for conveying the soft goods past the slitting wheels, and a compression assembly having an actuator, a gear housing, and powered wheels for compressing the soft goods and holding the soft goods against the conveyor to preventing slippage or twisting.

Abstract: A system (10) for manufacturing a mattress (300) comprises multiple modules or stations (12, 132, 188, 200) used to sew together multiple components into a casing (252). A spring or other core (270) is inserted into the casing (252) before a top (274) is secured to the casing (252) to complete the mattress (300). Two or more flanges (261, 266) may be incorporated into the casing (252) for securing the core (270) inside the casing (252), The system (10) provides an operator flexibility to manufacture different types of mattress with minimal changes.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide structure that can be installed within a warehouse-type rack to convert the rack for use as a merchandise and display rack. In this manner, warehouse-type racks can be provided with a greater degree of adjustability to accommodate a larger number of shelving and product storage and display configurations. The structure installed within a warehouse-type rack can include secondary uprights connected to secondary front-rear stretchers. Preferably, the connections between the secondary uprights and the secondary front-rear stretchers are adjustable so that the secondary uprights can be secured in different positions within the warehouse-type rack. In some embodiments, the secondary uprights can be secured in different front-rear positions in the rack and/or can be secured in different vertical positions with respect to the secondary front-rear stretchers.

Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to move the seating unit between extended and reclined positions, and a chassis is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a seat-mounting link, a base plate fixedly mounted to the chassis, a back-mounting bracket rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting link, a back drive link in generally laterally-spaced relation to the seat-mounting link, and a front-lift assembly that is rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting link. In operation, a rearward occupant force on the back-mounting bracket generates a rearward bias that is converted to a laterally-directed force through the back drive link to the front-lift assembly. Upon receiving this force, the front-lift assembly translates the seat-mounting link forward and upward in relation to the base plate, such that, the seat-mounting link is consistently biased in a particular inclination angle with respect to the base plate throughout adjustment.

Abstract: Adjustable storage units for a vehicle and a method for providing such units are disclosed. The storage units generally include opposing end panels connected by a connecting member along the rear of the end panels. One or more shelf supports are releasably connected to the inner surface of the end panels only through apertures in the end panels. Shelves and/or drawer systems are made from polymer materials are then disposed between the end panels. The end panels may also be made of polymer materials. The storage units are adjustable or reconfigurable by removing the shelves or drawers and repositioning the shelf supports or drawer supports as desired.

Abstract: Spring cushions having slow-acting pocketed spring cores characterized by the individual springs of the cores being sealingly pocketed within semi-impermeable fabric material and a method of making such pocketed spring cores.