Abstract: A tucking attachment for a sewing machine having a tucking blade with one end positioned adjacent material and a tucking blade drive with an output shaft mechanically coupled to the tucking blade. A control, connected to the tucking blade drive, is operable to command displacement to form a tuck in the material adjacent a presser foot of the sewing machine. Thereafter, the sewing machine is operated to sew a number of stitches in the tuck, and the tucking blade is then retracted. Repeating the above cycle of operation permits successive tucks of different lengths to be formed in the material.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a quilted material web having a quilted patterns thereon into panels having a desired length and width with respective quilted patterns centered therein. A first detector detects a center of a quilted pattern on the quilted material web; and in response thereto, a cutting apparatus cuts the quilted material web to form edges of a panel equidistant from the quilted pattern center. The cutting apparatus includes a pair of trim blades that cut opposite side edges of the panel equidistant from the quilted pattern center and a cross cutting apparatus that cuts end edges of the panel equidistant from the quilted pattern center.

Abstract: A tilt mechanism provides improved coordination in the motions of a chair seat and a chair back during chair tilt. In one aspect, the tilt mechanism includes a seat base, a back bracket, a back support bar, a guide track and a back follower member. The seat base is slidably coupled to the chassis and rigidly coupled to the chair seat. The back support bar is configured for moveable engagement with the back bracket coupled with the chair back. Additionally, the back follower member, coupled with the chair back, is received within one or more channels formed in the guide track for moveable engagement therewith. A proportional and asynchronous action is achieved via the back bracket moving relative to and in engagement with the back support bar, the back follower member moving within the guide track and the seat base sliding forwardly relative to the chassis.

Abstract: This invention is related to a sleep over recliner chair having a footrest mechanism and a recliner mechanism that operate independently of one another. The sleep over recliner chair includes a footrest, a seat, back, and a pair of spaced apart armrests. Further, the sleep over recliner chair includes a base, a reverse tilt mechanism coupled with the base, and a linkage mechanism coupled with the reverse tilt mechanism. The linkage mechanism includes a recliner mechanism and a footrest mechanism. The footrest mechanism is adapted to move between a first, closed position and a second, open position. The recliner mechanism is adapted to move between a first, upright position and a second, fully reclined position. Further, the footrest and recliner mechanisms operate independently of one another.

Abstract: Printhead-to-panel spacing is controllable to maintain a predetermined constant distance from the printing element to the surface of the panel where the ink is to be applied. Each of a plurality of printheads may be independently moveable to control the spacing of the printheads from the substrate surface. Sensors on the printhead carriage measure the shape, or vertical position of, the printhead's distance from the printhead carriage to the surface of the substrate being printed. The position or focal length of the UV light curing head may be varied to maintain focus of the UV light on the ink on a contoured surface of the substrate. UV curing heads may be located on the printhead carriage, one on each side of the printheads, and activated alternately as the carriage reciprocates, to spot cure ink immediately after being deposited on the substrate.

Abstract: A bonded foam product manufactured with a vegetable oil polyol is herein disclosed. The pre-polymer for use as a binder in the manufacture of a bonded foam product comprises an isocyanate and a vegetable oil polyol, wherein the pre-polymer is substantially free of any petrochemical polyol. In another aspect, the invention is method for making a bonded foam product, the method comprising coating a plurality of foam pieces with a pre-polymer, the pre-polymer comprising an isocyanate and a vegetable oil polyol, wherein the pre-polymer is substantially free of any petrochemical polyol, compressing the foam pieces into a foam log of a desired density, and steaming the foam log to cure the pre-polymer. If desired, a process oil may be added to the pre-polymer to modify the viscosity of the pre-polymer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for simultaneously creating a pair of stacks of nested sinuous springs wherein each spring comprises a discrete length of sinuous spring wire having parallel bar wire segments interconnected at their opposite ends by oppositely directed connecting segments. This apparatus includes first and second generally circular forming drums onto which a feeder mechanism is operable to sequentially and alternately pass each of the strips from over a forming mandrel onto the top surface of the first and second generally circular forming drums. A first stripper mechanism is then operable to strip a first one of the arcuate configured strips from over a first one of the forming drums and onto a top surface of a first stacking drum and for stripping a second following one of the arcuate configured strips from over the second forming drum onto a top surface of a second stacking drum.

Abstract: A motorized ladder rack for loading or unloading a ladder on a vehicle is provided. The motorized ladder rack comprises a stationary front cradle, a pivotable and extendable rear cradle and a side rail. The rear cradle includes a motorized drive assembly which may be remotely controlled. The front and rear cradles are secured to the vehicle. The front cradle includes a support member, front and side guides removably secured to the support member and a side stop removably secured to the support member. The side rail is secured to the front and rear cradles and extends therebetween. The ladder rack is movable between a first position and a second position by activation of the motorized drive assembly.

Abstract: A mattress or mattress foundation comprising a core and a ticking surrounding the core, the core comprising a spring assembly, a flammable core component positioned above the spring assembly, and a fire resistant (FR) insulator pad positioned between a spring assembly and the flammable core component, wherein the FR Insulator pads protects the flammable core component by delaying the penetration of the flammable core component by the spring assembly during a partial or complete consumption of the mattress or mattress foundation by a fire. The FR insulation pad may be a nonwoven fiber batt comprising a homogeneous blend of shoddy fibers and oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers. If the mattress or mattress foundation further comprises a surface FR layer, the surface FR layer is the primary FR layer for the mattress or mattress foundation and the FR Insulator pad is the secondary FR layer for the mattress or mattress foundation.

Abstract: A system and method are provided by which items in an inventory can be arranged in a storage space based upon one or more factors such as item dimensions, weight, type, sorting codes, stackability, and the like. In some cases, the system and method generate multiple inventory arrangements from which a desired inventory arrangement can be selected, such as a highly efficient inventory arrangement.

Abstract: A seat support includes a panel that is connected to opposite sides of the seat through a pair of fixtures and is operated by an actuator that is connected to at least one of the fixtures. The panel includes a recessed center channel that is bounded by flat side plates and that has apertures extending across the channel. The panel can be made from a single piece of material and may also include top and bottom extensions.

Abstract: An adjustable bed includes a stationary base having side rails with channels. A frame movable relative to the base has rollers which ride in these channels. An articulated deck comprising head, seat, leg and foot deck boards hingedly joined together is supported by the frame when horizontal. A plurality of links pivotally secured to brackets secured to the head and leg deck boards and pivotally secured to the base limit travel of the head and leg deck boards. Additional links pivotally secured to brackets secured to the foot deck board and to the movable frame limit movement of the foot deck board. An actuator assembly is operatively coupled to the frame and includes a linear actuator. Activation of the actuator inclines the deck boards.

Abstract: A chair having a base, a seat support mounted on the base, and a seat back support coupled with the seat support. The chair further includes a seat support assembly coupled with the seat support and a back support assembly coupled with the back support. The seat support assembly is a multi layered piece having a base layer, an intermediate layer, a gel pad, a tail pad, and a top layer. Once assembled the seat support assembly has a relief area that corresponds to the tail bone region of the user. The back support assembly is multi layered piece having a base layer, an intermediate layer, a support pad assembly, and a top layer. The ordering of the layers and the orientation of the support pad assembly provide support to the user without any direct or focalized pressure being distributed to specific regions of the body.

Abstract: An adjustable bed includes a stationary frame, a first head deck mattress support member supported by the frame, a second seat deck mattress support member supported by the frame and pivotally coupled to the head deck mattress support member, a sensor assembly adapted to detect a sound associated with human snoring, and a motorized drive assembly operatively coupled to the sensor assembly and to the first mattress support member. The adjustable bed may be such that detection of the snoring sound actuates the motorized drive assembly thereby causing relative movement of the first mattress support member with respect to the second mattress support member. The sensor assembly may further be adapted to recognize a sound associated with snoring of a particular person and actuation of the motorized drive assembly may move the first mattress support member between an inclined position and a horizontal flat position.

Abstract: Printhead-to-panel spacing is controllable to maintain a predetermined constant distance from the printing element to the surface of the panel where the ink is to be applied. Each of a plurality of printheads may be independently moveable to control the spacing of the printheads from the substrate surface. Sensors on the printhead carriage measure the shape, or vertical position of, the printhead's distance from the printhead carriage to the surface of the substrate being printed. The position or focal length of the UV light curing head may be varied to maintain focus of the UV light on the ink on a contoured surface of the substrate. UV curing heads may be located on the printhead carriage, one on each side of the printheads, and activated alternately as the carriage reciprocates, to spot cure and freeze the dots of ink immediately after being deposited on the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a bedding foundation having a base and a wire grid of support wires comprises at least one vertically moveable staple gun having a staple head and a wire positioner associated with the staple head, the wire positioner being configured to engage one of the support wires and to position the one support wire relative to the staple head such that upon activation, the staple gun staples the one support wire in the intended position to the base.

Abstract: A bedding product having a pocketed spring assembly comprising a plurality of parallel strings of springs joined to each other. Each of the strings of springs has a length and a width and comprises a row of interconnected pockets. Each of the pockets contains at least one spring encased in fabric. The bedding product may have a plurality of inflatable members located underneath select portions of at least some of the strings of springs. Each of the inflatable members may be of a width substantially equal to the width one of the string of springs. The bedding product may have a sensor assembly adapted to detect a sound associated with human snoring and an air supply system operatively coupled to the sensor assembly and adapted to control a supply of air to the inflatable members.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for securing a pair of overlapping cross support members extending between two opposed side rails of a bed frame is provided. The clamp assembly includes a unitary clamp body, a leg assembly pivotally secured to the clamp body and a locking plate pivotally secured to the clamp body. In order to prevent the cross support members from sliding relative to one another, the leg assembly exerts force on the overlapping cross support members. The leg assembly may comprise a first leg pivotally secured to the clamp body, a plastic insert and a foot member. Alternatively, the leg assembly may comprise a first leg nestably secured to a second leg in order to increase the length of the leg assembly.

Abstract: A foldable bedding foundation comprising a first section is hingedly secured to a second section so that the bedding foundation may be folded for storage or transportation purposes. Each section has base, a plurality of wire struts pivotally secured to the base, an upper wire grid pivotally secured to the wire struts and braces extending between the base and an outermost wire strut. Plastic sliders help the braces move between raised and lowered positions. Lower connectors are secured to and extend between the section bases. Upper connectors are secured to and extend between border wires of the sections to aid in the collapsing of the foundation.

Abstract: resent invention relates to a process of forming a multi-layer pad of a non-woven fiber batt and a foam layer having conforming convoluted surfaces and to a multi-layer pad incorporating a non-woven fiber batt and foam layer. The process of forming a non-woven batt layer and a foam layer having conforming convoluted surfaces comprises transporting each layer along its longitudinal dimension while compressing each layer along its lateral dimension. Concomitantly with compression, each layer is cut transversely along its lateral dimension to separate each layer into an upper segment and a lower segment and to provide conforming convoluted surfaces on the segments of each layer, the convoluted surfaces comprised of upstanding projections and depressions.