Abstract: This invention is related to a mechanism for use in motion furniture that reduces the complexity and links of typical linkage mechanisms. The mechanism has a base plate and a footrest mechanism. The mechanism also includes a seat support link coupled to the footrest mechanism and front and rear pivot links rotatably coupled to the seat support link and slidably and rotatably coupled to the base plate. An ottoman drive link is slidably and rotatably coupled to an intermediate portion of the front pivot link and rotatably coupled to an intermediate portion rear pivot link. A primary ottoman link couples the ottoman drive link and the footrest mechanism. The primary ottoman link is rotatably coupled to the seat support link at an intermediate portion, so that the primary ottoman link and the ottoman drive link cooperate to move footrest mechanism between a closed chair position and an open recliner position.

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. A lower hinge comprising a piece of wire having a square wave shape is secured to and extends between the bases. An upper hinge is secured to and extends between border wires of the sections. A support assembly is secured to and extends between the first and second sections.

Abstract: A nonwoven fiber product comprising a first nonwoven fiber batt, a second nonwoven fiber batt, and a separator layer attached to each of the first fiber batt and the second fiber batt, the separator layer physically separating the first fiber batt and the second fiber batt, wherein upon application of a tensile force to the nonwoven fiber product, the first fiber batt remains attached to the separator layer and the second fiber batt separates from the separator layer. An article of furniture may incorporate the nonwoven fiber product, and/or a method for manufacturing an article of furniture may utilize the nonwoven fiber product. The nonwoven fiber product may also be utilized on an article of furniture require two different thicknesses of cushioning material.

Abstract: A stackable wire core assembly for a bedding foundation which may be nestably stacked with numerous other such assemblies for transportation, thereby avoiding the need to compress and tie the assembly for shipping. The wire core assembly includes corrugated formed support wires having inverted U-shaped channels formed at the bottom of the corrugated formed support wires adapted to be wrapped over and secured to slats of a wooden base frame.

Abstract: A wire feeding apparatus is disclosed. The wire feeding apparatus includes a rotable drive shaft, a servo motor in driving relationship with the drive shaft and one or more feed modules. Each feed module is selectively engaged with the drive shaft through the use of a linear actuator. When the linear actuator is engaged, each feed module is driven by the drive shaft such that wire is either fed or retracted.

Abstract: This invention is related to a recliner chair having a footrest mechanism and a recliner mechanism. The recliner chair includes a footrest, a seat, back, and a pair of spaced apart armrests. The recliner mechanism, in one aspect, broadly includes a base plate, a seat mount plate, a recline link, a seat lift link, a control linkage, and a back linkage. The carrier link couples the base plate to the back linkage while the full recline link couples the carrier link to the base plate. The control linkage is coupled to the base plate, the back linkage, and the footrest extension linkage and cooperates therewith to move the footrest mechanism between the open and closed positions. Further, the control linkage cooperates with the back linkage to move the backrest between the upright position and the fully reclined position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bedding or seating product having a spring core comprising coil springs having unknotted end turns made from high tensile strength wire. In each embodiment, the end turns of the coil springs are generally U-shaped having one leg longer than the other, the legs being joined by an arcuate connector. The springs are oriented in the spring core such that a long leg of one end turn abuts a short leg of the adjacent end turn prior to be wrapped in helical lacing wire. The high tensile wire enables the coil springs to be manufactured using less wire than heretofore possible.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a futon sofa sleeper having a sofa frame, a folding mechanism and a mattress assembly. The a sofa frame has a back with a cavity and a pair of opposed arms. The folding mechanism folds into and out of the sofa frame and is extendable from a first position to a second position. The folding mechanism includes a frame with a rear section rotatably coupled with the sofa frame, a middle section pivotally coupled with the rear section, and a front section pivotally coupled with the middle section. The mattress assembly is supported on the folding mechanism and contains a shell and an inner support received within the shell. The inner support including an innerspring construction and an air bladder, wherein in the first position, the rear and middle sections of the folding mechanism are located within the cavity and the front section is used as a seating surface and wherein in the second position, the rear, middle, and front sections are used as a sleeping surface.

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. Lower connectors each comprising a rectangular piece of plastic having living hinges is secured to and extends between the bases. Upper connectors are secured to and extend between border wires of the sections to aid in the collapsing of the foundation.

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. A lower hinge comprising a piece of wire having a square wave shape is secured to and extends between the bases. An upper hinge is secured to and extends between border wires of the sections.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bedding or seating product (10) having a spring core (12) comprising coil springs (26) having unknotted end turns (72, 74) made from high tensile strength wire. In each embodiment, the end turns (72, 74) of the coil springs (26) are generally U-shaped having one arcuate leg (76) longer than the other (78), the legs (76, 78) being joined by a connector (80) having an arcuate bump (81) therein. The springs (26) are oriented in the spring core (12) such that a long leg (76) of one end turn (72) abuts a short leg (78) of the adjacent end turn (72) prior to be wrapped in helical lacing wire (32). The high tensile wire enables the coil springs (26) to be manufactured using less wire than heretofore possible.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a sofa sleeper mechanism having a head section, a main middle section, a secondary middle section and a foot section. The head section has a head end and an end opposing the head end. The foot section has a foot end and an end opposing the foot end. The opposing end of the head section is pivotally connected to the main middle section, which is pivotally connected to the secondary middle section, which is pivotally connected to the opposing end of the foot section. The sofa sleeper mechanism is movable from a stowed position to an extended position, wherein, in the stowed position, the uppermost edge of the head end does not extend substantially above the folded foot section.

Abstract: A die casting process using pattern recognition techniques to identify those die castings manufactured under conditions likely to produce a die casting which would subsequently prove unacceptable for use. By promptly identifying such die castings, they may be discarded before being shipped to a remote facility for further processing. As a result, the rejection rate of die castings at the remote facility may be reduced and the raw materials used to form the discarded die castings may be more readily recycled.

Abstract: A sewing machine comprises a presser foot; a drive shaft operably connected to the presser foot which imparts periodic upward movement to the presser foot; and a biasing mechanism operably connected to the presser foot which normally biases the presser foot into a downward position, the biasing mechanism comprising a toggle link having a pivot, a resilient element operably connected to the toggle link on one side of the pivot and the presser foot operably connected to the toggle link on the other side of the pivot.

Abstract: A method for operating an automated reciprocator for applying lubricant in a die casting system. As a reciprocator is moved between two die halves and a fluid is applied to the dies with the reciprocator, a safety bar is moved ahead of the reciprocator. Any objects in the path of the reciprocator are detected by contact with the safety bar. If the safety bar contacts an object as the reciprocator is moving down, a sensor signals a control system and the reciprocator is stopped.