Abstract: A retractable work surface for a chair is provided for a chair that has a pair of arms. The work surface has a removable plate that can be coupled to one of the chair arms or the other. An L-shaped rod is coupled on one end to the plate so that is can rotate with respect to the plate. The other end of the rod has a bracket on one side and a tray on the other side. The bracket and tray can rotate as a unit with respect to the rod. The work surface is easily moved from one arm to the other by removing the plate from one arm and moving it to the other, and by reversing the rod and bracket. The work surface can also easily be retrofit to existing chairs by simply mounting the plate to one of the chair arms.

Abstract: A support for tilting or synchronized chair is provided. The device includes a supporting frame, a mobile frame, an elastic member, a stiffness adjustment mechanism coupled with the elastic member, a locking mechanism for engaging the mobile frame with the supporting frame, and an actuation device for engaging and disengaging the locking mechanism. The actuation device includes a rocker arm and a return arm. The return arm is connected to the end of the rocker arm that the locking mechanism is attached. The rocker arm has at least two positions of stable equilibrium that are determined by the engagement or disengagement of the locking mechanism. An alternative embodiment includes an outer shell having first and second pins that are coupled with the backrest frame. The second pin may be positioned within a slot formed in the shell so that the backrest frame may move between upright and reclined positions.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for use with a chair. The adjustment mechanism is for use on a chair that has a base assembly with an extending pedestal, a seat, a chassis, and a back. Specifically the adjustment mechanism is for use on a chair that utilizes a J-back bar that couples the chassis to the back. The J-back adjustment mechanism allows the angle of the J-back bar and thus, the back to be changed throughout a range of motion. The J-back adjustment assembly includes a casing and an adjustment portion, wherein rotation of the adjustment portion changes the inclination of the J-back bar and, thus, the back with respect to the seat.

Abstract: This invention is a lumbar support device consisting of a flexmat and a supporting mechanism. The invention is capable of providing an infinite number of vertical adjustment points. The supporting mechanism is connected to the flexmat via slide elements and may travel up and down the side rails of the flexmat assuring infinite adjustment positions for the lumbar support. The movement of the supporting mechanism both vertically along the flexmat and horizontally relative to the seat back is accomplished through the use of wire cables, tractions cables, and a series of pulleys. Use of the pulley system reduces the load of the actuators needed in this device and helps avoid any interference that may occur with other seat components including foam.

Abstract: The present 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.

Abstract: A laterally displaceable guide track for a bale binding apparatus includes a carriage with a guide track portion mounted on it with a hinge. The guide track portion has an engaged position and a disengaged position. The engaged position is aligned with at least one other guide track portion to define a bale loop plane, and the disengaged position is out of the bale loop plane. The mount allows the guide track portion to be moved between the engaged position and the disengaged position. The disengaged position allows the carriage to be withdrawn from a baling station for ejection of a finished bale.

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: In a bulk material bate binder, the bulk material bale binder having a stand adjacent a baling station and being installed to bind bales compressed by an up press having a moving lower platen, the lower platen having insertion slots for guide tracks, a guide track removal and insertion apparatus including a guide track removal frame, the frame being hingedly mounted on the stand such that the guide track removal frame may rotate to and from an engaged position and a removed position; a guide track mount, pivotably mounted on the guide track removal frame, the guide track mount having an insertion position and a retracted position; a guide track section attached to the guide track mount, the guide track section having an insertion portion; and a linkage, the linkage having a first end and a second end, the first end being operatively engaged with the stand and the second end being operatively engaged with the guide track mount, such that during insertion and removal of the insertion portion of the guide track,

Abstract: The lower guide track sections for a bale binder engaged with a down press include a platen portion substantially as long as a platen slot and dimensioned for deployment within the platen slot. Track extensions extend outward from the platen. The first extension has a strap receiving end face that to cooperates with a first strap guide track on a carriage such that the first strap guide track on the first carriage is dimensioned to index laterally beyond a press frame. A second extension having a strap exit end face cooperates with a second strap guide track on a second carriage such that the second strap guide track on the second carriage is dimensioned to index laterally beyond the press frame. First and second guide track sections are mounted on laterally displaceable carriages and each have an exit end face, the end faces operatively cooperate with the receiving end faces of the extensions.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively driving a pivotable knotter is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rack, a pinion in driving communication with the rack, a knotter drive gear connected to the knotter and a linear actuator. The linear actuator is connected to the knotter and pivots the knotter about a pivot axis. Upon pivot, the knotter drive gear is engaged with the rack.

Abstract: A wire cutter having a handle, a fixed cutting blade mounted on the handle, a lever pivotally connected to the handle, and a stop on the lever for engagement with the fixed cutting blade is disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable base is utilized with articulated or adjustable beds of different widths and includes first and second pairs of support brackets with each pair including first and second support brackets in opposing aligned relationship to each other. Each pair of support brackets is fastened at one end to a bed foundation and a second end of each support bracket has an elongated slot for fastening thereto cross rails of a bed-adjusting mechanism. The latter permits the utilization of a single size bed-adjusting mechanism for beds of different widths, permits mixing/matching bed foundations and bed-adjusting mechanisms of different manufacturers, and effects facile assembly.

Abstract: A traction cable actuator has a sun gear, with a lever, at least two planetary gears engaged with the sun gear, and a housing with a toothed race engaging the planetary gears. The housing further has a lock spring seat, and a traction cable sleeve seat. A drive shaft operatively engages with the sun gear to turn the sun gear. The shaft has at least one release tab. A pulley is disposed within the housing. The pulley has planetary gear axles disposed to receive driving force from the planetary gears. The pulley also has a traction cable wire seat. A lock spring disposed to engage said lock spring seat in the housing engages the lever on the sun gear when the sun gear is turned. The lock spring holds said pulley in a position selected by turning the drive shaft. A bearing and groove stop assembly may be included.

Abstract: An adjustable bed including a stationary frame is supported above a floor. An articulated deck comprising head, seat, leg and foot deck boards hingedly joined together is spaced above the frame with connectors. The connectors include generally inverted U-shaped tubes pivotally secured to the frame and secured to the deck boards. A gas spring is operatively coupled to the head deck board and pivotally secured to the frame. Activation of the gas spring in cooperation with the operator moves the deck boards.

Abstract: An adjustable bed including a stationary frame is supported with legs above a floor. An articulated deck comprising head, seat, leg and foot deck boards hingedly joined together is spaced above the frame with connectors. The connectors include generally inverted U-shaped foot and seat tubes pivotally secured to the frame and secured to the seat and foot deck boards. A motorized drive assembly is operatively coupled to the head deck board and includes arms with are pivotally secured to the frame. Activation of the motorized drive assembly moves the deck boards.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a rack assembly adjustably coupled to another structure, which in some cases can be a gondola-type product storage and display assembly. In some embodiments, the rack assembly can be adjusted to define different depths of the rack assembly, such as by moving one or more rack shoes with respect to corresponding gondola shoes, adjusting one or more shelf-supporting arms and/or product dividers of the rack assembly to different lengths, and adjusting the depth of the shelving within the rack assembly. The rack assembly can be provided with one or more product fronting mechanisms to front product in the rack assembly. Also, the rack assembly can be provided with one or more adjustable or non-adjustable product barriers separating rows of product in the rack assembly.

Abstract: A bedding foundation is manufactured with a cover having a welt cord extending upwardly to create a seal when a mattress is placed on the foundation. The cover is made using a two stage process. During the first stage a sewing machine is used to join a welt cord to a web of border material. In the second stage a second sewing machine sews a piece of non-skid decking to the border assembly. Fullness may be incorporated into the border material to enable the cover to fit around the corners of the bedding foundation with the welt cord being spaced inwardly from the perimeter of the foundation.

Abstract: A dual drive actuation system includes a driver gear, a pair of actuators with driven gears, and a transmission for switching the driver gear between the pair of actuators. The transmission can be controlled by a solenoid, and the driver gear can be powered by a motor. The dual drive actuation system can be used with different actuators that are changed based on their required usage, sizing and range of motion.

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 bedding or seating product comprises a pocketed spring assembly having a plurality of parallel strings of springs joined to each other. Each of said strings of springs comprises a row of interconnected pockets, each of the pockets containing at least one spring encased in a fabric pocket. An inflatable member is sandwiched between a lower scrim sheet and some strings of springs. When inflated, the inflatable member preloads select areas of the product.