Abstract: A bedding or seating product comprising a spring assembly made up of a plurality of parallel strings of springs joined to each other. Each of the strings of springs comprises a row of interconnected pocketed coil springs. Selected pockets of fabric are shorter than adjacent pockets, so coil springs in the selected pockets are under a greater load than adjacent coil springs. In one preferred embodiment, every other pocket is under a greater load than the adjacent pockets, resulting in a checkerboard arrangement in at least one area of the product.

Abstract: Arching mechanism, for instance for backrests of seats, medical or orthopaedic apparatus or casings and the like, with a pressure element wherein at least one traction element connected with a tensioning mechanism engages, which, when the mechanism is actuated can produce bulging by preserving a relative elevation of apex of the convexity; the arching mechanism can comprise a frame with inserted pressure elements actuatable by adjusting device(s), whereby frame segments are length-variable pressure elements; traction elements provided with tensioning mechanism can engage a slitted, overlapping or bellows-like bulging body for the opening and closing of these areas, which produces a curving of the bulging body in a predetermined direction or directions.

Abstract: A ratcheting, locking actuator for selectively positioning ergonomic devices is disclosed. The actuator has an overrunning, locking clutch in a housing, a lever, a hanging ratchet and a pulley for anchoring a traction element. The pulley is driven by a gear which is driven by the one of two ratchet pawls in either of two selectable directions. The drive direction is controlled by a lever to which a ratchet post is attached. Engagement and disengagement of the ratchet pawls with the drive gear is controlled by steps on the housing. The actuator is especially useful for controlling traction elements such as bowden cables for ergonomic devices such as lumbar supports.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a mattress assembly for use in a sofa sleeper. The mattress assembly has a first mattress that has an inner-spring construction. Disposed above the first mattress is a second mattress that has an air bladder construction. The second mattress further includes a cover border coupled to an edge of the first mattress and extending upwardly therefrom; and a top cover removably coupled to the cover border, the top cover and cover border forming a cavity for receipt of the air bladder. The air bladder of the second mattress has a valve, which is located adjacent the head end of the mattress. The valve is adapted to selectively allow air into and out of the air bladder. The mattress assembly thus provides the combination of an innerspring mattress with an air mattress. The location of the valve allows the air mattress portion to be deflated properly and allows convenient access to the valve for inflation or air pressure adjustment purposes.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a connector is provided for coupling a cross brace or a shelf to a support oriented in a substantially vertical direction. The connector can have a first receiving space for receiving the support, and a second receiving space for receiving the cross brace or the shelf, and can have one or more projections extending into the first receiving space and into corresponding apertures in the support. In some embodiments, the connector has opposing lateral walls on opposite sides of the first and second receiving spaces. The first and second receiving spaces can be separated by another wall extending between and coupling the lateral walls.

Abstract: A quilting machine (10, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) is provided with a printing station (20, 125, 225, 325, 425, 525, 611, 626, 631) and a quilting station (44, 127, 227, 327, 427, 527, 627, 632). The printing station is located either in line and preferably upstream of the quilting station, with a conveyor (520) extending through each of the stations to convey a web of quilting material through the machine, or is off of the quilting line such that the material with a pre-applied pattern thereon is transferred, preferably in web form, to the line of the second station for the application of a pattern in registration with the first applied pattern. At the quilting station, registration longitudinal and transverse registration is measured and skewing or rotation of the material is determined. Opposite transverse sides of the material are differently adjusted to orient and register the material.

Abstract: A bale binding machine utilizes controlled pins to guide the path of a wire (or strap) around a bale such that strength-reducing bending is not introduced to the wire. The bale binding machine binds bales of fibrous bulk materials such as cotton and nylon.

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 and with more than one line of attachment between at least selected adjacent pockets. At least one spacer strip or at least one scrim sheet extends between the interconnected pockets of at least one string of springs and is secured thereto to provide stability in the pocketed spring assembly.

Abstract: The invention is a baling machine with an articulated guide track disposed in three operationally distinct sections. One section of the articulated guide track, representing approximately one-half of the track perimeter, is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the large section completes a guide track perimeter. In the second position, the large section pivots away from tying heads of the baling machine to permit ejection of the bale from the machine.

Abstract: A lumbar support to be installed in a seat has an apex that varies vertically along a guide rail. The said guide rail has an upper stop and a lower stop. A bowing element disposed on the guide rail travels in a substantially vertical plane. A first bowden cable draws an upper portion of the bowing element downward until a lower portion of the bowing element is in abutment with the lower stop such that a low convexity is formed in the bowing element as the bowden cable continues to draw the upper portion of said bowing element further towards said lower stop. A second bowden cable draws a lower portion of the bowing element upward until the upper portion of the bowing element is in abutment with the upper stop and such that a high convexity is formed in the bowing element as the bowing element continues to draw said lower portion of the bowing element further towards the upper stop.

Abstract: A bedding or seating product is provided comprising a pocketed spring assembly made up of a plurality of parallel strings of springs joined to each other. Each string of springs comprises a row of interconnected pocketed springs. The pockets of fabric are vertically shortened with seams to create pockets of the same height, each containing a spring. The springs are vertically offset from one another due to the location of the seams. Upon an initial load, only some of the pocketed springs are compressed.

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: An ergonomic weight support device for a seat comprising a housing having a channel defined by at least one guide boss, an extending element having an unanchored weight supporting end and an engaged end slidingly disposed within the channel of said housing and an actuator fixedly attached to said housing and in moving communication with said extending element whereby said actuator mediates the weight supporting end of said extending element between a substantially retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: A lumbar support device has a seat frame, a pair of brackets connected to opposite sided of the seat frame, a pair of flexible members connected to the pair of brackets in such a manner as to respectively form a pair of center sections across the seat frame, and an actuator assembly operatively connected to each one of the flexible members. Each one of the flexible members preferably has a pair of levers on opposite sides of the center sections that rotate about the brackets. In operation, the actuator assembly selectively bows the center portions of the flexible members. The actuator assembly preferably includes a reversible gear and a pair of bowden cables that move one pair of levers when the reversible gear is rotated clockwise and move the other pair of levers when the reversible gear is rotated counter-clockwise.

Abstract: A bedding or seating product comprising a pocketed spring assembly made up of a plurality of parallel strings of springs joined to each other. Each of the strings of springs comprises a plurality of interconnected pocketed coil springs. The product has multiple sections of differing firmness attributable in part to differing heights of the pockets of the strings of springs. Filler is placed above the lower sections of the pocketed spring assembly.

Abstract: A method of roll packing a variety of compressible materials is provided which prevents the rotatable mandrel about which the materials are rolled from radially collapsing. The method further provides for easy removal of the roll packed material without tearing or telescoping of the material. One embodiment of the present invention provides for wrapping a corrugated material around the rotatable mandrel prior to the compressible material being wrapped around the mandrel. In another embodiment, roll-packing material is laminated prior to being wound upon the mandrel before the compressible material is wrapped around the mandrel.

Abstract: A mechanical fuse is used with ergonomic devices for seats such as automobile seats to allow the ergonomic devices to tolerate abusive loads without breaking a linkage, such as a traction cable, used to move the ergonomic supports. The traction cable is comprised of a sleeve with a wire disposed to slide axially through the sleeve. The mechanical fuse is installed with the sleeve divided into two sections, with an end of each section seated into a male component or a female component of the mechanical fuse. The male and female components of the mechanical fuse slide axially relative to one another but are restrained from sliding by insertion of a boss on one component into a detent on the other component. The boss and detent hold the male and female components together in a friction fit that resists axial movement. When an abusive force is applied to the fuse, the friction fit of the boss and detent is overcome so that the boss slides out of the detent in a radial direction.

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 method of roll packing a variety of compressible materials is provided which prevents the rotatable mandrel about which the materials are rolled from radially collapsing. The method further provides for easy removal of the roll packed material without tearing or-telescoping of the material. One embodiment of the present invention provides for wrapping a corrugated material around the rotatable mandrel prior to the compressible material being wrapped around the mandrel. In another embodiment, roll-packing material is laminated prior to being wound upon,the mandrel before the compressible material is wrapped around the mandrel.

Abstract: A roll (54) of compressed materials (14) is provided which has a sleeve (50) formed around a rotatable mandrel (12). The sleeve (50) about which the materials (14) are rolled prevents the roll (54) from radially collapsing. The roll (54) may be removed from the mandrel (12) without tearing or telescoping of the material. In one embodiment the sleeve (50) is corrugated material (38). The corrugated material (38) is around the rotatable mandrel (12) prior to the compressible material (14) being wrapped around the sleeve (50). In another embodiment, the sleeve (58) comprises roll-packing material (32) laminated prior to being wound upon the mandrel (12).