Abstract: A core spring assembly combines the use of rows and/or columns of round coil springs with rows and/or columns of rectangular torsion bar coil springs, all interconnected in a top plane by a welded wire grid so as to create a spring core assembly for a bedding mattress or box spring. In one preferred form, the rectangular torsion bar coil springs are located about the periphery of the spring assembly while in another embodiment the rectangular torsion bar coil springs are all located in the center one-third of the spring assembly so as to increase the firmness of that center section of the unit.

Abstract: A machine for connecting successive rows of coil springs together into a coil spring assembly. The machine, in preferred form, initially picks up a row of coil springs by inserting a pick up finger into the barrel of each coil and moving the springs onto a support platen. In the course of transporting the coils between pick up and the support platen, the pick up fingers change the spacing of the coils. The springs are then compressed against the support platen to a desired height through use of a reciprocable compression bar. Thereafter, and through use of rotatable transfer fingers on a transfer shaft, the springs are removed from under the compression bar, and are moved into clamping dies. Leading rotary transfer fingers on the transfer shaft first pull the row of springs out from under the compression bar, and trailing rotary fingers then push the springs into the downstream one of upper and lower clamping dies.

Abstract: A machine for connecting successive rows of coil springs together into a coil spring assembly. The machine, in preferred form, initially picks up a row of coil springs by inserting a pick up finger into the barrel of each coil and moving the springs onto a support platen. In the course of transporting the coils between pick up and the support platen, the pick up fingers change the spacing of the coils. The springs are then compressed against the support platen to a desired height through use of a reciprocable compression bar. Thereafter, and through use of rotatable transfer fingers on a transfer shaft, the springs are removed from under the compression bar, and are moved into clamping dies. Leading rotary transfer fingers on the transfer shaft first pull the row of springs out from under the compression bar, and trailing rotary fingers then push the springs into the downstream one of upper and lower clamping dies.

Abstract: A machine for connecting successive rows of coil springs together into a coil spring assembly. The machine, in preferred form, initially picks up a row of coil springs by inserting a pick up finger into the barrel of each coil and moving the springs onto a support platen. In the course of transporting the coils between pick up and the support platen, the pick up fingers change the spacing of the coils. The springs are then compressed against the support platen to a desired height through use of a reciprocable compression bar. Thereafter, and through use of rotatable transfer fingers on a transfer shaft, the springs are removed from under the compression bar, and are moved into clamping dies. Leading rotary transfer fingers on the transfer shaft first pull the row of springs out from under the compression bar, and trailing rotary fingers then push the springs into the downstream one of upper and lower clamping dies.

Abstract: An improved knock-down, fold-up metal bed frame is disclosed which provides a sturdy and easily manipulated interconnecting mechanism for the cross-rail portions of the bed frame with a positive interlock between the cross-rail portions. A hand-manipulated positive interlocking mechanism is also provided for a center brace which is employed to interconnect opposed cross-rails or side rails.

Abstract: An improved canopy is disclosed for a merchandise display including a front signboard assembly comprised of two side panels and a front panel. The two side panels are respectively pivotally joined at one end to horizontally opposed ends of the front panel, the pivotal joints thereby permitting the front signboard assembly to be folded in a compact arrangement facilitating transport, storage, and mounting of the assembly on a merchandise display.

Abstract: An improved shelf structure for use in a display rack having interconnected corner posts, comprising opposed, spaced shelf support arms connected by a plurality of telescoping cross members adapted to telescope between an extended and retracted position for varying the planar surface area of the shelf structure. An article support, carried by the cross members, includes top and bottom article engaging surfaces each having a different coefficient of friction and being adapted to contact articles placed on the shelf structure. Latch elements, releasably mounted to the shelf support arms, are adapted to mount the shelf structure to virtually all corner post designs of current display racks and to dispose the shelf structure in the desired angular attitude from front to rear.

Abstract: A novel friction latch connected with a chair's footrest mechanism, the footrest mechanism operating to open and close the chair's footrest. The friction latch cooperates with the footrest mechanism to hold the footrest in any desired location between the full extend and full retract positions. The friction latch, in preferred form, includes a torsion spring concentrically and coaxially positioned with a drum that is connected to the footrest mechanism. In the extend mode, the torsion spring is released from a tight friction fit with the drum so the footrest can be opened by a spring motor that extends the footrest assembly. In the latch mode, the torsion spring grips the drum in sufficiently tight friction fit to prevent the footrest from moving when no force is exerted on it, as well as from being retracted in response to the leg weight of the chair's occupant when that occupant is seated comfortably in the chair with his feet on the footrest.

Abstract: A sofa sleeper having an improved seating surface wherein the seating surface is rigidified by having a cross brace attached between the foldable legs of the sofa sleeper fixture to move up beneath the underside of the folded matress of the sofa sleeper and push that underside upwardly to prevent sagging of the seat when a person is seated upon the seat of the folded sofa sleeper.

Abstract: An improved footrest extension and retraction mechanism for reclining chairs is disclosed having a footrest which follows the natural movement of an occupant's leg when moving between various chair positions. The footrest mechanism utilizes a pair of spaced substantially parallel glide bars carrying a footrest bracket which are each suspended for arcuate movement by a pair of pivoted suspension links. The glide bars and suspension links are driven in tandem through the use of a handle rotated drive bar extending across the chair frame. Rotation of the drive bar drives pairs of drive and connector links which in turn cause swinging movement of the suspension links and glide bars. A footrest bracket control rod is also disclosed which operates in conjunction with movement of a suspension link to change the orientation of the footrest bracket relative to the glide bars. The linkage arrangement disclosed serves to hold the footrest mechanism in either an extended or retracted position.

Abstract: A machine for connecting rows of coil springs together into a coil spring assembly. The machine initially picks up a row of coil springs by inserting a pick up finger into the barrel of each coil and moving the springs onto a support platen. While transporting the coils, the pick up fingers change the spacing of the coils. The springs are then compressed against the support platen to a desired height through use of a reciprocable compression bar. Thereafter, rotatable transfer fingers remove the springs from under the compression bar, and move them into clamping dies. Leading rotary transfer fingers on the transfer shaft first pull the row of springs out from under the compression bar, and trailing rotary fingers then push the springs into the downstream one of upper and lower clamping dies. The rows of clamping dies clamp together the upper and lower end loops of the leading and trailing rows of coil springs.

Abstract: A spring assembly for mattresses, innersprings, and the like. The assembly comprises longitudinal rows of coils, each row comprising a continuous length of wire formed into a plurality of coils interconnected by Z-shaped wire segments alternately disposed at the top and bottom of the coils. Adjacent rows of coils are connected by longitudinally extending helical lacing wires wound through overlapping Z-shaped wire segments. By lacing the rows of coils longitudinally, the spacing between adjacent coils may be varied in selected longitudinal sections of the unit so as to vary the coil count and thus the firmness of selected areas of the assembly, as for example the center section. Furthermore, by so lacing the rows of coils, a single set-up of forming and assembly machine may be used to manufacture various widths of mattresses, as for example, twin, double or queen and king size units.

Abstract: A merchandiser for converting a shelf having a generally horizontal top surface into a shelf having downwardly and forwardly sloping low friction top surface for gravity feeding columns of items of merchandise such as plastic bottles one after another to the front of the shelf as the forwardmost items on the shelf are successively removed by customers.

Abstract: A bed frame that includes a novel connector assembly for connecting a cross rail to a side rail at a corner of the bed frame that permits the frame to be easily and quickly set up and taken down, yet which provides a substantially wobble free joint, and a novel box spring retainer bracket that is connected to the frame without use of fasteners yet which is movable between use and storage positions as desired while remaining connected to the frame.

Abstract: A stop mechanism operative to stop a sprial lacing wire if the lacing wire encounters an obstacle as it is being wound in lacing fashion about juxtaposed end loops of coil springs in two adjacent coil spring rows, and after the lacing wire has completely laced together those two spring rows. A sensor functions to sense when the spiral lacing wire encounters an obstacle in its lacing path, the sensor incorporating a proximity switch that cooperates with a bowed guide element. The bowed guide element induces the lacing wire to pop out or bow away from the switch when the obstacle is encountered, activation of the switch causing the lacing wire to stop at once in its lacing path. A clamp device cooperates with a feeder switch to clamp the unlaced spiral lacing wire between its jaws when the feeder switch is activated by the lacing wire's lead end after the lacing wire has traversed the entire length of the adjacent rows.

Abstract: A sofa sleeper having a foldable bed frame connected by a collapsible frame support linkage with a sofa frame. The collapsible frame support linkage includes a novel styling structure that permits the pitch of the seat, when the bed frame is in the sofa position, to be adjusted as desired. This styling structure, in preferred form, includes a styling link incorporated in the collapsible frame support linkage that cooperates with a vertically adjustable styling bolt mounted on the sofa frame. The abutment position of the styling link against the styling bolt, which position depends on the vertical location of the styling bolt relative to ground, determines the collapsed position of the collapsible frame support linkage, thereby establishing the seat pitch of the sofa.

Abstract: A process having the two-fold result of the disposal of waste pickle liquor and the production of a highly useful fertilizer in which urea is mixed with waste pickle liquor to produce a stable liquid fertilizer.

Abstract: A bed frame that includes a novel connector assembly for connecting a cross rail to a side rail at a corner of the bed frame that permits the frame to be easily and quickly set up and taken down, yet which provides a substantially wobble free joint, and a novel box spring retainer bracket that is connected to the frame without use of fasteners yet which is movable between use and storage positions as desired while remaining connected to the frame.

Abstract: A corrugated paper merchandising display device for use at the end of a store aisle for displaying large quantities of merchandise. The device comprises three interconnected panels, each of which is in the form of a closed corrugated paper box. The boxes may be opened and overlaid one upon the other for shipment in a flat knock-down condition. When erected, the three boxes form a pair of wing panels and a center panel. Merchandise supporting spring-away shelves are attached to opposite sides of the center panel.