Abstract: A surgical instrument including a surgical end effector and a threaded rotary input shaft. An actuator member is in operable engagement with the surgical end effector and is in selective threaded engagement with the threaded rotary input shaft such that when the actuator member is in an engaged configuration, rotation of said threaded rotary input shaft causes the actuator member to move axially to impart an actuation motion to the surgical end effector and when the actuator member is in a disengaged configuration, rotation of the threaded rotary input shaft will not be imparted to the actuator member. A switch may be employed for selectively moving the actuator between the engaged and disengaged configurations. A locking system may be employed for preventing axial movement of the actuator member when the actuator member is in the disengaged configuration.

Abstract: A spring interior comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending bands of springs disposed side by side and connected together by helical lacing wires in the top and bottom faces of the bands. Each band of springs comprises a single length of wire formed into a plurality of substantially vertical coils of springs interconnected by interconnecting segments of wire located alternately in the top and bottom faces of the bands. Each interconnecting segment comprises a longitudinally extending bridging portion, a pair of transversely extending end portions, and a transversely extending support structure. The corners defined by the intersections between the bridging portions and the end portions of the interconnecting segments are radiused by radii of differing dimension so as to colinearly align the bridging portions of each band of springs.

Abstract: A box spring assembly includes a base frame, a top wire grid and a plurality of sinuous wire spring strips interconnecting the top wire grid and the base frame. The sinuous wire spring strips each comprises six substantially vertical legs and three spaced, substantially flat, horizontal platform sections with the flat platform sections of each spring being attached to the top wire grid and the bottom ends of each leg being attached to the base frame.

Abstract: A box spring comprises a rectangular base frame, a wire grid, and a plurality of parallel rows of coil springs supporting the grid atop the base frame. Each row of coil springs is made from a single continuous length of wire in which adjacent coils are interconnected by an interconnecting segment of the wire. Each interconnecting segment is in the form of a generally diagonally extending bar having substantially parallel end portions interconnected at the center by an offset section, which offset section is formed by rotating the offset section relative to the parallel end portions while the end portions are restrained against rotation.

Abstract: A bedding mattress, including a spring assembly having top and bottom parallel surfaces, padding over the top and bottom surfaces, and an upholstered covering completely encasing said spring assembly and padding. The spring assembly comprises multiple parallel rows of coil springs, each row of which is formed from a single continuous length of wire with each row containing a plurality of coils interconnected by connector segments. The rows of coils are interconnected by helical springs extending parallel to the rows and alternately wound around endmost turns of coils in a pair of adjacent rows of coils. The connector segment which interconnects the coils of each row comprises a generally diagonally extending connector bar having parallel end portions connected at the center by an offset section, which offset section is formed by rotation of the offset section relative to the end portions of the connector bar while the end portions of the connector bar are restrained against rotation.

Abstract: A bedding foundation comprising a lower base frame, an upper wire grid and a plurality of novel spring elements interposed between the base frame and the wire grid. Each of the spring elements comprises two discrete lengths of spring wire, each of which has a center portion and two free end portions. The center portions of the discrete lengths of wire are twisted about one another to form an elongated, vertically oriented center portion of the spring element from which there extend a pair of upper spring arms and a pair of lower spring arms, the spring arms being formed by the free end portions of the two discrete lengths of spring wire.

Abstract: A box spring assembly having modular spring elements distributed in an array beneath rectangular pockets of a wire grid top. The elements include a single piece of wire formed into a head configured to support and be contained within selected pockets of the wire grid top, a base formed of the two ends of the wire to attach to a lower base frame, and a pair of compressible arms formed into a pattern of bars and bends which give firm elastic support with economy of wire.

Abstract: A spring foundation unit having one or more pairs of inner border members on the top and bottom surfaces of the unit. In a conventional fashion, the spring unit has a plurality of transverse rows and longitudinal columns of coil springs, and top and bottom perimeter border wires extending along the outer periphery of the unit and attached to outer coil springs of the transverse rows and longitudinal columns. The inner border members have side elements extending parallel to opposed sides of the unit, with one or more spring widths separating the side elements from the perimeter of the unit. Each side element has a free end which is attached to an end section of the perimeter border wire, and a cross-connecting element interconnecting the opposite ends of the opposed side elements of each inner border member. In one embodiment of the invention, the cross-connecting elements of each pair of inner border members are straight and have at least one spring width separating them.

Abstract: A coil spring supporting grid structure of the type used to reinforce the top surface of a box spring foundation unit is provided with formations on the longitudinal and transverse wires thereof, enabling a snap-in interconnection with a plurality of coil springs to form a spring unit assembly. Each coil spring convolute engaged by the grid structure is supported on a pair of upwardly extending formations from a pair of spaced parallel first wires and is locked in place by means of two downwardly depending formations from a pair of spaced parallel second wires which extend transversely with respect to the first wires to form the grid.