Abstract: A key blank loading cartridge includes a sleeve defining a cavity for holding a stack of key blades within a box of key blanks. The key blanks are releasably retained in the cartridge cavity by their blade portions leaving the head portions of the blanks exposed. After having been removed from the box, the so retained stack of key blanks is ready to be loaded as a single unit in a corresponding key blank magazine. Once the head portions of the key blanks have been engaged in the magazine, the sleeve can be pulled off the blanks and returned to the key blank manufacturer and reused in another key blank shipping package.

Abstract: A key blank loading cartridge includes a sleeve defining a cavity for holding a stack of key blades within a box of key blanks. The key blanks are releasably retained in the cartridge cavity by their blade portions leaving the head portions of the blanks exposed. After having been removed from the box, the so retained stack of key blanks is ready to be loaded as a single unit in a corresponding key blank magazine. Once the head portions of the key blanks have been engaged in the magazine, the sleeve can be pulled off the blanks and returned to the key blank manufacturer and reused in another key blank shipping package.

Abstract: Encasement assemblies, systems, and related methods employing interlocking support components to provide at least a portion of an encasement for bedding or seating are disclosed. The assembly may include a base having flip-up support member(s). The base may include elongated channel(s) disposed therein having a first geometry and a portion of the elongated channel(s) may also be disposed in the flip-up support member(s). The assembly may also include elongated support member(s) each having a first side and a second side. The first side may contain a rail and the second side may contain a second rail. Each rail and second rail may be interlocked with the elongated channel(s), such that the elongated support member(s) are attached to the base and provide at least a portion of the encasement.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include mattress assemblies and components employing passageways for ventilation and airflow. A mattress may contain a mattress core to provide cushioning and support. For example, the mattress core may comprise an innerspring, air bladder(s), and/or foam layer(s). A mattress assembly may include a foam base and/or at least one foam side support member to at least partially surround a mattress core to provide cushioning and structure. The foam base and/or at least one foam side support member may include at least one passageway for facilitating diffusion and air exchange between an exterior environment and an interior space of the enclosure containing the mattress core. In this manner, as stagnant air and humidity developing in the mattress core may be avoided or reduced from the mattress core, which may otherwise cause unhealthy conditions or unpleasant odors for users.

Abstract: Stepped-edge and side-support members, systems, assemblies, and related methods for an innerspring assembly or other core are disclosed. In one embodiment, an innerspring assembly or core is provided having an interior area of a first height surrounded by one or more exterior, perimeter area(s) of shorter height(s) to provide a stepped-edge innerspring assembly or core. At least a portion of side-support members are placed onto at least a portion of the top surface of the perimeter area to provide edge-support for the innerspring assembly or core. In this manner, a greater portion of the side-support members can be disposed in the sleeping area of the innerspring assembly or core since the underlying perimeter area provides spring support to the side-support members. Further, this support can assist in retention and/or recovery of the shape of the side-support members to further prevent or reduce compression set of the side-support members.

Abstract: Interlocking foam encasement components to form mattress encasements, and related mattress encasements, mattress assemblies, and methods are disclosed. A mattress encasement is formed by two interlocking foam encasement components engaged with each other. Each interlocking foam encasement component includes a foam base member with two foam side-support members provided in parallel or substantially parallel arrangement on opposite sides of the foam base member. To form the mattress encasement, first side-support members of a first interlocking foam encasement component are interlocked orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to second side-support members of a second interlocking foam encasement component to form a foam side-support perimeter for the mattress encasement. The foam side-support perimeter provides an interior area to receive and encase a mattress innerspring or mattress core.

Abstract: Mattress assemblies and methods employing foam side support members and cloth members to enclose mattress cores are disclosed. A mattress may include a mattress assembly enclosing a mattress core. The foam side supports of the mattress assembly may be disposed adjacent to a periphery portion of the mattress core to provide additional support, for example, when a user mounts and dismounts from the mattress. The side support members may be thermally bonded to the cloth members to secure the side supports adjacent the periphery portion of the mattress core. In this manner, the side support members may be precisely positioned relative to the mattress core without the need for adhesives or expensive manufacturing equipment to thermally weld the side support members directly to a foam base.

Abstract: By providing a plurality of preformed components which are quickly and easily affixed in engagement with each other, a final construction is realized which peripherally surrounds any desired mattress configuration in cooperating association therewith. In this way, a new foam plastic product is achieved which is capable of being quickly and easily mounted to mattress constructions peripherally surrounding the mattress and providing an enhanced side support system. In this way, any desired mattress size or configuration is capable of being peripherally surrounded with a foam support assembly for enhancing the mattress construction and configuration. Furthermore, by employing the present invention, a rapid, convenient, and virtually labor free assembly is realized.

Abstract: Mattress assemblies and related methods employing elastic bands to provide at least a portion of an encasement, including for bedding and seating applications are disclosed. In one embodiment, a mattress assembly is provided. The mattress assembly may include a mattress core and an elastic foam edge-support band compressively engaged along the outer perimeter of the mattress core. The mattress core has a sleep surface and an outer perimeter width and length disposed in a corresponding width and length dimension of the sleep surface. Before assembly, the elastic foam edge-support band has a preassembled inner perimeter width and length, which are less in distance than the width and length of the mattress core. As disposed in the mattress assembly, the elastic foam edge-support band has an assembled inner perimeter width and length which are greater in distance than the preassembled inner perimeter width and length of the elastic foam edge-support band.

Abstract: By providing a plurality of preformed components which are quickly and easily affixed in engagement with each other, a final construction is realized which peripherally surrounds any desired mattress configuration in cooperating association therewith. In this way, a new foam plastic product is achieved which is capable of being quickly and easily mounted to mattress constructions peripherally surrounding the mattress and providing an enhanced side support system. In this way, any desired mattress size or configuration is capable of being peripherally surrounded with a foam support assembly for enhancing the mattress construction and configuration. Furthermore, by employing the present invention, a rapid, convenient, and virtually labor free assembly is realized.

Abstract: By providing a plurality of preformed components which are quickly and easily affixed in engagement with each other, a final construction is realized which peripherally surrounds any desired mattress configuration in cooperating association therewith. In this way, a new foam plastic product is achieved which is capable of being quickly and easily mounted to mattress constructions peripherally surrounding the mattress and providing an enhanced side support system. In this way, any desired mattress size or configuration is capable of being peripherally surrounded with a foam support assembly for enhancing the mattress construction and configuration. Furthermore, by employing the present invention, a rapid, convenient, and virtually labor free assembly is realized.

Abstract: Expandable edge-support members, assemblies, and related methods are disclosed. The expandable edge-support members can be used to provide edge support, including side support and corner support. The expandable edge-support members are suitable for bedding and seating applications as examples. The expandable edge-support members are expandable in length. Thus, the expandable edge-support members can be expanded in length as needed to be utilized to provide edge support for an innerspring having variations in perimeter lengths and different types of innersprings having variations in perimeter lengths. Further, the edge-support members may include a plurality of lateral members, which may be configured to be disposed between adjacent perimeter coils of an innerspring to support attachment to the innerspring.

Abstract: Encasement assemblies, systems, and related methods employing interlocking support components to provide at least a portion of an encasement, particularly for bedding and seating applications, are disclosed. In this regard in one embodiment, an assembly for bedding or seating is provided. The assembly includes a base having one or more elongated channels disposed therein having a first geometry. The assembly also includes one or more elongated support members each having a rail disposed therein and having a second geometry complimentary to the first geometry. Each rail is interlocked with at least one of the one or more elongated channels such that the one or more elongated support members are attached to the base and extend from the base to provide at least a portion of an encasement. The assembly may also include a flip-up support member(s) disposed in the base to form at least a portion of the encasement.

Abstract: Stepped-edge and side-support members, systems, assemblies, and related methods for an innerspring assembly or other core are disclosed. In one embodiment, an innerspring assembly or core is provided having an interior area of a first height surrounded by one or more exterior, perimeter area(s) of shorter height(s) to provide a stepped-edge innerspring assembly or core. At least a portion of side-support members are placed onto at least a portion of the top surface of the perimeter area to provide edge-support for the innerspring assembly or core. In this manner, a greater portion of the side-support members can be disposed in the sleeping area of the innerspring assembly or core since the underlying perimeter area provides spring support to the side-support members. Further, this support can assist in retention and/or recovery of the shape of the side-support members to further prevent or reduce compression set of the side-support members.