Abstract: A reverse coil head coil and innerspring has a generally cylindrical and helical wire form coil body and opposing coil ends which terminate on opposite sides of a reference plane that passes through the coil body. The reverse coil head coils are interconnected in a matrix to form an innerspring wherein only one terminal end of each coil is located at a perimeter of the innerspring. Variations in the number and pitch of helical turns of the coil body are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reverse coil head coil and innerspring has a generally cylindrical and helical wire form coil body and opposing coil ends which terminate on opposite sides of a reference plane that passes through the coil body. The reverse coil head coils are interconnected in a matrix to form an innerspring wherein only one terminal end of each coil is located at a perimeter of the innerspring. Variations in the number and pitch of helical turns of the coil body are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and methods for providing location based services to a mobile station in a cellular wireless system. The system includes components that interact with position determining equipment to locate the mobile station within a region that is defined by a service provider. Once the system determines what service is being requested by the mobile station, the system associates the position of the mobile station with a provider-defined region that encompasses the location of the mobile station. A feature of the invention is the manner in which the system associates the provider-defined regions by first determining how the service provider's regions are categorized. The system contacts the service provider for the region over the Internet, and requests information that is appropriate to the position of the mobile station. With this method and system, a mobile station may request information on services that are available in his vicinity.

Abstract: Innerspring coils for innersprings for mattresses and other reflexive support structures, have generally helical coil bodies and at least one non-helical segment or step which extends between one or both axial ends of the coil body and one or both of the coil ends. The step or steps may be linear or non-linear, and parallel to or angularly disposed with respect to a longitudinal axis of the coil body. When located proximate to a coil end, the step extends out of the plane in which the coil end lies. One or more steps may alternatively be formed intermediate to helical turns of the helical coil body.

Abstract: Asymmetric spring components for mattress and other flexible support structures, in the form of helical coil springs with turns in the coil body having varying pitch angles and radii, and a single support end for use in a one sided innersprings in one-sided mattresses. The coil springs are asymmetric about an axis of the coil or a horizontal reference plane, or both, and with ends of the coil springs shaped and sized differently to accommodate different mounting and support arrangements. Asymmetric coil springs can be contained in individual pockets or strings of pockets and arranged together to form an asymmetric pocketed coil innerspring for use in a one-sided mattress.

Abstract: Three-dimensional unitized thermoplastic foam structures are made by thermoplastic welding of different foam components. The unitized foam structures may include a planar base to which other foam components are welded to project from the base and provide a flexible three-dimensional structure. The thermal bonding or welding of the thermoplastic foam components creates a unitized structure which is both flexible and load bearing. For mattress and seating applications, the welded foam structures may be combined with an innerspring, and certain of the foam components of the structure may mechanically engage parts of the innerspring. The preferred foam deck has first and second panels interconnected by one or more webs. One or more foam decks may be employed. Other foam components may be attached to the foam decks or other components. The unitized foam structures can be employed as single or double-sided mattresses, seating structures or other flexible support structures.

Abstract: Three-dimensional unitized thermoplastic foam structures are made by thermoplastic welding of different foam components. The unitized foam structures may include a planar base to which other foam components are welded to project from the base and provide a flexible three-dimensional structure. The thermal bonding or welding of the thermoplastic foam components creates a unitized structure which is both flexible and load bearing. For mattress and seating applications, the welded foam structures may be combined with an innerspring, and certain of the foam components of the structure may mechanically engage parts of the innerspring. The preferred foam deck has first and second panels interconnected by one or more webs. One or more foam decks may be employed. Other foam components may be attached to the foam decks or other components. The utilized foam structures can be employed as single or double-sided mattresses, seating structures or other flexible support structures.

Abstract: Asymmetric spring components for mattress and other flexible support structures, in the form of helical coil springs with turns in the coil body having varying pitch angles and radii, and a single support end for use in a one sided innersprings in one-sided mattresses. The coil springs are asymmetric about an axis of the coil or a horizontal reference plane, or both, and with ends of the coil springs shaped and sized differently to accommodate different mounting and support arrangements. Asymmetric coil springs can be contained in individual pockets or strings of pockets and arranged together to form an asymmetric pocketed coil innerspring for use in a one-sided mattress.

Abstract: An apparatus and device for fusing two or more foam components together by thermal welding, has an interface blade adapted for placement at an interface of foam components to be fused together, and a nozzle proximate to the interface blade for distributing a heated gas at the interface of the foam components. The nozzle may be located in a shroud proximate to the interface blade. An automated foam welding apparatus has a platform for supporting foam components or other components, a clamp for applying pressure to one or more of the foam components, and one or more welding heads mounted upon a track for translation proximate to the foam components to be welded together, the welding heads having an interface blade and a heated gas distribution nozzle, and optionally a trimmer for trimming excess material from one or more of the foam components. A hand-held foam welding device is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and device for fusing two or more foam components together by thermal welding, the apparatus and device comprising an interface blade adapted for placement at an interface of foam components to be fused together, and a nozzle proximate to the interface blade for distributing a heated gas at the interface of the foam components. The nozzle may be located in a shroud proximate to the interface blade. An automated foam welding apparatus has a platform for supporting foam components or other components, a clamp for applying pressure to one or more of the foam components, and one or more welding heads mounted upon a track for translation proximate to the foam components to be welded together, the welding heads having an interface blade and a heated gas distribution nozzle, and optionally a trimmer for trimming excess material from one or more of the foam components. A hand-held foam welding device is also described.

Abstract: Three-dimensional unitized thermoplastic foam structures are made by thermoplastic welding of different foam components. The unitized foam structures may include a planar base to which other foam components are welded to project from the base and provide a flexible three-dimensional structure. The thermal bonding or welding of the thermoplastic foam components creates a unitized structure which is both flexible and load bearing. For mattress and seating applications, the welded foam structures may be combined with an innerspring, and certain of the foam components of the structure may mechanically engage parts of the innerspring. The preferred foam deck has first and second panels interconnected by one or more webs. One or more foam decks may be employed. Other foam components may be attached to the foam decks or other components. The unitized foam structures can be employed as single or double-sided mattresses, seating structures or other flexible support structures.

Abstract: A high profile coil with an overall height in a range of 6¾ to 7½ inches maintains axially alignment under compression. A high profile innerspring constructed with the high profile coils can be baled with other high profile innersprings in a baling machine without spin-out or lateral distortion. On-axis of compression of the coils under various loading conditions avoids contact with adjacent coils in an innerspring.

Abstract: Machinery for automated manufacture of formed wire structures such as innerspring assemblies for mattresses and seating and flexible support structures includes one or more coil formation devices configurable to produce helical spring coils having a terminal convolution which extends beyond an end of the coil; a conveyor system having a plurality of flights slidably mounted upon a continuous track and connected to a chain and driven by an index driver, the flights being connected to a drive system which enables variable spacing between the flights so that the conveyor can be loaded with articles at one spacing interval and be unloaded at a different interval; a coil transfer machine which removes a row of coils from the conveyor and inserts the coils into an innerspring assembler; an innerspring assembler having first and second sets of coil-engaging dies in a parallel arrangement, each set of dies having an upper row positioned over a lower row, the dies being mounted upon carrier bars which are vertically t

Abstract: Machinery for automated manufacture of formed wire structures such as innerspring assemblies for mattresses and seating and flexible support structures includes one or more coil formation devices configurable to produce helical spring coils having a terminal convolution which extends beyond an end of the coil; a conveyor system having a plurality of flights slidably mounted upon a continuous track and connected to a chain and driven by an index driver, the flights being connected to a drive system which enables variable spacing between the flights so that the conveyor can be loaded with articles at one spacing interval and be unloaded at a different interval; a coil transfer machine which removes a row of coils from the conveyor and inserts the coils into an innerspring assembler; an innerspring assembler having first and second sets of coil-engaging dies in a parallel arrangement, each set of dies having an upper row positioned over a lower row, the dies being mounted upon carrier bars which are vertically t

Abstract: An arrangement for coupling a seat to the frame of a recumbent bicycle includes brackets on the seat for engaging a frame member of the bicycle, openings in the frame member and the brackets for alignment and locking pins for insertion into the aligned openings to attach the seat to the frame. A steering arrangement for the recumbent bicycle includes a fork for supporting the steerable front wheel of the bicycle, a fork tube on the frame for pivotally supporting the fork from the frame, a pair of steering arms on the fork, a handlebar pivotally mounted on the frame generally beneath the seat, and cables coupling the steering arms to respective sides of the handlebar.

Abstract: An arrangement for coupling a seat to the frame of a recumbent bicycle includes brackets on the seat for engaging a frame member of the bicycle, openings in the frame member and the brackets for alignment and locking pins for insertion into the aligned openings to attach the seat to the frame. A steering arrangement for the recumbent bicycle includes a fork for supporting the steerable front wheel of the bicycle, a fork tube on the frame for pivotally supporting the fork from the frame, a pair of steering arms on the fork, a handlebar pivotally mounted on the frame generally beneath the seat, and cables coupling the steering arms to respective sides of the handlebar.