Spring Means Spacing Loading Surface Vertically From Plane Of Supporting Frame Patents (Class 267/103)
  • Patent number: 11896128
    Abstract: A sofa bed includes: a plurality of elastic modules; a body frame having slide rails arranged thereon; and armrest frames disposed at two sides of the body frame along a longitudinal direction of the body frame, respectively. The slide rails on the body frame are configured to enable the plurality of elastic modules to be mounted on the body frame from an outside of the body frame and to slide thereon to predetermined mounting positions, such that the body frame at one side facing the user is provided with the plurality of elastic modules. The angle between the seat and the backrest portion can be locked for improved operation. The elastic modules, which can be easily installed and uninstalled, can improve the comfort of the sofa bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: NEW-TEC INTEGRATION (XIAMEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Luhao Leng
  • Patent number: 10455883
    Abstract: A helmet has inner and outer shells separated by an array of springs to provide shock absorption. Each spring may be a single piece, or may be formed from two spring halves interconnected at their centers. The springs have arms preferably with a serpentine configuration to provide improved energy absorbing capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: B & B TECHNOLOGIES L.P.
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Brown
  • Patent number: 9173496
    Abstract: An elastomeric load bearing surface with different load support characteristics in different directions. In one embodiment, the surface includes an elastomeric membrane that is oriented in only a single direction, for example, by compression or stretching. In another embodiment, the surface includes mechanical structures, such as connectors, variations in thickness and apertures, that vary the load support characteristics in different directions. In another aspect, the present invention provides a multilayer load bearing surface in which the layers cooperate to provide a controlled force/deflection profile that is variable in different regions of the surface. In one embodiment, the upper layer includes a plurality of loosely connected nodes and a lower layer having a plurality of resilient elements that separately support each node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Coffield, John F. Aldrich, Ryan S. Brill, Matthew P. Reed, Matthew Parkinson, Jeffrey A. Weber
  • Patent number: 9022369
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Sealy Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Larry DeMoss, James A. Beamon, Brian M. Manuszak, Herman F. Fisher, Joseph Truskolasky, David J. Pleiman, Dan Olsen, Randy Sizemore
  • Publication number: 20140346718
    Abstract: The mattress assemblies have an array of springs extending from a sheet. Each spring in the array may be manufactured by choosing a position for the spring, cutting a profile of the sheet spring in the sheet, peeling back or bending the profile or tab of the sheet, and shaping the profile to form the sheet spring. The array of springs may be formed from creating a plurality of such springs along rows and columns. In certain embodiments, multiple sheets may be stacked to form the sheet spring array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Michael S. DeFranks
  • Patent number: 8893388
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of making a spring core (12) for a bedding or seating product (10). The spring core (12) has coil springs (26) having unknotted end turns (72, 74) made from high tensile strength wire. In each embodiment, the end turns (72, 74) of the coil springs (26) are generally U-shaped having one arcuate leg (76) longer than the other (78), the legs (76, 78) being joined by a connector (80) having an arcuate bump (81) therein. The springs (26) are oriented in the spring core (12) such that a long leg (76) of one end turn (72) abuts a short leg (78) of the adjacent end turn (72) prior to being wrapped in helical lacing wire (32). The high tensile wire enables the coil springs (26) to be manufactured using less wire than heretofore possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Guido Eigenmann, Niels S. Mossbeck, Darrell A. Richmond
  • Patent number: 8806672
    Abstract: A foldable sofa mattress and method for storing within low profile furniture. The mattress includes a transition section disposed between different collapsible sinuous spring sections. The sinuous spring sections are pivotably joined to the transition section and the sections are affixed to upper and lower grids for support. A method for storing a foldable mattress includes the steps of providing a mattress with a transition section disposed between two collapsible sections, extending opposing pairs of straps from the transition section to each of the separate collapsible sections, and bending the mattress. The method further includes the steps of flattening the two collapsible sections, placing the flattened sections on top of one another, and storing the folded mattress in a cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Axess Direct, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Raymond, W. Clark Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8800979
    Abstract: The mattress assemblies have an array of springs extending from a sheet. Each spring in the array may be manufactured by choosing a position for the spring, cutting a profile of the sheet spring in the sheet, peeling back or bending the profile or tab of the sheet, and shaping the profile to form the sheet spring. The array of springs may be formed from creating a plurality of such springs along rows and columns. In certain embodiments, multiple sheets may be stacked to form the sheet spring array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Dreamwell, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael S. DeFranks
  • Patent number: 8745783
    Abstract: A supporting spring system for furniture for sleeping, sitting or reclining, having a plurality of elongated, resilient carrier profiles that have a longitudinal axis and that run parallel to each other, form a common plane, and preferably are mounted on a frame or on longitudinal members. The carrier profiles have at least one reinforcement that is spaced apart from the longitudinal axis, and the profiles can be rotated about the longitudinal axis or an axis parallel thereto in order to change their flexural stiffness against a force in the direction perpendicular to the common plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Thomas Beteiligungs- und Vermogens- GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klaus Jansen
  • Patent number: 8720872
    Abstract: Innersprings with alternating coil spring orientations have columns of interconnected coils in which the axial orientation of the coils alternates one hundred and eighty degrees column to column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Sealy Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Larry K. DeMoss, Brian M. Manuszak, James A. Beamon
  • Patent number: 8662483
    Abstract: A shock absorber for vehicle seat is provided. The shock absorber is suspended on a seat frame so as to elastically support a pad. The shock absorber includes: a plurality of wires that are disposed in parallel to the seat frame, both ends of the wires being locked to the seat frame; and a resinous member that connects the wires to each other, the resinous member having a bent portion, wherein the resinous member is elastically deformable in a direction in which the wires are opposed each other in accordance with a deformation of the bent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigetomo Yamaguchi, Masayuki Kitou, Toshiyuki Ario, Ryuji Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8511654
    Abstract: A drop-in grid base for coil units is provided. A plurality of extruded plastic tubes, plastic-covered wire profiles, and cross wires are arranged in substantially the same plane to form a grid foundation. The cross wires intersect the extruded plastic tubes and wire profiles. Base wires having a series of shallow, v-shaped notches are interwoven in substantially the same plane as the grid foundation. The ends of the base wires are looped for attachment inside the seating cavity of a framed furniture product. A coil unit may be attached directly to the drop-in grid base. Alternatively, the drop-in grid base may be separately installed into a seating cavity frame, for later installation of a coil unit on top of the drop-in grid base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Larry I. Bullard
  • Publication number: 20130154169
    Abstract: A spring assembly having a bushing, a bolt having a head and a shank that may be received within the bushing, a first spring bearing surface, a second spring bearing surface, and a spring located between the first and second spring bearing surfaces and bearing against each of the first and second spring bearing surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: UNISON INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Myers, Bernard Albert Luschek, Dennis Alan McQueen
  • Publication number: 20130106037
    Abstract: The open air layer-type vibration reduction structure is provided with at least one plate-like member of which the obverse surface faces toward the open space side; and a frame spaced at an interval from the reverse surface of the plate-like member, and an air layer is formed between the plate-like member and the frame. An air-permeable ventilation portion is formed at least one of the plate-like member and the frame, such that the average value of the flow resistance on the surface of at least one of the plate-like member and the frame, which forms an air layer, is in a range greater than 0 N·s/m3 and equal to or less than 1,000 N·s/m3, The ventilation portion may be configured such that the sound pressure level generated within the air layer by applying an external force to the air layer is reduced by 3 dB or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Nittobo Acoustic Engineering Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Ohashi, Hiroshi Ohyama, Kazuhiro Takashima, Yuichi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 8429779
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bedding or seating product (10) having a spring core (12) comprising coil springs (26) having unknotted end turns (72, 74) made from high tensile strength wire. In each embodiment, the end turns (72, 74) of the coil springs (26) are generally U-shaped having one arcuate leg (76) longer than the other (78), the legs (76, 78) being joined by a connector (80) having an arcuate bump (81) therein. The springs (26) are oriented in the spring core (12) such that a long leg (76) of one end turn (72) abuts a short leg (78) of the adjacent end turn (72) prior to be wrapped in helical lacing wire (32). The high tensile wire enables the coil springs (26) to be manufactured using less wire than heretofore possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Guido Eigenmann, Niels S. Mossbeck, Darrell A. Richmond
  • Publication number: 20120175829
    Abstract: A drop-in grid base for coil units is provided. A plurality of extruded plastic tubes, plastic-covered wire profiles, and cross wires are arranged in substantially the same plane to form a grid foundation. The cross wires intersect the extruded plastic tubes and wire profiles. Base wires having a series of shallow, v-shaped notches are interwoven in substantially the same plane as the grid foundation. The ends of the base wires are looped for attachment inside the seating cavity of a framed furniture product. A coil unit may be attached directly to the drop-in grid base. Alternatively, the drop-in grid base may be separately installed into a seating cavity frame, for later installation of a coil unit on top of the drop-in grid base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: L & P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
    Inventor: LARRY I. BULLARD
  • Publication number: 20120112393
    Abstract: A pair of pressure plates and a spring unit situated between the pair of pressure plates. The spring unit includes plural springs. Each spring includes, in a longitudinally sectional shape, a curved central portion having substantially arc shape projecting in a direction perpendicular to an expansion/contraction direction, a pair of curved end portions each having substantially arc shape projecting at extensions of both ends of the curved central portion in a direction opposite to the projecting direction of the curved central portion, and base portions formed by extending edges of the curved end portions in substantially parallel with the direction perpendicular to the expansion/contraction direction. The base portions are respectively secured to the pair of pressure plates so the spring is located between the pair of pressure plates. The spring length in natural state has linear straight portions between the curved central portion and the curved end portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Captex Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Mitsuo Januma, Daisuke Kokawa, Shuichi Itoh
  • Patent number: 8051731
    Abstract: A spring reaction force converting apparatus has first and second members arranged to be in parallel with and opposed to each other and to be capable of being moved toward and apart from each other, a spring element arranged to be extended between the first and second members in parallel thereto, a link mechanism holding the spring element between the first and second members such that the spring element is capable of being expanded and contracted, the link mechanism being connected to the first and second members; a stopper member maintaining the spring element held by the link mechanism in a condition in which the spring element is compressed by a predetermined amount in an initial condition, and an arrangement thereof in which a reaction force of the spring element is converted to a different type of force transmitted to the first and second members through the link mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Hachuda
  • Patent number: 7921561
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bedding or seating product (10) having a spring core (12) comprising coil springs (26) having unknotted end turns (72, 74) made from high tensile strength wire. In each embodiment, the end turns (72, 74) of the coil springs (26) are generally U-shaped having one arcuate leg (76) longer than the other (78), the legs (76, 78) being joined by a connector (80) having an arcuate bump (81) therein. The springs (26) are oriented in the spring core (12) such that a long leg (76) of one end turn (72) abuts a short leg (78) of the adjacent end turn (72) prior to be wrapped in helical lacing wire (32). The high tensile wire enables the coil springs (26) to be manufactured using less wire than heretofore possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Guido Eigenmann, Niels S. Mossbeck, Darrell A. Richmond
  • Patent number: 7850153
    Abstract: The invention relates to an upholstery spring device (1), especially for upholstery cushions, mattresses, or similar, comprising a plurality of upholstery spring elements (2). The aim of the invention is to create an upholstery spring device (1) which can be used with a great degree of flexibility while being simple and inexpensive to produce. Said aim is achieved by an upholstery spring device (1) comprising a plurality of adjacent upholstery spring elements (2) which are joined to each other by means of a flexible connecting device (5, 120) so as to form a joint unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Spiroplex GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Bock
  • Publication number: 20100072758
    Abstract: An on-road energy conversion and vibration absorber apparatus receives the kinetic energy from moving vehicles and pedestrians when being weighed down, and converts the received kinetic energy into a static energy using a restorable elastic element compressing a fluid thereby storing the static energy in a pressure chamber, and then conducting the pressurized fluid to pass though a check valve along a conduit and drive a vane wheel by releasing its static energy. The vane wheel in turn drives a generator to generate electric energy, the vibration of the vehicles is alleviated by cushion effect provided by the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Hung-Wei CHANG, Chih-Yang LEE
  • Patent number: 7596821
    Abstract: A portable lift cushion to provide aid in lifting a user may include a handle to allow the user to carry the portable lift cushion, a first housing section to house a portion of the portable lift cushion, a second housing section to house personal items of the user, a biasing device to compress within the first housing section when the user sits on the first housing section and expands within the first housing section when the user is no longer sitting on the first housing section. The biasing device may include a flexible support bar, and the flexible support bar may be substantially V shaped. The first housing section may include padding on an exterior surface of the first housing section, and the second housing section may include a sealing device to provide access to the interior of the second housing section. The first housing section may be formed from flexible material, and the flexible support bar may include a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: Anne M Pawlowski
  • Patent number: 7546647
    Abstract: A support module for a bedding foundation comprises two wire-form elements each a single length of wire configured to have a central bridge portion, two spaced legs extending in a common direction therefrom, and feet at terminal ends of the legs. The bridge portion the feet lie in parallel planes with the legs extending therebetween. The feet of one wire-form element are affixed to the bridge portion of the other wire-form element with the respective legs of both elements extending in a common direction and with the bridge portion of the one element and the feet of the other element in a common plane. The bridge portion of the other wire-form element is secured to a base of a bedding foundation and the feet of the other wire-form element and the bridge portion of the one wire-form element are secured to a support surface of a bedding foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Kevin N. McCraw
  • Publication number: 20090014929
    Abstract: The invention relates to a support element (1), comprising a top plate (2) and a spring element (3) arranged thereon, whereby the spring element (3) has a coiled embodiment which tapers away from the top plate (2) in the form of a cone. According to the invention, a support element (1) which is both simple and economical to produce and which has a reliable application in long term use may be achieved, whereby the top plate (2) is made from plastic, the spring element (3) is made from plastic and the spring element (3) has a multiple winding embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: Spiroplex GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Bock, Udo Feldotto
  • Publication number: 20080197549
    Abstract: A vibration damping apparatus wherein a mass member is elastically supported by a spring member on a vibrating member to be damped for constituting a secondary vibrating system. The spring member is a metal plate spring with one end being attached to the mass member and the other end being attached to the vibrating member. A rubber bushing having an inner and an outer tube member positioned spaced apart from one another in a diametrical direction and linked in the diametrical direction by a rubber elastic body. One of the inner shaft member and the outer tube member of the rubber bushing is fastened to the plate spring while the other is fastened to the mass member or the vibration damping apparatus, whereby the moment is exerted in the torsional direction of the rubber bushing during displacement of the mass member by vibration to be damped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: TOKAI RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Koichi Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20080166598
    Abstract: Element for compressing a fuel cell stack comprising two spring plates defining a gas-tight cavity filled with a suitable medium. Expansion of the medium upon increase of the temperature gives rise to a force compressing the stack. Additional spring rings can be placed between the spring plates, in order to increase the compressive force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2006
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: WARTSILA FINLAND OY
    Inventor: Timo Mahlanen
  • Publication number: 20080157446
    Abstract: A deep slot tape cartridge library module including a main wall having two major surfaces; a pair of side walls in spaced relation to each other and each extending orthogonally to both major surfaces whereby the main wall and side walls form a substantially “H” shaped structure; an opening in the main wall, the opening extending longitudinally along the main wall a relatively short distance; a spring clip configured complimentarily to the opening and removably retainable therein; and a spring fixedly connected to the spring clip. A method for replacing a spring of a high density tape library where a spring assembly and main wall are utilized, the method including identifying a slot having a failed spring; emptying the identified slot of tape cartridges; extracting the spring assembly from the main wall; and replacing the spring assembly with a non-failed spring assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shawn M. Nave, Jeffrey L. Thorn, Raymond Yardy
  • Patent number: 7386897
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bedding or seating product having a spring core comprising coil springs having unknotted end turns made from high tensile strength wire. In each embodiment, the end turns of the coil springs are generally U-shaped having one leg longer than the other, the legs being joined by an arcuate connector. The springs are oriented in the spring core such that a long leg of one end turn abuts a short leg of the adjacent end turn prior to be wrapped in helical lacing wire. The high tensile wire enables the coil springs to be manufactured using less wire than heretofore possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Guido Eigenmann, Niels S. Mossbeck
  • Patent number: 7360263
    Abstract: A support module for use in a bedding foundation to support a support surface above a bedding foundation base, the support module being of an independent wire form configured to define a top portion, a bottom portion, and four predominantly straight support legs, wherein the support legs are skewed with respect to each other, such that each respective support leg is not parallel to any of the other support legs. The top of each support leg is bent to be oriented into a common first plane to form the top portion, which may be connected to a wire grid assembly to form a nestable bedding foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Kevin N. McCraw
  • Patent number: 7356859
    Abstract: A support module for use in a bedding foundation to support a support surface above a bedding foundation base, the support module being of an independent wire form configured to define a top portion, a bottom portion, and four predominantly straight support legs, wherein the support legs are skewed with respect to each other, such that each respective support leg is not parallel to any of the other support legs. The top of each support leg is bent to be oriented into a common first plane to form the top portion, which may be connected to a wire grid assembly to form a nestable bedding foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Kevin N. McCraw
  • Patent number: 7237282
    Abstract: A nestably stackable bedding foundation assembly replaces the traditional border wire and disposed coil spring foundation assembly in a so-called box spring. The foundation assembly may be nestably stacked with numerous other such assemblies for transportation, thereby avoiding the need to compress and tie the assembly for shipping. Each foundation assembly includes a number of corrugated support wires having alternating peaks and valleys. The valleys of selected support wires are twisted relative to their associated peaks to provide a more stable mounting to a base and offer a variety of firmness to specific zones of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Beck, Jacob Neuenswander, Thomas W. Wells
  • Patent number: 7063309
    Abstract: The invention concerns a mattress spring structure that includes multiple spring assemblies. Each spring assembly comprises an array of open-ended spring coils. The spring assemblies are arranged in superimposed relationship with the individual spring coils of the respective assemblies registering in vertical alignment with one another. A membrane extends between each pair of superimposed assemblies and the assemblies are connected to one another to form a unitary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Bedding Component Manufacturers (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Graham Colman
  • Patent number: 7044454
    Abstract: The invention concerns inner spring assemblies for mattresses, typically bed mattresses. The invention proposes an inner spring assembly having open-ended coil springs arranged in first rows and second rows transverse to the first rows and a connecting arrangement which connects the coil springs to form a unitary assembly. For ease of manufacture all the coil springs in the assembly are of the same hand, those in the first rows are oriented similarly to all other springs in the same first row and in at least some of the second rows there are springs which are oriented oppositely to other coil springs in the same second row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Bedding Component Manufacturers (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Graham Colman, Gianni Nosenzo, Leonard Patrick Mizra
  • Patent number: 7005001
    Abstract: A fuel vapor storage canister is provided. The canister includes a vapor storage chamber of variable volume, a partition, vapor adsorbing material, and a volume compensator. The partition is movable within the canister and partially defines the vapor storage chamber. The vapor adsorbing material is located in the vapor storage chamber. The volume compensator includes a spring having at least three legs that are deflected by and exert pressure against the movable partition to control the volume of the vapor storage chamber. In one embodiment, the legs of the spring may be evenly spaced to exert a balanced pressure. The spring may include two pairs of opposing legs, where the spring rate between the pairs of legs may vary. The spring may be comprised of two angularly offset band springs and may be formed from a unitary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Dayco Products, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher D. Allen, James T. Dumas, Donald L. Gepper
  • Patent number: 6994333
    Abstract: The invention provides an individual suspension device for a bed or seat base of the multi-element type, the device being for interposing between a platform determining a support surface and a padding element such as a mattress, and comprising a foot for fixing to an element of the platform, a suspension structure fixed to the foot, and a top plate carried by the suspension structure and serving as a support for the padding element, said suspension structure being circularly symmetrical about a vertical axis, wherein the suspension structure is a single hollow piece and is made of a flexible synthetic material or a vulcanized rubber having hardness lying in the range 40 on the Shore A scale to 70 on the Shore D scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Tournadre Sa Standard Gum
    Inventors: Jacques Lobry, Françoise Lobry
  • Patent number: 6862763
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Niels S. Mossbeck, Terry W. Moser
  • Patent number: 6826791
    Abstract: A spring element for supporting a seat cushion or mattress includes a base body adapted to be attached to a foundation member. The base body includes a plurality of spring arms. Attached to the base body is a support body which includes at least two support arms. The support body is rotatable relative to the base body about an axis to displace the support arms between a supporting position to limit the deflection of the spring arms, and a non-supporting position to exert no influence on the spring arms. Therefore, the flexibility of the spring element can be adjusted by rotation of the support body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: FROLI Kunststoffwerk Heinrich Fromme OHG
    Inventor: Heinrich Fromme
  • Patent number: 6758464
    Abstract: An innerspring assembly, preferably pocketed spring core, includes a plurality of interconnected springs having a same height and arranged to form adjoining rows to provide a resting area. At least several of the rows are arranged in relation to the respectively neighboring rows offset in height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: AGRO Federkernproduktions GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Grothaus
  • Publication number: 20040007802
    Abstract: A slip resistant floor mat which incorporates a plurality of support rings, suction cups and openings to resist movement of the floor mat and restrain fluid spills.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Ian S. Malpass, Jeffrey L. Cofer
  • Patent number: 6647574
    Abstract: A coupled waveband (14, 21) suspension for bed underframes, seating, upholstery, and mattresses consists of several sinusoidal wavebands (14, 21) which run parallel and/or transversely to the longitudinal axis. Support elements (12, 35) are rigidly or moveably fixed to or ride on the crests or maxima of the wavebands (14, 21). The troughs or minima are supported by slide or roll bearing elements (17) affixed to the frame. A strong interactive coupling is achieved between the support elements (12, 35) causing a positive stroke of the less pressure-loaded segments and the appropriate support elements by the simultaneous lowering of the pressure-loaded waveband segments. The wavebands (14, 21) are manufactured out of higher quality, elastically flexible sold plastic or foam material, or of spring steel band or wire, duralumin, or out of formed laminated wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Erhard Weber
  • Patent number: 6578213
    Abstract: A nestably stackable assembly for use in a bedding foundation. The assembly has a rectangular border wire with parallel sides and ends. Transversely spaced, parallel and longitudinally extending support wires are connected at their ends to the border wire ends. The support wires are formed so as to be generally corrugated along their lengths with peaks and valleys. The peaks are flattened at their tops, and the flattened tops are generally coplanar with a plane defined by the border wire. The valleys are vertically displaced beneath and intermediate of the flattened tops. Longitudinally spaced and transversely extending, upper connector wires are connected to the sides of border wires, and the upper connector wires are connected along their lengths to the flattened tops of the peaks of the support wires. The valleys have flattened bottoms, and adjacent pairs of the flattened bottoms of the valley are interconnected by resilient connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Upton Dabney
  • Patent number: 6484339
    Abstract: A bedding or seating product comprising a base having a generally rectangular frame and a plurality of internal rails, a wire grid spaced above the base and a plurality of plastic modules connecting the wire frame and the base. Each of the plastic modules has four arms extending upwardly from a bottom portion and terminating in end portions. Each end portion has a pair of perpendicular grooves adapted to receive intersecting wires of the wire grid. The modules are nestably stackable to save space during shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Niels S. Mossbeck, Jacob J. Neuenswander, Thomas J. Wells
  • Patent number: 6427990
    Abstract: A spring configuration of an individual-segment underspring configuration for furniture including a mattress. The spring configuration is formed of individual spring elements, each containing a supporting plate; a baseplate; a latch holder having latches; and at least one spring body connected between the supporting plate and the baseplate. The spring body has a first center, a second center spaced apart from the first center, a central axis, and cushioning arms disposed in one of a straight plane and a curved plane and extending radially outward in one of a straight manner and a curved manner from the first center and the central axis. The cushioning arms have outer ends with latching devices in a region of the second center, and, in each case in a state in which the cushioning arms are bent over in a manner of a basket in one direction toward the central axis and the second center, the latching devices of the cushioning arms engaging in and securing to the latches of the latch holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Siegbert Hartmann
  • Patent number: 6419212
    Abstract: The invention relates to a modular spring for a mattress foundation unit having a wooden base a plurality of modular springs and a mattress supporting wire grid that is supported above the wooden base by the modular springs. The modular spring comprises a planar top portion which can be attached to the wire grid, four straight legs and each leg terminating in a transverse foot portion. The top portion includes four partially curved spaced apart members. The legs extend downwardly from the top portion in an obtuse angular relation to the top portion and each leg interlinks two adjacent partially curved members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: International Wire Convertors (Pty) Ltd.
    Inventors: Wayne Arnold, Graham Colman, Gianni Nosenzo
  • Patent number: 6170807
    Abstract: An inner spring, for use in furniture and bedding, comprises coil springs which are encased in cylindrical casings having a predetermined number of spring casing portions, and which are continuously arranged in parallel. The axes of the coil springs are arranged in parallel, and at least a part of the coil springs encased in the spring casing portions are given different repulsions by varying their pitches and are set in place in the cylindrical spring casings to form a row of inner springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Eto
  • Patent number: 6134729
    Abstract: High and low profile mattress foundation frames have perimeter and transverse members, and upper members to which spring modules are attached to support a grid over the frame, to form a flexible support surface for a mattress. In a high profile version of the frame, transverse members are oriented with a major width perpendicular to a major width of the perimeter members, to provide structural rigidity and increased height to the frame. Low profile spring modules, such as the described composite material spring modules, supported by the high profile frame form a foundation which is comparable in overall height to conventional mattress foundations which use wire-form spring modules. In a low profile version of the frame, the major widths of the perimeter and transverse members are arranged parallel, and longitudinal members are supported by the transverse members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Sealy Technology LLC
    Inventors: Mark J. Quintile, Eugen Constantinescu, Robert F. Wagner
  • Patent number: 6113082
    Abstract: Disclosed is a spring formed from a synthetic resin into one body, including: a plurality of annular members arranged in such a manner as to be coaxial with each other and spaced in parallel to each other; and elastic linkage members for linking the annular members to each other at a plurality of points. In the spring, each of the elastic linkage members is arranged along a virtual cylindrical face formed by the annular members and formed into a lying U-shape curved in the peripheral direction of the annular members; radii of adjacent ones of the annular members are different from each other; and one end portion and the other end portion of each of the elastic linkage members, which portions are respectively linked to the adjacent ones of the annular members, are not overlapped to each other in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Nishikawa Sangyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Izou Fujino
  • Patent number: 6108834
    Abstract: A unitary base member for supporting a wire spring assembly of a bed foundation. The base member includes a lattice formed of a plurality of lateral members and a plurality of longitudinal members. The lattice has a lower surface and an upper surface for mounting a wire spring assembly thereon. The lateral members are oriented substantially parallel to each other, and the longitudinal members are oriented substantially parallel to each other. The plurality of lateral members are positioned above said plurality of longitudinal members. Significantly, the lateral and longitudinal members of the lattice are integrally and inseparably formed together with each other as a single piece of substantially rigid plastic for preventing movement of the members with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: International Sleep Creations, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Mauro, Fausto Mauro, Vito Mauro
  • Patent number: 6032307
    Abstract: A bedding product comprising a collapsible spring assembly, a pad covering the spring assembly and a fabric covering encasing the padded spring assembly. The spring assembly comprises a plurality of collapsible spring modules connected to a plurality of spaced parallel helical lacing wires and locking means to hold the assembly in an expanded condition and prevent its collapse. Each of the spring modules comprises four individual wires joined together with helical lacing wire wrapped around a center section of each of the wires. Upon the collapse of the assembly, each of the spring modules collapses. The assembly is held in an expanded condition by a plurality of locking rods, pieces of plastic mesh or other locking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Joe C. Workman
  • Patent number: 5967499
    Abstract: A nestable box spring foundation includes support modules each formed of a single length of wire defining a top base, a bottom base, and four straight legs. The top base is welded to a wire grid assembly and includes two upper wire segments each having a straight wire portion and respective first and second curved end portions, each upper wire segment lying in a first plane with the straight wire portions lying in angularly converging mirror image relation to each other, each upper wire segment being spaced from one another with first end portions thereof lying closer together than second end portions thereof. The bottom base includes two straight lower wire segments lying in parallel relation to and in a second plane with one another and a straight cross wire segment fixedly intersecting orthogonally the lower wire segments proximate first ends thereof, with the first plane being parallel with the second plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Kevin Noel McCraw, Benjamin Lewis Ray, Darryl Wayne Whitson