Abstract: A recoil strap for use with a vehicle seat frame bottom, the frame having an open interior defined by inwardly facing side edges, apertured portions being defined along a first side edge of the frame and clasp portions being defined along a second side edge. The strap includes an elongated and substantially planar shaped body, constructed of a stamped and spring steel blank, and having a first end and a second end. A plurality of catch portions extend from the first end for securing to the aperture portions of the frame bottom and a plurality of eyelet portions extend from the second end for securing to the clasp portions of the frame bottom. The strap is biased in an upward direction, and in response to a downward application of force, by at least one plurality of alternating bends and recesses formed in the stamped blank. The stamped blank may also include an arcuate curvature to provide additional biasing and resistive support to the seat bottom.

Abstract: Improved spring elements have a unique energy absorbing element that responds to applied loads to produce counter-acting forces that act to absorb the energy of the applied loading. The greater the magnitude of the applied loads, the more the counter-acting forces equilibrate, which enables the spring elements of the invention to accommodate a range of loading force magnitudes. The improved spring elements of the invention may be integrally formed of plastic, and are suitable for use in a variety of different articles of manufacture. Exemplary single- and double-configuration mattress spring, box spring and edge stiffener embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A runner wire useful with collapsible springs includes a plurality of generally parallel and generally aligned runner sections and at least one offset portion. The offset portion merges with and extends from an adjacent pair of runner sections and includes a pair of parallel, rectilinear wire segments that extend generally perpendicularly from the runner sections and a loop connecting the pair of wire segments. The loop extends away from the wire segments within a plane defined by the runner sections and the wire segments in a direction that is nonparallel relative to the wire segments.

Abstract: A spring includes upper and lower runs of wire interconnected by an intermediate run of wire, all of the runs being integrally formed from spring wire. The opposite ends of the upper and lower runs respectively include hooks and coils while the intermediate run includes a coil. The hooks and coils of the upper and lower runs are used to connect the spring to an adjacent spring with the hook of one spring being received about the coil of an adjacent spring. The upper and lower runs are offset above and below the coils of the upper and lower runs respectively to accommodate a helical wire which is wrapped around the upper run for interconnecting runner wires which extend transversely of the upper run. The runner wires have offset portions which are secured to the upper runs by the helical wire. In one form the coils in the upper and lower runs are provided with a projecting recess or ear for receiving the hooks of an adjacent spring.

Abstract: A border support spring has a pair of complementary torsion wires for providing increased resilient border support to a mattress spring assembly. Each torsion wire of the present invention is bent to have an elongated center section having a pair of spaced ends from which extend divergently projecting transverse arms. Each transverse arm terminates in an end portion which is adapted to be secured to the top or bottom border wire of the mattress spring assembly. The end portions and center sections are each generally orthogonal to the orientation of the transverse arms. The center sections of the pair of torsion wires journal together to prevent relative translational movement, but permit pivotal relative movement between the transverse arms. A helical laced wire is used to journal the center sections of the torsion wires together and extends substantially the entire length of the center sections.

Abstract: A foundation assembly is disclosed in which a wire grid is supported above a support frame by a plurality of wire form members extending parallel to one another and arranged in pairs. The wire form members have leg portions extending therefrom and are rotatably mounted to the wire grid to enable a wire subassembly to be shipped with the wire form members rotated to folded positions in which the leg portions lie against the wire grid. After shipping, the wire form members are rotated to extend the leg portions away from the wire grid at an angle less than ninety degrees where the paired wire support members cooperate together forming a rigid structure to prevent collapse of the foundation assembly.

Abstract: A spring assembly has a plurality of rows of springs interconnected in chain-like fashion, each spring including upper and lower runs and an intermediate run interconnecting the upper and lower runs. The upper and lower runs each include a coil on one end and a hook on the opposite end hooked about a coil of an adjacent spring. A plurality of runner wires extend transversely of the upper runs where they are connected thereto by a plurality of helical wires respectively received about the upper runs. The upper runs are in planes above the coils of the upper runs providing recesses above the coils receiving the helical wires.

Abstract: An edge support system for a mattress foundation. The edge support system includes a pair of torsion elements, each including a central torsion segment, with the torsion segments being secured to one another, and with the torsion elements being formed as mirror images of one another, with legs being attached to the top and bottom border members of the mattress foundation. A secondary expansion spring is connected between the attached torsion segments and an intermediate rod located midway between the border members of the foundation. The gauge of the wire forming the torsion elements and the strength of the expansion spring determine the amount of support by the edge support system. A plurality of the system can be spaced about the periphery of the foundation to provide greater firmness in areas needing enhanced stiffness.

Abstract: The member is intended to connect the zigzag tensioning wires mounted parallel to each other in a frame reinforcing a seat cushion. It comprises a flat bar (12) provided at regular intervals with gripping lugs (14) pressing against the bar a straight portion of the wire which is parallel to this bar. Side walls (16, 17) of the bar comprise spaced notches for receiving and fixing portions (4b) of the wire substantially perpendicular to the bar. Since the bar has a lug gripping each wire, the latter are kept at a precise distance from each other and the cushion is locally tensioned.

Abstract: A mattress core particularly useful in a sofa bed has a plurality of rows of coil springs extending longitudinally of the coil in the head to foot direction thereof. A plurality of coiled spring wires extend transversely of the rows while interconnecting adjacent coil springs in each row and adjacent coil springs of adjacent rows by being wound about the coil springs. The coiled spring wires are located on opposite sides of the core. On only one side of the core which forms the sleep surface are a plurality of transversely extending "torsion" spring wires, however, these wires are of a generally rectilinear shape with intermediate offset portions at intervals extending generally along the head to foot direction while being connected to the coil springs of each of the rows. The offset portions provide torsion arms providing torsional resistance to deflection at the sleep surface to thereby increase resistance to deflection while, at the same time, distributing loads across the sleep surface.

Abstract: A box spring assembly consisting of a generally horizontal frame and a generally horizontal wire grid disposed a predetermined distance above the frame, and a plurality of grid support springs arranged between and secured to the grid and the frame so as to yieldably support the grid on the frame. Auxiliary grid crosswires formed of spring wire are incorporated in the grid to strengthen the grid and distribute bedding loads between the support springs.

Abstract: A furniture seat base which employs a series of front and/or back torsioned sinuous spring bands. Predetermined patterns of torsioned bands produce an interaction which generate spring dynamics designed to produce a seat unit which may be sat upon from the front, back, sides, or corners with excellent comfort characteristics. The bands are selectively supported adjacent the rails to obviate objectionable "lean-out.

Abstract: A stabilized mattress border is provided which eliminates undesirable leaning. The border defines a center compartment within which air, flotation, or spring mattress inserts may be positioned. It includes a pair of rows of pocketed coils and a flat wire positioned above and between the rows. The flat wire is attached to the upper convolutions of each of the coils and exerts an inward force upon the entire mattress border. Additional border wires are provided near the exterior corners of the mattress border as well as inside the innermost row of pocketed coils. The appropriate padding and upholstery define the compartment within which the border coils and wires are positioned.

Abstract: A prestressed sinuous spring for furniture springing in which the upwardly spanned are or contour is loaded and depressed to a modified depth and contour by incorporating and selectively positioning a reinforcing link with the prestressed sinuous spring to resist tension and bending forces to which the prestressed sinuous spring is subjected upon loading between the ends thereof.

Abstract: A mattress spring assembly is disclosed having increased firmness in a preselected center area of the mattress. This increased firmness is achieved through use of a grid structure attached to the opposite sides of the mattress. This grid structure comprises plastic straps extending diametrically across the mattress in the center third area and overlaid by a preformed wire grid. The plastic straps and wire grid are attached to the preassembled spring core by conventional connectors such as metal clips and/or hog rings.

Abstract: A seat spring assembly having sinuous spring bands wherein the outermost band adjacent a side rail is provided supplemental resilient resistance to deflection by a combination of a trust member and a key member. As a result, a uniform spacing can be maintained between the bands across the entire seat frame.

Abstract: A mattress supporting foundation unit which is constructed to offer very firm support to a mattress, and which includes a base frame, a horizontal wire mesh spaced above the frame, and support wires for connecting the mesh to and supporting it from and above the frame, with these support wires having portions forming legs which extend upwardly from the base to the mesh and are substantially straight for their entire length between the base and mesh to give the desired rigidity to the overall structure. The support wires desirably also have connector portions which extend laterally between successive legs and are attached to the base and mesh.

Abstract: A spring clip for interconnecting coil springs with tie wires to maintain the coil springs in spaced lengthwise and crosswise rows in the spring assembly, in which the clip member spans the adjacent chords of the terminal coils of the coil springs and receives the adjacent tie wires and the adjacent portions of the terminal coils of the coil springs in respective inwardly and outwardly facing channels with a tongue for leading the clip member into the assembled relation.

Abstract: A foundation in the nature of a bedspring for use beneath a mattress to support the same upon a bedframe or the like, having a base frame with wire columns thereon supporting a stable, elevated platform which is substantially unyielding in its central area under the loads normally imposed upon a bedspring and which, at least in its side edge areas, is resiliently yieldable in response to vertical load.

Abstract: A furniture frame construction of the disclosure includes a framework of steel frame members that support a spring assembly for a seat cushion. Front and rear frame members of the framework are fabricated from relatively thin steel stock and have closed cross-sections with projecting flanges secured to each other. End frame members of the framework are also fabricated from relatively thin steel stock with channel cross-sections and interconnect the front and rear frame members with each other. The spring assembly includes a primary spring of the formed wire type extending between the front and rear frame members. The front end of the primary spring includes a fishmouth section that spaces a support section of this spring above the front frame member. The rear end of the primary spring includes a helical coil with a tail that supports the rear end of the support section on the rear frame member. An auxiliary spring of the spring assembly is secured to the lower side of the primary spring support section.