Abstract: An instrument panel component includes a wall, a first projection, and a second projection. The wall is configured to be supported by the instrument panel. The first and second projections are supported by the wall and extend in a common direction away from the wall. The length of the first projection is different than the length of the second projection and both projections are of a different material than the material of the wall.

Abstract: An automotive armrest includes an elastic core defining a patterned array of channels extending therethrough such that the elastic core exhibits a predetermined target vertical stiffness and a predetermined target lateral stiffness different than the predetermined target vertical stiffness. The automotive armrest also includes a skin arranged with the elastic core.

Abstract: A collapsible vehicle armrest includes an armrest substrate extending between a door frame and a door trim and defining an opening therebetween. The opening has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with the door frame. A plurality of support bands extends co-planar across the opening and parallel with the longitudinal axis. A plurality of stubs extends across each gap defined between adjacent support bands. Each stub is free of alignment with each other of the plurality of stubs in a direction perpendicular to the plurality of support bands. A cover member extends over the armrest substrate and the plurality of support bands, wherein the cover member is vertically supported proximate the opening by the plurality of parallel support bands and the plurality of stubs.

Abstract: A double spring function seat spring assembly combines a U-shaped frame with a closed front, a number of leaf springs (26-28) connected between the front and a cross piece and a plurality of coil springs (36, 38, 40) supporting the cross piece from the frame, the leaf springs formed with a series of W and V arches to enable flexing and extension for improved durability and comfort.

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.

Abstract: An improved manufacturing of innerspring unit for a mattress is disclosed comprises the innerspring rows and columns of coil springs connected to each other with helical wires. An independent suspension, namely the pocket spring, is installed at the center porting of the innerspring to provide additional suspension support to the heaviest part of the body, namely the hips portion, while in sleeping position.

Abstract: A bedding or seating product comprises a pocketed spring assembly having a plurality of parallel strings of springs joined to each other. Each of said strings of springs comprises a row of interconnected pockets, each of the pockets containing at least one spring encased in a fabric pocket. An inflatable member is sandwiched between a lower scrim sheet and some strings of springs. When inflated, the inflatable member preloads select areas of the product.

Abstract: The invention is a profiled bar, in particular sprung bars, in which a reinforcement of both synthetic fibers and natural fibers is embedded in a plastic matrix. The proportion of synthetic fibers can be reduced by using natural fibers derived from regrowing raw materials. This improves environmental compatibility and makes it easier to dispose of such sprung bars. The sprung bars are used in particular to form bottom sprung supports for furniture for sitting and lying on, and in particular for slatted frames.

Abstract: A mattress support system for a bed, comprising a base section, a wire support section, and an upper section. The upper section has one or more substantially rigid edge frame members incorporated therein for increased mattress edge support. The edge frame members may further comprise extensions of the upper section, such that the upper section is wider and/or longer than the base section, so that the mattress support system may be supported by a frame which corresponds to the size of the base section, while fully supporting a mattress which corresponds to the larger size of the upper section.

Abstract: A furniture seat spring assembly is presented which allows simplicity and economical seating for chairs, sofas or the like. The spring assembly comprises a U-shaped base having an eccentrically positioned coil spring which is covered with an elastic webbing. The eccentric position of the spring allows the user's weight to depress the webbing without "feeling" the coil spring which is positioned near the seat frame front rail. Multiple assemblies are positioned at selected intervals within conventional seat frames, depending on the particular frame size used.

Abstract: A foldable bed is movable between an unfolded position, in which interconnected seat, cavity, and body sections are substantially horizontally aligned and of substantially uniform depth, and a folded position, in which the body section is horizontally disposed, the seat section is horizontally disposed and overlies said body section, the cavity section is generally upright and extends between the body and seat sections. In the folded position, the seat section of the mattress is collapsible, and the cavity section of the mattress is noncollapsible. The bed frame can include a leg that is spaced away from the frame in the folded position that compresses a mattress head section, thereby forming spaced within which collapsible springs of the seat section can reside. The bed can include springs having upper, intermediate, and lower runs, wherein the upper and lower runs include offset portions extending in opposite directions that are generally orthogonal to a plane defined by the spring intermediate run.

Abstract: An improved innerspring construction such as a mattress or box spring unit which includes improved edge support characteristics. A torsion edge support unit is disclosed which may be placed about the periphery of an innerspring construction with a minimum of interference with more interiorly-positioned coil springs.

Abstract: A box spring assembly which having a frame, a plurality of upwardly extending wire springs mounted on the frame and a wire deck supported by the springs so that the deck and springs cooperate to yieldably resists downwardly directed bedding loads. Each of the springs has a body comprised of a pair of side-by-side yieldable portions connected at their upper ends by a mounting bar. The yieldable portions include an upper column section and a lower column section connected by a middle section. The middle section is configured to bend in a substantially vertical plane in response to the downwardly directed load. Mounting feet extend from the lower ends of the yieldable portions and enable securement of the spring to the frame. The use of bending stresses in the springs to resist the bedding load produces a spring which stimulates a non-spring system in effective firmness while improving deformation resistance under normal abuse conditions.

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 conventional mattress construction which includes a series of interconnected BONNEL type coil springs together with top and bottom covering layers of fabric and padding is modified by the insertion into some of the coils of a circular cylindrical core member formed from foam which has a length greater than the length of the spring so that ends of the core member project outwardly beyond the end of the springs into engagement with the padding on the top and bottom surfaces of the mattress. The core member has a diameter which is a friction fit with the inside diameter of the intermediate turns of the spring. The core members are provided preferably in the center third of the mattress to increase stiffness in that area and to reduce vibrations being transmitted from one occupant to a second occupant.

Abstract: A motor-vehicle seat is disclosed with a spring core resting on a subframe and surrounded by a topframe, each topframe portion pointed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle being supported relative to the subframe via a stay preventing floating movements and limiting lateral compression movements. In order to allow retrofitting and to prevent reactions on the topframe under compression movements the stay consists respectively of a foam block which is fixed to the subframe and which is inserted between two springs stretched from the subframe to the topframe and at least partially surrounds these positively.

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: An adjustable coil seat is provided which utilizes the combination of a plurality of parallel rows of sinuous springs which are connected at opposite ends of the frame, at least one row of tapered conical coil springs in transverse relation to the sinuous springs and positioned in supporting relationship under the sinuous springs at a location between the ends of the sinuous springs, and a rigid cross-support beam structure which supports the bottom end of the tapered coiled springs. The cross support structure may be of adjustable height to vary pretension of the spring mechanism.

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 bedding or seating spring product comprising a spring assembly having multiple rows of coil springs wherein each row of coil springs is made from a single continuous length of wire and wherein each row contains a plurality of coils interconnected by interconnecting segments, alternate ones of which are disposed in the top and bottom planes of the spring assembly. The interconnecting segments are generally planar and include U-shaped portions having parallel legs and a connecting web. Adjacent rows of coils are connected by securement of the web of a U-shaped portion of each interconnecting segment of one row of coils to a pair of spaced portions of interconnecting segments of an adjacent row.

Abstract: A box spring assembly includes a base frame, a top wire grid and a plurality of sinuous wire springs interconnecting the top wire grid and the base frame. The sinuous wire springs each comprise a sinuous wire strip formed into an inverted U-shaped configuration with the closed end of each U-shaped spring attached to the top wire grid and the free ends at the top of the U-shaped spring attached to the base frame.

Abstract: A spring unit comprises a rectangular base plate, a rectangular frame, first main springs, second main springs, third main springs and fourth main springs arranged on the base plate, and intermediate support springs also placed on the base plate. Each of the first and third main springs has one straight rod portion and two coil portions which are connected at one end to the ends of the straight portion. Each of the second and fourth main springs has one straight rod portion and two torsion bar spring portions which are connected at one end to the ends of the straight rod portion. The first and second main springs are parallel to each other and alternately arranged on said rectangular base plate. The third and fourth main springs are parallel to each other and alternately arranged on said rectangular base plate, with the straight rod portions arranged at right angles to those of the first and second main springs.

Abstract: A spring assembly for mattresses, innersprings, and the like. The assembly comprises longitudinal rows of coils, each row comprising a continuous length of wire formed into a plurality of coils interconnected by Z-shaped wire segments alternately disposed at the top and bottom of the coils. Adjacent rows of coils are connected by longitudinally extending helical lacing wires wound through overlapping Z-shaped wire segments. By lacing the rows of coils longitudinally, the spacing between adjacent coils may be varied in selected longitudinal sections of the unit so as to vary the coil count and thus the firmness of selected areas of the assembly, as for example the center section. Furthermore, by so lacing the rows of coils, a single set-up of forming and assembly machine may be used to manufacture various widths of mattresses, as for example, twin, double or queen and king size units.

Abstract: A mattress for use on a bed and settee comprises a spring unit, at least one cushion, a protection layer arranged between the spring unit and the cushion, and an outer covering for covering these component members. The protection layer includes a frame located at the circumference and outside of the spring unit, and a net tensioned inside the frame, the protection layer being made of synthetic resin and having the frame and net formed integral thereto. The frame has a flange with which end turns of coil springs arranged in the spring unit and adjacent to the frame can be contacted. The frame of each protection layer provided with the flange has sufficient rigidity and serves as a reinforcing member.

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 coil spring assembly, and a method of forming that assembly, in which the assembly's edgemost coil springs are connected to a border wire by a single continuous spiral lacing wire. The method involves the steps of guiding a rotation spiral lacing wire completely around the periphery of a spring coil matrix and border wire through use of helical path defining dies until the leading and trailing ends of the lacing wire are overlapped. During the lacing operation, the helical path defining dies cooperate to deflect a peripheral segment of each corner and edge coil into juxtaposition with the border wire. The resulting final coil spring assembly includes corner coil springs in which the deflected peripheral segments of the corner coils are retained contiguous to the corner of the border wire by the lacing wire.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flotation mattress comprising (a) a planar, flexible bag (10) adapted to hold water during use of the mattress, (b) a hollow, annular compartment (12) surrounding the bag (10) in the plane of the bag, the compartment (12) being collapsible in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the bag (10), and (c) a plurality of springs (14, 42, 56) disposed in the compartment (12) with their axes of resiliency perpendicular to the plane of the bag (10), the springs (14, 42, 56) biasing the compartment (12) towards its uncollapsed position, and (d) means (20, 34, 36, 38) for maintaining the horizontal stability of the planar, flexible bag (10) while the mattress is in use.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flotation mattress comprising (a) a planar, flexible bag (10) adapted to hold water during use of the mattress, (b) a hollow, annular compartment (12) surrounding the bag (10) in the plane of the bag, the compartment (12) being collapsible in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the bag (10), (c) a plurality of springs (14, 42, 56) disposed in the compartment (12) with their axes of resiliency perpendicular to the plane of the bag (10), the springs (14, 42, 56) biasing the compartment (12) towards its uncollapsed position, and (d) means (20, 34, 36, 38) for maintaining the horizontal stability of the planar, flexible bag (10) while the mattress is in use.