Abstract: A fuel cell stack and a compression system for providing compressive force to a fuel cell stack having first and second ends is provided. The compression system includes asymmetric leaf springs operatively connected to first and second ends of the fuel cell stack. Each leaf spring includes a slot having first and second connector positions. The compression system also includes tension members connected to the leaf springs. The tension members compress the leaf springs to provide a compressive load to the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A novel support for use with furniture having a spring-edge is provided that includes a coil assembly. The coil assembly is typically square or rectangular with top and bottom surfaces and a front edge that faces the front of the furniture piece. A bridge is secured to the top surface of the coil assembly to provide support for the spring-edge. The bridge extends outwardly away from the front edge of the coil assembly and is supported in the same plane as the top surface of the coil assembly by a series of wires. The wire supports terminate at and hold a stiffening member in place that forms the upper portion of the spring-edge. The stiffening member is used to attach a series of front springs to the bridge. These springs are held in place on their lower end by the frame of the piece of furniture.

Abstract: A spring cushion assembly, particularly for mattresses, comprises a plurality of spring coils aligned with one another in parallel linear spring coil rows and parallel linear spring coil columns perpendicular to the spring coil rows, each spring coil being of a configuration producing a tendency to incline laterally when compressed, with each spring coil row and each spring coil column comprising spring coils oriented relative to one another to incline in opposing directions for counteracting the tendency of the spring coils to incline.

Abstract: A body support moveable between unfolded and folded positions comprises: serially interconnected body, cavity and seat sections defined by respective upper and lower grids and including resilient members. The body, cavity and seat sections have their upper and lower grids positioned to be substantially coplanar in the unfolded position, and the seat section overlies the body section in the folded position. The resilient members of the seat section are generally planar and are arranged in a plurality of transverse rows. The resilient members are pivotally attached to the seat section upper and lower grids such that, in the unfolded position, the resilient members of the seat section are erect and extend substantially normal to the seat section upper and lower grids, and in the folded position, the resilient members of the seat section pivot relative to the seat section upper and lower grids to bring the seat section upper and lower grids adjacent each other.

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: 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 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: An improved spring is provided which may be used in cushions, mattresses, or box springs which includes a limiting internal member. This limiting member assist in limiting the longitudinal deflection of the springs. Also provided are snapped-fitting connections between the spring and a grid for use within a box spring. Also provided is a "floating" portion of a peripheral border wire, particularly suitable for use in a pair of box springs beneath a king-size mattress unit. Also provided is a corner guard which provided support for upholstered fabric on a box spring. Finally, an improved borderwireless mattress using a peripheral band is provided, which allows the mattress to bend more easily, without disadvantageous setting of its border 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: A mattress construction includes upper and lower structures defining generally parallel planes, and coil springs operatively connected to such structures and located between those planes, and with:(a) at least one of the upper and lower structures including a first grid,(b) and band apparatus extending at the periphery of the mattress and connected with the first grid to interact therewith and transmit force for tensioning the grid.The mattress construction also enables treating of a patient having a spinal condition for which traction is recommended by suspending the patient's body to extend generally horizontally on a "trampoline" grid mattress surface which interacts with the mattress border perimeter structure to create a surface lift and therefore stretch reflex on the patient's body.

Abstract: A spring interior comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending bands of springs disposed side by side and connected together by helical lacing wires in the top and bottom faces of the bands. Each band of springs comprises a single length of wire formed into a plurality of substantially vertical interconnected by interconnecting segments of wire coils of springs located alternately in the top and bottom faces of the bands. Each interconnecting segment comprises a longitudinally extending bridging portion and a transversely extending padding support structure. The padding support structure is angled upwardly away from the top face of the band and downwardly away from the bottom face of the band so as to impart initial softness and subsequent increased firmness to the spring interior when the spring unit is vertically compressed.

Abstract: A rectangular spring assembly (10,10') of the continuous coil type is disclosed as including continuous coil edge reinforcers (20) at a first set of opposite margins (12) between which continuous coils (16) extend. Additional edge reinforcers (24,24') are also preferably provided at a second set of opposite margins (14) of the assembly. In one embodiment, the spring assembly (10) has its edge reinforcers (20,24) oriented with straight connectors (30) thereof located adjaent associated border wires (34) and preferably has the edge reinforcers all made unitary with each other. In another embodiment, the spring assembly (10') has the straight connector portions (30) of its edge reinforcers (24') spaced inwardly from the border wires (34) with the edge reinforcers (20) made separate from the edge reinforcers (24').

Abstract: A grid frame for a spring assembly comprising a border wire transversely and longitudinally-crossing line wires, and spring wires disposed between adjacent line wires either transversely of the frame or longitudinally thereof.

Abstract: A spring assembly wherein there is a rectangular border wire and there are coils disposed in spaced, parallel rows within the border wire. The coils in the rows of coils lap and are connected by helices of wire. The helices of wire connect the adjacent rows of coils, and the coils adjacent the border wire are connected thereto by a helix of wire.

Abstract: A spring assembly embodying along the front edge a row of coil springs, each of which has end loops and intermediate the end loops a series of turns which diminish in diameter from the top to the bottom, the loop at the top being inclined to the axis of the coils and providing in conjunction with an upwardly bent portion of the border wire at the top of the assembly a supporting barrier at the front edge of the assembly such as to retain a cushion in place under conditions tending to slide the cushion forwardly.

Abstract: A tempered resilient wire forms an upholstery coil spring which has a plurality of interconnected turns, with the top turn being a closed flat loop extending upwardly from the rear of the spring at a given angle to the horizontal, a second turn located immediately below the top turn and being inclined upwardly from the rear of the spring at an inclination angle which is less than the inclination angle of the top turn, a plurality of intermediate turns located below the second turn, and a flat base turn for resting on a support surface.