US1724864A

US1724864A - Spring structure

Info

Publication number: US1724864A
Application number: US218319A
Authority: US
Inventors: Abram C Wisner
Original assignee: Reynolds Spring Co
Current assignee: Reynolds Spring Co
Priority date: 1927-09-08
Filing date: 1927-09-08
Publication date: 1929-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 1946-08-13

Description

Filed Sept. 8, 1927 Patented Aug. 13, 1929.

UNITED'ST'ATES' PATENT OFFICE.

ABRAM C. WISNER, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN, ASSICNOR T0 REYNOLDS SPRING COMPANY, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN. I

SPRING STRUCTURE.

Application filed September a, 1927. Serial m5. 218,319.

This invention relates to spring structures.

One object of the invention resides in the provision of a device constructed for ready application to a base frame of common form so as to secure the lower edge of an upholstery skirt to the common base frame to conceal and protect the skirt from wear at the lower edge of the base frame.

Another object is to provide a device constructed to embrace a portion of a base frame of spring structures to strengthen the base frame and to secure the marginal edge of the upholstery skirt against the base frame to protect the skirt from abrasion and wear at the lower edge of the base frame.

Another object is to provide a spring structure embodying among other characteristics, means whereby to clamp the marginal edge of the upholstery skirt to the outer side, top and bottom faces of the base frame comprising a suitable clamping member having a groove adapted to embrace the base frame and also having flanges, one to extend under the base frame and the other to extend upwardly beyond the horizontal plane of the base frame, the groove being arranged at the juncture between said flanges and the clamping member being secured to the base frame by a pinching action on the same whereby to'secure the base frame and skirt and clamping member together.

A still further object is to provide a device for securing together a spring structure in cluding a metallic base frame, and the marginal edge of an upholstery skirt and a wood base upon which the upholstered spring structure is mounted. I

7 With the above and other objects in view, theinvention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit .or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings: V

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view through a spring structure illustrating one roam of j the present invention applied thereto.

' Fig. 2 is a top plan view of one form of the lnvention unapplied.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view illustrating a modified form of clamping member.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the modified form of clamping member applied to a wood base. 7 Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, the reference character 5 indicates a continuous U-shaped sheet metal frame, having a groove 6 opening inwardly in a horizontal plane to receive the lower convolutions of the border springs 7 which are held securely therein by pinchingor compressing the metal of the frame 5 onto the lower convolutions of the border springs, as indicated at 8. This is an old construction and the inner springs are generally supported on U-bars 9, being pinched therein, and the bars generally pinched at their ends onto the border springs 8. p

The upholstery for spring structures for vehiclesand other purposes, generally consists of padding 10 and a covering 11, including a skirt 12. The lower marginal edge of the skirt 12 is secured to the metal base frame in various ways or to a wood base frame if the metallic U-shaped frame is mounted on a wood base. In the present instance, and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2,1 provide a clamping member formed to effect a connection of the skirt with the metal base frame which strengthens the latter and also protects the lower edge of the skirt from Wear. For instance, as shownin Figs. 1 and 2, the skirt securing clamp may con- .sist of a strip of sheet metal folded longitudinally upon itself to provide a lower flange 13 and an upwardly directed flange 14, with an interveninginwardly opening continuous longitudinal groove 15, the walls of which projectslightly outwardly beyond .the flange 14, as shown. The groove 15 of the clamping member is adapted to receive the U-shaped frame 5 and binds the mar- .ginal edge. of the skirt onto the U-shaped base frame. The upper edge of the flange 14 ma be turned outwardly, as at 16, if

desire so as to obviate a sharp edge to prevent possible tearing of the upholstery skirt during application of the same, or when the completed article is in use. If desired, the upwardly directed flange of the clam ing member may be curved sli htly, as in icate'd at 17 in Fig. 3, rather t an as'shown ,in Figs. 1 and 2, as it will perform the functions ascribed to the upwardly directed skirt over the base frame.

flange shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In either form, the upwardly directed flange extends upwardly beyond the horizontal plane of the U-shaped baseframe 5 and conceals and protects that portion of the skirt which lies immediately above the base frame 5.

The spring structure having been built and it is desired to apply the upholstery covering, the latter is made up of the proper size and placed over the structure. The marginal edge of the skirt is folded under the U'-shaped base frame 5 and the clamping member described is applied to the base frame'withthe groove 15 of the clamplng member embracing the U-shaped base frame to bind and secure the marginal edge of the The clamping member may have the upper and lower walls of its groove 15 pinched or compressed onto the upper and lower walls of the groove 6 of the base frame 5 to provide for a more positive tight embracing relation between the clamping member and the base frame,

thanis afforded by depending merely upon a snug tight fit of the walls of the groove on the base frame. The clamping mem ber may be pinched onto the base frame at intervals, as indicated at 18, or continuously, as may be desired.

As illustrated, the lower flange 13 of the clamping member extends inwardly beyond the U-shaped base frame 5 and gives added strength to the structure and takes the weight of the latter, giving greater width to the base frame than that now afforded by the usual U-bar or U-shaped base frame, considerably strengthening the latter horizontally. The upwardly directed flange strengthens the base frame vertically. The flange l4 and the'lower flange 13 with the walls of the intervening groove 15 of the clamping member shield the marginal edge of the skirt and protect the same in use from wear incident to marring or abrasion caused by friction between the seat structure and its support. The clamping member also gives an ornamental appearance to the upholstered structure.

In Fig. 1 there is illustrated a form of the invention as applied to a wood base 19 and to provide for thus mounting the upholstered spring structure, the lower flange 13-of the clamping member may beprovided with perforations 20 through which suitable fastenings 21 may pass into the wood base 19 to secure't'he base frame 5, with the skirt applied thereto, to the wood base, ob-

' viating necessity of stapling the base frame 5 or convolutionsof border springs to the The perforations 20 need not be formed in the flange 13 to facilitate piercing'of said flange by the fastenings, for suitable fastenings may be used topierce the said flange and wood base, simply by driving such fastenmgs through said flange into 7 frame 5.

the wood base as is well understood. In either event, the fastenings 21 pierce the flange 13 and serve to secure together the clamp groove with the U-shaped base frame 5, is such, owing to the flexibility of the sheet metal of which the base frame and clamping members are formed, as to provide for an effective tight connection for binding the skirt ontothe base frame as'to obviate the necessity of pinching or compressing the walls of'the groove 15 onto the base frame, as aforesaid, especially in View of the ends of the clamping memberbeing secured together by pinching or indenting the metal at abutting ends, as indicated at 22. I

Thus it will be seen that the marginal edge of the skirt is tightly and effectively secured to the base frame by means which not only effects the tight and effective connection but gives great strength to the sheet metal base frame to prevent kinking or bending of the latter in use, said means effecting stability up and down and in and out with relation to the sheet metal base frame. It is apparent also that the marginal edge of the skirt is wrapped or passed over the base frame in such a manner as to be clamped thereon at at least three points, that is, it is pressed against the base frame at the top and bottom of the latter andalso at the bight portion or outer wall of the same.

What is claimed is:

1. Means adapted to connect the marginal edge of an upholstery skirt of a spring structure to the base frame of the latter, comprising a strip of sheet metal folded longitudinally upon itself to provide spaced flanges and an inwardly opening longitudinal groove arranged at the juncture between said flanges, said strip beingbendable to conform to the contour of the base frame and to embrace the latter, said strip having one flange adapted to extend under the base frame of the spring structure and having its other flange extending upwardly vertically above the base frame and arranged contiguous to the skirt to form a guard to shield the skirt a substantial distance above the base frame to prevent wear at the lower edge. of the skirt, both flanges being unfiitudinally upon itself to provide spaced anges and an inwardly opening longitudinal groove arranged at the juncture between said flanges, said strip being bendable to conform to the contour of the base frame and to embrace the latter, said strip having one flange adapted to extend under the base frame of the spring structure and having its other flange extending upwardly vertically above the base frame and arranged contiguous to the skirt to form. a guard to shield the skirt a substantial distance above the base frame to prevent Wear at the lower edge of the skirt, both flanges being unslitted, the strip having its free ends overlapping and where overlapped being secured together to thereby secure the strip tightly on to the base frame and bind the marginal edge of the skirt tightly against the base frame, the flange which extends under the spring structure being bent at intervals by pinching of the metal to bind such flange against the inner side of the base frame, and thereby cooperate with the securing means at the overlapping ends of the strip to prevent detachment of the strip from the spring structure.

3. Means adapted to connect the marginal edge of an upholstery skirt of a spring structure to the base frame of the latter, comprising a strip of sheet metal folded longitudinally upon itself to provide spaced flanges and an inwardly opening longitudinal groove arranged at the juncture between said flanges, said strip being bendable to conform to the contour of the base frame and to embrace the latter, said strip having one flange adapted to extend under the base frame of the spring structure and having its other flange extending upwardly vertically above the base frame and arranged contiguous to the skirt to form a guard to shield the skirt a substantial distance above the base frame to prevent wear at the lower edge of the skirt, both flanges being unslitted, the strip having its free ends overlapping and where overlapped being secured together to thereby secure the strip tightly on to the base frame and bind the marginal edge of the skirt tightly against the base frame, the flange which extends under the spring structure being bent at intervals by pinching of the metal to bind such flange against the inner side of the base frame, and thereby cooperate with the securing means at the overlapping ends of the strip to prevent detachment of the strip from the spring structure, and the strip being pinched along the outer side of the groove so as to bind the marginal edge of the skirt between the walls of the groove and the base frame of the spring structure.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

ABRAM C. WISNER.