US2002158A - Spring structure - Google Patents

Description

Patented May 21, 1935 '7 SPRING STRUCTURE, j Clair, s. Read, Jackson, Mich, assignor to;

( Reynolds Spring Company, Jackson, Mich a corporation ofDelaware Application l ovember 2, 1933; Serial Nb. seas 3--Claims. (or. 155-479) I u fCostigan type embodying the present invention,

The present invention relates to improvements in spring structure for seats, backs, cushions and the like, and particularly relates to: spring structures of theCostigan type as illustratectin Reissue Patent No. l8,30. a 3 l In springstructures of, the above described type,

especiallyxwhen the same; is to be usedfin seats and backsof vehicles where it is subjected to repeated extreme deflection, it is necessary to provide some means for preventing the flexible wire or its equivalent employed in'reinforcing the upper edge of the; listing strips between adjacent rows of springs from working out of position. The present practice is to clip the top helices of adjacent springs tothe reinforced edge of the listing strips through the use of a wire or metal contractible fastener. This fastener pierces the listing strip and encircles the member reinforcing the edge thereof. Especially when wire is employed to reinforce the listing strips, unless at least one end of the same is secured to the upper border, differential deflection of the rows of springs to which the listing strips are attached results in a shortening of the overall length of the wire and relative movement between the wire and the associated elements tends to work the wire out of proper position. As any non-yieldableinterconnection between the border frame and the central spring coils interferes with the individual action of the component parts of the spring structure and impairs the feel and riding qualities of the same, such practice is objectionable.

Thus it becomes the object of the present invention to provide a spring structure of the Costigan type in which the listing strips are reinforced at the edges with some member, such as wire, which is substantially of a non-longitudinal extensible character, there being longitudinally extensible resilient members connectingthe ends of the reinforcing memberswith the upper frame to correctly position the members and to assist in the alignment and positioning of the springs connected to the listing strip. With such an arrangement, a straight wire member having sulficient transverse rigidity to distribute the stress upon the listing strips retaining the spring coils under initial compression may be advantageously employed. At the same time, the wire members reinforcing the listing strips may be yieldably positioned from the upper border obviating any objectionable limitation being placed upon the deflection of the spring coils relative to the upper border frame.

In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a spring structure of the Fig. 2 is anenlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig 1. i u

Fig. 3 isan enlarged ,fragmentaryview of a detail of construction. i I 1 Having reference to Fig. 1, a spring structure In is shown of any suitable confisurationand contour having an upper border frame i l, which in most cases will be fabricated from wire Coil springs I2 of any suitable well known construction are shown as arranged in rows with vertically disposed listing strips l3 of fabric vor other fiexlble material located between adjacent rows. The border rows of springs located within the frame I I are clipped thereto in the'usual manner. Ihe listingstrips. 13 between adjacent rows'of springs are'hemmed or otherwiseconstrllbted to accomg modat and'position reinforcing members along their longitudinal edges as disclosed in the above patent. Suitable fasteners or clips l4 embrace the top helices of adjacent springs and pierce the strips l3 to encircle the upper edges l5 which are reinforced by the longitudinally extending flexible wire members I6. The lower edges of the strips l3 may be secured to the bottom helices of the springs in a manner similar to the top helices; however, the member I! reinforcing the lower edges need not be flexible nor connected to the frame of the spring structure in the manner to be hereinafter described in view of the fact that the lower or base helices of the springs are not deflected during use. As fully described in the above mentioned patent the listing strips [3 function to retain the springs under an initial compression to improve the riding quality of the structure and to effect the proper contour.

According'to the present invention, the wire members It reinforcing the listing strips are terminated short of the upper border frame H at both ends and are looped at the ends to provide eyes l8. These looped portions prevent the wire upon shortening through central deflection from being drawn through the fasteners I4 securing adjacent top helices of border springs.

For yieldingly maintaining the wires "5 in prop- By the foregoing described arrangement, the wires [6 are yieldably positioned within the hem of the listing strips I3 obviating any possibility of the wires working out of place and being projected through the upholstering. At the same time, differential deflection of the springs in a row attached to a common reinforced edge of the listing strip is -made possible without any objectionable tendency to suspend the central spring from the border springs and/or frame thus permitting more complete individual action of the respective springs.

It is to be understood that the fasteners or clips [4 can not in commercial construction be applied sufliciently snug to prohibit slippage of the wire IS in the hem l5; For this reason no particular attention needbe given this operation.

Having described one particular embodiment of the invention it is to be appreciated that I contemplate other possible forms and structural changes, especially those having reference to the yieldable connections between the reinforcing member and the border frame, which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

, short of said upper frame, fastening means securing said members to said springs to place the same under compression, and longitudinally extensible resilient members connecting the ends of the upper reinforcing members to said upper frame whereby substantially individual action of the springs within said border springs is permitted.

2. In a spring structure, a base frame, an upper frame, rows of springs arranged within and between said frames, strips of fabric of less height than the normal expansion of said springs arranged between adjacent rows of springs, flexible members reinforcing the longitudinal edges of said strips, the upper members being terminated short of said upper frame, fastening means securing said members to said springs to place the sameunder compression, and longitudinally extensible resilient members connecting the ends of the upper reinforcing members to said upper frame.

3. In a spring structure, a base frame, an upper frame, rows of springs arranged within and between said frames, strips of fabric of less height than the normal expansion of said springs arranged between adjacent rows of springs, wire members reinforcing the longitudinal edges of said strips of which at least the upper" members are flexible, the upper members being terminated short of said upper frame, fastening means pierccuring said strips to said springs to place the same under compression, said means fixedly engaging said strips and slidably embracing said members, and longitudinally extensible resilient members connecting the ends of the upper reinforcing members of said frame.

CLAIR S. REED.

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