US2113377A - Spring cushion structure - Google Patents

Description

April 5, 1938. A. KRAKAUER 2,113,377

SPRING CUSHION STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 17, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet. l

' I /HFZRQEY INVENTOR Abraham Ap 1938. A. KRAKAUER 2,113,377

SPRING CUSHION STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 17, 1936 Y 2 Shets-Shget 2 I INV NTOR Abraham rakauer ORNEY Patented Apr. 5, 1938 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE Abrahai zffali ii ffozlfn f l fit a fimor to Kay Manufacturing Corporation, Brooklyn,

N. Y., a corporation oi New York Application January 1'7, 1936, Serial No. 59,485,

7 Claims.

This invention relates to spring structures for cushions, mattresses, bed bottoms and the like .and particularly, to the type in which a series of similar upstanding coil springs are arranged in parallel rows and secured together.

My invention contemplates the provision of suitably shaped and diametrically opposed looped locking portions in the end coils of the various springs by means of which adjacent springs may be interlocked 'with each other and/or with a frame wire or bracing wire in hinged relation by means of indented wires passing through said locking portions.

My invention further contemplates the provision of securing means for the springs, which means is arranged at all times in such relation to the end coils of the springs that said means cannot injure the covering layers of filling material customarily used in mattresses, cushions and pillows of the type to which this invention is applicable.

My invention further contemplates the provision of securing means for the springs which are so shaped that said means are free of projections which would tend to wear through the filling material in the course of time.

My invention further contemplates the provision of a spring structure designed to be economically and quickly made and assembled and securely held together against relative movement in any direction except a relative hinging movement by means of a minimum quantity of comparatively thin wires.

The various objects of my invention will be clear from the description which follows, and from the drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a spring structure embodying my invention, it being understood that the remaining parts of the structure are constructed similarly to those parts shown to form the complete cushion or mattress.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of one of the coil springs and of the connecting wires.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the interlocked end coils of adjacent springs and the securing wire therefor.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of a somewhat modifled form of the spring structure, wherein the springs are anchored at two diametrically opposed points only.

Fig. 5 is a similar view of another modified .form of the structure wherein the springs are each anchored at four points.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but wherein a pair-of indents are made in the securing wire outside of the locking portionsoi the end coils.

In the practicalembodiment of my irvention which I have illustrated by way of example in Fig. 1, the coil springs III, II, I2, I! and possibly other similar springs not shown are arranged to form an edge row. Similarly, the springs it, I5, i 6 and i1 form part of an intermediate row which may be adjacent the center of the cushion of which said row of springs forms a part, or if the cushion or mattress is so wide that the springs ill and it do not reach to the center of the cushion, said row of springs i4, i5, i6 and I! may constitute an intermediate row similar to the next succeeding row which next row comprises in part, the springs l8, l9 and 20. The number of intermediate rows and the number of springs in each row may obviously be greatly varied in accordance with the size of the article in which the structure is to be used. It will be understood, however, that the peripheral or edge row of springs on the right edge of the spring structure, as viewed in Fig. 1, is similar to the first described edge row consisting of the springs III, II, i1, i3, and hence the right hand edge row need not be shown nor further described.

All of the springs, however, are preferably made substantially identical in size and shape and therefore, a description of one of the springs will suflice for all. The end coils 2| and 22 of the spring are each provided with one or more pairs of diametrically opposed and suitably shaped parts providing integral locking members by means of which the end coil may be secured to the end coil of one or more adjacent springs, or to the frame wire 23, or to auxiliary bracing wires,'where such bracingwires are found to be desirable.

In those cases where it is desired to anchor the end coils of each spring at two points only, a single pair 8, 9 of locking members is provided in each of the end coils (Fig. 4). Where, however,

the end coils are to be anchored at three points,

facture, a complete additional pair of locking members maybe provided on a diameter of the end coil at right angles to the diameter passing through the centers of the pair of locking members 6 and 2. I have therefore shown this form of end coil in Fig. 1 wherein two pairs of looking members are provided even though the spring is shown as anchored at three points only of its end coil.

In Fig. 5, I have shown each end coil of the spring anchored at four points whereby both pairs of locking members are utilized in the formation of the spring structure. I

It will be understood that the locking members of a pair are similar in construction and formation though differing in width. Each of the looking members comprises a pair of parallel spaced loops each closed at one end and open 'at the other, the closed end of theloop being positioned at a point outwardly beyond the remainder of the end coil from which it is integrally bent. Each of said loops is arranged in a plane parallel to the axis of the spring, which plane is customarily vertical. The loops are integrally Joined .to'each other by a continuation of the corresponding parts of the open ends thereof, the remainder of the open end of the loop being integrally joined and bent directly from the end coil.

As shown in Fig. 3, there is thus provided a bent portion in the end coil 2| of the spring II, which bent portion constitutes a locking member and comprises a pair of spaced vertical loops 26, 26, which loops are open as at 21 to permit the locking member to be hingedly connected to the locking wire 24 and which loops are joined integrally by a' U-shaped portion 26. The loops 2! and 26 and the U-shaped connecting portion 26 constitutes the narrower locking member 2.

Similarly, the locking member 6 of the end coil 2| of the spring comprises a pair of loops 22, 2| open respectively at the respective ends 22, 22 thereof and joined by the integral U- shaped portion 24, the loops 26 and 2| being spaced apart sufficiently to receive the loops 25, 26 of the locking member 6 therebetween.

The U-shaped portions 26 and 24 are arranged below the end coils 2| and 2| respectively. Similarly, the corresponding U-shaped parts of the locking members in the end coil 22 are arranged above the plane of said end coil 22 so that in either case, the U-shaped parts of the locking members are in vertical spaced relation to the respective end coils from which they are bent and hence the upper surface of the spring structure is free of projections which might engage the filling material.

It will also be seen that when the locking members are interlocked, a space as 26 is provided between the U-shaped connecting parts 26 and. 24 for the reception of the indent 26 of the locking wire 24.

In the preferred mode of assembling the springs, the loops 26, 26, 26 and 2| of the locking members 6 and 6 are preferably positioned with the openings thereof in alignment and thereby arranged for the reception of the preferably straight locking wire 24. After said wire has been inserted through the loops, it is indented as at 26 to protrude through the space 25 in a direction away from the adjacent end coils of the springs which it connects. It will be understood, however, if desired, thatthe indents 26 may be preformed at the proper spaced intervals in the wire 24 before its assembly with the locking members 6 and 6.

In this case, the parts are assembled by pass-- ing the end coils of the springs transversely across the wire 24 to arrange the indent 26 thereof in the space 26 of the locking member 6 while at the-same time passing the locking member 6 in the opposite direction transversely across the wire 24 to arrange the loops 26 and 2| outside of the loops 26 and 26 respectively, the indent 26 being also arranged at the same time in the space 26 inside of the U-shaped member 24. The wire thus passes through the open ends 21 of the loops 26 and 26 and also passes through the open ends 22 and 22 of the loops 26 and 2|. It is preferable when thus assembling the locking members and the wire 24, to arrange the end coils 2| and 2| of the respective springs in relatively inclined planes to facilitate the assembling operation.

Whether or not the indents 26 are made in the wire 24 before or after the wire has been assemb led with its locking members, the open ends 22 and 22 of the respective loops 26 and 2| are preferably partly or entirely closed by bending the U-shaped member toward the adjacent end coil 2| and thereby'to carry said U-shaped portion into contact with or close to the closed ends of the loops 26 and 26.

It will be seen that the wire 24 locks the end coils of the springs l6 and II hingedly together against movement in any direction except a relative swinging movement about the wire 24. Since the indent 26 is preferably long enough to extend between the loops 2! and 26, the end coil of the spring l6 cannot move in a direction lonthat the end coils of the springs are locked to each other and to the wire 24 and are prevented from any relative movement except a hinging or rotary movement about the wire 24, and that the interlocked springs and wire are thereby compelled to move bodily as a unit under the pressure put upon the structure.

The wire 24 is preferably secured at its ends to the frame wire 22 as by means of the coil or twist 21. It will be understood that the frame wire 22 extends completely around the spring structure and that while only part of said wire and said structure is shown in Fig. 1, the remainder of said structure is similar to that shown. Where, as in Fig. 1, anadditional looking member as 26 is provided midway between the members 6 and 5 of the end coil 2|, said member 26 is secured to the frame wire 22 by the passage of said frame wire through the loops 22 and 2| thereof, a downward indentation as 26 being made in the frame wire between said loops to lock the spring against-longitudinal movement relatively to the frame wire.

The end coil of the corner spring i2 may be additionally secured to the side 46 of the frame wire by means of a locking member 6 thereof and an indent 4| in the frame wire.

The corner spring I0 is thus secured to one side of the frame wire 22 and also to the other side 46 of said frame wire. the end coils being further secured .to the corresponding end coils of the adjacent shr e H to provide a three point anchorage for. theupper and lower end coils.

SimilarlYTimany oi the intermediate rows, if a three point anchorage is desired, the springs are secured to each other and either to the frame wire or the optional auxiliary or bracing wire ll secured at its ends as at II to the side 4. of the frame wire 23. For example, the end coil of the spring i4 is secured to the frame wire as by means of the indent 43. Said end coil is also secured to the auxiliary wire by means of the additional locking member 42 and is further secured to the end coil of. the adjacent spring II by the locking members hereinbefore described. Simlarly, the end coils of the spring ll aresecured to the end coils of the adjacent springs. l4 and It as well as to the auxiliary wire 50.

Where, however, the use of less wire is desirable, a two point anchorage for each of the intermediate rows of springs may be provided and the edge row may be secured to the frame wire by means of ordinary sheet metal clips bent around the spring and the frame wire in a manner well known in the art and hence which need not be shown nor described. 'The two point anchorage for the springs or intermediate rows is shown in Fig. '4 wherein the bracing wires 50 are omitted and a single pair of locking members 8 and 9 is provided in each of the and coils of each spring.

Referring to the edge spring 52, the locking member 8 thereof is secured to the frame wire 53 in the same manner as hereinbefore described in connection with the spring I4. The locking member 9 is joined to the corresponding member 8 of the adjacent spring 54 by-the locking wire 55 as hereinbefore described in connection with the wire 24.

In some cases, it may be desirable to anchor the springs at four points. As shown in Fig. 5, the spring is provided with the pair of locking members GI and 62 and also with the additional pair of locking members 63 and 64. It thereby becomes possible to interlock the spring 60 with the adjacent spring-65 by means of the locking member 6!, the locking wire 68 and the corresponding narrower locking member of the spring 65. Similarly, the spring 60 may be locked to the adjacent spring 61 by means of the looking wire 68. If desired, the locking wires 66 and 68 may be made only of sufficient length to project a comparatively small extent beyond the loops of the locking members though in the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 4, it is preferable though not essential that the corresponding locking wires 24 and 55 extend completely across the structure and be tied to the frame wire.

Referring again to Fig. 5, the short locking wires 89 and I0 hingedly connect the locking members 63 and respectively, to the corresponding locking members of the respective adjacent springs H and I2. Said comparatively short wires 69 and Ill are each provided with an indent as 13 similar to the indent 36 of the wire 24, which indent may be preformed before the wire is inserted through the loops of the locking members or which may be made later after the assembly, as may be found convenient.

As shown in Fig. 6, for the indent 36 entering the space 35 may be substituted a pair of indents I4 and 15 made in the locking wire 16 and arranged beyond the loops 3! and 3|, respectively.

Said indents function in the same manner as the indent fl preventing longitudinal movement of the end coils relatively to the locking wire It, whether said wire be long or short.

A spring structure is, therefore provided in which there are no projecting parts on the upperor lower surface of the structure which would tend to wear through or to-injure the comparatively softv filling material which is arranged on economical interlocking arrangement of the springs of a spring structure, the parts of which are quickly and easily assembled, and which structure is well designed to meet the severe requirements of practical use.

While I have shown and described a certain specific embodiment of my invention, I do not .wish to beunderstood as limiting myself thereto since I desire to claim my invention as broadly as may be permitted by the state of the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a spring structure, a first coil spring having an upper end coil and a lower end coll, each of said end coils being provided with an integral locking portion bent from the material of the end coil at a point in spaced relation to the extremity of said coil, said locking portion comprising a pair of loops arranged in substantially parallel relation and spaced a predetermined distance apart, the outer end of each of said loops remote from the end coil being closed and the other ends of said loops being open and joined by a U-shaped member arranged in lateral spaced relation to the remainder of the end coil, a second coil spring having end coils, a locking member bent integrally from the material of each of the end coils and adapted to engage and to be locked to the locking portion of said first spring, each'of said locking members comprising a pair of parallel spaced closed loops extending outwardly from the endcoil and being spaced apart a distance greater than that between the loops of said first spring, said closed loops each having an integral bend at one' end thereof and being joined at the other ends thereof by a connecting portion integral therewith and arranged inwardly of the end coil, said closed loops being respectively arranged in outwardly adjacent relation to the respective open loops, and extending transversely from said springs in opposite directions, a wire passing through said closed and open loops, and an indented portion in the wire arranged in a plane at substantially right angles to the planes of the loops and adjacent said loops, said wire being prevented from moving transversely in one direction by the closed ends of the loops of said first spring and from moving in the other direction by the integral bends of the closed loops.

2. In a spring structure, a pair of coil springs, each having an end coil, a pair of locking members one wider than the other bent integrally from the endcoil of each of the springs, the wider locking member of one spring embracing the narrower locking member of the other spring, each of said narrower locking members comprising a pair of spaced loops arranged in respective parallel vertical planes, each of said loops ing members, and a vertical indent in the wire between the loops or the narrower locking mem-' .1 ber, said indent being of suflicient depth to prebeing open at one of its ends, and being con, nected at its open end by a transverse member;

to the open end of the other loop, the wider locking members having a pair oi spaced vertical loops each arranged adjacent and parallel to a loop of the narrower locking member, a straight wire passing through the four loops 01 said lockvent longitudinal movement oi said wire relatively to said loops and to prevent material rotation of said wire in said loops.

3. In a spring structure, means for locking a pair of coil springs together comprising a locking member in-and integral with the end coil of one 01 the springs, a narrower locking member in and integral with the end coil of the other spring and arranged within the ilrst' -mentioned locking member, each 01' said locking members comprising a pair of spaced substantially parallel loops bent from the material of the end coil, and a wire passing through the four loops of the locking members and provided with a pair or depressed shoulders each adjacent one of the loops and arranged in a plane substantially parallel to the axis 01 the spring, all of said loops being in planes also substantially parallel to said axis.

4. In a spring structure, a series of coil springs arranged in rows, and means for locking adjacent springs of a row together to anchor the.end coils of each spring at a plurality of spaced points, said means comprising a plurality of locking members in each of the end coils ofeach spring, one of the locking members being wider than another, each oi said locking members comprising a pair of spaced outwardly extending loops and a bent portion integral with and connecting the loops and arranged inwardly of the adjacent part of the end coil, the spaces enclosed by the loops of the wider locking member of one spring being arranged in alignment with and outside of the spaces enclosed by the loops of the narrower locking member of the adjacent spring, and means for hingedly connecting said loops together and preventing relative longitudinal movement thereof.

5. In a spring structure, a series of coil springs, a locking member in each of the end coils of each spring, the locking members of adjacent springs overlapping each other and each comprising a pair of spaced loops integrally connected to each other, one of the overlapping locking members being wider than the other, a

frame wire around the periphery of the structure, locking wires each extending completely across thestructure and through the four loops of each pair of overlapping locking members, the ends of each of said locking wires being secured to the frame wire, indents in the locking wires adjacent the loops, and means for connecting the end coils of the outermost springs to said frame wire. A

6. In a spring structure, a series 01' coil springs arranged in rows, a frame wire secured to the.

springs of the outer rows, a pair of loops extending outwardly from each of the end coils of adjacent springs and arranged in planes parallel to the axis of the springs, at least one of the loops or one pair being arranged between the loops of the other pair, and transverse locking wires each passing through both of the pairs of the loops of adjacent springs and secured at both endsto the frame wire.

7. In a spring structure, a series of rows of coil springs, the end coils of each of said springs each having a pair of circumferentially spaced locking members integrally bent therefrom, one oi. said locking members being wider than the other, said one locking member comprising a pair of parallel, outwardly projecting, spaced, substantially closed, bent loops providing a pair of spaced vertical eyes, said loops being integrally joined by a member arranged inwardly of the adjacent part 01' the end coil, said other locking member comprising a pair of parallel outwardly projecting bent loops providing a pair of vertical eyes spaced apart a distance less than the distance between the eyes oi. said one looking member, a

member integrally joining the loops of said other locking member and arranged inwardly of the adjacent part of the end coil, said one locking member of each of the springs in-a row receiving said other locking member of the adjacent spring in the row to align the eyes of said locking members, and a wire passing through all of the eyes of the interengaging loops of the springs in adjacent rows, the bends of the loops in said one locking member preventing transverse movement of the wire in one direction and the bends oi the loops in said other locking member preventing transverse movement of the wire in the other direction, said wire having a vertical indent therein adjacent the loops and preventing relative movement of the locking members and the wir longitudinally of the wire.

ABRAHAM KRAKAUER.

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