Pocketed spring assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10010190-B2
Application number	US-201615150731-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 10, 2016
Priority date	Jun 17, 2014
Publication date	Jul 3, 2018
Grant date	Jul 3, 2018

Abstract

A pocketed spring assembly comprises a plurality of parallel strings of springs, each string joined to an adjacent string. Each string comprises a plurality of pockets formed along a length of the string by transverse seams joining first and second plies of fabric on opposed sides of springs. At least one spring is positioned in each pocket. Each spring has two end portions and a middle portion. The convolutions of the middle portion are greater in diameter and pitch than the convolutions of the end portions. Each interior transverse seam is cut or otherwise treated to create at least one divide enabling at least one end portion of the spring to compress without substantially compressing the middle portion of the spring.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bedding or seating product comprising: a pocketed spring assembly comprising a plurality of parallel strings of springs, each said string joined to an adjacent said string, each said string comprising first and second opposed plies of fabric and a plurality of pockets formed along a length of said string by transverse seams joining said first and second plies and at least one spring positioned in each said pocket; each of said springs having upper and lower end turns and a plurality of central convolutions between said end turns, the convolutions decreasing in diameter and pitch from a middle portion of the spring towards at least one of the end turns, wherein each of said transverse seams forming said adjacent pockets of said string is cut to create at least one divide between adjacent springs enabling at least one end portion of the spring to compress without substantially compressing the middle portion of the spring, each of said transverse seems having an upper end and wherein the upper end turn and multiple convolutions of each of said springs are above the upper ends of adjacent transverse seams when each spring is in a relaxed state; cushioning materials; and an upholstered covering encasing said pocketed spring assembly and cushioning materials.

2. A bedding or seating product comprising: a pocketed spring assembly comprising a plurality of parallel strings of springs, each said string joined to an adjacent said string, each said string comprising first and second opposed plies of fabric and a plurality of pockets formed along a length of said string by transverse seams joining said first and second plies, and at least one spring positioned in each said pocket; each of said springs having upper and lower end turns and a plurality of central convolutions between said end turns, the convolutions decreasing in diameter and pitch from a middle portion of the spring towards at least one of the end turns, wherein each of said transverse seams forming said adjacent pockets of said string is cut treated to create at least one divide between adjacent springs enabling at least one end portion of the spring to compress without substantially compressing the middle portion of the spring, each of said transverse seems having an upper end and wherein the upper end turn and multiple convolutions of each of said springs are above the upper ends of adjacent transverse seams when each spring is in a relaxed state.

3. The product of claim 2 wherein the strings of springs extend longitudinally.

4. The product of claim 2 wherein the strings of springs extend transversely.

5. The product of claim 2 wherein each of said springs is made of one piece of wire.

6. The product of claim 2 wherein each of the springs has a uniform diameter.

7. The product of claim 2 wherein each of the springs has end portions and said middle portion, the convolutions of the middle portion having a greater diameter and greater pitch than the convolutions of at least one of the end portions.

8. A pocketed spring assembly for a bedding or seating product, said pocketed spring assembly comprising: a plurality of parallel strings of springs, each of the strings being joined to an adjacent string of springs, each of the strings comprising a plurality of interconnected pockets, each of the pockets containing at least one spring encased in fabric, the fabric being joined to itself along a longitudinal seam and having first and second opposed plies of fabric on opposite sides of the springs, the fabric of said first and second plies being joined by transverse seams, each transverse seam having an upper end, each of said springs having upper and lower end turns and a plurality of central convolutions between said end turns, the spring having two end portions and a middle portion between the end portions, the convolutions of the middle portion being greater in diameter and pitch than the convolutions of at least one of the end portions of the spring, wherein each of said transverse seams forming adjacent pockets of said string has a divide formed by a cut in the transverse seam between adjacent springs having one end located below an upper surface of said string so as to allow at least one end portion of the spring to compress upon being subjected to a load, wherein the upper end turn and multiple convolutions of each of said springs are above the upper end of adjacent transverse seams when each spring is in a relaxed state.

9. The spring assembly of claim 8 wherein said strings of springs extend longitudinally.

10. The spring assembly of claim 8 wherein said strings of springs extend transversely.

11. The spring assembly of claim 8 wherein each of said springs is made of one piece of wire.

12. The spring assembly of claim 8 wherein one of the end portions of the spring has more convolutions than the other end portion of the spring.

13. A pocketed spring assembly for a bedding or seating product, said pocketed spring assembly comprising: a plurality of parallel strings of springs, each of the strings being joined to an adjacent string of springs, each of the strings comprising a plurality of interconnected pockets, each of the pockets containing at least one spring encased in fabric, the fabric being joined to itself along a longitudinal seam and having first and second opposed plies of fabric on opposite sides of the springs, the fabric of said first and second plies being joined by transverse seams each transverse seam having an upper end, each of said springs having two end portions and a middle portion between the end portions, convolutions of the middle portion being greater in diameter and pitch than convolutions of at least one of the end portions of the spring, wherein each of said transverse seams forming adjacent pockets of said string has a divide formed by a cut in the transverse seam between adjacent springs having an end located below an upper surface of said string so as to partially separate said adjacent pockets and enable an upper end portion of the spring to compress without substantially compressing the middle portion of the spring; each of said springs having upper and lower end turns and a plurality of central convolutions between said end turns, wherein the upper end turn and multiple convolutions of each of said springs are above the upper ends of adjacent transverse seams when each spring is in a relaxed state.

14. The spring assembly of claim 13 wherein said strings of springs extend longitudinally.

15. The spring assembly of claim 13 wherein said strings of springs extend transversely.

16. The spring assembly of claim 13 wherein the longitudinal seam of each of said strings of springs is located along one of the sides of the string of springs.

17. The spring assembly of claim 13 wherein one of the end portions of the spring has more convolutions than the other end portion of the spring.

Assignees

• L&P Property Man Co

Inventors

• Eigenmann Guido
• Richmond Darrell A
• Wells Thomas W

Classifications

• A47C27/064 Primary

  Pocketed springs · CPC title

• A47C7/742

  for ventilating or cooling (A47C31/116 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A47C27/05

  with {padding material, e.g.} foamed material, in top, bottom, or side layers · CPC title

• A47C21/042

  for ventilating or cooling (A47C21/028 and A47C27/007 take precedence) · CPC title

• A47C27/062

  of different resiliencies · CPC title