US2857603A - Stabilizer and edge support for coil springs - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 28, 1958 M. J. RYMLAND 2,357,603

STABILIZER AND EDGE SUPPORT FOR COIL SPRINGS Filed March 18, 1955 FIG].

INVENTOR MURRA Y J. RYMLA/VD pug/m ATTORNEYS STABILIZER AND EDGE SUPPORT FOR COIL SPRINGS Murray J. Rymland, Baltimore, Md. Application March18, 1955, Serial No. 495,309

" 14 Claims. (01. 5-260) This invention relates to spring cushioning assemblies, and more particularly to spring assemblies of the type containing a large number of helical coil springs, associated and interconnected in a predetermined spaced relation to one another. Assemblies of this type are described in my prior Patent No. 2,630,586, granted March 384,874, filed October 8, 1953, now Patent No. 2,791,783, granted May 14, 1957, and the present invention represents a variation and improvement on the structures therein claimed. i

Among the general objects of the present invention, it is contemplated to provide a spring cushion assembly which is particularly well adapted to withstand repeated distortions of the edge portions by a locally applied com pressive force, such as the weight of a body, and to pro- 10, 1953, and in my co-pending application, Serial No. I

vide an assembly of simplified; durable, and inexpensive material from entering-into;the component springs thereof, and particularly to prevent'such entry through the voids or cleavages defined by the exteriorly facing por-' tions of the outside rows of coil springs.

It is another object ofthis invention to provide aspring cushion assembly in which the edge portions of the assembly, defined by the outside [rows of coils, are provided with' special means for resisting the localized stresses which arefrequently' placed upon the edgcsof spring cushion'assemblies in their'normal domestic uses. It is another object of-thisinvention to provide a spring assembly unitadapted assembly. p

Further objects ofthe invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention, and novel features'the reof, may best be made clear from; thefollowingdescription and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary plan view of aspring cusha springs 10 constructed'of wire in' the conventional form as illustrated in Figures -1, 2; and 3., .The springs are arranged in rows 12, 14, and files 16, 18, and each row of springs is aligned and arranged with an. arcuate portion of the end convolutionrof each spring overlapping a corresponding portion of an adjacent spring-in the same row, whereby one such portion becomes an overlying arcuate portion 2%. and the other becomes an underlying arcuate portion 22, and a space 24 is provided between;

the overlapped portions.

To fix adjacent-rows inv the desired parallel spaced 1 relationship, and to insure that the corresponding coils acent rows are properly arranged in files 16, 18,

ul tttl a plurality of tie wires 26 extend transversely of the rows along the lines of overlap between the coils, that is, along the lines of overlap between the tiles. Each tie wire 26 is provided with a plurality of pairs of spaced-depressic-us 23, each pair of depressions being, separated by an upwardly projectinginsert '30 therebetween, as best illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5. When positioned in the assembly, each pair of depressions 28 partially embraces the intersecting sections of an overlapping pair of arcuate portions 29, 22, and the intermediate insert 30 projects into the space 24 therebetween. As i will be readily understood-the pairs of depressionsi28 are spaced along the length of the tie wires 26 to suitably space from each other, adjacent rows 12, 14, of,component.springs,

the structure illustrated in Figure 1 being merely a partial view of the two springrows 12, 14, and, therefore, two spring files 16, 18, of the over'allassembly.

In my prior patent referred to, and in my prior application referred to, the overlapping arcuate portions of the adjacent springs are secured toeach other and to the tie wire insertsin some particular andspecialized manner. I have chosen to illustrate the present invention as being equipped with' the individual clamp-members 32 described. in detail inmy prior patent, but it should be clearlyv understood that' these elements may be fixed, or joined, together by any other suitable means.

Referring more particularly to Figure 1, it will be seen. that theoutside row 12 of coil springs 10.defines the edge 5, 34 (here shown as a phantom linelpf the complete coil,

' spring assembly. Inasmuch as theedge line is, actually "a line tangent to the end 'convolution' of the outside row, 7 12 of the coil springs, 1 ,it will beseen that some portions of the edge are open or unsupported; Inasmuch as the endconvo'lutions of the coil springs are generally circular, vit will. be readily seen that .the end portions of the coil spring give only a limited supportt'o the edge portions of the assembled coihspring assembly and that there is a deep, roughly triangular, cleavage 35f defined by adjacent end portionsvof the end convolutidns of the for semi-automatic and automatic icn assembly'constrncted according to the present inven- I Figure 4 is a perspectiveviewof a continuous tie wirev having its end portions formed as a sear spring; and- Figure 5 is a perspective view of a ti e wire embodying the planar edge support as defined in this invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, aspring cushion assembly comprises a plurality of component helical coil coil springs and by the edge line 34:

In practice, the coil spring assemblyis covered with a padding or tiiler 0f '[abric or other material and it has been found desirable toprovide a means for providing a supportfor the padding, fabric, or .fille'r, which will. be disposed directly above this cleavage. It is wellknown that the end or edge portions ofaspringcushion assembly, wh ther it be 'used in a mattress, seat cushion, or. the

like. frequently receives a disportionate amount ofthe weight borneby the complete.sprin-g'cushion assembly. While the manufacturers o' f mattressesand the like frequenti urgeftheir. customers to refrain'from sitting on the edge of a mattressjit is nevertheless well known that V suclra practice is not easily discouraged and that it' is,

, quite usual for the edge of the mattress tosag and become lumpy and deformed from such -misuse; This] is espec'ially t rueif aspring cushion assembly is formed without.

a heavy ,border ,or "edge of-heavy strapmate'rial. Such ,sagging occu' 'r s when' lthe fabrigc, padding, or cushioning Patented Oct. 28, 1 958 3 material is allowed to slip down into the open area defined by the cleavage between the outside or exteriorly facing portions of the coil springs of an outside row.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 to 5., it is within the contemplation of this invention to extend the legs being substantially identical with the distance between the end convolutions of the coils whe'n'the' latter are in a relaxed position. The transversely extendlng legs 40, 42, are formed with the spaced depressions 28,

transverse tie wire 26 outwardly beyond the overlap of the outside row 12 and to then transversely bend the tie wire to define a plane 36 which is substantially co-planar with the planes defined by the end convolutions of the coils 10. it should be here stated that inasmuch as the coils overlap at 20, 22, the planes defined by the end portions of the coil springs are not precisely coplanar but only substantially co-planar, but the difference between these planes is ordinarily nominal when the spring cushion assembly is in its relaxed position and may be considered, for purposes of description, as negligible.

While the end of the tie wire 26 may be transversely bent into any of a wide variety of shapes to provide a planar edge support means, I have, ina preferred embodiment, bent the tie'wirc to form an isosceles triangle having its base extending along a line substantially idention] with the edge line 34, and with the triangle so proportioned and dimensionedas to substantially till. the cleavage 35. As best shown in Figure 1, such a configuration provides an edge which is a substantially straight and continuous line 34. The tie wire may be provided with a triangular end before .it isjoined with the coil springs in the coil spring assembly; and such a preformed tie wire is shown in Figure 5.

While the use of the triangular or delta shaped planar :dge support on the end of a tie wire extending transversely of the rows along the lines of overlap between the files will serve to prevent a displacement of the fabric, filler, or padding. when the edge of the spring cushion assembly is subjected to a downwardly directed force. such as by the weight of a body disposed on a completed mattress, ;pring cushion. or the like, I have also found that there ire several additional advantages in providing a supplencntal or ancillary spring means to aid in the support of he edge portion and to resiliently resist relative movenent between two opposite edges of the spring cushion assembly. That is to say. while the use of the delta or triangular ends of the tie wires does serve to prevent a displacement of the fabric filler, or padding, into the nterior of the material, it does not, in itself, form a means For resisting relative movement 'of one edge support toward another and opposite edge support when. for example, someone sits on the edge of the mattress.

It has long been considered desirable for a mattress )1 other spring cushion assembly to have additional supaort or stabilizing structure along its edge portions and 'his has been accomplished, for example, by using heavier 111d stronger springs in the outside rows, that is, the rows :xtending along the edge. It will be readily seen that the ise of difi'erent types. sizes. or weights of coil springs in he mattress or spring cushion assembly serve to compli- :ate the process of assembly by automatic machinery and ience adds to the final cost-of the structure. It is, thereore. within the contemplation of this invention to proide an ed e stabilizing means which can be used in coniection with a mattress. or other spring cushion assemily. made up of a series of identical coil springs arranged it rows and files, as described herein above.

While it has been the previous practice to provide the :pring cushion assembly with a plurality of tie wires aranged in pairs. one above the other, on opposite planar ides of the spring cushion assembly, it is within theconemplation of this invention to provide a plurality of tie vires which are formed as a unitary structure to transersely circumscri-be the entire spring cushion assembly. 85 shown in Figure 4, the continuous tie wire will have a 'oughly rectangular shape and will be made up of two egs 40, 42, extending transversely of the rows of coils 10 n parallel spaced relationship, the spacing between these as described hereinabove, and are joined, one to the other. by the end portions, generally indicated at 44. Each end portion of the tie wire is formed as a reinforcing or stabilizing edge spring, as shown, having two legs 46, 48, each of which makes a tangential junction with a cylindrical coil spring 50.

While I here speak, for purposes of' exactness of description, of the transversely extending legs 40, 42, of the spring legs 46, 48, and the cylindrical 'coil spring 50, as ditferent elements, it should be clear that I envision a single continuous tie wire 26 embodying all these elements as component portions thereof.

It is also within the contemplation of this invention that the ends of the longitudinally extending legs 40, 42, of he continuous tie wire should be formed with the delta-shaped edge support 36. or other plane defining configuration, as described hereinabove, before being turned inward to form the spring legs-46, 48, respectively.

Referring to Figures 1, 2. and 3, it will be seen that the continuous tie wire 26.extends transversely of the rows, along the lines of the overlap of the files, with one leg extending along one planar surface 52 of the spring cushion assembly and with the other longitudinal leg extending along the opposite planar surface 54 of the spring cushion assembly. The transversely extending leg portions of the continuous tie wire extendoutwardly beyond a it should be evident that the particular disposition of the 1 plane defined by legs 46, 48 of each spring 44 may be varied from that shown, as desired. For example,.the legs 46, 48 may be arranged so as to be substantially coplanar with the edge plane at 34.

Referring more particularly to Figure 2, it will be readily seen that the-spring portion 44 of the continuous tie wire 26 will serve to resiliently resist any relative movement between two opposite lateral edges 34, 58, of the spring cushion assembly, and, as such, acts to=supplement for the outside row of coil springs.

In Figure l, the lower delta 36' is illustrated as projecting outwardly a slight distance beyond the upper delta 36. This is shown merely to illustrate theidentical configuration of the two deltas or triangles. they are disposed in exactly. corresponding positions.

It should be clearly stated that it is entirely within the contemplation of this invention to use the reinforcing or stabilizing edge spring 44 to bolster or aid the exterior row of coil springs by providing additional support for the edge of the spring cushion assembly-in applications where, through the particular configuration of the struc to reserve to myself any variations or modifications thatmay. appear to those skilled in the art and falling within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

I. A spring cushion assembly comprising a pluralityof upstanding coil springs arranged in rows and files, the

coil springs being arranged with each of their end portions overlapping the end portions of at least one other In practice,

between the files, means securing each of said tie wires with the end portions of the coil springs of each of a plurality of rows, each of said tie wires extendingbeyond the overlap of an exterior row into the exterior cleavage defined by the end portions of the overlapping coil springs, each of said tie wires terminating in a free end disposed within said cleavage, said tie wires at said free ends being transversely bent to form a planar edge sup port means disposed within said cleavage.

2. A spring cushion assembly comprising a plurality of upstanding coil springs arranged in rows and files, the coil springs being arranged with each of their end portions overlapping the end portions of at least one other coil spring in the same row, a plurality of tie wires extending transversely of the rows along the lines of overlap between the files, means securing each of said tie wires with the end portions of the coil springs of each of a plurality of rows. each of said tie wires extending beyond the overlap of an exterior row into the. exterior cleavage defined by the end portions of the overlapping coil springs, each of said tie wires terminating in a free end disposed within said cleavage, each of said tie wires at said free ends being bent to define a plane which is substantially co-planar with the planes defined by the ends of the coil springs, said bent portions of the tire wire forming a planar edge support means which substantially fills said cleavage.

3. A spring cushion assembly comprising a plurality of upstanding coil springs arranged in rows and files, the coil springs being arranged with each of their end portions disposed adjacent to and generally coplanar with the end portions of the remaining springs in the assembly, a plurality of tie wires extending transversely of the rows between adjacent files of springs and generally coplanar with the end portions thereof, each of said tie wires extending beyond an exterior row into the exterior substantially triangular shaped cleavage defined by the end portions of the adjacent coil springs, each of said tie wires being transversely bent to define a triangle which is substantially co-planar with the planes defined by the ends of the coil springs, said triangle forming an edge support means which substantially fills the triangular cleavage and forms a support for the edge portions of the fabric and padding disposed upon the spring cushion assembly.

4. The structure defined in claim 3 in which the base of said triangle defines a portion of an exterior edge of the spring cushion assembly, whereby the edge of the spring cushion assembly is a substantially straight and continuous line.

5. A spring cushion assembly comprising a plurality of upstanding coil springs arranged in rows and files, the coil springs being arranged with each of their end portions overlapping the end portions of at least one other coil spring in the same row, a plurality of tie wires extending transversely of the rows along the lines of over- 1 lap between the files, each of said tie wires transversely circumscribing said spring cushion assembly and having a first leg extending along one planar surface of the spring cushion assembly and having another leg extending in parallel spaced relation to the first leg along another planar surface of the spring cushion assembly, said legs extending beyond the overlap of an exterior row into the exterior cleavage defined by the end portions of the overlapping coil springs, said legs being transversely bent to form a planar edge support disposed within said cleavage, and each of said tie wires defining a reinforcing t y-ring at at least one transverse end of the spring cushion assembly to resiliently resist relative movement between two opposite edges of the spring cushion assembly.

c. The structure defined in claim 5 in which each of said legs of the tie wires extends substantially to at least one edge of the spring cushion assembly and then extends obliquely inwardly towards the interior of the spring cushion assembly, to form said reinforcing spring.

7. The structure defined in claim 5 and further including means formed integral with'said tie wire to maintain said tie wire in a fixed position relative to the end portions of the overlapping coil springs.

8. A spring cushion assembly comprising a plurality of upstanding coil springs arranged in rows and files, the coil springs being arranged with each of their end portions overlapping the end portions of at least one other coil spring in the same row, a plurality of tie wires, each of said tie wires continuously circumscribing said cushion assembly and having portions extending transversely of the rows along the lines of overlap between the files, said portions extending beyond the overlap of an exterior row into the exterior cleavage defined by the end portions of the overlapping coil springs, said legs being transversely bent to form a planar edge support disposed within said cleavage, each of said tire wires having another portion joining said transversely extending portions adjacent opposite lateral edges of the spring cushion assembly, said second mentioned portion defining spring means to resiliently resist relative movement between the two opposite lateral edges of the spring cushion assembly.

9. A spring cushion assembly comprising a plurality of upstanding coil springs arranged in rows and files, the coil springs being arranged with each of their end portions overlapping the end portions of at least one other coil spring in the same row, a plurality of tiewires, each of said tie wires continuously circumscribing said cushion assembly and having portions extending transversely of the rows along the lines of overlap between the files, said portions extending beyond the overlap of an exterior row, each of, said tie wires having an end structure unitary therewith and joining said transversely extending portions adjacent the opposite lateral edges of the spring cushion assembly, said end structure including converging portions extending obliquely from the transversely extending portions to define a reinforcing spring to resiliently supplement the exterior row of coil springs in resisting relative movement'between two opposite lateral edges of the spring cushion assembly.

10. A spring cushion assembly comprising a plurality of upstanding coil springs arranged in rows and files, the coil springs being arranged with each of their end portions disposed adjacent to and generally coplanar with the end portions of the remaining springs in the assembly, a plurality of tie wires,,each of said tie wires continuously circumscribing said cushion assembly and having portions extending transversely of the rows between adjacent files of springs and generally coplanar with the end portions thereof, said portions extending beyond an exterior row into the exterior cleavage defined by the end portions of the adjacent coil springs, said tie wires being transversely bentto form a planar'edge support means disposed within said cleavage, each of said tie wires having another portion joining said transversely extending portions adjacent opposite lateral edges of the spring cushion assembly, said second mentioned portion defining spring means to resiliently resist relative movement between the two opposite lateral edges of the spring cushion assembly.

11. A spring cushion assembly comprising a plurality of upstanding coil springs arranged in rows and files, the coil springs being arrange-d with each of their end portions overlapping the end portions of at least one other coil spring in the same row, a plurality of tie wires, each of said tie wires continuously circumscribing said cushion assembly and having portions extending transversely of the rows along the lines of overlap between the files, each of said portions extending beyond the overlap of an exterior row into the exterior substantially triangular shaped cleavage defined by the end portions ofthe overlapping coil springs, each of said tie wires being transversely bent to define a triangle which is substantially co-planar with the planes defined by the ends of the coil springs, said triangle forming an edge support means which substantially fills the triangular cleavage and forms a support for the edge portions of the fabric and padding disposed upon the spring cushion assembly, each of said tie wires having another portion joining said transversely extending portions adjacent opposite lateral edges of the spring cushion assembly, said second mentioned portion defining spring means to resiliently resist relative movement between the two opposite lateral edges of the spring cushion assembly.

12. A spring cushion assembly comprising a plurality of upstanding coil springs arranged in rows and files, the coil springs being arranged with each of their end portions overlapping the end portions of at least one other coil spring in the same row, a plurality of tie wires, each of said tie wires continuously circumscribing said cushion assembly and having portions extending transversely of the rows along the lines of overlap between the files, each of said portions extending beyond the overlap of an exterior row into the exterior cleavage defined by the end portions of the overlapping coil springs, said tie wires being transversely bent to form a planar'edge support means disposed within said cleavage, each of said tie wires having another portion joining said transversely extending portions adjacent the opposite lateral edges of the spring cushion assembly, said second mentioned portion extending obliquely inwardly from the opposite edges of the spring cushion assembly to define a reinforcing spring to resiliently supplement the exterior row of coil springs in resisting relative movement between two oppositc lateral edges of the spring cushion assembly.

13. A spring cushion assembly comprising a plurality of upstanding coil springs arranged in rows and files, the coil springs being arranged with each of their end portions overlapping the end portions of at least one other coil spring in the same row, a plurality of tie wires,

each of said tie wires continuously circumscribing said cushion assembly and having portions extending transversely of the rows along the lines of overlap between the tiles, each of said portions extending beyond the overlap of an exterior row into the exterior substantially triangular shaped cleavage defined by the end portions of the overlapping coil springs, each of said tie wires being transversely bent to define a triangle which is substantially co-planar with the planes defined by the ends of the coil springs, said triangle forming an edge support means which substantially fills the triangular cleavage and forms a support for the edge portions of the fabric and padding disposed upon the spring cushion assembly, each of said tie wires having another portion joining said transversely extending portions adjacent the opposite lateral edges of the spring cushion assembly, said second mentioned portion extending obliquely inwardly from the opposite edges of the spring cushion assembly to define a reinforcing spring to resiliently supplement the exterior row of coil springs in resisting relative movement between two opposite lateral edges of the spring cushion assembly.

14. The structure defined in claim 13 in which the base of said triangle defines a portion of an exterior edge of the spring cushion assembly, whereby the edge of the spring cushion assembly is a substantially straight and continuous line.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,029,076 Leeman Jan. 28, 1936 2,630,586 Rhymland Mar. 10, 1953 2,709,819 Wise June 7, 1955

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