Box Spring Assembly

Abstract

A box spring assembly including a wooden frame with a plurality of spring members arranged on the frame to define a load-supporting area having side and marginal edges. Each of the spring members is defined by an integral wire having a straight section with a fishmouth section at each end thereof. The spring members may be of various configurations but the spring members are isolated from one another and a grid is disposed over and interconnects the spring members. The grid is defined by a first plurality of parallel wires and a second plurality of parallel wires extending transversely and crossing the first plurality of wires. The wires of the grid are clipped to the various spring members. The grid also includes a border wire defining the periphery of the load-supporting area and a plurality of auxiliary spring members are disposed about the periphery of the load-supporting area for supporting the border wire.

Description

The instant invention relates to a box spring assembly including spring wire members defined by a wire bent into various forms. Wire bent into various forms to define spring members of the type utilized in the instant invention for use in box spring assemblies is not new. The subject invention, however, is specifically related to the utilization of spring members which are known as formed wire spring members.

It is an object and feature of this invention to provide an improved box spring assembly including a plurality of such spring members in combination with a grid defined by a first plurality of parallel wires extending transversely to a second plurality of parallel wires with the wires connected at various positions to the spring members.

In correlation with the foregoing object and feature, it is another object and feature of this invention to provide such a spring assembly including a frame means with a plurality of spring members supported on the frame to define a supporting area with at least some of the spring members defined by an integral wire having a straight section and a fishmouth section at least at one end thereof and a grid defined by crossing wires having portions abutting a straight portion of each spring member with connecting means connecting that straight portion to its abutting wire.

Other objects and attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the first preferred embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of a second preferred embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view taken substantially along line 4--4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a prospective view of a fishmouth section incorporated in each of the spring members utilized in the instant invention.

Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 1, there is generally shown at 10 a box spring assembly constructed in accordance with the instant invention.

The assembly 10 includes a frame means generally indicated at 12. The frame means 12 includes the wooden members 14, 16, and 18.

The assembly 10 also includes a plurality of spring members, each of which is generally indicated 20. Each spring member 20 is defined by an integral wire having a straight section 22 and a fishmouth section, generally shown at 24, at each end thereof.

The fishmouth sections are identical in all spring elements illustrated. Each fishmouth section 24, as indicated in FIGS. 3 through 5, includes a generally U-shaped portion having upper and lower legs 26 and 28 respectively interconnected by a base 30 and extending downwardly from the straight section 22. The upper leg 26 defines a torsion bar which is shorter than the torsion bar defined by the lower leg 28. Each fishmouth section 24 also includes a V-shaped portion having a torsion bar 32 and upper and lower spacer bars 34 and 36 respectively extending from opposite ends of the torsion bar 32. The upper spacer bar 34 is integrally connected to the lower leg 28. Integrally attached to the spacer bar 36 is a U-shaped portion including a torsion bar 38, a connecting link 40, and a terminal portion 42 which is utilized to support the fishmouth section 24. More specifically, the fishmouth sections 24 are supported on the frame 12 as the torsion bar 38, connecting link 40, and terminal 42 are all disposed on a member of the wooden frame with at least the torsion bar 38 stapled or otherwise secured to the wooden frame.

The assembly 10 also includes a grid defined by a first plurality of spaced parallel wires 44 and a second plurality of spaced parallel wires 46. The second plurality of spaced parallel wires 46 extend transversely and cross the first plurality of wires 44. Preferably the crossing wires 44 and 46 are welded to one another at the points where they cross. It will be understood, however, that the wires may be woven together. The first plurality of wires 44 are evenly spaced from one another as are the second plurality of wires 46. The first plurality of wires 44 are, however, spaced farther apart from one another than the second plurality of wires 46 whereby rectangular spaces are defined between adjacent wires.

The grid also includes a border wire 48 extending about the periphery of the supporting area. As illustrated, the wires 44 and 46 are clipped by clips to the border wire 48. It should be understood, however, that the wires 44 and 46 may be welded to the border wire 48 or wound about the border wire 48.

There is also included a plurality of auxiliary spring members 20' which are identical to the spring members 20 but are disposed about the periphery of the supporting area and are clipped to the border wire 48 for supporting the border wire 48.

The individual spring members 20 and 20' are disposed in isolated noncontacting relationship with all of the remaining spring members and the grid comprising the wires 44 and 46 and the border wire 48 represents the sole means of interconnecting the spring members. Thus, the individual spring members 20 and 20' gain their stability by being connected to the grid. Disposed over the grid is a pad 50 which is normally made of cotton but can be made of various other fabrics. One of the advantages of the grid is that it provides a stable foundation for the pad 50.

As alluded to previously, the embodiment of FIG. 2 is the same as the embodiment of FIG. 1 except for the configuration of the spring members which are generally indicated at 120. Otherwise, the components bear the same numerical designations as the corresponding components of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

The spring members 120 have straight portions thereof 122 which extend between the fishmouths 24 thereof in different directions than the straight sections 22 of the spring members 20 of embodiment 1. Generically, however, one of the fishmouth and straight sections of each of the spring members 20 and 120 includes a straight portion in parallel abutting relationship with one of the wires 44 or 46 and connecting means connect that straight portion to the abutting wire. Specifically and referring to the embodiment of FIG. 1, each fishmouth section 24 of the spring members 20 includes a segment connected to the straight section 22 thereof and that segment includes the upper leg 26 and a connecting length 52. The connecting length 52 extends transversely of and between the upper leg 26 and the straight section 22. Thus, that segment defines a straight portion abutting and connected to one of the wire members 44 and 46. That straight portion may be the upper leg or torsion bar 26 or the connecting length 52. If the straight portion of each spring unit which is connected to the wires of the grid is parallel to the straight section 22 thereof, then it is the upper leg 26 and is clipped thereto by clips 54. If, however, the straight portion connected to the wires of the grid is transverse to the straight section 22 of each spring member, then it is the connecting length 52 which is clipped to the wires 46 by the clips 56.

It will be noted that the upper leg 26 is offset from the straight section 22 of each spring member 20.

In the case of the spring members 120 of the assembly of FIG. 2, either the upper leg or torsion bar 26 may be clipped to the wires 44 or the straight portion clipped to the wires may be defined by the straight sections 122 which may be clipped to the wires 46 as indicated by the clips 58.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A spring assembly comprising; frame means, a plurality of spring members supported on said frame to define a supporting area, at least some of said spring members being defined by an integral wire having a straight section and a fishmouth section at least at one end thereof, a grid defined by a first plurality of spaced parallel wires and a second plurality of spaced parallel wires extending transversely of said first plurality of wires, one of said fishmouth and straight sections of each of said spring members including a straight portion in parallel abutting relationship with one of said wires, and connecting means connecting said straight portion to its abutting wire.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first plurality of wires are welded to said second plurality of wires.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first plurality of wires are evenly spaced from one another.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said second plurality of wires are evenly spaced from one another.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first plurality of wires are spaced farther apart than said second plurality of wires.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first plurality of wires are welded to said second plurality of wires.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said grid represents the sole means interconnecting said spring members.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each fishmouth section includes a segment connected to said straight section, said segment defining said straight portion.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said straight portion of each spring unit is parallel to the straight section thereof.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said straight portion of each spring unit is offset from the straight portion thereof.

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said straight portion of each spring unit is transverse to the straight section thereof.

12. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said straight section defines said straight portion.

13. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said fishmouth sections includes a generally U-shaped portion having upper and lower legs and extending downwardly from said straight section, and a V-shaped portion having a torsion bar and upper and lower spacer bars extending from opposite ends thereof, said upper spacer bar being integrally connected to said lower leg.

14. An assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said upper leg comprises said straight portion.

15. An assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein each fishmouth section includes a segment connected to said straight section, said segment including said upper leg and a connecting length extending transversely of and between said upper leg and said straight section.

16. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said grid includes a border wire extending about the periphery of said supporting area.

17. An assembly as set forth in claim 16 including a plurality of auxiliary spring members disposed about said periphery and connected to said border wire.

18. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spring members are disposed in isolated noncontacting relationship with all of the remaining spring members.