Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~7~03~3
SPRING CO 5TRUCTION
FIET.D OF rl`IIE INVEN I`ION
T}lis invelltioll is in the field o:E seat spring
assemblies for furniture seats and the like. It relates particular-
ly to seat spring assem~lies whic]l employ SillUOUS spring bands.
BACKGROUND OE~ Tl-IF. INVENTION
It is important in springing so-Eas and loveseats, for
example, that a person sitting at either end does not feel the
unpleasant sensation oE "lean-ou-t" over the arm. "Lean-out" is
caused by the di-fference between the strong spring suppor~t he gets
underneath him on his inboard side and the virtual absence of
support he gets from the absence o-f springs on his outboard side.
For over forty years, the presence of a higll degree of
"lean-out" has been particularly troublesome when springing sofas,
loveseats, sectionals and similar furniture with sinuous springs
of any type. The problem is particularly bothersome in open-end
modular styles, where there is no arm at either one encl or both
ends. Many attempts have been made to combat this problem but
none have been fully successful, even when going to the extreme
in labor and material costs of placing two sinuous spring bands
at each arm end so close together as to virtually tOUC]l each other
and as far out under the arm as possible. This construction is
expensive because of the additional spring required, it puts great
additional strain on the furniture frame at the point of attach-
ment o the additional spring, and it has the eEfec-~ of slowin~ down
the subsequent upholstering process.
SU~MA~Y OF T~IE INVENTION
The present invention, Eor the first time~ fully
accomplishes arm-end spring support7 even in open-end modular
styles. Furthermore, this arm-end spring support is Ea-r greater
~7(~
than the spring support provi(lecl in any other part Or the spring
seat. The invelltion prevents any feel of Le.ln-out while re~ui-rirlg
only one sinuous spring band a-t each arm-encl, thus saving thc
manufacturer the labor ancl ma~erial costs oE the two elimina-ted
springs. Furthermore, this single sinuous sprin~ bancl does not
need to be placed inconveniently far out under the arm structure.
The construction oE the present inven-tion permits uniEorm spacing
from left to right in the seat, saving additionally that labor
time required in mounting springs in a non-uni~ormly spaced
arrangement.
The foregoing and other objects of the invention are
realized by providing a truss or key support to the bow or arc
of an installed sinuous spring band. A truss s~ructure in its
simplest form comprises a span member extending between certain
. .
linear segments of the endmost spring bands. This span is effect-
ive to a substantial degree in preventing unwanted downward drop
of the center o-f the band when a person is seated. Support under
the outboard side of the seated person is thus effected. An even
greater degree of support is provided with the use of a key mern-
ber between the span member and the band. The key member trans-
mits the downward thrust of the band to tlle span member, prevent-
ing downward movement of the band for more than approximately
three-quarters of an inch (3/4"). In some applications, a key
member may be used separately.
Thus broadlv, -the invention conte.~..~lates a
seat spring assembly for an upholstered furniture seat W~ick
comprises a seat frame including a front rail and a back rail
connected by side rails, a plurality of sinuous spr.ing bands
~ - 2 -
,~,i~, ~ ' ' '
. . , . : .
~07~3~
connected to the front and back rails and extendirlg -there-
between, and a 1cey member mounted on one sicle rail and
connected to the outermost sinuous spring band adjacent the
one rail with the key member being effective to limit downward
travel of the outermost spring band to approximately one inch.
In a further em~odiment the invention contemplates
a seat spring assembly for an upholstered furniture seat
which comprises a seat frame including a front rail and a
back rail connected by side rails, a plurality of sinuous
spring bands connected to the front and back rails and extending
therebetween in substantially parallel relationship with the
side rails, with the plurality of bands including an outermost
band adjacent each side rail. A truss means underlies at least
one of the outermost bands between the front and back rails
and is fastened at its opposite ends to one of the one outermost
band and the rails, whereby the opposite ends are anchored
against longitudinal movement relative to the one outermost
band, and a key means is disposed substantially vertically
between the truss means and the one outermost band and is
effective to permit only limited downward movement of the band
under load. The key means can be at least one vertically elongated
member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OE TIIE DRAWINGS
___
The invention, including its constr~lction and method
of operation, together with additional ob~ects and advantages
thereof, is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the
drawings, in which:
FIGURF, 1 is a vertical sectional view of a seat
spring assembl~ embodying features of a first form-first version
of the invention, with parts removed;
- 2 a -
b
:
10~ 33
EIGURl. 2 is a to~p plan v:i.ew o-~ the ass~mb:ly
illustrated in FIGllRE l;
FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken alonK line 3-3 of
FIGURE l;
FIGURE ~ is a perspective view of a por-tion o-f a first
form-second version o:E the seat spring assembly embodying features
of the present invention;
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view, similar to FIGURB 4,
illustrating a portion of a first form-third version of the seat
spring assembly embodying features of -the present invention;
FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a
first form-fourth version o-f seat spring assembly embodying
features of the invention;
FIGURE 7 is a -vertical sec~ional view through a seat
spring assembly embodying features of a second form of the
present invention, with parts removed;
FI~,URE ~ is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a
portion of the seat spring assembly illustrated in FIGURE 7,
with parts broken away;
FIGURE 9 is a vertical sectional view similar to
FIGURE 7 illustrating a third form-first version of the seat
spring assembly embodying features of the invention;
FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the
seat spring assembly illustrated in FIGURE 9;
FIGURE 11 is a vertical sectional view ~hrough a
third form-second version of the seat spring assembly embodying
features of the invention;
: FIGURE 12 is a vertical sectional view ~hrough a
fourth form of the seat spring assembly embodying features of
the present invention;
FIGURE 13 is a bottom plan view taken alon~ line
13-13 of FIGURE 12;
~t97~133
FIGIIRE 14 is a ver-ticcll sec~io2lal view -through a
fifth form of the seat spring assembly embodying -Eeatures
of tlle invention, l~ith parts removed;
FIGURE 15 is a bottom plan view taken along line
15-15 of FI GURE 14;
FIGURE 1~ is a vertical sectional view through a
sixth form of the seat spring assembly embodying ~eatures of
the invention, with parts removed;
FI GURE 17 is a vertical sectional view through a
seventh form of the seat spring assembly embodying Eeatures
of the invention, with parts removed; a
FIGURE 18 is a vertical sectional view through an
eighth form of the seat spring assembly eMbodying features of the
invention in a steel-rail frame, with parts removed;
FIGURE 19 is an enlarged top plan view of a
ninth form of the seat spring assembly embodying features of
the invention, with parts removed;
FIGURE 2~ is a sectional view taken along line
20-20 of FIGURE 19;
2n FIGURE 21 is a vertical sectional view through a
tenth form of the seat spring assembly embodying features of
the present invention;
FIGURE 22 is a top plan view of an eleventh Eorm
of the seat spring assembly embodying features of the inven-
tion; and
FIGURE 23 is a vertical sectional view of the
seat spring assembly of FIGURE 22.
-- 4
L)33
DESCRIPTION OF Tll. I>R~T~ lD ~MBO I~IENIS
Referring llOW to the drawings, and particularly
to FIGURES 1-3, a sea-t spr;ng assembly embodying -features oE a
first form-:Eirst version of -the present invention is illustrated
generally a~ 10. Tlle seat spring assembly 10 is, accor~lin~ to the
invention, specially adapted for use adjacent the ends of so-fas or
loveseats or the like to prevent "lean-out" by a seated person
outwardly over the arm.
The seat spring assembly 10 includes a wood frame 11
having a vertically disposed front rail 12, a correspondi-ng back
rail 13 and interconnecting side rails ~not shown). Extending
between the front rail 12 and the back rail 13, parallel to the
side rails are a plurality of identical sinuous spring bands 20,
only one of which is shown. ~ach of the bands 20 is generally
conventional in construction and includes a parallel series of
generally linear wire segments 21 interconnected by a series of
generally semi~circular wire segments 22 in a "sinuous" configuration.
In the seat spring assembly 10, the forwardmost
linear wire segment 21a is seated in a conventional mounting clip
25 which attaches the band 20 to the front rail 12. The clip 25
includes a hook 26 in which the wire segment 21a is seated and
a horizontally extended attachment section 27 which is apertured
to receive a staple or the like to fasten the clip to the upper
surface of the front rail 12.
In the spring assembly 10, the rearwardmost linear
wire segment 21z is fastened to the back rail 13 in slightly
differellt fashion. Here a clip 30 identical to the clip 25 is
fastened to the back rail in the same manner. Seated in the hook 31
o-f the clip 30, however~ is a U-shaped link 32 which, in turn,
has hooks 33 -formed at the free er.ds of each of i-ts two :Legs 3~. -
The linear wire segment 21z is seated in the hooks 33 in the
manner illustrated.
- 5 - ~-
3:3~
The spring band 20 may be convcntiollal, pre-arced
sinuous which is stretchecl into an extended, all~eit still arced,
relationship to be ~astened to ~he rails 12 and 13. I-t may, on
the other hand, be conventional fully or partially cle-arced
sinuous spring bancl. The loop size of the band might vary wldely
also. Althougll the band 20 illustrated is "regular" loop
sinuous, it might also be "X-L" (e~tra large) or "S-L" (super
loop) sinuous. The invention also can be employed Wit]l conven-
tional "zigger" configuration springs, ancl similar types.
According to the invention, a wire span member 40 spans
the ~rame between the front rail 12 and the back rail 13 in this
first form-first version of the invention and is fastened at its
opposite ends to these rails. The wire span member 40 comprises
conventional paper-covered wire which is bent downwardly at its
front end, as at 41, and -fastened with the aid of staples 42 to
the front surface o~ the front rail 12. The member 40 is also
bent downwardly adjacent its back end, as at ~3, and fastened to
the back surface of the back rail 13 with staples 44. The
wire span member 40 may also be fastened with the aid of staples
to the top sur~aces of the rails 12 and 13, respectively.
Referring to FIGURE 2, it will be seen that ~he front
end 41 of the wire span member 40 is fastened to the rail on one
side of the sinuous spring band while the back end 43 is
faste~ed to the outer sur~ace o~ the back rail 13 on the other
side o~ the band. The effect is to cause the wire member ~0 to
pass diagonally under the sinuous spring band. The pllrpose of
this construction is hereinafter discussed.
Mounted on the wire span member ~0 approximately
intermediate its ends, and ~astened to the sinuous spring band 20
approximately intermediate its ends, is a '~key" member 50 formed
also of paper-covered wire. The l'key" member 50 is bent
irregularly in the shape illustr~ted in FIGURE 3 so as to have,
when mounted in posi~ion as illustrated in FIGURES 1-3, a horizontal
.~ .
- 6
.~
1~75;~33
mid-segment 51 corresponcliilg in lcngth suLlstailtially to thc
transverse or width dimension oE thc sinuous spring band 20,
downwardly and inwardly inclinecl side segments 52 and 53, and
horizontally disposed end segments 54 and 55 in line with CaC
other and extending parallel to the wire span membe] ~0.
The micl-segment 51 is fastened -to one of the parallel
wire segments 21, the segment 21m in the present illus-tration,
by a conventional sleeve clamp 57. The end segment 5~ is, in turn,
fastened securely to the wire span member 40 by a similar sleeve
clamp 5S while the end segment 55 is fastened to the wire span
member 40 by another sleeve clamp 59. At the points intermediate
the span member 40 ends where the end wire segments 54 and 55 are
fastened the span member is approximately centered under the band
20 in its diagonal path from side-to-side oE the band. The clamps
57, 58 and 59 are applied by a workman assembling the spring
assembly 10 in a well-known manner with a conventional sleeve
clamp gun.
In operation of the spring assembly 10, when a load is
imposed on the single sinuous spring band 20 at one end of the
sofa or loveseat, for example, and the load tends to force the
band 20 downwardly, the downward thrust is communicated through
the "key" member 50 to the span mernber 40. Because the span member
40 is solid wire, it cannot elongate, of course. Therefore, the
amount o:E downward deflection o the spring band 20 normally does
not exceed 3l4" to 1" As a result, a person who sits adjacent
the end oE a sofa or loveseat, for example, does not tilt or
lean outwardly over the arm by the collapse of the en~mos-t sinuous
spring band.
In this first form-first version of the invention, the
"key" member 50 is so bent that the load is spread on the span
member 40 but not on the spring band 20. This load spreading is
~7al~33
achieved throug]l tlle longit-lclinally displaced end segments 54
and 55 of the key member 50 and their attachment -to the wire
span member 40.
~ :Eirst form-second version of the seat s~ring assembly
embodying features of the present invention is seen generally at
110 iIl FIGURE 4. The assembly 110 differs -from the seat spring
assembly 10 hereinbe:Eore discussed only in configuration, mounting
and, to some extent, the operation of the "key" member; in this
assembly designated at 150. Accordingly, only the portion of the
assembly 110 including ~he "key" member 150 is shown.
The "key" member 150 is mounted on the wire span member
140 approximately intermediate its ends and fastened to the sinuous
spring band 120 approximately intermediate its ends. Once again,
the "key" member 150 is formed of paper-covered wire. It is bent
irregularly so as to have, when mounted in the position therein
illustrated, a pair of horizontal end segments 151a and 151b
corresponding in length substantially to the transverse or width
dimension of the sinuous spring band 20, downwardly and inwardly
inclined side segments 152 and 153, and a horizontally disposed
mid-segment 154 in line with and extending parallel to the wire
span member 140.
The end segments 151a and 151b are fastened to corres-
ponding ones of the band's parallel wire segments 121, the segments
121m and 121n in the present illustration, by conventional sleeve
clamps 157a and 157b. The mid-segment 154 is, in turn, fastened
securely to the wire span member 140 by a similar sleeve clamp 158.
The clamps 157a, 157b and 158 are applied by workmen assemblying
the spring assembly llO in a well-known manner l~ith a conventional
sleeve clamp gun.
.
.
- 8
. .
~7~33
In opera-tioll o~ -the spring assembly llO, when a load
is imposed on the single sinuous spring ban(l 12n at one end of the
so-fa or loveseat, for example, the load tends to force the band 120
downwardly. The downward thrust is com~unicated through the "key"
lnembcr 150 to t~le span member 140 whicl~ c~nnot elongate. As a
result, a person W}10 sits adjacent the end of a sofa does not
tilt or lean outwardly over the arm by the collapse o-f the endmost
sinuous spring band.
In this firs~ form-second version of the invention,
the l'key" member 150 is so bent that the load is spread on the
spring band 120, but not on the span member 140. This is achieved
through the longitudinally displaced end segments 151a and 151b of
the "key" member 150 and thei~ attachment to the spring band 120,
and on the elongated mid-segment 154 of the "key" member.
A first form-third version of the seat spring assembly
embodying features of the invention is seen generally at 210 in
FIGURE 5. The assembly 210 differs from the assemblies 10 and
110, once again, only in con-figuration, mounting and, to some
extent, the operation of the 'tkey" member; in this assembly
designated as 250. Again, only the portion of the assembly 210
includi~g the "key" member 250 is shown.
The "key" member 250 is mounted on the wire span member
240 approximately intermediate its ends and fastened to the
sinuous spring band 220 approximately intermediate its ends. The
"key" member 250 is formed of paper-covered wire. It is bent
irregularly so as to have, w~en mounted in t~le posi~ioll therein
illustrated, a pair of horizon~al end segments 251a and 251b
extending parallel to the wire span member 240, upwardly and
outwardly inclined side segments 252 and 253, a pair of horizontal
intermediate segments 254a and 254b corresponding in length sub-
stantially to the transverse or width dimension of the sinuous
, ~ æ~
1.
33
spring band 220, and a horizon~ally disposecl mid-segment 256
joining the intermediate segments 254a and 254b.
The intermediate segments 254a and 254b are Eastened ~o
corresponding ones oE the band 1 5 parallel wire segments 221, the
segments 221m and 221n in the present illustration, by conventional
sleeve clamps 258a and 258b. The end segmen-ts 251a and 251b are,
in turn, fastened securely to the wire span member 240 by similar
sleeve clamps 260a and 260b. This version spreads the load on
both the stand 240 and on the spring band 221.
A first form-fourth version of ~he seat spring assembly
embodying features of the invention is seen generally at ~10 in
FIGURE 6. The assembly 310 differs from the assembly 210 immediately
here and before described only in that the mid-segment 356 of the
"key" member 350 extends diagonally across the width of the
sinuous spring band 320 and interconnects ~he intermediate segments
354a and 354b of the "key" member, rather than along one slde
of the band. The operation and effect, including load spreading
of the assembly ls, for all practical purposes, identical ~o that
of the assembly 210.
Referring now to FIGURES 7 and 8, a seat spring assembly
embodying features of a second form of the present invention is
illustrated generally at 410. Like those hereinbefore discussed,
the seat spring assembly 410 is specially adapted for use
adjacent the ends of sofas or loveseats or the like to prevent
"lean~out".
The seat spring assembly 410 is, insofar as its wood
framè ~11 and the mounting of its sinuous spring band 420 is
concerned, substantially identical to the construction described
in relation to the first forms of the present invention. Accord-
ingly, corresponding reference nu~erals are used to iden~ify
corresponding components, with the further addition of 100 digits
- 1 0 -
~ ~7 ~ ~ 3
-to distinguish the assemblies. ~:or e~ample, the flont rail o~
the seat spring assembly 410 is identiried by the re-Çerence
numeral 412, while the back rail is 413.
In -the seat spring assembly 4lO a a wire span member 440
substantially spalls the frame bet~een the front rail 412 and the
back rail 413 but, in this case, it is ~astened at its opposite
ends to the penultimate linear segments 421b and 421y, respectively,
rather than to the frame rails. The wire span member 440 again
comprises conventional paper-covered wire, however. The span
member ~40 is bent in one sideways direction at its front end,
as at 441, and fastened with the aid of a sleeve clamp 443 to the
linear wire segment 421b. The member 440 is also bent sidewardly,
albeit in the opposite direction, adjacent its back end, as at
443, and fastened to the penultimate linear wire segment 421y
with a sleeve clamp 444. Alternatively, the ends of the span 440
could be stapled to the rails dîrectly, as hereinbefore described,
of course.
Once again, the wire span member 440 is moun-ted so that
it passes diagonally under the sinuous spring band. The purpose
of this construction is hereinafter discussed.
Formed upwardly in the wire span member 440 approxi-
mately intermediate its ends and seated against the sinuous
spring band 420 approximately intermediate its ends, is a "key"
segment 450 ~ormed from the paper-covered wire of the span member.
The "key" segment 450 is bent irregularly so as to have two
substantially vertical side segments 452 and 453 topped by a
"saddle-like" mid-segment 451.
The saddle-like mid-segment 451 seats against an
; intermediate linear wire segment 421m to support the band 420
from the truss span member 440. Immediately adjacent the horizontal
stretch of the span member 440, the vertical side segments 452 and
453 are tightly fastened together hy a sleeve clamp 455 in a
conventional manner.
- 11 -
~:D7~33
In operatioll of thc spr:ing asselllbly 410, l~hell a load
is imposed on the single sinuous spring band 420 at one end of
the sofa or loveseat, for example, the loacl tends to force the
band 420 cLownwarclly. The span member 440 prevents any subs-tantial
downward deElection. ~s a result, "lean-out" of t]le seated person
over the arm of the seat is prevented.
In this second form-first version of the invention,
the "key" element 450 is arranged so that the load is actually
not spread out on either the span member 440 or the spring band
420. Nevertheless, an excellent result is achieved in sinuous
spring band support.
A third form-first version of the spring assembly
embodying features of the invention is seen generally at 510 in
FIGURES 9 and 10. The assembly 510 differs from the assembly 410
only in the configuration, mounting and, to some extent, effect
of the "key" segment or member; in this assembly designated as 550.
The "key" member 550 is, unlike the "key" segment 450,
a separate element. It comprises a segment of paper-covered wire
having an upper end segment 551 extending parallel to and underneath
a linear wire segment 521m o~ the spring band 520. An intermediate
leg segment 552 extends substantially vertically down to the wire
span member 540. Extending horizontally in parallel relationship
to the wire span member 540 is an elongated lower end segment 553
of the "key" member 550.
The upper end segment 551 is fastened to the parallel
wire segment 521m by a conventional sleeve clamp 557. The lower
end segment 5S3 is, in turn, fastened to the wire span member 540
by a similar sleeve clamp 558. At the point intermediate the span
member 540 ends where the end wire segments 551 and 553 are
fastened to the span member and the band 520 it is approximately
centered under the band in its diagonal path from side-~o-side
of -the band.
- 12 -
~C~ 3 3
Like the "key" element ~50 in t]le SeCOll-l fOrlll-:E:irS t
version of tlle invention, the key element 550 does not spread the
load Oll ei~her -the span member 540 or tlle spring bancl 520.
Nevertheless, the most desiral)le support results o~ the
invention are achieved.
A thircl Eorm-second version of the seat spring assembly
embodying features o-f the invention is seen generally at 610 in
FIGURES 11. Once again, the assembly 610 differs from the assembly
510 only in ~he con~iguration, mounting and, to some extent,
effect o-f two "key" members 650 rather than one.
The "key" members 650 are each identical to the "key"
member 550. They are mounted in opposed relationship and
fastened to linear wire segments 621m and 621n adjacent each
other. The load is thus spread both on the span member 640 and
the band 620. A somewhat mechanically stronger support results,
albeit somewhat more expensive also, of course.
~ 11 versions of forms one, two and three may, of
course, alternatively be installed with the span clipped to the
spring near either or both ends instead of being stapled to the
rails. In that case, the spans would constitute a floating full-
truss rather than a fixed or anchored full-truss. This is often
mechanically convenient when using gang-bored rails rather than
top-clipped rails. ~-
Furthermore, all versions of forms one, two and three
may be alterna-tively installed Wit}lOUt the "key" member herein-
before described. This produces an anc]lored ~when stapled -to the
rails) or floating (when clipped near to the spring ends) semi-
~russ While not as fully ef~ective as with tlle "~ey" member
present, "lean-out" is still greatly reduced.
A four~ Form of the seat spring asselllbly ~Inho~ly~ g
features of the present invention is seen generally a-t 71.0 in
FIGURES 12 and 13. The assembly 710, similar -to those previously
discussed, includes a ~ood frame 711, having a vertically dis-
posed front rail 712 9 a corresponding ~ack ra:il 7:L3, and inter-
connecting side rails. ~ plurality of identical sinuous spring
bands 720 extend between the ~ront rail 712 and the back rail
713, but only the two bands 7201 and 7202 immecliately adjacent
one end o~ a so~a, for example, are shown. The bands 7201 and
7202 illustrated are generally conventional in constructi.on
and include parallel series of generally linear wire segments
721 interconnected by series of generally semi-circular wire
segments 722 in "sinuous" configuration. The normal uniform
spacing between the bands 7201 and 7202 along the length o.E the
sofa is 4 to 4 1/2 inches.
In the seat spring assembly 710, the end sinuous
spring band 7201 has its forwardmost linear wire segment `721al
seated in a con~entional mounting clip 7251 which attaches the
band 7201 to the front rail 712. The rearwardmost linear wire
segment 721Zl is fastened.to the back rail 713 with a clip 730
and a U-shaped link 7321 having hooks formed at the free ends :
of each of its two legs in the manner illustrated.
The sinuous spring band 7202 extends parallel to the
band 7201 and is spaced 4 to 4 1/2 inches therefrom, as has been
pointed out. It is attached to the rails 712 and 713 i:n a manner
iden~ical to ~he attachment o-f the sinuous band 7201 previously
discussed. Accordingly, corresponding reference numerals are used
on corresponding components with a sub-2 rather than a sub-l.
According to the invention, a pair of wire span
members 740 and 741 are each fastened at their opposite ends to :
both the spring bands 7201 and 7202. The wire span member 740
.: 14 -
~07l~33
comprises conven-tional pal~er-covered wire ~hicll is bent: si(lewclys
at its -front end, as at 7~2, and fastened to the third-from-the-
end linear segment 721bl with a conventional sleeve clamp 7~5 and
to the corresponding linear segmellt 72lb2 of tlle band 7202 with
a sleeve clamp 746. The span member 7~0 is aLso bent sidewardly
in the same direction at its back end, as at 747, and -fastened
to the third-from-the-end linear segments 721Xl and 721X2 by
identical sleeve clamps 748 and 74~.
The wire span member 7~1 is also conventional paper-
covered wire. It is shorter than the span member 74~. asillustrated, and its opposite ends 751 and 752 are bent sideways
in the opposi~e direction. The side~ardly bent front end 751
is fastened to corresponding linear wire segments 721el and 721e2
spaced ninth-from-the-front-end linear segments with sleeve
clamps 753 and 754, respectively. The back end 752 is, in turn,
fastened to the linear segments 721rl and 721r2, eighth--from-the-
rear line~r segments by sleeve clamps 757 and 758, respectively.
The resul~ant wire span 740 and 741 arrangement is
to tie the two bands 7201 and 7202 from o~posite directions
adjacent their ends and again at points approximately 1/3 the
length of the entire band inboard from the opposite ends. This
double, floating, semi-truss construction, as it is called, is
effective to prevent substantial deflection o-f the ou~board band
7201 under load. Although not quite as effective as the full
truss versions of this invention; i.e., those which include "key"
members, it greatly minimizes "lean-out". Ihis ~ersion can also
be clipped to the single outer spring band at each arm end~ of
course.
A fifth forJn of the seat spring assembly embodying
features of the invention is seen generally at 810 in FIGURES
14 and 15. The assembly 810 is substantially identical
- 15 -
" ~L07C~133
to the assembly 710 except for the construction ancl arrangement
of its two ~ire span members 8~0 an~l 8~ ccorcl;ngly, whe-re
components corresponding to those of the sprin~ assembly 710 are
involved, corresponding reference numerals in an 800-series
rather than the 700-series are used.
The wire span member 840 includes a section 842 w~ich
spans the distances between linear wire segments 821bl and 821b2
at the front end o~ the spring assembly 810, ancl linear wire
segments 821yl and 821y2 at the back end thereof. The span member
840 is bent sideways at its front end, as at 843 and Eastened to
the wire segments 821bl and 821b2 with sleeve clamps 8~4 and 845,
respectively. It is bent sideways at its back end, as at 846~ and
fastened to the wire segments 821yl and 821y2 with sleeve clamps
847 and 848, respectively.
Opposite the span section 842, on the other side of
both bands 8211 and 8212, another span section 850 extends from
the transversely disposed end section 846. This span section 850
is inclined upwardly at a slight angle from the horizontal and
terminates just short of the ninth-from-the-front linear wire
segment. Here it is fastened to the span member 841 in a manner i
hereinafter discussed by the sleeve clamp 851.
The wire span member 841 includes a section 852 which
spans the distance between the linear wire segments 821el and
821e2 toward the front end of the bands, and 821rl and 821r2
which are seventh-from-the-back-end of the bands 8201 and 8202,
respectively. The span member 841 is bent sideways at its front
end, as at 853, and fastened to tlle wire segments 821Cl and 821e2
with sleeve clamps 854 and 855, respectively. It is bent sideways
at its back end, as at 856, and fastened to the wire segments
821rl and 821r2 with sleeve clamps 857 and 858g respectively.
:
; , '' .
- 16 - ;
33
Opposi~e the span segment 852, on the other side of
both bands ~201 and ~202, another span segment 860 extends from
the end of the sideways extending back segment 856. T}lis span
segment S60 is inclined downwardly at a sligllt angle to the
horizolltal and terminates just short oE tlle linear wire segment
821bl .
The Eree end of the span segment 860 is fastened to
the wire span member 840 adjacent the front end of the spring
l~ands with a sleeve clamp 861. The aforementioned free end of
the section 850 is fastened to the span segment 852 of the span
member 841 with the aforementioned sleeve clamp 851.
This construction is, once again, a double, floating,
semi-truss construction. It is effective to prevent substantial
deflection of the outboard bands 8201 under load. Although not
quite as effective as the full-truss versions of this invention,
once again it greatly minimizes lean-out. This version can also
be applied to only the single spring band at each end, of course.
A sixth ~orm of the seat spring assembly embodying
features o the invention is seen generally at 910 in FIGURl~ 16.
20 This form of the invention is a floating arced undertruss.
Here, the span member 940 is anchored to the band 920 at both
ends and also tied to the band at at least one point along its
length. Although the span member 940 is shown anchored under-
truss, so to speak, it may also be anchored over the truss,
according to the invention.
As seen in FI~UR 16, the span member 940 as
illustrated is tied at three points in addition to the e7lds,
rather than the one point in addition to the end which is required.
The wire span member 940 is fastened to the band on one side of
30 the band at a semi circular segment 922m midway along the length
:~ :
- 17 -
~70~33
of the band by a short sleeve clainp 942. I-t is fastened in a
similar fashion to semi-circular segments ~22d ancl 922p approxi
mately 5" in from each end of the band. This tied span member
construction tends to subs-tantially restrict deflection o:E the
band ~20 and thus is e:Efective, to a substantial degree, to
prevent the "lean-out" which has hereinbefore been discussed
at length.
This sixth rorm of the seat spring assembly embodying
features of the invention, seen at 910 in FI~URE 16, may aLso be
construc-ted with the span member 940 stapled at both ends to the
rails. Where such a modification is effected, the cons-tr~lction
becomes an anchored truss. Once again, the truss could actually
be mounted either over or under the spring band 920.
A se~enth form of the seat spring assembly embodying
Eeatures of the invention is seen generally at 1010 in FIGURE
17. The assembly 1010 is broadly similar to the assembly 910
immediately hereinbefore discussed, except that its span member
1040 is fastened at its opposite ends to the inner surface of the
front rail, as at 1041, and to the inner surface of the back rail,
as at 1042. The points of attachment in each case are one to
three inches below the upper surface of the corresponding rail,
so it will be seen that the span member 1040 is actually longer
than the arced length of the sinuous spring 1020 to which it is
also attached. This produces what is known as a stressed semi-
truss construction. Since the span member 1040 will not actually
fit into the same length as the band 1020 when normally extended,
it is stressed into what approximates an arc to follow generally
the path of the band. As in the sixth form of the in~ention, the
span is attached to the spring at at least one point between the
ends of the spring band ~two attachment points 1050 and 1051 are -
illustrated).
- 18 -
~ - . . .
~L07~33
An eighth form o~ the seat spring ~ssembly embodying
features oE the invention is secn generally at IllO in ~:IGUR~ 18.
The assembly 1110 is substantially identical to the assembly lO
first discussed in this application, differing only ;n th~t it
lncludes a steel angle iron or channel frame 1111 ra-the-r than a
wood frame.
The steel frame 1111 includes ang:Le members 1112
forming the ~ron-t rail and 1113 forming the back rail. The
sinuous spring band 1120 is stretched between clips 1130 and
1131 which are formed upwardly out oE the horizontal flan~es
1146 and 1147 respectively of the front and back rails 1112 and
1113.
A wire span member 1140 spans the frame between the
steel front rail 1112 and back rail 1113 and is bent back upon
itself, as at 1141 in the front and 1142 in the back. through
apertures 1144 and 1145, respectively, in the horizontal flanges
1146 and 1147 of the rails 1112 and 1113. The apertures 114
and 1145 remain when the clips 1130 and 1131 are formed, of
course.
Alternatively, the span can be bare wire, molded
at each end. In either case, the wire span member 1140 mounts
a "key" member 1150 in a manner identical to the assembly lO
hereinbefore discussed. The "key" member 1150 is ~astened to
a linear segment llZlm of the sinuous spring band 1120 by
conventional sleeve clamp 1157. Any of the "key" members
heretofore described can be installed.
The operation of the spring assembly 1110 is
virtually identical to that of the spring assembly 10. Accord-
ingly, it is not discussed in any detail here except to point
out again that it resists downward deflection of the spring
band 1120 to an extent normally not exceeding three quarters
inches to one inch ~3/4" to 1").
- 19 -
.
33~
Referrill~ no~ to FIGURIS ~ arld 20, a nin-tll Form oF
the seat spring assembly embodying Eeatures of the invention is
seen general:Ly a-t 1210. The seat spring assembly 1210 applies
particularly to Eu-rniture having steel rail frames ancl it is in this
context that the invention is illustrated. ~lowe~rer, as will
hereinafter be discussed furtller, it is also applicahle to furniture
having wood frames.
The seat spring assembly 1210 includes a steel frame
ha~ing side rails 1214~ only one of which is shown. The rail 1214
is seen to be a horizontal steel flange having a pair of
longitudinally aligned anchor housings 1215 formed upwardly from
the flange at a distance of approximately 1" apart. The housings
1215 are designed to receive and seat an offset "key" member
1250 according to the invention.
The offset "key" member 1250 is an irregularly formed
elongated piece of paper-covered wire. Its outermost or -free
end segments 1251 are longitudinally aligned and are seated in
the housings 1215 with the "key" member in operational position :
on the rail 1214, as illustrated. The "key" member also includes
horizontal base segments 1256 extending inwardly from the end
segments 1251 and upwardly angled (in slightly different attitudes)~
column segments 1257. The column segments 1257 are joined together
by a horizontal beam segment 1258.
., .
The horizontal beam segment 1258 is offset inwardly of
the rail 1214, as illustrated. This configuration places the beam
segment 1258 immediately under a linear segment 1221m of the
outermost sinuous spring band 1220 in the furniture frame. In
this position, it is fastened to the band segment 1221m with a
conventional clamp 1260.
The seat spring assembly 1210 resists downward
cleflection o-f the outermost spring band 1220 to an extent normally
- 20 -
:~ . - . .. : .. . . - ., . . . - . .............. . .
. , . . . ,: . . . . , . . - . ~ . :
()33
not e~ceeding one halE inch (1/2"). T}le "key" meml~er 1250 can
be easily mo~mted l)y pressing its end se~mellt~ 1251 -toward and
past each other until their free ends can be inserted into the
opposed openings of the housings 1215. This must be done with
the base segments 1256 raised up off the sur-face o:E the cllannel
121~. The segments 1251 are then permitted to spring outwardly
into seated relationship in their respective housillgs 1215 and
the "key" member 1250 pivoted down into the position shown in
FIGURES 19 and 20 ~ith the segments 1256 resting on the surface
of the rail 1214. In this position, a locking dimple 1260
formed upwardly from the steel rail 1214 is disposed between the
segments 1256 and prevents their being drawn together while the `~
"key" member is in th;s attitude. As such, the "key" member is
locked in on the rail. If the "key" member 1250 is to be used
on a wood rall, it can be stapled to the top of the wood rail
in a conventional manner.
Referring now to FIGURE 21~ a tenth form of the seat
spring assembly embodying features of the invention is i]lustra-
ted generally at 1310. The seat spring assembly 1310 includes a
wood ~ront rail 1312 and a wood back rail 1313, each gang-bored
to seat anchor links 1332 corresponding to ~he anchor links 32
hereinbefore discussed and illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2.
The anchor links 1332 have their free end clips 1333
oriented upwardly and the opposite ends of a conventional sinuous
spring band 1320 are seated in these clips, as illustrated.
According to the invention, a single span member 13~0 formed of
paper-covered wire spans the rails 1312, 1313 above the sinuous
spring band 1320, and is securely stapled to the rails at 13~1
adjacent its opposite ends. The span member 1340 is fastened
to a transverse linear segment 1321m of the spring band 1320
intermediate its ends by a conventional sleeve clamp 1360.
- 21 -
33
Thi.s -tenth form of -the scat spring ~Lsscmbly .131.0 :is
a sin~le "travel-limiting truss". It is o-f value where there is
mechanical interference :Erom the st~lf:Eing or pull rail of a
~urniture frame, or where one or bo-th rails are gang-bored.
It supports the band 1320 by limiting travel so tha-t the spring
can only deflect downwardly below the level of the upper surface
on the rails for a distance "x". It is thus effective to prevent
substanti.al deflection of the outboard spring bands 1320 under
load.
Re~erring now to FIGURE 22, an eleventh form o:E the
seat spring assembly embodying features o-f the invention ls
illustrated generally at 1410. The seat spring assemb;y is, - -
in broad terms 9 similar to the tenth form discussed immediately
above. It includes a wood front rail 1412 and a wood back rail
1413~ each gang-bored to seat anchor links 1432 corresponding to
the anchor links 32 hereinbefore discussed. The anchor links
1432 have their ~ree end clips 1433 oriented upwardly and the
opposite ends of a c~nventional sinuous spring band 1420 are
seated in these clips.
Accordin~ to the invention, a pair of span members
1440 ~ormed of paper-covered wire span the rail 1412, 1~13 on
opposite sides of the band and are securely stapled to the rails
at 1441 adjacent opposite ends. Each of the span members 1440 is
astened to semicircular segments 1~22 of the band 1420 by con-
ventional clamps 1460 at two points, approxima~ely 1/3 of the band
length from each rail. As a result, i.t will be seen that the band
extends from its attachmend to the anchor links 1432 upwardly
to its clamp 1460 attachments to the spans 1440 and then arcs
above these spans. Referring to FIGURE 23, the arc extends to a
heig~t "x" above the band. Thi.s distance "x" is less than the
distance "y" from the span downwardly to the band's anchor link
- 22 -
'7~ 33
connections. Wit}l -the clistance "x" less than tl~e clistance "y",
the spring band 1420 can deflect downwardly only by the dis-tance
"x" .
The purpose of this cons-truction is the same as that
of the single "travel-limiting -truss". This collstruction is, in
ef-fect, a double "travel-limiting truss". It also effectively
prevents substantial deflection of the outboard spring bands 1420
in a seat frame under load.
While several embodiments described herein are at
present considered to be preferred, it is understood that various
modifications and improvements may be made therein, and i~ is
intended to cover in -the appended claims all such modifications
and improvements as fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention.
- 23 -
