US3860227A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Springs
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-06-18
•
Granted: 1975-01-14
•
Expires: 1993-06-18
Abstract
Abstract A spring unit primarily for use in motor vehicle seats, spring interior furniture, mattresses and the like comprises a single elongate serpentine member which is formed into a substantially rectangular block having substantially planar surface portions spaced apart by resilient cross members to provide a spring platform. The cross members are preferably inclined to the surface portions and define with the surface portions a series of triangular box sections. A number of such spring units may be combined to produce a spring platform having either uniform or varying resilience over its surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Desmond Francis Hughes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:58
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C27/00; A47C27/04; A47C27/06; F; F16; F16F; F16F1/00; F16F1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
33 words
A spring unit comprising a single elongate serpentine member which is deformed and constrained to define a substantially rectangular prism having spaced substantially planar portions linked to one another by resilient cross members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
33 words
A spring unit comprising a single elongate serpentine member which is deformed and constrained to define a substantially rectangular prism having spaced substantially planar portions linked to one another by resilient cross members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A spring unit as claimed in claim 1 in which the resilient cross members are inclined to the substantially planar portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A spring unit as claimed in claim 2 in which each pair of adjacent cross members define, together with a part of one or other of the substantially planar portions, a three-sided box section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A spring unit as claimed in claim 3 in which the serpentine member takes the form of a series of generally parallel straight portions linked by bridging portions, the serpentine member being constrained to form the spring unit by means connecting together certain of the straight portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A spring unit as claimed in claim 4 in which said means comprise wire helices.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A spring unit as claimed in claim 4 in which said bridging portions are generally semi-circular.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A spring unit as claimed in claim 4 in which each pair of adjacent cross members define, together with a part of one or other of the substantially planar portions, a three-sided box section, and in which each three-sided box section includes at least six of said straight portions and at least six of said bridging portions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A spring unit as claimed in claim 7 in which each three-sided box section includes nine of said straight portions and nine of said bridging portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A spring unit as claimed in claim 7 in which at least the sides of the three-sided box sections constituting The cross members are bowed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A spring assembly comprising a plurality of spring units as claimed in claim 1 connected together by fasteners.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A spring assembly as claimed in claim 10 including spring units having differing spring characteristics.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of forming a spring unit comprising deforming a single elongate serpentine member to define a substantially rectangular prism having spaced substantially planar portions linked to one another by resilient cross members, and constraining the serpentine member to maintain the shape of the spring unit by connecting together regions of the serpentine member.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of forming a spring unit comprising deforming a single elongate serpentine member to define a substantially rectangular prism having spaced substantially planar portions linked to one another by resilient cross members, and constraining the serpentine member to maintain the shape of the spring unit by connecting together regions of the serpentine member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 in which the serpentine member comprises a series of generally parallel straight portions linked by bridging portions, including the step of connecting alternative straight portions to the sixth next straight portion to form a spring unit comprising a series of three-sided box sections.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 in which the serpentine member comprises a series of generally parallel straight portions linked by bridging portions, including the step of connecting every third straight portion to the ninth next straight portion to form a spring unit comprising a series of three-sided box sections.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2818104A
Cited
US2773543A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |