Pre-stressed spring matrix

Claim 2

A pre-stressed spring matrix for use in innerspring mattress and box spring construction, said matrix comprising: at least one high coil spring having a first base at one end thereof and a second base at the other end thereof, said bases each being in the form of a convolution; at least one low coil spring positioned adjacent said high coil spring in side by side relationship thereto, said low coil spring having a first base at one end and a second base at the opposite end, said bases each being in the form of a convolution, with the first base thereof lying in substantially the same plane as the first base of the high coil spring with the respective convolutions of said bases in contiguous relationship therewith; a first connecting means connecting the convolution of said first base of said high sprinG to an adjacent portion of the convolution said first base of said low spring; and a second connecting means connecting said convolution of said second base of said high spring to an adjacent portion of the convolution of said second base of said low spring placing said high spring in compression and said low spring under tension so that both springs are pre-stressed in opposite directions.

Claim 3

A pre-stressed spring matrix, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second connecting means each includes a coiled helical member extending around adjacent portions of said first and second bases.

Claim 4

A pre-stressed spring matrix, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second connecting means include clips extending around adjacent portions of said first and second bases, respectively to interconnect said high spring and said low spring.

Claim 5

A pre-stressed spring matrix for use in innerspring mattress and box spring construction, said matrix comprising: a series of alternating high and low coil springs each having a first base at one end and a second base at the other end, said high and low springs being positioned in side-by-side abutting relationship so that said first base of each of said high springs abuts the first base of said low springs, said first bases of each of said springs lying in substantially the same plane; a first connecting means interconnecting said first base of each of said high springs to said first base of each adjacent low spring along abutting portions thereof; and second connecting means interconnecting said second base of each of said high springs to said second base of each of said adjacent low springs along abutting portions thereof so that said high springs are placed under a compressive force and said low springs are placed under tensile force due to the interconnection between adjacent high and low springs.

Claim 6

A pre-stressed spring matrix for use in innerspring mattress and box spring construction, said matrix comprising: a series of alternating high and low coil springs each having a first base at one end and a second base at the other end, said high and low springs being positioned in side-by-side abutting relationship so that said first base of each of said high springs abuts the first base of said low springs, said first bases of each of said springs lying in substantially the same plane; a first connecting means interconnecting said first base of each of said high springs to said first base of each adjacent low spring along abutting portions thereof; and second connecting means interconnecting said second base of each of said high springs to said second base of each of said adjacent low springs along abutting portions thereof so that said high springs are placed under a compressive force and said low springs are placed under tensile force due to the interconnection between adjacent high and low springs.

Claim 7

A pre-stressed spring matrix, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first and second connecting means each includes a coiled helical member extending around adjacent portions of said first and second bases.

Claim 8

A pre-stressed spring matrix, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first and second connecting means include clips extending around adjacent portions of said first and second bases to interconnect said high spring and said low spring.

Claim 9

A pre-stressed spring matrix for use in innerspring mattress and box spring construction, said matrix comprising: a plurality of rows of high springs, each of said springs having a first base at one end and a second base at the opposite end; a plurality of rows of low springs positioned in alternating relationship with said rows of high springs and in contiguous relationship therewith, each of said low springs having a first base at one end and a second base at the opposite end; a first connecting means interconnecting the first base of each high spring with a contiguous portion of a first base of a corresponding low spring in an adjacent row; a second connecting means interconnecting the second base of each high spring with a contiguous portion of a second base of each adjacent low spring so that each of said high springs is placed under a compressive force and each of said low springs is placed a tensile force so that said respective first bases and second bases of adjacent high and low springs are in contiguous relationship; a first border wire extending around the perimeter of the connected alternating rows of high and low springs adjacent said first bases thereof; first means attaching said first border wire to said first base of said springs around said perimeter; a second base wire extending around the perimeter of said alternating rows of high and low springs adjacent said second base of said springs; and second means attaching said respective second bases of said springs around said perimeter to said second border wire.

Claim 10

A pre-stressed spring matrix for use in innerspring mattress and box spring construction, said matrix comprising: a plurality of rows of high springs, each of said springs having a first base at one end and a second base at the opposite end; a plurality of rows of low springs positioned in alternating relationship with said rows of high springs and in contiguous relationship therewith, each of said low springs having a first base at one end and a second base at the opposite end; a first connecting means interconnecting the first base of each high spring with a contiguous portion of a first base of a corresponding low spring in an adjacent row; a second connecting means interconnecting the second base of each high spring with a contiguous portion of a second base of each adjacent low spring so that each of said high springs is placed under a compressive force and each of said low springs is placed a tensile force so that said respective first bases and second bases of adjacent high and low springs are in contiguous relationship; a first border wire extending around the perimeter of the connected alternating rows of high and low springs adjacent said first bases thereof; first means attaching said first border wire to said first base of said springs around said perimeter; a second base wire extending around the perimeter of said alternating rows of high and low springs adjacent said second base of said springs; and second means attaching said respective second bases of said springs around said perimeter to said second border wire.

Claim 11

A pre-stressed spring matrix, as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first and second connecting means each includes a coiled member extending longitudinally between said adjacent high and low rows of springs and extending around adjacent portions of said upper and lower bases.

Claim 12

A pre-stressed spring matrix, as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first and second connecting means include clips extending around adjacent portions of said upper and lower bases of high and low springs in adjacent rows to interconnect them.

Claim 13

A pre-stressed spring matrix, as claimed in claim 7, wherein a high row of springs is positioned along each longitudinal edge of the spring matrix with alternating rows of low and high springs therebetween.