Patent US4129908A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4129908A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foundation unit with cushioned cross rails
Assignee: Sealy Inc
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Filing: 1977-11-07
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Granted: 1978-12-19
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Expires: 1997-11-07
Abstract
Abstract An improved foundation unit for a mattress or the like is provided which is firmer in the center than conventional torsion spring-type foundation units while having sufficient flexibility under normal loads and weight distribution to comfortably support a body upon an overlying mattress. The foundation unit includes a resilient border which protects the edge of an overlying mattress from damage when subject to extraordinary weight concentration and a center region formed of a plurality of cross rails cushioned at least about their upper surfaces which immediately underlie the upper surface of the unit. The cushioning elements may be thick foam housings that cover at least the upper surface of the cross rails or sinuous wire springs that extend along the length of the cross rails. The cross rails themselves preferably have a limited degree of flexibility so as to better withstand high impact loads.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert F. Wagner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:26
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C23/00; A47C23/04; A47C23/043; A47C23/0438; A47C23/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A foundation unit having an upper surface for supporting a mattress or the like comprising: a substantially rectangular frame; a resilient border region; and a center region including a plurality of cross rails extending transversely of the unit, means for cushioning a plurality of said cross rails, said cushioning means overlying the upper surface of said cross rails, and means for supporting said cross rails so that said cushioning means substantially immediately underlies said upper surface of the unit, wherein the cushioning means has sufficient resiliency to allow the center region to be resiliently functional when subject to normal loads and the unit does not have any member overlying said cushioning means of sufficient rigidity and dimensions to substantially obstruct said functional resiliency of the center region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A foundation unit having an upper surface for supporting a mattress or the like comprising: a substantially rectangular frame; a resilient border region; and a center region including a plurality of cross rails extending transversely of the unit, means for cushioning a plurality of said cross rails, said cushioning means overlying the upper surface of said cross rails, and means for supporting said cross rails so that said cushioning means substantially immediately underlies said upper surface of the unit, wherein the cushioning means has sufficient resiliency to allow the center region to be resiliently functional when subject to normal loads and the unit does not have any member overlying said cushioning means of sufficient rigidity and dimensions to substantially obstruct said functional resiliency of the center region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The foundation unit of claim 1 wherein said resilient border region includes an alignment of torsion springs positioned adjacent to the perimeter of the unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The foundation unit of claim 2 wherein said rectangular frame includes lower side and end members and said torsion springs are supported on said lower side and end members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The foundation unit of claim 3 wherein said support means for said cross rails includes a first and second platform supported on said lower side members of said rectangular frame, which platforms support said cross rails at their ends.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The foundation unit of claim 3 wherein said cross rails are formed with legs extending downwardly and outwardly from said cross rails and said legs are secured at their bottom ends to the lower side members of said rectangular frame and thereby support said cross rails.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
124 words
A foundation unit having an upper surface for supporting a mattress or the like comprising: a substantially rectangular frame; a resilient border region; and a center region including a plurality of cross rails extending transversely of the unit, at least one foam housing for cushioning at least one of said cross rails mounted on the upper surface of said cross rail, said foam housing being at least one inch high and compressible to a substantially negligible height; and means for supporting said cross rails so that at least a portion of said foam housing substantially immediately underlies said upper surface of said surface, wherein the foam housing has sufficient resiliency to allow the center region to be resiliently functional when subject to normal loads.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
124 words
A foundation unit having an upper surface for supporting a mattress or the like comprising: a substantially rectangular frame; a resilient border region; and a center region including a plurality of cross rails extending transversely of the unit, at least one foam housing for cushioning at least one of said cross rails mounted on the upper surface of said cross rail, said foam housing being at least one inch high and compressible to a substantially negligible height; and means for supporting said cross rails so that at least a portion of said foam housing substantially immediately underlies said upper surface of said surface, wherein the foam housing has sufficient resiliency to allow the center region to be resiliently functional when subject to normal loads.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The foundation unit of claim 6 wherein said cross rails have a limited degree of flexibility to absorb high impact loads.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The foundation unit of claim 6 wherein said foam housings cover at least the top surface of said cross rails.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The foundation unit of claim 8 wherein said foam housings are from about 1 to about 2 inches high and compressible to about one-eighth of an inch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The foundation unit of claim 8 wherein said foam housings have an inverted U-shaped cross section and encase the upper and side surfaces of said cross rails.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A foundation unit having an upper surface for supporting a mattress or the like comprising:
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A foundation unit having an upper surface for supporting a mattress or the like comprising:
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
117 words
a substantially rectangular frame; a resilient border region; and a center region including a plurality of cross rails extending transversely of the unit and at least one sinuous wire spring, extending longitudinally along said cross rail and having its opposite ends secured to said cross rail, whereby said sinuous wire spring is arched upwardly above said cross rail to cushion the upper surface of said cross rail; and means for supporting said cross rails so that at least a portion of said cushioning sinuous wire spring substantially immediately underlies said upper surface of the unit, wherein said sinuous wire spring is sufficiently resilient to allow the center region to be resiliently functional when subject to normal loads.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
117 words
a substantially rectangular frame; a resilient border region; and a center region including a plurality of cross rails extending transversely of the unit and at least one sinuous wire spring, extending longitudinally along said cross rail and having its opposite ends secured to said cross rail, whereby said sinuous wire spring is arched upwardly above said cross rail to cushion the upper surface of said cross rail; and means for supporting said cross rails so that at least a portion of said cushioning sinuous wire spring substantially immediately underlies said upper surface of the unit, wherein said sinuous wire spring is sufficiently resilient to allow the center region to be resiliently functional when subject to normal loads.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The foundation unit of claim 11 wherein said cross rails have a limited degree of flexibility to absorb high impact loads.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The foundation unit of claim 11 wherein a plurality of said cross rails each have a plurality of means for securing the ends of said sinuous wire springs whereby the span and degree of arching of said sinuous wire springs are adjustable.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The foundation unit of claim 13 wherein said securing means are slots within said cross rails, which slots can receive at least the end turns of said sinuous wire springs.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The foundation unit of claim 11 wherein at least one cross rail supports more than one sinuous wire spring which springs are disposed in end to end relationship longitudinally along said cross rail.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
The foundation unit of claim 11 wherein said upper surface of said unit includes a wire grid, and at least one sinuous wire spring is secured about the upper portions of its arch to said wire grid whereby lateral sway of said sinuous wire spring is substantially retarded.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-12-18 | 1982-06-19 | 1982-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-12-18 | 1986-06-19 | 1986-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-12-18 | 1990-06-19 | 1990-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |