Cam controlled cushion assembly system
OwnerStephen E. Bentschneiderinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and a method for assembling a stretchable cover upon a rigidly backed foam cushion wherein the cushion lateral dimensions vary along its length. The degree of stretching of the cover varies during cushion/cover assembly as controlled by cams and cam followers to permit wrinkle-free covering of backed foam cushions of irregular configuration.
Claims8
Apparatus for assembling a stretchable pocket cover over a foam cushion affixed to a rigid backing comprising an elongated frame having a ram portion in alignment with an assembly portion, said assembly portion including first and second carriages movably mounted on elongated guides transversely disposed to the frame length, said carriages being capable of moving toward and away from each other, a cam follower mounted on each carriage, a plurality of elongated cushion cover stanchions cantilever mounted on each carriage having free ends extending toward said ram portion, said stanchions mounted on a common carriage being spaced from each other and stanchions mounted on different carriages being in transverse alignment with respect to the frame length whereby the backed foam cushion to be covered may be simultaneously received between said stanchions of both carriages, said stanchions receiving the inside-out pocket cover over said free ends, a ram mounted on said frame ram portion movable toward and away from said assembly portion and a pair of cams movably in synchronization with said ram in engagement with said carriage cam followers whereby the cover will be stretched by said stanchions as controlled by said cams and cam followers as said ram pushes the backed cushion between said stanchions and the cover folds over said stanchions' free ends to cover the backed cushion.
The method of assembling a foam cushion mounted on a rigid backing forming a cushion assembly wherein the cushion assembly has a lateral dimension that varies along the length of the cushion assembly with a stretchable cover comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing the cover while inside out over cantilevered stanchions wherein the cover defines a pocket,
- (b) inserting the cover assembly lengthwise into the cover pocket,
- (c) simultaneously with the insertion of the cover assembly into the cover pocket laterally stretching the cover to an extent determined by the lateral dimension of the cover assembly, and
- (d) continuing the insertion of the cushion assembly into the cover pocket and continuing the lateral stretching of the cover until the cushion assembly is completely received within the cover pocket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.