Apparatus for pocketed coil construction having improved tracking characteristics

An apparatus for manufacturing a pocketed innerspring construction for a mattress comprising:

• (a) means for drawing a length of fabric having a substantially uniform width from a roll of said fabric;
• (b) a folding plate having a substantially horizontal, planar surface extending from an upstream end thereof to a downstream end, said downstream end of said surface having tapering lead folding edges converging at a downstream end point;
• (c) means for urging said length of fabric from said upstream end to said downstream end of said surface and for causing said fabric to pass over said folding edges on the downstream end of said surface with the downstream end point essentially in contact with the center of said fabric width so that said fabric folds substantially in half along its length with the width of the folded fabric being substantially one-half of the width of the fabric and with the two free longitudinal edges of said fabric being in general alignment;
• (d) a pair of inwardly-biased, pivotably mounted folding fingers positioned below said surface and having a gap therebetween to receive said folded fabric passing over said folding edges of said surface, said folding fingers being structured to pinch together to maintain a bias against fabric passing therebetween to enable accurate folding of said fabric with said longitudinal edges being in substantial registration and alignment;
• (e) means for inserting coil springs between said folded fabric halves and for joining said fabric in a manner such that said coil springs are contained within pockets in said fabric;
• and
• (f) means for connecting said pocketed coil springs together to form an innerspring construction.