Method and apparatus for storing and transporting strings of pocketed coils

Abstract

An apparatus and method for winding strings of pocketed coils onto a spool. The coil spooling apparatus includes a feed mechanism and a spooler. The feed mechanism includes buffer rollers and an adjustable hollow feed arm. The feed arm terminates adjacent to the spooler. The spooler includes a spool with a horizontally or vertically oriented spool core, a drive mechanism, and a turntable base with a pallet. The drive mechanism powers the rotation of the spool core. The rotation of the spooler winds the string of pocketed coils received from the feed mechanism. The feed mechanism buffers the tension and directs the string of pocketed coils along the horizontal and vertical axis. After the desired size of wound package is reached, the rotation of the spooler ceases. The completed wound package can then be lifted while attached to the spool through the use of a fork lift. The vertical spools can be stored and transported in a vertical position since the core base is flat. The spools can be unwound and the springs uncompressed when needed to manufacture mattress constructions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.