# US 9,775,442 B2 · Pocketed spring assembly comprising strings of springs having non-linear separating seams > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,775,442 B2 - Document ID: US9775442B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/090,869 - Filed: 2016-04-05 - Published: 2016-07-28 - Granted: 2017-10-03 - Earliest claimed: 2013-06-19 - Assignees: L&P Property Management Company - Applicants: L&P Property Management Company - Inventors: Niels S. Mossbeck; Darrell A. Richmond - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9775442B2 ## CPC - A47C 27/064: {Pocketed springs} - A47C 27/05: with {padding material, e.g.} foamed material, in top, bottom, or side layers - A47C 27/07: Attaching, or interconnecting of, springs in spring inlays - A47C 23/04: using springs in compression, e.g. coiled - A47C 23/05: Frames therefor; Connecting the springs to the frame {; Interconnection of springs, e.g. in spring units} - A47C 23/30: using combinations of springs covered by more than one of the groups A47C23/02 - A47C23/12; Frames therefor - A47C 27/002: {Mattress or cushion tickings or covers} - A47C 27/06: Spring inlays or spring units therefor - A47C 27/063: {wrapped or otherwise protected} - A47C 27/065: {of special shape} - A47C 27/14: with foamed material inlays - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS ## Abstract A bedding or seating product comprises a pocketed spring assembly comprising a plurality of parallel strings of individually pocketed springs. The strings of springs may extend from head-to-foot or side-to-side of the product. Adjacent individually pocketed springs are separated from each other by at least one separating seam. Each of the separating seams comprises a pair of Y-shaped or U-shaped seams which may be joined together or spaced apart. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bedding or seating product comprising: a pocketed spring assembly comprising a plurality of parallel strings of springs joined to each other, each of the strings of springs comprising a plurality of interconnected pockets, each of the pockets containing at least one spring encased in fabric, the fabric being joined to itself along a longitudinal seam; wherein adjacent individually pocketed springs are separated from each other by a separating seam joining opposed first and second plies, each of the separating seams comprising first and second U-shaped end portions joined together by a linear portion, wherein the fabric is folded downwardly from an upper surface of the string of springs towards the bottom of the first U-shaped end portion within the first U-shaped end portion, and the fabric is folded upwardly from the bottom of the string of springs towards the top of the second U-shaped end portion within the second U-shaped end portion; cushioning materials on at least one side of the pocketed spring assembly; and an upholstered covering encasing the pocketed spring assembly and cushioning materials. ### Claim 2 A bedding or seating product comprising: a pocketed spring assembly comprising a plurality of parallel strings of springs joined to each other, each of the strings of springs comprising a plurality of interconnected pockets, each of the pockets containing at least one spring encased in fabric, the fabric being joined to itself along a longitudinal seam; wherein adjacent individually pocketed springs are separated from each other by a separating seam joining opposed first and second plies, each of the separating seams comprising first and second U-shaped end portions joined together by a linear portion, wherein the fabric is folded downwardly from an upper surface of the string of springs towards the bottom of the first U-shaped end portion within the first U-shaped end portion, and the fabric is folded upwardly from a lower surface of the string of springs towards the top of the second U-shaped end portion within the second U-shaped end portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The product of claim 2 further comprising a foam border. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The product of claim 2 wherein at least some of the springs have a barrel shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The product of claim 2 wherein upper and lower surfaces of the strings of springs are generally planar. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The product of claim 2 wherein four layers of fabric are located in regions of the U-shaped end portions of the separating seams. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The product of claim 2 wherein the strings of springs extend longitudinally. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The product of claim 2 wherein the strings of springs extend transversely. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The product of claim 2 wherein all of the springs have a barrel shape. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The product of claim 2 wherein the longitudinal seam is below free edges of the fabric. ### Claim 11 A pocketed spring assembly for use in a bedding or seating product, the pocketed spring assembly comprising: a plurality of strings of springs joined together, each of said strings of springs comprising a piece of fabric joined to itself along a longitudinal seam and multiple spaced separating seams to define a plurality of pockets, each pocket containing at least one spring and each separating seam including first and second U-shaped end portions joined by a linear portion, wherein the piece of fabric used to make the string of springs is folded downwardly from an upper surface of the string of springs towards the bottom of the first U-shaped end portion within the first U-shaped end portion and the fabric is folded upwardly from a lower surface of the string of springs towards the top of the second U-shaped end portion within the second U-shaped end portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The pocketed spring assembly of claim 11 wherein each of the springs has end turns and central convolutions between the end turns, the separating seams being shaped such that the end turns of each pocketed spring are closer to the separating seams than the central convolutions of the pocketed spring, such that upon compression of at least a portion of the spring in the pocket, the central convolutions of the spring may expand in the pocket without being inhibited by the separating seams. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The pocketed spring assembly of claim 12 wherein the U-shaped end portions of adjacent separating seams abut end turns of a spring therebetween and the linear portions of the adjacent separating seams are spaced from the central convolutions of the spring to allow a portion of the spring to expand upon compression. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The pocketed spring assembly of claim 11 wherein the strings of springs extend longitudinally. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The pocketed spring assembly of claim 11 wherein the strings of springs extend transversely. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The pocketed spring assembly of claim 11 wherein at least some of the springs are barrel-shaped. ### Claim 17 A pocketed spring assembly for use in a bedding or seating product, the pocketed spring assembly comprising: a plurality of strings of springs joined together, each of said strings of springs comprising a piece of fabric joined to itself along a longitudinal seam and multiple spaced separating seams to define a plurality of pockets, each pocket containing at least one spring, each spring having upper and lower end turns and central convolutions between the end turns, wherein each of the separating seams comprises a linear portion and first and second U-shaped branch portions, each branch portion extending outwardly from the linear portion of the separating seam, said spring assembly being characterized, when a load is placed upon the spring assembly, by the ability of at least some of the central convolutions of the spring to expand in the pocket of fabric, wherein the piece of fabric is folded downwardly from an upper surface of the string of springs towards the bottom of the first branch portion within the first branch portion, and the fabric is folded upwardly from a lower surface of the string of springs towards the top of the second branch portion within the second branch portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The pocketed spring assembly of claim 17 wherein at least some of the springs are barrel-shaped. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The pocketed spring assembly of claim 17 wherein each branch portion comprises two branches. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The pocketed spring assembly of claim 17 wherein the U-shaped branch portions of adjacent separating seams abut end turns of a spring therebetween and the linear portions of the adjacent separating seams are spaced from the central convolutions of the spring to allow a portion of the spring to expand upon compression. ### Claim 21 A pocketed spring assembly for use in a bedding or seating product, the pocketed spring assembly comprising: a plurality of strings of springs joined together, each of said strings of springs comprising a plurality of interconnected pocketed springs, each spring of which is contained within a pocket of fabric, each spring having upper and lower end turns and central convolutions between the end turns, adjacent individually pocketed springs being separated from each other by at least one separating seam joining first and second plies on opposed sides of the string of springs, each of the separating seams comprising a linear portion joining U-shaped end portions, said pocketed spring assembly being characterized, when a load is placed upon the pocketed spring assembly, by the ability of some of the central convolutions of the spring to move laterally in the pocket of fabric within which the spring is contained and return to their original position upon removal of the load, wherein the fabric is folded from an upper surface of the string of springs towards the bottom of the first U-shaped end portion within the first U-shaped end portion and the fabric is folded upwardly from a lower surface of the string of springs towards the top of the second U-shaped end portion within the second U-shaped end portion. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The pocketed spring assembly of claim 21 wherein the strings of springs extend longitudinally. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The pocketed spring assembly of claim 21 wherein at least some of the springs are barrel-shaped. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The pocketed spring assembly of claim 21 wherein the strings of springs extend transversely. ### Claim 25 A string of springs for use in a pocketed spring assembly, the string of springs comprising: a row of interconnected pockets, each of the pockets containing at least one spring encased in fabric, the fabric being joined to itself along a longitudinal seam; wherein adjacent pockets of springs are separated from each other by separating seams, each of the separating seams joining first and second plies of the strings of springs together and comprising first and second U-shaped end portions wherein the fabric is folded downwardly from an upper surface of the string of springs towards the bottom of the first U-shaped end portion within the first U-shaped end portion, and the fabric is folded upwardly from the bottom of the string of springs towards the top of the second U-shaped end portion within the second U-shaped end portion. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The string of springs of claim 25 wherein the longitudinal seam is on one side of the string of springs. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The string of springs of claim 25 wherein at least some of the springs have a barrel shape.