Independent suspension spring assembly

Abstract

A spring assembly is provided that includes a plurality of first strings of springs and a plurality of second strings of springs. Each of the first strings are joined to at least another one of the first strings or one of the second strings. Each of the first strings includes first and second plies of fabric that define a plurality of pockets formed along a length of the first string. The pockets are formed by vertical seams that join the plies. The vertical seams each include an upper slit that extends through a top surface of the first string and a lower slit that extends through a bottom surface of the first string. Each of the pockets have at least one spring positioned therein.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A mattress comprising opposite head and foot ends, the head end comprising a first spring assembly that defines a first zone, the first spring assembly comprising first pockets and a first spring disposed in each of the first pockets, each of the first pockets being coupled to another one of the first pockets, the foot end comprising a second spring assembly that defines a second zone, the second spring assembly comprising second pockets and a second spring disposed in each of the second pockets, each of the second pockets being coupled to another one of the second pockets, the second spring assembly being different than the first spring assembly to provide the second zone with a firmness that is different than a firmness of the first zone. 
     
     
         22 . The mattress recited in  claim 21 , wherein the first pockets are joined to one another by first vertical seams, the first spring assembly comprising opposite upper and lower slits extending into each of the first vertical seams. 
     
     
         23 . The mattress recited in  claim 22 , wherein the slits of a respective one of the first vertical seams have the same length. 
     
     
         24 . The mattress recited in  claim 22 , wherein there are no gaps or openings between the slits of a respective one of the first vertical seams. 
     
     
         25 . The mattress recited in  claim 22 , wherein the second pockets are joined to one another by second vertical seams, the second spring assembly comprising opposite upper and lower slits extending into each of the second vertical seams. 
     
     
         26 . The mattress recited in  claim 25 , wherein the slits of a respective one of the first vertical seams have the same length and the slits of a respective one of the second vertical seams have the same length. 
     
     
         27 . The mattress recited in  claim 25 , wherein there are no gaps or openings between the slits of a respective one of the first vertical seams and no gaps or openings between the slits of a respective one of the second vertical seams. 
     
     
         28 . The mattress recited in  claim 21 , wherein an interior of one of the first pockets is not in communication with an interior of another one of the first pockets. 
     
     
         29 . The mattress recited in  claim 28 , wherein an interior of one of the second pockets is not in communication with an interior of another one of the second pockets. 
     
     
         30 . The mattress recited in  claim 21 , further comprising a third spring assembly positioned between the first spring assembly and the second spring assembly that defines a third zone, the third zone having a firmness that is the same as the firmness of the first zone. 
     
     
         31 . The mattress recited in  claim 30 , further comprising a fourth spring assembly positioned between the first spring assembly and the third spring assembly that defines a fourth zone, the fourth zone having a firmness that is the same as the firmness of the second zone. 
     
     
         32 . The mattress recited in  claim 31 , further comprising a fifth spring assembly positioned between the first spring assembly and an end surface of the foot end that defines a fifth zone, the fifth zone having a firmness that is the same as the firmness of the first zone. 
     
     
         33 . The mattress recited in  claim 21 , further comprising a third spring assembly positioned between the first spring assembly and the second spring assembly that defines a third zone, the third zone having a firmness that is different than the firmness of the first zone. 
     
     
         34 . The mattress recited in  claim 33 , further comprising a fourth spring assembly positioned between the second spring assembly and the third spring assembly that defines a fourth zone, the fourth zone having a firmness that is the same as the firmness of the first zone. 
     
     
         35 . The mattress recited in  claim 34 , further comprising a fifth spring assembly positioned between the second spring assembly and an end surface of the foot end that defines a fifth zone, the fifth zone having a firmness that is the same as the firmness of the first zone. 
     
     
         36 . The mattress recited in  claim 21 , further comprising a third spring assembly positioned between the first spring assembly and the second spring assembly that defines a third zone, the third zone having a firmness that is the same as the firmness of the second zone. 
     
     
         37 . The mattress recited in  claim 36 , further comprising a fourth spring assembly positioned between the second zone and the third zone that defines a fourth zone, the fourth zone having a firmness that is the same as the firmness of the first zone. 
     
     
         38 . The mattress recited in  claim 21 , wherein the mattress comprises opposite first and second side surfaces each extending continuously from the head end to the foot end, the spring assemblies each extending continuously from the first side surface to the second side surface. 
     
     
         39 . The mattress recited in  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the first springs includes outer spring and an inner spring positioned therein, the inner springs each being positioned within one of the outer springs in a nested configuration. 
     
     
         40 . The mattress recited in  claim 39 , wherein at least one of the second springs includes outer spring and an inner spring positioned therein, the inner springs of the second springs each being positioned within one of the outer springs of the second springs in a nested configuration. 
     
     
         41 . The mattress recited in  claim 39 , wherein at least one of the second springs includes only one spring. 
     
     
         42 . The mattress recited in  claim 21 , wherein the first springs each include outer spring and an inner spring positioned therein, the inner springs each being positioned within one of the outer springs in a nested configuration. 
     
     
         43 . The mattress recited in  claim 42 , wherein each of the second springs includes outer spring and an inner spring positioned therein, the inner springs of the second springs each being positioned within one of the outer springs of the second springs in a nested configuration. 
     
     
         44 . The mattress recited in  claim 42 , wherein each of the second springs includes only one spring. 
     
     
         45 . A mattress comprising opposite top and bottom ends, the top end including a top end surface and the bottom end including an opposite bottom end surface, the mattress comprising opposite first and second side surfaces each extending from the top end surface to the bottom end surface, the surfaces defining a perimeter of the mattress, the top end comprising a first spring assembly that defines a first zone, the first spring assembly comprising first pockets and a first spring disposed in each of the first pockets, each of the first pockets being coupled to another one of the first pockets, the bottom end comprising a second spring assembly that defines a second zone, the second spring assembly comprising second pockets and a second spring disposed in each of the second pockets, each of the second pockets being coupled to another one of the second pockets, the first and second spring assemblies each defining a portion of the perimeter, the second springs being different than the first springs to provide the second zone with a firmness that is different than a firmness of the first zone. 
     
     
         46 . A mattress comprising opposite top and bottom ends, the top end including a top end surface and the bottom end including an opposite bottom end surface, the mattress comprising opposite first and second side surfaces each extending from the top end surface to the bottom end surface, the surfaces defining a perimeter of the mattress, the top end comprising a first spring assembly that defines a first zone, the first spring assembly comprising first pockets and a first spring disposed in each of the first pockets, each of the first pockets being coupled to another one of the first pockets, the bottom end comprising a second spring assembly that defines a second zone, the second spring assembly comprising second pockets and a second spring disposed in each of the second pockets, each of the second pockets being coupled to another one of the second pockets, the first and second spring assemblies each defining a portion of the perimeter, the second springs being different than the first springs to provide the second zone with a firmness that is different than a firmness of the first zone,
 wherein an interior of one of the first pockets is not in communication with an interior of another one of the first pockets and an interior of one of the second pockets is not in communication with an interior of another one of the second pockets,   wherein the first pockets are joined to one another by first vertical seams, the first spring assembly comprising opposite upper and lower slits extending into each of the first vertical seams, the second pockets being joined to one another by second vertical seams, the second spring assembly comprising opposite upper and lower slits extending into each of the second vertical seams, the slits of a respective one of the first vertical seams having the same length and the slits of a respective one of the second vertical seams having the same length, and   wherein there are no gaps or openings between the slits of a respective one of the first vertical seams and no gaps or openings between the slits of a respective one of the second vertical seams.