EXTRUDED FOAM REINFORCEMENT STRUCTURES FOR INNERSPRING ASSEMBLIES AND MATTRESSES

Extruded foam reinforcement pieces (12) are described for assembly in connection with innerspring assemblies (20) and mattresses. The pieces (12) have optimized cross-sectional configurations which can be consistently extruded in continuous strands which are then cut to length according to the type and size of innerspring assembly (20). The pieces (12) are configured t o engage various components of the innerspring (20), including spring coils (22), spaces between coil springs (22), and framing borderwires (24, 26). Th e foam reinforcement pieces (12) facilitate attachment and alignment of overlying material such as padding (30) and upholstery (32) and function to improve the support characteristics of an innerspring (20). Various embodiments of extruded foam reinforcement pieces (12) include a support element (40) configured to attach about the exterior of a single coil at a corner of an innerspring; a relatively short span side wall support (50) whi ch engages vertically between coils adjacent a vertical side wall of the innerspring; and a tapered edge structure (60) configured to fit over side edges of an innerspring (20), with padding (30) and upholstery (32) attachab le over each of the various foam reinforcement structures to improve the form a nd strength of an innerspring assembly (12).