WO1999025509A1

WO1999025509A1 - Spring interior and method of making same

Info

Publication number: WO1999025509A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/024110
Authority: WO
Inventors: Siegfried Grueninger
Original assignee: L & P Property Management Company
Priority date: 1997-11-13
Filing date: 1998-11-12
Publication date: 1999-05-27
Also published as: DE69821394D1; ES2210842T3; DE69821394T2; EP1052920A1; EP1052920B1; AU1400799A; JP2003517374A; ATE258402T1; EP1052920A4; JP4623827B2

Abstract

The spring interior (10) comprises springs (12) with different spring constants (hardness). The variation of the spring constant is effected by changing the average radius of the windings (13) between the central winding (15) and the two end rings (14) of each individual spring. With a spring winding machine (21) whose bending tools can be set and adjusted by software during the production, in this manner spring interiors (10) may be manufactured which comprise any amount of zones of differing hardness. With this, all springs (12) consist of wire with the same diameter, the same end ring (14) diameter and the same height, and the automatic manufacture may be effected without conversion of the spring interior assembly automatic machines.

Description

SPRING INTERIOR AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME

The present invention relates to spring interiors and the manufacture of spring interiors and springs therefor that are of differing degrees of firmness. Background of the Invention:

Interior spring mattresses consist of a multitude of steel springs joined together in a regular grid. Typically, the end rings of the neighboring steel springs are directly connected to one another by way of wire spirals. Alternatively, barrel shaped springs are often sewn or welded into pockets in rows and in turn the pockets lying next to one another are connected to one another. With inexpensive mattresses, all the springs used are designed to be identical, i.e. they have the same spring constants and the mattress is uniformly hard or soft over the whole surface. In order to achieve a greater sleeping comfort there is the desire to design the mattress with different hard or soft zones, in particular to reinforce the heavily loaded zones. The differing hardnesses in the individual mattress regions have up to now been produced in different ways. For example, geometrically identical springs with differing wire strengths may be manufactured and used, in which springs with thicker wires are applied in the regions of greater firmness, e.g. in the central region, and springs with thinner wires are applied in regions that are softer, e.g. in the region of the head or feet. The manufacture of springs of different thicknesses does not present a problem in itself, but on later assembly of the mattress, these springs must be arranged at the correct locations in the spring interior. This is not possible with fully automatically operating machines of the present art since typically springs of different types are usually alternately transferred from the winding machine and inserted into the automatic assembly machine. The springs are laid behind one another in rows and the rows one after the another are connected to each oώer by wire spirals.

Another possibility of producing various hardness regions within a mattress lies in arranging the springs to lie closer to one another in the region of desired reinforcement. Then, the grid in which the springs are then arranged in the spring interior will no longer be uniform. Two springs may also be directly inserted one into another. The manufacture of a mattress with a non-uniform spring grid as well as also the manufacture of a mattress with springs of differing wire strengths is only possible by way of large scale conversions of conventional machines. In one case, the setup of the assembly machine must be changed, which leads to stoppage time and thus to higher manufacturing costs; in another case, two automatic spring winding machines would be necessary, but differing springs could only be arranged in rows.

Accordingly, there remains a need for a better way of providing spring interiors with regions of differing firmness. Summary of the Invention:

An object of the present invention is to provide a method which permits the fully automatic manufacture of mattresses with freely definable hardness zones in the spring interior on conventional automatic spring interior assembly machines.

According to principles of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a spring interior for an interior spring mattress or for cushioned furniture, with zones of differing hardness, in which die springs are produced on spring winding means, are joined together in rows, and are subsequently connected to one another. In particular, while on a spring winding means, the mean radius of one or more inner winding lying between the two end rings is changed so that the spring constant of individual springs or several springs produced after one another is changed. The springs are then transferred directly from the spring winding means to an automatic spring interior assembly machine where they are subsequently, in the sequence of their manufacture, joined together to a spring interior.

According to further principles of the present invention, there is provided a spring interior for a mattress or for cushioned furniture, comprising a multitude of rows arranged parallel next to one another, consisting of a multitude of individual springs with end rings of the same diameter and produced from wire of the same diameter and same material, characterized in that springs with differing mean winding radii of d e windings lying between the two end rings are arranged next to one another in the rows and form zones of differing hardness widiin the spring interior.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the springs which are fully automatically continuously manufactured on a winding machine with the average winding radii of the windings lying between die end rings of a different size without rearranging the stations subsequent to the winding machine such as the handling, the knotting and die heat treating stations, and without rearranging the spring interior assembly machines. Each spring interior is preferably produced widi individually formed, customer-specific hardness zones of differing hardness, position and size, without there being required an adjustment or conversion of the further processing stations or of the transport mechanism between the winding machine and the automatic spring interior assembly machine. Differing hardnesses are provided among longitudinal rows as well as transverse rows. All springs so formed may comprise the same end ring diameter and essentially the same height, while the central sections of the springs, i.e. the central winding of the spring, which gripping and handling tools grasp, hold and convey on manufacture and further processing, are always located at die same predetermined location. In the present invention, springs widi different spring constants may be arranged selectively behind one another within each row of springs, and springs of different spring constants may be arranged from spring row to spring row. As a result, not only can the prior assembly machines be employed but also die overall arrangement of the spring interior, i.e. of the grid, remains the same. Springs in the mattresses with a multitude of different zones, for example, hard edge and shoulder regions, may be manufactured on a winding machine controlled by software. The appropriate springs of differing hardness are produced by changing the winding diameter in the correct sequence, with the sequence of their manufacture determining their predetermined location at the assembly machine. With this, it is not important whether the spring interior is narrow or wide or whether this mattress is long or standard length. The spring interior need not externally differ from a conventional one and as a result may be further processed in subsequent steps without adaptation of diose steps, using the known methods and machines for finishing mattresses, e.g. providing with covers and surrounding them with material.

By way of an illustrated embodiment example, the invention is explained in more detail. Brief Description of the Drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of one preferred embodiment of a spring interior for a mattress according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a hard spring with windings having a small average diameter.

Figure 3 a view, similar to Figure 2, of standard spring with a normal hardness.

Figure 4 is a view, similar to Figures 2 and 3, of a soft spring with windings having a larger average diameter.

Fig. 5 is a perspective representation of a spring winding machine showing a spring shortly before the completion of its formation by the spring coiling machine.

Fig. 6 is a perspective representation of the machine of Figure 5 showing a completed spring being picked up by the gripping hand. Figure 7 is a diagram of one example of a control system for operation of the coil forming elements of the spring coiling machine of Figures 5 and 6.

Figures 8, 8A and 8B are diagrammatic illustrations of a user interface for the control system of Figure 7.

Detailed Description of the Drawings: A spring interior 10, in the schematic representation of Figure 1, includes, for example, a rectangular array of positions 11, arranged in twenty-four rows a, b, c, ..x, y of springs 12. Each spring row a, b, c,...x, y consists of, for example, nine springs 12 with end rings 14 dimensioned equally, these being connected by wire spirals 16. The manufacture of such a spring interior 10 is effected fully automatically in that upon being coiled on a spring winding machine, springs 13 are sequentially manufactured in rows, for example, of each nine springs 12, and dien transferred to a row into an assembly machine where subsequently the rows or groups of rows are successfully joined togetiier widi wire spirals 16 to form a spring interior 10. Devices with which springs 12 are manufactured are known from the state of the art. One such device with which the springs 12 may be individually manufactured and joined together to form a spring interior 10, is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,413,569 and German Patent No. 3020727, expressly incorporated by reference herein.

In the spring interior 10, according to Figure 1, the springs 12 which lie at die edge of the spring interior 10, and those in a region A on which the shoulder of a person resting on the mattress will come to lie, as well as in a region B on which the hip region of the person will come to lie, are shown in thicker lines. These springs 12 with the thicker lines have a higher spring constant and form regions of the mattress which are harder in order to be able to accommodate and support larger weights in these regions. The springs 12 in regions or zones C, shown in broken lines, represent zones in which the mattress is very soft and thus die springs 12 have a lower spring constant. All remaining springs 12 with lines represented with medium thickness are springs 12 with a spring constant lying between the spring constants of the other springs 12, i.e. they are "normal" springs.

From Figure 1 it can be seen that in each case whole rows do not necessarily comprise springs 12 of equal hardness, but also witiiin the individual rows b, c, d, g, h, etc., there are arranged springs 12 with differing spring constants. The end rings 15, however, as already mentioned, are die same for all springs 13 of the spring interior 10. Preferably they have the same diameter and the same geometric shape. Preferably also, all springs 12 consist of the same wire with the same wire strength and wire hardness.

In order for a wire, whose diameter remains constant, to be able to form springs 12 of differing hardness, at least the two spring windings 13 which lie neighboring the end rings 14 are formed with a different mean radius Rl deviating from me "normal" spring according to Figure 3. The central winding 15 is identical with all three spring types, that is the "normal n spring according to Figure 3 and the two spring types with larger spring windings 13 (Figure 4) or smaller spring windings 13 according to Figure 2. By way of the enlargement of the average radius Rl of the two windings connecting to die end rings 14, the spring constant is reduced and dius the spring 12 becomes softer (Figure 4). In contrast, by reducing the radius Rl of die windings 13 in die spring 12 according to Figure 3, the spring constant is increased and thus the spring 12 becomes harder. The enlargement or reduction of die spring constant is always effected with respect to the "normal spring 12 represented in Figure 3. Nevertheless the size of the central winding is identical with all springs according to the Figures 2 to 4. In this context, identical preferably means: when the spring 12 manufactured on the winding machine leaves the machine, the central winding 15 is always located specially at die same location wi i respect to the end rings and as a result can be grasped by a transport means, e.g. a robot widi a pincer or a gripper, at a predetermined location which is the same for all spring designs (cf . Figure 6). Alternatively all the connecting radii lying between the end rings 14 could also be changed. With this the advantages on handling are partly lost.

In the Figures 5 and 6 in the perspective representation, mechanical parts of a spring coiling machine 21 are shown. Individually these mechanical parts are not described in detail since they are known to those in the spring making art. Springs 12 as well as the structure for grasping the spring 12 after its completion are shown. In Figure 5 the spring 12 is shown during the coiling procedure, with two of five windings of die spring 12 completed. A gripping arm 25 consisting of a gripping head 27 and a pneumatically operated gripping hook 28 of a known construction, operated by are actuated by a pneumatic drive 36, lie at a distance to me forming spring 12 so iat its forward lying end ring 14 can be guided past on die gripping head 27. A counter holding device 31 which is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis Y comprises a holding plate 33 which essentially has a U-shaped cross section. The holding plate 33 is likewise pivotally mounted about an axis Z and is infinitely operated by a pivoting drive 35. Between the pivoting drive 35, which is preferably a servodrive, a flexible shaft 37 leads to die pivoting device 39 of the holding plate 33. In me pivoting device 39 diere is seated at die end of die flexible shaft 37 an eccentric disk 41 which engages on a pivoting arm 43 which carries the holding plate 33. With die pivoting drive 35 dius the position of the holding plate 33 can be changed widi respect to the longitudinal axis X of the spring 12 when it is desired diat the mean diameter of the second winding 13 undergo a change.

With the continuous manufacture of springs 12 of differing stiffness, at least die two coils neighboring the end rings 14 are varied, synchronously adjusting die wire bending elements of the coil forming machine, i.e. bending rollers, die deflector etc. (all not shown) as well as die geometric position of the holding plate 33. For a spring 12 with a stiffness greater than iat of a normal spring with a smaller average diameter of die windings of coiling 12, die holding plate 33 lies at a more acute angle to the axis X of the spring 12 dian for a spring which is softer with a the winding 13 of a larger diameter, where the holding plate 33 is set to a larger angle to the axis X. On removal of the dius completed spring from the spring coiling machine 21 , the gripping head 27 moves against die spring 12. In order to be able to securely grasp the spring 12 at its central winding 15, the counter holding device 31 pivots about die axis Y (die pivoting drive is not shown in die Figures 5 and 6) until die holding plate 33, in contact widi the central winding 15 and die winding 13 which lies neighboring the end winding 14 and die winding 13, presses the spring 12 into die slot of the gripping head 27 where it is rigidly held by a gripping hook 28. As soon as die spring 12 is securely held by die gripping head 27 the end of die spring 12 is separated by a separating device 45 from the end of die wire being supplied, diis later forming the front end of die subsequent spring 12. The counter holding device 31 dien pivots back into the original position (Figure 5) and die gripping hand 25 transports die spring 12 to die next processing station, for example a knotting device widi which the spring wire ends at the end winding 14 are knotted.

Control of the spring interior making machine can be accomplished by controlling the coiling machine 21 to produce springs 12 of differing stiffnesses, by controlling the radii of the intermediate coil windings 13 while keeping constant die radii of die center winding 15 and die end windings 14 of each coil 12. The remaining components of the apparatus may be controlled in die same manner as in the manufacture of spring interiors 10 as if the springs 12 were of identical stiffness. This may be provided through die use of a programmed controller that stores spring interior pattern data specifying die stiffnesses of die springs 12 at the different positions 11 of a rectangular array of the springs 12, and also stores spring parameter data of the spring coil radii needed for the intermediate windings 13 diat will produce springs 12 of the programmed stiffnesses.

An example of a control for the coiling machine 21 diat will carry out the preferred method is illustrated in Figure 7, in which a controller 50 is provided having outputs connected to the various operable elements of the machine, including die pivoting drive 35, a drive 36 for the gripper arm 25 and head 27, and spring forming elements. The spring forming controls may include conventional spring forming elements, which are diagrammatically represented as elements for controlling three parameters of a formed spring, namely a wire feeder 51 which controls die length of wire being feed, a coil radius former 52 which controls the curvature of the wire being fed, and a pitch former 53 which controls die pitch or axial displacement of me wire that is being bent into coils of die controlled radius. While die machine is capable of varying the radius and pitch continuously during die formation of any given spring 12, with die preferred embodiment of die present invention, die radius is changed from coil to coil of a given spring, but the pitch is kept constant.

The controller 50 includes a processor 54 which connects through various outputs, which connect through appropriate drivers (not shown), to the controlled elements 35, 36, ..., 51, 52 and 53. The controller 50 includes non-volatile memory 55 and an operator interface 60. In a portion 56 of the memory 55 job schedule data is stored. In a portion 57 of the memory 55, a program is stored which contains die logic to operate the interface 60, to accept entered data or commands and to display information to the operator, and to automatically operate the elements of die machine 21 in accordance widi die operator entered information. The memory 55 also includes a portion 58 in which is stored data of variously defined patterns of spring assemblies 10, including primarily data on the dimensions of die array of individual springs 12 of which the assembly 10 is made, and die types of springs which occupy each of the positions 11 of die array. The memory 55 further includes a portion 59 which includes a table of the various parameters of each of a plurality of spring types that are available to occupy the positions 11 of the spring assembly arrays.

The program in location 55 operates the elements 35, 36, ... and 51-53 to successively form each of the springs 12 of a selected pattern array defmed by information in memory portion 58 in accordance widi die spring parameter data stored in memory portion 59.

The interface 60 may take any of many forms, one of which is illustrated in Figure 8 as including a touch screen which may be controlled by software to display various forms, some or all of which may be open at any given time. The forms may, for example, include a MAIN form 61 on which is provided a SCHEDULE command button 62 and a number of other commands and odier objects (not shown) that relate to features of the machine 21 and odier related equipment that are not important to the description of the present invention. A KEYPAD form 63 is also provided and displayed on the screen of the interface 60 whenever data entry by the operator is an available option.

When the SCHEDULE command button 62 is pushed, a SCHEDULE form 64 is displayed on the screen of the interface 60. This form may be used to monitor the progress of the various jobs being produced on a spring assembly manufacturing apparatus of which die spring coiling machine 21 is a part. The form 64 includes a table 69 of different scheduled batches diat are each made up of identical spring assemblies 10. The data record for each batch may include a batch identification number, the number of identical units in die batch, a number or identification code of die pattern which defines die configuration of the spring interior assembly units 10 of the batch and a field containing information on the production status or progress of the batch. An operator may RUN or STOP the running of any batch of spring interiors by selecting the appropriate respective button 66,67, and may move a pointer by selecting up or down arrows 68, or by touching the selected batch on a table, to change select a batch diat is die next to be run.

The SCHEDULE form 64 relates to data in die memory portion 56. The form 64 may be provided widi command objects that enable an operator to change the data defining die batches diat are scheduled to be produced. These command objects may include EDIT and NEW buttons 71 ,72 which open a SCHEDULE

EDIT form 70, for example, by which the data defining die number of units or the pattern type of the spring interiors 10 of the batch may be defined, or by which a new batch may be identified and its number of units and pattern type may be entered in die schedule. The pattern type may be selected from a list of defmed pattern types dirough a list box 73 on die form 70. Additional buttons 74 may be provided to allow data in die batch records in the schedule to be changed from the form 70. The form 64 is also provided widi a SET¬

UP PATTERN command button 75 which opens a PATTERN SET-UP form 77, which is illustrated in Figure 8A.

The PATTERN SET-UP form 77 may include a NEW command button 78 and an EDIT command button 79, which, when pushed, present a grid display area 80 that contains an array of cells 81, each corresponding to one of die positions 11 of the springs 12 of a spring interior assembly 10 to be made according to a pattern of a given batch. When die EDIT button 79 is pressed, die grid 80 is filled with data from memory portion 58 for the pattern for the units of the batch diat is selected on die SCHEDULE form 64. The number of the pattern applicable to the current batch is displayed in a pattern number box 82 on the form 77. If the operator changes the number in die box 82, by touching die box 82 and dien entering another pattern number on the key pad 63, die data for the pattern corresponding to the entered number is displayed. The pattern data will be retrieved from the memory portion 58, and includes fields defining die number of rows in the pattern array and die number of coils per row. These row and coil numbers are displayed in boxes 83,84 respectively provided on the form 77. The dimensions of the displayed array in grid area 80 are automatically resized to conform to the dimensions of die pattern array. In the figure, an array of 24 rows of 9 coils each is illustrated. The form 77 also includes a box 85 diat displays coil or spring assembly height and a box 86 diat displays wire type of the coils of die spring assembly. The wire type coil height may be indicated as variable, where different coils of the spring assembly are to be made of different wire, but in the preferred embodiment of die invention die wire type and coil height are the same for all springs 12 of die spring assembly 10. When die EDIT button 79 is pushed, die operator may change the data in me boxes 82-86 of die form 77 and in die various cells 81 of the grid 80. The data in die cells 81 of die grid 80 each represents an identification code or number which identifies a record in a table in memory portion 59 that contains parameter data defining a particular configuration of a spring 12. The operator may highlight individual cells 81 or a selected rectangular block 99 of cells 81 and enter a spring type identification code via die keypad 63 or by selecting a number from a list box 91 presented by a SPRING

ID form 90 which opens when the operator selects one or more cells or presses a SELECT SPRING button 87. When die pattern is defined, die data is saved by pressing the SAVE button 88 or the changes may be canceled by pressing CANCEL button 89 on the form 77.

The SPRING ID form 90 includes objects for selecting a coil type, such as a list box 91 by which a predefined coil type may be selected to be entered into selected cells of die grid 86 of die PATTERN SET¬

UP window 77 upon die pressing of an ENTER button 92. If a desired coil type is not defmed, definition of a new coil type or the editing of die parameters of a previously defined coil type may be carried out by respectively pressing the NEW button 93 or the EDIT button 94, which will open a COIL TABLE form 95. The COIL TABLE form 95 illusu-ated in Figire 8B includes a list 96 of coils of various types, which includes a number of coil records or entries that include a field diat contains a coil type identification along with one or more fields diat contain data mat provides die coil widi die desired hardness or stiffness. Preferably, the data defining die parameter that provides the differing stiffnesses of the coils is a single datum of die radius (or the winding diameter in centimeters in the illustrations) of the intermediate coils 13 of die coils of die particular type. Other data can be included such as coil height and wire type which preferably remains the same for all coils of a spring interior assembly or batch of spring interior assemblies. Also, the radii of the center winding 15 and die end windings 14 of a spring 12 are the same for all such springs. The control can be programmed to allow inclusion of springs with a variety of parameters in die table 96, but widi the ability of the operator or an engineer to specify the constant parameters that are permitted, with die program disabling selection of springs from die list 96 diat do not have die specified wire type or height, for example. Various of die forms 70, 77, 90 or 95, for example, may be password protected and only available to a supervisor or manager.

In operation, for each spring interior 10, the coiling machine 21 produces springs 12 of each row in succession, with each spring possessing the stiffness resulting from the radius of the intermediate windings 13 of each spring 12 of die type programmed for the respective position 11 of the array. Each row of springs is so formed and die rows are transferred into a spring interior assembly apparatus where the coils 12 thereof are laced togedier and the rows of coils are laced to adjacent rows of coils. As a result, a spring interior 10 such as illustrated in Figure 1 is produced having die zones A, B, C, D of the various stiffnesses. Such spring interiors 10 are produced widi springs formed on conventional hardware, operated controlled in accordance with the present invention, widi only die radii of die intermediate windings 13 of the coil springs 12 differing from the springs 12 of one stiffness zone to anodier. All other parts of the automatic machine may remain as iey were before the present invention.

The springs 12 so made have an exactly defined location of die central winding 15 widi respect to the gripping hand 25. The constantly equal geometry of the end rings 14 and of the central winding 15 permits a conventional automatic spring interior assembly machine already possessed by a manufacturer of spring interiors to be used to simultaneously and continuously process springs 12 of different hardnesses, without a need for adjusting work in die region of the gripper 25, of other coil handling or transfer mechanisms. In other words: die automatic spring interior assembly machine can process all springs 12 supplied to it independent of their hardness. A suitable software control of the spring winding machine 21 especially of its coil forming elements widi which the geometric shape is determined permits springs 12 with differing hardness to be produced in die desired sequence and subsequently in the conventional manner to be further processed in the same manner as exclusively identical springs 12.

Accordingly, a spring interior with predetermined hardness zones A, B, C, D according to Figure 1 may be manufactured fully automatically in die same manner as a spring interior with equal springs throughout. Such springs 12 may be manufactured one after another on the spring winding machine 21 to whatever hardness is desired. They are then fed to die assembly automatic machines spring by spring in a conventional manner. Since all springs 12 have identical end rings 14, die end rings may be open or knotted. With all springs 12, die central winding 15 is located at the same location, so diat the automatic spring interior assembly machines may process die springs 12 as if they were identical. Only die user of the mattress or the one who exactly compares die springs 12 individually coming from the winding machine 21 with one anodier can determine that die geometric shape is not the same with all springs 12.

With simple means, mattresses and cushioned furniture may be manufactured which are matched to die customer or matched to changing habits and zones of differing hardness may be produced at die desired location.

Claims

What is claimed is:Patent Claims:

1. A memod for manufacturing a spring interior for an interior spring mattress or for cushioned furniture with zones of differing hardness, die memod comprising the steps of: successively coiling individual springs on a spring coiling machine while changing, from one spring to another spring, die mean radius of one or more inner windings between two end windings to change die spring constant from said spring to said spring; sequentially joining pluralities of the successively coiled individual springs together in rows; subsequently transferring the rows of springs to an automatic spring interior assembly machine and diereat connecting die rows to one anodier to form a spring interior that includes a plurality of rows each of a plurality of springs interconnected in a rectangular array.

2. The memod of claim 1 wherein the mean radius of die winding lying between a central winding and die two end windings of said anodier of the springs is altered from that of said one of die springs.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein, in die coiling step, the geometric shape of a central winding of die springs remains geometrically unchanged and independent of die change of radius of said inner windings.

4. The memod of claim 1 wherein at least some of said rows each include springs having unequal mean winding radii and diereby substantially unequal spring constants.

5. A spring interior for a mattress or for cushioned furniture comprising: a plurality of rows arranged parallel to one another and each including a plurality of individual springs each having end windings of the same diameter and produced from wire of the same diameter and same material, with different springs of a plurality of said rows having inner windings lying between die two end windings diereof having differing mean winding radii, and widi a plurality of said rows having said different springs being arranged next to one anodier to form zones of differing hardness widiin the spring interior.

6. The spring interior of claim 5 wherein die springs each have a central winding of die same shape and each have windings lying between die end windings and the central winding having differing mean radii.

7. The spring interior of claim 5 wherein the spring interior has edges widi springs adjacent diereto having inner windings neighboring the end windings diereof having a smaller mean radius dian corresponding inner windings of springs lying within the spring interior remote from said edges.

8. The spring interior of claim 5 comprising at least one zone which includes springs having the mean radius of inner windings lying between die two end windings is smaller than corresponding inner windings of springs adjacent an edge of die spring interior.

9. A device for grasping springs with differing geometry after their production on a spring coiling machine comprising: a gripping hand having a gripping hook and a holding plate; and die position of die holding plate with respect to a longitudinal axis of die springs after production on die spring coiling machine being infinitely adjustable.

10. The device of claim 9 further comprising: a servo drive; and die adjustment of die position of the holding plate widi respect to the longitudinal axis of the springs being affected by synchronously driving the servo-drive to the change of the mean radius of the windings.