An apparatus for transporting springs comprises a transport device configured to receive a spring and a retaining mechanism configured to retain the spring received by the transport device. The retaining mechanism has at least one retaining member which comprises a magnetic material and which is mounted to be displaceable relative to the transport device. The apparatus comprises a release mechanism configured to release the spring received by the transport device. The release mechanism is configured to cause a relative displacement between the transport device and the at least one retaining member. The invention also relates to a method of transporting springs.

An apparatus for transporting springs comprises a transport device configured to receive a spring and a retaining mechanism configured to retain the spring received by the transport device. The retaining mechanism has at least one retaining member which comprises a magnetic material and which is mounted to be displaceable relative to the transport device. The apparatus comprises a release mechanism configured to release the spring received by the transport device. The release mechanism is configured to cause a relative displacement between the transport device and the at least one retaining member. The invention also relates to a method of transporting springs.

Method For Transferring Coil Springs From A Coil Winding Device To A Conveyor Belt Of A Pocketed Coil Assembly Machine A mechanism for transferring coil springs from a coil winding device to a conveyor belt of a pocketed coil assembly machine comprises a magnetic lift platform for engaging a coil spring before being released at an output of the coil winding device. Further, the mechanism comprises a drive mechanism for moving the lift platform between the output of the coil winding device and the conveyor belt.

Method For Transferring Coil Springs From A Coil Winding Device To A Conveyor Belt Of A Pocketed Coil Assembly Machine A mechanism for transferring coil springs from a coil winding device to a conveyor belt of a pocketed coil assembly machine comprises a magnetic lift platform for engaging a coil spring before being released at an output of the coil winding device. Further, the mechanism comprises a drive mechanism for moving the lift platform between the output of the coil winding device and the conveyor belt.

A wire supply station comprises a container 34 in which the wire is retained in a multitude of loops (not shown) of substantially the same diameter around a cylindrical inside surface of the drum. The wire 16 emerges from the drum 34 under no tension and substantially straight. It is then fed between guide or feed rollers 20 into the coiling head 12.

The wire 16 is formed into a continuous coil, from which lengths are cut by a cutter (not shown) to form individual coil springs 24. The individual coil springs 24 are then carried by the spring transfer station 26 to the fabric pocket welding station 28 where they become encased in individual pockets when the welding heads 30 weld the material.

Pre-straightening the wire before storing it in loops inside the cylindrical drum 34 allows for a more consistent pocket spring, and ultimately a flatter spring unit/mattress as any pre-stressing of the wire, caused by the drawing process used to manufacture it, is neutralised leaving the wire largely stress-free. This means that there is no need to compensate for, or break, the forces inherent in the wire before feeding it to the coiler. Accordingly the accumulator is not necessary and the wire supply can be positioned together with the coiling device, preferably above or below the coiling device, to take up less footprint in the factory.