Abstract:
A bedding foundation having a nestably stackable spring assembly, including a border wire. The foundation&#39;s spring assembly may be nestably stacked with numerous other such assemblies for transportation, thereby avoiding the need to compress and tie the assembly for shipping. Each spring assembly includes support wires having alternating peaks and valleys along with stabilizer wires having alternating peaks and valleys. The valleys of the stabilizer wires are secured to the valleys of the support wires. The peaks of the stabilizer wires are secured to longitudinal wires extending parallel the sides of the border wire.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to bedding and, more particularly, to a bedding foundation having a nestably stackable spring assembly. 
     Bedding foundations, or so-called box springs, generally include a base and an upper grid including a generally rectangular border wire between which coil or bent wire spring modules are located. As thus manufactured, these box spring assemblies are bulky and shipping them to a bedding manufacturer for application of padding and covering thereto is costly because of space requirements. To reduce the space requirements, it is customary to compress the assemblies to reduce their individual thicknesses and to tie them in their compressed state. This involves using presses and ties which are expensive, and the extra operations of pressing and tying the assemblies also add to their manufacturing cost. At the delivery end, the manufacturer must cut and discard the ties before applying the covering. These additional material and handling expenses increase the end cost of box spring assemblies. 
     Box spring assemblies by their very nature are intended to provide a stable support foundation for mattresses or other bedding placed on top thereof. Toward that end, the components used in the box spring assemblies should be securely and firmly mounted in the assembly to avoid any wobble, sway or shifting during use. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,052,064 and 7,237,282 disclose bedding foundations having nestably stackable spring assemblies having an upper border wire having a round cross-sectional configuration. U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,327,475 and 8,332,974 disclose bedding foundations having nestably stackable spring assemblies which include a border wire having a rectangular cross-sectional configuration. 
     In order to further increase the stability of the foundation, it would be desirable to increase the stability of the nestably stackable spring assembly of a bedding foundation by including additional wires in the assembly. 
     Therefore, a bedding foundation having a nestable, stackable spring assembly, including a plurality of stabilizer wires that can be stacked for shipping without having to compress and tie the spring assembly, would be a significant improvement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention provides the desirable stability without compromising the integrity of known bedding foundations. In one embodiment, this invention is a bedding foundation having a nestably stackable spring assembly which may be shipped separately from the bases of the foundations. This bedding foundation comprises a rectangular base and a spring assembly fixedly attached atop the base. Padding overlies the spring assembly and a fabric covering surrounds the spring assembly, padding and base. 
     The nestable stackable spring assembly includes a rectangular border wire having two parallel sides and two parallel ends. The border wire may have a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration with the height being greater than the width of the cross-section. Alternatively, the border wire may have another cross-sectional configuration such as a conventional round cross-sectional configuration. The spring assembly further comprises a plurality of spaced and longitudinally extending support wires parallel to the border wire sides and extending between the border wire ends and being secured thereto. Each support wire has ends which may be welded or otherwise secured to the border wire ends and is a continuous piece of wire. These support wires are generally corrugated along their lengths, having a plurality of flattened peaks and a plurality of flattened valleys. The flattened peaks are generally co-planar with the plane defined by the border wire, and the flattened valleys are displaced beneath and intermediate of the peaks. 
     The spring assembly further comprises longitudinally spaced, parallel and transversely extending upper connector wires parallel to the border wire ends and having ends welded or otherwise secured to the border wire sides. The upper connector wires are further secured, including by welds, along their lengths to the flattened peaks of the support wires. 
     The spring assembly may further comprise a plurality of transversely spaced, parallel and longitudinally extending continuous longitudinal wires welded or otherwise secured to the upper connector wires and having ends welded or otherwise secured to the border wire ends and extending parallel the border wire sides. 
     The longitudinal voids between the peaks of the support wires are of a greater dimension than the valleys of the support wires. This configuration enables one spring assembly to be nestably stacked atop a second spring assembly since the support wire valleys of the first assembly fit into the voids between the peaks of the support wires of the second assembly. Such a nested and stacked arrangement results in a total height dimension which is less than the sum of the individual assembly height dimensions. 
     The spring assembly further comprises longitudinally spaced, parallel and transversely extending stabilizer wires parallel to the border wire ends. Each of the stabilizer wires is a continuous piece of wire having a plurality of flattened peaks and a plurality of flattened valleys, the flattened peaks being welded or otherwise secured to the longitudinal wires of the upper grid. The flattened valleys of each stabilizer wire are vertically displaced beneath and intermediate of the flattened peaks and are secured such as by welding to the flattened valleys of the support wires. 
     One advantage of this invention is that it enables a bedding foundation having a nestable, stackable spring or wire core or assembly to be made more stable, thereby reducing the sway or movement of the foundation upon being subject to a moving load. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objectives and features of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view, partially broken away, of a bedding foundation according to one embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a portion of the foundation of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  2 A- 2 A of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  2 B- 2 B of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 2C  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  2 C- 2 C of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  without padding or a fabric covering; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of two stacked spring assemblies of the foundation of  FIG. 1  without padding or a fabric covering; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view, partially broken away, of a bedding foundation according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a portion of the foundation of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  6 A- 6 A of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  6 B- 6 B of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 6C  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  6 C- 6 C of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5  without padding or a fabric covering; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of two stacked spring assemblies of the foundation of  FIG. 5  without padding or a fabric covering; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view, partially broken away, of a bedding foundation according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a portion of the foundation of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 9  without padding or a fabric covering; 
         FIG. 12  is a side elevational view of two stacked spring assemblies of the foundation of  FIG. 9  without padding or a fabric covering; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a portion of an alternative embodiment of foundation having a round border wire; 
         FIG. 13A  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  13 A- 13 A of  FIG. 13 ; and 
         FIG. 13B  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  13 B- 13 B of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a bedding foundation  10 , according to one embodiment of this invention, is illustrated. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the foundation  10  has a longitudinal dimension or length L, a transverse dimension or width W and a height H. Although the length L is shown as being greater than the width W, they may be identical. 
     The foundation  10  has a base  12 , including a rectangular base frame  13  on which transverse slats  14  are attached. A nestably stackable spring assembly or wire core  16  is fixed atop the base  12  and, more particularly, secured to the transverse slats  14  of base  12  with staples  15 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Padding  18  overlies the nestably stackable spring assembly  16 , and a fabric covering  20  overlies the padding  18  and surrounds the nestably stackable spring assembly  16  and the base  12 . Although the base  12  is usually made of wood, it may be made of any other material, such as plastic, for example. 
     The nestably stackable spring assembly  16  includes a generally rectangular steel border wire  22  having two parallel sides  24 ,  24  and two parallel ends  26 ,  26  (only one being shown in  FIG. 1 ). The parallel sides  24 ,  24  are longer than the parallel ends  26 ,  26  in the embodiment illustrated. However, in a square product, the sides and ends may be the same length. The border wire  22  is illustrated being the border wire disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,332,974 and 8,327,475, which are each fully incorporated herein. However, other border wires may be used. 
     The nestably stackable spring assembly  16  further comprises transversely spaced, parallel, and longitudinally extending steel support wires  28 . These support wires  28  are parallel to the border wire sides  24 ,  24  and have ends  30  which are welded to the ends  26 ,  26  of the border wire  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2C . These support wires  28  are formed so as to be generally corrugatedly-shaped along their lengths, having peaks  32  and valleys  34 . These peaks  32  and valleys  34  are flattened at their respective distal portions  36  and  38 , respectively. See  FIG. 3 . The adjacent distal portions  36 ,  38  are joined together by linear connecting portions  39  of the support wire  28 . Alternatively, the support wires may be resilient with non-linear arms or connecting portions joining adjacent flattened peaks and flattened valleys. Examples of such support wires are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,805,780 and 7,930,777, which are each fully incorporated herein. 
     The nestably stackable spring assembly  16  further comprises longitudinally spaced, parallel and transversely extending steel upper connector wires  40  extend parallel to the border wire ends  26 ,  26  and have ends  42  which are welded to the border wire sides  24 ,  24 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2A . As best shown in  FIG. 2 , these upper connector wires  40  are welded intermediate of their ends  42 ,  42  along their lengths at intersections  44  to the flattened peaks  32  of the support wires  28 . 
     The support wires  28  have flattened distal peak portions  36  and flattened distal valley portions  38 , with the support wire ends  30  being welded to the border wire  22 . In this embodiment, two upper connector wires  40  per flattened distal peak portion  36  are illustrated. However, any number of upper connector wires  40  may be secured, i.e., welded to each flattened distal peak portion  36  of each support wire  28 . The distal valley portions  38  of the support wires  28  may be stapled or otherwise attached to the transverse slats  14  which are, in turn, affixed to the base frame  13 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2C , an end portion of each of the support wires  28  is welded to a lower surface  50  of the border wire  22  and, more specifically, to the lower surface  50  of one of the ends  26 ,  26  of the border wire  22 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , continuous longitudinal wires  46  may be included in the stackable spring assembly  16 . These longitudinal wires  46  have their ends  48  welded to the border wire ends  26 ,  26 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . These longitudinal wires  46  may be welded or otherwise secured along their lengths to the upper connector wires  40  at locations  49 , as best shown in  FIG. 2 . In the illustrated embodiment, four longitudinal wires  46  per foundation  10  are illustrated. However, any number of longitudinal wires  46  may be incorporated into the foundation. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 2A , an end portion  42  of each of the upper connector wires  40  is welded to a top surface  52  of the border wire  22  and, more specifically, to the top or upper surface  52  of one of the sides  24 ,  24  of border wire  22 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 2B , an end portion of each of the continuous longitudinal wires  46  is welded to a lower surface  50  of the border wire  22  and, more specifically, to the bottom or lower surface  50  of one of the ends  26 ,  26  of border wire  22 . 
     The nestably stackable spring assembly  16  further comprises a plurality of spaced and transversely extending stabilizer wires  54  parallel the border wire ends  26 . Each of the stabilizer wires  54  comprises a generally corrugatedly-shaped continuous piece of wire having a plurality of flattened peaks  55  and a plurality of flattened valleys  56 . Adjacent peaks  55  and valleys  56  are connected by linear connecting portions  58 , as in the support wires  28 . The flattened peaks  55  of the stabilizer wires  54  pass over the top of the longitudinal wires  46  and are welded or otherwise secured to the longitudinal wires  46  at locations  60 . The flattened valleys  56  of the stabilizer wires  52  are vertically displaced beneath and intermediate of the flattened peaks  55 . The flattened valleys  56  of the stabilizer wires  54  pass over the tops of the flattened valleys  34  of the support wires  28  and are welded or otherwise secured to the flattened valleys  34  of the support wires  28 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , each stabilizer wire  54  has opposed ends  59  located inside a vertical plane defined by the border wire sides  24  so as to not break or create an unwanted opening in the fabric covering  20 . 
     If desired, additional steel end wires (not shown) may be added either before or after the stackable spring assembly  16  has reached its final assembly destination. These end wires have spaced ends which may be crimped around and/or welded to the border wire  22  and the endmost upper connector wire  40 , respectively. These end wires provide additional stiffness to the stackable assembly  16  in an edgemost location of the ends of the assembly  16  so as to prevent the end border wires from deflecting and being permanently distorted when a person sits on the end of a bed of which the foundation forms a part. Such steel end wires are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,064, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     The nestably stackable spring assembly  16  of bedding foundation  10  is generally manufactured by a supplier, who then ships it to an assembler. The assembler adds to the spring assembly  16  the wooden base  12 , incorporates padding  18 , and covers the components with upholstery  20  to make a completed product. 
     This invention facilitates shipment of the metal core or stackable assembly  16  by a supplier to the assembler. With reference to  FIG. 4 , a first stackable spring assembly  16  may be placed upon a surface with the flattened distal valley portions  38  of the support wires  28  oriented downwardly and the flattened distal peak portions  36  of the support wires  28  oriented upwardly. Next, a second like assembly  16  is placed atop the first assembly  16 , with its flattened distal valley portions  38  and flattened distal peak portions  36  likewise oriented downwardly and upwardly, respectively. The flattened distal valley portions  38  of the second assembly  16  are thereby allowed to enter into the voids between the flattened distal peak portions  36  of the first assembly  16 . The second assembly  16  nestles downwardly within the first assembly  16  until the outside dimension of the connecting portions  39  of the valleys  34  of the second assembly  16  is equal to the inside dimension of the connecting portions  39  of the valleys  34  of the first assembly  16 . At this point, the second assembly  16  comes to nest within the first assembly  16 , with the overall height of the nested assemblies  16 ,  16  substantially less than the sum of the individual heights of the assemblies  16 ,  16 . Of course, any number of assemblies  16  may be nested and stacked together for storage or shipment. Similarly, any number of stabilizer wires  54  may be nested and stacked together for storage or shipment in the same manner. 
     One advantage of the spring assembly  16  and associated bedding foundation  10 , according to this invention, is that the stabilizer wires  54  are uniquely configured to provide the foundation with additional stability. In the embodiment of the bedding foundation  10  and associated spring assembly  16  shown in the drawings, the border wire  22  has a rectangular cross-sectional configuration as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,327,475 and 8,332,974, each one of which is fully incorporated by reference herein. However, this embodiment, and any other embodiment illustrated or described herein, may be used with a border wire having another cross-sectional configuration, such as a round cross-sectional configuration. 
       FIGS. 5-8  illustrate an alternative embodiment of bedding foundation  10   a . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the foundation  10   a  has a longitudinal dimension or length La, a transverse dimension or width Wa and a height Ha. Although the length La is shown as being greater than the width Wa, they may be identical. 
     The foundation  10   a  has a base  12   a , including a rectangular base frame  13   a  on which transverse slats  14   a  are attached. A nestably stackable spring assembly or wire core  16   a  is fixed atop the base  12   a  and, more particularly, secured to the transverse slats  14   a  of base  12   a  with staples  15 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Padding  18   a  overlies the nestably stackable spring assembly  16   a , and a fabric covering  20   a  overlies the padding  18   a  and surrounds the nestably stackable spring assembly  16   a  and the base  12   a . Although the base  12   a  is usually made of wood, it may be made of any other material, such as plastic, for example. 
     The nestably stackable spring assembly  16   a  includes a generally rectangular steel border wire  22   a  having two parallel sides  24   a ,  24   a  and two parallel ends  26   a ,  26   a . The parallel sides  24   a ,  24   a  are longer than the parallel ends  26   a ,  26   a  in the embodiment illustrated. However, in a square product, the sides and ends may be the same length. The border wire  22   a  is illustrated being the border wire disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,332,974 and 8,327,475, which are each fully incorporated herein. However, other border wires may be used. 
     The nestably stackable spring assembly  16   a  further comprises transversely spaced, parallel, and longitudinally extending steel support wires  28   a  are parallel to the border wire sides  24   a ,  24   a  and have end portions  30   a  which are crimped or wrapped around the ends  26   a ,  26   a  of the border wire  22   a , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 6C . These support wires  28   a  are formed so as to be generally corrugatedly-shaped along their lengths, having flattened peaks  32   a  and flattened valleys  34   a . These peaks  32   a  and valleys  34   a  have different lengths  36   a  and  38   a , respectively. See  FIG. 7 . The lengths  36   a ,  38   a  are joined together by linear connecting portions  39   a  of the support wire  28   a . Alternatively, the support wires may be resilient with non-linear arms or connecting portions joining adjacent flattened peaks and flattened valleys. Examples of such support wires are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,805,780 and 7,930,777, each of which is fully incorporated herein. 
     The nestably stackable spring assembly  16   a  further comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced, parallel and transversely extending steel upper connector wires  40   a  extend parallel to the border wire ends  26   a ,  26   a  and have ends  42   a  which are crimped or wrapped around the border wire sides  24   a ,  24   a . These upper connector wires  40   a  are welded or otherwise secured intermediate of their ends  42   a ,  42   a  along their lengths at intersections  44   a  to the flattened peaks  32   a  of the support wires  28   a.    
     In this embodiment, two upper connector wires  40   a  per flattened peak  36   a  are illustrated. However, any number of upper connector wires  40   a  may be secured, i.e., welded to each flattened peak  36   a  of each support wire  28   a . The flattened valleys  38   a  of the support wires  28   a  may be stapled using staples  15  or otherwise attached to the transverse slats  14   a  which are, in turn, affixed to the base frame  13   a.    
     Referring again to  FIG. 5 , the nestably stackable spring assembly  16   a  further comprises a plurality of continuous longitudinal wires  46   a . These longitudinal wires  46   a  have their ends  48   a  crimped or wrapped around the border wire ends  26   a ,  26   a . These longitudinal wires  46   a  may be welded along their lengths to the upper connector wires  40   a  at locations  49   a , as best shown in  FIG. 6 . In the illustrated embodiment, four longitudinal wires  46   a  per foundation  10   a  are illustrated. However, any number of longitudinal wires  46   a  may be incorporated into the foundation. 
     The support wires  28   a  have support wire end portions  30   a  being crimped or wrapped around the border wire  22   a .  FIG. 6A  shows one of the upper connector wires  40   a  passing underneath one of the sides  24   a  of border wire  22   a  and having its end  42   a  wrapped over and around the border wire  22   a .  FIG. 6B  shows one of the longitudinal wires  46   a  passing underneath one of the ends  26   a  of border wire  22   a  and having its end  48   a  wrapped over and around border wire  22   a . Although the drawings show these wires being wrapped a specific direction around the border wire, the wrapping may be in the opposite direction. 
     The nestably stackable spring assembly  16   a  further comprises a plurality of spaced and transversely extending stabilizer wires  54   a  parallel the border wire ends  26   a . Each of the stabilizer wires  54   a  comprises a generally corrugatedly-shaped continuous piece of wire having a plurality of flattened peaks  55   a  and a plurality of flattened valleys  56   a . Adjacent peaks  55   a  and valleys  56   a  are connected by linear connecting portions  58   a , as in the support wires  28   a . The flattened peaks  55   a  of the stabilizer wires  54   a  pass over the top of the longitudinal wires  46   a  and are welded or otherwise secured to the longitudinal wires  46   a  at locations  60   a . The flattened valleys  56   a  of the stabilizer wires  54   a  are vertically displaced beneath and intermediate of the flattened peaks  55   a . The flattened valleys  56   a  of the stabilizer wires  54   a  pass over the tops of the flattened valleys  34   a  of the support wires  28   a  and are welded or otherwise secured to the flattened valleys  34   a  of the support wires  28   a . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5-8 , each stabilizer wire  54   a  has opposed ends  59   a  located inside a vertical plane defined by the border wire sides  24   a  so as to not break or create an unwanted opening in the fabric covering  20   a.    
     If desired, additional steel end wires (not shown) may be added either before or after the stackable spring assembly  16   a  has reached its final assembly destination. These end wires have spaced ends which are secured to the border wire  22   a  and the endmost upper connector wire  40   a , respectively. These end wires provide additional stiffness to the stackable assembly  16   a  in an edgemost location of the ends of the assembly  16   a  so as to prevent the end border wires from deflecting and being permanently distorted when a person sits on the end of a bed of which the foundation forms a part. Such steel end wires are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,064, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     The nestably stackable spring assembly  16   a  of bedding foundation  10   a  is generally manufactured by a supplier, who then ships it to an assembler. The assembler adds to the spring assembly  16   a  the wooden base  12   a , incorporates padding  18   a , and covers the components with upholstery  20   a  to make a completed product. 
     This invention facilitates shipment of the metal core or stackable assembly  16   a  by a supplier to the assembler. With reference to  FIG. 7 , a first stackable spring assembly  16   a  may be placed upon a surface with the flattened valleys  38   a  of the support wires  28   a  oriented downwardly and the flattened peaks  36   a  of the support wires  28   a  oriented upwardly. Next, a second like assembly  16   a  is placed atop the first assembly  16   a , with its flattened valleys  38   a  and flattened peaks  36   a  likewise oriented downwardly and upwardly, respectively. The flattened valleys  38   a  of the second assembly  16   a  are thereby allowed to enter into the voids between the flattened peaks  36   a  of the first assembly  16   a . The second assembly  16   a  nestles downwardly within the first assembly  16   a  until the outside dimension of the connecting portions  39   a  of the valleys  34   a  of the second assembly  16   a  is equal to the inside dimension of the connecting portions  39   a  of the valleys  34   a  of the first assembly  16   a . At this point, the second assembly  16   a  comes to nest within the first assembly  16   a , with the overall height of the nested assemblies  16   a ,  16   a  substantially less than the sum of the individual heights of the assemblies  16   a ,  16   a . Of course, any number of assemblies  16   a  may be nested and stacked together for storage or shipment. 
     One advantage of the spring assembly  16   a  and associated bedding foundation  10   a , according to this invention, is that the stabilizer wires  54   a  are uniquely configured to provide the foundation with additional stability. In the embodiment of the bedding foundation  10   a  and associated spring assembly  16   a  shown in the drawings, the border wire  22   a  has a rectangular cross-sectional configuration as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,327,475, which is fully incorporated by reference herein. However, this embodiment and any other embodiment illustrated or described herein may be used with a border wire having a round cross-sectional configuration. 
       FIGS. 9-10  illustrate an alternative embodiment of bedding foundation  10   b . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the foundation  10   b  has a longitudinal dimension or length Lb, a transverse dimension or width Wb and a height Hb. Although the length Lb is shown as being greater than the width Wb, they may be identical. 
     The foundation  10   b  has a base  12   b , including a rectangular base frame  13   b  on which transverse slats  14   b  are attached. A nestably stackable spring assembly or wire core  16   b  is fixed atop the base  12   b  and, more particularly, secured to the transverse slats  14   b  of base  12   b  with staples  15 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . Padding  18   b  overlies the nestably stackable spring assembly  16 , and a fabric covering  20   b  overlies the padding  18   b  and surrounds the nestably stackable spring assembly  16   b  and the base  12   b . Although the base  12   b  is usually made of wood, it may be made of any other material, such as plastic, for example. 
     The nestably stackable spring assembly  16   b  includes a rectangular steel border wire  22   b  having two parallel sides  24   b ,  24   b  and two parallel ends  26   b ,  26   b  (only one being shown in  FIG. 9 ). The parallel sides  24   b ,  24   b  are longer than the parallel ends  26   b ,  26   b  in the embodiment illustrated. However, in a square product, the sides and ends may be the same length. The border wire  22   b  is illustrated being the border wire disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,332,974 and 8,327,475, which are each fully incorporated herein. However, other border wires may be used. 
     The nestably stackable spring assembly  16   b  further comprises transversely spaced, parallel, and longitudinally extending steel support wires  28   b . These support wires  28   b  are formed so as to be generally corrugatedly-shaped along their lengths, having peaks  32   b  and valleys  34   b . These peaks  32   b  and valleys  34   b  are flattened at their respective distal portions  36   b  and  38   b , respectively. See  FIG. 11 . The adjacent distal portions  36   b ,  38   b  are joined together by linear connecting portions  39   b  of the support wire  28   b . Alternatively, the support wires may be resilient with non-linear arms or connecting portions joining adjacent flattened peaks and flattened valleys. Examples of such support wires are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,805,780 and 7,930,777, which are fully incorporated herein. 
     These support wires  28   b  are not parallel to each other, but instead are angled relative to each other, as best shown in  FIG. 10 . More specifically, the flattened valleys  34   b  are closer together than the flattened peaks  32   b  when the foundation is fully assembled. 
     The nestably stackable spring assembly  16   b  further comprises longitudinally spaced, parallel and transversely extending steel upper connector wires  40   b  extend parallel to the border wire ends  26   b ,  26   b  and have ends  42   b  which are welded to the border wire sides  24   b ,  24   b , as shown in  FIG. 10 . As best shown in  FIG. 10 , these upper connector wires  40   b  are welded intermediate of their ends  42   b ,  42   b  along their lengths at intersections  44   b  to the flattened peaks  32   b  of the support wires  28   b.    
     The support wires  28   b  have flattened distal peak portions  36   b  and flattened distal valley portions  38   b , with the support wire ends  30   b  being welded to the border wire  22   b . In this embodiment, two upper connector wires  40   b  per flattened distal peak portion  36   b  are illustrated. However, any number of upper connector wires  40   b  may be secured, i.e., welded to each flattened distal peak portion  36   b  of each support wire  28   b . The distal valley portions  38   b  of the support wires  28   b  may be stapled or otherwise attached to the transverse slats  14   b  which are, in turn, affixed to the base frame  13   b.    
     Referring again to  FIG. 9 , continuous longitudinal wires  46   b  may be included in the stackable spring assembly  16   b . These longitudinal wires  46   b  have their ends  48   b  welded to the border wire ends  26   b ,  26   b , as shown in FIG.  10 . These longitudinal wires  46   b  may be welded or otherwise secured along their lengths to the upper connector wires  40   b  at locations  49   b , as best shown in  FIG. 10 . In the illustrated embodiment, four longitudinal wires  46   b  per foundation  10   b  are illustrated. However, any number of longitudinal wires  46   b  may be incorporated into the foundation. 
     Although not illustrated specifically in this embodiment, the support wires  28   b , longitudinal wires  46   b  and upper connector wires  40   b  are welded to the border wire  22   b  in the same manner shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C  and described herein. 
     The nestably stackable spring assembly  16   b  further comprises a plurality of spaced and transversely extending stabilizer wires  54   b  parallel the border wire ends  26   b . Each of the stabilizer wires  54   b  comprises a generally corrugatedly-shaped continuous piece of wire having a plurality of flattened peaks  55   b  and a plurality of flattened valleys  56   b . Adjacent peaks  55   b  and valleys  56   b  are connected by linear connecting portions  58   b , as in the support wires  28   b . The flattened peaks  55   b  of the stabilizer wires  54   b  pass over the top of the longitudinal wires  46   b  and are welded or otherwise secured to the longitudinal wires  46   b  at locations  60   b . The flattened valleys  56   b  of the stabilizer wires  54   b  are vertically displaced beneath and intermediate of the flattened peaks  55   b . The flattened valleys  56   b  of the stabilizer wires  54   b  pass over the tops of the flattened valleys  34   b  of the support wires  28   b  and are welded or otherwise secured to the flattened valleys  34   b  of the support wires  28   b . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , each stabilizer wire  54   b  has opposed ends  59   b  welded to a lower surface of the border wire  22   b  and specifically one of the border wire sides  24   b  like the upper connector wires  40   b.    
     If desired, additional steel end wires (not shown) may be added either before or after the stackable spring assembly  16   b  has reached its final assembly destination. These end wires have spaced ends which may be crimped around and/or welded to the border wire  22   b  and the endmost upper connector wire  40   b , respectively. These end wires provide additional stiffness to the stackable assembly  16   b  in an edgemost location of the ends of the assembly  16   b  so as to prevent the end border wires from deflecting and being permanently distorted when a person sits on the end of a bed of which the foundation forms a part. Such steel end wires are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,064, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     The nestably stackable spring assembly  16   b  of bedding foundation  10   b  is generally manufactured by a supplier, who then ships it to an assembler. The assembler adds to the spring assembly  16   b  the wooden base  12   b , incorporates padding  18   b , and covers the components with upholstery  20   b  to make a completed product. 
     This invention facilitates shipment of the metal core or stackable assembly  16   b  by a supplier to the assembler in the manner described herein with respect to the other embodiments. 
     This invention facilitates shipment of the metal core or stackable assembly  16   b  by a supplier to the assembler. With reference to  FIG. 12 , a first stackable spring assembly  16   b  may be placed upon a surface with the flattened distal valley portions  38   b  of the support wires  28   b  oriented downwardly and the flattened distal peak portions  36   b  of the support wires  28   b  oriented upwardly. Next, a second like assembly  16   b  is placed atop the first assembly  16   b , with its flattened distal valley portions  38   b  and flattened distal peak portions  36   b  likewise oriented downwardly and upwardly, respectively. The flattened distal valley portions  38   b  of the second assembly  16   b  are thereby allowed to enter into the voids between the flattened distal peak portions  36   b  of the first assembly  16   b . The second assembly  16   b  nestles downwardly within the first assembly  16   b  until the outside dimension of the connecting portions  39   b  of the valleys  34   b  of the second assembly  16   b  is equal to the inside dimension of the connecting portions  39   b  of the valleys  34   b  of the first assembly  16   b . At this point, the second assembly  16   b  comes to nest within the first assembly  16   b , with the overall height of the nested assemblies  16   b ,  16   b  substantially less than the sum of the individual heights of the assemblies  16   b ,  16   b . Of course, any number of assemblies  16   b  may be nested and stacked together for storage or shipment. Similarly, any number of stabilizer wires  54   b  may be nested and stacked together for storage or shipment in the same manner. 
     One advantage of the spring assembly  16   b  and associated bedding foundation  10   b , according to this invention, is that the stabilizer wires  54   b  are uniquely configured to provide the foundation with additional stability. In the embodiment of the bedding foundation  10   b  and associated spring assembly  16   b  shown in the drawings, the border wire  22   b  has a rectangular cross-sectional configuration as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,327,475 and 8,332,974, each one of which is fully incorporated by reference herein. However, this embodiment and any other embodiment illustrated or described herein may be used with a border wire having a round cross-sectional configuration. 
       FIGS. 13 ,  13 A and  13 B illustrate the embodiment of  FIGS. 5-8 , but having a border wire  22   c  having a round cross-sectional configuration. As explained above, any of the embodiments shown or described herein may have a border having a round cross-sectional configuration. 
     One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the alternative embodiments of the foundations shown herein are exemplary only of a wide variety of alternative configurations that are readily possible within the scope of this invention. 
     From the above disclosure of the general principles of the present invention and the preceding detailed description of at least one preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which this invention is susceptible. Therefore, we desire to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof.