Abstract:
A foldable bedding foundation comprising a first section is hingedly secured to a second section so that the bedding foundation may be folded for storage or transportation purposes. Each section has base, a plurality of wire struts pivotally secured to the base, an upper wire grid pivotally secured to the wire struts and braces extending between the base and an outermost wire strut. Plastic sliders help the braces move between raised and lowered positions. Lower connectors are secured to and extend between the section bases. Upper connectors are secured to and extend between border wires of the sections to aid in the collapsing of the foundation.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/326,005 filed Jan. 5, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/842,820 filed May 11, 2004, both entitled “Foldable Bedding Foundation,” both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to bedding foundations and more particularly to a bedding foundation which is collapsible for storage and shipment.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Conventional bedding foundations such as box springs typically include an array or matrix of springs, a wooden base and an upper grid including a generally rectangular border wire. The springs may be coil springs or modular springs. The components are commonly shipped from a spring manufacturer to a box spring manufacturer separately. Once the components arrive at the box spring manufacturer&#39;s facility, the box spring manufacturer attaches the lower ends of the springs which extend downwardly from an upper wire grid assembly to a base. Padding and a cover is applied by the box spring manufacturer as desired. Such conventional bedding foundations are large and cumbersome to handle in storage, transportation or shipment which, of course, increases the ultimate cost.  
         [0004]     Moreover, it is not uncommon for a coil spring manufacturer to compress or deform coil springs units layered one on top of the other into condensed or compacted multilayered packs for shipment to a box spring manufacturer. The aforementioned step is performed by means of a press machine enabling the foundation units to be compressed to reduce their height dimension. The coil spring units of each pack are held in their compacted state against return to their normal or unstressed condition by means of strapping applied about the unit. The spring units of each pack being compressed, the strapping is under a great amount of tension. When the packs arrive at the place of the manufacturer, it is, of course, necessary to sever the strapping around the packs in order to release the spring units for installation into box springs or mattresses. This, of course, is difficult because of the high degree of tension to which the strapping is subjected by the compression of the coil springs.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,279 discloses a wire foundation unit for a box spring which may be shipped to a box spring manufacturer in a collapsed condition. The manufacturer would erect the foundation wires and then fix by staples, rigid struts between the wire unit and base to permanently secure the wire unit in the erected position. The box spring manufacturing process is completed by providing the conventional layer of padding on the top of the wire foundation and a sheet covering or casing about the entire unit. However, once the manufacture is completed, the box spring is no longer collapsible and thus must be shipped in its expanded or full-size state to the point of retail or use whereby the same storage and shipment costs result at this point as with conventional box springs.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,905 discloses another collapsible bedding foundation for a box spring which can be shipped to a box spring manufacturer in a collapsed condition. The box spring manufacturer would erect the collapsed bedding foundation before applying padding on the top of the erected bedding foundation and covering or casing the entire unit. The collapsible bedding foundation disclosed in this patent utilizes a hinge to connect two sections of the bedding foundation so that when collapsed one section may overlay the other section. One drawback to this bedding foundation is that the hinge is expensive, thereby adding substantial cost to the manufacturer of the collapsible bedding foundation which is in turn passed on to the manufacturer of the box spring.  
         [0007]     Therefore, there is a need for a collapsible box spring which is less expensive to manufacture than known collapsible box springs. There is further a need for an affordable box spring which may be collapsed after being upholstered.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The bedding foundation of the present invention comprises two sections which are hingedly secured together with upper and lower hinges or connectors. Each section comprises a plurality of wire struts or wire support members movable between a retracted or collapsed position and an extended or erected position. In one embodiment, each of the wire struts is generally U-shaped. In another embodiment, each of the wire struts has a square wave-shaped configuration. In their retracted positions, the support members are generally unstressed and lie in generally horizontal planes. Thus, the bedding foundation is substantially reduced in its depth dimension thereby facilitating storage handling and/or shipment at reduced unit cost. In their extended positions, the support members are erect in generally vertical planes and thus, the bedding foundation is ready for use. After use, the bedding foundation may be collapsed to its storage position and then later expanded to its use or erected position. This process by be repeated as often as desired.  
         [0009]     In one embodiment, the upholstered bedding foundation or body support is constructed to be foldable or collapsible upon itself into two overlying sections, thus reducing the length approximately in half for storage. This action is also used to actuate the wire support members from their erected positions into their retracted positions. Unfolding of the bedding foundation sections to place them into a generally coplanar position moves the wire support members from their retracted position to their erect position for providing support for the body when in use.  
         [0010]     The two sections of the bedding foundation are joined with upper and lower hinges or connectors. One or more lower hinge or connector secured to the bases of the sections extend(s) therebetween. In one embodiment, the lower hinge or connector is a wire assuming a square wave form. In another embodiment, each lower connector is generally rectangular and has a pair of living hinges built therein so that when the bedding foundation is collapsed, each lower connector assumes a generally U-shaped configuration and when the bedding foundation is erected, each lower connector is generally planar. One type of lower connector used in accordance with the present invention has a stop built therein which separates the end rails of the section bases when the foundation is collapsed. Such lower connectors are preferably made of plastic, but may be made of any desirable material. Other types or configurations of lower hinges or connectors comprising one or more components may be used in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0011]     At least one upper hinge or connector is secured to the wire grid of each section and extends therebetween. In one embodiment, the upper hinge comprises a pair of spaced, plastic connectors. The connectors provide spacing between the border wires of the upper grids of the foundation sections which facilitates folding of the foundation, even when fully upholstered. However, other types or configurations of upper hinges or connectors may be used in accordance with the present invention such as a helical connector, for example.  
         [0012]     Each section of the foundation preferably has two braces which maintain the wire struts or support members in a generally vertical orientation when the bedding foundation is in its erected position or condition. The braces provide stability to the foundation when the bedding foundation is erect and a load placed thereon. Each of these braces is generally V-shaped and has a pair of arms extending outwardly from a bottom portion which is stapled or otherwise secured to one of the cross rails of the base of one of the foundation sections. In one embodiment, each arm of the brace terminates in an end portion which is attached to a slider which is slidably engaged with an outermost wire strut of the section. The sliders are preferably made of plastic but may be made of any suitable material. With the aid of the sliders, the braces move between an upper position when the bedding foundation is in its erected position and a lower position when the bedding foundation is in its collapsed position. Other numbers or configurations of braces may be used in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the collapsible bedding foundation of the present invention in an erected condition.  
         [0014]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the collapsible bedding foundation of the present invention in an erected condition.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the first section of the collapsible bedding foundation of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 2A  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the second section of the collapsible bedding foundation of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the first section of the collapsible bedding foundation of  FIG. 1  illustrating one brace in detail.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the collapsible bedding foundation of  FIG. 1  without a cover in an erected condition.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the collapsible bedding foundation of  FIG. 1  without a cover in a collapsed condition.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the collapsible bedding foundation of  FIG. 1  without a cover being collapsed.  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a portion of the bottom hinge of the bedding foundation of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of one of the connectors of the bedding foundation of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the collapsible bedding foundation of the present invention in an erected condition.  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of one section of the collapsible bedding foundation of  FIG. 9 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 10A  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the second section of the collapsible bedding foundation of  FIG. 9 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view, like  FIG. 7 , of one lower connector showing the embodiment of bedding foundation shown in  FIG. 9  collapsed.  
         [0027]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the lower connector of  FIG. 10  in a planar orientation showing the living hinges of this lower connector.  
         [0028]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an upper connector which may be used in accordance with any embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 14  is an enlarged perspective view of the embodiment of bedding foundation shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the collapsible bedding foundation of the present invention in an erected condition.  
         [0031]      FIG. 16  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of one section of the collapsible bedding foundation of  FIG. 15 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 16A  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the second section of the collapsible bedding foundation of  FIG. 15 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of one lower connector of the bedding foundation of  FIG. 15 , the foundation being collapsed.  
         [0034]      FIG. 17A  is a perspective view of one lower connector of the bedding foundation of  FIG. 15 , the foundation being collapsed.  
         [0035]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the lower connector of  FIG. 15  in a planar orientation showing the living hinges of this lower connector.  
         [0036]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a slider used in the bedding foundation of  FIG. 15 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 20  is an enlarged perspective view of the bedding foundation shown in  FIG. 15 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0038]     Referring to the drawings, and particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a foldable or collapsible bedding foundation  10 . The bedding foundation  10  has a pair of end surfaces  4  defining a length or longitudinal dimension L of the foundation  10  and a pair of opposed side surfaces  6  defining a width W of the foundation  10 . The bedding foundation  10  has a first section  12  hinged to a second section  14  with an upper hinge  16  and lower hinge  18 . See  FIG. 4 . The hinges  16 ,  18  enable the bedding foundation  10  to move from an erected position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4  to a collapsed position shown in  FIG. 5 . Although  FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate the bedding foundation  10  with no cover, the bedding foundation  10  may be collapsed with a surrounding cover  11  as shown in  FIG. 1 . If desired padding  5  may be placed on the upper surface of the bedding product  10  before the surrounding cover  11  is attached.  
         [0039]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first section  12  comprises a first base  20  having a pair of opposed end rails  22 , a pair of opposed side rails  24  and a plurality of cross rails  26 , as is conventional. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a plurality of first wire struts or body supports  28  are pivotally secured to the cross rails  26  and end rails  22  of the first base  20  with staples  30 . Each wire strut  28  has a square wave shape including a plurality of spaced lower portions  32  which are co-linear and a plurality of spaced upper portions  34  which are co-linear. The upper and lower portions  34 ,  32  are joined with spaced, parallel connecting portions  36 . The lower portions  32  of each wire strut  28  are stapled to the cross rails  26  and end rails  22  of the first base  20  with staples  30  so the wire strut  28  may pivot relative to the first base  20 . When the bedding foundation  10  is in its erected condition or position as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the connecting portions  36  of the wire struts  28  are vertically oriented and the upper and lower portions  34 ,  32  of the wire struts  28  are horizontally oriented.  
         [0040]     The first section  12  of the collapsible bedding foundation  10  further comprises a first upper grid  38  comprising a plurality of spaced, parallel longitudinal grid wires  40  and a plurality of spaced, parallel transverse grid wires  42  intersecting with and secured to the longitudinal grid wires  40  at intersections  44 . A generally rectangular border wire  46  surrounds the longitudinal grid wires  40  and transverse grid wires  42  and forms a part of the upper grid  38 . The ends of the longitudinal grid wires  40  and transverse grid wires  42  are wrapped around, welded or otherwise secured to the border wire  46 , as is conventional.  
         [0041]     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the upper portions  34  of each wire strut  28  are pivotally secured to the transverse grid wires  42  of the first upper grid  38  with metal clips  48  so the wire strut  28  may pivot relative to the first upper grid  38 . Securing devices other than metal clips such as plastic clips or helical lacing wires may used if desired to pivotally secure the upper portions  34  of the wire struts  28  to the transverse grid wires  42  of the first upper grid  38 . As best shown in  FIG. 3 , although two metal clips  48  are illustrated securing each different upper portion  34  of each wire strut  28  to a transverse grid wire  42 , any number of metal clips  48  may be used to do so.  
         [0042]     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 , a pair of braces  50  extend between one of the cross rails  26  of the first base  20  and an outermost wire strut  28 ′ of the first section  12  of the bedding foundation  10 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , each brace  50  comprises a linear bottom portion  52  pivotally secured to the cross rail  26  with staples  54  and a pair of arms  56  extending outwardly from opposed ends of the bottom portion  52  of the brace  50 . Each arm  56  terminates in an end portion  58  which comprises an arched or arcuate wire wrapped around one of the connecting portions  36  of the outermost wire strut  28 ′. As the bedding foundation  10  is collapsed from its erected position shown in  FIG. 4  to its collapsed position shown in  FIG. 5 , the end portions  58  of the braces  50  slide down the connecting portions  36  of the outermost wire strut  28 ′ until they come to rest in a substantially horizontal orientation as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0043]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 A, the second section  14  of the bedding foundation  10  comprises a second base  60  having a pair of opposed end rails  62 , a pair of opposed side rails  64  and a plurality of cross rails  66 , as is conventional. As shown in  FIG. 2A , a plurality of second wire struts or body supports  68  are pivotally secured to the cross rails  66  and end rails  62  of the second base  60  with staples  30 . Each wire strut  68  has a square wave shape including a plurality of spaced lower portions  70  which are co-linear and a plurality of spaced upper portions  72  which are co-linear. The upper and lower portions  72 ,  70  are joined with spaced, parallel connecting portions  74 . The lower portions  70  of each wire strut  68  are stapled to the cross rails  66  and end rails  62  of the second base  60  with staples  30  so the wire strut  68  may pivot relative to the second base  60 . When the bedding foundation  10  is in its erected condition or position as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the connecting portions  74  of the wire struts  68  are vertically oriented and the upper and lower portions  72 ,  70  of the wire struts  68  are horizontally oriented.  
         [0044]     Referring to  FIG. 2A , the second section  14  of the collapsible bedding foundation  10  further comprises a second upper grid  76  comprising a plurality of spaced, parallel longitudinal grid wires  78  and a plurality of spaced, parallel transverse grid wires  80  intersecting with and secured to the longitudinal grid wires  78  at intersections  82 . A generally rectangular border wire  84  surrounds the longitudinal grid wires  78  and transverse grid wires  80  and forms a part of the upper grid  76 . The ends of the longitudinal grid wires  78  and transverse grid wires  80  are wrapped around, welded or otherwise secured to the border wire  84 , as is conventional.  
         [0045]     The upper portions  72  of each wire strut  68  are pivotally secured to the transverse grid wires  80  of the second upper grid  76  with metal clips  86  so the wire strut  68  may pivot relative to the second upper grid  76 . Securing devices other than metal clips such as plastic clips or helical lacing wires may used if desired to pivotally secure the upper portions  72  of the wire struts  68  to the transverse grid wires  80  of the second upper grid  76 . As best shown in  FIG. 3 , although two metal clips  86  are illustrated securing each different upper portion  72  of each wire strut  68  to a transverse grid wire  80 , any number of metal clips  86  may be used to do so.  
         [0046]     As shown in  FIG. 2A , a pair of braces  50 ′ extend between one of the cross rails  66  of the second base  60  and an outermost wire strut  68 ′ of the second section  14  of the bedding foundation  10 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 2A , each brace  50 ′ is a mirror image of brace  50  shown in  FIG. 3 . Each brace  50 ′ has a bottom portion  52 ′ which is pivotally secured to the cross rail  66  with staples  54  and a pair of arms  56 ′ extending outwardly from opposed ends of the bottom portion  52 ′ of the brace  50 ′. Each arm  56 ′ terminates in an end portion  58 ′ which comprises an arched or arcuate wire wrapped around one of the connecting portions  74  of the outermost wire strut  68 ′. As the bedding foundation  10  is collapsed from its erected position shown in  FIG. 4  to its collapsed position shown in  FIG. 5 , the end portions  58 ′ of the braces  50 ′ slide down the connecting portions  74  of the outermost wire strut  68 ′ until they come to rest in a substantially horizontal orientation as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0047]     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , the first and second sections  12 ,  14  of the bedding foundation  10  are connected to each other with an upper hinge  16  and a lower hinge  18 . The upper hinge  16  connects the first upper grid  38  to the second upper grid  76  and more particularly connects the first border wire  46  of the first upper grid  38  to the second border wire  84  of the second upper grid  76 . In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the upper hinge  16  comprises a pair of connectors  17  (only one shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 ) clipped onto portions of the first and second border wires  46 ,  84 , respectively. Each connector  17  functions to space the first upper grid  38  from the second upper grid  76  and is preferably made of plastic, but may be made of any other suitable material.  
         [0048]      FIG. 8  illustrates one of the connectors  17  having a top wall  90 , bottom wall  92 , end walls  94  and side walls  96 . Two grooves  98  are formed inwardly from the bottom wall  92  and are sized to receive and retain portions of the border wires  46 ,  84 . In accordance with the present invention, the upper hinge  16  may assume other configurations and be made of any suitable material. Although the upper hinge  16  preferably comprises two connectors  17 , it may comprise any number of connectors  17 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 1A  illustrates an alternative embodiment of collapsible bedding foundation  10   a . The bedding foundation  10   a  has a pair of end surfaces  4   a  defining a length or longitudinal dimension La of the foundation  10   a  and a pair of opposed side surfaces  6   a  defining a width Wa of the foundation  10   a . The bedding foundation  10   a  has a first section  12   a  hinged to a second section  14   a  with an upper hinge  16   a  and lower hinge  18   a . The upper hinge  16   a  comprises a helical lacing member or connector made of either plastic or metal. The hinges  16   a ,  18   a  enable the bedding foundation  10   a  to move from an erected position shown in  FIG. 1A  to a collapsed position (not shown). The bedding foundation  10   a  may be collapsed with a surrounding cover  11   a  as shown in  FIG. 1A . If desired padding  5   a  may be placed on the upper surface of the bedding product  10   a  before the surrounding cover  11   a  is attached. In all respects other than the upper hinge  16   a , this collapsible bedding foundation  10   a  is identical to the collapsible bedding foundation  10  shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0050]     As best seen in  FIG. 7 , the lower hinge  18  connects the first base  20  to the second base  60  and more particularly connects one of the end rails  22  of the first base  20  to one of the end rails  62  of the second base  60 . In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , the lower hinge  18  comprises a wire having a square wave shape which is secured to the end rails  22 ,  62  of the first and second bases  20 ,  60 , respectively with clips  88 . Other means of securing the lower hinge  18  to the bases  20 ,  60  may be used if desired. In accordance with the present invention, the lower hinge may assume other configurations and be made of any suitable material.  
         [0051]      FIGS. 9-12  illustrate an alternative embodiment of collapsible bedding foundation  10   b . The bedding foundation  10   b  has a pair of end surfaces  4   b  defining a length or longitudinal dimension Lb of the foundation  10   b  and a pair of opposed side surfaces  6   b  defining a width Wb of the foundation  10   b . The bedding foundation  10   b  has a first section  12   b  hinged to a second section  14   b  with a pair of upper connectors or spacers  16   b  and a pair of lower connectors or spacers  18   b . Each upper connector  16   b  is shown in detail in  FIG. 13 . Each lower connector  18   b  is shown in detail in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The connectors  16   b ,  18   b  enable the bedding foundation  10   b  to move from an erected position shown in  FIG. 9  to a collapsed position shown in  FIG. 11 . The bedding foundation  10   b  may be collapsed with a surrounding cover  11   b  as shown in  FIG. 9 . If desired padding  5   b  may be placed on the upper surface of the bedding product  10   b  before the surrounding cover  11   b  is attached.  
         [0052]     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the first section  12   b  comprises a first base  20   b  having a pair of opposed end rails  22   b , a pair of opposed side rails  24   b  and a plurality of cross rails  26   b . As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 14 , a plurality of first wire struts or body supports  28   b  are pivotally secured to the cross rails  26   b  and end rails  22   b  of the first base  20   b  with staples  30   b . Each wire strut  28   b  has a generally inverted U-shaped configuration including a pair of spaced lower portions  32   b  which are co-linear and an upper portion  34   b . The upper and lower portions  34   b ,  32   b  are joined with spaced, parallel connecting portions  36   b . The lower portions  32   b  of each wire strut  28   b  are stapled to the cross rails  26   b  and end rails  22   b  of the first base  20   b  with staples  30   b  so the wire struts  28   b  may pivot relative to the first base  20   b . When the bedding foundation  10   b  is in its erected condition or position as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the connecting portions  36   b  of the wire struts  28   b  are vertically oriented and the upper and lower portions  34   b ,  32   b  of the wire struts  28   b  are horizontally oriented.  
         [0053]     As seen in  FIG. 10 , the first section  12   b  of the collapsible bedding foundation  10   b  further comprises a first upper grid  38   b  comprising a plurality of spaced, parallel longitudinal grid wires  40   b  and a plurality of spaced, parallel transverse grid wires  42   b  intersecting with and secured to the longitudinal grid wires  40   b  at intersections  44   b . A generally rectangular border wire  46   b  surrounds the longitudinal grid wires  40   b  and transverse grid wires  42   b  and forms a part of the upper grid  38   b . The ends of the longitudinal grid wires  40   b  and transverse grid wires  42   b  are wrapped around, welded or otherwise secured to the border wire  46   b , as is conventional.  
         [0054]     As best seen in  FIG. 10 , the upper portions  34   b  of wire struts  28   b  are pivotally secured to the transverse grid wires  42   b  of the first upper grid  38   b  with metal clips  48   b  so the wire struts  28   b  may pivot relative to the first upper grid  38   b . Securing devices other than metal clips such as plastic clips or helical lacing wires may used if desired to pivotally secure the upper portions  34   b  of the wire struts  28   b  to the transverse grid wires  42   b  of the first upper grid  38   b . As best shown in  FIG. 14 , although two metal clips  48   b  are illustrated securing each wire strut  28   b  to a transverse grid wire  42   b , any number of metal clips  48   b  may be used to do so.  
         [0055]     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a pair of braces  50   b , exactly like braces  50  described above, extend between one of the cross rails  26   b  of the first base  20   b  and outermost wire struts  28   b ′ of the first section  12   b  of the bedding foundation  10   b . As best illustrated in  FIG. 10 , each brace  50   b  comprises a linear bottom portion  52   b  pivotally secured to the cross rail  26   b  with staples  54   b  and a pair of arms  56   b  extending outwardly from opposed ends of the bottom portion  52   b  of the brace  50   b . Each arm  56   b  terminates in an end portion  58   b  which comprises an arched or arcuate wire wrapped around one of the connecting portions  36   b  of one of the outermost wire struts  28   b ′. As the bedding foundation  10   b  is collapsed from its erected position shown in  FIG. 9  to its collapsed position shown in  FIG. 11 , the end portions  58   b  of the braces  50   b  slide down the connecting portions  36   b  of the outermost wire struts  28   b ′ until they come to rest in a substantially horizontal orientation as shown in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0056]     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 A, the second section  14   b  of the bedding foundation  10   b  comprises a second base  60   b  having a pair of opposed end rails  62   b , a pair of opposed side rails  64   b  and a plurality of cross rails  66   b , as is conventional. As shown in  FIGS. 10A and 14 , a plurality of second wire struts or body supports  68   b  are pivotally secured to the cross rails  66   b  and end rails  62   b  of the second base  60   b  with staples  30   b . Each wire strut  68   b  has an inverted U-shape including a plurality of spaced lower portions  70   b  which are co-linear and an upper portion  72   b . The upper portion  72   b  is joined to the lower portions  70   b  are joined with spaced, parallel connecting portions  74   b . The lower portions  70   b  of each wire strut  68   b  are stapled to the cross rails  66   b  and end rails  62   b  of the second base  60   b  with staples  30   b  so the wire strut  68   b  may pivot relative to the second base  60   b . When the bedding foundation  10   b  is in its erected condition or position as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 14 , the connecting portions  74   b  of the wire struts  68   b  are vertically oriented and the upper and lower portions  72   b ,  70   b  of the wire struts  68   b  are horizontally oriented.  
         [0057]     Referring to  FIG. 10A , the second section  14   b  of the collapsible bedding foundation  10  further comprises a second upper grid  76   b  comprising a plurality of spaced, parallel longitudinal grid wires  78   b  and a plurality of spaced, parallel transverse grid wires  80   b  intersecting with and secured to the longitudinal grid wires  78   b  at intersections  82   b . A generally rectangular border wire  84   b  surrounds the longitudinal grid wires  78   b  and transverse grid wires  80   b  and forms a part of the upper grid  76   b . The ends of the longitudinal grid wires  78   b  and transverse grid wires  80   b  are wrapped around, welded or otherwise secured to the border wire  84   b , as is conventional.  
         [0058]     The upper portions  72   b  of each wire strut  68   b  are pivotally secured to the transverse grid wires  80   b  of the second upper grid  76   b  with metal clips  86   b  so the wire strut  68   b  may pivot relative to the second upper grid  76   b . Securing devices other than metal clips such as plastic clips or helical lacing wires may used if desired to pivotally secure the upper portions  72   b  of the wire struts  68   b  to the transverse grid wires  80   b  of the second upper grid  76   b . As best shown in  FIG. 14 , although two metal clips  86   b  are illustrated securing the upper portion  72   b  of each wire strut  68   b  to a transverse grid wire  80   b , any number of metal clips  86   b  may be used to do so.  
         [0059]     As shown in  FIG. 10A , a pair of braces  50   b ′ extend between one of the cross rails  66   b  of the second base  60   b  and an outermost wire strut  68   b ′ of the second section  14   b  of the bedding foundation  10   b . As best illustrated in  FIG. 10A , each brace  50   b ′ is a mirror image of brace  50  shown in  FIG. 3 . Each brace  50   b ′ has a bottom portion  52   b ′ which is pivotally secured to the cross rail  66   b  with staples  54   b  and a pair of arms  56   b ′ extending outwardly from opposed ends of the bottom portion  52   b ′ of the brace  50   b ′. Each arm  56   b ′ terminates in an end portion  58   b ′ which comprises an arched or arcuate wire wrapped around one of the connecting portions  74   b  of outermost wire struts  68   b ′. As the bedding foundation  10   b  is collapsed from its erected position shown in  FIG. 9  to its collapsed position shown in  FIG. 11 , the end portions  58   b ′ of the braces  50   b ′ slide down the connecting portions  74   b  of outermost wire struts  68   b ′ until they come to rest in a substantially horizontal orientation as shown in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0060]     As best seen in  FIG. 11 , the lower connectors  18   b  connect the first base  20   b  to the second base  60   b  and more particularly connect one of the end rails  22   b  of the first base  20   b  to one of the end rails  62   b  of the second base  60   b . In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , each lower connector  18   b  comprises a generally rectangular piece of plastic or any other suitable material. The lower hinge or connector  18   b  has a middle portion  100  and a pair of end portions  102 , each joined to the middle portion  100  with a living hinge  104  which facilitates bending the lower connector  18   b  from a generally planar orientation shown in  FIGS. 9 and 12  to a generally U-shaped configuration shown in  FIG. 11 . As seen in  FIG. 11 , the end portions  102  of each lower connector  18   b  are secured to the end rails  22   b ,  62   b  of the first and second bases  20   b ,  60   b , respectively with fasteners  106 . Other means of securing the lower hinge  18   b  to the bases  20   b ,  60   b  may be used if desired. In accordance with the present invention, the lower connectors may assume other configurations and be made of any suitable material. Any number of lower connectors as shown in  FIG. 12  may be used in accordance with the present invention to secure the bases together yet still enable the bedding foundation to collapse.  
         [0061]      FIG. 13  illustrates one of the upper connectors  16   b  having a pair of grooves  108  each being formed or sized to receive and retain portions of the border wires  46   b ,  84   b . See  FIG. 14 . Each groove  108  is created by a pair of C-shaped retainers  110  inverted relative to each other. Each upper connector  16   b  is preferably a unitary plastic part but may be made of multiple components and/or be made of any desired material. In accordance with the present invention, the upper connector  16   b  may assume other configurations and be made of any suitable material. Although only one of two upper connectors  16   b  is illustrated in  FIG. 9 , any number of upper connectors  16   b  may be used to secure and space the grids of the sections  12   b ,  14   b  of the bedding foundation  10   b , thereby easing the collapsibility of the product.  
         [0062]      FIGS. 15-20  illustrate an alternative embodiment of collapsible bedding foundation  10   c . The bedding foundation  10   c  has a pair of end surfaces  4   c  defining a length or longitudinal dimension Lc of the foundation  10   c  and a pair of opposed side surfaces  6   c  defining a width Wc of the foundation  10   c . The bedding foundation  10   c  has a first section  12   c  hinged to a second section  14   c  with a pair of upper connectors or spacers  16   b  and a pair of lower connectors or spacers  18   c  (slightly different than connectors  16   c ). Each upper connector  16   b  is shown in detail in  FIG. 13 . Each lower connector  18   c  is shown in detail in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . The connectors  16   b ,  18   c  enable the bedding foundation  10   c  to move from an erected position shown in  FIG. 15  to a collapsed position partially shown in  FIG. 17 . The bedding foundation  10   c  may be collapsed with a surrounding cover  11   c  as shown in  FIG. 15 . If desired padding  5   c  may be placed on the upper surface of the bedding product  10   c  before the surrounding cover  11   c  is attached.  
         [0063]     Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the first section  12   c  comprises a first base  20   c  having a pair of opposed end rails  22   c , a pair of opposed side rails  24   c  and a plurality of cross rails  26   c . As shown in  FIG. 16 , a plurality of first wire struts or wire support members  28   c  are pivotally secured to the cross rails  26   c  and end rails  22   c  of the first base  20   c  with staples  30   c . Each wire strut or wire support member  28   c  has a generally inverted U-shaped configuration including a pair of spaced lower portions  32   c  which are co-linear and an upper portion  34   c . The upper and lower portions  34   c ,  32   c  are joined with spaced, parallel connecting portions  36   c . The lower portions  32   c  of each wire strut  28   c  are stapled to the cross rails  26   c  and end rails  22   c  of the first base  20   c  with staples  30   c  so the wire struts  28   c  may pivot relative to the first base  20   c . When the bedding foundation  10   c  is in its erected condition or position as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the connecting portions  36   c  of the wire struts  28   c  are vertically oriented and the upper and lower portions  34   c ,  32   c  of the wire struts  28   c  are generally horizontally oriented.  
         [0064]     As seen in  FIG. 16 , the first section  12   b  of the collapsible bedding foundation  10   c  further comprises a first upper grid  38   c  comprising a plurality of spaced, parallel longitudinal grid wires  40   c  and a plurality of spaced, parallel transverse grid wires  42   c  intersecting with and secured to the longitudinal grid wires  40   c  at intersections  44   c . A generally rectangular border wire  46   c  surrounds the longitudinal grid wires  40   c  and transverse grid wires  42   c  and forms a part of the upper grid  38   c . The ends of the longitudinal grid wires  40   c  and transverse grid wires  42   c  are wrapped around, welded or otherwise secured to the border wire  46   c , as is conventional. Other configurations of upper grids, including those made of plastic or other materials may be used in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0065]     As best seen in  FIG. 16 , the upper portions  34   c  of wire struts  28   c  are pivotally secured to the transverse grid wires  42   c  of the first upper grid  38   c  with metal clips  48   c  so the wire struts  28   c  may pivot relative to the first upper grid  38   c . Securing devices other than metal clips such as plastic clips or helical lacing wires may used if desired to pivotally secure the upper portions  34   c  of the wire struts  28   c  to the transverse grid wires  42   c  of the first upper grid  38   c . As best shown in  FIG. 16 , although two metal clips  48   c  are illustrated securing each wire strut  28   c  to a transverse grid wire  42   c , any number of metal clips  48   c  may be used to do so.  
         [0066]     As shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , a pair of braces  50   c , similar but not identical to braces  50  described above, extend between one of the cross rails  26   c  of the first base  20   c  and outermost wire struts  28   c ′ of the first section  12   c  of the bedding foundation  10   c . As best illustrated in  FIG. 16 , each brace  50   c  comprises a linear bottom portion  52   c  pivotally secured to a cross rail  26   c  with staples  54   c  and a pair of arms  56   c  extending outwardly from opposed ends of the bottom portion  52   c  of the brace  50   c . As best illustrated in  FIG. 19 , each arm  56   c  of each brace  50   c  terminates in an end portion  58   c  which is received and retained in a groove  120  in a slider  122 . In this manner, each end portion  58   c  of each brace  50   c  is secured to a slider  122 . The slider  122  is engaged with and moves along one of the connecting portions  36   c  of one of the outermost wire struts  28   c ′. As the bedding foundation  10   c  is collapsed from its erected position shown in  FIG. 15  to its collapsed position shown in  FIG. 17 , the sliders  122  engaged with the end portions  58   c  of the braces  50   c  slide down the connecting portions  36   c  of the outermost wire struts  28   c ′ until they come to rest at a lowermost position. With the foundation  10   c  collapsed, the braces  50   c  are in a substantially horizontal orientation as shown in  FIG. 17 .  
         [0067]     Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 A, the second section  14   c  of the bedding foundation  10   c  comprises a second base  60   c  having a pair of opposed end rails  62   c , a pair of opposed side rails  64   c  and a plurality of cross rails  66   c , as is conventional. As shown in  FIG. 16A , a plurality of second wire struts or members or wire support members  68   c  are pivotally secured to the cross rails  66   c  and end rails  62   c  of the second base  60   c  with staples  30   c . Each wire strut or member  68   c  has an inverted U-shape including a plurality of spaced lower portions  70   c  which are co-linear and an upper portion  72   c . The upper portion  72   c  is joined to the lower portions  70   c  with spaced, parallel connecting portions  74   c . The lower portions  70   c  of each wire strut  68   c  are stapled to the cross rails  66   c  and end rails  62   c  of the second base  60   c  with staples  30   c  so the wire strut  68   c  may pivot relative to the second base  60   c . When the bedding foundation  10   c  is in its erected condition or position as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 20 , the connecting portions  74   c  of the wire struts  68   c  are vertically oriented and the upper and lower portions  72   c ,  70   c  of the wire struts  68   c  are horizontally oriented.  
         [0068]     Referring to  FIG. 16A , the second section  14   c  of the collapsible bedding foundation  10   c  further comprises a second upper grid  76   c  comprising a plurality of spaced, parallel longitudinal grid wires  78   c  and a plurality of spaced, parallel transverse grid wires  80   c  intersecting with and secured to the longitudinal grid wires  78   c  at intersections  82   c . A generally rectangular border wire  84   c  surrounds the longitudinal grid wires  78   c  and transverse grid wires  80   c  and forms a part of the upper grid  76   c . The ends of the longitudinal grid wires  78   c  and transverse grid wires  80   c  are wrapped around, welded or otherwise secured to the border wire  84   c , as is conventional. Other configurations of upper grids, including those made of plastic or other materials may be used in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0069]     The upper portions  72   c  of each wire strut  68   c  are pivotally secured to the transverse grid wires  80   c  of the second upper grid  76   c  with metal clips  86   c  so the wire strut  68   c  may pivot relative to the second upper grid  76   c . Securing devices other than metal clips such as plastic clips or helical lacing wires may used if desired to pivotally secure the upper portions  72   c  of the wire struts  68   c  to the transverse grid wires  80   c  of the second upper grid  76   c . As best shown in  FIG. 20 , although two metal clips  86   c  are illustrated securing the upper portion  72   c  of each wire strut  68   c  to a transverse grid wire  80   c , any number of metal clips  86   c  may be used to do so.  
         [0070]     As shown in  FIG. 16A , a pair of braces  50   c ′ extend between one of the cross rails  66   c  of the second base  60   c  and an outermost wire strut  68   c ′ of the second section  14   c  of the bedding foundation  10   c . As best illustrated in  FIG. 16A , each brace  50   c ′ is a mirror image of brace  50   c  shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . Each brace  50   c ′ has a bottom portion  52   c ′ which is pivotally secured to the cross rail  66   c  with staples  54   c  and a pair of arms  56   c ′ extending outwardly from opposed ends of the bottom portion  52   c ′ of the brace  50   c ′. As best illustrated in  FIG. 19 , each arm  56   c ′ terminates in an end portion  58   c ′ which is received and retained in a groove  120  in a slider  122 . The slider  122  is engaged with and moves along one of the connecting portions  74   c  of one of the outermost wire struts  68   c ′. As the bedding foundation  10   c  is collapsed from its erected position shown in  FIG. 15  to its collapsed position shown in  FIG. 17A , the sliders  122  having the end portions  58   c ′ of the braces  50   c ′ attached thereto slide down the connecting portions  74   c  of outermost wire struts  68   c ′ until they come to rest at a lowermost position. With the foundation  10   c  collapsed, the braces  50   c ′ are in a substantially horizontal orientation as shown in  FIG. 17 . Each slider  122  is preferably a unitary plastic part but may be made of multiple components and/or be made of any desired material.  
         [0071]     As best seen in  FIGS. 17 and 17 A, the lower connectors  18   c  connect the first base  20   c  to the second base  60   c  and more particularly connect one of the end rails  22   c  of the first base  20   c  to one of the end rails  62   c  of the second base  60   c . In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 17, 17A  and  18 , each lower connector  18   c  comprises a generally rectangular piece of plastic or any other suitable material. The lower hinge or connector  18   c  has a middle portion  100   c  and a pair of end portions  102   c , each joined to the middle portion  100   c  with a living hinge  104   c  which facilitates bending the lower connector  18   c  from a generally planar orientation shown in  FIGS. 15 and 18  to a generally U-shaped configuration shown in  FIGS. 17 and 17 A. The middle portion  100   c  of the lower connector  18   c  has a stop  121  built therein which extends upwardly from the middle portion  100   c  and facilitates separation of the first and second bases  20   c ,  60   c , respectively and more particularly, the end rails  22   c ,  62  of the first and second bases  20   c ,  60   c , respectively, when the bedding foundation  10   c  is collapsed. See  FIG. 17A .  
         [0072]     As seen in  FIG. 17 , the end portions  102   c  of each lower connector  18   c  are secured to the end rails  22   c ,  62   c  of the first and second bases  20   c ,  60   c , respectively with fasteners  106 . Other means of securing the lower hinge  18   c  to the bases  20   c ,  60   c  may be used if desired. In accordance with the present invention, the lower connectors may assume other configurations and be made of any suitable material. Any number of lower connectors as shown in  FIG. 18  may be used in accordance with the present invention to secure the bases together yet still enable the bedding foundation to collapse.  
         [0073]     The bedding foundation  10   c  has two upper connectors  16   b  like the ones described above. Although two upper connectors  16   b  are commonly used in the foundation  10   c , any number of upper connectors  16   b  may be used to secure and space the grids of the sections  12   c ,  14   c  of the bedding foundation  10   c , thereby easing the collapsibility of the product.  
         [0074]     As shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , each corner of bedding foundation  10   c  has an elastic strap  125  which helps the upholstery look straighter in the corners when the foundation is erected. Although only shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 15 , such elastic straps  125  may be used in any of the embodiments of the present invention. Each elastic strap  125  wraps around one of the border wires in the corner and is stapled or otherwise secured to one of the bases of the foundation.  
         [0075]     The embodiments of the invention shown and described are for illustrative purposes only. The drawings and the description shall not limit in any way the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. While those skilled in the art may make various changes to, or additional embodiments of, the invention, none of those changes/embodiments shall be deemed to depart from the spirit of the invention. Thus, all such changes/embodiments shall be embraced by the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.