Collapsible bedding foundation

Abstract

A foldable bedding foundation includes a first section having a first base, a first plurality of wire support members pivotally secured to the first base of the first section, and a first wire grid pivotally secured to the wire support members of the first section. The foldable bedding foundation further includes a second section having a second base, a second plurality of wire support members pivotally secured to the second base of the second section, and a second wire grid pivotally secured to the wire support members of the second section. The foldable bedding foundation further includes a third wire grid pivotally secured to the first wire grid and pivotally secured to the second wire grid, and located between the first wire grid and the second wire grid in the same general plane. The foldable bedding foundation further includes at least one locking wire member movably secured to the third wire grid.

1 . A foldable bedding foundation comprising:
 a first section having a first base, a first plurality of wire support members pivotally secured to said first base of said first section, and a first wire grid pivotally secured to said wire support members of said first section;   a second section having a second base, a second plurality of wire support members pivotally secured to said second base of said second section, and a second wire grid pivotally secured to said wire support members of said second section;   a third wire grid pivotally secured to said first wire grid and pivotally secured to said second wire grid, and located between said first wire grid and said second wire grid; and   at least one locking wire member movably secured to said third wire grid, and wherein said at least one locking wire member is not secured to said first base or said second base.   
   
   
       2 . The foldable bedding foundation of  claim 1 , wherein said locking wire member is movable between a first position where said locking wire member confronts the first base and the second base and a second position where said locking wire member does not confront the first base or does not confront the second base, allowing folding of the bedding foundation. 
   
   
       3 . The foldable bedding foundation of  claim 2 , wherein said locking wire member is adapted to confront the first and second bases when the bedding foundation is in a horizontal position, and is adapted to move out of confronting relationship with the first base or the second base when the bedding foundation is in other than a horizontal position. 
   
   
       4 . The foldable bedding foundation of  claim 2 , wherein said bedding foundation is in an erect position having said first and second bases in the same general plane when said locking wire member is in said first position. 
   
   
       5 . The foldable bedding foundation of  claim 1 , wherein said locking wire member is pivotally secured to said third wire grid. 
   
   
       6 . The foldable bedding foundation of  claim 1 , wherein each of the wire support members of the first section engages a longitudinal wire and a transverse wire of the first wire grid, and each of the wire support members of the second section engages a longitudinal wire and a transverse wire of the second wire grid. 
   
   
       7 . The foldable bedding foundation of  claim 6 , wherein each of the wire support members includes at least one curved portion adapted to receive a portion of the transverse wire and at least one hook portion to receive a portion of the longitudinal wire. 
   
   
       8 . The foldable bedding foundation of  claim 7 , wherein the curved portion receives the longitudinal wire in a snap-fit relationship. 
   
   
       9 . The foldable bedding foundation of  claim 1 , wherein in a folded position, the first and second bases are adjacent one another in confronting relationship. 
   
   
       10 . The foldable bedding foundation of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one lower connector secured to said first base and said second base, wherein said first and second bases are adjacent. 
   
   
       11 . The foldable bedding foundation of  claim 10 , wherein each of said lower connectors is made of plastic and has a living hinge. 
   
   
       12 . A method of folding a foldable bedding foundation including a first section having a first base and a first wire grid, a second section having a second base and a second wire grid, a third wire grid pivotally secured to the first and second wire grids, and at least one locking wire member movably secured to the third wire grid and engaging the first base and second base and wherein said at least one locking wire member is not secured to said first base or said second base, the method comprising:
 positioning the foldable bedding foundation such that the locking wire member disengages from the first base or second base; and   moving the first section relative to the second section to position the first and second sections adjacent one another in confronting relationship.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein positioning the foldable bedding foundation further comprises orienting the bedding foundation such that the first and second bases and first and second wire grids lie in a generally vertical plane. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein disengagement of the locking wire member from the first base or second base is caused by gravity. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein moving the first section relative to the second section further comprises pivoting the first base toward the second base until the edges of the first and second bases are adjacent. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first, second, and third wire grids assume a general U-shaped configuration as the first and second sections are folded together. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising securing the first section and the second section together after folding to maintain the folded condition of the bedding foundation. 
   
   
       18 . A foldable bedding foundation comprising:
 a first section having a first base, a first plurality of wire support members pivotally secured to said first base of said first section, and a first wire grid pivotally secured to said wire support members of said first section;   a second section having a second base, a second plurality of wire support members pivotally secured to said second base of said second section, and a second wire grid pivotally secured to said wire support members of said second section;   a third wire grid pivotally secured to said first wire grid and pivotally secured to said second wire grid, and located between said first wire grid and said second wire grid;   at least one locking wire member movably secured to said third wire grid; and   wherein said first section is adapted to be movable relative to the second section to position the first and second sections adjacent one another such that:
 the first and second bases are in confronting relationship, and 
 the first and second bases are at least partially positioned between the first and second wire grids.