Bed foundation with drop-in unit

Abstract

A bed foundation may be retrofitted or otherwise converted in the field to include one or more additional function. In one illustrative embodiment, the bed foundation may be retrofitted or otherwise converted by incorporating a drop-in articulation unit. Such an articulation unit may permit a user to raise and/or lower the head of their bed. In some cases, a second articulation unit may be placed at the foot of a bed foundation to permit the user to independently raise and/or lower the head and the foot of their bed. In other illustrative embodiments, drop-in units may add other functions to existing bed foundations. In some cases, the bed foundation and/or drop-in units may be configured such that it can be easily shipped and assembled in the field by a user.

1 . A method of converting a flat bed foundation located at a customer site, wherein the bed foundation includes side walls that define a cavity, the side walls supporting a platform, and the platform adapted to support a bed mattress, the method comprising: 
 removing a portion of the platform; and    installing an articulation unit that is adapted to articulate only a portion of the bed mattress, the articulation unit extending into at least part of the cavity.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the removing step includes removing only a portion of the platform.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of having the articulation unit shipped to the customer site.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising attaching at least part of the removed platform portion to the articulation unit to form a top surface of the articulation unit.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the portion of the platform that is removed corresponds to a head portion of the platform.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the portion of the platform that is removed corresponds to a foot and/or leg portion of the platform.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the articulation unit is a self-contained articulation unit.  
   
   
       8 . A bed foundation having at least a head section and a foot section, comprising: 
 a frame having one or more side walls that define a cavity therebetween;    a platform supported by the frame, the platform having at least a head section and a foot section; and    a drop-in articulation unit that is configured to be dropped into at least part of the cavity defined by the side walls, and once installed, capable of articulating only one of the head section or foot section of the bed foundation.    
   
   
       9 . The bed foundation of  claim 8  wherein the head section of the platform is secured to the drop-in articulation unit, wherein the drop-in articulation unit causes the head section of the platform to be moveable between a horizontal position and an angled position.  
   
   
       10 . The bed foundation of  claim 8  wherein the foot section of the platform is secured to the drop-in articulation unit, wherein the drop-in articulation unit causes the foot section of the platform to be moveable between a horizontal position and an angled position.  
   
   
       11 . The bed foundation of  claim 8  wherein the drop-in articulation unit includes one or more support members that secure the drop-in articulation unit relative to the frame.  
   
   
       12 . The bed foundation of  claim 11  wherein the one or more supports include one or more hooks that extend over one or more of the side walls of the frame.  
   
   
       13 . The bed foundation of  claim 8  further comprising one or more cross-members that extend between opposing side walls of the frame, and wherein the drop-in articulation unit includes a motor that is coupled to one or more of the cross-members.  
   
   
       14 . The bed foundation of  claim 8  further comprising one or more cross-members that extend between opposing side walls of the frame, and wherein the drop-in articulation unit is hinged relative to one or more of the cross-members.  
   
   
       15 . A bed foundation comprising: 
 a frame;    a platform supported by the frame; and    an articulation unit for articulating only a portion of the platform, the articulation unit having the one or more supports that hang the articulation unit from the frame.    
   
   
       16 . The bed foundation of  claim 15 , wherein the frame comprises one or more sections that are sized for shipping by UPS at OS2 or below.  
   
   
       17 . The bed foundation of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more supports of the articulation unit comprise one or more hooks that interact with the frame to hang the articulation unit from the frame.  
   
   
       18 . The bed foundation of  claim 17 , wherein the frame comprises indentations to accommodate the hooks.  
   
   
       19 . The bed foundation of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the platform sections comprises indentations to accommodate the hooks.  
   
   
       20 . A method of converting an existing bed foundation located at a customer site, wherein the bed foundation includes side walls that define a cavity, the side walls supporting a platform, and the platform adapted to support a bed mattress, the method comprising: 
 removing a portion of the platform; and    installing a drop-in unit that is adapted to add at least one function to the bed foundation, the drop-in unit extending into at least part of the cavity.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the at least one function includes one or more of articulation, temperature control, massage, lumbar support, lighting, aromatherapy, air filtration, sound, storage, and magnetic therapy.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the drop-in unit includes one or more sensors with sensor outputs and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to detect the presence of one or more conditions based on the sensor outputs, and in response, take a corrective action.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the corrective action includes articulating the bed.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the corrective action includes activating a heating or cooling element of the bed.  
   
   
       25 . A method of converting an existing bed foundation located at a customer site, the platform adapted to support a bed mattress, the method comprising: 
 removing a portion of the platform; and    installing a drop-in unit that is adapted to add at least one function to the bed foundation, wherein the at least one function includes one or more of lighting, aromatherapy, air filtration, sound, and storage.