Knockdown bed foundation

Abstract

The field of the present invention pertains to foundations or bedsteads for supporting mattresses. More particularly, the present invention relates to foundations that can be knocked down and reassembled by the end user. The present invention when reassembled presents a visual impression to the end user that can look like a conventional, fixed assembly foundation. The invention further provides for a method for assembling the present knockdown foundation devices.

1 . A knockdown bed foundation that can support a mattress comprising:
 a) a pair of side rails that form opposing supportive sides of the foundation, each side rail having two ends;   b) a pair of end rails that form opposing head and foot supportive ends of the foundation, each end rail having two ends:   c) a plurality of rail connecting means, each connecting means located in part on a side rail and in part on an end rail, each connecting means being dimensioned and configured to hold one end of one of the side rails and one end of one of the end rails in a fixed angular relationship; and   d) a resealable foundation cover with an open position and a closed position, the cover having side, top, and bottom surfaces, both internal and external, and the cover being in the closed position, a position dimensioned and configured so as to surround the assembled combination of the side rails, the end rails, the connecting means, and the six planes formed by this combination.   
   
   
       2 . The bed foundation of  claim 1  also comprising at least one transverse rail, each transverse rail having two ends, each end being dimensioned and configured to connect releasably to a respective side rail. 
   
   
       3 . The bed foundation of  claim 1  also comprising at least one intermediate longitudinal rail, each intermediate longitudinal rail having two ends, each end being dimensioned and configured to connect releasably to a respective end rail. 
   
   
       4 . The bed foundation of  claim 1  also comprising:
 a) at least one intermediate longitudinal rail, each intermediate longitudinal rail having two ends, each end being connected dimensioned and configured to connect releasably to a respective end rail; and   b) at least one transverse rail, each transverse rail having two ends, each end being connected dimensioned and configured to connect releasably to a respective side rail and to each intermediate rail.   
   
   
       5 . The bed foundation of  claim 1  wherein the cover has a resealable means that extends along three of the side planes of the assembled combination. 
   
   
       6 . The bed foundation of  claim 1  wherein the cover is dimensioned and configured such that the internal surface of the cover can be substantially exposed and the assembled rail combination can be placed onto that internal surface prior to the cover being sealed so as to surround the assembled combination 
   
   
       7 . The bed foundation of  claim 2  wherein each side rail has a female slot for locating a respective male end of each transverse rail that connects therewith, each slot being dimensioned and configured to receive snugly the respective male transverse rail end. 
   
   
       8 . The bed foundation of  claim 3  wherein each intermediate rail end connects to a respective end rail by means of a combination of a male end on each intermediate rail end and a female slot on each respective end rail, each slot being dimensioned and configured to receive snugly the respective transverse rail end. 
   
   
       9 . The bed foundation of  claim 4  wherein: each side rail has a female slot for locating a respective male end of each transverse rail that connects therewith, each slot being dimensioned and configured to receive snugly the respective male transverse rail end; and each intermediate rail end connects to a respective end rail by means of a combination of a male end on each intermediate rail end and a female slot on each respective end rail, each slot being dimensioned and configured to receive snugly the respective transverse rail end. 
   
   
       10 . The bed foundation of  claim 1  wherein each rail connecting means comprises a pin and interlocking hole means. 
   
   
       11 . The bed foundation of  claim 1  wherein each side rail is comprised of at least two parts that can be releaseably interconnected by a connecting means so as to form each side rail. 
   
   
       12 . The bed foundation of  claim 1  wherein each end rail is comprised of at least two parts that can be releaseably interconnected by a connecting means so as to form each end rail. 
   
   
       13 . The bed foundation of  claim 1  wherein the resealable foundation cover also comprises fire-resistant material on the external surface. 
   
   
       14 . The bed foundation of  claim 13  wherein the resealable foundation cover has fire-resistant material on all of the external side and bottom surfaces, but on the top surface such fire-resistant material extends inward from the side edge only a distance sufficient to be covered by a mattress placed on top of the foundation. 
   
   
       15 . The bed foundation of  claim 10  wherein the resealable foundation cover is dimensioned and configured such that when closed each pin cannot be displaced from its respective pair of interlocking holes. 
   
   
       16 . The bed foundation of  claim 2  wherein the resealable foundation cover is dimensioned and configured such that when closed each transverse rail cannot be displaced from the side rail. 
   
   
       17 . The bed foundation of  claim 1  wherein each side rail and each end rail is designated at each end such that the respective side rail end and end rail end that are joined together have a distinct and matching designation. 
   
   
       18 . The bed foundation of  claim 1  wherein each side rail and each end rail is designated so as to indicate the top and bottom orientation. 
   
   
       19 . A method of assembling a knockdown bed foundation that can support a mattress comprising:
 a) selecting the following elements:
 i) a pair of side rails that form opposing supportive sides of the foundation, each side rail having two ends; 
 ii) a pair of end rails that form opposing head and foot supportive ends of the foundation, each end rail having two ends: 
 iii) a plurality of rail connecting means, each connecting means being located in part on a side rail and in part on an end rail, each rail connecting means being dimensioned and configured to hold one end of one of the side rails and one end of one of the end rails in a fixed angular relationship; and 
 iv) a resealable foundation cover with an open position and a closed position, said cover having side, top, and bottom surfaces, both internal and external, the cover being dimensioned and configured so as to surround the assembled combination of the side rails, the end rails, the connecting means, and the six planes formed by this combination; 
   b) connecting each end of one of the side rails to one end of one of the end rails by means of the respective connecting means, thereby forming an assembled rail combination of rails;   c) opening the resealable foundation cover so as to expose substantially the internal surface;   d) placing the assembled rail combination onto the exposed internal surface of the cover such that the dimensions of the assembled rail combination aligned with the dimensions of the corresponding internal surface of the cover; and   e) closing the cover such that only the external surface of the cover is exposed, thereby surrounding the assembled rail combination.