Abstract: A foundation unit having a top bearing grid structure secured to a bottom substructure by intermediate support elements. The grid structure comprises a series of spaced longitudinal and transverse spring elements, each spring element being formed to permit elastic elongation thereof. Elastic elongation is accomplished by a series of V-shaped segments in each of the spring elements, the segments being located at the intersections of the spring elements and being joined by a clip. The support elements comprise wire elements which are L-shaped and which are composed of two planar portions connected at right angles to one another. The wire elements are located in transverse rows with the orientation of the wire elements in each row being opposite to the orientation of the wire elements in the adjacent row so that loads applied to the foundation unit are balanced.

Abstract: A wire support member for a foundation unit. The support member is composed of a continuous, planar wire element, comprising parallel upper and lower attachment segments and a sinuous central segment extending between the upper and lower segments. The central segment is composed of a series of C-shaped curved portions. A series of the support members can be used in rows to form a foundation unit, and the members can be located perpendicular to one another at the corners of a foundation unit in order to form a corner support.

Abstract: A foundation unit which, when assembled, can be collapsed for compact storage and shipping and later can be elevated to a fully expanded state. The foundation unit includes a rectangular, grid wire top bearing structure, a rigid bottom substructure such as a wooden frame, and a series of spaced, parallel rows of substantially flat support members extending between the top bearing structure and the bottom substructure. The support members are hingedly secured to the top bearing structure and bottom substructure to permit reduction of the foundation unit to the collapsed state with the rows of support members lying essentially prone. In the elevated state, the foundation unit includes stabilizers which are oppositely reactive and which prevent relative longitudinal translation between the top and bottom of the foundation unit.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a wooden frame structure for a box spring. Two spaced, parallel, upright members form elongated side rails which are initially held together by a base slat extending between the side rails at either end thereof, the base slats being affixed to the bottom of the side rails in recesses therein. Above each base slat, an end slat is installed extending between the side rails, each end slat having a formation such as a tenon formed on either end thereof which engages a corresponding formation such as a mortise formed in each side rail. Normally, at least one center slat, depending on the ultimate frame dimension, lies on its side between the end slats with each end of the center slat lying on a portion of the top of one of the base slats. A plurality of upright cross slats extends between the side rails, and similar to the end slats, each cross slat has a tenon formed in either end thereof which interlockingly engages a corresponding mortise formed in each side rail.