Bed foundation

A bed foundation that is capable of supporting a bed, the bed foundation comprising:

• a pair of side rails that each include a first section and a second section, wherein the first section and the second section engage each other so that the first section is aligned with the second section;
• a pair of end rails, wherein opposite ends of the side rails engage opposite ends of the end rails so that the side rails are parallel to each other and so that the end rails are parallel to each other;
• a top panel attachable to said rails and constructed and arranged to cover an area defined by said side rails and said end rails;
• and,
• a mounting mechanism constructed and arranged to retain said ton panel in a fixed position relative to said side rails and said end rails;
• wherein said mounting mechanism comprises a plurality of attachment tabs extending from at least one of said rails and constructed and arranged to mate with receiving portions formed in a lower surface of said top panel.

A bed foundation that is capable of supporting a bed, the bed foundation comprising:

• a pair of side rails that each include a first section and a second section, wherein the first section and the second section engage each other so that the first section is aligned with the second section;
• a pair of end rails, wherein opposite ends of the side rails engage opposite ends of the end rails so that the side rails are parallel to each other and so that the end rails are parallel to each other;
• a top panel attachable to said rails and constructed and arranged to cover an area defined by said side rails and said end rails;
• and,
• a mounting mechanism constructed and arranged to retain said top panel in a fixed position relative to said side rails and said end rails;
• wherein said mounting mechanism comprises a plurality of locking extensions attached to at least one of said end rails when constructed and arranged to mate with receiving portions formed in a lower surface of said top panel.

A bed foundation that is capable of supporting a bed, the bed foundation comprising:

• a pair of side rails that each include a first section and a second section, wherein the first section and the second section engage each other so that the first section is aligned with the second section;
• a pair of end rails, wherein opposite ends of the side rails engage opposite ends of the end rails so that the side rails are parallel to each other and so that the end rails are parallel to each other;
• a top panel attachable to said rails and constructed and arranged to cover an area defined by said side rails and said end rails;
• and,
• a mounting mechanism constructed and arranged to retain said too panel in a fixed position relative to said side rails and said end rails;
• wherein said mounting mechanism comprises at least one locking extension formed on an intermediate rail extending between said side rails at an intermediate location between said end rails, said locking extension constructed and arranged to mate with a receiving portion formed in a lower surface of said top panel.

A method of assembling a bed foundation without using tools comprising:

• engaging a first rail section to a second rail section that is shorter than the first rail section to form a first side rail having a head end and a foot end;
• engaging a third rail section to a fourth rail section that is longer than the third rail section to form a second side rail having a head end and a foot end, such that when the head end of the first side rail is placed beside the head end of the second side rail, and the foot end of the first side rail is placed beside the foot end of the second side rail, the engagement between the first rail section and the second rail section is offset from the engagement between the third rail section and the fourth rail section;
• connecting the first and second side rail head ends with an end rail spanning between said side rails;
• and
• connecting the first and second side rail foot ends with an end rail spanning between said side rails.

A bed foundation capable of being shipped in a container having a length not greater than 60 inches and a girth not greater than 84 inches said bed foundation comprising:

• a pair of side rails each comprised a first section and a second section joinable to said first section, wherein said first and second sections are constructed and arranged such that when said first and second sections are unjoined said first and second sections are containable within said container, and when said first and second sections are joined, said side rail is not containable within said container;
• a pair of locking pins useable to securely fasten said first sections to said second sections of said pair of side rails together;
• and
• a pair of end rails, engageable with said side rails, said end rails containable within said container.

A bed foundation that is capable of supporting a bed, the bed foundation comprising:

• a pair of side rails that each include a first section and a second section, wherein the first section and the second section engage each other so that the first section is aligned with the second section;
• a pair of end rails, wherein opposite ends of the side rails engage opposite ends of the end rails so that the side rails are parallel to each other and so that the end rails are parallel to each other;
• and,
• a top panel attachable to said rails and constructed and arranged to cover an area defined by said side rails and said end rails;
• wherein said top panel is constructed and arranged to create an overhang with said side rails, thereby providing a top surface having a greater width than a width defined between said side rails.

A bed foundation comprising:

• a plurality of rail members constructed of blow-molded plastic, each of said rail members having:
• a top surface;
• a bottom surface;
• two side surfaces;
• two end surfaces;
• a dovetail extending from at least one of said end surfaces;
• a plurality of attachment tabs extending from said top surface;
• a plurality of connecting members constructed of blow-molded plastic, removably
• attached to said rail members, and having grooves constructed and arranged to receive said dovetails;
• a plurality of top panels constructed of blow-molded plastic, removably attached to said rail members, and having receiving portions constructed and arranged to removably mate with said attachment tabs;
• whereby said rail members, said connecting members, and said top panels all have lengths less than 60 inches in an unassembled state.