| Bed rail with entrapment-resistant side panel -> Monitor Keywords |
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Bed rail with entrapment-resistant side panelRelated Patent Categories: Beds, Having Safety Device, Side Guard, Adjustable In Place, PivotingBed rail with entrapment-resistant side panel description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060037140, Bed rail with entrapment-resistant side panel. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention relates generally to apparatus designed to prevent patients or children from falling out of beds. More particularly, the invention pertains to a portable bed rail construction, employing a vertical side panel having imbedded rigid structure to resist outward lateral forces imposed by a disabled person or a child. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] Bed rails have been used for many years in hospitals and health care facilities to restrain patients, and in particular, to prevent them from falling out of a bed or making other damaging movements. Many of these bed rails are structurally integrated with the bed, and generally include some adjustability feature, so they can be raised and lowered with respect to the bed mattress. A Bed Rail Mechanism, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,089, granted to Solomon et al., is representative of this type of bed rail. [0005] One problem which has been recognized with bed rails is the gap which exists or which can be formed, between a mattress and a bed rail. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,666, a Gap-Filling Pad Disposable Between A Mattress And A Bed Rail is shown. FIG. 1 of the '666 patent illustrates how a patient can become entrapped between a bed rail and a mattress, and possibly suffocate. [0006] It has also been recognized that the structure of bed rails themselves can present dangers to patients. Accordingly, elastomeric bed rail covers have been devised having a flap extending between the cover and the bed, preventing bed occupants from extending arms or legs through the gap between the mattress and the bed rail. Such a bed rail cover is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,772, issued to Glynn et al. [0007] Smaller bed rails are also popular for use with infant or youth beds. Some of these smaller bed rails are both collapsible and portable. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,490, granted to Wu, a Collapsible Bed Rail Structure is shown. Another design for Portable, Foldable Bed Rail is illustrated in Des. No. 391,792, issued to Scherer et al. And, U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,756, granted to Nowak et al., discloses a Portable Bed Rail having first and second foot members, insertable into vertical members of a side panel. [0008] The smaller, collapsible bed rails have their own safety issues. Typically, such bed rails have lower and upper support rods spanning vertical shafts forming a generally rectangular bed rail panel. The bed rail panel is covered with a plastic or fabric panel cover, which may include a mesh insert in its central portion. A potentially dangerous situation may be posed by outward deflection of the flexible panel cover, in the region above the mattress itself. In this region, between the lower and upper rods, the flexible panel cover is largely unsupported, and forces imposed by the patient or small child rolling into the panel may cause it to flex outwardly and create a suffocating pocket. The present invention is directed toward addressing and solving this problem. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The bed rail of the present invention includes a bed rail frame and a compliant and flexible bed rail covering. The bed rail frame includes bed rail legs sized and configured to fit between a bed box spring and a bed mattress. The rail legs have outer ends extending to one side of the bed, and inner ends extending toward the center region of the bed. [0010] The bed rail frame further includes a generally rectangular side panel frame, oriented so that its elongated axis is horizontal. The side panel frame is hingeably attached at two corners to the rail legs extending between the box spring and the bed mattress. The side panel frame has a normal working position extending vertically, above and normal to the plane of the bed mattress. However, the hinged mounting arrangement also has a lowered locked position, whereby the panel frame may be rotated 180.degree. to extend vertically downwardly, out of the way. [0011] The side panel frame is comprised of a lower rod, an upper rod, and an intermediate rod between the lower and upper rods. All three rods are arranged in parallel, spaced relation. The lower and upper rods have end extremities interconnected to a first vertical shaft and a second vertical shaft extending from the outer ends of the rail legs. In effect, the lower and upper rods form the elongated sides of the rectangular frame, and the vertical shafts form the transverse ends of the frame. [0012] The flexible bed rail covering, made from plastic, vinyl or fabric, is substantially co-extensive with the side panel frame. The covering includes lower, intermediate and upper horizontal sleeves arranged in parallel, spaced relation. The covering also includes a pair of vertical sleeves. These sleeves are sized and configured to accommodate and substantially cover the lower rod, the intermediate rod, the upper rod, and the first and second vertical shafts. Being structurally integrated with the bed rail covering, the intermediate rod is particularly effective to restrain outward lateral excursions of the bed rail covering in the otherwise unsupported region which exists between the lower and upper rods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, right-front perspective view of a bed and the bed rail of the present invention, portions of the mattress being broken-away to show the support legs and anchor strap; [0014] FIG. 2 is an end elevational view, showing the bed rail legs inserted between the box-spring and the mattress, the solid and broken-line representations of the side panel frame and covering respectively illustrating its raised and lowered positions; [0015] FIG. 3 is a close-up perspective view of a head corner assembly, showing the coupler of the lower rod retracted in preparation for connection to the head corner assembly; [0016] FIG. 4 is a close-up perspective view as in FIG. 3, but with the lower rod in near alignment with the grooved shaft of the corner hinge assembly; [0017] FIG. 5 is a close-up perspective view as in FIG. 4, but showing the coupler released thereby connecting the lower rod to the head corner assembly; [0018] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view, showing the manner of assembling the lower and upper rods, and installing the intermediate rod within its sheath; [0019] FIG. 7 is a left front perspective of the head corner assembly, with the locking collar lifted free from its receptacle, showing the direction of rotation of the first vertical shaft toward a horizontal position; [0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view as in FIG. 7, showing the head corner assembly in a horizontal nested position for storage or transport; [0021] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the foot corner assembly, showing the other end of the lower rod being translated into engagement with the keyed receiver; Continue reading about Bed rail with entrapment-resistant side panel... Full patent description for Bed rail with entrapment-resistant side panel Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Bed rail with entrapment-resistant side panel patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Bed rail with entrapment-resistant side panel or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Combined fabric wrap and carry bag Next Patent Application: Data and power interface for therapeutic bed Industry Class: Beds ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Bed rail with entrapment-resistant side panel patent info. 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