U.S. patent number 3,823,428 [Application Number 05/243,569] was granted by the patent office on 1974-07-16 for adjustable bed rails.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Standard International Corporation. Invention is credited to Albert J. Whyte.
United States Patent |
3,823,428 |
Whyte |
July 16, 1974 |
ADJUSTABLE BED RAILS
Abstract
An adjustable bed rail readily adaptable for beds of any type. A
tubular cross brace is mounted to either end of the bed frame and
T-couplings are removably and rotatably mounted to the brace. The
bed rail is, in turn, adjustably mounted to the couplings on either
side of the bed.
Inventors: |
Whyte; Albert J. (Springfield,
MA) |
Assignee: |
Standard International
Corporation (Andover, MA)
|
Family
ID: |
22919257 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/243,569 |
Filed: |
April 13, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/429 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G
7/0516 (20161101); A61G 7/0514 (20161101); A61G
7/0507 (20130101); A61G 7/0509 (20161101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
21/08 (20060101); A47C 21/00 (20060101); A47c
021/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;5/331,332 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gay; Bobby R.
Assistant Examiner: Marquette; Darrell
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Weingarten, Maxham &
Schurgin
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A bed comprising:
a first frame adapted for supporting a mattress thereon;
a bracket rigidly affixed to the sides of said first frame adjacent
either end thereof;
a unitary substantially rigid tubular member rigidly affixed to and
extending between opposite ones of said brackets transversely of
said bed beneath said first frame, said tubular member being
thereby fixed to said first frame and functioning as a stiffener
therefor;
a T-shaped coupling having a stem and a cross-member, said stem
being removably inserted into one end of said tubular member;
and
a side rail having vertical members at either end, said vertical
end members being adjustably engaged by said cross-member of said
couplings mounted at either end of said first frame on the same
side thereof.
2. The bed described in claim 1 and further comprising:
a main frame supporting said first frame;
wherein said brackets each extend below said first frame and make
contact with said main frame to thereby support said first frame in
spaced relation to said main frame and to provide leveling of the
ends thereof.
3. The bed described in claim 1 and further comprising a first
locking pin mounted to said tubular member adjacent either end
thereof, said pin extending into the interior of said tubular
member and being longitudinally movable for engaging said stem of
said coupling.
4. The bed described in claim 3 wherein said stem of said coupling
is formed with a plurality of annular grooves longitudinally spaced
from the inner end thereof and adapted to be selectively engaged by
said locking pin, thereby preventing longitudinal motion of said
coupling while permitting free rotation thereof.
5. The bed described in claim 1 and further comprising:
a second locking pin mounted to said cross-member of said
coupling;
wherein said cross-member is tubular and said locking pin is
longitudinally movable and extends into the interior thereof;
and wherein said vertical end member has a plurality of
longitudinally spaced holes which are selectively engageable by
said locking pin.
6. The bed described in claim 5 wherein said locking pin is
longitudinally offset along said cross-member from the point of
attachment of said stem thereto.
7. A bed comprising:
a first frame adapted for supporting a mattress thereon;
a main frame supporting said first frame;
a bracket rigidly affixed to the sides of said first frame adjacent
either end thereof, said bracket extending below said first frame
and making contact with said main frame for supporting the ends of
said first frame in spaced relation to said main frame;
a unitary substantially rigid tubular member rigidly affixed to and
extending between opposite ones of said brackets transversely of
said bed beneath said first frame, said tubular member being
thereby fixed to said first frame and functioning as a stiffener
therefor
a T-shaped coupling having a stem with a plurality of annular
grooves longitudinally spaced from the inner end thereof, and a
tubular cross-member;
a side rail having a plurality of spaced normally horizontal
members supported between normally vertical end members, said end
members having a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes;
a first spring-loaded pin mounted to said tubular member adjacent
each end thereof, said pin extending into said tubular member and
selectively engaging one of said annular grooves in said stem to
permit free rotation and prevent longitudinal movement of said
stem; and
a second spring-loaded pin mounted to said cross-member and
extending thereinto for selectively engaging one of said holes in
one of said end members.
8. A safety side rail assembly for use with a bed having a frame
for supporting a mattress, said assembly comprising:
a side rail having spaced longitudinal members supported between
normally vertical end members;
a bracket mounted to the side of said frame adjacent either end
thereof;
a tubular member secured to each of said brackets and extending
inwardly from the edge of said bed frame a distance less than half
the width of said frame;
a T-shaped member removably coupling each vertical end member to
one of said brackets, said coupling member having a stem removably
inserted into one of said tubular members, and a tubular
cross-member adjustably engaging one of said vertical end
members;
a first spring-loaded locking pin mounted to said tubular member
and spaced inwardly from said bracket; and
a second spring-loaded locking pin mounted to said cross-member and
extending into the interior thereof;
wherein said stem of said coupling is formed with a plurality of
annular grooves longitudinally spaced from the inner end thereof,
said first locking pin extends into said tubular member for
selective engagement with one of said grooves, and said vertical
end members are formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced
holes selectively engageable by said second locking pin in said
cross-member.
9. A safety side rail coupling assembly for mounting a safety side
rail having spaced normally horizontal members supported between
normally vertical end members to a bed frame, said assembly
comprising;
a bracket adapted to be mounted to the sides of said frame adjacent
the ends thereof;
a tubular member secured to said bracket and projecting in one
direction therefrom a distance less than half the width of said bed
frame;
a T-shaped coupling member having a stem removably inserted into
said tubular member and a tubular cross-member adapted to receive
one of said vertical end members of said side rail;
a first locking pin mounted for longitudinal movement to said
tubular member and extending thereinto; and
a second locking pin mounted for longitudinal movement to said
cross-member and extending into the interior thereof;
wherein said stem is formed with a plurality of spaced annular
grooves adjacent the inner end thereof, said grooves being
selectively engageable by said first locking pin, thereby
permitting said T-shaped member to rotate freely within said
tubular member while preventing longitudinal movement of said stem
with respect to said tubular member, and said vertical end members
are formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes
selectively engageable by said second locking pin.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to beds and, more particularly,
to safety side rails for use in conjunction with beds and
especially for hospital type beds having a flexible spring frame or
gatch.
DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART
It is well known to use some type of safety side rail in
conjunction with beds which may be intended for use by children, or
in convalescent homes, hospitals and the like. Such rails often
take the form of an independent assembly which is either clamped to
the spring frame (gatch) of the bed or has a tube or bar which lies
beneath the mattress and on top of the spring. Many other side
rails are an independent assembly which may be fastened to the
frame, head or foot of the bed. Such prior art safety side rails
give rise to several difficulties.
Among the disadvantages of the side rails previously known is the
fact that some of them are not easily lowered to a position where
the bed occupant may comfortably sit on the side of the bed or get
into and out of the bed easily without obstruction by the top of
the rail. While many of the earlier side rails adapted for use with
flexible gatches have lengthwise telescoping action, many of these
tend to bind when one end of the gatch is raised with respect to
the other, thereby changing the effective length of the bed.
Binding in the sides results in such cases when the connection
between the rail and the bed is not freely pivotable, thereby
preventing straight linear motion of one end of the side rail with
respect to the other.
Substantially all of the prior art side rails are merely
attachments or appendages to the bed and are not an integral
structural feature thereof. A disadvantage of such a non-integrated
structure is that it may easily be misadjusted or moved from the
desired position and must then be straightened by the occupant of
the bed or by an attendant. Additionally, when the bed is adjusted
after the side rail has moved from its intended position, damage
may result to the rail because binding as described above is quite
likely to occur. An obvious disadvantage of the type of side rail
structure having a transverse connecting rod passing beneath the
mattress is the resulting ridge created in the mattress. The
likelihood of discomfort to the person using the bed is obvious.
This same type of assembly has another problem in that it may slide
all the way to one side, leaving one rail against the mattress but
a substantial gap at the other side which might even permit the
occupant to fall through.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Broadly speaking, this invention relates to a bed having a safety
side rail structure as an integral but to some extent detachable
part thereof. The structure of this invention includes a tubular
cross brace mounted across either end of a gatch which is the
spring frame which is normally hinged for adjustments to a
non-horizontal position. The cross brace is mounted between two
brackets which are appropriately secured to the gatch. In addition
to connecting the cross brace to the frame, these brackets provide
the function of leveling stops which would otherwise have to be
provided by a separate appendage. A T-shaped coupling having
annular grooves for longitudinal adjustment is inserted into either
end of the tube mounted to the brackets and is held in place by
spring-loaded pins. Vertical end members of the side rails are
provided with holes which are engageable by a spring-loaded pin in
the cross-tubular member of each T-coupling so that the rails may
be raised or lowered and retained in any desired position.
An alternative embodiment includes the same brackets mounted to the
gatch but the tubular cross brace is replaced by short tubular
members for receiving the stems of the T-couplings. The structure
is the same except that a tubular member does not extend all the
way across each end of the gatch. This embodiment permits the
invention to be supplied for later attachment to a bed whereas the
first embodiment is preferably an integral part of the gatch
construction.
By employing T-couplings with annular grooves engaged by
spring-loaded pins, it is easily appreciated that these couplings
are completely rotatable and permit the level of one end of the
gatch to be raised with respect to the other end, thereby changing
the distance between the ends of the side rails, without causing
any binding of the telescoping sides of the rails. Furthermore, it
is readily apparent that with this structure which is an integral
part of the gatch or bed frame, there is no possiblility of the
side rail assembly sliding sideways as is likely with the under
mattress attachment type.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The advantages, objects and features of this invention will become
readily apparent from the following description when taken in
conjunction with the drawing in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view in somewhat schematic fashion of a bed
and side rail combination constructed in accordance with the
principles of this invention; and
FIG. 2 is an enlarged broken-away perspective of one corner of the
bed of FIG. 1 showing the details of the side rail attachment
portion of the structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference now to the drawing, bed 11 is shown with the bottom
end 12 of gatch 13 in horizontal position and the top end 14 raised
approximately 25.degree. from horizontal. Beds of this type which
are used in hospitals and convalescent homes are normally provided
with swing-out cranks by means of which the adjustments to the
gatch position are made. Since details of this type form no part of
the invention, they are not shown in the drawing and will not be
further discussed herein. The gatch 13 is shown schematically
anchored to the main bed frame 15 by means of vertical members 16
and 17. Again, these are for reference purposes only and do not
necessarily represent any specific actual bed construction. It may
be noted that with the central portion 18 of the gatch anchored to
the main bed frame, the head 14 is pivotable about point 21, while
the foot portion of the bed is pivotable about points 22 and 23 so
that the bed may assume the familiar sitting position when properly
adjusted.
The gatch frame 13 is normally formed of angle irons 24 which may
either be bent to form a somewhat rounded 90.degree. bend at either
end as shown or may be constructed to form sharp 90.degree. corners
at the ends. Longitudinally displaced a short distance from either
end of the gatch are brackets 25 which may be mounted in a suitable
manner to side angle iron 24, such as by welding, riveting or by
means of bolt 26. Rigid tubular member 27 is mounted by suitable
means such as welding between two brackets 25 positioned on
opposite sides of the gatch. The center of tube 27 is in alignment
with openings 28 in each bracket.
Even though the gatch of a typical invalid bed is relatively rigid
in the transverse direction, a certain amount of twisting of angle
irons 24 is possible due to the various stresses and strains to
which such a bed may be subjected. This is especially true of the
sides of the gatch frame which are subject to substantial sresses
when the bed occupant comes into forcible contact with one of the
side rails. Such forces could actually cause the frame to be
deformed because of the torque exerted upon the frame through the
side rails. By mounting the cross brace assembly comprised of
tubular member 27 and brackets 25 securely across the gatch near
either end as an integral part thereof, an added strength member is
provided which thereby substantially reduces the likelihood of any
flexion or bending which may otherwise occur in frame members 24.
Furthermore, when an end of the gatch is lowered to normal
horizontal position, the bottom 29 of bracket 25 rests firmly upon
the side rail of main frame 15. Thus brackets 25 also act as
leveling stops for the gatch. The gatch normally does not rest
flush upon the main frame so in the absence of brackets 25,
separate leveling appendages or feet would be necessary.
With specific reference now to FIG. 2, it may be seen that
T-coupling 30 is comprised of stem 31 and cross-member 32. The stem
is preferably a solid metal rod provided with a plurality of
annular grooves 33 spaced from inner tapered end 34 of the stem.
Only two such grooves are shown, but it will be understood that any
practical number may be formed on the coupling stem. At a point
spaced inwardly from bracket 25 a spring-loaded pin 35 of
conventional type having a button 36 is mounted to tubular member
27 and extends into the interior thereof. The distance between
bracket 25 and pin 35 is substantially less than the length of stem
31, thereby permitting the stem to be adjustably inserted and
retained within tube 27. The tapered end 34 of stem 31 permits the
coupling to be forcibly inserted into the tube and to be locked in
place by pin 35 as it engages the first or inner annular groove 33
on the stem. If it is desired to shorten the distance between two
oppositely mounted couplings, button 36 is grasped and pulled
outward against the force of a biasing spring 37 to thereby permit
stem 31 to be further inserted into tube 27. When the desired
transverse distance between couplings is attained, pins 35 are
permitted to engage the appropriate groove in each coupling stem to
thereby firmly retain the coupling within the tube and preventing
longitudinal motion thereof. However, it will be noted that through
the use of annular grooves 33, the coupling is freely rotatable
after being mounted within tube 27.
Cross-member 32 is appropriately mounted as by welding to the outer
end of stem 31. Another conventional spring-loaded pin 38 extends
into the interior of cross-member 32 and is operably connected to
button 41. The pin is biased inwardly, but the button may be easily
pulled outwardly to permit longitudinal motion of a member within
cross-member 32. Although it is preferable that pins 35 and 38 be
spring biased, such structure is not essential to the
invention.
With reference now to the side rails shown in FIG. 1, normally
vertical end member 42 are provided for support of normally
horizontal telescoping members 43. Each end member is provided with
several widely spaced holes 44 along its length which are adapted
to be engaged by pin 38 in cross-member 32. If the rail is to be in
its raised position, button 41 is grasped and pulled outward to
disengage pin 38 from vertical member 42 and the side may be raised
until the pin engages the last hole 44 at the bottom of member 42.
It should be noted that it is not necessary to adjust the height of
both ends of the rail simultaneously. With the telescoping ability
of the side rails and the free rotatability of the T-couplings, the
rails may easily adjust one end at a time. Similarly, it may be
desired to have one end of the rail up and the other end down for
some particular reason. This structure permits such operational
flexibility without difficulty. To further facilitate telescoping
of the sides and prevent binding, brace 45 is shown between the top
two members 43. Other similar braces may be used if desired.
When it is desired to lower the rail to its lowermost possible
position, pin 38 is disengaged from one of the holes 44 and
vertical member 42 is permitted to pass through cross-member 32
until resilient bumper 46 engages the top ridges 47 of crossmember
32. Because coupling 30 is mounted below the bottom of the gatch,
the entire side rail is easily lowered at least to the level of the
spring and completely below the mattress shown in phantom outlines
in FIG. 1. This facilitates changing the bedding and also permits
the patient to enter into and exit from the bed or to sit on the
side thereof without any interference from the side rail while the
rail remains attached to the bed and ready to be raised to
operative position when desired. The spring-loaded pin 38 mounted
to the cross-member of coupling 30 is positioned at a point
longitudinally displaced from the point where stem 31 joins the
cross-member so that there is further vertical adjustment available
in the position of the side rails. That is, by rotating the
T-coupling 180.degree., a difference of approximately 2inches in
height may be achieved in addition to the adjustments permitted by
the several holes 44 formed in the vertical end members 42 of the
side rails.
It will also be appreciated that if it is desired to remove these
side rails at any time, this may be done by removing vertical
members 42 from the T-couplings or the couplings may be removed
from tubular members 27. In either case the tubular members 27 and
brackets 25 remain in place performing their strengthening and
supporting functions as before. It is thus a very simple matter to
operate and adjust these side rails or remove them from and attach
them to the bed.
As an alternative embodiment, the majority of the length of tube 27
is not included. Short portions of tubing 27 are secured to each
bracket 25 so that the structure is substantially identical to that
shown and described above, except that the transverse bracing
effect is not provided. Brackets 25 remain in place and act as
leveling stops as before. Pin 35 is mounted in the same position on
each short section of tubing and the invention is otherwise
identical. This structure would permit the side rails of this
invention to be removably attached to any gatch or bed frame by
means of clamps or bolts if desired so that they could be provided
for any type of bed and would not have to be integrally constructed
therewith.
In view of the above description, it is likely that changes and
improvements will occur to those skilled in this art which are
within the scope of this invention. Although the invention has been
described in conjunction with a flexible gatch, it will be
recognized that safety side rails constructed in accordance with
this invention may be mounted to nearly any bed frame, even those
which support a box spring and mattress.
* * * * *