Abstrict An adjustable bed rail capable of gripping a mattress either alone
or together with a bedspring to hold the protective side rail in
place. A locking assembly is adjustable to adjust for the height
of the mattress either alone or together with the bedspring. Friction
pads and/or friction surfaces may be mounted along the bed rail
to further enhance the locking of the side rail to the mattress.
The bed rail may be provided with a rail that drops down to facilitate
climbing on to or off of the bed and can be locked into the upright
position.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A bed rail comprising: a support portion and a rail portion
movably coupled to the support portion; the support portion being
adjustable to grip top and bottom surfaces of a member such as a
mattress member independently of a position of the movable rail
portion; and locking means for releaseably locking the support portion
at a desired gripping position.
2. The bed rail of claim 1 wherein said rail portion is pivotally
coupled to said support portion and is moveable between an upright
position and a released position wherein the rail portion is pivoted
toward a sidewall of the mattress member, movement of said rail
portion being independent of said support portion.
3. The bed rail of claim 2 further comprising: second releasable
locking means for locking the rail portion to said support portion
at at least the upright position.
4. The bed rail of claim 1 wherein said rail portion has a substantially
rectangular-shaped frame; and a lightweight rugged net-like member
joined to said frame and spanning a hollow region surrounded by
said frame.
5. The bed rail of claim 4 wherein said net-like member has elongated
sleeves for slideably receiving frame members of said frame to secure
the net-like member to the frame.
6. The bed rail of claim 4 wherein said net-like member is a lightweight
netting.
7. The bed rail of claim 4 wherein the net-like member is provided
with a pocket provided for storage purposes.
8. The bed rail of claim 1 wherein said support portion is comprised
of upper and lower L-shaped bracket pairs; one arm of each of the
upper pair of L-shaped brackets being configured for engaging a
top of the mattress member and being joined to said rail portion;
elongated members, each having one end joined to the remaining arm
of each of said upper L-shaped brackets and having a lower end slideably
engaging one hollow arm of an associated one of the lower L-shaped
brackets; said releasable locking means locking each elongated member
to one of the lower L-shaped brackets; and a pair of base members,
each coupled to a remaining arm of one of the lower L-shaped brackets,
each lower arm being configured for engaging a bottom of the mattress
member.
9. The bed rail of claim 8 wherein the base members are pivotally
coupled to the lower L-shaped brackets by a pivot pin.
10. The bed rail of claim 8 wherein said elongated member has a
plurality of openings arranged at spaced intervals along one surface
thereof; wherein said releasable locking means is normally biased
in a direction toward said openings and enters one of said openings
when aligned therewith; and wherein said releasable locking means
is moveable to a releasing position displaced from said openings
to enable sliding movement of the elongated member relative to the
lower L-shaped bracket.
11. The bed rail of claim 8 wherein each of said elongated members
is slidably inserted into a hollow interior of an associated one
of said arms of said lower L-shaped bracket.
12. The bedrail of claim 8 wherein each of said elongated members
and an associated one of said lower L-shaped brackets is slidably
received by the other of said elongated members and an associated
arm of said lower L-shaped brackets.
13. The bed rail of claim 8 wherein each base member has a surface
for engaging an underside of a mattress, said surface having at
least one portion thereof which is provided with a surface configuration
that promotes gripping between the mattress and the base member.
14. The bed rail of claim 8 wherein an underside of each of said
upper L-shaped brackets has a surface for engaging a mattress, said
surface having at least one portion thereof that is provided with
a surface configuration that promotes gripping between the mattress
member and the L-shaped bracket.
15. The bed rail of claim 14 wherein the surface configuration
is a saw-toothed configuration.
16. The bed rail of claim 8 wherein said base members are each
pivotally coupled to one of said lower L-shaped brackets and are
movable between an extended position for placement beneath a mattress
member and a collapsible position with a free end of the base members
pivoted toward said upper L-shaped brackets.
17. The bed rail of claim 1 wherein said rail portion is selectively
extendible and collapsible.
18. The bed rail of claim 17 wherein said rail portion includes
a frame assembly comprised of frame halves that are movable relative
to one another to selectively extend and contract said frame.
19. The bed rail of claim 18 wherein a pair of free ends of one
of said frame halves is telescopingly received within hollow interiors
of a pair of free ends of another one of said frame halves.
20. The bed rail of claim 19 wherein one pair of said free ends
are hollow tubular-shaped members.
21. The bed rail of claim 1 further comprising retaining means
releasably coupled to said support portion and having at least one
retaining plate engaging the mattress member along one side that
is opposite another side of the mattress member engaged by said
support portion, and a web extending beneath the mattress member
for retaining the bed rail against the mattress member.
22. The bed rail of claim 21 wherein said retaining means comprises
a flat rigid member adapted to rest against said one side of the
mattress member and being coupled to one end of said web, another
end of said web being coupled to said support portion.
23. The bed rail of claim 22 wherein said web is an elongated fabric
web.
24. The bed rail of claim 23 wherein said web is releasably coupled
between said support portion and said retaining means by releasable
locking means.
25. The bedrail of claim 1 wherein a lower end of said rail portion
is coupled to an upper end of said support portion so as to be positioned
inwardly from an adjacent side of the mattress member.
26. A bed rail comprising a support portion and a rail portion
secured to the support portion; the support portion having a pair
of lower members being configured for positioning beneath a member
such as a mattress member and a pair of upper members joined to
said rail portion and configured to engage a top of the mattress
member; and said rail portion being pivotally coupled to the upper
members of said support portion and moveable, independently of said
support portion, between an upright position and a released position
wherein the rail portion is pivoted downwardly toward a sidewall
of the mattress to facilitate climbing upon and climbing off of
the mattress.
27. The bed rail of claim 26 further comprising releasable locking
means for locking the rail portion to the support portion in the
upright position.
28. The bed rail of claim 27 wherein the releasable locking means
includes a push button for unlocking the releasable locking means.
29. A bed rail comprising: a support portion having an upper and
lower generally parallel arms separated by a vertical member that
adjusts to define a distance between them, with the lower arm being
a greater length than the upper arm; the vertical member including
a locking member that retains the upper and lower arms at the defined
distance, whereby portions of said upper and lower arms are configured
to respectively engage top and bottom surfaces of a member such
as a mattress member to releasably secure the bedrail to the mattress
member; and a rail portion of variable area that is pivotally attached
to the upper parallel arms for movement between an engaged position
and a disengaged position and means for fixing the rail portion
in at least the engaged position.
Description FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to bed rails. More particularly the
present invention relates to a bed rail assembly which is held to
a child's bed in a manner so as to prevent dislodgement thereof.
BACKGROUND
Bed rails are typically utilized to protect children, elders, or
injured persons from falling off a bed. The current technology of
bed rails is quite basic in that most bed rails have either metal
or plastic parts which protrude from the bed rail and are placed
under the mattress and typically between the mattress and bedspring
or between the mattress and other support. Traditional bed rails
rely upon the friction between the mattress and the box spring to
keep the bedrail in place. Quite often this is insufficient to retain
the bed rail in place on the bed. It is therefore extremely advantageous
to provide a bed rail which substantially avoids if not eliminates
the danger of a bed rail slipping away from its intended position
and use.
SUMMARY
An adjustable bed rail capable of squeezing a mattress either alone
or together with a bedspring to lock the protective side rail in
place. The locking means is adjustable to adjust for the height
of the mattress either alone or together with the bedspring. Friction
pads and/or surfaces mounted along surfaces of the bed rail engage
the mattress to further enhance the locking of the side rail to
the mattress. In one preferred embodiment the rail portion drops
down when unlocked the facilitate climbing onto or off of the bed.
The rail is adjustable in length to accommodate different bed lengths
and different occupants.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)
The present invention will be understood from a consideration of
the detailed description and drawings, wherein like elements are
designated by like numerals and, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a bed
rail designed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a latch assembly employed in the
bed rail of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the latch assembly looking in the
direction of arrows 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a detailed, partially sectionalized view looking in the
direction of arrows 4--4 of FIG. 2 of one embodiment of a latch
assembly for adjusting the height of the bed rail to firmly grip
the mattress.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the presently preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
FIGS. 6 8 are perspective views showing different views of the
embodiment of FIG. 5 to facilitate an understanding of various aspects
of the invention.
FIGS. 9 and 10 are sectional views of FIG. 7 through the line 9/10--9/10
showing the portion in two different positions.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
FIG. 1 shows a bed rail assembly 10 embodying the principles of
the present invention, the upper rail portion protecting a person,
i.e., an adult or a child, from falling off the bed and is comprised
of two horizontal bars or tubes 11 and 12. Upper bar 11 is curved
at 11a and 11b to form vertically aligned portions 11c and 11d.
Tubular member 12 has its ends secured to the vertical portions
11c, 11d of member 11. If desired, additional horizontal bars may
be placed above and/or below member 12. Also, the length (i.e. "height")
of portions height 11c and 11d and the lengths of the bars 11 and
12 may be increased if desired without departing from the scope
and spirit of the present invention. Members 11 and 12 are preferably
formed of a suitable light-weight material such as tubular steel
or aluminum or a suitable plastic. If desired, the members 11 and
12 may also be formed of wood or other solid material which is preferably
light-weight and yet sturdy. Bar 11 also bends outwardly at 11e
and 11f and extends into assemblies 13 and 14 respectively.
Each of the assemblies 13 and 14 has a pair of elongated, bifurcated
arms 13a, 13b and 14a, 14b secured to the lower ends thereof. In
addition thereto, each of the assemblies 13 and 14 has a movable,
lockable end 16 17 which is vertically aligned, each receiving
one of the vertical arms 16a, 17a. These lockable arms 16a and 17a
may be hollow or solid.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the mattress holding portion of the
bedrail of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of FIG. 2 looking
in the direction of arrows 3--3 and FIG. 4 is partially sectionized
view of the structure of FIG. 2 looking in the directions of arrows
4--4 and further showing brackets B1 pivotally mounting locking
arm 15 by means of a pivot pin P, only one assembly being described
for purposes of simplicity. Hollow tubular member 16 has an opening
16b for receiving a projection 15a of the locking arm 15. As locking
arm 15 is moved to dotted line position 15', the forward tip 15b
of projection 15a moves away from opening 16b, enabling the arm
16a to be moved relative to tubular portion 16 to adjust to the
height of a mattress M.
The arm 16a is positioned relative to tubular member 16 preferably
so as to "squeeze" mattress M between the horizontal member
13c and bifurcated arms 13a, 13b. When the mattress M is adequately
"squeezed," locking arm 15 is moved to the dotted line
position 15''. In this position, projection 15a enters into opening
16b and tip 15b of projection 15a thereof presses against an adjacent
side of arm 16a. The tip 15b assumes an over-center position relative
to center line CL. This over-center position is retained by the
lower edge of the locking arm 15 to lock the arm 16a within hollow
tubular member 16.
The assembly 14 operates in a substantially identical manner.
In order to further enhance the holding force applied to the mattress
by the bed rail assembly 10 friction pads (not shown) may be placed
on the underside 13d, 14d of horizontal members 13c, 14c and/or
on the upper surface of arms 13a, 13b and 14a, 14b.
FIGS. 5 11 show a presently preferred embodiment 20 of the present
invention which is comprised of a rail portion 22 and a supporting
portion 24. The rail portion 22 is generally comprised of a pair
of side posts 25 26 and upper and lower cross pieces 27 and 28
coupled to the side posts at each corner thereof.
The supporting portion 24 is comprised of a pair of base members
33 and 34 which are substantially identical in design and function
to one another and only one of these base members will be described
herein for purposes of simplicity. The base member 33 has a portion
33a at its inner end extending into a hollow L-shaped bracket 35.
Fastening member 36 extends therethrough to hold base member 33
pivotably in place. The opposite end 33b of base member 33 is of
increased width and has an upper surface 33c provided with a V-shaped
or sawtooth configuration to facilitate providing a firm grip upon
a mattress.
The free-end of base member 33 is tapered as shown at 33d to facilitate
sliding of the base member beneath a mattress and typically between
a mattress and a boxspring. A rugged, flexible fabric or plastic
web 37 extends through an elongated slot 33e provided in the end
having a sloping surface 33d. Web 37 is provided with a locking
element 64 for snap-fitting within a cooperating locking element
65 coupled to one end of a web 62 the opposite end of which is
coupled to a preferably flat plate 63 which may be placed against
a sidewall of the mattress opposite the sidewall along which the
rail is mounted to provide additional means for holding the side
rail in place. Alternatively, as is shown in FIG. 11 a Y shaped
web 70 may be coupled at one end to base members 33 34 and at the
apex 70a to a web 71 provided with a locking member 64' similar
to locking member 64. A web 72 is threaded through plate 63' at
an end and is coupled to a locking member 65' similar to locking
member 65 for releasably locking with locking member 64.
L-shaped bracket 35 (and its mirror image 55) is hollow and has
a substantially rectangular-shaped cross-section. The upper end
35a telescopingly receives an elongated arm 38 whose upper end extends
into a hollow opening a second L-shaped bracket 39 the upper end
of member 38 being provided with an opening (not shown) that cooperates
with openings on opposite sides of member 39 for receiving fastener
40 to secure members 38 and 39 to one another.
Member 38 (and its mirror image 58) is also preferably hollow (as
shown in FIG. 9), and has a rectangular-shaped cross-section similar
to that of the upper end 35a of L-shaped bracket 35. Member 38 is
slideable within bracket 35. One side surface of member 38 is provided
with a plurality of step openings 38a. Bracket 35 is provided with
a spring loaded locking knob 41 in which an internal bias spring
(not shown) normally causes the locking knob 41 to be urged inwardly
into bracket 35 in the direction shown by arrow A. Although not
shown, the opposite end of locking knob 41 is provided with a tip
that mates with and engages an associated one of the openings 38a.
By lifting or lowering member 38 one of the openings 38a may be
selected to be aligned with the locking knob 41 which is normally
pulled out to permit the member 38 to freely slide with bracket
35. When the member 38 reaches the desired position, locking knob
41 is released, causing its tip to enter one of the openings 38a
and thereby lock the supporting structure in a selected position.
The arm portion 39a of L-shaped bracket 39 (and its mirror image
59), is provided with openings on opposite sides thereof which cooperate
with openings on opposite sides of a projecting portion 30a of corner
bracket 30. The fastening member 42 extends through the openings
in projecting portion 30a as well as through the opposite sidewalls
of bracket portion 39a of L-shaped bracket 39 to pivotally couple
these members together.
The projecting portion 30a has a locking/release button 44 shown
in FIGS. 6 9 and 10. When the rail portion 22 is in the upright
position as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 a locking button 50 that is
spring loaded by internal spring bias means 51 (both shown in FIGS.
9 and 10) locks arms 39a and 30a in the upright position by engaging
hole 52 in arm 30a. In order to facilitate climbing onto and off
of the bed, buttons 44 (on both supporting portions) are pressed
in to remove button 50 from the opening 52 in corner bracket 30
to enable rail portion 22 to freely pivot about pivot pin 42 enabling
the rail portion to pivot in the counterclockwise direction shown
by arrow C in FIG. 5 so as to move the rail portion to a downward
position whereby the sides 25 and 26 are substantially aligned with
the slideable members 38. In this lowered position, the button 44
which is biased downward by an internal bias spring 45 engaged
an angled holding hole 47 that holds the rail in the lowered position.
The button 44 can be released from this holding hole 47 allowing
the rail portion to be raised by pivoting the rail assembly about
pivot members 42. When the rail assembly reaches the upright position,
the locking button 50 automatically locks into position through
hole 52 by pressing the button 44 back through hole 52. As can be
understood, the force exerted by spring 51 attached to the button
50 is greater than that exerted by spring 45 attached to button
44.
As is best shown in FIG. 5 a lightweight and yet rugged netting
61 is placed across the opening in the rail frame formed by members
25 26 27 and 28. The netting 61 may be provided with upper and
lower sleeves 61a, 61b which receive the upper and lower crosspieces
27 and 28 the netting being placed upon members 27 and 28 before
assembly of the rail portion.
The netting 61 is also provided with side sleeves 61c, 61d for
slideably receiving the side frames 25 and 26. The netting may also
be provided with a storage pocket 61e, open at its upper end and
having a stretchable edge 61f for storage, for example, of bed clothing
or any other items which a user may desire to place in the pocket.
The upper and lower members 27 and 28 are preferably comprised
of a pair of tubular members 27 27a and 28 28a. Members 27 and
28 telescope int members 27a, 28a to adjust the length of the frame.
If desired, the frame members 25 26 may be similar in design to
adjust the height of the rail.
The bed rail is mounted to a bed by placing the base members 33
and 34 beneath a mattress and moving the base members further beneath
the mattress until the upright portions of L-shaped brackets 35
and 55 are either in engagement with or nearly in engagement with
an adjacent sidewall of the mattress. Each of the locking buttons
such as locking button 41 is released, enabling each of the slideable
members such as slideable member 38 to be moved downwardly until
the mattress is firmly gripped between the undersurface of bracket
portion 39a and the base member 33. The locking member 41 is released
whereby the pin-shaped free end of the locking member enters one
of the openings 38a to hold the assembly in the desired position
preferably at least slightly squeezing the mattress between the
undersurface of arm 39a and base member 33.
FIG. 7 shows a view of the underside of arm 39a of L-shaped bracket
39 as being provided with a pad 57 having a saw-tooth like pattern
of V-shaped grooves, further cooperating with base member 33 and
the V-shaped grooves, provided there-along to firmly grip the mattress
therebetween.
In the event that further holding forces are desired, the fastener
64 coupled to the free end of web 37 may be snapped-fitted into
a cooperating locking member 65 coupled to one end of the second
elongated web 62 whose opposite end is coupled to an elongated plate
63 which may be positioned to engage a sidewall of the mattress
M on the opposite side of the mattress from that along which the
rail is mounted. The lower end of member 63 engages a sidewall of
a box spring (not shown) thereby holding the bed rail assembly in
place. Either web 37 or web 62 or both, are adjustable to adjust
the distance between L-shaped bracket 35 engaging one side-wall
of the mattress and member 63 engaging the opposite side wall of
the mattress. Base member 34 may be provided with a similar structure.
|