US3351961A

US3351961A - Bedrail

Info

Publication number: US3351961A
Application number: US414205A
Authority: US
Inventors: William A Daniels; Jr William A Daniels
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-11-27
Filing date: 1964-11-27
Publication date: 1967-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 1984-11-14

Description

1967 w. A. DANIELS ETAL 3,351,961;

BEDRAIL Filed Nov. 27, 1964 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WILL/AM )4. DANIELS WILL/AM DANIELS, JR.

BY 7 a away ATTORNEYS INVENTORS 7, 1967 w. A. DANIELS ETAL 3,

BEDRAIL Filed Nov. 27, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS.

WILL/AM A. DANIELS, JR. fliwlb'mflwg WW ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,351,961 BEDRAIL William A. Daniels, 7031 Seven Hills Drive, and William A. Daniels, In, 942 Simich Drive, both of Seven Hills, Ohio 44131 Fiied Nov. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 414,205 21 Claims. (6]. 331) This invention relates generally, as indicated, to a bedrail and, more particularly, to a novel rail of the type which is adapted to be clamped to one or both sides of a bed to guard against bed patients, especially invalids, or even children from falling out of bed.

Although bedrails of one form or another have been available for a number of years, not one of them has been entirely satisfactory, especially of the full bed length type, since often times such bedrails are not collapsible and thus interfere with the making of the bed as well as the patients getting into and out of bed, unless of course the rails are removed for every such occasion, which is a nuisance, to say the least. Moreover, those full length bedrails which are collapsible will, when collapsed, project outwardly beyond the foot of the bed to such an extent that people in the room with the patient may trip over the projecting portion. Also, even when collapsed, such bedrails still generally project upwardly to such an extent that they interfere with bed making.

It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide a novel bedrail, especially of the full bed length type, which is collapsible in such a manner that it neither projects beyond the end of the bed nor interferes with the making of the bed.

It is another object to provide such a bedrail with a pair of spaced, substantially parallel top and bottom guard rails and a plurality of parallel connecting members extending therebetween, such connecting members being pivotally connected to the guard so as to permit collapsing of the bedrail from a position whereat the top and bottom guard rails are substantially spaced from each other with the connecting members perpendicular thereto to a position whereat the guard rails are disposed one on top of the other with the connecting members substantially parallel thereto.

Yet another object is to form the connecting members in the shape of a channel with the ends of the legs of each channel pivotally connected to the guard rails and extending inwardly therefrom, thereby precluding any scissoring action during folding of the bedrail which could pinch fingers or tear bed sheets and the like, and yet at the same time the connecting members will not interfere with movement of the bed through narrow doorways and halls.

Still another object is to provide such a bedrail with a D-shape extension pivotally mounted between adjacent ends of the upper and lower rails in such a manner that the D-shape extension projects outwardly therefrom in a direction parallel to the guard rails when the bedrail is unfolded to increase the overall length of the bedrail, but projects in a direction substantially perpendicular to the guard rails when the bedrail is folded.

A further object is to provide a novel latch mechanism for releasably maintaining the bedrail in its unfolded or extended position.

A further object is to provide a bedrail of the same general construction discussed above, but of only threefourths or one-half length.

Another object is to provide a bedrail of one-half length which is adapted to be mounted directly on the pivotal portion of the bed spring frame, whereby regardless of what position the bed spring may be in, the height at which the bedrail extends above the mattress supported by the bed spring will remain constant.

Still another object is to provide such a bedrail with ice novel mounting clips for releasably securing the bedrail to the bed spring.

Yet another object is to so position the mounting clips on the bedrail that when the bedrail is mounted on the bed spring, at least one of the mounting clips will be located directly between one of the springs and the frame, thus requiring transverse movement of the spring away from the clip before removal of the clip from the frame is possible.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description procee-ds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully discussed and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but several of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred form of bedrail constructed in accordance with the present invention shown mounted on one side of a conventional hospital her or the like;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on the plane of the line 22 of FIG. 1 showing in detail the manner in which the ends of the connecting members of the bedrail are secured to the top and bottom guard rails;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the plane of the line 33 of FIG. 1, showing the construction of the side support clamp for mounting the bedrail on the side of the bed frame;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on the plane of the line 4-4 of FIG. 1, showing the construction of the end support clamps for mounting the bedrail on the headboard of the bed;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are enlarged side elevation views, partially broken away, of the bedrail latch mechanism for maintaining the upper and lower guard rails in spaced relation; FIG. 5 showing the latch in the locked position; and FIG. 6 showing the latch in the unlocked position;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 1, but on a reduced scale, showing the bedrail in a partially collapsed position;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the bedrail in the fully collapsed position;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a bedrail similar to that shown in FIG. 1, but of one-half length and mounted directly to the pivotal portion of the bed spring;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the plane of the line 10-10 of FIG. 9 showing in detail the structure of the end mounting clips for mounting the bedrail on one end of the bed spring; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the plane of the line 1111 of FIG. 9 showing the construction of the side mounting clips for mounting the bedrail on the side of the bed spring.

Turning now to the drawing, and first of all to FIG. 1, the preferred form of bedrail of the present invention is generally indicated at 1 and comprises an upper and

lower guard rail

2 and 3, respectively, preferably made from one inch steel tubing, and a plurality of parallel connecting members 4 pivotally mounted between such guard rails for maintaining them in parallel relationship with respect to each other. As perhaps best seen in FIG. 2, each connecting member 4 is preferably made from three-eighths inch steel tubing bent in the shape of a channel with the ends of the legs 5 of each connecting member 4 projecting through apertures 6 in the upper and

lower guard rails

2 and 3 into the interior thereof. Diametrically opposite each of the apertures 6 in the

guard rails

2 and 3 there is provided a second aperture 7 for receipt of a screw type fastener 8 which threadedly engages the walls of the openings 9 in the ends of the connecting members 4.

As evident, the apertures 7 through which the fasteners 8 are inserted are of a diameter less than the diameter of the connecting members 4, whereby upon tightening of the fasteners 8, the ends of the connecting members 4 will not be drawn completely through the

guard rails

2 and 3. Preferably, a tight connection is established between the fasteners 8 and connecting members 4 before the ends of the connecting members are drawn tightly into contact with the inner wall of the

guard rails

2 and 3 adjacent the apertures 7 to preclude binding between the connecting members and the

guard rails

2 and 3 during unfolding and folding of the bedrail 1, as by providing threads 10 on only a portion of the shank 11 of the fasteners 8. Also, binding between the head of the fasteners 8 and the adjacent surface of the guard rails may be prevented by disposing a nylon or similar type washer 12 between the head of the fasteners 8 and the.

rails

2 and 3, as clearly shown in FIG. 2.

While the guard rails 2 and 3 and connecting members 4 are preferably made of steel tubing, it should readily be apparent that they could be made from other metals as well, such as from aluminum, for example. Also, these members could be made from bar stock, rather than tubular stock, if desired, and the size of the stock could be varied within rather large limits, depending upon the strength desired.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the bedrail 1 is shown therein mounted on one side of a hospital bed 15 or the like as by means of a single side support clamp 16 and a pair of end support clamps 17. The side support clamp 16 comprises a straight bar member 18 having one end secured to the lower guard rail 3 by means of a screw member 19, and an L-shape bar member 20 having a U-shape hook portion 21 on the free end of its longer leg 22 for hooking engagement with the frame 25 of the bed 15. The other leg 26 of the L-shape bar member 20 has an aperture therethrough for receipt of a screw member 27 which is adapted to threadedly engage any one of a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 28 in the bar member 18 for adjusting the height of the lower guard rail 3 with respect to the bed frame 25. Also, desirably, there is a set screw 29 extending through the free leg 30 of the U-shape portion 21 of the bar member 20. for firmly securing the same to the bed frame 25.

The end support clamps 17 are secured to an extension of the lower guard rail 3 as by means of screw members 36. As clearly shown in FIG. 4, each of the end support clamps 17 consists of a pair of L-

shape clamping members

37 and 38, the member 37 having its short leg 39 clamped to the extension 35 as aforesaid, and the member 38 having its long leg 40 disposed parallel to the long leg 41 of the member 37 with its short leg 42 slidably supported on the short leg 39 of the member 37. Movement of the

legs

41 and 42 toward and away from each other is accomplished through adjustment of a screw 43 which extends through an aperture 44 in the long leg 41 of the member 37 adjacent the short leg 39 and threadedly engages an aperture 45 in a flange 46 extending inwardly from the free end of the short leg 42 in a direction parallel to the leg 40. Accordingly, tightening of the screw member 43 will draw the L-shape member 38 toward the L-shape member 37 into gripping engagement with the headboard 50. Also, it is desirable to have a threaded aperture 45' in the leg 40 of the L- shape member 38 in alignment with the aperture 45 to permit reversal of the L-shape member 38 for clamping headboards of smaller thickness than the length of the short leg 42 of member 38.

Although not absolutely necessary, it is preferred that the end portions of the

legs

41 and 42 of the L-

shape members

37 and 38 which are adapted to engage the headboard 50 of the bed 15 have a vinyl coating thereon, not only to prevent marring of the headboard, but also to increase the gripping force exerted by such L-shape members.

With the upper and

lower guard rails

2 and 3 in their maximum spaced relation shown in FIG. 1, the guard rail 1 extends above the mattress 51 on the bed 15 to such an extent that a bed patient, especially an invalid, will not be able to fall out. While the length of the extension 35 and connecting members 4 may obviously be varied, depending on the maximum spacing desired between the

guard rails

2 and 3, it has been found that an effective length of approximately nineteen to twenty inches is sufficient in almost every instance. Moreover, it is preferred that the

guard rails

2 and 3 be about sixty-five inches long (approximately three-fourths the length of a normal sized bed), even though a full length bed rail is desired. If the

guard rails

2 and 3 are any longer than this, when the bedrail 1 is collapsed to the position shown in FIG. 8, for example, the top guard rail 2 will extend outwardly beyond the foot of the bed, which could be quite dangerous.

To achieve a full length bedrail 1 when in the unfolded position, and yet prevent the bedrail from projecting outwardly beyond the foot of the bed when in the collapsed position, a D-shape extension 52 of approximately one-fourth bed length or fourteen inches long is pivotally secured between the ends of the

guard rails

2 and 3 opposite the extension 35, such D-shape extension 52 being in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the

guard rails

2 and 3, but slightly spaced inwardly therefrom because of the right angle bends adjacent the projections 53 of the extension 52. Preferably, these projections 53 of the extension 52 are rotatably mounted to the

rails

2 and 3 in substantially the same manner as are the connecting members 4.

Because the D-shape extension 52 is pivotally secured between the ends of the

guard rails

2 and 3, the D-shape extension will extend in the same direction as to the

guard rails

2 and 3 when the bedrail 1 is unfolded to increase the overall length of the bedrail 1, but will extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the

guard rails

2 and 3 when the bedrail is folded. This pivotal movement of the D-shape extension 52 as the bedrail 1 is folded in clearly illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, FIG. 7 showing the position of the extension 52 when the bedrail is partially folded; and FIG. 8 showing the position of the extension 52 when the bedrail 1 is completely folded. As evident from FIG. 8, the extension 52 adds no length whatsoever to the bedrail 1 when such bedrail is fully collapsed, since it projects downwardly therefrom in a direction substantially perpendicular to the

guard rails

2 and 3.

As previously indicated, the connecting members 4 and D-shape extension 52 are spaced slightly inwardly from the upper and

lower guard rails

2 and 3. Accordingly, dangerous scissoring action between the ends of the connecting members 4 and the

guard rails

2 and 3 during folding of the bedrail is eliminated, thus eliminating tearing of the bed sheets and blankets on the bed. Preferably, the spacing between the connecting members 4 and

guard rails

2 and 3 is approximately one and one-quarter inches, which is sufficient also to preclude pinching of the fingers or hands during collapsing of the bedrail 1.

Moreover, the spacing between the connecting members 4 is sufficient to permit the bedrail 1 to be folded to a position whereat the

guard rails

2 and 3 are disposed one on top of the other, as shown in FIG. 8, with the connecting members 4 substantially parallel thereto so that the lower guard rail 3 need only be positioned a distance slightly more than twice its diameter or two and one-fourth inches below the bottom of the mattress 51, and the bedrail 1 will collapse to a position below the mattress so as to not interfere with the making of the bed. While this distance will vary depending upon the thickness and shape of the connecting members 4 and

guard rails

2 and 3, and also upon the length of the connecting members 4, it has been found that a spacing of approximately eight and a half inches will give the desired results.

To releasably maintain the bedrail 1 in its extended position, a novel latch assembly 55 is mounted on the free end 56 of the top guard rail 2. Such latch assembly 55 comprises a channel-shape sleeve member 57 disposed over the free end 56 and pivoted thereto by means of a pin 58. The outer end of the sleeve member 57 has a tang 59 projecting inwardly therefrom, such tang 59 being adapted to be received in a slot 64) in the upper end 61 of the extension 35, as shown in FIG. 5, for locking engagement therebetween. The spacing 62 between the tang 59 and the adjacent end of the upper rail 2 is somewhat greater than the diameter of the extension 35, whereby not only is the extension 35 receivable therein, but when so received, such latch assembly 55 may be moved laterally relative to said extension either to effect disengagement or engagement of the tang 59 within the slot 69.

Disposed within the free end 56 of the upper guard rail 2 is a spring member 63. The inner end of the spring 63 has a loop 64 therein for receipt of the pin 58, while the outer end projects outwardly beyond the free end 56 of the guard rail 2 and engages the extension 35 yieldably to urge the same against the tang 59. When so urged, the tang 59 is received in the slot 60 firmly to hold the bedrail 1 in the extended position.

To release the latch assembly 55, it is only necessary to push the free end 56 of the upper guard rail 2 toward the extension 35 against the bias'of the spring 63 until the tang 59 of the sleeve member 57 is disengaged from the slot 60 in the extension 35, and pivot the sleeve member 57 upwardly about the pin 58 until the tang 59 is above the upper end of the extension 35, as shown in FIG. 6. When the sleeve member 57 is so disposed, the upper guard rail 2 can be moved toward the right as viewed in FIG. 1 to collapse the bedrail 1.

To again secure the bedrail 1 in its extended position, the upper guard rail 2 must be raised with respect to the lower guard rail 3 until the latch assembly 55 is directly over the extension 35 with the end of the guard rail 2 in contact with the extension 35, after which the sleeve member 57 is simply moved downwardly to the FIG. 5 position, whereupon the spring 63 will force the tang 59 into the slot 60 in the extension 35.

While the above discussion has been directed primarily to' a full length bedrail 1, it should be apparent that such bedrail is easily converted to a three-quarter length bedrail simply by removing the D-shape extension 52 and substituting therefor another connecting member 4.

Also, a bedrail similar in construction to that discussed above, but of only one-half bed length, could obviously be made'if desired. One advantage of a one-half length bedrail is that it can be attached directly to the pivotal portion of a bed spring, whereby, regardless of the position in which the bed spring may be in, the bedrail will still project upwardly above the mattress of the bed to the same extent. Of course, this would not be possible if the bedrail were of such a length that when the bed spring was pivoted, the bedrail would engage the floor. Nor would it be possible if the bedrail were mounted to the stationary portion of the bed spring as well as to the pivotal portion.

Such a one-half length bedrail 65 is clearly shown in FIG. 9 of the drawing mounted directly to the pivotal portion 66 of the bed spring 67 by means of a pair of end clips 68 and a side clip 69. Since the structure of the bedrail 65 of FIG. 9 is substantially identical to the structure of'the bedrail 1 ofFIG. 1, except for the mounting

clips

68 and 69, like reference numerals followed by a prime symbol have been used to designate like parts. The end clips 68, however, are quite different in construction from the end clamps 17 of the FIG. 1 embodiment, as is the side clip 69 quite different from the side clamp 16.

As best seen in FIG. 10, the end clips 68 are formed from a thin but relatively rigid strip of metal, the length of which is approximately two times the width of the bed spring frame 79. One end of the clips 68 is bent in the shape of a hook 71 for engagement with an edge of the frame 70, while the other end of the clips 68 is bent gradually in the direction of the hook portion 71 beginning at a distance from such hook portion which is slightly less than the width of the bed spring frame 70. The end clips 68 are secured as by welding to a support member 72 which projects from the extension 35' of the bedrail 65 in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto and also perpendicular to the upper and

lower guard rails

2 and 3.

The side clip 69 is secured to the lower guard rail 3', preferably by means of a screw member 73, at a position along its length Whereat it will engage the pivotal portion 66 of the bed spring 67. The side clip 69 has a hook por-' tion 75 similar to the hook portion 71 of end clips 68 adjacent one end for engagement with the frame 76 and a pair of oppositely directed rig-ht angle bends 76 and 77, the first bend 76 being spaced from the hook portion 75 a distance which is slightly greater than the width of the bed spring frame and extending in the direction of the hook portion and the second bend '77 being in a direction away from the hook portion '75 and spaced from the first right angle bend 76 a distance which is slightly more than twice the diameter of the guard rails 2' and 3'. Accordingly, when the bedrail 65 is collapsed, the upper guard rail 2' will be disposed slightly below the upper edge of the bed spring frame 78, and thus not interfere with bed making.

To mount the bedrail 65 on the pivotal portion 66 of the bed spring frame 70, first the hook portions 71 of the end clips 68 are hooked over the edge of the frame 70. Next, the bedrail 65 is pivoted upwardly about the sup port member 72 until the hook portion 75 of the side clip 69 is above the bed spring frame 70, after which the bedrail 65 adjacent the clip 69 is moved toward the bed spring frame 70 until the hook portion 75 thereof can be hooked over the edge of such bed spring frame. Of course, during this pivotal movement of the bedrail 65, the clips 68 are cammed into tight engagement with the bed frame 70. Also, it preferred that the position of the side clips 69 on the bedrail 65 be such that when the hook portion 75 engages the edge of the frame 70, a portion thereof will be disposed directly between one of the springs 78 of the bed spring 67 and the edge of the frame 70, whereby movement of the bedrail 65 further toward the bed spring 67 is not possible unless the spring 78 is first moved out of the way.

Thus, to remove the bedrail 65 from the bed spring 67, it is first necessary to deflect the spring 78 out of the way, and move the bedrail 65 toward the bed spring 67 until the hook portion 75 thereof clears the edge of the frame 70, after which the bedrail 65 is raised slightly until the hook portion 75 is above the frame. Then the bedrail 65 is moved outwardly away from the bed spring 67 adjacent the side clip 69 until such side clip clears the frame to permit pivotal movement of the bedrail 65 downwardly about the support member 72 to release the end clips 68, after which the bed rail 65 can be easily removed from the bed springs 67.

Of course, a full length bedrail or three-quarter length bedrail could also be mounted directly to the bed spring, as is the half length bedrail 65 of the FIG. 9 embodiment, but then the bed spring could not be pivoted due to the length of the bedrail. V

From the above discussion, it should now readily be apparent that the bedrails of the present invention are fully collapsible to a position whereat they will not interfere with bedmaking. Moreover, there is no danger of tearing the sheets or blankets on the bed or pinching fingers during collapsing of bedrails, since dangerous scissoring action of the bedrail parts has been eliminated.

One form of the invention is a full length bedrail which is readily collapsible to a position whereat the rail is still confined within the limits of the length of the bed so as not to form an obstruction therebeyond. In still another form of the invention, a bedrail, especially of the half length type, is adapted to be mounted directly to the pivotal portion of a bed spring for pivotal movement therewith, whereby regardless of the position in which the bed may be in, the height at which the bedrail extends above the mattress will remain constant.

Other modes of applying the principles of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

We therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention:

1. A bedrail of the type which is adapted to be clamped to a bed to guard against a person from falling therefrom, comprising upper and lower guard rails, means mounting said guard rails in parallel relationship for movement toward and away from each other, an extension projecting from said lower guard rail in the direction of said upper guard rail, and a latch assembly mounted on the end of said upper guard rail adjacent said extension for releasably securing said upper guard rail to said extension, said latch assembly comprising a channel-shape sleeve member disposed over said end of said upper guard rail and pivoted thereto, a tang projecting inwardly from the outer end of said sleeve member, a slot in the upper end of said extension for receipt of said tang, said tang being spaced from said end of said upper guard rail by a distance suificient for receipt of said upper end of said extension and for relative lateral movement between said extension and latch assembly to effect disengagement and engagement of said tang in said slot, and a spring means disposed within said upper guard rail and projecting outwardly therefrom to engage said extension and yieldably urge said tang into said slot.

2. The bedrail of claim 1 wherein a single pin means extends through said upper guard rail and pivotally supports both said sleeve member and spring means.

3. The bedrail of claim 1 further comprising means for clamping said bedrail directly to a bed spring, said clamping means including at least one end clip and one side clip engaging the frame of said bed spring, said end clip being formed from spring metal and having a hook portion for engagement with an edge of said bed spring frame and a curved portion for camming engagement with another edge of said bed spring frame; said side clip also including a'hook portion for engagement with said bed spring frame and first and second oppositely directed right angle bends, said first bend being spaced from the hook portion of said side clip a distance which is slightly greater than the width of said bed spring frame, and said second bend being spaced from said first bend a distance which is slightly greater than twice the diameter of said guard rails.

4. In combination, a bed and a collapsible bedrail mounted thereon, said bed including a frame, a headboard and bed spring supported by said frame, and a mattress supported by said bed spring; said bedrail comprising an upper and lower guard rail, means mounting said guard rails in parallel relationship for pivotal movement toward and away from each other, an extension projecting from said lower guard rail in the direction of said upper guard rail, and means for clamping said bedrail to said bed, including at least one end support clamp for clamping said extension to said'headboard, said end support clamp comprising a pair of L-shape clamping members, screw means for securing one of said L-shape clamping members to said extension, and means mounting one leg of each Lshape clamping member in parallel relationship for movement toward and way from each other into and out of clamping engagement with said headboard, said last-mentioned means comprising a screw extending through an aperture in said one leg of one of said L-shape members and threadedly engaging an aperture in a flange projecting from the other leg of the other of said L-shape members.

5. In combination, a bed and a collapsible bedrail mounted thereon, said bed including a frame, a headboard and bed spring supported by said frame, and a mattress supported by said bed spring; said bedrail comprising an upper and lower guard rail, and connecting means mounting said guard rails in parallel relationship for pivotal movement toward and away from each other, said connecting means'being in the shape of a channel with the ends of the legs of each channel pivotally connected to said guard rails and extending inwardly therefrom to preclude scissoring action during folding of said bedrail which could pinch fingers and tear bed sheets and yet at the same time not interfere with movement of said bed through narrow doorways and the like, and means for clamping said bedrail to said bed.

6. The combination of claim 5 further comprising an extension section, said extension section comprising a rigid bottom rail extension pivotally mounted at one end to one end of said lower guard rail and projecting therebeyond, a rigid top rail extension pivotally mounted at one end to the end of said upper guard rail corresponding to said one end of said lower guard rail and projecting therebeyond coplanar with'and parallel to said bottom rail extension, and at least one extension connecting member extending between and being rigidly fixed to said bottom and top rail extensions so as to enable an uncollapsed swinging of said extension section about the point of pivotal engagement between said bottom rail extension and said lower guard rail.

7. The combination of claim 5 further comprising an extension projecting from said lower guard rail in the direction of said upper guard rail, and a latch assembly mounted on the end of said upper guard rail adjacent said extension for releasably securing said upper guard rail to said extension, said latch assembly comprising a channel-shape sleeve member disposed over said end of said upper guard rail and pivoted thereto, a tang projecting inwardly from the outer end of said sleeve member, a slot in the upper end of said extension for recept of said tang, said tang being spaced from said end of said upper guard rail by a distance suificient for receipt of said upper end of said extension and for relative lateral movement between said extension and latch assembly to effect disengagement and engagement of said tang in said slot, and a spring means disposed within said upper guard rail and projecting outwardly therefrom to engage said eX- tension and yieldably urge said tang into said slot.

8. In combination, a bed and a bedrail mounted thereon, said bed including a frame, a bed spring supported by said frame, and a mattress supported by said bed spring; said bedrail comprising an upper and lower guard rail, means mounting said guard rails in parallel relationship for pivotal movement toward and away from each other, and means for clamping said bedrail directly to said bed spring, said clamping means including at least one end clip and one side clip engaging the frame of said bed spring, said end clip being formed from spring metal and having a hook portion for engagement with an edge of said bed spring frame and a curved portion for camming engagement with another edge of said bed spring frame; said side clip also including a hook portion for engagement with said bed spring frame and first and second oppositely directed right angle bends, said first bend being spaced from the hook portion of said side clip a distance which 7 is slightly greater than the width of said bed spring frame, and said second bend being spaced from said first bend a distance which is slightly greater than twice the diameter of said guard rails.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said bed spring has a pivotal portion and said bedrail is clamped only to said pivotal portion, said bedrail being approximately one-half the length of said bed, whereby said bedrail will pivot with said pivotal portion and thus extend above said mattress to the same extent regardless of the position of said pivotal portion.

10. The combination of claim 8 wherein the hook portion of said side clip engages said bed spring frame directly between one of the springs of said bed spring and the adjacent edge of said bed spring frame releasably to lock said last-mentioned hook portion in position.

11. A collapsible bedrail comprising a pair of guard rails, means mounting said guard rails in parallel relationship for movement toward and away from each other, and means for clamping said bedrail directly to the bed spring of a bed, said clamping means including at least one end clip and one side clip engaging the frame of such bed spring, said end clip being formed from spring metal and having a hook portion for engagement with an edge of such bed spring frame and a curved portion for camming engagement with another edge of such bed spring frame; said side clip also including a hook portion for engagement with such bed spring frame and first and second oppositely directed right angle bends, said first bend being spaced from the hook portion of said side clip a distance which is slightly greater than the width of such bed spring frame, and said second bend being spaced from said first bend a distance which is slightly greater than twice the diameter of said guard rails, said bedrail being approximately one-half the length of such bed.

12. The bedrail of claim 11 wherein said end clip is secured to a support member extending from said bedrail, and said side clip is secured to said lower guard rail on the portion of said side clip extending beyond said second bend.

13. A folding side guard for a bed comprising an elongated bottom rail, an elongated top rail in substantially the same vertical plane as the bottom rail, a plurality of parallel connecting members located in laterally spaced reation to one side of the vertical plane of the rails a distance sufiicient to prevent pinching of hands or equipment between the rails and the connecting members as the guard is folded, means pivotally connecting the upper end of each connecting member to the top rail, and means pivotally connecting the lower end of each connecting member to the bottom rail, whereby the top rail may be folded from a raised operative position to a lowered inoperative position.

14. The device of claim 13 including an extension section, said section comprising a rigid bottom rail extension pivotally mounted at one end to one end of the bottom rail and projecting therebeyond, a rigid top rail extension pivotally mounted at one end to the end of the top rail corresponding to said one end of the bottom rail and projecting therebeyond coplanar with and parallel to the bottom rail extension, and at least one extension connecting member extending between and being rigidly fixed to the extensions, so as to enable an uncollapsed swinging of the extension section about the point of pivotal engagement between the bottom rail extension and the bottom rail.

15. The folding side guard of claim 13 further comprising means for clamping said folding side guard directly to a bed spring, said clamping means including at least one end clip and one side clip engaging the frame of said bed spring, said end clip being formed from spring metal and having a hook portion for engagement with an edge of said bed spring frame and a curved portion for camming engagement with another edge of said bed spring frame; said side clip also including a hook portion for engagement with said bed spring frame and first and second oppositely directed right angle bends, said first bend being spaced from the hook portion of said side clip a distance which is slightly greater than the width of said bed spring frame, and said second bend being spaced from said first bend a distance which is slightly greater than twice the diameter of said rails.

16. The folding side guard of claim 15 wherein the hook portion of said side clip engages said bed spring frame directly between one of the springs of said bed spring and the adjacent edge of said bed spring frame releasably to lock said last-mentioned hook portion in position.

17. A foldable bedrail comprising a pair of guard rails, means mounting said guard rails in parallel relationship for movement toward and away from each other, and extension means comprising a D-shaped tubular member having projections rotatably mounted to adjacent ends of said guard rails for supporting said extension means axially outwardly from said guard rails when said bedrail is unfolded, and in a direction substantially perpendicular to said guard rails when said bedrail is folded, whereby said extension means adds to the overall length of said bedrail in its unfolded position, but not in its folded position.

18. A foldable bedrail comprising a pair of guard rails, means mounting said guard rails in parallel relationship for movement toward and away from each other, and extension means pivotally connected to adjacent ends of said guard rails, said extension means being adapted to project axially outwardly from said guard rails when said bedrail is unfolded, and project in a direction substantially perpendicular to said guard rails when said bedrail is folded, whereby said extension means adds to the overall length of said bedrail in its unfolded position, but not in its folded position, said means mounting said guard rails in parallel relationship comprising a plurality of parallel connecting means in the shape of channels with the ends of the legs of each channel pivotally connected to said guard rails and extending away therefrom to preclude scissoring action during folding of said guard rails which could pinch fingers and tear bed sheets and the like.

19. The bedrail of claim 18, wherein the ends of said connecting means extend through apertures in one side of said guard rails, and fasteners extend through apertures in the opposite side of said guard rails and threadedly engage said connecting means ends, said second-narned apertures being of a diameter less than the diameter of said connecting means, and a washer is disposed between the head of said fasteners and said guard rails, thereby preventing binding between the ends of said connecting means and said guard rails adjacent said second-named apertures.

20. In combination, a bed and a collapsible bedrail mounted thereon, said bed including a frame, a headboard and bed spring supported by said frame, and a mattress supported by said bed spring; said bedrail comprising an upper and lower guard rail, means mounting said guard rails in parallel relationship for movement toward and away from each other, extension means pivotally connected to adjacent ends of said guard rails, said extension means being adapted to project outwardly from said bedrail in a direction parallel to said guard rails when said bedrail is unfolded and project in a direction substantially perpendicular to said guard rails when said bedrail is folded, whereby said extension means adds to the overall length of said bedrail in its unfolded position, but not in its folded position, and means for clamping said bedrail to said bed, said clamping means including a side support clamp for clamping said lower guard rail to said frame, said side support clamp comprising a straight bar member secured to said lower guard rail and projecting downwardly therefrom, and

an L-shaped bar member having a pair of legs, one leg of which has a hook portion for hooking engagement with said frame, and the other leg has an aperture therethrough which is adapted to be aligned with one of a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures in said straight bar member for adjusting the height of said lower guard rail with respect to said frame, and screw means extending through said aperture in said one leg and threadedly engaging said one aperture in said straight bar member for securing said bar members together; said bedrail further comprising an extension projecting from said lower guard rail in the direction of said upper guard rail, and a latch assembly mounted on the end of said upper guard rail adjacent said extension for releasably securing said upper guard rail to said extension, said latch assembly comprising a channel-shaped sleeve member disposed over said end of said upper guard rail and pivoted thereto, a tang projecting inwardly from the outer end of said sleeve member, a slot in the upper end of said extension for receipt of said tang, said tang being spaced from said end of said upper guard rail a distance sufiicient for receipt of said upper end of said extension and for relative lateral movement between said extension and latch assembly to effect disengagement and engagement of said tang in said slot, and spring means disposed within said upper guard rail, said spring means projecting outwardly therefrom and engaging said extension yieldably to urge said tang into said slot.

21. A folding side guard for a bed comprising an elongated bottom rail, an elongated top rail in substantially the same vertical plane as the bottom rail, a plurality of parallel connecting members, means pivotally connecting the upper end of each connecting member to said top rail and means pivotally connecting the lower end of each connecting member to said bottom rail, whereby said top rail may be folded from a raised operative position to a lowered inoperative position, and an extension section, said extension section comprising a rigid bottom rail extension pivotally mounted at one end to one end of said bottom rail and projecting therebeyond, a rigid top rail extension pivotally mounted at one end to the end of said top rail corresponding to said one end of said bottom rail and projecting therebeyond coplanar with and parallel to said bottom rail extension, and at least one extension connecting member extending between and being rigidly fixed to said extensions so as to enable an uncollapsed swinging of said extension section about the point of pivotal engagement between the bottom rail extension and the bottom rail.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,676,341 4/1954 Leone et a1. 5-331 2,722,017 11/1955 Burst et al 5331 2,799,869 7/1957 Leone 'et al. 5331 2,976,548 3/1961 Maertins 5-331 3,021,534 2/1962 Hausted 5331 3,055,020 9/1962 Mann 5331 3,097,370 7/1963 Murcott 5331 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Examiner.

R. D. KRAUS, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A BEDRAIL OF THE TYPE WHICH IS ADAPTED TO BE CLAMPED TO A BED TO GUARD AGAINST A PERSON FROM FALLING THEREFROM, COMPRISING UPPER AND LOWER GUARD RAILS, MOUNTING SAID GUARD RAILS IN PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER, AN EXTENSION PROJECTING FROM SAID LOWER GUARD RAIL IN THE DIRECTION OF SAID UPPER GAURD RAIL, AND A LATCH ASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON THE END OF SAID UPPER GUARD RAIL ADJACENT SAID EXTENSION FOR RELEASABLY SECURING SAID UPPER GUARD RAIL TO SAID EXTENSION, SAID LATCH ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CHANNEL-SHAPE SLEEVE MEMBER DISPOSED OVER SAID END OF SAID UPPER GUARD RAIL AND PIVOTED THERETO, A TANG PROJECTING INWARDLY FROM THE OUTER END OF SAID SLEEVE MEMBER, A SLOT IN THE UPPER END OF SAID EXTENSION FOR RECEIPT OF SAID TANG, SAID TANG BEING SPACED FROM SAID END OF SAID UPPER GUARD RAIL BY A DISTANCE SUFFICIENT FOR RECEIPT OF SAID UPPER END OF SAID EXTENSION AND FOR RELATIVE LATERAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID EXTENSION AND LATCH ASSEMBLY TO EFFECT DISENGAGEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT OF SAID TANG IN SAID SLOT, AND A SPRING MEANS DISPOSED WITHIN SAID UPPER GUARD RAIL AND PROJECTING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM TO ENGAGE SAID EXTENSION AND YIELDABLY URGE SAID TANG INTO SAID SLOT.