Patent ID: 8001631
Filing Date: 2011-08-23
Classification: A61G

Abstract:
1. A side rail assembly for a bed, said side rail assembly including: at least one elongated side rail member having longitudinally opposite first and second end portions; a first pivot assembly attached to said at least one elongated side rail member and being capable of pivotally attaching said at least one elongated side rail member to a bed for pivoting movement about a first generally horizontal pivot axis, the first pivot assembly including a first end rail member that is pivotable about the first generally horizontal pivot axis and that is pivotably coupled to the first end portion of the at least one elongated side rail member; a second pivot assembly attached to said at least one elongated side rail member at a position spaced from said first assembly, and being capable of pivotally attaching said at least one elongated side rail member to said bed for pivoting movement about a second generally horizontal pivot axis, the second axis being generally parallel to the first axis, the second pivot assembly including a second end rail member that is pivotable about the second generally horizontal pivot axis and that is pivotably coupled to the second end portion of the at least one elongated side rail member; wherein said pivot assemblies are configured so that said at least one elongated side rail member is movable between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the bed; and said side rail assembly further including a securing device selectively operable to retain the at least one elongated side rail member in an intermediate position between the raised position and the lowered position, said securing device including: a first plate that has three apertures spaced angularly about the second generally horizontal pivot axis and that mounts to the bed to remain substantially stationary relative to the bed during movement of the at least one elongated side rail member between the raised and lowered positions, a second plate that is coupled to the second end rail member to pivot therewith about the second generally horizontal pivot axis and that overlays said first plate so as to cover said apertures, and a movable securing member mounted on said second plate and selectively engageable with respective ones of the apertures to retain said at least one elongated side rail member in the raised, lowered, and intermediate positions, wherein a distance between said at least one elongated side rail member and said first and second horizontal pivot axes decreases as said at least one elongated side rail member moves from the raised position to the lowered position, wherein said first plate includes an arcuate slot spaced from the three apertures, and there is attached to said second plate a stop member moved along said arcuate slot to engage opposite ends thereof to locate the at least one elongated member in the raised position or the lowered position, with said second plate covering said slot.