Abstract:
Several patient supports are provided having a head end and a foot end. The patient supports includes a frame, a deck being supported on the frame, and a several embodiments of siderails coupled to the deck.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/343,031, filed Dec. 20, 2001 the disclosure of which is incorporated expressly herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to patient supports, such as hospital beds. More particularly, the present invention relates to beds having siderails.  
           [0003]    Many beds have patient rest surfaces that may be positioned at a predetermined height above the floor. Such beds often include siderails positioned to block egress of a person from the patient rest surface. The patient rest surface of many such beds can be lowered to reduce the distance between the patient rest surface and the floor. Many beds can be adjusted to change the configuration of the patient rest surface from a relatively flat bed position to a chair-like position.  
           [0004]    The siderails of these beds can typically be moved to a lowered position permitting egress of a person from the patient rest surface and a raised position blocking the egress of the patient from the patient rest surface. Beds having siderails positioned to block egress of a person positioned on a patient rest surface are known in the art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,843 to Foster L. Dale et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,800 to Borders, and U. S. Pat. No. 5,129,177 to Celestina et al., all of which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,010 to Ferrand et al.  
           [0005]    According to the present invention, a patient support is provided that is configured to support a patient thereon. The patient support includes a frame, a deck supported by the frame, and a siderail coupled to the deck. The siderail includes a rail member and a support link. The rail member has a first end slidably coupled to the deck and a second end spaced apart from the first end. The support link has a first end pivotally coupled to the rail member and a second end spaced apart from the first end and pivotally coupled to the deck.  
           [0006]    According to another aspect of the present invention, another patient support is provided that is configured to support a patient thereon. The patient support includes a frame, a deck supported by the frame, and a siderail coupled to the deck. The siderail includes a rail member configured to move between first and second positions and a coupler configured to couple the rail member to the deck. The coupler includes a lock member and a slide member. The lock member is configured to move between a locked position blocking movement of the rail member and a unlocked position permitting movement of the rail member. The slide member defines an involute slot that guides the lock member during movement of the rail member between the raised and lowered positions.  
           [0007]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a patient support is provided that is configured to support a patient. The patient support includes a frame, a deck supported by the frame, and a siderail coupled to the deck. The siderail includes a rail member having a longitudinal axis and laterally extending handle coupled to the rail member.  
           [0008]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a patient support is provided that is configured to support a patient. The patient support includes a frame, a deck supported by the frame, and a siderail. The siderail includes a rail member, a slide track coupled to the frame, and a slide configured to slidably couple the rail member to the slide track. The rail member is removably coupled to the slide.  
           [0009]    According to another aspect of the present invention, another patient support is provided that is configured to support a patient, the patient support includes a frame, a deck supported by the frame, a siderail coupled to the deck, a mattress, and first and second mattress restraints positioned to block movement of the mattress on the deck, the first mattress defines an opening and the second mattress restraint is positioned adjacent the opening of the first mattress restraint.  
           [0010]    Additional features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a first embodiment patient support showing the patient support including a frame and a head and foot end siderails in lowered positions permitting egress of a person from the patient support;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the head and foot end siderails in raised positions blocking egress of a person from the patient support;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 1 showing the patient support in a chair position with head, thigh, and foot sections of a deck in inclined positions and the head and foot end siderails in the raised positions;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the deck in a flat bed position, the head end siderail in the raised position, and the foot end siderail in the lowered position;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a second embodiment patient support showing the patient support including a frame, a deck in a flat bed position, a head end siderail in a blocking position, and a foot end siderail in an egress position;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the patient support in a chair position with head, thigh, and foot sections of the deck in inclined positions, the head end siderail rotated to an egress position, and the foot end siderail rotated to a blocking position;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a side view of the foot end siderail of FIG. 5, with portions cut away, showing a coupler including a holding pin or hold member supporting a lock member in an unlocked position;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the foot end siderail of FIG. 5 showing a spring urging the lock member downward;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the foot end siderail rotated to the egress position;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the coupler of the siderail of FIG. 5;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a slide plate of the coupler shown in FIG. 10 showing the hold member in several locations as the siderail moves from the blocking position to the egress position;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing the hold member in several locations as the siderail moves from the egress position to the blocking;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of a third embodiment patient support showing the patient support including a frame, a deck in a flat bed position, and head and foot end siderails in blocking positions;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing the head and foot end siderails rotated to egress positions;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of patient support of FIG. 13 showing the patient support in a chair position with head, thigh, and foot sections of the deck in inclined positions and the head and foot end siderail rotated to the blocking position;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 showing the deck in the bed position and the head and foot siderails in the blocking position;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the siderail of FIGS. 13;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of a fourth embodiment patient support showing the patient support including a frame, a deck in a flat bed position, and head and foot end siderails in egress positions;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 showing the head and foot end side rails in a blocking positions;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of patient support of FIG. 18 showing the patient support in a chair position with head, thigh, and foot sections of the deck in inclined positions and the head and foot end siderail rotated to the blocking positions;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 20 showing the patient support in the bed position with the head and foot end siderails in the blocking positions;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 22 is an assembly view of a portion of a deck and a siderail according to another embodiment of the present disclosure showing the siderail including a slide coupled to the deck and rail member aligned to be coupled to the slide;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the slide of FIG. 22;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  24 - 24  of FIG. 22 showing the rail member coupled to the slide;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 24;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 26 is a perspective view of another embodiment patient support showing the patient support including frame, a deck in a flat bed position, a pair of head end siderails in a blocking position, one foot end siderail in a blocking position, one foot end siderail in a egress position, and a pair of mattress restraints or bars positioned adjacent to a mattress;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 27 is a side elevation view of the patient support of FIG. 30;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view showing the pair of mattress restraints positioned adjacent to the mattress;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 29 is a side elevation view of a fifth embodiment patient support showing the patient support including a frame, a deck in a flat bed position and head and foot end siderails in egress positions;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 30 is a view similar to FIG. 29 showing the head and foot end side rails in a blocking positions;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 31 is a perspective view of patient support of FIG. 29 showing the patient support in a chair position with head, thigh, and foot sections of the deck in inclined positions and the head and foot end siderail rotated to the blocking positions; and  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 32 is a view similar to FIG. 31 showing the patient support in the bed position with the head and foot end siderails in the blocking positions. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0044]    As shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 , a patient support  10  is provided including a frame  12  positioned on the floor, a deck  14  coupled to the frame  12 , a mattress  16  positioned on the deck  14 , a headboard  18  coupled to the frame  12 , a footboard  20  coupled to the frame  12 , and two pairs of head and foot end siderails  22 ,  24  coupled to the deck  14 . The frame  12  is configured to raise and lower the deck  14  relative to the floor and to move the deck  14  to the Trendelenburg position, the Reverse Trendelenburg position, the Fowler&#39;s position, a chair position, as shown in FIG. 3, and other positions.  
         [0045]    Each of the siderails  22 ,  24  includes a rail member  26 , a link  28  pivotally coupled to the deck  14  and the rail member  26 , a first pin  30  that pivotally couples the link  28  to the rail member  26 , and a second pin  32  that slides on the deck  14  to slidably and pivotally couple the rail member  26  to the deck  14 . The rail member  26  is preferably constructed from a hardened or reinforced plastic, or metal.  
         [0046]    The rail member  26  is oblong in shape and includes handle portions  34  that cooperate to define first and second handle apertures  36 ,  38  that extend through the rail members  26 . The first handle apertures  36  are preferably in oval-shaped and positioned at the interior ends of the rail members  26 . The second handle apertures  38  are preferably longer and thinner than the first handle apertures  36  and are positioned substantially within the upper portions of the rail members  26 .  
         [0047]    The first pin  30  is preferably positioned at the center of mass of the rail member  26 . This positioning balances the rail member  26  on the first pin  30  so that less effort is required to rotate the rail member  26  about the first pin  30 . The second pin  32  is preferably positioned on the exterior ends of the rail members  26  as shown in FIG. 1. The link  28  is preferably a long and narrow bar made of steel or another metal and is pivotally coupled to the deck  14  and the rail member  26  at each of its respective ends.  
         [0048]    The deck  14  includes slots  40  in which the second pins  32  slide during movement of the rail members  26  between the lowered egress positions, as shown in FIG. 1, and the raised blocking position, as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, the second pins  32  fit snugly in the slots  40  so that movement of the second pins  32  in the slots  40  is restricted. This restriction maintains the rail members  26  in their respective positions until enough force is applied to the second pins  32  to move them in the slots  40  permitting raising and lower of the rail members  26 .  
         [0049]    The slots  40  are preferably horizontal. The formation of the slots  40  in the deck  14  creates a track  42  for the second pins  32  to travel along and holds the second pins  32  therein. According to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the pin includes a roller that rides in the track  42  to provide the sliding and rotating movement of the rail member  26  on the deck. According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the attachment of the rail members  26  to the deck is accomplished by track type friction hinges.  
         [0050]    As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the siderails  20 ,  22  move between the raised blocking position and the lowered egress position. Additionally, the siderails  20 ,  22  are configured to move to an infinite number of intermediate positions between the blocking and egress positions. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the siderails  22 ,  24  is able to move independently to the other siderails  22 ,  24 .  
         [0051]    In operation, the siderails  22 ,  24  are placed in the lowered egress position to facilitate ingress and egress from the patient support  10 . Once a patient has entered the patient support  10 , a care provider raises the siderails  22 ,  24  to the raised blocking position to block the patient from egressing from the patient support  10 .  
         [0052]    The siderails  22 ,  24  are raised by the care provider grasping and raising one of the handle portions  34  of the rail members  26 . The interior ends of the rail are raised by the links  28  rotating relative to the rail member  26  and the deck  14 . The exterior ends of the rail members  26  are restrained from raising by second pins  32  that are constrained to ride in the tracks  42 . However, the exterior ends of the rail members are permitted to move inward away from the respective head and foot boards  18 ,  20  during the raising of the siderails  22 ,  24 . These constraints cause the rail member  26  to rotate from a substantially horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 1, to an inclined position, as shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0053]    The siderails  22 ,  24  are lowered by pressing downward upon the interior ends of the rail members  26 . During lowering, the second pins  32  move along the track  42  within the slots  40  away from the point where the respective links  28  connect to the deck  14 .  
         [0054]    As shown in FIG. 3, the deck  14  is configured to move to a chair position with head, thigh, and foot sections inclined to support a patient&#39;s back in an inclined position and to raise the patients lower leg&#39;s and feet. During movement of the deck to the chair and other positions, the siderails  22 ,  24  maintain their position relative to the section of the deck  14  to which that siderail  22 ,  24  is coupled.  
         [0055]    When the head section is raised to the fully inclined position, as shown in FIG. 3, the rail member  26  of the siderail  22  is substantially horizontal. After the head section is lowered back to a substantially horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 4, the rail member  26  of the siderail  22  is positioned back at an angle of 45° relative to horizontal.  
         [0056]    A second embodiment patient support  110  is shown in FIGS. 5. Patient support  110 , similar to the patient support  10  shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 , includes the frame  12  positioned on the floor, the deck  14  coupled to the frame  12 , the mattress  16  positioned on the deck  14 , the headboard  18  coupled to the frame  12 , the footboard  20  coupled to the frame  12 , and a pair of head and foot ends siderails  122 ,  124  coupled to the deck  14 .  
         [0057]    Each pair of the siderails  122 ,  124  includes a rail member  126  and a coupler  128  that pivotally couples the rail member  126  to the deck. The coupler  128  includes a lock  129  that is configured to block pivoting of the rail member  126 . The rail member  126  includes a top rail member  130 , three slats  132 ,  134 ,  136  and a support bar  138  that couples the top rail member  130  and slats  132 ,  134 ,  136  to the coupler  128 . The top rail member  130  is preferably made of wood and the slats  132 ,  134 ,  136  and the support bar  138  are preferably made of steel.  
         [0058]    The coupler  128  further includes a pivot pin  140  that extends through support bar  138 . As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, pivot pin  140  permits support bar  138  and the remainder of the rail member  126  to rotate thereabout between the raised, blocking position and the lowered, egress position.  
         [0059]    The support bar  138  is preferably a rectangular tube that defines a cavity  142  therein. The support bar  138  includes a pair of slots  144  (only one shown) on opposite sides of the support bar  138  through which a latch pin  146  extends. The support bar  138  also has a hold pin aperture  148  defined therein. The hold pin aperture  148  is preferably round and sized to receive a portion of a spring biased hold pin or hold member  150  coupled to support bar  138 .  
         [0060]    The lock  129  includes an lock member  152  positioned in the cavity  142  of support bar  138 , a spring  154  positioned to bias the lock member  152  toward pivot pin  140 , a slide member or cam plate  156 , and the spring biased hold pin  150 . The lock member  152  includes a tubular member  158  and a latch pin  160  that extends through tubular member  158  and slots  144 . As shown in FIG. 7, a lower sidewall of tubular member  158  is open so that hold pin  150  extends into tubular member  158  and contacts latch pin  160 . The latch pin  160  is preferably a round rod that is rigidly coupled to a lower end of tubular member  158 .  
         [0061]    The hold pin  150  is positioned to contact and hold the latch pin  160  in a desired position. The hold pin  150  includes a pin member  162  that is positioned to contact the latch pin  160  and a mount  164  coupled to the support bar  138 . The pin member  162  is substantially cylinder-shaped and includes a rounded end. The pin member  162  is positioned to extend through hold pin aperture  148  so that the rounded end is positioned adjacent to the latch pin  160   
         [0062]    The pin member  162  slides relative to the mount  164 . A spring (not shown) is positioned in the mount  164  to bias the pin member  162  toward the latch pin  160 . Thus, if enough force is applied to the pin member  162 , it will move toward the mount. However, the spring will bias the pin member  162  away from the mount  164  when the force is removed.  
         [0063]    As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cam plate  156  is preferably formed from a substantially flat piece of metal or other rigid matter and includes a semicircular upper flange  166  and a lower flange  168 . The lower flange  168  is welded or otherwise coupled to the deck  14  to rigidly support the upper flange  166  on the deck  14 .  
         [0064]    The semi-circular flange  166  includes a pivot pin-receiving aperture  170  and a latch pin-receiving slot  172 . The pin-receiving aperture  170  is circular and sized to receive the pivot pin  140  of the rail member  126  therein so that the pivot pin  140  is free to rotate therein. Thus, the pivot pin  140  pivotally couples the rail member  126  to the cam plate  156  which is rigidly coupled to the deck  14 . This coupling permits the siderails  122 ,  124  to rotate between the raised, blocking position and the lowered, egress position.  
         [0065]    As shown in FIG. 11, the latch-pin receiving slot  172  is sized to permit travel of the latch pin  160  therein and includes a first lock notch portion  174 , a second lock notch portion  176 , a curved involute portion  178 , and a clearance notch portion  180 . The first and second notch portions  174 ,  176  extend radially inwardly from the involute portion  178  at an angle of approximately 90° from each other. The involute portion  178  extends between the first  174  and second  176  notch portions and has a radius of curvature that decreases as the involute portion  178  extends from the first notch portion  174  to the second notch portion  176 .  
         [0066]    The first and second notch portions  174 ,  176  have a depth of approximately one and a half times the diameter of the latch pin  160 . The clearance portion  180  has a depth of approximately the diameter of the latch pin  160 . The involute portion  178  has a width slightly larger than the diameter of the latch pin  160 . The lock pin  160  extends through the slot  172  of the cam plate  156 .  
         [0067]    [0067]FIGS. 7 and 8 show the siderail  24  the raised, blocking position. When in this position, the latch pin  160  is positioned above the pin-receiving aperture  170  as shown in FIG. 11. The pin member  162  initially holds the latch pin  160  from dropping into first notched portion  174 . However, when a caregiver pushes down on the latch pin  160 , enough force is provided to move the pin member  162  against the bias of the spring. This movement of the pin member  162  of the hold pin  150  permits the latch pin  160  to drop into the first notched portion  174 . When positioned in the first notch portion  174 , the latch pin  160  blocks movement of the rail member  126  from the raised, blocking position.  
         [0068]    To move the rail member  126  to the lowered, egress position, a caregiver must first remove the latch pin  160  from the first notch portion  174 . The user moves the latch pin  160  upward so that the latch pin  160  moves into contact with the pin member  162 . This contact pushes the pin member  162  against the bias of the spring permitting the pin member  162  to move past the pin member  162  and out of first notch portion  174  so that the latch pin  160  is positioned above the pin member  162  in the involute portion  178 . Because the latch pin  160  is positioned in the involute portion  178 , a user can rotate the rail member  126  to the lowered, egress position.  
         [0069]    When the latch pin  160  moves past the pin member  162 , the spring pushes the pin member  162  inwardly in direction  164 . In this position, the pin member  162  keeps the latch pin  160  from falling back into the notched portion. The raising of latch pin  160  also raises the lock member  152  and compresses spring  154 . The compression of spring  154  does not exert enough force on the lock member to overcome the bias exerted on the pin member  162  by the hold spring. Thus, the latch pin  160  remains in the involute portion  178  of slot  172 .  
         [0070]    To move the rail member  126  to the lowered, egress position, the caregiver pushes on the rail member  126  so that it rotates in a clockwise direction  184  about pivot pin  140 . As the rail member  126  rotates, the lock pin  160  travels within the slot  172  as shown in FIG. 11.  
         [0071]    Because the involute portion  178  has a radius of curvature that decreases as it extends in the clockwise direction, the latch pin  160  is pushed toward the pivot pin  140  as it rotates with the rail member  126  in the clockwise direction  184 . Initially, the latch pin  160  contacts an edge  186  of upper flange  166  that defines involute portion  178 . As the latch pin  160  continues to rotate with the rail member  126 , the edge  186  pushes the latch pin  160  closer to the pivot pin  140  because the distance of the edge  186  from the pivot pin  140  decreases.  
         [0072]    After a predetermined degree of rotation, the pivot pin  140  is pushed past the pin member  162  permitting the spring  154  to push the latch pin  160  into contact with an inner edge  188  opposite outer edge  186 . As the rail member  126  is rotated further, the latch pin  160  is positioned over second notch portion  176  and the spring  154  pushes the latch pin  160  down into second notch portion  176 . When positioned in the second notch portion  176 , the latch pin  160  blocks rotation of the rail member  126  from the lowered, egress position.  
         [0073]    To move the rail member  126  back to the raised, blocking position, the latch pin  160  must first be removed from the second notch portion  176  to permit rotation of the rail member  126  in a counterclockwise direction  190 . To move the latch pin  160  from the second notch portion  176 , a caregiver pulls the latch pin  160  into the clearance notch  180 , as shown in FIG. 12. During this movement, the latch pin  160  passes over the pin member  162  of hold member  150  which prevents the latch pin  160  from dropping back into the second notch  176  after the user releases it.  
         [0074]    Because the latch pin  160  is no longer positioned in the second notch portion  176 , a caregiver can rotate the rail member back to the raised, blocking position. When the rail member  126  is first rotated in the counterclockwise direction  190 , latch pin  160  contacts outer edge  186 . This pushes latch pin  160  inwardly forcing the pin member  162  against the bias of the hold member spring.  
         [0075]    Eventually, latch pin  160  rides past the pin member  162  and spring  154  forces latch pin  160  against inner edge  188 . However, because the inner edge is spaced apart further from the pivot pin  140  as it extends away from second notch portion  176 , it pushes the latch pin  160  back over the pin member  162 . With further rotation, the latch pin  160  is again held in position by the pin member  162 . Thus, when the rail member  126  is fully rotated to the raised, blocking position, the latch member  160  is prevented from falling down into the first notch portion  174  and prevents automatic locking of the rail member  126 . To lock the rail member  126  in the raised, blocking position, the car giver must push down on latch pin  160  until it is pushed past the pin member and it drops into the first notch portion  174  with the assistance of spring  154 .  
         [0076]    The locking of rail member  126  into either the raised, blocking position or the lowered, egress position, allows the rail member  126  to remain fixed relative to the section of the deck  14  to which the rail member  126  is attached. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the patient support  110  articulates to a chair position, the support arm  138  of the rail member  126  remains parallel to the section of the deck to which it is coupled.  
         [0077]    As shown in FIGS.  13 - 16 , a patient support  210 , similar to the patient support  10  shown in FIGS.  1 - 6 , is provided. Patient support  210  includes the frame  12  positioned on the floor, the deck  14  coupled to the frame  12 , the mattress  16  positioned on the deck  14 , the headboard  18  coupled to the frame  12 , the footboard  20  coupled to the frame  12 , and pairs of head and foot end siderails  222 ,  224  coupled to the deck  14 .  
         [0078]    Siderails  222 ,  224  are coupled to the deck  14  via a coupler preferably similar to the coupler  128  shown in FIGS.  5 - 12 . According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, other couplers, such as clocking siderails, hinges, or other couplers known to those of ordinary skill in the art are provided.  
         [0079]    Each siderail  222 ,  224  includes a rail member  226  and a handle  228 . The rail member  226  and the handle  228  are preferably constructed from hardened or reinforced plastic, or metal. The rail member  226  is of a sufficient height and width to prevent a patient from egressing from the patient support  210  when the siderails  222 ,  224  are a raised, blocking position as shown in FIG. 13. A caregiver rotates the siderails  222 ,  224  to a lowered, egress position, as shown in FIG. 14, to permit a patient to egress from patient support  210 .  
         [0080]    The handle  228  is curl-shaped and is approximately circular. As shown in FIG. 14 for foot end siderail  224 , the handle  228  defines a plane  230 . When siderails  222 ,  224  are in the raised, blocking position, the plane  230  is parallel to the section of the deck  14  to which it coupled. When a siderail  222 ,  224  is in the lowered, egress position, the plane  230  is perpendicular to the section of the deck  14  to which the siderail  222 ,  224  is coupled.  
         [0081]    As shown in FIG. 17, handle  228  is substantially perpendicular to rail member  226  and outwardly sideways or laterally away from rail member  226 . When the siderails  222 ,  224  are in the raised, blocking position, each handle  228  provides an easily graspable surface. Because of the circular configuration, handle  228  can be grasped by a person at many angles. For example, a patient may grasp handle  228  while standing to the left, right, or in front of the handle  228  as still get a full grip on handle  228 . Handle  228  also presents an easily graspable surface that facilitates the moving of siderails  222 ,  224  between the raised, blocking position and the lowered, egress position.  
         [0082]    When one of the siderails  222 ,  224  is in the lowered, egress position permitting egress or ingress of a person to or from patient support  210 , the other siderail  224 ,  224  is preferably in the raised, blocking position so that the handle of the respective siderail  224 ,  222  that is in the raised, blocking position is positioned within easy reaching distance of the person. Therefore, the person can rely on the sturdy support provided by the respective handle  228  during egress and ingress from and to the patient support  210 .  
         [0083]    As shown in FIG. 15, the deck  14  may be articulated into a chair position or other differently elevated position. Upon articulation of the deck  14 , the siderails  222 ,  224  maintain their position relative to the section of the deck  14  to which that siderail  222 ,  224  is coupled.  
         [0084]    As shown in FIGS.  18 - 21 , a patient support  310 , similar to the patient support  10  shown in FIGS.  1 - 6 , is provided. Patient support  310  includes the frame  12  positioned on the floor, the deck  14  coupled to the frame  12 , the mattress  16  positioned on the deck  14 , the headboard  18  coupled to the frame  12 , the footboard  20  coupled to the frame  12 , and pair of head and foot end siderails  322 ,  324  coupled to the deck  14 .  
         [0085]    Each siderail  322 ,  324  includes a rail member  326  and a pair of links  328  that are pivotally coupled to rail members  326  and deck  14 . The rail members  326  are preferably constructed from hardened or reinforced plastic or metal and are preferably oblong in shape. Each rail member  326  includes a pair of oblong apertures  330  that permit a patient or caregiver to grasp a top portion  332  of rail member  326 .  
         [0086]    The links  328  are elongated members preferably constructed of steel. The links  328  are approximately as long as the mattress  16  is high. First ends of the links  328  are pivotally coupled to the rail members  326  and second ends of the links  328  are pivotally coupled to the deck  14 . The links  328 , rail member  326 , and deck  14  cooperate to provide a parallel 4-bar linkage that maintains the rail member  326  in a horizontal position during raising and lowering.  
         [0087]    When in the lowered, egress position, the rail members  326  are positioned below the rest surface of the mattress  16  and do not block egress of a person from the patient support  310 . When in the raised position, a portion of the rail member  326  extends above the mattress  16  to block egress of a patient from the patient support  310 . Preferably, the siderails  322 ,  324  further includes a latch that maintains the siderail in either the raised, blocking position or the lowered, egress position.  
         [0088]    The deck  14  may be articulated into a chair position, as shown in FIG. 20, or other position. Upon articulation of the deck  14 , the siderails  322 ,  324  maintain their position relative to the section of the deck  14  to which that siderail  322 ,  324  is coupled.  
         [0089]    As shown in FIGS.  22 - 24 , another siderail  422  is provided coupled to a section of deck  14 . The siderail  422  includes a rail member  424 , a slide track  426 , and a slide  428 . The rail member  424  is coupled to the slide  428  which slides on the track  426  between a plurality of positions.  
         [0090]    The rail member  424  includes a support arm  430 , three slats  434 ,  436 ,  438 , and a top rail member  432 . An attachment pin  440  and a position pin  442  extend perpendicularly from support arm  430  and couple the rail member  424  to slide  428 . The attachment pin  440  is closer to the proximal end of the support arm  430  than is the position pin  442 .  
         [0091]    The attachment pin  440  is preferably cylinder-shaped and includes a lock recess  444 , as shown in FIG. 24, for retaining the attachment pin  440  in slide  428 . The attachment pin  440  has a first end  446  that is fixedly coupled to the support arm  430  and a second end  448  spaced apart from the first end  446 . The first end  446  has a first diameter  450 .  
         [0092]    The second end  448  of attachment pin  440  is rounded to assist a user during insertion of pin  440  into slide  428 . The lock recess  444  is positioned adjacent to the second end  448 . The lock recess  444  had a second diameter  454  that is less than first diameter  450 . A pair of shoulders  460  are provided at the locations where the second diameter  454  transitions to the first diameter  450 .  
         [0093]    The position pin  442  is preferably a cylindrical post of multiple diameters similar to the attachment pin  440 . The position pin  442  has a first end  462  that is fixedly coupled to the support arm  430  and a second end  464  spaced apart from the first end  462 . The position pin  442  has a first diameter  466 , preferably equal to the first diameter  450  of the attachment pin  440 . The position pin  442  is shorter than the attachment pin  440 .  
         [0094]    As shown in FIG. 26, the slide track  426  includes two rails  470 ,  472 , a base plate  474 , a first end plate  476 , and a second end plate  478 . The base plate  474  is preferably a long rectangular piece of metal coupled to the frame  12  of the patient support  10  by a bracket  480 . The base plate  474  has a first end  482  positioned nearest the headboard  18  end of the patient support  10  and a second end  484  positioned nearest the footboard  20  end of the patient support  10 .  
         [0095]    The base plate  474  includes a plurality of pin-receiving apertures  486 . According to the preferred embodiment, there are two pin-receiving apertures  486  defined in the base plate  474 , one near each end  482 ,  484 . According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, additional pin-receiving apertures are provided at regular or other intervals, such as two inches, along the base plate  474 .  
         [0096]    The first and second end plates  476 ,  478  are preferably smaller pieces of flat rectangular metal plate that are coupled to the respective first and second ends  482 ,  484  of the base plate  474 . The first and second ends plates  476 ,  478  are longer than the base plate  474  is wide so that the first and second end plates  476 ,  478  extend beyond the base plate  474  when centered on first and second ends  482 ,  484  of the base plate  474 .  
         [0097]    The rails  470 ,  472  are preferably constructed from metal cylindrical rods of constant diameter  488 . The rails  470 ,  472  have a length  489  equal to a length  491  of the base plate  474 . The rails  470 ,  472  extend between the first and second end plates  474 ,  476  and are parallel so that they have a constant distance therebetween. The rails  470 ,  472  are also parallel to the base plate  474 .  
         [0098]    As shown in FIG. 23, the slide  428  includes two shuttles or guided sleeves  490 ,  492 , an attachment housing  494 , a first spring biased pin  496 , a second spring biased pin  498 , and a pin-receiving plate  500 . The sleeves  490 ,  492  are preferably constructed of metal and are shaped as cylindrical tubes. The sleeves  490 ,  492  have an inner diameter  502  and an outer diameter  504 . The inner diameter  502  is sized to be slightly larger than the diameter  488  of the rails  470 ,  472  so that the sleeves  490 ,  492  slide on the rails  470 ,  472 . The outer diameter  504  is sized to provide clearance from the base plate  474  as the sleeves  490 ,  492  travel along the rails  470 ,  472 . The receiving plate  500  is preferably a flat metal rectangle with rounded corners having a longitudinal axis  506 .  
         [0099]    The plate  500  has an attachment bore  508  and a position bore  510  defined therein. The bores  508 ,  510  are at opposing ends of the plate  500 . Further, the bores  508 ,  510  are spaced apart so as to have a distance between then that is equal to the distance between the attachment pin  440  and the position pin  442 . Further, the attachment bore  508  is circular and of a diameter equal to the diameter of the attachment bore  512  of the attachment housing  494 . The position bore  510  is circular and of a diameter slightly larger than the diameter  466  of the position pin  442 .  
         [0100]    The receiving plate  500  is coupled to the attachment housing  494  so that an attachment pin-receiving aperture  508  is aligned with an attachment pin-receiving aperture  512  of attachment housing  494 , preferably by welding, using a fastener, or other coupling method. The plate  500  is positioned so that such that the longitudinal axis  506  is parallel to the rails  470 ,  472  and position pin-receiving aperture  510  is positioned toward the headboard  18  relative to the attachment bore  508  that is positioned toward the footboard  20 .  
         [0101]    The attachment housing  494  is preferably a rectangular metal bar. The housing  494  includes attachment pin-receiving aperture  512  and a spring biased pin-receiving aperture  514  defined therein. The attachment housing  494  is rigidly coupled to both sleeves  490 ,  492 . Thus, when the sleeves  490 ,  492  move along the rails  470 ,  472 , the housing  494  and sleeves  490 ,  492  move together. The attachment pin-receiving aperture  512  includes an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the first diameter  450  of the attachment pin  440  of the rail member  424 . The spring biased pin-receiving aperture  514  is defined in a lower side of the attachment housing  494  opposite the side that is coupled to the sleeves  490 ,  492 .  
         [0102]    The first spring-biased pin  496  includes an inner housing  516 , an outer housing  518 , a pin member  521  positioned in a pin-receiving aperture  520  in the inner housing  516 , and a spring  519 . The outer housing  518  is preferably a cube and constructed from metal. The outer housing  518  is fixedly coupled to the side of the attachment housing  494  containing the pin-receiving aperture  514  so that the pin-receiving aperture  520  of the inner housing  516  aligns with the pin-receiving aperture  514  of the attachment housing  494 . According to the preferred embodiment, the first pin housing  496  and the attachment housing  494  are constructed of one solid piece as shown in FIG. 28 and the inner housing  516  is positioned in the outer housing  518  during assembly.  
         [0103]    The pin-receiving aperture  520  of the inner housing  516  is preferably circular and of a constant diameter  522  that is slightly larger than the pin-receiving aperture  514  of the attachment housing  494 . A shoulder  524  is provided at the location where the pin-receiving aperture  520  of the pin housing  496  meets the pin-receiving aperture  514  of the attachment housing  494 .  
         [0104]    The pin member  521  includes a knob  526 , a shaft  528 , and a coil spring retention pin  530 . The shaft  528  is preferably a metal cylinder having a first end  532  and a second end  534  spaced apart from the first end  532 . The shaft  528  is preferably of a diameter less than the diameter of the pin-receiving aperture  514  of the attachment housing  494 . The shaft  528  is longer than the combined lengths of both pin-receiving apertures  514 ,  520 . The knob  526  is a graspable disk, preferably of metal, that is attached to the first  532  end of the shaft  528 . The knob  526  is preferably of a diameter larger than the diameter of the shaft  526 , but smaller than a side of the first pin housing  496 . The spring retention pin  530  is preferably positioned near the second end  534  of the shaft  528 .  
         [0105]    The spring  519  has a first end  536  and a second end  538  spaced apart from the first end  536 . The spring  519  has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft  528  of the pin  160 , but smaller than the length of the retention pin  530 . The spring  519  is placed around the pin member  521  so that the pin member  521  is positioned within the coils of the spring  519  and the second end  538  of the spring  519  abuts the retention pin  530 .  
         [0106]    The inner housing  516  is preferably cylindrical, made of metal, and has a multi-diameter bore  540  defined therein. The inner housing  516  is of a diameter sized to snugly fit within the outer housing  496 . The bore  540  is comprised of a first section  542  and a second section  544 , each having a different diameter. The first section  542  of the bore  540  is positioned toward the first end  532  of the shaft  528 , defines a circle, and is sized to have a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft  528  so as to allow the shaft to move therein. The second section  544  of the bore  540  has a larger diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of the spring  519 . A shoulder  546  is defined at the location where the two sections  542 ,  544  meet.  
         [0107]    When in use, the pin  521  and the spring  519  are positioned in the inner housing  516  which is positioned in the outer housing  518 . The first end  536  of the spring  519  abuts the shoulder  546  and the second end  538  abuts retention pin  530  to compress the spring  519  therebetween. The compression of the spring  519  biases the pin member  521  upwardly in direction  548  into attachment pin-receiving aperture  512  and lock recess  444  of attachment pin  440 . When pin member  521  is positioned in lock recess  444 , attachment pin  440  is blocked from removal from attachment pin-receiving aperture  512  so that siderail  422  cannot be removed from deck  14 .  
         [0108]    When a user applies a downward force to the pin  521  in a direction  550  that is greater than the force provided by the spring  519 , the pin  521  moves to a second position (not shown). When in the second position, the pin  521  no longer blocks movement of the attachment pin  440  from the attachment pin-receiving aperture  512  so that siderail  422  can be removed from deck  14 .  
         [0109]    The second spring-biased pin  498  is similar to first spring-biased pin  496  and includes a pin member  547  that is biased upwardly in direction  548  and aligns with apertures  486  in plate  474 . The spring-biased pin  498  is coupled to a side of the attachment housing  494  such that the second pin housing  498  is centered over the base plate  474  and a bottom edge  552  of the second spring-biased pin  498  slides on the base plate  474 .  
         [0110]    When the second spring-biased pin  498  is positioned over either of the pin-receiving apertures  486  in base plate  474 , pin member  547  snaps into the respective aperture  486  and blocks sliding of siderail  422 . To slide siderail  422  to the other position, pin member  547  is pulled downwardly in direction  550  to remove the opposite end of pin member  547  from the respective aperture  486 . When pin member  547  is removed, a care provider can slide the siderail  422  to the other position.  
         [0111]    In operation, the rail member  424  is coupled to the slide  428  to provide slidable siderail  422 . To attach the rail member  424 , the second end  448  of the attachment pin  440  is inserted into the attachment bores  508 ,  512  of respective receiving plate  500  and attachment housing  494 . The position pin  442  is also inserted into the position pin-receiving aperture  510  of the receiving plate  500 .  
         [0112]    As the second end  448  of the attachment pin  440  moves into the attachment pin-receiving apertures  512 , in the direction of arrow  554 , it contacts the second end  534  of the shaft  528  of the pin member  160 . The second end  448  urges the pin  521  in direction  550  and into the second position. The attachment pin  440  continues to travel into the attachment bore  512  until the attachment pin  440  becomes fixed.  
         [0113]    When the lock recess  444  of the attachment pin  440  is aligned with the pin bore  514  of the attachment housing  494 , the second end  534  of the shaft  528  of the pin  521  is urged into the lock recess  444  by spring  519 . Once the rail member  424  is attached to the slide  428 , a caregiver can move the rail member  424  along the slide track  426  if second spring-biased pin  498  is released as described above. After moving the rail member  424  to the desired position, the spring-biased pin  498  snaps pin member  547  back into the respective aperture  486  to lock the position of rail member  424 .  
         [0114]    A caregiver moves the rail member  424  toward headboard  18  to permit additional access to a patient. To permit full access, the rail member  424  is removed by pulling on the knob  526  of the pin member  521  to release first spring-biased pin  496  from retaining attachment pin  440 . The pin  521  is moved to the second position so as to remove the second end  534  of the shaft  528  of the pin  521  from the lock recess  444  of the attachment pin  440 . The caregiver then pulls the rail member  424  in direction  556  until the position pin  442  and the attachment pin  440  are removed from the receiving plate  500 .  
         [0115]    As shown in FIGS.  26 - 28 , a patient support  610 , similar to the patient support  10  shown in FIGS.  1 - 6 , is provided. Patient support  610  includes the frame  12  positioned on the floor, the deck  14  coupled to the frame  12 , the mattress  16  positioned on the deck  14 , the headboard  18  coupled to the frame  12 , the footboard  20  coupled to the frame  12 , a pair of head and foot end siderails  622 ,  624  coupled to the deck  14 , and mattress restraints or entrapment prevention bars  626  coupled to the deck  14 .  
         [0116]    Each siderail  622 ,  624  includes a rail member  628  and pair of support links  630  pivotally coupling the rail members  628  to the deck. The rail members  628  and support arms  630  are preferably made of steel and are oblong in shape having a bottom  632  and a top  634 .  
         [0117]    Rail members  628  are pivotally coupled to first ends  636  of support links  630 . Second ends  638  of support links  630  are pivotally coupled to the deck  14  by axles  640 .  
         [0118]    Entrapment prevention bars  626  are provided that are positioned between the support links  630  and the mattress  16  when siderails  622 ,  624  are in the raised, blocking position. The entrapment prevention bars  626  include a base plate  642 , a lower bar  644 , and an upper bar  646 . The base plate  642  is a flat strip of metal that defines a plane. The base plate  642  includes bolt-receiving apertures  648  sized to receive bolts  650 . The bolts  650  extend through base plate  642  and deck  14  to secure entrapment prevention bars  626  to deck  14 .  
         [0119]    The lower bar  644  is a metal rod with two ninety-degree bends therein that is welded or otherwise coupled to base plate  642 . The bends are both made in the same direction such that the bent rod defines a plane. Each end of the lower bar  644  is attached to the base plate  642  such that the plane defined by the lower bar  644  is perpendicular to the plane defined by the base plate  642 . The bends in the lower bar  644 , when attached to the base plate  642 , define a height and a length for the lower bar  644 . The upper bar  646  is similar to the lower bar  644  except that the height and length of the upper bar  646  are larger than their corresponding parts of the lower bar  644  so that the upper bar  646  is positioned over the lower bar  644 .  
         [0120]    The siderails  622 ,  624  are preferably “clocking” siderails that swing in a longitudinal plane. The entrapment bars  626  snugly abut the mattress  16  and, along with the headboard  18  and footboard  20 , prevents the mattress  16  from shifting position longitudinally and laterally upon the deck  14 . The entrapment bars  626  also help prevent objects from working their way between the support links  630  and mattress  16 .  
         [0121]    The deck  14 , at the urging of the frame  12  may be articulated into a chair other different positions. Upon articulation of the deck  14 , the siderails  622 ,  624  and entrapment guards  626  maintain their position relative to the section of the deck  14  to which they are coupled.  
         [0122]    As shown in FIGS.  29 - 32 , a patient support  710 , similar to the patient support  310  shown in FIGS.  18 - 21 , is provided. Patient support  710  includes the frame  12  positioned on the floor, the deck  14  coupled to the frame  12 , the mattress  16  positioned on the deck  14 , the headboard  18  coupled to the frame  12 , the footboard  20  coupled to the frame  12 , and pair of head and foot end siderails  722 ,  724  coupled to the deck  14 .  
         [0123]    Each siderail  722 ,  724  includes a rail member  726 , a pair of links  728  that are pivotally coupled to rail members  726  and deck  14 , a parallel link  729  spanning the pair of links  728 , and a cross link  731  coupling the parallel link  729  and the deck  14 . The rail members  726  are preferably constructed from hardened or reinforced plastic or metal and are preferably oblong in shape. Each rail member  726  includes a pair of oblong apertures  730  that permit a patient or caregiver to grasp a top portion  732  of rail member  726 .  
         [0124]    The pair of links  728  are elongated members preferably constructed of steel. The pair of links  728  are approximately as long as the mattress  16  is high. First ends of the pair of links  728  are pivotally coupled to the rail members  726  and second ends of the pair of links  728  are pivotally coupled to the deck  14 . The pair of links  728 , rail member  726 , and deck  14  cooperate to provide a parallel  4 -bar linkage that maintains the rail member  726  in a horizontal position during raising and lowering.  
         [0125]    Each pair of links  728  is further coupled to the parallel link  729  that spans between each of the pair of links  728 . The parallel link  729  is also coupled to the cross link  731 . The cross link  731  is also coupled to the deck  14  to extend between the deck  14  and the parallel link  729 .  
         [0126]    When in the lowered, egress position, the rail members  726  are positioned below the rest surface of the mattress  16  and do not block egress of a person from the patient support  710 . When in the raised position, a portion of the rail member  726  extends above the mattress  16  to block egress of a patient from the patient support  710 . Preferably, the siderails  722 ,  724  further include a latch that maintains the siderail in either the raised, blocking position or the lowered, egress position.  
         [0127]    The deck  14  may be articulated into a chair position, as shown in FIG. 31, or other position. Upon articulation of the deck  14 , the siderails  722 ,  724  maintain their position relative to the section of the deck  14  to which that siderail  722 ,  724  is coupled.  
         [0128]    Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.