Bed rail with clamping force indicator

A bed rail is disclosed for use with a mattress. The bed rail is configured to be clamped to the mattress with a clamping force. A clamping force indicator is used to provide information about the clamping force.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to bed rails. Bed rails are used with beds to help retain individuals in bed.

SUMMARY

According to the present disclosure, a bed rail comprises a mattress clamping device and a clamping force indicator. The mattress clamping device is adapted to clamp a mattress with a clamping force to mount the bed rail alongside the mattress. The clamping force indicator is configured to indicate whether the clamping force complies with predetermined clamping force criteria.

The mattress clamping device includes a side rail and a clamp. The clamp includes a fixed jaw and a movable jaw. The fixed jaw is adapted to be positioned under the mattress in a fixed position. The movable jaw is configured to be moved toward the fixed jaw and to act through the clamping force indicator to move the side rail toward the mattress to clamp the mattress between the side rail and the fixed jaw with the clamping force to mount the side rail alongside the mattress. The movable jaw is configured to be moved away from the mattress to unclamp the mattress.

During clamping of the mattress, the movable jaw moves relative to the side rail due to continued movement of the movable jaw toward the fixed jaw and engagement between the side rail and the mattress. The clamping force indicator includes a spring to resist such movement of the movable jaw relative to the side rail. Such resistance promotes display of a clamped signal in a window formed in the movable jaw when the clamping force complies with the predetermined clamping force criteria. It also promotes display of an unclamped signal in the window when the clamping force does not comply with the predetermined clamping force criteria.

Additional features of the apparatus will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description exemplifying the best mode of the disclosure as presently perceived.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A bed rail10is configured to be mounted to a bed12, as suggested, for example, in FIG.1. When so mounted, bed rail10is used to inhibit unintended movement of a person (not shown) out of bed12. When bed rail10is no longer needed, it may be removed from bed.

Bed rail10is configured to clamp a mattress14included in bed12to mount bed rail10to bed12. Bed rail10includes a mattress clamping device16that is shown, for example, in FIG.1and is used to clamp mattress14with a clamping force to mount bed rail10alongside mattress14. A clamping force indicator included in bed rail10is configured to provide information about the clamping force. In the illustrated embodiment, bed rail10includes two clamping force indicators18,118which are shown diagrammatically, for example, in FIG.2. Each indicator18,118is configured to indicate whether a clamping force applied to mattress14complies with predetermined clamping force criteria.

Mattress clamping device16includes a side rail20, a left clamp22, and a right clamp122, as shown, for example, inFIGS. 1 and 2. Each clamp22,122is configured to cooperate with side rail20to clamp mattress14with a clamping force to mount side rail20alongside mattress14. Left clamp22cooperates with side rail20to clamp mattress14with a left clamping force and right clamp122cooperates with side rail20to clamp mattress14with a right clamping force. Left clamping force indicator18is used to indicate whether the left clamping force complies with the predetermined clamping force criteria. Right clamping force indicator118is used to indicate whether the right clamping force complies with the predetermined clamping force criteria.

Left clamp22includes a left fixed jaw23, a left movable jaw24, and a left motion controller25and right clamp122includes a right fixed jaw123, a right movable jaw124, and a right motion controller125, as shown diagrammatically, for example, in FIG.2. Fixed jaws23,123are configured to be positioned under mattress14in a fixed position between mattress14and an underlying box spring unit26. A jaw connector27is coupled to left and right fixed jaws23,123.

Movable jaws24,124are configured to move relative to fixed jaws and to act through indicators18,118to move side rail20relative to mattress14to clamp and unclamp mattress14, as suggested, for example, inFIGS. 5,6,10,11,13, and14. Left movable jaw24is configured to move toward left fixed jaw23to move a left end portion28of side rail20toward mattress14to clamp mattress14with the left clamping force between left end portion28and left fixed jaw23upon application of an elevation adjustment force30to left movable jaw24. Left movable jaw24is configured to move away from left fixed jaw23to move left end portion28away from mattress14to unclamp mattress14. Right movable jaw124is configured to move toward right fixed jaw123to move a right end portion128of side rail20toward mattress14to clamp mattress14with the right clamping force between right end portion128and right fixed jaw123upon application of elevation adjustment force30to right movable jaw124. Right movable jaw124is configured to move away from right fixed jaw123to move right end portion128away from mattress14to unclamp mattress14.

Left motion controller25is configured to control movement of left movable jaw24relative to left fixed jaw23and right motion controller125is configured to control movement of right movable jaw124relative to right fixed jaw123, as suggested, for example, inFIGS. 2,10, and11. In the illustrated embodiment, each motion controller25,125includes a ratchet32and a ratchet engagement device31configured to engage ratchet32. Motion controllers25,125are discussed further in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/735,356 entitled “Bed Rail”, filed on Dec. 12, 2003.

Left and right clamps22,122are similar to one another in structure and function. Thus, further description herein of left clamp22and its components applies also to right clamp122and its components.

Left and right clamping force indicators18,118are similar to one another in structure and function. Thus, further description herein of left clamping force indicator18applies also to right clamping force indicator118.

In the illustrated embodiment, indicator18includes a body32and an elastic device33, as shown, for example, in FIG.4. Body32and elastic device33are positioned in an interior region34formed in movable jaw24. Interior region34is provided by inner and outer shells35,36included in movable jaw24. Body32is positioned on end portion28which extends through a slot37formed in an inner shell35. Elastic device33is positioned between a mount39included in body32and a tab43fixed to outer shell36. Body32and elastic device33thus cooperate to interconnect side rail20and movable jaw24.

Body27further includes a signaler41configured to display either an unclamped signal38or a clamped signal40in a window42included in inner shell35. Signaler41displays unclamped signal38in window42when the left clamping force does not comply with the predetermined clamping force criteria, as shown, for example, inFIGS. 7-9and12and displays the clamped signal40in window42when the left clamping force does comply with the predetermined clamping force criteria, as shown, for example, inFIGS. 15-17.

The predetermined clamping force criteria is, for example, a force of about 10 pounds (about 44.5 Newtons). Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, when the left clamping force is less than about 10 pounds (about 44.5 Newtons), signaler41displays unclamped signal38in window42. When the left clamping force is at least about 10 pounds (about 44.5 Newtons), signaler41displays clamped signal40in window42.

Signals38,40are color-coded and include symbols suggestive of unclamping and clamping. Unclamped signal38includes a symbol of an unlocked lock on a red background. Clamped signal40includes a symbol of a locked lock on a green background. Signals38,40cooperate to provide an adhesive sticker coupled to body32.

It is within the scope of this disclosure for signaler41to be configured in other forms to provide information about clamping force. For example, signaler41may include an analog scale or digital readout to display the current value of the clamping force or some other value relatively close thereto. In addition to or in place of a visible display, signaler41may employ audio and/or tactile indications of the clamping force.

Movable jaw24and side rail20are configured for relative movement to facilitate display of signals38,40by signaler41upon clamping and unclamping of mattress14. Before mattress14is clamped, movable jaw24and side rail20are oriented in an unclamped position so that unclamped signal38appears in window42, as shown, for example, inFIGS. 7-9and12. During clamping of mattress14, movable jaw24and side rail20are moved relative to one another to a clamped position so that clamped signal40appears in window42, as shown, for example, inFIGS. 15-17. Upon unclamping mattress14, movable jaw24and side rail20are moved back to their unclamped position so that unclamped signal38reappears in window42.

Movable jaw24and side rail20move from the unclamped position to the clamped position upon movement of movable jaw24toward fixed jaw23and engagement between side rail20and mattress14. Movable jaw24and side rail20move together until engagement occurs between side rail20and mattress14. Once such engagement occurs, side rail20is prevented from moving downward to the same extent as movable jaw24upon further downward movement of movable jaw24. As elevation adjustment force30continues to move movable jaw24downward, side rail20is pressed more and more against mattress14so that the clamping force is applied to mattress14with increasing intensity. In addition, movable jaw24is caused to move downward along, and thus relative to, side rail20.

Window42moves along signaler41a predetermined distance44from unclamped signal38to clamped signal40upon movement of movable jaw24along side rail20from the unclamped position to the clamped position, as shown, for example, inFIGS. 8,9,16, and17. Window42moves along signaler41in the opposite direction so that unclamped signal38reappears in window42upon relative movement between movable jaw24and side rail20from the clamped position to the unclamped position. Predetermined distance44is, for example, about 1.7 inches (about 43 millimeters).

Elastic device33is shown, for example, inFIGS. 4,7,9,12,15, and17. Elastic device33is configured to resist relative motion between movable jaw24and side rail20upon clamping mattress14and is configured to cause relative motion between movable jaw24and side rail20upon unclamping mattress14. In this way, elastic device33promotes display of clamped signal40in window42when the clamping force complies with the predetermined clamping force criteria and display of unclamped signal38in window42when the clamping force does not comply with the predetermined clamping force criteria.

Elastic device33is configured, for example, as a spring. Spring33is positioned on, and thus coupled to, mount39, which may be referred to as a spring mount. Tab43engages spring33to compress or otherwise load spring33upon clamping of mattress14. Tab43may thus be referred to as a loader or spring loader. When loaded, spring33acts against tab43to resist relative movement between movable jaw24and side rail20upon clamping of mattress14and to cause relative movement between movable jaw24and side rail20upon unclamping of mattress14. The spring constant of spring33and predetermined distance44cooperate to establish the predetermined clamping force criteria.

Loading of spring33is transmitted through body32to end portion28for application of the clamping force to mattress14. As such, body32includes a load transmitter46shown, for example, inFIGS. 4,8, and16. Load transmitter46is positioned between spring mount39and signaler41and is configured, for example, as a downwardly facing surface urged into engagement with an upwardly facing surface48of end portion28by spring33.

Body32includes a slide50and movable jaw24includes a guide track52fixed to outer shell36, as shown, for example, inFIGS. 4,9, and17. Slide50and guide track52are configured for relative slidable movement against one another to facilitate relative movement between movable jaw24and side rail20. Slide50includes a pair of parallel slide walls54to which spring mount39is coupled and between which spring33is positioned. Guide track52includes a pair of parallel track walls56and a pair of outer edges58that are included in tab43and spaced apart from track walls56to provide a pair of gaps60. Gaps60are configured to receive slide walls54to facilitate compression of spring33against spring mount39by tab43upon clamping of mattress14, as shown, for example, in FIG.17.

A stop62is coupled to track walls56, as shown, for example, inFIGS. 4,9, and17. Stop62is configured to engage body32to stop relative movement between movable jaw24and side rail20so that unclamped signal38will appear in window42upon unclamping of mattress14.

Left clamping force indicator18provides means for indicating whether the left clamping force complies with predetermined clamping force criteria upon relative movement between movable jaw24and side rail20due to movement of movable jaw24toward fixed jaw23and engagement between side rail20and mattress14. Right clamping force indicator118provides means for indicating whether the right clamping force complies with predetermined clamping force criteria upon relative movement between movable jaw124and side rail20due to movement of movable jaw124toward fixed jaw123and engagement between side rail20and mattress14.

A bed rail210shown, for example, inFIG. 18is configured for use with bed12. Bed rail210includes a mattress clamping device216configured to clamp mattress14with a clamping force to mount bed rail210alongside mattress14. A clamping force indicator included in bed rail210is configured to provide information about the clamping force. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 18 and 19, bed rail210includes two such clamping force indicators, a left clamping force indicator218and a right clamping force indicator (not shown). Each indicator is configured to indicate whether a clamping force applied to mattress14complies with predetermined clamping force criteria.

Mattress clamping device216includes a side rail220, a left clamp222, and a right clamp322, as shown, for example, in FIG.18. Each clamp222,322is configured to cooperate with side rail220to clamp mattress14with a clamping force to mount side rail20alongside mattress14. Left clamp222cooperates with side rail220to clamp mattress14with a left clamping force and right clamp322cooperates with side rail20to clamp mattress14with a right clamping force. Left clamping force indicator218is used to indicate whether the left clamping force complies with the predetermine clamping force criteria. The right clamping force indicator is used to indicate whether the right clamping force complies with the predetermined clamping force criteria.

Left clamp222includes a left fixed jaw223, a left movable jaw224, and a left motion controller225and right clamp214includes a right fixed jaw323, a right movable jaw323, and a right motion controller325. Fixed jaws223,323are configured to be positioned under mattress14in a fixed position between mattress14and underlying box spring unit26. A jaw connector227is coupled to left and right fixed jaws223,323.

Movable jaws224,324are configured to move relative to fixed jaws223,323and to act through left clamping force indicator218and the right clamping force indicator to move side rail220relative to mattress14to clamp and unclamp mattress14. Left movable jaw224is configured to move toward left fixed jaw223to move a left end portion228of side rail20toward mattress14to clamp mattress14with the left clamping force between left end portion228and left fixed jaw223upon application of an elevation adjustment force to left movable jaw224. Left movable jaw224is configured to move away from left fixed jaw223to move left end portion228away from mattress14to unclamp mattress14. Right movable jaw324is configured to move toward right fixed jaw323to move a right end portion328of side rail220toward mattress14to clamp mattress14with the right clamping force between right end portion328and right fixed jaw323upon application of the elevation adjustment force to right movable jaw324. Right movable jaw324is configured to move away from right fixed jaw323to move right end portion328away from mattress14to unclamp mattress14.

Left motion controller225is configured to control movement of left movable jaw224relative to left fixed jaw223and right motion controller325is configured to control movement of right movable jaw324relative to right fixed jaw323. Each motion controller225,325includes a ratchet (not shown) coupled to a leg230and a pivotable ratchet engagement device231configured to engage and disengage the ratchet. Motion controllers225,325are discussed further in U.S. patent application No. 10/735,356 entitled “Bed Rail”, filed on Dec. 12, 2003.

Left and right clamps222,322are similar to one another in structure and function. Thus, further description herein of left clamp222and its components applies also to right clamp322and its components.

Left clamping force indicator218and the right clamping force indicator are similar to one another in structure and function. Thus, further description herein of left clamping force indicator218applies also to the right clamping force indicator.

Left clamping force indicator218includes a signaler241configured to display either unclamped signal38or clamped signal40in a window242formed in movable jaw224, as shown, for example, inFIGS. 18 and 19. Signaler241displays unclamped signal38in window242when the left clamping force does not comply with the predetermined clamping force criteria, as shown, for example, inFIG. 18, and displays clamped signal40in window242when the left clamping force does comply with the predetermined clamping force criteria.

Signaler241is coupled to side rail220, as shown, for example, in FIG.19. Signals38,40cooperate to provide an adhesive sticker coupled to a signal mount245included in signaler241and coupled to end portion228of side rail220. End portion228extends through a slot237into an interior region234formed in movable jaw224for display of signals38,40in window242.

The predetermined clamping force criteria for clamping force indicator218is, for example, a force of about 20 pounds (about 89 Newtons). Thus, when the left clamping force is less than about 20 pounds (about 89 Newtons), signaler241displays unclamped signal38in window242. When the left clamping force is at least about 20 pounds (about 89 Newtons), signaler241displays clamped signal40in window242.

Left clamping force indicator218includes an elastic device233, a mount239, and loader243, as shown, for example, in FIG.19. Elastic device233is configured, for example, as a spring positioned between mount (or spring mount)239and loader (or spring loader)243. Device233is positioned on mount239and is configured to be compressed by loader243upon clamping mattress14. Mount239is configured, for example, as a wall coupled to end portion228of side rail220and positioned in a recess (not shown) formed in end portion228. Loader243is configured, for example, as a tab coupled to movable jaw224and positioned in interior region234formed in movable jaw224.

Movable jaw224and side rail220are configured for movement relative to one another to facilitate display of signals38,40by signaler241upon clamping and unclamping mattress14. When mattress14is unclamped, movable jaw224and side rail220are oriented in an unclamped position so that unclamped signal38appears in window242, as shown, for example, inFIG. 18. Astop (not shown) is coupled to end portion228and engages movable jaw224to prevent detachment of side rail220from movable jaw224when movable jaw224and side rail220are in the unclamped position. During clamping of mattress14, movable jaw224and side rail220slide relative to one another to a clamped position so that clamped signal40appears in window242. Upon unclamping mattress14, movable jaw224and side rail220are moved back to their unclamped position so that unclamped signal38reappears in window242.

A user of bed rail210presses down on movable jaw224with the elevation adjustment force to cause clamping of mattress14. Application of the elevation adjustment force to movable jaw224causes movable jaw224to move downward toward fixed jaw223and causes side rail220to move toward mattress14. Movable jaw224and side rail220do not move relative to one another, at least for the most part, until side rail220engages mattress14.

Relative movement between movable jaw224and side rail220begins to occur once side rail220engages mattress14. Continued application of the elevation adjustment force to movable jaw224causes movable jaw224to continue to move downward toward fixed jaw223. Engagement between side rail220and mattress14prevents side rail220from moving downward to the same extent as movable jaw224.

Relative movement between movable jaw224and side rail220causes loading of elastic device233upon clamping of mattress14. Device233is loaded due to compression of device233against mount239by loader243. Loading of device233is transmitted to side rail220to increase the clamping force applied to mattress14. As device233is loaded, it resists relative movement between movable jaw224and side rail220so that signaler241will display unclamped signal38in window242when the clamping force does not comply with the predetermined clamping force criteria and will display clamped signal40in window242when the clamping force does comply with the predetermined clamping force criteria. When mattress14is unclamped, device233causes relative movement between movable jaw224and side rail220so that unclamped signal38reappears in window242.

Clamping force indicator218and movable jaw224are configured for relative slidable movement upon clamping and unclamping of mattress14. Clamping force indicator218includes a slide250, as shown, for example, in FIG.19. Movable jaw224includes a guide track252for slidable engagement with slide250.

Slide250includes a pair of larger lugs264and a pair of smaller lugs266, as shown, for example, inFIG. 19with respect to one larger lug264and one smaller lug266. Larger lugs264are coupled to and positioned on opposite sides of end portion228. Similarly, smaller lugs266are coupled to and positioned on opposite sides of end portion228. Lugs264,266on the same side of end portion228are spaced apart from one another.

Guide track252includes a pair of grooves268formed in interior region234of movable jaw224, as shown, for example, inFIG. 19with respect to one of grooves268. A first wall270is formed to include one of grooves268. A second wall272is formed to include the other groove268as well as window242. Each groove268receives one of larger lugs264and one of smaller lugs266for relative slidable movement between movable jaw224and side rail220.

Left clamping force indicator218provides means for indicating whether the left clamping force complies with predetermined clamping force criteria upon relative movement between movable jaw224and side rail220due to movement of movable jaw224toward fixed jaw223and engagement between side rail220and mattress14. The right clamping force indicator provides means for indicating whether the right clamping force complies with predetermined clamping force criteria upon relative movement between movable jaw324and side rail220due to movement of movable jaw324toward fixed jaw323and engagement between side rail220and mattress14.