Abstract:
A patient care bed includes a frame, a side rail, and a side rail mounting assembly. The side rail mounting assembly includes a rail-receiving member defining a passageway configured to releasably receive the side rail and a support rod fixedly engaged to and extending from the rail-receiving member. The support rod is slidable relative to the frame between a storage position, wherein the rail-receiving member is disposed within the frame, and a use position, wherein the rail-receiving member is disposed outside the frame. The support rod is rotatable relative to the frame between a storage orientation, wherein the rail-receiving member is horizontal, and a use orientation, wherein the rail-receiving member is vertical. The side rail mounting assembly is transitionable between a storage condition, corresponding to the storage position and orientation of the support rod, and a use condition, corresponding to the use position and orientation of the support rod.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/550,005, filed on Oct. 21, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to patient care beds, and more particularly, to a retractable side rail mounting assembly for use in a patient care bed. 
     2. Background of Related Art 
     Adjustable beds are used in both home care and in more formalized medical settings, e.g., hospital rooms. Adjustable beds generally include a fixed frame, adjustable leg assemblies supporting the fixed frame, and an articulating bed frame coupled to the fixed frame and configured to support a mattress thereon. The adjustable leg assemblies permit height adjustment of the fixed frame relative to the floor, while the articulating bed frame is selectively articulatable to orient the patient in a desired position, e.g., a lying position, a sitting position, etc. Thus, adjustable beds can be adapted for use in various different configurations, depending on the setting, e.g., home care or hospital, the condition of the patient, treatment protocol, or other factors. 
     In some instances, it is necessary to provide side rails on either or both sides of the bed. However, because not all situations call for either or both side rails, it is desirable that the side rails are easily installed and removed from the bed. With this in mind, mounting structures that extend outwardly from the bed frame, rather than being positioned underneath or within the bed frame, have been provided to facilitate the installation and removal of the side rails. Such mounting structures, although easily accessible, increase the dimensions of the bed, may interfere with a patient&#39;s ability to get into or out of the bed, and/or provide obstacles to others in the general vicinity of the bed. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present disclosure, a patient care bed is provided. The patient care bed includes a frame, a side rail, and a side rail mounting assembly. The side rail mounting assembly includes a rail-receiving member and a support rod. The rail-receiving member defines a passageway extending therethrough that is configured to releasably receive at least a portion of the side rail to releasably couple the side rail to the frame. The support rod is fixedly engaged to and extends from the rail-receiving member. The support rod is slidably and rotatably coupled to the frame. More specifically, the support rod is slidable relative to the frame between a storage position, wherein the rail-receiving member is disposed within peripheral dimensions of the frame, and a use position, wherein the rail-receiving member is disposed outside the peripheral dimensions of the frame. The support rod is also rotatable relative to the frame between a storage orientation, wherein the rail-receiving member is horizontally oriented, and a use orientation, wherein the rail-receiving member is vertically oriented. Thus, the side rail mounting assembly is capable of being transitioned between a storage condition, corresponding to the storage position and storage orientation of the support rod, and a use condition, corresponding to the use position and use orientation of the support rod. 
     In embodiments, the frame includes at least one mounting flange configured to slidably and rotatably receive the support rod between first and second ends of the support rod. 
     In embodiments, the rail-receiving member is disposed at the first end of the support rod and a stop member is disposed at the second end of the support rod. 
     In embodiments, a biasing member is disposed about the support rod between the at least one mounting flange and the stop member to bias the support rod towards the storage position. 
     In embodiments, interference between the rail-receiving member and frame inhibits sliding of the support rod from the use position to the storage position when the support rod is oriented in the use orientation. 
     In embodiments, the rail-receiving member includes a spring pin configured to releasably engage the at least a portion of the side rail within the passageway of the rail-receiving member. 
     In embodiments, first and second side rails and a plurality of side rail mounting assemblies are provided. At least one side rail mounting assembly is configured to releasably couple the first side rail to a first side of the frame and at least another side rail mounting assembly is configured to releasably couple the second side rail to a second side of the frame. 
     A side rail mounting assembly provided in accordance with the present disclosure and configured for use with a patient care bed includes a rail-receiving member and a support rod. The rail-receiving member defines a passageway extending therethrough that is configured to releasably receive at least a portion of a side rail. The support rod is fixedly engaged to and extends from the rail-receiving member. The support rod is slidably and rotatably coupled to a frame of a patient care bed such that: the support rod is slidable relative to the frame between a storage position, wherein the rail-receiving member is disposed within peripheral dimensions of the frame, and a use position, wherein the rail-receiving member is disposed outside the peripheral dimensions of the frame; and the support rod is rotatable relative to the frame between a storage orientation, wherein the rail-receiving member is horizontally oriented, and a use orientation, wherein the rail-receiving member is vertically oriented. As such, the side rail mounting assembly is capable of transitioning between a storage condition, corresponding to the storage position and storage orientation of the support rod, and a use condition, corresponding to the use position and use orientation of the support rod. 
     In embodiments, the rail-receiving member is disposed at a first end of the support rod and a stop member is disposed at a second end of the support rod. 
     In embodiments, a biasing member is disposed about the support rod and is configured to bias the support rod towards the storage position. 
     In embodiments, the rail-receiving member includes a spring pin configured to releasably engage the at least a portion of the side rail within the passageway of the rail-receiving member. 
     A method of configuring a patient care bed provided in accordance with the present disclosure includes providing a patient care bed, e.g., similar to the patient care bed described herein, although other patient care beds may also be provided, and determining whether the patient care bed is to be used with a side rail or whether the patient care bed is to be used without a side rail. If it is determined that the patient care bed is to be used with a side rail, the side rail mounting assembly is transitioned to a use condition, wherein the rail-receiving member is disposed outside peripheral dimensions of the frame and is disposed in a use orientation. On the other hand, if it is determined that the patient care bed is to be used without a side rail, the side rail mounting assembly is transitioned to a storage condition, wherein the rail-receiving member is disposed within the peripheral dimensions of the frame and is disposed in a storage orientation. 
     In embodiments, after transitioning the side rail mounting assembly to the use condition once it has been determined that the patient care bed is to be used with a side rail, the method may further including engaging a portion of a side rail within the passageway of the rail-receiving member. 
     In embodiments, transitioning the side rail mounting assembly to the use condition includes sliding the support rod relative to the frame such that the rail-receiving member is moved outside the peripheral dimensions of the frame and rotating the support rod relative to the frame such that the rail-receiving member is disposed in a vertical orientation. 
     In embodiments, transitioning the side rail mounting assembly to the storage condition includes rotating the support rod relative to the frame such that the rail-receiving member is disposed in a horizontal orientation and sliding the support rod relative to the frame such that the rail-receiving member is moved inside the peripheral dimensions of the frame. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an adjustable bed provided in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a greatly enlarged, top view of the area of detail indicated in  FIG. 1 , showing a side rail mounting assembly provided in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a greatly enlarged, side view of the area of detail indicated in  FIG. 1 , showing the side rail mounting assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a top view of a portion of a bed frame including the side rail mounting assembly of  FIG. 2  coupled thereto and disposed in a use state; 
         FIG. 4B  is a top view of the portion of the bed frame including the side rail mounting assembly of  FIG. 2  coupled thereto and transitioning between the use state and a storage state; 
         FIG. 4C  is a top view of the portion of the bed frame including the side rail mounting assembly of  FIG. 2  coupled thereto and disposed in the storage state; 
         FIG. 5A  is a side view of the portion of the bed frame including the side rail mounting assembly of  FIG. 2  coupled thereto and disposed in the use state; 
         FIG. 5B  is a side view of the portion of the bed frame including the side rail mounting assembly of  FIG. 2  coupled thereto and transitioning between the use state and the storage state; and 
         FIG. 5C  is a side view of the portion of the bed frame including the side rail mounting assembly of  FIG. 2  coupled thereto and disposed in the storage state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various exemplary embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like references characters identify similar or identical elements. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , an adjustable bed system provided in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is shown generally identified by reference numeral  10 . Bed system  10  may find application in both hospital settings as well as in private home care settings. Bed system  10  generally includes a fixed frame  100 , an articulatable frame  200  articulatably mounted on fixed frame  100 , a pair of leg and end board assemblies  300  coupled to fixed frame  100  at either end  110 ,  120  thereof, and first and second side rails  410 ,  420  coupled to articulatable frame  200  and extending along first and second sides  210 ,  220 , respectively, thereof. A first pair of retractable side rail mounting assemblies  500 ,  600  couples first side rail  410  to first side  210  of articulatable frame  200  at two positions therealong. A second pair of retractable side rail mounting assemblies (not explicitly shown) likewise couples second side rail  420  to second side  220  of articulatable frame  200  at two positions therealong. However, it is also envisioned that greater than two positions for mounting side rails  410 ,  420  to articulatable frame  200  be provided and/or that side rails  410 ,  420  be mounted to fixed frame  100 , rather than articulatable frame  200 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 2-3 , retractable side rail mounting assembly  500  is described. The first pair of side rail mounting assemblies  500 ,  600  and the second pair of side rail mounting assemblies (not explicitly shown) are substantially similar to one another and, thus, only side rail mounting assembly  500  is described hereinbelow to avoid unnecessary repetition. Further, although side rail mounting assembly  500  is shown configured for use with bed system  10  and side rail  410 , it is envisioned that side rail mounting assembly  500  be configured for use with any suitable bed system and/or side rail. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 2-3 , retractable side rail mounting assembly  500  generally includes a rail-receiving member, or cylinder  510  that is engaged, e.g., welded or otherwise secured, to a support rod  520  at an outer end  522  of support rod  520  in generally perpendicular relation relative to support rod  520 . Rail-receiving cylinder  510  includes a lumen  512  extending therethrough that is configured to receive a support post  412  of side rail  410  therein. Rail-receiving cylinder  510  may include a spring pin  514  coupled thereto and configured for engagement within an aperture (not explicitly shown) defined transversely through support post  412  of side rail  410  to retain support post  412  in fixed position within rail-receiving cylinder  510 . Alternatively, any other releasable engagement mechanism may be used to releasable secure support post  412  within rail-receiving cylinder  510 . Further, although shown as a cylinder configured to receive the complementary-shaped cylindrical support post  412 , it is envisioned that rail-receiving member  510  may alternatively define any other configuration suitable to receive a support post  412  of a side rail  410  therethrough. 
     Support rod  520  is slidably and rotatably coupled to articulatable frame  200  via a pair of mounting flanges  530 ,  540 . Each mounting flange  530 ,  540  is engaged, e.g., welded or otherwise secured to a crossbar  230  of articulatable frame  200 , and defines an aperture  532 ,  542  extending transversely therethrough. Apertures  532 ,  542  are configured to receive support rod  520  therethrough and to permit rotation and translation of support rod  520  relative to mounting flanges  530 ,  540 . Support rod  520  further includes a cap, or nut  526  coupled thereto at inner end  524  thereof. Nut  526  inhibits support rod  520  from translating too far outwardly relative to mounting flanges  530 ,  540 , thereby inhibiting withdrawal of support rod  520  from apertures  532 ,  542  in the outward direction, e.g., away from articulatable frame  200 , while rail-receiving cylinder  510  inhibits support rod  520  from translating too far inwardly relative to mounting flanges  530 ,  540 , thereby inhibiting withdrawal of support rod  520  from apertures  532 ,  542  in the inward direction, e.g., inwardly towards a longitudinal axis of articulatable frame  200 . That is, support rod  520  is translatable between an outward, extended, or use position, wherein nut  526  is positioned adjacent mounting flange  530  and wherein rail-receiving cylinder  510  extends outwardly from articulatable frame  200 ; and an inward, retracted, or storage position, wherein rail-receiving cylinder  510  is positioned within the peripheral dimensions of articulatable frame  200  and adjacent mounting flange  540 . A spring  528  is disposed about support rod  520  between nut  526  and mounting flange  530  to bias support rod  520  towards the refracted, or storage position, although it is also envisioned that support rod  520  be biased towards the extended, or use position, or that support rod  520  be substantially unbiased. 
     As mentioned above, support rod  520  and, thus, rail-receiving cylinder  510 , are rotatable relative to mounting flanges  530 ,  540  and, thus, relative to articulatable frame  200 . More specifically, support rod  520  and rail-receiving cylinder  510  are rotatable between a use orientation, wherein rail-receiving cylinder  510  is generally vertically oriented, substantially perpendicular to articulatable frame  200 ; and a storage orientation, wherein rail-receiving cylinder  510  is generally horizontally oriented, substantially parallel to articulatable frame  200 . In the use orientation, the generally vertical position of rail-receiving cylinder  510  facilitates the engagement of support post  412  of side rail  410  therein. In the storage orientation, on the other hand, the lower profile of rail-receiving cylinder  510  facilitates the translation of support rod  520  between the extended, or use position and refracted, or storage position. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 4A-4C and 5A-5C , the use and operation of side rail mounting assembly  500  is described. Additional features of side rail mounting assembly  500  will become apparent in view of the following. 
     With initial reference to  FIGS. 4A and 5A , side rail mounting assembly  500  is shown disposed in a use state, wherein support rod  520  and rail-receiving cylinder  510  are disposed in the use position and the use orientation. That is, in the use state, support rod  520  is positioned such that rail-receiving cylinder  510  extends outwardly from articulatable frame  200  (e.g., the extended position) and such that rail-receiving cylinder  510  is generally vertically oriented, substantially perpendicular to articulatable frame  200  (e.g., the use orientation). With support rod  520  and rail-receiving cylinder  510  in the use orientation, rail-receiving cylinder  510  extends upwardly to at least partially intersect the plane defined by articulatable frame  200 . Thus, retraction of support rod  520  is inhibited in that rail-receiving cylinder  510  will eventually contact the outer, side surface of articulatable frame  200 , thereby inhibiting further retraction of support rod  520 . Put more generally, rail-receiving cylinder  510 , in the use orientation, inhibits support rod  520  from returning under bias back to the retracted, or storage position. 
     Continuing with reference to  FIGS. 4A and 5A , with side rail mounting assembly  500  disposed in the use state, support post  412  of side rail  410  may be inserted into lumen  512  of rail-receiving cylinder  510  and may be secured therein at a desired height by the engagement of spring pin  514  within an aperture (not explicitly shown) extending therethrough. In other words, in the use state, side rail  410  may be easily engaged within side rail mounting assembly  500  to secure side rail  410  to articulatable frame  200 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 4B-4C and 5B-5C , if side rail  410  is not being used, side rail mounting assembly  500  may be transitioned to a storage state, wherein side rail mounting assembly  500  is out of the way of patients, clinicians, or others in the general vicinity of bed system  10 . In order to transition side rail mounting assembly  500  from the use state ( FIGS. 4A and 5A ) to the storage state ( FIGS. 4C and 5C ), as shown in  FIGS. 4B and 5B , support rod  520  is first rotated from the use orientation to the storage orientation. In the storage orientation, rail-receiving cylinder  510  defines a reduced profile, no longer intersecting the plane defined by articulatable frame  200 . That is, in the storage orientation, rail-receiving cylinder  510  no longer inhibits support rod  520  from returning under bias back to the retracted or storage position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4C and 5C , once rail-receiving cylinder  510  is rotated to the storage orientation, support rod  520  is returned under bias back towards the retracted, or storage position, wherein rail-receiving cylinder  510  passes through the gap “g” defined between articulatable frame  200  and fixed frame  100  to the storage state, wherein rail-receiving cylinder  510  is positioned within the peripheral dimensions of articulatable frame  200  and adjacent mounting flange  540 . Alternatively, in embodiments where support rod  520  is not biased towards the retracted, or storage position, support rod  520  may simply be slid inwardly to the retracted, or storage position. Further, in some embodiments, a slot (not explicitly shown) may be defined within articulatable frame  200  and/or fixed frame  100  to facilitate passage of rail-receiving cylinder  510  therebetween. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4A-4C and 5A-5C , in order to return side rail mounting assembly  500  to the use position, with rail-receiving cylinder  510  disposed in the storage orientation, support rod  520  is slid, or translated outwardly relative to articulatable frame  200  from the retracted position towards the extended position such that rail-receiving cylinder  510  passes through the gap “g” defined between articulatable frame  200  and fixed frame  100  to a position externally thereof. Once rail-receiving cylinder  510  is clear, i.e., externally disposed, relative to articulatable frame  200 , rail-receiving cylinder  510  and support rod  520  may be rotated back to the use orientation to retain side rail mounting assembly  500  in the use position, wherein rail-receiving cylinder  510  is presented to facilitate engagement of side rail  410  thereto. 
     The above description, disclosure, and figures should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplary of particular embodiments. It is to be understood, therefore, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise embodiments described, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. Additionally, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the features illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined with those of another, and that such modifications and variations are also intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments.