Abstract:
A bed rail is disclosed for use with a bed. The bed rail includes a clamping device to clamp the bedrail to the bed. The bedrail is moveable between an upright position and a released position wherein the rail is moved downwardly toward a sidewall of the mattress to facilitate climbing upon and climbing off of the mattress.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/433,113, filed Dec. 13, 2002, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. This application is a continuation and claims benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/003,641 filed Dec. 3, 2004 the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference. U.S. application Ser. No. 11/003,641 is a continuation and claims benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/734,346 filed Dec. 12, 2003, (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,196) and is a continuation and claims benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/735,356 filed Dec. 12, 2003.  
       CROSS-REFERENCE  
       [0002]     Cross-reference is made to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/734,392 entitled “Bed Rail With Clamping Force Indicator” (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,934,984), which is assigned to the same assignee as the present application, and which is incorporated by reference in the above-noted U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,196. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     The present disclosure relates to bed rails. Bed rails are used with beds to help retain individuals in bed.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     According to the present disclosure, a bed rail comprises a side rail and a clamp. The clamp cooperates with the side rail to clamp a mattress to mount the side rail alongside the mattress and to unclamp the mattress. The clamp is configured for foldable movement to move the side rail between a raised position and a fold-down position. The clamp includes a fold controller to control movement between the raised and fold-down positions.  
         [0005]     The fold controller includes a leg and a leg receiver. The leg is arranged to be received in the leg receiver to position the side rail in the raised position and to be removed from the leg receiver to position the side rail in the fold-down position. An articulated joint is coupled to the leg and the leg receiver to facilitate movement of the leg relative to the leg receiver between the raised and fold-down positions.  
         [0006]     The fold controller includes a lock and a lock release. The lock is used to lock the leg in the leg receiver to position the side rail in the raised position. The lock release is used to release the lock to allow removal of the leg from the leg receiver to position the side rail in the fold-down position.  
         [0007]     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. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a bed and a bed rail including a side rail extending between left and right clamps arranged to cooperate with the side rail to clamp a mattress of the bed to position the side rail alongside the mattress;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic view showing each clamp including a fold controller coupled to a fixed jaw and a movable jaw and arranged to control foldable movement of the bed rail;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the bed rail in a raised position in which the bed rail is ready to be moved to a clamped position shown, for example, in  FIG. 4  or to a fold-down position shown, for example, in  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the bed rail in the clamped position in which the bed rail clamps the mattress to mount the side rail alongside the mattress;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing foldable movement of the bed rail toward the fold-down position;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing the bed rail assuming the fold-down position;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of components of the fold controller of the left clamp;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view, with portions broken away, showing the left clamp and a left end portion of the side rail in the raised position;  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view taken along lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8  showing the left fold controller including a leg receiver configured as a socket, a leg extending into the socket, and an articulated joint including a slidable anchor positioned in the leg receiver below the leg and a link coupled to the anchor by a first pivot and to the leg by a second pivot;  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken along lines  10 - 10  of  FIG. 8  showing the left fold controller including a lock positioned in a locked position to lock the leg in the leg receiver;  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view similar to  FIG. 10  showing actuation of a lock release to move the lock to an unlocked position to allow removal of the leg from the leg receiver and movement of the bed rail to the fold-down position;  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view, with portions broken away, showing foldable movement of the left clamp and the left end portion of the side rail;  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view taken along lines  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12  showing slidable movement of the anchor in a channel formed in the leg receiver upon movement of the bed rail to the fold-down position;  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  is a sectional view taken along lines  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13  showing tabs of the anchor extending into grooves of the channel and rails of the channel spaced circumferentially about a body of the anchor for slidable engagement therewith;  
         [0023]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view, with portions broken away, showing the left clamp and the left end portion of the side rail in the fold-down position;  
         [0024]      FIG. 16  is a sectional view taken along lines  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15  showing engagement between the anchor and an anchor stop included in the leg receiver when the bed rail assumes the fold-down position; and  
         [0025]      FIGS. 17-19  are sectional views that are similar to  FIGS. 10 and 11  and show, in series, movement of the lock to its locked position upon insertion of the leg into the channel of the leg receiver during movement of the bed rail to the raised position.  
         [0026]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a second embodiment showing a bed and a bed rail including a side rail positioned between left and right clamps configured to clamp a mattress of the bed to position the side rail alongside the mattress;  
         [0027]      FIG. 21  is a diagrammatic view showing components of the bed rail including the left and right clamps and showing each clamp including a fixed jaw configured to be positioned under the mattress, a movable jaw configured to be positioned over the mattress and to move relative to the fixed jaw to clamp the mattress between the fixed jaw and the movable jaw, and a motion controller to control movement of the movable jaw relative to the fixed jaw;  
         [0028]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the right clamp, with portions broken away, showing the right movable jaw supported by a leg included in the right motion controller;  
         [0029]      FIG. 23  is a partially exploded perspective view, with portions broken away, showing the right motion controller further including a ratchet coupled to the leg and a ratchet engagement device including a body configured to engage the ratchet and a mover (e.g., a spring) configured to move the body into engagement with the ratchet;  
         [0030]      FIG. 24  is an end elevation view of the bed rail showing the right fixed jaw extending between the mattress and an underlying box spring unit and showing the right movable jaw elevated above the mattress and ready for downward movement to clamp the mattress between the right fixed jaw and the right movable jaw;  
         [0031]      FIG. 25  is an enlarged end elevation view of the bed rail, with portions broken away, corresponding to the condition shown in  FIG. 5  and showing the body of the right motion controller positioned in a motion-limiting position in which the body engages the ratchet of the right motion controller to block upward movement of the right movable jaw away from the right fixed jaw and, in the absence of application of an elevation adjustment force to the right movable jaw, to block downward movement of the right movable jaw toward the fixed jaw to position the right movable jaw and the side rail coupled thereto at a selected elevation;  
         [0032]      FIG. 26  is an elevation view of an inner side of the right clamp, with portions broken away, corresponding to the condition shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  and showing the body in its motion-limiting position;  
         [0033]      FIG. 27  is an end elevation view of the bed rail showing downward movement of the right movable jaw toward the right fixed jaw and the mattress upon application of the elevation adjustment force to the right movable jaw;  
         [0034]      FIG. 28  is an enlarged end elevation view of the bed rail, with portions broken away, corresponding to the condition shown in  FIG. 8  and showing camming engagement between the body and the ratchet to allow downward movement of the right movable jaw upon application of the elevation adjustment force to the right movable jaw;  
         [0035]      FIG. 29  is an elevation view of the inner side of the right clamp, with portions broken away, corresponding to the condition shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  and showing movement of the body of the right motion controller due to camming engagement between the body and the ratchet during downward movement of the right movable jaw;  
         [0036]      FIG. 30  is an end elevation view of the bed rail showing the right movable jaw and the right fixed jaw clamping the mattress therebetween;  
         [0037]      FIG. 31  is an enlarged end elevation view of the bed rail, with portions broken away, corresponding to the condition shown in  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0038]      FIG. 32  is an elevation view of the inner side of the right clamp, with portions broken away, corresponding to the condition shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  and showing, in solid lines, the body assuming its motion-limiting position so that the mattress remains clamped and, in phantom, the body assuming a motion-enabling position upon application of a release force to a release coupled to the body to allow upward movement of the right movable jaw away from the right fixed jaw to unclamp the mattress;  
         [0039]      FIG. 33  is a perspective view of another bed rail which includes left and right clamps coupled to a side rail extending therebetween; and  
         [0040]      FIG. 34  is an elevation view, with portions broken away, showing components of the left clamp. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0041]     A bed rail  10  is configured to be mounted to a bed  12 , as suggested, for example, in  FIGS. 1 and 20 . Bed rail  10  is mounted initially to bed  12  in a raised position in which bed rail  10  does not clamp a mattress  14  included in bed  12 , as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 3 and 8 . From that position, bed rail  10  can be moved to either a clamped position shown, for example, in  FIG. 4  or an out-of-the-way, fold-down position shown, for example, in  FIGS. 5, 6 ,  12 , and  15 . In the raised position, bed rail  10  clamps mattress  14  so that bed rail  10  can be used to inhibit unintended movement of a person (not shown) off bed  12 . The fold-down position is useful to allow uninhibited movement of a person off bed  12 . Left and right fold controllers  16 ,  116  are included in bed rail  10  to control foldable movement of bed rail  10  between the raised and fold-down positions.  
         [0042]     Bed rail  10  includes left and right clamps  18 ,  118  and a side rail  20  coupled thereto, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 1  and diagrammatically in  FIG. 2 . Clamps  18 ,  118  and side rail  20  cooperate to clamp mattress  14  to mount side rail  20  alongside mattress  14 .  
         [0043]     Left clamp  18  includes a left fixed jaw (or base)  22 , a left movable jaw  24 , and left fold controller  16 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 2 . Similarly, right clamp  118  includes a right fixed jaw (or base)  122 , a right movable jaw  124 , and a right fold controller  116 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0044]     Fixed jaws  22 ,  122  are adapted to be positioned under mattress  14  in a fixed position between mattress  14  and an underlying box spring unit  26 , as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 3-6 . A jaw connector  28  coupled to left and right fixed jaws  22 ,  122  is used for stabilization of bed rail  10 .  
         [0045]     Movable jaws  24 ,  124  are coupled to side rail  20  and are arranged to move relative to fixed jaws  22 ,  122  to clamp and unclamp mattress  14 . Movable jaws  24 ,  124  are arranged to move toward fixed jaws  22 ,  122  to move side rail  20  toward mattress  14  to clamp mattress  14  between side rail  20  and fixed jaws  22 ,  122  to mount side rail  20  alongside mattress  14 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 4 . Movable jaws  24 ,  124  are arranged to move away from fixed jaws  22 ,  122  to move side rail  20  away from mattress to unclamp mattress  14 . Further details of the clamping and unclamping operation of bed rail  10  is discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/735,356 entitled “Bed Rail” (Attorney Docket No. 20341-73079) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/734,392 entitled “Bed Rail With Clamping Force Indicator” (Attorney Docket No. 20341-72626).  
         [0046]     Left and right clamps  18 ,  118  are configured for foldable movement to move side rail  20  between the raised and fold-down positions. In the raised position, side rail  20  is positioned higher than fixed jaws (or bases)  22 ,  122  so that side rail  20  is positioned higher than a top surface  100  of mattress  14 . In the fold-down position, side rail  20  is positioned higher than fixed jaws (or bases)  22 ,  122  so that side rail  20  is positioned higher than top surface  100  of mattress.  
         [0047]     Left and right fold controllers  16 ,  116  are arranged to control such foldable movement of left and right clamps  18 ,  118 . It is within the scope of this disclosure for fold controllers  16 ,  116  to control foldable movement of clamps  18 ,  118  between the clamped position and the fold-down position. As such, the clamped position may also be considered to be a “raised” position.  
         [0048]     Left and right clamps  18 ,  118  are similar to one another in structure and function. Thus, further description herein of left clamp  18  and its components applies also to right clamp  118  and its components.  
         [0049]     Fold controller  16  includes a leg  30 , a leg receiver  32 , an articulated joint (or articulated “ankle” joint)  34 , a releasable lock  36 , and a lock release  38 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 7 . Leg  30  is coupled to movable jaw  24  for movement of side rail  20  coupled thereto between the raised and fold-down positions. Leg  30  is arranged to be received in leg receiver  32  to position side rail  20  in the raised position and is arranged to be removed from leg receiver  32  to position side rail  20  in the fold-down position. Leg receiver  32  is configured, for example, as a socket and cooperates with fixed jaw  22  to provide one of two feet  40  of bed rail  10 . Articulated joint  34  is arranged to allow leg  30 , and thus side rail  20 , to move relative to leg receiver  32  between the raised and fold-down positions. Lock  36  is used to lock leg  30  in leg receiver  32  when leg  30  assumes the raised position. Lock release  38  is used to release lock  36  to allow removal of leg  30  from leg receiver  32  for movement to the fold-down position.  
         [0050]     Leg  30  includes telescoping inner and outer tubes  42 ,  44  and an attachment  46  to outer tube  42 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 7 . Inner tube  42  is coupled to movable jaw  24  and is arranged to move into and out of outer tube  44  upon movement of movable jaw  24  along outer tube  44  during clamping and unclamping of mattress  14 . A spring-biased movable button  48  coupled to movable jaw  24  is arranged to engage a ratchet  50  coupled to outer tube  44  to control movement of movable jaw  24  along outer tube  44 . Attachment  46  is coupled to outer tube  42  upon insertion of an attachment body  49  included in attachment  46  into outer tube  42  and engagement between an attachment lug  51  coupled to body  49  and a lug-receiving opening  52  formed in outer tube  42 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0051]     Leg receiver  32  includes an outer sleeve  53  and an inner sleeve  54 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 9 . Outer sleeve  53  is coupled to fixed jaw  22  and surrounds inner sleeve  54 . Outer and inner sleeves  53 ,  54  are coupled to one another at top portions thereof. Inner sleeve  54  is formed to include a channel  56  and an upper end opening  58  through which a lower leg end portion  60  of leg  30  passes as it moves into and out of channel  56 . Outer tube  44  and attachment  46  cooperate to provide lower leg end portion  60 .  
         [0052]     Articulated joint  34  is coupled to leg  30  and leg receiver  32  for movement of leg  30  relative to leg receiver  32  between the raised and fold-down positions. Joint  34  includes an anchor  62 , first and second pivots  64 ,  66 , and a link  68  coupled to anchor  62  by first pivot  64  and to attachment  46  by second pivot  66 .  
         [0053]     Anchor  62  includes an anchor body  74  and a pair of anchor ears  104  coupled to and extending upwardly from anchor body  74 , as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 7, 10 , and  11 . First pivot  64  includes a first pivot axle  106  and a first washer  108 . First pivot axle  106  extends through an anchor ear opening  110  formed in each anchor ear  104 , through first washer  108 , and through a link opening  112  formed in link  68  for pivotable movement between anchor  62  and link  68  upon movement of leg  30  between the raised and fold-down positions.  
         [0054]     Attachment  46  includes a pair of attachment ears  114  coupled to and extending from attachment body  49 , as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 7, 10 , and  11 . Second pivot  66  includes a second pivot axle  116  and a second washer  118 . Second pivot axle  116  extends through an attachment ear opening  120  formed in each attachment ear  114 , through second washer  118 , and through an elongated slot  82  formed in link  68 .  
         [0055]     Anchor  62  is used to anchor leg  30 , movable jaw  24 , and side rail  20  to foot  40  when bed rail  10  assumes the fold-down position. To do so, anchor  62  is positioned in channel  56  to slide in channel  56  longitudinally along an axis  67  of channel  56 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 13 . Anchor  62  is arranged slide in channel  56  between a lower, at-rest position shown, for example, in  FIGS. 9-11  and an upper, anchoring position shown, for example, in  FIG. 16 . In the lower, at-rest position, anchor  62  is held in channel  56  by finger lugs  69  of a pair of flexible fingers  70  included in inner sleeve  54 . Fingers  70  are flexible to allow insertion of anchor  62  into channel  56  through a lower end opening  72  during assembly of bed rail  10 . In the upper, anchoring position, anchor  62  engages an anchor stop  73  included in inner sleeve  54 . Such engagement between anchor  62  and anchor stop  73  maintains the connection between leg  30  and leg receiver  32  when leg  30  assumes the fold-down position.  
         [0056]     Anchor  62  and channel  56  are arranged to facilitate movement of anchor  62  therein. Anchor  62  includes a pair of tabs  76  coupled to and extending outwardly from anchor body  74 , as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 7, 9 ,  13 ,  14 , and  16 . Tabs  76  fit in a pair of grooves  78  formed in channel  56  for movement in grooves between the lower, at-rest position and the upper, anchoring position, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 14 . Tabs  76  engage anchor stop  73  when anchor  62  assumes the upper, anchoring position. Channel  56  includes four circumferentially spaced-apart rails  80  that extend longitudinally along channel  56 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 14 . Rails  80  are arranged to engage body  74  as anchor  62  moves through channel  56 . Grooves  78  and rails  80  cooperate to provide an anchor guide  81  for guiding movement of anchor  62  in channel  56 .  
         [0057]     Second pivot axle  116  is arranged to move in elongated slot  82  upon movement of leg  30  between the raised and fold-down positions, as suggested, for example, in  FIGS. 10, 11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  15 , and  16 . Such movement of second pivot axle  116  in slot  82  allows for movement of leg  30  toward anchor  62  upon movement of leg  30  to the raised position to promote efficient use of space in channel  56 . Such movement of second pivot axle  116  in slot  82  also allows for movement of leg  30  away from anchor  62  upon movement of leg  30  to the fold-down position so that leg  30  and side rail  20  can move from being right-side up in the raised position to being upside-down in the fold-down position.  
         [0058]     Lock  36  is arranged to move between a locking position shown, for example, in  FIG. 10  and an unlocking position shown, for example, in  FIG. 11 . In the locking position, lock  36  locks leg  30  in leg receiver  32  to thus lock leg  30  and side rail  20  in the raised position. In the unlocking position, lock  36  is positioned to allow removal of leg  30  from leg receiver  32  to allow movement of leg  30  and side rail to the fold-down position. Lock release  38  is arranged to move lock  36  from the locking position to the unlocking position, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0059]     Lock  36  includes a spring  84  and a locking pin  86  coupled thereto, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 7 . Spring  84  is mounted in an interior region  88  formed in leg  30  and provided by outer tube  44  and attachment  46 . Locking pin  86  is aligned with a leg opening  87  formed in leg  30  for movement therein upon movement between the locking and unlocking positions. In the locking position, pin  86  is arranged to extend into an inner sleeve opening  90  formed in inner sleeve  54  to lock leg  30  in leg receiver  32  and thus lock leg  30  and side rail  20  in the raised position, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0060]     A button  92  included in lock release  38  is arranged to move inwardly through an outer sleeve opening  94  to retract pin  86  inwardly from inner sleeve opening  90  into interior region  88  to the unlocking position upon application of a release force  96  to button  92 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 11 . A spring  98  positioned between inner sleeve  54  and button  92  is used to move button  92  outwardly upon removal of release force  96  from button  92 .  
         [0061]     To use bed rail  10 , fixed jaw  22  is positioned between mattress  14  and box spring unit  26  in a fixed position. Initially, bed rail  10  is in the raised position, as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 3 and 8 - 10 . In this position, lower leg end portion  60  is locked in channel  56  by lock  36  so that leg  30  and side rail  10  are rightside-up and side rail  20  is positioned higher than a top surface  100  of mattress  14 . Side rail  20  is higher than top surface  100  to inhibit unintended movement of a person off mattress  14  once mattress is clamped. Lower leg end portion  60  remains locked in channel  56  upon clamping and unclamping of mattress  14 . Button  92  is actuated to release locking pin  86  from inner sleeve opening  90  to unlock leg  30 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0062]     Once unlocked, leg  30  and side rail  20  can transition from the raised position to the fold-down position, as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 5 and 12 - 14 . During such transitional movement, leg  30  is withdrawn from channel  56  thereby causing second pivot  66  to move through slot  82  and engage link  68 . Engagement between second pivot  66  and link  68  causes anchor  62  to start moving upwardly through channel  56  from its lower, at-rest position toward its upper, anchoring position, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 13 . Anchor guide  81  guides movement of anchor  62  as anchor  62  moves through channel  56 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0063]     In the fold-down position, leg  30  and side rail  20  are upside-down and side rail  20  is lower than top surface  100  of mattress  14 , as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 6 and 15 . Leg  30  and side rail  20  are oriented in this manner to minimize the amount of space occupied by bed rail  10  when bed rail  10  is not in use. Tabs  76  of anchor  62  engage anchor stop  73  to maintain the connection between leg  30  and leg receiver  32  when leg  30  and side rail  20  assume the fold-down position.  
         [0064]     Leg  30  and side rail  20  can be moved back to the raised position by inserting lower leg end portion  60  back into channel  56 . As such movement occurs, locking pin  86  engages an inclined surface  102  formed in inner sleeve  54  and is retracted into interior region  88  of leg  30  in response to such engagement, as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . Locking pin  86  becomes aligned with and is moved into inner sleeve opening  90  by spring  84  to lock leg  30  in leg receiver  32  upon further insertion of lower leg end portion  60  into channel  56 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 19 . The leg  30  and side rail  20  thus re-assume the raised position upon reception of leg  30  in leg receiver  32 .  
         [0065]     Fold controller  16  provides means for controlling movement of side rail  20  relative to a base  22  between a raised position extending higher than base  22  so that side rail  20  extends higher than top surface  100  of mattress  14  when base  22  is positioned under mattress  14  in the fixed position and a fold-down position extending lower than base  22  so that side rail  20  extends lower than top surface  100  of mattress  14  when base  22  is positioned under mattress  14  in the fixed position. Fold controller  116  provides means for controlling movement of side rail  20  relative to a base  122  between a raised position extending higher than base  122  so that side rail  20  extends higher than top surface  100  of mattress  14  when base  122  is positioned under mattress  14  in the fixed position and a fold-down position extending lower than base  122  so that side rail  20  extends lower than top surface  100  of mattress  14  when base  122  is positioned under mattress  14  in the fixed position. It is within the scope of this disclosure for mattress  14  to be unclamped in such a raised position. It is also within the scope of this disclosure for mattress  14  to be clamped in such a raised position.  
         [0066]     As shown in  FIG. 20 , right and left clamps  214 ,  314  included in bed rail  210  are configured to clamp a mattress  216  included in bed  212  to mount bed rail  210  to bed  212  and to mount a side rail  218  included in bed rail  210  alongside mattress  216 , as discussed in more detail herein. When bed rail  210  is no longer needed, it may be removed from bed  212 .  
         [0067]     Right clamp  214  includes a right fixed jaw  220 , a right movable jaw  222 , and a right motion controller  224  and left clamp  314  includes a left fixed jaw  320 , a left movable jaw  322 , and a left motion controller  324 , as shown, for example, diagrammatically in  FIG. 21 . Fixed jaws  220 ,  320  are configured to be positioned under mattress  216  in a fixed position between mattress  216  and an underlying box spring unit  226 .  
         [0068]     Movable jaws  222 ,  322  are configured to be positioned over mattress  216 . Right movable jaw  222  is configured to move toward right fixed jaw  220  to clamp mattress between right fixed jaw  220  and right movable jaw  222  and to move away from right fixed jaw  220  to unclamp mattress  216 . Left movable jaw  322  is configured to move toward left fixed jaw  320  to clamp mattress  216  between left fixed jaw  320  and left movable jaw  322  and to move away from left fixed jaw  320  to unclamp mattress  216 .  
         [0069]     Right motion controller  224  is configured to control relative movement of jaws  220 ,  222 . Right motion controller  224  thus provides motion controller means for controlling relative movement of jaws  220 ,  222  toward one another to clamp mattress  216  and away from one another to unclamp mattress  216 .  
         [0070]     Left motion controller  324  is configured to control relative movement of jaws  320 ,  322 . Left motion controller  324  thus provides motion controller means for controlling relative movement of jaws  320 ,  322  toward one another to clamp mattress  216  and away from one another to unclamp mattress  216 .  
         [0071]     Right and left clamps  214 ,  314  are similar to one another in structure and function. Thus, the description herein of right clamp  214  and its components applies also to left clamp  314  and its components.  
         [0072]     Fixed jaw  220  is configured to inhibit detachment of bed rail  210  from bed  212 . Fixed jaw  220  includes a number ridges  228  formed in a top surface of fixed jaw  220  and an anti-slide member  230  formed to include a number of teeth, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 20 . Ridges  228  and the teeth of anti-slide member  230  are configured to engage a bottom surface of mattress  216  to inhibit withdrawal of fixed jaw  220  from between mattress  216  and box spring unit  226 .  
         [0073]     A jaw connector  232  interconnects fixed jaws  220  of left and right clamps  216 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 20 . In the illustrated embodiment, jaw connector  232  includes telescoping tubes  234  configured to be locked in an extended, use position.  
         [0074]     Movable jaw  222  includes inner and outer shells  236 ,  238  coupled to one another by fasteners  240 , as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 22 and 23 . Inner and outer shells  236 ,  238  cooperate to provide a forward portion  242  of movable jaw  222 , a rearward portion  244  of movable jaw  222 , a top portion  46  of movable jaw  222 , and a bottom portion  248  of movable jaw  222 . Side rail  218  is coupled to forward portion  242  for movement relative thereto. Rearward portion  244  is coupled to motion controller  224 . Top portion  246  is formed to include a hand grip  250  configured to be gripped by a person&#39;s hand to push movable jaw  222  downwardly toward fixed jaw  220  for engagement between bottom portion  248  and mattress  216 .  
         [0075]     Motion controller  224  is configured to move between a motion-limiting position shown, for example, in  FIG. 25  and a motion-enabling position shown, for example, in phantom lines in  FIG. 32 . In the motion-limiting position, motion controller  224  blocks movement of movable jaw  222  away from fixed jaw  220  and, in the absence of application of an elevation adjustment force  251  to movable jaw  222 , also blocks movement of movable jaw  222  toward fixed jaw  222  to position movable jaw  222  and side rail  218  coupled thereto at a selected elevation. Motion controller  224  allows movement of movable jaw  222  toward fixed jaw  220  to clamp mattress  216  upon application of elevation adjustment force  251  to movable jaw when motion controller  224  is positioned in the motion-limiting position, as suggested in  FIGS. 27-29 . In the motion-enabling position, motion controller  224  allows movement of movable jaw  222  toward fixed jaw  220  and allows movement of movable jaw  222  away from fixed jaw  220  to unclamp mattress  216 .  
         [0076]     Motion controller  224  includes a leg  252  shown, for example, in  FIGS. 20 and 25  and a guide channel  254  shown, for example, in  FIG. 25 . Leg  252  extends from fixed jaw  220  into guide channel  254 . Guide channel  254  is formed in inner and outer shells  236 ,  238  of movable jaw  222  and configured to guide movement of movable jaw  222  along leg  252 .  
         [0077]     In the illustrated embodiment, leg  252  includes telescoping inner and outer tubes  256 ,  258 , as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 25, 28 , and  31 . Inner tube  256  is coupled to movable jaw  222  by a tube mount  260  which extends into an aperture  262  formed in an upper end portion of inner tube  256 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 25 .  
         [0078]     Motion controller  224  includes a ratchet  264  and a ratchet engagement device  266 , as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 23, 25 ,  26 ,  28 ,  29 ,  31 , and  32 . Ratchet  264  is coupled to outer tube  258 . Ratchet engagement device  266  is coupled to movable jaw  222  for movement relative to ratchet  264  between the motion-limiting position in which device  266  engages ratchet  264  and the motion-enabling position in which device  266  releases ratchet  264 . Device  266  thus provides means for engaging ratchet  264  to clamp mattress  216  and for releasing ratchet  264  to unclamp mattress  216 .  
         [0079]     Device  66  includes a slidable body  270 , a mover  268 , and a release  278 , as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 22 and 23 . Body  270  is positioned in a jaw interior region  272  formed in movable jaw  222  and is formed to include a notch member  274  configured to receive teeth  276  included in ratchet  264 . Mover  268  moves body  270  toward ratchet  264  to the motion-limiting position and is configured, for example, as a spring.  
         [0080]     Release  278  is coupled to body  270  to move body to the motion-enabling position upon application of a release force  279  to release  278  by a user. Release  278  is configured, for example, as a lug extending from body  270  through an exterior access opening  280  formed in inner shell  236  for external access to release  278  by the user. Body  270  and release  278  cooperate to provide a button.  
         [0081]     Body  270  is configured to slide between the motion-limiting and motion-enabling positions. Movable jaw  222  includes a guide  282  and body  270  includes a guide follower  284  configured to follow  282 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 23 . Guide  282  includes upper and lower guide surfaces  286 . Follower  284  includes upper and lower follower surfaces  288  configured to slide against upper and lower guide surfaces  286  for linear movement of body  270 .  
         [0082]     Spring  268  is positioned in a body interior region  290  shown, for example, in  FIG. 23 . Spring  268  is captured between a spring retention surface  292  positioned to one side of spring  268  and a pair of spring retention tabs  294  positioned to an opposite side of spring  268 . Spring retention tabs  294  are mounted in spaced-apart relation to one another to receive a spring compression tab  296  therebetween.  
         [0083]     Spring compression tab  296  is included in movable jaw  222  and configured to extend between spring retention tabs  294  to engage spring  268  for compression thereof upon movement of body  270  in a direction  298 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 28 . Such movement may occur due to camming engagement between notch member  274  and teeth  276  and may occur due to application of release force  279  to release  278  to move body  270  to the motion-enabling position.  
         [0084]     A spring alignment tab  300  shown, for example, in  FIG. 23  is configured to align spring  268  with spring compression tab  296  for engagement therewith. Spring alignment tab  300  is coupled to body  270  to extend in body interior region  290  and extends longitudinally along spring  268  for engagement with spring  268 .  
         [0085]     To use bed rail  210 , bed rail  210  is first coupled to bed  212 . To couple bed rail  210  to bed  212 , right and left clamps  214 ,  314  are clamped to mattress  216 . Side rail  218  is mounted alongside bed  212  upon clamping of clamps  214 ,  314  to bed  212 . Each clamp  214 ,  314  thus provides means for clamping mattress  216  to position side rail  218  alongside mattress  216 .  
         [0086]     Before clamping of mattress  216 , fixed jaws  220 ,  120  are inserted between mattress  216  and box spring unit  226  and side rail  218  and movable jaws  222 ,  122  are positioned at an elevated position over mattress  216  in a mattress-unclamping position, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 24 . Each body  270  is positioned in its motion-limiting position, as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 25 and 26 , to maintain side rail  218  and movable jaws  222 ,  122  in the elevated position.  
         [0087]     Clamps  214 ,  314  are then clamped to mattress  216 . Elevation adjustment force  251  is applied to each hand grip  251  to lower side rail  218  and movable jaws  222 ,  122  into contact with mattress  216  to apply a clamping force thereto, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 27 . Bodies  270  cam against teeth  276  of ratchets  264  to allow lowering of side rail  218  and movable jaws  222 ,  122 , a shown in  FIGS. 28 and 29 . Further downward movement of side rail  218  and movable jaws  222 ,  122  causes movable jaws  222 ,  122  to assume a mattress-clamping position so that mattress  216  becomes clamped between movable jaws  222 ,  122  and fixed jaws  220 ,  120 , as shown in  FIG. 30 . When mattress  216  is clamped, bodies  270  are in their motion-limiting position to block upward movement of movable jaws  222 ,  122  to lock movable jaws  222 ,  122  in their mattress-clamping position, as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 .  
         [0088]     To unclamp mattress  216 , release force  279  is applied to releases  278 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 32 . Release force  279  moves bodies  270  from the motion-limiting position to the motion-enabling position to allow elevation of side rail  218  and movable jaws  222 ,  122  away from mattress  216  back to a mattress-unclamping position shown, for example, in  FIG. 24 . An elevation limiter  302  shown, for example, in  FIG. 25 , is coupled to each outer shell  238  to engage a ratchet  264  to limit elevation of side rail  218  and movable jaws  222 ,  122 .  
         [0089]     A bed rail  410  shown, for example, in  FIG. 33  is configured for use with bed  212 . Bed rail  410  includes right and left clamps  414 ,  514  configured to clamp mattress  216  to mount a side rail  418  alongside mattress  216  and to unclamp mattress  216 . Each clamp  224 ,  514  thus provides means for clamping mattress  216  to position side rail  218  alongside mattress  216 .  
         [0090]     Right clamp  414  includes a right fixed jaw  420 , a right movable jaw  422 , and a right motion controller  424 . Similarly, left clamp  514  includes a left fixed jaw  520 , a left movable jaw  522 , and a left motion controller  524 . Fixed jaws  420 ,  520  are connected by a jaw connector  432  and are configured to be positioned under mattress  216  in a fixed position between mattress  216  and underlying box spring unit  226 .  
         [0091]     Movable jaws  422 ,  522  are coupled to side rail  418  and configured to be positioned over mattress. Movable jaws  422 ,  522  are configured to move toward fixed jaws  420 ,  520  to move side rail  418  toward mattress  216  to clamp mattress  216  between side rail  418  and fixed jaws  420 ,  520  to mount side rail  418  alongside mattress  216 . Movable jaws  422 ,  522  are configured to move away from fixed jaws  420 ,  520  to move side rail  418  away from mattress  216  to unclamp mattress  216 .  
         [0092]     Right motion controller  424  is configured to control relative movement between right fixed jaw  420  and right movable jaw  422 . Right motion controller  424  thus provides motion controller means for controlling relative movement between jaws  420 ,  422  toward one another to clamp mattress  216  and away from one another to unclamp mattress  216 .  
         [0093]     Left motion controller  524  is configured to control relative movement between left fixed jaw  520  and left movable jaw  522 . Left motion controller  524  thus provides motion controller means for controlling relative movement between jaws  520 ,  522  toward one another to clamp mattress  216  and away from one another to unclamp mattress  216 .  
         [0094]     Clamps  414 ,  514  are similar to one another in structure and function. Thus, the description herein of left clamp  514  applies also to right clamp  414 .  
         [0095]     Motion controller  524  includes a leg  552 , a ratchet  364 , and a ratchet engagement device  566 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 34 . Leg  552  is coupled to and extends upwardly from fixed jaw  520  into an interior region  572  formed in movable jaw  522 . Ratchet  564  is coupled to leg  552 . A sleeve  567  is positioned in interior region  572  to receive and surround leg  552  and ratchet  564  coupled thereto. Sleeve  567  is formed to include a guide channel  554  to guide movement of movable jaw  522  along leg  552 .  
         [0096]     Ratchet engagement device  566  is coupled to movable jaw  522  for movement therewith as movable jaw  522  moves toward and away from fixed jaw  520 . Ratchet engagement device  566  includes a slidable body  570 , a mover  568 , and a release  578 .  
         [0097]     Mover  568  causes body  570  to slide along a surface  577  toward ratchet  564  in a ratchet-engagement direction  579  to a motion-limiting position so that body  570  normally engages ratchet  564 . Engagement between body  570  and ratchet  564  allows movement of movable jaw  522  toward fixed jaw  520  to clamp mattress  216  but blocks movement of movable jaw  522  away from fixed jaw  520 . Body  570  is formed to include a notch member  574  to engage teeth  576  included in ratchet  564 . Mover  568  is configured, for example, as a spring.  
         [0098]     Release  578  is configured to cause body  570  to slide along surface  577  away from ratchet  564  in a ratchet-release direction  580  to a motion-enabling position so that body  570  releases ratchet  564 . Movable jaw  522  is allowed to move away from fixed jaw  520  to unclamp mattress  216  upon release of ratchet  564 .  
         [0099]     Release  578  includes a pivot  581 , a body engagement tab  582 , and an actuator tab  584 . Pivot  581  is formed to include an axle-receiving opening  598  receiving an axle  596  for pivotable movement of release  578  about an axis  586 . Body engagement tab  582  engages body  570  to move body  570  in ratchet-release direction  580  upon movement of actuator tab  584  through an external access opening  594  formed in movable jaw  522  in a first pivot direction  588  about axis  586  due to application of a release force  590  to actuator tab  584 . Release force  590  may be applied to actuator tab  584  when the hand of a user grips a lower portion of movable jaw  520  so that the palm of the user&#39;s hand presses actuator tab  584  in first pivot direction  588 . Release  578  will pivot about axis  586  through opening  594  in a second pivot direction  592  due to operation of mover  568  and engagement between body engagement tab  582  and body  570  when the user&#39;s hand is removed from actuator  584 . Release  578  is configured, for example, as a plate.  
         [0100]     Ratchet engagement device  566  provides means for engaging ratchet  564  to clamp mattress  216  and for releasing ratchet  564  to unclamp mattress  216 .  
         [0101]     Siderail  20  includes a rectangular rim and a fabric panel coupled to the rim as shown in  FIGS. 1-6  and  20 .