Patent Publication Number: US-11659937-B1

Title: Swing and slide bed rail with outer and inner frames

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/109,570 filed Dec. 2, 2020 (U.S. Pat. No. 11,259,643 issued Mar. 1, 2022) and claims the benefit thereof under 35 U.S.C. § 120, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a bed rail that a) swings down from an operating position at the near side of a bed and then slides into the space between a mattress and mattress support and b) is slideable out of the space between the mattress and mattress support and then swingable up to the operating position at the near side of the bed. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Bed rails have frames. The frames are leaned upon by caregivers attending to the patient in the bed. The frames are pulled and pushed by visitors and by the patient in the bed. These actions of leaning, pulling, and pushing may have the undesirable effect of disengaging the bed rail in some fashion such that the bed rail no longer is disposed in a protective way at the near side of the bed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A feature of the present invention is a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames, of the bed rail having a rail portion and a base portion, where the base portion is engaged to the rail portion and adaptable for engagement with the bed between the mattress and mattress support, and where the base portion includes first and second base members spaced apart from each other. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames, of the rail portion having a first position and a second position, where the first position is an operating position adjacent to the near side of the mattress, and where the second position is a stored position in the base portion between the mattress and the mattress support. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames, of the rail portion being swingably engaged to the base portion. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames, of the rail portion being slideable into and out of the base portion. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames, of the rail portion including an outer frame and an inner frame. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames, of the outer frame of the rail portion including a traversing member and first and second end members, where the traversing member extends between and is engaged to the first and second end members, where the first end member is swingably and slideably engaged with the first base member of the base portion, and where the second end member is swingably and slideably engaged with the second base member of the base portion. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames, of the inner frame being slideable on the first and second end members of the outer frame and slideable to and away from the traversing member of the outer frame, and where the inner frame is engagable with and disengagable from the first and second base members of the base portion to prevent the rail portion from swinging and sliding relative to the base portion. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames, of the outer frame including a U-shape and of the first and second end members being straight end members having respective first and second distal ends, where the first distal end is swingably engaged with the first base member, and where the second distal end is swingably engaged with the second base member. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames, of the traversing member of the outer frame being undulating and of the first and second end members being straight end members having respective first and second distal ends, where the first distal end is swingably engaged with the first base member, and where the second distal end is swingably engaged with the second base member. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames, of the inner frame includes an uppermost traversing member, the uppermost traversing member of the inner frame being slideably engaged to the first and second end members of the outer frame, and where the uppermost traversing member of the inner frame is slideable to and away from the traversing member of the outer frame. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames, of the inner frame including a lowermost traversing member, where the lowermost traversing member of the inner frame is slideably engaged to the first and second end members of the outer frame, where the lowermost traversing member of the inner frame is slideable to and away from the first and second base members when the rail portion is in the operating position. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames, of the inner frame including an uppermost traversing member, where the uppermost traversing member of the inner frame is slideably engaged to the first and second end members of the outer frame and slideable to and away from the traversing member of the outer frame, where the traversing member of the outer frame includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, where the first and third portions of the traversing member of the outer frame are spaced apart from the uppermost traversing member of the inner frame by a first distance, where the third portion of the traversing member of the outer frame is spaced apart from the uppermost traversing member of the inner frame by a second distance, and where the first distance is greater than the second distance. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames, of the traversing member of the outer frame including a first straight portion having an axis, a second straight portion having an axis, and a third straight portion having an axis, where the axis of the first and third straight portions of the outer frame are co-axial, and where the axis of the second straight portion is offset from the axis of the first and third straight portions. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames, of the traversing member of the outer frame further including fourth and fifth portions, where the fourth portion is disposed between the first and second straight portions, where the fifth section is disposed between the second and third straight portions, and where each of the fourth and fifth portions are oblique relative to the straight second portion. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames, of the inner frame including an uppermost traversing member, a lowermost traversing member, and a set of support members extending to and between the uppermost and lowermost traversing members, where the support members are spaced apart from each other and further are spaced from the first and second end members of the outer frame, where the uppermost traversing member of the inner frame is adjacent to the traversing member of the outer frame, where the lowermost traversing member of the inner frame includes first and second ends, where the first end of the lowermost traversing member of the inner frame is adjacent to the first end member of the outer frame, and where the second end of the lowermost traversing member of the inner frame is adjacent to the second end member of the outer frame. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames, of the inner frame including an uppermost traversing member, a lowermost traversing member, and a set of support members extending to and between the uppermost and lowermost traversing member, where the support members are spaced apart from each other and further are spaced from the first and second end members of the outer frame, where the uppermost traversing member of the inner frame includes first and second sections that are engagable to and disengagable from each other at a first junction that is disposed intermediate of ends of the uppermost traversing member of the inner frame, where the lowermost traversing member of the inner frame includes first and second sections that are engagable to and disengagable from each other at a second junction that is disposed intermediate of ends of the lowermost traversing member of the inner frame. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames, of the traversing member of the outer frame including a first frame section and a second frame section, where the first and second frame sections are engagable to and disengagable from each other at a third junction that is disposed intermediate of ends of the traversing member of the outer frame such that the rail portion includes a right hand unit and a left hand unit that are engagable to and disengagable from each other. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames, of the first, second, and third junctions being aligned vertically with each other when the rail portion is in the operating position. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames, of the first, second, and third junctions being spaced equidistance from the first and second end portions of the outer frame member. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a swinging and sliding bed rail with outer and inner frames, of a method for operating a bed rail, where the bed rail includes a rail portion and a base portion, where the rail portion is swingably engaged to the base portion, where the rail portion is slideably engaged to the base portion, where the rail portion includes an outer frame and an inner frame, and where the inner frame is engagable to and disengagable from the base portion. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in the method for operating a bed rail, of the steps of: a) raising a bed rail inner frame relative to a bed rail outer frame, where the step of raising the bed rail inner frame relative to the bed rail outer frame includes the step of disengaging the inner frame from the base portion; then b) swinging the rail portion relative to the base portion; and then c) sliding the rail portion into the base portion. 
     An advantage of the present invention is a safe bed rail. For example, in the operating position, the outer frame of the bed rail may be leaned upon and pulled and pushed and, at the same time, the rail portion of the bed rail remains in its operating position without swinging from the operating position or otherwise being disengaged therefrom. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the outer frame is not utilized for disengaging the rail portion from the operating position. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the inner frame is utilized for disengaging the rail portion from the operating position. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the unlocking, swinging, and sliding steps may be performed with one hand, where unlocking is performed by raising the inner frame relative to the outer frame with one hand, where swinging is performed by pulling the inner frame and thus the rail portion as a whole toward oneself with the same hand after the unlocking step, and where the sliding step is performed by pushing the inner frame and thus the rail portion as a whole into the base portion. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the inner frame is breakable down into a right hand portion and a left hand portion for transport and storage. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the outer frame is breakable down into a right hand portion and a left hand portion for transport and storage. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the rail portion as a whole is breakable down into a right hand portion and a left hand portion for transport and storage. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the base portion is breakable down into a right hand portion and a left hand portion for transport and storage. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the present bed rail is inexpensive to manufacture. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the present bed rail is easy to assemble and easy to disassemble. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present swing and slide bed rail in a locked and operating position. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  1    lifted up from the locked position of  FIG.  1    to an unlocked position. 
         FIG.  3    is a front elevation view of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  1    in the locked and operating position of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a front elevation view of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  2    in the position of  FIG.  2    where the swing and slide bed rail has been lifted up from the locked position of  FIGS.  1  and  3   . 
         FIG.  5 A  is a side partial view of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  1    in the locked and operating position of  FIG.  1    and further shows a portion of a mattress and a portion of a mattress support. 
         FIG.  5 B  is a side partial view of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIGS.  2  and  4    where the swing and slide bed rail has been lifted up from the locked position of  FIGS.  1 ,  3 , and  5 A . 
         FIG.  6 A  is a side view of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  1    being swung down from the position shown in  FIGS.  2 ,  4 , and  5 B  where the swing and slide bed rail has been lifted up from the locked position of  FIGS.  1 ,  3 , and  5 A . 
         FIG.  6 B  is a side view of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  1    having been swung down from the position shown in  FIG.  6 A . 
         FIG.  6 C  is a side view of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  1    having been slid partially into the base of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6 D  is a side view of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  1    having been slid fully into the base of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  7 A  is a perspective view of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  1    having been slid fully into the base of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  7 B  is a top plan view of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  1    having been slid fully into the base of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  7 C  is a front view of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  1    having been slid fully into the base of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  8 A  is a section view of a portion of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  1   , showing the swing and slide bed rail in the locked and operating position of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  8 B  is a section view of a portion of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  2   , showing the swing and slide bed rail in the unlocked position of  FIGS.  2 ,  4  and  5 B . 
         FIG.  9    is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the present swing and slide bed rail. 
         FIG.  10    is an assembled perspective view of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of the rail portion of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view of a first base portion of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of a second base portion of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  14    is a front elevation view of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  9    in the locked and operating position of  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  15    is a top perspective view of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  9    in a compact planar form for storage between a mattress and mattress support. 
         FIG.  16    is a top plan view of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  9    in the compact planar form of  FIG.  15   . 
         FIG.  17    is a section partial view of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  18    is a perspective view of the sheeting of the swing and slide bed rail of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  19    is a section, diagrammatic, and broken apart view of the bed rail of  FIG.  9    sandwiched between a mattress and mattress support of a bed and engaged to the far side of the bed, and shows the strap apparatus used to engage the bed rail to the far side of the bed. 
         FIG.  20    is a perspective view of the bed rail of  FIG.  9    engaged to the bed of  FIG.  19    and shows the strap apparatus of  FIG.  19    engaged to the far side of the bed. 
         FIG.  21    is an elevation view of the bed rail of  FIG.  9    engaged to the bed of  FIG.  19    and shows the strap apparatus of  FIG.  19    engaged to the far side of the bed. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , a first embodiment of the present swing and slide bed rail is indicated by the reference number  10 . Bed rail  10  includes a rail portion  12  and a base portion  14 . Base portion  14  is engaged between a mattress  15  (shown in  FIG.  5 A ) and mattress support  17  (shown in  FIG.  5 A ) such as a box spring. Rail portion  12  in  FIG.  1    is shown in a locked and operating position. From the locked and operating position of  FIG.  1   , the rail portion  12  may be lifted up to an unlocked position shown in  FIG.  2   . Then the rail portion  12  may be swung down to the position shown in  FIG.  6 A , then further swung down to the position shown in  FIG.  6 B , then slid partially into the base portion  14  as shown in  FIG.  6 C , and then slid fully into the base portion  14  as shown in  FIG.  6 D . 
     Rail portion  12  includes a U-shaped tubular frame  16  or outer frame  16 . U-shaped tubular frame  16  is pivotally engaged to the base portion  14 . Base portion  14  includes first and second base members  18 ,  20 . Each of the first and second base members  18 ,  20  includes an inner side  22  having a longitudinal slot  24  formed therein. As shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  8 A and  8 B , a pin assembly  26  pivotally and slidingly engages each of the lower ends  27  of first and second straight end members  28 ,  30  of the U-shaped tubular frame  16  to the first and second base members  18 ,  20 . Pin assembly  26  further engages longitudinal slot  24 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , U-shaped tubular frame  16  includes the first and second straight end support members  28 ,  30  and further includes a traversing horizontal support member  32 . U-shaped tubular frame  16  also includes a first curved transition portion  34  and a second curved transition portion  36  between the straight end members  28 ,  30 , respectively, and the traversing member  32 . 
     Rail portion  12  includes a sub-unit  38  or inner frame  38 . Sub-unit  38  slides to and away from traversing member  32 . Sub-unit  38  slides to and away from lower ends  27  of the of the first and second straight end members  28 ,  30 . Sub-unit  38  includes a pair of upper and lower traversing horizontal tubular support members  40 ,  42 . Traversing members  40 ,  42  run parallel to traversing member  32 . Sub-unit  38  further includes a set of vertically extending tubular support members  44  running to and between the traversing members  40 ,  42 . Support members  44  are rigidly engaged, such as by welding, to traversing members  40 ,  42 . Vertically extending support members  44  extend parallel to the straight end support members  28 ,  30  and are coplanar therewith. 
     Rail portion  12  includes a pair of upper T-joints  46  that slidingly engage the sub-unit  38  to the straight end members  28 ,  30 . T-joint  46  includes a horizontally extending tube  48  and a vertically extending tube  50 . Tubes  48 ,  50  are rigidly engaged to each other such as by welding. Vertically extending tube  50  includes an inner diameter about equal to or slightly greater than the outside diameter of the straight end members  28 ,  30  such that tubes  50  slide on the straight end members  28 ,  30  with some friction albeit minimal friction. If desired, sliding can be maximized by forming the inner diameters of tubes  50  significantly greater than the outside diameters of straight end members  28 ,  30 . Tube  48  is a female receptor for outer ends  52  of upper or uppermost traversing member  40  of sub-unit  38 . Outer end  52  may be rigidly engaged in tube  48  by a pin connector such as a rivet. 
     Rail portion  12  further includes a pair of lower T-joints  54  that slidingly engage the sub-unit  38  to the straight end members  28 ,  30 . T-joint  54  includes a horizontally extending tube  56  and a vertically extending tube  58 . Tubes  56 ,  58  are rigidly engaged to each other such as by welding. Vertically extending tube  58  includes an inner diameter about equal to or slightly greater than the outside diameter of the straight end members  28 ,  30  such tubes  58  slide on the straight end members  28 ,  30  with some friction albeit minimal friction. If desired, sliding can be maximized by forming the inner diameters of tubes  58  significantly greater than the outside diameters of straight end members  28 ,  30 . Tube  56  is a female receptor for outer ends  60  of lower or lowermost traversing member  42  of sub-unit  38 . Outer end  60  may be rigidly engaged in tube  56  by a pin connector such as a rivet. 
     Lower T-joint  54  further includes an outer oblong insert  62  and an inner oblong insert  64 . Outer oblong insert  62  is integral and one-piece with the vertical tube  58  of lower T-joint  54  and extends vertically. Inner oblong insert  64  is integral and one-piece with the vertical tube  58  of lower T-joint  54  and is further integral and one-piece with the horizontal tube  56  of the lower T-joint  54 . An upper and inner insert  66  is an insert only in an aesthetic sense and is inserted into no receptor, yet insert  66  is functional in that it aids the user by telling the user the position of its diametrically opposite insert  64 . Upper and inner insert  66  extends diametrically opposite of inner and lower insert  64 . Upper and inner insert  66  extends from the upper side of horizontal tube  56  and is one-piece and integral with tube  56 . Upper and inner insert  66  is also engaged to and extends integrally from the inner side of vertical tube  58 . 
     U-shaped tubular frame  16  includes two units, a first L-shaped unit  68  and a second L-shaped unit  70 . First L-shaped unit  68  includes a half-section of traversing member  32 , transition portion  34 , and straight end member  28 . Second L-shaped unit  70  includes a half-section of traversing member  32 , transition portion  36 , and straight end member  30 . The L-shaped units  68 ,  70  removably engage each other at a junction  72 , where one of the half-sections of traversing member  32  includes a male connection and where the other of the half sections of traversing member  32  includes a female connection. Such connections are locked together with a spring biased button  74  that includes a spring base disposed inside of the half-section on L-shaped unit  68 , and where the button  74  extends through aligned holes in the male and female connectors. The male and female connectors may be separated by depressing button  74  until the male and female connectors are slideable apart. 
     Sub-unit  38  includes first and second units  76 ,  78 . The units  76 ,  78  are removably engaged at an upper junction  80  and a lower junction  82 . As shown in  FIG.  9   , uppermost traversing member  40  includes two sections, where one section  164  includes a female member  166 , where the other section  160  includes a male member  162 , and where a depressable spring biased button  84  extends through aligned button openings of the male and female members. Depressing button  84  permits such sections  160 ,  164  to be slid apart and disengaged from each other. Lowermost traversing member  42  includes two sections, where one section  172  includes a female member  174 , where the other section  168  includes a male member  170 , and where a depressable spring biased button  86  extends through aligned openings of the male and female members  162 ,  166 . Depressing button  86  permits such sections  160 ,  164  to be slid apart and disengaged from each other. First unit  76  includes the left section  164  of uppermost traversing section  40 , the left section  172  of lowermost traversing member  42 , the three left vertical support members  44 , the left upper T-joint  46 , and the left lower T-joint  54 . Second unit  78  includes the right section  160  of uppermost traversing member  40 , the right section  168  of lowermost traversing member  42 , the right three vertical support members  44 , the right upper T-joint  46 , and the right lower T-joint  54 . 
     Junctions  72 ,  80 , and  82  may be engagable or disengagable at the same time such that bed rail  10  may be broken down into two units, where a first unit is a) one-half of the rail portion  12  and b) base member  18  and where a second unit is a) one-half of the rail portion  12  and b) base member  20 . Junctions  72 ,  80 ,  82  are aligned vertically with each other. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , each of the base members  18  and  20  includes a seat apparatus  88  for engaging a respective lower T-joint  54 . Each of the seat apparatus  88  includes a U-shaped structure  90 . U-shaped structure  90  includes three walls  92 ,  94 , and  96 . Wall  92  is an outer wall and is rigidly engaged, such as by welding, to its respective base member  18 ,  20 . Wall  94  is an inner wall and is spaced from and lies parallel to outer wall  92 . Wall  96  is a connecting wall that connects outer wall  92  to inner wall  94 . Wall  96  lies at a right angle to the axis of its respective base member  18  or  20 . Outer and inner walls  92 ,  94  lie in respective planes, each of which is parallel to the axis of its respective base member  18  or  20 . Outer wall  92  includes a U-shaped seat  98  that engages oblong outer insert  62 . Inner wall  94  includes a U-shaped seat  100  that engages inner insert  64 . When the inserts  62 ,  64  are engaged in the seats  98 ,  100  such that each of the lower T-joints  54  are engaged in the seat apparatus  88 , the rail portion  12  is in a locked sturdy operating position that confronts the near side of the mattress  15  and projects above the sleeping surface of the mattress  15 . Such engagement is at least a four point engagement. Such engagement may be a six point engagement when the connecting or rear wall  96  is manufactured to abut the vertical tube of the lower T-joint  54 . 
     Connecting walls  96  act as a counter members that are disposed against the near side of mattress  15  when the distal ends of the base members  18 ,  20  are engaged to straps that in turn are engaged to counter member pieces that lie against the far sides of the mattress support  17  and mattress  15  such that, when the bed rail  10  is disposed between the upper surface of the mattress support  17  and the lower surface of the mattress  15 , the bed rail  10  hugs tightly the near and far sides of the mattress support  17  and the mattress  15  whether the bed rail  10  is in an operating mode where the rail portion  12  confronts the near side of the mattress  15  or whether the bed rail  10  is in a stored away mode where the rail portion  12  is tucked away between the mattress  15  and mattress support  17 . 
       FIG.  3    shows the inserts  62 ,  64  engaging their respective seats  98 ,  100  of their respective outer and inner walls  92 ,  94 . 
       FIG.  3    shows that outer wall  92  is an integral portion of a right angle piece  102  having a floor  104  and the outer wall  92 . Floor  104  is rigidly engaged, such as by welding, to the top of its respective base  18  or  20 . Each of the base members  18 ,  20  have a top, a bottom, an inner side, and an outer side. Inner side is inner side  22 . 
       FIG.  3    shows that the U-shaped frame  16  includes, at each of its lower ends  27 , a block  106 , such as a plastic block  106 . Block  106  engages pin assembly  26 . Block  106  further engages lower end  27  of the straight end members  28 ,  30 . Block  106  includes an outer face  108  that rides against the inner side  22  of its respective base member  18  or  20  to minimize any play or wobble between the U-shaped tubular frame  16  and the base members  18 ,  20 . Block  106  includes a curved under face or lower face  110  such that, when block  106  is pushed between the mattress  15  and the mattress support  17 , such curved under face or lower face parts or spreads apart the mattress  15  and the mattress support  17 . This curved under face  110  leads into a curved side face  112  that also helps to spread apart the mattress  15  and mattress support  17 . 
       FIG.  3    shows that the lowermost portion of block  106  is disposed at an altitude lower than the lower face of the bottom of the base support members  18 ,  20 . The lower faces of the base support members  18 ,  20  define a plane and the lowermost portion of block  106  is spaced from and below such plane. 
       FIG.  4    shows that inserts  62 ,  64  have been disengaged from their respective seats  98 ,  100  of the outer and inner walls  92 ,  94  such that the rail portion  12  may begin to pivot about pin assemblies  26 . Alternatively,  FIG.  4    shows that the rail portion  12  has been pivoted to a location where the inserts  62 ,  64  may be dropped down into their respective seats  98 ,  100  of their respective walls  92 ,  94 . 
       FIG.  4    shows that the outermost portion of insert  62  defines a plane with the outer face  108  of block  106  such that each of outermost portion of insert  62  and the outer face  108  of block  106  ride against the inner side  22  of base support members  18 ,  20 . The width of outer insert  62  is greater than the width of longitudinal slot  24  such that insert  62  is not caught in longitudinal slot  24 . If desired, insert  62  may project slightly beyond a plane defined by outer face  108  and insert  62  may be narrowed such that insert  62  may ride in, or ride partially in longitudinal slot  24  when the rail portion  12  is slid to its stored position from, for example, the position shown in  FIG.  6 B  to the position shown in  FIG.  6 D . 
       FIG.  4    shows that the lateral width of the block  106 , which width includes the innermost head of the pin assembly  26 , is about the lateral width of lower T-joint  54  such that dependence upon the lower T-joint  54  to further spread apart the mattress  15  and mattress support  17  is minimized. 
       FIG.  4    further shows braces  114  formed in the seating apparatus  88 . Two braces  114 , such as formed by welding, strengthen the connection between inner wall  94  and rear wall  96 . Two braces  114  strengthen the connection between rear wall  96  and outer wall  92 . As shown in  FIG.  1   , two braces  114  strengthen the connection between outer wall  92  and floor  104 . 
       FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  show that the curved under face  110  includes an apex  116  that spreads the mattress  15  and mattress support  17  apart as the rail portion  12  is slid between the mattress  15  and mattress support  17 . 
       FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  show that the rail portion  12  defines a plane and that, when the rail portion  12  is in the operating position shown in  FIG.  5 A , such plane is at an acute angle relative to an axis of base support members  18 ,  20 . In other words, the axis of the base support members  18 ,  20  define a first plane, the rail portion  12  defines a second plane, and the first and second planes extend at an acute angle to each other such that the rail portion  12  may close off a gap that may otherwise form between the near side of the mattress  15  and rail portion  12 . This acute angle relationship is found when the rail portion  12  is engaged in the seat apparatus  88  and when the rail portion  12  is in the operating position. This acute angle relationship is provided by the acute angle orientation of the inner and outer seats  98 ,  100 . 
       FIGS.  5 A,  5 B,  6 A,  6 B,  6 C, and  6 D  shows the sequential steps for taking the rail portion  12  down from the operating position.  FIG.  5 A  shows the rail portion  12  engaged with the seat apparatus  88  and in the operating position confronting the near side of a mattress  15 .  FIG.  5 B  shows the rail portion  12  just after disengagement with the seat apparatus  88 , having been pulled up from the seat apparatus  88 .  FIG.  6 A  shows the rail portion  12  having been pivoted and swung forwardly and away from the near side of the mattress  15 , from an acute angle relationship with the base members  18 ,  20 , through a right angle relationship with the base members  18 ,  20 , and into an obtuse angle relationship with the base members  18 ,  20 .  FIG.  6 B  shows the rail portion  12  in a common plane with the base members  18 ,  20 , but not yet sliding into the base members  18 ,  20 .  FIG.  6 C  shows the rail portion  12  being slid into the base members  18 ,  20 .  FIG.  6 D  shows the rail portion  12  having been slid completely into the base members  18 ,  20  where the outermost surface of the traversing member  32  of the outer frame  16  is at or within the outermost proximal ends of the base members  18 ,  20 . 
       FIG.  7 A  shows a perspective view of the rail portion  12  in the stored position in the base  14 .  FIG.  7 B  shows a top plan view of the rail portion  12  in the stored position in the base  14 .  FIG.  7 C  shows a front view of the rail portion  12  in the stored position in the base  14 . Base support members  18 ,  20  make up at least a portion of base  14 . Another portion of base  14  may be straps that engage the distal ends  118  of the base support members  18 ,  20  of the base portion  14  to the far sides of the mattress  15  and mattress support  17 . 
       FIG.  7 A  shows the U-shaped structure of the seat apparatus  88 , where the U-shape is formed by outer wall  92 , inner wall  94 , and connecting or rear wall  96 .  FIGS.  7 A,  7 B, and  7 C  show that the base portion  14  and the rail portion  12  define a plane and lie in a common plane, with the exception of seat apparatus  88  that extends upwardly from such defined and common plane.  FIG.  7 B  shows that each of the outer inserts  62  confronts and is adjacent to the inner side  22  of the respective base support members  18 ,  20  when the rail portion  12  is in the base portion  14 .  FIG.  7 C  shows that the bottom edges of the connecting or real wall  96  lie above and are spaced from a plane defined by the top of the rail portion  12  or an axis of the rail portion  12 .  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  show that the blocks  106  that engage the lower ends of the straight end members  28 ,  30  are adjacent to the distal ends  118  of the base support members  18 ,  20  when the rail portion  12  is in the stored position.  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  show that the traversing member  32  of the U-shaped tubular frame  16  is adjacent to a straight line running between proximal ends  120  of the base members  18 ,  20 . In other words, the length or height of the rail portion  12  is about equal to the length of the base portion  14 . From  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  it is easy to visualize that, once the junctions  72 ,  80 , and  82  are disengaged, that one the left side unit of the rail portion  12  can be laid upon the right side unit of the rail portion  12  for storage or transport in a relatively flat parallelepiped cardboard box or in a fashion where one set of disengaged junction ends lie immediately inwardly of straight end member  28  and where the other set of disengaged junction ends lie immediately inwardly of straight end member  30 .  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  show that, in the stored position, the tubing of rail portion  12  lies either perpendicularly to base support members  18 ,  20  or parallel to base support members  18 ,  20 , with the exception of transition tube portions  34 ,  36 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  8 A and  8 B , straight end member  30  includes a pair of diametrically opposite vertically extending slots  122 . Straight end member  28  also includes such slots  122 . A pin  124  of each of the lower T-joints  54  rides vertically in slot  122 . Each of the straight end members  28 ,  30  further includes a coil spring  126  housed within the straight end members  28 ,  30 . Coil spring  126  is in the operating position shown in  FIG.  8 A  compressed between punched in stops  128  and pin  124 . Stops  128  are integral and one-piece with their respective straight end members  28 ,  30 . Stops  128  are disposed diametrically opposite of each other. Coil spring  126  is also compressed when the sub-unit  38  is lifted out of the seat apparatus  88 , as shown in  FIG.  8 B . Coil spring  126  continually urges pin  124  toward the bottom end or distal end of slot  122  such that sub-unit  38  remains engaged in seat apparatus  88  unless a lifting force is applied to sub-unit  38 . In the position shown in  FIGS.  78  and  7 B , and further in the positions shown in  FIGS.  6 B,  6 C, and  6 D , the pin  124  is in the bottom end or distal end as shown in  FIG.  8 A . Thus, the distance of travel of the sub-unit  38  on the straight end members  28 ,  30  is defined by the length of slot  124 . At all times coil spring  126  is compressed, whether the rail portion  12  is in the operating position shown in  FIG.  1    or in the fully stored position shown in  FIG.  7 A . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B , pin assembly  26  includes a pin head  130 , a pin shaft  132 , a T-shaped washer or bearing  134 , and a lock nut  136 . The T-shaped washer or bearing  134  rides in longitudinal slot  24  and further rides against the inside face of the inner wall of base support members  18  or  20 . The washer or bearing  134  also extends into block  106 . Pin assembly  26  engages block  106  to keep the block  106  engaged to the lower end of its respective straight end member  28  or  30 . Block  106  spaces the lower end of the straight end members  28 ,  30  from its respective base support member  18 ,  20 . 
       FIGS.  9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 , and  18    are views of a second embodiment, or portions of a second embodiment, of the present swing and slide bed rail. The second embodiment is a swing and slide bed rail  138  that is identical to bed rail  10  except that the traversing support member  32  is replaced with undulating traversing support member  140  (shown in  FIG.  17   ) and except that traversing support member  140 , transition portions  34 ,  36 , and portions of the straight end members  28 ,  30  are covered with resilient tubing  142  such as foam tubing. 
       FIG.  17    shows traversing member  140 . Traversing member  140  is undulating so as to have a) a straight tubular portion  144  that is spaced from and runs adjacent to uppermost traversing member  40  of sub-unit  38 , b) oblique tubular portions  146  that extend from the outer ends of straight tubular portion  144  and that are obliquely oriented relative to straight tubular portion  144 , and c) straight tubular portions  148  that extend from the oblique tubular portions  146 . One straight tubular portion  148  extends into transition tubular portion  34 . The other straight tubular portion  148  extends into transition tubular portion  36 . Each of the oblique portions  146  includes a first curved section, a straight section, and a second curved section. Each of the straight tubular sections  148  is spaced from uppermost traversing member  40  of sub-unit  38  at a greater distance than straight tubular portion  144  is spaced from uppermost traversing member  40  of sub-unit  38 . 
     Resilient tubing  142  extends from the upper (or outer) end of straight end member  28  to transition tubular portion  34 , to the adjacent straight tubular portion  148 , to the adjacent oblique tubular portion  146 , to straight tubular portion  144 , to the other oblique tubular portion  146 , to the other straight tubular portion  148 , to transition portion  36 , and finally to the upper (or outer) end of straight end member  30 . 
     Uppermost traversing member  40  of sub-unit  38  includes an uppermost (or outermost) surface, which surface is adjacent to a lowermost (or innermost) surface of straight tubular portion  144 . The distance between such surfaces, or such adjacent surfaces, is about equal to or slightly greater than the length of slot  122 . At such a distance, when the bed rail  138  is in the operating position, a user may lay his or her fingers on the resilient tubing  142  about straight tubular portion  144  and raise the sub-unit  38  by gripping uppermost traversing member  40  of sub-unit  38  with his or her thumbs until the inserts  62 ,  64  disengage from their respective seats  98 ,  100 , whereupon the rail portion  12  with traversing portion  140  may be pivoted downwardly and then slid into base portion  14 . 
     Straight portion  144  includes a male portion  150  engagable with a female portion  152  such that, just like traversing member  32  of bed rail  10 , traversing support member  140  includes a junction, with such junction carrying the reference number  154 . Resilient tubing  142  is not continuous at this location but instead includes abutting portions that abut each other when junction  154  is engaged or closed. Member  140  includes a spring biased button  156 . Button  156  is one-piece and integral with a U-shaped spring base  158 , as shown in  FIG.  17   . 
     Uppermost traversing member  40  of bed rail  138  (and bed rail  10 ) includes a first section  160  with a male connecting member  162  and a second section  164  with a female connecting member  166  that, along with button  84  or button lock  84 , make up junction  80 . 
     Traversing member  42  of bed rail  138  (and bed rail  10 ) includes a first section  168  with a male connecting member  170  and a second section  172  with a female connecting member  166  that, along with button  86  or button lock  86 , make up junction  82 . 
     Distal ends  118  of base support members  18 ,  20  may be interconnected with a traversing support member  176 . Traversing member  176  includes a first section  178  with a male connecting member  180  and a second section  182  with a female connecting member  184 . Male and female members  180 ,  184  are engaged by a spring based button apparatus  186  that engages aligned button holes in the male and female connecting members  180 ,  184  so as to form a junction  183 . Spring biased button apparatus  188  and  190  are also engaged at opposite ends of traversing support member  176 . Button apparatus  188  engages male end  192  to a female connection  194  engaged to distal end  118  of base support member  18 . Button apparatus  190  engages male end  196  to a female connection  198  engaged to distal end  118  of base support member  20 . 
     An anchoring flexible strap apparatus  200  is engaged to each of the distal ends  118  of each of the base members  18 ,  20 . Strap apparatus  200  includes a base strap  202  extending from distal end  118 . Then, upper and lower straps  204 ,  206  are engaged to the base strap  202 . Then, a female buckle portion  208  is engaged to the distal end of upper strap  204  and a male buckle portion  210  is engaged to the distal end of lower strap  206 . Female buckle portion  208  and male buckle portion  210  are engagable to each other after being wrapped around a metal support structure on the far side of the mattress  15  and mattress support  17 . 
     Sheeting  212  engages the sub-unit  38  of either bed rail  138  or bed rail  10 . As shown in  FIG.  9   , sheeting  212  includes a front side  214  and a rear side  216 . Front side  214  is spaced apart from rear side  216 . Sheeting  212  includes portions that connect the front side  214  to the rear side  216 . These connecting portions are portions  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  224 , and  226 . Where connecting portions are absent, openings are present. These openings are openings  216 ,  230 ,  232 ,  234 , and  236 . As shown in  FIG.  10   , connecting portion  218  engages section  164 . Opening  228 , between connecting portions  218  and  220 , permits access to junction  80  and button  84 . Opening  228  further permits direct access to uppermost traversing member  40  that is grasped by hand to raise the sub-unit  38 . The length of opening  228  is about the length of straight portion  144 , where portion  144  is the portion of member  140  that is the closest to uppermost traversing member  40 . The palm of the hand may be placed on the resilient tubing  142  about straight portion  144  and the fingers and/or thumb may be used to raise the sub-unit  38  to disengage the inserts  62  and  64  from their respective seats  98 ,  100 . Connecting portion  220  engages section  160  of uppermost traversing member  40 . Opening  230 , between connecting portion  220  and connecting portion  222 , permits passage of uppermost traversing member  40  to the upper T-joint  46  of straight end member  30 . Connecting portion  222  engages the right side outermost vertical support member  44  of sub-unit  38 . Opening  232 , between connecting portions  222  and  224 , allows passage of the lowermost traversing member  42  to the lower T-joint  54  of straight end member  30 . Connecting portion  224  engages lowermost traversing member  42 . Opening  234 , between connection portions  224  and  226 , allows passage of the lowermost traversing member  42  to the lower T-joint  54  of straight end member  28 . Connecting portion  226  engages the left side outermost vertical support member  44  of sub-unit  38 . Opening  236 , between connecting portions  226  and  218 , permits passage of the uppermost traversing member  40  to the upper T-joint  46  of straight end member  28 . To engage sheeting  212  with sub-unit  38 , zippers that are disposed along the entire lengths of connecting portions  222 ,  224 , and  226  may be opened, which zippers are closed after the front side  214  of the sheeting  212  is disposed over the front side of the sub-unit  38  and after the rear side  216  of the sheeting  212  is disposed over the rear side of the sub-unit  38 . Each of the front and rear sides  214 ,  216  of sheeting  212  may include a rectangular mesh portion  238 . Each of the rectangular mesh portions  238  is see through and the combination of the rectangular mesh portions  238  is see through such that a person on the mattress can see through the rectangular mesh portions  238 , to see, for example, a visitor. 
     In operation, to take the rail portion  12  from an operating position to a stored position, reference may be made to  FIG.  5 A  where the rail portion  12  is in the operating position, which positon would be confronting the near side of a mattress  15  and mattress support  17 . In this position, inserts  62  and  64  of each of the lower T-joints  54  are seated or locked in their respective seats  98 ,  100 . This position is also shown in  FIG.  8 A  where the coil spring  126  urges pin  124  to the bottom of slot  122 . Since pin  124  is part of lower T-joint  54 , which is part of the sub-unit  38 , the sub-unit  38  is in a down position. In this down position, uppermost traversing member  40  is relatively spaced apart from traversing member  32  of the U-shaped tubular frame  16 . To begin the process of swinging down the rail portion  12 , the uppermost traversing member  40  is lifted up, which lifts the sub-unit  38  as a whole up, and which causes upper and lower T-joints  46  and  54  to slide upwardly on the straight end members  28 ,  30  of the U-shaped support member  16 , and which action compresses the coil spring  126 . As the lower T-joints  54  slide upwardly, the inserts  62  and  64  become disengaged from their respective seats  98 ,  100 , whereupon the rail portion  12 , i.e., the sub-unit  38  and the U-shaped tubular frame  16 , may swing forwardly and pivot about pin assembly  26 . As the swinging begins, the uppermost traversing member  40  may be released relative to traversing member  32 , whereupon the upper and lower T-joints  46 ,  54  begin to slide, under the expansion of coil spring  126 , in the direction away from traversing member  32 . This sliding stops when pin  124  hits the bottom of slot  122 . Inserts  62 ,  64  do not return to their respective seats  98 ,  100  because the lower T-joints  54  and their inserts  62 ,  64  have been rotated forwardly with the swinging of the rail portion  12 . When the rail portion  12  reaches a plane defined by base support members  18 ,  20 , or prior to such a time, the rail portion  12  may begin to be pushed with a sliding motion into base portion  14  and between the base support members  18 ,  20 , whereupon the pin assembly  26  begins to slide in the longitudinal slot  24 . Rail portion  12  may be slid entirely into the base portion  14  until the uppermost or outermost portion of traversing member  32  is aligned with or within the proximal ends of base support members  18 ,  20 . In this fully compact or fully stored position, blocks  106  are adjacent to the distal ends of base support members  18 ,  20  and adjacent to end cap assemblies  240  and adjacent to traversing member  176 . Female connections  198  may work as stops for the blocks  106 . Further, pin assembly  26  may be seated in a distal seat  242  that communicates with longitudinal slot  24 . Distal seat  242  is shown in  FIG.  13   . 
     In operation, to take the rail portion  12  from a stored position to an operating position, reference may be made to  FIGS.  6 D,  7 A,  7 B, and  7 C . The first step is grasping the traversing member  32  of the U-shaped tubular frame  16  and pulling the rail portion  12  away from the distal ends  118  of the base support members  18 ,  20  such that pin assembly  26  is pulled out of distal seat  242  and slides away from the distal end  118  in longitudinal slot  24 . Then, as the pin assemblies  26  slide the length of the base support members  18 ,  20  and approach the proximal ends of base support members  18 ,  20 , the user may begin to pivot the rail portion  12  upwardly about the pin assemblies  26 . As the rail portion  12  is swung or rotated upwardly, the rear sides of inserts  62 ,  64  hit and slide against the front edges of walls  92 ,  94 , which front edges taper inwardly and rearwardly so as to urge the inserts  62 ,  64  upwardly, which urges the lower T-joints  54  upwardly and the sub-unit  38  as a whole upwardly, which compresses springs  126 , until the bottoms of the inserts  62 ,  64  slide over the top edges of walls  92 ,  95 , whereupon the inserts  62 ,  64  snappingly lock into their respective seats  98 ,  100  with the uncoiling and extension of the coil springs  126 . Such lifting of the sub-unit  38  may be aided by the user lifting the sub-unit  38  himself or herself relative to the U-shaped tubular frame  16  and its traversing member  32 . 
     Operation of the bed rail  138  is identical to operation of bed rail  10 . With bed rail  138 , undulating traversing member  140  permits the user to squeeze together with one hand the traversing member  40  of sub-unit  38  and undulating traversing member  140  so as to draw the inserts  62 ,  64  out of their respective seats  98 ,  100 . As such, unlocking of the rail portion  12  of bed rail  138 , swinging down the rail portion  12  of bed rail  138 , and sliding the rail portion  12  of the bed rail  138  into the base  14  is a one handed operation. 
     As shown in  FIG.  5 A , straight end member portion  30  may compress a corner of the mattress  15 , where such corner is the general intersection of the near side of the mattress  15  and the sleeping surface of the mattress  15 . This compression closes off any gaps that may otherwise form between the near side of the mattress  15  and the rail portion  12 . Straight end member portion  30  defines a plane with the six vertical support member portions  44  and straight end member  28  such that these six vertical support member  44  and straight end member  28  also compressively engage such general intersection of the near side of the mattress  15  and the sleeping surface of the mattress  15 . The acute angular relationship of the axis of such plane relative to base member portions  18 ,  20  provide an unimpeded sliding of the lower T-joints  54 , which T-joint  54  slides the length of slot  122 , which length is relatively small. It should also be noted that there is unimpeded sliding of upper T-joints  46  since such are disposed above the mattress  15 . The outside cylindrical surfaces of tubes  44  or vertical support member portions  44  are smooth and such slide easily against such general intersection, which intersection is likely covered by relatively slippery sheets or blanket or other textile or synthetic covering. Tubes or vertical support members  44  slide when the sub-unit  38  and its inserts  62 ,  64  are being unlocked or unseated from their respective seats  98 ,  100 . 
     It should be noted that U-shaped tubular frame  16  including traversing member  32  and straight end members  28 ,  30 , undulating traversing member  140 , uppermost and lowermost traversing members  40 ,  42 , and vertical support members  44  are tubes and are preferably metal tubes. The metal of such tubes may be aluminum or steel or some other metal or alloy. 
       FIGS.  19 - 21    show a strap apparatus  200 A engaged to bed rail  138 .  FIG.  19    shows bed rail  138  in the stored position between the mattress  15  and mattress support  17 . Strap apparatus  200 A extends from a strap mount  244  shown in  FIG.  12   . Strap mount  244  is engaged to and extends rearwardly from end cap assembly  240 . Strap mount  244  may include a pair of triangular extensions extending longitudinally and rearwardly, with a post  246  extending laterally between rearward most apexes of the triangular extensions. Post  246  is shown in  FIG.  19   . Whereas  FIGS.  9 ,  10 ,  12 , and  13    show a strap apparatus  200  having base strap  202 ,  FIG.  19    shows the strap apparatus  200 A having eliminated base strap  202  and instead having straps  204  and  206  lead integrally into each other such that straps  204  and  206  are in effect a single strap from buckle  208  to winding about and engaging post  246  to buckle  210 . Strap  206  engages a slot in an angle iron  248 . Angle iron  248  supports the mattress support  17  as part of a metal bed frame  250 . Metal bed frame  250  includes vertically extending legs  252 , longitudinally extending angle irons  248 , and lateral or cross supports  254 . It should be noted that, instead of passing through a slot in angle iron  248 , strap  206  may be wrapped about longitudinal support or angle iron  248 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  20  and  21   , a bed  256  includes the mattress  15 , the mattress support  17 , the bed frame  250 , the legs  252 , the lateral or cross supports  254 , the longitudinal supports or angle irons  248 , and a head board  258 . Strap apparatus  200 A includes straps  204 ,  206  that form a loop from the distal end cap assembly  240  to the far side angle iron  248  to secure the base portion  14  of the bed rail  10  or bed rail  138 . Connecting wall  96  of the seat apparatus  88  acts as a counter member on the near side of the bed  256 , namely, pressing relatively against the near side of the mattress  15 , while the far end of the loop about the far angle iron  48  acts as the opposing counter member. Such opposing pressure secures the base portion  14  at one location whether the bed rail  10  or  138  is in the stowed and tucked away position or in the operating position confronting the near side of the bed and extending above the sleeping surface of the mattress  15 . Theoretically, tightening strap apparatus  200  or  200 A to an upmost degree pulls the mattress  15  such that the near side of the mattress  15  is pulled over to the far side of the mattress support  17 . However, in practice, the portable bed rail  10  or  138  is relatively light (has relatively little mass) and the mattress  15  has relatively great mass such that the weight of the mattress  15  does not let the user tighten the strap apparatus  200  or  200 A to such a theoretical degree and such that the bed rail  10  or  138  is well anchored by the opposing counter members whether the bed rail  10  or  138  is in the operating position or slid fully into the stowed position. 
     Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalents of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.