Patent Publication Number: US-10306995-B2

Title: Portable enclosure for a bed

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/194,269, filed Feb. 28, 2014, which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Ser. No. 61/771,298 filed Mar. 1, 2013, entitled “Portable Enclosure For a Bed,” which is incorporated in its entirety as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to an adjustable enclosure for an area. In particular, the enclosure can be used with a hospital bed to enclose the bed and a patient within the area. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED ART 
     Various illnesses and conditions such as brain trauma, dementia and Alzheimer&#39;s disease often leave people in such a condition that constant management of the patient is necessary to prevent further injury and mishap. Traditional systems and methods for monitoring and controlling patients with such needs have included bed straps or restraints, strait jackets, sedation, monitoring device(s), dedicated supervision, isolation rooms and the like, both alone and in combination. Many of these methods and systems are burdensome to all concerned and expensive. For example, bed straps immobilize a patient on a bed. When the patient desires to move or change position, the restraints prevent such shifting. As a result, a restrained patient can become very uncomfortable and/or agitated in addition to suffering medical complications. For another example, a dedicated person to attend to the restrained person&#39;s needs on an “all day, every day” basis is costly. 
     Several techniques for addressing confining a patient to an area, e.g., a bed, while allowing free movement have been developed to address the needs of the patient and caregiver. Some examples are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,291 to Eads et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,529 to Chadwick et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference. However, there are problems associated with these prior art enclosure bed apparatuses. Often, the condition that requires restraint may be temporary and, as a result, transportation, assembly and disassembly of the enclosure may be common. These prior art systems require extensive manpower for assembly and disassembly. When disassembled, loose parts can be lost and transport and storage is cumbersome and difficult. To assemble, tools and excessive know-how and manpower are needed. When assembled, excessive bulk prevents easy transport and storage. 
     Commonly, a patient enters the hospital at the emergency room experiencing symptoms that convince the staff that some form of isolation is in order. Following initial evaluation, a determination may be made indicating that additional tests, evaluation, admission, surgery, or more acute care is required. As a result, the patient may require transfer to multiple locations within the hospital facility, each requiring some form of isolation or restraint. 
     In addition to the complexity of the prior systems, those systems also have not been able to accommodate adjustable beds or side rails of the beds. For example, hospital bed sizes are relatively uniform. However, the mechanisms of the side rails of the bed may vary between different manufacturers. Specifically, the side rails of some beds extend beyond the end of the bed, and therefore require additional space in the length direction of the bed. Furthermore, wider beds may be necessary for heavier patients, such as bariatric patients. Enclosures made in uniform dimensions to accommodate the standard bed cannot be adjusted to function with different length or width beds that vary from the norm. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an adjustable enclosure, e.g., for isolating a person to an area about a bed. The bed is adapted, for example, to support the person and includes a frame and a mattress overlying the frame. In some embodiments, the enclosure comprises a frame adapted to be positioned about an area, and a canopy assembly connectable to the frame for defining an enclosed area. The canopy assembly extends over the frame and is sufficiently large to allow a person located within the isolation chamber to be supported on the bed and to move freely within the area. 
     In certain embodiments, the frame includes at least an upper laterally extending support and first and second upstanding supports coupled to first and second ends of the upper laterally extending support. The upper laterally extending support is adjustable in a length direction of the support between at least a first position and a second position. The canopy assembly includes a plurality of collars configured to removably connect to canopy to the upper laterally extending support and the first and second upstanding supports. The canopy further includes at least one panel coupled to the plurality of collars such that the panel is held in a plane defined by the upper laterally extending support and the first and second upstanding supports. At least one of the plurality of collars is configured to be adjustable between at least a first circumference and second circumference. 
     In one embodiment a frame is adapted to be positioned about an area, the frame includes an upper laterally extending support, a first upstanding support coupled to a first end of the upper laterally extending support, and a second upstanding support coupled to a second end of the upper laterally extending support. The upper laterally extending support is adjustable in a length direction of the support between at least a first position and a second position. The canopy assembly is connectable to the frame for defining an enclosed area, and the canopy includes a plurality of collars configured to removably connect the canopy to the upper laterally extending support, the first upstanding support, and the second upstanding support, and at least one panel coupled to the plurality of collars such that the panel is held in a plane defined by the upper laterally extending support, the first upstanding support, and the second upstanding support. At least one of the plurality of collars is adjustable between at least a first circumference and a second circumference, and when the upper laterally extending support is adjusted from the first position to the second position, at least one of the plurality of adjustable collars attached to one of the first upstanding support or the second upstanding support is correspondingly adjustable from the first circumference to the second circumference for said collar to be connected to said at least one of the first upstanding support and the second upstanding support. 
     In another embodiment, when the upper laterally extending support is adjusted from the first position to the second position, at least one of the plurality of adjustable collars attached to one of the first upstanding support or the second upstanding support is adjusted from the first circumference to the second circumference. 
     The frame may further include an adjustable lower laterally extending support that is configured to be adjusted between the first and second positions. 
     In some embodiments, the adjustable frame elements may be expansion joints or other formers of expanders. For example, the expansion joint may be in the form of a telescoping bar, a splice bar, and/or overlapping plates or other adjustable means. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other various forms of expansion may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one adjustable collar includes a fastener and a collar extension. The fastener may include first and second connectors defining third and fourth positions, respectively, with the collar extension disposed between the first and second connectors. When the upper laterally extending support is in the first position, the adjustable collar is in the third position, and when the upper laterally extending support is in the second position the adjustable collar is in the fourth position, and the third position corresponds to the first circumference and the fourth position corresponds to the second circumference. 
     In another embodiment an enclosure for enclosing an area includes a frame adapted to be positioned about an area and a canopy assembly connectable to the frame. The frame includes an upper laterally extending support, a first upstanding support coupled to a first end of the upper laterally extending support, and a second upstanding support coupled to a second end of the upper laterally extending support. The upper laterally extending support is adjustable in a length direction of the support between at least a first position and a second position. The canopy includes a plurality of collars configured to removably connect the canopy to the upper laterally extending support, the first upstanding support, and the second upstanding support, and at least one adjustable panel coupled to the plurality of collars such that the panel is held in a plane defined by the upper laterally extending support, the first upstanding support, and the second upstanding support. When the upper laterally extending support is adjusted from the first position to the second position, the at least one adjustable panel is correspondingly adjustable from a first length to a second length for at least one of the plurality of collars to be connected to at least one of the first upstanding support and the second upstanding support. 
     In another embodiment an enclosure for enclosing an area, includes a frame adapted to be positioned about an area. The frame includes first means for supporting and for adjusting in length between at least a first position and a second position, a first upstanding support coupled to a first end of the first means, and a second upstanding support coupled to a second end of the first means. A canopy assembly is connectable to the frame for defining an enclosed area, the canopy includes second means for removably connecting the canopy to the first means, the first upstanding support, and the second upstanding support, third means for coupling to the second means such that the third means is held in a plane defined by the first means, the first upstanding support, and the second upstanding support, and fourth means for adjusting from a third position to a fourth position. When the first means is adjusted from the first position to the second position, the fourth means is correspondingly adjustable from the third position to the fourth position for at least one of said second means to be connected to at least one of the first upstanding support and the second upstanding support. 
     In another embodiment the first means is a length-adjustable laterally extending support, the second means is a plurality of collars, and the third means is a panel, and the fourth means is at least one of an adjustable portion of the panel and an adjustable portion of at least one of the plurality of collars. 
     In another embodiment a method for enclosing an area is provided. The method includes positioning an enclosure about an area, the enclosure including an adjustable frame comprising an upper laterally extending support, a first upstanding support coupled to a first end of the upper laterally extending support, and a second upstanding support coupled to a second end of the upper laterally extending support, wherein the upper laterally extending support is adjustable in a length direction of the support between at least a first position and a second position. The enclosure also includes an adjustable canopy configured to removably attach to the adjustable frame, the adjustable canopy comprising a plurality of collars configured to removably connect the canopy to the upper laterally extending support, the first upstanding support, and the second upstanding support, and at least one panel coupled to the plurality of collars such that the panel is held in a plane defined by the upper laterally extending support, the first upstanding support, and the second upstanding support. At least one of (i) the panel and (ii) at least one of the plurality of collars is adjustable between a third position and a fourth position. When the upper laterally extending support is adjusted from the first position to the second position, said at least one of said adjustable panel and said at least one adjustable collar is correspondingly adjustable from the third position to the fourth position for the canopy to be connected to at least one of the first upstanding support and the second upstanding support, and adjusting at least one of the adjustable frame and the adjustable canopy to change an area enclosed by the enclosure. 
     In another embodiment, adjusting at least one of the adjustable frame and the adjustable canopy includes adjusting the length of the upper laterally extending support in the length direction between the first position and the second position, and/or adjusting at least one of the adjustable panel and said at least one adjustable collar between the third position and the fourth position. 
     The fastener may be formed from zippers, complementary hook and loop fasteners (Velcro), or other means of fastening, such as ties, eyelets, snaps, buttons, or any other fastening means. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the fastener may take any form of fastener without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Accordingly, an advantage of one aspect of the present invention is found in an adjustable enclosure for surrounding and enclosing an area. The enclosed area may be varied in size as the frame and canopy of the enclosure are adjusted. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is found in the ability to contain or enclose various size beds and/or various types of bed functions without resorting to using two or more distinct enclosures. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is found in flexibility in application. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented and utilized in numerous ways, including without limitation as a process, an apparatus, a system, a device and a method for applications now known and later developed. These and other unique features of the apparatus and method disclosed herein will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the enclosure can be dimensioned to fit through doorways and hallways, such as conventional doorways and hallways and/or those encountered in hospitals. Thus, the enclosures are uniquely configured to transport an isolated patient throughout different locations, for example, within a hospital, without having to remove the patient from the enclosure area. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is to prevent “never events,” or events that should never occur in a hospital. An example of a “never event” is a bed exit fall when a patient attempts to exit a bed and falls, potentially leading to injury to the patient. Embodiments of the present invention allow for prevention of such falls, or other never events, by isolating the patient to the bed or bed area, but still retaining some amount of freedom for the patient. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome one or more of the above-described drawbacks and/or disadvantages of the prior art. The enclosure can safely confine a patient to an area, such as on or around a bed. The enclosure permits the patient to be free to move within the area and/or on the bed, without the need for other types of restraints. In some embodiments, caregivers and attendants can see into the restrained area. In certain embodiments, caregivers and attendants can access the patient through selectively accessible and/or operable openings. In some embodiments, the patient has the ability to see and interact with the general environment around the enclosure. In some embodiments, when not in use, the enclosure can be removed and collapsed for easy storage and transport. As will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, the canopy and enclosure of the present invention are equally usable with frames that are not collapsible, and/or frames that are mountable on the bed frame, or otherwise fixedly securable to the bed frame, or otherwise fixedly secured. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosed invention appertains will more readily understand how to make and use the same, reference may be had to the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  schematically illustrates an enclosure for a bed positioned about a bed. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an adjustable frame to be used for an enclosure. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates an adjustable frame portion in a first position of the enclosure of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates an adjustable frame portion in a second position of the enclosure of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an adjustable enclosure panel attached to the adjustable frame of  FIG. 2  in a first position. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the adjustable enclosure panel of  FIG. 3  in a second position. 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates an embodiment of the adjustable collar in an open and flat position. 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates the adjustable collar as attached to panels and in an open position. 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates an adjustable collar of the adjustable enclosure in the first position of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates an adjustable collar of the adjustable enclosure in the second position of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes many of the prior art problems associated with enclosures for restraining or isolating patients to a bed area. The advantages, and other features of the invention disclosed herein, will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of certain embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings that set forth representative embodiments of the present invention and wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural elements. 
       FIG. 1  schematically shows an enclosure having a frame and a canopy. Enclosure  100  is configured to confine a person to a bed  200  without restraints. Typically, the enclosure  100  can be used in a hospital environment with a hospital bed. The enclosure  100  has a frame  110  that defines an area of restraint about the bed  200 . The frame  110  can be fabricated from a variety of materials now known and later developed such as steel, PVC pipe, aluminum, plastics, carbon fiber composite, other metals, materials, and the like, alone or in combination, to create a suitably robust and/or lightweight frame  110 . 
     A canopy assembly  102  is draped about the frame  110  and secured thereto to prevent a person from leaving the area of restraint  180 . An opening  170  in the canopy  102  leaves access to a portion of the bed  200  for adjustment of the bed within the enclosure  100 . The canopy  102  can be secured in place on or over the frame  110  by zippers, fabric sleeves or collars which slide over or wrap around the frame components, complementary hook and loop fasteners (Velcro™) snaps, ties, and the like, or combinations thereof as would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art based upon review of the subject disclosure. 
     The canopy  102  can be fabricated from a combination of vinyl and/or nylon portions  104  and netting  106 , such as, e.g., black nylon netting. Dark colors, such as black, brown, blue and the like, allow for improved see-through capability and greater stain resistance. Further, nylon material is substantially lighter than vinyl and therefore easier to handle. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other materials or configurations of the canopy may be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. 
       FIG. 2  shows an adjustable frame to be used for an enclosure. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the frame  110  includes a top, or eave portion  111 , supported above a bottom, or base portion  113 , by upstanding supports  118 . When assembled, the frame  110  is sufficiently rigid to support itself on the floor or other base by the base portion  113 . A bed  200  to be placed within the enclosure  100  has a head  202  and a foot  204  (see  FIG. 1 ); thus, the frame  110  has a corresponding head end  110   h  and foot end  110   f , respectively; although the frame  110  as shown is symmetrical, these references are made merely for descriptive purposes. In other embodiments, the frame is not symmetrical, as may be desirable due to use conditions, e.g., the construction of the bed. The strength and stability of the frame  110  may be made according to known techniques such that an adult could robustly attempt exit without damage to the frame  110  or tipping the frame  110  over, or compromising the integrity of the enclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the base portion  113  has lower supports  115 , each lower support  115  having a head portion  115   h  toward the head  202  of the bed  200  and a foot portion  115   f  toward the foot  204  of the bed  200 . The head portion  115   h  and the foot portion  115   f  are linked by a coupling  115   c . Two lower transverse supports  117  extend between the lower supports  115  to form substantially a rectangle approximately the size of, or slightly larger than, the bed  200 . As will be appreciated, though, the base portion may be constructed with any manner, number, and shape of the members to define any desired shape. Traditionally, a standard hospital bed is approximately a standard size, although it should be appreciated that the enclosure  100 , in particular the rectangle formed by the base portion  113  and eave portion  111 , as discussed herein, is well-suited to adaptation to beds of any size. Moreover, even beds of a standard size may have bed rails that extend beyond the length of the bed, such that additional room at the head or foot of the bed is required to fully utilize the bed rails, particularly when a patient is entering or exiting the bed. 
     Lower corner brackets  116  (four in the case of a rectangular shape or four frame members) secure the lower supports  115  and lower transverse supports  117  of the base portion  113  in such a manner that both lower supports  115 ,  117  can selectively rotate upwards at the lower corner brackets  116 . Accordingly, each bracket  116  can have a pivot or pivot construction in a known manner that allows for the selective upward rotation of the lower supports  115 ,  117 . Further, each coupling  115   c  may provide a rotational pivot in the middle of lower support  115  such that the frame  110  may be folded and/or collapsed for storage, transport, or other purpose. 
     As shown, the eave portion  111  is supported above the base portion  113  by upstanding supports  118 . Upper supports  121  extend between a head end  111   h  and a foot end  111   f  of the eave portion  111 . Upper transverse supports  123  extend between the upper supports  121  to form a shape substantially the same as the shape formed by the base portion  113 , here, substantially a form of a rectangle approximately the size of, or slightly larger than, the bed  200 . As will be appreciated, like the base portion, the eave portion  111  may be constructed to form any desired shape, even one different from the base portion  113 . Upper corner brackets  120  (e.g., four in the case of a rectangular shape) secure the upper supports  121  and the upper transverse supports  123  of the eave portion  111 . 
     Similar to the construction of lower supports  115 ,  117 , upper supports  121 ,  123  may include pivots or pivot constructions (brackets  120  and coupling  121   c ) that allow for selectively folding the upper supports  121 ,  123 , albeit downwardly instead of upwardly. Further, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the central region of each lower support  115  (coupling  115   c ) of the base portion  113  is offset toward the interior of the frame  110  for facilitating collapsing the enclosure  100  as well. The offset allows the lower support  115  to selectively rotate upward and/or fold upward to allow for collapse of the enclosure  100  without interference between the lower support  115  and the upper support  121  when folded at an upper coupling  121   c , thereby minimizing the space the enclosure  100  occupies when in a storage state. Accordingly, the offset allows the collapsed enclosure  100  to occupy less space than may otherwise be required for storage. Alternatively, the offset can be outward or upper supports  121  may include an offset, or no offset may be used. Alternatively still, the couplings  115   c ,  121   c  may be offset relative to each other thereby obviating the need for an offset of the supports  115 ,  121 . Although described and shown herein that all elements of the frame, including the support elements, have a square shape or cross-section, the elements of the frame may have any shape or cross-section, e.g., triangular, rectangular, circular, oval, or other shapes and dimensions. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , when assembled, the corner brackets  116  and  120  detachably secure the upstanding supports  118  with the lower ( 115 / 117 ) and upper ( 121 / 123 ) supports. As described above, lower ( 115 / 117 ) and upper ( 121 / 123 ) supports may be selectively rotatable within the brackets  116  and  120 . Accordingly, a securing means  127 , such as a pin or other locking mechanism may be employed to lock or secure lower ( 115 / 117 ) and upper ( 121 / 123 ) supports to form the frame without collapsing. In addition, in the illustrative embodiment, the securing means  127  includes two pins  127   a ,  127   b , one of which acts as the pivot for the respective lower supports  115 ,  117 , and upper supports  121 ,  123 , the other that acts to prevent rotation of the frame member about its respective pivot. In alternative embodiments, the upstanding supports  118  may be integral with the corner brackets  116  and  120 . Still in other embodiments, the supports  121 ,  123  of the eave portion  111  may each be formed of a single piece, such as a monolithic structure, and selectively detach from the corner brackets  116  and  120  for partial disassembly. In other embodiments, only the supports of the eave portion  111  ( 121 ,  123 ) or base portion  113  ( 115 ,  117 ) may include pivoting couplings  121   c  or  115   c , respectively, or similar coupling, and thus the frame  110  may be partially collapsible. Moreover, the base portion  113  may be omitted entirely, and the frame may be supported by the floor or other means. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the bed  200  is mounted on wheels or casters  206 , and the bed  200  can be rolled into the enclosure  100  without interference by removal of any of the base portion supports  115 ,  117 , or may roll over base portion supports  115 ,  117 . A mattress  210  is located on the bed  200 , the patient may be placed in the enclosure  100 , and the canopy  102  can be secured in place. Alternatively, the canopy  102  may be secured in place about the frame  110  and the patient may enter the restraining area through an open panel  170  of the canopy  102 . In an alternative embodiment, there may be no base portion  113 . In one such embodiment without a base portion  113 , the upstanding supports  118  may terminate in foot plates that rest on the floor. In another embodiment, the upstanding supports  118  may terminate in a post adapted and configured for insertion in headboard slots and footboard slots of the bed  200 , such as is common on a hospital bed. Thus, to erect the enclosure  100  about the bed  200 , the headboard and footboard are removed and the upstanding supports  118  may be inserted therein. Alternatively, the upstanding supports  118  may bolt onto a bed or an adapter plate to facilitate secure locking engagement to the bed. 
     As noted, frame  110  is an adjustable frame. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the frame  110  includes expansion joints  319 ,  115   c ,  117   c ,  121   c ,  123   c , herein after referred to as expansion joint  319 . These expansion joints, of which expansion joint  319  is explained below, but expansion joints  115   c ,  117   c ,  121   c ,  123   c  are similarly constructed, facilitate adjustment of the frame  110  in a length direction, or alternatively, in the width direction (not shown). The upper supports  121  and lower supports  115  may each include expansion joints to allow for adjustment of the supports  115 ,  121  in a length direction. The upper supports  123  and lower supports  117  may each include expansion joints to permit width adjustment. The expansion joints allow for the frame  110  to expand or extend (first length/width) to a first position of the frame, and to retract or shorten (second length/width) to a second position of the frame, as detailed herein. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , an exemplary expansion joint  319  is shown.  FIG. 2A  shows the expansion joint  319  as expanded or extended (first length) corresponding to the first position of the frame, and  FIG. 2B  shows the expansion joint  319  as retracted or shortened (second length) corresponding to the second position of the frame. As shown, the first length is an extension in length of the expansion joint  319 . Expansion joint  319  is part of a support, e.g., as shown in  FIG. 2 , part of upper support  121  and/or lower support  115 . As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the support includes support elements  319   a  and  319   b . The expansion joint  319  facilitates adjustment of the length of the support. In  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the expansion joint  319  is formed with a separation and two support elements  319   a  and  319   b . When the support elements  319   a ,  319   b  are at the shortest length (second length or second position of the frame), the elements  319   a  and  319   b  are touching, as shown in  FIG. 2B . However, when the expansion joint  319  is expanded (to the first length or first position of the frame), the elements  319   a  and  319   b  are separated, as shown in  FIG. 2A . Although shown with two lengths, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of lengths or dimensions may be accommodated without departure from the invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2A , the expansion of the support elements  319   a ,  319   b  is facilitated by use of a splice bar  340  located within the support elements  319   a ,  319   b . The splice bar  340  allows for structural integrity of the support elements  319   a ,  319   b  to not be affected, or not be significantly affected, such that the support elements  319   a ,  319   b  can provide structure, support, and/or rigidity to the frame. The splice bar  340  is an insert within the structure of the support elements  319   a ,  319   b . Accordingly, the splice bar  340  is a structural bar or element with a diameter or dimension that is smaller than the diameter or dimension of the support elements  319   a ,  319   b . As such, the splice bar  340  may be contained within the support elements  319   a ,  319   b . When the expansion or extension of the support elements  319   a ,  319   b  is desired, the supports elements  319   a  and  319   b  may be pulled apart, with splice bar  340  maintaining the structure and rigidity of the frame. For example, the splice bar  340  may provide a telescoping aspect to support elements  319   a ,  319   b , allowing for an extension/expansion and separation thereof. 
     To engage the support elements  319   a ,  319   b  with the splice bar  340 , the support elements  319   a ,  319   b  have holes  342  and the splice bar  340  has a corresponding hole(s)  344  to accommodate a locking mechanism  341 , such as a pin or bolt or other type of locking mechanism. The locking mechanism  341  allows for the adjustment of the support elements  319   a ,  319   b  to be adjusted to an appropriate length and then locked in place with locking mechanism  341  such that the expansion joint  319  does not further adjust when in use, one should also note that with locking mechanism  341  removed, the frame elements can be completely separated at that location for disassembly of the frame  110 . 
       FIG. 2A  shows the splice bar  340  located in support elements  319   a ,  319   b  and serves as part of the expansion joint  319  to be used in upper support  121  and/or lower support  115 . In alternative embodiments, the expansion joint  319  can be configured as a telescoping bar, overlapping plates, rigid sleeves, or other means for expansion that are known or will become known, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Another configuration of the expansion joint may be that one of the elements of the support may be tapered to fit within the other element of the support, such that an independent element may not be necessary. Alternatively, the splice bar  340  may be integral with one of the elements  319   a ,  319   b , forming a reduced size/diameter portion of its respective elements to fit within the other element. In yet other embodiments, the splice bar  340 , whether separate from or integral with the elements(s) can be larger than the elements, such that the elements(s) fits inside the splice bar  340 , e.g., the splice bar  340  forms a sleeve. Furthermore, expansion joints similar to expansion joint  319  can be used in lower transverse supports  117  and/or upper transverse supports  123  of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  and can allow for expansion of the bed frame in the width direction. Further, expansion joints as described herein may also be used in upstanding supports  118  to enable adjustment of the enclosure in a vertical direction.  FIGS. 2A and 2B  show how the splice bar, and therefore support can be adjusted by a user. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a partial view of an adjustable frame  310  and an adjustable canopy  302  of an enclosure  300  are shown in an expanded, extended, or larger configuration, hereinafter referred to as a first position of the enclosure  300 .  FIG. 4  shows the enclosure  300  in a second position. The second position is a retracted or smaller configuration of enclosure  300 . The adjustable frame  310  is substantially similar to the frame  110 . The adjustable frame  310  includes an upper support  321  supported above a lower support  315  of a base portion by upstanding supports  318 . Each upstanding support  318  is coupled to an end of the upper support  321 . For example, a first upstanding support  318   h  is coupled at a first end  321   h  of the upper support  321 , and a second upstanding support  318   f  is coupled at a second end  321   f  of the upper support  321 . The upstanding supports  318 , as shown, are also each coupled to a lower support  315 . In an alternative embodiment, the lower support  315  may be omitted, and the upper laterally extending support  321  may be supported by the upstanding supports  318  over a floor or attached to a bed frame, as discussed above. Further, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the frame  310  includes wheels or casters  345  that facilitate the enclosure  300  to be moveable from one location to another, e.g., with the patient in the enclosure, or to install the enclosure  300  about a bed. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first position of the enclosure  300  employs collars  360  in an expanded position of the canopy  302  and supports  315 / 321  of the frame  310 , and the second position of the enclosure  300  employs the collars  360  of the canopy  302  and supports of the frame  310  in an unexpanded position. The collars  360  are part of or attached to panels  305 , as described herein. Accordingly, the components of the enclosure  300 , the frame  310  and canopy  302  are adjustable between at least a first and a second position. The first position ( FIG. 3 ) is an expanded state or larger configuration, and the second position ( FIG. 4 ) is a retracted state or smaller configuration. The frame  310  and canopy  302  are adjustable to allow for transitioning between the first position and the second position. The frame elements may expand and retract in length in the length direction of the frame elements (along the length of a support element) by means of an expansion joint, as described with respect to  FIGS. 2, 2A, and 2B . The canopy assembly may expand and retract by adjustment of the panels of the canopy assembly by means of adjustable collars. The expansion and retraction of the panels is achieved through adjustment of a collar attached to, or part of, the panels. Specifically, as shown, the length of the enclosure  300  is made shorter, such that the distance between the upstanding supports  318  is less in  FIG. 4  than it is in  FIG. 3 . This adjustment is achieved by adjusting the length of the upper support  321 , the length of the lower support  315 , and adjusting the circumference of the collar(s)  360 , as described herein. 
     To facilitate the adjustability of the frame  310 , the upper support  321  includes one or more expansion joints  330 , substantially similar to expansion joints  319 ,  115   c ,  117   c ,  121   c ,  123   c , such that the upper support  321  is adjustable in a length direction of the upper support  321  between at least a first length, corresponding to the first position of the enclosure  300 , and a second length, corresponding to the second position of the enclosure  300 . The lower support  315 , when included, also includes one or more expansion joints  331 , substantially similar to expansion joints  319 ,  115   c ,  117   c ,  121   c ,  123   c , such that the lower support  315  is adjustable in a length direction of the lower support  315  between at least a first length and a second length, corresponding to the first and second lengths of the upper support  321  and first and second positions of the enclosure  300 . In such manner, the length of the frame  310 , and therefore enclosure  300 , can be adjusted to accommodate different length beds. Similarly, supports extending in the width direction of the frame may be adjustable to accommodate different width beds, as described above. Specifically, a width extending support may include an expansion joint similar to expansion joints  319 ,  115   c ,  117   c ,  121   c ,  123   c  to facilitate width expansion of the frame. Moreover, the upstanding supports  118  may also include expansion joints similar to expansion joints  319 ,  115   c ,  117   c ,  121   c ,  123   c  to facilitate adjustment in the vertical direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3  a portion of an adjustable canopy assembly  302  is shown installed on the adjustable frame  310 . The adjustable canopy assembly  302  includes panels  305 , including, for example, a combination of vinyl or nylon portions  304  and netting  306 . Although discussed herein with respect to the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , those skilled in the art will appreciate that other constructions of the panels  305  are useable without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     To facilitate the adjustability of the canopy, along with the adjustable frame described herein, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the adjustable canopy assembly  302  includes a plurality of collars  360  that are configured to removably connect the adjustable canopy assembly  302  to the upper support  321  and the upstanding supports  318 . In an alternative embodiment, the collars or other elements may connect and/or attach to the lower support  313 , to provide a completely sealed enclosure, or similar structure. As shown, the collars  360  wrap around the upstanding supports  318  and the upper support  321 . The panel  305  is attached to the plurality of collars  360  such that the panel  305  is held substantially in a plane defined by the upper support  321  and the upstanding supports  318 . As such, the panel  305  is suspended from the frame  310  substantially in a plane of the frame, and substantially defines a wall of an enclosed space that is enclosed by the frame  310 , e.g., enclosing the area within the enclosure  300 . 
     An expandable collar  360  having fasteners or connectors, herein zippers  361 ,  362 , and  365 , as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , are configured to removably connect the panel  305  to the frame  310 .  FIGS. 5A and 5B  show how a user can adjust the collars  360  of the enclosure, and thereby adjust the size, shape, or configuration of the canopy assembly.  FIG. 5A  shows the collar  360  as opened, expanded, or laid flat. Zipper  365  is a set of zipper teeth that allow for selective zipping engagement between zipper  365  and each of first zipper  361  and second zipper  362 . Zippers  361 ,  362  are selectively connected (zipped) to zipper  365  using a zipper pull  366  in a known fashion. A collar extension  367  is disposed between the first zipper  361  and the second zipper  362 . The collar extension  367  is fabric or other material that allows the collar  360  to expand to different sizes or circumferences for removable connection to the upstanding supports  318 . The collar extension  367  may be a section of fabric or may be a pleated material, allowing for different means of expanding the collar  360 . Other forms of collar extension may be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, elastic material may be used for the collar extension  367 . The first zipper  361  provides a larger first circumference collar  360  when connected with the zipper  365  that corresponds to the first position of enclosure  300 . The second zipper  362  provides a smaller second circumference collar  360  when connected to the zipper  365  and corresponds to the second position of the enclosure  300 . Although described and shown herein as a set of zippers ( 361 ,  362 ,  365 ), the zippers may, alternatively, be in the form of any fastener or connecting means, such as zippers, ties, complementary hook and loop fasteners (Velcro™), snaps, or other forms of fasteners known or will become known. 
     The collar  360  is attachable to a panel  305  along attachment line  364 . Line  364  may be a sew line, such that collar  360  is sewn to the panel  305 , as shown in  FIG. 5B . The collar may be sewn to more than one panel  305 , such that the canopy assembly  302  can be attached to a complete frame structure, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . To connect the collar  360  to the panel  305 , zippers, snaps, ties, complementary hook and loop fasteners (Velcro™), and/or other means of connecting may alternatively be used or the collar  360  may be of a continuous fabric or piece with the panel  305 . 
     Similar in function to the expansion joints used in the extension of the frame, the adjustable collars allow for multiple lengths, dimensions or circumferences of the panel  305 . Accordingly, when the frame  310  is adjusted in size or dimension, the panel  305  may also be adjusted in size or dimension. 
     A use of the adjustable collar(s)  360 , as is shown in detail in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , and as could be used in a method of adjusting the canopy assembly and frame disclosed herein. Referring now to  FIG. 6A , a close up view of the collar  360  connected to the upstanding support  318 , of  FIG. 3 , is shown. As described, the zippers  361  and  362  allow for the size of the collar to be adjusted and therefore adjust the length, size, or dimension of the panel  305 . In  FIG. 6A , a large first size is achieved corresponding to the first position of the enclosure  300 , to accommodate for the longer length of supports  321 / 315 , and employs the first circumference of collar  360  utilizing zipper  361 . This allows for an extension of the canopy assembly  302 , such that a longer bed or more room may be accommodated within the enclosure  300 .  FIG. 6B  shows the collar  360  in a second size using zipper  362 , that is smaller than the first circumference corresponding to a smaller dimensioned panel (second position of the enclosure  300 ). 
     The adjustable collar(s)  360  can have additional fasteners such that the collar(s)  360  can be adjustable as desired. Further, a lockable drawstring-type configuration may be used for essentially continuous adjustment to the collar(s)/panel(s) size, to, e.g., minimize gaps between the panel and the frame elements. Moreover, collars that attach at the top and bottom of the frame may also be used at the top and bottom of the canopy such that the panel is expandable/adjustable in height, to accommodate different frames, or to be adjusted with an adjustable frame in height. 
     In view of the above, when operated in conjunction, the adjustable frame  310  and the adjustable canopy assembly  302  are adjustable between various dimensions, to accommodate for different length and/or width beds that may need to be enclosed, and/or to accommodate for bed rails that may need additional room or space to operate. 
     As will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, the illustrated canopy assemblies are usable with any of numerous different types of frames that are currently known, or that later become known. For example, the canopies may be used with frames that are collapsible, non-collapsible, or that are adjustable in size. In addition, the canopy assemblies equally may be usable with frames that are not foldable or otherwise collapsible, but rather are fixed in position and moved whole, or require the fixedly secured parts of the frame to be disassembled to transport or store the enclosure. 
     As described, one or more supports or upstanding supports of the adjustable frame may be telescopic with securing elements for enabling the frame to be adjustably sized as desired to accommodate different sized beds (e.g., infant, toddler, twin, full, queen, and king sized beds). Such telescopic supports may be employed either in a collapsible frame or in a non-collapsible frame. Further, although described herein as having a first and second position, and therefore only two sizes, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the frame (and enclosure) may be configured to have many dimensions in length, width, and height, and therefore the above disclosure merely provides examples. For example, the adjustment of the splice bar of embodiments described herein may allow for more than two adjustable positions of the support bars. Such non-collapsible frames may be mounted on the floor surrounding the bed as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , may be fixedly secured to the bed frame and movable therewith on, for example, via casters on the bed, may be mounted on the bed frame to form a combined bed and enclosure frame, or may be mounted on means for transporting the frame with or without the bed, such as wheels, casters, bearings or other devices for rolling, sliding or otherwise transporting the frame that are currently known, or that later become known. Such frames also may be modular, such that separable frame modules or sub-assemblies can be disassembled from each other to transport or store the frame. 
     In addition, the canopy may define a sealed enclosure for isolating a patient therein, wherein a base wall of the canopy overlies the bed, and if desired, the mattress of the bed, to prevent contamination of the bed and mattress, and wherein the canopy and frame are transportable with the bed to transport the patient within the enclosure from one location to another. Further, although described herein with only two adjustable zippers, this is merely for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that many zippers or fastening mechanisms may be used with the collars and panels of the canopy to allow for various sizes, lengths, and dimensions of the canopy without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     As would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art upon review of the subject disclosure, the figures and associated detailed description are representative of embodiments of the invention and various modifications can be made thereto. While the invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as disclosed herein and as claimed.