Patent Publication Number: US-7913333-B2

Title: Mattress hugging bed rail

Description:
This application is a division of, and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/981,628 filed Oct. 31, 2007 (U.S. Pat. No. 7,640,606), which was a division of, and claimed the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/603,288 filed Nov. 20, 2006 (U.S. Pat. No. 7,302,720), which was a division of, and claimed the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/820,358 filed Apr. 7, 2004 (U.S. Pat. No. 7,137,158), which was a continuation-in-part application of, and claimed the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/652,296 filed Aug. 29, 2003 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,952,846), which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/407,369 filed Aug. 30, 2002 under 35 U.S.C. §119(e). U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/603,288 filed Nov. 20, 2007, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/820,358 filed Apr. 7, 2004, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/652,296 filed Aug. 29, 2003 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/407,369 filed Aug. 30, 2002 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates particularly to a bed rail and specifically to a bed rail that hugs the mattress to maximize a tight fit between the rail portion and the side of a mattress and to minimize the chance that a child can fall between the rail portion of the bed rail and the side of the mattress. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A bed rail is a structure engaged to the side of a bed to prevent a person, especially a child, from rolling out of bed and falling to the floor. A bed rail includes a leg portion that is sandwiched between the mattress and box spring. A bed rail further includes a rail portion that extends from the leg portion and upwardly to and beyond the sleeping surface of the bed. The rail portion forms the rail that prevents the child from rolling out of bed. 
     A bed rail is intended to provide a safe sleeping environment, particularly for a child. However, the leg portion tends to work its way out from between the mattress and the box spring. As the leg portion works its way out, a gap is created between the side of the mattress and the rail portion of the bed rail. Children have rolled off the bed, have fallen into the gap, and have been entrapped between the bed rail and side of the mattress. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A feature of the present invention is the provision in a bed rail having a rail portion confronting a first side of a bed and extending upwardly beyond a sleeping surface of the bed and a leg portion extending from the rail portion and running toward a second side of a bed, of a member engaged to the leg portion and adapted for engaging the second side of the bed such that the member and rail portion hug the bed therebetween to minimize a creation of a gap between the rail portion and the first side of the bed. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a bed rail having a rail portion confronting a first side of a bed and extending upwardly beyond a sleeping surface of the bed and a leg portion extending from the rail portion and running toward a second side of a bed, of a cover depending from an upper portion of the rail portion and extending over a portion of the sleeping surface of the bed to cover any gap that may be created between the rail portion and the first side of the mattress. 
     A feature of the present invention is the provision in a bed rail having a rail portion confronting a first side of a bed and extending upwardly beyond a sleeping surface of the bed and a leg portion extending from the rail portion and running toward a second side of a bed, of the rail portion being set at an angle relative to the leg portion so that the rail portion confronts as much as possible the edge of the mattress where the sleeping surface joins the first side of the mattress. 
     An advantage of the present bed rail is safety. The embodiments of the invention have means for minimizing the creation of the gap between the rail portion and the first side of the mattress. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the bed rail is easy to set up so as to provide a tight fit between the rail portion and the first side of the mattress. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the bed rail is difficult to set up when an attempt is made to create a less tight fit between the rail portion and the first side of the mattress. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the bed rail includes a compact configuration for storage. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a partially section and diagrammatic view of a mattress, box spring, frame, and a prior art bed rail sandwiched between the mattress and the box spring. 
         FIG. 1B  is a side diagrammatic view of the mattress, box spring, frame and prior art bed rail of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2A  is a partially section and diagrammatic view of a hugging bed rail of the present invention sandwiched between a mattress and a box spring and shows a position prior to when the bed rail is tightened to hug the bed. 
         FIG. 2B  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a counter member for opposing or countering the rail portion of the bed rail and for engaging the second side of the bed. 
         FIG. 2C  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a counter member for opposing or countering the rail portion of the bed rail and for engaging the second side of the bed. 
         FIG. 2D  shows a perspective view of still another embodiment of a counter member for opposing or countering the rail portion of the bed rail and for engaging the second side of the bed. 
         FIG. 2E  shows a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a counter member for opposing or countering the rail portion of the bed rail and for engaging the second side of the bed. 
         FIG. 2F  is a diagrammatic view of the counter member of  FIG. 2E  engaging a strap which in turn engages another portion of the bed rail. 
         FIG. 3A  is a top diagrammatic view of a bed with the mattress removed and shows a single counter member engaging the second side of the bed. 
         FIG. 3B  is a top diagrammatic view of a bed with the mattress removed and shows a pair of counter members engaging the second side of the bed. 
         FIG. 3C  is a top diagrammatic view of a bed with the mattress removed and shows a “leg-less” bed rail with two embodiments of counter members where a rigid portion of the leg is deleted and where the “leg” may include only a strap running from the rail portion to the counter member. 
         FIG. 4A  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a bed rail of the present invention wherein the distal ends of the leg portion of the bed rail has apertures for engaging straps that in turn engage counter members. 
         FIG. 4B  is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a distal end for the bed rail of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4C  is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of a distal end for the bed rail of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4D  is a perspective view of the distal end of  FIG. 4C . 
         FIG. 4E  is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of a distal end for the bed rail of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5A  is an end diagrammatic view showing a prior art bed rail and shows how the prior art bed rail may form a gap between the rail portion and the mattress. 
         FIG. 5B  is an end diagrammatic view of another embodiment of the present invention where such embodiment includes a cover for closing off any gap that may be formed between the rail portion and the mattress of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 5C  is a perspective diagrammatic view of the cover of  FIG. 5B  where the cover is engaged to and depends from an uppermost portion of the rail portion of the bed rail. 
         FIG. 5D  is a perspective diagrammatic view of the cover of  FIG. 5B  where the cover is engaged to and depends from a section below the uppermost portion of the rail portion of the bed rail. 
         FIG. 6A  is a diagrammatic top view of the cover of  FIG. 5B  showing how the semi-rigid cover has living hinges or relatively weak sections or relatively less rigid sections extending lengthwise across the cover. 
         FIG. 6B  is a diagrammatic top view of the cover of  FIG. 5B  showing how the semi-rigid cover has living hinges or relatively weak sections or relatively less rigid sections extending across the width of the cover so as to extend in the direction of the leg portion of the bed rail. 
         FIG. 6C  is a detail end view of the cover of  FIG. 5B  showing the living hinges. 
         FIG. 6D  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the cover of  FIG. 5B  having a pivoting arm lock that is raised and lowered to raise and lower the cover. 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective diagrammatic view of one embodiment of the leg portion for the bed rail of the present invention, where the leg portion includes squared off telescoping portions between the rail portion and the counter member to draw the rail portion and counter member to and from each other. 
         FIG. 7B  is a perspective diagrammatic view of another embodiment of the leg portion for the bed rail of the present invention, where the leg portion includes rounded telescoping portions between the rail portion and the counter member to draw the rail portion and counter member to and from each other. 
         FIG. 7C  is a perspective diagrammatic view of the hugging bed rail of the present invention having one of the telescoping members of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  and further shows how the counter members may be turned upwardly to engage the mattress instead of the box spring. 
         FIG. 7D  is a perspective diagrammatic view of a button feature of the telescoping leg portions of  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B and  7 C, where the button feature permits automatic sliding of the telescoping members relative to each other so as to draw the counter members and rail portion towards each other, and where the button feature permits sliding of telescoping members relative to each other so as to draw the counter members and rail portion apart only upon positive pressure upon the button. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic end view of still another embodiment of the present invention where the rail portion of the bed rail is locked at an acute angle relative to the leg portion of the bed rail such that the leg portion of the bed rail does not run parallel to the first side of the mattress. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the bed rail of the present invention wherein the leg of the bed rail includes a first embodiment of a counter attachment. 
         FIG. 10  is a broken apart view of the frame of the bed rail of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a partial, perspective view of the bed rail of  FIG. 9  wherein the leg of the bed rail includes a second embodiment of a counter attachment. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the bed rail of  FIG. 9  and shows the base of the leg without attachment of any of the first or second embodiments of the counter attachment. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the bed rail of  FIG. 12  in a folded compact position. 
         FIG. 14A  is a side view showing a corner of the frame of the bed rail of  FIG. 9  and shows the leg of the bed rail in an operating, folded out position. 
         FIG. 14B  is a view at lines  14 B- 14 B of  FIG. 14A . 
         FIG. 14C  is a side view of the corner of the frame of  FIG. 14A  and shows the leg of the bed rail in a folded position for storage. 
         FIG. 14D  is a view at lines  14 D- 14 D of  FIG. 14A . 
         FIG. 15A  is a section view of the corner of the frame of  FIG. 14A  and shows the leg of the bed rail in an operating, folded out position. 
         FIG. 15B  is a section view of the corner of the frame of  FIG. 14C  and shows the leg of the bed rail in a folded position for storage. 
         FIG. 16A  is a side view of the hinge mechanism of the bed rail of  FIG. 9  and shows top rails of the rail portion of the bed rail in the folded, stored position. 
         FIG. 16B  is a side view of the hinge mechanism of the bed rail of  FIG. 9  and shows the top rails of the rail portion of the bed rail in an operating position. 
         FIG. 17A  is a section, partial view of the hinge mechanism of the bed rail of  FIG. 9  and shows the top rails of the rail portion of the bed rail in an operating position. 
         FIG. 17B  is a section, partial view of the hinge mechanism of the bed rail of  FIG. 9  and shows the top rails of the rail portion of the bed rail in a folded, stored position. 
         FIG. 18  shows the preferred embodiment for a lower corner or lower connection of the bed rail of  FIG. 9  so as to position the rail portion of the bed rail at an acute angle relative to the leg portion of the bed rail. 
         FIG. 19  shows the preferred lower connection of  FIG. 18  and shows how the rail portion  204  may be swung downwardly relative to the leg portion  202  when use of the rail portion  204  is not desired. 
         FIG. 20A  is a section view of the leg portion of  FIG. 9  having the preferred embodiment of the one directional quick connect. 
         FIG. 20B  is a section view of the leg portion of  FIG. 9  having the preferred embodiment of the one directional quick connect where the one directional quick connect prevents an increase in the length of one of the legs of the leg portion of the present bed rail. 
         FIG. 20C  is a section view of the leg portion of  FIG. 9  having the preferred embodiment of the one directional quick connect where the one directional quick connect permits a decrease in the length of one of the legs of the leg portion of the present bed rail. 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the bed rail of the present invention where such bed rail includes tubing in the wall of the rail portion, where the tubing is disposed in the plane of the sleeping surface, and where a lower three point connection is utilized. 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the bed rail of the present invention where such bed rail includes tubing in the wall of the rail portion, where the tubing is disposed in the plane of the sleeping surface, and where a lower two point connection is utilized. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the bed rail of  FIG. 22  having a strap for directly drawing the wall of the bed rail against a mattress and indirectly drawing the frame of the bed rail against the mattress. 
         FIG. 24  is a diagrammatic view showing how tubing of the bed rail of  FIG. 21  or  FIG. 22  may be disposed in the plane of a sleeping surface of a mattress. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1A  shows a prior art bed rail  10  having a leg  12  and a rail portion  14 . The leg  12  is sandwiched between a mattress  16  and a box spring  18 . The box spring  18  is set on a frame  20  having legs  22 . The mattress  16 , box spring  18 , frame  20  and legs  22  form as a whole a bed  24  having a first side  26  and a second side  28 . The prior art bed rail  10  may tend to form a gap  30  between the rail portion  14  and the first side  26  of the bed  24 . 
       FIG. 1B  shows that the prior art rail portion  14  includes a frame  32  and a resilient wall  34  engaged to the frame  32  wherein the resilient wall  34  is formed of a resilient sheet material. The wall  34  may alternatively be rigid if desired. The wall  34  may include several rigid components. The wall  34  may include tubing. The wall  34  may be a relatively thick plastic sheet or wall or wall-like member. 
       FIG. 2A  shows one embodiment  40  of the inventive hugging bed rail. Such bed rail  40  includes a rail portion  42  pivotally engaged to a leg portion  44 . The leg portion  44  is sandwiched between mattress  16  and box spring  18 . The leg portion  44  is engaged to a strap or tether  46  which in turn is engaged to a counter member or cleat  48 . Strap  46  is adjustable in length relative to leg portion  44  and/or relative to counter member  48  so that the rail portion  42  and counter member  48  can be drawn toward each other such that the bed rail  40  can hug the mattress  16  to draw the rail portion  42  tightly against the first side  26  of the mattress  16 . 
       FIG. 2B  shows T-shaped counter member  48  having a base  50  that fits between mattress  16  and box spring  18  and that includes an aperture  52  for engaging strap  46 . Counter member  48  further includes a first upper extension  54  for confronting the second side of the mattress  16  and a second lower extension  56  for confronting the second side of the box spring  18 . 
       FIG. 2C  shows an L-shaped counter member  58  having a base  60  that digs in like a cleat between the mattress  16  and box spring  18 . Base  60  includes an aperture  62  for engaging a strap such as strap  46 . Counter member or counter  58  further includes an extension  64  that is preferably oriented upwardly so as to confront the second side  28  of mattress  16  instead of the second side  28  of box spring  18 . 
       FIG. 2D  shows another counter member  66  that includes a distal countering end  68  rounded upwardly to confront the second side  28  of mattress  16 . An inner end portion  70  may be engaged to leg portion  44  such as with a strap or tether, telescoping connection members, or with an integral connection. In the case of an integral connection, the distance between the distal countering end  68  and the rail portion  42  is fixed and sized for a particular mattress such as a single, twin, queen or king-sized bed or for some other fixed size such that the rail portion  42  tightly hugs the first side  26  of the particular mattress. 
       FIG. 2E  shows a counter member  72  having an upper portion  74  for confronting the second side  28  of mattress  16  and a lower portion  76  for confronting the second side  28  of box spring  18 . Counter member  72  further includes a pair of apertures  78  for receiving a strap, such as strap  46 , in a looped fashion, as shown in  FIG. 2F . 
       FIG. 2F  shows the counter member  72  of  FIG. 2E  engaging strap  46 . It should be noted that counter member  72  is preferably oriented such that opposing portions of strap  46  lay on top of each other when sandwiched between mattress  16  and box spring  18 . However, if desired, counter member  72  can be oriented sideways such that opposing portions of strap  46  lay side by side when sandwiched between mattress  16  and box spring  18 . 
       FIG. 3A  shows that bed rail  40  may include two leg portions  44  sandwiched between the mattress  16  and box spring  18  and that each of the leg portions  44  may be strapped, such as with strap  46 , to a counter member, such as counter member  48 . In such a case, aperture  52  of base  50  may run at 90 degrees relative to the position shown in  FIG. 2B  and one strap may run from leg portion  44  through aperture  52  to leg portion  44 . 
       FIG. 3B  shows that each of the leg portions  46  can be engaged to a respective strap  46  which in turn is engaged to a respective counter member  48 . 
       FIG. 3C  shows a “leg-less” bed rail  40  where the legs  44  (or at least the rigid portions or tubular portions of the legs  44 ) have been removed. Instead, the straps  46  extend directly or substantially directly from the rail portion  42  to the counter or counters  48 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 3C , a single counter  48  or dual counters  48  may be used. 
       FIG. 4A  shows that the bed rail  40  can have the frame  32  and resilient wall  34  formed of a resilient sheet material.  FIG. 4A  further shows that the leg portions  44  have distal ends  80  with apertures  82  for engaging straps or tethers such as straps  46 .  FIG. 4A  shows the strap engaging apertures  82  running vertically. 
       FIG. 4B  shows a detail view of distal end  80 , aperture  82  and strap  46 . 
       FIG. 4C  shows another embodiment for a distal end of leg portion  44  where a distal end  84  is engaged to leg portion  44  via a pin  86  such as a rivet. Distal end  84  has a slot  88  for engaging strap  46 . Distal end  84  is a piece for modifying a prior art bed rail, such as bed rail  10 . One kit for modifying a prior art bed rail may include a strap, where the strap is engaged to prior art leg portion  12  and then wound about the mattress  16  or box spring  18  or tied to a portion of frame  20  or leg  22 . Another kit for modifying a prior art bed rail may include a strap and a counter member, such as for the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3A . Another kit for modifying a prior art bed rail may include a pair of straps and a pair of counter members, such as for the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3B . These kits may or may not include piece  84 . 
       FIG. 4D  shows a detail view of piece  84  that includes a slot  90  for receiving leg portion  44 , aperture  92  for receiving pin  86 , and strap receiving slot  88 . 
       FIG. 4E  shows that strap  46  may be engaged directly to leg portion  44  with a pin  94  such as a rivet. 
       FIG. 5A  shows in detail gap  30  between rail portion  14  and mattress  16 . 
       FIG. 5B  shows another embodiment of the present invention where a cover apparatus  100  is disposed between a rail portion, such as rail portion  42 , and a sleeping surface  102  of mattress  16 . Cover apparatus  100  includes a cover  104  depending from an uppermost portion of bed rail  42 , such as an upper horizontally extending portion of frame  32  and being shaped, such as with living hinges, so as to extend downwardly and inwardly to lie on top of sleeping surface  102  to close off any gap  30  that may happen to come into existence. 
       FIG. 5C  shows a perspective view of the cover apparatus  100  of  FIG. 5B  where the cover  104  depends from an uppermost portion of rail portion  42 . A Velcro® connection or similar hook and loop connection may provide for connection between the frame  32 , the lock arm  120  and the cover  104  as well as the sleeping surface  102 . 
       FIG. 5D  shows that the cover  104  can depend from a position below the uppermost portion of rail portion  42 . 
       FIG. 6A  shows that the cover  104  may have living hinges  110 . The living hinges  110  are weakened portions of the cover  104  that is preferably formed of a semi-rigid plastic material. The rigid characteristics of cover  104  keep the cover  104  in place even with the weight of a person on the cover  104  and even with the weight of the person being directed on a line running between rail portion  42  and leg portion  44 . The flexible characteristics of cover  104  permit a bend to the cover  104  to permit a somewhat comfortable shape to the cover  104 . The living hinges  110  provide the curved shape to the cover  104  and further permit the cover  104  to be folded into a compact shape for storage. The living hinges  110  run the length of the cover  104  so as to run in the same direction as the length of the rail portion  42 . The cover  104  may be formed of PVC or of a low density plastic. The living hinges may be formed by perforations in the cover  104 . If desired, the cover  104  may be formed of a cloth or when the cover  104  is of a sheet material other than cloth, the cover  104  may be sheathed in cloth for comfort against the skin. 
     Whether the cover  104  is rigid or whether the cover  104  is made of a flexible or cloth or sheet material, the cover  104  may include, such as on its underside, a material that has a high amount of friction with bedding or a mattress or a mattress covering so as to minimize the chances of the covering  104  falling into any gap  30  that may be created. The material having a high amount of friction may be provided by a material such as neoprene, silicone, rubber, or a rubber-based material where such material is nontoxic. 
       FIG. 6B  shows that living hinges  112  running in the direction of the leg portions  44 . Here the living hinges  112  permit a folding of the cover  104  into a compact shape for storage but do not contribute toward providing the curved comfortable shape shown in  FIGS. 5B ,  5 C and  5 D. 
       FIG. 6C  shows a detail view of the living hinges  110 . 
       FIG. 6D  shows a pivot lock arm  120  for the cover apparatus  100 . The pivot lock arm  120  includes a pivot  122  joined to frame  32  of rail portion  42 . The pivot lock arm  120  includes a distal end portion  124  that is joined to a distal edge portion  126  of cover  104 . Pivot  122  includes a lock such that a downward operating position (shown in solid lines in  FIG. 6D ) of cover  104  may be locked in place on top of sleeping surface  102 . The lock may also be operational when the pivot lock arm  120  is in an upward open position (shown in phantom in  FIG. 6D ). Also shown in  FIG. 6D  is a pivot structure  130  that may be provided between rail portion  42  and leg portion  44  to permit the bed rail  40  to be folded for storage. The lock arm  120  may pivot for about 180 degrees from a position on sleeping surface  102  to a position on the other side of the rail portion  42 . 
       FIG. 7A  shows another embodiment of the invention, where leg portion  44  may include telescoping members  140  and  142  to draw the counter member and the rail portion  44  to and away from each other. Telescoping members  140  and  142  are squared off to prevent the members  140 ,  142  from spinning relative to each other. 
       FIG. 7B  shows telescoping members  144  and  146  that are oval or elliptical in section so as to provide a round shape but yet prevent the members  144  and  146  from spinning relative to each other. 
       FIG. 7C  shows that one telescoping member  140  (or  144 ) may be pivotally joined to rail portion  42  and that another telescoping member  142  (or  146 ) may include counter member  68 . Counter member  68  may include cap  148 . 
       FIG. 7D  shows a button  150  extending though a hole  152  formed in member  140  and a hole  154  formed in member  142 . Button  150  includes a base  156  affixed to an inner surface of member  142  and further includes an inclined surface  158  and an upright or confronting surface  160  confronting surfaces of the members  140 ,  142  that form the holes  152 ,  154 . The provision of the inclined surface  158  on button  150  permits the counter member  68  and rail portion  42  to be drawn towards each other automatically or with little effort. Accordingly, it is relatively easy to make the rail portion  42  fit tightly against the first side  26  of the mattress  16 . The provision of the confronting surface  160  on button  150  permits the counter member  68  to be drawn apart from the rail portion  42  only with the difficulty associated with depressing button  150 . Accordingly, it is relatively difficult to loosen the bed rail  40  and therefore the chances of forming a gap  30  are minimized. 
       FIG. 8  shows that rail portion  42  (or the plane in which the frame  32  of the rail portion  42  lies) is preferably set at an acute angle A relative to leg portion  44  (or at an acute angle to the plane in which the leg portions  44  lie). A pivot mechanism  170  may permit a swinging between the rail portion  42  and, in such a case, such pivot mechanism  170  does not permit a swinging to a right angle arrangement or to a swinging to an obtuse angle arrangement. Preferably, the angle between rail portion  42  and leg portion  44  is between 70 and 89 degrees, more preferably between 70 and 88 degrees, even more preferably between 70 and 87 degrees, yet more preferably between 70 and 86 degrees, and most more preferably between 70 and 85 degrees. The provision of an acute angle between the rail portion  42  and leg portion  44  works to close off any gap  30  and sets the rail portion  42  as close to the sleeping surface  102  as possible.  FIG. 8  shows the most preferred angle B of five degrees (where angle A is 85 degrees) where angle B defines the relationship between rail portion  42  and a plane parallel to the first side  26  of mattress  16 . The button  150  and its cooperating apertures may be referred to as a one directional quick connect. 
     As to rail portion  42 , as to leg portion  44 , as to frame  32 , as to wall  34 , as to how rail portion  42  and leg portion  44  are swingable to each other and as to how rail portion  42  and leg portion  44  may be foldable or collapsible to a stored position, the Wu U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,490 issued Sep. 30, 1997 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     It should be noted that the present bed rail  40  may be engaged to only a mattress or to only a mattress and a frame. The frame may or may not have slats. It should be noted that leg  44  may be broad or paddle-shaped so as to rest upon slats instead of falling through the slats. Slats may be used where no box spring is used. 
       FIG. 9  shows a bed rail  200 . Bed rail  200  generally includes a leg portion  202  and a rail portion  204 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , rail portion  204  includes a frame assembly  206 . Frame assembly  206  includes upper rails or tubes  208 ,  210 , lower rails or tubes  212  and  214 , and side rails or tubes  216  and  218 . Upper rails  208  and  210  are interconnected via a hinge mechanism  220 . Frame assembly  206  further includes respective first and second upper corner two point connections  222 ,  224  and first and second lower corner three point connections  226 ,  228 . 
     Distal ends or distal end portions of upper tubes  208 ,  210  are pivotally affixed via respective pins  230 ,  232  to upper corner connections  222 ,  224  such that tubes  208 ,  210  swing relative to tubes  216 ,  218 . Such relative swinging of tubes  208 ,  210 ,  216  and  218  occurs in generally the same plane. An inner portion  234  of each of the corner connections  222 ,  224  are U-shaped in cross section to permit the tubes  208  and  210  to swing relative to corner connections  222 ,  224  and toward tubes  216  and  218 . 
     Upper ends or upper end portions of side tubes  216 ,  218  are rigidly affixed, with no pivotal swinging and no axial sliding, in a cylindrical receptacle formed in an outer portion  236  of each of the corner connections  222 ,  224 . The cylindrical receptacle is a non-through hole. Each of the upper end portions of the side tubes  216 ,  218  are fixed in their respective cylindrical receptacles with a pin. Such a pin is preferably a spring biased button which, upon being pushed into its respective side tube  216 ,  218 , permits the respective side tube  216 ,  218  to be withdrawn out of the cylindrical receptacle for disassembly and then snapped back in for reassembly. Such is preferable because this allows the sheet wall  370  to be easily taken off and placed back on the frame assembly  206 . 
     Each of the lower corner connections  226 ,  228  is a three point connection and includes a molded body  240  that is integral and one-piece. Body  240  includes a pair of opposing, spaced apart sidewalls  242 ,  244  where sidewall  242  is an outer sidewall and where sidewall  244  is an inner sidewall. Sidewalls  242 ,  244  lead integrally into a female receptor  246  for a distal end or distal end portion  248  of base leg sections  250  of the leg portion  202  of the bed rail  200 . Female receptor  246  is oblong in section to minimize an axial spinning of base leg sections  250  relative to the lower connections  226 ,  228  and thus to minimize an axial spinning of the base leg sections  250  relative to the rail portion  204 . Base leg section  250  is rigidly fixed in receptor  246  and to body  240  via a pin  252 . It should be noted that molded body  240  is preferably reinforced with a steel bracket having steel plate portions  253  engaged on the inner sides of sidewalls  242 ,  244 . Steel plate portions  253  are interconnected via an integral bracket  255 . 
     Body  240  further includes a cradle  254  for engaging the distal ends or distal end portions  256 ,  258  of lower tubes  212 ,  214 . Cradle  254  is one-piece and integral with body  240  such that cradle  254  is one-piece and integral with female receptor  246 . Cradle  254  is a semi-circular open end receptor having a pair of aligned through holes  260 . Holes  260  engage opposing ends of an outer two ended button  262  which is found on distal end portion  256  of lower tube  212  and which is further found on distal end portion  258  of lower tube  214 . Each of the ends of button  262  extends, in the biased and locked position, beyond the outer diametrical surface of its respective tube  212 ,  214  such that each of the ends of button  262  can engage holes  260 . Each of the ends of button  262  is resiliently depressable or pushable radially into tube  212  or  214  such that the absolute end of button  262  is at or within the outer diametrical surface of tube  212 ,  214  such that the button  262  can disengage from holes  260 . Outer two ended buttons  262  may be operated directly such as by sliding a fingernail between cradle  254  and the end of the button  262 . More preferably, each of the outer two ended buttons  262  is operated by a respective inner two ended button  264  that is not engaged by cradle  254  and that lies at an accessible location outside of cradle  254  when tubes  212 ,  214  are engaged by cradles  254 . Each of the ends of buttons  262 ,  264  extends through openings formed in tubes  212 ,  214 . The structural arrangement for buttons  262 ,  264  includes a C-shaped flat spring pinched resiliently within each of the distal end portions  256 ,  258  of tubes  212 ,  214 . Each of the ends of the C-spring includes one end of button  262  and one end of button  264  such that a pushing upon one end of inner button  264  draws the respective, same sided outer button  262  inwardly. Hence a pinching of the ends of inner button  264  radially inwardly also draws the outer ends of button  262  radially inwardly. 
     Each of the sidewalls  242 ,  244  includes an upper open ended slot or detent  270  for receiving a roller  272  rotatably engaged on a pin  274 . Pin  274  in turn is affixed to, and extends at a right angle to, a spring biased plunger  276  engaged within each of the side tubes  216 ,  218 . As shown in  FIGS. 15A and 15B , a first end or base  279  of plunger  278  is rigidly fixed to its side tube  216 ,  218  with a pin  280 . A coil spring  282  extends from base  279  to a piece  284  having a portion set within the coil spring  282  and having a disk portion slidingly engaging the inner diametrical surface of tube  216  or  218 . Piece  284  leads into a projection  286  which has a through hole formed therein for pin  274 . Piece  284  and projection  286  may be molded as one part so as to be one-piece and integral. A pair of slots  288  are formed in each of the tubes  216 ,  218 . Slots  288  of tube  216  are aligned with each other and slots  288  of tube  218  are aligned with each other such that pin  274  can travel the length of slots  288  and in the axial direction of tubes  216 ,  218 . 
     Body  240  is pivotally fixed to side tubes  216 ,  218  via a pin  290  engaged to each of the sidewalls  242 ,  244 . Body  240  is fixed or locked in position to side tubes  216 ,  218  by the rollers  272  being engaged in the detents  270 . In the locked position, the plunger  278  is biased to its extended position by the coil spring  282  and keeps the rollers  272  locked into the detents  270 . To unlock the side tubes  216 ,  218  from the lower corner connections  226 ,  228  and hence to unlock rail portion  204  from the leg portion  202 , the rollers  272  are drawn by hand axially toward a central portion of tubes  216 ,  218  to draw the rollers  272  out of the detents  270 . When the rollers  272  are disengaged from the detents  270 , the side tubes  216 ,  218  are relatively swingable relative to the leg portions  202 . This relative swinging permits: 1) the rail portion  204  to be swung downwardly to a right angle relative to the leg portion  202  to confront side  26  of box spring  18  so that one can have relatively easy access to get in and out of the bed  24 , as shown in  FIG. 19 ; 2) the rail portion  204  to be swung upwardly to an upright position and right angle position relative to the leg portion  202 , whereupon the rollers  272  snap into the detents  270  under the plunger bias, as shown in  FIG. 18 ; 3) the side tubes  216 ,  218  to be swingable relative to the legs  250  such that the legs  250  can be drawn upward relative to the side tubes  216 ,  218  for storage, as shown in  FIG. 14C ; and 4) the side tubes  216 ,  218  to be swingable relative to the legs  250  such that the legs  250  and side tubes  216 ,  218  can be unfolded from a stored compact arrangement and locked into an operating position. 
     Sidewalls  242 ,  244  of body  240  have a partially curved and partially linear perimeter  292  upon which the rollers  272  roll when the bed rail  200  is being folded into or from a stored, compact arrangement. Sidewalls  242 ,  244  have a partially curved and partially linear perimeter  294  upon which the rollers  272  roll when the rail portion  204  is being dropped against the side  26  of the box spring  18  or when the rail portion  204  is being swung up from side  26  of box spring  18  to an upright operating position against the side  26  of the mattress  16 .  FIG. 19  shows the downwardly swung position of the rail portion  204 . 
     Lower tubes  212  and  214  engage each other with a male/female connection. Lower tube  212  includes an inner female end portion  300  having a hole or button receptor  302 . Lower tube  214  includes an inner male end portion  304  having a button  306  that is biased radially outwardly so as to snap into hole  302  and lock the tubes  214 ,  216  relative to each other such that the tubes  214 ,  216  cannot spin relative to each other and such that the tubes  214 ,  216  cannot slide in the axial direction relative to each other until the button  306  is pressed, whereupon the tubes  212 ,  214  can be disengaged from each other. 
     Lower tubes  212 ,  214 , when fixed to each other and set in cradles  254 , provide a rigid lower rail for the rail portion  204 ; side tubes  216 ,  218 , when the rollers  272  are locked in the detents  270 , provide rigid side rails for the rail portion  204 ; and upper tubes  208 ,  210 , when the hinge mechanism  220  is locked, provide a rigid upper rail for the rail portion  204 , whereby a relatively rigid frame assembly  206  is provided for rail portion  204 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 16A ,  16 B,  17 A and  17 B, hinge mechanism  220  includes a housing  308  having a front wall  310  and a rear wall  312  that are interconnected with a semi-cylindrical top portion  314  such that housing  308  takes generally an inverted U-shape. Proximal end or proximal end portions  316 ,  318  of upper tubes  208 ,  210  are swingably affixed to housing  308  via pins  320 ,  322  engaged between front wall  310  and rear wall  312 . Disposed inwardly from the pins  320 ,  322  are pins  324 ,  326  running parallel to pins  320 ,  322 . Pins  324 ,  326  are mounted in proximal end portions  316 ,  318  and extend at a right angle from the tubes  208 ,  210  via slots  328 ,  330  in the proximal end portions  316 ,  318 . Pins  324 ,  326  are biased in the inwardly direction toward a locked position (toward the inner axial end of each respective tube  208 ,  210 ) via a coil spring  332  mounted in each respective proximal end portion  316 ,  318 . Coil spring  332  is fixed under tension between its respective pin  324 ,  326  and an end piece  334  fixed in its respective tube  208 ,  210 . End portions of pins  324 ,  326  ride in respective tracks  336 ,  338  formed in the front wall  310  and rear wall  312  of housing  308 . In other words, a track  336  in front wall  310  is aligned with a track  336  formed in the rear wall  312 , and these tracks  336  engage outer end portions of pin  324 . Further, a track  338  formed in front wall  310  is aligned with a track  338  formed in rear wall  312 , and these tracks engaged outer end portions of pin  326 . Each of the ends of pins  324 ,  326  has a roller  340  rotatably mounted thereon such that hinge mechanism  220  includes four rollers  340 . 
     Hinge mechanism  220  includes an unlocking mechanism  342  that unlocks hinge mechanism  220  by bringing pressure to bear on the four rollers  340 . Unlocking mechanism  342  is a generally U-shaped piece having a front wall  344  confronting and sliding upon front wall  310  of housing  308  and further having a rear wall  346  confronting and sliding upon rear wall  312  of housing  308 . A bottom portion  347  interconnects the front wall  344  and rear wall  346 . Bottom portion  347  of unlocking mechanism  342  opposes top portion  314  of housing  308  of hinge mechanism  220  to provide squeezing surfaces when unlocking mechanism  342  and housing  308  are drawn relatively together. A pin  348  extends between front and rear walls  344 ,  346  and rides in slots  350  formed in each of the front wall  310 ,  312  of housing  308 . Pin  348  and hence the unlocking mechanism  342  as a whole is biased toward a locked position by a coil spring  352  fixed under tension between pin  348  and an end piece  354  fixed to top  314  of housing  308  via pin  356 . Unlocking mechanism  342  further includes guide pins  358  rotatably engaged in holes formed in the front wall  344  and rear wall  346  of unlocking mechanism  342  for engaging linear portions  360  of a periphery of front wall  344  and rear wall  346 . Rollers  340  engage curved or tapering portions  362  of the front wall  344  and rear wall  346 . 
     Each of the tracks  336 ,  338  of hinge mechanism  220  includes a curved or arc track portion  364  having as its center or pivot point pin  320  or  322 . Pins  324 ,  326  ride in the arc track portion  364  when the rail portion  204  is being folded or unfolded. Each of the tracks  336 ,  338  further includes a linear track portion or detent  366  in communication with the arc track portion  364 . Pins  324 ,  326  snap into the detent  366  when the rail portion  204  is folded to an operating position. Pins  324 ,  326  are forced out of the detent  366  and into the curved track portion  364  by the curved periphery portion  362  when the unlocking mechanism  342  is squeezed against the bias of the coil spring  352 . 
       FIGS. 16B and 17A  show the hinge mechanism  220  in a locked position. Pins  324  and  326  are resiliently pressed into the detents  366  by the bias of the coil springs  332 . Rollers  340  (on the ends of the pins  324 ,  326 ) confront the curved periphery portions  362  of the unlocking mechanism  342 . Pin  348  of the unlocking mechanism  342  is resiliently brought to bear against the root base point of slot  350  by coil spring  352 . In such locked position, upper tubes  208 ,  210  are locked in a straight line relative to each other. 
     To unlock the hinge mechanism  220  so as to permit the upper tubes  208 ,  210  to swing relative to each other to a folded position where the upper tubes lie generally parallel to each other, unlocking mechanism  342  and housing  308  are squeezed relative to each other so as to draw the bottom portion  347  of the unlocking mechanism  342  toward the top portion  314  of housing  308 . When the unlocking mechanism  342  is drawn upwardly, the curved periphery portions  362  are drawn against the rollers  340 , which in turn pushes the pins  324 ,  326  against the bias of the coil springs  332  out of the detents  366  and into the curved track portions  364 , thereby permitting each of the tubes  208 ,  210  to be swung on the pivot pins  320 ,  322 .  FIG. 17B  shows the curved periphery portions  362  relative to the detents  366  when the unlocking mechanism  342  is fully squeezed. Upon a pivoting of tubes  208 ,  210  and upon a release of the unlocking mechanism  342 , the unlocking mechanism  342  returns under the bias of the coil spring  352  to the position shown in  FIG. 16A . The root base points of the arc track portions  364  act as a stop for pins  324 ,  326  and prevent a further swinging of the tubes  208 ,  210  beyond parallel relationship. 
     To lock the hinge mechanism  220  from the position shown in  FIG. 16A , the tubes  208 ,  210  are swung on their pivots  320 ,  322  such that the pins  324 ,  326  ride in the curved track portions  364  toward the detents  366 . Upon reaching the detents  366 , the pins  324 ,  326  snap into the detents under the bias of the coil springs  332 , whereupon the tubes  208  and  210  are locked relative to each other and whereupon the rollers  240  confront the curved periphery portions  362  for a subsequent unlocking operation. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , rail portion  204  further includes a fabric wall  370  engaged to the frame assembly  206 . Fabric wall  370  generally includes a tubular periphery  372  and an interior, preferably nylon, mesh  374 . Tubular periphery  372  engages frame assembly  206 . Interior mesh  374  is engaged by the tubular periphery  372 . Tubular periphery  372  includes a pair of side wall sections  376 ,  378  for engaging side tubes  216  and  218 , a lower wall section  380  for engaging lower tubes  212 ,  214 , and an upper wall section  382  for engaging upper tubes  208 ,  210 . Each of the side wall sections  376 ,  378  is a sheet of nylon folded over to form a tubular portion  384  formed by stitching  386 . Side tubes  216 ,  218  run through the tubular portions  384 . Inner edges of side wall sections  376 ,  378  are engaged by stitching  387  to side edges of mesh  374 . Lower wall section  380  is a sheet of nylon folded over to form a tubular portion  388  through which lower tubes  212 ,  214  run. Tubular portion  388  is formed by stitching  390  that also engages lower wall section  380  to the lower edge of mesh  374 . Upper wall section  382  includes a sheet of nylon folded over to form a tubular portion  392  through which upper tubes  208  and  210  run. Tubular portion  392  is formed by stitching  394  that also engages the upper wall section  382  to the upper edge of mesh  374 . Tubular portion  392  is of sufficient size such that, when fabric wall  370  is removed from frame assembly  206 , the hinge mechanism  220  can slide through the tubular portion  392 . Upper wall section  382  further includes a sheet of cushion  394  or resilient material engaged to the underside of the sheet of nylon so as to pad the upper tubes  208 ,  210  and hinge mechanism  220  relative to a person sleeping in bed  24 . Besides being engaged to the nylon mesh  374 , each of the wall sections  376 ,  378 ,  380  and  382  are engaged to adjacent wall sections via stitching  386 ,  390  and  394  so as to provide strength to the fabric wall  370 . In other words, lower wall section  380  is engaged by stitching  386  and  390  to side wall sections  376 ,  378 , and upper wall section  382  is engaged by stitching  386  and  394  to side wall sections  376 ,  378 . When rail portion  204  is swung relative to leg portion  202 , tubular portion  388  pivots relative to tubes  212 ,  214 . 
     Fabric wall  370  is removable from frame assembly  206  by 1) first depressing a button in the upper ends of side tubes  216 ,  218  so as to disconnect the side tubes  216 ,  218  from the upper connections  222 ,  224 , 2) then sliding the side wall sections  376 ,  378  off the side tubes  216 ,  218 , 3) then sliding the upper wall section  382  off of tubes  208  and  210  and hinge mechanism  220 , and 4) then sliding the lower wall section  380  off tubes  212 ,  214 . Such steps need not take place in such order; however, prior to removing upper wall section  382 , the side tubes  216 ,  218  are disconnected from the upper connections  222 ,  224 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , bed rail  200  generally includes a leg portion  202  and a rail portion  204 . Leg portion  202  includes the base leg section  250  having the proximal end portion  248  which is engaged in lower connections  226 ,  228  with pin  252 . As noted above, female receptor  246  is oblong in section and base leg section  250  is oblong in section to minimize relative rotation between female receptor  246  and base leg section  250 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , base leg section  250  includes a distal end male portion  400  having a button  402 . Button  402  is inclined on its distal side  158  and runs vertically on its proximal side  160 . Base leg section  250  is tubular and is preferably formed of steel. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , leg portion  202  may include a first embodiment of a counter attachment. This counter attachment or counter section, designated by reference numeral  404 , includes a generally linear female tube portion  406  having a proximal end portion  408  and a distal end portion  410 . Proximal end portion  408  is a female receptor for male portion  400  of base leg section  250  and includes oblong slots  412  for engaging button  402 . Slots or detents  412  are arranged in the axial direction along the upper side of counter attachment  404  and provide for length adjustment of leg portion  202  by selective engagement with button  402 . 
     Counter attachment  404  further includes a counter  414  extending at a generally right angle relative to generally linear tube portion  406 . Counter  414  extends integrally from distal end portion  410  and is one-piece with linear tube portion  406 . Counter  414  includes a cap  416 . Counter  414  is rigid relative to generally linear tube portion  406  and keeps the mattress  16  sandwiched between the rail portion  204  and the counter  414 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7D  and  FIG. 10 , button  402  includes the structure of button  150  and includes a vertical side  160  and an inclined or tapering side  158 , where vertical side  160  is faces the rail portion  204  and where the tapering side  158  faces the counter  414  such that leg portion  202  may be decreased in length with a relative minimum amount of effort and such that leg portion  202  may be increased in length only with a relative maximum amount of effort. Tapering side  158  is a quick connect mechanism. Vertical side  160  is not a quick connect mechanism and requires hand operation directly on the button for operation. In other words, with such a structure provided to button  402 , namely tapering side  158 , counter attachment  404  is readily slid onto base leg portion  250  with no need to depress button  402  such that the rail portion  204  can readily hug the first side  26  of mattress  16  and such that there is no gap between the rail portion  204  and the first side  26  of mattress  16 . With such a structure provided to button  402 , namely vertical side  160 , leg portion  202  cannot be increased in length, which would create a gap between the rail portion  204  and the first side  26  of mattress  16 , without depressing button  402  because the vertical side  160  prevents counter attachment  404  from sliding out of base leg section  250 . 
     It should further be noted that, with the counter attachment  404  and the base leg section  250  being oblong in section, rotation between the counter attachment  404  and base leg section  250  is minimized. Further, as noted above, rotation between base leg section  250  and its respective connection  226 ,  228  having oblong female receptor  246  is minimized. Hence counter  414  is maintained in an upright position against the second side  28  of mattress  16 . 
     The oblong shape to female receptor  246 , base leg section  250 , counter attachment  404  and counter attachment  420  further maximizes the flatness of such members so as to minimize any bumps that may manifest themselves at the upper surface of the mattress  16 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , leg portion  202  may include a second embodiment of a counter attachment. This counter attachment, designated by reference numeral  420 , includes a tubular medial section  422  and a tubular counter section  424 . Medial section  422  includes a proximal female end  426  having a circular hole  428  for reception of button  402  of base leg section  250 . Medial section  422  includes a distal end female portion  430  having a set of oblong slots or detents  432  arranged in the axial direction on the upper side of medial section  422 . Openings  432  (oblong slots) are of a different shape than opening  428  (a circular hole) to make assembly of the bed rail  200  user friendly, based upon sight, for the customer. 
     Tubular counter section  424  includes a proximal end male portion  434  having a button  436  that includes the structure of button  150  of  FIG. 7D . That is, button  436  includes a vertical side  160  and a tapering side  158  such that counter section  424  can be easily slid into the medial section  422  so as to decrease the effective length of one of the legs of leg portion  202 . Button  436  hence selectively cooperates with one of the slots or detents  432  of medial section  422 . Counter section  424  further includes a distal end portion  438  and a counter  440  extending at a right angle from the distal end portion  438 . A plastic safety cap  442  caps the end of the counter  440 . Counter  440  is rigid relative to distal end portion  438 . Vertical side  160  of button  436  faces counter  440 . Tapering side  158  of button  436  faces the absolute proximal end of counter section  424  so as to face the rail portion  204 . 
     As with counter attachment  404 , each of medial section  422 , counter section  424  and base leg section  250  is oblong in cross section such that rotation among the sections  422 ,  424  and  250  is minimized so as to keep counter  440  in an upright position on the second side  28  of mattress  16 . 
     As with counter attachment  404 , merely a relative minimum amount of effort is required to decrease the effective length of counter attachment  420 , given the relative orientations of tapering sides  158  of buttons  436  and  402 , such that the creation of any gap between the bed rail  200  and the first side  26  of mattress  16  is prevented. As with counter attachment  404 , a relative maximum amount of effort is required for increasing the effective length of counter attachment  420  because of the relative orientations of vertical sides  160  of buttons  436  and  402  so as to minimize the creation of any gap between the bed rail  200  and the first side  26  of mattress  16 . 
     Counter attachment  404  may be utilized for a relatively small bed. Counter attachment  420  may be utilized for a relatively large bed. 
     It is noted that, to increase the length of counter attachments  404  and  420 , effort is maximized in at least two ways. First, to gain access to the counter attachments,  404  and  420 , the mattress  16  must be lifted off the counter attachments  404  and  420 . Since the counters  414 ,  440  are maintained at an upright position, it is difficult to simply pull the bed rail  200  from between the mattress  16  and the box spring  18 . Second, once access is gained to the counter attachments  404  and  420 , buttons  402 ,  436  must be depressed and then redepressed for each of their respective slots  412 ,  432  while the female section  406  is being removed from section  250  (or slid outwardly relative to each other) and while sections  422  and  424  are being separated (or slid outwardly relative to each other). Such a depression and a redepression takes time and effort and such a depression and redepression is preferred. Buttons  402  and  436  are resilient and spring based such that their bias is to the outer locked position and such buttons  402  and  436  pop out of slots  412  and  432  as sections are being slid relative to each other. 
       FIG. 12  shows the bed rail  200  in the process of being folded to a compact configuration. Leg portion  202  and rail portion  204  have been swung relatively to each other by the operation of connections  226  and  228  such that base leg sections  250  are disposed generally parallel to side tubes  216  and  218 . From the position shown in  FIG. 12 , lower tubes  212 ,  214  are disconnected from the connections  226 ,  228  and the lower tubes  212 ,  214  are slid out of the lower wall section  380 . Then the hinge connection  220  is squeezed so as to operate the unlocking mechanism  342 . Indicia  450  is provided on the upper wall section  382  to indicate the location and general structure of the hinge mechanism  220  and unlocking mechanism  342 . An arrow indicia  452  is provided on the upper wall section  382  below indicia  450  and points at indicia  450  to indicate the direction the unlocking mechanism  342  slides to unlock the hinge mechanism  3220 . Upon an unlocking of the upper tubes  208 ,  210  relative to each other, the outer ends of the bed rail  200  can be swung upwardly with the base leg sections  250  to the compact storage configuration shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     In a stored configuration as shown in  FIG. 13 , bed rail  200  with each of the counter attachments  404  and  420  can fit in a nylon drawstring bag where the bag measures about seven inches in diameter and about 30 inches in depth. 
       FIG. 18  shows the preferred embodiment for lower connection  226  (and  228 ). In this preferred embodiment, side tube  216  (or  218 ) is preferably set at an acute angle A relative to leg portion  202 , including leg base section  250 . In other words, the following features are aligned on an axis B: side tube  216  (or  218 ), slots  288 , slots  270 , pin  290 , walls  242  and  244 . The following features are aligned on an axis C: female receptor  246 , base leg section  250 , and counter attachments  404  and  420  (excluding the counters  414  and  440 ). Axis B is preferably set at acute angle A relative to axis C. Body  240  is molded and its inner steel bracket is fabricated such that its features on axis A, including the opening for pin  290  and slots  270 , is set at acute angle A relative to female receptor or sleeve  246 . 
     Such an acute angle A works to minimize any gap between the first side  26  of mattress  16  and the rail portion  204  for a number of reasons. First, because of the acute angle, the rail portion  204  lies closer to the upper side of mattress  16  than the lower side of the mattress  16 . The rail portion  204  is needed at the upper side to prevent a person from rolling off of the bed  24 . Second, except for perhaps high tech excessively expensive mechanical arrangements such as found at NASA, mechanical arrangements may loosen over time. The provision of features providing for angle A minimizes the chance that the angle A would become obtuse, i.e., greater than ninety degrees, whereby the rail portion  204  would extend upwardly and away from the first side  26  of mattress  16 . Third, angle A works in combination with counter attachments  404  and  420  where the sections of the counter attachments are readily slideable relative to each other to decrease the effective length of the legs of leg portion  204 . In other words, as to this third point, mattress  16  may be hugged more tightly between counters  414  (or  440 ) and the rail portion  204  because acute angle A permits the rail portion  204  to give somewhat. Rail portion  204  gives somewhat because of the mechanical arrangement of the rail portion  204  as a whole, because of the mechanical connection between rail portion  204  and the lower connections  226 ,  228 , because of the mechanical hinge arrangement  220  and because of the mechanical frame assembly  206 . In light of the above three factors, the chances that rail portion  204  closely confronts the upper face of the mattress  16  at first side  26  of mattress  16  are maximized. 
       FIG. 19  shows rail portion  204  swung downwardly relative to the leg portion  202 . When the bed rail  200  is not in use, such as during daytime hours, the rail portion  204  is swung downwardly by disengaging rollers  272  from slots  270  on the lower connections  226 ,  228  and pivoting the rail portion  204  as a whole against the first side  26  of the box spring  18 . When swung downwardly, side rails  216 ,  218  confront stops  460  (shown in  FIG. 15A  and  FIG. 19 ) of sleeve or receptor  246 . To place the rail portion  204  into the upright operating position, rail portion  204  is swung upwardly such that rollers  272  roll against peripheral surface  294  and such that rollers  272  then snap into detents  270  under pressure from the coil springs  282  whereupon the rail portion  204  is locked relative to the leg portion  202 . 
       FIG. 19  shows that tubes  216 ,  218  can be swung from the downward position shown in  FIG. 19 , to the upright operating position shown by first arrowhead  462 , to the folded position shown by second arrowhead  464  such that tubes  216 ,  218  can be swung through about a 270 degree arc relative to leg portion  204 . 
       FIGS. 20A ,  20 B and  20 C show the preferred embodiment for button  402  (and for button  436 ). Button  402  includes the tapering face  158  and the vertical face  160 . Button  402  further includes a second vertical face  470  opposite of vertical face  160  and running generally parallel thereto. Button  402  is a spring that during manufacture is slid into base leg section  250  and does not need to be affixed to base leg section  250 . More specifically, button  402  includes a spring  472  having a base arm  474  and an upper arm  476 . Upper arm  476  includes a head  478 . Head  478  includes the vertical surfaces  160 ,  470  and the tapering surface  158 . Head  478  further includes an upper surface  480  with which a finger may make contact to depress the head  478 . From a top view, head  478  is round, as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Vertical surface  160  of head  478  can extend through opening  480  in base leg section  250  and can further extend through opening  412  in section  406 . Vertical surface  470  of head  478  can extend through opening  480  in base leg section  250  and cannot extend through opening  412  in section  406 . Tapering surface  158  of head  478  cannot extend through opening  480  in base leg section  250  when the spring  472  is fully extended (not depressed) and can extend through opening  412  in section  406  when the spring  472  is fully extended (not depressed). In other words, when the spring  472  is fully extended, the intersection or juncture of tapering surface  158  and vertical surface  470  is disposed about at the juncture of the upper outer surface of base leg section  250  and the lower inner surface of section  406 . 
       FIG. 20B  shows that when one attempts to increase the length of leg portion  202 , a portion of section  406  forming slot  412  brings pressure to bear upon vertical surface  160  of head  478 , which in turn may slide the button  402  toward the opposite edge of opening  480  until vertical surface  470  of head  478  abuts such opposite edge of opening  480  formed in base leg section  250 , which prevents further sliding of the section  406  relative to base leg  250  in the direction of sliding that was attempted. Such further sliding is permitted only by depressing button  402  by an outside object such as a finger, wherein button  402  is depressed into base leg section  250 . 
       FIG. 20C  shows that sliding in the other direction (the direction opposite to that shown in  FIG. 20B ) is permitted, without a finger depressing the button  402 . Here, upon sliding in such opposite direction, a portion of section  406  forming slot  412  brings pressure to bear upon tapering surface  158 , which automatically depresses the head  478  into base leg section  250  and permits such sliding to continue. Accordingly, length of leg portion  402  is decreased with a minimal amount of effort. 
     As noted above, button  436  includes the same structure as button  402 . Hence, button  436  includes the second vertical surface  470  opposite of vertical surface  160 . However, whereas tapering surface  158  of button  402  faces the direction of counters  414  and  440 , tapering surface  158  of button  436  faces the direction of the rail portion  204 . Thus, with counter attachment  420 , decreasing the length of a leg of leg portion  202  is relatively easy, because section  422  encounters the tapering side  158  of button  402  when being pushed onto base leg section  250  and because the tapering surface  158  of button  436  encounters the slot edges of slots  432  when section  424  is being pushed onto section  422 . Conversely, increasing the length of counter attachment  420  is relatively difficult because the vertical surfaces  160  and  470  are encountered. 
     In operation, the bed rail  200  is removed from the factory provided box or bag with the fabric wall  370  already engaged to the frame assembly  206 . Then tubes  212 ,  214  may be engaged to each other and further engaged in their respective cradles  254  to hold the lower end portions of side tubes  216 ,  218  in a spaced apart rigid relationship via the absolute ends of the tubes  212 ,  214  confronting and abutting the lower connections  226 ,  228 . Then base leg sections  250  may be swung such that rollers  272  engage detents  270  and such that base leg sections  250  are set at an acute angle relative to rail portion  204 . Base leg sections  250  may then be tucked into the first side  26  of the bed  24  between the mattress  16  and the box spring  18 . Then either of the counter attachments  404 ,  420  is engaged to the base leg sections  250  by sliding the counter attachment into the second side  28  of the bed  24  between the mattress  16  and the box spring  18  until the counter attachments  404  (or  420 ) meets with and is engaged to base leg section  250 . (If counter attachment  420  is used, medial section  422  may be first attached to the base leg section  250  or may be first attached to counter section  424 ). Here, it should be noted that, since slots  412 ,  432  are provided on only one side of the counter attachments  404 ,  420 , the counter  414  (or  440 ) can not be locked into the downward position, such as against box spring  18 . Then, with the mattress  16  between the upright and locked rail portion  204  and the counter  414  (or  440 ), the counter  414  and rail portion  204  are pushed relatively toward each other until the mattress  16  is tightly hugged and until the rail portion  204  abuts the upper surface of the mattress  16  at the first side  26  of the mattress  16  such that no gap exists therebetween and a person may safely sleep upon the mattress  16 . During daytime hours, the rail portion  204  may be swung down to the out-of-the-way position shown in  FIG. 19 , and then swung upwardly at bedtime to the upright operating and locked position shown in  FIG. 18 . To make the effective length of the leg portion  202  greater, a relative great amount of effort is required. Mattress  16  must be taken off of the leg portion  204  or access must otherwise be gained to buttons  402  (or  402  and  436 ) and then buttons  402  (or  436 ) must be repeatedly depressed as section  406  (or  424 ) is drawn out of its cooperating leg section and drawn away from rail portion  204 . To fold the bed rail  200 , lower tubes  212 ,  214  are removed from their cradles  254  and the counter attachments  404  (or  420 ) are removed from their base leg sections  250 . Rollers  272  are unlocked from their detents  270  and base leg sections  250  are swung up to be parallel to side tubes  216 ,  218 . Then hinge mechanism  220  is unlocked by unlocking mechanism  342  such that upper tubes  208 ,  210  may be swung to confront and be parallel with side tubes  216 ,  218  and the pair of base leg sections  250 , as shown in  FIG. 13 , whereby six tubes are generally parallel with each other. 
       FIG. 21  shows an embodiment of a bed rail  500  of the present invention where a wall  502  having tubing as a rigid component is engaged to the frame assembly  206 . Wall  502  includes sheeting  504  and tubing  506 . 
     Sheeting  504  includes an upper sleeve or tubular portion  508  for engaging the upper tubes  208 ,  210  and the hinge mechanism  220 , a side sleeve or tubular portion  510  for engaging side tube  216 , a side sleeve or tubular portion  512  for engaging side tube  218 , and a lower multiple sleeve or tubular portion  514 . Multiple sleeve  514  includes a sleeve portion  516  for engaging rigid tubing  518  that lies in the plane of a sleeping surface  519  and that confronts the sleeping surface  519  and first side  26  of the mattress  16 . Multiple sleeve  514  further includes a sleeve portion  520  for engaging rigid tubing  522  that confronts the first side  26  of the mattress  16  below the sleeping surface  519 . Multiple sleeve  514  further includes a sleeve portion  524  for engaging lower rigid tubes  212  and  214 . Sheeting  504  further includes a resilient mesh  525  engaged to inner edge portions of sleeves  508 ,  510 ,  512  and  514 . Further, for reinforcement, sleeves  508 ,  510 ,  512  and  514  are engaged to each other at corner portions. 
     Tubing  518  lies in the plane of the sleeping surface  519  of mattress  16 . Tubing  522  lies between the plane of the sleeping surface  519  and the plane of the lower nonsleeping face  530  of mattress  16 . 
     Each of tubing  518  and  522  includes tubes  526 ,  528  that are identical to tubes  212 ,  214 . In other words, each of the tubes  526 ,  528  includes outer button  262  that may be operated by inner button  264 . Further, the tubes  526 ,  528  engage each other via their inner ends via a female/male connection having aperture  302 , male end portion  304 , and button  306 . 
     Outer ends of tubes  526 ,  528  engage cradles  532  that are identical to cradles  254 . Cradle or trough is a semi-circular open end receptor having a pair of aligned through holes  260  for button  262 . The outer ends of tubes  526 ,  528 , respective buttons  262 ,  264 , respective cradles  532 , and respective holes  260  may be referred to as first quick connects. 
     Cradle or trough  532  is one-piece and integral with the plastic body  536  of a height adjustment mechanism  534 . Plastic body  536  is generally cylindrical in shape and fits in a snug fashion on its respective side tube  216  or  218 . As well as plastic body  536 , height adjustment mechanism  534  includes a pin  538  that ties the plastic body  538  to side tube  216  or  218 . In some cases, pin  538  is selected to be a set screw that bites into the outer surface of tube  216  or  218 , and each of the height adjustment mechanisms  534  may have a pair of set pins opposing each other. In other cases, pin  538  may be a permanent or removable rivet that passes diametrically through tube  216  or  218 . In other cases, pin  538  may be a removable screw that passes diametrically through tube  216  or  218 , where tubes  216  and  218  have a number of openings  540  at different heights. Height adjustment mechanism  534 , including plastic body  536 , pin  538  and openings  540 , may be referred to as a second quick connect. Where the pin  538  is a set screw, incremental height adjustment of tubing  518  is possible. Where openings  540  are utilized with a rivet or screw, the degree of height adjustment is dependent upon the number of openings  540 . 
     With such height adjustment mechanism or second quick connect  534 , tubing  518  may be locked in the plane  519  of a sleeping surface of a relatively thick mattress  16  or a relatively thin mattress  16 . With such height adjustment mechanism or second quick connect  534 , tubing  522  may be locked relatively closely or relatively far away from the plane  519  of a sleeping surface. 
     Tubing  518  and  522  make the wall  502  relatively rigid. Tubing  518  makes the wall  502  rigid at the plane of the sleeping surface  519 . Such a rigid feature further maximizes the closing off of any gap that is formed between bed rail  500  and the first side  26  of mattress  16 . Tubing  522  makes the wall  502  rigid at a selected location below, yet relatively close to, the plane of the sleeping surface  519 . Such a further rigid feature even further maximizes the closing off of any gap that is formed between bed rail  500  and the first side  26  of mattress  16 . Further, multiple sleeve  514  has relatively great rigidity overall with tubing  518  and adjacent tubing  522 . Such a still further rigid feature yet even further maximizes the closing off of any gap that is formed between bed rail  500  and the first side  26  of mattress  16 . 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23  and includes bed rail  550 . Bed rail  550  includes no lower tubes  212 ,  214  and no cradles  254 . The three-point connections  226 ,  228  therefore become two-point connections  551  (having no cradles  254 ) and otherwise remain the same. Connections  551  are thereby simplified and manufacturing costs are decreased. Raw material cost is also decreased for bed rail  550  since lower tubes  212 ,  214  are no longer required and, it should be noted, the absence of tubes  212 ,  214  is preferred. It should further be noted that tubing  518  and  522  are preferably formed of a metal such as stainless steel or aluminum. Further, multiple sleeve  514  is reduced in size and includes no sleeve  524  to further save raw materials. 
     With bed rail  550 , tubing  518  is preferably set in the plane of the sleeping surface  519  and tubing  522  is preferably located between the plane of the sleeping surface  519  and the plane of the lower face  530  of the mattress  16 . 
     With bed rail  550 , a generally rectangular space  552  is thereby formed below tubing  522  and between side tubes  216  and  218 . The provision of this space  552  maximizes the flow of air and thus oxygen to any gap that would be formed between bed rail  550  and the first side  26  of mattress  16 . 
     Each of bed rails  500  and  550  may include a peripheral strap  560  for even further minimizing any gap that may be formed between a bed rail and the first side  26  of mattress  16  by drawing bed rail  500  or  550 , or more particularly the wall  502 , against the first side  26  of the mattress  16 . Mattress  16  includes a periphery  562 . Mattress periphery  562  includes the first side  26 , which runs into a head side or end  564 , which runs into the second side  28 , which runs into the foot side  566 , which runs into the first side  26 . Peripheral strap  560  engages each of sides  26 ,  564 ,  28  and  566 . 
     Peripheral strap  560  further includes a locking buckle  568  for engaging opposite ends of strap  560  and for drawing wall  502  against the first side  26  of mattress  16 . The ends of strap  560  and locking buckle  568  may be oriented at a number of positions, such as on the second side  28  of mattress  16 , or on the outer face  570  of bed rail  500  or  550 , or on the head side  564  or foot side  566  of mattress  16 , or adjacent to side tubes  216 ,  218 . 
     Peripheral strap  560  is preferably engaged to the wall  502  of bed rail  500  or  550  instead of to the frame such as to tubes  216 ,  218 , though connection to the frame is possible. The reason why engagement of strap  560  directly to the wall  502  is preferred is to draw features of the wall  502 , such as tubing  518  and tubing  522 , directly to the first side  26  of mattress  16 . One means of such an engagement is to avoid wrapping strap  560  about the outer faces of side tubes  216 ,  218  and instead run the strap  560  across the inner faces of side tubes  216 ,  218 . Strap  560  is engaged to the wall  502  preferably with a weaving engagement utilizing slots  572  formed in multiple sleeve  514 . Slots  572  are preferably located in and between tubing  518  and tubing  522 . Slots  572  are preferably elongate in height such that strap  560  may be located relatively close to or relatively far from tubing  518 . A weave engagement between strap  560  and wall  502  is preferred because such an engagement is dependent less upon a stitching or gluing or welding engagement that may disengage from the wall  502 . 
     It should be noted that bed rails  500  and  550 , except as noted above, otherwise include the features of bed rail  200 , including the features of leg portion  202  and rail portion  204 . However, peripheral strap  560  is a counter such that the counter attachments  404  and  420  may or may not be used in combination with peripheral strap  560 . It can be appreciated that counter attachments  404  and  420  work directly on the frame (such as side tubes  216 ,  218 ) of the bed rail  200 ,  500 ,  550  while the counter or strap  560  works directly on what is within the frame of the bed rail  200 ,  500 ,  550  such that counter attachments  404 ,  420  may work in combination with counter or strap  560 . 
     As noted above, strap  560  is engaged to the wall  502  of the bed rail  500  or  550  and runs between side tubes or portions  216 ,  218  and the first side  26  of mattress  16 . In other words, the side tubes  216 ,  218  include first faces that are oriented toward the direction in which leg portion  202  extends from wall  502 , and the strap  560  confronts these inner first faces of the side tubes  216 ,  218 , as shown in  FIG. 23 , when the strap  560  is engaged on the mattress  16  such that the wall  502  of bed rail  500  or  550  is directly drawn against the mattress  16  and such that side tubes  216 ,  218  are indirectly drawn against the mattress  16 . 
     If desired, the strap  560  may confront the opposite face of tubes  216 ,  218  (i.e., the face opposite the first side  26  of mattress  16 ) such that the side tubes  216 ,  218  and the frame of the bed rail  500  or  550  are drawn directly against the first side  26  of the mattress  16  and such that the wall  502  is indirectly drawn against the first side  26  of the mattress  16 . However, such is not preferred because such a structure may leverage the wall  502  out away from the first side  26  of mattress  16 . 
       FIG. 24  shows that the preferred angle A (the angle between the leg portion and the rail portion) positions tubing  522  slightly away from the first side  26  of mattress  16 , positions tubing  518  directly against the first side  26  of mattress  16  in the plane of the sleeping surface  519  so as to shut off any gap extending in a plane from said sleeping surface  519 , and positions tubing  208  inwardly of the first side  26  of mattress  16  where first side  26  of mattress  16  defines a plane. Where the leg portions and rail portions have a greater acute angle, i.e. closer to a right angle relationship, tubing  522  may be set more closely to or directly against first side  26 . In other words, tubing  208 ,  518  and  522  are generally in a common plane that intersects a plane defined by the first side  26  at a single line, with such single line being in the plane of the sleeping surface  519  and with tubing  518  preferably being co-axial with such line. 
     It can be appreciated that the sleeves  516  and  520  are elongate in height such that tubing  518  and  522  can be disposed at various heights via the second quick connect  534  while minimizing a change in the layout or form of sheeting  504 . 
     The length of tubing  518  is about the distance between side tubes  216  and  218  and such entire length lies in the plane  519  of the sleeping surface of mattress  16 . If tubing  518  is disposed above such plane, then a gap may form in the plane and below such plane. If tubing  518  is disposed below such plane, then a gap may form in the plane and below the plane to the height of the tubing  518 . If such entire length is broken, then a gap may form at the discontinuous portion. If tubing  518  is disposed at an angle relative to the plane of the sleeping surface  519 , then a gap is generated at all locations except where the tubing  518  breaks the plane of the sleeping surface  519 . 
     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.