Patent Publication Number: US-2010117281-A1

Title: Bedrail clamp

Description:
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/096,402 filed on Sep. 12, 2008, titled QUICK RELEASE CLAMP, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to quick release clamps for use on rails, such as hospital bed rails. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Rails, such as those found on hospital beds, are a convenient location for mounting hospital accessories or medical instruments. Many types of clamping devices have been devised for attachment on to such rails for securely holding the hospital accessories and/or medical instruments. The clamp devices can be as simple as a conventional “C” shaped clamp with jaws that pivot about the rail, or more complex screw rail clamps with articulating arms for more precise placement and positioning. The clamps are typically capable of receiving various sized instruments and securely attaching the instruments onto hospital bed rails of varying sizes and heights. 
     However, many known rail clamps are not designed to be clamped quickly or are too cumbersome for fast clamping. Clamps typically require several motions and adjustments before being able to secure an instrument to a rail, as hospital rails vary in height and shape from one bed to another. For instance, some rails may be round while others may be rectangular in cross-section. Therefore, varying heights and widths make it difficult to use known clamps to accommodate various types of rails. Instead, such clamps will typically require one or more adjustment steps to accommodate the specific rail to which the clamp is attached before being locked into place. 
     Thus, there is a need in the art for improved bedrail clamping devices and systems that allow rapid installation while accommodating variations in the rail characteristics. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects of the present invention are particularly suited for use on rails, such as those found in various medical care settings. In such settings, there can be a mix of rails of varying characteristics, such as different heights and widths. Aspects of the present invention may be used on any suitable rail, bar, beam, or other support on which it is desirable to attach a clamp with minimal motion and effort. For example, such rails include those provided below a surgical table or hospital bed, among others. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a clamping device for use on bedrails may include a body having a recess configured to be detachably mounted onto a rail, a jaw having a base portion with a protrusion extending therefrom, a biasing member, such as a spring, having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the biasing member is mechanically coupled to the jaw, and an actuating member, wherein the actuating member may be movably coupled to the body, mechanically coupled to the second portion of the spring, and is configured to transmit a force to the jaw through the biasing member element. 
     In one variation of the present invention, a clamping device for use on bedrails may include a body having a base portion with a protrusion on the base portion, the body configured to be detachably mounted onto a rail, a jaw having a base portion with a protrusion extending therefrom, the jaw configured to engage the rail, a mouth formed by a gap between the body and the jaw, a spring, wherein the biasing member is mechanically coupled to the jaw, and an actuating member, wherein the actuating member may be movably coupled to the body and mechanically coupled to the biasing member, and is configured such that pivoting the actuating member causes the mouth to close by an amount sufficient to clamp the device to the rail. 
     One aspect of the present invention includes a clamping device for use on bedrails may include a body having a recess configured to be detachably mounted onto a rail, a jaw having a base portion and a spring, with a protrusion extending therefrom, and an actuating member, wherein the actuating member may be movably coupled to the body, mechanically coupled to the spring, and is configured such that pivoting the actuating member in a first direction causes the jaw and the body to clamp onto the rail. 
     Aspects of the present invention provide benefits and advantages that include the ability to rapidly install the clamp onto a rail allowing for an increase in efficiency when attaching the clamp to the rail. In addition, the present invention allows for one hand installation. Moreover, the present invention provides automatic adjustments for the clamp to fit on the various sizes and shapes of rails without the user having to tighten or adjust the clamp in order to lock the clamp on the rail. 
     Additional advantages and novel features relating to the present invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or upon learning by practice of aspects of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration and example only and thus not limited with respect to aspects of the present invention, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a clamp according to certain aspects of the present invention wherein the clamp is in an open position; 
         FIG. 2  is a depiction of the clamp in  FIG. 1  wherein the clamp is being installed on a rail; 
         FIG. 3  is a depiction of the clamp in  FIG. 2  wherein the clamp is in a locked position on the rail; 
         FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional side view of the clamp in  FIG. 1  in an open position; 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional side view of the clamp in  FIG. 1  in a closed position. 
         FIG. 4C  is a depiction of various profiles of the upper and lower jaws of the clamp according to an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a clamp according to other aspects of the present invention in an open position; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the clamp in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the clamp in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a rear view of the clamp in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view of the clamp in  FIG. 5 , wherein the actuating member has been removed to clearly show the biasing member. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a clamp according to other aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is rear view of the clamp in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is perspective view of a clamp according to other aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is cross-sectional view of a clamp according to other aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the clamp in  FIG. 14 , wherein the clamp is shown in a closed position. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a clamp according to other aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a clamp according to yet more aspects of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ASPECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Aspects of the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which variations and aspects of the present invention are shown. Aspects of the present invention may, however, be realized in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the variations set forth herein; rather, these variations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete in the illustrative implementations, and will fully convey the scope thereof to those skilled in the art. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which aspects of the present invention belong. The methods and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. 
       FIG. 1  shows a quick release bedrail clamp  1  that has been adapted for use on a bedrail of an operating table or bed, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The bedrail clamp  1  may allow for quick installation and release with the use of a single motion. According to an aspect of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 , there is no need for clearance space to position and tighten screws or other such features, either above or below the bedrail. The bedrail clamp  1  in  FIG. 1  includes of a body  10 , a foot  9 , an actuating member  5 , and an accessory attachment section  4  that has been configured to allow the attachment of hospital accessories thereto. It should be appreciated that the actuating member  5  may be a lever, a handle, an arm, or actuated by any other suitable mechanism and in a similar suitable manner to raise and lift the foot  9  relative to the body  10 . The body  10  may have three parts, an upper body portion  10   a,  a main body portion  10   b,  and a lower body portion  10   c.  The upper body portion  10   a  may include passages  16  and a post hole  2  for the insertion of posts, rods or bolts therein. Further, the upper body portion  10   a  may include an accessory attachment section  4  defined therein that has been configured to allow the attachment of hospital accessories thereto, such as, for example, instrument trays, surgical devices, IV bags, retractors, and arm and leg boards. The main body portion  10   b  may include a passage  14  defined therein for the insertion of posts, rods or bolts therein, and an upper jaw  101 . The lower body portion  10   c  may include a foot  9  and a lower jaw  91 . 
     A mouth  11  is defined between the body  10  and the foot  9 , wherein the mouth  11  is capable of receiving a bedrail  12  or other features of the bed or table (not shown) to which the clamp  1  can be attached. The mouth  5  may be defined by an extension of a recess  102  defined by the main and lower body portions  10   b  and  10   c,  and an extension of the foot  9 . It should be appreciated that while the mouth  5  is illustrated as having a “C” shaped cross-section, it is within the scope of the invention for the mouth  5  to have a cross-section of any suitable shape. Moreover, the lower jaw  91  extends away from the foot  9  toward the upper jaw  101 , which extends into the recess  102 , in order to better secure the rail  12  by partially surrounding the rail  12  when the clamp  1  is mounted onto the rail  12 . The lower jaw  91  may be made of any suitable rigid material, such as metal, for example, which may bite into the rail  12  when compressed against the rail  12 . The foot  9  may slidably move relative to the body  10 . The body  10  may include the upper jaw  101  that extends downward into the recess  102 , as discussed above, to better attach and secure the rail  12  when the clamp  1  is mounted therein. The upper jaw  101 , like lower jaw  91 , may be made of a suitable rigid material, such as metal among others. 
     It should be appreciated that lower and upper jaws  91  and  101  may be made of the same or different materials. Moreover, lower and upper jaws  91  and  101  may have an abrasive material, an adhesive material, or any other suitable material that is also able to prevent the jaws  91  and  101  from slipping or sliding off along the rail  12  so as to fixedly secure the lower and upper jaws  91  and  101  on the rail  12 . Further, the lower and upper jaws  91  and  101  may be made of any material that may provide a suitable degree of compressibility when clamp  1  is secured onto rail  12 . For example, lower and upper jaws  91  and  101  may be made of rubber, polyurethane, or any other non-slip material, or even have a coating of such material provided on the outermost surface thereof that contacts and engages the rail  12 . 
     In addition, the body  10  may include several features to facilitate attachment to various medical instruments. Medical instruments may include, among others, instrument trays, surgical devices, IV bags, retractors, arm and leg boards, and the like. Furthermore, passage  14  may be provided for instrument attachment. It should be appreciated other similar features that may be used to facilitate medical instrument attachment may also be used with the clamp  1 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the clamp  1 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , where the clamp  1  is in the process of being installed onto the bedrail  12 . The clamp  1  is oriented such that the mouth  11  engages at least two, preferably three, and even four sides of the bedrail  12  such that the bedrail  12  is located in the recess  102  defined by the body  10  when the clamp  1  is mounted onto the bedrail  12 . The clamp  1  may engage the bedrail  12 , such that the clamp  1  is supported by the bedrail  12  without falling off, even though the clamp  1  has not yet been secured thereto. In the depicted exemplary orientation, the main body portion of  10   b  rests on the top surface of the bedrail  12 . The upper jaw  101  extends over the top edge of the bedrail  12  and projects toward the foot  9 , thus keeping the clamp  1  from sliding or falling off the bedrail  12 . Thus, the upper jaw  101  allows the clamp  1  to be easily hooked onto the bedrail  12  and held in place to facilitate the one-handed operation of the actuating member  5 . At the above-described stage of attaching the clamp  1  to the bedrail  12 , the actuating member  5  is in an open or unlocked position and the foot  9  is not fixedly engaged to the bedrail  12 . 
     The actuating member  5  is capable of pivotal movement in the direction indicated by arrow  7 . The actuating member  5  may be movably coupled to the body  10  by a joint or a pivot, among others, and is configured to transmit a force to the foot  9  through a biasing member  27  (as shown in  FIG. 4A ). Movement of the actuating member  5  downward in the direction  7  causes the foot  9  to move up and engage the bedrail  12 . It should be appreciated that the orientation of the body  10  above the rail  12  and the foot  9  below the rail  12 , as described above, may be switched to where the foot  9  is above the rail  12  and the body  10  is below the rail  12 . The actuating member  5  may be movable orthogonal relative to bedrail  12  or parallel relative thereto. When the actuating member is moved orthogonal relative to bedrail  12 , the actuating member  5  is pivotable but can also slide, or move in any other suitable manner, so as to lock and unlock clamp  1 . When the actuating member is moved in parallel relative to bedrail  12 , it is envisioned that actuating member  5  is rotated so as to lock and unlock clamp  1  by actuating about a center point. 
       FIG. 3  is a depiction of the clamp  1  in  FIGS. 1-2  with the actuating member  5  now in a closed or locked position. Tension in the biasing member forces the foot  9  to engage the bottom of the bedrail  12 . The use of a biasing member further allows accommodation of various bedrail  12  dimensions. Movement of the actuating member  5  upward in the direction indicated by arrow  8  will unlock the clamp  1 . In  FIG. 3 , the foot  9  is in a locked position and fixedly pressed against bedrail  12 . Lower jaw  91  partially surrounds the rail and securely engages or bites into the rail  12  upon locking the clamp  1 . This may enable the clamp  1  to securely or fixedly engage the bedrail  12  so that a hospital accessory may be placed in passages  14  and  16 , post hole  2 , and the accessory attachment section  4 . 
       FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional side view of the clamp  1  depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , the actuating member  5  is in an open or unlocked position, and may have a handle  6  with an elongated body which extends into the body  10  of the clamp  1 . The actuating member  5  may be movably connected to the body  10  by a pivot or joint  20 , about which the actuating member  5  pivotally moves. The actuating member  5  may also be rotatably connected to a biasing member  27  that is rotatably connected to the foot  9  by joint  22 . The biasing member  27  may be a spring, a coil, an elastic member, flexible beam, a gas charged spring, hydraulic, or any other mechanism that conveys or transmits force so as to lock the clamp  1  into place. Also shown in  FIG. 4A  is a guiding shaft rod  24  that is operationally connected to the body  10  and which guides the sliding movement of the foot  9  as the actuating member  5  is moved between the locked and unlocked positions. The guiding shaft rod  24  has a lower cap  23  (see  FIG. 4B ) which prevents the foot  9  from sliding off of the shaft rod  24  and defines the extent of maximum opening of the mouth  11  defined by the upper and lower jaws  101  and  91  of the foot  9  and the body  10 , respectively. 
       FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional side view of the clamp  1  with the actuating member  5  in the locked position (i.e., with the clamp  1  in a closed position). When in the closed position, tension in the biasing member  27  forces the foot  9  upward along the shaft rod  24 . The biasing member  27  provides for varying the extension or degree of which the mouth  11  is open and closed such that the clamp  1  may be used on bedrails  12  having differing heights. This is possible as the biasing member  27  permits automatic adjustment of the mouth  11  to accommodate for the height of various operating room bedrails. In addition, the lower and upper jaws  91  and  101  in the foot  9  and body  10 , respectively, permit the clamp  1  to be used on a variety of bedrail shapes and widths. For example, bedrails having rectangular or circular cross-sections may be used. The lower and upper jaws  91  and  101  wrap partially around the backside of the bedrails  12  and may bite into the bedrails  12  to secure or fix the clamp  1  to the bedrail  12 , preventing the clamp  1  from sliding off. 
     Although the biasing member  27  has been depicted as being directly connected to the actuating member  5  and the foot  9 , it will be appreciate that any suitable coupling mechanism that allows the force from the actuating member  5  to be transmitted to the biasing member  27  and then transmitted from the biasing member  27  to the foot  9  may be used and is within the scope of this invention. 
       FIG. 4C  illustrates various profiles, for example, that lower and upper jaws  91  and  101  may have according to aspects of the present invention. That is, it is within the scope of the invention for the lower and upper jaws  91  and  101  to have a flat profile  40 , a jagged profile  42 , a sinusoidal curve profile  44 , a rectangular wave profile  46 , or a tooth profile  48 . As is clear from the above discussion, it should be appreciated that lower and upper jaws  91  and  101  may have any number of suitable profiles that are either different or the same to each other. Moreover, as discussed above, the profile of the lower and upper jaws  91  and  101  may bite into the rail  12  to secure or fix the claim  1  into the rail  12 . 
       FIGS. 5-9  show another aspect of the present invention. The clamp  1 ′ comprises a body  38 , a foot  39 , an actuating member  5 , an upper jaw  381  on the body  38 , and a lower jaw  399  located on the foot  39 . The actuating member  5  may be movably coupled to the body  38  through use of bolts in bolt hole  36 . As discussed above, the actuating member  5  may be a lever, a handle, an arm, or actuated by any other suitable mechanism to raise and lift the foot  39  relative to the body  38 . In the figure, the body  38  of the clamp  1 ′ has been mounted over the top of the bedrail  12 . When the actuating member  5  is in the shown position, the mouth of the clamp  1 ′ is open and unclamped with respect to the bedrail  12 . An operator may fixedly secure the clamp  1 ′ onto the bedrail  12  with a single downward motion of the handle  6 , in the direction of arrow  7 , without the need to tighten any screws or latches. The upper and lower jaws  381  and  399  may wrap around the bedrail  12  and bite into the bedrail  12  to help secure the clamp  1 ′ onto the bedrail  12 .  FIG. 6  is a side view of the clamp  1 ′ in  FIG. 5 , wherein the clamp  1 ′ is shown in an open position or unlocked position. 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the clamp  1 ′ in  FIG. 5 , showing several of the components used in aspects of the present invention. In one aspect of the present invention, there are two biasing members  31 , each being attached to an upper rod  34  coupled to the end of the actuating member  6  and a lower rod  33  coupled to the foot  39 . Although in this aspect of the present invention, there are shown two biasing members  31 ,  31 , one with skill in the art will appreciate that any number of biasing members may be used including one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or more, depending on the resistance desired and the spring constant of the biasing members used. Furthermore, although springs/coils are illustrated in the exemplary aspect of the invention shown in  FIG. 7 , it should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that various types of suitable biasing members or selectively tensionable apparatuses may be used. For example, gas springs, metallic coil spring, flexible beams, or elastic members which may be used to draw the foot  39  up and hold the foot  39  in place, among others. Actuating member  5  may have a handle portion external to the body  38  and an elongated internal portion through which bolts  36   a  engage the body  38  to create a pivot point for the actuating member  6 . Upper  34  and lower  33  bars provide rotational coupling of the biasing members  31  to the actuating member  5  and foot  39 , respectively. The two biasing members  31  may be separated by cylindrical spacers  37  positioned over the upper  34  and lower  33  bars. 
     In some variations of the present invention, the foot  39  has a lower jaw  399 . The lower jaw  399  may be made of a rigid material. In other variations, the internal surface of the lower jaw  399  may have any number of configurations, for example, tapered, curved or acute, beveled, and the like in order to accommodate different widths and shapes of bedrails  12 . It should further be appreciated that the material of the lower jaw  399  may be any material that is compressible around the bedrail  12  and will provide sufficient stiffness so as to hold the clamp  1 ′ in place without moving the clamp  1 ′ or varying the angle of the medical instruments that may be attached to the clamp  1 ′. As illustrated in  FIG. 4C  and discussed above, lower jaw  399  may have various profiles which secure or fix the clamp  1 ′ on bedrail  12 . 
     When the actuating member  5  is moved downward to a closed position, the actuating member pivots about bolts  36 , moving the upper rod  34  upwards. This movement tensions the biasing members  31 , which then impart an upward force to lower rod  33  and hence the foot  39 , which then slides upward along the guiding shaft  24 . In this way, the foot  39  may slide along the shaft  24  in order to have an uninterrupted movement towards the bedrail  12 . In other variations of the present invention, at least a portion of the actuating member  5 , the biasing members  31 , a portion of the foot  39 , and the guiding shaft  24  are encased within the casing of the body  38 . 
     Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the movement of feet  9  and  39  may be gradual or stepped so as to accommodate various sizes and shapes of rail  12 . For example, the actuating member  5  may only need to be moved part of the way down to secure the clamp  1  or  1 ′ onto the rail  12 . Moreover, the movement of the actuating member  5  may be perpendicular relative to the rail  12 , parallel relative to the rail  12 , oblique relative to the rail  12 , or may cross-over from one side of the clamp  1  (or  1 ′) to the opposite side. 
       FIG. 8  is a rear view of the clamp  1 ′, wherein the clamp  1 ′ is shown in an open or unlocked position and the biasing members  31  are exposed for clarity.  FIG. 9  is another rear view of the clamp  1 ′, wherein the actuating member  5  has been removed to expose the biasing members  31  for clarity. 
       FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of another aspect of the present invention. The bedrail clamp  1 ″ is a latch-action toggle clamp which may include an actuating member  50 , which may have a handle  58  that can be coupled to a body  60  via a bolt  51 . Intermediate along the actuating member  50  is a rod  53  that is rotatably coupled to the actuating member  50  via a bolt  65  and cylinder  52 . Further, the rod  53  is coupled to a biasing member  54 , which is operationally connected to a foot  55 . A mouth  64  is defined between the foot  55  and the body  60 , wherein the mouth  64  is capable of receiving the bedrail  12 . The actuating member  50  may be a lever, a handle, an arm, or actuated by any other suitable mechanism to raise and lift the foot  55  relative to the body  60 . When the actuating member  50  is pivoted about bolt  51 , the actuating member  50  transmits a linear force to the rod  53 , which transmits a force to the biasing member  54  and foot  55 . The biasing member  54  may be a spring, a coil, an elastic member, flexible beam, a gas charged spring, hydraulic, or any other mechanism that conveys or stores energy to lock the clamp  1 ″ into place. For example, an upward movement of the actuating member  50  drives the foot  55  upward wherein the mouth  64  engages the bedrail  12 . As in the aspects of the present invention described above, the foot  55  includes a lower jaw  56 , which in this aspect of the present invention, results in the foot  55  taking the form of a hook shape. Moreover, the foot  55  may be configured to have any one of any number of suitable shapes, including but not limited to, an “L” shape or a “V” shape, wherein regardless of which shape is used, the surfaces of the foot  55  that contact or engage the bedrail  12  have a non-slip material coated or provided therein. The mouth  64  is sized so as to be able to accommodate a bedrail  12  therein. In the depiction of  FIG. 10 , the actuating member  50  has been moved up to the closed or locked position, which causes the rod  53  to pull the biasing member  54  into tension thereby drawing the foot  55  into secure or fixed engagement against the bottom of the bedrail  12 . 
       FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view of the clamp  1 ″. In this depiction, the actuating member  50  is in a closed position, with the handle  58  upright. Movement of the actuating member  50  in the downward direction indicated by arrow  70  will disengage the hook  55  from the bedrail  12 . 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of yet another quick-release bedrail clamp  100  which may use a toggle clamp  100 , in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. The toggle clamp  100  includes an actuating member  71  which may have a handle  82 . The clamp  100  is shown in a closed or locked configuration, and in this aspect of the present invention, the actuating member  71  is positioned below the location of the bedrail  12 . This may be advantageous, for example, if it is desirable to leave the space above the bedrail  12  free of obstructions. 
     The actuating member  71  may be connected to the body  81  of the clamp  100  via a bolt  73 . The actuating member  71  may be coupled to a foot  77  through a series of linked arms  84  and  74 . The actuating member  71  may be a lever, a handle, an arm, or actuated by any other suitable mechanism to raise and lift the foot  77  relative to the body  81 . A first end of the arm  84  is rotatably coupled to the actuating member  71  via bolt  72  and a second end of the arm  84  is rotatably coupled to a first end of the second arm  74  via bolt  83 . The arm  74  may be movably coupled to the body  81 . Thus, when the actuating member  71  is pivoted about the bolt  73 , the actuating member  71  transmits a force to the arm  84 , which in turn causes the arm  74  to pivot relative to the body  81 . A second end of the arm  74  is coupled to a biasing member  76 , which may be coupled to the foot  77 . The biasing member  76  may be a compressible element, a flexible coil, flexible memory, or any other mechanism which may be compressed and conveys or stores energy to lock the clamp  100  into place. A mouth  86  is defined between the foot  77  and the body  81 , wherein the mouth  86  is capable of receiving the bedrail  12  therein. When the actuating member  71  is moved down, the arm  74  pivots up, thereby driving the foot  77  against a bottom of the bedrail  12  and the mouth  86  to close around the bedrail  12 . The foot  77  is held against the bedrail  12  by the compressive force of the biasing member  76  (in contrast to the tension force described in the above variations of the present invention). The range of foot  77  positions where the biasing member  76  may be held in compression provides for engagement of bedrails  12  having varying heights. As discussed above, and illustrated in  FIG. 4C , the foot  77  and an upper jaw  80  may have various profiles which engage the bedrail  12  to secure or fix the clamp  100  onto the bedrail  12 . When the actuating member  71  is moved in the upward direction indicated by arrow  82 , the clamp is moved into an open position. 
     As described in the above aspects of the present invention, the bedrail  12  may be secured by a lower jaw in the foot  77  as well as an upper jaw  80  in the top part  79  of the body  81 . 
       FIG. 13  depicts a side view of yet another aspect of the present invention of a quick-release bedrail clamp  150 . In the depicted view, the clamp  150  is in an open or unlocked position. In this variation of the present invention, an actuating member  122  is coupled to a body  128  at pivot point  124 . The upper part of the body  128  has an upper jaw  129  which may be tapered, and a mouth  127  adapted for receiving a bedrail  12 . Moreover, as discussed above and illustrated in  FIG. 4C , the upper jaw  129  may have various profiles adapted to receive a bedrail  12  therein. The actuating member  122  may comprise a cam mechanism  123  positioned around the pivot point  124 . The cam mechanism  123  contacts an arm  150 , which may be movably coupled to the body  128  at pivot point  131 . The arm  150  may be integral with a U-shaped biasing member  125 , which in turn may also be integral with a foot  132 . The foot  132  may include an angled lower jaw  126  to engage a variety of bedrail  12  shapes and sizes. The actuating member  122  may be a lever, a handle, an arm, or actuated by any other suitable mechanism to raise and lift the foot  132  relative to the body  128 . 
       FIG. 14  is another side view of the present invention illustrated of  FIG. 14 , wherein the clamp  150  is in a closed or locked position. When the actuating member  122  is pivoted down, the cam mechanism  123  pushes against the arm  150  causing the arm  150  to pivot and drive the foot  132  toward the bottom of the bedrail  12 . Once the bottom of the bedrail  12  is engaged, the biasing member  125  is flexed, thereby forcing the foot  132  into fixed engagement with the bedrail  12 . Movement of the actuating member  122  in the upward direction  133  causes the head of the cam  123  to move in direction  134  such that the biasing member  125  is in a relaxed position or non-tensioned and the foot  132  disengages from the bedrail  12 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates another aspect of the present invention of a bedrail clamp  200  further having a 2-axis rod clamp. The bedrail clamp  200  may be connected to the two-axis rod clamp  210  by a mounting plate  220 . The rod clamp  210  includes a cylinder arm  221  which is coupled to the mounting plate  220  via a first rotatable joint  212 . A second rotatable joint  222  is coupled at the other end of the cylinder arm  221 , which is connected to a rod clamp  223 . The clamp  223  is used to secure a rod  224  that is part of a medical accessory. It should be appreciated that the medical accessories attached to the 2-axis rod clamp  200  may include instrument trays, surgical devices, IV bags, retractors, arm and leg boards, and the like. The rotatable joints allow the rod  224  to be rotated along axes perpendicular and parallel to the bedrail  12 . Moreover, being able to attach numerous medical instruments and devices to the 2-axis rod clamp is particularly beneficial when transporting patients to different locations within or outside of the hospital. 
       FIG. 16  shows another aspect of the present invention of a bedrail clamp  250  that may include additional medical instrument attachment features. The clamp  250  may have a toggle clamp  300  extending horizontally therefrom. In the depicted aspect of the present invention, the toggle clamp  250  may hold a 2-axis rod clamp  306  such as described above with respect to  FIG. 15 ; however, it will be appreciated that any number of devices may be held by the toggle clamp  300 . The 2-axis rod clamp  306  may be coupled to the toggle clamp  300  through a spline shaft  302  and spline bushing lock  301  to provide incremental control over the rotation of the spline shaft  302 . Such spline shaft  302  and bushing lock  301  features may also be included in the other rotatable joints depicted in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . 
     Those of skill in the art will appreciate that many other coupling mechanisms may be used for attaching a medical instrument to the bedrail clamps described herein in such a manner as to permit the medical instruments to be moved relative to the bedrail. 
     One variation of the present invention may include the use hydraulic members with air or fluid in the piston as biasing members. 
     Other variations of the present invention include methods of attaching medical instruments to bedrails, such as on hospital or operating room beds, using the clamps described herein. Such variations of the present invention may include first detachably mounting the clamp onto the bedrail. For example, many of the clamps described above include a clamp body having a recess and a rigid jaw. The bedrail may be placed within the recess and the clamp body may be rested on the bedrail with the jaw partially wrapping around the back of the bedrail. In this manner, the bedrail clamp may rest on the bedrail without falling off while the clamp has not yet been locked in place. Next, the user may close the clamp by moving an actuating member on the clamp (upward, downward or rotating depending on the clamp design). The movement of the actuating member may cause a foot to slide toward and contact the bedrail causing tensioning or compression of a biasing member, thereby forcing the foot to bite into the bedrail and locking the clamp in place around the bedrail. 
     In some aspects of the present invention, a user first attaches instrument clamps, optionally containing pivot or other movement mechanisms, to the bedrail clamp. Various medical instruments may then be held by these auxiliary clamps. In some aspects of the present invention, medical instruments may be attached to the bedrail clamp prior to its attachment to the bedrail. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to various aspects of the present invention and examples, it should be understood that numerous and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.