Patent Publication Number: US-8539625-B2

Title: Bed gap shield

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/277,303, filed on Sep. 23, 2009, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to a gap shield, and more specifically to a gap shield for an articulating bed. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hospital beds are well known in the art. One type of hospital bed is an articulating bed. Another type of hospital bed is an expandable width bed. Expandable width beds generally include an expandable frame and mattress fillers therewith. While such articulating and expandable width beds according to the prior art provide a number of advantageous features, they nevertheless often have certain limitations, including possibly having undesirable gaps between various sections of the bed. Such undesirable gaps may be present in standard hospital beds as well. The present invention seeks to overcome certain of these limitations and other drawbacks of the prior art, and to provide new features not heretofore available. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally provides a gap shield assembly for shielding an open area between a first section of a bed, such as the head section, and an adjacent second section of the bed, such as a seat section. Preferably, the gap shield assembly prevents someone from inserting their hand or other body part from the side of the bed into the area between the head and seat sections of an articulating bed. 
     According to one embodiment, the gap assembly comprises a first shield member positioned adjacent a first side of the bed and a second shield member positioned adjacent the first side of the bed. The first shield member is mechanically connected to the second shield member when the bed is in the horizontal position and when the first section of the bed is raised. According to another embodiment, the first shield member and the second shield member are not separable during articulation of the bed. 
     According to another embodiment, one of the first shield member and the second shield member is rotationally connected to the deck to which it is connected, and the other of the first shield member and the second shield member cannot rotate with respect to the deck to which it is connected. 
     According to another embodiment, a coupler rotationally connects the second shield member to the seat section, and a follower rotationally connects the first shield member to the second shield member. The coupler also laterally fixes the position of the second shield member with respect to the bed. 
     According to another embodiment, one of the first shield member and the second shield member has a cam track for retaining a cam connected to the other of the first shield member and second shield member for rotationally and translationally securing the first shield member to the second shield member. According to another embodiment, the first shield member has the cam track for retaining a cam connected to the second shield member for rotationally and translationally securing the second shield member to the first shield member. 
     According to another embodiment, a supplemental shield is also provided between the first shield member and the second shield member. The supplemental shield is generally rotationally connected to both the first shield member and the second shield member. 
     According to another embodiment, a width extender assembly is also provided. The width extender assembly connects one of the first shield member to the first section of the bed and the second shield member to the adjacent second section of the bed to allow the shield member connected to the width extender assembly to move inwardly and outwardly with respect to a centerline of the bed while still shielding the open area between the first and second sections of the bed. In such an embodiment, the other of the first shield member and the second shield member is connected to the bed. 
     According to another embodiment, the width extender assembly is connected to the first shield member and the first section of the bed. The width extender assembly further comprises an extender receiver connected to the first section of the bed and an extender follower member that is connected to the first shield member. The extender follower member is movably connected to the extender receiver. 
     According to another embodiment, the width extender assembly comprises an extender receiver connected to the first section of the bed and an extender follower member connected to the first shield member. The extender follower member is movably connected to the extender receiver. 
     According to another embodiment, the gap shield assembly comprises a first shield member connected to a first section of the bed and positioned adjacent a first side of the bed, and a second shield member connected to a second section of the bed. The first shield member is movably connected to the second shield member during articulation of the bed. During articulation, one of the first shield member and the second shield member translates about a longitudinal axis of the bed and rotates with respect to the other of the first shield member and the second shield member during such articulation. The other of the first shield member and the second shield member remains laterally fixed about a longitudinal axis of the bed during articulation of the bed. 
     According to another embodiment, the first and second shield members are provided below a deck surface of the bed. 
     According to another embodiment, the shield member that remains laterally fixed about a longitudinal axis of the bed during articulation of the bed also rotates with respect to the bed during articulation of the bed. 
     According to another embodiment, the gap shield is provided for shielding an open area between a head section of a bed and an adjacent seat section of a bed. The gap shield comprises a first shield member connected to the head section of the bed and positioned adjacent a side of the bed, and a second shield member connected to the seat section of the bed and positioned adjacent a side of the bed. One of the first shield member and the second shield member is rotationally connected to the section of the bed to which it is connected to rotate with respect to the bed section to which it is connected, and the other of the first shield member and the second shield member is rotationally fixed to the section of the bed to which it is connected. Additionally, one of the first shield member and the second shield member has a cam track for retaining a cam connected to the other of the first shield member and second shield member for rotationally and translationally securing the first shield member to the second shield member. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hospital bed with the head section in an upward position, and having a gap shield assembly between the head section and the seat section; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial cutaway perspective view of one embodiment of a hospital bed having mattress extenders in the closed position, with the head section in a partial upward position, and having a gap shield assembly between the head section and the seat section; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial cutaway perspective view of one embodiment of a hospital bed having mattress extenders in the closed position, with the head section in a lowered position, and having a gap shield assembly between the head section and the seat section; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cutaway perspective view of one embodiment of a hospital bed having mattress extenders, where the head mattress extender is in the closed position and the seat mattress extender is in the open position, and having a gap shield assembly between the head section and the seat section; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cutaway perspective view of one embodiment of a hospital bed having mattress extenders, where the head mattress extender is in the open position and the seat mattress extender is in the closed position, and having a gap shield assembly between the head section and the seat section; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial cutaway perspective view of one embodiment of a hospital bed having mattress extenders, where the head mattress extender is in the open position and the seat mattress extender is in the open position, and having a gap shield assembly between the head section and the seat section; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a gap shield assembly; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the gap shield assembly of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view about line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an extender for the gap shield assembly; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a gap shield assembly with the head section of the bed raised, such as in the chair configuration; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the gap shield assembly of  FIG. 11 , with the bed in a standard horizontal configuration; and, 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of the gap shield assembly of  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
     Referring now to the Figures, there are shown various embodiments of a gap shield assembly  10  for a hospital bed  12 . The term “bed” herein is used to denote any embodiment of a support for a patient. As such, in different embodiments the “bed” may be provided as a standard hospital bed, an articulating bed, a chair bed, an expandable width bed, a stretcher, a gurney or some other patient support or combination thereof. For example, in the chair bed configuration the bed is manipulated to achieve both a conventional bed position having a substantially horizontal patient support or sleeping surface upon which a user lies in a supine position, and a sitting position wherein the user&#39;s feet are on or adjacent the floor and the back of the user is supported by a raised back support. Similarly, as another example, in the expanding width bed configuration the bed is manipulated to convert to a wider patient support surface at various portions of the bed. The width of the expanding width bed  12  may be narrowed, however, to that of a conventional hospital bed to provide for ease of mobility of the bed  12 . Additionally, in another embodiment the bed  12  is a bariatric bed, meaning it is provided to support morbidly obese patients. 
     The bed  12  generally comprises a base assembly  14 , an intermediate frame assembly  16 , and a patient support assembly  18 . In one embodiment at least a portion of the support deck assembly  20  extends from and is connected to the intermediate frame assembly  16 . The patient support assembly  18  preferably comprises a support deck assembly  20  and a mattress  22 , however, either component individually or both collectively may be identified as the patient support. The patient support assembly  18  may also include a patient support extension assembly, also referred to as a deck or mattress extension assembly. The mattress  22  may be a foam mattress, inflatable mattress, fluidized mattress, percussion mattress, rotation mattress or any other type of mattress known in the art. As explained above, in one embodiment the bed  12  will be capable of transitioning to a chair orientation and to an expanded width orientation. 
     The bed  12  preferably has a head end  24 , a foot end  26  opposing the head end  24 , a first side  28 , and a second side  30  opposing the first side  28 . The term “head end” is used to denote the end of any referred to object that is positioned to lie nearest the head end  24  of the bed  12 , and the term “foot end” is used to denote the end of any referred to object that is positioned to lie nearest the foot end  26  of the bed  12 . 
     Additionally, in a preferred embodiment the bed  12  has a plurality of different sections, which may be articuable sections. For example, in the embodiment illustrated, the bed  12  has a head section  32 , a seat section  34  and a foot section  36 . The head section  32  may also be referred to as a first section, the seat section  34  may also be referred to as a second section, and the foot section  36  may also be referred to as a third section. The seat section  34  is positioned between the head section  32  and the foot section  36 . In various embodiments of the bed, the head section  32  is generally moveable from a generally horizontal position to a more vertical back-support position. Similarly, in various embodiments of the bed  12 , such as a chair bed as shown in  FIG. 1 , the foot section  36  is moveable from a generally horizontal position to a substantially vertical position. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the bed  12  can assume a plurality of positions/orientations via manipulation of the intermediate frame assembly  16  and the various sections of the bed  12 . Further, as detailed herein, in different embodiments the mattress  22  can also attain a variety of positions/orientations. 
     As examples of the different orientations that can be attained, the bed  12  can assume a standard bed position such that the support deck assembly  20  is in the horizontal position, the bed  12  can assume a chair orientation such as shown in  FIG. 1 , and the bed  12  can assume a variety of positions therebetween. Additionally, the intermediate frame assembly  16  can be independently raised and lowered at the head end  24  and foot end  26  of the bed  12 . As such, when the foot end  26  of the intermediate frame assembly  16  is raised and the head end  24  is maintained in a lowered position the bed  12  can assume the Trendelenburg position, and conversely when the head end  24  of the intermediate frame assembly  16  is raised and the foot end  26  is maintained in a lowered position the bed  12  can assume the reverse Trendelenburg position. Further, the entire intermediate frame assembly  16  can be raised simultaneously to assume a raised bed orientation, and the entire intermediate frame assembly  16  can be lowered simultaneously to assume a lowered bed orientation or a lowered chair bed orientation as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     As explained above, referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  7 ,  8  and  10 , the bed  12  may also have one of a variety of gap shield assemblies  10 . The gap shield assembly  10  can be utilized on any type of bed  12 , including standard hospital beds, articulating beds, chair beds, expandable width beds, etc. The gap shield assembly  10  operates to provide a shield between adjoining bed sections to assist in precluding access to the area, generally from the side, between adjoining bed sections. Accordingly, the gap shield assembly  10  is generally utilized as a safety mechanism to preclude unwanted entrance of body parts, machinery, etc., between various sections of the bed  12 . Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the shield assembly  10  is located below the surface of the mattress  22 , and is entirely distinct from a siderail for the bed  12 . 
     In one embodiment, the gap shield assembly  10  generally comprises a shield member  40  (also referred to herein as a first shield member  40 ), a follower member  41  and a receiver  44  (also referred to herein as a second shield member  44 ). The receiver  44  is also referred to as the second shield member  44 . In additional embodiments, the gap shield assembly  10  may also comprise a supplemental shield  46 , a first coupler  48 , and/or a second coupler  50 . Further, in additional embodiments as described herein, especially with expandable width beds, the gap shield assembly  10  also comprises an extender  52 , incorporating a second follower member  54  and a second receiver  56 . Generally, the extender is not needed unless the bed has expandable width aspects thereto. It is also understood that certain components may be combined, for example, the coupler and the follower member may be combined in a single component. 
     Generally, the shield member  40  is connected to one of the bed sections and the receiver  44  is connected to another of the bed sections. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the shield member  40  is connected to the head section  32  and the receiver  44  is connected to the seat section  34 , however, it is understood that the connections may be reversed or that they may be connected to different sections of the bed, including sections not identified. For example, rather than having three sections as identified in the examples herein, the bed may have additional, not herein identified sections, such as a thigh section, a leg section, etc. The follower member  41  connects the shield member  40  to the receiver  44  and allows the shield member  40  to translate relative to the receiver  44  in a designated orientation. The shield member  40  is sized to preclude access to the gap between the bed sections as a safety measure. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the shield member  40  is movably connected to the supplemental shield  46 , as opposed to the receiver  44 , to provide additional gap coverage. Correspondingly, in this embodiment the supplemental shield  46  is movably connected to the receiver  44 . Further, in a most preferred embodiment, the shield member  40  is pivotally or rotatably connected to the supplemental shield  46 , and the supplemental shield  46  is pivotally or rotatably, and also preferably translationally, connected to the receiver  44 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , to connect the supplemental shield  46  to the receiver  44 , the supplemental shield  46  is movably connected to the first coupler  48 , and the first coupler  48  is fixedly connected to the follower member  41  in the receiver  44 . Specifically, in one embodiment the receiver  44  has a longitudinal recess  60  and a through slot  62  extending into the recess  60 . The follower member  41  is dimensioned to translate, preferably slidingly, back and forth in the longitudinal recess  60 . Accordingly, since the first coupler  48  is fixedly connected to the follower member  41 , as the follower member  41  translates axially or laterally within recess  60 , the first coupler  48  and the supplemental shield  46  will correspondingly translate axially with respect to the receiver  44  as well. 
     The supplemental shield  46  preferably comprises a housing having an aperture  64  that movably receives the first coupler  48 . As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the first coupler  48  has a cylindrical shaft component that mates with the aperture  64  in the supplemental shield  46  to allow the supplemental shield  46  to rotate about an axis of the shaft of the first coupler  48 . Thus, since the supplemental shield  46  can rotate with respect to the first coupler  48 , the supplemental shield  46  correspondingly can rotate with respect to the receiver  44 . 
     As explained above, and shown in the Figures, in a preferred embodiment the shield member  40  preferably comprises a housing that is movably connected to the supplemental shield  46 . Similar to the connection between the supplemental shield  46  and the receiver  44 , the shield member  40  has an aperture  66  therein that movably receives the second coupler  50 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the second coupler  50  has a cylindrical shaft component that mates with the aperture  66  in the shield member  40  to allow the shield member  40  to rotate about an axis of the shaft of the second coupler  50 . The second coupler  50  is also fixed via a connector  68  to the supplemental shield  46 . In a preferred embodiment the second coupler  50  is bolted to the supplemental shield  46 , just as the first coupler  48  is connected or bolted to the follower member  41 . 
     Also as explained above, the shield member  40  is connected to one of the bed sections and the receiver  44  is connected to another of the bed sections, and in a preferred embodiment, such as shown in  FIG. 1 , the shield member  40  is connected to the head section  32  and the receiver  44  is connected to the seat section  34 . Accordingly, in one embodiment where the shield member  40  is connected to the supplemental shield  46  near one end of the shield member  40 , the shield member  40  is then connected to the head section  32  near another end of the shield member  40 . In one embodiment the shield member  40  is fixed in a position relative to the bed section to which it is connected, i.e., the head section  32  in this embodiment. Alternately, the shield member  40  may be movably connected to the bed section, such as rotationally connected, similar to the rotational connection between the supplemental shield  46  and the receiver  44 . Additionally, as explained herein, in one embodiment, shield member  40  may be able to translate inwardly and outwardly with respect to a centerline of the bed  12  to allow for an expandable width feature of the bed  12 . 
     In another embodiment of the bed  12 , shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , wherein the bed  12  has a variable width component, the bed  12  may have patient support extension assemblies, which may include mattress or deck extender assemblies, hereinafter referred to as mattress extender assemblies. Mattress extender assemblies may be provided at one or more sections of the bed  12 . Additionally, mattress extender assemblies may be provided at each side of any section of the bed  12 . In one embodiment, a first head mattress extender assembly  72  is provided at the first side  28  of the head section  32  of the bed  12 , and a second head mattress extender assembly  72  is provided at the opposing second side  30  of the head section  32  of the bed  12 . Similarly, in one embodiment, a first seat mattress extender assembly  74  is provided at the first side  28  of the seat section  34  of the bed  12 , and a second seat mattress extender assembly  74  is provided at the opposing second side  30  of the seat section  34  of the bed  12 . The head and seat first side mattress extender assemblies  72 ,  74  are utilized to increase the width of the bed  12  at the first side  28  of the bed  10 , and the head and seat second side mattress extender assemblies  42 ,  44  are utilized to increase the width of the bed  12  at the second side  30  of the bed  12 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the head mattress extender assemblies  72  are movably connected to the head section  32  of the bed  12  and allowed to move relative thereto, and the seat mattress extender assemblies  74  are movably connected to the seat section  34  of the bed  12  and allowed to move relative thereto. In one embodiment, the mattress extender assemblies  72 ,  74  each have independent supplemental mattresses  76  associated therewith. Preferably, the first and second side head and seat mattress extender assemblies  72 ,  74  are each independently moveable from a first retracted position (see  FIG. 1 ) to a second expanded position (see  FIG. 6 ). In one embodiment the distance from the centerline of the bed  12  to an edge of the mattress  22  is identified as distance W 1 , and the distance from the centerline of the bed  12  to an edge of the supplemental mattress  76  after the supplemental mattress  76  is in the expanded position is identified as distance W 2 , and W 2  is greater than W 1 . In a preferred embodiment, the width of the supplemental mattress  76  is approximately 5 inches, and thus the distance from W 1  to W 2  is approximately 5 inches. Thus, in a preferred embodiment the width of the supplemental mattress  76  is adapted to increase the width of the mattress  22  of the bed  12  approximately 5 inches per side, for a total mattress width increase of 10 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the supplemental mattresses  76  are movably connected to the mattress extender assemblies  72 ,  74  in both the retracted positions and the extended positions. It is further understood that in a preferred embodiment, the supplemental mattresses  76  are connected to the bed  12  in both the first position and the second position. 
     In a preferred embodiment, each of the mattress extender assemblies  72 ,  74  operate completely independently. Accordingly, any mattress extender assembly  72 ,  74  of the bed  12  may be in the retracted or non-deployed position, or the expanded or deployed position at any time, irrespective of any other mattress extender assembly  72 ,  74 . 
     When mattress extender assemblies are utilized, the gap shield assembly  10  must allow for the different extender assemblies of adjacent bed sections to be in the retracted or expanded positions in use while still providing the gap shield features. To allow for such functionality, in one embodiment the gap shield assembly  10  also comprises an extender assembly  52 , which in one embodiment incorporates a second follower member  54  and a second receiver  56 . In one embodiment the extender assembly  52  of the gap shield assembly  10  allows the gap shield assembly  10  to move inwardly and outwardly (i.e., increased or decreased width) with one or more of the bed sections, while still allowing an adjacent bed section to move inwardly or outwardly without moving the gap shield assembly  10  inward or outward with respect to the centerline of the bed  12 . Accordingly, in one embodiment the gap shield assembly  10  will cover the gap between the adjacent bed sections irrespective of the width location of the adjacent bed sections. Alternate preferred embodiments of the extender  52  are also provided in  FIGS. 10-13 . Additionally, in alternate embodiment of the extender assembly  52  when one section of the gap shield assembly  10  is moved inwardly or outwardly, the other sections of the gap shield assembly  10  are correspondingly moved inwardly or outwardly as well. 
     The extender  52  may be provided at either end component of the gap shield assembly  10  (i.e., either the shield member  40  or the receiver  44 ). In a preferred embodiment the extender  52  is connected to the gap shield assembly  10  adjacent one end of the shield member  40  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Additionally, a portion of the extender  52  is preferably connected to one of bed sections. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the extender  52  is connected to the head section  32  of the bed  12 . Alternately, the extender  52  could be connected to any other section of the bed  12 , such as the seat section  34 . 
     As explained above, in one embodiment the extender  52  comprises a second receiver  56  and a second follower member  54  that is movingly connected to the second receiver  56 . As shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , in one embodiment, the second receiver  56  is fixedly connected to the head section  32  of the bed  12  with a bracket  78 . Specifically, in one embodiment the second receiver  56  is connected to the bracket  78  with a plurality of screws, and then the bracket  78 , with the second receiver  56  attached thereto, is connected to the head section  32 . Accordingly, the second receiver  56  is fixed to the head section  32  and articulates with the head section  32  of the bed  12 . 
     In a preferred embodiment the receiver  56  comprises a longitudinal member that provides a cam surface for the second follower member  54 , and allows the second follower member  54  to translate inwardly and outwardly thereagainst. While the receiver  56  shown in the embodiments in the Figures is a single component, it may be provided in multiple sections or multiple components without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 9 , in one embodiment the receiver  56  has a first receiver surface  80  and a second receiver surface  82  to capture and translationally secure the second follower member  54 . 
     In one embodiment, the second follower member  54  comprises two mating members or followers  84 ,  86 , also referred to as first and second cam followers, that mate with the second receiver  56  and movingly engage the second receiver  56 . However, the two followers  84 ,  86  could be made as one component. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the first cam follower  84  engages the first receiver surface  80  and the second cam follower  86  engages the second receiver surface  82 . The first and second cam followers  84 ,  86  are connected to a backing plate  88  to maintain the cam followers  84 ,  86  in alignment with the second receiver  56 . Additionally, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the second follower member  54  is connected, at each of the cam followers  84 ,  86  in one embodiment, to the shield member  40 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, the extender  52  of the gap shield assembly  10  may comprise the structure shown in  FIG. 10 . Therein, the extender  52  generally comprises a second receiver  56  and a second follower member  54  in the form of a track assembly  52 . The second receiver  56  of the extender  52  is preferably connected to the head section  32 , the second follower member  54  rides in the track of the second receiver  56 . In one embodiment, the second receiver  56  may take the shape of a U-shaped track receiver. 
     Referring to the Figures, the gap shield assembly  10  is preferably connected to the bed  12  in all orientations of the bed  12 , including when the different bed sections articulate, and when the different mattress widening sections are extended and retracted. Additionally, a first gap shield assembly is preferably provided at a first side of the bed and a second gap shield assembly is preferably provided at the second side of the bed. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hospital bed  12  with the head section  32  in an upward position. The gap shield provides a shield to prevent access to the gap between the head section  32  and the seat section  34 . As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the receiver  44  is connected to the seat section  34  and the shield member  40  is connected to the head section  32 . Specifically, in this embodiment the shield member  40  is connected to the head section  32  through the extender  52 . The supplemental shield  46  is rotatedly connected to both the shield member  40  and the receiver  44 , and therefore rotatedly connects the shield member  40  to the receiver  44  with the use of first and second couplers  48 ,  50 . In the orientation of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the deck or mattress extenders  72 ,  74  are in the closed position and the gap shield  10  is between the head section  32  and the seat section  34  to prevent side access to the gap between the head and seat sections  32 ,  34  of the bed  12 . Because the head section  32  is partially in the up position, the shield member  40  and supplemental shield  46  are rotated and translated with respect to the receiver  44  to cover the gap between the head and seat sections  32 ,  34 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the head section  32  and seat section  34  are both in their lowered positions, and the mattress extenders  72 ,  74  are in the in or narrow position (also referred to as the closed position). The gap shield assembly  10  is provided between the head section  32  and the seat section  34 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the seat mattress extender  74  has been opened to the wide position, such that the mattress in the seat section  34  can be made wider, but the head section mattress extender  72  is maintained in the narrow position. The receiver  46  is still connected to the seat section  34 , and as shown in  FIG. 4 , it is preferably connected to the seat mattress extender  74  of the seat section  34 . The extender  52 , and specifically the second receiver  56  of the extender  52 , is connected to the head section  32 , and the second follower member  54  has translated with respect to the second receiver  56  to allow the second follower member  54  to translate outwardly with respect to the mid-line of the bed  12 . Accordingly, even when one mattress extender is in the out position and another mattress extender in an adjoining section of the bed is in the in position the gap between the two adjoining bed sections is covered. 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 5  illustrates a configuration where the head mattress extender  72  is in the open or extended position and the seat mattress extender  74  is in the closed position. In this embodiment the receiver  46  is still connected to the seat section  34  and the shield member  40 , through the extender  52 , is connected to the head section  32 . Interestingly, in this embodiment, as the head mattress extender  72  is extended, the gap shield assembly  10  remains in the same position covering the gap between the head section  32  and the seat section  34  as it did when the head mattress extender  72  was in the retracted position. 
     Whereas in  FIG. 5  the head mattress extender  72  is in the open or extended position and the seat mattress extender  74  is in the closed position, in  FIG. 6  the seat mattress extender  74  is also opened to the wide position, similar to the head mattress extender  72 . Similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the second follower member  54  has translated with respect to the second receiver  56  to allow the second follower member  54  to translate outwardly with respect to the mid-line of the bed  12  with the seat mattress extender  74 . In this configuration the different sections of the bed  12  may also articulate up and down, and the gap shield  10  will translate therewith, as shown in examples of  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  (also see  FIG. 7 ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11-13 , there is shown another embodiment of the gap shield assembly described above. The gap shield assembly  100  has a shield member  140 , a follower member  141  and a receiver  144 . The receiver  144  is also referred to as the second shield member  144 . Generally, however, this embodiment of the gap shield assembly does not require a supplemental shield. Rather, in this embodiment the receiver  144  is rotatably connected to one of the bed sections with a coupler  148 , and the shield member  140  is rotationally and translationally connected to the receiver  144 . Additionally, the gap shield assembly  100  also comprises an extender assembly  152  to allow the gap shield assembly  100  to move in an out. The extender  152  comprises a second follower member  154  and a second receiver  156 . As explained above, the extender  152  is generally not needed unless the bed has expandable width aspects thereto. 
     As explained above, the shield member  140  (also referred to herein as the first shield member  140 ) is generally connected to one of the bed sections and the receiver  144  (also referred to herein as the second shield member  144 ) is connected to another of the bed sections. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , the first shield member  140  is connected to the head section  32  and the receiver  144  or second shield member  144  is connected to the seat section  34 , however, it is understood that the connections may be reversed or that they may be connected to different sections of the bed, including sections not identified. The follower member  141  connects the shield member  140  to the receiver  144  and allows the shield member  140  to translate relative to the receiver  144  in a designated orientation. The shield member  140  is sized to preclude access to the gap between the bed sections as a safety measure. Moreover, in a preferred embodiment, the shield member  140  is movably connected to the receiver  144 , and the receiver  144  is movably connected to the bed section. Further, in a most preferred embodiment, the shield member  140  is pivotally or rotatably connected to the receiver  144 , and the shield member  140  is also translationally connected to the receiver  144  via the follower  141 . Similarly, the receiver  144  is pivotally or rotatably connected to the bed section  34 . Generally, the first shield member  140  and second shield member  144  are not separable during articulation of the bed. In one embodiment, the receiver  144  or second shield member  144  is laterally fixed by the coupler because it cannot translate about the longitudinal axis of the bed and can only rotate. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , the receiver  144  has a counterbore  164  therein, at one end thereof, that movably receives the coupler  148  to assist in accomplishing rotation/pivoting of the receiver  144 . In one embodiment, the coupler  148  has a cylindrical component that mates with the counterbore  164  in the receiver  144  to allow the receiver  144  to rotate about an axis of the coupler  148 . The coupler  148 , however, is fixed to the seat section  34  of the bed, such as with two bolts. Additionally, a bushing  165  or washer  165  may be placed between the seat section  34  of the bed and the receiver  144 . 
     Next, to connect the shield member  140  to the receiver  144 , the shield member  140  is movably connected to the follower  141 , and the follower  141  is fixedly connected to the receiver  144 . Specifically, in one embodiment the shield member  140  has an internal longitudinal recess  160  and a through slot  162  extending into the recess  160 , thereby forming an internal T-shaped slot or cam track as shown in  FIG. 13 . The follower member  141  operates as a cam and is dimensioned to translate, preferably slidingly, back and forth in the longitudinal recess  160 . Additionally, in a preferred embodiment the follower member  141  has a cylindrically-shaped flange component that engages the recess  160  and which secures the follower member  141  within the recess  160 , but which also allows the follower member  141  to rotate about the axis of the cylindrical component within the longitudinal recess  160 . Accordingly, since the follower member  141  is fixedly connected to the receiver  144 , as the follower member  141  translates axially or laterally and rotates within recess  160 , the shield  140  will correspondingly translate axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bed and rotationally with respect to the receiver  144 . Thus, in one position whereby the bed is in the substantially horizontal position, the receiver  144  will be generally behind and blocked by the shield  140  (see  FIG. 12 ). When the head section  32  of the bed is raised, however, the shield  140 , which is connected to the head section  32 , moves with the head section  32  and translates and rotates with respect to the receiver  144 , thereby exposing the receiver  144  as shown in  FIG. 11 . Accordingly, the first shield member is movably connected to the second shield member during articulation of the bed. 
     As explained above, in another embodiment of the bed  12 , the bed  12  has a variable width component, which may include mattress or deck extender assemblies. When mattress extender assemblies are utilized, the gap shield assembly preferably must allow for the different extender assemblies of adjacent bed sections to be in the retracted or expanded positions in use while still providing the gap shield features. To allow for such functionality, in one embodiment the gap shield assembly  100  also comprises an extender  152 , which in one embodiment incorporates a second follower member  154  and a second receiver  156 . The extender  152  of the gap shield assembly  100  allows the gap shield assembly  100  to move inwardly and outwardly with one or more of the bed sections, but to allow an adjacent bed section to move inwardly or outwardly without moving the gap shield assembly  100  inward or outward with respect to the centerline of the bed  12 . Accordingly, the gap shield assembly  100  will cover the gap between the adjacent bed sections irrespective of the width location of the adjacent bed sections. 
     The extender  152  may be provided at either end component of the gap shield assembly  100  (i.e., either the shield member  140  or the receiver  144 ). In a preferred embodiment the extender  152  is connected to the gap shield assembly  100  adjacent one end of the shield member  140  as shown in  FIGS. 11-13 . Additionally, a portion of the extender  152  is preferably connected to one of bed sections. Referring to  FIGS. 11-13 , in this embodiment the extender  152  is connected to the head section  32  of the bed  12 . Alternately, the extender  152  could be connected to any other section of the bed  12 , such as the seat section  34 . 
     As explained above, in one embodiment the extender  152  comprises a second receiver  156  and a second follower member  154  that is movingly connected to the second receiver  156 . In one embodiment, the second receiver  156  comprises a bracket  178  having a plurality of bearings  180  or bushings  180 . The bracket  178  is fixedly connected to the head section  32 . Accordingly, the second receiver  156  is fixed to the head section  32  and articulates with the head section  32  of the bed  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the receiver  156  provides a cam surface for the second follower member to translate inwardly and outwardly thereagainst. 
     In one embodiment, the second follower member  154  comprises two rods  184 ,  186  that extend through the bearings  180  to allow the rods  184 ,  186  to translationally engage the second receivers  156 . The rods  184 ,  186  are fixedly connected to the gap shield  140  at one end thereof, and have a stopper member at the other end thereof to prevent the rods  184 ,  186  from disengaging from the second receiver  156 . Accordingly, the gap shield assembly  100  is able to translate inwardly and outwardly as desired. In this configuration, the first shield member  140  cannot rotate with respect to the second of the bed to which it is connected (i.e., the head or first deck section). 
     Referring to the Figures, the gap shield assembly  100  is preferably connected to the bed  12  in all orientations of the bed  12 , including when the different bed sections articulate, and when the different mattress widening sections are extended and retracted. Additionally, a first gap shield assembly is preferably provided at a first side of the bed and a second gap shield assembly is preferably provided at the second side of the bed. 
     While different beds are referenced herein, such as a standard bed, a chair bed, an expanding width bed, etc., it is understood that any feature of the gap shield disclosed herein may be utilized with any type of patient support mechanism, and reference to one type of bed respecting a particular feature does not preclude incorporation of that feature into any other type of bed. 
     Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. Additionally, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and “fourth” as used herein are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the embodiments in any way. Further, the term “plurality” as used herein indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. 
     It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.