Patent Publication Number: US-7712166-B2

Title: Bed siderail and support structure

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/633 397, filed Dec. 3, 2004. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to bed siderails. In one of its aspects, the invention relates to hospital bed siderails configured to reduce pinch points between the siderail and its supporting arms. In another of its aspects, the invention relates to a siderail configured to reduce the likelihood of a patient becoming trapped between the siderail and the bed. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Hospital beds are provided with safety siderails. The express purpose of the siderail is to prevent a patient from inadvertently rolling out of the bed. The siderail must be movable, however, in order to permit the patient to exit the bed, or to permit medical attendants to minister to the patient. It is common to provide a four bar link mechanism to the siderail, configured to lower the siderail to a mid-position and to a storage position when not in use. 
   There is some concern that a patient might trap some portion of their body between the siderail and the bed. There is further concern with trapping some portion of the patient between the siderail and the bed as the siderail is lowered. 
   It would be advantageous to provide a bed siderail that minimizes the opportunity for part of a patient&#39;s body to be wedged between the bed and the siderail. It would further be advantageous to provide a siderail configured to minimize the opportunity for part of a patient&#39;s body to be trapped during a lowering operation of the bed siderail. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A siderail and support mechanism for a bed includes a siderail having a head edge and a foot edge. First and second support arms having upper and lower pivot shafts are configured to pivotally attach the siderail to a bed. At least one of the first support arm and the second support arm includes an edge configured to form a continuous face with one of the head edge and the foot edge of the siderail. 
   In a further embodiment, a bed siderail and support mechanism includes a siderail for a bed including a central portion and at least one end portion. The end portion is configured to extend lower than the central portion to closely cooperate with a bed structure for preventing a patient from being trapped between the siderail and the bed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a bed siderail and support structure according to the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the bed siderail and support structure of  FIG. 1 , with the bed having an extended bed foot section. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of a bed having a second bed siderail according to a further embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of head and foot end bed siderails and support structure according to a further embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the foot end bed siderail and support structure of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the head end bed siderail and support structure of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the head end bed siderail and support structure of  FIGS. 4 and 6  with the head end of the bed in a raised position. 
       FIG. 8  is an interior view of a bed siderail and support structure according to  FIGS. 4-7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the bed siderails and support structure of  FIG. 4 , with the bed siderails in a lowered position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. The words “up”, “down”, “right” and left” will designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “in” and “out” will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the device and designated parts thereof. The word “longitudinal” will refer to a direction defined between a head end and a foot end of a hospital bed, while “transverse” describes a direction across the width of the hospital bed. Such terminology will include derivatives and words of similar import. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a bed siderail  100  according to the invention is illustrated for mounting to a hospital bed  105 . The bed siderail  100  includes a central portion  110  and two end portions  115 ,  120 . The bed siderail  100  is pivotally mounted to a bed frame  123  at a bed frame side rail  125  by a pair of support arms  130 ,  135 . The support arms  130 ,  135  comprise a portion of a four-bar link pivot and locking mechanism  140 . An example of a four-bar link pivot and locking mechanism  140  is more fully described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/767,240, entitled “SIDERAIL MOUNTING ASSEMBLY”, filed Jan. 28, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
   The bed siderail  100  is mounted to the bed frame-side rail  125  proximate an end board  150  (headboard or footboard) of the bed  105 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the end portion  115  of the bed siderail  100  extends to the end board  150 , without any longitudinal gap therebetween. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the bed frame  123  includes an extension  153 . The extension  153  is configured to extend longitudinally from the bed frame  123 , moving the end board  150  longitudinally outward from the bed  105  and the bed siderail  100 . This is particularly useful with taller patients, when additional clearance is required for medical appliances, or to provide access room for medical personnel. 
   The extension of the end board  150  creates a gap  155 . The bed frame  123  is configured to extend the end board  150  so that the gap  155  is too large for any part of the patient, such as a limb or head, to become trapped. A minimum spacing of 235 millimeters is recommended. 
   Each end portion  115 ,  120  of the bed siderail  100  includes a depending lower edge  160 ,  165 . The lower edge  160 ,  165  extends downwardly, below a lower edge  170  of the central portion  110  of the bed siderail  100 . The lower edge  160 ,  165  of each end portion  115 ,  120  is configured to extend past an upper surface  175  of a mattress  180  supported by the bed frame  123 , creating no gap therebetween. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , the lower edge  160  of the end portion  115  is further configured to cooperate with a mattress support  185  (or patient restraint anchor). The lower edge  160  of the end portion  115  and the mattress support  185  provide rigid structure to reduce the gap and prevent a patient&#39;s limb from passing between the bed siderail  100  and the bed frame  123 . 
   A further embodiment of a bed siderail  200  is disclosed in  FIG. 3 . The bed siderail  200  is formed with upwardly and outwardly directed head and foot edges  205 ,  210 . The bed siderail  200  is thereby substantially trapezoidal in elevation. The bed siderail  200  is connected to the bed frame  123  in the same manner as the bed siderail  100 , wherein the support arms  130 ,  135  are pivotally connected to each of the bed siderail  200  and the bed frame side rail  125 . 
   The support arms  130 ,  135  are configured with upwardly and outwardly sloping side surfaces  215 ,  220 ,  225 ,  230 , making them appear wedge- or pie-shaped. As shown in  FIG. 3 , when the bed siderail  200  is in the upright, deployed position, the outer side surfaces  215 ,  230  of the support arms  130 ,  135  form a continuous face with the head and foot edges  205 ,  210  of the bed siderail  210 . This formation of the support arms  130 ,  135  in cooperation with the bed siderail  200  serves to eliminate any gap or recess formed between the bed frame  123  and the bed siderail  200  adjacent to the outer side surfaces  215 ,  230  of the support arms  130 ,  135 . The outwardly sloping side surfaces  215 - 230  of the support arms  130 ,  135  are formed in molded support arm covers  240 ,  245  attached to the support arms  130 ,  135 , but it is also anticipated that the side surfaces  215 - 230  can be integrally formed in the support arms  130 ,  135 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 4-9 , a further embodiment of a bed siderail and support structure  300  is illustrated mounted to the hospital bed  105 . Hospital bed  105  is shown in  FIGS. 4-7  and  9  having a footboard  305  and a headboard  310 . A foot end siderail  315  is pivotally attached to the bed frame side rail  125  by a pair of support arms  320  and a pivot and locking mechanism  140  as described above. A head end siderail  325  is likewise pivotally attached to the bed frame side rail  125  by a pair of support arms  320  and a pivot and locking mechanism  140 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , the footboard  305  and the headboard  310  are separated by a distance  330 . The distance  330  is equal to the sum of a foot end gap  335 , the width  340  of the foot end siderail  315 , a inter-siderail gap  345 , the width  350  of the head end siderail  325  and a head end gap  355 . Preferably, the sum of the widths  340 ,  350  is equal to or greater than one half of the distance  330 . It is also preferred, for the purpose of reducing the risk that a patient might become trapped in one of the gaps  335 ,  345 ,  355 , that each gap be no more than 60 millimeters wide or no less than 235 millimeters wide with the bed  105  in the flat position shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , the foot end siderail  315  is shown pivotally mounted to the bed frame side rail  125  by the support arms  320 . The foot end siderail  315  includes a central portion  360  and end portions  365 ,  370 . The central portion  360  includes several apertures  375 . The apertures  375  are configured to prevent a patient&#39;s head from becoming entrapped. Therefore, the apertures are sized to prevent an object having a diameter any greater than 120 millimeters from passing therethrough. 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the end portions  365 ,  370  are symmetrical mirror images, but this is not dispositive of other configurations. Referring to the end portion  370 , a lower end  380  of the end portion  370  extends lower than a lower extent  385  of the central portion  360 . The end portion  370  further includes a siderail end face  390  including an upper end face  395  and a lower end face  400 . The upper end face  395  and the lower end face  400  are generally non-collinear, meeting at an intermediate point  405  on the siderail end face  390 . The lower end face  400  is configured to be steeper than the upper end face  395 , to aid in preventing entrapment. The lower end face  400  preferably forms an angle greater than 60 degrees with the upper surface  175  of the mattress  180 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , in the raised position the foot end siderail  315  extends above the surface  410  of the mattress  180 . In this position, the lower extent  385  of the central portion  360  of the siderail  315  extends a distance  415  above the bed frame side rail  125 . The lower end  380  of the end portion  370  extends a smaller distance  420  above the bed frame side rail  125 . In a preferred embodiment, the distance  415  is no greater than 120 millimeters, while the distance  420  is no greater than 60 millimeters. 
   A further entrapment danger must be addressed between the lower end face  400  of the siderail  315  and the mattress  180 . To obviate this danger, it is recommended that the lower end face  400  describe an angle  425  with the surface  410  of the mattress  180 , the angle  425  preferably being greater than 60 degrees. 
   The head end siderail  325  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 6 . The head end siderail  325  is shown pivotally mounted to the bed frame side rail  125  by the, support arms  320 . The head end siderail  325  includes a central portion  430  and end portions  435 ,  440 . The end portions  435 ,  440  include several apertures  445 . The apertures  445  are configured to prevent a patient&#39;s head from becoming entrapped. Therefore, the apertures are sized to prevent an object having a diameter any greater than 120 millimeters from passing therethrough. 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the end portions  435 ,  440  are symmetrical mirror images, but this is not dispositive of other configurations. Referring to the end portion  440 , a lower end  450  of the end portion  440  extends lower than a lower extent  455  of the central portion  430 . The end portion  440  further includes a siderail end face  460  including an upper end face  465  and a lower end face  470 . The upper end face  465  and the lower end face  470  are generally non-collinear, meeting at an intermediate point  475  on the siderail end face  460 . The lower end face  470  is configured to be steeper than the upper end face  465 , to aid in preventing entrapment. The lower end face  470  preferably forms an angle greater than 60 degrees with the upper surface  175  of the mattress  180 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , in the raised position the head end siderail  325  extends above the surface  410  of the mattress  180 . In this position, the lower extent  455  of the central portion  430  of the siderail  325  extends a distance  480  above the bed frame side rail  125 . The lower end  450  of the end portion  440  extends a smaller distance  485  above the bed frame side rail  125 . In a preferred embodiment, the distance  480  is no greater than 120 millimeters, while the distance  485  is no greater than 60 millimeters. 
   A further entrapment danger must be addressed between the lower end face  470  of the siderail  325  and the mattress  180 . To obviate this danger, it is recommended that the lower end face  470  describe an angle  487  with the surface  410  of the mattress  180 , the angle  487  preferably being greater than 60 degrees. 
     FIG. 7  illustrates a head section  490  in a raised position. With the head section  490  in the raised position, the head end siderail  325  will occasionally be lowered by rotating about the support arms  320 , below the surface  410  of the mattress  180 . It is important that a gap  495  between the lowered siderail  325  and the headboard  310  be maintained. The preferred dimension for the gap  495  is less than 8 millimeters or greater than 25 millimeters to avoid presenting a pinch point. In like manner, while the head section  490  is in the raised position, and with the head end siderail  325  in the raised position, a similar gap (not shown) must be maintained between the head end siderail  325  and the foot end siderail  315 , also in the raised position; this gap is also preferably smaller than 8 millimeters or greater than 25 millimeters to avoid presenting a pinch point. 
   Now referring to  FIG. 8 , a gap  500  must be maintained between an inner face  505  of the siderail  315  and the bed frame side rail  125 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the lower end  380  of the end portion  370  of the siderail  315  includes an inwardly extending portion  510 . A distance  515  is defined between the inwardly extending portion  510  and the bed frame side rail  125  when the foot end siderail  315  is in the raised position illustrated. The distance  515  must be maintained to minimize a trapping danger to the patient. A preferred dimension for the distance  515  is no less than 60 millimeters. The siderail support mechanism must be sufficiently rigid to maintain the distance  515  of no less than 60 millimeters upon the application of force, such as a patient pressing against the siderail  315 . 
     FIG. 9  illustrates the hospital bed  105  with the foot end and head end siderails  315 ,  325  in the lowered position. With the foot end siderail  315  in the lowered position, the lower end  380  of the end portion  370  is positioned a distance  520  above a floor surface  525  supporting the bed  105 . Referring to the head end siderail  325 , the lower end  450  of the end portion  440  is positioned a distance  530  above the floor  525 . In order to provide foot clearance for an attendant lowering either of the respective siderails  315 ,  325 , each of the distances  515 ,  530  is preferably no less than  120  millimeters. 
   While the invention has been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
     bed siderail  100     hospital bed  105     central portion  110     end portions  115 ,  120     bed frame  123     bed frame side rail  125     support arms  130 ,  135     pivot and locking mechanism  140     end board  150     extension  153     gap  155     depending lower edge  160 ,  165     lower edge  170     upper surface  175     mattress  180     mattress support  185  (or patient restraint anchor)   bed siderail  200     head and foot edges  205 ,  210     upwardly and outwardly sloping side surfaces  215 ,  220 ,  225 ,  230     arm covers  240 ,  245     bed siderail and support structure  300     footboard  305     headboard  310     foot end siderail  315     support arms  320     head end siderail  325     distance  330     foot end gap  335     width  340     inter-siderail gap  345     width  350     head end gap  355     central portion  360     end portions  365 ,  370     apertures  375     lower end  380     lower extent  385     siderail end face  390     upper end face  395     lower end face  400     intermediate point  405     surface  410     distance  415     distance  420     angle  425     central portion  430     end portions  435 ,  440     several apertures  445     lower end  450     lower extent  455     end face  460     upper end face  465     lower end face  470     intermediate point  475     distance  480     distance  485     angle  487     head section  490     gap  495     gap  500     inner face  505     inwardly extending portion  510     distance  515     distance  520     floor surface  525     distance  530