Patent Description:
A number of prior art bed side rails are known. These are typically used on beds for a young child or an infirm or elderly person. Side rails are most often provided on beds in hospitals and care homes and the like. The side rails provide a guard that extends along the length of the bed to prevent a person falling from the sides of the bed.

Some prior art bed side rails comprise a frame including a plurality of horizontal bars or beams with spaces between them. The rails may be made of wood, plastic or metal, depending on the location and application. One problem with prior art side rails of this type is that there is a risk of entrapment. The entrapment risks include strangulation, suffocation, bodily injury and even death when patients or a part of their body is caught or trapped between the bars of the side rail or between the side rail and the bed mattress for example. While it is known to provide a cover or other means to enclose the horizontal bars of the side rail, there remains a possibility of a person becoming entrapped between the side rail and a headboard or footboard of the bed or between the side rail and the bed frame.

Another type of prior art side rail that alleviates some of these problems with the risk of entrapment is a fabric side rail. These fabric side rails generally extend along the full length of the bed and are typically collapsible or retractable to allow access to the side of the bed. It is necessary, however, to provide upright support posts to which the fabric panel of the side rail is secured.

A further consideration in the design of side rails is the ability to remove or move the side rail to obtain access to the side of the bed. Access may be needed quickly in the case of an emergency, for example if a patient needs CPR or some other form of medical intervention.

<CIT> describes a nursing bed including a side rail comprising at least one bar slidably mounted to posts. The side rail can be brought into a non-use position, a use position, and also an intermediate position.

It is also beneficial if the side rail takes up as little space as possible in its collapsed or retracted state. This allows a person to access the bed easily even under normal circumstances, for example getting into or getting out of the bed. When the side rail is used on a moveable hospital or care bed, it is also beneficial for the side rail to have minimal protrusion from the side of the bed to allow the bed to be more easily manoeuvred through doorways and the like.

Against this background it is desirable to provide an improved bed side rail that overcomes a problem with prior art side rails, whether referred to herein or otherwise. In particular, it is desirable to provide a side rail that is compact in its collapsed or retracted form, and that is quick and easy to use.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a side rail assembly for a bed comprising:.

The benefit of this design is that the flexible panel may be retained in a planar or taught configuration when the cross member is raised by virtue of the attachment members, but the mechanism for raising and lowering the cross member and flexible panel is simple and reliable. Importantly, the arrangement for the raising and lowering of the cross member and flexible panel is completely separate from the hinge mechanism for raising and lowering the upper members of the support posts. This means that the hinge design can be simplified.

In preferred embodiments the lower member includes a lower longitudinal channel, the upper member includes an upper longitudinal channel, and a part of each attachment member is slidably engaged with one of the lower or upper longitudinal channels of a respective one of the support posts, wherein in the raised position the upper longitudinal channel is aligned with the lower longitudinal channel, and wherein with the cross member in the lowered position the attachment members are engaged in the lower longitudinal channel and with the cross member in the raised position the attachment members are engaged in the upper longitudinal channel.

To simplify the design of the hinge the lower longitudinal channel is preferably laterally offset from the first hinge portion and the upper longitudinal channel is preferably laterally offset from the second hinge portion.

The cross member preferably comprises an annular engagement element at each end of the cross member. Each annular engagement element is preferably engaged with and surrounds a respective one of the pair of support posts.

Each of the attachment members is preferably connected to the lateral edge of the flexible panel in a fixed position on the flexible panel. Preferably each of the attachment members comprises a slider slidingly engaged with the longitudinal channel and a securing tab connected to the flexible panel. Each of the upper longitudinal channel and the lower longitudinal channel may include a longitudinal opening, and the securing tab of each of the attachment members may protrude through the longitudinal opening.

In preferred embodiments the attachment members are disposed within a boundary defined by an external surface of the support post. In some embodiments the external surface of the support post includes an opening extending along a length of the support post. The longitudinal opening of the longitudinal channel is preferably not coincident with the opening in the external surface of the support post such that a space within the support post is defined between the longitudinal opening of the longitudinal channel and the opening in the external surface of the support post. The securing tab of each of the attachment members is preferably disposed in the space.

In some embodiments the side rail assembly may further comprise a base member extending between the support posts. A second edge of the flexible panel opposite the first edge is preferably connected to the base member.

The side rail assembly may further comprise at least two attachment arms for releasably securing the side rail assembly to a bed frame.

The cross member preferably includes a handle, to allow a user to easily lift and lower the cross member in use.

The side rail assembly preferably further comprises a locking mechanism arranged to releasably retain the cross member in the raised position. In preferred embodiments the locking mechanism comprises a retractable retaining pin and a recess, the retaining pin engaging in the recess when the cross member is in the raised position.

A second aspect of the invention provides a bed comprising:.

The bed may further comprise a mattress supported by the bed frame, and in these embodiments the upper members of the support posts preferably do not protrude above an upper surface of the mattress when the upper members are in the lowered position.

Preferred and/or optional features of each aspect and embodiment described above may also be used, alone or in appropriate combination, in the other aspects and embodiments also.

The invention will now be further described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference signs are used for like features, and in which:.

A preferred embodiment of a side rail assembly <NUM> for a bed is shown in <FIG>. The side rail assembly <NUM> comprises a pair of upright support posts <NUM>, a cross member <NUM>, and a flexible panel <NUM>.

The cross member <NUM> is elongate and extends between first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM>. Each end <NUM>, <NUM> of the cross member <NUM> is engaged with a respective one of the support posts <NUM>. In particular, the cross member <NUM> is slidably connected to the support posts <NUM> to enable the cross member <NUM> to be moved between a lowered position, shown in particular in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, and a raised position, shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. The flexible panel <NUM> is attached along a first, upper edge to the cross member <NUM>. In this embodiment the flexible panel <NUM> extends laterally for substantially the complete length of the cross member <NUM> between the support posts <NUM>.

With the cross member <NUM> in the lowered position the flexible panel <NUM> is in a collapsed or retracted configuration. With the cross member <NUM> in the raised position the flexible panel <NUM> is in an extended configuration. In the extended configuration the flexible panel <NUM> is in a generally planar configuration.

In this embodiment a second, lower edge of the flexible panel <NUM> is attached to a base member <NUM> of the side rail assembly <NUM>. The base member <NUM> is elongate. A first end of the base member <NUM> is connected to a lower end of a first one of the support posts <NUM> and a second end of the base member <NUM> is connected to a lower end of a second one of the support posts <NUM>. In this embodiment the flexible panel <NUM> extends laterally for substantially the complete length of the base member <NUM> between the support posts <NUM>. In other embodiments the side rail assembly <NUM> may not include a base member. In some of these embodiments edges of the flexible panel <NUM> may be directly attached to the lower ends of the support posts <NUM>.

The flexible panel <NUM> is made of a suitable flexible material, which is preferably a natural or synthetic polymeric material. The flexible panel <NUM> may comprise a netting material or mesh material. The flexible panel <NUM> may comprise a nylon material. The flexible panel <NUM> may comprise different regions made of different materials; for example, the flexible panel <NUM> may comprise a central region made of a netting material or mesh material and a border region surrounding the netting material made of a nylon material.

Referring now to <FIG>, the cross member <NUM> comprises an elongate bar <NUM> that, in this embodiment, is surrounded by a fabric or elastomeric cover <NUM>. The elongate bar <NUM> may be hollow such that the elongate bar is in the form of a tubular bar. Reinforcing elements <NUM> may be disposed in each end of the tubular bar <NUM>. The cross member <NUM> further includes an engagement element <NUM> connected to each end of the elongate bar <NUM>. Each engagement element <NUM> is designed to slidingly engage with one of the support posts <NUM>. In this embodiment each of the engagement elements <NUM> comprises an annular element <NUM> that surrounds the respective support post <NUM>. An internal surface <NUM> of the annular element <NUM> has substantially the same shape and dimensions as an external surface <NUM> of the support post <NUM>. As such, there is a close sliding fit of the annular element <NUM> over and around the support post <NUM>.

Each of the support posts <NUM> comprises a lower member <NUM> and an upper member <NUM> connected by a hinge <NUM>. The upper member <NUM> is movable with respect to the corresponding lower member <NUM> between a lowered position in which a longitudinal axis of the upper member <NUM> extends substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the lower member <NUM> and a raised position in which the longitudinal axis of the upper member <NUM> extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lower member <NUM>.

In this embodiment the lower member <NUM> extends longitudinally between first and second ends, and the first end of the lower member <NUM> includes a first hinge portion <NUM>. Similarly, the upper member <NUM> extends longitudinally between first and second ends, and the second end of the upper member <NUM> includes a second hinge portion <NUM>. The first and second hinge portions <NUM>, <NUM> are engaged with each other to form the hinge <NUM> of the support post <NUM>. As shown most clearly in <FIG>, <FIG>, in this embodiment each of the hinge portions <NUM>, <NUM> include a plurality of hinge plates <NUM> that interleave or interlock to form the complete hinge <NUM>. As shown most clearly in <FIG>, in this embodiment a hinge pin <NUM> extends through each of the hinge plates <NUM> of both of the hinge portions <NUM>, <NUM>. The hinge pin <NUM> connects the upper member <NUM> to the lower member <NUM> and the upper member <NUM> rotates about the hinge pin <NUM> between the raised and lowered positions.

Each of the hinge plates <NUM> is preferably shaped so that an external surface of the hinge <NUM> is generally formed from contiguous surfaces of the hinge plates <NUM> both when the upper member <NUM> is in the raised position and when the upper member <NUM> is in the lowered position. In other words, the external surface of the hinge <NUM> is preferably generally continuous without significant gaps or crevices, and without any significant projecting surfaces, both when the upper member <NUM> is in the raised position and when the upper member <NUM> is in the lowered position. This reduces the risk of injury to a person by a part of the hinge <NUM> and allows the smooth operation of the bed rail assembly <NUM> as described further below.

In this embodiment each of the support posts <NUM> includes a longitudinal channel <NUM>. In particular, each lower member <NUM> includes a lower longitudinal channel <NUM>, and each upper member <NUM> includes an upper longitudinal channel <NUM>. When the upper member <NUM> of the support post <NUM> is in the raised position, as shown in <FIG>, the upper longitudinal channel <NUM> is aligned with the lower longitudinal channel <NUM> to form the complete longitudinal channel <NUM>.

Preferably, the longitudinal channel <NUM> is offset from the hinge <NUM>, such that no part of the hinge <NUM> intersects or protrudes into the channel <NUM>. In particular, the lower longitudinal channel <NUM> is preferably laterally offset from the first hinge portion <NUM> and the upper longitudinal channel <NUM> is preferably laterally offset from the second hinge portion <NUM>. As shown most clearly in <FIG>, in this embodiment no part of the hinge pin <NUM> protrudes into the longitudinal channel <NUM>.

In this embodiment the longitudinal channels <NUM> have a generally circular cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments the longitudinal channels <NUM> may have any suitable cross-sectional shape. Preferably the cross-sectional shape of the lower longitudinal channel <NUM> is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the corresponding upper longitudinal channel <NUM>. Each of the longitudinal channels <NUM> includes a longitudinal opening <NUM> that extends along the length of the channel <NUM>. In particular, each lower longitudinal channel <NUM> includes a lower longitudinal opening <NUM>, and each upper longitudinal channel <NUM> includes an upper longitudinal opening <NUM>. When the upper member <NUM> of the support post <NUM> is in the raised position, as shown in <FIG>, the upper longitudinal opening <NUM> is aligned with the lower longitudinal opening <NUM> to form the complete longitudinal opening <NUM>. Each longitudinal opening <NUM> faces in a direction towards a respective lateral edge <NUM> of the flexible panel <NUM>.

The side rail assembly <NUM> further comprises a plurality of attachment members <NUM>. Each attachment member <NUM> is connected to one of the lateral edges <NUM> of the flexible panel <NUM>. Each of the attachment members <NUM> is also slidably engaged with a respective one of the support posts <NUM>. In this embodiment, each of the attachment members <NUM> is slidingly engaged with the longitudinal channel <NUM> of a respective one of the support posts <NUM>. In other embodiments each of the attachment members may be otherwise slidingly engaged with each of the support posts <NUM>. For example, each attachment member <NUM> may comprise an annular member or another form of collar that surrounds the support post <NUM>.

In this embodiment each of the attachment members <NUM> comprises a slider <NUM> and a securing tab <NUM> extending from the slider <NUM>. The slider <NUM> is disposed in the longitudinal channel <NUM> of one of the support posts <NUM>, as shown most clearly in <FIG>, <FIG>. An external shape and external dimensions (for example an external diameter) of the slider <NUM> are preferably such that there is a close sliding fit of the slider <NUM> in the longitudinal channel <NUM>. In this embodiment the slider <NUM> is cylindrical. The slider <NUM> is elongate to reduce or minimise twisting or rotation of the slider <NUM> within the longitudinal channel <NUM>.

The securing tab <NUM> of the attachment member <NUM> protrudes through the longitudinal opening <NUM> and is attached to a respective lateral edge <NUM> of the flexible panel <NUM>. The attachment of the securing tab <NUM> to the flexible panel <NUM> is such that the attachment member <NUM> remains in a fixed position with respect to the flexible panel <NUM>. The flexible panel <NUM>, proximate the lateral edge <NUM>, may be clamped by a part of the securing tab <NUM>. In other embodiments the securing tab <NUM> may be adhesively attached to the flexible panel <NUM>, or a mechanical fastener may be used to attach the securing tab <NUM> to the flexible panel <NUM>.

The side rail assembly <NUM> preferably comprises two attachment members <NUM> attached to each lateral edge <NUM> of the flexible panel <NUM>. The attachment members <NUM> are preferably spaced apart along the lateral edge <NUM> of the flexible panel <NUM>. In this embodiment, and as most clearly seen in <FIG>, the attachment members <NUM> are evenly spaced apart between the base member <NUM> and the cross member <NUM>, such that a first distance between the cross member <NUM> and a first one of the attachment members <NUM>, a second distance between the base member <NUM> and a second one of the attachment members <NUM>, and a third distance between the first and second attachment members <NUM> are substantially equal. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the spacing of the attachment members <NUM> may be different. It will also be understood that in other embodiments the side rail assembly <NUM> may include different numbers of attachment members <NUM>. For example, there may be only one attachment member <NUM> attached to each lateral edge <NUM> of the flexible panel <NUM>, or there may be more than two attachment members <NUM> attached to each lateral edge <NUM> of the flexible panel <NUM>.

The attachment members <NUM> act to hold the lateral edges <NUM> of the flexible panel <NUM> in close proximity to the support posts <NUM>. In particular, when the cross member <NUM> is in the raised position, the attachment members <NUM> minimise any gap between each of the lateral edges <NUM> of the flexible panel <NUM> and the respective support post <NUM>. It will therefore be appreciated that the greater the number of attachment members <NUM> attached to each lateral edge <NUM> of the flexible panel <NUM>, the smaller any gaps may be between the flexible panel <NUM> and the support post <NUM>.

To accommodate the attachment of the attachment members <NUM> to the lateral edges <NUM> of the flexible panel <NUM>, in this embodiment the external surface <NUM> of the support post <NUM> includes an opening <NUM>. This opening <NUM> extends along the length of the support post <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the longitudinal channel <NUM> is disposed in the support post <NUM> such that the longitudinal opening <NUM> is not coincident with the opening <NUM> in the external surface <NUM> of the support post <NUM>. A space or recess <NUM> is defined within the support post <NUM> between the opening <NUM> and the longitudinal opening <NUM>. The parts of the securing tabs <NUM> that protrude from the longitudinal opening <NUM> are preferably fully accommodated within this recess <NUM>. In this way, the securing tabs <NUM> do not protrude beyond the external surface <NUM>, or a boundary defined by the external surface <NUM>, of the support post <NUM>.

When the cross member <NUM> is in the lowered position, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, all of the attachment members <NUM> are disposed in the lower longitudinal channel <NUM> of the respective lower member <NUM>. It will be appreciated that with the cross member <NUM> in a fully lowered position, if there is more than one attachment member <NUM> attached to each lateral edge <NUM> of the flexible panel <NUM>, the attachment members <NUM> will contact each other and stack within the lower longitudinal channel <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

In this embodiment, because the securing tabs <NUM> of the attachment members <NUM> do not protrude beyond the external surface <NUM>, or a boundary defined by the external surface <NUM>, of the support post <NUM>, it is possible for the annular element <NUM> to at least partially overlap one of the attachment members <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. This allows the cross member <NUM> to be lowered to a position in which a distance between the cross member <NUM> and a line connecting lower ends of the support posts <NUM> to be minimised. This minimises the overall height of the side rail assembly <NUM> when in its collapsed configuration.

It will be appreciated, however, that all of the attachment members <NUM> and the cross member <NUM> must be accommodated within the height or length of the lower member <NUM> of the support post <NUM> when the cross member <NUM> is in the lowered position. In particular, all of the attachment members <NUM> and the cross member <NUM> must be accommodated within the height or length of the lower member <NUM> below the first hinge portion <NUM>. It is desirable to minimise the height of the lower member <NUM> as this minimises the overall height of the side rail assembly <NUM> when the side rail assembly <NUM> is in a fully collapsed configuration, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. Accordingly, there is a balance between increasing the number of attachment members <NUM> to minimise gaps between the flexible panel <NUM> and the support post <NUM>, and reducing the number of attachment members <NUM> to decrease the height of the lower member <NUM>. In this embodiment two attachment members <NUM> attached to each lateral edge <NUM> of the flexible panel <NUM> has been found to be optimum.

In operation the side rail assembly <NUM> is moveable between a fully collapsed configuration, a lowered configuration and a raised configuration.

In the fully collapsed configuration the cross member <NUM> is in the lowered position and the upper members <NUM> of the support posts <NUM> are in their lowered positions. In this configuration, each annular element <NUM> is disposed around the respective lower member <NUM> and the upper members <NUM> extend in opposite directions towards each other and extend over the cross member <NUM>. The upper members <NUM> may contact a surface of the cross member <NUM> when the upper members <NUM> are in the lowered position. When the side rail assembly <NUM> is secured to a bed frame (not shown) it is desirable if the bed rail assembly <NUM> does not protrude above an upper surface of a mattress supported by the bed frame when the bed rail assembly <NUM> is in the fully collapsed configuration. This allows a person to get in and out of bed without being obstructed by the side rail assembly <NUM>.

In the lowered configuration the cross member <NUM> is in the lowered position and the upper members <NUM> of the support posts <NUM> are in their raised positions. Each of the support posts <NUM> may include a latching mechanism to retain the upper members <NUM> in the raised position; however, preferably, the upper members <NUM> are retained in the raised position due to friction between the first hinge portion <NUM> and the second hinge portion <NUM>.

To raise the cross member <NUM> to its raised position the cross member <NUM> is preferably provided with one or more handles <NUM>, which a user may grab to pull the cross member <NUM> upwards. In this embodiment the cross member <NUM> includes two handles <NUM> spaced apart along a length of the cross member <NUM>.

With the support posts <NUM> in their raised position, a user may use the handles <NUM> of the cross member <NUM> to raise the cross member <NUM> from its lowered position to its raised position. It will be understood that in raising the cross member <NUM>, the flexible panel <NUM> is extended such that the flexible panel <NUM> substantially fills the space between the support posts <NUM> below the cross member <NUM>. The side rail assembly <NUM> is then in its raised configuration.

To retain the cross member <NUM> in its raised position the side rail assembly <NUM> preferably includes a locking mechanism <NUM>. The looking mechanism <NUM> is arranged to releasably hold the cross member <NUM> proximate upper ends of the support posts <NUM>. In this embodiment a locking mechanism <NUM> is disposed in an upper region of each of the support posts <NUM>. The locking mechanism <NUM> comprises a retaining pin <NUM> that is moveable between an extended position, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, and a retracted position, shown in <FIG>. In the extended position an end <NUM> of the retaining pin <NUM> protrudes from the support post <NUM>. In the retracted position the end <NUM> of the retaining pin <NUM> does not protrude from the support post <NUM>. The retaining pin <NUM> may be fully housed within the support post <NUM> in the retracted position.

As shown most clearly in <FIG>, each end of the cross member <NUM> includes a passage or recess <NUM> for receiving the end <NUM> of the retaining pin <NUM>. The recess <NUM> is preferably provided in the engagement element <NUM>. In this embodiment, the internal surface <NUM> of the annular element <NUM> includes the recess <NUM> for receiving the retaining pin <NUM>. With the end <NUM> of the retaining pin <NUM> engaged in the recess <NUM>, the cross member <NUM> is unable to return to the lowered position and is retained in the raised position.

In this embodiment the retaining pin <NUM> is biased into the extended position. The locking mechanism <NUM> preferably includes a biasing member, such as a spring (not shown), that is arranged to urge the retaining pin <NUM> into the extended position. The spring may be disposed around a part of the retaining pin <NUM> or the spring may be disposed between a rear end <NUM> of the retaining pin <NUM> and a part of the support post <NUM>, for example in a spring housing <NUM>.

As shown most clearly in <FIG> and <FIG>, in this embodiment the end <NUM> of the retaining pin <NUM> includes a chamfered surface <NUM>. As the cross member <NUM> is raised from its lowered position, a surface of the cross member <NUM> contacts the chamfered surface <NUM>. Due to the angle of the chamfered surface <NUM>, continued movement of the cross member <NUM> in an upwards direction causes the retaining pin <NUM> to move towards its retracted position. When the retaining pin <NUM> is aligned with the recess <NUM> in the cross member <NUM>, the retaining pin <NUM> is urged back into the extended position to engage in the recess <NUM>. In this embodiment it is a surface of the engagement element <NUM> or annular element <NUM> that contacts and applies a force to the retaining pin <NUM>.

To release the retaining pin <NUM> from the recess <NUM> and allow the cross member <NUM> to be moved to the lowered position, the locking mechanism <NUM> comprises a button <NUM> connected to an actuator <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> is arranged to apply a force to the retaining pin <NUM> to move the retaining pin <NUM> into the retracted position when the button <NUM> is pressed. The actuator <NUM> is arranged to move between a released position and an engaged position. In the released position the actuator <NUM> applies no or minimal force to the retaining pin <NUM>. In the engaged position the actuator <NUM> applies a force to the retaining pin <NUM> to urge the retaining pin <NUM> in a direction towards its retracted position. The retaining pin <NUM> preferably includes a projection <NUM> extending radially outwards from a shaft of the retaining pin <NUM>. In this embodiment the projection <NUM> is in the form of an angled flange or skirt. The actuator <NUM> preferably includes a head <NUM> that engages with the projection <NUM>. In this embodiment the actuator head <NUM> comprises an angled surface <NUM> that contacts a surface of the projection <NUM>. When the button <NUM> is pressed the actuator <NUM> moves in a first direction into the engaged position, which causes the surface <NUM> of the actuator head <NUM> to apply a force to the surface of the projection <NUM> to move the retaining pin <NUM> in a direction towards its retracted position. Preferably the actuator <NUM> is biased to return to the released position upon release of the button <NUM>. Accordingly, the locking mechanism <NUM> may include a biasing member (not shown), preferably in the form of a spring, arranged to urge the actuator <NUM> into the released position.

In other embodiments the locking mechanism may be provided in the cross member. For example, retaining pins may project from ends of the cross member and engage with openings in the support posts. Buttons may be provided on the cross member to retract the retaining pins into the cross member to disengage then from the support posts and allow the cross member to be lowered.

The side rail assembly <NUM> is preferably removably attached to a bed frame. The side rail assembly <NUM> therefore preferably comprises at least two attachment arms <NUM> for securing the side rail assembly <NUM> to a bed frame. The attachment arms <NUM> may include clamping elements <NUM> arranged to clamp a part of the bed frame. In other embodiments the side rail assembly <NUM> may be permanently attached to a bed frame.

The side rail assembly <NUM> may additionally include a cover (not shown) arranged to extend over the support posts <NUM>, cross member <NUM> and flexible panel <NUM> when the side rail assembly <NUM> is in the collapsed configuration. The cover may be fully removable when the side rail assembly <NUM> is in use, or the cover may remain connected to a part of the side rail assembly and may, for example, be hingedly connected to the base member <NUM> or lower members <NUM>.

In use, to move the side rail assembly from the collapsed configuration to the raised configuration a user firstly raises the upper members <NUM> of the support posts <NUM>. The user then grips the handles <NUM> or another part of the cross member <NUM> and lifts the cross member <NUM> so that the engagement elements <NUM> slide up the support posts <NUM>. As the cross member <NUM> is raised, the flexible panel <NUM> is also raised and flattens. The attachment members <NUM> connected to the lateral edges <NUM> of the flexible panel <NUM> slide up the longitudinal channel <NUM> to retain the lateral edges <NUM> of the flexible panel <NUM> in close proximity to the support posts <NUM>. The cross member <NUM> is raised until the retaining pins <NUM> engage with the cross member <NUM>. The cross member is then held in the raised position.

To return the side rail assembly <NUM> to the collapsed position from the raised position, a user presses the buttons <NUM> to disengage the retaining pins <NUM>. The cross member <NUM> may then be lowered. As the cross member <NUM> moves downwardly, the attachment members <NUM> connected to the lateral edges <NUM> of the flexible panel <NUM> slide down the longitudinal channel <NUM> and the flexible panel <NUM> collapses or folds below the cross member <NUM>. Once the engagement elements <NUM> are engaged with the lower members <NUM> below the first hinge portions <NUM>, the upper members <NUM> of the support posts <NUM> can be lowered to lie over the cross member <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that during use of the side rail assembly the upper members <NUM> of the support posts <NUM> may remain in their raised positions and the cross member <NUM> may be simply raised and lowered as desired. In other words, the side rail assembly <NUM> may just move between the lowered configuration and the raised configuration. When greater or easier access to a person on the bed is required however, for example in the case of an emergency, the support posts <NUM> can be lowered quickly and easily to gain the necessary access.

Claim 1:
A side rail assembly (<NUM>) for a bed comprising:
- a pair of upright support posts (<NUM>), each of the support posts comprising:
- a lower member (<NUM>), the lower member extending longitudinally between first and second ends, the first end of the lower member including a first hinge portion (<NUM>); and
- an upper member (<NUM>), the upper member extending longitudinally between first and second ends, the second end of the upper member including a second hinge portion (<NUM>); and
- a cross member (<NUM>) extending between the support posts (<NUM>) and being slidably connected at each of its ends to a respective one of the support posts (<NUM>);
wherein, the second hinge portion (<NUM>) is engaged with the first hinge portion (<NUM>) to hingedly connect the upper member (<NUM>) to the lower member (<NUM>) such that each upper member (<NUM>) is movable with respect to the corresponding lower member (<NUM>) between a lowered position in which a longitudinal axis of the upper member (<NUM>) extends transverse to a longitudinal axis of the lower member (<NUM>) and a raised position in which the longitudinal axis of the upper member (<NUM>) extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lower member (<NUM>), and
wherein the cross member (<NUM>) is moveable between a lowered position in which the ends of the cross member (<NUM>) are engaged with the lower members (<NUM>) of the support posts (<NUM>) and a raised position in which the ends of the cross member (<NUM>) are engaged with the upper members (<NUM>) of the support posts (<NUM>),
characterized in that the side rail assembly (<NUM>) further comprises:
- a flexible panel (<NUM>) attached along a first edge to the cross member (<NUM>) so as to extend in a lateral direction between the support posts (<NUM>), the flexible panel (<NUM>) including opposite first and second lateral edges (<NUM>); and
- an attachment member (<NUM>) connected to each of the first and second lateral edges (<NUM>), a part of each attachment member (<NUM>) being slidably engaged with a respective one of the support posts (<NUM>),
wherein when the cross member (<NUM>) is in the lowered position the attachment members (<NUM>) are engaged with the lower members (<NUM>) of the support posts (<NUM>) and when the cross member (<NUM>) is in the raised position the attachment members (<NUM>) are engaged with the upper members (<NUM>) of the support posts (<NUM>).