Patent ID: 7536738

Claim:
A patient helper apparatus comprising: a bracket mountable to a bed, a portion of the bracket defining a vertical axis extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a bed; a support arm coupled to the bracket and configured to rotate about the vertical axis within a predefined rotational range, the support arm including a substantially horizontal first section positionable above and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bed when the support arm is in a first position and substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bed when the support arm is in a second position; a quick-release mechanism comprising a pin insertable into an aperture defined by the support arm and insertable into an aperture defined by the bracket to releasably secure the support arm in a predefined rotational position; and a handle assembly movably coupled to the first section of the support arm and configured to be gripped by a patient in the bed.