Patent ID: 8539625

Claim:
A gap shield assembly for shielding side access to an open area between a first section of a bed and an adjacent second section of the bed, the first and second sections of the bed having a support deck to support a mattress, comprising: a first shield member positioned adjacent a first side of the bed and exterior of the support deck of the bed, the first shield member orientated transverse to the support deck; a second shield member positioned adjacent the first side of the bed and exterior of the support deck of the bed, the second shield member orientated transverse to the support deck, the first shield member 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; and, a width extender assembly connecting 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 side access to the open area between the first and second sections of the bed.