Patent ID: 7302720

Claim:
In combination, a bed rail and a button mechanism that controls sliding between two sliding members in the bed rail, comprising: a) a first outer member having a first opening, with the first opening having two opposing first and second edges; b) a second inner member having a second opening, with the second member slideably engaged with the first member, with the second opening having two opposing first and second edges; c) a depressable button engaged to the second inner member, with the button extendable through the first and second openings, with the button having an inclined surface such that when the first edge of the first opening confronts said inclined surface said first edge of the first opening runs over said inclined surface and simultaneously depresses the button into the second inner member such that the first outer member and second inner member can slide automatically relative to each other in a first direction, with the button having an upright vertically extending first surface such that when the second edge of the first opening confronts said upright vertically extending first surface said second edge of the first opening is stopped by said vertically extending first upright surface of said button such that the first outer member and second inner member cannot slide automatically relative to each other in a second direction; d) wherein the depressable button further includes an upright vertically extending second surface; e) wherein said first outer member and second inner member cannot slide automatically relative to each other in the second direction when 1) the second edge of the first opening engages the vertically extending first upright surface of said button and 2) the first edge of the second opening engages the vertically extending second upright surface of said button; f) wherein said first outer member and second inner member can slide automatically relative to each other when the first edge of the first opening engages the inclined surface of the depressable button; g) wherein said first outer member includes a plurality of first openings such that the button can slide automatically from one first opening to a second first opening; h) wherein the bed rail comprises a rail portion engaged to a leg portion, wherein the leg portion comprises the first outer member and second inner member; and i) wherein said depressable button is oriented in said second inner member such that: I. said first outer member and second inner member can slide automatically to decrease a length of said leg portion; II. said first outer member and second inner member cannot slide automatically to increase a length of said leg portion; and III. said depressable button must be depressed to permit first outer member and second inner member to slide relative to each other to increase a length of said leg portion.