Patent ID: 6952847

Claim:
A portable apparatus engageable with a bed and for assisting to maintain a person thereon, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of padded members having a plurality of centrally disposed longitudinal axes respectively, said plurality of padded members including top and bottom edge portions substantially equally spaced from the corresponding axis and extending substantially parallel thereto respectively, said plurality of padded members including front and rear end portions integral with said top and bottom edge portions, said plurality of padded members further including a plurality of fastening members attached thereto; a plurality of support bars connectable to said plurality of padded members via said plurality of fastening members respectively and for maintaining same at a substantially secure position, said plurality of support bars having opposed end portions rotatably engageable with each other respectively adjacent said front and rear end portions respectively, select ones of said end portions including a plurality of notches spaced thereabout and being positionable below a mattress to thereby prevent said plurality of padded members from moving beyond a fixed position; and means for selectively locking said plurality of support bars at predetermined positions so that said plurality of padded members can be selectively maintained thereagainst and at predetermined positions, said locking means comprising a plurality of guide members secured to said plurality of support bars; a plurality of elongated locking bars removably positionable through said plurality of guide members respectively, said plurality of locking bars including bottom end portions selectively positionable within said plurality of notches as said plurality of support bars are pivoted in an arcuate path; a plurality of spring members positioned between said plurality of end portions and select ones of said plurality of guide members, said plurality of spring members being compressed and creating a resistive force when said plurality of locking bars are lifted outwardly from said plurality of notches until said plurality of locking bars are returned to an original position wherein said plurality of spring members become uncompressed.