Bed siderails

Abstract

Several patient supports are provided having a head end and a foot end. The patient supports includes a frame, a deck being supported on the frame, and a several embodiments of siderails coupled to the deck.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to patient supports, such as hospital beds. More particularly, the present invention relates to beds having siderails.

[0003] Many beds have patient rest surfaces that may be positioned at a predetermined height above the floor. Such beds often include siderails positioned to block egress of a person from the patient rest surface. The patient rest surface of many such beds can be lowered to reduce the distance between the patient rest surface and the floor. Many beds can be adjusted to change the configuration of the patient rest surface from a relatively flat bed position to a chair-like position.

[0004] The siderails of these beds can typically be moved to a lowered position permitting egress of a person from the patient rest surface and a raised position blocking the egress of the patient from the patient rest surface. Beds having siderails positioned to block egress of a person positioned on a patient rest surface are known in the art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,843 to Foster L. Dale et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,800 to Borders, and U. S. Pat. No. 5,129,177 to Celestina et al., all of which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,010 to Ferrand et al.

[0005] According to the present invention, a patient support is provided that is configured to support a patient thereon. The patient support includes a frame, a deck supported by the frame, and a siderail coupled to the deck. The siderail includes a rail member and a support link. The rail member has a first end slidably coupled to the deck and a second end spaced apart from the first end. The support link has a first end pivotally coupled to the rail member and a second end spaced apart from the first end and pivotally coupled to the deck.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, another patient support is provided that is configured to support a patient thereon. The patient support includes a frame, a deck supported by the frame, and a siderail coupled to the deck. The siderail includes a rail member configured to move between first and second positions and a coupler configured to couple the rail member to the deck. The coupler includes a lock member and a slide member. The lock member is configured to move between a locked position blocking movement of the rail member and a unlocked position permitting movement of the rail member. The slide member defines an involute slot that guides the lock member during movement of the rail member between the raised and lowered positions.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, a patient support is provided that is configured to support a patient. The patient support includes a frame, a deck supported by the frame, and a siderail coupled to the deck. The siderail includes a rail member having a longitudinal axis and laterally extending handle coupled to the rail member.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, a patient support is provided that is configured to support a patient. The patient support includes a frame, a deck supported by the frame, and a siderail. The siderail includes a rail member, a slide track coupled to the frame, and a slide configured to slidably couple the rail member to the slide track. The rail member is removably coupled to the slide.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, another patient support is provided that is configured to support a patient, the patient support includes a frame, a deck supported by the frame, a siderail coupled to the deck, a mattress, and first and second mattress restraints positioned to block movement of the mattress on the deck, the first mattress defines an opening and the second mattress restraint is positioned adjacent the opening of the first mattress restraint.

[0010] Additional features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a first embodiment patient support showing the patient support including a frame and a head and foot end siderails in lowered positions permitting egress of a person from the patient support;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the head and foot end siderails in raised positions blocking egress of a person from the patient support;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 1 showing the patient support in a chair position with head, thigh, and foot sections of a deck in inclined positions and the head and foot end siderails in the raised positions;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the deck in a flat bed position, the head end siderail in the raised position, and the foot end siderail in the lowered position;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a second embodiment patient support showing the patient support including a frame, a deck in a flat bed position, a head end siderail in a blocking position, and a foot end siderail in an egress position;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the patient support in a chair position with head, thigh, and foot sections of the deck in inclined positions, the head end siderail rotated to an egress position, and the foot end siderail rotated to a blocking position;

[0018] FIG. 7 is a side view of the foot end siderail of FIG. 5, with portions cut away, showing a coupler including a holding pin or hold member supporting a lock member in an unlocked position;

[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the foot end siderail of FIG. 5 showing a spring urging the lock member downward;

[0020] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the foot end siderail rotated to the egress position;

[0021] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the coupler of the siderail of FIG. 5;

[0022] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a slide plate of the coupler shown in FIG. 10 showing the hold member in several locations as the siderail moves from the blocking position to the egress position;

[0023] FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing the hold member in several locations as the siderail moves from the egress position to the blocking;

[0024] FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of a third embodiment patient support showing the patient support including a frame, a deck in a flat bed position, and head and foot end siderails in blocking positions;

[0025] FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing the head and foot end siderails rotated to egress positions;

[0026] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of patient support of FIG. 13 showing the patient support in a chair position with head, thigh, and foot sections of the deck in inclined positions and the head and foot end siderail rotated to the blocking position;

[0027] FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 showing the deck in the bed position and the head and foot siderails in the blocking position;

[0028] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the siderail of FIGS. 13;

[0029] FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of a fourth embodiment patient support showing the patient support including a frame, a deck in a flat bed position, and head and foot end siderails in egress positions;

[0030] FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 showing the head and foot end side rails in a blocking positions;

[0031] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of patient support of FIG. 18 showing the patient support in a chair position with head, thigh, and foot sections of the deck in inclined positions and the head and foot end siderail rotated to the blocking positions;

[0032] FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 20 showing the patient support in the bed position with the head and foot end siderails in the blocking positions;

[0033] FIG. 22 is an assembly view of a portion of a deck and a siderail according to another embodiment of the present disclosure showing the siderail including a slide coupled to the deck and rail member aligned to be coupled to the slide;

[0034] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the slide of FIG. 22;

[0035] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 24-24 of FIG. 22 showing the rail member coupled to the slide;

[0036] FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 24;

[0037] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of another embodiment patient support showing the patient support including frame, a deck in a flat bed position, a pair of head end siderails in a blocking position, one foot end siderail in a blocking position, one foot end siderail in a egress position, and a pair of mattress restraints or bars positioned adjacent to a mattress;

[0038] FIG. 27 is a side elevation view of the patient support of FIG. 30;

[0039] FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view showing the pair of mattress restraints positioned adjacent to the mattress;

[0040] FIG. 29 is a side elevation view of a fifth embodiment patient support showing the patient support including a frame, a deck in a flat bed position and head and foot end siderails in egress positions;

[0041] FIG. 30 is a view similar to FIG. 29 showing the head and foot end side rails in a blocking positions;

[0042] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of patient support of FIG. 29 showing the patient support in a chair position with head, thigh, and foot sections of the deck in inclined positions and the head and foot end siderail rotated to the blocking positions; and

[0043] FIG. 32 is a view similar to FIG. 31 showing the patient support in the bed position with the head and foot end siderails in the blocking positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a patient support 10 is provided including a frame 12 positioned on the floor, a deck 14 coupled to the frame 12, a mattress 16 positioned on the deck 14, a headboard 18 coupled to the frame 12, a footboard 20 coupled to the frame 12, and two pairs of head and foot end siderails 22, 24 coupled to the deck 14. The frame 12 is configured to raise and lower the deck 14 relative to the floor and to move the deck 14 to the Trendelenburg position, the Reverse Trendelenburg position, the Fowler's position, a chair position, as shown in FIG. 3, and other positions.

[0045] Each of the siderails 22, 24 includes a rail member 26, a link 28 pivotally coupled to the deck 14 and the rail member 26, a first pin 30 that pivotally couples the link 28 to the rail member 26, and a second pin 32 that slides on the deck 14 to slidably and pivotally couple the rail member 26 to the deck 14. The rail member 26 is preferably constructed from a hardened or reinforced plastic, or metal.

[0046] The rail member 26 is oblong in shape and includes handle portions 34 that cooperate to define first and second handle apertures 36, 38 that extend through the rail members 26. The first handle apertures 36 are preferably in oval-shaped and positioned at the interior ends of the rail members 26. The second handle apertures 38 are preferably longer and thinner than the first handle apertures 36 and are positioned substantially within the upper portions of the rail members 26.

[0047] The first pin 30 is preferably positioned at the center of mass of the rail member 26. This positioning balances the rail member 26 on the first pin 30 so that less effort is required to rotate the rail member 26 about the first pin 30. The second pin 32 is preferably positioned on the exterior ends of the rail members 26 as shown in FIG. 1. The link 28 is preferably a long and narrow bar made of steel or another metal and is pivotally coupled to the deck 14 and the rail member 26 at each of its respective ends.

[0048] The deck 14 includes slots 40 in which the second pins 32 slide during movement of the rail members 26 between the lowered egress positions, as shown in FIG. 1, and the raised blocking position, as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, the second pins 32 fit snugly in the slots 40 so that movement of the second pins 32 in the slots 40 is restricted. This restriction maintains the rail members 26 in their respective positions until enough force is applied to the second pins 32 to move them in the slots 40 permitting raising and lower of the rail members 26.

[0049] The slots 40 are preferably horizontal. The formation of the slots 40 in the deck 14 creates a track 42 for the second pins 32 to travel along and holds the second pins 32 therein. According to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the pin includes a roller that rides in the track 42 to provide the sliding and rotating movement of the rail member 26 on the deck. According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the attachment of the rail members 26 to the deck is accomplished by track type friction hinges.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the siderails 20, 22 move between the raised blocking position and the lowered egress position. Additionally, the siderails 20, 22 are configured to move to an infinite number of intermediate positions between the blocking and egress positions. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the siderails 22, 24 is able to move independently to the other siderails 22, 24.

[0051] In operation, the siderails 22, 24 are placed in the lowered egress position to facilitate ingress and egress from the patient support 10. Once a patient has entered the patient support 10, a care provider raises the siderails 22, 24 to the raised blocking position to block the patient from egressing from the patient support 10.

[0052] The siderails 22, 24 are raised by the care provider grasping and raising one of the handle portions 34 of the rail members 26. The interior ends of the rail are raised by the links 28 rotating relative to the rail member 26 and the deck 14. The exterior ends of the rail members 26 are restrained from raising by second pins 32 that are constrained to ride in the tracks 42. However, the exterior ends of the rail members are permitted to move inward away from the respective head and foot boards 18, 20 during the raising of the siderails 22, 24. These constraints cause the rail member 26 to rotate from a substantially horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 1, to an inclined position, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0053] The siderails 22, 24 are lowered by pressing downward upon the interior ends of the rail members 26. During lowering, the second pins 32 move along the track 42 within the slots 40 away from the point where the respective links 28 connect to the deck 14.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 3, the deck 14 is configured to move to a chair position with head, thigh, and foot sections inclined to support a patient's back in an inclined position and to raise the patients lower leg's and feet. During movement of the deck to the chair and other positions, the siderails 22, 24 maintain their position relative to the section of the deck 14 to which that siderail 22, 24 is coupled.

[0055] When the head section is raised to the fully inclined position, as shown in FIG. 3, the rail member 26 of the siderail 22 is substantially horizontal. After the head section is lowered back to a substantially horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 4, the rail member 26 of the siderail 22 is positioned back at an angle of 45° relative to horizontal.

[0056] A second embodiment patient support 110 is shown in FIGS. 5. Patient support 110, similar to the patient support 10 shown in FIGS. 1-4, includes the frame 12 positioned on the floor, the deck 14 coupled to the frame 12, the mattress 16 positioned on the deck 14, the headboard 18 coupled to the frame 12, the footboard 20 coupled to the frame 12, and a pair of head and foot ends siderails 122, 124 coupled to the deck 14.

[0057] Each pair of the siderails 122, 124 includes a rail member 126 and a coupler 128 that pivotally couples the rail member 126 to the deck. The coupler 128 includes a lock 129 that is configured to block pivoting of the rail member 126. The rail member 126 includes a top rail member 130, three slats 132, 134, 136 and a support bar 138 that couples the top rail member 130 and slats 132, 134, 136 to the coupler 128. The top rail member 130 is preferably made of wood and the slats 132, 134, 136 and the support bar 138 are preferably made of steel.

[0058] The coupler 128 further includes a pivot pin 140 that extends through support bar 138. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, pivot pin 140 permits support bar 138 and the remainder of the rail member 126 to rotate thereabout between the raised, blocking position and the lowered, egress position.

[0059] The support bar 138 is preferably a rectangular tube that defines a cavity 142 therein. The support bar 138 includes a pair of slots 144 (only one shown) on opposite sides of the support bar 138 through which a latch pin 146 extends. The support bar 138 also has a hold pin aperture 148 defined therein. The hold pin aperture 148 is preferably round and sized to receive a portion of a spring biased hold pin or hold member 150 coupled to support bar 138.

[0060] The lock 129 includes an lock member 152 positioned in the cavity 142 of support bar 138, a spring 154 positioned to bias the lock member 152 toward pivot pin 140, a slide member or cam plate 156, and the spring biased hold pin 150. The lock member 152 includes a tubular member 158 and a latch pin 160 that extends through tubular member 158 and slots 144. As shown in FIG. 7, a lower sidewall of tubular member 158 is open so that hold pin 150 extends into tubular member 158 and contacts latch pin 160. The latch pin 160 is preferably a round rod that is rigidly coupled to a lower end of tubular member 158.

[0061] The hold pin 150 is positioned to contact and hold the latch pin 160 in a desired position. The hold pin 150 includes a pin member 162 that is positioned to contact the latch pin 160 and a mount 164 coupled to the support bar 138. The pin member 162 is substantially cylinder-shaped and includes a rounded end. The pin member 162 is positioned to extend through hold pin aperture 148 so that the rounded end is positioned adjacent to the latch pin 160

[0062] The pin member 162 slides relative to the mount 164. A spring (not shown) is positioned in the mount 164 to bias the pin member 162 toward the latch pin 160. Thus, if enough force is applied to the pin member 162, it will move toward the mount. However, the spring will bias the pin member 162 away from the mount 164 when the force is removed.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cam plate 156 is preferably formed from a substantially flat piece of metal or other rigid matter and includes a semicircular upper flange 166 and a lower flange 168. The lower flange 168 is welded or otherwise coupled to the deck 14 to rigidly support the upper flange 166 on the deck 14.

[0064] The semi-circular flange 166 includes a pivot pin-receiving aperture 170 and a latch pin-receiving slot 172. The pin-receiving aperture 170 is circular and sized to receive the pivot pin 140 of the rail member 126 therein so that the pivot pin 140 is free to rotate therein. Thus, the pivot pin 140 pivotally couples the rail member 126 to the cam plate 156 which is rigidly coupled to the deck 14. This coupling permits the siderails 122, 124 to rotate between the raised, blocking position and the lowered, egress position.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 11, the latch-pin receiving slot 172 is sized to permit travel of the latch pin 160 therein and includes a first lock notch portion 174, a second lock notch portion 176, a curved involute portion 178, and a clearance notch portion 180. The first and second notch portions 174, 176 extend radially inwardly from the involute portion 178 at an angle of approximately 90° from each other. The involute portion 178 extends between the first 174 and second 176 notch portions and has a radius of curvature that decreases as the involute portion 178 extends from the first notch portion 174 to the second notch portion 176.

[0066] The first and second notch portions 174, 176 have a depth of approximately one and a half times the diameter of the latch pin 160. The clearance portion 180 has a depth of approximately the diameter of the latch pin 160. The involute portion 178 has a width slightly larger than the diameter of the latch pin 160. The lock pin 160 extends through the slot 172 of the cam plate 156.

[0067] FIGS. 7 and 8 show the siderail 24 the raised, blocking position. When in this position, the latch pin 160 is positioned above the pin-receiving aperture 170 as shown in FIG. 11. The pin member 162 initially holds the latch pin 160 from dropping into first notched portion 174. However, when a caregiver pushes down on the latch pin 160, enough force is provided to move the pin member 162 against the bias of the spring. This movement of the pin member 162 of the hold pin 150 permits the latch pin 160 to drop into the first notched portion 174. When positioned in the first notch portion 174, the latch pin 160 blocks movement of the rail member 126 from the raised, blocking position.

[0068] To move the rail member 126 to the lowered, egress position, a caregiver must first remove the latch pin 160 from the first notch portion 174. The user moves the latch pin 160 upward so that the latch pin 160 moves into contact with the pin member 162. This contact pushes the pin member 162 against the bias of the spring permitting the pin member 162 to move past the pin member 162 and out of first notch portion 174 so that the latch pin 160 is positioned above the pin member 162 in the involute portion 178. Because the latch pin 160 is positioned in the involute portion 178, a user can rotate the rail member 126 to the lowered, egress position.

[0069] When the latch pin 160 moves past the pin member 162, the spring pushes the pin member 162 inwardly in direction 164. In this position, the pin member 162 keeps the latch pin 160 from falling back into the notched portion. The raising of latch pin 160 also raises the lock member 152 and compresses spring 154. The compression of spring 154 does not exert enough force on the lock member to overcome the bias exerted on the pin member 162 by the hold spring. Thus, the latch pin 160 remains in the involute portion 178 of slot 172.

[0070] To move the rail member 126 to the lowered, egress position, the caregiver pushes on the rail member 126 so that it rotates in a clockwise direction 184 about pivot pin 140. As the rail member 126 rotates, the lock pin 160 travels within the slot 172 as shown in FIG. 11.

[0071] Because the involute portion 178 has a radius of curvature that decreases as it extends in the clockwise direction, the latch pin 160 is pushed toward the pivot pin 140 as it rotates with the rail member 126 in the clockwise direction 184. Initially, the latch pin 160 contacts an edge 186 of upper flange 166 that defines involute portion 178. As the latch pin 160 continues to rotate with the rail member 126, the edge 186 pushes the latch pin 160 closer to the pivot pin 140 because the distance of the edge 186 from the pivot pin 140 decreases.

[0072] After a predetermined degree of rotation, the pivot pin 140 is pushed past the pin member 162 permitting the spring 154 to push the latch pin 160 into contact with an inner edge 188 opposite outer edge 186. As the rail member 126 is rotated further, the latch pin 160 is positioned over second notch portion 176 and the spring 154 pushes the latch pin 160 down into second notch portion 176. When positioned in the second notch portion 176, the latch pin 160 blocks rotation of the rail member 126 from the lowered, egress position.

[0073] To move the rail member 126 back to the raised, blocking position, the latch pin 160 must first be removed from the second notch portion 176 to permit rotation of the rail member 126 in a counterclockwise direction 190. To move the latch pin 160 from the second notch portion 176, a caregiver pulls the latch pin 160 into the clearance notch 180, as shown in FIG. 12. During this movement, the latch pin 160 passes over the pin member 162 of hold member 150 which prevents the latch pin 160 from dropping back into the second notch 176 after the user releases it.

[0074] Because the latch pin 160 is no longer positioned in the second notch portion 176, a caregiver can rotate the rail member back to the raised, blocking position. When the rail member 126 is first rotated in the counterclockwise direction 190, latch pin 160 contacts outer edge 186. This pushes latch pin 160 inwardly forcing the pin member 162 against the bias of the hold member spring.

[0075] Eventually, latch pin 160 rides past the pin member 162 and spring 154 forces latch pin 160 against inner edge 188. However, because the inner edge is spaced apart further from the pivot pin 140 as it extends away from second notch portion 176, it pushes the latch pin 160 back over the pin member 162. With further rotation, the latch pin 160 is again held in position by the pin member 162. Thus, when the rail member 126 is fully rotated to the raised, blocking position, the latch member 160 is prevented from falling down into the first notch portion 174 and prevents automatic locking of the rail member 126. To lock the rail member 126 in the raised, blocking position, the car giver must push down on latch pin 160 until it is pushed past the pin member and it drops into the first notch portion 174 with the assistance of spring 154.

[0076] The locking of rail member 126 into either the raised, blocking position or the lowered, egress position, allows the rail member 126 to remain fixed relative to the section of the deck 14 to which the rail member 126 is attached. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the patient support 110 articulates to a chair position, the support arm 138 of the rail member 126 remains parallel to the section of the deck to which it is coupled.

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 13-16, a patient support 210, similar to the patient support 10 shown in FIGS. 1-6, is provided. Patient support 210 includes the frame 12 positioned on the floor, the deck 14 coupled to the frame 12, the mattress 16 positioned on the deck 14, the headboard 18 coupled to the frame 12, the footboard 20 coupled to the frame 12, and pairs of head and foot end siderails 222, 224 coupled to the deck 14.

[0078] Siderails 222, 224 are coupled to the deck 14 via a coupler preferably similar to the coupler 128 shown in FIGS. 5-12. According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, other couplers, such as clocking siderails, hinges, or other couplers known to those of ordinary skill in the art are provided.

[0079] Each siderail 222, 224 includes a rail member 226 and a handle 228. The rail member 226 and the handle 228 are preferably constructed from hardened or reinforced plastic, or metal. The rail member 226 is of a sufficient height and width to prevent a patient from egressing from the patient support 210 when the siderails 222, 224 are a raised, blocking position as shown in FIG. 13. A caregiver rotates the siderails 222, 224 to a lowered, egress position, as shown in FIG. 14, to permit a patient to egress from patient support 210.

[0080] The handle 228 is curl-shaped and is approximately circular. As shown in FIG. 14 for foot end siderail 224, the handle 228 defines a plane 230. When siderails 222, 224 are in the raised, blocking position, the plane 230 is parallel to the section of the deck 14 to which it coupled. When a siderail 222, 224 is in the lowered, egress position, the plane 230 is perpendicular to the section of the deck 14 to which the siderail 222, 224 is coupled.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 17, handle 228 is substantially perpendicular to rail member 226 and outwardly sideways or laterally away from rail member 226. When the siderails 222, 224 are in the raised, blocking position, each handle 228 provides an easily graspable surface. Because of the circular configuration, handle 228 can be grasped by a person at many angles. For example, a patient may grasp handle 228 while standing to the left, right, or in front of the handle 228 as still get a full grip on handle 228. Handle 228 also presents an easily graspable surface that facilitates the moving of siderails 222, 224 between the raised, blocking position and the lowered, egress position.

[0082] When one of the siderails 222, 224 is in the lowered, egress position permitting egress or ingress of a person to or from patient support 210, the other siderail 224, 224 is preferably in the raised, blocking position so that the handle of the respective siderail 224, 222 that is in the raised, blocking position is positioned within easy reaching distance of the person. Therefore, the person can rely on the sturdy support provided by the respective handle 228 during egress and ingress from and to the patient support 210.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 15, the deck 14 may be articulated into a chair position or other differently elevated position. Upon articulation of the deck 14, the siderails 222, 224 maintain their position relative to the section of the deck 14 to which that siderail 222, 224 is coupled.

[0084] As shown in FIGS. 18-21, a patient support 310, similar to the patient support 10 shown in FIGS. 1-6, is provided. Patient support 310 includes the frame 12 positioned on the floor, the deck 14 coupled to the frame 12, the mattress 16 positioned on the deck 14, the headboard 18 coupled to the frame 12, the footboard 20 coupled to the frame 12, and pair of head and foot end siderails 322, 324 coupled to the deck 14.

[0085] Each siderail 322, 324 includes a rail member 326 and a pair of links 328 that are pivotally coupled to rail members 326 and deck 14. The rail members 326 are preferably constructed from hardened or reinforced plastic or metal and are preferably oblong in shape. Each rail member 326 includes a pair of oblong apertures 330 that permit a patient or caregiver to grasp a top portion 332 of rail member 326.

[0086] The links 328 are elongated members preferably constructed of steel. The links 328 are approximately as long as the mattress 16 is high. First ends of the links 328 are pivotally coupled to the rail members 326 and second ends of the links 328 are pivotally coupled to the deck 14. The links 328, rail member 326, and deck 14 cooperate to provide a parallel 4-bar linkage that maintains the rail member 326 in a horizontal position during raising and lowering.

[0087] When in the lowered, egress position, the rail members 326 are positioned below the rest surface of the mattress 16 and do not block egress of a person from the patient support 310. When in the raised position, a portion of the rail member 326 extends above the mattress 16 to block egress of a patient from the patient support 310. Preferably, the siderails 322, 324 further includes a latch that maintains the siderail in either the raised, blocking position or the lowered, egress position.

[0088] The deck 14 may be articulated into a chair position, as shown in FIG. 20, or other position. Upon articulation of the deck 14, the siderails 322, 324 maintain their position relative to the section of the deck 14 to which that siderail 322, 324 is coupled.

[0089] As shown in FIGS. 22-24, another siderail 422 is provided coupled to a section of deck 14. The siderail 422 includes a rail member 424, a slide track 426, and a slide 428. The rail member 424 is coupled to the slide 428 which slides on the track 426 between a plurality of positions.

[0090] The rail member 424 includes a support arm 430, three slats 434, 436, 438, and a top rail member 432. An attachment pin 440 and a position pin 442 extend perpendicularly from support arm 430 and couple the rail member 424 to slide 428. The attachment pin 440 is closer to the proximal end of the support arm 430 than is the position pin 442.

[0091] The attachment pin 440 is preferably cylinder-shaped and includes a lock recess 444, as shown in FIG. 24, for retaining the attachment pin 440 in slide 428. The attachment pin 440 has a first end 446 that is fixedly coupled to the support arm 430 and a second end 448 spaced apart from the first end 446. The first end 446 has a first diameter 450.

[0092] The second end 448 of attachment pin 440 is rounded to assist a user during insertion of pin 440 into slide 428. The lock recess 444 is positioned adjacent to the second end 448. The lock recess 444 had a second diameter 454 that is less than first diameter 450. A pair of shoulders 460 are provided at the locations where the second diameter 454 transitions to the first diameter 450.

[0093] The position pin 442 is preferably a cylindrical post of multiple diameters similar to the attachment pin 440. The position pin 442 has a first end 462 that is fixedly coupled to the support arm 430 and a second end 464 spaced apart from the first end 462. The position pin 442 has a first diameter 466, preferably equal to the first diameter 450 of the attachment pin 440. The position pin 442 is shorter than the attachment pin 440.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 26, the slide track 426 includes two rails 470, 472, a base plate 474, a first end plate 476, and a second end plate 478. The base plate 474 is preferably a long rectangular piece of metal coupled to the frame 12 of the patient support 10 by a bracket 480. The base plate 474 has a first end 482 positioned nearest the headboard 18 end of the patient support 10 and a second end 484 positioned nearest the footboard 20 end of the patient support 10.

[0095] The base plate 474 includes a plurality of pin-receiving apertures 486. According to the preferred embodiment, there are two pin-receiving apertures 486 defined in the base plate 474, one near each end 482, 484. According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, additional pin-receiving apertures are provided at regular or other intervals, such as two inches, along the base plate 474.

[0096] The first and second end plates 476, 478 are preferably smaller pieces of flat rectangular metal plate that are coupled to the respective first and second ends 482, 484 of the base plate 474. The first and second ends plates 476, 478 are longer than the base plate 474 is wide so that the first and second end plates 476, 478 extend beyond the base plate 474 when centered on first and second ends 482, 484 of the base plate 474.

[0097] The rails 470, 472 are preferably constructed from metal cylindrical rods of constant diameter 488. The rails 470, 472 have a length 489 equal to a length 491 of the base plate 474. The rails 470, 472 extend between the first and second end plates 474, 476 and are parallel so that they have a constant distance therebetween. The rails 470, 472 are also parallel to the base plate 474.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 23, the slide 428 includes two shuttles or guided sleeves 490, 492, an attachment housing 494, a first spring biased pin 496, a second spring biased pin 498, and a pin-receiving plate 500. The sleeves 490, 492 are preferably constructed of metal and are shaped as cylindrical tubes. The sleeves 490, 492 have an inner diameter 502 and an outer diameter 504. The inner diameter 502 is sized to be slightly larger than the diameter 488 of the rails 470, 472 so that the sleeves 490, 492 slide on the rails 470, 472. The outer diameter 504 is sized to provide clearance from the base plate 474 as the sleeves 490, 492 travel along the rails 470, 472. The receiving plate 500 is preferably a flat metal rectangle with rounded corners having a longitudinal axis 506.

[0099] The plate 500 has an attachment bore 508 and a position bore 510 defined therein. The bores 508, 510 are at opposing ends of the plate 500. Further, the bores 508, 510 are spaced apart so as to have a distance between then that is equal to the distance between the attachment pin 440 and the position pin 442. Further, the attachment bore 508 is circular and of a diameter equal to the diameter of the attachment bore 512 of the attachment housing 494. The position bore 510 is circular and of a diameter slightly larger than the diameter 466 of the position pin 442.

[0100] The receiving plate 500 is coupled to the attachment housing 494 so that an attachment pin-receiving aperture 508 is aligned with an attachment pin-receiving aperture 512 of attachment housing 494, preferably by welding, using a fastener, or other coupling method. The plate 500 is positioned so that such that the longitudinal axis 506 is parallel to the rails 470, 472 and position pin-receiving aperture 510 is positioned toward the headboard 18 relative to the attachment bore 508 that is positioned toward the footboard 20.

[0101] The attachment housing 494 is preferably a rectangular metal bar. The housing 494 includes attachment pin-receiving aperture 512 and a spring biased pin-receiving aperture 514 defined therein. The attachment housing 494 is rigidly coupled to both sleeves 490, 492. Thus, when the sleeves 490, 492 move along the rails 470, 472, the housing 494 and sleeves 490, 492 move together. The attachment pin-receiving aperture 512 includes an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the first diameter 450 of the attachment pin 440 of the rail member 424. The spring biased pin-receiving aperture 514 is defined in a lower side of the attachment housing 494 opposite the side that is coupled to the sleeves 490, 492.

[0102] The first spring-biased pin 496 includes an inner housing 516, an outer housing 518, a pin member 521 positioned in a pin-receiving aperture 520 in the inner housing 516, and a spring 519. The outer housing 518 is preferably a cube and constructed from metal. The outer housing 518 is fixedly coupled to the side of the attachment housing 494 containing the pin-receiving aperture 514 so that the pin-receiving aperture 520 of the inner housing 516 aligns with the pin-receiving aperture 514 of the attachment housing 494. According to the preferred embodiment, the first pin housing 496 and the attachment housing 494 are constructed of one solid piece as shown in FIG. 28 and the inner housing 516 is positioned in the outer housing 518 during assembly.

[0103] The pin-receiving aperture 520 of the inner housing 516 is preferably circular and of a constant diameter 522 that is slightly larger than the pin-receiving aperture 514 of the attachment housing 494. A shoulder 524 is provided at the location where the pin-receiving aperture 520 of the pin housing 496 meets the pin-receiving aperture 514 of the attachment housing 494.

[0104] The pin member 521 includes a knob 526, a shaft 528, and a coil spring retention pin 530. The shaft 528 is preferably a metal cylinder having a first end 532 and a second end 534 spaced apart from the first end 532. The shaft 528 is preferably of a diameter less than the diameter of the pin-receiving aperture 514 of the attachment housing 494. The shaft 528 is longer than the combined lengths of both pin-receiving apertures 514, 520. The knob 526 is a graspable disk, preferably of metal, that is attached to the first 532 end of the shaft 528. The knob 526 is preferably of a diameter larger than the diameter of the shaft 526, but smaller than a side of the first pin housing 496. The spring retention pin 530 is preferably positioned near the second end 534 of the shaft 528.

[0105] The spring 519 has a first end 536 and a second end 538 spaced apart from the first end 536. The spring 519 has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft 528 of the pin 160, but smaller than the length of the retention pin 530. The spring 519 is placed around the pin member 521 so that the pin member 521 is positioned within the coils of the spring 519 and the second end 538 of the spring 519 abuts the retention pin 530.

[0106] The inner housing 516 is preferably cylindrical, made of metal, and has a multi-diameter bore 540 defined therein. The inner housing 516 is of a diameter sized to snugly fit within the outer housing 496. The bore 540 is comprised of a first section 542 and a second section 544, each having a different diameter. The first section 542 of the bore 540 is positioned toward the first end 532 of the shaft 528, defines a circle, and is sized to have a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft 528 so as to allow the shaft to move therein. The second section 544 of the bore 540 has a larger diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of the spring 519. A shoulder 546 is defined at the location where the two sections 542, 544 meet.

[0107] When in use, the pin 521 and the spring 519 are positioned in the inner housing 516 which is positioned in the outer housing 518. The first end 536 of the spring 519 abuts the shoulder 546 and the second end 538 abuts retention pin 530 to compress the spring 519 therebetween. The compression of the spring 519 biases the pin member 521 upwardly in direction 548 into attachment pin-receiving aperture 512 and lock recess 444 of attachment pin 440. When pin member 521 is positioned in lock recess 444, attachment pin 440 is blocked from removal from attachment pin-receiving aperture 512 so that siderail 422 cannot be removed from deck 14.

[0108] When a user applies a downward force to the pin 521 in a direction 550 that is greater than the force provided by the spring 519, the pin 521 moves to a second position (not shown). When in the second position, the pin 521 no longer blocks movement of the attachment pin 440 from the attachment pin-receiving aperture 512 so that siderail 422 can be removed from deck 14.

[0109] The second spring-biased pin 498 is similar to first spring-biased pin 496 and includes a pin member 547 that is biased upwardly in direction 548 and aligns with apertures 486 in plate 474. The spring-biased pin 498 is coupled to a side of the attachment housing 494 such that the second pin housing 498 is centered over the base plate 474 and a bottom edge 552 of the second spring-biased pin 498 slides on the base plate 474.

[0110] When the second spring-biased pin 498 is positioned over either of the pin-receiving apertures 486 in base plate 474, pin member 547 snaps into the respective aperture 486 and blocks sliding of siderail 422. To slide siderail 422 to the other position, pin member 547 is pulled downwardly in direction 550 to remove the opposite end of pin member 547 from the respective aperture 486. When pin member 547 is removed, a care provider can slide the siderail 422 to the other position.

[0111] In operation, the rail member 424 is coupled to the slide 428 to provide slidable siderail 422. To attach the rail member 424, the second end 448 of the attachment pin 440 is inserted into the attachment bores 508, 512 of respective receiving plate 500 and attachment housing 494. The position pin 442 is also inserted into the position pin-receiving aperture 510 of the receiving plate 500.

[0112] As the second end 448 of the attachment pin 440 moves into the attachment pin-receiving apertures 512, in the direction of arrow 554, it contacts the second end 534 of the shaft 528 of the pin member 160. The second end 448 urges the pin 521 in direction 550 and into the second position. The attachment pin 440 continues to travel into the attachment bore 512 until the attachment pin 440 becomes fixed.

[0113] When the lock recess 444 of the attachment pin 440 is aligned with the pin bore 514 of the attachment housing 494, the second end 534 of the shaft 528 of the pin 521 is urged into the lock recess 444 by spring 519. Once the rail member 424 is attached to the slide 428, a caregiver can move the rail member 424 along the slide track 426 if second spring-biased pin 498 is released as described above. After moving the rail member 424 to the desired position, the spring-biased pin 498 snaps pin member 547 back into the respective aperture 486 to lock the position of rail member 424.

[0114] A caregiver moves the rail member 424 toward headboard 18 to permit additional access to a patient. To permit full access, the rail member 424 is removed by pulling on the knob 526 of the pin member 521 to release first spring-biased pin 496 from retaining attachment pin 440. The pin 521 is moved to the second position so as to remove the second end 534 of the shaft 528 of the pin 521 from the lock recess 444 of the attachment pin 440. The caregiver then pulls the rail member 424 in direction 556 until the position pin 442 and the attachment pin 440 are removed from the receiving plate 500.

[0115] As shown in FIGS. 26-28, a patient support 610, similar to the patient support 10 shown in FIGS. 1-6, is provided. Patient support 610 includes the frame 12 positioned on the floor, the deck 14 coupled to the frame 12, the mattress 16 positioned on the deck 14, the headboard 18 coupled to the frame 12, the footboard 20 coupled to the frame 12, a pair of head and foot end siderails 622, 624 coupled to the deck 14, and mattress restraints or entrapment prevention bars 626 coupled to the deck 14.

[0116] Each siderail 622, 624 includes a rail member 628 and pair of support links 630 pivotally coupling the rail members 628 to the deck. The rail members 628 and support arms 630 are preferably made of steel and are oblong in shape having a bottom 632 and a top 634.

[0117] Rail members 628 are pivotally coupled to first ends 636 of support links 630. Second ends 638 of support links 630 are pivotally coupled to the deck 14 by axles 640.

[0118] Entrapment prevention bars 626 are provided that are positioned between the support links 630 and the mattress 16 when siderails 622, 624 are in the raised, blocking position. The entrapment prevention bars 626 include a base plate 642, a lower bar 644, and an upper bar 646. The base plate 642 is a flat strip of metal that defines a plane. The base plate 642 includes bolt-receiving apertures 648 sized to receive bolts 650. The bolts 650 extend through base plate 642 and deck 14 to secure entrapment prevention bars 626 to deck 14.

[0119] The lower bar 644 is a metal rod with two ninety-degree bends therein that is welded or otherwise coupled to base plate 642. The bends are both made in the same direction such that the bent rod defines a plane. Each end of the lower bar 644 is attached to the base plate 642 such that the plane defined by the lower bar 644 is perpendicular to the plane defined by the base plate 642. The bends in the lower bar 644, when attached to the base plate 642, define a height and a length for the lower bar 644. The upper bar 646 is similar to the lower bar 644 except that the height and length of the upper bar 646 are larger than their corresponding parts of the lower bar 644 so that the upper bar 646 is positioned over the lower bar 644.

[0120] The siderails 622, 624 are preferably “clocking” siderails that swing in a longitudinal plane. The entrapment bars 626 snugly abut the mattress 16 and, along with the headboard 18 and footboard 20, prevents the mattress 16 from shifting position longitudinally and laterally upon the deck 14. The entrapment bars 626 also help prevent objects from working their way between the support links 630 and mattress 16.

[0121] The deck 14, at the urging of the frame 12 may be articulated into a chair other different positions. Upon articulation of the deck 14, the siderails 622, 624 and entrapment guards 626 maintain their position relative to the section of the deck 14 to which they are coupled.

[0122] As shown in FIGS. 29-32, a patient support 710, similar to the patient support 310 shown in FIGS. 18-21, is provided. Patient support 710 includes the frame 12 positioned on the floor, the deck 14 coupled to the frame 12, the mattress 16 positioned on the deck 14, the headboard 18 coupled to the frame 12, the footboard 20 coupled to the frame 12, and pair of head and foot end siderails 722, 724 coupled to the deck 14.

[0123] Each siderail 722, 724 includes a rail member 726, a pair of links 728 that are pivotally coupled to rail members 726 and deck 14, a parallel link 729 spanning the pair of links 728, and a cross link 731 coupling the parallel link 729 and the deck 14. The rail members 726 are preferably constructed from hardened or reinforced plastic or metal and are preferably oblong in shape. Each rail member 726 includes a pair of oblong apertures 730 that permit a patient or caregiver to grasp a top portion 732 of rail member 726.

[0124] The pair of links 728 are elongated members preferably constructed of steel. The pair of links 728 are approximately as long as the mattress 16 is high. First ends of the pair of links 728 are pivotally coupled to the rail members 726 and second ends of the pair of links 728 are pivotally coupled to the deck 14. The pair of links 728, rail member 726, and deck 14 cooperate to provide a parallel 4-bar linkage that maintains the rail member 726 in a horizontal position during raising and lowering.

[0125] Each pair of links 728 is further coupled to the parallel link 729 that spans between each of the pair of links 728. The parallel link 729 is also coupled to the cross link 731. The cross link 731 is also coupled to the deck 14 to extend between the deck 14 and the parallel link 729.

[0126] When in the lowered, egress position, the rail members 726 are positioned below the rest surface of the mattress 16 and do not block egress of a person from the patient support 710. When in the raised position, a portion of the rail member 726 extends above the mattress 16 to block egress of a patient from the patient support 710. Preferably, the siderails 722, 724 further include a latch that maintains the siderail in either the raised, blocking position or the lowered, egress position.

[0127] The deck 14 may be articulated into a chair position, as shown in FIG. 31, or other position. Upon articulation of the deck 14, the siderails 722, 724 maintain their position relative to the section of the deck 14 to which that siderail 722, 724 is coupled.

[0128] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A patient support configured to support a patient thereon, the patient support comprising a frame, a deck supported by the frame, and a siderail coupled to the deck, the siderail including a rail member and a support link, the rail member having a first end slidably coupled to the deck and a second end spaced apart from the first end, the support link having a first end pivotally coupled to the rail member and a second end spaced apart from the first end and pivotally coupled to the deck.

2. The patient support of claim 1, wherein the first end of the rail member is slidably coupled to the deck by a friction hinge.

3. The patient support of claim 1, wherein the rail member is configured to move between a patient egress position and a raised blocking position.

4. The patient support of claim 3, wherein the rail member has a longitudinal axis that is horizontal when the rail member is in the egress position.

5. The patient support of claim 3, wherein the rail member has a longitudinal axis that deviates from being horizontal when the rail member is in the raised blocking position.

6. The patient support of claim 3, wherein the rail member is configured to assume an infinite number of positions intermediate the egress position and the raised blocking position.

7. A patient support configured to support a patient thereon, the patient support comprising a frame, a deck supported by the frame, and a siderail coupled to the deck, the siderail including a rail member configured to move between first and second positions and a coupler configured to couple the rail member to the deck, the coupler including a lock member and a slide member, the lock member being configured to move between a locked position blocking movement of the rail member and an unlocked position permitting movement of the rail member, the slide member defining an involute slot that guides the lock member during movement of the rail member between the raised and lowered positions.

8. The patient support of claim 7, wherein the coupler further comprises a hold member configured to block movement of the lock member in the involute slot.

9. The patient support of claim 7, wherein the lock member is biased toward the locking position.

10. The patient support of claim 7, wherein the rail member is positioned to block egress of a patient when in the first position and to permit egress of a patient when in the second position.

11. The patient support of claim 10, wherein the lock member, when the rail member is in the first position, requires user action to move to the locking position separate from movement of the rail member to the first position.

12. A patient support configured to support a patient, the patient support comprising a frame, a deck supported by the frame, and a siderail coupled to the deck, the siderail including a rail member having a longitudinal axis and laterally extending handle coupled to the rail member.

13. The patient support of claim 12, wherein the handle has a rounded cross-sectional profile.

14. The patient support of claim 12, wherein the handle extends sideways away from the rail member

15. The patient support of claim 12, wherein the handle is curl-shaped.

16. A patient support configured to support a patient, the patient support comprising a frame, a deck supported by the frame, and a siderail including a rail member, a slide track coupled to the frame, and a slide configured to slidably couple the rail member to the slide track, the rail member being removably coupled to the slide.

17. The patient support of claim 16, wherein the slide is configured to move between a plurality of positions on the slide track and the siderail further includes a lock configured to fix the slide relative to the slide track in at least one of the plurality of positions.

18. The patient support of claim 16, wherein the rail member is removably coupled to the slide by a pin.

19. The patient support of claim 16, wherein the rail member is configured to assume a patient egress position and a patient blocking position.

20. The patient support of claim 19, wherein the slide moves along the slide track during movement of the rail member between the patient egress position to the patient blocking position.

21. A patient support configured to support a patient, the patient support comprising a frame, a deck supported by the frame, a siderail coupled to the deck, a mattress, a first mattress restraint positioned to block movement of the mattress on the deck and defining an opening, and a second mattress restraint positioned adjacent the opening of the first mattress restraint to block movement of the mattress on the deck.

22. The patient support of claim 21, wherein the first and second mattress restraints are positioned between the mattress and the siderail.

23. The patient support of claim 21, wherein the first and second mattress restraints are tubular.

24. The patient support of claim 21, wherein the first and second mattress restraints are configured maintains a minimum distance between the mattress and the siderail.