US2871490A - Guard rail for beds - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 3, 1959 s. A. BALoNlcK 2,871,490

GUARD RAIL FOR BEDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v Filed Jan. 18, 1957 1m. lili Feb. 3, 1959 s. A. BALoNlcK 2,871,490

GUARD RAIL. FOR BEDS l Filed Jan. 1a, 1957 v z-sheets-sneet 2 United States Patent O GUARD RAIL FOR BEDS Samuel A. Balonick, Los Angeles, Calif., assigner to Superior Sleeprite Corporation, a corporation of Illinois Application January 18, 1957, Serial No. 634,859

9 Claims. (Cl. 5-331) ends, and one latch must be manually released before the other latch can be released. The releasable latch is preferably positioned adjacent the foot board of the bed, where it is safely out of reach of the patient. The latch means at each end of the bed is positive in its operation, and both latches cooperate to hold the guard rail securely against accidental displacement.

The structure by means of which the above and other advantages are attained will be described in detail in the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, showing a preferred illustrative embodiment of the invention, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bed provided with a guard rail embodying the invention, showing the guard rail in lowered position in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the guard rail in the process of being lowered;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail perspective view showing the means for attaching the guard rail to the bed;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the guard rail latched in its upper position;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of latch at head end of the bed when opposite end of guard rail is down just before the release of the latch shown; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the latch at the head end of the bed just before it is latched in its upper position.

Referring to the drawings, particularly to Figs. l and 2, the reference numeral 2 indicates a bed having posts 3 at each side of its head board and foot board. Identical structure at opposite ends of the bed will be indicated by the same reference numerals. The bed is conventional except for plates 4 (Fig. 3) that are welded to each bed ost 3.

p Each plate 4 is preferably welded to the side of each post which faces the corresponding post at the opposite end of the bed, but may be welded to any side of the post. Each plate 4 is provided with two vertically spaced studs, 5' and 6, which project outwardly from the exposed face of the plate 4. Stud 6 is threaded to receive a nut 7.

A hollow tube 8 or 8 is secured to each plate 4 by means of a pair of arms 9 and 10 each of which is preferably positioned adjacent the foot board of the bed,l

and tubes 8 are preferably positioned adjacent the head board, but this arrangement may be reversed.

The arms 9 and 10 are preferably tangential to the tubes 8 and 8. Arm 9 has a notch 11 extending upwardly from its lower edge so that it may be dropped over the stud 5. The end of stud 5 may be enlarged to prevent accidental displacement of arm 9 from the stud. The free end of arm 10 is notched longitudinally, as. indicated at 12, and the tube 8 or 8' is swung pivotally about the stud 5 to cause notch 12 to straddle lstud 6. A nut 7 is then threaded on stud 6 to hold the tube 8 or 8' in vertical position parallel to post 4.

A longitudinally extending slot 13 extends through the wall of each tube 8 and 8. The slot 13 faces the opposite end of the bed, and the slot in each tube 8 is aligned with the slot 13 in the tube 8 at the opposite end of the same side of the bed. The slot may extend the full length of the tube, but preferably stops short of each end, as shown in Fig. 4. A cap 14 closes each end of each tube 8 and 8. The cap 14 may be removably secured to each end of tube 8 or 8', but preferably is rigidly secured thereto, as by welding, after certain latch structure is positioned within the tube, as hereinafter described.

The guard rail 15 may be of any desired shape, but is shown as comprising a tubular bar 16 bent into substantially rectangular shape, a pair of intermediate longitudinal tublar bars 17, and a plurality of intermediate tubular vertical bars 18. Although tubular bars are preferred, it will be obvious that the guard rail may be made of flat strips, if desired. The guard rail has a pair of parallel at plates 19 and 20 (Fig. 5) extending outwardly from the foot end thereof. Plate 19 has an aperture 21 extending therethrough, and plate 20 has a threaded aperture 22 in registration with aperture 21. Preferably aperture 2l is slightly larger than aperture 22.

A tubular sleeve 23 slidably mounted in tube 8 has a fiat plate 24 rigidly secured thereto in any suitable manner, as, for example, by welding. Plate 24 extends from sleeve 23 and projects through slot 13. The plate 24 fits between plates 19 and 20 and is provided with a slot 25 aligned with apertures 21 and 22. A stud 26 extending through aperture 2l and slot 25 is threaded into aperture 22 to hold plates 19 and 20 in proper relationship with plate 24 to permit a sliding pivotal movement therebetween. A coiled compression spring 27 is positioned in the bottom of each tube 8 to cushion the stop of tubular sleeve 23 when it moves downwardly to its lowerniost position.

A trigger 27 constitutes a latch means for one end of the guard rail. The trigger normally prevents downward movement of sleeve 23. A's shown in Fig.y 4, the: trigger is pivotally mounted in tube 8 by means of a pin 28 extending transversely of the tube and fixed thereto in any suitable manner. A lug 29 dependingfrom the trigger has a pointed hook 30 separated from the body of the trigger by a notch 31 andl projecting through an aper ture 32 in sleeve 23. The upper edge of hook 30 engages a thin strip 33, offset inwardly at the top of sleeve 23u with which it is integral, to prevent `downward movement of sleeve 23 and plate 24. The strip 33 is offset inwardly to permit hook 3G to pass beyond the outer edge of the:Y

strip when it engages the inner surface of tube 8.

Preferably the upper edge portion of tube 8 is notched longitudinally, as indicated at 34, and trigger27 is pro, v

vided with a rearwardly extending finger 35 which projects through notch 34. The upper edge' portion 'of sleeve 23 is slotted longitudinally, as indicated at 36, to. provide clearance space for the hook 30 to clear-.strip- 33 when lifting pressure is applied to ngerr35. Upward,v

movement'ofiirrger 35swings hook 30 rearwardly, and as vsoon as hook 30 clears the inner edge of strip 33, gravity causes the tube 23 and plate 24 to move downwardly.

t Asplate24 moves downwardly, stud '26 causes the end of guard rail '15 Vadjacent thefoot board to move pivotally downwardly, 'the Vstud 26 movingtoward the left endof slot 25 as thed'ownward'movement of plate 24 increases the `distance between it and a similar plate 24 projecting through the-slot'13in tube 8.

` VEach tube 8" has a tubular sleeve 23' slidably mounted therein. A iiatplate 24 welded to sleeve 23', or rigidly secured thereto in any `other suitable manner, projects from? the sleeve through'slot'l andv lits between plates 19 and120.` YThe'plateZd is provided'with a wide horizontal recess 37 into which a4 slide St'lits. Slide 38 is provided with a longitudinal`slot'39 which yregisters with apertures 21 an'd22. -Stud'26 extends'through aperture 2l and slot39-and isfthreaded into aperture 22.

`AOne end of v'sl-ide 38 extends through a slot 40 in "sleeve 23 and into tube 8'. A pin 4l Yextending transversely through tube 8 is fixed thereto just above the upper edge of slide l38. The slide is provided with a notch 42 in itsl upper edge. The side of the notch closest to the adjacent-end of the bed slopes downwardly to form a camming surface which engages pin 41, positioned directly -above said surface,v when the left end (as viewed in Fignt) of'the guard rail islifted, to move the slide 3S longitudinally towards the left. The latching means for the .end of the guard rail adjacent the head board comprises the slide `38 and a lip 43 which is pressed out of the tube 8.

The rear end of slide 38 rests upon lip 43 when the guard rail is in its uppermostl or latched position. When the guard rail is in said latched position the slide 3S canuotbe moved longitudinally away from lip 43 because there is not suiiicient clearance at the opposite end lof the bed-'to-move the guard rail towards the right far enough forsuch disengagement. The upper portion of sleeve 23' is cut away at its rear, as indicated at 44, to provide clearance for pin 41 so that the sleeve 23 can be lifted far enough to cause the pin 41 to engage the camming surfaceof notch 42.

.in describing the operation of the guard rail, the foot end ofthe bed will be considered as the right or forward end for convenience, and the head end will be considered `as the `left or rear end. When the right end of guard rail 15 :has moved downwardly far enough to cause the stud 26 to abut thevrear end of slot 25, continued downward .movement of plate 24 pulls the guard rail 15 forwardly. Stud 26 is moved forwardly until it abuts the forward end of slot 39, and it then pulls slide 38 forwardly until. .the rear-end of the slide moves oli stop 43. Sleeve 23 then slides downwardly in tube 8 and carries the rear end of guard rail 15 with it. The lower edge of sleeve 23 engages spring 27 to cushion the stop of the sleeve at its lower limit of movement.

When .the guard rail is lifted, the strip 33 of sleeve 23 engages hook 30 to move it to the right about pivot 28 and allow strip 33 `to pass the hook. The strip 33 then strikes the portion of trigger 27 separated from hook 30 by notch 31, and moves it upwardly to bring the hook 30 intothe aperture 32. The latching at the head end is slightly vdifferent since the slide 38 is forced towards the foot end of the bed as it is lifted over lip 43. The lifting movement of the guard rail causes the notch l2 to strike 5 pin 41 whichvwill force slide 38 longitudinally back over the lip 43 where it will be retained until the Ifoot board end `of the guard rail is lowered.

While I have'described a preferred embodiment of my invention in considerable detail, it will be understood thatthe description is intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of myV invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to'fthe exact details of constructiondescribed.

"I claim:

1. ln combination with a-,guard rail for beds, a hollow tube secured to each end of a bed, a member slidably mounted in each of said tubes, said guard rail having its oppo-site ends connected to said members, separate latch means connected to each'ofisaid tubes7 one of said latch means comprising a trigger engageable with one of said members to holdit against sliding movement in one of said tubes, said trigger being movable pivotally for disengagement from said one member to allow the adjacent and of said guard rail to move downwardly, said other latch means including a projectionin said second tube, and a slide seated on said` projection, said slide being connected to the other end `of said guard rail and movable therewith to unseat said slide from said projection ani' ereby release the second end of said guard rail, rsaid projection being dimensioned to `prevent unseating of said slide when ,said guard rail is in horizontal position, whereby said second latch means is Ieleasable only when said first mentioned latch means is in released position.

2. In combination with a guard rail forbeds, a hollow tube secured to each end of a bed, a member slidably mounted in -each of said tubes, said guard rail having its opposite ends connected to said members, separate latch means connected to each of said tubes, one of said latch means comprising a trigger engageable with one of said said'tubes, said trigger being movable pivotally for disengagement Vfrom said one member to allow the adjacent end of saidguard rail to move downwardly, said other latch means including aprojection in saidsecond tube, and a slide seated on saidl projection, said slide being connected to the other .endof said guard rail and movable relative to said projection as said one end of the guard rail moves downwardly, saidprojection being dimcnsioned to prevent disengagement from said slide until said one end of the guardrail reaches a .predetermined point in its downward movement, said second mentioned latch means being releasable automatically when said one end of the guard rail reachessaid predeterminedpoint in its downward movement. i i

1l. in combination with a guard rail for beds, a hollow tube secured to each end. ofa bed, a member slidably mounted in each of said tubes, said -guard rail having its opposite` ends connected to said members, releasable latch means in one of said tubes engageable with one of said members for holdingone end of said kguard rail in its uppermost position, a projection' in said other tube, and a slide connected to the other end of said guard rail,

said slide being adapted to seat on said projection to hold the second end of said `guard rail' in its uppermost position,v said one end of the guard rail being adapted to move downwardly upon release of said latch means from engagement with said /irst mentioned member, said slide being movable with said one end of the guard rail relative to said projection as said one end of the guard rail moves downwardly and disengageable from said projection automatically to allow said second end of the guard railV to move downwardly when said one end of the guard rail reaches a predetermined .point in its downward movement.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3 including cam means to vmove said slide into seating position on said projection when said last lowered end-of said guard rail is lifted to its `uppermost position. y

5. A deviceas -setforth in` claim' 3 including a pin securedfto said second mentioned tube above said slide, and a notch in the upper edge-of saidv'slide, said notch having an inclined camming surface engageable with-said pin to set lsaid slide on said yprojection when said last lowered end-of theguardrail is liftedV to its :uppermost position.

6. ln combination withaA guard rail for bedsfa hollow tube vksecuredatoffeac-,h endpof ,aq-bed, 1a sleeve ;slidably mountedfin .each of 'said tubes, means ,interconnecting the ends of said guard rail with each of said sleeves,

separate latch means engageable with said sleeves, one of said latch means being releasable, said other latch means comprising a projection extending into one of said tubes and a slide seated on said projection when the adjacent end of said guard rail is in its uppermost position, said slide being movable relative to said projection to unseat the slide and thereby release said second mentioned latch to permit downward movement of the adjacent end of said guard rail, said projection and slide being dimensioned to prevent unseating movement of said slide when said first mentioned latch means is engaged with its sleeve.

7. In combination with a guard rail for beds, a hollow tube secured to each end of a bed, a sleeve slidably mounted in each of said tubes, means interconnecting the ends of said guard rail with each of said sleeves, a trigger mounted in one of said tubes, said trigger being engageable with the sleeve in said one tube and being operable to release one end of said guard rail, and latch means engageable with the opposite end of said guard rail, said latch means comprising a slide engageable with the sleeve in said other tube and a projection adapted to hold said slide in engagement with said last mentioned sleeve, said projection and slide being dimensioned to prevent disengagement of said slide from said projection to release the last mentioned end of said guard rail when the rst mentioned end 0f said guard rail is in position to permit said trigger to engage the sleeve in said first mentioned tube.

8. In combination with a guard rail for beds, a hollow tube secured to each end of a bed, a sleeve slidably vmounted in each of said tubes, means interconnecting the ends of said guard rail with each of said sleeves, a trigger pivotally mounted in one of said tubes, said trigger being engageable with the sleeve in said one tube to hold one end of said guard rail in its uppermost position, a linger projecting from said trigger through one wall of said one tube, said iinger being operable to disengage said trigger from said first mentioned sleeve to release said one end of said guard rail from its uppermost position, and latch means engageable with the sleeve in the hollow tube adjacent the other end of said guard rail to hold said last mentioned end of the guard rail in its uppermost position, said latch means comprising a projection and a slide seated on said projection, said slide being movable to unseat it from projection when said first mentioned end of the guard rail is in a predetermined position, said projection and `slide being dimensioned to prevent movement of said slide to unseat it from said projection when guard rail is in horizontal position.

9. ln combination with a guard rail for beds, a hollow tube secured to each end of a bed, a sleeve slidably mounted in each of said tubes, means interconnecting the ends of said guard rail With each of said sleeves, a trigger mounted in one of said tubes, said trigger being engageable with the sleeve in said one tube and being operable to release one end of said guard rail, a slide operatively connected to the other end of said guard rail, and a lip projecting from the sleeve in said other tube, said slide being engageable with said lip to hold said last mentioned end of said guard rail in its upper most position, said slide and lip being so dimensioned that said slide is disengageable from said lip only when said first mentioned end of the guard rail is out of its uppermost position.

Showalter July 28, 1936 Travis Aug. 2, 1949

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