Bed safety rail

Abstract

 The invention relates to a bed, especially hospital bed safety rail (2), which is attached to a lengthwise (A-A) side of a bed (1). The safety rail comprises two end supports (3, 4) disposed at a distance from each other, and at least one rail section (5; 51, 52, 53, 54) disposed between the end supports (3, 4) substantially in a longitudinal direction of the bed. The end supports (3, 4) are mounted pivotally in engagement with the bed, such that the end supports are rotatable from a position inclined in the longitudinal direction of the bed to an upright position as the safety rail (2) is raised from a bottom position (B) to a top position (C), and respectively rotatable in an opposite direction as the safety rail is lowered from the top position to the bottom position. Thereby, the rail section (5; 51, 52, 53, 54) being retains, despite the rotating motion, its substantially horizontal orientation. According to the invention, the safety rail (2) further comprises a gas spring (6) disposed between the rail section (5; 51) and the end support (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a bed safety rail, particularly for a hospital bed, as set forth in the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Prior known from the published patent application EP1552772A1 is a hospital bed side rail, comprising two support bars and a horizontal cross bar arranged therebetween. The bottom end of one support bar is provided with a separate pivot bar, by way of which the side rail is attached at one end to a side of the bed. The pivot bar enables preventing the side rail in a lowered configuration from exceeding beyond the front or rear portion of the bed. The support bars are mounted on the sides of a bed so as to be rotatable in a longitudinal direction of the bed, and the cross bar is respectively attached to the support bars so as to enable lifting the side rail to a raised configuration for preventing a patient from falling off the bed and, respectively, descending it to a lowered configuration for allowing ingress of the patient to the bed. The side rail further comprises a blocking means, which is mounted on the bottom end of one of the support bars in connection with the bed attachment. The blocking means includes a locking pin capable of being inserted in a respective locking hole in a plate present at the side of the bed as the support bar and concurrently the safety rail are locked in place and prevented from rotation in the raised configuration. The blocking means also includes biasing means, such as a spring, which is operatively connected to the locking pin for pressing it into the locking hole. The blocking means is also adapted to function as a brake in a rotating motion of the support bar and the side rail.

[0003] A problem with the above-described hospital bed side rail is particularly the mechanical construction of its blocking means. One of the drawbacks is, for example, that the side rail cannot be reliably immobilized between raised and lowered configurations. A problem is raising the side rail, which requires force. Another problem is that the side rail may suddenly collapse from raised to lowered configuration.

[0004] It is an object of the invention to eliminate the problems associated e.g. with the above-described hospital bed. An object of the invention is also to provide a novel improved bed safety rail, which enables e.g. increasing the safety of both a bed-stricken person and a caretaking person.

[0005] A bed safety rail according to the invention is characterized by what is presented in claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are presented in the dependent claims.

[0006] The invention relates to a bed, especially hospital bed safety rail, which is attached to at least one lengthwise side of a bed and which comprises two end supports disposed at a distance from each other, and at least one rail section disposed between the end supports substantially in a longitudinal direction of the bed, and which end supports are mounted pivotally in engagement with the bed, such that the end supports are rotatable from a position inclined in the longitudinal direction of the bed to an upright position as the safety rail is raised from a bottom position to a top position, and respectively rotatable in an opposite direction as the safety rail is lowered from the top position to the bottom position, the rail section being adapted to retain, despite the rotating motion, its substantially horizontal orientation. According to the invention, the safety rail further comprises a gas spring disposed between the rail section and the end support.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the gas spring is attached at its first end to the rail section, most preferably to the first or lowermost rail section, at a distance from the first end support, and at its second end to the end support at a second distance from the attachment point of the rail section, most preferably the first rail section.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the gas spring comprises locking means which enable locking the gas spring in an out position, at which the piston is extended way out of the cylinder, and, at the same time, the safety rail in the top position. The advantage is not needing any separate locking device for retaining the safety rail in the top position.

[0009] In the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the first end support comprises two end support elements, first and second end support elements, which are set at an angle relative to each other, and which one or more rail sections are attached at their first ends pivotally to the first end support's first end support element, and which first end support is attached at the second end support element pivotally to a frame of the bed or the like, and which gas spring is attached at its first end to the first or lowermost rail section and at its second end to the proximity of a junction between the first end support's first and second end support elements, preferably to the second end support element.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the angle between the first and second end support elements is within the range of 45 to 135 degrees, most preferably 90 degrees.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first end support's second end support element is at an angle with respect to a vertical plane of the safety rail. The angle of the second end support element with respect to the safety rail's vertical plane is preferably between 20 and 45 degrees, most preferably about 30 degrees.

[0012] An advantage offered by a bed safety rail of the invention is a simple structure and manufacturing friendliness. Another advantage of the invention is good usability, reliability, and safety. A still further advantage offered by a bed safety rail of the invention is being maintenance-free.

[0013] The invention and its other benefits will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which

fig. 1

shows in a side view a bed safety rail of the invention in a top position;

fig. 2

shows in a side view a bed safety rail of the invention in a bottom position; and

fig. 3

shows in a view from below a bed safety rail of the invention in a top posi- tion.

[0014] In the figures, like elements are designated by like reference numerals.

[0015] One preferred bed safety rail 2 of the invention is illustrated in the enclosed drawings. The safety rail is arranged in a lengthwise direction A-A of a bed 1 along at least one long side of the bed, most preferably, however, along both long sides. The purpose of a safety rail is to prevent e.g. a sick or aged bed occupant from falling out of the bed.

[0016] The bed safety rail is intended especially for a hospital bed or the like patient bed, but it is attachable also to other bed types, such as those used at home or in nursing homes, which are deemed to warrant a safety rail.

[0017] The safety rail 2 is raisable from a bottom position B to a top position C, and respectively lowerable. In the bottom position B, the safety rail 2 is flush with a bed frame or at least flush with the top surface of a mattress-equipped bed, i.e. the top surface of a mattress, and in the top position C, respectively, clearly above a bed plane, such as e.g. 40 cm above the top surface of a mattress.

[0018] The safety rail 2 comprises two end supports, i.e. first and second end supports 3, 4, which are provided at a distance from each other and attached to the bed's 1 longitudinal side 1a, most preferably to the proximity of the bed's opposite ends. The safety rail 2 further comprises at least one rail section 5, but most preferably a plurality of rail sections 51, 52, 53, 54, which is/are arranged between the end supports 3, 4 preferably lengthwise of the bed.

[0019] The end supports 3, 4 are elongated support bars or the like. The end supports 3, 4 are manufactured e.g. in a round or square tube, most preferably a metal tube. Each end support 3, 4 is pivotally mounted with a suitable pin or hinge joint by its first end 30, 40 in engagement with the bed, most preferably directly on the bed frame, such that the end supports are rotatable in the bed's 1 lengthwise direction A-A with an attachment point 3a, 4a functioning as the fixed point. Thereby, the end supports 3, 4 are adapted to rotate from an inclined angular position to an upright position and from the upright position to the inclined angular position as the safety rail 2 is raised from the bottom position B to the top position C and respectively lowered from the top position to the bottom position.

[0020] When the safety rail has its configuration changed from the bottom position B to the top position C and vice versa, the end supports 3, 4 are rotating, yet the rail sections 5; 51, 52, 53, 54 are most preferably adapted to retain their substantially horizontal orientation notwithstanding the rotating motion and raising/lowering.

[0021] The rail sections 5 are pivotally mounted at attachment points 5c, 5d present at opposite ends 5a, 5b, e.g. with suitable articulated pins, on the first and second end supports 3, 4. The rail sections are attached to each end support at a distance from each other. The attachment and pivot points 5c, 5d at the opposite ends 5a, 5b of the rail sections 5 are arranged along parallel inclined-angle straight lines E-E, F-F, and such that each attachment point 5c, 5d has an equal turning radius with respect to the attachment point of a respective end support 3, 4. The rail sections 5 are hence adapted to follow the end supports 3, 4 in a substantially horizontal orientation upon being rotated from the inclined angular position to the upright position and in the reverse direction as the safety rail has its configuration changed from the bottom position B to the top position C and vice versa.

[0022] The rail sections 5; 51, 52, 53, 54 are elongated elements, such as long, most preferably round (optionally square) tubes, most preferably metal tubes or bars.

[0023] According to the invention, the safety rail 2 further comprises a gas spring 6 provided between the rail section 5; 51 and the end support 3. The gas spring 6 is attached at its first end 6a to the rail section 5; 51, in this case to the first or lowermost rail section 51, at a distance from the first end support 3, and at its second end 6b to the end support 3 at a second distance from the attachment point of the rail section 5; 51.

[0024] When the safety rail 2 has its configuration changed from the bottom position B to the top position C and vice versa, the end supports 3, 4 rotate and the rail sections 5; 51, 52, 53, 54 move in horizontal and vertical directions, yet retain their substantially horizontal orientation despite the rotating motion. As a result, the gas spring 6 has its length changed. The gas spring 6 elongates as the safety rail is raised from the bottom position B to the top position C, and respectively compresses as the safety rail is lowered from the top position C to the bottom position. Upon compressing, the gas spring 6 simultaneously applies a braking and resistance to the rotating motion of the end supports 3, 4. It should be noted that, when the safety rail 2 is stopped between the bottom position B and the top position C and at the same time, therefore, the rotating motion of the end supports 3, 4 is stopped, the gas spring 6 holds the safety rail stationary and prevents its collapse down to the bottom position B. It should further be noted that the gas spring 6 alleviates a raising action from the bottom position B to the top position C, whereby proportionately less force is needed than with conventional prior known side rails.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the gas spring 6 comprises locking means 61, enabling the gas spring to be locked in an out position with the piston extended way out of the cylinder. In this case, the gas spring 6 in its entirety is most preferably as long as possible. When the gas spring 6 is locked in the out position, the safety rail 2 is at the same locked in the top position C (fig. 1). The locking means 61 are implemented as a spring-equipped bushing, which bounces up to a locking position as the gas spring has reached a predetermined length and thereby blocks mechanically a return of the gas spring to the short length. The locking means 61 are releasable, such as by pressing the bushing in an opposite direction, the gas spring 6 being thereby compressible to the short length and at the same time the safety rail 2 is rotatable down to the bottom position B (fig. 2). The gas spring 6 is a commercially available component, such as e.g. a gas spring sold by Stabilus GmbH under the trade name LIFT-O-MAT.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first end support 3 comprises two end support elements, first and second end support elements 31, 32. These end support elements 31, 32 are set at an angle α relative to each other. The end support elements 31, 32 connect to each other fixedly and rigidly. The first end support 3 is constructed e.g. from a single bent round metal tube. The rail sections 5; 51, 52, 53, 54 are mounted at first ends 5a thereof pivotally on the first end support's 3 first end support element 31, which at least is a substantially straight component. The first end support 3 is mounted by the second end support element 32 pivotally at a suitable attachment point by means of an articulated pin or the like on a frame or the like of the bed 1. The angle α between the first and second end support elements 31, 32 is preferably about 90 degrees, but it can be smaller or larger than this, for example within the range of 45 to 135 degrees. The gas spring 6 is attached at its first end 6a to the first or lowermost rail section 5; 51 and at its second end 6b to the proximity of a junction between the first end support's 3 first and second end support elements 31, 32, preferably to the second end support element 32.

[0027] The end supports 3; 31, 4 and the rail sections 5 of the safety rail 2 constitute jointly a most preferably substantially level structure in both top and bottom positions. Hence, the safety rail 2 is substantially arranged in a vertical plane D-D (cf. fig. 3) along a side of the bed in the bed's lengthwise direction A-A. The vertical plane D-D is substantially perpendicular to the bed lying plane. It is preferred that the first and second end support elements 31, 32 be set at the angle α relative to each other in the safety rail's 2 plane, i.e. in the vertical plane D-D.

[0028] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the first end support 3, at least over a major portion of the end support's length, such as over the first end support element 31, is at an inclined angle relative to a horizontal direction P-P of the bed plane, most preferably parallel to a straight line E-E established by the attachment and rotation points 5c of the rail sections' 5 extremities 5a. Among the benefits is the fact that the access to a controller of bed lifting gear provided in the vicinity of the bed extremity and to other bed accessories is unobstructed irrespective of the safety rail, because, in the bottom position B, the first end support's 3 extremity is at a relatively high level close to the bed plane.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first end support's 3 second end support element 32 lies at an angle 13 relative to the safety rail's 2 vertical plane D-D, as specifically illustrated in fig. 3. The angle β is e.g. between 15 and 45 degrees, preferably about 25 degrees. Consequently, the safety rail 2 can be fitted at a small distance, such as e.g. 3 to 5 cm, from a frame of the bed 1 with the attachment point 3a, such as an articulated pin, being nevertheless connected with the bed's frame. The second end support 4 is attached at its first end 40 with a long straight pivot axis by an attachment point 4b at a corresponding distance from the bed's 1 frame or the like. This pivot axis extends in a direction perpendicular to the vertical plane D-D. The gas spring 6 is attached, as discussed above, at its first end 6a to the first or lowermost rail section 5; 51 and at its second end 6b to the proximity of a junction between the first end support's 3 first and second end support elements 31, 32, preferably to the second end support element 32 and particularly below the rail sections 5. In this embodiment, the gas spring 6 is additionally adapted and fastened in such a way that it lies substantially in the vertical plane D-D below the end supports 3, 4 and the rail sections.

[0030] It should be noted that by virtue of the angle 13 between the end support elements 31, 32, and also by virtue of a suitable pre-selectable length of the second end support element 32, the rail sections 5; 51, 52, 53, 54 can be managed to travel past the attachment point 3a, most preferably without a contact therewith, as the safety rail 2 is rotated from the top position C to the bottom position B or vice versa. Hence, the safety rail establishes a level type structure with no parts protruding outward from the bed. Thus, the safety rail is safe also for the nursing staff.

[0031] The invention is not limited to solely concern the foregoing example, but many changes are possible while remaining within the inventive concept defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A bed, especially hospital bed safety rail (2), which is attached to at least one lengthwise (A-A) side (1 a) of a bed (1) and which comprises two end supports (3, 4) disposed at a distance from each other, and at least one rail section (5; 51, 52, 53, 54) disposed between the end supports (3, 4) substantially in a longitudinal direction of the bed, and which end supports (3, 4) are mounted pivotally in engagement with the bed, such that the end supports are rotatable from a position inclined in the longitudinal direction of the bed to an upright position as the safety rail (2) is raised from a bottom position (B) to a top position (C), and respectively rotatable in an opposite direction as the safety rail is lowered from the top position to the bottom position, the rail section (5; 51, 52, 53, 54) being adapted to retain, despite the rotating motion, its substantially horizontal orientation, characterized in that the safety rail (2) further comprises a gas spring (6) disposed between the rail section (5; 51) and the end support (3).

2. A bed, especially hospital bed safety rail according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas spring (6) is attached at its first end (6a) to the rail section (5) at a distance from the first end support (3), and at its second end (6b) to the end support (3) at a second distance from the attachment point of the rail section.

3. A bed, especially hospital bed safety rail according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the gas spring (6) is attached at its first end (6a) to the first or lowermost rail section (5; 51) and at its second end (6b) to the end support (3) at a second distance from the attachment point of the first rail section (5; 51).

4. A bed, especially hospital bed safety rail according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the gas spring (6) comprises locking means (61) which enable locking the gas spring in an out position, at which the piston is extended way out of the cylinder, and, at the same time, the safety rail (2) in the top position (C).

5. A bed, especially hospital bed safety rail according to any of the preceding claim 3, characterized in that the first end support (3) comprises two end support elements, first and second end support elements (31, 32), which are set at an angle (α) relative to each other, and which one or more rail sections (5; 51, 52, 53, 54) are attached at their first ends (5a) pivotally to the first end support's (3) first end support element (31), and which first end support (3) is attached at the second end support element (32) pivotally to a frame of the bed (1) or the like, and which gas spring (6) is attached at its first end (6a) to the first or lowermost rail section (5; 51) and at its second end (6b) to the proximity of a junction between the first end support's (3) first and second end support elements (31, 32), preferably to the second end support element (32).

6. A bed, especially hospital bed safety rail according to claim 5, characterized in that the angle α between the first and second end support elements (31, 32) is within the range of 45 to 135 degrees.

7. A bed, especially hospital bed safety rail according to claim 6, characterized in that the angle α between the first and second end support elements (31, 32) is preferably 90 degrees.

8. A bed, especially hospital bed safety rail according to any of preceding claims 5-7, characterized in that the first end support's (3) second end support element (32) lies at an angle (β) relative to a vertical plane (D-D) of the safety rail (2).

9. A bed, especially hospital bed safety rail according to claim 8, characterized in that the angle (β) of the second end support element (32) relative to the vertical plane (D-D) of the safety rail (2) is within the range of 20 to 45 degrees, preferably about 30 degrees.

Drawing