Siderail movable to separate chair egress position

Abstract

 A patient support apparatus includes a base, a frame coupled to the base, and a deck supported by the frame and capable of moving relative to the frame. The patient support apparatus further includes a siderail movable between a stowed position substantially below the deck, a barrier position preventing a patient from exiting the side of the patient support apparatus, and an assist position providing a handhold for a patient exiting the bed.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure is related to a support apparatus for supporting a patient. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a bed that can be manipulated to achieve both a horizontal bed position having a horizontal support surface and a chair egress position having the feet of the patient on or adjacent to the floor and the head and back of the patient supported above a seat formed by the support surface.

[0002] It is known to provide beds that have a siderail assembly coupled to a portion of the support surface. The siderail assemblies may be movable independently of one another between a raised position and a lowered position. The siderail assemblies may be used in the raised position to retain patients resting on the support surface and in the lowered position to transfer patients from the bed to another support apparatus, allow a caregiver improved access to the patient, or to help with entering and exiting the bed.

[0003] It is also known that patients egress from a side of the bed. Before the patient is able to egress, the patient must rotate the patient's body on the support surface to face toward the side, swing the patient's legs over the side of the bed, and remain sitting in an upright position without support from the support surface to the patient's back. Such coordinated movement to egress from the side of the bed may be difficult for some patients. As a result, egress from the chair egress position of the bed may be more suitable to some patients. With the bed in the chair egress position, the patient begins with the patient's feet resting on the floor, the patient sitting in the upright position, and the patient's back being supported by the support surface. To egress from the bed, the patient supports a portion of the patient's weight on the support surface on each side of the patient or on a caregiver standing next to the bed. The patient then leans forward and transfers the remaining weight to the patient's feet.

[0004] The present application discloses one or more of following features, alone or in any combination.

[0005] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a patient support apparatus includes a base, a frame coupled to the base, a deck, and a first siderail. The frame is movable relative to the base. The deck is supported by the frame and is movable relative to the frame between a horizontal bed position and a chair egress position. The deck includes at least a head section, a foot section spaced-apart from the head section, and a seat section positioned between the head section and the foot section. The first siderail is coupled to the frame. The first siderail has a first barrier. The first siderail is movable between a barrier position wherein the first barrier is substantially above the deck and outside a deck footprint, a stowed position wherein the first barrier is substantially below the deck, and an assist position wherein the first barrier is substantially above the deck and inside the deck footprint. The deck footprint is defined by a length dimension of the deck extending from a head end of the deck to a foot end of the deck and a width dimension of the deck extending along the foot end of the deck.

[0006] In some embodiments, the patient support may include a second siderail coupled to the frame having a second barrier. The second siderail may be movable between a barrier position wherein the second barrier is substantially above the deck and outside the deck footprint, a stowed position wherein the second barrier is substantially below the deck, and an assist position wherein the first barrier is substantially above the deck and in the deck footprint. The first barrier and the second barrier may be a first distance apart when the first siderail and the second siderail are in the barrier position and less than the first distance apart when the first siderail and the second siderail are in the assist position.

[0007] The first siderail may include a linkage having a mount coupled to the frame, a first bar, and a second bar. The first bar and the second bar may be pivotably coupled to the first barrier and to the mount between the mount and the first barrier. The first bar may have a first end pivotably coupled to the first barrier and a second end pivotably coupled to the mount. The first end of the first bar may pivot about a first axis substantially parallel to the length dimension of the deck and the second end of the first bar may pivot about a second axis substantially parallel to the length dimension of the deck.

[0008] It is contemplated that the first siderail further may include a slide shaft. The slide shaft may be coupled to the first bar and the second bar and may be operable to move the first barrier, the first bar, and the second bar along a path substantially perpendicular to the length dimension of the deck.

[0009] In some embodiments, the linkage may extend outside the deck footprint when the siderail is in the barrier position and the stowed position. Further, the linkage may be situated in the deck footprint when the siderail is in the assist position. The first siderail may also include a slide shaft coupled to the first barrier and operable to move the siderail between the barrier position and the assist position.

[0010] In another aspect of the disclosure, a patient support apparatus includes a base, a frame, a deck, a mattress, and a first siderail. The frame is coupled to the base and is movable relative to the base. The deck has a head end, a foot end spaced-apart from the head end and substantially parallel to the head end, a first side extending between the head end and the foot end and substantially perpendicular to the head end, and a second side spaced-apart from the first side and extending substantially parallel to the first side between the head end and the foot end. The deck is supported by the frame and is movable relative to the frame between a horizontal bed position and a chair egress position. The mattress is supported on the deck. The first siderail is coupled to the frame and the first siderail has a first barrier. The first siderail is movable between a barrier position wherein a top surface of the barrier extends above a top surface of the mattress and the mattress has a first width between the first side and the second side of the deck along the length of the first barrier, a stowed position wherein the top surface of the first barrier is below the top surface of the mattress, and an assist position wherein the top surface of the first barrier is above the top surface of the mattress and the first barrier engages the mattress to cause the mattress to have a second width between the first side and the second side of the deck along the length of the first barrier, and the second width is less than the first width.

[0011] In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus may include a second siderail coupled to the frame having a second barrier. The second siderail may be movable between a barrier position wherein a top surface of the second barrier extends above a top surface of the mattress and the mattress has a first width between the first side and the second side of the deck along the length of the second barrier, a stowed position wherein the top surface of the second barrier is below the top surface of the mattress, and an assist position wherein the top surface of the second barrier is above the top surface of the mattress and the second barrier engages the mattress to cause the mattress to have a second width between the first side and the second side of the deck along the length of the first barrier and the second barrier, and the second width is less than the first width.

[0012] It is contemplated that the first siderail may include a linkage having a first bar and a second bar wherein the first bar and the second bar are pivotably coupled to the first barrier and to the frame. The first bar may have a first end pivotably coupled to the first barrier and a second end pivotably coupled to the frame. The first end of the first bar may pivot about a first axis substantially parallel to the length dimension of the deck and the second end of the first bar may pivot about a second axis substantially parallel to the length dimension of the deck.

[0013] The first siderail may further include a slide shaft coupled to the first barrier and operable to move the first barrier along a path substantially perpendicular to the first side of the deck. The first siderail may further include a first slide assembly coupled to the first barrier and operable to move the siderail between the barrier position and the assist position. The slide assembly may include a slide shaft movable relative to the frame and a shaft lock. The shaft lock may be movable between a locked position disallowing movement of the slide shaft relative to the frame and an unlocked position allowing movement of the slide shaft relative to the frame.

[0014] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a patient support apparatus includes a base, a frame coupled to the base, a deck, and a first siderail. The deck is supported by the frame and is movable relative to the frame between a substantially horizontal bed position and a chair egress position. The deck includes at least a head section, a foot section spaced-apart from the head section, and a seat section situated between the head section and the foot section. The deck further includes a head end, a foot end spaced-apart from the head end and substantially parallel to the head end, a first side extending between the head end and the foot end and substantially perpendicular to the head end, and a second side spaced-apart from the first side and extending substantially parallel to the first side between the head end and the foot end, and a first notch formed in the deck between the head section and the foot section and extending from the first side toward the second side of the deck. The first siderail is coupled to the frame having a first barrier and a first linkage. The first siderail is movable between a barrier position in which the first barrier is substantially above the deck and the first linkage is out of the first notch, a stowed position in which the first barrier is substantially below the deck, and an assist position in which the first barrier is substantially above the deck and the first linkage is in the first notch.

[0015] It is contemplated that the patient support apparatus may have a second siderail coupled to the frame having a second barrier and a second linkage. In such embodiments, the deck may include a second notch formed in the deck between the head section and the foot section and extending from the second side toward the first side of the deck. The second siderail may be movable between a barrier position in which the second barrier is substantially above the deck and the second linkage is out of the second notch, a stowed position in which the second barrier is substantially below the deck, and an assist position in which the second barrier is substantially above the deck and the second linkage is in the second notch. The first linkage may include a first bar and a second bar pivotably interconnecting the first barrier and the frame for movement of the first barrier relative to the deck.

[0016] In some embodiments, the deck includes a deck footprint defined by a length dimension of the deck extending from a head end of the deck to a foot end of the deck and a width dimension of the foot section of the deck. The barrier of the first siderail may be substantially above the deck and outside a deck footprint when the siderail assembly is in the barrier position. The barrier may be substantially below the deck when in the stowed position. The barrier may also be in the deck footprint when in the stowed position. The barrier may be substantially above the deck and in the footprint when in the assist position.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first siderail may include a first slide shaft coupled to the first barrier and may cause the first siderail to slide laterally between the barrier position and the assist position. In such embodiments, the slide shaft may be operable to move the first barrier along a path substantially perpendicular to the first side of the deck.

[0018] The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a patient support apparatus in a chair egress position with a pair of siderails in a barrier position and suggesting movement of the siderails inwardly to an assist position;

[0020] FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded partial perspective view of the siderail of FIG. 1 showing a slide assembly in an extended position;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the assemble slide assembly of FIG. 2 showing the slide assembly includes a slide lock in a locked position;

[0022] FIG. 4. is a view similar to FIG. 3 with the siderail in the barrier position;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with the siderail in the assist position;

[0024] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of another siderail in accordance with the present disclosure showing the siderail in a stowed position;

[0025] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the siderail of FIG. 6 in a barrier position; and

[0026] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the siderail of FIGS. 6 and 7 in an assist position.

[0027] A patient support apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is illustratively embodied as a hospital bed 10 having a base 12, a frame 13, a deck 14, and a mattress 16. The frame 13 is supported above the base 12 and is moveable relative to the base 12. The deck 14 is supported above the frame 13. The deck 14 supports the mattress 16. The deck 14 is movable between a horizontal bed position (not shown), wherein the deck 14 is generally flat, and a chair egress position, wherein the deck 14 is arranged to allow a patient to egress or exit the bed 10 from a sitting position as shown in FIG. 1. As an example, the hospital bed 10 includes a siderail 32 that is movable between a stowed position, a barrier position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, and an assist position shown in FIG. 5. In the assist position, a patient may support a portion of his or her weight on the siderail during egress from the hospital bed 10.

[0028] The deck 14 has a head end 18, a foot end 20 spaced-apart from and generally parallel to the head end 18, a first side 22 extending between the head end 18 and the foot end 20, and a second side 24 spaced-apart from and generally parallel to the first side 22. The deck 14 defines a footprint (not shown) with a length 27 defined to be between the head end 18 and the foot end 20 and a width 25 defined to be between the first side 22 and the second side 24 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0029] The deck 14 includes a head section 26, a seat section 28, and a foot section 30. The head section 26 is pivotably coupled to the frame 13. The foot section 30 is pivotably coupled to the frame 13. The seat section 28 is situated between the head section 26 and the foot section 30. The seat section 28 is formed to include a first notch 31 shown in FIG. 4 and a second notch 33 shown in FIG. 1. The first notch 31 extends from the first side 22 of the deck 14 toward the second side 24 of the deck 14. The second notch 33 is generally a mirror of the first notch 31 and it extends from the second side 24 of the deck 14 toward the first side 22 of the deck 14.

[0030] The bed 10 also includes a first siderail 32 coupled to the frame 13 and a second siderail 34 coupled to the frame 13 as shown in FIG. 1. The first siderail 32 includes a barrier 36, a linkage 38, and a slide assembly 40 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The first siderail 32 and the second siderail 34 are movable between a stowed position, a barrier position, and an assist position. The structure of the second siderail 34 is similar to the structure of the first siderail 32, and thus, only the first siderail 32 will be discussed in detail.

[0031] The linkage 38 includes an upper bar 42, a lower bar 44, and a mount 46 as shown in FIGS. 3-5. The upper bar 42 has a first end 48 and a second end 50. The first end 48 of the upper bar 42 is pivotably coupled to the barrier 36. The second end 50 of the upper bar 42 is pivotably coupled to the mount 46. The lower bar 44 has a first end 52 and a second end 54. The first end 52 of the lower bar 44 is pivotably coupled to the barrier 36 below the first end 48 of the upper bar 42. The second end 54 of the lower bar 44 is pivotably coupled to the mount 46 below the second end 50 of the upper bar 42.

[0032] The linkage 38 is operable to guide the barrier 36 between a raised and a lowered position while maintaining the barrier 36 in a substantially vertical orientation. In the raised position, the upper bar 42 and the lower bar 44 extend above the mount 46. Additionally, when the barrier 36 is in the raised position, a top surface 51 of the barrier 36 lies above a top surface 53 of the mattress 16. In the lowered position, the upper bar 42 and the lower bar 44 extend below the mount 46. Additionally, when the barrier 36 is in the lowered position, the top surface 51 of the barrier 36 is situated below the top surface 53 of the mattress 16. In the illustrative embodiment, the barrier 36 is moved between the raised position and a lowered position by a caregiver manually moving the barrier 36. In other embodiments, movement of the barrier 36 between the raised and lowered positions may be accomplished by a powered stepper motor, a pneumatic piston and linkage, or any other suitable powered arrangement.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the slide assembly 40 of the siderail 32 includes a slide housing 56, a slide lock 58, and a slide shaft 60 having a top side 62 and a bottom side 64 spaced-apart from and substantially parallel to the top side 62. The slide shaft 60 includes a slide shaft head 65 formed at one end of the slide shaft 60, a first indentation 66, and a second indentation 68. The first indentation 66 extends from the bottom side 64 toward the top side 62 of the slide shaft 60. The second indentation 68 is spaced-apart from the first indentation 66 and extends from the bottom side 64 toward the top side 62 of the slide shaft 60 as shown in Fig. 3.

[0034] The slide lock 58 includes a lock pin 70 and an actuator 72. Lock pin 70 is coupled to the slide housing 56. The actuator 72 in the illustrative embodiment is a mechanical linkage coupled to a servo. In other embodiments, other suitable actuation devices may be employed such as electric motors, pneumatic cylinders, or the like. The actuator may also be either actuated by a caregiver applying a manual actuation force.

[0035] The slide housing 56 includes a front side 74, a back side 76 spaced-apart from and substantially parallel to the front side 74, a top side 78 extending substantially perpendicular to and between the front side 74 and the back side 76, and a bottom side 80 spaced-apart from the top side 78 and extending substantially perpendicular to and between the front side 74 and the back side 76. The top side 78 of the slide housing 56 is coupled to the frame 13. The slide housing 56 is also formed to include a channel 82 extending from the front side 74 to the back side 76 through the slide housing 56.

[0036] The slide shaft 60 is slidable relative to the slide housing 56 and the frame 13. The slide shaft 60 lies in the channel 82 and extends through the front side 74 through the back side 76 of the slide housing 56. The mount 46 is coupled to the slide shaft 60 to cause the slide shaft 60 to extend toward and through the front side 74 of the slide housing 56. The mount 46 is sized to be larger than the channel 82 so that the mount is blocked from moving through the channel 82. The slide shaft head 65 is sized to be larger than the channel 82 and is arranged so that the slide housing 56 lies between the slide shaft head 65 and the mount 46. Thus, the mount 46 and the slide shaft head 65 block the slide shaft 60 from sliding out of engagement with the slide housing 56.

[0037] The mount 46 is movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the slide housing 56 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In the extended position, the mount 46 is spaced-apart from the front side 74 of the slide housing 56 and the slide shaft head 65 is in confronting relation with the back side 76 of the slide housing 56. In the retracted position, the mount 46 is in confronting relation with the front side 74 of the slide housing 56 and the slide shaft head 65 is spaced-apart from the back side 76 of the slide housing 56. The mount 46 is moved between the extended position and the retracted position by a mover 84. The mover 84 is coupled to the slide shaft head 65. In the illustrative embodiment, the mover 84 is a pneumatic cylinder. In other embodiments, other suitable mover devices may be employed such as electric motors, servos, or the like. In another embodiment, the mover 84 may be a caregiver using force supplied by the caregiver to move the mount between the retracted and extended positions.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the barrier 36 includes a first user interface 86 and a second user interface 88. The first user interface 86 is coupled to an outward side of the barrier 36 for use by a caregiver (not shown). The second user interface 88 is coupled to an inward side of the barrier 36 for use by a patient (not shown). Both the first and second user interfaces 86, 88 are coupled electrically to a bed controller 90 included in the hospital bed 10 as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3. The user interfaces 86, 88 are configured to allow caregivers and patients to control movement of the slide lock 88, the mover 84, and other aspects of the hospital bed 10.

[0039] As a result of the barrier 36 being coupled to the mount 46 by the linkage 38, movement of the mount 46 between the extended position and the retracted position also causes the barrier 36 to move relative to the deck 14. When the mount 46 is moved to the extended position, the barrier 36 lies out of the footprint of the deck 14. When the mount 46 is moved to the retracted position, the barrier 36 lies in the footprint of the deck 14.

[0040] The mount 46 is maintained in the extended position and the retracted position by the slide lock 58 as shown in Fig. 3. The lock pin 70 of the slide lock 58 is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the lock pin 70 maintains the position of the mount 46 relative to the slide housing 56. In the locked position, the lock pin 70 engages the first indentation 66 or the second indentation 68 and disallows movement of the slide shaft 60 relative to the slide housing 56. When the mount 46 is in the extended position, the lock pin 70 engages the first indentation 66 to maintain the position of the mount 46. When the mount 46 is in the retracted position, the lock pin 70 engages the second indentation 68 to maintain the position of the mount 46. In the unlocked position, the lock pin 70 is moved out of engagement with both the first and the second indentations 66, 68. The actuator 72 is operable to move the lock pin 70 between the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0041] The first siderail 32 is movable between a stowed position, the barrier position of FIG. 4, and the assist position of FIG. 5. In the stowed position of the first siderail 32, the barrier 36 is moved to the lowered position and the mount 46 is moved to the extended position. Thus, the top surface 51 of the barrier 36 is below the top surface 53 of the mattress 16 making a patient supported on the bed 10 accessible to a caregiver. Additionally, the barrier 36 lies out of the footprint of the deck 14 making the barrier 36 available to a caregiver for manual movement of the barrier 36 to the raised position. In other embodiments, the mount 46 may be moved to the retracted position when the first siderail 32 is in the stowed position so that the width of the bed 10 is minimized.

[0042] In the barrier position of the first siderail 32, the barrier 36 is moved to the raised position and the mount 46 is moved to the extended position. Thus, the top surface 51 of the barrier 36 is above the top surface 53 of the mattress 16 so that a patient is retained and supported on the bed 10. Additionally, the barrier 36 lies out of the footprint of the deck 14 making the entire footprint of the deck 14 available to support a patient.

[0043] In the assist position of the first siderail 32, the barrier 36 is moved to the raised position and the mount 46 is moved in a lateral direction 92 from the extend position of FIG. 4 to the retracted position of FIG. 5. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the mount moves a distance 94 when moving from the extended position to the retracted position. Thus, the top surface 51 of the barrier 36 remains above the top surface 53 of the mattress 16. Additionally, the barrier 36 lies in the footprint of the deck 14 and is situated in the first notch 31. Further, in the assist position of the first siderail 32, the barrier 36 engages the mattress 16 and reduces the width of the mattress 16 along the length of the first siderail 32. When the deck 14 is in the chair egress position and the first siderail 32 is in the assist position, a patient can push down on the top surface 51 of the first siderail 32 to support a portion of a portion of his or her weight when standing up out of the bed 10.

[0044] Another embodiment of a bed 210 is shown in FIGS. 6-8. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-8, the siderail 3 2 is omitted from the bed 10 and replaced with a siderail 232. The siderail 232 includes the barrier 36 and a linkage 238. Additionally, the siderail 232 is movable between a stowed position illustrated in FIG. 6, a barrier position illustrated in FIG. 7, and an assist position illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0045] The linkage 238 includes an upper bar 242, a lower bar 244, and a mount 246. The upper bar 242 has a first end 248 and a second end 250. The first end 248 of the upper bar 242 is pivotably coupled to the barrier 236. The second end 250 of the upper bar 242 is pivotably coupled to the mount 246. The lower bar 244 has a first end 252 and a second end 254. The first end 252 of the lower bar 244 is pivotably coupled to the barrier 236 below the first end 248 of the upper bar 242. The second end 254 of the lower bar 244 is pivotably coupled to the mount 246 below the second end 250 of the upper bar 242.

[0046] The linkage 238 is operable to guide the barrier 23 6 between a lowered position shown in FIG. 6, a raised position shown in FIG. 7, and an over raised position shown in FIG. 8. In the lowered position, the upper bar 242 and the lower bar 244 extend below the mount 246. In the raised position, the upper bar 242 and the lower bar 244 extend above the mount 46. In the over raised position, the upper bar 242 and the lower bar 244 extend above the mount 46 and the upper bar 242 is overlapped by the lower bar 244 and both the bars 242, 244 extend in a generally upward direction. In the illustrative embodiment, the barrier 236 is moved between the lowered position, raised position, and over raised position by a caregiver manually moving the barrier 236. In other embodiments, movement of the barrier 236 between the raised and lowered positions may be accomplished by a powered stepper motor, a pneumatic piston and linkage, or any other suitable powered arrangement.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 6, the siderail 232 is movable to the stowed position which corresponds with the lowered position of the barrier 236. When the siderail 232 is in the stowed position, the top surface 51 of the barrier 236 lies below the top surface 53 of the mattress 16. Additionally, the barrier 236 lies out of the footprint of the deck 14 making the barrier 236 available to a caregiver for manual movement of the barrier 236 to the raised position or over raised position. In other embodiments, the barrier 236 may lie in the footprint of the deck 14 when the siderail 232 is in the stowed position.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 7, the siderail 232 is movable to the barrier position which corresponds with the raised position of the barrier 236. When the siderail 232 is in the barrier position, the top surface 251 of the barrier 236 is above the top surface 53 of the mattress 16 and is used to retain a patient that is supported on the bed 210. Additionally, the barrier 236 lies out of the footprint of the deck 14 so that the entire footprint of the deck 14 is available to support the patient.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 8, the siderail 232 is movable from the barrier position to the assist position which corresponds with the over raised position of the barrier 236 by moving the barrier in the lateral direction 92 the distance 94 as shown in FIG. 8. When the siderail 232 is in the assist position, the top surface 251 of the barrier 236 remains above the top surface 53 of the mattress 16 to retain a patient supported on the bed 210. At the same time, the barrier 236 is situated in the first notch 31. Further, in the assist position of the siderail 232, the barrier 236 engages the mattress 16 and reduces the width of the mattress 16 along the length of the siderail 232. When the deck 14 is in the chair egress position and the siderail 232 is in the assist position, a patient can push down on the top surface 251 of the siderail 232, as a hand rail, to assist the patient when standing up out of the bed 210.

[0050] Although certain illustrative embodiments have been described in detail above, variations and modifications exist.

Claims

1. A patient support apparatus comprising
a base,
a frame coupled to the base, the frame being movable relative to the base,
a deck supported by the frame and movable relative to the frame between a horizontal position and a chair egress position, the deck including at least a head section, a foot section spaced-apart from the head section, and a seat section positioned between the head section and the foot section, and
a first siderail coupled to the frame, the first siderail including a first barrier,
wherein the first siderail is movable between a barrier position wherein the first barrier is substantially above the deck and outside a deck footprint, a stowed position wherein the first barrier is substantially below the deck, and an assist position wherein the first barrier is substantially above the deck and inside the deck footprint,
wherein the deck footprint is defined by a length dimension of the deck extending from a head end of the deck to a foot end of the deck and a width dimension of the foot section of the deck.

2. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second siderail coupled to the frame, the second siderail including a second barrier, wherein the second siderail is movable between a barrier position wherein the second barrier is substantially above the deck and outside the deck footprint, a stowed position wherein the second barrier is substantially below the deck, and an assist position wherein the first barrier is substantially above the deck and in the deck footprint.

3. The patient support apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first barrier and the second barrier are a first distance apart when the first siderail and the second siderail are in the barrier position and less than the first distance apart when the first siderail and the second siderail are in the assist position.

4. A patient support apparatus comprising a base,
a frame coupled to the base, the frame being movable relative to the base,
a deck including a head end, a foot end spaced-apart from the head end and substantially parallel to the head end, a first side extending between the head end and the foot end and substantially perpendicular to the head end, and a second side spaced-apart from the first side and extending substantially parallel to the first side between the head end and the foot end, the deck supported by the frame and movable relative to the frame between a horizontal position and a chair egress position,
a mattress supported on the deck, and
a first siderail coupled to the frame including a first barrier,
wherein the first siderail is movable between a barrier position wherein a top surface of the barrier lies above a top surface of the mattress and the mattress has a first width defined between the first side and the second side of the deck along a length of the first barrier, a stowed position wherein the top surface of the first barrier lies below the top surface of the mattress, and an assist position wherein the top surface of the first barrier lies above the top surface of the mattress and the first barrier engages the mattress to cause the mattress to have a second width defined between the first side and the second side of the deck along the length of the first barrier, and the second width is less than the first width.

5. The patient support apparatus of claim 4, further including a second siderail coupled to the frame having a second barrier, wherein the second siderail is movable between a barrier position wherein a top surface of the second barrier lies above a top surface of the mattress and the mattress has a first width defined between the first side and the second side of the deck along a length of the second barrier, a stowed position wherein the top surface of the second barrier is below the top surface of the mattress, and an assist position wherein the top surface of the second barrier is above the top surface of the mattress and the second barrier engages the mattress to cause the mattress to have a second width between the first side and the second side of the deck along the length of the first barrier and the second barrier, and the second width is less than the first width.

6. The patient support apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first siderail includes a linkage having a first bar and a second bar and the first bar and the second bar are pivotably coupled to the first barrier and to the frame.

7. The patient support apparatus of claim 6 as dependent on any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the linkage extends out of the deck footprint when the first siderail is in the barrier position and the stowed position and the linkage lies in the deck footprint when the first siderail is in the assist position.

8. The patient support apparatus of either claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the first bar has a first end pivotably coupled to the first barrier and a second end pivotably coupled to the frame wherein the first end of the first bar pivots about a first substantially parallel to a length dimension of the deck and the second end of the first bar pivots about a second axis substantially parallel to the length dimension of the deck.

9. A patient support apparatus comprising
a base,
a frame coupled to the base,
a deck supported by the frame and movable relative to the frame between a substantially horizontal bed position and an articulated position, the deck including at least a head section, a foot section spaced-apart from the head section, and a seat section situated between the head section and the foot section,
the deck further including a head end, a foot end spaced-apart from the head end and substantially parallel to the head end, a first side extending between the head end and the foot end and substantially perpendicular to the head end, and a second side spaced-apart from the first side and extending substantially parallel to the first side between the head end and the foot end, and a first notch formed in the deck between the head section and the foot section and arranged to extend from the first side toward the second side of the deck, and
a first siderail coupled to the frame, the first siderail including a first barrier and a first linkage,
wherein the first siderail is movable between a barrier position in which the first barrier is substantially above the deck and the first linkage is positioned to lie out of the first notch, a stowed position in which the first barrier is substantially below the deck, and an assist position in which the first barrier is substantially above the deck and the first linkage extends into the first notch.

10. The patient support apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a second siderail coupled to the frame, the second siderail including a second barrier and a second linkage, wherein the deck is formed to include a second notch positioned between the head section and the foot section and arranged to extend from the second side toward the first side of the deck, and the second siderail is movable between a barrier position in which the second barrier is substantially above the deck and the second linkage lies out of the second notch, a stowed position in which the second barrier is substantially below the deck and the second linkage lies out of the second notch, and an assist position in which the second barrier is substantially above the deck and the second linkage extends into the second notch.

11. The patient support apparatus of either claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the deck includes a deck footprint defined by a length dimension of the deck extending from the head end of the deck to a foot end of the deck and a width dimension of the foot section of the deck, and the first barrier of the first siderail is substantially above the deck and outside the deck footprint when the first siderail is in the barrier position, the first barrier is substantially below the deck when in the stowed position, and the first barrier is substantially above the deck and in the deck footprint when in the assist position.

12. The patient support apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3 and 11, wherein the first barrier when in the stowed position is also in the deck footprint.

13. The patient support apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first siderail further includes a first slide assembly coupled to the first barrier and operable to move the first siderail between the barrier position and the assist position.

14. The patient support apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first slide assembly includes a slide shaft movable relative to the frame and a shaft lock coupled to the frame to move between a locked position disallowing movement of the slide shaft relative to the frame and an unlocked position allowing movement of the slide shaft relative to the frame.

15. The patient support apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first siderail further includes a slide shaft coupled to the first barrier and operable to move the first barrier, along a path substantially perpendicular to the length dimension of the deck.

Drawing