Footboard extension rail
A footboard extension rail employs a modified side rail. The modification includes a stabilizer bar attached to a convoluted rail and a spring-biased locking mechanism. The stabilizer bar fits around a lower portion of the footboard. A conventional clamping arrangement is utilized to attach the rail to the bed frame.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/775,366, filed Feb. 22, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to hospital equipment. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a footboard extension rail for the footboard of a conventional hospital bed.
2. Description of the Related Art
In many instances, patients in institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes and the like must restrained from exiting, their beds without assistance and without extreme physical restraints, such as tie-downs. Such patients are placed on what is called “fall prevention status”. Conventionally, extension rails have been positioned along the sides of the bed and have been effective in preventing the patients from exiting via the sides. Since the head of the bed is usually disposed adjacent a wall, exiting the bed in this direction is also blocked. However, patients may consider climbing over the footboard as a viable exit, thereby risking serious injury and equipment damage. A durable barrier that can be efficiently attached to the footboard of a conventional hospital bed and that would deter exiting the bed in this direction would certainly be a welcome addition in the art. Thus, a footboard extension rail solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is drawn to an extension rail for the footboards of conventional hospital beds. The extension rail employs a modified side rail. The modification includes stabilizer bars attached to a convoluted rail. The stabilizer bars fit around a lower portion of the footboard. A unique, spring-biased locking mechanism is employed to lock the rail in its extended position. A conventional clamping arrangement is utilized to attach the extension rail to the bed frame.
Accordingly, the invention presents an extension rail for a footboard that is easy to install and remove from the footboard of a bed. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTAttention is first directed to
As best seen in
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The spring-biased mechanism for locking the telescoping upper ends 20 and 22 in raised positions is best illustrated in
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A footboard extension rail, comprising:
- a first tubular member having telescoping upper and lower ends;
- a second tubular member spaced from the first tubular member, the second tubular member having telescoping upper and lower ends;
- a plurality of convoluted cross members traversing the space between the first tubular member and the second tubular member; the plurality of convoluted cross members being attached to the upper end of the first tubular member and the upper end of the second tubular member; and
- a stabilizer apparatus connecting the first tubular member to the second tubular member, the stabilizer apparatus being attached to the lower end of the first tubular member and the lower end of the second tubular member.
2. The footboard extension rail according to claim 1, wherein said stabilizer apparatus includes an upper bar and a lower bar.
3. The footboard extension rail according to claim 1, further including a clamping bar traversing the space between said first tubular member and said second tubular member, the clamping bar being attached to the lower end of said first tubular member and the lower end of said second tubular member.
4. The footboard extension rail according to claim 3, wherein said clamping bar is disposed below said stabilizer apparatus.
5. The footboard extension rail according to claim 1, further including a spring-loaded locking mechanism enclosed within said first tubular member, said second tubular member and said stabilizer apparatus.
6. A footboard extension rail, comprising:
- a first tubular member having telescoping upper and lower ends;
- a second tubular member spaced from the first tubular member, the second tubular member having telescoping upper and lower ends;
- a plurality of convoluted cross members traversing the space between the first tubular member and the second tubular member; the plurality of convoluted cross members being attached to the upper end of the first tubular member and the upper end of the second tubular member;
- a stabilizer apparatus connecting the first tubular member to the second tubular member, the stabilizer apparatus including an upper bar attached to the lower end of the first tubular member and the lower end of the second tubular member and a lower bar attached to the lower end of the first tubular member and the lower end of the second tubular member; and
- a clamping bar traversing the space between the first tubular member and the second tubular member, the clamping bar being attached to the lower end of the first tubular member and the lower end of the second tubular member.
7. The footboard extension rail according to claim 6, wherein said clamping bar is disposed below said stabilizer apparatus.
8. The footboard extension rail according to claim 6, further including a spring-loaded locking mechanism enclosed within said first tubular member, said second tubular member and said stabilizer apparatus.
9. The footboard extension rail according to claim 8 wherein the spring-biased locking mechanism comprises:
- a movable rod disposed within the upper bar of said stabilizing apparatus;
- a knob disposed on the upper bar for actuating the movable rod; and
- spring-biased locking pins attached to, and movable with, the movable rod, the spring-biased locking pins being disposed within said first tubular member and said second tubular member.
10. A footboard extension rail for installation at the footboard of a bed, the footboard having an outer surface, the footboard extension rail comprising:
- a first tubular member having telescoping upper and lower ends;
- a second tubular member spaced from the first tubular member, the second tubular member having telescoping upper and lower ends;
- a plurality of convoluted cross members traversing the space between the first tubular member and the second tubular member; the plurality of convoluted cross members being attached to the upper end of the first tubular member and the upper end of the second tubular member;
- a stabilizer apparatus connecting the first tubular member to the second tubular member, the stabilizer apparatus including an upper bar attached to the lower end of the first tubular member and the lower end of the second tubular member and a lower bar attached to the lower end of the first tubular member and the lower end of the second tubular member, whereby the stabilizer apparatus is adapted for abutting the outer surface of the footboard; and
- a clamping bar traversing the space between the first tubular member and the second tubular member, the clamping bar being attached to the lower end of the first tubular member and the lower end of the second tubular member.
11. The footboard extension rail according to claim 10, including a spring-loaded locking mechanism enclosed within said first tubular member, said second tubular member and said stabilizer apparatus.
12. The footboard extension rail according to claim 11 wherein the spring-biased locking mechanism comprises:
- a movable rod disposed within the upper bar of said stabilizing apparatus;
- a knob disposed on the upper bar for actuating the movable rod; and
- spring-biased locking pins attached to, and movable with, the movable rod, the spring-biased locking pins being disposed within said first tubular member and said second tubular member.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 20, 2007
Publication Date: Aug 23, 2007
Inventor: Carl G. Milam (Memphis, TN)
Application Number: 11/708,057
International Classification: A47C 21/08 (20060101);