Side rail selectably movable from a first up position over center to a second down position
US8776286B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 14, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jul 15, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 14, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61G7/0516
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a side rail is provided having a body selectably movable from a first up position to a second down position. Two parallel lever arms are also provided. The arms rotate over center when moving the body between the two positions. This increases the horizontal distance through which the side rail moves. A biasing mechanism can be provided to urge the side rail towards either the up or down position, and to bias away from an intermediate toggle position wherein the lever arms are vertical in a preferred embodiment. The biasing mechanism can include a cam and roller. A hard stop can be provided, whereby in the up position there is a strong component to prevent failure. A release lever is also provided. A person can actuate the release lever to move the side rail from the up position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.