Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001]The present invention relates to webbing, more particularly to flexible webbing, and specifically to flexible webbing for bed rails.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002]A mattress includes a core or support layer, an upholstery or comfort layer, and ticking. The core or support layer provides foundational support and can include innerspring coils. The upholstery or comfort layer is disposed about or around the core and provides cushioning and comfort. It may include a foam such as foam rubber or a viscoelastic foam. Ticking is a thick fabric that wraps around the mattress as a whole, covering the top, bottom, right side, left side, head end, and foot end of the mattress. Ticking is the outermost layer.
[0003]A box spring may include metal coils or springs inside of a frame, such as a wooden frame. A box spring is a mattress support. A box spring keeps the mattress off the ground or floor. It is a foundation for the mattress. It absorbs impacts and distributes body weight. It reduces wear and tear on the mattress. It provides ventilation to the mattress. It provides a particular bed height.
[0004]The mattress is the uppermost object. The box spring is directly underneath the mattress. Directly underneath and supporting the box spring may be a lowermost usually metal frame, generally rectangular in shape with cross supports, that may or may not include corner wheels that rotate on a vertical axis and can spin for 360 degrees to permit relatively easy positioning of the mattress, box spring, and lowermost frame combination. Instead of corner wheels, the box frame may have feet with extremely low friction disk shaped sliders on the bottommost ends of the feet.
[0005]A mattress is typically parallelepiped in shape. A box spring is typically parallelepiped in shape. A box spring of a particular size may have a greater width than its associated mattress.
[0006]Mattresses and box springs come in a variety of sizes. Some of the more conventional sizes are twin, full, queen, and king. A twin mattress or box spring has a lesser width than a full size mattress or box spring, which in turn has a lesser width than a queen size mattress or box spring, which in turn as a lesser width than a king size mattress or box spring.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007]A feature of the present invention is the provision in a bed rail, of a rail portion for confronting a first side of a bed and a leg portion for being disposed between a mattress and a box spring.
[0008]Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a bed rail, of a proximal anchor adjacent to at least one of the rail portion and leg portion.
[0009]Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a bed rail, of a distal anchor spaced from the proximal anchor.
[0010]Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a bed rail, of webbing between the first and second anchors.
[0011]Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a bed rail, of the webbing being fixable in a first configuration at a first distance to engage mattresses and box springs of a first width.
[0012]Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a bed rail, of the webbing being fixable in a second configuration at a second distance to engage mattresses and box springs of a second width.
[0013]An advantage of the present invention is that a first configuration of webbing relates to mattresses and box springs of a first width and a second configuration of webbing relates to mattresses and box springs of a second width.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first webbing combination engaged to a bed, where the first webbing combination includes a first length, and where the bed includes a twin mattress, box spring, and lowermost frame.
[0015]FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the first webbing combination engaged to a bed, where the first webbing combination includes a second length, and where the bed includes a queen/full size mattress, box spring, and lowermost frame.
[0016]FIG. 1C is an isolated perspective view of the first webbing combination of the first length shown in FIG. 1A and the first webbing combination of the second length shown in FIG. 1B.
[0017]FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a second webbing combination engaged to a bed, where the second webbing combination includes a first length, and where the bed includes a twin mattress, box spring, and lowermost frame.
[0018]FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the second webbing combination engaged to a bed, where the second webbing combination includes a second length, and where the bed includes a queen/full size mattress, box spring, and lowermost frame.
[0019]FIG. 2C is an isolated perspective view of the second webbing combination of the first length shown in FIG. 2A and the second webbing combination of the second length shown in FIG. 2B.
[0020]FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a third webbing combination engaged to a bed, where the third webbing combination includes a first length, and where the bed includes a twin mattress, box spring, and lowermost frame.
[0021]FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the third webbing combination engaged to a bed, where the third webbing combination includes a second length, and where the bed includes a queen/full size mattress, box spring, and lowermost frame.
[0022]FIG. 3C is an isolated perspective view of the third webbing combination of the first length shown in FIG. 3A and the third webbing combination of the second length shown in FIG. 3B.
[0023]FIG. 4A is a side elevation view of a swing down bed rail having a distal anchor fixed at a first distance from a proximal anchor for engaging a mattress and box spring of a first size, with the strap between the anchors having a clip and a stopper that are not employed in FIG. 4A.
[0024]FIG. 4B is a side elevation view of the swing down bed rail of FIG. 4A having the distal anchor fixed at a second distance from the proximal anchor for engaging a mattress and box spring of a second size, where the clip is engaged to a rivet adjacent to the proximal anchor and where the stopper is not employed in FIG. 4B.
[0025]FIG. 4C is a side elevation view of the swing down bed rail of FIGS. 4A and 4B having the distal anchor stopped at a third distance from the proximal anchor by the clip and stopper having engaged the distal end of the leg of the swing down bed rail by the proximal end of the strap being pulled, such that the distal anchor, intentionally, does not engage the mattress and box spring of the second size.
[0026]FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the proximal end of the strap of FIG. 4A.
[0027]FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the junction of between the rail portion and leg portion of the swing down bed rail of FIG. 4A, and shows the rivet that engages the clip in FIG. 4B.
[0028]FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the distal end of the strap of FIG. 4A.
[0029]FIG. 5D is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 4A being slideable on the strap of FIG. 4A.
[0030]FIG. 5E is a perspective view of the stopper of FIG. 4A being nonremovably fixed on the strap of FIG. 4A.
[0031]FIG. 5F is a side elevation partially broken away view of a strap of a swing down bed rail engaged between the leg of the swing down bed rail and the distal anchor of the swing down bed rail, with the strap having the clip and the stopper.
[0032]FIG. 5G is a bottom view of the strap of FIG. 5F.
[0033]FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a swing down bed rail having the clip and the stopper engaged on the strap between the leg of the bed rail and the distal anchor of the bed rail.
[0034]FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the swing down bed rail of FIG. 6 showing one of the first and second clips and showing each of the first and second stoppers.
[0035]FIG. 7B is a detail perspective exploded view of one of the clips, one of the stoppers, and a portion of the strap of FIG. 7A.
[0036]FIG. 8A is a side partially broken away view of the strap of FIG. 7A.
[0037]FIG. 8B is a bottom partially broken away view of the strap of FIG. 7A.
[0038]FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 7B.
[0039]FIG. 9B is a front view of the clip of FIG. 9A.
[0040]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one of the legs of the swing down bed rail of FIG. 7A.
[0041]FIG. 11A is a side elevation view of one of the legs of the swing down bed rail of FIG. 7A and further shows a portion of the strap of the swing down bed rail of FIG. 7A extending through the guide that is engaged to the distal end of the leg of the bed rail.
[0042]FIG. 11B is a section isolated view of the guide of FIG. 11B and shows a slot through which the strap extends.
[0043]FIG. 11C is a perspective isolated view of the guide of FIG. 11A.
[0044]FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the junction of FIG. 7A that interconnects the leg and rail portions of the swing down bed rail, with the junction having a bottom receptor portion for a lever lock and the strap.
[0045]FIG. 12B is a section view of the junction of FIG. 12A and shows the bottom receptor portion for the lever lock and strap.
[0046]FIG. 13A is a side elevation view of one of the legs of the swing down bed rail of FIG. 7A and further shows a portion of the strap of the swing down bed rail of FIG. 7A extending through the bottom receptor portion for the lever lock and strap.
[0047]FIG. 13B shows a side elevation isolated view of the lever lock that is employed in the bottom receptor portion of FIG. 13A.
[0048]FIG. 13C is a top isolated view of the lever lock of FIG. 13B.
[0049]FIG. 13D is a perspective view of the lever lock of FIG. 13B.
[0050]FIG. 13E is a rear view of the lever lock of FIG. 13B.
[0051]FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the proximal end of the strap of FIG. 14F for a double sided bed rail.
[0052]FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the junction of between the rail portion and leg portion of FIG. 14F for a double sided bed rail, and shows the rivet that engages the clip of FIG. 14D.
[0053]FIG. 14C is a perspective view of the distal end of the strap of FIG. 14F for a double sided bed rail.
[0054]FIG. 14D is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 14F being slideable on the strap of FIG. 14F.
[0055]FIG. 14E is a perspective view of the stopper of FIG. 14F being nonremovably fixed on the strap of FIG. 14F.
[0056]FIG. 14F is a side elevation partially broken away view of a strap for a double sided bed rail engaged between the legs of a double sided bed rail, with the strap having the clip of FIG. 14D and the stopper of FIG. 14E.
[0057]FIG. 14G is a bottom view of the strap of FIG. 14F.
[0058]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a double sided bed rail showing first and second clips and further showing first and second stoppers.
[0059]FIG. 16A is a perspective exploded view of one of the double legs, strap, clip, and stopper combination of the double sided bed rail of FIG. 15.
[0060]FIG. 16B is a detail isolated view of the clip and stopper of FIG. 16A and further shows a portion of the strap of FIG. 16A.
[0061]FIG. 17A is a perspective view of the proximal end of the strap of FIG. 17F for a track and rider bed rail that is tuckable away between a mattress and box spring.
[0062]FIG. 17B is a perspective view of a leg of the track and rider bed rail that is tuckable away between a mattress and box spring, and shows the rivet that engages the leg of the track and rider bed rail that is tuckable away between a mattress and box spring.
[0063]FIG. 17C is a perspective view of the distal end of the strap of FIG. 17F for the track and rider bed rail that is tuckable away between a mattress and box spring.
[0064]FIG. 17D is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 17F being slideable on the strap of FIG. 17F.
[0065]FIG. 17E is a perspective view of the stopper of FIG. 17F being nonremovably fixed on the strap of FIG. 17F.
[0066]FIG. 17F is a side elevation partially broken away view of a strap for the track and rider bed rail that is tuckable away between a mattress and box spring, with the strap having the clip of FIG. 17D and the stopper of FIG. 17E.
[0067]FIG. 17G is a bottom view of the strap of FIG. 17F.
[0068]FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of the track and rider bed rail that is tuckable away between a mattress and box spring, and shows the clip and stopper of the present invention.
[0069]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the bed rail of FIG. 18.
[0070]FIG. 20 is a front view of the bed rail of FIG. 18.
[0071]FIG. 21 is a perspective exploded view of one of the leg, clip, stopper, strap, and distal anchor combination of the bed rail of FIG. 18.
[0072]FIG. 22 is a perspective assembled view of the leg, clip, stopper, strap, and distal anchor combination of FIG. 21.
[0073]FIG. 23 is a perspective exploded view of one of the leg, clip, stopper, strap, and distal anchor combination of the bed rail of FIG. 18.
[0074]FIG. 24 is a perspective assembled view of the leg, clip, stopper, strap, and distal anchor combination of FIG. 23.
[0075]FIG. 25 is a perspective exploded view of the other of the leg, clip, stopper, strap, and distal anchor combination of the bed rail of FIG. 18.
[0076]FIG. 26 is a perspective assembled view of the leg, clip, stopper, strap, and distal anchor combination of FIG. 25.
[0077]FIG. 27A is a rear perspective view of the guide that is engaged on the distal end of one of the legs of the bed rail of FIG. 18.
[0078]FIG. 27B is a front perspective view of the guide of FIG. 27A.
[0079]FIG. 28 is a perspective bottom view of the front of one of the legs of the bed rail of FIG. 18 showing a bottom receptor portion for a lever lock and strap of the bed rail of FIG. 18.
[0080]FIG. 29A shows a perspective view of one of the lever locks for the bed rail of FIG. 18 that is employed in the bottom receptor portion of FIG. 28.
[0081]FIG. 29B is a side view of the lever lock of FIG. 29A.
[0082]FIG. 29C is a rear elevation view of the bottom receptor portion of FIG. 28 having therein the lever lock of FIGS. 29A and 29B.
DESCRIPTION
[0083]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first webbing combination 10 engaged to a bed 12, where the first webbing combination 10 includes a first length, and where the bed 12 includes a twin mattress 14, box spring 16, and lowermost frame 18. Mattress 14 includes a top 20, a bottom 22, a bed rail side 24, an anchor side 26, a head end 28, and a foot end 30. Box spring 16 includes a top 32, bottom 34, bed rail side 36, anchor side 38, head end 40, and foot end 42. Lowermost frame 18 includes feet 44 at the corners of the frame 18. Lowermost frame 18 is metal, rectangular, and includes cross supports.
[0084]First webbing combination 10 is further engaged to a bed rail 46. Bed rail 46 includes a generally rectangular rail portion 48, first and second parallel leg portions 50, and first and second L-shaped anchor portions 52. Rail portion 48 includes sheeting 54 running to and between the upper rail and lower rail and to and between the side rails that form such rectangular shape. The lower rail is slightly longer than the upper rail so as to engage at the distal ends of the lower rail anchor portions 52. The L-shaped anchor portions 52 are generally L-shaped so as to sit upon the top 32 of the box spring 16 while engaged to the bed rail side 24 of the mattress 14. L-shaped anchor portion 52 may also be referred to as a counter member. Leg portions 50 are disposed between the top 32 of the box sprint 16 and the bottom 22 of the mattress 14. Rail portion 48 is swingable relative to the leg portions 50 so as to confront the bed rail side 36 of the box spring 16 and so as to swing from the bed rail side 24 of the mattress 14 to the bed rail side 36 of the box spring 16 and back again. L-shaped anchor portion 52 includes a rail lock so as to lock the rail portion 48 to the bed rail side 24 of the mattress 14. Rail portion 48 extends to and beyond the top 20 of the mattress 14.
[0085]First webbing combination 10 includes one L-shaped anchor portion 52, one leg portion 50, a proximal flexible strap portion 56, a first or long distal flexible strap portion 58, a second or short distal flexible strap portion 60, a T-shaped cleat or anchor portion 62, a female buckle portion 64, a first male buckle portion 66, a second male buckle portion 68. L-shaped anchor portion 52 includes a strap lock on its underside to lock proximal flexible strap portion 56 at an effective length, where the anchor portions 52, 62 hug the mattress 14 therebetween to fix the bed rail 46 securely to the bed rail side 24 of the mattress 16. Leg portion 50 includes a slot on the underside of the distal end 70 of the leg portion 50 to maintain the proximal flexible strap portion 56 parallel to and in close relationship to the underside of the leg portion 50. Leg portion 50 is preferably formed of metal. Leg portion 50 is tubular. Leg portion 50 is non-rotatably fixed to L-shaped anchor portion 52 such that leg portion 50 and L-shaped anchor portion 52 are one-piece. On its distal end, proximal flexible strap portion 56 includes a female buckle 64.
[0086]First webbing combination 10 further includes the first or long distal flexible strap portion 58 having at a proximal end male buckle 66 and having at a distal end the T-shaped anchor portion 62. Intermediate of the proximal and distal ends is the second or short distal flexible strap portion 60 that diverges from a junction between strap portion 58 and T-shaped anchor portion 62. The second or short distal flexible strap portion 60 includes at its free end the male buckle portion 68. The other end of the strap portion 60 is engaged to the junction between the strap portion 58 and the T-shaped anchor portion 62. Male buckle portion 68 is engaged with female buckle portion 64 when the first webbing combination 10 is used on the twin size bed 12. In such use, male buckle portion 66 is not employed and is a free end of the first or long distal flexible strap portion 58 as shown in FIG. 1A.
[0087]Male buckle portion 66 is employed in FIG. 1B by being engaged to female buckle portion 64.
[0088]FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the first webbing combination 10 engaged to a bed 72, where the first webbing combination 10 includes a second length, and where the bed 72 includes a queen or full size mattress 74, box spring 76, and lowermost frame 78. Mattress 74 includes a top 80, a bottom 82, a bed rail side 84, an anchor side 88, a head end 90, and a foot end 92. Box spring 76 includes a top 94, bottom 96, bed rail side 98, anchor side 100, head end 102, and foot end 104. Lowermost frame 78 includes feet 106 at the corners of the frame 78. Lowermost frame 78 is metal, rectangular, and includes cross supports.
[0089]The bed rail 46 shown in FIG. 1A is the same bed rail 46 shown in FIG. 1B.
[0090]Whereas in FIG. 1A with the twin size mattress 14, short strap portion 60 and male buckle 68 are employed, male buckle 66 and long strap portion 58 are employed in FIG. 1B with the queen or full sized mattress 74.
[0091]In each of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, a relatively short strap end 108 is adjacent to L-shaped anchor portion 52. Relatively short strap end 108 is an end of proximal strap portion 56. The length of relatively short strap end 108 is about the same regardless of whether first webbing combination 10 is employed on a twin size mattress 10 or a full size mattress 74. The relatively short strap end 108 would be about six inches shorter when the first webbing combination 10 is employed on a queen sized mattress 74. A full sized mattress is usually about 54 inches in width. A queen size mattress is usually about 60 inches in width.
[0092]Leg portion 50 includes a tubular metal portion between the L-shaped anchor portion 52 and the distal end 70.
[0093]T-shaped anchor portion 62 includes an upright section that confronts the anchor side 26 of the mattress 14 and a downwardly extending section that confronts the anchor side 38 of the box spring 16. The inner side of the upright section is offset from and inwardly of the inner side of the downwardly extending section because mattress 14 usually has a lesser width than the box spring 16.
[0094]Second webbing combination 110 includes a sub-combination 112 having no stoppers and a sub-combination 114 having stoppers 116.
[0095]Sub-combination 112 is employed on the twin sized mattress 14 shown in FIG. 2A. Sub-combination 114 is employed on the queen or full sized mattress 74 of FIG. 2B.
[0096]Sub-combination 112 includes a flexible strap portion 116 having a distal end 118 engaged to T-shaped anchor portion 62 and a free end portion 120. Free end portion 120 includes a pointed or slanted or oblique absolute free end 122. Absolute free end 122 is oblique or pointed so as to be easily fed through the slot on the underside of the distal end 70 of the leg portion and so as to be easily fed through the lock on the underside of the L-shaped anchor portion 52. Flexible strap portion 116 further includes strap end 108. The length of the strap end 108 is about the same as the strap end 108 in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Strap end 108 includes the free end portion 120 and further includes the oblique or pointed absolute free end 122. The length of strap end 108 is the length attained when L-shaped anchor portion 52 and T-shaped anchor portion 62 have been pulled relatively together so as to hug mattress 14 securely therebetween and when the strap portion 116 has been locked by the lock on the underside of the L-shaped anchor portion 52.
[0097]Sub-combination 114 includes strap portion 118. Strap portion 118 also includes free end portion 120 and the pointed or slanting or oblique absolute end 122. Strap portion 118 further includes a stopper 121. Stopper 121 is formed of any material, rigid or soft or resilient, that has a dimension that prevents the stopper 121 from traveling through the slot on the underside of the distal end 70. Stopper 121 has a dimension greater than the dimension of such slot, where such slot is a through slot. Stopper 121 has a dimension or size greater than the section of the strap portion 118 to which the stopper 121 is engaged. For example, the width of the stopper 121 may be greater than the width of the strap portion 118. The height of the stopper 121 may be greater than the height of the strap portion 118.
[0098]The L-shaped anchor portion 52 and the T-shaped anchor portion 62 hug the mattress 74, when the mattress 74 is a queen sized mattress, at a location on the strap portion 118 between the stopper 121 and the absolute free end 122 because the queen sized mattress has a greater width than the full sized mattress.
[0099]The L-shaped anchor portion 52 and T-shaped anchor portion 62 hug the mattress 74, when the mattress 74 is a full sized mattress, at the stopper location, i.e. at the proximal or front side of the stopper 121. At such a location, the stopper 121 encounters the slot on the underside of the distal end 70 and, at such location, the L-shaped anchor portion 52 and T-shaped anchor portion 62 hug the full sized mattress securely.
[0100]Stopper 121 is nonremovably fixed at a single location on strap portion 118.
[0101]Strap end 108 is about six inches shorter when the sub-combination 114 is used on a queen sized mattress than when the sub-combination 114 is used on a full sized mattress.
[0102]A third webbing combination 124 is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The third webbing combination 124 includes a flexible strap portion 126 having a distal end 128 engaged to the T-shaped anchor portion 62. Flexible strap portion 126 has strap end 108 and further has a doubled over absolute free end 130. Doubled over absolute free end 130 has a thickness greater than a slot in the strap lock engaged to the underside of anchor portion 52 such that the doubled over absolute free end 130 cannot slide backwards out of the strap lock engaged to the underside of the anchor portion 52. Such that strap portion 126 is engaged at the factory to T-shaped anchor portion 62 and to L-shaped anchor portion 52. A clip 132 and stopper 134 are also engaged at the factory to strap portion 126. Stopper 134 has a dimension greater than a slot 136 in clip 132. Clip 132 in turn has a dimension greater than a slot formed on the underside of the distal end 70 of the leg portion 50 such that when the clip 132 hits such distal end 70 and distal end slot and is pinched between the distal end 70 and the stopper 134, the clip 132 cannot slide through the distal end slot and the stopper 134 cannot slide through the clip 132 such that the third webbing combination 124 cannot be engaged to the smaller twin size mattress 14 where the clip 132 is unengaged to a rivet 138 on the L-shaped anchor portion 52. Clip 132 may be referred to as a sliding clip or a slider.
[0103]The third webbing combination 124 is engaged to the twin size mattress 14 and box spring 16 by first engaging a hole 140 in the clip 132 to the rivet 138 on the L-shaped anchor portion 52. Hole 140 is keyhole shaped. Rivet 138 includes a cap that is extendable through and has a lesser diameter than one portion of the keyhole but is not extendable through and has a greater diameter than the other portion of the keyhole. When clip 132 is engaged to the rivet 138, strap portion 126 has an effective length for the twin size mattress 14 and box spring 16, with the effective length being where the anchor portions 52 and 62 hug the mattress 16 and box spring 16 securely therebetween to place the bed rail 46 securely up against the bed rail sides 24, 36 of the mattress 16 and box spring 16, respectively. Pulling on the strap end 106 pulls the strap portion 126 through the strap lock, through the distal end slot, and through the slot 136 of the clip 132 until the anchor portions 52, 62 hug the mattress 14 and box spring 16 securely.
[0104]The third webbing combination 124 is engaged to the queen or full sized mattress 14 and box spring 16 without employing the clip 132 or the stopper 134 and without engaging the clip 132 on the rivet 138. Such is shown in FIG. 3B where the clip 132 and stopper 134 is not used and where the clip 132 is disengaged from the rivet 138. Here, as shown in FIG. 3B, the effective length, i.e., the length where the anchor portions 52, 62 hug the mattress 74 and box spring 76 securely so that the bed rail 46 is up securely against the bed rail sides 84, 98 of the mattress 74 and box spring 76, respectively, includes a strap end 108 that is about the same length of the strap end 108 in FIG. 3A. As with the other embodiments, the strap end 108 is about six inches shorter when the third webbing embodiment 124 is employed on queen sized mattresses than full sized mattresses because the queen size mattresses have a greater width.
[0105]Stopper 134 is nonremovably fixed at a single location on strap portion 126.
[0106]When one attempts to use the third webbing embodiment 124 on the twin sized mattress 14 and box spring 16 without engaging the clip 132 to the rivet 138, the strap portion 126 will be pulled until the clip 132 is pinched between the distal end 70 and the stopper 134, at which point the anchor portions 52, 62 are spaced at a distance apart from each other that is greater than the width of the mattress 14 and greater than the width of the box spring 16. Hence the anchor portions 52, 62 will not engage the mattress 14 and box spring 16.
[0107]FIG. 4A shows a swing down bed rail 142. Swing down bed rail 142 includes a rail portion 144, a leg portion 146, and a junction or base 148 between the rail portion 144 and the leg portion 146. Swing down bed rail 142 further includes a strap 150 and a distal anchor or base 152. A proximal anchor is the junction or base 148. Swing down bed rail 142 further includes a stopper 154 and a clip 156. A first embodiment of the stopper 154 is shown in FIG. 5E and designated stopper 154A. A second embodiment of the stopper 154 is shown in FIG. 7B and designated stopper 154B. Clip 156 is shown in FIG. 7B. Swing down bed rail 142 further includes a strap guide 158 engaged to a distal end of leg 146 and a strap lock 160 in a bottom portion of the housing for the junction 148. Swing down bed rail 142 further includes a lower cross support 162 and an intermediate cross support 164.
[0108]In FIG. 4A, a proximal end 166 of the strap 150 is pulled to draw the distal anchor 152 in the direction toward the junction 148 through a slot in the guide 158 to thereby hug or pinch therebetween a first mattress of a first width. The strap 150 is then locked by the strap lock 160. Then the rail portion 144 may be swung up against a first side of the first mattress, or the rail portion 144 may be swung down and away from the first side of the first mattress. In such position, the clip 156 and the stopper 154 play no function and lie flat against the strap 150 and between a first box spring and the first mattress.
[0109]In FIG. 4B, clip 156 is about to be engaged to a rivet 168 by pivoting the upright clip 156 to a down or generally horizontal position where the clip 156 is engaged to the rivet 168. Then the proximal end 166 of the strap 150 is pulled so as to draw the junction 148, acting as the proximal anchor, against the near side of a second mattress having a second width and so as to hug or pinch the second mattress between the junction 148 and the distal anchor 152. The strap 150 is then locked by the strap lock 160. Then the rail portion 144 may be swung up against a first side of the first mattress, or the rail portion 144 may be swung down and away from the first side of the first mattress. In such position shown in FIG. 4B, the clip 156 sets an effective length to the strap 150 when engaged to the rivet 168, with such effective length being the width of the second mattress. In such position shown in FIG. 4B, the stopper 154 plays no function and lies flat against the strap 150 and between a second box spring and the second mattress.
[0110]In FIG. 4C, a user has attempted to engage the bed rail 142 to the second mattress having the second width. However, the user has not engaged the clip 156 to the rivet 156. In such a situation, the user pulls the proximal end 166 of the strap 150 until the clip 156 and stopper 154 are pulled against the guide 158. In such a position, distal anchor 152 is spaced from the far side of the second mattress and cannot be drawn any closer to the far side of the second mattress because stopper 154 is engaged against the clip 156 that in turn is engaged against the guide 158. Stopper 154 thereby 1) minimizes a length of the portion of the strap 150 disposed frontwardly of the rail portion 144 and stopper 154 and 2) minimizes the chance that the bed rail 142 can be engaged on the second mattress when the clip 156 is not engaged to the rivet 168.
[0111]In FIG. 4A, dashed line 170 denotes the far side of the first mattress, for example the far side of a queen or full size mattress.
[0112]In FIG. 4A, dashed line 172 denotes the near side of the first mattress, for example the near side of a queen of full size mattress.
[0113]In FIGS. 4B and 4C, dashed line 174 denotes the far side of the second mattress, for example the far side of a twin sized mattress.
[0114]In FIGS. 4B and 4C, dashed line 176 denotes the near side of the second mattress, for example the near side of a twin sized mattress.
[0115]As shown in FIG. 4A, the length of the proximal end portion of the strap 150 that extends proximally from the lock 160 is minimal because the strap 150 is pre-sized at the factory to fit the width of the first mattress where, for example, the first mattress is a queen or full sized mattress.
[0116]As shown in FIG. 4B, the length of the proximal end portion of the strap 150 that extends proximally from the lock 160 is minimal because the clip 156 draws back a portion of the strap 150 to the rivet 160 where the clip 156 is engaged.
[0117]As shown in FIG. 4C, this is the case where the user does not engage the clip 156 to the rivet 168. Here, when the user pulls on the strap 150, the stopper 154 engages the guide 158 (the clip 156 is pinched between the guide 158 and the stopper 154), thereby stopping a drawing in of the distal anchor 152 such that the distal anchor 152 is spaced from and does not engage the far side 174 of the second mattress. At the same time, the length of the proximal end portion of the strap 150 that extends proximally from the junction 148 and lock 160 is minimized. Without the stopper 154, the strap 150 would be further pulled until the distal anchor 152 engages the far side of the second mattress 174, leaving a greater length of the strap 150 extending proximally from the lock 160.
[0118]FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, and 5G relate to the swing down bed rail 142 of FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C.
[0119]FIG. 5A shows the proximal end 166 of the strap 150. The proximal end 166 may have a strap end doubled over in an upward manner as shown in FIG. 5A or in a downward manner as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C so as to form a loop. The doubled over end is then stitched to an intermediate portion of the strap 150 by stitching 178.
[0120]FIG. 5B shows a rear perspective view of the junction 148, where the rivet 168 engages the junction 148 to leg portion 146. A proximal end of leg portion 146 is engaged in a parallelepiped receptor 180 of the junction 148 and engaged therein by the rivet 168. Rivet 168 includes a head and a neck, with the head being spaced from the upper surface of the parallelepiped receptor 180 such that the clip 156 can engage the neck and such that the clip 156 can be retained thereon by the head that has a greater circumference than the neck, which head has a lesser circumference than one of the openings in the keyhole of the clip 156, and which head has a greater circumference than the other keyhole of the clip 156.
[0121]FIG. 5C shows a distal end 182 of the strap 150. The distal end 182 may have a strap end doubled over in an upward manner as shown in FIG. 5C or in a downward manner. The doubled over end is stitched to an intermediate portion of the strap 150 by stitching 178 to form a loop that nonremovably engages an integral or shaft portion of the distal anchor 152. Distal anchor 152 is engaged to distal end 182 at the factory so as to be nonremovable by the user. Only by destroying the integrity of the strap 150 or distal anchor 152 is the strap distal end 182 removable from the distal anchor 152.
[0122]FIG. 5D shows clip 156. Clip 156 is triangular in shape and includes a through slot 184 for the strap 150 and a keyhole 186 for engaging the rivet 168. Clip 156 is slideable on the strap 150. Clip 156 is placed on the strap 150 at the factory and is nonremovable from the strap 150. Only by destroying the integrity of the strap 150 or the clip 156 is the clip 156 removable from the strap 150. The clip 156 may be formed from plastic.
[0123]FIG. 5E shows stopper 154A nonremovably engaged to the strap 150 and, further, fixed at one location and one location only on the strap 150. In other words, stopper 154A is not slideable axially along the strap 150. Stopper 154A is shaped in the form of a buckle and includes first, second, and third cross members that form first and second slots. A loop 188 that has been formed by stitching portions of the strap 150 to each other engages one of the cross members of the stopper 154A and extends through one of the slots of the stopper 154A. When the stopper 154A pinches the clip 156 against the guide 158, the stopper 154A stops the strap 150 from being further drawn in through the guide 158 since a slot in the guide 158 has a lesser width and height dimension than either the clip 156 or the stopper 154A.
[0124]FIG. 5F shows the bed rail 142, minus the rail portion 144, in a configuration where the bed rail 142 engages the first mattress, where the first mattress may be, for example, a queen or full size mattress. It can be noted that the strap 150 runs or extends under the leg portion 146 in this configuration, as opposed to the configuration where the rivet 168 and clip 156 are engaged to each other and where in such configuration portions of the strap 150 run or extend both below and above the leg portion 146.
[0125]FIG. 5G shows an isolated bottom view of the strap 150 having engaged thereon the clip 156 and the stopper 154A. Reference number 190 shows a stitch line where portions of strap 150 have been drawn together and stitched to one another to form the loop 188.
[0126]FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the swing down bed rail 142 and is the same view as FIG. 4A but in a slightly enlarged fashion. It should be noted that the acute angle of the rail portion 144 relative to the leg portion 146 provides a better hug to the near side of the mattress and minimizes any gap that may otherwise be present between the inner face of the rail portion 144 and the near side of the mattress. It should be noted that the distal anchor 152 includes an upper inner face 192 and a lower inner face 194 that are offset from each other both in the vertical and horizontal directions. The upper inner face 192 confronts the mattress. The lower inner face confronts the box spring. Box springs may have slightly greater widths than mattresses. The leg 195 of the distal anchor 152 extends between the mattress and the box spring.
[0127]FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the swing down bed rail 142. Swing down bed rail 142 includes first and second straps 150, first and second stoppers 154B, first and second clips 156, first and second junctions 148, first and second legs 146, and first and second distal anchors 152. In the configuration shown in FIG. 7A, a first mattress may have the width as shown in FIG. 7A. The near side of the first mattress, such as a queen or full size mattress, engages the first and second junctions 148 that act as proximal anchors and the far side of the first mattress engages the distal anchors 152. In such a configuration, the first and second clips 156 remain unengaged to the rivet 168 and the first and second stoppers 154B remain spaced from the first and second guides 158. In such a configuration, the first and second clips 156 are not employed and the first and second stoppers 154B are not employed.
[0128]FIG. 7A shows that the rail portion 144 includes sheeting 196. Sheeting 196 extends from an uppermost cross support member 198 to a lowermost cross support member 200. Sheeting 196 extends from a first side support member 202 to a second side support member 204.
[0129]FIG. 7B is a detail exploded isolated view of clip 156, stopper 154B, a portion of strap 150, and loop 188 that engages stopper 154B. FIG. 7B shows the through slot 184 and the through keyhole 186 formed in the clip 156. FIG. 7B shows that stopper 154B includes first and second cross supports and first and second side supports, and that such first and second cross supports and first and second side supports form a through opening 206. Loop 188 engages stopper 154B by engaging slot 206. Stopper 154B is pivotal in loop 188 such that stopper 154B can lay flat, such as in the configurations of FIGS. 4A and 4B, and such that the stopper 154B can be disposed at an oblique or other position relative to strap 150, such as a position parallel to or perpendicular to strap 150, when the stopper 154B is adjacent to the guide 158 and in operation, i.e., preventing the strap 150 from being further drawn in the proximal direction. Stopper 154A too is pivotal relative to the strap 150. Stopper 154A too is disposed at an oblique, parallel, or perpendicular position relative to the strap 150 when in operation, i.e., when adjacent to the guide 158 and preventing the strap 150 from being drawn in the proximal direction. Instead of being disposed in a plane, stopper 154B may have a slight curvature.
[0130]FIGS. 8A and 8B show that strap 150 includes loop 188 for engaging one of the stoppers 154A, 154B, a distal end 182 having a loop formed by doubling over an absolute distal end of strap 150, and a proximal end 166 having a loop formed by doubling over an absolute proximal end of strap 150. Lock 160 may be manufactured to permit or not to permit a sliding through of the loop of proximal end 166. Guide 158 may be manufactured to permit or not to permit a sliding through of the loop of proximal end 166. Slot 184 of clip 156 may be manufactured to permit or not to permit a sliding through of loop of proximal end 166. Preferably neither the lock 160 nor the guide 158 nor the slot 184 of clip 156 permits a sliding through of the loop containing proximal end 166 such that the strap 150 is engaged at the factory to lock 160, guide 158, clip 156, stopper 154A or stopper 154B, and distal anchor 152 such that strap 150 is nonremovable from lock 160, guide 158, clip 156, stopper 154A, stopper 154B, and distal anchor 152 without destroying an integrity of any of such parts. The double thickness of the proximal end 166 prevents a sliding through of such end 166 through lock 166, guide 158, and clip 156, which have slots of a lesser dimension or thickness or height such that the doubled over proximal end 166 cannot slip through. Strap 150 is flexible from the proximal end 166 to the distal end 182.
[0131]FIGS. 9A and 9B show detail views of the clip 156. Keyhole 186 includes first and second circular portions 208, 210. The first and second circular portions 208, 210 communicate with each other such that the neck of the rivet 168 can pass from first circular portion 208 to second circular portion 210 and from second circular portion 210 to first circular portion 208. First circular portion 208 has a diameter greater than the head of the rivet 168 and greater than the neck of the rivet 168. Second circular portion 210 has a diameter less than the head of the rivet 168 such that the head of the rivet 168 cannot pass through the second circular portion 210. The second circular portion 210 has a diameter about equal to the neck of the rivet 168. The passage between the first and second circular portions 208, 210 has a width slightly less than the neck of the rivet 168 such that there is a click and/or a feeling of slight resistance to the human fingers as the neck slips through the passage, into one of the circular portions 208, 210 and out of the other of the circular portions 208, 210. Second circular portion 210, in which the neck of the rivet 168 is engaged when the second mattress is engaged, is spaced opposite of the slot 184 such that when the strap 150 is pulled the clip 156 is pulled to retain the neck of the rivet 168 in the second circular portion 210. In other words, the pulling force is in the direction from the first circular portion 208 to the second circular portion 210. Slot 184 has first and second ends, with one of the ends being adjacent to one of the three points of the triangular shape of the clip 156 and with the other of the ends being adjacent to one of the other three points of the triangular shape of the clip 156. Slot 184 includes an axis that runs parallel to the side of the clip 156 to which the slot 184 is adjacent. Crescent shaped through openings 212 that are adjacent to the passage between circular portions 208, 210 provide a resiliency to the clip 156 at the passage between the circular portions 2018, 210. A circumference to the clip 156 is rounded to minimize cuts to fingers when the clip 156 is engaged on and disengaged from rivet 168. Slot 184 has curved lead ins to make it easy for a factory worker to engage the clip 156 to the strap 150.
[0132]FIG. 10 shows a detail view of the leg 146. Leg 146 is engaged at one end to the junction 148 and to the guide 158 at the other end. Junction 148 includes the rivet 168 and the lock 160. Guide 158 includes a parallelepiped receptor 214 for the distal end of the leg 146, with a pin connector 216 such as a rivet engaging opposing sections of the parallelepiped receptor 214 as well as the distal end of the leg 146. Rivet 168 may be a pin connector with first and second upper heads and a neck therebetween. With the inner head being adjacent to the housing of the junction 148, with the outer head being spaced from the housing of the junction 148, and with the neck being between the inner and outer heads. Rivet 168 extends through the proximal end of the leg 146 to engage the junction 148 at a portion adjacent to lock 160. Junction 148 includes a lever 218 that locks the rail portion 144 against a swinging relative to junction 148 and leg 146 and that permits the rail portion 144 to swing relative to the junction 148 and leg 146.
[0133]FIG. 11A shows the guide 158 in relation to the leg 146, lock 160, junction 148, and strap 150. FIG. 11A shows the strap 150 extending through the guide 158 and through the lock 160.
[0134]FIGS. 11B and 11C are detail views of the guide 158. FIG. 11B is a section view of the guide 158 and FIG. 11C is a front isolated perspective view of the guide 158. FIG. 11B shows a through slot 220 for receiving the strap 150. Guide 158 includes openings 222 for pin connector 216. Guide 158 includes a distally located oblique face 224 to provide a transition for the strap 150 when the strap 150 is in the configuration of FIG. 4B, where the rivet 168 is employed and where the strap 150 extends from the lock 160, to the slot 220 of the guide 158, to a vertical face 226 of the guide 158, to the oblique face of the guide 158, to a horizontal face 228 of the guide 158, to an upper face of the leg 146, to slot 184 of the clip 156 that is engaged to the rivet 168, back along and adjacent to an upper face of a strap portion 150, to between the second mattress and box spring, and finally to the distal anchor 152.
[0135]FIG. 12A shows a perspective bottom view of the junction 148 and FIG. 12B shows a diagrammatic section view of the junction 148. Junction 148 includes lock 160 that in turn includes first and second fins 230 depending from side sections of the housing of the junction 148. Each of the fins 230 includes first openings 232 and second openings 234. First openings 232 are aligned with each other on a common axis. Second openings 234 are aligned with each other on a common axis. Each of the fins 230 includes a lead in indent 236 running from a lower edge of a fin 230 to a location adjacent to second opening 234. Extending between the fins 230 and being disposed on an undersurface of the junction 148 is a roughened rectangular surface 238. Disposed rearwardly of the roughened rectangular surface 238 and depending downwardly from an undersurface of the junction 148 is a protruding lip 240. FIG. 12B shows rivet openings 242 for the rivet 168.
[0136]FIG. 13A shows the lock 160 in relation to the leg 146, guide 158, junction 148, and strap 150. FIG. 11A shows the strap 150 extending through the guide 158 and through the lock 160.
[0137]FIGS. 13B, 13C, 13C, 13D, and 13E show a lever lock 244 that is engaged between the fins 230. Lever lock 244 includes first pin extensions 246 that pivotally engage first openings 232 such that lever lock 244 can pivot upwardly and downwardly. Lever lock 244 includes second pin extensions 248 that engage second openings 234 so as to lock the lever lock 244 where teeth 250 of the lever lock 244 are driven against the strap 150 that is in turn driven against the roughened surface 238 to pinch the strap 150 between the teeth 250 and the roughened surface 238. Lip 240, disposed rearwardly of the roughened surface 238, provides a tortuous entry for the strap 150 into such pinching. The swinging end of lever lock 244 includes the second pin extensions 248 that are led into second openings 234 by indents 236 for a friction fit to the lever lock 244 where, when pin extensions 246, 248 are engaged in their respective openings 232, 234, lever lock 244 is locked against pivoting and strap 150 is nonslidingly pinched between teeth 250 and roughened surface 238. Lever lock 244 is generally Z-shaped. The pivoting end of lever lock 244 is defined by first pin extensions 246. The swinging end of lover lock 244 is defined by the second pin extensions 248.
[0138]FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, and 14G relate to the double sided swing down bed rail 252 of FIG. 15.
[0139]FIG. 14A shows the proximal end 166 of the strap 150. The proximal end 166 may have a strap end doubled over in an upward manner as shown in FIG. 14A or in a downward manner as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C so as to form a loop. The doubled over end is then stitched to an intermediate portion of the strap 150 by stitching 178.
[0140]FIG. 14B shows a rear perspective view of first and second junctions 148 of the double sided swing down bed rail 252 of FIG. 15. The first and second junctions 148 include respective rivets 168. Third and fourth junctions 148 of the double sided swing down bed rail 252 of FIG. 15 include rivets disposed at the same location as rivets 168 so as to engage leg 146, but such rivets include only the inner head. Each of the first and second junctions 148 includes rivet 168, where the rivet 168 engages the junction 148 to leg portion 146. A proximal end of leg portion 146 of each of the first, second, third and fourth junctions 148 of double sided swing down bed rail 252 is engaged in a parallelepiped receptor 180 of the junction 148 and engaged therein by the rivet 168 having the inner and outer head or the rivet having only the inner head. Rivet 168 includes a head and a neck, with the head being spaced from the upper surface of the parallelepiped receptor 180 such that the clip 156 can engage the neck and such that the clip 156 can be retained thereon by the head that has a greater circumference than the neck, which head has a lesser circumference than one of the openings in the keyhole of the clip 156, and which head has a greater circumference than the other keyhole of the clip 156.
[0141]FIG. 14C shows a distal end 182 of the strap 150. The distal end 182 may have a strap end doubled over in an upward manner as shown in FIG. 14C or in a downward manner. The doubled over end is stitched to an intermediate portion of the strap 150 by stitching 178 to form a loop that nonremovably engages an integral or shaft portion of the guide 158, which guides 158 are engaged on the legs 146 that in turn engage the junctions 148 having the rivet with only the inner head. Such junctions 148 act as a distal anchor and is engaged to distal end 182 of the strap 150 at the factory so as to be nonremovable by the user. Only by destroying the integrity of the strap 150 or guide 158 is the strap distal end 182 removable from the guide 158. With reference to FIG. 11B, such strap distal end 182 is engaged to cross member 254 such that a portion of strap distal end 182 is engaged in slot 220.
[0142]FIG. 14D shows clip 156. Clip 156 is triangular in shape and includes a through slot 184 for the strap 150 and a keyhole 186 for engaging the rivet 168. Clip 156 is slideable on the strap 150. Clip 156 is placed on the strap 150 at the factory and is nonremovable from the strap 150. Only by destroying the integrity of the strap 150 or the clip 156 is the clip 156 removable from the strap 150. The clip 156 may be formed from plastic.
[0143]FIG. 14E shows stopper 154A nonremovably engaged to the strap 150 and, further, fixed at one location and one location only on the strap 150. In other words, stopper 154A is not slideable axially along the strap 150. Stopper 154A is shaped in the form of a buckle and includes first, second, and third cross members that form first and second slots. A loop 188 that has been formed by stitching portions of the strap 150 to each other engages one of the cross members of the stopper 154A and extends through one of the slots of the stopper 154A. When the stopper 154A pinches the clip 156 against the guide 158 of the junction 148 having rivet 168, the stopper 154A stops the strap 150 from being further drawn in through the guide 158 since a slot in the guide 158 has a lesser width and height dimension than either the clip 156 or the stopper 154A.
[0144]FIG. 14F shows the bed rail 252, minus the rail portions 144, in a configuration where the bed rail 252 engages the first mattress, where the first mattress may be, for example, a queen or full size mattress. It can be noted that the strap 150 runs or extends under the leg portion 146 that is engaged to the junction 148 having the rivet 168 in this configuration, as opposed to the configuration where the rivet 168 and clip 156 are engaged to each other and where in such configuration portions of the strap 150 run or extend both below and above the leg portion 146.
[0145]FIG. 14G shows an isolated bottom view of the strap 150 having engaged thereon the clip 156 and the stopper 154A. Reference number 190 shows a stitch line where portions of strap 150 have been drawn together and stitched to one another to form the loop 188.
[0146]The double sided swing down bed rail 252 is the same as the swing down bed rail 142 except that the first and second distal anchors 152 are removed and first and second guides 158 are substituted therefor, with each of the guides 158 being engaged to a leg 146 and junction 148 combination, where each of the junctions 148 include the rivet having only the inner head.
[0147]In FIG. 15, proximal strap end 166 can be seen. Opposing proximal strap end 166 is the distal strap end 182 that is engaged to a guide 158 that in turn is engaged to a leg 146 that in turn is engaged to a junction 148 having the rivet with only the inner head and which does not engage the clip 156.
[0148]In FIG. 15, first and second clips 156 are closer to the guide 158 that is engaged to leg 146 that is engaged to the junction 148 having the rivet 168 that engages one of the first and second clips 156.
[0149]In FIG. 15, each of the junctions 148 functions as an anchor that hugs one of the near and far sides of the mattress, whether the mattress is the first mattress such as a queen or full size mattress or whether the mattress is the second mattress such as a twin mattress.
[0150]In FIG. 15, each of the rail portions 144 swings down to a vertical orientation and up to the acuate angle position.
[0151]In FIG. 15, each of the legs portions 146 is disposed between the mattress and the box spring and each of the straps 150 is disposed between the mattress and box spring.
[0152]In FIG. 15, the first and second junctions 148 include locks 160.
[0153]In FIG. 15, the third and fourth junctions 148 that do not engage clips 156 do not have the locks 160.
[0154]In FIG. 15, first and second stoppers 154B are employed when the stopper 154B and clip 156 encounter and engage the rear end of the guide 158 of the first and second junctions 148.
[0155]FIG. 16A is a detail exploded view of one of the first and second junctions 148 opposing one of the third and fourth junctions 148, with distal strap end 182 engaging one of the third and fourth junctions 148 and with proximal strap end 166 engaging one of the first and second junction 148. The strap 150 between such junctions 148 includes stopper 154B pivotally engaged in strap loop 188 and with clip 156 slidingly engaging strap 150.
[0156]FIG. 16B is a detail exploded isolated view of clip 156, stopper 154B, a portion of strap 150, and loop 188 that engages stopper 154B. FIG. 16B shows the through slot 184 and the through keyhole 186 formed in the clip 156. FIG. 16B shows that stopper 154B includes first and second cross support and first and second side supports, and that such first and second cross supports and first and second side supports form a through opening 206. Loop 188 engages stopper 154B by engaging slot 206. Stopper 154B is pivotal in loop 188 such that stopper 154B can lay flat, and such that the stopper 154B can be disposed at an oblique or other position relative to strap 150, such as a position parallel to or perpendicular to strap 150, when the stopper 154B is adjacent to the guide 158 and in operation, i.e., preventing the strap 150 from being further drawn in the proximal direction. Stopper 154A too is pivotal relative to the strap 150. Stopper 154A too is disposed at an oblique, parallel, or perpendicular position relative to the strap 150 when in operation, i.e., when adjacent to the guide 158 and preventing the strap 150 from being drawn in the proximal direction. Instead of being disposed in a plane, stopper 154B may have a slight curvature.
[0157]FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D, 17E, 17F, and 17G relate to the track and rider bed rail 256 of FIGS. 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27A, 27B, 28, 29A, 29B, and 29C. Bed rail 256 includes outer track legs 258 and inner riders 260 on a rail portion 262. The outer track legs 258 extend between the mattress and box spring. The rail portion 262, having an operating position at the near side of a mattress, swings downwardly to a horizontal position and from the horizontal position slides inwardly with the inner riders 260 (shown in FIG. 20) on the rail portion 262 riding in tracks 264 in the track legs 258 from a proximal position to a distal position where the rail portion 262 is tucked away to an out-of-the-way position between the mattress and box spring.
[0158]FIG. 17A shows the proximal end 166 of the strap 150 of the track and rider bed rail 256. The proximal end 166 may have a strap end doubled over in an downward manner as shown in FIG. 17A, or in an upward manner, so as to form a loop. The doubled over end is then stitched to an intermediate portion of the strap 150 by stitching 178.
[0159]FIG. 17B shows a perspective view of one of the track legs 258 having rivet 168. Instead of being located on a junction 148, rivet 168 is disposed medially on the track leg 258. Rivet 168 includes an inner head adjacent to the track let 258, a neck extending from the inner head, and an outer head on the neck, where the outer head is spaced from the track leg 258. The clip 156 engages the neck of the rivet 168. The clip 156 is retained on the rivet 168 by the head that has a greater circumference than the neck, which head has a lesser circumference than one of the openings in the keyhole of the clip 156, and which head has a greater circumference than the other keyhole of the clip 156.
[0160]FIG. 17C shows a distal end 182 of the strap 150. The distal end 182 may have a strap end doubled over in a downward manner as shown in FIG. 17C, or in an upward manner. The doubled over end is stitched to an intermediate portion of the strap 150 by stitching 178 to form a loop that nonremovably engages an integral or shaft portion of the distal anchor 152. Distal anchor 152 is engaged to distal end 182 at the factory so as to be nonremovable by the user. Only by destroying the integrity of the strap 150 or distal anchor 152 is the strap distal end 182 removable from the distal anchor 152.
[0161]FIG. 17D shows clip 156. Clip 156 is triangular in shape and includes a through slot 184 for the strap 150 and a keyhole 186 for engaging the rivet 168 on the track leg 258. Clip 156 is slideable on the strap 150. Clip 156 is placed on the strap 150 at the factory and is nonremovable from the strap 150. Only by destroying the integrity of the strap 150 or the clip 156 is the clip 156 removable from the strap 150. The clip 156 may be formed from plastic.
[0162]FIG. 17E shows stopper 154A nonremovably engaged to the strap 150 and, further, fixed at one location and one location only on the strap 150 for the track and rider bed rail 256. In other words, stopper 154A is not slideable axially along the strap 150. Stopper 154 is shaped in the form of a buckle and includes first, second, and third cross members that form first and second slots. A loop 188 that has been formed by stitching portions of the strap 150 to each other engages one of the cross members of the stopper 154A and extends through one of the slots of the stopper 154A. When the stopper 154A pinches the clip 156 against the guide 158A of the track and rider bed rail 256, the stopper 154A stops the strap 150 from being further drawn in through the guide 158A since a slot in the guide 158A has a lesser width and height dimension than either the clip 156 or the stopper 154A.
[0163]FIG. 17F shows a side view of one of the track legs 258 of the track and rider bed rail 256 in a configuration where the bed rail 256 engages the first mattress, where the first mattress may be, for example, a queen or full size mattress. It can be noted that the strap 150 runs or extends under the track leg 258 in this configuration, as opposed to the configuration where the rivet 168 and clip 156 are engaged to each other and where in such configuration portions of the strap 150 run or extend both below and above the track leg 258.
[0164]FIG. 17G shows an isolated bottom view of the strap 150 for the track and rider bed rail 256. Strap 150 has engaged thereon the clip 156 and the stopper 154A. Reference number 190 shows a stitch line where portions of strap 150 have been drawn together and stitched to one another to form the loop 188.
[0165]FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of the track and rider bed rail 256. It should be noted that the acute angle of the rail portion 262 relative to the track leg 258 provides a better hug to the near side of the mattress and minimizes any gap that may otherwise be present between the inner face of the rail portion 262 and the near side of the mattress. It should be noted that the distal anchor 152 includes an upper inner face 192 and a lower inner face 194 that are offset from each other both in the vertical and horizontal directions. The upper inner face 192 confronts the mattress. The lower inner face confronts the box spring. Box springs may have slightly greater widths than mattresses. The leg 195 of the distal anchor 152 extends between the mattress and the box spring. Track and rider bed rail 256 includes the clip 156 and the stopper 154B on the strap 150.
[0166]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the track and rider bed rail 256. Swing down bed rail 256 includes first and second straps 150, first and second stoppers 154B, first and second clips 156, first and second track legs 258, and first and second distal anchors 152. In the configuration shown in FIG. 19, a first mattress may have the width as shown in FIG. 19. That is the near side of the first mattress, such as a queen or full size mattress, engages the first and second bases 266 that act as proximal anchors and the far side of the first mattress engages the distal anchors 152. In such a configuration, the first and second clips 156 remain unengaged to the rivet 168 and the first and second stoppers 154B remain spaced from the first and second guides 158A. In such a configuration, the first and second clips 156 are not employed and the first and second stoppers 154B are not employed.
[0167]FIG. 19 shows that the rail portion 262 includes sheeting 196. Sheeting 196 extends from an uppermost cross support member 268 to a lowermost cross support member 270. Sheeting 196 extends from a first side support member 272 to a second side support member 274.
[0168]The track and rider bed rail 256 includes the clip 156, stopper 154B and loop 188 shown in FIG. 7B. FIG. 7B is a detail exploded isolated view of clip 156, stopper 154B, a portion of strap 150, and loop 188 that engages stopper 154B. FIG. 7B shows the through slot 184 and the through keyhole 186 formed in the clip 156. FIG. 7B shows that stopper 154B includes first and second cross supports and first and second side supports, and that such first and second cross supports and first and second side supports form a through opening 206. Loop 188 engages stopper 154B by engaging slot 206. Stopper 154B is pivotal in loop 188 such that stopper 154B can lay flat, such as in the configuration of FIG. 18, and such that the stopper 154B can be disposed at an oblique or other position relative to strap 150, such as a position parallel to or perpendicular to strap 150, when the stopper 154B is adjacent to the guide 158A and in operation, i.e., preventing the strap 150 from being further drawn in the proximal direction. Stopper 154A too is pivotal relative to the strap 150. Stopper 154A too is disposed at an oblique, parallel, or perpendicular position relative to the strap 150 when in operation, i.e., when adjacent to the guide 158A and preventing the strap 150 from being drawn in the proximal direction. Instead of being disposed in a plane, stopper 154B may have a slight curvature.
[0169]FIG. 20 shows a front elevation of the track and rider bed rail 256. FIG. 20 shows the alignment of the proximal strap end 166 with the guide 158A and further with the distal anchor 152. FIG. 20 shows the side support members 272 and 274 being disposed on the bases 266. FIG. 20 shows the riders 260 engaging the track legs 258.
[0170]FIG. 21 shows an unassembled perspective view of the strap 150, the distal anchor 152, clip 156, stopper 154B, and the track leg 158 having the guide 158A, the lock 160A, and the base 266. Base 266 is in the form of a cradle with two U-shaped receivers that receive a spring biased pin 276 (shown in FIG. 20) slideable in axial slots in the side support members 272, 274. Base 266 is one piece and integral with track leg 258. Base 266 includes an open U-shaped front such that the side support members 272, 274 can swing downwardly to a horizontal slide in position and upwardly from a horizontal slide out position to and through a vertical position to the acute engaged position shown in FIG. 19, where the spring based pins 276 are urged downwardly and into engagement with the cradle members of the base 266. Base 266 is disposed inwardly of the main portion of the track leg 258 and serves as a proximal anchor that opposes the distal anchor 152. FIG. 21 shows that the flexible strap 150 includes a bend 278 that is generated when the strap 150 resides in the guide 158A.
[0171]FIG. 22 shows an assembled view of the strap 150 and track leg 258. It should be noted that, when in operation and tucked between a mattress and a box spring, and when rivet 168 and clip 156 are not being employed, pivotal stopper 154B and pivotable and slideable clip 156 lay flat on the strap 150, pinched between the mattress and the box spring. It should be noted that rivet 168 may be engaged to only a top plate portion of track leg 258 because the rider 260 rides on track 264 from a proximal portion of the track 264 to a distal portion of the track 264. Rivet 168 may engage other portions of the track leg 258 as long as the rivet 168 is out of the way of the path of the rider 260.
[0172]FIG. 23 shows an unassembled track leg 258. Guide 158A is engagable to a distal end of the track leg 258 by a pin connector 280. Guide 158A includes a receptor portion 282 that receives and engages, via the pin connector 280, the distal end of the track leg 258. Guide 158 includes an L-shaped track continuation 284 that receives inner rider 260 when the rail portion 262 has been fully received by the track legs 258. Guide 158A further includes a trapezoidal shaped platform 286 that spaces the distal end of the track leg 258 from the box spring. Guide 158A further includes a top portion 288 that spaces the distal end of the track leg 258 from the mattress. Platform 286 of guide 158A includes a rectangular integral structure 290 that forms a through slot 292 therein for the reception of strap 150. Neither clip 156 nor stopper 154B nor stopper 154A can slide through the through slot 292 such that clip 156 is pinched at the rectangular integral structure 290 between the rectangular integral structure and the stopper 154B when the clip 156 is not engaged to the rivet 168 and a user is drawing the strap 150 in the proximal direction. Such a situation occurs when the user is attempting to engage the track and rider bed rail 256 to a second mattress such as a twin size mattress without clipping the clip 156 to the rivet 168 of the track leg 258.
[0173]FIG. 23 further shows a plastic or elastomeric or rubber covering 294 for the base 266. FIG. 23 further shows a receptor 296 for the proximal end of the track leg 258, which receptor 296 includes the lock 160A.
[0174]FIG. 24 shows the assembled result of the exploded view of FIG. 23.
[0175]FIG. 25 shows an unassembled perspective exploded view of the other track leg 258.
[0176]FIG. 26 shows the assembled result of the exploded view of FIG. 25.
[0177]FIG. 27A shows a perspective detail rear view of the guide 158A. An oblique integral rectangular piece 298 leads downwardly and frontwardly to the through slot 292 and partially defines the slot 292. A vertical rectangular piece 300 also partially defines slot 292. A lower straight edge of piece 300 is spaced from a lowermost face of the platform 286 to define one end of a channel 302 for the strap 150.
[0178]FIG. 27B shows a perspective detail front view of the guide 158A and shows the other end of channel 302 for the strap 150. Channel 302 provides for a smooth drawing of the strap 150 through the guide 158A, instead of a pinching of the strap 150 between the guide 158A and the box spring.
[0179]FIG. 28 shows a bottom perspective view of the receptor 296 that is engaged on the proximal end of the track leg 258. Lock 160A includes fins 230, 232, openings 232 and 234, and indent 236. Lock 160A further includes a second indent 304 that is spaced from opening 232 and that is used by a factory worker to guide his or her placement of the lever lock 244A.
[0180]FIGS. 29A, 29B, and 29C show the lever lock 244A. Lever lock 244A includes a proximal finger or handle end 306 having a slot 308 for the proximal end 166 of the strap 150. Strap 150 extends upwardly through the slot 308 as shown in FIG. 29A and then rearwardly to ride on the lever lock 244A so as to be engaged by the teeth 250. Proximal end 166 of strap 150 may be looped about the end cross member that partially defines the handle end 306 and that partially defines the slot 308.
[0181]As to the track and rider bed rail 256 of FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D, 17E, 17F, 17G, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27A, 27B, 28, 29A, 29B, and 29C, flexible strap 150 may extend from handle end 306, then through lock 160A, then under track leg 258, then through guide 158A, then up and proximally to extend along the top side of track leg 258 to the clip 156 that is engaged to the rivet 168 engaged to the track leg 258, then through the slot 184 of the clip 156, then distally along the top side of the strap portion that runs from the guide 158A to the clip 156 engaged to the rivet 168 that is engaged to the track leg 258. From such top side of such strap portion, the flexible strap 150 continues its distal journey to the distal anchor 152.
[0182]In the case where the clip or slider 156 is not engaged to the rivet 168 on the track leg 258 and the user is attempting to engage the track and rider bed rail 256 to a second mattress such as a twin mattress, the flexible strap 150 may be drawn proximally only to a certain point, where such certain point is where the clip 156 is pinched between the guide 158A and the stopper 154B. At such stopped configuration, the flexible strap 150 is undrawable in the proximal direction and drawable in the distal direction. At such stopped configuration, the distance between the proximal and distal anchors (i.e., the base 266 and the distal anchor 152) is greater than the width of the second mattress such as a twin size mattress such that the bed rail apparatus 256 cannot be engaged to the second mattress such as a twin sized mattress.
[0183]As to each and any embodiment of the bed rails disclosed above, each and every U.S. Patent listed below is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, with such U.S. Patents being 1) U.S. Pat. No. 7,908,689 issued Mar. 22, 2011 and entitled Hide Away Bed Rail, 2) U.S. Pat. No. 9,387,141 issued Jul. 12, 2016 and entitled Bed Rail That Tucks Under Mattress, 3) U.S. Pat. No. 8,555,436 issued Oct. 15, 2013 and entitled Horizontally Expandable Bed Rail, 4) U.S. Pat. No. 8,458,831 issued Jun. 11, 2013 and entitled Bed Rail Having Rotating Seat For Guard Frame, and 5) U.S. Pat. No. 6,952,846 issued Oct. 11, 2005 and entitled Mattress Hugging Bed Rail.
[0184]Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalents of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.