Movable siderail apparatus for use with a patient support apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a movable siderail apparatus () for use with a patient support apparatus. The siderail apparatus () is configured to move the siderail body () associated therewith in a clock-type swing movement relative to the patient support apparatus. Two or more support arms () are disposed between the intermediate frame or the deck support of the patient support apparatus and the siderail body (), each support arm () having two pivots (), a first () rotatably connecting it to the intermediate frame or deck support and a second () rotatably connecting it to the siderail body (), thereby enabling the siderail body () to be raised or lowered vertically by a rotation substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the patient support apparatus. In a first preferred embodiment, the angles defined between each support arm () and a lower edge of the siderail () are substantially obtuse during rotational movement of the siderail (). In a second preferred embodiment, a guiding mechanism () is operatively connected to the cross-member () and two or more lower pivots (), such that the guiding mechanism () provides means for lateral movement of the siderail () toward and away from the support apparatus.