Bedrail for convertible crib

Abstract

A bed rail including first and second legs for attachment to a bed or crib. The legs fit between the mattress and the mattress support frame extending transversely from one side of the crib to the other. The proximate end of each leg is pivotally attached to a respective lower corner of an elongated side panel. Raised, the side panel extends vertically above the mattress to provide a safety restraint on one side of the crib. Unlocked, the panel may be swung into a lowered position. Means is also provided for securing the distal end of the legs to the mattress support frame at a location on the other side of the crib. Also disclosed is a safety bolster for use with the bed rail including an upper head portion extending above the mattress and a lower foot portion extending between the mattress and said side panel.

1 . A bed rail for use with a bed having a mattress and an underlying mattress support frame comprising:
 a. a first leg and a second leg, said first and second legs being adapted to fit between the mattress and the mattress support frame, each of said legs having a proximate end and a distal end and extending transversely from one side of the bed to the other side of the bed;   b. means for securing said distal end of said first and second legs to the mattress support frame; and,   c. an elongated side panel, said side panel having a first lower corner connected to said proximate end of said first leg and a second lower corner connected to said proximate end of said second leg, said side panel extending vertically from said lower corners to an elevation above the mattress to provide a safety restraint on said one side of the bed.   
     
     
         2 . A bed rail as in  claim 1  in which said first and second legs comprise rigid tubes. 
     
     
         3 . A bed rail as in  claim 1  in which said means for securing said distal end to the mattress support frame comprises a clamp connected to a portion of the support frame located on the other side of the bed. 
     
     
         4 . A bed rail as in  claim 1  in which said means for securing said distal end to the mattress support frame comprises a flexible strap connected to each said distal end of said legs wrapped around a portion of the support frame located on the other side of the bed and extending underneath the support frame to the one side of the bed. 
     
     
         5 . A bed rail as in  claim 1  in which the mattress support frame comprises a substantially rigid planar structure extending from one side of the bed to the other side of the bed and from the head end of the bed to the other foot end of the bed, and in which said means for securing said distal end to the mattress support frame comprises at least one connector extending between each said distal end and said planar structure. 
     
     
         6 . A bed rail as in  claim 1  further including a bolster, said bolster being substantially the same length as said side panel and having an upper head portion extending above the mattress and a lower foot portion extending between the mattress and said side panel. 
     
     
         7 . A bed rail as in  claim 6  in which said bolster is manufactured from a resilient material. 
     
     
         8 . A bed rail as in  claim 6  in which said upper head portion of said bolster includes an angled face. 
     
     
         9 . A bed rail as in  claim 1  in which said side panel includes a perforated surface. 
     
     
         10 . A bed rail as in  claim 1  in which said one side of the bed is open and said other side of the bed is closed, having a bed rail upstanding from the mattress support frame. 
     
     
         11 . A bed rail for use with a bed having a mattress and an underlying mattress support frame comprising:
 a. a first leg and a second leg, each of said legs having a proximate end and a distal end and a length substantially identical to a transverse dimension of the mattress, each of said legs being located between the mattress and the mattress support frame and extending transversely from one side of the bed to the other side of the bed;   b. means for securing said distal end of each said leg to the portion of the mattress support frame adjacent the other side of the bed;   c. an elongated side panel, said side panel having a first lower corner connected to said proximate end of said first leg and a second lower corner connected to said proximate end of said second leg, said side panel extending vertically from said lower corners to an elevation above the mattress to provide a safety restraint on said one side of the bed.   
     
     
         12 . A bed rail as in  claim 11  in which said means for securing said distal end to the mattress support frame comprises a clamp. 
     
     
         13 . A bed rail as in  claim 11  in which the mattress support frame comprises a substantially rigid planar structure extending from one side of the bed to the other side of the bed and from the head end of the bed to the other foot end of the bed, and in which said means for securing said distal end to the mattress support frame comprises at least one connector extending between each said distal end and said planar structure. 
     
     
         14 . A bed rail as in  claim 13  in which said planar structure comprises a plywood sheet. 
     
     
         15 . A bed rail as in  claim 11  further including a bolster, said bolster being substantially the same length as said side panel and having an upper head portion extending above the mattress and a lower foot portion extending between the mattress and said side panel. 
     
     
         16 . A bed rail as in  claim 11  in which said side panel includes a perforated surface. 
     
     
         17 . A bed rail for use with a convertible crib, comprising:
 a. a first leg and a second leg, each of said legs having a proximate end and a distal end and being adapted to fit between a mattress and a mattress support frame of a convertible crib, the convertible crib having an open side lacking a bed rail and a closed side including a bed rail, said proximate end of each leg being adjacent said open side and said distal end being adjacent said closed side;   b. means for securing said distal end of each of said legs to the mattress support frame on said closed side, so that said legs are transversely oriented with respect to a longitudinal axis of the mattress;   c. an elongated side panel, said side panel having a first lower corner pivotally connected to said proximate end of said first leg and a second lower corner pivotally connected to said proximate end of said second leg, said side panel being selectively lockable into a raised position in which it extends vertically and upwardly from said lower corners to an elevation above the mattress, and releasable into a lowered position in which it extends vertically and downwardly from said lower corners to provide ready access to said open side of the convertible crib.   
     
     
         18 . A bed rail as in  claim 17  in which said means for securing said distal end to the mattress support frame comprises a clamp connected to a portion of the support frame located on the other side of the convertible crib. 
     
     
         19 . A bed rail as in  claim 17  in which said means for securing said distal end to the mattress support frame comprises a flexible strap connected to each said distal end of said legs wrapped around a portion of the support frame located on said closed side of the convertible crib and extending underneath the support frame to said open side of the bed. 
     
     
         20 . A bed rail as in  claim 17  in which the mattress support frame comprises a substantially rigid planar structure extending from said open side of the convertible crib to the closed side of the convertible crib and from the head end of the convertible crib the foot end of the convertible crib, and in which said means for securing said distal end to the mattress support frame comprises at least one connector extending between each said distal end and said planar structure.