Appeal No. 2005-1471 Page 11
Application No. 10/028,833
Mitchell's invention relates in general to beds, such as hospital and nursing home
beds, and more particularly to side guards for such beds. Figure 1 is a perspective view
of a hospital bed provided with side guard assemblies constructed in accordance with
and embodying Mitchell's invention, the side guard assembly on the right side of the bed
being in its elevated position and extended configuration and the side guard assembly
on the left side of the bed being in its depressed position and retracted configuration.
The side guard moves between the elevated and depressed positions on parallel swing
arms that are quite short and extend from a base mounted on the back section of the
bed. The side guard further has an upper section which pivots outwardly and
downwardly to a retracted position to substantially reduce the height of the side guard.
When the side guard is in its depressed position with its upper section folded to the
retracted position, the side guard lies entirely below the mattress supporting surface of
the bed back section and therefore does not interfere with bed making. Also the upper
section may carry a bed control unit, or a telephone, or controls for other electrically
operated devices, and when in its extended position, these devices are presented
inwardly toward the occupant of the bed, but when the upper section is in its retracted
position, they are presented outwardly where they are conveniently accessible to one
sitting or standing beside the bed.
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