US4217670A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foldable rail assembly
Assignee: SHELTON Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1979-02-07
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Granted: 1980-08-19
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Expires: 1999-02-07
Abstract
Abstract A guard rail assembly adapted to be attached to a bed, table or other element and to be adjusted in simple manner, when so attached, between upright and locked position in which it provides a vertical barrier or support extending above the horizontal surface or plane of the bed, table or other element, and folded position in which it is pivoted to or below the horizontal surface plane of said element to occupy a minimum of space and present no horizontal obstruction to said surface. The present invention is characterized by a guard rail assembly which is sturdy, which contains a minimum number of moving parts and which is adjustable between upright, locked position and folded position with a minimum amount of effort which may be exerted by means of one hand in a single continuous motion.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward S. Sciongay, Sr.
- 👤 Edward S. Sciongay, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61G; A61G7/00; A61G7/05; A61G7/0507; A61G7/0508; A61G7/0509
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
370 words
A foldable rail assembly adapted to be attached to the edge of an element having a horizontal surface and adapted to be adjusted vertically between upright position in which it extends above said surface to provide a vertical barrier for said surface, and folded position in which it occupies a minimum of space at said edge and generally at or below the plane of said horizontal surface, said assembly comprising a mounting rail adapted to be attached to the edge of an element below the horizontal surface thereof, a top rail parallel to said mounting rail, support bars pivotably connected to said mounting rail and to said top rail in spaced, parallel position to permit said top rail to be pivoted between upright position in which it is spaced above said mounting rail and folded position in which it is in contact with said mounting rail, said mounting rail comprising a channel member which is open on the top side thereof and within which the support bars are pivotably attached and within which portions of the support bars are received when said assembly is pivoted to folded position, each of said support bars being pivotably attached to said mounting rail by means of a vertical pin on said rail which is engaged within a longitudinal slot in said support bar spaced from the base thereof, to permit said support bars to be moved in a direction perpendicular to said mounting rail, when said assembly is in upright position, between resting position, in which the base of each said support bar engages a retaining means present on the mounting rail, below the point of pivotal attachment between said bar and said rail, to prevent pivotal movement of each said support bar, and lift position in which the base of each said support bar is free of engagement with the said retaining means and the assembly can be pivoted to folded position, said retaining means for each support bar comprising and opening on the bottom side or floor of the channel mounting rail adapted to receive the base of the support bar, when the support bar is in resting position, and to prevent pivotal movement of the support bar in said position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
370 words
A foldable rail assembly adapted to be attached to the edge of an element having a horizontal surface and adapted to be adjusted vertically between upright position in which it extends above said surface to provide a vertical barrier for said surface, and folded position in which it occupies a minimum of space at said edge and generally at or below the plane of said horizontal surface, said assembly comprising a mounting rail adapted to be attached to the edge of an element below the horizontal surface thereof, a top rail parallel to said mounting rail, support bars pivotably connected to said mounting rail and to said top rail in spaced, parallel position to permit said top rail to be pivoted between upright position in which it is spaced above said mounting rail and folded position in which it is in contact with said mounting rail, said mounting rail comprising a channel member which is open on the top side thereof and within which the support bars are pivotably attached and within which portions of the support bars are received when said assembly is pivoted to folded position, each of said support bars being pivotably attached to said mounting rail by means of a vertical pin on said rail which is engaged within a longitudinal slot in said support bar spaced from the base thereof, to permit said support bars to be moved in a direction perpendicular to said mounting rail, when said assembly is in upright position, between resting position, in which the base of each said support bar engages a retaining means present on the mounting rail, below the point of pivotal attachment between said bar and said rail, to prevent pivotal movement of each said support bar, and lift position in which the base of each said support bar is free of engagement with the said retaining means and the assembly can be pivoted to folded position, said retaining means for each support bar comprising and opening on the bottom side or floor of the channel mounting rail adapted to receive the base of the support bar, when the support bar is in resting position, and to prevent pivotal movement of the support bar in said position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A rail assembly according to claim 1 in which said top rail comprises a hollow tubular member having openings on the underside thereof within which the support bars are pivotably attached and within which portions of the support bars are received when said assembly is pivoted to folded position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A rail assembly according to claim 2 in which said top rail is a hollow tubular member and said mounring rail is a channel member, said members having openings on the underside and topside thereof, respectively, within which the support bars are received and concealed when said assembly is pivoted to folded position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A rail assembly according to claim 1 in which the top rail is provided with means which limit the pivotal movement of the assembly to one direction and which provide a stop element when the assembly is in upright position and the support bars are aligned with the reatiner means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-08-19 | 1984-02-18 | 1984-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-19 | 1988-02-18 | 1988-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-19 | 1992-02-18 | 1992-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |