GB2522602A

GB2522602A - Locking mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2522602A
Application number: GB1316481.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Gregory Brooks
Original assignee: RENRAY HEALTHCARE Ltd
Current assignee: RENRAY HEALTHCARE Ltd
Priority date: 2013-09-17
Filing date: 2013-09-17
Publication date: 2015-08-05
Anticipated expiration: 2033-09-17
Also published as: GB2522602B; GB201316481D0

Abstract

A locking mechanism consisting of a pivotal member with a lever 4 which restricts the direction A or B of a sliding member 16 within a channel 18 of a support 17. The sliding member referenced is the side rail or guide rail of a bed, such as is used in a hospital or nursing home. The locking mechanism or latch is within a housing 2 which is fixed in a recess in the side rail support 17. The lever or catch can be engaged using a key component interacting with a complimenting formed shape 6 which rotates the pivoting member into a position, determined by the interaction of a lug on the pivotal member with a notch or recess on the external supporting body. The lock can be disengaged by the sliding member in the direction in which movement is not restricted from A to B on figure 11.

Description

Locking Mechanism

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a locking mechanism. More particularly, the present invention relates to a locking mechanism which can quickly and safely restrict the use of a side rail on a bed.

Background

Care beds are commonly fitted with side rails to prevent the occupant in the bed from falling out.

Typically, the side rail system comprises the side rails with a glide or sliding member at each end, which slides up and down along a channel. Such side rails are not always necessary and sometimes pose more of a hazard than a benefit. In this case, preventing their use requires either the removal and then storage of the side rails, which causes inconvenience, especially in large institutions, or by means of fixing the side rails in place to prevent them moving. However this can lead to misuse of the side rails or side rail restraint, for example the side rails could be restrained in their raised position and thereby confine the occupant.

At present this issue has only been resolved by using readily available components, such as screws, plungers or proprietary locks. Such readily available components are used simply to restrain the Side Rail In the raised or lowered positions. However, these approaches can potentially allow misuse by inadvertently restraining the side rail in the raised, lowered or intermediate positions and thus confining the occupant.

Alternative side rail systems which are prior art tackle the problem with entire bespoke side nil systems which can be costly or unsuitable for a particular design of bed frame.

Statement of invention

To overcome this, the present invention proposes a mechanism which can be used In conjunction with a range of typically simple and common existing side rail systems, which can restrict the glide or sliding member of the side rail system from moving along the channel. Advantageously, if the side rails are in a raised position when the locks are engaged, any attempt by a person to lower the side rails will disengage the locks.

This is preferable over a one-way locking mechanism, as it prevents a situation occurring where said side rails are lowered while the lock is engaged, then become restricted in the low position unintentionally, thus causing a hazard for the occupant. Advantageously, the present invention can clearly indicate its engaged or unengaged status visually on the bed exterior. More advantageously, the present invention allows for a custom design to be used as a key. in the present embodiment of the invention, the rotatable component of the lock contains a pentagon shaped recess with a triangular protrusion at its centre, and a complementing key component to reduce the risk of unintended use by persons not in possession of said key. However, any profile or form can be used as a key and socket.

Brief Description of Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the tame may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: * Figure la shows the present inventions' pivotal member.

* Figure lb shows the present inventions' housing.

* Figure 2a identifies the present inventions' pivotal member features from a front isometric view.

* Figure 2b identifies the present inventions' pivotal member from a rear isometric view.

* Figure 3a identifies the present inventions' housing features from a rear perspective view.

* Figure 3b identifies the present inventions' housing features from a front isometric view.

* Figure Sc identifies the present inventions' housing features from a rear view. * 2

* Figure 3d identifies the present inventions' housing features from a side view.

* Figure 3e identifies the present inventions' housing features from a front view.

* Figure 4a shows an isometric locking mechanism assembly with an oppositely handed housing.

* Figure 4b shows an isometric locking mechanism assembly.

* Figure 5 shows a key component.

* Figure 6 shows a typical installation of the present Invention on a bed fined with side rails.

* Figure 7 illustrates the method of installation of the present invention into a side rail system.

* Figure 8 illustrates the present invention in an isometric cutaway of a side rail system In the disengaged position.

* Figure 9 illustrates the present invention in an isometric cutaway of a side rail system in the engaged position.

* Figure 10 illustrates the present invention in an isometric cutaway of a side rail system with a sliding member shown during the operation of disengaging the lock.

* Figure 11 illustrates the present invention in an isometric cutaway of a side rail system with a sliding member shown during the operation of restricting the movement of a glide.

* Figure 12 illustrates a typical side rail and glide system which can be used in conjunction with the present invention

Detailed Description of embodiments

There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventors. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. in other instances, weli known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the description. Further, like reference numbers shall be used to indicate like features throughout the present description, in all of the embodiments described for purposes of clarity and consistency.

The present embodiments of locking mechanisms 100, 101 are shown with reference to Figures 4a and 4b and the present embodiment of the operating key 103 component is shown with reference to Figure 5.

Both locking mechanisms 100, 101 are comprised of a two part assembly containing a pivotal member 1 and preferably a housing 2, or a housing with mirrored features 102. For the purposes of clarity, the majority of the remainder of the description shall show reference to the locking mechanism 100 shown in Figure 4b.

The present embodiment of the member 1 is shown with reference to Figures la, 2a and 2b and preferably comprises within its design a lever 4, preferably a formed shape 6, preferably a recessed groove 7, preferably a locating lug 3 and preferably a support boss S. The formed shape 6 preferably comprises within its design an indicator of direction, for example an arrow, an off-centre hole, a line, a dimple or plurality of dimples, a logo or similar design. In the present embodiment of the invention, the particular formed shape 6 comprises a pentagon shaped recess with a significantly triangular protrusion at its centre. The triangular protrusion is representative of an arrow in formed shape. such an indicator may be used in conjunction with a positional indicator 14 & 15 on the housing 2 facia S to indicate the angular position of the pivotal member 1, and be used to determine the locking mechanisms engaged', unengaged' or other status. The formed shape 6 Is preferably matched with a complimenting formed shape 30 on the key 103 component, which is shown with reference to Figure 5.

Preferably the formed shape 6 on the pivotal member 1 is difficult to mesh with without the complimenting formed shape 30 of the key 103, therefore providing the locking and tamper resistant elements of the present invention.

The present embodiment of the housing 2 is shown with reference to Figures lb and Figures 3a to e and preferably compromises a facia 8, preferably a plurality of positional indicators (preferably one to indicate unengaged' position 15, and preferably one to indicate engaged' position 14). preferably a plurality of pivotal member locating clips 9, preferably a plurality of locating notches 10, preferably positioned radially around the axis of pivotal member socket 11, preferably a skirt 12, and preferably a fixing tab with screw hole 13. Preferably several features of the housing 2 can be mirrored for fitting of the lock in the opposite orientation.

The present pivotal member 1 fits into the pivotal member socket 11 of housing 2 and is then preferably held in place by the pivotal member locating clips 9 fitting into the recessed groove 7. The pivotal member 1 is still free to rotate within the housing 2. but is held in a plurality of rotational locations, preferably at right angles from each other, and preferably by interference of locating lug 3 with one or more of the locating notches 10.

With reference to the sliding member 16 (as shown in Figures 7, 10 and 11), this is a simplified representation of the components of a typical side rail system that interact with the locking mechanism 100.

This simplification of the sliding member i is shown as not to unnecessarily obscure the description of the present invention. With reference to Figures 7 to 11, only such a simplified sliding member 16 and partial section of the channel 18 and supporting body 17 are illustrated. However, to further the understanding of the present invention, such a system shall now be explained.

With reference to Figure 12, a typical example of a current side rail system is shown. A glide assembly (typically comprising of a lower glide 150, an upper glide 152, and a plurality of fingers 151 which may be pivotally fixed to the glides 150 and 152 by means such as a pin 153). Such a glide assembly 160 may locate into the side rails 120 by the fingers 151 beIng inserted Into corresponding holes 121 in the side rails.

Preferably, the fingers 151 may pass through openings in end caps 123 which can in turn be inserted over side rails 120 trapping springs between the end caps 123 and side rails 120. ThIs is a typical system, although the style and size of the components which make up this system can vary, and some (such as the ends caps 123) can be omitted altogether. A system such as illustrated in Figure 12 is particularly common on beds fitted with side raIls 120 which run the full length of the bed 200, similar in design to the Illustration in Figure 6.

Advantageously, in the case of a glide assembly 160 such as illustrated, the present locking mechanism 100 can interact with the slot 154 In the upper glide 152 to further prevent tampering, rather than interact with the top of the glide assembly 160 which would leave the lever 4 exposed when the lock was engaged, and increase the risk of tampering.

However, with reference to Figures 7 to 11, the present locking mechanism 100, 101 will function fully within any side rail system where; * preferably, such a system consists of a supporting body 17 (which may or may not be incorporated into the bed 200 structure) * which preferably incorporates a slot 23 to securely accommodate a channel 18 (preferably of a significantly "C" shaped profile) * the position of the side rails 120 is determined by a sliding member 16, which is maintained captive in and configured to slide along a channel 18.

With reference to Figures 7, 8 and 9, the locking mechanism 100 is preferably fitted into a hole 20, preferably perpendicular to and preferably partially intersecting the slot 23. An opening 22 in the channel 18 corresponds with the hole 20. Preferably the housing 2 can then be secured to the supporting body 17 by means of a screw 19. This prevents the rotation of the housing 2 in relation to the supporting body 17. ¶ 4

With reference to Figure 8, this shows the locking mechanism 100 fitted in context, within an assembly of a channel 18 and supporting body 17. In Figure 8 specifically, the pivotal member 1 is illustrated in its unengaged state; the lever 4 is orientated so that it does not protrude into channel 18, and preferably the formed shape 6 indicates the lock's status preferably by pointing towards the unlocked position indicator 15.

In this state, a sliding member 16 wIth a corresponding profile to channel 18 can freely slide unobstructed in both directions, preferably allowing side rails to be raised or lowered. Also, preferably in this unengaged state screw 19 is inaccessible by means of being obscured by the lever 4, advantageously making it difficult to tamper with or remove the lock without access to the key 103 component. Preferably the screw 19 and/or the fixing tab 13 prevent the lever 4 from rotating past the unengaged position. Preferably in this location, locating lug 3 will locate in a locating notch 10 providing a defined position.

Figure 9 shows the lock fitted in context, within an assembly of a channel 18 and supporting body 17, In Figure 9 specifically, the member 1 is illustrated in its engaged state;.preferably the lever 4 is orientated in such a way that it protrudes into channel 18 through opening 22. Preferably in this location locating lug 3 will locate in a locating notch 10 providing a definite position, and preventing the weight of the now off-centre lever 4 from causing the pivotal member 1 to return to its unengaged' position under gravity, vibration or other external forces.

With reference to Figure 11, the locking mechanism is positioned in such a manor to restrict the sliding member 16 from moving in the direction indicated by arrow A (preferably up' in relation to the side rails 120). If the sliding member 16 is In the channel 18 to the side of the locking mechanism 100 indicated by arrow B when the locking mechanisms 100 state is set to engaged, (i.e. the pivotal member 1 Is rotated from the orientation in Figure 8 to the orientation in Figure 9) any attempt to move the sliding member 16 in the direction of arrow A past the ever 4 will be prevented. Preferably, the lever 4 rests against the edge of the opening 22 in the channel 18 that faces the direction of travel that the locking mechanism is restricting (the direction indicated by arrow A.) (i.e. preferably the top edge of the opening 22 to restrict movement of the sliding member 16 upwards); advantageously, any force trying to overcome the locking mechanism 100 is transferred through the sliding member 16, through the lever 4 and directly into the wall of the fixed channel 18, thus no force has to be taken by the housing 2 or along the axis of the pivotal member 1, advantageously reducing the strength requirement (and therefore cost, size and/or complexity) of the locking mechanism's components.

The sliding members 16 interaction with the lever 4 is shown with reference to Figure 10.

Advantageously, if the sliding member 16 is in the channel 18 to the side of the locking mechanism 100 indicated by arrow A when the locking mechanisms 100 state is set to engaged. (i.e. the pivotal member 1 is rotated from the orientation in Figure 8 to the orientation in Figure 9) and any attempt is made to move the sliding member 16 in the direction indicated by arrow B, preferably the only force opposing this movernent is the force generated by the interference of locating lug 3 in a locating notch 10. This relatively small force is easily overcome and the force on lever 4 causes pivotal member 1 to rotate, preferably back to its unengaged position as illustrated in Figure 8. Preferably this feature prevents the locking mechanism 100 from ever securing the sliding member 16 in a particular direction (indicated by arrow A) of the locking mechanism 100.

and therefore may prevent the side rails 120 from being locked in their up' position.

Claims

Claims The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 1. A locking mechanism for restricting the direction of movement of a sliding member, which is maintained captive in and configured to slide along a channel, by means that allow said sliding member to disengage said locking mechanism from the direction in which movement is not restricted.
2. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1. wherein said means compromise a pivotal member with a lever, rotatable about an axis at a substantially perpendicular angle to the path of the sliding member along said channel, where the rotation of said pivotal member is Impeded both; when said lever is in a position that intersects said sliding members path and, in the direction of said lever along the path of said sliding member in the direction of along which movement is to be restricted.
3. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 2 where the rotation of said pivotal member is operated by a formed shape on said pivotal member interacting with a complimenting formed shape on a removable key component.
4. A locking mechanism as claimed in claims 2 or 3 wherein said pivotal member is supported within a housing component secured to the body to which the channel is mounted.
5. A locking mechanism as claimed In claim 4 wherein said pivotal member and housing additionally comprise a visual indicator on the exposed facia of the locking mechanism to indicate the rotational position of said significantly eccentric protrusion.
6. A locking mechanism according to any of claims 2 to 5 where the positions of the lever are determined through the interference of a locating lug on said pivotal member locating in one of a plurality of recesses on an external supporting body.
7. A locking mechanism according to any of claims 2 to 5 where the positions of the lever are determined through the interference of a locating lug on said member locating in one of a plurality of recesses on an external housing.
8. A locking mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as Illustrated In the accompanying drawings.