WO1997018736A1

WO1997018736A1 - Bed rail bracket

Info

Publication number: WO1997018736A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/018530
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harry A. Taylor
Original assignee: Taylor Harry A
Priority date: 1995-11-21
Filing date: 1996-11-19
Publication date: 1997-05-29
Also published as: AU1077697A

Abstract

An improved bed rail bracket (10) for securing a bed rail (20) in one of at least two vertically spaced positions. The bed rail bracket (10) includes at least one integral vertical flange (40) that extends rearward perpendicularly from the planar section (30). Each vertical flange (40) includes two spaced-apart walls (42, 44) that define a vertical slot (46) therebetween, which is adapted to receive the end hooks (24) of the bed rail (20). Three or more vertically spaced studs (50) extend across the vertical slot (46) to support the end hooks (24) in a plurality of vertically spaced bed rail positions, which permit the bed rail (20) to be vertically adjusted relative to the bedpost (26).

Description

BED RAIL BRACKET

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to brackets that secure bed rails to bedposts and, more particularly, to a bracket having a plurality of bed rail securement positions so that a bed rail can be vertically and laterally repositioned relative to a

bedpost.

Background of tbe Invention

Conventional beds that consist of a mattress and box-springs are typically supported using one of two types of support structures. One type is a rectangular bed frame that supports the box-springs on all sides, which consists of four angle-iron members and a leg at each comer. A headboard and footboard may be connected to the rectangular bed frame but do not provide any support for the mattress in this arrangement. The other type of bed support conventionally used consists of two longitudinal bed rails extending between the corner bedposts of a footboard and a headboard to support the box-springs from both lateral sides. Each bed rail is typically an elongated angle member that includes two downwardly directed hooks or fingers at each end. In this arrangement, the footboard and headboard actually support the bed rails and therefore the mattress. The bed rail hooks are designed fit into a vertical slot in each bedpost of the headboard and footboard and hook over two horizontal pins disposed in the slot. However, problems have arisen with the strength of the joinder of the bed rails directly to the bedposts because of the weight that these joints must support. Damage to expensive wood headboards and footboards has resulted from the bed rail hooks cracking or splintering the wood.

Another problem encountered with the joinder of bed rails directly to bedposts is that because of the strength of the joint required for support, the joint is typically non- adjustable. Headboards and footboards are now marketed so that the same headboard/footboard set is used for either regular or queen size mattresses. Although consumers typically replace mattresses every several years, headboards and footboards can be kept a lifetime or longer. Thus, if a consumer wishes to keep the same headboard and footboard but replace an old double bed with a new queen bed, for example, the new queen size mattress will not fit between the bed rails that are permanently mounted to the headboard and footboard at double bed width. Damage to the headboard and footboard can result from periodic readjustments required to accommodate new beds of different sizes, which normally involves drilling new holes, routing a new slot, etc.

The above problems are addressed by U.S. Patent No. 4,429,426 to Gutner, which discloses a bracket that is permanently mounted to a bedpost of a headboard or footboard. The bracket provides two lateral mounting positions for the end of a bed rail. When four of Gutner's brackets are used, one on each bedpost, the bed rails can either be secured in one position at, for example, a double bed width, or secured in the other position at a queen bed width. Thus, the Gutner bracket allows one headboard/footboard set to be used with different sized beds without damaging the headboard or footboard.

The Gutner bracket consists of a unitary, generally rectangular plate having a central planar portion and integrally formed return bend flanges along two opposing lateral sides. The bracket is attached to the bedpost by inserting one of the flanges into a conforming vertical slot in the bedpost and then screwing or otherwise securing the bracket to the bedpost. Each flange is defined by two spaced-apart parallel walls that extend peφendicularly to the central planar portion. Two horizontal posts are

disposed in the space between the flange walls, one post about two inches above the other.

The bed rail is secured to the bracket by inserting the end hooks into the space between the flange walls and then lowering the two hooks over the two posts. The bed rail can be easily lilted out oi one flange and secured in the other flange to accommodate a different width mattress. Therefore, the Gutner bracket provides for lateral adjustment of a bed rail between two lateral mounting positions without altering the bedpost or even moving the bracket.

While the Gutner device solves the problem of lateral adjustability to allow a single headboard/footboard set to accommodate different sizes of beds, the Gutner device only permits the bed rails to be secured in one vertical position. Vertical adjustability of bed rails is desirable because newer mattresses and box-springs are being manufactured with ever-increasing thicknesses. In the past, mattresses were typically only six to eight inches thick. Today, an expensive, double-thick mattress may exceed one foot in thickness because of longer internal springs and thicker padding on both sides thereof. While they are more comfortable than older, thinner mattresses, thick mattresses cause several problems, especially with older headboard/footboard sets that were designed to be used with thinner mattresses. One problem is that aesthetically footboards and headboards are normally so designed that the top of the mattress assumes a prescribed elevation relative thereto. However, with thick mattresses, the top of the mattress may rise several inches above the top of the footboard. A similar problem occurs at the head ofthe bed. Although a thick mattress would not likely rise above the top of most headboards, a thicker mattress may nevertheless not achieve the aesthetic appearance described.

Another problem is that bed coverings such as comforters and quilts, which are intended to hang off the sides of the mattress towards the floor, are not spaced properly from the floor when they are atop a thicker mattress. Also, the pillows and upper end dressings do not properly align with the headboard. A further problem, especially with elderly people or shorter people, is that thicker mattresses result in the bed surface being at a higher elevation and thus more difficult to get into and out of, possibly leading to injury.

Several attempts have been made in the past to provide some vertically adjustability of bed supports relative to bedposts. For example, see U.S. Patent No. 2,952,854 to Viens and U.S. Patent No. 3,740,776 to Lazarus, both of which show vertically adjustable bed rails. However, neither of these patents disclose an apparatus or method for adjusting the height of the type of bed rails that have two downwardly directed hooks on each end. Because this type of bed rail is now in favor among bed manufacturers, there remains a need for new and improved bed rail bracket that allows for lateral adjustability of these bed rails to accommodate different sizes of beds, while

at the same time allowing for vertical adjustability to accommodate thicker mattresses.

Objects and Summary of the Invention

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a bed rail

bracket that allows both lateral and vertical repositioning of bed rails. Another object of the present invention is to provide a bed rail bracket that imparts vertical adjustability to conventional bed rails having two downwardly directed hooks on ends thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bed rail bracket that eliminates the need for periodic modifications to the bedposts of headboards and footboards.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bed rail bracket specifically designed for use with "Hollywood" type beds having exposed bed rails with no covering skirt or drape. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bed rail bracket that permits a bed rail to be secured to a bedpost in at least two vertical securement positions to accommodate mattresses and box-springs of varying thicknesses.

The present invention achieves these and other objects by providing a bed rail bracket for securing a bed rail having two downwardly directed end hooks to a bedpost. In the preferred embodiment, the bed rail bracket of the invention includes a central planar section for mounting the bracket to the surface of a bedpost and two integral vertical flanges extending peφendicularly rearward from opposite lateral sides

of the planar section. One of the vertical flanges fits into a vertical slot formed in the bedpost. Both vertical flanges include an inner wall and an outer wall that are spaced apart from each other to define a vertical slot therebetween. The slot is adapted to receive the end hooks of the bed rail.

A plurality of vertically spaced support studs extend across the vertical slot of each flange to support the end hooks of the bed rail. The studs in at least one of the flanges define a plurality of vertical bed rail securement positions to permit the bed rail to be vertically adjusted relative to the bedpost. Preferably, there are at least three studs mounted in each flange to define a plurality of vertical bed rail securement positions in both flanges. Thus, the preferred embodiment of the bed rail bracket of the invention permits both lateral and vertical adjustability of a bed rail relative to a bedpost.

In an alternate embodiment ofthe bed rail bracket ofthe invention, particularly for use with some types of beds having a platform or exposed side rails and with which no bed skirt is used, the bed rail bracket is generally L-shaped and has a single vertical securement position in one flange and two vertical securement positions in the other flange. The flange having only one vertical securement position is shorter than the other and therefore is not exposed when the L-shaped embodiment of the bed rail bracket is used.

Another embodiment of the bed rail bracket of the invention, preferably used with king-sized beds, includes only one vertical flange to permit vertical adjustability but not lateral adjustability of a bed rail. The single vertical flange of this embodiment bisects the planar section of the bracket into two lateral planar sections for mounting the bracket to a bedpost. The single vertical flange is integrally formed between the planar sections and extends peφendicularly and rearwardly therefrom into a vertical slot formed in the bedpost. The vertical flange includes two spaced-apart

walls that define a vertical slot therebetween for receiving the end hooks of the bed rail.

At least three vertically spaced studs are fixedly mounted in the vertical slot to support the end hooks of the bed rail. The vertically spaced studs in the flange define at least two vertical bed rail securement positions to permit the bed rail to be vertically adjusted relative to the bedpost.

Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiments when considered with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the bed rail bracket of the invention, which has two vertical securement positions on each lateral side. Figure IA is a front elevational view of the bed rail bracket shown in Figure

1.

Figure IB is a top view of the bed rail bracket shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 is an alternate embodiment of the bed rail bracket of the invention, which has three vertical securement positions on each lateral side of the bracket. Figure 3 is another alternate embodiment of the bed rail bracket of the invention, which has a single vertical securement position on one lateral side of the bracket and two vertical securement positions on the other lateral side of the bracket. Figure 3A is a front elevational view of a bed rail bracket that is a mirror image of the bed rail bracket shown in Figure 3. Figure 4 is a front elevational view of still another embodiment of the bed rail bracket of the invention, which has a single, central flange and slot with two vertical securement positions.

Figure 4A is a top view of the bed rail bracket of Figure 4.

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of another version of the single-flange bed rail bracket, which has three vertical securement positions.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The present invention is described more fully hereinafter by referring to the drawings, in which preferred embodiments are depicted. However, the present invention can take on many different embodiments and is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described herein.

Referring now io the drawings in general and Figure 1 in particular, a preferred embodiment of a bed rail bracket, generally designated 10, is shown constructed according to the present invention for securing a bed rail 20 to a bedpost 26. In the following description, it should be understood that the term "bedpost" refers to the corner support member of a bed and may be a component of either a headboard or a footboard. In addition, all embodiments of the bed rail bracket disclosed herein are designed to engage a conventional bed rail 20, which typically consists of a horizontally extending angle iron member 22 having two downwardly depending hooks

24 on each end. However, as will be explained, the brackets ofthe invention may also be used to secure a rectangular bed frame (not shown) to bedposts.

As seen in Figures 1 and IA, the bed rail bracket 10 of the invention generally includes three components integrally formed from a flat sheet of metal: a central planar section 30, and two vertical flanges 40 that extend generally peφendicularly from opposite lateral sides of the central planar section 30. The planar section 30 includes a plurality of mounting holes 34 disposed throughout the planar section 30 to provide flexibility in mounting the bracket 10 to the bedpost 26. Any conventional fasteners such as screws, bolts, or nails may be used to fasten the bracket 10 to the bedpost 26. The planar section 30 also preferably includes bed frame holes 36, which may be used to bolt a rectangular bed frame (not shown) to the bracket 10. If desired, the bed frame holes 36 may be used as mounting holes. To reduce weight and

expense, the planar section 30 preferably includes weight-reducing voids 32. The vertical flanges 40 extend generally peφendicularly behind the planar section 30 to impart somewhat of a U-shape to the bracket 10, as seen best in Figure IB. Each vertical flange 40 includes an inner wall 42 formed integrally with the planar section 30 and an outer wall 44. The walls are integrally connected by a bend at a rear edge of the bracket 10 and are parallel to each other. The inner wall 42 and outer wall 44 are spaced apart from each other to define a vertical slot 46 therebetween. The vertical slot 46 has a width slightly greater than the thickness of the bed rail hooks 24 and preferably has a depth at least as great as the length of the hooks 24.

Fixedly mounted in each vertical slot 46 are a plurality of support studs 50 extending between the inner and outer walls 42, 44. The studs 50 are vertically

spaced from each other by the same distance X that separates the two hooks 24 of the bed rail 20. In Figure 1, the bracket 10 is shown having three studs 50 in each flange 40 to thereby define two vertical bed rail securement positions per flange 40. The bed rail hooks 24 may be secured in a top position within each flange 40 by the two top studs 50 or may be secured in a bottom position by the two bottom studs 50. The studs 50 are shown here attached to the outer wall 44; however, the studs 50 could just as easily be attached to the inner wall 42 or to both walls.

As shown in Figure 1, the bed rail bracket 10 is mounted to the bedpost 26 with one flange 40 disposed in a vertical slot 28 formed in the bedpost 26. The other flange 40 extends rearwardly on the inboard side ofthe bedpost. Accordingly, the bed rail 20 may be mounted in the flange 40 in the bedpost slot 28 if a wider mattress/box-springs set is used; whereas, the bed rail 20 may be mounted in the inboard flange 40 if a narrower mattress/box-springs set is used. Although in this illustration the bed rail bracket 10 is mounted inboard relative to the bedpost 26, with

other bedposts it may be desirable to mount the bed rail bracket in an outboard position.

Depending on the thickness of mattress/box-springs set used, the bed rail 20 may be mounted in either the top or bottom securement position of the bracket 10. If a thick mattress/box-springs set is used, the bed rail 20 should be set in the bottom securement position, whereby the hooks 24 are supported by the two bottom studs 50. If a thinner mattress/box -springs set is used, the bed rail 20 should be set in the top securement position, whereby the hooks 24 are supported by the two top studs 50. In all, the bracket 10 of the invention provides a total of four securement positions for the bed rail 20, two vertical securement positions in each lateral flange 40.

It is expected that all four corners of the bed will be equipped with the bracket 10 of the invention. In normal circumstances, each end of the bed rail 20 will be secured in the same vertical securement position (top or bottom) in all of the brackets to provide a level bed. However, if desired, the bed rails can be set in the top securement position at one end of the bed and in the bottom securement position at the other end of the bed to provide a sloped bed.

Turning now to Figure 2, this drawing shows another embodiment of the bed rail bracket of the invention, generally designated with the numeral 12. As shown here, bracket 12 is mounted to the bedpost 26 on its inboard side. This embodiment of the bracket 12 is similar in many respects to bracket 10 depicted in Figures 1 , IA, and IB However, bracket 12 is taller than bracket 10 and includes four studs 50 in each flange 40 Therefore, bracket 12 provides three vertical securement positions per flange 40 In this embodiment, the bed rail hooks 24 may be secured in a top securement position by the two top studs 50, in a middle securement position by the two middle studs 50, or in a bottom securement position by the two bottom studs 50 This bracket 12 therefore allows even greater versatility than bracket 10, providing a total ot six securement positions ana accommodating a greater range ot mattress/box- spπngs thicknesses Figure 3 depicts a third embodiment of the bracket of the invention, generally designated 14 This embodiment of the bed rail bracket 14 has a smgle vertical securement position in one flange 40 and two vertical securement positions in the other flange 40 The center planar section 30 in this embodiment is generally L- shaped and one flange is shorter than the other The shorter flange 40 includes two studs 50, which define one securement position, whereas the taller flange 40 includes three studs, which define two vertical securement positions

Figure A shows a bracket 14A that is a mirror image of the bed rail bracket 14 shown in Figure 3 This embodiment of the bed rail bracket shown in Figures 3 and 3A is manufactured in left-hand and right-hand forms Figure 3 shows a πght- hand bracket 14 mounted to a bedpost 26, whereas Figure 3 A shows a left-hand bracket 14A

This embodiment of the bracket 14, 14A is particularly designed for use with beds that have platforms or exposed bed rails that are not covered by bed skirts or drapes running around the bottom of the bed In such beds, it would typically not be desirable for a portion of the bed rail bracket of the invention to be exposed below an attached bed rail in the uppermost securement position. Therefore, the shorter, inboard flange 40 is truncated immediately below the upper securement position. In the single securement position in flange 40 is used, the rest of the bracket 14 is substantially hidden from view, even if no bed skirt or drape is present.

Turning now to Figures 4-5, these drawings depict embodiments of the bed rail bracket of the invention that are vertically adjustable but not laterally adjustable. These brackets could be mounted to headboard footboard sets used with, for example, king-sized beds. Typically, king-sized headboard/footboard sets are too wide for a queen mattress/box-springs and would not be used as such. Alternately, these bed rail brackets could be used in circumstances where it is not contemplated that anything but one width of bed will ever be used with a particular headboard/footboard set.

Bed rail bracket 16 is depicted in Figure 4 and includes a single vertical flange 40. The single flange 40 can be seen as bisecting the planar section of the bracket 16 into two lateral planar sections 31, one on each side of the flange 40. The lateral planar sections 31 include mounting holes 34 for mounting the bracket 16 to a bedpost and bed frame holes 36 for attaching a bed frame (not shown) to the bracket 16.

The single vertical flange 40 is integrally formed between the lateral planar sections 31 and extends peφendicularly and rearwardly therefrom. This arrangement imparts a general T-shape to the bracket 16, as shown in Figure 4A. As with the other embodiments of the bed rail bracket of the invention described herein, the flange 40 of bracket 16 fits into a vertical slot formed in a bedpost. The flange 40 of bracket 16 includes two spaced-apart walls 45 that define a vertical slot 46 therebetween. The slot 46 receives the end hooks of a typical bed rail in the manner described earlier. In Figure 4, bracket 16 is shown having three support studs 50 fixedly mounted in the vertical slot 46 between the flange walls 45. The studs 50 are shown all attached to the same wall 45; however, they could be attached to either wall 45 or to both walls 45. The three studs 50 support the hooks 24 of a bed rail 20 in one of two vertical securement positions.

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the bed rail bracket of the invention, generally designated with the numeral 18. This embodiment of the bracket 18 is simiiar in many respects to the bracket 16 depicted in Figures 4 and 4A. However, bracket 18 is taller than bracket 16 and includes four studs 50 in the flange 40. Therefore, the studs 50 in bracket 18 define three vertical securement positions.

By permanently mounting one ofthe above-described bed rail brackets (10-18) to the bedposts of a headboard/footboard set, vertical adjustability is provided so that different thicknesses of mattresses can be used without replacing the headboard/footboard set. The first three embodiments described (10-14) also permit lateral adjustability in the event that a wider bed replaces a narrower bed or vice versa.

The bed rail brackets of the invention eliminate the need to remount brackets and or bed rails in new holes and slots in delicate wood headboard/footboard sets. The brackets of the invention thus impart vertical adjustability by allowing bed rails to be repositioned relative to the bedposts without the possibility of damage to the bedposts. Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. It should be understood, however, that all such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability, but are properly within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A bed rail bracket for securing a bed rail to a bedpost, comprising: a) at least one planar section having openings therein for attachment to a surface of the bedpost; b) a vertical flange integral with said planar section and extending perpendicularly therefrom, said vertical flange including: i) a firs>t wall, ii) a second wall spaced apart from said first wall, and iii) said first and second walls defining a vertical slot therebetween for receiving end hooks of the bed rail; c) at least tiiree vertically spaced studs fixedly mounted in said vertical slot for supporting the end hooks of the bed rail; and d) wherein said vertically spaced studs define a plurality of vertical bed rail securement positions in said flange to permit the bed rail to be vertical ly adjusted relative to the bedpost

2. The bed rail bracket of Claim 1 , further comprising: a second vertical flange extending rearwardly from said planar section generally parallel to the first vertical flange and including a second vertical slot; a plurality of studs fixedly mounted in said second vertical slot, wherein the two flanges allow for use of the same bed bracket for either regular or queen size width mattresses.

3. The bed rail bracket of Claim 2, wherein said vertical flanges are each integrally formed with said planar section on opposite lateral sides thereof.

4. The bed rail bracket of Claim 3, wherein both vertical flanges include

an equal number of bed rail securement positions.

5. The bed rail bracket of Claim 4, wherein both vertical flanges include

sufficient studs to provide for two bed rail securement positions.

6. The bed rail bracket of Claim 5, wherein the bed rail includes two end

hooks and wherein there are three studs in each flange.

7. The bed rail bracket of Claim 4, wherein both vertical flanges include three bed rail securement positions.

8. The bed rail bracket of Claim 7, wherein the bed rail includes two end

hooks and wherein there are four studs in each flange.

9. The bed rail bracket of Claim 3, wherein said vertical flanges include

unequal numbers of bed rail securement positions.

10. The bed rail bracket of Claim 9, wherein one of said vertical flanges

includes one bed rail securement position and wherein the other vertical flange includes two bed rail securement positions.

1 1. The bed rail bracket of Claim 9, wherein said planar section is L- shaped.

12. The bed rail bracket of Claim 1 , wherein said vertical flange bisects

said planar section to form two lateral planar sections.

13. The bed rail bracket of Claim 12, wherein said vertical flange includes two bed rail securement positions.

14. The bed rail bracket of Claim 13. wherein the bed rail includes two end hooks and wherein there are three studs in said vertical flange.

15. The bed rail bracket of Claim 12, wherein said vertical flange includes

three bed rail securement positions.

16. The bed rail bracket of Claim 15, wherein the bed rail includes two end hooks and wherein there are four studs in said vertical flange.

17. A bed rail bracket lor securing a bed rail having two downwardly

directed end hooks to a bedpost, comprising: a) a central planar section including mounting holes for fastening

the bed rail bracket to a surface of the bedpost;

b) two vertical flanges integral with said planar section and

extending perpendicularly from opposite lateral sides of said planar section, both of said vertical flanges including: i) an inner wall connected to said center planar section, ii) an outer wall connected at a rear edge to said inner wall, parallel to and spaced apart from said inner wall, and iii) said inner and outer walls defining a vertical slot for receiving the end hooks of the bed rail; c) a plurality of vertically spaced suppoπ studs fixediy mounted in the vertical slots of both vertical flanges and extending between said inner and outer walls of each flange, said studs attached to at least one of said walls of each flange for supporting the end hooks of the bed rail; and d) wherein said vertically spaced studs define a plurality of vertical bed rail securement positions in at least one of said flanges to permit the bed rail to be vertically adjusted relative to the bedpost.

18. The bed rail bracket of Claim 17. wherein there are at least three studs mounted in the vertical slot of each vertical flange to define a plurality of bed rail securement positions in both vertical flanges.

19. A bed rail bracket for securing a bed rail having two downwardly directed end hooks to a bedpost having a vertical bedpost slot formed therein, comprising: a) two lateral planar sections including mounting holes for

fastening the bed rail bracket to a surface of the bedpost;

b) a single vertical flange integrally formed between said planar

sections and extending perpendicularly and rearwardly from

said planar sections and adapted for insertion into the vertical

slot, said vertical flange including two spaced-apart walls that define a vertical slot therebetween for receiving the end hooks

uf tl bed rail.

c) at least three vertically spaced studs fixedly mounted in said

vertical slot and extending between said walls, said studs attached to at least one of said walls for supporting the end

hooks of the bed rail; and d) wherein said vertically spaced studs define at least two vertical

bed rail securement positions in said flange to permit the bed

rail to be vertically adjusted relative to the bedpost.

20. A method of assembling a bed frame for supporting a mattress of a

given height and width using a bed rail having N hooks on an end thereof, and a

bedpost having a bed rail bracket secured thereto, the bed rail bracket having at least

two vertical flanges, each vertical flange having a vertical slot formed therein, at least one of the slots having at least N+l vertically spaced support studs fixedly

mounted therein, the vertically spaced support studs in the at least one slot defining

a plurality of vertical bed rail securement positions, said method comprising the step

of: selectively mounting the hooks of the bed rail in one of the vertical slots

with each hook supported by a respective support stud such that the bed rail

is laterally and verticall positioned at a desired location relative to the bedpost to accommodate the height and width of the mattress.

21. The method of Claim 20 wherein each of the vertical slots has at least

N+l support studs fixedly mounted therein and the step of mounting includes

cliou ing the veiti al ^lυ υπ cspυnding tυ t e width υf Ihe iiidttiess, choosing Lhe

support studs in the chosen vertical slot corresponding to the height of the mattress, and mounting the hooks on the chosen support studs.

22. A bed rail bracket for securing a bed rail having two downwardly

the bed rail bracket to a surface of the bedpost;

b) first and second vertical flanges integral with said planar

section and extending perpendicularly from opposite lateral sides of said planar section, each of said first and second vertical flanges including:

i) an inner wall connected to said center planar section; ii) an outer wall connected at a rear edge to said inner

wall, parallel to and spaced apart from said inner wall,

and iii) said inner and outer walls defining a vertical slot for receiving the end hooks of the bed rail; c) each of said respective vertical slots having at least two vertically spaced support studs fixedly mounted therein, at least one of said vertical slots having at least three of said support studs fixedly mounted therein and vertically spaced, said support studs extending between said inner and outer walls of each flange, said studs attached to at least one of said wall-, υ each flange lot suppuiling the end liυυk υf tiie bed rail; and d) wherein said vertically spaced studs define a plurality of vertical bed rail securement positions in at least one of said flanges to permit the bed rail to be vertically adjusted relative to the bedpost.

23. The bed rail bracket of Claim 22, wherein there are at least three studs mounted in the vertical slot of each vertical flange to define a plurality of bed rail securement positions in both vertical flanges.