Rotating-Seat Bed Rail Lock for Simpler Child Guard Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bed rails designed to prevent children from falling out of bed are often expensive due to complex assembly requirements and the use of costly materials like steel, and they can be complicated to operate.

Innovation Solution

A bed rail with a guard frame that swings up and down, featuring a rotating seat mechanism to lock the guard frame in place, minimizing metal usage and simplifying assembly by reducing the number of parts and eliminating the need for complex assembly procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional bed rail designs use multiple parts and expensive metal materials, then the structural strength and safety are improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional components into integrated assemblies. The guard frame is pivotally connected to the base structure as a unified assembly, and the rotating seat mechanism integrates the locking function with the seat structure itself, reducing the total number of discrete parts while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating seat serves multiple functions: it provides seating for the guard frame, enables pivoting motion, and incorporates a locking mechanism through rotation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate locking components, reducing part count while maintaining strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional bed rail designs use complex assembly procedures, then the reliability of assembly is improved, but the ease of manufacture and installation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly reliabilityVSAvoidassembly simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The guard frame is designed with pivotal connection allowing dynamic movement between up and down positions. The rotating seat similarly provides dynamic locking through rotation, enabling simple one-motion assembly and disassembly while ensuring reliable connection when locked

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating seat mechanism is designed to be self-locking through its rotational motion, automatically securing the guard frame in the up position without requiring additional fastening operations. This simplifies assembly while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If traditional bed rail designs use expensive metal materials, then the durability and strength are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial strengthVSAvoidmaterial cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a flexible sheeting material that spans across the guard frame structure. This flexible element provides the necessary barrier function while allowing the use of less expensive materials for the structural components, as the flexible sheeting complements rather than replaces the rigid framework

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The bed rail system combines rigid structural components with flexible sheeting material to create a composite structure. This allows optimization of each material for its specific function while reducing overall cost compared to using expensive metal throughout the entire structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If traditional bed rail designs operate in complex ways, then the locking reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating seat provides dynamic locking through simple rotational motion. The guard frame pivots on the rotating seat, and rotation of the seat engages or disengages the locking position. This single rotational degree of freedom simplifies operation while maintaining reliable locking through the mechanical geometry of the mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10117524B1Bed rail having rotating seat for guard frame

Publication Date: 2018.11.06 REGALO INTERNATIONAL LLC

AI summary

A bed rail having a guard frame that prevents a child from rolling off a bed and a pair of legs that extend between the mattress and box spring. The guard frame swings between up and down positions and is pivotally connected to the legs via a first junction. A second junction locks the guard frame to the legs. The second junction includes a rotatable seat that engages a pin extending from the guard frame. The bed rail further includes a strap that engages a proximal end of a leg, a distal end of the leg, and an anchor, which engages the side of the bed opposite of the bed rail.