In some embodiments of the present invention, a pair of side rails are movably mounted to opposite side portions of the back section。 Each of these side rails is movable between raised and lowered positions relative to the back section。 A pair of side rails also may be movably mounted to opposite side portions of the foot section。 Each of these side rails is movable between raised and lowered positions relative to the foot section and define exit handrails when the bed is in a side egress position。

   In some embodiments of the present invention。 the foot section comprises first and second panels operably connected together。 When the patient support surface is in a chair con figuration。 the first and second foot section panels are substantially orthogonal to each other and a portion of the second panel extends beneath the base。

      In some embodiments of the present invention。 the foot section includes a plurality of panels pivotally connected together in series。The plurality of foot section panels are configured to overlap each other when the patient support surface is in a chair configuration so that at least two of the foot section panels are in a substantially horizontal orientation。

 In some embodiments of the present invention。 the foot section includes first。 second, and third panels pivotally connected together in series。 The foot section first panel is pivotally connected to the seat section。 and the first second and third panels pivot relative to each other such that。 when the patient support surface is in a chair configuration。 the third panel  is  substantially horizontal。  the  second panel  is  in overlying, face-to-face contact with the third panel, and the first  panel is substantially vertical。 In addition。 the foot section first。 second and third panels pivot relative to each other such that。 when the patient support surface is in a chair configuration, a portion of the third panel extends beneath the base of the bed。 The foot section first。 second, and third panels each have respective different lengths。 In some embodiments。 The foot section first panel has a length that is greater than a length often second and third panels。 In other embodiments。 the foot section second panel has a length that is less than a length of the first and third panels。 In yet further embodiments。 the foot section third panel has a length that is greater than a length of the second panel and that is less than a length of the first panel。

               VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

   Having thus described the invention in general terms reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings ,which are not necessarily drawn to scale。 and wherein。

   FIG。 1 is a perspective view of a bed frame assembly of the present invention, including a pair of cross-rail support systems;

   FIG。 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the cross-rail support system of the present invention and of the kind used in the bed frame assembly of FIG。 1;

   FIG。 3 is a perspective view of the same cross-rail support so system as FIG。 2 shown with the overall width adjusted for a greater width and the height of the leg structures adjusted

for a greater height;

   FIG。 4 is a cross-section view of the cross-rail support system taken along the 4-4 line of FIG。 2; and FIG。 5 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a leg assembly of the present invention。

            DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION             

   The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which some。 but not all embodiments of the invention are shown。 Indeed。 this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather。 these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements。 Like numbers refer to like elements throughout。