A ledge bed apparatus for use with a patient care bed having a vertically movable bed frame. The apparatus includes a mattress support member adapted to be positioned on the bed frame and a leg assembly. The leg assembly includes an upper leg portion depending from the mattress support member and a lower leg portion pivotally attached to the upper leg portion which is pivotable into substantially vertical alignment therewith. The leg assembly also includes means for locking the upper and lower leg portions in alignment when the lower leg portion is first pivoted into alignment with the upper leg portion and the leg assembly is subsequently vertically loaded by lowering the bed frame so that the lower leg portion engages a load bearing surface and a portion of the mattress support member is supported by the leg assembly in a position elevated with respect to the bed frame, thereby forming a ledge. In addition, the leg assembly includes automatic means for releasing the locking means and pivoting the lower leg portion at an angle with respect to the upper leg portion when the vertical loading is removed by raising the mattress support member so that the lower leg portion is disengaged from the load bearing surface, thereby removing the ledge. In this manner, accidental formation of a ledge when the bed is inadvertently lowered is prevented.