Abstract: The chair of a transfer bench includes a single removable arm and four rollers attached to the underside of the chair by four multipurpose brackets. The single arm can be easily mounted on the right or left side of the chair so that the open side of the chair always faces toward the patient regardless of the orientation of the chair on the bench. Each of the roller brackets is fastened directly to the bottom of the chair for additional simplicity and strength. Two spring-loaded safety hooks on the underside of the chair allow the chair to be removed from the bench, rotated 180.degree., and safely remounted on the bench but facing in the opposite direction. A downwardly extending locking stud attached to the underside of one of the tubular tracks of the bench can be engaged by one of the spring-loaded safety hooks to keep the chair from moving when a patient attempts to sit in the chair.

Abstract: The chair of a transfer bench includes hooks for selectively engaging and disengaging the seat from supporting tracks. Rollers attached to the chair allow the chair to move on the tracks. The bench portion comprises a pair of parallel tubular tracks supported by legs. A pair of safety hooks attached to the underside of the chair loosely engage the tracks and keep the chair from tipping. The legs are normally locked in the open position. For storage purposes it is possible to unlock the legs and fold them up against the track unit. A genital guard is provided on the underside of the seat to insure patient comfort and protection. The apparatus allows the user to transfer into and out of a bathtub or shower with a minimum of inconvenience and a maximum of security.

Abstract: A platform crutch attachment having a wide selection of adjustments may be attached to a conventional invalid walker. The handle can be tilted, moved backwards or forwards, or rotated sideways and then securely locked to provide the user with the optimum grip position. A comfortable break-away cuff is located near the handle and positioned so that it is directly above the attaching points to the invalid walker. Upper and lower mounting brackets connect the shaft of the platform crutch to the upper and lower brace of the invalid walker respectively. The upper mounting bracket includes a bite plate having teeth which securely dig into the shaft of the crutch. The platform crutch can be mounted on either the left or right side of the invalid walker and adjusted so that the user obtains maximum comfort and security from the combination.

Abstract: A wheelchair includes an improved, retractable multi-position leg rest apparatus. The leg rest is attached to the frame of the footrest of the wheelchair in a conventional manner. The leg rest cushion is carried on a frame which slidably engages the footrest frame. A rotatable U-shaped transverse member comprises part of the leg rest frame and is adapted to selectively engage a hook on the underside of the leg rest cushion to lock the rear end of the cushion in an elevated position. The rear of the leg rest cushion can be lowered by disengaging the tubular member from the hook. A T-shaped member also comprises part of the leg rest frame and is connected to the front edge of the underside of the cushion. The T-shaped member includes a pair of telescoping elements which house a spring-loaded pushbutton and a spring urged stop mechanism for locking the front edge of the leg cushion in at least three separate vertical positions.

Abstract: A raised toilet seat apparatus includes anti-tipping structure which is compatible with a wide variety of conventional commodes. The anti-tipping structure comprises a pair of L-shaped brackets connected to the raised toilet seat and a locking bar held in position by the mounting bolts on the hinged toilet seat of the converted commode. A gap is formed between the locking bar and the surface of the commode by a pair of spacer washers. The locking brackets each include a horizontal foot section which is snuggly receivable in the gap. The entire apparatus may be easily installed by slipping the foot sections of the locking brackets under the locking bar. Conversely the entire apparatus may be easily removed. The locking brackets may be modified with spacers so as to accomodate institutional toilets having their mounting bolts set further back from the rim of the bowl. The locking bar may also take a variety of shapes including wire and washer forms.

Abstract: An invalid walker includes a means for locking at least one of the side frames in a hyperextended position. The walker includes a pair of U-shaped side frames whose front legs are connected by a cross brace member. Each of the rear legs of the side frames is connected to the cross brace member by a telescoping tubular device in which a first tube telescopes into and is received by a second tube. A pushbutton mechanism is housed inside the first tube and positioned within a first aperture in the first tube. The second tube includes a pair of locking apertures, one for locking the side frame in a first normal open position and the second for locking the side frame in a hyperextended position. The apparatus further includes a foot adjustment means for levelling the rubber foot of the hyperextended rear leg of the hyperextended side frame with the feet of the other three legs of the apparatus.

Abstract: An improved invalid walker is provided with extra bracing between each front and rear leg so as to increase the strength of the structure. In addition to the handle section of the walker, there are two braces connecting each front leg to its respective rear leg so as to make three structural attachments between each front leg and the rear leg. The bracing structure is connected together in a unique circular manner. An additional set of hand grips may be placed on one set of the braces so as to help an invalid assume the standing position from the sitting position. The legs of the walker are splayed to improve stability. The walker has exceptional strength due to the additional bracing that exists between the front and the rear legs and the manner in which the bracing members are associated with each other.

Abstract: The folding cane apparatus includes a pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs which are attached together at the apex of the cane by a short common pivot rod. Both the front and rear pairs of legs include an inner tubular member telescoped into an outer tubular member so that the height of the cane may be adjusted. The outer tubular member of the front pair of legs is a continuous metal tube which also forms the handle of the cane. The structure of the cane provides for improved strength and stability, yet allows the user to collapse the apparatus to a relatively flat and storable size.

Abstract: A quad cane includes a stabilizing device for improving the strength and rigidity of the cane. The stabilizing device comprises a collar having an interior opening therein and a wing screw which is threadably received in a hole which communicates the interior opening of the collar to the exterior thereof. The collar is drive fit over the exterior hollow sleeve of the upper portion of the quad cane in such a way that the threaded hole is located opposite an aperture in the sleeve. By rotating the threaded wing screw downwardly it is possible to impinge against the inner tubular member and immobilize the outer hollow sleeve relative to the inner tubular member of the cane. The stabilizing device is typically used in conjunction with a spring-loaded push button which serves to help adjust the height of the quad cane.

Abstract: A rugged, lightweight wheelchair may be readily disassembled and packed into a relatively small size shipping container. The back and footrest sections include pushbutton release elements which separate those sections from the side frames of the chair. The side frames are connected to each other through a scissors mechanism which allows the chair to collapse sideways. The disassembled parts can very easily be placed into a regulation size shipping container. A strong steel spine which includes two welded portions gives the side frames extra strength. Most of the rest of the chair is made up of lightweight metals and fabrics. The front wheels of the wheelchair include a bracket and pin combination which reduces undesirable twisting moments. The wheelchair also includes other improved features which make it exceptionally rugged for a device of such lightweight construction.

Abstract: An adapter is employed to assist in the releasing of spring-loaded pushbuttons of the sort frequently associated with invalid equipment. The adapter comprises a collar, a plunger which passes through a hole in the collar, and a pressure plate connected at one end of the plunger. In the preferred embodiment the adapter is employed to release a pushbutton that locks an inner tubular telescoping member with respect to an outer tubular member. The collar is provided with an interior opening which may be force fitted into position around the outer tubular member. When correctly aligned, the plunger is located directly opposite the pushbutton to be depressed. By applying force from the palm of the hand to the pressure plate it is possible to depress the spring loaded release button and thereby unlock the telescoping members.

Abstract: A folding invalid walker includes an improved mechanism for rigidly locking the walker in its unfolded state. The mechanism comprises a pair of tubular telescoping members each having an inner portion which telescopes into an outer portion. A spring loaded button is used to lock the tubular telescoping member in its extended state. One end of each of the tubular telescoping members is riveted to the rear leg of the walker support and the other end is pivotally connected to a transversely disposed bar connecting both front legs of said walker. The rivet connection is slightly flexible so that the tubular telescoping member can flex a small amount with respect to the rear leg of said support as the walker is folded from its folded to its unfolded state and vice versa. The location of the pivot joint on the rear leg is such that a rivet can be used and a more expensive and less rigid pivot connection can be avoided.