Abstract: A chair specially adapted for providing added comfort and support to an elderly person is provided. The chair includes a seat member and arm rests which are disposed laterally of the seat member. A support frame is provided for supporting the seat member and the arm rests. The support frame includes a base frame defining a hollow cavity. A foot support assembly for supporting the feet and leg portions of the elderly person are provided. The foot support assembly is slidable relative to the base frame and has the capacity to be selectively stored in the hollow cavity of the base frame when the foot support assembly is not in use.In a preferred example of the present invention, the base frame has a rear edge and the foot support assembly includes a platform slidably connected to the base frame.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for supporting the head, the neck and the upper body. The apparatus includes a first assembly for supporting an upper portion of the head. In one preferred example, the first support assembly includes a headband to be fitted around the head for reducing lateral-rotational movements due to bio-mechanical thrust. A second support assembly is provided for supporting a lower portion of the head. In a preferred example, the second support assembly includes a chin support which is structurally separate from the first support assembly. A third support assembly is provided for supporting a portion of the upper body. In a preferred example, the third support assembly includes a vest which substantially encompasses the upper body. An interconnecting arrangement is employed to adjustably and detachably connect the first support assembly and the second support assembly to portions of the third support assembly.

Abstract: A lightweight power tool includes a housing having a handle and an implement projecting form the housing. A drive mechanism is included as part of the housing for moving the implement relative to the housing. A power source that includes an electric motor is disposed at a location removed from the housing. A flexible power transmission line connects the housing and the power source. The housing includes a transmitter for generating an on-off signal, which transmitter is activated by a manual switch included as part of the housing. The power source includes a receiver for receiving the on-off signal generated by the transmitter. Because the power source is not included as part of the housing, the housing is very lightweight and maneuverable. Accordingly, the power tool can be manipulated conveniently by handicapped persons, those having small hands, or those having less than average strength.

Abstract: A knock-down chair adapted to be set on a floor is provided. The knock-down chair includes a plurality of upright members and a seat member having a peripheral edge. The seat member defines a plurality of slots for receiving portions of the upright support members, which slots are preferably disposed proximate to the peripheral edge of the seat member. Ledges are configured on each of the upright support members for supporting the seat member and for spacing a seat member from the floor. Upon positioning the upright support members in a predetermined position and bringing the seat member into contact with the ledges by sliding portions of the upright support members through the slots of the seat member, the seat member is selectively maintained in a substantially horizontal position thereby allowing a person to comfortably and securely be supported by the seat member when sitting in the chair.

Abstract: The present invention is an eating utensil for the physically disabled. The invention comprises a handle, a shaft and an eating utensil head. The handle functions as both a grasping means and a base means. The handle comprises a vertical cylinder for grasping and a flat bottom surface adapted to rest upon a flat surface such as a table. This flat bottom surface enables the eating utensil to remain upright on the table so that the eating utensil may be easily grasped and picked up. In addition, the utensil head may be modified to increase the surface area available for the food and to increase stability of the food on the eating utensil. The new and improved eating utensil is capable of being used with individuals with a variety of disabilities, particularly those individuals with limited wrist movement.

Abstract: An adjustable chair includes a base having a pair of spaced, parallel, forwardly extending frame members and a vertically extending frame connected to, and projecting upwardly from, the base, the vertically extending frame having a pair of spaced, generally parallel uprights. The chair includes a seat, leg rest and knee rest that are connected to the base, and which are both vertically and pivotally adjustably connected to the base. The chair includes lower, middle and upper back rests, as well as a head rest that is disposed above the upper back rest. The back rests and the head rest are mounted for pivotal movement about laterally extending axes. The chair also includes a pair of vertically adjustable arm rests. The vertically extending frame is mounted for pivotal movement about a laterally extending horizontal axis located near the rear edge of the seat. The present invention enables the support portions of the chair to be adjusted to accommodate a person of any size or shape.

Abstract: The present invention is an eating utensil for the physically disabled. The invention comprises a base, a handle, projecting from the base, a shaft and utensil head. The handle is irregularly shaped, comprising a curved front surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, and a curved back surface; and a flat back surface which extends from the curved back surface. The base has flat bottom surface of the base enables the eating utensil to remain upright on the table so that the eating utensil may be easily grasped and picked up. In addition, the utensil head may be modified to increase the surface area available for the food and to increase stability of the food on the eating utensil. The new and improved eating utensil is capable of being used with individuals with a variety of disabilities, particularly those individuals with limited wrist movement.

Abstract: The present invention is an eating utensil set for the physically disabled. The invention comprises a handle, a shaft and an eating utensil head. The handle is in the shape of a multi-sided geometric solid five surfaces: a flat bottom surface adapted to rest upon a horizontal surface such as an eating table, a back surface; a first side surface; a second side surface; and a front surface, preferably curved. The upper portion of the back surface serves as the point of attachment for the shaft. The shaft terminates in the eating utensil head. In addition, the utensil head may be modified to increase the surface area available for the food and to increase the stability of the food on the eating utensil. The new and improved eating utensil is capable of being used by individuals having a variety of disabilities, particularly those individuals with limited wrist movement.

Abstract: A head support for the physically disabled, particularly those suffering from cerebral palsy, is provided. The head support is comprised of a helmet, elastic tethers, a collar, a breastbone bridge, a waistband and two vertical straps. Optionally, a chin support may also be used. The elasticity and length of the tethers permit its head movement; but the system will return the head to its upright position. The head is held upright by the elastic tethers, from above. This flexible head support system is an improvement over existing rigid braces which are uncomfortable and often serve to increase spasticity of head and neck muscles. In addition, the present head support is aesthetically more pleasing than conventional rigid braces.