Alfred E Smith

US Patent:

39453898, Mar 23, 1976

Filed:

May 11, 1973

Appl. No.:

5/359354

Inventors:

Alfred A. Smith - Van Nuys CA

International Classification:

A61H 300

US Classification:

135 45A

Abstract:

A collapsible walker in which gate legs are each pivotally mounted in bearings positioned at either end of a cross brace with the gate legs mounted in the bearings for rotation between an open position with the gate legs positioned generally transversely of the cross brace and a collapsed position with the gate legs folded against the cross brace. Corner braces are positioned adjacent to the bearings to provide rigid bracing support between the gate legs and the cross brace when the gate legs are in an open position, with the corner braces being movable to permit rotation of the gate legs to a collapsed position. Detent means are provided with tab release means therefor. The movement of the corner braces during movement of the gate legs may be determined by guide slots. Frictional means may be provided to resist opening or closing of movement of the gate legs. The bearings in which the gate legs are mounted may include a self-lubricating plastic sleeve with a tubular member on each of the gate legs mounted within the plastic sleeve.

US Patent:

45097410, Apr 9, 1985

Filed:

Jan 3, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/454985

Inventors:

Alfred A. Smith - Van Nuys CA

Assignee:

Guardian Products Company, Inc. - Simi Valley CA

International Classification:

A61H 302

US Classification:

272 69

Abstract:

A height adjustable crutch having a bow comprised of a pair of hollow tubular vertical members which are angled downwardly toward each other with their lower extremities aligned in spaced-apart parallel relationship in their hollow tubular condition. A hollow tubular carrier is disposed between and in abutment with these tubular extremities and the three members are secured, as by bolt through them in the upper area where they are in abutment, and by an integral encircling element at their lower extremities, the encircling element being pinned at externally diametrically opposite points of abutment of such element with the extremities of the tubular members. The tubular carrier is orificed at selective intervals and receives an orificed telescoping foot member provided with at least one radially outwardly spring biased detent. This detent serves to lock the foot member in any disposition relative to the carrier when the detent is passed through any registering orifices of the carrier and foot member. The disposition of the foot member relative to this carrier may be changed by pressing the detent radially inwardly to where the foot member may then be slid upwardly or downwardly in relation to the carrier for redisposition and locking by the detent.

US Patent:

43910068, Jul 5, 1983

Filed:

May 17, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/379077

Inventors:

Alfred A. Smith - Van Nuys CA

International Classification:

A47K 300
A47K 302
A47K 3022
A47K 322

US Classification:

4559

Abstract:

A transfer bench for use in enabling an invalid to be moved at least partially into a bathtub, either from a wheelchair or standing position, comprised of an approach seat extending partly outside the front side wall of the bathtub and a main seat assembly disposed directly over the center of the bathtub. Both the approach seat and main seat assembly are supported by a pair of parallel bar members, each of which includes a horizontal section and inner end turned downwardly to rest on the floor of the tub. The opposite end of each bar member serves as one part of a clamp upon the front side wall of the tub and to support the approach seat. The other part of the clamping means consists of a vertical element extending downwardly from the horizontal section of the main bar member and disposable on such bar member in any one of the plurality of positions for generally positioning the clamping means. The lower end of each vertical element carries a threaded member having a plate at one end and a knob at its other end to provide for a more precise clamping on the front side wall of the tub. The transfer bench may be readily disassembled for removal and packing or storage in a limited space.

US Patent:

44173610, Nov 29, 1983

Filed:

May 17, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/379253

Inventors:

Alfred A. Smith - Van Nuys CA

Assignee:

Guardian Products Company, Inc. - North Hollywood CA

International Classification:

A47K 3022

US Classification:

4577

Abstract:

Gripping means to provide hand support for a person stepping over a wall, such as the side wall of a bathtub, comprising a rigid corner plate fitting over and extending down the outer edge of the wall, to the top of which plate is secured a hollow member closed at its front end and extending transversely across the wall rim to support handle means extending upwardly from the hollow member. A slidable member is provided within the hollow member, said slidable member having axially extending female threading to receive a threaded element. Such an element is provided to enter through an orifice in the closed front end of the hollow member, and is capped at its outer end with a torquing knob. The distal end of the slidable member carries a downwardly projecting clamping member having pivotable plate means in facing engagement with the inside of the wall to enable the wall to be clamped between such plate means and the rigid plate, thereby to provide firm support for the upwardly extending handle means.

US Patent:

40447847, Aug 30, 1977

Filed:

Mar 1, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/662525

Inventors:

Alfred A. Smith - Van Nuys CA

International Classification:

A45B 100
F16M 1308

US Classification:

135 67

Abstract:

A low profile, low center of gravity walking aid cane construction with a central support member having its lower end rigidly connected to four legs. The four legs each have a body portion and a foot portion with the body portions positioned generally transverse to the support member and with the foot portions of the legs depending downwardly from the outer ends of the body portions for contact with a supporting surface. The extremities of the foot portions lie in a plane that is generally transverse to the support member and the extremities are positioned generally at the corners of a rectangle within this plane. The inner legs which terminate at the inner corners of the rectangle are shorter than the legs which terminate at the outer corners and support means provide support for supported lengths of the body portions of the legs. The support means is shaped and positioned to provide unsupported lengths of the body portions of the legs which have a substantially equal resistance to bending forces.