Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis includes a femoral component having spaced condylar bearing portions, an anterior intercondylar portion, a posterior intercondylar portion, an intercondylar opening, and a tibial component having spaced bearing surfaces for supporting the bearing portions of the femoral component, and a relatively low intercondylar eminence between the bearing surfaces. The eminence has a peak which defines the highest portion of the tibial component, as measured relative to the tibial plateau. The peak extends into, but not through, the intercondylar opening, such that resection of the femur to provide clearance for the opening and the eminence is not required. The tibial component comprises a base and insert. The insert is preferably a non-metallic pad having the bearing surfaces and eminence formed on a superior surface thereof.

Abstract: A therapeutic device for relieving tension or spasms in the lower back of the human body. The device comprises a foot engaging part having an upper portion and a lower portion forming a foot engaging enclosure, the lower portion of the foot engaging part forming an envelope and having an opening to allow the retention of an insert. The device further includes stretchable side members extending from opposing sides of the foot engaging part. The ends of the side members are joined to an upper strap portion which has sufficient length to allow placement of the strap portion around the leg of an individual user at an area above the knee of the user. The strap portion includes a fastener to fixedly secure the strap in that position about the knee.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for imparting passive motion exercise to a lower limb of a patient. The apparatus includes a base and a thigh support member having a pair of elongated parallel spaced-apart brace members pivoted at their respective first ends to the base. The other ends of the thigh support brace members terminate at a mechanical hinge. A lower leg support includes a pair of parallel spaced-apart brace members extending from the mechanical hinge. The base is provided with a slide surface for supporting the other ends of the brace members of the lower leg support while allowing for extension and retraction thereof. The mechanical hinge includes at least a shaft fixed to the thigh support with the brace members lower leg support journaled to the shaft. An electric motor is mounted to the lower leg support to drive the shaft such that the angular movement is provided between the thigh support and the lower leg support, whereby the angular speed is maintained constant when motor speed is constant.

Abstract: A variety of selectively variable resistance exercise machines, of the type in which the exerciser is seated while grasping and forcibly moving a hand operable force input portion of the machine, are modified to permit their use by both able bodied and physically challenged, wheelchair-seated exercisers. To permit this alternate usage of the machines, each is provided with a movable, height adjustable seat structure which may be selectively pivoted between an able bodied exerciser use position, and a physically challenged exerciser use position. With the movable seat structure in this latter position, a wheelchair-confined exerciser may move the chair into the space previously occupied by the seat structure to thereby permit the exerciser to conveniently reach and operatively manipulate the machine's force input portion.

Abstract: The invention is used to perform push-ups and seated dips. The invention is composed of two opposing cylindrical handle assemblies, each consisting of a vertical and a horizontal portion, that rotate about a horizontal axis supported by the base. The base supports the handle assemblies, maintains the distance between the handle assemblies, and provides stability to the apparatus. The device proposed herein is superior to the prior art in that a horizontal force needs to be exerted in addition to the vertical force, while using the device to perform push-ups and dips.

Abstract: A back exerciser portable, stores in a collapsed position, accommodates people of all different sizes, and allows one to safely exercise all the muscle groups in one's back using resistance provided by one's own weight. First and second pairs of support legs are pivotally connected together at one end of each. Pivotal movement between a collapsed position and an operative position in which the legs of the supports have an angular relationship of about 45.degree.-75.degree. with respect to each other is provided, with positive stops supporting the legs in their maximum angular orientation. The first legs have an angle of about 20.degree.-30.degree. to the vertical. A platform is mounted for movement between a first position in which it is between and parallel to the legs of the first support, and a second position in wheich it is generally horizontal and disposed above the second support legs.

Abstract: An exercise treadmill for forward and/or rearward walking. The treadmill has a frame with spaced side rails and spaced uprights extending upwardly from the front end of the side rails. Spaced front and rear rollers extend transversely between the side rails. An endless belt entrained about the rollers has an upper reach on which a user runs or walks. To maintain the belt in a predetermined path around the rollers, a guide is provided which imparts a resilient deflecting force on the lower reach to deflect the belt, adjacent its opposite marginal edge portions, prior to movement of the belt across a roller, as it moves from the lower to the upper reach of the treadmill. Where both forward and backward walking are desired endless belt guides are provided on the lower reach of the belt adjacent each roller to maintain the belt in the predetermined path, regardless of direction of movement. An adjustable elevating system includes idler pulleys mounted on uprights and a bedframe over which a cable is entrained.

Abstract: Locomotion exercise enhancement equipment comprises a frame which is supported for rolling motion along ground by a pair of axled wheels. The user either pulls or pushes the frame. A rotary load is supported on the frame and operatively coupled with the axled wheels to cause resistance to be imposed on the rotation of the wheels. A selector control varies the degree of coupling of the wheels with the rotary load to thereby vary the effective load imposed on the wheels. Several embodiments of the locomotion exercise enhancement equipment are disclosed. In one of these embodiments the rotary load comprises a disk that is attached to a housing containing a differential mechanism; as the equipment is rolled, the wheels drive the differential mechanism, causing the housing and the disk to rotate. A caliper brake mechanism disposed in association with the disk is set by an adjustment mechanism to impart a desired force against opposite sides of the disk, and thereby set the desired loading.

Abstract: An hydraulic device is used for an exercise machine, having a double-acting hydraulic pump, which can be moved in one direction for developing one set of muscles (for example, biceps), and in the other direction for developing another set of muscles (for example, triceps). The invention provides a valve having two portions, each with a pressure regulating valve and a non-return valve. Oil displaced by operation of the pump in a first direction passes through a first pressure regulating valve, and return oil through a second non-return valve, and this is reversed when the pump is operated in a second direction. If the pressure regulating valves permit flow rates which differ, they can be made appropriate for movement effected by the different sets of muscles.

Abstract: A knee rehabilitation device is provided and includes a base, a pair of elongated posts extending upwardly from the base and having opposite upper and lower ends, and an upper and lower restraint each having opposite sides releasably secured to the pair of posts. The posts have a plurality of holes extending along the length thereof. Each side of each restraint has a threaded aperture therein. Threaded shafts extend through one of the holes along the posts and are threadably received in the apertures of the restraints, such that the spacing between the upper and lower restraints is selectively adjustable, thereby selectively limiting the degree of movement of a person's leg between the upper and lower restraints. The restraints are also pivotal about the axis of the shafts so that the restraints can be positioned substantially parallel to the person's leg when the leg engages the restraint.

Abstract: This invention is an exercise apparatus upon which the user rests his or her hips and feet while lying on a flat surface such as a floor. It provides means by which a user can pull or push with the hands and feet while the user oscillates, rocks, or rotates his body to stretch or relax the back muscles. It can be used directly on a flat surface or on a base.

Abstract: Apparatus for exercising the rear leg muscles as well as the lower dorsal muscles of a patient which includes an elongated bench having a footrest at one end which is adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the bench and a dorsal support at the other end attached to a vertically revolvable arm, and a drive device to move the revolvable arm in the vertical plane for bringing to bear an adjustable pressure on the patient's back by movement of the dorsal support.

Abstract: An infinitely adjustable elevation system for a treadmill is disclosed. The treadmill has a frame having a pair of spaced side rails and a pair of spaced uprights extending upwardly from the front ends of the side rails. The elevation system comprises a pair of generally vertical, rigid, elongate members, each of which is carried by a respective side rail and which is movably mounted within a respective upright. Each of the elongate members is movable in a generally axial, vertical direction relative to its side rail between a retracted position in which the jogging surface of the treadmill is in substantially horizontal position, and an extended position in which the front of the treadmill (and the jogging surface) is inclined upwardly.

Abstract: A multi-mode physiotherapy foot manipulating device, in accordance with the preferred embodiments, is comprised of a portable unit that may be strapped onto the foot of a bed, table, or the like, and which produces manipulative treatments through the use of oscillating pivotal movements of pedal-like foot supports via a crank arrangement driven by a reversible electric motor. Operation of the motor in one direction will produce simultaneous dorsiflexion of both feet in unison, while reversing of the motor operation will produce a changeover into an alternating pedaling movement of the feet. In accordance with another feature, spring biased roller arms can be provided for massaging of the soles of the feet, openings being provided in foot supports of the device through which rollers on the ends of lever arms are displaced into engagement with the sole of a foot thereon under the force exerted by a spring connected between the base of the device and the lever arm.

Abstract: Oscillatory chest compression apparatus to aid in loosening and eliminating mucus from the lungs of a cystic fibrosis patient. The apparatus includes a mechanism for applying pressurized air to a bladder covering the chest of a person and a mechanism for venting pressurized air from the bladder. In addition, the apparatus includes a mechanism for supplying the air to the bladder in a regular pattern of pulses. The application of the pressurized pulses and the pulse rate is controllable by the patient.

Abstract: An indoor/outdoor exercise chair apparatus includes a back, arms, legs, seat and a space beneath the seat. The chair back has two or more exercising devices embodied therein with a pair of handles extendible from the back of the chair. A head band strap attached to the chair back frame is used for neck exercising and gripping support for abdominal and leg exercises. In each chair arm is located a handle extendible from the chair arm when grasped by a seated person. The chair side frames in the seat have pulling devices similar to those in the chair back and arms and are also used to exercise the arms. Rubber caps are formed in the chair arm ends for hand squeezing and gripping support. An extendible exercise frame with a pedal device can be folded inward and stored against the front chair legs. Two spring clamps are affixed to the two front legs to hold the frame and allow it to be swiveled forward and extended for exercising and backward for storage.

Abstract: A passive motion exerciser for simultaneously flexing the hip and knee joints of a human leg has a base portion with an inclined guide member positionable parallel to a line extending through the ankle and hip joints of the leg, a reversible motor-driven drive member movable upwardly and downwardly along the inclined guide member, and an elongated leg support frame structure securable to the leg and longitudinally adjustable to fit legs of varying lengths. The support frame structure has a first end portion positionable adjacent the ankle joint, a second end portion positionable between the knee and hip joint, and a pivoted intermediate portion positionable adjacent the knee joint. A connecting member is attached to the guide member for movement therealong parallel to the drive member and is connected to the first outer end portion of the support frame structure. The second outer end portion of the support frame structure is pivotally interconnected to the drive member by a cam-driven linkage structure.

Abstract: A passive exercising apparatus comprises a first stationary horizontal platform connected to a second platform forming a lengthwise extension of the first platform and connected thereto for relatively pivotal or rotative movement. A drive mechanism is supported below the second platform and includes slotted lever arms and adjustable linkages enabling the second platform to be selectively pivoted up-and-down or about its central longitudinal axis so as to vary the type of exercise obtained. The second platform is capable of simultaneous pivoting and twisting motion.

Abstract: Base and pivot blocks, each having a generally triangular transverse cross section, are pivotally mounted at their central apexes by an elongated pivot axle. The pivot block has a flat upper surface having a plurality of outwardly extending mounting rails spaced along opposite side edges. A pair of mounting blocks having cooperating recesses are adjustably mounted on the side edges of the pivot block. A foot support is adjustably secured on each of the mounting blocks. A plurality of coil springs extend between the base and pivot blocks, each of the springs having opposite end portions received in cylindrical recesses in the pivot and base blocks. A hand grip is attached by at least elongated coil spring to an outer side edge of each of the adjustable mounting blocks. In use, an individual stands on the pivot block, with their feet on the foot supports. The user rocks from side to side against the resistance of the springs extending between the pivot and base blocks.

Abstract: Aquatic exercise devices, such as in the form of an aquatic dumbbell, are provided for interchangeable and comfortable use by men, women and children alike. The aquatic exercise devices permit a large range of movement and increased resistive forces, torque and torsion. The aquatic exercise devices serve as fluid resistors to water flow as the devices are moved through the water. The aquatic dumbbell can have an array of axial fins and outer diverging transverse fins to provide enhanced strength building and hydrodynamic resistance.