Abstract: There is disclosed an exerciser sling which is formed as a generally U-shaped band of flexible sheet material having its upper ends attached to a support ring which has substantially the same diameter as the lateral dimensions of the user. The support ring protects the user's head, and supports the sides of the sling vertically and substantially parallel to each other, totally enclosing the sides of the user. The sling also includes a back support band which extends vertically from the support ring to a joined attachment with the fabric band of the sling at its lower rear edges, and has front belting which extends about the waist or diagonally across the chest and lower abdomen of the user. The sling has a pair of leg openings at its lower end, or bight, and the sides have opposite openings for the arms of the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pump assembly which is used to control the amount of extension and flexion of an inflatable pouch which is used to exercise the fingers, hand, or other limb of a patient. A diaphragm pump is provided together with a rotatable cycling valve and a metering control valve to supply air to the diaphragm pump and to cyclically inflate and deflate the pouch upon which a patient's hand is positioned. Manual overrides are provided to inflate and deflate the pouch to a desired degree, dependent upon the position of the hand of the patient as well as the amount of flexion and extension desired and which the patient is capable of. A method of cyclically inflating and deflating the pouch is also provided.

Abstract: A compact and lightweight knee joint for a prosthetic leg that can be locked or released with low operating forces comprises upper and lower members interconnected by a pin at a posterior location. A latch pivoted to one of the members for rotation about a vertical axis releasably locks into a recess in the other member to hold the joint in its extended position. The upper member has depending cheeks between which a head of the lower member is received. Adjoining horizontal faces of the upper and lower members are planar and a pad of elastomeric material attached to one of the planar surfaces serves as an extension stop buffer. The latch is blade-like and of bell-crank shape. It fits into slots in the anterior edge of each cheek and is pivoted in one of the slots with an anterior lever thereof spanning between the slots and with a latch head thereof fitting into the other slot. A cable release is fitted to the medial/lateral lever for release of the latch.

Abstract: A gripping assembly adapted for use with cable-type exercising devices which employs a hand locking member for securing the assembly to the user's hand during use.

Abstract: A starting block (10) for a runner to be used on a track having running lanes extending from a starting line (L) to a finish line including, a frame (11) for positioning in alignment with a running lane proximate to the starting line (L), fasteners (22) for maintaining the frame at a selected location on the track, a front pad (55) selectively attachable longitudinally of the frame and having a substantially horizontal surface (56) for supporting one foot of a runner in a standing position, and a rear pad (30) selectively attachable longitudinally of the frame and having an angularly upwardly extending surface (31) for engagement by the other foot of a runner in a standing position to assist in thrusting the runner across the starting line (L) in a running lane toward the finish line.

Abstract: A hand exerciser for use in physiotherapy and in muscle building which is suitable for use in exercising of the muscles of the forearm, hand, wrist and fingers comprises a rigid frame (11) spanned by a resiliently deformable web (10) held under tension and formed with an array of cells (12) so as to accommodate human fingers, the web being formed of an elastomer having elasticity and hardness properties which render it capable of deformation when gripped by means of fingers inserted in the cells and appropriately stretched as a result of muscular action.

Abstract: A percussor for respiratory percussion therapy, comprising a lightweight flexible cantilever handle and a soft elastomeric percussion cup secured to the distal end of the handle. The bell-shape of the percussion cup provides a highly effective percussion shock wave and sound, while accommodating a wide range of striking forces and angles relative to any desired body surface. A lip having a large surface area substantially avoids irritation, trauma and injury to the patient.

Abstract: An isometric chin, neck and jaw muscle exerciser is disclosed which includes a generally C-shaped structure having two free ends. One free end is adapted to fit within the mouth of the user, and the second free end fits under the chin. Weights are added to the structure to cause the second free end to press upward against the lower jaw and chin muscles, while at the same time exerting a resistance against the upper jaw muscles.

Abstract: An infant exerciser includes a frame adapted for stationary placement on a floor or other support surface and a seat and treadmill assembly revolvably mounted on the frame. The treadmill is suspended beneath the seat so that an infant supported in the seat can exercise its legs by walking on the treadmill without moving the frame. By revolving the seat and treadmill assembly, an infant can change his or her field of view and interact with the surrounding environoment, while simultaneously practicing to walk or othewise exercising through the use of the treadmill.

Abstract: A power training arrangement includes two moving elements which can be coupled with one another and which are jointly driven by a rotor-slippage electric motor or by a direct current motor. The user of the arrangement can then either brake or accelerate the movements of the two moving elements with his or her muscular force. A tow cable may be connected with one of the moving elements and may transmit periodic forces to a horizontal bar element and particularly to a slide mounted on the horizontal bar element for upward and downward movement and carrying a selected number of weight elements. The construction of the arrangement of the present invention renders it possible to accomplish a dynamic training.

Abstract: An upper body rotation assembly for a back test, rehabilitation and exercise machine designed for the isolated testing, rehabilitation and exercise of the lower back musculature of a person in rotation about a vertical axis is disclosed. The rotation assembly has a curved chest pad which bears against the chest of the person and a scapula pad which bears against the scapula of the person. The curve of the chest pad is designed to fit the greatest variety of upper body shapes and sizes, providing the greatest comfort and stabilization to the largest portion of the population possible. Two belts, one on each side of the rotation assembly, secure the chest pad to the scapula pad. The rotation assembly is attached to a frame of the machine such that when the person exerts a rotational force against the chest pad and the scapula pad the rotation assembly rotates relative to the frame of the machine.

Abstract: A hand rehabilitation device including a circular planar disk having a series of spread-apart recesses in its circumference receives the fingers of a patient's hand with the thumb inserted through a selected one of a plurality of apertures. The joint of the finger extending across the disk may be active or passively exercised while the patient holds the disk.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus (10) comprising a housing unit (11) having relatively moveable upper (17) and lower (18) housing members containing a spring element (12) which surrounds a force transmitting unit (13) and is disposed intermediate an adjustable spring tensioning means (16); wherein, a force imparting lever unit (15) is pivotally connected to the housing unit (11) and further operatively connected to the force transmitting unit (13) via a toggle linkage (14).

Abstract: A leg stabilization apparatus for a trunk extension/flexion test, rehabilitation and exercise machine wherein a person secured to an input assembly of the machine engages in trunk extension/flexion motion. The apparatus comprises a popliteal pad assembly, a thigh-knee pad assembly and a tibia pad assembly. The popliteal pad assembly has two popliteal pads which bear against the back of the person's knees. The height of the popliteal pad assembly is adjustable. The thigh-knee pad assembly has two thigh pads which bear against the person's thighs and two knee pads which bear against the inside of the legs at the knees. The tibia pad assembly has two tibia pads which bear against the tibia. Both the thigh-knee pad assembly and the tibia pad assembly are secured to the popliteal pad assembly by use of telescoping tubes which are locked into receiving tubes in the popliteal pad assembly.

Abstract: A low inertia counterbalance mechanism for eliminating the effects of gravity on an upper body mass of a person secured in an input assembly of a trunk extension/flexion test, rehabilitation and exercise machine is disclosed. The mechanism disclosed does not add any appreciable inertia to the input assembly. A cam rotating on the same axis of rotation and mechanically connected to the input assembly comes in contact with a cable when the input assembly rotates downwardly. The cable at its bottom end is attached to a lever arm. The lever arm rotates upwardly when the cam comes in contact with the cable, and a constant force gas spring pivotally attached at its bottom end to an intermediate point on the lever arm is compressed when the lever arm pivots upwardly. This negates the increasing effects of gravity felt by the upper body mass of the person secured in the input assembly as the input assembly rotates downwardly. The top end of the spring is pivotally attached to a frame of the machine.

Abstract: A punching bag specifically designed and constructed for use with a reaction time and applied force measuring device. An elongated bag is suspended between an overhead support and the floor. The punching bag is supported from the overhead support by a plurality of rope-like members which extend outwardly and acutely from the punching bag. The punching bag is secured to the floor by a rope-like member attached to the bag's bottom. The bottom rope-like member has slack such that the bag may swing within a confined radius. Additionally, springs may be included with the rope-like members and the support structures such that the reactionary force is enhanced.

Abstract: An exercise device which similates the rowing motion of a kayack or similar single oar craft. A pivot rod and resistance cylinders are fixed between a support frame and an oar. A coupling bracket on the oar allows the position at which the cylinders are attached to the oar to be varied, thus varying the exercise resistance. A mounting arm allows the exercise device to be fixed to a base member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resecting a distal femoral surface in which an intramedullary rod is inserted through the distal surface of the femur and along the femoral shaft access, leaving a protruding end; a jig is attached to the protruding end, the jig having a shaft for receiving the rod end and a support plate attached to an end of the shaft and extending parallel to the rod; attaching a reference bar to the shaft, the bar having a pair of opposing flanges and a central opening which receives the shaft therethrough, and adjusting the bar on the shaft such that the flanges contact condylar apices of the femur; fixing the jig relative to the femur; attaching a cutting plate to the jig, the cutting plate having blade guides thereon, pivoting the cutting plate relative to the jig such that the blade guides make a predetermined angle with the rod, and securing the cutting plate to the jig; and inserting a saw blade through the blade guides to make a resection of the distal femoral surface.