Abstract: A seating apparatus is provided which has a seating surface that tilts in a full-circle manner, the tilting being controlled so as to be adequate to allow the person seated on the apparatus to change the alignment of body muscles and skeletal members, while avoiding a degree of movement which would be excessive, potentially uncomfortable and/or possibly disruptive. The apparatus can incorporate a ball-and-socket arrangement which provides for the full circle tilting while also incorporating an appropriate stop surface for preventing excessive tilting along the full-circle rotation orientations. When used for extended periods of time, the seating apparatus improves, rather than detrimentally affects, muscle tone and flexibility, while also reducing risk of back injury and muscle stiffness due to prolonged sitting.

Abstract: Anchor plates for a framework abdominal exercise device provide greater stability, a stable axis of rotation, and a better location for the axis of rotation. A base pad is flanked by two brace supports that have a wide lower portion for distributing forces and a narrower upper portion for engaging the abdominal exercise device. The brace supports are separated by a greater width at their lower portion than at their upper portion. Intermediating the disparity between these separating widths is an intermediate portion that slants inwardly and acts as a shock-absorbing spring to provide better performance by the anchor plate. The base pad of the anchor plate may have an undersurface of a non-skid material to provide greater friction with an underlying floor, thereby preventing slipping and sliding. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, side reinforcing ridges may extend forwardly from the lower forward portions of the brace supports to provide greater support to the brace supports.

Abstract: A lower-back therapy apparatus that alternately stretches and strengthens lower-back, leg, and abdominal muscles, the apparatus is constructed with a platform unit having a flat cushioned platform table hinged to a motor-actuated, pivoting platform that can be pivotally raised and lowered by a control switch operated by the user, providing the user with complete control of the range, frequency and duration of the articulation of the pivoting platform for a user-defined stretching-strengthening sequence.

Abstract: A structure of a rehabilitating device for automatically closing a movable object comprises a tubular body having a first and a second chamber therein, a cylinder member having a cock mechanism at the inward end axially disposed into the tubular body, a sleeve member incorporated with a pair of steel balls in opposite peripheries sleeved onto the cylinder member and biased at two end by a pair of recoil springs and an air valve fastened to the open end of the tubular body abutting the first chamber. When the cylinder member is extracted outward, the spring is contracted and the air pressure is induced into the first chamber for a slow rehabilitation of the cylinder member. A further extracting the cylinder member leads the sleeve member entered into the second chamber to perform a random positioning of the cylinder member therein.

Abstract: An abdominal exercise device to assist in exercising all three abdominal muscles includes a platform which is placed on a flat supporting surface. A substantially U-shaped body cage is pivotally mounted on the platform and extends outwardly therefrom and includes a U-shaped neck and head support portion and a pair of platform connecting portions adjustable connected thereto. A padded cushion mounted on the support portion supports the head of the user. A pair of pivot members pivotally connect the body cage to the platform. Each pivot member includes a cylindrical portion for pivotally rotatably mounting the body cage to side walls of the platform, and a semispherical portion which connects to free ends of the body cage. A user reclines on the platform and grasps the body cage and performs a sit-up type of motion with the body cage ensuring a full range of motion in the proper plane of movement to maximally recruit the abdominal muscles.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an exercise, rehabilitation and extremity testing method and apparatus having a cycloidal speed reducer. A multiposition chair is rotatably mounted to a stand which is slidingly mounted to a track on a platform. A dynamometer is mounted on a pedestal on the platform such that it is capable of rotating about a horizontal axis and a vertical axis. The vertical height of the dynamometer can also be adjusted. An input apparatus capable of engaging the limb or body segment of a user is mounted to an input shaft of the dynamometer. A motor controls the movement of the input shaft through a cycloidal speed reducer. Consequently, the motor controls the movement of the input arm and the user's limb or body segment. The user exercises his muscles by applying force to the input apparatus according to a number of different protocols.

Abstract: A controller (10) having a housing (11) within which is positioned a moveable portion (13). The housing comprises an outer housing portion (12a) and an inner housing portion (12b) and having a vent (14) and a limit peg (22). Detent means (15) defines the lower position limit of the movement of the inner housing portion (12b) and second detent means (16) defines the upper limit of the movement of the inner housing portion (12b) with the outer housing portion (12a). Biasing means (17) biases the moveable portion 13 to a first position. The device further comprises an inlet (19) attachable to a pump and an outlet (20) connectable to an inflatable body to form part of a continuous passive motion device.

Abstract: An exercise device for exerting a resilient force upon the limbs of the user having two cuffs and a continuously formed looped tension band. The cuffs are generally made of a webbing fabric having secured at opposite ends VELCRO strips for securement about the limbs of the user. The cuffs are generally made of a webbing fabric having secured at opposite ends strips made of synthetic materials which adhere when pressed together such as that material sold under the trademark VELCRO for securement about the limbs of the user. Provided on the exterior of the cuff is an envelope-like enclosure having a closure which is formed from the same adhereable synthetic materials such as those sold under the trademark VELCRO, whereby the tension band is placed within the flaps of the envelope-like enclosure and the flaps are secured about the tension band. In use, the cuffs are secured about the limbs of the user using the VELCRO strips.

Abstract: A portable controllable fluid device (20a) for rehabilitation of injured limbs, appendages and joints (33a). The rehabilitation device (20a) includes a first bracket (22a) for fixedly securing to a first body part, such as a lower leg (25), a second bracket (24a) for fixedly securing to a second body part, such as a foot (26), and a controllable fluid brake (27a) such as a magnetorheological fluid brake including a magnetorheological fluid contained therein having a carrier fluid and disbursed magnetic particles, attached between the first bracket (22a) and second bracket (24a). The controllable fluid brake (27a), preferably acts in a rotary fashion and provides resistive forces about an axis adjacent said body joint (33a) to exercise the muscles upon movement of said first bracket (22a) relative to said second bracket (24a) resulting from movement of the user's first body part relative to the second body part.

Abstract: The neck curvature alignment device comprises: a framework including a base portion adapted to be supported on a generally planar surface and having an upper surface and a pivot portion having an outer surface and being pivotally connected to the base portion; a moving mechanism situated between the base portion and the pivot portion for moving the pivot portion away from the base portion; a device for actuating the moving mechanism; a head and neck receiving device mounted on the upper surface of the base portion and having structure for engaging and bearing against the occipital bone of a patient's head, whereby operation of the moving mechanism will cause the pivot portion to move away from the base portion to cause the head and neck receiving portion to act in an arcuate direction against a patient's neck and head.

Abstract: Similar paired exercise hand weights provide one hand weight of the pair with a self-defense spray dispensing container carried therein. Each hand weight provides an elongate tubular body having enlarged end portions and defining an internal channel to optionally contain a self-defense spray container and weights. Annular bands encircling the upper and lower portions of the cylindrical body fasten the end portions of an elastic fastening band that stretches over the body for positioning over the back of a user's hand to aid positional maintenance of the weight on the hand. A resilient covering about the cylindrical body provides an improved gripping surface and greater comfort for gripping. Each hand weight has at least one removable end cap for access to the body channel and the hand weight that embodies a self-defense spray container has a removable end cap that defines a passageway for the operative mechanism of a defense spray container and an orifice for exit of self-defense spray.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for relieving symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome includes restraining the elbow of the patient from movement while applying pressure to the wrist to move the wrist in a direction away from the elbow. The method further includes rotating the wrist during movement of the wrist away from the elbow.

Abstract: A counterbalancing assembly reduces the weight of an exercising person by pulling the exercising person upwardly. The counterbalancing assembly includes a monolithic support structure which is secured to a base. A cantilever support extends out from the top of the monolithic support structure. A cable extends from the top of the monolithic support structure, down through a linear actuator, and back up through the monolithic support structure to the cantilever support. The cable extends down from the end of the cantilever support to a position suitable for an exercising person to comfortably exercise on a piece of exercising equipment. A spring at the fixed end of the cable provides an unloading force accommodating to the exercising patient movement and dampens sudden movements created by the exercising person. A linear actuator is used to adjust the length of the cable extending down from the cantilever support and to tension the spring.

Abstract: An exercise method beneficially and safely affects the lumbar spine and muscles of a human. The method uses a simple exercise device having a substantially rigid body with top and bottom surfaces, and a front and back. The top surface is configured and dimensioned to safely passively extend a human's lumbar spine when the human lays with her or his stomach on the top surface (e.g. by providing a concave surface with a total angle of concavity of about 10.degree.-30.degree., preferably about 12.degree.-17.degree.). The bottom surface of the device is configured and dimensioned to allow rocking action in a dimension extending from the front to the rear of the device, and may include two or more spaced rocking strips with front and rear stops.

Abstract: An abdomen fitness equipment including a front base frame unit carrying a cushion, a substantially U-shaped handle fixed to the front end of the front base frame unit for pulling, a rear base frame unit pivoted to the rear end of the front base frame unit, a movable frame unit pivoted to the front end of the rear base frame unit, and a movable leg frame unit pivoted to the rear end of the rear base frame unit, the movable leg frame unit having an adjustable extension rod equipped with a pulley, the pulley being moved along a longitudinal rod in the rear base frame unit when the movable leg frame unit is pulled with the legs to lift the movable frame unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for mobilizing the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint in a toe, especially after prolonged immobilization. It includes a member having a first curved surface for facilitating the rolling of the member and a second surface for receiving the plantar portion of a human foot, including a portion of the ball of the foot and at least one toe. The apparatus further includes a retainer for securing a single toe to the member. In use, a patient places a foot on the second surface of the member with the ball of the foot and at least a to-be-treated toe contacting the second curved surface. Then, using the retainer, the single to-be-treated and mobilized toe is secured to the member. Thereafter, the patient may impose either plantarflexion or dorsiflexion motion to the single to-be-treated toe by rolling the member either forward or backward.

Abstract: An in-resident system for administering a course of study using a central data processor having access to a program and using residential/business scale equipment including a terminal and screen that can communicate with the program or a portion of the program, at a remote in-resident location and time the system including a method for personal validation of the remote student and for administering the course of study remotely.

Abstract: A continuous passive motion device for the hand and its method of use is disclosed. The continuous passive motion hand device includes a base member which is mounted on the hand. The device also includes a rotatable arm mounted on the base member and a rotatable lever mounted on the rotatable arm. A drive bar is fixedly mounted on the rotatable lever and a plurality of linkages connect the drive bar to a respective finger tip. During a cycle of the device, between a full extension and a full flexion of the hand, the drive bar is moved through two hundred and seventy degrees or more by the concerted rotations of the rotatable arm and rotatable lever. Also, during a cycle, each linkage controls and urges the movement of a respective finger tip. Specifically, the end of each linkage that is attached to the drive bar is prevented from rotating about the axis of the guide bar. Additionally, the linkage establishes a second axis for that end of the linkage which is attached to the finger tip.

Abstract: An abdominal exercise device is disclosed. The invention includes a pair of arm portions for the user to grasp, a head rest and support attached thereto, the support being attached to the arm portions, an extension portion extending from each arm portion and a curved radius on the other end thereof. The curved radius being received by a segmented track, the proximal end of the track being fixed to the extension portions such that when a person lies face up between the extension portions with their head on the head rest and pulls down on the arm portions, contracting the abdominal muscles and rolling the curved radius along the track picking up same, the abdominal muscles are worked and the instantaneous center of rotation of the articulating vertebrae are in proper alignment with the instantaneous rotation of the device. This guides the body in a proper sit up movement working the abdominal muscles while the head and neck are constantly supported by the head rest.

Abstract: A system (100) particularly directed to exercising gluteal and thigh muscles is provided. System (100) includes a longitudinally extended handle member (110) and assembly (150) for engaging a heel portion of a user's foot. A resistive force assembly (120) is coupled on a first end to a central portion of the handle member (110) and on an opposing second end to the heel engagement assembly (150). The resistive force assembly (120) includes an inelastic resistive force subassembly having an inelastic strap member (132) coupled on a first end (138) to handle member (110) and a second end (136) formed in a closed contour. Inelastic resistive force subassembly (130) includes an adjustment buckle (135) for adjusting an overall length dimension of the inelastic strap member (132).