Abstract: An exercise machine is provided that includes two stepping platforms pivotally interconnected to a frame. The stepping platforms are moved in a substantially vertical direction by the application of forces during the stepping motion by the user. The applied forces are resisted by fluidic cylinders. A rocker assembly is used to raise one of the stepping platforms while the other stepping platform is moved downwardly. A pair of lifter elements interconnects the stepping platforms with the rocker assembly. The ends of the lifter elements pivotally move during the vertical movement of the stepping platforms. Preferably, the pair of lifter elements is replaceable by another pair of lifter elements having a different length for use in varying the range of vertical movement of the stepping platforms. The stepping platforms are of a size to allow the user to vary the force required to cause vertical movement of the stepping platforms.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring physical strength by dynamically measuring the instantaneous power of a nonrepetitive muscular force as, for example, the force exerted by a leg extension, on the basis of a power theory and, consequently, the instantaneous power generated by a dynamic, nonrepetitive multi-articular movement such as a vertical jump. The power produced by a leg extension is calculated from the maximum speed V.sub.max of the foot plate and its output time T.sub.max. An apparatus for such measurement includes a base frame; a guide section that extends in the same direction as the base frame; a foot section that slides along the guide section so that its sliding angle is variable; a measuring unit that measures sliding conditions of the foot section; a display unit that displays, visually or aurally, various data on the leg extension of the subject; and a processor means for calculating the power generated by the leg extending force.

Abstract: Foot treadle operated exercising apparatus of this invention provides for transfer of air from one foot treadle operated vertically disposed bellows to another through a restricted pathway adjustable in size by an adjustable valve to select a desired work load. A stroke length adjustment is featured for changing the length of the stroke. This is achieved with bellows that are biassed to return to an extended condition in the presence of atmospheric air. Thus with a closed air system, a manually operated air admission and venting valve will increase the bellows height when opened to admit atmospheric air and will decrease the bellows height when opened and pedals are depressed to vent air. The foot treadles are operable from a standing, sitting or lying position. An auxiliary arm exercise harness operates in conjunction with the foot operated treadles by means of hand manipulated lines cross connected so that the left hand will depress a right foot treadle and visa versa.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stepping exerciser for exercising the muscles of the legs. The stepping exerciser comprises two parallel pedals respectively pivoted to two opposite supports on a base frame and supported on the two opposite ends of a rocker arm for stepping the legs up and down alternatively, which rocker arm being balanced on a support at its center and caused to move in seesaw fashion, springs respectively supported between the base frame and the free end of either pedal, and two elastic cords respectively and bilaterally connected to the base frame at one end for pulling with the hands in keeping the body balanced as the user is alternatively stepping on the pedals.

Abstract: A pedal exerciser includes essentially a baseboard, two pedals each having one end connected to the baseboard and the other end supported by two air pumps, a V-shaped linking rod having a bottom portion fastened to a fixture and the other ends detachably secured to the pedals, respectively. A valve is adapted to adjust an upward force towards the pedals, thus the user may adjust the pedals to a desirable exercise resistance.

Abstract: A walking machine made up of two walking members mounted on a frame which includes two sides and at least one cross piece from which the walking members extend upward and outward so that they will go up and down according to which foot of an individual is raised and which pressed down in a stand-still walk. The walking members are made of spring steel and the frame preferably of structural angles.

Abstract: A gymnastic pedalling apparatus comprising a base frame, a front board fastened to the base frame, a base board fastened to the base frame and situated behind the front board, two long bars pivoted coaxially to the front board, two pedals fastened respectively to free ends of the two long bars, two hydraulic cylinders pivoted to base frame and the two long bars, a lifting board pivoted to the base board, a threaded rod having one end fastened to the lifting board and having another end penetrating through the top of the base board, a nut screwed onto the threaded rod in a manner that the nut remains over the top of the base board for adjusting the height of the lifting board, a sleeve fastened horizontally at the bottom portion of the lifting board, a rotating shaft fitted into the sleeve, a long support arm and a short support arm fastened respectively to the rotating shaft, and two rollers pivoted respectively to the free ends of the two support arms and situated respectively under the two long bars.

Abstract: A foot exerciser for engagement with the lower leg and foot that provides for resistance to swinging of the foot to exercise the foot. The foot exerciser includes a cradle for engaging the lower leg between the ankle and the knee and a pedal for engaging the foot. The pedal is swingably connected to the cradle with a tension arrangement to provide for swinging resistance. The foot exerciser is tailored to fit the foot and lower leg such that it may be used by the bed or wheelchair-ridden patient, or ambulatory patient.

Abstract: A pedaling exercise device includes two pairs of pedaling plates, each of which has an upper plate and a lower plate hinged to the upper plate. Two pressure-operating members are respectively provided between the upper and lower plates of the pairs of pedaling plates. Each of the pressure-operating members includes an enclosed flexible hollow housing having an upper partition and a lower partition dividing the housing into a first, a second and a third chamber from top to bottom. A first flexible tube interconnects and communicates the first and third chambers. A predetermined amount of air is contained in the second chambers. A predetermined amount of liquid is contained in the first and third chambers and in the first flexible tube. A second flexible tube communicates the second chambers of the housing. A pumping device is provided for pumping air into and for allowing air to escape from the second chambers.

Abstract: An exercise machine includes a base frame with a seat adjustably connected thereto for longitudinal movement towards and away from a foot support on the base frame. A bent arm is pivotally mounted on the base frame adjacent the foot support, and has a pair of cushions adjustably mounted on the arm, so as to pivot through an arc with respect to the foot supports. Weights may be added to the bent arm so as to further bias the cushions against pivotal movement. A person seated on the machine exercises the tibialis anterior muscle by pivoting the cushions with the toes of the foot with respect to the foot support.

Abstract: An apparatus for exercising muscles of the leg comprising a frame, a padded sling for engaging the back of the knee, a load and a cable running from the load to the sling over one or more pulleys hung from the frame so that the load loading is applied perpendicularly to the back of the knee as it is straightened. A foot rest aligned with the sling assures that the foot remains planted throughout the movement of the leg except for flexing at the ankle. At least one of the pulleys is adjustable so that legs of different length can be accommodated. The type of load includes weights, an hydraulic cylinder, extension or compression springs and isokinetic mechanisms.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus for use by individuals includes a base member formed of hingedly secured base members that in turn each include a hinged pivot plate relative to each base plate, wherein each pivot plate is biased exteriorly of each base plate, and at least one elastomeric band mounted to each base plate to permit simultaneous foot, leg, and arm exercise by individuals in areas of limited available space.

Abstract: A ski exercise device is provided having at least two parallel rails held in a fixed relationship by brace elements at the ends. A carriage is provided for riding along the rails, and a first resilient element provides a restoring force on the carriage directed toward the center of the rails. Platforms for a user's feet are pivotally attached to the carriage off-center from the centerline of the platforms so that the natural action by a user in shifting weight from one platform to the other platform in operation causes the respective platforms to pivot in the correct direction to simulate the action of parallel skiing. The first resilient element is fastened to the carriage at about a mid-point. One end of the first resilient element in the preferred embodiment passes around a roller attached to one of the end brace elements, extends back toward the middle of the rails, and is clamped at a clamp assembly attached to an additional brace element between the rails.

Abstract: An improved exercise shoe including a generally semi-circular base for engaging a support surface on which the exercise shoe rocks with a range of rocking motion, the improvement providing the exercise shoe with a more limited range, particularly a variable more limited range of rocking motion. The more limited range of rocking motion includes a more limited range of forward rocking motion and a more limited range of rearward rocking motion, and particularly a variable more limited rearward range of rocking motion.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus for strengthening the ankle extensors which includes a platform on which a user jumps repetitively while monitoring the time that he is in contact with the platform and the time that he is out of contact with the platform. In one embodiment, the platform is hinged to a base platform along an edge with a spring and switch in between. The spring holds the platform and base panel slightly apart except when the user is standing on the platform. The switch has two sets of poles, one of which sets activates a circuit for timing the time in contact and the second of which sets activates the time of flight of each jump when the user is out of contact. Monitoring of each period can be performed by any one of several circuits. One circuit includes a clock and display for displaying the current flight or contact time. Another circuit includes structure for presetting target periods for flight and contact times.

Abstract: A stretching apparatus (10) includes a base structure (12) for supporting an individual in supine position. One leg of the individual is disposed within a cradle (14) pivotally mounted on the base structure (12) by a pair of arm assemblies (16a, 16b) which are powered by a hydraulic actuator (20) to rotate about an axis (22) extending generally transversely to the individual's body at a location coinciding with the hip joints of the individual. The cradle (14) includes a foot cup (18) for receiving and supporting the rear and side portions of the individual's foot through which a stretching load is applied to the individual's leg for stretching the muscles, tendons and joint capsules of the lower back, hip, leg, and foot.