Abstract: A high-top, form-fitting shoe is disclosed for suspending the human body in an inverted position. The shoe includes a re-enforcing member located in the heel-arch area of the shoe. An inverted U-shaped member, spanning the top portion of the shoe, is pivotally attached to the re-enforcing plate on each side of the shoe adjacent the arch area. The under side of the U-shaped member is spaced apart from the top portion of the shoe to prevent physical contact therewith. A hook member is rigidly attached at the apex of the inverted U-shaped member. The hook is held in front of the leg of the user by a holding means such as a strap. When inverted, the user is suspended from the shoe, the weight of the user being carried from the shoe into the re-enforcing plate, to the inverted U-shaped member and onto the hook. The hook is removably attachable to a horizontal supporting bar.

Abstract: A patient treatment table includes a table frame, a hip board fixedly secured to said frame and a head board fixedly secured to said frame and spaced from said hip board. A transparent flexible arch member, of such thickness that it can maintain an adjustable height position under the patient's weight without requiring edge reinforcement, is pivotally mounted to said frame adjacent to and below the top surface of said head board and a slide member extending across the table beneath the edge of said hip board provides a pivotal support for the other end of said arch member. Said slide member may be adjusted relative to said hip board by means of an enclosed, motor driven lead screw actuator to bow said arch member upwardly from a minimum height position in which the top surface of the arch member is substantially the same as the upper surfaces of said head and hip boards.

Abstract: An exercise device has an elastomeric frame of limited dimensions with openings enabling manipulation of the frame in a plurality of modes for various exercise routines, and weights selectively secured within some of the openings to establish a compact dumb-bell assembly for use in some of the exercise routines.

Abstract: A support structure has laterally spaced ramps alongside a vertical post with a cable connected to a drive system and to a bed, which bed can be moved from near horizontal to vertical and beyond to suspend someone from foot holding devices on the bed. One version has a lost motion detent to permit the user to hang free of the bed. Another version has a pillow on the bed to help support him.

Abstract: A hinge connection for a wheel supporting, segmented cross shaft of a winged implement permits the wing to be folded to a transport position in any raised or lowered position of the implement. The hinge connection includes a pin carried by a laterally outer end of the main frame segment of the cross shaft which cooperates with a pair of slots in legs extending from the adjacent end of a wing frame segment of the cross shaft.

Abstract: A compact and readily portable foot holding apparatus for performing sit-ups and like exercises is disclosed. The device has a general "T" shaped appearance formed from a flat cross bar member having a pair of foot holding straps thereon and a substantially flat elongated member. One end of the elongated member is designed to engage the top surface of the cross member in a manner such that when the user sits on the opposite end of the elongated member, the user's weight resists upward movement of the cross bar and foot straps. In some embodiments an exercise mat is incorporated for comfort and in all cases the apparatus can be easily assembled and disassembled without tools.

Abstract: An arm wrestling apparatus (10) includes a base (12) with a telescoping arm (20) pivoted about pivoting brackets (16) and (18). A resilient band (50) is disposed between a stud (48) and a stud (46). The stud (46) is mounted on a reinforcing member (42) that is oriented at an essentially 45.degree. angle with respect to the base (12). Rotation of the telescoping arm (20) stretches the resilient band (50) and directs the force primarily along the longitudinal axis of the support member (42). An additional reinforcing member (40) is disposed at an essentially right angle with respect to the reinforcing member (42). A stud (44) is disposed thereon such that the resilient band (50) can be disposed thereon to reverse the rotation thereof. A limiting pin (32) is disposed on the brackets (16) and (18) to limit rotation to essentially 90.degree..

Abstract: Apparatus for treating human joints wherein a machine reciprocates to flex the joint while an electrical stimulator causes contraction of muscles affected by the flexing. Switches disposed along the path of machine movement are tripped to energize the stimulator current during selected stages of the machine movement, and in either or both directions.

Abstract: A pneumatic percussor includes a three-way valve that is gated on by a control circuit (50) to gate compressed air from a compressor (10) to a percussor cup (70). The percussor cup (70) is a resilient bellows that is expandable in response to pressurized air that is gated through the three-way valve (28). A variable orifice (62) regulates the air flow to the percussor cup (70). A check valve (60) is connected in parallel with the variable orifice (62) to exhaust air to the atmosphere. The control circuit (50) gates the three-way valve on for a short duration during which the percussor cup (70) is inflated and when the control circuit (50) gates the three-way valve (28) off, the check valve (60) relieves the pressure from the inside of the percussor cup (70) to deflate it. The expansion and contraction of the percussor cup (70) delivers a therapeutic rhythmic action to the portion of the body external to the thoracic cavity thereby stimulating the expectoration of the mucus from the lungs.

Abstract: A cervical traction device utilized on conventional traction tables which applies a tractive force to the back of the patient's skull approximate the occipital bone through the use of two V-shaped arms which are adjustably positioned behind the patient's head and mounted on a sliding carriage which has adjustable weights attached thereto. The carriage in turn slides on a stationary track which can be vertically and laterally adjusted to vary the flexion-extension angle.

Abstract: An exercising device 10 comprises a relatively light-weight shank 12 having a longitudinally extending handle 14 at one end thereof and a pair of relatively massy heads 16.1 and 16.2 at the other end. The heads are spaced from and disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis 24 of the handle and the shank, and are connected to the shank and to one another by a relatively light-weight connecting structure 18. The moment of inertia of the head 16.1 about the axis 24 is about a third as great as that of the head 16.2.

Abstract: An exercise system (10) is provided for allowing reversible displacement of at least one weight element (12) responsive to a lifting force imparted to the weight element (12) by a user. The exercise system (10) includes an exercise frame (14) as well as an arm actuated mechanism (58) and a leg actuated mechanism (100). The arm actuated mechanism (58) is secured to the exercise frame (14) and is coupled to the weight element (12) for reversibly displacing the weight element. The leg actuated mechanism (100) is also secured to the exercise frame (14) and is also coupled to the weight element (12) to allow reversible displacement of the weight element responsive to movement of the legs of the user.

Abstract: A surgical table is disclosed which includes a base and a first planar table surface which is fixedly mounted to the base. A second planar table surface is mounted to the base by means of a linear guide such that the second table surface is positioned in the plane of the first table surface and is movable toward and away from the first table surface. A third table surface is interconnected between the first and second table surfaces. This third table surface is formed of a bendable material and is provided with a cylindrically convex shape. The radius of curvature of this convex shape varies as a function of the linear position of the first table surface with respect to the second table surface. Preferably, the third table surface is formed of an X-ray transparent material. Articulated leg brackets allow the height and tilt angle of the table to be adjusted.

Abstract: A method for cleaning root crops in the field includes steps to harvest the roots and crushing the roots vegetable waste matter whereby the sap from the waste matter is used as part of cleaning agent. The cleaning process involves soaking the roots in the cleaning agent, spraying them with continuous pressure jets, dispensing the liquid cleaning agent and drying them by jets dispensing air.

Abstract: A full body weight traction device for rotating a human into inverted posture comprising generally U-shaped front and rear legs with the bases of the U-shapes resting on the floor and having upstanding sides terminating in pivot bearings, a shorter U-shaped trunion having upstanding sides also terminating in pivot bearings and having the base of its U attached to a tilt bed including a human torso supporting means and an elongated rail extending between the ankles of a user. The respective pivot bearings on each side of the front and rear legs and the trunion are pivotally connected by a pivot pin, permitting rotation of the tilt bed and folding of the legs for storage. The rail is provided with a hinge and lock which permits the rail to fold against the torso supporting means, whereby the tilt bed and legs fold into a configuration about the same length as the legs.

Abstract: An improved animal ear tag applicator in which the jaws include a pivotal holding member and a tapered pin with the handles having a spacing that lessens hand fatigue when applying tags to the ears of animals.

Abstract: An arm sling includes a semi-rigid trough which partially encircles and supports a patient's forearm, wrist, and hand. A yoke is connected to the sides of the trough at a location away from the distal end. An adjustable-length strap extends upward from the yoke over the front of the patient's ipsilateral shoulder, diagonally across the patient's back, and transversly across the front of the patient's body to an attachment point on the trough near the patient's elbow. An elbow piece adjustably fixed to the trough accommodates various elbow angles and arm widths. The yoke supports the patient's forearm, wrist, and hand in a cantilevered fashion at various elevations, while not interfering appreciably with lateral movement of the distal end of the trough and rotation of the patient's upper arm at the shoulder joint.

Abstract: An ankle supporting device for suspending a human in inverted posture is provided in which a generally U-shaped ankle-encircling member is configured to slip over a human ankle with the base of the U oriented towards the heel of the user's foot, and the ends of the U positioned over the metatarsal arch and including integral hooks so oriented as to be engagable with a horizontal bar with the user in inverted posture.

Abstract: A foot bath including a bath body for containing hot water, in which a foot is to be inserted, the bath body having a cover having an opening therein. A ceramic layer and a heater are provided in the cover so that the heater heats the ceramic layer to produce far infrared rays to irradiate the foot and hot water in the bath body. A structure is provided beneath the bath body for providing vibration to the foot. A pump is connected to the vibration structure so as to be driven thereby and an air transferring pipe is connected between the pump and the bottom of the bath body to transfer air therethrough while the air is heated by the far infrared radiation. A nozzle is provided in the bath body to mix the heated air and hot water and to eject the mixture of heated air and hot water at the surface of the hot water in a jet water stream.

Abstract: Orthopaedic traction apparatus of the kind including a support structure carrying guides serving to direct an elongate flexible member between a patient and a suspended weight, the weight applying tractive force to the patient by way of the member, is improved by the provision of a safety mechanism of dynamic seat belt type operably connected between the support structure and the weight. The mechanism is preferably of a form having a belt arresting element operable in response to tilting from a predetermined orientation. Such a mechanism is suitably carried by a lever additionally acted on by the elongate member to maintain the mechanism operable unless the apparatus is mishandled at least in such a way as to release the member from tension. The member is preferably releasably connected to the patient by way of a device additionally allowing separate adjustment of the effective length of the member.