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.

Abstract: A knee exerciser cyclically flexes a patient's knee by alternately extending and retracting a leg support having one end disposed behind the knee. The leg support is hinged at one end to a thigh support and is fixed at its other end to a motor assembly. The motor assembly pivots relative to a frame. The other end of the thigh support is also pivotally secured to the frame. The leg support includes a tubular member secured to the thigh support hinge and a screw which is rotatably driven by the motor and is threadedly engaged in the tube. Rotation of the screw extends and retracts the leg support, thereby moving the leg/thigh hinge to cyclically flex the knee joint. The motor is controllable to set the limit point of the flexure cycle and to control the speed of the motor.

Abstract: The device includes a platform mounted on a base and adapted to support a person's hands or feet in side-by-side relation. A slotted plate defines left and right sets of air-directing channels between the platform and the base. A rotatable impeller circulates air through a manifold and into the channels with the air being discharged upwardly from the channels and through ports in the platform to relax and refresh the hands or feet. A weight attached to one of the blades of the impeller causes the platform to vibrate and further induce relaxation.

Abstract: A back traction and relaxing system is disclosed adapted to be used on a patient lying on a supporting surface such as a hospital bed or the like. A frame is secured to the frame of the bed and extends over the patient. A first pulley is mounted on the frame approximately over the patient's waist and has a cable extending therearound and downwardly therefrom towards the patient. A gear motor is connected to the cable for longitudinally moving the cable relative to the pulley. A knee and ankle supporting mechanism is secured to the lower end of the cable and comprises a transversely extending knee support adapted to fit beneath the patient's knees. An elongated member is secured to the knee support and extends therefrom towards the patient's feet. A transversely extending ankle support is secured to the end of the elongated member and is adapted to be positioned over the patient's ankles.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for producing automatic flexion of a chiropractic table. The apparatus includes a motor driven cam mechanism and a linkage assembly coupling the cam mechanism to the anterior section of an articulated chiropractic treatment table, the apparatus producing a cyclical palpation flexion movement of the anterior section of the chiropractic treatment table in accordance with predetermined treatment procedures prescribed for the treatment of lumbar disc protrusions.

Abstract: Portable cervical traction apparatus including a generally planar generally rigid platform of radiolucent material attachable to a turning frame for use with the conventional traction arrangement thereof, and a portable traction unit attachable to the platform without interfering with the conventional traction. The unit has a framework configured for straddling the conventional traction cord while attaching the unit to the platform in the space between the patient's head and the adjacent end of the platform. The weight carrying assembly is movably mounted in the lower part of the unit and includes a split weight carrying plate arrangement for straddling the cord.

Abstract: A device to increase the user's gripping power and weight training level on isometric weight training equipment is disclosed. An inverted U-shaped cradle is placed over the bar of the weight equipment and the user's hand grips the outside surface of the grip. An endless belt attached to the bottom edge of the grip through a slot passes behind the user's wrist to provide reinforcement and increase the hand and finger's grip. The interior and exterior cradle surfaces may be covered with a friction enhancing material which also cushions the contact surfaces of the user's hands.

Abstract: An exercising apparatus has a hollow housing with an aperture extending therethrough and a cavity on one side. The cavity has a cylindrical portion and at least one slot portion extending outwardly at the edge of the cylindrical portion. A first handle is connected to the housing. An axle, with a round portion and a square portion, extends rotatably through the aperture. A bolt extends through a longitudinal aperture through the axle. The round portion of the axle extends through a pulley wheel in the hollow housing. There is a one way clutch between the pulley wheel and the round portion of the axle. A strap, normally wound about the pulley, wheel extends from an opening in the housing. A spiral spring within the housing biases the pulley wheel to wind the strap. There is a set of at least three friction discs proportioned to fit freely and removably within the cavity of the housing. A rotatable metal disc has a square central aperture for rotation with the square portion of the axle.

Abstract: The juncture between the sole and at least one side of the golf putter head forms a sharp corner which extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the head and serves as an edge for biting into the green surface and resisting endwise turning of the club head relative to the desired putting line as the golfer starts tilting the club head from an aiming position toward an address position. The sole has at least two convex contact points for maintaining rolling contact with the green and resisting turning of the club head as the biting edge is elevated from the green. The opposite ends of the head are provided with striking faces and the sole has upwardly curved outer end portions for riding over the ground when the ends are used to strike a golf ball. The slope of the green can be determined with a ball trough in the club head and indicia on the club head can be used to check alignment of the putter face when the head is in both the aiming and address positions.

Abstract: A leg exerciser for simultaneously exercising the muscle groups of the inner thighs by a cortrolled compression and controlled decompression action of the leg exerciser. The leg exerciser includes an integral helical formed bias means positioned in the center of two diverging members, each distal end of which includes a pad attached thereto for comfortable engagement against the inside surface of the user's knees. The user repeatedly exerts a positive compression force against the pads to decrease the distance between the diverging members and then to decrease the force to provide controlled decompression returning the diverging members to their free state in relation to the helix bias means. The leg exerciser is usable by exerting knee-closing pressure on the pads to exercise the sartorius, gracilis, great adductor of the thigh, long adductor of the thigh, and semimembranosus muscles of the inner thigh.

Abstract: A compact traction device includes a housing and a plurality of constant tension spring units disposed within the housing. Each constant tension spring unit includes a cable which extends from the unit through an opening in the housing. As the cable is pulled out from the housing, a substantially constant tension is developed on the cable. Hook elements are coupled to the end of each cable to enable attaching the cable to a ring or other connecting structure which, in turn, would be attached to some part of the body of a person utilizing the traction device. A brake device is included in the housing for each constant tension spring unit to inhibit the rapid retraction into the housing of the cables when the cables are released. A clamp is mounted on the exterior of the housing to enable attaching the traction device to a support frame. The clamp allows positioning of the device to have almost any orientation.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces an exercising device such as a weight lifting device referred to as a barbell and an exercising device of a so-called dumbell type. The exercising device comprises a pair of housings mounted on a bar, each housing adapted to contain annularly-shaped weights in concentric nested relation with the innermost weights mounted on the bar and the housings secured to the bar. Each housing is provided with a cover supported on the bar and secured to the bar by releasable means. The annular nested weights in each housing are prevented against relative movements, the arrangement of weights in a housing being subject to any combination of a weight or weights with the retained weight or weights in a housing but restrained against movement in a housing and thereby render each housing and weight assembly of variable weight as desired by a user of the exerciser or weight lifting device.

Abstract: An exercising and body toning device for use by a person in water comprising a handle with circular resistance members fixed on opposite ends thereof. Each resistance member comprises a pair of co-axial discs with sector openings therethrough so that they may be fixed in selected relative angular positions, with the openings in adjusted registration to adjust the resistance of movement of the device through water.

Abstract: A body member has opposite legs for supporting it adjacent a patient. The body member has a crank assembly to which the terminal end of limbs of the patient are attached for a cranking type manipulation. One embodiment of the invention is arranged to exercise the legs of a patient and includes knee support straps supported for lateral movement in a hollow support arm. In another embodiment, the manipulator has attachments including an elongated rear leg that allows the crank assembly to be disposed close to the patient for connection to the hands.

Abstract: Hand and forearm protective device for the interception of thrusts in martial arts, including a polyurethane-integral foam mitt for an all-around covering of at least the hand and forearm area of a person, the mitt having a substantially parallelepipedal basic body having a central recess extended longitudinally therethrough for receiving the hand and forearm, the mitt having, in vicinity of an end third of the recess, a crosspiece projecting from one side of the recess into the cross section thereof and a gripping trough formed therein laterally adjoining the recess for holding the mitt with the hand.

Abstract: A block intended for chiropractic treatment which comprises a base; an end face substantially perpendicular to said base at one end of said base; an oblique portion extending substantially from the top of said end face downwardly to substantially the other end of said base; lateral faces connecting said base, said end face and said oblique portion. A method of chiropractic treatment with a person lying on his back which comprises providing blocks as defined above, inserting one block underneath said person so as to rest one femoral head on one side of said person against said oblique portion of said one block, said one block being oriented towards the upper part of the body of said person, inserting a second block underneath said person with the oblique portion of said block at the level of the iliac crest on the other side of said person, said second block being in line with said first block but oriented towards the lower part of the body of said person, said treatment lasting about ten minutes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a therapeutic device for positional treatment of an infant child afflicted with gastroesophageal reflux. The device has a 30.degree. inclined flat bed portion upon which the child is correspondingly inclined in a prone position. The child's legs are inserted through leg openings provided in a seat, mounted on the device via two support rods, with the seat's main body portion receiving and encircling the child's lower torso region, and affording him free and unrestricted movement of his legs and upper body. Padded sides channel the child longitudinally and prevent him from laterally rolling off.

Abstract: The weight lifting aid is a system of cables and pulleys which serves two purposes: (1) it provides an upward force to the bar, (2) it prevents the bar from falling onto the weight lifter's body. The upward force is activated by stepping on a lever next to the bench. This lever will open the jaws of a clamp which releases a cable holding a weight. The falling weight pulls on another cable which aids in counteracting the weight being lifted. In the event that the falling weight is not capable of counteracting the weight being lifted, a safety feature prevents the weight from falling below the weight lifter's chest. The safety feature is an enlargement in the cable which limits the movement of the cable through the pulley.

Abstract: In a body building apparatus wherein the user is positioned on a cable connected inclinable bench which he moves against his weight by stressing the cables, a back rest for the bench permitting the user to assume a rowing, cycling and other positions.

Abstract: A portable quadriceps muscle exerciser includes a frame member on which a user sits with one buttock and thigh so that the lower leg dangles from the knee joint at the forward end of the device. Spaced bracket members project on opposite sides of the knee and pivotally support a pair of spaced arm members about a pivot axis which is substantially coaxial with the bending axis of the knee joint. The distal ends of the arm members are connected by a cross-piece which engages the patient's instep. One or more elastic straps extend between the frame member and the distal arm ends to resist rotation of the arms as the patient's leg is straightened. The location of the attachment of the straps to the frame member is adjustable to adjust the strap tension. In a preferred embodiment the frame member is a box into which all of the components can be pivoted for storage and which raises the patient's foot above the floor. The front wall of the box is secured to the straps and re-positionable to adjust the strap tension.