Abstract: A chest developer which includes a cylinder having a close end made with air holes and an open end sealed with a sealing end cap; and arched fixed handle fixedly secured to the close end outside the cylinder, an arched movable handle; a piston rod having one end fixedly mounted with a piston movable in the cylinder and an opposite end extending out of the sealing end cap and fixedly secured to the arched movable handle; a compression spring mounted within the cylinder and stopped between the piston and the sealing end cap, the compression spring being compressed when the arched movable handle is pulled outwards relative to the arched fixed handle.

Abstract: A passive body-motion generating device particularly adapted for moving a leg through natural or representative hip joint articulation, the device having body support structure, at least one leg support member having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal rest axis, a hinge mechanism connecting the proximal end of the member to the body support structure, the hinge mechanism having a first pivotal axis providing generally vertical rotation for the member and a second pivotal axis providing generally lateral rotation for the member, these axes being oriented at substantially right angles to each other, and at least one motor associated with the hinge mechanism for rotating the same and the member about each of the two axes of rotation either simultaneously or in tandem, the tandem rotation being operative to selectively describe a plane or a curved surface with the member.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing multiple therapeutic and physical conditioning exercises includes a shaped base defining two pairs of C-shaped rails interconnected by metal crossbeams thereunder. This structure is closed both in the front and rear by finishing plates including tubular segments at each end. A pair of inverted U-shaped skates provided with tubular segments on their outer walls move independently over the rails. A pair of tilted poles extend upwardly from the skate tubular segments. A pair of parallel bars may extend parallel to the base at various regulated heights thereabove and are supported by and connected to poles or pairs of U-shaped bars fixed in the base tubular segments. The U-shaped bars may support a pair of upper rails over which a weight-supporting skate is moved. The support skate is provided on its top with a transverse rod for the attachment of a suspension vest worn by the exercising person or person performing therapeutic exercises.

Abstract: A self contained portable traction or back-stretch apparatus (11) comprising a frame assembly (13) with first tensile force application means in the form of two U-shaped members (15) for supporting a person under their arms, and a second tensile force application means (17 or 57) for supporting a person about their waist and hips. The frame assembly (13) is formed of two frames (19) comprising parallel elongate struts (21) and parallel elongate struts (23) connected about a pivot pin (25) in a scissor type relationship. Separation of the force application means (15 and 17 or 57) is limited by a resiliently stretchable mat (37) which also serves to support the weight of a person therebetween. The weight of the person supported in the traction apparatus results in a downward force on the frame assembly (13) which translates to a tensile force applied between the force application means (15 and 17 or 57) and effects traction, providing a degree of intervertebral separation in the person.

Abstract: A CPR device comprised of a hollow upper T-shaped housing. A hollow lower housing is coupled with the upper T-shaped housing. A plunging mechanism extends downwardly through the upper T-shaped housing and outwardly of the lower housing. An end portion of the plunging mechanism has a plunger secured thereto.

Abstract: A device for mounting onto a traction machine having a base console, an elongated standard extending upward therefrom, and an elongated traction cable suspended vertically downward from the standard and having a free end connector. The device comprises an upper arm support plate, a wrist band, and an adjustable mounting sleeve. The wrist band is arranged to be releasably secured about one wrist of a person and connected to the connection means of the traction machine to be suspended therefrom. The upper arm support plate is an elongated member releasably secured by a bracket to the sleeve for supporting the upper arm of the person and includes an adjustable strap for extending about the upper arm of the person to releasably secure it in place on support plate. The adjustable sleeve is slidably mounting on the standard and includes releasable securement means, e.g., at least one set screw, for releasably securing it at any vertical position along the standard.

Abstract: An active compression/decompression CPR device includes two pressure members mounted on a common beam. When placed on the victim with one member on the chest and the other on the abdomen, pressure on one end of the beam causes compression of the thorax and decompression of the abdomen. Conversely, when pressure is applied to the other end of the beam, the abdomen is compressed and the thorax is decompressed.

Abstract: An abdominal exercise device and method is disclosed that is capable of isolating desired abdominal muscles. The present device is preferably made of bent tubular steel and is configured in a double U-shaped configuration whereby a user rests his/her neck on a fixedly adjustable neck support crossbar between opposing U-shape members and rests their upper arm regions on opposing armrests or on an A-frame structure above the user's head. The device is fixedly adjustable along various lengths by telescoping means that permit adjustment of the device to fit different physical morphologies and configurations. Moreover, armrests and hand grips are pivotally and/or rotatably mounted in order to accommodate personal comfort while using the present device.

Abstract: A stretch therapy apparatus is disclosed which provides for enhanced physical fitness as well as rehabilitation and medical treatment. The stretch therapy apparatus includes both a leg stretching component and an arm and back stretching component. The leg stretching component allows the user to easily and safely separate his or her legs by 180.degree. or more using hand crank or motorized mechanisms. Sliding leg deck construction reduces the pressure on the user's knees during leg stretching exercises. The arm and back stretching component allows the user to maintain his or her arms and back muscles in a fully extended position without applying undue force during stretching. The arm and back stretching component includes a platform on which the user is seated and a stretching pole which can be selectively oriented in three dimensional space relative to the user's waist.

Abstract: An ambulatory traction system which is designed to provide decompressional forces to the lumbosacral spine, lower body and related connective tissues at varying speeds from static to ambulation speeds up to 12 MPH. The ambulatory traction system has an overhead support assembly for horizontal linear displacement and a novel harness assembly suspended from the overhead support assembly to support and suspend the patient's body. A variable ambulation speed system is provided beneath the harness assembly which allows the patient, while being suspended by the harness assembly, to stand, walk or run thereon.

Abstract: The invention concerns how the loop portion of a VELCRO fastener can be RF welded to a compression sleeve or other similar article. By using a simpler two-step method, in which the loop portion is provided with a backing laminated thereto, both labor and material costs have been reduced over the prior art five-step method.

Abstract: A therapeutic passive motion device for rehabilitating a wrist includes a main housing unit which encloses a reciprocating motion producing device. A yoke member extends outwardly from the main housing unit. A first, generally V-shaped, link mechanism is pivotally connected to an end of the yoke and carries a hand-supporting member. A second link mechanism is pivotally connected to an output member of the motion producing device and to the first link mechanism. An electric motor is advantageously employed to drive the motion producing device, whereby the hand-supporting member is caused to pivot in an oscillating fashion relative to the yoke member and the main housing unit.

Abstract: The present device, which includes four accessories, incorporates in one machine that which is required for the elongation of muscles in all parts of the body, namely: the static, the dynamic, and the 3s or PNF Methods. The device consists of a main frame (1), a seat with a back (2) mounted on the frame's upper surface, two lateral foot supports (3), and a rolling car (13), which when pulled, operates a load-reducing mechanism (18) which includes two pulleys (7) connected to two supports (5), which open laterally or sidewise, and carry with them two supports (3). Each foot support (3) is equipped with hand grips (12). The accessories include two additional foot supports (29, 33) attachable to the car (13), two modules (35) fitted laterally into the frame (1) and used to support the legs when bent or flexed, and a support accessory connected to the frame (1) through the supporting column (43).

Abstract: An exercise frame includes an upstanding back rest and an intersecting seat, with pairs of exercise arm and leg assemblies supported along corresponding sides of the back rest. Each arm and leg assembly is segmented and linked together so as to limit and restrict movement of selected muscle groups within selected fixed planes defined to include a straight line passing through the corresponding proximal and distal ends while achieving loading of primary and secondary joint combinations.

Abstract: A leg stretching apparatus comprises an L-shaped, leg and foot support assembly for receiving the leg in straight and bent positions, and the foot in varying positions, including positions of inversion and eversion, to stretch the muscles of the lower leg. The extended portion of the foot support member is pivotally connected to the leg support member, and is adjustably connected by second-class levers to the leg support member to enable a debilitated person to easily exert sufficient force to stretch the various muscles of the lower leg by causing the foot support member to rotate the foot of a patient about the axis of the patient's ankle and to quickly release the exerted force which is exerted by the second-class lever.

Abstract: Basic elements of the apparatus are a base with patient's seat, and an arched tube fitted behind the seat. The arched tube is connected, via a shaft, to the pedals or electric motor mechanism designed for moving of the arched tube. The arched tube is turned around the shaft beaming point, along helicoidal path contours. On the arched tube there are mounted sliding components fitted with belts or tieing of the upper part of the patient's body, with his/her back rested against the arched tube. The apparatus is fitted also with a mechanism for controlled hand or electric-motor powered extension of the spine of the patient, and with a vibromasseur which is located on the arched tube.

Abstract: A physical rehabilitation system is provided for improving the capability of a user to support the weight of the user's body on the user's limbs. The system comprises a walker frame capable of gliding movement across a surface, upper limb holding members on the walker frame adapted for engagement by the hands or arms of the user, and counterbalance weights on the walker frame releasably attachable to the user's body for assistance in lifting the user's body to an upright position. The counterbalance weights may be adjustable according to the need of the user. The width of the walker frame, of the upper limb holding members, and the height of the upper limb holding members are all adjustable to accommodate the size of the user. While the user is provided with a range of freedom with respect to the counterbalance weights, a safety limit is provided for restraining and supporting the user in the event of a fall.

Abstract: The obstetric device according to the invention has two balloon or ring-shaped bodies (1, 2) of essentially identical design, which are positioned on an axis which runs in the horizontal direction when positioned for use, where the upper sections of the bodies (1, 2) are separated from one another by a gap (8) which narrows in the downward direction and their top sides form a seat (7) for a parturient sitting on the two bodies (1, 2), and a pedestal-like base (9) which can be positioned in an essentially stable, fixed spatial relationship to the bodies (1, 2), and has footrests (10) on which the feet of the parturient can be supported. In a preferred practical example, the pedestal-like base (9) has a fluid-tight catch basin (11) and a projection (16) which reaches over and behind the bar (3) connecting the bodies (1, 2) to one another. The obstetric device enables the parturient to assume a relaxed position during childbirth and a secure and gentle birth for the child to be born. (FIG.

Abstract: A back and body support for maintaining a person in an antigravity position, primarily forward bending, with minimal muscle activity, force, and fatigue and, therefore, compressive loading on the spine. It also allows for changing position without such muscle activity or compressive loading, and without requiring the use of the hands, and without obstructing the performance of desired functions. It accomplishes this with a motor, spool, support line, pulleys, vest, belaying track, and remote control switch. The motor can produce rotation of the spool in either direction, and sufficient braking. The vest fastens at the front for easy and posturally sound donning and doffing. The spine sling support is particularly useful for people who must maintain forward-bent postures for prolonged periods, and especially for people with a history of back pain and dysfunction. It allows continued function with decreased pain.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which is capable of producing multiple motions. The apparatus is useful in one embodiment as a continuous passive motion foot or hand machine.