Abstract: An exercise machine (10) and method for testing and exercising the cervical muscles of a patient or user. A movement arm (58) is mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis defined by stub shafts (64, 66) and has a head pad (60) adapted to be contacted by the head of the patient. The exercise machine (10) has a chair (22) mounted for rotation to a desired angular position and mounted for vertical adjustment by actuation of a foot lever (38) to position the chair (22) relative to movement arm (58) and head pad (60). Chair (22) is also mounted for translatory horizontal movement parallel to the pivot axis of the movement arm (58) and for translatory horizontal movement perpendicular to the pivot axis of the movement arm (58) by movable bases (45, 46) thereby to precisely position the head of a user relative to head pad (60) while the user is seated in the chair (22) and pivoted among angular positions.

Abstract: A knee rehabilitating and strengthening apparatus includes upper and lower frame assemblies being securable around a thigh and a shin of a user's leg above and below a knee joint, and a pair of separate torque unit assemblies disposed between the upper and lower frame assemblies at opposing lateral sides of and in alignment with the knee joint and pivotally interconnecting the upper and lower frame assemblies. The torque unit assemblies are operable to adjustably generate resistance to fluid flow in first and second opposite directions in response to respective pivotal movements of the upper and lower frame assemblies relative to one another in opposite directions upon flexion and extension of the user's leg.

Abstract: An improved exercise device is provided which consists of a hand engaging member, a base for supporting the hand engaging member on an underlying surface and a mechanism for rotating the hand engaging member about a vertical axis relative to the base, so that a user can develop a forearm/arm and upper body, while doing push-ups, so as to better execute karate punches and other sport motions of a like nature.

Abstract: A lower back exercise and apparatus for correctly performing the exercise. The exercise avoids hyperextension of lower back muscles, tissue and cartilage. The exercise of those areas promotes blood flow to injured muscles and tissue, and encourages healing. The exercise lowers the legs from the horizontal through the vertical rest position, in a total motion substantially greater than 90 degrees, using the same muscle groups to push the legs past the vertical rest position.

Abstract: A one-piece slipper construction, into which an inflatable foot-pump bag or bladder is permanently integrated and wherein a thin reinforcement panel is fully contained and located within a flat-foldable wrap, for selective completion of the circumferential tie that is needed for assurance of stimulated foot-pump action. In the preferred embodiment, the wrap is so further devised as to provide a flexibly reinforced, non-stretch backing reference for a laterally extending portion of the inflatable bag, for active stimulation of the adjacent dorsi-medial region, where further blood accumulates as part of the pool from which venous return flow can be driven.

Abstract: An exercising machine that has an adjustable actuator arm assembly coupled to a weight stack by a pulley/cable assembly. The actuator arm assembly includes an actuator arm that lifts the weight stack when rotated through an arc. The machine is constructed with a frame that has a vertical bar. The actuator arm is coupled to a sleeve assembly that can slide along the vertical bar, to provide a number of operating locations. The machine also has a first cable that is coupled to the actuator arm. The cable is looped around a first tension pulley, a first floating pulley and then fixed to the sleeve assembly. The first floating pulley is coupled to a second cable that loops around a second tension pulley and is attached to the weight stack. When the actuator arm is rotated, the first floating pulley is pulled in a downward direction. The movement of the first floating pulley pulls the second cable and lifts the weight stack in an upward direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for exercising the upper and/or the lower joint of an ankle has a frame which can be placed on the floor or can be mounted on or in a bed and supports an adjustable first support of the lower leg of a patient. The first support movably carries a second support for the foot, and the second support can be moved relative to the first support by two discrete prime movers defining pivot axes one of which can be caused to coincide with the axis of the upper joint and the other of which can be caused to coincide with the axis of the lower joint of the ankle between the lower leg on the first support and the foot on the second support. The operation of each prime mover can be programmed, one of these prime movers can be mounted directly on the first support, and the other prime mover can be mounted on a yoke which is carried by the first support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wrap-on finger hook for use with hand splinting devices used in finger rehabilitation programs. The wrap-on finger hook has a finger hook portion that is formed from an ultra thin strapping material, having an exterior grappling surface and an interior non-slip surface. A hook is secured to the exterior surface of wrap-on finger hook for use in selectively attaching tensioning devices to the finger of a human hand. A fastening strap with a loop gender surface is attached to the finger hook portion for releasably fastening the finger hook portion around the finger of a human hand.

Abstract: Longitudinally extensible and shortenable pump poles designed for hand and arm action in dual-action exercise apparatus such as cross country ski exercises and dual-action climbers, treadmills and the like, such pump poles being fixedly attached to the apparatus base rearwardly thereof and manipulated concurrently with or independently of reciprocating leg action. Each pump pole has inner and outer telescoping tubes and an air pressurizable chamber providing greater resistance to pole shortening movement than occurs during pole lengthening movement. Hand and arm movement by the user when reciprocating the pole handles simulates the hand and arm movement of a person actually moving over ground.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exercise apparatus 100 having a turntable 120 rotatably mounted proximate one end of a base 110, and right and left poles 130 and 140 pivotally mounted proximate an opposite end of the base 110. A person stands on the turntable 120, swivels the hips to rotate the turntable 120, and reciprocally pushes and pulls the poles 130 and 140 against resistance provided by an adjustable resistance mechanism 150.

Abstract: The present device discloses a complete body passive exercise machine. A motor drives a crank shaft which rotates two foot plates about a given point. These foot plates are attached to limited slide joint assemblies which cause the foot plates to flex forwardly and rearwardly while they are being moved in a circle thereby exercising the legs and ankles. The crankshaft is also operatively attached to arm levers which are held onto by the user. The arm levers work such that the one of the user's arms is fully extended while the other is close to the user's body thereby working the arms as well as pivoting the torso.

Abstract: The X-ray exposure in lateral projection of the cervical spine region of a traumatized patient resting on a trauma board or like emergency carrier is facilitated by an applicance in the form of a traction board having a flat base plate adapted to fit in telescoping relation slidingly beneath an end portion of the trauma board and an integral upstanding traction plate projecting upwardly from the base plate for abutting contact with the end edge of the trauma board or other carrier. The traction board is equipped with e.g. a belt or a C-shaped channel for engaging the same to an overlying portion of the trauma board.

Abstract: A weight lifting device is provided which removably snaps to the bar of a barbell and provides a support means for resting the device and essentially all of the weight of the barbell on the trapezius upper back muscles of weight lifters. The device has a laterally extending body that is operable to be placed across the back of a weight lifter, a bar securing means disposed on its top, and a centrally disposed and downwardly extending lobe on the back of the device. The lobe, along its inner surface, is operable to rest essentially the entire weight of the barbell on the trapezius upper back muscles of a weight lifter. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a lobe having a convexly curved inner surface that is curved to generally mate with the trapezius upper back muscles in the valley between the left and right sides of the muscles.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a compact curved base member, which generally conforms to the shape of the back of a user, and a set of transverse rollers which are adapted to enable the base member to roll upwardly and downwardly over a wall or other such surface. A device enables the base member to be worn on the lower back of the user, who can press the rollers against a wall as the user performs knee bends repeatedly, for enabling the leg muscles to be exercised in a comfortable, easy manner. The base member is also curved transversely to distribute pressure uniformly over a large area of the back to help reduce discomfort to the wearer. A pair of spaced apart transverse rollers for distributing pressure across a large area of a wall uniformly, each include an extruded thermoplastic member to help make the apparatus relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and light in weight.

Abstract: An improved head, neck and shoulder apparatus is provided which can be utilized for exercise and/or therapy of the cervical spine and/or muscles associated with the cervical spine. The machine includes a head frame which receives a person's head, and a main frame which can receive a person in a seated position. A ball joint is provided for allowing relative movement of the head frame with respect to the main frame, with the ball joint positionable such that it can be located adjacent a desired location along the person's cervical spine, preferably at the cervico thoracic junction. Various aspects of the invention are also applicable to exercise machines designed for conditioning other muscles and/or muscle groups.

Abstract: A patella exercise device for continuously exercising the patella during continuous passive movement of the knee includes a patella contact pad mounted to a (CPM) device for contacting the patella while the knee is moved in flexion and extension by the (CPM) device. The patella contact pad is adapted to contact and push the patella from a neutral anatomical position during operation of the (CPM) device. Depending on the positioning of the patella contact pad with respect to the patella, the patella is either pushed superiorly or inferiorly during flexion and extension of the knee. The patella is then compressed and tightened during the opposite movement. The patella contact pad may be driven by a spring like cam member to exert a predetermined force against the patella. The patella exercise device is useful for therapy of a knee following injury or surgery and helps prevent patella baja.

Abstract: A device is provided for therapeutically treating a desired region of a patient's body with a nonambient temperature fluid which is circulated through a pad having a tortuous fluid pathway which is positioned on the treatment region. The device has fluid inlet and outlet lines, each having an end connected to the pad and an opposite end positioned in a reservoir containing the nonambient temperature fluid, thereby providing fluid communication between the pad and the reservoir, and enabling continuous circulation of the fluid therebetween. Fluid drive is provided by a submersible pump at the end of the fluid inlet line in the reservoir. Temperature control of the pad is enabled by an in-line valve and temperature monitor positioned in the outlet line.

Abstract: A continuous motion device for the therapy and rehabilitation of a patient's hand and fingers comprises a splint adapted to be mounted to the patient's forearm and hand, a gear housing rotatably mounted around a reversible motor, with the reversible motor driving a gear mechanism provided in the gear housing. The gear mechanism driving a digit attachment member in a rotational movement therewith. When actuated, the reversible motor causes the gear housing to rotate about the axis of the motor with the digit attachment member counter-rotating relative to the gear housing about another axis spaced apart from and parallel to the motor axis, whereby the absolute motion of the digit attachment member and therefore of the patient's fingers follow a compound spiral. The compound spiral, depending on the ratios of the gears of the gear mechanism, can follow one of a series of multiple lobed compound spirals, having open or closed loops.

Abstract: An improved continuous passive motion machine preferably having an ankle lock assembly, an extension lock assembly, and an extended rod or handle to assist in locking/unlocking.

Abstract: Disclosed is a physical exercising machine including a high pulley station, a scissor grip, a thigh & knee machine and a rowing machine respectively mounted on a machine frame at the front, and a low pulley station and a stepping machine respectively mounted on the machine frame at the back, wherein the rowing machine is reciprocated as the thigh & knee machine is operated; the low pulley station is releasably coupled to the high pulley station in using the same counter balance mechanism.