Abstract: A knee stretching machine for physical therapy of the knee is set forth wherein a padded thigh seat is adjustably attached aft on a body length shaft oriented on the floor. Attached across the body length shaft is a transverse member with an eyelet at each end. A winch is secured to the fore of the body length shaft. Aft and in front of the winch are two other eyelets for receiving two ropes. One of the ropes is connected to an ankle collar via the eyelet on one end of the transverse member and the other rope is independently connected to the ankle collar via the eyelet on the other end of the transverse member. A patient lies face down and places the thigh of the knee requiring therapy in the seat and secures the ankle in the collar. The winch is cranked to bend the knee joint behind the patient's back through a tolerable degree of flexion.

Abstract: An aerobic exercise platform comprises a rigid base having a smooth and slick surface for practicing sliding exercises. Elastic or rigid holding elements are securable to a series of anchoring points located about the periphery of the base. An alternate embodiment of the invention combines a sliding exerciser with a stepping exercise stool. The stool is constituted by the two symmetrical halves of an enclosure housing a web wound around a drum. When the two halves of the enclosure are spread apart the web is deployed. The slick upper side of the web acts as a sliding surface.

Abstract: A leg muscle stretching and conditioning device in the form of a belt made from flexible material, and a pad member having a slot through which the belt is passed. The pad member is slidable along the belt and preferably includes a plurality of alternating ridges and grooves along its lower surface to permit the pad member to be slidable over a wide variety of surfaces. In use, the user applies one foot on the belt to hold the belt in position and to prevent movement of the belt in a direction along the belt longitudinal axis. The other foot of the user is placed on the pad member so that the user's heel is received within a recess formed on the top surface of the pad member. This foot is moved to convey the pad member along the belt and support surface employing the frictional force between the pad member lower surface and the surface over which the pad member is moved to insure stability during performance and to guarantee gains achieved.

Abstract: A spinal diagnostics/therapy device that is computer controlled such that all motions thereof can be automated if desired. Individual and joint motions of body support portions are generated by computer controlled actuators which derive operating signals from a CPU. Memory units within the CPU and/or inserted for a particular patient control the program of the diagnostics or therapy of a patient. As a result, no physical adjustment of support elements need to be made by a person supervising the diagnostic or therapy session. During an initial session, a patient can help by inputting information as to the limits of motion that can be tolerated. For repeat sessions, the machine can be pre-programmed to give specific exercises to the spine of the patient. The actuators are provided with position sensors to produce feedback signals related to axial movement to the CPU. The actuator units are selected from electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic devices.

Abstract: A jogging weight having a body with a handle portion formed therein and a chamber formed in the handle portion of the body. The handle portion is suitable for the receipt of a human hand. The chamber has a generally cylindrical configuration. The chamber opens along a top surface of the body. The body has a trumpet area formed along a top portion of the body. This trumpet area extends generally transverse to the chamber. The trumpet area opens adjacent to an opening of the chamber and has a flared opening opposite the chamber. A canister of a repellent chemical is removably affixed within the chamber. The canister has a nozzle extending outwardly of the chamber so as to deliver a spray of repellent chemical through the trumpet area. An elastomeric member is interposed between the canister and the chamber so as to retain the canister within the chamber.

Abstract: A method for using a device or activating the circulation of the lymphatic system in the legs of a user (100), is described. The device includes coil springs (26, 28) mounted on ends (16A, 16B) of cross shaft or arm (16) and supporting stirrups (30, 31) for the heel of the user in a sitting position. To activate the circulation of the lymphatic system, the heels of the user are first inserted into the supporting stirrups. Next, the user applies a downward force on the stirrups with the heels and finally, the user releases the downward force of the stirrups. The springs are constructed so that the legs of the user are moved in a vertically oscillating direction without significant exercise of the leg muscles and is particularly adapted for users who are unable to participate in normal activity due to age, illness or accident.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus on which a wide variety of body exercises can be performed is disclosed herein having a base supporting an upright frame with a movable carriage traveling between guide tracks. The frame further supports an adjustable tension mechanism operably connected to the carriage for providing a resistance force against which the user applies muscle pressure. A handle is attached to the carriage and the carriage is movably mounted to the frame. Hand grips are coupled to the adjustable tension mechanism for use without the carriage and the base includes a first section supporting the frame and a second section for supporting the user or an incline bench. By orientation of the frame in a vertical or a horizontal position and by selected use of the carriage, various groups of muscle may be selectively exercised.

Abstract: An exercise device having a coupling member movable by the user between rest and end limit of travel positions, a constant weight, and a weight-lifting arm operatively connected to the weight and movable through a vertical plane to move the weight between rest and elevated positions corresponding to the rest and end limit positions of the coupling member. The device further includes a pivot arm pivotally movable through a pivot arm plane having a user-selectable angular orientation to transmit a selectable force between the coupling member and weight dependent upon the selected angular orientation. A link arm is connected between the pivot arm and the weight-lifting arm to transmit force therebetween. The pivot arm is pivotally attached to a rotatable pivot arm support which is selectively rotated by a lever arm moved by an electric motor and screw arrangement to selectively change the angular orientation of the pivot arm plane.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and method for therapeutically treating an injured spine by lifting and rotating the pelvic area to straighten the lumbar spine and by applying a force to the spine to separate vertebral bodies and to stretch the connective tissue along the spinal cord by relative movement of the body of the patient with reference to a fixed point.

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 air massaging device having at least one inflatable air bag adapted to be laid against a portion of the human body. The device includes an air pump generating a pressurized air and a distributor valve which has an open position of feeding the pressurized air to the air bag and a closed position of allowing the pressurized air to be discharged from the air bag to the atmosphere in order to repeat inflating and deflating the air bag. A single pressure sensor is disposed upstream of the distributor valve to monitor a pressure level developed on the side of the air pump. A control circuit is included to activate the air pump on a time-period basis in order to give a desired pressure level to which the air bag is inflated. The control circuit operates to provide one or more initial inflation cycle and subsequent inflation cycles alternated by deflating cycles.

Abstract: A bar structure having support legs is arranged to include a mounting bracket mounted to each free distal end of each support leg pivotally mounting the bar relative to a deck surface of a swimming pool to permit positioning of the bar within the swimming pool for use as an exercise bar structure.

Abstract: A portable rehabilitation device employing a suspension system to enable passive or active range of motion exercise of the knee or hip joint. The device has a base adapted to support the suspension system while the patient reclines to perform the respective leg exercises. The suspension system includes a linear track that retains three shuttles slidably positioned in series along the track attached to flexion, extension and leg support lines respectively. A pair of leg cuffs are connected to the leg support line and suspend the leg while isolating the knee joint. For passive suspension exercise, the leg support line is secured and the leg is suspended by only a single cuff at the ankle with the knee joint in a position of full extension. For passive motion exercise, the leg is suspended by both cuffs and the patient alternately pulls on handles attached to the flexion and extension lines causing alternate passive flexion and extension of the knee and hip joint.

Abstract: A treadmill (10) includes a frame (12) on which are rotatably mounted first and second roller assemblies (14, 16) on axles (40, 48) disposed on spaced apart transverse axes (42, 50). An endless belt (18) is trained about the roller assemblies. A ratcheting bolt assembly (52) is rotatably secured to the frame and is engaged with one end of the second roller assembly (16) to enable adjustment of the tension in the belt. The ratcheting bolt assembly has a threaded end portion (74) that is threadably engaged with one end of the axle on which the second roller assembly is mounted. The ratcheting bolt assembly includes a ratcheting head (80) that is graspable to rotate the adjustment bolt assembly for threadably advancing the axle on the threaded end portion of the adjustment bolt assembly, thereby changing the distance between the first and second roller assemblies and adjusting the tension in the belt.

Abstract: A multiple movement exercising machine is powered by an electric drive motor which is used to effect movement of various exercising components. The drive motor drives a shaft on which a plurality of pulleys are rotationally mounted. A selector arrangement is used to connect a selected one of the pulleys within the shaft so that the pulley rotates with the shaft and drives an exercising component linked to that pulley by a belt. One end of the machine is preferably pivotable relative to the remainder of the machine about a vertical pivot axis. The extent of pivotal movement is preferably selectably variable.

Abstract: A strap of leather, for extending along the palm of a user's hand, has a finger end and a wrist end, with the wrist end anchored to a pad secured around the wrist by a belt and held in place by hook and loop materials. The finger end of the strap has a dowel extending sideways at approximately the finger tip position. Beyond the dowel are a couple of holes through which the two middle fingers extend during use, with the distal end of the strap folded back over the dowel and the fingers extending through the holes. An elastic strip is attached to the palm face of the finger end of the strap and forms a pair of loops through which the fingers extend during use. The strip is attached to the finger end distally of the dowel and finger holes so that the fingers pass through the loops prior to being inserted in the holes.

Abstract: A recreation and exercise device having spaced, rotatable footpads, a crossboard integrally connecting the footpads, and one or more ground contacting members for supporting the device above the ground when balanced by the user standing on the footpads. The ground contact may comprise a pair of rounded pivots disposed under the crossboard just inwardly from the footpads. Also contemplated is a horizontal, annular ground contact member disposed below the crossboard intermediate the footpads.

Abstract: An exercise machine for passive exercise of a patient. The machine has a patient support platform having first and second parts which are adapted to support the upper and lower parts of a patient's body. Mechanisms are provided for applying a cyclic movement to the first and second parts of the support platform. Supports are pivotally coupled to each of the first and second parts and adjustable whereby the position of the pivotal coupling of each support to the respective first and second parts can be individually adjusted relative to at least one reference plane.

Abstract: A continuous passive motion device for achieving full extension of the leg of a patient includes a base and a four-bar articulated limb support member which is mounted for movement on the base. For the articulated limb support member one bar is a femoral support member which is pivotally mounted on the base. Another one of the bars is a tibial support member which is pivotally joined to the femoral support member. Also included in the device is a drive bar which has a first end reciprocally mounted on the base of the device and a second end which is pivotally attached to the femoral support member. A cross bar having a first end pivotally attached to the tibial support member and having a second end pivotally attached to the drive bar interconnects the tibial support member and the drive bar. The device further includes a motor which is connected to the device for reciprocating the first end of the drive bar to alter the configuration of the device for exercising the leg.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for improving the circulation of blood through a patient's heart and extremity. The method comprises applying external positive regional pressure on an extremity synchronously with the patient's heartbeat. An adjustable timing cycle is initiated at the QRS complex of the arterial pulse cycle. The timing cycle is based on an average time period between QRS complexes, which is calculated from a measurement of several successive QRS complexes in the patient's heart rate. Pressure pulses are applied in the end-diastolic portion of the arterial pulse cycle to reinforce the pulse that forces blood into the extremity. The pressure is then relieved prior to the next projected QRS complex to enable the next pulse to enter the extremity without undue obstruction, thereby promoting circulation of blood through the extremity.