Abstract: Disclosed is an exercise machine suitable for exercising upper body muscles of an exerciser in a wheelchair. The machine comprises a base frame having a front end and a back end; two spaced apart columns upwardly extending from the base frame at the front end thereof; means for restraining backward movement of the exerciser. An operating arm is pivotally mounted between the columns at an upper region thereof, the operating arm comprising: (i) an upwardly extending first lever pivotally mounted to the columns; and (ii) a downwardly extending second lever fixedly connected to the upwardly extending first lever, the downwardly extending second lever terminating in a grip bar for the exerciser, the operating arm pivoting to permit upward/downward and forward/backward movement of the grip bar. Means is provided for restraining lap movement of the exerciser using the machine. A restraining force is attached to the arm to resist movement of the exerciser.

Abstract: Two attachments are provided for an exercise apparatus of the type having a lever arm with an end pivotably connected to a base and a free end adapted to receive weights. A tower attachment provides a flexible tensile member connected at an end to the lever arm, with intermediate portions borne across elevated pulleys, and connectable at another end to various handles, by which a user can perform various pull-down and rowing exercises. A shoulder bar attachment has an elongated body connected at one end to the lever arm and having another end which accommodates the user's head and shoulders and which is provided with handles, allowing a user to perform various press and leg raise exercises.

Abstract: An adjustable lever arm--variable resistance cam assembly employing a cam for producing therefrom a variable resistance force when a constant resistance force is applied thereto and in which the lever arm may be initially positioned at a range of angular positions without thereby affecting the variable resistance force produced by the cam at each particular angular position of the lever arm upon rotation thereof. The adjustable lever arm--variable resistance cam assembly may be employed in a weight lifting machine or device of the type having a rotating lever arm for application of weight lifting force by the user. The assembly allows the user to angularly adjust the initial position of the lever arm in relation to the axis of the cam and, nevertheless, maintain the cam in appropriate relation with the constant resistance force. The variable resistance force produced by the cam will then not vary with respect to positioning of the lever arm as rotated during exercise.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus having a vertically movable weight, and an input pedal mechanism engaged by the user to input an input power with a unidirectional exercise force at a user-selected velocity for moving the weight upward. Also included is a brake applying a negative braking power with a unidirectional braking force opposing the exercise force. The braking power has a braking velocity for permitting downward movement of the weight. A brake controller controls the application of the brake to maintain the braking velocity at a selected constant velocity for at least a selected portion of the user's exercise time. A differential member is coupled to the weight and receives the input power and the braking power. The differential member determines a differential between the user-selected velocity and the selected constant braking velocity, and applies the resultant to movement of the weight.

Abstract: A multi-functional hand-gripping device is disclosed. The device has a gripping pad which includes a hand pad and a wrist pad. The hand pad is sized and shaped to align with the hand surface of the user and to improve the grip on a weight bar when a bar is grasped. The hand pad is also adapted to be curved away from the hand surface of the user and wrapped around an object to be grasped. A securing strap secures the gripping device to the wrist. The securing strap preferably uses hook and loop securing means. A support strap centrally disposed in the hand pad provides extra support for lifting heavy objects. The gripping pad is preferably constructed of neoprene, and has a non-slip surface on one side and a second non-grip surface on the other.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus for an arm of a user which includes a support having a first part for supporting and extending along a portion of the lower arm of the user and a second part having an outwardly curved portion for supporting the wrist of the user in an extended position to increase the work load on the upper arm or biceps during exercise.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gel shell splint for the hand which has an elongated support constructed of an elastomeric material that is shaped to fit the center portion of a human hand. The support is releasably secured around the hand with the support being secured on either the dorsal or palmar side of the hand. A rigid shell shaped to fit the center portion of the hand is releasably secured to the interior side of the support and a compressible pad is attached to the interior side of the shell.

Abstract: A weight bench having a slidable seat construction includes a two piece slidable bench which is pivotally connected to the frame of a weight bench. A sleeve, designed to travel along a frame member, supports the seat portion of the bench at a pivotal attachment and by an angle adjusting bracket mechanism. A back rest portion of the bench is pivotally attached at one end thereof to the sleeve. The other end is connected to the frame by a support which is pivotally attached to both to the frame and the underside of the back rest portion. The sleeve is lockable in a given position along the length of the frame member providing support therefor. Sliding movement of the bench produces simultaneous adjustment of the inclination of the back rest due to the double pivotal attachment of the support. The sliding seat assembly is particularly adapted for weight benches having uprights with barbell supports.

Abstract: An exercise machine includes a weight stack with a plurality of separate weights and a lift bar for vertical movement with the stack. A pin assembly removably secures a desired portion of the weight stack to the lift bar for vertical movement therewith so that the total weight carried by the lift bar is determined by the portion of the weight stack removably secured to the lift bar by the pin assembly. The pin assembly includes at least one pin operated by a two-position or double action actuator, each pin being movable by its actuator over a predetermined stroke. Each actuator includes a first device for positively moving the pin to an extended position to removably secure a portion of the weight stack to the lift bar and a second device for positively moving the pin to a retracted position in which the corresponding of the weight stack is free of the lift bar.

Abstract: A non-gravity type resistance exercise apparatus which is small, light weight, highly versatile, safe and easy to use. The apparatus includes a compact, self-contained selectorized resistance module that embodies a plurality of discrete elastomeric cords that can be quickly and easily selectively coupled with a gripping member to provide precise resistance to movement of the gripping member during the performance of a large number of different kinds of exercises by the trainee. The apparatus also uniquely includes a supporting frame of limited height to which a pulley carrying exercise arm is pivotally connected for movement between a lowered, compact storage position to an intermediate position to a raised latissimus exercise position.

Abstract: An auxiliary weight system for use with weight exercising apparatus such as free weights or weight stack machines. The auxiliary weights include magnets for releasably attaching the auxiliary weights to vertical surfaces of the main weights forming a part of the weight exercising apparatus. The auxiliary weights are formed with small weight values and may be magnetically secured to the main weights to change the aggregate weight value being lifted by small amounts. The auxiliary weights may be stored by magnetically affixing them to existing racks or framework associated with the weight exercising apparatus.

Abstract: An exercise device is intended for strengthening a user's targeted muscle, wherein the user may manipulate the device without the necessity of a forceful grip that employs the user's conjunctive muscles. The device includes a housing having a pair of diametrically-opposed portions. The housing has an opening formed therein defined by the walls of the device. A weight is disposed in the housing. A plurality of extending and recessed ribs are arranged to provide for aligning the portions of the housing together and improving the structural integrity of the device. Ventilation slots are provided for improving air flow through the device, so as to avoid the build-up of heat therein. Lip segments are formed on the portions of the housing which are aligned to form a lip on the outer wall of the housing. The lip is disposed over the opening in which the user's hand is inserted.

Abstract: A barbell system is provided with a pair of plunger pieces each having a shaft and an end plate and an elongated, cylindrical, hollow handle with a releasable coupling located on either end thereof to releasable grip the shaft of each of the plunger pieces after they are inserted into the handle so as to retain at least one weight between the handle and the end plate of each plunger piece.

Abstract: A free weight lifting system utilizes a lifting bar with an inboard region to be gripped by a weight lifter and opposed ends which can receive and support one or more weights to be lifted. A first pair of spaced apart upright members are positioned in a first longitudinally extending plane and a second pair of spaced apart upright members positioned in a second longitudinally extending plane, the first and second planes being spaced apart and generally parallel. A first yieldable cord extends between the first pair of upright members and a second yieldable cord extends between the second pair of upright members. In one mode of operation, the lifting bar is positioned beneath the elastic cords. When it is raised by the weight lifter, an upper surface of the bar is engageable with the yieldable cords at spaced locations such that progressively increasing resistance is imparted to the weight lifter. In another mode of operation, the lifting bar is positioned above the yieldable cords.

Abstract: A hand-held lift device forming a part of a weight lifting apparatus in performing double-joint multiple function exercises with the aid of an inertial resistance mechanism which is made up of the combination of a pivotally mounted linear actuator and dampener member, both of which can be adjusted to control the amount of inertial resistance to each exercise being performed, and a flexible cable serves as the resistance member between the linear actuator, dampener and lift device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a movement simulator having a support frame and a subframe movable relative to the support frame and connected by a variable element. A simple control assembly is electrically connected to the variable element for controlling its length. The transducer assembly having at least one acceleration transducer attached to the variable element supplies an acceleration signal of a subframe relative to the support frame to the control assembly. The invention includes circuitry to avoid non-defined senarios in determining the acceleration signal.

Abstract: A device that establishes communication between the interior and exterior of an endoscope using a communicating valve, and which is hygienic and free from leakage. The device has a valve opening member for causing a valve body to be disengaged from a valve seat against the urging force of biasing members, and has porous members which are permeable to air but impermeable to water, and which block the channels of communication between the interior and exterior of an endoscope. The device is detachable from the outside of the communicating valve.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus especially suitable for simulating skiing conditions. The apparatus comprises a base which supports a rotatable component which, in turn, supports a platform for supporting a user. The rotational component includes a unidirectional element limiting the direction of rotation of the component. A biasing assembly assists and resists the movement and varies the speed of the rotational component in response to a displacement of the same.

Abstract: A system for abating noise associated with the use of weight stack plates comprising a stack of plates for a weight lifting machine, each plate having a central vertical hole therethrough and supplemental guide holds therethrough and a horizontal hole from one edge to the center vertical hole perpendicular to the central vertical hole elastomeric material operatively associated with at least the upper and lower surfaces of the plates of the stack to abate noise normally associated with the movement of the plates; and a pin positioned vertically through the center holes of the plates of the stack, the pin being formed of a plurality of axially aligned segments coupleable one to another, along a common axis with spacers associated with each segment corresponding to the thickness of the elastomeric material between adjacent plates, the pin being formed to have a horizontal hole in each segment aligned with the horizontal holes of the plates.

Abstract: An arm oscillating exerciser including a base provided with a first pair of lugs and a second pair of lugs, a pole fixedly mounted on the base and having an inclined top, a main support fixedly mounted on the base and formed with a fork-like member at the top end and a slot at the intermediate portion, an oscillating rod pivotally connected with the fork-like member of the main support, an axle inserted through the lower portion of the main support and provided with a pedal at both ends, a front supporting rod pivotally connected with a seat at one end and pivotally connected with the first pair of lugs of the base, a real supporting rod pivotally connected with the seat at one end and pivotally connected with the second pair of lugs of the base, and a linking rod pivotally connected with the front supporting rod at one end and pivotally connected with the oscillating rod at another end, whereby the exerciser can provide a total body workout in one continuous action.