Abstract: A physical exercise/therapy apparatus includes a generally upstanding frame with a plurality of support bars at the top of the frame. The support bars are adapted to support a plurality of exercise pulleys, whereby a plurality of exercise devices are provided. The respective positions of the pulleys are adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of different types of muscle exercises. The frame includes a plurality of stall bars adapted to support a relatively flat board in an inclined position and a plurality of support rods spaced vertically along each side of the frame for supporting a stacking board. A guide mechanism is provided for guiding the movement of an exercise weight, such that the weight is constrained to move along a vertical axis. The guide mechanism includes inner and outer hollow members and a plate member attached to the inner hollow member.

Abstract: A quick release clamp having two crescent halves coupled at one end by a hinge and a spreader spring at the opposite end. A cam follower is coupled to the spring end of the crescent halves and configured to receive a handle. A handle, containing a cam configured to engage the cam follower, which when parallel to the hinge does not engage the cam and the clamp is open, and when rotated a quarter turn engages the cam and closes the clamp.

Abstract: An exerciser including a generally horizontal top frame having a front end, a column supporting the top frame, a movable frame mounted on the top frame and movable between the front end of the top frame and the column, the movable frame having two spaced vertical hollow frame sections and a cross frame section interconnecting lowermost ends of the vertical hollow frame sections, two push arms connected privotally to the movable frame and capable of being pivoted toward each other, and a stop rod extending frontward from the column below the top frame so as to limit movement of the movable frame toward the column. The exerciser further includes a first locking unit which is operable to prevent movement of the movable frame relative to the top frame and a second locking unit which is operable to prevent movement of the push arms relative to the movable frame.

Abstract: Weight bench apparatus including a pair of spaced vertically extending barbell support arms, a bench seat positioned between the support arms having a back portion which is constructed to pivot between a plurality of incline positions, and a horizontally extending seat back support bar which is constructed to extend between and connect with the barbell support arms in different vertically spaced positions to selectively support the back portion in a plurality of incline positions. The support bar is constructed to enable the length thereof to be adjusted to vary the distance between the barbell support arms. Preferably, the seat back support bar includes a hollow outer bar member, an inner bar member which slidably fits in the outer bar member in telescoping relation therewith, and a locking member for locking the inner and outer bars together in desired relative positions.

Abstract: An orthosis for stretching tissue that limits compressive forces on the soft tissue around a joint during movement of the joint. The orthosis includes two relatively pivotable cuff arms with a cuff on each arm. The cuffs clamp onto the body portions on either side of the joint. The pivot axis of the cuff arms is spaced from the pivot axis of the joint, so that movement of the cuff arms to extend the joint results in distractive forces being applied to the joint. The cuffs are selectively moved on the cuff arms, during extension and flexion, to provide the proper amount of distractive forces to the joint and to limit compressive forces on the joint. A mechanical advantage is gained through the use of a gear drive mechanism for transmitting to the joint the force applied by the patient. This allows the orthosis to be relatively small and light weight. The orthosis also provides a portable system for continuous passive motion therapy for a joint.

Abstract: A variable resistance exercise device is provided which enables a user to select from an almost limitless set of resistance curves having various shapes and amplitudes. These results are achieved using a fixed baseline resistance and a variable resistance generated by a torque arm assembly. Preferably, the torque arm assembly either has a vertical diametric torque arm and two horizontal radial torque arms which are perpendicular to the vertical torque arm or two diametric torque arms which are perpendicular to each other. By varying the position of a weight member on each of these arms, as well as the ratio of the net horizontal torque and the vertical torque generated by the weight members, the baseline resistance force that the user experiences can be infinitely varied. Additionally, through the use of a gear assembly, the user can achieve a force variance during the exercise which is greater than the minimum force experienced during the exercise.

Abstract: The apparatus is configured as a dumbbell having an elongated hollow lifting bar with a pivotable handle for activating a wedge-shaped cam element mounted to the bar. The cam element longitudinally forces two rods carried in a passageway of the bar to move pin operator elements of each weight. Opposed sides of a weight respectively include a depression or cavity and a laterally extending boss with a boss of one weight fitting within a depression of an adjacent weight. Each boss carries a pair of diametrically opposed inwardly biased pins that are moved outwardly by the element to engage a grooved surface in the depression on an adjacent weight to secure the weights together. Oversized bar alignment rings with essentially identical grooved surfaces are engaged by the pins of a first weight in a series. A support base having a pair of convergent channels to accommodate the alignment rings guides the dumbbell into its resting place.

Abstract: An apparatus for use by a person to do squat exercises that emphasizes substantially the full range of upper leg muscle groups while alleviating the pressure that concentrates in the lower back, the apparatus being in the form of an inclined elongated platform having a bottom surface that rests on a floor and an upper surface supported above and in close proximity to the bottom surface at an inclined angle of about 11 to 21 degrees, the platform having a width sufficient to permit the user to place at least a portion of both feet thereon with the user's legs spaced apart.

Abstract: The portable forearm and hand exercise device includes a generally U-shaped member having an arcuate midsection and a pair of rearwardly extending legs spaced far enough apart to accommodate the anticipated widest exerciser's hand, a handle extending transversely between and adjustably mounted on the legs, a forwardly extending elongated rod connected to and offset from the center of the midsection, one or more small weights which are carried by the rod and can be secured to the rod at various locations and a flexible, adjustable strap which supports an exerciser's hand below the wrist for some exercises. When an exercise requires the fingers to rest on the arcuate midsection, the handle can be moved to a position most comfortable for the individual exerciser.

Abstract: Bench-press and preacher-curl weight workout stations incorporate improved safety features to reduce the likelihood of injury to the weight lifter during the workouts. A bench assembly of the bench-press station has includes a platform and a base supporting the platform. The safety feature in the bench assembly is a platform height adjusting mechanism operable to permit one end of the platform to undergo pivotal movement from an upper position to a lower position relative to the base to where the body of the weight lifter is clear of the barbell so that the weight lifter can slide out from under the barbell and off the platform at the end of a workout session.

Abstract: The present invention provides a resilient support for a treadmill deck by suspending the deck at its lateral edges on resilient elements supported by the side rails of the treadmill frame. In addition, the resilient elements may be of adjustable resiliency, such as inflatable bladders, or may be a combination of fixed and adjustably resilient portions. Also disclosed is the use of an adjustably resilient element between the treadmill frame and a supporting surface, and using such as arrangement to vary the inclination of the treadmill.

Abstract: A retarding device for an exerciser includes a tubular housing, a drive shaft extending axially into the tubular housing and being movable axially therein, and a plurality of friction plates provided in the tubular housing and in contact with the drive shaft so as to resist axial movement of the drive shaft in the tubular housing. The tightness of contact between the friction plates and the drive shaft can be varied so as to vary correspondingly resistance to axial movement of the drive shaft.

Abstract: Resilient exercise board comprising a generally planar platform having a laminated structure comprising a substantially rigid substrate and a pad of resilient material on one side of the substrate, and a plurality of resilient feet on the side of the substrate opposite the pad for supporting the platform in a predetermined position relative to a supporting surface. The resilient feet have upper sections affixed to the substrate and lower sections which can be swung between positions beside and beneath the upper sections to adjust the height of the feet and thereby position the platform in different planes relative to the supporting surface. The resilient pad is covered by a flexible cover having a skid resistant upper surface. In one embodiment, the platform has resilient reinforcing elements on the under side of the substrate.

Abstract: A motion stabilizing system, for use by a physically challenged wheelchair occupant, is disclosed. The motion stabilizing system limits undesirable movement of a wheelchair and the occupant during manipulations of an exercise machine associated with the system. Restricted by the motion stabilizing system are backward, forward, and upward motions of the wheelchair occupant during use of the exercise machine.

Abstract: An aerobic exercise chair includes a main frame and a seat assembly pivotally connected to a rear end portion of the main frame for angular movement relative thereto. A handle assembly is pivotally connected to a front end portion of the main frame and by a connecting link to the front end of a yoke assembly that is mounted to and projects forwardly from a lower support frame of the seat assembly. A user desiring to achieve an aerobic workout sits on the seat assembly, grasps the free end of the handle assembly, and pulls it towards himself resulting in the connecting link forcing the free end of the yoke assembly to move downwardly thereby causing the seat assembly with the user resting thereon to pivot upwardly towards the free end of the handle assembly whereby the user is raised against his own weight relative to the main frame.

Abstract: A muscle exerciser intended for compression between the hands and suited to the exercise of, e.g., the muscles of the chest, neck and shoulder region by various compressive movements, the exerciser being comprised of two cup-shaped compression caps suited to fit the palms, two parallel frame flanges on which the compression caps are mounted and anchoring rods placed between said frame flanges so as to keep the frame flanges parallel and to permit a certain length of axial approach of the frame flanges. The gap between the frame flanges is filled by an element of resilient expanded plastic material capable of keeping the frame flanges pushed to their extreme positions and bestowing the exerciser a resiliently yielding movement when the compression caps are pushed toward each other.

Abstract: A weight lifting station including a pair of guide posts for guiding a barbell assembly in a vertical direction. The barbell assembly includes a weight bar, a sleeve telescoped over the weight bar and stops attached to the sleeve with catch pins to restrain the stops in any one of three conditions of orientation. In one condition, the catch pins lock the stops in engagement with apertures in the posts thereby preventing vertical movement of the bar from a selected vertical position. In another condition, the catch pins lock the stops in a position disengaged and remote from the apertures permitting the barbell assembly to slide vertically on the guide posts. In the third condition, a user may manually rotate the sleeve, throughout a small range limited by the catch pins from a position where the stops are fully engaged with the apertures to a position where the stops are withdrawn from the apertures therby providing the user with a self spotting capability.

Abstract: The application discloses a handle for an exercise machine having a force resistor such as the cable type wherein a weight stack supplies resistance to movement of the handle along a path through an interconnecting cable system. The handle includes a grip supported on an elongate arm. A base includes structure for connecting the handle to the force resistor. A ball joint connects the arm to the base to enable simultaneous rotation of the arm about its length axis and pivotal movement of the arm in an orbital fashion relative to the base to provide an expanded range of positions of the user's hand during opposed movement of the handle along the path.

Abstract: An exercise machine (10) and method for testing and exercising the lumbar muscles of a user or patient (P) while in a secured seated position on a seat (20) by the user exerting a rearward force against a back pad (32) on a pivoted movement arm (30) is described. The user (P) is positioned on seat (20) with feet on a horizontal plate (82) and tibias restrained against upward movement by thigh pads (72). Upward vertical movement of platform (80) relative to pads (72) secures the user (P) tightly on the machine (10) and permits a limited rocking movement of the pelvis during exercising as shown at (D) in FIG. 12. A strain gauge (172) anchored at one end (176, 178) to the fixed support frame (14) is mounted for connection to a pulley wheel (132) for static testing and for disconnection from pulley wheel (132) during the exercise mode.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an exercising apparatus on which multiple exercising routines may be performed from a single station area operating in opposition to a single set of weights and wherein the cable systems are operably independent from each other. A single leg extension fixture is disclosed which provides leg and foot extension exercises together with foot curl, leg and leg curl exercises.