Abstract: An exercising device in the form of a shoe having a series of weighted sections adapted to be added or removed so as to selectively vary the weight of the shoe. The weighted sections have cooperating joinder elements which enable them to be nested longitudinally with respect to each other in a cantilevered fashion and then locked in place. A rounded heel section is provided to facilitate exercises comprising rocking movements of the foot. In an alternative embodiment, a cooperating platform shoe member is provided for attaching to the device so that ambulation is facilitated without requiring removal of the exercising device.

Abstract: An articulated tang in clevis joint for incorporation in newly manufactured conventional strap-on orthotic knee devices or for replacing such joints in conventional strap-on orthotic knee devices. The instant tang in clevis joint allows the user the freedom to extend and bend the knee normally when no load (weight) is applied to the knee and to automatically lock the knee when the user transfers weight (load) to the knee, thus preventing a damaged knee from bending uncontrollably when weight (load) is applied to the knee.The tang in clevis joint of the present invention includes first and second clevis plates, a tang assembly and a spacer plate sandwiched and secured between the clevis plates. Each clevis plate includes a bevelled serrated upper section. A bevelled shoe is secured to the tang in close proximity to the bevelled serrated upper section of the clevis plates.

Abstract: A multifunctional exercise device having a pair of front and rear legs connected by cross members which support a seat. The cross members allow the seat to be longitudinally movable between the front and rear legs. The multifunctional exercise device also includes several attachments, which allow an operator to perform a variety of strengthening and rehabilitating exercises for various parts of the body.

Abstract: An exercise method having one or more exercise members connected by a cable system to a weight, such as a variable weight stack, and each movable by a user along an exercise path to perform an exercise routine against the resisting force of the weight, and a pre-stretch adjustment feature, whereby the position of each exercise member along its exercise path at which the resisting force of the weight commences to act on the member, and hence also the portion of the exercise path over which the resisting force acts on the member, are adustable in order to vary the exercise routine performed with each exercise member.

Abstract: A first end of a lever pivots about a fixed axis as a second end is raised and lowered by the user. A carriage is disposed on the lever and is designed to travel the length of the lever between the first and second ends. A belt is coupled to a weight and to the carriage through a series of pulleys. The lever is shaped so that the weight neither raises nor lowers as the carriage travels from one end of the lever to the other. The distance that the weight travels in response to movement of the second end is thus proportional to the position of the carriage on the lever. By moving the carriage to numerous positions between the first and second ends of the lever, the torque needed to lift the weight and the distance by which the weight moves may be varied correspondingly in numerous increments over a very large range. A number of different user interfaces may be coupled to the lever for creating an equal number of different weight training machines.

Abstract: A laryngoscope comprised of an integral handle and curved blade with a bivalve element to form an enclosed passageway with the curved blade, the handle shaped to receive a fiberoptic bundle assembly and the interior of the curved blade having a channel into which a fiberoptic bundle assembly may be placed, with the distal end of said channel forming a circumference for containing the distal end of the fiberoptic bundle assembly.

Abstract: In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention, an anterolateral rod fixation device includes a pair of rods which can be fixed in substantially parallel relationship to the anterolateral vertebral body by cannulated fixation screws and associated locking screws. Upper or lower ends of the rods are provided with vertical slots to facilitate independent screw placement, and to permit relative movement between the rods and fixation screws upon removal of the locking screws. A pair of cross links are provided for rigid interconnection between the rods. Thus, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an anterolateral spinal fixation system comprising a pair of substantially parallel fixation members, each provided with means for enabling varied fixation screw placement; a pair of cross links extending between the parallel fixation members; the cross links extending through slots provided in the parallel fixation members and rigidly secured therein.

Abstract: Method for placing a guide wire through a gastrostomy tube which has a plug through which only the guide wire can pass in slidable communication. The plug prevents air from escaping from the stomach, thus, preventing the collapse of the stomach during the guide wire placement. The plug may comprise a substantially cylindrical member having a longitudinal bore for receiving the guide wire in slidable communication.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in retaining a longitudinally extending member in position relative to a spinal column includes a top-entry hook assembly having a hook portion which is engageable with a spinal column. A body extending upwardly from the hook portion and has an open ended recess which extends through the body and is open along one side to enable a rod or longitudinal member to be moved into the recess through the open side. An end cap is engageable with the body to close the upper side opening. A clamp member or set screw is disposed at the center of the end cap to clamp the rod in the recess in the body. The end cap and body are interconnectable by different types of connectors including a bayonet connector, a linear cam connector, or a threaded connector.

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: The disclosed invention relates to the integration of a resistance selection of selectorized weight stacks with a range of motion (ROM) selection of ROM elements adapted to engage a user and transmit a lifting force to an in-line selectorized weight stack. It involves replacing the weight selector rod of prior selectorized weight stacks with a flexible connector (FC). The FC operates in-line to respective ROM elements and is guided from below a selectorized weight stack and above, at a particular weight stack travel, for vertical oscillatory movement through a vertical opening extending through the central portion of a weight stack. An engaging member is provided to engage a selected weight plate at a selected point along a FC's length, whereby, providing an integrated range of motion selection of FC in-line ROM elements with a resistance selection.

Abstract: A machine for exercising the bicep muscles of the arms includes a movement arm rotatable about a horizontal axis by exertion of the bicep muscles of a user who is in seated position while gripping the handle of the movement arm and pivoting the forearm upwardly about the elbow. The backs of the upper arms rest on a roller pad while the forearms engage a forearm pad that moves along an arc with the movement arm about a horizontal axis to properly position the forearms and prevent forward movement of the user's body during rotation of the movement arm. A compound weight stack provides a yieldable resistance to the movement arm and is connected thereto through a drive lever and linkage positioned below the level of the weight stack.

Abstract: An apparatus is arranged for arm manipulation simultaneously with treadmill use, to include a mounting strap securable about upstanding posts of a treadmill structure, with an anchor boss mounted medially of the mounting strap having a plurality of exercise straps extending therefrom, with each exercise strap including a loop member for manual grasping. A modification of the invention includes a slide member structure to limit relative pivotment of one exercise strap relative to the adjacent exercise strap.

Abstract: A water jump course comprises a jump slope, a boat and a water tank. The boat has front wheels and rear wheels with different gauges. In the lift-off zone of the jump slope, the rolling surface for the rear wheels is curved less markedly upwards than the rolling surface for the front wheels. Alternatively, the wheels may be of the same gauge and the rolling surface for the wheels at the jump slope lower end is movable in the vertical direction. An air cushion may also be provided in the landing area of the boat.

Abstract: A longitudinal frame supports a seat whose longitudinal position on the frame is adjustable. A pair of footbeams are mounted on either side of the forward end of the frame near the floor and extend generally upwardly. The footbeams independently pivot on the frame so that the user can operate them in an alternating reciprocating fashion. Pivotal movement of the footbeams by the user is resisted, thereby requiring the user to expend energy in operating the device. The footbeams are preferably interconnected so that their respective movements are coordinated. In alternative embodiments, the footbeams pivot about a point just below the seat. The seat can also be adapted to recline. The footbeams can also be replaced by a crank with footpedals that are used to drive a flywheel and a generator.

Abstract: A hydraulic exercise apparatus having an elongated frame housing a main hydraulic cylinder and a displacement cylinder in liquid communication with the main hydraulic cylinder. The main hydraulic cylinder includes a main piston and the displacement cylinder includes a closure piston that is movable in response to movement of the main piston to maintain a liquid filled condition in the main cylinder regardless of the position of the main piston.

Abstract: An exercise device comprises a frame having a seat mounted thereon and a pair of handlebars extending upwardly from and pivotally attached to the frame at a point forward of the seat, each of the handlebars being individually moveable back and forth by the arms of a user of the device. A foot pedal is mounted to and extends rearwardly from each of the handlebars, each foot pedal being individually moveable down and up by the legs of a user of the device. The exercise device includes a pair of weight supporting frames, each of the frames having at least one vertically extending elongated member rigidly connected thereto. Each frame also includes a plurality of weights slidably mounted upon the elongated member. The exercise device further includes a linkage means between each of the handlebars and selected weights within a corresponding weight support frame. The linkage means permits the selected weights to be raised and lowered by respective back and forth movement of the handlebars.

Abstract: A device for the physical therapy or exercise of human extremities which utilizes an elevation device and leveling mechanism.

Abstract: A static orthosis for application to a human patient at an elbow or a knee includes a unitary body composed of a composite material that includes an aluminum endo-skeleton molded into a closed cell polyethene foam matrix. The unitary body includes a proximal pad, a distal pad, and an elongated spine connecting the proximal pad and the distal pad. The unitary body is sufficiently stiff that it can be deformed only by deliberate application of strong shaping forces but is not deformed by the casual forces imposed by the patient during normal use of the orthosis. The unitary body is mostly covered by a unitary cover that includes pockets into which the proximal pad and the distal pad fit, and the unitary cover also includes laterally-extending straps for applying the orthosis to the patient. Because of its rigidity and its ability to be deliberately altered, the orthosis is ideally suited for accomplishing a progressive extension of the limb to which it is applied.

Abstract: The prevent invention provides an apparatus 100 of a type on which a person exercises. The apparatus 100 includes a support frame 101 and a chair member 102 that is rotatably mounted to the support frame 101. A rotational resistance means 105 is also mounted to the support frame 101. The rotational resistance means 105 includes conical surfaces 255 and 256 that provide frictional resistance through interengagement between one of thirty-two teeth 257 on shaft member 154 and one of three ratcheting members 258a-c on rotatable friction member 155. A rotational arm means 106 is operatively connected to the rotational resistance means 105 to allow application of a rotational force in a given direction of rotation against the rotational resistance means 105. A foot anchor means 103 is mounted to the support frame 101, so that a person seated in the chair member 102 may anchor his feet beneath the foot anchor means 103 in order to perform abdominal flexions.