Abstract: An exercise apparatus for safely assisting a person to lift weights which incorporates concurrently functioning vertical and horizontal guidance mechanisms. The exercise apparatus is comprised of a frame including two rectangularly shaped parallel aligned structures having four horizontally extending support members, a lifting bar, a horizontal guidance mechanism, and a vertical guidance mechanism. The horizontal support members function also as the horizontal guidance bars. Each horizontal guidance bar has a bearing block slidably attached thereto via a linear bearing. Pairs of bearing blocks are connected to the ends of two vertically extending guidance bars which move horizontally via their attachment to the bearing blocks. Similarly, the vertical bars have bearing blocks with linear bearings attached thereto which are also connected to the ends of the lifting bar.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a motion converting mechanism for an exercise machine includes a shaft mounted on spaced bearings on opposite walls of a side compartment of the machine, a pitman arm on the shaft, a drive assembly including inner and outer arms extending above and below the shaft, a linkage and transducer that connect the outer end of the pitman arm to the lower end of the drive assembly, a lifting wheel on the shaft between the inner and outer drive arms, and a laterally shiftable pin that extends through the outer drive arm, one of a plurality of holes near the outer periphery of the lifting wheel and into the inner arm to connect the drive assembly to the lifting wheel in any one of a plurality of relative orientations. A stop against pivotal rotation of the lifting wheel also is provided to enable static tests to be made of certain ones of the users muscles.

Abstract: A person having functional scoliosis is weighed on a bilateral scale, and the amount of bilateral unbalance calculated. A corrective weight is calculated, and installed in pockets of a harness that supports the weight below the armpit of the person. The harness includes a chest strap, a shoulder strap, and a plurality of weight pockets. A plurality of thin lead weights is provided to be selectively inserted into the pockets. A pocket element may be provided that is attachable to a brassiere strap.

Abstract: A weight lifting bar has a plurality of hand grip portions rotatably mounted relative to the bar to include an outer ring fixedly mounted to the bar, with the outer ring diametrically aligned relative to the bar, with an inner ring rotatably mounted relative to the outer ring capturing a layer of bearings between the outer ring and the inner ring. A modification of the invention includes a hand grip bar mounted within the inner ring apertured to direct powder rosin therethrough to enhance grasping of the bar during use.

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 three cable systems are operable independent from each other with pulley systems being positioned at high level, low level and mid level of the frame of the apparatus.

Abstract: A torsion exercising device which includes a support frame for supporting the exerciser and one end of a pivot arm assembly in pivotally adjustable relationship with a power frame mounted on the opposite end of the pivot arm assembly. The power frame includes a mount bar for rigidly securing the power frame to the pivot arm assembly, a torque tube rotatably and adjustably mounted in the power frame parallel to the mount bar and a torsion bar disposed in sliding relationship inside the torque tube, wherein the exerciser may adjust the rotational position and linear extension of the torsion bar inside the torque tube to create a desired position and resistance for pulling and pushing exercises.

Abstract: An automatic force generating and control system that automatically sets exercise forces in accordance with user programmed criteria and is capable of providing pressurized flow to both ends of the arm hydraulics and leg exerciser hydraulics. Anticavitation is provided during idling, pressurized flow and when the user is successfully overcoming the pressurized flow. In the preferred embodiment, pressure is regulated by two proportional pressure relief valves which set the pilot pressure of the control valves and switching elements which direct the pressurized flow to the hydraulics. In an alternate embodiment pressure and flow are regulated by a bi-directional pump through the current and voltage sent to the pump by the controls. In a third embodiment the pressure is regulated by a proportional pressure relief valve which is connected in parallel to the ends of either the arm cylinders and to a uni-directional pump.

Abstract: An automatic force generating and control system including a lever pivotally attached to a monolith and a lower body exerciser pivotally attached to a bench, with both the bench and monolith attached to a platform. The rotation of the lower body exerciser is translated into linear movement by a series of sprockets and timing belts. The electrical output from load cells and potentiometers are processed by the electronic controls to determine the speed, direction and position and the amount and direction of force being exerted on the lever and lower body exerciser. Resistance to movement is provided by a lever hydraulics assembly and a lower body hydraulics assembly. The lever has arms and handles which articulate to the physique of the user and the exercise to be performed. The arms pivot in mirror relationship and the lower body exerciser may be lengthened or shortened. Electric solenoid clutches or hydraulics may engage the handles to the arms and the arms to the head of the lever.

Abstract: A proprioceptive exercise, training and therapy apparatus is disclosed for supporting and stabilizing at least a portion of the user's body and limbs from at least one elongated flexible support member. Each flexible support member is releasably secured to a selected structural support means. A plurality of attachment points are provided in sequential linear alignment on the flexible support member. An adjustable positioning means is provided on each flexible support member. A first user engagement member is in the form of a rigid, rectangular bar. A second user engagement member is in the form of a flexible body sling, with ends adapted for releasable securement to at least one flexible support member. A third user engagement member comprises at least one hand and foot coupling member, releasably secured to the flexible support member or to a suitable retaining means.

Abstract: A body exercising apparatus, in the form of a weight lifting apparatus, which includes an elongate lever arm having first and second opposite ends. The first end of the lever arm is capable of being anchored by means of wedging same into the corner of a room. The lever arm is capable of receiving conventional bar-bell type weights in selected amounts. A handle member is located at the second end of the lever arm for engagement by the hands of a user of the apparatus so that this user can attempt to lift the lever arm about the pivotal anchor point against one or more weights placed on the lever arm. The handle member is adjustably positionable with respect to the lever arm so as to accommodate the overall height of the user.

Abstract: An improved lumbar spine support including an anterior and a posterior section form-fitted around the corresponding torso areas. These sections are connectable by flexible fabric panels and a strap arrangement in opposing position tightly against the torso. The anterior section includes a V-shaped indentation which hydrostatically lifts the lower abdominal musculature inwardly and upwardly. The posterior section includes an elongated upright indentation having a laterally extending wider lower portion for centering and securing the posterior section over the lumbosacral area of the spine.

Abstract: Variable resistance leg harness exercise apparatus includes a belt, leg attachments, foot attachments and stretchable cords attached to the belt and to the leg and foot attachments for enabling the user to perform under an increased load while not changing the user's natural center of gravity and without distorting the natural patterns of the exercise being performed.

Abstract: A top weight adapted for vertical adjustment when disposed at the top of a weight stack in a suspended weight exercise machine having guide rods on which the weight stack slides, and a central pick-up rod which engages the weight stack for suspension thereof. The top weight includes a plurality of cavities open at the bottom to permit installation of insert weight plates therein. A slot opening extending through the entire width of the top weight permits vertical adjustment of the central pick-up rod when the top weight is mounted thereto along a vertical direction. This vertical adjustment accommodates manufacturing tolerances in the weight stack which would otherwise prevent a selector pin from interconnecting the weight stack to the central pick-up rod.

Abstract: A multiple exercise unit capable of providing a user with a wide range of strength and conditioning exercises. The exercise unit provides resistance through an isokinetic device which utilizes a clutch mechanism. Lines extend out of the isokinetic device and attach to various exercise elements such that a variety of upper and lower body strength exercises may be performed.

Abstract: A surgical retractor is for use when extended through a trocar sleeve. The retractor has a pair of telescoping tubes. The inner one of the retractor tubes has a number of fingers which may be spread into a fan shape, and then articulated to select a position between 180.degree. and 90.degree. relative to the length of the tubes. For insertion and retraction into and out of the trocar sleeve, the fingers may be pulled into a compact configuration.

Abstract: An exerciser for exercising arms includes a frame assembly and an input mechanism which has a pull rope. The pull rope has a fixed end and a movable end connected to an arm exercising mechanism. A suspended pulley set includes a pulley seat on which an upper pulley and a lower pulley are mounted. The pull rope extends around the upper portion of the lower pulley, while a guide rope extends around the lower portion of the upper pulley. The guide rope is fixed on the frame assemby at an end thereof. When the pull rope is pulled, the suspended pulley set moves downward so as to rotate an intermediate drive wheel. An endless flexible driving element is trained between the intermediate drive wheel and a driven wheel so as to rotate the driven wheel. A resistance setting unit is disposed on the frame assembly and can be adjusted so that a generator unit creates a predetermined amount of electric current, thereby activating a magnetic controller to change magnetic resistance to the rotation of the driven wheel.

Abstract: An exercise system for developing wrists and hands comprising a wooden hockey stick having an elongated handle portion and a blade portion, and a spherically shaped heavy metal ball.

Abstract: A sensor device to detect and signal the exercise or movement of a subject's craniofacial and cervical muscles that includes a trigger attached to the subject, sensitive to movement in at least one direction and communicating with a signal emitter in order to emit an appropriate signal upon the sensing of movement that indicates the performance of the exercise.

Abstract: The bench press apparatus, includes a base, an elevating device and a lifting device to lift the weight of the barbell away from a user, and a knee activated switch to activate the lifting of the weight by means of one or more pulleys and a chain responsive to a motor connected with said knee activated switch to lift the weight of the barbells away from the user in a supine position.

Abstract: An upper body exercise apparatus to assist an exerciser to do chin-ups and dips. The apparatus includes a frame having a base, a platform parallel to the base for the exerciser to stand on, chin-up handles and dip handles extending from the frame, a system to oscillate the platform vertically between a lower position and an upper position while maintaining the platform parallel to the base and while avoiding any angular displacement, a pneumatic cylinder for providing a force to the oscillating system which is opposite the weight of the exerciser, and a control and monitor whereby the force is controlled and the oscillation of the platform is monitored.