Abstract: A frame member has a seat mounted thereon, the seat being movable therealong. The frame member also carries feet rests. A shaft is mounted across the frame member at one end thereof, and a flywheel is mounted on the shaft. A planetary gear system having a rotatable carrier, pinion gears mounted in the carrier, a stationary ring gear and a central gear is mounted on the shaft for rotatably driving the flywheel. The central gear is mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith. A spool is mounted on the carrier for rotation therewith. A cable is wound around the spool for providing rotary motion to the spool when the cable is pulled by an exerciser during the rowing stroke. Thus, the rotary motion of the spool is transferred to the flywheel through the planetary gear system and the shaft in a speed increasing mode.

Abstract: An exercise machine weight guide including an uppermost plate with a centrally disposed mounting hole. The mounting hole is designed to accommodate a threaded plug and a securing plug. A weight post with one threaded end and a number of apertures disposed along its length is inserted through the opening of the uppermost plate. The threaded plug has internal threads for securing over the threaded end of the weight post. The securing plug is positioned over the threaded plug and engages, of a corresponding set of threads, with the threads located within the mounting hole. A number of weights are disposed below the uppermost plate. The lower surface of each weight has a groove which allows a connector pin to pass under the weight and through an aperture of the weight post. The threaded plug is rotated to tighten the assembly to form a single mass of weight and securing plug is rotated to tighten against the threaded plug locking the threaded plug in place. To change the weight, the procedure is reversed.

Abstract: A direct drive rehabilitation and fitness apparatus and method having a range limiter disk cooperating with an inclined cam surface, the method of construction requiring the range limiter disk to be directly coupled to the inclined cam surface through a drive shaft for converting rotational motion of the limiter disk into translational motion of the drive shaft for providing vertical movement of a weight stack. The method of construction provides that the range limiter disk be fitted with an adjustment pin for limiting the range of motion of an actuator arm and that a shaft supporting the weight stack communicate with a cam follower for riding along the translating inclined cam surface. The apparatus and method permit opposing patterns of movement with the range limiter disk by repositioning the adjustment pin thus making possible concentric and eccentric movements of opposing muscle groups.

Abstract: A weight training apparatus that allows the user to safely perform free-bar type bench press exercises, both in the standard fashion and in the more effective eccentric contraction fashion is described. The weight bar is attached to a cable system that incorporates a safety stop to prevent the weight bar from crushing the chest of the user in case of accident and especially features a guided sled proximal the user's feet and connected to the weight bar by the same cable system and whereby the user may, at his option at any time during the exercise, partially support or lift the weight bar by engaging the guided sled with his feet and pushing it using his leg muscles.

Abstract: Weightlifting apparatus for increasing the effective weight by offsetting it from a shaft enclosed in a sleeve gripped by the user. The sleeve can rotate freely on the shaft through a limited angle, and the apparatus includes interlocking components to set the angle so that, during a final part of a lift, the center of mass of the weight will be farther from the user than it would be if it were mounted on a standard weightlifting bar that passed through the center of mass of the weight. Braces are attached to the sleeve and go in back of the user's forearms to provide assistance in supporting the weights in the offset position.

Abstract: A disposable cat litter box is disclosed comprising a liner pan for receiving cat litter, with the liner pan having an open top, bottom and sides and cat litter disposed in the liner pan. A disposal bag having an opening at least equal to the bottom of the liner pan and a drawstring around the opening is attached to the bottom of the exterior of the liner pan with the opening of the disposal bag around the sides of the liner pan. A covering lid is secured to the top of the liner pan to hold the cat litter inside the liner pan with a tear cord for removing the lid from the liner pan to expose the cat litter during use. After use, pulling on the drawstring causes the opening of the bag to cover the open top and fully enclose the liner pan and any used cat litter therein. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable resistance exerciser for gymnasts is provided in a vertical frame attached to a squared base platform. A horizontal pivotable handlebar is affixed at the ends to length adjustable side arms which are in turn attached by reversed sprag clutches to individual disc brakes. The disc brakes are supported by box shaped carriages arranged to be moved vertically up and down in paralleling track-like side members which make up the vertical frame. Opposite torque can be applied to either arm by manually adjusting the braking. The side arm length adjustments and the up and down carriage adjustment can be locked into selected positions which allows the device to be sized for a variety of users.

Abstract: An apparatus for dynamically exercising the leg and hip muscles employing squat maneuvers. Specifically, the apparatus includes a base on which the user stands and a back support that is mounted such that it maintains a vertical attitude while being moved by the user along a arcuate path as the user performs a squat movement with his back in contact with the back support. The controlled movement of the back support is accomplished by first and second parallelogram-type side assemblies so mounted with respect to the base at one of their respective ends and having the back supported therebetween adjacent their outboard ends, that such side assemblies provide pantographic type motion to the back support. Shoulder blocks associated with the back support are adjustable to accommodate users of various physical heights.

Abstract: A exercise bench system has a lower bench that rests on the floor and carries on it a separate upper bench in any of three positions of interfit: (1) collapsed flat on the lower bench, (2) inclined relative to the lower bench, (3) upstanding parallel with the lower bench. The upper bench has detachably affixed to it, by stud and socket and flange hook, a leg extension-leg curl pivotal component that can be set for limited pivot if desired. Seat structures provide an incline position on the lower bench when horizontal, in cooperation with the pivotal component fixed to act as a post. The lower bench has transverse base members connecting the lower portions of the legs, and a pulley for guiding when a line is attached to the pivotal component and run back to any suitable weight stack.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an upper body exercising device for use while jogging, comprising a non-continuous collar for positioning around a user's neck attached by a strap to a lightweight tossing object.

Abstract: Hand grip apparatus for weightlifting bar includes a pair of double conical elements secured to the bar to compensate for the anatomical bone structure in the wrists to allow the bones of the hand to be substantially aligned with the bones in the forearm while doing press and curl weightlifting exercises.

Abstract: A weight lifting device having a pair of padded arcurate shoulder engaging members. Rod-like members which project outwardly from the shoulder members are provided with hand grips at their ends. Recesses or spaced raised portions are located on the outwardly projecting members to receive and hold the rod of a barbell. Either an integral connecting rod of the device or the rod of a barbell may be used to maintain the outwardly projecting members in their spaced relationship.

Abstract: A sit up exercise bar is employed to add resistance for sit up exercises, and positions the subject's hands and arms so as to produce a fluent motion, reducing stresses on the lower back. The sit up bar has yoke form of a pair of aligned straight sections and a central neck bow which curves behind the subject's neck. A pair of handles extend forward from the respective straight sections. These position the subject's hands in front of the shoulders or particularly, a few inches in front of the anterior deltoid.

Abstract: An exercise bench comprising a frame, a platform disposed on the frame, a pair of weight supports connected to the frame at one end and optionally, a removable or fixed leg exercise device. The weight supports are angled at an obtuse angle facing the foot of the frame so that the weight supports do not interfere with a user's arms or barbells during bench pressing exercise. The platform under a user's torso is formed of a solid base and a padding, with the solid base and optionally the padding having a contoured shape cutout under the user's shoulder blades to permit articulation of the shoulder blades or movement of the shoulders below the plane of the platform.

Abstract: A stationary exercise apparatus to be affixed in a standard door jamb comprises a trio of rectangular support members, and a curved gym bar, using looped end extension springs as a source of resistance each support member is provided with independent sections and each section comprising of a plurality of open ended eyelets with spring guides adapted to receive the looped ends of one or more extension springs, the upper support member is affixed to the top portion of the jamb facing downward, a pair of vertical support members facing in a bi-lateral relation on each side of the door jamb.

Abstract: An adjustable, floor-supported exercise bench has an articulated frame which can be locked in a horizontal position or inclined with the center portion of the frame depressed to provide proper support for a user and a fixed "reach" relative to an exercise member, regardless of the inclinations of the bench cushions.

Abstract: A weighted exercise apparatus is set forth wherein a platform is positioned underlying a user's wrist with a rearwardly oriented securable strap including hook and loop fasteners is cooperative with a transverse gripping bar securable by one of said user's hands. Underlying said platform are a series of coaxially aligned and adjustable weights positionable about a downwardly extending boss member secured orthogonally to said platform and medially of said gripping bar for alignment of said weights to a user's hand.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for exercising or testing the strength of muscles in the lower trunk of the human body. The patient or exerciser is seated with his pelvis and legs fixed against movement and with his head, arms and upper back fixed relative to a movement arm which extends above the seat and is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the seat about a horizontal axis. While the movement arm is in a predetermined position, the patient applies a force through the upper back to the movement arm to stress the muscles of the lower trunk, and the strength of these muscles is measured. To exercise these muscles, the movement arm is moved by a force exerted by the upper back against a bias of a resistance weight to lift the weight, and then the force is released to lower the weight and the process is repeated. A compound weight system is employed to allow precise weight adjustment to suit the strength of the exerciser.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus as described and includes a support, a lever arm pivotally mounted to the support adjacent a first lever end. An exercise fitting, such as handle bars and other linkages, are placed adjacent a second end of the lever arm for allowing pivoting of the lever arm. Weights are movable along the lever arm a distance between the first and second ends and such that the movement has a horizontal component with respect to the support. A motor is provided for moving the weights.

Abstract: A buoyant device for attachment to the lower leg and ankle with strap components holding the device in place. Buoyant main body members are confined within an enclosure having a zipper closure. Buoyant inserts may be selectively removed from or added to the main body members to vary the buoyancy of the aid. Large, upright surface areas of the aid resist passage through the water and hence require muscular effort on the user's part.