Abstract: The platform, while having many uses, is particularly valuable in assisting a physical therapist in training a patient to properly walk or run following an injury or debilitation. The platform consists of four outer trapezoidal panels sloped at an angle of about ten degrees and further comprises four inner triangular panels sloped at a smaller angle. A patient steps or bounces at various angles on the panels while being tethered by an elastic cord and, in the process, learns how to compensate for ankle or knee instability, for poor weight shift or for poor accommodation to uneven terrain.

Abstract: A rowing exercise machine of the type in which a wheel with air paddles is rotated by an operator by pulling on a pull bar attached to a chain which extends around gears on the wheel axle, while sitting on a seat which rolls back and forth on a support beam. To return the chain after a rearward simulated rowing stroke, a rope is attached at each end to the outer end of the pull bar, and extends rearwardly around suitably positioned pulleys to connect with the end of the chain opposite the end which is attached to the pull bar. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the rope is passed through an eye at the end of the chain so that it can pass freely therethrough, allowing adjustment of the angle of the pull bar.

Abstract: A rigid exercising bar device for performing twisting and bending exercises about the waist is provided, comprising an elongated curved middle portion and two curved end portions, the middle portion being bowed or contoured for a comfortable and effective fit around the neck and on the shoulders, the end portions being curved along a different plane and outwardly and downwardly relative to the middle portion, and serving as hand grips for the user such that the arms are comfortably extended during use.

Abstract: An ergometer (28) is employed on an exercise cycle (10) having a flywheel (20) rotated by pedals (16). A selectively tensionable endless belt (26) extends around the perimeter of flywheel (20) and a separate strap (160) is attached to the endless belt (26) to extend tangentially from the flywheel (20). The opposite end of strap (160) is connected to one end of an indicator plate (162) with the other end of the indicator plate attached to one end of an extension spring (164). The extension spring (164) imparts a tensile load on strap (160) equal to the opposing tensile load on the strap (160) imposed by the frictional force acting between endless belt (26) and the flywheel (20). This force level is sensed by the movement of the indicator plate (162) which coincides with the extension of spring (164), which plate movement corresponds to the workout level being achieved.

Abstract: The exercise machine of the present invention is comprised of articulated arms which can be moved between retracted cocked positions and extended punching positions in order to simulate the throwing of a punch. The upper portions of the arms are in the form of parallelogram linkages which allow them to be moved between extended and retracted positions at their point of connection with the body of the machine. A shoulder, which rotates about the post which supports the machine activates the parallelogram linkages so as to extend the arm attached to the side of the shoulder which is moved forward and retract the arm on the side of the shoulder which is moved rearward. A motor, which causes the shoulder to rotate is activated by a control system. A microprocessor associated with the control system permits the machine to be preprogrammed to throw a series of punches in particular combinations to give the appearance of an actual boxer.

Abstract: A stationary exercise device has an elongated base frame, a seat supported by the base frame adjacent one end and a non-circular upright support adjacent the other end of the frame, and an exercise cycle assembly removably mounted on the support. The device preferably doubles as a rowing machine, the handle bars of the rowing machine serving a dual purpose.

Abstract: A passive exercise cushion for alleviating and preventing back pain includes a plurality of air inflatable component members encased within a fabric covering. The covering includes a strap member for securement to a backrest of a chair. A pillow member within the casing is positioned in confronting relationship for cradling the back when sitting in the chair. A support mat within the casing provides cushion firmness. A pouch placed between the pillow member and the support mat is adjustably positionable at preselected areas, the locus of which extends between the lower limit of the scapula and the fourth lumbar vertebrae of the back. The volume of air within the pouch is controlled so that when the reclining back assumes a comfortable position in the chair, a forwardly directed force is exerted by the pouch. Bodily equilibrium is passively maintained by counterbalancing contraction of the muscles supporting the spinal system and thus provide a strengthened and conditioning action.

Abstract: A device and method for concomitently correlating cerebral, neural and muscular reflexes by rocking on an upper portion having a top surface dimensioned to address and receive the planar portion of a person's foot having a fulcrum coacting against a bottom surface of the upper portion along a central area thereof, to allow a rocking motion of upper portion about the fulcrum and a pivot to variably orient the fulcrum with respect to the upper portion to vary the axis of rotation. A lower portion is also provided to vary the range of rocking.

Abstract: A cycle-type exceriser has a pedal shaft which drives an energy-absorbing wheel. A pair of oscillatable handlebar levers are connected by links to drive crank arms which are connected through one-way clutches to opposite ends of the pedal shaft. Oscillation of the drive crank arms by the handlebar levers rotates the pedal shaft to thereby drive the energy-absorbing wheel. A semi-recumbent embodiment has a seat and the pedal shaft at opposite ends, with the handlebar levers mounted therebetween and the energy-absorbing wheel below the seat. An upright embodiment has a saddle at one end, the handlebar levers and energy-absorbing wheel at the other end, with the pedal shaft therebetween. In the semi-recumbent and upright embodiments, the links are interconnected by an interlock lever constraining the handlebar levers to oscillation in opposite directions. The energy-absorbing wheel can be driven by the pedals only; by the handlebar levers only; or by both pedals and handlebar levers.

Abstract: A martial arts paper holding apparatus includes a pair of horizontal support members adjustably mounted between the vertical sides of a door frame. Threaded bolts with rotatable, enlarged flat heads are mounted in the ends of the horizontal support members and may be adjusted inwardly and outwardly. A pair of vertical support members are adjustably mounted through slots in the horizontal support members. Layers of newspaper or the like are stretched between the two vertical support members and held in place by clamps. Wing nuts threaded on the ends of the vertical support members are tightened against the horizontal support members to fasten the vertical members in selected positions.

Abstract: A portable martial arts device for rigidly holding one or more boards to receive a karate blow or the like. The device comprises a freestanding framework and a board holder mounted on the framework for rigidly holding parallel edge margins of one or more boards thereby to position the boards for receiving a karate blow or the like. A mechanism is provided for mounting the board holder on the framework for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis thereby to permit adjustment of the angular position of one or more boards in the holder. The framework is adapted for adjustment of the height of the board holder, thereby permitting adjustment of the height of boards in the holder.

Abstract: An exercise rowing machine of the type having a seat carriage movable along a track unit as the exerciser manipulates pivoted rowing arms in performing a standard rowing exercise is provided with a brake assembly on the seat carriage having a brake pad which can be selectively moved into and out of frictional braking engagement with the track unit to lock the seat carriage so that alternative exercises can be performed on the machine.

Abstract: A hand exercising device of the type including a resilient body of a size and shape to fit within the palm area of a user's hand, the body being formed of a homogeneous and readily compressible material and including recesses formed therein to reduce the compressibility of the body, the improvement comprising members removably insertable within the recess means to alter the compressibility of the device and the insertable members being of a size and shape as to be frictionally retained in the recesses by the resilient body material.

Abstract: A handle-bar motion unit for an exercise bicycle has a gear wheel provided with an eccentric boss and is coupled to a toothed sprocket connected for rotation with the pedal mechanism of an exercise bicycle; the eccentric boss engages in an eccentric hole in a bush rotatably fitted within the big end of a connecting rod connected to the handle-bar column; the ratchet mechanism transmits forward drive and allows relative rotation of the bush and the boss in the reverse direction in order to select an eccentricity position of the big end with respect to the gear to convert the exercise bicycle from a fixed handle-bar condition to one having a reciprocating movement applied to the handle-bars by rotation of the pedals, the conversion being effected simply by back-pedalling by half of one revolution.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in exercising the abdominal muscles, which improves the physiological effectiveness of the familiar sit-up exercise, is disclosed. The apparatus is comprised of a specially shaped basin which cradles the pelvis while at the same time the lumber spine is supported by a longitudinal support portion. The angulation between the pelvic basin and the lumber support portion is arched convexly superiorly to accommodate the anatomical transition between the sacrum and the lumber spine. A rocker portion thereby properly activates the several abdominal muscle groups during use. The rocker portion also cradles the user's tailbone suspending the boney structure and thereby reducing frictional and compressional forces thereon. Two handles to suit several arm lengths are on opposing sides of the pelvic basin, and are designed to assist proper posturing of the user on the device and to allow for use of upper extremity strength in assisting the user to perform the exercise.

Abstract: A footstep exerciser comprises a base frame assembly to be installed on a floor, a crank shaft rotatably supported on the frame assembly and provided at the opposite ends thereof with a pair of crank pedals to be stepped by a user, a flywheel of magnetic material fixedly mounted on the crank shaft for rotation therewith in a vertical plane, a pair of vertically spaced movable permanent magnets arranged adjacent the flywheel to be moved toward and away from the flywheel in a vertical plane parallel with one face of the flywheel, a support mechanism mounted on a portion of the frame assembly for supporting thereon the permanent magnets in such a manner that the permanent magnets are opposed to the one face of the flywheel with a predetermined slight clearance when moved toward the flywheel, and an actuation device operatively connected to the support mechanism for moving the permanent magnets toward and away from the flywheel and for retaining the same in their moved positions.

Abstract: An exercise rowing machine has a frame and a swing arm pivotally connected thereto which is manually pushed and pulled in opposition to an adjustable hydraulic load-resisting mechanism pivotally connected between the frame and the arm. This mechanism has a pair of spring-loaded, independently adjustable flow control valves at opposite ends for controlling flow to and from opposite ends of a cylinder which a double-acting piston reciprocates responsive to movement of the swing arm. The range of adjustment of the spring pressure on the valves is preset.

Abstract: Rowing machine structure with resistance may be reoriented to be upright. Bench structure is attached to the upright rowing structure so that the user positioned on the bench structure may operate the resistance structure in the performance of exercises such as leg-raise exercises.

Abstract: A bicycle training and exercise device for stationary operation of a bicycle thereon, the device having roller and beltway members forming a riding platform for the bicycle, and a plurality of lever arms for supporting the bicycle on the device. The lever arms of the bicycle are movable laterally in response to lateral movements of the bicycle. The pivotally joined lever arms provide substantial support for the bicycle and rider while closely simulating actual riding conditions.

Abstract: A back stretching chair is presented. It comprises a generally rectangular base having fore and aft ends. A back rest member has top and bottom ends and is rotatably coupled by its bottom end to the aft end of the base by rotating hinge means so that the back rest can rotate about the aft end of the base. A moving seat is coupled above and parallel to the base and is capable of moving fore and aft in relation to the base. Coupling means couple the back rest to the moving seat so that when the back rest is moved down, the seat moves forward and when the back rest is moved up, the seat moves back. Moving the seat forward stretches the back.