Abstract: A handle for a skipping rope having a hand-grip structure which is provided with a fixed or rotatable thumb-grip to be engaged by the user's thumb. The handle is formed of two handle members which are biased apart by a spring. The handle members can be closed or diverged by displacing the position of an axial ring. The skipping rope is attached to one of the handle members by a supporter device. Electronic counting systems are also provided to count either the number of times the hand-grip is compressed or the number of revolutions made by a skipping rope by using a single electronic counter.

Abstract: The track hurdle of the instant invention includes a base which rests on the ground and which includes a horizontal, hollow foot, and a hurdle bar assembly telescopically mounted on the base. The hurdle includes height-setting means for adjusting the height of a hurdle bar above a track surface and a constant pull-over weight mechanism for maintaining a constant pull-over weight at the top of the hurdle bar, regardless of the height of the hurdle bar above the track surface.

Abstract: A ski exercise device (500) includes a stationary mainframe (502) and an arcuate track (520) having first (520a) and second (520b) ends. The ends (520a, 520b) of the arcuate track (520) are connected to the stationary mainframe (502). A support platform (540) is slidably mounted to the arcuate track (520). The support platform (540) moves along the arcuate track (520) between the ends (520a, 520b). Biasing structure (720) biases the support platform (540) to the arcuate track (520) such that the support platform (540) acts against the force created by the biasing structure (720) as the support platform (540) moves along the arcuate track (520). The support platform (540) supports the user of the ski exercise device (500) and allows for rotational and vertical motion of the user's feet during movement along arcuate track (520).

Abstract: A ski exercise device (20) includes a stationary mainframe (22) and an arcuate track (50) having first (50a) and second (50b) ends. The ends (50a, 50b) of the arcuate track (50) are connected to the stationary mainframe (22). A rail (70) having ends (70a, 70b) is provided. The rail (70) is pivotally mounted to the stationary mainframe (22) and includes a wheel (78) for engaging the arcuate track (50). The rail (70) moves along the arcuate track (50) between the ends (50a, 50b). Biasing structure (200) biases the rail (70) to the stationary mainframe (22) such that the rail (70) acts against the force created by the biasing structure (200) as the rail (70) moves along the arcuate track (50). Structure (90, 92) is provided which is mounted to the rail (70) for supporting the user of the ski exercise device (20) and which allows for longitudinal and rotational motion of the user's feet.

Abstract: An exercise devise that simulates cross country skiing. A pair of rails are mounted between pivotable handles simulating ski poles. Foot pads slidably mounted on the rails are interconnected by a loop including a flexible strap that extends along each rail and around curved static bearing surfaces at each end. A spring maintains the strap of the loop tightly against the static bearing surfaces to generate resistance to sliding movement of the foot pads. The tension in the spring is adjustable by a tightener that shortens the length of the loop and thereby tightens the strap against the static bearing surfaces.

Abstract: An exercise rowing machine uses a flywheel as a resistance member and has cam sector arms which are pivoted to rotate with the machine's oars. A bicycle-type chain is pulled to drive a sprocket drive on the flywheel when the oars are stroked. The arcuate shape of the cam sector arms provides a constant resistance force to the stroke of the oars over the oar sweep. The position of the foot stretcher plate is adjustable. A shroud for the flywheel has an adjustable throttle or shutter to control air flow and thus adjust the amount of resistance.

Abstract: A bicycle type exerciser in which a more realistic sensation to the rider is imparted is disclosed. As contrasted with prior art devices, the frame of the device is arranged for pivoting motion in a lateral direction in response to a turning motion imparted to the handlebars. A steerable front wheel is supported by a conventional front fork. The rear of the frame is supported by a transversely extending arcuately-shaped rocker which rests upon a floor or other horizontal supporting surface. As the handlebars are turned, the frame is leaned to one side or the other by the rider simulating the riding of a bicycle.

Abstract: A device for exercising is provided having a pair of rails that are held in a spaced apart parallel relationship by a brace element. A platform is provided for riding on the rails and a first resilient element provides a first restoring force on the platform which is directed toward the middle of the rails. A second resilient means provides a second restoring force on the platform which is directed toward the middle of the rails. An adjustment element is then used to adjust the magnitude of the second restoring force, the adjustment element contacting the second resilient element at at least three points, with a first one of the three points located in a vertical plane on one side of the middle of the rails, with a second one of the three points located in a vertical plane on the other side of the middle of the rails, and with a third one of the three points associated with the platform and moving therewith.

Abstract: A rowing machine comprising a base, a rowing arm pivotally mounted at one end to the base, a seat assembly pivotally mounted on the base rearwardly of the rowing arm, a foot pedal assembly pivotally mounted on the base forwardly of the rowing arm, a first connecting arm pivotally connected at one end to the foot pedal assembly at a point spaced above the base and at the other end to the rowing arm at a point spaced above the base, and a second connecting arm pivotally connected at one end to the rowing arm at a point spaced above the base and pivotally connected at the other end to the seat assembly at a point spaced above the base. In operation, as the operator pulls back on the rowing arm, the pedals move back and the seat moves back and up. The upward movement of the seat affords a certain amount of resistance to the operator as he lifts his own weight.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus is provided for use in performing muscle exercise routines, including exercises such as bench presses, arm curls, and leg curls. The exercise apparatus includes a frame, an actuator mechanism, and a resistance mechanism. During an exercise routine, an exerciser moves a bar such as a handlebar, mounted on the actuator mechanism, reciprocatively, through arc movement. A clutch mechanism is provided so that, selectively, as the bar is moved the resistance mechanism is engaged. The resistance mechanism is of a fluid-shearing friction type with a rotating shearing surface acting upon a stationary shearing surface through viscous fluid. The clutch mechanism permits resistance to bar movement to be selectively provided during a forward stroke, or return stroke, or both, during reciprocative movement of the bar. The resistance mechanism includes means permitting an amount of resistance offered by the mechanism to be selectively adjusted.

Abstract: Weighted bars may be pivotally connected at one end outward of the pedals on a stationary bicycle exerciser and provided with hand grips at the opposite end to permit the exercise of the upper body as well as exercise of the lower body on the bicycle, the pivotal connection provides fore-and-aft and sideways movement of the bars.

Abstract: A portable device for exercising both the upper and the lower body portions, which portable device comprises a pedal assembly including a housing, a shaft rotatably disposed through said housing, and a pedal means attached to the shaft for rotating the shaft; U-shaped frame means having a base and a pair of parallel legs each secured at one end to one end of the base, with the other end of each leg free, the pedal assembly secured adjacent one end of the base; first bracket means connected to one leg free end for attachment to an object such as a chair upon which a person may be seated, the first bracket means rotatable about the chair attachment, whereby the frame is movable arcuately about the chair to move the pedal assembly from a first lower position for engagement by the feet of the person seated on the chair to a second higher position for engagement by the hands of the person.

Abstract: A respiratory exerciser having a hollow body with three openings. One opening provides access for the user to breathe through the device. The other two openings regulate the inhalation and exhalation resistance, by the use of an aperture in each of two partitions which cover the openings to be brought into and out of alignment with an appropriate orifice in each of two rotatable caps, one cap for each partition. Independent inhalation and exhalation is acheived by the use of a diaphragm which acts as a one way check valve to prevent inhaling air from passing through the hole but allows exhaling air to pass through the hole.

Abstract: Compression-type springs (36) are interposed between the upper attachment means (16) of a gymnastic ring set (10,12,14,16) and the suspension means (18,20) therefor. The lower ends of the springs (18,20) are attached to the suspension means (18) and the upper ends of the springs (36) are attached to the attachment means (16) so that downward forces on the ring set (10,12,14,16) causes the springs (36) to compress.The springs (36) are precompressed so that they only displace for downward forces in excess of a threshold, such as thrice the gymnast's body weight. The spring precompression also limits the available spring displacement in a desirable manner.

Abstract: An ergometer having an ergometer module with a braking device as well as two cranks as drive elements. The ergometer module is connected with the frame of a bench in a manner that allows a height and longitudinal adjustment of the ergometer module relative to the bench. The ergometer module is continuously pivotable by an electric motor driven self-locking adjustment drive for accommodating users of varying heights.

Abstract: An exercise rowing machine has a frame structure with a center track rail, front and rear cross-members supporting the track rail, and a U-frame connected to the track rail and the front cross-member. The front cross-member is a one-piece molded part providing a seat for the track rail, saddles for a pivot shaft for foot plates, clevises for pivotal connection to hydraulic cylinder units which are pivotally connected to rowing arms in turn pivotally connected to the U-frame, sockets for receiving the U-frame, and supports for front transport wheels.

Abstract: The inventive rowing machine detects angular velocity of a pair of oars pulled by an exerciser to move a moving image appearing on a CRT display on the basis of the detection output while controlling the display to change the direction of movement of the moving image in response to pulling of one of the pair of oars when the moving image on the CRT display threatens to run against an obstacle image. Further, physiological condition of the exerciser is detected by the physiological condition detector to reduce the resistance force against rotation of the pair of oars by loading device in response to detection of small reserve strength of the exerciser with respect to the loading device, and to increase the resistance force against rotation of the pair of oars by loading device in respone to detection of large reserve strength of the exerciser with respect to the loading device.

Abstract: A rebounding exercise device is disclosed in which at least two rebounding surfaces are supported at an incline relative to horizontal. The low ends of the rebounding surfaces are near each other so that one can use the rebounding device by jumping from one surface to the other. In particular, the rebounding device includes a mat which is supported in a V shape by a plurality of springs about the periphery of the mat. Loops are provided along the center portion of the mat by which the center portion of the mat can be pulled down so that the V shape is approximately maintained during use.

Abstract: A handle for a skipping rope having a hand-grip structure which is provided with a fixed or rotatable thumb-grip to be engaged by the user's thumb. The handle is formed of two handle membrs which are biased apart by a spring. The handle members can be closed or diverged by displacing the position of an axial ring. The skipping rope is attached to one of the handle members by a supporter device. Electronic counting systems are also provided to count either the number of times the hand-grip is compressed or the number of revolutions made by a skipping rope by using a single electronic counter.

Abstract: A combined anaerobic and aerobic exerciser has a ground supported frame with a forward end and a rearward end. The seat on which the user sits is adjustably mounted to the rearward end. A flywheel is rotatably mounted to the rearward end rearwardly of the seat. A pedal mechanism is operatively connected to the flywheel by means of a chain so that the flywheel will rotate when the pedals are operated by the user. First and second handle bars are pivotally mounted to the forward end and are adapted for independent pivoting about a common axis. Cylinder and piston assemblies are mounted between the frame and the lower ends of the handle bars in order to resist pivoting of the handle bars.