Abstract: A support 10 for the resistance element 11 of an exercise device, the resistance element 11 being in the form of a resilient elongated band which passes around said support 10, said support 10 having a body 12 of generally triangular configuration so as to have an apex 21 from which there diverges two support surfaces 22, said support surfaces 22 being covered by a resilient sleeve 14 against which the element 11 bears to facilitate elongation of the element 11 adjacent said support surfaces 22 resilient deformation of said sleeve 14.

Abstract: A rowing machine for exercising in which the ends of a pair of fulcrum bars are attached to the sliding seat and the other ends are equipped with handles. The point of attachment of a resistance means to the fulcrum bars are adjustable. The sliding seat has a back rest. The resistance means is a ram with adjustable check valves.

Abstract: A pair of weight devices and a method for using them for improved aerobic exercise during walking. The devices each include an elongated rigid member with a ground-engageable member at one end and a hand grip at the opposite end, a strap secured to the hand grip to form a loop adjacent thereto, and weighting to place the center of gravity of the device toward the hand-grip end. In preferred forms, the weight means is secured at or near the hand grip. The method of this invention involves walking with a pair of such elongated weight devices and applying alternating lifting and driving force to them. In preferred forms, each hand is engaged with the weight devices alternately in two different ways, by holding the hand grips and by applying downward force on the straps.

Abstract: A method of exercise is disclosed which enables the user to exercise both the arms and the legs simultaneously. The method utilizes a device which includes a pair of arm braces having handles which can be gripped by the user. The arm braces have supports which rest on the ground. The length of the support is chosen such that the sum of the distance from the handle to the distal end of the support, plus the length of the arm of the user, is equal to the length of the user's leg, including the thigh. The arm braces, in effect, form extensions of the user's arms, and make the length of the arms equal to the length of the legs. With the aid of the device, the user can walk or run on all fours, without squatting or bending the knees appreciably, thereby exercising the arms and the legs at once.

Abstract: A device is described, the use of which results in total body exercise which closely mimics that derived from swimming. Upper and lower extremities and trunk are all exercised with the body in an upright, slightly forward-tilted posture, and totally supported by the user's arms and legs, in an outstretched posture somewhat simulating the free-style swimming position. In the embodiments shown, the resistance against which the user works consists of marine propellers mounted on a shaft immersed in a tank filled with viscous fluid. The motor force generated by the user's rotation of the hand and foot cranks on sprockets is mediated by drive chains to a common sprocket which energizes the propeller shaft in the liquid-filled tank. The constantly-maintained 90 degrees out-of-phase mutual positions of the hand operated versus the foot operated cranks prevent "pulsing" of the load/resistance, and thus simulate the smooth sensation of non-varying resistance as is experienced by swimming.

Abstract: The invention relates to a torque metering device for a bicycle-type ergometer, in which ergometer the braking force is steplessly adjustable and in which the rotational movement is compensated by means of a flywheel. The rotational movement of the flywheel is braked by means of a brake mechanism (6, 7) which is pressed against the flywheel and moves limitedly therewith, whereby the movement of the brake mechanism with the flywheel is restricted by means of a spring balance connected to the brake mechanism and the frame structure of the ergometer. The spring force of the spring balance (9) counteracting the movement of the brake mechanism can be read on a scale (10) of the spring balance, which scale is positioned in the frame structure of the ergometer. In order to provide a reliable and easily readable metering device, the device is so constructed that it comprises a gear rack (12) stationarily fixed with respect to the frame structure.

Abstract: This invention is for an apparatus which is used to stretch the perineum of a pregnant woman through a self exercise program. The apparatus consists of an arcuate curved handle made of a sturdy, durable material. The handle is designed to allow the user to grasp each of the opposite ends of the handle with each hand. At the centerpoint of the outside edge of the handle, an extension shaft extends outwardly away from the handle. The shaft is capped off with an offset "Y" shaped saddle which is made of the same durable material as the handle but it is covered with a softer, resilient and easily cleaned material.

Abstract: A treadmill exerciser involving an upwardly and rearwardly sloping treadmill having a plurality of steps which are activated by the weight of a person "walking" up them. The tread portion and the riser portion of each step are connected at both ends by hinges to each other and to endless chains which permit the steps to move or fold around end sprockets as the steps move from an upper inclined course of the chains to a lower inclined return course, and vice versa. A speed control mechanism, driven by one of the chains, employs a gyroscopic flywheel which cooperates with a non-rotatable but axially slidable brake drum to provide even, continuous step movement and a controlled start-up. The flywheel drives a plastic cylinder composed of plastic fingers which fly out, under centrifugal force, into contact with the inner surface of the brake drum thus preventing further increased speed for the user.

Abstract: Apparatus that controls the cycle rate of various incline or stair-climbing simulation exercise machines in a nonlinear fashion so that the downward step movement is slowed appropriately during portions of its travel to facilitate cyclic "step-up" i.e., raising of the user's center of gravity; this slowing occurring during the uppermost portion of the step's descent (and/or the lowermost portion in some cases) while the rest of the descent is made at higher speed; including a pair of hydraulic cylinders serving as a means of coupling the steps together and dissipating the energy transmitted by the user, the flow of fluid between the cylinders being controlled during the step descent by variable orifices controlled by cams or a cam/switch/solenoid system.

Abstract: A series of three separable disk-shaped resistance members have similar openings in the central regions thereof, which, when aligned, permit two or more of the members to be grasped in the hand of the user and moved in unison through the water to exercise the arm of the user. Each resistance member has a face area which is different from the face area of the other two so the resistance members can be utilized singly or in various combinations to adjust the resistance to movement to that desired by the user. The resistance members are made of light-weight, plastic material and the larger members tend to distort when moved through the water by an adult. Reinforcement and prevention of distortion of the larger member is effected by associating one or more of the smaller members with the larger member when it is being used.

Abstract: A dual-chamber hand exerciser is constructed of thermoplastic sheet material. Two chambers provide means for exercising both of the user's hands. The chambers are squeezed alternately, shifting fluid back and forth from one chamber to the other, through a narrow passageway. The passageway is offset from the center of the device, to allow regulation of resistance to the fluid flow. The resistance regulation is accomplished by deflecting the chambers out of alignment with the longitudinal axis of the device. The regulation can be performed gradually or abruptly, at the same time the device is being used in the exercising process.The method of manufacturing may include heat-stamping sheets of thermoplastic material, or, alternately, a tube of thermoplastic material, to avoid formation of heat seals along the sides of the chambers, and thus provide a smoother gripping surface.

Abstract: A muscle training apparatus comprising a force arm (1) which is rotatably mounted in a carrier (2) and which cooperates with a simple acting or double acting force applying means, especially a gas spring (8) which with one end is rotatably mounted in a bracket (7) of a lever arm (4) included in the force arm, and which with the opposite end is adapted for being mounted in an optional position in the carrier (2) on different distances from the axis of rotation (5) of said lever arm. The force arm (1) is adapted to quickly and easily be rotated from traction operation to pressure operation and vice versa and in an optional position on a support (3). Two or more force arms (1) can be mounted on one and the same support (3) for combined traction or pressure actuation in many different alternative embodiments.

Abstract: A pedal which massages a user's foot having a rotating shaft and a plurality of crank shafts in the pedal body, offset portions of the said crank shafts act as cams to move a plurality of elongated cylinders above and below a face board of the pedal. The user steps on the pedals and mutually engaging gears installed on the rotating shaft and the crank shafts drive the crank shafts which in turn moves a plurality of the elongated cylinders in up-and-down displacements so as to apply massaging impact actions to an operator's soles.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with an exercise device in the form of moveable stairs mounted to tracks includes a stair step phasing system that absorbs and dissipates energy and provides adjustment of stroke length and cycle rate for various aerobic and isokinetic exercise activities through the use of a unique bypass system. The phasing system includes two double-acting cylinders with hydraulically-phased pistons having rods connected to respective steps. The hydraulic system is a closed system having fluid both above and below the pistons, with the phasing system including interconnection of the cylinders so that the cylinder portion above the piston of each cylinder is hydraulically connected to the cylinder portion above the piston of the other cylinder, and the cylinder portion below the piston of each cylinder is similarly connected. It is a feature of this invention that a bypass is provided connecting the cylinder portions above the pistons of the system to the cylinder portions below the pistons of the system.

Abstract: A combined foot massage and support having a base support including a base plate having a substantially planar surface and a second opposite surface wherein the base plate has a circular shaped opening located centrally therein, a pair of substantially planar side support members each of which terminate in a first support end and a second support end wherein the first support end of each of the side support members includes a member defining a substantially planar support surface and the second support end of each of the side support members are located opposite the first support end and includes a ramp support surface having a slope which approximates the ergonomic design angle for a human user in a sitting position, a plurality of massage assemblies mounted axially on and rotatable about the center support wherein the center support members are mounted in an arcuate, spaced parallel alignment the spaced parallel planar side support members above the base support and a rotatable disc positioned in the circul

Abstract: In an exercise device having an elongate frame, a user can exercise by engaging four slides, one for each limb. The slides travel along parallel paths, enabling reciprocating motion. Each slide connects to a chain or cable segment to enable reciprocating cable motion. The motion is coupled to elongate cables (one or more) which connect to gears, causing reciprocation of clutches, thereby impulsing a fly wheel in a single direction and causing rotation.

Abstract: A combined exercise station and sleeping bed is provided allowing placement of safe exercise equipment and a bed in the same area normally occupied only by a bed. This allows placement of exercise equipment in a hotel room or other place of limited space. One edge of the bed is hinged to a slidable support so that the bed may be pivoted to a vertical position to expose exercise equipment normally located under the bed.

Abstract: A combined foot massage and support having a base support including a base plate having a substantially planar surface and a second opposite surface, a pair of substantially planar side support members each of which terminate in a first support end and a second support end wherein the first support end of each of the side support members includes a member defining a substantially planar support surface and the second support end of each of the side support members are located opposite the first support end and includes a ramp support surface having a slope which approximates the ergonomic design angle for a human user in a sitting position, a plurality of massage assemblies mounted axially on and rotatable about the center support wherein the center support members are mounted in an arcuate, spaced parallel alignment the spaced parallel planar side support members above the base support and a pivotal base plate which is adapted to be engaged and pivoted by at least one foot of a user is shown.

Abstract: A training device for a bicycle comprising a frame (22) for supporting the bicycle in an upright position, mounting means (32,34) for securing the frame to the bicycle adjacent the bicycle's rear axle, and wind load simulation means (120). The frame includes a base (24), a pair of spaced-apart side members (26,28) and an upper support (50). The side members extend upwardly from the base on opposite sides of the rear wheel of the bicycle. The upper support is connected to side members, and is adapted to abut the rear brake (14) of the bicycle. The wind load simulation means includes a shaft (126), fan means (122,124) mounted to the shaft, and means (142,140,128) for mounting the shaft such that the shaft is rotatable about a shaft axis parallel to the rear axle. The shaft is movable into a position (172) in which the shaft frictionally engages the rear wheel for rotation therewith. The means for mounting the shaft may comprise spring means (144) for biasing the shaft towards the rear wheel.

Abstract: A swimming simulation exercise device is described. The device comprises a frame supporting a platform on which the user rests, arm cranks for simulating swimming stroke motions and resistance means for the user's legs to allow the user to simulate a kicking motion. The platform is preferably mounted on a gimballing apparatus which allows the user to simulate the normal rocking motion inherent in swimming. The apparatus incorporates means for providing a "simulated water line" effect such that the user encounters resistance to arm strokes during the lower half of the stroke (in which the arm would normally be in the water during swimming) and little or no resistance on the upper half of the stroke. Accessory devices such as heart rate monitors, lap/distance counters and the like can be attached to the device.