Abstract: Provided is a weighted cable resistance apparatus, primarily for rehabilitation and therapy, and equally effective for recreational exercising. A frame with a perpendicularly attached seat form a rigid structure. The structure is supported on leveling screws or lockable casters for transport to bed-confined patients. Dead weights within the frame and the rigid seat structure stabilize the apparatus against overturning during use of the apparatus. At each end of the frame is attached a horizontally pivotable assembly, called a ‘module’. Each module contains weights which are, in turn, connected to a cable and to pulleys controlling the cable path. Vertically pivotable arms are mounted on the front of the is modules. The cables are guided to the end of the arms and past the exit pulleys, whereupon exercise tools can be connected. The twin module design provides simultaneous exercising with any two limbs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a weight-lifting apparatus for use by bodybuilders and professional power lifters. The apparatus includes a specially designed dumbbell and dumbbell suspension hook. The dumbbell has ends to which weights may be added and removed to reach certain lifting weights. The dumbbell further has an attached handle from which the dumbbell may be suspended from the hook, which is located on a weight bench. The handle is U-shaped so as to work in unison with the specially designed J-shaped hook. The hook is designed to catch and hold the U-shaped handle, allowing it to drop down into the hook and to self-center the dumbbell at its equilibrium position. The dumbbells and suspension hooks are intended to be used together to eliminate the need for spotters, while optimizing safety.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out flexion exercises of the calf muscles is disclosed. The present invention provides a calf and foot stretching apparatus wherein the ball, the arch, the plantar fascitis and the heel of the foot conform to a convex curve of a foot plate with a slip resistant surface. While providing for effective stretching, the device provides for performing stretching and exercising in a safe, controlled and comfortable manner due to the design of the apparatus. The curved foot plate is firmly attached to a sturdy and stable support structure that may have means for attaching to a floor. Furthermore, so as to assist in keeping one's balance, the apparatus may have a vertical bar extending from the support structure to a height sufficient for one to hold onto while exercising.

Abstract: There is described a knee exercising device comprising a foot support and a pair of wheels attached to the heel of the foot support, wherein the wheels allow the wearer to exercise their knee while sitting or lying down simply by raising their foot and rolling it forward and backward. There is further provided a detachable cord means which enables a user to use their arms to aid the motion of the knee, particularly when the muscle strength of a leg is insufficient for this purpose.

Abstract: A selector rod is rotated into engagement with each desired weight plate in a stack to provide adjustable resistance to exercise movement. On a first embodiment, the selector rod extends vertically and is movable axially relative to a vertical stack of weights. On a second embodiment, the selector rod extends horizontally and is movable radially relative to a horizontal stack of weight plates.

Abstract: Weights are disposed on opposite sides of a base member, and selector rods are selectively moved into engagement with the desired number of weights on each side of the base member. Upon rotation of a knob, the selector rods move in opposite directions to engage the desired number of weights.

Abstract: The present invention presents a glance blow detecting bag which rotates on a pivotal axis around a circular in shape adjustable bag mounting pole which is supported on a portable free standing stand for exercising and training a punch boxer, kick boxer, or football blocker, to strike the center of a moving target, and the center of a specific body part. The glance blow detecting bag assists in training accurate placement of blows by spinning rapidly upon detecting a glance blow when the center of the bag is missed on impact, and not spinning when the center of bag is hit indicating a good strike.

Abstract: Convergent exercise machines and a method using resistance for exercising the upper torso and arm muscles, for complete natural joint articulation of shoulders, elbows and wrists. The circular exercise motion path is machine-determined and defined by a pair of exercise arms, each arm rotating about an arm pivot axle and having a handle assembly with a wrist joint accommodating pivot. The diameter of the circular exercise motion path is adjusted for the user's arm length. The method includes the following steps: defining the position of the arm pivot axle so that the machine-determined circular exercise motion path is coincident with the movement of the wrist joint accommodating pivot from start to finish of an exercise, and defining the position of the arm pivot axle to be located in a plane parallel to the plane positioned through the user's shoulder joints and at a lateral displacement from it, and at a location further into the exercise stroke than the parallel plane.

Abstract: Convergent exercise machines and a method using resistance for exercising the upper torso and arm muscles, for complete natural joint articulation of shoulders, elbows and wrists. The circular exercise motion path is machine-determined and defined by a pair of exercise arms, each arm rotating about an arm pivot axle and having a handle assembly with a wrist joint accommodating pivot. The diameter of the circular exercise motion path is adjusted for the user's arm length. The method includes the following steps: defining the position of the arm pivot axle so that the machine-determined circular exercise motion path is coincident with the movement of the wrist joint accommodating pivot from start to finish of an exercise, and defining the position of the arm pivot axle to be located in a plane parallel to the plane positioned through the user's shoulder joints and at a lateral displacement from it, and at a location further into the exercise stroke than the parallel plane.

Abstract: The invention provides improved climbing devices and structures for use in mobile and fixed climbing installations. Modular climbing towers are generally assembled from panels having lateral curves by fastening upper and lower flanges of the panels together. The panels and flanges are integrally molded from fiberglass, and act as a monocoque structure. The climbing surface is on the radially outward portion of the partially or fully enclosed tower, thereby increasing the number of climbers that can safely be accommodated on a climbing surface of a given width. The invention also provides belaying devices for safely supporting a climber at the end of a flexible member such as a cable, rope, or the like. These belaying devices generally draw in the flexible member as the climber climbs. When the climber falls or completes the climbing route, the belay device supports the climber's weight, slowly and safely lowering the climber down to the ground.

Abstract: Small circular weights on substantially horizontal bars can be transferred to corresponding substantially horizontal bars for use in weighing scales, exercise equipment weight stacks or any other environment in which it is desirable to transfer incremental weights from a frame support to a loading condition on another frame. An improvement consists of having the upper edge of the vertically oriented circular weight contain an indicia on the top edge readable by the user and maintained in the same position preventing the indicia from rotating to the side or bottom and out of view.

Abstract: A variably-weighted exercise hoop includes a plurality of large hollow balls, a plurality of plugs corresponding to and received in the balls, and a cable extending through and securing together the combined balls and plugs. A fixed quantity of pellets is enclosed in each combined ball and plug, and that quantity is varied by the manufacturer to achieve hoops of different weights using only one mold, whereby users of different abilities can have suitable hoops. The pellets provide both audible and physical rhythms for a user as the hoop rotates.

Abstract: A body supported carrying device for increasing the comfort for the weightlifter. The body supported carrying device includes a pair of body supported carrying members each of which includes a base member which is an inverted U-shaped structure and which has an inner side and a pair of spaced extended portions, and which further includes a padded member securely attached to the inner side between the extended portions, and which also includes a weight-lifting bar support member which includes a stub shaft which is pivotally mounted in a top of the base member and which has a longitudinal slot extending through a second end of the stub shaft. The slot is adapted to receive a portion of a weight-lifting bar and the extended portions of the U-shaped structure is adapted to fit about a user's legs and shoulders.

Abstract: An exercise system for persons with physical disabilities consisting of an upholstered chair having a table top mounted on the two arms, a support step having a pedal assembly mounted in a slots, a “T” support inserted into the table top mounting bracket, elastic straps affixed to the back of the chair, and a plurality of exercisers attached to the chair.

Abstract: A foot lift assist enables a person with foot drop to walk in a nearly normal manner. The foot lift assist comprises an elastic cord anchored at a person's hip by a belt. A foot strap is worn on the foot generally over the toes of the foot. The elastic cord is connected to a ring on the foot strap that is located to the outside of the longitudinal centerline of the foot. The elastic cord then lies completely to the outside of the leg and knee. When the person removes his weight from the foot, the elastic cord exerts an upward force that bends the leg at the knee and hip and that also pivots the foot upwardly about the ankle. The person can then take a step without his toes dragging on the ground. The foot strap may be fully flexible. Alternately, for walking on abrasive surfaces, the foot strap may have a metal plate bonded under a strap. A heel band attached to the plate and looped around the heel helps retain the foot strap on the foot.

Abstract: An exercise machine having a frame structure, a seat member supported by the frame structure, and a resistance device. A leg member is operatively connected to the resistance device and pivotally connected to the frame structure for engagement by a user's legs when positioned within the seat member. A knee alignment support is positioned adjacent to the seat support and under the user's legs when positioned within the seat member. The knee alignment support being selectively positionable between a first in position for performing a first exercise and a second out position for performing a second exercise.

Abstract: Exercise apparatus for strengthening the triceps, deltoid and pectoral muscles. A moveable yoke is dual hinged to an upright support mounted to a base. The yoke has a pair of spaced apart levers each perpendicularly fixed to a weight moment arm. Free weights may be attached to the weight moment arms. The yoke may be rotated about a vertical axis over a limited non-symmetrical range from a park position to an operating position. The yoke is also pivotable about a horizontal axis in the operating position. A seat and back rest are supported on the base spaced apart from the upright support.

Abstract: A lumbar exercise machine having an adjustable pad assembly for engaging the legs above and below the knees while the legs extend generally forward with the feet against a foot rest and the knees bent so that the thighs and calves form an obtuse angle. A lock mechanism is provided to secure the pad assembly in the aforementioned position with the femurs restrained against movement so that the hips, buttocks and thighs cannot move during the exercise. The exerciser then moves his back against a movement arm in opposition to a resistance mechanism connected to the movement arm. The machine is adjustable to properly position a particular user for the exercise. One machine for home use utilizes dead weights plus the user's weight as the resistance mechanism while another machine for commercial use utilizes a compound weight stack as the resistance mechanism.

Abstract: An exercise system includes a body support which is movable between a first position which is suitable for exercise and a second position which is suitable for transportation and/or storage. On several of the depicted embodiments, the body support is a bench which is movable relative to a weight container, between a generally horizontal orientation and a generally vertical orientation.

Abstract: A jumping device having a high rebound platform, a flexible tether operatively connected at a first end thereof to the high rebound platform, and a handle located on the tether. A method of jumping, including providing a jumping device having a high rebound platform, a flexible tether operatively connected at a first end thereof to the high rebound platform, and a handle on the tether, mounting the jumping device by placing a user's foot on the high rebound platform, grabbing the handle, pulling the handle away from the high rebound platform, and jumping so that the high rebound platform alternates between compressed and uncompressed states.