Abstract: In an exercise apparatus a rigid frame includes upper and lower back supports pivotally connected in axial alignment. Upper and lower back support pads are mounted on the rigid frame for supporting a user in a reclined position with the weight of the user providing resistance to the exercises. Leverage arms are mounted at the head end of the upper back support. The leverage arms extend above the rigid frame such that the free ends thereof may be grasped by the user while performing abdominal exercises. The lower back support includes handles extending outwardly from the foot end thereof for grasping by the user while performing glute exercises. A thigh pad is mounted on the upper end of a lever arm pivotally attached to the foot end of the lower back support. Upon pushing the thigh pad by the user, the foot end of the rigid frame is raised along with the body of the user. Abdominal curls or crunching exercises are performed by grasping the leverage arms and pulling up the upper back support.

Abstract: A stretching and exercise apparatus (10) includes a pair of parallel legs (11a, 11b) having first ends and second ends. The first ends of the legs define arcuate rocker portions (12a, 12b) having straight distal ends (22a, 22b). A top crosspiece (16) is secured transversely across the legs is attached. The apparatus further includes a pair of handgrips (20a, 20b) that extend generally perpendicularly from the legs pointing in the same direction as the straight distal ends. Optionally, a lower crosspiece (18) may be provided across the legs in parallel with the top crosspiece. Preferably, the top crosspiece is pivotally attached to the legs for selective angular adjustment, and the handgrips and the lower crosspiece are slidably attached to the legs for selective longitudinal positioning. The axis of rotation of the rocker portions closely coincides with the pivot axis of a person's hip joint. The apparatus is used to provide support, control, and leverage during various stretching exercises.

Abstract: A rope pull exercising device in which the rope follows a tortuous path around a figure eight braking bar of the type used conventionally in rock climbing. The rope threads through one of the rings of the figure eight bar at least once and around the connecting region that joins through the rings. Mounting structure secures the second ring to a stationary object such as, for example, a door frame.

Abstract: A training device is disclosed for exercising the pubococcygeal or pelvic floor muscles, for example in the treatment of incontinence. The device includes a cylindrical, deformable probe for insertion into the vagina or rectum of a user. The probe is connected to a pressure transducer, which detects the pressure applied to the probe by contraction of the pelvic floor muscles and displays a pressure indicator to the user to help direct the contraction of the appropriate muscles. The pressure indicator may take the form of a series of nested figures, such as curves or concentric semi-circles, that incrementally converge toward a common point as pressure on the probe increases. The nested figures incrementally retreat from the common point as pressure on the probe decreases. The training unit guides a user through an exercise routine by tracking the overall exercise time and the timing between flexing and relaxation cycles.

Abstract: A dominos-style mathematical operation game is provided including a plurality of dominos each having a top face and a bottom face. The bottom face of each domino has a pair of equally sized sides each with a unique combination of a number indicia and a mathematical sign.

Abstract: A joint for an orthotic apparatus is disclosed. The joint includes a main block having arc-shaped grooves formed on opposite sides and a pair of rails separated by each arc-shaped groove. The joint also includes a pair of carriers slidably mounted on the opposite sides of the main block, each carrier having a main rollers in rolling engagement with the arc-shaped groove and a plurality of side rollers adapted to roll on the rails. Attached to each carrier is an arc-shaped rack arranged concentrically with the arc-shaped groove and a base plate for connecting to a long leg supporting member. The joint further includes a pinion gear installed on a bottom part of the main block and in meshing engagement with each arc-shaped rack, and an electric motor for operating the pinion gear.

Abstract: The invention as shown in FIG. 5 is an exercising device to enable a person to exercise his or her feet while seated. More particularly, the exercising device enables a person to simulate a walking action while seated. The exercising device has a base 1 a pivot beam 5, and two footrests 8. Rear parts of the footrests 8 can pivot with respect to the base 1 by way of ball and socket fittings, and forward parts of the footrests 8 can pivot with respect to the pivot beam 5 by way of additional ball and socket fittings. The pivot beam 5 can pivot with respect to the base 1 by way of a further ball and socket fitting. When the exercising device is in use the person can place his or her feet on the footrests and tilt both the feet and footrests from side to side. The person can also cause forward parts of the footrests 8 to move up and down alternately by way of the pivot beam 5 by alternately pushing his or her feet down against the footrests.

Abstract: A jumping jack exercise device that includes a frame configured to be supported on a floor. A first and second leg link, each including a foot support, pivotally supported by the frame for motion in a straddle plane which extends to the sides of a user whose feet are engaged by the foot supports. The exercise device also includes two arm links, which allow for motion in the straddle plane. The device permits a user to perform a jumping jack exercise under low impact conditions.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a pad, a signal generating element and an element for detecting a weight applied to the pad and activating the signal generating element when the weight so detected exceeds a predetermined weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf exercise apparatus that includes a resistance such that during an exercise emulating a golf swing, muscles of the axial skeleton and lower extremities of a golfer are strengthened. The golf exercise apparatus includes a support base, an axial shaft coulpled to the support base, and means for resisting the muscles of the golfer during the golf swing when the golfer is coupled with the shaft of the exercise apparatus. The golf exercise apparatus preferably provides progressive resistance to the muscles of the golfer during a downswing of the golfer. The support base preferably comprises at least one end having a reverse bevel such that the support base is securable under a closed door by wedging the end having the reverse bevel under the door. Alternatively, a support frame is coupled to the support base by wedging the end having the reverse bevel with the frame.

Abstract: An exercising apparatus. The exercise apparatus includes an outer frame having curved first and second rails and an outer handle between the rails, and an inner frame slidably coupled to the outer frame for movement of the inner frame along the first and second rails. The inner frame includes an inner handle movable toward the outer handle when the inner frame is moved in a first direction. The apparatus also includes at least one resistance device coupling the inner and outer frames together, the resistance device resisting movement of the inner frame in the first direction.

Abstract: A light weight exercise apparatus includes a support including a first part extending along a portion of the lower arm of the user and a second part extending from the first part and having first and second portions. The first portion is an outwardly curved portion for supporting the wrist and hand of the user and the second portion is a portion extending downward and outward from the first portion to form a retaining portion for further supporting and substantially surrounding the hand of the user. The retaining portion further includes a grip portion attached to and extending across the width of the retaining portion to be gripped by the hand of the user.

Abstract: A cervical muscle evaluation apparatus comprises a head station which is adjustable to different head sizes and shapes, a body positioning unit which positions the user's body for head placement in the head station and an indicator which indicates cervical muscle controlled head movement of the user's head within the head station.

Abstract: This is a stationary exercise apparatus capable of more accurately representing body motion associated with walking and running. The apparatus includes an inertia system which enables the apparatus to accelerate each reciprocating pedal up to a predetermined velocity. In this manner, the exercise workout is more natural since the user only has to expend energy normally associated with walking or running and not the operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: Exercise apparatus (2) for use in performing a variety of different physical exercises with weights (30), which exercise apparatus (2) includes first weight-receiving means (4) having a base (6) and an upstanding member (8) for receiving weights (30), second weight-receiving means (10) including a base (6) and an upstanding member (8) for receiving weights (30), and a bar (16) which is releaseably connectable to the first and the second weight-receiving means (4, 10), whereby the first and the second weight-receiving means (4, 10) are positioned one at each end of the bar (16) so that a person (28) performing the different physical exercises is able to hold the bar (16) between the first and the second weight-receiving means (4, 10).

Abstract: The invention provides a calf exerciser which safely duplicates the desirable aspects of stair-edge toe lifts. The present exerciser allows a user to transition from a fully contracted position (a "tip-toe" stance) to a fully extended position (much as if one's heels were dropped below the level of the stair on which one rests his or her forefoot to the extent allowed by the exerciser's flexibility). A pivoting forefoot plate pivots with the user's forefoot as he or she transitions between the extended and contracted limits of the toe lift cycles. This eliminates the presentation at any phase of the exercise cycle of a sharp edge (like a stair-edge) to the foot, as well as insures that the user's forefoot (or corresponding shoe portion) remains squarely and safely in contact with a stable surface, despite inherent rocking motion of the feet during each toe lift cycle.

Abstract: A load mechanism is intended for use in a body building device and is composed of a frame, a slide member mounted on the frame such that the slide member is capable of sliding back and forth between a first position and a second position along a fixed path, at least one resilient member fastened at both ends thereof with the slide member and the frame for holding the slide member at the first position, and at least one pull cord for actuating the slide member to slide on the frame toward the second position.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus for facilitating single-leg cycling training is provided. The training device operates in connection with a bicycle mounted on a resistance trainer that supports the rear wheel of the bicycle. The device incorporates a single-leg trainer. The single-leg trainer includes a pair of vertically adjustable foot rests that are disposed in a spaced apart relation and are substantially longitudinally aligned with the pedals of the bicycle.

Abstract: A mount for a tilting inversion exercise table includes a stand composed of spaced A-frames having spaced trunnion-supporting bearing plates with blind bearing slots receiving trunnions in such slots, and swingable keeper arms pivoted on the trunnion-supporting bearing plates and having hooked ends swingable into positions blocking escape of the trunnions from the bearing slots. Helical tension springs connected between the trunnion-supporting bearing plates and the keeper arms urge the arms into positions in which their hooked ends block escape of the trunnions from the blind bearing slots.

Abstract: An exoskeleton for the support of a patient's body is jointed opposite the hip and knee articulations, and is provided with a number of small actuators that are designed to move jointed parts of the exoskeleton in accordance with the human gait. A control unit is programmed to control the operation of the actuators so as to impress on the exoskeleton the movements of the human gait. A remote control for operation of the control unit allows the patient to transmit commands to the unit in order to start or stop the lower limbs, as well as to adjust the step speed. An electronic virtual reality unit transmits to the patient, through a special helmet, virtual reality pictures and stimulation interactive with the walking movement that is impressed by the exoskeleton on the patient's body. A framework can be used to steady and support the person and allow the person to walk at the same time, and has grips having operating push buttons for the remote control unit.