Abstract: An exercise vest including a thoracic belt fitting around a person's midsection. A padded elasticized and reinforced band attached to the thoracic belt at center back designed to come from back around in front of each shoulder and connect to unweighting system. Two elasticized and reinforced straps designed to attach in the front and come around each side of patient attach in an x pattern in the back and attach to the unweighting system. The exercise vest is positioned in such a way that as the patient is unweighted it cinches and hugs the person to distribute forces uniformly throughout a patient's torso, preventing wear on the person and strain on the device. This allows us to lift a patient upright out of a wheel chair in an easy, comfortable and safe manner.

Abstract: Rehabilitation apparatus for use with unweighting apparatus including a vest having shoulder straps connected to the unweighting apparatus. Also included are a pair of thigh cuffs having resistance straps connected to the unweighting apparatus and a pair of foot straps having gait straps connected to the unweighting apparatus. An elongate roll is suspended from the vest and extends across the patient adjacent the pelvis area of the patient. The resistance straps and gait straps are threaded through loops provided on the front fact of the elongate roll.

Abstract: A Velcro loop pad portion facing outwardly is fitted on the front surface of a back of a chair. A harness having straps extending over the top of the back of the chair secures the Velcro loop pad to the chair. A waist belt having a Velcro hook panel sewn to the waist belt with the Velcro hook panel facing outwardly adjacent the back of the user. The Velcro hook panel is adapted to cooperate with the Velcro loop pad to transfer weight of a user to the back of the chair while seated in the chair. The harness straps extending over the top of the back of the chair support the Velcro loop pad to keep the Velcro loop pad in place when being used.

Abstract: A traction bed having a planar table on which a patient may lie with the head disposed at one end and the feet disposed at the other end. A vibration platform is disposed on the planar table for imparting vibration motion to the patient. A pelvic belt is fitted on the patient and a first strap is connected to one side of the pelvic belt and a second strap is connected to the second side of the pelvic belt. Apparatus is included for selectively applying a tension force to the first and second straps in a direction toward the foot end of the table. Further, a chest harness is fitted on the patient and includes a pair of shoulder straps extending toward the head end of the table. Apparatus is provided for selectively applying a tension force to both shoulder straps toward the head end of the table.

Abstract: A traction bed having a planar table on which a patient may lie with the head disposed at one end and the feet disposed at the other end. A vibration platform is disposed on the planar table for imparting vibration motion to the patient. A pelvic belt is fitted on the patient and a first strap is connected to one side of the pelvic belt and a second strap is connected to the second side of the pelvic belt. Apparatus is included for selectively applying a tension force to the first and second straps in a direction toward the foot end of the table. Further, a chest harness is fitted on the patient and includes a pair of shoulder straps extending toward the head end of the table. Apparatus is provided for selectively applying a tension force to both shoulder straps toward the head end of the table.

Abstract: A therapeutic vibration apparatus includes a motor operated vibrator mounted beneath a vibration platform. The motor drives a drive shaft on which a fixed weight is eccentrically mounted. Further, a rotatable weight is eccentrically mounted to the drive shaft. The fixed weight includes a stop protruding outwardly and the rotatable weight is positioned on the drive shaft at a location to be caught by the stop when the shaft is rotating. A controller is used to change the direction of rotation of the motor so that when the drive shaft is rotated in one direction, the rotatable weight is caught by the stop on a side aligned with the eccentric portion of the fixed weight and when the motor is reversed in direction the weight is caught on the other side of the drive shaft in opposition to the eccentric portion of the fixed weight.

Abstract: A therapeutic vibration apparatus includes a motor operated vibrator mounted beneath a vibration platform. The motor drives a drive shaft on which a fixed weight is eccentrically mounted. Further, a rotatable weight is eccentrically mounted to the drive shaft. The fixed weight includes a stop protruding outwardly and the rotatable weight is positioned on the drive shaft at a location to be caught by the stop when the shaft is rotating. A controller is used to change the direction of rotation of the motor so that when the drive shaft is rotated in one direction, the rotatable weight is caught by the stop on a side aligned with the eccentric portion of the fixed weight and when the motor is reversed in direction the weight is caught on the other side of the drive shaft in opposition to the eccentric portion of the fixed weight.

Abstract: A foot and ankle control device including an ankle strap positioned to encircle the leg of a wearer immediately above the ankle. A foot support strap having a medial “D”-ring and a lateral “D”-ring is positioned underneath the wearer's foot adjacent the instep of the foot. A connecting strap is positioned to lie over the arch of the foot and working in cooperation with the foot support strap is used to secure the lateral “D”-ring on the lateral side of the ankle, and the medial “D”-ring on the medial side of the ankle. An elastic lateral control strap is provided for resiliently connecting the lateral “D”-ring to the ankle cuff strap. An elastic medial control strap is also provided for connecting the medial “D”-ring ankle cuff strap.

Abstract: An exercise vest including a waist band belt fitting around a user's mid-section adjacent the apex of the thoratic curve. A pair of shoulder straps for connecting the belt to an unweighting system. A weight transfer strap having one end secured to a shoulder strap belt on the side of the user opposite the apex of the thoratic curve. The free end of the weight transfer strap connected to the belt at a position on the user's back adjacent the apex of the thoratic curve. A loop attached to the belt for redirecting the strap in a direction such that the strap has a vector component extending laterally across the user's back. Finally, an ischial tuberosity strap is positioned to extend beneath the gluteous fold of the user and has each of its ends connected to the belt at the front of the user.

Abstract: The present invention includes a bench mounted to a base frame. A foot truck is slidably mounted to the bench to secure the feet of the user. A tiltable upper body support is mounted to the base. A first belt is provided for securing the legs of a user to the bench. A second belt is provided for securing the pelvic area of the user to the base. A third belt is connected to a support slidably mounted to the upper body support for mounting in a vertical direction. The third belt is used to secure the user to the upper body support. A first pneumatic cylinder is provided for extending the foot track to a selected forward position. A second pneumatic cylinder is provided for tilting the upper body support to a selected tilt position. A third pneumatic cylinder is provided for forcing a pelvic pad toward the lower back area of a user. A fourth pneumatic cylinder is provided for forcing a seat pad against,the user at a selected position adjacent the upper back or neck of a user.

Abstract: A posture analyzer for analyzing a patient's spine having an upright standard secured to a base resting on a floor. A rectangular frame has one side frame member secured to the upright standard at a selected height. The frame member supports a markable panel, which panel includes an orthogonal grid pattern and a normal spine depiction on the panel. A bar holder is slidably secured to a second side frame member. The bar holder is moveable in the vertical direction along the second side frame member. The bar holder includes means for slidably holding a bar which extends in a horizontal direction parallel to the planar surface of the panel. A roller is secured to an end of the bar for rolling up and down a patient's spine, and a pen is secured to the opposite end of the bar for marking on the planar surface of the panel. When the roller is moved vertically and horizontally along a patient's spine, the pen makes a corresponding tracking mark on the panel.

Abstract: An exercise harness connected to an unweighting system with shoulder straps. The exercise harness having a waist belt suspended by the shoulder straps which belt may be secured to a user. The exercise harness further having left and right legs or knee bands connected to the waist strap with a left front strap and a right front strap, respectively. A strap is provided forming a sliding “W” connection between the waist belt and the two leg bands to allow for freedom of leg movement when walking, running or jogging. The exercise harness is also provided with a gait modification strap having one end secured to the waist belt and the other end secured to one of the leg bands after wrapping the gait strap partially around a leg of the user.

Abstract: The present invention includes a bench mounted to a base frame. A foot truck is slidably mounted to the bench to secure the feet of the user. A tiltable upper body support is mounted to the base. A first belt is provided for securing the legs of a user to the bench. A second belt is provided for securing the pelvic area of the user to the base. A third belt is connected to a support slidably mounted to the upper body support for mounting in a vertical direction. The third belt is used to secure the user to the upper body support. A first pneumatic cylinder is provided for extending the foot track to a selected forward position. A second pneumatic cylinder is provided for tilting the upper body support to a selected tilt position. A third pneumatic cylinder is provided for forcing a pelvic pad toward the lower back area of a user. A fourth pneumatic cylinder is provided for forcing a seat pad against the user at a selected position adjacent the upper back or neck of a user.

Abstract: The present invention includes an upright stand from which is suspended a vest and harness for holding a user. The vest and harness are connected to a cable which is in turn connected to a pneumatic cylinder. When pressurized air is delivered to the pneumatic cylinder, the cable is retracted pulling the vest holding a person upwardly. A control system is provided which includes three modes of operation. In the “off” mode, the pneumatic cylinder is vented to the atmosphere. In the “exercise” position, pressurized air, of selected pressure, is delivered to the pneumatic cylinder. In the “balance” mode, the air in the pneumatic cylinder is trapped within the pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: A posture analyzer for analyzing a patient's spine having an upright standard secured to a base resting on a floor. A rectangular frame has one side frame member secured to the upright standard at a selected height. The frame member supports a markable panel, which panel includes an orthogonal grid pattern and a normal spine depiction on the panel. A bar holder is slidably secured to a second side frame member. The bar holder is moveable in the vertical direction along the second side frame member. The bar holder includes means for slidably holding a bar which extends in a horizontal direction parallel to the planar surface of the panel. A roller is secured to an end of the bar for rolling up and down a patient's spine, and a pen is secured to the opposite end of the bar for marking on the planar surface of the panel. When the roller is moved vertically and horizontally along a patient's spine, the pen makes a corresponding tracking mark on the panel.

Abstract: An exercise harness connected to an unweighting system with shoulder straps. The exercise harness having a waist belt suspended by the shoulder straps which belt may be secured to a user. The exercise harness further having left and right leg bands connected to the waist strap with a left front strap and a right front strap, respectively. A strap is provided forming a sliding “W” connection between the waist belt and the two leg bands to allow for freedom of leg movement when walking, running or jogging. The exercise harness is also provided with a gait modification strap having one end secured to the waist belt and the other end secured to one of the leg bands after wrapping the gait strap partially around a leg of the user.

Abstract: A pneumatic traction device is provided which includes a pneumatic cylinder having a patient engaging device mounted to a pneumatic piston slidably positioned in the pneumatic cylinder. The pneumatic cylinder in turn is connected to a mounting device which can be mounted to a wall, for example. Compressed air, provided by a motor driven compressor, is directed on a timed basis to a chamber on one side of the pneumatic piston to move the pneumatic piston in a direction which pulls on the patient engaging device to provide traction to the patient. An electrically controllable relief valve is also provided by which the compressed air in the pneumatic cylinder can be bled into the atmosphere when the relief valve is opened. A controllable switch is provided for selectably controlling the operation of the compressor and relief valve.

Abstract: A closed system pneumatic exerciser which includes a double acting pneumatic cylinder in which an external line pneumatically connects chambers formed within the pneumatic cylinder on either side of an enclosed piston. The exerciser is portable and includes structure for removably mounting the cylinder to a wall, for example. A handle or other exerciser engaging device is attached to a shaft connected to the piston to enable a user to push and pull the piston against air pressure developed in a corresponding chamber. Two adjustable valves are mounted in the external line, each of which valves restrict the rate of flow of air in the external line in one direction but does not restrict air flow in the opposite direction. The two valves are positioned back-to-back so that air flow in the external line may be restricted in each direction. A pressure gauge is positioned intermediate these two valves to indicate the pressure in the external line.