Abstract: An apparatus and method for stretching and/or exercising a user's body through incremental, controlled inversion and lower body stretching, preferably performed in combination. The user lies atop an exercise table and restrains her lower body to a restraint movably coupled to the exercise table. The user preferably controls the actuation of a first actuator to incrementally pivot the exercise table about a support structure thereby inverting the user's body. Before or after actuation of the first actuator, but preferably concurrently therewith, the user controls the actuation of a second actuator to incrementally extend the restraint axially away from the exercise table thereby pulling the user's lower body away from the user's upper body. This combination of gravity and mechanical decompression produces greater results than either action by itself.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stretching and/or exercising a user's body through incremental, controlled inversion and lower body stretching, preferably performed in combination. The user lies atop an exercise table and restrains her lower body to a restraint movably coupled to the exercise table. The user preferably controls the actuation of a first actuator to incrementally pivot the exercise table about a support structure thereby inverting the user's body. Before or after actuation of the first actuator, but preferably concurrently therewith, the user controls the actuation of a second actuator to incrementally extend the restraint axially away from the exercise table thereby pulling the user's lower body away from the user's upper body. This combination of gravity and mechanical decompression produces greater results than either action by itself.

Abstract: A machine and method of stretching and exercising the human body, specifically the head, neck, and upper shoulder region. The machine employs three separate user-controlled actuators to allow the user to move and adjust her head, neck, and upper shoulders to almost limitless positions and with utmost precision, thereby effectively stretching and exercising the user's occipital region to achieve the desired comfort level. Because the user is in control of the precise actuator movements, and hence the exact positioning of her occipital region, the machine is much easier and safer to operate and more effective than other exercise and/or physical strengthening devices.

Abstract: A machine and method for horizontally stretching and exercising the human body, specifically the human frame or torso. The machine comprised a bed, table, or platform having three main sections: an upper stationary section upon which user's upper body is physically attached, an actuated lower section which receives the user's lower body, and a slack section, including an upright projection, disposed at the end of the lower section of the bed, table, or platform. A strap or similar device is connected between a pelvic harness worn by the user and the upright projection of the slack section. While lying atop the upper and lower sections of the machine, the user self-actuates movement of the lower and slack sections of the machine away from (or towards) the upper body, thereby causing the strap to pull upon (or loosen from) the user's trunk or midsection.

Abstract: A machine and method of vertically stretching and exercising the human body, specifically the lower half of the human frame. The machine comprises a bed, table, or platform having a user-controlled actuator which raises one end of the bed, table, or platform up to forty degrees above a completely horizontal position such that the user's upper body is raised above the user's lower body. As a consequence, the user's lower body is either partially or fully suspended from the user's point of attachment to the bed, table, or platform. Because the user is in control of the precise actuator movements, and hence the degree of vertical positioning, the machine is much easier and safer to operate and more effective than other exercise or physical strengthening devices.

Abstract: A machine and method of stretching and exercising the human body, specifically the head, neck, and upper shoulder region. The machine employs three separate user-controlled actuators to allow the user to move and adjust her head, neck, and upper shoulders to almost limitless positions and with utmost precision, thereby effectively stretching and exercising the user's occipital region to achieve the desired comfort level. Because the user is in control of the precise actuator movements, and hence the exact positioning of her occipital region, the machine is much easier and safer to operate and more effective than other exercise and/or physical strengthening devices.

Abstract: A machine and method for conditioning and strengthening the human frame, and particularly the lumbar muscles of the lower back and pelvic region. The user-controlled machine has a single restraint strap which wraps around the user's pelvic region and connects to both sides of a support structure. The single restraint strap may be positioned high or low about the user's pelvic region while the user faces forward, backward, or sideways relative to the support structure. The user causes the single restraint strap to be drawn tightly about the pelvic region, thereby restraining the pelvic region against the support structure. This isolates the lumbar muscles and permits the user to conduct specific lumbar muscle conditioning and strengthening exercises while remaining in an upright position.

Abstract: An exercise machine (10) and method for testing and exercising the cervical muscles of a patient or user. A movement arm (58) is mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis defined by stub shafts (64, 66) and has a head pad (60) adapted to be contacted by the head of the patient. The exercise machine (10) has a chair (22) mounted for rotation to a desired angular position and mounted for vertical adjustment by actuation of a foot lever (38) to position the chair (22) relative to movement arm (58) and head pad (60). Chair (22) is also mounted for translatory horizontal movement parallel to the pivot axis of the movement arm (58) and for translatory horizontal movement perpendicular to the pivot axis of the movement arm (58) by movable bases (45, 46) thereby to precisely position the head of a user relative to head pad (60) while the user is seated in the chair (22) and pivoted among angular positions.

Abstract: An exercise machine (10) and method for testing and exercising the lumbar muscles of a user or patient (P) while in a secured seated position on a seat (20) by the user exerting a rearward force against a back pad (32) on a pivoted movement arm (30) is described. The user (P) is positioned on seat (20) with feet on a horizontal plate (82) and tibias restrained against upward movement by thigh pads (72). Upward vertical movement of platform (80) relative to pads (72) secures the user (P) tightly on the machine (10) and permits a limited rocking movement of the pelvis during exercising as shown at (D) in FIG. 12. A strain gauge (172) anchored at one end (176, 178) to the fixed support frame (14) is mounted for connection to a pulley wheel (132) for static testing and for disconnection from pulley wheel (132) during the exercise mode.

Abstract: An exercise machine or apparatus (10) to permit a user (U) to perform a squatting exercise while supported in an inclined supine position on a slidable platform (12) which may be positioned at a predetermined inclination relative to the vertical by adjustment of the length of a diagonal leg (16) is disclosed. The movable platform (12) has bearing sleeves (64) mounted for sliding movement along fixed rods (60). Shoulder pads (78) on the platform (12) engage the shoulders of user (U) supported on the platform (12) with the feet of the user supported on a foot rest (52). Force exerted by the user (U) against the shoulder pads (78) by a pushing action of the feet from the bent position shown in FIG. 1 forces the platform (12) upwardly for straightening of the legs of the user (U). The vertical load exerted by the user (U) is determined by the inclination of the body support platform (12).

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a motion converting mechanism for an exercise machine includes a shaft mounted on spaced bearings on opposite walls of a side compartment of the machine, a pitman arm on the shaft, a drive assembly including inner and outer arms extending above and below the shaft, a linkage and transducer that connect the outer end of the pitman arm to the lower end of the drive assembly, a lifting wheel on the shaft between the inner and outer drive arms, and a laterally shiftable pin that extends through the outer drive arm, one of a plurality of holes near the outer periphery of the lifting wheel and into the inner arm to connect the drive assembly to the lifting wheel in any one of a plurality of relative orientations. A stop against pivotal rotation of the lifting wheel also is provided to enable static tests to be made of certain ones of the users muscles.

Abstract: An improved cerical traction apparatus adapted for use with an overhead door frame is disclosed. The traction apparatus has a spring mounted with a clamp. The spring is movable relative to the clamp between a rest position and an operating position for providing a range of traction loadings. A head halter or headstall for fastening to a user's head is mountable to a spreader bar secured to the spring.When the traction apparatus is secured to the door frame, the user is quickly and conveniently able to achieve a range of loadings in the operating position or no loading in the rest position by the position of the headstall fastened to the user's head.