Abstract: An exercise and rehabilitation apparatus is provided having resistance load units comprising a resistance drum rotabably coupled to a user crank handle mechanism, a friction strap surrounds the resistance drum wherein the level of friction resistance between the drum and the resistance load unit housing is user selectable thereby selecting the force required to rotate the user crank. Once user adjusted the resistance load unit provides a constant load to the user crank. Resistance load units are mounted opposingly providing a left and right hand user crank. A variety of user crank embodiments are provided for simulating the forces and motion experienced by a user in various sporting, exercising and rehabilitation user activities.

Abstract: An exercisor is described comprising two cranks journaled from opposite directions into a pair of independently operating friction brakes within a central housing. However, while the friction brakes of each crank are independently operatable via a crank arm, they are interconnected by a common friction biasing mechanism. Such mechanism is also housed within the central housing between the friction brakes. The friction biasing mechanism includes a wedge block having slanted side surfaces in contact push blocks of the friction brakes. The wedge block is provided with transverse movement relative to the central housing by rotation of an activation rod (by the user), such rod having an axis of rotation that is normal to the axis of symmetry of the central housing. Such transverse movement, in turn, is converted to bi-directional travel of the push blocks toward the ends of the central housing where the cranks are positioned.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an exerciser is described which comprises a simple structure comprised of elements which can be readily assembled while at the same time generate a large, distributed resistance load in which the user's limbs can be worked in both push-pull only, or push only movements. The exerciser comprises essentially two cranks journaled from opposite directions into independently operating friction brakes for independent operation of the cranks by the user. However, the friction brakes of each crank while independently operatable are interconnected by a common frictional biasing plates housed within a horizontally extending, central housing and having an activation rod that extends exterior. The biasing plates generates biasing pressure at a pair of push blocks centrally disposed within the housing to cause bidirectional movement of the latter toward fixed end blocks of the housing.