Abstract: Apparatus for exercising rotary neck muscles having a compound cam for transmitting forces from the neck muscles through a movement arm and to a resistance weight to lift the weight. A pin mounted to move with the movement arm is receivable in one of a plurality of apertures in the cam to rotate the cam with the movement arm. The cam transmits drive to lift the resistance weight by a cam follower engageable with either of a pair of cam surfaces formed on the periphery of the cam depending upon the direction of rotation of the cam. Adjustable stop mechanisms are also disclosed for limiting the range of angular movement of the movement arm.

Abstract: A calf exercise machine to develop the muscles with a plantarflexion movement and dorsiflexion movement. The main muscles involved in these two movements while the subject is using the machine are the soleus and the tibialis anterior. The soleus muscle is isolated in this machine by bending the knee to place that muscle in a bio-mechanically advantageous position. During plantarflexion movement, the angle between the tibia and femur muscle is kept to a minimum. The bottom of the subject's foot pushes against a leverage arm to contract the soleus muscle. During dorsiflexion, the subject's foot moves the leverage arm back to the starting position of the exercise.

Abstract: A rowing exercise machine includes a frame, a seat and a chest brace supported by the frame, and a pair of levers pivotally connected to the frame in front of the brace and seat. Each of the levers has a lower end adapted to support at least one removable weight and a handle at an upper end adapted to be grasped by an exerciser supported on the seat. During the performance of a rowing exercise, the exerciser pulls the handles upwardly and rearwardly to pivot the levers against the weight resistances held by the lower ends. The levers move along two outer vertical planes that converge with respect to the forward direction of the seat, and each of the levers pivots independently with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A stretching apparatus (10) includes a base structure (12) for supporting an individual in supine position. One leg of the individual is disposed within a cradle (14) pivotally mounted on the base structure (12) by a pair of arm assemblies (16a, 16b) which are powered by a hydraulic actuator (20) to rotate about an axis (22) extending generally transversely to the individual's body at a location coinciding with the hip joints of the individual. The cradle (14) includes a foot cup (18) for receiving and supporting the rear and side portions of the individual's foot through which a stretching load is applied to the individual's leg for stretching the muscles, tendons and joint capsules of the lower back, hip, leg, and foot.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for testing and/or exercising the rotary neck muscles which are used to twist or turn the neck from side-to-side about a generally vertical pivot axis passing through the cervical vertebrae. The head is held by and between a pair of pads mounted on a rotatable frame fixed to a movement arm in the form of a vertical pivot shaft rotatable about the pivot axis. The movement arm is connectable to resistance weight stack to oppose pivotal movement of the movement arm in one direction. During exercise, the subject is seated against a backrest with a front pad assembly immobilizing the chest and shoulder areas of the subject. Additionally, the head pads prevent forward and rearward movement of the neck in extension and flexion so that only the rotary torsion muscles of the neck are exercised.

Abstract: Method for exercising and/or testing the cervical muscles of the neck wherein a seated person is secured against a backrest to isolate movement of his head and neck from the remainder of his body. For exercising the cervical muscles between opposite positions of full extension and flexion, the muscles are used to move the head rearwardly against a pivotable movement arm to move the latter against a yieldable resistance weight connected to the movement arm to bias the movement arm in one direction. The head is then moved forwardly and the process is repeated until the movement arm can no longer be moved by said muscles. The number of repetitions is measured and recorded throughout the exercise.

Abstract: An exercising apparatus which is adapted for home use and is versatile to permit the performing of a large number of exercises with a single piece of equipment and which incorporates the exercise facilities offered by several conventional pieces of exercising equipment. The exercising apparatus comprises a seat section at one end with a back rest capable of being raised from a frame for supporting the lower back during various types of exercises including abdominal exercises. The seat back can be lowered in order to enable an individual to lay in a prone condition on the exercising apparatus in order to perform additional exercises such as abdominal exercises, arm exercises and the like. A method of exercising is also disclosed.

Abstract: Exercise equipment for use by wheelchair occupants to enable exercise of muscle groups located in the upper torso that are used in lifting or transferring loads and incorporating various options with respect to weight stacks and pivotal linkage arrangements to enable a wheelchair occupant to use a single hand or both hands when exercising. The exercise device includes structure which enables the wheelchair and the occupant to be securely anchored in relation to a generally vertically disposed, laterally open frame which enables the wheelchair and occupant to enter the frame when facing in either direction.

Abstract: A back muscle exercising and stretching apparatus comprises a stationary seat upon which a user may sit, a backrest movably attached to the seat, and a resistance means, such as a hydraulic or pneumatic spring, movably attached to the seat and the backrest to define the force required to move the backrest relative to the seat. The user may sit either facing toward or away from the backrest and then bend either forward or backward to cause the backrest to move from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position. Higher resistances may be used to effect exercise and lower resistances may be used to effect stretching. The apparatus may be placed in a convex table-like orientation such that the user may lay face up thereon to effect stretching of the back muscles. An optional headrest increases comfort and permits the patient to exercise and stretch portions of the upper back and neck.