Abstract: A cross-training exercise apparatus includes a base, a pair of foot supports pivotally and slidably joined to the base by way of a three-member linkage arrangement interposed between each foot support and the base. Each three-member linkage arrangement accommodates a pivotal movement of a corresponding foot support relative to the base between forward and rearward positions and accommodates a sliding movement of each foot support relative to the base between raised and lowered positions. The exercise apparatus also includes a pair of cable and pulley arrangements which are associated with the base and joined between the foot supports for coordinating the pivotal and sliding movement of the foot supports between forward and rearward positions or between upward and downward positions so that pivotal or sliding movement of one foot support relative to the base effects a corresponding pivotal or sliding movement of the other foot support relative to the base.

Abstract: This invention comprises an electronic control system for recording, and marking hold sequences or `routes` on structures for recreational and competitive climbing and for scoring a climber's performance in ascending such routes. When used by a climber during a new route, sensitive holds electronically transmit their identifying addresses to a computerized recording system. Upon completion of the new route climbers assign a name and grade of difficulty using the computer. Climbers may also use the computer to recall routes previously designed by others. Electronically activated markers are then used to rapidly and conveniently designate the particular holds comprising the route. As the climber ascends, the holds now function to inform the computer if the climber has used an illegal hold, that is a hold which is `off route`. The system also keeps track of how high and how fast the climbers ascend, thus providing a convenient method of scoring their performance.

Abstract: An exercise machine for simultaneous upper body exercise and lower body exercise is provided. The exercise machine has handles and pedals for climbing that move in synchronized motions in generally the same plane to simulate a vertical climbing action. The handles and pedals are interconnected such that the user of the exercise machine moves in a coordinated, synchronized climbing motion. The range of the arm movement is different than the range of the leg movement such that the exercise or work of the upper body may be different or adjustable relative to the exercise or work of the lower body.

Abstract: Exercising apparatus of a type generally simulating a walking or crawling motion. The apparatus has a vertical support mast, right hand and left hand operated levers journaled to the mast, and left and right foot treadles journaled to the mast. The right hand operated lever is connected to the right foot treadle by one connecting rod, and the left hand operated lever is connected to the left foot treadle by a second connecting rod. The connecting rods cause their corresponding hand and foot to approach one another then diverge in repeating cycles. A link rod connects the right foot treadle to the left hand operated lever. Right and left treadles and levers therefore undergo similar motions, but are offset from one another by half a cycle. For example, the right hand and foot converge while the left hand and foot diverge.

Abstract: A playground deck is supported above the ground on a center pedestal through radially extending cantilevered arms connected to plates on the exterior of the pedestal and to each other through a ring disposed at the axial center of the pedestal thereby providing an integral support frame for pie shaped deck sections which include hollow plastic shells filled with plastic foam. The support arms have bottom and intermediate ledges on opposite sides which engage the pie sections for support and structural strength. A rounded nose portion may be connected to each of the pie sections at their outer ends to give the deck a circular shape. A plate interconnects the outer ends of the arms and the nose portions to the pie sections to rigidify the support framework. A web climber may be connected to the deck and includes a grid work of horizontal and vertical cables locked together at junctions by locking blocks which clamp the cables against each other.

Abstract: Articulated plates (L) are assembled in combination with at least two drive rums supported by a framework (6). The plates (L) present longitudinally, two by two, complementary guiding and articulation profiles (R) and (C) defined to create at least one continuous flat face. The plates are coupled to one another by flexible links (1).

Abstract: An exercise device is described comprising frame means, a wheel mounted to said frame means, a second wheel mounted to said frame means spaced from the first wheel, and an endless rope, or cord, passing over the wheels, which are spaced to keep the rope, or cord, taut. Means are provided for applying friction to one of the wheels mounted to said frame means which will apply a restraint to the rope, or cord, which must be overcome by an exercising person pulling on the rope, or cord. The frame means is rotatably mounted to a sub-frame by a central pivot support for rotation relative to said sub-frame and locking means is provided to permit a desired angle of rotation to be held for particular arm related exercises.

Abstract: An exercise machine for simultaneous upper body exercise and lower body exercise is provided. The exercise machine has handles and pedals for climbing that move in synchronized motions in generally the same plane to simulate a vertical climbing action. The handles and pedals are interconnected such that the user of the exercise machine moves in a coordinated, synchronized climbing motion. The range of the arm movement is different than the range of the leg movement such that the exercise or work of the upper body may be different or adjustable relative to the exercise or work of the lower body.

Abstract: An exercise device for use at home or in a gym by which a user can simulate climbing a ladder. First and second carriage tubes are slidable axially and reciprocally over respective first and second carriage guide rails that extend in spaced, parallel alignment between top and bottom frame members. The first and second carriage rails are interlinked by first and second drive cables and a series of cable pulleys so that the carriage rails move in opposite directions relative to one another in response to successive pushing and pulling forces applied by the user to hand grips and foot pedals connected to each of the carriage tubes. A hydraulic control system is provided to permit the user to selectively adjust the minimum force which must be applied to the hand grips and/or the foot pedals to cause the carriage tubes to slide along the guide rails.

Abstract: The exercise device provides a continuous loop of rope which is slowly fed downwardly from the greater extent of a davit-like housing, and through an open space in which the climber will perform the climbing exercise. The rope then continues through a friction pulley configuration driven by a variable speed gear motor, and then upwardly through the davit-like housing to again travel through the open space. The speed of the motor can be controlled in a feed-forward manner where the user sets the speed, as in one training configuration where the speed of the rope is to be exceeded by the climber, or where the progress of the climber movement may be determined by sensors which determine how close to a pre-determined height the climber has progressed.

Abstract: A muscle training device which is particularly suitable for swimmers has a user supporting surface (2). Two traction elements each of which turns about two pivots (9, 10) are arranged in front of the user supporting surface (2). The traction elements are provided with gripping elements (7). A biasing device (4) opposes a force applied to move each traction element. In order to ensure effective muscle training, both traction elements (6) are symmetrically arranged at an angle .alpha. with respect to a longitudinal axis of the user supporting surface (2). The spacing between the traction elements (6) at their pivots (9) nearest to the user supporting surface (2 ) is greater than the spacing between the pivots (10) farthest from the user supporting surface (2). The top span of the traction element (6) has a curved surface (8) shaped as a path described by hands during swimming. The pivots (9) nearest to the user supporting surface (2) lie lower than the pivots (10) farthest from the user supporting surface (2).

Abstract: Rope climbing apparatus comprises a support, a length of rope and a rope accumulator supported by the support for storing a variable length of rope. The accumulator includes a dancer trolley and means for force-loading the dancer trolley to a maximum storage position. A segment of rope is presented to a user of the apparatus so that he can draw rope from the accumulator. Variable drag mechanism supported by the support feeds rope pulled by the user back to the accumulator to replenish the accumulator. The drag mechanism inhibits the feeding of rope to the accumulator unless the rope is pulled with a force sufficient to overcome the force-loading on the accumulator dancer trolley and move the dancer from its maximum storage position. The drag mechanism also controls the rate at which rope is fed to the accumulator in accordance with the magnitude of the accumulator force-loading.

Abstract: Apparatus is designed to exercise the arms and legs in which the user stands upright on foot levers which are supported by a downward pull or a push exerted on hand levers to which the foot levers are independently connected so that the arms and legs move in opposition to each other in substantially upward and downward directions enabling a variety of pullup, pushup, and stepping or climbing exercises to be performed without the need for either weights, friction, or damping devices, and which apparatus can be constructed simply and inexpensively using off the shelf hardware components.

Abstract: A mountain climbing training machine includes a conveyor belt with a number of shell plates fastened onto the conveyor belt. The shell plates have associated irregular contours defined by rock-like protrusions. The shell plates are secured at spaced locations along the rotating conveyor belt. The shell plates provide a treading surface while the conveyor belt rotates. As arranged, the shell plates go around the semi-circular surfaces of revolving shafts at both ends of the conveyor belt without producing a build-up of resistance in the process.

Abstract: A stair step exerciser is mounted on a frame having horizontal and vertical components. A carriage comprised of a pair of side plates is pivoted to one end of a horizontal component and is retained at the other end in one of a series of vertical stops to selectively determine the angle of the carriage with respect to the frame. The carriage has pulleys at both ends which support the belts on which treads are pivoted at one end. The other end of the treads rest on one rail of a four bar linkage, which linkage expands as the carriage angle is decreased and collapses as the carriage angle is increased so as to always maintain the treads horizontal. A pair of hand cables are provided which move at substantially the same speed as the treads. The hand cables are mounted so as to be closer to the treads as the angle of the carriage increases and so as to move away from the treads as the angle of the carriage decreases.

Abstract: A ladder-climbing exercise device (10) includes an inclined flight (13) along which a plurality of rungs (29) are presented in an endless manner. The marginal ends of the rungs are mounted on endless chains which are supported by a frame. The chains are coupled to a fan (43) having a squirrel cage-like rotor. The position of an operator (P) relative to the flight changes the size of a fan aperture (45) to vary the resistance afforded by the device to the climbing motion.

Abstract: A modular rough surface of a climbing wall is formed by an assembly of elementary panels having specific curved structures, and arranged in a plurality of levels. The projection of the different panels on the rear plane parallel to the fixed support gives identical projected surfaces in the form of squares, or any other inscribed polygon. The side edges of the panels comprise a first profile associated with a first level difference, and/or a second profile associated with a second level difference. Assembly of the panels is performed with consecutive edges of the same profiles and level differences.

Abstract: An exercise device including a push-up board and two push-up handles. The two C-shaped push-up handles are mounted along various positions of the push-up board. Only one end of the C-shaped handles is located within symmetrically-spaced holes of the push-up board. Since only one end of the C-shaped handle is secured within the board and with the shape of the inserted handle end being round, the C-shaped handles are rotatable about the anchored end to provide a vast array of movement and varied exercise routines. A position most comfortable for the user is obtainable by rotation of the handle about the one end located in the push-up board. Numerous pre-set positions are available for doing push-ups to obtain a maximum health benefit from basic push-ups. Further, an adjustment is provided for maximum strength development and wrist comfort when doing difficult push-ups through a series of wide to narrow hand separation positions.

Abstract: A horizontal ladder particularly useful in playgrounds includes two end structures, two elongated members extending between the end structures and handholds attached to the cables. Since the ladder does not need any horizontal support members it is safer to use than standard horizontal ladders.

Abstract: A gymnastic apparatus has a frame made up of a hollow main brace and a support brace, a base brace upon which the main brace and the support brace are mounted, two hollow sliding rods parallel to each other and having top portions of a length extending out of the main brace, two oil pressure cylinders arranged in a parallel manner at the bottom of the main brace and provided with piston rods having top ends coupled with the bottoms of the sliding rods, a connecting tube in communication with the two oil pressure cylinders, an adjustment button for controlling the flow of fluid between the two oil pressure cylinders, two pedals fastened respectively to the bottoms of the sliding rods by means of shaft pins, and two hand grips fastened respectively to the sliding rods. The gymnastic apparatus provides an animated exercise of cliff climbing.

Abstract: A vertically extending structure comprises a component of playground equipment which is provided with one or more bars having free ends provided with internal threads and configured to penetrate wood, and one or more wooden support members for supporting the component. Each support member has at least one transverse opening extending therethrough. This transverse opening is axially aligned with and receives the free end of the bar, and includes three portions. One portion is inwardly-facing and is of a size and shape to matingly receive and envelop in a supporting fashion one of the free ends; a central portion has a transverse dimension less than that of the inwardly-facing portion; and a third portion is outwardly facing and has a greater transverse diameter than the central portion. The central portion receives the body a bolt, while the outwardly-facing portion receives the head of the bolt.

Abstract: An upper body exerciser having a frame which supports a rotatable head that has an axis of rotation. The head has two end plates with radially extending slots in which cross rods are reciprocably radially movable. A track mounted to the frame below the axis of rotation provides a sloping support for cross-rods below the axis so that a person hanging from such a rod moves the cross rod down and draws the next one toward him in a sequence simulating a "monkey bar" movement.

Abstract: The simulated climbing wall of the present invention is comprised of a frame, at least two guide members rotatably attached at the top of the frame, and a chain structure, including a plurality of climbing wall panels, each wall panel having a removable surface panel, wherein each wall panel is flexibly attached to the next in a continuous chain. The chain structure is guided by the guide members such that the simulated climbing wall has an orientation with respect to vertical that corresponds to the orientation of the guide members such that the pitch angle of the climbing wall is adjustable and such that the panels may be moved downwardly in a controlled manner as the climber climbs.

Abstract: A physical climbing apparatus having a sprocket carrier frame structure includes first and second carrier members supported in parallel relation. The frame is made up of members which are extensible. This allows the frame to be supported at selected inclinations. It also allows the apparatus to be collapsed to a substantially flat position for storage and shipping. A pair of rotatable idler sprockets support each chain from deflection caused by a person's weight. The idler sprockets locate closer to the lower end than the upper end and engage a forward run of the chain. A hydraulic rotation control system adjustably controls the rate of rotation of the sprockets.