The present invention relates to a method for training of neuromuscular functions using a gait trainer comprising an electrical motor, a weight sensor and a cable and a gait trainer therefore.

The method may comprise an act of determining a counterbalance weight to be applied to the cable by the electrical motor and an act of measuring with the weight sensor an actual applied weight to the cable by the patient, wherein a drive direction of the electrical motor is determined based on comparing the counterbalance weight with the measuring of the actual applied weight to the cable by the patient.

The gait trainer may comprise a hoist system with a rotatable cable drum and a cable to wind or rewind the cable around a rotatable cable drum in accordance with the drive direction set, based on the compared counterbalance weight with the measuring of the actual applied weight to the cable by the patient.

The gait trainer may further comprise an electrical motor adapted for axial engagement with the rotatable cable drum and adapted to drive the rotatable cable drum in a drive direction. The gait trainer may further comprise a weight sensor, a control unit, a processor and a motor controller.

The hoist system may be freely suspended by the weight sensor.

An exercise machine is disclosed. The exercise machine comprises a tension generating device. The exercise machine comprises a translatable arm mount coupled to the tension generating device. The exercise machine comprises an arm coupled to the translatable arm mount. The exercise machine comprises a cable coupled to the tension generating device via the arm.

A treadmill and a control method for controlling the treadmill belt thereof are provided. The treadmill includes a treadmill belt, a first sensor, an image sensor, and a controller. The first sensor retrieves a light pattern or the image sensor measures the characteristic properties of the image of the user so as to control the treadmill belt. The light pattern can be generated by a signal member, which can be disposed on a side or both sides of the treadmill belt.

A pull cord safety system, primarily for use with an exercise device such as, but not limited to, a treadmill, that provides for a captive cord which is fixed to the exercise device via a trip mechanism housing. This provides for the benefits of a pull cord safety shutoff where the treadmill shuts off if sufficient force is applied to pull the cord, but keeps the system from being a separable key system. Thus, it eliminates misplacing the key and provides for a system which can more easily be triggered regardless of the angle of fall or instability.

Disclosed herein is a quick release weight retaining system configured to improve the safety and effectiveness of a resistance training routine. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a weight retainer that is removably mounted to a weight support member. The weight retainer comprises engaging apparatus that can retain and safely release a weight load during exercise. The weight is release by way of the exerciser activating a trigger. A weight can be safely and securely mounted to the weight retainer when pushed against the engaging apparatus.

The present invention relates to motor safety devices as used in increasing numbers for the killing of engines or disengaging propulsion units from motors, when there are no operators to maintain control of an apparatus or vehicle such as jet-ski, boat, go-kart and the like or personnel to oversee use of a motorised tool or the like. Motor boat operators on a boat have been known to fall overboard without being detected by the operator of the boat. Such runaway boats have been known to seriously injure the operator of the boat in the water since a runaway boat tends to circle back to the place where the operator has fallen overboard. The present invention is also applicable to other types of equipment such as motorised gymnasium equipment, hand operated power tools, such as agricultural and arboriculturist equipment and wood working tools.

An upper body support assembly for use with an associated railed device having first and second rails is disclosed. The assembly includes first and second upper body supports capable of moving along the first and second rails, respectively. The upper body supports have at least one of: (i) first and second forearm supports, (ii) first and second hand grips, or (iii) a first forearm support and a first hand grip. An interconnecting member extends between and selectively connects both the first and second upper body supports to permit (i) interrelated movement therebetween when connected, and (ii) independent movement therebetween when disconnected. The assembly can achieve two point gait, three point gait, and four point gait movement.

A body weight support system includes a trolley, a powered conductor operatively coupled to a power supply, and a patient attachment mechanism. The trolley can include a drive system, a control system, and a patient support system. The drive system is movably coupled to a support rail. At least a portion of the control system is physically and electrically coupled to the powered conductor. The patient support mechanism is at least temporarily coupled to the patient attachment mechanism. The control system can control at least a portion of the patient support mechanism based at least in part on a force applied to the patient attachment mechanism.

A training or exercise apparatus may have a base and an adjacent movable armature or frame that carries a riding member, or shuttle, or carrier. The carrier has an engagement interface with an element of sporting or exercise equipment. The sporting or exercise equipment is engaged by the user, typically by being grasped. The apparatus defines a physical or virtual schedule describing an arc for a swing in the particular activity. The apparatus may include a manual or electronic means of imposing resistance to the motion. This resistance may be adjustable, and may be programmable as a function of one or both of position and speed. The apparatus may include an array of sensors such as may be used to determine the pre-existing stroke, and such as may be monitored during training to assess progress. The apparatus may be operated passively, or it may be operated interactively in a manner in which real-time feedback causes the apparatus to adjust resistance to the motion.

An exercise machine may include a tower enclosing, at least in part, a cable and pulley system, a base supporting the tower on a surface, and a plurality of handles operatively coupled to the cable and pulley system and configured to extend from the tower. The exercise machine may include a resistance motor operatively coupled to the cable and pulley system. The resistance motor may include a fan and a flywheel connected to a common shaft. The exercise machine may be operatively associated with a user interface which includes an exercise display area configured to activate one or more exercise indicators in a predetermined sequence and a control area including at least one mode control operable to change the sequence of activation of the one or more exercise indicators. The user interface may be provided on a console of the exercise machine.