Patent ID: 8052585
Filing Date: 2011-11-08
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
1. A rehabilitation apparatus for enhancing flexibility by controlling stretching of back muscles, said rehabilitation apparatus comprising: an enclosure; a seat cushion attached to said enclosure; a bolster movable along a resistive arc defined between a vertical position and a position below a horizontal plane respectively; a pivot shaft connected to said bolster and rotatably connected to said enclosure; a resistance disc mated to said pivot shaft; a main cable connected to said resistance disc; a load plate; a main pulley assembly guiding said main cable upwardly to said load plate; a plurality of tension springs connected to said load plate for providing an adjustable return force to return said bolster to said vertical position, further comprising: a spring support assembly attached to said plurality of tension springs for providing a resistive force against rotation of said bolster; and, a plurality of brake locking assemblies attached to said spring support assembly and said tension springs respectively; wherein said spring support assembly further comprises: wherein said brake locking assemblies actuate extension of selected ones of said tension springs thereby resulting in a selectable variable force applied to said load plate and subsequently to said pivot shaft and said bolster respectively.