Patent CA-2062181-A1 (CA)
Title: Vertabrae realignment exercise machine
Inventor: SARAZEN PHIL
IPC: A63B22/02
Filed: 1992-03-03
Abstract: ABSTRACT          An exercise machine for the realignment of the vertebrae in the back whereby the legs move in a scissor, forward and back motion, the arms move in a forward and back motion parallel to that of the legs so as to simulate the action of walking motion on all 4,s. The invention comprised of a device to place, support ones hands so that a portion of the upper body weight can he supported by the shoulders and transferred onto and thru the hands onto this device by placing ones hands on it, one does not have to grip the device. The device allows the hands to move back and forth relative to the torso. Attached to the device supporting the hands is a frame. A device or devices to place ones feet is provided so that a persons feet can move in a scissor action without a continual or appreciative movement of the torso forwards or backwards relative to the device or devices to place ones feet. A track will guide the devices to place ones feet and a flexible connecting means such as a rope, or tape connected between the two means on which one places ones feet such that as one foot goes forward the other goes backwards. An embodiment to the invention is where the device to place the hands rests on two pivoting telescopic supports positioned above and connected to two pivot points, one for each pivoting telescopic support, the pivot points placed near the horizontal plane on which the devices to place ones feet are located in such a position so that the shoulders are positioned directly above the line between the two pivots, these pivot points allow the pivoting telescopic supports to move back and forth in opposite direction of the legs. There is a device attached to the pivot point which creates a variable resistance to the motion of the pivoting telescopic supports. In order to allow for an exercise which simulates cross country skiing, the pivoting telescopic support for the hands and pivot point are moved forwards, and the telescopic supports are raised to a position where the opperrator can grasp a device which is in a vertical position. There is a means to raise the device to place the hands configured in a telescopic or stepped manner, and a means to change the distance between the hands when both hands are at the same level and directly across from each other. A different embodiment to the invention shows the exercise machine with two bards which can be placed in a horizontal position placed above, to the outside of, and parallel to the travel of the feet such that the hands can be placed directly on or on a device which slides on the horizontal bars and move in the opposite direction of the feet. There is a means to vary the resistance of the movement of the motion of the hands. There is a flexible connecting means such as a rope, or tape connected between the means on which one places ones hand and the means on which one places ones foot, and a framing system which supports this rope such that as the foot is forced to travels backwards when the hand travels forwards and visa versa.  A further embodiment of the invention has an additional mechanism which can be interconnected to the means which supports the hands so as to carry so weight of the head, neck or torso. In order to accommodate individuals with differing lengths of arm and leg movements, an embodiment consisting of an adjustable, slidable, rotational telescopic device is placed between the device for the hand and the device for the foot. Another embodiment comprised of a vertically movable pad attached to the device for the foot allows for more normal walking movements. Another embodiment is comprised of two supports for the hands which are slidable vertical telescopic supports which are themselves mobile and transfer the load placed on them by the operator directly onto the ground. The slidable vertical telescopic supportss are placed in a track which allows them to move on both sides of and out of the path on which the feet travel, the slidable vertical telescopic supports allows the operator to move their hands backwards and forward parallel to the motion of the feet. A further embodiment of the invention has the the slidable vertical telescopic supportd independent of a track, and the devices to support the feet comprised of rollers and themselves independent of a track such that the operator can travel on the street or sidewalk.