A cylindrical body houses a disc-like pressure plate between a bottom of the body and a disc-like top plate. Ball bearing races are disposed between the body and pressure plate and between the pressure plate and top plate. A reversable ratchet mechanism interconnects the top plate and pressure plate for either conjoint rotation in one rotative direction or conjoint rotation in the opposite rotative direction; while permitting rotation of the top plate without the pressure plate in the opposite direction. A setting lever is provided to change the direction of conjoint rotation of the top plate and pressure plate. The ratchet mechanism includes a drive spur having teeth which coact with a ring gear formed in an opening in the upper surface of the pressure plate. An inflattable bladder is disposed between the body and the periphery of the pressure plate to selectively modify the force required to rotate the pressure plate conjointly with the top plate. An opening is formed in the top plate for selective receipt of a handle to facilitate certain exercise; while a retractable stabilizing slide is also provided for the housing to facilitate certain exercises. Rubber or other soft, high friction, material may be applied over the surface of the top plate and bottom surface of the body to facilitate positioning of the machine and use thereof.

A rotating user-propelled playground equipment assembly or whirl including an equipment support base, a spindle secured to the support base, a rotatable platform assembly supported at least in part by the support base. The rotatable platform assembly includes a hub assembly rotatable about the spindle. A pressure wheel is positioned to constantly rollingly engage the hub assembly. A compression spring urging mechanism is connected to the pressure wheel and urges the pressure wheel into rolling engagement with the hub assembly and thereby automatically retards the rotation of the rotatable platform assembly about the spindle.

A hand held upper extremity rehabilitation and exercise device comprising two interconnecting pieces in the shape of a dowel or rectangle of which contains corresponding apertures in graded dimensions receiving corresponding graded flexible tubing ends in and through the device and where one piece slides distally upon a static piece decreasing the aperture space and subsequently initiating 3 point contact of the tubings within the device when tension of the tubings are increased through exercise and range of motion by the user. The device utilizes the principle inherent to elastic compression where the resistance of the tubing during exercise exerts the force of same upon the perimeters of the sliding part moving the piece distally parallel to the line of pull resulting in 3 point contact within the device where compression is always greater than the disconnecting force without the device. The device is most practical in upper extremity rehabilitation and athletic training where specific graded various diameters of flexible tubing can be utilized individually or simultaneously to enhance clinical and non clinical strengthening programs throughout all planes of joint motion to the upper extremities.

A device and method for rehabilitation of patients with kinesthetic injuries. The device consists of a base with non-skid feet to securely locate the device on a supporting surface. An upwardly extending guide member is located on the base. A target attachment with target is attached to the guide member. A repositionable platform assembly with a downwardly extending platform support point is placed at a receiving location on the base. From the upper surface of the repositionable platform extends a wand support with a wand tip at its upper end. Optionally, an anti-rotation member can be used to partially prevent movement of the platform. Such an anti-rotation member interacts with the guide member to restrict platform movement. In one configuration, the anti-rotation member is used to prevent yaw of the platform, but allow roll or pitching motion. In use, the patient attempts to move the platform either in single or multiple directions; i.e., movement may be from front to back, vice-versa, or in side-to-side, or vice-versa, or may combine directional motions into more complex movements such as circular movement or figure eight or other patterns. As a result of the patient induced movement of the platform, the wand moves relative to the target. Rehabilitative progress can be measured with instant visual feedback by comparing the accuracy of the resultant movement with the desired movement attempted.

Disclosed is a small animal exercise device, suitable for allowing a small rodent or other small and trainable animal to be domesticated, and confined in a relatively small space while enjoying the benefits of exercise that accrue to mammals of all kinds. The exercise device includes a dish, a stand and a connecting assembly. The dish provides an effectively large and safe exercise surface, while physically fitting into the confined environment or small enclosure for small animals such as rodents and the like. The dish has an outer periphery and a raceway having a solid surface adjacent the periphery. The dish is rotatably connected to a stand, which elevates the dish above the horizontal surface upon which the stand rests, to allow the dish to rotate freely during rodent or other small animal exercise. The connecting assembly, includes among other things, a bearing assembly which fixedly, but rotatably connects the dish to the stand, more particularly, the distal end of the stand defines a bearing shaft. The bearing assembly allows rotation of the dish while being attached to the shaft and includes a limiting member for properly positioning the dish on the shaft which allows free rotation of the dish.