Respiratory exerciser and the like

Abstract

A disposable, compact respiratory exerciser having a housing defining a vertically upstanding chamber attached to a base. A first opening or aperture is defined in a lower portion of the housing and connects the interior of the housing with the ambient environment. A tube is connected between a stem that surrounds and extends from a second opening or aperture defined in another portion of the housing and a mouthpiece. Guide members are positioned on an interior wall of the housing and extend vertically from the base towards the top of the housing. The second opening communicates with an air passageway defined within one of the guide members by its interior walls and a wall of the housing. The passageway opens into or communicates with the interior of the housing near the top of the housing. A piston is loosely fitted within the housing on the guide members in such manner that withdrawal of air from the housing at or above a predetermined rate causes upward movement of the piston. Upward movement of the piston is limited so that communication is not blocked between the passageway and a space defined between the top of the piston and the top of the housing. Also, when the piston is in a lowermost position, at least a portion of the first aperture is in communication with a space defined between the piston and the bottom of the housing.