U.S. patent number 3,896,798 [Application Number 05/368,759] was granted by the patent office on 1975-07-29 for therapeutic traction apparatus.
Invention is credited to Peter J. Simon.
United States Patent |
3,896,798 |
Simon |
July 29, 1975 |
Therapeutic traction apparatus
Abstract
Apparatus to provide traction to the spine of an user has a pair
of spaced apart bars, each having a bolster which enables the user
to support himself thereon with the feet off the ground; the bars
are supported at each end by a coiled spring.
Inventors: |
Simon; Peter J. (London,
Ontario, CA) |
Family
ID: |
25667289 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/368,759 |
Filed: |
June 11, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
606/241;
482/41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
3/00 (20130101); A61H 1/0229 (20130101); A61H
2201/1614 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61H
1/02 (20060101); A63B 3/00 (20060101); A61h
001/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/75,68,69,84R
;272/63 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Trapp; Lawrence W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kent; C. C. Hill; K. M.
Claims
What is claimed is as follows:
1. Apparatus to provide traction to the spine of the body of a user
comprising a first and second pair of spaced apart upwardly
extending members secured in fixed relationship, first spring means
individual to said first pair, second spring means individual to
said second pair, a pair of horizontally disposed spaced apart
bars, at least one bolster means providing a padding to each
horizontal bar intermediate of its length, each horizontal bar
being supported at a corresponding one end by one of said first
spring means with the other end supported by one of said second
spring means at a height whereby the feet of the body of a user
will clear the ground when the body of a user is supported by the
user's arms located on said bolster means, the ratio of the
strength of the said first spring means to the strength of said
second spring means increasing with the distance of said bolster
means from said second spring means.
2. Apparatus to provide traction to the spine of the body of a user
as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pair of horizontally disposed
spaced apart bars are joined by a pair of connecting spaced apart
bars forming a frame therewith to distribute the weight of the body
of a user suspended therebetween, evenly over the spring means and
thereby to provide uniform traction upon the spine of the body of a
user.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to apparatus designed to apply traction to
the human frame and has particular relation to providing apparatus
akin to parallel bars but on which an individual may subject the
spine to traction by suspending the body when it is supported only
by the arms.
PRIOR ART
Many forms of traction apparatus have been proposed but it appears
that none have been developed which are simple to erect say in the
home and also would enable the user to attain a desired result of
traction in a safe manner, without requiring medical
supervision.
A requirement of traction devices is that they should be capable of
providing gradation in the effect on the spine and also the tension
exerted on the vertebrae should always be within the limit of
capacity of the spine to stand the force applied thereto.
Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide traction
apparatus which is simple to erect and also effective to provide
tension on the spine of the individual using the apparatus.
The apparatus is based on the concept that the traction effect
should be provided entirely by the weight of the individual needing
traction and not by external weights which have to be controlled by
another person when applied to the individual needing traction
treatment.
The apparatus consists of a frame which includes a pair of bars
spaced apart a sufficient distance to receive the shoulders of the
user and supported above the floor at a level higher than the
shoulders of the individual who will use the apparatus to provide
traction. The ends of each bar are spring supported and each bar is
provided with a cushion support for the arms of the individual
using the apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying
drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus constructed according
to the invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view taken on the lines 2--2 of FIG. 1
showing the upper arm support, cross-bar and spring referred to
above.
FIG. 3 is a section taken on the lines 3--3 of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the drawings like numbers represent like parts, with letters
being added to such numbers where necessary to facilitate
describing the invention. The apparatus generally denoted by the
numeral 10 has a substantially rectangular base frame formed of a
pair of spaced apart side members 12 and a pair of spaced apart end
members 14, all made of tubular steel for reasons of strength and
lightness. Each end of each side member 12 is reduced in diameter
and threaded. These reduced ends extend through the end members 14
for securement thereto by a nut 16. A washer 18 curved on its
inward face in the same manner as the end tube 14 is positioned
against the nut 16.
The side members 12, inwardly adjacent of each end member 14, carry
a rectangular sleeve 20 secured to the side member 12 by a threaded
bolt 22. Each sleeve is curved on its inward face to fit the
surface of the tubular end member 14. The lower planar surface of
the sleeves 20 provide for improved engagement with the floor.
Inward of each sleeve 20 and secured to the side member 12 by a
bolt 24, is an upwardly extending member 26 which is also made of
tubular steel, not only for reasons of strength and lightness, but
for an additional reason explained below. An inclined member 28 is
secured to each upward member 26 intermediate of the length of the
latter to provide reinforcement, the lower end of each inclined
member being secured to the sleeve 20.
The pairs of upwardly extending members 26 adjacent each end member
14 are joined at their upper ends by cross-bar 30, the connections
being reinforced by gussets 32.
Below each cross-bar 30 and spaced therefrom is another cross-bar
34 the ends of which are engaged in slots 36 provided in each
upwardly extending member 26. A coil spring 38 is located in each
tubular member 26 adjacent the slot 36. The lower end of each
spring 36 is supported by a bolt 40 which passes through the
upwardly extending member 26 a short distance below the lower end
of the slot 36. The ends of the cross-bars 36 are supported on the
upper ends of the coil springs 38.
The cross-bars 36 carry a spaced apart pair of horizontally
disposed bars 42 which run in the same direction as the side
members 12 of the base frame. The horizontal bars 42 are secured to
the spring supported cross-bars 36 by collars 44 which are slidable
on the cross-bars 36 so as to enable the width apart of the
horizontal bars 42 to be adjusted.
Adjacent a corresponding end of each horizontal bar 42 and secured
thereto in surrounding relationship is a sponge-like bolster
46.
The use of the apparatus is clearly illustrated in FIG. 1 and the
amount of extension exerted on the spine is varied simply by the
user adjusting his position on the bars vertically or alternatively
adjusting the width apart of the horizontal bars 42.
To assist the user to initially position himself on the bars 42 and
also to provide for rest, one of a pair of platforms 48 is secured
to the upwardly extending member 26, these platforms 48 being
positioned to the rear of the user.
The compressive strength of each pair of the rear coiled springs
38a is the same but the compressive strength of each of the pair of
front coiled springs 38b is lower; this is to compensate for the
fact that the bolster 46 is closer to the springs 38a and the
pressure thereon exerted by the user is greater than it is on the
front springs 38b. As a guide the strength of springs 38a to
springs 38b is the ratio of the distances Y to X as indicated in
FIG. 2.
* * * * *