Patent ID: 6315750
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An orthopedic lumbar traction sitting device worn by a user to reduce loading of the lumbar portion of the user's spine when the user is sitting on a seat, said device comprising:left and right side members, substantially rigid, and extending vertically along the user's left and right sides respectively during use, each of said left and right side members having a lower end bearing down on the seat and having an upper end located at the level of the user's chest during use, and including a slot adjacent the upper end;a girdle having an inside that faces the user when in use and having an outside that is exposed when in use, having an upper edge and a lower edge, and having left and right vertically-extending tubular side sleeves affixed to the outside of said girdle at the left and right sides of the user, when in use, each sleeve having an opening large enough to encircle said left and right side members so that said girdle is freely slidable up and down on said left and right side members;left and right load-bearing straps each having a first end, the first ends permanently affixed to said girdle at the user's left and right sides respectively during use, said straps extending upward beyond the upper edge of said girdle, each of said load bearing straps passing through one of the slots adjacent the upper end of the respective left and right side members, and then extending downward to second ends that are removably attached to said girdle, so that the girdle may be raised with respect to said left and right side members by removably reattaching the second ends at a lower location on said girdle and so that the girdle may be lowered with respect to said left and right side members by removably reattaching the second ends at a higher location on said girdle, whereby said girdle is suspended by said left and right load-bearing straps, and whereby that portion of the user's weight that is supported by said girdle is removed from the lumbar portion of the user's spine and is transferred by said left and right load-bearing straps to said left and right side members.