Traction apparatus for treating vertebral problems comprising a tripod type self-standing support having a block and tackle unit suspended from the tripod apex. The lower block includes a T-bar upon which triangular cushions are supported for location under the knees of a supine patient, and a torso encircling belt includes a strap passing through the patient's legs adjustably attachable to the lower block. The block and tackle tension member includes a tail passing from the upper block to the patient permitting the patient to raise and lower the leg supporting cushions to adjust the degree of back tension being achieved, and a lock mechanism mounted on the upper block permits automatic positioning of the degree of leg lift as determined by the tension produced in the block and tackle tail by the patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The invention pertains to traction apparatus for producing tension within 
the lumbar spine, the apparatus being directly operable by the patient and 
utilizing automatic adjusting structure for producing and maintaining the 
desired extent of traction. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
It has long been recognized that vertebral disorders in the human back can 
be treated by placing the spine and vertebrae under tension, and a variety 
of traction devices have been proposed for treating the lumbar spine to 
overcome anatomical lordosis. Such devices include apparatus whereby the 
weight of the patient is supported by the shoulders and the natural body 
weight is used to produce traction upon the spine. Other devices include 
apparatus for lifting the legs or lower portion of the torso to place the 
spine under tension, and typical devices of this type are shown in U.S. 
Pat. Nos. 3,659,594; 4,362,151 and 4,531,514. Such devices of this type as 
presently available are expensive, difficult to operate by the patient 
alone, and difficulty is often encountered by the patient in using the 
apparatus and placing the body within the apparatus for treatment. 
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the invention to provide traction apparatus which is 
economical to manufacture and purchase, which is simple and direct in 
operation, closely adjustable to provide the desired degree of traction, 
and easily operated by the patient without requiring outside assistance. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a traction apparatus 
utilizing a tripod type self-standing support which may be readily folded 
into a concise configuration for storage and shipment. 
Another object of the invention is to provide traction apparatus which is 
easy for the patient to use, not requiring complicated assembly or 
attachment procedures, and wherein the likelihood of the patient being 
harmed is substantially eliminated. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Traction apparatus in accord with the invention basically includes a 
self-supporting tripod device wherein the legs of the tripod are 
interconnected at their lower region by a pivoted linkage to prevent 
excessive separation, but insure proper separation for adequate support. 
At the tripod apex, the upper block of a block and tackle unit is 
suspended, and a T-bar is attached to the lower block having a pair of leg 
support cushions of a triangular transverse cross section mounted thereon. 
The patient wears a belt about the lower torso, and the lower central 
region of the belt has a flexible webbed strap extending therefrom which 
passes between the patient's legs and attaches to an adjustable buckle 
mounted upon the lower block. The patient lies partially within the tripod 
with the legs over the cushions wherein the cushions are located below the 
knees and the block and tackle tension member tail is held by the patient, 
and tensioned to raise and lower the cushions-and the degree of traction 
produced within the spine. 
The upper block includes an automatic releasable lock associated with the 
tension member tail whereby release of the tension in the tail by the 
patient will lock the tail against retraction into the block and tackle 
unit, and prevent extension of the block and tackle unit and lowering of 
the legs. Tensioning of the tail by the patient automatically releases the 
tail from the lock permitting the block and tackle to be retracted and the 
legs raised. Further, the patient may slowly lower the legs by extending 
the block and tackle unit by maintaining a pre-determined tension within 
the tail which prevents engagement of the tail with the lock. The 
automatic block and tackle tail lock minimizes the likelihood of the 
patient's legs and lower torso being accidentally "dropped", and a safe 
and reliable operation of the apparatus may be achieved by patients having 
no mechanical skills. 
As the tripod columns and linkages are pivotally interconnected, the tripod 
may be folded to a concise storage or shipping configuration, the cushions 
may be readily removed from the T-bar, and the entire apparatus is of a 
relatively lightweight and low cost.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With respect to FIGS. 1 and 2, the traction apparatus in accord with the 
invention is generally indicated at 10, and utilizes a self-standing 
tripod 12. The tripod consists of three columns 14 each pivotally 
connected to an apex bracket 16 wherein the lower ends of the columns may 
be pivoted inwardly or outwardly with respect to each other. The lower 
ends of the columns 14 are interconnected by links 18 pivotally joined 
together at a center bracket 20, and the columns are pivotally connected 
to the links at pivot points 22. 
The aforedescribed tripod construction permits the tripod 12 to be folded 
to a concise arrangement wherein the columns 14 are substantially parallel 
to each other upon lifting of the center bracket 22 which pulls the lower 
ends of the columns toward each other. By holding the tripod above the 
floor by the bracket 16, the weight of the links 18 and center bracket 20 
cause the lower ends of the column to extend outwardly establishing the 
proper spacing between the column lower ends to provide adequate support 
for the tripod. In use, the center bracket 20 will rest upon the floor, as 
will the lower ends of the columns, and the links 18 and center bracket 20 
will be parallel to the floor surface and not interfere with use of the 
apparatus 10. 
A block and tackle bracket 24 is suspended from the apex bracket 16, and 
the block and tackle unit 26 is attached to the bracket 24. The block and 
tackle unit 26 consists of an upper block 28, a lower block 30, and the 
blocks, and associated pulleys are interconnected by a tension member 32 
which is in the form of a nylon cord of approximately one-quarter inch in 
thickness. The blocks 28 and 30 include the usual pulleys 34, and the tail 
of the tension member 32 is represented at 36 and extends from the upper 
block 28 about pulley 34' for access and tensioning to operate the block 
and tackle unit 26. 
The lower block 30 includes a downwardly extending bracket 38 to which the 
T-bar 40 is attached. The T-bar 40 basically consists of a column having 
an upper end 42, and at the lower end of the T-bar the arms 44 extend in 
opposite directions therefrom to provide a support for the leg cushions 
46. 
The leg cushions 46, as will be appreciated from the drawings, are of a 
generally triangular transverse cross section for being comfortably placed 
under the knees of the patient, and the cushions 46 preferably include 
tubular sockets 48 for receiving the T-bar arms 44 whereby the cushions 46 
are located upon opposite sides of the T-bar in a balanced relationship. 
The block lower bracket 38 also includes a buckle 50 which consists of a 
cam operated by a cam lever 54. The buckle 50 is of the aircraft seat type 
whereby a strap located between the cam lever and an opposed support 
surface permits a web or belt to De held within the buckle, and the 
greater the tension on the web the greater the holding force produced. By 
rotating the cam lever 54 in the opposite direction the grip of the cam 
upon the web will be released, as is well known. 
A belt 56 is adapted to be placed about the lower regions of the patient 
adjacent the buttocks, and the belt 56 includes lateral sides 58 and a 
bottom 60, and is defined by inner side 62 and an outer side 64. A pair of 
straps 66 are sewn to the outer surface 64 of the belt 54 and include 
small hook fasteners, and in a similar manner flexible straps 68 are sewn 
to the outer surface of the belt at the lateral sides including loop 
fasteners. The nook and loop material is of the well known type sold under 
the trademark VELCRO, and by overlapping straps 66 and 68 a pair of 
adjustable fasteners maintaining the belt 56 upon the patient are 
provided. 
The belt 56 also includes a central webbed strap 70 extending from the 
central region of the bottom 60 for connection to the buckle 50 as later 
described. Also, a pocket 72 is sewn upon the belt inner side 62 to 
receive an ice packet, not shown, where, optionally, an ice pack may be 
received within the pocket 72 to maintain the spine in the region of the 
belt 56 at a reduced temperature for therapy purposes. 
The upper block and tackle block 28 includes a web 74 extending between the 
sheet metal sides of the block, and a V-groove 76 is defined in the web 74 
as will be appreciated from FIGS. 5-8. The V-groove 76 includes an open 
end 78 for receiving the block and tackle tail 36, and the dimensions of 
the V-groove 76 are such that the tail 36 will wedge within the V-groove 
and movement of the tail 36 in a direction to the left, FIG. 5, is 
prevented. As will be appreciated from FIG. 5, a pair of links 80 are 
pivotally attached to the sides of the upper block 28 by a pivot 82 
adjacent the V-groove open end 78, and a roller 84 is rotatably mounted 
upon the outer end of the links 80 spaced from the pivot 82. The roller 84 
is rotatably mounted upon the links 80 by the roller shaft 86. A torsion 
spring 88 concentrically related to the pivot 82 includes an extension 
engaging the pivot 86 which biases the links 80 in a counter clockwise 
direction, FIG. 5, and raises the roller 84 toward V-groove open end 78. A 
U-shaped handle 90 extends over the roller 84, and permits the links 80 
and roller 84 to be pushed downwardly against the biasing force of the 
spring 88 wherein the roller 84 will be manually moved away from the 
V-groove open end 78. 
In use, the patient will place the belt 56 about the lower torso so that 
the primary portion of the belt will be located across the lower back 
adjacent the buttocks. The straps 66 and 68 will be snugly interconnected 
so that the belt firmly embraces the patient's torso. The patient will 
then locate themselves with the lower portion of the torso within the 
confines of the tripod 12, and the legs will extend over the cushions 46 
and the belt strap 70 will be located between the legs and inserted into 
the buckle 50. As will be appreciated from FIG. 2, the patient will now be 
located in a supine position on their back, the legs will be extending 
over the cushions 46 which engage the legs below the knees, and the end of 
the strap 70, after it is passed through the buckle 50, will be tensioned 
by the patient to partially raise the hips such that an approximate 
90.degree. angle will exist between the patient's torso and the thighs. 
Thereupon, the patient will tension the block and tackle tension member 
tail 36 to raise the lower block 30, cushions 46 and belt 56 to produce 
the desired tension within the lower back. Of course, during this movement 
the shoulders of the patient will also aid in supporting the patient's 
weight. 
During retraction of the length of the block and tackle unit 26, and the 
raising of the block 30, cushions 46 and buckle 50, the tension within the 
tail 36 will pivot the links 80 in a clockwise direction, FIG. 6, in that 
the tail 36 passes over the roller 84 and the tension within the tail will 
pull the roller downwardly against the action of the spring 88. During 
such tensioning of the tail 36 to raise the patient's legs and lower 
region the roller 84, due to the tension in the tail, will permit the tail 
to directly pass over the pulley 34', and the block and tackle unit may be 
retracted in length as desired. However, as soon as tension within the 
tail 36 is released the spring 88 will pivot the roller 84 upwardly toward 
the V-groove open end 78, and upon the roller 84 moving upwardly into 
alignment with the V-groove open end 78 the portion of the tail 36 passing 
over the roller 84 will be received within the V-groove 76 and become 
wedged therein as the tail is retracted toward the groove. This wedging of 
the tail 36 within the V-groove 76 prevents extension of the block and 
tackle unit 26 and lowering of the lower block 30, and in this manners the 
traction apparatus will automatically maintain the desired elevation of 
the legs and lower torso of the patient to produce the desired traction. 
If the patient desires a greater amount of traction the tail 36 will be 
tensioned sufficiently to pull the tail from the V-groove 76 pivoting the 
links 80 and roller 84 downwardly to clear the tail from the V-groove, and 
the lower block 30 may be raised as high as desired, and if the block and 
tackle unit 26 is raised to its maximum extent only a small portion of the 
patient's weight will be borne by the shoulders, and the patient will be 
in approximately full traction. As before, release of the tension within 
the tail 36 immediately permits the roller 84 to position the tail within 
the V-groove 76 locking the block and tackle unit from extension. 
When the patient desires to lower the legs and lower torso, it is only 
necessary to grasp the tail 36 and tension the tail sufficiently to lower 
the roller 86 and pull the tail from the V-groove 76. While maintaining 
tension within the tail 36 to slowly lower the block and tackle lower 
block 30, and associated components, the roller 84 will be maintained in 
the position shown in FIG. 6, i.e. out of alignment with the V-groove 76, 
and the patient will have full control over the rate of block and tackle 
extension and lowering of the apparatus. The tail 36 will only enter the 
V-groove 76 upon the tension within the tail producing a lesser force on 
the link 80 in a downward direction than that provided in an upward 
direction by the spring 88. 
During initial adjustment, for instance, when it is desired to initially 
extend the length of the block and tackle unit 26 to its maximum length, 
the roller 84, and links 80, may be manually lowered to prevent entering 
of the tail 36 into the V-groove 76 by manually depressing the links 80 by 
means of the handle 90. Merely by placing the thumb on the handle 90 and 
pushing downwardly the roller 84 may be sufficiently misaligned with the 
V-groove 76 to prevent locking of the tail within the V-groove. 
For storage and shipping purposes, the T-bar 40 and cushions 46 may be 
disassembled from the lower block bracket 38, the cushions 46, by means of 
their sockets 48, may be removed from the T-bar arms 44, the belt strap 70 
may be removed from the buckle 50, and the tripod columns 14 may be 
pivoted into a parallel relationship upon the raising of the center 
bracket 22 and pivoting of the links 18 to form an elongated concise 
configuration. As quickly disassembled, or assembled, the traction 
apparatus may be concisely stored or packaged for shipping. 
It is appreciated that various modifications to the inventive concepts may 
be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit 
and scope of the invention.