Lumbar traction device

A lumbar traction device includes pivotal load bearing elements which receive the weight of the person by way of the person's forearms and torso to support the person in an upright traction position with the arms adjacent the person's torso and bent naturally forward. The traction device restricts outward lateral movement of the person's arms to comfortably support the person without requiring the person to exert effort to maintain the traction position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to traction devices and 
particularly to a lumbar traction device. 
Apparatus for applying traction to the spine of a human frame has involved 
the use of belts or similar attachments to the body which are connected by 
cords and pulleys to a weight. The person's frame is literally stretched 
to apply traction. Such traction devices are both discomforting and 
potentially injurious to the person undergoing traction therapy. 
As an alternative to stretching the human frame, inversion traction has 
been proposed. According to the method of inversion traction, the person 
is suspended by the feet or ankles in an inverted position. Unfortunately, 
hanging in an inverted position is uncomfortable and may cause distraction 
of the ankle and knee joints. Furthermore, stroke victims and persons 
having high blood pressure are unable to use inversion traction. 
Therapeutic traction apparatus have been proposed which avoid stretching of 
the human frame by means of cords and pulleys, or inverting and hanging 
the person by the ankles. Such therapeutic traction apparatus generally 
support an upper portion of the person's body and permit the person's body 
weight to apply traction to the spine. 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,896,798 and 3,859,990, issued to Simon, illustrate such 
therapeutic traction apparatus. The traction apparatus disclosed by Simon 
include parallel spaced bars each having a padded section for receiving 
the underarms of a person. The person is positioned between the bars and 
supported from below by resting his or her arms against the padded 
sections of the bars. By hanging from the bars in this manner, traction is 
applied to the spine of the person. One disadvantage of the traction 
apparatus shown by Simon is that the person must exert some effort in 
maintaining the traction position. A second disadvantage of the Simon 
apparatus is that blood flow through the arms is blocked because the 
weight of the person is carried by the undersides of the arms. As a 
result, extended use of the device is prohibitive, due to the amount of 
energy required to maintain the traction position and the blockage of 
blood flow through the arms. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,353,532, issued to Ellis, also discloses a traction 
apparatus. In the traction apparatus shown by Ellis, an open framework 
supports a pair of pivotally mounted support arms. At the end of each 
support arm is a padded member which bears against the torso of the person 
undergoing traction therapy. The user positions himself or herself between 
the padded members and brings his or her weight downward. The support arms 
pivot downward and draw the padded members closer together to capture the 
torso between the padded members. A significant disadvantage of the Ellis 
device is that a large amount of discomforting pressure is applied to the 
torso of the person. This pressure against the torso restricts breathing 
and increases the discomfort. A second disadvantage of the Ellis apparatus 
is that the padded members tend to slip upward and bear against the 
person's underarms, thereby further discomforting the person. 
In light of the foregoing disadvantages, a lumbar traction device should 
provide spinal traction therapy without requiring the person to exert 
effort to maintain the traction position. A lumbar traction device should 
also comfortably support the person in an upright position and without the 
use of mechanical stretching means. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a lumbar traction 
device supports the weight of a person in a natural upright traction 
position. The lumbar traction device includes pivotally mounted load 
bearing elements for receiving the right and left arms of the person and 
supporting at least a substantial portion of the weight of the person by 
way of such arms. The remaining weight of the person is supported by 
portions of the load bearing elements contacting the person's torso. The 
load bearing elements conform in shape to the arms and torso of the person 
and restrict outward lateral movement of the arms relative to the torso. 
The traction device also includes a frame structure for pivotally and 
adjustably supporting the load bearing elements in both traction and 
release positions relative to the user. 
The device may include stops associated with the frame structure for 
determining the limits of the traction and release positions of the 
pivoted load-supporting elements. 
The device may also include, in conjunction with the frame structure, 
retractable foot rests to facilitate the user's assumption of and 
withdrawal from a traction position in the device. 
The load bearing elements may be custom molded for a particular user. 
The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and 
distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. Both 
the organization and method of operation of the invention, together with 
further advantages and objects thereof, however, may best be understood by 
reference to the following description and accompanying drawings wherein 
like reference characters refer to like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a lumbar traction device 10 in accordance with the 
present invention. Lumbar traction device 10 supports a person P in an 
upright traction position for application of therapeutic traction. Person 
P has right and left upper arms 12 and right and left forearms 14. The 
upright traction position of person P includes positioning right and left 
upper arms 12 generally alongside torso 16 with right and left forearms 14 
bent naturally forward at an acute angle relative to right and left upper 
arms 12, respectively. 
As used herein, reference to structural elements of lumbar traction device 
10 as being right, left, forward or rear will be with reference to the 
orientation of person P as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
Lumbar traction device 10 includes pivotally mounted load bearing elements 
18 for receiving the right and left arms of person P and contacting the 
right and left sides of the torso 16. Elements 18 are formed as padded 
shells conforming in shape to the arms and torso of person P when in the 
upright traction position for closely receiving and supporting the person 
P. Load bearing elements 18 support a substantial portion of the weight of 
the person by way of the right and left arms. Load bearing elements 18 
carry the remaining weight of person P by contact with the torso 16. The 
weight of person P below the level of traction is thereby applied to the 
spine of person P for traction therapy. 
Load bearing elements 18 restrict outward lateral movement of the right and 
left arms of person P, and thereby enable person P to maintain the upright 
traction position with little effort. Person P may remain comfortably 
supported in the upright traction position for an extended period of 
traction therapy. 
A freestanding open frame 20 supports the load bearing elements 18 and 
includes a central opening 22 for receiving the person when in the upright 
traction position. As best seen in FIG. 5, frame 20 includes right and 
left horizontal upper frames 24, each positioned on respective sides of 
opening 22. Each of upper frames 24 includes a forward rail 24a extending 
outward relative to opening 22, a rear rail 24b extending outward relative 
to opening 22, and an outer rail 24c most distant from opening 22. A 
horizontal interconnect rail 25 (FIGS. 1 and 5) joins the rear rails 24b 
of each of frames 24. As seen in FIG. 1 interconnect rail 25 is behind 
person P, and in FIG. 5 a portion of rail 25 is shown. Thus, interconnect 
rail 25 and rear rails 24b of frames 24 may be a single rail element 
defining the rear of opening 22 and stabilizing right frame 24 with 
respect to left frame 24. 
Each of upper frames 24 is supported by three vertical legs 26. Legs 26 are 
fixed to and extend downwardly from corresponding corners of frames 24. 
More particularly, one of legs 26 extends from each outer corner and from 
the inner forward corner of respective frames 24. 
A base 28 of frame 20 includes a rectangular floor contacting structure 28a 
(FIGS. 1, 2 and 6) and six upwardly extending tubular uprights 28b. Each 
of tubular uprights 28b telescopically receives a corresponding one of 
legs 26 for vertical positioning of upper frames 24. Vertical positioning 
of upper frames 24 enables lumbar traction device 10 to accommodate 
persons of different height. 
Each of legs 26 includes a series of apertures 30, and a corresponding 
retention pin 32 attaches nearby to base 28. Upper frame 24 is positioned 
by inserting legs 26 within uprights 28b of base 28, positioning upper 
frame 24 in the desired vertical position, and inserting pins 32 through 
the lowermost exposed apertures 30, thereby causing pins 32 to abut the 
upper ends of uprights 28b to retain legs 26 in their adjusted positions. 
As shown, legs 26 should be adjusted so that the feet of person P do not 
touch the ground when the person's arms are supported by load bearing 
elements 18. Phantom lines 29 in FIG. 1 show upper frames 24 in a 
lowermost position. 
Base 28 includes horizontal right and left forward cross support rails 28c 
affixed to the corresponding forward uprights 28b on the right and left 
sides of central opening 22, and positioned one and one half to two feet 
above floor contacting structure 28a. Right and left uprights 28d (FIG. 
6), positioned directly below the inner rear corners of upper frames 24 
and extending upwardly slightly above forward cross support rails 28c, are 
affixed to base 28. Horizontal right and left rear cross support rails 28e 
are affixed to corresponding uprights 28d and 28b on respective sides of 
central opening 22. Right and left hinge support rails 28f of base 28 are 
affixed to forward cross support rails 28c and rear cross support rails 
28e on respective sides of central opening 22. Hinge support rails 28e are 
spaced outwardly, relative to central opening 22, from inner uprights 28b 
and uprights 28d by approximately one foot. 
Base 28 carries a plate-like stationary foot support 33 and a plate-like 
hinged foot support 34 (FIGS. 1 and 6) on each side of central opening 22. 
Right and left stationary supports 33 extend through an area defined by 
rail 28f and outer uprights 28b on respective sides of central opening 22. 
Stationary supports 33 are affixed to base 28. Each of right and left 
hinged supports 34 is attached to a corresponding one of rails 28f by a 
piano hinge 36. Hinges 36 lie on the outer edges of supports 34, i.e., the 
edge most distant from central opening 22. Foot supports 34 thereby pivot 
on hinges 36 upward and away from the central opening 22. Foot supports 33 
and 34 provide a platform for person P to stand upon while mounting lumbar 
traction device 10. Pivoting foot supports 34 up and away from central 
opening 22 gives person P additional space for exercise while supported in 
the upright traction position. 
Forward and rear stop pins 34a are affixed to each of foot supports 34 to 
contact base 28 and retain foot supports 34 in a raised position. Forward 
and rear stop pins 34a contact corresponding outer uprights 28b to retain 
foot supports 34 in the raised position Supports 34 contact rails 28e and 
28c in their lowered position. As shown in FIG. 6, right foot support 34 
is in its lowered position, and left foot support 34 is in its raised 
position. Each of foot supports 34 include a support rail 34b affixed to 
its underside adjacent central opening 22 for additional rigidity while in 
its lowered position and supporting the weight of person P. 
FIG. 5 illustrates a pivotal support structure for left load bearing 
element 18 and, unless otherwise indicated, represents a corresponding 
structure for right load bearing element 18. Right and left cross bar 
means each includes forward and rear slotted cross members 38. Such cross 
members are affixed to upper frame 24 in spaced parallel relation. Forward 
slotted cross member 38 lies in forward rail 24a and rear slotted cross 
member 38 lies on rear rail 24b. Each of slotted cross members 38 includes 
a series of upwardly opening slots 39. Each slot 39 in the forward cross 
member 38 is aligned with a corresponding slot 39 in rear cross member. 
A pivot shaft 40 spans the distance between front and rear slotted cross 
members 38 and rests within selected corresponding slots 39 of the cross 
members 38. Pivot shaft 40 is laterally positionable with respect to 
central opening 22 by suitably placing pivot shaft 40 within corresponding 
slots of cross members 38. Two slotted lock bars 42 secure pivot shaft 40 
within the selected slots 39 of cross members 38. The outer end of each 
lock bar 42 is pivoted to the outer end of its corresponding member 38 by 
a bolt 43. Each lock bar 42 includes downwardly opening slots 43, 
corresponding in position to slots 39 in cross members 38. Lock bars 42 
pivot downwardly from an open position (left side of FIG. 5) to a closed 
position (right side of FIG. 5) adjacent the corresponding cross member 38 
and contact upper frame 24. In the closed position, lock bars 42 and cross 
members 38 cooperate to provide closed apertures 45 (FIG. 5) for pivotally 
receiving corresponding ends of pivot shaft 40. Lock bars 42 and cross 
members 38 each include pin apertures 47 (FIG. 5) at the end closest to 
central opening 22. When lock bars 42 are in the closed position, 
apertures 47 of corresponding lock bars 42 and cross members 38 are 
aligned, allowing locking pins 44 inserted into apertures 47 to secure 
lock bars 42 in the closed position. Pivot shaft 40 can thus be captured 
in selected slots 39 between cross members 38 and lock bars 42. Bolt and 
washer assemblies 49 at the ends of shaft 40 prevent longitudinal movement 
of shaft 40. Shaft 40 is thereby securely mounted for pivotal movement. 
Mounting bars 46 are affixed to pivot shaft 40 and extend generally 
upwardly from shaft 40 in spaced parallel relation. An upper pivot shaft 
48 spans the distance between mounting bars 46 and is rotatably connected 
to their distal ends. Shaft 48 carries a mounting bracket 50. Load bearing 
element 18 attaches, e.g., by bolts (not shown), to bracket 50 and, by 
virtue of the pivotal mounting of shaft 40, pivots together with mounting 
bars 46 toward and away from central opening 22. Load bearing element 18 
also pivots about shaft 48. 
Wing stops 52 (FIGS. 4 and 5) attached to opposite ends of pivot shaft 40 
extend above upper frame 24 to restrict pivotal motion of shafts 40 and 
element 18. Each wing stop 52 includes two legs. The first leg 52a, 
closest to opening 22, contacts upper frame 24 to define the extent to 
which load bearing element 18 pivots toward central opening 22. The second 
leg 52b, most distant from opening 22, determines the extent to which load 
bearing element 18 pivots away from central opening 22. As seen in FIG. 4, 
mounting bar 46 is pivoted toward central opening 22 and the first leg 52a 
of wing stop 52 is contacting upper frame 24. Mounting bar 46 and wing 
stop 52 also appear in phantom in FIG. 4 to illustrate the extent to which 
mounting bar 46 may pivot away from central opening 22 before the second 
leg 52b of wing stop 52 contacts upper frame 24. Limiting the extent to 
which mounting bars 46 pivot toward central opening 22 limits the extent 
to which load bearing elements 18 approach one another. If load bearing 
elements were not so restricted, instability of person P while in the 
traction position would result and excess pressure against torso 16 of 
person P could develop. Limiting the extent to which mounting bars 46 
pivot away from opening 22 places load bearing elements in a convenient 
open position to allow person P to mount lumbar traction device 10. 
Right and left load bearing elements 18 are molded and cushioned plastic 
shells which conform generally in shape to the right and left arms and to 
the torso of person P in the upright traction position. Load bearing 
elements 18 are adjusted laterally with respect to person P by positioning 
shaft 40 within selected slots of slotted cross members 38. Lateral 
positioning of shaft 40 is based generally on the width of torso 16 of 
person P. For a person having a broad torso, shafts 40 should be moved 
farther away from central opening 22. As will be explained in the overall 
operation of lumbar traction device 10, the lateral position of shafts 40 
also determines to some extent the point at which traction is applied to 
the spine of person P. 
In FIG. 3, right load bearing element 18 is shown in perspective. Each load 
bearing element 18 includes a padded lining 54 for contacting the arms and 
torso of the person receiving traction therapy. Pocket 56 receives the 
person's elbow, holds the person's arm in the upright traction position, 
and prevents load bearing element 18 from slipping upward on the person's 
torso. Upwardly facing surface 58 carries a substantial portion of the 
person's weight by contacting the downwardly facing surface of the 
person's forearm. Inwardly facing surface 60 restricts outward lateral 
movement of the person's arm by contacting the outwardly facing surface of 
the person's arm. Inwardly facing surface 62 contacts the person's torso 
and assists, primarily through friction, in supporting the weight of the 
person. Thus, load bearing elements 18 essentially form a two-piece padded 
upper body jacket for comfortably supporting person P in a natural upright 
position while receiving traction therapy. 
Elements 18 have been constructed using a human model as a guide in forming 
the shell mold. In this manner, the elements 18 closely conform in shape 
to the arms and torso of the person. A thermo-plastic polycarbonate has 
been found to be a satisfactory material for constructing load bearing 
elements 18. If desired, such elements could be custom-molded for each 
user. 
In overall operation, application of lumbar traction begins by first 
placing right and left foot supports 34 in their lowered or horizontal 
positions adjacent central opening 22. Person P enters the central opening 
and stands upon right and left foot supports 34. It may be necessary to 
adjust the vertical position of upper frames 24 in order to locate 
elements 18 below the arms of person P as person P stands upon supports 
24. Right and left load bearing elements 18 are positioned laterally with 
respect to the person's torso by inserting pivot shaft 40 within slots 39 
of cross members 38. Proper selection of slots 39 to position shafts 40 
depends generally on the size of torso 16 and, as explained below, the 
amount of spinal traction desired. Lock bars 42 are pivoted to their 
closed positions and secured by pins 44 in order to retain pivot shaft 40. 
Load bearing elements 18 are pivoted inward toward central opening 22 such 
that person P may insert his or her right and left arms in load bearing 
elements 18, remove his or her feet from supports 34, and hang from 
elements 18 with legs straight and unsupported. 
In this position, a substantial portion of person P's weight bears against 
surfaces 58 of load bearing elements 18 by way of forearms 14. The 
remaining weight of person P is carried by frictional contact with the 
surfaces 62 of elements 18 which bear inward against the right and left 
sides of the torso 16. Preferably, the lateral position of shafts 40 is 
such that at least one of load bearing elements 18 is not pivoted fully 
toward opening 22, i.e., the first leg 52a of the corresponding wing stops 
52 is not contacting upper frame 24. While some inward pressure against 
the torso is experienced due to supporting the person's weight in this 
manner, this pressure is merely enough to create sufficient friction to 
prevent torso 16 from slipping in relation to surface 62. Most of the 
person's weight is carried by way of forearms 14. Also, load bearing 
elements 18 have a large surface area for distributing the pressure 
against the torso 16. 
Further adjustment in the position of shafts 40 with respect to central 
opening 22 adjusts the area at which traction is applied to the spine of 
person P and therefore the amount of traction applied to the spine. Once 
shafts 40 are positioned generally in relation to the size of torso 16, 
and person P assumes the traction position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a 
majority of the weight of person P is carried by way of the right and left 
arms and the remainder is carried below at the right and left sides of 
torso 16. Because most of person P's weight is carried at the upper 
portion of torso 16, i.e., at the shoulders where the right and left arms 
connect to torso 16, almost the full length of the spine of person P 
carries most of the weight of person P in tension. The desired 
substantially full-length spinal traction is thereby accomplished. 
However, by moving one or both of shafts 40, pressure exerted against the 
right and left sides of torso 16 is varied, and a corresponding portion of 
person P's weight carried by the right and left arms is varied. Such 
variability provides the advantage of adjustability for maximum user 
comfort. Also, such variability provides adjustability of traction applied 
to the spine. For example, with more weight being carried at a lower point 
on torso 16, the upper spine of person P carries less weight in tension 
and a lesser amount of traction is thus applied to the spine. Also, where 
most of the weight of person P is supported by torso support surfaces 62 
rather than arm support surfaces 58 of the load bearing elements, most of 
the weight-induced traction is applied only to the lower portion of the 
spine below the torso support surfaces. Accordingly, lumbar traction 
device 10 is adaptable for user comfort and is capable of providing 
varying amounts of spinal traction therapy to either substantially the 
full length or to the lower portion of the spine depending on the 
positioning of shafts 40. 
Load bearing elements 18 receive the person's arms while bent naturally 
forward in the upright traction position and restrict outward lateral 
movement of the arms. Very little effort is required to maintain the 
upright traction position. Person P is able to relax while in the lumbar 
traction position and receive traction therapy comfortably for long 
periods of time. 
Once positioned in the upright traction position and supported by elements 
18, person P may perform exercises. With right and left foot supports 34 
pivoted upwardly away from opening 22, a greater open area is available. 
To exercise or stretch the back and legs, person P swings the legs 
side-to-side or forward from the waist. Individual vertebrae are desirably 
flexed relative to one another during traction therapy. 
Thus, an improved traction therapy apparatus has been shown. Lumbar 
traction device 10 provides spinal traction therapy without requiring 
person P to exert effort to maintain the traction position. Lumbar 
traction device 10 comfortably supports person P enabling use of traction 
device 10 for extended periods. 
While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and 
described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many 
changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention 
in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to 
cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit 
and scope of the invention.