Abstract:
A traction extension table used to aid the user in performing assisted lower back and abdominal extensions for the treatment of bulging/herniated lumbar discs. The table has a frame constructed utilizing a plurality of cushioned sections forming the table&#39;s top with one movable along a roller assembly mating with the table frame for section relocation and releasable securement upon relocation. Another is contoured to have table frame supported hand-placement supports at the head. The contoured cushion is hingedly attached to the table frame and also connected to at least one shock absorber. To better accommodate the user, the pads have lumbar and chest harnesses to keep the user in position while performing an exercise while the chest pad has a face hole to accommodate the user&#39;s nose while lying face down on the table.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment and, more specifically, a traction extension table used to aid the user in performing assisted lower back and abdominal extensions for the treatment of bulging/herniated lumbar discs. 
   The table having a frame is constructed utilizing a plurality of cushioned sections forming the table&#39;s top with one movable along a roller assembly mating with the table frame for section relocation and releasable securement upon relocation. Another is contoured to have table frame supported hand-placement supports at the head. The contoured cushion is hingedly attached to the table frame and also connected to at least one shock absorber. 
   To better accommodate the user, the pads have lumbar and chest harnesses to keep the user in position while performing an exercise while the chest pad has a face hole to accommodate the user&#39;s nose while lying face down on the table. 
   In operation a user exercises by placing their hands on the hand supports and pushing up arching their back while the shock absorber extends and controls the rate of descent as the user returns to the starting exercise position. 
   The upper chest harness is attached under the table via springs to maintain the traction as the hinged table section pivots up. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   There are other exercising devices designed for aiding physical development. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 326,247 issued to J. B. Root on Sep. 15, 1885. 
   Another patent was issued to C. W. Kabisius on Jul. 17, 1934 as U.S. Pat. No. 1,966,448. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 2,494,094 was issued to W. G. Horstman on Jan. 10, 1950 and still yet another was issued on May 27, 1952 to R. E. Allen as U.S. Pat. No. 2,598,204. 
   Another patent was issued to Leonard W. Swatt on Feb. 29, 1972 as U.S. Pat. No. 3,644,946. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,079 was issued to Harold J. Escobedo on Apr. 21, 1992. Another was issued to Mark J. Roberts on Jan. 12, 1993 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,593 and still yet another was issued on Dec. 14, 1993 to Mark J. Roberts as U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,736. 
   Another patent was issued to Anthony P. Colecchi on Jul. 18, 2000 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,090,022. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 6,764,432 was issued to Joseph B. Hippensteel on Jul. 20, 2004. Another was issued to Alan Herrod on Apr. 24, 1982 as British Patent No. GB2118849 and still yet another was issued on Feb. 18, 2001 to Michael Allen Ralph as Canadian Patent No. CA2280303. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 326,247 
   Inventor: J. B. Root 
   Issued: Sep. 15, 1885 
   In an exercising-machine, the combination of a flywheel and a handle or handles connected by a crank with and for operating said flywheel, as and for the purposes set forth. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 1,966,448 
   Inventor: C. W. Kabisius 
   Issued: Jul. 17, 1934 
   In a mechanical swimming instructor, the combination of a frame, a cam mounted on one side of the frame and another cam mounted on the other side of the frame, each of said cams having a continuous path with an upper portion disposed in one plane and a lower portion disposed in one plane and a lower portion disposed in a plane extending at an angle to the plane of the upper portion, an offset arm-bracket supported in the angle between the said planes and having a pivotal joint, means for connecting the pivotal joint, means for connecting the pivotal joints so that the arm-bracket on one side of the frame moves in synchronism with the arm-bracket on the other side, an arm carried by each bracket for supporting the arm of the swimmer and means for guiding each bracket for supporting the arm of the swimmer and means for guiding each arm bracket on its corresponding cam, said arm brackets being disposed so that when guiding means of one arm is running on the upper portion of one cam and guiding means of the other arm is running on the lower portion of the other cam. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,494,094 
   Inventor: W. G. Horstman 
   Issued: Jan. 10, 1950 
   An exercising device comprising a base member, a body supporting member, an upright coil spring connected between said two members having and end coil arranged in a plane substantially normal to the axis of said spring, means for connecting said end coil with one of said two members including a clamp member having an annular curved portion adapted to receive one side of said end coil therein, with said one member having an annularly depressed portion adapted to receive the other side of said end coil, with said clamp member being positionable opposite said depressed portion to substantially close said end coil therebetween, and means for clamping said end coil between said depressed portion and said clamp member. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,598,204 
   Inventor: R. E. Allen 
   Issued: May 27, 1952 
   In an exercising apparatus, a fixed section having a substantially horizontal supporting surface, a leaf hinged to said fixed section at one side of said supporting surface, being placeable in the same plane therewith and at various inclinations above and below that plane, a lever pivoted to the fixed section below the connection between the leaf and fixed section, extending thence under the leaf and bearing thereon at a considerable distance from the pivot of the leaf, a motor cylinder, and an extensible member movable into and out of said cylinder coupled to said lever at an intermediate point between the pivot thereof and the part which bears on the leaf, said lever causing an augmented movement to be transmitted to the leaf from the motor. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,644,946 
   Inventor: Leonard W. Swatt 
   Issued: Feb. 29, 1972 
   An adjustable bed comprising a rectangular frame on which are mounted rigid bedboard sections supporting a coil spring directly thereon. The bedboard comprises a stationary seat section mounted on the frame, and head and thigh sections pivoted at fixed points relative to the frame and seat section and tiltable relative thereto. A foot section is pivoted levers and the head and thigh sections have lever arms pivotally mounted thereon at one end and carrying rollers at their opposite ends mounted on trackways on the frame. Separate motor actuators individually rotate the arms pivotally mounted on the head and thigh bedboard sections to tilt them as the head and thigh bedboard sections to tilt them as the rollers ride on the trackways on the frame. The actuators are individually operated in opposite directions to adjust the bed by manual control. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,079 
   Inventor: Harold J. Escobedo 
   Issued: Apr. 21, 1992 
   Exercise apparatus enables a person to perform extended push-ups with a variable and adjustable weight on his back. The apparatus includes a frame with elevated longitudinal members carrying handles near their forward ends. A weight platform is pivotally supported near the rear end of the frame. A locking arrangement manipulated by the feet of the user selectively locks or unlocks the weight platform against downward movement. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,593 
   Inventor: Mark J. Roberts 
   Issued: Jan. 12, 1993 
   Disclosed is an exercise apparatus that is a combination stationary recumbent cycle-type exerciser and an upper body exerciser, and a method of exercising. In the stationary recumbent cycle mode, the seated operator pedals a conventional pedal mechanism. In the upper body exerciser mode, the operator is in a normal push-up position with the hands on the pedals of the pedal mechanism. Exercising is accomplished by hand pedaling the pedal mechanism while supporting the body weight on the feet and hands. The machine has an adjustment to help support the operator&#39;s chest with a chest pad. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,736 
   Inventor: Mark J. Roberts 
   Issued: Dec. 14, 1993 
   Disclosed is an exercise apparatus that is a combination stationary recumbent cycle-type exerciser and an upper body exerciser, and a method of exercising. In the stationary recumbent cycle mode, the seated operator pedals a conventional pedal mechanism. In the upper body exerciser mode, the operator is in a normal push-up position with the hands on the pedals of the pedal mechanism. Exercising is accomplished by hand pedaling the pedal mechanism while supporting the body weight on the feet and hands. The machine has an adjustment to help support the operator&#39;s chest with a chest pad. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,090,022 
   Inventor: Anthony P. Colecchi 
   Issued: Jul. 18, 2000 
   An exercise apparatus for exercising a user&#39;s stomach, back and leg muscles. The exercise apparatus includes a base frame with a front post upwardly extending therefrom. A bench is pivotally coupled to the base frame and attached to the front post. A backrest is pivotally coupled to the bench. A motor with a pair of opposite outwardly extending rotating shafts is mounted under the bench. A pair of side posts upwardly extend from the base frame and each have a pulley rotatably mounted thereto. Each of the rotating shafts has a spool coupled thereto. A pair of elongate flexible cables are coupled to the backrest with a first of the cables looped around one of the pulleys and wound around one of the spools and a second of the cables looped around the other of the pulleys and wound around the other of the spools. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,764,432 
   Inventor: Joseph B. Hippensteel 
   Issued: Jul. 20, 2004 
   An antigravity full range of motion four limb dry swim overall body exercise machine that allows virtually every muscle in the body to work anaerobically or aerobically, at the user&#39;s choosing, while the user is lying down on their back to take pressure off the user&#39;s spine, and working most muscles through a nominal or up to a full range of motion at the user&#39;s choosing, which motions can be in one of several directions or arcs at the user&#39;s choosing. The machine includes a base frame with parallel frame adjustable lengths and supporting cross segments horizontally and vertically to a second parallel frame length above the first, the entire base frame having a first end and a second end, the first end having frame adjustments to accept length and tension adjustable arm apparatuses with handles, the second end having frame adjustments to accept length and tension adjustable leg apparatuses with pedals. Mounted on top of the base frame top parallel lengths are padded bench apparatuses, one for the torso which can include a headrest and one for the hips. The middle of the length of the base frame has a spring or shock absorber type structure to allow the middle top level of the base frame, supporting the seat and torso apparatuses, to have an up and down motion to allow for abdominal flexion of the user permitted by a pivoting action of the seat and torso apparatus sections of the upper level of the base frame. The seat and torso apparatus sections are permitted to pivot in a seesaw type action by a fulcrum cross piece under and supporting the center of each bench section. 
   U.K Patent Number GB2118849 
   Inventor: Alan Herrod 
   Issued: Apr. 24, 1982 
   The bench, for use when practicing swimming strokes out of water, comprises a main body support 7 on a stand 1, and a back/chest support 13 extending from one end of the main support and pivotable about a longitudinal axis of the main support. The back/chest support 13 is freely rotatable and provided with alternative surface profiles on opposite faces to suit practice in different strokes such as back stroke and crawl. The bench can be used with a pulley exercise machine. 
   Canadian Patent Number CA2280303 
   Inventor: Michael Allen Ralph 
   Issued: Aug. 18, 1999 
   An exercise apparatus, more particularly an exercise bench for supporting a user doing a push-up. The bench allows the user to keep its body straight while performing push-ups, thereby isolating the arms, chest and back. The bench is adjustable to distribute some of the weight of the user onto a support and thus increase or decrease the weight a user is lifting during the incline of the push-up. It also has an adjustable biasing member for adjusting the weight on the decline of the push-up. The apparatus is collapsible for easy storage. 
   While these exercise devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide an exercise table used for the treatment of bulging/herniated lumbar/thoractic discs having a plurality of pads one being angular and longitudinally adjustable and the other being set on rollers for lateral accommodation of ones body while performing an exercise. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise table used for assistance in performing extension exercise for the treatment of bulging/herniated having a chest harness attached under the top portion of the table via springs to maintain traction to the lumbar spine while the table comes up. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise table used for the treatment of bulging/herniated lumbar discs having rollers bound to a track with a locking mechanism for stabilization of said rollers in the track to give traction to the lumbar spine. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise table used for assistance with extension exercise having a pad outfitted with a face hole to accommodate ones face while performing an exercise lying face down. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise table used for assistance with extension exercise for the treatment of bulging/herniated discs having two harnesses that will maintain traction to the lumbar spine while the user performs the extension exercise. 
   Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
   The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a segmented table having means for providing a user an exercise table used for assistance in lower back and abdominal development having harnesses for situating the user nose holes to accommodate ones face. Additionally the table has a portion of padding that is laterally adjustable on rollers that may be locked utilizing a locking mechanism to provide traction to the lumbar spine from waist below, traction from above waist is maintained by chest harness attached to the under part of the table via spring to give traction for lumbar spine. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawing, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
   The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a detailed view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a detailed view of the lower cushion sliding mechanism of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a detailed view of the lower cushion sliding mechanism of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use; 
       FIG. 9  is a detailed view of the under side of the upper body cushion of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a detailed sectional view of the spring loaded lockable hinge of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 11  is a detailed sectional view of the downward angle adjustment of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Traction Extension Table of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
           10  Traction Extension Table of the present invention     12  segmented table     14  chest harness     16  lumbar harness     18  tensioning assembly     20  patient     22  locking roller cushion     24  adjustable cushion     26  frame     28  variable resistance shock     30  locking mechanism     36  face recess     38  spring-loaded locking hinge     40  top section of  24       42  bottom section of     44  position lock     46  attachment hooks     48  shock bracket     50  pivoting shock arm     52  shaft of  28       54  roller assembly     56  handle of  30       58  shaft of  56       60  extension bar     62  locking aperture     64  roller     66  roller channel     68  arm cut-out     70  hinge     72  downward adjustment angle     74  cushion     76  lock release of  38       78  spring     80  bar of  72         

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
     FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention  10  in use. The present invention is a traction extension table  10  comprising a segmented table  12  a chest harness  14  and a lumbar harness  16  fastened thereto and a tensioning assembly extending therebetween to aid the patient  20  positioned on the table  12  to perform extension exercises. The table  12  is segmented into a locking roller cushion  22  and an adjustable cushion  24  mounted on a frame  26 . The locking cushion  22  is pivotally connected to a central portion of the frame  26  adjacent to the locking cushion  22 . Variable resistance shock absorbers  28  are secured to the frame  26  and the adjustable cushion  24  to control the rate of descent when in use. The chest harness  16  is attached via a spring to maintain the traction as the table comes up so there won&#39;t be any slack on the chest harness  16 . The locking roller cushion  22  is slid into the desired position prior to usage and is secured in place by a locking mechanism  30 . 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention  10 . The present invention  10  is a segmented table  12  for patients to lie on that will maintain traction for lumbar discs and provides an easy way to perform extension exercises. The present invention is a traction extension table  10  comprising a segmented table  12  a chest harness  14  and a lumbar harness  16  fastened thereto and a tensioning assembly extending therebetween to aid the patient positioned on the table  12  to perform extension exercises. The table  12  is segmented into a locking roller cushion  22  and an adjustable cushion  24  mounted on top  34  portion of a frame  26 . The locking cushion  22  is pivotally connected to a central portion of the frame  26  adjacent to the locking cushion  22 . Variable resistance shock absorbers  28  are secured to the frame  26  and the adjustable cushion  24  to control the rate of descent when in use. The adjustable cushion  24  has a recess  36  into which the patients face is placed during therapy rather than having to turn the head. The chest harness  16  is attached via a spring to maintain the traction as the table comes up so there won&#39;t be any slack on the chest harness  16 . 
     FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention  10 . The chest harness is secured to the adjustable cushion  24  and the lumbar harness  16  is attached to the locking roller cushion  22  for securing the patient to the segmented table  12 . Traction for the lower portion of the body is achieved by sliding the locking roller cushion  22  into place and locking it in place. Traction on the upper portion of the body is maintained by chest harness  14  straps attached to springs on the back of the adjustable cushion  24 . The adjustable cushion  24  is divided into a top portion  40  and a bottom portion  42  and includes a spring-loaded lockable hinge  38  that allows the user to determine and fix the angle of the top portion  40  relative to the bottom portion  42 . A position lock  44  is disposed on the lower bottom portion  42  of the adjustable cushion  24  proximal the frame  26  and a plurality of attachment hooks  46  are disposed on the underside of the top portion  40  thereof for the attachment of springs thereto. The face recess  36  is included in the top portion  40  of the adjustable cushion  24 . Also shown is the attachment means of the side shocks  28  with a connection to the frame  26  on one end and to the adjustable cushion  24  on the other. 
     FIG. 4  is a detailed view of the variable resistance, single dial shock  28  centrally disposed underneath the adjustable cushion  24 . The shock  28  is secured to a shock bracket  48  integral with the frame  26  and the shaft is fastened to a pivoting shock arm  50  that is affixed on the other end to the bottom portion  42  of the adjustable cushion  24 . 
     FIG. 5  is a sectional front view of the present invention  10  taken from  FIG. 4  as indicated. Shown are the roller cushion locking mechanism  30  and the roller assembly  54  for the locking roller cushion  22 . The locking mechanism  30  comprises a handle  56  with a shaft  58  rotatively connected to the underside of the roller cushion  22 . A pair of offset extension bars  60  extend into locking apertures  62  disposed within the frame  26  when the handle  56  is turned in one direction, and retract therefrom when turned the other. A plurality of corresponding locking apertures  62  are disposed in spaced apart relation on their respective frame  26  members thereby permitting the user to position and secure the roller cushion  22  accordingly. The roller assembly  54  comprises a vertically oriented roller  64  associated with the bottom of the roller cushion  22  that travels within a channel  66  extending longitudinally within the frame  26 . 
     FIG. 6  is a detailed view of the lower cushion sliding mechanism of the present invention. Shown is the extension bar  60  extended into the locking aperture  62  to lock the roller cushion  22  into position to give traction to the lower half of the body. The roller assembly  54  comprises a vertically oriented roller  64  associated with the bottom of the roller cushion  22  that travels within a channel  66  extending longitudinally within the frame  26 . 
     FIG. 7  is a detailed view of the lower cushion sliding mechanism of the present invention. Shown is the extension bar  60  retracted from the locking aperture  62  to release the roller cushion  22   
     FIG. 8  is an illustrative view of the present invention  10  in use. The present invention is a traction extension table  10  comprising a segmented table  12  a chest harness  14  and a lumbar harness  16  fastened thereto and a tensioning assembly  18  extending therebetween to aid the patient  20  positioned on the table  12  to perform extension exercises. The table  12  is segmented into a locking roller cushion  22  and an adjustable cushion  24  mounted on a frame  26 . The locking cushion  22  is pivotally connected to a central portion of the frame  26  adjacent to the locking cushion  22 . Variable resistance shock absorbers  28  are secured to the frame  26  and the adjustable cushion  24  to control the rate of descent when in use. The chest harness  16  is attached via a spring to maintain the traction as the table comes up so there won&#39;t be any slack on the chest harness  16 . The locking roller cushion  22  is slid into the desired position prior to usage due to integral rollers  64  that travel within roller channels  66  disposed in the frame  26  and is secured in place by a locking mechanism  30 . The arms of the patient  20  extend through inside cut-outs  68  while performing the exercise. 
     FIG. 9  is a detailed view of the under side of the adjustable cushion  24 . Shown is the underside of the hinged  70  adjustable cushion  24  having a single shock  28  to aid an individual positioned on said table to perform extension exercises. The adjustable cushion  24  is divided into a top section  40  and a bottom section  42  that are attached by spring-loaded lockable hinges  38  with lock releases  76 . A downward angle adjustment  72  is situated therebetween specially suited to customize its angular displacement for proper support of the user&#39;s neck. A dial resistance shock  28  is secured to a pivoting shock arm  50  fastened to a base plate  74  disposed on the underside of the bottom portion  42  of the adjustable cushion  24  to incorporate means for varying the pressure of the tensioning member upon the pivotal table section. 
     FIG. 10  is a detailed sectional view of the spring  78  loaded lockable hinge  38 . Depicted is the spring load hinge  38  in a retracted and extended position whereby the user may swing the hinged top section  40  of the adjustable cushion  24  upwardly or downwardly relative to the bottom section  42  wherethen the hinge  38  may be locked supporting the desired angled table section in a fixed position. 
     FIG. 11  is a detailed view of the downward angle adjustment  72 . Shown is the downward angle adjustment  72  comprising a bar  80  bound to a track that may be slid up or down so as to cause the downwardly pivoting top section  40  of the adjustable cushion  24  to come to rest on the end of the bar  80  at a desired downward angle relative to the bottom section  42  and held to that locus by gravitational forces. 
   It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
   While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
   Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention