Abstract:
A device and method is disclosed for removing or otherwise ameliorating tension from the human body. The device having a body ( 20 ) a top or cusp ( 22 ) a bottom ( 24 ) and at least one inclined surface ( 30 ). Whereby a person lays on a flat surface supporting their head and neck on the body ( 20 ) for a period of time therewith decompressing tension from their body.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. (Provisional) Application No. 61/215,499, filed May 6, 2009, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This application relates generally to a device for relieving tension from the human body. 
         [0003]    Over the past three decades there has been an increased popularity in individuals visiting chiropractors and massage therapists for their services. These practitioners can bring about relief for their patients by hands on manipulation of the human body. As the popularity of these kinds of therapies has increased over the years so have various self help home therapies. Self help home therapies, however, are limited when it comes to hands on manipulation of the human body. To assist a person in this regard, a number of devices have been proposed in an attempt to assist a person in manipulating their own body. Some examples of such devices are exercise balls to assist stretching the body, hand manipulated canes to assist massaging the body, foot operated rollers, and various forms of vibrators to reduce stress. These devices, however, are difficult to use, cause operator fatigue, and only produce localized results. Primarily, the above mentioned devices do not allow the operator to relax, which at time may cause more tension and stress in the human body than what they resolve. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there is a need for a device to remove or otherwise reduce tension and stress from the human body that is easy-to-use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present application generally provides an apparatus and method of use to remove tension and stress from the human body that is simple and easy to use. 
         [0006]    There are many objects of the present device disclosed herein in its various embodiments that may be addressed individually or in combinations and permutations. Each embodiment may address one or several of the following objectives. 
         [0007]    An object of at least one embodiment of the devices disclosed herein is to provide a device for safely removing tension and stress from the human body. 
         [0008]    Another object of at least one embodiment of the devices disclosed herein is to provide a device for easily removing tension and stress from the human body. 
         [0009]    Another object of at least one embodiment of the devices disclosed herein is to provide a device for quickly removing tension and stress from the human body. 
         [0010]    Another object of at least one embodiment of the devices disclosed herein is to provide a device easy to transport and store. 
         [0011]    Another object of at least one embodiment of the devices disclosed herein is to provide a device for economically removing tension and stress from the human body. 
         [0012]    These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be clear in view of the following description to the invention including the associated drawings. 
         [0013]    One or more of the objects discussed herein are achieved with an apparatus for relieving tension from the human body, the apparatus that includes a body made from any rigid or semi rigid material somewhat cubic in nature having a left side and a right side. 
         [0014]    In at least one embodiment the apparatus includes a body made from any rigid or semi rigid material somewhat cylindrical in nature having a left side and a right side. 
         [0015]    In at least one embodiment the apparatus has a bottom that sets on a flat horizontal surface and at least one inclined surface elevating to a cusp, a first notch accommodating the cervical vertebrae and a second notch cradling the Atlas/Access C 1 , C 2  and occipital protuberance. 
         [0016]    In at least one embodiment the apparatus has a third notch which allows for a slight back tipping of the body, enhancing traction and decompression for the user, the body becoming slightly imbalanced from the horizontal surface by the weight of the user acting on the body. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0017]    The device of the present application will be described hereafter in detail with particular reference to the drawings. Throughout this description, like elements, in whatever embodiment described, refer to common elements wherever referred to and referenced by the same reference number. The characteristics, attributes, functions, interrelations ascribed to a particular element in one location apply to that element when referred to by the same reference number in another location unless specifically stated otherwise. All Figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the Figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a decompression traction device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the device in use. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is another embodiment of the device. 
       
    
    
     DRAWINGS REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0023]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 20 
                 body 
               
               
                 22 
                 cusp 
               
               
                 24 
                 bottom 
               
               
                 26 
                 left side 
               
               
                 28 
                 right side 
               
               
                 30 
                 inclined surface 
               
               
                 32 
                 first notch 
               
               
                 34 
                 second notch 
               
               
                 36 
                 third notch 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only and not to limit the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0025]    The present application generally provides decompression traction devices that in at least one embodiment when used relieves or at least reduces bodily tension and conditions, such as headaches. The decompression traction device further induces and releases pressure as well as providing gentle traction to the human body. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a decompression traction device according to one embodiment generally has purposely shaped body  20 . The device may be made from any material, preferably a rigid material or semi-rigid material. In one embodiment a semi-rigid two pound closed cell foam material is used to create the body  20 . The body  20  is somewhat cubic in nature having a left side  26  and at right side  28  opposite the left side. The body  20  has a bottom  24  and a top side or cusp  22  opposite the bottom  24 . Of importance the body  20  includes at least one inclined surface  30 . As shown, all sides of the of the body  20  may be essentially perpendicular to each other except that the inclined surface  30  is at an angle relative to the bottom that is less than 90 degrees thereby forming a wedge shape. In this regard, the inclined surface  30  is at an angle relative to the top surface or cusp  22  that is greater than 90 degrees. 
         [0027]    In at least one embodiment, a first notch  32  is taken from or otherwise formed into the inclined surface  30 . The notch  32  is generally a groove that extends in a direction along the length of the inclined surface  30 . The notch  32  may be essentially perpendicular to the lines created by the intersection of the sides  24 ,  28  with the inclined surface  30  as shown. 
         [0028]    In at least one embodiment, the body  20  includes a second inclined surface between the cusp  22  and the rear side of the body  20 . A second notch  34  may similarly be positioned on the second notch  34  opposite first notch  32 . That is, the second notch  34  may extend in a direction along the length of the second inclined surface. Each of the notches  32 ,  34  may split the respective inclined surface in half or otherwise. The perimeter of the sides  24 ,  28  may include an at least partially beveled perimeter as shown. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the device of  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the body  20  may further includes a third notch  36 . In this instance, the notch  36  extends from the left side  24  to the right side  28 . The purpose of third notch  36  is to subtract material from the body  20  thus diminishing the size of the bottom  24 . As can be seen, the notches  32 ,  34  are disposed in a direction so that they are at an angle to each other, e.g., at right angles to each other. The notches may be any shape and size including circular, angular, etc. 
         [0030]    In the preferred embodiment the dimensions of the invention are 6.75 inches long by 3.75 inches in height by 4.125 inches in width. The notches  32  and  34  are 1.0 inch in width and 0.5 inches in depth from the outer surfaces of the device. The notch  32  is 5.38 inches long at its deepest point from the outer surface of the device. The notch  34  is 1.88 inches at its deepest point from the outer surface of the device. The notch  36  is 1.0 inch in height by 1.0 inch in width by 4.125 inches in length. The chamfers shown on the outer corners of the device are 0.25 inch chamfers. The scope of the dimensions could be in a range of plus or minus 10 percent of these dimensions. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of  FIG. 1  further showing the components of the design.  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the device in use.  FIG. 5  is another embodiment of the device. In this embodiment of the device body  20  is cylindrical in nature. 
         [0032]    The device generally provides pressure at the contact points with the subject&#39;s using the subject&#39;s own head weight. Additionally or alternatively, the combined design and pressure also provides a gentle and sustained traction to the cervical vertebrae. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the intended placement of the device is under the cervical vertebrae and the connecting point is at the sub occipital ridge at the base of the skull. The occipital ridge of the head rests on the cusp  22  of the device and hooks over resting on the back side of body  20 . This position then creates a gentle traction. Boney protuberances of the cervical vertebrae are cradled in first notch  32  and second notch  34  cradles the Atlas/Access C 1 , C 2  and occipital protuberance. Third notch  36  allows for a slight back tipping of the body  20  enhancing traction and decompression. The device can be used on any firm and stable surface like a firm bed or couch however the optimal use is on a carpeted floor. The user lies on the device for 10 to 20 minutes. The affected tissues/systems include to varying degrees, the sub occipital muscle group, transversospinalis group, upper trapezius, splenius capitus, levator scapulae, cervical vertebrae, occipital plate, occipitalis muscle and spinal fluid and more. Tension headaches, sinus headaches, migraine headaches are eased and the body is retrained to relax with regular daily use of the device. 
         [0033]    The device of the present application provides a number of advantages. An advantage of at least one embodiment or variant of the devices disclosed herein is to provide a device for safely removing tension and stress from the human body. Another advantage of at least one embodiment or variant of the devices disclosed herein is to provide a device for easily removing tension and stress from the human body. Another advantage of at least one embodiment or variant of the devices disclosed herein is to provide a device for quickly removing tension and stress from the human body. Another advantage of at least one embodiment or variant of the devices disclosed herein is to provide a device easy to transport and store. Another advantage of at least one embodiment or variant of the devices disclosed herein is to provide a device for economically removing stress and tension from the human body. From the description above, a number of advantages of some embodiments of the decompression traction device and method become evident. 
         [0034]    There are many materials and configurations that can be used in constructing the invention by those skilled in the art including various materials, colors and dimensions. In addition, it is clear that an almost infinite number of minor variations to the form and function of the disclosed invention could be made and also still be within the scope of the invention. Consequently, this disclosure is not intended to limit the invention to any specific embodiments and variants of the devices disclosed herein.