Patent ID: 7276038

Claim:
A field adjustable traction device, comprising: a first support belt; a second support belt separated from the first support belt such that a user's joint may be positioned between the support belts; and one or more lifting mechanisms coupling the support belts and operable to apply a decompressive force to the joint through the support belts; each support belt comprising: a back strap comprising first and second ends, a set of one or more holes being formed in the back strap proximate the first end and a set of one or more holes being formed in the back strap proximate the second end; first and second front straps adjustably fastened to the first and second ends of the back strap, respectively, a plurality of sets of one or more holes being formed in the first front strap, each set of one or more holes formed in the first front strap being configured to selectively align with the set of one or more holes proximate the first end of the back strap, a plurality of sets of one or more holes also being formed in the second front strap, each set of one or more holes formed in the second front strap being configured to selectively align with the set of one or more holes proximate the second end of the back strap; for each front strap, a set of one or more posts operable to be inserted through the set of one or more holes formed in the back strap proximate a corresponding end of the back strap and also through a selected one of the sets of one or more holes formed in the front strap to position the front strap relative to the back strap; and for each front strap, a mechanism operable to engage the set of one or more posts to secure the front strap in position relative to the back strap; wherein for each front strap: the set of one or more posts extend from a base of an insert; and the mechanism comprises a ring comprising a body and a set of one or more channels formed in the body, the set of one or more channels of the ring operable to engage with the set of one or more posts of the insert to secure the front strap in position relative to the back strap when the ring is positioned around the back strap, front strap, and insert proximate the selected set of one or more holes formed in the front strap.