Patent ID: 7544175

Claim:
A traction device for use on a support surface comprising: a body contacting assembly adapted to releasably contact an anatomical region of a patient; tractive force exertion apparatus capable of exerting tractive force on the body contacting assembly, the tractive force exertion apparatus including: (a) a force exerting member having an upper end and a lower end, the force exerting member variable between an extended rest position and a force exerting position; (b) means for positioning the force exerting member into a nonforce-exerting position, the positioning means including an externally powered mechanism; (c) a pulley mechanism located proximate to the upper end of the force exerting member; (d) an elongate member adjustably attached to the lower end of the force exerting member; and (e) a truss pivotally attached to the elongate member; and a tractive force transferring system capable of transferring tractive force from the tractive force exertion apparatus to the body contacting assembly; wherein the truss has a first end region and a second end region, the first end region pivotally connected to the elongate member and located a spaced distance from the lower end of the force exerting member, the second end region connected proximate to the pulley mechanism and proximate to the upper end of the force exerting member.