# US 10,245,200 B2 · Traction device

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- Number: US 10,245,200 B2
- Document ID: US10245200B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/731,197
- Filed: 2015-06-04
- Published: 2015-09-24
- Granted: 2019-04-02
- Earliest claimed: 2013-12-10
- Assignees: Stella's Practice Management, LLC
- Applicants: Country View Medical Center
- Inventors: Jeffrey Winternheimer
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245200B2

## CPC

- A61G 13/009: {Physiotherapeutic tables, beds or platforms; Chiropractic or osteopathic tables (with incorporated massage means A61H2201/0138)}
- A61F 5/04: Devices for stretching or reducing fractured limbs; Devices for distractions; Splints
- A61G 13/1225: {Back}
- A61G 13/1295: {having alignment devices for the patient's body}
- A61H 1/0229: {by reducing gravity forces normally applied to the body, e.g. by lifting or hanging the body or part of it (suspension devices for supporting the patient in upright walking or standing position A61H3/008)}
- A61H 1/0292: {for the spinal column (A61H1/0218 takes precedence)}
- A61H 23/00: Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms {(apparatus for passive exercising A61H1/00; generating or transmitting mechanical vibrations in general B06B)}
- A61G 7/1015: {Cables, chains or cords}
- A61G 7/1044: {Stationary fixed means, e.g. fixed to a surface or bed}
- A61G 7/1051: {Flexible harnesses or slings}
- A61G 7/1061: {Yokes}
- A61G 7/1078: {Clamps for flexible harnesses}
- A61H 2201/0192: Specific means for adjusting dimensions
- A61H 2201/1619: Thorax
- A61H 2201/1652: Harness
- A61H 2203/0487: upright
- A63B 17/00: Exercising apparatus combining several parts such as ladders, rods, beams, slides
- A63B 21/00047: {Exercising devices not moving during use (benches A63B21/4029; isometric exercising devices A63B21/0023; step exercisers A63B23/0458; walk exercisers A63B23/0464)}
- A63B 23/1218: {Chinning, pull-up, i.e. concentric movement}
- A61G: TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS (appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk A61H3/00); OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES (embalming corpses A01N1/00)
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N)
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)

## Abstract

Example traction devices, systems and methods for use thereof are provided. An example traction device may include (a) a frame comprising a top support having first and second ends, where the first end of the top support is coupled to a first vertical support and the second end of the top support is coupled to a second vertical support and (b) a balance bar moveably coupled to the top support via a wire, where opposing ends of the balance bar are each coupled to an attachment ring or define a receptacle.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A traction device, comprising:
a frame comprising a top support having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the top support is coupled to a first vertical support and the second end of the top support is coupled to a second vertical support;
a balance bar moveably coupled to the top support via a wire such that the balance bar may be raised and lowered relative to the top support, wherein opposing ends of the balance bar are each coupled to an attachment ring or define a receptacle;
at least two attachment rings coupled to the top support or at least two receptacles defined by the top support, wherein the at least two attachment rings or the at least two receptacles are disposed between the first and the second vertical supports on opposite sides of a portion of the wire extending from the top support to the balance bar;
a pair of chains each having a plurality of links extending between a first end and a second end, the pair of chains each removably coupled to one of the at least two attachment rings or the at least two receptacles of the top support via at least one of the plurality of links at the first end, the pair of chains each removably coupled to the balance bar via at least one of the plurality of links that is arranged between the first end and second end of the pair of chains and the pair of chains each configured to be coupled at the second end to one of a first strap and a second strap of a harness; and
a vibration apparatus coupled to the frame.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The traction device of claim 1, further comprising:
a base coupled to an end of the first vertical support and to an end of the second vertical support that are arranged opposite to the top support.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The traction device of claim 2, further comprising:
a foot platform coupled to one or more of the frame or the base.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The traction device of claim 3, wherein a plurality of hand rails extend between the first vertical support and the second vertical support above the foot platform.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The traction device of claim 2, further comprising:
a seat member movably coupled to the frame or in mechanical communication with a top surface of the base.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The traction device of claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of attachment rings coupled to the balance bar or a plurality of receptacles defined by the balance bar; wherein the plurality of attachment rings or the plurality of receptacles are arranged along a length of the balance bar.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The traction device of claim 1, further comprising:
a housing coupled to the top support, wherein the housing defines a conduit;
a piston arranged within a cylinder and disposed in the conduit; and
a pressure control system configured to move the piston within the cylinder, wherein the wire has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the wire is coupled to the piston and the second end of the wire is coupled to a center of the balance bar.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The traction device of claim 7, further comprising:
a first rotatable support disposed in the housing adjacent to a location at which the wire extends from the housing or the top support, wherein the first rotatable support is in mechanical communication with the wire.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The traction device of claim 8, wherein the housing comprises a vertical section and a horizontal section, wherein the vertical section is disposed adjacent either the first or the second vertical support and the horizontal section is disposed adjacent to the top support of the frame.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The traction device of claim 9, further comprising:
a second rotatable support disposed in the housing between the piston and the first rotatable support at a junction of the vertical section and the horizontal section of the housing, wherein the second rotatable support is in mechanical communication with the wire.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The traction device of claim 1, further comprising:
a first plurality of attachment rings coupled to the top support or a first plurality of receptacles defined in the top support, wherein the first plurality of attachment rings or receptacles extend between the first vertical support and the portion of the wire extending from the top support to the balance bar; and
a second plurality of attachment rings coupled to the top support or a second plurality of receptacles defined in the top support, wherein the second plurality of attachment rings or receptacles extend between the second vertical support and the portion of the wire extending from the top support to the balance bar.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The traction device of claim 1, wherein the top support comprises a plurality of hand rails or grips having a spaced-apart arrangement.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The traction device of claim 1, wherein the first and second vertical supports each comprise a plurality of hand rails or grips having a vertically-extending, spaced-apart arrangement.

### Claim 14

A traction system, comprising:
a traction device comprising (a) a frame comprising a top support having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the top support is coupled to a first vertical support and the second end of the top support is coupled to a second vertical support, (b) a balance bar moveably coupled to the top support via a wire such that the balance bar may be raised and lowered relative to the top support, wherein opposing ends of the balance bar are each coupled to an attachment ring or define a receptacle, (c) at least two attachment rings coupled to the top support or at least two receptacles defined by the top support, wherein the at least two attachment rings or receptacles are disposed between the first and the second vertical supports on opposite sides of a portion of the wire extending from the top support to the balance bar;
a suspension harness comprising (a) a torso-engaging portion, (b) a first strap and a second strap each attached at one end to a front of the torso-engaging portion and at another end to a back of the torso-engaging portion and (c) a lower-appendage support strap; and
a pair of chains each having a plurality of links extending between a first end and a second end, the pair of chains each removably coupled to one of the at least two attachment rings or the at least two receptacles of the top support via at least one of the plurality of links at the first end, the pair of chains each removably coupled to the balance bar via at least one of the plurality of links that is arranged between the first end and second end of the pair of chains and the pair of chains each removably coupled at the second end to one of the first strap and the second strap of the harness, wherein the pair of chains are configured to increase range of movement during traction-based exercises or to account for different patient heights.