Lumbar traction apparatus

A lumbar traction apparatus for applying traction to the back of a patient, comprising:

• a frame structure,
• a winch support structure extending above said frame structure,
• a winch assembly having hand crank means mounted on said winch support structure,
• two harnesses with means for wrapping around the torso of the patient,
• tensioning cords extending from said winch assembly each to one of said two harnesses,
• such that rotating said hand crank means on said winch assembly gathers both said cords and thereby pulls said harnesses apart to create traction in the back of the patient,
• wherein said frame structure comprises a connecting segment, a cantilever first arm segment having a first arm segment free end and having a first arm segment connected end, said first arm segment connected end being joined to said connecting segment such that said first arm segment extends substantially perpendicularly and laterally from said connecting segment, and a cantilever second arm segment having a second arm segment free end and having a second arm segment connected end, said second arm segment connected end being joined to said connecting segment such that said first arm segment extends substantially perpendicularly and laterally from said connecting segment and spaced apart from said first arm segment,
• and such that an apparatus user can move into and out of said frame structure between said first and second arm segment free ends without crossing over any part of said frame structure.

A lumbar traction apparatus for applying traction to the back of a patient, comprising:

• a frame structure including a connecting segment having two ends and arm segments, each segment attached to one of the ends of the connecting segment,
• a winch support structure extending above said frame structure and mounted centrally on the connecting segment,
• a winch assembly having hand crank means mounted on said winch support structure,
• two harnesses for wrapping around the torso of the patient,
• tensioning cords extending from said winch assembly each to one of said two harnesses,
• such that rotating said hand crank means on said winch assembly gathers both said cords and thereby pulls said harnesses apart to create traction in the back of the patient,
• wherein said winch support structure has a base, additionally comprising first guide pulleys attached to said connecting segment at said base of said winch support structure, second guide pulleys attached to the ends of said connecting segment, and third guide pulleys secured to said arm segments, wherein said tensioning cords extend from said winch assembly to said first guide pulleys, then said cords extend in opposite directions along said connecting segment to said second guide pulleys, and said cords extend from said second guide pulleys along said arm segments to said third guide pulleys, and each connect to one of said harnesses.