# US 9,433,550 B2 · Traction bed

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- Number: US 9,433,550 B2
- Document ID: US9433550B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/841,519
- Filed: 2013-03-15
- Published: 2013-08-29
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2011-05-26
- Assignees: Country View Medical Center
- Applicants: Country View Medical Center
- Inventors: Jeff Winternheimer; Christopher R. Gray
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433550B2

## CPC

- A61G 13/009: {Physiotherapeutic tables, beds or platforms; Chiropractic or osteopathic tables (with incorporated massage means A61H2201/0138)}
- A61H 1/005: {Moveable platforms, e.g. vibrating or oscillating platforms for standing, sitting, laying or leaning}
- A61H 1/0222: {Traction tables (A61H1/0229 take 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)}
- A61H 2023/0281: {multiple masses driven by the same motor}
- A61H 2201/1246: by piston-cylinder systems
- A61H 2201/1616: Holding means therefor
- A61H 2201/163: holding means therefor
- A61H 2201/5002: Means for controlling a set of similar massage devices acting in sequence at different locations on a patient
- A61H 2201/5005: for controlling frequency distribution, modulation or interference of a driving signal
- A61H 2201/501: connected to external computer devices or networks
- 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)
- 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)

## Abstract

A traction bed includes (a) a frame upon which an individual is supportable, (b) a first single-sided lever arm pivotably coupled to the frame at a location proximate both a first end of the frame and a first side of the frame, wherein the first single-sided lever arm is configured to be coupled to an arm of an individual, (c) a second single-sided lever arm pivotably coupled to the frame at a location proximate both a second end of the frame and the first side of the frame, wherein the second single-sided lever arm is configured to be coupled to a leg of an individual, and (d) a control system operable to direct a force onto each of the single-sided lever arms to pivot the single-sided lever arms relative to the frame, wherein the force directed to the first single-sided lever arm is separately variable from the force directed to the second single-sided lever arm.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A traction bed comprising:
a frame upon which an individual is supportable;
a first single-sided lever arm pivotably coupled to the frame at a location proximate both a first end of the frame and a first side of the frame, wherein the first single-sided lever arm is configured to be coupled to a location on an upper torso or an arm of an individual;
a second single-sided lever arm pivotably coupled to the frame at a location proximate both a second end of the frame and the first side of the frame, wherein the second single-sided lever arm is configured to be coupled to a location on a lower torso, a pelvis or a leg of the individual; and
a control system operable to direct a fluid pressure onto each of the single-sided lever arms to pivot the single-sided lever arms relative to the frame, wherein the control system comprises a valve configured to move between a first position, a second position and a third position such that a fluid pressure directed to the first single-sided lever arm is separately variable from a fluid pressure directed to the second single-sided lever arm.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The traction bed of claim 1, further comprising
a first extensible member coupling the first single-sided lever arm to the frame; and
a second extensible member coupling the second single-sided lever arm to the frame.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The traction bed of claim 2, wherein the control system is operable to vary the lengths of the first and second extensible members to pivot the first and second single-sided lever arms relative to the frame, the length of the first extensible member being separately variable from the length of the second extensible member.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The traction bed of claim 3, wherein the first and second extensible members are pneumatic cylinders, and wherein the control system includes
a first pressure regulator for varying a fluid pressure delivered to the pneumatic cylinder associated with the first single-sided lever arm, and
a second pressure regulator for varying a fluid pressure delivered to the pneumatic cylinder associated with the second single-sided lever arm.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The traction bed of claim 4, wherein the control system further includes a third pressure regulator positioned upstream of the first and the second pressure regulators, and wherein the third pressure regulator is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized air and operable to set a maximum air pressure capable of being delivered to all of the pneumatic cylinders.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The traction bed of claim 5, wherein the first position of the valve is arranged such that all of the pneumatic cylinders are fluidly communicated with the third pressure regulator to receive the maximum air pressure, and the second position of the valve is arranged such that the pneumatic cylinder associated with the first single-sided lever arm is fluidly communicated with the first pressure regulator to receive a reduced air pressure, and the valve is manipulatable from the first position to the second position.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The traction bed of claim 6, wherein the valve is also manipulatable from the first position to the third position, in which the pneumatic cylinder associated with the second single-sided lever arm is fluidly communicated with the second pressure regulator to receive a reduced air pressure.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The traction bed of claim 5, wherein the first position of the valve is arranged such that all of the pneumatic cylinders are fluidly communicated with the third pressure regulator to receive the maximum air pressure, and the third position of the valve is arranged such that the pneumatic cylinder associated with the second single-sided lever arm is fluidly communicated with the second pressure regulator to receive a reduced air pressure, and the valve is manipulatable from the first position to the third position.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The traction bed of claim 1, further comprising a vibration table positioned on the frame upon which at least a portion of the individual is supportable.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The traction bed of claim 9, wherein the vibration table includes
a platform movably coupled to the frame, and
a vibration device coupled to the platform.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The traction bed of claim 10, wherein the vibration device includes an electric motor and a counterweight assembly driven by the motor.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The traction bed of claim 11, wherein the control system includes a switch operable to vary a speed of the motor and therefore a frequency of vibration generated by the counterweight assembly.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The traction bed of claim 10, wherein the vibration device includes an actuator for displacing the platform in a reciprocating manner along a single axis.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The traction bed of claim 10, wherein the vibration table includes a linkage positioned between the frame and the platform, wherein the platform is supported upon the linkage and the platform's motion is primarily restricted along a single axis as a result.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The traction bed of claim 13, wherein the actuator comprises a linear motor, wherein the control system includes a controller for independently adjusting a frequency and a magnitude of vibration imparted to the platform by the linear motor.

### Claim 16

A traction bed comprising:
a frame upon which an individual is supportable;
a first level arm and a second lever arm each pivotably coupled to the frame at a location proximate a first end of the frame and configured to be coupled to one or more locations on an upper torso or arms of an individual;
a third level arm and a fourth lever arm each pivotably coupled to the frame at a location proximate a second end of the frame and configured to be coupled to one or more locations on a lower torso, a pelvis or legs of the individual;
a control system operable to direct a force onto each of the lever arms to pivot the lever arms relative to the frame, wherein the force directed to each of the lever arms is separately variable; and
a fifth lever arm coupled to the frame at a location proximate a side of the traction bed and configured to be coupled to a location on the individual and to impart a lateral traction force on the individual.

### Claim 17

A vibration table comprising:
a frame;
a platform movably coupled to the frame;
a vibration device;
a linkage positioned between the frame and the platform, wherein the platform is supported upon the linkage, wherein the vibration device is coupled to one of the platform or the linkage for displacing the platform primarily along a single axis, wherein the linkage comprises four lever arms, wherein the vibration device is located in a center of the frame, wherein the four lever arms are arranged in an X-shape such that each lever arm has a first end supported on the vibration device and a second end supported on a pivot coupled to the frame or supported by the platform; and
a controller for independently adjusting a frequency and a magnitude of vibration imparted to the platform by the vibration device.