Many people suffer from back pain, ranging from minor to chronic, which requires treatment if relief is to be obtained. People today have an increasing reluctance to undergo invasive surgical procedures which has lead to a corresponding increase in the appreciation of chiropractic and similar non- invasive techniques for the treatment of the human body. Therefore, possibly the most common approach to provide relief from back pain and its usually related inflammation is to try to increase the flow of blood to the affected area by periodic appDcations a traction and relaxation.

Even for those who are not suffering from any specific back or muscular pain, good condition of the spine and good tone of soft tissue structures can be attained by regular traction.

To achieve traction, devices, generally in the form of tables on which a person lies, are used to apply tension to the human body to relieve pressure on the bones, muscles, cartilage and the like.

Effective devices for such traction can be found in hospitals, physical therapy centres and other medical facilities. However, these devices are generally both complicated and expensive, typically utilizing electrically controlled winch systems mounted on specially constructed beds and are controlled and monitored by a healthcare professional. Further, such devices generally are designed only to apply tension on one particular area of the body. Thus a patient may require a multiple of machines if more than one area of the body

attention. These devices are not well suited for home or other out- patient use and are not easily portable. Also, persons requiring traction for their general well-being rather than for any specific atinnent can not access these devices.

There is thus a need for an easily operable, preferably portable, traction device which can be operated by the individual requiring or desirous of such traction, which can be used on multiple areas of the body simultaneously and which is not dependent on the presence of a healthcare professional for its operation.

The patent literature discloses a wide variety of traction devices, some of which are, or could be, portable and include devices which are a combination of framework, pulleys, ropes and weights. In some other prior devices, the weights have been replaced by constant tension springs. Nevertheless, most such devices are complicated, cumbersome, difficult and time-consuming to assemble and disassemble and often difficult to store because of their bulk.

Others, although seemingly simpler in their construction, do not enable the amount of traction to be applied to be readily controllable and can also exhibit the potential for a rapid and sudden change in tension which could be harmful to the user andlor could damage the device itself. Further, these prior devices generally only apply traction to one particular area of the body.

It is thus a general object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a traction device, said device including : a frame adapted to support a person in substantially a horizontal position when said traction device is in use;

ead support member to support the head of said person; a neck support member to support the neck of said person; a shoulders support member to support the shoulders of said person; a buttocks support member to support the buttocks of said person; an ankles support member to support the ankles of said person; a feet support member to support the feet of said person; and traction means to apply traction to said person.

Preferably, said traction means is adjustable.

In one embodiment of the present invention, said traction means is adjustable by positioning a sliding weight.

In another embodiment of the present invention, said traction means is adjustable by positioning a tension spring.

Preferably, at least each of said head and ankle support members are separately movable within said frame when said traction device is in use.

Preferably, termination of movement of said ankle support member is effected by the position of said traction means.

Preferably, said position of said traction means for said termination of said movement is determined by a pivotal action.

y, said ankle support member includes a separate retaining means for each ankle of said person, each said retaining means including an upper arm and a lower arm which are pivotally interconnected to capture and release said ankle as required.

Preferably, said buttocks support member includes one or more straps attached thereto.

Preferably, said buttocks support member includes a crotch strap.

Preferably, said shoulders support member includes one or more adjustable underarm support means to support the underarms of said person.

Preferably, said neck support member includes a pair of handed neck support members to support the neck of said person.

Preferably, said shoulders and buttocks support members are adapted to be slidable within said frame when said traction device is in use.

Preferably, said frame is adapted to be folded substantially in half when not in use.

Optionally, said traction device further includes one or more handles for holding by said person when said traction device is in use.

As a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of applying traction to a person requiring or desirous of said traction, said method including subjecting said person to traction on a device as hereinbefore described.

ad embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein : FIG. 1 depicts the frame of the traction device of the present invention ; FIG. 2 depicts the frame of FIG. 1 in a folded position; FIG. 3 depicts an upper perspective view of the traction device of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view illustrating certain features of the device of FIG. 3; FIGS. 5a and 5b are perspective views of a first feature of the device of FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second feature of the device of FIG. 3; FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c are three views of a third feature of the device of FIG. 3; FIG. 8a is a plan view of a fourth feature of the device of FIG. 3; FIG. 8b is a plan view of an alternative fourth feature of the device of FIG. 3; FIGS 9a and 9b are two views of a fifth feature of the device of FIG. 3; and FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the device of FIG. 3 in use.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the traction device includes a substantially rectangular perimeter frame (1) which includes side frame members {2a, b), head end member (3) and foot end member (4). Each side member (2a, b) is divided into two side sections (5a, b) and (6a, b) respectively. Near the head end member (3), a first leg (7) spans respective side sections (5a, 6a) and is connected by respective hinges (8a, b) (only (8a) illustrated) to the underside of the respective side sections (5a, 6a). A similar second leg (9), near the foot end member (4), spans respective side sections (5b, 6b) and is connected by respective hinges (10a, b) (only (10a) illustrated) to the underside of the respective side sections (5b, 6b). A middle leg (bridging the spacing between the adjacent respective side sections (5a, b) and (6a, b) is connected to the underside of the respective side sections (5a, b) and (6a, b) by opposing hinges (12a, b, c, d) (only (12a, b) illustrated) Respective short elongated members (1 3a-f) (only (1 3a-c) illustrated) are pivotally connected at one end to the inside surface of the respective side sections (5a, b), (6a, b). The other end of the respective elongate members (13a-0 includes a pin (not illustrated) which releasably engages an aperture on the respective legs (7,9,11) to retain the respective legs (7,9,11) in an operative position as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The inside surface of the respective side sections (5a, b) and (6a, b) include a second similar aperture (1 4a-D (only (1 4a-c) Illustrated) spaced from the pivot point of the short elongate members (13a-t so that the elongate members (13a-f) can be reversibly positioned between the two respective apertures when the legs (7,9,11) move from their operative positions as illustrated in FIG.

1 to their folded positions as illustrated in FIG. 2, which depicts the frame (1) when in a fully folded position.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, at or near the head end member (3) is fixed a T-shaped support member extending between the side sections (5a, b) and with its head member (15) having its upper surface flush with the upper

) f the head end member (3) and its tail member (16) depending downwards when the frame (1) is in its operative position.

A rectangular-shaped planar head support member (17) is of sufficient dimensions to rest across the upper surface of the side sections (5a, 6a). A cushion (18) is suitably positioned on, and affixed to, the upper surface of the head support member (17) to support the head of a user of the traction device.

At the trailing edge of the cushion (18) a slotted member (19) is affixed to the upper surface of the head support member (17). Releasably retained in, and adjustable along, the slot (20) of the slotted member (19) are a pair of handed neck support members (21a, b), the contoured shape of which is generally illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b. At one end of the lower surface of the head support member (17), near the side section (6a), is affixed a first threaded rod housing member (22). The housing member (22) includes a threaded bore to accommodate a complementary threaded rod (23). The other end of the threaded rod (23) is operatively connected to a first cog (24) before connecting to the tail member (16). At the other end of the lower surface of the head support member (17), near the side section (5a), is affixed a second threaded rod housing member (25). The housing member (25) includes a threaded bore to accommodate a complementary threaded rod (26). The other end of the threaded rod (26) is operatively connected to a pair of spaced cogs (27, 28) before connecting to the tail member (16). A first drive chain (29) operatively connects cogs (24) and (27). Spaced from the cog (28), and operatively connected to by a second drive chain (30), is a cog (31) which is operatively connected to an electric motor (32) The electric motor (32) is connected via a micro switch (33) (mounted on the under surface of the head support member (17)) to a three-way (on-off-on) control button (34) on a hand controller (35). A trip lever (36) extends from the tail member (16) past the micro switch (33).

traction device is in use, operation of the button (34) by the user of the traction device allows the head support member (17) to move in the direction A-A'and be positioned at any given point within its range of movement as required. As the head support member (17) reaches the limit of its travel towards the head end member (3), the trip lever (36) activates the micro switch (33), breaking the electrical circuit and thus stopping movement of the head support member (17).

A rectangular-shaped planar shoulder support member (37) is of sufficient dimensions to rest across the upper surface of the side sections (5a, 6a).

Along the edge of the shoulder support member (37) closer to the head support member (17) is a multiple-apertured member (38). Releasably retained in the apertures, and positioned as required by the user, are a pair of underarm support members (39a, b), the contoured shape of which is generally illustrated in FIG. 6.

A rectangular-shaped planar buttocks support member (40) is of sufficient dimensions to rest across the upper surface of the side sections (5a, 6a).

Waist straps (41 a, b) and a crotch strap (42) are affixed to the buttocks support member (40).

At or near the foot end member (4) is positioned an essentially L-shaped foot support member of sufficient dimensions such that one arm (43a) thereof rests across the upper surface of the side sections (5b, 6b) and its second arm (43b) depends downwards when the frame (1) is in its operative position.

Respective open channel members (44a, b) are each affixed at one end to the second arm (43b), close to the respective side sections (5b, 6b), and extend in a direction towards the head end member (3) terminating close to the third leg (11).

gular-shaped planar ankle support member (45) is of sufficient dimensions to rest across the upper surface of the side sections (5b, 6b) and, when in use, is positioned between the buttock support member (40) and the foot support member (43a, b). On the upper surface of the ankle support member (45) is affixed an upstand (69) which includes two ankle retaining means (70). As more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 7 (a, b, c), the ankle retaining means (70) include a pair of upper curved arms (71a, b) and a pair of lower curved arms (72a, b). Each upper arm (71 a, b) is pivotally connected to one side of the upstand (69) about respective pivot points (73a, b). Each lower curved arm (72a, b) is pivotally connected to the other side of the upstand (69) about respective pivot points (74a, b). A dog-leg arm (75a) is pivotally connected to the under surface of the ankle support member (45) passing under the upstand (69). One end of the dog-leg arm (75a) is pivotally connected (point (77a)) to a first arm (75b), the first arm (75b) passing through an aperture in the ankle support member (45) to be pivotally connected (point 77 (d)) to the lower curved arm (72a). The other end of the dog-leg arm (75a) is pivotally connected (point 77b)) to a second arm (75c), the other end of the second arm (75c) being pivotally connected (point (77c)) to the upper curved arm (71a). Similar pivotal connections are undertaken to connect the lower curved arm (72b) to the upper curved arm (71 b) (arms (76a, b, c); pivot points (78a, d, b)). Respective tension springs (79a, b) are fitted between the upper curved arms (71 a, b) and the base of the upstand (69) (FIG. 7b).

When in use, the user of the traction device places their ankles to rest on the inner surface of the lower curved arms (72a, b) which causes the curved arms (72a, b) to move generally in a downward direction B, the resulting pivoting action of the linked arms causing the upper curved arms (71 a, b) to move also generally in the downward direction B thus enabling the upper (71a, b) and lower (72a, b) arms to essentially embrace the ankles of the user. Upon releasing the tension on the lower arms (72ajb) (by ifting the ankles), the

, tion of the respective springs (79a, b), causes the upper (71 a, b) and lower (72a, b) arms to move generally in the upward direction B'thus releasing the ankles from capture.

At one end of the lower surface of the ankle support member (45), near the side section (5b), is affixed a third threaded rod housing member (46). The housing member (46) includes a threaded bore to accommodate a complementary threaded rod (47). The threaded rod (47) is shielded from the user of the traction device by being covered by the channel member (44a).

The other end of the threaded rod (47) passes through the second arm (43b) before being operatively connected to a pair of spaced cogs (48,49). At the other end of the lower surface of the ankle support member (45), near the side section (6b), is affixed a fourth threaded rod housing member (50). The housing member (50) includes a threaded bore to accommodate a complementary threaded rod (51). The threaded rod (51) is shielded from the user of the traction device by being covered by the channel member (44b).

The other end of the threaded rod (51) passes through the second arm (43b) before being operatively connected to a cog (52). A third drive chain (53) operatively connects cogs (48) and (52). Spaced from the cog (49), and operatively connected to by a fourth drive chain (54), is a cog (55) which is operatively connected to an electric motor (56). The electric motor (56) is connected via a micro switch (57) (mounted on the under surface of the foot support member (43a)) to a second three-way (on-off-on) control button (58) on the hand controller (35). The micro switch (57) includes an operating lever (59) which extends through the foot support member (43a) to be operated, if required, by the user of the traction device (FIG. 3), as explained more fully below.

With further reference to FIG. 8a, depending from the undersurface of the foot support member (43a) is an L-shaped bracket (60a, b), having one arm (60a)

, senta ! ly parallei to the side sections (5b, 6b) and the other arm (60b) running essentially parallel to the foot end member (4). A pivoting arm (61) is connected to the arm (60b). A weight (62) is connected to the pivoting arm (61) and is adapted to slide therealong. The position of the sliding weight (62) can be adjusted by the user of the traction device by a handle (63) that extends through a slot (64) in the foot support member (43a). A shaped plate (65) is pivotally connected to the arm (60a). The plate (65) is adapted such that one portion extends between the pivoting arm (61) and the under surface of the foot support member (43a), and a second portion is connected to an elongated member (66) which, in turn, is connected to a bracket (67) fixed to the under surface of the foot end member (4). The elongated member (66) is adapted such that it can exhibit limited movement in the direction A-A' (FIG.

7) when not under tension. A suitable elongated member (66) is a threaded eye bolt with the eye connected to the shaped plate (65) and the threaded shank passing through the bracket (67) and terminating in a nut.

When in use, operation of the button (58) by the user of the traction device allows the ankle support member (45) to move in the direction A-A'and be positioned at any given point within its range of movement as required.

However, as the ankle support member (45) reaches the limit of its travel towards the foot end member (4), the foot end member (4) then moves towards the ankle support member (45). The elongated member (66) is thus under increasing tension which causes the plate (65) to pivot which, in turn, causes the pivot arm (61) to pivot and activate the micro switch (57), breaking the electrical circuit and thus stopping movement of the ankle support member (43a, b) and the foot support member (45).

FIG. 8b illustrates an alternative to the pivoting and sliding weight (62) depicted in FIG. 8a. In all other respects, this alternative is substantial identical to those features described above, In this alternative, an arm (100) is pivotally

d to a bracket (101) depending from the undersurface of the foot support member (43a). The arm (100) pivots in the horizontal plane of the traction device when in use. A housing (102) is fixed at one end to a handle (63) that extends through the slot (64) in the foot support member (43a), thus allowing the user of the traction device to position the housing (102) as required. The housing (102) is partially closed at its other end to contain a tension spring (103) therein. At this other end of the housing (102), there is a slot (104). The arm (100), housing (102) and slot (104) are adapted such that the arm (100) can pivot into the slot (104) and bear upon the spring (103). As the arm (100) pivots and bears upon the spring (103), the traction force is applied. When the arm (102) pivots sufficiently, its free end (105) activates the micro switch (57), breaking the electrical circuit to the ankles support member (43a, b) and the foot support member (45).

FIGS. 9a & 9b illustrate a"hand hold"that can be used with the traction device.

The U-shaped bracket (80) is fixed at an angle to a handle (81). The dimensions of the hand hold are such that the bracket (80) fits over the side members (2a, b) at anydesired location enabling the user of the traction device to hold the handle (81) comfortably. Usually, two such hand holds are used, one each side of the traction device.

As schematically illustrated in FIG 10, the user of the traction device can be supported at the neck, underarms, buttocks and ankles. Additional support can be gained by holding the handles (81). By varying the position of the weight (62) or the housing (102) containing the tension spring (103), the traction force to be applied to the body can be adjusted as required, and the micro switch control of the traction force ensures that no further force is applied once the desired level is reached. By also having the shoulders and buttocks support members slidable, the user does not suffer discomfort should the movement of the user's skin in direct or indirect frictional contact with the

faces of these support members exceed the stretching limit of the skin because the support members then begin to slide under the increasing traction.

The present invention thus provides a device which is portable, operable without the presence of a health professional and which can apply adjustable tension to a user's body to stretch one or more muscles, joints, vertebrae, etc. or a combination thereof.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments are only exemplification of the various aspects of the present invention and that modifications and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the inventive concept as defined in the following claims.