Percussive therapeutic device

• US 20030195443A1
• Filed: 04/12/2002
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edward W. Miller
• Original Assignee: Edward W. Miller
• Inventors: Miller, Edward W.
• Granted Patent: US 6,805,700 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/108
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/008 Apparatus for applying pressure or blows almost perpendicular to the body or limb axis, e.g. chiropractic devices for repositioning vertebrae, correcting deformation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/02 with electric or magnetic drive

Abstract

A chiropractic adjustment tool or tapper comprises a housing, the housing having an open end; a impact assembly disposed within the housing and secured thereto. The impact assembly comprises a reciprocating rod with adjustable travel and impact force. An impelling means such as a solenoid is provided to accelerate the reciprocating rod. Disposed on one end of the reciprocating rod is a coupler to permit multiple impact heads to be attached to the tool. The tool is further improved with the addition of a fan unit on a port in the housing and an exit port located on a distal end of the housing, preferably at a location such that air flow is across the impelling means, and any switch or circuitry to provide cooling and extend tool life.

Claims

1. An impact tool, the tool comprising:

a housing, said housing having a first port and a second port,

said second port being distal to said first port,

a impact assembly disposed within the housing, said impact assembly being operatively connected to a power source, and

connected to said housing a fan

2. The impact tool of claim 1,

wherein said housing is comprised of a handle portion and a barrel portion, with said impact assembly comprising a reciprocating rod and a impelling means disposed within said barrel portion, said first port being disposed on said barrel portion opposite said handle portion, said second port being disposed on the distal end of said handle portion.

3. The impact tool of claim 2,

wherein the impelling means is comprised of a solenoid.

4. The impact tool of claim 3,

wherein the solenoid is comprised of at least two coil elements and an airspace disposed there between.

5. An impact tool comprising:

a housing containing a impact assembly,

said impact assembly comprising;

an axially reciprocating rod, said reciprocating rod operatively connected to an impelling means, said reciprocating rod having disposed on one end a coupler for removably affixing a one or more impact heads.

6. The impact tool of claim 5 further comprising,

a means to adjustably fix the angle for mounting said one or more impact heads.

7. The impact tool of claim 5 wherein said coupler is comprised of:

a collar affixed to said reciprocating rod proximate a forward end of said reciprocating rod, said collar set with a collar pin,

a sleeve element disposed within said one or more impact heads for insertably receiving said forward end of said reciprocating rod,

a sleeve base affixed to said sleeve element to abut said collar,

an at least one pin notch placed in said sleeve base for receiving said collar pin,

a means to removably secure said one or more impact heads to said reciprocating rod.

8. The impact tool of claim 5 further comprising,

a means to adjust the travel of said reciprocating rod.

9. The impact tool of claim 5 further comprising,

a means of adjusting the impact force of said reciprocating rod.

10. A method of providing therapeutic treatment comprising:

accelerating an adjustable impact head toward a patient,

permitting said accelerated adjustable impact head to impact a patient, and

returning said adjustable impact head to a neutral state.