PORTABLE INTERMITTENT ORTHOPEDIC TRACTION DEVICE

• US 3,835,847 A
• Filed: 07/03/1972
• Issued: 09/17/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fenter Willie Smith
• Original Assignee: Fenter Willie Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Fenter Willie
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaudet, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yasko, J.
• Application Number:
  US05/268,565
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 128/75,84 242/107,129.1,129.2,129.3
• US Class Current: 602/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0218 Drawing-out devices suspension devices for supporting the patient in upright walking or standing position A61H3/008; orthopedic devices for non-surgical treatment A61F5/01; stretching fractured limbs A61F5/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2001/0233 Pulsating, alternating, fluctuating
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/1645 for anchoring on a door

Abstract

A portable intermittent orthopedic traction device for applying vertical or horizontal cervical traction and horizontal pelvic traction. The device utilizes a reversible motor assembly to apply traction controllable in amount by a simple lever control for a short time period. Thereafter, the motor reverses, relieving the traction for a second short time period whereupon the cycle is again initiated and traction reapplied. A time delay relay provides the timing for the system and a quick release is provided so as to allow the rapid extension or withdrawal of the tension line to a desired position. The device is adapted to connect to a door or bed in a simple and convenient manner.

Claims

1. An orthopedic traction device comprising:

a frame, means for attaching said frame to a support, a drum rotatable on said frame, a cord having one end for attachment to a traction harness and its opposite end attached to said drum, drive means including reversible motor means for driving said drum in either direction of rotation to wind said cord on and unwind the cord from the drum, readily releasable clutch means including a readily accessible clutch operating member for effecting disengagement and engagement of the clutch means, whereby said drum may be selectively released for free rotation independent of said drive means, means responsive to the tension in said cord for controlling said motor means to effect dRiving of said drum in one direction to wind the cord on the drum when the cord tension is less than a preset maximum tension and in the opposite direction to unwind the cord from the drum when the cord exceeds said maximum tension, and said motor controlling means comprises a supporting arm pivoted at one end of said frame, a pulley on the opposite end of said arm around which said cord passes in a manner such that tension in said cord urges said arm in one direction about its pivot, a spring acting between said arm and frame for urging the arm in the opposite direction about its pivot, a switch mounted on said arm including an actuating member, a lever pivoted on said frame having a portion spaced from the pivot axis of the lever and located in the path of movement of said switch actuating member with said arm for engagement with said actuating member to actuate said switch upon pivoting of said arm in said one direction, and said lever having a readily accessible end for adjusting the lever on its pivot to adjust the position of said lever portion along said path, and means for conditioning said motor means to drive said drum in its said opposite direction in response to actuation of said switch by said lever.

2. An orthopedic traction device comprising:

a frame, means for attaching said frame to a support, a drum rotatable on said frame, a cord having one end for attachment to a traction harness and its opposite end attached to said drum, drive means including reversible motor means for driving said drum in either direction of rotation to wind said cord on and unwind the cord from the drum, readily releasable clutch means including a readily accessible clutch operating member for effecting disengagement and engagement of the clutch means, whereby said drum may be selectively released for free rotation independent of said drive means, a spring connected between said drum and frame for rotating said drum in said one direction when said clutch means is disengaged, means responsive to the tension in said cord for controlling said motor means to effect driving of said drum in one direction to wind the cord on the drum when the cord tension is less than a preset maximum tension and in the opposite direction to unwind the cord from the drum when the cord exceeds said maximum tension, said motor means comprising relay means including contact means operable between a first position wherein said motor means is conditioned to drive said drum in its said one direction and a second position wherein said motor means is conditioned to drive said drum in the opposite direction and coil means adapted to be selectively energized to effect movement of said contact means between their said positions, switch means in circuit with said coil means, means for actuating said switch means in response to said cord tension, capacitor means connected in electrical parallel with said coil means for delaying energizing and de-energizing of said coil means following actuation of said switch means, a supporting arm pivoted at one end of said frame, a pulley on the opposite end of said arm around which said cord passes in a manner such that tension in said cord urges said arm in one direction about its pivot, a spring acting between said arm and frame for urging the arm in the opposite direction about its pivot, a switch mounted on said arm including an actuating member, a lever pivoted on said arm having a portion spaced from the pivot axis of the lever and located in the path of movement of said switch actuating member with said arm for engagement with said actuating member to actuate said switch upon pivoting of said arm in said one direction, and said lever having a readily accessible end for adjusting the lever on its pivot to adjust the position of said lever portion along said path, and means for conditioning said motor means to drive said drum in its said opposite direction in response to actuation of said switch by said lever.