Water therapy back traction apparatus

Details Water therapy back traction apparatus Water therapy back traction apparatus

1999-10-22

2001-08-14

Yu, Justine R. (Department: 3764)

Surgery: splint, brace, or bandage

Orthopedic bandage

Skeletal traction applicator

C482S111000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06273867

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention deals with the field of traction devices for use in treatment of back pain. Such back pain is a very widely experienced malady throughout the human race and many therapy devices or medical procedures have been devised to attempt to deal with such associated back pain.
Many of these back pain treatment devices include some type of a therapy and some also include therapy in a water environment such as a swimming pool where a portion of the user's weight is eliminated by buoyancy.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous patents have been devised for the purposes of back traction treatment some of which includes water therapy such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,850,165 patented Nov. 26, 1974 to G. Throner on a “Portable Traction System”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,889,304 patented Jun. 17, 1975 to Jan Loren and assigned to Soderberg Tollam AB on a “Bathing Device For Invalided Persons”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,484 patented Sep. 21, 1976 to D. R. James on a “Lifting Apparatus”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,001,899 patented Jan. 11, 1977 to C. D. Mathis on a “Combined Swimming And Therapy Pool”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,336 patented to I. Wiener et al on Jul. 25, 1978 on an “Apparatus For Traction Therapy”; and U.S. Design Pat. No. 251,202 patented Feb. 27, 1979 to B. Charewicz on an “Invalid's Treatment Basin”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,149,712 patented Apr. 17, 1979 to R. J. Murphy on a “Physical Exercise Apparatus”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,106 patented Jan. 15, 1980 to G. Grimes et al and assigned to Gary E. Grimes on a “Swimming Pool Lift For The Handicapped”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,803 patented Aug. 18, 1981 to K. Krumbeck and assigned to The Cheney Company, Inc. on a “Process For Immersing In A Swimming Pool Disabled Persons Using A Wheelchair”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,623 patented Dec. 28, 1982 to T. G. Wilhelm et al and assigned to Tru-Exe Manufacturing Co. on an “Apparatus To Exert Traction In Traction Therapy”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,155 patented May 13, 1986 to D. R. James and assigned to James Industries Limited on “Supports For Hoists”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,665,572 patented May 19, 1987 to P. Davidson et al on a “Swimming Pool Therapy Apparatus”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,696 patented Oct. 20, 1987 to C. D. Schoffstall on a “Method And Apparatus For Applying Traction”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,788 patented Dec. 15, 1987 to C. Gaudreau, Jr. on an “Aquatic Exercise Apparatus”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,329 patented Feb. 2, 1988 to J. B. Kalvag on an “Apparatus For The Treatment Of Patients With Lumbar Back Ailments Or The Like In A Water Environment”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,673 patented Oct. 24, 1989 to C. Erickson and assigned to 501 Hydrosplash Enterprises, Inc. on an “Aquatic Exercise Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,926 patented Feb. 27, 1990 to D. G. McNarry et al and assigned to Poolside Peripherals Ltd. on a “Detachable Immersible Support For Supporting Articles In A Swimming Pool”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,169 patented Jun. 5, 1990 to K. Davison on an “Apparatus For Patient Hydrotherapy And Manipulative Treatment By A Therapist”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,216 patented Jul. 17, 1990 to D. Boublil on a “Lift For Giving Access To The Water In A Swimming Bath Or A Re-Education Pool”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,863 patented Sep. 24, 1991 to A. Yacoboski on an “Exercise Chair For Use In Swimming Pool”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,126 patented Jan. 7, 1992 to L. Perry on a “Flotation Controlled Spinal Decompression”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,218,727 patented Jun. 15, 1993 to K. Krumbeck and assigned to Industrial Design & Mfg. Inc. on an “Above Ground Spa Lift For The Handicapped”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,393 patented Sep. 14, 1993 to L. R. Perry on a “Flotation Controlled Spinal Decompression”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,651 patented Jul. 19, 1994 to S. G. Mardero et al and assigned to Fiat Products Ltd. on a “Bathing Apparatus For The Infirm”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,322 patented Aug. 2, 1994 to D. H. Weir and assigned to Fox Pool Corporation on an “Add-On Seat Module For Swimming Pool”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,721 patented Nov. 29, 1994 to M. J. Boyles and assigned to BioCare Laboratories, Inc. on a “Lift Apparatus And Method For Transporting A Passenger Into And Out Of A Swimming Pool”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,653 patented Apr. 18, 1995 to F. A. Todor on an “Adjustable Inflatable Body Cradle For Use In Water”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,961 patented Jul. 18, 1995 to L. C. Horton and assigned to Clint Horton, II on a “Lifting Apparatus To Provide Unassisted Pool Access For Disabled Persons”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,433 patented Nov. 14, 1995 to J. D. Nolan on a “Seat Lift”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,826 patented Jul. 15, 1997 to B. FR. Butler on an “Aquatic Exercise And Rehabilitation Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,545 patented Feb. 10, 1998 to R. Forwick on a “Bathing Aid”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,899 patented May 19, 1998 to T. Ballard on an “Aquatic Exercise And Therapeutic System”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,194 patented Mar. 23, 1999 to J. F. Wasserman et al and assigned to Hydroforce, Inc. on an “Attachment System For Suspending An Exercise And/Or Therapy Apparatus In A Pool Of Liquid”.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a water therapy back traction apparatus usable with swimming pool water which includes a surrounding decking and a conventional ladder with hand rails and steps. It preferably includes a back support member extending generally vertically for receiving the back of a user in contact therewith for supporting thereof. In this permanent embodiment the back member includes an open frame member to facilitate water flow therethrough and comfort of the user. It also includes a first arm detachably secured to the back support member and extending outwardly therefrom approximately horizontal to a position beneath the arm of a user. A first arm adjustment apparatus is also included for providing adjustability and positioning of the first arm with respect to the back support member. A second arm is also detachably secured to the back support member extending outwardly therefrom in an approximately horizontally extending direction and is positionable beneath the arm of a user to facilitate supporting of the user. This second arm is preferably located at a position spatially disposed from the first arm in order to define a user receiving zone therebetween and along with back support member.
A second arm adjustment apparatus is included which provides adjustability and positioning of the second arm with respect to the back support member in order to accommodate different sizes of users by varying the lateral size of the user receiving zone.
A suspension apparatus is also preferably included which is secured to the swimming pool and is attached to the back support member for suspending both this member and the user at least partially within the swimming pool at a slightly elevated position in order to impart traction therapy forces upon the back of a user.
The suspension apparatus in particular includes multiple mounting legs attached to and supported by the decking adjacent the swimming pool. A boom is secured to the mounting leg members and extends outwardly over the water of the swimming pool. This boom preferably includes a mounting aperture extending generally vertically therethrough and a set screw. A mounting shaft is movably mounted extending through the vertically extending aperture and is detachably securable in position by tightening of the set screw. This mounting shaft is secured to the back support member for varying the vertical position thereof and, in particular, the relative vertical position thereof with respect to the water level.
In another embodiment of the present invention the water therapy back traction apparatus is detachably securable with respect to a conventional ladder of a swimming pool. This apparatus includes a back support member which extends generally vertically for receiving the back of a user in abutment therewith and for facilitating support. It also includes a first arm s

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