SPINAL THERAPY DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

The invention herein pertains to a spinal therapy device, system and method of use, specifically for self-administrating spinal decompression. The invention pertains to a method of lifting the user's upper spinal column by an extension device hooked over the top edge of a door jamb or floating wall, positioned over the user's head while the user is in seated position. The device comprising a hook portion, a strap portion and a harness portion and may be disassembled for portability.

Claims

1. A portable and collapsible spinal traction device comprising: a bracket portion, a strap portion and a harness portion, said bracket portion comprising a hook feature and a rod feature said hook feature comprising a single hook suspendable over the top edge of a door and at least one or two single vertical bar extending centrally downward from said single hook, said rod feature comprising one or two rod portions, each said rod portion having a first end and a second end, said first end attached to said single vertical bar in an adjustable swivel manner and extending therefrom along a horizontal plane, said second end terminating at a rod tip, said rod tip comprising an angle or a knob feature, each said rod portion comprising five or more inches in length and further comprising a straight, curved or angled shape, said strap portion comprising a first strap and a second strap, each said first and second strap having an adjustable length, each said first and second strap having a top end and a bottom end, said first end of each said first and second strap removably attachable to each said rod portion and suspendable from each said rod portion along a vertical plane, said harness portion comprising a chin rest and a rear adjustable head strap, said chin rest comprising a length of soft fabric material of at least 10 inches long and no greater than 18 inches long, said chin rest having a first and second end wherein said first end is coextensively attached to said first strap at said bottom end and said second end is coextensively attached to said second strap at said bottom end, said adjustable rear head strap comprising a length of flexible material with a first end and a second end and a means for adjusting its said length, said first end of said adjustable rear head strap perpendicularly connected to said bottom end of said first strap at its location of connection to said chin rest, said second end of said adjustable rear head strap perpendicularly connected to said bottom end of said second strap at its location of connection to said chin rest.

2. Said portable and collapsible spinal traction device of claim 1 comprising two rod portions, each of said two rod portions attached at their first ends to a single vertical bar in swivel adjustable manner and each of said two rod portions extending therefrom along a vertical plane.

3. Said portable and collapsible spinal traction device of claim 1 further providing a bridge feature coextensive with said hook portion, said bridge feature centrally attached to two single vertical bars, each of said two single vertical bars swivel adjustably connected to the first end of each said first rod portion and second rod portion, said second end of each said first rod portion and second rod portion adjustably positionable apart by a space of at least 6 inches.

4. Said portable and collapsible spinal traction device of claim 3 wherein said second end of said first rod portion is adjustably positionable apart from said second end of said second rod portion by up to 16 inches.

5. Said portable and collapsible spinal traction device of claim 1 wherein each said first and second adjustable straps comprising a length of two to five feet.

6. A self-administrating spinal traction therapy system comprising a portable and collapsible spinal traction device according to claim 1 wherein said portable and collapsible spinal traction device is wearable by a user in seated position adjacent to a door, said hook portion of said device suspendable over the top edge of said door, said second ends of said first and second rod portions of said device adjustably separable by at least 6 inches and spaced away from the surface of said door by at least 6 inches, said first end of said first strap detachably connectable to said second end of said first strap, said first end of said second strap detachably connectable to said second end of said second strap such that second first and second straps are suspendable in parallel to each other by a distance of at least 6 inches apart and spaced away from said surface of said door by at least 6 inches, said chin rest and adjustable rear head strap centrally connected therebetween.

7. A method of self-administering a portable and collapsible spinal traction system of claim 6 by positioning said chin rest underneath the user's chin and said adjustable rear head strap around the back side of said user's head, the connection points of said chin rest and said adjustable rear head strap with each said first strap and said second strap located above said user's right and left ear, tightening adjustment of said adjustable rear head strap, adjusting said first and second straps to equal length, positioning a chair proximate to said door surface and centrally between said second ends of each said first and second rod portions and centrally between said first and second straps, sitting on said chair such that each said first and second straps extend along the right and left sides of said user's head in parallel manner and with a tension force.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1 presents a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the harness portion of the device.

[0027] FIG. 2 presents a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the device.

[0028] FIG. 3 presents a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the device in use.

[0029] FIG. 4 presents a perspective view of an embodiment of the bracket portion of the device.

[0030] FIG. 5 presents a perspective view of an embodiment of the bracket portion of the device.

[0031] FIGS. 6A and 6B presents a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the bracket portion of the device.

[0032] FIG. 6C presents an exploded view of a portion of the alternative embodiment presented in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

[0033] FIG. 7 presents a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the bracket portion of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] FIG. 1 provides an example of a preferred embodiment of the harness portion 100 of the device. The harness portion comprising two lengths of straps 101,102 with an adjustable means 103.104. The means for adjusting length 103,104 may be known technology in the art, comprising but not limited to sleeve through buckles, buttons, or hook and loop components. The length of each strap (of said first and second strap) should be long enough to extend from the top edge of a door 201 down, 311 towards the head of a person in seated position adjacent to said door to achieve the purpose of this invention (See FIGS. 2 and 3). Each said strap 101,102 having a top end 105,106 loosely connectable to the bracket portion device. The ability to loosely and removably connect to the bracket portion of the device is to enable the entire device to be broken down and taken a part for portability. The detachably connectable element may simply be a hook or sleeve feature that slides over or around each rod extending from the bracket portion. Each strap may comprise elastic material in part or in total.

[0035] The harness portion further comprising a head strap 107. The head strap comprising a chin rest 108 and an adjustable rear head strap 109. The chin rest 108 is coextensive between the first strap 101 and second strap 102 to create a long linear piece of material wherein the chin rest 108 is centrally positioned. The adjustable rear head strap 109 connects as a bridge between the first strap 101 and second strap 102, at either bottom end connection to said chin rest 109. This point of connection between the three elements is preferably a 90 degree connection 110 relative to said adjustable rear head strap. When worn, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the location of connection would be located above the user's ear to avoid discomfort from the competing pressures against the ear itself. The three elements of the harness portion at their point of connection 110 is a location where competing forces converge and can be felt on the side of the user's head. By placing that point of pressure above the user's ear and directing the force upward and to the side of the user's head, the effect such as a pinching effect would not be experienced by the user. The harness 100 may also comprise elastic material in part or in total.

[0036] When in use, as illustrated in FIG. 3, each of the two rods tips 301, 302 are spread apart by a distance of 6 to 8 inches, which directs the spread of the straps 303,304 by that same distance. The first end of each rod 305,306 is preferably adjustable by swivel manner such that the user may easily maintain a constant parallel position of the two straps 303,304 to the side of his or her head with slight changes of head position during use. The rod tips 301,302 extend beyond the surface of the door by at least 6 inches to allow the first and second strap 303,304 to hang directly over either side of the user's head according to their natural sitting posture. The rod tips 301,302 of each rod also having a knob ending or an upward slant 307,308 to prevent the top end of each strap 309,310 from easily being pulled off. Further, the overall bracket portion comprising durable material that can sustain the downward weight or force of the user's upper body against the tension of the first and second straps. This may be greater as great as 50 pounds and no less than 5 pounds of downward force against each and both rods.

[0037] FIG. 4 provides illustration of a preferred embodiment of the bracket portion 401 comprising a hook feature 402, a bridge feature 403 coextensive with said hook feature 402, two vertical bars extending 404,405 from said hook feature 402 separated by a preferred distance, and two rod features 406,407 each having a first end swivelly 408,409 attached to each individual vertical bar 404,405 and a second end with a rod tip 410,411. FIG. 5 provides a second perspective view of the same embodiment described in FIG. 4 illustrating a detachably connectable element 502,503 of each first and second strap removably hooked onto or sleeved over each said rod tip 506,507.

[0038] FIGS. 6a, b and c provides a front 600, rear 700 and exploded 800 view illustration of an alternative embodiment of the bracket portion 600 of this invention. This embodiment provides for two rods 601,602 attached to the hook 603 element at a single vertical bar 604 and without a bridge feature. The distance between a first rod tip 605 and second rod tip 606 is determined and adjusted at their first rod ends 607 which are swivelly connected to the single vertical bar 604 and hook portion 603. This embodiment of the bracket portion 600 provides a new method of interconnecting the first ends 607 of each said first and second rod pieces 601,602. The alternating interconnection of claw like feature 608,609 at the first end of said first rod 601 and second rod 602 results in their abutment when swiveled in opposite directions. The location of abutment 610 determines the maximum angle of opposing rotation. As such, the claw feature 608,609 and design may be manipulated such that the maximum angle of spread between the first and second rod 601,602 at their respective first ends 607 may automatically stop at a preferred spot 610 and establish the desired 6 to 8 inch spread at their opposing rod tip ends. This results in the improved feature of this invention which provides guidance to the user of the desired distance of spread to facilitate the floating lift effect of the device on the user during use.

[0039] FIG. 7 provides for yet another embodiment of this invention comprising two hook portions 902,903, each hook portion 902,903 attached to a separate individual rod 903,904 feature in fused manner. The distance between each rod tip 905,906 is directly proportional and relative to the position of the hook portion 902,903 over the door. This alternative embodiment allows automatic adjustment of desired spacing between the two rod tip ends 905,906 but is not as convenient as the above described embodiments of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. This embodiment does provide improvement from the prior art in that a spread of at least 6 to 8 inches is achievable to enable the floating lift effect of this invention.

[0040] Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative devices will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention has been described by way of summary, detailed description and illustration. The specific embodiments disclosed in the above drawings are not intended to be limiting. Implementations of the present invention with various different configurations are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.