Multi-purpose traction apparatus

[57] ABSTRACT

Traction apparatus for the human anatomy characterized by a main frame and a pulling device connected to one end thereof, the other end of the frame being open to provide a space for a portion of the anatomy to extend across same, and a plurality of attachments for the main frame which may be employed in various combinations to provide various abutments or loci of countertraction on various parts of the anatomy. It is a lightweight device which may be used to apply traction to entire limbs or portions of limbs, to the neck, and other portions of the anatomy. In some uses the main frame is disposed in a horizontal position but is also self supporting in a vertical position for other applications of use. The attachments may be oriented to various positions relative to the main frame and are detachable therefrom to render the apparatus compact, whereby it may be readily transported.

Claims, 8 Drawing Figures

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PATENTED MAY 16 1372

SHEET 1 OF 2

3,662,750

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THOR V JORGENSEN

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ATTORNEYS

PATENTED m 6

3,662,750

SHEET 2 Or 2

<img file="US3662750A_D0004.tif" />

<img file="US3662750A_D0005.tif" />

ATTORNEYS

3,662,750

MULTI-PURPOSE TRACTION APPARATUS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Devices for applying traction to portions of the human anatomy have long been employed and are of various types ^Sand utility. For example, some are of a bulky nature which renders them best suited for use in hospitals or the like. Also, they may be of single purpose utility for use with only one portion of the anatomy, such as a limb, a portion of a limb, or ap- _]0plying traction to the neck or other portions of the anatomy of ^1Uthe patient. As will be apparent, such types of de vices have little or no utility where it is desired to apply traction to the patient at the scene of an accident or the like due to their lack of portability or due to their construction which renders them 15 usable with specialized equipment which is available only at a remote locus, such as a hospital or at the office of a doctor where the proper traction must be administered. Since they are often of single purpose utility, moreover, it would be necessary to transport a myriad of equipment to the patient if 20 various types of traction were required, which is impractical.

It will now be apparent that a need exists for a device which has multi-purpose utility yet is sufficiently compact that it may be easily transported to a desired locus. Further, if it requires no further ancillary specialized or expensive equipment it 25 could, in many cases, be employed in the home of a patient, thus obviating expensive hospitalization. Additionally, if it could be constructed in a simple manner and at low cost, yet would serve the myriad of traction applications encountered, it would be of considerable benefit to doctors who, in general, ³⁰are not provided with the various devices required for single purpose applications of use.

In an attempt to locate a device of such type, none have been found available. However, the U.S. Pat. to Maher, No. 2,606,550, recognized the general need of a portable, ³⁵lightweight, compact and inexpensive construction which could be used for more than one type of traction application, but the number of applications is limited and its use is thus restricted, as distinguished from a device which could serve ₄₀the purpose of the many applications of the highly specialized equipment referred to.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is characterized by a frame having a 45 traction or tension applying device at one end and various attachments which may be applied to the other end, either singly or in various combinations, and which, dependent upon their choice of use, provide suitable abutments or loci for applying countertraction to various portions of the anatomy. The other ⁵⁰end referred to is open (as distinguished from the patent referred to) and, in general, a portion of the anatomy is disposed within or across this opening, which, as will subsequently appear in greater detail, provides a construction which permits a large number of traction applications to the ³⁵anatomy, Further, since it adds only a relatively small length to the height of the patient, it may be employed with a normal length bed, thus rendering it particularly useful where the patient is receiving treatment in his home. If it must be trans- ₆θ ported to a remote locus, for example for emergency use, this is possible due to its compact and lightweight construction. Further, even if the particular traction application is unknown in advance, a doctor is assured that the various arrangements of its parts will enable him to apply traction to all of the parts 55 of the anatomy which most frequently require same, such as limbs or the neck, as well as to some of the less frequently injured parts, such as parts of the torso. It is further characterized by suitable supports for supporting the weight of a portion of the anatomy, which aid in the application of the trac- 70 tion force, as well as adding to the comfort of the patient. If desired, also, it may be constructed in a manner such that the traction or pulling point is adjustable to any point within the cross section of the open end, whereby the direction of pull relative to such cross section may be selected as desired. 75

In summary of the foregoing, principal objectives of the invention are the provision of a main frame having a traction device connected to one end, the main frame being employed in all uses of the device, the other end being open and across which a portion of the anatomy may be disposed, and a plurality of attachments which may be employed in various combinations to provide suitable countertraction loci or abutments for a portion of the anatomy.

Further objects, advantages and salient features will become more apparent from the detailed description to follow, the appended claims, and the drawing to now be briefly described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a top plan of the subject of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation as viewed in the direction of arrow 2, FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 3—3, FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 4 illustrating one application of use;

FIG. 6 is a similar view illustrating another application of use;

FIG. 7 is a similar view illustrating a further application of use; and

FIG. 8 is an alternative form of frame and winch support which may be employed in FIGS. 1 to 7.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawing, and first to FIGS. 1 to 4, main frame A, which is employed in all uses of the invention, comprises a pair of square tubes 10, 10α, secured together by a cross tie bar 12 adjacent their left or rear ends, and by upwardly inclined and forwardly extending members 14, 14α at their right or front ends which are joined by a bight portion 16. As will be apparent, tubes 10, 10α are disposed in parallel spaced relationship and leg members 14, 14α form supports for a winch W.

The winch is of generally conventional construction comprising a drum 18 affixed to a rotatable shaft 20 having a handle or 30,22 affixed to same and which incorporates a releasable ratchet (not shown) which prevents retrograde rotation. Thus, as the drum 18 is rotated in one direction, strap 24, which is affixed to the drum, is wound on same, applying a pulling force on hook 24 affixed to a spring scale 26 attached to the strap. When it is desired to release the pulling force the ratchet can be released to permit retrograde rotation of the drum.

Tubes 10, 10α each threadedly carry a set screw 28, best shown in FIG. 3, which lock extensible members 30 30α which are telescopically received within tubes 10,10α. Members 30, 30α are each L-shaped, having vertically extending legs 32, 32α, respectively, the purpose of which will subsequently appear. The L-shaped members just described are also designated B, which comprise the first attachment to the main frame A.

A U-shaped upright C, forming the second attachment, comrises a pair of parallel spaced square tubes 34, 34α connected by a bight member 36 at their ends.

A third attachment D comprises a pair of L-shaped members having downwardly extending legs 38, 38α, which are telescopically received within tubes 34,34α. In FIGS. 1,2 and 5 bight portion 36 of the U-shaped upright C is at the bottom and members D are directed toward the winch. In FIG. 4 they are also directed toward the winch but the bight portion 36 is now disposed at the top. As will be apparent, however, they may be directed in any of four directions 90° apart, the usual directions being forward, as shown, or rearwardly 180° from same.

A pair of connecting devices, forming a fourth attachment E, each comprise a pair of adjacent square tubes 40, 42 secured together and secured to a suitable rigid backing

3,662,750 member 44 which is provided with a soft pad 46. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, one of the tubes of the pad-connector engages a vertical leg of attachment B, the other tube on the pad engages the U-shaped upright C, and the tops of the uprights each carry a forwardly extending member D. 5

Before proceeding with exemplary uses of the device, the components of the traction frame will now be briefly recapitulated in the interests of a more clear understanding of language to subsequently be employed. They comprise:

A. a main frame which includes a pair of parallel tubes and a ¹⁰winch, this component being always employed;

B. a pair of lower L-shaped members which telescope within the tubes, just aforesaid, which form adjustable rearward extensions of same;

C. a U-shaped upright member having square parallel tubes.

D. a second pair of upper L-shaped members, each having a leg which telescopes within a square tube of the U-shaped upright; and

E. a pair of padded connectors, each having a pair of adjacent parallel square tubes which telescopically engage cer- ²⁰tain of the parts, aforesaid.

In addition to the various components just referred to, various attachments for connecting the winch to a member of the anatomy, or for supporting or restraining a portion of the 25 anatomy against undesired motion, are required. These will vary considerably in construction, and, in some instances, will require some improvisation to effect the desired result. Several of these will be described in connection with exemplary uses of the device to now be described. jq

In FIG. 5 traction is being applied to an entire leg, it being assumed that traction or reduction is desired somewhere between the thigh and the foot. The right member B is extended to a desired position and locked thereat, one of members E being attached to same for engaging the crotch to pro- 35 vide a pull restraining abutment. The lower end of the left tube 34 of member C is applied to the upright leg of the left member B, the lower end of the right tube of member C resting upon right member B. The second pair of upper L-shaped members D are applied to the upper ends of upright C and ex- 40 tend in a direction toward the winch. These form supports for ends of an adjustable length strap 48 for supporting weight of the leg and, as shown, extend beneath the calf of the leg. The winch may be connected to the foot in various ways, but as illustrated, a plaster cast 50 is provided and a suitably shaped ⁴⁵strap 52 engages the plaster cast and the winch hook. As will be apparent, the winch is then actuated to apply desired traction, as determined by the reading on the scale. It will be noted that one of the members E is not employed in this example.

FIG. 6 illustrates a manner of applying traction to the neck ⁵⁰of a patient. In this example all of the parts employed in FIG. 5 are employed except both of members E. To provide a restraining abutment, a pair of straps 54 are employed, each having its ends affixed to upright C and each of which engages the top of a shoulder, the latter portion preferably having a pad on same. Another adjustable length strap 56 extends beneath the back of the patient, its ends being connected to members D, thus supporting the weight of the upper torso or chest of the patient. Another adjustable length strap 58 may ₆₀be applied to support the weight of the head of the patient. Traction is applied by a harness 60 which engages the chin and rear portion of the head of the patient.

FIG. 7 illustrates one manner of applying traction to the forearm and fingers of a patient. In this example only members 65 A and B are employed. A suitable elbow plaster cast 62 is provided which is secured to members B by a strap 64. Any suitable clamp 66 engages the fingers and connects same to the winch. As will be apparent, main frame A is now disposed in a vertical position, rather than a horizontal position, as in FIGS. 70 4 and 5.

In another manner of applying traction to the neck (not shown), pad-connectors E are attached to lower L-shaped members B with the pads engaging the tops of the shoulders of the patient and with the head of the patient disposed within 75 frame A (as in FIG. 6), but with the arms now entirely outside of frame A. In this example, members D may or may not be employed, depending upon whether or not weight support is required.

If traction on the upper arm is desired, that is, between the elbow and shoulder (not shown), one of members B with a pad E thereon may be employed, the pad engaging the arm adjacent the shoulder. A plaster cast is applied to the bent elbow and the cast connected to the winch with a suitable strap.

The various applications illustrated or just described and the parts of the apparatus employed for each are summarized in the following tabulation, it being understood that main frame A is always employed:

<td> FIG.</td><td> Lower</td><td> U-Frame</td><td> Upper</td><td> Pads</td>

<td></td><td> Extensions B</td><td> C</td><td> Supports D</td><td> E</td>

<td> 4</td><td> yes</td><td> yes</td><td> yes</td><td> yes</td>

<td> 5</td><td> yes</td><td> yes</td><td> yes</td><td> yes(l)</td>

<td> 6</td><td> yes</td><td> yes</td><td> yes</td><td> no</td>

<td> 7</td><td> yes</td><td> no</td><td> no</td><td> no</td>

<td> N/S-Neck</td><td> yes</td><td> no</td><td> optional</td><td> yes</td>

<td> N/S-Arm</td><td> yes(l)</td><td> no</td><td> no</td><td> yes(l)</td>

In some instances it may be desirable to apply the traction force at an adjustable locus on the main frame, rather than at a fixed point as in FIGS. 1 to 7. FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative form of main frame portion for this purpose. In this construction the winch is affixed to a member 16a which may be adjusted horizontally and vertically relative to leg members 14, 14α so that the tensile force may be applied at any point which, in general, will be at a point within a cross section as defined by a forward projection of the cross section of member C. In this construction the ends of cross bar 68 may slide vertically along members 14, 14α and member 16α, which carries winch W, may slide horizontally along bar 68. Set screws, like screws 28, may be employed to lock the cross bar and member 16α in any desired position of adjustment.

The examples above thus include traction to the entire length of a leg (FIG. 5), traction to the neck (FIG. 6) and as otherwise described but not shown, traction to the forearm (FIG. 7), and traction to the upper arm (as described but not shown). As will now be apparent, traction to the upper portion of a leg is also possible in which event countertraction may be applied with a pad engaging the crotch but with the traction force applied at the knee or somewhere above same, either with suitable straps or a plaster cast. Similarly, traction may be applied to the leg between the knee and foot by securing the leg at the knee with a plaster cast or straps and applying traction as in FIG. 5.

As will now be apparent, the various modes of use of the main frame and all or a portion of its attachments, as described, provide a single, lightweight, and portable apparatus which may be employed for a considerable number of traction purposes, both for entire limbs or portions of same, or the neck. It is to be understood, however, that other specific applications are possible by selection of the various parts and their particular orientations and adjustments. It is therefore apparent that the specific uses illustrated and described are exemplary, only, and that the invention is not limited to same except as defined with the scope of the appended claims. For example, in connection with the arrangement shown in FIG. 5, it will be understood that the U-shaped upright member C may be installed even though a limb of a patient is already mounted within the main frame A. This is accomplished by disposing the U-shaped member C in a horizontal plane beneath the limb. When the bight portion 36 is disposed adjacent the vertically disposed portions of the L-shaped members B, the member C is pivoted about the bight portion 36 until the tubes 34 and 34α are disposed in a vertical plane. The member C is maintained in this position by interconnecting one of the tubes 34 of the member C with one of the upright portions of the Lshaped member B through the use of the fourth attachment E.