Ambulatory traction device for cervical problems

Claim 1

A traction device for supporting the head of an ambulatory patient having cervical problems, comprising: a torso-contacting portion having a padded chest contacting bar and a padded back contacting bar connected at each side by an over-the-shoulder arch member, an inverted U-shaped assembly having a leg at each side connected at the bottom to a respective arch member, the upper ends of the legs being connected by a crosspiece adapted to be narrowly spaced above the head, a transverse sling support bar pendantly supported from the center of the crosspiece, an eyebolt having its eye around the support rod and its threaded shank extending throUgh a hole in the crosspiece, a nut and locknut adjustably securing the eyebolt in place, a sling including an under-the-chin pad and a back-of-the-neck pad pendantly supported at each side from the respective ends of the support rod, each leg of the U-shaped assembly including a rod portion secured to an arch member and a tube portion connected to the crosspiece, the tube portion having an enlarged shield tube secured to the lower end thereof, the rod portion being telescopically received in the tube portion, a coil spring within the shield tube and around the rod portion, and a pressure tube around the rod portion having its upper end adapted to engage and compress the spring against the lower end of the tube portion, the lower end of the pressure tube being secured to a collar adapted to be adjustably secured to the rod portion for adjusting the compression of the spring.