Self adjusting pulley mount for traction device

Claim 1

In a traction device of the type having a sling adapted for connection to the extremity of a patient in a bed support and the like on which a pulley is affixed to a bedstead and over which a cable secured to such sling is trained and having a weight at its opposite end for creating traction beneficial to such patient: A self adjusting feature including a base adapted to be secured to the adjustable backrest of such bed for movemeNt therewith between its inclined and horizontal positions; between the sling and fixed pulley of such traction device and comprising in combination therewith: a. a rod fixed to and extending upwardly from said base; b. a pulley mount arranged for up and down movement on said rod and having a pair of pulleys journaled one above the other on axes perpendicular to said rod whereby a lowermost one of said pulleys engages said cable when the backrest is inclined and the uppermost pulley engages the cable when the back rest is horizontal; c. a C clamp for said pulley mount for securing the same to said rod in a position to afford in-line traction to the extremities of the patient connected to said sling; and d. a pivotal connection between said C clamp and said pulley means facilitating swinging movement of the latter about an axis parallel to said rod to compensate for change of position of the sling end of said cable within the bed by reason of movement of the patient therein.