Adjustable traction device

Claim 2

An adjustable traction device comprising: a. a base portion adapted to be mounted to a hospital bed, b. an upright support extending above the level of the bed and swingably secured to the base portion whereby said support may be moved away from a patient in the bed, c. flexible cable means secured to said support for attachment to a patient in the bed, the vertical position of the point of attachment for said cable means being vertically adjustable relative to said support, and d. means for applying a force to said flexible cable means to place the patient in traction wherein said force applying means comprise pressure fluid means including a cylinder and piston for the cylinder, said piston being secured to said flexible cable and said cylinder being secured to said base portion.

Claim 3

An adjustable traction device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base portion is mounted on a movable portion of the hospital bed frame.

Claim 4

An adjustable traction device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said flexible cable means are provided with a compensating mechanism whereby the cable means may be adjusted vertically on said support without changing the effective length of the cable.

Claim 5

An adjustable traction device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said base support is provided with means for limiting free swingable movement of said support relative to said base to a direction away from the patient.

Claim 6

An adjustable traction device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for limiting swingable movement of said support relative to said base portion comprises second pressure fluid means including a cylinder and a piston for the cylinder, said piston being connected to the swingable support.

Claim 7

An adjustable traction device as set forth in claim 5 having control means for disabling said limiting means to permit the swingable support to be moved in a direction toward The patient.

Claim 8

An adjustable traction device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said control means is automatically actuated to disable said limiting means whenever the support contacts the bed frame.

Claim 9

An adjustable traction device comprising: a. a base portion adapted to be mounted to a movable portion of a hospital bed frame, b. an upright support extending above the level of the mattress of the bed and swingably secured to the base portion, c. first pressure fluid means mounted on the base portion including a cylinder and a piston for the cylinder, said piston being connected to the support whereby the support is freely swingable relative to the base portion in a direction away from a patient on the bed but not swingable relative to the base portion in a direction toward the patient, d. control means on the support for disabling said pressure fluid means, said control means including means for venting pressure from said cylinder to permit the support to swing toward the patient, e. a flexible cable on said support for attachment to a patient on the bed, and f. second pressure fluid means on the support including a cylinder and a piston for the cylinder, said piston being secured to the flexible cable to permit the patient to be placed in traction.

Claim 10

An adjustable traction device comprising: a. a base portion adapted to be mounted to a movable portion of a hospital bed frame, b. an upright support extending above the level of the mattress of the bed and swingably secured to the base portion, c. first pressure fluid means mounted on the base portion including a cylinder and a piston for the cylinder, said piston being connected to the support whereby the support is freely swingable relative to the base portion in a direction away from a patient on the bed but not swingable relative to the base portion in a direction toward the patient, d. control means on the support for disabling said pressure fluid means, said control means including means for venting pressure from said cylinder to permit the support to swing toward the patient, e. a flexible cable on said support for attachment to a patient on the bed, and f. second pressure fluid means on the support including a cylinder and a piston for the cylinder, said piston being secured to the flexible cable to permit the patient to be placed in traction.

Claim 11

An adjustable traction device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said flexible cable upon attachment to a patient passes around a pulley that is vertically adjustable on said support.

Claim 12

An adjustable traction device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said flexible cable engages a plurality of pulleys between its attachment to the piston and to the patient and said support is provided with a compensating mechanism whereby the position of said vertically adjustable pulley may be varied without changing the effective length of the flexible cable.

Claim 13

An adjustable traction device as set forth in claim 10 wherein said support has a movable lever arm engagable with a valve for venting pressure from the cylinder of said first pressure fluid means.