Portable cervical traction apparatus

Claim 1

In combination, a pair of upstanding generally parallel and inverted U-shaped opposite side frame portions disposed and spaced side-by-side relation, each of said frame portions including front and rear legs interconnected at their upper end portions by means of a curved bight portion extending therebetween, said frame portions being spaced apart at their lower ends a distance less than shoulder width but greater than head width, a front to rear extending brace rigidly secured between the lower end portions of the front and rear legs of each frame portion, an upper horizontal brace member extending between and rigidly anchored to said bight portions, transverse braces extending between and rigidly secured to each pair of corresponding front and rear legs intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof, a downwardly concave arched shoulder support received and extending between and rigidly secured to the lower end portions of the legs of each frame portion, said front to rear extending braces closely overlying and being secured to the longitudinal mid-portions of said shoulder supports, a block and tackle assembly depending downwardly from a central portion of said upper horizontal brace member and supporting a head sling therefrom, said block and tackle including a pull line free end portion, a winding member journaled from a lower portion of one of said opposite frame portions, the free end portion of said pull line being attached to said winding member for winding thereon, the upper end portion of said one opposite side frame portion including anti-friction guide means supported therefrom with which an intermediate portion of said winding member free end portion extending between said block and tackle and said winding member is guidingly engaged for longitudinal shifting relative thereto.