US4736736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cervical traction assembly having head cradle with occipital shelf
Assignee: TRU-TRAC THERAPY PRODUCTS Inc
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Filing: 1986-11-17
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Granted: 1988-04-12
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Expires: 2006-11-17
Abstract
Abstract An improved cervical traction apparatus comprises a cradle including a bowl-shaped cranial cavity for supporting the head of a user and an occipital shelf support comprising a concave wall extending across the cradle. The cradle is secured on a base assembly which provides for movement of the cradle relative thereto to provide for both independent horizontal and vertical plane movements.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Moers
- 👤 Richard P. Meyst
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:32
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61H; A61H1/00; A61H1/02; A61H1/0218; A61H2201/00; A61H2201/16; A61H2201/1602; A61H2201/1604; A61H2201/1607
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
In a cervical traction apparatus the improvement comprising a cradle for supporting the head of a user having a top end and a bottom end and opposite sides extending therebetween, said cradle including (a) an occipital shelf comprising a concave wall extending across said cradle between said opposite sides and having an upper surface of a first depth for supporting an occipital bone, (b) a concave cranial cavity having a surface of a second depth for supporting the head of a user defined between said top end and opposite sides of said cradle and said occipital shelf, and (c) an extension insert shelf extending between said occipital shelf and said bottom end and having a surface of a third depth, and wherein said first depth of said upper surface of said occipital shelf is less than said second depth of said surface of said cavity and said third depth of said surface of said extension insert shelf.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a cervical traction apparatus the improvement comprising a cradle for supporting the head of a user having a top end and a bottom end and opposite sides extending therebetween, said cradle including (a) an occipital shelf comprising a concave wall extending across said cradle between said opposite sides and having an upper surface of a first depth for supporting an occipital bone, (b) a concave cranial cavity having a surface of a second depth for supporting the head of a user defined between said top end and opposite sides of said cradle and said occipital shelf, and (c) an extension insert shelf extending between said occipital shelf and said bottom end and having a surface of a third depth, and wherein said first depth of said upper surface of said occipital shelf is less than said second depth of said surface of said cavity and said third depth of said surface of said extension insert shelf.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including an extension insert removably secured on said extension insert shelf.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said occipital shelf includes a recess for receiving a spinal bone protrusion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said extension insert shelf comprises an arc-shaped depression extending between said opposite sides.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said occipital shelf is arc-shaped and substantially parallel with said extension insert shelf.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cradle comprises a rigid concave shell portion and a separate, cushioned head support portion removably received in said shell portion, and wherein said occipital shelf, said cranial cavity and said extension insert shelf are formed in said head support portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said shell portion includes a rib member for supporting said occipital shelf.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 6 including a separate vertebrae extension immobilizer member removably secured to said shell portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said head support portion comprises foamed plastic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said foamed plastic comprises self-skinning urethane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 6 including an occipital support insert removably secured on said head support portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said occipital support insert is secured on said occipital shelf.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a base assembly having first positioning means for selectively aligning said cradle about a vertical axis and second positioning means for selectively aligning said cradle about a horizontal axis generally parallel to the spinal axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 13 including a separate vertebrae extension immobilizer member removably secured to said base assembly.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said second positioning means comprises slot means along the exterior of said cradle and slot engaging means movably secured in said slot means whereby said cradle is movable relative to said slot engaging means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said first positioning means comprises an upper base member and a lower base member, said cradle being secured to said upper base member and wherein said upper base member is horizontally movable relative to said lower base member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said upper base member is pivotally mounted on said lower base member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 16 including a track and wherein said lower base member is slidably attached thereto.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said track includes a telescoping portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 18 including a ball-in-socket member or universal joint secured adjacent one end of said track.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
79 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said second positioning means comprises exterior slot means on said cradle and slot engaging means movably secured in said slot means, said slot engaging means being secured on said upper base member whereby said cradle is movable about a vertical axis by moving said upper base member relative to said lower base member and movable about a horizontal axis by moving said cradle along said slot means relative to said slot engaging means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 21 including a first deflection scale cooperating with said first positioning means for indicating an angle of horizontal deflection of said cradle for horizontal side bending.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said deflection scale is secured on said upper base member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 21 including a second deflection scale cooperating with said second positioning means for indicating an angle of vertical deflection of said cradle relative to the spinal axis of a user.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said second deflection scale is secured on said cradle.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said second deflection scale is secured on said upper base member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-04-12 | 1991-10-12 | 1992-04-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-12 | 1995-10-12 | 1996-04-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-12 | 1999-10-12 | 2000-04-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |