Back traction and muscle stretching bench
The back traction and muscle stretching bench has an inclined bench panel to support the thigh area of a user in a prone position on the bench, and a bench panel for supporting the user's torso in a horizontal to downwardly inclined position. Traction is applied to the spine of a user lying prone on the bench. The torso supporting bench panel is adjustable to vary the degree of traction applied. A leg supporting assembly provides padded rollers that may be used to place an additional downward force on the users legs while in the prone position, thereby increasing the degree of traction applied to the spine. The leg supporting assembly is adjustable to place the padded rollers in a higher or lower vertical position, thereby varying the degree of traction imparted by the rollers.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to equipment for exercise and physical therapy. More specifically, the present invention is a back traction and muscle stretching bench for providing multiple traction, stretching, and exercise solutions for treating and preventing pain in the lumbar and thoracic spine and lower limb areas.
2. Description of the Related Art
Back pain is a common problem for many people. Frequently, back pain is concentrated in the lower back, or lumbar area. The lumbar area includes five large vertebrae on each side of the spine, which carry much of the body's weight. Because of its weight-supporting role, and because it is central to, and involved in, nearly every kind of body movement, the lumbar area is particularly susceptible to injuries. It is estimated that as much as 80-85% of the population suffers from lower back pain at some point in their lifetime.
The upper back (thoracic back) area is generally less prone to pain and injury. However, it can be a significant source of discomfort and pain when injury does occur. The most common causes of upper back pain are muscular irritation and joint dysfunction.
Numerous methods and devices have been devised to treat back injury and back pain, and to exercise and strengthen back muscles to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of pain.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0128576, published on Sep. 12, 2002, discloses an exercise table and exercise routine useful in the treatment of low back pain. The table permits a user to apply low levels of traction to the lower back by pushing on adjustable arm support posts. The table is slightly inclined, placing a user in a slightly head-down position. The user's feet are restrained by a harness against a pair of foot pegs, so that traction is applied as the patient pushes against the arm support posts. Thus, the degree of traction applied is limited by the strength of the user. Additionally, the exercise table does not support a variety of traction, stretching, and exercise solutions for treating and preventing pain in the lumbar and thoracic spine and lower limb areas. A similar apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,501, issued on Jul. 15, 2003 to B. Mayes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,109, issued on Apr. 1, 1986 to L. Lundblad, discloses an apparatus for treating back ailments. A patient support table supports a patient in a horizontal, lying position. A first belt is secured around the patient's pelvic region, while a second belt is secured around the patient's chest. Traction is applied mechanically by drive means that pull on the belts. While the disclosed apparatus is useful for a variety of traction therapies, it is dependant on electrical power to operate the drive means, and does not serve to facilitate stretching or exercise solutions either individually or in conjunction with the traction.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,401, issued on Dec. 5, 1995 to M. Rouillard et al., discloses a ramped and horizontal stretching bench for relieving spinal and muscle conditions contributing to back pain. A user lies on the bench with his upper torso on a horizontal section of the bench, with his lower torso and legs extending downward along a ramped portion of the bench. The stretching bench relies on gravity to pull the user's legs and lower torso, relieving tightness and tension in the muscles and vertebrae in the user's back.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,589, issued on Sep. 24, 1991 to R. Engle, discloses an apparatus and method for performing extension and flexion of a knee joint, wherein the patient is in a prone position on an inverted V-shaped table. The inverted V-shaped table is adjustable to vary the inclination of both the patient's torso and the patient's legs. The apparatus is intended for use with an iso-kinetic rehabilitation machine that is not part of the apparatus. The apparatus provides no features to apply or enhance traction to the lower back or other body regions.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0095182, published on Jul. 18, 2002, discloses a physiotherapy bench including a body supporting panel supported on a frame. The body supporting panel includes a substantially horizontal front end for supporting the chest of a patient, and an inclined rear end for supporting the patient's hips and upper legs. A patient is subjected to a gentle traction while positioned on the bench. A headrest and arm supports are provided for the patient's comfort while using the device. The body supporting panel, however, is not adjustable in inclination, restricting its use to a single position. Additionally, the apparatus provides no features to enhance the traction that results simply from gravity, or to use the apparatus in varied positions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,989,168, issued on Nov. 23, 1999 to L. See, discloses an exercise bed that is composed of a front and rear frame pivotally fastened together. A transmission motor is connected to the frame, and functions to raise the center of the bed, thereby bracing and extending the backbone of a person lying on the bed. Padded rollers support a user's legs and retain the feet in position as the bed operates.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,001, issued on Nov. 24, 1998 to R. Schedel, discloses a therapy table that separately supports the lower and upper body of a user. The table is movable between a vertical position, wherein a user can easily mount the device, and an essentially horizontal position in which the user may perform selected exercises. The upper body-supporting portion of the table is pivotal relative to the lower body-supporting portion of the table. Electrical or hydraulic actuators position the table. A leg-locking pad retains the user's legs during use. The table does not facilitate side-to-side movement of the torso during use.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a back traction and muscle stretching bench solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe back traction and muscle stretching bench of the present invention provides multiple traction, stretching, and exercise solutions for treating and preventing pain in the lumbar and thoracic spine and lower limb areas. A variety of traction and stretching therapies, in prone and supine positions, are facilitated, both individually and in combination.
A sturdy base frame supports a padded thigh support board and a padded torso support board. The torso support board is adjustable from a generally horizontal position to a position angled downward toward the front. The thigh support board is fixed in a position angled slightly downward toward the rear. Thus, a patient may lie on the back traction and muscle stretching bench in a prone position with thighs supported on the thigh support board, torso supported on the torso support board, and legs extending to the rear.
A leg support extends rearward from the base frame, and includes a pair of footrest plates and a pair of padded leg support rollers. The footrest plates and the leg support rollers are adjustable both in their extension from the base frame and in their vertical height. A patient in the prone position may position his or her legs underneath the leg support rollers to apply traction to the lumbar region. The degree of traction applied may be adjusted, by moving the leg support into a more downward position to increase, or into a more upward position to decrease, the force applied. Traction may also be varied by adjusting the downward angle of the torso support board. Additionally, increasing the downward angle of the torso support board decreases static pressure on the back caused in patients with a large stomach or abdomen, such as in overweight patients.
In one embodiment of the back traction and muscle stretching bench, the torso support board pivots horizontally from side to side. This allows a patient to perform lateral stretching of lower back muscles, and is beneficial for treatment of certain types of nerve compression in the lumbar area.
Arm support stands extend to the front of the bench, providing both an arm rest and a handhold for each arm. The arm support stands are adjustable in position and height. The arm support stands provide handholds for the patient to grasp for stability and comfort, and to aid in stretching the body during treatment. The arm support stands also provide support for the patient during push-up like exercises.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention is a back traction and muscle stretching bench, designated generally as 10 in the drawings. Referring to
The back traction and muscle stretching bench 10 comprises a thigh supporting bench panel 800 and a torso supporting bench panel 700 disposed on a base frame 100. The thigh supporting bench panel 800 is inclined downward toward the rear of the base frame 100. In the present embodiment, the torso supporting bench panel 700 is mounted onto a torso frame 200 that is connected to the base frame 100 by at least one hinge. In alternate embodiments, the torso supporting bench panel 700 could be a single, self-supporting panel itself directly hinged to the base frame 100. An adjustment mechanism 300, disposed between the base frame 100 and the torso frame 200, holds the torso supporting bench panel 700 at a position that is adjustable between generally horizontal to a position inclined downward towards the front of the base frame 100.
Belts secure the user U in position during traction therapies, and apply variable tension to selected regions of the back. Fixed belts 220 are attached to the base frame 100 and torso frame 200, and are adjustably joined with belt clasps or a hook and loop fastener. In
These basic components of the back traction and muscle stretching bench 10 provide an exercise and therapy bench that has an inclined bench panel to support the thigh area of a user in a prone position on the bench, and a bench panel for supporting the user's torso in a horizontal to downwardly inclined position.
With a user U lying prone on the back traction and muscle stretching bench 10 as shown in
In addition, incrementing the downward force on the user's legs increases the degree of traction applied. A leg support assembly 600 extends rearward from the base frame 100, and provides both foot rests 604 and leg roller pads 608. The roller pads 608 may be used to add such an additional downward force on the user's legs, thereby increasing the degree of traction applied to the user's spine. In use, with the user U lying prone on the back traction and muscle stretching bench 10, the user's legs are placed under the roller pads 608 with the rollers positioned generally along the user's calves. The leg support assembly 600 is pivotally adjustable to vary the vertical position of the roller pads 608. Adjusting the leg support assembly 600 to place the roller pads 608 into a lower position increases the downward force on the user's legs, thereby increasing traction. Traction is decreased with the roller pads 608 positioned higher.
In order to provide for user comfort, as well as to provide arm support and handholds during various therapies and exercises, an arm support assembly 400 extends forward from the base frame 100. The arm support assembly 400 provides a pair of armrests 410 and handgrips 418. The armrests 410, along with the handgrips 418, are adjustable in height. The user U may use the armrests 410 along with the handgrips 418 to perform push-ups and similar exercises, or may use the handgrips 418 to pull, thereby creating additional stretching or traction during an exercise or treatment. The armrests 410 and the handgrips 418 are also useful in mounting and dismounting the equipment.
A chin rest 504 is provided on an adjustable arm 502 attached to and extending forward from the torso frame 200. The chin rest 504 is useful for head and neck support for a tall user, or when the user U is positioned on the back traction and muscle stretching bench 10 in a more forward position.
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A bracket 112 is disposed on the cross member 110 for attachment of the adjustment mechanism 300, as seen on
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A mounting assembly 222, disposed at the rear end 202 of the torso frame 200, allows for the attachment of the torso supporting bench panel 700 to the torso frame 200. The mounting assembly includes an aperture 224 that will receive a pivot pin 708, and an arcuate slot 226 that will receive a clamping pin 710 (shown in
A plurality of belt loops 218 are disposed on the sides 203 of the torso frame 200. Fixed belts 220 are attached to the belt loops 218. Tensionable belts 221, in connection with tensioning belt 219, run along the top of the torso supporting bench panel 700 or are channeled through belt loops 218. The tensionable belt 219 is attached to a belt tensioner 210 that is disposed on the front end 201 of the torso frame 200. A ratchet mechanism 212 selectively engages or disengages with the belt tensioner 210 to secure the belt tensioner 210 in place as a belt 221 is tightened, or to release the belt tensioner 210 when a belt 221 is to be released. The belts 220 and 221 are configured to fasten around the body of a user to hold the user in place on the back traction and muscle stretching bench 10, as well as to provide pressure against selected portions of the spine during various treatments.
A lateral support arm 214 is pivotally disposed on each side 203 of the torso frame 200. Each lateral support arm 214 may be pivoted between a position generally flush alongside the side 203 of the torso frame 200 and a position generally perpendicular to the torso frame 200. The lateral support arms 214, in their extended position, support a pivoting torso bench member 900 as it pivots from side to side (discussed below in reference to
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In an alternate embodiment shown in
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A back traction and muscle stretching bench, comprising:
- a base frame having a front end and a rear end;
- a thigh support panel disposed on top of said base frame, the thigh support panel being downwardly inclined toward the rear end of said base frame;
- a torso support member pivotally connected to said base frame;
- an adjustable support member disposed between said base frame and said torso support member, the adjustable support member allowing inclination of said torso support member to be varied; and
- a footrest assembly attached to and extending rearward from the rear end of said base frame, the footrest assembly being adjustable in height relative to said thigh support panel.
2. The back traction and muscle stretching bench according to claim 1, further comprising an armrest assembly adjustably extending forward from the front end of said base frame.
3. The back traction and muscle stretching bench according to claim 1, further comprising a neck rest assembly adjustably extending forward from said torso support member.
4. The back traction and muscle stretching bench according to claim 1, further comprising at least one body-securing belt disposed on said torso support member.
5. The back traction and muscle stretching bench according to claim 4, further comprising a belt tensioning device disposed on said torso support member, at least one of said body-securing belts being in connection with, and tensionable by, said belt tensioning device.
6. The back traction and muscle stretching bench according to claim 1, wherein said footrest assembly comprises:
- an elongated support arm having first and second ends, the first end being pivotally attached to said base frame and being pivotal in a vertical plane;
- a pair of footrests disposed on said elongated support arm; and
- at least a pair of roller pads disposed on said elongated support arm.
7. The back traction and muscle stretching bench according to claim 6, wherein said footrests further comprise a clamp member slidable on and selectively clamped to said elongated support arm, whereby said footrests are adjustable in position along the length of said elongated support arm.
8. The back traction and muscle stretching bench according to claim 6, wherein said roller pads further comprise a clamp member slidable on and selectively clamped to said elongated support arm, whereby said roller pads are adjustable in position along the length of said elongated support arm.
9. The back traction and muscle stretching bench according to claim 6, wherein said roller pads are located between said footrests and said first end.
10. The back traction and muscle stretching bench according to claim 1, wherein said torso support member comprises a torso support panel.
11. The back traction and muscle stretching bench according to claim 10, wherein said torso support member comprises a frame, the frame being pivotally connected to said base frame, said torso support panel being disposed on said frame.
12. The back traction and muscle stretching bench according to claim 10, wherein said torso support panel is pivotal from side to side of said base frame.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 18, 2004
Publication Date: Aug 18, 2005
Inventor: Soorya Dayal (Dubai)
Application Number: 10/779,877