Abstract: A spring-loaded, impact-type chiropractic device especially useful for repositioning a cervical vertebra in the spinal column of a patient. The device includes a tubular casing having an anvil structure at one end and a spring-biased hammer mounted in the tubing. An elongated spindle is connected to the hammer for drawing the hammer away from the anvil into a loaded position in which the spring is compressed. A releasable detent mechanism is provided which holds the hammer in the loaded position or, when released, allows the hammer to strike the anvil. Preferably, the casing includes two telescopically-interfitted tubular portions and one or more hammer-biasing springs; adjustment of the tubular portions relative to each other determines the amount of compression of the springs with the hammer in the loaded position.

Abstract: A grip and an arm orthogonal to each other are rotatably connected to be folded together. The grip accommodates dry cells. A plurality of projections for massaging are formed on the lower surface of the free end of the arm. An interior vibration device is provided in the free end of the arm. In use, the grip and the arm are extended orthogonally at the connection portion. When the projections are pressed against sore muscles, a temporary holding stopper retracts allowing a contact spring to close to operate the vibrator. Vibration is transmitted to the muscles through the projections.

Abstract: A massage apparatus includes a foldable base plate, carriers with massage rollers thereon capable of running on the base plate, a pair of guide members arranged on the base plate and foldable together therewith, each having therein passages, and a drive mechanism for reciprocating the driving belt in the passages to transmit driving force to the carriers.

Abstract: A support including cuff components for engaging body parts articulated to each other about a joint, arms attached to and extending from the cuff components and pivotably attached to each other remote from the cuff components and in substantial alignment with the joint, and tightening cables attached to the cuff components and arms for temporarily increasing the tightness with which the cuff components engage the body parts in response to movement of one body part relative to the other body part.

Abstract: A low profile neck ring for attachment to supporting structure of an orthopedic body brace employed to treat curvature of the spine comprising a resiliently deformable unitary collar plate for closely surrounding the lower neck portion of a wearer, the plate having an anterior yoke portion for overlying the sternum of the wearer and unitarily interconnecting a pair of elongate web portions having a lateral width substantially greater than the thickness of the plate, the web portions initially extending upwardly and rearwardly of the yoke portion to overlie the clavicle areas on either side of the neck of the wearer and having further posterior web portions extending downwardly and terminating in abutting relation to overlie the area of the spine adjacent the scapula of the wearer.

Abstract: A hallux-valgus-remedy brace comprising a bag portion which embraces the hallux and two stretchable belts fixed to the bag portion, one of the belts being provided near the bag portion with an inserting portion which allows the other belt to pass through it.

Abstract: A heated traction belt usable by a user in traction on a bed and including a heater disposed internally in the rear portion of the belt and connected by a wire to a controller that is attached to the belt by VELCRO, VELCRO is also used to keep the belt closed when worn by the user, a heat control switch is disposed in the belt and connected to a weight strap so that when a weight is applied to the traction the weight strap pulls taunt and closes the heat control switch and operates the heater.

Abstract: An improved back brace strap is shown in combination with a back brace which has a generally cruciform shaped anterior frame having a vertical member which crosses and is fixed to a horizontal member. The back brace is configured to be applied to the anterior thoracic area of a person. Also included in the back brace is a back pad curved to conform to the shape of the lumbar area of the back. The ends of the back brace strap are reeved through slots in the back pad and are attached to the sides of the anterior frame. The back brace strap includes a central core of cotton canvas and overlying layers of absorbent terry cloth, all secured together by alternating diagonal stitching for substantially the full width of the back brace strap.

Abstract: A joint cuff is provided for supporting and guiding an ankle joint and for preventing lateral twisting while assuring movement perpendicular to the joint axis. The joint cuff includes two side portions which laterally grip the joint and are connected with one another by a bottom portion. The joint cuff has, in an open condition, a somewhat V-shaped form. It includes a strip of a low-temperature plastic, and the two side portions are dimensioned so that the tibia remains free of the cuff at its front and back side, while the joint is gripped laterally. To adjust the cuff to a particular individual, the cuff is warmed up and is fitted to the shape of the ankle joint directly on the foot of the patient.

Abstract: Method of using a stencil provided with a slot straddled by a pair of tracks which accommodate a plurality of alphabetic/numeric plates having openings formed as characters. A mask is also insertable into the tracks to hold the plates in position and to conceal the abutting edges of the plates. The stencil is of a bendable material susceptible of being conformed to curves so that the stencil may be used in applications such as marking automobile parts with identification numbers. For using the above or other type of stencil, wax placed on a surface is eroded through the stencil and paint applied over the remaining wax. When the paint dries, it is wiped to remove the paint superposed on the remaining wax.

Abstract: A blanket for a printing cylinder of the type having a core with a lateral gap along the periphery of the core is disclosed. The blanket includes a non-extensible backing which is suitable to be wrapped around the core and has first and second opposed lateral ends suitable to be attached to the core within the gap. A filler portion extends laterally across and is fixed to the first lateral end and an elastomeric covering is secured over the backing and filler portion. The filler portion spans the gap beneath the covering between the first and second lateral ends of the backing to support the covering over the gap. Supporting the covering over the gap provides the printing cylinder with a substantially continuous circumference to reduce shocks and vibrations throughout the printing press.

Abstract: The noise level of an impact printer is reduced by at least 5 dB by providing a resonant absorption chamber between the printer frame and the cover which is designed so as to have a resonance frequency corresponding to the fundamental frequency of the printer noise.

Abstract: An improved percussor assembly comprises a rigid body member having gas inlet and gas outlet means, the latter including a restricted passageway and an enlarged passageway, and a vent passageway communicating with the enlarged portion adjacent the junction of the restricted passageway whereby atmospheric air is entrained into the enlarged passageway as gas flows therein from the restricted passageway thereby increasing the volume of gas supplied to a remote applicator while economizing on the amount of pressurized gas required to operate the percussor. The vent passageway also relieves gas pressure from a remote pneumatic applicator between successive bursts of gas from the percussor assembly. An improved remote applicator having means for selecting the force of the percussive bursts is also provided.

Abstract: A power-driven massager utilizing crankshafts housed in a casing and supported by bearings secured to a pair of parallel side walls of the casing. Connecting rods are mounted to the crankpins of the crankshafts and extends through elliptical guide holes formed in the upper surface of the casing; these guide holes are disposed in staggered relationship; the crankshafts are rotatably driven at one end and the movement of the connecting rods corresponds substantially to the movement of the fingers of a masseur.

Abstract: A printing press washer with an elongated tray having a roller engaging wiper blade extending along a front edge for engaging the surface of the lower oscillating roller of an offset lithographic printer, a pair of hanging brackets having hanging hooks for hooking over a transverse tie bar below the ink fountain, and adjusting screws for engaging the frame of the machine for adjusting the wiper blade engagement and pressure on the lower oscillating ink roller of a printing press.

Abstract: A pressure-point attachment designed to slip over the vibrating head of a hand-held electrical vibrator. The attachment is used to apply point-pressure combined with vibration to body pressure points that correspond to body organs, nerves and glands as disclosed in the field of reflexology massaging. The attachment is comprised of a circular disk having a conical finger extending upwardly from the center of the disk. The finger is covered with a resilient cup that is designed to allow the user to provide the proper firmness to the body pressure-points. Around the periphery of the disk is a ledge that has a plurality of gripping tabs that allow the disk to be securely held to the vibrating head of the vibrator.

Abstract: An arm suspension mitt immobilizes and positions a patient's arm for shoulder arthroscopy. The mitt includes outer and inner flexible portions which together define a package having an open end adapted to removably receive a hand inserted into a space radially inward of the inner flexible portion. An inflatable chamber is provided between the outer and inner portions. The inflatable chamber is sealed from the ambient atmosphere. A valve is provided in communication with the inflatable chamber for inflating same thus causing the inner flexible portion to collapse in a direction away from the outer flexible portion so as to conform the inner flexible portion around a hand within the space.

Abstract: A self-contained traction device for pelvic or cervical spine traction which can be placed on an ordinary bed is disclosed. A platform with an upwardly inclined surface is used for elevating a portion of a patient's body. A strap is attached to the portion of the patient's body to which traction is to be applied, and the other end of the strap is attached to a cable which passes over a pulley attached to the far end of the platform. The far end of the cable on the other side of the pulley is attached to a weight which provides the traction force. Because the weight is directly attached through the pulley to the platform against which the patient rests, the horizontal forces exerted by the patient's body upon being pulled by the strap are cancelled by the horizontal forces applied by the weight through the pulley to the platform so that movement of the traction device across the bed is prevented without the need for restraining it to a bed frame or the like.

Abstract: A reflex stimulator for applying a localized force to a nerve end at a reflex point in a series of applications of localized force. The stimulator includes a handle adapted to be grasped by an operator for manipulating the reflex stimulator to apply a force to a human body. A hub having an axis of rotation is rotatably connected to the handle. A plurality of elongated teeth is mounted on the outer periphery of the hub. Each of the teeth extends radially outward from the hub and the axis of each tooth intersects the axis of rotation of the hub.

Abstract: An improved therapeutic corset which is peculiarly adapted for the sacrum, lumbar and thoracic region of the body comprises an elongated support surface formed from material that is bendable when subjected to forces encountered thereby. Disposed on the support surface and secured thereto along its edges is a flexible cover disposed thereover to form an envelope. The envelope is provided with a duct of introducing fluid therein and retaining same, thus inflating the envelope causing the surface to bend to assume a predetermined curvature, which is preferably in the shape of a crescent. The support surface is further equipped with a fastener removably securing the free ends of same to the wearer.