Patents by Inventor Willard R. Van Nostrand

Willard R. Van Nostrand has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5258018
    Abstract: A system for producing mild traction on intervertebral discs by supporting a person in water in a deep spa or pool either by means of a soft neck collar supported by the water or a soft, flexible floating annular floatation device engaging undersides of the person's arms adjacent to the person's armpits without compressing the person's chest and constricting the person's breathing. The spa or pool is sufficiently deep that the person's feet cannot touch the bottom thereof. A submerged weight belt is supported on each of the person's ankles, the weight belts each having a buoyant weight in the range from one to two pounds. The temperature of the water in the spa is maintained at approximately 96 degrees Fahrenheit by conventional heating and thermostatic devices to allow adequate removal of the person's metabolic heat without causing tonicity of the person's muscles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Inventor: Willard R. Van Nostrand
  • Patent number: 5105804
    Abstract: A method for producing mild, symmetrical (or asymmetrical) traction on lumbar invertebral discs and sacroiliac joints. A patient is supported in water in a spa for approximately 30 minutes by means of an annular floatation device engaging undersides of the patient's arms a predetermined distance from the patient's armpits, the spa being sufficiently deep that the patient's feet cannot touch the bottom. A submerged, symmetrical weight belt is supported on the patient's hips, the buoyant weight of the belt being in the range from approximately 10-20 pounds. The temperature of water in the spa is maintained in the range from approximately 88-94 degrees F. Preferably, the patient remains relatively motionless in the spa for a warm up/relaxation period of approximately 5-10 minutes, followed by a sequence of slow extension and flexion exercise of the patient's back, following by a plurality of side bends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Inventor: Willard R. Van Nostrand
  • Patent number: 4678294
    Abstract: A mirror assembly for attachment to a vehicle such as a motorhome or semi-truck includes a first mirror plane adjusted to bring the distant rearward right highway lane into view of the driver, a second mirror plane adjusted downward and outward to bring to the driver's eye a view of only 50 feet of rearward right lane, and a bugeye mirror for bringing to the driver's eye a view of an immediately adjacent vehicle being passed. When the driver of the passing vehicle has passed the other vehicle, he knows it is safe to pull back into the right lane, ahead of the passed vehicle, when the images of both headlights of the passed vehicle come into a predetermined relationship with the second plane mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Inventor: Willard R. Van Nostrand