Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DESCRIPTION
Application #2998205
1...TITLE;
The title of this current invention is," Manual Back Traction Device".
2...The Field of the embodied device;
The field that a Manual Back Traction Device best fit is Physiotherapy,
Chiropractor, and personal home therapy.
3... Background of the current invention including prior art;
I believe I am the first to build a Manual Back Traction Device. In my
searches for prior art, like or similar to the design of the current invention
in this current application, I could not find any art or design similar to the
one in this application. I am first to file.
This current invention came to life after I suffered a low back injury
(bulge disc at L4/L5) and spent 3 years in physiotherapy after surgery
failed. After 3 years of Physiotherapy, Massage therapy, and
Chiropractor I was told that I plateaued and would need to use a cane for
the rest of my life, then doctors told me I would have to retire from a
career which I truly loved. I was 30 years old. I could not accept that
because I was young, I loved what I did for a career, and I also had a
young family depending on me.
During my 3 years in therapy I learned how the body responds to an
injury, how to listen to my body, and how to pay attention to my body and
what it was telling me with relations to pain. One of the biggest learnings
I received while in therapy after my injury was that after suffering an
injury the muscles around that injury tend to tighten to help protect the
injured body part until it is healed. If this injured part of the body takes a
long time to heal then those muscles that have tightened to protect the
injury will tend to stay tight and over time will tend to shrink unless
stretched over and over, again and again until they become relaxed and
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-24
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Description
Sub-section #3 continued:
return back to their normal length or longer. This tightening and shrinking
of the muscles can cause a secondary injury causing secondary pain.
This tightening of the muscles can also cause other parts of the body to
become pinched, shrink, and muscle tightening, such as Nerves,
Tendons, and Discs in the case of a back injury. It is this tightening that
this current invention targets.
After 3 years in different therapies ( Massage, Physio, Chiropractic,
and Acupuncture) I remembered that the best relief that I had received
was while in physiotherapy. It was through the process of Traction, or
stretching the back muscles. It is this relief that I was in search of. It was
this relief that sent my brain searching for a way to get the same relief at
home whenever I wanted and needed it. This is when I came up with
Dual-Tracx, a Personal Manual Back Traction Device.
The relief from pain which I received through the process of traction
was having the Physiotherapist using a long piece of material, which
looked like seatbelt material, which he would wrap around my upper
thighs and his own body. The process would begin with me laying on a
treatment table, which was raised to proper height for the therapist, with
a heating pad under my back for 15 minutes. After the heating period the
therapist would stand at my feet and then place my feet up against the
front of his shoulders, with my hips at a 90* angle in relation to my torso,
and my knees also at a 90* angle but in relation to my thighs. Then he
would place the seat belt across my torso, around my upper thighs and
hip area (into the corner that is made by the 90* angle at the hips), and
around his waist. After he adjusted the belt to the proper length in
tension he would lean back pulling away from my feet. This backward
lean is what created the traction that I felt. He would hold it for 30
seconds and take a 60 second brake in between reps. He did this 3
times. After treating me with traction I was then required to reheat my
back for another 15 minutes. He informed me that heating is very
important during this exercise. He explained that heating in the
beginning allows the muscles to stretch during traction, and reheating
afterwards allows the muscles stay stretched after traction.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-24
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Description
Sub-section #3 continued:
In my patent application I would like to secure the process of using a
sturdy support frame, a Nylon Belt (for comfort to the user), and the
ability for the user to control the amount of force they receive during
traction. These 3 items together are what makes my design unique.
4.. Summary of the current invention:
This current invention came to life as a necessity. It is a "u" shaped
structure built with 3 pieces (figures 3 and 4) of Rectangle Hallow Steel
Structure (HSS) welded together to form the "U" shape structure, making
Dual-Tracx very light weight. Then welded at each end of (figure 4) the
"U" shaped structure is a piece of (figure 5) Round Hallow Steel
Structure (HSS) that holds the piece of Webbing Belt material (figure 6)
that sits across the user's upper thigh area and lower torso. The Belt
Material is fitted tightly, over the Round HSS which also serves as the
handles for the user. It is this Belt that the actual pressure that gives the
user traction, thru the user pushing on the handles towards their feet.
The use of a belt distributes the pressure evenly and wide on the user's
body so not to cause any discomfort.
5... Brief Description of Drawings:
Figure 1........3D View
Figure 2........Front View
Figure 3........Item #1 (1"x 0.5"x 0.0625" rectangle HSS)
Figure 4........Item #2 (1"x 0.5"x 0.0625" rectangle HSS)
Figure 5........Item #3 (1" diameter by 0.0625" round HSS)
Figure 6........Item #4 (1.5" Belt/Webbing)
Figure 7........item #1 and item #2 attachment point
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-24
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Description
Sub-section #5 Continued:
Figure 8........item #2 and item #3 attachment point
Figure 9........item #3 and item #4 attachment point.
6... Detailed description or the preferred mode of operation of the
current invention as follows:
A Manual Back Traction Device is designed to help relieve back pain
caused by many reasons, such as Disc Compression, Bulge Disc,
Degenerative Disc Disease, etc. All these injuries/disease, like any
injury, will cause the muscles around the affected area to tighten and try
and protect that area. This tightening, if of the back muscles, can cause
compression of the discs. This compression can cause a secondary
pain, such as Sciatic nerve pain. If the compression is not
decompressed for a long time it can lead to permanent compression
leading to a life time of Sciatic Nerve related pain, not only in the lower
back but also into the legs. Using a Manual Back Traction Device the
user uses he's/her's own strength to create a stretch of these tightened
muscles, also known as Traction. It not only will stretch the tightened
muscles, but also the tendons and ligaments. Once these have been
able to stretch, with continued use with this device, the user will then
start to stretch the space between the discs, decompressing the discs
will decrease the pressure on the nerves that run through the nerve
canals decreasing back pain, and also leg pain if the Sciatic nerve is
compressed. This traction/stretch will help decompress the spine, discs,
and nerves, increasing blood flow which will help to speed recovery,
increase mobility and decrease the chances of a life time of pain if used
as directed.
A Manual Back Traction Device is designed to be used a minimum
twice a day for approximately 10 minutes each time when starting out,
however the user is to go slow, when first starting to use this device, for
the first few days. Before any usage the user should teach themselves
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-24
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Description
Sub-section #6 continued:
how to push with their arms and/or shoulders while keeping their core
muscles relaxed. If all core muscles are not relaxed, then those tight
muscles will not allow the stretch/traction to occur. It is recommended
that the user also heat their back for approximately 15 minutes before
and after using a Manual Back Traction Device. For the first few days,
until the back muscles, Ligaments, Tendons, and Discs get use to being
stretched, I would like the user to stretch/traction 5 times for 30 seconds
with 30-60 second break in between stretches. Do 3 reps. On the third
day start to increase the time length by 10 seconds each day until they
reach 5 stretches/tractions 90-120 seconds long, while maintaining the
30-60 second break between stretches/tractions. In the
instructions/directions I will include a WARNING which will inform the
user to, at first, apply just enough force to feel a very slight stretch.
After
the third or fourth day, and every couple days thereafter, they can
increase the applied force slightly so not to create too much
stretch/traction to create more pain. Also I will include in the warning that
for the first week the user will feel some pain because they are using
muscles that they usually do not use, and they are also stretching
muscles that do not want to be stretched. It will feel like someone who
has started going to the Gym for the first time. I recommend continuing
to use this Manual Back Traction Device each day in the A.M. and P.M.
Once their body gets use to the new exercise it will not fight the stretch.
When it stops fighting, it will start feeling better. This is when pain starts
to decrease.
A Manual Back Traction Device is comprised of 4 items, 6 pieces.
Items #1 and #2, rectangle hallow steel structure, are assembled to
resemble the letter "U" by welding both items together (Fig.7). At the end
of each item #2, a piece of round hallow steel structure is attached, also
by welding (Fig.8), flush at the top of item #2 and descending past the
bottom of item #2, allowing enough space for item #4 and the user's
hands as item #3 is also the handles, from where the user applies a
pushing motion to create traction of the back. With these 3 items, 5
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-24
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Description
Sub-section #6 continued:
pieces, welded together it creates what I call the Support Structure. The
final piece to be added to the Support Structure is the Webbing Belt
material, item #4. Each end of item #4 is sewn with enough space to fit
around item #3, as seen in Fig. #6, and Fig. #9.
This Manual Back Traction Device is designed to be used with the user
laying on the floor, or bed, with their feet elevated preferably on a chair
or couch, NOT on an exercise ball (If using an exercise ball then the
user cannot relax their core muscles). The floor seems to allow the
user's torso to move, with the user's pressure to create traction, better
then the bed.The user's hips and knees should be in, or as close to, a 90
degree angle position as possible. This will allow for the best traction of
the back muscles because the spine will be in a neutral position.
This Manual Back Traction Device is designed to fit across the user's
torso with item #1 (Fig.#3) sitting on the user's torso, with item #4
(webbing belt material) sitting in the corner created at the hip and torso.
The user then with their hands on both handles (item #3) applies
pressure and pushes the Manual Back Traction Device towards their
feet, while relaxing ALL core muscles. This Manual Back Traction Device
is made of lightweight steel, hand welded at all metal junction points, and
very sturdy.
Applicant/Patentee:
Michael Sweeney
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-24
