US1529872A

US1529872A - Automatic treating table

Info

Publication number: US1529872A
Application number: US527962A
Authority: US
Inventors: Craig Arthur Still
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1922-01-09
Filing date: 1922-01-09
Publication date: 1925-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 1942-03-17

Description

A. s. CRAIG AUTOMATIC TREATING TABLE March 17, 1925.

Filed Jan. 1922 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 QBEIQY March 17, 1925. 1,529,872

A. S. CRAIG AUTOMATIC TREATING TABLE Filed Jan. 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 17, 1925..

A. s. CRAIG AUTOMATIC TREATING TABLE Filed Jan. 9, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 17, 1925. 1 1,529,872

A. s. CRAIG AUTOMATIC TREATING TABLE Filed Jan. 9. 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet s March 1-7, 1925. 1,529,872

A. s. CRAIG AUTOMATIC TREATING TABLE Filed Jan. 1922 '7 Sheets-She'et 6 March 17, 1925. I 1,529,872

A. s. CRAIG AUTOMATiC TREATING TABLE Filed Jan. 1922 7 Sheets-$heet 7 V Mei Patented Mar. 17, 1925.

ARTHUR STILL CRAIG, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. I

nuroivurrrc TREATING- TABLE.

Application filed January 9, 1922.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ARTHUR S. CRAIG, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Kansas City, county of Jackson, State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and, useful Improvement in Automatic Treating Tlables, of which the following 1s a complete specification.

The present invention relates to treatment tables, such as those used by Osteopaths, chiropractics, surgeons or others administering mechanical treatments, and aims to provide a' novel, eflicient and unitary form of treating table for performing automatically a great many of those treating operations pe culiar to osteopathic and chiropractic methods which have heretofore required to be carried out laboriously by hand.

Accordingly, one of the'primary objects of the invention is to devise a treating table or couch havingits upper portion formed of segments or treating devices adapted for the comfortable support of a patient, to gether with suitable operating mechanism for imparting different varietiesof motion to one or more of such treating devices, according to the different modes of treatment required; to this end, provision is made for effecting treating movements of varying amplitude, combinations of movements of ditt'erent character, such as various types or twisting movements, combined tractive or stretching and twisting movements, alternating tractive and relaxing movements,

combined twisting or tractive and vibrating movements, etc,

It is a further object to devise a treating table of this general character in which the framework of the ap )aratus incloses the motor and driving mec anism for the treating appliances in a neat and compact form, together with a supplemental plain table top which may be conveniently swung into or out of operative position over the automatic treating devices, so as to convert the apparatus into a plain top table for carrying out the customary manual treating.

\Vith these general objects in view, as well minor objects as will hereinafter appear, the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating one practical and efiicient form of apparatus which has been devised for embodying the proposed improvements, after which the novel features therein willbe particularly set forth and claimed.

Serial No. 527,362.

In the drawings Figure 1 1s a side elevatlonshow nga treating table constructed in accordance with the present invention, ;with the plain table top let down into inoperative position, and broken lines representing different positions of adjustment of "the head-- and; foot rests: i v

Figure 2 is a plan view. of the parts occupying 7 ed in Figure 1; p p v, v Figure 3 is an end'elevation ofthe table, looking at the samefrom the'fo-otof the table, with broken lines illustrating the inoperative position of the plain table ,top member; i Figure at is an end elevatio1r otthe table, looking at the same from the head end of the same; I Figure 5 is an enlarged side elevation of the table, looking at the same from theop posite direction from that illustrated in Fig ure 1, and with the'side panels removedit'or disclosing the interior operating mechanism;

p the; actwith positions as represent- Figure 6 is a plan View of the table omitting both of the top panels and Ewith theva-v rious upholstered pad members omitted;

Figure 7 is a transverse section taken on" the line VIL-VII of Figure 5, but showing the shoulder rests or pads imposition}; Figure 8 is a vertical section taken ojirthe line V IIIV III of Figure 7, but omitting the shoulder rests, or pads,

Figure 5 Figure 10 is an enlarged detail section' Figure 9'is a section on lineIX-JXfof Figure 12 is a detail sectional view of the weight device forming a par't'of the vibrator mechanism;

Figure 13 is an enlarged detail section taken on the line'XIIIXIII ofFigure 6;

Figure 14 is a detail section taken on the line XIVXIV of igure 7; and

Figure 15 is a detail section taken" on the line XVXV of Figure 14;

Referring now to the: drawings in detail, these show the improved apparatus as comprising a main frame structure'25 adapted to form suitable supporting means forthe various elements proper of the. treating mechanism, as well as an 'inclosure'foi 'housing for the driving and adjusting means whereby the treating mechanism is operated and regulated.

Arranged longitudinally of the main frame is a series of supportsand treating devices, comprising a head rest member 26, a shoulder rest 27 fixed abdominal rests 28, a hip rest 29, a fixed rest 30 principally for supporting engagement with the thighs, and a leg and foot rest member 31, all of said :rests being suitably cushioned or upholstered as shown. The head rest 26. and foot rest 31 are adapted for various manual adjustments, while the. shoulder and hip rests '27 and 29, and also the foot rest 31 have imparted thereto certain automatic movements by mechanism hereinafter described, the extent or amplitude of which movements may be suitably regulatedand controlled. Intermediatethe head and shoulder rests is mounted a set of vibrator or applicator pads 32 for operative engagement with the neck of a patient; a similar set of pads 33 is mountedinan opening formed in the middle of the shoulder rest 27, for engagement between the shoulders of the patient; between the fixed rests28 is a third set of

applicator pads

35 and 36, for engagement with the lumbar and abdominal regions of the patient and a fourth set of applicator pads 37 is mounted in an opening 38 provided in the middle of the hip rest for engagement with the sacral region. All of these sets of applicator pads are mounted for 'both oscillatory and vibratory movement, imparted thereto automatically, and provision is further made for suitably regulating the extent and force of such movement and for adjusting the operative posi tions of the described.

The middle portion of the head rest 26 is formed with a depression surrounding :a 101i gitudinal opening 40, this depression coinpads, in a manner hereinafter fortably accommodating the-head of the patient in either: prone or, supine position,

while the object of the opening 40 is to re moveany obstruction to the breathing of the patient when in prone position. The front margin of the head rest is hinged, as in: i-

cated at 41 (see Figure 8) to the'forward edge of a plate 42 which is provided with guides as for sliding travel along fixed longitudinal tracks 44 supported by the main plate and the head rest allows the latter to frame of the machine. This plate 42 is formed with an opening 45 in position corresponding to the opening 40 111- the head rest. The hinge connection between said be adjusted into different inclined positions as represented by the broken lines in Figure 1 ,and for'retaining the head rest in any of its tilted positions the free end thereof is provided with swinging ratchet member 46,the teeth of which may be variously'eir gagedvwith theouter edge of the plate 42.

The plate 42, with the head. rest carried thereby, may be freely slid backward along the tracks 44, for extendingthe rest, but is automatically latched against sliding move ment iii the opposite direction by a dog 47 actuated by a spring 48 normally into engagement with aratchet 49 carried by the under face of the plate 42. The dog 47 is secured to one ei'id of a shaft 50 journaled in fixed hearings on the main frame, the opposite end of the shaft 50 having a handle 51 ward from the rest 27 andclan'iped thereto 1 by thumb screws. use under certain conditions for maintaining the patient in proper position on the rest, and brace him against longitudinal traction exerted in the direction of thefootrest. as will be later explained. i strap 59 and buckle 60 are provided on the hip rest These arms are for 29 for convenient use in also helping to maintain the patient in position. Each of the rests 27 and 29 also rocks or oscillates on alined pivots 61 in brackets 62 fixed to the main frame of the machine, along the central longitudinal line thereof, thepivotal points 61 be'inglocated at opposite sides of the middle portion of each of said rests.

For oscillating the hip and shoulderrests, a-

link 63 is pivotally. connected to each rest, the link connection to theshoulder rest 27 being made at one side of the axis of rocking movement, and to the hip rest 29 at the other sideof said axis (see Figures 2 and 7 The lower ends of thelinks 63 are pivoted to oscillating arms 64 secured'to a rocker shaft 65 journaled longitudinally in bearings 66 on the main framework. One of the "arms 64 is formed with an operating extension 67 to the opposite side of the shaft 65, where the extension connects by a universal joint with a link 68 extendingupward and connected by a similar joint with an adjustable fulcrum device which is illustrated in Figure 7, and in more detail in Figures 14 and 15. This device comprises a rack plate 70 to which said link '68 is connected, and operating slidingly in a fulcrum block 71' carried by one end an oscillating shaft 7 2 journaled in bearings 73 on the machine frame. The position of the rack plate 7 O is adjusted in the block 71 bymeans of an exteriorhand wheel 74 on the outer end of a shaft 75, the inner end of which carries a cog 7 6 for engagement vw ith the teeth of the rack plate 70. A slight axial movement is permitted the shaft 75 against the action of a coil spring 77 on its inner end, to disengage the cog 7 6 from a pin 7 8 which serves to normally latch the parts in any position of adjustment. By this construction, it is ob vious that the amplitude of oscillating movement imparted through the link 68 to the shaft 65, and hence to the shoulder and hip rests, is conveniently controlled and regulated so that said movement may be varied from stationary condition (corresponding to the completely retracted position of the sliding rack 70) to the maximum amplitude of movement permitted the structure and corresponding to the extreme projected or extended position of the rack 7 O.

The fulcrum block 71 is formed with an arm 80 pivotally connected by a link 81 to a crank 82 on one end of a shaft 83 journaled transversely of the machine in bearings 84 (see Figure 7),, the other end of which shaft carries a sprocket wheel 85 driven by a chain 86 which is trained about a sprocket wheel 87 on a transverse shaft 88, a take-up idler sprocket 89 (carried by an adjustable bearing plate 90 held by screws 91), thence around an idler sprocket 92, a sprocket wheel 93 on one end of a transverse shaft 9 1, and a small sprocket 95 on the out-er end of a short transverse shaft 96, the other end of which carries a belt pulley 97. This pulley is driven by a belt 98 trained around a small pulley 99 on a transverse shaft- 100 journaled on the main frame. and carrying also a large pulley 101,an adjustable takeup pulley 102 being provided for the belt 98 between said pulleys 97 and 101. The pulley 101 is driven by a belt 103 passing around an idler takeup pulley 10a and also one of the drive pulleys 105 of a suitable electric motor 106 carried by the machine frame (see Figures 5 and 6), a conveniently located switch 107 being provided for controlling said motor (seeFigure 4) The vibrator pads or

applicator

32, 33 35 and 37 are similarly mounted upon plates 110, whereas the pads36 are mounted on the ends of rocker bars 112 pivoted 011 pins 113 projecting from opposite sides of the plate carrying the pads 35, and in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the machine; leaf springs 114., carried by said plate, with the free ends of said springs engaging underneath the bars 112, tend to hold the latter yieldingly in normally horizontal position (see Figure 11). Each of the plates 110 is yieldingly supported for universal rocking movement upon the upper end of an upright post or rod 115, by means of a structure illustrated in detail in Figure 13 and comprising a yoke shaped element 116 secured understood.

to the under face of the plate 110 and pivoted, asindicated at 117, to the middle of a block 118, in turn pivota-lly supported by pins orrscrews 120 within a yoke 121 carried by the post 115,- with the pivot. axis of said screws extending at right angles to the pivot axis 117. A coil spring 122 of suitable strength is mounted on the upper end of each post 115 in engagement with the correspond ing plate 110 for maintaining the latter nor.- mally in horizontal position. The lower end of each post'115 is slidingly supported in a. cup 125 formed on the inner end of a bell crank lever 126 journaled upon a longitudinally fixed shaft 127, and the upper end of each lever 126 is slidingly engaged by an ad- 7 j usting ratchet bar 129 provided with a knob or handle 130 for operation from the exterior of the machine in the adjustment of the elevation of the sets of pads or applica-. tors. The teeth of the ratchet bars 129 engage exterior face plates 131 for holding the bars retracted to any desired position. The movement of each post 115 takes place between a stop pin 128 and a coil compression spring 132 carried by the inner end of each of bar, whereby it is apparent that the application of each set of vibrator pads 01" applicators is backed'by a yielding pressure transmitted thereto from the corresponding compression spring 132 and through the supporting structure of each group of pads. A gage rod or bar 133 is connected to each post 115 and extends out through the corresponding face plate 131, parallel to the ratchet bar. the movement and position of such gage rod or bar roughly indicating the degree of ,com-

pression of the spring 132, and hence the pressure or thrust being exerted by the correspondlng set of pads, as will be readily 1 also contemplate the use time, as required, of a coil compression spring on the outer end of the ratchet bar 129 which is associated with the

vibrator pads

35 and 36, in such a manner that the spring is compressed between the handle 130 i i and corresponding plate131 by the inward pull of the bar 129 in response to a downward thrustnpon the corresponding pads and This double spring structure is especially adapted for use in the chiropractic special thrust operation, carried out manually without reference to any of the automatic functions of the machine; in this operation, the outer spring serves to maintain the ratchet bar 129 disengaged from the plate 131 elin'iinating its latching function) and the provision of this additional spring 135 affords a greater, amplitude of movement of the supporting lever 126, since this movement is not limited to the excursion of'the spring 1332 alone, but that of the two

springs

132 and 135 combined. v

from timev to i The construction whereby the sets of vibrator pads or 1 applicator are oscillated aboutthe vertical axes, and also have imparted thereto a vibratory action, will now "be described. The upper end of eachof the lars are formed with lugs Helfor pivotally connecting the series of collars H3 at each side of the posts bvmeans of links i one of the collars 1.4-3 of the posts 115 carrying the vibrator pads 37' is connectedby a link 146 to one end of a cross lever 147 secured to a vertical fulcrum post 148 pivoted in the frame work of the machine (see Figure 8), the other end of said lever being connected by a coil spring 149 to the comd panion collar of said post 115. At the opposite end of the series, the collars 143 of the post 115 carrying the pads 32 are connected by links 145 to the opposite ends of a cross lever 150 secured to a vertical fulcrum post 151 (see Figure 9). The coil spring 149just referred to thus serves to hold all thelink connections in a proper taut condition. The

upper sleeves 140Jare similarly provided with lugs 152 connected by links 153, and the sleeve on the post 115 carrying the pads '32 is connected to a coil spring 15% attached to the framework .of the machine; the sleeve 153 on the post 115 carrying the pads 32 is connected by a link 155 to the vibratorn'iecha nism hereinafter described. The whole purpose of this arrangement of connections is to 8 enable all the setsof vibrator pads to be oscillated as well as. vibrated, in unison,

- while the pad supporting posts are maintamed in operative relation to the vibrating and oscillating mechanism and at thesame time permitted the desired vertical adjustment as regards the properelevat-ion of the pads.

Secured to the upper end of the fulcrum post 151 is an arm 156 having a universal joint connection to one end of a link'men'n her 157 (see Figures 5 and 8), the other end of which is connected to an adjustable fulcrum device, in all respects similar to that described above for adjusting the degree of movement ofthe hip and shoulder rests, and

" regulated by a hand wheel 158. In this case the function ofthc fulcrum device is to regulate and vary the amplitude of the oscillation imparted to the vibrator pads from a crank arm 159 carried by the shaft 94, which arm 159 is connected by an arm 160 with the fulcrum device controlled by the hand Wheel 158.

The means for imparting the vibrating action to the pads or applicators comprises a frame 162 pivoted near its lower end upon a transverse shaft 163 journa-led inbearings 1n the machine frame, the uppere'nd of said frame 162 being connected to the link 155 already referred to, and also by coil spring carrying a pulley 166 driven by a belt 167 .from a pulley 168 on the shaft 163.

shaft is providedwith asuitable sliding clutch 169 operated by a sliderod 170 having an exterior knob or handle 171 (see Figures 5, 6 and 8), whereby said shaft may 'be driven from a pulley 172 loose on the This shaft'and provided with a belt 173 driven by I a pulley 17s: on the shaft of the motor 106. Also secured to the upper shaft 165is a ro-. tating vibrator device comprising a. suitable weight, such as a plug 175 ad ustably screwed into 'a socket member 17 6 keyed to said shaft: the rotation of this device imparts a pulsating movement tothe frame and thence to the supports for the v1- bra-tor pads or applicators, the force of which pulsating action may be suitably varied by adjustment of the plug 175 relatively to the socket member 176.

Referringnow to Figures 1 to 3, the too rest member 31 is formed with suitable de pressions 1.80 for comfortably accommodating the limbs of the patient and also with straps or foot holds-181 for retaining eugagement with the feet. of the foot rest 31 is hingedly connected, as at 182, with the edge of a supporting slide plate 183, the under face of which is pro- One of the-edges ,e;

vided with guides 184 for sliding travel ill-3 an adjustable fulcrum device, in all particulars identical with those described above for adjusting the degree of movement of the hip and shoulder rests and of the vibrator pads or applicators, and controlled and regulated by means of a hand wheel l92 at the exterior of the machine. In this case the function of the fulcrum device is to control and regulate the amplitude of the oscillation of the swinging frame for the foot rest as imparted thereto from a. crank arm 193 car ried by the shaft 88, which arm '193'is connected by a link 194.. with the fulcrum device controlled by said hand wheel 192;

The free edge of the foot rest member-'31 ditional traction manually to the is provided with pivoted ratchet bars 195 pending in position for latching engagement with notches 197 formed in the corresponding edge of the plate 183 (see Figure 6) and with which they are normally engaged by the action of a spring 196, thereby maintaining the foot rest member in any desired inclined position. The plate 182, and hence the foot rest member 31 carried thereon, are also adapted to be moved into any desired position along the tracks 185 by means of a cog wheel 198 meshing with a rack 199 secured to the under face of'the plate 183 between said tracks (see Figure 10). The cog wheel 198 is secured to a shaft 200 journaled in the horizontal frame portion 186 and provided on its outer end with a hand wheel 201. The plate 183 is yieldingly retained in any set position by a latch member 202 carried by a block 203 supported both pivotally and slidingly by a transverse pin 2 0 1 in slots 2.05 formed in plates 205 carried by the horizontal frame portion 186. A. handle 206 depending from the block 203 aifords the means for operating the latch 202, which is held normally engaged with the rack 199 by the action of a spring 207 attached at its opposite ends to said handle and the inclined frame member 187, respectively. A second spring 208 is attached at one end to said frame member 187 and at its other end to the pin 204 supporting the block 203,

from which it is apparent that under a 'certain degree of pull or traction, as determined by the strength of the

springs

207 and 208, the foot rest 31 and its supporting plate 183 will yield and be' caused to move in the direction of the pivot post 188 about the axis of which the foot rest structure is being swung or oscillated. The provision of the hand wheel 201 and its connection to the plate also enables the operator to apply adplate and foot rest, when deemed advisable.

For the convenience of the operator in estimating the approximate degree of pull or traction being exerted upon the

springs

207 and 208, a gage device may be used, such as an indicator arm 210 projecting outward from the block 203, so that the travel of the free end of said arm relatively to some other part (such as the frame 186) may be readily observed.

In certain cases it is desirable to reverse the inclination of the foot rest member 31 (as, for example, in what are called hyperextension operations), and this may readily be brought about in the present construction by simply removing the foot rest member and reapplying it in reversed position upon the tracks 185, whereupon the latching, adjusting and all the other operative movements will take place the same as before.

I also adapt the improved apparatus to be substantially converted into an ordinary form of plain top treating table by providing an upholstered top member 215 mounted for swinging movement into inoperative position at one side of the apparatus, and as 11- lustrated in Figures 2 and 7 (and by, broken 7 lines in Figure 3), or into operative position upon top of the apparatus, as represented by the full line in Figures 3 and 4. In this v latter position, the top member 215 is supported in firmly fixed relation upon metal corner pieces 216 at opposite sides of the head rest member 26 and the lower pad rest 30 see Figure 2). For supporting the top M member 215 for this swinging movement, its opposite ends of a pair of levers 217 carried byfthe opposite ends of a longitudinal rock-shaft ends are pivotally connected to the so 218, and the other ends of said levers are connected to strong coil springs 219 attached to the framework of the apparatus, for yield ingly taking up the'load of the top member 215 m the swmging operation of thelatter.

For use with the foot rest member 31 a when the top member 215 is'in position, so as to bulld the foot rest up higher, on a level with the top 215., as Well as to increase the height of the foot rest in any of its inclined positions, I employ a supplemental foot pad 220 of the same general dimensions as the rest 31, but tapering longitudinally in thickness, as shown in Figure 5', and provided at its thinner edge with a depending lip portion 221 for retaining engagement with the elevated edgeof the rest member 31. i i

For enclosing the operating mechanism'at the top of the apparatus, I employ a pair of cover panels 225, extending beneath the various upholstered pads and applicators,

and carrying the padded rests 28. These panels 225 are adapted to fit between the upper side edges of the framework 25 and the middle portion of said framework which carries the brackets 62, where the inner edges of the panels are engaged and retained in position by means of coil springs 226 (see Figure 7). V

The various functions of the different sets of treating devices and mode of operation and adjustment or control of the same have been referred to and explained in each case, in the course of the foregoing description, but a general summary of the operation may be added. When the'patient occupies a supine position upon the apparatus (with the supplemental plain top member 215 letdown into inoperative position at the side of "the table), the head of the patient is supported upon the head rest 26, his shoulders and hips upon the padded rests 27 and 29. respectively, and his lower limbs upon the pads 80' and 31; The principalfunction served by the pads 28 is to facilitate-the patient in mounting and positioning himself upon the apparatus, after which they serve no supporting or treating function. since they are lower than the pads or applica- Qtors 35 and 36 :sets of vibrator elevation bythe intrascapular. region between the shoulders. 36 the lumbar re ion. and

the pads and the pads 87 the sacral region between hips. The head rest 26 and the foot the Ill ma 1 both be ad'usted lon 'itudinallv and also tilted upward, to meet the individual devices may now be set in operation hand-wheel 74 starts the oscillation ofthe' the hand wheel 192 quirements of different cases. The straps 52 and 181 applied to the head-and lower limbs, respectively, cooperate in holding the patient against tractive or stretching action, in addition to which the braces a for the arm pitsmay also be brought in use, it (esired. lVith the several controllinrr means the mechanism for actuating the treating; the

hip and shoulder pads or rests, and-at the same time varies the amplitude of their movement, "for imparting a rotary or ing movement to the spine and neck; and

ing ofthe foot rest 31 and. also-varies the amplitude of its movement, for swinging the lower part of the body laterally in both directions, thereby producing a lateral bendingof the spine. By proper adjustment of the head and foot rests away from each other, it is apparent that the body may be subjected to an alternate stretching and relaxation, as the foot rest sn 'ings back and forth :past C611t81,1twhich intervals there is an increase in the pull exerted on the springs 20? and 208, and a corresponding; increase in the stretchingaction exerted. and transmitted separatelythrough each leg of the patient, and the degree of pull or force' thus exerted may be roughly estimated by ob serving the movement of the indicator 2'10 and further, the attendant, by manipulating the hand Wheel 5201, may at any time vary the pull or traction, as in or ascertaining the degree of force suited to the patient. It is also to be noted that the stretching and relaxing IHOVEIHQDl'S resulting from the combined operation of the foot rest and the hip and shoulder supports are of a most varied character, due to the fact that -ation correspondingly starts the lateral swing;

yvirtue of the theapplicators under. the pressure of the this foot rest is ratus is, therefore, of a most pronounced type, and the benefits derived from'itsopergreat. In this'connection it may also be pointed out that different degrees of extension and fleXion are to be the provision made tor YZII'lOliS- obtained by ly tilting, the foot rest upon its swinging support. :7

The vibratory treatment is designedto be employed either aloneor with the other treatments, and is set in operation'by simply throwing inthe clutch 169 by means of the knob 171. All of the vi brator )ElClS are activated b 1 the vibratin mechanism simultaneously or in unison, but the several sets are individually adjusted for elevation and pressure, as above stated, and in addition are simultaneously regulated as to the amplitude of their oscillatory movement by in con unction mai'i'ipulation of the hand wheel 158. Thus a most effective vibratory treatment is provided different portions of the spine, covering practically its entire length, and the degree of I pressure exerted during the treatment may be approximately ascertained by ob-- serving the gages 133. The force of the vi also be varied by adjustment brations may element 17 5 'on' the vibrating of the weight frame. The mannerfof mo-unting the sets of'vibratory pads or applicators for universal pivoted movement, and the mode of ii'nparting the vibratory inuaulses' thereto, at pointsjust below their universal supporting onnections, are'such as to cause not only lateral but vertical vibratory thrusts to produced by the vibrating mechanism, by various positions assumed by body. I

Referring further to the tilting ad ustment of the foot rest or support 131, the upwn rd tilting of this foot 1'est,'when the patient is in supine position, enables the force of the stretching or tractive action to be eraerted to a greater extent along the whole lengthof the leg of the patient instead of confining it princi ially to the. foot, and hence to eliminate the curves of the back so as to distribute his weight m ore evenly upon the apparatus. The reversible character or of advantage because it provides for a tilting of thesame in an opposite direction, when the patient is placed in prone position with either his thighs or chest upon the foot rest for treatn' ent in what is kn own When in prone position, with the abdomen of the patient 1 over the

vibratory pads

35 and 36, an effectiveabdominal mat-sage may be administered by means of this set of vibratory devices, which treatments may also be combined with the movements of the oscillating hip and shoulder rests and the for massaging the also espetreatment 135 '15 applied to the outer ends of the rack bar 129 corresponding to this set of pads.

It is thus apparent that I have devised an apparatus. of the character described which is most practical and eiiicient in its construe-I tion and operation, and while I have illustrated and described what I now regard as the preferred form o'f-construction for embodying my invention, I desire to expressly reserve the right to make all such changes or modifications may properly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a head rest, and supporting means for the body of a patient including a supporting member for engagement with the shoulders, and automatically operated means for imparting an oscillating motion to said supporting member about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the apparatus.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a head rest, supporting means for the body of a patient including a supporting member for engage ment with the hips, and automatically operated means t'or imparting an oscillating motion to said supporting member about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the apparatus. p

3. In an apparatusof the character described, the combination of a head rest, supporting means for the body of a patient in cluding supporting members for engagement with the hips and shoulders, respectively, and automatically operated means for imparting an oscillating motion to said supporting members in opposite directions about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the apparatus.

4.In an apparatus of the character de-. scribed, the combination of body supporting means, including a supportingmember "for engagement with the shoulders of a patient, means for imparting an oscillating motion to said supporting member about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the apparatus, and means -t'or adjusting the amplitude of said oscillating motion.

In an apparatus of the chanacter described, the combination of body support ingmeans, including a supporting member for engagement with the hips or" patient, means for imparting an oscillating motion to said supporting member about. a horizon tal axis extending longitudinally of the apparatus, and meansfor adjusting the amplitude of said oscillating motion 6. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of body support-v the chiroing means, including supporting members for engagement with the hips and shoulders, respectively, of a patient, means for i1npart ing air-oscillating motion to said supporting members in opposite directions about a horizontal axis extending longitudinallyof the apparatus, andmeans for adjusting simul-' taneously' the amplitude "of the oscillating motion. of both or said supporting members. i. In an apparatus of the character described, t-he combination of' body supporting means, including supporting members for engagement with the hips and shoulders, respectively, of a patient, said supporting members being each provided with an opening in its middle portion, means for imparting an oscillating motion to said supporting members in opposite directions about a horizontal'axis extending longitudinally of the apparatus, and vibrating mechanism operating through said openings-to treat the regions of the body between said hips and betweeiisaid shoulders.

8. In an apparatus of the-character described, amain framework for supporting the body and limbs of a patient for treatment, and a head rest structure comprising a plate longitudinally adjustable with-reiterence to saidframework anduprovided with an opening through it'smiddle portion, and a head supporting pad pivotally connected to said plate and-adjustable into various in clined positions,'said pad being formed with an opening opposite the opening in said plate, 1. I i

.9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combinatioirof body supporting means, .a supporting member for engagementwith the lower limbs of the patient, and automatically. operated means for imparting a lateral swinging motion to and fro to said supporting member.

"'10. In an apparatusof the character described, the combination of body supporting means, a supporting member for engage ment with the lower limbs of the patient, autoi'i'iatical y operated means for imparting a lateral swinging motion-to and'ttro to said supporting member, and simultaneously exerting a tractive or stretching action upon said lower limbs of the patient.

ill. Inan apparatus of the character described, the combination of body supporting means, a supporting'meniber :l or engagement with the lower limbs of the patient, automatically operated means for imparting a lateral swinging-motion to and fro to said su 'iportingmember, said means being 0per ative to exert an intermittentyielding pull or stretching action upon said lower limbs of the patient.

1:2. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, the combination of body supporting means, a supporting member for engagement with the lower limbs of thepatient,

' supporting member,

means for imparting a lateral to and fro swinging motion to said supporting memher and simultaneously exertingv an intermittent yielding pull or stretching action upon said lower limbs of the patient, and auto matic gage means for indicating the degree of said stretching action.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of body supporting means, a supporting member for engagement with the lower limbs of the patient, means for imparting a lateral to and fro swinging motion to said supporting member and simultaneously exerting an intermittent yielding pull or stretching action upon said lower limbs of the patient, and manually operable means for varying the degree of said pull or stretching action.

14. In an apparatus ofthe character described, the combination of body supporting means, a supporting member for engagement with the lower limbs of the patient, automatically operated means for imparting a lateral swinging motion to and fro to said and manually controlled means for-varying the amplitude of theswingingmotion of said supporting member.

15. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a body supporting structure including a movable support: ing member 'for supporting engagement transversely of the body of'a patient, a second movable supporting member for engagement with the parting an oscillating motion to said first supporting member about an axis extending longitudinally of the apparatus, and also producing a lateral fro of saidsecond supporting member.

16. In anapparatus of the character described, the combination of a body supporting structure including a movable supporting -member for supporting engagement transversely of the body of a patient, a second movable supporting member for engagement with the lower limbs of the patient, means operating automatically to oscillatesaid first supporting member about an axis extending longitudinally of the apparatus, and means operating asynchronously with reference to said first means to produce a lateral to and fro swinging moveing structure including movable sup ment of said second supporting member.

17. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a body supportporting members for engagement with the shoulders and hips, respectively, of a patient, a swmgmg supporting member for carry ng the limbs of the patient, automatic means for oscillating said first supporting members in opposite directions about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the apsupporting member about an lower limbs of the patient,- and automatically operated means for im-' swinging motion to and,

paratus, and means operating automatically and asynchronously with reference tosaid first means for producing a lateral to and fro swinging movement of said, limb supporting member.

18. Inan apparatus of the character described, the combination of a body supportingstructure including a movableusup-port ing member for transversely of the body of a patient, a'second movable supportingmember for engagement with the lower limbs of the patient, automatic means for oscillating said first axis extend.- ing longitudinally of the apparatus, and means operating automatically and asynchronously with reference to said first means to produce a lateral to and fro swinging movement of said second supporting memher and also exerting a yielding pull or stretching action upon said lower limbs of the patient. I

19. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a body support ing structure including movable supporting members for engagement with the shoulder and hips, respectively, of a patient, a swinging supporting member .for carrying the limbs of the patient, automatic means for oscillating said first supporting inembers in opposite directions about ahorizontal axis extending longitudinally of the apparatus, and means operating automatically and asynchronously with reference to said first means for producing a lateral to and fro swinging movement of said limb supporting member, said last named means besupporting" engagement mg constructed and arranged to exert a yielding intermittent pull or stretching action upon said lower limbs of the patient.

20. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a main framework for supporting the body of a patient for treatment, a laterally swinging frame attached to one-end of said framework for supporting the lower limbs of the patient, a sliding adjustment upon said frame, and a foot rest hingedly connected to said plate and adjustable into various inclined positions thereon. v

21. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a main framework for supporting the body of a patient for treatment, a laterally swinging frame attached to one end of said framework for supporting the lower limbs of the patient, a plate mounted slidingly on said frame, a foot rest hingedlyconnected to said plate and adjustableinto various inclined positions thereon, and manually operable means for effecting sliding adjustment of said plate on said frame.

22. In an apparatus of the character. described, the combination of a main framework for supporting the body of a patient for treatment, a laterally swinging frame attached to one end of said framework for supporting the lower limbs of the patient, a sliding plate carried by said frame and adapted to be reversed in position, end for end, upon the frame, and a foot rest hingedly connected to one end of said plate and adjustable into various inclined positions thereon.

In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a main framework for supporting the body of a patient for treatment, a laterally swinging frame attached to one end of'said framework for supporting the lower limbs of the patient, a sliding support mounted for longitudinal adjustment upon said frame, and yielding means for retaining said support in any position of adjustment'while yielding under an excess of traction to allow movementof the support in the direction of said main framework.

24. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a main framework for supporting the body of a patient for treatment, a laterally swinging frame attached to one end of said framework for supporting the lower limbs of the patient, a sliding support mounted for longitudinal' adjustmentupon said frame, means for latching said support in different positions upon said frame, and yielding means associated with said latching means and cooperating therewith in retaining the support in any position of adjustment while yielding under an excess of traction to allow movement of the support in the direction of said main framework.

25. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, the combination of a main framework for supporting the body of a patient for treatment, a laterally swinging frame attached to one end of said framework for supporting the lower limbs, of the patient, a sliding support mounted for longitudinal adjustment upon said frame, manually operable means for adjusting and latching said support in different positions upon said frame, andyielding means associated with said adjusting and latching means and cooperating therewith in retaining the support in any position of adjustment while yielding under an excess of traction to allow movement of the support in the direction of said main framework. I

26. In an apparatus of the character described, a main framework provided with supporting members for holding a patient in treating position'and arranged to leave the course of the spine exposed for vibratory treatment, a longitudinally arranged series of vibratory pads adapted for engagement with the body of the patient along the spine,

supporting members for holding a patient in treating position and arranged to leave the course of the spine exposed for vibratory treatment, a longitudinally arranged series of vibratory pads adapted for engagement with the body of the patient along the spine,

and automatically operated means forv im parting simultaneously vibratlon to said pads and also oscillating the sameabout vertical axes. I H I I 28. In an apparatus of the character described, a main framework adapted to sup-,

port a patients body in position for v1: bratory treatment, a set of vibratory pads adapted for engagement with apart of said body, and automatically operated means for vibrating said Y cillating the same about avertic al axis.

29. In an apparatu's' of the character described, a main framework adapted to sup port a patientsbody in position for vibratory treatment, a set of vibratory pads adapted for engagement body," automatically operated means for v1- brating said pads and simultaneously oscillating the same about a vertical axis, and

means for regulating thedegree of oscillaf" tion of said pads.

pads and simultaneously oswith a part of said 30. In an apparatus of thecharacter described, a main port a patients tory treatment, a set of vibratory pads adapted for engagement with apart of said body, automatically operated means parting a vibratory action to saidpa'ds, manual means operable at'will during the vibrating action of'said pads to regulate the elevation thereof.

framework adapted to sup-f body in position for vibrafor i n and 31. In an apparatus of the character described, a main framework adapted tosup port a patients body in position for vibratory treatment, a set of vibratory 'pa'ds" adapted for engagement with a part of said body, resilient means for causing the pads to apply a yielding pressure'on engagement with the body,

means for imparting a vibratory action tofor regulatmg the acthe pads, and means tion of said resilient means andf'thereby varying the degree of pressure exerte'dby the pads. 1 I I 32. In an apparatus of the character described, a main framework adapted to, support a patients body in position for vibratory treatment, a set of vibratory pads adapted for engagement with apart of said body, adjustable resilient means for causing the pads to automatically operating exert a yielding pressure upon the body, automatically operated'means for imparting a vibratory action. to the pads,

"and gage means adapted to register the variation in pressure exerted by the pads.

33. In an apparatus ofthe character described, a main"frameworkadapted tosupport a patients body in position for vibratory treatment, a set of vibratory pads adapted for engagement with a part of said body, adjust-able supporting means for regulating the elevation of said pads, resilient means associated with said supporting means, and regulated by the adjustment thereof, for causing the pads to apply a yielding pressure upon the body, and automatically operated means forimparting a vibratory action to the pads.

34.111' an apparatus of the character described," a main framework adapted to support a pati'ents body in position for v1 bratory treatment, a set of vibratory pads adapted-for engagement with a part of said body,- automatically operated means for im-.

parting a vibratory action to said pads, and means whereby the impulse of said vibratory action may be varied.

In an apparatus of thecharacter described, a main framework adapted to support a patients body in position for vibratory treatment, a set of vibratory pads adapted for engagement with a part of said body, a supporting structure adapted to a permit universal rocking movement of the pads while maintaining the same yieldingly in an approximately horizontal plane overflying the supporting structure, and automatically operated means for impartingfa substantiallyhorizontal vibratory action to i said pads.

' in an approximately said 36,. In an apparatus of the'characterdescribed, a main framework adapted to support a patients body inposition for vibratory treatment, a set of vibratory pads; adapted for engagement with a part of said body, a supporting structure adapted to permit, universal rocking movement of the, pads while maintaining the same yieldingly horizontal plane overlying the supporting structure, certain of said pads being also mounted for oscillatin movement about a horizontal axis with i e er'en e to theremaining pads, and autofor imparting a substantially horiz'ontal'vibratory action to pads.

37. In an apparatus of the, character described, a'"main framework adapted to support a patients body in position for vibratorytreatment, a set of vibratory pads adapt-edfor'engagement with a part of said body, afvertical supporting member carryingv-said pads and adjustable to prevent the tien't along the spine,

' tion thereto,

p d abou s para e e t qal x s, l -dineans porting member forcausing the pads to be applied with a yielding pressure against the body, and supplemental resilient device adapted for use with said latching means and to displace the latch ng function thereof and permit an increased amplitude of movement of the pads in response to a, downward thrust thereon.

38. In an apparatus of the character described, a main framework provided with supporting members for holding a patient in treating position and arranged to leave e c rs of t e pine e pQss f r b atory treatment, a plurality of sets of vi; rat y pad ar nged ongit dinal. e: ries for engagement with; the body of the p en l ng the pine, a oma ly perated means' for simultaneously actuatingall of said pads and imparting a vibratory" action thereto, and means for'separately regue t ng the elevatio of. each set of S id pads.

'39. In an apparatus of the character described, a main framework provided with suppor ing m mbers, for lmlding pa en in treating position and arranged to leave the course of the spine exposed for vibratory treatment, a plurality of sets of vibrao y pads a r nged: in, a long tudin l erie for engagement with the] body of the paautomatically operated means for simultaneously actuating all of said pads and imparting a vibratory acs and also. oscillating each set of for simultaneously varying the amplitude of oscillating movement of said Sets Of Pads,

40. In a treat ng appa atus fthe charcter de cribed, a m in. f mework p ov ded. with a series of supporting and treatingdfir vices, automatic mechanism within said framework for actuating said devices to effect the treating operations, and a supplemental plain top member pivotally connected to said framework and adapted to; be swung into inoperative position at one side of said framework or into operative posi? tion overlying said supporting and treating devices.

41. In a treating apparatus of the character described, a ma n framework provided with a series' of supporting and treating de vices and also with a limb supporting mem ber attached to the foot of the framework and carrying tiltable foot rest approximately on a level with said devices, "automatic mechanism within said framework for actuating said devices to effect the treatng op r i ns, a supplem n al pla n top me er pi otal y conne ted o s id. fram work and adapted to be swung intoveither inoperative position at one side of said framework or into operative position overlying said supporting and treating devices, and, a supple ental o shior of ap r d cross-section applicable to said foot rest for supplemental limb supporting providing a level With the surface of said surface on a top member when the latter is in operative for engagement with the body of the patient along the spine, automatically operated means for simultaneously actuating all of said pads, and imparting a vibratory action thereto, and manual means operable at will for rendering any one of said sets of pads operative or inoperative in response to the action of said firstmeans.

In Witness Whereoil hereunto afiix my 20 signature.

ARTHUR STILL CRAIG.