US2771875A - Posture improving device - Google Patents

Description

7, 1956 F. D. CASON 2,771,875

POSTURE IMPROVING DEVICE Filed Oct. 5]., 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. fa fbrre sifl C6592? 5 BY z w Nov. 27, 1956 F. D. cAsoN POSTURE IMPROVING DEVICE 2 a g m .6 M. a a .f m 5 al 2 W 8 v 4/ 7 1 7 6 w L m w l 3 c 0 d e U F INVENTOR. ForresfD. C650]? United States Patent POSTURE IMPROVING DEVICE Forrest D. Cason, San Antonio, Tex.

Application October 31, 1951, Serial No. 254,023

16 Claims. (Cl. 12844) The present invention relates to means and method for the correction of defective posture.

It is an object of the invention to provide means to relax completely the muscles of the body.

It is an object of the invention to relax particularly those muscles of the body which are related to posture and are under a more or less continuous strain.

It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus to move the bony structure comfortably in such a manner as to assist the body in the restoration of posture to normal.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device upon which the body may be placed in a reclining position, the pelvis elevated, the head raised and the back arched, relaxing the muscles in the abdominal area.

Upon the departure of the pelvis from the vertical plane by sloping or tilting forward, the base of the spine or the base of the sacrum inclines forward also carrying the lower vertebra forward with it. Under these conditions it is necessary for the normal curves of the upper spine to change so the body can maintain its equilibrium. This adaptation necessitates a change in the position and action of the muscles together with the position of the internal organs and results .in a body unable to function properly. The change in the position of the bony structure increases the distance between the origin and insertion of many muscles, placing them under continuous strain. With this continuous strain added to the normal demands of living these muscles tire easily. Other muscles have the distance between their origin and insertion reduced and lose much of their function. From the above it may be seen that in many cases the posture is an indication of general bodily health. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to move and manipulate the bony structure in such a way as to assist the body in the restoration of posture to normal by relaxing the strained muscles and restoring tone to others by giving them their share of the bodily load.

To achieve the above result the machine incorporating the invention is so constructed that when the body is placed on it in a reclining position, the pelvis is elevated on a posterior incline above the low point of the spine and the head is raised. This arrangement arches the back and relaxes the muscles in the abdominal area. In this position the weight of the body in the pelvic region rests on the ischial-tuberosities and exerts a force which tends to return the pelvis to the vertical plane. The tuberosities act as pivots for the pelvic rotation. It is desired to have the shoulders and thorasic region of the body recline on a slope of about thirty degrees above the horizontal with the weight supported on two parallel raised surfaces which exert an upward and inward force on the ribs at a point removed from the transverse processes of the vertebrae, allowing freedom of movement to the articulations of the vertebrae of the spine.

The head and neck are preferably supported by an adjustable head rest. The thighs are held in an adjustable movable framework which holds the legs in a comfortable position so that the maximum relaxation of the muscles can be obtained.

The posterior incline supporting the pelvis and the adjustable framework for the thighs are both carried by a reciprocating platform mounted on rollers.

The machine may be operated with two electric motors. A small motor of about one twenty-fifth horsepower with an eccentric load on its shaft is mounted beneath the thigh rest and imparts a vibratory movement through the framework to the inner, outer and the hamstrung muscles which are relaxed and release their downward pull on the pelvis.

A larger motor of about a quarter horsepower reciprocates the platform on which the pelvis and thigh supports are mounted. The reciprocation of the platform on wheels or rollers to and from the head rest imparts an upward as well as headward movement to the pelvis because of the rotation of the pelvic rest under the action of a pivoted lever. This movement gently rocks the pelvis back to normal position. The above reciprocation also has a flexing and relaxing action on the spine in its arched position between the fixed head rest and the moving pelvic rest. The amount of movement applied is completely adjustable both in the displacement of the platform and length of the pivoted link and is to be determined by the number of spinal segments free for adaptations.

The cyclic movement of the spinal segments and the flexing and relaxing of the muscles attached to the spinal segments coupled with the pelvic movement relieves the strain on all these muscles, allows an ample supply of blood to bathe the muscle fibers and yields a progressive increase of movement in all articulations. It has also been found that the cartilage between the spinal segments regains more and more of its normal elasticity. All surfaces of the machine are carefully upholstered with foam rubber which applies the forces resulting from the movement of the machine gently to the body without substantial slipping and acts as a lost motion adjustment which absorbs that portion of the motion of the machine which the body is unable to follow due to lack of elasticity. This light gripping action eliminates friction burns due to repeated sliding. It is emphasized that the motions of the machine must be capable of delicate adjustments or grave harm may be done to the joints and ligaments in many cases.

Under treatment by the machine With the cyclic movement of flexing and relaxing the muscles receive an ample supply of fresh blood and are able to assume new positions progressively toward normal as the vertebrae are freed of adaptations and the body increasingly regains normal posture and balance.

From the above it will appear that it will be an object of the invention to provide apparatus having a thigh rest adjustable in size mounted on sponge rubber, which engages the outer, inner and hamstrung muscles of the upper thigh with a small motor having an eccentric load mounted underneath which imparts vibratory movement to the muscles of the upper thigh, causing them to relax and to release the downward and forward pull they exert on the pelvis when strained or maladjusted.

It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus having a reciprocable horizontal surface mounting a pivoted pelvic inclined support and a thigh rest supporting the lower portion of the body to use the ischialtuberosities of the pelvis as a leverage to rock the pelvis toward a vertical position and flex the spine, moving the segments and articulations.

It is an object of the invention to provide a rest for the pelvis on an incline which has its low portion toward anvas the"head,-'- with raised surfaces which support the weight of-the-pelvis-and lumbar-regiorrontheischiahtuberosities and the apex of the sacrurmso that the pelvis posterior is rocked toward normal under both the action of gravity andthe effect-of the 'eyclic-upward' and-=headward movementof the distal edgeofthe pelvic-rest--which-also causes a posterior flexing of the spine.

lt is an 'objectrof the invention to-provide--an incline sloping upwardly toward the head and providing support for the shouldersand back-by means-oftwo parallel raised -surfaces that areso-spacedthat they exert an upward and'inward forceon the'ribs just distal to the-transverseproce-ssesbfthe vertebrae giving freedomof movement of the -articulationsin t-he cycliefiexing-of'the spine.

-lt is an object 'of' the invention to-providea head rest which nlay-be Y positioned to 'suitthe height -of a patient, is adjustable for comfort and provides pad-support for theheadw'ith a sponge nubber pad at the-top serving to hold the headstationary and exerta' light pressure onthe topof-"the headto assistin the' flexing action of the spine in-=the cyclic headward-movement. "The sponge rubber pad at the top'ofthehead'serves also toabsorbany portion of the headward movement not taken up --bythe flexing action of the spine or movement of the body relative to the reciprocating platform.

ln the drawings:

"Figure l'--is a perspective of one form of -thedevice.

Figure 2-is-a kinematic-detail; partly-in section of one form-of the reciprocation control.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspectiveof one form of headrest.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the head rest adjustment mechanism of-Figure l.

. Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view 'of the head rest of Figure 3.

*Figure-6=- is-.-a fragmentary sectional view of the thigh rest.

Figure 7 is a fragrnentary sectional view of another thigh rest construction.

iThe form of device embodying-the invention illustrated comprises a framework '10 of wood; angle-iron on tubing, having a=bed 11 supported byupright legs 12- and 13 and 14-braceddn a-suitable manner. Upright 14 projects beyond bed-11 at=16 andserves to support the upper end ofhead incline 17 which is pivoted on bed 11 at 13. Head incline 17 makes an 1 angle of about thirty degrees with" bed 11.

Atthe upper end of head incline 17 is mounted a'movable head .rest inFigure 1 and 19 in Figure 3. Rest 19. has foam rubber. pads 20, 21 and 22 .supportedbya frame work 23, the arms of which may be made resilient. Foam'rubber :pad: has about four. and a half inches'of fozuuzrubberso. asto. absorb the headward thrust of the cyclic movement .whichithe. elasticity of the body. cannot; acceptawithoutsdiscomfort. Frame123 is supported on;stern 24 which slides-within mounting 25 and may be adjusted by set screw 26. Mounting 25 is slidably held between runway guides 27- andmay Jae-moved .up or down-head incline 17..to suitzthe height of;the patient being treated. 'Screwqmember' 28 servesto lock mounting. 25in any desired positionin guides 27 bya.wedging action against. the walls-'of runway guides 27.

.Qn -head incline 17 outside ofguides. 27 are .two elongatc.pr ,ojectiug -.bars.--30 which extend. alongxthe middle half of incline 17; asshown;inFigure l. Barsf'30 provide parallel spaced ;surfaces which are so spaced that in reaction toithei-bodily-weight they exert an upward and inward force on the ribs-justzdistal to the-transverse processes r of; the vertebrae.

:Bars: 30 are.:suitably upholstered with sheet sponge rubber andthe whole'ghead incline 17 iscovered with a suitable.moistureproofdayer suchlas any, of the plastic leather substitutes. Bars 30 are two parallel lengths of woods an inchuand: a quartersquare covered-with sponge rubber. Theyhelp spring the :ribs npwardand forward,

cause movement and tend to correct adaptations of the ---r'rbs. This "increases "the capacity of the chest; giving more room for the lungs ;;and heart. It is within the spirit of the invention to provide means to adjust the angle of inclination of head incline 17 to bed 11.

A horizontally reciprocable platform 31 is preferably mounted on arms pivoted to each corner thereof and to the bottom of frame 19 by: sealed-in-grease bearings 81. At the head .end ..of platform 31 pelvis rest-34 is pivoted at 35. The opposite end of rest 34 is connected to bed 12 by an adiustable link-3.6. Link 36 isapivoted at one end at .37. to pelvic rest. 34..and at .thecther end to bed 11 at"38. Felvic rest 34 is arranged to oscillate-"about the position of -:approXimat.Q1Y .thirty .adegrees inclination to platform 31 and has a positive slope while head incline 17 has a negative slope.

A thigh rest 39 is mounted on platform 31 adjacent pelvic rest 34 and comprisesan angular. structure .40 with two valleys 41 to receive'the patient?sth igh and -avcentral raised portion 47. A transverse ,rod 42" is mounted in structure '40 and serves to move it bodily. asshownbylthe dotted line in Figure 6. Controlled movement is lobtained by connecting rod 43.which joins rod 42 with crank 44 of motor'45 mounted on the under sideof platform 31. Guides 46 serve to keep rest139 in position .on platform31.

'As shown in Figure7 central raised portion 47.,may be separate from the remainder of the angular structure .40 which becomes three parts, the outside ones-60 being fastened to. platform .31 and the central partjfil, formerly part47 resting. on rubber. cushionsupports .62 mounted on the top platform 31 asshown. A motor 48 with.;,a n eccentric weight .63 .is attached to an inside surface of central part 61 and serves to vibrate it to-ajdesireddegree by variable speed motor-.48.

' 'Platform 31is.reciprocated by means of a motor 49 which turns crank52. by means of a gear box' 51. Link 50 joins the upright member .65. The upper end of member 65 is connected to upright 13 by an an'choringlink 6 6. Depending arms 67 connect the platform .31'with upright 65 through a sleeve '68 which is slidable on the member 65. Upright'65 pivots about.the movablefpivot at the end of-link '66 and moves sleeve 68 back and forth to reciprocate or otherwise move platform 31. 'jThesleeve experiences a small movement relative .to vertical arm65.

Where the sleeve 68 and arms 67 .do not support the upright member .on vertical 65 this function may be accomplished' by an.additional linkage. arrangement comprising links 6?, 7t); 71 and 72 shown in Figure 2. ,Slide 73 permits movement of arm '72 and'therest of. the supporting linkage. *W-here linkage j69"73 is dispensed with,- a free assembly-of the parts 65 and 68 and 'rounding thereof for ease of relative movementis recommended. For example the rounded end of link 66 connected to the; upper endof member 65 ;mayrest and slide on the upper surface of sleeve 68. The inside of sleevej68 may be rounded to allow for the relative movement it" desired.

It will be understood'that the effective-throw of cranks 52 and 44 can be varied by successive or adjustable pin and hole :connectionssimilar to those shown, but displaced to a smaller or larger radius. The range-chadjustment need not be large. Thesameis true-of adjustable link 36.

The operation .of the deviceis as followsrThe body is .placed :on the device with the thighs positioned-invalleys '41, the back .on head inclinell'and the pelvicregion resting onpelvic incline 34. Crank arm 52, arm 54 and link '36 are adjusted for minimum motion. Where-mass 63 is substituted for crank44 and connectingrod- 43,--a smallmass' 63 is used initially. The-head rest is adjnsted by means of set screws 26 and =28-for comfort and suitable treatment-angle. After these adjustments one or both .of-motors' 45 and-49 are opera-ted at low speed. After initial operationat slowest-"speedfallof the adjustments are checked and the amplitudes of the back and forth movement of platform 31, the up and down movement of thigh rest 39 and the angular oscillation of pelvic rest 34 are adjusted for the particular treatment being given. It will be seen from the kinematics of the linkage that the angle of rotation of pelvic rest 34 is a function of the amplitude of displacement of platform 31 and allowance must be made accordingly. The adjustment of link 36 should be made with care.

The control of amplitude is supplemented by a frequency control such as suitable rheostats in the circuits of the motors 45, 48 and 49. In general the mass and eccentricity are selected for an optimum value in relation to the horsepower of motor 48 and the rheostat adjustment is suflicient for most treatments. As the rheostats are advanced the power applied is increased as well as the numbers of oscillations per second of the several cyclic movements.

The present invention is not one that may be used recklessly or by those without knowledge of body structure and function. Much harm can be done by improper use as in cases of progressive and advanced arthritis where dangerous irritations must be very carefully guarded against. There are cases in which the necessary rclaxation must be obtained in other ways rather than by the forced manipulation of the machine, gentle though it may be. However, the machine is highly beneficial when properly applied to problems of body posture.

The mounting 40 for thigh rest 39 may be made of sponge rubber, allowing a greater degree of freedom of vibration. Motor 49 may be connected to gear reduction box 51 by flexible coupling.

While there have been described above what are at present believed to be preferred forms of the invention, it will be understood that other embodiments thereof falling within the true spirit may occur to those skilled in the art in the light of the present disclosure. All such variations as fall within the generic terminology of the following claims are intended to be covered thereby.

I claim:

1. In a device for improving posture, a frame, a thigh rest movably mounted for movement of translation on said frame, said thigh rest proportioned to engage the outer, inner and ham string muscles of the upper thigh, a motor mounted on said thigh rest and arranged to impart vibratory movement through said rest to said muscles whereby the muscles of the upper thigh may be completely relaxed, all subconscious tensions released and any downward and forward pull on the pelvis by said muscles released.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1, said thigh rest being mounted on said frame by resilient means and said motor being mounted on the underside of said thigh rest.

3. In a device for relaxing body muscles, a frame member, bed means reciprocably mounted on said frame member, means on said bed means to support the lower portion of the body, means on said frame to support the upper part of the body, and means to reciprocate said bed means.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3, said means on said bed means comprising a thigh rest and a pelvic incline mounted for difiering movements.

5. The combination set forth in claim 3, said means on said bed means comprising a pelvic incline and a thigh rest, mounted to reciprocate cyclically with said bed means, means acting on said pelvic incline simultaneously to move it upward and headward whereby the ischialtuberosities are used to rock the pelvis toward the verd tical position, causing flexing of the spine and movement of the segments of the spine.

6. ln apparatus of the character described, mounting means, an incline for the upper portion of the body, a pelvic incline, said inclines being carried by said mounting means and being related as the sides of an obtuse angle adapted in conjunction with said mounting means to support a human body and means acting on one of said inclines to vary the angular relation of said inclines.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6, said pelvic incline being pivoted adjacent its lowest point, said last named means acting to rotate said pelvic incline about its pivot.

8. The combination set forth in claim 6, a reciprocating platform carried by said mounting member, said pelvic incline being pivoted adjacent its lowest point to said platform and link means connecting said mounting member and said pelvic incline at a point removed from its pivot whereby said pelvic incline is pivoted about a moving pivot, the pelvis is rocked and the spine flexed.

9. A machine for improving posture comprising, frame means, a head incline, adjustable head supporting means mounted on said head incline, a reciprocating platform, means to reciprocate said platform, means to adjust the distance of travel of said platform, a pelvic incline pivoted to the herd end of said platform, link means connecting the free end of said pelvic incline and said frame means, a thigh rest mounted on said platform with sponge rubher, and a motor having an eccentric load mounted on said thigh rest whereby the muscles of the body are all relaxed and the pelvis is permitted to regain the vertical and 38118 to vary the speed of said motor.

10. The combination set forth in claim 9, said head incline having two parallel raised surfaces spaced to exert an upward and inward force on the ribs.

11. A machine for improving posture comprising, a mounting frame, a fixed inclined support for the upper portion of the body carried by said frame, an adjustable head support mounted on said fixed inclined support, reciprocating means carried by said mounting frame, an inclined pelvic support pivoted to said reciprocating means, means coacting with said frame and said pelvic support acting to rotate the pelvic support about its pivot upon reciprocation of said reciprocating means and means to vary the amplitude and frequency of movement of said reciprocating means and said pelvic support.

12. The combination set forth in claim 11, a vibratory thigh rest mounted on said reciprocating means adjacent said pelvic support.

13. In a machine of the character described, an inclined pelvis rest mounted for controlled movement of rotation and translation.

14. In a machine of the character described, a fixed head support and means to rock the pelvis upward and backward toward said head support whereby the spine is flexed, muscles relaxed and circulation promoted.

15. In a machine of the character described a frame having moving pivot means mounted thereon, a pelvic support pivoted on said moving pivot means, means to move the pivot means, and means to rotate said pelvic support about said pivot.

16. The combination set forth in claim 15, means to control the degree of rock of said pelvic support.

Mininberg May 20, 1947 Tammen Apr. 10, 1951

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