Multipurpose therapeutic device

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a multipurpose therapeutic device for managing musculoskeletal pain and administering traction. In one embodiment of the present invention, a multipurpose therapeutic device includes a front side, a rear side, a first end, and a second end. An outer gripping surface is positioned in proximity to each of the two ends and a number of invaginating contact surfaces extend from the perimeter of the front side and/or the rear side. In one embodiment of the present invention, a user may place his or her neck against one of the contact surfaces. The user may then grip the outer gripping surfaces with his or her hands and move the multipurpose therapeutic device superiorly and inferiorly along his or her neck while applying pressure against his or her neck to massage sore neck muscles or to stretch his or her spine.

1 . A multipurpose therapeutic device comprising:
 an approximately planar, rectangular, and substantially rigid device body with a thickness, measured in a first direction, substantially smaller than a width, measured in a second direction approximately orthogonal to the first direction, and a length, measured in third direction approximately orthogonal to the first direction and to the second direction, substantially greater than the width and the thickness, the device body having
 a top surface approximately orthogonal to the first direction, 
 a bottom surface approximately parallel to the top surface, 
 a front side approximately orthogonal to the second direction, 
 a rear side opposite to, and approximately parallel to, the front side, 
 a first end approximately orthogonal to the third direction, 
 a second end opposite to, and approximately parallel to, the first end, 
 a first outer grip comprising an invagination in the first end, 
 a second outer grip comprising an invagination in the second end, 
 a first inner grip, comprising an elongated aperture in the device body with a longest dimension aligned with the third direction, proximal to the first end, 
 a second inner grip, comprising an elongated aperture in the device body with a longest dimension aligned with the third direction, proximal to the second end, and 
 a front-contact-surface portion of the front side, within an invagination sized to fit a neck of a user of the multipurpose therapeutic device. 
   
   
   
       2 . The multipurpose therapeutic device of  claim 1  wherein the front-contact-surface portion of the front side includes a first proximal portion, a second proximal portion, and a distal portion. 
   
   
       3 . The multipurpose therapeutic device of  claim 2  wherein the first proximal portion further includes a first guide and the second proximal portion further includes a second guide. 
   
   
       4 . (canceled) 
   
   
       5 . The multipurpose therapeutic device of  claim 1  wherein the multipurpose therapeutic device contains a number of rear-contact-surface portions the rear side sized to fit one or more of:
 a head;   a neck;   one or more shoulders;   one or more upper limbs; and   one or more lower limbs.   
   
   
       6 . The multipurpose therapeutic device of  claim 5  wherein a padded material is interconnected to a portion of one or more of:
 the front-contact-surface portion of the front side;   the number of rear-contact-surface portions of the rear side;   the first outer grip; and   the second outer grip.   
   
   
       7 . The multipurpose therapeutic device of  claim 1  further including one or more massage surfaces. 
   
   
       8 . The multipurpose therapeutic device of  claim 1  wherein a non-skid surface is overlain onto one or more of:
 the rear side; and   the front side.   
   
   
       9 . The multipurpose therapeutic device of  claim 1  wherein the multipurpose therapeutic device is fabricated from one or more of:
 wood;   plastic;   fiberglass;   metal; and   composite.   
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . The multipurpose therapeutic device of  claim 1  wherein the multipurpose therapeutic device is fabricated from a single piece of material. 
   
   
       12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . The multipurpose therapeutic device of  claim 1  wherein the front side, rear side, first end, and second end are approximately planar. 
   
   
       22 . The multipurpose therapeutic device of  claim 1  wherein the front side, rear side, first end, and second end are rounded, wherein the rounded front side, rear side, first end, and second end have chords, in cross section, that intersect the top surface and bottom surface, and wherein
 the front side chord is approximately orthogonal to the second direction,   the rear side chord is approximately parallel to the front side chord,   the first end chord is approximately orthogonal to the third direction,   the second end chord is approximately parallel to the first end chord.   
   
   
       23 . The multipurpose therapeutic device of  claim 1  wherein all edges are rounded.