Combination treatment device and an anterior support device

Abstract

A combination of a treatment device and an anterior support device is disclosed. The combination includes a treatment device having an edge and an attachment member movably secured thereto and an anterior support device having an elongated member which interacts with the attachment member. The anterior support device has first and second pivotable connectors, one being secured to the elongated member and the other to a padded rest. The anterior support device also includes first and second movable rods secured to the first and second pivotable connectors. A second end of the first movable rod is rotatably connected to a second end of the second movable rod and an actuating mechanism is connected to both of the second ends of the rods. The actuating mechanism enables the first and second rods to be locked in a set position to maintain the padded rest in a desired orientation relative to the treatment device.

1 . A combination comprising:
 a) a treatment device having a longitudinal central axis and an edge;   b) an attachment member movably secured to said edge, said attachment member having an aperture formed therethrough and a tightening device which interacts with said aperture; and   c) an anterior support device having an elongated member sized and configured to be inserted into said aperture and capable of being retained in a predetermined position by said tightening device, an adapter secured to said elongated member, a first pivotable connector secured to said adapter and a first movable rod having a first end and a second end, said first end engaging said first pivotable connector and capable of pivoting thereabout, said anterior support device further including a padded rest against which a user can lean his torso for support, a second pivotable connector secured to said padded rest, and a second movable rod having a first end and a second end, said first end of said second rod engaging said second pivotable connector and capable of pivoting thereabout, said second end of said second movable rod being rotatably connected to said second end of said first movable rod, and an actuating mechanism connected to said first and second movable rods which enables said first and second movable rods to be locked in a set position to maintain said padded rest in a desired orientation relative to said treatment device.   
   
   
       2 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said aperture has an elliptical cross-section. 
   
   
       3 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein said elliptical cross-section has a minimum dimension of at least about 0.2 inches. 
   
   
       4 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said elongated member has a hexagonal cross-section. 
   
   
       5 . The combination of  claim 4  wherein said elongated member has a cross-section that is sized to easily slide within said aperture and has a length ranging from between about 2 inches to 24 inches. 
   
   
       6 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said adapter has a first threaded bore and a second threaded bore, and said first threaded bore is axially aligned with said second threaded bore. 
   
   
       7 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said adapter has a first threaded bore and a second threaded bore, and said first threaded bore is aligned perpendicular with said second threaded bore. 
   
   
       8 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said first and second pivotable connectors are ball joints. 
   
   
       9 . The combination of  claim 1  further comprising a second attachment member movable along said edge, said second attachment member capable of being secured to said edge in a desired position, and said second attachment member having an aperture formed therethrough and a tightening device which interacts with said aperture. 
   
   
       10 . A combination comprising:
 a) a treatment device having a planar surface with a longitudinal central axis, a vertical central axis, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges, a pair of rails secured to two of said side and end edges and each of said rails extending along at least a portion of said treatment device;   b) a first attachment member movable along one of said pair of rails, said first attachment member capable of being secured to said rail in a desired position, and said first attachment member having an aperture formed therethrough and a tightening device which interacts with said aperture; and   c) an anterior support device including an elongated member sized and configured to be inserted into said aperture and capable of being retained in a predetermined position by said tightening device, said anterior support device further including:
 i) an adapter secured to said elongated member; 
 ii) a first pivotable connector secured to said adapter; 
 iii) a first movable rod having a first end and a second end, said first end engaging said first pivotable connector and capable of pivoting thereabout; 
 iv) a padded rest against which a user can lean his torso; 
 v) a second pivotable connector secured to said padded rest; 
 vi) a second movable rod having a first end and a second end, said first end engaging said second pivotable connector and capable of pivoting thereabout, and said second end of said second movable rod being rotatably connected to said second end of said first movable rod; and 
 vii) an actuating mechanism connected to said first and second movable rods which enables said first and second movable rods to be locked in a set position to maintain said padded rest in a desired orientation relative to said treatment device. 
   
   
   
       11 . The combination of  claim 10  further comprising a second attachment member movable along a second of said pair of rails, said second attachment member capable of being secured to said rail in a desired position, and said second attachment member having an aperture formed therethrough and a tightening device which interacts with said aperture. 
   
   
       12 . The combination of  claim 10  further comprising a second attachment member movable along and capable of being secured to said same rail that said first attachment member is secured to, and said second attachment member having an aperture formed therethrough and a tightening device which interacts with said aperture. 
   
   
       13 . The combination of  claim 10  wherein said pair of rails extends beyond two of said side and end edges of said treatment device. 
   
   
       14 . The combination of  claim 10  wherein said first pivotable connector is a ball joint. 
   
   
       15 . The combination of  claim 10  wherein said actuating mechanism includes a rotatable knob. 
   
   
       16 . A combination which partially supports a person's torso, comprising:
 a) a treatment device having a planar surface with a longitudinal central axis, a vertical central axis, a length and a width, a pair of edges, a pair of rails each secured to said pair of edges, and each rail extending along a portion of said treatment device;   b) a first attachment member movable along one of said pair of rails, said first attachment member capable of being secured to said rail in a desired position, said first attachment member having an aperture formed therethrough and a tightening device which interacts with said aperture; and   c) an anterior support device including an elongated member sized and configured to be inserted into said aperture, said elongated member having a length of at least about 3 inches, and said elongated member capable of being retained in a predetermined position by said tightening device, said anterior support device further including:
 i) an adapter secured to said elongated member; 
 ii) a first pivotable connector secured to said adapter; 
 iii) a first movable rod having a first end and a second end, said first end engaging said first pivotable connector and capable of pivoting thereabout; 
 iv) a padded rest against which a user can lean his torso; 
 v) a second pivotable connector secured to said padded rest; 
 vi) a second movable rod having a first end and a second end, said first end engaging said second pivotable connector and capable of pivoting thereabout, and said second end of said second movable rod being rotatably connected to said second end of said first movable rod; and 
 vii) an actuating mechanism connected to said first and second movable rods which enables said first and second movable rods to be locked in a set position to maintain said padded rest in a desired orientation relative to said treatment device. 
   
   
   
       17 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein said first attachment member includes a first member which is rotatable relative to a second member, and said first and second members are capable of being secured to one another in a desired position such that said aperture can be angled relative to said vertical central axis and the orientation of said elongated member can vary. 
   
   
       18 . The combination of  claim 17  wherein said elongated member is positioned between 0 to 180 degrees relative to a vertical axis. 
   
   
       19 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein said elongated member has a length ranging from between about 3 inches to about 24 inches. 
   
   
       20 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein said elongated member has a hexagonal cross-section.