The Neck Hammock v. Bonsai Wellness - Complaint

Case 1:20-cv-23844-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/16/2020 Page 1 of 19
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
THE NECK HAMMOCK, INC., a Delaware

corporation,
CASE NO.: 1:20-cv-23844
Plaintiff,
vs.
BONSAI WELLNESS, LLC, a Florida

JURY DEMANDED
Limited Liability Company,
Defendant.
COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NOS.

D824,035, D845,492, D845,493 AND D845,494
Plaintiff The Neck Hammock, Inc. (“Neck Hammock”) complains and alleges as follows
against Defendant Bonsai Wellness, LLC (“Defendant”).
THE NATURE OF THE ACTION
1. Dr. Steve Sudell Jr., DPT, ATC (“Dr. Sudell”), is a physical therapist and the
founder and President of Neck Hammock.
2. While working as a licensed physical therapist, Dr. Sudell repeatedly treated
individuals suffering from compression-related neck pain. Based on his years of experience, Dr.
Sudell knew that cervical traction almost always provided substantial relief for those suffering
from neck pain and was routinely performing cervical traction on his patients during physical
therapy sessions. Dr. Sudell wanted his patients to be able to continue experiencing the therapeutic
benefits of cervical traction in between their physical therapy sessions and even after their routine
physical therapy sessions had ended, but after looking through the array of at-home cervical
traction devices available on the market, Dr. Sudell could not with a good conscience recommend
any at-home cervical traction device to his patients. All of the products available at that time were
either too expensive and too bulky or were cheaply made and ineffective.
3. Instead of watching his clients suffer for lack of an adequate replacement for
professionally-performed cervical traction, Dr. Sudell invested his time and energy into inventing
and developing an economical alternative that was—above all—effective to provide therapeutic
cervical traction but that was also comfortable and economically priced. Dr. Sudell coined his
inventive portable cervical traction device the “Neck Hammock®”.
4. The ingenious design of the Neck Hammock®, as shown in Figure 1 below, allows
individuals suffering from a variety of conditions, including neck arthritis, a herniated/bulging disc
in the neck, pinched nerves, neck strains and cervical muscle spasms to experience therapeutic
relief through cervical traction that would normally be administered in the office of a physical
therapist.
’D842 Patent, Figure 1
2
5. As illustrated in Figure 2 below, the Neck Hammock® includes shock-absorbing
cords attached to opposite ends of a sling that cradles the user’s head. The shock-absorbing cords
are anchorable to an environmental object, such as a door or railing, and together with the force of
gravity, the tension of the cords provides gentle, therapeutic cervical traction to the user.
Figure 2
6. Used in this way, the Neck Hammock® gradually stretches muscles and ligaments
around the vertebrae of the spine, expanding space between vertebrae. In the end, pinched nerves
are released, herniated and bulging discs relax as pressure is relieved, and blood circulation
improves to the structures of the cervical spine, which may help oxygenate muscles, nerves,
tendons and ligaments.
7. These, and other health benefits that are enabled by the use of the Neck Hammock®
result in this device being categorized as a “medical device” according to the Federal Drug
Administration (FDA). Such devices require FDA approval for unencumbered commercialization,
and Dr. Sudell abided by the applicable laws and regulations to receive FDA approval of the Neck
Hammock® as a medical device.
3
8. On October 24, 2017, Neck Hammock launched a campaign on kickstarter.com,
which was fully funded within three hours. By December 1, 2017, Neck Hammock successfully
raised $901,058 in its Kickstarter campaign—more than 4,500% over its original goal of $20,000.
Neck Hammock had a sister crowdfunding campaign for the Neck Hammock® that they launched
on indiegogo.com. This campaign was also extremely successful and fully funded far in advance—
for a total $1,642,934 in crowd-sourced, pre-paid orders.
9. The revolutionary Neck Hammock® was not only widely received by consumers
on crowdfunding websites but in the media as well. The Neck Hammock® was featured on the Dr.
Oz Show as one of the best health finds of 2018. The Neck Hammock® received a spotlight article
in Forbes and was widely covered by myriad other news and personal health sites.
10. However, eager consumers and media outlets were not the only parties interested
in the market success of the Neck Hammock®. Unfortunately, after the crowdfunding campaigns
launched—but before the successful campaigns had even ended—infringers began copying Neck
Hammock’s design and selling cheaply made knock-off products. The Neck Hammock took great
care in sourcing the materials and selecting trusted manufacturers that would ensure the production
of a consistently safe and reliable product. The shameless copycats that flooded the market in an
attempt to ride the coattails of Neck Hammock’s success were not so concerned about functional
or safe products and often resulted in mechanical failures and consumer injury when the products
were used.
11. Neck Hammock was forced to expedite its intellectual property protections to
combat the widespread copying of the Neck Hammock® device, branding, and marketing
materials. Neck Hammock’s creative achievement resulted in broad intellectual property
4
protection for the Neck Hammock® and associated brand, including utility and design patents,
trademarks, and copyright protections. Nevertheless, Neck Hammock’s product innovations have
been the subject of widespread copying. Unscrupulous competitors have attempted to capitalize
on Neck Hammock’s success by co-opting Neck Hammock’s copyrighted works and patented
designs and by misappropriating Neck Hammock’s trademark, including its flagship “Neck
Hammock®” mark. To date, over 8,000 unauthorized product listings infringing one or more of
Neck Hammock’s intellectual property rights have been removed, but the endless whack-a-mole
continues despite Neck Hammock’s efforts to police the marketplace.
12. Defendant is one of the principal offenders selling knock-off Neck Hammock®
devices and infringing Neck Hammock’s patented designs. Defendant sells its infringing products
on eCommerce platforms including www.Amazon.com.
13. With this action, Neck Hammock seeks to put a stop to Defendant’s illegal conduct
and to obtain compensation for infringement that has occurred thus far.
THE PARTIES
14. Plaintiff The Neck Hammock, Inc. is a Delaware corporation with a principal place
of business at 830 Hill Street, Apt. E, Santa Monica, California. Neck Hammock does business,
has customers, and has suffered injury in the District of Utah.
15. Defendant Bonsai Wellness, LLC (“Bonsai Wellness”) is a Florida Limited
Liability Corporation with a principal place of business at 7890 NW 176 Street, Hialeah, Florida,
33015. Defendant Bonsai Wellness sells knockoff Neck Hammock® products online through
www.Amazon.com at ASINs B07L7VLQKV and B07WMZ2K44.
5
JURISDICTION
16. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331 (federal
question); 28 U.S.C. § 1338(a) (patents or trademarks); and 28 U.S.C. § 1367 (supplemental
jurisdiction).
17. This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendant because Defendant resides in
this Judicial District and has committed and continues to commit acts of infringement in violation
of 35 U.S.C. § 271 in this Judicial District, and because Defendant sells infringing products in this
Judicial District. The acts by Defendant cause substantial injury to Neck Hammock in this Judicial
District, and Defendant derives substantial revenue from its sale of infringing products within this
District, expect their actions to have consequences within this District, and derive substantial
revenue from interstate and international commerce directed both to and from this District.
VENUE
18. Defendant is an entity subject to personal jurisdiction in this District. Venue is
proper in this District under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b) because a substantial part of the events giving
rise to this claim took place in this District, because Defendant resides and transacts business
within this district, and because Neck Hammock suffered harm in this District.
BACKGROUND
19. Neck Hammock is a world-leading manufacturer of innovative portable devices
designed to offer pain relief, including the cervical traction device designed to offer neck pain
relief widely known as the Neck Hammock® cervical traction device. Neck Hammock’s business
is dedicated to the development of portable pain relief devices. In its short time providing
affordable pain relief devices, Neck Hammock has filled an important niche in the physical therapy
6
market by offering innovative home-solutions to physical health problems.
20. Cervical traction generally refers to methods of applying force to relieve neck pain
for individuals suffering from various ailments, including neck arthritis, herniated/bulging discs in
the neck, pinched nerves, neck strains, or cervical muscle spasms. Cervical traction entails gently
urging the head away from the neck, and gradually stretching muscles and ligaments around the
vertebrae of the spine and expanding space between vertebrae. Cervical traction may release
pinched nerves, relax herniated and bulging discs by relieving pressure, improve blood circulation
to the structures for the cervical spine, and help oxygenate muscles, nerves, tendons and ligaments
in the head and neck area.
21. Traditionally, individuals could only receive cervical traction at a medical facility
or office. Such visits were often time-consuming, inconvenient, and costly. Moreover, due to the
cost, patients could generally only afford such visits periodically.
22. Modern at-home cervical traction devices are available in the market. However,
many of these devices are complex, cumbersome, bulky, expensive and potentially unsafe. For
example, many home cervical traction devices include headgear which includes straps around the
user’s forehead, head, and chin. Such headgear is cumbersome, constricting, and inconvenient; in
addition, such products exert stress at the jaw that may lead to or exacerbate temporomandibular
disorders. Moreover, many such devices require weights and pulleys to exert tension, which are at
the very least bulky, cumbersome, and inconvenient but which are also potentially dangerous.
Other similar devices include clamps and brackets for attachment to doors and furniture, which
can mar surface finishes and interfere with use of the door or furniture.
23. While working as a physical therapist, Dr. Sudell worked with and helped patients
7
experiencing, inter alia, neck pain. Based on his work, Dr. Sudell recognized the need for an easy
to use, compact, non-marring, and effective traction device that minimized discomfort and avoided
potentially injurious stresses, while remaining an economically feasible option for users.
Consequently, Dr. Sudell invented the widely recognized device known as the Neck Hammock®
cervical traction device (shown below in Figure 3) and founded “The Neck Hammock, Inc.”
Figure 3
24. Neck Hammock has protected its innovative designs through a broad range of
intellectual property rights, including United States Design Patent Nos. D824,035 (the “’D035
Patent”), D845,492 (the “’D492 Patent”) D845,493 (the “’D493 Patent”) and D845,494 (“’D494
Patent”) (collectively, the “Neck Hammock Patents”).
25. Rather than innovate and develop their own technology and products, the
Defendant copied Neck Hammock’s patented design and marketed those infringing designs online.
Defendant sells or advertises the Accused Products at URLs including:
8
 https://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Wellness-Chiropractic-Alignment-
Stretching/dp/B07L7VLQKV
 https://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Wellness-Chiropractic-Alignment-
Stretching/dp/B07WMZ2K44
FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION

Infringement of the ’D035 Patent
35 U.S.C. § 271
26. Neck Hammock incorporates and realleges each and every allegation in the
preceding paragraphs, as if fully set forth herein.
27. On July 24, 2018, United States Design Patent No. D824,035 was duly and legally
issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. A true and correct copy of the ’D035
Patent is attached as Exhibit A.
28. Neck Hammock is the owner of the ’D035 Patent.
29. Neck Hammock virtually marks its products with the ’D035 Patent in accordance
with 35 U.S.C. § 287(a), including a reference to the URL: https://neckhammock.com/patents.
30. Defendant has infringed and continue to infringe the ’D035 Patent by using, selling
and/or offering to sell in the United States, and/or importing into the United States one or more of
the Accused Products identified in this Complaint, such that an ordinary observer, familiar with
the prior art, would be deceived into thinking that the accused design was the same as the patented
design, as detailed below (note: dashed lines do not form part of the claimed design, see MPEP §
1503.02 (9th ed. 2018)).
9
U.S. Patent No. D824,035 Accused Product
31. Defendant has willfully infringed the ’D035 Patent with knowledge of the ’D035
Patent or was willfully blind to the patent and the risk of infringement.
32. Defendant’s infringement of the ’D035 Patent has caused and continues to cause
damages to Neck Hammock.
33. As a result of the Defendant’s infringement, Neck Hammock has been damaged
and is entitled to damages, costs, and attorneys’ fees, in an amount to be proven at trial.
irreparable harm to Neck Hammock.
35. As a result of the Defendant’s past and ongoing infringement, Neck Hammock is
entitled to injunctive relief.
10
SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION

35 U.S.C. § 271
37. On April 9, 2019, United States Design Patent No. D845,492 was duly and legally
Patent is attached as Exhibit B.
1503.02 (9th ed. 2018)).
11

12
THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION

35 U.S.C. § 271
Patent is attached as Exhibit C.
1503.02 (9th ed. 2018)).
13
U.S. Patent No. D845,493, FIG. 1
14
ACCUSED PRODUCT
FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION

35 U.S.C. § 271
Patent is attached as Exhibit D.
with 35 U.S.C. § 287(a) at the URL: https://neckhammock.com/patents.
15
design, as detailed below.
16

17
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
Wherefore, Neck Hammock respectfully prays that the Court enter judgment in its favor
and award the following relief against Defendant:
A. A judgment in favor of Neck Hammock that Defendant infringed the Neck
Hammock Patents;
B. A judgment in favor of Neck Hammock that Defendant willfully infringed the Neck
Hammock Patents;
C. An order and judgment preliminarily and permanently enjoining Defendant and its
officers, directors, employees, agents, licensees, representatives, affiliates, related companies,
servants, successors and assigns, and any and all persons acting in privity or in concert with any
of them, from further acts of infringement of the Neck Hammock Patents;
D. A judgment awarding Neck Hammock damages for infringement of the Neck
Hammock Patents pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 284, together with prejudgment interest;
E. A judgment trebling damages pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 284;
F. A judgment that this is an exceptional case, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 285, together
with an award of Plaintiff’s reasonable attorneys’ fees.
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G. Any other relief the Court deems just and proper under all the circumstances.
Demand for Trial by Jury
Neck Hammock demands a jury trial on all matters triable to a jury.
DATED this 16th day of September, 2020.
Respectfully submitted,
By: /s/ Brian N. Platt
BRENT P. LORIMER (#3731)

blorimer@wnlaw.com
BRIAN N. PLATT (#17099)
bplatt@wnlaw.com
WORKMAN | NYDEGGER
60 East South Temple, Suite 1000
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
Telephone: (801) 533-9800
(Pro Hac Vice forthcoming)
By: /s/ James M. Matulis

James M. Matulis (Fla. Bar No. 0077429)
Jim@MatulisLaw.com
MATULIS IP LAW
Florida Bar No. 0077429
10906 Sheldon Road
Tampa, FL 33626
Telephone: (813) 451-7347
Counsel for Plaintiff The Neck Hammock, Inc.
19
Case 1:20-cv-23844-XXXX Document 1-1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/16/2020 Page 1 of 7
MINULLA UTTILATA RADITIONATA
USOOD8240355
(12 ) Sudell
United States Design Patent ( 10) Patent No.: US D824 ,035 S
(45) Date of Patent: * * Jul. 24 , 2018
(54) PORTABLE TRACTION DEVICE (74 ) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Workman Nydegger
(71 ) Applicant: The Neck Hammock , Inc .,
Wilmington, DE (US ) (57) CLAIM
(72 ) Inventor : Steven Sudell , Santa Monica , CA (US) The ornamental design for a portable traction device, as
shown and described .
(73 ) Assignee : THE NECK HAMMOCK , INC .,
Wilmington , DE (US)
DESCRIPTION
(** ) Term : 15 Years FIG . 1 illustrates a top , right perspective view of an exem
(21) Appl. No.: 29 /640, 156 plary use of a portable traction device incorporating a first
embodiment of the new design ;
(22 ) Filed : Mar. 12, 2018 FIG . 2 illustrates a top , right perspective view of the portable
traction device of FIG . 1 incorporating a first embodiment of
Related U .S . Application Data the new design , shown configured for use without a user
(63) Continuation of application No. 29/628 , 190 , filed on associated therewith ;
Dec. 1 , 2017 , which is a continuation -in - part of FIG . 3 illustrates a top , right perspective view of the portable
application No. 15 /600 , 901 , filed on May 22 , 2017 . traction device incorporating the first embodiment of the
new design , the portable traction device illustrated in a flat,
(51) LOC ( 11) CI. .... ...... 24 -01 supine configuration ;
(52) U . S . CI. FIG . 4 illustrates a front elevation view thereof;
USPC . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... D24 /191 FIG . 5 illustrates a rear elevation view thereof;
(58 ) Field of Classification Search FIG . 6 illustrates a top plan view thereof;
USPC ... ........... D24 / 189 – 192 FIG . 7 illustrates a bottom plan view thereof;
CPC ....... A61F 5 /028 ; A61F 5/055 ; A61F 5 /3738; FIG . 8 illustrates a left side elevation view thereof;
A61F 13/ 108 ; A61F 13/062 FIG . 9 illustrates a right side elevation view thereof;
See application file for complete search history. FIG . 10 illustrates a top , right perspective view of a portable
traction device incorporating a second embodiment of the
(56) References Cited new design , the portable traction device illustrated in a flat,
U .S . PATENT DOCUMENTS supine configuration ;
FIG . 11 illustrates a front elevation view thereof;
2 ,674 ,996 A 4 / 1954 Stowell et al . FIG . 12 illustrates a rear elevation view thereof;
3 ,033 , 198 A 5 / 1962 Jensen FIG . 13 illustrates a top plan view thereof;
3 ,118 ,443 A 1/ 1964 Dykinga FIG . 14 illustrates a bottom plan view thereof;
(Continued ) FIG . 15 illustrates a left side elevation view thereof; and,
FIG . 16 illustrates a right side elevation view thereof.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS In the drawings, the broken lines depict portions of the
portable traction device that form no part of the claimed
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in PCT/ design . The broken line showing of a human figure in FIG .
US2018/015415 dated Mar. 22 , 2018 . 1 is for the purpose of illustrating environment and forms no
part of the claim .
Primary Examiner — George D . Kirschbaum
Assistant Examiner — Jennifer L Watkins 1 Claim , 5 Drawing Sheets
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U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS
D213 ,478 S 3/ 1969 Nightingale
4 ,220 , 147 A 9 / 1980 Allen
D332 ,495 S 1/ 1993 Lake
5 ,479,667 A 1/ 1996 Nelson et al.
D422,710 S * 4 /2000 Maynard ** * ** * ** * ** D24 / 190
6 , 183 ,501 B1 2 / 2001 Latham
6 ,939 ,269 B2 * 9 /2005 Makofsky ........... A63B 21/ 154
482/ 10
D550 .847 S 9 /2007 Kixmiller
D626 ,244 S * 10 /2010 Sagnip D24 / 190
8 ,782,831 B2 * 7 /2014 Houston A41B 13/ 06
5 /482
D713 , 049 S * 9 / 2014 Shah ...... D24 /200
D713 ,535 S 9 /2014 Chiang et al.
D749,230 S * 2 /2016 Safko . . .. . . . .. . D24 / 190
D784,546 S * 4 /2017 Gordon D24 / 190
D789 ,546 S * 6 / 2017 Matfus .... ... . ........ ... .. ... D24 / 190
D790 ,072 S 6 /2017 Hiebert
9 , 668,906 B2 * 6 / 2017 Thorgilsdottir ......... A61F 5 / 055
9 ,713 ,546 B2 * 7/ 2017 Thorsteinsdottir ..... A61F 5 /055
D794 ,809 S * 8 /2017 Gramza ....................... D24 / 190
D812 ,236 S * 3 / 2018 Burke D24 / 190
2006 /0288490 Al 12 / 2006 Mikkelsen et al.
2010 / 0222729 AL 9 / 2010 Chin et al.
2018/ 0042757 AL 2/ 2018 Sudell
* cited by examiner
U . S . Patent Jul. 24, 2018 Sheet 1 of 5 US D824 ,035 S
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(45) Date of Patent: * * Apr . 9, 2019
(54 ) PORTABLE TRACTION DEVICE International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in PCT/
US2018 /015415 dated Mar. 22 , 2018 .
(71) Applicant: THE NECK HAMMOCK , INC ., (Continued )
Wilmington, DE (US)
Primary Examiner — Jennifer L Watkins
(72 ) Inventor : Steven Sudell , Santa Monica , CA (US) (74 ) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Workman Nydegger
(73 ) Assignee : THE NECK HAMMOCK , INC .,
Wilmington , DE (US ) (57) CLAIM
(** ) Term : 15 Years The ornamental design for a portable traction device , as
shown and described .
(21 ) Appl . No.: 29/628, 190
DESCRIPTION
(22 ) Filed : Dec. 1, 2017
Related U .S . Application Data FIG . 1 illustrates a top , right perspective view of an exem
plary use of a portable traction device incorporating a first
(63) Continuation - in -part of application No. 15 /600 , 901, embodiment of the new design ;
filed on May 22 , 2017 . FIG . 2 illustrates a top , right perspective view of the portable
(51) LOC (11) Cl. .... ........... 24 -01 traction device incorporating the first embodiment of the
(52) U . S . CI. new design , the portable traction device illustrated in a flat,
USPC D24 / 190 supine configuration ;
(58 ) Field of Classification Search FIG . 3 illustrates a front plan view thereof;
USPC ... D24 /189 – 192 FIG . 4 illustrates a rear plan view thereof ;
CPC ........ A61F 5/028 ; A61F 5 /055; A61F 5 /3738 ; FIG . 5 illustrates a top elevation view thereof;
A61F 13 / 108 ; A61F 13 /062 FIG . 6 illustrates a bottom elevation view thereof;
See application file for complete search history . FIG . 7 illustrates a left side elevation view thereof;
FIG . 8 illustrates a right side elevation view thereof;
(56 ) References Cited FIG . 9 illustrates a top , right perspective view of a portable
traction device incorporating an alternative embodiment of
U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS the new design , the portable traction device illustrated in a
flat, supine configuration ;
2 ,674, 996 A 4 / 1954 Stowell et al. FIG . 10 illustrates a front plan view thereof;
3 ,033, 198 A 5 / 1962 Jensen FIG . 11 illustrates a rear plan view thereof;
3 , 118 , 443 A 1 / 1964 Dykinga
D213 ,478 S 3 / 1969 Nightingale
4 .220 ,147 A 9 / 1980 Allen FIG . 13 illustrates a bottom elevation view thereof;
D332,495 S 1/ 1993 Lake FIG . 14 illustrates a left side elevation view thereof; and ,
(Continued ) FIG . 15 illustrates a right side elevation view thereof .
The broken lines in FIG . 1 depicting a user are for the
OTHER PUBLICATIONS purpose of illustrating environment and form no part of the
claim . All other broken lines depict stitching and portions of
YouTube The Neck Hammock , announced Nov . 28 , 2017 , [online ], the portable traction device and form no part of the claim .
[site visited Oct. 4 , 2018 ]. Available from Internet, < URL : https://
www . youtube. com /watch ?v = CdpecklmCCw > * 1 Claim , 5 Drawing Sheets
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Page 2
References Cited 9 ,668,906 B2

9 ,713 ,546 B2
6 /2017 Thorsteindottir
7 /2017 Thorsteindottir
U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS D794 ,809 S 8 / 2017 Gramza
D812 , 236 S 3 / 2018 Burke
5 ,421, 809 A * 6 / 1995 Rise ........................ A61F 5 /028 9 ,930 ,882 B2 4 /2018 Owen
128 /876 D817 ,664 S * 5 /2018 Kim D6 /601
5 ,479 ,667 A 1/ 1996 Nelson et al. D824 ,035 S * 7/2018 Sudell ...... .. D24 / 191
D373 , 803 S 9 / 1996 Winans 2006 / 0264302 A1 11/ 2006 Sjodin
5 ,908 ,206 A 6 / 1999 LoPresti 2006 / 0288490 A112 / 2006 Mikkelsen et al.
D422 ,710 S 4 / 2000 Maynard 2010 / 0222729 A1 9 / 2010 Chin et al.
6 , 183, 501 B1 2 / 2001 Latham 2012 /0329620 Al 12 /2012 White et al.
6 ,939, 269 B2 9 / 2005 Makofsky 2013 / 0005544 AL 1/ 2013 Butler et al.
D550 ,847 S 9 / 2007 Kixmiller 2018/0042757 A1 2 /2018 Sudell
D626 , 244 S 10 / 2010 Sagnip
D631,924 S 2 / 2011 Baldwin OTHER PUBLICATIONS
D636 ,036 S 4 /2011 Rios
D654 , 124 S 2 / 2012 Davis Selenechen Hammock for Neck , Neck Massager for Men Women ,
D660 ,439 S * 5 /2012 Chen .... D24 / 190 Relaxation Massager Great for Neck Pain Relief Amazon .
8 , 782 , 831 B2 7 /2014 Houston
D713,049 S 9 / 2014 Shah U . S . Appl. No. 29/640 , 156 , Apr. 12 , 2018 , Office Action .
D713 ,535 S 9 / 2014 Chiang et al. Amazon , The Neck Hammock 2 . 0 , reviewed Apr. 2018 [ online ] [ site
D726 , 262 S 4 / 2015 Linkjendal visited Oct. 4 , 2018 ] URL : https://www .amazon. com /Neck -Hammock
D742 ,461 S 11/ 2015 Baldwin 2 -0 -Original-Relaxation /dpB07FX5CXKC /ref = cm _ cr _ arp _ d _ product_
S 2 /2016 Safko top ? ie = UTF8.
9 ,386 ,943 B2 7 / 2016 Strickland Office Action issued in U . S . Appl. No. 29 /643 ,079 dated Jul. 26 ,
9 ,420 ,905 B2 * 8 / 2016 Willingham ............. A476 9 / 10 2018 .
9 ,498 ,675 B2 * 11/2016 Walworth ............ A63B 23/025 Office Action issued in U .S . Appl. No. 29/653, 232 dated Oct. 11,
9 , 526 , 965 B2 * 12 / 2016 Gatherer ............ A63B 71/ 0054 2018 .
9 ,586 ,074 B2 3 / 2017 Autogue
9 ,597 ,541 B2 3 / 2017 Hinds Office Action issued in U .S . Appl. No. 29 /643 ,079 dated Oct. 11 ,
D784, 546 S 4 / 2017 Gordon 2018 .
D789,546 S 6 / 2017 Matfus
D790 ,072 S 6 / 2017 Hiebert * cited by examiner
U . S . Patent Apr. 9 , 2019 Sheet 1 of 5 US D845 ,492 S
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USOOD845493S
(12 ) Sudell
(45 ) Date of Patent: * * Apr . 9 , 2019
(54) PORTABLE TRACTION DEVICE 6 , 183 ,501 B1
6 ,939 , 269 B2
2 / 2001 Latham
9/ 2005 Makofsky
(71 ) Applicant: The Neck Hammock , Inc ., D550 ,847 S 9 /2007 Kixmiller
Wilmington, DE (US ) D626 ,244 S 10 /2010 Sagnip
D631 ,924 S * 2 /2011 Baldwin .... .. ... . D21 /662
(72 ) Inventor: Steven Sudell , Santa Monica, CA (US) (Continued )
(73 ) Assignee : THE NECK HAMMOCK , INC ., OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Wilmington, DE (US) Amazon The Neck Hammock 2.0 , reviewed Apr. 2018 , [online],
(** ) Term : 15 Years [site visited Oct. 4 , 2018 ]. Available from Internet, < URL : https://
www .amazon .com /Neck -Hammock - 2 -0 -Original-Relaxation /dp/
(21 ) Appl . No.: 29/643,079 B07FX5CXKC /ref = cm _ cr _ arp _ d _ product_ top ? ie = UTF8 > *
(Continued )
(22 ) Filed : Apr. 4 , 2018
Primary Examiner — Jennifer L Watkins
Related U .S . Application Data (74 ) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Workman Nydegger
(63) Continuation - in -part of application No. 15 /879 ,881,
filed on Jan . 25 , 2018 , which is a continuation - in - part (57) CLAIM
of application No. 15 /600 , 901, filed on May 22 , 2017 .
(51) LOC ( 11) CI. .... ...... ...... 24 -01 The ornamental design for a portable traction device , as
(52) U . S . CI. shown and described .
USPC . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. D24 /190
(58 ) Field of Classification Search DESCRIPTION
USPC ... ............................ D24 /189 – 192 ; D21/662
CPC ....... A61F 5 /028 ; A61F 5/055 ; A61F 5 /3738; FIG . 1 illustrates a top , right perspective view of a portable
A61F 13 / 108 ; A61F 13 /062 traction device incorporating a new design , the portable
See application file for complete search history. traction device shown configured for use without a user
(56 ) References Cited associated therewith ;
FIG . 2 illustrates a front plan view thereof;
U .S . PATENT DOCUMENTS FIG . 3 illustrates a rear plan view thereof;
FIG . 4 illustrates a top elevation view thereof;
2 ,674 ,996 A 4 / 1954 Stowell et al . FIG . 5 illustrates a bottom elevation view thereof;
3 ,033 , 198 A 5 / 1962 Jensen FIG . 6 illustrates a right side elevation view thereof; and ,
3 , 118 ,443 A 1/ 1964 Dykinga
D213 ,478 S 3 / 1969 Nightingale FIG . 7 illustrates a left side elevation view thereof.
4 , 220 , 147 A 9 / 1980 Allen In the drawings, the broken lines depict stitching and por
D332 ,495 S 1/ 1993 Lake tions of the portable traction device and form no part of the
5 ,421, 809 A 6 / 1995 Rise claimed design . The broken lines shown on the surface of the
5 ,479,667 A 1/ 1996 Nelson et al. straps illustrated in FIGS . 1, 2, 6 , and 7 depict portions of the
D373, 803 S * 9 / 1996 Winans ... D21 /684
5 ,908, 206 A * 6 / 1999 LoPresti, Jr. ............. A45F 3 /14 straps and form no part of the claimed design .
2 / 160
D422,710 S 4 /2000 Maynard 1 Claim , 4 Drawing Sheets
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(56 ) References Cited 2006 /0264302 A1 * 11/ 2006 Sjodin .................. A63B 21/ 068
482 /91
U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS 2006 /0288490 A1 12 /2006 Mikkelsen et al.
2010 /0222729 AL 9 /2010 Chin et al.
D636 ,036 S * 4 / 2011 Rios .. ........ ................. D21 /662 2012 /0329620 A1 * 12 / 2012 White • A63B 21/ 151
D654 , 124 S * 2/ 2012 Davis ............. D21/662 482 /131
D660 ,439 S 5 / 2012 Chen 2013 /0005544 A1 * 1/2013 Butler A63B 7 / 02
8 ,782, 831 B2 7 / 2014 Houston 482 / 139
D713 , 049 S 9 / 2014 Shah 2018/0042757 A1 2/2018 Sudell
D713 , 535 S 9/ 2014 Chiang et al.
D726 , 262 S * 4 / 2015 Linkjendal ............. D21 /662
D742 ,461 S * 11/2015 Baldwin ...................... D21/662 OTHER PUBLICATIONS
D749 ,230 S 2 /2016 Safko
9 , 386 , 943 B2 * 7 / 2016 Strickland ................ A61B 5 / 11 International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in PCT/
9 ,420 , 905 B2 8 / 2016 Willingham US2018 /015415 dated Mar. 22 , 2018 .
9 ,498,675 B2 11/ 2016 Walworth Selenechen Hammock for Neck , Neck Massager for Men Women ,
9 ,526 ,965 B2 12 / 2016 Gatherer Relaxation Massager Great for Neck Pain Relief Amazon , Jan . 15 ,
9 ,586 ,074 B2 * 3 / 2017 Autogue ............ A63B 23/0355 2018 .
9 ,597 ,541 B2 * 3/ 2017 Hinds ............... A63B 7 /00 U . S . Appl. No. 29 /640 , 156 , dated Apr. 12 , 2018 , Office Action .
D784, 546 S 4 / 2017 Gordon YouTube, The Neck Hammock , announced Nov. 28 , 2017 [ online ]
D789 ,546 S 6 /2017 Matfus [site visited Oct . 4 , 2018 ] URL : https ://www .youtube .com /watch ?
D790 ,072 S. 6 / 2017 Hiebert v = CdpecklmCCw .
9 ,668,906 B2 6 / 2017 Thorsteindottir
9 ,713 ,546 B2 7 / 2017 Thorsteindottir Office Action issued in U .S . Appl. No. 29/628 ,190 dated Oct. 11,
D794 ,809 S 2018 .
D812 ,236 S 3 / 2018 Burke Office Action issued in U .S . Appl. No. 29/653, 232 dated Oct. 11,
9 ,930 ,882 B2 * 4 /2018 Owen .. . .. . . . . . . .. . A01M 31/ 006 2018 .
D817 ,664 S 5/ 2018 Kim
D824 ,035 S 7 / 2018 Sudell * cited by examiner
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(45) Date of Patent : * * Apr. 9 , 2019
(54) PORTABLE TRACTION DEVICE 5 ,479 ,667 A
D373 ,803 S
1/ 1996 Nelson et al.
9 / 1996 Winans
(71 ) Applicant: The Neck Hammock , Inc ., 5 ,908 ,206 A 6 /1999 LoPresti
Wilmington, DE (US ) D422 ,710 S 4 /2000 Maynard
6 , 183 ,501 B1 2 /2001 Latham
(72 ) Inventor: Steven Sudell , Santa Monica, CA (US)
(73 ) Assignee : THE NECK HAMMOCK , INC ., OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Wilmington , DE (US) YouTube The Neck Hammock , announced Nov . 28 , 2017 , [ online ],
(** ) Term : 15 Years [site visited Oct. 4 , 2018 ]. Available from Internet, < URL : https://
www .youtube.com /watch ?v = CdpecklmCCw > *
(21 ) Appl . No.: 29/653,232 (Continued )
( 22 ) Filed : Jun . 13, 2018 Primary Examiner - Jennifer L Watkins
(74 ) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Workman Nydegger
Related U . S. Application Data
(60 ) Division of application No. 29/640 , 156 , filed on Mar. (57 ) CLAIM
12 , 2018 , now Pat. No . Des . 824 ,035 , which is a The ornamental design for a portable traction device , as
continuation of application No. 29 /628 , 190 , filed on shown and described .
Dec . 1 , 2017 , which is a continuation - in -part of
application No. 15 /600 , 901 , filed on May 22 , 2017 .
DESCRIPTION
(51 ) LOC (11) Ci. ... 24 -01
( 52 ) U .S . CI. FIG . 1 illustrates a top , right perspective view of an exem
USPC ........... D24 / 190 plary use of a portable traction device showing the new
(58 ) Field of Classification Search design ;
USPC ..... D24 /189– 192 FIG . 2 illustrates a top, right perspective view of the portable
CPC ........ A61F 5 /028 ; A61F 5 /055; A61F 5 /3738 ; traction device showing the new design , the portable traction
A61F 13 / 108 ; A61F 13 /062 device illustrated in a flat , supine configuration ;
See application file for complete search history. FIG . 3 illustrates a front plan view thereof;
FIG . 4 illustrates a rear plan view thereof;
(56 ) References Cited FIG . 5 illustrates a top elevation view thereof;
U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS FIG . 6 illustrates a bottom elevation view thereof;
FIG . 7 illustrates a left side elevation view thereof; and ,
2 ,674, 996 A 4 / 1954 Stowell et al. FIG . 8 illustrates a right side elevation view thereof.
3 ,033, 198 A 5 / 1962 Jensen The broken lines in FIG . 1 depicting a user are for the
3 , 118 ,443 A 1 / 1964 Dykinga purpose of illustrating environment and form no part of the
D213 ,478 S 3 / 1969 Nightingale claim . All other broken lines depict stitching and portions of
4 ,220 , 147 A 9 / 1980 Allen
D332, 495 S 1 / 1993 Lake the portable traction device and form no part of the claim .
5 ,421, 809 A * 6 / 1995 Rise A61F 5 /028
128 /876 1 Claim , 3 Drawing Sheets
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US D845 ,494 S
Page 2
(56 ) References Cited D817 ,664 S *

D824 ,035 S *
5 / 2018
7 / 2018
Kim ...**.*.*.*.................... ......... D6 /601
Sudell ... ... .......... D24 / 191
U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS 2006 /0264302 AL 11/2006 Sjodin
2006 /0288490 A1 12/2006 Mikkelsen et al.
6 ,939 ,269 B2 9 / 2005 Makofsky 2010 /0222729 AL 9 /2010 Chin et al.
D550 , 847 S 9 / 2007 Kixmiller 2012 /0329620 A112/2012 White et al.
D626 , 244 S 10 / 2010 Sagnip 2013 /0005544 AL 1/ 2013 Butler et al.
D631 ,924 S 2 / 2011 Baldwin 2018 /0042757 AL 2 /2018 Sudell
D636 , 036 S 4 / 2011 Rios
D654 , 124 S 2/ 2012 Davis OTHER PUBLICATIONS
D660 ,439 S * 5 /2012 Chen D24 / 190
8 ,782, 831 B2 7 / 2014 Houston International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in PCT/
D713 ,049 S 9 / 2014 Shah
D713 ,535 S 9 / 2014 Chiang et al. US2018 /015415 dated Mar. 22 , 2018 .
D726 ,262 S 4 / 2015 Linkjendal Selenechen Hammock for Neck , Neck Massager for Men Women ,
D742 ,461 S 11/ 2015 Baldwin Relaxation Massager Great for Neck Pain Relief Amazon.
D749,230 S 2 /2016 Safko U . S . Appl. No. 29 /640,156 , dated Apr. 12, 2018 , Office Action .
9 ,386 ,943 B2 7 / 2016 Strickland Amazon , The Neck Hammock 2 .0 , reviewed Apr. 2018 [online ] [site
9 , 420 ,905 B2 * 8 / 2016 Willingham ............. A47G 9 / 10
9 ,498,675 B2 * 11/ 2016 Walworth ............ A63B 23/ 025 visited Oct. 4, 2018 ] URL: https://www .amazon .com Neck -Hammock
9 ,526 , 965 B2 * 12 / 2016 Gatherer ............ A63B 71/0054 2 -0 -Original-Relaxation /dpB07FX5CXKC/ref= cm _ cr_ arp _ d _ product_
9 ,586 ,074 B2 3 / 2017 Autogue top ? ie = UTF8.
9 ,597 ,541 B2 3 /2017 Hinds Office Action issued in U .S . Appl. No. 29 /643,079 dated Jul. 26 ,
D784 ,546 S 4 / 2017 Gordon 2018 .
D789 ,546 S 6 / 2017 Matfus Office Action issued in U .S . Appl. No. 29/628 , 190 dated Oct. 11 ,
D790 ,072 S 6 / 2017 Hiebert 2018 .
9 ,668, 906 B2 6 / 2017 Thorsteindottir
9 ,713 ,546 B2 7 /2017 Thorsteindottir Office Action issued in U .S . Appl. No. 29 /643 ,079 dated Oct. 11,
D794 , 809 S 8 /2017 Gramza 2018.
D812 , 236 S 3 / 2018 Burke
9 , 930 ,882 B2 4 / 2018 Owen * cited by examiner
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The Neck Hammock v. Bonsai Wellness - Complaint

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Case 1:20-cv-23844-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/16/2020 Page 1 of 19

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

THE NECK HAMMOCK, INC., a Delaware

BONSAI WELLNESS, LLC, a Florida

COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NOS.

against Defendant Bonsai Wellness, LLC (“Defendant”).

THE NATURE OF THE ACTION

founder and President of Neck Hammock.

2. While working as a licensed physical therapist, Dr. Sudell repeatedly treated

and developing an economical alternative that was—above all—effective to provide therapeutic

inventive portable cervical traction device the “Neck Hammock®”.

’D842 Patent, Figure 1

5. As illustrated in Figure 2 below, the Neck Hammock® includes shock-absorbing

tendons and ligaments.

Hammock® as a medical device.

8. On October 24, 2017, Neck Hammock launched a campaign on kickstarter.com,

for a total $1,642,934 in crowd-sourced, pre-paid orders.

materials. Neck Hammock’s creative achievement resulted in broad intellectual property

continues despite Neck Hammock’s efforts to police the marketplace.

on eCommerce platforms including www.Amazon.com.

has customers, and has suffered injury in the District of Utah.

15. Defendant Bonsai Wellness, LLC (“Bonsai Wellness”) is a Florida Limited

www.Amazon.com at ASINs B07L7VLQKV and B07WMZ2K44.

question); 28 U.S.C. § 1338(a) (patents or trademarks); and 28 U.S.C. § 1367 (supplemental

18. Defendant is an entity subject to personal jurisdiction in this District. Venue is

19. Neck Hammock is a world-leading manufacturer of innovative portable devices

market by offering innovative home-solutions to physical health problems.

in the head and neck area.

cost, patients could generally only afford such visits periodically.

Patent”) (collectively, the “Neck Hammock Patents”).

Defendant sells or advertises the Accused Products at URLs including:

FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION

preceding paragraphs, as if fully set forth herein.

Patent is attached as Exhibit A.

28. Neck Hammock is the owner of the ’D035 Patent.

with 35 U.S.C. § 287(a), including a reference to the URL: https://neckhammock.com/patents.

1503.02 (9th ed. 2018)).

U.S. Patent No. D824,035 Accused Product

damages to Neck Hammock.

irreparable harm to Neck Hammock.

entitled to injunctive relief.

SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION

preceding paragraphs, as if fully set forth herein.

Patent is attached as Exhibit B.

38. Neck Hammock is the owner of the ’D492 Patent.

with 35 U.S.C. § 287(a), including a reference to the URL: https://neckhammock.com/patents.

1503.02 (9th ed. 2018)).

U.S. Patent No. D845,492 Accused Product

damages to Neck Hammock.

irreparable harm to Neck Hammock.

entitled to injunctive relief.

THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION

preceding paragraphs, as if fully set forth herein.

Patent is attached as Exhibit C.

48. Neck Hammock is the owner of the ’D493 Patent.

with 35 U.S.C. § 287(a), including a reference to the URL: https://neckhammock.com/patents.

1503.02 (9th ed. 2018)).

U.S. Patent No. D845,493, FIG. 1

damages to Neck Hammock.

irreparable harm to Neck Hammock.

entitled to injunctive relief.

FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION

preceding paragraphs, as if fully set forth herein.

Patent is attached as Exhibit D.