Thermal massage apparatus

A multi-component, convertible, individual thermal therapeutic device has multiple parts that can be arranged in at least 3 ways to provide multiple therapeutic treatments to the users body.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a thermal therapeutic product, and more particularly, to a thermal therapeutic massage apparatus for massaging various human body parts to stimulate increased rehabilitation in the human body.

BACKGROUND

In general, massage devices, as are known, primarily include objects for use by an injured person or rehabilitation professional in deep tissue massage. These massage devices are used to rehabilitate injuries to a human body such as relieve muscle aches and sore muscles, promote blood circulation, relieve muscle cramps, and loosen tight and knotted muscles. Further, massage devices also reduces the amount of strain upon the injured person or massage therapist while attempting to rehabilitate injures. These massage devices can be as simple as heated stones or as complex as tools with complexly formed protrusions for the kneading of fascia and other such connective tissue.

In addition, the use of ice packs or another cold material is common for the effective treatment of bleeding, pain and swelling injuries to the human body. When ice is applied to the affected area in the first hours after injury, swelling of the injury is reduced, thereby also reducing pain. Bleeding is also substantially minimized as local blood vessels are constricted by the application of cold temperatures to the injury.

However, these massage devices may not be able to provide the benefits associated with the application of ice or another substantially cold material to injured areas. In addition, using ice packs and other cold frozen materials may result in frostbite to injured areas since the ice packs often stay stationary on the injured areas. Further, the use of ice packs may not provide the remodeling of damaged tissue through massage alone.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a thermal massaging apparatus that stimulates injury rehabilitation. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a thermal massaging apparatus includes a body that has complimentary halves having an exterior surface surrounding an interior surface, the interior surface defining a first interior, a first mounting frame extending from the interior surface of a first complimentary half, a second mounting frame opposing the first mounting frame and extending from the interior surface of a second complimentary half, an elongated rod extending from within the first mounting frame to within the second mounting frame, the elongated rod defining a second interior, a first O-ring on a first end of the elongated rod within the first mounting frame, a second O-ring on a second end of the elongated rod within the second mounting frame so that the first and second O-rings are compressed to retain the complimentary halves together, and a filler material that retains cold temperature within at least one of the first and second interiors.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a thermal massaging apparatus may include a body that may have an exterior surface that surrounds an interior surface, a first mounting frame that extends from the interior surface, a second mounting frame that opposes the first mounting frame and extends from the interior surface, an elongated rod that extends between the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame, and a filler material that retains cold temperature in at least one of a first and second interiors. The first interior may be defined by the interior surface of the body. In addition, the second interior may be defined by the elongated rod.

Further, the body may include a female portion that defines a circumferential groove adjacent an edge of the female portion and a male portion that defines a circumferential ridge adjacent an edge of the male portion wherein the edges may be configured to align so that the circumferential ridge selectively couples in the circumferential groove to retain the portions together. In addition, a shape of the portions may be selected from the group consisting of hemispherical, a cross-sectional trapezoidal shape, a flattened pyramid, a cross-sectional rectangular shape and combinations thereof. The body may also include a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere that threads to the first hemisphere to selectively enclose the interior.

The first mounting frame may include a first circular flange and the second mounting frame may include a second circular flange. Additionally, the elongated rod may include a tube that has a first end that has a convex shape for massaging a first type of body contour that is inserted into the first circular flange and a second end having a concave shape for massaging a complementary type of body contour that is inserted into the second circular flange.

Further, the elongated rod may include a first O-ring adjacent to the first end of the elongated rod and a second O-ring adjacent to the second end of the elongated rod. In addition, the body may be spherical and the tube may extend along an axis on a maximum diameter of the body.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a thermal massaging rod may include a first end that has a convex shape and a second end having a concave shape so that, depending upon the shape of the tissue needing massage, one end of the massaging rod is complementarily shaped. The thermal massaging rod defines an interior that may also include a filler material that retains cold when exposed to cold temperatures. Further, the thermal massaging rod may include a sleeve wrapped around a substantial middle portion of the thermal massaging rod.

It should be appreciated that the subject technology can be implemented and utilized in numerous ways, including without limitation as a process, an apparatus, a system, a device, a method for applications now known and later developed. These and other unique features of the methods and systems disclosed herein will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can easily carry out the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1B, a thermal massaging apparatus is shown and referred to generally by the reference numeral100. The thermal massaging apparatus100provides users and professionals with an easy to use, adaptable manual apparatus100for applying pressure and cooling to area of the body in need of massage. Alternatively, the thermal massaging apparatus100applies heat and pressure.

The thermal massaging apparatus100includes a body105. The body105includes two hemispheres or shells101,102, each with an exterior surface110and an interior surface250(seeFIG. 2). The body105can be made from plastic, metal, wood or other materials and combinations thereof. Preferably, the body105is made from a material that efficiently conducts thermal energy, be it relatively hot or cold. The exterior surface110is handled by the user so preferably the exterior surface110has a pleasant tactile feel. Tacky rubber features, such as nubs or ridges, may be formed on the exterior surface110to enhance the tactile feel.

Still referring toFIG. 1, the hemispheres101,102are slightly separated. A pair of foam washers103a,103bfill the gap104between the hemispheres101,102.

Referring now toFIG. 2, an exploded view of the thermal massaging apparatus100is shown. When assembled, the hemispheres101,102include opposing first and second mounting frames205a,205bthat extend inward. Each mounting frame205a,205bhas a proximal base245a,245bthat terminates in a circular distal flange235a,235b. Inwardly upstanding from the flanges235a,235bare shoulders236a,236b. The mounting frames205a,205band the hemispheres101,102are shown as separate but may be integrally formed by3D printing and the like.

An elongated rod405extends between the first mounting frame205aand the second mounting frame205b. The elongated rod405provides a cooling effect to the thermal massaging apparatus100. Alternatively, the elongated rod405provides a heating effect to the thermal massaging apparatus100. The elongated rod405may also be used separately as a stand-alone massaging device.

The elongated rod405has a tubular body406with a convex end420and a concave end425. The ends420,425sealingly engage the tubular body406. One or both of the ends420,425may be selectively removed to allow filling the tubular body406. An O-ring440,445mounts on each end420,425as described in more detail below. The tubular body406is wrapped or surrounded by a foam tube411for providing insulation and a pleasant surface for gripping when the rod405is used independently. The differently shaped ends420,425are particularly useful for effectively massaging different body parts.

The thermal massaging apparatus100contains a filler material410that retains cold temperature to provide cooling effects while using the thermal massaging apparatus100. Alternatively, the thermal massaging apparatus100contains a filler material410that retains hot temperature to provide heating effects while using the thermal massaging apparatus100. The filler material410may be contained within an interior407(seeFIG. 5) of the tubular body406of the elongated rod405and/or within an interior109(seeFIG. 5) defined between the hemispheres101,102.

As shown inFIGS. 3 to 5, the thermal massaging apparatus100is shown in cross-sectional view in progressive stages of assembly. InFIG. 3, complimentary halves350a,350bare separate and the elongated rod405is fully assembly with thermal filler material410. Thermal filler material410, insulation or temperature conducting material may also be included in the interior109.

The first mounting frame205aextends from the interior surface250of a first complimentary half350a. A second mounting frame205bopposes the first mounting frame215and extends from the interior surface250of a second complimentary half350b. When assembly as inFIG. 5, the elongated rod405extends from within the first mounting frame205ato within the second mounting frame205b.

To retain the halves350a,350btogether, the first and second O-rings440,445are compressed between the mounting frames215,220and the elongated rod405. An external force is applied (e.g., when a user pulls the complementary halves apart) so that the elongated rod405can be placed in a refrigerator for cooling or a microwave for heating and the like or stand-alone use. The O-rings440,445are housed within circumferential recesses1505a,1505b(seeFIG. 15) formed on the convex end420and the concave end425. The circumferential recesses1505a,1505ballow for the O-rings440,445to be held in place when the halves350a,350bare being assembled.

Turning toFIGS. 6-10, additional embodiments of the massager of the present disclosure are indicated generally by the reference numerals600,900. The massagers600,900are very similar to the massagers described above, and therefore, like reference numerals are used to indicate like elements. The primary difference of the massagers600,900in comparison to the massagers above is the mounting structure. Screw threads705may be used to attach the elongated rod405into the mounting frame205(seeFIG. 7).

As shown inFIG. 9, the body has first and second portions350a,350b(seeFIG. 2) that are separable. A proximal end of the first mounting frame205ais attached to the interior surface250of the first portion350aand a distal end extends beyond the circular distal flange235ato form a shoulder236a. In addition, a proximal end245bof the second mounting frame205battaches to the interior surface250of the second portion350band a distal end extends beyond the circular distal flange235bto form a shoulder236b, The shoulders236a,236babut when the body is assembled, which then causes a recess905to form.

Further, foam washers103a,103bmay be inserted between the first and second portions350a,350b. When the foam washers103a,103bare inserted between the first and second portions350a,350b, the foam washers103a,103bare compressed within the recess905that is formed by the shoulders236a,236b.

The body105may include a female portion that has a circumferential groove near an edge of the female portion and a male portion that has a circumferential ridge near an edge of the male portion. The edges may be configured to align so that the circumferential ridge fits within the circumferential groove to keep the portions together and form the body. More specifically, the female portion and the male portion snap together to form the body105of the thermal massaging apparatus100. In addition, a shape of the portions may be selected from the group consisting of hemispherical, a cross-sectional trapezoidal shape, a flattened pyramid, a cross-sectional rectangular shape and combinations thereof.

The body may also include a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere that threads to the first hemisphere to selectively enclose the interior. In other words, the first hemisphere and the second hemisphere screw together to form the body105of the thermal massaging apparatus100.

As shown inFIG. 2, the elongated rod405may include a tubular body406that has a convex end420that has a convex shape and a concave end425having a concave shape so that, depending upon the shape of the tissue needing massage, one end of the massaging rod is complementarily shaped. The convex end420and the concave end425are designed to selectively couple with the corresponding mounting frame205a,205b.

More specifically, the elongated rod405may have a first O-ring440located on the convex end420of the elongated rod405and a second O-ring445located on the concave end425of the elongated rod405. When the body105is formed, the interior surface250applies pressure to the first O-ring440and the second O-ring445to deform the O-rings440,445and keeps the body105intact. The pressure applied to the O-rings440,445helps maintain the body together until an external force is applied (e.g., a user pulling the body apart).

The tubular body406defines an interior that houses a filler material that retains cold when exposed to cold temperatures or other cooling methods (e.g., an acetone water solution). Alternatively, the interior houses a filler material that retains heat when exposed to hot temperatures or other heating methods.

Further, the elongated rod405may be made of thermo-resistant plastic or any other rigid material with thermos-resistant properties such as one selected from the group consisting of metal, rubber, and a combination thereof. The tube415may have an exterior diameter of about 0.45 inches to about 1.2 inches.

Furthermore, the body105may have a spherical shape. When the body has a spherical shape, the elongated rod405is located along one axis within the spherical body where the axis is a maximum diameter of the body. The maximum diameter of the body may vary from about 1.5 inches to about 4 inches. The different maximum diameters may allow the thermal massaging apparatus to for different therapeutic purposes.

Turning toFIGS. 11-14, additional embodiments of the massager of the present disclosure are indicated generally by the reference numerals1100,1200,1300,1400, respectively. The massagers1100,1200,1300,1400are very similar to the massagers described above, and therefore like reference numerals are used to indicate like elements. The primary difference of the massagers1100,1200,1300,1400in comparison to the massagers above is the outer shape. The massagers1100,1200can provide additional features1101,1201that increase and/or vary applied pressure. The outer shape can also vary to provide surfaces1301,1401that complimentarily engage various body parts. As shown, only half of the massagers1100,1200,1300,1400is modified. It is envisioned that more or less, even all, of the massagers1100,1200,1300,1400may be varied depending upon the anticipated usage.

As illustrated inFIGS. 15 and 16, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a thermal massaging rod405may include a tubular body406having a convex end420that has a convex shape and a concave end425having a concave shape. The convex end420and the concave end425may be used to massage different part of the human body where either the convex end420or the concave end425may be more advantageous to rehabilitation. Further, a circumferential recess1505a,1505bmay be formed on the convex end420and the concave end425. The circumferential recesses1505a,1505bare used to hold the O-rings440,445in place for use with a further embodiment of the present disclosure.

The thermal massaging rod405may also include a filler material410within the interior that retains cold when exposed to cold temperatures or other cooling methods (e.g., an acetone water solution). Alternatively, the interior may contain a filler material410that is able to retain heat when exposed to hot temperatures or heating methods (e.g., microwaving).

Further, the thermal massaging rod405may be made of a thermos-resistant plastic or any other rigid material with thermos-resistant properties such as one selected from the group consisting of metal, rubber, and a combination thereof.

The thermal massaging rod may also include a sleeve411wrapped around the tubular body406. The sleeve may be made of a material that does not become cold when exposed to substantially low temperatures such as one selected from the group consisting of thermos-resistant rubber, neoprene, and foam. The sleeve411allows a person to more comfortably use the thermal massaging rod405without substantial undesired exposure to decreased temperatures.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a thermal massaging apparatus that may further stimulate injury rehabilitation over using merely ice or massage, individually. Rather, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may combine the effects of ice and massage to decrease pain, inflammation, and swelling and remodel damaged tissue to allow for more efficient healing. In addition, the thermal massaging apparatus may prevent frostbite on an injured area of a human body.

As described above, although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited thereto but various modifications and alteration may be made without departing from the scope defined in the following claims.