Abstract:
A heated massage stone has a first receptacle having a first interior recess and a second receptacle having a second interior recess. A heating element is positioned in one of the first interior recess or the second interior recess. An attachment device is sued to secure the first receptacle to the second receptacle.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This invention claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. §120, to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/492,086 filed on 1 Jun. 2011, in the name of the same inventors and which application is incorporated by reference herein. The present application is further related to Design application 29/384,207 filed Jan. 27, 2011, in the name of the same inventors and hereby incorporated herewith. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to massage devices, and more specifically, to a self heating massage stone. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Massage therapy may involve the manual manipulation of soft body tissues to enhance the general health and well-being of a patient or a user. The manual manipulation may involve applying a pressure, a tension, a vibration to the soft body tissues with the help of various aids such as massage stones, massage lotions, essential oils, and the like. 
         [0004]    Massage stones are used in stone massage therapy by heating the massage stones before applying to the soft body tissues. Massage stones are usually made of basalt, which is rich in iron and has the ability to retain heat. 
         [0005]    Conventionally, massage stones are immersed in water that is then heated in an electric heating device until the massage stones attain a certain temperature range. After heating the hot massage stones are removed and applied to the soft body tissues. The therapist also massages the client&#39;s soft tissues with the warm stones, which may relieve tension, loosen adhesions, increase circulation, etc. 
         [0006]    However, there are several issues with massage stones. First, the therapist conducting the stone massage therapy has to ensure that the massage stones are a suitable temperature for use during therapy. Many times the stones are too hot, or not hot enough. Second, current massage stones tend to lose heat attained during the massage. Thus, the therapist/client contact may be interrupted every time the therapist must stop to get new heated stones because the stones in use have lost their heat. 
         [0007]    Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a device and method that overcomes the above problems. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a heated massage stone is disclosed. The heated massage stone has a first receptacle having a first interior recess and a second receptacle having a second interior recess. A heating element is positioned in one of the first interior recess or the second interior recess. An attachment device is used to secure the first receptacle to the second receptacle 
         [0009]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a heated massage stone is disclosed. The heated massage stone has a first receptacle having a first interior recess and a second receptacle having a second interior recess. A heating element is positioned in one of the first interior recess or the second interior recess. A rechargeable battery is attached to the heating element. A plurality of magnets is attached to a rim of the first receptacle and to a rim of the second receptacle to secure the first receptacle to the second receptacle. 
         [0010]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a heated massage stone is disclosed. The heated massage stone has a first receptacle having a first interior recess and a second receptacle having a second interior recess. A heating element is positioned in one of the first interior recess or the second interior recess. An insulation layer is attached to the heating element. A rechargeable battery is attached to the heating element. A plurality of magnets are attached to a rim of the first receptacle and to a rim of the second receptacle to secure the first receptacle to the second receptacle so that the first and second interior recesses form a cavity to retain the heating element 
         [0011]    The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the self heating massage stone; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2   a  is left side view of the self heating massage stone; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2   b  is a right side view of the self heating massage stone; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3   a  is top view of the self heating massage stone; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3   b  is a bottom view of the self heating massage stone; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4   a  is front view of the self heating massage stone; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4   b  is a rear view of the self heating massage stone; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view the self heating massage stone; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6   a  is top inside view of the self heating massage stone; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 6   b  is a bottom inside view of the self heating massage stone. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0024]    Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides a self-heating massage stone. Presently, stones used in a hot stone massage do not stay hot long enough. Embodiments of the present invention may allow one to give a stone massage for an entire treatment without having to switch out new stones. 
         [0025]    As depicted in the Figures, an embodiment of a massage stone  10  is shown. In accordance with one embodiment, the massage stone  10  may be formed out of ceramic. A ceramic material may be used as certain types of ceramics have the ability to readily dissipate heat. Further, the coloration and texture is intrinsic to the ceramic materials and so painting or other kinds of surface protection is not necessary in recurring maintenance. 
         [0026]    In accordance with one embodiment, the massage stone  10  may be formed as a two piece  10 A and  10 B massage stone. As may be seen in the Figures, each piece  10 A and  10 B may be formed semi-oval in shape to look like current massage stones. Each piece  10 A and  10 B may be formed with a semi-hollow interior  12 . 
         [0027]    In accordance with one embodiment, the massage stone  10  may be formed by using a two piece mold in the shape of a massage stone and a ceramic slip, or porcelain, or stoneware slip is poured in the mold. The mold may be formed by obtaining a stone and making a plaster mold of the stone using a double sided mold. 
         [0028]    Once set or dried, the bisque stone shapes may be taken out of the mold and set to dry. Once dried the bisque stone shapes may go into a kiln where the bisque stone shapes may be low fired or bisque fired. The bisque stone shapes may then be taken out and cooled, then glazed with a black shiny glaze. The bisque stone shapes may then be fired again in the kiln forming the two pieces  10 A and  10 B of the massage stone  10 . 
         [0029]    Once the two pieces  10 A and  10 B are taken out, connectors  14  may be placed around an interior rim  16  of each of the two pieces  10 A and  10 B. The connectors  14  may be used to secure the two pieces  10 A and  10 B together to form the massage stone  10  as a single unit which may resemble a basalt stone. 
         [0030]    In accordance with one embodiment, a plurality of magnets  14 A may be placed in the interior rim  16  of each of the two pieces  10 A and  10 B. The magnets  14 A may be positioned so that corresponding magnets  14 A may be aligned on each of the two pieces  10 A and  10 B when the two pieces  10 A and  10 B are attached. Also, the corresponding magnets  14 A should be of opposite polarity so that the two pieces  10 A and  10 B attaché to one another. While the massage stone  10  may be held together by magnets  14 A, other methods may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Alternative methods may be used such as using keys  14 B that may be molded into the two pieces  10 A and  10 B. One side has a male key and the other side has the female key into which the male key fits. 
         [0031]    In an embodiment, a heating element  16  may be positioned in the interior of one of the two pieces  10 A or  10 B. The heating element  16  may be used to warm the hollowed out ceramic massage stone  10  and keeps it warm. The heating element  16  may transmit heat to the surface of the piece  10 A or  10 B in which the heating element  16  is positioned. The heating element  16  may have an insulated cover  18 . The insulated cover  18  may prevent heat from dissipating outward toward the other piece  10 A or  10 B in which the heating element  16  is not positioned. 
         [0032]    The heating element  16  may be a powered by a rechargeable battery  20 . The rechargeable battery  20  may be a lithium ion battery or the like. 
         [0033]    The heating element  16  may be adjustable to control the temperature of the massage stone  10 . Further, the heating element  16  may keep the massage stone  10  continuously warm as the rechargeable battery  20  is able to power the heating element and keep the ceramic stone warm for the entire treatment. In contrast, conventional stones only stay hot for five minutes and then the therapist has to leave the clients body and get new stones. A process that has to constantly be repeated throughout the treatment. 
         [0034]    To use an embodiment, activate the heating element  16 . This may be done by turning on a switch  22  to the heating element. The switch  22  may be located external on the massage stone  10 . Alternatively, one may have to open the two halves  10 A and  10 B of the massage stone  10  and turn on a switch  22  located on/near the heating element  16 . Once activated, oil may be placed on the massage stone  10  and give a massage with them to a person. People can put them in their pockets as hand warmers as well. 
         [0035]    Other embodiments may have different shapes for the massage stone  10 , or different sources of heat on the inside. 
         [0036]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.