Abstract:
An aromatherapy chair for providing natural relaxation, rejuvenation and healing for the individual&#39;s mind, body, and soul by heating herbal ingredients placed in proximity to various parts, areas, regions, and limbs of the individual&#39;s body includes an eye and sinus coverings, a pair of neck and shoulder wraps, a pair of elbow and hand therapy gloves, a back therapy pad, a pair of knee, leg, and foot boots, and a pair of thigh wraps into which the herbal ingredients are disposed and through which wiring extends for heating the herbal ingredients for relaxing and healing the areas and limbs that are covered by and inserted and enclosed within the various coverings, pads and wraps with regular house current and batteries providing energy to a thermal heating element that regulates and conducts heat to and through the wiring and the type of herbal ingredients being specific to each particular area, region, appendage or limb to be relaxed and healed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention pertains to health aid products and devices, and more particularly pertains to a heated chair having herbal ingredients dispersed therethrough for the relaxation and healing of the body, mind, and soul. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Various types of devices are commonly and widely used to relieve, relax, rejuvenate and heal areas, parts, appendages and limbs of the body. Many of these devices include the added benefit of also healing the mind and soul. Such devices can range from simple and common ice packs, heat packs, and plug-in heating pads to more exotic and expensive contrivances that can include saunas, whirlpools, warm spring baths, and reposing on heated rocks. However, all of the aforementioned devices and contrivances have their specific shortcomings from difficulty of keeping ice packs and heat packs in contact with the body portion to the expense of using saunas and whirlpools for joint, muscle and limb healing. Therapeutic wraps are a preferred healing device as they are generally portable and inexpensive, and the prior art discloses a range of therapeutic wraps. 
   For example, the Cornwell patent (U.S. Pat. No. 3,621,191) discloses electrically heated (low voltage) footwear and hand wear wherein an insulating layer encloses a long-stranded heating wire for heating the item to a comfortable temperature. 
   The Johnson patent (U.S. Pat. No. 3,644,705) discloses a low-voltage, electrically heated shirt that includes a detachable heater assembly and stretchable bands that draw the heated shirt closer to the wearer&#39;s body. 
   The Murray et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,898) discloses a heating cap for hairstyles that includes a flexible heating element sandwiched between two flexible dielectric sheets so that selected heat distribution can be applied to the cap and thus the hair. 
   The Daniel patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,176) discloses a therapeutic wrap that includes a cross-shaped member that is wrapped about a hot or a cold pack for holding the pack in proximity to the area of the individual&#39;s body. 
   The Unrug patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,492) discloses a body warmer for enhancing the production of body heat by the distribution of mustard herbs in the shell of a body warmer. 
   The Pachys patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,728) discloses a scalp cooling/apparatus that includes a source of fluid for the cap, a power supply, and a thermostatic control apparatus. 
   The Archer et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,547) discloses compositions and wraps that pertain to over-the-counter analgesics and antipholigistic substances for reducing central and peripheral body inflammation and pain. 
   The Edwards et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,440,159 B1) discloses a multiuse therapy wrap that comprises a closed-cell neoprene laminate that is elastically deformable for fitting about various parts or portions of the body such as the ankle, calf, knee, arm, and elbow. 
   The Clayton patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,699,271 B2) discloses a therapeutic wrap that can be applied to various portions of the individual&#39;s body such as the neck and shoulders. 
   Nonetheless, despite the ingenuity of the above devices there remains a need for an all-in-one device, such as a chair, that incorporates herbal ingredients, thermal heating elements, and wraps or pads incorporating the herbal ingredients and the thermal heating elements for providing body, mind, and soul relaxation and healing by having the wraps and extensions placed on or enclosing portions or parts of the body of the individual so that the herbal ingredients can be heated for commencing the healing process. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention comprehends an aromatherapy chair that provides relaxation, rejuvenation and healing for the mind, body, and soul of the individual seated on the chair. The relaxation, rejuvenation, and healing is provided through various extensions, wraps, and pads that are placed upon, wrapped around or receive therein parts, portions, appendages or limbs of the individual seated on the chair so that herbal ingredients dispersed or distributed throughout the extensions, wraps, and pads can be warmed by electrical conductors extending therethrough and whose heating causes the release of the salutary chemical compositions and substances from the herbal ingredients thereby inducing the relaxation and healing of the individual&#39;s mind, body, and soul. 
   Thus, the aromatherapy chair of the present invention includes a chair having legs, a seat rest, an inclined seat back, and an inclined leg and foot support portion. A pair of arms are attached to the opposed sides of the seat back and forwardly extend toward the inclined leg and foot support portion. A detachable storage case is secured to the seat rest for storing therein a sinus covering that provides aromatherapy for the sinus and nasal regions and an eye covering that provides aromatherapy for the eyes. A housing is located beneath the seat rest and includes a control panel. The control panel includes a primary on/off button and control buttons for selectively activating each of the specific aromatherapy extensions, wraps, pads, and coverings. Circuitry and a thermal heating element are also enclosed within the housing and are interconnected to the buttons on the control panel. Electrical wiring leads out from the housing, and extends to and throughout all of the extensions, coverings, wraps, and pads for heating the herbal ingredients located and dispersed therein. A standard electrical plug for plugging into a house outlet provides power in the form of standard house electrical current to the thermal heating element while the heat for the eye covering and the sinus covering are produced by batteries placed within a battery compartment that is also contained within the housing for the control panel. 
   Each of the aromatherapy wraps and pads is controlled through its own on/off button so that all of the wraps and pads don&#39;t need activated if the individual only wants to use a specific wrap or pad, for example, one or both of the neck and shoulder wraps and the back therapy wrap. The material that the extensions, coverings, wraps, and pads are composed of should provide a soft touch to the skin and is preferably of the material referred to by the generic designation as terry cloth. In addition, the natural herbal ingredients for each body portion or area, for each limb, and for the eyes, sinus area, neck and shoulders are specific for that body part, portion, or area. 
   It is an objective of the present invention to provide an aromatherapy chair that provides for the relaxation, rejuvenation, and healing of the mind, body, and soul of the individual. 
   It is another objective of the present invention to provide an aromatherapy chair that helps to rid the body of pain, assists in stimulating circulation and in breaking down the toxins that accumulate in the joints and muscles. 
   It is still another objective of the present invention to provide an aromatherapy chair that relaxes and alleviates respiratory illnesses. 
   It is still yet another objective of the present invention to provide an aromatherapy chair that is able to calm, relax, and reduce mental fatigue and that can stimulate and strengthen circulation. 
   It is still yet a further objective of the present invention to provide an aromatherapy chair that is able to reduce and eliminate pain while offering a natural sedation. 
   Still yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an aromatherapy chair in which various herbal ingredients are heated to soothe and heal different parts of the body. 
   These and other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent upon a perusal of the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures and appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the aromatherapy chair of the present invention illustrating the various pads and wraps that are placed on or encompass portions or parts of the body for providing herbal relaxation and healing; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the aromatherapy chair of the present invention illustrating an individual seated on the chair with the pads and wraps placed on various areas of the individual&#39;s body and with the individual&#39;s limbs placed within the extensions for herbal relaxation and healing; 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged side elevational view of the aromatherapy chair of the present invention illustrating the control buttons and the housing for the chair; 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic view of the aromatherapy chair of the present invention illustrating the control panel and buttons, battery compartment, the thermal heating element, and the extension of the electrical wiring throughout all the various pads and wraps; 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged sectioned view of the aromatherapy chair of the present invention illustrating the disposition of the herbal eye covering upon the eyes of the individual and its connection to the control panel; and 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged sectioned view of the aromatherapy chair of the present invention illustrating the disposition of the herbal sinus covering upon the nose and sinuses of the individual and its connection to the control panel. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6  is an aromatherapy chair  10  for providing healing, relaxation, and rejuvenation to the mind, body, and soul of an individual  12  seated therein. The aromatherapy chair  10  of the present invention provides natural herbal healing for the mental and physical components or aspects of the individual  12 . The aromatherapy chair  10  is portable and can be easily adapted for situations that include, but are not limited to, home uses, office uses (executive, secretary, office personnel), doctors and chiropractors&#39; offices, sports training facilities and complexes, personal trainers, SPA&#39;s, and massage salons, rehabilitation centers, senior citizens homes, lodgings and cabins used for hikers, skiers, hunters, backpackers, etc., and daycare centers, schools and colleges. 
   Thus, as shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , the aromatherapy chair  10  includes a plurality of spaced-apart legs  14  that are attached at their respective upper ends to an underside  16  of a seat rest  18 . The seat rest  18  also includes a padded and cushioned upper side  20 . Upwardly extending at an angle from the seat rest  18  is a seat back  22 . The back  22  of the chair  10  can be adjustable so that the individual  12  can obtain the proper inclination when situated upon the chair  10 . Secured to opposed sides of the back  22  of the chair  10  are a pair of arms  24 . The arms  24  can also be adjustable so that the individual  12  can comfortably rest his/her arms  26  on the arms  24 . Attached to the front of the seat rest  18 , and extending downwardly therefrom, is a leg support portion  28 . Integrally attached to the distal end of the leg support portion  28 , and projecting at a right angle therefrom, is a foot rest portion  30  for supporting the feet  32  of the individual  12  so that the individual&#39;s feet  32  don&#39;t have to dangle from the end of the leg support portion  28 . 
   The aromatherapy chair  10  includes a number of extensions, coverings, wraps, and pads that are integrally attached to the various portions of the chair  10  and which can be selectively wrapped about, placed or laid upon, or into which the feet  32 , legs  34 , hands  36 , and arms  26  of the individual  12  can be inserted for receiving the aromatherapy treatment. Thus, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , the aromatherapy chair  12  includes a pair of flexible neck and shoulder wraps  38  that are individually placeable upon the neck  40  and shoulders  42  of the individual  12  and which are interconnected adjacent the opposed sides of the back  22  of the chair  12 . A back therapy pad  44  is secured to and located on the inside surface of the back  22  of the chair  10 . The back therapy pad  44  is layered within the back  22  of the chair  10  and provides aromatherapy for the back  46  of the individual  12 . 
   Illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4  are a pair of elbow and hand therapy gloves  48  with each glove  48  mounted upon the upper side of the respective arm  24  of the chair  10 . Each glove  48  includes an internal cavity  50  into which the hands  36  and arms  26 —up to the elbows—of the individual  12  are removably insertable for receiving the aromatherapy treatment. Attached to each opposed side of the seat rest  18  of the chair  10  is a flexible, rectangular-shaped thigh wrap  52 . Each thigh wrap  52  can be placed upon and wrapped around the thigh area of the leg  34  of the seated individual  12  for providing aromatherapy treatment to that region. Mounted to the upper sides of the leg support portion  28  and the footrest support portion  30  is a pair of side-by-side knee, leg, and feet therapy boots  54 . Each boot  54  generally follows the shape and contour of the leg support and foot support portion  28  and  30 , and each boot  54  further includes an internal chamber  56  into which the feet  32  and legs  34  of the individual  12  (up to the knee area) can be slipped into and out of for receiving the aromatherapy treatment. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the aromatherapy chair  10  also includes aromatherapy pads for the eyes  58 , the nose  60 , and the sinus area or region  62 . Specifically, a flexible eye therapy covering  64  is placed upon and over the eyes  58  of the individual  12 . The eye therapy covering  64  includes an electrical wire  66  having a plug or jack at the wire&#39;s  64  distal end for plugging into and unplugging from structure hereinafter further described. In addition, the aromatherapy chair  10  also includes a flexible sinus therapy covering  68  for placement upon and over the nose  60  and sinus areas  62  of the individual  12 . The sinus therapy covering  68  includes an electrical wire  70  for plugging into and unplugging from structure hereinafter further described. The sinus covering  68  and the eye covering  64  are thus attachable and detachable plug-in aromatherapy devices. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , a housing  72  and a storage case  74  are mounted beneath the seat rest  18  of the chair  10 . The sinus therapy covering  68  and the eye therapy covering  64 , along with their attached electrical wires  66  and  70 , can be stored within the storage case  74  when not in use. The housing  72  contains the heating, control and circuitry elements and features for the aromatherapy chair  10 . Thus, enclosed within the housing  72  are the circuitry elements  76  that include a microprocessor that is electrically interconnected to a thermal heating element  78  of any standard and conventional design. Interconnected to the thermal heating element  78  and extending from the housing  72  to all the wraps, coverings and pads is electrical wiring or conductors  80  for carrying the electrical current that heats the wraps and pads for inducing the aromatherapy treatment. The thermal heating element  78  regulates the amount of heat—voltage—conveyed to the various wraps and pads by the electrical conductors  80  and which are shown in  FIG. 4  as extending throughout all the pads and wraps  38 ,  44 ,  48 ,  52 , and  54 . A control panel  82  is located on the housing  72  and includes control buttons  84  hereinafter further described and a pair of jacks  86  for the plugs at the distal end of the electrical wires  66  and  70  for the sinus therapy covering  68  and the eye therapy covering  64 . A battery compartment  88  for the placement therein of batteries is also contained within the housing  72  as the heat for inducing the aromatherapy treatment for the sinus therapy covering  68  and the eye therapy covering  64  is produced from batteries, and not generated from electrical current. An electrical wire  90  having a plug  92  at its distal end thereof extends from the housing  72  for plugging into a standard wall outlet or receptacle  94  so that power can be provided to the control panel  82 , the thermal heating element  78 , and thence to the electrical wiring or conductors  80  extending to and throughout all of the wraps, coverings, pads, gloves, and boots. 
   In obtain to achieve a selective use of the aromatherapy pads, gloves, boots, coverings and wraps  38 ,  44 ,  48 ,  52 ,  54 ,  64  and  68 , as the individual  12  may only desire to use one or several pads or wraps during any given therapy session, i.e., only the knee, leg, and feet therapy boots  54  to treat and heal a sore or strained calf or thigh, the control buttons  84  are further designated as individual wrap and pad control buttons mounted on the control panel  82  of the housing  72  as well as a primary on/off button  96  for initially activating the aromatherapy chair  10  after the chair  10  has been plugged into the wall outlet  94 . Thus, the control button  84  designated button one activates the neck and shoulder wraps  38 , button two activates the back therapy pad  44 , button three activates the elbow and hand therapy gloves  48 , button four activates the thigh wraps  52 , button five activates the knee, leg, and feet boots  54 , button six activates the eye therapy covering  64 , and button seven activates the sinus therapy covering  68 . The control buttons  84  denoted one, three, four, and five can be further designed so that pressing these buttons once activates the left-hand wrap, glove, or boot  38 ,  48 ,  52 , or  54 , while pressing the aforesaid control buttons twice activates the right-hand wrap, glove, or boot  38 ,  48 ,  52 , or  54 . This provides an even more selective use of the aromatherapy chair  10  for targeting and treating specific areas of the body. 
   The aromatherapy chair  10  includes a wide range of herbal substances, compounds, or ingredients  98  for producing the natural body relaxation and healing, and the components of the chair  10 —the wraps, pads, coverings, mitts, and boots  38 ,  44 ,  48 ,  52 ,  54 ,  64 , and  68 —are filled with or have disposed or permeated therein the herbal ingredients  98 . Moreover, specific herbal ingredients are designated for each area of the body and thus unique ingredients are placed or located in the various wraps, coverings, pads, and mitts. 
   Thus, the herbal ingredients  98  disposed or located in the neck and shoulder wraps  38 , the back therapy pad  44 , the elbow and hand therapy gloves  48 , the thigh wraps  52 , and the knee, leg, and feet therapy boots  54  are selected from the range of herbal ingredients  98  that include the following: allspice which is a natural sedative for relaxation; black pepper for stimulating circulation; ginger for easing joint pain; juniper berry that relaxes muscle spasms; and mustard seed for stimulating circulation for breaking down toxins in the muscles and joints. The eye therapy covering  64  and the sinus therapy covering  68  have placed or disposed therein herbal ingredients  98  selected from a range that includes the following: basil for treating respiratory ills and which is also a mentally clarifying antispasmodic; marjoram for easing respiration and which is an analgesic and sedative; peppermint for cooling, soothing and use as a decongestant; rosemary which is an analgesic, relaxant, for reducing mental fatigue; increasing circulation, and easing headaches; chamomile for soothing, calming, and promoting a “dream” state of mind, and which is also an anti-inflammatory; and lavender for producing sweetness, calming, soothing, and balancing emotions and thoughts, and which is an analgesic and an anti-depressant. 
   Thus, the aromatherapy chair  10  is an all-in-one device for treating the mind, body, and soul of the individual  12  by selectively placing one or more of the wraps, boots, gloves, and coverings  38 ,  42 ,  44 ,  48 ,  52 ,  54 ,  64 , and  68  upon the various regions of the body or by the individual  12  placing his or her arms  26  and legs  34  into the gloves and boots  48  and  54 . The aforesaid devices can be selectively turned on as needed via the respective control buttons  84  so that heat is conveyed and transferred from the thermal heating element  78  in a regulated manner through the electrical wiring  80  extending through all the wraps, pads, coverings thereby causing the release of the active healing and relaxing substances and compounds of the specific herbal ingredients  98 . 
   The described embodiments of the aforesaid invention are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the invention is therefore indicated by the appended claims and any and all changes, variations, and alterations are considered to come within the meaning and range of the claims and are to be embraced within their scope and equivalents thereof.