The sophistication of technology used in adult toys has increased significantly. However, the shape and appearance of adult toys has seemed to have stagnated, as they tend to either have a somewhat geometric shape, such as having smooth curves and oblong shapes, or are ultra-realistically shaped, such as being based on moldings taken from body parts. The appearance of the adult toys has also plateaued, with the various articles often having simple colors and patterns, ranging from skin tone colors to bright colors likely designed to attract attention. There is a need for an adult toy that creates an appearance of being made of a material inappropriate for use as an adult toy, while being able to take on a variety of shapes, including ranging between the somewhat geometric shape to the ultra-realistic shape.
An adult toy is disclosed. In one example, an adult toy including a main body including a rear, central and front portions and defining a tip end and a rear end, and including an inner body and an outer body overlaying at least a portion of the inner body, each of the inner body and outer body defining a rear, central and front portion corresponding to the rear, central and front portion of the main body. The central portion of the inner body defining at least in part an elongated shape, and the front portion of the inner body defining a tapering cone-shape with a rounded front end. The outer body may overlay at least a portion of the inner body, wherein the inner body is at least partially visible through the outer body. Additionally, a thickness of the outer body on the central portion may be consistent.
Optionally or additionally, a thickness of the outer body over the front portion is greater than a thickness of the outer body over the central portion. Optionally or additionally, the thickness of the outer body over the front portion is about twice as thick as the thickness of the outer body over the central portion; and the outer body over the front portion replicates the shape of the front portion of the inner body.
Optionally or additionally, the outer body may define an outer surface, and the outer surface replicates the shape of the central portion and the front portion of the inner body.
Optionally or additionally, the inner body may define an outer surface and the outer surface may include at least one feature element positioned on the outer surface. The outer body may define an outer surface that overlays the outer surface of the inner body and the at least one feature element, and a thickness of the outer body over the feature element is the same as or less than a thickness of the outer body over the outer surface of the inner body.
Optionally or additionally, the at least one feature element includes an elongated first feature element extending along a majority of the length of the inner body including along at least part of the central portion and at least part of the front portion, and an elongated second feature element extending along a majority of the length of the inner body including at least part of the central portion and at least part of the front portion, and the at least two feature elements protrude from the outer surface of the inner body. Optionally or additionally, the second feature element is positioned on an opposite side from the first feature element. Optionally or additionally, the first and second feature elements each extend in a non-linear manner. Optionally or additionally, the at least one feature element protrudes from the outer surface of the inner body.
Optionally or additionally, the at least one feature element is a plurality of protruding nubs extending from the outer surface of the inner body, and the plurality of protruding nubs are exposed through the outer surface of the outer body.
Optionally or additionally, a portion of the plurality of protruding nubs are aligned linearly along at least the central portion of the inner body.
Optionally or additionally, a portion of the plurality of protruding nubs are aligned along the length of at least the central portion of the inner body in more than two equally spaced rows.
Optionally or additionally, there may be three rows of protruding nubs aligned along at least the central portion and spaced equidistant from an adjacent row.
Optionally or additionally, the at least one feature element may be embedded in a recess formed in the outer surface of the inner body, and the at least one feature element protrudes from the surface of the inner body. Optionally or additionally, the feature element is flush with the outer surface of the inner body.
Optionally or additionally, the recess formed in the outer surface of the inner body corresponds to the shape of the engagement of the at least one feature element with the outer surface of the inner body.
Optionally or additionally, the at least one feature element is attached to the outer surface of the inner body.
Optionally or additionally, the toy may include at least one feature element separate from the inner body and suspended in the outer body. Optionally or additionally, the outer body defines a layer thickness; and the at least one feature element is positioned outside the top 10% of the layer thickness. Optionally or additionally, the outer body defines a layer thickness; and the at least one feature element is positioned in the bottom 10% of the layer thickness. Optionally or additionally, the outer body defines a layer thickness, and the at least one feature element is positioned in the middle third of the layer thickness.
Optionally or additionally, the inner body of the toy may define a recess with an opening defined in the rear portion, and include a container defining an interior chamber having an open front end and a closed rear end, and wherein the container is received within the recess, with the open front end oriented toward the front portion of the inner body and the closed rear end oriented toward the rear portion of the inner body. Optionally or additionally, the container is cylindrical in shape. Optionally or additionally, the outer body may be transparent.
Additional embodiments and/or features are set forth in part in the description that follows, and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the specification or may be learned by the practice of the disclosed subject matter. A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings, which forms a part of this disclosure. One of skill in the art will understand that each of the various aspects and features of the disclosure may advantageously be used separately in some instances, or in combination with other aspects and features of the disclosure in other instances.
The following description generally relates to an adult toy article, apparatus or device that is made in a manner that creates an appearance of the toy being made of glass or another like material not considered appropriate for an adult toy, but is actually safe to use for this purpose, and is able to be shaped, molded, and formed into many different varieties of adult toys. The adult toy article described herein generally includes a main body defined by an inner body and an outer body. The inner body has a generally elongated shape having a tapered front end. The outer body overlays all or a portion of the inner body. The outer body is transparent or partially transparent so that the inner body may be viewed through the outer body. Where the outer body is sufficiently transparent, the main body appears to be a glass-like, substance. The appearance of glass used on this type of device is unique, counter-intuitive and unusual. Additionally, the transparent or partially transparent outer body allows relief features, if any, that are positioned on the outer surface of the inner body to affect the appearance and/or function/effectiveness of the device, and may be readily seen and appreciated.
The outer body of the apparatus described herein at least partially, covers the inner body. In some examples, the outer body of the apparatus may include a layer of an at least partially transparent flexible or resilient material, such as for example, silicone rubber, formed over an inner body. In some examples, the inner body may have a relief feature or features that visibly depicted through the outer body. In some examples, the apparatus may be formed using a technique commonly known as over-molding or insert-molding. In some examples, the inner body may include a recess for removably receiving a container. In one example, where the outer body is formed of transparent silicone rubber the disclosed apparatus and/or method may provide an advantage in contrast to adult toys made of other materials because while it looks like it is made of glass, the flexible outer body it is able to withstand somewhat rough handling, such as that when the apparatus may be used and/or otherwise handled.
While the examples used throughout are based on the traditional elongated, torpedo shaped adult toy, the inner body, as well as the overlying outer body, may be shaped, molded, or formed into a variety of shapes suitable for many intended adult toy purposes.
Referring to
The outer surface 136 of the main body 102, which is this example includes the outer surface 138 of the outer body 116, forms an elongated shape, which in this example has a circular cross-section, for example shown in
The inner body 114 defines an outer surface 142, and forms an elongated shape, which in this example has a circular cross-section, for example shown in
The outer body 116 overlays at least a portion of the inner body 114. The outer body 116 may be sufficiently transparent, including transparent, partially transparent, translucent, or partially translucent, to view at least a portion of the inner body 114, and associated relief features if any, there through. The outer body 116 may be made of silicone rubber, for example including compression molded, platinum cured silicone rubber. Examples of a silicone rubber that may be at least partially transparent include 100% optically clear liquid silicone rubber, clouded clear compression molded silicone rubber, hardened silicone and heat-cured rubber (HCR) silicone. The outer body 116 may have different transparency levels overlaying different parts of the inner body 114. This may improve the appearance of the article, or may emphasize various feature elements of the article. It also may have a functional basis, where the areas of higher use or friction may be less noticeable if the outer layer in those areas is less transparent. For instance, the transparency level of the outer body 116 extending over the tip end 130 of the inner body 114 may be lower than the transparency level of the outer body 116 extending over the central portion 122 of the inner body 114. The inner body 114 may also be made of silicone rubber, or may also be made of materials that provide some level of rigidity or stiffness, including plastic, metal, composites, or the like. The nominal thickness Tn of the outer body 116 may be a layer of between 1 mm to 3 centimeters thick, or more or less, depending on the application. A nominal thickness of 0.5 cm may be considered acceptable. The largest nominal cross sectional dimension (such as that of
The outer surface 138 of the outer body, as shown in this example, may have a shape that at least partially conforms to and replicates the shape of the inner body 114. As shown, for example, the outer body 116 replicates the shape the inner body along the central portion 122, the front portion 126, and at least part of the rear portion 118, but not the terminal rear end 140 of the inner body 114. In some examples, the outer surface 138 of the outer body 116 may however define a shape that does not conform to the shape of the inner body 114, and instead may have a shape different than the shape of the inner body 114. For one example, the outer surface 138 of the outer body 116 may form a circular cross section while the outer surface 142 of the inner body 114 may form a non-circular cross section, such as for example a square cross section.
The rear end 140 of the inner body 114 may extend beyond the rear end 144 of the outer body 116, and may form a rim 146 that radially overlaps at least a portion of the rear terminal end 144 of the outer body 116. The rear terminal end 144 of the outer body 116 defines a terminal edge 148 that, in this example, abuts with the rim 146. The terminal end 144 of the rear portion 120 of the outer body 116 may abut the rim 146 continuously, or discontinuously, and may in some examples not abut the rim 146. The rim 146 may form a gripping feature for a user to grasp in order to move the main body 102. In some examples, at least some portions of the edge of the outer rim 146 may be flush with the outer surface of the outer body, and thus also with the main body. The rim 146 may form a continuous annular periphery, or may be formed as cog teeth, or may take other continuous or discontinuous shapes. The rim 146 may extend beyond the outer surface 138 of the outer body 116, or may not extend all the way to the outer surface 138 of the outer body 116.
Another example of the toy is shown in
In another example, the rear end 150 of the inner body 114 may be exposed or uncovered at the rear end 152 of the outer body 116 by the rear layer 154 being absent, leaving a wall extending at least partially around the periphery of the rear end 144 of the outer body 116. In this example, the rear end 150 of the inner body 114 is accessible through the outer body 116.
Because the inner body 114 may be seen through the outer body 116, which relief features 160 applied to the inner body 114 may provide aesthetic and/or functional enhancements to the toy. Examples of relief features 160 are shown and described with respect to
In general, and with reference to at least
The outer body 116 may overlay the relief features 156. The relief features may cause a corresponding shape or relief contour to be formed in the outer surface 138 of the outer body 116, such as for example when the thickness of the outer body 116 over the relief feature 156 is the same as, similar to, or greater than the thickness of the outer body 116 over the outer surface 142 of the inner body 114 without a relief feature 156. The relief features 156 may not cause a corresponding or similar resultant shape to be formed in the outer surface 138 of the outer body 116, such as for example when the thickness of the outer body 116 over the relief features 156 is less than the thickness of the outer body 116 over the outer surface 142 of the inner body 114 without a relief feature 156.
Relief features 156 may also be suspended in the outer body 116, and may or may not be combined with relief features 156 positioned on the inner body. See for example
One example of a relief feature 156 is shown in
The relief feature or features 160, 162 on the inner body 114 may be applied to the outer surface 142 of the inner body 114. In one example, the relief features 160, 162 may each or both be adhered to the outer surface of the main body with adhesive or other types of bonding. The relief features 160, 162 may each or both be molded onto the outer surface 142 of the inner body 114, such as by co-molding. The relief features may each or both be formed in the surface of the inner body 114, such as when the inner body 114 itself is molded, and be integral therewith.
The feature element or elements 160, 162 may protrude from the outer surface 142 of the inner body 114 to a height of ⅕th of the actual thickness or the nominal thickness of the outer body 116. Again, the nominal thickness of the outer body 116 may be defined as the thickness of the outer layer 116 overlying the outer surface 142 of the inner body where there is no feature element. The feature element may protrude to a height of ⅞ths or more of the actual thickness of the outer layer 116 or the nominal thickness nominal thickness of the outer layer 116. The feature element or elements may cause a corresponding relief shape in the outer surface 138 of the outer body 116. Depending on the thickness of the outer body 116 overlying the feature element or elements, the outer surface 138 of the outer body 116 may not form a relief shape, or may form a significant relief shape. Where no relief shape is created, the feature element or elements may provide a primarily aesthetic effect. Where a relief shape is formed, the feature element or elements may additionally provide a functional enhancement, such as increased friction, caused by the change in the local height in the outer surface 138 of the outer layer 116.
The feature element or elements 160, 162 may protrude through the outer surface 138 of the outer body 116 to be flush with the nominal thickness of the outer body 116 or to extend above the outer surface 138 of the outer body 116. This protrusion through the outer surface of the outer body 116 is described in greater detail below.
The example shown in
The relief feature 166 of this example may include more than one relief feature. For example, five separate relief features 166a, 166b, 166c, 166d, 166e, as best shown in
Another example of a relief feature is shown in
Where there are a plurality of protruding nubs 172, in one example some of the nubs (for example three or more) may be aligned linearly, such as in
In this example, the thickness of the front portion 128 of the outer body 116 over the front portion 126 of the inner body 114 is approximately twice as thick as the nominal thickness. In one example, the nominal thickness is 0.5 cm, or may be as described elsewhere throughout. Other relative thicknesses may be desired for different purposes or portions of the main body 102. For instance, an outer body thickness of 1.5× the nominal thickness may be appropriate for a peripheral band (for example 0.5 centimeters wide) formed continuously or discontinuously around the outer body 116 at the transition between the central portion 124 and the front portion 128 of the outer body 116. The transition in the thickness of the outer body 116, in this case between the central portion 124 and the front portion 128, is a fillet or sloping shoulder structure 175, but may alternatively be an abrupt step transition or other shape.
The thickness of the outer body 116 may be greater at any position overlaying the inner body 114, or may be greater in select locations overlaying the inner body 114. For instance, the thickness of the outer body 116 may be thicker in discrete locations along part of the central portion 124 of the outer body 116, forming one or a plurality of ribs 176 extending outwardly from the outer surface 138 of the outer body 116. See
The container 182 may be received in the recess 180. The container 182 includes an open front end 190 and a closed rear end wall 192 forming the closed end 186, and may have an elongated tubular shape formed by a cylindrical side wall 194 defining an internal compartment or cavity 196. The front end of the container 182 may be closed off by a wall (not shown). In the example shown, the internal cavity 180 of the inner body 114 extends beyond the front end of the container 182. In some examples, the internal cavity 180 of the inner body 114 may be the same or substantially the same length as the container 182, and the end of the cavity 180 may act to cover or close the open front end of the container 182. The rear end wall 192 of the container 182 may be removable attached, such as for example by a press fit, or corresponding threads, from the sidewall of the container 182 and act as a cap or cover for the compartment inside the container 182. This removable end wall 192 would then allow access to the container without removing the container from the cavity 180. The container 182 defines a central compartment 196 extending from the front end 198 to the closed rear end 186. The container 182 may be removable from the recess 180.
The container 182 provides an internal compartment or cavity space 196, which may be used to house electronics related to a vibrating motor, or may be used to store items if desired. The exploded view in
The inner body 114 and outer body 116 used as examples herein have focused on a single inner body 114 and a single outer body 116. The adult toy of the present description and according to the instant invention may also include more than one inner body 114, each with an outer body 116, or may include more than one inner body 114 with less than all inner bodies 114 having an outer body 116.
The description of certain embodiments included herein is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the disclosure or its applications or uses. In the included detailed description of embodiments of the present systems and methods, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and which are shown by way of illustration specific to embodiments in which the described systems and methods may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice presently disclosed systems and methods, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and that structural and logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Moreover, for the purpose of clarity, detailed descriptions of certain features will not be discussed when they would be apparent to those with skill in the art so as not to obscure the description of embodiments of the disclosure. The included detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the disclosure is defined only by the appended claims.
From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of various embodiments of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings and/or examples making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.
As used herein and unless otherwise indicated, the terms “a” and “an” are taken to mean “one”, “at least one” or “one or more”. Unless otherwise required by context, singular terms used herein shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”. Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural and singular number, respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” and “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of the application.
Of course, it is to be appreciated that any one of the examples, embodiments or processes described herein may be combined with one or more other examples, embodiments and/or processes or be separated and/or performed amongst separate devices or device portions in accordance with the present systems, devices and methods.
Finally, the above discussion is intended to be merely illustrative of the present system and should not be construed as limiting the appended claims to any particular embodiment or group of embodiments. Thus, while the present system has been described in particular detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should also be appreciated that numerous modifications and alternative embodiments may be devised by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the broader and intended spirit and scope of the present system as set forth in the claims that follow. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative manner and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.