Patent Application
20200060928
This invention relates to devices and more particularly to the provisioning of devices wherein the motive means and mechanical actuators are provided in a manner allowing insertion of a part of the human body such that the device is wearable.
Devices that apply pressure either continuously, intermittently, or with one or more characteristic frequencies to one or more regions of a user's body are associated with a range of medical, therapeutic, and recreational activities. For example, massage devices or massagers provide for mechanical pressure application to compliment or replace the user of a massager's fingers, palms, hands, etc. and are employed both by medical/therapy professionals and consumers alike. Those imparting generally more localized higher frequency stimulation to the user's body have evolved to include those for medical/therapeutic use but also to include recreational activities primarily of a sexual nature and are commonly referred to as vibrators. In fact, one of the most successful vibrators for sexual stimulation, the Hitachi Magic Wand (renamed as Magic Wand Original, Original Magic Wand or referred to simply as Magic Wand) was an electrical, AC-powered vibrating massager, originally manufactured and marketed for relieving tension and relaxing sore muscles before becoming a popular vibrator for clitoral stimulation.
Medical and therapeutic massagers tend to be larger devices which are electrical mains powered (e.g. typically alternating current or AC) whereas except for some niche devices and wand style massagers vibrators targeted as sexual therapeutic use are usually battery powered (e.g. direct current, DC) devices due to the eased use without an electrical cord (cable) and requirement for an electrical outlet within range of the location of use. Accordingly, such vibrators form a significant portion of the overall retail market and product offerings within what are commonly referred to as sex toys or adult devices.
A sex toy or adult device is an object or device that is primarily used to facilitate human sexual pleasure which are typically designed to resemble human genitals and may be mechanized and non-mechanized. Mechanized adult devices typically vibrate, although there are examples that rotate, thrust, and even circulate small beads within an elastomeric shell. Non-mechanized adult devices are made from a solid mass of rigid or semi-rigid material in a variety of shapes. Accordingly, today, a wide range of adult devices are offered commercially to users with the majority of them falling into several broad categories including clitoral, (G-spot), dildo, rabbit (generally comprising two vibrators, one phallus-like shaped intended for insertion and a second smaller clitoral stimulator), egg (small smooth vibrators for external or internal stimulation although now offered in a range of shapes), anal, penis ring, bullet (small cylindrical vibrators), c-shaped (for generally hands free use by insertion into the vagina with one or two vibrators for clitoral and/or g-spot stimulation including variants for use during penile penetration) and Butterfly (generally a vibrator with straps). All of these are generally “hand-held” devices with a “solid” casing or shell such that the user stimulates themselves or another through the external surface of the adult device. The exceptions are a penis ring, which is intended to sit at the base of the penile shaft and vibrate against the clitoral region of a female partner during vaginal penetration, and a male adult device intended for the penis to be inserted and stimulated either through a range of vibrations and movements associated with the penis.
In addition to the above general categories there are adult device variants including, but not limited to, dual vibrators (designed to stimulate two erogenous zones simultaneously or independently), triple vibrators (designed to stimulate three erogenous zones simultaneously or independently), double-ended (for vaginal-vaginal, vaginal-anal, or anal-anal stimulation); nipple stimulators, and electrostimulators. Some other devices such as Kegel balls or Ben-Wa balls which are ostensibly aimed at vaginal muscle exercises etc. can include vibrating elements and are also generally categorized under adult devices.
However, the majority of prior art devices are designed and intended for, what the inventor refers to as, a discrete penetrative act in that they are primarily intended for penetration of an orifice in isolation from and disconnected with any penetration of the orifice by an individual's or the individual's partner rather than enhanced penetrative act provided by embodiments of the invention wherein the penetrative act is enhanced/augmented through an adult device which is worn by an individual's partner or employed in conjunction with a penetrative adult device. Here, the penis ring is excluded by the inventor as it is not enhancing the penetrative act but rather providing a secondary stimulation in that whilst it is worn on an individual's penis and vibrates it does so against the external clitoral region of the user. In contrast, so-called C-shaped devices provide hands-free stimulation of the individual's clitoris and g-spot with optional concurrent penetration. However, these are inserted and removed discretely from the penetrative act itself.
Accordingly, the inventor has established that it would be beneficial to provide users with a range of adult devices that support use in association with their use of a predetermined region of their body, e.g. the penis, tongue, toe(s), and finger(s), for example, such that can be considered wearable adult device or adult devices that are worn during concurrent with penetrative sexual activities In order to provide such wearable devices it would therefore be beneficial for one or more of these predetermined regions of the body to be through or within the adult device such that the adult device has a hollow shaft. Further, such hollow shaft devices for augmented or enhanced penetrative activities yield a variable engagement with the individual based upon the penetrative activity of another adult device to which the hollow shaft adult device is mounted or another individual's body region. The inventor has also established that such wearable devices with hollow shafts also provide for a range of massage and therapeutic devices.
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
It is an object of the present invention to mitigate limitations within the prior art relating to devices and more particularly to the provisioning of devices wherein the motive means and mechanical actuators are provided in a manner allowing insertion of a part of the human body such that the device is wearable.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is provided a device comprising:
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is provided a device comprising:
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:
The present invention is directed to devices and more particularly to the provisioning of devices wherein the motive means and mechanical actuators are provided in a manner allowing insertion of a part of the human body such that the device is wearable.
The ensuing description provides representative embodiment(s) only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the embodiment(s) will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an embodiment or embodiments of the invention. It being understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, an embodiment is an example or implementation of the inventions and not the sole implementation. Various appearances of “one embodiment,” “an embodiment” or “some embodiments” do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments. Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention can also be implemented in a single embodiment or any combination of embodiments.
Reference in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “some embodiments” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiment, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the inventions. The phraseology and terminology employed herein is not to be construed as limiting but is for descriptive purpose only. It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to “a” or “an” element, such reference is not to be construed as there being only one of that element. It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, “can” or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included.
Reference to terms such as “left”, “right”, “top”, “bottom”, “front” and “back” are intended for use in respect to the orientation of the particular feature, structure, or element within the figures depicting embodiments of the invention. It would be evident that such directional terminology with respect to the actual use of a device has no specific meaning as the device can be employed in a multiplicity of orientations by the user or users. Reference to terms “including”, “comprising”, “consisting” and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps, integers or groups thereof and that the terms are not to be construed as specifying components, features, steps or integers. Likewise, the phrase “consisting essentially of”, and grammatical variants thereof, when used herein is not to be construed as excluding additional components, steps, features integers or groups thereof but rather that the additional features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, device or method. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.
A “portable electronic device” (PED) as used herein and throughout this disclosure refers to, but is not limited to, a wireless device used for communications and other applications that requires a battery or other independent form of energy for power. This includes devices, but is not limited to, such as a cellular telephone, smartphone, personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computer, pager, portable multimedia player, portable gaming console, laptop computer, tablet computer, a wearable device and an electronic reader.
A “fixed electronic device” (FED) as used herein and throughout this disclosure refers to, but is not limited to, a wireless and/or wired device used for communications and other applications that requires connection to a fixed interface to obtain power. This includes, but is not limited to, a laptop computer, a personal computer, a computer server, a kiosk, a gaming console, a digital set-top box, an analog set-top box, an Internet enabled appliance, an Internet enabled television, and a multimedia player.
A “server” as used herein, and throughout this disclosure refers to, but is not limited to, one or more physical computers co-located and/or geographically distributed running one or more services as a host to users of other computers, PEDs, FEDs, etc. to serve the client needs of these other users. This includes, but is not limited to, a database server, file server, mail server, print server, web server, gaming server, or virtual environment server.
An “application” (commonly referred to as an “app”) as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, a “software application”, an element of a “software suite”, a computer program designed to allow an individual to perform an activity, a computer program designed to allow an electronic device to perform an activity, and a computer program designed to communicate with local and/or remote electronic devices. An application thus differs from an operating system (which runs a computer), a utility (which performs maintenance or general-purpose chores), and a programming tools (with which computer programs are created). Generally, within the following description with respect to embodiments of the invention an application is generally presented in respect of software permanently and/or temporarily installed upon a PED and/or FED.
A “social network” or “social networking service” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, a platform to build social networks or social relations among people who may, for example, share interests, activities, backgrounds, or real-life connections. This includes, but is not limited to, social networks such as U.S. based services such as Facebook, Google+, Tumblr and Twitter; as well as Nexopia, Badoo, Bebo, VKontakte, Delphi, Hi5, Hyves, iWiW, Nasza-Klasa, Soup, Glocals, Skyrock, The Sphere, StudiVZ, Tagged, Tuenti, XING, Orkut, Mxit, Cyworld, Mixi, renren, weibo and Wretch.
“Social media” or “social media services” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, a means of interaction among people in which they create, share, and/or exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks. This includes, but is not limited to, social media services relating to magazines, Internet forums, weblogs, social blogs, microblogging, wikis, social networks, podcasts, photographs or pictures, video, rating and social bookmarking as well as those exploiting blogging, picture-sharing, video logs, wall-posting, music-sharing, crowdsourcing and voice over IP, to name a few. Social media services may be classified, for example, as collaborative projects (for example, Wikipedia); blogs and microblogs (for example, Twitter™); content communities (for example, YouTube and DailyMotion); social networking sites (for example, Facebook™); virtual game-worlds (e.g., World of Warcraft™); and virtual social worlds (e.g. Second Life™).
An “enterprise” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, a provider of a service and/or a product to a user, customer, or consumer. This includes, but is not limited to, a retail outlet, a store, a market, an online marketplace, a manufacturer, an online retailer, a charity, a utility, and a service provider. Such enterprises may be directly owned and controlled by a company or may be owned and operated by a franchisee under the direction and management of a franchiser.
A “service provider” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, a third party provider of a service and/or a product to an enterprise and/or individual and/or group of individuals and/or a device comprising a microprocessor. This includes, but is not limited to, a retail outlet, a store, a market, an online marketplace, a manufacturer, an online retailer, a utility, an own brand provider, and a service provider wherein the service and/or product is at least one of marketed, sold, offered, and distributed by the enterprise solely or in addition to the service provider.
A “third party” or “third party provider” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, a so-called “arm's length” provider of a service and/or a product to an enterprise and/or individual and/or group of individuals and/or a device comprising a microprocessor wherein the consumer and/or customer engages the third party but the actual service and/or product that they are interested in and/or purchase and/or receive is provided through an enterprise and/or service provider.
A “user” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, an individual or group of individuals. This includes, but is not limited to, private individuals, employees of organizations and/or enterprises, members of community organizations, members of charity organizations, men and women. In its broadest sense the user may further include, but not be limited to, animals, mechanical systems, robotic systems, android systems, etc. that may be characterised by an ability to exploit one or more embodiments of the invention. A user may be associated with biometric data which may be, but not limited to, monitored, acquired, stored, transmitted, processed and analysed either locally or remotely to the user. A user may also be associated through one or more accounts and/or profiles with one or more of a service provider, third party provider, enterprise, social network, social media etc. via a dashboard, web service, website, software plug-in, software application, and graphical user interface.
“User information” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, user behavior information and/or user profile information. It may also include a user's biometric information, an estimation of the user's biometric information, or a projection/prediction of a user's biometric information derived from current and/or historical biometric information.
A “wearable device” or “wearable sensor” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, a miniature electronic device that are worn by the user including those under, within, with or on top of clothing and are part of a broader general class of wearable technology which includes “wearable computers” which in contrast are directed to general or special purpose information technologies and media development. Such wearable devices and/or wearable sensors may include, but not be limited to, smartphones, smart watches, e-textiles, smart shirts, activity trackers, smart glasses, environmental sensors, medical sensors, biological sensors, physiological sensors, chemical sensors, ambient environment sensors, position sensors, neurological sensors, drug delivery systems, medical testing and diagnosis devices, and motion sensors. The wearable devices and/or wearable sensors may include, but not be limited to, devices that can stimulate and/or measure parameters that are designed to fit on or near the perineum, anal area, vagina, clitoral area, and nipples.
“Biometric” information as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, data relating to a user characterised by data relating to a subset of conditions including, but not limited to, their environment, medical condition, biological condition, physiological condition, chemical condition, ambient environment condition, position condition, neurological condition, drug condition, and one or more specific aspects of one or more of these said conditions. Accordingly, such biometric information may include, but not be limited, blood oxygenation, blood pressure, blood flow rate, heart rate, temperate, fluidic pH, viscosity, particulate content, solids content, altitude, vibration, motion, perspiration, EEG, ECG, energy level, etc. In addition, biometric information may include data relating to physiological characteristics related to the shape and/or condition of the body wherein examples may include, but are not limited to, fingerprint, facial geometry, baldness, DNA, hand geometry, odour, and scent. Biometric information may also include data relating to behavioral characteristics, including but not limited to, typing rhythm, gait, and voice.
A “device” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, a device intended for use by an individual or user themselves or in conjunction with activities with another individual or user which can provide one or more functions including, but not limited to, those of a massager, a massage device, and an adult device.
A “massager” or “massage device” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, a device which functions by working and acting on one or more regions of the body of the user or another user with pressure.
An “adult device” (ADDEV), “sexual pleasure device”, or “sex toy” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, a sexual pleasure device intended for use by an individual or user themselves or in conjunction with activities with another individual or user which can provide one or more functions including, but not limited to, those of a dildo and a vibrator. The adult device can be designed to have these functions in combination with design features that are intended to be penetrative or non-penetrative, provide vibratory and non-vibratory mechanical functions, or be passive. Such adult devices can be designed for use with one or more regions of the male and female bodies including but not limited to, the clitoris, the clitoral area (which is the area surrounding and including the clitoris), vagina, rectum, nipples, breasts, penis, testicles, prostate, and “G-spot.” In one example a “male adult device” is an adult device configured to receive a user's penis within a cavity or recess. In another example, a “female adult device” is an adult device having at least a portion configured to be inserted in a user's vagina or rectum. It should be understood that the user of a female adult device can be a male or a female when it is used for insertion in a user's rectum. Such adult devices may employ one or more actuation mechanisms when providing vibratory and non-vibratory mechanical functions including, but not limited to, motors, motors with off-axis weights, linear motors, screw drives, fluidic pumps, fluidic actuators, and piezoelectric elements. Some adult devices may provide an electrical stimulatory function discretely or in combination with other vibratory and non-vibratory mechanical functions.
An “accessory” or “accessories” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, one or more objects that can be affixed to or otherwise appended to the body of a sexual pleasure device in order to enhance and/or adjust the sensation(s) provided. Such accessories can be passive, such as nubbies, fronds, fingers, finger, dildo, etc. or they may be active, such as a vibrator(s), electrode(s), hydraulically actuated structures, etc.
A “profile” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, a computer and/or microprocessor readable data file comprising data relating to settings and/or limits of an adult device. Such profiles may be established by a manufacturer of the adult device or established by an individual through a user interface to the adult device or a portable electronic device (PED)/fixed electronic device (FED) in communication with the adult device.
A “vibrator” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, an electronic sexual pleasure device intended for use by an individual or user themselves or in conjunction with activities with another individual or user wherein the vibrator provides a vibratory mechanical function for stimulating nerves or triggering physical sensations.
A “dildo” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, sexual pleasure device intended for use by an individual or user themselves or in conjunction with activities with another individual or user wherein the dildo provides non-vibratory mechanical function for stimulating nerves or triggering physical sensations.
A “nubby” or “nubbies” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, projection or projections upon the surface of a sexual pleasure device intended to provide additional physical interaction. A nubby can be permanently part of the sexual pleasure device or it can be replaceable or interchangeable to provide additional variation to the sexual pleasure device.
A “scaffold” or “scaffolds” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, structure that is used to hold up, interface with, or support another material or element(s). This includes, but is not limited to, such two-dimensional (2D) structures such as substrates and films, three-dimensional (3D) structures such as geometrical objects, non-geometrical objects, combinations of geometrical and non-geometrical objects, naturally occurring structural configurations, and manmade structural configurations. A scaffold may be solid, hollow, and porous or a combination thereof. A scaffold may contain recesses, pores, openings, holes, vias, and channels or a combination thereof. A scaffold may be smooth, textured, have predetermined surface profiles and/or features. A scaffold may be intended to support one or more other materials, one or more films, a multilayer film, one type of particle, multiple types of particles etc. A scaffold may include, but not be limited to, a spine of a device and/or a framework, for example, which also supports a shell and/or a casing.
A “shell” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, structure that is used to contain and/or surround at least partially and/or fully a number of elements within adult devices according to embodiments of the invention. A shell may include, but not limited to, a part or parts that are mounted to a scaffold or scaffolds that support elements within a device according to an embodiment of the invention.
A “casing” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, a structure surrounding a scaffold and/or shell. This includes structures typically formed from an elastomer and/or silicone to provide a desired combination of physical tactile surface properties to the device it forms part of and other properties including, but not limited to, hermeticity, liquid ingress barrier, solid particulate ingress barrier, surface sheen, and colour. A casing may include, but not limited to, a part or parts that are mounted to a scaffold or scaffolds and/or a casing or casings forming part of a device according to an embodiment of the invention.
An “electric motor” or “motor” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, a category of providers of motive means characterised by a periodic movement of a shaft or drive shaft connected to the motor which is powered by electricity. Such motors include DC and AC motors. This includes, but is not limited to, brushed DC motors, permanent magnet DC motors, brushless DC motors, switched reluctance motors, universal AC-DC motors, induction motors, ironless or coreless rotor motors, pancake or axial rotor motors, stepper motors, piezoelectric motors and linear motors.
A “bearing” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, a machine element or element that constrains relative motion to only the desired motion, and reduces friction between moving parts. The design of the bearing may, for example, provide for free linear movement of the moving part or for free rotation around a fixed axis; or, it may prevent a motion by controlling the vectors of normal forces that bear on the moving part(s). Most bearings facilitate the desired motion by minimizing friction and are classified broadly according to the type of operation, the motions allowed, or to the directions of the loads (forces) applied to the parts. Rotary bearings hold rotating components within mechanical systems, and transfer axial and radial loads from the source of the load to the structure supporting it. In a ball bearing or roller bearing, to prevent sliding friction, rolling elements such as rollers or balls with a circular cross-section are located between the races or journals of the bearing assembly. A wide variety of bearing designs exists to allow the demands of the application to be correctly met for maximum efficiency, reliability, durability and performance. Reducing friction in bearings is often important for efficiency, to reduce wear and to facilitate extended use (especially at high speeds or long projected product lifespan) and to avoid overheating and/or premature failure of the bearing. Essentially, a bearing can reduce friction by virtue of its shape, by its material, or by introducing and containing a fluid between surfaces or by separating the surfaces with an electromagnetic field. Accordingly:
A “rotary electric motor” as used herein and throughout this disclosure refers to, but is not limited to, an electric motor that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy resulting in rotary motion around an axis of the electric motor in contrast to a linear electromagnetic motor that converts electrical energy in linear mechanical motion. Rotary electric motors achieve this through an interaction between an electric motor's magnetic field and winding currents to generate force. The main elements of a rotary electric motor being:
“Polyester” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, category of polymers that contain the ester functional group in their main chain. This includes, but is not limited to polyesters which are naturally occurring chemicals as well as synthetics through step-growth polymerization, for example. Polyesters may be biodegradable or not. Polyesters may be a thermoplastic or thermoset or resins cured by hardeners. Polyesters may be aliphatic, semi-aromatic or aromatic. Polyesters may include, but not be limited to, those exploiting polyglycolide, polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyethylene adipate (PEA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN).
A “thermoplastic” or “thermosoftening plastic” as used herein and throughout this disclosure, refers to a category of polymers that become pliable or moldable above a specific temperature and solidify upon cooling. Thermoplastics may include, but not be limited, polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), poly vinyl chloride (PVC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyimide (PI), polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), polychlorotrifluoroethene (PCTFE or PTFCE), florinated ethylene propylene (FEP), and perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA).
A “metal” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, material that has good electrical and thermal conductivity. Such materials may be malleable and/or fusible and/or ductile. Metals may include, but not be limited to, aluminum, nickel, copper, cobalt, chromium, silver, gold, platinum, iron, zinc, titanium, and alloys thereof such as bronze, stainless steel, stainless stainless steel, brass, and phosphor bronze.
An “aramid” as used herein, and throughout this disclosure, refers to an aromatic polyamide. Aramids are a class of materials fibers in which the chain molecules are highly oriented along the fiber axis, so the strength of the chemical bond can be exploited. Examples, include, but are not limited to fibers distributed under brand names such as Kevlar™ Technora™, Twaron™, Heracron™, Nomex™, Innegra S™ and Vectran™ as well as nylon and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
A “silicone” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, polymer that includes any inert, synthetic compound made up of repeating units of siloxane.
An “elastomeric” material or “elastomer” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, material, generally a polymer, with viscoelasticity. Elastomers may include, but not be limited to, unsaturated rubbers such as polyisoprene, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, fluoroelastomers, perfluoroelastomers, and thermoplastic elastomers.
The terms “woman” or “female” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, human having a clitoris or clitoral region and, optionally, a vagina and/or an anus. The terms “woman” and “female” are used interchangeably herein. A female may be a user, an individual, another user, and/or another individual within contexts of the specification.
The terms “man” or “male” as used herein and throughout this disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, human having a penis and, optionally, testes and/or an anus. The terms “man” and “male” are used interchangeably herein. A male may be a user, an individual, another user, and/or another individual within contexts of the specification.
The term “flexible,” as used herein, refers to the ability of a body that is capable of being bent or flexed. Something that is flexible can be, for example, resilient or malleable. The term “resilient,” as used herein, refers to the ability of a body that has been subjected to an external force to recover, or substantially recover, its original size and/or shape, following deformation. The term “malleable,” as used herein, refers to the ability of a body that has been subjected to an external force to deform and maintain, or substantially maintain, the deformed size and/or shape. The term “flexible,” as used herein, refers to the ability of a body that has been subjected to an external force to return to its original size and/or shape once the external force has been removed or reduced to below a particular level.
As used herein, the terms “sex”, “intercourse”, “sexual intercourse” are intended to have a meaning referring to an act or action between two users wherein part of the act or action relates to the stimulation of one user's or both user's clitoris and/or clitoral region. Such acts or actions may or may not involve the concurrent penetration of a user's vagina, anus, or mouth and may be male-female, female-female, and solitary female based acts or actions.
The term “elastic” as used herein, refers to or may describe or identify certain types of elastomer and/or stretchable fabrics or it may refer to the ability of a body to resist a distorting influence or stress and to return to its original size and shape when the stress is removed. Whilst solid objects will deform when sufficient force is applied a material is considered elastic and will return to its initial shape and size when the force is removed.
The term “resilient” as used herein, refers either to a material having the ability to absorb energy when it is deformed elastically, and release that energy upon unloading or to a material having the ability to resist deformation under pressure. Embodiments of the invention may employ, for example, a plastic inner ring and/or liner within which a portion of a user is inserted, e.g. a penis, finger, wrist, etc. which supports limited deformation around which a hollow shaft motor may be employed to impart vibratory action discretely or in combination with one or more other actuators such as fluidic actuators and/or linear electrical actuators etc. The fluidic actuators may employ one or more elastic and/or elastomeric materials. Alternatively, the inner ring and/or liner may be elastic but having a higher Young's modulus that another elastic material employed within a fluidic actuator for example.
Within embodiments of the invention described below and as depicted with respect to
Further, within
Within embodiments of the invention described below and as depicted with respect to
As noted above devices are available in a wide range of geometries and functionalities exploiting solid device bodies that contain the vibrating element, battery, control electronics etc. within a scaffold, usually plastic, which is encased within a shell, usually silicone, wherein the device body may be inserted into a user to provide sexual stimulation. In contrast, embodiments of the invention are intended to be worn by a user whilst engaging in sexually stimulating or arousing/massaging another user or themselves. For example, as described below adult devices (ADDEVs) may be worn by a male user wherein the ADDEV is around a portion of their penis during penetrative sex with another partner or may be worn around a strap-on dildo used by a female user with another partner or themselves. Accordingly, the ADDEV now may have a scaffold that is annular with a hollow shaft for example.
As noted above in respect of
Now referring to
This concept is expanded in
Now referring to
Now referring to
Whilst
Now referring to second state in
Now referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Now referring to
Whilst within
Such a dual stage hollow shaft electrical rotary motor configuration is depicted in
Now referring to
Now referring to
Now referring to
First and second attachments 7200 and 7300 together with C-shaped element 7400 may be formed from different combinations of materials and structures including a scaffold and/or shell and/or casing according to the desired properties. For example, the inserted portion into the hollow shaft motor 7100 may be silicone or silicone ring around a harder core allowing the silicone to conform to the inner surface of the hollow shaft motor 7100 which may be circular, elliptical, or profiled such as described and depicted supra in respect of embodiments of the invention. Within other embodiments two or more hollow shaft motors 7100 may be attached to the same assembly element either at the same end or different ends. Where two or more devices are attached at the same end their controllers may be set to different frequencies such that the difference between them is a low frequency where in operation the user senses the difference frequency.
Referring to
Now referring to
The electronic device 904 includes one or more processors 910 and a memory 912 coupled to processor(s) 910. AP 906 also includes one or more processors 911 and a memory 913 coupled to processor(s) 910. A non-exhaustive list of examples for any of processors 910 and 911 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a reduced instruction set computer (RISC), a complex instruction set computer (CISC) and the like. Furthermore, any of processors 910 and 911 may be part of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or may be a part of application specific standard products (ASSPs). A non-exhaustive list of examples for memories 912 and 913 includes any combination of the following semiconductor devices such as registers, latches, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory devices, non-volatile random access memory devices (NVRAM), SDRAM, DRAM, double data rate (DDR) memory devices, SRAM, universal serial bus (USB) removable memory, and the like.
Electronic device 904 may include an audio input element 914, for example a microphone, and an audio output element 916, for example, a speaker, coupled to any of processors 910. Electronic device 904 may include a video input element 918, for example, a video camera or camera, and a video output element 920, for example an LCD display, coupled to any of processors 910. Electronic device 904 also includes a keyboard 915 and touchpad 917 which may for example be a physical keyboard and touchpad allowing the user to enter content or select functions within one of more applications 922. Alternatively, the keyboard 915 and touchpad 917 may be predetermined regions of a touch sensitive element forming part of the display within the electronic device 904. The one or more applications 922 that are typically stored in memory 912 and are executable by any combination of processors 910. Electronic device 904 also includes accelerometer 960 providing three-dimensional motion input to the process 910 and GPS 962 which provides geographical location information to processor 910.
Electronic device 904 includes a protocol stack 924 and AP 906 includes a communication stack 925. Within system 900 protocol stack 924 is shown as IEEE 802.11 protocol stack but alternatively may exploit other protocol stacks such as an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) multimedia protocol stack for example. Likewise, AP stack 925 exploits a protocol stack but is not expanded for clarity. Elements of protocol stack 924 and AP stack 925 may be implemented in any combination of software, firmware and/or hardware. Protocol stack 924 includes an IEEE 802.11-compatible PHY module 926 that is coupled to one or more Tx/Rx & Antenna Circuits 928, an IEEE 802.11-compatible MAC module 930 coupled to an IEEE 802.2-compatible LLC module 932. Protocol stack 924 includes a network layer IP module 934, a transport layer User Datagram Protocol (UDP) module 936 and a transport layer Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) module 938. Protocol stack 924 also includes a session layer Real Time Transport Protocol (RTP) module 940, a Session Announcement Protocol (SAP) module 942, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) module 944 and a Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) module 946. Protocol stack 924 includes a presentation layer media negotiation module 948, a call control module 950, one or more audio codecs 952 and one or more video codecs 954. Applications 922 may be able to create maintain and/or terminate communication sessions with any of devices 907 by way of AP 906.
Typically, applications 922 may activate any of the SAP, SIP, RTSP, media negotiation and call control modules for that purpose. Typically, information may propagate from the SAP, SIP, RTSP, media negotiation and call control modules to PHY module 926 through TCP module 938, IP module 934, LLC module 932 and MAC module 930. It would be apparent to one skilled in the art that elements of the electronic device 904 may also be implemented within the AP 906 including but not limited to one or more elements of the protocol stack 924, including for example an IEEE 802.11-compatible PHY module, an IEEE 802.11-compatible MAC module, and an IEEE 802.2-compatible LLC module 932. The AP 906 may additionally include a network layer IP module, a transport layer User Datagram Protocol (UDP) module and a transport layer Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) module as well as a session layer Real Time Transport Protocol (RTP) module, a Session Announcement Protocol (SAP) module, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) module and a Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) module, media negotiation module, and a call control module. Portable and fixed electronic devices represented by electronic device 904 may include one or more additional wireless or wired interfaces in addition to the depicted IEEE 802.11 interface which may be selected from the group comprising IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, UMTS, GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900, GPRS, ITU-R 5.138, ITU-R 5.150, ITU-R 5.280, IMT-1000, DSL, Dial-Up, DOCSIS, Ethernet, G.hn, ISDN, MoCA, PON, and Power line communication (PLC).
Also depicted is ADult DEVice (ADDEV) 970 which is coupled to the electronic device 904 through a wireless interface between Antenna 972 and Tx/Rx & Antenna Circuits 928 wherein the electronic device 904 may support, for example, a national wireless standard such as GSM together with one or more local and/or personal area wireless protocols such as IEEE 802.11 a/b/g WiFi, IEEE 802.16 WiMAX, and IEEE 802.15 Bluetooth for example. The Antenna 972 is connected to Processor 974 and therein to Memory 976, Drivers 978, and Features 980. Accordingly, the ADDEV 970 may operate as standalone device with factory installed control routines accessed through an interface on the ADDEV 970, not shown for clarity, or through an application in execution upon the electronic device 904. Subsequently, as described below one or more of these control routines may be modified, amended, deleted etc. whilst other new control routines may be created, acquired, installed etc.
Accordingly, it would be evident to one skilled the art that the ADDEV 970 with associated electronic device 904 may accordingly download original software and/or revisions for a variety of functions supported by the drivers 978 and/or features 980. In some embodiments of the invention the functions may not be implemented within the original as sold ADDEV 970 and are only activated through a software/firmware revision and/or upgrade either discretely or in combination with a subscription or subscription upgrade for example.
It would be evident to one of skill in the art that the hollow shaft devices described and depicted in respect of
Amongst the multiple device types that can be implemented and constructed using embodiments of the invention described and depicted supra in respect of
Optionally, the inner portion of the hollow motor device may be formed from an appropriate formable thermo-plastic or accept an insert of an appropriate formable thermo-plastic such as poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate) (PEVA) or low density polyethylene for example allowing an inner portion designed to fit and be retained against inserted member 2000 (as opposed to inner portion rotate against the member 2000) allowing the inner portion of the hollow shaft device to be formed/customized in shape to the user. For example, a ring of thermoplastic with an outer ring of a non-thermoplastic material allows the hollow portion to be formed/customized in shape whilst the outer periphery is unmodified and engages the inner portion of the actual hollow shaft motor device. Optionally, variants of this approach may allow for inner and/or outer portions of the overall device to be removed allowing them to be cleaned without exposing the hollow shaft motor device body itself to water, disinfectant, and/or other cleaning agents. This also allows for disposable portions of the hollow shaft motor in other embodiments of the invention.
Accordingly, the inner thermoplastic ring can be custom shaped to fit a user's penis or finger whilst in other embodiments of the invention an outer/external surface can have custom shape for the desired shape to fit against a desired body part well. Within other embodiments of the invention the inner ring and/or outer ring may be formed from a low or very low durometer silicone to fit and adapt to different body portion dimensions. In such embodiments the low durometer silicone will isolate the body portion to which the hollow shafted motor device is attached from the action of the outer portion of the device, e.g. a device mounted to a user's finger may act as a muscle massager or sexual stimulator without significant pressure and/or vibration being coupled to the user's finger(s).
As noted supra the design of the hollow shaft rotary motors such as those depicted in respect of
It would be evident to one of skill in the art that hollow shaft motor designs offer advantages with respect to their use. For example, putting the motor around the user's finger allows for the overall combination to have a lower profile compared to having the entire motor under your finger. Beneficially, the large radius for the eccentric weight implies a large swing yielding larger forces for a given weight so can provide larger amplitude variations of applied pressure. This is particularly beneficial in finger cot and/or glove type applications. Further, as the frequency is defined by the rotational frequency then these actuators can provide low frequency, high amplitude stimulation to a portion of the user's body. This effect is similar to a “rumble.”
It would be evident that devices exploiting hollow shaft motors and/or hollow shaft actuators according to embodiments of the invention may be fixed in configuration apart from those elements exploiting hollow shaft motors and/or hollow shaft actuators or that the device configuration may be varied in a continuous or discrete manner. For example, configuring the geometry of an ADDEV in overall length may exploit a telescoping scaffold for example which locks through a simple rotatory motion, for example, or other mechanism as known in the art. Alternatively, an expandable skin may be used in conjunction with a screw-thread extension means for example. Optionally, a device may separate into two parts allowing insertion of extending elements wherein these may additionally comprise electrical and/or fluidic connections to link the original elements for functionality etc. Optionally, these additional elements may contain other active elements, e.g. another hollow shaft motor for example, wherein power/data connections to a controller/battery assembly are provided and automatic detection of the configuration performed by the controller, e.g. detecting a voltage at a pin through this now being connected.
Embodiments of the invention may exploit electrical hollow shaft motor(s) in conjunction with other active elements including, but not limited to, devices such as linear oscillators, linear translation, electromagnetic piston actuators, and fluidics.
It would be evident to one of skill in the art that in addition to vibratory and/or pressure based stimulation that embodiments of the invention may employ other therapeutic and/or stimulation means including but not limited:
Whilst within the preceding Figures the body of the insertable portion has not been described or depicted in detail although these may be similar to one or more prior art dildos and/or vibrators and other ADDEVs. The outer surface of the insertable portion of the adult device may be smooth, contoured, grooved, ribbed, and/or comprise bumps and/or nubbies.
Optionally, the contours may extend further across the upper surface of the ADDEV or they may be more centrally limited. Optionally, the depth, spacing, and number of grooves, ribs, bumps, or nubbies may vary as well as their surface profile from symmetric to asymmetric etc. Optionally, the upper surface may be smooth or it may be profiled by the distribution of nubbies across upper surface regions in some embodiments of the invention. Within others features that have multiple “fingers” or “fronds” may be employed to provide different sensations. Optionally different regions of the ADDEV may have different structures such as nubbies, grooves, smooth areas etc. on the upper central bump as well as its sides.
The ADDEV may be provided in a range of physical sizes such that, for example, the length of the member inserted portion may be 15 mm, 25 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, 65 mm, 75 mm, 100 mm, 125 mm, 150 mm, or 200 mm for example (0.6″, 1″, 1.4″, 1.6″, 2″, 2.5″, 3″, 4″, 5″, 6″ or 8″) and it's lateral dimensions may be, for example, 10 mm, 12.5 mm, 15 mm, 25 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, or 75 mm (0.4″, 0.5″, 0.6″, 1″, 1.4″, 1.6″, 2″, or 3″). Similarly, lengths between hollow motors and other hollow motors and/or fluidic/linear actuators etc. may be provided in different dimensions. Where an anal insertion element is provided its length and lateral dimensions may be over a similar range as the vaginally inserted portion. Whilst typically the member surrounding portion will have limited width variations along its length some ADDEVs may have larger width variations and may have a length/width ratio lower than other ADDEVs. However, other dimensions, aspect ratios, cross-section geometries etc. may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention.
Typically, the construction of an ADDEV such as depicted within embodiments of the invention described in respect of
Optionally, the silicone may be clear and either embedded into the silicone or a shell of the ADDEV are LEDs, such as multi-colour LEDs for example, allowing the colour of the ADDEV to be varied either statically or dynamically, such as for example in response to commands from an associated PED generated in response to controlling ambient light, music, audiovisual content etc. Beneficially, medical grade silicone is clear thereby removing the requirement for any additional coating (e.g. food grade urethane) in conjunction with pigmented silicones. Accordingly, an ADDEV may with medical grade silicone be clear and formed from an initial sticky soft silicone, e.g. 20 durometer, with a micro-layer (spray coated for example) of high durometer medical grade silicone, for example 70-90 durometer, to create “slippery” surface and avoid silky smooth surface that typically requires use of urethane coating.
Typically, the casing for the ADDEV will be formed from a non-toxic, hypoallergenic silicone to provide a safe smooth surface although some regions of the ADDEV may be coated, textured and/or finished with a variation from that of the remainder of the casing in order to enhance or promote retention of the ADDEV against the user's skin or clothing. Typically, the outer surface of the casing will be formed to provide low friction as well as resistance to lubricants that may or may not be employed.
Typically, within the outer silicone or elastomeric casing is a shell that houses internally, in the embodiments presented, vibratory motors, battery, control circuit and charging port. Within embodiments of the invention other functional elements may be employed for generating physical stimulus, providing user interface, wireless transceiver for communicating to an associated electronic device (PED or FED) or other ADDEV, etc. Within the description of embodiments of the invention and associated figures such elements are not presented for clarity of description, figures etc. However, such elements may or may not be implemented within embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the shell may comprise a single chamber or a plurality of chambers and may be formed from one-piece part or multiple piece parts which are connected via the casing and/or discrete or connected by a central portion with different degrees of rigidity range from solid to a living hinge.
Optionally, the ADDEV may employ one, two, three or more hollow shaft motors as well as actuators of one, two or more different technical approaches. For example, one or more hollow shaft motors may provide high end vibrations whilst one or more vibratory or high impact gear-reduced motors may provide a low frequency “rumble” from larger weighted motors or through controlled frequency offset “throbbing” or vice-versa. Optionally, linear vibratory motors may be disposed within the regions on the outer surface of the recipient's body or the inserted portion(s) whilst generally rotating asymmetric weight motors are within the shell of the inserted portion(s). Optionally, the outer surface of the ADDEV may provide electrical stimulation contacts through metal contacts or conductive silicone pads for example at predetermined locations on either the member inserted portion or the external surfaces.
Embodiments of the invention with respect to controlling an ADDEV such as described within the embodiments of the invention supra in respect of
Embodiments of the invention with respect to powering an ADDEV such as described within the embodiments of the invention supra in respect of
Embodiments of the invention with respect to the ADDEV may employ a “sticky” surface for the outer surface engaging a recipient's body (e.g. being formed from a low durometer silicone for example) so that the surface is designed to “stick” to skin so it stays in place. This “sticky” surface may be mirror surface, matt or textured for grip. Examples of materials may be those with durometer ideal Shore A10 or lower, Shore A5 or lower, or Shore A1. In some embodiments of the invention a region or regions of the casing may be formed from a gel such as the Ecoflex™ platinum catalyzed silicones for example certified to ISI 10993-10 for skin irritation/sensitization and having, for example, Shore 00-50 hardness (below the Shore A scale), Shore 00-30 hardness, Shore 00-20 hardness, or Shore 00-10 hardness. Within embodiments of the invention the footprint of the casing may be significantly larger than the shell (mechanical assembly) footprint, larger than the shell print, approximately the same as the shell footprint, and smaller than the shell footprint. Where the shell footprint is larger than the shell footprint its mechanical structure may be such that it does not droop under its weight/gravity when held free, droops a small amount, droops a moderate amount, or droops completely according to the desired characteristics. In embodiments of the invention the casing around the shell may act like a thin sheet (<<1 mm thick), like a fabric or material, like a sheet (˜1 mm), a thick sheet (>1 mm). Optionally, the lower surface of the casing designed for placement against a user's groin/stomach may be sticky and when washed recover this stickiness in its entirety or in different regions or areas.
Optionally, the outer surface which may contact the user may be smooth with low friction to human skin, smooth with minimal friction to human skin, smooth with moderate friction to human skin, smooth with high friction to human skin in its entirety or in different regions or areas. Alternatively, the surface may be smooth, textured, and/or rough and have low friction, negligible friction, moderate friction, and/or high friction in its entirety or in different regions or areas. Optionally, the surface may be textured with low friction to human skin, textured with minimal friction to human skin, textured with moderate friction to human skin, or textured with high friction to human skin in its entirety or in different regions. Optionally, the surface of the casing in its entirety or in different regions or areas may be used in conjunction with disposable sheets that provide adhesion and/or friction in predetermined levels.
Within embodiments of the invention the casing, for example formed from silicone, is the only material surrounding the casing and the surface profile is derived from applying the casing to the contoured surface of the shell. In other embodiments of the invention the surface profile is derived from multiple applications of a single material forming the casing. In other embodiments of the invention an additional material or materials are disposed between the shell and the casing. This, may for example, be a preform formed from the same material as the casing such that the casing is applied as a single or multiple dip coating for example, a preform formed from another silicone of different characteristics to the casing, a preform formed from a plastic, a preform formed from a low density foam, from a medium density foam, or a high density foam. Alternatively, a combination of materials may be employed such as two or more plastics, two or more foams, a foam and a plastic, a foam and a silicone, a form and metal. The materials may be layered, inserted, embedded, etc. without departing from the scope of the invention. However, a characteristic of these materials is the transmission of vibratory motion arising from the active elements within the ADDEV according to embodiments of the invention. Within passive embodiments this characteristic of material selection is removed.
Within the embodiments of the invention with active elements these are mounted to predetermined portions of the shell which is surrounded by the casing. Other embodiments may exploit a passive inserted portion mimicking a dildo function rather than a vibrator. As noted above the ADDEV according to embodiments of the invention may, in addition, to a silicone outer comprise one or more materials to provide mechanical structures such as ridges, shell, scaffold, etc. whilst the casing is smooth.
The foregoing disclosure of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.
Further, in describing representative embodiments of the present invention, the specification may have presented the method and/or process of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
This patent application claims the benefit of priority as a 371 national phase entry application of PCT/CA2017/000,210 filed Sep. 27, 2017 entitled “Devices Exploiting Hollow Motors” and therein to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/400,145 filed on Sep. 27, 2016 entitled “Devices Exploiting Hollow Motors”, the entire contents of which are included herein by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CA2017/000210 | 9/27/2017 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62400145 | Sep 2016 | US |
