(1) Technical Field
The present invention relates to an enhancer device, and more particularly, to an enhancer device for enhancing the utility and look of a user's bed.
(2) Related Prior Art
Throughout history, a bed has been used for sleeping, sexual intercourse, and as a place to rest for health. In order to enhance a utility of the bed, a variety of apparatus and tools have been conceived. For example, straps and slings are well known and have been used in many activities and have been produced in many forms. Straps and slings have been used in medical offices for medical examinations and in people's homes for medical limb support for recuperation after an injury or surgery. They have also been used during sexual activities to support body parts, such as buttocks, legs, and hands.
Devices have been proposed for use during conjugal relations and are responsive to manipulation or control by a partner to establish a predetermined relation or movement between the partners. Such devices can be used as a novelty, a toy, an enhancer, and an aid. They can also be used when one partner suffers a physical impairment or limitation that otherwise may inhibit or prohibit conjugal relations. Such prior devices include the following:
U.S. Pat. No. 784,425, issued to Phillips, discloses a portable stirrups device which comprises: (1) a flat support surface for placement on a table or bed and for supporting the buttocks of the user; (2) stirrups or foot-rests that are secured to the flat support; and (3) a clamping mechanism for rigidly securing the device to the bed, i.e., for clamping to the side rail of a bed.
U.S. Pat. No. 828,007, issued to Williams, discloses a portable and collapsible operating table that comprises: (1) an intermediate portion for supporting the buttocks/back of a patient and (2) integral and rigid foot rests including heel rests. The device can be placed on a bed or bench or even used as a stretcher.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,894,739, issued to Gilbert, also discloses a portable and collapsible surgical operating table having a foldable central portion for supporting the buttocks or back of the patient and which includes knee rests, rather than foot rests.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,978,713, issued to Scalizitti et al., discloses a portable examining table that comprises a central flat support portion upon which the patient lies and which anchors the table on a bed without the need for any mechanical attachment to the bed (col. 3, lines 5-7). A pair of knee rests are adjustably coupled to respective upstanding side portions.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,227,439, issued to Carlson, discloses an operating table that utilizes leg support portions that pivot about a vertical axis. Similar patents include U.S. Pat. No. 3,227,440, issued to Scott, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,200, issued to Sarrafian et al. Stirrups having leg holders that laterally pivot are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 358,513, issued to Walton.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,907,270, issued to Ezzo, discloses a portable examining table that comprises a central flat support for placement on a table with a transverse/bent and leg support member rotatably secured to one end of the flat support. A pair of molded plastic stirrups is fixed on opposite side of the transverse leg support. When the examining table is placed on a table or other surface along with the transverse/bent support member, the patient, with the buttocks on the central portion, can slip her feet into the stirrups.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,286, issued to Nguti, discloses a bed attachment that comprises a buttocks support section and having right and left support sections that can pivot in a lateral direction to assist in sexual activity, especially for arm amputees or other handicapped individuals.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,652, issued to Matern, Jr., discloses foldable leg stirrups for use during sex or medical examination that can be concealed, after use, between the mattress/box spring of a bed, or under the seat cushion(s) of a couch or chair, or between the mattress/cushion and frame of an examination table.
However, it is apparent that none of these devices can be used proximate the bed without the strength, support, or style that the new invention can offer. Thus, there remains a need for an enhancer device that can work in accordance with a bed for enhancing the utility of the bed.
The present invention relates to an enhancer device and; more particularly, to an enhancer device enhancing the utility and look of a user's bed. The enhancer device comprises a support member securing mechanism for securing the enhancer device with a material; a support member detachably attached with the support member securing mechanism, the support member having a base end and a distal end; and a fastener connected with the distal end of the support member.
The support member is pivotally connected with the support member securing mechanism through an attachment portion, thereby allowing the support member to rotate in relation to a fixed support member securing mechanism. A stop mechanism is attached with the enhancer device, such that when the stop mechanism is utilized the support member is prevented from pivoting in relation to the support member securing mechanism.
The stop mechanism comprises a slot at the base end of the support member and a projection projecting from the attachment portion. The projection is positioned such that it can mate with the slot, whereby when the projection mates with the slot, the support member is prevented from pivoting in relation to the support member securing mechanism.
In another aspect, the enhancer device further comprises an attachment detachably connected with the fastener. The attachment is an item selected from a group consisting of a strap, a handle, a chain, a handcuff, a sling, a candle holder, a light, and a plant holder.
In another aspect, the attachment is a handcuff, with a portion of the handcuff constructed of a material selected from a group consisting of metal, leather, fur, rope, plastic, nylon, composite, and fiber.
In yet another aspect, the attachment is a strap, with a portion of the strap constructed of a material selected from a group consisting of leather, fur, rope, plastic, nylon, composite, and fiber.
Additionally, the attachment is an elongated strap and is connected with the fastener of a first enhancer device and with the fastener of a second enhancer device, thereby allowing the elongated strap to be used as a seat and elevate a user above a bed's surface.
Furthermore, the attachment is a body sling with a plurality of attachment parts for attaching with the fasteners of a plurality of enhancer devices, whereby utilization of the body sling allows a body of a user to be elevated above a bed's surface.
In yet another aspect, the support member is tubular and is constructed of a material selected from a group consisting of metal, plastic, nylon, composite, and fiber. The support member includes an arcuate section terminating at the distal end, the arcuate section is shaped such that it appears as half of a simple heart shape, whereby when two enhancer devices are placed together, a combination of their support members forms a full heart shape.
Additionally, the support member securing mechanism is substantially flat, allowing the support member securing mechanism to be placed between a mattress and a box spring, thereby securing the enhancer device with a user's bed.
Furthermore, the enhancer device further comprises an adjuster connected with the support member, whereby a height of the enhancer device can be selectively adjusted to accommodate different sizes and heights of tables, mattresses and users. The adjuster is a mechanism selected from a group consisting of telescoping tubes and pin-adjusted tubes.
Finally, it can be appreciated by one in the art that the above summary of the enhancer device is not meant to be limiting and can be applied to various aspects of the present invention, such as a kit for building the same, where each individual part is configured to be connected with the respective connecting part.
The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the preferred aspect of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where:
The present invention relates to an enhancer device, and more particularly, to an enhancer device for enhancing the utility and look of a user's bed.
The following description, taken in conjunction with the referenced drawings, is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein, may be applied to a wide range of aspects. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the aspects presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. Furthermore it should be noted that unless explicitly stated otherwise, the figures included herein are illustrated diagrammatically and without any specific scale, as they are provided as qualitative illustrations of the concept of the present invention.
Referring now to the figures,
The support member securing mechanism 102 may be constructed in any suitable shape and secured in any suitable manner, non-limiting examples of which include the support member securing mechanism 102 being secured with a bed, being secured with a floor, and being secured with a ceiling. For example, the support member securing mechanism may be plate configured to be bolted to a ceiling or floor, or alternatively may be the concrete floor itself in which the support member 104 is cemented. As another example, the support member securing mechanism 102 is for securing the enhancer device 100 with a user's bed. In this aspect, the support member securing mechanism 102 is substantially flat or planar, allowing it to be sandwiched, or disposed, in the area between a box spring and a mattress of a bed or examination table (not shown). In this aspect, weight from the mattress and from a user upon the mattress secures the support member securing mechanism 102 with the bed.
The support member securing mechanism 102 also includes a coupler 107 for attaching with the support member 104. The support member securing mechanism 102 is constructed of any suitably rigid material, non-limiting examples of which include metal and plastic. In addition, the support member securing mechanism 102 may take a variety of forms, non-limiting examples of which include a plate, as shown in
The support member 104 has a distal end 108 and a base end 110. The base end 110 of the support member 104 is connected with the coupler 107. The coupler 107 and support member 104 are shown as tubular or cylindrical, but can take other configurations without departing from the invention. Furthermore, the support member 104 is constructed of any suitably rigid or flexible material, non-limiting examples of which include metal and plastic. Strength and safety are crucial, but flexible or rigid support members 104 may be used.
The fastener 106 is connected with a distal end 108 of the support member 104. The fastener 106 may be any suitable mechanism or device for attaching one object with another, a non-limiting example of which includes a hook, a hoop, and a ring that can rotate relative to the support member 104. An intervening connector 111 may be attached with the fastener 106. The intervening connector 111 may be any suitable mechanism or device for attaching one object with another, non-limiting examples of which include a ring, a hoop, and a clip such as those used on swing-sets. The intervening connector 111 is constructed such that it can be permanently affixed or selectively removed from the fastener 106 and replaced by a user. Through use of the intervening connector 111, a user may selectively connect an attachment 112 with the fastener 106 to support a body part or a decorative item, thereby enhancing the utility and look of the user's bed. In addition, the intervening connector 111 can be separate or integral with the attachment 112. The attachment 112 may be any suitable mechanism or device for enhancing the utility of a user's bed, non-limiting examples of which include a strap, a handle, a chain, a handcuff, a sling, a candle holder, a light source, and a plant holder. In order to alter the feel, strength and comfort of the attachment 112, a portion of the attachment 112 may be constructed of any suitable material, non-limiting examples of which include metal, leather, fur, rope, plastic, foam, nylon, composite, and fiber.
It should further be understood that the pivotal coupling disclosed herein is by way of example only and that any equivalent means or method of pivotally coupling the support member securing mechanism 102 and the support member 104 is within the broadest scope of this invention.
It should be understood that the bed mattress 406 and the box spring 404 shown in the figures are shown as examples and that the mattress 406 shown may also represent a cushion of a chair or couch, with the box spring 404 representing the chair or couch frame. Alternatively, the bed mattress 406 may represent an examination table mattress or cushion and the box spring 404 may represent the examination table frame.
Thus, the use of the device 100 is not limited to beds, chairs, couches, and examination tables, but rather includes any reclining, laying, or seating device where the user's legs or other body parts can be supported on the respective support members 104.
When affixed with a bed 400, weight of the mattress 406 holds the support member securing mechanism 102 in place. Being substantially flat, the support member securing mechanism 102 can be positioned in its usable position without disturbing the bed 400 or examination table. The removable support members 104 may be withdrawn from the support member securing mechanism 102, and the support member securing mechanism 102 may be left between the mattress 406 and box spring 404. When disconnected and not in use, the support member securing mechanism 102 may also be concealed under the cushions of a couch or between an examination table mattress and frame without disturbing the use of the couch or examination table. Because of their ability to be easily attached and separated, components of the enhancer device 100 can be separated during storage and easily assembled for use.
A first segment 408 of the support member 104 is designed to hug or follow a contour of the bed 400 and a contiguous arcuate hoop section 410 is to permit the distal end 108 to be aligned over the bed 400. In this manner, the support member 104 can project from the mattress 406 and box spring 404, running along a side 412 of the mattress 406 and then along a top surface 414 of the mattress 406.
The first segment 408 is shown to be straight, but it, too, can have an arc for added strength or appealing aesthetics. In addition, the first segment can have an adjuster 416 to adjust a height 418 to accommodate different sizes and heights of tables, mattresses and individuals. The adjuster 416 may be any suitable mechanism or device for selectively adjusting the height 418, non-limiting examples of which include telescoping, and pin-adjusting. Telescoping height adjustment mechanisms are commonly found in tripods used for cameras and video equipment. An inner tube rides within an outer tube and the two are locked together by a tightening mechanism. Pin-adjusting mechanisms are commonly used in adjustable canes and crutches and employ a spring biased pin within a first, inner tube that communicates with one of a plurality of holes in a second, outer tube. These, as well as other mechanism or devices may be used to selectively lift, lower and securely adjust the height 418 of the distal end 108 and hoop section 410 of the support member 104.
In operation, the support member 104 is pivoted above the support member securing mechanism 102 via the coupler 300 and attachment portion 301 to the desired position and location. A user places his/her buttocks either above the support member securing mechanism 102 when the enhancer device 100 is used on top of a bed, couch, chair, examination table, etc., or on the mattress 406 of the bed 400, examination table, etc., or on the cushion of the couch, chair, etc., under which the support member securing mechanism 102 is positioned (i.e., indirect use). Thus, the enhancer device 100 can be used either on top of the bed 400 or it can be used with the support member securing mechanism 102 positioned between the bed mattress 406 and box spring 404, or alternatively, under the cushions of a couch or chair. Next, once the attachment 112 is attached via the intervening connector 111, the enhancer device 100 is ready for use. When used in this aspect, the support member securing mechanism 102 is positioned below the user, allowing the user's weight to be transferred through the support member 104 to the support member securing mechanism 102.
As noted, several different attachments 112 can be secured or attached with the intervening connector 111. A looped foot rest 420 as shown in
Upon finishing the use thereof, the device 100, along with the attachments 112, can then be either left in place, used for other purposes, or dismantled.
As shown in
In another aspect and as shown in
As shown in
This application is a non-provisional application, claiming the benefit of priority to Provisional Application No. 60/512,130, filed in the United States on Oct. 17, 2003, and entitled “Stirrup Device.”
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