The present invention is in the field of devices for sexual stimulation, and more particularly in the field of devices for male masturbation.
The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant:
There are various male sexual stimulation devices known in the prior art. The mechanisms by which stimulation is provided in these devices generally fall into one of five basic types: manual sheath mechanisms, vibratory mechanisms, suction mechanisms, constriction mechanisms, and direct electrical stimulation mechanisms. All of the existing mechanisms have one or more significant disadvantages, including non-ideal stimulation, possible release of bodily fluids, difficulty of use, and inability to customize the speed, pattern, and location of stimulation.
What is needed is a male masturbation device that provides a better user experience by providing optimal stimulation while eliminating the disadvantages of existing devices.
Accordingly, the inventor has conceived and reduced to practice, according to a preferred embodiment, a linear motion male sexual stimulation device that provides a better user experience by providing an optimal linear stroking motion with optimal pressure, automation of the stroking motion, and user control over the speed, pattern, and location of the stroking motion, all while containing the penis and any bodily fluids fully inside the device.
According to a preferred embodiment, a male sexual stimulation device is disclosed, comprising: an axial reciprocal linear motion driver; a gripper attached to the axial reciprocal linear motion driver; and a flexible sleeve which is inserted into the gripper and which has a means for affixing the sleeve to the gripper, wherein a penis may be inserted into the flexible sleeve and remain fully inserted inside the device during stimulation, and wherein, when the device is activated, the inserted penis remains immobile inside the device while the gripper moves at least a portion of the sleeve affixed to the gripper in an axial reciprocating linear motion along the penis, providing sexual stimulation through pressure of the gripper against the penis contained in the sleeve combined with the axial reciprocal linear motion of the gripper and the portion of the sleeve affixed to the gripper.
According to an aspect of an embodiment, the linear motion driver comprises a threaded ball screw.
According to an aspect of an embodiment, the linear motion driver comprises a threadless ball screw.
According to an aspect of an embodiment, wherein the linear motion driver comprises a belt-driven linear actuator.
According to an aspect of an embodiment, the linear motion driver comprises a linear motor.
According to an aspect of an embodiment, the linear motion driver comprises a slider-crank.
According to an aspect of an embodiment, the linear motion driver comprises a hydraulic linear actuator.
According to an aspect of an embodiment, the linear motion driver comprises a pneumatic linear actuator.
According to an aspect of an embodiment, the flexible sleeve and gripper each comprise magnets, and the flexible sleeve is affixed to the gripper by magnetic attraction.
According to an aspect of an embodiment, the gripper further comprises a heating apparatus that warms the flexible sleeve to an optimal temperature.
According to an aspect of an embodiment, the gripper is an inflatable cavity that may be filled with a gas or a fluid.
According to an aspect of an embodiment, the gripper comprises a vibration mechanism that provides stimulation in addition to the linear motion stimulation.
According to an aspect of an embodiment, the device further comprises guide rods that guide the linear motion, the guide rods being configured such that each travel along the guide rods causes the gripper to partially rotate about a longitudinal axis parallel to the linear motion.
According to an aspect of an embodiment, the device further comprises a motor or actuator attached to the gripper mechanism and configured to rotate the gripper about a longitudinal axis parallel to the linear motion as it travels in a linear motion.
According to an aspect of an embodiment, the device further comprises: guide rods that guide the linear motion; a pivot installed at the bottom of the guide rods near the end of the device where a penis may be inserted; and a gear attached to the linear motion driver such that the linear motion causes the guide rods to tilt at the pivot, changing the direction of the linear motion during the linear motion along the guide rods.
According to an aspect of an embodiment, the device further comprises: guide rods that guide the linear motion; a pivot installed at the bottom of the guide rods near the end of the device where a penis may be inserted; and a separate motor, driver, or actuator which changes the pivot angle of the guide rods independently of the linear motion.
The accompanying drawings illustrate several aspects and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention according to the aspects. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the particular arrangements illustrated in the drawings are merely exemplary, and are not to be considered as limiting of the scope of the invention or the claims herein in any way.
The inventor has conceived, and reduced to practice, a linear motion male sexual stimulation device that provides a better user experience by providing an optimal linear stroking motion with optimal pressure, automation of the stroking motion, and user control over the speed, pattern, and location of the stroking motion, all while containing bodily fluids fully inside the device.
The mechanisms by which stimulation is provided in male sexual stimulation devices generally fall into one of five basic types: flexible sheath mechanisms, vibratory mechanisms, suction mechanisms, constriction mechanisms, and direct electrical stimulation mechanisms. Each of these devices has at least one significant disadvantage that is overcome by the present invention.
The sheath type device is tube-shaped device made of thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic rubber, silicone or other soft, flexible material, with or without an enclosing shell, into which the penis is inserted. The entire sheath device is moved up and down the shaft of the penis, causing stimulation by the friction and pressure of the sheath against the penis. Sheath type devices are used manually, requiring significant user effort, and possibly repetitive strain injury. They use a condom-like sleeve which can slip while in use, and either stretch, compress, or even slip off entirely and become lodged in the sheath. Sheath type devices expose the majority of the penis as the device is moved up and down the shaft of the penis, increasing the likelihood of release of bodily fluids outside of the device. Release of fluids outside of the device creates health and safety dangers to the user and others, can contaminate or damage other surfaces and materials onto which the fluids leak, and can make cleaning of the device itself difficult.
Vibratory mechanisms cause stimulation through oscillatory vibrations, usually created by an electric motor with an offset weight on the motor shaft. In many examples of vibratory mechanisms, for example the Hitachi Wand vibrator, the mechanism is simply pressed against the penis, causing stimulation by transmitting the vibration to the penis. In some forms of the vibratory mechanism, the penis may be inserted into the vibratory mechanism. Vibratory type devices provide a non-ideal type of stimulation, substituting vibration for the reciprocal linear motion of sexual intercourse. Further, most vibratory devices do not enclose the penis, and thus do not possess any method for containing bodily fluids. Vibratory mechanisms, in particular, also tend to produce substantial noise. While they sometimes allow the user to select different vibration patterns, such patterns do not provide much variance in stimulation, as they simply turn the device on and off at specified intervals.
Suction type devices are typically hard plastic tubes into which the penis is inserted at one end, and a suction pump is affixed to the other end. Suction type devices provide no direct stimulation through pressure or friction against the penis, and therefore provide substantially less than ideal stimulation. Suction devices may be combined with a sheath type mechanism.
A constriction type device is one in which the penis is inserted, and a set of rings either restrict blood flow back to the body, enhancing erection, or otherwise put inward radial pressure on the penis. Constriction type devices provide a non-ideal type of stimulation, substituting a squeezing motion for the reciprocal linear motion of sexual intercourse. Further, many constriction type devices do not enclose the penis, and thus do not possess any method for containing bodily fluids.
A direct electrical stimulation device is one in which the penis is stimulated through moderate voltage, very low current electrical shock. The electric shock stimulates nerve endings in the penis and may cause muscle contractions in surrounding tissue. The stimulation may be pulsed to provide different stimulation patterns. Direct electrical stimulation type devices provide a non-ideal type of stimulation, substituting electric shock pulses for the reciprocal linear motion of sexual intercourse. Further, most direction electrical stimulation type devices do not enclose the penis, and thus do not possess any method for containing bodily fluids.
The present invention overcomes the deficiencies in other mechanisms by providing ideal stimulation, similar in pressure and motion to that obtained during sexual intercourse or oral sex, in a device where the user can control the speed, pattern, and location of the motion, and where the penis remains fully enclosed in a hygienic sheath during stimulation. This device is substantially quieter than many of the alternatives, and provides substantially different stimulation in each of its user-selectable modes or patterns by allowing the user to choose where the stimulation should occur, how often it should occur at selected locations, and how fast it should occur at those locations.
The device may be controlled by an integrated circuit (IC) built into the device which controls the operation of the motor and monitors any sensors in the device. The IC may be pre-programmed or may, through a universal serial bus (USB) or other interface, be user programmable using a computer application. In either case, the IC may control the operation of the device by adjusting motor speed and direction to implement the patterns of stimulation programmed into the IC. Sensors in the device may be used to set limits of motion of the nut and screw mechanism, to ensure that the mechanism is at one end of its range of motion prior to operation, or to detect and protect against other device parameters such as motor over-heating. Sensors may be of any type suitable for the purpose, including but not limited to electrical contacts, magnetic sensors, magnetic reed switches, mechanical switches, rotational sensors, optical sensors, and temperature sensors.
In a preferred embodiment, the rotary motion from a small electric motor is translated to a linear motion through the use of a screw shaft and nut. The linear motion is translated into penile stimulation by a gripper that provides pressure against the penis through the sleeve as it glides up and down the shaft of the penis. Bodily fluids are contained within a flexible sheath inserted into the gripper, and into which the penis is inserted during use. This differs from sheath type devices in that the penis remains fully inserted in the device while in use, and the device itself is not drawn up and down the penis as with sheath type devices.
In some embodiments, the linear motion may be provided by other linear motion mechanisms. A non-exhaustive list of linear motion mechanisms that could be used in certain embodiments includes: ball screw mechanism, belt-drive linear actuator, linear motor, slider-crank mechanism, and hydraulic or pneumatic linear actuator. The use of these other linear motion mechanisms in certain embodiments will be described herein. Generally speaking, any mechanism capable of generating a linear motion could be used.
In some embodiments, the gripper mechanism may take a variety of alternate forms. A non-exhaustive list of alternative gripper mechanisms that could be used in certain embodiments includes: tubular gripper, annular (ring) gripper, partial-tube or partial-ring gripper, loop or band gripper (including loops and bands made of wire, plastic, metal, or other materials, and including multiple loops or bands), magnetic gripper, gripper with built-in heating elements, inflatable gripper, and vibrating gripper, a gripper with leaf springs or flexible plastic tines. The use of these other gripper mechanisms in certain embodiments will be described herein. It is important to note that the gripper is not limited to mechanisms or structures that “grip” by providing radial inward pressure (for example, leaf springs or flexible plastic tines), although such structures can be used. Generally speaking, any mechanism or structure to which a flexible sleeve may be affixed and which is capable of providing friction against a penis during linear motion may be used as a gripper.
In some embodiments, the linear motion may be augmented with a rotational motion of the gripper. For example, the guide rods supporting the gripper along which the linear motion occurs could be tilted or configured in a spiral, such that each travel along the guide rods causes the gripper to partially rotate about a longitudinal axis parallel to the linear motion. Alternatively, a motor or actuator could be attached to the gripper mechanism to rotate the gripper about a longitudinal axis parallel to the linear motion as it travels in a linear motion.
In some embodiments, the linear motion may be augmented by changing, the direction of the linear motion. For example, a pivot could be installed at the bottom of the guide rods, and a gear attached to the linear motion driver such that the linear motion causes the guide rods to tilt, changing the direction of the linear motion during each travel along the guide rods. Alternatively, a separate motor, driver, or actuator could be installed, which changes the pivot angle of the guide rods independently of the linear motion.
Optionally, the device may include a number of other functions to enhance the user experience. For example, a glippable surface may be molded to the outside of the housing to provide better grip in the hand. The device may contain the ability to warm the sheath to an optimal temperature prior to and during use. The device may also contain additional methods of stimulation in addition to the primary linear motion, such as suction, vibration, or direct electrical stimulation. The device may be made more portable by designing it to operate from batteries contained within the device housing. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, that the linear motion could be generated by some other means than a rotary electric motor.
One or more different aspects may be described in the present application. Further, for one or more of the aspects described herein, numerous alternative arrangements may be described; it should be appreciated that these are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting of the aspects contained herein or the claims presented herein in any way. One or more of the arrangements may be widely applicable to numerous aspects, as may be readily apparent from the disclosure. In general, arrangements are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice one or more of the aspects, and it should be appreciated that other arrangements may be utilized and that structural, logical, software, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the particular aspects. Particular features of one or more of the aspects described herein may be described with reference to one or more particular aspects or figures that form a part of the present disclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific arrangements of one or more of the aspects. It should be appreciated, however, that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular aspects or figures with reference to which they are described. The present disclosure is neither a literal description of all arrangements of one or more of the aspects nor a listing of features of one or more of the aspects that must be present in all arrangements.
Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the title of this patent application are for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.
Devices that are in communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices that are in communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more communication means or intermediaries, logical or physical.
A description of an aspect with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. To the contrary, a variety of optional components may be described to illustrate a wide variety af possible aspects and in order to more fully illustrate one or more aspects. Similarly, although process steps, method steps, algorithms or the like may be described in a sequential order, such processes, methods and algorithms may generally be configured to work in alternate orders, unless specifically stated to the contrary. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described in this patent application does not, in and of itself, indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of described processes may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be perfimned simultaneously despite being described or implied as occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described after the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by its depiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to one or more of the aspects, and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred. Also, steps are generally described once per aspect, but this does not mean they must occur once, or that they may only occur once each time a process, method, or algorithm is carried out or executed. Some steps may be omitted in some aspects or some occurrences, or some steps may be executed more than once in a given aspect or occurrence.
When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device or article may be used in place of a single device or article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a single device or article may be used in place of the more than one device or article.
The functionality or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices that are not explicitly described as having such functionality or features. Thus, other aspects need not include the device itself.
Techniques and mechanisms described or referenced herein will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it should be appreciated that particular aspects may include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple instantiations of a mechanism unless noted otherwise. Process descriptions or blocks in figures should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process. Alternate implementations are included within the scope of various aspects in which, for example, functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
20030191848 | Hesselink et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20040082831 | Kobashikawa et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20050228219 | Jewell | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20130281776 | Levy | Oct 2013 | A1 |
20140310754 | Collart et al. | Oct 2014 | A1 |
20160158029 | Kuiken | Jun 2016 | A1 |
20160278962 | Zhang | Sep 2016 | A1 |
20160279020 | Timmermans | Sep 2016 | A1 |
20160364553 | Smith et al. | Dec 2016 | A1 |
20170189263 | Cambridge | Jul 2017 | A1 |
20180140502 | Shahoian et al. | May 2018 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2870058 | Sep 2015 | CA |
Entry |
---|
Surge AS; Mimiate—Sex Partner Emulator; Kickstarter project; last updated Sep. 29, 2017; 24 pages, Oslo, Norway; https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mimiate/mimiate-sex-partner-emulator?ref=discovery&term=Mimiate. |
Surge LLC; Mimiate—sex partner emulator; Aug. 15, 2017; https://www.newswire.com/news/mimiate-sex-partner-emulator. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62655712 | Apr 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 16045705 | Jul 2018 | US |
Child | 16373529 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 16373529 | Apr 2019 | US |
Child | 16528334 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 16528334 | Jul 2019 | US |
Child | 16934566 | US |