Patent Application
20080017764
The invention relates to devices for holding and retaining massagers and vibrators for permitting hands free self-manipulation by a user. In today's society, instant gratification is a much sought-after goal. People are continually striving to devise more creative activities for deriving pleasure. The sexual device industry is fast becoming a significant market force, and the styles and varieties of sexual aids is limited only by the imagination. Vibrators and other phallic-shaped implements are a mainstay of many feminine private collections. Needless to say, for effective operation, the user must grasp the device with her hand and manually manipulate it as required. On occasion, however, it may be inconvenient or impractical to use one's hand, especially if the user has her hands engaged with a partner or is engaged in some other activity. While it may be possible to affix the vibrator or massager to a surface, the result may be dissatisfying if the rigid placement of the device does not allow for reciprocal movement with the user, and may even cause pain. It is therefore desirable to provide a capability for mounting a vibrator or massager so that it provides relative movement with respect to the point of mounting so the user may enjoy hands free manipulation.
Vibrators occasionally have power cords which can be a hindrance when mounting the device. Structures with receptacles for receiving the shaft of a vibrator normally work quite well for those that are battery operated and are cordless. For those vibrating devices which have a cord emanating from their base shaft end, however, a receptacle mounting means poses a problem. The extra space occupied by the cord prevents a snug fit, which is necessary for retention of the vibrator. While a open-bottomed receptacle might permit the cord to be guided through, it presents an inconvenience to the user in having to thread the cord through the open bottom end. A person seeking instant gratification is not likely to have the patience required to surgically guide the cord through that opening.
It would further be desirable if the means for mounting the vibrator permitted quick and easy attachment to a variety of surfaces. It would be even further desirable if the means for mounting the vibrator permitted quick and easy attachment in a variety of orientations. It would be yet further desirable if the means for mounting the vibrator was able to accommodate a power cord emanating from the vibrator and still retain the vibrator in a snug, secure mounted relationship.
The present invention is directed to a swivel stand device that is sized and shaped to receive a vibrating/massaging device and that allows for improved manipulation of the device without requiring use of a user's hands. The swivel stand comprises a shaft receiving receptacle pivotally mounted on to a base member through a ball and joint attachment. The receptacle is adapted for receiving and retaining the base of a vibrating/massaging device. The shaft receiving receptacle has a longitudinal slot in its side that receives the vibrator's electrical cord or the like for connecting the device to a battery or control box without interfering with the proper seating of the device's base within the receptacle. The side slot provides a convenient way to retain the cord so that it does not interfere with the snug fit of the vibrating/massaging device in the receptacle. It further provides for slight expansion of the receptacle walls to permit slightly larger diameter devices to be received in the receptacle.
The swivel stand is mounted to a suction cup base which permits attachment to a wide variety of surfaces. In operation, the swivel stand device may be temporarily attached by applying the suction cup base to a flat surface, such as a tile floor or a smooth wall. The user then inserts the base of the vibrating/massaging device into the receptacle of the swivel stand. In an embodiment, the device is inserted into the receptacle of the swivel stand by using a snap fit connection between a ball connected to the device and a cup included in the receptacle. Alternatively, the cup can be connected to the device and the ball can be included or connected to the swivel stand.
Once so inserted, the user threads the electrical cord of the vibrating/massaging device through the side slot in the receptacle. The user then may freely rotate and swivel the stand relative to the flat surface by virtue of the ball and socket joint connection between the stand and the suction cup base.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a stand for a vibrating/massaging device that can be attached to a wide variety of surfaces. It is a further object of the invention to provide a stand that enables the vibrating/massaging device to be manipulated into a wide variety of orientations and positions with respect to the surface engaged by the base. It is still further an object of the invention to provide a stand for a vibrating/massaging device that can accommodate an electrical or power cord disposed at the bottom of the device.
These and other objects of the present invention are realized in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, described by way of example and not by way of limitation. Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following more detailed description and drawings in which like elements of the invention are similarly numbered throughout.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the presently described technology, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the presently described technology, certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the presently described technology is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.
The present invention is directed to a swivel stand device that is sized and shaped to receive a vibrating/massaging device and that allows for improved manipulation of the device without requiring use of a user's hands. The swivel stand comprises a shaft receiving receptacle pivotally mounted on to a base member through a ball and joint attachment. The receptacle is adapted for receiving and retaining the base of a vibrating/massaging device. The shaft receiving receptacle has a longitudinal slot in its side that receives the vibrator's electrical cord or the like for connecting the device to a battery or control box without interfering with the proper seating of the device's base within the receptacle. The side slot provides a convenient way to retain the cord so that it does not interfere with the snug fit of the vibrating/massaging device in the receptacle. It further provides for slight expansion of the receptacle walls to permit slightly larger diameter devices to be received in the receptacle.
The swivel stand is mounted to a suction cup base which permits attachment to a wide variety of surfaces. In operation, the swivel stand device may be temporarily attached by applying the suction cup base to a flat surface, such as a tile floor or a smooth wall. The user then inserts the base of the vibrating/massaging device into the receptacle of the swivel stand. In an embodiment, the device is inserted into the receptacle of the swivel stand by using a snap fit connection between a ball connected to the device and a cup included in the receptacle. Alternatively, the cup can be connected to the device and the ball can be included or connected to the swivel stand.
Once so inserted, the user threads the electrical cord of the vibrating/massaging device through the side slot in the receptacle. The user then may freely rotate and swivel the stand relative to the flat surface by virtue of the ball and socket joint connection between the stand and the suction cup base.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a stand for a vibrating/massaging device that can be attached to a wide variety of surfaces. It is a further object of the invention to provide a stand that enables the vibrating/massaging device to be manipulated into a wide variety of orientations and positions with respect to the surface engaged by the base. It is still further an object of the invention to provide a stand for a vibrating/massaging device that can accommodate an electrical or power cord disposed at the bottom of the device.
These and other objects of the present invention are realized in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, described by way of example and not by way of limitation. Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following more detailed description and drawings in which like elements of the invention are similarly numbered throughout.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the presently described technology, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the presently described technology, certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however,
Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the swivel stand of the present invention is illustrated and generally indicated as 10 in
Base 16 comprises a suction cup attachment face 24 and socket body 26. Suction cup face 24 permits attachment to a wide variety of flat surfaces, and can even be placed on a wall. A lifting tab 28 is provided on a perimeter edge of suction cup 24 to permit easy release of suction built up between the base and an engaged surface so that the device may be removed from the surface. Socket body 26 is supported on top of suction cup 24 and can be integrally formed therewith by molding or may be glued on or the like. Socket body 26 forms an internal threaded socket 30 which receives a threaded stud 32 that serves to connect ball joint 14 with base 16.
Ball joint 14 permits a swiveling and pivoting relationship between massaging device receiving receptacle 12 and base 16. One preferred embodiment is shown in
As illustrated in
In an embodiment, the minimum distance “t” can be any distance of sufficient depth into cup member 36 so that the elasticity of cup member 36 is stretched and used to hold ball member 34 in one or more of a variety of orientations when ball member 34 is inserted into cup member 36. For example, “t” can be one-third of the total distance from the opening of cup member 36 to the bottom of cup member 36. However, other distances and fractions of the distance between the opening and bottom of cup member 36 are possible and within the scope of the presently described invention.
That is, the sphere or spherical portion of ball member 34 includes diameter D whereas the opening of cup member 36 has an internal measurement d at its edge. The dimension of “d” is smaller than that of “D”, such that ball member 34 has to be forced into the cup member 36, thereby creating a snap-fit connection. There can be a significant distance “t” between the plans of “d” and “D” for providing a larger elasticity of the opening edge of cup member 36.
Another preferred embodiment is shown in
Similar to the embodiment illustrated in
In an embodiment, the minimum distance “t” can be any distance of sufficient depth into cup member 40 so that the elasticity of cup member 40 is stretched and used to hold ball member 42 in one or more of a variety of orientations when ball member 42 is inserted into cup member 40. For example, “t” can be one-third of the total distance from the opening of cup member 40 to the bottom of cup member 40. However, other distances and fractions of the distance between the opening and bottom of cup member 40 are possible and within the scope of the presently described invention.
A non-circular shape of an opening of cup member 36 and/or 40 can provide for easier deformation of the opening when ball member 34 or 42 is inserted into cup member 36 or 40. As deformation of ball members 34, 42 can be difficult to achieve when ball members 34, 42 are inserted into cup members 36, 40, making the opening of cup member 36 and/or 40 non-circular can make insertion of ball member 34 or 42 easier to achieve. In an embodiment of the presently described invention, one or more of the openings of cup members 36 and 40 is an irregular or non-circular shape. For example, the opening of cup member 36 and/or 40 can be an oval or polygon shape. In an embodiment, the term “polygon” means a closed plane figure having three or more sides. These sides can be straight sides.
When the cross-section of opening edge 81, 91 of cup member 36, 40 and/or diameter “D” 82, 92 of ball member 34, 42 is made in a non-circular shape such as oval or polygon, there are point-contacts (instead of line-contacts) between opening edge 81, 91 and ball member 34, 42. When opening edge 81, 91 and ball member 34, 42 are engaged for a snap-fit connection, edge 81, 91 and/or ball member 34, 42 can be more easily deformed when ball member 34, 42 is forced into cup member 36, 40. In other words, with a non-circular opening edge 81, 91 and/or diameter 82, 92, cup member 36, 40 can have greater elasticity for fitting ball member 34, 42 into cup member 36, 40. By having a non-circular opening 81, 91 and/or diameter 82, 92, the ball joint between ball member 34, 42 and cup member 36, 40 can provide a three-dimensional relative movement between ball member 34, 42 and cup member 36, 40 without an additional clamping mechanism.
In an embodiment, a depth of cup member 36, 40 is greater than a radius of ball member 34, 42. That is, a distance between the opening edge of cup member 36, 40 and the bottom of cup member 36, 40 is greater than half the diameter “D” of ball member 34, 42. In an embodiment, the depth of cup member 36, 40 is greater than the largest radius of ball member 34, 42.
In operation as seen in
It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made thereto, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teaching of this invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/796,921 (referred to herein as the '921 application), filed on Apr. 27, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/652,957 (referred to herein as the '957 application), filed on Aug. 29, 2003, and published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0045779 on Mar. 3, 2005. Both the '921 and '957 applications name Simon Siu Man Nan as inventor and are entitled “Swivel stand with side slot and suction cup base.” The disclosures of the '921 and '957 applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10652957 | Aug 2003 | US |
| Child | 11796921 | Apr 2007 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11796921 | Apr 2007 | US |
| Child | 11824745 | Jul 2007 | US |
