Patent Grant
10076463
This invention relates to vibrating electromechanical devices for female stimulation.
The invention relates to the field of sexual stimulation, and more particularly to clitoral stimulation. Vibrating electromechanical devices, sometimes referred to as vibrators, can be used to help facilitate women reaching orgasm. Couples may also choose to use a vibrator to enhance the pleasure of one or both partners.
This disclosure relates to devices and methods for producing stimulation to the clitoris of a user in which the apparatus is held in place above the vaginal opening through an interference fit with the labia. Many of the devices and methods are compatible with sexual intercourse because stimulation is provided to the clitoris while the vaginal opening remains accessible.
In one aspect of the invention, a vibrator device to stimulate the clitoris of the user includes a vibrator mechanism and a body enclosing the vibrator mechanism. The body includes a first side portion, a second side portion, and an extension portion. The first side portion and second side portion are configured to engage in an interference fit with labia of the user such that the device is in contact with a clitoris.
In another aspect of the invention, a vibrator device stimulates a clitoris of a user includes a vibrator mechanism and a body enclosing the vibrator mechanism. The body includes a first side member and a second side member. The first side member and second side member are configured to engage in an interference fit with labia of the user such that the body is in contact with the clitoris of the user.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of applying vibration to a clitoris of a user. The method includes positioning a vibrator device on the user such that the first side member and second side member engage in an interference fit with a labia and such that the vibrator device engages in an interference fit with labia of the user such that the vibrator device is in contact with a clitoris and a vaginal opening of the user is unobstructed.
In another aspect of the invention, a method includes applying vibration to the clitoris of a user. The method includes a vibrator device having a vibrator mechanism and a body enclosing the vibrator mechanism. The body includes a first side portion, a second side portion, and an extension portion. The vibrator device is positioned by a user such that the first side portion and second side portion engage in an interference fit with labia and such that the extension portion is in contact with a clitoris and the vibrator device does not obstruct the vaginal opening.
In some implementations, the device includes a controller enclosed within the body and attached to the vibrator mechanism.
In some implementations, the device includes a controller electronically connected to the vibrator mechanism.
In certain implementations, the device includes a transceiver electronically connected to the controller.
In some implementations, the transceiver is adapted to communicate with Bluetooth-enabled devices.
In some implementations, the transceiver is adapted to communicate wirelessly.
In certain implementations, the vibrator mechanism is enclosed within the extension portion.
In some implementations, the device is configured to engage outside the vaginal opening during use.
In certain implementations, the device includes at least one vibration motor.
In some implementations, the vibration motor is a pancake motor.
In certain implementations, the body includes a material and any of the first side portion and second side portion includes a material different that differs from the body material.
In some implementations, the body includes at least one open portion.
In certain implementations, the body includes at least one raised portion.
In some implementations, the body includes at least one depressed portion.
In certain implementations, the body is arranged to have a concave curve corresponding to an anatomical curve.
In some implementations, the side portions further comprise at least one adjustable element.
In some implementations, at least one of the side members further comprise at least one adjustable element.
In certain implementations, the adjustable element is a spring.
In some implementations, the method includes a vibrator mechanism enclosed within the extension portion.
In certain implementations, the method includes a vibrator device that includes at least one vibration motor.
In some implementations, the method includes a vibration motor that is a pancake motor.
In certain implementations, the method includes a vibrator device further including a controller enclosed within the body and attached to the vibrator mechanism.
In some implementations, the method includes a vibrator device further including a transceiver electronically connected to the controller.
In certain implementations, the method includes a transceiver that is adapted to communicate with Bluetooth devices.
In some implementations, the method includes a transceiver that is adapted to communicate wirelessly.
In some implementations, the method includes applying vibration to the clitoris of a woman, the method including providing a vibrator device described herein and positioning the vibrator device on a user such that the first side portion and second side portion engage in an interference fit with a labia and such that the extension portion is in contact with a clitoris. The vibrator device does not obstruct the vaginal opening.
In certain implementations, the method includes activating the vibrator device. The vibrator device is configured to provide stimulation to the clitoris of the user.
In some implementations, the method further includes penetrating the vaginal opening of the user with an object.
In certain implementations, the method further includes simultaneously providing stimulus to the clitoris and penetrating the vagal opening of the user.
In some implementations, the object is a penis or a dildo.
Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from a reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Described herein are devices and methods for producing sexual stimulation, and more specifically to a vibrating device designed to stimulate the clitoris. The devices described herein are designed to fit the anatomy of a range of women and remain in contact with the clitoris without obstructing the vaginal opening. This permits the use of the devices during intercourse. This also permits device operation without the need for additional devices and/or the hands of a user to ensure that the device remains in position.
Referring to
As shown in
The body 101 includes a raised portion 108 extending outward from the body 101. The raised portion 108 can enclose the vibrating mechanism 103. By extending outward from the body 101, the raised portion 108 can contact the clitoris and provide stimulation directly to the clitoris of the user. In some cases, the height to width ratio of the raised portion 108 is less than about 1 (e.g., less than about 0.9, less than about 0.8, less than about 0.7, less than about 0.6, less than about 0.5, less than about 0.4, less than about 0.3, less than about 0.4, or less than about 0.1).
In other cases, the height to width ratio of the raised portion 108 is at least about 3 (e.g., at least about 1.1, at least about 1.2, at least about 1.3, at least about 1.4, at least about 1.5, at least about 1.6, at least about 1.7, at least about 1.8, at least about 1.9, at least about 2, or at least about 2.5). In other cases, the length to width ratio of the raised portion 108 is at least about 1 (e.g., at least about 1.2, at least about 1.4, at least about 1.6, at least about 1.8, at least about 2, at least about 2.2, at least about 2.4, at least about 2.6, at least about 2.8, at least about 3, at least about 3.2, at least about 3.4, at least about 3.6, at least about 3.8, or at least about 4).
The proportions of the side members and size of the device as a whole can be adjusted to correspond to the anatomy of a particular user or group of users. For example, the side members 104, 106 can be configured to project from the body 101 for a sufficient distance to enable device contact with the clitoris. In some examples, the side members 104, 106 may extend for a sufficient distance to ensure an interference fit is achieved with the labia.
In some cases, the ratio of the height of the body 101 to the width of the device can be at least about 0.5 (e.g., at least about 0.70, at least about 1.2, at least about 1.4, at least about 1.6, at least about 1.8, at least about 2, at least about 2.2, at least about 2.4, at least about 2.6, at least about 2.8, at least about 3, at least about 3.2, at least about 3.4, at least about 3.6, at least about 3.8, or at least about 4).
The side members 104, 106 assume an initial configuration in which the side members 104, 106 extend from the body 101 as shown in
In some cases, the width of the device, including the body 101 and the side members 104, 106 is less than about 7 cm (e.g., less than about 6.35 cm, less than about 6.5 cm, less than about 6 cm, less than about 5.5 cm, less than about 5 cm, less than about 4.5 cm, less than about 4 cm, less than about 3.5 cm, less than about 3 cm, less than about 3.4 cm, less than about 3.3 cm, less than about 3.2 cm, less than about 3.1 cm, less than about 3 cm, less than about 2.8 cm, less than about 2.6 cm, less than about 2.4 cm, less than about 2.2 cm, or less than about 2 cm).
In some cases, the device 100 can have a total thickness sufficient to encapsulate at least one of the following: the vibrating mechanism 103, the controller 105, the port 107, the transceiver 109, and the power source 111. For example, the device can have a thickness of about 1 cm, about 1.5 cm, about 2 cm, about 2.5 cm, about 3 cm, about 3.2 cm, about 3.5 cm, about 4 cm, about 4.5 cm, about 5 cm, or about 5.5 cm.
The body 101 of the device 100 can be formed of a wide range of materials (e.g., rubber, gel foams, plastics, silicone, and/or other suitable materials). In some cases, device 100 includes a base material, e.g., forming an internal skeleton, and a coating material encasing the base material. The base material and the coating material can be formed of the same material. Alternatively, the base material and coating material can be different from each other. For example, the base material can be formed of a first material (e.g., nylon, silicone, Nylon PA6 and/or plastic) while the coating material can be formed of a second material (e.g., medical grade silicone, rubber, gel foams, or plastics). The base materials and/or the coating material are capable of withstanding sanitization methods. For example, the device 100 is constructed from a material and in such a manner as to be waterproof and/or water resistant. In other cases, the device 100 is compatible with automatic cleaning devices (e.g., a dishwasher).
The body 101 and the side members 104, 106 can be formed of the same material (e.g., rubber, gel foams, plastics, silicone, and/or other suitable materials). In some cases, at least a portion or the entire device may be formed of a more flexible material. For example, side members 104, 106 may be formed of a flexible shape-memory material while the body 101 can be formed of a less flexible plastic.
Referring to
In this example, the encapsulated vibrating mechanism 103 extends outwardly from the body 101 to contact the clitoris during use. The encapsulated vibrating mechanism 103 can causes the body 101 to serve as a vibration mass. In this example, the vibrations are transferred throughout the device 100 thereby causing the body 101 to vibrate against the clitoris. In some cases, a portion of the device 100 can serve as a vibration mass. The vibration can be transferred to selected portions of the device 100. These designated portions can then function as a vibration mass. For example, while the body 101 can receive vibrations to function as a vibration mass, one or more of the side arms 104, 106 can remain isolated from the vibrations. This arrangement can help to secure the device 100 by stabilizing the side arms 104, 106 and help to direct stimulation to a desired zone (e.g., the clitoris). The encapsulated vibrating mechanism 103 can transfer vibrations to the clitoris through direct contact. In other examples, the body 101 includes multiple motors. It should be understood that numerous mechanisms for producing vibrations would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, while a shaftless or pancake motor is generally preferred, other means of producing vibratory motion can be used.
The controller 105 is similarly encapsulated in the body 101. The controller 105 is configured to control the operation of the vibrating mechanism 103. In this example, the controller 105 switchably connects the vibrating mechanism 103 to the power source 111. The controller 105 may also allow the user to adjust the rate of speed and/or manner of vibration. Alternatively, the device may include a first “ON/OFF” controller for activating and deactivating the vibration-generating motor, and a second “variable speed switch” controller for controlling the rate and/or type of vibration. While the controller 105 is generally shown in the body 101, user controls (e.g., buttons and/or switches) can be directly or remotely connected to the controller 105. For example, the device 100 includes at least one button 102 in communication with the controller 105 to allow the user to control the device 100. The button 102 can use any of various technologies implementing momentary touch, pressure sensitive, resistive or capacitive touch, resistive or capacitive touchscreens, pressure sensitive touchscreens, knobs, switches, and light-sensitive mechanisms. Any of these technologies may be adapted to recognize multiple gestures, types of touches, multiple patterns of touches, or multiple duration of touch. In one example the device may have a single button that when momentarily pressed sequentially causes the unit to go from off to low, low to medium, medium to high, high to off over the course of four button presses. Similarly, a longer duration press may interrupt the button progression and override into some other state such as off.
In
The power source 111 used to operate the device 100 (e.g., vibrating mechanism 103, the controller 105, the transceiver 109, or one or more sensors) can be one or more batteries positioned within the body 101. Alternatively, other suitable power sources can be used for providing the electrical power to the vibrating mechanism 103, including specific battery types, battery sizes, renewable batteries, rechargeable batteries, disposable batteries). The port 107 can be wired to communicate directly with controller 105. Alternative methods of charging well known in the art such as inductive, or capacitive charging may be substituted for USB charging. The device may further comprise an inductive or capacitive charging circuit and components (e.g., electrical connections compatible with the charging circuit) as is known in the art, such that the device may be charged by simply placing it in or on an inductive or capacitive charger.
Still referring to
If a wireless connection is provided, the wireless connection can be configured to provide an essentially real-time information relay between the device and the client device. For example, the client device displays in real-time the current status of the device (e.g., on, off, and/or a specific vibratory pattern or mode). Exemplary low latency wireless connections can be based on an IEEE 802.15 standard, such as the ZigBee communication protocol (other exemplary low latency protocols include ISA100.11a, WirelessHART, and MiWi specification). In another example, the device 100 may communicate through a short-range wireless connection with a computing device, such as using Bluetooth™ technology. The Bluetooth radio transceiver may be integrated into the device, as shown, or it may be coupled to the device. The port 107, which may include various communication ports (e.g., USB, Bluetooth, Ethernet, wireless Ethernet) may be coupled to one or more input/output devices, such as a networking device such as a switch or router (e.g., through a network adapter).
In some examples, the device 100 includes one or more sensors in communication with the controller 105 using a wired or wireless connection. The one or more sensors can be fully or partially embedded within the device 100 or external to the device 100. The one or more sensors can be used to collect information. For example, the device may make use of one or more image sensors (e.g., CCD, CMOS, or other image sensors), light sensors (e.g., a photoresistor or photodiode), ultrasound sensors (e.g., piezoelectric or magnetostrictive ultrasound sensors), electrodermal activity sensors, force sensors, strain gauges, motion and position sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, or magnetometer), temperature sensors (e.g., thermistors, thermocouples, resistance thermometers, infrared thermometers, or silicon bandgap temperature sensors), sound sensors (e.g., condenser, dynamic, ribbon, carbon, piezoelectric, fiber optic laser, bone conduction, ultrasonic, or MEMS), and/or atmospheric sensors.
The one or more sensors can provide information to the controller 105 via the wired or wireless connection. Based, at least in part, on this information, the controller 105 can control the device 100. For example, one or more image sensors can gather image data information, and the controller can receive this information for machine vision, including object detection and tracking, object recognition or rejection, object presence or absence, pattern recognition, motion analysis, or object distance. In another example, one or more light sensors can be positioned on the device such that the light sensor can sense the absence or presence of light and communicate this information to the controller. The controller 105 can control device operation in response to this information by, for example, automatically activating the device 100 in response to an absence of light. Likewise, the controller 105 can automatically deactivate the device 100 in response to the presence of light.
While certain embodiments have been described, other embodiments are possible.
Referring to
As shown in
In some examples, the raised portion 108 has a height of less than about 95% (e.g., less than about 90%, less than about 80%, less than about 70%, less than about 60%, less than about 50%, less than about 40%, less than about 30%, less than about 20%, less than about 10%, less than about 5%, or less than about 1%) of the total thickness of the device. In some examples, the concave depressions 110 occupy less than about 95% (e.g., less than about 90%, less than about 80%, less than about 70%, less than about 60%, less than about 50%, less than about 40%, less than about 30%, less than about 20%, less than about 10%, less than about 5%, less than about 4%, less than about 3%, less than about 2%, less than about 1%, or less than about 0.5%) of the surface area of the device.
As shown in
In some cases, the depth to width ratio of the concave depressions 110 is less than about 1 (e.g., less than about 0.9, less than about 0.8, less than about 0.7, less than about 0.6, less than about 0.5, less than about 0.4, less than about 0.3, less than about 0.2, or less than about 0.1). In other cases, the depth to width ratio of the concave depressions 110 is at least about 1 (e.g., at least about 1, at least about 1.1, at least about 1.2, at least about 1.3, at least about 1.4, at least about 1.5, at least about 1.6, at least about 1.7, at least about 1.8, at least about 1.9, or at least about 2). The body 101 can optionally include the raised portion 108 (e.g., encasing the vibrating mechanism 103).
In some examples, the device 300 includes openings 302, 304. These openings can be free of material and/or consist of a lighter and/or more flexible material. In some cases, the openings 302, 304 are oval in shape and have a length to width ratio (e.g., at least about 1, at least about 1.5, at least about 2, at least about 2.5, at least about 3, at least about 3.5, at least about 4, at least about 4.5, at least about 5, at least about 5.5, or at least about 6). In other cases, each of the openings 302, 304 are circular in shape and occupy less than about 90% (e.g., less than about 80%, less than about 70%, less than about 60%, less than about 50%, less than about 40%, less than about 30%, less than about 20%, less than about 10%, or less than about 4%) of the total surface area of the device. In some cases, the side members 104, 106 are arcuate portions connected to the body 101 at locations along the length of the arcuate side members 104, 106. In this manner, openings (e.g., the openings 302, 304, can be formed between the connected portions. These openings 302, 304 can be manipulated to adjust the overall weight and/or resonant mass of the device and the resistance offered by the side members 104, 106.
As shown in
In this example, the side members 104, 106 are formed of a flexible material to deform as the resistance members compress and return to their original configurations as the resistance members release Thus, the side members 104, 106 move in combination with the resistance members 402. In some cases, the resistance members 402 extends along a portion of the external edge of the side members 104, 106. In other cases, the encapsulated resistance members 402 connects the side members 104, 106 to the body 101.
In some cases, the resistance members 402 are capable of adjusting the reactionary force in response to the varying forces exerted on the side portions during use. For example, the springs would self-adjust to accommodate the user's movement during use. While a spring is generally shown, it should be understood that other types of elastic or resilient components could alternatively be used.
In some examples, as shown in
In other examples, as shown in
Still referring to
In other examples, as shown in
In some cases, the configuration and material of the adjustment portions 802, 804 are selected such that, during use, the forces exerted by the labia via the side members 104, 106 do not cause the adjustment portions 802, 8084 to substantially fold in an accordion-like manner. However, a user is able to manually adjust the lengths of the adjustment portions 802, 804 during placement (e.g., by enabling the expansion or compression of the adjustment portion 806, 808). For example, during placement a user could pull the adjustment portions 806, 808 in a direction away from the body 101 until the device assumes a comfortable and secure interference fit with the labia of a user.
In some examples, as shown in
In other examples, as shown in
While the devices and methods generally described position the devices in contact the clitoris while engaged in an interference fit between the labia of the user without the need for additional devices and/or the hands of a user, additional devices may be employed. For example, straps, harnesses, or garments (e.g. retention devices) may be employed to additionally assist the interference fit between the labia of the user. The shape of retention devices may be specially adapted to accommodate the shape of the devices, such as with pouches, sized-openings, collars, clips, hooks, latches, buttons, zippers, toggles, anchors, magnets, slots, or keyholes. The retention devices can include material compatible with device insertion, retention, and/or positioning of the retention device. For example, a retention device having the general form of a belt could be formed a combination of leather and nitrile rubber. In such an example, the leather can be arranged adjacent to the pubic area of a user, and the nitrile adjacent to the labia to help secure the device. In other examples, the retention device could include an undergarment specially adapted with features designed to engage with the device and hold the device in place during sexual intercourse, while leaving an opening for vaginal penetration. Such an undergarment could be formed of various suitable materials (e.g., a cloth, latex, or nitrile rubber garment) with a properly sized opening near the clitoris to retain the device, with an opening sized and positioned enable vaginal penetration. In some examples, the device may be adapted to interface with the retention device through, for example, protrusions on the body 101 of the device.
Additionally or alternatively, the body 101 of the device may provide attachment features such as clips, anchors, slots, depressions, keyholes, or the like adapted to attach and release the device from the retention device. These attachments features can be formed from materials such as natural or synthetic fabric, rubber, plastic, latex, nitrile rubber, hook and loop fastener, silicone, or leather.
The operation of the devices 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, and 1000 will now be described with reference to the figures and specifically
To use the device, the user places the device between labia 1102, 1104 in contact with the vulvar vestibule ensuring that the body 101 is in contact with the clitoris and the side portions press firmly against the labia. This contact with the labia provides an interference fit with the anatomy and temporarily restrains the device in place. As shown in
A number of exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/991,896, filed on May 12, 2014.
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