Patent Application
20060135892
The present invention relates to a vibrating massager, and more particularly to a vibrating massager having a multi-layer structure.
Vibrating massagers for recreational and therapeutic use are well known in the art. A prior art vibrating massager may comprise a rigid body having a distal portion in communication with a proximal portion. The distal portion may include a vibrating head containing a vibratory component driven by a motor powered by batteries stored inside the proximal portion of the massager. However, it may often be desirable to provide an aesthetically attractive appearance to the vibrating massager by affixing indicia, such as decals, stickers or pictures, to the vibrating massager in order to provide an outwardly aesthetic attractiveness to the massager. Unfortunately, affixing such indicia to the vibrating massager may adversely affect the massaging function because direct contact with the indicia might provide an uncomfortable feeling to the user. In addition, the exposed indicia can degrade over time due to the direct contact of the indicia with various surfaces, fluids or abrasives.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a vibrating massager having a visual communication means that permits viewing of indicia without adversely affecting the massaging function of the massager. There is a further need in the art for a vibrating massager that protects the indicia while permitting the indicia to be viewed by the user.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a vibrating massager having a visual communication means that permits viewing of indicia inside the massager.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vibrating massager having a visual communication means that does not adversely affect the massaging function of the massager.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a vibrating massager having a transparent outer casing that permits viewing of indicia through the casing.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vibrating massager having an aesthetic attractiveness that does not interfere with the massaging function of the massager.
Another further object of the present invention is to provide a vibrating massager that permits the user to customize the aesthetic appearance of the massager.
Yet another further object of the present invention is to provide a vibrating massager with a multi-layer structure that is easily accessible to the user.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vibrating massager having at least two layers with an outside transparent layer encasing indicia interposed between the outside layer and an inside layer.
The present invention comprises a vibrating massager comprising a transparent outer casing, an end cap adapted to engage the transparent outer casing, a vibratory component encased inside the transparent outer casing, and indicia disposed inside the transparent outer casing, wherein the indicia is viewable through the transparent outer casing.
In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a multi-layer vibrating massager comprising an inner layer, an outside layer encasing said inner layer and engageable to an end portion, and an indicia interposed between the inner layer and outside layer, wherein the outside layer is sufficiently transparent to permit viewing of the indicia therein.
In still another embodiment, the present invention comprises a method of changing the aesthetic attractiveness of a vibrating massager comprising: providing a transparent outer casing, an end cap engageable to said transparent outer casing, a vibratory component encased inside the transparent outer casing, and providing an indicia disposed inside the outer casing; rotating the end cap until the outer casing disengages from the end cap; modifying the indicia disposed inside the transparent outer casing; and rotating the end cap until the transparent outer casing engages the end cap.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following more detailed description of the drawings in which like elements of the invention are similarly numbered throughout.
Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a vibrating massager according to the present invention is illustrated and generally indicated as 10 in
Preferably, outer casing 12 is made of a transparent plastic material that encases the vibratory component 16 and permits the user to view component 16 when the vibrating massager 10 is assembled. Referring to
Referring to
As further shown, transparent outer casing 12 provides a visual communication means that enables the user to observe indicia 14 interposed between outer casing 12 and vibratory component 16 as shall be discussed in greater detail below. The outer casing 12 defines an interior surface 41 and further includes a closed tapered distal end 26 and an open proximal end 24 having a flange 27 defining an opening 48 that communicates with a chamber 22. As further shown, outer casing 12 includes exterior threads 25 located adjacent flange 27 to engage a corresponding set of interior threads 26 (
Referring to
Referring back to
When rotated to the “on” position, dial 20 has settings for two modes of operation enabling vibrating massager 10 to operate in a “low” speed mode or “high” speed mode by methods known in the art. Once dial 20 has been rotated to the “on” position at the desired speed mode, vibrating massager 10 vibrates at the selected speed of operation. Operation of the vibrating massager 10 may be terminated by rotating dial 20 in the opposite direction to the “off” position.
According to one aspect of the present invention, indicia 14 may be a single aesthetic element or a plurality of aesthetic elements that provide an overall aesthetic attractiveness to vibrating massager 10. As such, indicia 14 may be interposed between vibratory component 16 and outer casing 12 by either affixing indicia 14 to exterior surface 46 of vibratory component 16, disposing indicia 14 between vibratory component 16 and outer casing 12, or affixing indicia 14 to the interior surface 41 of outer casing 12 such that indicia 14 is viewed through the transparent outer casing 12.
Preferably, indicia 14 may be any kind of aesthetic element or elements, such as beads, jewelry, decals, stickers, magnets, pictures, photographs, drawings or other suitable aesthetic elements that provide a viewable aesthetic attractiveness to the vibrating massager 10. In the preferred embodiment, indicia 14 can be easily accessed when outer casing 12 is disengaged from end cap 18 by rotating end cap 18 in a clockwise motion. Once the outer casing 12 is disengaged, the user can remove, substitute or otherwise modify indicia 14 in any desired manner for customizing vibrating massager 10. Once indicia 14 has been so modified, outer casing 12 may be placed over vibratory component 16 and engaged to end cap 18 by preferably rotating outer casing 12 in a counter-clockwise direction as noted above.
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 without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teaching of this invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.
