Patent Application
20080230073
Not applicable.
The presently described invention generally relates to prophylactics. More specifically, embodiments of the presently described technology provide an improved electrically powered vibrating condom.
In use, existing vibrating massagers used as sexual aid devices are commonly held by hand. Such use by a female prevents simultaneous intercourse with a male partner. Thus, only the female partner obtains a benefit from the existing vibrating massager.
Other existing devices include a miniature vibrating device worn on the base of a male partner's sexual organ for providing vibrating stimulation to a female partner's genitals during intercourse. However, this type of device is limited to stimulating the external portions of the female partner's sexual organs and can not stimulate the internal part of these organs. These internal portions of the female partner's organs can provide increased stimulation to the female partner.
It is desirable to provide male and female partners with a vibrating actuator during intercourse that does not have an adverse effect on either partner but enhances each partner's enjoyment. Thus, a need exists for a vibrating massager that can provide stimulation to both partners during intercourse and/or provide stimulation to an internal part of the female partner during intercourse with her male partner.
One or more embodiments of the presently described invention provides a prophylactic device that includes a vibration generator and a switch disposed in a distal end of the device. The vibration generator is capable of being activated by pushing the switch towards a proximal end of the device.
One or more embodiments of the presently described invention also provides a method for providing a vibrating prophylactic device. The method includes providing a vibration generator and a switch in a distal end of the device and activating the vibration generator by pushing the switch towards a proximal end of the device.
One or more embodiments of the presently described invention also provides a switching apparatus for activating a vibration generator. The apparatus includes a ring including a recess, a switch including at least one arm connected to the ring, and an electrically conductive arm configured to contact a pole of a motor when the ring is in an activated position and configured to contact the recess when the ring is in a deactivated position.
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.
Embodiments of the presently described invention relate to an electrically powered vibrating condom. For example, one or more embodiments include a condom having a miniature or micro-vibrating actuator inside a condom for providing stimulation to an internal part of a female partner during intercourse. In an embodiment, the actuator provides stimulation to the female partner's so-called “G-spot” during intercourse.
In a preferred embodiment, the inventive device described herein comprises a skin, a vibration actuator, a power source and a power switch. The device is preferred for a single time use. That is, the device is preferably used only a single time and then disposed. In another embodiment, however, the device can be designed for multiple uses.
Vibrator actuator section 3 is disposed at a distal end of device 1. Section 3 can be curved along one or more dimensions. For example, as shown in
Skin 2 can comprise a resilient or elastic material. For example, skin 2 can comprise a traditional prophylactic or condom material. In an embodiment, section 3 comprises the same material as the remainder of device 1. For example, all of device 1, including section 3, can comprise skin 2. In another embodiment, section 3 comprises a material with a different resiliency or elasticity than the remainder of device 1. For example, the material in section 3 can be stiffer than the material of skin 2 for the remainder of device 1.
Vibration generator 4 and power switch 5 can be enclosed in section 3 by cover 6. That is, cover 6 can enclose vibration generator 4 and switch 5 within section 3 by preventing or inhibiting generator 4 and switch 5 from falling out of section 3, for example. Cover 6 can be made from the same or different material as skin 2. In an embodiment, cover 6 is made from a resilient or elastic material. In another embodiment, cover 6 is made from a stiff or inelastic material.
Power switch 5 can activate and/or deactivate vibration of vibration generator 4. For example, when power switch 5 is pulled away from generator 4, generator 4 is deactivated or is “OFF” and therefore does not vibrate. When switch 5 is pushed in towards generator 4, generator 4 is activated or is “ON” and therefore vibrates.
In an embodiment, switch 5 is capable of being pushed down into the “ON” position (as shown in
In another embodiment, prior to use of device 1, switch 5 is set in the OFF position shown in
In an embodiment, switch 5 can only be activated by pushing switch 5 towards a proximal end 25 of device 1, or downwards, as shown by direction P in
In an embodiment, cover 6 is fixed in annular groove 3b. That is, cover 6 is attached to groove 3b in such a manner such that removal of cover 6 would cause damage to skin 2, section 3 and/or cover 6, for example. Cover 6 can be fixed in groove 3b by use of an adhesive or by melting or otherwise bonding cover 6 to skin 2 of section 3, for example.
In another embodiment, cover 6 is removable from annular groove 3b. That is, cover 6 is capable of being placed in groove 3b and removed from groove 3b a plurality of times without causing damage to skin 2, section 3 and/or cover 6, for example. In such an embodiment, vibration generator 4 and switch 5 can be removed from one device 1 after its use and inserted into another device 1.
In an embodiment, generator 4 is fixed or adhered to cover 6. For example, generator 4 can be adhesively secured, as by glue, or otherwise bonded to cover 6. In another embodiment, generator 4 is not fixed or adhered to cover 6.
Vibration generator 4 includes a motor 11, an electrically conductive strip 17, a lower casing 7, an upper casing 18, a battery 16, an eccentric mass 15 and a plurality of cavities or hollow portions, including cavities 8, 9, 10, 19, 20 and 21.
Upper casing 18 includes a recess 22. Conductive strip 17 includes a switching arm 17a and a battery contact arm 17b. Lower casing 7 includes a cavity or hollow portion 8.
Motor 11 includes an outer surface 12 (which can act as a first electric pole 12 of motor 11), a second electric pole 13, a plate 14 and a shaft 23. Eccentric mass 15 and shaft 23 are configured so that mass 15 can be attached, connected or fixed to shaft 23.
Lower casing 7 comprises cavity 8 for accommodating motor 11. Lower casing 7 also comprises cavity 9 for accommodating battery 16. Lower casing 7 includes cavity 10 for providing a clearance to eccentric mass 15 on shaft 23 of motor 11.
Upper casing 18 comprises cavity 19 for accommodating motor 11, a cavity 20 for accommodating battery 16, cavity 21 for providing a clearance to eccentric mass 15 on shaft 23 of motor 11. Recess 22 in upper casing 18 is provided to locate arm 17a.
In an embodiment, hole 5c is snug fit to outer surface 12 of motor 11. That is, hole 5c is large enough to encircle outer surface 12 of motor 11 with little or no room or clearance for any other object between annular ring 5b and outer surface 12 of motor 11. However, in an embodiment, hole 5c is large enough to permit annular ring 5b to slide relative to and along a longitudinal axis of motor 11.
In an embodiment, outer surface 12 of motor 11 is made of an electrically conductive material. For example, outer surface 12 of motor 11 can comprise a metal, or metallic or other conductive material. In such an embodiment, outer surface 12 of motor can act as first electric pole 12 of motor 11. Second electric pole 13 of motor 11 is located on plate 14. In an embodiment, plate 14 is made of a non-conducting material. For example, plate 14 can be formed of a non-metallic or a plastic material. By “plastic” in the present description is meant a suitable synthetic or other hardened resin material or polymer of appropriate resilience and strength and other characteristics suited for the present purposes. Plate 14 can be connected or affixed to one end of motor 11.
In operation, when power switch 5 is pulled away from vibration generator 4 (as shown in
When arm 17a and outer surface 12 of motor 11 are separated, no voltage or power is supplied to motor 11 from battery 16. When no voltage or power is supplied to motor 11 from battery 16, generator 4 is in the OFF position and does not vibrate.
If power switch 5 is pushed towards vibration generator 4, the portion of recess 5d of annular ring 5b can be moved away from arm 17a and end 24 of arm 17a. This movement can cause arm 17a and/or end 24 of arm 17a to contact outer surface 12 of motor 11 (which, as described above, also can act as first electric pole 12 of motor 11). When switch 5 is pushed towards generator 4 and arm 17a contacts first electric pole 12 of motor, power or voltage is supplied to motor 11 from battery 16. When power or voltage is supplied to motor 11 from battery 16, generator 4 is in the ON position, becomes activated and begins vibrating.
Next, at step 83, the generator and switch are enclosed in the prophylactic by inserting them into the open section at the distal end of the prophylactic and closing them in this end by placing a cover over them, as described above. For example, generator 4 and switch 5 can be placed in section 3 and enclosed using cover 6, as described above. In an embodiment, the generator and switch are provided at step 83 in the OFF, or deactivated, position. In another embodiment, the generator and switch are provided at step 83 in the ON, or activated, position
Next, at step 84, the generator is caused to vibrate by activating it. The generator can be activated by pushing the switch towards the proximal end 25 of the prophylactic, as described above. For example, generator 4 can be activated by pushing switch 5 towards the proximal end 25 of device 1.
In an embodiment, if the generator is provided at step 83 in the activated position, method 80 skips step 84. That is, in such an embodiment, method 80 proceeds from step 83 to step 85.
Next, at step 85, the generator is stopped from vibrating by deactivating it. The generator can be deactivated by pulling the switch towards the distal end of the prophylactic, as described above. For example, generator 4 can be deactivated by pulling switch 5 towards the distal end of device 1.
While particular elements, embodiments and applications of the presently described invention have been shown and described, it is understood that the presently described invention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made by those skilled in the technology, particularly in light of the foregoing teaching. It is therefore contemplated by the appended claims to cover such modifications and incorporate those features that come within the spirit and scope of the presently described invention.
