The present disclosure relates to stimulation devices and, more specifically, to waterproof stimulation devices with closed-system pressure balancing.
Sexual stimulation devices are devices that are used to stimulate the erogenous zones of users by the application of various sensation in the form of vibration, reciprocation, rotation, suction, etc. These devices may have movable parts that are sealed within a waterproof skin. However, as these devices are set in use, they may change in volume, for example, when the device makes a reciprocating motion. The change in volume within the waterproof skin may generate a pressure gradient with respect to the ambient pressure and this pressure gradient is often released by the use of air holes or valves so as to ensure smooth operation of the device.
However, these airholes or valves may create a weak point in the device's waterproofing and may allow water to be drawn into the device therethrough, which may contaminate and deteriorate sensitive internal components. These airholes or valves are generally located close to the reciprocating element so that they can create a direct path into the reciprocating element so as to let in air as the reciprocating element is extended and to release air as the reciprocating element is retracted.
A sexual stimulation device includes a housing, a drive unit at least partially disposed within the housing, a first stimulation element directly or indirectly coupled with the drive unit and driven by the drive unit to generate a movement, the movement configured to stimulate a sensitive area of a human body, an active stretchable seal configured to dynamically seal a relative movement part between the housing and the first stimulation element or the drive unit with respect to the housing, and to deform with the movement of the first stimulation element, and a passive stretchable element. The passive stretchable element is configured to deform passively due to the deformation of the active stretchable seal, thereby resulting in the dynamic balance of air pressure in an enclosed space at least defined by the passive stretchable element and the active stretchable seal.
A sexual stimulation device includes a housing, a drive unit at least partially disposed within the housing, a first stimulation element directly or indirectly coupled with the drive unit and driven by the drive unit to generate a movement, the movement configured to stimulate a sensitive area of a human body, and a removable attachment having a second stimulation element coupled with the first stimulation element and configured to reciprocate with a reciprocating movement of the first stimulation element.
A sexual stimulation device includes an active stretchable seal disposed at a first end of a body portion, the active stretchable seal creating a pressure as it moves. A drive unit moves the active stretchable seal. A passive stretchable element is disposed at a second end of the body portion. A pressure pathway carries the pressure created by the active stretchable seal to the passive stretchable element such that the total pressure within the active stretchable seal, passive stretchable element, and the pressure pathway stays relatively stable as the active stretchable seal moves.
A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and many of the attendant aspects thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
In describing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for sake of clarity. However, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner.
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide sexual stimulation devices that include a mechanism to balance internal pressure therein without compromising waterproofing. Rather than providing a vent hole that allows air to flow directly in and out of an active stretchable seal such as a reciprocating element, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pathway for pressure to be balanced between the active stretchable seal that drives the motion of the stimulation device and a secondary passive stretchable element, which can be a passive stretchable element such as a flexible capsule, or a flexible wall, or an airbag including a certain amount of gas therein, disposed apart from the active stretchable seal. The secondary passive stretchable element is configured to enlarge as the active stretchable seal contracts and contract as the active stretchable seal enlarges. The pressure pathway between the active stretchable seal and the secondary passive stretchable element allows for the two elements to be part of a closed system with a constant pressure throughout.
For example, the active stretchable seal may be disposed close to a front end of the stimulation device and the secondary passive stretchable element may be disposed close to a back end of the stimulation device and the pathway may traverse the interior of the stimulation device. As the secondary passive stretchable element may itself expand and contract, and this secondary passive stretchable element may also be disposed within a casing of the stimulation device, a vent may be used to normalize pressure at the back end of the stimulation device so as to allow air to be pushed out from the casing as the secondary passive stretchable element expands and to allow air to be pulled into the casing as the secondary passive stretchable element contracts. Thus, there might still be a vent in use. However, this vent leads into a sealed compartment within the casing so even if fluid makes its way in through this vent, it is not able to enter the secondary passive stretchable element and therefore is not able to come into contact with any sensitive electronic or mechanical elements. Also, because this vent may be disposed on the back end of the stimulation device, fluid ingress is made less likely.
It is noted that while the active stretchable seal that drives the motion of the stimulation device may be an active element, which is to say, it may operate under the mechanical drive of a motor or other mechanism, the secondary passive stretchable element may be a passive element, which is to say, it does not operate by direct mechanical drive but rather it may expand and contract as a result of the pressure provided by the active stretchable seal, that travels through the pressure pathway. However, according to alternative embodiments, the secondary passive stretchable element may be the active element and the active stretchable seal, which drives the motion of the stimulation device, may be the passive element, being driven by the pressure created by the active secondary passive stretchable element.
Moreover, while the pressure pathway may include a tube or pipe element, this is not necessarily the case and the pressure pathway may be open within the internal cavity defined by the device body.
Additionally, while it is described above that the active stretchable seal, the secondary passive stretchable element, and the pressure pathway may be a closed system, i.e., not allowing any air to enter or exit the system, embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited thereto and there may be some degree of limited air transfer between this system and the ambient environment so as to allow the device to slowly normalize when brought into a low pressure or high pressure environment, such as when changing altitudes.
Thus, while various embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein, it is noted that the particular elements are offered as examples and the invention is not necessarily limited to having all of the various elements described herein. Rather, the various elements are described so as to provide examples of actual implementations of the described concept, which may include various ways to balance pressure within a sexual stimulation device.
The reciprocating motion may be provided by a mover component 26 that is able to slide out and back under the action of a drive unit 16, which may include a motor and a mechanical linkage device. A stretchable sealer 24 may be used to ensure waterproofing across the mover component 26, for example, by providing a stretchable plastic element that may include bellows. An annular element 22 may be used to secure the stretchable sealer 24 to the housing 10. The relative moving part can be a portion between a mover component 26 and the housing, which exists as an air gap communicating with the interior of the housing 10, as shown in
The drive unit 16 may be powered by a power source such as a battery 18 and power conducting lines or wires may be used to deliver the power from the battery 18 to the drive unit 16. A controller may also be connected to the battery 18 and the drive unit 16 so as to control the operation of the drive unit 16.
As mentioned above, the drive unit 16 may drive the mechanical linkage to extend and retract the mover component 26. This may create pressure gradients within the housing 10 as the mover component 26 extends and retracts. For example, the extension of the mover component 26 may create a low pressure within an interior cavity 20 of the housing 10 that may be communicated to a passive stretchable element 28, which may function as the above-mentioned secondary passive stretchable element. In this way, the interior cavity 20 functions as the above-mentioned pressure pathway.
As the low pressure of the interior cavity 20 acts upon the passive stretchable element 28, the passive stretchable element 28 is made to contract. Air may then be permitted to enter into the housing 10 at an opening proximate to the passive stretchable element 28, but this section of the interior is hermetically sealed from the remainder of the interior cavity 20, and thus, even if water is to be pulled in through this opening, it cannot travel to the reminder of the interior cavity 20.
Additionally, as the mover component 26 retracts, high pressure is created within the interior cavity 20 and this may cause the passive stretchable element 28 to inflate within its space.
The stimulator appendage may be removable so as to allow for the use of multiple different stimulator appendages or to otherwise change the stimulator appendage that is in use.
The stimulator appendage may be a first stimulator 12 and may include a stimulation component 14. It is to be understood that within the present specification and the associated figures, like reference numerals may be used to describe like elements and thus, the stimulation component 14 (and other components) may be similar to that described above with respect to
To power the stimulation component 14, electricity may be provided from the power source 34, which may be a battery 18, through a pair of electrically conductive contacts 44 with a first set of electrically conductive contacts 44a on the handle of the device making contact with a second set of electrically conductive contacts 44b on the first stimulator 12. The bellows 46 that may be locked in place by the annular element 22 or by a combination of the fixed retainer ring 94 and an element of the faceplate 50.
The gap 38 is defined by the annular element 22 and the outer side of the bellows 46. By enclosing the bellows 46 with the annular element 22, it prevents the bellows 46 from pinching the user's skin or body hair during contraction and expansion. A wire groove tube 42 may be part of the linkage element discussed above and may also serve as the aforementioned pressure pathway so as to communicate pressure to an enclosed space 40 of the housing 10 which may transfer pressure to a chamber 30 that the flexible capsule 32 is connected so that the flexible capsule 32 functions as the aforementioned secondary passive stretchable element.
The wire groove tube 42 may also function as the mechanical linkage transmitting motion from the motor 36 to the mover component 26.
As described above, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may utilize multiple stimulators such as a first stimulator 12 and a second stimulator 48.
The housing 10 may have an opening over the flexible capsule 32 which is shown, together with a cover 56, in an exploded fashion. The flexible capsule 32 may inflate and deflate in response to the pressure but may at all times be contained within the hermetically sealed portion of the housing 10. The cover 56 may lock in place with a groove 52 in the housing 10. In this way, the cover 56 may be removable for cleaning and then reattached for use.
When in use, air may travel in and out though openings in the cover than may be referred to herein as breathers 58. The breathers 58 may be open vents or may have a membrane or seal to allow the passage of air therethrough while keeping out liquid.
The connecting rod 68 is inhibited from lateral movement by a guide 70 and so the connecting rod 68 is forced into its reciprocating motion as the slide 64 moves laterally within the slot of the connecting rod 68 as it pushes and pulls the connecting rod 68 in its reciprocating motion.
The image to the right shows the bottom-up plan view of the sexual stimulation device. From this perspective, the cover 56 may be visible. This cover 56 includes the breather and may be removed to expose the flexible capsule 32 and to clean the space between the cover 56 and the flexible capsule 32.
When the cap 74 is removed, the annular element 22 may be revealed as well as the electrically conductive contacts 44a.
The cover 56 and breather 58 may be disposed at a back end of the base or may be disposed on a back end of the handle portion 78. Where the cover 56 and breather 58 are disposed at the back end of the handle portion 78, the pressure pathway may continue from the base to the handle portion 78.
The motor 36, having a first gear 60 attached to its output shaft 62 may be disposed within a motor bracket 86 such that the first gear 60 engages with the second gear 66 with the slide 64 of the second gear 66 disposed within the slide groove 100 of the connecting rod 68. The second gear 66 may be disposed within a gear cover 88 that the second gear 66 may rotate within.
The motor 36 may receive power from the power source 34 and may operate under the control of the controller that may be embodied by the PCB 98.
The connecting rod 68 may be restricted from lateral motion by the guide 70 such that the connecting rod 68 moves in a reciprocating fashion as a result of the movement of the motor 36. As the first stimulator 12 is removable, a quick linkage element may be used to facilitate the connection and disconnection and carry power thereacross. The quick linkage element may include a first portion 92a affixed to the body and a second portion 92b affixed to the first stimulator 12.
As shown in
Bellows 46, that may be made of a flexible and waterproof material such as silicone, may cover the guide 70 and connecting rod 68, such that the body may remain waterproof even as the connecting rod 68 extends and retracts. The bellows 46 may be held in place by a retainer ring 94. Sealings 96 may be used to maintain a good waterproof seal between the housing 10 and the faceplate 50.
The annular element 22 may cover the retainer ring 94 and may link with the faceplate 50 so as to hold it in place during use.
Electrically conductive contacts 44 may be disposed within the quick linkage 92a/b so as to facilitate the transmission of electricity from the body to the first stimulator 12 so as to deliver power to the stimulation component 14, which may be disposed in a front end of the first stimulator 12. The first stimulator 12 may be fashioned to have any desired shape and different first stimulators 12 may be attached to the base, as desired.
The physical connection between body and stimulator 12 is maintained by the quick linkage assembly 92 including the first linkage 92a disposed on the body and the second linkage 92b disposed on the stimulator 12. The first linkage 92a may be a protrusion and the second linkage 92b may be a channel for receiving the protrusion, but this is only an example and other arrangements may be used including mechanical arrangements and magnetic arrangements for holding the stimulator 12 in place.
The sexual stimulation device may further include an element disposed on the far end of the base.
Exemplary embodiments described herein are illustrative, and many variations can be introduced without departing from the spirit of the disclosure or from the scope of the appended claims. For example, elements and/or features of different exemplary embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4790296 | Segal | Dec 1988 | A |
6547749 | Hansen | Apr 2003 | B2 |
7572240 | Nan | Aug 2009 | B2 |
9119765 | Topolev | Sep 2015 | B2 |
9339434 | Mayfield | May 2016 | B1 |
9717845 | Fima | Aug 2017 | B2 |
10561572 | Fima | Feb 2020 | B2 |
10940076 | Haddock | Mar 2021 | B2 |
11077014 | Rossi | Aug 2021 | B2 |
20040147858 | Lee | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20140288364 | St. Bernard | Sep 2014 | A1 |
20160367431 | Ferrari | Dec 2016 | A1 |
20220257458 | Dickinson | Aug 2022 | A1 |
20220257459 | Dickinson | Aug 2022 | A1 |
20230024137 | Larkin | Jan 2023 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2728475 | Sep 2005 | CN |
101574299 | Apr 2011 | CN |
203379600 | Jan 2014 | CN |
204030838 | Dec 2014 | CN |
205377554 | Jul 2016 | CN |
205411598 | Jul 2016 | CN |
206411596 | Aug 2016 | CN |
109510383 | Mar 2019 | CN |
110664603 | Jan 2020 | CN |
210142956 | Mar 2020 | CN |
210246520 | Apr 2020 | CN |
211356652 | Aug 2020 | CN |
214959108 | Nov 2021 | CN |
215132896 | Dec 2021 | CN |
216216324 | Apr 2022 | CN |
114094758 | May 2022 | CN |
217029844 | Jul 2022 | CN |
217216255 | Aug 2022 | CN |
217328331 | Aug 2022 | CN |
109223496 | Aug 2023 | CN |
2002291829 | Oct 2002 | JP |