GB2086230A - Penile support - Google Patents

Abstract

A malleable clip-on self-retaining outline penile support, used to make the sexual act possible in the case of male weakness, consists of a pliable distal head piece, joined by two malleable ventral longitudinal supports, which may or may not be covered by pliable tubing, which can be made to conform to the curve of the overlying penis, and which unite proximally with a generally looped- shaped proximal portion. An additional proximal ventral loop can be added. The malleability of the proximal looped portion enables adjustment transversely of the proximal ends of the longitudinal supports and of itself to be made. This proximal gripping force is also transmitted distally to the head piece. A malleable angle at the junction of the proximal loop and the proximal end of each longitudinal support enables adjustment in length of the penile support to be made. The support may be encased in plastics material. The proximal looped shape portion can also be made of malleable wire whose free distal ends fit into the proximal ends of tubular longitudinal supports making further adjustment in length possible. The head piece is interchangeable. A wide thin elastic member can be used for additional fixation. An alternative embodiment with an additional proximal ventral fixation loop is included. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Penile support This invention relates to a penile support usable to make the sexual act possible in the case of male weakness.

A wire splint was described by Loewenstein of London, England in 1947 and, at that time, made by Down Bros., British patent unknown. This was a multiple hinged and multiple jointed splint with a proximal elastic accumulator attached to projecting ventral arms which transmit contracting force along the ventral supports to the distal loop.

United States Patent Specification No.

1 153 072 discloses a sleeve-like body having longitudinally disposed slits for flexibility. This splint completely encircles the penis and is made from rubber to render the splint flexible and resilient.

United States Patent Specification No.

3 131 691 describes a proximal and distal web with a cradle on the undersurface and a strut on the opposite surface. The cradle has a body of soft surgical rubber. Imbedded within is a concave steel reinforcement.

United States Patent Specification No.

1 585 861 discloses an elongated member made of a sufficiently rigid material to meet all requirements, and which is concave in crosssection, extending less than a semi-circle, lies mostly ventrally and is held in place by elastic bands. The sides are firmly united to each other both distally and proximally.

United States Patent Specification No.

844 798 discloses stiffening members extending on opposite sides of the organ, and having elastic web-like connection distally to encircle the corona. An elastic jacket encircles the device to keep it in position.

United States Patent Specification No.

3 401 687 teaches a longitudinally split tube made of flexible material with a light spring action.

This is completely surrounded by an elastic cover.

United States Patent Specification No.

1 216 099 discloses the support which is a split sleeve of rubber and it encloses the organ. Each side of the splint has a series of perforated lugs and an engagement rod for fixation.

United States Patent Specification No.

3 495 588 discloses surgical splint comprising a unitary flexible and rigid tubular shank open at both ends to aid in extraction during copulation.

United States Patent Specification No.

3 982 530 discloses at least four supporting ribs extending proximally from the distal base. The male organ is completely encased. It is made from a thin relatively rigid material such as a plastic or metal sheet with a plastic coating.

United States Patent Specification No.

3 820 533 discloses an inflatable ring at the base for compression and a tubular sleeve portion.

United States Patent Specification No.

1 346 463 discloses a pair of elongated thin flat metallic bars joined proximally by a spring yoke and distally by a spring ring; the splint is formed of a spring metal or equivalent material. In the main splint there are several sustaining elements proximally. In the modified splint, the distal loop is hinged.

German Patent Specification No. 831 874 (1949) discloses a device which consists of connecting rods and rings made out of 1 mm steel wire covered by pressed rubber or rubber hose, with the special feature that the ring that surrounds the glans penis is positioned obliquely towards the back.

German Patent Specification No. 102097 (1925) discloses a device which consists of a double walled rubber cartridge, with a thinner inner wall than outer. There are inlays at intervals which press against the sides of the shaft of the penis. The lumen of this cartridge can be distended with air to produce stiffness and aid in erection.

German Patent Specification No. 368352 (1923) discloses a device which consists of a cylindrical appliance with cut outs giving rise to strips made of hard rubber or steel or similar substance, which end in a cup connected with elastic bands to side strips of cylinder.

It is not believed that any of the devices described in the foregoing patents is satisfactory for the following reasons: The wire splint by Loewenstein has multiple hinges, it is rigid and clumsy, and the distal loop conforms in no way to the coronal sulcus of the penis.

United States Patent Specification No.

1 153 072 discloses a device which completely encloses the shaft of the penis and appears difficult to apply. It is made from rubber.

United States Patent Specification No.

3 131 691 shows a ventral cradle and a dorsal strut. There is insufficient exposure of the shaft of the penis and the splint would be difficult to apply due to the presence of proximal and distal webs.

There is flexibility but not malleability of the device.

United States Patent Specification No.

1 585 861 discloses the importance of the device for use for non-sexual purposes as opposed to sexual purposes is stressed, and when used for the latter purpose, it is inadequate for the following reasons: The ventral longitudinal support is a single unit, with a longitudinal slit in the centre of its long axis, it is semi-rigid and nonadjustable laterally, its proximal band, and more especially, the distal band, is inadequate for fixation with this single unsplit ventral support which would be unable to grip the sides of the frenum for fixation.

United States Patent Specification No.

844 798 by Hawley in 1907, discloses two lateral supports which are too wide and would thus prevent adequate contact between the penis and vagina. The whole splint is covered with an elastic jacket which would further limit contact with a vagina. The tight rubber opening distally could make it difficult to insert the glans penis through the opening.

United States Patent Specification No.

3 401 687 discloses a plastic support completely encircling the shaft of the penis with resulting poor contact between the penis and the vagina.

An elastic cover is used, further limiting contact.

United States Patent Specification No.

1 216 099 discloses a split sleeve of rubber joined by lugs. It is altogether too complex and entirely surrounds the shaft of the penis.

United States Patent Specification No.

3 495 588 discloses a removable tubular shank enclosing the ventral and lateral aspects of the penis. Too much of the shaft of the penis is covered by a rigid material.

United States Patent Specification No.

3 920 533 discloses a too complicated device with an inflatable ring at the base. Is made of relatively rigid or flexible plastic material.

United States Patent Specification No.

3 982 530 discloses that the penis is completely enclosed and the glans penis does not project beyond the end of the splint and therefore does not made adequate contact with the vagina.

Formed from a thin, relatively rigid material such as a plastic or metal sheet with a plastic coating, this splint could produce trauma to the vagina.

United States Patent Specification No.

1 346 463 by Renois in 1920, discloses two splints, the main splint and the modified splint. In the main splint there are several sustaining elements proximally and these could well irritate the vaginal outlet during use, especially anteriorly where these sustaining elements approach each other at a sharp angle. In the modified splint, the distal spring ring is hinged. This would lead to inadequate fixation, more especially so as no distal locking band is used. As the splint is formed of spring metal or equivalent material, there are no means of lengthening or shortening the support, and the distal head piece and the proximal end are not fully adjustable. There is no added fixation as an elastic member for the head piece.

The device disclosed in German Patent Specification No. 831874 is completely made of 1 mm steel wire with no mention of malleability.

Under these conditions the whole support could be too rigid if the connecting rods are sufficiently strong to resist bending during use or too weak if the distal ring was sufficiently malleable to conform to the coronal sulcus of the penis with comfort and ease. Severe damage to the vagina could occur during removal should slipping forwards of the splint occur during use due to the unyielding backwards projection of the distal ring.

The device disclosed in German Patent Specification No. 102097 is made of a doublewalled rubber cartridge with inlays to aid in erection completely surrounding the shaft of the penis but leaving the glands exposed. Once applied, it can be inflated by air. This is a clumsy device and completely surrounds the shaft of the penis, thus lessening contact between penis and vagina.

The device disclosed in German Patent Specification No. 368352 has multiple strips surrounding the body of the penis which extend distally to cover most of the head of the penis. All this precludes adequate contact between the penis and the vagina.

My support is dissimilar for the most part from other penile supports mentioned in the prior art.

The support by Renois has a superficial resemblance to mine, but due to the fact that his support is made of spring metal or equivalent material and mine of a malleable material, whether that be metal or plastic, makes all the difference.

My invention provides a penile support for engagement with the male organ and for assisting in the sexual function in case of male weakness, said support comprising: a) a pair of malleable spaced apart elongated longitudinal supports for surpporting and extending the ventral surface of a penis, each said support having a distal end and a proximal end; b) a malleable, generally loop-shaped, proximal portion integrally joining the proximal ends of said pair of supports and extending upwards therefrom over a penis, in use, said proximal portion being deformable relative to said longitudinal support for selectively varying the angular relationship between said proximal portion and said pair of supports, the said proximal portion being further deformable to enable adjustment of adjacent longitudinal support transversely; and c) a malleable head piece extending between the distal ends of said pair of supports and having a curve therein for extending upwards over the coronal sulcus of a penis, in use, said head piece being more malleable than said longitudinal supports.

The device consists of a pliable interchangeable head piece joined by two malleable longitudinal supports which join proximally a loop-shaped proximal portion which extends proximally and dorsally to surround the sides and dorsum of the penis, and in so doing, the proximal portion of the support will come to rest in front of the synphysis pubis when in use.

The distal portion of each longitudinal support is angled dorsally proximally and slightly laterally and receives the ends of the tubular pliable part of the head piece and contributes to the less pliable portion.

Malleability transversely of the proximal part of this looped-shaped proximal portion permits adjustment of the proximal end and the whole length and distal ends of the longitudinal supports, and a malleable angle towards the proximal end of each longitudinal support at the junction with the proximal looped-portion of the support enables the length of the penile support to be varied.

The pliable dorsal portion of the head piece permits acute forward flexion of this dorsal portion to occur for safe removal should slipping forwards of the support occur during use. The more resistant ventral portion of the head piece is essential for adequate fixation.

Additional fixation distally is achieved by an elastic member and a second such member can be used proximally. Safety extraction in case of dislodgement of the support is achieved by the use of anterior posterior elastic members or by the fact that the head piece is capable of acute distal flexion. The support may be encased in plastic, preferably plastic tubing.

In an alternative embodiment, the proximal portion of each slightly elongated longitudinal support is looped ventrally and inwards to join the now proximally concave curved looped-shaped portion of the support.

Reference is made to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a penile support constructed in accordance with my invention; Figure 1A is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line of 1 A of Figure 1; Figure 2 is a plan view of the support of Figure 1, being shown in an open position; Figure 3 is a plan view generally corresponding to the illustration of Figure 2 but shown in the closed position with a proximal fixation band; Figure 4 is a side view of the device of Figure 3 showing sharp angulation forwards of head piece, also showing is an optional elastic member; Figure 5 is a plan view of a type of malleable support prior to moulding into the final support; Figure 6 is a plan view of an alternative type of a malleable support during an intermediate phase of development;; Figures 7A-7C and Figure 7E are lateral views of the distal penis showing in sequence one method of additional fixation utilising an elastic member; Figure 7D is a plan view illustrating the step intermediate the steps illustrated in Figures 7C and 7E, the penis being removed for purposes of illustration; Figure 8A is a lateral view of the distal penis illustrating an alternative method of distal fixation; Figures 8B and 8C are dorsal views of distal penis, corresponding to the view of Figure 8A and illustrating sequential additional steps of the method thereof; Figure 9A is a lateral view of a support of the instant invention illustrating an optional additional elastic member; Figure 9B is a plan view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 9A; Figure 10 illustrates a modification of penile support illustrated in Figure 6;; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the malleable portion of a penile support constructed in accordance with my invention; Figure 12 is a plan view of the pliable tubing used for forming the head piece as it would appear prior to attachment to the wire support; Figure 13 is a fragmentary plan view of the distal part of the support shown in Figure 11 showing the pliable tubular part of the head piece attached to the upturned distal ends of the longitudinal supports; Figure 14 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of an assembled support; Figure 1 5 is a plan view of the support of Figure 14; Figure 16 is a plan view of yet another and alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 17 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the distal end of the support of Figure 16;; Figure 18 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 18-18 of Figure 16; Figure 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 19-19 of Figure 16; Figure 20 shows an elastic member for additional fixation; and Figure 21 is a fragmentary side view of an alternative proximal portion useful in connection with the embodiment of Figures 14 and 15.

Turning now to the drawings in which like reference numerals indicate corresponding elements through the several views, attention is first directed to Figure 1 which shows an outline malleable penile support consisting of a head piece 1 and two longitudinal supports 2. The head piece 1, due to its malleability and ventral opening, can be made to conform to the shape, size and angle of the coronal sulcus of the penis and has a variable grip which helps to prevent distal displacement during use. The two ventral longitudinal supports 2 join the open ventral part of the head piece 1 and here make a distal angle 5. The longitudinal supports 2 extend proximally and here join a generally loop-shaped proximal portion which embraces the base of the penis.At the site of the junction is an angle and due to its malleability, this angle can be increased or decreased and by so doing, the length of the penile support can at the same time be increased or decreased. The malleability of the proximal loop enables the loop, more especially its sides and the proximal parts of the longitudinal supports, to be adjusted. Added fixation of the head piece 1 is achieved by the use of an elastic member 9 of about size twelve. The proximal looped portion can also be made adjustable lengthwise with the longitudinal supports.

There are two methods of application. In the first method, shown in Figures 7A-7E, an elastic member 9 is first passed around the distal part of the shaft of the penis 14. The support is then applied and the central dorsal part of the elastic member is first pulled up and then pulled over the transverse portion of the head piece 1, and the glans penis 15. The elastic member is now forcibly pulled forwards to make it engage through the ventral angles of the head piece. The elastic member is now twisted 900 and the distal loop 11 so formed is lifted upwards and so over the glans penis 15 and then either distal to or proximal to the transverse portion of the head piece 1 of the support, the elastic member then encircles the coronal sulcus or the adjacent part of the shaft of the penis.In so doing, it passes either distal to or proximal to as shown in Figure 7E. The ventral angles 5 of the head piece 1, if proximal, it will also pass over the distal part of each longitudinal support 2.

In the second method of fixation shown in Figure 8, the initial procedures depicted in Figures 7A and 7B are the same but the final procedures are different and here the 900 twist is either made before or after crossing the transverse portion of the head piece 1, the distal loop 11 of the elastic member 9 is then lifted over the glans penis 15 and then made to lodge in the coronal sulcus.

A special safety measure for extraction of the splint should slipping forwards occur, is provided by two elastic members 13 as shown in Figure 9B, one on each side fixed proximally to the proximal part of each longitudinal support 2 and looped over the head piece 1 of the support distally. This is shown in a lateral view in Figure 9A and a plan view Figure 9B.

In the penile support of Figure 10 the proximal loop-shaped portion 3 is made of malleable soft steel wire of suitable tensile strength and size of about 16 gauge so that its distally projecting ventral end 14 of about 2 inches long can be received into the hollow proximal end 15 of the longitudinal support 2. The longitudinal supports 2 in this case are still hollow as in the original support but as they are not continued as such into the proximal looped portion 3 they can thus be made of the same malleable material but can also be made of a semi-rigid material which would include metal and plastic. The length of the distally projecting free ends 14 of the proximal portion of the support, which is received into the proximal ends 15 of the longitudinal supports 2, is variable as is also the site of proximal angulation 4.This enables the length of the support to be varied by simply pulling out the proximal end to make longer and pushing in to make shorter, the proximal angle 4 being reformed at the same time. The covering plastic tubing will accommodate itself to any change of length by virtue of its elasticity. In this support with its increased proximal flexibility, lateral adjustment of the proximal part of the longitudinal supports is more readily made. The method of changing the length of the support 2 is only secondary to the method in which the degree of angulation of the proximal angle 4 is altered, and should not be used routinely.Further fixation of the proximal part of the supports to prevent dislodgement of the support during use is achieved by an elastic member 16 of about size 10 which helps to keep the proximal ends of the longitudinal supports 2 together in the region of the proximal angles 4. This is achieved by first applying the elastic member to the shaft of the penis and then after applying the support, lifting up the centre portion of the dorsal part of the elastic member over the glans penis illustrated in Figure 7B and then pulling it proximally and ventrally so as to enable it to lie in its position of use embracing the proximal ends of the two longitudinal supports 2.

In this embodiment of my invention, I have also made use of the following devices: In Figure 5, the malleable material now used in the construction of one of my supports is soft annealed stainless steel wire of about 1 5 to 16 gauge with a tensile strength of 80,000 to 120,000 pounds per square inch (552 to 827 Mum~2). This strength and thickness is now thought necessary for the longitudinal supports 2 to prevent bending during use, the malleability of the head piece 1 of the support is quite satisfactory, though more malleability would be an improvement and one method of achieving this is as follows:: In Figure 6, a piece of brass tubing about 11 inches (279 mm) long with an outside diameter of 3/32 of an inch (2.38 mm) and an inside diameter of 1/16 of an inch (1.59 mm) containing a wire within its lumen to prevent kinking when bent and to add to its strength. This is moulded into the proximal curved part 3 and the straight ventral parts of the longitudinal supports 2.The distal inch and a half or so of these longitudinal supports remain patent and the open ends 7, as viewed in Figure 6, here receive the free proximally projecting ends 8 of the head piece 1 either made of 17 gauge soft stainless steel wire when some limited malleability is preferred and of 19 gauge galvanized iron wire when more malleability is preferred, more especially so in contributing to a safety device as under these conditions the head piece 1 of the support can be flexed acutely forwards and thus avoid any catching on a vagina in the event of extraction of the splint following slipping forwards of the distal ends.

The malleability of the head piece 1 is of importance and if 19 gauge galvanized wire is used, there can be very little grip by the head piece 1. The wire thus acts as a sling, the gripping force being transmitted along the longitudinal supports from the more resilient proximal part of the support. Furthermore, when in use, the tight fit and contractions of the vagina will press together the distal comparatively unhampered ends of the longitudinal supports and thus tighten the grip of the head piece around the coronal sulcus of the penis. This sling device further prevents distal displacement of the head piece. When 1 7 gauge soft annealed stainless steel wire is used for the head piece, there is an added gripping force but most of the factors mentioned above also come into play in preventing displacement of the head piece of the support forwards during use.

The support is now covered with a plastic tubing and under these conditions, the size of the head piece can still be adjusted by pulling out or pushing in the proximally projecting portions as seen in Figure 6 of the head piece 1. Further fixation of the proximal end of the support can be achieved by an elastic member 17 as seen in Figure 4 fixed on either side of the proximal part of each longitudinal support and then after looping over the distal part of the penis is made to lodge in the perineum behind the scrotum. The support with the less malleable longitudinal supports and the more malleable head piece is now the support of preference. When the less malleable head piece is used as is now the case, in the all wire supports, the distal elastic member adds elasticity as well as security to the support.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is depicted in Figure 11 which shows the frame portion of the invention generally designated by the reference character 20. Frame 20 includes a pair of spaced apart elongate support elements 22, which for purposes of reference, are considered to have distal ends 23 and proximal ends 24. The support elements 22 are joined by a generally inverted U-shaped member 25 integrally joining proximal ends 24. An angularly disposed section 27 is integral with the distal end 23 of each support element 22.

Preferably, frame 20 is integrally formed of single piece of malleable material. In order to provide the desired characteristics, it is suggested that frame 20 be fabricated of soft annealed stainless steel wire of approximately 13 gauge diameter. Such material, which is manually deformable, exhibits a tensile strength of approximately 80,000 to 121,000 pounds per square inch (552 to 834 Mum~2). An alternative material is plastic, such as polyvinylchloride, in tube or rod form, of approximately 9 gauge diameter. Such materials are bendable when subjected to heat.

With reference to Figure 12, there is seen a length of tubing 28 having open ends 29. The length of tubing 28, which is of a pliable material, is selectively variable for the purpose of fit and accommodation as will be described presently.

Typically, tubing 28 is fabricated of any suitable pliable material such as polyvinylchloride or rubber, having an outside diameter of 0.125 inches (3.175 mm) and an inside diameter chosen to receive and frictionally engage frame 20. In prototype models, tubing having a wall thickness of approximately 0.030 inches (0.76 mm) has proven to yield satisfactory functional results.

Angularly disposed sections 27 of frame 20 extend dorsalwards, i.e., slightly rearward and slightly laterally outward. It is noted that each section 27 is adjoined to the respective end 23 with a smooth rounded curve. The ends 27 of frame 20 are entered into and frictionally engaged with the open ends 29 of tubing 28, as illustrated in Figure 13, to form tubing 28 into a curved head piece 30.

During use, support elements 22 extend along the support the overlying ventral surface of the penis with U-shaped member 25 extending upwardly therefrom over the penis. Head piece 30 extends upwardly encircling the coronal sulcus.

Due to the malleability of frame 20, U-shaped member 25 is transversely deformable to produce local gripping force which is also transmitted distally by varying the spacing between support elements 22. Further, the angle alpha between U-shaped member 25 and support elements 22 is adjustably variable, which effectively changes the length of the device. For purposes of illustration of the variance of angle alpha, U-shaped member 25 is shown in solid outline and an angularly displaced position shown in broken outline and designated 25a. The pliability of head piece 26 provides flexing or yieldability, especially deformability in the distal direction as indicated by the arrowed line A to permit safe removal of the support in the event of slippage of the support during use.

Figures 14 and 15 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention which, in common with the embodiment of Figure 11, includes a frame generally designated by the reference 32 having elongate support elements 33 with distal ends 34 and proximal ends 35. An angularly disposed section 37 is integral with each distal end 34. Tubing 28 is secured at the ends 29 thereof to the sections 37 as previously described.

The flexing of head piece 30 is graphically illustrated by the alternate position thereof shown in broken outline 30A.

Proximal ends 35 of support elements 33, again generally similar to the previously described embodiment, are joined by inverted U-shaped member 38. In contrast thereto, however, a single coil loop 39 is disposed between U-shaped element 38 and each respective proximal end 35.

This has the effect of raising proximal ends 35 so that they slope ventrally postero-distally. Support elements 33 also converge distally to provide increased support.

Figure 16 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention utilising the frame 20 previously described. In accordance with the immediate embodiment, frame 20 is entirely encased within pliable tube 42. Portions of tube 42 are broken away to reveal the internal frame 20. Preferably, tube 42 is of slightly large inside diameter than previously described tube 28 in order to enable it to be prolonged and uninterrupted proximally to cover the support elements 22 and the U-shaped portion 25.

As illustrated in Figure 17, in which it is assumed that tube 42 is transparent to reveal frame 20 therewithin, tube 42 extends unsupportedly between sections 27, as further illustrated in Figure 19, to provide flexible head piece 43. Figure 18, a section specifically taken through a support element, is typical of the other portions of the support device.

For additional fixation of the support, an endless elastic member 45, as illustrated in Figure 20, may be used in connection with the previously described embodiments of the invention. Preferably, elastic member 45 is composed of a thin latex rubber which, for example, may be approximately .75 inches (19 mm) wide, having a wall thickness of approximately .017 inches (0.43 mm) and having a diameter of approximately 1 inch (25.4 mm).

The exact size of member 45 is optional with the user. In use, the device concurrently encircles the device of the instant invention and the penis in the area of the head piece.

Loop 39, as seen in Figures 14 and 15, extends through a full turn. That is, terminal portions thereof overlap. Open loop 47, as viewed in Figure 21, as an alternate to loop 39, is also useful to connect U-shaped member 38 to support elements. Open loop 47 serves to raise ends 35 of support elements 33 and provides for adjustment of the length of the device by moving U-shaped member 38 forwardly or rearwardly in response to bending loops 47.

Claims (8)

1. A penile support for engagement with the male organ and for assisting in the sexual function in case of male weakness, said support comprising: a) a pair of malleable spaced apart elongated longitudinal supports for supporting and extending the ventral surface of a penis, each said support having a distal end and a proximal end; b) a malleable, generally loop-shaped, proximal portion integrally joining the proximal ends of said pair of supports and extending upwards therefrom over a penis, in use; said proximal portion being deformable relative to said longitudinal support for selectively varying the angular relationship between said proximal portion and said pair of supports, the said proximal portion being further deformable to enable adjustment of adjacent longitudinal support transversely; and c) a malleable head piece extending between the distal ends of said pair of supports and having a curve therein for extending upwards over the coronal sulcus of a penis, in use, said head piece being more malleable than said longitudinal supports.

2. A penile support for engagement with the penis and for assisting in the sexual function for cases of male weakness, said support comprising: a) an integrally deformable frame including i) a pair of spaced apart elongate support elements adapted to extend along and support the ventral surface of a penis, in use, each said element having a distal end and a proximal end, ii) an inverted generally U-shaped section joining the proximal ends of said pair of support elements for extending proximally convexly over a penis, in use, and iii) each of said support elements having an upwardly and proximally directed terminal section integrally connected to its distal end;; said U-shaped section being manually deformable to vary the spacing between said support elements to conform to the diameter of the penis, said frame having means for varying the effective length of said frame; and b) a pliable tubular head piece detachably mounted on and extending between said terminal sections and adapted to fit into the coronal sulcus of a penis, in use, to removably position the corona of the penis to the distal end of said frame.

3. A penile support according to Claim 2, in which the means for varying the effective length of said frame is by varying the angular relationship between the U-shaped section and the proximal ends of said support elements.

4. A penile support according to Claim 2, in which the means for varying the effective length of said frame is a loop between the proximal end of each support element and said U-shaped member.

5. A penile support according to Claim 4, in which each of the loops is an open loop.

6. A penile support according to Claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, which further comprises an endless elastic member adapted to encircle the frame and the penis supported by the frame substantially in the area of the head piece.

7. A penile support according to any of Claims 2 to 6, in which said support elements converge distally.

8. A penile support, substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.