GB2451179A

GB2451179A - Vibrator with concave cross-section

Info

Publication number: GB2451179A
Application number: GB0813025A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew John Roberts
Original assignee: TEATRO DI VITA Ltd
Current assignee: TEATRO DI VITA Ltd
Priority date: 2007-07-16
Filing date: 2008-07-16
Publication date: 2009-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 2028-07-16
Also published as: GB0813025D0; GB0713778D0; GB2451179B

Abstract

A vibrator for stimulating the genitals has a head 10 of generally concave cross-section. The vibrator has a handle and a motor and produces vibrations of sufficient amplitude (preferably 2-3mm) that it can used through a person's clothing rather than in direct skin contact. The vibrator head may have a sliding connector 12 allowing the head to be attached or removed easily. The vibrations may be produced by an offset cam rotated by an induction motor and connected to a vibration plate. Damping means may limit the vibration amplitude whilst a surge protector and overheating cut-out protect the motor. The vibration frequency may be controlled by a dial and the device operated by an on-off switch of the momentary type.

Description

I

APPARATUS FOR STIMULATING A

GENITAL AREA OF A PERSON

This invention relates to apparatus for stimulating a genital area of a person, for example for masturbation, sperm collection, or use by persons with erectile disfunction.

There are many known types of apparatus for masturbation. There are known types of the apparatus for male use, and there are known types of the apparatus for female use. The known types of apparatus for male use concentrate on stimulating the penis with a reciprocating or vibrating action along the whole length of the penis. This usually requires a tube device which receives the penis. The known types of apparatus for female use are designed for insertion into the vagina and/or contact with the clitoris. Often the known types of apparatus for masturbation are not sufficiently powerful and this restricts their use.

There are also many known types of apparatus for sperm collection.

The sperm may be collected for use in assisted reproductive technology in In Vitro fertilisation treatment. The known types of apparatus are usually invasive and may cause or increase erectile disfunction.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide apparatus which is for stimulating a genital area of a person, and which is for use in a different way to the above mentioned known types of apparatus.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for stimulating a genital area of a person, which apparatus comprises a handle for enabling the apparatus to be held in a person's hand, a mains-powered electric motor, vibrator means driven by the electric motor, and at least one interface means for transferring vibrations from the vibrator means to the genital area of the person, the interface means being such that in end view it is of a generally concave shape which requires the interface means to be pushed against a frenulum part of a penis and not to receive the penis in the manner of a tube, or to be pushed against a clitoris and not to enter an associated vagina, and the electric motor and the vibration means being such that the vibrations transferred to the interface means are sufficiently strong that the interface means is able to be for use against the person's clothing adjacent their penis or clitoris rather than in direct skin contact with their penis or clitoris.

The apparatus of the present invention overcomes the need to remove clothing as occurs with the known apparatus. Still further, the apparatus of the present invention does not require messy lubricants since it is able to be used direct on the person's clothing rather than directly in contact with the penis or the clitoris. Due to the use of the mains-powered electric motor, the vibrator means is able to be driven such that the created vibrations are sufficiently strong for the apparatus to operate in an intended manner of against the person's clothing, with the frenulum part of the penis or the clitoris being pushed towards the person's body through the clothing. The clothing may be any suitable and appropriate clothing as may be desired to be worn by the person using the apparatus of the present invention.

Preferably, the apparatus is one in which there are two or more of the interface means, in which the two or more interface means are of a different general concave shape, and in which the two or more interface means are releasably attachable to the vibrator means by attachment means.

Preferably, the attachment means is a sliding attachment means such that the two or more interface means are slideable on and off the vibrator means. Other types of attachment means may be employed. The attachment means may include locking means for locking the interface means in position so that it cannot become detached during use. Any suitable and appropriate locking means may be employed.

Preferably, the vibrator means is a vibrator plate. Other types of vibrator means may however be employed.

When the vibrator means is a vibrator plate, then the apparatus may be one in which the electric motor rotates an offset cam with a bearing support connected to the vibration plate.

The electric motor may be an induction motor. Such an induction motor enables direct AC mains powering. Other types of mains-powered electric motor may be employed. Advantageously, the electric motor may be a DC mains-powered motor. Such a mains-powered DC motor may be quieter than a mains-powered AC motor. Also, the DC motor may generate less heat than the AC motor. The DC motor and the AC motor may operate at relatively low revolutions per minute, for example approximately 4500 revolutions per minute.

When a DC motor is employed, a rectifier will normally be employed.

The rectifier may be located on the outside of a housing part of the apparatus, for example in a power pack. Alternatively, the rectifier may be located inside a housing part of the apparatus. The rectifier may comprise four diodes in a plastic pack. Other types of rectifier for rectifying the mains AC to DC may be employed.

The apparatus may be one in which the electric motor and the vibrator means are such that the vibrations are of 1 -3mm. The vibrations may be of other lengths if desired.

The apparatus may include damper means for dampening the vibration means so that the vibrations do not exceed a predetermined maximum.

The apparatus may include a surge protector and/or a residual current device for preventing electrical power surges and voltage spikes from damaging the apparatus and/or from hurting the person using the apparatus.

The apparatus may include cut-out means for cuthng out the electric motor in the event of overheating of the apparatus.

The apparatus may include an on/off switch which is of a momentary type for preventing the apparatus being left on. Other types of on/off switches may be employed.

The apparatus may include vibration control means for varying the speed of the vibrations. Thus, for example, the vibration control means may provide for 200 -10,000 oscillations per minute and/or a power rating of 50 -Watts, for example 100 -200 Watts. Preferably, the vibration control means includes a control dial. Other types of vibration control means may be employed.

The apparatus of the present invention may include auxiliary interface means. The auxiliary interface means may be of any suitable and appropriate design. Thus, for example, the auxiliary interface means may be of a tube design for use with males. Such a tube design may include a sperm-catching receptacle which may be useful, for example in general use of the apparatus, or for specific applications such for example as use of the apparatus in sperm clinics. For females, the auxiliary interface means may be of a shape for penetrating the vagina.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from above and one side of first apparatus of the present invention; Figure 2 is an underneath view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a top view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows the apparatus of Figure 1 in use by a male person; Figure 6 shows in schematic detail the action of the apparatus as used on a male person; Figure 7 shows schematically the use of the apparatus on a female person; Figures 8 -13 are end views of different types of interface means forming part of the apparatus of the invention and for use as indicated in Figure 6; Figure 14 is an end view of interface means for use on apparatus by a female, and used for example as shown in Figure 7; Figure 15(a) -(h) shows various views of the apparatus of the invention and its inner workings; Figure 16(a) -(h) show various parts of the apparatus as shown in Figure 15; Figure 17 shows internal wiring for the apparatus of the invention; Figure 18 shows a modification of vibrator means and interface means for the apparatus of the present invention; Figure 19 is a side view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 18; Figure 20 shows auxiliary interlace means; Figure 21 is a perspective view from one side of second apparatus of the invention; Figure 22 is a perspective view from the other side of the apparatus shown in Figure 21; and Figure 23 and 24 show inside parts of the apparatus shown in Figure 21.

Referring to Figures 1 -17, there is show apparatus 2 for stimulating a genital area of a person, for example for masturbation, sperm collection, erectile disfunction, or other purposes. The apparatus 2 comprises a handle 4 for enabling the apparatus 2 to be held in a person's hand. The apparatus 2 further comprises a mains-powered electric motor 6, and vibrator means 8 driven by the electric motor 6.

The apparatus 2 also comprises interface means 10 for transferring vibrations from the vibrator means 8 to the genital area of the person as can best be appreciated from Figure 5. The interface means 10 is such that in end view it is of a generally concave shape which requires the interface means 10 to be pushed against a frenulum part of a penis and not to receive the penis is the manner of a tube, or to be pushed against a clitoris and not to enter an associated vagina. The electric motor 6 and the vibration means 8 are such that the vibrations transferred to the interface means 10 are sufficiently strong that the interface means 10 is able to be for use against the person's clothing adjacent their penis or clitoris rather than in direct skin contact with their penis or clitoris.

As can be appreciated from Figures 8 -14, the apparatus 2 has two or more of the interface means 10. The different interface means 10 are of a different generally concave shape. The different interface means 10 are releasably attachable to the vibrator means 8 by attachment means 12. The attachment means 12 is a sliding attachment means 12 which is of a T-shape as shown and which slides in a complementary groove in the vibration means 8 as can be appreciated from Figure 6. Figure 6 also shows the frenulum part 14, a penis 18, and motion 16 of the interface means 10. The frenulum part 14 may be referred to as the F spot.

Figure 6 shows the apparatus 2 in use on the penis 18. As can be appreciated from Figure 6, the interface means 10 is pushed against the frenulum part 14 of the penis 18. The interface means 10 in end view is of the illustrated generally concave shape which is such that the interface means 10 is not able to receive the penis 18 in the manner of a tube. The frenulum part may be regarded as the frenulum and the associated tissue delta on the underside of the penis below the corona.

Figure 7 shows the apparatus 2 being pushed against a clitoris 20. It will be appreciated from Figures 7 and 14 that the interface means 10 is required to be pushed against the clitoris 20 and not to enter the associated vagina. The interface means 10 as shown employed in Figures 7 and 14 includes a hooked portion 22 for extending between the legs of the female person using the apparatus 2. The hooked portion 22 helps to retain the apparatus 2 in position and also to transfer vibrations from the entire interface means 10 to the clitoris 20. As can be seen from Figure 7, the hooked portion 22 is not for entering the vagina.

As can best be seen from Figure 15, the vibrator means 8 is a vibrator plate. The electric motor 6 rotates an offset cam with a bearing support connected to the vibrator means 8 in the form of the vibrator plate.

Figure 15 shows an AC induction motor armature 24, an AC mains input socket 26, a rotor 28, a rotor bearing support 30, a commutator 32, bushes 34, and a rotor bearing 36.

As shown in Figure 15, the apparatus 2 includes dampener means 38 for damping the vibration means 8 so that the vibrations do not exceed a predetermined maximum. The apparatus 2 has a housing which comprises a left shell 40 and a right shell 42 as shown in Figure 16. Figure 16 also illustrates a housing part 44 for the interface means 10, and the vibration plate dampener 38. Figure 16 also shows how the vibrator means 8 in the form of the vibrator plate has a slot 46 for receiving the T- shaped attachment means 12 on the interface means 10. Figure 16 further shows the rotor bearing support 30, and the interface means 10 as provided on the vibrator means 8. The interface means 10 is held in position on the vibrator means 8 by a locking device 48 which is held in position by two screws 50, 52 as shown in Figure 16(e).

Figure 17 shows the electrical wiring for the apparatus 2. More specifically, Figure 17 shows the electric motor 6 connected to a power switch 54, a capacitor 56, a speed control device 58, a surge protector module 60, a thermal switch 62 for cutting out the electric motor in the even of overheating of the apparatus 2, an input socket 64, and a mains indicator bulb 66. Figure 17 also shows in more detail the surge protector module 60 and the mains indicator status bulb 62 shown in the apparatus 2.

Figure 15(g) shows the power switch 54 as an on/off switch. Figure 15(h) also shows how the apparatus 2 may be provided with a variable speed control device 68.

Figures 18 and 19 show how vibrator means 70 may be employed.

The vibrator means 70 is like the vibrator means 8 except that there is employed a larger support strut 72 for transferring vibrations from the vibrator means 8 to the interface means 10 without causing distortion. Figure 19 also shows how the vibrator means 70 has an end stop 74 for preventing the interface means 10 sliding off the front of the apparatus 2 when the locking device 48 and the Iwo screws 50, 52 are in position.

Figure 20 shows an auxiliary interface means 76 comprising a tube in the form of a contoured sleeve 78 terminating in a receptacle 80 for sperm.

The sleeve 78 is able to be closed with an end cap 82.

Referring now to Figures 21 -24, there is shown second apparatus 84 of the present invention. The apparatus 84 is similar in many respects to the apparatus 2 and similar parts have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding.

The apparatus 84 has a mains-operated DC electric motor instead of the AC motor shown in Figure 15. The DC motor is quieter in operation than the AC motor and it does not generate as much heat as the AC motor. The DC motor may operate at less vibrations than the AC motor, and it may operate for example at approximately 4500 revolutions. A rectifier is employed to change from alternating current to direct current. The rectifier may be a diode rectifier.

The apparatus 2 and/or 84 may be used for masturbation.

Alternatively, the apparatus 2 and/or 84 may be used for healthcare.

In healthcare applications, the apparatus of the present invention, for example the apparatus 2 and/or 84 may be used in assisted reproductive technology, useful in In Vitro fertilisation treatment. The apparatus may provide assisted contraception. The apparatus may be used as a non-invasive sperm aspirator for persons who suffer from erectile disfunction and who wish to participate in assisted contraception treatment. The apparatus may also be used for persons who simply wish to use the apparatus as a sexual outlet.

The apparatus of the present invention is advantageous over other methods of sperm collection in instances of erectile disfunction in that the apparatus of the present invention is non-invasive and can cause organism and semen collection with a non-erect or semi-erect penis. The apparatus of the present invention enables sperm collection with no required recovery time. Known methods such for example as percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA), testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) and testicular sperm extraction (TESE) are surgical and require a few days recovery for the purposes of healing.

The apparatus of the present invention may use a combination receptacle and sleeve. The combination receptacle and sleeve may be made of silicone or any other suitable and appropriate material. The receptacle/sleeve is inserted over the penis and positioned inside the person's clothing, for example their trousers. The apparatus is positioned over the frenulum area. The semen is collected in the receptacle, and the apparatus is then removed from the clothing. The receptacle can be separated from the sleeve. A receptacle lid can then be clipped or otherwise positioned on the receptacle for the purpose of transporting the collected sample to a laboratory.

During assisted contraception treatment, a male partner may be under stress and consequently may fail to produce a semen sample prior to egg collection. Failure to produce spermatozoa at a given time could lead to cancellation of the procedure. For example, a man may fail to produce semen after egg collection with the result that the treatment cycle has to be cancelled. Alternatively, the male partner may be able to produce spermatozoa but only at the wrong time. Councelling may also be needed.

Non-surgical assistance such for example as audio visual aids and the use of sildenafil citrate (Registered Trade Mark Viagra) may be required. The apparatus of the present invention is able to provide a useful alternative to the

above problems in the healthcare field.

The apparatus of the present invention may provide a non-invasive method of sperm collection which does not require an erection. This may be required by couples who wish to start a family but are unable to do so for physical reasons. In the apparatus of the invention, the receptacle may be made of neoprene rubber as an alternative to soft silicone or other rubbers.

Neoprene may be preferred as it may not get as warm as other rubbers when subjected to the vibration produced by the apparatus of the invention. The receptacle should be designed bearing in mind that cleanliness and sterilisation are major factors when collecting sperm.

The apparatus of the present invention may also be used as a sexual outlet for persons who have disabilities such for example as erectile disfunction caused by physical or psychological problems. Erectile disfunction affects many people, such for example as those suffering from heart disease, cancer, paralysis, diabetes neurological damage, nerve damage, kidney disease, vascular disease, stress, performance anxiety, and chronic alcoholism. Also, certain medicines and blood pressure drugs can cause erectile disfunction. Erectile disfunction can be the cause of many marriage break-ups, and thus the apparatus of the present invention may help to overcome these problems.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the apparatus of the invention can be used in direct contact with the person's skin if desired. The outside shape of the apparatus 2 may be varied from that shown. The AC electric motor may alternatively by a DC electric motor and a rectifier. The rectifier may comprise four diodes. Other types of rectifier may be employed.

The apparatus may be sold under the Trade Mark Boneshaker, Ladyshaker, or EMSA.

Claims

1. Apparatus for stimulating a genital area of a person, which apparatus comprises a handle for enabling the apparatus to be held in a person's hand, a mains-powered electric motor, vibrator means driven by the electric motor, and at least one interface means for transferring vibrations from the vibrator means to the genital area of the person, the interface means being such that in end view it is of a generally concave shape which requires the interface means to be pushed against a frenulum part of a penis and not to receive the penis in the manner of a tube, or to be pushed against a clitoris and not to enter an associated vagina, and the electric motor and the vibration means being such that the vibrations transferred to the interface means are sufficiently strong that the interface means is able to be for use against the person's clothing adjacent their penis or clitoris rather than in direct skin contact with their penis or clitoris.

2. Apparatus according to claim I in which there are two or more of the interface means, in which the two or more interface means are of a different generally concave shape, and in which the two or more interface means are releasably attachable to the vibrator means by attachment means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the attachment means is a sliding attachment means such that the two or more interface means are slidable on and off the vibrator means.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the vibrator means includes a vibrator plate.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which the electric motor rotates an offset cam with a bearing support connected to the vibrator plate.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the electric motor is an induction motor.

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the electric motor and the vibrator means are such that the vibrations are of 2 -3mm.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including damper means for dampening the vibration means so that the vibrations do not exceed a predetermined maximum.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including a surge protector for preventing electrical power surges and voltage spikes damaging the apparatus.

10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including cut-out means for cutting out the electric motor in the event of overheating of the apparatus.

11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including an on/off switch which is of a momentary type for preventing the apparatus being left on.

12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including vibration control means for varying the speed of the vibrations.

13. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the vibration control means includes a control dial.

14. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including auxiliary interface means.

15. Apparatus for stimulating a genital area of a person, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.