GB2510391A

GB2510391A - Penile ring with inner protrusion

Info

Publication number: GB2510391A
Application number: GB201301848A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jane Bowles
Original assignee: CREATIVE CONCEPTIONS Ltd
Current assignee: CREATIVE CONCEPTIONS Ltd
Priority date: 2013-02-01
Filing date: 2013-02-01
Publication date: 2014-08-06
Also published as: GB201301848D0

Abstract

A penile ring 1 has an internal protrusion 9 which extends radially inwards into an iner aperture 3 of the main ring body 2 for exerting inward pressure on the underside of a penis, or Corpus Spongiosum, when placed on a penis in use. At least the root of the protrusion 9 may be flexible, either by having a thinner cross-section or by using a flexible material. There may be two or more internal protrusions. A vibrating motor may be retained in a motor holder 6 opposite the protrusion 9.

Description

Title: A device and method for enhancing sensation Descrijtion of invention This invention relates to sexual aids, and in particular concerns a sexual aid that may be worn by a man during intercourse.

The use of penile rings is widely known. As those skilled in the art will understand, a penile ring is placed around the lower end (i.e. root) of a man's penis during intercourse or other activity, and the primary purpose is to help with blood flow. In some known arrangements, one or more protrusions and/or shaped or textured regions may be provided on the exterior of the ring, with the aim being to cause or increase pleasurable sensations for the partner of the wearer of the penile ring. As a further feature, a small battery-powered motor may be attached to the ring which, when activated, causes the ring to vibrate.

It is an object of the present invention to seek to provide an improved penile ring.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a penile ring comprising: a main body comprising an enclosed ring defining an inner aperture through which a wearer's penis is inserted during use; an inner protrusion that is joined to, or formed integrally with, the main body and which extends from the main body into the inner aperture.

Advantageously, the inner protrusion extends into the aperture by a distance which is at least a quarter of the diameter, or mean diameter, of the aperture.

Preferably, the inner protrusion extends into the aperture by a distance which is at least a half of the diameter, or mean diameter, of the aperture.

Conveniently, the inner protrusion is flexible.

Advantageously, the inner protrusion is more flexible than the main ring.

Preferably, the inner protrusion is sufficiently flexible that it may deflect to allow a wearer's penis to be inserted into the aperture.

Conveniently, the cross-sectional area of the of at least a root portion of the inner protrusion is less than that of the main body.

Advantageously, in a resting state, at least a portion of the inner protrusion is relatively wide in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the main body and substantially parallel with the plane of the main body, and relatively narrow in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the main body and perpendicular to the plane of the main body.

Preferably, in a resting state, the inner protrusion lies substantially in the plane of the main body.

Alternatively, in a resting state, the inner protrusion lies at an angle to the plane of the main body.

Conveniently, the penile ring comprises a motor holder to receive and retain a motor, wherein the motor holder is attached to, or formed integrally with, the main body at a location substantially opposite the location at which the internal protrusion joins the main body.

Advantageously, the penile ring comprises two or more internal protrusions.

Preferably, the two or more internal protrusions are provided at spaced apart locations on the main body.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of enhancing sensation, comprising the step of inserting the penis of a mammalian male into the aperture of a penile ring according to any preceding claim, so that the inner protrusion is substantially aligned with the subject's Corpus Spongiosum.

Preferably, the mammalian male is a human male.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows a penile ring embodying the present invention.

With reference to figure 1, a penile ring 1 is shown. The penile ring 1 comprises a main ring 2, which forms a complete and enclosed loop defining an internal aperture 3. The main ring 2 is preferably substantially planar. The main ring 2 is sized to fit around the base of the penis of a wearer, and in some embodiments may have an internal diameter of 35-55mm (although the internal diameter may be larger or smaller than this. Both the inner and outer edges 4, 5 of the ring 2 preferably have smooth, rounded contours, for the comfort of the wearer and his partner.

The main ring 2 is preferably formed from a tough, resilient, easily-cleanable material, such as a plastics material. The main ring 2 is preferably integrally formed (e.g. moulded) in one piece. The main ring 2 may, in other embodiments, be made from a more elastic material that stretches when the ring 1 is worn. It will be appreciated that the internal diameter of the main ring 2 may be smaller if the main ring 2 is made from a more elastic material.

On one side of the main ring 2 a motor holder 6 is formed on the outer edge 5 of the main ring 2. In the depicted embodiment the motor holder 6 comprises a hollow tube 7, defining a cavity 8 in which a motor (not shown) can be received and retained. As discussed above, the when installed a motor may cause the penile ring 1 to vibrate. In the depicted embodiment the motor holder 6 is formed so that that the cavity 8 lies along an axis which is spaced apart from, and generally perpendicular to, the axis of the main ring 2.

It is intended that, in an "as-worn" configuration of the penile ring 1, the motor holder 6 will lie on the top side of the penile ring 1, i.e. the side which lies on the top side of the wearer's penis. This ensures that, during intercourse with a woman, the motor holder 6 (and hence a motor held thereby) lie adjacent to the woman's clitoris, leading to pleasurable sensations for the woman as well as for the wearer of the penile ring 1.

A motor may be permanently incorporated into the penile ring 1, rather than being removable.

The features of the penile ring 1 described thus far are conventional.

An internal protrusion 9 extends from the main ring 2 inwardly into the internal aperture 3 defined thereby.

The internal protrusion 9 is adapted to deflect when the penile ring 1 is placed onto the penis of the wearer. Once the penile ring 1 is worn by a user, the penile ring 1 is intended to exert an inward pressure on the user's penis. In preferred embodiments, the internal protrusion 9 is positioned so that, in an as-worn position, it exerts an inward pressure against the underside of the wearer's penis. This region is known as the Corpus Spongiosum, and it has been found that a relatively gentle inward pressure applied to this region during intercourse or other activity leads to pleasurable sensations. For this reason, in the depicted embodiment the internal protrusion 9 is formed to be substantially opposite (i.e. on the other side of the main ring 2 from) the motor holder 6.

It is important for the internal protrusion 9 to be flexible, so that it may deflect easily when the penile ring 1 is worn. At least the root 10 of the internal protrusion 9, i.e. the region where the internal protrusion 9 connects with or is joined to the main ring 2, is formed to be flexible for this reason. This may be achieved by forming the root 10 to be relatively thin in cross-section compared to the remainder of the internal protrusion 9. In other embodiments, the entirety (or substantially the entirety) of the internal protrusion 9 is formed to be relatively flexible.

The internal protrusion 9 may, for example, be formed from a resilient plastics S material. The internal protrusion may be formed from the same material as the main ring 2, and may be formed integrally therewith. However, it is envisaged that the internal protrusion 9 will be thinner in cross-section than the main ring 2, as the internal protrusion is intended to be more flexible than the main ring 2.

In alternative embodiments at least part (for instance, the root 10) of the internal protrusion 9 may be farmed from a more flexible material than the material from which the main ring 2 is formed.

In preferred embodiments the internal protrusion is relatively wide in a direction which is substantially parallel with the plane of the main ring 2 and relatively narrow in a direction which is parallel with the axis of the main ring 2 (i.e. In a direction of insertion of a user's penis). This ensures that the internal protrusion 9 deflects easily when the penile ring 1 is put onto a wearer's penis, but that as the internal protrusion presses against the wearer's penis the pressure is spread out over a relatively wide area. For corresponding reasons it is envisaged that the root 10 of the internal protrusion 9 may be relatively narrow (for flexibility) and that the tip 11 of the internal protrusion may be relatively wide (for comfort).

As an alternative to being formed integrally with the main ring 2, the internal protrusion 9 may be formed separately and joined to the main ring 2 by any suitable process, for instance a welding process.

The internal protrusion 9 may extend inwardly from the inner edge 4 of the main ring 2, from the outer edge 5, or from any other point.

In some embodiments the internal protrusion 9 lies (in its resting or undeflected position) generally within the plane of the main ring 2, as shown in figure 1. However, the internal protrusion 9 may also be provided at an angle to the plane of the main ring 2. For instance, the internal protrusion 9 may be formed to be deflected away from the plane of the main ring 2 in an insertion direction, so that the internal protrusion 9 needs to deflect by a lesser amount when put onto a wearer's penis. The angle between the internal protrusion 9 and the plane of the main ring 2 may be at least 100, or at least 20°.

In embodiments at least the tip 11 of the internal protrusion is formed to be shaped or textured, for instance to have raised studs thereon. The shaped or textured surface may, in use, face inwardly or outwardly, or both, to increase the pleasurable sensations experienced by the wearer or his partner.

In preferred embodiments the inner protrusion 9 extends into the aperture 3 by a distance which is at least a quarter of the diameter, or mean diameter, of the aperture 3. More preferably, the inner protrusion 9 extends into the aperture 3 by more than half of the diameter, or mean diameter, of the aperture 3. In these embodiments the inner protrusion 9 may extend across the mid-point of the aperture 3.

In some embodiments more than one internal protrusion 9 may be formed, attached to the main ring 2 in two or more spaced apart locations around the circumference thereof. The two or more protrusions may be spaced evenly or irregularly around the circumference of the main ring 2, and may be the same as, or different from, one another.

In some prior art rings, the inner surface is provided with small, regular bumps, or a textured surface. It should be understood that such arrangements do not fall within the scope of the present invention.

Embodiments of the invention provide a relatively simple modification to existing penile rings, which may significantly increase the effectiveness thereof.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

Claims 1. A penile ring comprising: a main body comprising an enclosed ring defining an inner aperture through which a wearer's penis is inserted during use; an inner protrusion that is joined to, or formed integrally with, the main body and which extends from the main body into the inner aperture.
2. A penile ring according to claim 1, wherein the inner protrusion extends into the aperture by a distance which is at least a quarter of the diameter, or mean diameter, of the aperture.
3. A penile ring according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner protrusion extends into the aperture by a distance which is at least a half of the diameter, or mean diameter, of the aperture.
4. A penile ring according to any preceding claim wherein the inner protrusion is flexible.
5. A penile ring according to claim 4, wherein the inner protrusion is more flexible than the main ring.
6. A penile ring according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the inner protrusion is sufficiently flexible that it may deflect to allow a wearer's penis to be inserted into the aperture.
7. A penile ring according to any preceding claim wherein the cross-sectional area of the of at least a root portion of the inner protrusion is less than that of the main body.
8. A penile ring according to any preceding claim wherein, in a resting state, at least a portion of the inner protrusion is relatively wide in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the main body and substantially parallel with the plane of the main body, and relatively narrow in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the main body and perpendicular to the plane of the main body.
9. A penile ring according to any preceding claim wherein, in a resting state, the inner protrusion lies substantially in the plane of the main body.
10. A penile ring according to any preceding claim wherein, in a resting state, the inner protrusion lies at an angle to the plane of the main body.
11. A penile ring according to any preceding claim, comprising a motor holder to receive and retain a motor, wherein the motor holder is attached to, or formed integrally with, the main body at a location substantially opposite the location at which the internal protrusion joins the main body.
12. A penile ring according to claim 11 wherein, when a motor is received in the motor holder, it cannot be removed from the penile ring without damaging the penile ring.
13 A penile ring according to claim 11, wherein a motor may be removably retained by the motor holder.
14. A penile ring according to any preceding claim comprising two or more internal protrusions.
15. A penile ring according to claim 13, wherein the two or more internal protrusions are provided at spaced apart locations on the main body.
16. A method of enhancing sensation, comprising the step of inserting the penis of a mammalian male into the aperture of a penile ring according to any preceding claim, so that the inner protrusion is substantially aligned with the subject's Corpus Spongiosum.
17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the mammalian male is a human male.
18. A penile ring substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying figure.
19. A method substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying figure.
20. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.