GB2561535A

GB2561535A - A stimulation aid for massage/masturbation of male or female genitalia

Info

Publication number: GB2561535A
Application number: GB1703091.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shuttleworth Gary
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-04-20
Filing date: 2017-04-20
Publication date: 2018-10-24
Also published as: GB201703091D0

Abstract

The Stimulation aid comprises a surface 16 of deformable material, shaped as a tube with an end portion turned inside-out forming an opening 12 to an interior; an actuator 6 for moving the surface to either rub a contact area 4 or draw genitalia into the interior; and potentially a plurality of projection members 60, 2, 64, 66 and/or vibrating units 80, 82, 84, 86. The tube may form a toroid, which may be filled with a fluid such as a liquid or gas, similar to a water snake. The projection members and/or vibrating units may be arranged to correspond with another projection member or vibrating member respectively. The projection members and/or vibrating members may be arranged in sets which correspond together as the surface is moved into the interior. The projecting members may have varying sizes and shapes, such as conical, pyramidal, cylindrical, forked, l-shaped, t-shaped, finger and projecting 5mm to 40 mm

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Gary Shuttleworth

Fernlea, Cheadle Road, ALTON, Staffordshire, ST10 4BH, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Gary Shuttleworth (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Gary Shuttleworth

Fernlea, Cheadle Road, ALTON, Staffordshire, ST10 4BH, United Kingdom

1703091.7 |_NT ci_:

A61H 19/00 (2006.01)

20.04.2017

A61H 23/00 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:

GB 2435424 A WO 2003/002822 A1 US 20060099066 A1

WO 2011/146948 A US 6846029 A

Amazon UK, 2 December 2011, Fleshlight Lady Vortex Male Masturbator - Pink Amazon.co.uk [online], available from https://www.amazon.co.uk/

Fleshlight-Lady-Vortex-Male-Masturbator/dp/

B002SQJIVQ/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?

s=drugstore&ie=UTF8&qid=1501658273&sr=1 -1 &key words=fleshlight (58)

Field of Search:

INT CLA61H Other: EPODOC, WPI (54) Title of the Invention: A stimulation aid for massage/masturbation of male or female genitalia Abstract Title: A stimulation aid for massage or masturbation (57) The Stimulation aid comprises a surface 16 of deformable material, shaped as a tube with an end portion turned inside-out forming an opening 12 to an interior; an actuator 6 for moving the surface to either rub a contact area 4 or draw genitalia into the interior; and potentially a plurality of projection members 60, 2, 64, 66 and/or vibrating units 80, 82, 84, 86. The tube may form a toroid, which may be filled with a fluid such as a liquid or gas, similar to a water snake. The projection members and/or vibrating units may be arranged to correspond with another projection member or vibrating member respectively. The projection members and/or vibrating members may be arranged in sets which correspond together as the surface is moved into the interior. The projecting members may have varying sizes and shapes, such as conical, pyramidal, cylindrical, forked, l-shaped, t-shaped, finger and projecting 5mm to 40 mm

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A Stimulation aid for Massage/Masturbation of male or female genitalia.

The present invention relates to a stimulation aid which can be used for massage or masturbation, self-induced or induced to a partner/partners.

Current stimulation aids are limited to a limited range of methods they present the stimulation and massage to an area of the body including the use of any irregularities and or vibration combinations.

It would be desirable to provide a stimulation aid which can stimulate/massage a wide range of body parts including genitalia of both male and females.

It would be desirable to allow a user of the stimulation aid to control the level of rubbing simulation and vibrating simulation coming into contact with the desired contact area, and it would also be desirable to be able to allow the stimulation aid to draw an area internally specifically for male gratification. The level of intensity being regulated by the combination of converging rubbing surface and irregularities, projecting members and converging vibration area intensity.

In the following, the term “toroid” is used to designate a shape approximating to that generated by a closed curve rotated about, but not intersecting, an axis in its own plane. The closed curve may or may not contain the axis.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a simulation aid, for rubbing a contact area and drawing genitalia into its interior, comprising: a surface of deformable material, shaped as a tube with an end portion turned inside-out, forming an opening to an interior and an actuator for moving the surface to in and out rubbing the contact area or drawing genitalia into the interior.

Preferably, the tubular portion forms the interior and the portion at which the surface turns inside out forms the opening. The stimulation aid is a friction device which uses friction to rub a contact area or draws into its interior. There is preferably a support for supporting the stimulation surface. The support may comprise a skeleton to which a deformable material is attached or it may be comprised of a fluid located adjacent the surface. The fluid may be a pressurised gas or a liquid. There is preferably some means for maintaining tension in the stimulation surface as it is moved. The body may contain fluid located adjacent the surface which tensions the stimulation surface. The stimulation aid may be used to draw genitalia into its interior as additional stimulation as the opening to the interior will be present during stimulating a contact area.

The stimulation aid may comprise a tube of deformable material with an end portion turned inside-out. The tube is preferably cylindrical. The diameter of the tube is preferably dimensioned to exceed the maximum width of genitalia which the device is designed to stimulate. Both end portions of the tube may be turned inside out and joined to form a toroid. Alternatively, the stimulation aid may comprise a toroid made from deformable material providing the rubbing surface. The toroid may be is filled with fluid.

The toroid may be filled entirely with fluid. The fluid may be a pressurised gas or a liquid. There is preferably an inlet, which allows fluid to be added or removed.

A actuator may be used to aid the movement of the stimulation aid. The actuator is coupled to the surface but may be detachable. The actuator may be attached or attachable to pull the stimulation surface. For example, if the stimulation surface is provided by a toroid, the actuator may be attached or attachable to the interior passage of the toroid. The actuator may be attached or attachable to push the stimulation surface. For example, if the surface is provided by a toroid, the actuator may be attached or attachable to the exterior of the toroid.

Preferably, the surface material includes a plurality of thicker regions and thinner regions, and the location of the creases may be associated with the location of the thinner regions. Preferably, the thinner regions extend along the surface material. Preferably, the projecting members are substantially aligned in rows along the surface. Preferably the rows of projecting members and the thinner regions are located alternately radially around the surface, and may be spaced substantially equidistantly from each other so that the creases locate substantially equidistantly between the rows of projecting members.

Preferably, in the thinner regions, the surface material is approximately half the thickness of the surface material in the thicker regions.

Preferably to increase stimulation, the aid includes a plurality of projecting members, which project from the surface to stimulate the contact area and provide additional stimulation/massage/friction. Preferably, each projecting members are arranged to correspond with another projecting member as the contact surface is rubbed or is drawn into the interior.

Preferably, the projecting members are arranged in a plurality of sets. Preferably, each set includes a plurality of projecting members which correspond together as the surface is moved into the interior. Preferably, each set includes substantially the same number of projecting members. Preferably, the sets of projecting members are spaced apart from each other along the surface.

Preferably, the projecting members of each set are spaced radially around the stimulation surface, and may be spaced equally. Preferably, each projecting member of each set comes into contact with at least one other member of the same set as the stimulation surface converges together at the opening to the interior, the contact surface is rubbed and or moves into the interior.

Preferably, each projecting member is conical in shape, tapering from the surface to a tip. The tip may be pointed or rounded. Alternatively, each projecting member may be pyramidal, cylindrical, forked, L-shaped or Tshaped.

Preferably, as the stimulation surface moves into the interior, it deforms to form a plurality of creases. Preferably, the aid is arranged so that in the interior, each of the larger projecting members extends towards one of the creases, and may be received in one of the creases.

Preferably, the projecting members may be in the form of fingers, and may project more than 5mm from the surface.

Alternatively, the projecting members may be in the form of surface irregularities such as bumps or ribs, and may project less than 5mm from the surface.

Preferably to increase stimulation, the aid includes a plurality of vibrating units, which are adjacent to the surface to stimulate the contact area and provide additional stimulation/massage/friction. Preferably, each vibrating units are arranged to correspond with another vibrating units as the contact surface is stimulated, rubbed or is drawn into the interior.

Preferably, the vibrating units are arranged in a plurality of sets. Preferably, each set includes a plurality of vibrating units which correspond together as the surface is moved into the interior. Preferably, each set includes substantially the same number of vibrating units. Preferably, the sets of vibrating units are spaced apart from each other along the exterior or internal surface of the main body of the stimulation aid.

Preferably, the projecting members of each set are spaced radially around close to the stimulation surface, and may be spaced equally. Preferably, each vibrating unit of each set comes into contact with at least one other member of the same set as the stimulation surface converges together at the opening to the interior, the vibrating units stimulate the contact surface as it is rubbed and or moves into the interior.

Preferably, each vibrating units is shaped to allow attachment adjacent to the surface of the body either internal or external to the contact area while allowing each vibrating unit to pass each other as the body surface rotates around the opening as the first and second flexible movable surface portions at the opening move together into the interior.

Preferably, each vibrating units is controlled via a control unit. This control unit may be housed in the actuator of the stimulation aid. The control unit may have the ability to control both intensity of vibration and the sequence in which the vibration unit are activated. The control unit would allow a variety of vibration and sequence combinations to suite the use of both a stimulant of a contact area and the stimulation of genitalia drawn internally into the body of the stimulation aid.

Preferably, the vibrating units may be in the form of circular spheres or tubes, and may be more than 10mm in circumference.

Alternatively, the vibrating units may be in the form of circular spheres or tubes, and may be less than 10mm in circumference.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a deformable bag for use with a stimulation aid as claimed in any preceding claim formed from a water impermeable material and sized to fit, snugly, inside out, onto the body and cover the opening such that as the first and second flexible movable surface portions at the opening move together into the interior as they rub the contact area or draw the genitalia into the bag and move the bagged genitalia into the interior. The deformable bag would provide a barrier between the stimulation aid and contact area in an effort to keep the stimulation aid clean during use.

The body may comprise a tube of deformable material where the first and second movable surface portions are portions of a surface of the tube. The tube is preferably cylindrical. The diameter of the tube may be dimensioned to exceed the maximum width of the contact area which the simulation aid is designed to come into contact with. The first and second movable surface portions may be portions of an interior surface of the tube, where an end portion of the tube is turned inside out. Both end portions of the tube may be turned inside out and joined to form a toroid. Alternatively, the body may comprise a toroid made from deformable material, the exterior surface of the toroid providing the first and second flexible surface portions. The toroid may be filled with fluid or supported via an internal skeleton.

There is preferably a support for supporting the first and second flexible movable surface portions. The support may comprise a skeleton to which the deformable material is attached or it may be comprised of a fluid located adjacent the first and second flexible surface portions. The fluid may be a pressurised gas or a liquid. There is preferably some means for maintaining tension in the first and second flexible surface portions as they are moved. The body may contain fluid located adjacent the first and second flexible surface portions which tensions the first and second flexible surface portions. The first flexible movable portion and the second flexible movable surface portion may be portions of one surface of deformable material.

The toroid may be filled entirely with fluid. The fluid may be a pressurised gas or a liquid. There is preferably an inlet, which allows pressurised fluid to be added or removed to allow correct tension between the first and second flexible surface.

To allow for ease of use it may be preferable to have one or more actuators. The actuators may be detachable. The actuators may be attached or attachable to the first and second flexible surface portions to pull them together. For example, if the first and second flexible surface portions are provided by a toroid, the actuator may be attached or attachable to the interior of the toroid. The actuator may be attached or attachable to the first and second flexible surface portions to push them. For example, if the first and second movable surface portions are portions of a surface of the tube are provided by a toroid, the actuator may be attached or attachable to the exterior of the toroid.

The stimulation aid may be used to as a sex toy. The stimulation aid may be used as a massage aid.

According to a final aspect of the present invention there is provided a simulation aid, for drawing genitalia into its interior, comprising: a toroid body of deformable material having an opening to the interior and an actuator for rolling the surface of the toroid. The toroid body preferably comprises fluid over which the surface rolls. The contact area or genitalia can be drawn into and past the opening formed by the body of the aid and into its interior. This to allow further stimulation with the use of pressure applied by the supporting skeleton or fluid and or projecting members and vibration units.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a stimulation aid (2);

Figure 2a, 2b and 2c show a cross-section of a stimulation aid (2), primed for use and in use in both directions;

Figure 3a and 3b shows a stimulation aid (2) in use drawing a contact area into it interior for further stimulation;

Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a stimulation aid (2) with a remote actuator;

Figure. 5a, 5b and 5c show a stimulation aid (2) being used in conjunction with a bag to keep the stimulation aid clean.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of another stimulation aid (102) according to the invention with additional projecting members;

Figure 7a is a side elevation cross-section of the stimulation aid (102) with additional projecting members and vibrating units primed for use; Figure 7b show a cross-section of a stimulation aid (102), in use;

Figure 8a is a front elevation cross-section of a three sided stimulation aid (102)

Figure 8b is a front elevation cross-section of a four sided stimulation aid (202)

Figure 9 is a front elevation cross-sectional view of a five sided stimulation aid (302) with longer projecting members being accommodated via the opposite crease.

Figure 10 shows a number of possible forms of projecting members;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of another stimulation aid (402) with bumps and ribs according to the invention.

Figure 1 Is a prospective view of a stimulation aid 2. The stimulation aid comprises a toroid body 10 and an actuator 6. The toroid body 10 has a continuous surface 16. Opposing portions 16a, 16b and 16c ofthe surface 16 diverge from each other to form the opening 12. The surface 16 in this example is shown as smooth but in other embodiments it may have projecting members in the form of extending fingers, or surface irregularities such as bumps or ribs, for increasing the coefficient of friction of the surface 16, as will be described further in relation to Figs. 6 to 11. An inlet 22 is provided through the surface 16 of the toroid body 10 to add a fluid to support and tension the surface of the toroid body.

Referring to Figs. 2a through to 3b, there is illustrated cross sectional view of a stimulation aid 2 for use in rubbing, massaging or stimulating a contact area 4. In the example of Figs. 2a, 2b and 2c, the contact area 4 is circular and the stimulation aid 2 is used to rub and stimulate the contact area 4 using friction by applying moment in both directions.

The toroid body 10 is elongate and has an opening 12 at one end which gives access to an interior passage 14 of the toroid body 10. The toroid body 10 is formed from elastic/resilient deformable material. The deformable material is preferably a flexible polymer (e.g. silicone rubber), but could be made from other impermeable material/materials with a suitably high coefficient of friction. The toroid body 10 has an internal cavity 21 formed by the surface 16, which is filled with fluid 20. The fluid 20 supports and tensions the surface 16 of the toroid body 10. Preferably, the toroid body 10 is entirely filled with fluid 20. There are, however, other alternatives for supporting and tensioning the surface 16. One alternative is to provide a resiliently flexible skeleton comprising supporting strips in the internal cavity of the toroid body 10 to which the deformable material defining surface 16 is attached. Another alternative, is to provide one or more fluid impermeable bodies inside the toroid body 10 with fluid filling the gaps between the fluid impermeable bodies and deformable material defining the surface 16.

Liquid or pressurised gas is used as the fluid 20. An inlet 22 is provided through the surface 16 of the toroid body 10. This allows the pressure of the gas to be varied and the fluid to be changed.

The actuator 6, which in this example is a hollow rod, is coupled to the surface 16 where it forms the interior passage 14 of the toroid body 10. The actuator 6 may be physically attached to the surface 16 where it forms the interior passage 14. Alternatively, the actuator 6 may be coupled by frictional forces between the surface 16 and the actuator 6.

The operation of the stimulation aid 2 will now be described with reference to Figs. 2a to 3b. The stimulation aid 2 is brought towards the contact area 4 until the diverging opposing surface portions 16a, 16b and 16c at the opening 12 are close or touch the surface of the contact area 4. As the actuator 6 is drawn away from the contact area 4 as indicated by arrow A in Figure 2a and the exterior surface 16 of the toroid body 10 is pushed by hand towards the contact area 4, as indicated by arrow B, the surface 16 of the toroid body 10 rolls around the supporting fluid 20. The contact with contact area 4 is maintained as the relative position of opening 12 is maintained. The contact area 4 is simulated by rubbing as the contact of the moving surface 16 continually passes over the contact area 4. The stimulation is increased as the rubbing action can be applied in either direct as illustrated in Figure 2b and 2c.

In the example illustrated in Figure 3a & Fig 3b, the contact area 4a is irregular in shape similar to a male penis and can be drawn through opening 12 into the interior passage 14. In this example while in the interior passage 14 the male penis would be stimulated by the pressure exerted on surface 16 by fluid 20. In subsequent examples show in Figure 6 to Figurel 1, the penis would be additionally stimulated with an arrangements of projecting members I ribs I bumps I irregularities and/or vibration units along the length of toroid 10.

Figure 4 illustrates a stimulation aid 2 having an alternative actuator 6 which allows a user to be remote from the stimulation aid 2. The actuator 6 comprises a manual control 30, an external frame 32 and an internal rod 34. The external frame 32 is coupled to the exterior of the toroid body 10 and the rod 34 is coupled to the interior passage 14 of the toroid body 10. According to one embodiment, when the manual control 30 is actuated, the external frame 32 of the actuator 6 is moved towards the contact area 4a (relative to the manual control 30) with the rod 34 remaining stationary (relative to the manual control 30). This pushes the external surface of the toroid body 10 towards the contact area 4a. According to another embodiment, the external frame 32 remains stationary (relative to the manual control 30) while the rod 34 is moved away from the contact area 4 (relative to the manual control 30). This pulls the surface of the toroid body 10 in the interior passage 14 away from the contact area 4a. The relative motions of the external frame 32 and the rod 34 cause the surface 16 of the toroid body 10 to roll about its supporting fluid 20 and stimulate contact area 4a. The manual control 30 may comprise gearing or a power source for operating the rod 34 and external frame 32.

Figure 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and 5e illustrate the use of the stimulation aid 2 in conjunction with a bag 42, the bag 42 used to keep the stimulation aid 2 clean. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the contact area 4a is a male penis and the stimulation aid 2 is used to stimulate with the use of lubrication oils. Figure 5a and 5b illustrate a stimulation aid 2 as previously described in relation to Figure 1 to 3. A bag 42 is formed from an impermeable, deformable material. The bag 42 is sized to fit snugly over the exterior of toroid body 10 and cover the opening 12 to the interior passage 14 as shown in Figure 5b. The bag 42 is fitted inside out over the toroid body 10 so that its interior surface 41a is exposed to the contact area 4 and its exterior surface 41b makes contact with the diverging opposing surface portions 16a, 16b and 16c of the toroid body 10. The exterior surface 41a preferably has surface irregularities, such as bumps or ribs, to increase its coefficient of friction against the contact area 4.

When the stimulation aid 2 is used by pulling (arrow A) the actuator away from the contact area 4a and pushing (arrows B) the exterior surface 12 of the toroid body 10 towards the contact area 4a, the surface 16 of the toroid body 10 rolls (arrows C) about the supporting fluid 20 and the bag 42 moves along with the surface 16 and is drawn into the interior passage 14. As the interior surfaces 41a of the bag 42 at the opening 12 are drawn inwards and upwards into the interior passage 14 of the toroid body 10 they stimulate the contact area 4a through the bag 42 and the contact area 4a and bag 42 move into the interior passage 14 containing thorough bagging the contact area 4a and keeping the stimulation aid clean.

Figure 6 to 8 show another example of a stimulation aid 102 according to the invention. Many of the features of the Stimulation aid 102 are similar to those previously described above and, therefore, similar features have been given the same reference numerals.

The stimulation aid 102 includes a toroid body 10 and an actuator 6, the toroid body 10 having a continuous surface 16, the actuator 6 being coupled to the surface 16 to move the surface 16 as described above. The toroid body 10 is formed as described above so that the continuous surface 16 defines an internal cavity 21 which is filled with fluid.

The stimulation aid 102 includes a plurality of projecting members (only a proportion of which have been labelled) 60, 62, 64, 66 which project from a portion 72 of the surface 16. The projecting members 60, 62, 64, 66 are in the form of spokes and are arranged in sets of three, the projecting members 60A, 60B, 60C forming one set, the projecting members 62A, 62B, 62C forming another set and so on. Referring to Figure 6 and using the set of projecting members 62A, 62B, 62C as a representative example, each of the projecting members 62A, 62B, 62C is spaced equally radially around the longitudinal axis 8 of the stimulation aid 102. Referring to Figure 6, 7a & 7b each of the sets of projecting members 60, 62, 64, 66 are spaced apart from each other along the length of the surface 16. Each projecting member of each of the sets 60, 62, 64, 66 extends from substantially the same axial region of the surface 16 along the axis 8, although the members of each set are slightly off-set axially from each other to allow for nesting of the projecting members as they rotate towards each other at opening 12 then move into the interior 14.

The projecting members 60, 62, 64, 66 are aligned axially along the surface 16 so that, for example, projecting members 60A, 62A, 64A, 66A are aligned in a row, which for convenience will be termed row A. Thus the projecting members in Figure 6 and Figure 8 are aligned in three axial rows A, B, C.

The projecting members 60, 62, 64, 66 could be formed of a resiliently deformable material, so that the projecting members can deform around the contact area 4.

Figure 7a, 7b & 8a show another example of a stimulation aid 102 according to the invention. The stimulation aid 102 includes a plurality of vibration units (only a proportion of which have been labelled) 80, 82, 84, 86 which are situated in this example on the surface 16. The vibrating units 80, 82, 84, 86 are in the form of circular forms and are arranged in sets of three as are the projecting members of Figure 6, the vibrating units 80A, 80B, 80C forming one set, the vibrating units 82A, 82B, 82C forming another set and so on.

Referring to Figure 6, 7a & 7b using the set of vibrating units 82A, 82B, 82C as a representative example, each of the vibrating units 82A, 82B, 82C are spaced equally radially around the longitudinal axis 8 of the stimulation aid 102.

Referring to Figure. 6, 7a & 7b, each of the sets of vibrating units 80, 82, 84, 86 are spaced apart from each other along the length of the surface 16. Each vibrating unit of each of the sets 80, 82, 84, 86 are attached from substantially the same axial region of the surface 16 along the axis 8, although the vibration units of each set are slightly off-set axially from each other to allow for nesting of the vibration units as they rotate towards each other at opening 12 then move into the interior 14.

The vibration units 80, 82, 84, 86 are aligned axially along the surface 16 so that, for example, vibration units 80A, 82A, 84A, 86A are aligned in a row, which for convenience will be termed row A. Thus the vibrating units in Figure 8a are aligned in three axial rows A, B, C.

Referring to Figure 7a & 7b it is desirable to have a control unit 90 capable of controlling the vibration intensity and sequence of activation. The control unit would also house any power source such as batteries and could be positioned in the actuator 6.

As the surface 16 moves into the interior, it deforms to form creases 70 as shown in Figure 8a, 8b & 9. Figure 8a shows a cross sectional view from one end of the surface portion 72 of the toroid body 10 the surface portion 72 including a plurality of thicker regions 74 and thinner regions 76, the thinner regions 76 being regions where the thickness of the material of the surface portion 72 is thinner relative to the thickness of the material in the thicker regions 74. The thinner regions 76 are elongate and extend axially along the surface portion 72, substantially equally spaced between the rows A, B, C of the projecting members 60, 62, 64, 66, so that the rows A, B, C and thinner regions 76 are located alternately radially around the surface portion 72. The surface portion 72 could form only part of the continuous surface 16.

Figure 8b shows a stimulation aid having similar features to that of the stimulation aids previously described but in which the projecting members 60, 62, 64, 66 and vibrating units 80, 82, 84, 86 are arranged in four rows A, B, C, D. The surface portion 72 in this embodiment as shown in Figure 8b includes four regions of thinner material 76 and four thicker regions 74, the thinner regions 76 being elongate, running axially along the surface portion 72 and being equally spaced between the rows A, B, C, D.

Similarly, Figure 9 shows a stimulation aid having five equally spaced rows A, B, C, D, E of projecting members 60, 62, 64, 66, the surface portion 72 comprising five thinner regions 76 and five thicker regions 74, the thinner regions 76 being equally spaced between the rows A, B, C, D, E.

Although in these embodiments the rows of the projecting members and the thinner regions 76 are shown as being equally spaced, it would also be possible to vary the spacing to suit particular applications.

In one example, the surface 16 and projecting members 60, 62, 64, 66 are formed integrally by moulding of a rubber material. The rubber material could be a silicone rubber material. A range of different hardness’s could be used.

A good combination of stiffness with flexibility is provided by materials of shore hardness in the range 40 to 55, and optimally in the range 45 to 50. Stiffer materials of higher shore hardness have firmer stimulation characteristics but are harder to deform and therefore more effort is required by a user to use the stimulation aid.

In one particular example, the stimulation aid 102 is an aid for stimulation as a sex toy, although the aid can equally be used for massage or stimulating other bodily areas. In this example, the toroid body 10 has an outside diameter of approximately 80mm with three rows of projecting members equally spaced around the surface portion 72. The projecting members are conical in form, having a base diameter of approximately 10mm and projecting approximately 17mm from the surface portion 72. Each projecting member (for example, 60A, 60B, 60C) within each set (for example, 60) is off-set axially from neighbouring projecting members by approximately 2mm to 5mm so that as the projecting members move together and towards each other at the opening 12 into the interior passage 14, each projecting member of a set comes into contact with at least one other member of the same set as shown in Figure 8a & 8b. However, the slight axial offset between the projecting members helps nest the projecting members and reduce contact between the projecting members of a set. The surface portion 72 is approximately 1.6mm in thickness in the thicker regions 74, and 0.8mm in thickness in the thinner regions 76, which form bands approximately 16mm wide running axially. The axial spacing between the sets of projecting members is approximately 25mm. In one example, it has been found that the projecting members are advantageously between 5mm and 40mm in length and optimally between 15mm and 20mm in length.

Various other modifications of this embodiment could be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The projecting members could be arranged differently, for example, randomly or in a spiral.

The size and form of the projecting members 60, 62, 64, 66 could be varied. It will be noted that in Figure 9, the projecting members 60, 62, 64, 66 are relatively longer and project towards and are received within the creases 70 in the interior passage 14, overlapping each other. The thinner regions 76 allow control of the location of the creases 70 so that during operation the projecting members nest neatly. It will be noted that those embodiments having an odd number of rows/creases e.g. as shown in Figs. 9, permit longer projecting members in comparison with embodiments having an even number of rows/creases e.g. as shown in Figure 8, as the odd number permits the projecting members to extend towards and be received within the opposite crease.

The projecting members could be of any suitable size, shape or form. Some examples of the form of the projecting members are shown in Figure 10. The projecting members could be conical as shown in Fig 2 to 9, or as in Figure 10 pyramidal 91, L-shaped 90, T-shaped 94, forked 92, 96, or cylindrical 98. Different forms of projecting members could be used in combination. The projecting members could be formed separately to the surface material and removably mounted to the surface material, allowing different combinations of projecting members according to requirements.

Figure 11 shows another example of a stimulation aid 402 according to the invention. Many of the features of the stimulation aid 402 are similar to those previously described above and therefore similar features have been given the same reference numerals.

The stimulation aid 402 includes a toroid body 10 and an actuator 6, the toroid body 10 having a continuous surface 16. The toroid body 10 is constructed in a similar manner to that previously described, and the actuator is coupled to the surface 16 to move the surface 16 in a manner as previously described.

The stimulation aid 402 includes a plurality of projecting members and vibration units 260, 262, 264, 266 (only a proportion of which have been labelled) which project from a portion of the surface 16. In this embodiment, the projecting members and vibration units 260, 262, 264, 266 are in the form of surface irregularities which in this example are bumps and ribs but could take the form of rounded bumps or studs, and or some other similar form, or some other combination thereof. The projecting members and vibration units 260, 262, 264, 266 could, in this example, project less than 5mm from the surface 16. In other respects, the arrangement of the projecting members 260, 262, 264, 266 is similar to that as previously described for the embodiment of Figs. 2-10, the projecting members and vibration units being arranged in sets 260, 262, 264, 266 and rows A, B and C.

In use, the projecting members and vibration units 260, 262, 264, 266 increase the coefficient of friction of the surface 16, thus improving the stimulation capability of the stimulation aid 402.

Further stimulation could be added with the inclusion of a combination of sets of vibrating units. In Fig 11 these units are controlled for vibration and sequence adjustment from buttons 91 on the actuator 6.

Other modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. Any of the features of any of the embodiments described could be combined in any suitable combination.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A stimulation aid, for massaging/rubbing a contact area or drawing genitalia into its interior, comprising a surface of deformable material, shaped substantially as a tube with an end portion turned inside-out and forming an opening to an interior, an actuator for moving in either direction the opening to the interior to massage/rub via friction the contact area or draw genitalia into the interior, the device including a plurality of projecting members, and or vibrating units, which locate on the surface to increase simulation on the contact area or drawn genitalia. The stimulation aid would be suitable as a sex toy.

2. A stimulation aid as claimed in claim 1 comprising a toroid made from deformable material and providing the surface.

3. A stimulation aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein the toroid is filled with fluid or is supported via an internal skeleton.

4. A stimulation aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein the toroid is moved in either direction via an actuator.

5. A stimulation aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein each projecting member is arranged to correspond with another projecting member as the surface is rotated around the opening then nest in the interior.

6. A stimulation aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein each vibrating area is arranged to correspond with another vibrating area as the surface is rotated around the opening then moved into the interior.

7. A stimulation aid as claimed in claim 5, wherein the projecting members of each set are spaced radially around the surface.

8. A stimulation aid as claim 6, wherein the vibrating area of each set are spaced radially around the surface.

9. A stimulation aid as claimed in claim 5, wherein each projecting members of each set comes into contact with at least one other projecting member of the same set as the surface rotate around the opening then moves into the interior.

10. A stimulation aid as claimed in claim 6, wherein each vibrating area of each set comes into contact with at least one other vibrating area of the same set as the surface rotates around the opening then moves into the interior.

11. A stimulation aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein each projecting member is conical in shape, tapering from the surface to a tip.

12. A stimulation aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein each projecting member is pyramidal, cylindrical, forked, L-shaped or T-shaped.

13. A stimulation aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein each vibrating area is aligned with a projecting member.

14. A stimulation aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein each vibrating area is misaligned with a projecting member.

15. A stimulation aid as claimed in claim 6, wherein the actuator has a control element which controls the vibration level and sequence of the vibration units.

16. A stimulation aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein the surface material includes a plurality of thicker regions and thinner regions, the location of the thinner regions being associated with the location of creases formed when the surface moves into the interior.

17. A stimulation aid as claimed in claim 5, wherein the projecting members are substantially aligned in rows along the surface, and the rows of the projecting members and the thinner regions are located alternately radially around the surface and spaced substantially equidistantly from each other so that the creases locate substantially equidistantly between the rows of projecting members.

18. A stimulation aid as claimed in claim 6, wherein the vibrating areas are substantially aligned in rows along the surface, and the rows of the vibrating areas and the thinner regions are located alternately radially around the surface and spaced substantially equidistantly from each other so that the creases locate substantially equidistantly between the rows of vibrating areas.

19. A stimulation aid as claimed in claim 16, 17 & 18, wherein in the thinner regions, the surface material is approximately half the thickness of the surface material in the thicker regions.

20. A stimulation aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the projecting members are in the form of fingers and project between 5mm and 40mm from the surface.

21. A stimulation aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the projecting members are in the form of surface irregularities such as bumps or ribs, and project less than 5mm from the surface.

22. A stimulation aid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.

23. A method of massaging or rubbing a contact area using a stimulating aid as claimed in claim 1, comprising the steps of placing the opening of the stimulating aid on to the contact area, and operating the actuator of the stimulating aid in either direction to stimulate the area.

24. A method of stimulating genitalia using a stimulating aid as claimed in claim 1, comprising the steps of placing the opening of the stimulating aid on to the genitalia, and operating the actuator of the stimulating aid to draw the genitalia into the interior.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1703091.7 Examiner: Adrian French