Abstract
A stimulation device including a sleeve-shaped body formed by an at least partially flexible wall which has a first end portion with a first end forming a first end of the sleeve-shaped body and a second end portion forming a second end of the sleeve-shaped body and containing an opening through which a body part sensitive to stimulation is inserted into the sleeve-shaped body. A loading mechanism is configured to subject the first end portion of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body to a force which changes the distance between the first end and second end of the sleeve-shaped body; in particular a time-variant first force that oscillates as a tensile force for relative lengthening of the distance between the first end and second end of the sleeve-shaped body and a pressure force for relative shortening of the distance between the first end and second end of the sleeve-shaped body.
Claims
1. A stimulation appliance comprising: a sleeve-like body formed by an at least partially flexible wall that has a first end portion with a first end forming a first end of the sleeve-like body, and a second end portion, remote from the first end portion, with a second end forming a second end of the sleeve-like body, said second end being located substantially opposite the first end, being arranged at a distance from the first end, and containing an opening for introducing a body part that is sensitive to stimulation into the sleeve-like body, characterized by, an application device, which is configured to apply a temporally variable, in particular oscillating first force that varies the distance between the first end of the sleeve-like body and the second end of the sleeve-like body to the first end portion of the wall of the sleeve-like body, alternately as a tensile force for a relative increase in the distance between the first end and the second end of the sleeve-like body and as a compressive force for a relative decrease in the distance between the first end and the second end of the sleeve-like body.
2-38. (canceled)
Description
[0034] In the following text, preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the stimulation appliance;
[0036] FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the appliance in FIG. 1;
[0037] FIG. 3 shows the same longitudinal section as FIG. 2, but with the housing parts detached from one another;
[0038] FIG. 4 shows the same longitudinal section as FIG. 2, but with the diaphragm additionally being illustrated by way of dashed lines in an intermediate position between a first end position (not illustrated) and a second end position, in which the diaphragm is depicted by way of solid lines;
[0039] FIG. 5 shows the same longitudinal section as FIG. 2, but with the diaphragm being depicted in its first end position and the diaphragm additionally being illustrated by way of dashed lines in its second end position;
[0040] FIG. 6 shows the same longitudinal section as FIGS. 2 and 4 with the additional illustration of one of the user's fingers for closing an opening for manual control of the pressure conditions;
[0041] FIG. 7 shows a second preferred embodiment of the stimulation appliance in longitudinal section;
[0042] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the stimulation appliance;
[0043] FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal section through the appliance in FIG. 8;
[0044] FIG. 10 shows the same longitudinal section as FIG. 9, but with the housing parts detached from one another;
[0045] FIG. 11 shows the same longitudinal section as FIG. 9, but with the diaphragm additionally being illustrated by way of dashed lines in an intermediate position between a first end position (not illustrated) and a second end position, in which the diaphragm is depicted by way of solid lines;
[0046] FIG. 12 shows the same longitudinal section as FIG. 9, but with the diaphragm being depicted in its first end position and the diaphragm additionally being illustrated by way of dashed lines in its second end position;
[0047] FIG. 13 shows the same longitudinal section as FIGS. 9 and 11 with the additional illustration of one of the user's fingers for closing an opening for manual control of the pressure conditions.
[0048] FIGS. 1 to 6 illustrate a stimulation appliance 2 according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention. The stimulation appliance 2 has a housing that is subdivided in the illustrated exemplary embodiment into a first housing part 4, which is bounded by a circumferential wall 4a and a free end 4b, and a second housing part 6, which is bounded by a circumferential wall 6a and a free end 6b. Located at the free end 4b of the first housing part 4 is an opening 8 for introducing a body part that is sensitive to stimulation, for example a penis. As is furthermore apparent from FIG. 1, control knobs 10 are arranged in the region of the circumferential wall 6a of the second housing part 6, said control knobs preferably being in the form of electric buttons and serving for switching the stimulation appliance on and off and for controlling it with the aid of an electronic control circuit that is not depicted in the figures.
[0049] As can be seen more specifically in FIGS. 2 to 6, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a sleeve-like body 12 is arranged in the interior of the first housing part 4, the interior or cavity 12a of said body 12 being bounded by a wall 14 that is subdivided into a first end portion 14a, a second end portion 14b, and a central portion 14c located between these two end portions 14a, 14b. The first end portion 14a of the wall 14 has the shape of a closed dome or of a closed cap in the illustrated exemplary embodiment and forms a first end 14aa, which at the same time also forms a first end of the sleeve-like body 12. The second end portion 14b, remote therefrom, of the wall 14 has a second end 14bb that at the same time also forms the external second end of the sleeve-like body 12 and is provided with the abovementioned opening 8 for introducing a body part that is sensitive to stimulation into the cavity 12a of the sleeve-like body 12. With regard to the free end 4b of the first housing part 4 and the opening 8, the first end portion 14a, or the first end 14aa of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12, can alternatively also be referred to as the distal or internal first end portion 14a, or as the distal or internal first end 14aa, and the second end portion 14b, or the second end 14bb of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12, can alternatively also be referred to as the proximal or partially external second end portion 14b, or as the proximal or external second end 14bb. As is furthermore apparent from FIGS. 2 to 6, between its two ends, the sleeve-like body 12 has an elongate shape, which, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, is substantially cylindrical in particular in the region of the central portion 14c of the wall 14. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, an inwardly projecting protrusion 14d, which forms a constriction, is furthermore arranged on the inner side of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 in the connecting region between the first end portion 14a and the central portion 14c, wherein this protrusion 14d can be optionally shaped in a circumferential manner or, in order to form studs, be provided with interruptions in the circumferential direction. The wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 consists of at least partially flexible, preferably elastic, material, which exhibits for example silicone, this being not only a particularly soft material but also a hygienic material.
[0050] As is furthermore apparent from FIGS. 2 to 6, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the free end 4b of the first housing part 4 forms an inwardly angled flange-like rim, which, in order to fix the adjacent portion of the sleeve-like body 12, engages in the second end portion 14b of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12.
[0051] Likewise in the connecting region between its first end portion 14a and its central portion 14c, the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 is provided on its outer side with an outwardly protruding collar 16, as is furthermore apparent from FIGS. 2 to 6. Adjacent to and opposite the collar 16, an inwardly projecting fastening protrusion 18 is formed on the inner side of the wall 4a of the first housing part 4, said fastening protrusion 18 containing a recess 20 that communicates with the interior of the first housing part 4 via an opening 22. As is apparent in particular from FIG. 2, the collar 16 provided on the outer side of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 projects through the opening 22 into the recess 20 and, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, engages by way of a downwardly angled end 16a behind an inner-wall portion of the recess 20. Preferably, the collar 16 is configured as a collar that encircles the sleeve-like body 12 and accordingly the fastening protrusion 18 with the recess 20 is also formed in a circumferential manner on the inner wall of the first housing part 4; alternatively, however, it is also conceivable to subdivide the collar 16 into mutually spaced-apart, discrete parts and thus also to subdivide the fastening protrusion 18 or at least the recess 20 in a corresponding manner.
[0052] As is furthermore apparent from FIGS. 2 to 6, a circumferential wall portion 24 is provided outside the sleeve-like body 12 adjacently to and at a distance from the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12, said wall portion 24 being arranged on the inner side of the wall 6a of the second housing part 6 and ending in the interior of the second housing part 6 with a circumferential free end, which is closed off in a sealed manner by a diaphragm 26, which is thus likewise arranged outside the sleeve-like body 12 and, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, is spaced apart from the first end 14aa of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12. Thus, the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12, the wall portion 24 and the diaphragm 26 bound a first chamber 28.
[0053] As is apparent in particular from FIG. 2 in conjunction with FIG. 3, the recess 20 that receives the angled end 16a of the collar 16 integrally formed on the outer side of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 is bounded on its side facing the second housing part 6 by a portion of the wall portion 24. Since the wall portion 24 is provided on the second housing part 6, the result of this arrangement is that when the second housing part 6 is separated from the first housing part 4 (cf. FIG. 3), the recess 20 is opened, and so, in order to fit or remove the sleeve-like body 12, the collar 16 can simply be introduced by way of its angled end 16a into the now open recess 20 or removed from the cutout 20.
[0054] As is furthermore apparent from FIGS. 2 to 6, an electric motor 30 is arranged in the second housing part 6, a radially extending lever 32 being fastened to the output shaft 30a of said electric motor so as to rotate therewith. Adjacent to its free end, a connecting rod 34 is mounted in an articulated manner on the lever 32 with a first end 34a. With its other end 34b, the connecting rod 34 is fastened to the diaphragm 26. The lever 32 and the connecting rod 34 thus jointly form an eccentric drive, for converting the rotation of the output shaft 30a of the electric motor 30 into a reciprocating longitudinal movement of the connecting rod 34. Provided for powering the electric motor 30 is a (rechargeable) battery 36, which likewise sits within the second housing part 6 in a compartment 38 provided for this purpose, said compartment 38 being bounded by a partition wall 40.
[0055] Furthermore, with regard to the first chamber 28, a second chamber 42 is formed outside the wall portion 24 and the diaphragm 26 within the second housing part 6, said second chamber 42 being bounded by the wall 6a of the second housing part 6, the wall portion 24, the diaphragm 26 and the partition wall 40.
[0056] Since the diaphragm 26 consists of flexible material, in particular silicone, the reciprocating longitudinal movement of the connecting rod 34 in the direction of the double arrow A illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6 results in a corresponding movement of the diaphragm 26, as is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5; in other words, during its reciprocating movement in a longitudinal direction, the connecting rod 34 carries along the diaphragm 26 in a corresponding manner. Since the diaphragm 26 is fastened to the wall portion 24 with its outer end, the reciprocating movement of the connecting rod 34 causes the shape of the diaphragm 26 to change, and in this case the stroke movement of the diaphragm 26 is greatest in its center, where the connecting rod 34 is fastened with its adjacent end 34b, and corresponds to the stroke movement of the connecting rod 34. The reciprocating longitudinal movement of the connecting rod 34 is oriented more or less in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve-like body 12, such that the movement of the connecting rod 34 subjects the diaphragm 26 to a change in distance from the adjacent first end 14aa of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 in that, put another way, it is moved alternately in the direction of the first end 14aa of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 and away therefrom.
[0057] In FIG. 5, the diaphragm 26 is depicted in its first end position closest to the sleeve-like body 12 by way of solid lines. It is apparent from FIG. 5 that, in the (lower, according to FIG. 5) first end position, the diaphragm 26 adopts an arcuate shape in the direction of the sleeve-like body 12. When the diaphragm 26 is in its first end position, the opposite first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 likewise adopts a defined first end position at the same time, in which the distance between the first end 14aa of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 from the diaphragm 26 is at a minimum. In FIG. 5, the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 is also depicted in its (lower, according to FIG. 5), first end position by way of solid lines. Furthermore, in FIG. 5, the diaphragm 26 is depicted in its (upper, according to FIG. 5) second end position away from the sleeve-like body 12 by way of dashed lines, in which position the diaphragm 26 now adopts an upwardly arcuate shape, curved in the opposite direction to the first end position. When the diaphragm 26 is in its second end position, the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 likewise adopts a matching (upper, according to FIG. 5) defined second end position, which is likewise depicted by way of dashed lines in FIG. 5. Thus, it is apparent from FIG. 5 that the sleeve-like body 12 is stretched in its longitudinal direction and accordingly lengthened in the second end position of the first end portion 14a of its wall 14 compared with the first end position thereof. Only for the sake of clarity, it should also be noted in this connection that in FIGS. 2 to 4 and 6, the diaphragm 26 is in its second end position in each case, but, by contrast, the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 is depicted in its first end position; in this case, FIGS. 4 and 6 additionally show the diaphragm 26 in an intermediate position, illustrated by way of dashed lines, between the two above-discussed end positions.
[0058] The movement of the diaphragm 26 from its (lower, according to FIG. 5) first end position into its (upper, according to FIG. 5) second end positions causes the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 to move from its (lower, according to FIG. 5) first end position into its (upper, according to FIG. 5) second end position, such that the movement of the diaphragm 26 on account of the reciprocating movement of the connecting rod 34 has a direct effect on the movement of the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12. This is caused by the first chamber 28, which is formed between the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 on one side and the diaphragm 26 on the other and is filled with air. The air in the first chamber is responsible for the fact that when the diaphragm 26 moves, the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 is carried along in a corresponding manner. When the diaphragm 26 moves from its (lower, according to FIG. 5) first end position into the (upper, according to FIG. 5) second end position, first of all the volume in the first chamber 28 is increased and a negative pressure initially arises therein as a result, this causing the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 to be subjected to a corresponding tensile force. This tensile force then ensures that the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 moves into the (upper, according to FIG. 5) second end position, which is indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 5, until the negative pressure has been broken down in the first chamber 28 and a normal air pressure prevails again. Thus, while the diaphragm 26 moves from the first end position into the second end position, it correspondingly carries along the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 under a suction effect via the air cushion prevailing in the first chamber 28, causing the sleeve-like body 12 to stretch in the direction of its longitudinal extension and thus to increase in length. When the diaphragm 26 moves in the opposite direction from its (upper, according to FIG. 5) second end position into its (lower, according to FIG. 5) first end position, a positive pressure initially arises in the first chamber 28, this exerting a compressive force on the first end 14aa of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12, which is still stretched at this time, said compressive force ensuring that the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 returns into its (lower, according to FIG. 5) first end position, which is illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 5.
[0059] The alternate change in length, brought about by the reciprocating movement of the connecting rod 34, of the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 creates a particular stimulating action on the portion of a body part (not depicted in the figures) sensitive to stimulation that has been introduced through the opening 8 in the sleeve-like body 12 and is engaged with the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12, in that either, on account of a relative movement of the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 with respect to the adjacent portion of said body part, a stimulating rubbing action is created on the latter, or the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12, while moving alternately in the two directions, carries along the adjacent portion of said body part or at least the skin thereof, this likewise resulting in a particular stimulation effect.
[0060] In order that an undesired air cushion does not form in the second chamber 42, which would form a kind of opposition to the movement of the diaphragm 26 and would thus impair or even completely prevent the movement of the diaphragm 26, a vent hole 44 is provided in the wall 6a of the second housing part 6, said vent hole 44 ensuring continuous pressure equalization between the second chamber 42 and the environment. This ensures undisrupted movement of the diaphragm 26.
[0061] As can be seen in particular in FIG. 6, an opening 46 is provided, by way of which the first chamber 28 can communicate with the outside. This opening 46 can expediently be partially or completely closed by a finger 48 of a user (not illustrated in the figures) if required, in order in this way to manually control the pressure in the first chamber 28. If the opening 46 is completely closed, the pressure conditions in the first chamber 28 remain unchanged. By contrast, if the opening 46 is partially closed or open, this brings about slight pressure equalization with the environment, with the result that the pressure in the first chamber 28 is accordingly lower. In this case, the opening 46 should contain a nonreturn valve (not illustrated in the figures), which closes when there is a negative pressure in the first chamber 28 and opens when there is a positive pressure in the first chamber 28, such that, in the event of a negative pressure in the first chamber 28, undesired pressure equalization with the environment is avoided and manual control of the pressure conditions in the first chamber 28 is possible by the opening 46 being partially or completely closed by a user's finger 48 only in the event of a positive pressure in the first chamber 28.
[0062] FIG. 7 illustrates a stimulation appliance 2′ according to a second preferred embodiment, wherein, with regard to the stimulation appliance 2 according to the first preferred embodiment, identical components are indicated by the same reference signs and so, in this regard, to avoid repetitions, reference is made to the description given above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.
[0063] The stimulation appliance 2′ according to the second preferred embodiment makes use of the same operating principle as the stimulation appliance 2 according to the first preferred embodiment. The difference compared with the stimulation appliance 2 according to the first preferred embodiment is that, in the stimulation appliance 2′ according to the first preferred embodiment, the first housing part 4 is missing and the second housing part 6 is provided as a single housing and as a result, in addition to the (upper, according to FIG. 7) free end 6b, has a further (lower, according to FIG. 7) free end 6c, which is remote from this free end 6b and to which the collar 16 of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 is fastened. Since the second chamber 42 is open toward the environment at the (lower, according to FIG. 7) free end 6c of the housing part 6 at a point identified by the reference sign “42a” in FIG. 7, it is furthermore possible for the vent hole 44 provided in the stimulation appliance 2 according to the first preferred embodiment to be dispensed with. The use of the second housing part 6 of the stimulation appliance 2 according to the first preferred embodiment as a single housing also has the result that the sleeve-like body 12 has a much shorter length and is thus considerably shortened, as can also be seen in FIG. 7 compared with FIGS. 1 to 6. Thus, the second end portion 14b of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 immediately adjoins the collar 16 and is formed in a much shorter manner than the stimulation appliance 2 according to the first preferred embodiment. Accordingly, the stimulation appliance 2′ according to the preferred second embodiment is a structurally simplified version that is more compact in terms of its design compared with the stimulation appliance 2 according to the first preferred embodiment.
[0064] FIGS. 8 to 13 depict a stimulation appliance 2″ according to a third preferred embodiment, wherein FIGS. 8 to 13 correspond to FIGS. 1 to 6 in terms of view and, with regard to the stimulation appliance 2 according to the first preferred embodiment, identical components are indicated by the same reference signs and so, in this regard, to avoid repetitions, reference is made to the description of the stimulation appliance 2 according to the first preferred embodiment that is given above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.
[0065] At first sight, the stimulation appliance 2″ according to the third preferred embodiment appears to be the same as the stimulation appliance 2 according to the first preferred embodiment. However, there is a significant difference in operating principle, which is also reflected in structural differences.
[0066] Although an oscillating change in length of the sleeve-like body 12 on account of the reciprocating movement, oriented in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve-like body 12, of the diaphragm 26 also takes place in the stimulation appliance 2″ according to the third preferred embodiment, reference also being made, in this regard, to the description of the stimulation appliance 2 according to the first preferred embodiment that is given above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, in contrast to the stimulation appliance 2 according to the first preferred embodiment, the second chamber 42 is closed with respect to the environment and therefore the vent hole 44 is also missing, such that, on account of the reciprocating movement of the diaphragm 26, oscillating pressure conditions are also established therein, but in an opposite or reverse manner to the oscillating pressure conditions that arise in the first chamber 28. When the diaphragm 26 moves from its (lower, according to FIG. 12) first end position, illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 12, into its (upper, according to FIGS. 9 to 13) second end position, illustrated by solid lines in FIGS. 9 to 11 and 13 and by dashed lines in FIG. 12, a positive pressure initially arises in the second chamber 42, this positive pressure then being applied to the central portion 14c of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 from the outside, resulting in shortening of the distance between mutually opposite wall portions 14cc of the central portion 14c of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12, as can be seen in FIG. 12, in which those wall portions 14cc are depicted schematically by way of dashed lines. The second chamber 42 is formed not only by the space between the diaphragm 26 and the partition wall 40, but also by a space that is bounded by the wall 4a of the first housing part 4 on one side and by the wall portion 24 and the central portion 14c and the second end portion 14b of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 on the other side. Thus, the second chamber 42 additionally extends along the outer side of the sleeve-like body 12 as far as the second end portion 14b of the wall 14 thereof, said second end portion 14b being fastened in a sealed manner to the wall 4a of the first housing part 4 in the region of the free end 4b thereof. The positive pressure in the second chamber 42 that is initially brought about by the movement of the diaphragm 26 from its first end position into its second end position has the result that the air located in the second chamber 42 is displaced in the direction of the arrows B shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 and then hits the outer side of the central portion 14c of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12. There, the air then creates a compressive force, which acts transversely from the outside on the central portion 14c of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 in the direction of the arrows C shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. This compressive force brings about the above-discussed reduction in distance between the mutually opposite wall portions 14cc in the region of the central portion 14c of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 and thus, in this region, a constriction of the cavity 12a of the sleeve-like body 12, as is illustrated schematically in FIG. 12 by way of dashed lines. Accordingly, the movement of the diaphragm 26 from its (lower, according to FIG. 12) first end position into its (upper, according to FIG. 12) second end position results not only in stretching but at the same time also in constriction of the sleeve-like body 12.
[0067] When the diaphragm 26 moves in the opposite direction from its (upper, according to FIG. 12) second end position into its (lower, according to FIG. 12) end position, a negative pressure initially arises in the second chamber 42, this ensuring an opposite air flow counter to the orientation of the arrows B and C illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 13 and thus away from the central portion 14c of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12. As a result, a tensile force is applied to the mutually opposite wall portions 14cc of the central portion 14c of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12, this tensile force ensuring that, with an increase in their distance from one another, these wall portions 14cc return into their substantially straight starting position, illustrated by way of solid lines in FIGS. 9 to 13, and the constriction of the cavity 12a of the sleeve-like body 12 is undone. Thus, in this step, in addition to the reduction in its length, the central portion 14c of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 at the same time also returns into its original, substantially straight starting position with an increase in the distance between its wall portions 14cc and resultant elimination of the constriction.
[0068] Accordingly, with the stimulation appliance 2″ according to the third preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 13, the stimulation effect can be enhanced even further in that not only the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-like body 12 and thus the first end thereof is subjected alternately to a tensile force and a compressive force in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve-like body 12, in order to change the length of the sleeve-like body 12 and thus periodically stretch the latter, but also the sleeve-like body 12 is subjected alternately to a tensile force and compressive force acting transversely to its longitudinal direction in the region of the central portion 14c of its wall 14, in order to change the cross section of the sleeve-like body 12 and thus periodically create a constriction. In light of the foregoing, in the stimulation appliance 2″ according to the third preferred embodiment, the positive and negative pressure generated in the second chamber 42 by the diaphragm 26 outside the first chamber 28 is used cleverly for a further stimulation effect by periodic constriction of the sleeve-like body 12.
