Driveshaft Personal Massager and Method of Massage

Abstract

A driveshaft personal massager, comprising: a base unit; and, an extended driveshaft, wherein the extended driveshaft enables the waterproof base unit to use a motor to power low cost inter-changeable applicator modules containing various stimulating effects is used for new, improved, stimulating, and more precise stimulation and massage.

Claims

1. A driveshaft personal massager, comprising: a base unit; and, an extended driveshaft wherein the extended driveshaft is longer than 6 inches.

2. The driveshaft personal massager recited in claim 1, wherein said extended driveshaft is flexible.

3. The driveshaft personal massager recited in claim 1, wherein said extended driveshaft is greater than two feet long.

4. The driveshaft personal massager recited in claim 3, wherein said extended driveshaft is detachably coupled to an applicator module.

5. The driveshaft personal massager recited in claim 3, wherein said applicator module comprises at least one unbalanced mass which is connectively associated with the rotational force of the extended driveshaft.

6. The driveshaft personal massager recited in claim 5, wherein said applicator module comprises more than one unbalanced mass connectively associated with the rotational force of the extended driveshaft

7. The driveshaft personal massager recited in claim 5 wherein the base unit contains an electrical motor.

8. The driveshaft personal massager recited in claim 7 wherein the electrical motor is connectively associated with a power storage device within the base unit.

9. The driveshaft personal massager recited in claim 8 wherein the frequency of rotations of the electrical motor is adjustable.

10. The driveshaft personal massager recited in claim 9 wherein the extend driveshaft is surrounded by an outer covering that insulates vibrations.

11. The driveshaft personal massager recited in claim 10 wherein the massager further comprises an anti-vibration grip.

12. The driveshaft personal massager recited in claim 11 wherein the anti-vibration grip houses controls that adjust one or more of: frequency, amplitude, or temperature.

13. The driveshaft personal massager recited in claim 12 wherein the anti-vibration grip contains a communication circuit for receiving electromagnetic signals to adjust one or more of: frequency, amplitude, or temperature.

14. The driveshaft personal massager recited in claim 12 wherein the base unit contains a communication circuit for receiving electromagnetic signals to adjust one or more of: frequency, amplitude, or temperature.

15. A method of massage wherein a motor contained in a base unit is connectively associated with an applicator module by an extended driveshaft.

16. The method of massage in claim 15 wherein the base unit contains a power storage unit.

17. The method of massage in claim 16 wherein the extended driveshaft rotates an unbalanced mass contained within the applicator module.

18. The method of massage in claim 17 wherein the frequency of rotation of the extended driveshaft is adjusted by user controls housed in an anti-vibration grip that surrounds the extended driveshaft.

19. The method of massage in claim 17 wherein the frequency of rotation of the extended driveshaft is adjusted upon electromagnetic communication to a transceiver in the base unit.

20. The method of massage in claim 18 wherein the frequency of rotation of the extended driveshaft is adjusted upon electromagnetic communication to a transceiver housed in the anti-vibration grip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description with reference to the drawings.

[0019] FIG. 1 depicts a general view of a driveshaft personal massager.

[0020] FIG. 2 depicts an alternative and cut away view of the driveshaft personal massager of FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 3 depicts an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 4 depicts an alternative and cut away view of the driveshaft personal massager of FIG. 3.

[0023] FIG. 5 depicts a ben wa type attachment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 6 depicts an alternative cut away view of a ben wa type attachment of FIG. 5.

[0025] FIG. 7 depicts a phallic type attachment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 8 depicts an alternative and cut away view of the phallic type attachment of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects.

[0028] Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.

[0029] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described.

[0030] Adverting now to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts a general view of a driveshaft personal massager. The personal massager has an applicator module 3000 separated from an easy grip anti-vibration handle 2000 by a spring enclosed flexible driveshaft 5000. The anti-vibration handle includes circuitry connected to multiple grip controls 2100, 2200, and 2300. The grip controls 2100, 2200 and 2300 are generally buttons, but dials, switches, joysticks, artificial/tactile interfaces, and other controls are also used. Although the figures depict only three grip controls, some embodiments use more and some less. The controls are configurable and control things such as frequency, amplitude, pulsation, time, temperature, sound, volume, mode/function etc. Extending below the ergonomic grip of the anti-vibration handle is a flexible driveshaft 4000. The flexible driveshaft 4000 is coupled to the base unit 1000. The flexible driveshaft transmits rotary motion much like a solid steel or other more rigid shaft. The flexible driveshaft is capable of being routed over, under, and around obstacles that make using a solid shaft impractical.

[0031] Generally, the flexible driveshaft includes a rotating shaft (also known as a core) with metal end fittings for attachment to mating parts. A protective outer casing or liner is used when necessary. The protective outer casing or liner has its own fittings, such as ferrules, that keep the protective outer casing stationary during use. The flexible driveshaft is usually at least six inches long, but additional benefits are obtained from longer shafts greater than two and from three to sixteen feet. Longer driveshafts may be used depending on the application, but in many situations the ideal length is long enough to keep the base unit put away and/or out of sight such as under a bed or outside of a shower/bathtub while allowing for compact easy storage when not in use. As depicted, the base unit includes multiple base controls 1100, 1200 and 1300. An additional coupling anti-vibration grip 8000 covers the driveshaft between the applicator module.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a cut-away of the applicator module, the anti-vibration housing and the base unit. Contained within the base unit is processing module 7000 and battery module 6000. Battery module 6000 is enabled to comprise one or more battery/power cells. The battery/power source powers a motor 20000 inside the base unit. The motor 20000 causes the core of the flexible driveshaft to rotate. The rotation from the driveshaft causes module within the applicator module 11000 to rotate. Spring 9000 provides additional dampening effects, while vibration and oscillating movement is generated in the applicator module. Rigid driveshaft 10000 is located within the vibration reducing housing. The vibration reduction housing uses dampening materials such as rubbers, plastics, foams, springs, bushings and sponges to reduce vibration. However, a flexible driveshaft may be substituted for rigid driveshaft 10000 while still practicing the invention described herein. In fact, in some embodiments the flexible driveshaft 4000 continues through the vibration reducing housing. In addition to the casing around the core of the flexible driveshaft 4000 the vibration reduction housing provides additional comfort with better grip and less vibration than the case of the flexible driveshaft 4000.

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment where the applicator module is of a different shape (rabbit ears) 12000, but operates upon a similar principal. The energy produced in the base unit 1000 is transferred to the applicator module 12000 through a flexible driveshaft. In this example, the unit is powered by an AC power cord 13000 to a standard outlet plug 14000. However, DC current and/or other power sources are in some circumstances preferred. Batteries in the base unit 1000 make the base unit 1000 more portable and safer for use in or near wet environments, such as the shower, bath, pool, lake, ocean, rain, snow and spa.

[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a cut away of the base unit 1000 and rabbit ears applicator module shown in FIG. 3. Inside the base unit is a motor 20000 which drives the flexible driveshaft 4000 that moves and/or energizes the applicator module 12000 and/or parts therein 11000.

[0035] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary ben wa ball attachment 15000 wherein each ball contains is driven by the long flexible driveshaft 4000. In some embodiments, the ben wa balls vibrate, rotate and have other effects driven by the rotating core of the flexible driveshaft 4000.

[0036] FIG. 6 shows a cut away of one embodiment of such attachment where each ball operates on an unbalanced mechanism 11000. Anti-vibration grip 8000 is located where the applicator is attached. The attachment mechanism may be magnetic, mechanical or otherwise. The grip and/or attachment mechanisms may also and alternatively be located on different and/or multiple parts of the invention such as the applicator head, base unit and flexible driveshaft.

[0037] FIG. 7 shows a phallic attachment 16000. FIG. 7 is for illustrational purposes, various shapes and forms of dong are able to be substituted. Although the applicator grip 8000 is shown separate from the phallic attachment it may also be part of that attachment. As show, the interior parts of the phallic attachment are driven by the core of the flexible driveshaft 4000.

[0038] FIG. 8 shows a cutaway of the phallic attachment 16000 of FIG. 7. In this example an unbalance mechanism 11000 is directly driven by the core of the driveshaft 4000. However, as in other applicator modules, the unbalance and/or other mechanisms may also be indirectly driven by the core through the use of gears, springs, generators etc. It is preferred to have an anti-vibration grip. In or near this grip it is preferred to have an attachment mechanism to provide attachment/detachment of additional driveshafts and/or additional/alternative applicator modules. Attachment mechanisms may include amongst magnets, sockets, clamps, glues, hooks, loops, pins, clamps, screws, etc.

[0039] In addition to phallic, rabbit ear, and ben wa ball attachments other instruments of varying shape, function and form are connected and driven by the driveshaft in the base. These other instruments and attachment are combinations of the above and/or also include other variations such as penile sleeves, vaginal simulators, anal simulators, vaginal stimulators, anal stimulators, vacuums, suction devices, rotating rings and others. These various instruments and attachments are operated by the driveshaft and/or gears and other mechanical devices. In some embodiments, electrical current is further provided by a circuit within and/or parallel to the driveshaft or through other power sources contained within the applicator module, head or grip. The alternative power sources drive other electromechanical processes, including electro thermal processes and audio and visual effects (e.g. heating, cooling, LEDs, lasers, music and sound).

[0040] The vibrating mechanisms in the applicator modules typically use brushed or brushless eccentric rotating mass (ERM) mechanisms and linear resonant actuators (LRA). However, an advantage of the invention is separating the motor and applicator module through the use of an extended driveshaft. Consequently, although an ERM mechanism and electrical circuit could be placed in an applicator module, the invention still functions without a corresponding motor in the applicator module. However, some applicator modules use generators and/or transformers to change the mechanical energy provided from the driveshaft to power other thermal, mechanical and electrical processes. In some instances ERM and LRA mechanisms may be interchangeable and/or operated in tandem. In some applications capacitors are charged through the drive shaft. This can be done through induction and other known and soon to be discovered processes.

[0041] When using ERM mechanisms frequency is typically measured in revolutions per minute or hertz. The total vibration amplitude can be calculated from F=mass times acceleration, where F (i.e. centripetal force in Newtons) is generally equal to mass of the eccentric mass times eccentricity of the eccentric mass times the angular velocity (omega) squared.

[0042] The invention enables the electrical energy system to be isolated in the base unit 1000 further from the applicator head so that the machine may operate on more powerful current and longer lasting batteries without weighing down the applicator heads and reducing interfering vibrations at the site of personal application.

[0043] Having thus described preferred embodiments, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages of the described system have been achieved. It should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptions, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The invention is further defined by the following claims.