Abstract:
A penis rigidity stabilizer and method therefore capable of being placed about the shaft of a penis while allowing the glans of the penis to remain exposed and capable of achieving and maintaining a rigid state and capable of maintaining its position about the shaft of the penis and being inherently rigid during sexual activity.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to erection support devices and, more specifically, to an erection support device and method therefor having an open-cylindrical shape and having the ability to be extended over the shaft of a penis in order to maintain the shaft of a penis in an erect position while leaving the glans of the penis exposed. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Erectile dysfunction is an inconvenience experienced by many. Medication to correct this issue has been increasingly prescribed in response to this problem. However, these different types of medications may have unwanted side effects or may be generally not recommendable for a given individual. Another possibility is that a person experiencing erectile dysfunction may not want to take medication to address the issue. Accordingly, it is beneficial to provide a simple mechanical device for achieving and maintaining an erection. 
     This invention addresses this issue by providing a sheath-like device having an opening for a penis at both ends and having walls capable of becoming longitudinally rigid and maintaining their rigidity during use, thus enabling a user to easily maintain an erection with a simple mechanical device and without the need for unwanted medication. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a simple mechanical erectile aid capable of being easily placed on a penis and fitting snugly behind the glans of the penis and about the shaft of the penis, thereby functioning to keep the penis in a rigid state suitable for intercourse or other sexual activity despite the penis being at least partially flaccid. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical erectile aid that leaves the glans of the penis, where a large percentage of the sexual nerve endings are located, exposed, thereby allowing maximum contact with a large percentage of the user&#39;s sexual nerve endings and preventing unwanted interference with the user&#39;s sexual enjoyment. 
     A further and alternative object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical erectile aid capable of being easily placed on a penis that also functions as a condom. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a penis rigidity stabilizer is disclosed, comprising, in combination, a substantially cylindrical tube having an inner wall, an outer wall, a first end defining a first opening, and a second end defining a second opening wherein the second end comprises a ridge being tapered to cause the second opening to be of a smaller diameter than the first opening, the substantially cylindrical tube conforming substantially to a shape of a corpus cavernosum of a penis when the substantially cylindrical tube being in an extended position, the first end being proximate the second end when the substantially cylindrical tube being in a retracted position, and at least one strip of material between the inner wall and the outer wall and between the first end and the second end, the material having sufficient rigidity to maintain the substantially cylindrical tube in a longitudinally extended position when the substantially cylindrical tube being in an extended position. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of maintaining an erection comprising the steps of providing a substantially cylindrical tube having an inner wall, an outer wall, a first end defining a first opening, and a second end defining a second opening wherein the second end comprises a ridge being tapered to cause the second opening to be of a smaller diameter than the first opening, the substantially cylindrical tube conforming substantially to a shape of a corpus cavernosum of a penis when the substantially cylindrical tube being in an extended position, the first end being proximate the second end when the substantially cylindrical tube being in a retracted position, providing at least one strip of material between the inner wall and the outer wall and between the first end and the second end, the material having sufficient rigidity to maintain the substantially cylindrical tube in a longitudinally extended position when the substantially cylindrical tube being in an extended position, sliding the first end and the second end of the substantially cylindrical tube over a glans of the penis so that the ridge of the second end being proximate a corona of the glans, and rolling the first end of the substantially cylindrical tube away from the second end of the substantially cylindrical tube and towards a bulb of the penis in order to maintain the corpus cavernosum of the penis in a substantially extended position. 
     In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a penis rigidity stabilizer comprising, in combination, a substantially cylindrical tube having an inner wall, an outer wall, a first end defining a first opening, and a second end defining a second opening wherein the second end comprises a ridge being tapered to cause the second opening to be of a smaller diameter than the first opening, the substantially cylindrical tube conforming substantially to a shape of a corpus cavernosum of a penis when the substantially cylindrical tube being in an extended position, the first end being proximate the second end when the substantially cylindrical tube being in a retracted position, and at least one vinyl strip between the inner wall and the outer wall and between the first end and the second end, the vinyl strip having sufficient rigidity to maintain the substantially cylindrical tube in a longitudinally extended position when the substantially cylindrical tube being in an extended position. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the penis rigidity stabilizer of the present invention in its extended position, showing a plurality of strips between the inner and outer walls of the penis rigidity stabilizer. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the penis rigidity stabilizer of  FIG. 1 , showing the walls of the penis rigidity stabilizer in phantom in order to better illustrate the details of the strips. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the penis rigidity stabilizer of  FIG. 1  in a substantially retracted position. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the penis rigidity stabilizer of  FIG. 1  in its extended position, showing the strips within the walls of the penis rigidity stabilizer in their extended and rigid position and showing the ridge on the top end of the penis rigidity stabilizer at the forefront. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the penis rigidity stabilizer of the present invention in its extended position, showing a plurality of strips between the inner and outer walls of the penis rigidity stabilizer and showing a cover coupled to the end of the penis rigidity stabilizer and dimensioned to house a glans of a penis, thereby causing the penis rigidity stabilizer to also function as a condom. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the penis rigidity stabilizer of  FIG. 5 , shown in a substantially retracted position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals and symbols represent like elements. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , various views of various states of a single embodiment of a penis rigidity stabilizer, referred to generically as the penis rigidity stabilizer  10 , are disclosed. The penis rigidity stabilizer  10  comprises a substantially cylindrical tube  11 , which is both hollow and open-ended. The substantially cylindrical tube  11  has walls  12  between a first end  14  a second end  16 . The second end  16  forms a ridge  20 . Preferably, the ridge  20  will be of a smaller circumference than the circumference of the first end  14 , thereby causing the penis rigidity stabilizer  10  to follow, generally, the shape of a typical corpus cavernosum of a penis. The ridge  20  will enable the penis rigidity stabilizer  10  to fit snugly and securely behind the glans and on the sulcus of the penis, but it should be clear that substantial benefit is derived from alternative embodiments of the present invention wherein the penis rigidity stabilizer  10  is of different sizes and slightly different shapes in order to accommodate penises of various sizes and shapes. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , contained within the interior of the walls  12  of the penis rigidity stabilizer  10  is at least one strip of material, referred to generically as strips  22 . The strips  22  have sufficient rigidity to maintain the substantially cylindrical tube  11  in a longitudinally extended position when the substantially cylindrical tube  11  is an extended position. Preferably, the strips  22  are long, thin, rigid but collapsible and made of vinyl, although it should be noted that substantial benefit is derived from alternative embodiments of the present invention wherein differing sizes and shapes of strips  22  are present and wherein the strips  22  are made of a material other than vinyl so long as the strips  22  are capable of maintaining the rigidity of the substantially cylindrical tube  11 . In the preferred embodiment, the walls  12  themselves will be relatively smooth and will be composed of latex or another similar material, but it should be clear that substantial benefit is derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the walls  12  are composed of a different material, or wherein the walls  12  are differently shaped or formed to give the walls  12  a different texture, such as ribbed or studded. In the preferred embodiment, the exterior of the inner surface of the walls  12  of the penis rigidity stabilizer  10  may be made of, or coated with, a material with a relatively high coefficient of friction to prevent movement of the penis rigidity stabilizer  10  with respect to the penis during use, though it should be clear that substantial benefit is derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the exterior of the inner surface of the walls  12  are not made of, or coated with, a material with a relatively high coefficient of friction. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the penis rigidity stabilizer  10  is shown in a substantially retracted position with the various strips  22  being individually collapsed within the walls  12  of the penis rigidity stabilizer  10 . When the penis rigidity stabilizer  10  is made ready for use, the user places the glans through the penis rigidity stabilizer  10  in its retracted position with the second end  16  facing away from the user. The user then rests the ridge  20  of the second end  16  just behind the glans and then extends the penis rigidity stabilizer  10  until the various strips  22  are in an extended and rigid position, at which point the penis rigidity stabilizer  10  is ready for use. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , an alternative embodiment of the penis rigidity stabilizer  10 , hereinafter referred to as the penis rigidity stabilizer  100 , is shown. The penis rigidity stabilizer  100  is substantially the same as the penis rigidity stabilizer  10  except that the penis rigidity stabilizer  100  comprises a cover  24  coupled to the second end  16  of penis rigidity stabilizer  100 . The cover  24  is dimensioned to house a glans of a penis, thereby causing the penis rigidity stabilizer to provide the additional functionality of a condom in addition to providing erectile assistance. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.