Abstract:
A sexual stimulation device includes a primarily cylindrical rigid housing containing a low durometer elastomeric material including an elongated cavity oriented along the primary axis of the housing and sized to receive a human penis and actuators disposed to provide pressure orthogonal to the interior surface of the cavity in a plurality of locations and under different control scenarios. Actuators include, magnetic, electromagnetic and cams.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/539,529 (Sexual Stimulation Devices and Methods) filed Aug. 11, 2009, which claims the benefit of the Aug.. 11, 2008 filing date of provisional application 61/087,821, (Sexual Stimulation Devices and Methods), the entire disclosures of both are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to devices and methods related to electrically operated artificial vaginas. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The prior art is replete with sexual devices that provide a suction to a penis or vibration to a penis. Both provide sensations that are diffuse and distributed over the length of the shaft in a consistent and unchanging manner. Except for amplitude, the character of the output does not change. Existing vacuum devices, for example, apply a fairly consistent stimulus along the length of the penis and vibratory devices provide a stimulus that emanates from the specific location at which the vibrator motor is disposed. In both cases the amplitude of the sensation can be modified, however the stimulus remains in the same place with respect to the device and therefore provides a relatively unchanging stimulus. The device must be moved relative to the person to create a changing sensation. Furthermore the character and range of sensations provided by existing devices are limited, and moreover the degree of dynamic and interactive control that may be imposed by the user is also limited. The sensations provide “gross” sensations, rather than focused, customized, or sensations limited within a region. Other devices provides a sliding sensation, including traction along the shaft. This sensation is relatively uniform along the shaft. 
         [0004]    It is therefore desirable to provide stimuli that can change during a usage, not just in amplitude or frequency but in character and/or shape. It is desirable to provide devices capable of providing stimuli that are varied, controllable, and subtle. It is further desirable to have the variable sensation independent of any thrusting motion. It is further desirable to have the variable sensation dependent on the thrusting motion in a variety of predictable and semi-predictable and non-predictable ways. It is also desirable to have the sensation dynamically variable, and yet still further, under dynamic control, whether the user is co-located, or distant. It is yet further desirable to have the same sensations provided at different locations within the device at different times. It is yet further desirable to couple the above benefits to a sensed level of arousal. It is further desirable to provide an artificial vagina that provides a contractile output. It is yet further desirable to provide the stimulus of an undulating contractile output. It is also desirable to allow a device to provide a localized output sensation at a different location at which the control is input. It is further desirable to provide this functionality concurrent with and integral to the action of grasping the device. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    One aspect of the invention features a sexual stimulation device with a housing, a low durometer elastomeric sleeve including a cavity dimensioned to receive a human penis and a variety of mechanisms to displace the outer surface of the cavity inwards. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments magnets are permanently disposed about the circumference of the cavity, either molded within the material itself or adhered to the outside of the material. In the first case, a method is disclosed for molding magnets within the sleeve that leave a residual identifying feature. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments the permanently disposed magnets are displaced by second category of magnet. The orientation of the two sets of magnets are such that pairs of magnets repel one another when associated. In one such embodiment the second set of magnets are disposed along a linear slide actuated by an electromechanical actuator, which may be a solenoid. The slide is oriented along the primary axis of the cavity. In one such embodiment the plurality of second magnets are spaced similarly to the first plurality with which they are associated thereby enabling a simultaneous effect and in a closely related embodiment the plurality of second magnets are spaced dissimilarly to the first plurality with which they are associated thereby enabling a wavelike (if the spacing is consistently offset) or random effect (if the spacing is random). 
         [0008]    In the preferred embodiments the predominant mode of stimulation is provided by a local region of the cavity displacing orthogonally, thereby applying a localized pressure to the penis. In some embodiments this pressure may be provided in only one localized region at a time. In other embodiments the localized pressure areas are activated simultaneously, in other embodiments the localized pressure areas are activated in asynchrony, thereby capable of providing a wavelike sensation. These functions are provided by a control system and under control of the user through a user interface which may be local or at a distance over the telephone or Internet. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment the housing includes a rotary portion that captures one end of the low durometer sleeve such that turning the rotary portion serves to reduce the cross-sectional area of the cavity along the length of the sleeve. This may include a detent feature thereby maintaining a specific cross-sectional area and therefore a desired constant pressure along the surface of the penis. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments the device includes a magnet disposed proximate a plurality of defined pressure regions. In some embodiments a second magnet is disposed to be intermittently in contact with the permanently located magnets. In some embodiments a solenoid in the housing is associated with the magnets disposed in the sleeve. In some embodiments a cam system is used to displace local regions. In some embodiments a solenoid is used to displace a magnet which in turn displaces and associated magnet disposed within the sleeve. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments a method is disclosed for providing sexual pleasure including the steps of providing a low durometer elastomeric sleeve dimensioned to accommodate a human penis, inserting the penis into the sleeve and applying forces to a plurality of localized surface regions of the sleeve in an orientation orthogonal to the sleeve surface at each of the plurality. This method can be used to provide a wavelike sensation, individual pressure points, a random series of actuations or simultaneous actuations at a plurality of locations. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is an axial sectional view of a male stimulation device with rotation-enabled constrictive sense variation. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of an internal rotary shaft for a sexual pleasure device. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an end-wise cross sectional view of a device with multiple shafts as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an axial isometric view of a rotary shaft for sexual stimulation incorporating magnets. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an axial sectional view of a sexual stimulation device incorporating magnets and electrically driven magnetic fields. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an axial sectional view of a sexual stimulation device incorporating solenoids. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7   a  is a view of the tooling for producing encapsulated magnets. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7   b  is a view of the product produced by the tooling of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 7   c  a view of an alternate embodiment product produced by the tooling of  FIG. 7   a.    
           [0021]      FIG. 8  shows the shaft of  FIG. 4  with magnets disposed on contact points. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  shows a male sexual stimulation device activated by solenoids driving a first magnet into a second magnet embedded in an elastomer. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10-12  are related.  FIG. 10  shows a plurality of magnets on a shaft activated by solenoids. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  shows the shaft of  FIG. 10  disposed within a device in an activated state. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  shows the device of  FIG. 11  in a non-activated state. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment in which sleeve  10  manufactured of low durometer elastomeric material, such as styrene-ethylene propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEPS) or any material that approximates human flesh and molded to include cavity  12  designed to accommodate a human penis. It is known in the art that a suitable elastomeric gel may be formed from a mixture of plasticizing oil and a block copolymer comprising an admixture of a styrene ethylene butylene styrene block copolymer and a styrene ethylene propylene styrene block copolymer. A ratio of about 1:1 is desirable, but the two may be combined in ratios in the range from about 1:4 to 4:1. The contact surface  5  of cavity  12  may be smooth or have a texture as shown. A first end  13  of sleeve  10  is constrained by a first housing element  14 . A second end  15  of sleeve  10  is constrained by a second housing element  16 . Housing element  14  and second housing element  16  are rotatably engaged by rotary element  18 . Rotation of housing elements  14  and  16  cause torsion on sleeve  10 , thereby reducing the cross section of sleeve  10  and increasing pressure applied to a penis inserted therein. Stored bulk torsional forces within sleeve  10  also provide a rotational force to return second housing element  16  to a neutral state, a force that may be augmented by spring element  20 . Locking mechanism  22  may be used to maintain the position of the device (by opposing the return force(s) in varying rotational orientations and thereby a varying degrees of applied pressure. In a first mode a user may use the locking feature to permanently customize the device to provide a desired level of pressure during use. In a second mode a user may rotate the housings  14  and  16  and thereby vary the sensations dynamically during use. 
         [0028]    General note: It is here understood that approximating the human body parts as idealized cylinders is an engineering approximation. The cavity  12  may be tapered, or have molded undulations, or irregularities and the like, and be well within the scope of this invention. In all cases, the topic at hand is the stimulation being applied to the human body, (i.e. relative changes in force and/or pressure) not the specific geometry of the contour of surface  5 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows an embodiment in which rotary element  44  including at least one pressure element  46  are disposed intermittently along shaft  48 , including first end  56  and second end  58 . Pressure elements  46  are here shown as cylindrical elements offset with respect to shaft  48  in different directions, similar to the cam shaft of an internal combustion engine. Pressure elements  46  are disposed with pressure surfaces  50  located distal to shaft  48 . Rotary elements  44  are driven by one or more motors  60  through any of a variety of known transmission means, the simplest of which is to place a rotary motor at one end of each rotary element  44 . Shaft  48  may be made of a flexible material, such as a coil spring or elastomeric equivalent if rotary element  44  used in a phallic-type device. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows an embodiment in which a plurality of rotary elements  44  are disposed along an approximately circular path around the circumference of sleeve  10 . Low friction surface  43  is disposed around sleeve  10  and allows rotation of pressure elements  44  against sleeve  10  without causing undue abrasion. Low friction surface  43  may be provided by a thin Teflon sheet, or a lubricant either applied to the surface of the sleeve or incorporated in to the material of sleeve  10  itself. Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a variety of sensations may be provided to a user at contact surface  5 : In a first mode, rotary elements  44  are oriented such that the pressure elements  46  (and pressure surfaces  50 ) disposed in a common plane apply pressure to sleeve  10  at the same time. Therefore, as rotary elements  44  rotate in unison (through an encoder  55  or common transmission  61 ), a wave of constriction moves along the length of sleeve  10 . In a second mode all rotary elements  44  are oriented in the same direction as each other, such that only one pressure surface  50  applies maximal pressure to sleeve  10  at a time, within a given plane. Therefore as rotary elements  44  rotate, a plurality of pressure waves traverse the length of sleeve  10  out of phase with each other, one wave for each rotary element  44 . In a third mode rotary elements  44  are randomly oriented and or rotated with respect to one another, thereby producing random undulations along the perimeter of sleeve  10 . In a fourth mode rotary elements  44  are driven alternately clockwise and anti clockwise, thereby providing a localized and varying pressure at any location along the length of sleeve  10 . This location may be modified by rotating each of rotary elements  44  such that a different set of pressure elements  46  (within a plane) are nominally oriented toward sleeve  10 . Pressure elements  46  may be nautilus shaped. 
         [0031]    The position of first end  56  and second end  58  can vary radially to accommodate a variety of phallus diameters and/or to provide a varying degree of sensation according to the user&#39;s preference. In one embodiment first end  56  is constrained by both a radial channel  60  and slot  62 . Slot  62  is a slanted or curved opening in disk  64  that constrains first end  56  to a defined radial displacement as a function of its rotation. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  shows an embodiment in which magnets  70 , disposed on or near the outer surface of sleeve  10 , are used to apply pressure along contact surface  5  to a penis located within sleeve  10 , within housing  9 . The finite and well-defined area of each magnet  70  creates a defined contact area which is then translated through contact surface  5  to provide a sensation in the user. By using a defined pressure source (such as magnet  70  or the contact surface of pressure element  46 ) contact surface  5  provides a defined contact surface  6 . Defined contact surface  6  provide a different sensation than a non-defined extensive area of contact. This is desirable in some embodiments. If the area is too small, the pressure is too high and uncomfortable. If the area is too large the pressure is too small and does not provide the desired stimulation. As a reference to dynamic tactile perception, massage can be used as a simple analogy. An elbow applied to the back might be too much intensity (for some users) and pressure applied to the entire back is unsatisfying (to most users.) The optimal sensation is provided by a focused contact point with an appropriate level of pressure such as provided by the palm of the hand. With respect to a human sexual organ the desired contact surface area is approximately 0.05 square inches (e.g. a circular area of ¼″ diameter) to 1.2 square inches (e.g. A circular area of 0.62″ diameter.) It is also noted that the specific material disposed between the pressure source (e.g magnet  70 , pressure element  46 , etc) and the skin and the thickness of the material disposed there between, will prescribe how much larger the defined contact surface  6  will be over the pressure source. 
         [0033]    Magnets  70  may be co-molded within sleeve  10 , as shown in the upper half of the figure, or adhered, as shown in the lower half of the figure. If adhered, it is desirable to use a carrier interface  74 , preferably molded from a plastic, to both distribute the force of the magnet and to allow an intermediate bonding surface, i.e. magnet to plastic and plastic to sleeve  10 . Carrier interface  74  also includes flange  76  to provide mechanical bonding. In one embodiment sensations are provided to a user by at least one drive magnet  72  brought into proximity to each fixed magnet  70  sequentially. Controls may be implemented with simple discrete electronics to drive in this embodiment a shuttle  78  is driven axially (as shown) by threaded shaft  80  driven by motor  60 . Shuttle  78  may have sliding engagement with housing  9 , or wheels  71 . Other drive mechanisms, such a belt drive are within the scope of the invention. In one embodiment ring  82  holds a plurality of drive magnets  72  disposed around the circumference of sleeve  10  such that a single motor can displace the shuttle and provide a constricting sensation in a plurality of distinct locations simultaneously. (In such embodiments one of the motors  60  shown in the figure would be omitted.) another embodiment magnets  70  are replaced by a pressure element  46  is fashioned from a rolling element and located on shuttle  78 . As is the case with other embodiments herein that include electronic operation, this embodiment may be operated remotely by phone or by the internet. If molded with the material, the preferred location for each magnet is to be disposed proximate to the outer surface (ie most distal to the primary axis of the cavity  12 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  shows an embodiment that uses the sleeve  10  and magnet  70  assembly described in  FIG. 4 , but provides actuation by means of a series of conductive coils  90  and/or solenoids  86 , as shown on the upper half of the figure, or printed within a printed circuit board  88 , as shown on the lower half of the figure. Coils  90  are in electrical communication with a control system  92  and a power source  105  such that one or more magnets  70  may be displaced individually or in sets to provide a wide variety of sensory outputs to a penis located within sleeve  10 . A partial list of the variety is provided in  FIG. 2 , however this embodiment may also actuate individual (i.e. specific) locations, as opposed to rings or lines, or relatively large areas, and may provide differing frequencies of stimulation at each coil  90 . For example, while all actuators provide a constant force (i.e. pure contracture) rhythmically altering force, or a force altering in sequence of waves along sleeve  10 , one or more coils  90  may provide a low or high frequency localized vibration, which may remain in one location, or may be superimposed onto the aforementioned output. The system may provide random (or pseudo-random) output, thereby massaging/ tingling sensation to the body part over a range of frequencies, from very low (e.g. zero) to very high (e.g. 1000 Hertz). Including a sensor  230  (such as infrared or capacitive) to measure the presence and/or displacement of the penis within the device. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  shows embodiment with similar functionality described in  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, the force is applied to sleeve  10  by a mechanical displacement of a post  93  within coil  90 , together forming solenoid  86 . Solenoids  86  are restrained to an approximately orthogonal orientation by form  95  and capped by pressure elements  46 . Alternately solenoids  86  may be capped by weights  120 . In one embodiment, ones of solenoids  86  may be disposed at an angle, thereby providing a stretching in sleeve  10 , thereby enhanced friction and sensation on the user. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7   a  shows tooling  66  for embedding magnets within sleeve  10 . Cavity  67  defines the shape of the sleeves  10 . As a step of the molding process, supports  68  are inserted into holes in the side of tooling  66 . 
         [0037]    The position of support  68  are accurately and repeatably provided by hard stops  69 . After being positioned, magnets  70  are placed on the ends of supports  68  accurately positioning them within the cavity  67 . After sleeve  10  has solidified, supports  68  are removed.  FIG. 7   b  shows sleeve  10  with magnets  70  and residual support indentations  65 , indicating that the method was used during manufacture.  FIG. 7   c  shows an embodiment in which three residual support indentations are associated with each magnet  70 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  shows an embodiment of shaft  48  in which the pressure plates  46  are implemented with magnets  70 . In such embodiments magnets  70  provide an assay distance force when matched with a paired magnet  70  in which common poless (e.g south and south) are oriented facing each other so that the magnets are repelling each other. 
         [0039]      FIG. 9  shows an embodiment in which magnets  70  are disposed along sleeve  10  and each actuated by an associated magnet  70  and solenoid  86  combination. Utilizing individual solenoids along the sleeve  10  offers a wide variety of sensations to be provided by control electronics  92 , including wave patterns randomness, uniform construction, at a variety of frequencies, as low as a few Hertz and as high as hundreds of Hertz. Each pair of magnets  70  is oriented to repel one another, as in a “North to North” orientation. Two embodiments are represented in the figure. The upper half shows an inverted T shape structure in which a magnet  70  is disposed on the armature of a linear solenoid  86 , the armature representing the vertical portion of the “T”. The lower half shows an embodiment in which a magnet  70  is also disposed within solenoid  86 . In this embodiment the magnets  70  within the sleeve  10  are relatively flat and wide while the magnet  70  within solenoid  86  is relatively long and thin. Specific geometries will be optimized for each product. By orthogonally displacing defined contact surface  6  utilizing with an at-a-distance magnetic force allows sleeves  10  to be removed from housing  9  for cleaning and interchangeability moment training a smooth interface and protecting the electo-mechanics of the device from incidental contact and damage. Both embodiments are powered by power source  105 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 10  shows a top view of a mechanism in which a plurality of magnets  70  are disposed on a movable carrier  77  restrained by a bearing slide  79 . This embodiment is linear, although one skilled in the art can see how it could be implemented in a rotary fashion. Carrier  77  is displaced by solenoid  86  to displaced along slide  79  by an electro-mechanical actuator such as solenoid  86 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 11  shows a side view of the mechanism of  FIG. 10  disposed within housing  9 . Solenoid  86  is not activated and associated pairs of magnets  70  are (intentionally) poorly aligned and therefore have minimal opposition force between them. As a result sleeve  10  is in its rest position. When solenoid  86  is activated associated pairs of magnets  70  are well aligned and therefore sleeve  10  is displaced inwardly and applies approximately orthogonal force to the penis within its circumference. Furthermore, by offsetting the location of magnets  70 , either on carrier  77  or within sleeve  10  (as shown in the lower half of  FIG. 12 ) control system  92  may provide a wavelike effect as the location of the force will appear to move from one end of the device to the other, as each pairing of magnets  70  comes into direct opposition a different moment in time. 
         [0042]    One embodiment includes a plurality of such mechanisms (e.g.  FIG. 3 ) disposed around the circumference of the device. Such an embodiment may include different layouts of magnets  70 . In a preferred embodiment control system  92  may independently control the plurality of solenoids thereby enabling extremely wide range of sensations. One advantage of the solenoid-driven embodiments over motorized versions operating at higher frequency is relatively quiet operation. In one embodiment magnets  70  may be slightly tilted and still provide primarily orthogonal pressure to the penis. 
         [0043]    The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and descriptions. While several embodiments have been described, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art how the form, structure and arrangement of these embodiments may be varied (or combined with each other) and yet remain within the scope of the instant invention. The scope of the invention shall therefore be defined by the claims that follow.