Abstract:
A condom features a generally cylindrical sheath with an open proximal end and a distal end that fits onto a male penis. The condom also features a tether which is connected at the distal end of the sheath. The tether has an axial length greater than the axial length of the sheath and is designed to be grasped by a female partner during intercourse and placed into a rubbing contact the clitoris.

Description:
[0001]    This application for patent claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/808,207 entitled CONDOM filed Apr. 3, 2013. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a condom for contraceptive and prophylactic use, and ultimately, enhanced pleasure. In particular, this invention relates to an improved condom for vaginal intercourse which encourages its use beyond merely for prevention and protection. 
         [0003]    The use of conventional condoms for contraceptive and prophylactic use has been known for years. The present invention is directed to overcoming the negative stigma of traditional condom use by providing an alternative use technique which heightens pleasure beyond natural intercourse. Sexually transmitted diseases are a public health concern that affects all people, regardless of nationality and age group. The medical profession, along with governmental and health organizations, strongly advocate the use of condoms to prevent unplanned pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that can result in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). 
         [0004]    The male condom is donned on the penis of the male partner during sexual intercourse. The typical male condom is a snug fitting, elongated tubular sheath emulating the natural contours of the penis. It has an open, proximal end for the insertion of the penis, and a closed, distal end to receive the ejaculate of seminal fluids. Typically, conventional condoms are produced using a dip molding process with glass formers to achieve a wall thinness to maximize tactile sensations through the material. The open, proximal end has a peripheral bead for rigidity to assist donning and doffing, and ultimately, constrictively securing the condom on the penis. The condom material barrier and the agents within the lubricant provide a very substantial shield. These agents include spermicides and microbicides which inactivate or block infection by sexually transmitted pathogens. 
         [0005]    Several condoms have been developed with various irregularities on an otherwise smooth, exterior surface to stimulate the female anatomy for heightened pleasure. They include ridges, blisters, bunched-up excess material, and protrusions. However, the thin flaccid membrane lacks sufficient structural rigidity to retain any effective shape minimizing their effectiveness. 
         [0006]    During intercourse, the female participant only receives tactile stimulation of the vulva and perineum regions at the moment of full penetration by the male. Thus, most of the various textures and projections about the proximal condom opening are relatively non-effective for sustained, female stimulation. 
         [0007]    The difficulties and limitations suggested in the preceding and desired features are not intended to be exhaustive but rather are among many which may tend to reduce the effectiveness and user satisfaction with condoms. Other noteworthy problems and limitations may also exist; however, those presented above should be sufficient to demonstrate that condoms appearing in the past will admit to worthwhile improvement. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0008]    One preferred embodiment of the invention which is intended to address concerns and accomplish at least some of the foregoing objectives comprises a condom capable of being dip molded using glass formers to achieve wall thinness and its unique characteristics. This embodiment possesses a tether extending from the distal region of the condom body of sufficient length to allow a participant to grasp during sexual intercourse. Preferably, the tether is simply an axial or angular extension of the condom body with a diminished diameter, or may be a separate piece attached at or near the distal region of the body. This allows the tether attachment point to stay within the vagina or near the vaginal opening during the male&#39;s partial withdrawal to ensure vulva region contact and sustained stimulation, and the positioning of the condom on the penis. The tether can have several different surface configurations, from very aggressive to extremely subtle, for varied levels of stimulation. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is an axonometric view of a condom in accordance with one embodiment of the subject invention. 
           [0011]    FIG,  2  is another axonometric view of the same condom 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an axonometric view of a condom in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the subject invention; the main variation is the tether geometry. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an alternative with an angled tether. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a side view of an alternative embodiment; the main variation is the tether mechanical attachment to the body. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a cross section view of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is an alternate embodiment of the invention where the extension is provided with transverse ribs or balls. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Referring now particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, and initially to  FIG. 1 , there will be seen an axonometric view of the condom  10  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The condom  10  in  FIG. 1  is to be donned by the male participant about his penis. This condom  10  has a sheath body  11  with a distal end  12  and an open, proximal end  14 . At the distal end  12 , a tether  13  extends axially from the body sheath  11 . The distal end  15  of tether  14  is preferably closed. At the open proximal end  14 , the condom  10  has a beaded cuff  16  formed by back-rolling cuff material. This cuff  16  provides rigidity to assist in donning and doffing the condom  10 , and constrictively securing the condom  10  about the penis. In the distal region  12  of condom  10 , there is an enlarged section  17  designed to entrap the head of the penis when the tether  14  is pulled in an opposing direction to the penis caused by being within the vagina. This region is also for the containment of ejaculated seminal fluids. The juncture  18  of the condom body  11  and tether  14  is a seamless continuation of the wall material. Both the tether  13  and the condom body  11  taper towards their distal ends,  15  and  12 . The axial alignment with draft greatly facilitates stripping the finished condom  11  from the dipping former. 
         [0020]    The axonometric view of condom  10  in  FIG. 2  reveals the proximal open end of the sheath  11  banded by the beaded cuff  16 . 
         [0021]    The cross-sectional view of condom  10  in  FIG. 3  displays the seamless juncture  18  in the wall structures of the sheath body  11  and tether  13 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a condom  30  with a similar sheath structure  31  and a varied textured tether  33 . In this tether  33  has a helical “drill bit” geometry  34  to create sustained, random surfaces from ridges  35  and valleys  36  for stimulation of the vulva region and clitoris of a female partner during thrusting intercourse. 
         [0023]    A side view of condom  40  in  FIG. 5  illustrates an angular tether  43  extending at approximately a  45  degree angle with respect to an imaginary central longitudinal axis of the sheath body  41  which is integrally molded onto a distal region  42  of sheath body  41 . Juncture  44  of the tether  43  is a seamless continuation in the wall structure of the sheath  41  and the tether  43 , as revealed in cross-sectional view  FIG. 6 . In this embodiment of the subject condom the sheath does not have an enlarged area at the distal region  42  and instead relies on the pliable nature of the thin material  45  for entrapment of the head of the penis when the tether  43  is pulled in an opposing direction to the penis caused by being within the vagina. Seminal fluid is contained within a base region  47  of the integral tether  43 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 7  depicts a condom  50  with a body sheath  51  and a separate tether  53  that is attached, as opposed to being integral, with the body sheath  51 . The condom body sheath  51  and a separate tether  53  are separately dip molded and then physically attached at juncture  54 . The distinct, separate walls of the body sheath  55  and the tether  53  are shown in the cross-sectional view in  FIG. 8 . The secure juncture  54  may be constructed thermally or with an adhesive. There is a provisional blister  57  in the distal region  52  of the sheath  51  for containment of seminal fluid. 
         [0025]      FIG. 9  discloses yet another embodiment of the invention where a tether extension  60  may be a flat strip with a series of transversely extending ribs or a plurality in serially connected spheres or balls  62 . 
         [0026]    In use the subject condom is designed to be worn by a male partner with the tether extending in a reverse fold posture along the top of the condom upon insertion during intercourse. A female partner grasps the distal end of the tether and by gentle pulling on the end of the tether is able to control the pressure of the tether structure gliding across the female clitoris as the male partner thrusts in a conventional missionary intercourse position. The condom is composed of any conventional condom composition and the tether is fabricated with the same material as the condom such as for example a latex rubber composition or other materials having elastic characteristics. 
         [0027]    In describing the invention, reference has been made to preferred embodiments and illustrative advantages of the invention. Those skilled in the art, however, and familiar with the instant disclosure of the subject invention may recognize additions, deletions, modifications, substitutions and other changes that will fall within the purview of the subject claims.