Apparatus for receiving a phallus

Apparatus (2) for receiving a phallus (4), which apparatus (2), comprises a frame (6), a diaphragm (8) supported by the frame (6), and an aperture (10) in the diaphragm (8), the apparatus (2) being such that: (i) the diaphragm (8) is made of a stretchable material; (ii) the stretchable material is such that the aperture (10) is stretchable radially to enable the phallus (4) to extend through the diaphragm (8), the diaphragm (8) is stretchable transversely to extend along the phallus (4) but only for a short length substantially less than the length of the phallus (4), the part of the diaphragm (8) in contact with the phallus (4) acts with a compressible force sufficient to provide the phallus (4) with sexual stimulation, and the diaphragm (8) returns to its original shape after use; and the diaphragm (8) is substantially flat when not in use.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus for receiving a phallus and, more especially, this invention relates to apparatus for receiving a phallus for the purpose of stimulating the phallus.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED PRIOR ART

Apparatus for receiving a phallus for stimulatory purposes is well known. The known apparatus is usually tubular, and the tube is often closed at one end. This makes the known apparatus difficult to clean. Difficulty in cleaning can lead to the apparatus becoming unhygienic for use. In addition, the known types of apparatus with their tubular designs are often bulky and/or of an indiscreet appearance.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, the present invention provides apparatus for receiving a phallus, which apparatus comprises a frame, a diaphragm supported by the frame, and an aperture in the diaphragm, the apparatus being such that:(i) the diaphragm is made of a stretchable material;(ii) the diaphragm is substantially flat when not in use;and characterised in that:(iii) the stretchable material is such that the aperture is stretchable radially to enable the phallus to extend through the diaphragm, the diaphragm is stretchable transversely to extend along the phallus but only for a short length which is substantially less than the length of the phallus, the part of the diaphragm in contact with the phallus acts with a compressible force sufficient to provide the phallus with sexual stimulation, and the diaphragm returns to its original shape after use; and(iv) the frame supports the diaphragm such that when the phallus extends through the diaphragm then the phallus extends transversely through the frame and projects beyond the frame.

The apparatus of the present invention is essentially the very opposite in concept from the above mentioned known apparatus. More specifically, whilst the known apparatus is tubular in design and therefore long and bulky, the apparatus of the present invention is able to be flat and compact. The use of the diaphragm ensures that the operative part of the apparatus is easily able to be cleaned, and therefore does not suffer from the problem of becoming unhygienic due to poor cleaning. Still further, the use of the diaphragm enables the operative part of the apparatus to be considerably less bulky than a tube, and thus the apparatus of the present invention is able to be produced with a much more discreet appearance than the above mentioned known apparatus.

The apparatus may be one in which the stretchable material is a rubber material, a plastics material, or a rubber-like material. The plastics material may be a thermoplastics material. The stretchable material may be a silicon material. Examples of typical materials that may be used for the stretchable material are fluorosilicon rubber, silicon rubber, silicon sponge, polymer gel, thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic rubbers, polyurethane, sorbothane, thermo-set silicon gel, latex, EPDM, silicon, fluorosilicon, neoprene, nitrile and viton rubbers, and styrene ethylene butadiene styrene.

The stretchable material may have a Shore hardness of 1-35.

The stretchable material may be such that during use, it stretches 5-70 mm along the phallus. The length of the stretch of the stretchable material may vary in dependence upon the actual material being used, the thickness of the material being used, and the diameter of the material being used. As indicated above, the degree of stretch of the stretchable material is to be such as to enable the aperture and the stretchable material to accommodate a short length of the phallus, and also to be such that the stretched material grips the accommodated part of the phallus with a sufficient compressive force to provide the phallus with the sexual stimulation.

The stretchable material may be plain. Alternatively, the stretchable material may have a raised pattern. The raised pattern may be in the form of a pattern of circles or dots. Any suitable and appropriate type of raised pattern may be employed.

The stretchable material may be lubricated or not lubricated. When the stretchable material is lubricated, the lubricant may be applied by a user before each use of the apparatus or, alternatively, the stretchable material may be pre-lubricated at the time of manufacture of the apparatus. If desired, lubricant could be applied from applicator means forming part of the apparatus, for example a squeezable pad containing lubricant and which excretes lubricant direct onto the stretchable material.

The frame is preferably a laminated frame. Other types of frame may be employed so that, for example, the frame may be a single layer frame.

The diaphragm is able to be held between first and second layers of the frame. The diaphragm may be held in position between the first and second layers of the frame with an adhesive, or with any other suitable and appropriate fixing means. In all embodiments of the invention, the diaphragm may alternatively be moulded to be integral with the frame.

Usually, the frame will be a rigid frame. If the frame is other than a rigid frame, then the frame has to be sufficiently strong as to be able to hold the diaphragm and enable the diaphragm to stretch as indicated above during use of the apparatus.

Usually, the apparatus will be one in which the frame defines a circular area, and in which the circular area is filled by the diaphragm. The area may be other than circular if desired. The circular area may be 30-100 mm in diameter, and is preferably 60 mm in diameter.

The aperture in the diaphragm may be a circular aperture. Alternatively, the aperture in the diaphragm may be a three-legged aperture. The aperture may be of 1-60 mm in diameter. Preferably the aperture is 20 mm in diameter. The aperture may also be formed by one or more slits. Generally, the aperture in the diaphragm may be of any desired and suitable shape and size.

The apparatus may include a handle portion. The handle portion may be a dedicated handle portion.

Alternatively, the handle portion may form a part of the apparatus which serves a purpose in addition to being a handle portion. In this case, the handle portion may form part of a connecting portion which connects the frame, the diaphragm and the aperture to at least one other frame, diaphragm and aperture. Thus, for example, the handle portion may form part of a connecting portion which connects the frame, the diaphragm and the aperture to two or three other units each comprising a frame, diaphragm and aperture. In this case, the design of the different sets of the frame, diaphragm and aperture may be the same or they may be different. For example, different diaphragms and/or different apertures may be employed to give different stimulatory effects.

Preferably, the apparatus is one in which the frame and the diaphragm are substantially flat when the apparatus is not in use.

If desired, the entire apparatus may be substantially flat when not in use.

Alternatively, the apparatus may be one in which the entire apparatus is not substantially flat when not in use, and in which the part of the apparatus which serves a purpose in addition to being a handle portion is a vibration unit. Alternatively, the apparatus may be one in which the entire apparatus is not substantially flat when not in use, and in which there are two sets of the frame, diaphragm and aperture, and in which the apparatus is twisted such that it curves in more than one plane.

Alternatively, the apparatus may be one in which the entire apparatus is not substantially flat when not in use, in which there are at least two sets of the frame, diaphragm and aperture, and in which the apparatus is formed such that the diaphragms and their apertures are in line. In this case, there may be two sets of the frame, diaphragm and aperture, or there may be three sets of the frame, diaphragm and aperture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring toFIGS. 1-4, there is shown apparatus2for receiving a phallus4. The apparatus2comprises a frame6, a diaphragm8supported by the frame6, and an aperture10in the diaphragm8. The apparatus2also comprises a handle portion12for holding the apparatus2in a user's hand.

The apparatus2is such that the diaphragm is made of a stretchable material. The stretchable material is such that the aperture10is stretchable radially to enable the phallus4to extend through the diaphragm8.FIG. 3shows the phallus4starting to extend through the diaphragm8.FIG. 2shows the phallus4having extended a little further through the diaphragm8, andFIG. 1shows the phallus4having been inserted for a still further distance through the diaphragm8. As can be seen fromFIGS. 1,2, and3, the frame6supports the diaphragm8such that when the phallus4extends through the diaphragm8then the phallus4extends transversely through the frame6and projects beyond the frame6.

As can best be seen fromFIG. 1, the diaphragm8is stretchable transversely to extend along the phallus4but only for a short length which is substantially less than the length of the phallus4. The part of the diaphragm in contact with the phallus4acts with a compressive force sufficient to provide the phallus4with sexual stimulation. As can be seen fromFIG. 4, the diaphragm8returns to its original shape after use. As can also be seen fromFIG. 4, the diaphragm8is substantially flat when the apparatus2is not in use.

The stretchable material forming the diaphragm8may be made of a wide variety of materials. The materials chosen may be rubber materials or plastics materials. The materials chosen may have an appropriate Shore hardness for giving the required stretchability with the required compression. As can be seen fromFIGS. 1-5, the stretchable material of the diaphragm8is a plain material.

As shown inFIG. 5, the frame6is a laminated frame. More specifically, the diaphragm8is held between a first layer14and a second layer16of the frame6. The diaphragm8is held between the first and second layers14,16by an adhesive. Any suitable and appropriate type of adhesive may be employed. The frame6is a rigid frame. The first and second layers14,16may be made of any suitable and appropriate rigid material including plastics materials, wood, metals and solid rubber materials.

The frame6defines a circular area18. The circular area18is filled by the diaphragm8.

The aperture10is a circular aperture.

The handle portion12forms part of a connecting portion20which connects the frame6, the diaphragm8and the aperture10to another frame22, diaphragm24and aperture26.

As shown inFIG. 4, the frame6and the diaphragm8are substantially flat when the apparatus2is not in use. More especially, the entire apparatus2is substantially flat when not in use. The flat aspect of the apparatus2enables the apparatus2to be stored and packaged in a discreet form. The diaphragm24may be different to the diaphragm8in terms of thickness and/or texture and/or Shore hardness and/or surface pattern. By such means, the diaphragm24may give a different sensory feeling to the phallus4than the diaphragm8. Naturally, if desired, the diaphragm24may be the same as the diaphragm8but it will usually preferred that the diaphragm24is different to the diaphragm8for the purpose of giving a different sensory feel. As can best be appreciated fromFIG. 5, the diaphragm24is formed with the diaphragm8and is held by the adhesive between the first and second layers14,16. Thus the diaphragm24fills a circular area28.

FIG. 6shows apparatus30which is like the apparatus2. For ease of identification, similar parts have been given the same reference numerals. In the apparatus30, it will be seen that the aperture10is a three-legged aperture10instead of a circular aperture10as shown in the apparatus2. Also, the diaphragm8is provided with the illustrated pattern. The illustrated pattern may be provide on one or both sides of the diaphragm8. The diaphragm24has a three-legged aperture26. The diaphragm24has a circular ribbed pattern as shown. The circular ribbed pattern may be on one or both sides of the diaphragm24.

FIG. 7shows apparatus32which is like the apparatus2except that the apparatus32is not entirely flat. More specifically, the handle portion12forms a part of the apparatus which serves a purpose in addition to being a handle portion12. Thus, as can be seen fromFIG. 7, the handle portion12extends into the integral connecting portion20for connecting to the frame22. In addition, the handle portion12and the integral connecting portion20support a vibration unit34.

FIG. 8shows apparatus36in which the handle portion12is a dedicated handle portion12.

FIG. 9shows apparatus38in which the handle portion12forms part of apparatus in the form of a vibration unit40, and thus the handle portion12is connected to a part of the apparatus which serves a purpose in addition to being a simple handle portion. If desired, the handle portion12with the vibration unit40may be used as dildo.

FIG. 10shows how apparatus42might be initially formed like the apparatus2shown inFIG. 1and then bent back on itself. In the apparatus42, it will be seen that there are the frames6,22, the diaphragms8,24and the apertures10,26. The diaphragms8,24and their apertures10,26are in line. The apparatus42may be formed flat and then bent to shape. Alternatively, the apparatus42may be moulded to the shape shown.

FIG. 11shows apparatus44which is like the apparatus42except that there are three frames46, three diaphragms48and three apertures50. The diaphragms48and their apertures50are in line. The handle portion12is formed as shown.

FIG. 12shows apparatus52in which the apertures10,26are star-shaped apertures, and in which the frames6,22define star-shaped areas54which define the diaphragms8,24.

FIG. 13shows apparatus56which is like the apparatus2, but the apparatus56has been formed by twisting the apparatus2such that the apparatus56curves in more than one plane as shown.

FIG. 14shows apparatus58which is like the apparatus52shown inFIG. 12but with the apparatus52being curved such that the apparatus58shown inFIG. 14extends in more than one plane.

FIGS. 15,16and17show apparatus60which is like the apparatus2.FIG. 16is a section on the line A-A shown inFIG. 15, andFIG. 17is a section on the line B-B shown inFIG. 15. In the apparatus60, the diaphragm8is of an increasing thickness. The thickness of the diaphragm8increases in a direction away from the aperture10as shown inFIG. 16. The thickness of the diaphragm24decreases in a direction away from the aperture26as shown inFIG. 17.

FIGS. 18 and 19show apparatus62in which the diaphragm8is of the cross sectional formation shown inFIG. 19. Thus the diaphragm8has thin material parts64for allowing stretching, and thicker ribbed parts66for providing compression. In the apparatus62, the diaphragm24will usually be of a different construction in terms of thickness and/or the type of ribs in order to give a different sensory feel for the phallus4.

FIG. 20shows apparatus68having a diaphragm24which gives a small concertina effect in order to allow the diaphragm24to stretch further as may be required. When the diaphragm26employs the concertina effect and when the apparatus of the invention employs two or more the diaphragms, then one or more of the diaphragms may have the concertina effect.FIG. 20also shows the aperture10in the form of cross slits.

FIG. 21shows apparatus70in which the frame is formed as a single layer14. The diaphragm8is secured to the single layer14by an adhesive.

Referring now toFIG. 22, there is shown apparatus72in which the frame6is circular. The apparatus72does not have a handle portion. The apparatus72is held by the frame6. The construction of the apparatus as shown inFIG. 22, that is without a handle portion, may be advantageous for commercial sale in vending machines. The apparatus72as shown inFIG. 22may be formed with the frame as a single layer frame or a multi-layer frame as may be desired.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the apparatus may be of different designs to those shown. Similarly, the shapes for the frames, the diaphragms and the apertures in the diaphragms may be different from those shown. Generally, the apparatus of the present invention may be made in any suitable sizes, designs and thicknesses. Graphics and/or mark branding may be applied to the handle or other parts of the apparatus of the invention.