Abstract:
A cushion for use with sexual stimulation devices is disclosed. The cushion has a plush body with a first flap and a second flap extending from the plush body. The first flap and the second flap selectively interconnect to arch the plush body outwardly.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/743,516, filed on Mar. 17, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/870,628, filed on Dec. 19, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to devices for sexual stimulation of the genitalia and anus and more particularly to a cushion that is configured and arranged to receive and hold a multitude of sexual stimulation devices, such as prosthetic phalluses, used for such sexual activities. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Related Art 
         [0005]    The use of prosthetic phallic devices for sexual stimulation is well-known in the art. These devices come in a variety of shapes, sizes and configurations and are constructed out of a variety of materials, including metal, various formulations of plastic, rubber and synthetic rubber, and even wood. Many devices include some means of mechanically vibrating or moving the device to enhance the stimulating experience of the device. Devices that include such a feature are often referred to as “vibrators” and those that do not are generally called “dildos”. 
         [0006]    Although these devices are enjoyed by many, these devices suffer from the disadvantage in that they require that the user either hold the device with his on her hand or have a partner operate the device. If the user does not have a partner readily available, for whatever reason, they must hold and operate the device themselves. 
         [0007]    To solve this problem, prosthetic phallic devices have been developed to mount to a surface, such as a floor or a piece of furniture. Although this solution provides for a more varied sexual experience, it can be uncomfortable and inconvenient to use, thereby lessening the full enjoyment for the user. 
         [0008]    Therefore, there is a need for a device to improve the comfort and convenience of using a prosthetic phallic device that is hands-free and does not require the presence of a partner for assistance. 
         [0009]    One popular toy is the Vac-U-Lock™ modular system manufactured and distributed by Doc Johnson® Toys International. The Vac-U-Lock™ modular system includes a base with a plug that can receive a variety of prosthetic phalluses and phallic-like attachments. The base comes in different configurations also. In one configuration, the base includes a number of fasteners that enable the base to be secured to a harness or even an inflatable vinyl product similar to a beach ball. In another configuration, the base is equipped with a suction cup to enable the base to be secured to a flat surface, such as a floor. However, like other prosthetic phallic devices, using the Vac-U-Lock™ modular system brand of prosthetic phallic devices also can be uncomfortable. 
         [0010]    Therefore, there is a need for a device to improve the comfort and convenience of using the Vac-U-Lock™ modular system brand of prosthetic phallic devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention solves the problems of the prior art by providing a cushion that can accept and hold a prosthetic phallic device, such as those marketed under the Vac-U-Lock™ modular system brand, although other brands and attachment configurations may be used. In particular, the cushion includes a plush body having a portion defining a hole therethrough. A pair of flaps extends from the plush body and may be fastened together with a number of fasteners to arch the cushion. A prosthetic phallic device is secured to the cushion such that the phallus projects through the hole in the plush body of the cushion. As can be appreciated, the plush body of the cushion itself and the stability it provides makes the experience of using a prosthetic phallic device more enjoyable to the user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the cushion of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the cushion of the present invention with the flaps interlocked; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the cushion shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the cushion shown in  FIG. 3  with a prosthetic phallic device attached thereto; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is cross-section view through line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an accessory strap; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the accessory strap attached to the cushion; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a photo an alternatice embodiment of the cushion of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the cushion of the present invention is shown generally at  10 . In particular, as shown in  FIG. 1 , cushion includes a plush body  12  with a first flap  14  and second flap  16  extending from opposite sides of the plush body  12 . At approximately the center of the plush body  12  is a portion that defines a hole  18  through the plush body  12  of the cushion  10 . 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the first flap  14  and second flap  16  are secured together by a number of fasteners  20  such as buttons or snaps that partially fold the plush body  12  of the cushion  10 . Although snaps are preferred, any fastener may be used, such as zippers, hook and loop fasteners, and buttons to name a few. As shown in  FIG. 3 , securing the flaps  14 ,  16  together arches the plush body  12  of the cushion  10  outwards and orients the hole  18  upwards. The flaps  14 ,  16  also provide a flat bottom surface to help stabilize the cushion  10  and to keep the hole  18  upwardly oriented. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a prosthetic phallic device  22  cooperates with the hole  18  on the plush body  12  of the cushion  10  and is held securely and in an upright position. In particular, the prosthetic phallic device  22  may be secure to the hole  18  by use of a plug  24  with a retaining back  26  that secured the phallic device  22  to the plush body  12 . Other arrangements may be used. For instance, a plug  24  may be integrated with and extend directly from the cushion  10  itself. A strap may be used also to secure the device  22  to the cushion  10  also. Additionally, some devices  22  may use snaps and hook and loop fasteners to secure them to the cushion  10 . One skilled in the art would appreciate that many other alternative fastening arrangements may be used. 
         [0024]    Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the cushion  10  may also include hook and loop fasteners  28  connected to either the flaps  14 ,  16  or the plush body  12  itself to facilitate the attachment of other sexual stimulation devices. Although hook and loop fasteners may be used, other fasteners known in the art may be substituted, such as snaps and buttons, for instance. 
         [0025]    In use, the user straddles the cushion  10  and may enjoy the prosthetic phallic device as he or she desires. As can be appreciated, the plush body  12  of the cushion  12  provides padding for the user&#39;s sensitive areas, thereby adding to the user&#39;s comfort and enjoyment of the prosthetic phallic device  22 . Moreover, the user may now use his or her hands to stimulate other portions of his or her body without the need to hold the prosthetic phallic device  22 , which further enhances the user&#39;s sexual experience. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , an accessory strap  30  may be used for a smaller butterfly-type devices. In particular, the strap  30  includes complimentary fasteners  32  which may connect to the fasteners  28  on the cushion  10 . The strap  30  overlays the center of the plush body  10 . The strap  30  may also include an elastic aperture  34  to provide more stability for phallic devices  22  or allow the protuberances of other sexual aid devices therethrough. 
         [0027]    A butterfly-type device can be inserted between the strap  30  and the hole  18  of the cushion  10 . Because the hole  18  forms a recess on the surface of he plush body  12  of the cushion  10 , it forms a natural pocket to cradle a butterfly-type device. However, because the butterfly-type device is larger than the hole  18 , it will not fall or be forced therethrough. The accesory strap  30  ensures the butterfly device stays securely nestled in the pocket. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8 , an alternative embodiment of the cushion of the present invention is shown generally at  100 . The primary difference between the first embodiment  10  and the alternative embodiment  100  is that the alternative embodiment  100  includes two additional flaps  102 ,  104  projecting from either side of the plush body  101  of the cushion  100 . The user kneels on the flaps  102 ,  104  when using the cushion  100  to help stabilize the cushion  100 . Because the flaps  102 ,  104  are made of the same soft material as the cushion  100 , the flaps  102 ,  104  also add comfort and help protect the user&#39;s knees from abrasions and/or bruises too. 
         [0029]    The alternative embodiment  100  may include some or all of the other features described above for the first embodiment  10 . In particular, the alternative embodiement of the cushion  100  includes a first flap  106  and a second flap  108  extending from either side of the plush body  101 . Each flap  106 ,  108  includes a number of fasteners  110  to permit the flaps  106 ,  108  to be secured together to arch the plush body  101  upwardly. The flaps  106 ,  108  also provide a flat bottom surface to help stabilize the cushion  100  and to keep the arched plush body  101  upwardly oriented. Centered roughly on the plush body  101  is a surface defining a hole  112  through the plush body. As in the first embodiment  10 , the hole  112  may be used to secure a sexual aid device to the plush body  101 . 
         [0030]    Therefore, it can be seen that the embodiments of the cushion of the present invention provides a unique solution to the problems of the prior art by providing a cushion that is uniquely configured to receive and hold a prosthetic phallic device or butterfly-type device, so that the user may sexually stimulate themselves in improved comfort and convenience. 
         [0031]    It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be within the scope of the present invention except as limited by the appended claims.