Abstract:
An erectile aide includes a self-adhering elastic bandage which is coiled around the penis to prevent return of blood from the penis to the circulatory system. The self-adhering elastic bandage is then covered with a condom. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the condom is placed over the penis first and then the self-adhering elastic bandage is coiled around the condom to prevent the return of blood from the penis. The tip of the condom is pulled down over the glans and shaft of the penis to overlie the self-adhering elastic bandage so as to expose the free end of the penis while protecting the bandage from moisture and mechanical stress.

Description:
RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/196,275 filed Jul. 17, 2002, now abandoned. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to erection aids. More particularly, the present invention is directed to mechanical erection aides. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Some males lack the capability of achieving and maintaining an erection. Accordingly, there have been devices and methods employed to address this problem. Stiffening the penis surgically, for instance, by implanting a so-called penile prosthesis, is unacceptable to many men because of the constant problems this often entails. Moreover these expensive devices frequently fail to become properly implemented. Methods for erection improvement by means of injections of medications into the corpus cavernosum of the penis or by introducing medications into the urethra just before intercourse are also known. Methods and experiments are also known for constricting venous drainage from the corpora cavernosa, thus damming the flow, by placing a ring around the root of the penis in order to increase the turgor in the corpora cavernosa. The concern has also been addressed by using a tube placed in airtight fashion against the root of the penis to create a negative pressure in the tube that is intended to increase the volume of the penis. The air produced by creating the negative pressure is pumped into a ring that is seated at the root of the penis and when inflated is intended to reduce venous return. 
   Devices for stiffening the penis from outside are known. These devices are generally configured as tubular sheaths, liners and the like which act as braces for the body of the penis. These sheaths are largely rigid and if they are to be correctly applied must be individually selected from a great assortment of different sizes. Once applied, the inside diameter of these bracing devices cannot be changed again to adapt to the volume and turgor of the body of the penis. If the body of the penis is overly compressed when such a device is put in place, there is the risk of circulatory disturbances. The degree of repletion of the corpora cavernosa of the body of the penis and of the glans fluctuate very markedly, especially at the moment of sexual arousal, even in the man who has undergone surgery. If the degree of repletion, the turgor pressure, and thus the diameter of the glans decrease, then the glans can slip into the rigid tubular stiffening device during intercourse and thus prevent intercourse from continuing. 
   In German Patent DE-PS 134 368, the body of the penis is stiffened by wrapping a “bandage-like strip of fabric, covered on the inside by an adhesive composition” around the penis. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention is directed to an erection aid comprising a bandage and a condom, wherein the bandage is wrapped around the penis, and the penis with the bandage wrapped there around, is inserted into a condom. 
   In a further aspect of the invention, the bandage is a self-adhering elastic bandage with a pressure area. 
   In still a further aspect of the invention, the self-adhering elastic bandage has a selected length and a selected width with a portion of the width reduced by folding edges of the bandage over to provide a pressure area. 
   In still a further aspect of the invention, the bandage has length in the range of about 8 to about 10 inches; a width in the range of about 2 to about 3, inches and a thickness in the range of about 0.10 to about 0.15 inch. 
   In still a further aspect of the invention, a condom with a removable tip is slid over the penis at a location adjacent to the base of the shaft of the penis; an elastic, self-adhering bandage is wrapped around the penis over the condom. The top of the condom is then removed and the condom rolled back over the bandage, covering the bandage, covering the bandage while leaving the end portion of the penis shaft and glans uncovered. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a strip of elastic self-adhering bandage used to practice the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of the bandage shown in  FIG. 1  with portions of side edges thereof folded over a surface of the bandage; 
       FIG. 1   b  is a perspective view of an adhesive bandage shown in  FIG. 1  with one side edge folded over a surface of the bandage; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the bandage of  FIG. 1   a  disposed adjacent to a penis; 
       FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view of the elastic bandage being uncoiled; 
       FIG. 3   b  is an elevation showing a section of a penis with a bandage according to  FIGS. 1-3  being coiled about the penis of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an elevational view showing a section of the bandage of  FIGS. 1-3  coiled about a penis; 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom view of a penis with a length of bandage coiled there around; 
       FIG. 5   a  is an elevation taken at line  5   a - 5   a  of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 5   b  is an elevation taken at line  5   b - 5   b  of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a side view showing an erect penis with the erection aid of the present invention holding the penis at attention; 
       FIG. 7  is an elevation taken along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is an elevation similar to  FIG. 7  showing the erectal aid tightly constricted about the penis; 
       FIG. 9   a  is a side view of a condom used with the erectile aid of  FIG. 1  showing a tip portion attached; 
       FIG. 9   b  is a side view of a portion of the condom in  FIG. 9  showing a tip portion removed. 
       FIG. 10   a  is a bottom view showing a penis having a condom over both the penis and the erectal aid, the condom having its end portion intact, and 
       FIG. 10   b  is a bottom view showing a penis with a condom placed thereon first and the bandage coiled around the penis over the condom with the condom being thereafter rolled back over the bandage to expose the end of the penis. 
       FIG. 10   c  is a bottom view of the penis of  FIG. 10  showing the condom having the top portion removed and rolled back over the bandage, the bandage having been previously coiled around the condom; 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1  there is shown a strip of adhesive bandage  10  which is elastic. The strip of bandage  10  is in the range of about 8 to about 10 inches long, in the range of about 2 to about 3 inches wide, and in the range of about 0.1 to about 0.15 inches thick. The bandage  10  is a commercial product available at drug stores and preferably has a self-adhering adhesive incorporated into the fabric thereof. The bandages  10  has a first surface  12  which is an inner surface, a second surface  14  which is an outside surface, a first end  16 , second end  18 , and a first side  20  and second side  22 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1   a , there is shown first embodiment  10 ′ of the bandage which is relatively wide, i.e. about 3 inches and relatively long, i.e. about 10 inches. The first edge  20  has a portion  24  which is folded over the inside surface  12  and adheres thereto because the bandage  10  is self-adhering. The fold forms a crescent shaped crease  26  in the side  20  of the bandage  10 . The second side  22  of the bandage  10  has a second portion  28  which is folded along a crease  30  and overlies the first side  12  of the bandage and portion  24  to form pressure portion  33  having a thickness which is increased with respect to the thickness  36  of the remainder of the bandage  10 . 
     FIG. 1   b  illustrates a second embodiment of the invention wherein the bandage  10 ″ is about 2 inches wide as opposed to 3 inches for the bandage  10  of  FIG. 1 . In that this embodiment is of a smaller size adhesive bandage  10 ″, only one edge, side edge  20 ′ has a portion  40  folded over onto the surface  12 ″ at a crease  42 . The edge portion  40 , like the edge portions  24  and  28  form a pressure portion  44  on the elastic bandage  10 ″. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2  which shows a top view of a penis  50  having a glans  52  and a head portion  54 , the elastic bandage  10 ′ of  FIG. 1A  positioned beneath the bottom of the penis shaft with the pressure portion  33  (or  44 ) engaging the underside of the penis shaft at a location between the testicles  56  and glans  54 . 
   As is seen in  FIGS. 3 and 3   a , the elastic bandage  10 ,  10 ′ or  10 ″ is coiled about the penis shaft  54  in order to constrict the penis shaft. 
   As is seen in  FIG. 4 , the penis shaft  54  has a constricted area  60  and unconstricted area  62  upon coiling the bandage  10 ,  10 ′ or  10 ″ around the penis shaft  54 . It is further evident from  FIGS. 5   5   a  and  5   b  that under increased the base  63   f  the shaft of the penis is more constricted than the area  64  adjacent the head  52  of the penis. Note that in  FIG. 5   b  the diameter of the penis shaft  54  is less than the diameter of the penis shaft adjacent the head  52 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6-8 , it is seen that the high pressure portion  33  and  40  are closer to the base of the penis shaft  54  than the rest of the bandage  10 ′, or  10 ″ allowing the portion  63  of the penis shaft  54  to remain at a larger diameter for satisfactory sexual intercourse. As is evident from  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the diameter of the coil formed by the adhesive, elastic bandage  10  can be substantially the same as the diameter of the penis shaft  54  and perhaps only a little greater. 
   By not allowing blood in the penis to return from the penis back to the heart, the bandage  10 ,  10 ′ or  10 ″ traps blood in the penis. Upon comparing  FIGS. 7 and 8  it is seen that by constricting the penis tighter with the bandages  10 ′ and  10 ″, blood is urged from the back of the shaft  54  toward front of the shaft. This both elongates and laterally enlarges the penis to the delight of some people. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 9   a , a condom  70  is shown which is used to protect the elastic bandage  10 ,  10 ′ or  10 ″ when the elastic bandage is wrapped around the penis  50 . A preferable configuration, the condom  70  has an array of small air bubbles  52  arrayed on the surface thereof and has an open bottom end  74  with a thickened annular rim  76 . The top end has a tip  78  to be torn or cut off for purposes to be explained hereinafter. The condom  70  is used to protect the elastic bandage  10 ,  10 ″ or  10 ″ from moisture and mechanical stress encountered during intercourse. In addition, the condom  70  can be used to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 10   a , the condom  70  is shown rolled over the elastic bandage  10  to protect the bandage  10 . In  FIG. 10   a  the tip portion  78  is intact. The condom  70  may be used in this fashion to protect against sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. 
     FIGS. 10   b  and  10   c  show another embodiment of the invention wherein the condom  70  is applied first over the penis  50 , and the bandage  10 ,  10 ′ or  10 ″ wrapped around the condom on the outside of the condom. To facilitate removal of the tip  78 , there is a seam  90  which is opened by pulling a pull strip  91  that connects the tip to the condom  70 . When the strip  91  is pulled the tip  78  separates along the seam  90  leaving the opening  80 . The tip  78  of the condom  70  is removed as is shown in  FIG. 9   b  and the condom is then rolled down over the glans  52  of the penis and the upper portion  60  of the shaft  54  by passing the glans of the penis through an opening  80  created by the removal of tip  78  by pulling a pull strip  79 . Since the condom  70  is made of an elastic material, the opening  80  stretches to accommodate the glans  52  and shaft  54  of the penis  50 . The upper portion  82  of the condom  70  is pulled down over the outside of the elastic bandage  10 ,  10 ′ or  10 ″ to cover the outside of the bandage and protect the bandage from moisture and mechanical stress during intercourse. In the arrangement of  FIGS. 10   b  and  10   c , the bandage  10 ,  10 ′ or  10 ″ is disposed between a lower half  82  and upper half  80  of the condom with the upper half of the condom  70  being turned inside out and fitting over the lower half, the outer edge  22  of the bandage being covered by a U-shaped bite  84  formed by the annular fold of the condom. 
   Utilization of the aforedescribed device addresses the problem of the valve in the base of the penis not keeping blood inside of the penis during and erection. When the valve is not functioning as designed, blood flows into the penis and out again and is not trapped by the valve use of products such as VIAGRA®, STAMINA® and others address this problem, but have side effects in some patients. The aforedescribed erectile aid and method compensate for valve leakage in order for an erection to be maintained. 
   The aforedescribed invention assists the valve and acts as a trap to keep the blood inside the penis  50  by allowing blood to flow, in but not, to flow out. The elastic bandages  10 ,  10 ′ and  10 ″ by being coiled urge the blood inside the penis toward the top of the penis (defined by the glans  52  and the outer part  60  of the shaft  54 ) so that the penis gets larger in diameter as well as longer. Moreover, by utilizing the arrangement in  FIG. 10   c , feeling of the experience is enhanced and patients find that their original and/or can return during the same coupling. Moreover, the erectile aid is simple, easy to put on or remove, inexpensive, has no side effects and has a natural appearance while working very well as an erectile aide. 
   From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing form the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and purposes.