Patent Publication Number: US-9895286-B2

Title: Radially adjustable sex toy

Description:
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application serial number 62/195,097 filed on Jul. 21, 2015. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a radially adjustable sex toy, which used rotating structural supports to switch between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Sex toys are popular with many people to enhance sexual experiences. Many sex toys are provided for use individually or with one or more partners. There exist a wide range of applications for sex toys; for example, many people utilize specialized outfits, paddles, or dildos. The present invention addresses the latter example, seeking to provide an improved dildo. Dildos are commonly used for insertion into an orifice, most commonly the vaginal cavity or anal cavity. Dildos are currently provided with a variety of features to enhance the user experience. One such feature is the ability to adjust the dimensions (e.g. “girth”) of the dildo. The present invention seeks to provide an improved means to accomplish this, utilizing a rotating system that effectively contracts or expands the dildo. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a core embodiment of the present invention in a contracted configuration. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view showing the core embodiment of the present invention in the contracted configuration. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the core embodiment of the present invention transitioning from the contracted configuration to an expanded configuration. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view showing the core embodiment of the present invention transitioning from the contracted configuration to the expanded configuration. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view showing the core embodiment of the present invention transitioning from the contracted configuration to the expanded configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is an enhanced front view showing a potential embodiment for a drive mechanism utilizing an external electrical input. 
         FIG. 7  is an enhanced front view showing a potential embodiment for a drive mechanism utilizing an internal electrical source. 
         FIG. 8  is an enhanced front view showing a potential embodiment for a drive mechanism utilizing a human powered handle and crankshaft. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing a bendable embodiment of the present invention in a contracted configuration. 
         FIG. 10  is a front view showing the bendable embodiment of the present invention in the contracted configuration. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the bendable embodiment of the present invention transitioning from the contracted configuration to the expanded configuration. 
         FIG. 12  is a front view showing the bendable embodiment of the present invention transitioning from the contracted configuration to the expanded configuration. 
         FIG. 13  is a top view showing the bendable embodiment of the present invention transitioning from the contracted configuration to the expanded configuration. 
         FIG. 14  is an enhanced front view showing a potential embodiment for an auxiliary drive mechanism for the bendable configuration. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view showing the present invention, including elastic membrane, transitioning from the contracted configuration to the expanded configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION 
     All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     The present invention is a radially adjustable sex toy which allows a user to increase and decrease the effective radius. Though the present invention is intended for sexual applications, it ultimately may be utilized in any manner and for any purpose as desired by a user. Described at a core level, the present invention comprises a plurality of dilating mechanisms  1 , a base  2 , and an elastic membrane  3 . Each of the dilating mechanisms  1  can be engaged in order to switch the present invention from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration, which effectively allows for different girths to be selected. The base  2  serves as a mount for the dilating mechanisms  1 . The elastic membrane  3  encloses the dilating mechanisms  1  in order to provide a profile which is both phallic and comfortable; the elastic membrane  3  thus increase ergonomics of the present invention, especially as related to for example vaginal insertion or anal insertion. In short, the elastic membrane  3  serves as a skin for the present invention, with the elastic membrane  3  expanding and contracting in correlation to actuation of the plurality of dilating mechanisms  1 . This basic configuration of components is subsequently elaborated upon. The present invention, including potential embodiments, is illustrated via  FIG. 1 - FIG. 15 . 
     Each dilating mechanism  1  comprises a primary shaft  11 , and a plurality of lateral bracing members  12 . A drive mechanism  13  is provided to enable operation of the dilating mechanisms  1 . Potentially, the drive mechanism  13  can be divided into sub-units, with a sub-unit being provided for each of the plurality of dilating mechanisms  1 . Also possible is a single drive mechanism  13  which is able to operate each of the plurality of dilating mechanisms  1 , for example by means of a gearbox that couples the drive mechanism  13  to the each of the plurality of dilating mechanisms  1 . The primary shaft  11  is rotatably connected into the base  2 , traversing into the base at a ninety degree angle. Additional, it is preferable that the primary shafts  11  of the plurality of dilating mechanisms  1  are peripherally distributed around the base. This allows for larger sizes of lateral bracing members  12  than an embodiment where the primary shafts  11  are positioned near the center of the base  2 . Resultantly, the preferred peripherally-aligned primary shafts  11  are implemented to obtain a more efficient layout. This allows for optimized size of the plurality of lateral bracing members  12 . The drive mechanism  13  is provided to drive rotation of the primary shaft  11  through an appropriate coupling. 
     Describing the lateral bracing members  12  in more detail, each of the plurality of lateral bracing members  12  is connected adjacent and perpendicular to the primary shaft  11 . Thus, each bracing member  12  is radially extended from the primary shaft  11  in a manner similar to a cam. The plurality of lateral bracing members  12  is distributed along the primary shaft  11 , with the collected lateral bracing members  12  forming a linear arrangement that is used to support the elastic membrane  3  in a generally cylindrical shape. The plurality of lateral bracing members  12  is able to give shape to the elastic membrane  3  as the plurality of lateral bracing members  12 , along with the primary shaft  11 , is sleeved by the elastic membrane  3 . The drive mechanism  13  itself is housed in the base, where the primary shaft  11  of each of the plurality of dilating mechanisms  1  is torsionally coupled with said drive mechanism  13 . Through this coupling, the drive mechanism  13  is able to impart rotation to the primary shaft  11 . The rotation results in the plurality of lateral bracing members  12  turning outwards (i.e. switching the present invention to an expanded configuration) or turning inwards (i.e. switching the present invention to a contracted configuration). In this manner a user can adjust the girth (radius) of the present invention as desired.  FIG. 3 - FIG. 5  provide visual examples of this radial adjustment. 
     As the present invention is intended to be phallic in nature, in the preferred embodiment the base  2  is an ellipsoid, having a rounded shape. Even more ideally, the base  2  is circularly shaped (a circle being a subset of an ellipse), but ultimately any ellipsoid or similarly rounded shape is suitable. To match this general shape, each of the plurality of lateral bracing members  12  comprises a lobe  121 . The lobe  121  is perimetrically aligned with the base  2 , such that in a contracted configuration the outside edge of the lobe  121  remains within a profile of the base  2 ; only in an open position does the lobe  121  extend beyond the boundary of the base  2 . The combination of an elliptical base  2  and lobes  121  allow for the present invention to maintain a comfortable cylindrical shape in both the contracted configuration and the expanded configuration. The core configuration as heretofore described is illustrated in the contracted configuration via  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . 
     For optimized adjustment of the present invention, the plurality of dilating mechanisms  1  comprises a first dilating mechanism  14  and a second dilating mechanism  15 . The first dilating mechanism  14  and the second dilating mechanism  15  are positioned opposite each other across the base  2 , preferably on a line that connects two points of the perimeter of the base  2 . This is known as a chord  21  in geometry terms. Regarding the lateral bracing members  12 , the plurality of lateral bracing members  12  of the first dilating mechanism  14  is axially offset from the plurality of lateral bracing members  12  of the second dilating mechanism  15 . In other words, each plurality of lateral bracing members  12  rotates about a different axis. The axis of rotation for each plurality of lateral bracing members  12  is simply its corresponding primary shaft  11 . The relative position of the two dilating mechanisms  1  is visualized in  FIG. 1 - FIG. 5 . 
     Additionally, the plurality of lateral bracing members  12  of the first dilating mechanism  14  is interspersed with the plurality of lateral bracing members  12  of the second dilating mechanism  15 . Thus, each of the lateral bracing members  12  from the first dilating mechanism  14  are alternately positioned with the lateral bracing members  12  from the second dilating mechanism  15  along a vertical axis. Such a configuration is necessary when multiple dilating mechanisms  1  are provided, as it allows for larger sized lobes  121  to be used. For example, if one of the lateral bracing members  12  of the first dilating mechanism  14  shared a plane with one of the lateral bracing members  15  of the second dilating mechanism  15 , they could be no larger than half the area of the base. By ensuring that each lateral bracing member  12  is on a plane that is not shared with any of the other lateral bracing members  12 , the maximum potential size of the lobe  121  is increased. The alternative positioning of the plurality of lateral bracing members  12  is shown in  FIG. 1 - FIG. 4 . 
     The drive mechanism  13  of the present invention can be implemented in one of three primary variations. One of these is an electrical cord-powered variation. In this example the drive mechanism  13  comprises at least one motor  131  and a power input  132 . The at least one motor  131  is housed in the base  2 , where it is able to mechanically rotate the primary shaft  11  of the dilating mechanism  1  when supplied with a requisite amount of electricity. The power input  132  traverses into the base  2 , where it is electrically connected with the motor  131 . Resultantly, an external supply of power can be hooked up to the present invention via the power input  132 , for example by means of a power cable. This example embodiment is depicted through  FIG. 6 . 
     In another of the variations, the drive mechanism comprises at least one motor  131  and a battery  133 . As with the previous example, the at least one motor  131  is housed in the base  2  and operatively coupled to the primary shaft  11  of the dilating mechanism  1 . Thus, when the motor  131  is activated it drives rotation of the primary shaft  11 . The battery  133  is also housed in the base  2  in order to be both hidden as well as proximal to the motor  131 . The battery  133  is electrically connected to the motor  131 , providing the energy necessary for operation of the motor  131  and resultant rotation of the primary shaft  11  of the dilating mechanism  1 . This example embodiment is depicted through  FIG. 7 . The primary difference between this configuration of drive mechanism  13  and the previous configuration (i.e. with power input  132 ) is that the power source is internal (i.e. the battery) in this example compared to being external (i.e. the power cord connected to an outlet or similar source) in the previous example. 
     In the aforementioned embodiments (i.e. with power input  132  and with battery  133 ), multiple motors  131  can be used (as shown in the corresponding  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 ), with each motor  131  engaging a separate primary shaft  11 . Alternatively, as earlier referenced a single motor  131  can be coupled with a gearbox, the gearbox in turn operating the primary shafts  11  of both the first dilating mechanism  14  and the second dilating mechanism  15 . This configuration negates the need for multiple motors  131 . In both these motorized variations, an output  136  of the motor  131  is torsionally coupled to the primary shaft  11 . This output  136  links the motor  131  and the primary shaft  11 , with rotation of the former being used to drive rotation of the latter. An electrical source the allows non-human power to be used for the present invention. 
     In both of these variations, it is preferable to provide a motor-controlling interface, preferably positioned on the base  2  so as to be unobtrusive. The motor-controlling interface, for example, might comprise an on/off switch and a directionality switch. The on/off switch is integrated into a power circuit that connects the power input  132  or battery  133  with the motor  131 ; as a result, closing or opening the switch completes or breaks the circuit. In this manner, the motor  131  can be engaged (when the switch is closed to complete the circuit) or disengaged (when the switch is opened to break the circuit). 
     In the third variation, the drive mechanism  13  comprises at least one crankshaft  134  and at least one handle  135 . The at least one crankshaft  134  is extruded from the base  2 , serving to effectively connect the at least one handle  135  to the primary shaft  11 . The at least one handle  135  is positioned adjacent to the base  2  in order to allow the at least one handle  135  to be rotated relative to the base  2 . Thanks to the connection of the at least one handle  135  to the primary shaft  11  by means of the at least one crankshaft  134 , this rotation causes the primary shaft  11  to rotate by an equal amount. The at least one handle  135  thus provides a compact and easily operated interface that allows a person to manually rotate the primary shaft  11  to open and close the plurality of lateral bracing members  12 . This example embodiment is depicted in  FIG. 8 . 
     As with the first two variations, this third variation can utilize a single handle  135  or provide a corresponding handle  135  for each primary shaft  11 . If a single handle  135  is utilized, it is coupled to a crankshaft  134  for each primary shaft  11  through a gearbox, allowing the single handle  135  to operate both the first dilating mechanism  14  and the second dilating mechanism  15 . Alternatively, multiple handles  135  can be provided, with each handle  135  being coupled to a corresponding primary shaft  11  by means of a connecting crankshaft  134 . This alternative configuration is illustrated in the corresponding  FIG. 8 . 
     Reiterating the above, variations of the drive mechanism  13  allow for a motorized implementation or a human powered implementation. The motorized implantation is compatible with both external power sources (e.g. via power cord) and internal power sources (e.g. a battery  133 ). The key result, regardless of specific implementation, is the ability to impart rotation to the primary shaft  11  in order to open and close the plurality of lateral bracing members  12 . 
     Changes can be made to the example variations while remaining within the scope of the present invention. For example, as mentioned the drive mechanism  13  can be divided into subsets for each of the plurality of dilating mechanisms  1 , or alternatively a single motor  131 , crankshaft  134 , or similar device could be coupled with a gearbox in order to engage the plurality of dilating mechanisms  1 . Operation of the plurality of dilating mechanisms  1  can be as simple as pressing a button or flipping a switch, as previously described, in order to complete a circuit and engage the motor  131 . In human-powered variations, a control such as the aforementioned handle  135  at the bottom of the present invention, can be used to engage the plurality of dilating mechanisms  1 . 
     In one embodiment, the present invention further comprises an articulated pillar  4 , an anchor  5 , and a cord  6 . The cord  6  is used to engage the articulated pillar  4  with the anchor  5 ; by adjusting tension in the cord  6 , the articulated pillar  4  can be pulled towards the anchor  5 . This allows a bend to be imparted to the present invention, enabling a user to switch the present invention between a straight configuration and a bent configuration. The articulated pillar  4  is connected normal to the base  2 , standing straight up. The anchor  5  is mounted to the base  2  offset above the base  2  and next to the articulated pillar  4 . This allows for the cord  6  to couple the articulated pillar  4  to the anchor  5  without interfering with operation of the plurality of dilating mechanisms  1 . A first end  61  of the cord  6  is coupled to the anchor  5  while a second end  62  of the cord  6  is connected to a free end  41  of the articulated pillar  4 . This potential embodiment is shown via  FIG. 9 - FIG. 14 . 
     In a simplest embodiment, the articulated pillar  4  comprises a rigid segment  42  and an adjustable segment  43 . The rigid segment  42 , being the portion where the articulated pillar  4  is connected to the base  2 , is positioned adjacent to the base  2 . The adjustable segment  43  is adjacent to the rigid segment  42 , at an end of the rigid segment  42  which is opposite the base  2 . More specifically, the adjustable segment  43  is positioned next to a top end of the rigid segment  42  while a bottom end of the rigid segment  42  is positioned next to the base. The adjustable segment  43  is hingedly connected to the rigid segment  42  in order to allow the adjustable segment  43  to rotated about the top end of the rigid segment  42 . Thus, by adjusting tension in the cord  6 , the adjustable segment  43  can be pulled downwards to create a bend in the present invention. When tension in the cord  6  is reduced, the articulated pillar  4  can return to an equilibrium linear (e.g. vertical) position, with the adjustable segment  43  rotating upwards to be collinear with the rigid segment  42 . 
     Describing this connection in more detail, an auxiliary drive mechanism  51  is provided in conjunction with the anchor  5 . The anchor  5  itself is preferably a spool  52 ; by rotating the spool  52  the cord  6  can be tightened or loosened. The auxiliary drive mechanism  51  is able to cause rotation thanks to being torsionally coupled to the spool  52 . Describing the engagement between the cord  6  and the anchor  5 , the first end  61  of the cord  6  is wound about the spool  52  in order to enable adjustment of tension in the cord  6  through rotation of the spool  52 . As the spool  52  tightens the cord  6 , the second end  62  pulls on the adjustable segment  43  in order to create a bend in the present invention. 
     Preferably, in order to ensure that the cord  6  does not become tangled with the lobes  121  in a contracted configuration, each of the lobes  121  comprises a slit. This slit provides a space for the cord  6  to travel through without contacting the lobe  121 . Such a slit is desirable as contact with a lobe  121  could affect tension in the cord  6  and cause the present invention to unintentionally bend. This is most clearly shown in the expanded configuration as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     The auxiliary drive mechanism  51 , as with the primary drive mechanism  13  for each of the plurality of dilating mechanisms  1 , can be motorized or human-powered. To allow for the auxiliary drive mechanism  51  to be operating without requiring removal of the elastic membrane  3 , an auxiliary drive control is preferably mounted adjacently mounted to the base  2 . Whether a switch (for a motorized drive) or a handle  135  (for a human-powered drive), the auxiliary drive control can be used to engage or disengage the auxiliary drive mechanism  51  in order to bend or unbend the present invention. 
     It is noted that while the articulated pillar  4  has been described as having two segments (i.e. the rigid segment  42  and the adjustable segment  43 ), any number of hinged segments can be provided to allow for a finer adjustment of the bend of the present invention. A further possibility it the integration of the articulated pillar  4  into the primary shaft  11  for each of the plurality of dilating mechanisms  1 . This more complicated embodiment would require that each primary shaft  11  not only be rotatable but also be bendable. 
     In a simpler variation of the above embodiment, a simple fixed pillar is provided in place of the articulated pillar  4 , anchor  5 , and cord  6 . The fixed pillar is not adjustable nor does it enable bending of the present invention; instead it serves as a structural support to increase firmness and durability of the present invention. Other enhancements are possible while remaining within the scope of the present invention. For example, a dome-shaped cap can be connected atop the articulated pillar  4  or the plurality of dilating mechanisms  1  to help create a more phallic appearance and feel. Similarly, a vibrator mechanism could be installed within the present invention to provide enhanced functionality. These are just a few examples of possibilities that can be incorporated into the present invention. 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.