Patent Publication Number: US-6334223-B1

Title: Perineum cushioning device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to cushioning devices and more particularly pertains to a new perineum cushioning device for protecting the penile artery of a bicyclist. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of cushioning devices is known in the prior art. More specifically, cushioning devices heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,229,835; U.S. Pat. No. 2,250,506; U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,895; U.S. Pat. No. 2,401,457; U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,216; and U.S. Des. Pat. No. 395,735. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new perineum cushioning device. The inventive device includes a panel, the panel has a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a back side edge. A securing means, including a pair of loop members, removably abuts the panel against the perineum of the user. 
     In these respects, the perineum cushioning device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of protecting the penile artery of a bicyclist. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of cushioning devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new perineum cushioning device construction wherein the same can be utilized for protecting the penile artery of a bicyclist. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new perineum cushioning device apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the cushioning devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new perineum cushioning device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art cushioning devices, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a panel, the panel has a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a back side edge. A securing means, including a pair of loop members, removably abuts the panel against the perineum of the user. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new perineum cushioning device apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the cushioning devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new perineum cushioning device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art cushioning devices, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new perineum cushioning device which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new perineum cushioning device which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new perineum cushioning device which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such perineum cushioning device economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new perineum cushioning device which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new perineum cushioning device for protecting the penile artery of a bicyclist. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new perineum cushioning device which includes a panel, the panel has a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a back side edge. A securing means, including a pair of loop members, removably abuts the panel against the perineum of the user. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new perineum cushioning device that is worn over the perineum of a male bicyclist to protect the penile artery which may be damaged due to extensive bicycle riding and lead to impotency. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a new perineum cushioning device according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line  3 — 3  of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new perineum cushioning device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the perineum cushioning device  10  generally comprises a panel  12 . The panel  12  has a front edge  14 , a back edge  16 , a first side edge  18  and a back side edge  20 . The panel  12  has a middle portion  22 . The middle portion comprises a cushioning material. The cushioning material is ideally a foamed elastomeric material. The middle portion is generally enclosed in a covering membrane  24 . The covering member  24  has a slit  26  extending therethrough. The slit is generally positioned adjacent to the front edge  14  of the panel  12  and orientated generally parallel to the front edge  14 . The middle portion  22  may be selectively extended through the slit  26  and be removed from the covering membrane  24 . The covering membrane  24  preferably comprises a cloth material. The panel  12  ideally has a width generally between 1 ½ inches and 3 inches, a length generally between 3 inches and 5 inches and a height generally between 1 inch and 2 inches. 
     A securing means removably abuts the panel against a perineum of a user. The securing means includes a first loop member  30  and a second loop member  40 . 
     The first loop member  30  has a first end  32  and a second end  34 . The first end  32  is securely attached to the first side edge  18  and positioned generally adjacent to the front edge  14 . The second end  34  is securely attached to the first side edge  18  and positioned generally adjacent to the back edge  16 . 
     The second loop member  40  has a first end  42  and a second end  44 . The first end  42  is securely attached to the second side edge  20  and positioned generally adjacent to the front edge  14 . The second end  44  is securely attached to the second side edge  20  and positioned generally adjacent to the back edge  16 . 
     Each of the first  30  and second  40  loop members comprises an elongate flexible member. The elongate flexible members are ideally made from an elastomeric material. 
     In use, the legs of the user are each placed in one of the loop members so that the panel is abutted against the perineum of the wearer. The user then sits on a bicycle seat in a conventional manner so that the panel is positioned between the perineum and the bicycle seat. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.