Patent Publication Number: US-7214204-B2

Title: Vibrating massager with visual communication means

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a vibrating massager, and more particularly to a vibrating massager having a multi-layer structure. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Vibrating massagers for recreational and therapeutic use are well known in the art. A prior art vibrating massager may comprise a rigid body having a distal portion in communication with a proximal portion. The distal portion may include a vibrating head containing a vibratory component driven by a motor powered by batteries stored inside the proximal portion of the massager. However, it may often be desirable to provide an aesthetically attractive appearance to the vibrating massager by affixing indicia, such as decals, stickers or pictures, to the vibrating massager in order to provide an outwardly aesthetic attractiveness to the massager. Unfortunately, affixing such indicia to the vibrating massager may adversely affect the massaging function because direct contact with the indicia might provide an uncomfortable feeling to the user. In addition, the exposed indicia can degrade over time due to the direct contact of the indicia with various surfaces, fluids or abrasives. 
   Therefore, there is a need in the art for a vibrating massager having a visual communication means that permits viewing of indicia without adversely affecting the massaging function of the massager. There is a further need in the art for a vibrating massager that protects the indicia while permitting the indicia to be viewed by the user. 
   OBJECTS AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a vibrating massager having a visual communication means that permits viewing of indicia inside the massager. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a vibrating massager having a visual communication means that does not adversely affect the massaging function of the massager. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a vibrating massager having a transparent outer casing that permits viewing of indicia through the casing. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vibrating massager having an aesthetic attractiveness that does not interfere with the massaging function of the massager. 
   Another further object of the present invention is to provide a vibrating massager that permits the user to customize the aesthetic appearance of the massager. 
   Yet another further object of the present invention is to provide a vibrating massager with a multi-layer structure that is easily accessible to the user. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a vibrating massager having at least two layers with an outside transparent layer encasing indicia interposed between the outside layer and an inside layer. 
   The present invention comprises a vibrating massager comprising a transparent outer casing, an end cap adapted to engage the transparent outer casing, a vibratory component encased inside the transparent outer casing, and indicia disposed inside the transparent outer casing, wherein the indicia is viewable through the transparent outer casing. 
   In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a multi-layer vibrating massager comprising an inner layer, an outside layer encasing said inner layer and engageable to an end portion, and an indicia interposed between the inner layer and outside layer, wherein the outside layer is sufficiently transparent to permit viewing of the indicia therein. 
   In still another embodiment, the present invention comprises a method of changing the aesthetic attractiveness of a vibrating massager comprising: providing a transparent outer casing, an end cap engageable to said transparent outer casing, a vibratory component encased inside the transparent outer casing, and providing an indicia disposed inside the outer casing; rotating the end cap until the outer casing disengages from the end cap; modifying the indicia disposed inside the transparent outer casing; and rotating the end cap until the transparent outer casing engages the end cap. 
   Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following more detailed description of the drawings in which like elements of the invention are similarly numbered throughout. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the vibrating massager according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a partial cross sectional view of the vibrating massager taken along line  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1  according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2A  is an enlarged cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the vibrating massager according to the present invention; and 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the vibrating massager according to the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a vibrating massager according to the present invention is illustrated and generally indicated as  10  in  FIGS. 1–3 . The vibrating massager  10  provides a visual communication means for viewing an indicia  14  disposed inside massager  10 . As shown, vibrating massager  10  comprises a transparent outer casing  12  attached to a removable end cap  18  that encases an internal vibratory component  16 . 
   Preferably, outer casing  12  is made of a transparent plastic material that encases the vibratory component  16  and permits the user to view component  16  when the vibrating massager  10  is assembled. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the vibratory component  16  provides a means for vibrating the vibrating massager  10  and defines a chamber  33  that houses a vibratory element  19  that is in operative association with one or more batteries  40  for providing power to vibratory element  19 . As shown, the vibratory component  16  includes a flange  35  with a proximal portion  37  defined adjacent the flange  35  for engaging end cap  18  during assembly of vibrating massager  10 . End cap  18  includes a rotatable dial  20  that controls the operation of vibratory element  19 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , vibratory element  19  includes a motor  38  operatively engaged to a rod  39  rotatably coupled to an eccentric mass  42  that spins about an axis  47  during operation. In operation, power is provided to motor  38  that rotates rod  39  which spins eccentric mass  42  about an axis  47  in a manner that causes the vibratory component  16  to vibrate. Preferably, vibratory component  16  includes an outer surface  46  which is visually communicated to the user through transparent outer casing  12 . 
   As further shown, transparent outer casing  12  provides a visual communication means that enables the user to observe indicia  14  interposed between outer casing  12  and vibratory component  16  as shall be discussed in greater detail below. The outer casing  12  defines an interior surface  41  and further includes a closed tapered distal end  26  and an open proximal end  24  having a flange  27  defining an opening  48  that communicates with a chamber  22 . As further shown, outer casing  12  includes exterior threads  25  located adjacent flange  27  to engage a corresponding set of interior threads  26  ( FIG. 2 ) defined within end cap  18 . In the preferred embodiment, outer casing  12  concentrically surrounds and encases vibratory component  16  when exterior threads  25  are engaged to the internal threads  26  by rotating outer casing  12  in a preferably clockwise motion relative to end cap  18  until flange  27  abuts end cap  18 . In an alternative embodiment, outer casing  12  can be permanently affixed to vibratory component  16  to prevent the user from disassembling vibrating massager  10 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , transparent outer casing  12  defines a notch  28  along distal end  26 . When engaging outer casing  12  to end cap  18 , notch  28  is adapted to engage a tab  17  defined at the distal end of vibratory component  16  for providing a structural connection point and translating the vibratory motion imparted by vibratory component  16  to outer casing  12  during operation of vibrating massager  10 . In an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A , outer casing  12 A includes a tab  28 A adapted to engage a notch  17 A defined along the distal tip of vibratory component  16  for translating the vibratory motion of vibratory component  16  to outer casing  12 . Referring back to  FIG. 3 , a sealing member  30  is provided between flange  35  and end cap  18  to provide a water tight seal between outer casing  12  and end cap  18  during assembly of vibrating massager  10 . 
   Referring back to  FIG. 2 , preferably a pair of batteries  40  are disposed within vibratory component  16  and are operatively engaged to motor  38  by an electrical wire  44 . In operation, the user rotates dial  20  in one direction to place the vibrating massager  10  in the “on” position which completes an electrical circuit between batteries  40  and motor  38  that enables vibratory component  16  to vibrate. Once power is delivered to motor  38 , rod  39  rotates about axis  47  which spins eccentric mass  42 . This spinning action of eccentric mass  42  causes vibratory component  16  to vibrate at a predetermined rate. This vibratory motion is then transferred from vibratory element  16  to outer casing  12  through the structural connection point between the notch  28  and tab  17  discussed above. 
   When rotated to the “on” position, dial  20  has settings for two modes of operation enabling vibrating massager  10  to operate in a “low” speed mode or “high” speed mode by methods known in the art. Once dial  20  has been rotated to the “on” position at the desired speed mode, vibrating massager  10  vibrates at the selected speed of operation. Operation of the vibrating massager  10  may be terminated by rotating dial  20  in the opposite direction to the “off” position. 
   According to one aspect of the present invention, indicia  14  may be a single aesthetic element or a plurality of aesthetic elements that provide an overall aesthetic attractiveness to vibrating massager  10 . As such, indicia  14  may be interposed between vibratory component  16  and outer casing  12  by either affixing indicia  14  to exterior surface  46  of vibratory component  16 , disposing indicia  14  between vibratory component  16  and outer casing  12 , or affixing indicia  14  to the interior surface  41  of outer casing  12  such that indicia  14  is viewed through the transparent outer casing  12 . 
   Preferably, indicia  14  may be any kind of aesthetic element or elements, such as beads, jewelry, decals, stickers, magnets, pictures, photographs, drawings or other suitable aesthetic elements that provide a viewable aesthetic attractiveness to the vibrating massager  10 . In the preferred embodiment, indicia  14  can be easily accessed when outer casing  12  is disengaged from end cap  18  by rotating end cap  18  in a clockwise motion. Once the outer casing  12  is disengaged, the user can remove, substitute or otherwise modify indicia  14  in any desired manner for customizing vibrating massager  10 . Once indicia  14  has been so modified, outer casing  12  may be placed over vibratory component  16  and engaged to end cap  18  by preferably rotating outer casing  12  in a counter-clockwise direction as noted above. 
   It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teaching of this invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.