Patent Publication Number: US-6656139-B2

Title: Personal vibrator

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to vibrators, and more particularly to a personal vibrator that is positionable by a user in varying configurations. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     For many years devices for sexually stimulating a user, commonly referred to as vibrators, stimulators and exciter devices, have been used for a variety of reasons. These devices can be used for pleasure by couples, groups or by individuals seeking sexual stimulation. These devices may also be employed as a sexual aid or a therapy device when a sexual partner is unable to sexually perform or fulfill a partners sexual need. 
     One type of device, usually referred to as a vibrator, is generally manufactured with a vibrating mechanism located within the device. Many vibrators are phallus shaped and are manufactured in varying lengths and widths to suit an individuals preference. However, a user cannot generally change the dimensions of the vibrator and will have to purchase several devices in order to achieve any variance in the degree of penetration that may be desired. These devices are generally manufactured for use by either a male or a female and not adaptable to be used by both. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide a vibrator that can be manipulated by a user in order to achieve the required stimulation that is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A vibrator is provided that has a base member and a plurality of elongated flexible elements extending from the base member for contacting a user. The vibrator also has vibration means that is mounted within the vibrator for causing the vibrator to vibrate. The elongated flexible elements are positionable by the user in a plurality of configurations. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings and following description in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a personal vibrator having a base member and a plurality of elongated flexible elements in the shape of a hand according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line  2 — 2  of the personal vibrator of FIG. 1 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the personal vibrator of FIG. 1 with the elements positioned in a fist shape; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the personal vibrator of FIG. 1 with the elements positioned in one of a plurality of configurations with one element extended; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the personal vibrator of FIG. 1 with the elements positioned in one of a plurality of configurations with two elements extended; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the personal vibrator of FIG. 1 with the elements positioned in one of a plurality of configurations with three elements extended; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the personal vibrator of FIG. 1 with the elements positioned in one of a plurality of configurations with all the elements extended; and 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the personal vibrator of FIG. 1 with the elements positioned in a grip like position configured to hold a shaft shown in ghost outline. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of cover for the personal vibrator of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 a preferred embodiment of the present invention is indicated generally at  10 . The vibrator  10  has a base member  12  and a plurality of elongated flexible elements  14  extending from the base member  12  for contacting a user. Mounted in the vibrator  10  is vibration means  16  for causing the vibrator  10  to vibrate. The elements  14  are positionable by the user in a plurality of configurations, shown in FIGS. 3-8. 
     The vibrator  10  is preferably hand-shaped with the base member  12  representing the wrist and palm features of a hand, and the elements  14  representing the fingers of a hand. The vibrator  10  can be hand-held by a user or alternatively, the vibrator  10  can be mounted on a surface, not shown, using mounting means  18 . The mounting means  18  is preferably a suction cup. 
     In order to provide a life-like feel to the vibrator  10 , a cover  20  is attached to the exterior surface of the base member  12  and the elements  14 . The cover  20  is flexible and strong in order to accommodate the movement of the elements  14  into the desired configurations required by a user. Preferably, the cover  20  is made of latex. 
     As mentioned previously, the base member  12  is preferably shaped like a wrist and a palm of a human hand. Base member  12  is hollow and contains a first motor  22 , a second motor  24  and an actuator  26 , mounted between the first motor  22  and at least one of the elements  14 . The first motor  22  is configured to receive power from a power source, represented in the presently preferred embodiment by batteries  28 . The batteries  28  maybe stored in a compartment  30  located in the base member  12 . The first motor  22  is configured to receive power from the batteries  28  and to drive the actuator  26 , which in turn is configured to cause at least one of the elements  14  to oscillate. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the first motor  22  is configured to drive the actuator  26  which in turn oscillates one of the elements  14 , however, the actuator  26  can also be configured to drive more than one of the elements  14 . 
     The second motor  24  is mounted within the base member  12  and attached to an unbalanced mass  32 . The second motor  24  is configured to receive power from a power source, preferably batteries  28 . The unbalanced mass  32  is attached to the second motor  24  in order to impart vibratory motion on the vibrator  10  when the second motor  24  rotates in response to receiving power from the batteries  28 . 
     The elements  14  are elongated and flexible, to allow a user to configure the elements  14  into a desired position, examples of some positions are shown in FIGS. 3-8. The elements  14  are made to replicate the fingers on a human hand and preferably are in similar proportion to a hand. However, varying lengths of fingers may also be manufactured. Each of the elements  14  contains an elongated flexible strip  34 , preferably made from a flexible metal material. 
     The flexible strips  34  allow a user to manipulate and maintain the elements  14  in a desired position. As shown in FIGS. 3-8, several different positions can be achieved when a user manipulates the elements  14 . Examples of some of the positions include a fist as shown in FIG. 3, a hand with one to four fingers extended as shown in FIGS. 4-7, and a hand in a grip-like position that can receive a shaft as shown in FIG.  8 . 
     The use of the vibrator  10  will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-8. In order for a user to employ the use of the vibrator  10 , a power source must be obtained. In the presently preferred embodiment, the power source is the batteries  28 . The batteries  28  are located in the compartment  30  in the base member  12 . After the batteries  28  have been installed in the vibrator  10 , the user can manipulate the elements  14  into the desired position. As previously discussed, these positions can vary as shown in FIGS. 3-8. 
     In order to start the vibrating motion in the vibrator  10 , a user must turn the power on using an on/off switch (not shown). Power is received by the second motor  24 , which turns the unbalanced mass  32  and causes a vibratory motion to be imparted on the vibrator  10 . To initiate an oscillating motion in at least one of the elements  14 , the power is also received by the first motor  22  which drives the actuator  26  which in turn causes the elements  14 , to which the actuator  26  is attached, to oscillate. The vibrator  10  is then ready to be used, as desired, by the user. It should be noted that it is not necessary for the user to initiate the vibrations and oscillations prior to use, both can be switched on once the vibrator  10  is in the desired position. 
     While the embodiment is discussed herein is directed to a particular implementation of the invention, there will be apparent that variations of this embodiment are within the scope of the invention. For example, the vibrator can be shaped to represent other objects that have a series of elements extending therefrom. The strips located inside the elements can be made of any suitable material that is strong and flexible. The cover can be made from any material that is strong, flexible and will not cause irritation upon contact with a user. 
     In order to produce enhanced stimulation, the cover  20  of the vibrator  10  may be further provided with a textured rather than a smooth outer surface. Alternatively, a glove shaper-outer cover, such as illustrated by reference  50  in FIG. 9 might be provided. The outer cover  50  may have ridges  52  or bumps  54  as texturing to provide enhanced sensation. The outer cover  50  would be removably installed over the cover  20  and need not be glove shaped, for example individual finger shaped covers might be used. 
     The above described embodiments of the invention are intended to be examples of the present invention and alterations and modifications may be effected thereto, by those of skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.