Patent Publication Number: US-2017367924-A1

Title: Systems and methods for a male massage apparatus

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to massage apparatuses and in particular to a male massage apparatuses having an axial channel forming a flexible filament arrangement for providing a massage effect when the male massage apparatus is squeezed around the male organ during use. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Massage apparatuses are well known. Typically, massage apparatuses have been designed for use for both men and women to provide tactile stimulation to the sexual organ. In particular, male massage apparatuses are designed to fit snugly around the male organ and provide a massage effect during use. However, the differences in size of various male organs, particularly those male organs having a large girth, can make certain male massage apparatuses difficult to use since the male organ may be too large to properly fit within the male massage apparatus. As such, there is a need for male massage apparatuses that can accommodate different girths of male organs while still providing an enhanced massage effect to the individual. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the massage apparatus, according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the massage apparatus of  FIG. 1  showing the axial channel with a flexible filament arrangement, according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the massage apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the massage apparatus taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 , according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of the massage apparatus of  FIG. 4  showing the flexible filament arrangement, according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the massage apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the massage apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional view of the massage apparatus taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 1  showing the flexible filament arrangement that surrounds the axial channel, according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view of a second embodiment of the massage apparatus showing a plurality of flexible node-shaped protrusions that surround the axial channel, according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom view of a third embodiment of the massage apparatus showing a plurality of flexible pin-shaped protrusions that surround the axial channel, according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a flow chart illustrating one method of using the massage apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of a fourth embodiment of the massage apparatus with a vibration component, according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the massage apparatus of  FIG. 12 , according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded view of the massage apparatus of  FIG. 12 , according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the massage apparatus taken along line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 12 , according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the massage apparatus with an open ended configuration, according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of the massage apparatus of  FIG. 16 , according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 18  is an exploded side view of the massage apparatus of  FIG. 16 , according to aspects of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 19  is an exploded end view of the massage apparatus of  FIG. 16  according to aspects of the present disclosure 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding elements among the view of the drawings. The headings used in the figures do not limit the scope of the claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments of a male massage apparatus having an interior axial channel defining different kinds of flexible filament arrangements to provide an enhanced massaging effect to the user are disclosed. In some embodiments, the male massage apparatus may be configured to accommodate different girths of male organs without establishing substantial contact with the male organ when the male massage apparatus is in a relaxed state. In some embodiments, the male massage apparatus may be squeezed around the male organ to provide increased tactile sensation to the user during use of the male massage apparatus. In some embodiments, the male massage apparatus may be configured to allow sperm collection through an opening formed at the far end of the apparatus. Referring to the drawings, embodiments of a male massage apparatus are illustrated and generally indicated as  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  and  500  in  FIGS. 1-19 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , a first embodiment of the male massage apparatus, designated  100 , is illustrated. The male massage apparatus  100  includes a generally cylindrically-shaped flexible body  102  defining an external portion  104  having a textured surface configured to be grasped by the user and an internal portion  106  configured to freely accommodate a male organ therein without establishing substantial contact with the male organ when the flexible body  102  is in a relaxed state and not being squeezed by the user. As shown, the internal portion  106  of the flexible body  102  forms an axial channel  108  having a near end in communication with a proximal opening  110  and an opposite far end in communication with a distal opening  112 . The proximal opening  110  of the axial channel  108  is defined adjacent a flange  116  that forms the base of the male massage apparatus  100  and is configured to allow passage of different girths of male organs within the axial channel  108 . In some embodiments, the distal opening  112  of the axial channel  108  is configured to permit sperm collection during use of the male massage apparatus  100  as shall be described in greater detail below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8 , in some embodiments the internal portion  106  of the male massage apparatus  100  defines a flexible filament arrangement  114  that provides increased tactile stimulation to the male organ when disposed within the axial channel  108  as the user squeezes or otherwise applies an external pressure to the male massage apparatus  100  that surrounds the male organ. In some embodiments, the flexible filament arrangement  114  defines concentric rows of flexible elongated filaments  120  each having a raised elongated configuration that is concentrically arranged around the axial channel  108 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , each concentric row of flexible elongated filaments  120  defines a respective peripheral edge  122 . Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 8 , the concentric rows of elongated flexible filaments  120  may extend along the entire length of the axial channel  108  from the proximal opening  110  to the distal opening  112  of the flexible body  102 . In some embodiments, each concentric row of the flexible elongated filament  120  may be spaced apart a predetermined distance relative to each other to form a respective concentric channel between adjacent concentric rows of flexible elongated filaments  120 . 
     As noted above, the axial channel  108  of the male massage apparatus  100  is configured to be large enough to accommodate girths of most male organs without the male organ establishing substantial contact with the internal portion  206  when the flexible body  102  is in a relaxed state and the user is not applying an external pressure to the flexible body  102 , such as when the user squeezes the flexible body  102 . In particular, the axial channel  108  is sized and shaped to allow the male organ to be disposed therein without substantial contact with the internal portion  106  until the user grasps the male massage apparatus  100  and squeezes or otherwise applies external pressure to the external portion  104  of the flexible body  102  surrounding the male organ. The user applying pressure to the male massage apparatus  100  establishes substantial contact between the concentric rows of flexible filaments  120  and the male organ that generates increased tactile sensation to the user during use of the male massage apparatus  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , a flow chart illustrates one method for manufacturing the male massage apparatus  100 . At step  600 , forming a flexible body  102  from a flexible material that defines a proximal opening  110  and a distal opening  112 . At step  602 , forming an axial channel  108  between the proximal opening  110  and the distal opening  112 . At step  604  forming concentric rows of flexible elongated filaments  120  along the axial channel  108  between the proximal opening  110  and the distal opening  112  of the flexible body  102 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in many embodiments the exterior portion  104  of the male massage apparatus  100  may define a textured surface  118  that allows the user to better grasp the flexible body  102 . In some embodiments the textured surface  118  may form a plurality of small bumps that collectively form a rough surface having greater tactile feel than a smooth surface when the user grasps the male massage apparatus  100 . In some embodiments, the textured surface  118  may define a plurality of raised ridges, rounded mounds, and/or symmetrical or asymmetrical protrusions that provide a tactile surface for greater gripping by the user. In some embodiments, the male massage apparatus  100  may be made from a soft silicone material that allows the flexible body  102  to be squeezed by a user. 
     In some embodiments the flexible body  102  may have a length  700  of about 5 inches and a width  702  of about 2.09 inches. In some embodiments, the proximal opening  110  of the channel  108  may have a preferred diameter  704  of range between 0.75 inches to 1.50 inches, although in other embodiments, the diameter  704  may be greater than 1.50 inches. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a second embodiment of the massage apparatus, designated  200 , is illustrated. The massage apparatus  200  is configured substantially similar to massage apparatus  100 , but with a differently configured internal portion  206  to provide the massaging effect to the male organ. As shown, the male massage apparatus  200  includes a generally cylindrically-shaped flexible body  202  defining an external portion  204  having a textured surface configured to be grasped by the user and an internal portion  206  configured to accommodate a male organ therein for providing a massaging effect when the flexible body  202  is squeezed by the user. The internal portion  206  of the flexible body  202  forms an axial channel  208  having a near end in communication with a proximal opening  210  and an opposite far end in communication with a distal opening  212 . The proximal opening  210  of the axial channel  208  is defined adjacent a flange  216  that forms the base of the male massage apparatus  200  and is configured to allow passage of differently sized male organs without establishing substantial contact with the internal portion  206  that forms the axial channel  208  when the flexible body  202  is not squeezed by the user. Similar to massage apparatus  100 , the distal opening  212  of the axial channel  208  is also configured to permit sperm collection during use of the male massage apparatus  200 . 
     As further shown, the internal portion  206  of the male massage apparatus  200  defines a flexible filament arrangement  214  that provides increased tactile stimulation to the male organ during the massaging effect produced by the male massage apparatus  200  as the flexible body  202  is squeezed by the user during use. In some embodiments, the flexible filament arrangement  214  defines a plurality of flexible pin-shaped protrusions  220  that surround and extend into the axial channel  208  such that contact with the male organ is achieved by the flexible pin-shaped protrusions  220  when the user squeezes the exterior portion  206  of the flexible body  202  around the male organ. In some embodiments, the flexible pin-shaped protrusions  220  may be arranged in either a symmetrical or asymmetrical arrangement around the internal portion  206  surrounding the axial channel  208 . Each of the flexible pin-shaped protrusions  220  may define a needle shape configuration having a pointed free end. In some embodiments, the flexible pin-shaped protrusions  220  may be combined with the concentric rows of flexible filaments  120  of the previous embodiment. In this arrangement, the flexible pin-shaped protrusions  220  may be positioned between each concentric channel defined between respective adjacent concentric rows of flexible filaments  120 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a third embodiment of the massage apparatus, designated  300 , is illustrated. The massage apparatus  300  is configured substantially similar to massage apparatuses  100  and  200 , but with a differently configured interior portion  306 . As shown, the male massage apparatus  300  includes a generally cylindrically-shaped flexible body  302  defining an external portion  304  configured to be grasped by the user and an internal portion  306  configured to accommodate a male organ to provide a massaging effect when the flexible body  302  is squeezed by the user. The internal portion  306  of the flexible body  302  forms an axial channel  308  having a near end in communication with a proximal opening  310  and an opposite far end in communication with a distal opening  312 . The proximal opening  310  of the channel  308  is defined adjacent a flange  316  that forms the base of the male massage apparatus  300  and is configured to allow passage of differently sized male organs without establishing contact with the internal portion  306  when the flexible body  302  is in a relaxed state and not squeezed by the user. Similar to massage apparatuses  100  and  200 , the distal opening  312  of the axial channel  308  is also configured to permit sperm collection during use of the male massage apparatus  300 . 
     As further shown, the internal portion  306  of the male massage apparatus  300  defines a flexible filament arrangement  314  that provides increased tactile stimulation to the male organ during the massaging effect produced by use of the male massage apparatus  300  as the flexible body  302  is squeezed by the user. In some embodiments, the flexible filament arrangement  314  defines a plurality of flexible raised node-shaped protrusions  320  each forming a raised nodal configuration having a flat free end. The flexible filament arrangement  314  is configured to surround the axial channel  308  without establishing substantial contact with the male organ unless the user squeezes the flexible body  302  to bring the flexible filament arrangement  314  in contact with the male organ disposed within the channel  308 . In some embodiments, each of the plurality of flexible raised node-shaped protrusions  320  may be arranged in either symmetrically or asymmetrically around the internal portion  306  in a manner such that the user can feel increased tactile stimulation due to the substantial contact of the flexible raised node-shaped protrusions  320  with the male organ as the user squeezes the flexible body  302  of the male massage apparatus  300 . In some embodiments, the plurality of flexible node-shaped protrusions  320  may be positioned along the concentric channel formed between adjacent concentric rows of flexible elongated filaments  120 . In another arrangement, a combination of flexible node-shaped protrusions  320  and flexible pin-shaped protrusions  220  may be positioned along each concentric channel formed between respective adjacent concentric rows of flexible elongated filaments  120 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12-15 , a fourth embodiment of the male massage apparatus, designated  400 , is illustrated. The male massage apparatus  400  includes a generally cylindrically-shaped flexible body  402  defining an external portion  404  configured to be grasped by the user and an internal portion  406  configured to freely accommodate a male organ therein without establishing substantial contact with the male organ when the flexible body  402  is in a relaxed state and not being squeezed by the user. The flexible body  402  is made from a flexible material, such as a soft silicone, that provides a massaging effect when squeezed around the male organ by the user. As shown, the internal portion  406  of the flexible body  402  forms an axial channel  408  having a near end in communication with a proximal opening  410  and an opposite far end in communication with the a pair of distal openings  428  formed on opposite sides of the flexible body  402 . The proximal opening  410  of the axial channel  408  is defined adjacent a flange  416  that forms the base of the male massage apparatus  400  and is configured to allow passage of differently sized male organs into the axial channel  408 . In some embodiments, the pair of distal openings  428  are configured to act as a vent as well as permit sperm collection as the flexible body  402  provides a massaging effect to the male organ of the user as shall be described in greater detail below. 
     As shown, the flexible body  402  is configured to be operatively engaged to a vibrator component  401  that is operable to generate vibrations that are imparted to the flexible body  402  when an actuator button  423  on a vibrator controller  420  is actuated by the user. Referring to  FIG. 14 , the vibrator controller  420  is operatively connected to a vibrator  422  through a cord  424  that provides signals to the vibrator  422  to generate vibrations imparted to the flexible body  402 . In some embodiments, repeated actuation of the actuator button  423  generates different kinds of vibrations by the vibrator  422 . For example, initial actuation of the actuator button  423  causes the vibrator  422  to generate constant vibrations of a first magnitude, while further actuation of the actuator button  423  causes the vibrator  422  to generate constant vibrations of greater magnitude. In some embodiments, further actuation of the actuator button  423  causes the vibrator  422  to vibrate at different predetermined sequences and magnitudes. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 15 , an internal nest  426  is formed within the top portion of the flexible body  402  proximate the distal openings  428  and defines an opening in communication with an internal cavity configured to receive at least the bottom portion of the vibrator  422  therein such that vibrations are imparted from the internal nest  426  to remaining portions of the flexible body  402  during operation of the vibrator component  401 . In addition, an external sleeve  418  may be formed along the side of the exterior portion  404  that is configured to receive and attach the vibrator controller  420  to the flexible body  402  to provide a convenient location to position the vibrator component  401 . In some embodiments, a plurality of raised ridges  425  may be formed along the exterior portion  404  proximate the internal nest  426  as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     In some embodiments, the axial channel  408  includes a flexible filament arrangement  414  defining concentric rows of flexible elongated filaments  415  extending along the length of the axial channel  408  between the proximal opening  410  and nest  426 . The concentric rows of flexible elongated filaments  415  are made from a flexible material, such as a soft silicone material, that is configured to provide a massaging effect to the male organ when the flexible body  402  is squeezed around the male organ by the user during use of the male massage apparatus  400 . In other embodiments, the axial channel  408  may also include a plurality of flexible node-shaped protrusions  320  and/or plurality of flexible pin-shaped protrusions  220  shown in the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10  including any combination of these protrusions  220  and  320  being positioned between one or more concentric rows of the flexible elongated filaments arrangement  415  to provide different kinds of tactile sensations to the user. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16-19 , a fifth embodiment of the male massage apparatus, designated  500 , is illustrated. The male massage apparatus  500  includes a generally cylindrically-shaped flexible shell  502  configured to receive and engage a generally cylindrically-shaped insert  504  therein as illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the flexible shell  502  defines an axial channel  508  that communicates with a first opening  506  at one end of the axial channel  508  and a second opening  507  at the opposite end of the channel  508 . Referring specifically to  FIG. 18 , the flexible shell  502  defines a first flange portion  510  formed proximate the first opening  506  and a second flange portion  511  formed proximate the opposite second opening  507 . As shown, the first flange portion  510  defines a circular-shaped first raised ridge  512  and the second flange portion  511  defines an identical circular-shaped second raised ridge  513  which are configured to engage respective flange portions of the flexible insert  504  when the flexible insert  504  is engaged within flexible shell  502  as shall be discussed in greater detail below. 
     As further shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the flexible insert  504  defines an exterior surface  519  and an interior surface  520 . The interior surface  520  of the flexible insert  504  defines an axial channel  509  that communicates with a proximal opening  514  at one end of the axial channel  509  and a distal opening  515  at the opposite end of the axial channel  509 . In addition, the exterior surface  520  defines a first flange portion  516  formed proximate the proximal opening  514  and a second flange portion  517  formed proximate the distal opening  515 . During manufacture of the male massage apparatus  500 , the flexible insert  504  is received within the axial channel  508  of the flexible shell  502  during assembly such that the first and second flange portions  516  and  517  of the flexible insert  504  are turned inside out and contact the respective first and second flange portions  510  and  511  of the flexible shell  502  as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . Referring to  FIG. 18 , the exterior surface  520  of the flexible insert  504  may define a plurality of concentric channels  521  that allow the body of the flexible insert  504  to be collapsed when being inserted into the axial channel  508  of the flexible shell  502  during assembly. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16 and 18 , the axial channel  509  of the flexible insert  504  defines a flexible filament arrangement  518  made of a soft and flexible material, such as pliable rubber or soft silicone material, similar in configuration to the flexible filament arrangement  114  of the male massage apparatus  100 . In some embodiments, the flexible filament arrangement  518  defines successive concentric rows of flexible elongated filaments  522  that extend along the channel  509  of the flexible insert  504  between the proximal opening  514  and distal opening  515 . In some embodiments, each of the concentric rows of flexible filaments  522  may have an elongated raised configuration concentrically arranged around the axial channel  509 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , each concentric row of flexible elongated filaments  522  defines a peripheral edge  523  configured to come into contact and provide a massaging effect to the male organ when the user squeezes the flexible shell  502 , thereby applying an exterior pressure against the flexible insert  504  to allow the concentric rows of flexible elongated filaments  522  to contact the male organ. In other embodiments, the axial channel  509  may also include a plurality of flexible node-shaped protrusions  320  and/or a plurality of flexible pin-shaped protrusions  220  shown in the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , respectively, including any combination of these protrusions  220  and  320  being positioned between adjacent concentric rows of flexible elongated filaments  522  to provide different types of tactile sensations to the user. 
     Similar to the above embodiments, the axial channel  509  of the flexible insert  504  is configured to freely accommodate a male organ therein without establishing substantial contact with the male organ when the flexible insert  504  is in a relaxed state and not being squeezed by the user. 
     It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular embodiments 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 teachings of this invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.