Abstract:
A miniature sexual aid device is embodied in a battery powered electric vibrator which attaches to the user&#39;s finger. The sexual aid device includes a vibration motor, a button cell battery, a moisture resistant housing that contains the motor and battery, and a strap or ring for attaching the device to the finger or to another appendage. The motor is mounted transversely and contiguously with the battery. The retaining ring or strap may be offered in a variety of fixed sizes or may be adjustable to fit a variety of finger sizes. The device is no larger than some jewelry rings and may be shaped, colored, and ornamented to be worn on the finger as jewelry.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of provisional Serial Nos. 60/367,106 and 60/367,108, both filed Mar. 25, 2002. This invention relates to a vibrating sexual aid device, specifically to a miniature device that attaches to a single finger of the hand or to another body appendage. 
     
    
     
         [0002]    Battery powered vibrating devices which attach to the hand are well known. These known devices deliver strong vibration suitable for muscle or gum massage.  
           [0003]    The smallest known device appears to be a device 3 inches long weighing more than 1 ounce. The relatively large size of these devices have several disadvantages when used as sexual aids: they interfere with normal use of the hand; they are “machine-like” and can be obtrusive; the vibration is unnecessarily strong for sexual stimulation and may cause numbness; it is impractical to wear more than one on each hand. None of the known devices uses a transversely mounted vibration motor contiguous with the battery.  
           [0004]    The known devices deliver vibration either by applying the vibrating device directly to the area being vibrated or by transmitting the vibration through the user&#39;s fingers to the area being vibrated. These devices have the disadvantage that they are suitable for use in only one mode; they cannot be used to deliver vibration both by direct application of the device and by transmitting the vibration through the user&#39;s finger.  
           [0005]    Some of these devices have been described in prior art patents. Examples of these patents include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,203,509, 5,601,529, 5,519,292, 4,116,233, 3,623,481, 2,918,055, 2,350,817, and 2,286,089.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,509 describes a massaging device which attaches to one finger of a user. This device is slightly wider than the finger and approximately three times as long as its width. The device includes a motor with unbalanced weight, housing, finger engaging retainer and an attached panel which acts as the massaging surface. Defining the front of the motor as the end from which the shaft extends, the batteries are situated to the rear of (behind) the motor. The finger contacts the opposite side of the device from the massaging surface in such a way that the fingertip is covered, precluding transmission of vibration through the finger.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,601,529 and 5,519,292 show finger massage devices which are mounted on the hand and wrist of the user. Both incorporate control enclosures which may be used to vary certain parameters of the vibration including the intensity, frequency, etc. Both devices transmit vibration through the fingers.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No.  4 , 116 , 233  describes a hand sized device and has a handle to accommodate the hand of a user with the palm of the hand on the housing. A motive device imparts vibration to a massage ball. The massage ball applies vibration directly to the area being vibrated.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,623,481 describes a gum massage implement which attaches to one finger of a user. This device has a torpedo shape with diameter greater than that of a finger and length more than four times its diameter. The device includes a motor with unbalanced weight, housing and a finger engaging retainer. Defining the front of the motor as the end from which the shaft extends, the batteries are situated to the rear of (behind) the motor. The device transmits vibration through the finger to the gums.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,918,055 and 2,350,817 describe hand massagers which attach to several fingers of the user. These devices are powered via electric cords rather than by batteries. These devices extend upwardly from the hand for several inches. Both devices transmit vibration through the hands to impart vibration to a subject during massage.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,286,089 describes a hand attachment means for a vibrator. This device attaches to three fingers of a hand.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    A miniature sexual aid device of the invention comprises a battery powered electric vibrator which attaches to the user&#39;s finger. The sexual aid device includes a vibration motor, a button cell battery, a moisture resistant housing that contains the motor and battery, and a strap or ring for attaching the device to the finger. The motor is mounted transversely and contiguously with the battery. The device is no larger than some jewelry rings and may be shaped, colored, and ornamented to be worn on the finger as jewelry, i.e. generally shaped as a gem-bearing ring.  
           [0013]    The preferably two part housing of the device is roughly cylindrical in shape. In a preferred embodiment, rotating the upper housing in relation to the lower housing operates an on-off switch and, if rotated further, twists open the housing to provide access to the battery. An alternative type of switch can be employed if desired. The housing, exclusive of the retaining ring or strap, preferably is smaller than a cylinder 0.75 inch in diameter and 0.75 inch high and weighs less than 0.5 ounce. The housing is moisture resistant.  
           [0014]    The retaining ring or strap may be offered in a variety of fixed sizes or may be adjustable to fit a variety of finger sizes. It may be sized to fit or adjustable to fit on another body appendage, such as a penis or a tongue.  
           [0015]    Accordingly several objects and advantages of the invention are:  
           [0016]    (a) to provide a vibrating sexual aid which attaches comfortably to the finger;  
           [0017]    (b) to provide a finger mounted vibrating sexual aid which attaches securely to various size fingers;  
           [0018]    (c) to provide a finger mounted vibrating sexual aid which can be rotated on the finger so that the vibrating surface faces either the palm side or the back side of the hand, and to provide a finger mounted vibrating sexual aid which may be used to deliver vibration both by direct application of the device or by transmitting the vibration through the user&#39;s finger;  
           [0019]    (d) to provide a finger mounted vibrating sexual aid which may be fabricated and ornamented in such a way as to be worn as jewelry in the appearance of a gem-bearing ring;  
           [0020]    (e) to provide a miniature finger mounted vibrator which, due to its small size, is amusing, unobtrusive and non-threatening, and which causes minimal interference with normal movement of the hand and fingers;  
           [0021]    (f) to provide a miniature finger mounted vibrator which is small enough that several may comfortably be worn on the same hand and even on the same finger;  
           [0022]    (g) to provide a finger mounted vibrating sexual aid which vibrates strongly enough to be stimulating but not so strongly that it causes numbing.  
           [0023]    (h) to provide a vibrating device with the above features and advantages and attachable to another appendage such as a penis or a tongue.  
           [0024]    Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and the ensuing description. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention, with a closed finger ring.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the invention, with a closed finger ring, indicating assembly.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view showing a subassembly of a battery and a vibrator motor of a different type from what is shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention showing integral closed finger rings of various sizes.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention with interchangeable closed finger rings of various diameters.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention, with an open finger ring.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another embodiment, with a flexible band to engage the finger or other appendage.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a detail of the FIG. 6 embodiment.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a further embodiment, with another type of band.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 9 is a view showing the FIG. 8 embodiment engaged on a body appendage.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another modified embodiment, with a different form of ring band.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a double vibrator ring embodiment and indicating a means of securement to a body appendage.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another embodiment, again with a different means of engagement, in this case a plastic buckle essentially integral with the housing of the ring.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 13 is a cut-away sectional view in perspective showing the ring of FIG. 12. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0039]    [0039]FIG. 1 shows in perspective a preferred embodiment of a vibrator ring  10 . The exterior of the device is a moisture resistant housing which separates into an upper or motor housing  11  and a lower or battery housing  12  (better seen in FIG. 2). The upper housing and lower housing twist apart to enable battery replacement and snap together to reassemble the device. A closed finger ring or band  13  is permanently attached to the lower housing  12 . (“Upper” and “lower” are only used for convenience of description and not to imply particular orientation of the device in use.) The housings can be referred to as first and second housings, or first and second housing components, or the assembled two housings can simply be referred to as a housing. Reference to two housings includes construction wherein one “housing” is simply a closure plate.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vibrator. The upper housing  11  contains a transversely mounted vibrator motor  29 , a negative battery contact  33 , and a switch contact  37 . The position for the contact  33  is shown in dashed lines. A negative motor wire  38  is connected to the negative battery contact  33  and a positive motor wire  39  is connected to switch contact  37 . The lower battery housing  12  contains a battery  31  and a positive battery contact  35 . The positive battery contact  35  extends upward from the battery housing  12  in such a way that it may touch the switch contact  37  when the unit is assembled. Rotating the upper housing  11  in relation to the lower housing  12  powers the device on and off. In this embodiment, the closed finger band  13  is integral with the lower housing  12 . The vibrator is attached to the hand by inserting a finger through the closed band  13 . When assembled, the battery  31  is mounted alongside, rather than behind, the motor  29 , as shown in FIG. 2. The motor  29  resides in a recess (not shown) of the upper housing  11 , and the motor&#39;s negative contact  33  is in direct contact with the battery when the device is assembled.  
         [0041]    The vibrator motor  29  may be of a known type used in silent pagers, usually known as a vibration motor or pager motor. For example, the motor can be one identified as “cylindrical DC motor of permanent magnet”, Model OTL-6SL, manufactured by Jinlong Machinery &amp; Electronic co., Ltd. Of Yeuquing, Zhejiang, China. This preferred cylindrical motor  29  is about 10 mm in length and about 6 mm in diameter. Preferably the vibrator motor is less than about 20 mm in length and less than about 10 mm in width or diameter. Note that the motor can be of the flat, pancake shape of pager motor if desired, oriented similarly to the battery. Such a vibrator motor can be, for example, a pager motor from Tokyo Parts Industries Corp., designated Type FM23, FM25, FM31, FM34, or FM29 depending on the battery used. FIG. 2A shows the subassembly of the battery  31  and a pancake vibrator motor  29   a  in exploded view. The two are to be assembled contiguously. In this case the upper housing or ring crown  11  is modified accordingly.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing three instances of the vibrator  10 , each with a closed finger ring of a different diameter. In this embodiment the closed ring is integral with the lower housing. The leftmost ring is shown worn near the fingertip with the housing facing toward the palm for delivering vibration by direct application of the device. The middle and rightmost rings are worn facing toward the back of the hand in a position suitable for transmitting vibration through the user&#39;s finger.  
         [0043]    FIGS.  4 - 7  illustrate various methods and implementations for securing the vibrator to fingers or appendages of differing size. Each of the methods has some advantage over the others and it is foreseen that devices using each securing means as well as others, may be commercially developed.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention with interchangeable or snap-on finger rings  41  of various diameters. FIG. 5 shows the invention with an open finger ring  43 . The open finger ring is formed from a resilient plastic which stretches open for a larger finger and contracts to grasp a smaller finger.  
         [0045]    In operation the user inserts a finger into the ring or straps the device to the finger and powers the device on by twisting the upper housing. Depending on how the user chooses to use the device it may be positioned at the top, middle, or base of the finger and may face inward or outward. Multiple rings may be worn on the same hand and even on the same finger. The device can be worn on other appendages of the body as well. Testing has shown that a watch battery can power the device for a period of between 30 and 90 minutes depending on the storage capacity of the battery and the power consumption of the motor.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 6 shows a modified form of ring device  50 , again having a ring crown  52  similar to what is shown in the earlier drawings, in the general shape and appearance of a gem-bearing finger ring. The means of attachment to the body appendage is different in FIG. 6. The housing, which is generally identified as  54 , and in particular a lower housing  56  in the preferred embodiment wherein two housings come together to make the ring crown  52 , has a pair of opposed brackets or ears  58  which support a flexible rubbery or elastomeric band, preferably in the form of a flexible O-ring  60 . O-rings can be provided in various sizes, to fit over any of the fingers or on other appendages of the body, such as on the tongue or the penis. In this embodiment the O-ring comprises a complete circle. FIG. 7 shows a detail of the manner in which the O-ring is captured on the ring housing. The two wings or ears  58  have openings  61  which allow the O-ring to be forced and compressed through a narrow entryway and into a larger region of the opening as shown. In this way, the O-ring is captured in position, with a section of the O-ring extending under the bottom of the ring housing in use.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing essentially the same ring housing  54   a,  which can be identical to the ring housing  54  but using a different form of flexible band  62 . The wings  58  on this embodiment of the housing can be identical to those shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, but in this case the openings in which the rubbery, elastomeric band  62  are inserted could be more symmetrical if desired (openings not specifically seen, occupied by band in FIG. 8). Here, the flexible band is similar to a truncated O-ring with knobs at its two ends. Once the flexible band  62  is inserted onto the wings  58  of the ring device, the knobs  64  prevent the band from pulling through. These band components  62 , shaped somewhat like flexible barbells, can be provided in several different lengths for fitting on different sizes of appendages.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 9 is a schematic elevation view showing a ring device  50   a  of the type shown in FIG. 8, as fitted on a body appendage  66 . The body appendage could be, for example, a finger, a penis or a tongue. Note that the flexible band  62  can be selected in appropriate length so as to be as tight or loose as desired for the particular situation.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 10 shows another modified ring device  50   b  illustrating another means of retention of the ring to the body appendage. In this case a flexible band, a complete circle such as an elastomeric O-ring  60   a,  is held in a double-looped fashion on the two wings or ears  58   a  of the ring housing  54   b.  Each wing  58   a  is in the form of a clip which pinches the O-ring as shown. The clip may be formed with three projections  70  and  72 , such that the O-ring is forced tightly between the outer two projections  70  and the slightly displaced middle projection  72 . Again, the O-rings  60   a  can be provided in a large number of different sizes for different sized users and for different body appendages.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 11 illustrates usage of two ring housings  54   b  to fit on a single appendage. Here, a smaller O-ring  60   b  is used, connected to the clips of the two ring housings as shown. When the two ring housings are secured around the appendage, a similar O-ring will be used to attach them together at their opposite sides.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIGS. 12 and 13 show another similar ring device  50   c  which can be similar in all respects to the above, except for the manner of retention to the body appendage. Here, a plastic buckle  74  which is essentially integral with the ring housing  54   c,  more preferably with a lower housing shown at  76 , has two straps  74   a  and  74   b  which buckle together around the appendage. This plastic buckle device  74  can be a plastic which is flexible but which generally retains its shape.  
         [0052]    The sectional view of FIG. 13 shows that the plastic buckle device  74  may be not technically integral with the lower housing  76 , but rather secured to it by adhesion. Alternatively, the plastic buckle device  74  may be of a different material from the lower housing  76  but still co-molded such that the two components are, in fact, integrally formed as a single piece after such co-molding process. The sectional view of FIG. 13 shows the ring housing empty, without the vibrator and battery components, for purposes of clear illustration.  
         [0053]    Accordingly, the miniature vibrator of this invention provides a small, lightweight vibrator that attaches securely yet comfortably to a finger or other body appendage such as a tongue or penis. The vibrator is quick and easy to attach and detach, and causes minimal interference with normal movement of the hand or appendage. The vibrator&#39;s small size makes it unobtrusive and non-threatening. The device may be used to deliver vibration both by direct application of the device or by transmitting the vibration through the user&#39;s finger or other appendage. It contains few parts and may be inexpensively produced.  
         [0054]    Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.