Abstract:
The invention relates to a device ( 1 ) for sexual stimulation having a hollow piston ( 3 ), a drive cylinder ( 5 ), and transmission means ( 7, 9 ) for converting a rotational movement of the drive cylinder into an axial movement of the hollow piston, wherein the drive cylinder ( 5 ) encloses the hollow piston ( 3 ) at least partially.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention pertains to a device for sexual stimulation. 
       STATE OF THE ART 
       [0002]    Devices for sexual stimulation, which can carry out rotational movements or translational movements are known from the prior art. US 2005/022819 A1 discloses a unit for sexual stimulation having a back-and-forth movable “shuttle”. In principle, the unit of US 2005/022819 A1 may be used for both female and male stimulation. However, the use in male stimulation leads to difficult handling. The reason being that the device must be re-configured for this purpose in such a way that it becomes extremely large and unwieldy. 
         [0003]    Basically, there is a demand for handy units and devices for male stimulation. In general and herein, the term “male stimulation” is apprehended as a stimulation of the male member. 
       DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    An object of the invention is to provide a device, in particular, a handy unit for male stimulation, which is improved with respect to the prior art. 
         [0005]    The object is achieved with a device for sexual stimulation having a hollow piston, a drive cylinder, and transmission means for the transmission of a rotational movement of the drive cylinder into an axial movement of the hollow piston, wherein the drive cylinder encloses the hollow piston at least partially. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0006]    Embodiments are described with reference to the figures, whereby the figures show: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows schematically parts of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  in a partially cut view; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows one variation of a drive of the embodiments; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows a further variation of a drive of the embodiments; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows a snap lock, which can be used in embodiments; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic view of a further embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    Hereinafter, typical exemplary embodiments are described, whereby to some extend identical reference signs are used for identical or in part similar embodiments, to some extend also for several different embodiments. Basically, the application is not limited to the different embodiments but rather the scope is determined by the claims. To some extent, individual parts are merely exemplified in connection with one figure, however, if these parts are shown in other figures, they are not necessarily described a second time. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a typical embodiment of a device  1 . The device  1  of  FIG. 1  comprises a hollow piston  3  and a drive cylinder  5 . The drive cylinder  5  encloses the hollow piston  3  at least partially. 
         [0015]    Thereby, enclosing typically means that the hollow piston has a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of the drive cylinder. Further, depending on the operational state, the hollow piston is typically at least partly or fully inserted in the drive cylinder. 
         [0016]    The device  1  of  FIG. 1  comprises transmission means for converting a rotational movement of the drive cylinder  5  to an axial movement of the hollow piston  3 . For the purpose thereof, a guide  7  is provided in the drive cylinder  5 . Acting as a guide element, a pin  9  that is firmly connected with the hollow piston engages with the guide. The guide  7  has a sinusoidal progression in circumferential direction. Upon rotation of the drive cylinder  5 , a translational movement of the hollow piston  3  in the direction of its longitudinal axis, i.e. axially, is accomplished by entrainment of the pin  9  in the axial direction in the guide  7 . The drive cylinder  5  of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  can be driven manually by means of handles  10 . 
         [0017]    Further driving possibilities are described in connection with the other figures. 
         [0018]    Typical embodiments of the device comprise a hollow piston and a drive cylinder, whereby transmission means are provided for converting the rotational movement of the drive cylinder in an axial movement of the hollow piston. Axial movements are to be apprehended as translational movements in direction of the longitudinal axis of the hollow piston. In typical embodiments, the transmission means are adapted to exclusively allow a translational and, in particular, to prevent a rotational movement of the hollow piston. 
         [0019]    According to further embodiments, the hollow piston can also be set into a rotational movement by the transmission means. Typical transmission means comprise guiding elements like, for example, screws, wheels, bearings or pins, which may be guided in guides such as grooves, cranks or notches. Typically, in embodiments the pin is provided on an outer side of the hollow piston and the guide in the drive cylinder. According to further embodiments, the guiding element, for instance, the pin, the wheels or the bearing is provided on the inner side of the drive cylinder and the guide in the hollow piston. Further transmission means comprise gears, for instance, linear gears with a gear rack or spindle. The advantage of guided pins or screws is a simple construction; the advantage of gears is a high load-bearing capacity. The advantage of wheels or bearings is a low friction. 
         [0020]    According to embodiments, a wheel or wheels, in particular, two wheels are provided as guiding element, which engage with a guide. In this way the friction may be reduced. 
         [0021]    According to embodiments, the guide progresses wavelike in a circumferential direction along at least a portion of the circumference of the drive cylinder or the hollow piston. Thereby “wavelike” comprises a sinusoidal or a continuous curve with an ascending and descending portion, whereby typically a first derivative of the curve may also be continuous in order to allow uniform movements. Typical waveforms comprise one or more upward and downward periods or amplitudes. 
         [0022]    Typically, the drive cylinder may be rotated in both directions relative to the hollow piston. 
         [0023]    According to embodiments, the guide is provided as a notch or a slot. According to an embodiment as slot, the drive cylinder is separated into an upper and lower part. These parts can be, for example, connected via handles provided on the outside of the drive cylinder. According to an embodiment as notch on the inner side of the drive cylinder, the drive cylinder may be provided in one piece. Other possibilities include a division of the drive cylinder in longitudinal direction in order to facilitate the manufacture of the drive cylinder or the assembly. 
         [0024]    Typically, the pin or the screw is spring mounted in order to enable a reliable guidance without, for example, the pin jumping out of the groove or notch. An unsprung mounting in contrast allows for a more simple set-up. 
         [0025]    A slip joint  11  is provided in the hollow piston  3 , in which a rail  13  is mounted for guiding the pin  9  in axial direction. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a partially sectioned view of parts of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . In particular,  FIG. 2  shows the guidance of the pin  9  in the axially aligned rail  13 . In this way, the rotational degree of freedom of the hollow piston  3  is locked with respect to the rail  13 . A rotation of the drive cylinder  5  results in an up- and downward movement in axial direction of the hollow piston  3 . Thereby, the hollow piston  3  moves in the direction of its two openings. Since the rotational degree of freedom of the hollow piston  3  is locked, it cannot rotate together with the drive cylinder  5 . 
         [0027]    Typical embodiments comprise a linear guide for the hollow piston so that the rotational degree of freedom of the hollow piston is locked. The linear guide typically comprises a rail, a carrier system, a joint, a pin in a groove or a slip joint for a rail. 
         [0028]    The hollow piston  3  in  FIG. 2  comprises a padding  17  arranged on the inner side of the hollow piston  3 . 
         [0029]    The padding is provided in typical embodiments and optionally comprises a gel cushion, silicone or foam. According to further embodiments, in order to simplify the set-up, the inner side of the hollow piston is unpadded. 
         [0030]    According to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the padding  17  is arranged on a ring insert  20 . The ring insert  20  has a snap lock  22 , which is shown in  FIG. 5 . The snap lock  22  allows an installation of the padding  17  or also cushions or further pipes. The snap lock can function similarly to a fastener of a lens cap. Further possibilities for attaching include Velcro fasteners or adhesive tabs with adhesion material. Embodiments lacking a snap lock are assembled more easily. A snap lock offers the possibility to insert additional extensions or padding within the hollow piston. Such insertion can take place recursively so that a plurality of sizes and lengths can be used. 
         [0031]    The configuration of the inner surface of the ring inserts of typical embodiments may be smooth, corrugated or rough. Also threads or other surface characteristics may be provided. 
         [0032]    In typical embodiments, a sleeve of flexible material is provided at the openings or at one of the openings of the hollow piston. Typical embodiments of such sleeves are waterproof or dustproof. Typical materials for such sleeves include silicone, rubber or flexible plastics. A further possibility is a tube-shaped inlet, which is guided through the hollow piston. In typical embodiments, the drive cylinder is connected via the sleeve with the hollow piston. The drive cylinder is typically mounted with bearings, sliding disks, Teflon, ceramic bearings, epoxides or sliding material. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  schematically shows parts of a typical drive for a device  1  according to an embodiment. A drive cylinder  5  of the device  1  of  FIG. 3  is equipped with a rotating ring gear  24  that is driven by a gear wheel  26 . In typical embodiments, the gear wheel  26  is driven by an electro motor (not shown). By controlling the power of the electromotor with a control unit (not shown) the rotational speed of embodiments may be adjusted. Further drives comprise hydraulic motors, a combustion motor or a turbine, for example, a wind turbine. A further possibility for controlling the speed of movement is the incorporation of a reduction gearbox. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  shows a further embodiment of a drive with drive belts  28  that are driven by a shaft  30  and that also enclose the drive cylinder  5  at least partly. The shaft  30  is put into motion via a gear wheel  32 . The drive with the drive belts  28  provides the advantage that in the case of overload, the drive belts  28  on the drive cylinder  5  may slip through so that an overload of a drive does not occur. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  schematically shows a further optional embodiment of device  1  with a hollow extension body  40 . The hollow extension body  40  is fitted into or onto the hollow piston  3  and allows an extension of the interior space of the device, for example, for an improved stimulation.