Abstract:
There is provided an apparatus for enhancing sexual intimacy. The apparatus comprises an elongated base having opposite ends and a pair of upstanding support members. One support member is connected to each end of the base. The base and the support members comprise a frame. A seat is disposed between the support members. The seat is vertically movable between an upper position and a lower position with respect to the support members. The seat is supported by a pair of springs and by a flexible bridge connected to the seat.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/745,529 entitled, “Apparatus for Enhancing Sexual Intimacy,” filed on Apr. 24, 2006 in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    This invention relates generally to an apparatus for supporting the human body, and more particularly to an apparatus for enhancing sexual intimacy by providing support and enhanced movement to the user. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    Devices already known in the art are bulky and do not adequately enhance sexual intimacy. U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,431 teaches a hydraulic apparatus for supporting one partner, while allowing the other partner to remain standing. While the apparatus provides hydraulic movement, the movement is minimal and does not achieve meaningful enhancement of the user&#39;s movements. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,532 teaches a frame supporting an inclined platform. 
         [0008]    A need therefore exists for a device that more adequately enhances sexual intimacy. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention addresses the aforementioned need. The invention overcomes many of the shortcomings of the prior art by providing an improved apparatus for supporting a user during sexual intimacy, while also enhancing the user&#39;s movements. That apparatus comprises a support frame, with two arms upwardly extending from the base. A seat is suspended between the two arms. The objects of the invention are apparent from the following description, the claims set forth below, and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following Detailed Description of an Example Embodiment of the Invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional, elevation view of the apparatus taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 , with the seat in the raised position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional, elevation view of the apparatus taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 , with the seat in the lowered position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the seat of the apparatus of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a detail perspective view of a roller for the bridge of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an exploded, perspective view of some of the components of the roller of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a frame for the apparatus according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6B  is a detail plan view of a top member of the frame of  FIG. 6A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    The invention and its advantages are best understood by referring to the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. In  FIG. 1  there is shown in perspective view an apparatus for enhancing sexual intimacy, generally designated  100 , according to an example embodiment of the invention. 
         [0020]    In the preferred embodiment, apparatus  100  generally comprises frame  101  and seat  150 . As seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A, and  2 B, frame  101  is comprised of a pair of support members  110  and  120  extending upwardly from base  130 . Base  130  is generally planar, with a base first end  132  and a base second end  134 . First support member  110  is generally U-shaped, thereby creating a cavity for retaining the mechanics of apparatus  100 . First support member  110  has a first support member first end  112  and a first support member second end  114 . Similarly, second support member  120  is generally U-shaped, and has a second support member first end  122  and a second support member second end  124 . First and second support members  110  and  120  are preferably sized, such that the user will be aligned with the standing individual, however first and second support members  110  and  120  can be of any height. Armrests  118  and  128  are attached to the tops of support members  110  and  120 , respectively. 
         [0021]    In the preferred embodiment, at least two support members  110  and  120  are oppositely aligned, and attached to base  130 . Support members  110  and  120  can be fixedly attached to base  130 , as seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A, and  2 B, or integrally formed (not shown) with base  130 . First support member first end  112  is fixedly attached to base  130  proximate base first end  132 , and second support member second end  122  is fixedly attached to base  130  proximate base second end  134 . Support members  110  and  120  are preferably perpendicular with respect to base  130 . However, support members  110  and  120  can be of any angle with respect to base  130  as long as frame  101  provides adequate support for at least one human. Frame  101  can be made of any material, however for maximum support, steel is preferred. Additionally, to make apparatus  100  more aesthetically pleasing, frame  101  may be surrounded by wood and upholstered in vinyl or leather. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A, and  2 B, base  130  has at least one anchor  136  fixedly attached proximate base first end  132 . Base  130  also has at least one anchor  136  fixedly attached proximate base second end  134 . To ensure the mechanical components are retained within the cavity created by first and second support members  110  and  120 , anchor  136  is preferably attached intermediate base first end  132  and the terminal points of the generally U-shaped first support member  110 . Similarly, anchor  136  is preferably attached intermediate base second end  134  and the terminal points of the generally U-shaped second support member  120 . Anchors  136  provides an anchor attachment point for springs  170  and  175 . Accordingly, anchors  136  preferably includes a loop or eye or similarly constructed attachment means for retaining one end of springs  170  and  175 . 
         [0023]    Springs  170  and  175  provide vertical movement to apparatus  100 . Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , spring  170  has a first spring end  172  and a second spring end  174 . Second spring end  174  provides a loop for attaching to anchor  136 . First spring end  172  forms a loop for attachment to bridge  140 . At least two springs  170  and  175  are attached to base  130 , wherein at least one spring  170  is attached to anchor  136  proximate base first end  132  and at least one spring  175  is attached to anchor  136  proximate base second end  134 . 
         [0024]    Bridge  140  provides support for seat  150 . Bridge  140  has a bridge first end  142  and a bridge second end  144 . Bridge  140  extends between spring  170 , attached to anchor  136  on base first end  132 , and spring  175  attached to anchor  136  on base second end  134 . Bridge  140  can be made of any material of sufficient strength for withstanding the forces applied by at least one human being, but is preferably a woven nylon material. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the seat bottom surface  151  of seat  150  is depicted. At least two clamps  155  are mounted to the bottom of seat  151  by screws, bolt, or other attachment means. Clamps  155  secure the center portion of bridge  140  to seat  150 , and permit seat  150  and its occupant to be supported by bridge  140 . 
         [0026]    Bridge  140  is aligned such that the center portion of bridge  140  extends across the middle of seat bottom surface  151 , thereby leaving an equal portion of bridge  140  extending freely on each side of seat bottom surface  151 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A, and  2 B, first roller  180  is retained proximate first support member second end  114  within the cavity created by the U-configuration. First roller  180  is attached such that first roller  180  remains freely rotatable. Similarly, second roller  185  is retained proximate second support member second end  124  within the cavity created by the U-configuration. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a detail view of first and second rollers  180  and  185 . Rollers  180  and  185  are made up of a shaft  187 , a cylinder  192 , and a pair of caps  189 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , bearings  194  fit within the ends of cylinder  192  and support cylinder  192  rotatably on shaft  187 . Bearings  194  are not fixed in place on shaft  187 , but are free to slide axially along shaft  187  in response to axial forces applied to rollers  180  and  185 . This axial freedom of movement of bearings  194  permits corresponding axial movement of rollers  180  and  185  in response to lateral movement of seat  150 . 
         [0029]    Caps  189  slide over the ends of cylinder  192  and provide additional surface for bridge  140 . The opposite ends of shaft  187  are supported by support members  110  and  120 . In one example embodiment of the invention, cylinder  192  and caps  189  comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and bearings  194  are commercially available ball bearings. 
         [0030]    Bridge  140  is fed over first roller  180  and over second roller  185 . Bridge first end  142  is fixedly attached to at least one spring  170  first end  172 , and bridge second end  144  is fixedly attached to at least one spring  175  first end  172 . In practice, apparatus  100  can be used alone, or apparatus  100  can be positioned against a wall, couch, bed, or other object. One user can sit on seat  150 , while the second user can remain standing. Seat  150  is biased in the upper position by springs  170  and  175 . The weight and movement of the seated person will exert a downward force against the seat, which is transferred to first and second springs  170  and  175  through bridge  140 . Springs  170  and  175  have a linear variation of extension upon the application of the force, thereby causing springs  170  and  175  to vertically extend upward. As the force is removed, springs  170  and  175  vertically retract downward, thereby enhancing the upward movement of the seated user. Once springs  170  and  175  reach their tension point, the springs will inhibit further vertical movement of the seat. 
         [0031]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a frame  200  according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. Frame  200  is generally A-shaped, with wider base members  202  than top members  204  for increased stability and resistance to tip over. In one example embodiment, the members  202 ,  206 ,  207 ,  208 , and  209  of frame  200  all comprise rectangular steel tubing, and top member  204  comprises gauge  12  steel plate. As seen in  FIG. 6B , top members  204  include horizontally extending ears  212 . Screw holes are provided in ears  212  for attaching arm rests  118  and  128  to top members  204 . Holes  214  are provided near the tops of frame members  209  for mounting rollers  180  and  185  therein. 
         [0032]    The apparatus for enhancing sexual intimacy of the present invention, and many of its intended advantages, will be understood from the foregoing description of an example embodiment, and it will be apparent that, although the invention and its advantages have been described in detail, various changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made in the manner, procedure, and details thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims, or sacrificing any of its material advantages, the forms hereinbefore described being merely an exemplary embodiment thereof.