Patent ID: 12201575

The figures depict various embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Personal Massager with Front End, Back End, and Third End

FIGS.1-4illustrate various views of a personal massage device100, according to one embodiment.FIG.1is a perspective view of the personal massage device100. The personal massage device100includes a front end101, a back end102and a third end103. In some embodiments, the front end101, a portion of the back end102, and the third end103are covered by a silicone surface while the rest of the back end102is covered by a plastic case. In other embodiments, the surfaces covering the personal massage device100are composed of other materials. In some embodiments, the silicone surface is glued to the front end101, the portion of the back end102and the third end103. The personal massage device100also includes control buttons110or user controls, and a charging port112.

FIG.2Ais an exploded view of the personal massage device100, andFIG.2Bis a cross-sectional view of the personal massage device100, according to one embodiment. Because the exploded view inFIG.2Aillustrates many of the same components as the cross-sectional view inFIG.2B, the description ofFIGS.2A and2Bis combined for ease of description.

As described above with reference toFIG.1, a silicone surface202covers the front end101, a portion of the back end102, and the third end103. The surface202will be referred to throughout as a silicone surface, though the surface could be composed of various different materials, such as rubber, plastic coated with a soft surface spray or other soft coating, or any other surface soft and pliable enough to massage the body. A plastic case204covers the rest of the back end102. The case204will be referred to through as a plastic case, though the case could be composed of various different materials, such as various different polymers. The front end101includes a first front shell206and a second front shell208. Together, the first front shell206and the second front shell208form a first housing. The back end102includes a first back shell216and a second back shell218, which form a second housing. The third end103includes a third shell236, a fourth shell238and a third housing formed by the two shells.

The front end101and the back end102are connected with a hinge, which includes bosses242at the end of the first front shell206and the second front shell208and corresponding holes244at the front of the first back shell216and the second back shell218. The first front shell206and the second front shell208can be joined to each other by ultrasonic welding, ultrasonic splicing, or other methods. Similarly, the first back shell216and the second back shell218can be also joined to each other by ultrasonic welding, ultrasonic splicing, or other methods.

In some embodiments, the third end103is connected to the first back shell216with a mount232. In one embodiment, the third end103is bendable so that the space between the front end101and third end103is adjustable. This adjustability allows the device to fit the body shapes of a wide range of users. In addition, the three-segment structure of the massage device100makes the manufacture of the massage device relatively simple and inexpensive.

A first motor252is enclosed in the first housing. In one embodiment, the first motor252is fixed to the second front shell208by a stator262and one or more fasteners214. In one embodiment, the first motor252is a high-speed vibration motor that is capable of generating various vibration frequencies and amplitudes. In some embodiments, the first motor252is placed in the middle of the front end101so that the vibration is extended over the entire front end101and is evenly distributed on both sides of the first motor252.

The third end103is capable of vibrating either simultaneously with or separately from the vibration of the front end101. A third motor264is enclosed in the third housing. In some embodiments, the third motor264is fixed to the third shell236and fourth shell238by with adhesive or by splicing. In one embodiment, the third motor264is a high-speed vibration motor that is capable of generating various vibration frequencies and amplitudes. The massaging effect of the personal massage device100is enhanced when the third end103simultaneously vibrates with the front end101.

The first motor252and the third motor264are powered by a battery262enclosed in the second housing. The battery262also provides power to a gear motor260enclosed in the second housing. In one embodiment, the gear motor260is fixed on the second back shell218by a stator230and one or more fasteners214. In some embodiments, the battery262is rechargeable and connects to a charging connector224enclosed in the second housing. For example, the battery262can be a lithium battery, a NiMH battery, or some other type of rechargeable battery. The end of the charging connector224connects to the charging port112.

In some embodiments, the second housing further encloses a curved shaft258connected to the gear motor260. A sliding component254is placed on one end of the curved shaft258in a manner that allows the sliding component254to slide over the curved shaft258. In some embodiments, the sliding component254sits between the hinge and the first motor252. The sliding component254is placed in a guide grove256formed by two arc uplifts on the inside of the second front shell208. The distance between the two arc uplifts of the guide groove256is large enough to enclose the sliding component254. In some embodiments, the sliding component254is a sphere with a hole in the middle, and the curved shaft208is positioned through the hole. The sphere can be made of metal, ceramic, or some other material. In other embodiments, the sliding component254has a different shape, such as a cube or an ellipsoid.

The first motor252causes the front end101to vibrate when the first motor252is turned on. Similarly, the third motor264causes the third end103to vibrate when the third motor264is turned on.

When the gear motor260is turned on, the curved shaft258rotates and the sliding component254also rotates along the axis of the curved shaft258. Due to the presence of the guide groove256, the sliding component254pushes the front end101in a manner that causes the front end101to bend toward and away from the back end102.

An example of the bending motion of the front end101is shown inFIGS.3and4.FIGS.3and4show two different positions of the front end101relative to the back end102.FIGS.3and4also show the axis of the front end101and the axis of the back end102. Both axes intersect with the hinge. The rotation of the sliding component254causes the angle between the two axes to oscillate between the first position (shown inFIG.3) and the second position (shown inFIG.4), thus generating the bending motion.FIG.4after undulation in the direction shown by the arrow in the figure (e.g., toward the third end and back end). This undulation forward or upward as shown inFIG.4allows the front end to press against the G-spot.FIG.3illustrates the device after undulation backward or downward away from the G-spot in the direction shown by the arrow in the figure. TheFIG.3position can be the resting position of the device. The device can oscillate between the position ofFIG.3and ofFIG.4to thus provide the undulating stimulation.

The design of the curved shaft258and the sliding component254generates a smooth bending motion. Also, because the front end101is bending as a whole, there is consistent movement over the silicone surface of the front end101. Consequently, the portion of the silicone surface that covers the front end101is not mechanically aged when the front end bends, which increases the service life of the silicone surface. In some embodiments, the front end101is capable of simultaneously bending and vibrating (e.g., with the first motor252and the gear motor260turned on simultaneously) to enhance the massaging effect of the personal massage device100.

Referring back toFIGS.2A and2B, the second housing further encloses a controller that controls the motors252,260,264in the massage device100based on control signals (e.g., button presses on the control buttons110). For example, the controller may change the rotation the first motor252or the third motor264(e.g., to change the vibration frequency or amplitude at the first end101or the third end103) in response to receiving a control signal. The controller may also change the rotation of the gear motor260(e.g., to adjust the speed of the bending motion) in response to receiving a control signal.

The control buttons110(also shown inFIG.1) show a “+” and a “−” that can be used to increase or decrease speed of vibration and/or movement. The circular button in the middle can be used to power on and off the device or to cycle through settings. The up and down arrows can also be used to cycle through settings. In some embodiments, the portion of the circle in the center that is depressed controls whether the speed is changed or the setting is changed (e.g., depressing the circle toward the “+” sign increases speed while depressing the circle toward the up arrow moves to the next setting). In other embodiments, the “+” and “−,” and the up and down arrows can be separate buttons themselves. Other designs are also possible for the controls, such as separate buttons to control each of the front and third ends, or separate buttons to control vibration versus undulation, or a user interface that allows the user to enter different specific settings.

In some embodiments, the controller includes an electrical circuit board220. In one embodiment, the electrical circuit board220is fixed to the first back shell216with one or more fasteners214. The battery262, charging connector224, first motor252, gear motor260and third motor254are electrically connected to the circuit board220.

In use, at least a portion of the front and third ends stimulate the body of the user, and the back end is manipulated by the user to control the device. The front end can be inserted into the vagina of the user to stimulate the G-spot. The undulating or oscillating motion of the front end mimics the action of the finger of a user moving back and forth and/or up and down to stimulate the G-spot. The third end rests against the clitoris of the user on the outside of the body to provide a second form of stimulation to the body. Since the third end is pliable, it can bend to mold to the outside of different body shapes while the front end is inside the body. Together, the front and third ends can thus simultaneously stimulate two different parts of the body. The front and third ends can also be used separately or independently, and do not have to be operated at the same time.

The massage device can also have a variety of settings that modify how each of the front and third ends responds to the user controls manipulated by the user. For example, the front end can both vibrate and undulate while the third end vibrates. As another example, the front end can undulate without vibration while the third end vibrates. As a further example, the front end can vibrate without undulation while the third end also vibrates. As an additional example, either the front end or the third end can remain stationary without vibration or undulation while the other of the front or third ends undulates and/or vibrates. In addition, both the front and third ends have a variety of different vibrate speeds and vibration patterns. They can operate at the same speed and pattern, or each end can operate with a different speed or pattern. Similarly the undulation of the front end can occur according to different speeds and patterns. For example, the front end can undulate slowly or rapidly, can undulate according to a particular beat, or can have shorter undulations such that the distance that it undulates is less than is shown betweenFIGS.3and4. It can have a different starting position (e.g., the position ofFIG.4) such that it starts closer to the G-spot and performs more of a tapping motion rather than a full undulation. In all of these examples, the user can control the settings of the device to independently set the motion of the front and third ends. The user can decide whether to have the front end undulate or not and at what speed or pattern, whether to have the front end vibrate or not and at what speed or pattern, and whether to have the third pattern vibrate or not and at what speed or pattern. In some embodiments, the user rotates through a variety of settings such as a first setting with undulation and vibration in the first end plus vibration in the third end, then a second setting with vibration only in both ends, then a third setting with vibration only in the front end, and so forth. In other embodiments, the user has different controls for the front end versus the third end to control them independently in that manner.

In some embodiments, the third end also includes a movement mechanism similar to that within the front end such that the third end can also undulate or oscillate to stimulate the clitoris. The massage device can also have more than a front end and third end for stimulation. For example, the device can include a fourth end for stimulating the anus.

Personal Massager with Front End and Back End

FIGS.5-6illustrate another embodiment of a personal massage device500.FIG.5is a perspective view of the personal massage device500. The personal massage device500includes a front end501and a back end502but does not include a third end. In some embodiments, the front end501and a portion of the back end502are covered by a silicone surface while the rest of the back end502is covered over by a plastic surface. In other embodiments, the surfaces covering the personal massage device500are made of other materials. In some embodiments, the silicone surface and the plastic surface are glued to the front end501and the back end502, respectively. The personal massage device500also includes control buttons510and a charging port512. The internal components are generally the same as shown inFIG.2B.

FIG.6is an exploded view of the personal massage device500. As described above with reference toFIG.5, a silicone surface602covers the front end501and a portion of the back end502. A plastic case604covers the rest of the back end502. The front end501includes a first front shell606and a second front shell608. Together, the first front shell606and the second front shell608form a first housing. The back end502includes a first back shell616and a second back shell618, which form a second housing.

The front end501and the back end502are connected with a hinge, which includes bosses642at the end of the first front shell606and the second front shell608and corresponding holes644at the front of the first back shell616and the second back shell618. The first front shell606and the second front shell608can be joined to each other by ultrasonic welding, ultrasonic splicing, or other methods. Similarly, the first back shell616and the second back shell618can also be joined by ultrasonic welding, ultrasonic splicing, or other methods.

A first motor652is enclosed in the first housing. In one embodiment, the first motor652is fixed to the second front shell608by a stator662and one or more fasteners614. In one embodiment, the first motor652is a high-speed vibration motor that is capable of generating various vibration frequencies and amplitudes. In some embodiments, the first motor652is placed at the middle of the front end501, so that the vibration is extended over the entire front end and is evenly distributed on both sides of the first motor652.

The first motor652is powered by a battery662enclosed in the back end502. The battery662also provides power to a gear motor660enclosed in the second housing. In one embodiment, the gear motor660is fixed on the second back shell618by a stator630and one or more fasteners614. In some embodiments, the battery662is rechargeable and connects to a charging connector664enclosed in the second housing. For example, the battery can be a lithium battery, a NiMH battery, or some other type of rechargeable battery. The end of the charging connector624connects the charging port512.

In some embodiments, the second housing further encloses a curved shaft658connected to one end of the gear motor660. A sliding component654is placed on one end of the curved shaft658in a manner that allows the sliding component654to slide over the curved shaft658. The sliding component654is placed in a guide grove656formed by two arc uplifts on inside of the second front shell608. The distance between the two arc uplifts of the guide groove656is large enough to enclose the sliding component254. In some embodiments, the sliding component654is a sphere with a hole in the middle, and the curved shaft208is positioned through the hole. The sphere can be made of metal, ceramic, or some other material. In other embodiments, the sliding component654has a different shape, such as a cube or ellipsoid.

The first motor652causes the front end501to vibrate when the first motor652is turned on. When the gear motor626is turned on, the curved shaft658rotates and the sliding component654also rotates along the axis of the curved shaft658. Due to the presence of the guide groove656, the sliding component654pushes the front end501in a manner that causes the front end to bend toward and away from the back end502, similar to the motion described above forFIGS.3and4. The front end can generally oscillate back and forth between positions similar to those ofFIG.3andFIG.4. In both Figures, the angle between the axis running generally through the center of the of the front end (shown as a dotted line, axis f) and the axis running generally through the center of the back end (shown as a dotted line, axis b) is greater than 90 degrees. InFIG.3, the angle is shown as 155 degrees. InFIG.4, after the front end had bent upward, the angle is reduced to 140 degrees. Different angles are also possible. For example, theFIG.3position could start with a greater angle and theFIG.4position could end with a smaller angle such that the oscillation between one position and the other is larger than a 15 degree change between an angle of 155 degrees to 140 degrees (e.g., a 20 or 25 degree angle change). Similarly, the opposite could be true such that the oscillation is less than the 15 degree angle change (e.g., a 5 or 10 degree angle change). In some embodiments, the user can control the change in angle to set it higher or lower according to the user's preferences. In the embodiments ofFIGS.3and4, the device only bends in one plane toward the back and third ends, and does not move side-to-side or horizontally relative to the third end. Such a design allows the device to focus on applying and removing focused pressure directly to the G-spot as opposed to other areas that would be stimulated if the device also moved from side-to-side.

The design of the curved shaft658and the sliding component654generates bending and vibration motions that are smooth and not jerky. Also, because the front end501is bending as a whole, there is consistent movement over the silicone surface602of the front end501. Consequently, the silicone surface602is not mechanically aged when the personal massage device500is used, which increases the service life of the silicone surface602. In some embodiments, the front end501is capable of simultaneously bending and vibrating (e.g., with the first motor652and the gear motor660turned on simultaneously) to enhance the massaging effect of the personal massage device500. As described above for the embodiment that includes the third end, the user can control the settings of this embodiment, as well. For example, the user can have settings that the user rotates through with different patterns of undulation and different speeds of undulation, with different patterns of vibration and different speeds of vibration, with different combinations of undulation and vibration, and so forth. In other examples, the device can include separate controls for vibration versus undulation.

The second housing further encloses a controller that controls the motors652,660in the massage device500based on control signals (e.g., button presses on the control buttons510). For example, the controller may change the rotation the first motor652(i.e., to change the vibration frequency or amplitude at the first end501) in response to receiving a control signal. The controller may also change the rotation of the gear motor660(i.e., to adjust the speed of the bending motion) in response to receiving a control signal.

In some embodiments, the controller is an electrical circuit board620. In one embodiment, the electrical circuit board620is fixed to the first back shell616with one or more fasteners614. The battery662, charging connector624, first motor652, and gear motor660are electrically connected to the circuit board620.

In use, this embodiment of the massage device operates in generally the same manner as described above for the embodiment ofFIG.1. It generally vibrates and undulates at the front end to stimulate the G-spot. However, it does not include a third end for stimulation of the clitoris.

Operation of Personal Massager

FIG.7illustrates one embodiment of the operation of a personal massage device, such as those shown inFIGS.1-6. The method can include fewer, more, or different steps from those shown inFIG.7. The method is described from the standpoint of the massage device. The massager comes into contact with or receives contact702with the body. For example, it may be inserted into the vagina and contact a portion of the vagina. Where the device has a third end, it may also contact an outside portion of vaginal area, such as the clitoris. The device is initiated704or started, or receives instructions to initiate. For example, a user may select a user control to power on the device (e.g., depress a button to turn on the device), which sends an instruction to a controller of the device to power on one or more motors in the device to begin stimulation of the user. It may be initiated before or after it contacts702the body.

The device begins operation. Depending on the setting, the device may receive instructions to undulate, vibrate, or both. For example, a controller in the device may receive instructions and may control one or more motors in the body to cause them to operate according to a current setting of the device, or according to an initial setting of the device, or according to a specific instruction provided by the user for the setting. The front and third ends may both be operated or only one may be operated. For example, the front end may undulate706back and forth or up and down within a vagina of a user. As another example, the front end may vibrate708within a vagina of a user. Both of steps706and708may stimulate a G-spot of the user or otherwise stimulate the vagina, such as the vaginal opening or internal surface of the vagina. As a further example, the third end may vibrate710outside the vagina of the user for stimulation of the clitoris. Where the device has no third end, the step710may not occur.

The user can further manipulate the controls such that the device receives adjustment712of the settings or receives instructions at a controller to change the settings. For example, the user can depress a button that changes the setting (e.g., cycles from a first setting to a second setting, or instructs the device regarding a particular setting to apply). The settings can be changed such that the device uses any of steps706,708and710independently and/or simultaneously. The controller can receive instructions according to the user controls and can operate one or more motors of the device. For example, the front end of the device might be undulating706and vibrating708, and the adjustment712can activate the third end of the device that was previously not moving or vibrating to begin vibration710. As another example, the front and third ends may be vibrating708,710, and the adjustment712causes the front end to also begin undulating while simultaneously causing the frequency of vibration of the third end to increase and/or change in vibration pattern.

The device can continue to operate until it is powered off or removed from the body to end714operation. At this point all vibration708,710, and undulation706may stop.

CONCLUSORY STATEMENTS

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure.

All dimensions, materials, and specific numbers shown in the embodiments are given only by way of example, in order to aid the understanding of the invention; none of them are meant to limit the present invention, unless it is explicitly stated so.

Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.