GB2435424A

GB2435424A - Toroidal device for engaging an object

Info

Publication number: GB2435424A
Application number: GB0603497A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jason Cooke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-02-22
Filing date: 2006-02-22
Publication date: 2007-08-29
Also published as: GB0603497D0

Abstract

A device for engaging an elongate object comprises an elongate toroidal vessel T having a valve V by which the vessel T may be filled with fluid, the vessel T being made of flexible material and the toroidal vessel T defining and encompassing an elongate passageway 3 through the vessel T for receiving the elongate object. The fluid may be liquid or air. The device may be use in a method for extracting semen from a male mammal or as a masturbation device. Also disclosed is a device for engaging an object comprising of a torus T of flexible fluid tight material filled with fluid about a central passageway 3, the torus T having a closed toroidal space and means 6, 10 connected to the surface of the material for rotating the surface about the toroidal space, thereby to bring the object into the central passageway 3, further holding the object in place by restricting the rotation of the toroidal space.

Description

Device and Method of Use The present invention relates to a device for,

and method ot engaging objects, and to a method of use of the device.

A children's toy known as a "watersnake" is available in the UK from Hawkin's Bazaar and other shops. The toy comprises a water filled torus.

The torus is formed from an open ended elongate tube of flexible plastics sheet. The opposite ends are folded over the outer surface of the tube and the o brought into overlapping engagement and sealed to form the closed torus.

Water is introduced into the torus at some point during the process. Whilst an ideal torus has a central opening, in the case of the watersnake the wall defining that passage is collapsed into the passage. The watersnake is difficult to hold because gripping the watersnake in one place displaces the I 5 water within which causes the flexible sheet to move away from the area gripped.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device !br engaging an object, the device comprising a torus of flexible fluid-tight 2o material, the torus having a closed toroidal space, filled with fluid, about a central passage, and means connected to the surface of the material for rotating the surface about the toroidal space, thereby to bring the object into the central passage.

The device allows an object to be engaged within the passage of the torus and can be further held by restricting the rotation of the toroidal space. Because the torus, and thus the wall of the central passage of the torus, is flexible, the S device can engage objects of irregular shape.

In an example of the torus the wall defining the central passage is collapsed into the passage. The object to be engaged deflects the wall to enter into the passage. That provides a secure grip by the torus onto the object and can be further held by restricting the rotation of the torus.

A machine according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a device according to said one aspect, and means for supporting the device.

The supporting means may be means by which the device may be attached to a further device for moving the device within a co-ordinate field such as an industrial robot.

The means which moves the device may be arranged to move it in one or more of three orthogonal directions. It may, additionally or alternatively, move the device in one or more of three rotational directions.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for engaging an elongate object comprising an elongate toroidal vessel having a valve via which the vessel may be filled with fluid the vessel being defined by a flexible material, the toroidal vessel defining, and encompassing, an elongate passage through the vessel for receiving the elongate object.

In use the device is filled with the fluid by a user. The fluid may be gas for s example air, or liquid for example water.

Such a device is able to engage an object, particularly an elongate object but can be used to engage other objects which may of irregular shape.

The device allows an object to be engaged within the passage of the torus and can be further held by restricting the rotation of the toroidal space. Because the torus and thus the wall of the central passage of the torus is flexible, the device can engage objects of irregular shape.

In an example of the torus the wall defining the central passage is collapsed into the passageway. The object to be engaged deflects the wall to enter into the passage. That provides a secure grip by the torus onto the object and can be further held by restricting the rotation of the torus.

I'hus the device of the second aspect of the invention may be used in the same way as that of the first aspect including being attachable to an industrial robot for engaging objects.

I lowever, a device in accordance with the second aspect has another purpose which is described hereinbelow.

There is also knwn, but not from children's toys and toy shops, a device sold under the tradename "WaterWoman" and described as a male masturbator. That comprises a double walled bag of flexible plastics sheet.

The bag has, at one end, an opening into a passage for receiving an erect penis. The passage is closed at its other end. The other end of the bag, adjacent the closed end of the passage, is also closed except for a valve communicating with the interior space between the two walls of the bag and surrounding the passage. The valve allows that space to be filled with water (or air) tending to collapse the inner wall of the bag into the passage.

Insertion of an erect penis into the passage deflects the inner wall. The WaterWoman" simulates a vagina.

the device of the second aspect of the invention may be used as a device is which simulates a mouth.

A further aspect of the invention provides a packet containing a device according to said second aspect of the invention, and lubricant for lubricating at least part of the object. The packet may further contain a member for 21) slidingly engaging the object in the passageway.

A yet further aspect of the invention provides a packet containing a device according to said second aspect of the invention and a member for slidingly engaging the object in the passageway.

The packet may be dimensioned to be vendable in a vending machine. The device of the second aspect is provided with the said valve to allow the device to be empty of fluid in the packet to facilitate such vending and to reduce storage space and transport costs.

The member for slidingly engaging the object may be a comprise a tubular element for containing a finger.

The device, and the packet, may be used for the purpose set out in the method oithe following aspects of the invention.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided of the invention, there is provided a method of extracting semen from a male I 5 mamma! comprising the steps of inserting an erect penis into the passage of a device according to said second aspect of the invention when the device is filled with the said fluid, and stimulating the penis to ejaculation.

The penis may be stimulated with the said member for slidingly engaging the penis with the aid of lubricant thereto.

The device is intended in this aspect of the invention to simulate a mouth and lips engaged about an erect penis.

The member for slidingly engaging the penis is intended to simulate a tongue.

The member for slidingly engaging the penis may be a finger, a tubular element for containing a finger or similar object. The tubular element may be of plastics, rubber or other suitable material. It may be treated so as to provide an appropriate sensual effect to simulate the action of a tongue upon a penis.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which: 1 0 Figures 1 A and B illustrate the formation of an example of a torus according to the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates an example of a torus according to the present invention; Figures 3A and B illustrate how the torus of Figure 2 engages an irregular object; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a device for engaging objects; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of one example of a machine using the device of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of another example of a torus according to the present invention; and Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of a packet containing an example of the device of Figure 6 and other items.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a tube I of flexible sheet. The two ends olthe tube are folded over the outer surface of the tube towards the middle of the tube as shown in Figures 1 A and lB. The two ends are brought into overlapping contact and sealed to form a torus T as shown in Figure 2. The torus thus has a closed toroidal vessel 2 about a central passage 3. In an ideal torus the central passage 3 would be open. However in this example the s flexible wall about the passage is collapsed into the passage. The toroidal tube is filled with fluid. The fluid may be a gas for example air, or a liquid fbr example oil or water. The example shown in Figure 2 is an elongate torus, being elongate in the direction of the central passage.

The sheet may be of plastic or rubber. Examples of suitable materials include: latex rubber or polyurethane.

Alternatively the tube may be of other material. It may be of' a composite material for example plastic sheet covered, on that surface which in use will he the outer surface of the torus, by tough material for example metal fabric.

Referring to Figures 3A and B, the device is used, in accordance with one application of the invention, to engage an object 4 which may be of irregular shape as shown. One end of the passage 3 is brought into engagement with the object 4. The outer surface 5 of the torus and the inner surface within the passage 3 is rotated about the closed toroidal space, in the direction indicated by the arrow A, onto the object. That is the outer surface 5 is moved towards the object and the inner surface away from the object. This draws the object into the passage 3. Because the inner surface within the passage is collapsed into the passage and is deflected by the object, the object is held tightly in the passage. To hold the object in the torus, the rotation of the surface of the tours is stopped. To release the object, the surface is rotated in the opposite direction.

s Referring to Figure 4, an illustrative embodiment of the device comprises a torus as described with reference to Figure 2 T filled with fluid and a carrier which supports the torus T. A straight member 6 extends from the carrier into the passage 3 in the torus and is connected to a point on the surface of the torus within the passage. The member 6, and the point at which it is I I) connected to the torus, is fixed relative to the carrier in this example. A rotator 10 is fixed at one end to the outer surface of the torus. The rotator is movable parallel to the member 6 relative to the point at which the member 6 is fixed within the passage. Moving the rotator 10 has the effect of rotating the surface of the torus as described with reference to Figures 3A and B. The rotator 10 is moved by a drive 22 which in this example is supported on the carrier 20. A controller 24 controls the rotator to cause the drive to engage an object and to release an object as desired by a user.

In a modified version, the member 6 may be the movable member and member 10 may be fixed whereby rotation is done by moving member 6.

Both members 6 and 10 move, in opposite linear directions but in the same rotatary sense, in another modification.

The carrier 20 may allow the device of Figure 4 to be attached to a machine fbr moving the object. Such a machine may be an industrial robot for

example.

Au example of such a machine to which the device is attached is shown schematically in Figure 5.

The torus T and the carrier 20 are attached to the machine which is operable to bring the torus into engagement with an object 4 positioned in a predetermined position where it may be released from the torus. In this example the machine can move the object, once engaged, in any one or more of three orthogonal axes X, Y and Z. Additionally or alternatively, the machine may be able to move the tours and its carrier in one or more of three rotational directions.

The machine comprises a Z axis support Z, a Y axis support Y and an X axis support X. Each support comprise means for moving the torus and its carrier in that axis. Such means are within the skill of those skilled in the relevant art and need no further description here. They may take forms other than those I 5 shown schematically in Figure 5.

In the example shown the X axis support carries the torus T together with the carrier 20.

Lowering the carrier 20 can bring the torus T into engagement with a suitably positioned object 4, which can then be engaged within the passage 3 of the torus T by moving the rotator 10. The object 4 may be brought to the machine by a conveyor 24.

Whilst reference has been made to objects of irregular shape, the invention may be applied to objects of regular shape. The invention may be used to engage, one at a time, many objects of differing shape because the flexible material of the torus adapts to the shapes of the objects.

Figure 6 illustrates another version of the torus T. In this version, the torus has a valve V communicating with the closed toroidal space 2 to allow the torus, initially empty of fluid, to be filled. The valve may also allow the torus to he emptied. That reduces the weight and bulk of the torus for storage and transport before use. Such a torus may be used in place of the torus described above with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

A torus as shown in Figure 6, empty of fluid, may be packaged in a packet P as shown schematically in Figure 7 together with one or both of a suitable lubricant L and a stimulator S. The packet is adapted to be vendable from a veiiding machine. Instead of lubricant, or in addition thereto, the pack may include a lubricated condom or enough lubricant on the torus T that the stimulator S, which could be a user's finger, requires no further lubrication.

The contents of the packet P are intended to be used as follows by a male user with or without a partner. The user fills the torus with fluid, for example by blowing air into it to inflate it via the valve V. Alternatively it could be lilled with water which may be warm water, via the valve V. The user inserts his erect penis into the passage 3 through the torus, whereby the torus simulates a mouth and lips engaged with the penis. Lubricant L may be

II

applied to assist that. In this example the user may keep the penis engaged inside the torus by pinching the top or the bottom of the torus thus preventing the torus from rotating off the penis. Pulling up on the torus while rotation is denied simulates a sucking sensation to the penis. The stimulator S is used to simulate a tongue. It is applied to the penis either within the passage 3 or adjacent the exit of the passage. The lubricant L may be used with the stimulator S. In this example the stimulator S is a finger, a glove or at least one finger tube K) into which the user places one of his fingers for the purpose of the necessary stimulation sought by the user. The glove or finger tube may be of latex rubber or polyurethane. The stimulator may be designed, for example by use ola suitable surface texture, to enhance the sensual feel thereof I 5 The torus may be used only once and then disposed of The valve may be a one way valve but it is preferable that it allows the toroidal space 2 to be emptied of fluid.

Claims

CLAIMS

I. A device for engaging an elongate object comprising an elongate toroidal vessel having a valve via which the vessel may be filled with fluid the vessel being defined by a flexible material, the toroidal vessel defining, and encompassing, an elongate passageway through the vessel for receiving the elongate object.

2. A device according to claim I, wherein the flexible material of the vessel defining the passageway is collapsed into the passageway and is I ü deflectable by the elongate object.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the valve is operable to release fluid from the vessel.

i s 4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the flexible material is a iilastic or rubber material.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the plastic or rubber material is: latex rubber or polyurethane 6. A device according to claim I, 2, 3, 4 or 5, filled with fluid.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the fluid is gas.

8. A device according to claim 6 or 7 where the fluid is air.

9. A device according to claim 6, where the fluid is a liquid.

10. A device according to claim 6 or 9 where the fluid is water.

I. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the vessel is substantially empty of fluid.

12. A packet containing a device according to any one of claims I to 5 and II, and lubricant for lubricating at least part of the object.

13. A packet according to claim 12, further containing a member for slidingly engaging the object in the passageway.

14. A packet containing a device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and I I and a member for slidingly engaging the object in the passageway.

I 5. A packet according to claim 1 3 or 14 where the member for slidingly engaging the object comprises a tubular element for containing a finger.

16. A device for engaging an object, the device comprising a torus of flexible fluid-tight material, the torus having a closed toroidal space, filled with fluid, about a central passageway, and means connected to the surface of the material for rotating the surface about the toroidal space, thereby to bring the object into the central passageway, further holding the object in place by restricting the rotation of the toroida! space.

17. A device according to claim 16, wherein the said material includes s material selected from the group comprising latex rubber or polyurethane 18. A device according to claim 16 or 17, further comprising means for supporting the torus.

1 o 1 9. A machine comprising a device according to claim 16, 17 or 18 and means for moving the device.

20. A machine according to claim 19, wherein the moving is operable to move the device in at least one of three orthogonal directions.

21. A machine according to claim 20, wherein the moving means is operable to move the device in two or three of said orthogonal directions.

22. A machine according to claim 19, 20 or 21 wherein the moving means is operable to move the device in at least one of three different rotational directions.

23. A machine according to claim 19, 20, 21 or 22 comprising a conveyor for bringing objects to the said device.

24. A machine according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the said material is a composite having a tough exterior surface for engaging the object.

25. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 6.

26. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 4 27. A machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 5.

28. A packet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 7.

29. A method of extracting semen from a male mammal comprising the steps of inserting an erect penis into the passage of a device according to any one of claims 6 to 10, and claims 16, 17 and 21 when the device is filled with the said fluid, and stimulating the penis to ejaculation.

30. A method according to claim 29 wherein the step of stimulating uses a stimulator.

3 1. A method according to claim 30 wherein the step of stimulating comprises applying lubricant to the penis and/or stimulator.

32. A method according to claim 31 wherein the stimulator comprises a finger or a tubular element containing a finger of the user.