Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE: MASCULINE BRACE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to surgical splints for supporting a flaccid
penis in an erected attitude during sexual intercourse, and more
particularly, it pertains to a male brace that has smooth surfaces and
resilient straps which are operable with one hand for easy installation or
removal of the brace.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Male braces are used by those suffering from erectile dysfunction
affections and are alternatives to medication, vigour-enhancing vitamins,
surgical interventions and inflatable implants. There are numerous devices
available in the prior art which are usable by males in order to improve
their abilities to participate in a sexual intercourse. Some of these devices
are described in the following documents:
US Patent 853,410, issued on May 14, 1907 to E. D. Huebner;
1 S US Patent 1,362,398, issued on Dec. 14, 1920 to L. H. Crawford et al.;
US Patent 1,585,861, issued on May 25, 1926 to W. H. Huff;
US Patent 3,495,588, issued on Feb. 17, 1970 to R. S. Waiters;
US Patent 3,920,007, issued on Nov. 18, 1975 to R. M. Line;
US Patent 4,074,712, issued on Feb. 21, 1978 to A. F. Wright;
US Patent 4,262,662, issued on Apr. 21, 1981 to F. W. Allinson;
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US Patent 4,262,663, issued on Apr. 21, 1981 to F. W. Allinson;
US Patent 4,449,521, issued on May 22, 1984 to J. S. Panzer;
US Patent 4,672,954, issued on Jun. 16, 1987 to J. S. Panzer;
US Patent 4,872,447, issued on Oct. 10, 1989 to M. V. Tsirjulnikov et al.;
S US Patent 5,065,744, issued on Nov. 19, 1991 to Z. A. Zusmanovsky;
US Patent 5,800,340, issued on Sep. 1, 1998 to V. Gekhter et al.;
US Patent 5,911,686, issued on Jun. 15, 1999 to J. Kohut;
Russian document SU 1,826,885 published in July 1993;
Russian document RU 2,003,307 published in Nov. 1993.
It is believed that the prior art devices have been used in the past
with varying degrees of success. It is believed that the limited success of
these devices is due to the fact that some of these braces have protruding
clips, hinges and other ferrules which tend to irritate the skin of the user
or
of his partner. Some devices of the prior art have converging surfaces at
either extremity relative to the longitudinal axis thereof. These converging
surfaces tend to pinch the skin during sexual intercourse or catch pelvis
hair, resulting in much discomfort to the user or to his partner. Some other
prior devices comprise rod-like elements and bendable components, the
installation of which requires intricate manipulations that are only
understood by the mechanically-minded individuals.
As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for
a new and improved male brace which does not have any protruding edges
or converging surfaces relative to the longitudinal axis thereof, and which
has a self explanatory structure that is usable without instruction.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a masculine brace for supporting a
flaccid penis during sexual intercourse. The masculine brace has soft and
smooth shapes free of crevices and sharp edges. The masculine brace has
a self explanatory appearance and is manufacturable in various sizes and
in configurations that are operable with one hand.
In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
masculine brace having a stiff splint member which has an elongated
channel configuration, a rear end and a front end. A first pair of straps
extends from the rear end of the stiff splint member and jointly define a
rear circular clamp oriented transversely relative to the stiff splint member
for clamping a penis at its base. A second pair of straps extends from an
intermediate region along the stiff splint member at a distance from the
first pair of straps, and jointly define a front circular clamp oriented
transversely relative to the stiff splint member for clamping a penis at an
intermediate region thereof. The masculine brace also comprises a bulb
affixed to the front end of the stiff splint member. The bulb has a circular
projection in line with the front and rear circular clamps.
The principal advantages of the masculine brace according to the
present invention are that the front and rear circular clamps are usable for
holding the stiff splint member against a lower region of a penis for
supporting the penis in an erected attitude, and the stiff splint member and
the bulb are usable for simulating an action of an erected penis when that
penis is affected by an erectile dysfunction affection.
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In another feature of the present invention, the material of
construction of the masculine brace comprises a skeletal structure made of
a rigid and resilient material and a coating made of a soft, smooth and
sanitary material. The masculine brace is manufacturable in various sizes
and various stiffness.
In another aspect of the present invention, the straps in the first and
second pairs of straps comprise inside straps and outside straps, and the
inside straps are joined to each other by a tendon. The straps in the front
and second pairs of straps are thereby operable simultaneously with one
hand.
In another aspect of the present invention, one of the rear straps
supports a pubis cushion that is usable in cooperation with the symphysis
bone of the user to generate thrust.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, the first and second
straps extend helically from an intermediate region of the stiff splint
member in a cross-over arrangement, toward the rear end of the stiff splint
member. The first and second straps define with the stiff splint member
a cylindrical clamping cavity, for simultaneously clamping a penis along
a mid-region and a base thereof. This feature of the present invention is
advantageous for allowing the operation of the straps using one hand,
working near the rear end of the masculine brace.
In yet a further feature of the present invention, the masculine brace
also comprises a U-shaped thrust flange mounted to the rear end of the stiff
splint member. The thrust flange adds comfort and convenience to the use
of the masculine brace.
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Other advantages and novel features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Three embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote like parts
throughout the several views, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the masculine brace according to the first
preferred embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the masculine brace according to the first preferred
embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the masculine brace according to the first
preferred embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a cross-section view through the masculine brace according to
the first preferred embodiment taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the masculine brace according to the
second preferred embodiment;
FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the masculine brace according to the
second preferred embodiment having a pubis cushion mounted
thereon;
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FIG. 7 illustrate an installation of the masculine brace according to the
second preferred embodiment and a preferred positioning of the
pubis cushion adjacent the symphysis bone of a user;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the masculine brace according to the third
preferred embodiment of the present invention, in an installed
mode;
FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the masculine brace according to the third
preferred embodiment;
FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the masculine brace according to the
third preferred embodiment;
FIG. 11 illustrates another side view of the masculine according to the
third preferred embodiment and a preferred method of installation
thereof;
FIG. 12 illustrates a preferred method for removing the masculine brace
according to the third preferred embodiment from the vagina of a
woman.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be described in
details herein three specific embodiments of the invention, with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an example
of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention
to the embodiments illustrated.
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Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 to 3, the structure and best mode of
operation of the masculine brace 20 according to the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention are illustrated therein.
The masculine brace 20 comprises broadly, a stiff splint member 22,
a first pair of straps 24, 24' extending from the rear end of the stiff splint
member 22 for circling a penis 26 at its base, and a second pair of straps
28, 28' extending from an intermediate region of the stiff splint member
22, for circling an intermediate region of a penis 26. The spacing between
the two pairs of straps is preferably such that the second straps 28, 28' are
positional adjacent the glans on a penis as illustrated in FIG.1. The front
end of the stiff splint member 22, is integrated with a resilient bulb 30,
which is shaped to simulate an enlarged glans. The stiff splint member 22
is mounted at right angle with the circumference of the bulb 30 and is
tangent with the outside surface of the bulb 30. The bulb 30 has a circular
projection 32 which is substantially in line with the alignment and the
overall diameter of the circular clamps defined by the first and second pairs
of straps.
Referring now to FIG. 4 the stiff splint member 22 preferably has
a channel-shaped cross-section and a trough 34 along the inside surface
thereof for conforming to the cross-section of a penis.
Also in reference to FIG. 4 in particular, the straps 24, 24' and 28,
28', are preferably integrally molded with the stiff splint member 22 and
extend from the longitudinal edges of the splint member 22. Each strap
has a substantially semi-circular shape and the straps in each pair extend
beside each other as to enclose a penis 26 completely. The end of at least
each strap in the second pair of straps 28, 28' has a rounded bulge 36, 36'
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formed thereon. These bulges or beads are particularly useful for enlarging
a clamping circle defined by the straps, by applying forces thereon in
opposite directions as indicated by the arrows 38, 38' in FIG. 4. When
both pairs of straps are pressed in this manner, the masculine brace 20 is
easily installed for use.
The preferred material of construction of the stiff splint 22 is a soft,
non-irritating and non-absorbent plastic material being unbreakable and
having a stiffness which is at least as much as the stiffness of an erected
penis, but not substantially more.
The preferred material of construction of the straps is also a soft,
non-irritating and non-absorbent plastic material having a thin cross-
section, resilience and shape-memory properties, such that each strap
retains its original shape and clamping ability during use of the masculine
brace 20.
The preferred material of construction of the bulb 30 is a soft, non-
irritating, non-absorbent and elastic material having a firmness similar to
that of an erected penis, but not substantially more.
The preferred firmness of the bulb 30 mentioned above as well as
the aforesaid preferred stiffness of the splint member 22, are sufficient for
their intended functions but not substantially more in order to prevent any
discomfort to the user as well as to the partner of the user.
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The plastic and elastic materials mentioned hereinbefore are teflon,
silicon, latex or similar soft, smooth and sanitary material. The material of
construction of the masculine brace 20 can also include a skeletal structure
or a core made with resilient plastic or stainless steel and coated with
teflon, silicon, latex or similar soft, smooth and sanitary material.
All surfaces of the masculine brace 20 are formed with large radii,
without crevice, metal part or sharp edge and converging surface relative
to the longitudinal axis thereof. All surfaces are soft and smooth to the
touch. As can be appreciated, the shapes of the parts and the overall
structure of the masculine brace 20 makes it particularly advantageous for
use with a condom if desired.
The masculine brace 20 is preferably manufactured in different
sizes with different clamping diameters, different lengths, different
spacings between the pair of straps, different sizes of bulbs and different
stiffness.
It will be appreciated that the clamping diameter defined by the first
pair of straps 24, 24' may be slightly smaller than the clamping diameter
defined by the second pair of straps 28, 28' to provide a slightly tighter
clamping effect at the base of a penis 26, and to prevent a premature
softening of an erected penis affected by an erectile dysfunction affection.
Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown therein a second
embodiment of the preferred masculine brace which does not differ
substantially from the first preferred embodiment. The second preferred
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embodiment 40 has a stiff splint member, a resilient bulb and two pairs of
straps for retention thereof to a penis, as previously explained. The straps
in each pair are oriented in opposite directions.
In the second preferred embodiment 40, the inside straps 42, 44 in
the front and rear pair of straps respectively are oriented in a same
direction and are j oined to each other by a longitudinal tendon 46. The
longitudinal tendon 46 is particularly advantageous for installing the
masculine brace 40 with one hand as illustrated in FIG. 5.
The installation of the masculine brace 40 according to the second
preferred embodiment is preferably effected by pressing the tendon 46
with the thumb 48 in one direction while pressing the outside strap 50 on
the front pair of straps with the index finger 52 and pressing the outside
strap 54 on the rear pair of straps with the third finger 56, in the opposite
direction to simultaneously stretch out and enlarge the clamping diameters
of both pairs of straps. The masculine brace 40 is then easily slipped over
and installed over a penis. The removal of the masculine brace 40 is
similarly effected.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the masculine brace according to
the second preferred embodiment is usable with a pubis cushion 60
mounted over the outside strap 54. The pubis cushion 60 is made of a
sponge-like material and its use allows the user of the masculine brace 40
to use his body, through the symphysis bone 62 acting against the pubis
cushion 60 to generate the thrust that simulates the natural act.
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In FIGS. 8 to 11 there are illustrated several views of the masculine
brace according to the third preferred embodiment 80. The third
embodiment is similar to the first and second preferred embodiments as all
three braces have a splint member 22, a bulb 30 similarly mounted to the
end of the splint member and soft and smooth surfaces. The masculine
brace according to the third preferred embodiment 80, however, has a pair
of helical straps 82, 84 extending from an intermediate region along the
splint member 22 to the rear end of the splint member and crossing over
each other substantially at a mid-point thereof. The helical straps 82, 84
define with the splint member 22 a cylindrical clamping cavity similar to
the first and second embodiments and as can be understood from FIG. 4,
wherein the cross-over point 86 of the straps is opposite the splint member
22. The helical straps 82, 84 constitute a variant of the first and second
preferred embodiments in that they define with the splint member 22 a
cylindrical clamping cavity for simultaneously clamping a penis at a mid-
region and at a base thereof. Each of straps 82, 84 has on its rear end a
raised tab, labelled as 88 and 90 respectively. The masculine brace 80
further has a U-shaped trust flange 92 mounted to the rear end of the splint
member 22 adjacent the raised tabs 88, 90. The thrust flange 92 is made
of a soft, smooth and sanitary material that has slightly less stiffness than
the splint member 22, relative to their respective purposes.
The masculine brace 80 is installed and removed by pressing the
raised tabs toward each other with the thumb 94 and the index finger 96 of
a same hand as illustrated in FIG. 11 to enlarge the cylindrical cavity
defined by the straps. The positions of the raised tabs 88, 90 adjacent the
rear end of the splint member 22 are advantageous for removing the
masculine brace 80 if desired once penetration is completed, as shown in
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FIG. 12. The positions of the raised tabs 88, 90 and of the thrust flange
92 are also advantageous because these parts project outside the partner's
vagina at all times, thereby facilitating the removal of the masculine brace
80 during sexual intercourse if the need arises and the retrieving of the
masculine brace 80 from the partner's vagina.
As to other material of construction, other manner of operation and
methods of manufacture of the present invention, the same should be
apparent from the above description and accompanying drawings and
accordingly, further discussion relative to these aspects would be
considered redundant and is not provided.
While three embodiments of the present invention have been
illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove, it
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications,
alternate constructions and equivalents may be employed without departing
from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the above
description and the illustrations should not be construed as limiting the
scope of the present invention which is defined by the appended claims.
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