The present invention relates to a penile constriction device.

Penile constriction devices consisting generally of an elastic ring adapted to encircle the penis closely adjacent the base thereof and adjacent the user's body are known from the prior art. They act by constricting the flow of blood within the organ in a selective manner so that relatively easy flow of blood into the organ is permitted whereas the return flow of blood out of the organ into the body is restricted. This will result in erection of the organ in many cases, and is also effective in permitting longer retention of an erection once it has been obtained, wherein the penile constriction device will then be effective in retaining the erection as long as may be necessary.

However, penile constriction devices have in the past been subject to certain disadvantages. In particular, there is a problem to apply to and remove a penile constriction device from the organ, especially if the organ is already erected or partially erected.

It is an object of the present invention, to improve a penile constriction device for an easier and more convenient application to the organ. In order to achieve the above and further objects, according to the present invention, there is provided a penile constriction device comprising an elongated body having elasticity and including first and second end portions, said elongated body being adapted to exhibit a ring shape in an operational mode, wherein the body is provided with such a shape and elasticity that in the operational mode both end portions are biased into mutually overlapping positions.

So, the device according to the present invention is not formed by a closed ring, but comprises an elongated body having first and second end portions. However, said first and second end portions are not permanently connected with each other. Rather, according to the present invention, the elongated body is provided with such a shape and elasticity that in the operational mode the elongated body exhibits a ring shape, but its both end portions are biased into mutually overlapping positions only, so that due to its biasing effect the elongated body wraps itself around the organ. So, the device according to the present invention wraps itself around the organ in order to apply sufficient force upon the organ and exhibits the function of a closed constriction ring in the operational mode, but there is always the option to open the elongated body for releasing the device from the organ by grabbing both end portions of the elongated and extending or spreading the elongated body. This is achieved by biasing both end portions into mutually overlapping positions without connecting with each other wherein the biasing force resulting from the elasticity is dimensioned so that the organ is subject to sufficient pressure on the one hand but the user is still able to apply a higher counterforce for compensation of said biasing force and, hence, opening of the elongated body on the other hand. After all, the present invention allows for an easy and convenient handling of the device along with the option to release the device from the organ whenever necessary.

Further advantageous embodiments and modifications of the present invention are defined in the dependent claims.

According to a preferred embodiment, the elongated body is provided with such a shape and elasticity that in the operational mode the body is biased so as to be twisted or to form at least a part of a coil or a helix. A coil or helix shape offers a tight and individually fitting to the organ.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the elongated body includes an elongated elastic spring member which is adapted to bias both end portions of the elongated body into mutually overlapping positions, wherein in particular the spring member may be adapted to bias the body into an at least partly twisted or helical or coii-shaped form. The provision of such an elongated elastic spring member is advantageous for wrapping the elongated body around the organ and achieving a tight and individual fitting shape under pressure.

A still further preferred embodiment comprises a head element, first coupling means provided at the head element, and second coupling means provided at a first end portion of the elongated body, said first and second coupling means being adapted to removably mount the head element to the first end portion of the elongated body. Due to the additional provision of a head element having a certain shape and/or function, the shape and/or function of the elongated body and, hence, of the whole device may be changed or even broadened, extended or increased. Since the coupling means are adapted to removably mount the head element to the first end portion of the elongated body, this embodiment offers the option to provide a plurality of different head elements having different shape and/or function among which the head element with the desired shape and/or function is selected for the current use, and hence to change the shape and/or function of the device by exchanging the head elements in accordance with the desired application.

According to an advantageous modification of the aforementioned embodiment, the head element includes vibration means adapted to transfer vibrations to an outer surface of the head element. So, the head element may be used to accommodate vibration means without affecting the size of the elongated body. The first coupling means may be adapted to transfer vibrations created by the vibration means to the second coupling means and, hence, to the elongated body in order to enhance the vibration effect. Moreover, a button for controlling the vibration means may be provided at an outer surface of the head element.

According to a still further modification of the aforementioned embodiment, the head element comprises illuminating means which may be located at a portion of the head element where the first coupling means is provided. The illuminating means may surround the head element and in particular its portion where the first coupling means is provided and/or the first coupling means so as to form a surrounding illuminating ring.

So, according to the aforementioned modifications, the head element may be provided for creating vibrations and/or light. However, the head element is not restricted to a vibrating and/or illuminating function, but open to whatsoever other different useful functions.

Further, the head element may include a battery and the first coupling means may include a electrical connector for connection of an electrical cable for charging the battery. So, the head element can be advantageously used for accommodation of a battery without affecting the size of the elongated body.

If the head element is provided with illuminating means and includes a battery, the illuminating means may also be used to indicate the charging condition of the battery.

According to a still further preferred embodiment, an outer surface of the elongated body is at least partly made of silicon which in particular may be a satin finished flexible silicon. in the following, a preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective side view of a penile constriction ring according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a completely assembled state;

Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the penile constriction ring of Fig. 1 with its head element being separated from its elongated body; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the head element and a cable disconnected from the head element .

Fig. 1 shows a penile constriction ring according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a completely assembled state and in an operational mode. The penile constriction ring comprises an elongated body 2 having a first end portion 2a and a second end portion 2b. In the shown embodiment, the elongated body 2 forms a strip-like element. Further, the elongated body 2 is provided with such a shape and elasticity that in the operational mode, as shown in Fig. 1 , both its end portions 2a, 2b are biased into mutually overlapping positions so as to be twisted or to form at least a part of a coil or a helix. Preferably, the material of the elongated body 2 may be polyethylene and/or polypropylene, and/or the elongated body 2 is covered by a layer or a skin made of satin finished flexible silicon.

Preferably, the elongated body 2 includes an elongated elastic spring member (not shown in the figures) which creates the required biasing force so as to bias the elongated body 2 into an at least partly twisted or helical or coil-shaped form in the operational mode according to Fig. 1. Due to biasing into the operational mode, the elongated body 2 wraps itself around the organ, wherein the helix shape shown in Fig. 1 offers a tight and individually fitting shape. In order to release the penile constriction ring from the organ, both end portions 2a, 2b of the elongated body 2 are grasped and extended so as to enable the elongated body 2 to be 'unwound' against the intrinsic biasing force. However, when letting loose the end portions 2a, 2b of the elongated body 2, the elongated body 2 will return due to the biasing force from an extended shape to the he!ix shape in the operational mode according to Fig. 1.

As further shown in the figures, the penile constriction ring according to the described embodiment comprises a head element having an end portion 4a. The head element 4 with its end portion 4a is mounted to the first end portion 2a of the elongated body as shown in Fig. 1. In the shown embodiment, the head element 4 defines an elongated piece whose shape is adapted to the shape of the elongated body 2, so that the head element 4 appears to be integral in shape with the elongated body 2.

Whereas the elongated body 2 is made of flexible or elastic material, in the described embodiment the head element 4 is made of rigid plastic material which preferably may be provided with a satin finished metal optic. As further seen from the figures, the head element 4 is provided with rounded edges and slightly convex surfaces so as to obtain a smooth appearance.

As further shown in Fig. 1 , the head element 4 comprises an illuminating ring 6 which surrounds the end portion 4a of the head element along its edge.

In the described embodiment, the head element 4 further includes a vibration means (not shown in the figures) which is adapted to transfer vibrations to the surface of the head element 4 as well as into the elongated body 2. In order to activate or deactivate the vibration means in the head element 4, an on/off button 8 is provided on the surface of the head element 4. Additionally or alternatively, the on/off button 8 may be provided to switch on and off the illuminating ring 6.

Fig. 2 shows the head element 4 disconnected from the elongated body 2. So, in the described embodiment, the mounting of the head element 4 to the elongated body 2 is reieasable. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a male connector 10 is arranged at an end face 4d limiting the end portion 4a of the head element 4. As further shown in Fig. 2, the first end portion 2a of the elongated body 2 comprises an end face 2c including an opening 12 which is provided as female connector. The male connector 10 at the head element 4 and the opening 12 in the end face 2c of the elongated body 2 are shaped and dimensioned such that the male connector 10 of the head element 4 fits into the opening 12 of the elongated body 2. The male connector 10 and the opening 12 comprise complementary engaging portions which are adapted to provide between the head element 4 and the elongated body 2 a tight coupling which, however, is releasable. In particular, said engaging portions may comprise releasably arresting means. Further, the male connector 10 and the opening 12 are adapted to transfer vibrations created by the vibration means in the head element 4 to the elongated body 2.

Since preferably the illuminating ring 6 and the aforementioned vibration means are electrically operated, the head element 4 includes a chargeable battery (not shown in the figures) for supplying the illuminating ring 6 and the vibration means with electrical power. As shown in Fig. 3, for charging the battery is connected to an electrical socket 14 provided in the male connector 10. The socket 14 is adapted to accommodate a lug jack 16 of an electrical plug 18 coupled with a cable 20 in order to connect the battery in the head element 4 to an external electrical charging device for charging the battery. Fig. 3 shows the electrical plug 18 with its cable 20 disconnected from the socket 14 at the head element 4. Preferably, the illuminating ring 6 is also used to indicate the charging condition of the battery, e.g. by emitting a flash light.