PORTABLE VIBRATING DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE

• US 20100013610A1
• Filed: 08/30/2007
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey L. Schwieger
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey L. Schwieger
• Inventors: Schwieger, Jeffrey L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,174,371 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/407.100
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 13/023 with means for inducing vibration to the bristles
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/224 Electrical recharging arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 2204/002 using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 19/00 Massage for the genitals; Devices for improving sexual intercourse penis erection devices A61F5/41; vibration or percussion related aspects A61H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 19/44 Having substantially cylindrical shape, e.g. dildos
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 21/00 Massage devices for cavities of the body , e.g. nose, ears and anus for the genitals A61H19/00; Vibration or percussion related aspects A61H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0153 hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0207 heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0228 heated by an electric resistance element
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1685 interchangeable modular devices, A61H2201/0107
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/02 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/087 Genitals
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0254 with rotary motor
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/02 with moving magnets and stationary coil systems

Abstract

A vibrating device that operates without the need for replacement batteries is disclosed. An apparatus is disclosed for generating electrical power and supplying electrical power to a portable vibrating device. A portable vibrating device in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention is adapted to generate and store its own electrical energy, and is adapted to vibrate to alert a user of the device, or to provide various forms of stimulation to a user of the device.

Claims

1. A portable device for providing vibrational energy to be sensed by a user, the device comprising:

a housing;

an electrical energy generating source operatively coupled to the housing, the electrical energy generating source comprising a magnet and a charging coil, the magnet and charging coil adapted to move relative to one another to thereby generate electrical energy in the coil;

a charging circuit adapted to receive electrical energy generated by the electrical energy generating source, the charging circuit comprising a rectifier and an electrical energy storage device;

a vibration motor coupled to the housing, the vibration motor adapted to receive electrical energy from the electrical energy storage device, the vibration motor further adapted to impart vibrational energy to the housing; and

a switch adapted to deliver electrical energy from the electrical energy storage device to the vibration motor when the switch is closed.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the portable device is a handheld or wearable device that does not require replacement batteries.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the electrical energy generating source is housed entirely within the housing, and wherein the housing provides a watertight enclosure for the electrical energy generating source.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the vibration motor is coupled to the housing via a cantilever moment arm.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the vibration motor is adapted to operate at a resonant frequency of the cantilever moment arm to accentuate the vibrational energy imparted to the housing.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the magnet is adapted to be movable with respect to the housing.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the charging coil is adapted to be movable with respect to the housing.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing has an axis, and wherein movement of the housing generally along the axis in a reciprocating manner causes the magnet and coil to move relative to one another.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the rectifier is a full wave bridge rectifier.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the electrical energy storage device comprises one or more capacitors.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the electrical energy storage device comprises one or more rechargeable batteries.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the electrical energy storage device comprises two or more rechargeable batteries connected in series.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein the rechargeable batteries are Lithium batteries.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein the rechargeable batteries are Lithium ion batteries.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein the electrical energy storage device comprises at least one rechargeable battery connected in parallel with at least one capacitor.

16. The device of claim 8 wherein the portable device is a personal massage device.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein the personal massage device is a adapted to provide sexual stimulation.

18. The device of claim 17 further comprising one or more heating elements adapted to receive electrical energy from the electrical energy storage device, the heating elements disposed near a massage surface of the housing to transmit heat energy to the user.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the heating elements are resistive heating elements.

20. The device of claim 8 further comprising an indicator light adapted to illuminate when the housing has been moved generally along the axis in a reciprocating manner to store enough electrical energy in the electrical energy storage device to operate the device for its intended use.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein the indicator light illuminates when enough energy has been stored to operate the device for a predetermined period of time.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein the predetermined period of time is between 15 minutes and 5 hours.

23. A portable paging device for notifying a person of a condition, the portable paging device comprising:

a housing having an axis;

an electrical energy generating source operatively coupled to the housing, the electrical energy generating source comprising a magnet and a charging coil, the magnet and charging coil adapted to move relative to one another during a reciprocating motion of the housing generally along the axis, the relative movement of the magnet and charging coil adapted to generate electrical energy in the coil;

a charging circuit adapted to receive electrical energy generated by the electrical energy generating source, the charging circuit comprising a rectifier and an electrical energy storage device;

a vibration motor coupled to the housing, the vibration motor adapted to receive electrical energy from the electrical energy storage device, the vibration motor further adapted to impart vibrational energy to the housing;

a switch adapted to deliver electrical energy from the electrical energy storage device to the vibration motor when the switch is closed; and

a receiver, the receiver adapted to receive a signal from a control unit to cause the switch to close.

24. The device of claim 23 wherein the paging device is a restaurant pager, and wherein

the signal from the control unit indicates that a table is available.

25. A method of notifying a person of a certain condition, the method comprising:

imparting a reciprocating motion to a portable paging device, the portable paging device comprising;

a housing having an axis,

an electrical energy generating source operatively coupled to the housing, the electrical energy generating source comprising a magnet and a charging coil, the magnet and charging coil adapted to move relative to one another during a reciprocating motion of the housing generally along the axis, the relative movement of the magnet and charging coil adapted to generate electrical energy in the coil,

a charging circuit adapted to receive electrical energy generated by the electrical energy generating source, the charging circuit comprising a rectifier and an electrical energy storage device,

a vibration motor coupled to the housing, the vibration motor adapted to receive electrical energy from the electrical energy storage device, the vibration motor further adapted to impart vibrational energy to the housing,

a switch adapted to deliver electrical energy from the electrical energy storage device to the vibration motor when the switch is closed, and

a receiver, the receiver adapted to receive a signal from a control unit to cause the switch to close;

providing the portable paging device to the person to be notified of the certain condition; and

sending a signal from the control unit to the receiver when the certain condition is true.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the certain condition is a ready condition.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein the portable paging device is a restaurant pager and the certain condition is a table available for use.