CHAIR APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING SEXUAL INTIMACY
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention relates to a chair apparatus for facilitating sexual intimacy between a person and his or her sexual partner. The apparatus consists of a cushioned support surface connected to a base through resilient leaf spring legs. Alternately, the support surface can be designed to function as a resilient leaf spring itself, by material choice and fabrication techniques, and be directly coupled to the base or through rigid legs. The rebounding effect produced by the leaf springs reduces the effort needed for intimate activity creating a more pleasurable experience for the couple with less fatigue.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates generally to sexual aids, and more particularly to a chair apparatus that appears to be an ordinary chair, but is also capable of enhancing sexual activity between two people by reducing the amount of effort required by the participants.
2. Background of the Invention
The United States population is living longer but with more mobility diminishing ailments. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging, the percentage of people 65+ years of age in the US in 2013 was 14.1% and is expected to grow to 21.7% by 2040. Women are projected to make up 55.2% of those over the age of 65 in 2040. For one of the most common mobility diminishing ailments, arthritis, almost 1 out of every 5 US adults has been doctor diagnosed with the condition, two-thirds being younger than 65 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2015 data. Arthritis is also more common among women (26%) than men (19%) under the age of 65.
Ever since “Sexual dysfunction in the United States: prevalence and predictors”, the first population-based assessment of sexual dysfunction in the half-century since Kinsey et al. was published in The Journal of American Medical Association on Feb. 10, 1999, there have been a myriad of related studies on the subject. The results of many of these studies are reviewed, statistically analyzed, and compared in the Journal of Sexual Medicine article “Original Research–Epidemiology: What can Prevalence Studies Tell Us about Female Sexual Difficulty and Dysfunction?” (Journal of Sexual Medicine, 3: 589-595).
Among the results presented, more women experience sexual dysfunction than men, 43% compared to 31% . Consistent patterns in the published data also emerged. Among women with any sexual difficulty, on average, 64% (range 16–75%) experienced desire difficulty, 35% (range 16– 48%) experienced orgasm difficulty, 31% (range 12–64%) experienced arousal difficulty, and 26% (range 7–58%) experienced sexual pain. Two studies presented also investigated distress caused by sexual dysfunction. The proportion of women with sexual difficulty who were distressed averaged out to 44% (range 21–67%).
For two of the major dysfunction categories for women, experienced orgasm difficulty and experienced sexual pain, a highly recommended position for sexual activity is for the woman to be on top of the man. This position allows the woman more control over all aspects of the experience thereby increasing her chance at both achieving orgasm and sexual intercourse without pain. For the two remaining dysfunction categories, desire difficulty and arousal difficulty, often times a woman on top position where both partners are seated is recommended because of the extra intimacy and sensation the closeness and eye-contact can create.
In "a population-based survey of sexual activity, sexual problems, and associated help-seeking behavior patterns in mature adults in the United States of America" (International Journal of Impotence Research 2009;21), Laumann et al. found that 79.7% of women sought no help from a medical professional and 43.9% took no action concerning their sexual dysfunction. Among the reasons cited by women for not seeking help or advice was embarrassment about their dysfunction. This same study also found that “middle-aged and elderly men and women continue to show sexual interest and activity, in spite of the high prevalence of several sexual dysfunctions”.
Given that more women than men suffer from sexual dysfunction, have mobility limiting ailments such as arthritis, comprise a larger percent of the population, and that the most recommended position for sexually dysfunctional women is woman on top, there is a void in the current art of sexual aids and apparatus, when it comes to a female dominant (woman on top) sex chair. Furthermore, the apparatus needs to minimize the effort required by the participants, such as the energy returning/rebounding properties of a spring, thereby permitting the participants to engage in sexual activity for a much longer duration than normally possible with their motion limiting ailment and/or level of stamina. Since embarrassment can influence whether a woman seeks help for her dysfunction, the third requirement is that the apparatus needs to be aesthetically pleasing as well as not appear to be a sexual apparatus to the unknowing eye.
3. Examples of Prior Art
There are many examples of prior art for apparatus to facilitate sexual activity amongst two people. None combine the three attributes as follow: designed for the woman on top position, energy return, and stealth.
Several examples of prior art designed for the woman on top position are Wolfe et al. (US Pat. 4,373,222), Kundson, Jr. (US Pat. 4,825,855), Craft et al. (US Pat. 5,538,011), Yu (US Pat. 7,018,329), Albritton (US Pat. 7,887,127), and Vitaro [manufacturer claim from sales information] (US Pat. D530,933) . Wolfe, Kundson, Craft, Albritton, and Vitaro do not possess any form of energy return. Yu does posses energy return in the form of resilient belts and attempts stealth in it’s compact form, but the diminutive stature of the apparatus limits functionality.
In addition to Yu mentioned above, Bisyak (US Pat. 5,782,243), Fuhrman et al. (US Pat. 5,875,779), Maschke (US Pat. 5,971,480), and Fessler (US Pats. 6,640,808 & 6,745,774) all feature energy return. Bisyak and Maschke use either an elastic strap or a metal coil spring in extension respectively but are limited in their stealth abilities because they must be hung from the ceiling or a separate stand. Fuhrman et al. specifies energy return via flexible bands or cords and alternately by other resilient means, but no attempt at stealth is made. Fessler utilizes metal coil springs in compression to provide energy return but the short length of the springs limit stoke length and no attempt at stealth was made.
Three examples of a sexual apparatus designed for stealth are Sinohui, Jr. (US Pat. 6,338,344), Harris et al. (US Pat. 6,698,431), and Zwezdaryk (US Pat. 7,770,965). Shinohui and Zwezdaryk are not advantageous to woman on top position and lack any form of energy return. Harris can conceivablybe used for woman on top position but lacks energy return and it’s stealth relies on being hidden behind a specially built couch as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the patent.
No prior art of apparatus to facilitate sexual activity amongst two people is known to exist containing either of the following:
1: Energy return in the form of a leaf spring (a simple beam or stack of beams of metal or composite exhibiting an elastic property such as a bow or automobile suspension) in any form.
2: Energy return in the form of the actual structure or frame of the apparatus being composed of an elastic material and designed in such a way as to exploit that property.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides a chair apparatus for facilitating sexual intimacy between a person and his or her sexual partner. The chair apparatus closely resemble a common form of seating furniture (e.g. chaise, chair, or bench), and will function as such for a solitary occupant. The width of the seat area will be narrow enough to allow a woman to place one leg on either side while still being wide enough to comfortably support her partner seated underneath her. The chair apparatus will reduce the amount of effort required for intimate activity by rebounding or returning energy initially provided by the participants back to the activity through the use of a leaf spring. The leaf springs will be integrated into any number of supporting legs, support surface, or both by methods and materials consistent with the current state of the art of bow-making and/or vehicle suspension.
The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below:
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a chair apparatus having advantages not taught by the prior art. This was accomplished by achieving two secondary objectives. The first, utilizing a form of spring previously not taught in the art of sexual aids and apparatus. The second, to provide a chair apparatus that resembles and functions as an ordinary piece of furniture, thereby allowing it to be left in plain view without causing the owner embarrassment.
-Detailed Description of Invention Omitted-