Sensory Stimulating Apparatus and Method(s) of Using the Same

Abstract

A sensory stimulating apparatus and methods of use, comprising an elongated connector having opposing first and second ends, said first and second opposing ends being respectively operably coupled to a first ratchet having a first hollow cavity and to one of a second ratchet having a second hollow cavity, and a solid disk. The first ratchet has teeth, a click that engages with the teeth, such that the click easily slides over the teeth in an unrestricted direction of rotation and will catch or lock on the first tooth it encounters in a restricted direction of rotation. A first soft ball rotatably coupled within the hollow cavity of the first ratchet, such that rotation of the elongated connector in the restricted direction causes the ratchet to rotate. The first soft ball moves the first ratchet when rotated in the unrestricted direction, producing a vibration.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus that provides sensory stimulation, comprising
 an elongated connector having opposing first and second ends,
 wherein the first opposing end is operably coupled to a first ratchet having a first hollow cavity, and 
 wherein the second opposing end is operably coupled to one of a second ratchet having a second hollow cavity, or a solid shape, 
 wherein the first ratchet has teeth, a click that engages with the teeth, an unrestricted direction of rotation such that the click easily slides over the teeth and a restricted direction of rotation such that the click will catch on the first tooth it encounters locking against the tooth and preventing any further rotation in that direction, 
 wherein a first soft ball having a diameter that is slightly larger than a diameter of the hollow cavity of the first ratchet is inserted into the first hollow cavity of the first ratchet, such that rotation of the elongated connector in the restricted direction around the first ball causes the ratchet to rotate due to frictional forces that rotatably couple the first ball and the first ratchet, and 
 wherein the first soft ball moves the first ratchet when rotated in the unrestricted direction, producing a vibration. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated connector is treated with an electrophoretic lacquer. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first ball is releasably operably coupled with the first ratchet. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second opposing end of the elongated connector has a solid shape in the form of a solid disk, and wherein the superior and inferior surfaces of the solid disk have concave indentations. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second opposing end of the elongated connector has a solid shape in the form of a solid disk shape, wherein the superior and inferior surfaces have convex surfaces. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the solid disk is operably coupled along a central axis by a rod, allowing it to swivel freely. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the disk is operably coupled along a central axis by a rod, allowing it to swivel freely. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the solid disk is operably coupled along a central axis by a rod, allowing it to rotate freely. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the disk is operably coupled along a central axis by a rod, allowing it to rotate freely. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the diameter of the concave indentations is approximately the diameter of a human thumb. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first ball has a 9 mm diameter, and the first ratchet is an 8 mm ratchet. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first ratchet does not have a square drive. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a second ratchet is operably coupled to the second opposing end of the elongated connector, and a second soft ball is operably coupled within a second hollow cavity of the second ratchet. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the second ratchet does not have a square drive. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a switch, causing the click of the first ratchet to tighten or loosen in and out of contact range of a gear of the ratchet. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising first and second switches, wherein the first switch causes the click of the first ratchet to tighten or loosen in and out of contact range of a gear of the first ratchet, and a second switch, wherein the second switch causes a click of the second ratchet to tighten or loosen in and out of contact range of a gear of the second ratchet. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the soft ball is made of material from the group consisting of a plastic bead or a silicon ball. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first ratchet drives the click instead of a square drive when moving the elongated connector in the unrestricted direction of rotation ( 23 ) while holding the soft ball ( 27 ,  37 ) motionless. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the second ratchet drives the click instead of a square drive when moving the elongated connector in the unrestricted direction of rotation ( 23 ) while holding the soft ball ( 27 ,  37 ) motionless. 
     
     
         20 . A method of using a sensory stimulator, comprising:
 providing the sensory stimulator of  claim 1 ;   rotating the soft ball with one or more fingers;   moving the ratchet and producing a vibration; and   repeating the movement or reversing the movement, as desired.   
     
     
         21 . A method of using a sensory stimulator, comprising:
 providing the sensory stimulator of  claim 1 , and holding the soft ball motionless with one or more fingers;   moving the elongated connector of the sensory stimulator;   moving the ratchet and producing a vibration; and   repeating the movement or reversing the movement, as desired.   
     
     
         22 . A method of using a sensory stimulator, comprising:
 providing the sensory stimulator of  claim 1 ; and   rolling the soft ball between thumb and finger without moving the ratchet.