BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a smoking device for combustible material including a chamber, in which generated smoke is collected at least initially under the influence of a negative pressure created within the chamber. A container retains the combustible material in an exposed relation to an ignition device. A path of fluid flow between the chamber and the container communicates the negative pressure therebetween and facilitates passage of the generated smoke from the combustible material into the interior of the chamber.
2. Description of the Related Art
One known method for regulating the pressure within a smoking device provides a smoking device comprised of a bottle with the bottom cut away and an adapter removably attached to the mouth of the bottle. By raising the bottle relative to a water filled reservoir, air is drawn through the adapter and fills the bottle with smoke. Lowering the bottle pushes the smoke out of the bottle for inhalation. This method may be seen as overly cumbersome as it requires a water filled reservoir of sufficient size to raise and lower the bottle, which may not be always available.
Yet another smoking device is disclosed whereby smoke and other gases of combustion can be diluted with air to a pre-selected mixture before being inhaled by a smoker. This is achieved by the use of a carbureting tube which can introduce a metered amount of air into a smoke chamber and thereby dilute the smoke to any desired concentration. The smoke is drawn into the smoke dilution chamber by a piston moving towards the outlet end of the chamber, and then pumped out of the smoke dilution chamber by reversing the motion of the piston. A water chamber may also be included to permit the smoke and other gases to be cooled prior to entering the smoke dilution chamber. However, the invention can be cumbersome to operate by a single user as the user must stabilize the invention, provide a heat source to the combustible material, and operate the carbureting tube at the same time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to a device for smoking a variety of combustible materials such as, but not limited to, tobacco.
The smoking device comprises a container structured to retain the combustible material in an exposed position relative to an ignition device. The ignition device defines a heat source, which when manually actuated, generates a flame or other heat source which ignites the combustible material resulting in the generation of smoke. The chamber preferably, but not necessarily, comprises an elongated tubular configuration having oppositely disposed open ends. In addition, a housing is disposed in retaining, supporting relation to the chamber and is structured and configured to mount and/or support the remaining operative components of the subject smoking device. An access opening is defined by or disposed in aligned and/or adjacent relation to one of the open ends of the chamber. As such, access to the generated smoke collected within the interior of the chamber is provided, thereby allowing a user to inhale the smoke directly from the chamber through the access opening.
Transfer or passage of the smoke from the container, once the combustible material is ignited, is facilitated by the generation of a negative pressure within the interior of the chamber. In addition, a path of fluid flow is at least partially disposed on the housing and creates fluid communication or a “path of fluid flow” between the interior of the chamber and the material being combusted within the container. Therefore, at least one preferred embodiment of the smoking device of the present invention includes a pressure regulator supported by the housing and movably connected to the chamber. Operation of the pressure regulator will serve to control the pressure within the interior of the chamber and selectively establish the aforementioned negative pressure therein.
In more specific terms, the pressure regulator preferably comprises a plunger having a head portion movably disposed in at least partial sealing engagement with the interior surfaces of the chamber. The plunger further includes a handle or hand engaging portion accessible from an exterior of the chamber. Manipulation of the hand engaging portion of the plunger enables reciprocal movement of the head portion of the plunger within the chamber and as such is operable to create the negative pressure therein. The plunger extends at least partially through the other open end of the chamber opposite to the aforementioned access opening. Further, a closure is connected to the housing adjacent to the access opening and is positioned into and out of a closing, at least partially sealing relation to the access opening, when in a closing position relative thereto.
Moreover, manipulation of the plunger defining the pressure regulator concurrent to disposition of the closure in the closing position, relative to the access opening, will create the aforementioned negative pressure within the interior of the chamber. The existence of the path of fluid flow between the chamber interior and the container will serve to establish or communicate the negative pressure, created within the chamber, to the interior of the container in which the combustible material is retained. As a result, upon the generation of smoke during the combustion of the material, the existence of the negative pressure will facilitate the passage of the generated smoke from the container through the path of fluid flow into the interior of the chamber, where it is at least temporarily collected. Subsequently, disposition of the closure out of the closing position relative to the access opening will allow a user to inhale the collected smoke there through.
Additional structural and operative features of one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention include the housing also having an elongated configuration and including oppositely disposed open ends. Accordingly, first correspondingly disposed ones of the open ends of the chamber and the housing are associated with the aforementioned access opening. Also, the second open ends of the chamber and the housing are also at least partially correspondingly disposed and are structured to facilitate the connection of the pressure regulator to the housing and its movable connection to the chamber. Further, the aforementioned plunger, extends through the second open ends of both the chamber and the housing and is movable relative thereto. As such, the plunger is movable along the length of the chamber and within the interior thereof so as to selectively create the aforementioned negative pressure and/or otherwise regulate the pressure within the interior of the chamber.
As clearly indicated, combustion of the material retained within the container requires the application of a heat source thereto. Accordingly, at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises the ignition device including a combustible liquid fuel supply and a manual actuator operative to selectively ignite the fuel thereby generating a flame. As also indicated, the ignition device is sufficiently close to the exposed combustible material to cause its ignition and combustion upon the generation of the flame.
Moreover, the manual actuator associated with the ignition device is preferably, but not exclusively, in the form of a handgrip and trigger device. The handgrip and trigger device are cooperatively configured and relatively disposed to be concurrently gripped by a single hand of a user while the trigger device is manipulated to ignite the fuel, as described above. In at least one preferred embodiment the structural details of the handgrip and trigger device may be such as to assume a configuration similar to a “gun-grip”. In cooperation there with, the ignition device may also include a generally elongated barrel extending outwardly from the handgrip, on which the combustible fuel source may be located. As a result the generated flame resulting from the ignition of the liquid fuel may extend outwardly from a distal end of the barrel and be disposed in heat transferring, igniting relation to the exposed combustible material within the container.
In yet a further embodiment, the ignition device comprises a gas lighter attached to a handgrip and separately attachable to the housing of the invention. Once the lighter is exhausted, such as due to normal wear and tear, corrosion, debris accumulations, or in the case of a battery powered lighter, exhaustion of the battery, the lighter may be discarded and replaced with a new one.
In operation, once the combustible material is retained in the exposed position within the container, the ignition device and more specifically the manual actuator is selectively manipulated causing a sufficient heat transfer from the ignition device to the exposed material resulting in its combustion. Concurrent to the generation of smoke from the combustion of the material, the negative pressure will be created within the interior of the chamber. Such negative pressure is established by manipulating the hand engaging portion of the plunger of the pressure regulator in a manner which “withdraws” the head of the plunger along the length of the chamber interior towards the second open end thereof. As set forth above, the negative pressure is created by closing or at least partially sealing the access opening during the withdrawal of the plunger. Subsequent to the collection of the generated smoke within the interior of the chamber, the closure may be removed from its closed position, thereby providing a user with clear access to the collected smoke.
The versatility of the smoking device of the present invention may be further enhanced by removably connecting or mounting the various operable components to the housing. As a result, the components may be cleaned, repaired, replaced, etc. thereby extending the operable life of the smoking device.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFor a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a smoking device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a container assembly of a smoking device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a smoking device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a smoking device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTAs described above, the present invention is directed to a device for smoking a variety of combustible materials such as, but not limited to, tobacco.
With reference toFIG. 1, depicted is asmoking device10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As depicted, the invention includes acontainer assembly100, including acontainer110 structured to retain an amount of combustible material. Further, the container may include an at least partially open end111 (depicted inFIG. 2), which facilitates the exposure of the material to anignition device200. Theignition device200 is disposed adjacent thecontainer110, with aflame generator210 thereof disposed in proximity to thecontainer110 to facilitate ignition of the at least partially exposed combustible material. Thecontainer assembly100 further provides a path of fluid flow1000(depicted inFIG. 2) between thecontainer110 and achamber300 which receives smoke generated by the combusted material. Apressure regulator500 is connected to the chamber which is capable of providing both negative pressure and positive pressure within the chamber, relative to atmospheric pressure.
Generating negative pressure may be desirable to bias smoke generated in thecontainer110 into the chamber. On the other hand, positive pressure may be desirable for expelling smoke from the chamber, for example through an open end of the chamber201 and/orhousing401. Accordingly, aclosure410 may be provided, disposable into and out of a closing relation over anaccess opening143. When a user desires to generate negative pressure within thechamber300, such as when drawing smoke into thechamber300, theclosure410 may be disposed into a closing relation over the access opening143 in order to seal thechamber300. Likewise, when a user desires to generate positive pressure within thechamber300, such as when accessing the smoke retained within, the user may remove theclosure410 from over theaccess opening143.
Theignition device200 includes aflame generator210 and amanual actuator220. The flame generator includes afuel supply211,igniter212, and, in at least some embodiments, abarrel213. Thefuel supply211 may comprise any of a variety of suitable, combustible, liquid or gas compositions such as propane or butane. Theigniter212 may comprise any of a variety of suitable sparking or heating elements as well, such as a flint and striker-wheel assembly, piezo igniter, or battery spark assembly. Thebarrel213 is cooperatively disposed with thefuel supply211 andigniter212 in order to carry the flame away from portions of the user and/or into proximity with the combustible material in thecontainer110.
Themanual actuator220 includes ahandgrip221 and atrigger222. As depicted, thehandgrip221 and trigger222 are correspondingly disposed and dimensioned to provide a single-handed actuation of the flame, i.e., thehandgrip221 may be grasped with a hand of the user and thetrigger222 may be depressed with a finger of the same hand. To facilitate such one-handed actuation, thehandgrip221 can be ergonomically shaped to conform to a human hand, such as of the type provided by pistols. Thetrigger222 can be operatively interconnected to theflame generator210 so as to produce a flame upon depressing or otherwise actuating thetrigger222. For example, thetrigger222 may be operatively interconnected to both theigniter212 andfuel supply211 such that, upon actuation of thetrigger222, theigniter212 produces a spark that is exposed to a portion of thefuel supply211, thereby producing a flame.
In at least one embodiment, thehandgrip221 may comprise a hollow interior comprising astorage compartment230 accessible through a port on the distal portion of thehandgrip221. Thestorage compartment230 can be suitable for storing any of a variety of smoking related articles and/or accessories such as filters, meshes, combustible material, etc. Alternatively, access to thestorage compartment230 may be provided through a port on the side of thehandgrip221.
With reference toFIG. 2, depicted is an explodedcontainer assembly100 which provides a path offluid flow1000. Thecontainer assembly100 includes acontainer110 for the retention of combustible material therein. The container includes at least anopen end111 which facilitates placement of the combustible material within thecontainer110 and provides at least some exposure of the material to theignition device200. Generally, the container may be made of a glass or metal-containing material as prolonged and/or repeated periods of direct flame application to the combustible material could result in the burning or melting of plastic or other materials. Thecontainer110 is in fluid communication with afluid channel120, generally via an aperture (not depicted) disposed oppositely theopen end111. Furthermore, it may be desirable to include a filter or mesh in or on the aperture to prevent the combustible material from passing there through. Thefluid channel120 is in fluid communication with acollar assembly140 via afitting assembly130. Thefitting assembly130 may comprise any of a variety of appropriately configured members which operatively plumb thefluid channel120 to thecollar assembly140. In further embodiments, thefluid channel120 may be formed so as to be integral with thecollar assembly140.
In yet further embodiments, thefluid channel120 is flexible in character in order to facilitate access to thecontainer110 via displacement of thecontainer110 clear of theignition device200 andhousing400. As such, a variety of materials are suitable for such an application, such as, but certainly not limited to, rubber hosing. However, disposing components made of polymers in such proximity to a flame poses risk of damage to the component. Thus, one particular embodiment of thefluid channel120 is comprised of a tightly wound, metal, coil spring. In such an embodiment, the spring is wound tight enough to provide an at least partially fluid resistant seal between the coils.
Thecollar assembly140 includes aninlet142 in fluid communication with at least achamber opening141. Thechamber opening141 is in fluid communication with the chamber300 (as depicted inFIG. 3). In at least one embodiment, thecollar assembly140 includes the access opening143 (as depicted inFIGS. 1 and 3).
One ormore gaskets150 may be disposed between the various elements of thecontainer assembly100 in order to facilitate a seal to prevent fluid leaks therefrom. As depicted, thegasket150, may be disposed between thecollar140 and thefitting assembly130. Furthermore, thegasket150 may also be disposed about thechamber opening141 and include alip151 to facilitate a seal between thegasket150 and the chamber in order to prevent fluid leaks therefrom.
In at least one embodiment, acheck valve160 is provided within the path offluid flow1000 between thecontainer110 and thechamber300. As depicted, thecheck valve160 may be formed integrally with agasket150, and specifically with a portion of agasket150 associated with theinlet142. Thecheck valve160 is configured and/or disposed to allow the passage of fluid originating from thecontainer110 to thechamber300, but not in the opposite direction. This configuration is desired because, as the combustible material is burned in thecontainer110, the negative pressure generated in thechamber300 will draw smoke from the combusting material into the chamber. Should there be an inadvertent positive pressure generated in the chamber, the resulting fluid flow would expel the combustible material from thecontainer110, potentially spreading ashes and/or burning embers about the environment or perhaps scattering un-combusted material. It will be appreciated that the check valve may comprise any of a variety of known one-way valve configurations such as, but not limited to, a lift valve, a reed valve, a ball-check valve, a duck-bill valve, and the like.
Now with reference toFIGS. 1 and 3, thechamber300 is generally of an elongated tubular construction having oppositely disposed open ends301 (depicted inFIG. 3). Preferably, thechamber300 is rigid in construction and is comprised of an at least partially transparent or translucent material. Such transparent or translucent properties facilitate visual confirmation of the quantity of smoke retained in thechamber300. Thechamber300 should be cooperatively dimensioned with thehousing400 to allow for disposition of thechamber300 within thehousing400.
Thehousing400 preferably is of substantially similar construction as thechamber300 but somewhat larger in dimension to allow for disposition of thechamber300 within thehousing400. Though, it may not be strictly necessary for thehousing400 to be constructed of at least partially transparent or translucent material. Additionally, thehousing400 may include one ormore viewing ports402 to further facilitate visual confirmation of the quantity of smoke retained in thechamber300. Furthermore, it may be preferable to construct thehousing400 out of a substantially durable material as theignition device200 and other elements of the invention may be mounted or otherwise fastened directly to thehousing400. Furthermore, the housing may provide protection to thechamber300 from impacts.
Aclosure410 is provided on thehousing400 which is disposable into and out of a closing relation over theaccess opening143. The closure may comprise a disc or puck-like structure cooperatively dimensioned with the access opening to provide a substantial fluid seal when placed in a closing relation. Additionally, a gasket or other sealing element disposed on the closure may facilitate the fluid seal. In at least one embodiment atether411 may be provided which connects the closure to one or more parts of the invention, such as thehousing400. In alternative embodiments, the closure may be hinged to thehousing400 or provided with storage means upon thehousing400.
Apressure regulator500 is connected to thechamber300 which provides for the generating of at least negative, but in some embodiments also positive pressure therein. As depicted, the pressure regulator comprises aplunger510 which includes ahead portion511 and a hand-grippingportion512. Thehead portion511 may be constructed of an at least partially flexible or rubber-type material sufficient to form a substantial fluid seal when disposed within thechamber300. Furthermore, thehead portion511 is cooperatively dimensioned with theinterior surface302 of thechamber300 to further facilitate a substantial fluid seal when disposed therein. In alternative embodiments, thehead portion511 is constructed of a hard, non-toxic plastic and includes a rubber gasket around its periphery disposed to contact with theinterior surface302 of thechamber300, thus providing the substantial fluid seal. The hand-gripping portion may be constructed of a substantially rigid material, such as wood, plastic, or metal, to facilitate manipulation of thehead portion511 within thechamber300. Furthermore, the hand-gripping portion should be of sufficient length to at least partially extend from anopen end301 of thechamber300 when disposed therein.
It may also be desirable to include aplunger stop420 on thehousing400, orchamber300, which serves to restrict the motion of theplunger510 such that it may not be inadvertently withdrawn completely from thechamber300. As depicted, theplunger stop420 may comprise an end cap connected to the housing which allows the hand-grippingportion512 to pass through, but does not allow thehead portion511 to pass through. This may be accomplished, for example, by providing an aperture (not depicted) in the plunger stop420 which is dimensioned somewhat larger than the hand-grippingportion512, but also smaller than thehead portion511. Theplunger stop420 may also be threaded onto thehousing400 to facilitate removal of theplunger510 during maintenance and/or repairs. It will be appreciated that the plunger stop420 can be structured so as to create a fluid seal around theopen end301 of thechamber300, such as, for example, providing a gasket disposable between theplunger stop420 and theopen end301.
With reference toFIG. 4, asmoking device10 of the present invention is depicted with several components depicted as alternative embodiments. For example, thecontainer assembly110′ is depicted with thefluid channel120′container110′ displaced clear of theignition device200′ andhousing400′. As described above, this embodiment of thecontainer assembly100′ may include afluid channel120′ that is comprised of a tightly wound, metal, coil spring. As such, thecontainer110′ may be displaced clear of theignition device200′ andhousing400′ by deforming or bending thefluid channel120′. Additionally, once access to thecontainer110′ is no longer desired, thefluid channel120′, being comprised of a tightly wound, metal, coil spring, will return to its operative orientation, i.e., with thecontainer110′ disposed adjacent theflame generator210′
Additionally with reference toFIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of theignition device200′ is depicted. Many alternative benefits of the present invention can be realized when this embodiment of theignition device200′ is deployed. For example, as opposed to a “gun grip” style handgrip221 (as depicted inFIG. 1), a “flashlight”style handgrip221′ is employed which significantly alters the users grip on the device and interaction with thepressure regulator500. Thehandgrip221′ is partially hollow in form, providing for a users' fingers to be passed through theignition device200′ and adjacent to thehousing400. Furthermore, thetrigger222′ is operated with the thumb, as opposed to the trigger222 (as depicted inFIG. 1) which is intended to be operated with the index finger. Thus, a variety of different hand and limb sizes, as well as various disabilities relating to the range of movement of a users' arms can be addressed with the deployment ofvarious ignition devices200,200′.
Now that the features of thesmoking device10 have been described, it may be useful to discuss the operation of the invention. Upon desiring to utilize the invention, it will be preferable to prepare one or more aspects of the invention, For example, it may be desirable to first ensure that theclosure410 is disposed in closing relation over theaccess opening143. Furthermore, in embodiments where thepressure regulator500 comprises aplunger510, it may be desirable to set thehead portion511 to a predetermined position within thechamber300. Biasing thehead portion511 toward theclosure410 will essentially evacuate the ambient air from thechamber300, thus, when drawing smoke into thechamber300, the resulting smoke and air mixture will be heavily concentrated with smoke. Conversely, biasing thehead portion511 toward the plunger stop420 within thechamber300 will leave a substantial amount of ambient air within the chamber. Thus, the resulting smoke and air mixture will be less concentrated with smoke.
Upon completing one or more preparation steps, the combustible material may be placed into thecontainer110. Then theignition device200 may be grasped via thehandgrip221 and thetrigger222 actuated to produce a flame in proximity to the combustible material. As the combustible material burns, the user may grasp the hand-grippingportion512 of theplunger510 with the hand not holding theignition device200, and pull thehead portion511 along thechamber300 toward theplunger stop420. Once thechamber300 contains the desired amount of smoke, the user may cease moving thehead portion511.
Upon desiring to inhale the smoke, the user may dispose theclosure410 out of the closing relation over theaccess opening143. The user may then place the mouth and/or nose region in a closing relation over the access opening143 and inhale. Consumption of the smoke may be facilitated by depressing thehead portion511 toward the access opening143, thereby creating positive pressure within thechamber300 and forcing the smoke into the respiratory system of the user. Depressing the head may be accomplished by pushing on the hand-gripping portion, generally with a hand of the user, but may also be facilitated with the hand of another user, or even depressing the hand-grippingportion512 against a wall or floor, or other rigid object.
Additional features of the depicted embodiment of thesmoking device10 include a substantially modular assembly of parts which facilitates maintenance, cleaning, repair, and/or replacement of the invention and its elements. For example, it is not strictly necessary that thecontainer assembly100 comprise an assembly of constituent parts, it may be molded or otherwise unitarily or integrally formed, but the modular assembly achieves the above referenced facilitation of maintenance, cleaning, etc. Similarly theignition device200 may comprise an assembly of parts. In one particular embodiment, thefuel supply211,igniter212,barrel213, and trigger222 are provided as one assembly which as attachable to and detachable from thehandgrip221. As such, when thefuel supply221 is exhausted the assembly may be separated from thehand grip221 and easily replaced.
One method of cleaning general smoking devices involves soaking portions thereof and/or scrubbing with a solvent such as isopropyl alcohol. Thus, it may be desirable to provide asmoking device10 of the present invention that is similarly maintainable. For example, with respect to parts and subassemblies of the present invention that contact smoke, they may be formed of materials that do not degrade when subject to a cleaning solvent. More specifically, thecontainer110,fluid channel120,fitting assembly130,collar assembly140,check valve160,chamber300, andhead portion511 of theplunger510 should all be made of materials that are relatively insoluble, especially with respect to solvents such as isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol. As thecontainer110 andfluid channel120 are to be disposed within proximity to a flame, metal or glass is appropriate. With respect to thefitting assembly130,collar assembly140,check valve160,chamber300, andhead portion511, a relatively hard polymer is generally desired to increase the durability of the invention. As such a polymer should be selected that is relatively insoluble as well. In further embodiments, thechamber300 may be made of glass instead of a relatively hard polymer.
Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Now that the invention has been described,