Abstract:
A retractable lighter holding and securing device for use with a smoking device which allows a user to retract and more easily secure a lighter to a water pipe. The silicone housing allows easier attachment and removal of the retractable lighter holding and securing device to the smoking device. The device eliminates the need for carrying a lighter and storing one near the smoking device. The retracting capabilities of the device allow for easier operation while using the lighter, and it also eliminates the need to take out and store the lighter each time the lighter is used.

Description:
[0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/108,538, filed Jan. 28, 2015, entitled “LIGHTER HOLDER AND SECURING DEVICE FOR SMOKING DEVICE” which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to accessories for use with smoking devices and more particularly to lighter holders. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Different types of lighter holding and securing devices are known in the art. Lighter holding and securing devices are used by people and attached to other clothing and other items around the house and in cars. Not only do lighter holding and securing device eliminate clutter and keep track of the lighter, they can also provide a better grip for the lighter and offer increased safety. 
         [0004]    Smoking devices such as water pipes have been used since ancient time. An example of a primitive water pipe is a hookah, the use of which has recently resurged. The hookah is a large water pip that originated in India, and gained popularity in the Middle East. The hookah comprises a single-stemmed, or multi-stemmed, large pipe that utilizes water and indirect heat for smoking a substance, where smoke is cooled and filtered by passing it through water. Water pipes are usually fabricated from glass and/or metal. 
         [0005]    Another example of a water pipe is a bong: a filtration and cooling device for smoking substances. The construction of a bong is similar to that of a hookah. The function of bong and hookahs are similar. A bong comprises an air-tight and water-tight vessel, a screened bowl, and a stem portion, sometimes referred to as a “slide.” The word bong is an adaptation of the word “baung,” denoting a cylindrical wooden tube, pipe, or container for smoking. Baungs have been traditionally used by people of Thailand for centuries. Bongs are typically fabricated by hand-blowing glass. As such bong sizing is rarely uniform. 
         [0006]    In order to ignite the smoking material, an incendiary device, such as a match or lighter, is needed. For modern water pipes, modern fluid lighters are typically used, but are also readily misplaced. One related art accessory for holding a modern lighter comprises a piece of textile wrapped and knotted around a water pipe and the lighter. However, this accessory is cumbersome to use and requires dexterity and effort by the user. The related accessory itself is also misplaced and does not have sufficient longevity. 
         [0007]    One such smoking material is medical marijuana. Medical marijuana is now legal in 23 states and the District of Columbia. Also, recreational marijuana is now legal in 4 states. Marijuana is often the smoking material used in various smoking devices such as hookahs and water pipes. Marijuana is used to treat a variety of aliments such as cancer, glaucoma, arthritis, Parkinson&#39;s disease, and multiple sclerosis. However, many of these diseases include reduced motor function, only increasing the need for a device that requires less dexterity. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The application is related generally to a retractable lighter holding and securing device which allows a user to retract and more easily secure a lighter to a smoking device. In one example embodiment, the lighter holder  10  includes a pipe attachment  20 , a retracting element  30 , and a lighter housing  40 . The pipe attachment includes a band  21  and base  25 . The retracting element includes a housing  31 . The housing  31  preferably contains a coiled spring and inner reel. In one example embodiment, a cord is wound around the inner reel and attaches to a cap  36  through an opening in the housing  32 . In one example embodiment, the lighter housing  40  has an outer shell  41 , at least one side wall  42 , bottom  43 , and attachment opening  44  . Alternatively, the lighter housing may have an outer shell  41 , bottom  43 , and attachment opening  44 . The parts described can be made of one material or of many different materials. The parts can be made of plastic, metal, wood, rubber, or silicone. 
         [0009]    The band  21  is preferably elastic and flexible to accommodate different size smoking devices. A silicone band  21  and base  25  allows a user to very easily and efficiently attach the lighter holder  10  to a number of different sized smoking devices. 
         [0010]    Also, other bands and attaching or restraint combinations are described and claimed. An alternative to the preferred silicone flexible band  21  of the pipe attachment  20  is an adjustable band made of fabric, fiber or other similar material that attaches to the smoking device by using Velcro® or other fabric fastener technology. Metal or plastic fasteners, such as buttons or snaps can be used in place of a fabric fastener. Another alternative to the silicone band is an adjustable band that is made of fabric, fiber, wood, or metal with a clip or clasp for adjustments. 
         [0011]    In various other embodiments the retracting element  30  may include a lock feature. In one example embodiment, the lock uses a button or slide to engage the lock, and the lock allows the user to prevent the spring from retracting the cord. The lock allows a user to not have to pull the lighter towards the smoking material thus extending the cord every time the user needs to ignite the material. 
         [0012]    In various other embodiments the lighter housing  40  may include other features to increase its grip and the friction created by the housing on the lighter. The lighter housing may include a rib or ribs to increase friction or a liner to change the shape of the lighter opening to accommodate different shaped lighters. 
         [0013]    The lighter holder  10  may also include optional features to help further secure the lighter and lighter housing  40  to the smoking device. The lighter holder  10  may include an optional second pipe housing to secure the lighter housing and prevent it from swinging, such as when the smoking device is carried or transported. The second pipe attachment is placed below the first pipe attachment  20  and is attached to the smoking device before the first pipe attachment. The hook of the second pipe housing located on its base. The user may hook either the attachment opening  44  or the cord  35  to secure the lighter housing  40  to the second pipe attachment and smoking device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0014]      FIG. 1 a    is a side view of one embodiment of the lighter holder fully assembled, where the lighter housing does not have a sidewall and the lighter opening is oval in shape. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1b  is a side view of one embodiment of the lighter holder fully assembled, where the lighter housing has two sidewalls and the lighter opening is rectangular in shape. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a front view of one embodiment of the lighter holder fully assembled, where the lighter housing does not have a sidewall and the lighter opening is oval in shape. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the lighter holder fully assembled, where the lighter housing does not have a sidewall and the lighter opening is oval in shape. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the lighter holder, where the lighter housing does not have a sidewall and is oval in shape. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a top view of one embodiment of the lighter holder fully assembled, where the lighter housing does not have a sidewall and is oval in shape. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the pipe attachment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]      FIG. 1 a  and 1 b    both show example embodiments of a lighter holder  10 . The lighter holders  10  comprise a pipe attachment  20 , a retracting element  30 , and a lighter housing  40 . The parts described can be made of one material or of many different materials. The parts can be made of plastic, metal, wood, rubber, or silicone. 
         [0022]    The pipe attachment  20  comprises a band  21  and a base  25 , where the base has an opening  27  to accommodate the retracting element  30 . In one example embodiment, the band  21  is made out of a flexible material so it can expand and stretch over different size smoking devices. Such suitable flexible materials as silicone or rubber may be used for the band  21 . Alternatively, instead of the silicone flexible band  21  of the pipe attachment  20 , an adjustable band made of fabric, fiber, or other similar material that attaches to the smoking device by using Velcro® or some other fabric fastener technology may be used. Metal or plastic fasteners, such as buttons and snaps, may also be uses in place of fabric fasteners. Additionally, the band  21  could be made of fabric, fiber, wood, or metal and have a restraint system such as a buckle, clasp, or clip to keep the band  21  attached to the smoking device. The band  21  is attached or connected to the base  25  and the base contains an opening  27  to a chamber inside the pipe attachment  20 . In one example embodiment, the base  25  is also made of a flexible material so that the base opening  27  can easily accommodate the retracting element  30  within the chamber of pipe attachment  20 . Alternatively, the opening  27  could be smaller than the retracting element and the pipe attachment  20  could be molded around the retracting element  30 . In one example embodiment, the base opening  27  is orientated parallel to the opening formed by the band  21 . 
         [0023]    The retracting element  30  is located inside the chamber of the pipe attachment  20  and comprises a housing  31  with a spring biased retractable reel mechanism contained inside the housing. Retractable reel mechanisms are known in the art and may be made of any suitable material, such as plastics or metal. In one example embodiment, the retractable reel mechanism, not shown, comprises a coiled metal spring and an inner reel formed of non-abrasive material for durability and smooth operation, where the coiled spring is inside the inner reel. The cord  35  is coiled around the inner reel and the proximal end of the cord is attached to the inner reel. The cord  35  extends from the inner reel through an opening  32  in the housing  31 , where the cord also passes through the opening  27  in the housing, and the cord&#39;s distal end is attached to a cap  36 . The cap  36  has a hole  37 . In one example embodiment, the cap  36  has a swivel to allow it to spin freely to prevent the cord from becoming tangled. A connector ring  38  passes through the cap hole  37  and the attachment opening  44  of the lighter housing  40 . 
         [0024]    Additionally, in another embodiment the retracting element  30  contains a lock, not shown. The lock is located on the outside of housing  31  and functions to interrupt the movement of the spring bias or coiled spring of the retracting element  30 . A button, slide, switch, or similar type of trigger can be used to engage the lock and move the lock into an engaged potion that prevents the inner reel and spring from moving. In one example embodiment, the lock can be engaged through the base  25 , or alternatively the lock could protrude out of the base  25 . 
         [0025]    In one example embodiment, the lighter housing  40  comprises an outer shell  41  having at least one side wall  42 , an attachment opening  44 , and a bottom  43 , which defines an upwardly opening chamber for a lighter, not shown, the lighter opening  45 . As shown in  FIG. 1 b   , the shell  41  and the sidewalls  42  are configured to create a generally rectangular shape for the lighter opening  45  to correspond to the shape of a BIC® lighter. However, the shell  41  could have any other desired configuration, i.e., round, square, oval, triangular, etc. In one example embodiment, the lighter housing  40  as shown only covers a portion of the lighter, so it can accommodate lighters of all lengths. Alternatively, the side wall or side walls  42  can be longer and cover a greater portion or all of the lighter. 
         [0026]    In one example embodiment, the attachment opening  44  has a triangular opening, as shown in in the figures. In other embodiments, the attachment opening  44  may take any desired configuration, such as square, circular, or rectangular. 
         [0027]    Additionally, in another embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 a    the lighter housing  40  comprises an outer shell  41 , an attachment opening  44 , and a bottom  43 , which defines an upwardly opening chamber for a lighter, not shown, the lighter opening  45 . As shown in  FIG. 1 a   , the shell  41  is generally oval in shape and creates an oval lighter opening  45  to correspond to the shape of a BIC® lighter. However, the shell  41  could have any other desired configuration, i.e., round, square, rectangular, triangular, etc. In one example embodiment, the lighter housing  40  as shown only covers a portion of the lighter, so it can accommodate lighters of all lengths. Alternatively, the shell  41  can be longer and cover a greater portion or all of the lighter. 
         [0028]    Additionally, in another embodiment the inside chamber of the shell  41 , the lighter opening  45 , may have a shape that differs from outside shape of the shell  41 . For example, the lighter opening  45  may have a generally oval or rectangular shape to accommodate a BIC® lighter, but the outside shape of the shell  41  may be triangular to provide a better grip. 
         [0029]    Additionally, in another embodiment the lighter shell  41  has one or more ribs, not shown, along the inside of the shell  41 , inside the lighter opening  45 . In one example embodiment, the rib or ribs are arranged circumferential along the inner wall of the shell  41 . The rib or ribs are small, i.e. only protrude about 1/16 to ⅛ inches from the inner wall of the shell  41 . The rib&#39;s height is greater than the rib&#39;s base, to make the rib flexible. The rib or ribs will make a secure frictional contact with the lighter that is sufficiently strong that the lighter will not come out of the lighter housing  40  when the lighter is used and when the lighter holder is swung around. The grip of the ribs can overcome the centrifugal forces and the lighter will not accidently fall out. 
         [0030]    Alternatively, the rib or ribs, not shown, could take on various configurations such as one continuous rib that spirals upward along the inside of the shell  41 . Alternatively, there could be a plurality of vertical ribs, or any desired orientation or combination of rib. If the embodiment uses multiple ribs, the ribs may even differ in size from one another. The ribs could increase in size from top to bottom, enabling the lighter housing  40  to grasp a tapered lighter. 
         [0031]    Additionally, in another embodiment the lighter shell has a liner, not shown, that lines the inner surface of the shell  41  and changes the shape of the lighter opening  45 . The liner is removable and allows for one outer shell  41  to accommodate a plurality of different lighter shapes by inserting a liner that changes the shape and size of the lighter opening  45 . 
         [0032]    Additionally, in another embodiment the lighter holder  10  may have an additional second pipe attachment, not shown, to more securely attach the lighter housing  40  to the smoking device, such as a water pipe. The additional second pipe attachment secures the lighter housing  40  and prevents the lighter from swinging freely and knocking into the water pipe. The second pipe attachment comprises a band or flexible collar, not shown, and a base, not shown. In one example embodiment, the base of the second pipe attachment has a hook, not shown, to grasp the cord  35  or attachment opening  44  and secure the lighter housing  40 . Alternatively other methods of securing can be used in place of the hook such as Velcro®, fasteners, clips, clasps, buttons, or snaps. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows the cross section of one embodiment of the lighter holder where the lighter housing  40  does not have a sidewall  42  and the lighter opening  45  is oval in shape where  FIG. 3  shows a perspective view and shows the lighter opening  45  inside of the lighter housing  40  of one embodiment where the lighter housing does not have a sidewall and the lighter opening is oval in shape. In  FIGS. 2 and 3  the lighter housing  40  is in a retracted state.  FIGS. 4  is an exploded view of the lighter holder  10  of one embodiment where the lighter housing  40  does not have a sidewall  42  and the lighter opening  45  is oval in shape. In  FIG. 4  the retracting element housing opening  32  and cord  35  are shown in an extended configuration.  FIG. 5  shows the top view of one embodiment of the lighter holder  10  where the lighter housing  40  does not have a sidewall  42  and the lighter opening  45  is oval in shape. In  FIG. 5  the lighter housing  40  is shown in a retracted state.  FIG. 6  shows the pipe attachment  20  and opening  27  in detail and outlines in dotted lines where the placement of the retracting element  30 . 
         [0034]    To use the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  a user, not shown, would first attach the pipe attachment  20  to the water pipe, not shown, by sliding the water pipe through the passage formed by the flexible band  21 . Alternatively, the user could wrap the band around the smoking device and secure the band by engaging the fasteners such Velcro® or snaps. The user would then insert a lighter, not shown, into the lighter opening  45  of the lighter housing  40 . 
         [0035]    Next the user would grasp the lighter housing  40  and pull the housing towards the smoking material, not shown, of the water pipe. The user would then ignite the smoking material with the lighter. The user could then either release the lighter and the retracting element  30  would pull the lighter housing  40  back to the pipe attachment base  25 . Alternatively the user could direct the lighter housing  40  back to the pipe attachment base  25  manually. 
         [0036]    Alternatively, the user could use the lock, not shown, of the retracting element  30  to keep the spring bias from activating the inner reel. Once the user engages the lock, for example by sliding a switch or depressing a button, the retracting element  30  will prevent the inner reel from moving and will keep the current amount of cord  35  extended from the retracting element. Thus, the lighter housing  40  will be kept in an extended position near the smoking material. This would allow a user to ignite the smoking material multiple times without the retracting element  30  engaging and retracting the lighter housing  40  back to the pipe attachment base  25 . The user would not have to extend and retract the lighter housing  40  each time to ignite the smoking material during a smoking session. 
         [0037]    In another embodiment, the user may attach a liner into the lighter opening  45  of the lighter housing  40  in order to change the type of lighter being secured. 
         [0038]    In another embodiment, the user may also attach a second pipe attachment to the water pipe, both not show. Before the user attached the first pipe attachment the user would first slid the water pipe through the passage formed by the flexible band of the second pipe attachment. After the user was done with a smoking session, the user would secure the lighter housing  40  by hooking the attachment opening  44  or cord  35  with the hook of the second pipe attachment. 
         [0039]    Other modifications, substitutions and equivalent may occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art and such modifications, substitution and equivalents are contemplated by the present disclosure and the invention as claimed herein. The applicant wishes to claim the entire invention as described herein, including all embodiments. The applicant does not wish to dedicate anything to the public.