Abstract:
An electronic hookah designed for multiple users. The electronic hookah has up to four voltage regulators that can be controlled independently from one another. This allows each individual user to select a preferred vaporizing voltage or temperature for the substance that user desires to vaporize through the vaporizer attached to the hookah body. The electronic hookah can have ornamental lighting, a timer, a base unit, and magnetic connectors between the hookah hoses and the hookah body in order for quick removal. Additionally, the electronic hookah base can have inputs for a USB device or standard audio player, along with integrated speakers to provide audio output.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present apparatus relates to an electronic hookah that can be used by one or more users. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The hookah, a single or multi-stemmed instrument for smoking flavored tobacco, was introduced to the world in India as early as the 16 th  century CE. For hundreds of years, hookah users have been filtering flavored tobacco smoke through a water-filled jar before inhalation. Traditionally, a hookah is comprised of a water jar, a body, a bowl, a plate, a grommet, and at least one hose. Modern hookahs also have seen the addition of purge valves and wind screens. 
         [0003]    In normal operation, a user will fill two thirds of the water jar full of water, and fit the body to the opening of the water jar through the use of a watertight grommet. The user fills the bowl with flavored-tobacco, called shisha. The hoses are attached to the hookah body, while a screen is placed atop the hookah bowl. The user places a heat source, usually charcoal coals, on top of the screen. Inhaling through the hose, the user draws air heated by the coals through the tobacco-filled bowl, generating smoke. The smoke passes through the hookah body and filters through water. The smoke then passes through holes leading to the hoses, through the hoses, and from there is inhaled by the user. Additionally, the purge valve can be used by the user blowing through the same hose, which then releases any stagnant smoke that was sitting in the water jar for longer than desired. 
         [0004]    While hookahs have been used for hundreds of years, only recently have studies been performed showing that inhaling tobacco smoke through a hookah is not safer than smoking a cigarette or cigar. Passing the smoke through water provides an illusion of filtration, but the reality is that most hookah users receive higher doses of carcinogens and nicotine because of the extended durations of smoking sessions. Moreover, many locations have passed anti-smoking ordinances that limit or prohibit the combustion of tobacco in various public settings. Thus, the health and legality of the public use of hookahs remains tenuous. 
         [0005]    A recent trend in combating the shrinking sphere of acceptable use has been the rise of electronic inhalation systems. Most prevalently seen in the e-cigarette context, the hookah has also seen a reimagining as an electronic, combustion-less system. Technology now exists for a user to vaporize dry herbs, e-liquids, oils, or waxes. However, each of the previously mentioned consumables vaporizes at a different temperature. While single user e-hookahs have been known in the prior art for several years, there has been no attempt to make an e-hookah for multiple users that would allow for multiple users to each vaporize their own individual substance in a group setting. 
         [0000]    What is needed is an improved e-hookah which can include new features such as accommodating multi users. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The above aspects can be obtained by an improved hookah system. 
         [0007]    These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Further features and advantages of the present apparatus, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present apparatus, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electronic hookah without a base, according to an embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a base for an electronic hookah, according to an embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a base for an electronic hookah, according to an embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an electronic hookah with a base, according to an embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a cross section of an electronic hookah body, according to an embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a close view of the connection between an electronic hookah hose mount connector and a hose, according to an embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a cross section view of an electronic hookah atomizer component, according to an embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a functional diagram for an electronic hookah, according to an embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating the power structure of an electronic hookah, according to an embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10A  is a front view of a dial-controlled voltage regulator for an electronic hookah, according to an embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10B  is a front view of a dial-controlled temperature regulator for an electronic hookah, according to an embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10C  is a front view of a slider-controlled voltage regulator for an electronic hookah, according to an embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10D  is a front view of a slider-controlled temperature regulator for an electronic hookah, according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description, relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top,” and “bottom,” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected,” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. 
         [0023]    The present apparatus can be an electronic hookah designed for use by multiple users who desire to vaporize a variety of different substances requiring a variety of temperatures. Specifically, the e-hookah can comprise the following components: a body, a water jar, at least one hose, at least one vaporizing unit, a bowl, and a base. Each of the possible components of the e-hookah will be described in the following paragraphs. 
         [0024]    In an embodiment, the e-hookah body can contain a power supply, which could take the form of at least one modular battery unit, capable of holding a charge for an extended period of time. Alternatively, AC can be used as well. On an e-hookah designed for four persons, the body can have four voltage or temperature regulators connected to the power supply, placed equidistantly around the e-hookah body circumference. Note that the voltage or temperature regulator is really the same thing, as a higher voltage results in a higher temperature in the atomizer. However, a voltage regular would display the energy output in volts on the display  105  while a temperature regulator would display the energy output as a temperature. In an embodiment, the regulators can be knobs or sliders, and can have LED screens located above or below that display the current temperature or voltage value of the regulator for ease of use. In an embodiment, the voltage output of each regulator can channel into a respective hose mount connector, which can consist of a magnet and an electrical connection. By using a magnet, the hose can easily detach from the e-hookah body, preventing the entire unit from tipping over and possibly causing damage if the hose is roughly tugged. 
         [0025]    The e-hookah body can also comprise a lighting system that can be controlled via a remote control. The lighting system can be made up of LEDs or other similar variable lighting systems. The e-hookah body can also have up to four hooks for the storage of the e-hookah hoses while not in use. In an embodiment, the e-hookah body can also contain an electrical port for the recharging of the power source. 
         [0026]    The e-hookah water jar can be any ornamental water jar normally used with a standard tobacco hookah. In an embodiment, the e-hookah can have multiple grommet sizes such that the e-hookah body can fit into any diameter water jar. In an embodiment, a specialized jar can be created such that there exists electrical connections on the underside of the water jar which provide a power conduit between the e-hookah base and the power supply, such that the e-hookah power supply can be charged when the unit is inserted into the base. 
         [0027]    An e-hookah hose is essentially an ornamentally-cladded electrical connection between the e-hookah base connected at the proximal end and the individual vaporizer connected to the distal end. The hose can have an inner core of electrically conductive material, surrounded by an insulating layer, and further surrounded by an ornamental layer, which can be made of a variety of fabrics or decorative materials. The proximal end of an e-hookah hose can contain a magnet with polar orientation opposite to the magnet located in the hose mount connector on the e-hookah body, such that the proximal end of the hose can adhere (using magnetism) to the hose mount connector, extending the electrical connection to the distal end, while being easily detachable in the event of an accidental stress by the user. In this way, the hose can detach from the e-hookah body, which will prevent the entire unit from tipping over and possibly causing damage. The distal end of the e-hookah hose can also contain a fastening mechanism, which can be a stronger magnet, such that the vaporizing unit can attach to the distal end of the hose. The inner conducting layer of the hose can connect the e-hookah power source to the vaporizing unit. 
         [0028]    The vaporizing system can vaporize dry herbs, e-liquids, oils, or waxes. For each substance, the construction of the vaporizer can be very similar. The vaporizer can have an electrical connector and fastening mechanism for connection to the e-hookah hose. Power drawn from the power source and regulated by the regulator can be channeled into a heating source that provides heat to an inner chamber that can be configured in shape to receive dry herbs, e-liquids, oils, or waxes. The vaporizer can have a disposable covering at its tip if more than one user wishes to use the same vaporizer. 
         [0029]    The e-hookah bowl can be attached atop the e-hookah body. As the e-hookah is a tobacco-less device, the bowl can serve as ornamentation to provide the illusion that an e-hookah user is using a standard hookah. Additionally, the bowl can contain a separate lighting system, which can be created by LED lighting, laser lighting, or another low-power lighting method. This lighting system can be connected to the power source. In an embodiment, the bowl lighting system can be controlled through a remote control, or by a connection with the power supply that detects when a user is inhaling (drawing power from the power supply). When a user is inhaling from a vaporizer, it sends a signal to light up one or more of the LEDs in the lighting system. When the user stops inhaling, the one or more of the LEDs that lit up would then turn off, giving a similar effect to a cigarette tip that glows when the smoker puffs. More users inhaling simultaneously using the e-hookah can result in a brighter intensity of one or more LEDs of the lighting system than if one user alone was inhaling. In an embodiment, more than one users inhaling simultaneously could also cause a color change of the LEDS in the lighting system. For example, one user inhaling alone would cause the LEDs would light up red, only two users inhaling simultaneously would cause the LEDs to light up pink, only three users inhaling simultaneously would cause the LEDs to light up orange, and all four users inhaling simultaneously would cause the LEDs to light up white. Zero users would cause the LED not to light at all. A connection from each vaporizer to the LED system is present so that a processing unit at the LED would know how many users are inhaling simultaneously and adjust the LEDs accordingly. 
         [0030]    The e-hookah can have a separate base unit with its own set of remote-controlled LED lighting. The remote can change the brightness, coloration, pattern, and timing of the LED lighting. The base unit can have USB, audio, or other inputs for a user to plug in and play music from a personal mobile device. The base unit can have multiple speakers to play audio output. Additionally, the base unit should incorporate a timer that can be wired to the LED lighting and to the base unit power source, where a shutdown can occur after a preset period of time such that a proprietor using multiple e-hookahs can monetize and limit access to the e-hookah in a bar or club setting. The base can also have layers of stabilizing material that are molded or cut to fit the form of any standard hookah water jar. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electronic hookah  100  without a base  101 , according to an embodiment. The e-hookah  100  can comprise the following components: a body  110 , a water jar  102 , at least one hose (not shown), at least one vaporizing unit (not shown), a bowl  111 , a plate  109 , and a base (not shown). Each of the possible components of the e-hookah will be described in the following paragraphs. 
         [0032]    In an embodiment, the e-hookah  100  body  110  can contain a power supply (not shown), which can take the form of at least one modular battery unit (not shown), capable of holding a charge for an extended period of time. On an e-hookah  100  designed for four persons, the body  110  can have four voltage or temperature regulators  113 , connected to the power supply (not shown), positioned equidistantly around the circumference of the body  110 . Note that the voltage or temperature regulator  113  is really the same thing, as a higher voltage results in a higher temperature in the atomizer (not shown). However, a voltage regular would display the energy output in volts on the display  105  while a temperature regulator would display the energy output as a temperature. In an embodiment, the amount of voltage allowed through each regulator  113  can be adjusted by a respective knob  104  or slider, and each regulator  113  can have an LED screen  105  located above or below its respective knob  104  to display the current voltage or temperature value of each regulator  113  for ease of use. (See  FIGS. 10A ,  10 B,  10 C,  10 D) In an embodiment, the voltage output of each regulator  113  can channel into a respective hose mount connector  116 , which can consist of a magnet (not shown) and an electrical connection (not shown). (See  FIG. 9 ) 
         [0033]    While all are not visible in  FIG. 1 , there are four sets each of an LED screen, a knob or slider  104 , a regulator  113 , and a house mount connector  116 . 
         [0034]    In an embodiment, the e-hookah body  110  can also comprise a lighting system  107  that can be controlled via a remote control (not shown). The lighting system  107  can be made up of LEDs or other similar variable lighting systems. The remote control can vary the brightness, coloration, timing, and pattern of active lights in the lighting system. The e-hookah body  110  can also have up to four hooks  108  for the storage of the e-hookah hoses (not shown) while not in use. In an embodiment, the e-hookah body  110  can also contain an electrical port  114  for the recharging of the power source. 
         [0035]    In an embodiment, the e-hookah water jar  102  can be any ornamental water jar normally used with a standard tobacco hookah. Note that the water jar is not used with the invention, it is merely ornamental to look like what a non-electrical hookah looks like. In an embodiment, the e-hookah  100  can have multiple grommet  103  sizes such that the e-hookah body  110  can fit into any diameter water jar  102 . In an embodiment, a specialized jar  102  can be created such that there exists electrical connections  115  on the underside of the water jar  102  which provide a power conduit between the e-hookah base (not shown) and the power supply (not shown), such that the e-hookah power supply (not shown) can be charged when the e-hookah  100  is inserted into the base (not shown). 
         [0036]    In an embodiment, the e-hookah bowl  111  can be attached atop the e-hookah body  110 , above the plate  109 . As the e-hookah  100  is a tobacco-less device, the bowl  111  can serve as ornamentation to provide the illusion that an e-hookah user (not shown) is using a standard hookah. Additionally, the bowl  111  and/or the plate  109  can contain an upper lighting system  112 , which can be created by LED lighting, laser lighting, or another low-power lighting method. This lighting system  112  can be connected to the power source (not shown). In an embodiment, the upper lighting system  112  can be controlled through a remote control (not shown), or by sensors embedded in each vaporizer (not shown) that detect when a user is inhaling. When a user inhales from his/her respective vaporizer, the LEDs of the LED lighting system  112  lights up and when the user stops inhaling the LEDs turn off. Different numbers of users simultaneously inhaling from their respective vaporizers cause the lighting system to display brighter colors or different colors depending on the number of simultaneous users. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a base  101  for an electronic hookah  100 , according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, the e-hookah  100  can have a separate base unit  101  with its own set of LED lighting  128 , controlled by remote (not shown). The base unit  101  can have USB  121 , audio  122 , or other inputs for a user to plug in and play music from a personal mobile device (not shown). The base unit  101  can have multiple speakers  120  to play audio output. Additionally, the base unit  101  should incorporate a timer (not shown) that can be wired to the LED lighting  128  and to the base unit power source (not shown), where a shutdown can occur after a preset period of time such that a proprietor using multiple e-hookahs  100  can monetize and limit access to the e-hookah  100  in a bar or club setting. The base  101  can also have layers of stabilizing material  123  that are molded or cut to fit the form of any standard hookah water jar, like the hole  127  shown. The stabilizing material  123  can be attached to the main base portion  124  through the use of separators  125  attached to the upper main base  131 , and screws  126  that can be inserted through the top of the stabilizing material  123 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a base  101  for an electronic hookah  100 , according to an embodiment. This view more clearly demonstrates how the stabilizing material  123  can be made with a hole  127  with sufficient diameter to fit any e-hookah water jar  102 . The stabilizing material  123  can be attached to the main base portion  124  through the use of separators  125  attached to the upper main base  131 , and screws  126  that can be inserted through the top of the stabilizing material  123 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an electronic hookah  100  on a base  101 , according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, an e-hookah hose  150  is essentially an ornamentally-cladded electrical connection between the e-hookah body  110 , connected to a hose mount connector  106  at the proximal end and an individual vaporizer  151  at the distal end. The hose  150  can have an inner core of electrically conductive material (not shown), surrounded by an insulating layer (not shown), and further surrounded by an ornamental layer, which can be made of a variety of fabrics or decorative materials. The proximal end of an e-hookah hose  150  can contain a magnet with polar orientation opposite to the magnet located in the hose mount connector  106  on the e-hookah body  110 , such that the proximal end of the hose  150  can adhere to the hose mount connector  106 , extending the electrical connection to the distal end, while being easily detachable in the event of an accidental stress by the user. In this way, the hose  150  can detach from the e-hookah body  110 , which will prevent the entire unit  100 ,  101  from tipping over and possibly causing damage. 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  is a cross section view of an electronic hookah body, according to an embodiment. The e-hookah body  110  can contain at least one power source  115 , which can be located in the upper tube  107  of the body. The power source  115  can connect to the hose mount connector (not shown) via the voltage regulator (not shown). In an embodiment, the power source  115  can be made up of four separate rechargeable batteries  155 , arranged within the upper tube  107  of the body. Each battery can provide power to an individual voltage regulator  113 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  is a close view of the connection between an electronic hookah hose mount connector and a hose, according to an embodiment. The proximal end of an e-hookah hose  150  can contain a magnet  160  with polar orientation opposite to the magnet (not shown) located in the hose mount connector  106  on the e-hookah body  110 , such that the proximal end of the hose  150  can adhere (using magnetism) to the hose mount connector  106 , extending the electrical connection  161  to the distal end, while being easily detachable in the event of an accidental stress by the user. In this way, the hose  150  can detach from the e-hookah body  110 , which will prevent the entire unit  100 ,  101  from tipping over and possibly causing damage. 
         [0042]      FIG. 7  is a cross section view of an electronic hookah vaporizer component  151 , according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, the vaporizer  151  can vaporize dry herbs (not shown), e-liquids (not shown), oils (not shown), or waxes (not shown). For each substance, the construction of the vaporizer  151  can be very similar. The vaporizer  151  can have an electrical connector and fastening mechanism  170  for connection to the e-hookah hose  150 . Power drawn from the power source (not shown) and regulated by the voltage regulator (not shown) can be channeled into a heating source  171  that provides heat to an inner chamber  172  that can be configured in shape to receive dry herbs (not shown), e-liquids (not shown), oils (not shown), or waxes (not shown). The vaporizer  151  can have a disposable covering  152  at its tip if more than one user wishes to use the same vaporizer  151 . The distal end of an e-hookah hose  150  can also contain a fastening mechanism  169 , which can be a stronger magnet (not shown) or other fastening system, such that the vaporizing unit  151  can attach to the distal end of the hose  150 . The inner conducting layer (not shown) of the hose  150  can connect the e-hookah power source (not shown) to the vaporizing unit  151 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  is a functional diagram for an electronic hookah  100 , according to an embodiment. When a user begins to inhale on their individual vaporizer an inhalation detector is activated by the movement of air  804  such that the inhalation detector  804  can send a signal through the hose that can cause the variable voltage (or temperature) regulator  801  to draw an independent voltage from the power supply  800  to pass through the regulator  801  into the hose  802 . Drawing an independent voltage is where a single variable voltage regulator  801  can receive a voltage that is different in value from the other voltage regulators (not shown). The amount of voltage allowed through to the hose  802  by the regulator  801  can be controlled by the user through a dial (not shown) or slider (not shown). The hose  802  can conduct the voltage to the vaporizer heating source  803 , generating temperatures between 300 and 500 degrees Fahrenheit, such that vapor is produced, which the user can inhale. The described process can continue for as long as the inhalation detector  804  is activated as the user continues to inhale on their vaporizer. Once the user ceases to inhale the inhalation detector  804  deactivates and the regulator  801  can halt the allowance of a voltage from the power supply  800  to the hose  802 , effectively shutting down the vaporizer heating source  803  and halting the production of vapor. 
         [0044]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating the power structure of an electronic hookah configured for four users, according to an embodiment. When user # 1  (not shown) begins to inhale on vaporizer # 1   904 , the vaporizer # 1   904  can send a signal through the hose # 1  (not shown) that can cause the power control circuit # 1   901  to allow an independent voltage from the power supply  900  to pass through the power control circuit # 1   901  into the hose # 1 . The amount of voltage allowed through to the hose # 1  by the power control circuit # 1   901  can be independently controlled by adjuster # 1   903 , which can be a dial (not shown) or a slider (not shown). The hose # 1  can conduct the voltage to vaporizer # 1   904 . The described process can continue for as long as user # 1  continues to inhale on vaporizer # 1   904 . Once user # 1  ceases to inhale, the power control circuit # 1   901  can halt the allowance of an independent voltage from the power supply  900  to hose # 1 , effectively shutting down vaporizer # 1   904  and halting the production of vapor from vaporizer # 1 . The power supply  900  can provide independent voltages to up to four power control circuits (regulators)  901 ,  905 ,  909 ,  913 . The power control circuits  905 ,  909 ,  913  and their respective adjusters  907 ,  911 ,  915 , displays  906 ,  910 ,  914 , and vaporizers  908 ,  912 ,  916  are identical to, and can operate in an identical manner as the power control circuit # 1   901 , adjuster # 1   903 , display # 1   902 , and vaporizer # 1   904 . Each of the power control circuits  901 ,  905 ,  909 ,  913  can be independently controlled by physically adjusting their respective adjusters  903 ,  907 ,  911 ,  915 , such that each power control circuit can allow a different voltage than the others based upon the preferences of each individual user (an independent voltage). For example, power control circuit # 1   901  can be set to 2.5 volts, power control circuit # 2   905  can be set to 3.1 volts, power control circuit # 3   909  can be set to 1.7 volts, and power control circuit # 4   913  can be set to 5.3 volts. 
         [0045]      FIG. 10A  is a front view of a dial-controlled voltage regulator  1000  for an electronic hookah, according to an embodiment. The voltage regulator  1000  can allow a voltage from the power supply (not shown) to the hose (not shown) based upon the position of the dial  1003 . The allowed voltage value can be displayed on a display configured to display voltage  1001 . By twisting the dial  1003  clockwise, the user can increase the amount of voltage allowed though the regulator  1000  from a minimum of  1  volt to a maximum of  7  volts in  0 . 1  volt increments. The corresponding increase would be shown on the display  1001 . By twisting the dial  1003  counterclockwise, the user can decrease the amount of voltage allowed through the regulator  1000 . The corresponding decrease can be shown on the display  1001 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 10B  is a front view of a dial-controlled temperature regulator for an electronic hookah, according to an alternate embodiment. In the alternate embodiment, the voltage regulator  1000  can allow a voltage from the power supply (not shown) to the hose (not shown) based upon the position of the dial  1003 . The allowed voltage value can be displayed on a display configured to display temperature  1002 . By twisting the dial  1003  clockwise, the user can increase the temperature of the heating coil (not shown) from a minimum of 300 degrees Fahrenheit to a maximum of 500 degrees Fahrenheit in one degree increments, which can be accomplished by increasing the amount of voltage allowed though the regulator  1000 . The corresponding increase in temperature would be shown on the display  1002 . By twisting the dial  1003  counterclockwise, the user can decrease the temperature of the heating coil (not shown), which can be accomplished by decreasing the amount of voltage allowed through the regulator  1000 . The corresponding decrease in temperature can be shown on the display  1002 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 10C  is a front view of a slider-controlled voltage regulator for an electronic hookah, according to an alternate embodiment. The voltage regulator  1000  can allow a voltage from the power supply (not shown) to the hose (not shown) based upon the position of the slider  1004 . The allowed voltage value can be displayed on a display configured to display voltage  1001 . By sliding the slider  1004  to the right, the user can increase the amount of voltage allowed though the regulator  1000  from a minimum of 1 volt to a maximum of 7 volts in 0.1 volt increments. The corresponding increase would be shown on the display  1001 . By sliding the slider  1004  to the left, the user can decrease the amount of voltage allowed through the regulator  1000 . The corresponding decrease can be shown on the display  1001 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 10D  is a front view of a slider-controlled temperature regulator for an electronic hookah, according to an alternate embodiment. The voltage regulator  1000  can allow a voltage from the power supply (not shown) to the hose (not shown) based upon the position of the slider  1004 . The allowed voltage value can be displayed on a display configured to display temperature  1002 . By sliding the slider  1004  to the right, the user can increase the temperature of the heating coil (not shown) from a minimum of 300 degrees Fahrenheit to a maximum of 500 degrees Fahrenheit in one degree increments, which can be accomplished by increasing the amount of voltage allowed though the regulator  1000 . The corresponding increase would be shown on the display  1002 . By sliding the slider  1004  to the left, the user can decrease the temperature of the heating coil (not shown), which can be accomplished by decreasing the amount of voltage allowed through the regulator  1000 . The corresponding decrease in temperature can be shown on the display  1002 . 
         [0049]    Although the present apparatus has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, none is limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the present apparatus, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of either the apparatus or the methods for using such an apparatus.