Smoking Apparatus Protection Device and Method

A device for protecting a smoking apparatus; the device has a jacket constructed of a semirigid and/or shock absorbent material configured receive a glass body of the smoking apparatus and may cover at least 50% of the outer surface of the glass body when on an open state. The jacket further may be configured to protect, at least 80% of the outer surface of the glass body against impacts against the outer surface of the glass body while in the closed state. Additionally, a fastener may be fixed to the jacket, and configured to secure the jacket to the smoking apparatus. The device for protecting the smoking apparatus is useful for providing a reusable covering/jacket for protecting the smoking apparatus against impacts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of glass smoking apparatuses of existing art and more specifically relates to smoking apparatus protectors.

RELATED ART

Many smokers enjoy using a glass pipe but worry that it will break if dropped or otherwise impacted. Often, the pipe becomes hot and causes the individual to lose their grip. The glass may also be slippery, which often causes the user to inadvertently drop the pipe. The impact from a fall, even a short one, can cause the pipe to crack or even shatter. This will render the pipe unusable and force the user to pay for a replacement smoking apparatus (e.g., bong, pipe, etc.). A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,807 to Mark R. Newman relates to a water pipe smoking apparatus having impact collars and base storage compartment. The described water pipe smoking apparatus having impact collars and base storage compartment includes a liquid pipe smoking apparatus having impact collars formed to be carried by the body of the base member, and or, the vessel body of the apparatus. The impact collars are detachable and are intended to absorb shock encountered by the apparatus during use to avoid fracture of the vessel body, and or to avoid tipping of the pipe apparatus. The cylindrical base member is also modified such that the underside portion provides a storage compartment covered with a threaded or friction retained bottom cap member. Various embodiments may be configured utilizing the impact collars and the modified base structure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known smoking apparatus protector art, the present disclosure provides a novel device and method for protecting a smoking apparatus. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide an effective and convertible device for protecting a smoking apparatus.

The smoking apparatus may include a mouth interface, at least one air inlet, and a glass body between the mouth interface and the at least one air inlet. The glass body has an outer surface defining an internal cavity. The device for protecting the smoking apparatus comprises a jacket constructed of a semirigid and/or shock absorbent material configured to receive the glass body and may cover at least 50% of the outer surface of the glass body when on an open state. The jacket further may be configured to protect at least 80% of the outer surface of the glass body against impacts against the outer surface of the glass body while in the closed state. Additionally, a fastener may be fixed to the jacket, and configured to secure the jacket to the glass smoking apparatus.

The device further includes an embodiment with a jacket that can be divided into a plurality of sub jackets and each sub jacket can be configured to receive a predefined portion of the glass body individually or in combination. With the present embodiment, each sub-jacket may comprise a sub jacket divided into two halves and may further be configured to be releasably couplable one to the other around the outer surface of the smoking apparatus and/or a predefined portion of the smoking apparatus.

A method of using a device for protecting a smoking apparatus is also disclosed herein. The method comprises the steps of providing a device for protecting a smoking apparatus; the smoking apparatus including a mouth interface, at least one air inlet, and a glass body between the mouth interface and the at least one air inlet, the glass body having an outer surface defining an internal volume; the device comprising: a jacket configured receive the glass body, and to cover at least 50% of the outer surface of the glass body; the jacket further configured to protect against impacts against the outer surface of the glass body; and a fastener fixed to the jacket, and configured to secure the jacket to the glass smoking apparatus; positioning the jacket in an open state; inserting the smoking apparatus; closing the jacket; coupling the fastener to secure the jacket in the closed state; releasing the fastener; and removing the smoking apparatus.

The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a smoking apparatus protector and more particularly to a device for protecting a smoking apparatus from potential impact damage as used to improve the longevity of the smoking apparatus.

Generally, modern smoking apparatuses are constructed with fragile material such as glass and ceramic and as a result can be very expensive and delicate. Furthermore, because they are often fragile, smoking apparatuses are unable to sustain impacts if dropped. The present invention provides a device useful for protecting the smoking apparatus against such impacts. The device may look like a sleeve or a koozie that the smoking apparatus can slide into and surrounds the bottom half of the bowl with a bridge over the stem top to hold it in place.

The device may further be envisioned in other configurations or embodiments that can include a device comprising a protector that could be like an outer box on a phone that is 2 pieces that click in place on both sides and the bottom, while the stem is a separate protector that the stem slides into similar to a koozie. It can also be manufactured similarly to a phone case by lining the inside with silicone with the outside being wood, plastic, or the like. The retaining strap may vary as well. There can be a permanent strap, a snap strap, or a buckle strap with the initial one being made from an RTV rubber mold that the bowl can be set into with the bridge added later. It may be able to be made from semi-flex to flexible filament from a 3D printer. 3D printing can be one way to make the device. Other suitable options may be used such as with a clay molding and silicone. The measurements can be minimally the same throughout. An example may include a device being between ⅛ of an inch and one inch thick in all areas including the retaining strap but can be thicker and modeled special if the user prefers for example finger ridges for gripping or other unique designs. Preferably, the device can be about a quarter of an inch away from the bowl piece and the mouth piece sticks out about a quarter of an inch past the protector in order to still be able put mouth on the smoking apparatus.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference,FIG. 1illustrates a device100for protecting a smoking apparatus180.FIG. 1shows the device100during an ‘in-use’ condition. The device100may be beneficial for use by a user to protect the smoking apparatus180from damage or impact if accidently dropped. As illustrated, the smoking apparatus180may have a mouth interface185, at least one air inlet187, and a body181(e.g., formed of glass) between the mouth interface185and the at least one air inlet187. Body181may have an outer surface182defining an internal volume (not shown). Mouth interface185and the at least one air inlet187may be formed as openings to enable passage of material therethrough. Material (e.g., smoke), may pass through the at least one air inlet187into the internal volume of body181. Further, material (e.g., gas), may pass from the internal volume of body181by exiting through mouth interface185, such as where a user may have induced flow by oral contact with smoking apparatus180at mouth interface185, (e.g., by sucking, blowing, or other pressurization).

Although it is clearly apparent that the device100of the of the present disclosure may have advantages for protecting the smoking apparatus180, it should be noted that the smoking apparatus180does not require a glass element for the device100to be effective in the protection of the smoking apparatus180. Examples of the smoking apparatus180may include wood, carved stone, porcelain, molded glass, blown glass and water pipes commonly referred to as bongs or hookahs.

The device100comprises a jacket110configured to receive the body181of the smoking apparatus180(e.g., a glass body), while in an open state (e.g., open state212, as illustrated inFIG. 2). Jacket110may cover at least 50% of outer surface182of body181. Preferably the at least 50% should include the bottom section when used with a common glass pipe as illustrated inFIG. 1, such as to protect against impact against a surface (as represented by impact zone101). The jacket110may further be configured to protect from impacts against the outer surface182of body181while in the open state as illustrated inFIG. 2and compounding the protection while in a closed state122. In closed state122, a fastener120may be closed and/or fastened as illustrated, whereas in the open state, fastener120may be open and/or released. For protection, jacket110may include shell140(e.g., having a shock absorbent and/or semirigid quality). Shell140may be formed of wood, plastic or 3D printable material and further may include non-functional artistic designs and/or functional ergonomic features. The jacket110may further include an internal liner148(e.g., formed of shock absorbent material) which may be positioned between shell140and smoking apparatus180. Internal liner148may be secured to shell140. Internal liner148may contact smoking apparatus180when device100is in the in-use condition, as illustrated inFIG. 1. Internal liner148and/or shell140may form an internal cavity (e.g., internal cavity246ofFIG. 2) which receives smoking apparatus180. The internal liner148is configured to nest at least a portion of the smoking apparatus180within the internal cavity. The jacket110may be made of a shock absorbent skin comprising the semirigid material (e.g., shell140and/or internal liner148) separately or in combination. Jacket110may have a thickness between ⅛ of an inch and one inch. Jacket110and/or internal liner148may be formed of an elastomer material. However, types of material used for jacket110and/or internal liner148may vary according to design preference, such as to accommodate up to a threshold level of impact force applied to jacket110while preventing smoking apparatus180from damage.

The at least one air inlet187, jacket110and/or internal liner148may be sized and dimensioned to provide a thermal separation160between the at least one air inlet187and one or both of jacket110and internal liner148, such as to prevent melting or undue heating of jacket110and/or internal liner148(e.g., where excessive heat may be produced at or near the at least one air inlet187). Thermal separation160may be formed as a gap of at least 1/32 of an inch between the at least one air inlet187and either or both of jacket110and internal liner148. A second air inlet188may be formed on the smoking apparatus180, which may help regulate flow of material (e.g., flavored smoke). Jacket110and/or internal liner148may have at least one inlet aperture114(e.g., a slot) which may be configured to enable material to escape smoking apparatus180. Thus, jacket110and/or internal liner148may be separated from second air inlet188by a thermal separation161. The device100for protecting the smoking apparatus180may be arranged as a kit. In particular, the kit may further include one or more of jacket110, smoking apparatus180, and/or a set of instructions107. The instructions107may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the device100such that the device100may be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

FIG. 2illustrates a jacket210having a shell240, an internal liner248, and a fastener220. Jacket210may be configured to receive a smoking apparatus (e.g., smoking apparatus180ofFIG. 1) while in an open state212(e.g., where fastener220is open and/or released). The fastening means of fastener220may include, without limitation, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, clamps, pins, knubs, clasps, crimps, rubber band fasteners, buckles, zippers, or other knowns means of attachment. Shell240and/or internal liner248may form an internal cavity246which is shaped and/or dimensioned to receive the smoking apparatus. Internal cavity246may include an outlet aperture216which may be configured to align and permit air to flow out of a mouth interface (e.g., mouth interface185ofFIG. 1). Internal cavity246may include at least one inlet aperture214(e.g., a slot) which may be configured to align and permit air to flow out of a second air inlet (e.g., second air inlet188ofFIG. 1). The fastener220may be releasably couplable and is further configured to secure the jacket210in the closed state (e.g., closed state122ofFIG. 1). The fastener220may be made of an impact resistant material similar to the jacket210.

It should be noted and obvious to one skilled in the art that the impact resistant material may be constructed to provide elastomeric properties allowing for a biasing deformation such that the jacket210and/or fastener220may be deformed to the open state212to receive the smoking apparatus and return to the closed state to retain the smoking apparatus. Shell240may be configured for protecting the smoking apparatus and may be formed of a shock absorbent skin (e.g., constructed of a neoprene shock absorbent material), and may be configured to slip over the smoking apparatus in a sock-like fashion.

Shell240may be formed with an exterior wall242and an interior wall244. Internal liner248may be secured to interior wall244. Shell240may cover at least 50% of the outer surface of the smoking apparatus. The interior wall244may be defined by the internal cavity246and may be configured to receive the smoking apparatus. The outlet aperture216may be sized and dimensioned to provide a gap (e.g., as represented inFIG. 1) of at least ⅛ of an inch between the outlet aperture216and the mouth interface (e.g., mouth interface185ofFIG. 1).

FIG. 3is a break-away view of a device300having a jacket which may be divided into a plurality of sub jackets350. A smoking apparatuses380(e.g., water pipes, bongs, and/or or hookahs) may require protection for individual components, or segments, of the smoking apparatus380. The plurality of sub-jackets350may be configured to receive discrete portions of the smoking apparatus380when in an open state312and retain the smoking apparatus380when coupled together to protect the portion f the smoking apparatus380when in a closed state (closed state422ofFIG. 4).

As shown inFIG. 3, each of the plurality of sub jackets350may be configured to receive predefined portions of the smoking apparatus380, individually or in combination. The predefined portions of smoking apparatus380can include at least one of a bowl portion352, a base portion354, a water-chamber portion356, a stem portion353, a neck381, and a smoke-chamber portion358. Base portion354may form an exterior shell with an internal volume forming water-chamber portion356. Smoke-chamber portion358may extend from base portion354. Neck381may form an exterior shell with an internal volume forming smoke-chamber portion358. Neck381may be interconnected with base portion354(e.g., at a first end of neck381). Neck381may have a mouth interface385(e.g., at a second end of neck381). Water-chamber portion356may be in fluid communication with smoke-chamber portion358. Bowl portion352may be interconnected with stem portion353(e.g., at a first end of stem portion353). Stem portion353may be interconnected with base portion354(e.g., at a second end of stem portion353, or at some point between the first and second ends such that stem portion353extends into the interior of water-chamber portion356).

The plurality of sub jackets350may be divided into two halves that can be releasably coupled together (e.g., the two halves350A, and the two halves350B). Each of the plurality of sub-jackets350may further include the fastener320fixed to one or more of the plurality of sub-jackets350and may be configured to secure one or more of the plurality of sub-jackets350to the smoking apparatus380. The fastener320may be made of an impact resistant material and may be an affixed feature of one or more of the plurality of sub-jacket350(e.g., sub-jacket350A). Preferably, the fastener320is releasably couplable, and is further configured to secure at least one of the sub jackets350in the closed state. As stated above, fastener320may be selected from any number of suitable fasteners. The fastener320can be divided into a plurality of sub-fasteners362fixed to the plurality of the sub-jackets350. Each sub-fastener362may be configured to secure its respective sub jacket350to its respective predefined portion of the smoking apparatus380(e.g., sub-jackets350B to base portion354, and/or sub-jackets350A to neck381). Each sub-fastener362may be biased in its respective closed state.

Device300may include the plurality of sub-jackets350configured to receive the predefined portion of the smoking apparatus380, individually or in combination and to cover at least 50% of an outer surface382of smoking apparatus380. Device300may cover between 50% and 97% of the glass body. Each of the plurality of sub jackets350may be formed of shock absorbent, semirigid material. Each of the plurality of sub jackets350may have an exterior wall342and an interior wall344. The interior wall344may be defined by an internal cavity346configured to receive the smoking apparatus380. Each of the plurality of sub jackets350may further include an internal liner348coupled to the interior wall344within the internal cavity346. Internal liner348may be made of a shock absorbent material. The internal liner348is configured to nest at least a portion of the smoking apparatus's380within the internal cavity346.

Each of the plurality of sub-jackets350may further include the at least one inlet aperture314configured to align and permit air to flow into at least one air inlet387of smoking apparatus380. Thus, sub-jackets350B may each have a slot along a perimeter thereof, such that when joined as provided for herein, the slots in each sub jacket350B combine to form the at least one inlet aperture314extending through the combined jacket350. The at least one inlet aperture314may be structured and arranged to align with the at least one air inlet387when the corresponding jacket350is in the closed state (e.g., as represented inFIG. 4). The at least one inlet aperture314may be sized and dimensioned to provide a thermal separation360between the at least one inlet aperture314and the at least one air inlet387. Thermal separation360may be represented by a gap of at least 1/32 of an inch between the at least one inlet aperture314and the at least one air inlet387.

Moreover, the plurality of jackets350include an outlet aperture316configured to align and permit air to flow out of the mouth interface385. Thus, sub jackets350A may each have a slot along a perimeter thereof, such that when joined as provided for herein, the slots in each sub-jacket350A combine to form the outlet aperture316. The outlet aperture316may be sized and dimensioned to provide the gap318between outlet aperture316and mouth interface385. Outlet aperture316may form a gap of at least ⅛ of an inch between the outlet aperture316and the mouth interface385. Further, each corresponding sub jacket350may include a second inlet aperture315configured to align with and permit air to flow into or out of a second air inlet388of smoking apparatus380. The second inlet aperture315may be sized and dimensioned to provide a thermal separation (not shown) between the second inlet aperture315and the second air inlet388. This thermal separation may be represented by a gap of at least 1/32 of an inch between the second inlet aperture315and the second air inlet388.

One or more of the plurality of sub jackets350may be configured with one or more feet399. The one or more feet399may be configured to allow device300and/or smoking apparatus380to be placed on a surface and be retained in a specific geometrical relationship with respect to that surface (e.g., upright, inclined, and so forth). At least one of the plurality of sub-jackets350may include a sub jacket350C configured to be retained over or around bowl portion352.

FIG. 4is a perspective view of a device400having a plurality of sub jackets450. The plurality of sub jackets450may be configured to have an open state (e.g., open state312as illustrated inFIG. 3) and a closed state422as illustrated inFIG. 4. Each sub-jacket450may include two halves configured to inter-lock into its respective closed state. The plurality of sub-jackets450may include the at least one inlet aperture414configured to align and permit air to flow into at least one air inlet (e.g., the at least one air inlet387ofFIG. 3). The plurality of sub-jackets450may include an outlet aperture416configured to align and permit air to flow out of a mouth interface485of a smoking apparatus480. The outlet aperture416may be sized and dimensioned to provide a gap418to prevent interference with a mouth of a user. Gap418may be configured to have a spacing of at least ⅛ of an inch between the outlet aperture416and the mouth interface485.

Some embodiments of the device400may include the sub jackets450made of a shock absorbent skin comprising soft and/or compliant material, or may further have an internal liner. Sub jackets450and/or the internal liner may separately or in combination have a thickness between ⅛ of an inch and one inch. The shock absorbent material may be an elastomer material.

FIG. 5is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use500for a device (e.g., device300ofFIG. 3) for protecting a smoking apparatus (e.g., smoking apparatus380ofFIG. 3). The method of use500for the device for protecting the smoking apparatus may include one or more components or features of the devices heretofore described. As illustrated, the method of use500for the device for protecting a smoking apparatus may include the steps of:

Step one,501, providing a device for protecting a smoking apparatus, the smoking apparatus including a mouth interface, at least one air inlet, and a body between the mouth interface and the at least one air inlet. The device may further include a body having an outer surface, defining an internal volume. The device may further include a jacket or a plurality of sub-jackets configured to receive the body of the smoking apparatus. The jacket(s) may cover at least 50% of the outer surface of the body. The jacket(s) may be configured to protect against impacts to the outer surface of the body. The jacket(s) may further include a fastener fixed to the jacket, and configured to secure the jacket(s) to each other and/or to the smoking apparatus.

Step two,502, positioning the jacket or sub-jackets in an open state on a table or stable surface.

Step three,503, inserting the smoking apparatus into the device and/or the jacket(s). It may be preferable to hold the device in one hand while inserting the smoking apparatus or portion thereof using the other hand.

Step four,504, closing the jacket(s), if appropriate. It may be preferrable that the device be configured to include a jacket comprising a fastener (e.g., as an integral part of the jacket) or to form the device of shock absorbent skin, soft or compliant material, or of a neoprene shock absorbent material configured to slip over the smoking apparatus in a sock-like fashion.

Step five505, coupling the fastener to secure the jacket in the closed state.

In general, once the smoking apparatus is secured within the device, it is preferable to leave the smoking apparatus in the enclosed configuration. However, it may be necessary, on occasion, to clean or otherwise maintain the smoking apparatus. Where such cleaning or maintenance mandates the removal of the smoking apparatus from the device, additional steps may be necessary, such as:

Step six,506, releasing the fastener.

Step seven,507, removing the smoking apparatus.

It should be noted that steps six,506, and seven,507, are an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use500are illustrated using dotted lines inFIG. 5so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f).