Patent Publication Number: US-2018049467-A1

Title: Dual Vertical Charcoal Heat Source

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention generally pertains to heating devices, and more particularly to a heat source that utilizes dual vertically oriented heat coils to apply heat to charcoal which in turn is used to provide heat to a hookah. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A hookah is a single or multi-stemmed/hosed instrument for vaporizing and smoking flavored tobacco or cannabis, called shisha, whose vapor or smoke is passed through a water basin. 
     The waterpipe was either invented by an Irfan Shaikh of the Mughal Empire or originates form the time of the Safavid dynasty of Persia from where it eventually spread to the east into India. The hookah also soon reached Egypt and the Levant during the Ottoman dynasty from the neighboring Safavid dynasty, where it became very popular and where the mechanism was later perfected. The word hookah is a derivative of “huqqa”, an Arabia term. Outside its native region, hookah smoking has gained popularity throughout the world, especially among younger people. 
     In order to use a hookah, heat must be provided. Typically and preferably, the heat is supplied via charcoal which is integral or adjacent to the hookah. There are problems associated with the use of charcoal-supplied heat. One of the problems is that the charcoal often requires a long time to reach the usable temperature. For an individual who desires smoking from a hookah, the time spent waiting for the charcoal to heat is frustrating. Also working with charcoal can be difficult and messy. As a result, some prior art describes methods and/or devices that supply heat to a hookah without using charcoal. 
     It would be very beneficial if there was a means for providing charcoal-derived heat to a hookah or similar smoking device. Optimally, the charcoal could be easily prepared for use, and the time required to heat the charcoal to the required temperature would be significantly lowered. The means would preferably use electrical power, via a power cable, although battery power could also be used to allow the means to be used in locations where utility power is not available, such as many outdoor locations. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any literature or patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However, the-following U.S. patents are considered related: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 U.S. PAT. NO. 
                 INVENTOR 
                 ISSUED 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 5,367,950 
                 Sarich 
                 29 Nov. 1994 
               
               
                   
                 5,928,544 
                 Bennett 
                 27 Jul. 1999 
               
               
                   
                 8,550,091 
                 Yomtov et al 
                 8 Oct. 2013 
               
               
                   
                 8,983,282 
                 Bioshara 
                 17 Mar. 2015 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,950 patent discloses a rotisserie cooking unit having a centrally configured heat source, a pair of removable spit carriers and a pair of removable covers. The covers are configured to provide the function of covering and enclosing the unit and of opening up to serve as drop pans and ash catches. 
     The U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,544 patent discloses a cooking appliance having a hob surface that is provided with a hob heating element provided in the top surface of a base unit. The base unit is arranged to be capable of being raised above the level of the hob surface in order to expose a further heating element provided on the bottom surface of the base unit whereby to permit food to be cooked with heat from above or below. The heating elements may be of gas or electrical. 
     The U.S. Pat. No. 8,550,091 patent discloses a water pipe that includes a bowl for placing therein a smoking substance, a tube that fluidly connects the bowl to a base member, at least one hose connection port, in fluid communication with the base member, for connecting with at least one flexible hose, and an electric heating element disposed in the bowl for heating the smoking substance. The electric heating element being shaped as an inner periphery of the bowl, and a controller in electrical communication with the electric heating element. The controller controls electrical power applied to the electric heating element for heating the smoking substance to a temperature that vaporizes volatile aromatic components of the smoking substance without substantially causing combustion of the smoking substance. 
     The U.S. Pat. No. 8,983,282 patent discloses an electric heat for generating smoke from tobacco or the like in a hookah type smoking pipe. The electric heat is obtained from an electrically powered heating element which may be contained within a housing which in turn may be placed above the smoking chamber of the hookah, may be integral with the hookah or may comprise a free standing assembly adjacent to the hookah. 
     For background purposes and indicative of the art to which the invention relates, reference may be made to the following remaining patents found in the patent search. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 U.S. PAT. NO. 
                 INVENTOR 
                 ISSUED 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 2,033,067 
                 Fromknecht 
                 3 Mar. 1936 
               
               
                   
                 3,316,389 
                 Markowitz 
                 25 Apr. 1967 
               
               
                   
                 3,742,838 
                 Luschen et al 
                 3 Jul. 1973 
               
               
                   
                 3,867,922 
                 Dahlquist 
                 25 Feb. 1975 
               
               
                   
                 3,954,433 
                 Holier 
                 4 May 1976 
               
               
                   
                 4,034,663 
                 Jenn et al 
                 12 Jul. 1977 
               
               
                   
                 4,164,175 
                 Burstein et al 
                 14 Aug. 1979 
               
               
                   
                 4,970,949 
                 Ferrara, Jr. et al 
                 20 Nov. 1990 
               
               
                   
                 4,972,766 
                 Anetsberger 
                 27 Nov. 1990 
               
               
                   
                 5,154,115 
                 Kian 
                 13 Oct. 1992 
               
               
                   
                 5,284,671 
                 Stewart 
                 8 Feb. 1994 
               
               
                   
                 5,363,748 
                 Boehm et al 
                 15 Nov. 1994 
               
               
                   
                 5,606,905 
                 Boehm et al 
                 4 Mar. 1997 
               
               
                   
                 6,022,200 
                 Myers 
                 8 Feb. 2000 
               
               
                   
                 6,116,150 
                 Greenfield, Jr. 
                 12 Sep. 2000 
               
               
                   
                 6,918,429 
                 Lin et al 
                 19 Jul. 2005 
               
               
                   
                 7,823,577 
                 Babjak 
                 2 Nov. 2010 
               
               
                   
                 8,479,746 
                 Tannous 
                 9 Jul. 2013 
               
               
                   
                 8,485,091 
                 Schon 
                 16 Jul. 2013 
               
               
                   
                 8,631,739 
                 Reischmann et al 
                 21 Jan. 2014 
               
               
                   
                 2009/0200291 
                 Haas et al 
                 13 Aug. 2009 
               
               
                   
                 2010/0212679 
                 Bishara 
                 26 Aug. 2010 
               
               
                   
                 2012/0090476 
                 Wang et al 
                 19 Apr. 2012 
               
               
                   
                 2014/0352553 
                 Guckenberger et al 
                 4 Dec. 2014 
               
               
                   
                 2015/0183074 
                 Bucher et al 
                 2 Jul. 2015 
               
               
                   
                 2015/0320258 
                 Huang et al 
                 12 Nov. 2015 
               
               
                   
                 2016/0007799 
                 Steeb 
                 14 Jan. 2016 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     A dual vertical charcoal heat source (DVCHS) that functions in combination with a pulverized leaf water-based smoking device, which is known as a hookah. The DVCHS provides the required heat to facilitate the smoking of the pulverized leaf, such as tobacco, through the hookah by heating/vaporizing the tobacco. The DVCHS is comprised of base in which a cavity or a cavity with a tray is located. Within the cavity/tray is placed a quantity of charcoal, and a cover is hingedly attached above the cavity/tray. Located above the cavity/tray on the base is a lower heating assembly, and located within the cover, and oriented directly above the lower heating assembly when the cover is closed, is an upper heating assembly. Electrical power is applied, via a power cable, to the DVCHS. The electrical power causes the heating assemblies to rise in temperature, thereby transferring the heat to the charcoal which in turn provides heat to the hookah. 
     Additionally, controls allow the DVCHS to be turned on or off and to selectably determine the amount of heat that is produced. An optional built-in timer provides a means by which the duration the DVCHS is in operation for to also be selectably determined. 
     In view of the above disclosure, the primary object of the invention is to provide a dual vertical charcoal heat source that can quickly and easy provide the charcoal-derived heat required when using a hookah. 
     In addition to the primary object, it is also an object of the invention to provide a dual vertical charcoal heat source that:
         is easy to use,   is safe,   can significantly reduce the amount of time usually required to heat charcoal for hookah heating,   can be used with various types/styles of hookahs or other smoking devices,   does not affect the taste of tobacco smoked in a hookah,   does not require a large amount of power,   is long-lasting and durable,   can be used around the world,   is cost effective from both a manufacturer&#39;s and consumer&#39;s point of view.       

     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan front view of a Dual Vertical Charcoal Heat Source (DVCHS) with the cover in a lowered/closed position. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan front view of the DVCHS with the cover in a raised/open position and showing charcoal in the tray located within the base. 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan rear view of the DVCHS with the cover in a lowered/closed position, and showing the power cable extending from the base and power connecting wires between the base and the cover in a shunt configuration. 
         FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the (DVCHS) adjacent a hookah. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms that disclose a preferred embodiment of a dual vertical charcoal heat source (DVCHS  10 ). When smoking a pulverized leaf substance, such as tobacco, heat is always required. Certain devices, such as a hookah which consists of a free-standing structure with at least one hose that functions with water to facilitate the smoking, require a constant specific amount of heat to operate property. The heat that is supplied to a hookah typically comes from charcoal which can provide constant long-lasting heat. One of the major drawbacks to using charcoal is that it requires preparation, can be complicated and usually does not heat up quickly. Both of these are time consuming, which is not optimal when a person or persons want to simply indulge in the act of smoking without complication or hindrance. The preparation of charcoal heating can be solved by simply pre-arranging everything that is necessary. The complication and duration of heating charcoal is more difficult. The DVCHS  10  solves this problem by providing charcoal heating for a hookah that is easy to use and significantly reduces the amount of time usually required to heat the charcoal. 
     The DVCHS  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , is comprised of two major elements: a base  12  that houses a lower heating assembly  32 , and a cover  46  housing and upper heating assembly  66 . The DVCHS  10  functions in combination with a water-based pulverized leaf smoking device, which is commonly known as a hookah, as shown in  FIG. 4 . The DVCHS  10  provides heat that facilitates the smoking of the pulverized leaf, such as tobacco, through the hookah. The DVCHS  10  functions by heating charcoal which is then transferred to the hookah. Preferably, the DVCHS  10  is placed adjacent or near the hookah  100 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , for easy transfer over a short distance, but, if desired or required, the DVCHS  10  can be placed at any distance from the hookah  100 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the base  12  is comprised of an upper surface  14 , a lower surface  16 , a front edge  18 , a rear edge  20 , a right edge  22  and a left edge  24 . The base  12  is preferably square shaped but can be any shape. For the purpose of this disclosure, a square shaped base  12  is described and shown. Preferably, on the lower surface  16  of the base  12  is at. least one base support  88 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . The base support(s)  88  maintains the DVCHS  10  elevated above, with the lower surface  16  not in direct contact with, a surface upon which the DVCHS  10  is placed. Located on the upper surfaced  14  of the base  12  is an opening  28  that provides access to a cavity  30  which extends downward into the base  12 . Also, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a sliding drawer  58  can extend outward, from either the right or left edge  22 , 24  or the rear edge  20  of the base  12 . The sliding drawer  58  facilitates the collecting, removing and disposing of charcoal ashes from the DVCHS  10 . 
     The lower heating assembly  32 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , is located within the cavity  30  on the base  12 . Optionally, a tray  34  can be inserted and maintained within the cavity  30 . A perimeter ring  36  extends around the perimeter of the opening  28 . A lower heat coil is located above, and is attached to, a support frame  40  which is attached to the perimeter ring  36 . Preferably, the support frame  40  is a metal, three-point structure, although other designs can also be effectively utilized. As the rear of the heat coil extends outward a dual-prong power interface  42 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the heat coil  38  and support frame  40  are oriented above the cavity  30  or cavity and tray  34 . The heat coil  38 , support frame  40  and perimeter ring  36  are attached by a hinge  60  to the upper surface  14  at the rear of the base  12 , which allows the coil, frame and ring to be lifted upward, thereby providing access to the cavity  30  or cavity and tray  34 . 
     The cover  46 , as shown in.  FIGS. 1-4 , has an upper surface  48 , an outer perimeter side wall  50 , an inner perimeter side wall  52 , an interior  54 , and a handle  56  that extents outward from the outer side wall at the front. The handle  56  can be integrally attached to the cover  46 , or can be attached by attachment means (not shown) such as a screw(s) or a nut and bolt combination(s). The cover  46  is preferably circular shaped, but can also be other shapes. For the purpose of this disclosure, a circular cover is described and shown. The cover  46  is dimensioned to substantially enclose the opening  28 , cavity  30  and lower heating assembly  32 . The cover  46  can be raised and lowered, and is maintained in place, by the hinge  60  at the rear of the base  12 . The hinge  60 , which maintains both the lower heating assembly  32  via the ring  36  and the cover  46  is attached to the upper surface  14  of the base  12  by attachment means  62  which can include screws, nuts and bolts, welding, an adhesive or other means. 
     The upper heating assembly  66 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , is located within the interior  54  of the cover  46 . The assembly  66  comprises an upper heat coil  68  that is located below and is attached to a support frame  70  which is attached to the inner perimeter side wall  52  of the cover  46 . As with the support frame  40  on the lower heating assembly  32 , the upper support frame  70  is preferably a metal three-point structure, although other designs can also be utilized. Also, as on the lower heat coil  38 , a dual prong power interface  72  extends rearward from the heat coil  68 . 
     When the cover  46  is lowered/closed, the upper heating assembly  66  is oriented directly above the lower heating assembly  32  such that the heat produced by both heating assemblies is directed downward to the tray  34  within the cavity  30 . Air slots  26 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , can be placed at various locations on the base  12  and/or cover  46  to provide ventilation. 
     Electrical power is applied via a power cable  78  that extends from the rear of the base  12 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . From the base  12 , power is applied to the lower heating assembly  32  within the base  12 , and then, via connecting wires  80  in a shunt configuration, to the upper heating assembly  66  in the cover  46 . The electrical power causes the heating assemblies  32 , 66  to rise in temperature, thereby transferring the heat to charcoal  96  that is placed within the cavity  30  or cavity and tray  34  in the base  12 . The heated charcoal  96  in turn provides the heat to the hookah. 
     In order to facilitate the insertion of charcoal into the tray prior to use, or removal of charcoal after use, and for cleaning, the upper heat coil  38 , support frame  40  and ring  36  can be raised from the rear, via the hinge  60 . If the tray  34  is utilized, it can be lifted up and out of the cavity  30 . It is important to note that only a single hinge  60  is utilized for both the lower heating assembly  32  and for the cover  46 /upper heating assembly  66 . 
     In order to add to the functionality of the DVCHS  10 , there can be controls  82 , as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 , for turning the DVCHS  10  on or off, and selectably determining the amount of heat is applied to the charcoal  96 . An indicator light  86  can be used to show if the DVCHS  10  is on or off. 
     Additionally, a built-in timer  92  can be included. The timer  92 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , allows the duration that the DVCHS  10  applies heat to be selectably, determined. Preferably the timer  92  has a range of 0-60 minutes. 
     It should be noted that while the DVCHS  10  has been disclosed with the preferred elements and functionality, other modifications, including adding or subtracting elements, can be presented. For example, while utility-supplied power via the power cable is optimal, power supplied from a battery, as shown in  FIG. 2 , or solar power  76 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , can also be utilized. For certain applications, such as use of the DVCHS  10  at an outdoor or remote location, battery power or solar power might be the only power available, Also, even though the DVCHS  10  is particularly effective at providing charcoal-derived heat to a hookah, the DVCHS  10  can also be used to provide charcoal heat to other types of smoking devices, or other non-smoking devices that have similar heat requirements. 
     While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modification may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the claims.