Patent Publication Number: US-2018042296-A1

Title: Collapsible water pipe

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/373,447 filed Aug. 11, 2016 titled “Collapsible Water Pipe” of Emanuel Isler, hereby incorporated by reference for all that it discloses as though fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     A water pipe (also referred to as a hookah) is device for vaporizing and smoking flavored tobacco or other smoking material. The vapor and/or smoke passes through a water basin before inhalation. Although water pipes may be made of any desired material, at least the water (or other liquid) basin is typically made of glass or ceramic. 
     The water pipe is believed to have originated in Persia, and spread to the east into India and Egypt. More recently, the water pipe has gained in popularity in western cultures (e.g., North America, South America, Europe, and Australia), Asia, and Africa. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example collapsible water pipe in an operating configuration. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an example collapsible water pipe in a storage and/or transport configuration. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the example collapsible water pipe. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the example collapsible water pipe. 
         FIGS. 5A-B  are component views of a base plate of the example collapsible water pipe. 
         FIG. 6  is a component view of a stem of the example collapsible water pipe. 
         FIG. 7  is a component view of an extension of the example collapsible water pipe. 
         FIG. 8  is a component view of a body of the example collapsible water pipe. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A collapsible water pipe is disclosed. In an example, the water pipe can be used as a water pipe in an extended configuration, and collapsed when not in use, thereby making it readily portable. 
     The example collapsible water pipe may be approximately the size and shape of a soda can, and indeed, can even be made to appear as a soda can or chips container, thus making it disguisable. 
     The example collapsible water pipe may be collapsed and the stem and locking extension removed (e.g., threaded off) for storage and/or transport. A locking lid (not shown) may also be provided for storage and/or transport. The example collapsible water pipe may be extended and the stem and locking stem replaced (e.g., threaded on) for use. In an example, the collapsible water pipe has a locking extension (e.g., with thumb holes), and a fritted base plate to increase efficiency. 
     Before continuing, it is noted that as used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” mean, but is not limited to meaning, “includes” or “including” and “includes at least” or “including at least.” The term “based on” means, but is not limited to meaning, “based on” and “based at least in part on.” 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example collapsible water pipe  10  in an operating configuration.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an example collapsible water pipe  10  in a storage and/or transport configuration.  FIG. 3  is a side view of the example collapsible water pipe  10  as it is shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is a top view of the example collapsible water pipe as it is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     An example collapsible water pipe  10  includes a base plate  12  forming a water basin, and a body  14 . The base plate  12  may have a perforated floor  13 , as can be seen, e.g., in  FIGS. 4 and 5A -B. The body  14  can be connected to, and disconnected from, the base plate  12 . An extension  16  is connectable to the body  14 . In an example, the extension  16  interlocks with the body  14 . A mouthpiece or stem  18  is connectable to the base plate  12 . 
     In an example, the body  14  has one or more formations  20   a - b  for a user&#39;s thumb and/or other fingers. Also in an example, a lid or cap  22  may be provided to cover the opening in the top of the body  14  when the extension  16  is removed. The cap  22  may be interlocking, threaded into the opening, or otherwise connectable. 
     In an example, the base plate  12  may be fritted to increase efficiency. The body  14  and/or other components of the water pipe  10  may be injection-molded from high quality polycarbonate to ensure glass-like qualities with superior durability and heat resistance. Of course, other materials may also be implemented as will be readily appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein. 
     The water pipe  10  is shown assembled in an operating configuration in  FIG. 1 . To assemble the water pipe  10 , the extension  16  and the stem  18  are removed from the body  14  (if stored therein), e.g., by disconnecting the body  14  from the base plate  12 . The body  14  is reconnected to the base plate  12 . The extension  16  is connected to the body  14 , and the stem  18  is connected to the base plate  12  for assembly in the operating configuration. 
     The water pipe  10  is shown unassembled in a closed configuration for storage and/or transport in  FIG. 2 . To disassemble the water pipe  10  and configure it for storage and/or transport, the extension  16  is removed from the body  14  and the stem  18  is removed from the base plate  12 . The body  14  is removed from the base plate  12  so that the extension  16  and the stem  18  can be placed inside the body  14 . The body  14  can then be reconnected to the body  14 . In this closed configuration, the water pipe  10  is ready for storage and/or transport. 
     In an example, the water pipe  10  in the closed configuration is approximately the size and shape of a soda can. The water pipe  10  may even be disguised (e.g., made to appear) as a soda can, potato chips or snack container, or other container. In an example, the water pipe  10  is readily portable, e.g., for packing in a suitcase, briefcase, purse, etc. 
       FIGS. 5A-B  are component views of a base plate  12  of the example collapsible water pipe  10 . In an example, the base plate  12  is generally cylindrical in shape, and has a perforated floor  13 . The base plate  12  may also include a threaded portion where the body  16  can be threaded onto (and off of) the base plate  12 . Other connections are also contemplated for connecting the body  14  to the base plate  12 , as will be readily appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein. 
     In another example, the base plate may include collapsible walls (not shown). For example, the walls may be interconnected cylindrical rings that are successively smaller (or larger) in diameter than the immediately adjacent one, so that the walls raise and lower telescopically. In this example, the walls may form the body  14  and a separate body may not be provided. 
     An opening  24  may be formed in the base plate  12  to connect the stem  18 .  FIG. 6  is a component view of a stem  18  of the example collapsible water pipe  10 . The stem  18  may interconnect with the base plate  12  via a locking mechanism. For example, the opening  24  in the base plate  12  may include a slotted lock feature  26   a - b  configured to receive a tabbed lock feature  28   a - b  on the stem  18 . The stem  18  is aligned with the opening  24  in a first orientation such that the tabs  28   a - b  engage with slots  26   a - b  and enable the stem  18  to be inserted into the opening  24 . After insertion for a predetermined distance, the slots change direction by about 90 degrees so that the stem  18  can be rotated about 90 degrees to lock the stem  18  to the base plate  12  and secure the stem  18  to the base plate  12 . 
     In an example, a plug  26  may be provided to cover the opening  24  in the base plate  12  when the stem  18  is removed from the base plate  12 . The plus 26 may implement the same locking mechanism as the stem  18 , or a separate connection (e.g., a push-pull rubber plug). 
       FIG. 7  is a component view of an extension  16  of the example collapsible water pipe  10 . In an example, the extension  16  is connectable to the body  14 .  FIG. 8  is a component view of the body  14  of the example collapsible water pipe  10 . For example, the extension  16  may have thread  17  that mates with thread  15  in the body  14 . Other connections are also contemplated for connecting the extension  16  to the body  14 , as will be readily appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein. 
     It is noted that the examples shown and described are provided for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Still other examples are also contemplated.