Abstract:
The invention is generally an electrical heating device for water pipes, and more specifically, a device for enabling a water pipe with electrical heating, which ignites or vaporizes aromatic substances via an electric-powered heating element. In exemplary embodiments, the device includes a housing that keeps the device&#39;s circuitry in thermal isolation from the heating element. The housing of the device may include openings to allow proper airflow and may be adapted for secure placement on top of the bowl of a water pipe. The device is placed on top of a bowl containing an aromatic substance, and a heating element is thereby placed in close proximity or in contact with the aromatic substance. Upon generating a heat output, the aromatic substance may be either vaporized or ignited for inhalation. Users may simply turn the device on and enjoy their experience.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates in general to an electrical heating device for water pipes, and more specifically, to a device for retrofitting a water pipe with electrical heating capabilities, which ignites or vaporizes aromatic substances via an electric-powered heating element. 
       COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK NOTICE 
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent application may contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever. 
         [0003]    Certain marks referenced herein may be common law or registered trademarks of third parties affiliated or unaffiliated with the applicant or the assignee. Use of these marks is by way of example and should not be construed as descriptive or to limit the scope of this invention to material associated only with such marks. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In the past, water pipes—also known as narghile, arghila, qalyān, shisha, or Hookahs—have been used as instruments for vaporizing and smoking flavored tobacco or other aromatic substances. These devices, or water pipes, may be single or multi-stemmed instruments that typically comprise a water reservoir through which the smoke is passed before inhalation. 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of a water pipe, or hookah commonly known in the prior art; the hookah is the type that requires ignited charcoal to combust or heat the flavored tobacco. More specifically,  FIG. 1  shows hookah  100 , depicting the parts and components that enable a user to enjoy a smoking experience. Hookah  100 &#39;s various components include bowl  101 , which is where an aromatic substance, such as flavored tobacco, may be placed for smoking. Bowl grommet  102  and bowl stem  103  connect the bowl of the hookah to the body or shaft—thereby creating a fluid connection that allows any smoke created at the bowl (i.e. smoke from burning the aromatic substance) to flow through a water reservoir and to a user inhaling through the hookah&#39;s hose. 
         [0006]    Tray  104  is typically stabilized by stabilizing ring  105  so that the tray may rest above hookah shaft  106  and directly below bowl  101 . This way, when charcoal is used to burn the aromatic substance, for example flavored tobacco, any undesirable ashes or spent charcoal will be prevented from falling on the floor or table where the device rests during use. Additionally, tray  104  may be used to place tools such as tongs commonly used to stir, or rearrange burning charcoal. 
         [0007]    Hookah shaft  106  further comprises air purge valve  107  and hose adapter  108 . Hookah shaft  106  is coupled to base grommets  109  and securely connected to base  110 , which is the device&#39;s water reservoir. Extending from hookah shaft  106  and into the water reservoir of base  110 , is stem  111 , which is in fluid connection with bowl  101  as mentioned above. Extending from hose adapted  108  is hose  112 , which is connected to the adapted via hose grommet  113 . Typically, hose  112  further comprises a removable mouth tip for users to share their smoking experience with others. Other variations of hookah  100  are well known, including multi-stem, multi-bowl, and multi-hose variations that enable similar smoking experiences for a group of users. 
         [0008]    A major set-back presented by these prior art devices is the need to use hot charcoals to burn the aromatic substance. That is, in order to combust the aromatic substance, charcoal must be pre-ignited so that when placed atop the bowl, typically on top of a foil or similar material, the substance will be heated until the substance burns and produces smoke. The problem lies in the requirement that the charcoal remain properly ignited so that the charcoal produces suitable heat; the heat source must be maintained properly during smoking sessions, thus typically requiring preparation of additional charcoals or repositioning of the charcoals. Furthermore, it is typical that byproducts of the burning charcoal—including volatile gases and Ashes—are spilled around the hookah, or fall inside the water reservoir. These byproducts create a mess the user must clean up after each smoking session (although the tray may alleviate some of the mess created), and a less pleasant smoking experience (i.e. since water polluted with burnt charcoal pieces or ashes affect the taste of the smoke that flows through it). Additionally, a significant fire hazard exists since burning charcoal may fall to the floor or table and ignite nearby combustibles. Finally, burning charcoal is difficult to regulate, hence not every smoking experience may be equally satisfying. 
         [0009]    Thus, it would be desirable to provide a heat source, or heating element that avoids the problems presented by the prior art requirement of utilizing burning charcoal as a source of heat. It is to these ends that the present invention has been developed. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will be apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention describes an electrically heated water pipe, and more specifically, a water pipe that is retrofitted with an electrical heating element that ignites aromatic substances for smoking. 
         [0011]    An electric heating device for water pipes, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, comprises a housing configured to couple with a bowl of a water pipe; circuitry situated within the housing; and a heating element connected to the circuitry, wherein the heating element is supplied power from a power source via the circuitry and is configured to generate heat for vaporizing or igniting an aromatic substance situated in the bowl. 
         [0012]    An electrically heated water pipe, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, comprises a base in fluid communication with a hose and a bowl, wherein the base forms a water reservoir, the base connected to the bowl via a stem; a heating element connected to circuitry, wherein the heating element is supplied power from a power source and is configured to generate heat for vaporizing or igniting an aromatic substance situated inside the bowl; and a housing configured to couple with the bowl, wherein the housing comprises a first chamber for housing the circuitry and a second chamber for housing the heating element, the second chamber configured to thermally isolate the circuitry from the heating element. 
         [0013]    An electric heating device for water pipes, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a housing including first and second chambers, the housing configured to couple with a bowl of a water pipe; circuitry, including a controller for executing a programmable code to control a heat output of the heating device, the circuitry situated within the first chamber of the housing, the first chamber of the housing configured for thermal isolation from the second chamber of the housing; and a heating element situated within the second chamber of the housing and in communication with the controller, wherein the heating element is supplied power from a power source via the circuitry and is configured to generate heat in response to a command from the controller for vaporizing or igniting an aromatic substance situated in the bowl. 
         [0014]    It is an objective of the present invention to provide a heat source to ignite or vaporize aromatic substances, such as flavored tobacco, that does not require the use of lit charcoals. 
         [0015]    It is another objective of the present invention to provide a cleaner smoking experience without undesirable byproducts produced from combustibles. 
         [0016]    It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide users with a retrofitted water pipe that does not require an open flame to ignite. 
         [0017]    These and other advantages and features of the present invention are not meant as limiting objectives, and are described herein with specificity so as to make the present invention understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of the various embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of a water pipe, or hookah commonly known in the prior art; the hookah is the type that requires ignited charcoal to combust or heat the flavored tobacco typically smoked on these devices. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  depicts a cross-sectional view of a water pipe that has been retrofitted with an electronic heating element in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3(   a ) shows a diagram depicting the components of a device in accordance with one embodiment of present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3(   b ) shows a diagram depicting the components of a device in accordance with another embodiment of present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4(   a ) depicts one exemplary embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4(   b ) depicts the exemplary embodiment of the heating element described with reference to  FIG. 4(   a ). 
           [0025]      FIG. 5(   a ) depicts one exemplary embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5(   b ) depicts the exemplary embodiment of the heating element described with reference to  FIG. 5(   a ). 
           [0027]      FIG. 6(   a ) depicts one exemplary embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6(   b ) depicts the exemplary embodiment of the heating element described with reference to  FIG. 6(   a ). 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment for a device in accordance with the present invention, wherein the device fits snuggly atop a bowl of a water pipe. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of a water pipe that has been retrofitted with an electrical heating device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying figures that form a part thereof, where depictions are made, by way of illustration, of specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0032]    Generally, the invention involves an electronic device that comprises a heating element for combusting or heating aromatic substances, such as flavored tobacco. As mentioned above in relation to  FIG. 1 , the prior art involves use of charcoal, which carries several set-backs. The present invention overcomes those setbacks by implementing an electronic heating element that rests at the top of the bowl of the water pipe. The heating element may be powered by a rechargeable battery or an adapter that is connected to any suitable power source. Once properly placed in contact with the desired substance, the device heats or ignites the substance without the need to ignite or maintain burning charcoal during use of the water pipe. The device may comprise a body configured to support the heating element atop the bowl of a water pipe. Because heating is accomplished electronically, a user may simply turn on the device and start inhaling the vapors or smoke generated therein without concerning themselves over preparing and maintaining burning charcoal. In exemplary embodiments, the body of the device may contain channels to facilitate airflow during its use, and different types of heating elements may be implemented to achieve a desired heating or combustion of the aromatic substance. The present invention may be configured for burning substances, such as flavored tobacco, or vaporizing other aromatic substances. 
         [0033]    Turning now to the remaining figures,  FIG. 2  depicts a cross sectional view of a water pipe that has been retrofitted with an electronic heating element in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  depicts electronically heated water pipe (system  200 ) including device  201 , which rests atop of bowl  202 . Bowl  202  is in fluid communication with stem  203 , which reaches water reservoir  204  of base  205 . Base  205  further comprises valve  206  and hose inlet  207 , which connects to hose  208 . 
         [0034]    Device  201  comprises a body and a heating element supported by the body of device  201 , wherein the heating element is powered by a battery. When placed on top of bowl  202 , device  201  heats up substance  209  and creates a vapor or smoke, depending on the substance being inhaled and temperature provided by device  201 &#39;s heating element. That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, the heating element of device  201  may be heated to a temperature for combusting substance  209 , which would burn the substance and thus produce smoke for inhaling. In another embodiment, the heating element of device  201  may be set to a different temperature for vaporizing substance  209 , which would allow a user to inhale the vapors instead. Thus, device  201  may be configured for vaporizing a substance or for burning a substance depending on its intended use. 
         [0035]    Whether vaporizing or burning smoke is desired, device  201  may be placed in an appropriate distance from substance  209  in order to create the desired effect. In some applications, direct contact may be used between the heated element of device  201  and substance  209 . In alternative applications, a close proximity rather than direct contact may be preferred. In either case, device  201  may comprise circuitry such as various resistors and components, including a potentiometer to allow control of the temperature that the substance is preferably exposed to. The internal components of a device in accordance with the present invention are disclosed in more detail below, in relation to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0036]    For example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, substance  209  may be flavored tobacco. Since flavored tobacco is typically enjoyed by combusting the substance into an inhalable smoke, it may be desirable to heat substance  209  until substance  209  combusts. This in turn would create smoke that may be pulled by a user inhaling via hose  208 . Airflow being drawn through hose inlet  207  would pull the smoke from bowl  202  through stem  203 , and through water reservoir  204 , to the user via hose  208 . Because the user does not need to re-adjust charcoals, maintain a desired temperature, or clean up a mess after use, system  200  creates a more desirable smoking experience over prior art devices. 
         [0037]    Turning to the next figure,  FIG. 3(   a ) shows a diagram depicting the components for a device that can be used to retrofit a water pipe for electrically heating aromatic substances. More specifically, the diagram of  FIG. 3(   a ) depicts device  300 , which includes housing  301  for supporting circuitry and a heating element. Generally, device  300  comprises: housing  301 , heating element  302  (housed in chamber  304   a ), and circuitry  303  (housed in chamber  304   b ), wherein the circuitry includes rechargeable battery  305 , thermostat  306 , safety fuse  307 , potentiometer  308  and for enabling user control of a desired temperature, and switch  309  for turning device  300  on or off. As will be discussed further below, device  300  may be configured to draw power directly form a power source such as a regular power socket in a home or business; in the shown embodiment, rechargeable battery  305  may be re-charged and draw power from such an external power supply  311 . 
         [0038]    Housing  301  supports heating element  302  and houses circuitry  303 . Thus, housing  301  may be constructed of any material that is suitable for containing heat element  302  and protecting circuitry  303  from damage by the heat radiated from heating element  302 . That is, housing  301  should be able to withstand the temperatures that are generated by heating element  302  without being damaged or without damaging the circuitry components of device  300 . Typically, housing  301  comprises support members that allow device  300  to be placed atop a bowl of a water pipe. 
         [0039]    For example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, housing  301  may comprise support members  312 , which may extend externally or internally to a wall around heating element  302 . Support members  312  may be used to couple device  300  to a bowl, configuring housing  301  for snuggly fitting on top of the circumference of the water pipe&#39;s bowl. 
         [0040]    Housing  301  may include one or more cavities to house its components. For example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, housing  301  (as shown) includes cavities  304   a  and  304   b,  which house heating element  302  and circuitry  303 , respectively. This may be desirable to both protect the components of the device&#39;s circuitry, and to create a chamber wherein the generated heat will be maintained throughout use of the device. That is, in the embodiment shown, chamber  304   b  houses circuitry  303  and keeps the electrical components safe from the radiated heat generated by heating element  302 ; chamber  304   a  houses heating element  302  and creates a chamber when device  300  is coupled to a bowl of a water pipe. This chamber helps to maintain the desired temperature to properly combust or vaporize the aromatic substance being exposed to heating element  302 . 
         [0041]    To increase airflow and improve the oxygen content within chamber  304   a,  in exemplary embodiments, the wall of chamber  304   a  may include openings or channels  310 ; in alternative embodiments, channels  310  may be adjustable to control a desired airflow depending, for example, on the number of individuals using the water pipe at one time. 
         [0042]    Heating element  302  generates the desired heat to either vaporize or combust an aromatic substance such as flavored tobacco. Heating element  302  may comprise of heat lamps, incandescent heating, ceramic heaters, immersion heaters, glass-rope heaters, or any other type of heating device that is suitable for generating a heat source that either vaporizes or ignites an aromatic substance. Different embodiments of heating elements in accordance with the present invention are discussed in more detail below with reference to  FIG. 4(   a )- 6 ( b ). As mentioned above, heating element  302  is connected to device  300 &#39;s circuitry, but resides in an external chamber or chamber  304   a,  which may be external to or shielded from circuitry  303 . 
         [0043]    Circuitry  303  may include rechargeable battery  305 , which draws power from a power source  305  and provides an adequate voltage to heating element  302 . Circuitry  303  may also include thermostat  306  to control the temperature of heating element  302 , safety fuse  307  to prevent electrical damage from unforeseen malfunctions, and potentiometer  308  to provide users with a means to manually control the temperature generated by heating element  302 . Circuitry  303  may also include switch  309  for turning power on or off; alternatively, switch  309  may be implemented with potentiometer  308 —furthermore, it should be noted that circuitry  303  may include more or less components that are well known in the art, including one or more resistors, conductors, and any other well known components typical of circuitry used to power and control heating elements. 
         [0044]    Rechargeable battery  305  may be any type of suitable battery that can draw power from a power source such as an electricity socket at a home or a business. Rechargeable battery  305  is preferably removable, or may have a removable component to facilitate recharging device  300 . Rechargeable battery  305  may include different interfaces for charging device  300 , including but not limited to electric lighter adapters, USB adapters, or any other adapter that enables rechargeable battery to draw power from different types of power sources. Furthermore, rechargeable battery  305  has the necessary components to supply an adequate voltage to heating element  302 . For example, and without deviating from the scope of the present invention, rechargeable battery  305  may supply a lower voltage to heating element  302  than a voltage supply directly drawn from a typical socket. In alternative embodiments, other components for supplying an adequate voltage to heating element  302  may be implemented. For example, and without deviating from the scope of the present invention, a small step-down transformer may be implemented instead of rechargeable battery  305  in order to draw power from a typical  120  volt input, and output a lower voltage suitable for heating element  302 . In such embodiment, device  300  may require an electrical cord to connect directly to power source  311 . 
         [0045]    As mentioned above, one or more components may be implemented in device  300 &#39;s circuitry in order to control the heat output generated by heating element  302 . The example embodiment shown depicts thermostat  306 , safety fuse  307 , potentiometer  308 , and switch  309 —however more or less components may be utilized to enable heating element  302  with the require power to generate and radiate enough heat. A simple circuitry containing these elements enables a user to safely configure the device for any desired temperature suitable for vaporizing or combusting an aromatic substance. 
         [0046]      FIG. 3(   b ) shows a diagram depicting the components of a device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. More specifically,  FIG. 3(   b ) depicts a device similar to that described in reference to  FIG. 3(   a ), however, with a different circuitry  303 . With reference to  FIG. 3(   b ) circuitry  303  comprises the same components, except that potentiometer  308  may be omitted or replaced, and instead circuitry  303  includes controller  313 , user interface  314 , and a very basic memory  315  for storing one or more basic programmable instructions to control heating element  302 . Naturally, with this configuration, device  300  components will have to be configured to communicate with controller  313 . 
         [0047]    For example, and in no way limiting the scope of the present invention, controller  313  may include a basic logic, or executable program code, that enables control of the heat generated by heating element  302 . To this end, a basic memory, such as memory  315  may be included in circuitry  303 . Thermostat  306 , safety fuse  307 , and switch  309  may be configured in circuitry  303  so that they are all in communication with controller  313 . Furthermore, circuitry  303  may further include user interface  314 , which may be a simple dial input device such as a potentiometer, or a more complex input/output device that allows a user to input a desired temperature range to which maintain heating element  302 . 
         [0048]    For example, and without deviating from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment user interface  314  may include a digital display with several inputs to increase or decrease a desired temperature setting. In another embodiment, user interface  314  may include a touchscreen display to provide this functionality. In yet another embodiment, a user interface may simply include an input button for setting the temperature and or turning the device on or off. 
         [0049]    Turning to the next figures,  FIG. 4(   a )-( b ) depict one exemplary embodiment of a device and heating element, in accordance with the present invention. More specifically,  FIG. 4(   a ) depicts device  400 , which includes housing  401 , circuitry  402 , power supply  403 , and heating element  404 . In the shown embodiment, heating element  404  comprises of a plurality of ceramic heaters  405 , a close-up of which is shown in  FIG. 4(   b ). Each of ceramic heaters  405  comprises a ceramic body or encasing  406 , which includes resistance element  407 —encasing  406  typically packed with a suitable insulating material, such as magnesium oxide, to encase resistance element  407 . 
         [0050]    In order to supply adequate power, ceramic heaters  405  also include flexible insulated lead wires  408 , which supply a suitable voltage to resistance element  407 . It should be noted that these components are well known, and ceramic heaters are used for a variety of purposes, including outdoor cooking appliances; similar ceramic heaters may be utilized in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0051]      FIG. 5(   a )-( b ) depict another exemplary embodiment of a device and heating element, in accordance with the present invention. In such embodiment, a single heating element as oppose to a plurality, may be used. More specifically,  FIG. 5(   a ) depicts device  500 , which includes housing  501 , circuitry  502 , power supply  503 , and heating element  504 . In the shown embodiment, heating element  504  comprises of a single ceramic heater, similar to the plurality of heaters  405 , a close-up of which is shown in  FIG. 5(   b ). Ceramic heater  504  comprises a wide ceramic body or encasing  506 , which includes resistance element  507 —encasing  506  typically packed with a suitable insulating material, such as magnesium oxide, to encase resistance element  507 . Like the embodiment described and shown in  FIG. 4(   a )-( b ), ceramic heater  504  also includes flexible insulated lead wires  408 , which supply a suitable voltage to resistance element  507 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 6(   a )-( b ) depict yet another exemplary embodiment of a device and heating element, in accordance with the present invention. More specifically,  FIG. 6(   a ) depicts device  600 , which includes housing  601 , circuitry  602 , power supply  603 , and heating element  604 . In the shown embodiment, heating element  604  comprises of a single glass-rope or flexible heater  405 , a close-up of which is shown in  FIG. 6(   b ). This type of heater comprises flexible body  605 , which is typically constructed of flexible fiber glass, created with a woven fiber glass braid clamped with retaining bands  606 . Like the heaters described in the embodiments above, a resistance wire element  607  is embedded within flexible body  605  and connected to flexible fiberglass leads  604 , which supply a suitable voltage to generate heat. 
         [0053]    Now turning to the next figure,  FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment for a device in accordance with the present invention, wherein the device fits snuggly atop a bowl of a water pipe. More specifically,  FIG. 7  depicts device  700 , which includes housing  701  and bowl  709 . Housing  701  is removably coupled to bowl  709  and comprises heating element  702  (housed in chamber  704   a ), and circuitry  703  (housed in chamber  704   b ), wherein the circuitry includes power supply  705  and control switch  706  for controlling the temperature output of device  700 , and to turn the device on or off. 
         [0054]    Housing  701  supports heating element  702  and houses circuitry  703 . Thus, housing  301  may be constructed of any material that is suitable for containing heat element  702  and protecting circuitry  703  from damage by the heat radiated from heating element  702 . That is, housing  701  should be able to withstand the temperatures that are generated by heating element  702  without being damaged or without damaging the circuitry components of device  700 . Housing  701  comprises perimeter walls  707 , which form a substantially conical shape with chamber  704   b  towards its apex and chamber  704   a  towards the base. At the bottom of perimeter walls  707 , and protruding in the interior of perimeter walls  707 , extend support members  708 , which allow device  700  to be placed atop bowl  709  in a tight fit—this configuration allows for stability and sturdiness of the device. 
         [0055]    Housing  701  may include one or more cavities or chambers to house its components. For example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, housing  701  includes cavities  704   a  and  704   b,  which house heating element  702  and circuitry  703 , respectively. This may be desirable to both protect the components of the device&#39;s circuitry, and to create a chamber wherein the generated heat will be maintained throughout use of the device—as described above in relation to  FIG. 3 . Furthermore, to increase airflow and improve the oxygen content within chamber  704   a,  in exemplary embodiments, perimeter walls  707  of chamber  704   a  may include openings or channels  710 ; in alternative embodiments, channels  710  may be adjustable to control a desired airflow depending, for example, on the number of individuals using the water pipe at one time. 
         [0056]    Heating element  702  comprises of ceramic heaters similar to those shown and described in reference to  FIGS. 4(   a ) and  4 ( b ). Heating element  702  may comprise such a plurality of ceramic heaters, wherein they reach into bowl  709  in a manner so that they make contact with the aromatic substance. 
         [0057]    Circuitry  703  and rechargeable battery  705  may be configured in a similar manner as any of the embodiments described above. For example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, circuitry  703  may include the components described with reference to  FIG. 3  or any other variation of resistors, connectors, a potentiometer, and/or switches in order to properly supply power and control a heat output generated by heating element  702 . Similarly, power supply  705  may include a rechargeable battery with different interfaces for charging device  700 , including but not limited to electric lighter adapters, USB adapters, or any other adapter that enables power supply  705  to draw power from different types of power sources—so long as circuitry  703  and power supply  705  have the necessary components to supply an adequate voltage to heating element  702 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of a water pipe that has been retrofitted with an electrical heating device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. More specifically,  FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of device  700  in use. Device  700  may be coupled to bowl  709  via a frictional force created between support member  708  and the inner walls of bowl  709 . Alternatively, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, other means of coupling the device to bowl  709  may be implemented such as using snap-on components, clamps, or any other attaching means. 
         [0059]    An electrical heating device for water pipes has been described. The foregoing description of the various exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and disclosure. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the spirit of the invention.