DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE USER INTERFACES FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH WATER PIPES

Abstract

A device for use in connection with a water pipe or bong, which includes a tube and an opening in connection with the tube via which a user may draw smoke from the bong into the user's mouth, includes a body including a first section configured to form a removable, sealed connection with the opening. The first section includes at least one port to place the first section in fluid connection with the bong. The device further includes a second section connected to the first section and a plurality of extending rigid tubes. A first end of each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes is configured to be placed in fluid connection with the second section to be placed in fluid connection with the at least one port. A second end of each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes includes an opening via which a user may draw smoke from the bong into the user's mouth.

Claims

1. A device for use in connection with a water pipe or bong including a tube and an opening in connection with the tube via which a user may draw smoke from the bong into the user's mouth, comprising: a body comprising a first section configured to form a removable, sealed connection with the opening, the first section comprising at least one port to place the first section in fluid connection with the bong, and a second section connected to the first section, and a plurality of extending rigid tubes, a first end of each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes being configured to be placed in operative connection with the second section to be placed in fluid connection with the at least one port, and a second end of each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes comprising an opening via which the user may draw smoke from the bong into the user's mouth.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the second section comprises a chamber therein which is in fluid connection with the at least one port of the first section and the first end of each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes is in fluid connection with the chamber.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the first section comprises a plurality of ports and the first end of each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes is configured to be placed in fluid connection with a unique one of the plurality of ports.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein one or more of the plurality of extending rigid tubes is removably connectible to the second section.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes is removably connectible to the second section.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the first section is configured to form a sealed connection with bongs of varying size.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the first section comprises a plurality of sealing flanges of differing diameter wherein the sealing flanges increase in diameter from a lower end of the first section to an upper end of the first section.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the body comprises glass, a polymeric material, or silicone.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the body comprises silicone.

10. The device of claim 7 wherein each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes comprises a polymeric material.

11. The device of claim 4 wherein the one or more of the plurality of extending rigid tubes includes a tortuous path between the second end and the first end thereof.

12. The device of claim 4 wherein the one or more of the plurality of extending rigid tubes includes a filter between the second end and the first end thereof.

13. The device of claim 4 comprising at least two extending rigid tubes.

14. The device of claim 4 comprising at least three extending rigid tubes.

15. A system, comprising: a water pipe comprising a tube and an opening in connection with the tube via which a user may draw smoke from the water pipe into the user's mouth, and a device comprising a body comprising a first section configured to form a removable, sealed connection with the opening of the water pipe, the first section comprising at least one port to place the first section in fluid connection with the water pipe, and a second section connected to the first section, and a plurality of extending rigid tubes, a first end of each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes being configured to be placed in operative connection with the second section to be placed in fluid connection with the at least one port, and a second end of each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes comprising an opening via which the user may draw smoke from the water pipe into the user's mouth.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the first section comprises a plurality of ports and the first end of each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes is configured to be placed in fluid connection with a unique one of the plurality of ports.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein one or more of the plurality of extending rigid tubes is removably connectible to the second section.

18. A method of using a water pipe including a tube and an opening in operative connection with the tube via which a user may draw smoke from the water pipe into the user's mouth, comprising: attaching a device comprising a body comprising a first section configured to form a removable, sealed connection with the opening of the water pipe, the first section comprising at least one port to place the first section in fluid connection with the water pipe, and a second section connected to the first section, and a plurality of extending rigid tubes, a first end of each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes being configured to be placed in operative connection with the second section to be placed in fluid connection with the at least one port, and a second end of each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes comprising an opening via which the user may draw smoke from the water pipe into the user's mouth.

19. A water pipe, comprising: a tube; and a port section formed on the end of the tube comprising one or more ports in fluid connection with the tube to which an extending rigid tube can be removably attached, a first end of the extending rigid tube being configured to be placed in fluid connection with the tube via one of the one or more ports and a second end comprising an opening via which a user may draw smoke from the water pipe into the user's mouth.

20. The water pipe of claim 19 wherein the port section comprises a plurality of ports, each of the plurality of ports is configured so that one of a plurality of extending rigid tubes can be removably attached thereto, a first end of each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes being configured to be removably attached to one of the plurality of ports to thereby be placed in fluid connection with the tube of the water pipe and a second end comprising an opening via which the user may draw smoke from the water pipe into the user's mouth.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a representative embodiment of a simple water pipe or bong.

[0024] FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a device or system hereof for use in connection with a bong to provide multiple mouthpieces.

[0025] FIG. 2B illustrates another perspective view of the embodiment of the device of FIG. 2A.

[0026] FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a device or system hereof which is similar in functionality to the device of FIG. 2A.

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a device or system hereof for use in connection with a bong to provide multiple mouthpieces.

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a device hereof.

[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the device of FIG. 4 in operative connection with a bong or water pipe.

[0030] FIG. 6A illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of the body device of FIG. 4 including representative dimensions.

[0031] FIG. 6B illustrates a side view of the body of FIG. 6A.

[0032] FIG. 6C illustrates a cross-sectional view in plane A-A of the body of FIG. 6A.

[0033] FIG. 6D illustrates a cross-sectional view in plane B-B (see FIG. 6B) of the body of FIG. 6A.

[0034] FIG. 6E illustrates a cross-sectional view in plane C-C (see FIG. 6B) of the body of FIG. 6A.

[0035] FIG. 6F illustrates a cross-sectional view in plane D-D (see FIG. 6B) of the body of FIG. 6A.

[0036] FIG. 6G illustrates a cross-sectional view in plane E-E view of the body of FIG. 6A.

[0037] FIG. 7A illustrates a side view of an embodiment of an extending rigid tube of the device of FIG. 4 including representative dimensions.

[0038] FIG. 7B illustrates a cross-sectional view in plane F-F of the extending rigid tube of FIG. 7A.

[0039] FIG. 7C illustrates a bottom view of the extending rigid tube of FIG. 7A.

[0040] FIG. 8A illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a mouth piece for use in connection with the extending rigid tube of FIG. 8A including representative dimensions.

[0041] FIG. 8B illustrates a top view of the mouth piece of FIG. 8A.

[0042] FIG. 8C illustrates a cross-sectional view in plane G-G of the mouth piece of FIG. 8A.

[0043] FIG. 9 illustrates perspective view of an embodiment of a cap hereof.

[0044] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a water pipe hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations in addition to the described representative embodiments. Thus, the following more detailed description of the representative embodiments, as illustrated in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments, as claimed, but is merely illustrative of representative embodiments.

[0046] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” (or the like) means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or the like in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0047] Furthermore, described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, et cetera. In other instances, well known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obfuscation.

[0048] As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an extending rigid tube” includes a plurality of such extending rigid tubes and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth, and reference to “the extending rigid tube” is a reference to one or more such extending rigid tubes and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each separate value, as well as intermediate ranges, are incorporated into the specification as if individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contraindicated by the text.

[0049] FIGS. 2A through 2B illustrate an embodiment of a device or system 10 hereof. Device 10 includes a body 30 including a first, lower (in the orientation of FIG. 2A, which is a typical orientation with respect to the gravitation field when connected to a water pipe or bong 100), or connective section 40 which forms a removable, sealed connection with a water pipe or bong 100 via an opening/mouthpiece 120 which is typically positioned at the end of rigid tube 130 of bong 100 (see FIG. 2A). First section 40 may, for example, be generally cone-shaped or conical, and may, in a number of embodiments, include a number of ridges or flanges 42 of increasing diameter (moving from a lower end to an upper end of first section 40) to connect to various sizes of bong mouthpieces/tubes. Various tapers (that is, changes in the radius with varying axial position) and flange lengths (that is, lengths of flanges 42 in the axial direction) may be provided to provide an adequate seal for bong tubes 130 of various diameters. A latching mechanism 48 (illustrated schematically in FIG. 2A) may, for example, be provided to maintain an axially oriented force on body 30 to facilitate a sealing connection with opening 120 of rigid tube 130. First section 40 may, for example, be formed from a resilient material commonly used in forming sealed connections such as a polymeric material. In a number of embodiments, first section 40 was formed from silicone. Body 30 further includes a second or upper section 50 including a chamber 52 therein which may function as a smoke chamber. Chamber 52 is in fluid connection with the interior of bong tube 130 via a port 44 positioned on a lower end of first section 40 of device 10. First section 40 and second section 50 may, for example, be formed integrally or monolithically. In a number of embodiments, first section 40 and second section 50 were formed from silicone. In a number of embodiments, first section 40 and second section 50 were formed of the same material, wherein first section 40 was formed to have reduced thickness compared to second section 50 to provide sealing resiliency to first section 40 and rigidity to second section 50.

[0050] A plurality of user interfaces which include extending tubes or extending air tubes 60 are in operative connection with and extend from second section 50. One or more of extending tubes 60 may be rigid extending tubes. As used herein, the term “rigid” refers to a material or component that does not deform significantly under forces experienced in normal use. For example, in a number of embodiments hereof, rigid extending tubes hereof deform less than 10% or less than 5% under a load of 2 pounds force. Each of extending rigid tubes 60 is in fluid connection with chamber 52 at a first end thereof and with a mouthpiece 62 on a second end thereof. In a number of embodiments, each of extending rigid tubes 60 hereof are formed to be rigid (that is, not significantly deformable under loads experienced in normal use thereof).

[0051] Each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes 60 may be permanently attached to second section 50. Alternatively, one or more of extending rigid tubes 60 may be made to be removably connectible to second section 50. FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a device or system hereof which is similar in functionality to the device of FIG. 2A. Arrow A of FIG. 2C indicates the removability of extending rigid tube 60.

[0052] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a device 10a hereof which is very similar to device 10 in manufacture and function. Components of device 10a are numbered similarly to like components of device 10 with the addition of the designation “a” to the end of the reference number. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, one or more of extending rigid tubes 60a is removably connectible to second section 50a of device 10a. In that regard, one or more ports 54a may be provided on second section 50a of body 30a via which an extending rigid tube 60a can be placed in removable fluid communication with the chamber within second section 50a. Port(s) 54a may be sealed (for example, via a resilient flap or sealing member, a cap or plug) when an extending rigid tube 60a is not connected thereto. Alternatively, a number of ports 54a′(FIG. 3) may be provided on the distal ends of extending conduits 53a which extend from second section 50a to provide for connection of extending rigid tubes 60a thereto (for example, via a friction fit, threading, or other connective fit). Such extending conduits 53a may be sealed/capped (either manually or automatically) when not in use. Extending rigid tube 60a and mouthpieces 62a hereof may, for example, may be formed from or include a polymeric material such as polycarbonate, silicone (for example, platinum-cured silicone), etc.

[0053] Using removably connectible extending rigid tubes 60a in connection with body 40a enables sharing of a bowl by more individuals than the number of ports 54a, 54a′ provided on second section 50a without multiple individuals having to share a single extending rigid tube 60a/mouthpiece 62a. In that regard, each individual may be provided with their own extending rigid tube 60a. Such extending rigid tubes 60a may be personalized for an individual (for example, in tube form, mouthpiece 62a type, tube length, color, etc.). To assist in reducing or eliminating the risk of cross-contamination, a circuitous or tortuous path (for example, formed by a baffle system 64a) may be provided in the interior of extending rigid tubes 60a to reduce or prevent a user's saliva and/or germs from reaching/contaminating port 54a, 54b. One or more surfaces of extending rigid tubes 60a (for example, surfaces of baffle system 64a) may include an antibacterial and/or antiviral composition thereon. Further, a filter 66a may also be provided in extending rigid tubes 60a positioned between the point of contact with port 54a, 54a′ and mouthpiece 62a as illustrated in FIG. 3).

[0054] In a number of embodiments in which one or more of extending rigid tubes 60a are removably connectible to second section 50a, body 30a need not be removable from water pipe/bong 100. In that regard, body 30a of device 10a and water pipe/bong 100 may be formed such that body 30a is permanently or un-removably attached to water pipe/bong 100. A first section such as first section 40a may not be required in such embodiments, and the second section may, for example, be formed integrally or monolithically with water pipe/bong 100.

[0055] Device 10, 10a facilitates use of a single water pipe or bong (the opening of which may be of varied diameter) by multiple people. Device 10, 10a can provide a novel, sanitary smoking experience at a relatively low cost. Users can explore different setups and even games with multiple users. Device 10, 10a may, for example, be used in connection with a special, larger bowl for higher volume, multiple-person hits. Multiple individuals can take a hit contemporaneously, thereby increasing the enjoyment and social nature of the activity. Device 10, 10a also allows people of varying experience levels to smoke together, taking a contemporaneous hit. Inexperienced users often inhale much less smoke/air than experience users. Each user can inhale as much smoke/air as desired during a contemporaneous hit.

[0056] By providing each user with a personal mouthpiece, device 10, 10a can significantly limit or eliminate the spread of germs (for example, common cold, flu, COVID, etc.). Device 10, 10a also reduces the amount of preparation time required for any smoking session including multiple users. In the case of an embodiment of device 10 hereof including two extending rigid tubes 60, 60a and connected mouthpieces 62, 62a, and 8-person group would need only 4 bowls. When smoking in a large group, the length of time it takes to pack and smoke a large number of bowls can be significant.

[0057] In some cases, use of materials such as silicone may cause smoke to taste harsh, particularly if not cleaned often. In a number of embodiments of the devices hereof, those components which come into contact with smoke (for example, the inner walls of extending rigid tubes 60, the inner wall of chamber 52, and the inner wall of the channel connecting chamber 52 and port 44 of device 10) may be lined with, for example, glass or polycarbonate (PC) to improve the experience of the user.

[0058] Rigid extending tubes 60, 60a here are less likely to cause breakage than flexible tubes often used in connection with hookah water pipes for smoking shisha. Rigid extending tubes 60, 60a hereof provide a suitable sealed connection to the remainder of device 10, 10a and are less likely to cause “knocking over” accidents than extending flexible tubing.

[0059] FIGS. 4 through 8C illustrate an embodiment of a device 10b hereof which is similar in a number of aspects to devices 10 and 10a in manufacture and function. Components of device 10b are numbered similarly to like components of devices 10 and 10a with the inclusion of the designation “b” at the end of the reference number. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, one or more of extending rigid tubes or rigid tube assemblies 60b are removably connectible to second section 50b of device 10b via ports 54b, 54b′ on a distal end of extending conduits 53b, 53b′. Port(s) 54b, 54b′ may be sealed, for example, via caps 70b (see, FIG. 9), when an extending rigid tube 60b is not connected thereto. In the illustrated embodiments, rigid tubes 60b include a flange 64b which cooperates with a seating 64b′ formed in mouthpiece 62b to form a connection therewith which may be a removable connection. In a number of embodiments, extending rigid tubes 60b include a radially extending flange 67b (see FIGS. 7A through 7C) which cooperates with a cooperating ledge, flange or seating 55b, 55b′ (see FIG. 6B; for example, via a snap fit, friction fit, threading, or other connective fit) formed on an inner wall of extending conduits 53b, 53b′ to form a removable connection with one of rigid tubes 60b to an extending conduits 53b, 53b′/ports 54b, 54b′. In a number of embodiments, a snap fit was formed between radially extending flange 67b and ledge, flange or seating 55b, 55b′. Caps 70b may likewise include flange 77b to cooperate with ledge, flange or seating 55b, 55b′.

[0060] In the embodiment of device 10b, each of ports 54b, 54b′ is in fluid connection with a unique and different port 44b, 44b′ of first section 40b, respectively, via a separate chamber, volume or conduit of flow path 58b, 58b′ as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 6C and 6G. Flow to each user through device 10b is thus split into separate flow paths from ports 44b, 44b′ to mouthpieces 62b. A separate flow path through device 10b for each user assists in ensuring that individual users receive an amount of smoke which is equivalent to the amount of breath drawn.

[0061] In a number of embodiments, extending rigid tubes 60a were formed from a polymeric material such as a clear (transparent or translucent) polycarbonate. Mouthpieces 62b hereof were, in a number of embodiments, over-molded on the polycarbonate tube from a material such as silicone (for example, a food-safe, silicone). In a number of embodiments, a base portion 32 (see, FIG. 68) was formed from a clear polycarbonate which includes ports 44b, 44b′ and conduits 58b, 58b′, and the remainder of body 30 was over-molded with a food-safe silicone.

[0062] As illustrated in the embodiment of bong system 5c of FIG. 10, in a number of embodiments in which one or more of extending rigid tubes 60c are removably connectible to second section 50c, body 30c need not be removable from water pipe/bong 100c. In that regard, body 30c of device 10c and water pipe/bong 100c may be formed such that body 30c is permanently or non-removably attached to water pipe/bong 100c. A first section such as described above may not be required in such embodiments, and the second section 50c may, for example, be formed integrally or monolithically with water pipe/bong 100c. In other respects, device or user interface 10c of FIG. 10 is similar to device 10b in manufacture and function. Components of user interface or device 10c are numbered similarly to like components of device 10b with the inclusion of the designation “c” at the end of the reference number. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, three port 54c are provided for removable attachment of three extending rigid tubes 60c. Each of ports 54c is in fluid connection with separate conduit 58c to be placed in fluid connection with bong tube 130c via separate flow paths.

[0063] FIG. 10 thus illustrates another embodiment of a device or system 10c hereof which operates very similarly to devices 10, 10a, and 10b when combined with a bong. However, in the case of device 10c, a port section 50c is formed integrally or monolithically with rigid tube 130c of water pipe or bong 100c and need not be removable therefrom. Components of device 10c are numbered similarly to like components of devices 10, 10a, 10b with the addition of the designation “c” to the end of the reference number. Similar to devices 10a, 10b, 10c, one or more of extending rigid tubes 60c are removably connectible to port section 50c of device 10c.

[0064] The foregoing description and accompanying drawings set forth a number of representative embodiments at the present time. Various modifications, additions and alternative designs will, of course, become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing teachings without departing from the scope hereof, which is indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes and variations that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.