DEVICE FOR PROTECTING A GLASS SMOKING APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A device (100) for protecting a smoking apparatus (10), the smoking apparatus including a mouth interface (12), at least one air inlet (14), and a glass body (16) between the mouth interface and the at least one air inlet, the glass body having an outer surface (17) defining an internal volume (19), the device comprising: a jacket (110) 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 (120) fixed to the jacket and configured to secure the jacket to the glass smoking apparatus.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the jacket has an open state and a closed state, the jacket configured to receive the glass body when in the open state and to protect the glass body when in the closed state.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the jacket is further configured to cover at least 80% of the glass body when in the closed state.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the fastener is releasably couplable, and is further configured to secure the jacket in the closed state.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the jacket includes a shock absorbent, semirigid shell having an exterior wall and an interior wall, said interior wall defining an internal cavity configured to receive the glass body.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the jacket further includes an internal liner coupled to the interior wall of the internal cavity and made of a shock absorbent material, said internal liner configured to nest the glass body within the internal cavity.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the shock absorbent material is an elastomer material.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the jacket is made of a shock absorbent skin having a thickness between of an inch and one inch.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the jacket includes at least one inlet aperture configured to align and permit air to flow into the at least one air inlet, the at least one inlet aperture sized and dimensioned to provide a thermal separation of at least 1/32 of an inch between the at least one aperture and the at least one air inlet.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the jacket has an open state and a closed state, the jacket configured to receive the glass body when in the open state and to protect the glass body when in the closed state; and wherein the at least one inlet aperture is structured and arranged to align with said at least one air inlet when the jacket is in the closed state.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the jacket further includes an outlet aperture configured to align and permit air to flow out of the mouth interface, the outlet aperture sized and dimensioned to provide a gap of at least of an inch between the outlet aperture and the mouth interface.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the jacket is divided into a plurality of sub-jackets; and wherein each sub-jacket is configured to receive a predefined portion of the glass body.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the predefined portions of the glass body include a bowl portion, a base portion, a water-chamber portion, a stem portion, and a smoke-chamber portion.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of sub-jackets are configured to have an open state and a closed state; and wherein each sub-jacket has two halves configured to inter-lock into its respective closed state.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the fastener is divided into a plurality of sub-fasteners fixed to a plurality of the sub-jackets, each sub-fastener configured to secure its respective sub-jacket to its respective the predefined portion of the glass body, each sub-fastener being biased in its respective closed state.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the fastener is made of an impact resistant material.

17. A device (100) for protecting a smoking apparatus, the smoking apparatus including a mouth interface (12), at least one air inlet (14), and a glass body (16) between the mouth interface and the at least one air inlet, the glass body having an outer surface (17) defining an internal volume (19), the device comprising: a jacket (110) 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 (120) fixed to the jacket, and configured to secure the jacket to the glass smoking apparatus; wherein the jacket has an open state and a closed state, the jacket configured to receive the glass body when in the open state and to protect the glass body when in the closed state; wherein the jacket is further configured to cover at least 80% of the glass body when in the closed state; wherein the fastener is releasably couplable, and is further configured to secure the jacket in the closed state; wherein the jacket includes a shock absorbent, semirigid shell having an exterior wall and an interior wall, said interior wall defining an internal cavity configured to receive the glass body; wherein the jacket further includes an internal liner coupled to the interior wall of the internal cavity and made of a shock absorbent material, said internal liner configured to nest the glass body within the internal cavity; wherein the shock absorbent material is an elastomer material; wherein the jacket is made of a shock absorbent skin having a thickness between of an inch and one inch; wherein the jacket includes at least one inlet aperture configured to align and permit air to flow into the at least one air inlet, the at least one inlet aperture sized and dimensioned to provide a thermal separation of at least 1/32 of an inch between the at least one aperture and the at least one air inlet; wherein the jacket has an open state and a closed state, the jacket configured to receive the glass body when in the open state and to protect the glass body when in the closed state; and wherein the at least one inlet aperture is structured and arranged to align with said at least one air inlet when the jacket is in the closed state; wherein the jacket further includes an outlet aperture configured to align and permit air to flow out of the mouth interface, the outlet aperture sized and dimensioned to provide a gap of at least of an inch between the outlet aperture and the mouth interface; and wherein the fastener is made of an impact resistant material.

18. The device (100) for protecting a smoking apparatus of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the device is arranged as a kit.

19. A method of use for a device (100) for protecting a smoking apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: providing the device (100) for protecting a smoking apparatus (10), the smoking apparatus including a mouth interface (12), at least one air inlet (14), and a glass body (16) between the mouth interface and the at least one air inlet, the glass body having an outer surface (17) defining an internal volume (19), the device comprising: a jacket (110) 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 (120) 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; and coupling the fastener to secure the jacket in the closed state.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: releasing the fastener; and removing the smoking apparatus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a device for protecting a glass smoking apparatus, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device during an in-use condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a cut-away view of the device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for a device for protecting a smoking apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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 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.

[0021] Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a device 100 for protecting a smoking apparatus 10. FIG. 1 shows the device 100 during an in-use condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the device 100 may be beneficial for use by a user 40 to protect the smoking apparatus 10 from damage or impact if accidentally dropped for example. As illustrated, the device 100 for protecting the smoking apparatus 10 may include the device 100 for application with the smoking apparatus 10 having a mouth interface 12, at least one air inlet 14, and a glass body 16 between the mouth interface 12 and the at least one air inlet 14. The glass body 16 includes an outer surface 17 defining an internal volume 19.

[0022] Although it is clearly apparent that the device 100 of the of the present disclosure is advantages for protecting the smoking apparatus 10 having the glass body 16, it should be noted that the smoking apparatus 10 does not require a glass element for the device 100 to be effective in the protection of the smoking apparatus 10. Examples of the smoking apparatus 10 may include wood, carved stone, porcelain, molded glass, blown glass and water pipes commonly referred to as bongs or hookahs.

[0023] The device 100 comprises a jacket 110 configured to receive the glass body 16 of the smoking apparatus 10, while in an open state 112, and to cover at least 50% of the outer surface 17 of the glass body 16. Preferably the at least 50% should include the bottom section when used with a common glass pipe as shown here in FIG. 1. The jacket 110 may further be configured to protect from impacts against the outer surface 17 of the glass body 16 while in the open state 112 as shown in FIG. 2 and compounding the protection while in a closed state 122 having the fastener 120 closed and fastened as shown. For protection, the jacket 110 may include a shock absorbent, semirigid shell 140. An embodiment may include but is not limited to the semirigid shell 140 comprising of wood, plastic or 3D printable material and further include artistic designs and/or (functional) ergonomic features having an exterior wall 142 and an interior wall 144 clearly illustrated in FIG. 3. The interior wall 144 defines the internal cavity 146 (FIG. 3) configured to receive the glass body 16 of the smoking apparatus 10. The jacket 110 may further include an internal liner 148 coupled to the interior wall 144 of the internal cavity 146 and made of a shock absorbent material (FIG. 3). The internal liner 148 is configured to nest at least a portion of the smoking apparatus 10 within the internal cavity 146. The jacket 110 may be made of a shock absorbent skin comprising the semirigid shell 140 and internal liner 148 separately or in combination having a thickness between of an inch and one inch. In a preferred embodiment, the shock absorbent material is an elastomer material. However, types of material may vary according to design preference.

[0024] The jacket 110 may include the open state 112 as shown in FIGS. 2 & 3 and the closed state 122 as shown in FIGS. 1 & 4 with the jacket 110 configured to receive the glass body 16 when in the open state 112 and to protect the glass body 16 when in the closed state 122 (as shown in FIGS. 2 & 4). The jacket 110 may further be configured to cover at least 80% of the glass body 16 when in the closed state 122. The jacket 110 includes at least one inlet aperture 114 configured to align and permit air to flow into the at least one air inlet 14. The at least one inlet aperture 114 may be sized and dimensioned to provide a thermal separation 160 of at least 1/32 of an inch between the at least one inlet aperture 114 and the at least one air inlet 14. Moreover, the at least one inlet aperture 114 may be structured and arranged to align with the at least one air inlet 14 when the jacket 110 is in the closed state 122.

[0025] The jacket 110 further includes an outlet aperture 116 configured to align and permit air to flow out of the mouth interface 12. The outlet aperture 116 may be sized and dimensioned to provide a gap 118 of at least of an inch between the outlet aperture 116 and the mouth interface 12. The device 100 can additionally include a fastener 120 fixed to the jacket 110 and configured to secure the jacket 110 to the smoking apparatus 10. The fastener 120 may be releasably couplable and is further configured to secure the jacket 110 in the closed state 122. The fastener 120 may be made of an impact resistant material similar to the jacket 110.

[0026] 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 jacket 110 may be deformed to the open state 112 to receive the smoking apparatus 10 and return to the closed state 122. In still another embodiment, the device 100 for protecting the smoking apparatus 10 may comprise a shock absorbent skin comprising the soft shell 140 constructed of a neoprene shock absorbent material configured to slip over the smoking apparatus 10 in a sock-like fashion.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the device 100 for protecting the smoking apparatus 10 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the device 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the device 100 such that the device 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows the device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the device 100 may include the jacket 110 configured to receive the glass body 16 of the smoking apparatus 10, and to cover at least 50% of the outer surface of the glass body 16. The jacket 110 includes a shock absorbent, semirigid shell 140 having the exterior wall 142 and the interior wall 144. The interior wall 144 may be defined by the internal cavity 146 configured to receive the glass body 16. The jacket 110 may further include the at least one inlet aperture 114 configured to align and permit air to flow into the at least one air inlet 14. The at least one inlet aperture 114 may be sized and dimensioned to provide the thermal separation 160 of at least 1/32 of an inch between the at least one inlet aperture 114 and the at least one air inlet 14. Moreover, the jacket 110 includes the outlet aperture 116 configured to align and permit air to flow out of the mouth interface 12. The outlet aperture 116 may be sized and dimensioned to provide the gap 118 of at least of an inch between the outlet aperture 116 and the mouth interface 12.

[0029] The jacket 110 further includes the fastener 120 fixed to the jacket 110 and configured to secure the jacket 110 to the smoking apparatus 10. The fastener 120 may be made of an impact resistant material and may be an affixed feature of the jacket 110. Preferably, the fastener 120 is releasably couplable, and is further configured to secure the jacket 110 in the closed state 122. An example may include a hook-and-loop fastener or a rubber band fastener. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other fastener 120 arrangements such as, for example, buttons, buckles, zippers, etc., may be sufficient.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device 100 of FIG. 1, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated here, the jacket 110 may be divided into a plurality of sub-jackets 150. As mentioned above, some smoking apparatuses 10 such as water pipes, commonly referred to as bongs or hookahs, may require protection for individual components of the smoking apparatus 10. The plurality of sub-jackets 150 may be configured to receive the glass body 16 when in the open state 112 and coupled together to protect the glass body 16 when in the closed state 122 (as shown in FIG. 4).

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, each of the sub-jackets 150 may be configured to receive a predefined portion of the glass body 16 individually or in combination. The predefined portions of the glass body 16 can include at least one of a bowl portion 152, a base portion 154, a water-chamber portion 156, a stem portion 153, and a smoke-chamber portion 158. The plurality of sub-jackets 150 may be divided into two halves that can be releasably coupled together. Each of the sub-jackets 150 may further include the fastener 120 fixed to the sub-jacket 150 and be configured to secure the sub-jacket 150 to the smoking apparatus 10. The fastener 120 may be made of an impact resistant material and may be an affixed feature of the sub-jacket 150. Preferably, the fastener 120 is releasably couplable, and is further configured to secure the sub-jacket 150 in the closed state 122. Moreover, as stated above upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other fastener 120 arrangements such as, for example, buttons, buckles, zippers etc., may be sufficient.

[0032] As above, the device 100 may include the plurality of sub-jackets 150 configured receive the predefined portion of the glass body 16 of the smoking apparatus 10, individually or in combination and to cover at least 50% of the outer surface 17 of the glass body 16 in the open state 112. Each of the sub-jackets 150 may include the shock absorbent, semirigid shell 140 having the exterior wall 142 and the interior wall 144. The interior wall 144 may be defined by the internal cavity 146 configured to receive the glass body 16. Each sub-jacket 150 may further include the internal liner 148 coupled to the interior wall 144 of the internal cavity 146 and made of a shock absorbent material. The internal liner 148 is configured to nest at least a portion of the smoking apparatus's 10 glass body 16 within the internal cavity 146.

[0033] Each sub-jacket 150 may further include the at least one inlet aperture 114 configured to align and permit air to flow into the at least one air inlet 14. The at least one inlet aperture 114 may be structured and arranged to align with the at least one air inlet 14 when the jacket 110 is in the closed state 122. The at least one inlet aperture 114 may be sized and dimensioned to provide the thermal separation 160 of at least 1/32 of an inch between the at least one inlet aperture 114 and the at least one air inlet 14. Moreover, the jacket 110 includes the outlet aperture 116 configured to align and permit air to flow out of the mouth interface 12. The outlet aperture 116 may be sized and dimensioned to provide the gap 118 of at least of an inch between the outlet aperture 116 and the mouth interface 12.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Each of the plurality of sub-jackets 150 may be configured to have the open state 112 as shown in FIG. 3 and the closed state 122 as illustrated here. As above, each sub-jacket 150 may include two halves configured to inter-lock into its respective closed state 122. The plurality of sub-jackets 150 may include the at least one inlet aperture 114 configured to align and permit air to flow into the at least one air inlet 14. The at least one inlet aperture 114 may be sized and dimensioned to provide the thermal separation 160 of at least 1/32 of an inch between the at least one inlet aperture 114 and the at least one air inlet 14. The plurality of sub-jackets 150 further include the outlet aperture 116 configured to align and permit air to flow out of the mouth interface 12. The outlet aperture 116 may be sized and dimensioned to provide the gap 118 of at least of an inch between the outlet aperture 116 and the mouth interface 12. The fastener 120 can be divided into a plurality of sub-fasteners 162 fixed to the plurality of the sub-jackets 150. Each sub-fastener 162 may be configured to secure its respective sub-jacket 150 to its respective predefined portion of the glass body 16. Each sub-fastener 162 may be biased in its respective closed state 122.

[0035] Illustrated with FIG. 4 is a water pipe having the plurality of sub-jackets 150 where each may include two halves configured to inter-lock into its respective closed state 122. Some embodiments of the device 100 may include the sub-jackets 150 made of a shock absorbent skin comprising the soft shell 140 and internal liner 148 (FIG. 3) separately or in combination having a thickness between of an inch and one inch. In a preferred embodiment, the shock absorbent material is an elastomer material. As shown in FIG. 4, the smoking apparatus 10 is fitted with a combination of sub-jackets 150 embodiments including the base portion 154 and the water-chamber portion 156 in combination comprising the sub-jacket 150 divided into two halves and inter-locking one to the other as defined in FIG. 3. Furthermore, the smoke-chamber portion 158 of the smoking apparatus 10 is fitted with an embodiment as described above having a shock absorbent skin comprising the soft shell 140 and internal liner 148 (FIG. 3) separately or in combination having a thickness between of an inch and one inch. In a preferred embodiment, the shock absorbent material is an elastomer material.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for a device for protecting a smoking apparatus 500, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method of use for the device for protecting the smoking apparatus 500 may include one or more components or features of the device 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method of use for the device for protecting a smoking apparatus 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing a device 100 for protecting a smoking apparatus 10, the smoking apparatus 10 including a mouth interface 12, at least one air inlet, 14 and a glass body 16 between the mouth interface 12 and the at least one air inlet 14, the glass body 16 having an outer surface 17, defining an internal volume 19, the device 100 comprising: a jacket 110 configured receive the glass body 16, and to cover at least 50% of the outer surface of the glass body 16, the jacket 110 further configured to protect against impacts against the outer surface of the glass body 16; and a fastener 120 fixed to the jacket 110, and configured to secure the jacket 110 to the glass smoking apparatus 10; step two 502, positioning the jacket 110 or sub-jackets 150 in an open state 112 on a table or stable surface; step three 503, inserting the smoking apparatus 10 in an embodiment of the present disclosure it may be preferable to hold the device 100 in one hand while inserting the smoking apparatus 10 or portion thereof using the other hand; step four 504, closing the jacket it should be noted here that 110 according to the teaching of the present disclosure the device 100 may be configured to include a jacket comprising a fastener that may be an integral part of the jacket while still another embodiment may comprise a shock absorbent skin comprising the soft shell 140 constructed of a neoprene shock absorbent material configured to slip over the smoking apparatus 10 in a sock-like fashion; step five 505, coupling the fastener 120 to secure the jacket 110 in the closed state 122 in accordance to the respective embodiment as disclosed above; step six 506, releasing the fastener 120 in accordance to the respective embodiment as disclosed above; and step seven 507, removing the smoking apparatus 10.

[0037] 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 use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. 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). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for the device 100 (NOTE: e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.

[0038] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.