U.S. patent application number 15/408248 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-19 for glass water pipe smoking apparatus with protective shell and grip.
The applicant listed for this patent is Alexander Kuan Cheng. Invention is credited to Alexander Kuan Cheng.
Application Number | 20180199626 15/408248 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62838273 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180199626 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cheng; Alexander Kuan |
July 19, 2018 |
Glass water pipe smoking apparatus with protective shell and
grip
Abstract
A glass liquid pipe smoking apparatus having a protective shell
and grip to be carried by the grip applied to the vessel bodies of
the apparatus. The protective shell and grip are permanently
attached to the pipe smoking apparatus and are intended to absorb
shock from collisions with other objects to avoid fracture of the
glass apparatus, to provide grip for more secure handling of the
apparatus, to adorn the apparatus with a visually pleasing design,
and to provide a structure to contain the resulting glass shards in
the event of the glass apparatus being shattered. Various
embodiments may be configured utilizing a protective shell and
grip.
Inventors: |
Cheng; Alexander Kuan;
(Plano, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cheng; Alexander Kuan |
Plano |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62838273 |
Appl. No.: |
15/408248 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 1/02 20130101; A24F
1/32 20130101; A24F 9/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24F 9/16 20060101
A24F009/16; A24F 1/02 20060101 A24F001/02; A24F 1/32 20060101
A24F001/32 |
Claims
1. A pipe smoking apparatus, comprising: a. A main glass vessel
body with a supporting base, and b. A stem glass vessel body, said
stem glass vessel body being either received within or otherwise
attached to the main glass vessel body, and c. A protective shell
fixedly attached to said apparatus and covering a substantial
amount of the exposed glass elements of said apparatus, said
protective shell being formed from a shock absorbing, grip
providing, durable material, whereby users may achieve more secure
handling of said apparatus and the said apparatus may become more
resistant to collisions with other objects, more visually appealing
to users, and able to contain resulting glass shards in the event
of the said apparatus being shattered.
2. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 1 wherein said protective
shell is a single cohesive component.
3. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 1 wherein said protective
shell is comprised of a plurality of individual components.
4. A pipe smoking apparatus, comprising: a. One or more glass
vessel bodies, said vessel bodies being assembled in such a way
that there is a flat base for keeping the pipe upright, a container
for water or other filtration liquid, an opening for inhalation,
and an opening for connecting either a vaporizer or a bowl, and b.
One or more grips, said grips being comprised of a shock-absorbing,
slip-resistant, and liquid-resistant material, and c. Said grips
being fixedly adhered around said glass vessel bodies, whereby said
grips would encase fragile components of said apparatus and whereby
users may achieve more secure handling of said apparatus.
5. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 4 wherein there are also one
or more protective rings, said protective rings being permanently
attached to the openings of the glass vessel bodies, whereby users
may have unimpeded access to said openings.
6. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 4 wherein there are also one
or more protective caps, said caps being permanently attached to
the bottom or flat base of said glass vessel bodies.
7. A pipe smoking apparatus, comprising: a. One or more glass
vessel bodies, said vessel bodies being assembled in such a way
that there is a flat base for keeping the pipe upright, a container
for water or other filtration liquid, an opening for inhalation,
and an opening for connecting either a vaporizer or a bowl, and b.
A protective shell, said shell comprising of a shock-absorbing,
slip-resistant, and liquid-resistant material, and c. Said
protective shell encompassing said smoking apparatus, and d. Said
protective shell containing two openings, said openings allowing
access to the opening for inhalation and the opening for connecting
either a vaporizer or bowl.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent
application Ser. No. 62/279,441, filed 2016 Jan. 15 by the present
inventor.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] nonapplicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
[0003] nonapplicable
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to pipe smoking apparatus.
More particularly, the present invention relates to glass water
pipe smoking apparatus that are provided with a thin protective
shell encompassing much of the exposed fragile glass with the
purpose of absorbing shock from collisions with a variety of
objects, adding grip for improved handling of the water pipe,
adorning the pipe with a visually appealing design, and providing a
structure to contain the resulting glass shards in the event of the
glass water pipe smoking apparatus being shattered.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that
read directly on the claims of the instant invention. The following
is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears
relevant:
TABLE-US-00001 U.S. PAT. NO. INVENTOR ISSUED 5,400,807 Newman Mar.
28, 1995 6,793,076 Luo, et al Sep. 21, 2004 2,604,981 Weinstock
Jul. 29, 1952 8,210,570 Nagle Jul. 3, 2012
[0006] The prior art water pipe smoking apparatus are known to
comprise of one or more glass vessels that are assembled in such a
way that there is a flat base for keeping the pipe upright, an
opening for inhalation, and another opening for connecting either a
vaporizer or a bowl with combustible materials. The prior art water
pipe smoking apparatus can be represented in a variety of forms,
all serving the same purpose of filtering smoke or vapor through
water, or other suitable liquid, for user inhalation.
[0007] The most common form of water pipe smoking apparatus is
typically known to comprise of a circular, weighted base member
onto which a thinner elongated cylindrical vessel body is fixedly,
or detachably attached. Typically, the cylindrical vessel body
includes a mid-length entry port for attachment of a stem member
which comprises an interface portion leading into the vessel and a
bowl portion for containing the smoking substance. In an alternate
form of water pipe smoking apparatus, the cylindrical vessel body
may include an attached shorter cylindrical vessel stem with the
bottom of the stem being connected to the bottom of the body and
the top of the stem being comprised of an interface portion to
which a bowl or vaporizer containing the smoking substance may be
attached and detached. During use, the elongated vessel body
contains water, or other suitable liquid, which filters the smoking
substance. The material used to make the vessel is typically a
glass material, which is generally susceptible to slipping out of
the user's grasp and breakage.
[0008] The foregoing pipe smoking structure during use has been
found to be very susceptible to both slipping out of the user's
grasp, especially due to its intended use with slippery liquids
such as water. The foregoing pipe smoking structure is also very
susceptible to inadvertent contact with surrounding furniture
objects, doors, or other surrounding home fixtures, causing impact
shock to the pipe and subjecting the pipe to possible fractures.
The foregoing pipe smoking structure in its idle state has been
found to be very susceptible to inadvertent fractures resulting
from contact with projectiles, people, and animals. Furthermore,
breakage of the foregoing pipe smoking structure often results in
many dangerous shards being strewn about the environment, which
presents harm to both humans and animals, as well as creating a
mess that would require thorough cleaning.
[0009] Nearly all prior art pipe structures do not have structures
to absorb shocks and prevent damage to the pipe. While a need to
have some protection for a water pipe smoking device has been
recognized, the protective solutions are not deemed adequate, see
U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,807. This prior art solution does not provide
any added grip and is very bulky when compared to the size of the
water pipe smoking structure, which may lead to more inadvertent
slipping, more inadvertent collisions, and less options to store
the pipe. This prior art solution also intends on being easily
removable to facilitate washing of the pipe. Having easily
removable impact collars could lead to more inadvertent slipping
and breakage if the user grips the impact collars rather than the
pipe itself. Also, this prior art solution mainly protects the top
and base of the water pipe smoking structure, offering little to no
protection for the main cylindrical body and the attached
cylindrical stem member. This prior art solution utilizes one or
more closed-cell polyether impact collars designed to minimize
damage from tipping onto a smooth surface. However, it leaves much
of the water pipe structure exposed to damage from projectiles,
moving people, and edges of furniture.
[0010] Further, water pipe smoking apparatus, as described above,
have not been provided with protective shell and grip.
[0011] Thus, a need is seen to exist for a pipe smoking apparatus
which has an attached protective shell that provides grip for the
user, thus preventing inadvertent slipping and preventing fracture
of the base, main vessel, and any attached vessels.
[0012] A need is further seen to exist for a pipe smoking apparatus
having protective shell that encloses a substantial amount of the
smoking apparatus to contain broken pieces if the smoking apparatus
is shattered.
[0013] A need is further seen to exist for a pipe smoking apparatus
having protective shell that is low profile and fitted to the pipe
smoking apparatus as to not take up much additional space, yet
still add aesthetic design to the pipe smoking apparatus.
[0014] A need is further seen to exist for a pipe smoking apparatus
having protective shell that is not easily removable, as to reduce
the probability that the pipe will slip out of the shell and become
exposed to fractures.
[0015] A need is further seen to exist for a pipe smoking apparatus
having protective shell that is resistant to cleaning solutions to
facilitate cleaning of the smoking apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a
liquid pipe smoking apparatus made of glass with low-profile,
form-fitted, protective shell to provide grip to the user and to
absorb shock from external collisions to the pipe smoking apparatus
to prevent fractures.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
liquid pipe smoking apparatus made of glass with attached
protective shell to provide a structure to contain the resulting
glass shards in the event of the glass pipe being shattered.
[0018] Yet another is to provide a liquid pipe smoking apparatus
made of glass with attached protective shell to provide design
aesthetics to the pipe apparatus.
[0019] Yet another is to provide a liquid pipe smoking apparatus
made of glass with attached protective shell that is not easily
detachable to reduce the chance that the pipe will slip out of the
shell and be exposed to fractures.
[0020] Yet another is to provide a liquid pipe smoking apparatus
made of glass with attached protective shell that is resistant to
cleaning solutions to facilitate cleaning of the smoking
apparatus.
[0021] The foregoing objects are accomplished by providing a glass
pipe smoking apparatus modified with the elements of the present
invention. A protective shell, which may be assembled out of one or
multiple individual components, is formed to surround a substantial
amount of the exposed fragile glass such that any impact occurring
on the protective shell results in the shock being absorbed by the
protective shell, to thus avoid fracture of the glass components of
the liquid pipe smoking apparatus. Various embodiments may be
configured utilizing both soft and hard materials to encase and
protect the glass pipe smoking apparatus. Various embodiments may
also have gaps in the encasing material, so that the user may view
into the glass pipe smoking apparatus to monitor the amount of
liquid within the pipe during use and the cleanliness of the
pipe.
[0022] Therefore, to the accomplishments of the foregoing objects,
the invention consists of the foregoing features hereinafter fully
described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The
accompanying drawings and the following disclosure describe in
detail the invention, illustrating two possible embodiments in
which the invention may be practiced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0023] In the drawings, closely related figures have the same
number but different alphabetic suffixes.
[0024] FIGS. 1A and 1B show two aspects of the first embodiment of
this invention. These figures depict a glass water smoking pipe
apparatus with a single protective shell covering the entirety of
the pipe apparatus.
[0025] FIGS. 2A and 2B show two aspects of an alternative
embodiment of this invention. These figures depict a glass water
smoking pipe apparatus with a protective shell comprised of
multiple individual components made of varying materials.
DRAWINGS--REFERENCE
TABLE-US-00002 [0026] 10 Main glass vessel body 12 Stem glass
vessel body 14 Base of pipe apparatus 16 Grip for main glass vessel
body 18 Grip for stem glass vessel body 20 Protective shell 22 Bowl
24 Filtration liquid 26 Glass support structure 28 Main opening for
inhalation 30 Stem opening for bowl or vaporizer 32 Hard protective
cap for main base 34 Hard protective cap for stem base 36 Hard
protective ring for main opening 38 Hard protective ring for stem
40 Vessel connecting main and stem vessels opening 42 Gap in
protective shell
DETAILED DESCRIPTION--FIGS. 1A AND 1B--FIRST EMBODIMENT
[0027] One embodiment of the protective shell is illustrated in
FIG. 1A (cross section view) and FIG. 1B (isometric view). FIG. 1A
depicts a protective shell 20 surrounding a glass water pipe
smoking apparatus with a bowl 22 and filtration liquid 24. In this
embodiment, the protective shell 20 is molded around the main glass
vessel body 10, the stem glass vessel body 12, and the base of pipe
apparatus 14. In one embodiment, the protective shell 20 is made of
silicone, created by suspending the glass water pipe smoking
apparatus in a mold, and then injecting silicone in the space
between the mold and the glass water pipe smoking apparatus.
However, the protective shell 20 can consist of any other material
that is shock absorbing, resistant to cleaning solutions, and
provides grip, such as rubber, leather, polyethylene, nylon, vinyl,
polypropylene, wood, various plasticized materials, etc. While
injection molding may be used for silicone and some other listed
materials, other materials will require a different manufacturing
process. For example, using leather to form the protective shell 20
may require hand cutting and sewing. Those in the art will
understand that any suitable material, now known or hereafter
developed, may be used in forming the protective shell 20 described
herein. Those in the art will also understand that various
materials may require various forms of manufacturing, including but
not limited to 3d printing, injection molding, carving, CNC
milling, laser sintering, or by hand. If the protective shell 20 is
not created through injection molding, an adhesive may be required
to attach the protective shell 20 to the glass water pipe smoking
apparatus. If an adhesive is used, it must be durable, long
lasting, and resistant to cleaning solutions.
[0028] This embodiment of the protective shell has two openings. At
the top of the main glass vessel body 10, there is an opening in
the protective shell to allow access to the pipe's main opening for
inhalation 28. At the top of the stem glass vessel body 12, there
is an opening in the protective shell to allow access to the pipe's
stem opening for bowl or vaporizer 30. In this embodiment, there
are no other openings in the protective shell 20. However, other
embodiments may have various openings in the protective shell 20 to
allow the user to view the filtration liquid 24 and cleanliness.
Various openings in the protective shell 20 may also be used to
create attractive designs.
[0029] The protective shell is thin, with a diameter slightly
larger than the diameter of the main glass vessel body 10. Due to
its thin profile and grip providing material, the protective shell
gives users a convenient cylindrical grip for main glass vessel
body 16. Holding the protected glass water pipe smoking apparatus
by the cylindrical grip fur main glass vessel body 16 allows for
secure handling of the glass water pipe smoking apparatus.
FIGS. 2A and 2B--Alternative Embodiment
[0030] An alternative embodiment of the protective shell is
illustrated in FIG. 2A (cross section view) and FIG. 2B (isometric
view). FIG. 2A depicts multiple components of a protective shell
surrounding a glass water pipe smoking apparatus without a bowl or
filtration liquid. The glass water pipe smoking apparatus depicted
in FIGS. 2A and 2B is different from the water pipe smoking
apparatus depicted in. FIGS. 1A and 1B. In this water pipe smoking
apparatus, the main glass vessel body 10 is connected to the stem
glass vessel body 12 with a glass support structure 26 and a vessel
connecting the main and stem vessels 40. The protective shell in
this embodiment is comprised of 6 individual components. At the
base of the pipe apparatus 14, there is a hard protective cap for
main base 32. At the base of the stem vessel, there is a hard
protective cap for stem base 34. Wrapped around the main glass
vessel body 10, there is a protective grip for main glass vessel
body 16. Wrapped around the stem glass vessel body 12, there is a
protective grip for stem glass vessel body 18. At the main opening
for inhalation 28, there is a hard protective ring for main opening
36. At the stem opening for bowl or vaporizer 30, there is a hard
protective ring for stem opening 38.
[0031] In this embodiment, the hard protective components 32, 34,
36, 38 are milled out of metal. However, the hard protective
components 32, 34, 36, 38 can consist of any other material that is
shock absorbing, resistant to cleaning solutions, and rigid, such
as polyethylene, nylon, vinyl, polypropylene, wood, various
plasticized materials, etc. In this embodiment, the protective grip
for the main glass vessel body 16 and the protective grip for the
stem glass vessel body 18 are crafted out of laser-cut leather.
However, these grips can consist of any other material that is
shock absorbing, resistant to cleaning solutions, and grip
providing, such as rubber, silicone, metal, polyethylene, nylon,
vinyl, polypropylene, wood, various plasticized materials, etc.
Certain designs may be etched into these grips to increase the
surface area of the grips, thus allowing for better handling. Those
in the art will understand that any suitable material, now known or
hereafter developed, may be used in forming these components
described herein 16, 18, 32, 34, 36, 38. Those in the art will also
understand that various materials may require various forms of
manufacturing, including but not limited to 3d printing, injection
molding, carving, CNC milling, laser sintering, or by hand. These 6
individual components of the protective shell 16, 18, 32, 34, 36,
38 are permanently attached to the glass water pipe smoking
apparatus with a strong adhesive. This adhesive must be durable,
long lasting, and resistant to cleaning solutions. Thus, the glass
water pipe smoking apparatus will be permanently protected, yet
also easily cleanable.
[0032] This embodiment of the protective shell has three openings.
At the top of the main glass vessel body 10, there is a hard
protective ring for main opening 36 to allow access to the pipe's
main opening for inhalation 28. At the top of the stem glass vessel
body 12, there is a hard protective ring for stem opening 38 to
allow access to the pipe's stem opening for bowl or vaporizer 30.
There is a third opening in the form of a gap in the protective
shell 42. This opening is useful in simplifying the manufacturing
process as the manufacturer does not have to apply protection to
the glass support structure 26 and the vessel connecting main and
stem vessels 40. This opening is further useful in allowing the
user to view the cleanliness of the glass water pipe smoking
apparatus. In other embodiments, various openings in the protective
shell may also be used to create attractive designs.
[0033] In this embodiment, the protective grip for the main glass
vessel body 16 is thin, with a diameter slightly larger than the
diameter of the main glass vessel body 10. The protective grip for
the stem glass vessel body 18 is also thin, with a diameter
slightly larger than the diameter of the stem glass vessel body 12.
Due to their thin profiles and grip providing material, the
protective grip for the main glass vessel body 16 and the
protective grip for the stem glass vessel body 18 give users two
convenient locations to handle the glass water pipe smoking
apparatus. Holding the protected glass water pipe smoking apparatus
by any one of these grips 16, 18 allows for secure handling of the
glass water pipe smoking apparatus.
* * * * *