Smoking device

Abstract

A smoking device consisting of a housing incorporating a manifold therein which is connected to a plurality of smoking tubes, each incorporating a ball check valve to permit smoke and air to pass only in a direction outwardly of the manifold and into the mouth of a smoker in response to the application of suction thereto. The device includes a bowl adapted to contain tobacco which is supported on the housing and is enclosed within a removable ball mounted in sealing engagement on the housing. The tobacco bowl may be provided with an electric burner to maintain the tobacco in a burning condition and it is also contemplated that the manifold may incorporate water therein through which the smoke is bubbled to effect a cooling and filtration thereof.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of smoking devices have heretofore been used or proposed for use including those provided with a multiple of smoking hoses or mouthpieces to accomodate a plurality of smokers simultaneously. Arrangements of the foregoing type in accordance with prior art practices have had several inherent disadvantages in view of the nonuniformity in the supply of smoke to several smokers as well as an inadvertant entry of air through the unused smoking tubes and mouthpieces, causing a dilution of the tobacco smoke. Attempts to alleviate or eliminate these and other problems have generally been unsuccessful and in some instances, have resulted in smoking devices which are extremely cumbersome, complex, expensive and difficult to clean.

The smoking device of the present invention overcomes the foregoing problems and disadvantages by providing a pipe incorporating a manifold which provides for flexibility and versatility in adapting it to water or conventional smoking practices, as well as to supplement the combustibility of the tobacco with an electric heater in the smoking bowl as may be desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The benefits and advantages of the present invention are achieved by a smoking device containing as its essential elements a housing which defines a three-dimensional manifold to which a plurality of smoking tubes are connected for withdrawing smoke from the manifold. Each of the smoking tubes embodies flow control means therein such as in the form of a check valve to permit the smoke to pass outwardly of the manifold to the mouthpiece end of the smoking tube as necessary during the smoking of a pipe, but preventing any back-flow of air and smoke into the manifold. The smoking device further incorporates a removably mounted enclosure adapted to be disposed in substantial sealing relationship on the housing and within which a bowl is disposed adapted to contain the tobacco to be burned. A connecting port or smoke passage is formed in the housing for permitting smoke and air to pass from the interior of the enclosure into the manifold from which it is withdrawn through one or a plurality of the smoking tubes in use.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the tobacco bowl is provided with a screen on which the tobacco is placed and combustion thereof is maintained after lighting as a result of air being withdrawn through and downwardly of the tobacco. Alternatively, an electric heating device is incorporated in the bowl which remains incandescent for sustaining combustion of the tobacco. It is further contemplated that the base of the manifold can be interchanged between a relatively shallow plate, as in the case of a conventional pipe, and a deep tank-shaped base in which water is adapted to be placed for converting the pipe to a water pipe, providing for a filtration and cooling of the smoke. A standardization of the several components comprising the smoking device and the manner of assembly thereof permits quick and simple changes in the arrangement for one type to another type, thereby further enhancing the smoking pleasure provided thereby.

Additional advantages and benefits of the present invention will become apparent upon a reading of the description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a framentary transverse vertical view, partly in section, illustrating a smoking device incorporating an electric heater and a water reservoir in accordance with one of the embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the smoking device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a magnified fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through a check valve at the inlet end of a smoking tube as shown in FIG. 2 and as taken substantially along the line 3--3 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical view, partly in section, of the smoking device shown in FIG. 1 incorporating alternative embodiments; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a smoking device constructed in accordance with still another alternative embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now in detail to the drawings and as may be best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a smoking device comprises a housing 10 including a generally square-shaped upper plate 12 integrally connected to downwardly depending side walls 14. The lower inner edge surface of each of the side walls 14 is provided with a longitudinally extending bead 16 which is adapted to cooperate with and sealingly engage a conforming shaped groove 18 extending longitudinally around the outer upper edge of each of side walls 20 of a tank shaped base portion 22. The base portion 22 and the housing 10 are conveniently composed of a suitable plastic material having sufficient resiliency to provide a snap-fit between the bead and groove facilitating assembly and disassembly thereof.

The central portion of the upper plate 12 is provided with a recessed section 24 formed with a radially outwardly extending groove 26 in the annular vertical wall 28 thereof, which is adapted to sealingly engage a radially extending lug 30 formed on the neck portion of a spherical globe or enclosure 32. The globe 32 may be of a transparent or translucent material to enable visual inspection of the smoke accumulation within the interior thereof. The cooperation of the lug 30 and groove 26 enables removal of the globe by rotation relative to the housing to disengage the lug from the groove for a replenishment and lighting of tobacco adapted to be positioned in a bowl 34.

In the specific arrangement as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an L-shaped conduit 36 is provided having one section thereof extending inwardly from a port formed in one side wall 14 of the housing and with the other upright section thereof extending upwardly through the center of the recessed section 24 and terminating within the interior of a hollow tubular member or can 38. The base of the tubular member 38 is seated in supported relationship on the upper surface of the recessed section as shown in FIG. 1. The tubular member 38 is formed with one or a plurality of apertures 40 extending around the periphery thereof for admitting outside air passing in through the L-shaped conduit into the interior of the smoking chamber defined by the interior of the globe 32. In order to facilitate a lighting of the tobacco disposed in the bowl 34, and to maintain the tobacco in a burning condition, a heater assembly 42 is provided comprising a ceramic or other temperature resistant body member 44 supported on the upper end portion of the tubular member 38 and a burner member 46 incorporating a plurality of resistance wires which is positioned adjacent to the base of the bowl 34.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, smoke and air entering the smoke chamber of the globe 32 is adapted to pass downwardly through flanged downcomer tubes 48, which are slidably positioned within ports 50 formed in the recessed section 24. The downcomer tubes 48 are of a length such that the lower ends thereof are positioned beneath the level of water indicated at 52 disposed in the bottom of the base portion 22 providing a cooling and filtration of the smoke which passes in the form of bubbles upwardly into the housing 10.

As best seen in FIGS. 1-3, a plurality of flexible smoking tubes 54 are connected to the upper plate of the housing through which the cooled and filtered smoke is withdrawn by one up to as many as four smokers. In the specific arrangement illustrated, each corner of the upper plate 12 is provided with an angularly extending tube 56, the upper edge of which is formed with a generally spherical or conically shaped seat 58, which is adapted to sealingly engage the periphery of a steel ball 60. The steel ball is mounted for longitudinal movement within a tubular sleeve 62 having its lower ends slidably fitted over the upper end portion of the tube 56 and formed with a diametrically extending stop 64 for restricting outward movement of the ball beyond the end thereof. The flexible smoking tubes 54 slidably overlie the outer surface of the tubular sleeves 62 and may suitably terminate with a mouthpiece (not shown) in accordance with any one of the well known constructions.

It will be apparent from the arrangement as shown and described in connection with FIGS. 1-3 that after tobacco is placed in the bowl 34 and the globe 32 locked in position, an ignition of the tobacco by the heater 46 can be achieved by connecting the electrical cord 66 to a suitable supply socket and turning the in-line switch 68 to the "on" position. As the tobacco commences burning, smoke fills the interior of the smoke chamber defined by the interior of the globe 32 and the smoke as created in addition to supplemental air entering the L-shaped supply conduit 36, is progressively withdrawn downwardly through the tubes 48 through the water and out through the smoking tubes 54. The provision of the ball check valves in each of the smoking tubes prevents the suction applied to the manifold by one smoker from causing air to enter another smoking tube not in use, which would cause a dilution of the smoke within the interior of the pipe.

In addition to the arrangement as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, an alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 4 with like components being designated by the same numeral but with a prime affixed thereto. As shown in FIG. 4, a housing 10' is provided to which smoking tubes 54' are connected at each of the corners thereof and which is provided with a recess section 24' in which a globe 32' is removably mounted. As in the case of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, a tubular member 38' is provided on the upper end of which a heater assembly 42' is removably mounted.

The distinctions of the construction shown in FIG. 4 from that previously described resides in the use of a base plate 70 in lieu of the tank shaped base portion 22 which is adapted to be snapped into position by means of the cooperating engagement of the beads 16' and the groove 18'. The interior of the housing thus defined comprises a manifold from which the smoke and air mixture is withdrawn through the smoking tubes 54' in a manner as previously described but without having been filtered and cooled by passage through water.

In addition to the foregoing distinction, the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4 further embodies an L-shaped air supply tube 72 having its horizontal portion disposed in communication with the ambient air through a side wall 14' of the housing 10' and with the opposite vertical leg portion thereof disposed in communication with a port 74 formed in the recessed section 24'. The air and smoke mixture generated within the interior of the globe 32' passes downwardly through the apertures 40' in the tubular member 38' and thence through a short tube 76 vertically fixed in substantially the center of the recessed section 24'. The upwardly extending end of the short tube 76 is adapted to cooperate with a centrally positioned aperture 78 in the base of the tubular member 38' serving thereby to maintain it in appropriate central disposition on the recessed section 24'.

The smoking device as shown in FIG. 5 is similar to that as previously described in FIG. 4 and like components are designated by the same numeral with a double prime affixed thereto. As shown, the housing 10" is formed with a recessed section 24" in which a globe 32" is removably mounted and encloses a bowl 34" having a screen 80 supported therein and spaced from the bottom thereof. Air enters the interior of the globe through the L-shaped air supply tube 72" and passes downwardly through the burning tobacco disposed on the screen 80 and thence out through the base of the bowl through a tube 76" into the interior of a distribution manifold defined by the housing 10". The smoke is withdrawn from the manifold chamber through a plurality of smoking tubes 54" incorporating one-way flow control devices in a manner and for the same purposes as previously described.

While it will be apparent that the invention herein disclosed is well calculated to achieve the benefits and advantages herein above set forth, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A smoking device comprising a housing defining a three-dimensional manifold, a bowl mounted on the upper end portion of an upright hollow tubular member supported adjacent to its lower end by said housing, said bowl adapted to contain tobacco to be burned, an enclosure removably mounted in substantial sealing engagement on said housing for enclosing said bowl and said hollow member and forming a smoke collection chamber, said hollow member formed with at least one port in the side wall thereof below said bowl for providing communication between said chamber and the interior of said hollow member, means disposed in communication with the atmosphere exteriorly of said housing for supplying outside air into the interior of said hollow member for supporting combustion of the tobacco in said bowl, port means disposed in communication with said chamber and said manifold for passage of smoke and air from said chamber to said manifold, a plurality of smoking tubes connected to said housing and having one end thereof disposed in communication with said manifold for withdrawing smoke therefrom, and flow control means in each of said smoking tubes for permitting flow of smoke and air only in a direction outwardly of said tube and manifold.

2. A smoking device as defined in claim 1, in which said flow control means comprise ball check valves.

3. The smoking device as defined in claim 1, in which said bowl further includes electric heater means adapted to be positioned in heating relationship relative to the tobacco for effecting an ignition and sustained combustion thereof.

4. A smoking device as defined in claim 1, in which said manifold includes a water sump and said port means define a path for causing the smoke and air mixture to bubble through the water into the unfilled upper section of said manifold.

5. The smoking device as defined in claim 1, in which said means for supplying outside air comprises a conduit having an inlet end which is disposed in communication with a port formed in one side of the housing and extends therefrom up into a position in communication with the interior of said hollow member and directly below said bowl with the outlet thereof disposed vertically below the level at which the tobacco is adapted to be disposed.

6. The smoking device as defined in claim 1, in which said housing further includes a tubular member extending upwardly through and slidably engaging an aperture formed in the base of said hollow member for maintaining it in appropriate axial alignment relative to said housing and for providing communication between said manifold and said chamber.

7. The smoking device as defined in claim 1, in which said housing comprises an upper section and a lower base section, said upper section and lower section being removably interconnected by coacting means forming a substantially air-tight seal therebetween.

8. The smoking device as defined in claim 1, wherein said enclosure is transparent to enable visual inspection of said smoke collection chamber and said bowl therein.

9. The smoking device as defined in claim 8, wherein said enclosure comprises a glass globe which is threadably secured in sealing engagement to said housing.