HOOKAH SUBASSEMBLY AND COMPONENTS OF THE SUBASSEMBLY

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Preferred forms of the present invention are directed to a hookah subassembly and components of the hookah subassembly having numerous features that are significant improvements over conventional hookahs and components thereof.

A most preferred form of the present invention completely eliminates the need in prior hookahs for a vertical member extending downwardly from a bowl housing a substance to be smoked and into the water chamber to direct smoke into the water chamber so that smoke enters the water from above to pass through the water prior to being inhaled by a user.

One or more preferred forms of the present invention include a hot chamber, section or portion (i.e., a chamber, section or portion that receives smoke prior to the smoke passing through water) extending along an outer periphery of the water chamber or housing that receives and directs smoke to a point of entry into the water chamber housing below an upper portion of the water chamber or housing. Preferably, the point of entry of smoke into the water chamber or housing is below a mid-section of the water chamber or housing. Most preferably, the point of entry of smoke into the water chamber or housing is at a point in the bottom or lowermost surface of the water chamber or housing.

One or more preferred forms of the present invention include a cold chamber, section or portion (i.e., a chamber, section or portion that receives smoke after the smoke passes through water) configured to prevent water or moisture from being inhaled by the user.

One or more preferred forms of the present invention includes a hookah subassembly in which the port to which the inhalation tube, conduit or hose is connected to is located adjacent a lower portion of the water chamber or housing to ensure that water and/or moisture is not inhaled by the user.

One or more preferred forms of the present invention include a hot chamber, section or portion (i.e., a chamber, section or portion that receives smoke prior to the smoke passing through water) having one or more settling members and a collection area to separate and collect any foreign substance (e.g., molasses or water) that is not smoke from the smoke prior to the smoke being directed into the water chamber or housing.

One or more preferred forms of the present invention include a hookah subassembly that is formed by three main components which include an internal member and two outer shell members to provide a hookah subassembly that is inexpensive to manufacture and is easily assembled.

One or more preferred forms of the present invention include a hookah subassembly that is configured to cause smoke, during a purge process, operation or mode, to be directed outwardly from the bottom of the water chamber or housing so that purge smoke flows outwardly from each of the four (4) sides of the hookah subassembly to present to the user a generally cross shape of purged smoke.

One or more preferred forms of the present invention include a removable and reversible draw control member to allow a hookah subassembly to be readily modified to vary the draw from a wide open draw, a medium draw and a restrictive draw.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A hookah is a known device that one or more individuals can use to smoke a smokable substance (e.g., tobacco). A hookah can be a single or multi-stemmed instrument for vaporizing and smoking tobacco (flavored or non-flavored) or other substance where the smoke or vapor is passed through a water basin or other liquid retaining structure before being inhaled by an individual.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of a preferred form of the present invention is to provide a novel and unobvious hookah subassembly.

Another object of a preferred form of the present invention is to provide a hookah subassembly that completely eliminates the need in prior hookahs for a vertical member extending downwardly from a bowl housing a substance to be smoked and into the water chamber to direct smoke into the water chamber so that the smoke passes through the water before being inhaled by a user.

A further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a hot chamber, section or portion (i.e., a chamber, section or portion that receives smoke prior to the smoke passing through water) extending along an outer periphery of the water chamber or housing that receives and directs smoke to a point of entry into the water chamber or housing below an upper portion of the water chamber or housing.

Still another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a hot chamber, section or portion (i.e., a chamber, section or portion that receives smoke prior to the smoke passing through water) extending along an outer periphery of the water chamber or housing that receives and directs smoke to a point of entry into the water chamber housing below a mid-section of the water chamber or housing.

A further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a hot chamber, section or portion (i.e., a chamber, section or portion that receives smoke prior to the smoke passing through water) extending along an outer periphery of the water chamber or housing that receives and directs smoke to a point of entry into the water chamber or housing where the point of entry of smoke into the water chamber or housing is at a point in the bottom or lowermost surface of the water chamber or housing.

Yet another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a cold chamber, section or portion (i.e., a chamber, section or portion that receives smoke after the smoke passes through water) configured to prevent water or moisture from being inhaled by the user.

Yet a further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a hookah subassembly in which the port to which the inhalation tube, conduit or hose is connected to is located adjacent a lower portion of the water chamber or housing to ensure that water and/or moisture is not inhaled by the user.

Another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a hot chamber, section or portion (i.e., a chamber, section or portion that receives smoke prior to the smoke passing through water) having one or more settling members and a collection area to separate and collect any foreign substance (e.g., molasses) that is not smoke from the smoke prior to the smoke being directed into the water chamber or housing.

A further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a hookah subassembly that is formed by three main components which include an internal member and two outer shell members to provide a hookah subassembly that is inexpensive to manufacture and is easily assembled.

Yet a further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a hookah subassembly that is configured to cause smoke, during a purge process, operation or mode, to be directed outwardly from the bottom of the water chamber or housing so that purge smoke flows outwardly from each of the four (4) sides of the hookah subassembly to present to the user a generally cross shape of purged smoke.

Still a further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a removable and reversible draw control member to allow a hookah subassembly to be readily modified to vary the draw from a wide open draw, a medium draw and a restrictive draw.

It must be understood that no one embodiment of the present invention need include all of the aforementioned objects of the present invention. Rather, a given embodiment may include one or none of the aforementioned objects. Accordingly, these objects are not to be used to limit the scope of the claims of the present invention.

In summary, one preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a hookah subassembly including a liquid retaining member for retaining a liquid to filter a material that is to be smoked prior to being inhaled by a user and a flow path for directing smoke from a smoked substance retaining member including a substance to be smoked to a point of entry in the liquid retaining member that is below an upper surface of the liquid retaining member.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a hookah subassembly hookah subassembly including a liquid retaining member for retaining a liquid to filter a material that is to be smoked prior to being inhaled by a user and a purge smoke control member configured to direct smoke in a generally cross shaped pattern during a purge operation.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a hookah subassembly including an internal member and an outer housing for housing the internal member. The internal member and the outer housing being configured to form a liquid retaining chamber, section or portion. The outer housing includes a connection portion to which a smoked substance bowl containing a substance to be smoked is operably connected to when the hookah subassembly is used to smoke. The hookah subassembly includes at least one of the following: (i) a smoke flow path formed between the outer housing and the internal member for delivering smoke to a point of entry in the liquid retaining chamber, section or portion that is below an upper surface of the liquid retaining chamber, section or portion, and (ii) a removable draw flow control member, wherein when the draw flow control member is removed from the hookah subassembly, the hookah subassembly will operate in a wide open smoke draw mode, when the draw flow control member is in a first position in the hookah subassembly, the hookah subassembly will operate in a medium draw mode and when the draw flow control member is in a second position, the hookah subassembly will operate in a restrictive draw mode.

The preferred forms of the present invention described above provide various examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention to any of the preferred forms described above in this section or any preceding or subsequent section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred hookah subassembly that a smoking or inhalation hose/conduit/tube and a bowl for housing/containing/supporting a material to be smoked are connected to when the hookah subassembly is used to smoke, i.e., the inhalation hose/conduit/tube and the bowl are not shown and do not form a portion of the preferred hookah subassembly.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 1 as viewed from a different vantage point.

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 1 taken along a vertical plane passing through the bowl support member, the hot circumferential chamber, section or portion, the purge circumferential chamber, section or portion and the cold circumferential chamber, section or portion.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 1 taken along a vertical plane passing through the cold circumferential chamber, section or portion surrounding the water storage chamber, section or portion.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 1 taken along a vertical plane passing through the purge circumferential chamber, section or portion surrounding the water storage chamber, section or portion when the hookah subassembly is in a purge state, process, condition or operation.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a preferred inner member of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 1 with portions thereof removed.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another preferred hookah subassembly that a smoking or inhalation hose/conduit/tube and a bowl for housing/containing/supporting a material to be smoked are connected to when the hookah subassembly is used to smoke, i.e., the inhalation hose/conduit/tube and the bowl are not shown and do not form a portion of the preferred hookah subassembly.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 8 as viewed from a different vantage point.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 8 as viewed from a different vantage point from that of FIGS. 8 and 8A.

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded perspective view of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of a preferred inner member of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 1 taken along a vertical plane passing through the bowl support member, the hot circumferential chamber, section or portion, the purge circumferential chamber, section or portion and the cold circumferential chamber, section or portion.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 8 taken along a vertical plane passing through the cold circumferential chamber, section or portion surrounding the water storage chamber, section or portion.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 1 taken along a vertical plane passing through the purge circumferential chamber, section or portion surrounding the water storage chamber, section or portion when the subassembly is in a purge state, process, condition or operation.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 8 taken along a vertical plane passing through the hot circumferential chamber, section or portion surrounding the water storage chamber, section or portion.

FIG. 16 is a partially exploded view of another preferred form of inner member including a reversible and removable draw control member that allows for a wide open draw when removed, a medium draw when present and oriented in a first position and a restrictive drawn when the member is flipped over.

FIG. 17 is a view of the reversible and removable draw control member having two elongated openings having two different sizes of open area to provide a medium draw and a restrictive draw depending on the position of the reversible and removable draw control member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The preferred forms of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-17. The appended claims are not limited to the preferred forms and no term and/or phrase used herein is to be given a meaning other than its ordinary meaning unless it is expressly stated otherwise.

The figures do not depict the bowl that supports, houses or contains the material or substance that is smoked (e.g., tobacco) or the inhalation hose, conduit, tube used to smoke the material or substance to be smoked, as these items can be of any suitable conventional form or later developed form that is compatible with the preferred forms of the present invention or any variation thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, a preferred form of the present invention includes a hookah subassembly A having an internal member B and an outer housing C. The outer housing C preferably includes a first outer shell portion D and a second outer shell portion E. First outer shell portion D includes a hollow annular support member F configured to receive a smoked substance retaining member (e.g., a tobacco bowl), i.e., the bowl or other substance retaining member is mounted on support member F. The configuration of member F can be readily varied to accommodate different types, sizes and/or shapes of smoke substance retaining members.

Second outer shell portion E includes a hollow annular connection member or port G to which an inhalation tube, conduit or hose is to be connected during smoke operation so that a user can inhale the smoke passing through the subassembly A. Preferably, port G is disposed below a mid-section of the liquid retaining member and adjacent a bottom portion of subassembly A. The inhalation tube, conduit or hose connected to port G can also be used by an individual to purge smoke from the hookah subassembly A during a purge operation. The configuration of port G can be readily varied to accommodate different types, sizes and/or shapes of inhalation tubes, conduits or hoses.

The first shell portion D and the second shell portion E surround internal member B and these three components form a liquid storage chamber, section of portion 2 housing and storing a liquid (e.g., water), a first hot circumferential chamber, section or portion 4, a purge circumferential chamber, section or portion 6 and a cold circumferential chamber, section or portion 8 as seen in, for example, FIG. 4. The terms “hot” and “cold” are used to make clear that chamber 4 receives smoke prior to the smoke passing through the liquid (e.g., water) in chamber 2 and chamber 8 receives smoke after the smoke passes through the liquid in chamber 2.

Referring to, for example FIG. 4, first shell portion D includes a vertically extending wall 10 which preferably is transparent and an annular seal 12 extending completely around wall 10 to form one sealed end of the hookah subassembly A. Second shell portion D includes a vertically extending wall 14 which preferably is transparent and an annular seal 16 extending around completely around wall 14 to form an opposing sealed end of the hookah subassembly A. Four annular seals 18 are received in annular grooves or recesses 20 formed in internal member B. The outer portion of annular seals 18 engage an inner surface of a corresponding outer shell portion to form the first hot circumferential chamber, section or portion 4, the purge circumferential chamber, section or portion 6 and the cold circumferential chamber, section or portion 8. The annular seals 18 isolate chambers 4, 6 and 8 from each other, for example, smoke in chamber 4 cannot pass from chamber 4 directly into chamber 6 or chamber 8. In this regard, it is noted that smoke in chamber 4 can only enter chamber 8 after passing through the liquid in chamber 2. Similarly, smoke in chamber 6 cannot pass from chamber 6 directly into chamber 4 or chamber 8. Further, smoke cannot pass from chamber 8 directly into chamber 4 or chamber 6. This is due to the fact that each chamber is formed between a pair of annular seals 18 as seen in, for example, FIG. 4. Each of the circumferential chambers, sections or portions 4, 6 and 8 surround the liquid retaining chamber 2, i.e., extend completely around chamber 2.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the bottom of first shell portion D includes a notch or groove 22 that forms a discharge, exhaust or purge outlet H when the first shell portion D abuts second shell portion E. As seen in FIG. 4, two of the four annular seals 22 are disposed on opposing sides of outlet H to prevent liquid in chamber 2 from passing through outlet H.

Referring to FIG. 4, member F includes a vertically extending passageway 24 which is in fluid communication with circumferential chamber, section or portion 4. During a smoking mode when a user inhales, smoke from a tobacco bowl seated on member F is drawn downwardly through passageway 24 to enter chamber 4. The smoke passes in, around and downwardly in chamber 4 to enter water chamber 2 through opening 28 formed in a bottom 29 of internal member B when closure sealing member 30 is in the position shown in FIG. 4.

When the subassembly is not being used in a smoke or smoking mode, closure member 30 seals opening 28 preventing or blocking fluid communication between chamber 4 and chamber 2. Closure member 30 includes a central opening 32 that allows smoke from chamber 4 to enter chamber 2 when closure member is in the position shown in FIG. 4. Closure member 30 is housed in a diffuser assembly or member 34 that includes an upper surface 36 having a plurality of through holes 38 that act to uniformly distribute smoke in chamber 2. The diffuser member 34 is housed in chamber 2. Internal member B includes a collection well or recess 39 that can collect any foreign matter other than smoke that enters chamber 4 (e.g., molasses).

During a smoke or smoking mode, smoke directed into chamber 4 passes upwardly through the liquid in chamber 2 and enters the cold circumferential chamber 8 through openings 40 formed in or adjacent upper corners of internal member B in the portion of internal member B forming cold circumferential chamber 8 as seen in, for example, FIGS. 5 and 8. While eight openings 40 are shown in the left, upper corner of member B (see, for example, FIG. 7), the number of openings may be varied as desired. Also, preferably, the right, upper corner of member B includes the same number and size of openings as the left, upper corner of member B.

Preferably, the water level in chamber 2 is at approximately the height of a horizontal plane passing through a mid-section of port G seen in, for example FIG. 5. Also, water will be present in chamber 4 to approximately the same level. However, bottom 29 of internal member B and closure member 30 separate chamber 4 and chamber 2 when chamber 2 is not under a negative pressure, i.e., closure member 30 moves downwardly to seal opening 28.

Referring to FIG. 5, smoke entering cold chamber 8 must travel downwardly to enter port G. Accordingly, any substance other than smoke exiting chamber 2 and entering cold chamber 8 will settle and be collected in a bottom portion of cold chamber 8 ensuring that only smoke enters port G. Internal member B includes a recessed portion 41 providing a hand gripping area or portion to allow the user to grip internal member B and separate it from a corresponding outer shell portion when disassembling the subassembly A for cleaning.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, two openings 46 are formed in purge chamber 6 and a closure member 48 is mounted on a pair of support members 50 disposed between openings 46 so that opposing end portions of closure member 48 are positioned directly above a corresponding opening 46 and biased downwardly to close a corresponding opening 46. The opposing end portions of closure member 48 seal a corresponding opening 46 preventing smoke from passing from chamber 2 into chamber 6 during a smoking operation during which a vacuum is created, i.e., chamber 2 is subjected to a negative pressure.

During a purge mode, operation or process, an individual can blow into a conduit connected to port G to cause the end portions of closure member 48 to move upwardly to a position shown in FIG. 6 and allow smoke to escape from chamber 2 through openings 46 and enter purge chamber 6 due to the positive pressure exerted on chamber 2 when a user blows into the inhalation conduit. The smoke to be purged travels in, around and downwardly in chamber 6 to be purged or discharged through outlet H. Outlet H is disposed or communicates with only chamber 6 so that only smoke from purge chamber 6 can only pass through outlet H.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 15, another preferred form of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 8 to 15 illustrate a hookah subassembly K that is similar to subassembly A and, therefore, only the differences will be described in detail. Subassembly K includes three main components, i.e., an internal member L, a first outer shell portion M and a second outer shell portion N which when assembled form a liquid storage chamber, section of portion 60 housing and storing a liquid (e.g., water), a first hot circumferential chamber, section or portion 64, a purge circumferential chamber, section or portion 66 and a cold circumferential chamber, section or portion 68 as seen in, for example, FIG. 12. Chambers 64, 66 and 68 extend completely around chamber 60.

Internal member L includes five annular seals 70 as opposed to four annular seals 18 in subassembly A. Two of the five annular seals extend around juncture 72 formed by adjacent ends of the first shell portion M and the second shell portion N to ensure that the juncture 72 is sealed and isolated from the other portions of the subassembly K. The annular seals 70 isolate chambers 64, 66 and 68 from each other, for example, smoke in chamber 64 cannot pass from chamber 64 directly into chamber 66 or chamber 68. In this regard, it is noted that smoke in chamber 64 can only enter chamber 68 after passing through the liquid in chamber 60. Similarly, smoke in chamber 66 cannot pass from chamber 66 directly into chamber 64 or chamber 68. Further, smoke cannot pass from chamber 68 directly into chamber 64 or chamber 66. This is due to the fact that each chamber is formed between a pair of annular seals 70 as seen in, for example, FIG. 12. An annular collection groove or recess 73 is formed in support member F to collect or capture molasses dripping down from a smoke substance retaining member (e.g., tobacco bowl).

Hot chamber 64 includes a collection well 74 similar to collection well 39 of subassembly A. However, collection well 74 includes vertically extending diffuser wall portions 76 that smoke entering chamber 64 passes over regardless of the direction the smoke flows in chamber 64. Diffuser wall portions 76 help to settle out into the collection well 74 any foreign substance other than smoke (e.g., molasses). Hot chamber directs smoke into chamber 60 in the same or similar manner to chamber 4 during a smoking operation.

With regard to cold chamber 68, an opening 79 (see, for example, FIG. 13) is formed in or adjacent each of the left and right upper corners of chamber 68 to allow smoke passing through the liquid in the chamber 60 to travel in, around and downwardly in cold chamber 68 and enter port 81 during a smoking operation.

With regard to purge chamber 66, openings 80 are formed in the left and right upper corners and a pair of closure or sealing members 82 mounted on a corresponding support 84 to seal the corresponding opening 80 as seen in, for example FIG. 14. Purge chamber 66 is in fluid communication with the two elongated openings 86 formed in first shell portion M. The two elongated openings 86 extend between adjacent annular seals that isolate the purge chamber 66 from the hot chamber 64 and the cold chamber 68. During a purge operation in which a user blows into the inhalation conduit, tube or hose, closure or sealing members 82 are unseated from the corresponding opening 80 as seen in, for example, FIG. 14.

Referring to FIG. 9, the first outer shell portion M and the second outer shell portion N are each provided with a support member 90. Each support member 90 is preferably configured in the same manner so only one will be described in detail. Support member 90 is preferably formed from a non-slip material so that when mounted on a table or other structure the subassembly does not slide on the table or other structure. Support member 90 includes two opposing foot portions 92 and two opposing foot portions 94. Each of foot portions 92 is longer or taller than each of foot portions 94 to create a purge smoke flow path in which purge smoke is directed outwardly between and generally parallel to the two opposing foot portions 92 through the space created by the height differential between foot portions 92 and foot portions 94. Also, purge smoke passes outwardly in opposing directions between and generally parallel to support members 90 so that purge smoke flows outwardly from a bottom of hookah subassembly K in a generally cross-shaped smoke pattern, i.e., purge smoke flows outwardly in four different paths from each of the four lower side portions of hookah subassembly K where each of the four paths is generally perpendicular to a corresponding side portion of the hookah subassembly K.

Support members 90 are preferably configured in the manner depicted in FIG. 9 so that each support member 90 can be readily gripped by a user to make handling of the outer shell portions M and N easier especially when these components may be wet.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, an optional draw control member 100 will be described in connection with internal member L of subassembly K. However, it will be readily appreciated that the optional draw control member can be used in the subassembly A.

In its most preferred form, the optional draw control member 100 is a removable and reversible plate member having elongated openings 102 and 104. Elongated opening 102 has a larger open area than elongated opening 104 but smaller than the open area of inlet opening 106 through which smoke enters water in the liquid retaining chamber 60. When member 100 is used and elongated opening 102 is fluidly connected to inlet opening 106 smoke can only enter the water by passing through elongated opening 102 placing the subassembly K in a medium draw mode. Flipping member 100 over will cause smaller elongated opening 104 to communicate with inlet opening 106 so that smoke can only enter the water by passing through elongated opening 104 placing the subassembly K in a restrictive or minimum draw mode. When member 100 is removed from the subassembly K, the subassembly K is placed in a wide open or maximum draw mode. The medium draw mode provides a draw greater than the restrictive or minimum draw mode but less than the wide open or maximum draw mode. Preferably, member 100 is held in place by diffuser assembly or member 110 that is removably attached to a lower portion of inner member L by any suitable means including, but not limited to screws below closure member 30.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that the preferred design can be further modified or adapted following in general the principles of the invention and including, but not limited to such departures from the present invention as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains. The claims are not limited to the preferred embodiments and have been written to preclude such a narrow construction using the principles of claim differentiation.