Modularized smoking device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular smoke plenum that can be implemented in a hookah, pipe or other smoking device. The modular plenum according to embodiments of the invention features multiple modules or components that may be rearranged in any order, allowing for interchanging and rearranging of the components. Each module may have a specific purpose or functionality, such as cooling, filtering, or extending the length of the device. A standardized interface on each end of the modules allows for connection of the modules in any order to construct a modular plenum. This provides for unlimited rearrangement of the modules, an unlimited number of modules in the plenum, and unlimited reconfiguration possibilities for the modular plenum. By changing the functionality of the plenum and / or the order in which the smoke passes through the different functions, a different smoking experience can be achieved without using a completely different device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application relies on and claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 434,316, filed Jan. 19, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to smoking devices, such as hookahs or pipes. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to modular smoke plenums with interchangeable and re-arrangeable parts or modules for a customizable smoking experience and to smoking devices comprising such a modular smoke plenum.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]Pipes and hookahs are common devices for smoking substances such as tobacco. Hookahs, in particular, date back to the 1500's and have had one general style of construction. Typically, tobacco is burned in a bowl at the top of the hookah. Smoke generated from the burning tobacco trave...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The limitations inherent in the conventional hookah, and more specifically the plenum, as mentioned above provide great incentive for a plenum with added function. The present invention relates to a modularized smoke plenum for hookah or other smoking device intended for human inhalation. More specifically, a modularized smoke plenum is provided with interchangeable and re-arrangeable parts that communicate with a standard interface to provide for a customizable smoking experience.

[0012]Embodiments of the invention provide a modular plenum for smoking devices, such as pipes and hookahs, which allows for variation of the smoking experience by re-arrangement of the components of the modular plenum.

[0018]A smoking device made from one or two parts can be improved upon by splitting into more components with a standard method of interface. This invention modularizes the smoking device which introduces several key benefits, some of which include: allowing for rearrangement and interchangeability of the components using standardized fittings; a smoking device that is easier to prepare, clean, and transport; a smoking device that allows a user to purchase more parts to add on at a later date; a smoking device that allows the user to replace broken components without replacing the entire unit; a smoking device that is customizable for any user or to accommodate user preferences by having standardized modules that are able to connect with any other module in any arrangement, making numerous filtration, cooling and aesthetic attachments possible; and a device that allows multi-modal operation.

[0022]Because the smoke plenum works in a multitude of smoking devices, this effectively makes the smoking device multi-modal. The replacement of a few components can switch the mode of the device. Essentially using a set up plenum, one can change the embodiment of the invention from a hookah to a pipe and vice versa by swapping out some parts or components attached to the plenum.

[0031]The modules of the modular plenum can each comprise a standard interface chosen from a male / female type interface, a latch type interface, or a magnetic interface; which can further include threaded interface, a friction fit male / female type interface, a tapered male / female fitting, or a collet & o-ring type interface. What is meant by a standard interface in accordance with this specification is that one end of the module comprises a certain type of interface, while the other end of the module comprises a complementary type of interface. This allows for the modules to be re-arranged in any order within the system.

Problems solved by technology

These parts, though they can be removed, have a specific function to the device and cannot be re-arranged.

Further, the connections between the intermediate tube, plenum, and base are not configured with standardized interfacing to allow for re-arrangement of the parts, thus, deterring and / or preventing re-assembly of the plenum with the plenum parts in the wrong order.

Thus, this type of device allows for ease of cleaning of the parts of the device but does not allow for varied functionality of the device during use.

Although this configuration may be desirable for transporting the hookah or for cleaning the device, it does not provide functionality for changing the smoking experience obtained from using the device.

As described in this publication, a filter is provided in the plenum, however, the filter is not removable.

Thus, what is missing from existing smoking devices is the ability to customize the user's smoking experience.

Such customizable smoking experiences are not possible with existing hookahs, or other smoking devices, and to achieve these different results, the smoker must use a different device for each type of experience.

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