Hookah subassembly and components of the subassembly

Abstract

To provide a hookah subassembly dispensing with a vertical member which extends downward from a bowl storing a smoking object substance to a water chamber, guides smoke to the water chamber, and allows the smoke to enter water from above and pass through the water before a user draws.SOLUTION: A hookah subassembly A including a liquid retaining member for retaining a liquid to filter a material that is to be smoked prior to being drawn 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. The point of entry in the liquid retaining is preferably located below a mid-section of the liquid retaining member and most preferably the point of entry is located at a bottom or lowermost portion of the liquid retaining member. The hookah subassembly is configured to direct smoke to be purged from the hookah subassembly in a cross-shaped pattern from the bottom of the subassembly. A draw flow control member varies the draw between a wide open, a medium and a restrictive draw.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Preferred forms of the present invention relate to hookah subassemblies and hookah subassembly components which have a number of features that are significant improvements over conventional hookahs and their components.

[0002] The most preferred form of the present invention completely eliminates the need for a vertical member in conventional hookahs that extends downward from the bowl containing the smokeable material to the water chamber to direct the smoke into the water chamber and force it into and through the water from above before being inhaled by the user.

[0003] 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 the smoke before it passes through the water) extending around the periphery of the water chamber or housing, which receives the smoke and directs it to an entry point into the water chamber housing below the upper portion of the water chamber or housing. Preferably, the entry point for the smoke into the water chamber or housing is below the central section of the water chamber or housing. Most preferably, the entry point for the smoke into the water chamber or housing is at a point on the bottom or lowest surface of the water chamber or housing.

[0004] 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 it has passed through water), which cold chamber, section or portion is configured to prevent the user from inhaling water or moisture.

[0005] One or more preferred forms of the invention include a hookah subassembly in which a port to which an inhalation tube, conduit or hose is connected is located adjacent the lower portion of the water chamber or housing to prevent the user from inhaling water and / or moisture.

[0006] 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 the smoke before it passes through the water) having one or more settling members and a collection area for separating and collecting any foreign matter other than smoke (e.g., molasses or water) from the smoke before it is directed into the water chamber or housing.

[0007] One or more preferred forms of the present invention include a hookah subassembly formed by three main components, including an inner member and two outer shell members, providing a hookah subassembly that is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to assemble.

[0008] One or more preferred forms of the present invention include a hookah subassembly configured to direct smoke outwardly from the bottom of the water chamber or housing during a purging process, operation or mode, such that purged smoke flows outwardly from each of the four (4) sides of the hookah subassembly to provide a generally crisscross pattern of purged smoke to the user.

[0009] One or more preferred forms of the present invention include a removable and reversible draw control member that allows the hookah subassembly to be easily modified to vary between wide open draw, medium draw and restrictive draw. [Background technology]

[0010] A hookah is a known device that can be used by one or more individuals to smoke a smokable substance (e.g., tobacco). A hookah can be a single-stem or multi-stem device for vaporizing and smoking tobacco (flavored or unflavored) or other substances, with the smoke or vapor passing through a water bottle or other liquid-holding structure before being inhaled by the individual. Summary of the Invention

[0011] It is an object of a preferred form of the present invention to provide a novel and unobvious hookah subassembly.

[0012] Another object of a preferred form of the present invention is to provide a hookah subassembly which completely eliminates the need for a vertical member in conventional hookahs that extends downward from the bowl containing the material to be smoked to the water chamber, directing the smoke into the water chamber and causing it to pass through the water before being inhaled by the user.

[0013] It is a further object of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a high temperature chamber, section or portion (i.e., a chamber, section or portion that receives smoke before it passes through the water) that extends around the periphery of the water chamber or housing and that receives the smoke and directs it to a point of entry into the water chamber or housing below the top of the water chamber or housing.

[0014] It is yet another object of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a high temperature chamber, section or portion (i.e., a chamber, section or portion that receives smoke before it passes through the water) that extends around the periphery of the water chamber or housing and receives and directs the smoke to a point of entry into the water chamber housing below the central section of the water chamber or housing.

[0015] A further object of preferred embodiments of the present invention is to provide a high temperature chamber, section or portion (i.e., a chamber, section or portion that receives smoke before it passes through the water) extending around the periphery of the water chamber or housing, which receives the smoke and directs it to a point of entry into the water chamber or housing, wherein the point of entry into the water chamber or housing is at a point on the bottom or lowest surface of the water chamber or housing.

[0016] Yet another object of preferred embodiments of the present invention is to provide a cryogenic chamber, section or portion (i.e., a chamber, section or portion that receives smoke after it has passed through water) that is configured to prevent a user from inhaling water or moisture.

[0017] It is a further object of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a hookah subassembly in which the port to which the inhalation tube, conduit or hose is connected is located adjacent to the lower portion of the water chamber or housing to prevent the user from inhaling water and / or moisture.

[0018] Another object of preferred embodiments of the present invention is to provide a high temperature chamber, section or portion (i.e., a chamber, section or portion that receives smoke before it passes through water) that has one or more settling members and a collection area for separating and collecting any foreign matter other than smoke (e.g., molasses) from the smoke before it is directed into the water chamber or housing.

[0019] A further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a hookah sub-assembly formed by three main components including an inner member and two outer shell members, which is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to assemble.

[0020] It is a further object of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a hookah subassembly that is configured to direct smoke outwardly from the bottom of the water chamber or housing during a purging process, operation or mode, so that purged smoke flows outwardly from each of the four (4) sides of the hookah subassembly to provide a generally crisscross shaped purged smoke to the user.

[0021] Furthermore, a further object of preferred embodiments of the present invention is to provide a detachable and reversible draw control member, allowing the hookah subassembly to be easily modified to vary the amount of draw from open draw, medium draw and limited draw.

[0022] It should be understood that no embodiment of the present invention is required to include all of the above-described objects of the present invention. Rather, a given embodiment may include one or none of the above-described objects. Therefore, these objects should not be used to limit the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0023] In summary, one preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a hookah subassembly comprising a liquid retaining member for retaining liquid to filter smokable material before it is inhaled by a user, and a flow path for directing smoke from the smokable material retaining member to an entry point within the liquid retaining member below an upper surface of the liquid retaining member.

[0024] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a hookah subassembly that includes a liquid retention member that retains liquid for filtering smokable material prior to inhalation by a user, and a purge smoke control member that is configured to direct smoke in a generally crisscross pattern during a purging operation.

[0025] A further preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a hookah subassembly comprising an internal member and an external housing containing the internal member, the internal member and the external housing being configured to define a liquid retention chamber, section or portion, the external housing including a connecting portion to which a smoking substance bowl containing a substance to be smoked is operatively connected when the hookah subassembly is in use for smoking. The hookah subassembly also includes at least one of: (i) a smoke flow path formed between the external housing and the internal member for delivering smoke to an entry point of the liquid retention chamber, section or portion below an upper surface of the liquid retention chamber, section or portion; and (ii) a detachable inhalation flow control member, wherein when the inhalation flow control member is detached from the hookah subassembly, the hookah subassembly operates in an open smoke draw mode; when the inhalation flow control member is in a first position on the hookah subassembly, the hookah subassembly operates in an intermediate draw mode; and when the inhalation flow control member is in a second position, the hookah subassembly operates in a restricted draw mode.

[0026] The preferred forms of the invention described above provide various examples of preferred embodiments of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention to any of the preferred forms described above in this section or any preceding or subsequent section. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred hookah sub-assembly to which a smoking or inhalation hose / conduit / tube and a bowl for accommodating / containing / supporting the material to be smoked are connected when the hookah sub-assembly is in use for smoking; i.e., the inhalation hose / conduit / tube and bowl do not form part of the preferred hookah sub-assembly and are not shown. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 1 from another perspective. [Figure 3]3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the hookah subassembly of Figure 1 taken along a vertical plane passing through the bowl support member, the hot peripheral chamber, section or portion, the purge peripheral chamber, section or portion, and the cold peripheral chamber, section or portion. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 1 taken along a vertical plane through the cold peripheral chamber, section or portion surrounding the water storage chamber, section or portion. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the hookah subassembly of Figure 1 taken along a vertical plane through a purge peripheral chamber, section or portion surrounding the water storage chamber, section or portion when the hookah subassembly is in a purging state, process, condition or operation. [Figure 7] 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the preferred inner member of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 1 with a portion thereof removed; FIG. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view of another preferred hookah subassembly to which a smoking or inhalation hose / conduit / tube and a bowl for accommodating / containing / supporting the material to be smoked are connected when the hookah subassembly is used for smoking; i.e., the smoking or inhalation hose / conduit / tube and bowl do not form part of the preferred hookah subassembly and are not shown. [Figure 8A] 8A is a perspective view of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 8 from another perspective. [Figure 9] 9 is a perspective view of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 8, seen from a different perspective than that of FIGS. 8 and 8A. [Figure 10] 10 is a partially exploded perspective view of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 8; FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a perspective view of a portion of a preferred inner member of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 8; FIG. [Figure 12]Figure 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the hookah subassembly of Figure 1 taken along a vertical plane passing through the bowl support member, the hot peripheral chamber, section or portion, the purge peripheral chamber, section or portion, and the cold peripheral chamber, section or portion. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 8 taken along a vertical plane through the cold peripheral chamber, section or portion surrounding the water storage chamber, section or portion. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the hookah subassembly of Figure 1 taken along a vertical plane through a purge peripheral chamber, section or portion surrounding the water storage chamber, section or portion when the subassembly is in a purging state, process, condition or operation. [Figure 15] 15 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the hookah subassembly of FIG. 8 taken along a vertical plane through the hot peripheral chamber, section or portion surrounding the water storage chamber, section or portion. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a partially exploded view of another preferred form inner member including a reversible, detachable suction control member that allows open suction when removed, intermediate suction when present and oriented in a first position, and limited suction when the member is inverted. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram of a reversible, detachable suction control member having two elongated openings with two different sized opening areas to provide intermediate and limited suction depending on the position of the reversible, detachable suction control member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 17. The scope of the appended claims is not limited to the preferred embodiments, and terms and / or phrases used in this specification should not be given any meaning other than their ordinary meaning unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0029] The figures do not depict bowls that support, house or contain the material or substance to be smoked (e.g., tobacco) or the intake hose, conduit or tube used to smoke the material or substance, as these items may be of any suitable conventional or later developed form that is compatible with the preferred form of the invention or any variation thereof.

[0030] 1-7, a preferred form of the present invention includes a hookah subassembly A having an inner 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. The first outer shell portion D includes a hollow annular support member F configured to receive a smoking material retaining member (e.g., a tobacco bowl), i.e., the bowl or other material retaining member rests on the support member F. The configuration of member F can be readily adapted to accommodate different types, sizes and / or shapes of smoking material retaining members.

[0031] Second shell portion E includes a hollow annular connecting member or port G to which an inhalation tube, conduit or hose is connected so that a user can inhale smoke passing through subassembly A during a smoking operation. Port G is preferably located below the central section of the liquid retaining member and adjacent the bottom of subassembly A. An inhalation tube, conduit or hose connected to port G can also be used by an individual to purge smoke from hookah subassembly A during a purging operation. The configuration of port G can be easily modified to accommodate different types, sizes, and / or shapes of inhalation tubes, conduits or hoses.

[0032] First shell portion D and second shell portion E surround inner member B, and these three components form a liquid storage chamber, section or portion 2 that contains and stores a liquid (e.g., water), a first hot peripheral chamber, section or portion 4, a purge peripheral chamber, section or portion 6, and a cold peripheral chamber, section or portion 8, as seen, for example, in FIG. 4. The terms "hot" and "cold" are used to clarify that chamber 4 receives smoke before it passes through the liquid (e.g., water) in chamber 2, and chamber 8 receives smoke after it passes through the liquid in chamber 2.

[0033] For example, referring to Figure 4, the first shell part D includes a preferably transparent, vertically extending wall 10 and an annular seal 12 extending completely around the wall 10 to form one sealed end of the hookah subassembly A. The second shell part D includes a preferably transparent, vertically extending wall 14 and an annular seal 16 extending completely around the wall 14 to form the opposite sealed end of the hookah subassembly A. Four annular seals 18 are received in annular grooves or recesses 20 formed in the inner member B. The outer portions of the annular seals 18 engage the inner surfaces of the corresponding outer shell parts to form a first hot peripheral chamber, section or portion 4, a purge peripheral chamber, section or portion 6, and a cold peripheral chamber, section or portion 8. The annular seals 18 isolate chambers 4, 6, and 8 from one another, preventing, for example, smoke in chamber 4 from passing directly from chamber 4 to chambers 6 or 8. In this regard, it should be noted that smoke in chamber 4 must pass through the liquid in chamber 2 before it can enter chamber 8. Similarly, smoke in chamber 6 cannot pass directly from chamber 6 to chamber 4 or chamber 8. Furthermore, smoke cannot pass directly from chamber 8 to chamber 4 or chamber 6. This is due to the fact that each chamber is formed between a pair of annular seals 18, as can be seen, for example, in FIG. 4. Each of peripheral chambers, sections, or portions 4, 6, and 8 surrounds liquid-retaining chamber 2, i.e., extends around the entire circumference of chamber 2.

[0034] 3 and 4, the bottom of the 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 the second shell portion E. As can be seen in FIG. 4, two of the four annular seals 22 are disposed on opposite sides of the outlet H to prevent liquid within the chamber 2 from passing through the outlet H.

[0035] Referring to Figure 4, member F includes a vertically extending passageway 24 in fluid communication with peripheral chamber, section or portion 4. During the smoking mode, when a user inhales, smoke from a tobacco bowl placed in member F is drawn downward through passageway 24 and into chamber 4. When closure seal member 30 is in the position shown in Figure 4, the smoke passes downward around chamber 4 and enters water chamber 2 through opening 28 formed in the bottom 29 of inner member B.

[0036] When the subassembly is not in use during smoking or in a smoking mode, the closure member 30 seals the opening 28 to prevent or block fluid communication between chamber 4 and chamber 2. The closure member 30 includes a central opening 32 that allows smoke from chamber 4 to enter chamber 2 when the closure member is in the position shown in FIG. 4. The closure member 30 is housed in a diffusion assembly or member 34 that includes an upper surface 36 with a plurality of through holes 38, which functions to distribute smoke evenly within chamber 2. The diffusion member 34 is housed within chamber 2. The inner member B includes a collection recess or depression 39 that can collect any foreign matter other than smoke (e.g., molasses) that enters chamber 4.

[0037] During smoking or smoking mode, smoke directed into chamber 4 passes upward through the liquid in chamber 2 and enters cold peripheral chamber 8 through openings 40 formed at or adjacent to the upper corners of inner member B in the portion of inner member B that forms cold peripheral chamber 8, as seen, for example, in Figures 5 and 8. While eight openings 40 are shown in the upper left corner of member B (see, for example, Figure 7), the number of openings may vary as desired. Also, the upper right corner of member B preferably includes the same number and size of openings as the upper left corner of member B.

[0038] The water level in chamber 2 is preferably approximately the same as the height of the horizontal plane passing through the central section of port G, as seen in Figure 5, for example. Water will also be present in chamber 4 to approximately the same level. However, when chamber 2 is not under negative pressure, the bottom 29 of internal member B and closure member 30 separate chamber 4 from chamber 2, i.e., closure member 30 moves downward to sealing opening 28.

[0039] 5, smoke entering cryochamber 8 must travel downward to enter port G. Thus, any material other than smoke that leaves chamber 2 and enters cryochamber 8 will settle and collect at the bottom of cryochamber 8, ensuring that only smoke enters port G. Inner member B includes recesses 41 to provide gripping areas or portions to allow a user to grip inner member B and to separate inner member B from the corresponding outer shell portion when disassembling subassembly A for cleaning.

[0040] 6 and 7, two openings 46 are formed in purge chamber 6, and a blocking member 48 is attached to a pair of support members 50 disposed between the openings 46, with opposing end portions of the blocking member 48 positioned directly above the corresponding openings 46 and biased downward to block the corresponding openings 46. The opposing end portions of the blocking member 48 seal the corresponding openings 46, and during smoking, a vacuum is created between chambers 2 and 6, i.e., chamber 2 is exposed to negative pressure.

[0041] During a purge mode, operation, or process, an individual can blow into the conduit connected to port G to move the end portion of occlusion member 48 upward to the position shown in Figure 6, but when a user blows into the inhalation conduit, smoke is allowed to exit chamber 2 through opening 46 and enters purge chamber 6 due to the positive pressure applied to chamber 2. The smoke to be purged travels downward around chamber 6 and is purged or exhausted through outlet H. Outlet H is positioned or connected only to chamber 6 so that only smoke from purge chamber 6 can pass through outlet H.

[0042] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 8 to 15. The hookah subassembly K shown in Figures 8 to 15 is similar to subassembly A, and therefore only the differences will be described in detail. Subassembly K comprises three main components: an inner member L, a first outer shell portion M, and a second outer shell portion N, which, when assembled, as can be seen, for example, in Figure 12, form a liquid storage chamber, section or portion 60 for containing and storing a liquid (e.g., water), a first hot peripheral chamber, section or portion 64, a purge peripheral chamber, section or portion 66, and a cold peripheral chamber, section or portion 68. Chambers 64, 66, and 68 extend around the entire periphery of chamber 60.

[0043] Internal member L includes five annular seals 70, as opposed to the four annular seals 18 of subassembly A. Two of the five annular seals extend around a junction 72 formed by the adjacent ends of first shell portion M and second shell portion N, securely sealing junction 72 and isolating it from the rest of subassembly K. The annular seals 70 isolate chambers 64, 66, and 68 from one another; for example, smoke in chamber 64 cannot pass directly from chamber 64 to chambers 66 or 68. In this regard, it should be noted that smoke in chamber 64 must pass through the liquid in chamber 60 before it can enter chamber 68. Similarly, smoke in chamber 66 cannot pass directly from chamber 66 to chambers 64 or 68. Furthermore, smoke cannot pass directly from chamber 68 to chambers 64 or 66. This is due to the fact that each chamber is formed between a pair of annular seals 70, as seen, for example, in FIG. 12 . The support member F has an annular collection groove or recess 73 formed therein to collect or capture molasses that drips from the smoking material retaining member (eg, tobacco bowl).

[0044] Hot chamber 64 includes a collection recess 74 similar to collection recess 39 of subassembly A, except that collection recess 74 includes a vertically extending diffusion wall portion 76 over which smoke entering chamber 64 passes regardless of the direction of smoke flow through chamber 64. Diffusion wall portion 76 helps to cause any foreign matter other than smoke (e.g., molasses) to settle within collection recess 74. Hot chamber 64 directs smoke into chamber 60 during smoking operations in the same or similar manner as chamber 4.

[0045] The cold chamber 68 has openings 79 (see, e.g., FIG. 13) formed at or adjacent to each of the upper left and right corners of the chamber 68, allowing smoke passing through the liquid in the chamber 60 to travel downward around the cold chamber 68 and enter port 81 during smoking.

[0046] With respect to the purge chamber 66, as seen in FIG. 14, for example, openings 80 are formed in the upper left and right corners, and a pair of closure or seal members 82 are attached to corresponding supports 84 to seal the corresponding openings 80. The purge chamber 66 is in fluid communication with two elongated openings 86 formed in the first shell portion M. The two elongated openings 86 extend between adjacent annular seals, which isolate the purge chamber 66 from the hot chamber 64 and the cold chamber 68. During a purging operation, in which a user blows into an inhalation conduit, tube, or hose, the closure or seal members 82 are disengaged from the corresponding openings 80, as seen in FIG. 14, for example.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 9 , the first and second shell portions M and N are each provided with a support member 90. Each support member 90 is preferably similarly constructed, so only one will be described in detail. The support member 90 is preferably formed from a non-slip material to prevent the subassembly from sliding on a table or other structure when placed on the table or other structure. The support member 90 includes two opposing leg portions 92 and two opposing leg portions 94. Each of the leg portions 92 is longer or taller than each of the leg portions 94, creating a purge smoke flow path. The purge smoke is directed generally parallel and outward between the two opposing leg portions 92 through the space created by the height difference between the leg portions 92 and 94. Furthermore, as the purge smoke passes outward in generally parallel and opposite directions between the support members 90, the purge smoke flows outward from the bottom of the hookah subassembly K in a generally crisscross smoke pattern, i.e., the purge smoke flows outward from each of the four lower portions of the hookah subassembly K in four different paths, each of which is generally perpendicular to the corresponding side portion of the hookah subassembly K.

[0048] The support members 90 are preferably configured in the manner depicted in FIG. 9 so that each support member 90 can be easily grasped by a user to facilitate handling of the shell portions M, N, especially when these components may be wet.

[0049] 16 and 17, the optional suction control member 100 will be described in connection with the inner member L of subassembly K. However, it will be readily understood that the optional suction control member can be used with subassembly A.

[0050] In its most preferred form, the optional suction control member 100 is a removable, reversible plate member having elongated openings 102, 104. Elongated opening 102 has an opening area larger than elongated opening 104 but smaller than the opening area of ​​inlet opening 106, through which smoke enters the water in the liquid-retention chamber 60. When member 100 is in use and elongated opening 102 is fluidly connected to inlet opening 106, smoke can only enter the water by passing through elongated opening 102, and subassembly K is in an intermediate suction mode. When member 100 is inverted, the smaller elongated opening 104 communicates with inlet opening 106, smoke can only enter the water by passing through elongated opening 104, and subassembly K is in a limited or minimum suction mode. When member 100 is removed from subassembly K, subassembly K is in an open or maximum suction mode. The intermediate suction mode provides a suction volume greater than the limited or minimum suction mode, but less than the open or maximum suction mode. The member 100 is preferably held in place by a diffusion assembly or member 110, which is preferably removably attached to the lower portion of the inner member L below the occlusion member 30 by any suitable means, including but not limited to, threads.

[0051] While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that the preferred design may be further modified or adapted in accordance with the principles of the overall invention, including, but not limited to, such departures from the invention as are within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains. The claims are not limited to the preferred embodiment, but are drafted to exclude such narrower configurations using the doctrine of claim differentiation.

Claims

1. 1. A hookah subassembly comprising: (a) a liquid retaining member for retaining a liquid for filtering a material to be smoked before the user inhales; (b) a flow path for directing smoke from a smoking material holding member containing a smoking material to an entry point within the liquid holding member below an upper surface of the liquid holding member; 1. A hookah subassembly comprising:

2. 2. A hookah subassembly according to claim 1, wherein: (a) the flow path extends around at least a portion of the outer periphery of the liquid retaining member.

3. A hookah subassembly as described in claim 1, wherein (a) the flow path extends around at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the liquid retaining member and supplies smoke to the liquid retaining member below a central section of the liquid retaining member.

4. A hookah subassembly as described in claim 1, wherein (a) an inhalation port to which an inhalation tube, conduit or hose is connected for inhaling smoke during smoking is located below the central section of the liquid retaining member.

5. A hookah subassembly as described in claim 1, wherein (a) the flow path extends around at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the liquid holding member and supplies smoke to the liquid holding member at an entry point formed at the bottom of the liquid holding member.

6. 1. A hookah subassembly comprising: (a) a liquid retaining member for retaining a liquid for filtering a material to be smoked before the user inhales; (b) a purge smoke control element configured to direct smoke in a generally crisscross smoke pattern during a purging operation; 1. A hookah subassembly comprising:

7. 7. A hookah subassembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein: (a) the purge smoke control member is configured to direct smoke in a generally crisscross smoke pattern beneath the liquid retaining member during a purging operation.

8. 7. A hookah subassembly as described in claim 6, wherein (a) the purge smoke control member is configured to direct smoke under each of the four sides of the liquid retaining member during a purging operation to provide a generally cross-shaped purge smoke pattern.

9. (a) a first set of two opposing leg portions and a second set of two opposing leg portions extending between the first set of two opposing leg portions; 9. A hookah subassembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the two opposing leg portions of the first set of two opposing leg portions is higher than each of the two leg portions of the second set of two opposing leg portions, and during purging operation, purge smoke is allowed to pass under the two leg portions of the first set between the two opposing leg portions of the first set.

10. 10. A hookah subassembly according to claim 9, wherein: (a) said first set of two opposing leg portions forms a lowermost portion of said hookah subassembly.

11. 1. A hookah subassembly comprising: (a) an internal member and an external housing containing the internal member, the internal member and the external housing being configured to form a liquid-retaining chamber, section, or portion; (b) the outer housing including a connecting portion to which a smoking material bowl containing a smoking material is operably connected when the hookah subassembly is used for smoking; (c) (i) a smoke flow path formed between the outer housing and the inner member for delivering smoke to an entry point of the liquid-retention chamber, section, or portion below an upper surface of the liquid-retention chamber, section, or portion; (ii) at least one detachable inhalation flow control member, wherein when the detachable inhalation flow control member is detached from the hookah subassembly, the hookah subassembly operates in an open smoke inhalation mode, when the detachable inhalation flow control member is in a first position of the hookah subassembly, the hookah subassembly operates in an intermediate inhalation mode, and when the detachable inhalation flow control member is in a second position, the hookah subassembly operates in a restricted inhalation mode; 1. A hookah subassembly comprising:

12. 12. A hookah subassembly according to claim 11, wherein: (a) said hookah subassembly comprises said smoke flow passage and said removable inhalation flow control member.

13. A hookah subassembly as described in claim 11, wherein (a) the outer housing includes at least a first cover member and a second cover member, the first cover member and the second cover member being configured to surround and contain the inner member.

14. 12. A hookah subassembly as described in claim 11, wherein (a) the inner member and the outer housing define a high temperature chamber extending around the outer periphery of the liquid retention chamber, section or portion, the high temperature chamber being configured to direct smoke from the smoking material bowl to a smoke inlet of the liquid retention chamber, section or portion, the smoke inlet of the liquid retention chamber, section or portion being located at the bottom of the liquid retention chamber, section or portion.

15. 15. A hookah subassembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein (a) the internal member and the external housing define a low temperature chamber extending around the outer periphery of the liquid retention chamber, section or portion, the low temperature chamber being configured to direct smoke passing through the water in the liquid retention chamber, section or portion to a tube connection portion configured to receive a tube for use by a user during a smoking mode and a purging mode, the tube connection portion being located in a lower portion of the hookah subassembly such that smoke passing through the water in the liquid retention chamber, section or portion travels downward before entering the tube connection portion to prevent water or moisture from entering the tube connection portion.

16. 16. A hookah subassembly as described in claim 15, wherein (a) the inner member and the outer housing define a purge chamber extending around the outer periphery of the liquid retention chamber, section or portion, the purge chamber being configured to purge smoke from the liquid retention chamber, section or portion during a purge mode.

17. 17. A hookah subassembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein (a) the purge chamber comprises a first portion disposed above the liquid retention chamber, section or portion and a second portion disposed below the liquid retention chamber, section or portion, and during purge mode, smoke from the liquid retention chamber, section or portion to be purged enters the purge chamber and smoke purged from the hookah subassembly exits the purge chamber from the second portion.

18. 18. A hookah subassembly according to claim 17, wherein: (a) the purge chamber is disposed between the hot chamber and the cold chamber.

19. 18. A hookah subassembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein: (a) the tube connection portion is disposed between the first portion of the purge chamber and the second portion of the purge chamber.

20. 13. A hookah subassembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein (a) the removable inhalation flow control member is a reversible plate having a first opening and a second opening, and when the first opening is in the operative position, the hookah subassembly operates in an intermediate inhalation mode, and when the second opening is in the operative position, the hookah subassembly operates in a restricted inhalation mode.

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