US20210120869A1

US20210120869A1 - Smoking instrument

Info

Publication number: US20210120869A1
Application number: US17/079,329
Authority: US
Inventors: Andrew Lawlor
Original assignee: Duke Tube LLC
Current assignee: Duke Tube LLC
Priority date: 2019-10-23
Filing date: 2020-10-23
Publication date: 2021-04-29

Abstract

A manual instrument suitable for containing smoking materials, including a cigarette or rolled smoking product, and suitable for facilitating protection of the user and smoking materials during performance of smoking activity from rain, high wind, or other deleterious weather conditions that may otherwise prohibit or impede full enjoyment of the smoking activity for the user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claim priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/925,038 which was filed on Oct. 23, 2019, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an instrument of particular utility for smoking, particularly for smoking wherein users find conditions of rain, high wind, or other inclement weather.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, rain and other tough weather conditions impede the smoker's efforts, particularly in the current climate wherein smokers frequently find that they must engage in the activity outdoors, regardless of season and regardless of weather conditions and other factors. The present invention is ideally situated to facilitate the smoker's ability to engage in the activity easily under a wide range of conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a device to enable smokers to engage in the activity in situations of rain, high wind, or other inclement weather that often impede or prohibit the enjoyment of the activity or may prohibit the activity altogether. The present invention has the beneficial effects of shielding and preserving the smoking material and maintaining the proper airflow and material dryness required for ideal smoking performance in suboptimal conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the smoking instrument depicting the mouthpiece and barrel in a separated configuration.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the smoking instrument depicting the instrument mouthpiece and barrel in joined and sealed operational configuration.

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of the smoking instrument barrel (viewed from the proximal, user's end) that operably connects with the mouthpiece when in use.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the smoking instrument barrel depicting the distal end (away from the user) that demonstrates the ash-collecting collar partially obstructing the barrel distal end.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the smoking instrument mouthpiece from the distal end demonstrating the O-ring outer seal element that effectuates the seal between barrel and mouthpiece, along with the stepwise graduated inner diameter of the mouthpiece enabling placement and traction for the smoking implement therein.

FIG. 6 is a further perspective view of the smoking instrument mouthpiece from the distal end providing alternate view of the O-ring outer seal and stepwise graduated inner diameter of the mouthpiece.

FIG. 7 is detailed schematic view of the inner mouthpiece chamber configuration emphasizing a stepwise graduated inner diameter of the mouthpiece operative chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A smoking instrument is provided as a device designed to address adverse conditions that can occur during smoking. For example, breezy days and wet, inclement weather cause inconveniences that all smokers must endure in order to engage in and obtain pleasure from smoking. The design of the present smoking instrument is focused on protecting the smoking materials, including but not limited to cigarettes, joints, blunts, or cigars, from combustion-robbing wind and moisture that may occur during bad weather and other environmental events.
The smoking instrument, according to the embodiments described herein, may accommodate rolled tobacco, marijuana, or other smoking material products. The smoking instrument may also facilitate concealment the product which the user is smoking or the smoking activity itself, for example, at nighttime is unsecure environments, and may protect the lit smoking materials from rain and wind. The smoking accessory also includes a built-in ash catcher at one (distal) end. The smoking accessory is ergonomic, may be offered in different sizes or volumes, and does not require electronics or batteries for operation.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As depicted, the smoking instrument may comprise multiple components: a cylindrical operative mouthpiece 1, open at both ends and tapered at the proximal (user's) end, a main open-ended cylindrical body barrel 2. In certain embodiments, the smoking instrument may also additionally include one or more optional removable inserts (for placement within the mouthpiece and/or within the barrel) to facilitate stability and positioning of the smoking materials, and any optional attachments or accessories, for example to facilitate the instrument for vaping. In a preferred embodiment, the cylindrical body barrel 2 features holes or perforations 3 through the barrel sidewalls that allow and promote ventilation within the barrel 2 and thus facilitate a continuous and smooth smoking experience. The mouthpiece 1 and barrel 2 may be made from any suitable material, such as a nonreactive metallic material, thermoplastics, composites, or the like. In one exemplary embodiment, the mouthpiece and barrel are formed from machined and polished stainless steel. In a preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece and barrel are made of aluminum. In another preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece and barrel are made of hard carbon composite material. In a particular preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece and body barrel materials are substantially composed of aluminum and feature Type III anodized aluminum coating and additionally (or instead) coated with a thin-film ceramic coating to further promote heat resistance, abrasion and corrosion resistance, and thereby improve durability. In another particular preferred embodiment, and as further depicted in FIG. 1, the mouthpiece section of the smoking instrument may be easily separated repeatedly, without damage to the device, from the main body barrel 2 of the smoking instrument.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the mouthpiece 1 and the main body barrel 2 are joined in proper configuration for active smoking use. In a preferred embodiment, the distal end of the barrel 2 (away from the user) will feature a ash-collecting partial end cover (also termed a ring, ridge, or collar) 4 in a perpendicular orientation to the main body barrel 2, and partial end cover 4 will offer a small opening 5 therein to allow the passage of air and smoke, without the passage of ash or similar particulate matter, during the smoking activity of the user.
FIG. 3 is a frontal view (from the user's end) of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein the main body barrel of the smoking instrument is hollow and empty when not in operation. In a preferred embodiment, the sidewalls of the barrel feature a series of holes or perforations to promote ventilation during the smoking activity. In another preferred embodiment, the distal end (away from the user) features a partial cover to capture ash or other similar particulate matter that may be emitted as a result of the smoking activity.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein the main body barrel of the instrument features a series of holes or perforations in the sidewalls of the barrel to promote ventilation and the distal (away from the user) end of the instrument optionally features a ash-collector partial cover or collar.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view (proceeding away from the user's end) of an exemplary embodiment of the mouthpiece section of the smoking instrument. In a preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece 1 may be configured to be removable, and may be designed to fit various standard sizes to add a level of customization. For example, a first standard mouthpiece size may be provided. The standard mouthpiece may be removable to be swapped out for a vaporizer-sized mouthpiece. In, for example, a stainless-steel, aluminum, or carbon composite embodiment mouthpiece, such construction serves to add a level of durability and sanitation.
In a preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece is easily removable and washable. As depicted in FIG. 5, for example, the mouthpiece may comprise one or more O-ring grooves 5 which secure the mouthpiece with a friction fit or seal to the main body using complementary standard rubber O-rings. Such action serves to secures the mouthpiece in place and seals airflow for a preferred and more efficacious smoking experience.
In other embodiments, other connection mechanisms may be used. For example, a threaded connection between the mouthpiece and main body barrel may be provided. The threaded connection may tighten the mouthpiece and main body barrel against one or more O-rings to seal the parts together. In alternate embodiments of the invention, other connections, such as a quick-connect arrangement, may also be used.
As further depicted in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in a preferred embodiment, the inner diameter of the mouthpiece may feature a stepwise graduated reduction in the inner diameter opening of the mouthpiece 6 (a progressive reduction in diameter as moving away from the distal, smoking material receiving end, of the mouthpiece) to facilitate accommodation of various smoking materials of different sizes or circumferences, such as cigarettes, cigars, joints, or other implements. In another embodiment of the invention, the inner diameter may feature a more smooth and continuous tapering (or flared, conical, exponential, or hyperbolic horn-shaped tapering) reduction in inner diameter from the distal end going inward into the mouthpiece.
The main body barrel acts as the base housing for all other components of the smoking instrument to operably mount to. In a preferred embodiment, the barrel may be constituted substantially of stainless steel, aluminum, or carbon composite materials. In a particular preferred embodiment, the main body barrel may be constituted substantially of a high temperature thermoplastic material, such as Nylon 6-6, that also may optionally be bored through for handling smoke accumulation and promoting smooth drags or intake. Nylon 6-6 is a durable and versatile material that can withstand many years of hard use and high temperature cycles, though, as indicated above, many other plastic, metallic, or composite materials may be used satisfactorily. In another embodiment, the thermoplastic material may feature glass fiber reinforcement.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the proximal end (relative to the user) of the main body barrel is configured to connect to the mouthpiece, as previously explained above. In a preferred embodiment, one or more ends of the main body barrel are configured to be able to hold and connect with various collet inserts. In another preferred embodiment, one or more ends of the main body barrel comprise a tapered inner bore and a threaded outer diameter to operate with collet inserts and a threaded cover or shield to thereby create a tight, yet tunable fit around the user's smoking materials.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, inserts for use with the smoking instrument comprise a removable collet design which retain the load of the smoking materials, such as a cigarette, joint, cigar or blunt, through the use of a friction fit on a holding taper. In a particular preferred embodiment, the inserts are constituted of a high-temperature blend of Nylon 6-6, though other suitable materials may also be used effectively.
In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the main body barrel is designed to be adaptable for sequential use with a plurality of differently-sized cigarettes, by removing one insert and replacing an insert with a different and optimally-sized insert to achieve the best fit size. For example, in one preferred embodiment, the main body of the smoking instrument accommodates joints from as little as 5 mm in diameter to as large as 11 mm in diameter. Micro-adjustability may be achieved by loosening or tightening a collet insert around the joint. This ensures that odd-shaped or poorly rolled joints may still be accommodated by the holding taper. The inserts are an effective, durable, and cost-effective solution for retaining cigarettes in place under suboptimal conditions.
As part of a preferred embodiment of the invention, a main body barrel, or environmental shield, serves as a primary guard or deterrent against the effects of inclement weather. This instrument component is designed to allow a proper amount of air in to maintain combustion, while preventing the flame-robbing impact that a high velocity wind gust can induce. In a preferred embodiment, the main body barrel or environmental shield is made of aluminum or stainless steel, adding style, safety, temperature resistance, and durability to the design. In other preferred embodiments, other non-reactive metals may be used, as well as select thermoplastic or composite materials. In preferred embodiments, the instrument material used is an generally inert material that will not release any harmful chemicals or odors when exposed to heat and will retain its shape and properties through many cycles.
In certain preferred embodiments, the main barrel body or environmental shield comprises specially designed and tuned air intake ports or perforations, in one or more sidewall sections thereof, to allow for optimal airflow in both calm and windy conditions. These ports or perforations help to ensure retention of an even burn and even temperature throughout the duration of the participant's smoking activity. In another preferred embodiment, the distal end of the main body barrel or environmental shield comprises a port for passive ash retention and facilitation of controlled ash removal and disposal. In preferred embodiments, these features promote the smoker to experience the expected tactile feel and operation while using the smoking instrument.
As described above, the smoking accessory of the present invention is adaptable, durable, safe, and easy to use. In preferred embodiments, the smoker or user will simply place his/her cigarette, joint, or blunt into the proper tapered insert. The insert and cigarette together will be pressed and positioned into the smoking instrument. Once the smoking material is lit or ignited, the main body barrel or environment shield will be connected or connectively threaded to the mouthpiece section, protecting the smoking material, such as a cigarette, joint, or blunt, from the elements during the smoking activity.
While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. In addition, the various features, elements, and embodiments described herein may be claimed or combined in any combination or arrangement.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A smoking instrument, comprising:

a hollow cylindrical body suitable to accommodate smoking materials; and

a mouthpiece suitable for operable connection to an end of the body.

2. The smoking instrument of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises one or more ventilation ports through a side wall of the body.

3. The smoking instrument of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises an ash receptacle guard at one end.

4. The smoking instrument of claim 1, further comprising one or more inserts suitable to connect to the mouthpiece or body to accommodate smoking materials.