The present disclosure relates generally to adjustable devices, and related systems and methods. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to adjustable devices (e.g., downstems) and associated systems and methods, for applications such as, for example, vaporizing and/or smoking.
Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to adjustable devices that are generally used in the context of vaporizing and/or smoking. According to some embodiments, an adjustable device may include an adapter configured to connect to a diffuser. In additional embodiments, the adjustable device may include an adapter configured to connect to a stem, and the stem is configured to connect to a diffuser. In some embodiments, the adjustable device may include an adapter removably connected to a diffuser. In additional embodiments, the adjustable device may include an adapter removably connected to a stem, and a diffuser removably connected to the stem.
In various embodiments of the disclosure, the adapter may include only a first portion. In additional embodiments, the adapter may include a first portion and a second portion configured to connect to the first portion. In various embodiments of the disclosure, the stem may include one or more portions. The first portion of the adapter and one or more portion(s) of the stem may be configured to connect to any other of the adapter, the other portion(s) of the stem, and/or the diffuser. For example, the first portion of the adapter, one or more portion(s) of the stem, and the diffuser may include a common (e.g., shared) connection feature such that the portions may be mixed and matched in any desired sequence or arrangement to adjust a length of the adjustable device.
According to some embodiments, a system may include a pipe and an adjustable device at least partially within the pipe. The pipe may comprise an annular portion at a first end of the pipe. The adjustable device may comprise an adapter connected to the annular portion, a stem connected to the adapter, and a diffuser positioned within the pipe and connected to the stem.
In the Brief Summary above and in the Detailed Description, the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method acts) of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the disclosure includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular embodiment, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments described herein.
The following description provides specific details, such as components, assembly, and materials in order to provide a thorough description of embodiments of the disclosure. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced without employing these specific details.
The use of the term “for example,” means that the related description is explanatory, and though the scope of the disclosure is intended to encompass the examples and legal equivalents, the use of such terms is not intended to limit the scope of an embodiment or this disclosure to the specified components, acts, features, functions, or the like.
Drawings presented herein are for illustrative purposes, and are not necessarily meant to be actual views of any particular material, component, structure, or device. Thus, embodiments described herein are not to be construed as being limited to the particular shapes or regions as illustrated, but include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as box-shaped may have rough and/or nonlinear features, and a region illustrated or described as round may include some rough and/or linear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded, and vice versa. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and do not limit the scope of the present claims. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same numerical designation.
As used herein, the term “configured to” in reference to a structure or device intended to perform some function refers to size, shape, material composition, material distribution, orientation, and/or arrangement, etc. of the referenced structure or device.
As used herein, the terms “comprising” and “including,” and grammatical equivalents thereof include both open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method acts, and more restrictive terms such as “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” and grammatical equivalents thereof.
As used herein, the term “may” with respect to a material, structure, feature, or method act indicates that such is contemplated for use in implementation of an embodiment of the disclosure and such term is used in preference to the more restrictive term “is” so as to avoid any implication that other, compatible materials, structures, features and methods usable in combination therewith should or must be excluded.
As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
As used herein, relational terms, such as “first,” “second,” etc., are used for clarity and convenience in understanding the disclosure and accompanying drawings and does not connote or depend on any specific preference, orientation, or order, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise.
As used herein, the term “about,” when used in reference to a numerical value for a particular parameter, is inclusive of the numerical value and a degree of variance from the numerical value that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand is within acceptable tolerances for the particular parameter. For example, “about,” in reference to a numerical value, may include additional numerical values within a range of from 90.0 percent to 110.0 percent of the numerical value, such as within a range of from 95.0 percent to 105.0 percent of the numerical value, within a range of from 97.5 percent to 102.5 percent of the numerical value, within a range of from 99.0 percent to 101.0 percent of the numerical value, within a range of from 99.5 percent to 100.5 percent of the numerical value, or within a range of from 99.9 percent to 100.1 percent of the numerical value.
As used herein, the term “substantially” in reference to a given parameter, property, or condition means and includes to a degree that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is met with a degree of variance, such as within acceptable tolerances. By way of example, depending on the particular parameter, property, or condition that is substantially met, the parameter, property, or condition may be at least 90.0 percent met, at least 95.0 percent met, at least 99.0 percent met, at least 99.9 percent met, or even 100.0 percent met.
As used herein, the terms “smoking and/or vaporizing substance,” refers to one or more dry herbs for smoking, concentrates for smoking, and/or concentrates for vaporizing (e.g., “dab” concentrates, such as shatter, crumble, wax, budder, rosin, live resin, etc.) that are made of or include any suitable herb that can be dried and smoked, or from which smoking and/or vaporizing concentrates can be made. As non-limiting examples, “smoking and/or vaporizing substances,” may be derived from herbs, such as cannabis, tobacco, blue cornflower, blue vervain, calamus, calendula, catnip, chamomile, chrysanthemum, damiana, echinacea, eucalyptus, gotu kala, hawthorn, hibiscus, holy basil, jasmine, lavender, lemongrass, licorice root, linden, marshallow leaf, mugwort, mullein, nettle, passionflower, peppermint, raspberry leaf, rose, sage, skullcap, saint john's wort, uva ursi, wild dagga, wormwood, violet, yarrow, yerba santa, combinations of two or more of the foregoing, etc.
Referring collectively to
In the assembled state shown in
The adjustable device 100 may define a central opening 108 that may extend continuously through each portion of the adjustable device 100 from a first end 110 of the adjustable device 100 to a second end 112 opposite the first end 110. Thus, the central opening 108 may extend substantially an entire length (e.g., a distance from the first end 110 to the second end 112) of the assembled adjustable device 100.
The adjustable device 100 may be adjustable in length (e.g., the distance from the first end 110 to the second end 112), and also in width (e.g., diameter) of the adapter 102. For example, as shown in
Continuing with reference to
In some embodiments, the adapter 102 includes only the first portion 114. In additional embodiments, the adapter 102 includes both the first portion 114 and the second portion 116 removably connected to the first portion 114. To facilitate a removable connection between the first portion 114 and the second portion 116 of the adapter 102, the second portion 116 may include a first connection feature 125. The first connection feature 125 of the second portion 116 may be configured to engage a first connection feature 127 of the first portion 114. For example, the first connection feature 127 may correspond to (e.g., be complementary to) the first connection feature 125.
In some embodiments, the first connection feature 125 of the second portion 116 may include lip 126 and an exterior recessed section 128 adjacent the lip 126 (e.g., in the Z-direction). In addition, the first connection feature 127 of the first portion 114 may include a ridge 132 configured to rest against a surface of the second portion 116, and a corresponding interior recessed section 134 configured to receive the first connection feature 125 (e.g., the lip 126) of the second portion 116 of the adapter 102.
In additional embodiments, the first connection feature 127 of the first portion 114 may include threads, pins, openings, etc. and the first connection feature 125 of the second portion 116 may include corresponding (e.g., complementary) threads, openings, pins, etc. to removably connect (e.g., secure) the first portion 114 to the second portion 116.
The size of the first connection feature 125 (e.g., the lip 126) of the second portion 116, and the size of the first connection feature 127 (e.g., interior recessed section 134) of the first portion 114 may be a different size (e.g., larger or smaller) than other connection features between portions of the adjustable device 100. which may inhibit (e.g., prevent) the second portion 116 of the adapter 102 from inadvertently being connected to a portion of the stem 104 or the diffuser 106.
The first portion 114 of the adapter 102 may exhibit any desired tubular shape. For example, the first portion 114 of the adapter 102 may exhibit a chisel shape, a frustoconical shape, a conical shape, a dome shape, an elliptical cylinder shape, a circular cylinder shape, a pillar shape, a truncated version of one of the foregoing shapes, or a combination of two or more of the foregoing shapes. As shown in
The first portion 114 of the adapter 102 may exhibit any desired size, such as any desired lateral dimension(s) (e.g., in the X-direction and/or Y-direction), and/or any desired longitudinal dimension(s) (e.g., in the Z-direction). For example, the first portion 114 of the adapter 102 may exhibit lateral dimension(s) (e.g., a diameter) within a range of from about 10 millimeters (mm) to about 20 mm, such as from about 12 mm to about 18 mm, from about 13 mm to about 16 mm, such as about 12 mm, about 14 mm, or about 16 mm. In addition, the first portion 114 of the adapter 102 may exhibit a maximum longitudinal dimension of from about 10 mm to about 50 mm, such as from about 15 mm to about 45 mm, from about 20 mm to about 40 mm, from about 25 mm to about 35 mm, (e.g., about 28 mm, about 30 mm, or about 32 mm).
The second portion 116 of the adapter 102 may exhibit any desired tubular shape. For example, the second portion 116 of the adapter 102 may exhibit a chisel shape, a frustoconical shape, a conical shape, a dome shape, an elliptical cylinder shape, a circular cylinder shape, a pillar shape, a truncated version of one of the foregoing shapes, or a combination of two or more of the foregoing shapes. As shown in
The second portion 116 of the adapter 102 may exhibit any desired size, such as any desired lateral dimension(s) (e.g., in the X-direction and/or Y-direction), and/or any desired longitudinal dimension(s) (e.g., in the Z-direction). For example, the second portion 116 of the adapter 102 may exhibit lateral dimension(s) (e.g., a diameter) within a range of from about 10 mm to about 30 mm, such as from about 12 mm to about 28 mm, from about 14 mm, to about 26 mm, from about 16 mm to about 24 mm, from about 18 mm to about 22 mm (e.g., about 19 mm or about 20 mm). In addition, the second portion 116 of the adapter 102 may exhibit a maximum longitudinal dimension of from about 10 mm to about 50 mm, such as from about 15 mm to about 45 mm, from about 20 mm to about 40 mm, from about 25 mm to about 35 mm, (e.g., about 28 mm, about 30 mm, or about 32 mm). In some embodiments, the second portion 116 of the adapter 102 exhibits substantially the same longitudinal dimension (e.g., length) as the first portion 114. In additional embodiments, the second portion 116 of the adapter 102 exhibits a different longitudinal dimension (e.g., length) than the first portion 114.
The adapter 102 may be configured to connect to the stem 104 and/or the diffuser 106. For example, the first portion 114 of the adapter 102 may be configured to connect to any of the portions 118, 120, 122, 124 of the stem 104 and/or the diffuser 106. To facilitate a removable connection between the first portion 114 of the adapter 102 and the stem 104 (e.g., the first portion 118 of the stem 104), the first portion 114 of the adapter 102 may include a second connection feature 135 configured to connect to a first connection feature 137 of the first portion 118 of the stem 104. For example, the first connection feature 137 of the first portion 118 of the stem 104 may correspond to (e.g., be complementary to) the second connection feature 135 of the first portion 114 of the adapter 102.
In some embodiments, the second connection feature 135 of the first portion 114 of the adapter 102 may include lip 136 and an exterior recessed section 138 adjacent the lip 136 (e.g., in the Z-direction). The first connection feature 137 of the first portion 118 of the stem 104 may include a corresponding interior recessed section 140 (e.g., complementary interior recessed section) configured to receive the second connection feature 135 (e.g., the lip 136) of the first portion 114 of the adapter 102.
In additional embodiments, the second connection feature 135 of the first portion 114 of the adapter 102 may include threads, pins, openings, etc. and the first connection feature 137 of the first portion 118 of the stem 104 may include corresponding (e.g., complementary) threads, openings, pins, etc. to removably connect (e.g., secure) the first portion 114 of the adapter to the first portion 118 of the stem 104.
The size of the second connection feature 135 of (e.g., the lip 136, threads, openings, pins, etc.) of the first portion 114 of the adapter 102, and the corresponding connection feature 137 (e.g., the interior recessed section 140, threads, pins, openings, etc.) of the first portion 118 of the stem 104 may be substantially the same size as other connection features between the first portion 114 of the adapter 102, portions 118, 120, 122, 124 of the stem 104, and/or the diffuser 106 of the adjustable device 100. Common connection features (e.g., same size, shape, and/or type etc.) between portions 114, 118, 120, 122, 124, and/or 106 of the adjustable device 100 may facilitate portions 114, 118, 120, 122, 124, and/or 106 of the adjustable device 100 being mixed and matched with one another to change the longitudinal dimension (e.g., in the Z-direction) of the adjustable device 100.
The first portion 118 of the stem 104 may exhibit any desired tubular shape. For example, the first portion 118 of the stem 104 may exhibit a chisel shape, a frustoconical shape, a conical shape, a dome shape, an elliptical cylinder shape, a circular cylinder shape, a pillar shape, a truncated version of one of the foregoing shapes, or a combination of two or more of the foregoing shapes. As shown in
The first portion 118 of the stem 104 may exhibit any desired size, such as any desired lateral dimension(s) (e.g., in the X-direction and/or Y-direction), and/or any desired longitudinal dimension(s) (e.g., in the Z-direction). For example, the first portion 118 of the stem 104 may exhibit lateral dimension(s) (e.g., a diameter) within a range of from about 10 mm to about 20 mm, such as from about 12 mm to about 18 mm, from about 13 mm to about 16 mm, such as about 12 mm, about 14 mm, or about 16 mm. In addition, the first portion 118 of the stem 104 may exhibit a maximum longitudinal dimension within a range of from about 10 mm to about 100 mm, such as from about 25 mm to about 100 mm, from about 40 mm to about 90 mm, from about 50 mm to about 90 mm, such as about 70 mm or about 80 mm (e.g., about 76 mm or about 3 inches).
The first portion 118 of the stem 104 may be configured to connect to the first portion 114 of the adapter, another portion 120, 122, 124 of the stem 104, and/or the diffuser 106. To facilitate a removable connection between the first portion 118 of the stem 104 and another portion of the stem 104 (e.g., the second portion 120 of the stem 104), the first portion 118 may include a second connection feature 141 configured to connect to a first connection feature 143 of the second portion 120 of the stem 104. For example, the first connection feature 143 of the second portion 120 of the stem 104 may correspond to (e.g., be complementary to) the second connection feature 141 of the first portion 118 of the stem 104.
In some embodiments, the second connection feature 141 may include lip 142 and an exterior recessed section 144 adjacent the lip 142 (e.g., in the Z-direction). The first connection feature 143 of the second portion 120 of the stem 104 may include a corresponding interior recessed section 146 (e.g., complementary interior recessed section) configured to receive the second connection feature 141 (e.g., lip 142) of the first portion 118 of the stem 104.
In additional embodiments, the second connection feature 141 of the first portion 118 of the stem 104 may include threads, pins, openings, etc. and the first connection feature 143 of the second portion 120 of the stem 104 may include corresponding (e.g., complementary) threads, openings, pins, etc. to removably connect (e.g., secure) the first portion 118 to the second portion 120.
The size of the second connection feature 141 (e.g., the lip 142) of the first portion 118 of the stem 104, and the first connection feature 143 (e.g., the interior recessed section 146) of the second portion 120 of the stem 104 may be substantially the same size as other lips and recessed sections between the first portion 114 of the adapter, portions 120, 122, 124 of the stem 104, and/or the diffuser 106 of the adjustable device 100. Common connection features (e.g., same size, shape, and/or type etc.) between portions 114, 118, 120, 122, 124, and/or 106 may facilitate portions 114, 118, 120, 122, 124, and/or 106 of the adjustable device 100 being mixed and matched with one another to change the longitudinal dimension (e.g., in the Z-direction) of the adjustable device 100.
The second portion 120 of the stem 104 may exhibit any desired tubular shape. For example, the second portion 120 of the stem 104 may exhibit a chisel shape, a frustoconical shape, a conical shape, a dome shape, an elliptical cylinder shape, a circular cylinder shape, a pillar shape, a truncated version of one of the foregoing shapes, or a combination of two or more of the foregoing shapes. As shown in
The second portion 120 of the stem 104 may exhibit any desired size, such as any desired lateral dimension(s) (e.g., in the X-direction and/or Y-direction), and/or any desired longitudinal dimension(s) (e.g., in the Z-direction). For example, the second portion 120 of the stem 104 may exhibit lateral dimension(s) (e.g., a diameter) within a range of from about 10 mm to about 20 mm, such as from about 12 mm to about 18 mm, from about 13 mm to about 16 mm, such as about 12 mm, about 14 mm, or about 16 mm. In addition, the second portion 120 of the stem 104 may exhibit a maximum longitudinal dimension within a range of from about 10 mm to about 100 mm, such as from about 20 mm to about 90 mm, from about 30 mm to about 80 mm, from about 40 mm to about 70 mm, such as about 50 mm or about 60 mm (e.g., about 57 mm or about 2.25 inches).
The second portion 120 of the stem 104 may be configured to connect to the first portion 114 of the adapter, another portion 118, 122, 124 of the stem 104, and/or the diffuser 106. To facilitate a removable connection between the second portion 120 of the stem 104 and another portion of the stem 104 (e.g., the third portion 122 of the stem 104), the second portion 120 may include a second connection feature 149 configured to connect to a first connection feature 151 of the third portion 122 of the stem 104. For example, the first connection feature 151 of the third portion 122 of the stem 104 may correspond to (e.g., be complementary to) the second connection feature 149 of the second portion 120 of the stem 104.
In some embodiments, the second connection feature 149 may include lip 148 and an exterior recessed section 150 adjacent the lip 142 (e.g., in the Z-direction). The first connection feature 151 of the third portion 122 of the stem 104 may include a corresponding interior recessed section 152 (e.g., complementary interior recessed section) configured to receive the second connection feature 149 (e.g., the lip 148) of the second portion 120 of the stem 104.
In additional embodiments, the second connection feature 149 of the second portion 120 of the stem 104 may include threads, pins, openings, etc. and the first connection feature 151 of the third portion 122 of the stem 104 may include corresponding (e.g., complementary) threads, openings, pins, etc. to removably connect (e.g., secure) the second portion 120 to the third portion 122.
The size of the second connection feature 149 (e.g., the lip 148) of the second portion 120 of the stem 104, and the first connection feature 151 (e.g., the interior recessed section 152) of the third portion 122 of the stem 104 may be substantially the same size as other connection features between the first portion 114 of the adapter, portions 118, 122, 124 of the stem 104, and/or the diffuser 106 of the adjustable device 100. Common connection features (e.g., same size, shape, and/or type etc.) between portions 114, 118, 120, 122, 124, and/or 106 may facilitate portions 114, 118, 120, 122, 124, and/or 106 of the adjustable device 100 being mixed and matched with one another to change the longitudinal dimension (e.g., in the Z-direction) of the adjustable device 100.
The third portion 122 of the stem 104 may exhibit any desired tubular shape. For example, the third portion 122 of the stem 104 may exhibit a chisel shape, a frustoconical shape, a conical shape, a dome shape, an elliptical cylinder shape, a circular cylinder shape, a pillar shape, a truncated version of one of the foregoing shapes, or a combination of two or more of the foregoing shapes. As shown in
The third portion 122 of the stem 104 may exhibit any desired size, such as any desired lateral dimension(s) (e.g., in the X-direction and/or Y-direction), and/or any desired longitudinal dimension(s) (e.g., in the Z-direction). For example, the third portion 122 of the stem 104 may exhibit lateral dimension(s) (e.g., a diameter) within a range of from about 10 mm to about 20 mm, such as from about 12 mm to about 18 mm, from about 13 mm to about 16 mm, such as about 12 mm, about 14 mm, or about 16 mm. In addition, the third portion 122 of the stem 104 may exhibit a maximum longitudinal dimension within a range of from about 10 mm to about 100 mm, such as from about 10 mm to about 85 mm, from about 20 mm to about 60 mm, from about 30 mm to about 45 mm, such as about 35 mm or about 40 mm (e.g., about 38 mm or about 1.5 inches).
The third portion 122 of the stem 104 may be configured to connect to the first portion 114 of the adapter, another portion 118, 122, 124 of the stem 104 and/or the diffuser 106. To facilitate a removable connection between the third portion 122 of the stem 104 and another portion of the stem 104 (e.g., the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104), the third portion 122 may include a second connection feature 153 configured to connect to a first connection feature 155 of the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104. For example, the first connection feature 155 of the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104 may correspond to (e.g., be complementary to) the second connection feature 153 of the third portion 122 of the stem 104.
In some embodiments, the second connection feature 153 may include a lip 154 and an exterior recessed section 156 adjacent the lip 142 (e.g., in the Z-direction). The first connection feature 155 of the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104 may include a corresponding interior recessed section 158 (e.g., complementary interior recessed section) configured to receive the second connection feature 153 (e.g., the lip 154) of the third portion 122 of the stem 104.
In additional embodiments, the second connection feature 153 of the third portion 122 of the stem 104 may include threads, pins, openings, etc. and the first connection feature 155 of the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104 may include corresponding (e.g., complementary) threads, openings, pins, etc. to removably connect (e.g., secure) the third portion 122 to the fourth portion 124.
The size of the second connection feature 153 (e.g., the lip 154) of the third portion 122 of the stem 104, and the first connection feature 155 (e.g., the interior recessed section 158) of the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104 may be substantially the same size as other connection features between the first portion 114 of the adapter, portions 118, 120, 124 of the stem, and/or the diffuser 106 of the adjustable device 100. Common connection features (e.g., same size, shape, and/or type etc.) between portions 114, 118, 120, 122, 124, and/or 106 may facilitate portions 114, 118, 120, 122, 124, and/or 106 of the adjustable device 100 being mixed and matched with one another to change the longitudinal dimension (e.g., in the Z-direction) of the adjustable device 100.
The fourth portion 124 of the stem 104 may exhibit any desired tubular shape. For example, the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104 may exhibit a chisel shape, a frustoconical shape, a conical shape, a dome shape, an elliptical cylinder shape, a circular cylinder shape, a pillar shape, a truncated version of one of the foregoing shapes, or a combination of two or more of the foregoing shapes. As shown in
The fourth portion 124 of the stem 104 may exhibit any desired size, such as any desired lateral dimension(s) (e.g., in the X-direction and/or Y-direction), and/or any desired longitudinal dimension(s) (e.g., in the Z-direction). For example, the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104 may exhibit lateral dimension(s) (e.g., a diameter) within a range of from about 10 mm to about 20 mm, such as from about 12 mm to about 18 mm, from about 13 mm to about 16 mm, such as about 12 mm, about 14 mm, or about 16 mm. In addition, the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104 may exhibit a maximum longitudinal dimension within a range of from about 5 mm to about 100 mm, such as from about 10 mm to about 60 mm, from about 12 mm to about 25 mm, such as about 25 mm or about 20 mm (e.g., about 19 mm or about 0.75 inches).
The fourth portion 124 of the stem 104 may be configured to connect to the first portion 114 of the adapter, another portion 118, 120, 122 of the stem 104, and/or the diffuser 106. To facilitate a removable connection between the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104 and, for example, the diffuser 106, the fourth portion 124 may include a second connection feature 159 configured to connect to a first connection feature 161 of the diffuser 106. For example, the first connection feature 161 of the diffuser 106 may correspond to (e.g., be complementary to) the second connection feature 159 of the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104.
In some embodiments, the second connection feature 159 may include a lip 160 and an exterior recessed section 162 adjacent the lip 160 (e.g., in the Z-direction). The first connection feature 161 of the diffuser 106 may include a corresponding interior recessed section 164 (e.g., a complementary interior recessed section) configured to receive the second connection feature 159 (e.g., the lip 154) of the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104.
In additional embodiments, the second connection feature 159 of the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104 may include threads, pins, openings, etc. and the first connection feature 161 of the diffuser 106 may include corresponding (e.g., complementary) threads, openings, pins, etc. to removably connect (e.g., secure) the fourth portion 124 to the diffuser 106.
The size of the second connection feature 159 (e.g., the lip 160) of the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104, and the first connection feature 161 (e.g., the interior recessed section 164) of the diffuser 106 may be substantially the same size as other connection features between the first portion 114 of the adapter and/or the portions 118, 120, 122, and/or 124 of the stem 104 of the adjustable device 100. Common connection features (e.g., same size, shape, and/or type etc.) between portions 114, 118, 120, 122, 124, and/or 106 may facilitate portions 114, 118, 120, 122, 124, and/or 106 of the adjustable device 100 being mixed and matched with one another to change the longitudinal dimension (e.g., in the Z-direction) of the adjustable device 100.
The diffuser 106 may be utilized to disperse air, vapor, and/or smoke to facilitate thermal transfer of heat and/or improve cooling of the air, vapor, and/or smoke traveling through the adjustable device 100 during use (e.g., in a vaporizing and/or smoking device, such as a pipe). Accordingly, the diffuser 106 is generally located at one end (e.g., the first end 110) of the adjustable device 100 in the assembled state, and the adapter 102 is generally located at another end (e.g., the second end 112), opposite the end with the diffuser 106. To facilitate dispersing air, vapor, and/or smoke traveling through the adjustable device 100 (e.g., from the second end 112 to the first end 110), the diffuser 106 defines an end opening 166 and additional openings 168 oriented laterally around and longitudinally along the diffuser 106. For example, sidewalls of the diffuser 106 may define the end opening 166 additional openings 168 that may be used to disperse air, vapor, and/or smoke through the diffuser 106. The end opening 166 may be smaller than a remaining portion of a central cavity of the diffuser 106 to promote flow outside of both the end opening 166 and the additional openings 168. In some embodiments, the size of the end opening 166 may be substantially the same size as the additional openings 168. In additional embodiments, the size of the end opening 166 may be different than the size of the additional openings 168.
Each of the components of the adjustable device 100, including the adapter 102, the stem 104, and/or the diffuser 106 may be made of and/or include any desired materials. For example, the first portion 114 and the second portion 116 of the adapter 102, the first portion 118, the second portion 120, the third portion 122, and the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104, and/or the diffuser 106 may include one or more metals (e.g., stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, metal alloys, etc.), glasses (e.g., soda-lime, borosilicate, fiberglass, aluminosilicate, non-silicate, etc.), ceramics (e.g., quartz, aluminum oxide, clay, porcelain, etc.), polymers (e.g., hemp, shellac, amber, wool, silk, natural rubber, cellulose, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, synthetic rubber, phenol formaldehyde resin (or Bakelite), neoprene, nylon, polyacrylonitrile, PVB, silicone, etc.), and/or composites (e.g., metal matrix composites, ceramic matrix composites, reinforced plastics (e.g., fiberglass), composite wood, concrete, etc.).
In some embodiments, each of the first portion 114 and the second portion 116 of the adapter 102, the first portion 118, the second portion 120, the third portion 122, and the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104, and/or the diffuser 106 may be made of and/or comprise the same material(s) as one another. In additional embodiments, one or more of the first portion 114 and the second portion 116 of the adapter 102, the first portion 118, the second portion 120, the third portion 122, and the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104, and/or the diffuser 106 may be made of and/or comprise different material(s) than one or more of the other components of the adjustable device 100.
In some embodiments, the first portion 114 and the second portion 116 of the adapter 102, the first portion 118, the second portion 120, the third portion 122, and the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104, and/or the diffuser 106 may be formed utilizing conventional manufacturing processes. For example, the first portion 114 and the second portion 116 of the adapter 102, the first portion 118, the second portion 120, the third portion 122, and the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104, and/or the diffuser 106 may be formed via casting, molding, etc., to include the geometry (e.g., size, shape, internal cavities, etc.) of the desired final product. The first portion 114 and the second portion 116 of the adapter 102, the first portion 118, the second portion 120, the third portion 122, and the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104, and/or the diffuser 106 may then undergo one or more material removal processes (e.g., turning, milling, drilling, etc.) to remove excess material and finalize the desired geometry of the first portion 114 and the second portion 116 of the adapter 102, the first portion 118, the second portion 120, the third portion 122, and the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104, and/or the diffuser 106. Afterwards, the first portion 114 and the second portion 116 of the adapter 102, the first portion 118, the second portion 120, the third portion 122, and the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104, and/or the diffuser 106 may undergo material finishing processes (e.g., grinding, polishing, abrasive blasting (e.g., sand blasting), coating (e.g., powder coating, dip coating, etc.), plating (e.g., electroplating, electroless plating, etc.)) to finalize the surface roughness, texture, and overall aesthetic of the first portion 114 and the second portion 116 of the adapter 102, the first portion 118, the second portion 120, the third portion 122, and the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104, and/or the diffuser 106.
In additional embodiments, the first portion 114 and the second portion 116 of the adapter 102, the first portion 118, the second portion 120, the third portion 122, and the fourth portion 124 of the stem 104, and/or the diffuser 106 may be formed utilizing one or more additive manufacturing processes, such as, for example, binder jetting, inkjet 3D printing, directed metal deposition, micro-plasma powder deposition, direct laser sintering, selective laser sintering, selective laser melting, electron beam melting, electron beam freeform fabrication, laminated object manufacturing, stereolithography, etc. For example, a controller may slice a three-dimensional model (e.g., a 3D CAD model) into layers via a conventional process to create a substantially two-dimensional image of each layer including a thickness of each layer. In some embodiments, liquid resin (e.g., including a photoreactive material) may be preheated to a desired viscosity, and the liquid resin may be deposited where required to form the first layer. Support structures may be printed simultaneously with the part for stability during printing. The deposited material may then exposed to UV light, which cures and solidifies the layer of material. Once the first layer has solidified, the build platform may be lowered by one layer heights and the process is repeated until the part is finished.
It is noted that connection features disclosed herein may be swapped. More specifically, rather than a first piece have a female connector that connects to a second piece having a male connection, the first piece may have a male connector that connects to the second piece having a female connector. Further, it is noted that although openings 168 are illustrated as holes, the disclosure is not so limited and openings 168 may include slits or other suitable venting elements.
While each of the configurations shown in
The first end 204 of the pipe 202 may include an annular portion 210 that includes a central longitudinal axis 212. The annular portion 210 may be configured to receive at least a portion of the adjustable device 100. Accordingly, the size (e.g., dimensions in the X-direction and/or Y-direction) of the annular portion 210 of the pipe 202 may be substantially the same size as the lateral dimensions (e.g., dimensions in the X-direction and/or Y-direction) of the adjustable device 100. Accordingly, the adapter 102 (e.g., the first portion 114 or the second portion 116, if present) may be configured to connect (e.g., fixedly connect) to an end 214 of the annular portion 210 to secure the adjustable device 100 to the pipe 202. As shown in
Accordingly, before using the pipe 202, the various portions of the adjustable device 100 may be mixed and matched to achieve a desired length of the adjustable device 100 such that the diffuser 106 will be submerged in liquid within the pipe 202 during use.
A bowl 216 may then be connected (e.g., secured) to the end of the second portion 116 of the adapter 102 within the central opening 108 of the adjustable device 100. A smoking and/or vaporizing substance may be inserted into the bowl 216, and the smoking and/or vaporizing substance may be ignited and/or vaporized and mixed with ambient air. A suction force is then applied at the second end 206 of the pipe 202 (e.g., a by a user inhaling), and the resulting air, smoke, and/or vapor travels through the central opening 108 of the adjustable device 100, through the end opening 166 and/or the additional openings 168 of the diffuser 106, through the liquid within the base 208 of the pipe 202, and to the second end 206 of the pipe.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/366,201, filed Jun. 10, 2022, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63366201 | Jun 2022 | US |