Patent Application
20220395021
The present invention relates to a combination pipe/cigarette lighter holder, a pipe poker, used to clean the herb from the pipe and/or mix the herb and ash in the pipe, and a tobacco or an herb stuffer.
Combination cigarette lighter holders and cigarette cases are well known in the art. Also known are lighter holders with pockets. Also known is a pipe lighter holder that actually forms a miniature pipe. The traditional pipe smoker must use a lighter as well as a tobacco stuffer and a pipe poker to enjoy his pipe.
The main aspect of the present invention is to provide a pocket sized sheath for a standard cigarette or smoking lighter, wherein the base of the sheath has a hammer like end and a folding poker end. The present invention provides a plastic case to hold a standard lighter. The case has a hammer shaped base on one side to serve as a tobacco or an herb stuffer. The other side of the base has a hinged poker to provide a metal rod to mix the tobacco or other herb and/or clean the pipe. When not in use the poker folds into the case.
In one aspect, a smoker's pipe tool is provided. The pipe tool may include a sheath having a top, a bottom, and at least one sidewall extending between the top and the bottom along a longitudinal axis of the sheath. The sheath may define a central recess that extends along at least a portion the longitudinal axis and that is configured to slidingly receive a lighter. The sheath may also define an additional recess that extends alongside at least a portion of the central recess. The pipe tool may also include an elongated poker that is removably coupled with the sheath. The elongated poker may have a first end and a second end. The first end may be thicker than the second end and may be configured to function as a pipe bowl tamper. The additional recess may be configured to retain the elongated poker when the elongated poker is slidingly received within the additional recess.
In another aspect, a smoker's pipe tool includes a sheath having a top, a bottom, and at least one sidewall extending between the top and the bottom along a longitudinal axis of the sheath. The sheath may define a central recess that extends along the longitudinal axis and that may be configured to slidingly receiving a lighter. The sheath may define a slot or an additional recess that extends along at least a portion of the length of the sheath and the sheath may also define a closeable compartment that is spaced apart from the central recess and the slot or the additional recess. The pipe tool may also include an elongated poker that is coupled with the sheath and is movable between a stowed position and an open position. When the elongated poker is in the stowed position, at least a portion of the elongated poker may be disposed within the slot or the additional recess. When the elongated poker is in the open position at least a portion of the elongated poker may be at least partially disengageable from the slot or the additional recess such that a tip of the elongated poker is insertable into a pipe bowl. One or both of the sheath or the elongated poker may include a pipe bowl tamper portion.
In another aspect, a smoker's pipe tool may include a sheath having a top, a bottom, and at least one sidewall extending between the top and the bottom along a longitudinal axis of the sheath. The sheath may define a central recess that extends along the longitudinal axis and that may be configured to slidingly receiving a lighter. The sheath may define a slot or an additional recess that extends along at least a portion of the length of the sheath. The pipe tool may also include a carb cap that may be configured to cover an opening of a pipe and an elongated poker that may be coupled with the sheath and may be movable between a stowed position and an open position. When the elongated poker is in the stowed position, at least a portion of the elongated poker may be disposed within the slot or the additional recess. When the elongated poker is in the open position at least a portion of the elongated poker may be at least partially disengageable from the slot or the additional recess such that a tip of the elongated poker is insertable into a pipe bowl. One or both of the sheath or the elongated poker may include a pipe bowl tamper portion.
Other aspects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.
Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
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Rather than (or in addition to) having a slot similar to pipe tool 1, the sheath 202 may also define an additional recess 214 that extends alongside (and spaced apart from) at least a portion of the central recess 210. While shown with additional recess 214 extending along all or a substantial portion of the length of the sheath 202, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments the additional recess 214 may extend along a small portion of the length, such as between about 25% and 75% of the length, or any other portion of the length. The additional recess 214 may be sized and shaped to receive and retain all or a portion of an elongated poker 216, such as by the elongated poker 216 being slid into and out of the additional recess 214. For example, the additional recess 214 may be configured to retain the elongated poker 216 using a friction fit, snap fit, and/or other securement mechanism. In some embodiments, a magnetic element (not shown) may be provided within the additional recess 214 that attracts a metal portion of the elongated poker 216 and retains the elongated poker 216 within the additional recess 214 until withdrawn by a user. In some embodiments, one end of the additional recess 214 may be fully or partially closed such that the material that at least partially closes the end serves as a stop for the elongated poker 216 when inserted within the additional recess 214.
As illustrated, elongated poker 216 includes a first end 218 and a second end 220, with the second end 220 being thicker than the first end 218. This allows the second end 220 to be utilized as a pipe bowl tamper, while the first end 218 may be used as a poker to mix tobacco or other herb and/or to clean a pipe. In some embodiments, the elongated poker 216 may gradually taper (with a constant and/or variable degree of taper) from the first end 218 to the second end 220. In some embodiments, such as illustrated in
In some embodiments, the sheath 204 may define one or more cutout portions 222 that extend through the sidewall(s) 208 and provide access to a medial portion of an interior of the central recess 210 and/or the additional recess 214. These cutout portions 22 may allow a user to push on a medial portion of the lighter 212 and/or the elongated poker 216 to help the user more easily remove the component from the sheath 202.
In some embodiments, the bottom 206 of the sheath 202 includes a bottle opener 224. Bottle opener 224 may be formed integrally with the sheath 202 or may be a separate component that is affixed to the bottom 206 (or other portion) of the sheath 202. When the bottle opener 224 is a separate component, the bottle opener 224 may be formed from a different material than the sheath 202. For example, if the sheath 202 is made from a plastic material, the bottle opener 224 may be formed from metal or similar material to provide greater durability.
The pipe tool 300 may also include a tamper portion. For example, the elongated poker 306 may include a tamper portion similar to second end 220 described in relation to
The sheath 302 may further define at least one storage compartment 308. The compartment 308 may be used to store any number of objects, such as matches, tobacco and/or other herb, rolling papers, tools, and the like. The compartment 308 may extend partially through the sheath 302 such that the compartment 308 includes a back wall 310 and at least one side wall 312 that define a size and shape of the compartment 308. As illustrated, a hinged cover 314 is provided that is configured to be moved between an open position in which the interior of the compartment 308 is accessible and a closed position in which the cover 314 covers an opening to the compartment 308. The cover 314 may be configured to latch and/or snap into engagement with the compartment 308 and/or edges of the compartment 308 such that the cover 314 is retained in the closed position until actuated by a user. The cover 314 may include one or more protrusions, slots, and/or textured elements (not shown) that may allow a user to grasp and/or otherwise manipulate the cover 314 between the closed and open positions. In some embodiments, a sealing element, such as an O-ring, gasket, and/or other sealing mechanism may be provided on the portion of the sheath 302 defining the compartment 308 and/or the cover 314 such that the compartment 308 is sealed, in some embodiments with a watertight seal, when the cover 314 is in the closed position.
While illustrated as a stationary compartment 308 having a hinged cover 314, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments other compartment designs are possible. For example, a slidable drawer may be configured to slide in and out of a recess formed within a body of the sheath 302. The drawer may be used to store any number of objects. In some embodiments, a sealing member may be provided at an interface of the drawer and a surface of the sheath 302 to seal the drawer. In some embodiments, the sealing member may have an x-shaped cross-section, which may help prevent the sealing member from twisting as the drawer is slid in and out.
While shown with compartment 308 being formed in a major surface of the sidewall of the sheath 302, it will be appreciated that other locations (such as on a minor surface of the sidewall and/or a bottom of the sheath 302) may be contemplated in accordance with the present invention. Moreover, in some embodiments, the compartment 308 may be defined in multiple faces of the sheath 302. Additionally, the compartment 308 may have any size and/or shape to match the needs of a particular pipe tool 300.
In some embodiments, the sheath 302 may define an aperture 318 that is configured to receive a retention ring 320, keychain, lanyard, and/or other mechanism that allows the pipe tool 300 to be secured to another object.
In some embodiments, the sheath 402 may include a magnet 408 that is affixed to at least one sidewall of the sheath 402. As illustrated here, the magnet 408 is secured to a major sidewall 410 (with major sidewalls having larger surface areas than minor sidewalls) of the sheath 402, although other locations are possible. The magnet 408 may be secured to the sheath 402 using an adhesive and/or mechanical connection. A number of tools 412 may be provided that are formed of ferromagnetic materials that may be secured to a side of the sheath 402 by the magnet 408. For example, the tools 412 may include a knife, a dabber, a poker, tweezers, a clip, scissors, a corkscrew and/or other small tools that may be secured to the sheath 402, typically with minimal protrusion from a side of the sheath 402. In some embodiments, the magnet 408 may be formed or otherwise embedded within a body of the sheath 402 such that all or a substantial portion of the surface of the magnet 408 is not exposed, thereby providing a more uniform, finished appearance while still allowing various tools to be magnetically attached to the sheath 402. Additionally, in some embodiments the magnet 408 may have sufficient magnetic force to allow the pipe tool 400 (including any attached tools, accessories other stored items, and/or lighter) to be magnetically secured to a ferromagnetic structure, such as a refrigerator and/or ferromagnetic beam, plate, etc.
Pipe tool 500 may include a number of removable and/or replaceable tools 508. Tools 508 may include a knife, a dabber, a poker (in some cases this poker may replace elongated poker 506, while in other embodiments both a fixedly coupled and a removably coupled poker may be included on a single pipe tool 500), tweezers, a clip, scissors, magnifying glass, and/or other small tools that may be secured to the sheath 502. In some embodiments, each tool 508 may be pivotable out of a slot formed in the sheath 502 using a pivotable connector 510, similar how to the pivotable poker 8 operates as described with respect to
In some embodiments, the pipe tool 600 may include a carb cap or pipe bowl cover, which may be used to cover an opening of a pipe bowl to help retain heat within the pipe bowl. There are several ways in which the carb cap may be implemented into pipe tool 600. For example, in some embodiments, a carb cap 608 may be formed into a sidewall 610 of the sheath 602. For example, the carb cap 608 may be molded into the sheath 602 and/or a separate carb cap 608 body may be affixed to the sheath 602 using an adhesive, magnet, and/or mechanical fastener. In such embodiments, the pipe tool 600 itself may be positioned over the pipe bowl, with the portion of the sheath 602 forming the carb cap 608 being positioned directly over and in contact with edges of the pipe bowl.
In other embodiments, a carb cap may be extendable and/or removable from the sheath 602. For example, in some embodiments, a carb cap 612 may be removably coupled with the sheath 602, such as by using a snap fit and/or other disengageable connection. As illustrated here, the carb cap 612 is configured to be removably coupled with a bottom of the sheath 602, although in some embodiments the carb cap 612 may be coupled with a sidewall of the sheath 602. In some embodiments, rather than being fully removable, the carb cap may be configured to extend outward beyond an outer periphery of the sheath 602 such that a user may hold the sheath 602 to position the protruding carb cap over a pipe bowl. In yet other embodiments, a carb cap may be formed on an end of the elongated poker 606. For example, a second of the elongated poker 606 (similar to second end 220) may be shaped to act as a carb cap when the elongated poker 606 is removed from an additional recess formed in the sheath.
In some embodiments, the sheath 702 may define a whistle 708. The whistle 708 may be formed along at least one edge of the sheath 702 such a user may easily place their lips over the whistle 708 to produce a noise. As illustrated here, the whistle is formed in a corner of the sheath 702, however other locations are possible. The sheath 702 may further define one or more compartments 710. Compartment 710 may be similar to the compartment 308 described above, and may have an interior that is usable to store any number of objects. A cover (not shown) such as a door and/or drawer front may be included that allows the compartment to be covered and/or sealed when in a closed position. While shown with compartment 710 being formed along a minor face of the sheath 702, is will be appreciated that other locations may be used for the compartment 710.
In some embodiments, a mirror 712 may be affixed to the sheath 702, such as by using an adhesive and/or mechanical connection. Similarly, a navigation compass 714 may also be included affixed to the sheath 702. While both the mirror 712 and the compass 714 are illustrated as being secured to the same major surface of the sheath 702, in some embodiments one or both of the mirror 712 and the compass 714 may be positioned on a different surface of the sheath 702. Additionally, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the pipe tool 702 may only include one of the mirror 712 or the compass 714. In some embodiments, a flint striker 716 is affixed on an exterior surface of the sheath 702. For example, the flint striker 716 may be secured to an edge and/or face of the sheath 702 and allows a user to generate sparks to start a fire.
In some embodiments, the pipe tool 700 may include a flashlight 718 that is embedded and/or otherwise secured to the sheath 702. For example, the flashlight 718 may include a light element (such as a light emitting diode (LED), a power element (such as a battery), and an actuator (such as a button) that allows a user to selectively activate the flashlight 718. The flashlight 718 may be positioned at any location on the sheath 702. In some embodiments, the flashlight 718 may have simple on/off functions, while in other embodiments, by manipulating the actuator multiple times and/or in different ways various functions of the flashlight 718 may be activated. For example, different functions of the flashlight 718 may include color changes of the emitted light, an intensity adjustments of the emitted light, whether the light is a steady beam or flashing, a frequency of flashes, and/or other functions.
In some embodiments, the pipe tool 700 may include a wind cover 720. The wind cover 720 may be pivotally attached to the sheath 702 and/or may be fully removable from the sheath 702 and may be retained in an engaged position using a snap fit connection, magnets, and/or other mechanical connector. The wind cover 720 may be configured to be disposed over the central recess 704 such that the wind cover extends over a top of a lighter secured within the central recess 704. For example, the wind cover 720 may be generally cone-shaped such that the wind cover 720 tapers toward a position where a tip of a flame from the lighter is located. A tip of the wind cover 720 may define an opening 722 that provides access to the tip of the flame. Such a wind cover 720 protects the light flame from lateral wind. The wind cover 720 may be configured to provide access to a spark wheel and/or other lighting mechanism of the lighter such that the lighter may be activated while the wind cover 720 is engaged. In some embodiments, one or more small apertures may be formed in a side of the wind cover 720 to provide some additional oxygen to reach the flame while still blocking a majority of any wind. In some embodiments, rather than having opening 722 formed in a top of the wind cover 720, the opening may be formed in a lateral side of the wind cover. Such a design allows the lighter to be held horizontally to light an object.
In some embodiments, the pipe tool 700 may include removable and/or pivotable tools as described above in relation to pipe tools 400 and 500. In some embodiments, the tools may be the same or similar to those described elsewhere herein, while in other embodiments the tools may be directed to personal care. For example, the tools may include one or more types of makeup brushes, tweezers, a comb, other makeup applicators, eyebrow stencils, makeup removal tools, and the like. It will be appreciated that the above list is not exhaustive and that other self-care tools, makeup devices, and the like may be incorporated into pipe tool 700.
In some embodiments, rather than providing a sheath or holder for a disposable and/or reusable lighter, a lighter may have a built-in housing or casing that contains any number of tools. For example,
In some embodiments, the housing of lighter 800 may define a slot (similar to slot 9) and/or an additional recess (similar to additional recess 214) that extends along at least a portion of the length of the housing of the lighter 800. The slot and/or additional recess may be configured to receive and retain at least a portion of an elongated poker 802, which may be similar to poker 8 and/or elongate poker 216 described above. The elongated poker 802 may be movable between a stowed position and an open position. In the stowed position, at least a portion of the elongated poker is disposed within the slot or the additional recess. For example, the stowed position may involve the elongated poker 802 being pivoted into the slot as described in relation to
The lighter 800 may also include a tamper portion 804. For example, the elongated poker 802 may include a tamper portion similar to second end 220 described in relation to
Lighter 800 may also include one or more additional tools or features, such as those described in
It will be appreciated that the pipe tools and lighters described herein may include some or all of the features described in relation to the various embodiments described herein. Any combination of the features described herein may be utilized in a particular embodiment to provide a pipe tool and/or lighter having the desired combination of features and capabilities.
It should be noted that the systems and devices discussed above are intended merely to be examples. It must be stressed that various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. Also, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. Different aspects and elements of the embodiments may be combined in a similar manner. Also, it should be emphasized that technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are examples and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention.
Specific details are given in the description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known structures and techniques have been shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments. This description provides example embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the preceding description of the embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing embodiments of the invention. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Having described several embodiments, it will be recognized by those of skill in the art that various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the above elements may merely be a component of a larger system, wherein other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the invention. Also, a number of steps may be undertaken before, during, or after the above elements are considered. Accordingly, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.
Also, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, “contains”, “containing”, “include”, “including”, and “includes”, when used in this specification and in the following claims, are intended to specify the presence of stated features, integers, components, or steps, but they do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, components, steps, acts, or groups.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly or conventionally understood. As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, “an element” means one element or more than one element. “About” and/or “approximately” as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, encompasses variations of ±20% or ±10%, ±5%, or +0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate to in the context of the systems, devices, circuits, methods, and other implementations described herein. “Substantially” as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, a physical attribute (such as frequency), and the like, also encompasses variations of ±20% or ±10%, ±5%, or +0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate to in the context of the systems, devices, circuits, methods, and other implementations described herein.
As used herein, including in the claims, “and” as used in a list of items prefaced by “at least one of” or “one or more of” indicates that any combination of the listed items may be used. For example, a list of “at least one of A, B, and C” includes any of the combinations A or B or C or AB or AC or BC and/or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Furthermore, to the extent more than one occurrence or use of the items A, B, or C is possible, multiple uses of A, B, and/or C may form part of the contemplated combinations. For example, a list of “at least one of A, B, and C” may also include AA, AAB, AAA, BB, etc.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/580,899, filed Jan. 21, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/514,601, filed Jul. 17, 2019, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,259,564, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/237,232 filed Dec. 31, 2018, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,694,779, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/921,059, filed Mar. 14, 2018, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,201,183, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/760,442 filed Feb. 6, 2013, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,930,912, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/595,532 filed Feb. 6, 2012, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61595532 | Feb 2012 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17580899 | Jan 2022 | US |
| Child | 17892855 | US | |
| Parent | 16514601 | Jul 2019 | US |
| Child | 17580899 | US | |
| Parent | 15921059 | Mar 2018 | US |
| Child | 16237232 | US | |
| Parent | 13760442 | Feb 2013 | US |
| Child | 15921059 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16237232 | Dec 2018 | US |
| Child | 16514601 | US |
