UNITARY CAST METAL PIPE WITH FULL BORE STEM

Abstract

A unitary smoking pipe includes a stem, having a uniform longitudinal passageway extending between a first end and a second end of the stem, and a bowl extending laterally from the stem adjacent to the second end. The stem may be fully cleaned with a single pipe cleaner.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pipe for smoking and, more particularly, to a unitary cast metal pipe with a full bore stem.

Pipes fill with resin and will spit resin if not cleaned. The resin may drip into the smoker's mouth. However, pipes are difficult and messy to clean. Because most pipes are not open at both ends, the resin in the stem is trapped inside, resulting in protracted, inefficient cleanings of the stem. Some pipes have more than one piece and may be disassembled to improve cleanability. However, these multipart pipes have threads which tend to strip and leak air, interfering with the function of the pipe. While some pipes are provided with larger openings (such as glass steamrollers), they cannot be cleaned with a pipe cleaner.

As can be seen, there is a need for a smoking pipe without threads that is easy to clean with a pipe cleaner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a unitary smoking pipe comprises a stem having a uniform longitudinal passageway extending therethrough between a first stem end and a second stem end opposite the first stem end and a bowl extending laterally from the stem adjacent to the second stem end.

The structure of the inventive pipe eliminates disadvantages associated with prior art pipes, including stripping threads, air leakage, and resin buildup.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view thereof, shown in a step of cleaning;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view thereof, taken along line 4-4 from FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a left end view thereof; and

FIG. 8 is a right end view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a unitary cast metal pipe having a uniform longitudinal bore, or air passage, through the stem. The stem is open at both ends and the bore is configured with a predetermined diameter operative to snugly accommodate a pipe cleaner. The stem may be fully cleaned with a single pipe cleaner.

A pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention may be made from any suitable metal and may be a single cast metal article manufactured using a mold. The stem may be drilled to form a bore having a uniform predetermined diameter from end to end.

The inventive pipe may be used as follows. While the smoker smokes the pipe, resin may drip from the bowl to the stem. After smoking, the smoker may push a pipe cleaner through the stem to easily and efficiently clean resin out of the pipe.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, a unitary smoking pipe 10 is shown having a first stem end tapering to a mouthpiece 12 and an open foot 14 at a second stem end opposite the first stem end, with a uniform longitudinal passageway 18 extending therethrough from the first stem end to the second stem end, and a bowl 16, a base of which extends laterally from the stem adjacent the second stem end. FIG. 2 through 4 illustrate use of a pipe cleaner 20 to remove resin 22 from the passageway 18. FIGS. 5 through 8 illustrate the passageway 18 and an intersection thereof with a perpendicular passageway extending from the base of the bowl 16.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A unitary smoking pipe comprising: a stem having a uniform longitudinal passageway extending therethrough between a first stem end and a second stem end opposite the first stem end; anda bowl extending laterally from the stem adjacent to the second stem end.

2. The unitary smoking pipe of claim 1, wherein the stem and the bowl are a single cast metal article.

3. The unitary smoking pipe of claim 1, wherein the stem is configured to snugly accommodate a pipe cleaner within the uniform longitudinal passageway.

4. The unitary smoking pipe of claim 1, wherein the stem tapers to a mouthpiece at the first stem end.

5. The unitary smoking pipe of claim 1, wherein a second passageway extends perpendicularly from the uniform longitudinal passageway through a base of the bowl.