MECHANISMS FOR VAPORIZING DEVICES
The present disclosure generally relates to electronic vaporizing devices comprising a plurality of components, and mechanisms for locking or otherwise securing the components together. Components of the electronic vaporizing devices may include a cartridge (e.g., including a liquid for vaporization) and a battery unit (e.g., including a rechargeable battery), among other possible components. The electronic vaporizing devices may be at least partially disassembled to allow a user to replace, replenish, recharge, and/or repair the device, as needed.
1 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A vaporizing device comprising:
a first component defining a first lumen;
a second component defining a second lumen; and
a locking element including an annular portion coupled to at least one flex member configured to flex in a radial direction, the at least one flex member being curved;
wherein the second component is connectable to, and removable from, the first component such that the first and second lumens are aligned by sliding a sheath of the first component around an end portion of the second component, the locking element being coupled to the sheath or the end portion and the at least one flex member being configured to change shape upon applying apply a force against the other of the sheath or the end portion for restricting movement between the first and second components when the first and second components are connected.
22 . The vaporizing device of claim 21 , wherein the annular portion of the locking element is integral with the at least one flex member, and wherein the locking element comprises a metal or metal alloy.
23 . The vaporizing device of claim 21 , wherein the at least one flex member includes a plurality of flex members spaced apart from one another, each flex member having a first end extending from the annular portion and a second end opposite the first end, such that each flex member extends in a direction away from the annular portion.
24 . The vaporizing device of claim 21 , wherein the at least one flex member includes at least three flex members each having a curved middle portion configured to apply the force.
25 . The vaporizing device of claim 23 , wherein the plurality of flex members includes six flex members.
26 . The vaporizing device of claim 21 , wherein the locking element is coupled to an inwardly-facing surface of the sheath and configured to apply a force against an outwardly-facing surface of the end portion of the second component when the first and second components are connected.
27 . The vaporizing device of claim 26 , wherein the locking element is rotatable relative to the first component.
28 . The vaporizing device of claim 21 , wherein the locking element is coupled to an outwardly-facing surface of the end portion of the second component and configured to apply a force against an inwardly-facing surface of the sheath of the first component when the first and second components are connected.
29 . The vaporizing device of claim 28 , wherein the locking element is rotatable relative to the second component.
30 . The vaporizing device of claim 21 , wherein an outermost diameter of the first component is equal to an outermost diameter of the second component, and wherein the first component comprises a cartridge and the second component comprises a battery.
31 . A vaporizing device comprising:
a first component defining a first lumen;
a second component defining a second lumen; and
a locking element including a plurality of flex members coupled together via a linkage, wherein each flex member has a first end connected to the linkage, a bendable middle portion, and a second end opposite the first end, such that each flex member extends from the linkage in a direction away from the linkage, each flex member being configured to flex in a radial direction;
wherein the second component is connectable to, and removable from, the first component such that the first and second lumens are aligned by sliding a sheath of the first component around an end portion of the second component, the locking element being coupled to the sheath or the end portion and configured to apply a force against the other of the sheath or the end portion for restricting movement between the first and second components when the first and second components are connected.
32 . The vaporizing device of claim 31 , wherein the locking element is fixedly attached to the first component or the second component.
33 . The vaporizing device of claim 31 , wherein the linkage and the plurality of flex members of the locking element are rotatable relative to the first component or the second component when the first and second components are connected.
34 . The vaporizing device of claim 31 , wherein the linkage of the locking element is annular in shape.
35 . The vaporizing device of claim 31 , wherein the locking element is coupled to a surface of the sheath and includes at least three flex members spaced radially apart from one another, a middle portion of each flex member being separated from the surface of the sheath by a space to allow the middle portion to bend towards and away from the surface of the sheath.
36 . The vaporizing device of claim 31 , wherein the locking element is coupled to an inwardly-facing surface of the sheath of the first component and configured to apply a force against an outwardly-facing surface of the end portion of the second component when the first and second components are connected, and wherein the outwardly-facing surface of the end portion includes a plurality of concave areas, each concave area configured to receive the middle portion of one of the flex members of the plurality of flex members when the first and second components are connected.
37 . The vaporizing device of claim 31 , wherein the first component includes an inner member radially inward of the sheath, the first component including a cavity between the sheath and the inner member for receiving the end portion of the second component.
38 . A vaporizing device comprising:
a first component having an end portion that includes a sheath and an inner member;
a second component including an end portion, the second component having an outermost diameter equal to an outermost diameter of the first component; and
a locking element including an annular portion coupled to a plurality of flex members, each flex member comprising a metal or metal alloy configured to flex in a radial direction by bending a middle portion of the flex member;
wherein the second component is connectable to, and removable from, the first component by sliding the sheath of the first component around the end portion of the second component; and
wherein the locking element is coupled to an inwardly-facing surface of the sheath of the first component or an outwardly-facing surface of the end portion of the second component for restricting movement between the first and second components when the first and second components are connected.
39 . The vaporizing device of claim 38 , wherein the annular portion of the locking element is integral with each of the flex members, the locking element including at least three flex members extending from the annular portion, each flex member spaced radially apart from an adjacent flex member by a same distance.
40 . The vaporizing device of claim 38 , wherein the first component comprises a cartridge and the second component comprises a battery, the locking element being coupled to the inwardly-facing surface of the sheath of the first component.
41 . The vaporizing device of claim 40 , wherein an end of the locking element is disposed within a groove of the sheath of the first component, and the locking element is rotatable relative to the sheath of the first component.