Cup warmer holder

• US 6,075,229 A
• Filed: 01/29/1998
• Issued: 06/13/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Terry Vanselow
• Original Assignee: Terry Vanselow
• Inventors: Vanselow, Terry
• Primary Examiner(s): PELHAM, JOSEPH MOORE
• Application Number:
  US09/015,106
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 219/385-387, 219/432, 219/433, 219/436, 219/528, 219/529, 99/483
• US Class Current: 219/432
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/2461 with electrical heating means

Abstract

A new cup warmer holder for keeping beverages, such as coffee, hot while in a vehicle, such as a car. The inventive device includes a base having upper and lower surfaces with a receiving member extending from the upper surface. The receiving member has a central bore extending between its top and the bottom. A cup with an open top and a handle positioned towards its top is removably inserted through the top of the receiving member into the central bore of the receiving member. A heater is provided for heating an item within the central bore of the receiving member.

Claims

1. A cup warming holder device, comprising:

a base having upper and lower surfaces, said lower surface of said base being for resting on a surface;

a receiving member being extended from said upper surface of said base, said receiving member having a top, a bottom, an outer surface, and a central bore, said central bore of said receiving member being extended between said top and said bottom of said receiving member;

wherein an outer periphery of said base has a diameter greater than an outer diameter of an outer periphery of said receiving member for enhancing stability by resisting overturning of said base and receiving member, wherein said diameter of said base is at least two and a half times said diameter of said receiving member;

a cup having an open top and a handle, said handle of said cup being positioned towards said top of said cup, said cup being removably inserted through said top of said receiving member into said central bore of said receiving member; and

a heater for heating an item within said central bore of said receiving member.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said heater includes:

a heating element for providing heat when powered, said heating element being provided on said upper surface of said base, said heating element being aligned with said central bore of said receiving member such that items within said central bore of said receiving member are heated by said heating element;

a thermostat being electrically coupled to said heating element; and

a switch being electrically coupled to said heating element.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said heater further includes a high temperature limiter being electrically coupled to said heating element, said high temperature limiter limiting the heat provided by said heating element to a predetermined maximum temperature.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein said heater further includes a plug member for insertion into an electric socket electrically coupled to said heating element.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said plug member is adapted to fit an electric cigarette lighter socket of a vehicle.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein said receiving member is centrally positioned on said upper surface of said base, and wherein said heating element is centrally positioned on said base.

7. The device of claim 2, wherein said thermostat has a control actuator for controlling said thermostat being provided on said outer surface of said receiving member.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein said switch has an actuator being provided on said outer surface of said receiving member.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said base is generally circular, wherein said central bore of said receiving member is generally cylindrical, and wherein said cup is generally cylindrical.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said receiving member has upper and lower portions, said upper and lower portions being generally cylindrical and each having a diameter, and said diameter of said lower portion of said receiving member being greater than said diameter of said upper portion of said receiving member.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said lower surface of said base is attachable to a surface.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein said lower surface of said base has a portion of a hook and loop fastener provided thereon for coupling said lower surface of said base to a surface.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising a removable lid substantially covering said open top of said cup.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein said handle has an annular configuration.

14. A cup warming holder device, comprising:

a base being generally circular and having upper and lower surfaces;

said lower surface of said base being for resting on a surface, said lower surface of said base being attachable to a surface, said lower surface of said base having a portion of a hook and loop fastener provided thereon for coupling said lower surface of said base to a surface;

a receiving member being extended from said upper surface of said base, said receiving member being centrally positioned on said upper surface of said base, said receiving member having a top, a bottom, an outer surface, and a central bore, said central bore of said receiving member being extended between said top and said bottom of said receiving member, said central bore of said receiving member being generally cylindrical;

wherein said receiving member has upper and lower portions, said upper and lower portions being generally cylindrical and each having a diameter, said diameter of said lower portion of said receiving member being greater than said diameter of said upper portion of said receiving member;

a cup being generally cylindrical and having an open top and a handle, said handle of said cup being positioned towards said top of said cup, said handle having an annular configuration, said cup being removably inserted through said top of said receiving member into said central bore of said receiving member;

a removable lid substantially covering said open top of said cup; and

a heater for heating an item within said central bore of said receiving member;

said heater including;

a heating element for providing heat when powered, said heating element being provided on said upper surface of said base, said heating element being centrally positioned on said base, said heating clement being aligned with said central bore of said receiving member such that items within said central bore of said receiving member are heated by said heating element;

a thermostat being electrically coupled to said heating element, said thermostat having a control actuator for controlling said thermostat being provided on said outer surface of said receiving member;

a switch being electrically coupled to said heating element, said switch having an actuator being provided on said outer surface of said receiving member;

a high temperature limiter being electrically coupled to said heating element, said high temperature limiter limiting the heat provided by said heating element to a predetermined maximum temperature; and

a plug member for insertion into an electric socket electrically coupled to said heating element, said plug member being adapted to fit an electric cigarette lighter socket of a vehicle;

wherein said diameter of said base is two and a half times said diameter of said receiving member.