Electrical coffee pot positionable in a vehicle and operable from a cigarette lighter receptacle

An electrical coffee pot positionable in a vehicle and operable from a cigarette lighter receptacle comprising a base plate constituting a lower component positionable in a vehicle in a horizontal disposition with an electrical switch movable between an on and off orientation and an electrical resistance wire operable in response to the orientation of the switch, the base also including a tube for the passage of water for use in brewing coffee with the electrical resistance wire spirally wound therearound to heat water passing therethrough, the electrical resistance wire coupled to an electrical cord having at one end a device positionable in the cigarette lighter receptacle of the vehicle to power the resistance wire; an upper component horizontally disposed and adapted to receive heated water from the tube in the base plate with a drawer adapted to receive the coffee to be brewed from the passage of water therethrough; a vertically disposed back component coupling the lower component and the upper component; a water tank positioned adjacent to one side of the device and coupled to the lower plate, upper plate and back plate; and the water conveying tube having a lower end within the lower extent of the tank extending through the lower component and unit through the electrical resistance wire, then upwardly through the back component and terminating at a location in the upper component over the coffee to be brewed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to an electrical coffee pot positionable in a 
vehicle and operable from a cigarette lighter receptacle and more 
particularly pertains to brewing coffee in a car through an electrical 
device operable from the electrical system of the vehicle. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The use of coffee makers is known in the prior art. More specifically, 
coffee makers heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of brewing 
coffee with an electrical device are known to consist basically of 
familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding 
the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been 
developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
By way of example, the prior art discloses in U.S. Pat. No. 4,382,402 a 
portable coffee maker. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,334 to Shanklin discloses a portable, nestable beverage 
brewing system. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,400 to Rondel et al. discloses a portable beverage 
brewer. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,011 to Ly discloses a portable beverage brewing 
apparatus. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,838 to Matuschek discloses a portable apparatus for 
brewing hot beverages. 
In this respect, the electrical coffee pot positionable in a vehicle and 
operable from a cigarette lighter receptacle according to the present 
invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs 
of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily 
developed for the purpose of brewing coffee in a car through an electrical 
device operable from the electrical system of the vehicle. 
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a 
new and improved electrical coffee pot positionable in a vehicle and 
operable from a cigarette lighter receptacle which can be used for brewing 
coffee in a car through an electrical device operable from the electrical 
system of the vehicle. In this regard, the present invention substantially 
fulfills this need. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of 
coffee makers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides 
an improved electrical coffee pot positionable in a vehicle and operable 
from a cigarette lighter receptacle. As such, the general purpose of the 
present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, 
is to provide a new and improved electrical coffee pot positionable in a 
vehicle and operable from a cigarette lighter receptacle and method which 
has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a new and 
improved electrical coffee pot positionable in a vehicle and operable from 
a cigarette lighter receptacle comprising, in combination, a base plate 
constituting a lower component positionable in a vehicle in a horizontal 
disposition with an electrical switch movable between an on and off 
orientation and an electrical resistance wire operable in response to the 
orientation of the switch, the base also including a tube for the passage 
of water for use in brewing coffee with the electrical resistance wire 
spirally wound therearound to heat water passing therethrough, the 
electrical resistance wire coupled to an electrical cord having at one end 
a device positionable in the cigarette lighter receptacle of the vehicle 
to power the resistance wire when the switch is in the on orientation; an 
upper component horizontally disposed and adapted to receive heated water 
from the tube in the base plate with a drawer adapted to receive the 
coffee to be brewed from the passage of water therethrough; a vertically 
disposed back component coupling the lower component and the upper 
component; a water tank positioned secured to one side of the device and 
coupled to the lower plate, upper plate and back component; the water 
conveying tube having a lower end within the lower extent of the tank 
extending through the lower component and unit through the electrical 
resistance wire, then upwardly through the back component and terminating 
at a location in the upper component over the coffee to be brewed; and a 
cup having a handle, a lower closed end positioned on the lower component 
and an upper open end position located beneath the drawer whereby when 
water is in the tank and switch turned to the on orientation, there will 
be a flow of water while being heated and moved to an elevated location 
for being gravity fed through the coffee in the drawer and then into the 
cup. 
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features 
of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that 
follows may be better understood, and in order that the present 
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, 
additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter 
and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention 
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its 
application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the 
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the 
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being 
practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood 
that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose 
of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon 
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the 
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the 
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, 
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions 
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present 
invention. 
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent 
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the 
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar 
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a 
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of 
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention 
of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to 
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide new and 
improved electrical coffee pot positionable in a vehicle and operable from 
a cigarette lighter receptacle which has all the advantages of the prior 
art coffee makers and none of the disadvantages. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide new and improved 
electrical coffee pot positionable in a vehicle and operable from a 
cigarette lighter receptacle which may be easily and efficiently 
manufactured and marketed. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide new and improved 
electrical coffee pots positionable in a vehicle and operable from a 
cigarette lighter receptacle which is of durable and reliable 
construction. 
An even further object of the present invention is to provide new and 
improved electrical coffee pot positionable in a vehicle and operable from 
a cigarette lighter receptacle which are susceptible of a low cost of 
manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly 
is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby 
making such electrical coffee pot positionable in a vehicle and operable 
from a cigarette lighter receptacle economically available to the buying 
public. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide new and 
improved electrical coffee pot positionable in a vehicle and operable from 
a cigarette lighter receptacle which provides in the apparatuses and 
methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while 
simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated 
therewith. 
Still another object of the present invention is to brew coffee in a car 
through an electrical device operable from the electrical system of the 
vehicle. 
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide new and 
improved electrical coffee pot positionable in a vehicle and operable from 
a cigarette lighter receptacle comprising, a base plate constituting a 
lower component positionable in a vehicle in a horizontal disposition with 
an electrical switch movable between an on and off orientation and an 
electrical resistance wire operable in response to the orientation of the 
switch, the base also including a tube for the passage of water for use in 
brewing coffee with the electrical resistance wire spirally wound 
therearound to heat water passing therethrough, the electrical resistance 
wire coupled to an electrical cord having at one end a device positionable 
in the cigarette lighter receptacle of the vehicle to power the resistance 
wire; an upper component horizontally disposed and adapted to receive 
heated water from the tube in the base plate with a drawer adapted to 
receive the coffee to be brewed from the passage of water therethrough; a 
vertically disposed back component coupling the lower component and the 
upper component; a water tank positioned adjacent to one side of the 
device and coupled to the lower plate, upper plate and back plate; and the 
water conveying tube having a lower end within the lower extent of the 
tank extending through the lower component and unit through the electrical 
resistance wire, then upwardly through the back component and terminating 
at a location in the upper component over the coffee to be brewed. 
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various 
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with 
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this 
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating 
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should 
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there 
is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, 
the preferred embodiment of the new and improved electrical coffee pot 
positionable in a vehicle and operable from a cigarette lighter receptacle 
embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and 
generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described. 
Specifically, the present invention, the new and improved electrical coffee 
pot positionable in a vehicle and operable from a cigarette light 
receptacle, is a system 10 comprised with a plurality of components. The 
components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each 
other to attain the desired objective. In their broadest context, such 
components include a base plate constituting a lower component, an upper 
component, a back, a water tank and a cup. 
More specifically, the base plate 12 is formed to constitute the lower 
component of the system. Such lower component is positionable in a vehicle 
14 in horizontal disposition. Note FIGS. 1 and 3. The lower component 
includes an electrical switch 16 movable, in the conventional manner, 
between an on and off orientation. Also included is an electrical 
resistance wire 18. The wire is operable in response to the orientation of 
the switch. 
The lower component also includes a tube 22. The tube is for the passage of 
water for use in brewing coffee. Water passing through the tube is heated 
through an electrical resistance wire 24 spirally wound around the tube. 
Passage of water through the tube while the heated water is energized and 
creating heat. The electrical resistance wire has an elongated device 26 
which is positionable in the cigarette lighter receptacle of the vehicle 
in which the device is to be utilized. The switch is also in such 
electrical line and has a toggle exposed for under the control of the 
user. When the switch is in the on orientation and the device is 
positionable in the receptacle or cigarette lighter, power will be 
provided to the wire spiral wound around the tube for heating water 
passing therethrough. 
The next component of the system is an upper component 30 horizontally 
disposed. Such upper component is adapted to receive heated water from the 
tube in the base plate 12. Also provided in the upper component is a 
drawer 34 adapted to receive the ground coffee to be brewed. The coffee to 
be drunk is created through the passage of the water from the tube whereat 
it is heated and then gravity fed through the coffee in the drawer to a 
cup therebelow as will be later described. 
One additional component of the device is a vertically disposed back 
component 38. Such back component is secured at its lower end to one edge 
of the lower component. At its upper end it is coupled to the upper 
component. The tube of water to be heated is passed through the tube in 
the normal course of brewing coffee. 
Next provided is a water tank 42. The water tank is secured to one side of 
the device. One edge, the lower edge 44 is secured to an adjacent edge of 
the lower component. The upper edge 46 is secured to an adjacent edge of 
the upper component and the rear edge 48 is secured to one edge of the 
back component. This leaves the forward edge of the water tank free. 
Therein is provided a transparent section 49 to determine the level of 
water within the tank. An aperture 47 is selectively closable through a 
reciprocable plug 45, urged closed by a spring 43. Positioning the water 
tank 42 in position causes tube 41 to open the plug to allow water to be 
fed therefrom. 
The water conveying tube 52 can best be seen in FIGS. 4, 6 and 8. Such tube 
has its lower end within the lower extent of the tank. It extends through 
the lower component and through the electrical resistance wires at such 
location. The tube then extends upwardly through the back component and 
terminates at a location in the upper component centrally positioned over 
the basket 54 for coffee therein to be brewed. 
The last component of the device is a cup 58. The cup is preferably of a 
conventional design with a handle 60. It also has a lower closed end 62 
positionable on the lower component during the brewing operation. Note 
FIG. 3. The cup also has an upper open end 64. Such upper open end is 
located beneath the drawer. In this manner, when water is in the tank and 
the switch is turned to the on orientation, there will be a flow of water. 
Such flow occurs during the heating thereof. The heated water is then 
moved to an elevated location above the basket and coffee for being 
gravity fed through the coffee in the drawer and then into the cup 
therebelow. The cup is preferably formed of a two wall construction with a 
thermally insulating material 66 between the walls at the sides and bottom 
of the cup. 
The present invention is a new design in automotive and travel beverage 
makers. It is designed to be easily operated by the driver of a vehicle. 
However, this will not restrict the location of the product because it can 
be mounted just about anywhere in an R.V., big rig truck or automobile. 
This new method of brewing beverages, while on the go will be virtually 
spill-free and require very little concentration or effort from the 
operator. 
The coffee pot would actually be a specially designed, insulated, travel 
cup. The non-spill lid would be specially designed to allow the hot water 
to flow into the cup and allow air to escape preventing in any spillage. 
It will have the capacity to hold 16 oz. of liquid. It will be designed to 
fit snug into the housing of the beverage maker to prevent spilling or 
falling on rough roads. The cup can be sold with the initial basic 
machine, or separately as an optional part. 
The water cartridge of the present invention makes the brewer the ideal 
travel mate. This device consists of a hard plastic outer shell configured 
in such a way that it fits into the brewer the same way that the old 8 
track tape fits in its player. Inside the cartridge is a thick plastic bag 
that is designed to hold either 12 or 16 oz of water. Each cartridge is 
marked for the capacity, but the outer shell remains the same size. The 
cartridge is designed to be refilled by the user for maximum economy. The 
refill plug would be large enough in diameter to easily allow water to 
flow into the bag. Because the bag must collapse to allow gravity to push 
the water into the heating element, the refill plug must be either located 
near the female coupling or a vent hole must be put in the plug to allow 
air to collapse the bag. The dispensing end will have a male coupler that 
is activated only when it is placed into the female coupling. The water 
cartridge should be manufactured in such a way so that the average user 
can replace the bag inside. 
The heating element of the present invention is designed to operate on 12 
volt auto power but should also be adaptable to standard 110 volt 
household current. The operator would have the option of either "hard 
wiring" the power cord directly to a hot wire or using the standard 
cigarette lighter socket. The inlet valve would be the type of valve that 
lets the cold water flow in but not out. The exit valve would be the type 
that opens up the hot water pressure. The water reaches an acceptable 
brewing temperature of approximately 180 degrees prior to being forced 
into the filter compartment. 
The beverage drawer of the present invention would only need to be 
approximately 3/4 inch to 11/2 inches deep to allow the hot water to flow 
through. The drawer should be designed to clip into the system allowing it 
to stay closed under rough driving conditions. The bottom would be angled 
in such a way that the beverage being brewed would flow into the large 
hole in the top of the cup. 
Just about any beverage that is normally consumed hot could be used with 
this brewer. Coffee and tea could be prepackaged in single serving filters 
that only need to be placed in the beverage drawer for brewing. 
Because the water is in a self-contained cartridge, three configurations of 
this system can be produced and experimented with until the most 
economical and efficient product is developed. 
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same 
should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further 
discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the 
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of 
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to 
one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those 
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are 
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and 
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired 
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and 
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may 
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.