Supports – Brackets – Article holding means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-15
2001-05-08
Chin-Shue, Alvin (Department: 3634)
Supports
Brackets
Article holding means
C297S188180
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227511
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
(Not Applicable)
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
(Not Applicable)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of stadiums and arenas to hold concerts and sporting events is well-known. In this regard, such facilities have the ability to accommodate thousands of individuals to thus maximize live, first-hand attendance at a given event. To maximize space efficiency, the most common design for virtually all stadiums and arenas include rows of seats arranged in tiers or a terrace-like arrangement. Such seat members typically comprise a backrest member, a seat member, which typically is transitional between an open, operative configuration and a folded, non-operative configuration, and opposed arm rests members.
Hand-in-hand with the practice of staging events in concerts and arenas is the practice of operating concessions. Indeed, virtually every major event held in a stadium or arena deploys the use of multiple concession or refreshment stands whereby those attending the event can enjoy a meal and a beverage during the same. As is widely regarded, the food and beverage provided by such concession stands not only adds to the enjoyment of the event, but further can generate substantial revenue. This revenue can further be augmented to the extent souvenirs and other memorabilia commemorating such event are sold along with food and beverages.
Notwithstanding the complimentary nature concessions provide to stadium and arena events, substantial problems exist for spectators who wish to enjoy their food and beverage while sitting within the stadium or arena. In this regard, due to the limited space provided for a given seat in a row of seats, there is typically no place for a given spectator to put his or her food and beverage during the event. As such, most spectators are relegated to having to eat the food from their laps while placing their beverage on the ground. The latter practice is particularly problematic due to the great tendency to knock such beverages over, especially by being kicked aside due to the high degree of foot traffic moving in and around the rows of seats.
In fact, the only alternative to intermittently holding and placing such beverage on the ground is to permanently hold such beverage. Such practice, however, can cause great discomfort to the spectator and further, increases the likelihood that the spectator will spill such beverage on him or herself. This possibly is particularly likely during sporting events where it is commonplace to jump up and down from the seat to applaud for a team or watch a crucial moment in a sporting event, such as the last play of a football game. In fact, by virtue of having to hold a given beverage, a spectator is even precluded from clapping his on her hands to applaud a great play, thus detracting from the enjoyment of attending the event.
While it is known in the art to provide arm-rest members incorporated into the seat or chair members that have a pre-molded, generally-annular shape for receiving and holding a beverage, such beverage receiving apparatus has numerous drawbacks. Specifically, such beverage holders, which are formed as stationary items that protrude into the isle by which spectators access a given row of seats can get in the way of people moving thereabout. Additionally, due to the dissimilar size of most cups, cans and the like, such pre-formed angular beverage holders cannot accommodate any one specific type of cup or can. Furthermore, such beverage holders have a tendency to break over time and, because of the permanent nature by which the same are installed, require extensive time and labor to replace.
As such, there is a substantial need in the art for a beverage holder that can quickly and easily be utilized to provide individual spectators seated within a stadium or arena with means to hold a beverage while enjoying a given event. There is a further need in the art for a beverage holder that can be quickly and easily fastened to a seat situated within a stadium or arena that can be installed or withdrawn by a given spectator. Still further, there is a need in the art for a beverage holder that does not interfere with the ability for spectators to move about a given row of seats within a stadium or arena that may further serve to act as a souvenir item or as a means of advertisement.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above-identified deficiencies in the art. In this regard, the present invention is directed to a detachable beverage holder for use in holding beverages for spectators attending an event at a stadium or arena. According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises the combination of a fastening mechanism for gripping and firmly affixing the device to a dedicated seat, and more particularly, one of the respective arm-rests thereof. In a preferred embodiment, such fastening mechanism comprises a pair of opposed, downwardly extending arm members that are inwardly biased to compress about a portion of the armrest, such that the same forms a snap-fit thereabout. Alternatively, such fastening mechanism may comprise a vise member whereby a pair of opposed, downwardly extending arm members may be caused, via a screw, lever or cam grip about such arm rest. Extending from the fastening mechanism is an elongate arm portion having proximal and distal ends. Affixed to the distal-most end thereof, preferably via a hinge, is formed a beverage holder member. Preferably, the beverage holder member is formed to rotate upwardly relative the affixed arm and fastener mechanism such that the same is selectively transitionable between a first operative configuration whereby the beverage holder extends outwardly relative the arm portion fastening mechanism and may receive and hold a beverage therein, and a second non-operative configuration whereby the same is allowed to rotate upwardly relative the fastening mechanism and arm such that when not in use, the device does not interfere with the ability of individuals to move in and around a given isle or row of seats. The detachable beverage holder of the present invention may further include panel members formed thereon, particularly on the arm and beverage holder portions thereof for displaying advertisements or commemorative memorabilia related to a given event held within a stadium or arena. Moreover, the detachable beverage holder may be formed to have a decorative sport's motif and sold as a souvenir. The detachable beverage holder may further include a noise-making apparatus for use in cheering and applauding.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a detachable beverage holder that may be easily and readily utilized as a means for holding a beverage in position in close proximity to a particular seat in a stadium or arena that can be detached therefrom and repeatedly reused.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a detachable beverage holder that enables a beverage to be securely held within close proximity to a given seat within a stadium or arena that enables a beverage to be securely held thereby while minimizing interference with spectators moving therearound, particularly when accessing a given seat within a row or isle of seats.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a detachable beverage holder that may be utilized for displaying advertisements or may function as a souvenir item to promote a given sports team or commemorate a special event.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a detachable beverage holder that may further be utilized as a novelty item for cheering or applauding at an event held within a stadium or arena.
Still further objects of the present invention are to provide a detachable beverage holder that is of simple construction, is inexpensive to manufacture, is simple to use and can be readily substituted for permanent beverage holding apparatus.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1288560 (1918-12-01), Gordon
patent: 3913878 (1975-10-01), Wayne
patent: 4063401 (197
Chin-Shue Alvin
Stetina Brunda Garred & Brucker
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