Patent Application
20160015180
This invention relates to sports field seating such as bench plank configured stadium bleachers and similarly configured dugout or player area seating. More particularly, this invention relates to apparatus and assemblies for attachment to such sports field benches which are adapted for enhanced seating functions.
Sports field player staging areas such as a baseball field dugout commonly includes a bench configured seat having a plank or beam extending along the length of the dugout, such dugouts commonly including protective chain link fencing surrounding the seating area. During competitive play, such player staging areas tend to become cluttered with players' baseball mitts, caps, gloves, baseballs, drink bottles, and other sports play related items. Disorganization of such items within a dugout may hinder or interfere with the player's access to needed equipment and may undesirably degrade the team's ability to compete.
The instant inventive sports field seating assembly solves or ameliorates such problems by specially configuring a conventional bench seat cushion to multiply function for articles storage and for display of indicia bearing signs and placards.
The instant inventive assembly is intended for attachment to and use in association with sports field benches of the type which present a horizontally extending plank or beam raised approximately 18 inches above a floor or ground surface. In typical embodiments, such seating plank is between 10-14 inches in width, and has a vertical thickness between 1 and 2 inches. Such seating planks are typically composed of aluminum, plastic, or wood.
A first structural component of the instant inventive seating assembly comprises a rectangular and laterally oblongated cushion having front and rear ends, and having a lateral length between 14 and 22 inches, such length matching the dimensions of a commonly spaced bench seating area or section. In a preferred embodiment, the cushion component has a flat undersurface for secure abutting contact with the typically flat upper surface of a plank configured bench. Also in the preferred embodiment, the cushion component is composed of vinyl covered or fabric covered elastomeric foam, the foam layer being approximately ½″-1½″ thick. In a suitable though less desirable configuration, the invention's cushion component may be relatively thin and may comprise a single layer of durable flexible sheet material such as plastic or woven fabric.
A further structural component of the instant inventive assembly comprises a first pocket which is fixedly attached to and which normally extends or suspends downwardly from the cushion's front end. In a preferred embodiment, the first pocket opens upwardly and has a lateral length or left to right dimension spanning the majority of the lateral dimension of the cushion. The first pocket component preferably comprises open mesh panels which make the contents of the pocket viewable by sports players, and which conveniently allow air drying of the contents of the pocket.
Further structural components of the instant inventive seating assembly comprise releasable attaching means which are connected operatively to the cushion element. In the preferred embodiment, the releasable attaching means are adapted for, upon a downward and abutting placement of the cushion against the upper surface of a seating plank, resisting movement or displacement of the cushion and first pocket away from or along the seating plank.
In a preferred embodiment, the releasable attachment means comprise front and rear flexible tabs or flaps which are respectively fixedly attached to the front and rear ends of the cushion. Such tabs are preferably sized for extensions around the lower front and lower rear edges of a typically sized seating plank, and for being secured thereunder by a matrix of durable and flexible cords. While the above described flexible tabs and cord matrix combination releasable attaching means are preferred, other fastening assemblies capable of releasably positioning the cushion upon a flat bench top are considered to fall within the scope of the invention. As examples, fixed or pivoting “L” hooks or brackets which extend downwardly from the cushion's undersurface are considered to fall within the scope of the invention. As further examples, velcro or snap fastening plank enveloping flaps which extend about and meet at the undersurface of a bench plank are considered to fall within the scope of the invention. Further suitable alternate attaching means comprise annular clamps or straps which may extend about and tighten against a bench configured plank. The releasable attaching means suitably may further alternatively comprise a high friction or rubberized applique presented at the cushion's undersurface for resisting horizontal sliding movement of the cushion and attached first pocket along the upper surface of a bench plank.
In a preferred embodiment of the instant inventive seating assembly, a transparent flexible sheet is fixedly attached to the cushion's upper surface in a manner forming a second pocket which serves as a placard or display card or sheet receiving pocket. As sheet configured card or placard which is sized for sliding insertion into such second pocket and which bears printed indicia such as a team logo or a player name may be advantageously received and displayed within such second pocket. The incorporation of such second pocket and indicia bearing sheet combination advantageously allows the inventive assembly to additionally function as an informational and/or promotional sign.
Accordingly, objects of the instant invention include the provision of a seating assembly which incorporates structures as described above, and which arranges those structures in relation to each other in manners described above, for performance of the functions described above.
Other and further objects, benefits, and advantages of the instant invention will become known to those skilled in the art upon review of the Detailed Description which follows, and upon review of the appended drawings.
Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to Drawing
A first pocket 24 which preferably has an upper opening 26 is fixedly attached to and extends downwardly from the cushion's front wall 5. For purposes of viewing of pocket contents and air drying of the contents, the paired front and rear walls of the first pocket 24 are composed of an open mesh or netting material 25.
Referring simultaneously to
The cord loops 28 and 38 may advantageously comprise elastic “bungie” or shock cord. Upon the depressions of spring biased buttons of the cord locks 36 and 34, knotted cord ends 34 and 42 may be pulled therethrough, effectively reducing the lengths of and tightening the cord loops 28 and 38. The releasable attaching means preferably further comprise a hook 30 and latch loop 48 which respectively receive the cord loops 28 and 38. Upon engaging hook 38 with latch loop 46 beneath a bench plank 50, and upon tightening of cord ends 34 and 42 through cord locks 36 and 44, the front and rear flexible tabs or flaps 8 and 14 may be securely drawn about the front and rear edges of the plank 50, effectively securing the assembly 1 to the plank 50. Convenient detaching steps include depression of the button of either one of the cord locks 36 or 34, followed by detachment of hook 30. Thereafter, the seating assembly 1 may be conveniently withdrawn from the plank 50 for use elsewhere or for storage.
The depicted cord matrix releasable attaching means is intended as being representative of other suitably substituted releasable attaching means such as snap fastener or velcro attached enveloping flaps (not depicted within views), rigid plank engaging “L” hooks or brackets (not depicted within views), annular draw-tight clamps or straps, and friction enhancing rubberized surfaces. Each of such suitably substituted releasable attaching means is considered to fall within the scope of the invention.
Referring to
In use of the inventive seating assembly, referring simultaneously to
Referring to
In a further alternative mode of usage of the instant inventive seating assembly 1, sports event spectators who are seated upon plank configured bleachers may utilize the inventive assembly in a manner substantially identical to the player and dugout usage described above. Where a spectator utilizes the inventive assembly at a viewing stands location, the printed indicia 27 appearing upon the indicia display sheet 23 may advantageously alternatively portray the logo or mascot of a favored sports team.
While the principles of the invention have been made clear in the above illustrative embodiment, those skilled in the art may make modifications in the structure, arrangement, portions and components of the invention without departing from those principles. Accordingly, it is intended that the description and drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in the limiting sense, and that the invention be given a scope at least commensurate with the appended claims.
