Integrated drink cooler and storage for stadium seats

Abstract

A seat and seating system provides comfortable and practical seating for both sports participants and spectators in stadium sporting events. The inventive concept includes one or more seats having an adjacent modular storage compartment. In addition, each seat has a storage area provided below the seat base. The modular storage compartment and the storge area may be used for storing athletic equipment used by players such as baseball bats, gloves, or helmets. Each storage area beneath the seat includes a modular drawer. The storage area beneath the seat can be swapped out and configured to be a climate-controlled compartment to store drinks or snacks. Cooling or heating necessary for the climate-controlled unit may be provided by a control unit placed behind or next to the seats. One or more cup holders may be fitted to the top of the modular storage compartment adjacent the seat.

Description

INTEGRATED DRINK COOLER AND STORAGE FOR STADIUM SEATSCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a U.S. Non-provisional Patent Application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 699,484 entitled "Integrated Drink Cooler And Storage For Stadium Seats,” filed September 26, 2024, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.TECHNICAL FIELDThe disclosed inventive concept relates generally to seats and seating systems for use in sports stadiums. More particularly, the disclosed inventive concept relates to a seat and seating system for use in sports stadiums which are directed to both game participants and spectators.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSeating for sporting events has a history of over 2000 years with earliest stadium seats being formed from marble or other stone. The hard stone seating was eventually replaced with wooden benches or bleachers arranged in rows. These early seats typically lacked back support. Spectators were required to sit uncomfortably for hours while watching a game or a match.The next step in the evolution of the stadium seat was the introduction of the individual seat which offered back support. While typically still being made of wood, the separate seats meant that spectators no longer were required to sit shoulder-to-shoulder with other spectators. Individual wooden seats were gradually replaced with individual seats formed from weather-resistant materials including a metal such as aluminum or from an injection-molded plastic as well as from glass-reinforced plastic.While seat design generally improved since the earliest days of sporting events, advancements in stadium seats have not kept pace with improvements in other seating areas, such as have been witnessed in, for example, movie theaters. In fact, in an effort to make up for this failure in design improvement while trying to achieve player comfort, many professional sports teams have resorted to using automotive seats for their bench players, coaches, and staff on the sidelines. To help keep these areas organized and have players ready to perform at their peak, storage beneath the bench seats feature storage for sports equipment (shoes, gloves, extra uniforms, etc.) and / or a drink cooler to keep water and hydration drinks at optimum temperature. However, while providing some relief to the players themselves, such made-to-fit seating arrangements do not provide for adequate seat occupant comfort, equipment organization, or readily and consistently available cooled beverages or snacks.Accordingly, in an effort to improve both experience and accessibility for both game participants as well as spectators, advancements of seating arrangements are required. New technology features, sustainable design, and modern ergonomic design innovations will be important in advancing stadium seat design.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe disclosed inventive concept provides a response to the developing needs of both sports participants and spectators in stadium sporting events and provides improved seating arrangements for both sport participants and spectators. The inventive concept includes a pair of padded seats separated by a modular storge unit or may, alternatively, be a single padded seat. A greater number of seats may be provided. In addition, both embodiments have storage areas provided below the seat base centered on seats used for athletic purposes such as in stadiums. Preferably, each storage area beneath the seat includes a modular drawer. The drawer may be used to store a player’s sports equipment and can be swapped out and configured to be a climate- controlled compartment to store drinks or snacks. Cooling necessary for the climate- controlled unit may be provided by a control unit placed behind or next to the seats. Cup holders may be integrated in the top surface of the modular storage unit to hold waterbottles or beverage cups. The storage area between each seat can store additional sports equipment, such as baseball bats, baseball helmets, or baseball balls.The above advantages and other advantages and features will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFor a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention wherein:FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of side-by-side seats having a modular storage compartment positioned between the two seats and an adjacent cooling unit where the illustrated seating arrangement highlights a storage area being utilized for keeping drinks and snacks warm or cool;FIG. 2 is a sectional view of one of the seats illustrated in FIG. 1 taken along line 2 - 2 of FIG. 1 ;FIG. 3 is a sectional view of one of the storage unit illustrated in FIG. 1 taken along line 3 - 3 of FIG. 1 ;FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pair of side-by-side seats having a modular storage unit positioned between the two seats where the illustrated seating arrangement highlights a storage area being utilized for storing sports equipment;FIG. 5 is a sectional view of one of the seats illustrated in FIG. 4 taken along line 5 - 5 ofFIG. 4; andFIG. 3 is a sectional view of one of the storage unit illustrated in FIG. 4 taken along line 6 - 6 of FIG. 4.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTIn the following figures, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for different constructed embodiments. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting.Referring to FIG. 1 , a first perspective view of a seating arrangement generally illustrated as 10 is shown. The seating arrangement 10 includes a pair of side-by-side seats 12 and 12’. It is to be understood that the seats 12 and 12’ are shown for illustrative purposes only as the shapes and sizes of the seats 12 and 12’ may be varied from the illustrated configurations.The seat 12 includes a seat back 14 and a seat base 16 while the seat 12’ includes a seat back 14’ and a seat base 16’. Under the seat 12 is a storage area 18 preferably having a movable drawer 20. Under the seat 12’ is a storage area 18’ which also preferably includes a movable drawer 20’. While the drawers 20 and 20’ are preferred, as an alternative arrangement a movable door (not shown) may be fitted to the front openings provided in the storage areas 18 and 18’. As a further alternative, neither the drawer nor a door may be provided whereby the fronts of the storage areas 18 and 18’ are simply left open for ease of use.A modular storage compartment 22 is preferably provided between the seats 12 and 12’. While only a single modular storage compartment 22 is illustrated, this configuration is not intended as being limiting as additional storage compartments like modular storage compartment 22 may be provided if additional seats are included to make a larger seat row.The seat base 16’ includes bolsters 23 and 23’. Positioned adjacent the modular storage compartment 22, the bolster 23 is wider than the bolster 23’ thereby addingcomfort to the seat occupant given the proximity of the seat base 16’ to the modular storage compartment 22.The modular storage compartment 22 preferably but not absolutely includes an opening 24 accessible for storage of items which would not ordinarily fit within the modular storage compartment 22. The modular storage compartment 22 includes an upper surface having at least one beverage cup holder. In the preferred embodiment as illustrated, a pair of side-by-side beverage cup holders 26 and 26’ are provided. A greater or lesser number of beverage cup holders may be provided.As a preferred option, the seating arrangement 10 includes a climate control unit 28.With the provision of the climate control unit 28, one or both of the storage areas 18 and 18’ may be either cooled or heated or both depending on environmental circumstances. For example, and referring to FIG. 2 which is a sectional view of the seat 12 of FIG. 1 , the storage area 18 includes, for example, canned beverages 30 and a snack 32. Any number and type of beverage or snacks may be stored in the storage area 18 and may be cooled or heated by the climate control unit 28 as preferred. In addition to regulating temperature, the climate control unit 28 may also be adapted to regulate humidity.Referring to FIG. 3, a sectional view of the modular storage compartment 22 is illustrated. This view more particularly illustrates the opening 24 formed in the front of the modular storage compartment 22.Referring to FIG. 4, a second perspective view of a seating arrangement generally illustrated as 50 is shown. The seating arrangement 50 is almost identical to the seating arrangement 10 shown in FIGS. 1 - 3 and discussed in relation thereto. However, the seating arrangement 50 is preferably (but not absolutely) for use in, for example, a dugout used by sport players and staff in a baseball stadium. Of course, its application could be for any spectator event.The seating arrangement 50 includes a pair of side-by-side seats 52 and 52’. It is to be understood that the seats 52 and 52’ are shown for illustrative purposes only as theshapes and sizes of the seats 52 and 52’ may be varied from the illustrated configurations.The seat 52 includes a seat back 54 and a seat base 56 while the seat 52’ includes a seat back 54’ and a seat base 56’. Under the seat 52 is a storage area 58 preferably having a movable drawer 60. Under the seat 52’ is a storage area 58’ which also preferably includes a movable drawer 60’. While the drawers 60 and 60’ are preferred, as an alternative arrangement a movable door (not shown) may be fitted to the front openings provided in the storage areas 58 and 58’. As a further alternative, neither the drawer nor a door may be provided whereby the fronts of the storage areas 58 and 58’ are simply left open for ease of use.A storage compartment 62 is preferably provided between the seats 52 and 52’. While only a single storage compartment 62 is illustrated, this configuration is not intended as being limiting as additional storage compartments like storage compartment 62 may be provided if additional seats are included to make a larger seat row.The seat base 56’ includes bolsters 63 and 63’. Positioned adjacent the storage compartment 62, the bolster 63 is wider than the bolster 63’ thereby adding comfort to the seat occupant given the proximity of the seat base 56’ to the storage compartment 62.The storage compartment 62 includes an opening 64 accessible for storage of items which would not ordinarily fit within the storage compartment 62. For example, sports equipment such as baseball bats 66 and 66’ may be at least partially stored in the storage compartment 62. In addition, one or more beverage holders (not illustrated) may be provided in the upper surface of the storage compartment 62 in the same manner as illustrated in the seating arrangement 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 - 3 and discussed in conjunction therewith.Referring to FIG. 5, a sectional view of the seat 52 is illustrated in FIG. 4 taken along line 5 - 5 of FIG. 4. As illustrated, sports equipment such as a baseball 70 and a batter’s helmet 72 may be stored in the storage area 58. Other items may be stored as well inthe storage area 58, such as beverages or snack items. One or both of the storage areas 58 and 58’ may be climate controlled in the same manner as the storage areas 18 and 18’ of the seating arrangement 10 shown in FIGS. 1 - 3 and discussed in relation thereto.Referring to FIG. 3, a sectional view of the storage compartment 62 is illustrated with a baseball bat 66’ positioned through the opening 64 and resting on the base of the storage compartment 62. While a baseball bat is illustrated, other sports equipment may be positioned in the storage compartment 62 as well or in the alternative.The seating arrangements disclosed herein have a wide variety of uses which are not limited to the sports stadium. For example, the seating arrangements disclosed and described herein may be used as well in playhouses, movie theaters, and auditoriums. Essentially, the seating arrangements of the present invention may find utility in any setting where spectator seating is required.One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

ClaimsClaim 1 . A seating arrangement for use in a spectator activity, the seating arrangement comprising: a first seat having a first seat back and a first seat base joined to the first seat base, the first seat base including a first seat underside, the first seat further including a first storage area positioned beneath the first seat underside; a second seat aligned with the first seat, the second seat having a second seat back and a second seat base joined to the second seat base, the second seat base including a second seat underside, the second seat further including a second storage area positioned beneath the second seat underside; and at least one of the first and second storage areas being selected from the group consisting of a storage area including a movable drawer and a storage area having a climate control unit for selectively heating or cooling the storage area.Claim 2. The seating arrangement of Claim 1 , further including a modular storage compartment fitted between the first seat and the second seat.Claim 3. The seating arrangement of Claim 2, the second seat including a pair of spaced apart bolsters having different widths, one of the spaced apart bolsters being positioned adjacent the storage compartment, the width of the bolster being positioned adjacent the modular storage compartment being greater than the other bolster.Claim 4. The seating arrangement of Claim 3, wherein the modular storage compartment includes an upper surface.Claim 5. The seating arrangement of Claim 4, further including at least one beverage holder provided in the upper surface of the modular storage compartment.Claim 6. The seating arrangement of Claim 4, wherein the modular storage compartment includes a front surface.Claim 7. The seating arrangement of Claim 6, wherein the modular storage compartment includes an opening formed between the upper surface and the front surface.Claim 8. The seating arrangement of Claim 7, wherein the opening between the upper surface and the front surface of the modular storage compartment is angled relative to the surfaces.Claim 9. A seating arrangement for use in a spectator activity, the seating arrangement comprising: a seat having a seat back and a seat base joined to the seat base, the seat base including a seat underside, the seat further including a storage area positioned beneath the seat underside, the storage area being selected from the group consisting of a storage area including a movable drawer and a storage area having a climate control unit for selectively heating or cooling the storage area.Claim 10. The seating arrangement of Claim 9, further including a modular storage compartment positioned adjacent the seat.Claim 11 . The seating arrangement of Claim 10, wherein the modular storage compartment includes an upper surface.Claim 12. The seating arrangement of Claim 11 , further including at least one beverage holder provided in the upper surface of the modular storage compartment.Claim 13. The seating arrangement of Claim 11 , wherein the modular storage compartment includes a front surface.Claim 14. The seating arrangement of Claim 13, wherein the modular storage compartment includes an opening formed between the upper surface and the front surface.Claim 15. The seating arrangement of Claim 14, wherein the opening between the upper surface and the front surface of the modular storage compartment is angled relative to the surfaces.Claim 16. A seating arrangement for use in a spectator activity, the seating arrangement comprising: a seat having a seat back and a seat base joined to the seat base, the seat base including a seat underside, the seat further including a storage area positioned beneath the seat underside; and a modular storage compartment fitted adjacent between the seat, the modular storage compartment having an upper surface, a front surface, and an opening formed between the upper surface and the front surface, the opening being angled relative to the surfaces.Claim 17. The seating arrangement of Claim 16, wherein a movable drawer is fitted to the storage area.Claim 18. The seating arrangement of Claim 17, further including a second seat having a second seat back and a second seat base joined to the second seat base, the second seat base including a second seat underside, the second seat further including a second storage area positioned beneath the second seat underside, the second seat being fitted adjacent the modular storage compartment, whereby the modular storage compartment is disposed between the first seat and the second seat..Claim 19. The seating arrangement of Claim 16, further including at least one beverage holder provided in the upper surface of the modular storage compartment.Claim 20. The seating arrangement of Claim 16, further including a climate control unit operatively associated with at least one of the storage areas.

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