Abstract:
A seatback utility device provides a compact and convenient way to address the need to hold personal articles and concession snacks. An arched protrusion from the seatback extends most of the way across the seatback, and is configured to hold a variety of items brought to a sporting event by a patron. One embodiment may securely retain an appropriately configured concession tray or box. In some embodiments, electronic or fixed, movable advertising displays may be accommodated.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 62/164,449, filed May 20, 2015. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In theaters and sports stadiums rows of seats are fixed in place so that spectators seated therein may observe the performance or sports event. Stadium seats typically are arranged in an inclined or stepped-up stadium tier configuration in multiple rows of seats, each comprising a seating portion and a backrest portion, supported laterally on either side by a seat standard having an armrest portion that may be shared between spectators. In between the rows or tiers are relatively narrow aisles that permit access to and from interiorly disposed stadium seats. Refreshments or concessions sold by stadiums, theaters and arenas are often enjoyed by the spectators including food and drink of various types. Once purchased, however, a patron must take care to avoid spills or other mishaps that may occur as a result of the patron having to manually support or balance the concessions, or having to place the concessions in the aisle area near the patron&#39;s feet. Similarly, patrons with purses and small objects such as cell phones face the choice of holding them in the lap or placing them at the feet. It would be advantageous to have a device attached to the seatback in front of a patron that holds items carried by the patron while not unduly blocking the aisle behind that seatback. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention provides a compact and convenient way to address the need to hold personal articles and concession snacks. An arched protrusion from the seatback extends most of the way across the seatback, and is configured to hold a variety of items brought to a sporting event by a patron. One embodiment may securely retain an appropriately configured concession tray or box. In some embodiments, electronic or fixed, movable advertising displays may be accommodated. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a depiction of an embodiment of the invention in place on a section of typical stadium seat backs. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is front view of an embodiment of the device. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a back view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a close up of a portion of an embodiment showing a center post. 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of the invention holding a short strap purse. 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  shows an embodiment of the invention holding a long strap purse. 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  shows an embodiment of the invention holding a tablet. 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  shows a version of a snack tray that may be used with some embodiments of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 11  shows the snack tray of  FIG. 10  engaged with the device. 
           [0015]      FIG. 12  shows an embodiment comprising a single post attached to the seat back. 
           [0016]      FIG. 13  shows the snack tray of  FIG. 10  engaged with the post of  FIG. 12   
           [0017]      FIG. 14  shows a front view of a different embodiment of the device. 
           [0018]      FIG. 15  shows a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 14   
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the device is a structure  20  for mounting to the upper outside back of a seat  10 , for use by the patron sitting in the row behind. The device provides a compact way to store a patron&#39;s articles during the event, keeping them handy, in sight, and minimizing obstruction of the passageway  70  between rows of seats. Several examples of patron articles are illustrated, including a long strap purse  61 , a set of keys  63 , a cell phone  64  and a snack tray  65 . 
         [0020]    An embodiment of the seatback holder is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 2-4 . The back wall  21  comprises a shallow arch, having a length about the same as the width of the seat back  10 . The front wall comprises a pair of curved elements  22  that match or conform to the shape of the back wall at the extremities  23  then sharply curve inward near the center  24 . A holding post  30 , described below, is located between the inner curved surfaces  25  of the curved elements  24 . 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, the back wall  21  is a peripheral frame  26 . The wall may also be a solid sheet or a cut-out structure. The back wall  21  and the front wall  22  are connected by a plurality of upper connectors  40  and lower connectors  46 . In an embodiment, the connectors  40  create a space  41  between the front wall  22  and back wall  21  that is wide enough to accommodate a purse strap and is also slightly wider than a cell phone. At the top of the device, connectors  40  are positioned slightly below the top edge  43  of the front wall and the top edge  44  of the back wall, forming a slot  45  that can retain, for example, a purse strap. The connectors may be positioned to form an open-topped pocket  47  for retaining small articles such as cell phones. Optionally, a rectangular aperture  50  with an enclosure may be added to the front wall on either side, to hold a low power display, such as an LED screen, or a physical insert, such as a card or block, to use to display advertising or messages. 
         [0022]    As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , in one embodiment the center post  30  extends slightly forward of the outer surface of the front wall  22 , and includes a narrow slit  31  that is in alignment with said outer surface. The slit extends partway down the post, and in one embodiment extends about an inch. Extending below the center post there may be a hook structure  32  which may be used to hang a patron&#39;s keys. The front surface of the hook structure is aligned with the front of the slit and the outer surface of the front wall. The center post may engage with a removable snack tray to retain the tray in a convenient location. As illustrated in  FIGS. 10-11 , a tray/container  51  with an appropriately located aperture  52  may be placed over the post  30 . The walls of the container are approximately the same width as the slit  31 , allowing the post to grip the container above the aperture. The back surface of the container will press against the outer surface of front wall  22  and against the front surface of hook structure  32 , providing rotational stability. Other items may be supported by the post as well. For example, a cup holder sleeve with an aperture similar to that shown on the snack tray may be used. Also, the post may be used to hold paper, cardboard or other advertising/promotional materials configured to fit thereon. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment, a post  30  as described above may be positioned alone in the upper center of the seat back facing the patron behind the seat. See  FIG. 12 . The post may engage a snack tray in the manner described above See  FIG. 13 . 
         [0024]    The typical stadium seat back is 17 to 22 inches across, with an average of 20 inches. Some are slightly curved. In a preferred embodiment, the articles holder has a length substantially the same as the seat back, leaving space at either end. The holder may be curved to conform to the shape of the seat back. The holder may be attached to the seat back by screws, glue, or another appropriate fixation. In some embodiments, the holder may be formed as a unitary structure with the seat back when it is manufactured. 
         [0025]    The articles holder is useful to hold a purse belonging to a patron sitting behind it. Purses known as “cross body” purses have straps in the 44 to 54 inch range. Such a long hang purse  61  may be draped across the entire holder, as shown in  FIG. 8 . With a length on the order of 17 inches, the articles holder readily suspends the purse above the floor. Purses with shorter straps  62  may be draped across one of the shorter front curved elements, as seen in  FIG. 7 . A one inch space between the front and back walls, forming a one inch wide slot, is adequate for most purses. Other items with straps or thin handles, such as merchandise bags, binoculars, cameras, or strapped containers, may be hung on the device as well. Optionally, a clip to secure the patron&#39;s tablet or other electronic device  66  may be included. 
         [0026]    Another alternative embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 14-15 . The supporting seat back  80  has a variable curved top, and the device structure  81  conforms to that shape. Front and back walls of the device are like those in  FIGS. 2-5  and there is a space therebetween like the space  41  in  FIG. 4  and a slot  83  like the slot  45  in  FIG. 5 . Post  82 , with a slit  84 , extends outward like post  30  in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . This embodiment does not have the curved center portions  24  of the front wall that are shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0027]    The foregoing description has been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor limit the invention to the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying out the invention.