Abstract:
In a stackable chair system, a plurality of chairs are provided, each chair having a back, a seat, and first and second armrests all integral with one another in an injection-molded thermal plastic construction. Each first armrest has an integral molded round cup-holder positioned in a region of an outer end of the first armrest. Each second armrest has an integral molded second round cup-holder positioned in a region of an outer end of the second armrest. Each seat portion is contoured downwardly forming a seat depression. Each chair is dimensioned so that the chairs can be stacked on top of one another in nested fashion.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application titled: “Stackable Chair,” U.S. Ser. No. 12/639,511 filed Dec. 16, 2009, inventor Gustavo G. Gamboa, which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application titled: “Stackable Chair”, Ser. No. 61/275,189 filed Aug. 26, 2009, inventor Gustavo G. Gamboa. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The preferred embodiments relate generally to a stackable chair and, more particularly, the preferred embodiments of the invention relate to a stackable chair featuring two respective molded cup-holders built into a left-hand armrest and a respective right-hand armrest, and a plate-holder also built into the right-hand armrest. 
     Inexpensive, molded plastic lawn or patio chairs are used for outdoor events and gatherings. These stackable, one-piece chairs have become standard equipment for consumer households as well as a wide variety of organizations, institutions, and establishments ranging from bars and caterers to schools and churches. The molded stackable chairs are lightweight and inexpensive, easy to move and store, and quite durable for the price. But, when used for events at which food and drink are served and consumed, the standard design of such chairs comes up short. Attempting to enjoy a plate of barbecue and a soft drink while sitting in such a chair, the guest must hold the plate in his or her lap, and either hold the drink or set it on the ground. As a result, drinks and plates get spilled, guests&#39; clothing gets soiled, and the entire event becomes less enjoyable than it might have been. 
     SUMMARY 
     In a stackable chair system, a plurality of chairs are provided, each chair having a back, a seat, and first and second armrests all integral with one another in an injection-molded thermal plastic construction. Each first armrest has an integral molded round cup-holder positioned in a region of an outer end of the first armrest. Each second armrest has an integral molded second round cup-holder positioned in a region of an outer end of the second armrest. Each seat portion is contoured downwardly forming a seat depression. Each chair is dimensioned so that the chairs can be stacked on top of one another in nested fashion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a stackable chair, constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a stack of the stackable chairs according to the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top partial view of a plate-holder and a second cup-holder in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side partial view of the plate-holder and the second cup-holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side partial view of an alternative plate-holder; 
         FIG. 6  is a top partial view of a first cup-holder in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a side partial view of the first cup-holder of  FIG. 1   
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the preferred embodiments/best mode illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, and such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates are included. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the present preferred embodiment is a stackable chair for greater versatility. 
     As more particularly shown in  FIG. 1 , the stackable chair  10  of the present preferred embodiment is a one-piece, molded plastic, stackable upright patio or lawn chair, similar in design and construction to those found in common use throughout the country, but incorporating design features making the chair unique and far more useful and versatile than the standard chair. The stackable chair  10  features a first molded beverage or cup-holder  11 A built into the left-hand armrest  17  for receiving a cup  20 A and a plate-holder  12  built into the right-hand armrest  18  for holding a plate  21  along with a second molded beverage cup-holder  11 B also built into the right-hand armrest  18  for receiving a cup  20 B. Cups  20 A and  20 B could be different cups or the same cup placed in the second cup-holder  118  instead of the first cup-holder. 
     The stackable chair  10  of the present preferred embodiment is approximately three (3′) feet in height, with a width of two (2′) feet and a depth of two (2′) feet; a one-piece, injection-molded thermoplastic construction which is weatherproof and UV-resistant, sturdy and durable; a rounded or angular chair back  13  with stylish slats  14 , and a contoured, comfortable seat  15 . At the end  16  of the left armrest  17 , the stackable chair features the cup-holder  11 A or  11 B which is at least two (2″) inches but preferably four and one-half (4½″) inches in depth, with a width of at least two inches (2″) and preferably about three (3″) inches, and designated to hold a beer or soft-drink bottle or can, or a Styrofoam or plastic picnic cup  20 A or  20 B. 
     The chair&#39;s right armrest  18  molded plate-holder  12  is at least four (4″) inches but preferably six (6″) inches in diameter, and has a flat bottom and has a depth of at least (1″) inch but preferably two (2″) inches for accommodating and securing a paper, plastic, or Styrofoam picnic plate  21 . An edge of the plate-holder nearest a leading front edge of the right armrest is at least two inches (2″) rearwardly of a front of the right armrest. 
     Both of the cup-holders  11 A and  11 B, and the plate-holder  12 , are positioned laterally toward the outer sides of the two armrests. As to the plate-holder  12 , when viewed from the top as shown in  FIG. 3 , it may be observed that the central vertical axis  22  of the plate-holder  12  is outwardly of the longitudinal center line  24 B of the armrest  18  by at least one-half inch (½″) and preferably one inch (1″). And as to the cup-holders  11 A and  11 B, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , with respect to a longitudinal center line  24 A or  24 B of the armrest  17  or  18 , a central vertical axis  25 A or  25 B of the cup-holder  11 A or  11 B is outwardly offset by at least one-half (½″) inch from this longitudinal center line  24 A or  24 B. 
     The floor  39  of a plate holder  12  has a rain water drain hole  40 . Similarly the cup-holder  11 B has a rain water drain hole  41  in the floor  42  and the cup-holder  11 A has a rain water drain hole  43  in the floor  44 . 
     Alternatively, as shown in the side view of  FIG. 5 , the plate-holder may be a planar disc  26  as illustrated. It may have a diameter of at least four inches (4″) but preferably six inches (6″). 
       FIG. 4  is a side partial view of the plate-holder  12  and cup-holder  11 B of  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side partial view of the beverage holder  11 A of  FIGS. 1 and 6 . 
     It may be further noted that beneath the cup holder  11 A or  11 B is an integral conically tapered portion  27 A or  27 B integral with the cup-holder  11 A or  11 B. Said tapered portion  27 A or  27 B extends down to a bottom of the respective leg in tapering fashion as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The stackable chair can be produced in a variety of colors and finishes to suit the range of consumer taste. And, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the stackable chair  10  is shaped and dimensioned to be stackable to form a stack  100  for storage and transport, each chair nesting easily and securely atop the chair beneath it. 
     Preferably the stackable chair  10  is dimensioned so that when stacked, there is gap  28  between the front lower edge  29  of the upper adjacent chair and front upper edge  30  of the lower adjacent chair of no more than four inches (4″) and preferably of about two inches (2″). 
     The stackable chair  10  of the present preferred embodiment, which is a one-piece, molded plastic patio or lawn chair in which the armrests  17  and  18  have been designed to hold the disposable cups  20 A,  20 B, and plates  21 , presents a number of distinct and significant benefits and advantages. Foremost, the stackable chair  10  offers the same convenience, ease of storage and transport, and minimal expense that have made one-piece, molded plastic outdoor chairs so popular. But the drawback with all such chairs currently on the market, i.e., the lack of a place for food and drink, has been overcome with the design of the stackable chair. The chair does, in fact, hold everything that the outdoor sitter might need at a cook-out or barbecue, a community concert, or a firehouse or church supper because the chair gives the sitter a secure, ample cup-, can-, or bottle-holder  11 A or  11 B for the cup  20 A or  20 B in the left armrest  17  or in the right armrest  18 ; and the secure holder  12  for the paper or plastic picnic plate  21  in the right armrest  18 . The chair  10  not only provides a secure place for food and drink, but also is also stackable, for the convenient storage and transport qualities that have made one-piece molded chairs such a favorite. For household consumers, for catering companies, for bars and restaurants with outside seating, for church and community groups, schools, concert venues, the chair will appeal strongly, and very likely become the standard in affordable, stackable, outdoor seating. 
     The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications and alternative embodiments being possible. While the invention has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present invention. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein, may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which are disclosed herein.