Combination seat cushion and cheering aid

This invention is a combination seat cushion for use for example at sporting events or contests. A hand hole is provided which makes the cushion convenient to carry to and from a sporting or other event. In order to demonstrate enthusiasm for a particular contestant or team, the item is held overhead for use as a portable, handheld display sign or billboard. An imprint might be used for showing support for a particular race car and driver. The faces of the cushion may be imprinted with insignia of a team such as a university or professional football team. An imprint might be used to show support for a ball team. An alternate embodiment has a hand hole adapted to receive a beverage cup. An alternate embodiment is useful for display of a long word or a series of words wherein the long dimensions of the cushion and display are horizontal. Another alternate embodiment is elongated for use by two or more users.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. The Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to the field of portable seat cushion which also 
serve the purpose of a cheering aid, and portable hand held billboard, 
also an embodiment serves in addition as a beverage holder. 
2. Related Prior Art 
The Related Prior Art In U.S. Pat. No. 4,441,271 issued to Earl Hutchinson 
teaches the use of a portable seat cushion, pennant and noisemaker 
combination comprising a foldable carrying case having two separate 
pockets folding one over the other, a block of cushioning material in each 
of the pockets each of the blocks of cushioning material including display 
features thereon and surface areas capable of producing an audible sound 
when slapped together. Hutchinson also teaches the use of the seat 
cushions as pennants when held in the user's hands. No hand hole provision 
is provided. 
The Related Prior Art In U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,728 issued to Kerry L. Lake 
teaches the use of a Pillow with central aperture. Embodiments are 
illustrated for bed pillows for supporting the user's head while sleeping. 
These embodiments have apertures extending through the pillows for the 
purpose of relieving pressure on the user's face and ears. The proportions 
and illustrations would not be adaptable to the use of these apertures as 
hand holds, since even an adult's hand would not reach around any portion 
of the pillow adjacent the aperture. 
The Related Prior Art In U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,241 issued to Ronald J. Geraci 
teaches the use of a pair of flexible enclosures joined by flexible means 
and a handle attached to the flexible means for facilitating the carrying 
of the cushion apparatus. The insignia illustrated would right side up 
when carrying the apparatus while walking or standing. The handle is 
attached to the flexible means. It is obvious to a person of ordinary 
skill that the cushions could not be held above the head with the user's 
arm extended upwardly. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A combination seat cushion and cheering aid and portable outdoor billboard 
comprising a resilient cushion having an obverse or front face and a 
reverse face, each of the faces bounded by an edge, a hand hole of 
generally rectangular shape extending through the faces of the cushion, 
the hole positioned near the edge and adapted to receive a user's hand for 
gripping the cushion and insignia oriented with the bottom side of the 
insignia toward the hand hole. The cushion is of generally rectangular 
shape, the edges having longer and shorter sides. The hand hole may be 
convoluted to receive the user's fingers for gripping the cushion. An 
alternate embodiment is also a beverage holder. Another alternate 
embodiment is adapted for simultaneous use by two or more persons.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
This invention is a combination seat cushion for use, for example, at 
sporting events or contests. The hand hole makes the cushion convenient to 
carry to and from the event. In order to demonstrate enthusiasm for a 
particular contestant or team, the item is held overhead for use as a 
display sign. The user may place the cushion on the seat for comfort while 
seated. When the user desires to stand and cheer, the seat cushion may be 
grasped at the hand hole and raised above the user's head to show the 
insignia properly oriented, right side up and readable as a cheering aid, 
portable outdoor or indoor billboard to cheer on a contestant or team and 
to show support for the contestant or team to the others attending the 
event, or for advertising. 
FIG. 1 illustrates the cushion 10 from the edge to show the configuration 
of the cushion as adaptable for use as a cushion. The cushion is 
preferably of a resilient foam construction with a smooth impervious 
integral surface that prevents absorption of water or other liquids in 
case of rain or spillage of a beverage. 
FIG. 2 illustrates the imprint as might be used for showing support, for 
example, for a particular race car and driver. The faces of the cushion 
may be imprinted with insignia of a team such as a university or 
professional football team. The "4" imprint 12 could be the car number of 
a driver "Charlie." An encouraging statement 14 could be imprinted. These 
insignia could also be used to encourage a football, baseball or hockey 
player with the appropriate player number and name. A hand hole 16 
provides the means to hold the cushion overhead,with the insignia right 
side up, and readable, while cheering for the individual or team the user 
wishes to encourage. The hand hole of generally rectangular shape, but 
preferably provided with depressions 18, 20, 22 and 24 provided for the 
user's fingers to provide a secure grip on the cushion. The depressions 
are preferred, but are optional and are not necessary to the invention. 
The hand hole may also be of oval, semicircular, semioval or other shape, 
so long as the size and shape facilitate grasping of the cushion with the 
user's fingers positioned through the hand hole. Orientation of the 
insignia is with the bottom of the insignia toward the hand hole, so the 
insignia is right side up, and readable, while the cushion is held 
overhead with the user's uplifted arm. Other spectators and possibly the 
contestant being cheered may see the insignia indicating support for the 
individual or team indicated by the insignia. 
DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment 26 of the invention with an imprint 28 as 
might be used to show support for a ball team. In use, specific names of 
school, college, university and professional teams could be used. The hand 
hole 30 is the same as hand hole 16 described in FIG. 2. 
FIG. 4 is an edge view of an alternate embodiment 32. 
FIG. 5 is an obverse or front face view of the alternate embodiment 32 of 
FIG. 4, and illustrates an embodiment which is useful for display of a 
long insignia or word 34 or a series of words where the long dimension of 
the display is desired to be horizontal. In this embodiment, which is 
generally rectangular with two longer and two shorter sides, the hand hole 
36 is positioned near the center of a long side of the cushion. Hand hole 
36 is the same as hand hole 16 described in FIG. 2. Orientation of the 
insignia is with the bottom of the insignia 34 toward the hand hole 36, so 
the insignia is right side up, and readable, while the cushion is held 
overhead with the user's uplifted arm. 
FIGS. 6, 8, and 9 illustrate an alternate embodiment 38 which is useful as 
a cushion and a cheering aid as embodiments described hereinbefore. FIG. 6 
illustrates an embodiment which has the hand hole 40 enlarged at 42 so as 
to accept a disposable beverage cup 44 as illustrated in FIG. 8. Since 
disposable beverage cups are usually tapered, a hole width intermediate 
the smaller and larger diameters of the beverage cup will support a 
typical beverage cup. An insignia 39, is positioned and oriented so that 
is seen right side up and readable when held overhead by a user. Referring 
to FIG. 7, the cushion 45 has hand hole 46 illustrated as an oval shape, 
and an insignia 43, positioned and oriented so that is seen right side up 
and readable when held overhead by a user. The hand hole 46 is sized 
across the small dimension so as to accept and support a typical size 
disposable beverage cup. FIG. 8 illustrates the cushion 48 and the use of 
alternate embodiments 38 or 45 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively. FIG. 
9 shows a seat 50 and cushion 45 in place on the seat. The hand hole 46 is 
positioned so the user can place a beverage container in the hand hole 46. 
The user's hands are then free from holding the beverage container so the 
user can pay for beverages and/or food. Both the user's hands are then 
free to eat food or for other purposes. 
Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, an elongated cushion 52 may be used as a 
cushion for two or more people on a bench type seat. A cheering aid 
insignia 54 is placed on the cushion. Hand holes 56 and 58 aid in holding 
the cushion overhead to show support for a participant in the event, or to 
convey a message or advertisement. 
Referring to FIG. 12, an oval shape combination cheering aid and cushion 58 
is illustrated. This embodiment has insignia and a hand hole as described 
hereinbefore. 
Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, an alternate embodiment 60 is shown which is 
also a beverage holder in addition to being a combination cushion and 
cheering aid. FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate an improved combination beverage 
holder, cushion and cheering aid 60. A beverage holder insert is shown 
generally at 62. The insert 62 has a top ring 64 which seats in a molded 
receptacle 66 molded in the cushion 60. The insert 62 has a bottom 68 of 
rigid material such as plastic. The ring 64 and bottom 68 are connected by 
a flexible sleeve 70. 
Referring to FIGS. 15, 16, 17 and 18, cushion 69 which is still another 
embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Tabs 70 illustrated in the 
referenced Figures are provided, extending from as far as the boundary 72 
in FIGS. 15 and 17. The tabs 70 extend into the hand hole 75. A slot 73 
separates and defines the tabs 70 to allow flexibility of the tabs 70. A 
beverage cup or can 74 may be pushed into hand hole as illustrated in 
FIGS. 17 and 18. Tabs 70 are deformed as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 to 
grip and hold the beverage container, to free the user's hands. The 
embodiment can have a single tab extending into the hand hole, or two tabs 
70 as shown in FIGS. 15 through 18. The tab or tabs 70 should desirably be 
positioned to interfere with a 2 inch diameter container, to grip this 
size cup or can. The tab or tabs should desirably be long enough to 
deflect and allow insertion of a 3 inch diameter container. Some larger 
containers such as coffee mugs and larger plastic soft drink bottles may 
be as large as 4 inches in diameter and should be accommodated in some 
models. 
USE OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is useful as a 
cushion to be carried to sporting events such as football, baseball, car 
races and the like. The cushion can be carried easily with a convenient 
hand hole. The invention may be used easily as a cushion in the 
conventional manner. When the user desires to cheer for a particular 
participant in the sporting event, the user may stand and grasp the 
cushion with the hand hole and hold the cushion overhead, where the 
insignia will be positioned to read correctly to others present at the 
event. Experimental cushions have been manufactured on order of the 
inventor and have been received enthusiastically by people who have the 
invention as tests at sporting events. 
USE OF THE ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS 
The alternate embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 is used in the same 
manner as the preferred embodiment, except that the hand hole is 
positioned to orient the cushion with a the long dimension in a horizontal 
attitude, allowing a long insignia to be positioned so as to be read with 
the insignia with the right side up, and readable, when the cushion is 
held overhead by the user. 
The alternate embodiments as in FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are useful as 
combination cushions and cheering aids as the embodiments illustrated in 
FIGS. 1 through 5. These embodiments are useful in addition as beverage 
holders. These embodiments each have a hand hole with an enlarged minimum 
dimension adapted to accept a beverage cup 44 so the invention also can 
act as a beverage holder. In use, the user of a cushion such as 38 or 45 
could place the cushion on a seat as illustrated in FIG. 9. The user would 
desirably wear pants, or in case of a female user, she could possibly wear 
a short skirt. A beverage cup 44 could be placed in the hand hole 40, or 
46 in case of use of a cushion 38 or 45. As the user sits on the cushion 
with the hand hole positioned between the user's legs, the hand hole 
provides a convenient receptacle for a beverage cup. The inventor has 
determined that the hand hole desirably has a minimum dimension in the 
range of substantially 2 inches to substantially 2.5 inches whereby the 
beverage cup 44 may be supported while the cushion is positioned in a 
substantially horizontal plane, as when the cushion is placed on a seat as 
illustrated in FIG. 9. A cup holder insert may be inserted in the hand 
hole which to accept and support a wide range of sizes of beverage cups. 
The alternate embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 may be rolled up as 
illustrated in FIG. 11. A strap may be used to hold the cushion in a roll 
to be conveniently carried to the site of use. The cushion may then be 
unrolled and placed on a stadium seat or the like to serve as a cushion 
for two or more people. When it is desired to use the cushion as a 
cheering aid, the users can stand and hold the cushion overhead to signify 
support for a participant in the event. In addition, the cushion is also 
useful on a picnic table, as for example at a park for a picnic. 
Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the cushion 52 may be rolled for convenience 
to carry a cushion for at least two people to the destination. A strap 
(not shown) may be used to hold the cushion in a roll as illustrated in 
FIG. 11. At the destination, the cushion may be unrolled and placed on a 
bench type seat for the use and comfort of two or more users. When 
desired, the users may stand and two or more users can lift the cushion 
overhead to signify support for a participant in the event. In addition, 
the cushion is also useful on a picnic table, for example at a park for a 
picnic. Average bench width occupied by people is about 18 inches. A 
single cushion of about 15 inches length will serve comfortably for one 
person. A cushion for two people would need to be at least substantially 
30 inches in length to provide a cushion for two people seated side by 
side. The front to back dimension of a cushion can be as little as about 8 
inches to provide a reasonably comfortable cushion that is still small 
enough to carry conveniently. 
Referring to FIGS. 15, 16, 17 and 18, there is shown still another 
embodiment of the invention. One or more tabs should be provided for 
interference with and to grip various sizes beverage containers. The user 
can place the cushion in the seat with the hand hole in front of the user, 
between the user's legs. The user can place a beverage container in the 
hand hole and push down to deflect the tab or tabs 70 which will exert 
enough force against the container to support the container. The user can 
simply grasp the container and pull upwardly to drink from the container, 
or to dispose of the container. 
For purposes of this specification, insignia comprise advertising, one or 
more words designating the individual or team being supported, one or more 
slogans and one or more drawings including logotypes, advertisements, or 
pictorial representations of mascots and the like; and combinations of one 
or more of the foregoing. For purposes of this specification, beverage cup 
comprises cups, mugs, cans, bottles and other kinds of beverage 
containers. 
This specification includes a combination seat cushion and cheering aid 
comprising a resilient cushion having an obverse i.e. front face and a 
reverse face, each of the faces bounded by an edge, an elongate hand hole 
extending through the faces of the cushion, the hole positioned near the 
edge and adapted to receive a user's hand for gripping the cushion, 
insignia on at least one of the faces oriented with the bottom side of the 
insignia toward the hand hole. I include the feature wherein the cushion 
which is of generally rectangular shape, the edges having two longer and 
two shorter sides. A variation includes the hand hole is being convoluted 
as shown in FIG. 2 to receive the user's fingers for gripping the cushion. 
The hand hole may be positioned near the midpoint of one of the shorter 
side, to have a tall cheering aid. The hand hole may also be positioned 
near the midpoint of one of the longer sides. The hand hole may be 
positioned near the midpoint of one of the longer sides. This provides a 
wide format sign for a long word or drawing in the insignia. The insignia 
may be provided on each of the faces, the insignia oriented with the 
bottom side of the insignia toward the hand hole on each face. Combination 
seat cushions and cheering aids with insignia oriented with the hand hole 
below the makes the cheering aid effective and convenient for grasping the 
cushion with the user's fingers in the hand hole and holding the cushion 
over the user's head. The insignia is right side up when applied according 
to this invention. FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 10 illustrate insignia 
containing words and numbers. The insignia are illustrated right side up 
as defined for purposes of this specification. Therefore, the bottom of 
the insignia is positioned nearest the hand hole, by definition for 
purposes of this specification. The hand holes illustrated in FIGS. 2 
through 7 illustrate insignia which will be positioned right side up, and 
therefore readable, when the cushion is grasped by the hand in the hand 
hole and held overhead by the user. 
FIG. 12 is another embodiment of the invention utilizing an oval shape. 
FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a combination beverage holder, cushion and 
cheering aid. The additional feature of this embodiment is the insert 62 
which can support a small or large beverage cup. The advantage is that a 
support is provided for the bottom of a cup in a wide range of dimensions. 
The insert supports a beverage container on the bottom 68 in the insert 
62. The flexible sleeve 70 can collapse to allow easy stacking or 
transportation of the cushion. 
FIGS. 15, 16, 17 and 18 illustrate a combination beverage holder, cushion 
and cheering aid. The integral flexible tabs 70 are of sufficient 
cantilevered dimension and reduced thickness compared to the cushion to 
provide the flexibility to deform easily enough to deform easily when a 
paper or plastic cup or aluminum can is pushed into the hand hole to 
deform the tabs 70 as illustrated in FIG. 18. The tabs must be of 
sufficient strength to grip and support the beverage container. 
Even though several embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in 
the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing Description it 
will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments 
disclosed, but is capable of rearrangements, modifications, and 
substitutions and reversals of parts and elements without departing from 
the spirit of the invention.