Patent Abstract:
A method for enhancing sales of retired stadium seat cup holders by utilizing a bracket system, to mount and stabilize a stadium seat cup holder for use outside of the stadium, such as at home or in a commercial setting, with the addition of customization and personalization of the sports memorabilia.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present novel technology relates to sports memorabilia and, more specifically, to a bracket used as a method and apparatus for stable display of retired collectible stadium seat cup holders. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Over time, the collection of sports memorabilia has grown from a childhood hobby into a multi-billion dollar industry. Sports memorabilia, such as retired stadium seats and stadium seat cup holders that were once part of famous sports venues or arenas around the country, such as original BUSCH STADIUM® (BUSCH STADIUM is a registered trademark of Anheuser-Busch, Incorporated, a Missouri corporation, located as One Busch Place, St. Louis, Mo. 63118) (colloquially and hereinafter known as Old Busch Stadium), are now highly sought memorabilia by sports enthusiasts and/or collectors who wish to own a piece of sports history. 
         [0003]    While in service, stadium seat cup holders are typically mounted directly onto a stadium seat. Thus, when retired stadium seat cup holders are removed from a stadium or sports arena, the cup holders are generally not configured and shaped upright to stand on their own in a manner that would allow the generally cylindrically shaped receptacle to hold a beverage or other item. Retired stadium seat cup holders are thus of minimal functionality, and are generally not considered desirable or useful articles. Therefore, there is a need for an improved method of displaying retired stadium seat cup holders, while also increasing their marketing value through customization and personalization. The present novel technology addresses these needs. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a sports memorabilia stadium seat cup holder assembly according to a first embodiment of the present novel technology. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a second perspective view of the sports memorabilia stadium seat cup holder assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a sports memorabilia stadium seat cup holder assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a rear elevation view of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is a side sectional view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  schematically illustrates a kit embodiment including the embodiment of  FIG. 3  as separate pieces. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0012]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the novel technology and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments 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 novel technology is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the novel technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the novel technology relates. 
         [0013]    The present novel technology relates to a freestanding display assembly  10  for displaying a sports arena or like cup holder  20  previously affixed to stadium seats utilized in sports arenas, such as professional football or baseball stadiums, into a stand-alone memorabilia article that may be displayed and/or utilized as desired. The system  10  for displaying a stadium seat cup holder  20  that is generally inoperable outside of a sports arena includes a stabilizing bracket  25  having a generally circular or oval base portion  25 B and a back portion  25 A generally conformed to accept a stadium seat cup holder, to yield a free-standing cup holder assembly  10  for use and display outside of a stadium. In addition, the assembly  10  provides a method for enhancing the appearance and utility of cup holders  20  from retired stadium seats, enhancing and adding to the sport memorabilia aspect of the stadium seat cup holder  20 . In some embodiments, a personalized decal  30  typically indicating stadium of origin, as well as specific row and seat of origin, and/or self-authentication is connected to the cup holder  20 . This operates to provide enhanced utilization of the cup holder  20  in environments outside of a stadium or arena, such as a restaurant, office, or residence. 
         [0014]      FIGS. 1-7  illustrate a first embodiment of the present novel technology, a sports memorabilia stadium seat cup holder bracket  25  connected to a cup holder  20  once permanently affixed, or removably secured, to a stadium seat. The freestanding display system  10  generally includes a cup holder  20 , a generally “L”-shaped bracket  25  consisting of a horizontal base  25 B and an orthogonally disposed vertical side member  25 A, a plurality of bolts  35  for engaging the bracket  25  with the cup holder  20 , and a typically removably secured, or, in the alternate, permanently affixed informational decal  30 . The sports memorabilia stadium seat cup holder assembly  10  may consist of a universal bracket system  50  designed to convert the bracket  25  into the appropriate configuration for use with a variety of stadium seat cup holder  20  configurations. Alternatively, the sports memorabilia stadium seat cup holder assembly  10  may be part of a kit  100  comprising of at least one cup holder  20 , a mounting bracket  25  sized and shaped to fit the cup holder  20  and generally having an “L”-shape (as illustrated and discussed herein) and at least one fastener  35  sized and adapted for securing the bracket  25  to the cup holder  20 , although the fastener  35  may be sized and adapted to secure the cup holder  20  and bracket  25  to an alternate source. Although not inclusive, and in no way restrictive, utilizing the bracket assembly  10  in conjunction with retired stadium seat cup holders  20  enables memorabilia cup holders  20  to be used in a restaurant, to hold condiments and/or menus, in an office or home to hold beverages, and/or office supplies such as pens/pencils and/or paperclips, and/or in conjunction with an insert placed inside the generally cylindrically shaped drink receptacle  65  to enable a baseball or other sports article to be displayed, although any convenient use or setting may be utilized. 
         [0015]    Typically, the sports memorabilia stadium seat cup holder bracket  10  which receives and securely affixes to the stadium seat cup holder  20 , is typically made out of metal, although any convenient structural material may be selected, and is generally shaped and adapted to span the base of a standard stadium seat cup holder  20  as well as the vertical back portion of a standard stadium seat cup holder  20 , although any conveniently sized and/or shaped bracket may be utilized. The bracket&#39;s  25  orthogonally disposed vertical side member  25 A and horizontal base  25 B is generally “L”-shaped with the vertical side member  25 A meeting the horizontal base  25 B at typically a 90° angle, although the two portions of the bracket  25  may intersect at any angle or point. The horizontal base portion  25 B typically includes a pliable foot pad  27 , such as a rubber or polymer sheet. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , and  FIG. 6 , the bracket&#39;s  25  orthogonally disposed vertical side member  25 A is shaped and segmented into three portions to generally conform to one common shape of sports memorabilia cup holders  20 . The vertical side member  25 A consists of a generally flat central portion  42  and two portions  43  extending therefrom at about a 20° angle to the outer edges of the cup holder  20 . In an alternate embodiment, the orthogonally disposed vertical side member (not shown) may lie flush against a generally flat backed cup holder  20 . In any embodiment, the bracket  25  may be flush with the cup holder  20 , or it may include space between the bracket  25  and the cup holder  20  to allow an item to be placed between the two parts. 
         [0017]    To enhance the marketing value of the memorabilia stadium seat cup holder  10 , the cup holder  20  may include a personalized decal  30  that may be removably attached or permanently affixed, and may memorialize a specific stadium, specific player, specific team, and/or a specific date. Additionally, the decal  30  may be personalized even further to represent the purchaser, such as the purchaser&#39;s name, the date of a game they went to, the stadium of their favorite team, and/or any other information selected. Typically, the personalized decal  30  may be made out of decorative medal or a vinyl film comprised of a first and second side, whereon the second side contains an adhesive to attach the vinyl to the cup holder  20 , although any convenient material may be selected. In addition, the personalized decal  30  may be in any size or shape, may be located anywhere convenient on the memorabilia stadium seat cup holder  10 , and may be engraved, printed, or embossed, although any convenient form of printing may be utilized. 
         [0018]    While the novel technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the novel technology are desired to be protected.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6