Patent ID: 12251022

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved seating device. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a fence seat device that can be secured to a fence and can remain secured, such that a user need not bring their own chair to a sporting event. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a fence seat device that can be stored on a fence when not in use.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a fence seat device preferably comprised of a base with at least one track that attaches to a fence and a seat with at least one leg. In said preferred (first) embodiment, the device is comprised of a base that can be fixedly or removably attached to a fence (wherein the fence is preferably a chain link fence) with at least one fastener located on the base that allows the device to be suspended from the fence during use and while stored such that the device can remain on the fence while not in use and need not to be transported.

The front surface of the base is comprised of a padding that functions as the backrest of the generally chair-like shape formed by the device in the preferred embodiment. The base is further comprised of at least one track. In the preferred embodiment, the base has two parallel tracks on the left and right edges of the base which allow the first arm to move up/down on the track to allow the device to fold/deploy. A first folding arm is preferably attached to the track via at least one hinge point. The first folding arm is then attached to the second folding arm via at least one hinge point. The second folding arm further attaches to the seat via at least one hinge point. The seat attaches to the base via at least one hinge.

The bottom surface of the seat is further comprised of at least one leg assembly comprised of an outer body and at least one inner body positioned within the outer body. The inner body is further comprised of at least one foot that contacts a ground surface. In one embodiment, the inner body is telescopic (and can be locked at a certain length via at least one locking mechanism) such that the length of the leg can be lengthened or shortened as necessary to accommodate the base being secured to a fence at differing heights. During use, the leg contacts the ground and provides additional stability to the seat.

In a second embodiment, the base has no padding (backrest). The second arm also attaches to a secondary anchor point. The anchor point is comprised of at least one fastener that further secures the device to a fence (preferably a chain link fence) during use. In contrast to the first embodiment, the second embodiment allows a user to look through a fence instead of looking away from a fence and does not form a generally chair-like structure.

Accordingly, the fence seat device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved seating device that can be secured to a fence and can remain secured, such that a user need not bring their own chair to a sporting event. Further, the device can be stored on a fence when not in use. In this manner, the fence seat device overcomes the limitations of existing methods of seating at sporting events known in the art.

Referring initially to the drawings,FIG.1illustrates a perspective view of a first potential embodiment of a fence seat device100of the present invention while attached to a fence10and deployed in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In the preferred embodiment, the device100is comprised of a base110with at least one track130that attaches to a fence10and a seat170with at least one leg180. In the preferred embodiment, all components of the device are preferably manufactured from a durable metal such as, but not limited to, stainless steel, aluminum or a rigid plastic material such as, but not limited to, acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low-density polyethylene, medium-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, recycled plastic, biodegradable plastic, etc.

In the preferred (first) embodiment, the device100is comprised of a base110. The base110is fixedly or removably attached to a fence10(wherein the fence10is preferably a chain link fence) with at least one fastener112located on the base110. In differing embodiments, the fastener112may be any fastener type known in the art such as, but not limited to, a hook, a loop, a strap, a locking fastener, a magnet, a clip, a groove, a clasp, a tie, etc. The fastener112allows the device100to be suspended from the fence10during use and while stored, such that the device100can remain on the fence10while not in use and need not to be transported.

The front surface120of the base110is comprised of a padding122that functions as the backrest of the generally chair-like shape formed by the device100in the preferred embodiment. The padding122is preferably a foam material such as, but not limited to, polyurethane foam, polyester foam, ethafoam, memory foam, lux foam, rebond foam, latex foam, etc., that is waterproof and/or UV resistant to withstand outdoor weather.

In the preferred embodiment, the base110is square or rectangular in shape. However, the base110may be any shape in differing embodiments. The base110is further comprised of at least one track130. In the preferred embodiment, the base110has two parallel tracks130on the left and right edges of the base110which allow the first arm140to move up/down on the track130to allow the device100to fold/deploy. A first folding arm140is preferably attached to the track130via at least one hinge point160. The first folding arm140is then attached to the second folding arm150via at least one hinge point160. The hinge point160may be a rivet, a pivot pin, or any hinge or pin type known in the art.

The second folding arm150further attaches to the seat170via at least one hinge point160. It should be appreciated that the hinge points160allow the arms140,150and seat170to articulate within a 90-degree range of motion. The second folding arm150preferably attaches to the side surface172of the seat170. The top surface174and front surface176of the seat170are preferably made from a foam material such as, but not limited to, polyurethane foam, polyester foam, ethafoam, memory foam, lux foam, rebond foam, latex foam, etc., that is waterproof and/or UV resistant to withstand outdoor weather. The seat170may be any shape but is preferably square or rectangular.

The seat170attaches to the base110via at least one hinge192. The hinge192allows the seat170to move within a range of motion 90-degrees relative to the base110. The hinge192may be any hinge type known in the art such as, but not limited to, an offset blind hinge, a knuckle hinge, a butt hinge, a rising butt hinge, a gravity pivot hinge, a ball bearing hinge, a barrel hinge, a concealed hinge, a knife hinge, a piano hinge, a strap hinge, a pivot hinge, a gas-piston hinge, an injection molded hinge, a locking hinge, etc. In the deployed position, the seat170is perpendicular to the base110to form a generally chair-like structure. The hinge points160may further lock to secure the device100into this position.

The bottom surface178of the seat170is further comprised of at least one leg assembly180. The leg assembly180is comprised of an outer body182and at least one inner body184positioned within the outer body182. The inner body184is further comprised of at least one foot185that contacts a ground surface. In one embodiment, the inner body184is telescopic (and can be locked at a certain length via at least one locking mechanism188), such that the length of the leg180can be lengthened or shortened as necessary to accommodate the base110being secure to a fence10at differing heights. The leg180contacts the ground and provides additional stability to the seat170. The leg180is preferably attached to the bottom surface178via at least one hinge186such as, but not limited to, an offset blind hinge, a knuckle hinge, a butt hinge, a rising butt hinge, a gravity pivot hinge, a ball bearing hinge, a barrel hinge, a concealed hinge, a knife hinge, a piano hinge, a strap hinge, a pivot hinge, a gas-piston hinge, an injection molded hinge, a locking hinge, etc. In one embodiment, the leg180has a generally U-shaped outer body182and has two inner bodies184, each with at least one foot185.

FIG.2illustrates a perspective view of a first potential embodiment of a fence seat device100of the present invention while attached to a fence10and while stored in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device100can be secured in a folded position via at least one lock190. The lock190may be any lock type known in the art such as, but not limited to, a clasp, a locking bar, a latch, a magnet, etc. To use the device100, a user folds down the seat170, folds down the legs180, and then sits on the seat170and against the base110.

FIG.3illustrates a perspective view of a second potential embodiment of a fence seat device100of the present invention while attached to a fence10and deployed in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device100may also have a second embodiment200of differing construction. The second embodiment200is comprised of at least one, but preferably two base members210. In the preferred embodiment, the base members210are parallel and are fixedly or removably attached to a fence10(wherein the fence10is preferably a chain link fence) with at least one fastener212located on the base110. In differing embodiments, the fastener212may be any fastener type known in the art such as, but not limited to, a hook, a loop, a strap, a locking fastener, a magnet, a clip, a groove, a clasp, a tie, etc. The fastener212allows the device100to be suspended from the fence10during use and while stored.

In the preferred embodiment, the base210is square or rectangular in shape. However, the base210may be any shape in differing embodiments. The base210is further comprised of at least one track220. In the preferred embodiment, the base210has two parallel tracks220, each positioned on one of each parallel base210which allows the first arm230to move up/down on the track220to allow the device200to fold/deploy. A first folding arm230is preferably attached to the track220via at least one hinge point250. The first folding arm230is then attached to the second folding arm240via at least one hinge point250. The hinge point250may be a rivet, a pivot pin, or any hinge or pin type known in the art.

The second folding arm240further attaches to the seat270via at least one hinge point250. It should be appreciated that the hinge points250allow the arms230,240and seat270to articulate within a 90-degree range of motion. The second folding arm240preferably attaches to the side surface272of the seat270. The top surface280and front surface282of the seat270are preferably made from a foam material such as, but not limited to, polyurethane foam, polyester foam, ethafoam, memory foam, lux foam, rebond foam, latex foam, etc. that is waterproof and/or UV resistant to withstand outdoor weather. The seat270may be any shape but is preferably square or rectangular.

The second arm240also attaches to a secondary anchor point260. The anchor point260is comprised of at least one fastener212that further secures the device100to a fence10(preferably a chain link fence) during use. In contrast to the first embodiment, the second embodiment200allows a user to look through a fence10instead of looking away from a fence10, as seen inFIG.4.

FIG.5illustrates a perspective view of a second potential embodiment of a fence seat device100of the present invention while attached to a fence10and while stored in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device200can be secured in a folded position via at least one lock290. The lock290may be any lock type known in the art such as, but not limited to, a clasp, a locking bar, a latch, a magnet, etc. To use the device100, a user folds down the seat270and then sits on the seat270between the seat270and the fence10.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “fence seat device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the fence seat device100,200of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the fence seat device100of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the fence seat device100as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the fence seat device100are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the fence seat device100are important design parameters for user convenience, the fence seat device100may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.