US20190298080A1

US20190298080A1 - Portable Bleacher Seat

Info

Publication number: US20190298080A1
Application number: US16/131,267
Authority: US
Inventors: Anna Coleman; Anthony Coleman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-04-03
Filing date: 2018-09-14
Publication date: 2019-10-03

Abstract

A portable bleacher seat designed to restrain a child sitting in a bleacher. The portable bleacher seat has a folding seat with a seat member and a back member. The seat member is a rectangular prism with an upper surface opposite a lower surface and a front side opposite a rear side, with a fastener on the lower surface designed to secure to a bleacher. The back member is pivotally connected to the rear side of the seat member and can selectively pivot between a closed and open position. The back member is perpendicular to the seat member when in the open position. A tray is removably affixed to the folding seat with a gap created between the tray and the folding seat. The gap is configured to receive a child therein. In this way, a user is able to restrain a child at an event with bleacher seating.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/651,837 filed on Apr. 3, 2018. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable bleacher seats. More specifically, the invention provides a foldable seat configured to secure to a bleacher, wherein the foldable seat can selectively pivot between a closed and open position.
Many parents enjoy bringing their young children to sporting events, concerts, or parks, where the customer is required to sit on a bleacher. However, sitting on a bleacher can be dangerous for young children, as they may fall and hurt themselves. The child may also become easily bored, thus disturbing the other individuals seated around them. Unfortunately, many children's seating options do not include a means of securing the child safely to a bleacher. Thus, an improved portable bleacher seat that can safely restrain a child to a bleacher is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of bleacher seats now present in the known art, the present invention provides a portable bleacher seat wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when desiring to restrain a child at an event with bleacher seating.
The present system comprises a portable bleacher seat. The portable bleacher seat comprises a folding seat, having a seat member and a back member, wherein the seat member has a front side disposed opposite a rear side and two sidewalls disposed therebetween with an upper surface disposed opposite a lower surface such that a rectangular prism is formed. A fastener is disposed on the lower surface of the seat member and configured to secure the seat member to a bleacher. The back member is pivotally connected to the rear side of the seat member, wherein the back member can selectively pivot between a closed position and an open position. The back member is oriented perpendicular to the seat member when in the open position. A tray is removably affixed to the folding seat such that a gap is created between the tray and the folding seat, such that the gap is configured to receive an individual, such as a child, therein. In this way, a user is able to restrain a child at an event with bleacher seating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1A shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of the portable bleacher seat affixed to a bleacher.

FIG. 1B shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of the portable bleacher seat folded.

FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the portable bleacher seat affixed to a bleacher.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the portable bleacher seat in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the portable bleacher seat. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, there are shown front perspective views of the portable bleacher seat affixed to a bleacher and the portable bleacher seat folded, respectively. A portable bleacher seat 10 comprises a folding seat having a seat member 14 and a back member 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the portable bleacher seat 10 further comprises a foldable frame configured to receive the folding seat therein. The foldable frame has a back support 11 configured to support the back member 13 and a seat support 12 configured to support the seat member 14. In the shown embodiment of FIG. 1B, the foldable frame is illustrated in a folded position, such that the back support 11 is positioned flush against the seat support 12.
The back member 13 is pivotally connected to a rear portion of the seat member 14. The back member 13 can selectively pivot between a closed position and an open position. In the shown embodiment of FIG. 1A, the back member 13 is illustrated in the open position, wherein the back member 13 is oriented perpendicular to the seat member 14. The back member 13 has a front surface and a rear surface wherein the rear surface of the back member 13 is flush against the back support 11.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, a harness 22 is disposed on the front surface of the back member 13, wherein the harness 22 is configured to secure a torso of an individual therein. The harness 22 comprises a plurality of straps configured to tighten, such that the harness 22 is adjustable for a plurality of users. Additionally, the harness 22 comprises a clip fastener 23, such that the individual can be first placed within the folding seat and the harness 22 fastened around them.
The portable bleacher seat 10 further comprises a protective cover 20. configured to removably affix to the back support 11. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the protective cover 20 is affixed to a top edge of the back support 11 and affixed to the opposing side edges of the back support 11. The protective cover 20 is configured to clip onto the sides and top of the back support, such that an individual can easily remove it. The protective cover 20 is configured to provide shade to a user seated in the folding seat.
The seat member 14 comprises an upperface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface is flush against the seat support 12 of the foldable frame. The upper surface of the seat member 14 is configured to receive the buttocks and lower torso of the s and is composed of a cushion, memory foam, or other suitably comfortable material. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat member 14 is rectangularly shaped.
A sidearm 17 is disposed on either side of the seat member 14, such that each sidearm 17 is aligned with the respective side of the seat member 14. In this way, each sidearm 17 is configured to support an arm of an individual seated in the portable bleacher seat 10. Each sidearm 17 is disposed at a height configured to allow the user to rest an arm comfortably atop each sidearm 17. Both sidearms 17 are aligned with one another, such that both are disposed at the same height. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, each sidearm 17 is pivotally affixed to the back support 11, such that each sidearm 17 is configured to rotate between a storage position, wherein each sidearm 17 is disposed flush with the back support 11, and a deployed position, when rotated ninety degrees.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, each sidearm 17 further comprises a slanted support 16. In this way, the slanted support 16 acts as an additional support beam to provide further stability to the sidearm 17. The slanted supports 16 include a first end affixed to the sidearms 17 and a second end affixed to the seat support 12. In one embodiment, the slanted supports 16 are permanently affixed to the sidearms 17 and seat support 12. However in the shown embodiment the slanted supports 16 are removably affixed to the sidearms 17 and pivotally affixed to the seat support 12. In this way, the sidearms 17 and the slanted supports 16 are configured to fold such that each slanted support 16 is flush with the seat support 12 and each sidearm 17 is flush with the back support 13.
The portable bleacher seat 10 further comprises a tray 18. The tray 18 is planar, such that items such as food can be placed thereupon. In the illustrated embodiment, the tray 18 further comprises a lip around a perimeter of the tray 18, wherein the lip is configured to prevent any items placed on the tray 18 from accidentally falling off. In the shown embodiment, an aperture 19 is disposed on the tray 18. The aperture 19 is circularly shaped and configured to accept a drink or other cylindrical object therethrough. In this way, a user can place a drink therein the aperture 19.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, the tray 18 is slidably disposed over the sidearms 17. In this way, the tray 18 is retractable such that it is configured to slide away from the back member 13 to produce a gap between the tray 18 and the back member 13. The gap is configured to receive an individual therein. Thereby, when the tray 18 is retracted and an individual is placed within the gap and seated upon the seat member 14, the individual can be secured with the harness 22. The tray 18 is pivotally secured on the sidearms 17, such that the tray 18 can be rotated ninety degrees to sit flush against the back member 13 when the user wishes to fold the portable bleacher seat 10. In the shown embodiment, the tray 18 is additionally configured to pivot such that the tray 18 can slide along the slanted supports 16.
The portable bleacher seat 10 further comprises a strap fastener 15 configured to wrap around a bleacher, such that the portable bleacher seat 10 can be secured to the bleacher. The strap fastener 15 is disposed on the lower surface of the seat support 12, such that it is disposed flush against a surface of the bleacher. In the illustrated embodiment, the strap fastener 15 is configured to secure around the bleacher through a hook and loop fastener, however in other embodiments, other suitably secure fasteners are used.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the portable bleacher seat affixed to a bleacher. A rear end 25 of the strap fastener connects the seat member of the portable bleacher seat to the bleacher. In the illustrated embodiment, portable bleacher seat further comprises a handle 28 permanently affixed to a rear surface of the back support 11. The handle 28 is configured to be gripped by a user, such that the user can easily carry the portable bleacher seat by grasp the handle 28.
Additionally, a carrying strap 29 is disposed on the rear surface of the back support 11. The carrying strap 29 allows a user who is unable to effectively grasp the handle 28 to still easily transport the portable bleacher seat by placing the carrying strap 29 over the user's shoulder. The carrying strap 29 is permanently affixed to the rear surface of the back support 11 through at least one fastener 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the carrying strap 29 is secured at each end through a D-ring fastener 30 permanently affixed to the rear surface of the back support 11.
The portable bleacher seat further comprises at least one pouch. In the shown embodiment, a back pouch 26, having an opening 27 at one end, is disposed on the rear surface of the back support 11. The back pouch opening 27 is disposed proximal to a top edge of the back support 11, such that when the portable bleacher seat is open and the back support 11 is upright, items disposed within the back pouch 26 do not fall out. The back pouch 26 has a mesh surface in the illustrated embodiment, such that an individual can see what is in the back pouch 26 without opening it.
In the illustrated embodiment, the portable bleacher seat further comprises a side pouch 21 disposed along each sidearm. Each side pouch 21 is removably secured to the respective sidearm the side pouch 21 is disposed along. Each side pouch 21 further comprises an opening 24, thereby allowing a user additional storage. In the shown embodiment, the side pouches 21 are also composed of a mesh material, such that an individual can see the contents without opening the pouch and thereby discern quickly the items therein.
Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the portable bleacher seat in use. In operation, an individual will place the portable bleacher seat atop an upper surface 72 of a bleacher 73 and secure the portable bleacher seat to the bleacher 73 using the strap fastener 15. The individual can then slide the tray 18 to create a gap, and place a user, such as a child, therein. In this way, the torso 70 of the child is flush against the back member 13 and the legs 71 of the child are flush against the seat member 14. The child can then be secured into the portable bleacher seat using the harness 22, and the tray 18 slid towards the child to provide additional securement.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1) A portable bleacher seat, comprising:

a folding seat, having a seat member and a back member;

the seat member having a front side disposed opposite a rear side and two sidewalls disposed therebetween, as well as an upper surface disposed opposite a lower surface;

a fastener disposed on the lower surface of the seat member configured to secure the seat member to a bleacher;

the back member pivotally connected to the rear side of the seat member;

wherein the back member can selectively pivot between a closed position and an open position, wherein the back member is oriented perpendicular to the seat member when in the open position;

a tray removably affixed to the folding seat such that a gap is created between the tray and the folding seat;

wherein the gap is configured to receive an individual therein.

2) The portable bleacher seat of claim 1, wherein the tray is removably affixed to one or more of the two sidewalls of the seat member.

3) The portable bleacher seat of claim 1, wherein the tray is removably affixed to the back member.

4) The portable bleacher seat of claim 1, wherein at least one pouch s secured to the folding seat.

5) The portable bleacher seat of claim 4, wherein at least one pouch is secured to a rear surface of the back member.

6) The portable bleacher seat of claim 4, wherein a pair of pouches are disposed on opposing sides of the tray such that the pair of pouches are aligned with sidewalls of the seat member.

7) The portable bleacher seat of claim 1, wherein a handle is disposed on a rear surface of the back member.

8) The portable bleacher seat of claim 1, wherein a carrying strap is disposed on a rear surface of the back member.

9) The portable bleacher seat of claim 1, wherein a harness is disposed on a front surface of the back member configured to secure a torso of an individual therein.

10) The portable bleacher seat of claim 1, wherein a foldable frame is configured to receive the folding seat.

11) The portable bleacher seat of claim 10, wherein a pair of sidearms are disposed on opposing sides of the foldable frame.

12) The portable bleacher seat of claim 11, wherein the tray is slidably disposed over the pair of sidearms.

13) The portable bleacher seat of claim 1, wherein a protective cover configured to provide shade to a user seated in the folding seat is removably affixed to back member.