U.S. patent application number 09/843179 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-18 for seat with advertising surfaces.
Invention is credited to Mehl, Norbert, Muhling, Gernold.
Application Number | 20010030454 09/843179 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7885892 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010030454 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mehl, Norbert ; et
al. |
October 18, 2001 |
Seat with advertising surfaces
Abstract
The seat preferably is designed as a bucket seat having a
seating surface and a backrest surface and at least one of the two
surfaces or both are designed as an advertising surface. The
advertising surface typically is designed in such a way that the
replacement of advertising vehicles may be effected in simple
fashion.
Inventors: |
Mehl, Norbert; (Hamburg,
DE) ; Muhling, Gernold; (Hamburg, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, PLC
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Family ID: |
7885892 |
Appl. No.: |
09/843179 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09843179 |
Apr 26, 2001 |
|
|
|
PCT/DE99/03288 |
Oct 11, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/217.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 2023/005 20130101;
A47C 3/12 20130101; G09F 23/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/217.1 |
International
Class: |
A47C 007/62 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 29, 1998 |
DE |
198 49 644.3 |
Claims
1. A seat, in particular bucket seat with a seating surface and a
backrest surface, characterized in that at least one of said
backrest surface and said seating surface is designed as an
advertising surface (6, 7).
2. A seat according to claim 1, characterized in that said
advertising surface (6, 7) is designed as a device to receive
replaceable advertising vehicles (20).
3. A seat according to claim 2, characterized in that said device
for receiving replacing advertising vehicles (20) consists of a
transparent plate, under which an advertising vehicle (20) is
positioned.
4. A seat according to claim 3, characterized in that said
transparent plate at least in part defines said seating surface
(2).
5. A seat according to claim 3, characterized in that said
transparent plate in part defines said backrest surface (3).
6. A seat according to claim 3, characterized in that a compartment
(14, 15) for the accommodation of said advertising vehicle (20) is
provided below said transparent plate and is positioned in a line
of sight of said seat.
7. A seat according to claim 6, characterized in that said
compartment (14, 15) is capable of being closed.
8. A seat according to claim 6, characterized in that said
compartment (14, 15) is firmly connected with said plate.
9. A seat according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one
part of the plate is designed as a cover closing said compartment
(14, 15).
10. A seat according to claim 9, characterized in that said cover
(10, 11, 30) is displaceable from a position closing said
compartment.
11. A seat according to claim 9, characterized in that said cover
(10, 11, 30) is pivotably displaceable.
12. A seat according to claim 11, characterized in that said cover
(10, 11, 30) is pivotable about an axis of rotation (12, 13,
31).
13. A seat according to claim 12, characterized in that said axis
(12, 13, 31) is provided in one of said seating surface and said
backrest surface (2, 3).
14. A seat according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one
compartment (14, 46) is arranged under the seating surface (2).
15. A seat according to claim 14, characterized in that at least
one compartment (15) is arranged under the backrest surface
(13).
16. A seat according to claim 14, characterized in that at least
one cover (11) closes said compartment (15) of the seating surface
(2).
17. A seat according to claim 15, characterized in that at least
one cover (11) closes the compartment (15) of the backrest surface
(3).
18. A seat according to claim 15, characterized in that a common
cover (30) is provided for all said compartments (14, 15) provided
in the seating surface (2) and in the backrest surface (3).
19. A seat according to claim 18, characterized in that said cover
(10, 11) is designed in the shape of the seating surface (2) and
the backrest surface (3).
20. A seat according to claim 18, characterized in that said cover
(10, 11, 30) is seated watertight in a recess (33).
21. A seat according to claim 20, characterized in that said cover
(10, 11, 30) is pivotable about an axis (31) running in the
backrest surface (3).
22. A seat according to claim 20, characterized in that said cover
(10, 11, 30) is pivotable about an axis running in the seating
surface (2).
23. A seat according to claim 20, characterized in that in the
closed state of the compartment (14, 15) said cover (10, 11, 30) is
carried in a seal (37, 38).
24. A seat according to claim 23, characterized in that said seal
(37, 38) surrounds an edge of said cover (10, 11, 30) with a lip
and lies with a contact surface in the recess (33).
25. A seat according to claim 6, characterized in that said
compartment (14, 46) is firmly connected with the seat (2) and a
door (42) below the seating surface (2) is capable of being
opened.
26. A seat according to claim 25, characterized in that the
advertising vehicle is capable of being slipped into said
compartment (14) in the horizontal direction.
27. A seat according to claim 25, characterized in that the
advertising vehicle (20) is capable of being fastened on said cover
that closes off said compartment (14, 15, 46) on its side turned
away from the seating surface (2).
28. A seat according to claim 6, characterized in that the
transparent plate is designed as a magnifying glass in the region
of the advertising vehicle (20).
Description
[0001] This application of a continuation of previously filed PCT
applciation Ser. No. PCT/DE99103288, filed Oct. 11, 1999 which
prior application was published in the German language on May 11,
2000.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a seat, in particular a bucket
seat, having a seating surface and a backrest surface.
[0003] Such seats are becoming increasingly widespread in public
facilities and buildings. In particular, bucket seats have been
found to be comfortable and durable seats at big events. Bucket
seats thus are increasingly being installed in soccer and football
stadiums. The seat is ergonomically adapted to the seated posture
that a person assumes when sitting in a relaxed manner. Despite
this adaptation to a relaxed manner of sitting, the bucket seat is
comparatively cheap to manufacture and assemble. In addition, it
takes up relatively little space, so that the seats follow one
another in close order. These seats hitherto have been made
primarily of synthetic materials. They may vary in color, and an
inviting mood is created by an aptly selected color combination. In
addition, units, for example in blocks of seats, can be made
recognizable by selection of the same color. However, thus far no
effort has ever been made to exploit the large surfaces provided by
seats for other purposes.
[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to improve
the seat of the type mentioned at the beginning in such a way that
the supply of surfaces provided by it is made commercially
productive.
[0005] According to the invention, this object is accomplished in
that at least one of the two surfaces is designed as an advertising
surface. This results in a considerable additional supply of
advertising surface. Notice is taken of this surface by users of
the seats and, specifically, in a state in which they are
especially receptive. Regardless of where the seat is used, as a
rule the user is in a state of leisure, in which an advertisement
usually is unconsciously associated with the pleasant experience of
this leisure time. In addition, the advertising surface may also be
selectively associated with the place at which the seat is located.
Thus, seats located in a sports stadium are especially suitable for
the display of advertising for sporting goods or subsequent sports
events.
[0006] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
advertising surface is designed as a device for the replacement of
advertising vehicles. In this way, the advertising surface can be
used in various ways for advertising activities. As a result, on
the one hand, the advertising needs of a plurality of advertisers
can be taken into account and, on the other, variety can be
provided for the seats installed. The respective users of the seat
can be pleasantly surprised by the various advertisements that the
seat offers on different occasions.
[0007] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
the device consists of replaceable advertising vehicles in a
transparent plate, under which an advertising vehicle is fastened.
In this way, the respective advertising vehicle can be secured
against the wear and tear which is to be expected with varied use
of the seat. Each user of the seat will find the advertising
presented in each instance in a well preserved condition, so that
it can give a good and favorable picture of the goods or services
offered in each case.
[0008] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
a compartment suitable for accommodation of the advertising vehicle
may be provided below the transparent plate in the line of sight.
This compartment is reliably covered by the transparent plate, so
that the advertising vehicle can be safely and considerately
presented to the view of an interested person. In particular, care
is taken to see that the advertising vehicle is optimally arranged
in the compartment for the respective advertising purpose.
[0009] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
the compartment may be firmly connected with the plate. This
ensures that no moisture can penetrate into the compartment and
that the respective advertising vehicle cannot be stolen or removed
from the compartment in some other unlawful way.
[0010] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
at least one part of the plate may be designed as a cover closing
the compartment. In this way, the cover can easily be swung away
from the plate, so that the compartment is readily accessible and
the advertising vehicle can be optimally arranged in the
compartment.
[0011] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
an advertising vehicle may be inserted into the seating surface as
well as into the backrest surface. The advertising surface made
available is thereby considerably increased as compared to
arrangement of the advertising surface in the region of the seating
surface alone. In addition, the seat as a whole also offers
versatility in terms of advertising.
[0012] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
a common cover is provided for all compartments provided in the
seating surface and in the backrest surface. This embodiment is
especially suitable for those cases in which the entire advertising
surface made available by the seat is needed by the same interested
advertisers. In this case, rapid replacement and arrangement of the
respective advertising means can be performed by swinging away the
common cover. Additional particulars follow from the detailed
description below and the accompanying drawings, in which a
preferred embodiment of the invention is represented by way of
example and wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a side view of a bucket seat in accordance with
the present invention,
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of the bucket seat of FIG. 1 with the
plate raised,
[0015] FIG. 3 is a top view of the bucket seat of FIG. 1 with the
plate closed,
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of the bucket seat of FIG. 1 with the
transparent plate lifted,
[0017] FIG. 5 is a front view of the bucket seat according to the
line of sight I in FIG. 1 with the plate folded down,
[0018] FIG. 6 is a front view according to FIG. 5, but with the
transparent plate lifted,
[0019] FIG. 7 is a cross section through the bucket seat the
section being taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 3,
[0020] FIG. 8 is a cross section of the seat of FIG. 7, but with
the plate lifted,
[0021] FIG. 9 is a cross section view similar to that of FIG. 8,
but with two separate plates for a seating surface on the one hand
and a backrest surface on the other, all in accordance with the
present invention,
[0022] FIG. 10 is a top view of the bucket seat according to FIG. 9
with the plates closed in the seating surface as well as in the
backrest surface,
[0023] FIG. 11 is a cross section through a bucket seat showing
separate compartments for the seating surface on the one hand and
the backrest surface on the other, both of which are accessible via
a hinged plate in accordance with the present invention,
[0024] FIG. 12 is a cross section through a bucket seat with fixed
seating and backrest surfaces in each instance, below which are
mounted fixed compartments, in accordance with the present
invention, and
[0025] FIG. 13 is a cross section through a bucket seat with a
hinged plate that is firmly connected with a compartment, in
accordance with the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] A bucket seat (1) consists essentially of a seating surface
(2), a backrest surface (3) and a contact surface (4). The contact
surface (4) of the bucket seat (1) is supported on a bottom surface
(5). The seating surface (2) is smoothly converted, in the form of
a dish, into the backrest surface (3).
[0027] Both the seating surface (2) and the backrest surface (3)
are in each instance designed as advertising surfaces. An
advertising surface (6) is provided below the seating surface (2),
an advertising surface (7) is provided below the backrest surface
(3). The advertising surfaces (6, 7) may be connected with one
another, but it is alternatively possible to provide a partial
advertising surface (8) below the seating surface (2) and a partial
advertising surface (9) below the backrest surface which is not in
connection with the partial advertising surface (8). In this case,
the partial advertising surface (8) can be closed off by a cover
(10), the partial advertising surface (9) by a cover (11). The two
covers (10, 11) are in each instance hinged on axes of rotation
(12, 13), to the seating surface (2) and to the backrest surface
(3). In size they are designed corresponding to the partial
advertising surfaces (8, 9). When the covers (10, 11) are closed,
they project into the compartments (14, 15) assigned to them in
each instance such that a space (21) accommodating an advertising
vehicle (20) remains between a lower surface (16, 17) of the cover
(10, 11) projecting into these compartments (14, 15) and a bottom
surface (18, 19) delimiting the compartments (14, 15). If the
advertising vehicle (20) is designed for example as a printed sheet
(22), the space (21) is designed correspondingly narrow, so that
the cover (11) presses the advertising vehicle (20) firmly on the
bottom surface (19). There care is taken to see that the cover
(11), at its narrow side (23) facing the axis of rotation (13), is
provided with a locking mechanism (24) by which the cover engages
in a recess, not illustrated, of the compartment (15).
[0028] In addition, however, a space (25) may alternatively be
provided, particularly in the seating surface (2), that is suitable
for the accommodation of large objects, for example of balls (26,
27). These advantageously are inserted into holders (28, 29) that
are supported on the bottom surface (14) of the space (25).
[0029] In each case, the covers (10, 11) are designed transparent,
for example of a transparent synthetic material. In addition, the
latter may undergo processing by which the transparent covers (10,
11) are designed as a magnifying glass through which the details of
the advertising vehicle (20) are readily recognizable, regardless
of whether they are printed in the form of a sheet (22) or
exhibited in the form of objects, for example balls (26, 27).
[0030] In the case of connected advertising surfaces (6, 7), these
may alternatively be covered by a common cover (30). The latter, in
the closed state of the advertising surfaces (6, 7), extends over
all parts of these advertising surfaces (6, 7). At the same time,
the common cover (30) may be designed completely removable, so that
it is removed from the bucket seat (1) when the advertising vehicle
(20) is inserted into the compartments (14, 15). Of course, the
cover (30) may be mounted hinged in the region of the backrest
surface (3) (FIG. 2) or in the region of the seating surface (2)
via an appropriately arranged axis (31). In these cases, the common
cover (30) is swung away from the seating surface (2) and the
backrest surface (3) about the axis (31) extending along a
transverse edge, so that the compartments (14, 15) are opened for
insertion of the respective advertising vehicle (20). The common
cover (30) is then swung back, so that it engages in a
corresponding recess (33) of the seating surface (2) or backrest
surface (3). This recess (33) then is provided with a seal (34), so
that when the cover (30) is closed, any water collecting on the
seating surface (2) cannot penetrate into the compartment (14).
[0031] The seal (34) has a U-shaped cross section, between the two
arms of which is inserted an edge (35) surrounding the common
cover. The common cover (30) is swung in the direction of the
seating surface (2) with this installed seal (34). Then the seal
(34) engages in the recess (33), so that the arm of the seal (34)
projecting into the seating surface (2) presses on a surface (36)
of the common cover (30) forming the seating surface (2) and, in
this way, prevents the penetration of water into the compartment
(14).
[0032] The covers (10, 11) are alternatively designed transparent.
They close off the compartments (14, 15) watertight with seals (37,
38). The respective advertising vehicles (20) lie within these
compartments (14, 15).
[0033] To minimize sealing problems, the seating surface (2) and
the sealing surface (3) may consist of a common dish (39) which
delimits the bucket seat (1) on its side opposite the contact
surface (4). Then either the entire dish (39) or the regions of the
seating surface (2) and backrest surface (3) lying in the region of
the compartments (14, 15) may consist of a transparent material
(40, 41). Below this dish (39), in the region of the transparent
material (40, 41), the compartments (14, 15) are firmly integrated
into the bucket seat, for example are fastened to the dish (39).
They may be opened and closed by doors (42, 43) hinged below the
dish (39). There, locks (44, 45) are integrated into the doors (42,
43). The doors (42, 43) have seals that close off the compartments
(14, 15) watertight.
[0034] After the doors (42, 43) are opened, the respective
advertising vehicles (20) can be inserted into the compartments
(14, 15). For this purpose, insertable supporting racks, which are
not represented, are provided within the compartments (14, 15).
[0035] Another possibility for a watertight seal of the
compartments (14, 15) is provided in that a compartment (46)
accommodating the advertising vehicles is fastened to a door (48)
hinged in the seating surface (2). This door (48) consists of a
transparent material (40), providing a view into the compartment
(46). At its end (49) opposite the axis of rotation (47), the
compartment (46) is closed off by a closure (50). In the turned-up
state of the closure (50), advertising vehicles may be inserted
into the compartment. Then, the closure (50) is actuated, so that
the compartment (46) is closed. After that, the door (48) is swung
about the axis of rotation (47), so that the compartment (46)
projects into a recess (51), which is closed off by the door (48)
at its upper edge lying in the seating surface (2). In addition,
the recess (51) in the region of the upper edge (52) may be sealed
off by an additional seal, not represented, which extends to the
edges delimiting the door (48). A similar fastening for a
corresponding compartment is possible in the region of the backrest
surface (3).
[0036] Instead of hinged covers (10, 11) and a hinged door (48), in
each instance coverings that can be completely removed from
corresponding recesses (33) may alternatively be used. In addition,
sliding closures, which can be displaced within the seating surface
(2) and backrest surface (3) in order to be able to open the
compartments (14, 15), may alternatively be used.
[0037] According to another embodiment, it is alternatively
possible to design the device for the replacement of advertising
vehicles (20) as a boxlike slide-in element that accommodates
removable advertising vehicles. A typical embodiment consists in
that the boxlike element may be designed as a holder, open toward
the top and transparent at least in regions, which is mounted by
its back to a back of the bucket seat. Here the advertising
vehicles may be designed as individual printed elements that are
alternatively called flyers. These advertising elements may be
removed and taken along by a respective user.
* * * * *