U.S. patent application number 11/173719 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-04 for sports arena theme restaurant.
This patent application is currently assigned to CDC Investments, LLLP. Invention is credited to Kenneth E. DeLine.
Application Number | 20070000185 11/173719 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37561691 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070000185 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DeLine; Kenneth E. |
January 4, 2007 |
Sports arena theme restaurant
Abstract
A sports arena theme restaurant which provides a central floor
area surrounded by a plurality of tiers on at least one of which a
concourse circumnavigates the central floor area to communicate
with a kitchen and a plurality of stairways to provide a restaurant
service pattern to seating areas established the plurality of tiers
which allows restaurant patrons to view entertainment means from
discrete levels above the central floor area.
Inventors: |
DeLine; Kenneth E.; (Avon,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CR MILES, P.C.
1 OLD TOWN SQUARE, SUITE 200 B
FORT COLLINS
CO
80524
US
|
Assignee: |
CDC Investments, LLLP
|
Family ID: |
37561691 |
Appl. No.: |
11/173719 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/33 ; 52/174;
52/8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 3/04 20130101; E04H
3/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/033 ;
052/008; 052/174 |
International
Class: |
E04H 3/12 20060101
E04H003/12; E01F 9/00 20060101 E01F009/00 |
Claims
1. A restaurant, comprising: a. a building which provides an
enclosed space; b. a kitchen area located within a first portion of
said enclosed space which prepares a food; c. a dining area located
within a second portion of said enclosed space in which restaurant
patrons are served said food prepared in said kitchen area; d. a
scripted thematic content perceivable by said restaurant patrons in
said dining area of said restaurant; and e. an ownership in said
restaurant which controls substantially all of said scripted
thematic content perceivable by said restaurant patrons.
2. A restaurant as described in claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of discrete thematic segments which comprise said
scripted thematic content perceivable by said restaurant patrons in
said dining area of said restaurant.
3. A restaurant as described in claim 2, wherein said plurality of
discrete thematic segments are stored in a memory element
4. A restaurant as described in claim 3, further comprising a
script generation means which operates to selectively retrieve a
portion of said plurality of discrete thematic segments stored in
said memory element.
5. A restaurant as described in claim 4, further comprising a
thematic segment identifier coupled to each of said plurality of
discrete thematic segments responsive to said script generation
means.
6. A restaurant as described in claim 5, further comprising a
shareholder identifier coupled to at least one of said plurality of
discrete thematic segments responsive to said script generation
means.
7. A restaurant as described in claim 6, further comprising a
client identifier coupled to at least one of said plurality of
discrete thematic segments responsive to said script generation
means.
8. A restaurant as described in claim 7, wherein said thematic
segment identifier allows said plurality of said discrete thematic
segments stored in said memory element to be sorted by said script
generation means based on said thematic segment identifier.
9. A restaurant as described in claim 8, wherein said shareholder
identifier allows said plurality of said discrete thematic segments
stored in said memory to be sorted by said script generation means
based on said shareholder identifier.
10. A restaurant as described in claim 9, further comprising a
plurality of shares into which said ownership of said restaurant is
divided.
11. A restaurant as described in claim 10, wherein said ownership
of said restaurant alters said scripted thematic content
perceivable by said restaurant patrons in said dining area of said
restaurant to build brand identity in a shareholder.
12. A restaurant as described in claim 1 1, wherein said
shareholder comprises a sports team.
13. A restaurant as described in claim 12, wherein said shareholder
comprises a sports player.
14. A restaurant as described in claim 13, wherein said client
identifier allows said plurality of said discrete thematic segments
stored in said memory to be sorted by said script generation means
based on said client identifier.
15. A restaurant as described in claim 14, further comprising a
client which pays said ownership in said restaurant to alter said
scripted thematic content perceivable by said restaurant
patrons.
16. A restaurant as described in claim 15, further comprising a
value identifier coupled to at least one of said plurality of said
discrete thematic segments responsive to said script generation
means.
17. A restaurant as described in claim 16, wherein said value
identifier allows said plurality of said discrete thematic segments
stored in said memory element to be sorted by said script
generation element based on said value identifier.
18. A restaurant as described in claim 17, wherein said value
identifier coupled to said at least one of said plurality of said
discrete thematic segments corresponds to an amount of revenue
generated by said at least one of said plurality of said discrete
thematic segments in said scripted thematic content perceivable by
said restaurant patrons.
19. A restaurant as described in claim 18, wherein said script
generation means further comprises a plurality of adjustable
durational periods to position each of said plurality of discrete
thematic segments in said scripted thematic content perceivable by
said restaurant patrons in said dining area of said restaurant
20. A restaurant as described in claim 19, further comprising a
serial alignment identifier within each of said plurality of
discrete thematic segments to align said plurality of discrete
thematic segments serially in said adjustable durational periods of
said script generation means.
21. A restaurant as described in claim 20, further comprising a
parallel alignment identifier within each of said plurality of
discrete thematic segments to align said plurality of discrete
thematic segments in parallel in said adjustable durational periods
of said script generation means.
22. A restaurant as described in claim 21, wherein said ownership
in said restaurant alters said scripted thematic content to adjust
said amount of revenue received by said restaurant.
23. A restaurant as described in claim 22, wherein said amount of
revenue received by said restaurant comprises a payment to said
ownership in said restaurant by said client to alter said scripted
thematic content perceivable by said restaurant patrons.
24. A restaurant as described in claim 23, wherein said ownership
in said restaurant alters said scripted thematic content
perceivable by said restaurant patrons to build said brand identity
in said client.
25. A restaurant as described in claim 24, wherein said brand
identity in said client comprises said brand identity in said
sports team.
26. A restaurant as described in claim 25, wherein said sports team
is selected from the group consisting of: an ice hockey team, a
baseball team, a football team, a soccer team, a volleyball team, a
tennis team, and a basketball team
27. A restaurant as described in claim 26, wherein said ownership
in said restaurant alters said scripted thematic content to build
brand identity in a sports player of said sports team.
28. A restaurant as described in claim 27, wherein said scripted
thematic content perceivable by said restaurant patrons in said
dining area of said restaurant comprises a plurality of scripted
thematic content.
29. A restaurant as described in claim 28, wherein said dining area
located within said second portion of said enclosed space in which
restaurant patrons are served said food prepared in said kitchen
area comprises a plurality of dining areas, and wherein one each of
said dining areas has a corresponding one each of said plurality of
scripted thematic content perceived by said restaurant patrons.
30-85. (canceled)
Description
I. BACKGROUND
[0001] A sports arena theme restaurant which provides a central
floor area surrounded by a plurality of tiers on at least one of
which a concourse circumnavigates the central floor area to
communicate with a kitchen and a plurality of stairways to provide
a restaurant service pattern to seating areas established on the
plurality of tiers which allows restaurant patrons to view sports
content delivery means from discrete levels above the central floor
area while obtaining a plurality of restaurant services.
[0002] Sporting activity brings fans together collectively for the
enjoyment of the sports team, the sports players, and the
camaraderie of sharing the sporting event. It allows the diversity
of a community to come together to rally behind a symbol called the
Bobcats sports team or the Sting sports team. Through association
with the sports team or a sports player the community can build a
regional asset in the brand identity of the regional sports team or
in the brand identity of the regional sports player, or both. The
brand identity in the regional sports team or the brand identity in
the regional sports player adds greater value to the entire region
and in particular businesses within the region which sell products
based upon or associated with the brand identity of the sports
teams.
[0003] The brand identity of regional sports teams coupled with
sports on television available any time of the day between cable
channels such as ESPN, SportsChannel Florida, the Sunshine Network,
and a variety of satellite television services devoted to sports
content made sports bars a hot trend beginning in the 1980s. The
addition of viewable sports content to a bar dramatically shifts
sales toward food purchases which can become a significant portion
of the bars revenue compared to dance and drink revenues.
[0004] Due to the trend in food purchases, sports bars have more
recently evolved into sports restaurants. Conventional sports
restaurants are typically freestanding and generally range in size
from 4,000 to 17,000 square feet, seating approximately 200 to 300
customers and typically feature a bar, a dining area, a billiards
area and multiple video screens throughout.
[0005] Even though sports bars and sports restaurants have catered
to a large commercial market for many years there remain
substantial unresolved problems with conventional sports bars and
sports restaurants.
[0006] A first substantial problem with conventional sports bars
and sports restaurants may be that the architectural elements of
the restaurant lack a sports theme. As above-described convention
sports bars and restaurants typically feature a bar, a dining area,
a billiards area and multiple video screens throughout.
Surprisingly, the only element which distinguishes the sports bar
from a bar is the transmission of sports content on the multiple
video screens located throughout the restaurant bar and dining
area. In any event, the lack of sports theme restaurant
architectural elements can result in a failure or a limitation of
the conventional sports restaurant to build brand identity with
potential restaurant patrons or assist in building brand identity
in the regional or national sports team which in turn provides a
market for the sports restaurant. While a variety of theme
restaurants have been established over the years as disclosed for
example by U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,025 (railroad theme restaurant);
U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,341 (time ship theme restaurant); U.S. Pat. No.
4,274,233 (artist theme restaurant); or U.S. Pat. No. 3,701,224
(boat theme restaurant), there is surprisingly no similar attempt
to provide a sports arena theme restaurant which utilizes sports
theme restaurant architectural elements which correspond to the
basic architecture of a sports arena or sports stadium.
[0007] A second substantial problem with conventional sports bars
and sports restaurants may be that the architectural elements of
the restaurant fail to illicit in restaurant patrons the feel of a
sports arena environment. By limiting the entertainment experience
of restaurant patrons to viewing sports activities on a television
screen conventional sports bars and sports restaurants can fail to
provide sufficient entertainment to draw in a wide demographic of
restaurant patrons. Families which have a limited sports
entertainment budget may be unwilling to separately budget time and
money for sports restaurant dining and for sports games at an
arena. However, given the opportunity to combine sports restaurant
dining in an environment which can illicit the feel of the sports
arena affords the family an opportunity to obtain both within a
single budget.
[0008] Another substantial problem with conventional sports bars
and sports restaurants may be that the architectural elements of
the sports restaurant do not sufficiently separate the seating
areas at which restaurant patrons dine from the entertainment area
in which the entertainment means are located. As above described,
whether due to the configuration of the restaurant or the
established restaurant service pattern in the restaurant,
televisions or video monitors are distributed throughout the floor
area of the restaurant. Having the entertainment means distributed
throughout the sports restaurant in isolation from the related
elements of a sports event affords an experience comparable to
watching television at home which may fail to be any entertainment
in the context of a dining experience. In certain circumstances,
restaurant patrons divide their attention among a plurality of
disparate entertainment locations which can be a distraction for
the restaurant patron and other restaurant patrons who may also be
attempting to view the same plurality of disparate entertainment
locations within the restaurant service pattern. Additionally,
drink and dance services of the conventional sports bar or sports
restaurant can be difficult to separate from the seated dining
services without providing separate floor areas partitioned by
walls, which again necessitates the use of distributed
entertainment means contributing to the above-described
problems.
[0009] Yet another substantial problem with conventional sports
bars and sports restaurants can be the lack of seating areas within
the restaurant configured in restaurant entertainment zones which
allows restaurant patrons to be seated in an entertainment zone
based solely upon the sports content which can be viewed from the
restaurant entertainment zone. One aspect of this problem can be
that conventional sports restaurants are not configured in a manner
which allows a first plurality of restaurant patrons to be seated
together to watch the Bobcats and a second plurality of restaurant
patrons to be seated together to watch the Sting without
partitioning the interior space of restaurant. This limitation of
conventional restaurants can result from the conventional provision
of televised sports entertainment distributed throughout the
restaurant service pattern which, purposefully or by inadvertence,
generates a homogeneous entertainment environment which cannot
sufficiently differentiate a plurality of restaurant entertainment
zones. This conventional approach further dilutes the entertainment
value of the sports content because restaurant patrons having
dissimilar sports content interests may be randomly seated in close
proximity which can impede development of collective enjoyment of
the sports team, the sports players, and the camaraderie of sharing
the sporting event Still another substantial problem with
conventional sports bars and sports restaurants can be the lack of
discrete restaurant value service zones within the restaurant which
allows restaurant patrons to pay a discrete fee structure for
restaurant services based solely upon location of the seating area
selected within the restaurant. This limitation of conventional
restaurants can result from the conventional provision of televised
sports entertainment distributed throughout the restaurant service
pattern which, purposefully or by inadvertence, generates a
homogeneous entertainment environment which cannot sufficiently
differentiate restaurant zones to support a plurality of discrete
fee structures. Alternately, conventional sports restaurants rely
upon provision of discrete packages of restaurant, bar, or
entertainment services to provide the basis of discrete fee
structures. These alternate packages of restaurant services are
often provided to restaurant patrons as alternate venues separated
by wall partitions, such as gaming rooms, bars, theaters, or the
like as disclosed for example by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,306,388 or
3,487,595. However, these separate venues further frustrate the
development of a comprehensive sports theme within the restaurant
and teach away from a plurality of fee structures supported solely
by a difference in restaurant seating location which more closely
approaches the fee structures of an actual sporting event at which
it is desirable for the sports fan to pay more as the seating
location brings the sports fan closer to the sports action.
[0010] As to each of these problems related to conventional sports
bars and sports restaurants, the instant sports arena theme
restaurant system provides a solution.
II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Accordingly, a broad object of the invention can be to
provide a building the interior of which is configured as a central
floor area surrounded by a plurality of tiers each of the plurality
of tiers providing a seating area for restaurant patrons.
[0012] Another significant object of the invention can be to
provide a restaurant service pattern to provide restaurant services
to the restaurant patrons in the seating areas established on the
plurality of tiers surrounding the central floor area which
comprises at least a plurality of stairways which allow the
plurality of tiers to communicate and a concourse established on at
least one of the plurality of tiers which circumnavigates the
central floor area and communicates with a restaurant kitchen.
[0013] Another significant object of the invention can be to
provide a sports entertainment means located substantially within
the area bounded by the perimeter of the central floor area and the
height of the interior space of the building above the central
floor area which provides sports theme content viewable by the
restaurant patrons in the seating areas established on the
plurality of tiers.
[0014] Another significant object of the invention can be to
provide sports arena theme restaurant elements which the restaurant
patron can associate as corresponding to architectural elements of
a sports arena to illicit the feel of a sports arena environment
within a sports arena theme restaurant comprising at least a
central floor area corresponding to the playing surface within an
arena or stadium, a sports entertainment means substantially
located in the space bounded by the central floor area
corresponding to the players on the playing surface, a plurality of
tiers on which seating areas are established corresponding to the
tiered seating within an arena or stadium. Additional sports theme
restaurant elements can further be provided to facilitate the feel
of a sports arena environment including, without limitation, a
concourse established on one or more of the plurality of tiers
which allows a person to in whole or in part circumnavigate the
central floor area in correspondence to the concourses in an arena
or stadium, or a viewing partition established between the central
floor area and the dining areas established on the plurality of
tiers corresponding to the partition established between the
playing surface and the seating area of a stadium whether the
partition comprises a fence, a wall, a glass panel, netting, or the
like.
[0015] Another significant object of the invention can be to
substantially separate the sports entertainment means from the
dining areas within a restaurant by establishing the sports
entertainment means in a central space surrounded in whole or in
part by a plurality of tiers on which the dining area of the
restaurant is established allowing restaurant patrons to dine
separate from the sports entertainment means while viewing sports
entertainment.
[0016] Another significant object of the invention can be to divide
the dining area of the restaurant established on the plurality of
tiers which surround the central space in which the sports
entertainment means is located into a plurality of discrete
restaurant entertainment zones. Each of the plurality of discrete
entertainment zones can be established to allow restaurant patrons
seated in a particular restaurant entertainment zone to view sports
entertainment content which corresponds to the viewable portion of
the sports entertainment means viewable from that particular
restaurant entertainment zone. Because the dining area can be
established on a plurality of tiers which in whole or in part
surround the central space at which the sports entertainment means
can be located, a plurality of discrete restaurant entertainment
zones can be established in the dining area each having a
corresponding viewable portion of the sports entertainment means
with each viewable portion of the sports entertainment means
capable of delivering sports entertainment content (whether the
same similar or different between discrete restaurant entertainment
zones) to the restaurant patrons seated in the corresponding
restaurant entertainment zone. Providing discrete restaurant
entertainment zones allows each restaurant patron a manner of
selecting sports entertainment content also selected by other
restaurant patrons seated in the same restaurant entertainment
zone. Additionally, the sports theme restaurant in accordance with
the invention allows the plurality of discrete restaurant
entertainment zones to be established without separation by
partitions such as walls or panels.
[0017] Another significant object of the invention can be to
provide discrete restaurant value service zones within the
restaurant which allows restaurant patrons to pay a discrete fee
structure for restaurant services based solely upon location of the
seating area within the restaurant, or solely upon the
configuration of the seating area or the configuration of the
seating means. Again, to illicit the feel of an arena or stadium
environment restaurant patrons may pay more or less for restaurant
services for seating in a more or less desirable location, seating
area, seating configuration, or seating means within the
restaurant.
[0018] Another significant object of the invention can be to
provide a sports arena theme restaurant having a central floor area
surrounded by a plurality of tiers on at least one of which a
concourse circumnavigates the central floor area to communicate
with a kitchen and a plurality of stairways to provide a restaurant
service pattern to seating areas established on the plurality of
tiers which allows restaurant patrons to view sports content
delivery means from discrete levels above the central floor area
while obtaining a plurality of restaurant services.
[0019] Naturally, further objects of the invention are disclosed
throughout other areas of the specification, drawings, and
claims.
III. A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a particular
embodiment of an exterior of a building which provides the enclosed
space for embodiments of the sports arena theme restaurant.
[0021] FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of an interior space of a
building configured as a particular embodiment of the sports arena
theme restaurant.
[0022] FIG. 3 provides a plan view of an interior space of a
building configured as one of a wide variety of alternate
embodiments of the sports arena theme restaurant.
[0023] FIG. 4 provides a cross section 3-3 of the interior space of
a building configured as the alternate embodiment of the sports
arena theme restaurant shown by FIG. 3.
[0024] FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of the interior space of
a building configured as a second of the wide variety of alternate
embodiments of the sports arena theme restaurant.
IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] A sports arena theme restaurant which provides a central
floor area surrounded by a plurality of tiers on at least one of
which a concourse circumnavigates the central floor area to
communicate with a kitchen and a plurality of stairways to provide
a restaurant service pattern to seating areas established the
plurality of tiers which allows restaurant patrons to view
entertainment means from discrete levels above the central floor
area.
[0026] Now referring primarily to FIG. 1, the sports arena theme
restaurant invention includes a building (1) which provides an
enclosed space (2). The term "building" generically encompasses any
structure capable of providing an enclosed space (2) for the
provision of restaurant services. The exterior structure (3) of the
building (1) does not have to afford any particular style of
architecture, although the exterior structure (3) can be configured
to convey certain characteristics of a sports stadium or sports
area.
[0027] As to the particular embodiment of the sports arena theme
restaurant invention shown by FIG. 1, the architectural elements
may include, for example, an oval, round, or rectangular oval
configuration of the exterior structure (3) of the building (1)
which can be carried through to the interior enclosed space (2), as
shown by FIGS. 2 and 3. An arena entry (4) can be connected to the
building (1) having sufficient vertical height to provide the
appearance of access to a plurality of tiers within the interior
enclosed space (2). Naturally, a variety of other architectural
elements could be included to the exterior structure (3) of the
building (1) to convey the appearance of a sports stadium or sports
arena to restaurant patrons (5) consistent with a particular sport
such as football, baseball, ice hockey, basketball, or the like.
However, these specific examples and the particular embodiments
shown by the figures are not intended to be limiting with respect
to the exterior structure (3) of the building (1) or the exterior
architectural elements of the building (1) which can be configured
to convey numerous and varied aspects of the sports restaurant
theme invention to restaurant patrons (5).
[0028] Now referring primarily to FIGS. 2 and 3, a kitchen area (6)
which prepares food can be located within a first portion of the
enclosed space (2). A dining area (7) in which restaurant patrons
(5) are served food prepared in the kitchen area (6) can be located
within a second portion of the enclosed space (2). Naturally other
portions of the enclosed space can provide other facilities such as
restrooms, game rooms, a foyer, or the like.
[0029] Now referring primarily to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the interior
enclosed space (2) can be configured to provide sports restaurant
theme elements which the restaurant patron can associate as
corresponding to architectural elements of a sports stadium or
sports arena to illicit the feel of the sports arena environment.
As to the particular embodiment of the sports arena restaurant
invention shown by FIGS. 2 and 3, a central floor area (8), which
can be configured as a rectangular oval floor area as shown, or
configured in other various geometries such as a central square
floor area, a central round floor area, a central oval floor area,
a central rectangular floor area or the like provides a sports
arena theme element which corresponds to the central play area of a
sports arena, such as a basketball hard court, an ice hockey rink,
a baseball field, a football field, or the like.
[0030] Now referring primarily to FIGS. 2 and 3, the sports arena
theme restaurant invention can further a plurality of ascending
tiers (9) each capable of providing a seating area (10) at a
discrete level above the elevation of the central floor area (8)(or
other reference level). The plurality of ascending tiers (9) can,
in whole or in part, surround the central floor area (8). Each of
the plurality of tiers (9) can be configured in various geometries,
such as a plurality of square tiers, a plurality of round tiers, a
plurality of oval tiers, or as shown by FIGS. 2 and 3 a plurality
of rectangular oval tiers. Each seating area (10) can further
provide a plurality of seating means (11), such as at least one
booth, a table and chairs, a bar and chairs, or the like at which
restaurant patrons (5) can be seated to obtain restaurant services,
such as food or drinks. Certain of the plurality of seating means
(11) can be configured to correspond to types of sports area
seating. Fort example, as shown by FIG. 3, the seating means (11)
upper most of the plurality of tiers (9) can be configured to
correspond to skyboxes in a sports arena by providing seating means
(11) enclosed by three walls (12)(13)(14) and in certain
embodiments a half wall (15) facing the central floor area (8).
Other seating means (11), can be configured to correspond to a
penalty box or dug outs in a sports arena by locating seating means
(11) on the first of the plurality of tiers (16) within a
substantially enclosed seating area (17) adjacent to the central
floor area (8). Again, other seating means (11) can be configured
to correspond to press boxes (18), sky boxes (19) general admission
seating, or the like.
[0031] The sports theme restaurant elements can further include one
or a plurality of stairways (20) which communicate between the
plurality of tiers (9) to provide access to each discrete level
established by the plurality of tiers (9). As shown by FIG. 3, one
embodiment of the sports theme restaurant invention provides four
stairways each of which communicate from the central floor area (8)
to the first tier (21) of the plurality of tiers (11). From the
discrete level established by the first tier (21) of the plurality
of tiers (9), the plurality of restaurant services can be provided
to restaurant patrons (5) in the seating area (10) of the first
tier (21) and the second tier (22) of the plurality of tiers (9).
In an alternate embodiment of the sports theme restaurant invention
shown by FIG. 2, a pair of stairways (20) communicate between the
central floor area (8) and the discrete level of the first tier
(21) of the plurality of tiers (9) and six stairways (20)
communicate between the discrete level of the first tier (21) of
the plurality of tiers (9) and the second tier of the plurality of
tiers (9).
[0032] The sports theme restaurant elements can further include a
concourse (23)(or more than one concourse) established on one of
the plurality of tiers (9)(or more than one of the plurality of
tiers) which circumnavigates the central floor area (8) and
communicates with the plurality of stairways (20) to provide a
restaurant service pattern between each of the seating areas (10).
As to embodiments of the sports theme restaurant invention shown by
FIGS. 2 and 3, the concourse can further communicate with the
kitchen area (6) as part of the restaurant service pattern for food
delivery to each of the seating areas (10). The kitchen area (6)
can be established on the same one of the plurality of tiers (9) as
the concourse (13) to aid in efficiency in utilizing the restaurant
service pattern.
[0033] Now referring primarily to FIG. 2, embodiments of the sports
theme restaurant invention can further provide at least one viewing
partition (24) established between the central floor area (8) and
the remaining plurality of tiers (9) on which seating areas (10)
are established. The viewing partition (24) can provide a sports
theme restaurant element which corresponds, for example, to the
partition between the seating area of an arena and the playing area
or playing field of an arena. For example, the partition of an ice
hockey arena established seating area and the ice rink.
[0034] Now referring primarily to FIG. 4, the enclosed space (2) in
the building (1) can further provide a sports thematic content
delivery means (25) capable of providing perceivable thematic
sports content (26)(as further described below) to restaurant
patrons (5). The thematic sports content delivery means (25) can
include a wide variety of visual display devices and media server
software display devices including without limitation: flat panel
displays, liquid crystal displays, cathode ray tubes, plasma
display, high definition flat panel displays, touch screen
displays, 3D displays, wide screen displays, light emitting diode
displays, matrix lamp displays, Jumbo-trons.RTM., projectors and
projection screen, compact disc players, video disc players, media
servers such as the Catalyst.RTM. Pro, or the like.
[0035] The sports thematic content delivery means (25) can further
or in the alternative include audio generation devices comprising
without limitation: loudspeakers, wireless audio, speakers combined
with a visual display whether separate or integral, home theater,
or the like. The sports thematic content delivery means (25) can
further or in the alternative include lighting devices comprising
without limitation: conventional lighting fixtures, digital
lighting fixtures, spot lights, light emitting diodes, or the like.
As to each of the numerous and varied thematic sports content
delivery means (25) capable of providing perceivable thematic
content (26) to restaurant patrons (5) the necessary power and
transmission hardware means and circuitry means can be further
provided as would be known to a person of ordinary skill in the
art.
[0036] As to certain embodiments of the sports theme restaurant
invention, the sports thematic content delivery means (25) capable
of providing perceivable thematic sports content (26) to restaurant
patrons (5) can be located substantially within the space bounded
by the perimeter of the central floor area (8). As to those
embodiments of the sports arena theme restaurant, which further
include the viewing partition (24), the thematic content delivery
means (25) can be located substantially within the space bounded by
the perimeter of the viewing partition (24). In either event,
locating the sports thematic content delivery means (25) within a
central entertainment space (27) defined by the central floor space
or by the perimeter of the viewing partition, or both, can provide
sports thematic content (26) perceivable by restaurant patrons (5)
at the seating areas (10) established on the plurality of tiers (9)
which corresponds to sports players (28) on a playing field of a
sports arena, such as hockey players on an ice rink, basketball
players on a hard court, baseball players on a baseball field,
football players on a football field, soccer players on a soccer
field, tennis players on a tennis court, or the like. Naturally,
these examples are not intended to limit the numerous and wide
variety of sports thematic content (26) which can be delivered by
the sports content delivery means (25) located in the central
entertainment area (27). Additional sports content delivery means
(25) can be located outside of the central entertainment space (27)
which correspond to certain elements in a sports arena such as
scoreboards, perimeter message boards, circular video band (29), or
the like.
[0037] Again referring primarily to FIG. 2, the seating means (11)
of the plurality of seating areas (10) established on the plurality
of tiers (9) can be divided into a plurality of restaurant
entertainment zones (31). While a single restaurant entertainment
zone (31) is shown by hash mark lines in FIG. 2, a plurality of
restaurant entertainment zones variously configured can be
established without otherwise partitioning the enclosed space (2)
in the building (1) by adjusting the portion of the sports thematic
content delivery means (25) viewable by the seating means (11) in
each of the plurality of restaurant entertainment zones (31).
Thereby, each of the plurality of restaurant entertainment zones
(31) can be defined by the corresponding viewable portion (32) of
the sports thematic content delivery means (25) located in the
central entertainment space (27). Each viewable portion (32) of the
sports thematic content delivery means (25) can deliver perceivable
thematic sports content (26)(whether the same, similar, or
different between restaurant entertainment zones) to restaurant
patrons (5) located within the corresponding one each of the
plurality of the restaurant entertainment zones (31).
[0038] Restaurant patrons can select from the plurality of
restaurant entertainment zones (31) in which to be seated to view
the corresponding perceivable thematic sports content (26)
delivered from the viewable portion (32) of the sports thematic
content delivery means (25) located in the central entertainment
space (27). The selection by the restaurant patron (5) of the
restaurant entertainment zone (31) in which to be seated can
generate a plurality of restaurant patrons (5) within the
restaurant entertainment zone (31) which have similar demographics
in the perceivable thematic sports content (26) delivered by the
viewable portion (32) of the sports thematic content delivery means
(25). This approach provides a sports arena theme restaurant
element which corresponds to sports fans attending a sports event
at a sports arena or sports stadium.
[0039] The seating means (11) of the plurality of seating areas
(10) established on the plurality of tiers (9) can be divided into
a plurality of restaurant service value zones (30)(for example, as
shown by FIG. 3, a restaurant service zone (30) can comprise the
seating located on the third tier) each of which have a discrete
fee structure which restaurant patrons (5) pay to obtain a
plurality of restaurant services. Again this approach provides a
sports arena theme restaurant element which corresponds to the
differentiated seat prices which sports fans pay based on location
within the sports arena (seating near home plate of a baseball
stadium as opposed to seating in the right field bleachers) and the
configuration of the seating (general admission seating as opposed
to skybox seating). Similarly as to certain embodiments of the
sports arena theme restaurant, a first of the plurality of
restaurant service value zones and a second of the plurality of
restaurant service zones can have discrete fee structures based
solely upon the difference in location within the dining area of
the sports arena theme restaurant. Also, as to certain embodiments
of the sports arena theme restaurant, a first of the plurality of
restaurant service value zones and a second of the plurality of
restaurant service zones can have discrete fee structures based
solely upon a difference in seating configuration. Additionally,
there can be a further differentiated fee structure based upon a
difference in the plurality of restaurant services which are
provided in a first of the plurality of restaurant service value
zones and in a second of the plurality of restaurant service value
zones.
[0040] As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic
concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of
ways. The invention involves numerous and varied embodiments of a
sports theme restaurant and methods of making and using such sports
theme restaurant.
[0041] As such, the particular embodiments or elements of the
invention disclosed by the description or shown in the figures
accompanying this application are not intended to be limiting, but
rather exemplary of the numerous and varied embodiments generically
encompassed by the invention or equivalents encompassed with
respect to any particular element thereof. In addition, the
specific description of a single embodiment or element of the
invention may not explicitly describe all embodiments or elements
possible; many alternatives are implicitly disclosed by the
description and figures.
[0042] It should be understood that each element of an apparatus or
each step of a method may be described by an apparatus term or
method term. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make
explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is
entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all
steps of a method may be disclosed as an action, a means for taking
that action, or as an element which causes that action. Similarly,
each element of an apparatus may be disclosed as the physical
element or the action which that physical element facilitates. As
but one example, the disclosure of a "seat" should be understood to
encompass disclosure of the act of "seating"--whether explicitly
discussed or not--and, conversely, were there effectively
disclosure of the act of "seating", such a disclosure should be
understood to encompass disclosure of a "seat" and even a "means
for seating" Such alternative terms for each element or step are to
be understood to be explicitly included in the description.
[0043] In addition, as to each term used it should be understood
that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent
with such interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be
understood to included in the description for each term as
contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary,
second edition, each definition hereby incorporated by
reference.
[0044] Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to claim at
least: i) each of the sports theme restaurants herein disclosed and
described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii)
similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these
devices and methods, iv) those alternative embodiments which
accomplish each of the functions shown, disclosed, or described, v)
those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the
functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is
disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step
shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications
enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the
resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix)
methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and
with reference to any of the accompanying examples, x) the various
combinations and permutations of each of the previous elements
disclosed.
[0045] The claims set forth in this specification are hereby
incorporated by reference as part of this description of the
invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use
all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as
additional description to support any of or all of the claims or
any element or component thereof, and the applicant further
expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the
incorporated content of such claims or any element or component
thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as
necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by
this application or by any subsequent continuation, division, or
continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit
of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent
laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such
content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire
pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation,
division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any
reissue or extension thereon.
[0046] The claims set forth below are intended describe the metes
and bounds of a limited number of the preferred embodiments of the
invention and are not to be construed as the broadest embodiment of
the invention or a complete listing of embodiments of the invention
that may be claimed. The applicant does not waive any right to
develop further claims based upon the description set forth above
as a part of any continuation, division, or continuation-in-part,
or similar application.
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