Seating device for athletic events

Abstract

An athletic sideline seating device having storage capability and removable and replaceable signage is disclosed. A seating apparatus defining a storage area is provided, on which one or more sign elements can be coupled. The storage area may be accessed in a number of ways, for example, by hinged seat or front panel, or by an access door in one or more sides. The device is portable and may include handles, moving elements and lightweight materials for that purpose. Additionally, the invention may include a trainer's table and/or an equipment table that are storable within the seating apparatus and easily coupled to the outside of the seating apparatus.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A combination comprising: 
 a seating apparatus, said seating apparatus having space for storage, and    a sign element coupled to said seating apparatus.    
     
     
         2 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said seating apparatus has a rear facing surface that forms an angle with the vertical, and said sign element is removably coupled to said seating apparatus adjacent said rear facing surface.  
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 2 , wherein said angle is approximately twelve degrees.  
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 2 , wherein said seating apparatus has a back rest surface that forms an angle with the vertical, and said sign element is removably coupled to said back rest surface.  
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 4 , wherein said angle is approximately four degrees.  
     
     
         6 . The combination of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one channel element attached to said seating apparatus adapted to accommodate a part of said sign element.  
     
     
         7 . The combination of  claim 6 , further comprising a mechanism from the group consisting of casters, wheels, and skids.  
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one hand grip attached to said seating apparatus.  
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one table element coupled to said seating apparatus.  
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 9 , wherein said table element is adapted for one of administration of medical treatment and placement of equipment.  
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein a part of said seating apparatus is movable to provide access to said internal storage area.  
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 11 , wherein said seating apparatus includes a seat portion, and said movable part is at least a portion of said seat portion of said seating apparatus.  
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 11 , wherein said seating apparatus includes a front panel portion, and said movable part is at least a portion of said front panel portion of said seating apparatus.  
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 11 , wherein said seating apparatus includes a side panel portion, and said movable part is at least a portion of said side panel portion of said seating apparatus.  
     
     
         15 . The combination of  claim 14 , wherein said movable part is a door within said side panel portion.  
     
     
         16 . A device, comprising: 
 a seating apparatus having a seat portion, a back rest portion adjacent said seat portion, a rear portion, a storage area accessible from outside said seating apparatus, and at least one channel element adapted to accommodate a sign element.    
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one table element storable within said storage area.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one sign element removably coupled to said channel element.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said seating element includes at least one channel element adjacent said rear portion and at least one channel element adjacent said back rest portion, and a first sign element is removably coupled to said rear portion channel element and a second sign element is removably coupled to said back rest portion channel element.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of said at least one table element is adapted to be coupled to said seating apparatus.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein a first table element adapted for use in administering medical treatment is removably coupled to said seating apparatus, and a second table element adapted for placement of equipment is removably coupled to said seating apparatus.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein said seating apparatus includes hand grips and is constructed of a relatively lightweight material.  
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein said seating apparatus includes one of the group consisting of wheels, casters, and skids.