Lighted cup holder for seating arrangements

摘要

A method and apparatus include attaching a lighted cup holder to a seating arrangement. The lighted cup holder includes a cup holder body and a light-producing light source, with the cup holder body being attached to the seating arrangement and having a cup receptacle therein, the light-producing source being disposed within the cup receptacle for illuminating the receptacle. A light-sensitive element operatively connected to the light source selectively controls production of light by the light source in such a manner that illumination of the cup holder is provided only under conditions where visibility is reduced to the point that it becomes difficult to locate the cup holder. The light-sensitive element is mounted on a master lighted cup holder and controls illumination of the master lighted cup holder and one or more slave lighted cup holders operatively connected to the master lighted cup holder.

主权项

1. A cup holder apparatus for a seating arrangement, the apparatus comprising:
a) a cup holder body adapted for attachment to the seating arrangement and having a cup receptacle therein wherein the cup holder body includes a substantially tubular sidewall, substantially closed at a lower end thereof by a bottom wall, and open at a top end thereof, such that the tubular sidewall and bottom wall define the cup holding receptacle; and b) a flange extending substantially radially outward from the tubular side wall at the open top end of the cup holder, wherein the flange comprises a control switch that is operatively linked to and controls a component of the seating arrangement other than the cup holder apparatus.