AU2013214152A1 - Grandstand - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a grandstand having a plurality of seating place rows and/or standing place rows which rise in a stepped manner and are accessible via at least one access route which bridges the height difference between the seating place rows and/or standing place rows, wherein the gradient of the seating place rows and/or standing place rows and the gradient of the access route enclose an angle of from approximately 20° to approximately 90°, with the result that the gradient of the access route has a first component which extends parallel to the direction of the place rows and runs towards the place rows.

Description

Our ref.: 6769-11-29390 WO Grandstand 5 The invention relates to a grandstand having a plurality of seat rows and/or standing space rows which rise in a stepped manner and are accessible via at least one access route which bridges the height difference between the seat rows and/or standing space 10 rows. Grandstands of the type mentioned at the outset are usually used to make it possible for a plurality of users to observe a sporting or cultural performance, it 15 being possible for an improved view of the events to be made possible by the stepped arrangement of the spectators. DE 10 2004 045 403 B4 has disclosed a grandstand of the 20 type mentioned at the outset. It has a plurality of seat rows which rise in a stepped manner. The visitors enter the grandstand via an entrance and can pass from there to the desired seat row via a staircase which bridges the height difference between the rows. Since 25 the maximum height of a step or the rake ratio is limited on account of human anatomy and each step must not exceed a defined step width, the rake of said staircase is limited to a maximum of approximately 360. Since the staircase rises substantially in parallel to 30 the seat rows, the maximum rake of the grandstand is also limited to this value. However, this embodiment has the disadvantage that, as the height of the seat row increases, the spacing from 35 the location of the events also rises, in order to ensure an unimpeded view of the playing field. As a result, the events can be followed only insufficiently from the upper rows. Furthermore, the result can be viewing obstacles in the near range, in particular in - 2 rear or upper rows, with the result that the events of the game or play is concealed in a region which adjoins the grandstand and therefore cannot be observed at all anymore. 5 The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a grandstand which affords improved viewing conditions and therefore a more intensive and/or more direct experience of the respective performance for the 10 spectators and which can be connected safely. According to the invention, the object is achieved by a grandstand as claimed in claim 1, a grandstand as claimed in claim 18, a grandstand as claimed in claim 15 23 or a stadium as claimed in claim 29. According to the invention, a grandstand is proposed having seat rows and/or standing space rows which rise in a stepped manner. Here, exactly one row can be 20 arranged on one step, with the result that each seat or standing space row has a height difference from the preceding seat or standing space row. In other embodiments of the invention, more than one row can be arranged on one step, with the result that in each case 25 groups of seat or standing space rows have a height difference from one another. In some embodiments of the invention, the height difference between two seat or standing space rows can be between approximately 10 cm and approximately 250 cm or between approximately 30 30 and approximately 200 cm or between approximately 45 and approximately 140 cm. If space rows are spoken of in the following description, this is intended to mean both seat rows 35 and standing space rows, as long as the text does not make express reference to seats or standing spaces. Seat rows differ from standing space rows to the extent that the seat rows are provided with foldable or rigid - 3 seat options which are individual or are connected to one another. According to one embodiment, the grandstand according to the invention has at least one seat row with seat options of this type. A standing 5 space row can have markings or structural boundaries of individual standing spaces, for example posts and/or railings and/or marking plates and/or floor markings which indicate the size and/or the position of the respective standing space. According to one embodiment, 10 the grandstand according to the invention has at least one standing space row with markings or structural boundaries of this type. The expression "seat rows and/or standing space rows" 15 is intended to include every type of space rows for spectators in the context of the present invention. In particular, in addition to conventional standing spaces and conventional seats, combinations or intermediate forms are also intended to be included. Combinations or 20 intermediate forms of this type can be configured, for example, in such a way that the spectator assumes a position between an upright standing position and a normal seating position with legs which are angled approximately at right angles. 25 In one embodiment, a space row contains at least two or, in another embodiment, at least five seats or standing spaces which are arranged next to one another on one level, that is to say horizontally in one plane. 30 In some embodiments of the invention, all the seats or standing spaces of a space row are arranged next to one another on one level. According to one embodiment, the space row therefore has no height difference along its longitudinal extent. 35 An optional railing can be arranged between two adjoining seat or standing space rows, with the result that it is made difficult for the user of a row of this - 4 type to pass immediately into the row below without using the access route. In the case of great height differences between the individual space rows, a railing of this type can also be required for safety 5 reasons. According to the invention, it is then proposed that the gradient of the space rows and the gradient of the access route enclose an angle of from approximately 200 10 to approximately 900. Unlike in the case of known grandstands, the staircase therefore no longer runs in the same direction as the space rows which rise in a stepped manner. For the purposes of the present invention, the gradient of the access route denotes the 15 direction of the steepest rise. In the case of a staircase with a rectangular step surface, the gradient therefore runs orthogonally with respect to the front edge or rear edge of the steps. If staircases or ramps are not of rectilinear design, the gradient course is 20 also not rectilinear. In this case, however, it goes without saying that the gradient at a predefinable point can be specified as the direction of the tangent with respect to the gradient course. The angle of inclination of the gradient vector with respect to the 25 horizontal denotes the rake of the grandstand or the access route. To this extent, a greater gradient is understood to be a steeper angle of inclination. In the same way, the gradient of the seat rows and/or 30 standing space rows denotes the direction of the steepest rise of the space rows. In this case too, the gradient therefore runs orthogonally with respect to the front edge or rear edge of the space rows if they have a substantially rectangular layout. 35 In the case of known grandstands, the gradient of the space rows and the gradient of the access route enclose either an angle of approximately 0', that is to say the - 5 gradients run parallel or the space row runs at a right angle with respect to the walking direction of the access route. In the case of further known grandstands, the gradient of the space rows and the gradient of the 5 access route can enclose an angle other than 00, the gradients pointing away from one another. In contrast, the grandstand according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that the gradient of the access route and the gradient of the space rows enclose 10 an angle of from approximately 20' to approximately 900, the gradients pointing toward one another. In this context, the access route has a component which runs in the direction of the space rows. 15 If the gradient of the access route and the gradient of the space rows enclose an angle other than 900, the gradient of the access route has a component which runs in the direction of the gradient of the space rows. If the gradient of the access route and the gradient of 20 the space rows enclose an angle other than 00, the gradient of the access route has a component which runs parallel to the direction of the space rows. In the case of conventional grandstands, that component of the gradient of the access route which runs parallel to the 25 direction of the space rows is either zero or its direction points away from the space rows. In the case of the grandstand according to the invention, that component of the gradient of the access route which runs parallel to the direction of the space rows is not 30 zero and its direction points toward the space rows. The invention is based on the consideration that an access route which does not run in the plane of the space rows can have a rake which differs from said 35 plane. To this extent, a comparatively flat access route can be provided which can be combined with a steeper grandstand. In other embodiments of the invention, a flat grandstand can also be provided with - 6 a steep access route, in order to make spacesaving connection of the grandstand possible in this way. Here, the further the angle which is enclosed by the gradient of the space rows and the gradient of the 5 access route approaches the right angle, the more differently both gradients or angles of inclination can be configured. In some embodiments of the invention, the gradient of 10 the space rows and the gradient of the access route can enclose an angle of from approximately 500 to approximately 900. In some embodiments of the invention, the gradient of the space rows and the gradient of the access route can enclose an angle of 15 from approximately 700 to approximately 900. These ranges ensure that the access route has a sufficiently great component in the direction of the space rows and therefore the rise of the access route can be decoupled from the rise of the space rows to such an extent that, 20 even in the case of steep tiers, the access route becomes so flat that it can be walked along comfortably by the user of the grandstand and safe and rapid evacuation is made possible in an emergency. 25 In some embodiments of the invention, the grandstand can have at least one first tier having a plurality of seat and/or standing space rows and at least one second tier having a plurality of seat and/or standing space rows, each tier having more than approximately 100 or 30 more than approximately 200 seats and/or standing spaces. In some embodiments of the invention, the second tier can be arranged above the first tier, that is to say offset in the vertical direction. In one embodiment of the invention, each tier can have at 35 least one space row. In another embodiment of the invention, each tier can have a plurality of space rows. Two adjacent tiers can differ from two adjacent rows as a result of an increased spacing or height - 7 difference from one another. Two adjacent tiers can have a clear structural division. In some embodiments of the invention, two different tiers can be distinguished by way of different access routes. To 5 this extent, a tier is a group of space rows which contains at least one row. In some embodiments of the invention, the grandstand can have more than approximately 2000, more than 3000 10 or more than approximately 5000 seats and/or standing spaces. In some embodiments of the invention, a plurality of grandstands can be combined to form a stadium which accordingly can accommodate more than 5000, more than 10000, more than 30000 or more than 15 40000 visitors. A plurality of grandstands can be erected such that they are statically dependent on one another or independent. Large grandstands or large stadia of this type often suffer from the problem that a large number of space rows have to be provided for 20 the large number of visitors, with the result that, in the case of a correspondingly low rake of the grandstands, the spacing from the playing field or the stage becomes very great. To this extent, especially the visitors in the rear rows profit from the fact that 25 the grandstand can be of steeper configuration, so that the result is a shorter spacing and an overall improved view of the events. However, a safe access route which is pleasant to walk along for steep grandstands of this type, in which the rake of the space rows which rise in 30 a stepped manner is more than 370 or more than 400, has been impossible up to now. In some embodiments of the invention, the rake of the space rows and/or standing space rows which rise in a 35 stepped manner can be from approximately 370 to approximately 800. In other embodiments of the invention, the rake of the seat rows and/or standing space rows which rise in a stepped manner can be from -8 approximately 400 to approximately 800. In other embodiments of the invention, the rake of the seat rows and/or standing space rows which rise in a stepped manner can be from approximately 450 to approximately 5 750. These ranges afford the visitor in the upper rows a novel, previously unknown experience of the events on the playing field which adjoins the grandstand or the stage. This is caused firstly by the smaller distance and also by the experience of the steepness which makes 10 an unimpeded view possible, in a similar manner to that from a viewing tower. Although the grandstand can therefore be of substantially steeper configuration than previously, 15 the access route can have a low rake of approximately 360 or less as a result of the different course. In some embodiments of the invention, the rake of the access route can even be less than 320. This makes comfortable and fear-free use of the access route 20 possible, with the result that even large numbers of visitors can walk along it rapidly, without causing a line. In some embodiments of the invention, the width of the 25 access route is constant from the lowermost seat row or standing space row to the uppermost seat row or standing space row and relates as a rule to a minimum width which is based on the relationship to human anatomy. As a result, the customary image of a 30 staircase for the user is retained, with the result that said staircase can be walked along pleasantly and without delays. In some embodiments of the invention, the width of the 35 access route can decrease from the lowermost seat row or standing space row to the uppermost seat row or standing space row. An embodiment of this type of the invention allows for the circumstance that the visitors - 9 of an upper space row also have to use the staircase of the space rows lying below them, in order to reach their space. To this extent, the number of potential users of the staircase decreases continuously from 5 bottom to top. Accordingly, the capacity of the staircase also decreases continuously on account of the decreasing width, and the additional space can be used for additional seats or standing spaces or functional areas. 10 In some embodiments of the invention, the width of the access route can be from approximately 80 cm to approximately 300 cm depending on the minimum dimension for an evacuation or on the number of persons to be 15 evacuated. It has been shown that, depending on the size of the respective space row, this width of the access route is sufficient to channel the visitor flows safely via the access route. 20 In some embodiments of the invention, the walking direction on the access route and the gradient of the access route can enclose an angle of from approximately 00 to approximately 600. In other embodiments of the invention, the walking direction on the access route 25 and the gradient of the access route can enclose an angle of from approximately 00 to approximately 300. This means that the access route, for instance a staircase, can be walked along obliquely by the visitors. In some embodiments of the invention, this 30 can result in a saving of further space which can be used by further seats or standing spaces or functional areas. According to one possible embodiment, the invention 35 relates to a stadium having at least one grandstand as described herein. Here, stadium is understood generally to be a venue for sporting, cultural or other events, in which a playing field or an event area is enclosed - 10 by seats and/or standing spaces or seats and/or standing spaces are arranged on at least 2 or 3 sides of the playing field or the event area, 5 Without restricting the general concept of the invention, the invention is to be explained in greater detail in the following text using figures, in which: figure 1 explains the direction of the gradient 10 of the access route, figure 2 shows a perspective illustration of a detail of a grandstand having two tiers, 15 figure 3 shows the plan view of a grandstand according to the invention in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, 20 figure 4 shows the plan view of a grandstand according to the invention in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, and 25 figure 5 shows the plan view of a grandstand according to the invention in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention. 30 Figure 1 explains how, according to the invention, the gradient 15 of the space rows 145 and the gradient 125 of the access route enclose an angle of from approximately 200 to approximately 90'. The figure shows a plurality of space rows 145 with one spectator 35 20. The latter reaches his/her space or the space row via an access route with a gradient 125 or 126. In the case of known grandstands, the gradient 126 of the staircase or the access route runs either in the same - 11 direction as the gradient 15 of the space rows, with the result that both gradients enclose an angle of 00. In further, known embodiments, the gradient 126 can be turned in the negative direction and assume, for 5 example, an angle of -45' with respect to the gradient 15. The gradient 126 therefore has a first component 1261 parallel to the direction 17 of the space rows 145, 10 which first component 1261 is either zero or points away from the space rows 145. In addition, the gradient 126 has a second component 1262 which never becomes zero in the case of known grandstands. 15 According to the invention, it is proposed then that the gradient 125 of the access route encloses an angle of from approximately 20' to approximately 900 with the gradient 15 of the space rows 145. This means that the gradient 125 of the access route has at least one first 20 component 1251 which points in the direction of the space rows 145. In addition, the gradient 125 can have an optional second component 1252 parallel to the gradient 15 of the space rows 145. In some embodiments of the invention, said second component 1252 parallel 25 to the gradient 15 of the space rows 145 can be zero or can become at least very small under consideration of the building tolerances. In some embodiments of the invention, the second component 1252 parallel to the gradient 15 of the space rows 145 is smaller than the 30 first component 1251 which points in the direction of the space rows 145. For the purposes of the present invention, the gradient 125 or 126 of the access route denotes the direction of 35 the steepest rise. In the case of staircases with a rectangular step surface, the gradient therefore runs orthogonally with respect to the front edge or rear edge of the steps. If staircases or ramps are not - 12 designed rectilinearly, the gradient course is also not rectilinear. It goes without saying, however, that in this case the gradient at a predefinable point can be specified as the direction of the tangent with respect 5 to the gradient course. In the same way, the gradient 15 of the seat rows 145 and/or standing space rows 145 denotes the direction of the steepest rise of the space rows. In this case too, 10 the gradient therefore runs orthogonally with respect to the front edge or rear edge of the space rows if the latter have a substantially rectangular layout. A visitor who uses the access route of a grandstand 15 according to the invention in the direction of the gradient 125 therefore has to change his/her walking direction by less than 900, in order to turn off into a space row 145. In this way, the grandstand according to the invention differs from a known grandstand, in which 20 the visitor who uses the access route in the direction of the gradient 126 has to change his/her walking direction by more than 900, in order to turn off into a space row 145. Figure 2 shows a perspective illustration of a grandstand 1 or an illustration of a 25 detail of a larger grandstand 1. As can be seen from figure 2, the grandstand 1 has at least one lower tier 13 and at least one top tier 14. Here, the principle of the invention can be applied universally to seat and/or standing space rows. Which type of space rows the tiers 30 have can be determined depending on the respective application, that is to say depending on the comfort expectation of the visitors and the amount of visitors to be accommodated. Accordingly, the grandstand 1 can be equipped exclusively with standing spaces, 35 exclusively with seats or, as shown, in a combined manner with seats and standing spaces.

- 13 Each space row has a height difference y from the preceding space row. In some embodiments of the invention, the magnitude of the height difference y can be between approximately 10 cm and approximately 250 cm 5 or between approximately 30 and approximately 200 cm or between approximately 45 and approximately 140 cm. The magnitude of the height difference y can be identical for the lower grandstand 13 and the upper grandstand 14 or can be selected to be different. 10 Furthermore, each space row 135 or 145 has a depth x, within which the respective seat or standing space is arranged and the necessary circulation areas, with the result that the visitors within one row can move to 15 their space. The rake a of the grandstand therefore results as a = arctan (y/x). In the exemplary embodiment which is shown, the rake of the top tier 14 is greater than the rake of the lower tier 13. 20 In the exemplary embodiment which is shown, the tier 13 is connected in a known way by an access route' 12. The gradient of the access route 12 therefore runs parallel to the gradient of the space rows 135. This means that the rake of the access route 12 cannot be lower than 25 the rake of the space rows 135. On account of human anatomy, the step area of a step of a staircase requires a minimum depth. The depth of the step usually does not lie below 26 cm. Furthermore, the 30 rake ratio has to comply with an average human stride length of from approximately 61 cm to 64 cm. This results in a maximum height of the steps 123 of 19 cm or 20 cm. This corresponds to a maximum rake of 36.16 degrees which, in the exemplary embodiment which is 35 shown, is identical with the rake of the tier 13. In the exemplary embodiment which is shown, the upper grandstand 14 is equipped with space rows 145 which in - 14 each case have the greater height difference y from one another than the space rows 135. Since, as a result of their advanced optimized position, the standing space rows have a steeper sight line angle to the closest 5 point of the event, the space rows in the top tier 14 are steeper than in the lower tier 13. The tier 14 can no longer be connected by way of a conventional access route 12 which has been explained using the lower tier 13, since either the step area of the steps 123 becomes 10 too small or the height difference of two adjacent steps becomes too great. In addition to a loss of comfort for the visitors, this also represents a safety risk, since the visitors might stumble easily on a staircase of such steepness and rapid evacuation of the 15 grandstand is no longer ensured in an emergency. The gradient of the access route 12 according to the invention which is explained using the top tier 14 therefore does not run parallel to the gradient of the 20 space rows 145, but rather approximately orthogonally. As a result, the access route 12 can have a different rake than the space rows 145, with the result that a comfortable and safe access route 12 with a relatively low rake can also be used to connect a very steep 25 grandstand. In order to reach the space rows 145, the visitors first of all walk via a first access route 121 to a stair head 122. It is to be noted that the shown 30 position of the stair head 122 at the level between the first and the second space rows 145 is optional. The stair head 122 can also be arranged at a higher or lower level. 35 Six access routes 12 branch off from the stair head 122 in the direction 17 of the space rows 145. Here, the space rows which lie to the left of the stair head 122 are connected by in each case two access routes 12 and - 15 the space rows which lie to the right of the stair head 122 are connected by in each case two access routes 12. Furthermore, two access routes 12 run upward and two run downward, with the result that in each case all the 5 space rows can be connected from the stair head 122, that is to say both the space rows which lie above it and those which lie below it as well as the space rows which lie to the right of it and those which lie to the left of it. In the case of a different position of the 10 stair head 122, it goes without saying that some of the shown six access routes 12 can be omitted and/or access routes at the same level can also be added. In some embodiments of the invention, one access route connects at least 2 space rows. In some embodiments of the 15 invention, one access route connects at least 4 space rows. In some embodiments of the invention, one access route connects at least 5 space rows. The principle which is shown in figure 2 for a tier 20 with 8 rows can be extended to larger tiers, by the tier being connected by way of a plurality of access routes 12 and/or a plurality of stair heads 122 which in each case connect a group of space rows. 25 The access routes 12 run approximately orthogonally with respect to the direction of the first access route 121. The walking direction on the access route 12 runs in this case approximately at an angle of 20 degrees with respect to the gradient of the access route in the 30 direction of the space rows 145. The height difference between the standing space rows 145 is therefore not overcome in the direction of the gradient of the space rows 145, but rather orthogonally with respect thereto. 35 It goes without saying that the connection principle which is explained by way of example using figure 2 can also be implemented successfully when the gradient of the access route 12 does not run exactly orthogonally - 16 in the direction of the space rows 145 or the walking direction encloses a different angle with the standing space rows 145. In this case, the gradient of the standing space rows 145 and the gradient of the access 5 route 12 cannot enclose a right angle, but rather a different angle which can lie, for example, between approximately 200 and approximately 900, approximately 450 and approximately 900 or approximately 70 and approximately 90'. 10 It goes without saying that the construction principle which is explained by way of example using space rows 145 in the tier 14 can also be applied to space rows 135 in the tier 13. 15 Figure 3 once again explains the construction principle according to the invention in a view of a tier 14 with nine standing space rows 145. Each standing space row has a height difference of y from the preceding 20 standing space row, with the result that the uppermost standing space row has a height difference of 8y from the lowermost standing space row. Furthermore, each standing space row 145 has the depth x which is dimensioned such that the visitors can stand 25 comfortably on the step rows and can pass one another without danger. The length of the standing space rows along the longitudinal extent or in the direction 17 of the space rows 145 is dimensioned such that each visitor can utilize a sufficiently large occupation 30 area. For example, the extent can be 0.5 m or 0.75 m per visitor. The height difference between the standing space rows 145 can be called the gradient 15. Here, the gradient 35 indicates the direction of the height change. In the case of rectangular steps, the gradient 15 therefore runs orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal extent of the respective standing space row 145.

- 17 An access route 12 serves to guide the visitors to their spaces. The access route 12 begins at a substantially flat path or a stair head 122. The access 5 route 12 overcomes the height difference between the individual standing space rows 145 by way of a plurality of steps 123. The access route 12 therefore also has a gradient 125 which runs orthogonally with respect to the respective edge in the case of 10 rectangular steps. As figure 3 explains, the gradient 125 of the access route 12 is therefore arranged substantially at right angles with respect to the gradient 15 of the space rows 145. 15 In the example which is shown, the access route 12 is configured as a staircase. The staircase can have more than 3, more than 6 or more than 10 steps. Since the visitors of the upper rows have to use all 20 the staircases which the visitors of the lower rows also have to climb, the width of the access route 12 increases from top to bottom. By way of example, the width Bi of the first step and the width B 5 of the twelfth step are shown. It can be seen readily that a 25 smaller width of the access route 12 is appropriate at the level of the twelfth step, since merely the visitors of the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth rows move along the access route 12 here. In contrast, the access route is of wider configuration in the region of 30 the first step, since, in addition, the visitors of the second, third, fourth and fifth rows also move along the access route 12. In this way, firstly the capacity of the access route 12 can be increased without using unnecessary space, however, since the access route is 35 configured with a full width only at the points where the flows of people are at a maximum.

- 18 Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention. Since the view and the designations which are used are identical to the first embodiment which was explained using figure 3, the following description is restricted 5 to explaining the essential differences of the second embodiment. It is also the case in the embodiment according to figure 4 that an access route 12 starts at a stair head 122. The access route 12 has a constant width over its entire longitudinal extent. The width is 10 dimensioned such that a sufficiently rapid evacuation of the grandstand or the tier 14 is made possible. Since the upper standing space rows 145 are shorter than the lower standing space rows, the flows of people increase from top to bottom. 15 It is also the case in the second exemplary embodiment that the gradient 125 of the access route 12 runs approximately orthogonally with respect to the gradient 15 of the standing space rows 145. However, the walking 20 direction 16 of the visitors on the access route 12 is not parallel to the gradient 125 of the access route 12. Rather, the walking direction 16 and the gradient 125 enclose an angle with respect to one another, 38' in the exemplary embodiment which is shown. Said angle 25 can be selected such that the access route 12 can still be walked on comfortably. For example, the angle can be between approximately 0' and approximately 600. A third embodiment of the invention will be explained 30 using figure 5. Figure 5 also shows nine standing space rows 145 of a tier 14, as was explained using figure 3. In contrast to the preceding exemplary embodiments, the gradient 125 of the access route 12 encloses an angle which is not a right angle with the gradient 15 of the 35 standing space rows 145. In the exemplary embodiment which is shown, an angle of 530 is selected by way of example. It goes without saying that said angle can also assume different values in other embodiments of - 19 the invention. It is essential to the invention merely that the gradient 125 has a component which is at a right angle with respect to the gradient 15. 5 The visitors then likewise pass via a stair head 122 to the access route 12. Via the steps 123 of the access route 12, the visitors essentially follow the direction of the gradient 125 as far as the desired standing space row 145. They leave the access route 12 there, in 10 order to pass to a second stair head 124. The latter is situated at the level of the respective associated standing space row 145, with the result that the visitors can then follow said row horizontally as far as their space. The access route 12 according to the 15 third exemplary embodiment also has a constant width B. The embodiment which is more spacesaving than the first embodiment of the invention can be used to save space in circulation areas and, in return, to extend functional areas on the tier 14. 20 In all the described embodiments of the invention, the access route 12 does not necessarily have to be provided with a staircase 123. In other embodiments of the invention, the access route 12 can also be a 25 stepless ramp which can be moved along simply, for example, by wheelchairs or strollers. If the access route 12 is configured as a staircase, it can have more than 3, more than 6 or more than 10 30 steps. It goes without saying that the invention is not restricted to the embodiments which are shown in the figures. The above description is therefore not to be 35 considered to be limiting, but rather explanatory. The following claims are to be understood such that there is a stated feature in at least one embodiment of the invention.

- 20 This does not preclude the presence of further features. If the claims or the description describe "first" and "second" elements, this designation serves 5 to distinguish similar features, without an order of precedence being defined.

Claims (29)

1. A grandstand having a plurality of seat rows and/or standing space rows which rise in a stepped 5 manner and are accessible via at least one access route which bridges the height difference between the seat rows and/or standing space rows, the gradient of the seat rows and/or standing space rows and the gradient of the access route enclosing an angle of from 10 approximately 200 to approximately 90', with the result that the gradient of the access route has a first component which runs parallel to the direction of the space rows and runs towards the space rows. 15

2. The grandstand as claimed in claim 1, wherein more than one space row is connected by way of a contiguous staircase.

3. The grandstand as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein 20 the gradient of the seat rows and/or standing space rows and the gradient of the access route enclose an angle of from approximately 500 to approximately 90 or an angle of from approximately 700 to approximately 900 . 25

4. The grandstand as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gradient of the space rows is different from the gradient of the access route. 30

5. The grandstand as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gradient of the space rows is greater than the gradient of the access route.

6. The grandstand as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, 35 wherein the grandstand has at least one first tier having a plurality of seat and/or standing space rows and at least one second tier having a plurality of seat and/or standing space rows, and a tier has more than - 22 approximately 100 or more than approximately 200 seats and/or standing spaces.

7. The grandstand as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, 5 wherein it has more than approximately 3000 or more than approximately 5000 seats and/or standing spaces.

8. The grandstand as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the rake of the seat rows and/or standing space 10 rows which rise in a stepped manner is from approximately 370 to approximately 800, or from approximately 400 to approximately 800, or from approximately 450 to approximately 750*. 15

9. The grandstand as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rake of the access route is less than 370 or less than 32'.

10. The grandstand as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, 20 wherein the width of the access route decreases from the lowermost seat row or standing space row to the uppermost seat row or standing space row.

11. The grandstand as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, 25 wherein the width of the access route remains constant from the lowermost seat row or standing space row to the uppermost seat row or standing space row.

12. The grandstand as claimed in claim 11, wherein the 30 width of the access route is from approximately 80 cm to approximately 300 cm.

13. The grandstand as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the walking direction of the access route 35 and the gradient of the access route enclose an angle of from approximately 0' to approximately 60* or an angle of from approximately 0 to approximately 30*. - 23

14. The grandstand as claimed in one of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least one of the space rows is provided with seating options and/or devices which indicate the size and/or the position of a standing space. 5

15. The grandstand as claimed in one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the gradient of the access route has a second component parallel to the gradient of the space rows and a first component in the direction of the 10 space rows, the second component being smaller than the first component.

16. The grandstand as claimed in one of claims 1 to 24, wherein all the seats or standing spaces are 15 arranged next to one another on one level.

17. The grandstand as claimed in one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the space row is of horizontal configuration. 20

18. A grandstand having a plurality of seat rows and/or standing space rows which rise in a stepped manner and are accessible via at least one access route which bridges the height difference between the seat 25 rows and/or standing space rows, wherein the rake of the seat rows and/or standing space rows is greater than the rake of the access route.

19. The grandstand as claimed in claim 18, wherein the 30 rake of the seat rows and/or standing space rows which rise in a stepped manner is from approximately 37' to approximately 800, or from approximately 400 to approximately 800, or from approximately 45' to approximately 750. 35

20. The grandstand as claimed in either of claims 18 and 19, wherein the rake of the access route is less than 370 or less than 320. - 24

21. The grandstand as claimed in one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the space row has no height difference along its longitudinal extent. 5

22. The grandstand as claimed in one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the space row contains at least two seats or standing spaces which are arranged next to one another on one level. 10

23. A grandstand having a plurality of seat rows and/or standing space rows which rise in a stepped manner and are accessible via at least one access route which bridges the height difference between the seat 15 rows and/or standing space rows, wherein the rake of the seat rows and/or standing space rows which rise in a stepped manner is from approximately 400 to approximately 800 or from approximately 450 to approximately 75*. 20

24. The grandstand as claimed in claim 23, wherein the space row contains at least two seats or standing spaces which are arranged next to one another on one level. 25

25. The grandstand as claimed in either of claims 23 and 24, wherein the rake of the space rows is greater than the rake of the access route. 30

26. The grandstand as claimed in one of claims 23 to 25, wherein the rake of the access route is less than 370 or less than 320.

27. The grandstand as claimed in one of claims 23 to 35 26, wherein more than one space row is connected by way of a contiguous staircase as access route. - 25

28. The grandstand as claimed in one of claims 23 to 27, wherein the gradient of the seat rows and/or standing space rows and the gradient of the access route enclose an angle of from approximately 500 to 5 approximately 90' or an angle of from approximately 70 to approximately 90O.

29. A stadium having at least one grandstand as claimed in one of claims 1 to 28.