EP0271402B1 - Mobile structure for meeting or civic spectacle rooms - Google Patents

Abstract

A modifiable floor structure useful in optimizing the configuration of a public hall is disclosed. The floor structure comprises a plurality of modular platforms, each including a rectangular horizontal panel, a pair of box girders, each box girder having a plurality of housings suitable for enclosing a plurality of folded chairs. Each modular platform also includes a mechanism for elevating and lowering the platform which is adapted such that the modular platform remains level and parallel to the ground as it is raised and lowered. A mechanism for remotely controlling the operation of the elevating mechanism is also included whereby the configuration of a plurality of modular platforms may be controlled from a central location. The seats stored within the housings of the modular platforms may be elevated, thereby positioning them for use above the plane of the modular platform. Furthermore, the seats may is configured in a variety of ways.

Description

The present invention relates to a structure forming a modifiable floor in particular for a space or a room intended for public meetings or for collective use.

The floor structure produced in accordance with the invention allows adaptation to different uses corresponding to various uses of a collective nature.

There is a need, linked to the development of the civilization of leisure and a dissemination of culture, for rooms or spaces intended for collective meetings or public events likely to take various forms.

The meeting rooms or collective events currently existing each respond to characteristics, controlled by functional needs, which themselves depend on the specific conditions of each type of activity or event concerned.

A first object of the invention is to make it possible to have spaces or premises, capable of receiving various and multiple assignments and therefore having a flexible structure adaptable to each new use, this in a limited period of time, so that the transformation can be carried out quickly between two types of use or allocation.

In particular, it is desirable to be able to move quickly and without labor costs from a completely unobstructed structure, allowing an allocation to the free movement of people, or even vehicles, to a completely different allocation comprising the installation of seats a meeting in which the participants are seated and following an artistic event (plays, concerts, conferences, even indoor sports events).

French patent 2,366,424 discloses a platform for a spectator room capable of being moved in height. The invention aims to develop the interest and the possibilities of a platform of this type.

To this end, the invention relates to a modular platform for the production of a floor structure according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of claims 2 to 13.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows and which is given in connection with a particular embodiment. presented by way of nonlimiting example.

Figure 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the platform in the high position.

FIG. 2 represents a view in longitudinal section of the platform in the intermediate position in its fold-back movement towards the low position.

Figure 3 shows a view of the platform brought into the lower position.

Figure 4 shows a side elevation view of the platform.

FIG. 5 represents a cross-sectional view of the platform seen, for the right-hand part of the figure at the end of the platform, that is to say directly below the receiving pad of the common journaling of the base extensible and tie rods (and according to the line VA-VA of figure 3, while on the left part of the figure the cut is taken at the level of the positioning of the stabilizer (i.e. according to the line VB-VB in Figure 3).

FIG. 6 represents a detail view with partial cutaway showing the positioning and the operation of the extendable base shown in the low position of the platform.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of the transmission of the movement for retracting the legs.

FIG. 8 represents a detail view showing the seats of a row in the active position.

FIG. 9 represents a plurality of platforms side by side and arranged in tiers in a transverse view of the platforms.

FIG. 10 represents a perspective view of a platform in an elevated position.

According to all of the figures, it can be seen that each platform 1 comprises a carrying structure made up of two twin boxes 2 and 2ʹ separated by an interval 3 whose width is substantially equivalent to the width of the boxes, so that the width of each platform is divided into three equal thirds.

Each platform is preferably much longer than wide, the ratio of length to width preferably being greater than 10.

Each platform is designed to receive, in its operational position, a row of a plurality of aligned and erasable seats, as will be seen in detail below, inside at least one of the boxes. .

Thus each platform corresponds to a row of seats, increased by the space necessary between two rows of seats to allow the passage and comfort of the participants.

According to the example shown here, each platform is designed to receive a row of about twenty seats which are capable of being either maneuvered separately, or mounted together, the entire row being moved from its erased position inside a boxes, to a higher position as seen in Figure 8.

The structure of the platform made up of two box beams 2 and 2ʹ is completed by a bracing common to the whole of the platform and connecting the two box beams 2.2ʹ; for example these 4.4ʹ, 5.5ʹ spacers are arranged at the ends or in an intermediate position as seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

Preferably each box 2,2ʹ is made of a sheet folded in a U and it has from place to place internal stiffening frames 6,6ʹ, 7,7ʹ which define between them modular housings 8,8ʹ, 9,9ʹ each receiver a 10,10ʹ erasable seat.

The two box beams 2,2ʹ are also joined at their upper part, at the level of the gap 3, by a plate 10 supporting the plate 11 constituting the platform floor.

In the upper part of each box, overhanging the housings 8,8ʹ, 9,9ʹ, receivers of the seats in the erased position, is placed a cover plate 12,12 également also coated with a surfacing or decking 13,13ʹ coming at the level of the intermediate decking 11 and pivotally mounted along the hinges 14,14,.

It can thus be seen, in particular in the light of FIG. 5, that in the closed position of the covers 12,12ʹ, the platform offers at its upper part a bare and completely unobstructed floor (the platform can be both in the high position and in low position).

According to an essential characteristic of the invention, the platform is mounted movable between a high position shown in Figure 1 and the low position, resting on the primary floor 15 as shown in Figure 3, Figure 2 showing the movement (in the sense of arrows and illustrating the retraction of the platform from its high position to its low position.

The mechanical means allowing the movement of the platform consist of two extendable legs exercising the function of extendable and retractable jacks; these two extendable legs 16 and 16ʹ are each associated with a tie 17,17ʹ.

According to the example described and illustrated here, the extendable base consists of two elements, an upper element 18 journalled at its upper part along the axis 19 between the two boxes 2 and 2ʹ and in which a lower element is mounted telescopically. 20.

The tie rod which could consist of a unitary element, is, in the example described here, consisting of two pairs of rigid elements, for example metal tubes of quadrangular section, respectively 21.21ʹ, 22.22ʹ, arranged in pairs. respectively on each side of the extendable base 16.

The tie rod (consisting of the four elements 21,21ʹ, 22,22ʹ) is articulated under the two box beams 2,2ʹ along the axis of articulation 23.

The extendable base 16 and the tie rod 17 are also joined at their base by a common hinge pin.

More specifically and according to the example described and illustrated here, the two pairs respectively 21.21ʹ and 22.22ʹ, elements constituting the tie rod are pivotally mounted on two sliding pads 24 and 24ʹ, these pads being displaceable by gentle friction at inside the 25.25ʹ slides or rails, resting on the primary ground 15.

Each pair respectively 21.21ʹ, 22.22 respectivement of the elements or members forming together the tie rod is associated with a stabilizer 26.26ʹ itself pivotally mounted on one side on a fixed base 27.27ʹ and articulated at 28.28ʹ at its opposite end substantially in the middle of the tie rod 17, the connecting rod 26 having a length equivalent to half of the tie rod 17, so that the connecting rod 26 forms with the lower half of the tie rod 17 a constantly isosceles triangle whose articulation 28.28ʹ occupies the top.

It is understood that the shoe 24.24ʹ mounted to slide and provided with faces made of materials with a low coefficient of friction, cooperating with the rails 25.25ʹ, also provided with soft friction coatings, could be replaced by an assembly provided with rollers or rolling means also guided in a corresponding rail system.

The whole of the beam 1, the extendable legs 16 and 16ʹ, the tie rods formed from the frames or profiles 21.21ʹ, 22.22ʹ as well as the stabilizers 26.26ʹ, as well as the rails or slides 25.25ʹ are all parallel between them and are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the platform.

The mechanical actuation means of the assembly consist of a single motor 30 disposed substantially at the center of the platform and in the interior space 3 separating the two box beams 2,2ʹ; this motor 30 is associated with a reducer 31 from which both sides and in diametrically opposite directions leave the two collinear shafts 32, 32 32.

It can be seen in particular in FIGS. 6 and 7 that the shaft 32 leads to a universal joint 33 whose axis (cross) is collinear with axis 19 corresponding to the articulation of the upper element 18 of the extendable base.

The gimbal 33 allows the transmission of the movement from the shaft 32 to the threaded rod 34 which is rotatably mounted inside the telescopic element 18.

The threaded rod 34 is rotatably mounted without being able to move longitudinally, being immobilized by the set of bearings formed by opposing ball bearings 35.

The threaded rod 34 is inserted into a bronze nut 36 integral with the upper end of the lower telescopic element 20, the bronze nut 36 constituting a captive nut driven in longitudinal displacement along the threaded rod 34 by the rotation of the latter.

It is understood under these conditions that the drive of the threaded rod 34 from the motor 30, via the shaft 32 and the universal joint 33 allow the movement of extension or retraction (depending on the direction of rotation of screw 34).

The drive of the two legs, from a common motor, ensures, in an original and particularly effective way, the perfect synchronism of the actuation of the two extendable legs, right and left respectively, thereby ensuring the movement of raising or lowering. of the platform, the latter remaining constantly horizontal and parallel to itself.

The movement of movement of the platform between its high position and its low position is illustrated in Figure 2 where we see that depending on the retraction (or vice versa of the extension during the reverse movement) of the extendable base 16, the skates 24.24ʹ prisoners and sliding inside the 25,25ʹ guide rails move in the centrifugal direction towards the ends, as the whole platform is lowered.

However, the conjunction of the two pairs of lateral tie rods respectively 21.21ʹ, 22.22ʹ, trapped at their base of the skids 24.24ʹ and therefore integral with the primary ground 15 allows perfect lateral stability of the whole of the platform resting on the extendable legs.

The positioning of the legs along the platform, at intermediate levels allows balancing and a homogeneous distribution of the bending forces, thus allowing the use of a platform of great length.

In the low position, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the entire platform rests on the primary floor by means of the lower sections respectively 37.37ʹ, 38.38 respectivement arranged laterally and under each of the box girders 2 , 2ʹ.

At each end the profiles 37.37ʹ, 38.38ʹ are interrupted at a bevel substantially over a length allowing the insertion, in the fully lowered position of the platform, of the pads.

The profiles 37.37ʹ, 38.38ʹ transfer, from place to place and in a homogeneous and regularly distributed manner, the forces likely to be received during heavy loads applied to the platform then in the low position.

Indeed, the profiles 37.37ʹ, 38.38ʹ rest on the primary floor 15 either directly, or, as in the examples described here, via the rails 25.25ʹ.

To this end, provision may be made in one embodiment for the rails 25, 25 'provided with a length corresponding to the useful stroke of the pads 24, 24', to be embedded inside the primary ground 15.

And according to a variant, these 25,25ʹ rails can be added in elevation and resting on the primary floor; in this case the rails are extended, outside their active part, by support elements extending the rails and able to receive, in their rest position, the profiles 37.37ʹ, 38.38ʹ.

It can be seen that, as shown in FIG. 5 on the left-hand side of the figure, in this rest position, the two twin elements forming a pair belonging to the tie rod, that is to say the tubular elements 22, 22ʹ, are completely inserted, in the low position of the platform, inside the space defined by the two sections 38.38ʹ, while the stabilizer 26ʹ is inserted meanwhile between the two tubes 22.22ʹ, the assembly then being in a horizontal position as seen in particular in FIG. 3.

Preferably and as seen in Figure 8, each of the box beams 2,2ʹ internally containing the successive housings receives a plurality of seats each seat consisting of a drawer module movable in height between the position erased inside of the housing (within the box beam) and the upper free position as seen on the left side of Figure 8.

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the platform thus comprises two rows of seats arranged respectively in one and in the other of the two box girders, the seats being arranged face to face; it is thus possible to put in an active position a row of seats or the other, thus using the room according to multiple possibilities, the center of interest can thus be placed at one end or at another; and in both cases the seats will be put in active position, so as to face the spectacle.

It is thus possible to have in the same room, at two opposite ends of equipment corresponding to completely different shows or events, each equipment being fixed; and the room can be used in one direction or another.

According to a more particular characteristic each module constituting a unitary seat 40, and capable of being extracted vertically from its housing, is itself made up of an assembly in which the seat 42 and the backrest 43 are articulated one against the another according to a common horizontal hinge 44 and located at the base of the backrest 43; the seat 42 is itself pivotally mounted along a horizontal axis 45, bearing on the two lateral uprights 46 (forming part of the movable module); and the backrest 43 is itself connected on each side to each of the lateral armrests 46 by a link 47 articulated on the one hand at 48 on the armrest and at 49 on the backrest; in these conditions the pivoting of the seat 42 along the horizontal articulation 45 causes the opening opening movement by angular approximation of the seat 42 and the backrest 43 while the link 47 automatically controls the tilting of the assembly towards a vertical and compacted position the two elements being brought against each other ready to be re-engaged in the erasing position inside the housing formed by the box beam.

All of the motorization means consisting in particular of motors 30 fitted to each of the platforms, as well as the motors (not shown) controlling the elevation and retraction movement of the modules constituting the seats 40, can be connected in conventional manner by circuits electric at a central station, from which the lifting or lowering movement of each platform, respectively the lifting or positioning movement of each seat or each row of seats, can be controlled remotely.

Under these conditions it is possible from a central position to control the individual positioning of each of the platforms in order to modulate the relief of the room as required.

We can thus move from a low position of all platforms, with a completely cleared floor, to a raised position in which the platforms can be arranged in steps adapted to a position or a morphology of the room according to needs .

We understand that this system allows great flexibility in the design, implementation and implementation of a reception structure as part of the organization of a show or event.

If you want to use the room in a low position, on a bare floor, all the beams resting directly on the floor by the lower profiles, you get a particularly resistant seat allowing in particular the circulation of lifting equipment (trucks, carriers, etc ...); it is thus possible to bring into a large room elements forming an interior structure in the case of the use of the room in exhibition space.

The modifications can then be made very quickly by simple remote control causing the individual actuation of each platform brought to its suitable height and automatically stabilized in its position, each platform remaining parallel to itself and stable in any position, its positioning in the space being stably controlled by the stabilizers, the end of which is anchored in the primary soil.

We can thus identify steps (as we see in Figure 10) according to any geometric configuration or any suitable angle, in particular allowing two halves of the room to face each other with their eyes converging towards the center, or on the contrary l whole room facing a show on one side or the other.

It is understood that the positioning and release of the seats towards their active situation can be achieved in various ways.

A description has been more particularly described in the foregoing description and a variant has been shown in the accompanying drawings in which the seats can be moved vertically by being extracted from each box beam in a vertical upward movement after pivoting of the cover 12 and of the corresponding decking 13; embodiments can be provided in which the rows of seats mounted integral inside each box girder could be released laterally by one or by the other or by the two ends, the rows extracted of a box beam belonging to a platform then being brought into the active position on the neighboring platform brought for this purpose beforehand to an appropriate level.

It is also possible to produce a variant in which the rows of seats would be cleared by an opening face of one or two box beams 2.2ʹ, the row of seats then being brought, after extraction from a platform, to the neighboring platform brought to a lower level so that the decking of this neighboring platform comes at the level of the extraction of the row of seats.

Claims (13)

1. Modular platform for making a floor structure for a space or premises which are public or for collective use, of the type constituted by a deck 11 and by a plurality of seats 40 retractable in a housing provided below the upper plane of said deck, constituting an element of the floor of the premises, characterized in that it comprises a supporting framework formed by two box girders 2, 2' supporting said deck 11, the two girders forming two parallel twinned longitudinal girders disposed on two large sides of said platform, the two box girders 2, 2' being separated by a gap 3 containing said mechanical means adapted to ensure displacement of the platform in height and each of the box girders 2, 2' constitutes the housing 8, 8' receiving a plurality of retractable seats 40 adapted to be displaced from a folded position compacted inside said housing, below the upper plane of the deck 11, and an opened-out, active position above the deck.
2. Platform according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that each of the box girders 2, 2' is constituted by a U-bent metal sheet, internally containing elements forming stiffeners and constituted by quadrangular frames 6, 6', 7, 7' disposed transversely from place to place, the frames forming stiffeners also constituting bracing elements joining the two lateral flanges of the U-shaped box girder.
3. Platform according to Claim 1 or Claim 2,
   characterized in that each volume constituted within the box girder by the gap 8, 8' between two quadrangular stiffeners 6, 6', 7, 7', constitutes an upwardly open volume defining the housing for receiving a foldable modular seat 30 capable of being engaged in folded position inside the housing, and of being disengaged from its housing in order to be opened out and placed in active position above the upper plane of the deck.
4. Platform according to Claim 3,
   characterized in that the housing 8 constituted within the box girder 2 is closed in its upper part by a covering element 12, 12', 13, 13' mounted to pivot along a flange of the box girder and enclosing, in retracted position of the seats, the volume constituted by the box girder, extending the deck 11 defining an element of the floor of the platform.
5. Platform according to one of Claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that it comprises a frame formed by two lateral box girders disposed parallel, constituting the bearing longitudinal girders of the whole of the deck, the two box girders 2, 2' being separated by a gap 3, of dimensions substantially equal to the width of each of the girders, and containing the drive members 30, 31 adapted to ensure adjustment in height of the platform.
6. Platform according to one of Claims 1 to 5,
   characterized in that the means for ensuring displacement of the platform in height are constituted by two extensible and retractable leg elements 16, 16', subjected to the actuation of drive members and mounted, at their summit, to pivot on the platform, the base of each extensible leg element 16, 16' being connected in articulated manner to a tie-rod 17, 17', the tie-rod joining the base of the leg element to a pivot pin 23 disposed on the platform, itself parallel and non-colinear with the pivot pin 19 of each leg element.
7. Platform according to one of Claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that the mechanical means for ensuring adjustment of each platform in height comprise an electric motor common to the two extensible leg elements, this motor being equipped with a reduction gear 31 and being disposed in central position in the gap 3 defined between the two box girders 2, 2', the gear motor comprising two driven shafts 32, 32' disposed in opposite manner along the longitudinal axis of the deck, each shaft terminating in a Universal joint 33 adapted to rotate an endless screw 34 transmitting its movement of rotation in movement of extension or of retraction of the extensible leg element 16, 16'.
8. Platform according to one of Claims 1 to 7,
   characterized in that each extensible leg element 16, 16' forming jack is itself constituted by two tubular elements, viz. an upper element forming sleeve 18 and a lower element 20, the latter sliding telescopically in the upper element forming sleeve 18, and the endless screw 34, driven in rotation from the motor 30 by a Universal joint 33, is engaged in a captive nut 36 fast with one of the two elements, particularly the lower element 20, the rotation of the screw bringing about the movement of extension or of retraction of this element 20 with respect to its receiving sleeve 18.
9. Platform according to one of Claims 1 to 8,
   characterized in that the tie-rod 17, 17' is associated with a stabilizer 26, 26' constituted by a rod of which the base is mounted to pivot on a fixed pivot pin 27 fast with the primary ground 15, the opposite side of the stabilizer itself being articulated on the corresponding tie-rod, the two stabilizers 26, 26', each associated with one of the two tie-rods 17, 17' being disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the deck.
10. Platform according to one of Claims 1 to 9,
    characterized in that the bottoms of each extensible leg element 16, 16', on the one hand, and of the tie-rod 17, 17' which is associated therewith, on the other hand, (and mounted together in articulated manner), are pivotally mounted on a base plate 24 slidably engaged in a slideway 25 fast with the primary ground 15 and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the deck.
11. Platform according to one of Claims 1 to 10,
    characterized in that the tie-rod 17 is formed by two pairs of legs (21, 21', 22, 22'), parallel and twinned, each pair being associated with a stabilizer 26 disposed in intermediate position between two legs, allowing the insertion of said stabilizer between the two legs in the low position of the platform.
12. Platform according to one of Claims 1 to 11,
    characterized in that the extensible leg elements 16, 16', tie-rods 17, 17' and stabilizers 26, are displaceable between a position of rest corresponding to the low position of the platform, in which the tie-rod and the stabilizer are disposed parallel against one another and substantially in the same horizontal plane, whilst the leg element 16, 16' is located in a plane forming with the horizontal a non-zero angle, sufficient to limit the efforts at separation for raising the platform, and a position of maximum extension corresponding to the high position of the platform, in which the extensible leg element 16, 16' is located in a plane close to the vertical, forming with a vertical plane a non-zero angle, the displacement of the extensible leg element, the tie-rod and the stabilizer each following a vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the platform.
13. Platform according to one of Claims 1 to 12,
    characterized in that it comprises a covering surface 12, 12', 13, 13' retractable by pivoting in the two zones located plumb with each of the box girders 2, 2', and each of said box girders constitutes the housing of a row of seats, each row being retractable and foldable inside its housing and capable of being brought into opened out position above the upper plane of the covering deck, the seats of one row facing a direction opposite the adjacent row, thus making it possible, from the same platform, to produce a row of seats disposed facing one direction or facing an opposite direction.

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