EP1654960A1

EP1654960A1 - Seat with a fold-up seat portion, in particular for sports facilities, and relative assembly method

Info

Publication number: EP1654960A1
Application number: EP05110166A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Valerio Milani
Original assignee: Milani Valerio Impresa Individuale
Current assignee: Milani Valerio Impresa Individuale
Priority date: 2004-10-29
Filing date: 2005-10-28
Publication date: 2006-05-10
Also published as: ITPR20040075A1

Abstract

A seat (1) with a fold-up seat portion, in particular for sports facilities, of the type having a first frame (2) anchored to a support and fitted with a seatback (3); and a second frame (4) fitted with a seat portion (5). The seat (1) has two lateral-support devices (6) fitted removably to the first frame (2) and connected to the second frame (4) so that the second frame (4) is movable with respect to the first frame (2).

Description

The present invention relates to a seat with a fold-up seat portion, in particular for sports facilities, and of the type comprising a first frame anchored to a support and fitted with a seatback; and a second frame fitted with a seat portion.
The present invention also relates to a method of assembling a seat with a fold-up seat portion.
Public premises, such as stadiums, arenas, cinemas, theatres, or public places in general, are often equipped with seats having a fixed, substantially vertical seatback, and a seat portion movable, with respect to the seatback, between a horizontal position and a vertical position substantially parallel to the seatback. Such premises are also usually equipped with a large number of seats.
This therefore poses the problem of devising seats which, in addition to comfort and attractive appearance, are also strong and easy to transport and assemble.
In this respect, some known solutions employ two, normally metal, frames for strengthening the structure.
In these solutions, a first frame is fitted with the seatback and designed for anchoring to a support, such as the stands of a stadium; and a second frame is fitted with the seat portion.
The first frame comprises two projections substantially perpendicular to a substantially vertical plane, and normally defined by metal plates or tubular members welded to the first frame, and to which the second frame is connected by pins.
This technical solution, however, has numerous drawbacks. Firstly, the lateral projections fixed permanently to the seatback frame increase the size of the frame, which poses problems not only when transporting the loose material, but also during assembly. That is, since it is more advantageous to assemble all the seatbacks first, and then all the seat portions, the projections prevent safe, unhindered passage of the fitters. Secondly, any misalignment of the first frame prevents the seat portion from rotating properly. The seat portion, in fact, is connected to rotate about the axis defined by the pins, and which is fixed with respect to the projections on the frame.
Other known solutions provide for "blowing" the seatback and seat portion, i.e. using shells of plastic material filled with air. This solution is attractive, despite a portion of the frame connected to the seat portion and to the seatback being exposed, but is highly expensive, and not particularly strong, on account of having no supporting frame inside the seat portion and seatback.
It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a seat with a fold-up seat portion, in particular for sports facilities, of the type comprising a first frame anchored to a support and fitted with a seatback, and a second frame fitted with a seat portion, and which is efficient, strong, and easy to assemble and, if necessary, dismantle.
According to the present invention, there is provided a seat, characterized as claimed in the accompanying Claims, and in particular by comprising two lateral-support devices fitted removably to the first frame and connected to the second frame, so that the second frame is movable with respect to the first frame.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a highly efficient, advantageous method of assembling a seat with a fold-up seat portion, in particular for sports facilities.
According to the present invention, there is provided a method, characterized as claimed in the accompanying Claims, and in particular by comprising the steps of:

anchoring a first frame, fitted with a seatback, to a support;
fitting supporting means to the first frame; and
fitting a second frame, fitted with a seat portion, to the supporting means, so that the second frame is movable with respect to the first frame.

A preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a side view of a seat in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 shows the Figure 1 seat with the seat portion folded up;
Figure 3 shows a front view of the Figure 1 seat;
Figure 4 shows a front view of the Figure 2 seat;
Figure 5 shows an exploded view of a lateral-support device of the Figure 1, 2, 3, 4 seat;
Figure 6 shows a side view of the Figure 5 device fitted to a post forming part of a first frame;
Figure 7 shows a side view of the Figure 6 post connected mechanically to a seat portion by an articulated arm;
Figure 8 shows an underside view of an assembly comprising part of the seat portion, part of the post, and an armrest connected to the seat portion by two articulated arms.

Number 1 in Figures 1 and 2 indicates a seat in accordance with the present invention.
Number 2 indicates a first frame which is anchored substantially vertically to a support and fitted with a seatback 3; and number 4 in Figures 1 and 2 indicates a second frame fitted with a seat portion 5.
Frames 2 and 4 may be made of any material ensuring a high degree of strength, such as bent anodized aluminium tubing.
It should be pointed out that first frame 2 and second frame 4 each define a substantially planar structure with no members projecting outside the respective plane.
Seatback 3 comprises two shells 3a, 3b, and seat portion 5 comprises two shells 5a, 5b.
Shells 3a, 3b and 5a, 5b are preferably made of injection-molded plastic. Each pair of shells 3a, 3b and 5a, 5b is assembled to define a closed surface housing a portion of the corresponding frame (2 and 4 respectively) .
In actual use, first frame 2 is connected to second frame 4 by two lateral-support devices 6.
As shown in more detail in Figures 5, 6, 7, each lateral-support device 6 comprises a side 7 defined, in a preferred but no exclusive embodiment, by a stamped sheet metal member.
As shown in Figure 5, side 7 comprises a substantially box-shaped first portion 7a, and a substantially strip-shaped second portion 7b.
From portion 7b project teeth 8, which fit inside corresponding slits 9 formed on a corresponding post 2a forming part of first frame 2.
Portion 7b may comprise mechanical safety members (not shown) for preventing disassembly of lateral-support devices 6 by other than a skilled worker.
Portion 7a comprises two through holes 10 for receiving respective screws 11 (Figure 5).
In actual use, side 7 is closed by a substantially box-shaped cover 12 made of plastic material and comprising, internally, a number of reinforcing ribs 13, and a seat 14 for receiving a bearing 15 (see below).
As shown in Figure 5, cover 12 also comprises a through opening 16; and two through holes 17 aligned, in use, with through holes 10 in portion 7a of side 7. As shown clearly in Figure 6, in addition to through opening 16 and through holes 17, the outer surface of cover 12 also comprises an arc-shaped slot 18 for the purpose explained in detail below.
Bearing 15 in turn comprises an elongated main body 15a, the outline of which substantially matches that of seat 14 into which it is inserted in use.
Main body 15a comprises two lateral through holes 15b (aligned, in use, with holes 10 and 17); and a central seat 15c (aligned with through opening 16) housing a drum 19 having a central through hole 20. Drum 19 and main body 15a are both made of plastic material.
Drum 19 and central seat 15c housing it are so formed as to only allow drum 19 to rotate inside, and not withdraw from, central seat 15c.
Finally, each lateral-support device 6 comprises two nuts 21 which, in use, screw onto screws 11.
In actual use, in fact, side 7, bearing 15, and cover 12 are "packed" together by nuts 21 tightened to screws 11.
As shown in Figure 7, each lateral side of seat portion 5 (only one lateral side shown in Figure 7) has a respective shaft 22 and a respective pin 23, which project towards respective lateral-support device 6.
In actual use, shaft 22 is inserted inside through opening 16 and housed partly inside central through hole 20 in drum 19; and pin 23 is inserted inside slot 18, which acts as a limit stop for seat portion 5.
Seat 1 according to the present invention may also be provided with two armrests 24.
Each armrest 24 is supported by a respective folding structure 25 (Figure 8) comprising a first arm 26 (Figure 7) hinged by a pin 27 to seat portion 5 and by a pin 28 to armrest 24. Folding structure 25 also comprises a second arm 29 (Figure 6) fixed to cover 12 by two screws 30; and armrest 24 is hinged to the second arm by a pin 31.
To fold up seat 1 (i.e. to switch from the Figure 1 to the Figure 2 configuration), the user simply pulls the front edge of seat portion 5 upwards in the direction indicated by arrow F. Seat portion 5 therefore rotates about shafts 22 supported by drums 19 and defining the axis of rotation of seat portion 5. The rear of seat portion 5 dips down, taking first arm 26 down with it, so that armrest 24 rotates about ins 28 and 31 into the substantially vertical position shown in Figure 2.
In an alternative embodiment not shown, bearing 15 is replaced with a thrust bearing.
Seat 1 as described provides, in an original manner, for rotating a seat portion 5, fitted to a frame 4, with respect to a possibly misaligned frame 2, and also has the advantage of saving space during transport, by virtue of each frame 2, 4 defining a substantially planar structure with no projecting lateral members.
The present invention also provides a method of assembling a seat with a fold-up seat portion, in particular for sports facilities.
The method comprises the steps of:

anchoring a first frame, fitted with a seatback, to a support defined, for example, by the stands or a wall of a stadium;
fitting two lateral-support devices to the first frame; and
fitting a second frame, fitted with a seat portion, to the lateral-support devices, so that the second frame is movable with respect to the first frame.

The method described provides, in original manner, for first installing all the first frames, together with the seatbacks, and then the second frames with the seat portions, without hindering passage of, or endangering, the fitters, by virtue of the minimum lateral size of the first frames.

Claims

A seat (1) with a fold-up seat portion, in particular for sports facilities, of the type comprising a first frame (2) anchored to a support and fitted with a seatback (3); and a second frame (4) fitted with a seat portion (5);
the seat (1) being characterized by comprising two lateral-support devices (6) fitted removably to said first frame (2) and connected to said second frame (4) so that said second frame (4) is movable with respect to said first frame (2).
A seat (1) as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that each lateral-support device (6) comprises a side (7) closed by a respective cover (12); a bearing (15) being housed between said side (7) and said cover (12).
A seat (1) as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that said cover (12) comprises a through opening (16) and a slot (18).
A seat (1) as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said bearing (15) comprises a main body (15a), in which is formed a central seat (15c) housing a spherical joint (19) in turn having a central through hole (20).
A seat (1) as claimed in Claim 4, characterized in that each lateral side of said seat portion (5) comprises a respective shaft (22) and a respective pin (23); in use, said shaft (22) being inserted inside said through opening (16) and housed partly in said central through hole (20) of said spherical joint (19), and said pin (23) being inserted inside said slot (18).
A seat (1) as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that said side (7) comprises a substantially box-shaped first portion (7a), and a substantially strip-shaped second portion (7b); said second portion (7b) having fastening means (8) for fixing each lateral-support device (6) to said first frame (2).
A seat (1) as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that said side (7) is made of metal, and said cover (12) is made of plastic.
A seat (1) as claimed in Claim 4, characterized in that said main body (15a) and said spherical joint (19) are both made of plastic.
A seat (1) as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized by also comprising two armrests (24), each fitted with a respective folding structure (25) .
A seat (1) as claimed in Claim 9, characterized in that each folding structure (25) comprises a first arm (26) hinged by a pin (27) to said seat portion (5) and by a pin (28) to said armrest (24); and in that each folding structure (25) also comprises a second arm (29) fixed to said lateral-support device (6); said second arm (29) comprising a pin (31) on which said armrest (24) is also hinged.
A method of assembling a seat with a fold-up seat portion, in particular for sports facilities, characterized by comprising the steps of:
- anchoring a first frame (2), fitted with a seatback (3), to a support;

- fitting two lateral-support devices (6) to said first frame (2); and

- fitting a second frame (4), fitted with a seat portion (5), to the two lateral-support devices (6), so that said second frame (4) is movable with respect to said first frame (2).
A method as claimed in Claim 11, characterized in that said step of fitting the two lateral-support devices (6) to said first frame (2) comprises fitting two sides (7), substantially by means of fixed joints, to said first frame (2).
A method as claimed in Claim 12, characterized in that said step of fitting said second frame (4) to the two lateral-support devices (6) comprises inserting a shaft (22) and a pin (23) inside a bearing (15) and a slot (18) respectively.