GB2262294A - Modular grandstands - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular grandstand which comprises parallel and horizontal front and rear supports, the rear support 39b being spaced from and positioned higher than the front support 39a, and a plurality of adjacent members 1, each member having its lower end mounted on the front support and its upper end mounted on the rear support so that the members extend perpendicularly between the supports and form an inclined platform above the supports, the upper surface of at least the majority of the members each being shaped so as to provide a plurality of horizontal surfaces when the member is mounted on and supported by the supports. The grandstand is easy to construct and to extend, e.g. by addition of further support 39c, and may be provided in kit form and/or easily demountable. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO GRANDSTANDS This invention relates to grandstands, for example, spectator stands at sporting stadia.

Grandstands provide tiered horizontal platforms for spectators to stand or sit on, each platform being higher than the platform in front so that spectators may see over the heads of spectators in front of them. A roof structure may be provided extending over the tiered platforms to shelter spectators from the weather.

Known grandstands are constructed by providing stepped side structures or walls with longitudinal beams extending between the side structures to form horizontal platforms. The construction of such side walls to form a permanent grandstand is both time-consuming and difficult. Foundations must be laid or provided for the side structures or walls, and these must then be built upon the foundations so as to be parallel, and each horizontal step must be at the correct height so that the longitudinal beams are horizontal. Where the length of the grandstand is to be greater than the length of the beams, more than two side structures or walls must be constructed, all parallel and all having horizontal steps at the correct height.

Once such a grandstand has been constructed it is often difficult to extend so as to increase the number of spectators to be accommodated. The laying of new foundations to increase the length of the side structures or walls may affect the existing foundations and/or the existing side structures or walls, and the construction of further side structures or walls to increase the length of the grandstand creates problems in properly aligning the new side structures or walls with the existing areas so that they are parallel and have horizontal steps at the same level as the existing steps. In both cases the extending of the grandstand is a lengthy and expensive process which results in all or part of the existing grandstand being out of use whilst the extension works are in progress.

A grandstand in accordance with the invention comprises parallel and horizontal front and rear supports, the rear support being spaced from and positioned higher than the front support, and a plurality of adjacent members, each member having its lower end mounted on the front support and its upper end mounted on the rear support so that the members extend perpendicularly between the supports and form an inclined platform above the supports, the upper surface of at least the majority of the members each being shaped so as to provide a plurality of horizontal surfaces when the member is mounted on and supported by the supports.

With such an arrangement a grandstand may be constructed quickly and easily. The front and rear supports may comprise lintels, the front lintel being mounted on a foundation, front wall, or two or more vertical columns, and a rear wall or two or more vertical columns being built to support the rear lintel higher than the front lintel. It is easier to build and align the front and rear walls or columns with horizontal lintels than stepped side structures or walls. Furthermore the only part of the construction process which is affected by poor weather conditions is the construction of the rear wall or columns, or the front and rear walls or columns and their foundations.

Because their construction is easier and therefore quicker, the risk that poor weather might delay the construction is lessened.

In order to extend such a grandstand, either the existing front and rear walls must be extended or further walls or columns parallel to the existing walls or columns must be constructed. In both cases, the extension is simpler and quicker to carry out than heretofore, and also it may be carried out whilst the existing grandstand is in use.

The upper surfaces of the supports or lintels may be provided with studs and/or sockets and the lower matching sockets and/or studs so that the members may be secured to the supports.

Appropriately, means may be provided for securing at least one seat to each horizontal surface of each member. Where it is desirable that seating be provided for spectators, and it is understood that it will become obligatory for all grandstands, or at least those grandstands accommodating more than a certain number of spectators, to provide only seated accommodation for spectators, such an arrangement enables seats to be quickly and easily fixed. The securing means may be detachable so as to enable seats to be replaced, for example, if they are broken or damaged.

The upper surface of at least one member may be shaped so as to provide a plurality of steps when the member is mounted on the supports.

Such a member may be included in a grandstand where no seating is to be provided, or to provide steps for spectators to use to reach their seats which are mounted to other adjacent members.

The outermost edges of the outermost members may be provided with means for mounting a barrier extending vertically from and along the length of the edge of the member.

In this way a side structure or wall may be provided to prevent spectators from falling from the grandstand. Alternatively such side structures or walls may be located on other members forming the grandstand so that it may be subdivided into separate areas.

Further horizontal supports or lintels may be provided which are parallel to the front and rear supports, the or each further support being spaced from and positioned higher than the preceding support. The upper surface of the upper end of each member may be so shaped that the lower end of a further member may be mounted thereon, the other upper end of the further member being mounted on the next higher support.

Such an arrangement enables the grandstand to be increased in size by extending it upwards. As mentioned above, such an extension is more easily accomplished than with known grandstands.

Suitably, the upper surface of the upper end of the or each member may be provided with studs and/or sockets to engage with sockets and/or studs provided on the lower surface of the lower end of the member mounted thereon. Each member may suitably be in the form of a beam.

The beams and/or the lintels may be formed from pre-cast concrete, or they may be made of steel. The structural components of the grandstand may be constructed in a factory and brought to the site for assembly on pre-prepared foundations or walls. In this manner the construction of the grandstand is considerably quicker than with known grandstands.

The grandstand may incorporate a roof structure-, means being provided at the upper end of the rearmost beam or member for mounting the base of a cantilevered roof structure thereto.

Conveniently, the members, the supports and the roof structure may be provided in kit form for assembly on a pre-prepared site.

A grandstand constructed in accordance with the invention is therefore more quickly and cheaply installed and/or extended than known grandstands, it may be provided with a roof which could also be extended easily, and it requires minimal maintenance. Such a grandstand may also incorporate features which are commonly found in grandstands, such as accommodation for shops or toilets, for example, underneath the grandstand platform, executive boxes mounted on the grandstand, and floodlights or other fixtures mounted on the grandstand or on the roof where one is fitted.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of a member such as a beam forming part of a grandstand in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of a member such as a beam forming part of a grandstand in accordance with the invention; Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation of a grandstand having a single tier in accordance with the invention; Figure 4 is a schematic side elevation of a grandstand having two tiers in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 is a side elevation of a grandstand having two tiers with a roof structure mounted thereto; and Figure 6 is a side elevation of a grandstand similar to Figure 5 but having enclosed accommodation.

Referring to Figure 1, a beam 1 is illustrated as it would appear in use, with one end supported higher than the other, and for use in constructing a grandstand, the inclined upper surface 3 of which is shaped so as to provide a plurality of horizontal surfaces 5. Means (not shown) may be provided whereby a seat or seats 9 (see Figure 3) may be mounted to each horizontal surface 5. The lower surfaces 11,13 of the lower and upper ends respectively of the beam 1 may be formed-with studs and/or sockets, or other fixing means (not shown) for reasons to be described below. The upper surface 19 of the upper end of the beam 1 may be formed with studs and/or sockets or other fixing means (not shown) configured to engage with the fixing means formed in the lower surface 11 of the lower end of another beam 1.Fixing means 15,11 are provided at either end of the inclined upper surface 3 of the beam 1 and may be disposed to one or other side of the beam, for reasons to be described below.

Figure 2 shows a second beam 21 as it would appear in use, with one end supported higher than the other, and for use in constructing a grandstand, the upper surface of which is shaped to provide a plurality of horizontal surfaces 23 joined by substantially vertical surfaces 25 which in use will form a series of steps. The lower surfaces 27,29 of the lower and upper ends respectively of the beam 21 may be formed with studs and/or sockets or other fixing means (not shown) similar to those formed on beam 1. The upper surface 37 of the upper end of the beam 21 may also be formed with fixing means similar to those formed on beam 1. The beam 21 is provided with further fixing means 31,33,35.

Barriers of a suitable design (not shown) may be mounted to the respective fixing means 15,17,31,33,35 so as to separate steps from seating areas, to divide the grandstand into seating areas or to prevent spectators from falling down the grandstand or from its side edges.

Such barriers would normally be mounted either parallel to or perpendicularly to the beams 1,21.

Referring now to Figure 3, a single tiered grandstand 20 includes a number of beams 1 and 21 (shown in phantom) the lower surfaces of upper and lower ends 13,11 of which are mounted on lintels 39a,b which themselves are mounted on two or more columns 41,43 respectively (only one shown). The front and rear columns 41,43 are built on suitable foundations (not shown).

The beams 1,21 are suitably connected to the lintels 39 by means of studs and/or sockets (not shown) formed in the lower surfaces of the upper and lower ends 11,13 and 27,29 of the beams 1,21, which engage with matching sockets and/or studs (not shown) formed on the upper surfaces of the lintels 39. The lintels 39 and/or the beams 1,21 are preferably formed of pre-cast concrete or of steel and the studs and sockets may be formed of concrete and integral to the beams and lintels or they may comprise other fixing means embedded in the beams or lintels during the casting stage or welded or bolted thereto during the fabrication stage or welded or bolted thereto during the fabrication stage. The other fixing means referred to above (15,17,31,33,35) may similarly be formed in or embedded in the beams 1,21 during the casting or fabrication stage.Adjacent beams are joined or sealed together by a suitable adhesive/sealant comprising a mastic sealant, waterproof seal and or an integral rubber/plastic gutter system.

Figure 4 shows a two-tiered grandstand 30 including the structure of the grandstand 20 of Figure 3, and further beams 1 and 211 (shown in phantom) the lower surface of the lower ends 21 of which are mounted on the upper surface of the upper ends 19 of beams 1,21, and the lower surface of the upper ends 13 are mounted on a further lintel 39c which is mounted on a further column 45 built on suitable foundations (not shown) so that the lintel 39c is parallel to the lintels 39a,39b and substantially horizontal. It will be apparent that a grandstand may consist of any number of tiers, each higher than and to the rear of the tier in front, provided suitable columns and lintels can be provided.

In practice, the limit of the number of tiers is reached when the rearmost spectator on the rearmost tier is more than a certain distance from the front of the grandstand, and the activities he wishes to watch. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that structure may be provided so that a tier may be disposed above another tier, and so long as the lower end of the upper tier is at a higher level than the upper end of the lower tier all spectators will have a clear view forwards It is envisaged that a single tier of a grandstand may consist of any number of beams 1 upon which spectators may be seated, and the number of stepped beams 21 is dependent on considerations such as the number of seats provided on each horizontal surface 5 of each beam 1 and the number of beams 1 forming a row. It may, for example, be necessary to provide steps with a statutory requirement.The covered spaces 47,49 beneath the grandstand may be employed as storage space, or for the accommodation of shops or toilet facilities, for example.

Figure 5 shows a two-tiered grandstand having a different roof structure 67. The roof structure 67 consists of a number of upright members 69 mounted to the upper surface of the upper end of the beam 1' and supporting beam sections 71 which extend forwardly over the grandstand, and support a lightweight roof 73. The beam sections are supported at their rear end 76 by tie rods 77 connected between the rear end 76 and a suitable fixture 83 mounted in, or on, the rearmost wall 45. A windshield 79 is mounted to the rear of the grandstand by fixtures 8la,b. The fixture 15 at the lower end of beam 1 supports a forwardly extending aisle member 85 which provides an aisle or gangway, and terminates at a barrier 87. The aisle member 85 extends over a moat 89 which serves to deter spectators from attempting to leave the grandstand into the area where the activity being watched is taking place.

Figure 6 shows a grandstand similar to that of Figure 5, but having accommodation 97,99 provided at the rear of the seated area and under the roof 67. The accommodation 97,99 may be used for executive spectator boxes or hospitality areas, for example. Stairs 91 to the front and side of the grandstand provide access to and from the aisle member 85 and thence to the seated areas of the grandstand. A side barrier 95 mounted to the beam 1 adjacent the stairs 91 prevents spectators from falling over the side of the grandstand. Stairs 93 provide access to the accommodation areas 97,99 and to the rear seating area of the grandstand through area 97.

Spotlights 100 are mounted to the forward edge 75 of the roof 67. The roof structure 67 may also support, at its forward edge 75, for example, loud speakers, advertising boards or other fixtures (not shown).

Claims (15)

CLAIMS:

1. A grandstand comprising parallel and horizontal front and rear supports, the rear support being spaced from and positioned higher than the front support, and a plurality of adjacent members, each member having its lower end mounted on the front support and its upper end mounted on the rear support so that the members extend perpendicularly between the supports and form an inclined platform above the supports, the upper surface of at least the majority of the members each being shaped so as to provide a plurality of horizontal surfaces when the member is mounted on and supported by the supports.

2. A grandstand as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the upper surfaces of the supports are provided with studs and/or sockets and the lower surfaces of the ends of the member are provided with matching sockets and/or studs so that the members may be secured to the supports.

3. A grandstand as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein means are provided for securing at least one seat to each alternate horizontal surface of each member.

4. A grandstand as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the upper surface of at least one member is shaped so as to provide a plurality of steps when the member is mounted on'the supports.

5. A grandstand as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the outermost edges of the outermost members are provided with means for mounting a barrier extending vertically from and along the length of the edge of the member.

6. A grandstand as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein at least one further horizontal support is provided which is parallel to the front and rear supports, the or each further support being spaced from and positioned higher than the preceding support, the upper surface of the upper end of each member being shaped so that the lower end of a further member may be mounted thereon, the other, upper end of the further member being mounted on the next higher support.

7. A grandstand as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the upper surface of the upper end of each member is provided with studs and/or sockets to engage with sockets and/or studs provided on the lower surface of the lower end of the member mounted thereon.

8. A grandstand as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each member is in the form of a beam.

9. A grandstand as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the supports are in the form of lintels.

10. A grandstand as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the members and/or the supports are formed from pre-cast concrete.

11. A grandstand as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each support is mounted on a pre-prepared foundation or wall.

12. A grandstand as claimed in any preceding claim, incorporating a cantilevered roof structure, means being provided at the upper end of the rearmost member for mounting the base of the cantilevered roof structure thereto.

13. A grandstand as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the members, the supports and/or the roof structure are provided in kit form for assembly on a pre-prepared site.

14. A grandstand as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the members, the supports and any roof structure are releasably connected so that the grandstand may be demounted.

15. A grandstand substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figures 3,4 or 6 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.