GB2456684A - Support apparatus for seating - Google Patents

Abstract

Support apparatus for seating, particularly for sports stadia and theatres, including a least two parallel support beams 14 which are angled to the horizontal, connected to which are at least two risers 30 which extend vertically. A horizontally extending platform 54 is connected between the top of a first riser and either the bottom of a second or the support beam and a seats 12 are supported by one of the risers and/or the platform. There may be a connector for joining the risers to the support beams. The risers may pivotally engage with a pin which is located in a formation in the support beam, which may also be attached to a structural beam. The support beam may be an aluminium alloy extrusion. The seats may be tip-up or non-tip-up or a combination of both. There may also be different types of seats able to accommodate different numbers of occupants.

Description

Title: Seating Descrirtion of Invention This invention relates to a support apparatus for seating, and a method of providing tiered seating.

It is known to provide tiered seating, for example in sports stadia and theatres.

A known method of providing tiered seating is to provide a tiered structure, constructed from concrete or brick for example. A disadvantage of this type of structure is that it is time consuming to construct and is generally permanent, therefore the seating system is not very versatile.

A further known method of providing such seating is to provide a supporting structure which includes a large number of vertical and horizontal supporting members, with the supporting structure increasing in height towards the rear of the seating area. For example it is known to use scaffolding to provide a suitable structure for supporting tiered seating. Platforms and barriers can be connected to the supporting structure, to provide a plurality of tiers, i.e. rows of seats, one behind the other, such that each row of seats is higher than the row in front.

A disadvantage of this type of supporting structure is that in order to provide the necessary strength for supporting the seating, and the occupants of the seating, the space underneath the structure is taken up or at least obstructed by a the large numbers of standards, ledgers, and struts which are required.

According to the present invention there is provided a support apparatus for seating, the support apparatus including at least two support beams which, in use, are generally parallel to one another and inclined to the horizontal, and at * 2 least two risers, each of which is connectable to and, in use, extends generally upwardly from, at least one of the support beams, the support apparatus also including at least one platform having a first end and a second end, the first end of the platform being engageable with an upper part of a first one of the risers and the second end of the platform being engageable with at least one of a lower part of a second one of the risers and one of the support beams, the platform extending in use substantially horizontally, generally perpendicularly to each riser, wherein a seat is supportable by at least one of a) one of the risers and b) the platform An advantage of this arrangement is that tiered seating can be installed very quickly, and straightforwardly. Each part of the support apparatus is designed to connect together, using a very small number of fixings. There is a reduced need for the support apparatus to include horizontal and vertical struts. This means that the space beneath the seating support apparatus may be substantially unobstructed, and there is sufficient space for a person to stand, and preferably move around beneath the seating. This means that the space beneath the seating can be used more practically than in prior art seating systems. Facilities such as toilets, souvenir stalls, or offices, for examples, can be provided beneath the seating.

Each riser may include a connector for connecting the riser to at least one of the support beams.

Each support beam may include a location formation for receiving a pin with which the connector attached to a riser is engageable.

Each riser may be pivotable into its located position relative to the support beam, by means of the connector being pivotable about the pin.

This arrangement enables quick and straightforward attachment of one or more risers to the support beam. There is no need for each riser to be welded, screwed or bolted into position relative to the support beam.

The support beam may include a pair of location formations, each of which is for receiving a pin. This is a simple arrangement for providing connection of each riser to the support beam. The receiving formations are preferably provided during manufacture of the support beam, but alternatively may be provided on-site during installation.

Each riser may include a locking formation for locking the riser in position relative to the support beam.

Each riser may include an attachment formation to which a seat is attachable.

Since the riser may be pre-prepared for having one or more seats attached thereto, each seat can be installed quickly and with ease, once the riser is installed.

Each support beam may be inclined at approximately 18° to 30° to horizontal.

This angle provides a comfortable degree of tiering.

The support beam may be extruded, and may be manufactured from an alloy of aluminium. This enables the support beam to have a high strength to weight ratio.

The support apparatus may include at least one step between adjacent platforms. This may provide ease of access between the tiers of seating, for example by reducing the size of step between tiers, particularly in an aisle between sections of seating. * 4

The support apparatus may include a structural beam which is substantially parallel to the support beam for strengthening the support apparatus. There is a reduced requirement for the support beam to be connected to substantially horizontal and vertical structural members, thus enabling the space beneath the support beam to remain generally unobstructed, whilst providing structural rigidity to the seating support apparatus.

The or each seat may be a tip-up seat, or a non-tip-up seat. The support apparatus may support a combination of tip-up seats and non-tip- up style seats. The support apparatus may support a plurality of types of seat, wherein each type of seat is able to accommodate a different number of occupants.

This enables a versatile arrangement of seating, and enables the number of occupants which the seating is able to accommodate to be more flexible.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of providing tiered seating including providing a support apparatus including at least two support beams, the support beams being generally parallel to one another and each support beam being inclined from the horizontal in use, the method including connecting a pair of risers to at least one of the support beams such that each riser extends generally upwardly from at least one of the support beams, and connecting a platform between a first one of the pair of risers, and at least one of a) one of the support beams and b) a second one of the pair of risers, such that the platform is substantially horizontal, the method further including attaching a seat to at least one of a) one of the risers and b) the platform.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: FIGURE 1 is a side view of seating, including seating support apparatus according to the present invention, O 5 FIGURE 2A is a plan view of a support beam, FIGURE 2B is a side view of the support beam of Figure 2A, FIGURE 2C is a cross-sectional view of the support beam of Figures 2A and 2B, attached to a structural beam, FIGURES 3A to 3E are side views of a part of a support apparatus, showing progressive stages of connecting a riser to the support beam, FIGURE 4 is a side view of a riser, to which a seat and two platforms are attached, FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the support apparatus, to which seating is attached, and FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of seating including a seating support apparatus according to the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a seating support apparatus 10.

The seating support apparatus 10 includes a plurality of tiers of seating 12.

Each tier of seating 12 includes one or more seats.

The seating support apparatus 10 includes a pair of support beams 14, each of which extends from a front lower region lOa of the seating apparatus 10, towards a rear, upper region lOb of the seating apparatus 10. The support beams 14 are generally parallel to one another and spaced apart.

The seating support apparatus 10 also includes a plurality of risers 30, each of which is engageable with at least one of the support beams 14, so as to * 6 extend generally upwardly from the or each support beam 14. The seating support apparatus 10 further includes at least one platform 54 for each tier of seating 12, which provides a substantially horizontal surface which occupants of the seating 12 are able to stand and/or walk. Aisles which extend between the front lower region lOa of the seating towards the rear upper region lOb of the seating, to separate sections of seating 12 from one another, and to provide convenient access to each seat are also provided. Such aisles are optional, and the spacing of the aisles can be selected as required.

The seating support apparatus 10 includes one or more roof portions 70 which extend from the rear, upper region lOb of the seating support apparatus 10, towards the front I Oa of the seating support apparatus 10. The roof portion(s) may be substantially horizontal, or may be inclined, in a substantially opposite direction to the support beams 14, so as to avoid obstructing the view of the occupant of any seat. It will be appreciated that such roof portions 70 are optional.

The support apparatus 10 includes one or more structural "raker" beams 39 which, in use, extend substantially parallel to and beneath the support beams 14 to strengthen the seating support apparatus 10. In this example the structural beam 39 is an I-beam, but alternatively could be part of a scaffolding structure. Each support member 14 is connectable to such a structural beam 39.

Each support beam 14 is preferably manufactured from an alloy of aluminium.

and is preferably extruded. The length of each support beam 14 is approximately 3 metres in this example, although it will be apparent that other lengths of the support beam 14 may be desirable.

The structure of the support beams 14 is shown in more detail in figures 2A, 2B and 2C. Each support beam 14 is substantially hollow, and is generally rectangular in cross-section, having a first end 15 and a second end 16. The support beams 14 have an upper face 14a and a lower face 14b, the upper and lower faces 14a, 14b being substantially parallel to one another, and first and second sides 14c, 14d which are substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower faces 14a, 14b.

Each support beam 14 includes a plurality of cavities 18, in this example three cavities I 8a, I 8b, 1 8c, each of which extends between the first end 15 and the second end 16 of the support beam 14. The cavities 18a, 18b, 18c are separated from one another by connecting members 20a, 20b which extend between and are connected to one another by the upper and lower faces 14a, 14b, so that the centre cavity 18b is a box section. The connecting members 20a, 20b are generally parallel to the first and second sides 14c, 14d.

The upper face 14a includes two openings 22a, 22b, which communicate with the first and third cavities 18a, 18c respectively. Each of the openings 22a, 22b extends between the first and second ends 15, 16 of the support beam 14, such that the cavities 18a, 18c are substantially C-shaped channels. The lower face 14b preferably includes fixing holes 23 for receiving fixings to attach the support beam 14 to the structural beam 39., The seating support apparatus 10 includes a riser 30 for each tier of seating 12 which is provided. Each riser 30 is connectable to the support beam 14.

Each riser 30 has a first end 33 and a second end 34, and is substantially rectangular is cross section. Each riser 30 is between 3m and 6m long and spans the distance between adjacent support beams 14. Each riser 30 is approximately 360 millimetres high, however it will be appreciated that other dimensions are possible. Each riser 30 has a front face 31 and a rear face 32, the front face 31 being longer than the rear face 32. A base portion 36 of the riser 30 extends between the front surface 31 and the rear surface 32 of the * 8 riser 30. The base portion 36 is inclined relative to the front surface 31 and the rear surface 32, such that the base portion 36 subtends an angle to the front surface 31 which is determined by the angle of inclination of each support beam 14 when in use, such that when the riser 30 is engaged with a support beam 14, the front surface 31 and the rear surface 32 are able to extend generally upwardly from the support beam 14, whilst the base portion 36 is substantially parallel to the upper face I 4a of the support beam 14. Each riser may include one or more strengthening webs, each of which extends between the front face 31 and the rear face 32 of the riser 30.

Each riser 30 includes a platform support member 50 which extends substantially perpendicularly from the front surface 31 of the nser 30. The platform support member 50 extends from the riser 30 at or near the first end 33 of the riser 30. The platform support member 50 may include a locking dog 52 for locking a first end 54a of a platform member 54 in position relative to the riser 30. The locking dog 52 extends generally perpendicularly from the platform support member 50, towards the second end 34 of the riser 30. The height of the locking dog 52 is small relative to the height of the riser 30.

The riser 30 also includes a second platform support member 56, for supporting a second platform 54. The second platform support member 56 extends from the second end 34 of the riser 30, in a direction which is substantially parallel to the front face 31. The second platform support member 56 is a hook with which a second end 54b of a further platform 54 is engageable, as will be described in further detail below.

The riser 30 further includes a first seat attachment formation 58 which extends from the second end 34 of the riser 30, in a direction which is generally parallel to the front surface 31 of the riser 30. The first seat attachment formation 58 co-operates with the second platform support member 56, so that a part of a seat 12 is receivable between the seat * 9 attachment formation 58 and the second platform support member 56, to hold the seat 12 in position relative to the riser 30. It will be appreciated that a separate seat attachment formation 58, which does not co-operate with the second platform support member 56 may be provided if preferred. The riser 30 also includes a second seat attachment formation 59 which is positioned near to the first end 33 of the riser 30. The second seat attachment member 59 is a hook which extends generally upwardly, in a direction which is substantially parallel to the front face 31 of the riser 30, and with which a part of the seat 12 is engageable.

Alternatively, the seat 12 may be attached to a part of the seating support apparatus 10 other than the riser 30, for example the seat 12 may be attachable to one of the support beams 14, or to a platform 54.

Each riser 30 includes a step support formation 46. In this example the step support formation 46 is a hook which is positioned approximately half way along the front face 31 of the riser 30. A part of a step 48 on which an occupier of the seating 12 may stand and/or walk, is engageable with the step support formation 46.

Each riser 30 of the support apparatus 10 is connectable to a support beam 14 by means of a connector 38. The position and spacing of the connectors 38 along the length of the riser 30 is dependent upon the spacing of the support members 14 to which the riser 30 is to be connected.

Each connector 38 is attached to the riser 30, at or near the first end 33 of the riser 30. The connector 38 has two legs 38a, 38b and is generally L-shaped.

One leg 38a extends along a part of the rear surface 32 of the riser, and the second leg 32 of the connector extends along the base 36 of the riser 30. The connector 38 is attached to the riser 30 by means of fixings 40, for example screws or pins. A first fixing 40a attaches the first leg 38a to the rear face 32 * 10 of the riser. The first fixing 40a is, in this example located approximately 72mm along the rear face 32 of the riser, measured from the base 36. A second fixing 40b attaches the second leg 38b to the base 36 of the riser 30, and is located approximately 16.4mm along the base 36, measured from the rearface32.

The connector 38 includes a first locking formation 42 for locking the connector 38, and hence the riser 30, in position relative to the support beam 14. The first locking formation 42 is a protrusion which extends outwardly from a rear surface of the first leg 38a of the connector 38, near the intersection between the first leg 38a and the second leg 38b of the connector 38.

The connector 38 also includes a second locking formation 44 which in this example is an indent 44 in the second leg 38b of the connector 38. The second locking formation 44 is positioned towards a free end of the second leg 38a, near to the front surface 31 of the riser 30 when the connector 38 is attached to the riser 30.

Each platform 54 of the seating support apparatus 10 is dimensioned so as to span the distance between adjacent tiers (rows) of seats, and can be any dimensions as required. Each platform 54 is preferably manufactured from an aluminium alloy, and may be extruded. However, it will be appreciated that any material may be used, for example, wood or a plastics material. Each platform 54 has a non-slip surface, which may include a series of ridges or protrusions in the surface, or may include a non-slip coating applied to the upper surface of the platform 54.

Each platform 54 has a first engagement member 55, at the first end 54a of the platform 54 for engagement with the first platform support member 50 of the riser 30. In this example the first engagement member 55 is a hook but could alternatively be an opening or recess in which the dog 52 is receivable.

Each platform 54 also has a second engagement member 57 at the second end 54b of the platform for engagement with the second platform support member 56. The second engagement member 57 is a hook, but could alternatively be a clip, for example.

Each seat 12 includes a first hook 72 which is positioned towards an upper part of the seat 12 and which is engageable with the first seat attachment formation 58. Each seat 12 also includes a second hook 74 towards a lower part of the seat 12 which is engageable with the second seat attachment formation 59. A fastener 76, in this example a spring pin, is preferably attached to a rear part of the seat 12, for fastening the seat 12 in position relative to the riser 30.

In use a structural beam 39 is connected to a substantially vertical structural member, such that the angle subtended to the horizontal by each structural beam 39 is approximately 18° to 300. It will be appreciated that other angles are possible, for providing tiered seating having different pitches. Each support beam 14 is attached to a respective structural beam 39 by inserting fasteners through the fixing holes 23 in the support member 14, and into an upper face of the structural beam 39.

A pin 28a, 28b is inserted into the respective receiving formations 26a, 26b in each of the support beams 14. Each pin 28a, 28b extends generally horizontally towards the centre of the support beam 14. It will be appreciated that a single pin 28a, 28b may extend through the entire width of the support beam 14, between the first and second sides 14c, 14d, or that one pin 28a, 28b may be inserted into the first side 14c of the support beam 14 and a further pin 28a, 28b may be inserted into the second side 14d of the support beam, such that the two pins extend towards one another, as shown in figure 2C. * 12

A first riser 30 is engaged with the pins 28a, 28b, by passing the first locking formation 42 of the connector 38 associated with the first riser 30 beneath the pin 28a, then pivoting, i.e. rotating, the riser 30 about the pin 28a, so as to bring the base 36 of the riser 30 into contact with the upper face 1 4a of the support beam 14, and to engage the second locking formation 44 of the connector 38 with the pin 28b. The riser 30 extends generally upwardly from the support beam 14, such that the riser 30 is substantially vertical. Further risers 30 are engageable with the support beam 14 in the same way in order to provide further tiers of seating 12. A plurality of risers 30 are spaced along each support beam 14 enable a corresponding number of tiers of seating 12 to be provided. Each riser 30 spans the distance between two adjacent support members 14.

Each platform 54 is engageable with the support apparatus 10 between a pair of risers 30. The second end 54b of the platform 54 is engageable with the second platform support member 56 of a first, forward riser 30. The hook 57 of the second end of the platform is engaged with the second platform support member 56.

The first end 54a of the platform 54 is locked in position relative to an adjacent riser 30 which is positioned behind the first riser 30, further towards the second end lOb of the seating 10 (i.e. forming a higher tier of seating). The first end 54a of the platform 54 is rested on the platform support member 50 of the rearward riser 30 and locked in position by the hook 55 engaging with the locking dog 52. It will be appreciated that the first end 54a of each platform 54 may be engageable with the support beam 14, in addition to or alternatively to being engageable with the platform support member 50 of a riser 30.

The platform 54 is thus held in position between the pair of adjacent risers 30, so that the platform 54 is generally horizontal. The platform 54 also acts as a strut which holds the risers 30 with which the platform 54 is engaged in * 13 position relative to the support beam 14, for example the risers 30 are inhibited from rotating relative to the support beam 14 once the platform 54 is in position.

Additional risers 30 and platforms 54 are provided for each tier of seating 12 required. The rearward riser 30 of the first tier of seating 12 becomes the forward riser 30 of the adjacent row of seating 12, as the tiers of seating 12 are built up from the first lower end 15 of the support beam 14 towards the second, higher end 16 of the support beam 14. The vertical spacing between adjacent platforms 54 is approximately 330mm, however, it will be appreciated that by providing risers 30 having different dimensions, it is possible to provide any desired vertical separation of adjacent tiers of seating.

A step 48 is engageable with the step support formation 46 of a riser 30. If a plurality of steps 48 is required to achieve the desired level of elevation between adjacent platforms 54, the steps 48 can be stacked on top one another on the platform 54.

One or more seats 12 are supportable by the support apparatus 10. One or more seats can be attached to each riser 30, which extends between adjacent support beams 14, with the or each seat being engageable with the seat attachment formation 58 of each riser 30. The or each seat extends forwardly of each riser 30. It will be appreciated that additionally or alternatively to the or each seat being engaged with a riser 30, the or each seat may be engageable with a platform 54.

Each seat 12 is engageable with a riser 30 by engaging the hook 74 of the seat 12 with the second seat attachment member 59, The seat 12 is then pivoted about the second seat attachment member 59, such that the hook 72 of the seat engages with the first seat attachment member 58. * 14

The spring pin 76 is depressed by the front face 31 of the riser 30 until the seat 12 is engaged with both seat attachment formations 58, 59, when the pin 72 is able to extend into a recess formed between the seat engagement formation 59 and the step support formation 46. The spring biases the spring pin 76 towards the extended configuration, to inhibit unintentional movement of the seat 12 relative to the riser 30.

The seating support apparatus 10 is suitable for supporting tip-up seats, non-tip-up seats, seats for single occupants and "bleacher" or bench-style seats.

The seating support apparatus is suitable for supporting a combination of any of these types of seat. The seat attachment formation 58 of each riser 30 is suitable for receiving each type of seating. The ability to provide seating which includes one type or a combination of types of seating offers complete flexibility in the number of occupants that the seating 12 can accommodate in the space available. Furthermore, if it is decided that all or part of the seating 12 needs to be replaced after installation, it is not necessary to replace the complete support apparatus 10 in the event that it is desired to change the style of seating 12. Tip-up seats can be exchanged for non-tip-up seats and single seats can be replaced with bleachers and vice versa quickly and straightforwardly, by connecting to the existing support beams.

Owing to the high strength to weight ratio of the support member 14, and the arrangement of the risers 30 and platforms 54, the support apparatus 10 requires a small number of horizontal structural members. Depending upon the overall required height of the seating support apparatus 10, it may be possible to use no horizontal supporting members. The span of the support member 14 and the structural beam 39 to which the support member 14 is attached is such that a relatively large number of tiers of seats 12 can be supported between vertical structural members compared with the prior art. * 15

As can be seen in particular, from figure 1, the reduction in the requirement for horizontal and vertical structural members means that the space beneath the support beams 14 is generally unobstructed. Therefore the space beneath the support beams 14 can be used for storage, or for providing rooms, for example toilets, or offices, beneath the seating. This is space that either is often completely wasted, or is only of limited height, as a result of the need to provide horizontal support members. Therefore the usefulness of the space is limited, as there is often not sufficient room for a person to stand, or at least move around beneath the seating.

The support beams 14, locating structures 24, the risers 30, and the platforms 54 are engageable with each other in such a way that the number of fixings required to hold the seating support apparatus 10 together is small. There is no requirement to weld the parts of the seating support apparatus 10 together on-site during installation.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof. * 16

Claims (21)

1. A support apparatus for seating, the support apparatus including at least two support beams which, in use, are generally parallel to one another and inclined to the horizontal, and at least two risers, each of which is connectable to and, in use, extends generally upwardly from, at least one of the support beams, the support apparatus also including at least one platform having a first end and a second end, the first end of the platform being engageable with an upper part of a first one of the risers and the second end of the platform being engageable with at least one of a lower part of a second one of the risers and one of the support beams, the platform extending in use substantially horizontally, generally perpendicularly to each riser, wherein a seat is supportable by at least one of a) one of the risers and b) the platform.

2. A support apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each riser includes a connector for connecting the nser to at least one of the support beams.

3. A support apparatus according to claim 2 wherein support beam includes a location formation for receiving a pin with which the connector attached to a riser is engageable.

4. A support apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each riser is pivotable into its located position relative to the at least one support beam, by means of the connector being pivotable about the pin.

5. A support apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the support beam includes a pair of location formations for receiving a pin, the receiving formations being spaced apart along the support beam. * 17

6. A support apparatus according to claims 2 to 5 wherein the connector includes a locking formation for locking the riser in position relative to the support beam.

7. A support apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each riser includes an attachment formation to which a seat is attachable.

8. A support apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each support beam is inclined at approximately 18° to 30° to horizontal.

9. A support apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the support beam is extruded.

10. A support apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the support beam is manufactured from an alloy of aluminium.

11. A support apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims including at least one step between adjacent platforms.

12. A support apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the support beam is connected to a structural beam, such that the support beam and the structural beam are generally parallel to one another.

13. A support apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the structural beam is connected between two substantially vertical structural members.

14. A support apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each seat is a tip-up seat. * 18

15. A support apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each seat is a non-tip-up seat.

16. A support apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims for supporting a combination of tip-up seats and non-tip-up style seats.

17. A support apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims for supporting a plurality of types of seat, wherein each type of seat is able to accommodate a different number of occupants.

18. A support apparatus substantially as described herein and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

19. A method of providing tiered seating including providing a support apparatus including at least two support beams, the support beams being generally parallel to one another and inclined from the horizontal in use, the method including connecting a pair of risers to at least one of the support beams such that each riser extends generally upwardly from the or each support beam, and connecting a platform between a first one of the pair of risers, and at least one of a) one of the support beams and b) a second one of the pair of risers, such that the platform is substantially horizontal, the method further including attaching a seat to at least one of a) one of the risers and b) the platform.

20. A method of providing tiered seating substantially as described herein and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

21. Any novel feature or novel combination of features substantially as described herein and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.