US1974223A - Stadium - Google Patents

Description

K. TROEGER Sept. 18, 1934.

STADIUM Filed' July 16, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I g w M,

Sept. 18, 1934. TROEGER 1,974,223

' STADIUM Filed July 16, 1932 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 p 8, 1934. K. TROEGER 1,974,223

STADIUM Filed July 1 6, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 18, 1934. OE ER 1,974,223

STADIUM Filed July 16, 1932 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 fave/ 250i? m4 \ZW Patented Sept. 18, 1934 STADIUM I Karl Troeger, St. Moritz, Switzerland Application July 16, 1932, Serial No. 622,943

In Switzerland July 21, 1931 9 "Claims.

This invention relates to stadiums comprising seats which are adjustable in height by means of collapsible supports that are each composed of two pivotally connected relatively adjustable sup- 5 porting members and fastened to a stationary base member.

The object of the invention consists in providing a perfectly safe assembly for the stadium wherein the individual seats and rows of seats will not be shifted even on the occurrence of a panic and, nevertheless, the stadium inclusive of the seats is adapted to be readily erected and disassembled again in a simple manner. i

This result is attained according to the present invention by combining in the stadium a number of benches, which are disposed behind each other, into a front stationary group of rows of seats by means of common base members resting on the ground and subdividing the following rows of seats in groups of an equal number of benches the next succeeding group of benches inclusive of the basemembers being placed on 'a platform which rests on transversely directed adjustable platform supports of a similar type as the benches andon each of the platform supports of each following group of benches an additional platform support is "placed in such manner that a readily demountable stadium is formed which rises up step by step from the frontgroup of benches resting on the ground backwardly and which comprises stationary benches the supporting members of which are connected to the related base members by means of detachable fastening means.

In the accompanying drawings several constructional forms of the invention are illustrated byway of example onlyin which Fig.1 is a cross section of the stadium;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a cross section of the stadium through a passageway thereof;

Fig. 4 is a view of the end of a bench on a larger scale showing its supporting members in different relative positions of adjustment;

745 Fig. 5 is a cross section of the bench;

Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal section of a modified construction of a platform for the reception of a group of benches;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is aside view of Fig; 7.;

Fig. 9 shows a detail of the fastening device on'a larger scale; 1

Fig. 10 is a crosslsection of. the fastening device;.

Fig. 11 is a section of a base plank on the line HXI in Fig. '7;

Fig. 12 is a plan View of Fig. 11;-

Fig. 13 illustrates a plan view of a modification of the base plank;

Fig. 14 is a cross section of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a cross section of a bench including a back rest, and I Fig. 16 is alongitudinalsection of Fig. 15.

Referring to Figs 1 to 3 of the drawings, the stadium shown in these figures comprises in each section T2, T3, T4 and soforth three groups of benches G1, G2 and G3 respectively each including six benches. Thefront group G1 is set directly on the ground, the next following middle 7 group G2 on a flooring supported by a platform supporting structure and therear group G3 on a flooring supported by two superposed platform structures. With this arrangement each pair of benches B1, B2, B3 of each group is commonly 7 carried by two base planks U, thus forming a self-contained unit which effectively resists being removed or shifted or thrown over by the spectators'occupying the-stadium. This is a highly desirable feature particularly when a panic should arise among the spectators. The two benches of rleachi pair of benches are adjusted to the same eve The construction of the individual bench is evident from the Figs. 4 and 5. The bench B is 5 provided with two seating boards 1 separated in the middle by a longitudinal gap .and having edge rails 2' between which at both ends of the bench struts 3 are linked. -To the outer end of each strut 3 a strut i is pivotally connected by means of a hinge providing the foot of the leg constituted by the struts 3 and4. The outer end of the strut 4 is adapted to be brought to bear against any-one of the wedges 51, 52, 53 which are disposed on the bench between the rails 2. At the-foot portion each strut is provided with an aperture 6 for giving access to the respective portion of the hinge pin '7. For anchoring down two benches of this kind behind each other two base "planks U- disposed parallel to each other and spacedapart corresponding to the'distance between the foot portions of the legs are provided.

In this manner the six front rows of benches form in each section of the stadium an individual group G1 the base planks of which being layed nat on the ground. I

The middle group G2 is .placed with its base planks U to bear on a platform P2 formed by boards extending longitudinally of the stadium, this flooring in turn being carried by platform supports L (Fig. 8) disposed perpendicularly to the direction of the benches. Each platform support L is similarly provided with adjustable legs as the bench except that the legs are adjustable into twodiiferent positions only (for instance for enabling eliminating the efiect of uneven portions of the ground or of a slope) and that no apertures are formed in the legs at their foot portions. With the. rear group G3 of, benches two platform supports L of similar construction are superposed for carrying the flooring supporting this group of benches. A stadium including three groups of benches is sufiiciently deep for ordinary purposes, but obviously a fourth group may be added with three superimposed platform structures when required.

Between every two pairs of adjacent sections of the stadium such as T3, T4 and T2, T1 (not shown) a passageway C of an approximate width of l m. is arranged. Steps 13 are provided at the flanks of the middle group G2 for convenient access to the respective seats. A stairway 14 leads up to the floor 15 between the platforms P2 of the rear group of seats G3 and at the same time to the hindmost benches of the middle group. The platform supports of the rear groups ofbenches are so positioned that a second flooring 15 can be placed between these supports and the platform P2. This flooring serves at the same time for bracing the stadium in the longitudinal direction.

Eachbase plank U may be provided with two notches. 18 of rectangular cross-section for receiving the lower end of the legs of the benches (Figs. 9 to 14) Each notch has formed in its middle a circular bore 18a extending to the underside of the plank.

Above the notch 18 a stirrup 19 made of flat steel is placed across the notch 18 and screwed to the plank U. The stirrup is formed centrally above the bore 18a with a rectangular aperture 19?) and the remaining portions of the stirrup alongside of said aperture are downwardly 01fset in the form of a staple 19a. The inner width of the staple 19a is sufficient for accommodating the hinge pin 7 of the leg of the bench with clearance. On the lower side of the offset part of the stirrup two hinge sockets 190 are fastened for carrying the hinge pin 20 which serves as a bearing pinfor the pivotal thumb catch 21 the substantially enlarged lower portion 21a of which is adapted to enter the bore 18a. The catch 21 is provided with a lateral stop pin 22 for engagement with the respective side of the oifset part of the stirrup for preventing the catch from turning completely down.

In Figs. 6 to 8 a different construction of the platform is shown wherein each pair of base planks is adapted for receiving three benches in stepped up relationship of their seats. For this purpose the modified base planks U2 are each provided with three notches obliquely disposed to the longitudinal center line of the plank and the planks are situated in converging relationship when looking from the rearward or highest bench towards the front the distances between the legs of the benches varying correspondingly. Otherwise the construction of the fastening device is exactly the same as above described.

The Figs. 15 and 16 show a bench construction which is particularly adapted for the rear row of benches.

The stadium bench as illustratedis provided with two seating boards 31 on whichedge rails 32 are secured and the boards are separated from each other by a longitudinal gap. Between the edge rails the legs are arranged. Each leg is constituted by a strut 34, which is linked to a rod 33 interconnecting the two edge rails and a strut 35 linked to the outer end of the strut 34 by means of a hinge pin 3'7 and adapted to be brought to bear against an abutment 36 of a series of, three, abutments of this kind... In this manner the height of the bench can be varied to suit requirements. The hinge pin 37 is again secured on the base plank by means of a fastening or locking device.

For connecting the back rest 38 two supporting arms 39 are provided which are anchored in the gap between the two seating boards by means of a T-shaped holding member 39a. The board 38 forming the back rest is held in a rectangular aperture of the supporting arm 39 and secured in position by means of a steel connecting strap 40 which is pivoted to the supporting arm. For improving the lateral. stability the supporting arm is formed with an enlarged, portion 39b. Depending on thelength of the bench two or three supporting arms are arranged.

It is obvious that the back rest and the supporting arms may be removed from the bench and mounted again in position for purposes of transport without any further arrangements.

Alternatively for the groups base members receiving all the benches of the respective group may be provided. 7

The described stadium is adapted to be assembled and disassembled in a minimum of time without the use of implements of any sort by unskilled labour and without the assistance of trained workingmen. Further, with the exception of the Stairways, and provided that the legs of the benches and leg frame supports are completely collapsed, as all demounted parts are flat the transport of the'stadium can be effected in a very simple manner with a minimum of vehicles.

The assembled stadium affords due to the upwardly inclined disposition of the benches from the front to the rear an unobstructed sight from all the seats.

Various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the invention as defined in the following claims:

I claim:

1. In a readily demountable stadium in combination, platform supports each having a plurality of legs, means for adjusting the height of said supports, a flooring on the oppositely disposed side of said supports from the legs, base planks adapted to rest on said fiooring,,a plurality of benches, legs on said benches, means for adjusting the height of said benches, and means for detachably securing the bottom of the legs of said benches on said base planks.

2. In a readily demountable stadium having a plurality of rows of benches arranged from the front to the rear of said stadium in increasing height from the ground, a plurality of base planks resting on the ground, the benches having legs, means for adjusting the height of said benches, means for detachably securing the bottom of the legs of certain of said benches on said base planks, a platform support positioned'on the ground rearwardly of said base planks, means for adjusting the height of said support,.a flooring on said support, base planksresting onsaid flooring, others of the benches'being detachably connected to saidlast-named base planks, and means for adjusting the height of said benches.

3. In a readily demountable stadium in combination, platform supports, a plurality of pairs of pivotally mounted, adjustable, strut members on said platform supports, the adjustment of the strut members effecting vertical adjustment of said platform supports, a flooring on said platform support, base planks resting on said flooring, a plurality of benches, means for adjusting the height of said benches, and means for detachably securing the bottom of the benches to said base planks.

4. In a readily demountable stadium in combination, platform supports, a plurality of pairs of pivotally mounted, adjustable, strut members on said platform supports, adjustment of the strut members effecting vertical adjustment of said platform supports, a flooring on said platform supports, base planks carried by said flooring, a plurality of benches, a plurality of pivotally mounted, adjustable, strut members on said benches, adjustment of said strut members effecting vertical adjustment of said benches, and means for detachably securing the bottom of the benches to said base planks.

5. In a readily demountable stadium in combination, a plurality of benches arranged in parallel relation to each other, a plurality of common base members for said benches, legs on said benches, means for adjusting said legs on said benches to regulate the height thereof, said base members having notches for receiving the ends of said legs, and means for detachably securing the ends of said legs in the notches of said base members.

6. In a readily demountable stadium in combination, a plurality of benches, legs on said benches, means for adjusting said legs on said benches for regulating the heights thereof, common base members for said benches, said benches being arranged at increasing heights from the front to the rear of the stadium, said base members having notches for receiving the ends of said legs, and means for detachably securing the legs in said base members.

7. In a readily demountable stadium in combination, a plurality of benches arranged in parallel relation to each other, legs on said benches, means for adjusting the legs on said benches for regulating the height thereof, means for detachably securing the legs to base members, supporting members mounted on said benches, and a back rest connected to said supporting members.

8. In a readily demountable stadium in combination, a plurality of benches arranged in parallel relation to each other, a plurality of longitudinal seating boards on said benches, said boards being spaced from each other to provide a longitudinal opening, legs on said benches, means for adjusting the legs on said benches to regulate the height thereof, means for detachably securing the legs of said benches on common bas'e members, supporting members on said benches, a shouldered holding portion on each supporting member adapted to engage the boards adjacent said longitudinal opening for securing the supporting to said benches, a lateral enlargement on each support having bearing engagement with one of the seating boards, and a back rest engaging the said supporting members.

9. In a readily demountable stadium as defined by claim 8, in which said supporting members are provided with a rectangular aperture and a pivoted latch cooperating with each aperture for securing said back rests in position on said supports.

KARL TROEGER.

Images