US20100231017A1

US20100231017A1 - Seating

Info

Publication number: US20100231017A1
Application number: US12/566,089
Authority: US
Inventors: Lea Mark Adams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-03-12
Filing date: 2009-09-24
Publication date: 2010-09-16
Also published as: GB2468511A; GB0904239D0

Abstract

Seating (10), including a support member (14) for supporting a plurality of seats (12), the support member (14) being, in use, substantially horizontal, the seating (10) further including a plurality of seats (12) each of which includes a seat portion (16) and a backrest (18), the seat portion (16) of each seat (12) being pivotable relative to the respective backrest (18) between a first, tipped-up, position and a second, open, position, wherein when in the first position the seat portion (16) is substantially parallel to the backrest (18), and in the second position the seat portion (16) is substantially perpendicular to the backrest (18), the seat portion (16) being biased towards the first position, each seat (12) further including an attachment formation (24) in which an upper part of the support member (14) is receivable.

Description

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to seating, and a method of providing seating.
It is known to provide seating for sports stadia or theatres, including a plurality of seats each having a seat portion and a backrest, the seat portion being pivotable relative to the backrest in order to provide a thoroughfare between adjacent rows of seats when the seats are unoccupied, so as to enable the capacity of the stadium or theatre to be increased whilst maintaining sufficient accessibility to each seat. Such seats are often referred to as ‘tip-up’ seats.
A problem with such seating is that the installation of the seating can be awkward and/or time consuming. This problem can be exacerbated by the close proximity of each seat in a row to adjacent seats, and the close proximity of each row of seats to an adjacent row or rows of seats.
There are occasions when more that one type of seating may be desired. For example different widths of seat may be desired. This further complicates the installation of the seating, as it is necessary to ensure that each seat is supported in the correct manner, and may require a support or supports for each of the seats to be prepared in different ways or even for entirely different types of support to be used for the different types of seat.
It is known to spring load the seat portions of such seats, so that the seat portion of each seat is biased towards a tipped-up position, so that when an occupant of the seat stands up, the seat portion of the seat is urged towards the backrest. A problem with this feature is that the seat portion often contacts the backrest as it moves into the tipped-up position, and thus if a large number of the occupants of a stadium stand up at approximately the same time, the contact between a large number of seat portions with the corresponding backrests can be noisy. There is also the possibility of the seats becoming damaged by prolonged or continual imp_act of the seat portion on the back rest.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention, there is provided seating, including a support member for supporting a plurality of seats, the support member being, in use, substantially horizontal, the seating further including a plurality of seats each of which includes a seat portion and a backrest, the seat portion of each seat being pivotable relative to the respective backrest between a first, tipped up, position and a second, open, position, wherein when in the first position the seat portion is substantially parallel to the backrest, and in the second position the seat portion is substantially perpendicular to the backrest, the seat portion being biased towards the first position, each seat further including an attachment formation in which an upper part of the support member is receivable.
An advantage of this arrangement of seating is that a plurality of seats can be supported by a single support member. This reduces or can even completely eliminate the need for each seat to be supported by a separate leg which is fixed to a structure, for example a grandstand. This simplifies and accelerates the installation of the seating, and reduces the number of obstructions at or near the feet of the occupant(s) of the seating. Each seat having an attachment formation for receiving an upper part of the support member means that each seat can be aligned with the support member in a desired position, then lowered into engagement with the support member. This means that several seats can be positioned simultaneously, for example there is no need to slide each seat along the support member from an end of the support member. The strength of the support member is such that a plurality of seats (and occupants) can be supported by the support member simultaneously. Therefore the amount of time and fixings required to connect the support member to the structure are reduced compared with seating which requires one or more support members for each seat.
The attachment formation of each seat may include a clamp for attaching the seat to the support member. Such an engagement is quick to execute, and provides a secure attachment of each seat to the support member.
The attachment formation may include a pair of clamps, one on each side of the seat, for providing stability.
The support member may be substantially bow-tie shaped in cross-section. This cross-sectional shape is convenient for allowing the clamping attachment of each seat, and reduces the likelihood of a seat disengaging from the support member, whilst also providing strength to the support member. The shape of the clamp preferably corresponds with the shape of at least the upper part of the support member, and this assists in a secure engagement between the seat and the support member.
The support member may be manufactured from metal, for example an alloy of aluminium. The support member may be extruded. This means that the support member is simple to manufacture, and has a high strength to weight ratio.
Only two fixings may be required to hold each seat in position relative to the support member. The fixings may be screws or bolts. The small number of fixings which may optionally be used to hold each seat in position provides an advantage over the prior art in that the seating can be installed quickly and straightforwardly. The fixings are preferably not inserted into the support member, and hence the support member is not deformed or damaged by the installation of the seating. Hence, some or all of the seats can be replaced, without the support member having also to be replaced. The support member does not have to be prepared prior to installation of the seats, for example no fixing holes are required to be pre-drilled. This offers maximum flexibility in the positioning of seats.
The seat portion of each seat may be moveable beyond the first position towards the respective backrest. Whilst the seats are biased to pivot towards the tipped-up position when an occupant stands-up, the fact that the seat portion is spaced from the backrest when in the first, tipped-up, position the risk of damaging the seat as a result of unintentional contact between the seat portion and the backrest is reduced. However, by enabling an occupant manually to overcome the bias, so as to urge the seat portion beyond the first position, closer to the backrest, the amount of space between the seat and the adjacent row of seats in front of the seat can be increased if necessary. This is particularly advantageous where it is necessary to permit someone to pass along the row of seats. The occupant of a seat standing up and pushing the seat portion of the seat back towards the backrest offers more space for two people to pass each other between adjacent rows of seats.
The spacings between adjacent seats can be varied and/or the seats attached to the support member may be different widths from one another. Since there is no requirement for the support member to be prepared prior to the installation of the seats, for example by drilling fixing holes, and each seat is attachable to the support member by virtue of the clamp attachment formation, it is possible to support seats at a variety of spacings and/or to provide a variety of widths of seat on a single support member. This can be advantageous if it is desired to provide more than one “class” of seat for example. Seats can be relocated on the support member, to alter the spacing between adjacent seats, or can be replaced by seats of differing widths, as it is unnecessary to match up fixing holes on the seats with fixing holes in the support member, for example. It is not necessary to provide fixing holes in the support member to attach the seats, therefore the appearance and strength of the seating system is not compromised, by attaching seats to the support member. Thus the seats can be removed and moved or replaced, without the support member being visibly or structurally impaired.
The seat portion of each seat may be shaped so as to provide a clearance of at least 1 inch (25.4 mm) between adjacent seats attached to the support member. This is advantageous as the risk of trapping objects or parts of the body, for example fingers, between adjacent seats as the seat portion of a seat moves between the first tipped-up position and the second open position.
The backrest/and or the seat portion of each seat may be manufactured from a moulded plastics material. Preferably the backrest and/or the seat portion is gas-injection moulded. This enables the seat portion and the backrest to have sharply defined edges, and thus a clean profile. Therefore the seating has an enhanced appearance compared with the prior art.
The shape of the seat portion may match the shape of the backrest, such that at least a front surface of the seat portion is a similar shape to a front surface of the backrest. This enables the seat portion to space between the seat portion and the backrest to remain substantially constant when the seat is in the first, tipped-up position. Preferably the outlines of the seat portion and the backrest mirror each other so that when viewed from the side and/or the front or the rear, the seating looks neat, particularly when a plurality of the seats are in their respective first positions, and can also be advantageous in saving space.
The support member may be connected to a part of a structure by a connecting member, wherein a lower part of the support member is receivable in the connecting member.
The connecting member may be a cantilever. The connecting member is thus connectable to a substantially vertical surface and is able to space the support member from the vertical surface. This further reduces obstructions at or near the feet of the occupant(s) of the seating, Alternatively, the connecting member may be a leg which is connectable to a substantially horizontal surface.
The seating may include an armrest adjacent at least one seat. This enhances the comfort of an occupant of the seat.
The or each armrest may include an attachment formation for attaching the armrest to the support member.
The attachment formation of the or each armrest may be a clamp,
Only a single fixing may be required to hold the armrest in position relative to the support member. The fixing is not required to penetrate the support member in order to attach the armrest to the support member.
The attachment formation is connectable to the support member in substantially the same way as each seat, thus providing for quick, straightforward installation.
The or each armrest may be manufactured from a moulded plastics material. For example the plastics material may be moulded by a gas-injection moulding process. The armrest is able to have well-defined edges, which enhances the appearance of the seating.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of providing seating including providing a support member for supporting a plurality of seats, each of which includes a seat portion and a backrest, the seat portion being pivotable relative to the backrest between a first, tipped-up position, and a second, open, position, each seat further including an attachment formation for receiving an upper part of the support member, the method including connecting the support member to a structure, such that the support member is substantially horizontal, and engaging the plurality of seats with the support member
The method of providing seating may include providing the seat portion and the backrest of each seat connected together as a single unit, for engagement with the support member. This means that each of the seats can be transported to the installation site easily, and once on site can be quickly attached to the support member, without having to connect parts of the seat together on site. This means that each seat or a batch of seats can be quality checked before leaving the production site, thus increasing the levels of safety of the seating.
The method of providing seating may include holding each seat in position relative to the support member using only two fixings. This means that the installation process is uncomplicated, and can be completed quickly.
The method of providing seating may include providing an armrest adjacent at least one of the seats.
The method of providing seating may include using a single fixing to hold the armrest in position relative to the support member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of seating according to the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an attachment formation for attaching a seat to a support member of the seating, and

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of a pivot mechanism of a seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings there is shown seating 10, which includes a plurality of seats 12 supported by a support member 14. The support member 14 is a bar which, in use, is oriented substantially horizontally, and to which each seat 12 can be attached, as explained in more detail below. In this example, the support member 14 is substantially “bow-tie” shaped in cross-section, and is preferably manufactured from a metal, for example steel or an aluminium alloy, which may be extruded. The support member 14 is preferably approximately 6 metres in length. it will be appreciated that other materials and shapes are possible.
Each seat 12 includes a seat portion 16 and a backrest 18. The seat portion 16 is substantially rectangular, having a top edge 16 a, which is the uppermost part of the seat portion 16 when the seat portion is in a first, tipped-up, position as explained in more detail below, a lower edge 16 b, and two side edges 16 c, 16 d. The seat portion 16 has a front surface 16 e on which an occupant is able to sit, and a rear surface 16 f. At least the front surface 16 e of the seat portion 16 is preferably contoured to provide comfort for an occupant of the seat 12. For example the front surface 16 e of the seat portion 16 preferably includes an indent.
In this example, each of the edges 16 a, b, c, d of the seat portion 16 is a wall which extends perpendicularly from the front surface 16 e of the seat portion 16, beyond the rear surface 16 f of the seat portion 16. The rear surface 16 f of the seat portion inside a boundary formed by the walls 16 a-d is generally flat. The thickness of the walls 16 a-d strengthens the seat portion 16.
The backrest 18 is also substantially rectangular having a top edge 18 a, a lower edge 18 b, and two side edges 18 c, 18 d. The backrest 18 has a front face 18 e, against which an occupant is able to rest his/her back whilst seated, and a rear surface. The edges 18 a, b, c, d of the backrest 18 may include walls which extend from the front surface 18 e of the backrest 18 beyond the rear surface of the backrest 18, or may alternatively extend between the front surface 18 e, and the rear surface of the backrest 18. The walls 18 a-d strengthen the backrest 18. At least the front surface 18 e of the backrest 18 is preferably contoured to provide comfort for an occupant.
The seat portion 16 of each seat 12 is pivotable between a first, tipped up position and a second opened position about an axis which is substantially horizontal when the seat 12 is in use. The axis is provided by a pair of pivot mechanisms 50 each of which is associated with one side of the seat 12.
Each mechanism 50 includes a body 52 which is carried by the backrest 18, at or near the lower edge 18 b thereof, and remains stationary relative to the backrest 18. The backrest 18 includes a pair of receiving formations 22, one at each side of the backrest 18, in each of which one of the pivot mechanisms 50 is received. Each of the receiving formations 22 is generally tubular.
Each pivot mechanism 50 includes a rotatable part 54 which is rotatable relative to the body 52, and which is carried by the seat portion 16 of the seat 12. Each rotatable part 54 is received in a receiving formation, each of which is provided at or near the lower edge 16 b of the seat portion 16. Each of the receiving formations is generally tubular.
A torsion spring 56 is connected between the body 52 and the rotatable part 54 of the pivot mechanism 50, to bias the seat portion 16 into a first, tipped-up position relative to the backrest 18. A pin 58 extends through the body 52, the torsion spring 56 and the rotatable part 54. A washer 60 and a nut 62 are fitted on to the end of the pin 58 so as to hold the pivot mechanism 50 together.
Each body 52 includes a pair of stops 64 a, 64 b against each of which a respective abutment member 65 a, 65 b of the rotatable part 54 abuts when the seat portion 16 is in the second position, so as to inhibit movement of the seat portion 16 beyond the second position relative to the backrest 18.
A cover plate 66 may be provided to conceal the pivot mechanism 50 from view when in use. It will be appreciated that such cover plates are particularly desirable for seats positioned at the end of a row. The cover plate 66 may include a clip, in this example a pair of clips 68 a, 68 b, each of which is engageable with an opening 70 in the body 52, to hold the cover plate 66 in position relative to the pivot mechanism 50.
In the first, tipped-up position the seat portion 16 of a seat. 12 is substantially parallel with the backrest 18, so as to take up a small space compared with the space occupied when the seat portion 16 is in the second, open, position. When the seat portion 16 of a seat 12 is in the second position, the seat portion 16 is substantially perpendicular to the backrest 18. The shape of the backrest 18 and the seat portion 16 are such that space between the seat portion 16 and the backrest 18 is substantially constant between the substantially horizontal axis and the upper edge 16 a of the seat portion 16.
The torsion spring 56 preferably enables the seat portion 16 to return to the first position without impacting on the backrest 18. However, the seat portion 16 may be moved beyond the first position, towards the backrest 18, by applying pressure to the seat portion 16. The seat portion 16 is thus movable into contact with the backrest 18, so that the seat 12 takes up even less space. The seat portion 16 and the backrest 18 are preferably similarly contoured, so that as the seat portion 16 is moved towards, and possibly into contact with the backrest 18, the seat portion 16 and the backrest 18 complement each other's shape, to enable the seat portion 16 and the backrest 18 to fit closely together.
Each seat 12 includes an attachment formation 24 for attaching the seat 12 to the support member 14. In this example, the attachment formation 24 includes a pair of clamps 26, each clamp 26 having an arm 28 and a clamp member 30. In use the arm 28 of each clamp 26 extends downwardly from the lower end of the backrest 18, so as to be locatable adjacent a rear surface of an upper part of the support member 14. The clamping member 30 is shaped so as to be locatable adjacent a front surface of the upper part of the support member 14 and to provide a close engagement therewith.
The arm 28 and the clamping member 30 each include a fixing formation 32 for receiving a fixing 33, for example a screw or a bolt for tightening the clamp 26. In this example each fixing formation 32 is a passage which extends through the clamping member 30 and the arm 28 of each clamp 26, and in use extends substantially horizontally from the front to the back of the attachment formation 24, as shown in FIG. 2.
Alternatively the attachment formation 24 may be a clip which enables a snap-fit engagement between each seat 12 and the support member 14.
Each seat portion 16 is preferably shaped so that when the seat portions 16 of two adjacent seats 12 are in or are moved towards their respective second positions, there is a clearance of a least 25.4 mm (1 inch) between the adjacent seat portions 16, so as to reduce the risk of trapping objects, for example an occupant's fingers, between the seat portions 16.
The seating 10 may include one or more armrests 34 including an arm-support part 40, which is dimensioned and shaped for the comfort of an occupant of the seat 10. Each seat 12 may include an armrest 34, or each armrest 34 may be provided separately. In the latter case, each armrest 34 includes an attachment formation 36, which is a clamp, which is similar to the clamp 26 of the seat 12, i.e. having an arm 28 and a clamping member 30 which are shaped to conform to the shape of the upper part of the support member 14, and which are connectable together by a fixing 33 which is receivable in fixing formations 42 of the arm 28 and the clamping member 30 of the armrest clamp 36.
Alternatively, the attachment formation 36 of the armrest 34 may be a clip, which enables each armrest 34 to engage the support member 14 with a snap-fit.
The seating 10 may also include a connecting member 44 for connecting the support member 14 to a part of a structure 46. The part of the structure 46 may be a floor or wall of a building, or may be a scaffolding element which forms part of a permanent or temporary stand for seating.
In this example the connecting member 44 is a cantilever, a first end of which is connectable to a wall part or “riser” of a structure, and the second end of which is connectable to the support member 14. The second end of the connecting member 44 includes a mouth 47 for receiving a part of the support member 14. The mouth 47 extends generally upwardly in use, so as to receive a lower part of the support member 14. The support member 14 is connected to and spaced from the part of the structure 46 by the connecting member 46. It will also be appreciated that alternatively the support member 14 may be a part of the structure. As a further alternative, the connecting member 44 may be a leg which is attachable to a substantially horizontal surface, for example the ground, or a “tread” part of a tiered structure.
The seat portion 16 and the backrest are both preferably manufactured from a plastics material, and are preferably manufactured by a gas-injection moulding process. This process involves injecting a gas, for example nitrogen, into the plastics material during the moulding process. This assists in reducing the amount of shrinkage of the plastics material during cooling and thus results in an aesthetically pleasing finish of the seat portion 16 and the backrest 18. It is possible to provide a seat portion 16 and a backrest 18 which have defined edges, which distinguishes the seat 12 from other seats which have a more common “rounded edge” appearance, thus making the seat 12 desirable as a high quality product. It will be appreciated that other parts of the seating may also be manufactured using this process if desired.
The seat portion 16 may be of such a width as to accommodate a plurality of occupants, for example the seat may be a bench or bleacher-style seat.
Each seat may include a seat number portion 48, which may be used to display a row and/or seat number. In this example the seat number position 48 is located on the rear surface 16 f of the seat portion 16, so that the seat number is readily visible when the seat 12 is in the first position.
To provide seating, an appropriate number of support members 14 are selected. The support member(s) can be cut to size on site as appropriate. The or each support member 14 is connected to the part of the structure 46 where seating is required, by using one or more connecting members 44. Preferably a connecting member 44 is used to fix each end of the support member 14 to the part of the structure 46. An advantage of this invention is that the number of connecting devices 44 or legs for connecting the seats 12 to the part of the structure 46 is minimised, to simplify and speed up installation of the seating 10. Preferably a plurality of seats 12 are attached to the or each support member 14 to form a row of seats 12. A plurality of support members 14 are preferably connected to different parts of the structure 46 to provide a tiered formation, with each successive row of seats being positioned higher than the row in front.
It is preferable for each seat 12 to be provided as a single unit. Since the seat portion 16 and the backrest 18 are correspondingly shaped, the seat 12 can be packaged for transportation in a compact manner, with the seat portion 16 in contact with the backrest 18. The installer simply removes the seat 12 from the packaging and can attach the seat 12 to the support member 14 by locating the arm 28 of each clamp 26 adjacent the rear surface of the upper part of the support member 14. In order to hold each seat 12 firmly in position relative to the support member 14, the clamping member 30 is aligned with the arm 28, adjacent the front surface of the upper part of the support member 14. A fixing 33 is inserted through each formation 32 to tighten the clamping member 30 against the arm 28 of the clamp 26 to draw the arm 28 and the clamping member 30 together, so as to grip the support member 14. The fixing 33 is not required to penetrate the support member 14.
One or more armrests 34 may be provided with each seat 12, or may be provided separately. In the event that the armrests) is/are provided separately, the or each armrest 34 is attached to the support member 14 in the same way as each seat 12, i.e. by clamping the armrest 34 to the support member 14 by means of the clamp 36. The position of the or each armrest 34 is selected, and the or each armrest 34 is attached to the support member 14 by positioning the arm 28 of the clamp 36 adjacent the rear face of the upper part of the support member 14. In order to hold the or each armrest 34 in position relative to the support member 14, a single fixing 33 is preferably inserted through the fixing formations 42 in the clamping member 30 and the arm 28 to draw the arms of the clamp 38 together, so as to grip the support member 14. The fixing is not required to penetrate the support member 14.
Owing to the uniformity of the support member 14, and the reduced need to provide fixing points and/or connection members for supporting the seats 12, it is possible to simply attach as many seats 12 as desired to the support member 14. Since the position of each seat is not dictated by the position of predetermined fixing points, the spacing of seats 12 can be selected as required. It is also possible to attach seats of varying sizes to the or each support member 14 if desired. For example, the seating 10 may include a one or more standard seats and one or more “premium” seats, which may be spaced further apart than the standard seats. Alternatively, the premium seats could be wider than the standard seats. The spacings between adjacent seats can be selected at the time of installation, as there are no predetermined fixing points in the support member. This offers complete flexibility in arranging the seating 10.
It is also possible for the seats 12 to be replaced or relocated simply and quickly, without having to ensure that the new seats will be the same size as the previous seats, and without having to adhere to the same spacings between adjacent seats 12. The support member 14 is not damaged by having the seats connected thereto, therefore when seats are removed, there will be no unsightly fixing holes visible.
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.

Claims

1. Seating, including a support member for supporting a plurality of seats, the support member being, in use, substantially horizontal, the seating further including a plurality of seats each of which includes a seat portion and a backrest, the seat portion of each seat being pivotable relative to the respective backrest between a first, tipped-up, position and a second, open, position, wherein when in the first position the seat portion is substantially parallel to the backrest, and in the second position the seat portion is substantially perpendicular to the backrest, the seat portion being biased towards the first position, each seat further including an attachment formation for attaching the seat to the support member.

2. Seating according to claim 1 wherein the support member is substantially bow-tie shaped in cross-section.

3. Seating according to claim 1 wherein the attachment formation of each seat is a clamp.

4. Seating according to claim 1 wherein the support member is manufactured from metal.

5. Seating according to claim 1 wherein only two fixings are required to hold each seat in position relative to the support member.

6. Seating according to claim 1 wherein the seat portion is moveable beyond the first position towards the backrest.

7. Seating according to claim 1 wherein at least two of the seats are different widths from one another.

8. Seating according to claim 1 wherein the seat portion of each seat is shaped so as to provide a clearance of at least 1 inch (25.4 mm) between adjacent seats attached to the support member.

9. Seating according to claim 1 wherein the backrest/and or the seat portion of each seat is manufactured from a moulded plastics material.

10. Seating according to claim 1 wherein the shape of the seat portion matches the shape of the backrest, such that at least a front surface of the seat portion is a similar shape to a front surface of the backrest.

11. Seating according to claim 1 wherein the support member is connected to a part of a structure by a connecting member, wherein a lower part of the support member is receivable in the connecting member.

12. Seating according to claim 11 wherein the connecting member is a cantilever.

13. Seating according to claim 1 including an armrest adjacent at least one seat.

14. Seating according to claim 13 wherein the or each armrest includes an attachment formation for attaching the armrest to the support member.

15. Seating according to claim 14 wherein the attachment formation of the or each armrest is a clamp.

16. Seating according to claim 13 wherein only a single fixing is required to hold the armrest in position relative to the support member.

17. Seating according to claim 13 wherein the or each armrest is manufactured from a moulded plastics material.

18. A method of providing seating including providing a support member for supporting a plurality of seats, each of which includes a seat portion and a backrest, the seat portion being pivotable relative to the backrest between a first, tipped-up position, and a second, open, position, each seat further including an attachment formation for receiving an upper part of the support member, the method including connecting the support member to a structure, such that the support member is substantially horizontal, and engaging the plurality of seats with the support member.

19. A method of providing seating according to claim 18 including providing the seat portion and the back-rest connected together as a single unit, for engagement with the support member.

20. A method of providing seating according to claim 18 including holding each seat in position relative to the support member using only two fixings.

21. A method of providing seating according to claim 18 including providing an armrest adjacent at least one of the seats.

22. A method of providing seating according to claim 21 including using a single fixing to hold the armrest in position relative to the support member.