US2606345A - Grandstand superstructure - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 12, 1952 RHODES 2,606,345

GRANDSTAND SUPEPTSTRUCTURE 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Filed Oct. 31, 1949 [mentor 659410 5. Ef/Wfi Aug; 12, 1952 I RHODES 2,606,345

GRANDSTAND SUPERSTRUCTURE 2 SHEETS-Sl-IEET 2 Filed 001;. 51, 1949 may be obtained from Patented Aug. 12, 1952 2,606,345 GRANDSTAND snreasrrmic'ruan Gerald E. Rhodes, Gary,

States Steel Company,

Jersey Ind., assign'or to United a corporation of New Application October 31, 1949, Serial No. 124,679

1 Claim.

This'invention relates to a grand stand fabricated from steel members and, in particular, to the superstructure, i. e., deck plates and seat supports, thereof.

The construction of my invention is an improvement over that disclosed in Woodbury Patent No. 1,986,174. The object of my invention is to provide a fabricated structure requiring less welding, both in the field and in the shop, than that shown in said patent, and one composed of parts which can be manufactured more cheaply.

More specifically, the present invention concerns an improved interlocking joint between the tread and riser portions of adjacent step-like deck plates of L-shaped section. In a preferred embodiment, the upper and lower edges of adjacent plates are provided with spaced integral lugs or tabs bent through an angle greater than 90 from the plane of the tread and riser portions of the plates, and adapted to interlock with the edges of the adjacent plates.

A complete understanding of the invention the following detailed description and explanation'which' refer to the accompanying drawings illustrating a present preferred embodiment. In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a partial vertical section in a plane parallel to spaced deck-supporting stringers and transverse to the length of the deck plates spanning them, with seat supports in elevation;

Figure 2 is a plan view of one of the deck plates;

Figure 3 is a front elevation thereof;

Figure 4 is an end view of the deck plate;

Figure 5 is a partial front elevation showing one form of seat support;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing a modified form of seat support; and

Figure 7 is a partial section similar to Figure 1 showing the modified form of seat support mounted on the deck plate.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and, for the present, to Figures 1 through 5, the grand stand superstructure of my invention comprises step-like deck plates i0, disposed side-by-side and interconnected at their adjacent edges. The deck plates are provided with seat supports ll spaced therealong. Seat members l2 such as planks span adjacent supports. The superstructure thus briefly described is carried by any suitable substructure including a plurality of spaced parallel beams or stringers l3 disposed at an angle of about 20 to the horizontal.

As best shown in Figures 2 through 4, the deck plates 10 include a tread portion l4 and a riser portion ISintegral therewith, the two portions being disposed at substantially right angles to each other. Connecting straps W are welded to the rear edges of the tread portions adjacent the ends of the deck plates to permit attachment of the latter to the stringers 13 by suitable fasteners such as bolts or rivets. It will beuriderstood that the deck plates are of such lengthas to span one or more spaces. between adjacent stringers. The rear edges'of the tread portions '14 have spaced integral lugs or tabs 16 benttupwardly from the plane thereof and through an angle greater than therefrom. The lower edges of the deck plate have similar lugs l1 staggered relative to the lugs [6; The deck plates may conveniently be made from fiat metal plate by the aid of suitable shearing and bending dies, the only shop welding involved being that required for attachment of the securing straps l4.

By virtue of the staggered lugs or tabs l6 and H, the meeting edges of adjacent deck plates are interlocked when assembled in the manner shown in- Figure 3' of Patent No. 1,986,174, men'- tioned above. When the deck plates are thus assembled, placed on the supporting stringers l3 and secured thereto, as shown in Figure 1, the extreme ends of the lugs l6 bear on the rear face of the riser portion of the deck plate next above. Similarly, the extreme ends of the lugs I1 bear on the lower face of the tread portion of the next plate below. By reason of the conformation of the lugs and the resilience of the metal, the lugs I6 and I1 function as spring fingers resiliently urging the meeting edges of adjacent deck plates together to form a tight joint therebetween. This makes it possible to dispense with the field welding of the joint as disclosed in the aforesaid patent (except for application of a small fillet weld for weatherpro'ofing purposes), thus reducing the cost of construction and the time required therefor. While the tread portions of the deck plates have been shown as horizontal, they may be pitched downwardly toward the vertex l8 to facilitate drainage. Even if the tread and riser portions are at right angles when manufactured, this downward pitch toward the vertex may be obtained on installation by virtue of the resilience of the lugs I6 and H, the slight resulting deformation thereof serving to apply bending stress thereto rendering them even more effective in maintaining a tight joint between the meeting edges of adjacent plates.

The seat support II is formed of metal plate and includes a web or body portion [9 notched at the lower edge to fit over the vertex l8 of the deck plate. A flange 20 integral with the web bent over into a horizontal position affords a wide bearing for seating members such as planks I2. The web I9 has a vertical slot 2| extending upwardly from the bottom intermediate the front and rear edges and terminating short of the flange 20. The portion of the web between the slot 2| and the rear edge of the support is bent laterally on a horizontal line 22 intersecting the slot 2| adjacent its upper end, to form a brace 23 disposed at a slight angle to the remainder of the web. The lower edge of the web I 9 is welded to the deck plate where it curves around the vertex. The lower edge of the brace 23 is similarly welded to the deck plate thus afiording resistance to bending of the web under forces applied longitudinally of the seating members l2.

, Figures 6 and 7 show a modified form of seat support 24.- This support is also formed of metal plate and comprises a web25, a flange 26 corresponding to the flange 20 of support H, and an integral brace 21 bent' at right angles to the forward edge of the web and extending laterally thereof. 'I'he'bottom edge of the web is welded to the tread of the deck plate adjacent its vertex. The lower edge of the brace 21 extends along the vertex and is welded thereto.

It will be apparent that the construction disclosed herein has important advantages over similar structures previously known and that shown in the aforesaid patent in particular. As pointed out expressly hereinabove, the lugs l6 and I! integral with the meeting edges of the tread and riser portion of the adjacent deck plates, are extremely effective in maintaining a tight joint therebetween, acting in the manner of spring fingers to press each edge against the other. By making the lugs integral with tread and riser portions of the deck plates, furthermore, manufacturing costs are reduced. The labor required for welding on the angles employed heretofore to provide the lugs is eliminated as well as the shop facilities incidental thereto. The seat support with an integral brace bent from the plane of the web affords a simple yet sturdy mounting for the seating members, and may be secured to the deck plates with a minimum of field welding.

I claim:

A stepped supporting structure comprising a plurality of L-shaped steel deck plates laid in side-by-side relation spanning spaced supports, said plates each having a tread portion and a riser portion, the lower edge of the riser portion of one plate abutting the adjacent edge of the tread portion of the next lower plate, the meeting edges of the tread portion of each plate and the riser portion of the adjacent plate having integral lugs spaced therealong projecting outwardly and laterally, the lugs of each plate overlapping the edge of the adjacent plate, being staggered relative to the lugs on the adjacent plate and interfitting therewith, said lugs being bent through an angle substantially greater than from the planes of the tread and riser portions, respectively, the extreme ends only of the lugs on the riser portion of one plate engaging the bottom of the tread portion of the adjacent plate under bending'stress and the extreme ends only of the lugs on the tread portion of said adjacent plate engaging the back of the riser portion of said one plate under bending stress, said lugs constantly acting as spring fingers and thus serving to mechanically lock said meeting edges tightly together.

GERALD E. RHODES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

Images