US2817121A

US2817121A - Grandstands

Info

Publication number: US2817121A
Application number: US250509A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mackintosh Charles
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1951-10-09
Filing date: 1951-10-09
Publication date: 1957-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 1974-12-24

Description

Dec. 24, 1957 c. MACKINTOSH GRAIQDSTANDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 9, 1951 L & INVENTOR Dec. 24, 1957 r c. MACKINTOSH 2,817,1211

GRANDSTANDS Filed Oct. 9. 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS GRANDSTANDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 9, 1951 ATTORNEYS 1957 c. MACKINTOSH 2,817,121

GRANDSTANDS Filed Oct. 9, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /flfi INVENTOR BY 92,5"; d4

ATTORNEYS United States Patent GRANDSTANDS Charles Mackintosh, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application October 9, 1951, Serial N 0. 250,509

14 Claims. (Cl. 20-1.126)

This invention relates to folding grandstands or bleachers, and preferably to stands of the type which comprise hinged or pivoted frames carrying seats and footboards and adapted to assume a sloping or inclined position when opened for use or occupancy, but capable of being folded together to vertical positions to occupy a minimum of floor space when collapsed.

The subject matter of the invention is similar to that disclosed in my copending applications Serial No. 122,683, filed October 21, 1949, now Patent No. 2,663,913, and Serial No. 132,013, filed December 9, 1949, now Patent No. 2,663,914.

The general object of the present invention is the provision of a novel and improved folding grandstand, of the same general character as those described in my earlier applications, but with additional improvements concerned with the eficient pivoting of the hinged sections of the stand, the actuating of the locking toggle associated with the displaceable supporting leg or frame for sustaining the live load, and the enclosing and locking of the several parts of the stand in collapsed or folded condition.

More specific objects of the invention include the provision of a novel grandstand having more than two pivoted seat supporting sections hinged together at their adjacent ends and adapted to be folded into parallelism when the stand is collapsed into condition for storage between periods of use.

Other objects and features of novelty will be apparent from the following specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in vertical section of a grandstand embodying the principles of the invention, the stand being in opened position ready for use;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary detail view in vertical section and on an enlarged scale of the hinge portion of the stand, taken on line 2--2 of Figure 3;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section taken on line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a detail View in elevation of one of the dollies for supporting a forward section of the stand especially during opening and collapsing movement;

Figure 6 is a similar view of one of the live load supporting leg frames;

Figure 7 is a view in side elevation of the stand in closed or collapsed position against the Wall of the building;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figure l of another embodiment of the invention comprising a three-section grandstand;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View of the first hinge section of the stand shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a similar view of the second hinge section of the stand;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 11-11 of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on line 1212 of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a View in side elevation of the stand in closed or folded position;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 10 but showing the parts in an initial stage of their movement toward closed position; and

Figure 15 is a similar view showing the parts in a still further shifted position intermediate those of Figures 14 and 13.

The stand 10 shown in Figures 1-7 inclusiveof the drawings comprises two sections, a forward or lower section 11, and a rearward or upper section 12. Each section comprises longitudinal side beams which may be conveniently of channel section as indicated at 14 and 15 in Figure 7. The sections are preferably provided with central or intermediate beams 16 and 17 shown in the sectional view designated Figure 1. The forward end portions of the side beams 14 and the central beam 16 may be connected by a cross beam 20. The upper rear end of the stand 10 is preferably pivotally supported at a fixed distance above the ground, for example, as by being secured to the wall of a gymnasium or other enclosure, such a wall being indicated at 22. Brackets 23 are fixed in any suitable way to the wall 22 and the stand is pivotally secured to this bracket as by means of the hinge pins 24 which pass through registering openings in the horizontal arm of the bracket and in upwardly extending brackets 25 which are rigidly secured as by welding to the rearward ends of the beams of the upper frame section 12.

The forward section 11 and the rear section 12 are pivotally connected together by means of aligned, upwardly offset, pivots which provide a sort of rule joint between the sections, whereby the corresponding aligned beams of the sections have their ends in abutting relationship as at 27 when the stand is open as in Figure l, but are swung apart bodily when the stand moves to the position shown in Figure 7. The specific means for providing the rule joints will be described presently.

Each of the beams of the

sections

14, 15, 16 and 17 of the stand are provided with seat boards 28 and foot boards 29, the seat boards 28 being mounted upon the upper ends of seat posts 30 which are secured at their lower ends, as by welding, to the beams. Horizontal brace bars 31 extend from an intermediate point of the seat posts 30 rearwardly to the beams and are welded thereto. These horizontal posts may be angle strips and they serve to support the foot boards 29.

The two aligned central beams 16 and 17 which abut at 27 are hinged together by the following means. Near the end of the beam 16 there is welded, as at 31', a pair of spaced plates 32. These plates 32 are also secured to the adjacent seat post which may be specifically designated 30, as at 33. The plates 32 also underlie the adjacent seat board 28' and may be welded to the metal plate 34 which underlies the seat board.

The plates 32 also extend upwardly behind the seat board and are provided at these points with registering openings through which the hinge pin 35 passes. Secured to the upper surface of the forward end of the rear beam 17 is a plate 38. The plate 38 has an extended horizontal portion 39 at its upper edge upon which rests the foot board 29. This board 29 could not be supported by the usual horizontal bar 31 of the forward section which extends to the seat posts 30 in the other rows, since the hinging of the stand occurs between this par.

Patented Dec. 24, 1957 ticular foot board 29 and the seat 28. The forward upwardly extending portion of the plate 38 is provided with an opening which receives the hinge pin 35.

The abutting hinged

side beams

14 and 15 may be connected by the use of the same type of hinge projections as indicated in Figure 7, or any type of upwardly projecting overlapping arms may be employed at these side points. It is preferred, however, for reasons which will be apparent as the description proceeds, that the arrangement just described be used for the hinging of the central beams 16 and 17, all as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings.

The forward section of the stand is supported, on a line passing through or reasonably adjacent to the center of gravity of the portion of the weight of the stand not carried by the wall 22, by one or more wheeled carriages or dollies 45.

In the present illustrated embodiment, wherein the stand is provided with

side beams

14, 15 and central beams 16, 17, there are two of these dollies provided. The dollies are best illustrated in Figures 1 and 5 of the drawings and they will be seen to comprise generally trapezoidal frames consisting of the substantially vertical side posts 46 which may conveniently be of channel section and the rearwardly inclined extensions 47 which are provided with projections 48 having openings which receive the pivot bar 49. Posts 50 extend upwardly from the side beams 14 and the central beam 16 and are provided with openings which receive the projecting ends of the pivot bars 49.

The frames of the dollies are cross-braced by the

struts

51, 52 and 53. The frames rest upon the base blocks 54 which in turn are supported by somewhat flexible strips 55 which provide a sort of resilient running gear for the dolly, the ends of the strips 55 are provided with the downwardly extending caster-wheel supported brackets 56, the wheels being shown at 57. Thus each half of the grandstand is supported in mobile fashion so that when the stand is folded against the wall, the carriages or dollies 45 move rearwardly to the position indicated in Figure 7. The dolly carriages are made somewhat resilient so that they may support the dead load of the stand in a slightly higher position than when the stand has occupants, this being for the same purpose as set forth in the earlier filed application and which will be again developed as the present description proceeds.

The principal support for the live load of the stand is afforded by one or more leg frames which are shown to best advantage in Figures 1 and 6 of the drawings.

The frames may be of general rectangular configuration having side posts 61, a preferably tubular top cross bar 62, and a foot portion which comprises an I-beam 63 and a foot timber 64 which may be covered with a piece of carpet material as indicated at 65. The leg frame may be cross-braced by the elements 66, 67 and 68. If desired, the weight of the bottom beam 63 may be reduced somewhat by the provision of the openings 69 in the web thereof.

The leg frames are pivotally carried by the lower portions of the beams 15 and 17 of the upper section of the stand, pintle pins 70 being insertable in the ends of the top bar 62 and passing through openings in the side and central beams of the frame.

It will be noted that under the dead weight of the stand, the foot of the leg frame is spaced a very slight distance above the floor 72 and a large proportion of the weight of the stand is taken by the resiliently mounted dolly or carriage 45. However, immediately upon increasing the load, for example by occupancy of the stand, the dolly platform will yield and the foot of the leg frame 60 will rest upon the floor and assume its share of the weight of the stand and its load.

Secured rigidly to the upper end of each of the inwardly disposed side pieces 61 of the frames 60, as by welding, is the rearwardly projecting arm 75. In the example shown, these arms also incline downwardly somewhat. Pivotally secured as at 76 to the rear end of each arm is a toggle member 78 of angular configuration having a short horizontal arm 79. Depending pivotally from the hinge pivot pin 35 of the stand sections are two toggle links 80, these links 80 together straddling the central beam 16 of the lower section of the stand as clearly shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. Intermediate the length of the link or lever 80 is an arm 81 which is pivotally connected as at 82 with the upper arm of the other toggle link 78. The lower end of the lever 80 is connected by means of the elongated link 85 to the arm 86 of an operating crank pivoted at 37 to the lower forward portion of the stand and having a manually operable lever 88 extending forwardly beneath the first seat board.

It will be apparent that the leg frame 60 is held in its operative substantially vertical position by means of the toggle arrangement when the three pivot points of the toggle, namely, points 35, 82 and 76 are in alignment. Upon lifting the hand lever 88 to a substantially horizontal position beneath the front seat and foot boards, the elongated link 85 pulls the lower end of the toggle lever forwardly, thus breaking the toggle by displacement of the central pivot 82 forwardly and drawing the pivot point 76 nearer the upper pivot point 35. This results in a rearward swing of the leg frame 60 and when the leg has swung sufficiently to clear it from the floor 72, the front end of the stand may be lifted and the two sections collapsed about the pivot point 35, toward the fully collapsed position shown in Figure 7.

The angular configuration of the lower toggle lever 78, 79 permits the lever to abut the pintle 70 and act as a stop means for limiting the forward swing of the leg frame to the vertical position shown in Figures 1 and 2.

It is to be noted that there are two toggle operating linkages 85 and two cranks 86, one upon each side of the central beam 16, and the levers 86 are fulcrumed upon the same cross pin 87. The forwardly extending hand lever 88 may be a single lever fixed to the cranks 86 or it may be a pair of levers suitably secured together for simultaneous operation. Any suitable locking means may be provided for securing the hand lever 88 in its upper and lower positions. It will be noted that this same principle of providing a common actuating means for the two toggles is applied to the second embodiment of the invention to be described presently.

The under-side of the forward portion of the front section 11 of the stand is covered with sheathing 90 which may be of plywood or any other suitable material. This sheathing may extend as at 91 beneath the foot of the front section of the stand. Hinged as at 92 to the rear edge of the sheathing 90 is a pivoted sheathing panel 93, which when the stand is open for occupancy, hangs downwardly in front of the dolly, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. Secured by any suitable means to the front of the dolly frame 45 is another sheathing panel 94. The height of this panel is such that when the stand is swung to collapsed or closed position the hinged panel 93 still depends vertically from the panel 90 but is in alignment therewith, and the lower edge of the panel 93 contacts the upper edge of the dolly panel 94, the several panels providing adequate sheathing or covering for the collapsed stand.

Pivotally connected as at 96 to the wall 22 above the pivotal point of support 24 of the upper section of the stand is a sheathing panel 97. When the stand is open, the panel 97 provides a back rest for the uppermost seat board 28. A rearwardly projecting bracket 98 is fixed to the upper rearward edge of the stand and has a lip which hooks behind the lower edge of the panel 97. Thus, since the pivot point 24 of the stand is positioned outwardly from the wall, when the stand swings rearwardly about this pivot, the bracket 98 will swing upwardly and outwardly and lift the panel 97 to the position shown in seat board 28, and the foot sheathing 91 of the lower section of the stand all provide covering and protecting means for the top of the stand when the stand is in collapsed position.

In order to lock the stand against movement from collapsed or stowed position a very simple latching or locking device is provided. Pivoted in a supporting bearing bracket, as suggested at 95 in Figure 7, is a rotatable element or spindle 99 which may be rocked in the hearing by manipulation of the handle end 99a to cause the hook end 9% to engage about the edge of one of the seats 28 carried by the rearward section 15.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 8-15 of the drawings will now be described. In this form the stand 100 is in three sections, an upper section 101, an intermediate section 102, and a lower section 103. In this case, as in the previously described embodiment, the stand sections are formed of longitudinally extending beams, the side ones of which may conveniently be formed of channels and the intermediate section or sections may conveniently be made of I-beams. Brackets 105 project from the wall 106 and the upper ends of the beams of the uppermost section 101 are pivoted to these brackets as at 107. The side beams of the uppermost section 101 are designated 110, the side beams of the intermediate section 102 are indicated at 111, and the side beams of the lowermost forward section 103 are shown at 112 in Figure 13 of the drawings. Since Figure 8 is a sectional view, the intermediate beams only are shown in this figure, these intermediate beams preferably being I-shaped as indicated in Figure 11 of the drawings. The intermediate beam of the upper section is designated 115, that of the intermediate section 116, and that of the forward section 117. The several beams comprising the three grandstand sections are all provided with seat board supporting posts 120 and foot board supporting horizontal struts 121. The seat boards are shown at 122 and the foot boards at 123. Cross-connecting braces may be provided as desired.

The stand shown in Figure 8 is of large capacity, fourteen rows of spectators being accommodated thereon. In order to provide this great length and at the same time keep the rearward pivot point at a reasonable distance above the ground, and also to provide for collapsing the stand against the wall, three sections are provided the sections being connected by two intermediate pivots. The uppermost section 101 and the intermediate section 102 are hinged together by means of the pintle 125 which is offset from the plane of the stand, vertical plate-like struts 126 from the intermediate stand and a plate 127 from the upper stand being provided to carry the pivot points upwardly from the plane of the stand to provide a rule joint connection.

The abutting edges of the intermediate section 102 and the forward section 103 are pivoted at 130. It will be noted that the pivot point 130 is disposed adjacent the lower surface of the stand since this pivot point moves upwardly when the stand is collapsed and the sections separate at their upper edges as the movement progresses.

The intermediate section of the stand is provided with the wheeled carriage or dolly 132 which comprises the vertical frame 133 mounted upon the spring carriage 134 which is supported by the ground wheels 135. The upper end of the dolly is pivoted to the central portion of the stand section 102 as at 136. The forward end of the rear section 101 of the stand is supported by the leg frames 140 having the foot boards 141 which contact with the ground when the stand sustains a live load. Adjacent the junction of the intermediate and forward stand sections 102 and 103 a shorter leg frame 142 is provided and this frame may be in contact with the ground at all times since during the collapsing movement, this leg rises from the ground and does not have to be buckled or swung out of the way to permit the stand sections to move. The forward end of the stand has a bottom board which rests upon the floor, and a bracket 145 extends 1,6 upwardly from the front edge of the forward section in association with the inclined forward seat post 121A. This bracket carries a wheel or roller 147 which rolls along the floor or ground 150 when the stand is collapsed.

The various joints and connections of the stand as Well as the means for manipulating the leg frames 140 will now be described. The joint between the front and intermediate sections of the stand is shown clearly in Figure 9 of the drawings. Since the pivoting of the ends of the side beams 111 and 112 at 130A may be identical or quite similar to the pivoting of the

intermediate beams

116 and 117, a description of the connection shown in Figure 9 will sufiice. Preferably the lines of junction of the two beams are inclined and end plates 151 and 152 may be welded to the ends of the beam webs and flanges. This inclination permits the foot board supporting bar 121 to have plenty of bearing contact upon the forward beam 117 and at the same time accommodate the plate 154 which is welded to the sides of the flanges of the forward beam 117 but overlaps the lower edge of the end of the beam 116. There is welded to the lower flange of the forward end of the beam 116 a cylindrical or tubular member 155 which fits between the side plates 154 of the forward beam. Openings are provided in the plates 154 which register with the bore of the tubular element 155 and a pivot pin 130 passes through these openings and provides the hinging pintle for the stand sections at this point. The pintle also serves to support the upper end of the leg 142.

In the right-hand portion of Figure 9 there is shown in enlarged detail the pivoting of the dolly 132 to the intermediate stand section 102 at the central portion thereof. The beam 116 has a side plate 157 secured thereto and the beam web and the plate 157 are preferably both provided with registering openings for receiving the pin 136. A transverse plate 158 is secured as by welding against the web of the beam 116 and within the space between the upper and lower flanges thereof and may also be welded to the side plate 157.

The hinging of the rear and

intermediate stand sections

101 and 102 at the point 125 will be clearly understood from an inspection of Figures 10 and 11 of the drawings. The

posts

126 and 127 extending up to the hinge point from the respective beams have already been described, and it will be seen that a side plate 160 and a transverse end plate 161 have been secured to the end of the upper beam 115. The side plates 160 are provided with registering openings adapted to receive the pintles 163 which serve to pivotally connect leg frames 140 to the stand section. These frames are similar to those described in connection with the first embodiment of the invention and are provided with vertically extending pieces 165, horizontal top pieces 166 which are preferably tubular and provided with openings to receive the pintle 163, and the diagonal bracing elements 167. Fixed to the upper ends of the inwardly disposed side pieces of the leg frames are the rearwardly extending arms 170. A toggle lever 172 is pivoted at 173 to the rear end of each of these arms and a companion toggle lever 175 extends from the stand pivot 125 to an intermediate pivot 176 where it joins the other toggle element 172. The upper toggle member 175 is provided with a forwardly and downwardly extending arm 178 to the lower end of which is attached a toggle actuating cable 180. The toggle levers are duplicated upon each side of the beam 115 as clearly shown in Figure 11 of the drawings.

The operating cables 180 extend along each side of the

beams

116 and 117 and pass through guide openings in the plates 158 disposed adjacent the dolly pivot 136 and through similar openings in the plates 151 and 152 adjacent the forward pivot 130 of the stand. The forward ends of the cables 180 are secured to a crank arm 182 pivoted as at 183 to the foot board supports at the front end of the stand and a hand lever 185 serves to swing the cranks 132 to pull the cables 180. Of course,

where but one hand lever is employed for actuating the two toggles, the hand lever and crank arm combination must straddle the forward beam section 117, in a manner similar to that described in connection with the first described embodiment. The cables 180 are reeved through the eyes 186 of eye-bolts fixed to the

beams

116 and 117 at points as close as possible to the point of repose (in the extended position of the stand) of the outer end of the arm 178 of the lever 175. Thus, in this position of repose the cable retains the toggle in locked condition, free from tampering or accidental dislocation. When one of the operating levers 185 is moved downwardly, however, the attached cable 180 is slackened so that the toggle can break, and the arm 178 be displaced slightly forwardly. When the stand is collapsed, the cables 180 will still lie alongside of the central beams, being retained at its bight by the openings in the plates 151 and 152.

In order to swing the leg frame 140 rearwardly after the toggle is released, there is provided a cable 187 which has one end secured to a bracket 18S fixed to the lower rearward end of the intermediate beam 116. The cable 187 passes forwardly around a U-bracket 189 which straddles the space between the adjoining leg frames 140 and extends somewhat forwardly of. the planes of the leg frames. The arms of the bracket 189 may be passed through openings in the uprights 165 of the leg frames and secured by bolts 19%. The cable 187 passes around a pulley 191 carried by a bracket 192 fixed to the floor 150 or the wall 1136 in the corner at the junction thereof. The cable 186 then passes forwardly to a point where it is accessible from the front end of the stand. It will be clearly understood that tugging upon the forward end of the cable 137 will pull the leg frames 140 rearwardly and start them on their way to the inverted position which they occupy when the stands are folded as clearly shown in Figure 13 of the drawings.

In order to sheathe the stand when it is in folded position the following means are provided. A fixed sheathing panel 195 is secured to the fioor adjacent the wall 106, and hinged as at 196 to this section is a panel 197 which, when the stand is collapsed, may be lifted to vertical position about the hinge 196 as shown in Fig ure 13.

A top panel 198 is hinged as at 199 to the wall 106 and this panel occupies a raised position in Figure 8 wherein it may provide a back rest for the uppermost seat board. When the stand is collapsed, the panel 198 may be lowered to the closed position shown in Figure 13.

Figure 14 shows the position of the various parts just after the toggle has been broken and the leg frame 140 may be swung slightly rearwardly by the pull exerted by the cable 187. Further separating movement of the stand sections m1 and 102, as shown in Figure of the drawings, will serve to swing the leg frames 14!) still further in a rearward and upward direction around the pivot 163 and the leg frame will finally occupy the inverted position shown in Figure 13. The movement of the forward leg 142 is much simpler, this leg merely rising and following the arcuate movement of the pintle 130 to its final suspended position shown in Figure 13.

Of course, during the collapsing of the stand the dolly 132 rolls rearwardly toward the wall 106 supporting the bulk of the weight of the stand at its approximate center of gravity, while the intermediate section 102 rotates in a clockwise direction around the pivotal point of support 136.

It is understood that various changes and alterations may be made in the embodiment illustrated and described herein without departing from the scope of the invention as determined by the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A folding grandstand comprising, in Combination, a supporting frame comprising at least two sections horizontally hinged together at their adjacent edges, the frame adapted when opened for use to occupy a plane of gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forward end of the forward section resting adjacent the ground surface, a pivotal support for the rearward section, a hinge pintle pivotally securing the rearward section to the next adjacent section and disposed at a point upwardly of the median plane of the frame at least as far as the upper surface thereof, whereby the rearward and next adjacent sections may be folded toward collapsed position one against the other in relatively upward rotary directions with respect to the axes of the pintle connecting them, a supporting leg for the stand pivotally connected at its upper end to the rearward frame section at a point adjacent the lower edge thereof and below the axis of said pintle, an arm fixed to the upper portion of said leg and extending in a generally rearward direction, a toggle connection between said hinge pintle and the rearwardly projecting end of said arm, said toggle connection consisting of two links having their adjacent ends pivotally connected with each other, one end of one of said links being permanently pivotally connected with said rearwardly projecting end of said arm, and the opposite end of the other of said links permanently and directly pivotally connected with said hinge pintle itself, and means other than the movement of the stand itself for breaking said toggle to permit the swinging of said leg toward the plane of the stand to enable the stand to be collapsed.

2. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting frame comprising at least two sections horizontally hinged together at their adjacent edges, the frame adapted when opened for use to occupy a plane of gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forward end of the forward section resting adjacent the ground surface, a pivotal support for the upper rearward portion of the rearward section maintained at a fixed elevation. above ground level as upon the wall of an enclosure, a hinge pintle pivotally securing the rearward section to the next adjacent section and disposed at a point upwardly of the median plane of the frame at least as far as the upper surface thereof, whereby the rearward and next adjacent sections may be folded toward collapsed position against said wall one against the other in relatively upward rotary directions with respect to the axis of the pintle connecting them, a supporting leg for the stand pivotally connected at its upper end to the rearward frame section at a point adjacent the lower edge thereof and below the axis of said pintle, an arm fixed to the upper portion of said leg and extending in a generally rearward direction, a toggle connection between said hinge pintle and the rearwardly projecting end of said arm, means other than the movement of the stand itself for breaking said toggle to permit the swinging of said leg rearwardly toward the plane of the stand to enable the stand to be collapsed, and separate means also other than the movement of the stand itself for so swinging said leg.

3. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting frame comprising at least two sections horizontally hinged together at their adjacent edges, the frame adapted when opened for use to occupy a plane of gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forward end of the forward section resting adjacent the ground surface, a pivotal support for the upper rearward portion of the rearward section maintained at a fixed elevation above ground level as upon the wall of an enclosure, a hinge pintle pivotally securing the rearward section to the next adjacent section and disposed at a point upwardly of the median plane of the frame at least as far as the upper surface thereof, whereby the rearward and next adjacent sections may be folded toward collapsed position against the wall one against the other in relatively upward rotary directions with respect to the axis of the pintle connecting them, a supporting leg for the stand pivotally connected at its upper end to the rearward frame section at a point adjacent the lower edge thereof and below the axis of said pintle, an arm fixed to the upper portion of said leg and extending in a generally rearward direction, a toggle connection between said hinge pintle and the rearwardly projecting end of said arm, means for breaking said toggle to permit the swinging of said leg rearwardly toward the plane of the stand to enable the stand to be collapsed, and separate means for so swinging said leg, said last-named means comprising a strand having one end secured to said forward section, said strand passing freely about an intermediate horizontal part of the leg, thence about a pulley secured to the lower portion of the wall, and the other end of said strand passing to the forward end of the stand for access by the operator.

4. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting frame comprising a plurality of sections horizontally hinged together at their adjacent edges, the frame adapted when opened for use to occupy a plane of gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forward end of the forward section resting adjacent the ground surface, a pivotal support for the rearward section, a hinge pintle pivotally securing the rearward section to the next adjacent section, a supporting leg for the stand pivotally connected at its upper end to an intermediate portion of the stand, means for swinging said leg toward the plane of the stand to enable the stand to be collapsed, said means comprising a flexible strand operatively connected with said leg and having a portion accessible at the forward end of the stand.

5. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting frame comprising a plurality of sections horizontally hinged together at their adjacent edges, the frame adapted when opened for use to occupy a plane of gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forward end of the forward section resting adjacent the ground surface, a pivotal support for the upper rearward portion of the reaward section maintained at a fixed elevation above ground level as upon the wall of an enclosure, a hinge pintle pivotally securing the rearward section to the next adjacent section, a supporting leg for the stand pivotally connected at its upper end to the rearward frame section at a point adjacent the lower edge thereof, means for swinging said leg rearwardly toward the plane of the stand to enable the stand to be collapsed, said means comprising a strand having one end secured to said forward section, said strand passing freely about an intermediate horizontal part of the leg, thence about a pulley secured to the lower portion of the wall, and the other end of said strand passing to the forward end of the stand for access by the operator.

6. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting frame comprising at least two sections horizontally hinged together at their adjacent edges, the frame adapted when opened for use to occupy a plane of gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forward end of the forward section resting adjacent the ground surface, a pivotal support for the rearward section, a hinge pintle pivotally securing the rearward section to the next adjacent section and disposed at a point upwardly of the median plane of the frame at least as far as the upper surface thereof, whereby the rearward and next adjacent sections may be folded toward collapsed position one against the other in relatively upward rotary directions with respect to the axis of the pintle connecting them, a supporting leg for the stand pivotally connected at its upper end to the rearward frame section at a point adjacent the lower edge thereof and below the axis of said pintle, an arm fixed to the upper portion of said leg and extending in a generally rearward direction, a toggle connection between said hinge pintle and the rearwardly projecting end of said arm, means for breaking said toggle to permit the swinging of said leg toward the plane of the stand to enable the stand to be collapsed, said toggle breaking means comprising a strand connected at one end to an intermediate point on the toggle, reeved through guides at the forwardly disposed joints between stand sections, and terminating in manual actuating means at the front end of the stand.

7. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting frame comprising at least two sections horizontally hinged together at their adjacent edges, the frame adapted when opened for use to occupy a plane of gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forward end of the forward section resting adjacent the ground surface, a pivotal support for the rearward section, a hinge pintle pivotally securing the rearward section to the next adjacent section and disposed at a point upwardly of the median plane of the frame at least as far as the upper surface thereof, whereby the rearward and next adjacent sections may be folded toward collapsed position one against the other in relatively upward rotary directions with respect to the axis of the pintle connecting them, a supporting leg for the stand pivotally con nected at its upper end to the rearward frame section at a point adjacent the lower edge thereof and below the axis of said pintle, an arm fixed to the upper portion of said leg and extending in a generally rearward direction, a toggle connection between said hinge pintle and the rearwardly projecting end of said arm, means for breaking said toggle to permit the swinging of said leg rearwardly toward the plane of the stand to enable the stand to be collapsed, at least one arm of said toggle constructed and positioned so as to abut the pivot of said leg at a point in the forward swing thereof to limit its movement to the normal vertical operative position thereof.

8. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting frame comprising at least two sections horizontally hinged together at their adjacent edges, the frame adapted when opened for use to occupy a plane of gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forward end of the forward section resting adjacent the ground surface, adjoining sections having aligned longitudinal beams, the adjacent ends of said beams being in abutting relationship, a rule joint hingedly connecting said beam ends, said joints comprising posts extending upwardly from said respective beam ends in transversely overlapping relation, a pintle extending through aligned openings in said posts, a normally vertical supporting leg pivoted at its upper end to said stand near the joint upon each side of said beam, an arm rigidly secured to the upper end of each leg and extending rearwardly therefrom, a pair of toggle devices connecting the ends of said arms with said pintle and straddling the axis of said beams, each of said toggles consisting of two links having their adjacent ends pivotally connected with each other, one end of one of said links being permanently pivotally connected with said rearwardly projecting end of said arm, and the opposite end of the other of said links per manently and directly pivotally connected with said hinge pintle itself, and actuating means for the toggle devices extending along both sides of the aligned beams to the front end of the stand.

9. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting frame comprising at least two sections horizontally hinged together at their adjacent edges, the frame adapted when opened for use to occupy a plane of gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forward end of the forward section resting adjacent the ground surface, adjoining sections having aligned longitudinal beams, the adjacent ends of said beams being in abutting relationship, a rule joint hingedly connecting said beam ends, said joints comprising plate-like posts welded to and extending upwardly from said respective beam ends in transversely overlapping relation, a pintle extending through aligned openings in said posts, a normally vertical supporting leg pivoted at its upper end to the rearward section of said stand near the joint upon each side of said beam, an arm rigidly secured to the upper end of each leg and extending appropriately horizontally and rearwardly therefrom, a pair of toggles connecting the ends of said arms with said pintle and straddling the rearward one of said beams, a common actuating crank lever device straddling the forward end of the forward beam, locking means for said device, and means extending along both sides of said forward beam and connecting said device with an intermediate point on each of said toggles.

10. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting frame comprising a forward and a rearward section horizontally hinged together at their adjacent edges, the frame adapted when opened for use to occupy a plane of gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forward end of the forward section resting adjacent the ground surface, a hinge pintle pivotally securing said sections together whereby the sections may be folded toward collapsed position one against the other, and a device for locking said stand in collapsed position, said device being permanently and rotatably secured to one section of the stand at a point spaced longitudinally from the hinge pintle and having a hooked end adapted to engage behind a projecting part of the other section which is correspondingly spaced from said pintle and disposed adjacent the device when the stand is in collapsed position.

11. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting frame comprising at least two hinged sections and adapted when opened for use to occupy a plane of gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forward end of the stand resting adjacent the ground surface, each of the frame sections including longitudinally extending beams aligned with a beam of the adjoining section, vertical seat posts secured at spaced intervals along said beams, transversely extending seat boards supported by the seat posts, a hinge pintle pivotally securing said sections together whereby the sections may be folded toward collapsed position one against the other with the seat posts and seat boards of each ection projecting toward and interdigitated with those of the other section, a device for locking said stand in collapsed position, said device comprising a spindle mounted for rocking movement upon one of said beams at a point spaced from said hinge pintle and having a hooked end adapted to engage about one of the seats of the other section which is adjacent said device when the stand is collapsed.

12. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting frame comprising a series of sections horizontally hinged together at their adjacent edges, said sections carrying a plurality of seats and associated foot rests, the total of said sections equaling an odd number i rearward section, which support is maintained at a fixed elevation above ground surface, successive hinge pintles between the sections alternating from an upward position at a point upwardly of the median plane of the open frame at least as far as the upper surface thereof to a downward position at a point downwardly of the median plane of the frame at least as far as the lower surface thereof with the pintle between the extreme rearward section and the next forward section having an upward position, whereby the sections may be folded toward collapsed position one against the other in relatively upward and downward rotary directions with respect to the pintle axes, a generally upright member pivotally connected at its upper end to each of the evennumbered sections of said series intermediate the ends of said sections, a platform rigidly secured to the lower end of said member, said platform carrying wheels positioned both forwardly and rearwardly of a vertical plane through the axis of pivotal connection of said member to said section, said wheels rolling on said ground surface, the maximum elevation of said platform being relatively small, the lower ends of said sections, at least in the region in alignment longitudinally of the frame with said platform when the frame is collapsed, terminating at a point above said ground surface at least slightly higher than the maximum elevation of the platform, whereby when collapsed the sections may fit closely together in generally parallel relationship, without being obstructed by said platform.

13. The grandstand of claim 12 wherein the forward ends of the extreme forward section are provided with ground wheels in a position out of alignment longitudinally of the frame with the wheel carrying platform.

14. The grandstand of claim 13 including displaceable normally substantially vertical leg frames supporting the stand at points adjacent the pintles, and means other than the movement of the stand itself for swinging the leg frames adjacent those pintles connecting the forward end of an odd-numbered section to the rearward end of an even-numbered section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,067,440 Paquette July 15, 1913 1,811,708 Bessler June 23, 1931 2,018,887 Fowler Oct. 29, 1935 2,030,776 Vance Feb. 11, 1936 2,054,960 Adamson Sept. 22, 1936 2,147,564 Vance Feb. 14, 1939 2,176,731 Claire Oct. 17, 1939 2,245,825 Rose June 17, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 29,297 Austria July 25, 1907