US3667171A - Row folding seating structure - Google Patents
Row folding seating structure Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3667171A US3667171A US104917A US3667171DA US3667171A US 3667171 A US3667171 A US 3667171A US 104917 A US104917 A US 104917A US 3667171D A US3667171D A US 3667171DA US 3667171 A US3667171 A US 3667171A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- row
- riser
- extended
- rows
- support arms
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H3/00—Buildings or groups of buildings for public or similar purposes; Institutions, e.g. infirmaries or prisons
- E04H3/10—Buildings or groups of buildings for public or similar purposes; Institutions, e.g. infirmaries or prisons for meetings, entertainments, or sports
- E04H3/12—Tribunes, grandstands or terraces for spectators
- E04H3/123—Telescopic grandstands
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C1/00—Chairs adapted for special purposes
- A47C1/12—Theatre, auditorium, or similar chairs
- A47C1/126—Theatre, auditorium, or similar chairs stowable in floor or wall
Definitions
- ABSTRACT In a row seating structure a series of telescoping rows are provided, each row having spaced vertical carriage-mounted columns, each having a cantilever arm adapted to rest upon the next adjacent column when the telescoping structure is extended and a transverse rear riser beam connecting the columns in the row and equipped with forwardly extending supporting arms anchored at their rear upon the riser, and a spectator tread or platform supported by the arms, the arms also providing a seat above the forward end of the tread panel or platform.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folding bleacher or telescoping seat structure provided with a central aisle and extended in front of a continuous wall;
- FIG. 2 a broken perspective view of the bleacher unit in front of a balcony, arranged so that the unit can be top-loaded with spectators from the balcony;
- FIG. 3 a perspective view of the bleacher unit folded into stored position in front of the wall
- FIG. 4 a fragmentary perspective view of the lower portion of a similar bleacher unit, but without the central aisle, to show the handle to be employed in extending the unit to an open position;
- FIG. 5 a view similar to FIG. 4, showing the handle raised to pull the closed unit into the extended position;
- FIG. 6 a layout of the special forwardly extending support arm; already cut and pierced, ready to be bent into shape;
- FIG. 7 a perspective view of the forwardly extending support arm after the first set of folds has been made
- FIG. 8 a perspective view of the bracket in its final bent-up form with the comers welded together;
- FIG. 9 a broken perspective view of the end of the lower rear riser made of metal, formed into a structural shape to replace the usual wooden plank;
- FIG. 10 a perspective view of a similar smaller bracket which is connected to the cantilever arm
- FIG. 11 a detailed sectional view, the section being taken through one row of the bleacher unit to show a wide foot space in back-to-back row spacing by use of the recessed lower rear riser and open front seat support;
- FIG. 12 a perspective view of the ends of the first four rows of the bleacher unit showing the added end support posts and wheels;
- FIG. 13 a top plan view of a complete 19 row unit showing the methods of supporting the structure from below on both sides of the unit, with a center aisle in all but the last row, the end support posts for the lower rows being shown as small squares;
- FIG. 14 a perspective view of a tread board which may be 20 feet long, or longer, made by using two long panels for treads, the panels being held together by an l-I-shaped center support, and the ends of the panels being protected by channel-shaped strips;
- FIG. 15 a broken side view of the lower portion of the posts and bases to show the operation of the lower row locks
- FIG. 16 a fragmentary perspective view of the upper portion of several rows to show the functioning of the upper row locks
- FIG. 17 a perspective view of the two columns or posts to show how the cantilever arms are attached to the side of a column and are ofiset in their shape so as to be directly over the preceding column or posts;
- FIG. 18 a top view of two column carriages or bases and showing the rollers between the carriages, thus keeping them apart when extended;
- FIG. 19 a view similar to FIG. 18, but showing the carriages or bases in a folded position with the two rollers keeping them separated;
- FIG. 20 a fragmentary perspective view of one set of pulleys and cable mounting bracket
- FIG. 21 a fragmentary top view of part of the unit to show one complete cable and pulley unit for keeping the row always in a parallel position with respect to the preceding and following rows;
- FIG. 22 a sectional view of four partial rows of seats to show the functioning of the cable and pulley system, the upper row being fully extended, a middle row being partially folded, and the lower row being completely folded;
- FIG. 23 a broken perspective view of the last row seat bracket attachment at the top of the last post or column.
- FIG. 24 a broken perspective view of brace members which may be used.
- the carriage structuresfor the main columns are normally held apart by the brace structure, but in order to prevent one carriage from striking the other and creating friction in the folding and unfolding of the structure, we provide rollers along the sides of thecarriage wheels to eliminate such friction.
- the rear riser is a channel with the flanges facing the front so that the rear of the platform or tread board can rest on the lower flange of the riser.
- the telescoping seat structure has horizontally extending arms of one row, positioned at a slightly higher elevation than the top of the vertical columns of the next forward row to the front, so that the arms and columns can move freely with respect to each other when the structure is in the unloaded position, the arms being attached so as to deflect down and contact with said columns when a spectator load is applied to the structure in the extended position.
- the folding and extending bleacher unit 30 has seatboards or benches 31, tread panels 32, a center aisle 33, an opening 35 to a balcony 36 beyond, a system of bracing 37 of the rows 38 with an added series of upper braces 39 for the higher rows 40 for added sturdiness, and added end support posts 41 at the extremities of the first four rows, as well as spliced tread panels 32 with l-I-shaped channel 43. It is extended 44 (FIG. 1) or closed 45 (FIG. 3) manually by means of a handle mechanism 46 which is stored 47 below the first row in a key-locked concealed location. Referring to FIG.
- a lightweight but sturdy forwardly extending support arm 48 is made from a single piece of metal 49, which is cut to shape 50 and pierced 51, then bent into a z-angle shape 52 before being further bent into a channel shape 48, and welded in three locations 54.
- the completed support channel 48 has supporting has surfaces for a seatboard 31, front board top riser 55, tread panel 32 and a channel or lower riser beam 56.
- the kick channel 56 is thin in comparison to a previously used wooden plank. It is sturdy, and has structural use, and bottom flange 57 supports the rear edge of the tread panel 32.
- FIG. 11 shows how the use of the lower riser 56, in conjunction with the support channel 48, allows a 25 inch foot space in a 22 inch backto-back spacing.
- a similar but simpler seat support channel 58 is used in conjunction with the cantilever arm 59 (FIG. and again in the top row 60'(FIG. 23) where it is mounted to the top of the last post 61 by means of an angle 62 and bolt 63 through the lower riser 56, and held fimily in place by a second bolt 64 from the rear between the top of the post and a side angle 65 and through a piece of square tubing 66.
- a system of cables and pulleys may be employed to keep the rows parallel to other row as they are extended or folded.
- a short zangle 67 is attached to the rear flange of the forwardly extending support arm 118.
- a plate 69 for holding a pulley is attached to the outer flanges 72 and 73 of the z'angle 67 and arm 118, respectively, at their upper endings.
- a small angle bracket 74 is attached at the lower end of z-angle 67.
- a brace 37 also attaches to the z-angle near its upper end.
- the rear ending 75 of a cable 76 with its adjustment nut 77 attaches to the angle bracket 74.
- Cable 88 is threaded in like manner using the lower grooves in pulleys 70 and 84 but starting on the opposite end of member 82 and ending at bracket 90. Row 79 with its pulleys is thus guided by the cables mounted on the underside of row 80.
- the bleacher unit is equipped with a set of wheel carriage locks.
- FIG. 15 we see how the lower locks 92 operate.
- the first lock not shown, must be unlocked manually by pulling out the operating handle 47 into its position for use 46, (FIGS. 4 and 5). Then as the unit is closed, the lower riser 56 of the first row strikes the lever arm 93 of all the other locks pushing each one rearward, forcing the lock finger 94 up, away from the lock angle 95 of the next row so the section can be closed into the next row in sequence. 7
- the upper locking mechanism is shown in FIG. 16. It consists of a stop angle 96 attached to the lower portion of the outer support channel 119 of the next row, a locking lever 97 which is free to swing outward and attached to the rear portion 98 of the support channel, and lock releasing arm 99 also attached to the rear portion 98 of the preceding support channel.
- the locking lever 97 When the section is extended, the locking lever 97 is free to fall into the small space 100 in front of the angle stop 96, where it stays, preventing the section from moving. As the preceding row closes, its lock releasing arm 99 will strike the lower end of the locking lever 97, swinging the upper portion out of its space 100 in front of the angle stop 96, as it appears at 101 with the lock release arm 99 holding it out, away from the stop 103.
- the unlocking action occurs early in the closing operation of each section so that there is no danger of a jamming of the unit due to an upper lock not unlocking in time.
- brace members which may be used, the members being numbered 1 12, 1 l3 and 114.
- the bases 104 and 105 are kept slightly apart by a front roller 106 on base 105 and a rear roller 107 on base 104.
- the bases normally stay apart and these rollers help to keep the sections parallel at all times, being an added aid to the cable and pulley alignment system.
- the tread cantilever arm 59 is offset at 108, just ahead of its attachment to the inner side of the post 109, so that it is centered above the preceding post 110 which bears its weight when in use.
- An angle bracket 111 at the top of the post 110 retains cantilever arm 59 alignment in relationship to post 110.
- Another angle bracket on a post at the opposite side of the row also helps in retaining the row in alignment the opposite direction.
- a seating structure comprising a plurality of telescoping seat rows arranged for movement between extended and retracted positions, each row including two wheel-equipped carriage members, a vertical column mounted on each carriage member and provided with a cantilever arm adapted to be supported on the top of the next adjacent row toward the front of the seating structure when the structure is in extended position, a rear riser member connecting the upper portion of the columns, forwardly-extended support arms anchored upon said rear riser and structurally supported over the rear riser member of said next adjacent row'when the seating structure is in extended position, and a platform on said support arms.
- a seating structure comprising plurality of telescoping seat rows arranged for movement between extended and retracted positions, each row including at least a pair of wheelequipped carriage members, a vertical column mounted on each carriage member and provided with a cantilever arm adapted to be supported on the top of the column of the adjacent row toward the front of the seating structure when the structure is in extended position, a rear riser member mounted upon the upper portions of the columns in the row, seat support arms anchored upon said riser and extending forwardly above and beyond the rear riser member of said next adjacent row when the seating structure is in extended position, cable and pulley members connecting successive rows so am guide seat rows in parallel movement during the movement of the structure to extended and retracting positions, and row locks securing the rows together when the seating structure is in extended position and being automatically unlocked as the rows are moved to retracted position, with handle mechanism stored below first row in a locked position.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Dentistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Chairs For Special Purposes, Such As Reclining Chairs (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (15)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10491771A | 1971-01-08 | 1971-01-08 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3667171A true US3667171A (en) | 1972-06-06 |
Family
ID=22303123
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US104917A Expired - Lifetime US3667171A (en) | 1971-01-08 | 1971-01-08 | Row folding seating structure |
US05622144 Expired - Lifetime USRE29635F1 (en) | 1971-01-08 | 1975-10-14 | Row folding seating structure |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US05622144 Expired - Lifetime USRE29635F1 (en) | 1971-01-08 | 1975-10-14 | Row folding seating structure |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US3667171A (en) |
CA (1) | CA945886A (en) |
Cited By (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3768215A (en) * | 1971-12-17 | 1973-10-30 | American Seating Co | Telescoping row locks |
US4030255A (en) * | 1976-06-28 | 1977-06-21 | Universal Bleacher Company | Folding handrail system for telescoping seating systems |
US4285172A (en) * | 1979-09-04 | 1981-08-25 | American Seating Company | Power drive apparatus for telescopic seating system |
EP0059582A1 (en) * | 1981-02-23 | 1982-09-08 | American Seating Company | Row structure for telescoping seating system and method of assembling same |
US4518199A (en) * | 1982-01-18 | 1985-05-21 | American Seating Company | Contour seat module |
US4729599A (en) * | 1987-01-27 | 1988-03-08 | Gymnasium Protection Systems, Inc. | Bleacher cushions |
EP0316182A1 (en) * | 1987-11-11 | 1989-05-17 | Okamura Corporation | Movable stand |
FR2693224A3 (en) * | 1992-07-01 | 1994-01-07 | Cadre Scene Sarl | Terrace carrying structure - comprises series of telescopic modules carrying pivoting seat rows which can be progressively deployed |
US5277001A (en) * | 1991-09-03 | 1994-01-11 | Hussey Seating Company | Multiple configuration grandstand seating system |
US5605025A (en) * | 1995-09-07 | 1997-02-25 | E. T. Paddock Enterprises, Inc. | Deck assembly for retrofitting bleachers |
US5822929A (en) * | 1997-03-27 | 1998-10-20 | Interkal, Inc. | Aisle riser backstops for telescopic seating systems |
US6354041B1 (en) | 1997-03-27 | 2002-03-12 | Interkal, Inc. | Aisle riser backstops for telescoping seating systems |
US6598351B2 (en) | 2001-07-16 | 2003-07-29 | Stageright Corporation | Telescopic seating riser assembly |
US20120144757A1 (en) * | 2010-12-10 | 2012-06-14 | Timothy Hockemeyer | Seating system |
US20150013236A1 (en) * | 2012-02-08 | 2015-01-15 | Steeldeck Industries Limited | Rostrum support structure |
US9332846B2 (en) | 2013-11-07 | 2016-05-10 | Rogers Athletic Company, Inc. | Seating system with tiltable deck and belt drive |
US9540831B2 (en) | 2014-07-23 | 2017-01-10 | Rogers Athletic Company, Inc. | Seating system |
US9856654B1 (en) * | 2016-11-28 | 2018-01-02 | Wallace Tagart | Collapsible stair with foldable ramp |
US11035138B2 (en) * | 2018-11-02 | 2021-06-15 | Hussey Seating Company | Bleacher deck interlock apparatus and method |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE68900405D1 (en) * | 1988-03-30 | 1991-12-12 | Okamura Corp | DEVICE FOR LOCKING THE RANGE OF A TELESCOPIC SEATING SYSTEM. |
US8407943B2 (en) * | 2009-10-30 | 2013-04-02 | Irwin Seating Company | Bleacher seating system |
US9752338B2 (en) | 2014-08-10 | 2017-09-05 | Richard D. Strayer, JR. | Vertical support apparatus for a telescoping seating system |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3117350A (en) * | 1959-09-09 | 1964-01-14 | Margadant Piet | Portable bleacher |
US3279131A (en) * | 1964-03-09 | 1966-10-18 | Husey Mfg Company Inc | Gymnasium stand |
US3429081A (en) * | 1964-08-20 | 1969-02-25 | Automatic Sprinkler Corp | Telescoping chair riser structure |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3352069A (en) * | 1964-05-25 | 1967-11-14 | Hussey Mfg Company Inc | Gymnasium stand with foldable seats |
-
1971
- 1971-01-08 US US104917A patent/US3667171A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1971-07-28 CA CA119,280A patent/CA945886A/en not_active Expired
-
1975
- 1975-10-14 US US05622144 patent/USRE29635F1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3117350A (en) * | 1959-09-09 | 1964-01-14 | Margadant Piet | Portable bleacher |
US3279131A (en) * | 1964-03-09 | 1966-10-18 | Husey Mfg Company Inc | Gymnasium stand |
US3429081A (en) * | 1964-08-20 | 1969-02-25 | Automatic Sprinkler Corp | Telescoping chair riser structure |
Cited By (25)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3768215A (en) * | 1971-12-17 | 1973-10-30 | American Seating Co | Telescoping row locks |
US4030255A (en) * | 1976-06-28 | 1977-06-21 | Universal Bleacher Company | Folding handrail system for telescoping seating systems |
US4285172A (en) * | 1979-09-04 | 1981-08-25 | American Seating Company | Power drive apparatus for telescopic seating system |
EP0059582A1 (en) * | 1981-02-23 | 1982-09-08 | American Seating Company | Row structure for telescoping seating system and method of assembling same |
US4518199A (en) * | 1982-01-18 | 1985-05-21 | American Seating Company | Contour seat module |
US4729599A (en) * | 1987-01-27 | 1988-03-08 | Gymnasium Protection Systems, Inc. | Bleacher cushions |
EP0316182A1 (en) * | 1987-11-11 | 1989-05-17 | Okamura Corporation | Movable stand |
US5277001A (en) * | 1991-09-03 | 1994-01-11 | Hussey Seating Company | Multiple configuration grandstand seating system |
FR2693224A3 (en) * | 1992-07-01 | 1994-01-07 | Cadre Scene Sarl | Terrace carrying structure - comprises series of telescopic modules carrying pivoting seat rows which can be progressively deployed |
US5605025A (en) * | 1995-09-07 | 1997-02-25 | E. T. Paddock Enterprises, Inc. | Deck assembly for retrofitting bleachers |
US5673518A (en) * | 1995-09-07 | 1997-10-07 | E.T. Paddock Enterprises, Inc. | Deck assembly for retrofitting bleachers |
US6199324B1 (en) | 1997-03-27 | 2001-03-13 | Interkal, Inc. | Aisle riser backstops for telescopic seating systems |
US6354041B1 (en) | 1997-03-27 | 2002-03-12 | Interkal, Inc. | Aisle riser backstops for telescoping seating systems |
US5822929A (en) * | 1997-03-27 | 1998-10-20 | Interkal, Inc. | Aisle riser backstops for telescopic seating systems |
US6598351B2 (en) | 2001-07-16 | 2003-07-29 | Stageright Corporation | Telescopic seating riser assembly |
US20120144757A1 (en) * | 2010-12-10 | 2012-06-14 | Timothy Hockemeyer | Seating system |
US9194144B2 (en) * | 2010-12-10 | 2015-11-24 | Stageright Corporation | Seating system |
US10202780B2 (en) * | 2012-02-08 | 2019-02-12 | Steeldeck Industries Limited | Rostrum support structure |
US20150013236A1 (en) * | 2012-02-08 | 2015-01-15 | Steeldeck Industries Limited | Rostrum support structure |
US9332846B2 (en) | 2013-11-07 | 2016-05-10 | Rogers Athletic Company, Inc. | Seating system with tiltable deck and belt drive |
US9809987B2 (en) | 2013-11-07 | 2017-11-07 | Rogers Athletic Company, Inc. | Seating system with tiltable deck and belt drive |
US9790698B2 (en) | 2014-07-23 | 2017-10-17 | Rogers Athletic Company, Inc. | Seating system |
US9540831B2 (en) | 2014-07-23 | 2017-01-10 | Rogers Athletic Company, Inc. | Seating system |
US9856654B1 (en) * | 2016-11-28 | 2018-01-02 | Wallace Tagart | Collapsible stair with foldable ramp |
US11035138B2 (en) * | 2018-11-02 | 2021-06-15 | Hussey Seating Company | Bleacher deck interlock apparatus and method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
USRE29635E (en) | 1978-05-23 |
USRE29635F1 (en) | 1989-06-27 |
CA945886A (en) | 1974-04-23 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: INTERKAL, INC., 5981 EAST CORK STREET, KALAMAZOO, Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:AMERICAN SEATING COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:004363/0902 Effective date: 19841114 Owner name: AMERICAN SEATING COMPANY, 901 BROADWAY AVE., N.W., Free format text: LICENSE;ASSIGNOR:INTERKAL, INC.;REEL/FRAME:004363/0906 Effective date: 19841109 Owner name: INTERKAL, INC., 5981 EAST CORK STREET, KALAMAZOO, Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:INTERKAL, INC.;REEL/FRAME:004363/0904 Effective date: 19841114 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED FILE - (OLD CASE ADDED FOR FILE TRACKING PURPOSES) |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CHRYSLER CAPITAL CORPORATION Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:AMERICAN SEATING COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:004772/0275 Effective date: 19870722 |
|
RR | Request for reexamination filed |
Effective date: 19880219 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: AMERICAN SEATING COMPANY,MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:AMERICAN SEATING COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:004847/0729 Effective date: 19880201 Owner name: AMERICAN SEATING COMPANY, 901 BROADWAY N.W., GRAND Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. EFFECTIVE;ASSIGNOR:AMERICAN SEATING COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:004847/0729 Effective date: 19880201 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: INTERKAL, INC. Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:AMERICAN SEATING COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:004947/0711 Effective date: 19861126 |