WO2006008478A2

WO2006008478A2 - A transportable grandstand unit and a method of making a transportable grandstand unit

Info

Publication number: WO2006008478A2
Application number: PCT/GB2005/002772
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Anthony Herbert Howell; David Colebrook
Original assignee: David Anthony Herbert Howell; David Colebrook
Priority date: 2004-07-16
Filing date: 2005-07-15
Publication date: 2006-01-26
Also published as: WO2006008478A3

Abstract

A transportable grandstand unit (110) is provided. The unit (110) is formed by modifying an existing transportable container (which might be new, used or scrap). The modified container has one or more viewing platforms (155, 160) for spectators. The unit (110) can be easily transported and quickly deployed/packed ready for use/transport.

Description

ATRANSPORTABLEGRANDSTANDUNITANDAMETHODOF MAKINGATRANSPORTABLEGRANDSTANDUNIT

The present invention relates generally to a grandstand unit and particularly to a transportable grandstand unit.

Temporary seating arrangements are required in a number of circumstances, such as for sporting events or music concerts. An example of the utility of portable seating arrangements is for International Football. Stadiums purpose-built for competitions such as the World Cup are a vast one-off expenditure; after one series of games all within a couple of months the stadium becomes a "white elephant" being usually too far from populated areas, costly to maintain and expensive in security so unlikely to be commercially viable in the long term. There already exists a niche market known as demountable spectator seating. It is known, for example from GB2394481 and GB2206364, to provide grandstand units which are transportable on trailers and can be erected and dismantled to provide temporary seating. However, these known grandstand units are constructed from purpose-built frames which are complicated and expensive to produce.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a transportable grandstand unit comprising a pre-existing transportable container modified to provide one or more viewing platforms.

In other words, this aspect of the present invention provides for modification of existing containers to create modulated transportable grandstands.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of making a transportable grandstand unit, comprising the steps of: providing a pre-existing transportable container; and modifying the container so that it is adapted to provide one or more viewing platforms.

The present invention is based on the idea of using a container as the basis for the grandstand unit and modifying it so that it can be easily transported to a site and quickly erected. By using a container as the basis for the unit the cost of making and assembling viewing platforms from scratch is eliminated. In addition, because the container selected for the grandstand unit is a transportable container it will already be of a type which can be easily transported. No additional modification is required to prepare the container for transport.

Conveniently, the container may be suitable for transport on a trailer which would allow the unit to be easily transported once modified. The container may be a shipping container such as a standard ISO (International Standards Organisation) container. This type of container is widely used and is transportable on a standard ISO container trailer, railcar or ship. The design allows the unit to continue to be a regular shipping container capable of being handled through seaports, traverse frontiers, and move on overland routes to reach hitherto untapped geographical areas. Furthermore, the construction of a grandstand system is made relatively easy and the units can be made to accommodate any depth, and length in multiples, for example, of 20' and 40' units.

By using a container which is suitable for transport in its unmodified form the level of modification required in order to prepare the unit is minimised.

In an embodiment with particular economic benefits, the transportable container is a scrapped container which is recycled to form the grandstand unit. In the case of shipping containers, they have a finite period within which they can be used largely because of rusting, which is accelerated by exposure to sea water. It is therefore proposed by the inventors that this otherwise unusable container stock could be reclaimed and re-utilised to form the basis of the grandstand units of the present invention.

In other words, the present invention is based on the idea of starting from an existing container, (which could be new, used or scrap) which is not purpose built as a grandstand, and converting it into a grandstand.

The transportable container may be modified so that at least part thereof is moveable between a stowed, transport position and a working position in which the unit provides the one or more viewing platforms. The container may be modified so as to comprise a base portion and a top portion, the portions being connected to each other to allow one or both of the portions to be moved from a stowed position to a working position. The top portion and the base portion may both provide a viewing platform. The container may be modified by the incorporation of a hinge line which allows part of the container to be moved pivotally into a working position. For example, a longitudinal hinge line would allow a top portion of the container to be pivotally connected to a base portion and moved into position by unfolding the top portion away from the base portion in a "clam shell" type configuration. The hinge line may be longitudinal or in other embodiments may be transverse the length of the container.

Note must be taken of the safe height limit for transporting containers. For example in Europe the height of a vehicle should not exceed about 4800mm in order to avoid problems with the height of bridges (the height of motorway bridges is approximately 5020mm).

In known grandstand units the body of the unit includes one or more parts which are rotatable into position. The pivot axis for the rotation is positioned at the vertex of the body at the point a side wall meets a top or bottom wall. The present invention also seeks to provide a grandstand unit which is of reduced height when in a stowed position compared to known units but can provide at least the same seating capacity. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a grandstand unit comprising a body having a top part and a bottom part, the top part being rotatable with respect to the bottom part between a closed position and an open position, the top and bottom parts having a plurality of corresponding steps together forming an inclined seating array in the open position, in which the unit is formed so that when the top part is rotated to the closed position its steps rise in the opposite inclination to the corresponding steps of the bottom part and fit on top thereof.

In the open position the lower step of the top part may be adjacent the upper step of the bottom part in the inclined array and lie above it by a value X, with the axis of rotation defined by a point equivalent to V₂ X whereby to be mid- way between the tops of the steps. In this way the lower step effectively has a recess above the upper step into which it can rotate and come to rest. In other words, the distance from the top of the top portion lowermost terrace to the hinge is the same as from the bottom portion uppermost terrace to the hinge. This means that there is clearance above the uppermost terrace for the lowermost terrace to rotate into. The body may have spaces top and bottom walls and the axis of rotation is part way between the top and bottom walls.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a grandstand unit comprising a body including spaced top and bottom walls and having a part rotatable about a pivot axis between a closed, stowed position and an open, working position in which the unit provides one or more viewing platforms, wherein the axis of rotation of the part is spaced from and between the top and bottom walls. The body of the unit may include spaced side walls connected by the top and bottom walls. The axis of rotation may extend along one of the side walls between the respective top and bottom vertices where the side wall join the top and bottom walls. The axis of rotation may extend substantially parallel to the respective top and bottom vertices.

The body may include spaced end walls connected by the top and bottom walls. The axis of rotation may extend along one of the end walls between the respective top and bottom vertices. The axis of rotation extends substantially parallel to the respective top and bottom vertices where the end wall joins the top and bottom walls. The unit body may therefore be configured to open in the same way as a cigarette packet, cigar box or jewellery with the pivot axis spaced from the top and bottom vertices. The body comprises a container with solid walls or may comprise a frame with .the parts of the frame defining walls.

Advantageously, when in the closed position the body may conform to International Standards Organisation (ISO) container dimensions so as to be easily transportable by land, air or sea.

The container may be pre-existing and then modified to form the unit. Alternatively the unit may be purpose built, albeit perhaps in the form of a container.

The body may be based on a transportable container which is modified to form the unit so that it can be easily transported to a site and quickly erected. If the container selected for the grandstand unit is a transportable container it will already be of a type which can be easily transported. No additional modification is then required to prepare the container for transport.

Conveniently, the container may be suitable for transport on a trailer which would allow the unit to be easily transported once modified. The container may be a shipping container such as a standard ISO (International Standards Organisation) container. This type of container is widely used and is transportable on a standard ISO container trailer, railcar or ship. Alternatively, where the body is purpose built the resulting unit may be of a size conforming to ISO so as to be easily transportable by road, rail or sea.

In an embodiment with particular economic benefits, the body is formed by modifying a pre-existing scrapped container which is recycled to form the grandstand unit. In the case of shipping containers, they have a finite period within which they can be used largely because of rusting, which is accelerated by exposure to sea water. It is therefore proposed by the inventors that this otherwise unusable container stock could be reclaimed and re-utilised to form the basis of the grandstand units of the present invention.

It is possible that pre-existing containers may lose some of their inherent structural strength when modified; accordingly additional strengthening may be required. Alternatively the body may comprise a purpose-built container-type unit known as "a special". The body may comprise a base portion and a top portion, the portions being connected to each other to allow one or both of the portions to be moved from a stowed position to a working position. Either or both of the top portion and the base portion may provide a viewing platform.

The pivot axis may be defined by a hinge or the like. For example, a longitudinal hinge line would allow a top portion of the body to be pivotally connected to a base portion and moved into position by unfolding the top portion away from the base portion in a "clam shell" type configuration. In other embodiments the hinge line may run transverse the length of the container.

Whilst the or each viewing platform of a grandstand unit formed according to any aspect of the present invention may simply provide a defined area for spectators to stand, more usually the or each viewing platform will include a seating arrangement.

The seating arrangement may be adapted to be accommodated within the container when the unit is in its stowed position for transport. The seating arrangement may comprise benches, although individual seats may be preferred. Individual folding seats are particularly useful because they save space and do not present an obstacle along a row when in a stored, upward configuration.

The seats may be fixed in position or may be removable. Removed seating could be stored within the container during transport.

The seating arrangement may include a plurality of terraces supporting rows of seating, which may be inclined with respect to each other to provide a tiered seating arrangement.

The seating arrangement may form part of the structure of the body. That is to say that the seating arrangement may be adapted to form part of the structure of the body and contribute to its rigidity. In one embodiment the seating arrangement includes cross beams which extend longitudinally within the body and are attached at each end thereof.

A grandstand unit formed in accordance with any aspect of the present invention may be connectable to one or more other such units to form a grandstand structure with continuous rows of platforms to provide increased capacity.

In order to form a tiered grandstand structure, grandstand units positioned higher up in the tiered arrangement will require support. The support may be provided by support struts extending from the base of the grandstand unit to the ground. Alternatively, support may be provided by further containers which are dimensioned to bridge the gap between the grandstand unit and the ground. In a particularly advantageous embodiment the support is provided by pre-existing containers which are recycled to form support structures. For example, the body of the unit may be formed from a recycled shipping container and further unmodified shipping containers could be used to form a support structure for further grandstand units. The structure can be simply built up like building blocks (for example Lego RTM) with interconnecting elements such as stacking cones. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a grandstand structure comprising a plurality of grandstand units as described above which are assembled together.

A modular system could therefore be provided in which more and more grandstand units are assembled together in a tiered arrangement and each supported by an increasing number of containers. Some of the support containers may be modified to provide staircases and access tunnels to reach upper tiers. Alternatively or additionally some of the support containers may provide changing rooms, toilets, shops, cafeterias or other useful facilities depending on the intended use for the structure.

Multiples of the modulated units can therefore be erected in two directions - longitudinally (i.e. side by side) and also diagonally so vertically rising from the front to back. The units interlock with stacking plates/cones as in a ship. To support rear (higher) levels standard shipping containers will be used as a base. The grandstand units can be integrated with service units that can clip together and are capable of rapid relocation.

Bearing in mind that 85% of world populations lives within 50 kilometres of waterways it may be desirable to convert large ships/barges that can be turned into floating stadiums with underdeck parking then, as each venue needs a stadium it is towed to the appropriate port/location, in some cases being used in the same tournament multiple times in various waterside locations - Caribbean islands are a classic example.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a pre-existing container forming the basis for a grandstand unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the container of Figure 1 modified to form a grandstand unit;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the container of Figure 2 with a top portion shown in a working position;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a container of the type shown in Figure 3 with a seating arrangement in position;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic end view of the container of Figure 4 shown in a transport position on a trailer; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic side view of a trailer carrying two grandstand units formed according to the present invention;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic rear view of a trailer shown carrying two grandstand units formed according to the present invention; Figure 8 is a diagrammatic plan view of the base portion of a grandstand unit shown with a seating arrangement in position;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic side view of a tiered grandstand structure formed from two grandstand units according to the present invention; Figure 10 is a diagrammatic end view of a grandstand unit according to an alternative embodiment;

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view of an alternative tiered grandstand structure formed from two grandstand units illustrating the alternative hinging arrangement of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a diagrammatic side view of a tiered grandstand structure exemplifying a modular construction principle;

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic side view of a tiered grandstand structure utilising the hinging arrangement of Figure 10;

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic section of a body used to form a grandstand unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic section of the body of Figure 14 incorporating a hinge;

Figure 16 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the body of Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a diagrammatic section of a body of the type shown in Figure 16 with a seating arrangement in position to form a grandstand unit and is shown in a closed position;

Figure 18 is a diagrammatic section of the grandstand unit of Figure 17 shown in a working position;

Figure 19 is a diagrammatic section of a grandstand unit according to an alternative embodiment shown in a closed position;

Figure 20 is a diagrammatic section of the grandstand unit of Figure 19 shown in a working position;

Figure 20 shown with a seating arrangement in position;

Figure 21 is a diagrammatic plan view of a base portion of the grandstand

Figure 22 is a diagrammatic rear view of a trailer carrying two grandstand units formed according to the present invention;

Figure 23 is a diagrammatic rear view of a tiered grandstand structure formed from two grandstand units according to the present invention; Figures 24 A to 24E illustrate the method of manufacture and mechanism of working of a grandstand unit formed according to an alternative embodiment;, and

Figures 25A and 25B show a hinge arrangement for use in the grandstand unit shown in Figures 24A to 24E. Referring first to Figure 1 there is shown a container generally indicated 10. The container 10 is of generally parallelepiped form having opposed rectangular top 15 and bottom 20 walls, opposed rectangular side walls 25, 30 and opposed square end walls 35, 40. In this embodiment the container 10 is a pre-existing scrapped cargo container which is of standard dimensions (usually 40 feet or 20 feet in length). In other words, the container 10 is considered as waste and not fit for its primary use. At the corners of the container 10 are interconnection elements 11 which allow containers to be laterally or vertically stacked stably with other such containers. The elements 11 are in the form of stacking cone apertures which allow insertion of inter-bridging stacking cones (not shown) between adjacent containers.

Referring now to Figure 2 the container 10 is shown in a modified condition to form a transportable grandstand unit. The modification comprises a cutting step in which a horizontal cut indicated 45 is made about two thirds of the way up the container 10. The cut 45 extends transversely along each of the end panels 35, 40 and longitudinally along the side wall 30, joining the cuts in the end-walls 35, 40. In addition, the cut 45 extends from the side of the end panels 35, 40 remote from the side wall 30 up to its intersection with the top wall 15. Finally, a longitudinal hinge 50 is formed at the intersection between the side wall 25 and the top wall 15. Referring now to also Figure 3, the result of the modifications described in Figure 2 is a container 10 with a longitudinal split in which a top portion 55 is hingedly connected to a base portion 60 allowing the top portion 55 to be pivoted along the longitudinal hinge line 50 from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 3. The top portion 55 therefore comprises upper parts 36, 41 of the end walls 35, 40, an upper part 31 of the side wall 30 and the entire top wall 15. Meanwhile the base portion 60 comprises lower parts 37, 42 of the end walls 35, 40, a lower part 32 of the side wall 30 and the entire top 15 and side 25 walls. In the working position shown in Figure 3 the interior faces of the top wall 15 and the bottom wall 30 form viewing platforms suitable for accommodating spectators.

Accordingly the pre-existing container 10 has been recycled and adapted for an alternative purpose.

Referring now to Figure 4 an alternative embodiment is shown in which a shipping container 110 formed initially as described in relation to Figures 1 to 3 has been further modified to include a seating arrangement. In this embodiment the container 110 is not considered as scrap but rather could still in theory be used for its primary purpose; however, it is modified to give it an alternative purpose. The seating arrangement comprises rows of longitudinal benches 165a-f incorporated in a tiered arrangement in the top and bottom grandstand unit portions 155, 160.

In this embodiment the top portion 155 includes a panel 170 running along the back of the upper part 131 of the side wall 130. The panel 170 is intended to prevent injury resulting from spectators falling backwards off the top tier bench 165f.

Referring now also to Figure 5, because the container 110 is formed from a standard shipping container it is easily transportable on a standard trailer generally indicated 175. In Figure 5 the container 110 is shown with the top portion 155 in a transport position in which it has been pivoted along the hinge line 150. As the top portion 155 is moved the benches 165d, 165e, 165f are brought towards corresponding respective benches 165c, 165b, 165a of the base portion 160. Because the tiered benches of the top and base portions 155, 160 are oppositely inclined in the transport position, they can fit together so that the container 110 is easily transportable.

Referring now to Figure 6 there is shown a trailer 275 carrying two containers 210a, 210b modified to form grandstand units according to the present invention. In this embodiment the containers 210a, 210b are both 40ft in length and are carried end-to-end along the length of the trailer 275.

Referring now to Figure 7 there is shown an alternative embodiment in which a trailer 375 carries two containers 310a, 310b both of which are 60ft in length and are carried with the container 310a positioned on top of the container 310b. Referring now to Figure 8 there is shown a plan view of a base portion 460 forming part of a container modified to form a grandstand unit according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the base portion 460 includes a seating arrangement in the form of three tiered rows of seats generally indicated 480a, 480b, 480c. Each of the rows 480a, 480b, 480c is formed from a longitudinal forged steel beam 485a, 485b, 485c which extends longitudinally from the end wall lower portion 436 to the end wall lower portion 441. In this embodiment the beams 485a, 485b, 485c are connected directly to the walls 436, 441 and thus strengthen the structure of the base portion 460. Each of the beams 485a, 485b, 485c include an array of attached seats 490a, 490b, 490c positioned along their length. In this embodiment there are six seats per row. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) a 40 foot container allows approximately twenty four seats per row, with about eighteen inches of room per person and leaving room for walkways.

The seats 490a, 490b, 490c are not permanently attached to the beams and are in fact slidably moveable along the beams 485a, 485b, 485c, which are of a rail-like construction, to install and remove them. When not in use the seats can be stored in the container. The slidable and removable nature of the seats means that they can be replaced by other seats to fit a desired purpose or replace broken seats, and the position and spacing of the seats can be adjusted. Because the beams remain in place even when the seats are removed they still contribute to the rigidity of the base portion 460. The modified ISO containers can be clipped together to form a grandstand of any size - yet whilst in their closed (stowed) position these modules resemble a shipping container that can be handled by sophisticated port equipment or domestic cranes and can be constructed at marginal costs of a permanent structure. Referring now to Figure 9 there is shown a grandstand structure formed according to the present invention. The grandstand structure comprises two grandstand units 510a, 510b. The units 510a, 510b are formed according to the principles described in relation to Figures 1 to 5 so that both are transportable on a trailer 575. The units 510a, 510b are both shown in a working position in which their respective top portions 555a, 555b have been unfolded along respective hinge lines 550a, 550b. * The units 510a, 510b differ in that they are oriented so that they are mirror images in respect of opening; that is, the top portion 555a pivots in an anti-clockwise direction as shown in the drawing and the top portion 555b pivots in a clockwise direction. In addition, the hinge line 550a is positioned at the intersection of the top wall 515a and the side wall 525a, whereas the hinge line 550b is positioned approximately half way up the side wall 525b to form upper 526b and lower 527b wall portions.

The unit 510a is shown with its base portion 560a supported on the trailer 575 and its top portion 555a supported in its unfolded, working position by a series of struts 595 (only one is shown) supporting the exterior face of the top wall 515a forming the base of the top wall 555a. The unit 510b is positioned juxtaposed the unit 510a with its base portion 560b adjacent the base portion 560a of the unit 510a. The height of the side wall 525b of the unit 510b is approximately the same as the height to which the lower portion 532a of the side wall 530a with the unit 510 supported on the trailer 575. Accordingly, a tiered seating arrangement can be formed in which the lowermost seating row of the unit 510a is adjacent the upper most seating row of the unit 510b.

The units 510a, 510b are connected together by a linking member 596 which joins the top of the wall 530b to the top of the lower wall portion 532a.

The top portion 555a of the unit 510a is formed with tiered rows of seats 590a as described generally in relation to Figure 8. The seats 590a are formed such that their bases 591a can be pivoted upwardly as shown by the arrow C so that when the seats are not in use they are stowed and form a gangway between adjacent rows of seats. The lower portion 560a is formed with benches 565a as described generally in relation to Figure 4.

The top 555b and base 560b of the unit 510b is formed with a tiered bench arrangement of the type described in relation to Figure 4.

In order to transport the grandstand structure the top portion 555a of the unit 510 is pivoted in the direction indicated by the arrow A onto the base portion 560a. The base portion 555b is pivoted towards the base portion 560b of the unit 510b as shown by the arrow B.

Referring now to Figure 10 there is shown a container 610 with an alternative hinging arrangement. The top portion 655 is connected to the base portion 660 in a way which allows the overall height of the container 610 to be reduced. The purpose of a reduced height container when in a transport position is that if the height of the container can be restricted to approximately 5 feet then two containers can be stacked one on top of the other on a trailer which is also approximately 5 feet high and the overall height of the trailer with the containers will be no more than 15 feet. The significance of keeping the height of the transported containers below 15 feet is so that it is under the 16 foot 5 inch height of most bridges in the UK. Instead of a hinge arrangement formed at the top of the container, the hinge 650 is formed approximately midway up the wall 625. With this arrangement, not only is the side wall 630 split into two sections 631, 632, but the side wall 625 is also split into upper 627 and lower 626 sections. Referring now to also Figure 11, two grandstand units 610a, 610b are formed with the hinging arrangement 650 of Figure 9. As shown most clearly in Figure 11, the hinging arrangement 650 allows the overall height of the containers 610a, 610b to be reduced when compared to a container with a hinge formed at the intersection between side and top walls, as shown for example in Figure 9.

Accordingly, when the trailer 675 is loaded with the containers 610a, 610b its overall height remains below 15 feet.

In the grandstand structure shown in Figure 11 the top portion 655a of the unit 610a is supported by struts 695a and the base portion 660b of the unit 610b is supported by struts 695b.

The grandstand structure shown in Figure 11 is additionally provided with a plate or rail member 697 which can be slid out to the front of the lower most tier of the grandstand structure, in this case in front of the top portion 655b to form a walkway (shown in phantom), or used as a backing member (shown in phantom) for the uppermost tier in the structure, in this case the top portion 655 a of the unit 610a. Referring to Figure 12 there is shown a grandstand structure formed according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment two identical units 710a, 710b are shown in their working positions so that a tiered array of benches is formed. The unit 710a, 710b are connected by a linking member 796 to hold them in position.

It will be noted that in Figure 9 the trailer 575 formed part of the support structure for the grandstand structure. In cases where the grandstand structure may be required for a considerable period of time it may not be practical or desirable to leave a trailer in position, as it may be required for further transport operations. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, therefore, the grandstand units 710a, 710b are supported by a modular construction of further containers 711 built to a required height for supporting the units 710a, 710b in position. Advantageously, the containers 711 are also easily transportable containers and may in fact be the same type of containers from which the grandstand units themselves are formed. In this embodiment the containers 711 are substantially unmodified. Figure 13 shows a modular construction grandstand structure using the same modular construction principle shown in Figure 12, but with the grandstand units described in relation to Figures 9 and 10 having a modified hinge arrangement allowing reduced height grandstand units when in a transport position. It can be seen that the height of the grandstand structure and the number of tiers is unrestricted. The grandstand structure is easily constructed because the support is provided by containers 811. In order to allow access to the upper tiers the containers 811 which are shaded contain walkways and tunnels to allow access. The stacking of the unit 810 and the containers 811 is facilitated by interconnecting elements such as that described in Figure 1. Thus a stable grandstand structure with a plurality of tiers can be created.

Referring now to Figures 14 to 16 there is shown a body generally indicated 910. The body 910 is of generally parallelepiped form having opposed rectangular top 915 and bottom 920 walls, opposed rectangular side walls 925, 930 and opposed rectangular end walls 935, 940.

In this embodiment the body 910 is of dimensions equivalent to a standard shipping container. In this embodiment he body 910 is purpose built from scratch rather than comprising an existing container which is modified. Of course according to the present invention it is possible to use a pre-existing shipping container (either new, used or scrap) as the body, or to purpose build a body or frame having such dimensions. The body 910 is split into a top portion 955 and a bottom portion 960 at a split line 945. The line 945 extends longitudinally across the rear sidewall 930 approximately three quarters of the way up its height. The line 945 extends transversely across the end walls 935, 940 from the two ends of the sidewall 930. In extending across the end walls 935, 940 the line 945 extends from approximately three quarters of the way up the end walls 935, 940 on downwardly inclined paths to approximately three quarters of the way down the side of the end walls 935, 940 where they join the front side wall 925. The line 945 then extends from the end walls 935, 940 longitudinally across the front side wall 925, to divide the body 910. The line 945 could be formed by a single, inclined cut extending longitudinally through the body 910.

A longitudinal hinge 950 is formed along the part of the split line 945 extending across the rear side wall 930. This forms a "cigar box" type structure in which the top portion 955 can be rotated or "flipped" with respect to the bottom portion 960 about a pivot axis defined by the hinge 950. In this embodiment the hinge 950 extends completely across the side wall 930. In other embodiments (not shown) the hinging movement could be provided by one or more discrete hinge elements positioned, for example, at each end of the side wall and/or in the middle. The split line 945 could be retrospectively added to a pre-existing body or purpose- built body, or could be formed by bringing completely separate pre-existing or purpose built top and bottom portions together. The top portion 955 therefore comprises upper parts 936, 941 of the end walls 935, 940, an upper part 931 of the rear side wall 930 an upper part 926 of the front side wall 925 and the entire top wall 915. Meanwhile the bottom portion 960 comprises lower parts 937, 942 of the end walls 935, 940, a lower part 932 of the side wall 930, a lower part 927 of the front side wall 925 and the entire bottom wall 920.

The interior faces of the top wall 915 and the bottom wall 920 form viewing platforms suitable for accommodating spectators when the top portion 955 is rotated away from the bottom portion 960.

Referring now to Figures 17 and 18 a body 1010 formed initially as described generally in relation to Figures 14 to 16 has been modified to include a seating arrangement. The seating arrangement comprises rows of longitudinal terraces 1065a-c and 1065d-f incorporated in a tiered arrangement in the bottom and top grandstand unit portions 1060, 1055 respectively.

In Figure 17 the bottom portion 1060 and its terraces 1065a-c are shown in solid lines and the top portion 1055 and its terraces 1065d-f are shown in broken lines. The split line 1045 between the top and bottom portions 1055, 1060 is shown as a solid line. In Figure 18 the top and bottom portions 1055, 1060 are shown in solid lines and the split line 145 is represented by a broken line.

In use the top portion 1055 can be rotated about the hinge 1050 from the closed position shown in Figure 4 to the open position shown in Figure 5.

The rise height of each of the terraces 1065a-f is the same and has a value X. As shown in Figure 18 the hinge 1050 joins the portions 1055, 1060 at a point corresponding to half way up the lower terrace 1065d of the top portion 1055 and at a point corresponding to a distance of ¹AX above the top terrace 1065 c of the bottom portion 1060. That is to say that the terrace 1065d extends above the level of the hinge 1050 by ¹AX and the terrace 1065c is below the level of the hinge 1050 by ¹AX. Accordingly when the top portion 1055 is rotated onto the bottom portion 1060 the terraces 1065d, 1065e, 1065f of the top portion 1055 nest directly on top of respective terraces 1065c, 1065b, 1065a of the bottom portion 1060. This is possible because the extent of the top portion terrace 1065d which extends above the hinge is accommodated by the extent which the terrace 1065c is below it.

The position of the hinge 1050 relative to the terraces 1065c, 1065d and the arrangement of the terraces 1065c, 1065d allows the height of the unit to be minimised because the terraces fit together with no intervening space as would be the case, for example, if the portions were simply hinged together at the vertex of the top wall 1015 and the side wall 1030. In the open position therefore the top portion 1055 is downwardly displaced with respect to the hinge line 1050 rather than the hinge line 1050 being at the vertex of the top portion 1055. In the open position shown in Figure 18 the top portion 1055 is raised off the ground and accordingly support struts 1095 are provided to bridge the gap from the ground to the exterior face of the top wall 1015. The struts 1095 are height adjustable to provide for uneven surfaces.

In other embodiments the inclination of the terraces may be greater or lesser. The rise may be linear or may be on a curve.

The step height of the terraces can be increased or decreased to change the "C value" which is the spectator's line of vision.

The 40' x 8' x 1380mm high ISO container opens like a jewellery box, folding over and back through 180 degrees down to rest on the floor behind itself exposing 6 terraces. Inside/under the terraces there are 170 seats that slide out leaving a centre isle for the walkway.

In Figures 19 and 20 a grandstand unit is shown of the same general arrangement as the unit of Figure 17 and 18. In this embodiment the lower terrace 1165d of the top portion 1155 has a height of 2X. However, whilst the lower terrace 1165d has a total height of 2X the amount it extends above the upper terrace 1165c of the bottom portion 1160 is still X. The hinge 1150 therefore connects the portions 1155, 1160 at a point corresponding to half way up the amount that the lower terrace 1165d of the top portion 1125 extends above the upper terrace 1165c of the bottom portion 1160 (or ³A of its total height) and at a point corresponding to a distance of ¹AX above the top terrace 1165c of the bottom portion 1160. Therefore the terrace 1165d is above the level of the hinge 1150 by ¹AX and the terrace 1165c is below the level of the hinge 1150 by ¹AX; the distances are therefore substantially equal. Referring now to Figure 21 there is shown a plan view of a base portion 1265 forming part of a grandstand unit according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the base portion 1260 includes a seating arrangement in the form of three tiered rows of seats generally indicated 1280a, 1280b, 1280c formed on respective terraces 1265a, 1265b, 1265c. Each of the rows 1280a, 1280b, 1280c is formed from a longitudinal forged steel beam 1285a, 1285b, 1285c which extends longitudinally from the end wall lower portion 1237 to the end wall lower portion 1242. In this embodiment the beams 1285a, 1285b, 1285c are connected directly to the end wall portions 1237, 1242 and thus strengthen the structure of the base portion 1260.

Each of the beams 1285a, 1285b, 1285c include an array of attached seats 1290a, 1290b, 1290c positioned along their length. In this embodiment there are six seats per row. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) a 40 foot container allows approximately twenty four seats per row, with about eighteen inches width of room per person and leaving room for walkways. The seats 1290a, 1290b, 1290c are not permanently attached to the beams and are in fact slidably moveable along the beams 1285a, 1285b, 1285c, which are of a rail-like construction, to install and remove them. When not in use the seats can be stored in the body. The slidable and removable nature of the seats means that they can be replaced by other seats to fit a desired purpose or replace broken seats, and the position and spacing of the seats can be adjusted. Because the beams remain in place even when the seats are removed they still contribute to the rigidity of the base portion 1260. Referring now to Figure 22 a trailer 1375 is shown carrying two grandstand units 1310a, 1310b. Each of the units is 40ft in length and the container 1310a is stacked on top of the container 1310b with stacking cones 1311 used to secure the units together. Because of the hinging and seating arrangement provided by the present invention the height B of each of the containers 1310a, 1310b is approximately 1600mm; the height A of the trailer is approximately 1600mm. Accordingly the height C of the complete assembly for transporting two grandstand units is approximately 4800mm.

The containers could in theory be of any length, although in the case of transportable units this will be governed by legally permissible lengths for transport.

Of course there is no reason grandstand units could not be carried singly on a trailer, or multiply in an end-to-end arrangement along the length of a trailer.

Referring now to Figure 23 there is shown a grandstand structure formed according to an aspect of the present invention. The grandstand structure comprises two grandstand units 1410a, 1410b. The units 1410a, 1410b are formed according to the principles described generally in relation to Figures 16 to 22 and in particular as described in Figures 17 and 18 so that both are transportable on a trailer 1475.

The units 1410a, 1410b are both shown in a working position in which their respective top portions 1455a, 1455b have been unfolded along respective hinge lines 1450a, 1450b.

The unit 1410b is shown with its base portion 1460b supported on the trailer 1475 and its top portion 1455b supported in its unfolded, working position by support struts 1495b supporting the exterior face of the top wall 1415b forming the base of the top portion 1455b. The unit 1410a is positioned juxtaposed the unit 1410a with its top portion 1455a adjacent the base portion 1460b of the unit 1410b and supported by support struts 1495a. Accordingly, a tiered seating arrangement can be formed in which the uppermost terrace 1465f of the unit 1410a is adjacent the lowermost terrace 1465g of the unit 1410b. The units 1410a, 1410b are stably connected together by a linking member 1496 which joins the top portion 1455a to the bottom portion 1460b. The upper two terraces 1465b, 1465c, 1465e, 1465f, 1465h, 1465i, 1465k, 4651 of the each of the top and bottom portions 1460a, 1455a, 1460b, 1455b of the units

1410a, 1410b are provided with drawers 1466h which house stowable seats 1468h

(only the "h" terrace is illustrated for purposes of clarity of the drawing). The seats can therefore be stowed (shown at 1468h when the unit is to be transported and

^'moved into position (shown at 1467h) when required. This allows the stowed height of the units 1410a, 1410b to be kept to a minimum. In this embodiment the height of the lowermost terraces 1465a, 1465g is not sufficient to house seating and therefore additional seating may be housed in the drawers 1466 of the middle and/or upper terraces.

The unit 1410a is provided with a plate or rail member 1497 which can be slid out to the front of the lower most tier 1465a of the grandstand structure to form a walkway.

The unit 1410b is provided with a backing member 1498 which can be pivoted into position as shown. The backing member 1498 runs along the back of the upper part 1426a of the front side wall 1425a and is intended as a safety feature for the uppermost tier in the structure by preventing injury resulting from spectators falling backwards off the top tier 14651.

At the corners of the top and/or bottom portions may be sleeves (not shown) which can receive awning poles to fit awnings over the grandstand unit. It will be noted that in Figure 23 the trailer 1475 formed part of the support structure for the grandstand structure. In cases where the grandstand structure may be required for a considerable period of time it may not be practical or desirable to leave a trailer in position; for example it may be required for further transport operations.

Referring now to Figures 24A to 24E there is shown the production and working mechanism of a grandstand unit formed according to an alternative embodiment.

The unit 1510 is made by converting a standard ISO freight container 1505 as shown in Figure 24A. The unit 1510 is formed by cutting and trimming the end profile to give a top 1525 and bottom 1535 section which in the closed position mate together to form an ISO container of approximately half height as shown in

Figure 24B. At one top edge is a hinge connection so the top section 1525 can hinge through 180° to the open position as shown progressively in Figure 24C to 24E, giving an end profile which is stepped (or "benched") to give a grandstand configuration. The purpose and function of the container are therefore changed.

In the closed position shown in Figure 24B the unit needs to conform to the standard ISO envelope, so as to allow easy shipment as an approximately half height ISO unit. This creates a problem since a normal hinge for 180° hinging, protrudes at least half the "fatness" of the hinge socket, outside the ISO envelope; this would disqualify the unit from being an ISO unit. The problem is overcome by the hinge arrangement shown in Figures 25A and 25B.

The top edge of the bottom section 1535 is provided with a hinge socket 1595 comprising an upstanding post 1595a with a C-section part 1595b at its upper end which forms a socket with a co-operating C-section element 1595c.

The corresponding edge of the top section 1525 is provided with a U-shape shoe 1596 which can receive a hinge pin 1597.

The hinge socket 1595 projects vertically above the top of the "fixed" bottom unit by a distance equal to half the height of a standard ISO corner casting 1598. Correspondingly, the hinge pin of the "moving" top section is set at mid height of the standard ISO corner casting.

Furthermore, the hinge pin 1597 and socket 1595 location are inset by an amount equal to half the fatness of the hinge socket. The hinge revolves in its own barrel i.e. stays in the same plane during rotation. The hinge is within the ISO envelope with the unit in its closed position and will allow 180 rotation without fouling.

If it is necessary to dismantle the hinge it can be done without taking the whole hinge-side of the container apart. Each hinge can be dismantled without disrupting the others. A plurality of the hinge arrangements can be distributed along the length of the join line between the top and bottom sections. In this embodiment a hinge arrangement is provided at each end and one is provide in the middle of the container length. Of course this hinging arrangement could be useful on any grandstand unit where the dimensions must be kept within defined boundaries.

As described above, the height of the container is reduced from its initial height shown in Figure 24 A to the height shown in Figure 24B. In this embodiment the overall closed height of the unit is approximately 3 feet 6 inches. A standard trailer is approximately 4 feet high which means that three units can be stacked on top of each other on a trailer and the height of the load is approximately 14 feet 6 inches which is below the maximum safety height of a trailer. With one hundred and seventy seats easily accommodated within each unit, five hundred and ten seats can be carried on a trailer.

A grandstand structure similar to that shown in Figure 13 could be assembled from a plurality of units described in relation to Figures 14 to 25.

Claims

1. A transportable grandstand unit comprising a pre-existing transportable container modified to provide one or more viewing platforms.

2. A grandstand unit as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the container is modified so that at least part thereof is moveable between a stowed, transport position and a working position in which the unit provides the one or more viewing platforms.

3. A grandstand unit as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the container modified into the unit is suitable for transport on a trailer.

4. A grandstand unit as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the container modified into the unit is a cargo container.

5. A grandstand unit as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the container modified into the unit is a shipping container.

6. A grandstand unit as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the container modified into the unit is a standard ISO container.

7. A grandstand unit as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the modified container has one or more hinges for allowing one or more parts of the container to be moved pivotally into a working position.

8. A grandstand unit as claimed in Claim 7, in which the or at least one of the hinges extend longitudinally.

9. A grandstand unit as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the unit includes a plurality of terraces .

10. A grandstand unit as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the or each viewing platform includes a seating arrangement.

11. A grandstand unit as claimed in Claim 10, in which the seating arrangement is adapted to be accommodated within the container when the unit is in its stowed position for transport.

12. A grandstand unit as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim.11, in which the seating arrangement can be moved from a stowed position to a working position.

13. A grandstand unit as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 12, in which the seating arrangement comprises one or more individual seats.

14. A grandstand unit as claimed in Claim 114, in which the seats are fixed in position.

15. A grandstand unit as claimed in Claim 14, in which the seats are removable.

16. A grandstand unit as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 16, in which the seating arrangement includes a plurality of rows of seating.

17. A grandstand unit as claimed in Claim 17, in which the rows of seating are tiered.

18. A grandstand unit as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 17, in which the seating arrangement forms part of the structure of the container.

19. A grandstand unit as claimed in Claim 19, in which the seating arrangement includes cross beams which extend within the container and are attached to the container at opposite walls thereof.

20. A grandstand unit as claimed in Claim 20, in which the cross beams extend longitudinally within the container and are attached at each end thereof.

21. A grandstand unit as claimed in any preceding Claim and further comprising means for supporting the unit in the working position.

22. A grandstand unit as claimed in Claim 22, in which the support means comprise one or more struts.

23. A grandstand unit as claimed in Claim 22, in which the support means comprise one or more transportable containers.

24. A grandstand unit as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the unit has a top part and a bottom part, the top part being rotatable with respect to the bottom part about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position, the top and bottom parts having a plurality of corresponding steps together forming an inclined array in the open position, in which the unit is formed so that when the top part is rotated to the closed position its steps rise in the opposite inclination to the corresponding steps of the bottom part and fit on top thereof.

25. A grandstand unit as claimed in Claim 25, wherein in the open position the lower step of the top part is adjacent the upper step of the bottom part in the inclined array and lies above it by a value X, with the axis of rotation defined by a point equivalent to V₂ X whereby to be mid-way between the steps.

26. A grandstand unit as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the container has spaced top and bottom walls and the axis of rotation is part way between the top and bottom walls.

27. A grandstand unit as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the container has spaced top and bottom walls and having a part rotatable about a pivot axis between a closed stowed position and an open, working position in which the unit provides one or more viewing platforms, wherein the axis of rotation of the part is spaced from and lies between the top and bottom walls.

28. A grandstand unit as claimed in Claim 28, in which the container includes spaced side walls connected by the top and bottom walls.

29. A grandstand unit as claimed in Claim 29, in which the axis-of rotation extends along one of the side walls between the respective top and bottom vertices.

30. A grandstand unit as claimed in Claim 30, in which the axis of rotation extends substantially parallel to the respective top and bottom vertices.

31. A grandstand unit as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the container includes spaced end walls connected by the top and bottom walls.

32. A grandstand unit as claimed in Claim 32, in which the axis of rotation extends along one of the end walls between the respective top and bottom vertices.

33. A grandstand unit as claimed in Claim 33, in which the axis of rotation extends substantially parallel to the respective top and bottom vertices.

34. A grandstand unit as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the grandstand unit is connectable to one or more other such units to form a grandstand structure.

35. A grandstand structure comprising two or more grandstand units according to any preceding Claim assembled together.

36. A grandstand structure as claimed in Claim 36, in which one or more of the grandstand units is supported in an elevated position.

37. A grandstand structure as claimed in Claim 37, in which the or each unit supported in an elevated position is supported by one or more struts.

38. A grandstand structure as claimed in Claim 37, in which the or each unit supported in an elevated position is supported by one or more transportable containers.

39. A grandstand structure as claimed in Claim 39, in which one or more of the supporting transportable containers contain access walkways for accessing elevated sections of the structure.

40. A method of making a transportable grandstand unit, comprising the steps of: providing a pre-existing transportable container; and modifying the container so that it is adapted to provide one or more viewing platforms whereby to change the purpose of the container.

41. A method as claimed in Claim 41, in which the modification step comprises a cutting step to divide the container into two or more parts.

42. A method as claimed in Claim 41 or Claim 42, in which the modification step comprises the step of forming hinge to allow the container to be moved from a transport position to a working position.

43. A scrapped transportable container recycled to form a transportable grandstand.

44. A hinge arrangement for a transportable grandstand unit of the type having a hinge for allowing a part to be moved from a stowed position to a working position, in which the hinge arrangement remains fixed in the same plane during operation.

45. A hinge arrangement as claimed in Claim 44, in which the hinge arrangement is carried within the boundaries of the grandstand unit so as not to project beyond them.

46. A hinge arrangement as claimed in Claim 44 or Claim 45, in which the hinge arrangement is formed on an ISO container and does not extend beyond the ISO stipulated measurements for the container.