WO2008132690A2

WO2008132690A2 - A modular unit for a flooring structure for theatre auditoriums and the like

Info

Publication number: WO2008132690A2
Application number: PCT/IB2008/051636
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giuliano Mosconi
Original assignee: Poltrona Frau S.P.A.
Priority date: 2007-04-26
Filing date: 2008-04-28
Publication date: 2008-11-06
Also published as: WO2008132690A9; ES2515966T3; EP2145062B1; EP2145062A2; ITTO20070283A1; WO2008132690A3

Abstract

The modular unit (10; 110) is designed to assume alternatively a first operating condition in which it provides a plurality of seats and a second operating condition in which it provides a substantially flat surface for walking on. The modular unit (10; 110) comprises a frame structure (12, 14, 16; 112, 116), a platform (18; 118) and at least one row of seats or the like (22; 122) placed adjacent to each other along a longitudinal direction. The platform (18; 118) is supported by the frame structure (12, 14,16; 112, 116) in such a way that it can rotate about a first longitudinal horizontal axis of rotation (X1) between a first and a second position which are rotated through 180° with respect to each other. The seats (22; 122) are supported by the platform (18; 118) in such a way that they can rotate about a second longitudinal horizontal axis of rotation (X3) between an upright use position and a non-use position in which they are lowered on to the platform (18; 118). The seats (22; 122) are positioned in the proximity of a front longitudinal edge of the platform (18; 118) in such a way that they can move from the use position to the non-use position by a backward rotation. The modular unit (10; 110) additionally comprises a first and a second driving mechanism (135-161) designed to drive, in a synchronized way, under the control of a single electric motor (135), both the rotation of the seats (122) with respect to the platform (118) between the use position and the non-use position and the rotation of the platform (118) with respect to the frame structure (112, 116) between the first and the second position.

Description

A modular unit for a flooring structure for theatre auditoriums and the like

The present invention relates to a modular unit for a flooring structure for theatre auditoriums and the like, as specified in the preamble of Claim 1.

A modular unit for a flooring structure for theatre auditoriums and the like of the type specified above is known from Italian patent application No. TO2003A000657 in the name of the Applicant, and includes a base; a frame supported by the base and movable with respect thereto between a lowered position and a raised position; a platform supported pivotably by the frame so that it can rotate between two horizontal positions, one of which is tilted through 180° with respect to the other, when the frame is placed in the raised position; at least one row of adjacent seats carried by the platform and movable between an upright use position and a lowered non-use position; and motorized means designed to raise and lower the frame and rotate the platform to position the seats selectively above the platform in the upright use position or under the platform in the lowered non-use position. According to this known solution, the seats are placed near the rear edge of the platform and can be lowered on to the platform by forward rotation.

A modular unit conceived according to the prior art described above allows to equip a theatre auditorium or the like with a multiplicity of seats or to free the flooring of the auditorium completely in a simple and rapid way and with minimum intervention by operators. According to this known solution, the system for lowering the seats on to the platform is such that the seats must have very thin backrests, seat areas and armrests, in order to occupy less height in the lowered position and thus enable the platform to be rotated, and this results in constraints on both their aesthetic appearance and their comfort.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a modular unit for a flooring structure for theatre auditoriums and the like which allows to overcome the aforesaid drawback of the prior art.

This and other objects are fully achieved according to the present invention by means of a modular unit for a flooring structure for theatre auditoriums and the like having the features specified in the characterizing part of Claim 1.

Further advantageous features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description which is given purely by way of non- limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modular unit for a flooring structure for theatre auditoriums and the like according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the seats are placed in the upright use position ;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the modular unit of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in front elevation of the modular unit of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a plan view from above of the modular unit of Figure 1;

Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views on an enlarged scale which show the mechanism for driving the lowering movement of the seats of the modular unit of Figure 1;

Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views on an enlarged scale which show the mechanism for locking the seats of the modular unit of Figure 1, in the locking and unlocking positions, respectively;

Figure 9 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale which shows an end region of a locking pin of the mechanism for locking the seats of Figures 7 and 8, in a partially disassembled condition;

Figure 10 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale which shows the mechanism for operating the support blocks of the platform of the modular unit of Figure 1;

Figure 11 is a view in side elevation of the modular unit of Figure 1, in which the seats are in the non-use position, being lowered on to the platform;

Figure 12 is a view in side elevation of the modular unit of Figure 1, in which the support feet of the platform are in the lowered position;

Figure 13 is a view in side elevation of the modular unit of Figure 1, in which the platform is rotated through 180° with respect to the position shown in Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a view in side elevation of the modular unit of Figure 1, in which the support feet of the platform are in the raised position;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a modular unit for a flooring structure for theatre auditoriums and the like according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in a first operating condition in which the platform is orientated horizontally and the seats are in the upright use position;

Figures 16 and 17 are partial perspective views on an enlarged scale, each showing a corresponding part of the mechanism for moving the modular unit of Figure 15; and

Figures 18 to 21 are cutaway side views which show, in sequence, the movement of the modular unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention from the first operating condition to an intermediate condition in which the platform is orientated vertically and the seats are lowered on to the platform.

With reference first to Figures 1 to 4, a modular unit intended to form, in combination with a plurality of identical or similar modular units, a flooring structure for a theatre auditorium or the like, which assume alternatively a first operating condition in which the flooring structure provides a plurality of seats and a second operating condition in which the flooring structure provides a flat surface for walking on, is generally indicated 10.

The modular unit 10 basically includes: a base 12 of generally quadrangular shape intended to be placed on the floor of the auditorium; a horizontal frame 14 formed by a pair of cross-members supported by the base 12 by means of four columns 16 positioned at the four corners of the base 12; a platform 18 mounted between the two cross-members 14 by means of a pair of lateral pins 20 (one of which is shown schematically in Figures 2 and 12) in such a way that it can rotate about a longitudinal horizontal axis of rotation Xl between a first horizontal position (shown in Figures 1 to 4 and 11 to 12) and a second horizontal position (shown in Figures 13 and 14) which is tilted through 180° with respect to the first position; and a row of seats 22 (five seats in the illustrated example), mounted on the platform 18.

Each seat 22 comprises a backrest 24, a seat area 26 and a pair of armrests 28, the armrests being interposed between every two adjacent seats and obviously being shared by these seats. The armrests 28 are advantageously made in one piece with the backrest 24 to form a supporting structure 30. A cushion 32 is preferably positioned on the backrest 24. The seat area 26 is pivoted on the supporting structure 30 about a longitudinal horizontal axis of rotation X2, in such a way that it can rotate between a horizontal use position (shown in Figures 1 to 4, for example) and a non-use position in which it is folded on to the platform (shown in Figures 13 and 14). The supporting structures 30 of the seats 22 are fixed to a longitudinal supporting beam 34. In turn, the longitudinal supporting beam 34 is connected at its ends to a pair of supporting brackets 36 fixed to the platform 18 in the proximity of the front longitudinal edge thereof. The supporting beam 34 is rotatable about a longitudinal horizontal axis of rotation X3 to enable the seats 22 to be moved between an upright use position (shown for example in Figures 1 to 4) and a non-use position in which they are lowered on to the platform 18 (shown in Figures 11 and 12). The rotation of the seats 22 from the upright use position to the lowered non-use position takes place in a backward direction, in other words in an anti-clockwise direction as it appears to the viewer of Figure 2 and Figures 11 to 14, in such a way that the rear face of the backrest 24 (preferably shaped in the form of a flat face) is brought to a position facing the upper flat face of the platform, as shown in Figure 11.

In order to drive the rotary movement of the supporting beam 34, and consequently of the seats 22, about the axis of rotation X3 between the aforesaid use and non-use positions, the modular unit 10 is equipped with an operating mechanism (shown in Figures 5 and 6) which includes a toothed sector 38 fixed to one of the supporting brackets 36, an electric motor 40 fixed to the supporting beam 34, and a pinion 42 driven by the electric motor 40 and meshing with the toothed sector 38.

In order to lock the supporting beam 34, and consequently the seats 22, in the upright use position, the modular unit 10 is also provided with a locking mechanism shown in Figures 7 to 9. The locking mechanism includes a pair of locking pins 44 (only one of which is shown in Figure 9) and a linear actuator 46 arranged to drive the locking pins 44 by means of an operating lever mechanism. The locking pins 44 are mounted slidably within guide holes 48 provided in the supporting beam 34 (Figure 9) and can engage in respective locking holes 50 provided in the supporting brackets 36 (Figure 6). The operating lever mechanism includes in turn a T-shaped lever 52 and a pair of connecting rods 54. The lever 52 is pivoted at one end of the shank of the T by means of a pivot pin 56 on a bracket 58, which is fixed to the supporting beam 36 or is formed in one piece therewith, and is pivoted at the opposite end of the shank of the T by means of a pivot pin 60 on a rod 62 of the linear actuator 46. Each of the two connecting rods 54 is pivoted at one end on a respective end of the head of the T of the lever 52 by means of a respective pivot pin 64 and at the other end on the respective locking pin 44 by means of a respective pivot pin 66. Figure 7 shows the locking mechanism in the locking position, in which the rod 62 of the linear actuator 46 is retracted, the head of the T of the lever 52 and the connecting rods 54 are aligned with the locking pins 44, and these latter engage in the locking holes 50, thus keeping the supporting beam 34, and consequently the seats 22, in the upright use position. Figure 8 shows the locking mechanism in the unlocking position, in which, as a result of the extension of the rod 62 of the linear actuator 46 and the consequent rotation of the lever 52, the locking pins 44 have moved towards each other and disengaged from the respective locking holes 50, thus enabling the supporting beam 34 to be moved, together with the seats 22, into the lowered non-use position.

In order to drive the rotary movement of the platform 18 with respect to the frame 14 about the axis of rotation Xl between the two positions tilted through 180° with respect to each other, the modular unit 10 is provided with a motorized rack and pinion operating mechanism similar to that described in the Applicant's patent application cited in the introduction. Only the rack of this operating mechanism is visible in Figure 11 , in which it is indicated by the reference numeral 68.

With reference to Figure 10, the modular unit 10 also includes four support feet 70 (only two of which are visible in Figure 10), carried in groups of two by a pair of supporting bars 72 which extend parallel to the long sides of the platform 18. Each supporting bar 72 with the associated support feet 70 is movable by means of a corresponding operating mechanism between a raised position (shown in Figures 10, 11 and 14), in which the support feet 70 are in contact with the platform 18 and therefore help to support the weight bearing on it, and a lowered position (shown in Figure 12), in which the support feet 70 are spaced apart from the platform 18 to enable it to be tilted through 180° with respect to the frame 14 about the axis of rotation Xl. In order to move the support feet 70 between the raised position and the lowered position, the modular unit 10 is provided with a pair of operating mechanisms, each associated with a pair of support feet 70. Each operating mechanism for the support feet 70 includes a pair of levers 74 pivoted at their upper ends on the supporting bar 72 by means of respective pivot pins 76, and at their lower ends on the base 12 by means of respective pivot pins 78, thus forming in combination with the supporting bar 72 an articulated quadrilateral lever mechanism. This lever mechanism is operated by a respective linear actuator 80 (Figure 10) pivoted at one end on the base 12 and at the other end on one of the levers 74 by means of a pivot pin 82.

The way in which the modular unit 10 is moved from the first to the second operating position defined above will now be described briefly with reference to Figures 11 to 14. Starting from the position of Figure 2, the seats 22 are initially moved into the non-use position in which they are lowered on to the platform 18, by backward rotation about the axis of rotation X3 (Figure 11). The support feet 70 are then lowered (Figure 12) and the platform 18 is then rotated through 180° about the axis of rotation Xl (Figure 13). Finally, the support feet 70 are raised to provide the necessary support for the platform 18 (Figure 14). The opposite movement, from the position of Figure 14 to the position of Figure 2, is obviously carried out by reversing the steps described above.

As will be understood from the preceding description, since the seats are positioned in the proximity of the front longitudinal edge of the platform and are designed to move from the upright use position to the non-use position in which they are lowered on to the platform by backward rotation, in other words in such a way that the backrests are brought against the platform, the overall height of the seats can be reduced in the non-use position without the need to use very thin seat areas and backrests. Thus neither the comfort nor the aesthetic appearance of the seats is adversely affected.

A second preferred embodiment of a modular unit for a flooring structure for theatre auditoriums and the like according to the invention is shown in Figures 15 to 21, in which parts and elements identical or corresponding to those of Figures 1 to 14 have been given the same reference numerals, increased by 100. As will be clear from the following description, this second embodiment differs from the first mainly in that it provides a pair of driving mechanisms arranged to drive, in a synchronized way, both the rotation of the platform with respect to the frame structure and the rotation of the seats with respect to the platform, under the control of a single electric motor.

With reference first to Figure 15, a modular unit according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention is generally indicated 110, this modular unit being intended to form, in combination with a plurality of identical or similar modular units, a flooring structure for a theatre auditorium or the like able to assume alternatively a first operating condition (shown in Figure 15) in which the flooring structure provides a plurality of seats and a second operating condition (not shown) in which the flooring structure provides a flat surface for walking on.

First of all, the modular unit 110 comprises a frame structure of generally parallelepipedal shape, which is intended to be placed on the floor of the auditorium and basically includes a pair of base beams 112 and a pair of lateral vertical walls 116 of generally rectangular shape, each connected to a respective end of the base beams 112. The modular unit 110 also comprises a platform 118 mounted between the two lateral vertical walls 116 at the upper edges thereof in such a way that it can rotate about a longitudinal horizontal axis of rotation Xl between a first horizontal position (shown in Figures 15 to 18) and a second horizontal position (not shown) which is tilted through 180° with respect to the first, as well as a row of seats 122 (five seats in the illustrated example) mounted on the platform 118.

Each seat 122 comprises a backrest 124, a seat area 126 and a pair of armrests 128, the armrests being interposed between every two adjacent seats and being shared by them. The armrests 128 are advantageously made in one piece with the backrest 124 to form a supporting structure 130. A cushion 132 is preferably positioned on the backrest 124. The seat area 126 is pivoted on the supporting structure 130 about a longitudinal horizontal axis of rotation X2 (Figure 18), in such a way that it can rotate between a horizontal use position (Figure 15) and a non-use position in which it is folded on to the platform 124 (Figure 18). The supporting structures 130 of the seats 122 are fixed to a longitudinal supporting beam 134 (partially visible in Figures 16 and 17) mounted between a pair of supporting brackets 136 fixed to the platform 118 in the proximity of the front longitudinal edge thereof. The supporting beam 134 is rotatable about a longitudinal horizontal axis of rotation X3 to enable the seats 122 to be moved between an upright use position, that is a position which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the platform 118 (Figures 15 and 18), and a non-use position in which they are lowered on to the platform 118 (Figure 21). The rotation of the seats 122 from the upright use position to the lowered non-use position takes place in the backward direction, in other words in an anti-clockwise direction as it appears to the viewer of Figures 18 to 21, in such a way that the rear face of the backrest 124 (preferably shaped in the form of a flat face) is brought to a position facing, or in contact with, the upper flat face of the platform 118, as shown in Figure 21.

In order to drive, in a synchronized way, both the rotary movement of the platform 118 with respect to the frame structure about the axis of rotation Xl and the rotary movement of the supporting beam 134, together with the seats 122, with respect to the platform 118 about the axis of rotation X3, the modular unit 110 is provided with a driving mechanism (shown in detail in Figures 16 and 17) which can be operated under the control of a single motor 135 (Figure 16), preferably an electric motor, which is advantageously housed inside the frame structure, being for example fixed to one of the base beams 112.

With reference to Figure 16, the driving mechanism includes first of all a first gear wheel 137 rotated directly by the motor 135, a second gear wheel 139, preferably having a larger diameter than the first, a first toothed belt or chain 141 running around the first gear wheel 137 and the second gear wheel 139 to transmit the torque from one to the other, a third gear wheel 143 which has a smaller diameter than the second gear wheel 139, is mounted coaxially with it, and is drivingly connected for rotation with it, a fourth gear wheel 145 having a larger diameter than the third gear wheel 143 and permanently meshing therewith, a fifth gear wheel 147 having a smaller diameter than the fourth gear wheel 145 and permanently meshing therewith, and a tensioning device 149 acting on a pass of the first toothed belt or chain 141. The second gear wheel 139, the third gear wheel 143, the fourth gear wheel 145 and the fifth gear wheel 147 are all supported by one of the two lateral vertical walls 116 of the frame structure (the left-hand wall as seen by a person viewing Figures 15 to 17). The fifth gear wheel 147 is drivingly connected for rotation with the platform 118 and is mounted so that its axis coincides with the axis of rotation Xl. Consequently, when the motor 135 is started, the fifth gear wheel 147, which is drivingly connected for rotation with the platform 118, is made to rotate by means of the kinematic chain formed, in sequence, by the first gear wheel 137, the first toothed belt or chain 141, the assembly formed by the second and third gear wheels 139 and 143, and the fourth gear wheel 145, and therefore the platform 118 is rotated with respect to the frame structure about the axis of rotation Xl. Clearly, the number and diameters of the gear wheels interposed between the gear wheel drivingly connected for rotation with the output shaft of the motor and the gear wheel drivingly connected for rotation with the platform can be varied widely according to specific requirements in terms of overall dimensions, rotational speeds, reduction ratios, etc.

With reference to Figure 17, the driving mechanism also includes, on the side opposite that of the first part of the mechanism described above with reference to Figure 16, a sixth gear wheel 151 drivingly connected for rotation with the platform 118, a seventh gear wheel 153 fixed to the frame structure, an eighth gear wheel (not visible in Figure 17) supported by one of the two supporting brackets 136 (the right-hand bracket as seen by a person viewing Figures 15 to 17), a second toothed belt or chain 155 running around the sixth gear wheel 151 and around the eighth gear wheel to transmit torque from one to the other, and a Maltese cross mechanism comprising in turn a lever 157 drivingly connected for rotation with the eighth gear wheel and a cross wheel 159 drivingly connected for rotation with the supporting beam 134 and having a radial slot 161 in which a pin 163 carried by the lever 157 is slidably engaged. Consequently, when the platform 118 is made to rotate about the axis of rotation Xl by the motor 135 as explained above, the sixth gear wheel 151 is made to rotate about its own axis (fixed to the platform 118) as a result of the rotation of this axis about the axis of rotation Xl and the meshing with the seventh gear wheel 153, which is fixed. The eighth gear wheel, together with the lever 157, is then made to rotate by the second chain or belt 155 which is driven by the sixth gear wheel 151. As a result of the engagement of the pin 163 of the lever 157 in the slot 161 of the cross wheel 159, the latter is made to rotate about its own axis which coincides with the axis of rotation X3. The supporting beam 134, which is drivingly connected for rotation with the cross wheel 159, is therefore made to rotate about the axis of rotation X3, together with the seats 122.

By virtue of the Maltese cross mechanism described above, the rotary movement of the seats 122 with respect to the platform 118 is synchronized with the rotary movement of the platform 118 with respect to the frame structure. Figures 18 to 21 better illustrate this aspect, by showing in sequence some of the positions assumed by the modular unit 110 as it moves from the first operating condition to an intermediate condition in which the platform 118 is orientated vertically and the seats 122 are lowered on to the platform itself. As can be readily noticed from these drawings, the rotation of the platform 118 with respect to the frame structure is accompanied by a corresponding synchronized rotation of the seats 122 with respect to the platform 118. The relative speed of the two rotary movements can be defined in advance by a suitable configuration of the Maltese cross mechanism. In the example shown in Figures 18 to 21, the rotary movement of the seats 122 on to the platform 118 terminates when the platform 118 has rotated through 90° with respect to the initial position, in other words when it is orientated vertically (Figure 21), but can clearly be made to terminate at a predetermined preceding or subsequent instant, according to requirements.

In addition to the advantages of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 14, such as, in particular, the reduction of the overall height of the seats in the non-use position, the second embodiment shown in Figures 15 to 21 offers the following additional advantages.

The possibility of rotating the seats with respect to the platform simultaneously with the rotary movement of the platform with respect to the frame structure allows to reduce the time required to open and close the modular unit, where the terms "open" and "close" refer to the movement from the second to the first operating condition and from the first to the second operating condition, respectively. The possibility of driving both rotary movements with a single motor makes it possible to dispense with one motor. The Maltese cross mechanism not only enables the two rotary movements to be synchronized, but also the supporting beam, and consequently the seats, to be locked in position with respect to the platform, in both the upright position and in the position in which the seats are lowered on to the platform, without the need to use a specific locking mechanism. Because the single motor which is required to drive the modular unit is located in the frame structure under the platform, the electrical connections can be confined to the base portion of the modular unit, without affecting the moving parts and therefore without the need to use complicated contacts to supply electrical current to the supporting beam. Advantages are also achieved in terms of maintenance, since in this case it is sufficient to remove the platform in order to gain access to the motor and to the other components of the driving mechanism.

Clearly, the principle of the invention remaining unchanged, the embodiments and the details of construction can be varied widely from those described and illustrated purely by way of non- limiting example.

Claims

1. A modular unit (10; 110) for a flooring structure for theatre auditoriums or the like, designed to assume alternatively a first operating condition in which it provides a plurality of seats and a second operating condition in which it provides a substantially flat surface for walking on, the modular unit (10; 110) comprising a frame structure (12, 14, 16; 112, 116), a platform (18; 118) and at least one row of seats or the like (22; 122) placed adjacent to each other along a longitudinal direction, the platform (18; 118) being supported by the frame structure (12, 14, 16; 112, 116) in such a way that it can rotate about a first longitudinal horizontal axis of rotation (Xl) between a first and a second position which are rotated through 180° with respect to each other, and the seats (22; 122) being supported by the platform (18; 118) in such a way that they can rotate about a second longitudinal horizontal axis of rotation (X3) between an upright use position and a non-use position in which they are lowered on to the platform (18; 118), characterized in that the seats (22; 122) are positioned in the proximity of a front longitudinal edge of the platform (18; 118) in such a way that they can move from the use position to the non-use position by a backward rotation.

2. A modular unit according to Claim 1, additionally comprising a supporting beam (34; 134) to which the seats (22; 122) are fixed, and a pair of supporting brackets (36; 136) fixed to the platform (18; 118) on the longitudinally opposing sides thereof, the supporting beam (34; 134) being supported by the supporting brackets (36; 136) in such a way that it can rotate about the second axis of rotation (X3).

3. A modular unit according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, additionally comprising first motorized driving means (38, 40, 42) designed to drive the rotation of the seats (22) between the use position and the non-use position.

4. A modular unit according to Claims 2 and 3, wherein said first motorized driving means comprise a toothed sector (38) drivingly connected to one of the supporting brackets (36), a pinion (42) meshing with the toothed sector (38) and an electric motor (40) drivingly connected to the supporting beam (34), the electric motor (40) being designed to drive the rotation of the pinion (42).

5. A modular unit according to any one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising locking means (44, 46, 50, 52, 54) designed to lock the seats (22) in the use position.

6. A modular unit according to Claims 2 and 6, wherein the locking means comprise a pair of locking pins (44) which are carried by the supporting beam (34) and which are movable axially to engage each in a respective locking hole (50) provided in the respective supporting bracket (36; 136), and second motorized driving means (46, 52, 54) designed to move the locking pins (44) between a locking position in which the locking pins (44) are engaged in the locking holes (50) and an unlocking position in which the locking pins (44) are disengaged from the locking holes (50).

7. A modular unit according to Claim 6, wherein the second motorized driving means include a linear actuator (46) and a lever mechanism (52, 54) interposed between the linear actuator (46) and the locking pins (44).

8. A modular unit according to any one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising a base (12) of quadrangular shape, wherein the frame (14) includes a pair of cross-members supported by the base (12) by means of four columns (16) positioned at the four corners of the base (12), and wherein the platform (18) is pivoted on the cross- members (14) so that it can rotate between the first and the second position.

9. A modular unit according to any one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising third motorized driving means (68) designed to move the platform (18) between the first and the second position.

10. A modular unit according to any one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising supporting members (70) for the platform (18), these members being movable between a raised position in which they are in contact with the platform (18) and a lowered position in which they are spaced apart from the platform (18).

11. A modular unit according to Claim 10, additionally comprising fourth motorized driving means (72, 74, 80) designed to move the supporting members (70) between the raised position and the lowered position.

12. A modular unit according to Claim 11, wherein the fourth motorized driving means comprise a pair of articulated quadrilateral mechanisms (72, 74) each of which is associated with at least one pair of supporting members (70), and a pair of linear actuators (80) for operating each a respective articulated quadrilateral mechanism (72, 74).

13. A modular unit according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, additionally comprising motorized driving means (135-161) designed to drive, in a synchronized way, both the rotation of the seats (122) with respect to the platform (118) between the use position and the non-use position and the rotation of the platform (118) with respect to the frame structure (112, 116) between the first and the second position.

14. A modular unit according to Claim 13, wherein said motorized driving means include a first driving mechanism (137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147) designed to make the seats (122) rotate with respect to the platform (118), a second driving mechanism (151, 153, 155, 157, 159) designed to make the platform (118) rotate with respect to the frame structure (112, 116), and a single electric motor (135) designed to operate both the first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism.

15. A modular unit according to Claim 14, wherein the first driving mechanism (137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147) includes a driving wheel (137) drivingly connected for rotation with the output shaft of the electric motor (135), a driven wheel (147) drivingly connected for rotation with the platform (118) and having its axis coinciding with the first axis of rotation (Xl), and a transmission mechanism (139, 141, 143, 145) interposed between the driving wheel (137) and the driven wheel (147).

16. A modular unit according to Claim 15, wherein the driving wheel (137) and the driven wheel (147) are gear wheels.

17. A modular unit according to Claim 16, wherein the transmission mechanism (139, 141, 143, 145) includes at least one first intermediate gear wheel (139) driven by the driving wheel (137) by means of a toothed belt or chain (141) and one second intermediate gear wheel (145) permanently meshing with the driven wheel (147).

18. A modular unit according to any one of Claims 14 to 17, wherein the second driving mechanism (151, 153, 155, 157, 159) includes a Maltese cross mechanism comprising a cross wheel (159) drivingly connected for rotation with the seats (122) and a lever (157) supported by the platform (118) and cooperating with the cross wheel (159), the lever (157) being designed to be rotated as a result of the rotation of the platform (118).

19. A modular unit according to Claim 18, wherein the lever (157) is rotatable about the second axis of rotation (X3).

20. A modular unit according to Claim 18 or Claim 19, wherein the cross wheel (159) has a radial slot (161) and wherein the lever (157) is provided with a pin (163) which engages slidably in the slot (161).

21. A modular unit according to any one of Claims 18 to 20, wherein the second driving mechanism (151, 153, 155, 157, 159) additionally includes a first idle gear wheel (151) supported by the platform (118), a second fixed gear wheel (153) supported by the frame structure (112; 116) and motion transmission means (155) interposed between the first idle gear wheel (151) and the lever (157).

22. A modular unit according to Claim 21, wherein the axis of the second fixed gear wheel (153) coincides with the first axis of rotation (Xl).

23. A modular unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each seat (22; 122) comprises a backrest (24; 124), a seat area (26; 126) which can be folded on to the backrest (24; 124) and a pair of armrests (28; 128).

24. A modular unit according to Claim 23, wherein the armrests (28; 128) of each seat (22; 122) are made in one piece with the backrest (24; 124) so as to form a supporting structure (30; 130).

25. A flooring structure for theatre auditoriums and the like, comprising a plurality of modular units (10; 110) according to any one of the preceding claims.