Abstract:
A demountable indoor/outdoor arena seating system includes a plurality of seat groups in seating modules. The seat group modules are supported by a plurality of floor board deck members of joined planks, wherein the deck members have attachment extensions attachable to the seat group modules. The deck members are supported by inner struts insertable in outer hollow struts. The inner struts are grooved to accommodate the heads of shortened locking bolts having spring loaded cam rings to lock the bolts in place.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to stable yet easily demountable modular seating systems. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Temporary, demountable seating systems for indoor and, outdoor arenas are known. For example, classic bleacher seating systems include continuous horizontal seating boards, which are arranged in a sloped orientation, with the seating boards farther away, being incrementally higher than the next lower level seating boards. Upright stud framing holds the seating boards, interspersed with parallel, incrementally positioned floorboards. To prevent falling at the edges of the bleacher seating, handrail banisters are provided. 
     The drawbacks for bleacher seating include the fact that flat seats without backrests are generally uncomfortable, especially for events of several hours or more. In addition, the floorboards may shake, creating uncomfortable vibrations for adjacent seated customers, with undesirable noise. 
     Furthermore, the side rail banisters are sometimes chain link or a horizontal configuration of rails that are climbable and loose, and they must be of a sturdy construction to provide sufficient lateral support to prevent falling. 
     Attempts have been made to provide temporary indoor seating systems with groups of seats, typically three, with backs rests, that are joined to a framework. However, the attachments for such systems are inconvenient to remove and reinstall. In addition, these indoor seating systems are not made for outdoor use. 
     Moreover, in existing seating systems, in order to prevent lateral deflection, the tubular cylindrical posts supporting rails need complicated fasteners, and cannot be simply dropped in place and secured. Also, to provide this support in a vertical picket for the rail, other attempts are made of steel construction. 
     In addition, tubular, cylindrical handrails can be easy to lose hold of, especially when wet from exposure to recent rain or morning dew. 
     Furthermore, the deck panels in existing seating systems need external strut supports. 
     In addition, existing seating systems often require motorized lift access to be erected, which is especially difficult to provide in remote outdoor amphitheater grandstand arenas or in inner city indoor theater spaces requiring the erection of seats from scratch. 
     Assembly of the seating components is also difficult in outdoor conditions, where dirt can get into apertures in cam-operable locking bolts and their respective slot receptacles, preventing the automatic locking by gravity pull against locking rotating rings. These prior art locking bolts do not have any internal force mechanisms to assist gravity in deflecting the rotating rings of the locking bolts. 
     Furthermore, often the vertical posts of a seating frame are square in cross section, with too small a transverse, horizontal clearance to fit a full prior art locking bolt therethrough. Previous rails are steel. 
     Another problem with outdoor seating systems is the fact that jacks must be used to adjust the deploying of structural frame supports on irregular outdoor terrain. Since the jacks have vertically extending members engage with other vertically extending posts, there is a need to provide simple fasteners which can securely lock the posts to the jack supports, and offer bracing locations when the jacks are extended. 
     Another problem with existing outdoor seating systems is that the modular groups of seats with backrests need to be firmly attached to the supporting framework, yet they must also be quickly disassembled, two tasks which are difficult to achieve together. 
     Finally, outdoor decks to walk on can be noisy if the joints are loose, or can be uncomfortable if they are walked on, and unless they are continuous, users can trip on joining seamed surfaces. It is not a flexible system. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an easily demountable arena seating system in a modular design to facilitate numerous reconfigurations. 
     It is another object to provide a sturdy framework for modular arena seating that minimizes noise and vibrations. 
     It is yet another object to provide a modular arena seating system, which is quickly assembled and disassembled and which contains seats with backs. 
     It is a further object to provide safety railings for arena seating which are easy to install, are not climbable and which are light weight for ease of assembly, such as being made of aluminum. 
     It is yet another object to provide locking bolts for modular seating systems, which are spring-loaded to facilitate locking and unlocking of the bolts and to maintain vandal proof integrity. 
     It is also an object to provide fasteners for assembling seating arena framework structures wherein the fasteners can be utilized in areas of small clearances without using the entire pin assembly. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to improve over the disadvantages of the prior art arena seating systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In keeping with these objects and others which may become apparent, the present invention includes a sturdy modular arena seating system with comfortable flip-up backrest seats, which can be easily assembled and disassembled and reconfigured. 
     The floor board decks of the framework of the arena seating system of the present invention are constructed to minimize noise and vibrations when walked upon. For example, the deck includes hollow metal planks, such as aluminum planks, which have fitted edge extrusions that are attached thereto to lock in place. When locked together, the assembled adjacent planks form a continuous walking surface with minimal deflection when the weight of a person walks thereon. As a result, the floor board decks are quiet and do not vibrate excessively of flex, thus preventing uncomfortable vibrations to the occupants of nearby seats. 
     The floor board decks are attached to a structural framework of struts, and the framework holds modular groups of chairs with backrests in a tight position, thus reducing any discomfort to the occupants of the seats and becoming modular in design. Each section of chairs has upper and lower bottom attachment flanges which are aligned with grooves in the respective protruding extrusions of the adjacent floor board decks. 
     For example, an upper flange on the rear of the seat module is inserted in a groove of a front attachment extrusion of the upper floor deck adjacent to the bottom of the seat cushion area. In addition, a lower flange also on the rear of the seat module is inserted in a groove of the rear attachment extrusion of the next lower floor deck adjacent to the bottom of the seating module. This next lower floor deck is the deck for the feet of the arena patron sitting in the chair of the seating module. 
     These modular seating groups of chairs are kept in place by spring loaded fasteners for temporary seating systems, or for permanent seating groups of chairs, by more permanent vandal resistant fasteners, such as button cap screws, which are threaded through a tapped fixing plate and a threaded barrel. 
     The upper post struts of the supporting framework are insertable in further lower hollow post struts, and are secured in place by unique fasteners, including spring loaded locking bolts. To accommodate the insertion and fastening of an upper strut post within another lower strut post, the upper inner strut posts have longitudinally extended grooves to accommodate fastener heads connecting the upper and lower strut posts. 
     Furthermore, for safe guardrails, upright pickets are provided in special polygonal cross sectional sections of aluminum to maintain light weight design, such as hexagons having one longitudinally extending axis longer than a transverse axis. Such a guardrail picket configuration minimizes lateral deflection, especially from a person leaning against the guardrail. The polygonal cross section also prevents loosening by rotation associated with prior art cylindrical handrail posts set in hollow cylindrical fittings. Moreover, the horizontal handrails of the banister have ergonomically designed configurations in cross section, such as with linearly extending grooves and elevations, which provide undulating surface texturing, which are easier to hold onto than tubular cylindrical handrails. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention can best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded side elevational view of a prior art locking bolt; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded side elevational view of the locking bolt of this invention; 
     FIG. 3 is an end view of the locking bolt as in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a locking stud of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a frame strut supporting base jack, with extensions, of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a top end view of an extension sleeve on the jack as in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the three-seat module attached with the components of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a side view detail of a removable seat attachment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevational view detail of a permanent seat attachment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the safety railing section of the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 shows a guardrail extrusion of the present invention, as viewed in cross section; 
     FIG. 12 depicts a handrail support picket extrusion of the present invention, as shown in cross section; 
     FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the floor deck module of the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is an end view of the deck module; and, 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the assembled components of the present invention, showing a plurality of seating modules in place. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention describes a number of related components for use in creating an indoor/outdoor seating system, which can be assembled, disassembled and reconfigured efficiently while providing an attractive, safe and comfortable seating area, keeping code compliant in each configuration for a wide variety of spectator events indoors and out. 
     It is a highly modular system, which achieves maximum benefit through the use of novel aluminum extrusions and tamper resistant quick attachment locking bolts and studs. The structural members, decking and seat modules are optimally designed to be handled efficiently by a small crew who can hand carry the sections, if necessary, to areas where motorized access is not available. 
     A key component which facilitates easy assembly and disassembly is the locking bolt. 
     FIG. 1 shows a prior art version of locking bolt  1  with shaft  2 , flange  8 , front extension  3 , rotating ring cam  4  and tapered end cap  5 . This type of bolt is driven through two telescoping sections of framing with holes aligned and fastened with the aid of a simple alignment tool (not shown). After the tool is withdrawn, rotating cam ring  4  drops out of concentricity by the action of gravity (direction shown as  7 ) thereby locking the bolt in place and preventing its withdrawal. For removal, the same alignment tool as used in assembly is used again to force rotating ring  4  back into alignment thereby facilitating easy withdrawal. Locking bolt  1  is assembled by press fit of extension  3  inside end cap  5  bore  6  with care to insure that locking ring  4  is free to turn and move radially. Bolt  1  works well when the beam sections are well aligned and in good clean condition. However, in field conditions, the beam sections are not always clean nor are their surfaces smooth. Dirt sometimes enters the groove formed by shaft  2  and end cap  5  interfering with easy movement of rotating ring  4 . These field conditions sometimes conspire to prevent the small force of gravity from forming the crucial crescent shaped locking overlap of rotating cam  4  after the alignment tool is withdrawn. 
     Locking bolt  10  of this invention, as shown in FIG. 2, alleviates the problem by providing a force much larger than gravity to move rotating cam ring  4  out of alignment with shaft  2 . A small spring  15  made of a short length of nylon which is folded provides this force which moves ring  4  in direction  16  in FIG.  2 . 
     The end view of FIG. 3 shows more clearly how one leg of spring  15  bears against threaded extension  12  while the other leg bears against the inner surface of the center hole in ring  4 . Locking bolt  10  is assembled by threading end cap  13  (using threads  14 ) onto threaded extension  12  instead of the press fit operation of prior art bolt  1 . This more easily facilitates the insertion of spring  15 ; a high strength thread locking compound is used during assembly. 
     In some cases, such as attaching braces and ties, it is desired to provide a quick connect to just one surface of material as opposed to a long bolt going through two surfaces of a hollow member. For these situations, the locking stud  20  as shown in FIG. 4 has been developed. A standard bolt  21  of appropriate length is permanently attached to an inner member  23  by threading a short round shaft member  22 . A rotating ring cam  4  is then slipped over the bolt along with spring  15 . Cap  13  is then screwed over the end of bolt  21 . This permanent attachment is performed in the factory using high strength thread lock compound. One surface  24  of a brace or tie is then attached to member  23  by using the same alignment tool as for bolt  10 . 
     FIG. 5 shows a base jack  30  with base flange  31 , welded screw  32 , jack nut  33 , leg extension  34 , welded resting collar  35  and a short extension sleeve  36 . 
     FIG. 6 is a top view showing the fit of the various parts within extension sleeve  36 . Jacks  30  are key elements of the entire seating structure permitting alignment with irregular terrain features. In use, an extension sleeve  36 , which may be much longer than shown, is rested on collar  35  which is then height adjusted by jack nut  33 . Besides locking studs  20 , extension  36  can have through holes either on the same surfaces as studs  20  (i.e. between them) or at right angles to these surfaces (either aligned with or between studs  20 ). The through holes would be used for major beam attachments using locking bolts  10  while studs  20  would be used for attachments of braces or ties. The heads of bolts  21  easily clear leg extension  34  due to its purposeful extrusion contour. 
     FIG. 7 shows a three seat module  45  whose structure is a welded one-piece frame  46 . Modules with  2  or more seats are practical. The three seat module  45  is easily handled by one worker. Flip-up seats using either gravity or a coil spring pivot on shafts  49  to lie flush with seat backs  48 . The lower ends  50  of frame  46  have a welded attachment flange  51  and a hole for mounting to the structure. While conventional construction requires a 36″ wide deck between seating rows with chairs with backs, the automatic flip-up design of the seating modules insures the requisite 12″ walk-through clearance with only 30″ wide decks. The use of factory-attached seats in modules reduces the labor involved in attaching or detaching seats since each module, as opposed to each seat, has two attachment points. This prevents unauthorized movement and guarantees code compliance of the seating. 
     FIG. 8 is a detail of the bottom end  50  of frame  46  showing a removable locking method and construction. A spring pin  55  consisting of key ring  56 , return spring  57  and turned pin  58  is attached inside the bottom hole. The seat module section  45  is fitted so that bottom attachment flange  51  is aligned with the groove in rear deck extrusion  61 ; keyring  56  is pulled and frame  46  is simultaneously dropped into the groove in rear extension  61  and the top attachment tab  52  is inserted into the groove in the front extrusion  62  of the upper deck panel  60 . (Frame  46  also has another attachment tab—not shown—higher than tab  52 ; this is used instead if a higher rise per row for the seats is desired.) When keyring  56  is released, the seating module  45  is locked in place. Removal is a simple lift while keyring  56  is pulled. 
     For a permanent installation, or one which is more vandal resistant, the hardware of FIG. 9 is used as an alternative. Spring pin  55  is replaced by a button cap screw  63  which is threaded through a tapped fixing plate  64  and a threaded barrel  65  at its end. The length of cap screw  63  and barrel  65  is selected such that when torqued down with an allen wrench, seating module  45  is securely locked in the groove of rear deck extrusion  61 . Removal of module  45  requires the use of an allen wrench to loosen cap screw  63 . Cap screw  63 , tapped fixing plate  64  and threaded barrel  65  are assembled prior to installation. Note, this locking method locks the deck down as well as the seat. 
     FIG. 10 shows a section of safety railing  70  that is designed for a quick and easy drop-in attachment to rigidly bolted side supports (not shown). Railing  70  consists of an aluminum weldment of a number of picket elements  74 , round end tubes  73 , bottom rail  72  and handrail  71 . All components are extrusions. The bottom ends of tubes  73  drop into round receptacles. 
     The cross section of handrail  71  shown in FIG. 11 is ergonomically designed for easy gripping. 
     The cross section of the picket members  74  shown in FIG. 12 is carefully designed to resist bending or denting from side impacts (notice narrow flats). The longer depth dimension d and narrower width w combine to provide the desired bending moment resistance in a profile that requires significantly less material thickness than a member of round cross section of equivalent strength. This results in less weight for easier handling during construction or tear-down since the pickets are preferably manufactured of aluminum. 
     FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a deck section. 
     FIG. 14 is an end view. No separate bracing members are required for rigidity. The deck module is a weldment of several extruded aluminum parts. Hollow extruded aluminum planks  60  are fitted in grooves of front extrusion  62  and rear extrusion  61 . (Larger views of the profiles of  61  and  62  are shown in FIG. 8.) Planks  60  are stitch welded together  66  and to extrusions  61  and  62  as shown to create a simple rigid lightweight one-piece assembly. The opposite side (not shown) of planks  66  are grooved as part of the extrusion process to form a skid resistant surface for outdoor use. Since there are no weld points on the upper surface, it is totally planar. A clear anodized finish affords abrasion and corrosion resistance. For a quieter surface for indoor use, a mat of rubber or industrial carpet material is adhesively bonded to the top surface of the deck module. 
     FIG. 15 shows several three seat modules  45  attached to respective floor deck attachment flanges  61  of decks  60 , as well as a plurality of upright handrail picket members  74 . 
     ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY 
     The unique indoor/outdoor seating system of the present invention is one of the most innovative and easily demountable seating systems with vandal resistant hardware. This seating system includes a modular structure with easy set up that requires minimal hardware, tools and manpower to assemble. The locking bolt  10  of the present invention, in conjunction with the prior art alignment socket, provide secure tamper-proof connections for the supporting frame structure, due to the unique configuration of the bolt&#39;s spring loaded  15  rotating ring tab  4 . The preferably aluminum frame is lightweight, strong, non-corrosive and highly suited for interior and exterior use. The assembly of the structure of the present invention uses interlocking channel beams forming the struts that are connected through the use of a single spring loaded locking bolt  10 , eliminating excessive nuts, bolts and washers. The independent jack plates are designed for easy leveling adjustments. The brace and tie connections are snap-on, of a tamper-proof design that requires no additional tightening and attaches quickly to the frame, adding rigidity and support. This is the basic foundation of the seating system, which can be accommodated to any floor plan and obtain maximum seat capacity and stay code compliant. 
     The safety railings  70  of the lateral banister supports exceed code requirements and attach easily with a conventional nut and bolt. Only two bolts are required per each seating section. The balance of each section is locked with a quick pin. 
     The vertical guides allow for the quick and accurate alignment of the railing use. The floor decking units attach freely to the frame structure when fastened into the set position. Floor decking  60  is available in two styles for interior or exterior use and exceeds all weight load and code requirements. 
     The modular three chair group sections  45  are easily handled by one person and fastened to the deck without hardware or tools, through the use of conventional spring loaded pins. For permanent installations, resistive cap screws can be substituted. 
     Conventional seating systems use a 36-inch wide deck to provide the required walk through clearance of 12 inches. The present seating system requires only a 30 inch deck because of the space efficient flip up seats. Fabric seat cushions are easily installed to enhance style and comfort that can be used to designate a general admission or VIP section. Seats can also be upgraded to a theatrical style upholstered chair with a choice of fabric with optional armrest and cup holders to maximize spectator comfort. Seating rows can be spaced on a 6-inch or an optimum 12-inch vertical rise. 
     The seating system of the present invention can be used in arenas having a tight space confine, such as, for example, in a balcony area in which one wants to put the modular seating groups in. The present invention is also beneficial for areas that are not rectangular in shape, such as where both ends of the seating area are irregular shaped. Therefore, the installer takes the proper measurement and then designs the system that sits into that footprint. By using conventional CAD (computer aided design) systems, the installer can maximize seat count and still be sure that the sponsor is complying with local and safety codes. 
     The present invention can also be easily installed in inner city arenas which are not very accessible to trucks, or in rough outdoors terrain locations, where there is no drive-in access. With this system of the present invention, the installer&#39;s workers can hand carry the components effectively and therefore not be deterred by the fact that one can&#39;t drive a truck into the space or where one has to cross a distance of rough terrain land. 
     The present invention for a seating system is a modular system, basically built in four row units. By using standard four row units, additional multiple units such as with eight and twelve unit rows, all the way up to a large arena system, which has sixty or more row units, can be built. 
     By using four rows, one has a quick up and down assembly system. Also, the decks can have varying widths. 
     The seating system of the present invention also has vandal-resistant, spring loaded fasteners  10 , such as the locking bolts  10  noted above. The vandal-resistant fasteners  10  eliminate anybody from being able to take the system down without proper tools and proper organization. 
     If the user is an outdoor sports fan, there can be provided plastic flip up seats. If the user is an indoor theater, there can be provided a theater-style chair that fits into the ultimate seating grandstand system. With that combination, it gives the user maximum number of seats, proper access, aisles brought up to code requirements, stairway exits, ramp ways, or whatever is needed for each user&#39;s arena seating needs. 
     It is further noted that other modifications can be made to the seating system of the present invention, without departing from the scope of the invention, as noted in the appended claims.