Folding seat module system and method of using same

A portable seating system having a seat module that is foldable between an upright position and a folded position for storage. Multiple up righted modules are connectable to one another to form a row of seat modules. A method of providing portable seating which can be set up for use and then removed for storage is also provided.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to modular furniture, and more particularly to foldable modular seats.

2. Background of the Invention

Permanent seating is used in many settings to provide a classic or elegant look. For example, pews in the sanctuaries of religious institutions are designed to provide a reverent look. Such seating is typically made of wood and aesthetically designed to help create the atmosphere desired for the particular use.

Many institutions that use such seating, particularly religious institutions, have a given number of seats or pews permanently mounted to the floor. When additional seating is needed for expected overflow, such as for holidays or special occasions, additional seating is provided with portable folding seats set up in areas adjacent to the permanent seats, such as in an adjacent room separated from the main room by a removable wall.

Unfortunately, typical portable seats do not match the permanent seats or provide the atmosphere desired. With pews in particular, which provide rows of connected seating, individual portable seats which generally hold a single person provide a second class look and feel. Moreover, portable seating lacks many of the functions and features of the permanent seats such as book shelves located on the back of pews that conveniently hold books and other materials for those in the row of seats immediately behind.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide portable seating that can better match the aesthetic look of the permanent seats.

Another object is to provide portable seating that can is connectable to provide a row of seats.

A further object is to provide portable seating that can be quickly set up or removed, and which can be efficiently stored.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in one aspect, provides a portable seating system that includes at least two seat modules. Each of the seat modules is foldable between an upright position for seating and a folded position for storage, and each has a back support member, a seat member pivotally movable relative to the back support member for rotation between the upright position and the folded position about a generally longitudinal axis, the seat member being in a position for use as a seat when the module is in the upright position and folded downward towards the bottom of the seat module when in the folded position. Each seat module further has a pair of end supports spaced from one another, each of the pair of end supports being positioned to support the seat member when the module is in its upright position, and foldable to a position under the seat member to allow the seat member to move to the folded position when the module is in its folded position. The seat modules are connectable to one another when in the upright position to form a connected row of such seat modules.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for providing portable seating. The method includes the following:

A) setting up a row of seats by 1) providing at least two seat modules, wherein each of the seat modules has at least two seats, and each of the modules is foldable between an upright position for use, and a folded position wherein the seat modules are folded to a compact form, 2) connecting at least two of the seat modules in the upright position to form the row of seat modules; and

B) removing the row of seats by 1) disconnecting the connected seat modules from one another, and 2) folding the seat modules to the compact form.

A portable seat module foldable between an upright position for seating and a folded position for storage is also provided.

Means for storing the folded seat modules is also provided. In particular, stationary racks and wheeled racks are provided. In another embodiment, a rack having a decorative panel to mask the seat modules stored on it is provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrated and described herein is a preferred embodiment of the invention suitable for use in a religious setting. It is understood, however, that the present invention is not so limited, and can be used in other settings as well.

With reference toFIGS. 1,2,3and4, a pew for use in a religious sanctuary such as a church or synagogue is illustrated. A seat module10has a back support member12(FIG.2), a seat member14sized to seat two people as shown, and a pair of end supports16a,16b. For purposes of orientation, the seat module10has a front side18(FIG.2), a back side20, and right and left sides22,24respectively, as viewed from the front of the seat module10(FIG.1). It also has a top side17and bottom side19that rests on the floor.

For this particular embodiment, the back support member12is formed as a singular flat wooden panel extending between the side ends22,24as shown, and has a top edge26and a bottom edge28. The bottom edge28extends below the seat member14, but is raised above the ground a suitable distance as shown (FIGS. 1 and 4) to provide foot room for people seated behind the module10. Back cushions30and seat cushions31provide added comfort and are secured to the respective back and seat members by any suitable means, e.g., velcro, bolts, etc. An alternative design for the top edge26of the back support12is shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, a wooden cap81that extends above the back cushion.

Attached to the back support member12is a support bar32. Having a generally rectangular cross section, the support bar32extends longitudinally across the front side34of back support member12between right and left sides22,24and is positioned to support the rear end35of the seat member14as can be seen inFIGS. 2 and 3.

Extending rearward from both sides22,24of back support12are back extensions36a,36b. The bottom edge38of each extension36a,36brests on the floor as shown and helps support the module10in the upright position, acting as legs to support the seat module10in cooperation with the end supports16a,16bwhich also act as legs. The extensions36a,36bhave a cut out40(FIG.2), the back support member12attaching to the extensions36a,36bin the cut out40. Here, the extensions36a,36bare formed of a flat panel-like piece.

The seat member14is moveable relative to the back support12between an upright position for use and a folded position for storage (see FIGS.1and10). In the illustrated embodiment, the seat member14is pivotally attached near its rear side35to the back support member12through the support bar32. Any suitable attachment means may be used. Here the seat member14is attached to the back support member12via a piano hinge42having one leaf of the hinge screwed to the underside44of the seat member14and the other leaf to the support bar32. It is seen that the piano hinge42allows the seat member14to be rotated or folded about a longitudinal axis46(FIG. 5) between the upright position shown inFIGS. 1 and 2where the seat member14is in a generally horizontal seating position for use and a folded position shown inFIGS. 6 and 10which is further described below. The illustrated seat member14is formed of a singular flat wooden panel.

The end supports16a,16bare spaced from one another on either side of the module10, each having a front edge48, rear edge50, bottom edge52, and top edge54. The bottom edge52is parallel with the bottom edge38of the extensions36a,36b, resting on the floor and acting as legs to support the module10. The top edge54of each support16a,16bincludes a seat support section56(FIG. 2) for contacting and supporting the underside44of the seat member14in its upright seating position. Here, the top edge54supports the front section of the seat member14as shown, which, in cooperation with the support bar32and piano hinge42supporting the rear section, provides a sturdy support for the seat member14. Here the end supports16a,16bare formed of singular flat panels of wood-like material.

Each end support16a,16bis movably attached to the remainder of the seat module10so as to be movable to a position that allows the seat member14to be folded to form a generally flat module10for storage as illustrated in FIG.10. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat member14can be folded downward towards the floor or bottom side19(as oriented inFIG. 1) after the end supports16a,16bare folded out of the way. Here, each end support16a,16bis pivotally attached near its rear edge50to the back support member12at opposite sides of the back support12for pivotal movement about an axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis46. This is accomplished with a piano hinge58screwed to the respective members as shown, which provides the desired movability and which is of suitable length to provide a sturdy attachment to the back support member12for a sturdy and safe seat module10when in use. As one possible alternative to pivotal attachment near the rear edge50, it is contemplated that the end supports16a,16bcould be pivotally attached near the top edge54of each end support16a,16bto the underside44of the seat member14so that the bottom edge of each end support could fold upwards towards the center of the underside44of the seat member14. This would likewise allow the end supports to be folded so as to permit the folding downward of the seat member14.

With reference toFIG. 4, it is seen that a book rack60is readily provided along the back side of the module10, here the rack60being attached in a known manner between and to the opposing sides of the extensions36a,36b.

Having been described in its upright form as used for seating, the seat module10will now be described in its folded position which allows for convenient storage in a compact form. Moreover, the folding process allows convenient and quick assembly and disassembly of the seat modules for use or storage. With reference toFIG. 5(the module10shown leaning backwards), the seat member14has been manually lifted upwards a sufficient distance to allow the folding of each of the end supports16a,16babout the piano hinges58in the directions62a,62btoward the center of the module10(the directions62a,62balso shown in FIG.3), with the inside faces64of the end supports16a,16bcoming to rest on the front side34of a lower section of the back support member12beneath where the seat member14attaches to the back support member12(via support bar32). Next, the seat member14is folded downward about the longitudinal axis46defined by the piano hinge42to be on top of the outer faces65of the end supports16a,16b, thereby becoming generally parallel with the back support member12as shown inFIGS. 6 and 10to complete the folding process. It is seen that the end supports16a,16bare sandwiched between the seat member14and the lower section of the back support member12.

One advantage of the present invention is that multiple seat modules10can be interconnected to form a row of modules. Multiple rows of such modules can be created to provide as much seating as desired. This is ideal for portable or temporary seating in churches and synagogues where additional temporary seating beyond the permanent pews is needed, and where it is desired to add seating that maintains the reverent look of the existing pews. It is appreciated that the modules10of the present invention can be made from any suitable material, wood being typical of religious settings, and can be designed for a particular look or to match the design of existing pews.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, connection of several modules10to one another is possible to create a row68of as many seats as desired. The up righted modules10,10a,10bare placed adjacent one another as shown. Two bolt openings70(FIG. 4) in each of the back extensions36a,36band one bolt opening70in each of the end supports16a,16ballow one module10to be connected to an adjacent module10a, e.g., extension36aand end support16aof one module10ais bolted to the adjacent extension36band end support16bof another module10. As shown inFIG. 7Ashowing a detail of the end support16bof one module10connected to the end support16aof the module10a, male and female bolt sections72with heads for easy handling are preferred, although any suitable fastener may be used. To further aid in the alignment and connection of the individual modules10and10a, registration pins or cooperating snap assemblies74(see FIG.2andFIG. 7B) can be provided in the side end of the back supports12. This helps keep the back supports12aligned with one another.

If desirable, the rows can be anchored to the floor for added stability.

Where a more finished or complete look is desired, end panels76can be provided for the two opposite ends of the row68(see FIG.7). The end panel76of a desired design can be connected to the ends of the row68, i.e., the unconnected ends of the seat modules at the end of the row68, using the same bolt holes70and snap-ins74used to connect two seat modules10to each other. For example, with reference toFIG. 7C, the three holes70on the end of the module10align with three recesses78in the end panel76. A female fastener piece70ais screwed into the recess of the end panel76for receiving the male end of a bolt70b, providing an attachment means invisible on the outer face80of the end panel76. A pin or snap can also be provided in the end panel76to connect with the corresponding piece74on the seat module10. Such end panels76can take on different aesthetic designs for different uses. In the illustrated embodiment, the end panel76provides a similar look as an end piece of a permanent pew, and provides a panel section higher then the seat member14to act as an end or stop to prevent users from sliding off the end of the seat module10, and can also provide an arm rest.

It is seen that the embodiment illustrated in the FIGS. provides at least four point support above the floor. For example, with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, it is seen that the bottom side19of the seat modules10contacts the floor in multiple places along the bottom edge38of the extensions36a,36band the bottom edge52of the end supports16a,16b. This provides a stable support of the module10.

Rows of various shapes are also possible. For example, with reference toFIG. 15, an intermediate member or spacer82can be connected between adjacent modules10, using the fastening means as described above, to form the desired shape of the row68. By controlling the shape of the spacer82, a curve can be added to the row68as shown. Thus various shaped rows are possible, including straight, angled and curvilinear. For example, the width of the rear panel84of the spacer82as compared to the width of the front panel86can be selected for the desired degree of curvature. Likewise, the height of the spacer82could be higher than the seat member14to act as an end of each module10or as a stop to prevent the user from sliding off the seat member14. Such spacers are disclosed in my U.S. Patent Application 60/342,928 filed Oct. 19, 2001 and which is hereby incorporated by reference. It is understood that the spacers need not be shaped to provide a curvature to the row, but can be simple spacers. For example, a non wedge shaped intermediate member84similar to the end panel76may be used to provide a spacing between modules or even to act as an intermediate, divider, or end panel for the individual seat modules10.

An advantage of the present invention is the ease with which the seat modules10can be up righted for use, and then disconnected, folded and stored for later use. This sequence from the setting up of the seating modules to the folding and storage of the modules is now described with reference toFIGS. 7 through 12.

The up righting and connection of multiple modules10to create rows68of seats is completed as described above with reference to FIG.7. Once the need for the seats has passed, the seats are then folded and stored for future use. To disassemble the row, the fasteners connecting the various modules10and end panels76are disconnected, e.g., unbolting the bolts72and breaking the snap connections74between the modules10and end panels76.

The individual modules10are then folded to a generally flat configuration where the seat member14is generally parallel to the back support12. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 8, the seat member14is lifted up slightly to allow the end supports16a,16bto be folded inward toward the center of the module10, coming to rest on the lower portion of the back support12. With further reference toFIG. 9, the seat member14is then lowered, pivoting about the longitudinal axis46of piano hinge42, the underside of the seat member14coming to rest on the outer face of the folded end supports16a,16bas seen inFIGS. 6 and 10. This forms the generally flat configuration as shown inFIGS. 6 and 10.

A second folded module10acan be placed on top of the module10to form a nested arrangement87as shown inFIG. 11for efficient storage. The folded modules10can be stored individually or in the nested arrangement87on trays88as now described with reference to FIG.12.

Efficient storage of the modules10is provided with racks90having shelves92onto which the trays88can be slid. The shelves92can be formed of two members92a,92bon opposite sides of the rack90and made of any suitable structural material capable of supporting the trays88, e.g., two lengths of angled steel having a flat surface on which the trays slide, etc. A low friction surface is preferably provided on the shelves92, such as rollers or low friction tape to allow easy sliding of the trays88on the shelves92. The preferred embodiment has four shelves for holding eight modules10in nested configurations. The racks90can be located in any place where it is desired to store the modules10.

With reference toFIG. 13, it is appreciated that the racks90can be provided with wheels93to be easily movable (portable). This allows multiple modules to be moved together to the area where they will be set up or stored after being folded, thereby minimizing the labor involved with set up and disassembly. It is further appreciated that a combination of non wheeled racks (permanent storage racks90a) and portable racks90bcan be used. For example, a suitable number of permanent storage racks90acan be provided in the area desired for storage. One or two portable racks90bwith wheels93can be provided to move the seat modules10from the area where they were used to the storage area. As shown inFIGS. 13 and 13A, the portable rack90bis moved next to the stationary rack90awhere the trays88can be slid from the shelves92of the portable rack to the shelves92of the stationary rack. With further reference toFIG. 13A, a registration system96whereby a pin97on one rack is inserted into an opening98of the other rack insures proper alignment of the shelves for easy transfer. To remove the modules10from storage to the site intended for use, the above process is reversed.FIG. 13also shows that the trays can have protective side panels95(shown in dotted line) to protect the modules10during storage.

The present invention further provides a storage means that masks the rack90and seat modules10therein from view. With reference toFIG. 14, a rack90, wheeled or stationary, has a decorative panel94mounted on the back face of the rack90opposite from the side on which the modules10are slid onto the shelves92. The panel can be designed to match the design of the room in which the racks will be placed. Multiple such racks90with decorative panels94can be placed adjacent one another to form a wall like configuration behind which the modules10are stored. If wheeled to be portable, such racks are readily moved to where needed and then configured again to form the wall like structure masking the modules as desired.

It is appreciated that the present invention provides a novel seating module and a system of using such modules having numerous advantages. It can provide portable and temporary seating that can match or be similar to the permanent seating already in place. The modules are easily stacked and stored until needed, and then can be quickly and easily set up. While a two-seated module has been illustrated herein, it is appreciated that other size modules are possible—one seat modules, three seat modules, etc.

The system is also flexible. Various configurations are possible, from rows of multiple seat modules to rows of desired shapes. Because of the interchangeability of the system, quick repairs and or replacement of broken pieces is possible.

Other advantages, benefits and features are readily contemplated by those of ordinary skill in the art. While the illustrated embodiment is directed at pews, it is readily understood that the present invention is not so limited, and is applicable to other seating modules.