TELESCOPING SEATING SYSTEMS WITH AUTOMATICALLY FOLDING CHAIRS

Abstract: In a telescoping seating system having a number of rows (10, 11, 12) which may be moved between an extended or use position and a retracted or storage position, chairs (S, B) or other seating is mounted on stanchions (22) which are pivotally mounted to the rear of the deck (13) in each row. The stanchions are pivoted to an upright position when the system is extended for use and folded to a horizontal position when the system is retracted for storage by means of an actuator mechanism (40, 41) mounted to the forward portion of the next higher row and operative in response to relative movement between adjacent rows. In this manner, the height of the seats is independent of the rise of the system for more comfortable seating. A torsion rod assembly (50, 64, 65, 60) is mounted beneath the seating to counterbalance at least some of the weight of the seating in the storage position. Locking members (27) engage the stanchions in the use position to secure the seating in the raised position. The locking members are released in response to the closing motion between adjacent rows to permit the seating to be folded to the storage position in the space between adjacent decks.

Description: AUTOMATICALLY FOLDING CHAIRS The present invention relates to telescoping seating systems of the type which may be moved between an extended or use position in which the rows are in stepped or tiered rela¬ tion, and a retracted or storage position in which the rows are aligned vertically. The present invention is particularly directed to a telescoping seating system which is provided with individ¬ ual chairs which may be arranged in groups and which are automatically folded onto the deck when the system is re¬ tracted for storage, and automatically raised for use when the system is extended. In a preferred embodiment for operation in a fully automatic mode, the seating system has a plurality of rows. Each row includes a horizontally extending deck. The rows are adapted for movement between a use position in which said decks are extended in stepped relation and a storage position in which said decks are retracted in generally vertical alignment. A plurality of seating assemblies are provided in each row, each seating assembly includes stanchions pivot¬ ally mounted for movement at the rear of the deck between a raised and a lowered position. The seating assemblies include backs and seats carried by the stanchions. Actuators are mounted on the forward portion of the next higher row and adapted to engage the seating assemblies as the rows are extended relative to one another. The actuators raise the seating assemblies to an upright use position. Locking elements mounted for movement between a use and a storage position lock the seating assemblies in the raised position when a lower row is fully extended relative to the next higher row. The locking elements are constructed and arranged to be unlocked by the relative motion between the rows to permit the forward folding of the seating assemblies as the rows are retracted for storage. Energy storage means in the form of torsion rods are interconnected between the row and the seating assemblies for partially counterbalancing the weight of the seating assemblies in the lowered position. The torsion rod mechanism is mounted beneath the seating on top of and toward the rear of each deck. A cover plate encloses and hides the mechanism from view and this, together with the fact that the mechanism is mounted to the rear of the deck and out of the way, facilitates maintenance and cleaning. It is also considered an important aspect of the present invention, both from the viewpoint of original manu¬ facture as well as for retro-fitting existing systems that all of the apparatus for automatically raising and lowering the chairs be mounted to the upper side of a deck, rather than beneath or behind the deck where it is not only more difficult to install and maintain, but where the possibility of interfering with the deck support and actuating systems is greater. Another advantage of the present invention is that the seating is folded and unfolded only in response to the relative movement between adjacent rows. This is important because special sequencing of the rows is not required in moving the system between the storage position and the use position. The apparatus of the present invention may be used for various types of seating, such as benches; and it may be adapted to incorporate various chair designs. However, it is preferred to use chairs mounted on beams in groups of two to seven. The Drawing FIG. 1 is an upper front perspective view showing the two bottom rows of a telescoping seating system incorpora ting the present invention; FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view of the system of FIG. 1 showing adjacent rows in the storage and use positions as well as in intermediate positions illustrating the opening and closing sequence; FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front view of the lower por¬ tion of a stanchion in the raised position, for the embodimen of FIG. 1; FIGS. 4 and 5 are left and right side views respec¬ tively of the apparatus of FIG. 3; O Wl . , - of an adjustable latch for the locking member for the embodiment of FIG. 1, taken through the sight line 6-6 of FIG. 4; and FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, close-up, transverse cross sectional view taken through the sight line 7-7 of FIG. 6. Detailed Description Referring first to FIG. 1, three lower rows of a tele¬ scoping seating system having a plurality of rows are shown. These rows are generally designated 10, 11 and 12 respectively. When the system is extended to the use position (see row 11 relative to row 12) , the rows are in stepped or tiered relation. When the system is retracted for storage, the rows are gener¬ ally vertically aligned. Each of the rows is similar in structure. Referring to row 12, it includes a deck generally designated 13 which includes a forwardly extending horizontal platform 15 and a rear riser 16. The "nose" of the platform 15 is designated by refer¬ ence numeral 17. The rear riser 16 may be a metal beam mounted between two upright posts, one of which is shown at 18 in FIG. 1. Support arms extend outwardly from the posts 18 and from the riser beam 13 to support the platform 15. The posts are mounted on wheel carriages, one of which is shown at 19 in FIG. 1. Additional details of row structure, including the apparatus for supporting a deck while permitting it to be moved between the extended and retracted positions may be found in U.S. Patent 3,667,171, June 6, 1972 or U.S. Patent 4,041,655, August 16, 1977. As seen in FIG. 1, a group of seven chairs generally designated 20 is mounted to the deck 11 as a single group. Different types of seating or different chairs than those shown may likewise be used. In the illustrated embodiment, individual chairs, each having a back B and a seat S are moun¬ ted to a common beam 21. The beam 21 is supported by a number of stanchions-- four stanchions being shown in the illustrated embodiment and designated 22. As will be described presently, the stanchions 22 are pivotally mounted at their lower ends to the platform IFURE- OMPI A WΪPO~ i RNATX portion of the deck 11. Thus, the beam 21 and stanchions 22 are rotated as a unitary structure to the upright position shown for the row 11 when the row 11 is extended relative to the next higher row 12. The sequence for closing is the re¬ verse of that for opening. When a lower row is retracted beneath the next higher row, the beam 21 and stanchions 22 are rotated forwardly so that the stanchions, beam, backs and seats can be stored in the space between adjacent decks. This is illustrated in FIG. 1 by the position of the chairs in the row 10. Referring now to FIG. 2, the stanchion 22 is pivotall mounted on a pin 25 to a housing 26. A locking member 27 is pivotally mounted at 28 to the bottom of the stanchion 22. The heel of the locking member 27 is formed into a first re¬ cess 29 and a second partial recess 29A. This is best illus¬ trated for the locking members associated with the higher rows 11 and 12 since, in these positions, the locking members are in a released or unlocked position. In the locked position, the recess 29 snugly engages a pin 30 which is also secured to the stanchion housing 26. The forward bearing surfaces of both recesses 29 and 29A are ground on radii centered at the axis of pin 28 to insure that the locking member will not be dislodged by an occupant of the seat. At the forward end of the housing 26, there is fixed a stop pin 32, and a set screw 33 which is received in a threaded nut or plate welded to the inner surface of the front of the housing 26 (see FIG. 4). The chair is secured to the beam 21 by means of a mounting bracket generally designated 35 which includes a laterally extending plate 36 having a forward surface 37. There is an open space forward of the plate 37, and it is designated 38. This space is open and clear above the beam 21 so as to receive an inwardly turned hook portion of a latch ing member 40 which is pivotally mounted at 41 to a bracket 42 secured to the nose of the deck of the next higher row. As is known in the art, the forward portion of each deck rests on and is supported by the rear portion of the next lower row. In this embodiment, a cantilever arm 47 for the row 11 extends forwardly of its associated post 18 and rests on a roller 48 mounted to the post 18 for the next lower row 10. This positions the forward portion of the deck in the use position, and it can be seen to be aligned with the -uppermost portion of the locking member 27 of the next lower row (refer¬ ring to the right hand portion of FIG. 2) so as to engage and unlock that member when the two adjacent tows are moved relative to each other to the storage position. A torsion rod 50 is secured to each stanchion 22, and it extends laterally thereof and is fixed to the housing 26 associated with the next adjacent stanchion. The detailed structure of the torsion rod and housing, as well as that for the adjustable latch member 30 will be described presently. However, it will be understood that the torsion rod 50 acts as an energy storing means such that when the chair, is lowered, the torsion rod 50 is twisted clockwise (when viewed from the left) , as illustrated in the sequence of positions of the end of the torsion rod 50 in rows 10, 11 and 12 in FIG. 2. Thus, in the storage position, the torsion rod 50 acts to at least partially offset the weight of the chair, the beam 21 and the stanchions 22. Turning now to FIGS. 3-5, the housing 26 includes first and second side plates 52, 53 which are secured together by an upper flange member 54 providing a back 55 and a top 56, and a lower flange member providing a bottom 57 and a front 58. The back wall 55 may be secured to the rear riser of a deck, and the bottom wall 57 may be secured to the platform. As best seen in FIG. 3, the top portion 56 defines a slot 58 to permit the locking member 27 to assume the locked position shown in FIG. 5. The previously described pin 25 and stop member 32 are conventionally mounted to the side plates 52, 53. It will be observed from FIG. 3 that the side plates are spaced apart sufficient to permit both the stanchion 22 and the lock member 27 to be placed between them. The right end of the pin 25 extends beyond the side plate 53 (again, best seen in FIG. 3) and a casting 60 is pivotally mounted thereto, held by an E-ring. Referring to FIG. 5, the casting 60 extends downwardly and defines a cradle portion 61 which receives and secures the turned portion of a torsion rod 50A. The torsion rod 50A is used to store energy to raise the stanchion to the right of that shown in FIG. 3. The back of the cradle 60 is flanged and limited in rearward motion by means of a bolt 62 threadedly received in a plate 63 welded to the bottom 57 of the housing 26, and locked by a nut 63A. Turning the bolt 62 permits adjustment of the ten¬ sion in the torsion rod 50A in the storage position. Referring now to FIG. 3, the right end of the torsion rod 50 is turned and placed in an aperture illustrated by the dash line 64 in the stanchion 22; and a bracket 65 welded to the stanchion 22 also acts to secure the right end of each torsion rod. Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the latch 30 includes a hex head bolt 68 which has a splined shaft 69 and a threaded end 69A which receives a nut 70. A smooth sleeve 71 having an eccentric bore 72 is received over the splined portion 69 of the bolt 68, located between the side plates 52, 53 of the housing 26. The splines 69 prevent rotation of the sleeve 71; and the eccentricity of the bore 72 permits adjustment of the location of the latching member relative to the cavity 28 on the locking member 27 simply by rotating the bolt 68. Once the adjustment is made, the nut 70 is tightened on the bolt 68 so that the sleeve 71 is frictionally held by the side plates 52, 53 of the housing 26. This adjustment achieves a snug fit of the locking member and is used to com¬ pensate for any "warp" (i.e. lateral misalignment) of the stanchions. Set screw 33 is tightened to engage the stanchion 22 and take any "play" out of the structure in the raised, locked position that may be caused by manufacturing tolerances in the pivotal connections at pins 25, 28 and 30 (see FIG. 4). Such tolerances are desirable for this type of structure in the opening and closing movements of the rows--particularly the higher rows which are not as rigid as the lower rows. The weight of the chairs, frame and occupants take out the vertical play. Thus, the adjustable member 33 is operative, only in the locked or open position of each stanchion to re¬ duce horizontal play that would otherwise by present, and which is even desirable during opening and closing movements. _OM pera on Referring back to FIG. 2, when the rows are closed, the actuator element 40 is located in a generally downward position, and extends beneath its associated platform. When the next lower row (referring to row 12) is approximately half open, the actuator member 40 is received in the space 38 with the inwardly turned portion of the actuator 40 beneath the surface 37 of the transverse plate 36. When the actuator member is engaged by the beam 21 (which in this case defines the bottom of the slot 38 and limits the actuator so that the actuator is guided against the rear or lifting surface 37) , it rides forwardly until it engages the surface 37, and there¬ after, in cooperation with the torsion rods, lifts the chairs, beam and stanchions in progressive fashion as the row continues to be extended (see row 11) . The stanchions rotate about the pins 25. As the lower end of the stanchion is moved counter¬ clockwise during opening, the center of gravity of the locking member 27 is moved rearward until it becomes over center rela¬ tive to the axis of its mounting pin 28. As opening motion continues, the locking member eventually falls in a snapping action and engages the sleeve 71 of the latching member 30. This normally occurs as the forward surface of the lower end of the stanchion 22 engages the stop member 32 or play compen¬ sation means 33. However, even if the locking member falls sooner in the motion, the surface 29A will act as a safety stop. In reversing the sequence for closing the rows, it will be observed that the space 38 permits the actuator 40 to ride forwardly during the initial relative motion between two adjacent rows--at least until the nose of the upper row en¬ gages and unlocks the locking member 27. The continued rela¬ tive closing motion forces the locking member clockwise about the pin 28, and in a short distance, the nose then engages the rear of the stanchion 22, (which may be provided with a bear¬ ing member 80) so that the continued closing motion forces the seating forwardly and downwardly for storage between adja¬ cent decks, as best seen at the upper left hand portion of FIG. 2. The forward motion of the latching member is limited by pin 25. Referring back to FIG. 1, cover panels 80 are mounτ ted to the lateral flanges provided by the top wall 56 and forward wall 58 of the housing 26.

Claims: Clai s 1. In a telescoping seating system having a plu¬ rality of rows, each row including a horizontally extending deck, said rows being adapted for movement between a use posi¬ tion in which said decks are extended in stepped relation and a storage position in which said decks are retracted in generally vertical alignment, the improvement characterized by: a plurality of seating means in each row, each seating means including stanchion means pivotally mounted for movement at the rear of said deck between a raised and a lowered position, said seating means further including back means and seat means carried by said stanchion means; actuator means mounted on the forward portion of the next higher row and adapted to engage said seating means as said rows are extended relative to one another for raising said seating means to an upright use position; locking means mounted for movement between a use and a storage position for locking said seating means in the raised position when a lower row is fully extended rela¬ tive to the next higher row, said locking means being con¬ structed and arranged to be unlocked by the relative motion between said rows to permit the forward folding of said seat¬ ing means as said rows are retracted for storage; and energy storage means interconnected between said row and said seating means for partially counterbalancing the weight of said seating means in the lowered position. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said energy storage means comprises torsion rod means interconnected between the rear portion of the deck of one row and associated frame means mounted on that row. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said stanchion means is pivotally mounted at its lower end to said deck, and wherein said locking means comprises a leg pivotally mounted to said deck at a position forward of said pivotal mounting of said stanchion means, said locking leg means in¬ cluding a slot for lockingly engaging said stanchion in the raised position. 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said actuator means is adapted to engage said locking leg when said lower I J ΪFREX; OMPI y wipo row and the next higher row are moved to a closed position to unlock said stanchion prior to lowering the same. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said seating means further includes an upwardly extending opening receiving the actuator means of the next higher row when said stanchion is in the raised position. 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said actuator for said seating means is pivotally mounted to the next higher row and depends therefrom in the storage position; said open¬ ing for receiving said actuator including a first surface for engaging said depending actuator when said lower row is ex¬ tended. 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said opening is further defined by a second, bearing surface to which said actuator is guided by said first surface and against which said actuator bears during final placement of said seating means in the use position. 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stanchion means are pivotally mounted to said deck of a lower row at a location above said deck and beneath a horizontal extension of the platform of the next higher row; said locking means being pivotally mounted to said stanchion means beneath its pivotal mounting to its associated deck and extending rear- wardly thereform for engaging a fixed member on said deck in locking engagement when said stanchion is fully raised, said locking means being unlocked by engagement with the next higher row when said two rows move to a closing position relative to each other. 9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising housing means for enclosing the pivotal mounting of the lower portion of said stanchions and for enclosing the lower " portion of said locking means in the use position. 10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising adjustable means on said housing for bearing against said stanchion in the raised 'position for urging the same rearwardl to minimize horizontal play in the pivotal mountings of said stanchion to said deck and said locking member to said stan¬ chion. O 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said fixed member of said locking means comprises a splined bolt; a sleeve eccentrically mounted on said bolt; and bracket means for securing said bolt to said platform to be engaged by said recess of said locking element in the operable position, whereby snug engagement between said recess and said sleeve may be obtained by rotating said bolt about its axis. 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuator means comprises a link pivotally mounted to the forward end of a higher row and engaging frame means carried by the next lower row section for urging the same to the raised position when the lower row is extended for use. 13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising adjustable means operative only in the fully raised position of said stanchions for compensating for horizontal play in the mountings of said stanchions and said locking members . OΛ'.PI . wipo , *

Inventors: HARTMAN A
Applicants: AMERICAN SEATING CO
Application year: 1979
Main classification: E04H3
IPC codes: A47C1, E04H3