Abstract:
An apparatus for maintaining at least two seats in a vertical position and a predetermined distance between rows of the at least two seats. The apparatus includes at least two substantially flat base portions; and at least two support blocks mounted a predetermined distance from each other on an upper surface of each of the base portions, wherein the at least two support blocks define a hollow region for receiving a lower end portion of a leg of a seat to maintain the seat in a vertical position. The predetermined distance between the support blocks corresponds to a predetermined distance between rows of seats.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/397,086, filed Jun. 7, 2010. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to modular seating systems, and, more specifically, to floor tracks for use in a modular floor level seating system. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     Conventional floor level seating typically utilizes four legged folding chairs. Since these chairs are constantly in the open position when in position on the floor, standard folding chairs require a minimum of 34 or 36 inches of space between each row in order to comply with industry standards and regulations. Moreover, since these are individual chairs, they are susceptible to being moved around and therefore unlikely to maintain the required row spacing, thereby violating safety and fire codes. 
     In an attempt to reduce the mobility of the seats, attempts have been made to provide temporary indoor seating systems with groups of seats, typically two, three, four or five, with backs rests, that are ganged together or 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 typically not made for outdoor use. 
     Also, the groups of seats which are joined together still do not solve the problem of maintaining the correct amount of space between adjacent rows in accordance with safety and fire code regulations. That is, the entire group of chairs may be moved out of its original layout thereby decreasing the amount of space which is maintained between each row. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an apparatus which will maintain chairs in a desired configuration in compliance with the spacing requirements of safety and fire code regulations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel system and apparatus that allows for a single leg stadium chair to be locked into a track at floor level. The floor track system of the present invention minimizes and maintains row spacing to a uniform minimum 30 inches of space between each row, thereby increasing the seating capacity in a given space, as compared to conventional seating. The floor tracks are preferably not required to be attached to the floor but may be attached to the floor. The floor tracks may also be installed in recesses formed in the floor. The floor tracks may be formed of various lengths to accommodate between two and any number of rows of seating. Preferably, the floor tracks are formed of a length to accommodate between two and five rows of seating. An alien set screw is preferably used to push against the back of the seat leg and thereby lock the seat leg within the floor track block, to hold the chairs in a vertical position and to eliminate unauthorized removal of the chairs from the floor track. A retaining pin is preferably used to prevent the chair from lifting out of the floor track block. The retaining pin is inserted through the chair and engages the floor track block. The retaining pin is easily removed to allow separation of the chair assembly from the floor track in a portable, temporary installation. Other hardware may be utilized. It is also contemplated that the chair assembly may be fixedly attached to the floor track for a more permanent type of installation. 
     The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes are possible without departing from the principles set forth herein. 
     The above is a brief description of some deficiencies in the prior art and advantages of the present invention. Other features, advantages and embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view illustrating a single leg triple flip seat assembly and two floor tracks accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view illustrating a single leg triple flip seat assembly having a leg in a support block of a floor track assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of detail A of  FIG. 2  illustrating a single leg triple flip seat assembly having a leg in a support block of a floor track assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view illustrating a floor track assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of detail A of  FIG. 4  illustrating a partial floor track assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view illustrating a support block of a floor track assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is side view illustrating a support block of a floor track assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is top view illustrating a support block of a floor track assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein. 
     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. The structural members 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. 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view illustrating a single leg triple flip seat module  10  and two floor tracks  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The three seat module  10  includes a structure which is a welded one-piece frame  12 . Modules with two or more seats are practical. The three seat module  10  is easily handled by one worker. Flip-up seats typically use either gravity or a coil spring pivot on shafts  14  to lie flush with seat backs  16 . While conventional construction requires a 36″ wide row between seating rows with conventional folding chairs, the automatic flip-up design of the seating modules insures the requisite 12″ walk-through clearance with only 30″ wide rows. The use of factory-attached seats in modules and floor tracks reduces the labor and time involved in setting up the floor seating and prevents unauthorized movement and guarantees code compliance of the seating. 
     Although the embodiments that are illustrated show the use of a three seat module, it is contemplated that the floor tracks in accordance with the present invention may be utilized with any number of seats from one to a plurality. 
     The floor tracks  100  have a flat rectangular shaped base  102  and a pair of support blocks  104  attached to proximal and distal end sections of base  102 . The blocks  104  extend upwardly from base  102  and are configured to engage a leg  18  of the seat assembly  10 . On a horizontal floor application, the support blocks extend substantially perpendicular from the base  102 . It is contemplated that the support blocks  104  may be configured to extend from base  102  at any given angle to maintain the chairs in a vertical position while accommodating a non-horizontal floor application. 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view illustrating a single leg triple flip seat assembly having a leg  18  in a support block  104  of a floor track assembly  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of detail A of  FIG. 2  illustrating a single leg triple flip seat assembly  10  having a leg  18  in a support block  104  of a floor track assembly  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Each floor track support block  104  is preferably formed having two regions for receiving legs  18  so that a plurality of seat modules may be strung adjacent to each other thereby providing strength and rigidity to the overall setup. 
     A locking pin  20  is illustrated for locking leg  18  to prevent the leg from slipping out of block  104  while in use. The locking pin  20  pin preferably consists of a key ring, a return spring and turned pin. 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric view illustrating a floor track assembly  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The base section  102  is preferably formed of aluminum flat stock having approximate dimensions of ¼ inch by 4 inches by 34¼ inches long. The length of the base section will vary in accordance with the number of support blocks that are mounted thereon, which is a function of the number of rows of chairs each floor track will engage. That is, although the embodiments illustrated contain two support blocks mounted on the base section, it is contemplated that the base sections may vary in length to accommodate a plurality of equidistant spaced support blocks. Other materials of construction known to one having ordinary skill in the art may also be utilized to form base  102  or any other component. Support blocks  104  are also preferably milled from aluminum stock material and welded to base  102 . The support blocks  104  may also be connected to base  102  by other means known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of detail A of  FIG. 4  illustrating a partial floor track assembly  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Each support block  104  preferably includes two adjacent regions  106  for receiving legs of seat modules. However, it is also contemplated that the support block  104  may be formed having only a single region  106  or a plurality of regions. Typically, in the embodiment of support block  104  shown, legs of two adjacent seat modules will be inserted into the regions  106 . It is also contemplated that at the end of a row, when another seat module will not occupy the second region  106 , the second region may be utilized for other applications such as, for example, insertion of a leg of a safety railing, or insertion of a post that can be used as a row sign. 
     The upper end of the support block adjacent to the opening of regions  106  is sloped down towards the region  106  to facilitate easy insertion of a seat leg into the open region  106  during the installation process. Longitudinal slots  108  are formed in support blocks  104  to receive a locking pin (shown in  FIG. 3 ) extending from the seat leg as it is inserted into the support block  104 . As the seat leg is inserted into the open region  106 . The sloped portion depresses the locking pin until the leg is fully in the support block  104  and the spring loaded locking pin engages a hole to lock the leg within the support block. 
       FIG. 6  is an isometric view illustrating a support block  104  of a floor track assembly  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The view of the support block  104  in  FIG. 6  is of the opposite side of the support block  104  illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The two elongate holes  110  are formed to receive a locking pin to prevent a Seat leg from pulling out of the support block  104 . Holes  112  are formed in support block  104  and have a threaded inner surface configured to receive a set screw therein. The purpose of the set screw is to further lock leg  18  within the support block  104 , thereby minimizing the unauthorized removal of leg  18  from the support block  104  during use. 
       FIG. 7  is side view in partial cross-section illustrating a support block  104  of a floor track assembly  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As the set screw is screwed into hole  112 , the set screw will enter region  106  and engage a leg of a chair module and secure the leg within region  106 . 
       FIG. 8  is top view in partial cross-section illustrating a support block  104  of a floor track assembly  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The cross-section illustrates the position of the set screws within holes  112 . The top view in  FIG. 8  also illustrates the slot  108  and the shape, in cross-section, of region  106 . It is contemplated that the shape and depth of region  106  may be altered to accommodate all types of chair configurations. 
     Advantageously, when more than one group of chairs  10  are positioned within the support blocks  104  on floor track assemblies  100 , the chairs are restrained from moving side to side or front to back with respect to each other. Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus for supporting chairs in a manner which will maintain the chairs in their predisposed positions and spacing in accordance with safety and fire code regulations. 
     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. 
     The present invention can also be easily installed in 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. 
     Although the present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiment and these variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.