Patent Publication Number: US-6212828-B1

Title: Foot-level aisle closure panel for telescoping seating system with intermediate step

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention generally relates to telescoping seating systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus to deter climbing on telescoping seating systems at the aisles when closed. 
     2. Background Information 
     Telescoping seating systems have come a long way from the “bleachers” in elementary and high school gymnasiums many people grew up with. An increased desire for longevity and safety have led to many changes and improvements. For example, recent safety improvements include the creation of clear walkways or aisles running top to bottom at predetermined intervals across the telescope seating systems. These walkways can be at seat level or foot level. When the walkway is at foot level, the seats and risers are removed in the area of the aisle and the foot members at each seating level act as steps. As one skilled in the art will know, the risers support the seats and close off the opening underneath the seat to the supporting structure below. However, when closed, these aisles create a “ladder effect” attracting children and others to climb the telescoping seating system, creating safety and maintenance issues. In the past, this problem has been addressed by the addition of sheet metal panels fixed to the seating level above, which were generally effective at deterring such climbing. 
     However, even more recent regulations require that new telescoping seating systems include intermediate stair members between foot level steps. These intermediate stair members do not allow for fixed aisle panels, obstructing the panels during opening and closing of the telescoping seating system. Thus, manufacturers offering telescoping seating systems with intermediate stair members do not offer the panels, again creating a “ladder effect,” reawakening the safety and maintenance concerns. 
     Thus, a need exists for a way to address the climbing problem with respect to telescoping seating systems that include intermediate level stair members in foot level aisles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, the present invention satisfies the need to address the climbing problem with respect to telescoping seating systems that include intermediate level stair members in foot level aisles by providing a closure panel therefor that is not obstructed by the intermediate level stair members. 
     In accordance with the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a closure panel to reduce the “ladder effect” presented by telescoping seating systems with intermediate stair members in foot-level aisles. 
     The present invention provides, in a first aspect, apparatus for covering at least a portion of a foot-level aisle of a telescoping seating system. The telescoping seating system includes a plurality of seating levels, each seating level above a lowest seating level including a foot member, the foot-level aisle including an intermediate stair member vertically adjacent an upper surface of the foot member of a seating level below a highest seating level. The apparatus comprises a closure panel for covering the at least a portion of the foot-level aisle including the intermediate stair member when the telescoping seating system is in a closed position. 
     The present invention provides, in a second aspect, a telescoping seating system, comprising a plurality of of seating levels, each seating level above a lowest seating level including a foot member, at least one support member coupled to a lower surface of a first foot member of a first seating level and extending downward toward an upper surface of a second foot member of a second seating level directly below the first seating level, and at least one wheel coupled to the at least one support member. The upper surface substantially supports the wheel between a closed position and an opened position of the telescoping seating system. The system further comprises a foot-level aisle, comprising an intermediate stair member vertically adjacent an upper surface of the second foot member, and a closure panel coupled to the first seating level for covering the foot-level aisle at the second seating level including the intermediate stair member when the telescoping seating system is in the closed position. 
     The present invention also comprises, in a third aspect, a telescoping seating system, comprising a plurality of seating levels, each seating level above a lowest seating level including a foot member, a foot-level aisle, and a closure panel removably coupled to an outer surface of the telescoping seating system when in a closed position for covering the foot-level aisle. The foot-level aisle comprises an intermediate stair member vertically adjacent an upper surface of each foot member below a highest seating level. 
     The present invention further comprises, in a fourth aspect, a method of covering at least a portion of a foot-level aisle of a telescoping seating system including a plurality of seating levels, each seating level above a lowest seating level including a foot member, and an intermediate stair member vertically adjacent an upper surface of each foot member below a highest seating level. The method comprises coupling a closure panel to the telescoping seating such that it is closable and the at least a portion of the foot-level aisle coverable by the closure panel without the closure panel being obstructed by the intermediate stair member at each seating level. 
     These, and other objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a prior art telescoping seating system having a foot level aisle and fixed panel. 
     FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a partially opened telescoping seating system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
     FIGS. 3-4 depict details of a guide mechanism for a retractable closure panel in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of a telescoping seating system in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a portion  100  of a prior art telescoping seating system taken at a foot level aisle. The supporting structure of the telescoping seating system has been omitted for simplification. Also, since FIG. 1 is taken at a foot-level aisle, no seats are shown, but it will be understood that seating exists on either side of the aisle. Portion  100  comprises a lower seating level  102  and the next higher seating level  104 . Each level above a lowest seating level (not shown)includes a foot member ( 106  and  108 , respectively), and attached nosebeam ( 110  and  112 , respectively). The top surface  114  of foot member  106  is used as the first step in the aisle. A sheet metal panel  116  includes a 90° bend  118 , and is fixed to nosebeam  112  by fasteners  120  (e.g., nuts and bolts). Panel  116  moves with seating level  104  between opened and closed positions. However, it can be seen that if an intermediate stair member were added over surface  1   14 , panel  116  would run into it and prevent opening and closing of the telescoping seating system. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a simplified section of an exemplary telescoping seating system  200  in accordance with the present invention, taken at a foot level aisle. The supporting structure for system  200  has been omitted for simplification. It should also be noted that since FIG. 2 is taken at a foot level aisle, no seats are shown, but seating exists on either side of the aisle. Shown in FIG. 2 are a plurality of foot members ( 204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210  and  212 ), one for each seating level. A foot member is so named because it is the surface a person&#39;s feet would rest on when seated at a given seating level. As used herein, the term “seating level” refers to a level of seating of a telescoping seating system, comprising a seat member (absent in the aisles), foot member, heel board member (e.g., heel board member  214 ), etc. The heel boards serve as a rear stop for the feet of those seated a given level when in use. It will be understood that system  200  could be mobile or fixed, and that the foot members and heel members, for example, could be separate or integrated. 
     Also shown in FIG. 2 are intermediate stair members  216 ,  218 ,  220 , and  222 , each situated vertically adjacent an upper surface of the respective foot member (e.g., upper surface  224  of foot member  204 ). The intermediate stair members create another layer of steps for the foot level aisle, aside from the foot members. However, since there are no more seating levels to traverse above a highest seating level, no intermediate stair member is placed over the foot member of the highest seating level. Each seating level (e.g., seating level  225 ) above a lowest or ground seating level, preferably includes a wheel support member  226  coupled to a wheel  228 , which allows each seating level to be supported at and between opened and closed positions of the telescoping seating system. Aside from serving as a back stop for feet, the heel boards (e.g., heel board  214 ) can also serve as stops for the wheels (e.g., wheel  228 ) when closing the telescoping seating system. 
     As used herein, the term “wheel” refers to any device that allows the thing to which it is attached (here, e.g., wheel holder  229 ) to move relative to an adjacent surface it comes into contact with (here, e.g., foot member  208 ). Also, as used herein, the term “couple” is intended to refer to one member being directly connected to another, or being connected to the other through one or more intermediary members. 
     Each of the support members is coupled to the underside of the foot member of the next highest seating level through a closure panel and guide system. For example, wheel support member  226  is coupled to the underside  230  of foot member  210  of seating level  232  through closure panel and guide system  234 . FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the area of seating level  225  in order to better show closure panel and guide system  234 . Exemplary closure panel  236  comprises three individual panels  238 - 240 , with panels  238  and  239  being connected by hinge member  242 , and panels  239  and  240  likewise being connected by hinge member  244 . The panels could be comprised of any number of materials, such as, for example, sheet metal, wood and/or plastic. In one embodiment, the panels are sheet metal with a plastic covering. 
     The guide system comprises rod  246  (e.g., a steel rod) coupled to rear panel  238  at the front. The length of rod  246  depends on the dimensions of the closure panel used, as well as the width of the particular telescoping seating system. Stop  250  holds the rod to a rear structural component  252  of the telescoping seating system, while stop  251  prevents closure panel  236  from being forced too far backward toward structural component  252 . A track  256  (described more fully with respect to FIG. 4) guides closure panel  236  over a roller  258  coupled to bracket  260  between a closed position and opened position of the telescoping seating system. Preferably, the foot members (e.g., foot member  208 ) include a notch (e.g., notch  262 ) for receiving closure panel  236 . 
     Connecting rod  246  to the closure panel allows it to retract into track  256  (i.e., open) and close automatically with the opening and closing of the telescoping seating system, respectively. The location of the rod and connected closure panel stays relatively unchanged compared to a fixed point, but the movement of telescoping seating system causes the appearance of movement of the panel. It will be understood, however, that the closure panel need not automatically retract and/or close. Further, the closure panel could be, for example, spring loaded, or electronically or hydraulically controlled separate from or in conjunction with the telescoping seating system. For example, the closure panel could be motorized and opened/closed by a switch or by infra-red remote control. 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of seating level  225  from FIG. 3 with closure panel  236  in a fully retracted position. As shown best in FIG. 4, intermediate stair member  222  is situated such that it is between support member  226  and a corresponding support member  264  with coupled wheel  266  and roller  268 . The physical track  256  guiding the closure panel between the opened and closed positions comprises, for example, angled member  260  (coupled to support member  226  via extension  270 , and which is part of bracket  260  from FIG. 3) and another angled member  272 , together creating a squared U-shaped track. Angled member  272  is connected to angled member  260  by, for example, welding if the angled members are metal. Angled member  260  includes a pin  274  on which roller  258  rotates. Finally, a mounting member  276  is connected to member  272  by, for example, welding, and secured to the underside of foot member  210  by, for example, a bolt  278 . It will be understood that a similar configuration is present with respect to support member  264  and the other corresponding members on the other side. 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of another exemplary embodiment of a telescoping seating system  300  in accordance with the present invention. System  300  is shown in FIG. 5 in the closed position. Each foot-level aisle (e.g., foot-level aisle  302 ) includes intermediate stair members (e.g., stair member  303 ) as in FIG.  2 . Covering foot-level aisle  302  is a closure panel  304 . The intermediate stair members of aisle  302  are shown for understanding, but are actually covered by panel  304 . The closure panel in this exemplary embodiment does not travel with the system during opening and closing, but instead, is coupled to the system after closing and removed prior to opening. Although there could be multiple closure panels to cover the aisle at each seating level individually, shown in FIG. 5 is a single closure panel (e.g., closure panel  304 ) covering the entire aisle from top to bottom. The closure panels of this embodiment are preferably made of a flexible but sturdy material, such as, for example, heavy canvas, leather or plastic, to simplify storage. However, other materials could be used, such as, for example, sheet metal. The closure panels are preferably coupled to the telescoping seating system by removable fasteners, such as, for example, snaps or hook-and-loop fasteners. However, the panels could also be coupled by screws or nuts and bolts. Such fasteners would slow down the process of getting the panels on and off, but they could be used. Any type of fastener that is not permanent could be used. 
     While several aspects of the present invention have been described and depicted herein, alternative aspects may be effected by those skilled in the art to accomplish the same objectives. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such alternative aspects as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.