Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims the benefit of, under 35 U.S.C. 119(e), U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/346,097, filed Nov. 9, 2001. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an improved saddle bracket for use with seat assemblies, and more particularly for use with seat assemblies such as those typically found in auditoriums, theaters or the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Auditorium seating typically includes a seat and a back mounted to a frame assembly, with the back being fixed and the seat being pivotable throughout a range of movement. Typically, this pivotable connection between the seat and frame is achieved through the use of an axle and cooperating bushing or the like, or by some complex hinge mechanism. 
     A disadvantage of such connection mechanisms is that they typically require complex assembly and disassembly procedures, often requiring the use of tools. This is undesirable for several reasons. First, complex assembly procedures may increase the costs associated with initial assembly. In the case of a large auditorium or theater having numerous seat assemblies, this cost may be significant. It would be far more desirable if the seat could be installed within the frame quickly and simply. Second, the seat surfaces, which typically comprise some type of cloth material, may need to be cleaned and/or replaced after extended use, or after being subject to a spill or the like. If the seat connection mechanism requires complex assembly and disassembly procedures, it would be necessary to have a skilled mechanic remove the seat from the frame simply to replace the seat or to remove the seat for cleaning. It would be far more desirable if the seat could be removed and replaced by an unskilled worker. 
     However, while complex assembly and disassembly procedures are undesirable for the reasons set forth above, it would also be undesirable if the procedure for seat removal was obvious to the general public. For example, seats of the type disclosed herein are typically used in auditoriums in schools. If the procedure for removing the seat from the frame were obvious to the students of the school, it is likely that seats may be undesirably by removed by students without valid reasons for so removing the seats. 
     Furthermore, when complex hinge mechanisms or the like are employed, individual components thereof may come loose after extended use and become lost. This problem may be exacerbated by vandals purposely removing components of the mechanism. Therefore, a connection mechanism with few components would be desirable. 
     Moreover, a further disadvantage of known connection mechanisms is that they may become clogged with dirt, debris or other undesirable objects, which deleteriously affect operation of the mechanism. This problem is exacerbated when the seat assemblies are employed at venues which serve food. It would therefore be desirable if the connection mechanism included some means which inhibited undesirable objects from interfering with the operation thereof. 
     What is desired, therefore, is a seat connection mechanism which does not require complex assembly and disassembly procedures, which does not employ a procedure for seat removal which is obvious to the general public, which has few components, and which inhibits undesirable objects from interfering with the operation thereof. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a seat connection mechanism which does not require complex assembly and disassembly procedures. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a seat connection mechanism having the above characteristics and which does not employ a procedure for seat removal which is obvious to the general public. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a seat connection mechanism having the above characteristics and which has few components. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a seat connection mechanism having the above characteristics and which inhibits undesirable objects from interfering with the operation thereof. 
     These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by provision of a seat connection mechanism having a saddle bracket portion and a pin portion. The saddle bracket portion includes an inner pivot channel, an occupied position stop, an unoccupied position stop, and an outer surface which extends between the occupied position stop and the unoccupied position stop. The pin portion includes a pivot pin and a stop pin protruding therefrom. The pivot pin and the stop pin are positioned such that, and are spaced apart by a distance such that, when the pin portion is angled with respect to the saddle bracket portion at an insertion angle, the stop pin is positionable adjacent to the outer surface of the saddle bracket portion and the pivot pin is insertable into the inner pivot channel, and such that when the pin portion is angled with respect to the saddle bracket portion at an angle other than the insertion angle, the pivot pin is retained in the inner pivot channel. Once the pivot pin is inserted into the inner pivot channel, the pivot pin portion is pivotable with respect to the saddle bracket portion from an occupied position where the stop pin abuts the occupied position stop to an unoccupied position where the stop pin abuts the unoccupied position stop. 
     Preferably, the saddle bracket portion comprises part of a seat frame subassembly and the pin portion comprises part of a seat subassembly. It is also preferable that the saddle bracket portion is formed from a polymeric material, while the pin portion is formed from a metal, ceramic, polymer or a combination thereof. 
     The saddle bracket portion preferably includes a protective cap hingedly connected thereto which cap is movable from an open position wherein the pivot pin is insertable into the inner pivot channel to a closed position wherein the protective cap inhibits objects from falling into the inner pivot channel. Most preferably, the protective cap and the saddle bracket portion are integrally formed from a polymeric material. 
     Preferably, the pivot pin and the stop pin are substantially cylindrical. They may be of substantially the same size or of substantially different sizes. The unoccupied position stop preferably has attached thereto a bumper to inhibit noise and to inhibit bouncing when the stop pin contacts the unoccupied position stop. Most preferably, the outer surface of the saddle bracket portion includes a protuberance protruding outwardly therefrom adjacent to the unoccupied position stop such that the stop pin is trapped between the unoccupied position stop and the protuberance to inhibit bouncing when the stop pin contacts the unoccupied position stop. It is also preferable that the outer surface of the saddle bracket portion substantially defines an arc. 
    
    
     The invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description considered with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a seat assembly including a seat connection mechanism in accordance with the present invention shown in an unoccupied storage position; 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the seat assembly of FIG. 1 shown in an occupied position; 
     FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the frame and seat back portions of the seat assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the seat portion of the seat assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the saddle bracket portion of a seat connection mechanism in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view of the pin portion of a seat connection mechanism in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating assembly, disassembly and operation of a seat connection mechanism in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIGS. 8-11 are isometric views showing assembly of a seat connection mechanism in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is an isometric view illustrating a saddle bracket portion of a seat connection mechanism in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIGS. 13 and 14 are plan views illustrating operation of the saddle bracket portion of a seat connection mechanism of FIG.  12 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a seating assembly  10 , such as for use in an auditorium or theater, includes a pair of spaced frame assemblies  12 , a seat  14  and a back  16 , each of which is mounted between the frame assemblies  12 . The seat  14  is mounted to the frame assemblies  12  by means of a seat connection mechanism, as is described in detail below, providing movement of the seat  14  between an occupied position (shown in FIG. 2) and an unoccupied, storage position (shown in FIG. 1) in which the seat is substantially vertical. A biasing arrangement, such as a counterweighted seat, moves the seat toward its storage position. The back  16  is mounted between the frame assemblies  12  by bolts, screws or the like. 
     The seat connection mechanism is generally comprised of two components: saddle bracket portion  18 , which forms a part of the seat back and frame subassembly  19  (shown in FIG.  3 ), and pin portion  20 , which forms a part of seat subassembly  23  (shown in FIG.  4 ). It should be noted that in the Figures, two saddle bracket portions are shown adjacent to each other, one for receiving the pin portion  20  of seat subassembly  23 , and the other for receiving a pin portion of an adjacent seat assembly in a row of seats. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, saddle bracket portion  18  of the inventive seat connection mechanism is shown in more detail. Saddle bracket portion  18  generally comprises a molded polymeric member having an inner pivot channel  22  and an outer surface  24  which extends between an occupied position stop  26  and an unoccupied position stop  28 . Saddle bracket portion  18 , which is preferably injected molded plastic, further includes two metal inserts  30 ,  32  designed to bear the weight of a person seated in seat assembly  10 , thereby inhibiting the plastic from breaking and allowing the saddle bracket portion  18  to be screwed very tightly to frame  12  without damaging the plastic. 
     Saddle bracket portion  18  also preferably includes a protective cap  34  hingedly connected thereto. Most preferably, protective cap  34  is also formed of a polymeric material, and is integrally formed as part of saddle bracket portion  18 . Protective cap  34  is movable from an open position (shown in phantom in FIG. 5) in which the pin portion  20  can be received therein (as more fully explained below), to a closed position (shown by solid lines in FIG. 5) in which pin portion  20  is retained thereby. Protective cap  34 , in the closed position, acts to inhibit dirt, debris and other undesirable objects from falling into inner pivot channel  22  and from interfering with the operation of the connection mechanism. Protective cap  34  includes a quick action closure mechanism, generally comprising an interference fit between surface  36  of protective cap  34  and surface  38  of saddle bracket portion  18 , making installation expeditious. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, pin portion  20  of the inventive seat connection mechanism is shown in more detail. Pin portion  20  generally comprises a plate  40  connected to seat  14  having a pivot pin  42  and a stop pin  44 . Preferably, pin portion  20  is formed from steel, or some other high strength metal, but may be formed from a polymeric or ceramic material so long as it has sufficient strength to support a person seated in seat assembly  10 . Pivot pin  42  and stop pin  44  may define a plane parallel to the plane of seat  14 , or may be offset, for example, for proper counterbalance such that seat  14  reverts to the storage position when no one is seated in seat assembly  10 . Pivot pin  42  and stop pin  44  may be of substantially the same size (as shown in FIG.  6 ), or may be of different sizes (as shown in FIG.  7 ). 
     The inventive seat connection mechanism of the present invention has been designed such that assembly and disassembly is quick and easy, as illustrated in FIGS. 7-11. Referring first to FIG.  8  and to position A of pivot pin  42  in FIG. 7, seat  14  and thus pin portion  20  is pivoted to an insertion angle such that occupied position stop  26  of saddle bracket portion  18  can be slid through the space between pivot pin  42  and stop pin  44 . It should, of course, be understood by one skilled in the art that more than a single discrete angle could be suitable for insertion, and that a range of angles may be appropriate. Thus, the term “insertion angle” used herein refers to the range of angles appropriate for insertion. Once at the proper angle, seat  14  and pin portion  20  are slid over occupied position stop  26  of saddle bracket portion  18  (shown in FIG.  9  and as position B in FIG. 7) until pivot pin  42  is brought fully into inner pivot channel  22  of saddle bracket portion  18  (shown in FIG.  10  and as position C in FIG.  7 ). At this point, protective cap  34  may be moved from the open position (shown in FIG.  10  and in phantom in FIG. 7) to the closed position (shown in FIG.  11  and as solid lines in FIG.  7 ). 
     The seat subassembly  23  may be removed from the frame subassembly  19  by reversing the assembly steps described above. However, it should be noted that the seat subassembly  23  can only be removed if the person attempting to disassemble the unit knows that disassembly can occur if the seat is pivoted to a proper angle. As such, the disassembly procedure would not be obvious to the general public. Moreover, no tools are necessary for assembly or disassembly. All that is required for opening protective cap  34  is to exert an opening pressure thereon. 
     Moreover, it should be noted that seat assemblies having different widths may be easily accommodated simply by varying the width of saddle bracket portion  18 , without having to vary the design thereof. This allows components of the seat assemblies (i.e., standards, seats and backs) having the same widths to be used in creating seat assemblies having varying widths, allowing for very low inventory of the seat components. On site, adjustments of the widths of the seat assemblies can be made without replacing major components. 
     Once assembled, the seat  14  is pivotable from an occupied position (shown in FIG.  2  and as position X in FIG. 7) through position Y shown in FIG. 7, and to an unoccupied, storage position (shown in FIG.  1  and as position Z in FIG. 7) in which the seat is substantially vertical. In the occupied position, stop pin  44  abuts occupied position stop  26  of saddle bracket portion  18  which prevents the seat from pivoting further past the substantially horizontal position. When the seat is vacated, a biasing arrangement, such as a counterweighted seat, moves the seat toward its storage position in which stop pin  44  abuts unoccupied position stop  28  of saddle bracket portion  18 . 
     Because stop pin  44  may contact unoccupied position stop  28  with some force, unoccupied position stop  28  is provided with a bumper  46  of rubber or the like to inhibit noise and to inhibit the seat from bouncing to a stop when a person leaves the seat, instead creating a substantially noiseless seat that quickly comes to a complete stop when vacated. The width of bumper  46  may be varied in order to vary the angle to which seat  14  reverts in the unoccupied, storage position, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. 
     Saddle bracket portion  18  preferably further includes a protuberance  48  on outer surface  24  toward occupied position stop  26 . Protuberance  48  extends from outer surface  24  to such an extend that as stop pin  44  travels therepast, it contacts protuberance  48  to an extent sufficient to impede movement thereof, but not to such an extent that stop pin  44  is prevented from traveling past protuberance  48 . Thus, when the seat is vacated and the seat moves toward its storage position in which stop pin  44  contacts unoccupied position stop  28  of saddle bracket portion  18 , stop pin  44  is inhibited from bouncing off of bumper  46  by protuberance  48 . Thus, stop pin  44  is trapped between bumper  46  and protuberance  48 . However, by exerting a minimal force, stop pin  44  may be pivoted past protuberance  48  to bring the seat to the occupied position. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 12-14, an embodiment of saddle bracket portion  18 ′ in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is shown. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment described above and offers similar benefits, with the exception that the seat, once installed, is fixed rather than pivotable. 
     Rather than having an inner pivot channel  22  and an outer surface  24  which extends between an occupied position stop  26  and an unoccupied position stop  28 , saddle bracket portion  18 ′ includes an upper channel  100  and a rear channel  102 , each of which receive a pin  104 ,  106  of corresponding pin portion  20 ′. Referring now specifically to FIG. 14, in order to assemble the seat assembly of this embodiment, pin  104  is first inserted into rear channel  102  with the seat, and thus pin portion  20 ′ and pin  106  being tilted upwardly (shown as position A). Seat and is then pivoted downwardly such that pin  106  travels through position B to position C wherein pin  106  is located within upper channel  100 . Finally, protective cap  34  is closed as described in detail above. 
     Preferably, channel  102  has an opening with a decreased width as compared to the remainder of channel  102  (as best seen in FIG.  13 ), such that pin  104  is snap fit within channel  102 . 
     The present invention, therefore, provides a seat connection mechanism which does not require complex assembly and disassembly procedures, which does not employ a procedure for seat removal which is obvious to the general public, which has few components, and which inhibits undesirable objects from interfering with the operation thereof. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many other modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.

Technology Category: 1