Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – With stadium or auditorium feature – Seating arrangement
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-07
2001-03-13
Chilcot, Richard (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
With stadium or auditorium feature
Seating arrangement
C052S008000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199324
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to deployable seating structures, such as bleachers and the like, and more particularly, to a backstop arrangement for protecting users and operators of the structure from coming into contact with deployment-limiting structure in the aisle area of the seating structure, and from misstepping into a region behind each step in the aisle of the seating structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
A typical conventional telescopic seating arrangement employs a plurality of step portions on which users, such as spectators, are seated at incrementally increasing heights. Usually, there is provided an aisle portion where no seating is provided, but which permits the users to climb as a stair to a desired seating row.
It is a problem with the known arrangements that users or spectators, particularly when the seating arrangement is crowded, will occasionally step beyond a predetermined stepping region, whereupon their shoes may be become caught on structural elements, which include, for example, the interengaging mechanisms that retain the apparatus in a locked and deployed condition. Additionally, it is desired to preclude users and operators of the telescopic seating system from touching or otherwise coming into contact with the interengaging elements whereby serious injury could result.
There is, therefore, a need for an arrangement that prevents users from stepping beyond the predetermined stepping region, but which also does not interfere with the operation of the arrangement between deployed and undeployed states. There is additionally a need for an arrangement that limits access to a deployment limiter that has the potential for causing injury.
In some known arrangements, the various levels of the telescopic seating arrangement are separated by an appropriate seating height that exceeds the height of a conventional stair step. In such arrangements, there is provided an intermediate step that is arranged on the seating level and has a height that is lower than the seating height between the seating levels. Such an intermediate step is generally arranged only in the aisle portion of the telescopic seating arrangement and serves to reduce the likelihood of missteps. Thus, there is a need for a protective arrangement that prevents a user from stepping beyond, or behind, such intermediate step. Additionally, as noted, such a protective arrangement should not interfere with the deployment or withdrawal of the telescopic seating arrangement.
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a deployable telescopic seating arrangement that is provided with a protective arrangement that reduces the likelihood that a user will inadvertently place his or her foot beyond a prescribed stepping area.
It is another object of this invention to provide a protective arrangement that does not interfere with the deployment of the telescopic seating arrangement.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a termination arrangement that reduces the likelihood that a portion of a body of a user or operator of the telescopic seating arrangement will be injured by coming inadvertently into contact with an engagement portion of the arrangement, particularly an engagement portion that interengages forcefully during deployment of the arrangement.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a termination for an edge portion of a seating level of a telescopic seating arrangement, wherein the termination securely engages with the seating level member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The forgoing and other objects are achieved by this invention which provides, in a first aspect thereof, a telescopic seating structure of the type having deployed and undeployed states. In accordance with the invention, the telescopic seating structure is provided with a plurality of seating level members arranged in sequentially elevated relation to one another. Each such seating level member is elevated by a first predetermined height over an immediately lower seating level member. Each such seating level member is disposed substantially beneath an immediately superior seating level member in substantially stack relation when the telescopic seating structure is in the undeployed state. However, each such seating level member becomes disposed beneath an forward of an immediately superior seating level member in stepped relation when the telescopic seating structure is in the deployed state. A plurality of coupling members are provided, each being arranged in a forward region of, and coupled to, respectively associated ones of the seating level members. Additionally, there is provided a plurality of intermediate steps arranged in an aisle region of the telescopic seating structure, each of the intermediate steps being disposed on an associated one of the plurality of seating level members and having a second predetermined height that is shorter than the first predetermined height. There is additionally provided a plurality of backstop members, each having an engagement portion for engaging with a respectively associated one of the coupling arrangements, and a riser portion integrally formed with the engagement portion and arranged to extend downward from the forward region of a respectively associated one of a plurality of seating level members for a distance that corresponds substantially to a difference between the first and second predetermined heights. Thus, when the plurality of seating level members are in the deployed state, a region between the forward region of the respectively associated one of the seating level members an an uppermost extent of a one of the intermediate steps associated with an immediately lower one of the seating level members is substantially closed.
In one embodiment of this first aspect of the invention, the plurality of coupling members each are longitudinally arranged along the respectively associated one of the seating level members. The engagement portion of each of the plurality of backstop members are longitudinally arranged along the respectively associated one of the seating level members for a distance therealong that corresponds to a length of an associated one of the coupling arrangements.
In a further embodiment, the engagement portion of each of the plurality of backstop members is provided with an overlying portion arranged to overlie in the forward region of the respectively associated one of the seating level members. Preferably, the overlying portion of each such backstop member is arranged to form a forwardmost edge termination for the respectively associated one of the seating level members. The communication between the backstop arrangement and the associated seating level member is enhanced by a longitudinal flange portion that is integrally formed with the backstop arrangement and extends transversely and downward therefrom to engage into the top surface of teh forward region of the respectively associated seating level member. Such engagement of the flange portion ensures that the backstop arrangement will not slide off of the associated seating level member. In one embodiment, a plurality of fastener elements fasten the riser portion of the backstop arrangement to the seating level member.
Structural integrity is enhanced by forming the riser portion of the backstop arrangement as an integrated riser structure having a forward wall, a rear wall, and a support element therebetween. Of course, multiple such support elements can be incorporated into the integrated riser structure. In one embodiment, the forward wall of the integrated riser structure of the riser portion extends forward for an extent that corresponds substantially to a forwardmost extent of the edge termination.
In a preferred embodiment, the backstop arrangement is formed as a continuous extrusion, illustratively of a polymeric material, such as vinyl.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a telescopic seating arrangement of the type having an aisle region whereby users step up
Ahrens Kenneth A.
Guiles Melvin J.
Chilcot Richard
Gaffin Richard A.
Interkal, Inc.
Monsanto Raphael A.
Rohm Benita J.
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