Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – With stadium or auditorium feature – Seating arrangement
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-30
2001-04-10
Kent, Christopher T. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
With stadium or auditorium feature
Seating arrangement
C052S008000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212828
ABSTRACT:
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.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5661928 (1997-09-01), Beu
patent: 5784835 (1998-07-01), McArthur
patent: 5822929 (1998-10-01), Guiles et al.
Article by Donald G. Scandett, entitled: Bleacher Comfort, published in Athletic Business, vol. 22, #12, p. 86 in Dec., 1998 Issue.
Heslin & Rothenberg, P.C.
Kent Christopher T.
Reinke, Esq. Wayne F.
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