Abstract
A seating system designed to address ergonomic, safety, adaptability, aesthetic, and logistical challenges in venues such as theaters, opera houses, sports arenas, and gymnasiums. The system provides for both a seating assembly and transportation assembly. The seating assembly provides a seat with adaptable configurations to meet varying venue requirements and safety mechanisms to protect users during setup and use, among other features. The transportation assembly offers compact and intuitive storage solutions for seating assemblies, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing setup and breakdown times of seating assemblies. In sum, this innovative seating system significantly improves comfort, functionality, and durability, which effectively addresses the complex needs of modern venue environments and advances the seating industry.
Claims
1. A seating assembly comprising: a first set of support limbs operatively connected to and structurally supporting a back rest support structure and a seat rest support structure; a second set of support limbs connected to said first set of support limbs via a finger guard; said back rest support structure configured and dimensioned to support a back rest; said seat rest support structure configured and dimensioned to support a seat rest and configured and dimensioned to allow said seat rest to transition between a gravity lock engaged position and a gravity lock disengaged position via a rotation mechanism; and wherein said first set of support limbs and said second set of support limbs are configured and dimensioned to allow the seating assembly to transition between a folded position and a non-folded position.
2. The seating assembly of claim 1 wherein said back rest support structure comprises at least one vertical support rod.
3. The seating assembly of claim 2 wherein said at least one vertical support rod extends into said back rest, enabling said back rest support structure to support said back rest.
4. The seating assembly of claim 1 wherein an arm rest assembly comprises said finger guard, a strut, an arm rest, and, optionally, a cup holder.
5. The seating assembly of claim 4 wherein said arm rest comprises a track.
6. The seating assembly of claim 5 wherein said strut is affixed to said finger guard and said arm rest, said strut affixed to said arm rest via a slider at said track of said arm rest.
7. The seating assembly of claim 6 wherein said arm rest assembly is configured and dimensioned to allow said arm rest to transition upward when said support limbs transition between a non-folded position and a folded position.
8. The seating assembly of claim 1 wherein said rotation mechanism comprises at least one weight and at least one magnet therein.
9. The seating assembly of claim 8 wherein said at least one weight and at least one magnet retain said seat rest in an upright position until a force is applied to said seat rest, allowing said at least one weight and at least one magnet to place said seat rest in a gravity lock disengaged position, allowing said seat rest to rotate about said seat rest support structure.
10. The seating assembly of claim 1 wherein said first set of support limbs and said second set of support limbs are configured and dimensioned to pivot and slide relative to one another about a shared axis at said finger guard, allowing the assembly to transition between a folded and non-folded position.
11. The seating assembly of claim 1 wherein said first set of support limbs and said second set of support limbs comprise at least one anchoring structure at a distal end of at least one leg of said first set of support limbs or at a distal end of at least one leg of said second set of support limbs, configured and dimensioned to allow the assembly to become affixed to the ground.
12. The seating assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first set of support limbs or said second set of support limbs comprises at least one of a locking receiver or locking pin configured and dimensioned to interact with a locking receiver or locking pin of another seating assembly to allow two seating assemblies to affix to one another.
13. The seating assembly of claim 1 wherein said back rest comprises upholstered cushioning and wherein said seat rest comprises upholstered cushioning.
14. A transportation assembly for a seating assembly comprising: an adjustable frame on wheels; at least one vertical support affixed to said adjustable frame; at least one support limb track affixed to said at least one vertical support and configured and dimensioned to receive a set of support limbs of a seating assembly when the seating assembly is in a transportation position; and at least one back rest guide affixed to said at least one vertical support and configured and dimensioned to receive and support a back rest of a seating assembly in a transportation position.
15. The transportation assembly of claim 14 wherein said adjustable frame is configured and dimensioned to be adjustable in length and width.
16. The transportation assembly of claim 14 wherein said at least one support limb track is configured and dimensioned to guide support limbs of the seating assembly into a fixed alignment when the seating assembly is placed therein.
17. The transportation assembly of claim 14 wherein said at least one back rest guide is configured and dimensioned to stabilize the seating assembly during transport.
18. The transportation assembly of claim 14 wherein said adjustable frame, said at least one support limb track, or said at least one back rest guide comprises sound-deadening material.
19. A seating system comprising: a. a seating assembly comprising: a first set of support limbs operatively connected to and structurally supporting a back rest support structure and a seat rest support structure; a second set of support limbs connected to said first set of support limbs via a finger guard; said back rest support structure configured and dimensioned to support a back rest; said seat rest support structure configured and dimensioned to support a seat rest and configured and dimensioned to allow said seat rest to transition between a gravity lock engaged position and a gravity lock disengaged position via a rotation mechanism; and wherein said first set of support limbs and said second set of support limbs are configured and dimensioned to allow the seating assembly to transition between a folded position and a non-folded position; and b. A transportation assembly for a seating assembly comprising: an adjustable frame on wheels; at least one vertical support affixed to said adjustable frame; at least one support limb track affixed to said at least one vertical support and configured and dimensioned to receive a set of support limbs of said seating assembly when said seating assembly is in a folded position; and at least one back rest guide affixed to said at least one vertical support and configured and dimensioned to receive and support a back rest of said seating assembly in a transportation position.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present disclosure, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seating assembly.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a side view of the seating assembly of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a top view of the seating assembly from the above Figures.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the seating assembly from the above Figures.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a rear side perspective view of a portion of the seating assembly from the above Figures.
[0028] FIG. 6 is an exploded rear side perspective view of a portion of the seating assembly from the above Figures.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a seating assembly.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a seating assembly.
[0031] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a seating assembly.
[0032] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a seating assembly.
[0033] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a seating system, depicting a transportation assembly and seating assemblies.
[0034] FIG. 12 is a side view of a seating system, depicting a transportation assembly and seating assemblies.
[0035] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] The present disclosure provides for a seating system 300, as depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12. The seating system 300 is made up of a seating assembly 100 (or other versions thereof, as described herein) and a transportation assembly 200, each of which will be described. As such, with reference now to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a seating assembly 100 in a non-folded position. With brief reference to FIG. 9, a seating assembly 100 can be seen in a folded position, for positioning on a transportation assembly 200 or for transport/storage, as will be described. Further, it should be noted that in FIG. 1, the seat rest 135 is in a gravity lock engaged position or upright as opposed to, with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 10, a gravity lock disengaged position, as will be described.
[0037] As such, in the instant depiction of FIG. 1, the seating assembly is depicted as comprising a first set of support limbs 110, a second set of support limbs 140 (wherein only one limb of the second set of the support limbs 140 is visible), a back rest support structure 120, a back rest 125, a seat rest support structure 130, a seat rest 135, two arm rest assemblies 150 (one made up of a finger guard 151, strut 152, arm rest 153, and cup holder 154 and the other without the cup holder 154).
[0038] As may be noted with brief reference to FIG. 7, a seating assembly 100 need not include two arm rest assemblies 150. That said, a seating assembly 100 may include a single arm rest assembly 150, two arm rest assemblies 150, or no arm rest assemblies 150. In instances where an arm rest assembly 150 is not present on a seating assembly 100, a hinge bracket 150 (as is shown in FIG. 7) may be substituted for an arm rest assembly 150. In addition, an arm rest assembly 150, may, but need not include a cup holder 154 or other structure commonly attached to arm rest assemblies, such as tables or desks. Moreover, an arm rest assembly 150 may, but need not include a strut 152. Indeed, the arm rest assembly 150 may be customizable in not requiring a strut 152 or cup holder 154 for adapting a seating assembly 100 to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar/related laws/rules. As may also be apparent, the seat back 125 and/or the seat rest 135 may be bare, cushioned, and/or wrapped in fabric/upholstery. Therefore, as may be apparent, the seat back 125 and/or seat rest 135 can take on many shapes, sizes, and visual appearances based on the cushioning (and size thereof) selected and/or color(s) of fabric/upholstery selected for application to the seat back and rest 125/135.
[0039] Further, while FIG. 1 depicts the sets of support limbs 110/140 as having legs so as to allow the instant assembly 100 to contact the ground (and be bolted or permanently affixed to the ground using commonly known structures to allow such bolting/affixing to the ground, such as those depicted on the distal ends of the legs in FIG. 1), the sets of support limbs 110/140 need not have legs as both sets of the support limbs 110/140. As such, although the Figures generally depict the first set of support limbs 110 extending into or past the arm rest assembly 150 (forming a part thereof), in an instance where the sets of support limbs 110/140 are not present on an assembly 100, the arm rest assembly 150 can contain the structure necessarily formed by the first set of support limb 110 above the seat rest support structure 130. In such an instance where the assembly 100 does not make use of support limbs 110/140, the assembly's 100 adaptable back plate platform 127 (where reference to FIGS. 4 and 6 may be had for visualization purpose) may be affixed to a support structure to allow the assembly 100 (and chair/seat thereon) to be structurally supported enough allow a user to sit on the chair/assembly 100 as it is suspended from a support structure. In such an instance, the assembly 100 can appear as floating or be given a floating effect. As such, as will be described, vertical support rods 126 can be affixed to the adaptable back plate platform 127, providing it with enhanced structural stability to withstand the loads of a patron sitting in or otherwise using the assembly 100 as a seat/chair. As such, as may be apparent, the adaptable back plate 127 is not necessary where an assembly 100 makes use of sets of support limbs 110/140.
[0040] As such, much of a seating assembly 100 can be made of aluminum for weight saving purposes. As an example, portions that may be made of aluminum may be the sets of support limbs, 110/140, the back-rest support structure 125 and vertical support rods 126, the seat rest support structure 130, and portions of the arm rest assembly 150 such as the strut 152 and arm rest 153.
[0041] Now with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a side view of the seating assembly of FIG. 1. In the instant depiction, the vertical support rods 126 can be seen (which extend from the back rest support structure 120 into the back rest 125). Notably, the vertical support rods 126 can be affixed to the adaptable back plate platform 127, which can also be seen. Though not depicted, only one vertical support rod 126 need be used on a seating assembly 100, although multiple can be used. Therefore, as may be apparent, support limbs 110/140 or portions of the arm rest assembly 150 may act as a central platform for other elements to extend therefrom, such as the seat rest support structure 130 and the back rest support structure 120. Brief reference to FIG. 6 may be made for a depiction of the aforementioned structure. The back-rest support structure 120 may thus extend from the arm rest assembly 150 or a support limb 110/140, at least one vertical support rod 126 extending therefrom, the back rest support structure 120 and at least one vertical support rod 126 allowing for the assembly 100 to provide load bearing structure for the seat/chair formed by the assembly.
[0042] Further, with continued reference to FIG. 2, the locking receiver 1151 can also be seen. The locking receiver can be used with a corresponding locking pin 1152, perhaps on another seating assembly 100 so as to allow for seating assemblies to be oriented in rows or curves. Indeed, a locking pin 1152 can rotate, be dimensioned, or otherwise hinge within a locking receiver 1151 so as to allow the assemblies to be oriented at slightly different angles. Such functionality allows for multiple different seating assemblies to form curves as part of the layout of a venue's seating, yet remain locked in such orientations. Further, a locking pin or receiver 1151/1152 can be located at various portions along the first set of support limbs 110 and/or second set of support limbs 140. For example, with brief reference to FIG. 10, a locking pin 1152 can be seen towards the bottom of one support limb of the second set of support limbs 140 whereas the locking receiver 1151 can be seen near the arm rest assembly 150 on one support limb of the first set of support limbs 110.
[0043] With continued reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 depicts the positioning of the arm rest 153 when the assembly 100 is in a non-folded position, the arm rest 153 which extending outwardly from the back rest 125, providing for a more comfortable seating arrangement and positioning. To achieve such a positioning, the first set of support limbs 110 and second set of support limbs 140 can be angled as is shown with the arm rest assembly 150 oriented as so. A finger guard 151 (as will be described) can be seen as extending from a point about a second support limb 140, passing by and through the first support limb 110 (and connected thereto by a fastener). The finger guard 151 continues past the first support limb 100, providing structural support and an attachment point for the strut 152 of the arm rest assembly 150. The strut can be seen as extending into and generally under the arm rest 153. With brief reference now to FIG. 5, the figure is a rear side perspective view of a portion of the seating assembly 100 from the above-mentioned Figures. As such, as can be seen, as part of the arm rest assembly 150, the strut 152 affixes to the arm rest 153 via a track and slider, which is one feature that further allows the assembly 100 to transition from a non-folded to folded position and vice versa. As such, as may be apparent, as the assembly 100 transitions from a non-folded position, the distal end of the strut 152 affixed to the arm rest 153 via track and slider, slides along the track of the arm rest 153 towards the distal end of the arm rest 153 away from the back rest 125. Alternatively, as the assembly 100 transitions from a non-folded position, the distal end of the strut 152 affixed to the arm rest 153 via track and slider, slides along the track of the arm rest 153 towards the distal end of the arm rest 153 towards the back rest 125. Alternatively, the strut 152 may be removed to allow the assembly 100 to transition from a folded to non-folded state, and vice versa.
[0044] Continuing, with brief reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, alternative views of the instant assembly 100 may be seen for additional context of the instant assembly 100 and its various elements.
[0045] With further reference to 1, 7, 8, and 10 the seat rest support structure 130 can be seen as allowing the seat rest 135 to transition between a gravity lock engaged position to a gravity lock disengaged position. Transitioning allows the seat rest 135 to be rotated about the seat rest support structure 130 to position that allows for a user to sit on the surface of the seat rest 135 (wherein a position that would allow for a user to sit of the surface of a seat rest 135 is shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 10). As such, the seat rest support structure 130 may comprise a rotation mechanism therein/thereon, allowing the seat rest 135 to become affixed to the seat rest support structure 130.
[0046] The rotation mechanism may comprise at least one weight and at least one magnet therein, weighted to allow the seat rest 135 to remain in a gravity lock engaged position. As such, when a user applies a force to the seat rest 135, the force of the magnet and weight can be overcome, allowing the seat rest 135 to transition from a gravity lock engaged position to a gravity lock disengaged position. That said, the force a user might apply to the seat rest 135 to overcome the force of the magnet and weight (retaining the seat rest 135 in a gravity lock engaged position), may be a deliberate force in a pulling direction. Contrastingly, a force from one brushing up about the seat rest 135 (such as patrons navigating between rows of assemblies 100 while going to and from their seats) while it is in a gravity lock engaged position may not allow the seat rest 135 to transition to a gravity lock disengaged position.
[0047] With reference now to FIGS. 7-10, as the seating assembly 100 transitions from a non-folded position to a folded position, the first set of support limbs 110 and second set of support limbs 140 pivot and slide relative to one another about a shared axis or hinge at the finger guard 150, allowing the structural frame of the assembly 100 to collapse inward. This pivoting and sliding action draws the back rest support structure 120 (with the back rest 125 thereon) and seat rest support structure 130 (with seat rest 135 thereon) closer together, thereby reducing the overall spatial footprint of the seating assembly 100. In doing so, the arm rest assembly 150, when present, also transitions upward and inward, following the path dictated by the relative motion of the support limbs 110 and 140, pushing the arm rest 153 upward.
[0048] The finger guard 151, which is affixed to or integrally formed with the second support limb 140 and extends through the first support limb 110, serves not only to protect a user's fingers during the folding/unfolding operation, but also to stabilize the connection between the limbs. The structural integrity provided by the finger guard 151 ensures that even during repeated transitions between folded and non-folded positions, the seating assembly 100 maintains durability and reliability. The length and material composition of the finger guard 151 may be optimized to resist torsional strain, and in some configurations, the finger guard 151 may comprise a locking detent or integrated fastener to secure the limbs in either the folded or non-folded position. As may be apparent, the finger guard 151 protects a user's fingers as the limbs 110/140 are pivoted and slid against each other, preventing a user's fingers from getting caught between the limbs 110/140.
[0049] In the folded position or transportation position, the support limbs 110 and 140 nest more closely together, and the entire assembly 100 adopts an arched or compact posture suitable for placement on the transportation assembly 200 (as will be described). FIGS. 11 and 12 can be referenced for a depiction of the assembly 100 while in a folded or transportation position.
[0050] Reversing the motioni.e., transitioning from the folded to the non-folded position-re-extends the assembly 100 to its usable form, with the support limbs 110/140 returning to their angled deployment as depicted in FIG. 1, and the arm rest assemblies 150 (if present) repositioning to a horizontal orientation. This repeatable transformation between positions enables quick storage and rapid deployment, offering significant operational advantages for environments such as theaters, arenas, or venues requiring frequent seating reconfiguration.
[0051] With reference now to FIG. 11, the figure is a perspective view of a seating system, depicting a transportation assembly 200 and seating assemblies 100. FIG. 11 also depicts the seating assemblies 100 in transportation position. The transportation position may be enabled by the sets of support limbs 110/140 rotating and sliding about each other and connected to a seating assembly 100 in a way that allows the seating assembly 100 to achieve an arched form factor (the seating assembly 100 being in a folded position, which is analogous to the transportation position).
[0052] As can be noted in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the seating assemblies 100 are not vertical (although the limbs 110/140 may be), but instead are angled with allows for a transportation assembly 200 to carry more seat assemblies 100 in a smaller form factor than if the assemblies 100 were vertical.
[0053] With continued reference to FIG. 11, the transportation assembly 200 can be seen, as well as the adjustable frame 210 (on wheels), at least one vertical support 250, at least one support limb track 252, and at least one back rest guide 254. While not depicted, sound deadening material, which can also be cushioning in nature can be applied to each element of the transportation assembly 200 to prevent the generation of noise from the seat assemblies 100 or components thereof as they are in transport.
[0054] As such, the adjustable frame 210 may be adjustable in that is can be lengthened or shortened as well has have its width length or shortened. Such a feature may be achievable through a telescopic frame structure, or modular components. The vertical support 250 may comprise or otherwise allow at least one support limb track 252 and at least one back rest guide 254. As can be noted in FIG. 11, multiple support limb tracks 252 and back rest guides 254 may be affixed to the at least one vertical support 250. The vertical support 250 can also, but need not, be located along a side of the adjustable track 210 or exist along the inner area formed by the track 210. Regarding the at least on support limb track 252, these tracks can be configured and dimensioned to receive the sets of support limbs 110/140 of a seat assembly 100 when a seat assembly 100 is in a transportation position. As such, the support limb track 252 can make placing a seat assembly 100 on a transportation assembly 200 as easy as aligning the sets of support limbs 110/140 on the track 252 and placing/pushing the seat assembly 100 along the track 252. This provides seat assemblies 100 a specific place on a transportation assembly 200 and provides the seat assembly 100 support at one of its distal ends.
[0055] As such, the back rest 125 of a seat assembly 100 may be guided into a back rest guide 254, wherein back rest guides 254 can provide the seat assembly 100 with a snug fit, allowing the seat assembly to have support on the transportation assembly 200 at both distal ends of the seat assembly 100. As such, each seat assembly 100 can be placed on a transportation assembly 200 in an organized and compact way through the sue of various tracks 252 and guides 254.
[0056] With reference now to FIG. 12, FIG. 12 is a side view of a seating system, depicting a transportation assembly 200 and seating assemblies 100. This view further illustrates the form factor of the instant system 300 when seating assemblies 100 are in a transportation position.
[0057] It is intended that all matters in the foregoing disclosure and as shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
