FOLDING SEAT ASSEMBLY FOR MOUNTING TO RISERS

Abstract

A seat includes a seat base including a seat base linkage, a backrest including a seat back linkage, a connector rod, and a frame. The seat base linkage is pivotally secured to the seat back linkage at a first pivot point. The seat base linkage is pivotally secured to the connector rod at a second pivot point. The connector rod is pivotally secured to the frame at a third pivot point. The seat back linkage is pivotally secured to the frame at a fourth pivot point. When the seat is adjusted between an opened position and a closed position, the first pivot point describes the arc of a circle.

Claims

1. A seat, the seat comprising: a seat base including a seat base linkage; a backrest including a seat back linkage; a connector rod; a frame; wherein the seat base linkage is pivotally secured to the seat back linkage at a first pivot point; wherein the seat base linkage is pivotally secured to the connector rod at a second pivot point; wherein the connector rod is pivotally secured to the frame at a third pivot point; wherein the seat back linkage is pivotally secured to the frame at a fourth pivot point; and wherein, when the seat is adjusted between an opened position and a closed position, the first pivot point describes the arc of a circle.

2. The seat of claim 1, further comprising a biasing member that biases the seat from the opened position toward the closed position.

3. The seat of claim 2, wherein a biasing force applied by the biasing member automatically adjusts the seat from the opened position toward the closed position when the seat is unoccupied.

4. The seat of claim 2, wherein the biasing member comprises a torsion spring.

5. The seat of claim 2, wherein the biasing member is accommodated by the seat base linkage.

6. The seat of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a first feature on a first side of the frame and a second feature on a second side of the frame opposite the first side of the frame, and wherein the first feature and the second feature provide an interlocking profile when the seat is stacked together with another seat.

7. The seat of claim 6, wherein the first feature comprises a protrusion and the second feature comprises a notch, and wherein, when the seat is stacked together with the other seat, the protrusion of the seat engages with the notch of the other seat, precluding lateral movement of the seat and the other seat relative to one another.

8. The seat of claim 1, wherein, with the seat in the closed position, the seat base linkage, the seat back linkage, and the connector rod are disposed between a first side of the frame and a second side of the frame opposite the first side of the frame.

9. The seat of claim 1, wherein the seat back linkage comprises a locking mechanism, and wherein, when the seat is in the opened position, the locking mechanism engages the connector rod to preclude movement of the seat from the opened position.

10. The seat of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a first arm and a second arm that is spaced from the first arm, and wherein the seat base, the backrest, and the connector rod are disposed between the first arm and the second arm of the frame.

11. The seat of claim 10, wherein, with the seat in the closed position, the seat base, the backrest, the connector rod, the first arm of the frame, and the second arm of the frame are axially parallel with one another.

12. The seat of claim 11, wherein, with the seat in the opened position, (i) the seat base and the connector rod are axially parallel with one another and (ii) the seat base and the connector rod extend at a first angle relative to the first arm of the frame and the second arm of the frame.

13. The seat of claim 12, wherein, with the seat in the opened position, the backrest extends at a second angle relative to the first arm of the frame and the second arm of the frame, and wherein the second angle is different from the first angle.

14. The seat of claim 12, wherein the first angle comprises an acute angle.

15. A seat, the seat comprising: a seat base including a seat base linkage; a backrest including a seat back linkage; a connector rod; a frame comprising a first arm and a second arm that is spaced from the first arm; wherein the seat base, the backrest, and the connector rod are disposed between the first arm and the second arm of the frame; wherein a first pivot pin pivotally attaches the seat base linkage and the seat back linkage at a first pivot point; wherein a second pivot pin pivotally attaches the seat base linkage and the connector rod at a second pivot point; wherein a third pivot pin pivotally attaches the connector rod and the frame at a third pivot point; wherein a fourth pivot pin pivotally attaches the seat back linkage and the frame at a fourth pivot point; wherein, when the seat is moved from a closed position toward an opened position, (i) the seat base pivots relative to the seat back at the first pivot point in a first pivotal direction, (ii) the seat base pivots relative to the connector rod at the second pivot point in the first pivotal direction, (iii) the connector rod pivots relative to the frame at the third pivot point in a second pivotal direction that is opposite the first pivotal direction and (iv) the seat back pivots relative to the frame at the fourth pivot point in the second pivotal direction; and wherein, with the seat in the opened position, the seat base extends at a first angle relative to the first arm of the frame and the second arm of the frame.

16. The seat of claim 15, further comprising a biasing member that biases the seat from the opened position toward the closed position.

17. The seat of claim 16, wherein the biasing member is accommodated by the seat base linkage.

18. The seat of claim 15, wherein the frame includes a protrusion on a first side of the frame and a notch on a second side of the frame opposite the first side of the frame, and wherein the protrusion and the notch provide an interlocking profile when the seat is stacked together with another seat.

19. The seat of claim 15, wherein the seat back linkage comprises a locking mechanism, and wherein, when the seat is in the opened position, the locking mechanism engages the connector rod to preclude movement of the seat from the opened position.

20. The seat of claim 15, wherein, with the seat in the closed position, the seat base, the backrest, the connector rod, the first arm of the frame, and the second arm of the frame are axially parallel with one another.

21. The seat of claim 15, wherein, with the seat in the opened position, (i) the seat base and the connector rod are axially parallel with one another and (ii) the seat base and the connector rod extend at the first angle relative to the first arm of the frame and the second arm of the frame.

22. The seat of claim 15, wherein, with the seat in the opened position, the backrest extends at a second angle relative to the first arm of the frame and the second arm of the frame, and wherein the second angle is different from the first angle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat assembly;

[0008] FIGS. 2-4 are partial exploded views of the seat assembly;

[0009] FIGS. 5A-5C are side elevations of the seat assembly in the fully open position, the partially closed position, and the fully closed position, respectively;

[0010] FIGS. 6A-6C are schematic views of the pivot points and linkages of the seat assembly in the fully open position, the partially closed position, and the fully closed position, respectively;

[0011] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of three units of a twin seat assembly in a stacked configuration;

[0012] FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the three units of a twin seat assembly in a stacked configuration shown in FIG. 7; and

[0013] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of parts of two seat assemblies in a stacked configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, a self-tipping seat 10 comprises a seat base 12 and backrest 13 mounted on a chair frame 15. The base of the chair frame 15 may be secured to a grandstand riser using bolts and a support block 16 disposed between the frame 15 and a horizontal surface or structure of the grandstand riser. In the illustrated example, the frame 15 includes a generally U-shaped frame, with the base of the U-shaped frame 15 attached to the grandstand riser and the seat base 12 and backrest 13 disposed between the opposing arms of the U-shaped frame 15.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 2, the chair frame 15 is generally U-shaped and includes post-formed aluminum extrusions, with the two upright arms each terminating with a top cap 18. The backrest 13 includes two stiles that support the seat back, each stile incorporating a seat back linkage 22, while the seat base 12 is supported between two seat base linkages 24. A connecting rod or pivot bracket 26 is also included between each seat back linkage 22 and each seat base linkage 24. As discussed further below, the seat back linkage 22 and seat base linkage 24 at one side of the seat base 12 and backrest 13 may be substantially similar to the seat back linkage 22 and seat base linkage 24 at the opposing other side of the seat base 12 and backrest 13. That is, the other side of the chair may have the same arrangement of the seat back linkage 22 and seat base linkage 24, but in a mirrored manner.

[0016] The seat back linkage 22, seat base linkage 24, connecting rod 26, and frame 15 are joined together by a number of pivot points. The seat back linkage 22 has a first pivot point or pivot socket A1 at a first end region of the seat back linkage 22 and a second pivot point or pivot socket A2 at an opposite second end region of the seat back linkage 22. With the seat back linkage 22 disposed at the frame 15 when the frame 15 is mounted to the riser, the first end region may comprise an upper end region of the seat back linkage 22 and the second end region may comprise a lower end region of the seat back linkage 22. The seat back linkage 22 pivotally connects to the structural plastic top cap 18 mounted to the chair frame 15 at pivot point A1. The top cap 18 has a structural, protruding pivot boss that fits inside the corresponding pivot socket A1 on the seat back linkage 22, and these may be secured together using a screw 30 or another suitable fastener such as a bolt or pin.

[0017] The seat base linkage 24 has a first pivot point or pivot socket C1 at a first end region of the seat base linkage 24 and a second pivot point or pivot socket C2 at an opposite second end region of the seat base linkage 24. With the seat base linkage 24 disposed at the frame 15 when the frame 15 is mounted to the riser, and with the seat base 12 in an extended use position, the second end region may comprise an inboard end region disposed closer to the seat back 13 and the first end region may comprise an outboard region disposed further away from the seat back 13 along the seat base 12. The second pivot point A2 of the seat back linkage 22 and the first pivot point C1 of the seat base linkage 24 are coaxial, and the seat back linkage 22 connects to the seat base linkage 24 through the pivot points A2, C1.

[0018] The connector rod or pivot plate 26 includes a first pivot point or pivot socket B1 at a first end region of the pivot plate 26 and a second pivot point or pivot socket B2 at an opposite second end region of the pivot plate 26. The pivot plate 26 may be a fixed length member and shorter than the seat back linkage 22 and the seat base linkage 24. With the pivot plate 26 disposed at the frame 15 when the frame 15 is mounted to the riser, and with the seat base 12 in an extended use position, the first end region may comprise an inboard end region disposed closer to the seat back 13 and the second end region may comprise an outboard region disposed further away from the seat back 13 toward the seat base 12. The seat base linkage 24 pivot point C2 is coaxial with the connector rod pivot point B2, and the connector rod 26 and seat base linkage 24 are pivotally connected through the pivot points B2, C2. The pivot point B1 at the first end region of the connector rod 26 is pivotally affixed to the chair frame 15. The first pivot point B1 and the second pivot point B2 allow the connector rod 26 to rotate freely and interact with the seat base linkage 24 to control the seat's motion.

[0019] The pivotal connections between the seat back linkage 22, seat base linkage 24, connecting rod 26, and chair frame 15 are generally arranged so that the pivoting parts abut one another, though some spacing, such as provided by one or more spacer washers between the parts, may be located between the pivots. For example, pivot washers between the seat back linkage 22 and the seat base linkage 24 at the pivot points A2, C1, between the seat base linkage 24 and the connector rod 26 at the pivot points B2, C2, between the seat back linkage 22 and the chair frame 15 at the pivot point A1, and/or between the connector rod 26 and the chair frame 15 at the pivot point B1 prevent binding, ensuring that pivots are free to easily rotate.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 3, the seat base linkage 24 may be shaped to be received by a recess in the seat base 12. The seat base linkage 24 includes a pivot boss 25 centered on pivot C1, which includes a torsion spring 28. The pivot point A2 of the seat back linkage 22 includes a bore centered on A2 so that the seat back linkage 22 and seat base linkage 24 are pivotally joined at pivot point C1/A2 and secured together by a screw 31 that extends through the bore of the seat back linkage 22 and received at the pivot boss 25 at the seat base linkage 24. One end of the torsion spring 28 is secured to the seat base linkage 24 and an opposite end of the torsion spring 28 is secured to or presses against part of the seat back linkage 22, so that the torsion spring 28 biases the seat 10 to a closed position, where the seat base 12 is disposed in a substantially vertical orientation and extends generally along the seat back 13. The seat base 12 is movable against the biasing force of the torsion spring 28 to move the seat 10 to an opened or use position, where the seat base 12 is disposed in a substantially horizontal orientation and extends generally away from the seat back 13, and the seat base 12 may be maintained in the opened position by a user sitting in the seat 10. The torsion spring 28 may be arranged in various ways or implemented by some other equivalent biasing means. It will also be appreciated that the biasing means could be implemented between other pivot points to affect the seat's closing.

[0021] The seat base linkage 24 also includes a channel 32 and the second end of the connector rod 26 is disposed within the channel 32 to align the pivot point B2 of the connector rod 26 and the pivot point C2 of the seat base linkage 24. The connector rod 26 is secured to the seat base linkage 24 at the pivot point C2 by a pivot pin 33 pivotally joining the seat base linkage 24 and the second end of the connecting rod 26. The second end of the connector rod 26 is disposed in the channel 32 between two structural walls of the channel 32 so that when the seat base 12 is rotated into the opened position the connecting rod 26 engages with the base of the channel 32 and is prevented from further rotation, its locked position. That is, as the seat 10 moves into the opened position, the connector rod 26 engages the base of the channel 32 and the seat 10 is precluded from moving beyond the opened position further away from the closed position.

[0022] The seat back linkage 22 includes a bore at the pivot point A1, so that the seat back linkage 22 may be secured at the pivot point A1 to the frame top cap 18 by receiving the boss at the pivot point A1. Moreover, the connector rod 26 includes a bore at the pivot point B1 so that the connector rod 26 may be secured at the pivot point B1 to the frame 15, such as by receiving a boss or pin extending from the frame 15 therethrough.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows the seat back linkage 22, the seat base linkage 24, and the connector rod 26 in an assembled state and removed from the chair frame 15. The connecting rod 26 is shown in its locked position in the channel 32.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C and 6A-6C, as the seat base 12 rotates from the closed position (shown in FIGS. 5C and 6C) to the opened position (approximately 85 degrees from the closed position, shown in FIGS. 5A and 6A) via the intermediate position (shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B), pivot point A2 (shared with C1) moves through a defined geometrical path, in particular an arc of circle p. This motion is controlled by the torsional driving spring 28 housed inside the boss 25 at pivot point A2/C1, which may provide the necessary force to urge the seat 10 to return to the closed position automatically when unoccupied.

[0025] The rotation begins when the seat base 12 is manually moved from the opened position (FIGS. 5C and 6C). As the seat back linkage 22 at pivot point A2 and the seat base linkage 24 at pivot point C1 moves from its initial position (FIGS. 5C and 6C) to its final opened position (FIGS. 5A and 6A), the connecting rod 26 and seat base linkage 24 gradually align. In this fully opened position, interlocking stop features on the connecting rod 26 and seat base linkage 24 come into contact, locking the seat 10 in place for comfortable use. In other words, with the seat 10 in the closed position, the connector rod 26 may extend generally downward from the first end toward the second end and generally parallel to the arms of the frame 15, and the seat base 12 may extend generally upward from an inner end portion toward an outer end portion and generally parallel to the arms of the frame 15 between the arms of the frame 15. That is, with the seat 10 in the closed position, the longitudinal axes of the seat back linkage 22 and seat back 13, the seat base linkage 24 and seat base 12, and the connector rod 26 may be aligned or parallel with the longitudinal axes of the arms of the frame 15. In this way, the seat back linkage 22 and seat back 13, the seat base linkage 24 and seat base 12, and the connector rod 26 are substantially axially parallel with one another (e.g., within 1 degree of parallel or less, within 5 degrees of parallel or less, within 10 degrees of parallel or less, and the like). As shown in FIG. 5C, this places the longitudinal axes of the seat back linkage 22 and seat back 13, the seat base linkage 24 and seat base 12, and the connector rod 26 inboard of front and rear edges of the frame 15.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 5A-6C, when the seat 10 is moved from the closed position toward the opened position, the seat base 12 and the seat base linkage 24 pivot at the pivot point A2, C1 relative to the seat back 13 and the seat back linkage 22 in a first direction (e.g., clockwise in FIGS. 5A-6C), the seat base 12 and the seat base linkage 24 pivot relative to the connector rod 26 at the pivot point B2, C2 in the first direction, the connector rod 26 pivots relative to the frame 15 at the pivot point B1 in an opposite second direction (e.g., counterclockwise in FIGS. 6A-5C), and the seat back 13 and the seat back linkage 22 pivot relative to the frame 15 at the pivot point A1 in the second direction. This allows the pivot point A2, C1 to trace the arc of the circle p about pivot point A1.

[0027] With the seat 10 in the opened position, the connector rod 26 may extend generally outward from the first end toward the second end at an angle relative to the arms of the frame 15 (e.g., at about an 85 degree angle), and the seat base 12 may extend generally outward from the inner end portion toward the outer end portion and at the same angle relative to the arms of the frame 15 (i.e., substantially parallel to the connector rod 26). In this way, the connector rod 26 and the seat base 12 and seat base linkage 24 may be substantially axially parallel with one another with the seat 10 in the opened position (e.g., within 1 degree of parallel or less, within 5 degrees of parallel or less, within 10 degrees of parallel or less, and the like).

[0028] The backrest 13, affixed to the seat back linkage 22, moves in tandem with the seat back linkage 22, ensuring that its angular orientation remains ergonomic as the seat 10 opens and closes. For example, with the end of the seat back linkage 22 connected to the seat base 12 part way along the seat base 12, when the seat 10 is moved from the closed position toward the opened position, the bottom portion of the backrest 13 is moved away from the frame 15. Thus, with the seat 10 in the opened position, the backrest 13 is at an angle relative to the frame 15, such as at an angle of about 15 degrees or less, or an angle of about 15 degrees or more.

[0029] When the seat 10 is not in use, the torsional spring 28 mechanism may automatically return the seat 10 to its closed position. In some examples, the connector rod 26 may form an interference fit with the channel 32 to preclude the seat 10 from moving from the opened position back toward the closed position (e.g., if the user gets up from the seat) until the user manually moves the seat 10 toward the closed position, upon which the torsional spring 28 may further urge the seat 10 toward the closed position. As the seat 10 closes, the seat back linkage 22 at pivot point A2 moves from the position shown in FIGS. 5A and 6A back to the position shown in FIGS. 5C and 6C, with the backrest 13 and seat base 12 nestling into a compact configuration. For example, in the closed position, the seat base 12 and the seat back 13 may be generally parallel to the arms of the frame 15 and disposed between the arms of the frame 15. This compact positioning allows for efficient storage and transport.

[0030] The seats 10 may be conveniently and easily stackable. When in the closed position (FIGS. 5C and 6C), the seat base 12 and backrest 13 components fold into a very compact form. The aluminum chair frame 15 allows for nesting, meaning that when multiple chairs are stacked, the frames 15 securely lock onto one another. For example, tabs or hooks may be disposed at a first side of the frame 15 and receivers or loops may be disposed at a second side of the frame 15 for receiving the tabs of an adjacent seat 10 when stacked. This self-nesting feature ensures a stable stack that is resistant to toppling during storage or transport.

[0031] The seats 10 can be assembled into different configurations. While the default is a single-seat frame, the modular design permits the assembly of multiple-seat units, such as twin seating arrangements illustrated in FIG. 7, where two seats 10 are disposed between arms of the U-shaped frame 15. In some examples, the frame 15 may be substantially W-shaped with the seats 10 disposed between respective arms of the W-shaped frame 15. This flexibility makes the seating adaptable to various venue layouts and audience sizes.

[0032] Moreover, the post-formed aluminum extrusion of the chair frame 15 is engineered to be wider than the folded thickness of the seat base 12 and backrest 13, ensuring that even in their compact form or closed state, the seats 10 can be efficiently stacked without additional racking systems as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In other words, support structure is not needed to separate the seats 10 disposed at the frames 15.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 9, the front profile and rear profile of the chair frame 15 are formed with corresponding engaging profiles, so that the front profile of one seat 10 or seat unit engages with the rear profile of another seat 10 or seat unit when stacked together, for example, the front profile can be a V-shaped protrusion 35 while the rear profile is a notch 36 which can accommodate this V-shaped protrusion 35. This feature significantly reduces the space and cost required for storage and transport, addressing a key problem with current temporary seating options.

[0034] Thus, the seat 10 provides a self-tipping seat designed specifically for demountable grandstands. The seat 10 provides a compact, easily storable seat that automatically tips when unoccupied, thus allowing for wider walkways in the seating rows. The seat 10 is mounted directly onto the risers of the grandstand, eliminating the need for obstructive legs and bulky storage mechanisms. Furthermore, the seat 10 incorporates an efficient pivoting system that allows for easy installation, removal, and storage, providing a practical and cost-efficient solution to the limitations of prior seating designs.

[0035] The self-tipping seat described herein offers an innovative solution for temporary or demountable grandstands. Its compact, stackable design, coupled with an efficient mechanical system for seat tipping and closing, provides significant advantages over traditional seating used in similar applications. This seat is easy to install and remove, eliminates the need for elaborate storage systems, and improves the efficiency of storage and transportation. That is, the seat provides a convenient and adaptable seating arrangement suitable for use on grandstands, and is easily removable from grandstands for compact storage remote from the grandstands, and does not obstruct movement of foot traffic when in use at the grandstands.

[0036] In this specification an apparatus/method/product comprising certain features is intended to be interpreted as meaning that it includes those features, but that it does not exclude the presence of other features.

[0037] Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.