Collapsible grandstand

Description

[0001] The present invention concerns a collapsible grandstand, comprising a plurality of movable carriage elements, pushable into and under each other, the carriage elements comprising mounting frames for the seats, disposed at the front edge of the carriage element, the seats being pivotally mounted on the mounting frames and so disposed that the seats are inclinable forwardly, the carriage elements being pushed under and into each other, in the collapsed position.

[0002] Collapsible grandstands of the above mentioned type are known in the art among others through U.S. Patents No. 2,817,122, 3,352,069, 4,000,586, 4,063,392 and 4,155,202, through German Patents No. 8,23,033 and 1,923,714 (this document describing all the features of the prior art portion of claim 1), and through British Patent No. 1,414,751. However, these grandstands known in the art present some drawbacks. Particularly, the folding down of the seats permitting the carriage elements to be pushed into and under each other engenders problems. The folding mechanisms of the seats are complicated and cumbersome. The structure of the seats is costly. Moreover, the folding mechanisms of the seats increase maintenance and operating costs considerably. Furthermore, these collapsible grandstands of prior art display the drawback that the height difference between each two seat rows has to be almost as great as the height of one seat, that is, each row is located one seat height higher up than the preceding row.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks described above. It is a special object of the invention to provide a collapsible grandstand which is free of the drawbacks mentioned above. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a collapsible grandstand wherein the seats do not have a cumbersome and complicated machinery for collapsing. It is still a further object of the invention to provide a collapsible grandstand in which the height difference between seat rows may also be less than each seat height.

[0004] Regarding the characteristic features of the invention reference is made to the claims.

[0005] The invention is based on the feature that both said mounting frames and said seats are shaped to come to lie in a nested configuration one upon the other when the seats are forwardly inclined and the grandstand is in said collapsed position.

[0006] The seats are preferably rigid, that is, the seats comprise a back rest and a seat rigidly attached to each other. Furthermore, the height difference between a first and a second seat to be fitted one under the other may be less than the seat height of these seats; the height difference is restricted by nothing else but the strength requirements of the seat frame.

[0007] The collapsible grandstand of the invention is substantially simpler of its structure than those of prior art. The back rest and the seat portion of the seats may be rigidly affixed to one another. In addition, the height difference between the seat rows, that is, between the seats may be substantially less than in grandstands known of prior art.

[0008] The invention is described in the following in detail with the aid of embodiment examples, referring to the drawings attached, wherein:-

Fig. 1 presents in elevational view part of a collapsible grandstand according to the invention when the grandstand is open, that is, it is spread out to form a hall stand,

Fig. 2 shows part of the grandstand of Fig. 1 when the stand is pushed together,

Fig. 3 shows seats of the grandstand of Fig. 2 in oblique rear view,

Fig. 4 shows a seat of the grandstand of Figs 2 and 3 when inclined for collapsing,

Fig. 5 presents part of the carriage element of the grandstand according to another embodiment of the invention, viewed from the side and obliquely from above,

Fig. 6 presents the seat mounting frame of the grandstand according to a third embodiment of the invention, in rear view, and

Fig. 7 presents one seat of the grandstand according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in elevational view, with the seat inclined in forward direction.

[0009] A collapsible grandstand according to the invention is presented in Fig. 1. The grandstand comprises a plurality of movable carriage elements 1-1"", pushable into and under each other. The carriage elements are fitted with folding seats 2-2"".

[0010] Each carriage element 1-1 "" comprises a mounting frame 3-3"" for the seat 2-2"", each mounting frame being placed on the front margin of the respective carriage element, suitably close to the next element to be pushed under said element. The mounting frames 3-3"" are downwards widening in shape and so arranged and fitted that the seat mounting frame of a given carriage element is pushed underneath the seat mounting frame of the next carriage element when the first carriage element is pushed under and into the second. The seats 2-2"" have been pivotally 4,4' mounted on the mounting frames and so fitted and arranged that the seats are inclinable in forward direction, supported by said pivots, whereby when the carriage elements are pushed under each other and into each other the seat mounting frames come to lie upon each other and in each other, and the seats will likewise lie upon each other.

[0011] In the embodiment described, the mounting frames 3-3"" consists of beams mounted to the front of the carriage elements, so fitted in V-letters shape that each first mounting frame enters under the second when the carriage element supporting the first mounting frame is pushed under that one supporting the second. The seats 2-2"" are pivotally mounted by means of conventional horizontal axle pins in the respective mounting frames, to be inclinable in forward direction.

[0012] The seats 2-2"" are rigid, that is, the back rest 5 and seat part 6 of each seat are rigidly connected with each other. Therefore, the seats are cup-shaped and they can advantageously be manufactured at low expense, e.g. by casting them from plastic. The seats are mounted on the mounting frames with the aid of said pin pivot 4 as shown in Fig. 4. A plate-like mounting member 7 has been affixed e.g. with screws under the seat. Said mounting member constitutes an obliquely forward and downward projecting flange part 8 pivotally connected to the mounting frame 3 with the aid of said axle pin 4. The mounting is highly stable, easy to construct and inexpensive. The mounting frame may comprise e.g. a member protruding backwards and resting on the seat part 6 of the seat, to hold the seat in its seating position when it has been raised up for sitting as shown in Fig. 1.

[0013] In Fig. 5 is shown part of the carriage element 1 to which a plurality of mounting frames 3-3" for seats have been attached side by side, in which frames the seats 2-2" are in turn mounted. The mounting frames are made of furniture tubing with rectangular cross section, and have the shape of an inverted, truncated letter V. The mounting frames have been fixed by welding by their widening ends to the front edge frame beam of the carriage element 1. The mounting frames 3-3" are placed upright, side by side and parallel with each other, and on the same elevation. One cup-shaped seat 2-2" has been pivotally mounted on each mounting frame 3-3" by the aid of pivots 4; the design of the pivots is equivalent to the design of the mounting frame pivot shown in Fig. 6. Furthermore, the mutually adjacent seats 2-2" in Fig. 5 have been interconnected unturnable with reference to the pivots 4 so that the adjacent seats are inclinable and raisable all at once. In Fig. 5, the mutually adjacent seats have been interconnected by the aid of a joining rod 10, passed through horizontal, transversal guiding apertures 12 provided in the seats. The guiding apertures 12 consist of the lamina of rectangular furniture tubing sections 13 welded to each seat in succession and in parallel. The joining rod 10 thus joins the seats together in such manner that the functioning of the seats is synchronized.

[0014] In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 6, a seat mounting frame 3 of a seat is seen, consisting of a tine-resembling and upwardly projecting supporting member affixed to the frame beam on the front margin of the carriage element 1. The mounting frame projects on one side, obliquely upward and forms a horizontal, sidewise protruding extension, to which the seat mounting member 7 is attached. On the mounting frame two parallel mounting lugs 14 have been affixed, matched by two mounting lugs 15 on the mounting member 7, in parallel and equally side by side; the mounting lugs have been pivotally joined by the aid of a pivot rod 16. In addition, the mounting member 7 comprises a horizontal and transversal tube 13, through which a rod joining together several seats may be pushed if desired.

[0015] The structural design of the seat mounting frame 3 and of the mounting member presented in Fig. 7 are substantially like the equivalent structures presented in Figs. 5 and 6. However, in Fig. 7, the mounting frame 3 is formed by a supporting tube projecting obliquely in upward direction from the front margin of the carriage element 1, and to which tube mounting member 7 has been pivotally attached by the aid of the pivot 4. Owing to the simple construction of the mounting frame 3, made of one single tube, the seats of Fig. 7 may be placed so that the seats of two successive carriage elements are either in alignment (as shown in Figs 1-4) or, if desired, laterally staggered. The staggered placement of seats may also be accomplished by using the asymmetric design, Fig. 6, of the mounting frame. Laterally staggered arrangement of the seats located behind each other is particularly advantageous in view of improved visibility from the grandstand.

[0016] The design of the movable carriage elements which are part of the grandstand may of course vary. The invention may be applied in connection with any collapsible grandstands, and carriage elements thereof, known in themselves in the art, for instance in connection with the grandstands and/or carriage elements disclosed in the Patents cited in the introduction part of this disclosure.

Claims

1. Collapsible grandstand, comprising a plurality of movable carriage elements (1-1"") pushable into and under each other, the carriage elements (1-1"") comprising mounting frames (3-3"") for the seats (2-2""), disposed at the front edge of the carriage element, the seats being pivotally mounted (4,4') on the mounting frames (3-3"") and so disposed that the seats (2-2"") are inclinable forwardly, the carriage elements (1-1 "") being pushed under and into each other, in the collapsed position, characterized in that both said mounting frames (3-3"") and said seats (2-2"") are shaped to come to lie in a nested configuration one upon the other when the seats are forwardly inclined and the grandstand is in said collapsed position.

2. Grandstand according to claim 1, characterized in that the mounting frames (3-3"") have downwardly widening shape and are disposed mainly on top of each other and partly within each other.

3. Grandstand according to claim 2, characterized in that the mounting frames (3-3"") have the shape of an inverted, and possibly truncated, letter V.

4. Grandstand according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the mounting frames (3-3"") constitute projections protruding in oblique forward and upward direction from the front edges of the carriage elements (1-1 ""), to said projections the seats (2―2"") being affixed.

5. Grandstand according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the seats (2-2"") comprise a back rest (5) and a seat part (6) rigidly connected together.

6. Grandstand according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least two mutually adjacent seats belonging to one carriage element (1-1"") have been joined together to be substantially unturnable with reference to the pivots (4) so that said mutually adjacent seats can be simultaneously inclined.

7. Grandstand according to claim 6, characterized in that at least two mutually adjacent seats (2-2"") belonging to one carriage element (1-1"") are joined together by the aid of a joining rod (10) disposed to pass through horizontal and transversal apertures (12) provided in the seats.

8. Grandstand according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least two mutually adjacent seats (2―2"") belonging to one carriage element (1―1"") are provided with a common, substantially rigid pivot rod by the aid of which the seats are pivotally mounted on said mounting frame.

Ansprüche

1. Zusammenschiebbare Tribüne mit einer Vielzahl beweglicher, verfahrbarer Elemente (1-1 ""), die in und untereinander schiebbar sind, wobei die verfahrbaren Elemente (1-1"") Stützrahmen (3―3"") für die Sitze (2-2"") aufweisen, welche an der Vorderkante des verfahrbaren Elementes angeordnet sind, wobei die Sitze schwenkbar (4,4') an den Stützrahmen (3-3"") angebracht und so angeordnet sind, daß die Sitze (2-2"") nach vorn umlegbar sind, wobei die verfahrbaren Elemente (1―1"") in zusammengeschobenem Zustand unter und ineinander geschoben sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sowohl die Stützrahmen (3-3"") als auch die Sitze (2-2"") so gestaltet sind, daß sie bei nach vorn gekippten Sitzen und zusammengeschobener Haupttribüne ineinander geschachtelt aufeinander zu liegen kommen.

2. Tribüne nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Stützrahmen (3-3"") eine sich nach unten erweiternde Gestalt haben und hauptsächlich übereinander und teilweise innerhalb einander angeordnet sind.

3. Tribüne nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Stützrahmen (3-3"") die Gestalt eines umgekehrten und möglicherweise abgeflachten Buchstaben V haben.

4. Tribüne nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Stützrahmen (3-3"") Vorsprünge bilden, die in schräger Vorwärts- und Aufwärtsrichtung von den Vorderkanten der verfahrbaren Elemente (1-1 "") wegragen, wobei die Sitze (2-2"") an den Vorsprüngen befestigt sind.

5. Tribüne nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Sitze (2-2"") eine Rückenlehne (5) und eine Sitzfläche (6) aufweisen, die starr miteinander verbunden sind.

6. Tribüne nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß mindestens zwei gegenseitig benachbarte Sitze, die zu einem verfahrbaren Element (1-1"") gehören, vereinigt worden sind, um in bezug auf die Schwenkzapfen (4) im wesentlichen nichtdrehbar zu sein, so daß die gegenseitig benachbarten Sitze gleichzeitig gekippt werden können.

7. Tribüne nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß mindestens zwei gegenseitig benachbarte Sitze (2-2""), die zu einem verfahrbaren Element (1-1"") gehören, mit Hilfe einer Verbindungsstange (10) vereinigt sind, die so angeordnet ist, daß sie sich durch in den Sitzen vorgesehene horizontale und transversale Öffnungen (12) erstreckt.

8. Tribüne nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß mindestens zwei gegenseitig benachbarte Sitze (2-2""), die zu einem verfahrbaren Elemente (1―1"") gehören, mit einer gemeinsamen, im wesentlichen starren Schwenkstange versehen sind, mit deren Hilfe die Sitze an dem Stützrahmen schwenkbar angebracht sind.

Revendications

1. Tribune repliable, comprenant un grand nombre d'éléments mobiles (1-1"") formant chariots et pouvant être poussés les uns dans les autres et au-dessous des autres, les éléments (1-1"") formant chariots présentant des cadres (3-3"") de montage des sièges (2-2""), disposés sur l'arête antérieure de l'élément formant chariot, les sièges étant montés pivotants (4, 4') sur les cadres de montage (3-3"") et étant agencés de façon que ces sièges (2-2"") soient inclinables vers l'avant, les éléments (1-1"") formant chariots étant poussés au-dessous et à l'intérieur les uns des autres dans la position repliée, caractérisée par le fait qu'à la fois lesdits cadres de montage (3-3"") et lesdits sièges (2-2"") sont configurés de manière à venir s'empiler les uns au-dessus des autres lorsque les sièges sont inclinés vers l'avant et que la tribune occupe ladite position repliée.

2. Tribune selon la revendication 1, caractérisée par le fait que les cadres de montage (3-3"") ont une forme s'élargissant vers le bas, et sont principalement disposés au sommet les uns des autres et partiellement les uns dans les autres.

3. Tribune selon la revendication 2, caractérisée par le fait que les cadres de montage (3-3"") ont la forme d'un V inversé, éventuellement tronqué.

4. Tribune selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisée par le fait que les cadres de montage (3-3"") constituent des saillies en débordement à l'oblique vers l'avant et vers le haut à partir des artêtes antérieures des éléments (1-1"") formant chariots, les sièges (2-2"") étant fixés auxdites saillies.

5. Tribune selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisée par le fait que les sièges (2-2"") comprennent un dossier (5) et une partie d'assise (6) reliés rigidement l'un à l'autre.

6. Tribune selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisée par le fait qu'au moins deux sièges mutuellement adjacents faisant partie de l'un des éléments (1-1 "") formant chariots ont été solidarisés l'un à l'autre, sensiblement avec faculté de rabat par rapport aux pivots (4), de telle sorte que lesdites sièges mutuellement adjacents puissent être simultanément inclinés.

7. Tribune selon la revendication 6, caractérisée par le fait qu'au moins deux sièges mutuellement adjacents (2-2"") faisant partie de l'un des éléments (1-1"") formant chariots sont solidarisés l'un à l'autre, à l'aide d'une tige de liaison (10) agencée pour traverser des ouvertures horizontales et transversales (12) ménagées dans les sièges.

8. Tribune selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisée par le fait qu'au moins deux sièges mutuellement adjacents (2-2"") faisant partie de l'un des éléments (1-1 "") formant chariots sont munis d'une tige commune de pivotement, sensiblement rigide, à l'aide de laquelle les sièges sont montés à pivotement sur ledit cadre de montage.

Drawing