Seat

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a seat, in particular a seat in combination with a queuing system. There is described a barrier adapted for use as part of a queuing system such as may be used in banks, post offices and shops. The barrier comprises a frame (10) having at least one tubular horizontal member (13) having a seat (15) attached thereto by means of a seat bracket assembly (30,50) for pivotal movement through an angle of 180° between a first horizontal position and a second horizontal position. Retention means (43,44) are provided to enable the seat (15) to be retained in a vertical position intermediate the first and second horizontal positions.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat, in particular a seat in combination with a queuing system.

[0002] In its broadest sense, the present invention provides a barrier adapted for use as part of a queuing system such as may be used in banks, post offices and shops. The barrier comprises a frame and at least one tubular horizontal member having a seat attached thereto by means of a seat bracket assembly for pivotal movement through an angle of 180° between a first horizontal position and a second horizontal position and wherein retention means are provided to enable the seat to be retained in a vertical position intermediate the first and second horizontal positions.

[0003] In one aspect, the pivotal movement of the seat is enabled by means of at least two hinge brackets extending upwardly from the horizontal member engaging generally semi-circular slots in the underside of the seat bracket assembly, the hinge brackets and seat bracket including axially aligned apertures for receipt of a hinge shaft.

[0004] In a second aspect, the seat bracket assembly is tubular and is mounted for rotation about the horizontal member between two tubular collars mounted upon the horizontal member. At least one of the collars includes a semi-circular notch having two ends and the collar is mounted such that the ends of the notch are aligned horizontally. The adjacent end of the tubular seat bracket assembly is provided with an axially projecting tooth adapted to engage the respective ends of the notch of the collar. Preferably, both ends of the seat bracket have a projecting tooth and both adjacent collars include semi-circular notches.

[0005] Preferably, the means to retain the seat in a vertical position includes a ball catch.

[0006] The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in further detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a general perspective view of an embodiment of a barrier in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a more detailed view of the seat arrangement of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a seat pivoting arrangement in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention; and

Figure 4 is a part cut away perspective view of a seat pivoting arrangement in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention.

[0007] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown an embodiment of a queuing barrier in accordance with the present invention. The barrier has a tubular frame 10 of a generally inverted U shape and having two legs 11 and top 12, bottom 14 and intermediate 13 horizontal members. Mounted upon the intermediate horizontal member 13 are two seats 14. As will be seen, the seats 15 can pivot between a first horizontal position A on one side of the frame 10 through 90° to a vertical position B and through a further 90° to a second horizontal position C.

[0008] The frame 10 may be self-supporting by addition of stabilising feet at the bottom of legs 11 or legs 11 may be secured to the floor by means of bolts sunk into the, typically concrete, floor. Seats 15 can be of any length or an number on a particular frame as may be desired. Typically, frame 10 is formed from 3 inch diameter steel tube.

[0009] The first means by which the required pivotal movement of the seats 15 is achieved will now be described with reference to Figure 3. Welded to intermediate horizontal member 13 are two hinge brackets 20 spaced as desired having regard to the width of the seats. Each bracket 20 has a central portion 21 with an enlarged foot 22, forming a pair of shoulders 23,23'. Each bracket includes an axially aligned aperture 24 for receipt of a hinge shaft 25 as will be described further later. The seat bracket 30 includes two generally semi-circular slots 31,32 in the underside thereof. As shown, the slots 31,32 are typically towards the ends of the seat bracket. Extending radially above the seat bracket from a point opposite the mid-point of the semi-circular slots and running along the bracket is a seat mounting bar 33 to which a seat 15 is secured (not shown). Each end of the seat bracket 20 terminates in an end plate 34,35 which includes a central aperture 36.

[0010] The slots 31,32 of the seat bracket 30 fit over the respective hinge brackets 20 with the apertures 36 of the end plates 34,35 and the apertures 24 of the hinge brackets aligned for receipt of a hinge shaft 25. Hinge shaft 25 may be secured in place by any suitable means.

[0011] Typically, each end of the hinge shaft is threaded for receipt of a friction washer 40 and a pair of locking nuts 41,42.

[0012] As will be appreciated, the shoulders 23,23' of the hinge brackets act to stop the seat bracket 30 pivoting beyond the horizontal position whilst maintaining a spacing between the two tubes of the horizontal frame member 13 and the seat bracket 30.

[0013] To retain the seat in an upright position for when not in use, one of the hinge brackets includes an additional aperture or indentation 43 and the respective end plate of the seat bracket includes a ball catch 44 mounted therein. Ball catch 44 includes a ball-bearing 45 in a housing 46 wherein the ball-bearing 45 is biased by means of a spring 47 against the base of the housing 46 (see detail in Figure 4).

[0014] A second means by which pivotal movement of the seat is obtained will now be described with reference to Figure 4. In this arrangement a tubular seat bracket 50 is mounted upon the horizontal member 13 between two collars 51,52 secured to the intermediate horizontal member 13. The seat bracket 50 includes a seat mounting bar 53 forming a spine along the seat bracket 50. At least one, preferably both, collars has an upwardly directed semi-circular notch 54,55 formed therein both edges of which notch are aligned horizontally. The seat bracket 50 is provided with an axially projecting tooth 60,61 at each end thereof Each tooth 60,61 is aligned with the spine of the seat mounting bar 53 such that as the seat bracket rotates about the intermediate horizontal member 13 the teeth 60,61 engage respective edges of the semi-circular notches when the seat mounting bar is horizontal.

[0015] A ball catch 44 mounted in the seat bracket 50 acts against an aperture or indentation 62 formed in the horizontal member 13 to bias the seat in the upright position. As shown, conveniently the ball catch is mounted underneath the assembly. Advantageously, in order to prevent the seat falling too easily to either of its horizontal positions, a nylon friction stud 70 is mounted in a convenient position, such as underneath the assembly. The stud is mounted within the seat bracket 50 and is threaded for adjustment as the surface contacting the horizontal member 13 wears in use.

[0016] Those skilled in the art will be readily able to devise alternative configurations to those. described above which also achieve the objective of a seat foldable from a vertical position into two horizontal configuration. For example, the edges of the notches of collars 51,52 may be orientated differently if teeth 60,61 of the seat bracket are differently shaped or larger or if there are two teeth rather than just one. Such modifications are encompassed within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A barrier comprising a frame (10) having at least one tubular horizontal member (13) having a seat (15) attached thereto by means of a seat bracket assembly (30,50) for pivotal movement through an angle of 180° between a first horizontal position and a second horizontal position and wherein retention means (43,44) are provided to enable the seat to be retained in a vertical position intermediate the first and second horizontal positions.

2. A barrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein pivotal movement of the seat is enabled by means of at least two hinge brackets (20) extending upwardly from the horizontal member engaging generally semi-circular slots (32) in the underside of the seat bracket assembly (30), the hinge brackets (20) and seat bracket assembly (30) including axially aligned apertures for receipt of a hinge shaft (25).

3. A barrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein the seat bracket assembly (50) is tubular and is mounted for rotation about the horizontal member (13) between two tubular collars (51,52) mounted upon the horizontal member.

4. A barrier as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least one of the collars includes a semi-circular notch (54,55) having two ends and the collar is mounted such that the ends of the notch are aligned horizontally, and the adjacent end of the tubular seat bracket assembly is provided with an axially projecting tooth (60,61) adapted to engage the respective ends of the notch of the collar.

5. A barrier as claimed in claim 4 wherein both ends of the seat bracket have a projecting tooth and both adjacent collars include semi-circular notches.

6. A barrier as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the retention means includes a ball catch.

Drawing