Stadium Chair With Folding Seat

Abstract

A stadium chair has spaced pairs of vertical side members with means at their bottoms for attachment to the riser face or the horizontal platform of the row. The vertical members support hinge plates at the level of the seat. Fiber glass, plastic or sheet metal seat surfaces secured to metal outside frames are pivotally mounted to the plates. The rear edge of each seat is weighted. The front of each vertical member has a seat stop against which the seat frame registers when the seat is occupied. A backrest similar to the seat is attached to spaced support members extending from the vertical members. The support members may be either rigidly or articulately attached to the front vertical members.

Description

Stadium chairs must be designed to seat comfortably the maximum number of people within the confines of the stadium or theater. Fire ordinances dictate the interval between rows that must be available for seat users to exit. Seat width is a compromise between the desire for maximum units and user comfort requirements. Therefore, it is desirable to have a seat whose components use part of the exit aisle space when occupied but which retracts or folds back those components to afford the minimum row spacing when the seat is vacated.

Since the chairs are conventionally used in great quantity, the cost per chair is a major consideration in design. Complicated mechanisms to induce folding are undesireable. The seat occupant cannot be depended upon to operate the seat after he rises. Any seat folding which takes place should be automatic when the seat is vacated.

I have invented a stadium chair which is comfortable, simple to fabricate, and which has components that fold automatically to accomplish desired row-to-row clearance.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention contemplates stadium chairs wherein spaced vertical member pairs rise from means for attaching the vertical members to either the vertical face of the stadium risers or the horizontal base of the stadium row. A pivot support plate connects the individual vertical members of each vertical pair at approximately the seat level. The seat and the backrest are preferably of a shaped metallic or plastic or fiber glass material secured to a rigid metal frame. Pivots, which preferably comprise self-lubricating bushings, project from the pivot support plates and attach to the metal frame of the seat. Seat stops on the front vertical member of each pair maintain the seat level when it is occupied. The rear rim of the seat is weighted to swing downwardly when the seat is vacated. Backrest supports extend from the front vertical member of each pair to support a metal-framed backrest. Thus, the seat automatically moves to a folded position nearer the central vertical axis of the chair when the chair is unoccupied than the attitude which it has when the chair is occupied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a row of stadium chairs in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front elevation of the chairs of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a chair of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of an alternate embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation of the chair of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side sectional elevation of an alternate embodiment of the invention having an articulated back;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side sectional elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 8 showing the back and seat folded;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of a further alternate embodiment of the invention fixed to a sloping riser;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of a still further alternate embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary section taken along line 12--12 of FIG. 11.

FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention. FIG. 1 shows in plan a partial row of stadium chairs 15, 16, 17, and 18. Chairs 15 and 16 are also shown in FIG. 2. Each chair comprises a seat 21, a back 22 and side members 25. Adjacent chairs share a side member. Terminating side members 26 are outboard of chairs 15 and 18.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, each side member comprises a front vertical brace 31 and a rear vertical brace 32. The braces terminate at the bottom in an attachment bracket 33 by means of which the side member is fastened to the vertical riser face 35 of a stadium row 36.

Each front vertical brace is bent horizontally to define a back support 38 which extends rearwardly of the chair. Each back support has a transverse endpiece 41 which fixes one side of each adjacent chair back between the side members.

A registry stop bar 43 is fixed to each side member at the front vertical brace. The row of chairs shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a common stop bar which also adds stability to the adjoined chairs.

A support plate 45 is secured to the front and rear vertical braces of each of the side members near the vertical middle of the member. A pivot bushing 47 extends from both faces of each support plate with the exception of those support plates on the terminal side members 26. Each bushing journals a pivot pin 48 held in an arm 49 fixed to the seat frame. The bushing may be of the barrel or cone type.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, which illustrate an identical individual chair to those of FIGS. 1 and 2, each back 22 of a chair can be seen to have a rigid back frame 51 of which the top and bottom portions 52, 53 are seen. The back frame of each chair holds a back sheath 55 which is secured to the frame by conventional fasteners. Transverse endpieces 41 of each side member are fixed to the vertical side portions of the back frame to secure the back in position between the side members.

Each seat 21 comprises a rigid seat frame 56 to which is attached a seat sheath 57. While seats and backs having separate frame and sheath elements are shown, it is to be understood that seats and backs wherein the frame and sheath portions are integrally formed are equally comprehended within the scope of the invention. The rearward portion 58 of the frame, whether separate or integral with the sheath, is substantially heavier than the rest of the frame such that the seat is biased to pivot about the pair of pivots 48 each mounted in an arm 49 depending from a side portion of the seat frame. Preferably the pins are removably mounted in the arms as shown in FIG. 12.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, pivot pins 48 are journaled in pivot bushings 47 by a bearing or bushing 63 which is preferably a self-lubricating type. The horizontal position of the bushing is selected in accordance with the seat-biasing weight, the fulcrum point moving forward or back in accordance with the decrease or increase of the weight. By using barrel or cone bushings it is possible to compensate for chair rack which may occur due to uneven base conditions.

The pivots, fixed to each portion of the chair side frame, pivotally mount each chair seat between the side members such that the seat folds into the substantially vertical position shown in FIG. 5 when the seat is vacant, nearer to a central vertical axis of the chair, under the influence of weighted seat frame portion 58.

When the seat is occupied, the weight bias is overcome and the seat pivots into the position of FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein registry stop bar 43 supports the seat forward of pivot 48 as long as the seat is occupied.

The seat and back sheaths 57, 55, secured to the respective frames may be of sheet metal, fiber glass or plastic. Each of these materials may be formed into a seat or back sheath member having a support area and a surrounding flange or skirt, which skirt may be thickened in one embodiment to define the rigid frame. Alternatively, the material may be thick enough to provide support to a user and attain rigidity through combination with a separate frame.

The side braces may be made of tubing, which is conveniently formed into the shapes shown in the illustrative Figures. The embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 5 has the advantage of light weight coupled with strength due to the closed configuration defined by the spaced front and rear braces joined by the attachment means and the back support member. Although the tubular members represent the presently preferred form, side members cast integrally are not precluded.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show an alternate embodiment of the invention wherein the side members are comprised of a single metallic piece bent into a wide U-shape as viewed from the front of the chair. The chair 70 of this embodiment has spaced vertical side members 71, 72 from each of which back supports 73 extend rearwardly of the chair. Each back support has an integral transverse portion 74 fastened to an outer back frame 75. A back sheath 76 is fixed within the frame by suitable fasteners 77. The back sheath may be of similar material and configuration to the back sheath 55 previously described.

The chair 70 has a seat 81 with a seat sheath 82 secured to a rigid angle frame 83. A weight bias bar 85 is fixed to the rear edge of the frame. The weight biases the rear of the seat to pivot downwardly about a pivot 86 fastened in each side portion of the seat frame at each side of the seat and journaled in a stop angle 88 secured to the inner face of each of the side members. Each stop angle has a flat flange 89 cut away a 91 such that the seat may pivot into a vertical orientation closer to a central vertical axis of the chair. When the seat is occupied the frame 83 registers against the bottom flange of the stop angle, supporting the chair in seating position.

Each vertical side member bends inwardly in an attachment portion 93 and is joined to a flange 94 from which a sleeve 95 depends. Preferably the side members and the attachment portions are integral, as previously mentioned. A post 96 secured in the base of the stadium row by a flange 97 receives the sleeve. A pin 98 extends through aligned holes in the sleeve and the post. The post determines the chair height and prevents chair turning on the post. Additional holes such as the hole 99, in either the sleeve or the post, may be provided for height adjustment.

Obviously post 96 can be bent at right angles such that the flange 97 may alternatively be attached to the vertical surface of the row riser.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of the invention wherein a folding stadium or other chair 101 has transversely spaced side members each having a front vertical brace 103 and a rear vertical brace 104 secured in spaced relationship at their tops by an arm rest 105. The bottoms of the braces of each side member turn inward transversely and join at a plate 107 fixed to a depending sleeve 108 by which the side members may be attached to a post (not shown) fixed at the chair site in the stadium or other like location.

The horizontal run 110 of each side member brace at the bottom depends upon the desired width of a seat 112. The seat has a seat sheath 113 fixed to a tubular seat frame 116 from which a mounting arm 117 depends on each side of the frame. A weighted framed portion 119 at the rear edge thereof biases the rear of the seat to pivot downwardly when not occupied about a pair of aligned pivots 121 each carried by an arm 117 and extending into a pivot bushing (not shown) similar to the bushing described with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1. The bushings may be fixed to rear vertical braces 104.

A chair back 125 is supported from the side members by a tubular back support 127 which has spaced vertical arms 128 connected at their tops by a transverse portion 129 and spaced horizontal arms 131 mounted by a pivot pin 132 in each arm to a front vertical brace 103. Pivot 132 is carried by a boss 135 on each horizontal arm which extends inwardly from brace 103 to a position beneath the sides of the seat frame 116. The boss acts as a registry stop when the seat is occupied, contacting seat frame 116 and supporting the forward extension of the seat beyond pivot point 121. In turn, the bushing (not shown) which receives pivot pin 121 is contacted by the bottom surface of the back support arm on each side of the seat to register the back 125 in position for occupancy.

Back 125 has a back sheath 151 secured to a rigid frame 152 which is fastened to the vertical support arms 128 and the transverse portion 129 of the back support.

As seen in FIG. 9, the backrest and the seat may assume positions close to the central vertical axis of the chair when the chair is vacant. Weight bias 119 urges the seat to pivot to the vertical position of FIG. 9 and the back of the chair may be pushed or pulled forward to increase the open space between rows of chairs and facilitate exit from the rows.

A modified folding chair 161 in accordance with the invention is illustrated in sectional elevation in FIG. 10. The chair has a back 162 similar to the back described with respect to the chair of FIG. 1. The chair has two spaced side members such as the side member 164, each comprising a front vertical brace 165 and a rear vertical brace 166. The vertical braces of each side member terminate in a canted attachment plate 167 shown fixed to a sloping riser surface 168 of a stadium row.

A pivot support plate 171 is fixed between the vertical braces of each side member. A pivot bushing 172 extends inwardly from each plate toward the seat. An elongate support arm 173 extends downwardly from each side frame portion of chair seat frame 175. The seat frame is covered by a seat sheath 176 and is rearwardly weighted by a bias wedge 177 fixed transversely of the frame.

A pivot pin 179 removably secured in arm 173 extends into the pivot bushing 172 on each side of the seat. Each arm has a forward surface 181. The surface registers against the inner face 182 of a tubular registry bar 183 which extends between the front vertical braces of the spaced side members. With the seat in occupied position as in FIG. 10 the surface 181 registers against lower face 184 of the bar 183 and maintains the seat in sitting position against the bias of wedge 177. A stop surface 815 on that portion of the support arm 173 remote from the seat frame contacts the registry bar when the chair is vacant, as the seat pivots about pivots 179 to a position more proximate the central vertical axis of the chair.

Registry stops for both seat positions are also present in the embodiment of FIG. 11. A chair 190 is shown fragmentarily in section. The chair is a pedestal type, with a sleeve 192 supporting a horizontal attachment plate 193 to which transversely extending bottom portions 195, 196 of vertical braces 197, 198 respectively, are fixed. The braces define a side member 199 of which the chair has a pair.

Front brace 197 of each member bends horizontally in a back support 201 which extends rearwardly to support a chair back (not shown) in the fashion of previously described embodiments. In addition to the back, a front bar 203 is fixed to the front brace of each side member to stabilize the chair.

A chair seat 205 is pivotally supported between the side members. The seat has an angle frame 206 with a rear biasing weight 207. A seat sheath 208 is secured to the frame in convenient fashion, as by fasteners 209 passing through sheath skirt 211 into the frame.

A pair of support arms like arm 213 extend from the frame at each side of the seat. Each arm terminates in a contact flange 214. Each flange contacts a stop or limit bracket 216 which has arcuately spaced stop edges 217, 218. When the seat is occupied the flanges 214 register against surface edges 217, holding the seat in the occupied position of FIG. 11 against the bias of weight 207. When the seat is vacant the seat pivots in response to the weight bias into a vertical position limited by stop edge 218 against which flange 214 registers.

Each stop bracket 216 is supported from a side member by a pivot bushing 221 mounted on a pivot support 222 fixed to each of the vertical braces 197, 198. Each bushing extends toward the seat from the side member, as seen in FIG. 12. The pivot support also holds a pivot bushing 221A of the adjacent seat assembly.

A pivot pin 225 is journaled in each pivot bushing and threadably secured removably in each pivot arm 213. The pivot bushing has an inner bushing or bearing 227, preferably of graphite-impregnated nylon or teflon, although other self-lubricating bushings may be used. While a cylindrical bushing is illustrated, other bushing configurations for particular installation purposes may be utilized, such as the previously mentioned barrel and cone configurations.

The pivot pin 225 has a head 229, a threaded portion 231 and a reduced diameter shank 232. The shank fits into the inner bushing and supports the seat pivotally.

The axial length of both the bushing and the pivot pin may be such that spacing between side members of chairs may vary and still need only one size of bushing and pin. By changing the position of the bushing or the support arm on the seat, the weight biasing the seat to fold may be lessened. The attitude of the seat in folded or seating position may be adjusted by altering the stop or registry bar positions. Seats and backs, whether of wood, metal or plastic, may be upholstered for greater comfort and indoor use.

Claims

I claim:

1. A folding chair comprising spaced-apart side members, each side member having a pair of vertical members terminating in a single attachment means at the bottom, a seat frame, a seat member fixed to the frame to define therewith a seat, a weighted area at the back of the seat, a pivot bushing on each side member securing the seat frame between the side members; a back support secured to each side member, a back frame secured between opposite back supports, a back member fixed to the back frame; said pivot bushing on each side member extending seatward from each side member, a limit bracket on the seatward end of each pivot bushing having two registry positions, a contact arm on the seat frame at each of two opposed sides thereof, a flange on the contact arm adapted to contact the registry positions, and a pivot pin on each contact arm journaled in each of said pivot bushings.

2. A folding chair comprising spaced-apart side members, each side member having a pair of vertical members terminating in an attachment means at the bottom, a seat, a weighted area at the back of the seat, a seat frame to which the seat is secured, a pivot bushing on each side member securing the seat frame between the side members; a back support on each side member, a seat back secured to the back support on each side member; said pivot bushing on each side member extending seatward from each side member, two registry positions extending seatward from each side member, a contact arm on the seat frame on each of two opposed sides thereof, two contact surfaces on each contact arm on the seat frame adapted to alternately meet the registry positions, and a pivot pin on each contact arm journaled in each of said pivot bushings.