Removable seats system with non-linearly arranged seat support arms

Abstract

The removable seats system comprises a number of vertically movable platforms that have a small horizontal gap between each two successive platforms, with the edges of the platforms being curved along the gap. Seat members are each associated to a corresponding platform and each comprises a row of seats and a seat supporting structure that carries the seat members. Each seat member is movable relative to the corresponding platform between an operative position in which the row of seats is located above the corresponding platform for allowing persons to sit on the row of seats, and a stored position in which the row of seats is located under the platform. The seat supporting structure comprises at least three discrete, spaced-apart seat support arms that, in the operative position of the seat member, extend through the gap between two successive platforms, with the seat support arms being disposed in non-linear relationship along the seat member.

Description

[0001] REMOVABLE SEATS SYSTEM WITH NON-LINEARLY ARRANGED SEAT SUPPORT ARMS

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE DATA

[0003] The present application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 63 / 516,202 filed on July 28, 2024.

[0004] 5 FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to a removable seats system, and more particularly to a removable seats system including vertically movable platforms and seats which may be positioned in either one of an operative position on the platform to allow persons to sit on the seats, and a stored position beneath the platforms.

[0006] 10 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is known to provide removable seats in multi-functional rooms. For example, some rooms are used both as theatre rooms where rows of seats are provided, and as conference rooms or show rooms where a flat floor surface is required with no fixed seats. To accommodate such hybrid rooms, it is known to provide a removable seats system into the 15 room to allow the seats to be stored or installed according to the daily purpose of the room.

[0008] One removable seats system of the prior art comprises a number of vertically movable platforms supported spacedly over ground by a ground-resting platform support and displacement means that engages the platforms and that positions the platforms in a horizontally successively adjacent although slightly horizontally spaced configuration so as to

[0009] 20 define a small horizontal gap between each two successive platforms. The platform support and displacement means typically comprise linear actuators such as spiral lift mechanisms or hydraulic cylinders, together with guiding members, the combination of which allows selective independent vertical displacement of the platforms.

[0010] The removable seats system also comprises a number of seats members each

[0011] 25 comprising a number of seats, and each associated to a corresponding platform. The seat members are carried by the platform by means of a seat supporting structure such that they are movable relative to the platform between an operative position in which the row of seats is located above the platform for allowing persons to sit on the seats, and a stored or concealed position in which the row of seats is carried by and is located under the platform.

[0012] 30 In the operative position of each one of the seat members, the seat supporting structure extends through the gap between two successive platforms. The seat members are more particularly pivotable between their stored and operative positions. The seat support structure includes a flat plate that extends through the gap between platforms when the seats are in their operative position on top of the platforms. It is important for the flat plate to be as thin as possible, which allows the gap between platforms to be as small as possible. Larger gaps make the platforms more unstable, and also allow objects to slide into the gaps, including thin heels from high heel shoes if the gap is too wide. In many countries, there are even building codes that impose gaps in the floor to be smaller than a maximum threshold value, e.g., 6 millimeters.

[0013] The larger gap problem between platforms is exacerbated when platforms are curved. There are indeed two types of platform arrangements in multi-purpose rooms: those where the platforms are straight, e.g. in a room where the rows of seats are straight and parallel; and those where the platforms are curved and concentrically disposed with respect to the front of the room, and where the rows of seats are also curved in the theatre mode of the room such that the rows of seats are more or less tangentially disposed about concentric ellipse or circle arcs relatively to the scene at the front of the room.

[0014] In the curved platform configuration, the manufacturing tolerance of the platforms needs to be greater, i.e., the gaps between the platforms must be larger, to allow the curved flat plate that forms part of the seat supporting structure to fit in the curved gap between two successive curved platforms. This brings about the drawbacks noted above. In addition to the curved platform / seat member support plate configuration, one other reason for these greater tolerances leading to wider gaps between the platforms is that the seat member support plates extend the entire length of the platform. Small manufacturing tolerances for such long platform / support plate combinations is a challenge and leads to increased production costs. It has even been found to be very challenging to meet the maximum threshold value for floor gaps in build codes when using the combination of elongated seat support plates with curved platforms.

[0015] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The invention relates to a removable seats system comprising a number of vertically movable platforms that have a small horizontal gap between each two successive platforms, with said edges of said platforms being curved along said gap, seat members each associated to a corresponding platform and each comprising a row of seats, seat supporting structures that each carry a said seat member, with each seat member being movable relative to said corresponding platform between an operative position in which said seat member is located above said corresponding platform and a stored position in which said seat member is located under said platform, wherein said seat supporting structure comprises at least three discrete, spaced-apart seat support arms that, in said operative position of said seat member, extend through one of said gaps, with said seat support arms being disposed in non-linear relationship along said seat member.

[0017] The invention also relates to a removable seats system comprising a number of vertically movable platforms supported spacedly over ground by a ground-resting platform support and displacement apparatus that engages said platforms and that positions said platforms in a horizontally successively adjacent although slightly horizontally spaced configuration so as to define a small horizontal gap between each two successive said platforms, the edges of said platforms being curved along said gap, said platform support and displacement apparatus further allowing selective independent vertical displacement of said platforms, said removable seats system further comprising a number of seat members each associated to a corresponding said platform and each comprising a row of seats comprising at least one seat and a seat supporting structure carried by one of said platforms and said platform support and displacement apparatus under said platforms and supporting said row of seats; each one of said seat members being movable relative to said corresponding platform between an operative position in which said row of seats is located above said corresponding platform for allowing persons to sit on said row of seats, and a stored position in which said row of seats is located under a said platform; wherein said seat supporting structure comprises at least three discrete, spaced-apart seat support arms that, in said operative position of said seat member, extend through said gap between two said successive platforms, with said seat support arms being disposed in non-linear relationship along said seat member.

[0018] In one embodiment, said seat support arms are disposed in a polygonal configuration.

[0019] In one embodiment, there are exactly thee said seat support arms and they are disposed in a triangular configuration.

[0020] In one embodiment, the edges of said platforms along said gap are arcuate.

[0021] In one embodiment, the edges of said platforms along said gap form an ellipse or a circle segment.

[0022] In one embodiment, each said seat support arm is made of a thin metallic plate. In one embodiment, said thin metallic plate is bent so as to be concave in the direction of said platform.

[0023] The invention further relates to a method of installing a seat member on a vertically movable platform in a removable seats system comprising a number of vertically movable platforms supported spacedly over ground by a ground-resting platform support and displacement apparatus that engages said platforms and that positions said platforms in a horizontally successively adjacent although slightly horizontally spaced configuration so as to define a small horizontal gap between each two successive said platforms, the edges of said platforms being curved along said gap, said platform support and displacement apparatus further allowing selective independent vertical displacement of said platforms, said removable seats system further comprising a number of seat members each associated to a corresponding said platform and each comprising a row of seats comprising at least one seat and a seat supporting structure carried by one of said platforms and said platform support and displacement apparatus under said platforms and supporting said row of seats; said method comprising the steps of:

[0024] • providing at least three discrete, spaced-apart seat support arms on said seat member that are disposed in non-linear relationship along said seat member;

[0025] • moving said vertically movable platform to a position in which it is vertically spaced away from another said vertically movable platform to allow installation of said seat member on said vertically movable platform;

[0026] • displacing said seat member until it rests atop said vertically movable platform, with said seat support arms located in said gap; and

[0027] • moving said vertically movable platform until it becomes functionally aligned with respect to the other said vertically movable platform, with said seat support arms then extending through said gap between said vertically movable platform said other vertically movable platform.

[0028] In one embodiment, the step of displacing said seat member until it rests atop said vertically movable platform, with said seat support arms located in said gap, further comprises abutting said seat support arms against said curved edge of said platform.

[0029] In one embodiment, the step of displacing said seat member until it rests atop said vertically movable platform, with said seat support arms located in said gap, further comprises forcing said seat support structure against said platform to generate a prestress on said seat support member to stabilize said seat member on said vertically movable platform.

[0030] The invention also relates to a removable seats system comprising a number of vertically movable platforms supported spacedly over ground by a ground-resting platform support and displacement apparatus that engages said platforms and that positions said platforms in a horizontally successively adjacent although slightly horizontally spaced configuration so as to define a small horizontal gap between each two successive said platforms, the edges of said platforms being curved along said gap, said platform support and displacement apparatus further allowing selective independent vertical displacement of said platforms, said removable seats system further comprising a number of seat members each associated to a corresponding said platform and each comprising a row of seats comprising at least one seat and a seat supporting structure carried by one of said platforms and said platform support and displacement apparatus under said platforms and supporting said row of seats; said removable seats system also comprising a number of seat displacement mechanisms that each allows each one of said seat members to be movable relative to said corresponding platform between an operative position in which said row of seats is located above said corresponding platform for allowing persons to sit on said row of seats, and a stored position in which said row of seats is located under a said platform; said seat supporting structure extending through said gap between two said successive platforms; wherein each seat displacement mechanism comprises a first seat displacer that allows displacement along at least a horizontal vector, and a second seat displacer that allows a displacement along a vertical vector.

[0031] In one embodiment, said first seat displacer is one of a linear seat displacer and a pivoting seat displacer.

[0032] In one embodiment, said second seat displacer comprises a linear seat displacer.

[0033] The invention further relates to a method of installing a seat member on a vertically movable platform in a removable seats system comprising a number of vertically movable platforms supported spacedly over ground by a ground-resting platform support and displacement apparatus that engages said platforms and that positions said platforms in a horizontally successively adjacent although slightly horizontally spaced configuration so as to define a small horizontal gap between each two successive said platforms, the edges of said platforms being curved along said gap, said platform support and displacement apparatus further allowing selective independent vertical displacement of said platforms, said removable seats system further comprising a number of seat members each associated to a corresponding said platform and each comprising a row of seats comprising at least one seat and a seat supporting structure carried by one of said platforms and said platform support and displacement apparatus under said platforms and supporting said row of seats; said removable seats system also comprising a number of seat displacement mechanisms that each allows each one of said seat members to be movable relative to said corresponding platform between an operative position in which said row of seats is located above said corresponding platform for allowing persons to sit on said row of seats, and a stored position in which said row of seats is located under a said platform; said method comprising the steps of:

[0034] • actuating a platform actuator to raise said vertically movable platform from a lower to an upper position, in which it is vertically spaced away from another said platform to allow installation of said seat member on said vertically movable platform;

[0035] • actuating a first seat displacer to displace said seat member along at least a horizontal vector from a first horizontal position in which it is located horizontally under said platform to a second horizontal position where it is located to vertically clear said platform;

[0036] • actuating a second seat displacer to displace said seat member along at least a vertical vector from a lower position in which it is located vertically under said platform to an upper position in which it is located higher than said platform;

[0037] • actuating said first seat displacer to displace said seat member away from its second horizontal position to a position in which said seat member is located above said vertically movable platform and in which said seat support structure extends through said gap from below said platform to above said platform;

[0038] • actuating said second seat displacer to lower said seat member away from its position above said platform to an operative position in which it abuts against said vertically movable platform; and

[0039] • actuating said platform actuator to lower said vertically movable platform until it becomes functionally aligned with said another platform.

[0040] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] In the enclosed drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic top plan view of a multipurpose room equipped with a removable seats system according to the present invention, showing the room in its theatre room configuration;

[0042] Figure 2 is a partial schematic side elevation, at an enlarged scale, of the room of figure 1, with the platform lifting mechanisms being omitted;

[0043] Figures 3A and 3B are respectively a front perspective view and a side cross-sectional elevation taken along line lll-B - lll-B in figure 3A of the vertically movable platform and the fixed platform of the removable seats system of Figures 1 and 2, at an enlarged scale, in the seatless room configuration;

[0044] Figures 4A and 4B are similar to Figures 3A and 3B, but with Figure 4B taken along line

[0045] IV-B - IV-B of Figure 4A and with the vertically movable platform being raised in its upper position;

[0046] Figures 5A and 5B are similar to Figures 4A and 4B, but with Figure 5B taken along line

[0047] V-B - V-B of Figure 5A and with the seat member being moved into its rear position;

[0048] Figures 6A and 6B are similar to Figures 5A and 5B, but with Figure 6B taken along line

[0049] VI-B - Vl-B of Figure 6A and with the seat member being raised into its upper position;

[0050] Figures 7A and 7B are similar to Figures 6A and 6B, but with Figure 7B taken along line

[0051] VII-B — Vll-B of Figure 7A and with the seat member being moved frontwardly until its support arms abut against the read edge of the movable platform panel;

[0052] Figures 8A and 8B are similar to Figures 7A and 7B, but with Figure 8B taken along line

[0053] VIII-B — Vlll-B of Figure 8A and with the seat member being lowered into its operative position, resting on the movable platform panel;

[0054] Figures 9A and 9B are similar to Figures 8A and 8B, but with Figure 9B taken along line

[0055] IX-B - IX-B of Figure 9A and with the vertically movable platform being lowered to its lower position, with the support arms extending through the gap between the movable platform panel and the fixed platform panel, with the removable seats system then being in its theatre room configuration;

[0056] Figure 10 is a front perspective view, from a lower angle, of the vertically movable platform and fixed platform of Figures 7A and 7B;

[0057] Figure 11 is a rear perspective view of the vertically movable platform of Figures 6A and 6B, also from a lower angle; Figure 12 is an enlarged perspective view of one end of the vertically movable platform of Figure 11;

[0058] Figures 13 is a rear perspective view of the vertically movable platform and the fixed platform of Figures 9 and 9A;

[0059] Figure 14 is an enlarged view of the area circumscribed by circle XIV of Figure 13;

[0060] Figure 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV of Figure 14;

[0061] Figure 16 is a top plan view of the vertically movable platform and the seat member of Figures 11-12;

[0062] Figure 17 is a schematic top plan view of the seat member of Figure 16, suggesting the triangular configuration of the seat support arms;

[0063] Figure 18 is a side elevation of a removable seats system according to another embodiment of the invention, with the seat member being in its stored position;

[0064] Figure 19 is similar to Figure 18, but with the seat member being pivoted to its rear position;

[0065] Figure 20 is similar to Figure 19, but with the seat member being moved into its raised position;

[0066] Figure 21 is similar to Figure 20, but with the seat member being moved frontwardly until its support arms abut against the read edge of the movable platform panel; and

[0067] Figure 22 is similar to Figure 21, but with the seat member being lowered into its operative position, resting on the movable platform panel.

[0068] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0069] Figures 1 and 2 schematically show a multipurpose room 25 that can be configured either in a theatre room configuration to accommodate a seated attendance (as illustrated in figures 1-2) or alternately in a free floor configuration (not shown) wherein all theatre seats are stowed away to allow the room to have a flat, free floor surface that can be used for examples of dinners, shows or any other desired event wherein the theatre seats are not required. Room 25 comprises a front stage portion 26 and a main room portion 1 , the latter provided with a removable seats system 30 according to the present invention. As will be detailed hereinafter, removable seats system 30 comprises a number of vertically movable platforms 32 which collectively form a floor for people in main room portion 27 to stand on. Platforms 32 can be installed at selected elevations and a number of seat members 34 can be selectively installed atop the platforms 32 or, as detailed hereinafter, stored under platforms 32. Each platform 32 may support more than one seat member 34. If seat members 34 are installed on platforms 32, then room 25 is said to be in its theatre room configuration wherein attendees may be seated on seat members 34. Platforms 32 may then be installed in a gradually rising bleacher configuration away from the front stage portion 26. If seat members 34 removed from atop the platforms 32 and stored under platforms 32 instead, then room 25 is said to be in its free floor configuration. Platforms 32 may then be installed at a same elevation to form a flat floor surface, e.g., to receive a standing attendance or to install tables and chairs, or for any other desired purpose wherein seat members 34 are not required. Each seat member 34 includes one or more seats, e.g., an entire row of seats.

[0070] Figures 1-2 also show that a rear fixed platform panel 37 is provided where seat members 29 that are not part of removable seats system 30 are installed.

[0071] Skirts 28 may optionally depend from the front edge of each platform 32 to fill the vertical spaced between two successive platforms 32 when they are elevated at different heights to form a gradually rising theatre room configuration.

[0072] Platforms 32 are curved, meaning that their front and rear edges are curved. They are more precisely arcuate, and even more particularly their front and rear edges form an ellipse or a circle segment, with their concavity facing the front stage portion 26.

[0073] Figures 1-17 show a removable seats system 30 according to the present invention comprising only one vertically movable platform 32 and the rear fixed platform 37. While only a single platform 32 is shown for convenience, it is understood that removable seats system 30 can, and normally will, include several movable platforms 32 as shown in Figures 1-2.

[0074] Figures 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B - that will be detailed later in this specification - more particularly show the displacement of the rearmost platform member 32 relative to the rear fixed platform panel 37 to allow the seat member 34 corresponding to this platform 32 to be moved between its stored and operative positions. These figures are referenced by pairs with the letter A or B, with each pair being views of a same configuration or state of removable seats systems 30, i.e., Figures 3A and 3B are a front perspective view and a side cross-sectional view of a first state of removable seats system 30, Figures 4A and 4B of a second state, and so on. In the present specification, where reference is made to one of those figure numbers without the letter A or B, that reference should be understood to include both views A and B, for example for example Figure 3 refers to both Figures 3A and 3B, and so on.

[0075] With reference to Figures 1-17, and in particular to Figures 10-12, the structure of the rearmost movable platform 32 of removable seats system 30 and of its corresponding seat member 34 will now be detailed. It is understood that other platforms 32 and their seat members 34 work in the same way, except that they will be positioned in front of another platform 32 instead of in front of fixed platform panel 37. Fixed platform panel 37 is supported spacedly over ground 38 by a fixed supporting structure 40.

[0076] Vertically movable platform 32 is supported spacedly over ground 38 by a groundresting platform support and displacement apparatus 42 that engages vertically movable platform 32 and that positions vertically movable platform 32 in a horizontally successively adjacent although slightly horizontally spaced configuration relative to fixed platform 37 and relative to the frontwardly located adjacent platform 32 (not shown in Figures 3-17, but shown in Figures 1 and 2).

[0077] Platform support and displacement apparatus 42 comprises a pair of vertical linear actuators in the form of motorized spiral band actuators 44, 46 of known construction, that are each fixed to the ground 38. Any other type of known linear actuator could be used instead, such as hydraulic cylinders. Vertically movable platform 32 is mounted to linear actuators 44, 46 by means of vertical posts 48, 50. Linear actuators 44, 46 and vertical posts 48, 50 vertically support vertically movable platform 32 and linear actuators 44, 46 may be extracted or retracted to vertically displace vertically movable platform 32 between a lower position shown in Figures 3, 9 and 13-15 and an upper position shown in Figures 4-8 and 10- 11.

[0078] Platform support and displacement apparatus 42 also comprises guide members in the form of a pair of linkages 52, 54 of known construction, that are each fixed to the ground 38. Vertically movable platform 32 is attached to linkages 52, 54 by means of vertical posts 56, 58. Linkages 52, 54 guide vertically movable platform 32 in its vertical displacement and help to stabilize it, i.e., to prevent undesirable movement of vertically movable platform 32 horizontally. Vertically movable platform 32 comprises an elongated movable platform panel 60 on which persons may stand and on which seat member 34 may be installed as described further below. Fixed platform panel 60 is curved, i.e., its longitudinal edges 60a, 60b are not linear but rather have a curved shape. This curved shape may be shaped as the arc of a circle, of an ellipse, or otherwise. It could even be formed of a series of discrete straight edges that collectively form the equivalent of a curve.

[0079] Fixed platform panel 37 is curved such that its front edge 37a matches the curved shape of the rear edge 60b of movable platform panel 60. Fixed platform panel 37 and movable platform panel 60 are horizontally adjacent albeit very slightly spaced-apart such that a small horizontal gap 61 exists between the rear edge 60b of movable platform panel 60 and the front edge 37a of fixed platform panel 37 - see Figures 13-15. The front edge 60a of platform panel 60 is also curved to match the curved rear edge 60b of the frontwardly adjacent platform panel 60. A gap 61a (Figure 1) also exists between the platform panels 60 of each consecutive pair of vertically movable platforms 32 of removable seats system 30. Gaps 61, 61a technically exist at all times, i.e., there is a small horizontal distance between the vertically movable platforms 32 and between platform 32 and fixed platform 37 at any vertical position of movable platform panels 60, but gaps 61, 61a are particularly visible and relevant when movable platform panels 60 are vertically aligned with each other and with fixed platform panel 37 as seen for example in Figures 13-15; or in a position such as in Figure 2 where the platform panels 32 are not installed at a same elevation in the theatre room configuration of room 25 but form a bleacher type floor configuration. In the present specification, platforms 32 are said to be "functionally aligned" when platform panels 60 / fixed floor panel 37 are either vertically aligned to form a flat floor such as in Figures 3, 9 and 13; or in any position where platforms 32 / fixed platform 37 form a functional floor configuration, such as for example in Figure 2 where the room 25 is in an operative bleacher type theatre room configuration but with the platform panels 60 / fixed floor panel 37 not being actually vertically aligned but still forming a floor.

[0080] Platform panel 60 is fixed to and carried by a number of short platform transverse bars 62 that extend radially from the front curved edge 60a of platform panel 60 towards its rear curved edge 60b. Platform transverse bars 62 are each carried by a pair of short vertical support rods 64 that engage respective profile transverse bars 66 by pairs. Profile transverse bars 66 in turn extend through, are fixedly attached to and are carried by a curved steel profile 68, the curved shaped of which essentially matches the curve of platform panel 60 such that it longitudinally extends along and underneath platform panel 60. Steel profile 68 is fixedly attached to and carried atop vertical posts 48, 50, 56, 58.

[0081] Seat member 34 is shown schematically in the annexed drawings. It may include any suitable seat structure such as for example a number of individual seats 35 that each comprise a seat a backrest and a seat platform that is pivotable towards and away from the backrest. As is often the case in theatre rooms, the seat platform is spring-biased towards the backrest to allow people to circulate more easily within the aisles formed between each consecutive row of seats while no one sits on the seat 35. The seat platform may be forced to a horizontal position away form the backrest against a spring's effect, to allow a person to sit on the seat. Seat member 34 may extend for a fraction of the length of a platform 32 as shown in Figures 1, or could alternately about extends for about the entire length of a platform 32. Seat member 34 is curved to generally match the shape of platform panel 60.

[0082] Seat member 34 is carried by a seat supporting structure that includes an elongated curved upper seat support member 70 on which seats 35 are fixed. Upper seat support member 70 is linked to an elongated curved lower seat support member 72 by three spacedapart, discrete seat support arms 74, 76, 78. Each support arm 74, 76, 78 is formed of an elongated thin plate that is attached at both ends respectively to upper seat support member 70 and to lower seat support member 72. Two support arms 74, 78 are located near the ends of seat member 34, and the other support arm 76 is located midway between the two other support arms 74, 78.

[0083] Removable seats system 30 further comprises a seat displacement mechanism 80 that comprises a vertical seat displacer 82 and a horizontal seat displacer 84.

[0084] Vertical seat displacer 82 comprises three rails 86, 88, 90 that are respectively engaged by brackets 92, 94, 96 that are fixed underneath lower seat support member 72. Vertical motors 98, 100, 102 that are fixed to brackets 92, 94, 96 allow, by a suitable transmission mechanism in the form of a gear and chain mechanism 103 (see Figure 12) provided for each motor 98, 100, 102, to move the corresponding brackets 92, 94, 96 along rails 86, 88, 90 and, consequently, to move seat member 34 relative to platform panel 60 vertically between a lower position shown in Figures 3-5 in which seat member 34 is located entirely lower than platform panel 60; and an upper position shown in Figures 6-15 in which seat member 34 is located entirely higher than platform panel 60. Horizontal seat displacer 84 comprises three four-bar articulated linkages 104, 106, 108 that are each pivotally attached at one end under steel profile 68 and at the other end to a corresponding one of brackets 118, 120, 122. Rails 86, 88, 90 are attached to and carried by brackets 118, 120, 122. Horizontal motors 110, 112, 114 are fixed to and downwardly depend from steel profile 68 and each engage a respective one of four-bar linkages 104, 106, 108 to control their pivotal displacement, which results in a corresponding horizontal displacement of seat member 34 between a front position shown in Figures 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 and 13-15 where it is vertically aligned with platform panel 60, i.e. vertically positioned between the front and rear edges 60a, 60b of platform panel 60; and a rear position shown in Figures 5, 6 and 10-12 where it is positioned entirely behind the rear edge 60b of platform panel 60.

[0085] In use, removable seats system 30 may adopt a theatre room configuration shown in Figures 1, 2, 9 and 13-15 where rows of seats are accessible for seating purposes, and a seatless room configuration shown in Figure 3 where a flat floor surface devoid of seats is provided. The "seatless" qualifier refers to the area located above platform panel 60 where no seat member is then present.

[0086] More particularly, in the seatless room configuration shown in Figures 3, vertically movable platform 32 is vertically positioned such that its movable platform panel 60 is functionally aligned with the fixed platform panel 37 of fixed platform 36, and with the platform panels 32 of other platforms (not shown in Figures 3-15), such that their upper surfaces form a functional floor surface that is devoid of any theatre seats and is thus usable for any other desired purpose. Although gaps 61 and 61a exist between movable platform panel 60 and fixed platform panel 37 and between the platform panels 60 of different platforms 32, it is narrow enough to be nigh unnoticeable (more on this below). In this configuration, seat member 34 is located in its front and lower position, and is stored and concealed under movable platform panel 60 such that a person standing on movable platform panel 60 does not notice it.

[0087] To transform removable seats system 30 from its seatless configuration to its theatre room configuration, the following steps occur:

[0088] • As shown sequentially in Figures 3 and 4, linear actuators 44, 46 are actuated to raise vertically movable platform 32 from its lower to its upper position, with seat member 34 being carried by vertically movable platform 32 in this vertical displacement. Movable platform panel 60 becomes vertically spaced above fixed platform panel 37; • As shown sequentially in Figure 4 and 5, horizontal seat displacer 84 is actuated to displace seat member 34 from its front to its rear position. It is then located rearwardly of the rear edge 60b of movable platform panel 60;

[0089] • As sequentially shown in Figures 5 and 6, vertical seat displacer 82 is actuated to displace seat member 34 form its lower to its upper position. It is then located higher than movable platform panel 60;

[0090] • As sequentially shown in Figures 6 and 7 , horizontal seat displacer 84 is actuated to displace seat member 34 frontwards, away from its rear position, until seat support arms 74, 76, 78 abut against the rear edge 60b of movable platform panel 60. Seat member 34 remains located at a same height above movable platform panel 60. Upper seat support member 70 is located above movable platform panel 60 while lower seat support member 72 is located under movable platform panel 60;

[0091] • As sequentially shown in Figures 7 and 8, vertical seat displacer 82 is actuated to lower seat member 34 away from its upper position until upper support member 70 abuts against the upper surface of movable platform panel 60. More particularly, as shown in Figures 12, 14 and 15, support feet 116 are provided under upper support member 70 to abut against movable platform panel 60. Seat member 34 is then in its operative position relative to its corresponding vertically movable platform 32; and

[0092] • As sequentially shown in Figures 8 and 9, linear actuators 44, 46 are actuated to lower vertically movable platform 32 from its upper to it lower position. Movable platform panel 60 becomes functionally aligned with fixed platform panel 37 once again. Seat member 34 remains in its operative position, installed above movable platform panel 60, usable by persons to sit. Supports arms 74, 76, 78 extend through gap 61 between movable platform panel 60 and fixed platform panel 37.

[0093] In one embodiment, the step of lowering seat member 34 away from its upper position until upper support member 70 abuts against the upper surface of movable platform panel 60, further includes forcing upper support member 70 against movable platform panel 60 so as to apply a prestress on the seat support member (the seat support member comprises the combination of upper support member 70, lower support member 72 and support arms 74, 76, 78). This prestress of the seat support member 70, 72, 74, 76, 78 helps prevent seat member 34 from moving relative to movable platform panel 60, particularly when persons sit on it. It is noted that although the above-described displacement of seat member 34 from its stored to its operative position has been explained with the movement of vertically movable platform 32 relative to fixed platform 37, the same steps may allow to move a seat member 34 from its stored to its operative position atop its platform 32 where platform 32 is adjacent to another platform 32. The rear edge 60b of each movable platform panel 60 is then located functionally adjacent to the front edge 60a of the rearwardly adjacent movable platform panel 60 such that the gap 61a is formed between two movable platform panels 60, with the seat support arms 74, 76 78 then extending within that gap 61a.

[0094] In one embodiment, in the theatre room configuration, each successive movable platform panel 60 is positioned lower than the position of the rearwardly adjacent movable platform panel 60 so as to form gradually rising rows of seats, e.g., bleachers, as suggested in Figure 1. The gap 61a between each pair of movable platform panels 60 remains present to allow the support arms 74, 76, 78 to extend therethrough. The functional alignment of the platforms 32 is then not a vertical alignment, as mentioned above.

[0095] Removing seat member 34 from atop movable platform panel 60 in the theatre room configuration to store it below movable platform panel 60 in the seatless room configuration, can be accomplished in the opposite order than the installation of seat member 34 on movable platform panel 60, as sequentially shown from Figure 9 down to Figure 3: vertically movable platform 32 is raised to its upper position (Figure 9 to Figure 8), seat member 34 is lifted above movable platform panel 60 (Figure 8 to Figure 7), seat member 34 is moved backward away from the movable platform panel read edge 60b (Figure 7 to Figure 6), seat member 34 is lowered until it is lower than platform panel 60 (Figure 6 to Figure 5), seat member 34 is moved horizontally underneath platform panel 60 (Figure 5 to Figure 4), and finally vertically movable platform 32 is lowered until platform panel 60 is functionally aligned with fixed platform panel 37 (Figure 4 to Figure 3).

[0096] According to the present invention, and as particularly shown in Figures 13-17, removable seats system 30 of the invention relies on the use of narrow, discrete, spaced-apart seat support arms 74, 76, 78 to bridge the upper and lower seat support members 70, 72 through the gap 61, 61a between movable platform panel 60 and fixed platform panel 37 or between two successive movable platform panels 60, as opposed to having an elongated plate that extends essentially for the entire length of the seat member as was the case in the prior art. As mentioned in the Background of the Invention section above, a problem in using long support plates that extend through the gap such as in the prior art, is that the manufacturing tolerance needs to be greater, which leads to gap 61 being wider. With the narrow, discrete, spaced-apart support arms 74, 76, 78, the manufacturing tolerance can be much smaller, which means that the gap 61, 61a can be narrower. This minimizes movement of platforms 32 and helps avoid small objects falling or getting stuck in gap 61, 61a.

[0097] The use of discrete, spaced-apart support arms 74, 76, 78 is particularly advantageous in the case of a removable seats system that includes curved movable platform panels 60. Indeed, as noted above, the problem of greater mechanical tolerances is exacerbated when the movable platform panels are curved. This problem is solved efficiently by providing discrete, spaced-apart support arms 74, 76, 78 because they may then be disposed along the curved seat member 34 in a non-linear relationship, and more particularly in triangular configuration as suggested by reference number 124 in Figure 17. The non-linear, triangular support provides a stable support for seat member 34 despite having only three narrow discrete, spaced-apart support arms 74, 76, 78 instead of an elongated support plate that extends for the entire length of the seat member 34. If the three support arms 74, 76, 78 were installed linearly such as to replace the straight elongated support plate of the prior art, the seat member support structure would lack rigidity, or in the alternative, they would need to be made much thickerto have the required rigidity, requiring a widergap 61, 61a, which would defeat the objective of having a narrow gap 61, 61a between the platforms. But, by having the three support arms 74, 76, 78 be disposed non-linearly, it allows them to remain thin, and the gap 61, 61a, to be correspondingly narrow.

[0098] Figures 14-15 in particular show that seat support arms 74, 76, 78 are made of a thin metallic plate that is bent so as to be concave in the direction of the platform panel 60 on which it is installed. This allows the upper and lower seat support members 70, 72 to be located slightly inside of the rear edge 60b of platform panel 60 to prevent portions of seat member 34, other than support arms 74, 76, 78, from coming into contact with an adjacent fixed platform 37 or vertically movable platform 32 while platforms move vertically.

[0099] Incidentally, having three narrow, discrete seat support arms 74, 76, 78 also reduces production costs and makes installing the removable seats system 30 easier.

[0100] Another advantage of having discrete, spaced-apart support arms 74, 76, 78 is that it allows adjusting the position and stability of seat member 34 at different positions of seat member 34, as opposed to the prior art systems where a single, unitary, elongated plate extending through the gap did not allow adjustment at distinct positions along seat member 34. For example, each support arm 74, 76, 78 may be raised or lowered slightly, or may even be bent or otherwise modified to accommodate the particular configuration of seat member 34, or the configuration or restrictions of the gap 61, 61a between platforms 32, 37, e.g., as a result of capricious construction tolerances or unforeseen installation irregularities.

[0101] In one embodiment (not shown), more than three discrete, spaced-apart support arms 74, 76, 78 are disposed in non-linear relationship to support seat member 34. Four, five or more support arms could thusly be installed. This could be considered particularly if the seat member 34 is longer. Generally, the non-linear seat support arms may be disposed according to a polygonal configuration, i.e., forming a shape having three or more sides.

[0102] Figures 18-22 show another embodiment of the invention, which is similar to the embodiment of Figures 1-17, except as noted hereinafter.

[0103] Removable seats system 130 of Figures 18-22 comprises a seat displacement mechanism 180 to displace seat member 134 from under to over movable platform panel 160 that differs from seat displacement mechanism 80 of the embodiment of Figures 1-17. Seat displacement mechanism 180 comprises a linear seat displacer 182 and a pivoting seat displacer 184.

[0104] Linear seat displacer 182 includes at least one (although three may be used, like in the embodiment of Figures 1-17) elongated rail 200 along which a bracket 92 is slidable between a lower position shown in Figures 18 and 19 and an upper position shown in Figures 20 and 21. A motor (concealed in the drawings, but similar to motor 102 of the embodiment of Figures 1-17) moves bracket 92 along rail 200.

[0105] Rail 200 is pivotally attached to a rail bracket 202 that is fixed to a vertical post 150 that is part of the platform support and displacement apparatus. Rail 200 is pivotable between a frontward position shown in Figure 18 and a rearward position shown in Figures 19 and 20. Pivoting seat displacer 184 comprises a motor 204 carried by vertical post 150, and a linkage 206 linking motor 204 to rails 200, to control the pivoting of rail 200 about its pivotal attachments to brackets 202.

[0106] In use, seat member 134 may be moved from its stored and concealed position under movable platform panel 160 to its operative atop movable platform panel 160 by following these steps:

[0107] As sequentially shown in Figures 18 and 19, pivoting seat displacer 184 is actuated to pivot seat member 134 from its frontward position to its rearward position; • As sequentially shown in Figures 19 and 20, linear seat displacer 182 is actuated to move seat member 134 along and parallel to rail 200 from its lower to its upper position;

[0108] • As sequentially shown in Figures 20 and 21, pivoting seat displacer 184 is actuated to pivot seat member 134 from its rearward to an upright position, which is not quite as frontwardly located as its frontward position. In the upright position of seat member 134, rail 200 is upright, the three seat support arms 174, 176 (with the third being concealed in Figures 18-22) abut against the rear edge 160b of platform panel 160, upper support member 170 is located above movable platform panel 160, and lower support member 172 is located under movable platform panel 160. In this position, the three seat support arms 174, 176 abut against the rear edge 160b of movable platform panel 160;

[0109] • As sequentially shown in Figures 21 and 22, linear seat displacer 182 is actuated to displace seat member 134 along rail 200 downwardly until seat member 134 abuts atop movable platform panel 160. An additional optional step of applying a prestress on the seat member support structure 170, 172, 174, 176 as described in the embodiment of Figures 1-17 may also be accomplished.

[0110] Moving seat member 134 from above movable platform panel 160 to below it, can be done by simply following the preceding steps in the opposite order.

[0111] One advantage of the removable seats system 30 or 130 according to the present invention relies on the use of a seat displacement mechanism 80 or 180 that allows the seat member 34, 134 to be moved from a stored and concealed position under movable platform panel 60, 160 to an operative position above movable platform panel 60, 160. Each seat displacement mechanism 80 and 180 includes a first seat displacer that allows displacement along a horizontal vector, namely, horizontal seat displacer 84 and pivoting seat displacer 184; and a second seat displacer that allows a displacement along a vertical vector, namely, vertical seat displacer 82 and linear seat displacer 182.

[0112] In one embodiment (not shown), the seat member is stored and concealed under an adjacent platform, to the front or to the back of the platform on which it is installed. The horizontal and vertical seat displacers would then be attached to the adjacent platform and would allow the seat member to move from its stored position under the adjacent platform, to its operative position atop its corresponding platform. While in the operative position of the seat member atop its corresponding platform, the support arms would extend between the seat member's corresponding platform and the adjacent platform under which it is stored, as they would remain carried by the horizontal / vertical seat displacers.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 09 December 2024 (09.12.2024)1. A removable seats system comprising a number of vertically movable platforms that have a small horizontal gap between each two successive platforms and a platform support and displacement apparatus for vertically moving said platforms, with edges of said platforms being curved along said gap, seat members each associated to a corresponding platform and each comprising a row of seats, seat supporting structures that each carry a said seat member, and a number of seat displacement mechanisms that each allow a said seat member to be movable relative to said corresponding platform between an operative position in which said seat member is located above said corresponding platform and a stored position in which said seat member is located under a said platform, wherein said seat supporting structure comprises at least three discrete, spaced-apart seat support arms that, in said operative position of said seat member, extend through one of said gaps, with said seat support arms being disposed in non-linear relationship along said seat member.

2. A removable seats system comprising a number of vertically movable platforms supported spacedly over ground by a ground-resting platform support and displacement apparatus that engages said platforms and that positions said platforms in a horizontally successively adjacent although slightly horizontally spaced configuration so as to define a small horizontal gap between each two successive said platforms, edges of said platforms being curved along said gap, said platform support and displacement apparatus further allowing selective independent vertical displacement of said platforms, said removable seats system further comprising a number of seat members each associated to a corresponding said platform and each comprising a row of seats and a seat supporting structure carried by one of said platforms and said platform support and displacement apparatus under said platforms and supporting said row of seats; said removable seats system comprising a number of seat displacement mechanisms that each allow one of said seat members to be movable relative to said corresponding platform between an operative position in which said row of seats is located above said corresponding platform for allowing persons to sit on said row of seats, and a stored position in which said row of seats is located under a said platform; wherein said seat supporting structure comprises at least three discrete, spaced-apart seat support arms that, in said operative position of said seat member, extendAMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)through said gap between two said successive platforms, with said seat support arms being disposed in non-linear relationship along said seat member.

3. A removable seats system as defined in claim 2, wherein said seat support arms are disposed in a polygonal configuration.

4. A removable seats system as defined in claim 3, wherein there are exactly thee said seat support arms and they are disposed in a triangular configuration.

5. A removable seats system as defined in claim 2, wherein the edges of said platforms along said gap are arcuate.

6. A removable seats system as defined in claim 5, wherein the edges of said platforms along said gap form an ellipse or a circle segment.

7. A removable seats system as defined in claim 2, wherein each said seat support arm is made of a thin metallic plate.

8. A removable seats system as defined in claim 7 , wherein said thin metallic plate is bent so as to be concave in the direction of said platform.

9. A method of installing a seat member on a vertically movable platform in a removable seats system comprising a number of vertically movable platforms supported spacedly over ground by a ground-resting platform support and displacement apparatus that engages said platforms and that positions said platforms in a horizontally successively adjacent although slightly horizontally spaced configuration so as to define a small horizontal gap between each two successive said platforms, the edges of said platforms being curved along said gap, said platform support and displacement apparatus further allowing selective independent vertical displacement of said platforms, said removable seats system further comprising a number of seat members each associated to a corresponding said platform and each comprising a row of seats comprising at least one seat and a seat supporting structure carried by one of said platforms and said platform support and displacement apparatus under said platforms and supporting said row of seats; said method comprising the steps of:AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)• providing at least three discrete, spaced-apart seat support arms on said seat member that are disposed in non-linear relationship along said seat member;• moving said vertically movable platform to a position in which it is vertically spaced away from another said vertically movable platform to allow installation of said seat member on said vertically movable platform;• displacing said seat member until it rests atop said vertically movable platform, with said seat support arms located in said gap; and• moving said vertically movable platform until it becomes functionally aligned with respect to the other said vertically movable platform, with said seat support arms then extending through said gap between said vertically movable platform said other vertically movable platform.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of displacing said seat member until it rests atop said vertically movable platform, with said seat support arms located in said gap, further comprises abutting said seat support arms against said curved edge of said platform.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of displacing said seat member until it rests atop said vertically movable platform, with said seat support arms located in said gap, further comprises forcing said seat support structure against said platform to generate a prestress on said seat support member to stabilize said seat member on said vertically movable platform.

12. A removable seats system comprising a number of vertically movable platforms supported spacedly over ground by a ground-resting platform support and displacement apparatus that engages said platforms and that positions said platforms in a horizontally successively adjacent although slightly horizontally spaced configuration so as to define a small horizontal gap between each two successive said platforms, the edges of said platforms being curved along said gap, said platform support and displacement apparatus further allowing selective independent vertical displacement of said platforms, said removable seats system further comprising a number of seat members each associated to a corresponding said platform and each comprising a row of seats comprising at least one seat and a seat supporting structureAMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)carried by one of said platforms and said platform support and displacement apparatus under said platforms and supporting said row of seats; said removable seats system also comprising a number of seat displacement mechanisms that each allows each one of said seat members to be movable relative to said corresponding platform between an operative position in which said row of seats is located above said corresponding platform for allowing persons to sit on said row of seats, and a stored position in which said row of seats is located under a said platform; said seat supporting structure extending through said gap between two said successive platforms; wherein each seat displacement mechanism comprises a first seat displacer that allows displacement of each said seat member relative to said corresponding platform along at least a horizontal vector, and a second seat displacer that allows a displacement of each said seat member relative to said corresponding platform along a vertical vector, with said first an second seat displacers being distinct from said platform support and displacement apparatus to allow movement of said seat members independently of and relative to said platforms.

13. A removable seats system as defined in claim 12, wherein said first seat displacer is one of a linear seat displacer and a pivoting seat displacer.

14. A removable seats system as defined in claim 12, wherein said second seat displacer comprises a linear seat displacer.

15. A method of installing a seat member on a vertically movable platform in a removable seats system comprising a number of vertically movable platforms supported spacedly over ground by a ground-resting platform support and displacement apparatus that engages said platforms and that positions said platforms in a horizontally successively adjacent although slightly horizontally spaced configuration so as to define a small horizontal gap between each two successive said platforms, the edges of said platforms being curved along said gap, said platform support and displacement apparatus further allowing selective independent vertical displacement of said platforms, said removable seats system further comprising a number of seat members each associated to a corresponding said platform and each comprising a row of seats comprising at least one seat and a seat supporting structure carried by one of saidAMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)platforms and said platform support and displacement apparatus under said platforms and supporting said row of seats; said removable seats system also comprising a number of seat displacement mechanisms that each allows each one of said seat members to be movable relative to said corresponding platform between an operative position in which said row of seats is located above said corresponding platform for allowing persons to sit on said row of seats, and a stored position in which said row of seats is located under a said platform, with said seat displacement mechanisms being distinct from said platform support and displacement apparatus to allow movement of said seat members independently of and relative to said platforms; said method comprising the steps of:• actuating a platform actuator to raise said vertically movable platform from a lower to an upper position, in which it is vertically spaced away from another said platform to allow installation of said seat member on said vertically movable platform;• actuating a first seat displacer to displace said seat member relative to said corresponding platform along at least a horizontal vector from a first horizontal position in which it is located under said platform to a second horizontal position where it is located to vertically clear said platform;• actuating a second seat displacer to displace said seat member relative to said corresponding platform along at least a vertical vector from a lower position in which it is located vertically under said platform to an upper position in which it is located higher than said platform;• actuating said first seat displacer to displace said seat member relative to said corresponding platform away from its second horizontal position to a position in which said seat member is located above said vertically movable platform and in which said seat support structure extends through said gap from below said platform to above said platform;• actuating said second seat displacer to lower said seat member relatively to said corresponding platform away from its position above said platform to an operative position in which it abuts against said vertically movable platform; and• actuating said platform actuator to lower said vertically movable platform until it becomes functionally aligned with said another platform.AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19In the Notification, Claims 1-11 are considered to have novelty and an inventive step over to the prior art.However, Claims 12-15 are considered to have novelty but to lack an inventive step. In amended Claims 12 and 15, it is now defined that “said seat displacement mechanisms [are] distinct from said platform support and displacement apparatus to allow movement of said seat members independently of and relative to said platforms” and that the movement of the seat members with the first and second seat displacers occurs “relative to said corresponding platform”.This distinguishes Claims 12 and 15 from document DI (WO 2017 / 161447) where the vertical displacement of the seat members occurs by means of adjacent platforms. More precisely, to move a seat member vertically in DI, it is first laid atop an adjacent platform, then the adjacent platform moves vertically, and then the seat member is removed from the adjacent platform to be installed on its corresponding platform. In the present invention on the other hand, the vertical movement of the seat member is obtained without having to move or use an adjacent platform.Amended Claims 12-15 are now considered to comprise both novelty and an inventive step over the prior art.

Images