Chassis rail system for theater seat

Abstract

A new and improved chassis rail system for theater seating comprises a pair of rails affixed to a theater floor by means of suitable bolts inserted through holes defined within the rails. In addition, upstanding bolts, captured by means of spring-fingered washers affixed to the rails, are provided such that the bolts can project upwardly through holes defined within the legs of the theater seating unit. When nuts are secured upon the bolts, the theater seating units will be fixedly secured to each one of the rails such that the theater seating units are automatically aligned in a linear manner. In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, only a rear rail is employed. The rear rail has a raised lip portion running along its front edge portion such that a rearwardly extending tab of each rear leg of each theater seating unit can extend beneath the raised lip, and engage the same, thereby effectively locking the theater seating unit in place. Then only each front leg of each theater seating unit need be bolted to the theater floor.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to theater seating, and more particularly to a new and improved system for mounting seats within a theater such that all of the seats, disposed within a single row, are automatically aligned with respect to each other in a straight or linear manner.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] As is well-known, theater seating is generally installed in straight lines or rows. When installing individual seats, the installation of each seat is critical in order that when a complete row of seats has been installed, all of the seats are perfectly aligned with respect to each other such that each row of seats does in fact form a straight line. In order to achieve this result conventionally, technicians must measure and check the installation of each seat such that when completed, all of the seats, disposed within a particular row, will in fact be perfectly aligned with respect to each other such that the resulting row of seats extend along a straight linear path. More particularly, after the installation of each individual seat, one or more seats need to be finally adjusted such that all of the seats are in fact properly aligned with respect to each other. Conventionally, as can be appreciated from FIGS. 1-4, a typical upholstered theater seating unit is disclosed at 10, while a typical upholstered theater seating unit base, upon which the actual chair of the seating unit 10 is fixedly secured, is disclosed at 12. The base 12 includes a plurality of legs 14 which are fixedly secured to the base 12 at their upper ends and adapted to be fixedly secured to the theater floor by means of suitable fasteners, bolts, or the like 16, which are to be inserted through slots 18 defined within the lower end portions of each one of the plurality of legs 14 so as to in fact be capable of being fixedly attached or bolted to the floor, as illustrated within FIG. 4. Accordingly, the conventional method or operation for installing the theater seating units 10 comprises initially placing the seating units 10 onto the theater floor so as to effectively establish the overall array of the seating units 10 as they would comprise the entire layout of the theater seating units, marking locations for each seating unit upon the theater floor, temporarily removing the seating units 10 from the theater floor so that technicians can then drill holes into the theater floor at the marked locations, repositioning the seating units 10 at the marked locations, and fixedly securing the seating units 10 at the marked locations as a result of fixedly installing the fasteners, bolts, or the like 16 through the slotted legs 14 of the seating units 10. All of the seating units 10 then need to be checked for proper alignment with respect to each other, whereupon final tightening of the fasteners, bolts, or the like 16 will be performed so as to in fact fixedly secure the seating units 10 to the theater floor. As can therefore be readily appreciated, this process is quite tedious and time-consuming.

[0003] Accordingly, a need exists in the art for a new and improved system for attaching theater seating units to a theater floor. Another need exists in the art for a new and improved system for attaching theater seating units to a theater floor whereby the process for attaching the theater seating units to the theater floor is less tedious. Still another need exists in the art for a new and improved system for attaching theater seating units to a theater floor whereby the process for attaching the theater seating units to the theater floor is less tedious and time-consuming. Yet another need exists in the art for a new and improved system for attaching theater seating units to a theater floor whereby the process for attaching the theater seating units to the theater floor is less tedious and time-consuming, and wherein the linear alignment of the theater seating units is effectively guaranteed. Still yet another need exists in the art for a new and improved system for attaching theater seating units to a theater floor whereby the process for attaching the theater seating units to the theater floor is less tedious and time-consuming, wherein the linear alignment of the theater seating units is effectively guaranteed, and wherein the linear alignment of the theater seating units will be more accurate. Yet still another need exists in the art for a new and improved system for attaching theater seating units to a theater floor whereby the process for attaching the theater seating units to the theater floor is less tedious and time-consuming, wherein the linear alignment of the theater seating units is effectively guaranteed, wherein the linear alignment of the theater seating units will be more accurate, and wherein the entire array of theater seating units can be installed without requiring multiple alignments and realignments so as to ensure the finalized linear alignment of all of the theater seating units within a particular row of seating units.OVERALL OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Therefore, a first overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved system for attaching theater seating units to a theater floor. Another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved system for attaching theater seating units to a theater floor whereby the process for attaching the theater seating units to the theater floor is less tedious. Still another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved system for attaching theater seating units to a theater floor whereby the process for attaching the theater seating units to the theater floor is less tedious and time-consuming. Yet another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved system for attaching theater seating units to a theater floor whereby the process for attaching the theater seating units to the theater floor is less tedious and time-consuming, and wherein the linear alignment of the theater seating units is effectively guaranteed. Still yet another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved system for attaching theater seating units to a theater floor whereby the process for attaching the theater seating units to the theater floor is less tedious and time-consuming, wherein the linear alignment of the theater seating units is effectively guaranteed, and wherein the linear alignment of the theater seating units will be more accurate. Still yet another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved system for attaching theater seating units to a theater floor whereby the process for attaching the theater seating units to the theater floor is less tedious and time-consuming, wherein the linear alignment of the theater seating units is effectively guaranteed, wherein the linear alignment of the theater seating units will be more accurate, and wherein the entire array of theater seating units can be installed without requiring multiple alignments and realignments so as to ensure the finalized linear alignment of all of the theater seating units within a particular row of seating units.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with the principles and teachings of a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a new and improved chassis rail system for theater seating wherein a pair of tracks or rails are affixed to the theater floor. The pair of tracks or rails are longitudinally spaced apart so as to effectively serve as a front track or rail and a rear track or rail such that the front legs of each theater seating unit can be attached to the front track or rail while the rear legs of each theater seating unit can be attached to the rear track or rail. The front and rear tracks or rails are affixed to the theater floor by means of suitable fasteners, bolts, or the like inserted through holes defined within the tracks or rails. In addition, upstanding fasteners, bolts, or the like, captured by means of spring-fingered washers affixed to the tracks or rails, are provided such that the fasteners, bolts, or the like can project upwardly through holes defined within the legs of the theater seating unit. Accordingly, when, for example, nuts are secured upon the fasteners, bolts, or the like, the theater seating units will be fixedly secured to each one of the tracks or rails, whereby all of the theater seating units will be automatically linearly aligned with respect to each other. In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, only a rear track or rail is employed. More particularly, the rear track or rail has a raised lip portion running along its front edge portion such that a rearwardly extending tab of each rear leg of each theater seating unit can extend beneath the raised lip, engage the same, thereby effectively locking the theater seating unit in place as a result of such engagement, and then only each front leg of each theater seating unit need be bolted or otherwise affixed to the theater floor.BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Various other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a theater seating unit as conventionally attached to the floor of a theater;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base upon which the theater seating unit shown in FIG. 1 is supported;

[0009] FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed perspective view showing each leg of the theater seating unit which is to be conventionally attached to the theater floor;

[0010] FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed perspective view showing the conventional fixation of a typical leg of a theater seating unit to a theater floor;

[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a new and improved track or rail which is adapted to be fixedly secured to the theater floor and to which the theater seating units are to be fixedly secured;

[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the new and improved track or rail, as illustrated within FIG. 5, showing the track or rail fixedly secured to the theater floor and wherein a theater seating unit has been fixedly secured to the track or rail;

[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a plurality of theater seating units attached to the first embodiment of the new and improved track or rail, as illustrated within FIGS. 5 and 6;

[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a plurality of theater seating units attached to the first embodiment of the new and improved track or rail such that the linear alignment of the plurality of theater seating units, as attached to the first embodiment of the new and improved track or rail, can be readily appreciated;

[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a new and improved track or rail which is adapted to be fixedly secured to the theater floor and to which the theater seating units are to be engageably secured;

[0016] FIG. 9A is an enlarged detailed perspective view of the encircled region 9A in FIG. 9 showing the second embodiment track or rail illustrating the raised front edge lip portion thereof; and

[0017] FIG. 9B is an enlarged detailed perspective view of the encircled region 9B in FIG. 9 showing one of the tabs projecting rearwardly from one of the rear legs of one of the theater seating units for engaging the raised front edge lip portion of the second embodiment track or rail as illustrated within FIG. 9A.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 5-8 thereof, a first embodiment of a new and improved chassis rail system for theater seating units, as developed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character 100. More particularly, it is seen that the first embodiment of the new and improved chassis rail system 100 for theater seating units comprises a pair of tracks or rails 102,104 which are adapted to be affixed to the theater floor. Each track or rail comprises a flat, planar, track or rail 102,104 having the configuration of a rectangular parallelepiped having an upper planar surface, a lower planar surface, a pair of opposite longitudinally extending side surfaces, and a pair of oppositely disposed transversely extending end surfaces. The pair of tracks 102,104 are longitudinally spaced apart so as to effectively serve as a front track or rail 102 and a rear track or rail 104 such that front legs 106 of each theater seating unit 108 can be attached to the front track or rail 102 while rear legs 110 of each theater seating unit 108 can be attached to the rear track or rail 104. The front and rear tracks or rails 102,104 are affixed to the theater floor by means of suitable fasteners, bolts, or the like 112 inserted through holes 114 defined within the tracks or rails 102,104. In addition, upstanding fasteners, bolts, or the like, 116, captured by means of spring-fingered washers 118 affixed to the tracks or rails 102,104, are provided such that the fasteners, bolts, or the like, 116 can project upwardly through holes defined within the legs 106,110 of the theater seating unit 108, as can best be appreciated from FIG. 5. Therefore, when, for example, nuts 120 are secured upon the upstanding fasteners, bolts, or the like 116, as can best be appreciated from FIG. 6, the theater seating units 108 will be fixedly secured to each one of the tracks or rails 102,104. A finalized, installed array of theater seating units 108 is disclosed within FIG. 8.

[0019] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 9-9B, a second embodiment of a new and improved chassis rail system for theater seating units, as developed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character 200. In accordance with this second embodiment of the present invention 200, only a rear track or rail 204 is employed. More particularly, as can best be appreciated from FIG. 9A, the rear track or rail 204 has a substantially Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration such that rear track or rail 204 is seen to comprise a raised lip portion 222 running along its front edge portion 224 such that a rearwardly extending tab 226 of each rear leg 206 of each theater seating unit 108 can extend beneath the raised lip 222, engage the same as the tab 226 is inserted beneath the raised lip 222, and thereby effectively be locked beneath the raised lip such that the theater seating unit 108 is now in place as a result of such engagement, whereby each front leg of each theater seating unit 108 can be bolted or otherwise affixed to the theater floor.

[0020] Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A rail system for theater seating, for attaching theater seating units to a theater floor, comprising:at least one linear rail / track;a plurality of fasteners inserted through first predetermined locations along said at least one linear rail / track for fixedly attaching said at least one linear rail / track to said theater floor; andat least one pair of upstanding fasteners fixedly mounted at second predetermined locations along said at least one linear rail / track for fixedly attaching support legs of a theater seating unit to said at least one linear rail / track.

2. The rail system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:said at least one pair of upstanding fasteners fixedly mounted at second predetermined locations along said at least one linear rail / track for fixedly attaching support legs of a theater seating unit to said at least one linear rail / track comprises multiple pairs of upstanding fasteners such that multiple theater seating units will be attached to said at least one linear track such that said multiple theater seating units will automatically be aligned with respect to each other as a result of being fixedly attached to said at least one linear rail / track.

3. The rail system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:said at least one linear rail / track comprises a pair of linear rails / tracks such that both front and rear legs of said theater seating unit can be fixedly attached to said pair of linear rails / tracks.

4. The rail system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:at least one pair of spring washers, fixedly mounted upon said at least one linear rail / track for engaging said at least one pair of upstanding fasteners for fixedly mounting said at least one pair of upstanding fasteners upon said at least one linear rail / track.

5. The rail system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:said at least one pair of upstanding fasteners for fixedly mounting said at least one pair of upstanding fasteners upon said at least one linear rail / track comprises bolt fasteners; andnuts are threadedly engaged upon said bolt fasteners for fixedly attaching said support legs of said theater seating unit to said at least one linear rail / track.

6. The rail system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:said at least one linear rail / track comprises a flat, planar linear rail / track having the configuration of a rectangular parallelepiped.

7. The rail system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:said at least one linear rail / track comprises a planar linear rail / track having a substantially Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

8. The rail system as set forth in claim 7, wherein:said at least one linear rail / track, having said substantially Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration, has a raised lip portion along a front edge portion of said at least one linear rail / track.

9. The rail system as set forth in claim 8, wherein:each rear support leg of said theater seating unit comprises a tab which is adapted to be inserted beneath said raised lip portion of said at least one linear rail / track having said substantially Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration such that said rear support legs of said theater seating unit are secured beneath said raised lip portion of said at least one linear rail / track having said substantially Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

10. The rail system as set forth in claim 9, wherein:each front support leg of said theater seating unit is adapted to be fixedly secured directly to said theater floor.

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