Balcony mounted chair and integral rail socket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding and telescopic bleacher systems face challenges in large venues where numerous chairs need to be moved, as traditional solutions are either impractical due to heavy and space-consuming removable chairs or riser-mounted chairs that cause egress issues and are difficult to adjust for varying seat heights.
Innovation Solution
A balcony mount chair system with an integrated front rail socket, comprising a balcony mount beam, stanchion, and front rail socket, allowing for versatile seat height adjustments and rail installation without removing chair assemblies, suitable for various construction types and seat sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If removable skid-based chairs are used on telescopic seating, then chairs can be removed and stored, but the chairs are heavy and require large storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The chair assembly is segmented into two main parts: a lightweight foldable seat portion and a separate stanchion base that attaches to the balcony. This allows the heavy base to remain fixed while only the lightweight seat needs to be folded and stored, dramatically reducing the weight and volume of movable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system transitions from horizontal attachment (to the telescopic seating platform) to vertical attachment (to the balcony nose/riser). The stanchion extends vertically from the seat to hook onto the balcony structure, creating a new dimensional approach to mounting that eliminates the need for heavy removable bases.
2Adaptability or versatility
If riser mounted fixed chairs are used, then chair height can be adjusted, but the stanchion design cannot easily be changed and seat height is determined by attachment location
Solution Approach 1:
The stanchion incorporates a telescopic mechanism with multiple lockable positions, transforming a static fixed-height structure into a dynamic adjustable-height structure. Users can extend or retract the stanchion and lock it at different heights to accommodate varying balcony rises and seating requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing the key parameter of stanchion length through the telescopic mechanism. By providing multiple discrete length positions, the system adapts to different balcony heights and seating configurations without requiring complex custom designs for each scenario.
3Reliability
If riser mounted chairs are installed on the front face of the balcony, then safety rail can be installed behind, but this causes egress issues and locates the rail further into the first row of fixed seating
Solution Approach 1:
The stanchion structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the seat, enables height adjustment, and incorporates an integrated front rail socket that accepts safety rails. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and allows flexible positioning of the safety rail relative to the seat.
Solution Approach 2:
The front rail socket acts as an intermediary element between the stanchion and the safety rail. It provides a standardized interface that allows the safety rail to be positioned at the optimal location for both safety and egress, decoupling the rail position from the seat mounting location.
4Area of stationary object
If telescopic seating structures are stored underneath the balcony, then floor space is saved, but a barrier rail is needed for safety which complicates the transition area
Solution Approach 1:
The safety rail function is merged with the chair mounting structure. The front rail socket integrated into the stanchion allows the safety rail to be mounted directly on the same structure that supports the seat, combining two previously separate functions into one unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The stanchion structure provides its own integrated mounting points for both the seat and the safety rail. The system is self-sufficient, requiring no additional external mounting structures or complex transition area modifications, as all safety and seating functions are incorporated into the single stanchion assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A seating unit system is provided to mount seats to a nose of a balcony. The seating unit system includes a balcony mount beam secured to the nose of the balcony. The balcony mount beam includes a front plate and a return. The front plate has an upwards extension. The seating unit includes one or more seats. Each seat has a balcony mount stanchion and a front rail socket connected to the balcony mount stanchion. The balcony mount stanchion includes a hook feature and a balcony mount beam bracket. The hook feature attaches to the upwards extension of the front plate and the balcony mount beam bracket attaches to the return. The front rail socket is configured to receive a front rail.