Seating System

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) to a U.S. Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 63/639,235 filed on Apr. 26, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 63/640,092 filed on Apr. 29, 2024. The above applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

The present disclosure pertains to the field of seating solutions, seating assemblies and associated transportation solutions. M ore specifically, it relates to seating solutions and assemblies designed for efficient assembly, disassembly, comfort, safety, adaptability, reconfiguration, and transportation in environments such as theaters, event venues, opera houses, sports arenas, and gymnasiums. The present disclosure also relates to assemblies related to transporting such seating solutions and/or assemblies. These transportation assemblies are generally tailored to facilitate the handling, movement, and efficient storage of seating solutions and/or assemblies, addressing needs for operational efficiency and space optimization in the aforementioned environments.

Seating solutions and transportation assemblies for such solutions in venues like theaters, opera houses, sports arenas, and gymnasiums currently face a range of significant challenges. These include ergonomic discomfort, limited adaptability across different environments, safety risks during usage and setup, aesthetic limitations, and logistical inefficiencies in storage and transport. The complexities of these issues highlight the ongoing struggles within the seating industry to meet the evolving demands of both venue operators and patrons, emphasizing the critical need for innovative advancements in this field.

For example, seating solutions and systems in environments such as theaters, opera houses, sports arenas, and gymnasiums often face several ergonomic and comfort issues that significantly impact user experience. A common complaint is the awkward placement and inherent discomfort of armrests, which are either poorly positioned, completely absent, or inadequately sized and/or cushioned, detracting from the overall comfort and usability of the seating. Additionally, mechanisms that commonly allow for seat bottoms to transition between upright and seating positions can be sensitive, causing seats to inadvertently shift between positions as patrons as walking or otherwise passing by such seats. This is particularly problematic in venues with high traffic, often causing the seat bottom to oscillate between vertical and horizontal states, which can be distracting and/or annoying to other patrons.

Another prevalent issue in current seating systems is their lack of adaptability to different environments. Venues often have specific requirements for seating based on aesthetic or functional needs. For example, some settings may demand a frameless look/design to achieve a sleek, “floating” aesthetic, while others might require a more traditional framed seat that might need to be bolted to the ground for enhanced stability. The variability in requirements for features such as armrests (with or without cup holders) complicates the design and utility of seating systems across different venues.

The alignment and configuration of seats in rows or series also presents significant challenges. In some venues, seats must maintain consistent alignment in straight lines or conform to curves. This is especially true given the frequent movement of patrons entering and exiting rows. As is imaginable, should seating become misaligned, an entire row of seating (which may be assigned seating) can appear disorderly and disrupt the intended spatial organization, potentially causing confusion and dissatisfaction among patrons. Current designs often fail to adequately secure seating in the desired configuration, leading to misalignments and an uneven appearance that can interfere with both aesthetics and functionality.

Safety issues are also prevalent in existing seating designs, particularly related to the mechanisms of folding and unfolding seats. These actions pose a risk of pinching or crushing fingers, a concern especially in fast-paced environments where quick setup and breakdown are common. This concern is also present in an environment where individuals may be adjusting a seat or meddling with mechanisms thereof; the risk of pinching or crushing seats in hinges or folding potions (such as arm rests or frames) is present. Moreover, the substantial weight of many seating solutions complicates their handling and transportation, posing risks to workers and increasing the logistical burden on venue operators.

Aesthetically, there is a continuous demand for seating solutions that not only provide comfort and functionality but also complement the visual standards of high-profile environments. This requires a delicate balance of design finesse and practical utility, a balance that is not always achieved in current seating solutions.

Further, transportation and storage of seating assemblies are plagued with inefficient and bulky storage solutions. However, the efficiency of transportation and storage solutions is a critical factor for venues when choosing a seating provider. Venues often consider these solutions not just as ancillary components but as integral parts of the seating solutions and seating systems, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to the design and functionality of the entire system. Bulky and inefficient storage assemblies consume excessive space, making them impractical for the limited storage areas typically available at venues and can significantly influence contractual decisions. The form factor and efficiency of seating system storage and transportation solutions often become decisive factors, as some venues may choose or reject a seating provider based on how well these storage and transportation assemblies, along with the seating assemblies themselves, fit into the existing spatial and operational framework of the venue. This is particularly crucial in venues that host multiple types of events and require frequent changes in seating arrangements. Additionally, the cumbersome process of loading and unloading seats, exacerbated by the absence of intuitive guides or easy-to-use mechanisms, further complicates operations. This not only extends the time required to set up or break down events but also increases the risk of human error and injury, leading to higher labor costs and potential delays in event schedules. The integration of transportation and storage solutions with seating solutions is thus a pivotal aspect of the overall offerings of seating systems, heavily impacting their practicality and functionality in real-world applications.

Additionally, the process of loading and unloading seats onto transportation carts is frequently unintuitive, lacking clear guides or mechanisms, which slows down operations and increases labor costs.

Further, the noise and potential for damage during transportation of seating solutions are additional drawbacks. Seating assemblies are often noisy when being moved, and the lack of adequate protection between seats can lead to them damaging one another. This not only affects the longevity and appearance of the seats but also adds to maintenance costs for venue operators/seat providers.

Furthermore, the inability to customize storage and transportation solutions to accommodate different types of seats adds another layer of complexity. Fixed designs in transportation carts and storage mean that they cannot be easily adapted to new or modified seating designs, necessitating separate solutions for different models, which is economically and logistically inefficient.

As such, the myriad of issues presented by current seating systems creates the need for solutions. Indeed, there is a pressing need for innovative designs that address these ergonomic, safety, adaptability, aesthetic, and logistical challenges in a holistic manner. Such advancements would not only enhance the user experience but also improve operational efficiency and safety for venue operators, paving the way for a new standard in venue seating systems. This unmet need highlights the potential impact of an inventive approach that could successfully mitigate these prevalent issues, providing substantial benefits to users and industry stakeholders alike.

The present disclosure provides for an innovative seating system that addresses the ergonomic, safety, adaptability, aesthetic, and logistical challenges (described above) present in the seating industry. As such, that present disclosure provides for a seating assembly and with an accompanying transportation assembly for making up a seating system. The seating system provides for a comfortable and customizable arm rest, as well as an assembly to prevent the unnecessary oscillation of seat bottoms between vertical and horizontal states. Further, the seating system addresses the adaptability and aesthetic issues of seating systems generally required by various venues, as well as overcomes the challenges in seat alignment and configuration to allow for maintaining seating in consistent alignment in rows or curves. Continuing, the seating system covers safety concerns related to the mechanisms of folding and unfolding seats that can cause injuries or pinching. Further, the system features an innovative storage and transportation assembly that is compact and intuitive, reducing the space required for storage and simplifying the loading and unloading processes. These enhancements not only reduce labor costs but also minimize the risk of damage during transportation, ensuring the longevity and aesthetic appeal of the seating assemblies thereon.

As such, the present disclosure provides for a seating assembly comprising a first set of support limbs that can be operatively connected to and structurally support a back rest support structure and a seat rest support structure, a second set of support limbs that can be connected to the first set of support limbs via a finger guard. The back rest support structure can be configured and dimensioned to support a back rest whereas the seat rest support structure can be configured and dimensioned to support a seat rest and configured and dimensioned to allow the seat rest to transition between a gravity lock engaged position and a gravity lock disengaged position via a rotation mechanism. Further, the first set of support limbs and the second set of support limbs can be configured and dimensioned to allow the seating assembly to transition between a folded position and a non-folded position. The back rest support structure can comprises at least one vertical support rod that can extend into the back rest, which can enable the back rest support structure to support the back rest.

Further, concerning the arm rest assembly, it can comprise a finger guard, a strut, and arm rest, and, optionally, a cup holder. As such, the arm rest may comprise a track wherein the strut maybe affixed to the finger guard and the arm rest (where the strut may be affixed to the arm rest via a slider at the track of the arm rest). Continuing, the arm rest assembly may be configured and dimensioned to allow the arm rest to transition upward when the support limbs transition between a non-folded position and a folded position.

The rotation mechanism as previously mentioned may comprise at least one weight and at least one magnet therein. Accordingly, the at least one weight and at least one magnet can retain the seat rest in an upright position until a force is applied to the seat rest, allowing the at least one weight and at least one magnet to place the seat rest in a gravity lock disengaged position, allowing the seat rest to rotate about the seat rest support structure.

Continuing, the first set of support limbs and the second set of support limbs can be configured and dimensioned to pivot and slide relative to one another about a shared axis at the finger guard, allowing the assembly to transition between a folded and non-folded position. Also, the first set of support limbs and second set of support limbs can comprise at least one anchoring structure at a distal end of at least one leg of the first set of support limbs or at a distal end of at least one leg of the second set of support limbs, configured and dimensioned to allow the assembly to become affixed to the ground. Further, at least one of the first set of support limbs or second set of support limbs comprises at least one of a locking receiver or locking pin configured and dimensioned to interact with a locking receiver or locking pin of another assembly to allow two assemblies to affix to one another. Also, the back rest and/or seat rest may comprise upholstered cushioning.

The present disclosure also provides for a transportation assembly for a seating assembly comprising an adjustable frame on wheels, at least one vertical support affixed to the adjustable frame, at least one support limb track affixed to the at least one vertical support and configured and dimensioned to receive a set of support limbs of a seating assembly when the seating assembly is in a transportation position, and at least one back rest guide affixed to at least one vertical support and configured and dimensioned to receive and support a back rest of a seating assembly in a transportation position. The adjustable frame may be configured and dimensioned to be adjustable frame is configured and dimensioned to be adjustable in length and width. Also, the at least one support limb track is configured and dimensioned to guide support limbs of the seating assembly not a fixed alignment when the seating assembly is placed therein. The at least one back rest guide may be configured and dimensioned to stabilize the seating assembly during transport. Further, the adjustable frame, at least one support limb track, and the at least one back rest guide may comprise sound-deadening material.

Further, the present disclosure provides for a seating system comprising a seating assembly comprising a first set of support limbs that can be operatively connected to and structurally support a back rest support structure and a seat rest support structure, a second set of support limbs connected to the first set of support limbs via a finger guard where the back rest support structure can be configured and dimensioned to support a back rest. The seat rest support structure can be configured and dimensioned to support a seat rest and configured and dimensioned to allow the seat rest to transition between a gravity lock engaged position and a gravity lock disengaged position via a rotation mechanism. Also, the first set of support limbs and second set of support limbs can be configured and dimensioned to allow the seating assembly to transition between a folded position and a non-folded position. The seating system may also be comprised of a transportation assembly for a seating assembly comprising an adjustable frame on wheels, at least one vertical support affixed to the adjustable frame, at least one support limb track affixed to the at least one vertical support and configured and dimensioned to receive a set of support limbs of the seating assembly when the seating assembly is in a folded position; and at least one back rest guide affixed to the at least one vertical support and configured and dimensioned to receive and support a back rest of the seating assembly in a transportation position.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention(s) will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The present disclosure provides for a seating system, as depicted in. The seating systemis made up of a seating assembly(or other versions thereof, as described herein) and a transportation assembly, each of which will be described. As such, with reference now to,depicts a perspective view of a seating assemblyin a non-folded position. With brief reference to, a seating assembly′″ can be seen in a folded position, for positioning on a transportation assemblyor for transport/storage, as will be described. Further, it should be noted that in, the seat restis in a gravity lock engaged position or upright as opposed to, with reference to, a gravity lock disengaged position, as will be described.

As such, in the instant depiction of, the seating assembly is depicted as comprising a first set of support limbs, a second set of support limbs(wherein only one limb of the second set of the support limbsis visible), a back rest support structure, a back rest, a seat rest support structure, a seat rest, two arm rest assemblies(one made up of a finger guard, strut, arm rest, and cup holderand the other without the cup holder).

As may be noted with brief reference to, a seating assembly′ need not include two arm rest assemblies. That said, a seating assemblymay include a single arm rest assembly, two arm rest assemblies, or no arm rest assemblies. In instances where an arm rest assemblyis not present on a seating assembly, a hinge bracket′ (as is shown in) may be substituted for an arm rest assembly. In addition, an arm rest assembly, may, but need not include a cup holderor other structure commonly attached to arm rest assemblies, such as tables or desks. Moreover, an arm rest assemblymay, but need not include a strut. Indeed, the arm rest assemblymay be customizable in not requiring a strutor cup holderfor adapting a seating assemblyto be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar/related laws/rules. As may also be apparent, the seat backand/or the seat restmay be bare, cushioned, and/or wrapped in fabric/upholstery. Therefore, as may be apparent, the seat backand/or seat restcan take on many shapes, sizes, and visual appearances based on the cushioning (and size thereof) selected and/or color(s) of fabric/upholstery selected for application to the seat back and rest/.

Further, whiledepicts the sets of support limbs/as having legs so as to allow the instant assemblyto contact the ground (and be bolted or permanently affixed to the ground using commonly known structures to allow such bolting/affixing to the ground, such as those depicted on the distal ends of the legs in), the sets of support limbs/need not have legs as both sets of the support limbs/. As such, although the Figures generally depict the first set of support limbsextending into or past the arm rest assembly(forming a part thereof), in an instance where the sets of support limbs/are not present on an assembly, the arm rest assemblycan contain the structure necessarily formed by the first set of support limbabove the seat rest support structure. In such an instance where the assemblydoes not make use of support limbs/, the assembly'sadaptable back plate platform(where reference tomay be had for visualization purpose) may be affixed to a support structure to allow the assembly(and chair/seat thereon) to be structurally supported enough allow a user to sit on the chair/assemblyas it is suspended from a support structure. In such an instance, the assemblycan appear as floating or be given a “floating effect.” As such, as will be described, vertical support rodscan be affixed to the adaptable back plate platform, providing it with enhanced structural stability to withstand the loads of a patron sitting in or otherwise using the assemblyas a seat/chair. As such, as may be apparent, the adaptable back plateis not necessary where an assemblymakes use of sets of support limbs/.

As such, much of a seating assemblycan be made of aluminum for weight saving purposes. As an example, portions that may be made of aluminum may be the sets of support limbs,/, the back-rest support structureand vertical support rods, the seat rest support structure, and portions of the arm rest assemblysuch as the strutand arm rest.

Now with reference to,is a side view of the seating assembly of. In the instant depiction, the vertical support rodscan be seen (which extend from the back rest support structureinto the back rest). Notably, the vertical support rodscan be affixed to the adaptable back plate platform, which can also be seen. Though not depicted, only one vertical support rodneed be used on a seating assembly, although multiple can be used. Therefore, as may be apparent, support limbs/or portions of the arm rest assemblymay act as a central platform for other elements to extend therefrom, such as the seat rest support structureand the back rest support structure. Brief reference tomay be made for a depiction of the aforementioned structure. The back-rest support structuremay thus extend from the arm rest assemblyor a support limb/, at least one vertical support rodextending therefrom, the back rest support structureand at least one vertical support rodallowing for the assemblyto provide load bearing structure for the seat/chair formed by the assembly.

Further, with continued reference to, the locking receivercan also be seen. The locking receiver can be used with a corresponding locking pin, perhaps on another seating assemblyso as to allow for seating assemblies to be oriented in rows or curves. Indeed, a locking pincan rotate, be dimensioned, or otherwise hinge within a locking receiverso as to allow the assemblies to be oriented at slightly different angles. Such functionality allows for multiple different seating assemblies to form curves as part of the layout of a venue's seating, yet remain locked in such orientations. Further, a locking pin or receiver/can be located at various portions along the first set of support limbsand/or second set of support limbs. For example, with brief reference to, a locking pincan be seen towards the bottom of one support limb of the second set of support limbswhereas the locking receivercan be seen near the arm rest assemblyon one support limb of the first set of support limbs.

With continued reference to,depicts the positioning of the arm restwhen the assemblyis in a non-folded position, the arm restwhich extending outwardly from the back rest, providing for a more comfortable seating arrangement and positioning. To achieve such a positioning, the first set of support limbsand second set of support limbscan be angled as is shown with the arm rest assemblyoriented as so. A finger guard(as will be described) can be seen as extending from a point about a second support limb, passing by and through the first support limb(and connected thereto by a fastener). The finger guardcontinues past the first support limb, providing structural support and an attachment point for the strutof the arm rest assembly. The strut can be seen as extending into and generally under the arm rest. With brief reference now to, the figure is a rear side perspective view of a portion of the seating assemblyfrom the above-mentioned Figures. As such, as can be seen, as part of the arm rest assembly, the strutaffixes to the arm restvia a track and slider, which is one feature that further allows the assemblyto transition from a non-folded to folded position and vice versa. As such, as may be apparent, as the assemblytransitions from a non-folded position, the distal end of the strutaffixed to the arm restvia track and slider, slides along the track of the arm resttowards the distal end of the arm restaway from the back rest. Alternatively, as the assemblytransitions from a non-folded position, the distal end of the strutaffixed to the arm restvia track and slider, slides along the track of the arm resttowards the distal end of the arm resttowards the back rest. Alternatively, the strutmay be removed to allow the assemblyto transition from a folded to non-folded state, and vice versa.

Continuing, with brief reference to, alternative views of the instant assemblymay be seen for additional context of the instant assemblyand its various elements.

With further reference to,,, andthe seat rest support structurecan be seen as allowing the seat restto transition between a gravity lock engaged position to a gravity lock disengaged position. Transitioning allows the seat restto be rotated about the seat rest support structureto position that allows for a user to sit on the surface of the seat rest(wherein a position that would allow for a user to sit of the surface of a seat restis shown in, and). As such, the seat rest support structuremay comprise a rotation mechanism therein/thereon, allowing the seat restto become affixed to the seat rest support structure.

The rotation mechanism may comprise at least one weight and at least one magnet therein, weighted to allow the seat restto remain in a gravity lock engaged position. As such, when a user applies a force to the seat rest, the force of the magnet and weight can be overcome, allowing the seat restto transition from a gravity lock engaged position to a gravity lock disengaged position. That said, the force a user might apply to the seat restto overcome the force of the magnet and weight (retaining the seat restin a gravity lock engaged position), may be a deliberate force in a pulling direction. Contrastingly, a force from one brushing up about the seat rest(such as patrons navigating between rows of assemblieswhile going to and from their seats) while it is in a gravity lock engaged position may not allow the seat restto transition to a gravity lock disengaged position.

With reference now to, as the seating assemblytransitions from a non-folded position to a folded position, the first set of support limbsand second set of support limbspivot and slide relative to one another about a shared axis or hinge at the finger guard, allowing the structural frame of the assemblyto collapse inward. This pivoting and sliding action draws the back rest support structure(with the back restthereon) and seat rest support structure(with seat restthereon) closer together, thereby reducing the overall spatial footprint of the seating assembly. In doing so, the arm rest assembly, when present, also transitions upward and inward, following the path dictated by the relative motion of the support limbsand, pushing the arm restupward.

The finger guard, which is affixed to or integrally formed with the second support limband extends through the first support limb, serves not only to protect a user's fingers during the folding/unfolding operation, but also to stabilize the connection between the limbs. The structural integrity provided by the finger guardensures that even during repeated transitions between folded and non-folded positions, the seating assemblymaintains durability and reliability. The length and material composition of the finger guardmay be optimized to resist torsional strain, and in some configurations, the finger guardmay comprise a locking detent or integrated fastener to secure the limbs in either the folded or non-folded position. As may be apparent, the finger guardprotects a user's fingers as the limbs/are pivoted and slid against each other, preventing a user's fingers from getting caught between the limbs/.

In the folded position or transportation position, the support limbsandnest more closely together, and the entire assemblyadopts an arched or compact posture suitable for placement on the transportation assembly(as will be described).can be referenced for a depiction of the assemblywhile in a folded or transportation position.

Reversing the motion—i.e., transitioning from the folded to the non-folded position-re-extends the assemblyto its usable form, with the support limbs/returning to their angled deployment as depicted in, and the arm rest assemblies(if present) repositioning to a horizontal orientation. This repeatable transformation between positions enables quick storage and rapid deployment, offering significant operational advantages for environments such as theaters, arenas, or venues requiring frequent seating reconfiguration.

With reference now to, the figure is a perspective view of a seating system, depicting a transportation assemblyand seating assemblies.also depicts the seating assembliesin transportation position. The transportation position may be enabled by the sets of support limbs/rotating and sliding about each other and connected to a seating assemblyin a way that allows the seating assemblyto achieve an arched form factor (the seating assemblybeing in a folded position, which is analogous to the transportation position).

As can be noted inand, the seating assembliesare not vertical (although the limbs/may be), but instead are angled with allows for a transportation assemblyto carry more seat assembliesin a smaller form factor than if the assemblieswere vertical.

With continued reference to, the transportation assemblycan be seen, as well as the adjustable frame(on wheels), at least one vertical support, at least one support limb track, and at least one back rest guide. While not depicted, sound deadening material, which can also be cushioning in nature can be applied to each element of the transportation assemblyto prevent the generation of noise from the seat assembliesor components thereof as they are in transport.

As such, the adjustable framemay be adjustable in that is can be lengthened or shortened as well has have its width length or shortened. Such a feature may be achievable through a telescopic frame structure, or modular components. The vertical supportmay comprise or otherwise allow at least one support limb trackand at least one back rest guide. As can be noted in, multiple support limb tracksand back rest guidesmay be affixed to the at least one vertical support. The vertical supportcan also, but need not, be located along a side of the adjustable trackor exist along the inner area formed by the track. Regarding the at least on support limb track, these tracks can be configured and dimensioned to receive the sets of support limbs/of a seat assemblywhen a seat assemblyis in a transportation position. As such, the support limb trackcan make placing a seat assemblyon a transportation assemblyas easy as aligning the sets of support limbs/on the trackand placing/pushing the seat assemblyalong the track. This provides seat assembliesa specific place on a transportation assemblyand provides the seat assemblysupport at one of its distal ends.

As such, the back restof a seat assemblymay be guided into a back rest guide, wherein back rest guidescan provide the seat assemblywith a snug fit, allowing the seat assembly to have support on the transportation assemblyat both distal ends of the seat assembly. As such, each seat assemblycan be placed on a transportation assemblyin an organized and compact way through the sue of various tracksand guides.

With reference now to,is a side view of a seating system, depicting a transportation assemblyand seating assemblies. This view further illustrates the form factor of the instant systemwhen seating assembliesare in a transportation position.

It is intended that all matters in the foregoing disclosure and as shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.