Open architecture seating system

This invention relates to seating systems, and in particular, but not by way of limitation, to an open architecture public seating system having an ability to provide versatility and minimal efforts for servicing public seating needs.

Public seating accommodations have taken on a variety of forms over time, from park benches, to sport stadium seating, to airport waiting area seating. A common feature of each type of prior art seating arrangements, is the use of a plurality of fasteners to secure the seating portions, backrest portions, and armrest portions to a base support. By rigidly securing the various portions to the base support, maintenance of the seating systems becomes an expensive and daunting task.

Accordingly, as market pressures continue to demand seating systems that provide lower cost, greater reliability, and improved ease of use, challenges remain and a need persists for improvements in methods and apparatuses for use in accommodating demands for public seating.

In accordance with preferred embodiments, an apparatus includes a pair of parallel backbone members, at least one support leg, which slides into mating contact with the pair of parallel backbone members, a combination seating surface and backrest portion in sliding engagement with the pair of parallel backbone members, and adjacent the support leg, and an end cap preferably secured to each of the pair of parallel backbone members with removable fasteners.

The end cap preferably abuts the combination seating surface and backrest portion and restricts lateral motion of both the support leg and the combination seating surface and backrest portion along the pair of parallel backbone members. Preferably, through the use of removable fasteners, the apparatus further accommodates lateral motion of the support leg and the combination seating surface and backrest portion along the pair of parallel backbone members, upon removal of the end cap from the pair of parallel backbone members.

By removing the end cap, both the support leg and the combination seating surface and backrest portion may be easily removed from the pair of parallel backbone members for repair and maintenance, or to be exchanged with support legs and the combination seating surface and backrest portions of alternate styles and looks to accommodate changes in architectural and design themes.

These and various other features and advantages that characterize the claimed invention will be apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon review of the associated drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a partial cut-away top perspective view of an inventive open architecture public seating system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an elevational end view of the inventive open architecture public seating system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of a plurality of combination seating surface and backrest portion accommodated by the inventive open architecture public seating system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 shows a partial cut-away top perspective view of an armrest integrated into a support leg portion of the inventive open architecture public seating system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 shows an elevational end view with the end cap and fasteners removed from the inventive open architecture public seating system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 shows a partial cut-away top perspective exploded view of the sliding engagement area, end cap, and removable fasteners of the inventive open architecture public seating system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 shows an elevational end view of the parallel backbone members and the support leg of the inventive open architecture public seating system of FIG. 1 .

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Various aspects of the invention may be inverted, or changed in reference to specific part shape and detail, part location, or part composition. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or manner.

Reference will now be made in detail to one or more examples of the invention depicted in the figures. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention. FIG. 1 shows an inventive open architecture public seating system 100 , which preferably includes a pair of parallel backbone members 102 , at least one support leg 104 , which slides into mating contact with the pair of parallel backbone members 102 , a combination seating surface and backrest portion 106 (also referred to herein as a unitary combination seating surface and backrest portion 106 ), in sliding engagement with the pair of parallel backbone members 102 , and adjacent the support leg 104 , and an end cap 108 , preferably secured to each of the pair of parallel backbone members 102 with removable fasteners 110 .

FIG. 2 provides a more clear perspective of the end cap 108 , and the removable fasteners 110 , in relation to the pair of parallel backbone members 102 . FIG. 3 shows a plurality of combination seating surface and backrest portions 106 , supported by the pair of parallel backbone members 102 , which collectively form an inline public seating accommodations presentation of the present inventive open architecture public seating system 100 . In addition, FIG. 3 shows the pair of backbone members 102 positioned in the pair of mounting apertures 109 , which are integral to each combination seating surface and backrest portion 106 , that form the sliding engagement area 107 .

FIG. 4 shows a first armrest 112 , integrated into the combination seating surface and backrest portions 106 , to form a form a combination seating surface, backrest portion, and armrest portion 114 (also referred to herein as a unitary combination seating surface, backrest portion, and armrest portion 114 ), and a second armrest 116 , integrated with the support leg 104 , to form an alternate embodiment of a support leg 118 .

FIG. 5 provides a more clear presentation of the combination seating surface and backrest portion 106 , which provides a sliding engagement area 107 configured for sliding engagement with the pair of parallel backbone members 102 , via the pair of mounting apertures 109 , and adjacent support leg 104 with sliding engagement area 107 of the inventive open architecture seating system 100 when the end cap 108 and removable fasteners 110 are removed. FIG. 6 provides a partial cut-away top perspective exploded view of the sliding engagement area 107 with the end cap 108 and removable fasteners 110 detached from the inventive open architecture public seating system. The directional line 111 depicts the movement direction for a unitary combination seating surface and backrest portion 106 , a support leg 104 , an end cap 108 , and removable fasteners 110 relative to the pair of parallel backbone members 102 .

FIG. 6 provides an elevational end view of the parallel backbone members 102 and the support leg 104 of the inventive open architecture public seating system of FIG. 1 . The backbone members 102 are respectively denoted at 102 A and 102 B, and are separated by an intervening gap 102 C. The support leg 104 is shown to include a base portion 104 A configured to rest on an underlying floor surface, and a leg portion 104 B which extends from the base portion 104 A at a non-orthogonal angle with respect to the base portion. The leg portion 104 B includes opposing first and second surfaces 120 , 122 . During assembly, the leg portion 104 B slidingly engages the backbone members 102 A, 102 B along the gap 102 C so that the first surface 120 is brought into mating contact with the first backbone member 102 A, and the second surface 122 is brought into mating contact with the second backbone member 102 B. It is noted that the inventive open architecture public seating system of FIG. 6 includes an armrest 124 , also shown in FIGS. 2 , 3 , 4 , and 5 , attached to the unitary combination seating surface and backrest portion 106 , which forms no portion of end cap 108 , and that end cap 108 forms no portion of armrest 124 .

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

It will be clear that the present invention is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed by the appended claims. For example, a doublewide armrest may be provided to accommodate the needs of individuals seated adjacent one another, or armrests may be excluded altogether. Various architectural and design themes may be expressed in the presentation of the seating and backrest portions.