국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0991847
(2004-11-18)
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등록번호 |
US-7478876
(2009-01-20)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
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출원인 / 주소 |
- Series International, LLC
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대리인 / 주소 |
St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens LLC
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
2 인용 특허 :
8 |
초록
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This invention relates specifically to a seating system or assembly which utilizes a modularized system of standard sized components. The system reduces manufacturing costs, simplifies storage and shipping and improves assembly efficiencies. The system of modularized components allows flexibility i
This invention relates specifically to a seating system or assembly which utilizes a modularized system of standard sized components. The system reduces manufacturing costs, simplifies storage and shipping and improves assembly efficiencies. The system of modularized components allows flexibility in seating use and design.
대표청구항
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What is claimed is: 1. A row of seating having a predetermined length, said row of seating comprising: a beam assembly comprising a plurality of beams aligned end to end, at least a first of the plurality of beams having a first standard length selected from a plurality of predefined standard lengt
What is claimed is: 1. A row of seating having a predetermined length, said row of seating comprising: a beam assembly comprising a plurality of beams aligned end to end, at least a first of the plurality of beams having a first standard length selected from a plurality of predefined standard length, and at least a second of the plurality of beams having a second standard length selected from the plurality of predefined standard lengths; wherein the first standard length is different than the second standard length; a plurality of supports supporting said beam assembly in a substantially horizontal position; a plurality of seating components attached to said beam assembly; wherein, said beam assembly is secured to said plurality of supports such that said beam assembly is positioned between a first and second plate and secured by screws passing outside the beam assembly connecting the first and second plates; and wherein, a said first plate of each of said plurality of supports is an upper plate and a said second plate of each of said plurality of supports is a lower plate and said beam assembly is positioned between the upper plate and the lower plate of each of said plurality of supports and screws extend from the upper plate to the lower plate to secure said beam assembly to said plurality of supports. 2. The row of seating of claim 1, wherein, said beam assembly has a substantially rectangular cross section and the first and second plates of each of said plurality of supports comprise a U-shaped bracket, an opening of the U-shaped bracket corresponding to a thickness of said beam assembly, and positioned such that the U-shaped bracket substantially surrounds said beam assembly on three sides. 3. A row of seating having a predetermined length, said row of seating comprising: a beam assembly comprising a plurality of beams aligned end to end, at least a first of the plurality of beams having a first standard length selected from a plurality of predefined standard lengths, and at least a second of the plurality of beams having a second standard length selected from the plurality of predefined standard length; wherein the first standard length is different than the second standard length; a plurality of support supporting said beam assembly in a substantially horizontal position; a plurality of seating components attached to said beam assembly; wherein said plurality of seating components comprises a plurality of seat assemblies having an optimal seat width; and wherein said first standard length and said second standard length comprise integer multiples of one half of the optimal seat width. 4. The row of seating of claim 3 wherein said first standard length and said second standard length comprise odd integer multiples of one half of the optimal seat width. 5. The row of seating of claim 3 wherein the plurality of beams further comprises at least one cut beam, and wherein a sum of lengths of the plurality of beams corresponds to the predetermined length of said row of seating. 6. The row of seating of claim 5, wherein the cut beam is cut from a beam having a length selected from the plurality of standard lengths, the cut beam having a length which comprises an integer multiple of one half of the optimal seat width. 7. The row of seating of claim 6, wherein the cut beam has a length which comprises an odd integer multiple of one half of the optimal seat width. 8. The row of seating of claim 5, wherein the cut beam is cut from a beam having a length selected from the plurality of standard lengths, the cut beam having a custom length such that the beam assembly reaches the predetermined length of said row of seating without requiring customization of all of the plurality of beams. 9. The row of seating of claim 8, wherein the cut beam is cut from a beam having the first standard length or the second standard length. 10. The row of seating of claim 3, wherein at least a third of the plurality of beams has a third standard length selected from the plurality of predefined standard lengths, and wherein the third standard length is different than the first standard length and the second standard length. 11. The row of seating of claim 3, wherein said plurality of seating components comprises a plurality of seat bottoms, and wherein said plurality of seat bottoms outnumber said plurality of supports. 12. The row of seating of claim 11, wherein each of said plurality of supports is positioned substantially beneath at least one of the plurality of seat bottoms. 13. The row of seating of claim 3, wherein at least some of said plurality of seat components are connected to said beam assembly by way of U-shaped brackets, each U-shaped bracket being fixedly secured to said beam assembly by screws passing through the U-shaped bracket and beside said beam assembly such that no holes are made in said beam assembly. 14. The row of seating of claim 13, wherein said plurality of seating components comprises a plurality of seat backs and a plurality of corresponding seat bottoms. 15. The row of seating of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of seat connectors connecting said plurality of seating components to said beam assembly, wherein each of the plurality of seat connectors comprises a substantially U-shaped bracket, an opening of the U-shaped bracket corresponding to the thickness of said beam assembly, and positioned such that the U-shaped bracket substantially surrounds said beam assembly on three sides. 16. The row of seating of claim 15, wherein said plurality of seating components comprise a plurality of separate seat bottoms and seat backs and wherein the plurality of seat bottoms are attached to said beam assembly through the plurality of seat connectors. 17. A row of seating having a predetermined row length, comprising: at least two beams from a plurality of beams having at least two predefined standard lengths aligned end to end to form a beam assembly such that the predetermined row length is reached; a plurality of supports supporting the beam assembly in a substantially horizontal position; a plurality of seating components of a standard size comprising a plurality of seat bottoms; a number of left seat connectors equal to the number of seat bottoms and a number of right seat connectors equal to the number of seat bottoms attached to the beam assembly such that a left seat connector is positioned to attach to a left side of a seat bottom and a right seat connector is positioned to attach to a right side of a seat bottom; and a distance between adjacent seat bottoms that is varied by shifting at least one of the left and right seat connectors along said beam assembly so that the row of seating reaches the predetermined length without requiring customization of the plurality of seating components. 18. A row of seating having a predetermined length, said row of seating comprising: a beam assembly comprising a plurality of beams aligned end to end, at least a first of the plurality of beams having a first standard length selected from a plurality of predefined standard length, and at least a second of the plurality of beams having a second standard length selected from the plurality of predefined standard length; wherein the first standard length is different than the second standard length; a plurality of supports supporting said beam assembly in a substantially horizontal position; a plurality of seating components attached to said beam assembly; a plurality of seat connectors connecting said plurality of sealing components to said beam assembly, wherein each of the seat connectors comprises a substantially U-shaped bracket, an opening of the U-shaped bracket corresponding to the thickness of said beam assembly, and positioned such that the U-shaped bracket substantially surround said beam assembly on three sides; and wherein said plurality of seat connectors comprise a plurality of left and right seat connectors. 19. The row of seating of claim 18, wherein said plurality of left and right seat connectors are connected to said beam assembly and positioned such that a left seat connector attaches to the left side of a seat bottom and a right seat connector attaches to a right side of a seat bottom, defining a space between adjacent seat bottoms. 20. The row of seating of claim 19, wherein, said space between adjacent seat bottoms is adjusted by shifting at least one of the plurality of left and right seat connectors along said beam assembly so that the row of seating reaches a predetermined length without requiring customization of the plurality of seating components. 21. The row of seating of claim 19, wherein the plurality of seat connectors extend forward in a substantially horizontal position and a plurality of seat bottoms are pivotably attached to the plurality of seat connectors, each of the plurality of seat bottoms being separately pivotable about an axis through the plurality of seat connectors. 22. The row of seating of claim 21, wherein the plurality of seat connectors are configured such that the plurality of seat bottoms are gravity lifted. 23. The row of seating of claim 22, wherein each of the plurality of seat connectors comprises: a saddle bracket portion comprising an inner pivot channel; a pin portion comprising a pin protruding therefrom; and wherein, when the pin portion is angled with respect to the saddle bracket portion at an insertion angle, the pin is insertable into and removable from the inner pivot channel, and such that when the pin portion is angled with respect to the saddle bracket portion at an angle other than the insertion angle, the pin is retained in the inner pivot channel. 24. A row of seating having a predetermined row length, comprising: a beam assembly comprising at least two beams aligned end to end to reach the predetermined row length, said beam assembly having a substantially rectangular cross-section including a top side, a front side, a back side and a bottom side; a plurality of supports supporting the beam assembly in a substantially horizontal position, each of said plurality of supports secured to at least one of a floor and a step riser; a plurality of seating components comprising a plurality of seat bottoms and a plurality of seat backs; a plurality of seat connectors connecting said plurality of seating components along said beam assembly, wherein each of the plurality of seat connectors comprises a substantially U-shaped bracket that substantially surrounds the top side, the front side, and the back side of said beam assembly; a space between each adjacent seat bottom that is adjustable by shifting at least one of said seat connectors along said beam assembly so that the row of seating reaches the predetermined length without requiring customization of the plurality of seating components; wherein each of said seat connectors includes a securing apparatus adjacent to at least the bottom side of said beam assembly securing each of the seat connectors about said beam assembly without requiring holes in said beam assembly; and wherein each of the plurality of seat bottoms are pivotably attached to at least one of said seat connectors and separately pivotable about an axis through the at least one seat connector. 25. The row of seating according to claim 24, wherein said plurality of supports have a substantially rectangular cross-section and connect to said beam assembly on at least the bottom side of said beam assembly. 26. The row of seating of claim 24, wherein said seating components comprise a plurality of arm rests. 27. The row of seating of claim 26, wherein at least some of the plurality of arm rests comprise a substantially U-shaped bracket, an opening of the U-shaped bracket corresponding to a thickness of said beam assembly, and positioned such that the U-shaped bracket substantially surrounds said beam assembly on three sides. 28. The row of seating of claim 26, wherein at least some of the plurality of arm rests are connected to said beam assembly by seating connectors, wherein each of the seating connectors comprises a substantially U-shaped bracket, an opening of the U-shaped bracket corresponding to a thickness of said beam assembly, and positioned such that the U-shaped bracket substantially surrounds said beam assembly on three sides. 29. The row of seating of claim 24, further comprising a conduit parallel to said beam assembly, said conduit providing a channel for and access to wiring for the seating row. 30. The row of seating according to claim 24, wherein the securing apparatus includes at least one of a plate and a bolt. 31. The row of seating according to claim 24, wherein at least one of said seat connectors include a spring loaded mechanism to lift one of said seat bottoms pivotably attached to the seat connector. 32. A seating arrangement comprising: at least a first row of seating and a second row of seating, said first row of seating having a different length than said second row of seating; wherein said first row of seating comprises a first plurality of beams aligned end to end and supported in a substantially horizontal position, at least one of the first plurality of beams having a first length and at least another of the first plurality of beams having a second length different than the first length a combined length of the first plurality of beams defining a length of said first row of seating; wherein said second row of seating comprises a second plurality of beams aligned end to end and supported in a substantially horizontal position, at least one of the second plurality of beams having a third length and at least another of the second plurality of beams having a fourth length different than the third length, a combined length of the second plurality of beams defining a length of said second row of seating; a first plurality of seats connected to the first plurality of beams, at least some of said first plurality of seats having a first standard width, a combined width of said first plurality of seats being generally equal to the length of said first row of seating; and a second plurality of seats connected to the second plurality of beams, at least some of said second plurality of seats having a first standard width, a combined width of said second plurality of seats being generally equal to the length of said second row of seating. 33. The seating arrangement of claim 32, wherein the first length is the same as the third length and wherein the second length is the same as the fourth length. 34. The seating arrangement of claim 32, wherein at least some of the first plurality of seats and the second plurality of seats comprise a seat having a second standard width, selected from a group of standard widths, such that the combined width of said first plurality of seats is generally equal to the length of said first row of seating and the combined width of said second plurality of seats is generally equal to the length of said second row of seating without requiring custom width seats. 35. The seating arrangement of claim 32, wherein the first plurality of beams and the second plurality of beams have a substantially rectangular cross section and each of said first plurality of seats and said second plurality of seats comprises a substantially U-shaped bracket, an opening of the U-shaped bracket corresponding to a thickness of said first plurality of beams and said second plurality of beams, positioned such that the U-shaped bracket substantially surrounds the first plurality of beams or the second plurality of beams on three sides. 36. The seating arrangement of claim 32, further comprising a plurality of seat connectors connecting said first plurality of seats and said second plurality of seats to the first plurality of beams or the second plurality of beams, each of the plurality of seat connectors comprising a substantially U-shaped bracket, an opening of the U-shaped bracket corresponding to a thickness of the first plurality of beams and the second plurality of beams, positioned such that the U-shaped bracket substantially surrounds the first plurality of beams or the second plurality of beams on three sides. 37. The seating arrangement of claim 32, wherein said first plurality of seats and said second plurality of seats comprise a plurality of seat bottoms and a corresponding plurality of seat backs. 38. The seating arrangement of claim 37, further comprising a plurality of seat connectors connecting the plurality of seat bottoms to said first plurality of beams and said second plurality of beams. 39. The seating arrangement of claim 38, wherein the plurality of seat connectors extend forward in a substantially horizontal position and the plurality of seat bottoms are pivotably attached to the plurality of seat connectors, each of the plurality of seat bottoms being separately pivotable about an axis through the plurality of seat connectors. 40. The seating arrangement of claim 39, wherein the plurality of seat connectors are configured such that the plurality of seat bottoms are gravity lifted. 41. The seating arrangement of claim 40, wherein each of the plurality of seat connectors comprises: a saddle bracket portion comprising an inner pivot channel; a pin portion comprising a pin protruding therefrom; and wherein, when the pin portion is angled with respect to the saddle bracket portion at an insertion angle, the pin is insertable into and removable from the inner pivot channel, and such that when the pin portion is angled with respect to the saddle bracket portion at an angle other than the insertion angle, the pin is retained in the inner pivot channel. 42. The seating arrangement of claim 32, wherein at least some of said first plurality of seats and said second plurality of seats are connected to the first plurality of beams or the second plurality of beams by way of U-shaped brackets, each U-shaped bracket being fixedly secured to the first plurality of beams or the second plurality of beams where the first plurality of beams or the second plurality of beams is substantially surrounded on three sides by the U-shaped bracket and the first plurality of beams or the second plurality of beams are secured within the U-shaped brackets with at least one screw which passes through the U-shaped bracket and beside the first plurality of beams or the second plurality of beams, such that no holes are made in the first plurality of beams or the second plurality of beams. 43. The seating arrangement of claim 32, wherein the first length, the second length, the third length and the fourth length are selected from a plurality of predefined standard lengths. 44. The seating arrangement of claim 43 wherein the first plurality of beams further comprises a first cut beam and wherein the second plurality of beams further comprises a second cut beam. 45. The seating arrangement of claim 44, wherein the first cut beam and the second cut beam are cut from beams having lengths selected from the plurality of predefined standard lengths. 46. The seating arrangement of claim 32, wherein the first length, the second length, the third length and the fourth length comprise integer multiples of one half of the first standard width of said first plurality of seats and said second plurality of seats. 47. The seating arrangement of claim 46, wherein the first length, the second length, the third length and the fourth length comprise odd integer multiples of one half of the first standard width of said first plurality of seats and said second plurality of seats.
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