MX2013010224A - System of telescopic stands having a motorised carriage for moving same. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a telescopic system of seats such as those used in auditoriums and gymnasiums, which can be moved from an extended or operative position in which the seats in the rows are in a staggered formation, to a collapsed or storage position in which the rows of seats are aligned substantially vertically, in other words, one above the other. The invention relates to a system in which a means is inserted under the first row — the bottom row — to enable the entire assembly to be moved as well as to enable easier switching between the operative and storage positions, as well as to be moved between various locations and positions within the same premises or to another premises.

Description

SYSTEM OF TELESCOPIC GRADES WITH DRIVER FOR YOUR TRANSFER TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to telescopic seating systems of the type used in auditoriums and gyms and which can be moved from a use or extended position in which the seats in the rows are in a stepped relationship, to a retracted or storage position in which the rows of seats are aligned substantially vertically, that is, one over the other. In particular, the invention relates to one of these systems in which means are incorporated below the first row, the lowest, to allow the transfer of the assembly and facilitate movement between the positions of use and storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The term "tier" is usually used to refer to a step, step, platform or set of these, located in the entrances or facades of buildings; it is also used to refer to the running steps that are placed in these types of locations and, more commonly, for the seating sets, also called "grandstands" of the stadiums or meeting places such as theaters and public places.

At present, it is well known to use "telescopic bleachers" as staggered collective seats in shows or events where the stage or area of the event is intended for more than one purpose (rooms polyvalent). The grandstands or telescopic bleachers have been designed to adapt perfectly to all types of multipurpose rooms (shows, sports, conferences, theaters, etc.), since their adaptability and minimal hindrance allow the creation of specific spaces in a short time, responding well to the demands of users to achieve versatility in a flat show room, that is, replace a fixed step that gives good views to viewers, by a folding structure, which has the same function as the previous but can be pick up in very little space.

Generally, the telescopic bleachers are formed from a series of modules or platforms of decreasing height each arranged below the immediately superior module in order to allow the folding or extension of the tier according to the needs. In turn, each module is provided with a seating area and a corridor area; the seat area is the base of the same being possible to adapt seats with folding backs that fold when retracting the step.

Telescopic bleachers are structures that can offer two positions: 1) Open, that is, with the platforms deployed, with the possibility that viewers can access them. Configuration of use (extended). 2) Closed, as a module of maximum height but with the depth of a single platform. Storage configuration (retracted).

The main utility of these structures is to achieve the maximum of versatility, in other words, to amortize the spaces with different uses. An example would be the possibility that a theater can be transformed into a restaurant, or a dance floor. The maximum versatility is linked to the rapidity in which changes in positions are made.

Most of these structures are fixed to the pavement or to a wall, which makes them more stable and resistant, but the drawback is that they are only used in one direction, the extension / retraction (opening / closing). These structures can change settings manually or mechanically. The base is usually provided with the modules of rolling media that facilitate the retraction and extension of the same.

A type of apparatus commercially used to drive telescopic seating systems of this type is described in U.S. Patent No. 3,738,612 (Hartman, 1973), in which an engine is mounted below the rows of seats in a position fixed to the floor (for a rear retraction system), and is designed to operate a coil around which a chain rotates. A rear retraction tiered system is one in which the highest or rear row is fixed and the lower front row moves backward when retracting. A front retraction system is one in which the lower front row is fixed and the higher or rear row moves forward when retracting.

Another example of retraction and extension systems is offered by U.S. Patent No. 4,285,172 (Quigley, 1981), which includes a trolley or frame that may have a generally rectangular shape and is adapted to fit almost completely below the cover of the lowest row. At the time, Quigley considered this an important advantage by allowing its adaptation to all types of existing telescopic bleacher systems by not requiring tilt or movement of the rows in the retracted or closed position. The movement of the set of rows is achieved by the action of a reversible electric motor, approximately in an average position and two slices mounted front and back in the frame; the slices preferably have a compressible and flexible synthetic rubber cover or elastomeric material with a high coefficient of friction on wood. These slices differ from conventional wheels in that their axial extension is greater than the radius. The slices are driven by a common chain mechanism connected to the reversible electric motor shaft. The car can be coupled to the outside of the lower row.

Although the aforementioned patent in fact represents an advantage in offering greater mobility of the set of rows of a telescopic system of stands, when coupling a motorized module to the lower row, it has precisely the limitation of operating only for the retraction and extension of the same, to change the system between the use and storage positions.

To achieve the maximum polyvalence it would be necessary that in some cases the telescopic step module, once closed, could be moved and changed its orientation, allowing, for example, to go from an Italian theater to one with a central stage, or to a pass of models or a ballroom, or any other configuration. At this point the possibility of making mobile telescopic bleachers is valued.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION In view of the limitations encountered in the current state of the art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system of telescopic bleachers with means for its transfer to different locations.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system of telescopic bleachers with means for their transfer that allow displacing and changing the orientation of the assembly in an enclosure or its transfer to another enclosure.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a modular system of telescopic bleachers with means for their transfer.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a modular system of telescopic bleachers that allows to offer a wide variety of configurations of seats in an enclosure.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those with knowledge in the technical field from the description that follows and the figures that accompany it, in which the same element in the different views will refer to the same number.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention consists of a modular system of telescopic bleachers, where each module is constituted as in the systems of conventional bleachers, by several platforms with seating areas and eventually with corridor areas, attached to their respective uprights and these in turn to carriages or sliding skates; The novel feature of the system consists of a base platform with a motor car located below the base platform or lowest row of the set, containing motive elements and means for moving the assembly in its storage position, from one point to another of an enclosure or outside it, in addition to extending and retracting the platforms; the movement of the assembly is governed through a remote control, by at least 4 hydraulic or electric motors, or a combination of them, two of traction and two for the orientation of the wheels; the motors are connected to a PLC with software that controls them; The remote control sends signals to the PLC to perform one or another action. The platform usually includes 4 linear actuators, preferably of the hydraulic piston type, which allow the elevation of the tier set prior to its displacement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a schematic view of a modular system of telescopic bleachers in their extended or use position, showing the first three lower levels with the motor car of the invention, indicated in shades of gray.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a modular system of telescopic bleachers in its retracted or storage position, showing the first three lower levels with the motor carriage of the invention, indicated in shades of gray, which allows the transfer of the assembly.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of the construction of a conventional platform.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of the construction of a conventional platform with integrated step in the corridor area.

Figure 5 is a schematic view of the assembly of a set of conventional platforms, showing the guiding elements to maintain the vertical alignment between them.

Figure 6 shows one of the vertical uprights that are used for fixing the set of platforms to the carriages skids for the deployment and retraction of the platforms.

Figure 7 shows the assembly of one of the vertical uprights with one of the carriages or runners.

Figure 8 shows the set of a row, consisting of platform-uprights-trolleys and with the suspenders that improve the stability of the set.

Figure 9 is a bottom view of the lowest platform of a tiered system of the invention, showing the driving carriage allowing the transfer of the system.

Figure 10 is a bottom perspective view of the motor vehicle, showing the arrangement of the traction and orientation motors, as well as the wheel assemblies.

Figure 11 is a top perspective view of the carriage-drive, showing the structural elements for attachment to the lower platform of the telescopic bleacher system.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of one of the wheel and support assemblies that produce the traction and change of direction of the movement of the car-motor.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of one of the wheel and support assemblies that produce the traction and change of direction of the movement of the carriage-motor, showing the coupling of the wheel assembly with the motor that produces the movement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is a system of telescopic bleachers designed in a modular manner, such as that illustrated in Figure 1 and denoted in its entirety by the numeral (100), which is constituted, as in conventional bleacher systems, by a plurality of platforms (110), (110 ') with areas for fixing seats (120), (120') folding and optionally, areas for the transit of users; the platforms (1 10), (1 10 ') are fixed to a vertical upright structure (500) which at the same time is associated with sliding skids or trolleys (600) that allow the platforms to be moved from a storage position, shown in Figure 2 where they are stacked one on top of the other, to a position of use as illustrated by Figure 1, in which the platforms acquire a stepped configuration to allow the use of the seats, and vice versa.

The telescopic harrow module (100) is used as a conventional harrow for opening and closing operations. This module (100) once located in its position on the floor is opened and the seats of each of the platforms can be accessed. For the closure, the system employs a drive carriage assembly (800) with traction wheels located below the first, lower platform, and on the skids (600) of each platform (110), (110 ') for Stacked in the storage position.

Each platform (110) can be one of two main types, the first type being as illustrated in Figure 3 with the numeral (200), a flat platform formed by a set of structural tubes of rectangular section, preferably made of steel: a front cross member (210) and a rear cross member (220) supporting a plurality of transverse tubes (230), (230 '), (230"), (230'"), (230iv), (230v), (230vi) ), (230vii), (230viii). These platforms serve as the internal structure of the steps and fastening for the railings if necessary.

In a second type of platform, this may have an auxiliary step (310) as illustrated in Figure 4, for a stepped platform (300) when the distance between platforms is excessive for a user; the construction of such a step is fully known.

For both types of platform it is possible to cover it according to the finish chosen by the user to give a particular appearance to the set of stands.

It is clear that the structural elements that make up a particular tiered system must be calculated in each case to support the load corresponding to the required safety factor depending on the weight that must be supported, as well as the sections of the tubes can vary according to the regulations in force in the country of construction.

As illustrated in Figure 5, each platform (110), (110 '), either of type (200) or (300), has on the rear face a plurality of guides (400), (400'), ( 400"), (400" '), (400iv), (400v), (400vi), generally referred to as (400), generally made of polyamide, although it may be of any sufficiently strong antifriction material, which slide into the interior of rails located below the immediate upper platform, controlling in this way the parallelism in the displacement between them. These guides include threaded supports that can be adjusted according to the needs of each particular application. These guides also serve as support points for the front of the row immediately above when the stand is in use or open configuration.

The load is transmitted to the ground through vertical posts (500), (500 '), (500"), generally referred to as (500), a pair of them corresponding to each platform (figure 6), manufactured with structural tube steel and located approximately equidistant from the center the length of each platform (Figure 8), each of them is fixed, at the top, to one of the platforms by means of fixing sets (510), (510 ') , and at the bottom are attached to the set of carriages-skids (600), (600 ') (Figure 7) by means of a bolt (610) and regulation system (620), which allows to conveniently adjust the different levels for Additionally, in order to achieve a correct stiffness and bracing of the assembly, tie rods (700) are attached to the uprights (500), (500 '), which are joined to the corresponding platform (200). points (710), (710 ') and each stile at points (720), (720'); conventionally, a third horizontal strut can exist between the points (720) and (720 ') of the uprights (500), (500') corresponding to a platform, as schematically illustrated in Figure 8.

Once the module is brought to the storage position (Figure 2), a steel profile in "C" fixed in the lower front area of the first row (130) and another fixed in the lower rear area of the last row , (140) hold the ends of the carriages-skates forming a packaging that will allow the lifting of these cars with respect to the ground. In this way, the motor-drive (800) located in the lower part of the first platform of the telescopic stand, where the engine support structure is housed, the rollers and in turn, the hydraulic system for raising the harrow, which are the object of the present invention, is in a position to move the whole set for its transfer.

Base platform - System of displacement In the preferred embodiment of the invention, which reflects the best way to carry it out, the lower platform, located in the lower area of each module and illustrated schematically in Figure 9, of dimensions and design different from the upper platforms, and already either type (200) or (300), includes below it, a frame (800) that supports the motor system that allows the set of steps: - Open and Close to move from the usage configuration (Figure 1) to the storage and transport configuration (Figure 2); the movements are linearly restricted forward and backward.

- In the storage position (Figure 2), by the actuation of integrated lifting means, the whole step rises, leaving only the wheels of the motorization system in contact with the ground, thus acquiring the displacement configuration.

- In the displacement configuration the motor / tractor wheels can be oriented towards the front or towards one of the sides of the harrow, that is, they can change their orientation up to 90 °; once the wheels are oriented in the desired direction, we proceed to rotate them so that the whole step moves; By repeating these actions you can move the set of steps where you want.

- There are other possible movements such as turning the entire stand on itself, which is achieved by turning the traction wheels in opposite directions, as ordered by the remote control operator.

The movement of the assembly is controlled from a remote control, which activates the actuators of at least 4 motors that can be hydraulic, electric, or a combination of them. Two engines, denoted by the references (T1) and (T2) in Figures 10 and 11, act directly on the sets of wheels (850) and (850 ') of the driving carriage (800) producing the traction. The other two motors denoted by the references (O1) and (O2) in Figures 10 and 11, act directly on the supports (860) and (860 ') of the sets of wheels (850) and (850') of the trolley motor (800) producing the change of direction of the wheel assemblies and therefore the movement of the driving carriage (800). Figures 12 and 13 show in more detail the sets of wheels (850), (850 ') and their supports (860), (860'); in figure 13 in particular, the location of the traction motor (T1) or (T2) is shown, which acts directly on the axis of the wheel assembly (850). The motors are connected to a PLC with software that controls them; The remote control sends signals to the PLC to perform one or another action. The remote control is connected to the step system through a plug protected by a cover, located in front of the structure of the first platform.

An additional pair of wheels (870) and (870 '), which offer stability and balance to the set of harrow, lack traction and rotate freely, adjusting to the direction of movement of the driving carriage (800) ordered from the remote control.

The platform generally includes 4 linear actuators (not polished), preferably of the hydraulic piston type that allow the elevation of the set of tier in a distance of the order of 2 to 5 centimeters, so that the wheels (630), ( 630 '), etc., of the trolley-cars (600), (600') associated with each platform of the tiered module in its storage / transfer position, cease contact with the floor, allowing the weight of the assembly to rest on the wheel assemblies (850), (850 ') and therefore be in a position to perform its displacement in accordance with the orders issued from the remote control.

System operation 1. Proceed to the standard closing of the harrow (with the use of the remote control), the steel profiles in C placed in the first (130) and the last car (140) block all the cars, turning the set into a single block , as shown in Figure 2. 2. Once the stand is closed the whole assembly is lifted by the lifting mechanism (hydraulic pistons) which acts by means of 4 pistons supporting the entire block on steerable and steerable wheels that support the weight of the module (not shown). 3. Once the carriage wheel assemblies come into contact with the floor and receive the load of the step module, by means of the remote control, which incorporates a control lever, the movement commands are issued, enabling the translation of all the module. 4. Once the harrow is placed in its new position, the pistons are operated to lower the assembly and the wheels (630), (630 ') of the slide cars rest on the floor for a conventional opening / closing operation. 5. The cars in the last row are fastened to the floor by any means conventionally used in telescopic bleacher systems. 6. The conventional opening and closing operation is carried out.

The folding of the step can be operated by a single operator. The simplicity in the solution provided by the motor system for telescopic bleachers modules of the present invention, in addition to a reduction in the execution times, a lower maintenance cost and spare parts.

Once the invention has been described and the preferred embodiment thereof illustrated, it can be understood that it can incorporate a range of variations due to the configuration of the enclosure in which the modules will be installed, as well as the requirements of the regulations and design bases in each installation; The materials and dimensions described, therefore, can differ without these modifications being considered beyond the scope of the invention, which should be understood from the following claims. Some of the variants imply different number and dimensions of the platforms, the presence of more than one motor-car, etc.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS Once the invention is described, what is considered novel and therefore its property is claimed is the following.

1. - A modular system of telescopic bleachers, of the type conventionally composed of a plurality of platforms with areas for fixing seats and the transit of people, joined to uprights and these at the same time to cars or sliding skids, each platform being in sliding relation in relation to the others so that the assembly can assume a first position of use with the platforms extended in staggered relation and a second storage position with the retracted platforms stacked on top of each other, said modular system being characterized because below from the lower base platform, a drive car is located with sets of wheels operated by motors and balance wheel assemblies, operated by a remote control, which includes means for lifting the assembly and for its transfer from one place to another .

2 - . 2 - A modular system of telescopic bleachers with driving carriage with lifting and moving means, according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for moving the set of platforms in storage position, includes at least 2 connected traction motors to sets of wheels that offer the necessary traction to move the set of bleachers.

3 - . 3 - A modular system of telescopic bleachers with driving carriage with lifting and transfer means, according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for moving the set of platforms in storage position, includes at least one pair of motors connected to the supports of the wheel assemblies, to allow the rotation of said supports and thus modify the direction of movement of the set of stands.

4. - A modular system of telescopic bleachers with lifting and transfer means, according to claim 3, characterized in that the sets of traction wheels can be oriented at an angle between 0 ° and 90 °.

5. - A modular system of telescopic bleachers with lifting and transfer means, according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the motors are hydraulic, electric or combinations of these.

6. - A modular system of telescopic bleachers with lifting and transfer means, according to claim 1, characterized in that the balance wheel assemblies rotate freely to be oriented in any direction.

7. - A modular system of telescopic bleachers with lifting and transfer means, according to claim 1, characterized in that the lifting means of the tier assembly in its storage position include 4 linear actuators located at the ends of the carriage, which operate, lift the set a distance of 2 to 5 cm from the floor level.

8. - A modular system of telescopic bleachers with lifting and transfer means, according to claim 1, characterized in that the means of lifting and moving the set of bleachers in their storage position, are connected to a remote control for their operation.