Abstract: A cup holder for a seat of an auditorium or theater includes a cup receiving body and a mounting arm. The cup receiving body is configured to receive and support a cup therein. The mounting arm extends from the cup receiving body and includes a receiving portion and an attachment portion. With the mounting arm extending across a side portion of a seat back frame of a single seat, and with the receiving portion receiving a front portion of the seat back frame and the mounting arm extending from the front portion of the seat back frame to a rear portion of the seat back frame, the attachment portion of the mounting arm abuts the rear portion of the seat back frame, and the attachment portion is attached at the seat back frame to secure the cup holder relative to the seat back frame.

Abstract: A bleacher seating system provides a seatback locking and release mechanism to allow for rapid simultaneous repositioning of the seat backs in each row of seating. The system includes a plurality of seats arranged in a row and coupled to a forward edge portion of a deck via seat mounting brackets in the form of parallel plates each defining a gap therebetween. Each of the seats includes a seat portion and a back portion that is pivotable between an upright use position and a collapsed storage position. An elongate actuator bar is rotatably supported in respective bores formed in the plates, and seatback brackets are positioned in the gaps for pivotably coupling the back portions to respective seat mounting brackets. Release members extend from the elongate actuator bar and are disposed in the gaps for selective engagement with pivot-lock elements of the seatback brackets.

Abstract: A bleacher seating system provides a seatback locking and release mechanism that allows for rapid simultaneous repositioning of the seat back portions in each row of seating to aid in setting up and collapsing sets of seating rows. The locking and release mechanism may be actuated to substantially simultaneously unlock all seat back portions in a row from a single location. The bleacher seating system may be readily set up or collapsed by a single operator, such as by manually or remotely unlocking and locking the seat back portions in rows so that the seat backs may be pivoted between raised and lowered positions. Optionally, deck nosemount clamps allow for increased walking space behind the seats and a particularly compact seating storage configuration.

Abstract: A bleacher seating system provides a seatback locking and release mechanism that allows for rapid simultaneous repositioning of the seat back portions in each row of seating to aid in setting up and collapsing sets of seating rows. The locking and release mechanism may be actuated to substantially simultaneously unlock all seat back portions in a row from a single location. The bleacher seating system may be readily set up or collapsed by a single operator, such as by manually or remotely unlocking and locking the seat back portions in rows so that the seat backs may be pivoted between raised and lowered positions. In addition, deck nosemount clamps allow for increased walking space behind the seats and a particularly compact seating storage configuration.

Abstract: A swingable and pivotable seating system includes a base portion, a swing arm, a seat and a control system. The swing arm is pivotable about a generally vertical first pivot axis and has a first end pivotally mounted at the base portion and a second end opposite the first end. The seat is pivotally supported at or near the second end of the swing arm and pivotable about a generally vertical second pivot axis. The control system controls pivotal movement of the seat about the second pivot axis responsive to a degree of pivoting of the swing arm about the first pivot axis. The seating system may include a desk portion, and the control system may limit pivotal movement of the seat when the seat is near the desk portion and may allow greater pivotal movement of the seat when the seat is swung away from the desk portion.

Abstract: A flexible venue system includes a system that can be configured in multiple ways depending on the type of event being hosted. This system can be applied in whole or in part to telescopic seating platforms or similar structures which may include multiple usable tiers, movable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, and the potential for at least one partially retracted configuration. The system may include any or both of a program support system integrated into or assembled to the system prior to retraction; and vertically adjustable seating configurations for use with the platform systems. The present invention is intended to aid in venue changeover and reduce overall cost, instructions and labor required to do so.

Abstract: A bleacher seating system provides a compact, automatically extending and retracting set of seating rows, where each seating row can be set at two or more different heights or slopes to provide different sightlines for spectators of different events. The bleacher seating system may be extended, retracted, raised, and lowered by a single operator, and may be retracted into a compact storage configuration, such as a configuration that is only about two seating rows in depth. The seating rows are independently raised and lowered by lift mechanisms, which include lock mechanisms to stabilize and lock each seating row at the different preselected heights. Optionally, a controller is provided for coordinating the powered extension, retraction, raising, lowering, and locking sequences of the seating system.

Abstract: A bleacher seating system provides a seatback locking and release mechanism that allows for rapid simultaneous repositioning of the seat back portions in each row of seating to aid in setting up and collapsing sets of seating rows. The locking and release mechanism may be actuated to substantially simultaneously unlock all seat back portions in a row from a single location. The bleacher seating system may be readily set up or collapsed by a single operator, such as by manually or remotely unlocking and locking the seat back portions in rows so that the seat backs may be pivoted between raised and lowered positions. In addition, deck nosemount clamps allow for increased walking space behind the seats and a particularly compact seating storage configuration.

Abstract: A swingable and pivotable seating system includes a base portion, a swing arm, a seat and a control system. The swing arm is pivotable about a generally vertical first pivot axis and has a first end pivotally mounted at the base portion and a second end opposite the first end. The seat is pivotally supported at or near the second end of the swing arm and pivotable about a generally vertical second pivot axis. The control system controls pivotal movement of the seat about the second pivot axis responsive to a degree of pivoting of the swing arm about the first pivot axis. The seating system may include a desk portion, and the control system may limit pivotal movement of the seat when the seat is near the desk portion and may allow greater pivotal movement of the seat when the seat is swung away from the desk portion.

Abstract: A tablet adjustment mechanism is provided to control the movement of a tablet of a seat assembly between a lowered non-use or stowed position under the armrest and a raised or use position, and further control the tablet's movement between an inward use position and an outward use position. The adjustment mechanism includes a plunger inside of a pivot element, the plunger's longitudinal and rotational or pivotal movements being controlled by a pin engaging a slot in the plunger, and also by a guide pin traversing an arcuate slot in a tablet support arm. The adjustment mechanism may limit lateral or sideward movement of the tablet when the tablet is in its fully lowered or stowed position and during at least some of the pivotal movement toward its raised position.

Abstract: A foldable seat for a bleacher seating arrangement includes a seat or seat structure fixedly disposed at a deck portion and a seat back pivotally disposed at a rear portion of the seat portion. The seat back is pivotable between an upright position, where a person may sit at the seat structure and may lean back against the seat back, and a folded down position, where the seat back may lay generally on top of or at least partially over the seat structure. The seat back may be pivotally mounted relative to the deck portion and may be substantially freely pivotable between the upright and folded down positions. The bleacher seating arrangement may include a plurality of deck portions that may be retracted to a nested position when the seat backs are in their folded down position.

Abstract: A foldable seat for a bleacher seating arrangement includes a seat or seat structure fixedly disposed at a deck portion and a seat back pivotally disposed at a rear portion of the seat portion. The seat back is pivotable between an upright position, where a person may sit at the seat structure and may lean back against the seat back, and a folded down position, where the seat back may lay generally on top of or at least partially over the seat structure. The seat back may be pivotally mounted relative to the deck portion and may be substantially freely pivotable between the upright and folded down positions. The bleacher seating arrangement may include a plurality of deck portions that may be retracted to a nested position when the seat backs are in their folded down position.

Abstract: A bleacher seating system provides a compact, automatically extending and retracting set of seating rows, where each seating row can be set at two or more different heights or slopes to provide different sightlines for spectators of different events. The bleacher seating system may be extended, retracted, raised, and lowered by a single operator, and may be retracted into a compact storage configuration, such as a configuration that is only about two seating rows in depth. The seating rows are independently raised and lowered by lift mechanisms, which include lock mechanisms to stabilize and lock each seating row at the different preselected heights. Optionally, a controller is provided for coordinating the powered extension, retraction, raising, lowering, and locking sequences of the seating system.

Abstract: A foldable seat for a bleacher seating arrangement includes a seat or seat structure fixedly disposed at a deck portion and a back portion or backrest pivotally disposed at a rear portion of the seat portion. The back portion is pivotable between an upright position, where a person may sit at the seat structure and may lean back against the back portion, and a folded down position, where the back portion may lay generally on top of or at least partially over the seat structure. The back portion may be pivotally mounted to a mounting frame or element fixedly secured relative to the deck portion and may be substantially freely pivotable between the upright and folded down positions. The bleacher seating arrangement may include a plurality of deck portions that may be retracted to a nested position when the backrests or back portions are in their folded down position.

Abstract: A tablet adjustment mechanism is provided to control the movement of a tablet of a seat assembly between a lowered non-use or stowed position under the armrest and a raised or use position, and further control the tablet's movement between an inward use position and an outward use position. The adjustment mechanism includes a plunger inside of a pivot element, the plunger's longitudinal and rotational or pivotal movements being controlled by a pin engaging a slot in the plunger, and also by a guide pin traversing an arcuate slot in a tablet support arm. The adjustment mechanism may limit lateral or sideward movement of the tablet when the tablet is in its fully lowered or stowed position and during at least some of the pivotal movement toward its raised position.

Abstract: An extendable deck assembly for a seating area includes a deck portion that is extendable from a base portion to provide a substantially planar support platform. The extendable deck assembly includes a support assembly positioned within the base portion and configured to support a cover plate of the base portion when the deck portion is extended from the base portion. The deck portion may telescopingly extend from the base portion and the support assembly may nest together to facilitate extension and retraction of the support assembly within the base portion. The extendable deck assembly may include a locking mechanism that may secure or lock the extendable deck in the extended position to limit or substantially preclude retraction of the deck portion relative to the base portion. The locking assembly may be part of a guard rail assembly positioned at least partially around the extendable deck portion.

Abstract: A foldable seat for a bleacher seating arrangement includes a seat or seat structure fixedly disposed at a deck portion and a back portion or backrest pivotally disposed at a rear portion of the seat portion. The back portion is pivotable between an upright position, where a person may sit at the seat structure and may lean back against the back portion, and a folded down position, where the back portion may lay generally on top of or at least partially over the seat structure. The back portion may be pivotally mounted to a mounting frame or element fixedly secured relative tot eh deck portion and may be substantially freely pivotable between the upright and folded down positions. The bleacher seating arrangement may include a plurality of deck portions that may be retracted to a nested position when the backrests or back portions are in their folded down position.

Abstract: A foldable seat for a bleacher seating arrangement includes a mounting frame fixedly attached to or secured to a deck or platform of the bleacher seating arrangement, a seat portion attached to the mounting frame, and a back portion or backrest pivotally attached to the mounting frame and/or seat portion. The backrest is pivotable between an upright position, where a person may sit at the seat portion and may lean back against the back portion, and a folded down position, where the backrest may lay generally on top of or at least partially over the seat portion. The back portion or backrest may be substantially freely pivotable between the upright and folded down positions. The bleachers may be retracted to a nested position when the backrests or back portions are in their folded down position.

Abstract: A plurality of chairs are configured to be ganged together such that the chairs are releasably held together in a side-by-side manner. The chairs include a first chair having a first leg at a side of the first chair, and a second chair having a second leg at a side of the second chair. The first and second legs are generally opposed when the first and second chairs are side-by-side and facing in generally the same direction. The first chair includes a lower ganging element attached at a lower end of the first leg and configured to receive a lower end of the second leg when the second chair is positioned next to the first chair. The first chair includes an upper ganging element attached along a portion of the first leg and configured to receive a corresponding portion of the second leg.

Abstract: A chair seat that is movable between an upright and a forward position includes a spring mechanism that biases the seat toward the upright position. The spring mechanism includes camming structures that utilize both compressional and torsional forces from the spring to bias the seat toward the upright position. The compression of the spring exerts a positive force that must be overcome before the seat can be moved out of its upright position. The chair seat is constructed from a number of discrete components that are secured together without the use of welding or separate fasteners, such as via snap-fits. The discrete components include positioning tabs, special shapes, and other features that prevent them from being improperly assembled. The components of the chair seat may all be constructed out of suitable durable plastics, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, and glass filled thermoplastics.