Patents by Inventor Mark N. Middleton

Mark N. Middleton has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8407943
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Irwin Seating Company
    Inventors: Joe B. Sudkamp, Steven R. Madden, Mark N. Middleton
  • Publication number: 20110099915
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: IRWIN SEATING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joe B. Sudkamp, Steven R. Madden, Mark N. Middleton