MULTI-EVENT TELESCOPIC PLATFORM
A platform system includes swing arms for moving the platform from a lowered position to a raised position. In one embodiment, a pair of swing arms and a pair of telescoping vertical members are mounted to opposing frame members. The swing arms are capable of moving from a canted position to a vertical position, which extends the telescoping vertical members and raises the platform to the raised position. The swing arms are connected to a drive mechanism that moves the swing arms from the canted position to the vertical position. The drive mechanism may include a gear box, and a pair of lead screws connected to the gear box. The lead screws may extend from opposing sides of the same gear box, with the gear box configured to rotate the differently handed lead screws.
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The present invention relates to platform seating assemblies, and more particularly to a system for raising, lowering, and storing one or more components of a platform seating assembly.
Platform seating assemblies are well known for providing seating accommodations for multiple people, often in large capacities such as at sporting events. These systems typically include a platform that provides a seating surface, and a base support structure that supports the platform at a desired height. In some cases, the platform is configured for users to sit directly on the upper surface—commonly known as bleachers—whereas in other cases, the platform is configured to receive individual seats attached to the upper surface of the platform. In many applications multiple platforms are provided at increasing heights to increase the number of seats at a particular venue and to provide each platform with an unobstructed forward view. The support structures of each platform often include wheels, which enable the platforms to be nested within each other to increase available floor space when not in use.
A number of systems exist for raising and lowering the platforms of a platform seating assembly to desired heights, including the lift mechanisms shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,976, U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,789, U.S. Pat. No. 6,243,991, U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,790, U.S. Pat. No. 6,625,932 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,615,548. Examples of these systems include a scissor lift, a vertical hydraulic/pneumatic lead screw lift system and a vertical screw lift system. The scissor lift system includes one or more pairs of cross members that extend between a support frame and the platform. The ends of the cross members can be driven closer together to raise the platform. The scissor lift provides lift while minimizing the initial height of the system; however, it suffers from a number of drawbacks. For instance, there are limits on the number of platforms that this system can lift because the lift system must be able to support live loads (i.e., the lift system must be able to support the weight of the platforms and any people on the platforms in the raised position). In addition, it is a complicated system and therefore tends to be costly. Similar drawbacks exist for vertical hydraulic and pneumatic lead screw lift systems, and for other lift systems, in that they provide direct vertical lift to the platform which requires them to support the lift system and live loads. Without an additional locking mechanism, the platforms supported by these lift mechanisms may collapse upon a failure of the lift mechanism.
In addition, easily adjustable platform seating is becoming increasingly desirable in a number of specific applications. For instance, some sporting events, such as ice hockey, benefit from a steeper rise from platform to platform to enable people sitting on each level to view the ice. In other applications, such as basketball events, it is desirable to provide additional seating in front of the hockey dasher board that extends up to the courtside with a lower degree of rise to accommodate multiple rows of higher priced portable courtside seats.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a platform system that includes swing arms for moving the vertical support members and the platform from a lowered position to a raised position.
In one embodiment, a pair of swing arms and a pair of telescoping vertical members are mounted to opposing frame members. The swing arms are capable of moving from a canted position to a vertical position, which extends the telescoping vertical members and raises the platform to the raised position. The swing arms are connected to a drive mechanism that moves the swing arms from the canted position to the vertical position.
In one embodiment, the drive mechanism includes a gear box, and a pair of lead screws connected to the gear box. The lead screws extend through lead screw nuts on the ends of the swing arms. The drive mechanism and gear box are capable of rotating the lead screws within the lead screw nuts, causing the lead screw nuts to travel along the lead screws. The lead screws may be handed differently, so that both of the lead screw nuts travel outwardly when the leads screws rotate, the lead screws moving the swing arms from the canted position to the vertical position.
The lead screws may extend from opposing sides of the same gear box, with the gear box configured to rotate the differently handed lead screws. Activation of the single gear box thereby causes both swing arms to move toward the vertical position. In another embodiment, only a first one of the lead screws is connected to the gear box, with the other lead screw connected to the first lead screw. In this embodiment, the swing arms may be long enough to extend beyond the mid-point of the platform to overlap each other when in the canted position. The longer swing arms may increase the height of the platform in the raised position. In yet another embodiment, each lead screw may be connected to a separate gear box.
The benefits of the proposed system are based on simplistic design, light weight construction and simplicity associated with operating. In the present invention, structural and live loading is supported by the swing arms when the platform is in the raised position. As a result, the loads need not be supported by the lift mechanism like they are in a vertical lifting lead screw or a scissor lift system. The telescoping verticals support members may be used for alignment purposes only, and are not required for load bearing when the platform system is in the raised position. In addition, the present system enables individual platforms to be independently raised and lowered, and only a low torque rotational tool, such as a handheld drill, is required to operate the gear box.
A variable rise platform seating system according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in
The support structure 14 for each deck 12 typically includes a pair of horizontal support members 18 and a pair of vertical support members 20 extending upwardly from the horizontal support members 18. In one embodiment (see
In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes a swing arm mechanism 48, separate from the vertical support members 20, for moving each deck 12 between a raised position in which the telescoping vertical members 20 are fully extended, and a lowered position in which the telescoping vertical members 20 are fully retracted. For instance, in one embodiment, it may be desirable to lower each of the platforms in a platform seating system when the system is to be moved into the retracted position, to reduce the space required for the retracted system. It may further be desirable to raise one or more of the individual platforms when the platform seating system is in the extended position, in order to position the platforms at a desired viewing height. In the illustrated embodiment, the placement of the support structure requires that the platforms are moved to the lowered position before they are retracted and nested within each other.
One embodiment of the swing arm mechanism 48 for raising and lowering the deck 12 of a platform seating system 10 is shown in
As illustrated, the swing arm mechanism 48 includes a pair of swing arms 62, 64, with each swing arm 62, 64 having an upper end 66 and a lower end 68. The lower end 68 is pivotally connected to the structural support 18. More particularly, the lower end 68 of each swing arm is pivotally connected to one of the horizontal support members 18 with a clevis 70 and a pin 72 extending through the clevis 70 and the lower end 68 of the swing arm 62, 64. This arrangement allows the swing arm 62, 64 to pivot about the pin 72. Referring now to
The amount of lift of the platform system 10 (i.e., the distance that the platform system moves between the lowered and the raised positioned) is a function of the height of the vertical support members section 20, the length of the swing arms 62, 64, and the angle of the swing arms 62, 64 in the lowered position. In one embodiment, the angle θ of the swing arm in the lowered position (shown in
The support structure 14 may include a variety of additional support members to aid in supporting a load on the deck 12. For instance, in one embodiment, the support structure 14 includes a cross member 90 extending between the horizontal support members, and a pair of angular members 92, 94 extending between the upper vertical support members 24 and the deck supports 40. Additional support members may be added to accommodate additional loads, and the type and number of support members may very from application to application.
An alternative embodiment of the swing arm mechanism 148 is shown in
Operation of the platform system 10 to move the deck 12 from the lowered position to the raised position, or vice versa, includes activating the drive mechanism to drive the gear box 60 (or 160) and thus rotate the lead screws 54, 56 (or 154, 156). Activation of the drive mechanism may be initiated by a variety of conventional methods, such as a switch mounted to the platform system or mounted separate from the platform system but in electrical communication with the drive mechanism. When the deck 12 is in the lowered position, such as that shown in
In a lowered position, all loading associated with live load and deck 12 weight is directed down the vertical members 20 to the horizontal support members 18. This type of loading scheme is generally identical in form to what is used for standard telescopic platforms that do not offer vertical rise. In a raised position, the swing arms 62, 64 are moved from a canted position to a vertical position. The swing arms are positioned on the horizontal support members 18 directly behind the telescoping verticals. As the swing arms 62, 64 move from a canted position to a vertical position, the telescoping verticals 20 are extended. The telescoping verticals 20 provide directional guidance while the swing arms 62, 64 move from the canted position to the vertical position. When the swing arms 62, 64 are in the vertical position, the swing arms 62, 64 take all vertical loading from the individual tiers. In other words, the load is transferred from the vertical supports 20 to the swing arms 62, 64 when the swing arms 62, 64 are in the vertical position. This may include all structural weight and all live loads. Any loads may also be transferred from lead screws 54, 56, yokes 74, lead screw nuts 76, and the gear box 60 when the swing arms are in the vertical position. Operation of the swing arm embodiment shown in
The above description is that of the current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.
Claims
1. A platform system comprising:
- a frame;
- a vertical support member connected to said frame, said vertical support member being extendable from a lowered position to a raised position;
- a platform connected to said vertical support member;
- a swing arm connected to said frame and said vertical support member, said swing arm capable of pivoting with respect to said frame between a first position and a second position; and
- a drive connected to said swing arm, said drive capable of pivoting said swing arm between said first position and said second position, said pivoting of said swing arm between said first position and said second position causing said vertical support member to move between said lowered position and a raised position.
2. The platform system of claim 1 wherein said swing arm includes a nut, said nut receiving a rod connected to said drive and extending through said nut, wherein said drive is capable of driving said rod to rotate within said nut, said rotation of said rod within said nut causing said swing arm to move between said first position and said second position.
3. The platform system of claim 2 including a pair of said swing arms and a pair of said rods.
4. The platform system of claim 3 wherein each said swing arm includes a yoke, said yoke pivotally supporting said nut.
5. The platform system of claim 4 wherein said drive includes a gear box, said rods connected to said gear box such that said gear box is capable of driving said rods to rotate.
6. The platform system of claim 5 wherein a first one of said rods is threaded in the opposite direction as the other of said rods, such that rotation of said rods in a first direction by said gear box causes both of said nuts to move away from said gear box.
7. The platform system of claim 6 wherein said swing arms each define a length, said length of said swing arms being greater than the length of said telescoping vertical support in said lowered position, such that a load on said platform is supported by said swing arms and not said vertical support when said swing arms are in said second position.
8. The platform system of claim 7 wherein an angle between said swing arm in said first position and said vertical support member is less than 60 degrees.
9. The platform system of claim 8 wherein said vertical support includes a stop member extending therefrom, said stop member engaging one of said swing arms in said second position to prevent said one of said swing arms from pivoting past vertical.
10. The platform system of claim 9 wherein said platform is cantilever mounted to said vertical support.
11. A variable rise platform system comprising:
- a telescoping support member, said telescoping support member capable of extending from a lowered position to a raised position;
- a load supporting platform connected to said telescoping support member such that it is movable with said telescoping support member;
- a swing arm connected to said platform, said swing arm having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said platform, said swing arm capable of pivoting about said second end between a canted position and a vertical position, wherein movement of said swing arm from said canted position to said vertical position moves said telescoping support member from said lowered position to said raised position; and
- a gear box connected to said swing arm, said gear box capable of being driven to move said swing arm between said first position and said second position.
12. The variable rise platform of claim 11 including a frame member supporting said telescoping support member and said swing arm, said second end of said swing arm pivotally connected to said frame member.
13. The variable rise platform of claim 11 including a first lead screw connected to said gear box, said gear box operable to rotate said lead screw.
14. The variable rise platform of claim 13 wherein said swing arm a lead screw nut pivotally connected to first end of said swing arm, said lead screw nut receiving said first lead screw, such that rotation of said lead screw causes said lead screw nut to travel along said first lead screw, whereby said swing arm moves from said first position to said second position.
15. The variable rise platform of claim 14 including two said swing arms and two said vertical members, a first one of said swing arms mounted to said frame proximate a first one of said vertical members, a second one of said swing arms mounted to said frame proximate a second one of said vertical members.
16. The variable rise platform of claim 15 wherein a first one of said swing arms includes a lead screw nut receiving said first lead screw and a second one of said swing arms includes a lead screw nut receiving a second lead screw.
17. The variable rise platform of claim 16 wherein said platform system defines a width between said first one of said vertical members and said second one of said vertical members, said swing arms extending past a midpoint of said width when said swing members are in said canted position.
18. The variable rise platform of claim 17 wherein said first one of said swing arms is offset from said second one of said swing arms to provide clearance for said swing arms to overlap each other when in said canted position.
19. The variable rise platform of claim 18 wherein said second lead screw is connected to said first lead screw such that rotation of said first lead screw rotates said second lead screw.
20. A variable rise platform comprising:
- a platform;
- first and second spaced apart frame members;
- first and second vertical support members supporting said platform, said first vertical support member extending upwardly from said first frame member, said second vertical support member extending upwardly from said second frame member, said first and second vertical support members capable of extending from a lowered position to an elongated, raised position;
- first and second swing arms, said first swing arm extending between said first frame member and said platform, said second swing arm extending between said second frame member and said platform, said swing arms being longer than said vertical support members in their lowered position;
- a gear box;
- first and second lead screws connected to said gear box, said gear box capable of driving said first and second lead screws to rotate;
- first and second lead screw nuts, said first lead screw nut pivotally mounted to said first swing arm, said second lead screw nut pivotally mounted to said second swing arm, said first lead screw extending through said first lead screw nut, said second lead screw extending through said second lead screw nut, wherein rotation of said lead screws within said lead screw nuts causes said lead screw nuts to travel along said lead screws, whereby said swing arms move from a canted position to an upright position, moving said vertical support members from said lowered position to said raised position.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 20, 2010
Publication Date: Aug 5, 2010
Applicant: TRACK CORP. (Spring Lake, MI)
Inventors: Donald W. Wisner (Grand Haven, MI), David R. Southwell (Grand Rapids, MI), David W. Heatherington (Spring Lake, MI), Michiel P. van de Ven (West Olive, MI), Dennis V. Rupar (Spring Lake, MI), Terry L. Plumert (Grand Haven Twp., MI), John W. Walwood (Grand Haven, MI)
Application Number: 12/690,335