Telescopic seating systems, and foldable chairs and related components for use within telescopic seating systems
View Patent ↗The telescopic seating systems, and foldable chairs and related components for use within telescopic seating systems, of the present disclosure may incorporate occupant support elements within a space between a top surface of a seat frame structure and a bottom surface of the seat frame structure. Springs may be attached to the top surface of the chair frame structure and configured to extend into the space. Alternatively, or additionally, a chair cushion may extend into the space.
1. A telescopic seating system, comprising:
a plurality of foldable chairs, each foldable chair comprises a structural frame having a first surface defined by a first side of the structural frame, a second surface defined by a second side of the structural frame, a first post and a second post, wherein the first and second post are for pivotally securing the structural frame to a standard;
each foldable chair comprises an occupant support having a membrane attached to the second surface of the structural frame;
each foldable chair comprises a pan attached to the membrane, wherein a surface of the pan defines an outer decorative surface of the foldable chair; and
each foldable chair comprises a cushion supported by the membrane, wherein the cushion substantially fills a space defined as being between the first surface and the second surface of the structural frame.
2. The telescopic seating system of claim 1 , wherein a surface of the membrane of each foldable chair defines a decorative outer surface of the respective foldable chair.
3. The telescopic seating system of claim 2 , where the occupant support of each foldable chair defines a seat portion of the respective foldable chair and each foldable chair further comprises a second occupant support defining a back portion of the respective foldable chair, wherein a surface of each second occupant support defines a second decorative outer surface of the respective foldable chair.
4. The telescopic seating system of claim 3 , wherein the first decorative outer surface and the second outer surface of each foldable chair defines a guide portion that encourages the respective foldable chair to fold up when the guide portion contacts a portion of a telescopic structure.
5. The telescopic seating system of claim 1 , wherein each foldable chair further comprises a pan attached to the respective membrane, wherein a surface of each pan defines an outer decorative surface of the respective foldable chair.
6. The telescopic seating system of claim 5 , where the occupant support of each foldable chair defines a seat portion of the respective foldable chair and each foldable chair further comprises a second occupant support defining a back portion of the respective foldable chair, wherein a surface of each second occupant support defines a second decorative outer surface of the respective foldable chair.
7. The telescopic seating system of claim 3 , wherein the first decorative outer surface and, or the second outer surface of each foldable chair defines a guide portion that encourages the second outer surface of the respective foldable chair to pivot relative the first outer surface of the respective foldable chair when the guide portion contacts a portion of a telescopic structure.
8. A foldable chair, comprising:
a structural frame having a first surface defined by a first side of the structural frame, a second surface defined by a second side of the structural frame, a first post and a second post, wherein the first and second post are for pivotally securing the structural frame to a standard;
an occupant support having a membrane attached to the second surface of the structural frame;
a pan attached to the membrane, wherein a surface of the pan defines an outer decorative surface of the foldable chair; and
a cushion supported by the membrane, wherein the cushion substantially fills a space defined as being between the first surface and the second surface of the structural frame.
9. The foldable chair of claim 8 , wherein a top surface of the cushion is contoured to conform to at least a portion of a profile of an occupant.
10. The foldable chair of claim 8 , further comprising a first plate between the first post and the structural frame and a second plate between the second post and the structural frame.
11. The foldable chair of claim 8 , wherein the occupant support is configured as a seat portion of the foldable chair and the foldable chair further comprises a back portion of the foldable chair.
12. The foldable chair of claim 8 , further comprising a second occupant support, wherein the second occupant support comprises a second structural frame, the second occupant support further comprises support springs attached to the second structural frame, the second occupant support further comprises a second membrane, wherein the second membrane is configured to limit the movement of the support springs.
13. The foldable chair of claim 12 , wherein the occupant support is configured as a seat portion of the foldable chair and the second occupant support is configured as a back portion of the foldable chair.
14. The foldable chair of claim 12 wherein the second structural frame comprises a spring attachment which extends beyond the support springs in a manner which strengthens the second structural frame.
15. The foldable chair of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of spacer plates configured to vary a width and/or height of the occupant support, wherein the spacer plates allow seat width to be adjusted after upholstery of the seat structure.
16. The foldable chair of claim 15 , wherein the spacer plates are attached with bolts shared with respective hinge pivot plates.
17. The foldable chair of claim 15 , wherein the cushion comprises pockets that, at least partially, conceal the spacer plates and or hinge support plates.
18. The foldable chair of claim 8 , further comprising a back bracket that cooperates with a hinge support plate, a hinge plate, or a spacer to limit chair movement.
19. The foldable chair of claim 8 , further comprising a standard and a back bracket, wherein the standard and the back bracket cooperate to limit chair movement.
20. The foldable chair of claim 8 , wherein the membrane comprises at least one of: features that retain an outer decorative panel; features that limit noise; features that accommodate differing thicknesses of the adjacent panels; and features to secure upholstering covers.
21. The foldable chair of claim 12 , wherein one of the occupant support and the second occupant support is configured as a back of the foldable chair and the other is configured as a seat of the foldable chair.