System and method for preventing access to steps in retracted bleachers

1. A bleacher step access prevention system, the bleacher step access prevention system comprising:

a panel component having a front side and a back side;

at least one anchor arm component mounted on the back side of the panel component and in association with a first edge of the panel component;

at least one retracting anchor arm component mounted on the back side of the panel component and in association with a second edge of the panel component; and

a sliding lock mechanism accessible on the front side of the panel component and operable when actuated to transition between an open state and a closed state, wherein the sliding lock mechanism is configured to transition the at least one retracting anchor arm between a storage state and a deployed state when the sliding lock mechanism is transitioned between said open state and closed state;

wherein, when the panel component is placed in front of a stairway of a retracted bleacher system, the at least one anchor arm component is engaged in a first space behind a first bleacher bench and actuation of the sliding lock mechanism to said closed state causes the at least one retracting anchor arm component to transition to a deployed state and engage in a second space behind a second bleacher bench.

2. The bleacher step access prevention system of claim 1 , wherein the panel component is comprised of a plurality of panels configured to define a cavity for accommodating handrails associated with the stairway of the retracted bleacher system.

3. The bleacher step access prevention system of claim 2 , wherein at least two of the plurality of panels are connected via hinges.

4. The bleacher step access prevention system of claim 2 , wherein the panel component is comprised of a thermoplastic and the plurality of panels are defined by creases in the thermoplastic.

5. The bleacher step access prevention system of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of panels are integrally connected via welds.

6. The bleacher step access prevention system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more handles accessible from the front side of the panel component.

7. The bleacher step access prevention system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one caster mounted along a base edge of the panel component.

8. The bleacher step access prevention system of claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcement edging component along a base edge of the panel component.

9. The bleacher step access prevention system of claim 8 , wherein the panel component is comprised of a thermoplastic and the reinforcement edging component is comprised of a metal.

10. The bleacher step access prevention system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one anchor arm component is configured to transition between a storage state and a deployed state.

11. The bleacher step access prevention system of claim 10 , wherein the at least one anchor arm component further comprises a locking pin operable to mechanically hold the anchor arm component in either of the storage state or the deployed state.

12. The bleacher step access prevention system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one retracting anchor arm component comprises a four bar linkage arrangement.

13. The bleacher step access prevention system of claim 1 , wherein the sliding lock mechanism further comprises a lock operable to prevent the sliding lock mechanism from transitioning between open and closed states.

14. The bleacher step access prevention system of claim 13 , wherein the lock is a keyed lock.

15. The bleacher step access prevention system of claim 1 , wherein when the panel component is placed in front of a stairway of a retracted bleacher system at least a portion of the panel component defines a plane that is substantially parallel with a plane defined by fronts of bleacher benches in the retracted bleacher system.

16. The bleacher step access prevention system of claim 1 , wherein the panel component is configured to receive and display artwork or advertising.