Telescoping seating system with automatically folding chairs

In a telescoping seating system having a plurality of rows, each row including a horizontally extending platform, said rows being adapted for movement between a use position in which said platforms are extended in stepped relation and a storage position in which said platforms are retracted in generally vertical alignment, the combination comprising:

• seating means in each row including a frame having at least first and second stanchion means pivotally mounted to the rear portion of the platform for said row for movement between a raised and a lowered position;
• means carried by the forward portion of the next higher row for engaging said seating means when said rows are extended relative to one another to pivot said stanchion means to a raised position;
• and locking means movable to an operable position to lock said stanchions in the raised position when said rows are fully opened.

In a telescoping seating system having a plurality of rows, each row including a horizontally extending platform with a forward nose portion, said rows being adapted for movement between a use position in which said platforms are extended in stepped relation and a storage position in which said platforms are retracted in generally vertical alignment, the combination comprising:

• seating means in each row, including stanchion means pivotally mounted to the rear portion of the deck for said row for movement between a raised and a lowered position;
• means operative when said rows are extended relative to one another to pivot said seating means to a raised position;
• and a locking member movable between an operable position in which said stanchion means are locked in the raised position when said rows are fully opened and a storage position in which said stanchion means are free to pivot, said locking member extending to a position adjacent the nose portion of the platform of the next higher row when said locking member is in said operable position and adapted to be engaged by said nose portion to urge said locking member to said storage position during the initial closing movement of said rows.

In a telescoping seating system having a plurality of rows, each including a platform having a horizontally extending deck, said rows being adapted for movement between a use position in which said decks are in stepped relation, and a storage position in which said decks are generally vertically aligned, the combination comprising:

• seating means in each row, each seating means comprising frame means including at least first and second stanchion means pivotally mounted to the rear portion of the deck for said row for movement between a raised and a lowered position, and at least one back and one seat carried by said frame means such that when said stanchion means are in said raised position, said seat is above the deck of the next higher row;
• actuator means mounted to an upper row for engaging the seating means mounted to the next lower row for raising said seating means to the use position when the next lower row is extended for use;
• and locking means responsive to the relative movement between a lower row and the next higher row for releasably locking said frame means in the use position when said lower row is extended, said locking means being responsive to the relative movement between said lower and the next higher row for unlocking said frame means when a lower row is retracted for storage, whereby the height of said seats is independent of the rise of said system.

In a telescoping seating system having a plurality of rows, each row including a horizontally extending platform, said rows being adapted for movement between a use position in which said platforms are extended in stepped relation and a storage position in which said platforms are retracted in generally vertical alignment, the combination comprising:

• seating means in each row, each seating means including a plurality of stanchions each pivotally mounted to the rear portion of an associated platform for movement between a raised and a lowered position, a horizontal beam rigidly connected to said stanchions for movement therewith, a plurality of backs carried by said beam, and a plurality of seats pivotally mounted to said beam;
• means carried by the forward portion of the next higher row and interconnected with said seating means for engaging said seating means when said rows are extended relative to one another to pivot said seating means to a raised position;
• and locking means movable to an operable position to lock said stanchions in the raised position when said rows are fully opened.

In a telescoping seating system having a plurality of rows, each including a platform having a horizontally extending deck, said rows being adapted for movement between a use position in which said decks are in stepped relation, and a storage position in which said decks are generally vertically aligned, the combination comprising:

• seating means in each row, each seating means comprising frame means including at least first and second stanchion means pivotally mounted to the rear portion of the deck for said row for movement between a raised and a lowered position, and at least one back and one seat carried by said frame means;
• locking means responsive to the relative movement between a lower row and the next higher row for releasably locking said frame means in the use position when said lower row is extended;
• and energy storage means connected to said stanchion means and responsive to the lowering of said seating means for storing energy and counterbalancing at least some of the weight of said seating means in the lowered position, and for raising said seating toward the use position when said lower row is extended.