TELESCOPING SEATING SYSTEMS WITH AUTOMATICALLY FOLDING CHAIRS

摘要

{PG,1 In a telescoping seating system having a number of rows which may be moved between an extended or use position and a retracted or storage position, chairs or other seating is mounted on stanchions which are pivotally mounted to the rear of the deck in each row. The stanchions are pivoted to an upright position when the system is extended for use and folded to a horizontal position when the system is retracted for storage by means of an actuator mechanism mounted to the forward portion of the next higher row and operative in response to relative movement between adjacent rows. In this manner, the height of the seats is independent of the rise of the system for more comfortable seating. A torsion rod assembly is mounted beneath the seating to counterbalance at least some of the weight of the seating in the storage position. Locking members engage the stanchions in the use position to secure the seating in the raised position. The locking members are released in response to the closing motion between adjacent rows to permit the seating to be folded to the storage position in the space between adjacent decks.