Portable seating system

Abstract

A portable seating system includes portable removable seating units mounted to a stage type deck. A self retaining nut is mounted to an underside of the decks and the seating units are bolted to the self retaining nut. A method of securing the seats to a deck includes positioning the seating units at a desired position at the initial set up and drilling a hole in the deck at a location where the seat is to be secured. A mounting plate including a self retaining nut is mounted on an underside of the deck with the nut aligning with each hole. The seating unit is then secured with bolts extending from the top of the deck and extending through the holes to engage the self-retaining nut.

1 . A seating system, comprising:
 a supporting structure including a plurality of horizontal decks, the decks having a plurality of heights and being arranged in an ascending configuration, at least deck having a through hole formed therein;   a plurality of seats comprising legs, each leg having a base plate with at least one through opening for securing the seat to the deck;   a mounting plate fastened to an underside of one deck at a position where the seats are to be secured;   a fastener, inserted through a through opening of one base plate and a through opening of one deck and arranged to engage a self retained nut attached to one mounting plate.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the self retaining nut is attached to the mounting plate by a sheet metal element. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 2 , wherein the sheet metal element is arranged in a square opening of the mounting plate. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the self retaining nut is welded to the mounting plate. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting plate comprises two or more apertures for fastening the mounting plate to the underside of the deck. 
     
     
         6 . A method of securing a seat to a deck of a seating system, comprising the steps of:
 providing a through opening in the deck at a location where the seat is to be secured on a first face of the deck;   fastening a mounting plate including a self retaining nut on a second face of the deck;   positioning an opening of a base plate of the seat over the deck opening;   securing the seat to the deck by introducing a fastener through the base plate opening and the deck opening and engaging the fastener with the self retaining nut.   
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the nut is attached to the mounting plate with a sheet metal element. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the sheet metal element is arranged in a square opening of the mounting plate. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the nut is welded to the mounting plate. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the mounting plate comprises two or more apertures for fastening the mounting plate to the second face of the deck. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the mounting plate comprises a generally rectangular plate having the self retaining nut attached to a center portion of the generally rectangular plate and having an aperture in each corner for fastening the mounting plate to the second face of the deck, wherein the method further comprises the step of using at least two of the apertures when fastening the mounting plate to the deck. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the mounting plate comprises a generally square plate having the self retaining nut attached to a center portion of the generally square plate and having an aperture in each corner for fastening the mounting plate to the second face of the deck, wherein the method further comprises the step of using at least two of the apertures when fastening the mounting plate to the deck. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the mounting plate comprises an elongated plate having the self retaining nut attached to a center portion of the elongated plate and having a plurality of apertures in a row extending along the elongated plate on each side of the self retaining nut, wherein the method further comprises the step of using at least one of the apertures on each side of the self retaining nut when fastening the mounting plate to the second face of the deck. 
     
     
         14 . A mounting plate configured for securing a seat to a first face of a deck of a seating system, comprising:
 a center portion in which a through opening is provided;   a self retaining nut arranged in the through opening for receiving a fastener securing the seat to the deck.   
     
     
         15 . A mounting plate according to  claim 14 , the mounting plate comprising a rectangular shaped configuration, wherein apertures are provided in each corner of the plate. 
     
     
         16 . A mounting plate according to  claim 14 , having an elongated configuration, wherein a plurality of apertures are provided in a row extending along the plate on each side of a center portion of the plate. 
     
     
         17 . A mounting plate according to  claim 12 , wherein the plate further comprises side portions extending outward from a first face of the plate and parallel to the row of apertures. 
     
     
         18 . A mounting plate according to  claim 14 , wherein the self retaining nut is attached to the mounting plate by a sheet metal element. 
     
     
         19 . A mounting plate according to  claim 14 , wherein the self retaining nut is welded to the mounting plate. 
     
     
         20 . A mounting plate according to  claim 14 , the mounting plate comprising a square shaped configuration, wherein apertures are provided in each corner of the plate.