Theater riser extender

Abstract

An extendable seating platform that allows existing risers in theaters to be extended to allow for additional walking room and leg space. The extendable seating platform is typically installed when theaters are being retrofitted with new motorized, reclining chairs. The new chairs sit on the existing L-shaped platforms of the theaters, and the present invention allows the existing platforms to be extended.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An extendable seating platform, comprising:
 a series of riser extenders,
 wherein each riser extender of the series of riser extenders comprises a plate; and 
   a series of guardrails,
 wherein each guardrail of the series of guardrails comprises a horizontal member and at least one vertical cross member, 
 wherein the series of riser extenders are disposed on a series of L-shaped seating platforms each comprised of a vertical wall and a horizontal wall, 
 wherein the vertical wall and horizontal wall of each L-shaped seating platform are arranged in a step manner, 
 wherein the series of riser extenders are disposed on every other horizontal wall such that each riser extender is level with the horizontal wall and extends partially over the horizontal wall of the L-shaped seating platform directly below, 
 wherein the at least one vertical cross member of each guardrail is disposed on the horizontal wall of the L-shaped seating platform directly below each riser extender and extends vertically above the height of the horizontal wall of the L-shaped seating platform directly above, 
 wherein each horizontal member is disposed on the distal end of the at least one vertical cross member of each guardrail, and 
 wherein each riser extender is attachably connected to the at least one vertical cross member of each guardrail that is disposed on the horizontal wall of the L-shaped seating platform directly below. 
   
     
     
         2 . The extendable seating platform of  claim 1 , wherein theater chairs are installed on the series of L-shaped seating platforms. 
     
     
         3 . The extendable seating platform of  claim 1 , wherein each guardrail is one piece. 
     
     
         4 . The extendable seating platform of  claim 1 , wherein the series of riser extenders and series of guardrails are disposed on subsequent L-shaped seating platforms in a step manner. 
     
     
         5 . The extendable seating platform of  claim 1 , wherein each riser extender is adjustable. 
     
     
         6 . The extendable seating platform of  claim 1 , wherein each riser extender of the series of riser extenders comprises an arm disposed outwardly from one end of the plate forming an L-shape. 
     
     
         7 . The extendable seating platform of  claim 6 , wherein the series of riser extenders are disposed on every other horizontal wall such that the plate of each riser extender is level with each horizontal wall and extends partially over the horizontal wall of the L-shaped seating platform directly below. 
     
     
         8 . The extendable seating platform of  claim 7 , wherein the arm of each riser extender is attachably connected to the at least one vertical cross member of the guardrail that is disposed on the horizontal wall of the L-shaped seating platform directly below. 
     
     
         9 . The extendable seating platform of  claim 6 , wherein the series of riser extenders are disposed on every other horizontal wall such that the arm is disposed on the vertical wall such that the plate of each riser extender is level with the horizontal wall and extends partially over the horizontal wall of the L-shaped seating platform directly below. 
     
     
         10 . The extendable seating platform of  claim 9 , wherein each riser extender is attachably connected to the at least one vertical cross member of each guardrail that is disposed on the horizontal wall of the L-shaped seating platform directly below. 
     
     
         11 . The extendable seating platform of  claim 1 , wherein each riser extender of the series of riser extenders comprises a first arm and a second arm disposed outwardly in the same direction on opposite ends of a plate forming a U-shape. 
     
     
         12 . The extendable seating platform of  claim 11 , wherein the first arm is disposed on the vertical wall such that the plate of each riser extender is level with the horizontal wall and extends partially over the horizontal wall of the L-shaped seating platform directly below. 
     
     
         13 . The extendable seating platform of  claim 12 , wherein the second arm is attachably connected to the at least one vertical cross member of the guardrail that is disposed on the horizontal wall of the L-shaped seating platform directly below. 
     
     
         14 . The extendable seating platform of  claim 1 , wherein each riser extender of the series of riser extenders comprises a first arm and a second arm disposed outwardly in opposite directions on opposite ends of a plate forming a Z-like shape. 
     
     
         15 . The extendable seating platform of  claim 14 , wherein the first arm is disposed on the vertical wall such that the plate of each riser extender is level with the horizontal wall and extends partially over the horizontal wall of the L-shaped seating platform directly below. 
     
     
         16 . The extendable seating platform of  claim 15 , wherein the second arm is attachably connected to the at least one vertical cross member of the guardrail that is disposed on the horizontal wall of the L-shaped seating platform directly below. 
     
     
         17 . An extendable seating platform, comprising:
 a series of riser extenders,
 wherein each riser extender of the series of riser extenders comprises an arm disposed outwardly from one end of a plate forming an L-shape; and 
   a series of guardrails,
 wherein each guardrail of the series of guardrails comprises a horizontal member and at least one vertical cross member, 
 wherein the series of riser extenders are disposed on a series of L-shaped seating platforms each comprised of a vertical wall and a horizontal wall, 
 wherein the vertical wall and horizontal wall of each L-shaped seating platform are arranged in a step manner, 
 wherein the series of riser extenders are disposed on every other horizontal wall such that the plate of each riser extender is level with each horizontal wall and extends partially over the horizontal wall of the L-shaped seating platform directly below, 
 wherein the arm of each riser extender is attachably connected to the horizontal wall of the L-shaped seating platform directly below, 
 wherein the at least one vertical cross member of each guardrail is disposed on the horizontal wall of the L-shaped seating platform directly below each riser extender and extends vertically above the height of the horizontal wall of the L-shaped seating platform directly above, and 
 wherein each horizontal member is disposed on the distal end of the at least one vertical cross member of each guardrail. 
   
     
     
         18 . The extendable seating platform of  claim 16 , wherein the series of riser extenders and series of guardrails are disposed on subsequent L-shaped seating platforms in a step manner. 
     
     
         19 . The extendable seating platform of  claim 16 , wherein theater chairs are installed on the series of L-shaped seating platforms. 
     
     
         20 . The extendable seating platform of  claim 19 , wherein each guardrail is disposed substantially close to the second arm of each riser extender and the back of the theater chairs.