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Patent 2862358 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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(12) Patent: (11) CA 2862358
(54) English Title: GRANDSTAND
(54) French Title: TRIBUNE
Status: Granted
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • E04H 3/12 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • RUHMANN, LARS (Germany)
  • PAPE, TIMOTHY (Germany)
  • SCHIERWATER, TIM (Germany)
  • HOFLER, MARK (Germany)
(73) Owners :
  • INTER+-POL FREIE FORSCHUNGS-UND ENTWICKLUNGSGESELLSCHAFT FUR UNFASSBARE FORMATE, EXPERIMENTELLE PROJEKTE, UNGESEHENE FILME, DICKE UND DUNNE BUCHER, GRENZENLOSE RAUME, ANGEWANDTE STREITKULTUR UND IDEEN AUS FERNER ZUKUNFT MBH (Germany)
(71) Applicants :
  • INTER+-POL FREIE FORSCHUNGS-UND ENTWICKLUNGSGESELLSCHAFT FUR UNFASSBARE FORMATE, EXPERIMENTELLE PROJEKTE, UNGESEHENE FILME, DICKE UND DUNNE BUCHER, GRENZENLOSE RAUME, ANGEWANDTE STREITKULTUR UND IDEEN AUS FERNER ZUKUNFT MBH (Germany)
(74) Agent: SMART & BIGGAR LP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued: 2017-01-10
(86) PCT Filing Date: 2013-02-01
(87) Open to Public Inspection: 2013-08-08
Examination requested: 2016-04-18
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes
(86) PCT Filing Number: PCT/EP2013/052040
(87) International Publication Number: WO2013/113878
(85) National Entry: 2014-07-23

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
12153956.3 European Patent Office (EPO) 2012-02-03
13/566,477 United States of America 2012-08-03
10 2012 015 399.6 Germany 2012-08-03

Abstracts

English Abstract

The invention relates to a grandstand having a plurality of seating place rows and/or standing place rows which rise in a stepped manner and are accessible via at least one access route which bridges the height difference between the seating place rows and/or standing place rows, wherein the gradient of the seating place rows and/or standing place rows and the gradient of the access route enclose an angle of from approximately 20° to approximately 90°, with the result that the gradient of the access route has a first component which extends parallel to the direction of the place rows and runs towards the place rows.


French Abstract

L'invention concerne une turbine comportant une pluralité de rangées de places assises et/ou de rangées de places debout en gradins, accessibles au moyen d'au moins un chemin d'accès permettant de surmonter la différence de hauteur entre les rangées de places assises et/ou les rangées de places debout, le gradient des rangées de places assises et/ou des rangées de places debout et le gradient du chemin d'accès formant un angle d'environ 20° à 90° de telle manière que le gradient du chemin d'accès présente un premier composant s'étendant parallèlement à la direction des rangées de places et étant dirigé vers les rangées de places.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


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CLAIMS:
1. A grandstand comprising a plurality of seat rows
rising in a step-like appearance and being accessible via at
least one access route bridging a height difference between the
seat rows, wherein a gradient of the seat rows and a gradient
of the access route enclose an angle of from approximately 20 °
to approximately 90°, and wherein the gradient of the access
route has a second component which runs parallel to the
gradient of the seat rows and wherein the gradient of the
access route has a first component which runs perpendicular to
the gradient of the seat rows and points towards the seat rows.
2. The grandstand as claimed in claim 1, wherein more
than one seat row is accessible by way of a contiguous
staircase as an access route.
3. The grandstand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
gradient of the seat rows and the gradient of the access route
enclose an angle of from approximately 50° to approximately
90°.
4. The grandstand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
gradient of the seat rows is different from the gradient of the
access route.
5. The grandstand as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
gradient of the seat rows is greater than the gradient of the
access route.
6. The grandstand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
grandstand has at least one first tier having a plurality of

- 22 -
seat rows and at least one second tier having a plurality of
seat rows, and a tier has more than approximately 100 seats.
7. The grandstand as claimed in claim 1, comprising more
than approximately 3000 seats.
8. The grandstand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
rake of the seat rows rising in a step-like appearance is
selected from approximately 37° to approximately 80° .
9. The grandstand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
rake of the access route is less than 37°.
10. The grandstand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
width of the access route decreases from the lowermost seat row
to the uppermost seat row.
11. The grandstand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
width of the access route remains constant from the lowermost
seat row to the uppermost seat row.
12. The grandstand as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
width of the access route is from approximately 80 cm to
approximately 300 cm.
13. The grandstand as claimed in claim 1, wherein a
walking direction of the access route and the gradient of the
access route enclose an angle of from approximately 0° to
approximately 60°.
14. The grandstand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
gradient of the access route has a second component parallel to
the gradient of the seat rows and a first component

- 23 -
perpendicular to the gradient of the seat rows, wherein the
second component is smaller than the first component.
15. The grandstand as claimed in claim 1, wherein all the
seats of a single seat row are arranged next to one another on
one level.
16. The grandstand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
seat row is of horizontal configuration.
17. A grandstand comprising a plurality of seat rows
which rise in a step-like manner and are accessible via at
least one access route which bridges an height difference
between the seat rows, wherein a rake of the seat rows is
greater than a rake of the access route.
18. The grandstand as claimed in claim 17, wherein the
rake of the seat rows is selected from approximately 37° to
approximately 80° .
19. The grandstand as claimed in claim 17, wherein the
rake of the access route is less than 37°.
20. The grandstand as claimed in claim 17, wherein the
seat row has no height difference along its longitudinal
extent.
21. The grandstand as claimed in claim 17, wherein the
seat row contains at least two seats which are arranged next to
one another on one level.
22. A grandstand comprising a plurality of seat rows
rising in a step-like manner and being accessible via at least
one access route bridging a height difference between the seat

- 24 -
rows, wherein a rake of the seat rows is selected from
approximately 40° to approximately 80°
wherein the seat row comprises at least two seats
being arranged next to one another on one level, and
wherein the rake of the space rows is greater than
the rake of the access route.
23. The grandstand as claimed in claim 22, wherein the
rake of the access route is less than 37° .
24. The grandstand as claimed in claim 22, wherein more
than one seat row is accessible by means of a contiguous
staircase as access route.
25. The grandstand as claimed in claim 22, wherein a
gradient of the seat rows and a gradient of the access route
enclose an angle of from approximately 50° to approximately
90° .
26. A stadium comprising at least one grandstand as
claimed in claim 1.

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


CA 02862358 2014-07-23
=
Our ref.: 6769-11-29390 WO
Grandstand
The invention relates to a grandstand having a
plurality of seat rows and/or standing space rows which
rise in a stepped manner and are accessible via at
least one access route which bridges the height
difference between the seat rows and/or standing space
rows.
Grandstands of the type mentioned at the outset are
usually used to make it possible for a plurality of
users to observe a sporting or cultural performance, it
being possible for an improved view of the events to be
made possible by the stepped arrangement of the
spectators.
DE 10 2004 045 403 B4 has disclosed a grandstand of the
type mentioned at the outset. It has a plurality of
seat rows which rise in a stepped manner. The visitors
enter the grandstand via an entrance and can pass from
there to the desired seat row via a staircase which
bridges the height difference between the rows. Since
the maximum height of a step or the rake ratio is
limited on account of human anatomy and each step must
not exceed a defined step width, the rake of said
staircase is limited to a maximum of approximately 36 .
Since the staircase rises substantially in parallel to
the seat rows, the maximum rake of the grandstand is
also limited to this value.
However, this embodiment has the disadvantage that, as
the height of the seat row increases, the spacing from
the location of the events also rises, in order to
ensure an unimpeded view of the playing field. As a
result, the events can be followed only insufficiently
from the upper rows. Furthermore, the result can be
viewing obstacles in the near range, in particular in

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rear or upper rows, with the result that the events of
the game or play is concealed in a region which adjoins
the grandstand and therefore cannot be observed at all
anymore.
The invention is therefore based on the object of
specifying a grandstand which affords improved viewing
conditions and therefore a more intensive and/or more
direct experience of the respective performance for the
spectators and which can be connected safely.
According to the invention, a grandstand is proposed
having seat rows and/or standing space rows which rise
in a stepped manner. Here, exactly one row can be
arranged on one step, with the result that each seat or
standing space row has a height difference from the
preceding seat or standing space row. In other
embodiments of the invention, more than one row can be
arranged on one step, with the result that in each case
groups of seat or standing space rows have a height
difference from one another. In some embodiments of the
invention, the height difference between two seat or
standing space rows can be between approximately 10 cm
and approximately 250 cm or between approximately 30
and approximately 200 cm or between approximately 45
and approximately 140 cm.
If space rows are spoken of in the following
description, this is intended to mean both seat rows
and standing space rows, as long as the text does not
make express reference to seats or standing spaces.
Seat rows differ from standing space rows to the extent
that the seat rows are provided with foldable or rigid

= CA 02862358 2014-07-23
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seat options which are individual or are connected to
one another. According to one embodiment, the
grandstand according to the invention has at least one
seat row with seat options of this type. A standing
space row can have markings or structural boundaries of
individual standing spaces, for example posts and/or
railings and/or marking plates and/or floor markings
which indicate the size and/or the position of the
respective standing space. According to one embodiment,
the grandstand according to the invention has at least
one standing space row with markings or structural
boundaries of this type.
The expression "seat rows and/or standing space rows"
is intended to include every type of space rows for
spectators in the context of the present invention. In
particular, in addition to conventional standing spaces
and conventional seats, combinations or intermediate
forms are also intended to be included. Combinations or
intermediate forms of this type can be configured, for
example, in such a way that the spectator assumes a
position between an upright standing position and a
normal seating position with legs which are angled
approximately at right angles.
In one embodiment, a space row contains at least two
or, in another embodiment, at least five seats or
standing spaces which are arranged next to one another
on one level, that is to say horizontally in one plane.
In some embodiments of the invention, all the seats or
standing spaces of a space row are arranged next to one
another on one level. According to one embodiment, the
space row therefore has no height difference along its
longitudinal extent.
An optional railing can be arranged between two
adjoining seat or standing space rows, with the result
that it is made difficult for the user of a row of this

CA 02862358 2014-07-23
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type to pass immediately into the row below without
using the access route. In the case of great height
differences between the individual space rows, a
railing of this type can also be required for safety
reasons.
According to the invention, it is then proposed that
the gradient of the space rows and the gradient of the
access route enclose an angle of from approximately 200
to approximately 90 . Unlike in the case of known
grandstands, the staircase therefore no longer runs in
the same direction as the space rows which rise in a
stepped manner. For the purposes of the present
invention, the gradient of the access route denotes the
direction of the steepest rise. In the case of a
staircase with a rectangular step surface, the gradient
therefore runs orthogonally with respect to the front
edge or rear edge of the steps. If staircases or ramps
are not of rectilinear design, the gradient course is
also not rectilinear. In this case, however, it goes
without saying that the gradient at a predefinable
point can be specified as the direction of the tangent
with respect to the gradient course. The angle of
inclination of the gradient vector with respect to the
horizontal denotes the rake of the grandstand or the
access route. To this extent, a greater gradient is
understood to be a steeper angle of inclination.
In the same way, the gradient of the seat rows and/or
standing space rows denotes the direction of the
steepest rise of the space rows. In this case too, the
gradient therefore runs orthogonally with respect to
the front edge or rear edge of the space rows if they
have a substantially rectangular layout.
In the case of known grandstands, the gradient of the
space rows and the gradient of the access route enclose
either an angle of approximately 0 , that is to say the

CA 02862358 2014-07-23
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,
gradients run parallel or the space row runs at a right
angle with respect to the walking direction of the
access route. In the case of further known grandstands,
the gradient of the space rows and the gradient of the
access route can enclose an angle other than 00, the
gradients pointing away from one another. In contrast,
the grandstand according to the invention is
distinguished by the fact that the gradient of the
access route and the gradient of the space rows enclose
an angle of from approximately 200 to approximately
900, the gradients pointing toward one another. In this
context, the access route has a component which runs in
the direction of the space rows.
If the gradient of the access route and the gradient of
the space rows enclose an angle other than 90 , the
gradient of the access route has a component which runs
in the direction of the gradient of the space rows. If
the gradient of the access route and the gradient of
the space rows enclose an angle other than 0 , the
gradient of the access route has a component which runs
parallel to the direction of the space rows. In the
case of conventional grandstands, that component of the
gradient of the access route which runs parallel to the
direction of the space rows is either zero or its
direction points away from the space rows. In the case
of the grandstand according to the invention, that
component of the gradient of the access route which
runs parallel to the direction of the space rows is not
zero and its direction points toward the space rows.
The invention is based on the consideration that an
access route which does not run in the plane of the
space rows can have a rake which differs from said
plane. To this extent, a comparatively flat access
route can be provided which can be combined with a
steeper grandstand. In other embodiments of the
invention, a flat grandstand can also be provided with

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a steep access route, in order to make spacesaving
connection of the grandstand possible in this way.
Here, the further the angle which is enclosed by the
gradient of the space rows and the gradient of the
access route approaches the right angle, the more
differently both gradients or angles of inclination can
be configured.
In some embodiments of the invention, the gradient of
the space rows and the gradient of the access route can
enclose an angle of from approximately 50 to
approximately 90'. In some embodiments of the
invention, the gradient of the space rows and the
gradient of the access route can enclose an angle of
from approximately 70 to approximately 90 . These
ranges ensure that the access route has a sufficiently
great component in the direction of the space rows and
therefore the rise of the access route can be decoupled
from the rise of the space rows to such an extent that,
even in the case of steep tiers, the access route
becomes so flat that it can be walked along comfortably
by the user of the grandstand and safe and rapid
evacuation is made possible in an emergency.
In some embodiments of the invention, the grandstand
can have at least one first tier having a plurality of
seat and/or standing space rows and at least one second
tier having a plurality of seat and/or standing space
rows, each tier having more than approximately 100 or
more than approximately 200 seats and/or standing
spaces. In some embodiments of the invention, the
second tier can be arranged above the first tier, that
is to say offset in the vertical direction. In one
embodiment of the invention, each tier can have at
least one space row. In another embodiment of the
invention, each tier can have a plurality of space
rows. Two adjacent tiers can differ from two adjacent
rows as a result of an increased spacing or height

CA 02862358 2014-07-23
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difference from one another. Two adjacent tiers can
have a clear structural division. In some embodiments
of the invention, two different tiers can be
distinguished by way of different access routes. To
this extent, a tier is a group of space rows which
contains at least one row.
In some embodiments of the invention, the grandstand
can have more than approximately 2000, more than 3000
or more than approximately 5000 seats and/or standing
spaces. In some embodiments of the invention, a
plurality of grandstands can be combined to form a
stadium which accordingly can accommodate more than
5000, more than 10000, more than 30000 or more than
40000 visitors. A plurality of grandstands can be
erected such that they are statically dependent on one
another or independent. Large grandstands or large
stadia of this type often suffer from the problem that
a large number of space rows have to be provided for
the large number of visitors, with the result that, in
the case of a correspondingly low rake of the
grandstands, the spacing from the playing field or the
stage becomes very great. To this extent, especially
the visitors in the rear rows profit from the fact that
the grandstand can be of steeper configuration, so that
the result is a shorter spacing and an overall improved
view of the events. However, a safe access route which
is pleasant to walk along for steep grandstands of this
type, in which the rake of the space rows which rise in
a stepped manner is more than 37 or more than 40 , has
been impossible up to now.
In some embodiments of the invention, the rake of the
space rows and/or standing space rows which rise in a
stepped manner can be from approximately 37 to
approximately 80 . In other embodiments of the
invention, the rake of the seat rows and/or standing
space rows which rise in a stepped manner can be from

CA 02862358 2014-07-23
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approximately 40 to approximately 800. In other
embodiments of the invention, the rake of the seat rows
and/or standing space rows which rise in a stepped
manner can be from approximately 45 to approximately
75 . These ranges afford the visitor in the upper rows
a novel, previously unknown experience of the events on
the playing field which adjoins the grandstand or the
stage. This is caused firstly by the smaller distance
and also by the experience of the steepness which makes
an unimpeded view possible, in a similar manner to that
from a viewing tower.
Although the grandstand can therefore be of
substantially steeper configuration than previously,
the access route can have a low rake of approximately
36 or less as a result of the different course. In
some embodiments of the invention, the rake of the
access route can even be less than 32 . This makes
comfortable and fear-free use of the access route
possible, with the result that even large numbers of
visitors can walk along it rapidly, without causing a
line.
In some embodiments of the invention, the width of the
access route is constant from the lowermost seat row or
standing space row to the uppermost seat row or
standing space row and relates as a rule to a minimum
width which is based on the relationship to human
anatomy. As a result, the customary image of a
staircase for the user is retained, with the result
that said staircase can be walked along pleasantly and
without delays.
In some embodiments of the invention, the width of the
access route can decrease from the lowermost seat row
or standing space row to the uppermost seat row or
standing space row. An embodiment of this type of the
invention allows for the circumstance that the visitors

CA 02862358 2014-07-23
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of an upper space row also have to use the staircase of
the space rows lying below them, in order to reach
their space. To this extent, the number of potential
users of the staircase decreases continuously from
bottom to top. Accordingly, the capacity of the
staircase also decreases continuously on account of the
decreasing width, and the additional space can be used
for additional seats or standing spaces or functional
areas.
In some embodiments of the invention, the width of the
access route can be from approximately 80 cm to
approximately 300 cm depending on the minimum dimension
for an evacuation or on the number of persons to be
evacuated. It has been shown that, depending on the
size of the respective space row, this width of the
access route is sufficient to channel the visitor flows
safely via the access route.
In some embodiments of the invention, the walking
direction on the access route and the gradient of the
access route can enclose an angle of from approximately
0 to approximately 60 . In other embodiments of the
invention, the walking direction on the access route
and the gradient of the access route can enclose an
angle of from approximately 00 to approximately 30 .
This means that the access route, for instance a
staircase, can be walked along obliquely by the
visitors. In some embodiments of the invention, this
can result in a saving of further space which can be
used by further seats or standing spaces or functional
areas.
According to one possible embodiment, the invention
relates to a stadium having at least one grandstand as
described herein. Here, stadium is understood generally
to be a venue for sporting, cultural or other events,
in which a playing field or an event area is enclosed

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by seats and/or standing spaces or seats and/or standing spaces
are arranged on at least 2 or 3 sides of the playing field or
the event area.
In some embodiments, the invention relates to a grandstand
comprising a plurality of seat rows rising in a step-like
appearance and being accessible via at least one access route
bridging a height difference between the seat rows, wherein a
gradient of the seat rows and a gradient of the access route
enclose an angle of from approximately 20 to approximately
90 , and wherein the gradient of the access route has a second
component which runs parallel to the gradient of the seat rows
and wherein the gradient of the access route has a first
component which runs perpendicular to the gradient of the seat
rows and points towards the seat rows.
In some embodiments, the invention relates to a grandstand
comprising a plurality of seat rows which rise in a step-like
manner and are accessible via at least one access route which
bridges an height difference between the seat rows, wherein a
rake of the seat rows is greater than a rake of the access
route.
In some embodiments, the invention relates to a grandstand
comprising a plurality of seat rows rising in a step-like
manner and being accessible via at least one access route
bridging a height difference between the seat rows, wherein a
rake of the seat rows is selected from approximately 40 to
approximately 80 wherein the seat row comprises at least two
seats being arranged next to one another on one level, and
wherein the rake of the space rows is greater than the rake of
the access route.

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Without restricting the general concept of the invention, the
invention is to be explained in greater detail in the following
text using figures, in which:
figure 1 explains the direction of the gradient of the access
route,
figure 2 shows a perspective illustration of detail of a
grandstand having two tiers,
figure 3 shows the plan view of a grandstand according to the
invention in accordance with a first embodiment of
the invention,
figure 4 shows the plan view of a grandstand according to the
invention in accordance with a second embodiment of
the invention, and
figure 5 shows the plan view of a grandstand according to Ihe
invention in accordance with a third embodiment of
the invention.
Figure 1 explains how, according to the invention, the gradient
15 of the space rows 145 and the gradient 125 of the access
route enclose an angle of from approximately 20 to
approximately 90 . The figure shows a plurality of space rows
145 with one spectator 20. The latter reaches his/her space or
the space row via an access route with a gradient 125 or 126.
In the case of known grandstands, the gradient 126 of the
staircase or the access route runs either in the same

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direction as the gradient 15 of the space rows, with
the result that both gradients enclose an angle of 00.
In further, known embodiments, the gradient 126 can be
turned in the negative direction and assume, for
example, an angle of -450 with respect to the gradient
15.
The gradient 126 therefore has a first component 1261
parallel to the direction 17 of the space rows 145,
which first component 1261 is either zero or points
away from the space rows 145. In addition, the gradient
126 has a second component 1262 which never becomes
zero in the case of known grandstands.
According to the invention, it is proposed then that
the gradient 125 of the access route encloses an angle
of from approximately 20 to approximately 90 with the
gradient 15 of the space rows 145. This means that the
gradient 125 of the access route has at least one first
component 1251 which points in the direction of the
space rows 145. In addition, the gradient 125 can have
an optional second component 1252 parallel to the
gradient 15 of the space rows 145. In some embodiments
of the invention, said second component 1252 parallel
to the gradient 15 of the space rows 145 can be zero or
can become at least very small under consideration of
the building tolerances. In some embodiments of the
invention, the second component 1252 parallel to the
gradient 15 of the space rows 145 is smaller than the
first component 1251 which points in the direction of
the space rows 145.
For the purposes of the present invention, the gradient
125 or 126 of the access route denotes the direction of
the steepest rise. In the case of staircases with a
rectangular step surface, the gradient therefore runs
orthogonally with respect to the front edge or rear
edge of the steps. If staircases or ramps are not

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designed rectilinearly, the gradient course is also not
rectilinear. It goes without saying, however, that in
this case the gradient at a predefinable point can be
specified as the direction of the tangent with respect
to the gradient course.
In the same way, the gradient 15 of the seat rows 145
and/or standing space rows 145 denotes the direction of
the steepest rise of the space rows. In this case too,
the gradient therefore runs orthogonally with respect
to the front edge or rear edge of the space rows if the
latter have a substantially rectangular layout.
A visitor who uses the access route of a grandstand
according to the invention in the direction of the
gradient 125 therefore has to change his/her walking
direction by less than 90 , in order to turn off into a
space row 145. In this way, the grandstand according to
the invention differs from a known grandstand, in which
the visitor who uses the access route in the direction
of the gradient 126 has to change his/her walking
direction by more than 90 , in order to turn off into a
space row 145. Figure 2 shows a perspective
illustration of a grandstand 1 or an illustration of a
detail of a larger grandstand 1. As can be seen from
figure 2, the grandstand 1 has at least one lower tier
13 and at least one top tier 14. Here, the principle of
the invention can be applied universally to seat and/or
standing space rows. Which type of space rows the tiers
have can be determined depending on the respective
application, that is to say depending on the comfort
expectation of the visitors and the amount of visitors
to be accommodated. Accordingly, the grandstand 1 can
be equipped exclusively with standing spaces,
exclusively with seats or, as shown, in a combined
manner with seats and standing spaces.

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,
Each space row has a height difference y from the
preceding space row. In some embodiments of the
invention, the magnitude of the height difference y can
be between approximately 10 cm and approximately 250 cm
or between approximately 30 and approximately 200 cm or
between approximately 45 and approximately 140 cm. The
magnitude of the height difference y can be identical
for the lower grandstand 13 and the upper grandstand 14
or can be selected to be different.
Furthermore, each space row 135 or 145 has a depth x,
within which the respective seat or standing space is
arranged and the necessary circulation areas, with the
result that the visitors within one row can move to
their space. The rake a of the grandstand therefore
results as a = arctan (y/x). In the exemplary
embodiment which is shown, the rake of the top tier 14
is greater than the rake of the lower tier 13.
In the exemplary embodiment which is shown, the tier 13
is connected in a known way by an access route 12. The
gradient of the access route 12 therefore runs parallel
to the gradient of the space rows 135. This means that
the rake of the access route 12 cannot be lower than
the rake of the space rows 135.
On account of human anatomy, the step area of a step of
a staircase requires a minimum depth. The depth of the
step usually does not lie below 26 cm. Furthermore, the
rake ratio has to comply with an average human stride
length of from approximately 61 cm to 64 cm. This
results in a maximum height of the steps 123 of 19 cm
or 20 cm. This corresponds to a maximum rake of 36.16
degrees which, in the exemplary embodiment which is
shown, is identical with the rake of the tier 13.
In the exemplary embodiment which is shown, the upper
grandstand 14 is equipped with space rows 145 which in

CA 02862358 2014-07-23
- 14
each case have the greater height difference y from one
another than the space rows 135. Since, as a result of
their advanced optimized position, the standing space
rows have a steeper sight line angle to the closest
point of the event, the space rows in the top tier 14
are steeper than in the lower tier 13. The tier 14 can
no longer be connected by way of a conventional access
route 12 which has been explained using the lower tier
13, since either the step area of the steps 123 becomes
too small or the height difference of two adjacent
steps becomes too great. In addition to a loss of
comfort for the visitors, this also represents a safety
risk, since the visitors might stumble easily on a
staircase of such steepness and rapid evacuation of the
grandstand is no longer ensured in an emergency.
The gradient of the access route 12 according to the
invention which is explained using the top tier 14
therefore does not run parallel to the gradient of the
space rows 145, but rather approximately orthogonally.
As a result, the access route 12 can have a different
rake than the space rows 145, with the result that a
comfortable and safe access route 12 with a relatively
low rake can also be used to connect a very steep
grandstand.
In order to reach the space rows 145, the visitors
first of all walk via a first access route 121 to a
stair head 122. It is to be noted that the shown
position of the stair head 122 at the level between the
first and the second space rows 145 is optional. The
stair head 122 can also be arranged at a higher or
lower level.
Six access routes 12 branch off from the stair head 122
in the direction 17 of the space rows 145. Here, the
space rows which lie to the left of the stair head 122
are connected by in each case two access routes 12 and

CA 02862358 2014-07-23
- 15 -
the space rows which lie to the right of the stair head
122 are connected by in each case two access routes 12.
Furthermore, two access routes 12 run upward and two
run downward, with the result that in each case all the
space rows can be connected from the stair head 122,
that is to say both the space rows which lie above it
and those which lie below it as well as the space rows
which lie to the right of it and those which lie to the
left of it. In the case of a different position of the
stair head 122, it goes without saying that some of the
shown six access routes 12 can be omitted and/or access
routes at the same level can also be added. In some
embodiments of the invention, one access route connects
at least 2 space rows. In some embodiments of the
invention, one access route connects at least 4 space
rows. In some embodiments of the invention, one access
route connects at least 5 space rows.
The principle which is shown in figure 2 for a tier
with 8 rows can be extended to larger tiers, by the
tier being connected by way of a plurality of access
routes 12 and/or a plurality of stair heads 122 which
in each case connect a group of space rows.
The access routes 12 run approximately orthogonally
with respect to the direction of the first access route
121. The walking direction on the access route 12 runs
in this case approximately at an angle of 20 degrees
with respect to the gradient of the access route in the
direction of the space rows 145. The height difference
between the standing space rows 145 is therefore not
overcome in the direction of the gradient of the space
rows 145, but rather orthogonally with respect thereto.
It goes without saying that the connection principle
which is explained by way of example using figure 2 can
also be implemented successfully when the gradient of
the access route 12 does not run exactly orthogonally

CA 02862358 2014-07-23
=
- 16 -
in the direction of the space rows 145 or the walking
direction encloses a different angle with the standing
space rows 145. In this case, the gradient of the
standing space rows 145 and the gradient of the access
route 12 cannot enclose a right angle, but rather a
different angle which can lie, for example, between
approximately 20 and approximately 90 , approximately
450 and approximately 90 or approximately 70 and
approximately 900

.
It goes without saying that the construction principle
which is explained by way of example using space rows
145 in the tier 14 can also be applied to space rows
135 in the tier 13.
Figure 3 once again explains the construction principle
according to the invention in a view of a tier 14 with
nine standing space rows 145. Each standing space row
has a height difference of y from the preceding
standing space row, with the result that the uppermost
standing space row has a height difference of 8y from
the lowermost standing space row. Furthermore, each
standing space row 145 has the depth x which is
dimensioned such that the visitors can stand
comfortably on the step rows and can pass one another
without danger. The length of the standing space rows
along the longitudinal extent or in the direction 17 of
the space rows 145 is dimensioned such that each
visitor can utilize a sufficiently large occupation
area. For example, the extent can be 0.5 m or 0.75 m
per visitor.
The height difference between the standing space rows
145 can be called the gradient 15. Here, the gradient
indicates the direction of the height change. In the
case of rectangular steps, the gradient 15 therefore
runs orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal
extent of the respective standing space row 145.

CA 02862358 2014-07-23
- 17 -
An access route 12 serves to guide the visitors to
their spaces. The access route 12 begins at a
substantially flat path or a stair head 122. The access
route 12 overcomes the height difference between the
individual standing space rows 145 by way of a
plurality of steps 123. The access route 12 therefore
also has a gradient 125 which runs orthogonally with
respect to the respective edge in the case of
rectangular steps. As figure 3 explains, the gradient
125 of the access route 12 is therefore arranged
substantially at right angles with respect to the
gradient 15 of the space rows 145.
In the example which is shown, the access route 12 is
configured as a staircase. The staircase can have more
than 3, more than 6 or more than 10 steps.
Since the visitors of the upper rows have to use all
the staircases which the visitors of the lower rows
also have to climb, the width of the access route 12
increases from top to bottom. By way of example, the
width Bl of the first step and the width B5 of the
twelfth step are shown. It can be seen readily that a
smaller width of the access route 12 is appropriate at
the level of the twelfth step, since merely the
visitors of the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth rows
move along the access route 12 here. In contrast, the
access route is of wider configuration in the region of
the first step, since, in addition, the visitors of the
second, third, fourth and fifth rows also move along
the access route 12. In this way, firstly the capacity
of the access route 12 can be increased without using
unnecessary space, however, since the access route is
configured with a full width only at the points where
the flows of people are at a maximum.

CA 02862358 2014-07-23
- 18
Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention.
Since the view and the designations which are used are
identical to the first embodiment which was explained
using figure 3, the following description is restricted
to explaining the essential differences of the second
embodiment. It is also the case in the embodiment
according to figure 4 that an access route 12 starts at
a stair head 122. The access route 12 has a constant
width over its entire longitudinal extent. The width is
dimensioned such that a sufficiently rapid evacuation
of the grandstand or the tier 14 is made possible.
Since the upper standing space rows 145 are shorter
than the lower standing space rows, the flows of people
increase from top to bottom.
It is also the case in the second exemplary embodiment
that the gradient 125 of the access route 12 runs
approximately orthogonally with respect to the gradient
15 of the standing space rows 145. However, the walking
direction 16 of the visitors on the access route 12 is
not parallel to the gradient 125 of the access route
12. Rather, the walking direction 16 and the gradient
125 enclose an angle with respect to one another, 38
in the exemplary embodiment which is shown. Said angle
can be selected such that the access route 12 can still
be walked on comfortably. For example, the angle can be
between approximately 0 and approximately 60'.
A third embodiment of the invention will be explained
using figure 5. Figure 5 also shows nine standing space
rows 145 of a tier 14, as was explained using figure 3.
In contrast to the preceding exemplary embodiments, the
gradient 125 of the access route 12 encloses an angle
which is not a right angle with the gradient 15 of the
standing space rows 145. In the exemplary embodiment
which is shown, an angle of 53 is selected by way of
example. It goes without saying that said angle can
also assume different values in other embodiments of

CA 02862358 2014-07-23
- 19
the invention. It is essential to the invention merely
that the gradient 125 has a component which is at a
right angle with respect to the gradient 15.
The visitors then likewise pass via a stair head 122 to
the access route 12. Via the steps 123 of the access
route 12, the visitors essentially follow the direction
of the gradient 125 as far as the desired standing
space row 145. They leave the access route 12 there, in
order to pass to a second stair head 124. The latter is
situated at the level of the respective associated
standing space row 145, with the result that the
visitors can then follow said row horizontally as far
as their space. The access route 12 according to the
third exemplary embodiment also has a constant width B.
The embodiment which is more spacesaving than the first
embodiment of the invention can be used to save space
in circulation areas and, in return, to extend
functional areas on the tier 14.
In all the described embodiments of the invention, the
access route 12 does not necessarily have to be
provided with a staircase 123. In other embodiments of
the invention, the access route 12 can also be a
stepless ramp which can be moved along simply, for
example, by wheelchairs or strollers.
If the access route 12 is configured as a staircase, it
can have more than 3, more than 6 or more than 10
steps.
It goes without saying that the invention is not
restricted to the embodiments which are shown in the
figures. The above description is therefore not to be
considered to be limiting, but rather explanatory. The
following claims are to be understood such that there
is a stated feature in at least one embodiment of the
invention.

. CA 02862358 2014-07-23
- 20 -
This does not preclude the presence of further
features. If the claims or the description describe
"first" and "second" elements, this designation serves
to distinguish similar features, without an order of
precedence being defined.

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

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Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date 2017-01-10
(86) PCT Filing Date 2013-02-01
(87) PCT Publication Date 2013-08-08
(85) National Entry 2014-07-23
Examination Requested 2016-04-18
(45) Issued 2017-01-10

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Maintenance Fee

Last Payment of $263.14 was received on 2023-02-01


 Upcoming maintenance fee amounts

Description Date Amount
Next Payment if small entity fee 2024-02-01 $125.00
Next Payment if standard fee 2024-02-01 $347.00

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Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Application Fee $400.00 2014-07-23
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2015-02-02 $100.00 2015-01-28
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2016-02-01 $100.00 2016-01-28
Request for Examination $800.00 2016-04-18
Final Fee $300.00 2016-11-23
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 4 2017-02-01 $100.00 2017-01-23
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 5 2018-02-01 $200.00 2018-01-23
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 6 2019-02-01 $400.00 2020-01-17
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 7 2020-02-03 $200.00 2020-01-23
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 8 2021-02-01 $200.00 2020-12-08
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 9 2022-02-01 $203.59 2022-07-20
Late Fee for failure to pay new-style Patent Maintenance Fee 2022-07-20 $150.00 2022-07-20
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 10 2023-02-01 $263.14 2023-02-01
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
INTER+-POL FREIE FORSCHUNGS-UND ENTWICKLUNGSGESELLSCHAFT FUR UNFASSBARE FORMATE, EXPERIMENTELLE PROJEKTE, UNGESEHENE FILME, DICKE UND DUNNE BUCHER, GRENZENLOSE RAUME, ANGEWANDTE STREITKULTUR UND IDEEN AUS FERNER ZUKUNFT MBH
Past Owners on Record
None
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Maintenance Fee Payment 2020-01-17 3 130
Maintenance Fee Payment 2020-01-23 2 76
Change of Agent 2020-03-19 5 112
Office Letter 2020-03-31 1 235
Office Letter 2020-03-31 1 234
Abstract 2014-07-23 1 16
Claims 2014-07-23 5 149
Drawings 2014-07-23 5 120
Description 2014-07-23 20 802
Representative Drawing 2014-10-24 1 9
Cover Page 2014-10-24 2 47
Claims 2016-04-18 4 118
Description 2016-04-18 21 837
Representative Drawing 2016-12-21 1 6
Cover Page 2016-12-21 2 45
Office Letter 2019-03-04 2 67
Correspondence 2015-01-15 2 56
PCT 2014-07-23 12 385
Assignment 2014-07-23 2 71
Fees 2015-01-28 2 84
Maintenance Fee Payment 2016-01-28 2 82
Amendment 2016-04-18 10 321
Final Fee 2016-11-23 3 81
Maintenance Fee Payment 2017-01-23 2 80