Modular folding rail

Claim 2

In combination, a telescoping structure having a plurality of telescoping seating sections arranged in tiers in the use position, each section including a tread and a cavity above said tread; a hand rail section adapted to span a plurality of said tiers in the use position and comprising first and second posts and rail means pivotally connected to each of said posts; first mounting means secured to one of said tiers for removably receiving said first post; second mounting means secured to another tier for receiving the other post and securing said other post in a use position; and pivot means connected with said second mounting means for permitting said other post to be rotated transversely into a corresponding cavity of said second seating section when said rail section is folded to a non-use position.

Claim 3

The structure of claim 1 wherein said rail means of said hand rail section includes first and second elongated rail members, said first rail member being pivotally connected to one side of said first and second posts and said second rail member being pivotally connected to the opposite side of said first and second posts whereby said hand rail section may be folded to a non-use position with said posts generally axially aligned and said hand rail members in side-by-side relation.

Claim 4

The structure of claim 1 wherein said pivot means further comprises stop means cooperating with said other post to limit the complete withdrawal of said post from said second mounting means while permitting partial withdrawal of said post to a folding position wherein said post may be transversely rotated relative to its associated mounting means.

Claim 5

The structure of claim 1 further comprising releasable means for selectively locking said first and second posts to their associated mounting means.

Claim 6

A modular folding hand rail section for use with a telescoping seating structure wherein said seating structure includes a tread cavity in each retractable seating section, said cavity extending transversely of the direction of retraction, comprising: first and second posts; hand rail means pivotally mounted to each of said posts; a first hollow mounting socket carried by one seating section for slidably telscopically receiving said first post and for providing rigid support for said first post when fully received therein; a second hollow mounting socket carried by a second seating section for slidably telescopically receiving said second post and for providing rigid support therefor while permitting said second post to be selectively moved vertically between a first use position and a second folding position whereat said rail section, when folded to a generally vertical disposition may be transversely rotated into an associated tread cavity in storage position without interfering with the retraction of said seating sections; and stop means associated with said second socket for limiting withdrawal of said second post to said folding position, said stop means including pivot means for permitting rotary movement between said folding and storage positions about said pivot means.

Claim 7

A modular folding hand rail section for use with a telescoping seating structure wherein said seating structure includes a tread cavity in each retractable seating section, said cavity extending transversely of the direction of retraction, comprising: first and second posts; hand rail means pivotally mounted to each of said posts; a first hollow mounting socket carried by one seating section for slidably telscopically receiving said first post and for providing rigid support for said first post when fully received therein; a second hollow mounting socket carried by a second seating section for slidably telescopically receiving said second post and for providing rigid support therefor while permitting said second post to be selectively moved vertically between a first use position and a second folding position whereat said rail section, when folded to a generally vertical disposition may be transversely rotated into an associated tread cavity in storage position without interfering with the retraction of said seating sections; and stop means associated with said second socket for limiting withdrawal of said second post to said folding position, said stop means including pivot means for permitting rotary movement between said folding and storage positions about said pivot means.