Removable safety end rail for bleachers

Abstract

The invention is directed to a removable end rail system that can be removed from the end of a bleacher, folded and stored upon the bleacher deck so that the end rails are concealed when the telescoping bleacher are folded away for storage. The end rail system is comprised of a base member and an end rail member. The end rail member is designed to protect occupants when used on bleachers in gymnasiums and other spectator areas. The end rail member is comprised of vertical pickets and is designed to be installed and then removed after each use of the bleachers. The end rail member is fastened to the base member by using a set of thumb screws. The end rail is hinged through the vertical center so that it can then be folded and stored flat upon the deck of the bleachers for storage purposes.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A foldable bleacher end rail system for a bleacher comprising: 
 a foldable end rail having a first section and a second section wherein said second section is pivotally connected to said first section by a hinge assembly;    a base member adapted to be connected to the bleacher and including an end rail securement device to allow said foldable end rail to be removably attached to said base member.    
     
     
         2 . The foldable bleacher end rail system of  claim 1 , wherein said securement device includes a first socket and a second socket adapted to accept said foldable end rail.  
     
     
         3 . The foldable bleacher end rail system of  claim 2 , wherein said first socket includes a releasable fastener to secure said foldable end rail to said base member.  
     
     
         4 . The foldable bleacher end rail system of  claim 2 , wherein said second socket includes a releasable fastener to secure said foldable end rail to said base member.  
     
     
         5 . The foldable bleacher end rail system of  claim 3 , wherein said first section includes a stub shaft adapted to be connected with said first socket.  
     
     
         6 . The foldable bleacher end rail system of  claim 5 , wherein said releasable fastener secures said stub shaft in said first socket.  
     
     
         7 . The foldable bleacher end rail system of  claim 4 , wherein said second section includes a stub shaft adapted to be connected with said second socket.  
     
     
         8 . The foldable bleacher end rail system of  claim 7 , wherein said releasable fastener of said second socket secures said stub shaft of said second section in said second socket.  
     
     
         9 . The foldable bleacher end rail system of  claim 1 , wherein said foldable end rail is folded and placed upon a top surface of the bleacher when not in use.  
     
     
         10 . A bleacher end rail system for a bleacher comprising: 
 a base member adapted to be fastened to the bleacher;    a first end rail section having a plurality of substantially vertical members, said first end rail section adapted the be releasably connected to said base member;    a second end rail section pivotally connected to said first end rail section having a plurality of substantially vertical members, said second end rail section adapted to be releasably connected to said base member.    
     
     
         11 . The bleacher end rail system of  claim 10 , wherein said base member include a first socket and a second socket adapted to accept said first end rail section and said second end rail section.  
     
     
         12 . The foldable bleacher end rail system of  claim 11 , wherein said first socket includes a releasable fastener to secure said foldable end rail to said base member.  
     
     
         13 . The foldable bleacher end rail system of  claim 11 , wherein said second socket includes a releasable fastener to secure said foldable end rail to said base member.  
     
     
         14 . The foldable bleacher end rail system of  claim 12 , wherein said first end rail section includes a stub shaft adapted to be connected with said first socket.  
     
     
         15 . The foldable bleacher end rail system of  claim 14 , wherein said releasable fastener secures said stub shaft in said first socket.  
     
     
         16 . The foldable bleacher end rail system of  claim 13 , wherein said second end rail section includes a stub shaft adapted to be connected with said second socket.  
     
     
         17 . The foldable bleacher end rail system of  claim 16 , wherein said releasable fastener of said second socket secures said stub shaft of said second end rail section in said second socket.  
     
     
         18 . The foldable bleacher end rail system of  claim 10 , wherein said first end rail section and said second end rail section are folded and placed upon a top surface of the bleacher when not in use.  
     
     
         19 . A folding bleacher end rail assembly for use with a bleacher comprising: 
 an end rail releasably connectable to the bleacher and having at least two sections, said sections being pivotally connected to allow folding of said end rail;    said end rail is adapted to be removed from the bleacher folded and stored when not in use.    
     
     
         20 . The folding bleacher end rail assembly of  claim 19 , further including a base member adapted to secure said end rail to the bleacher.  
     
     
         21 . The folding bleacher end rail assembly of  claim 20 , wherein said base member includes a first socket and a second socket adapted to accept said end rail.  
     
     
         22 . The folding bleacher end rail assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said first socket includes a releasable fastener to secure said foldable end rail to said base member.  
     
     
         23 . The folding bleacher end rail assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said second socket includes a releasable fastener to secure said foldable end rail to said base member.  
     
     
         24 . The folding bleacher end rail assembly of  claim 22 , wherein said end rail includes a first stub shaft adapted to be connected with said first socket.  
     
     
         25 . The folding bleacher end rail assembly of  claim 24 , wherein said releasable fastener secures said first stub shaft in said first socket.  
     
     
         26 . The folding bleacher end rail assembly of  claim 23 , wherein said end rail further includes a second stub shaft adapted to be connected with said second socket.  
     
     
         27 . The folding bleacher end rail assembly of  claim 26 , wherein said releasable fastener of said second socket secures said second stub shaft in said second socket.  
     
     
         28 . The folding bleacher end rail assembly of  claim 19 , wherein said foldable end rail is placed upon a top surface of the bleacher when not in use.