Stadium seat stabilization system

Abstract

A stadium fitting stabilization system includes a rail having an upper surface, a front overhang, and a rear overhang. A support member secures a fitting to the rail and includes a return portion that engages and wraps around the rear overhang and an intermediate portion that extends from the return portion along the upper surface and at least partially beyond the front overhang. The intermediate portion includes a pocket having an aperture communicating with the upper surface. A moveable insert includes a fastener and is received in the pocket and engages the upper surface. Advancement or rotation of the fastener translates the moveable insert relative to the pocket, causing the moveable insert to exert an upward force on the support member and a downward force on the rail through the aperture, urging the return portion toward engagement with the rear overhang and securing the support member against the rail.

1 . A stadium fitting stabilization system, the stadium fitting stabilization system comprising:
 a rail having an upper surface, a front overhang, and a rear overhang;   a support member for securing a fitting to the rail, wherein the support member comprises (i) a return portion that engages and wraps at least partially around the rear overhang of the rail and (ii) an intermediate portion that extends from the return portion along the upper surface of the rail and at least partially beyond the front overhang;   wherein the intermediate portion comprises a pocket having an aperture communicating with the upper surface of the rail;   a moveable insert configured to be received in the pocket and engage the upper surface of the rail, wherein the moveable insert includes a fastener; and   wherein, with the moveable insert received in the pocket and engaging the upper surface of the rail, advancement or rotation of the fastener translates the moveable insert relative to the pocket, causing the moveable insert to exert an upward force on the support member and a downward force on the rail through the aperture, urging the return portion toward engagement with the rear overhang of the rail and securing the support member against the rail.   
     
     
         2 . The stadium fitting stabilization system of  claim 1 , wherein the moveable insert comprises a wedge having a tapered shape. 
     
     
         3 . The stadium fitting stabilization system of  claim 2 , wherein the wedge includes an elongated slot that receives the fastener. 
     
     
         4 . The stadium fitting stabilization system of  claim 2 , wherein the pocket includes an inclined upper surface. 
     
     
         5 . The stadium fitting stabilization system of  claim 1 , wherein the moveable insert comprises a cammed insert having a generally cylindrical form with an eccentric through bore that receives the fastener, and wherein rotation of the fastener causes the cammed insert to rotate and press against the upper surface of the rail. 
     
     
         6 . The stadium fitting stabilization system of  claim 5 , wherein the cammed insert and the pocket include inclined faces that interact during advancement or rotation of the fastener to cause the cammed insert to rotate and exert the downward force on the rail. 
     
     
         7 . The stadium fitting stabilization system of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket comprises a lower cavity having an internal wall and an aperture communicating with the upper surface of the rail, and wherein the moveable insert comprises a shaped wedge received in the lower cavity, and wherein the shaped wedge tapers towards the rear overhang, and wherein the shaped wedge, during advancement or rotation of the fastener, is urged rearward by the fastener, such that the shaped wedge exerts the upward force on the support member and the downward force on the rail through the aperture. 
     
     
         8 . The stadium fitting stabilization system of  claim 7 , wherein the fastener comprises a bolt that extends through a hole in a front wall of the support member and, during advancement or rotation of the fastener, threads into an insert within the lower cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The stadium fitting stabilization system of  claim 1 , wherein the fitting comprises a seat assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The stadium fitting stabilization system of  claim 1 , wherein the fitting comprises an armrest. 
     
     
         11 . A stadium fitting, the stadium fitting comprising:
 a fitting member;   a support member configured to secure the fitting member to a rail, wherein the rail comprises an upper surface, a front overhang, and a rear overhang;   wherein the support member comprises a return portion and an intermediate portion;   wherein, with the support member securing the fitting member to the rail, (i) the return portion engages and wraps at least partially around the rear overhang of the rail and (ii) the intermediate portion extends from the return portion along the upper surface of the rail and at least partially beyond the front overhang;   wherein the intermediate portion comprises a pocket having an aperture, and wherein, with the support member securing the fitting member to the rail, the aperture communicates with the upper surface of the rail;   a moveable insert that includes a fastener, wherein the moveable insert, with the support member securing the fitting member to the rail, is received in the pocket and engages the upper surface of the rail; and   wherein, with the support member securing the fitting member to the rail, and with the moveable insert received in the pocket and engaging the upper surface of the rail, advancement or rotation of the fastener translates the moveable insert relative to the pocket, causing the moveable insert to exert an upward force on the support member and a downward force on the rail through the aperture, urging the return portion toward engagement with the rear overhang of the rail and securing the support member against the rail.   
     
     
         12 . The stadium fitting of  claim 11 , wherein the moveable insert comprises a wedge having a tapered shape. 
     
     
         13 . The stadium fitting of  claim 12 , wherein the wedge includes an elongated slot that receives the fastener. 
     
     
         14 . The stadium fitting of  claim 12 , wherein the pocket includes an inclined upper surface. 
     
     
         15 . The stadium fitting of  claim 11 , wherein the moveable insert comprises a cammed insert having a generally cylindrical form with an eccentric through bore that receives the fastener, and wherein rotation of the fastener causes the cammed insert to rotate and press against the upper surface of the rail. 
     
     
         16 . The stadium fitting of  claim 15 , wherein the cammed insert and the pocket include inclined faces that interact during advancement or rotation of the fastener to cause the cammed insert to rotate and exert the downward force on the rail. 
     
     
         17 . The stadium fitting of  claim 11 , wherein the pocket comprises a lower cavity having an internal wall and an aperture communicating with the upper surface of the rail, and wherein the moveable insert comprises a shaped wedge received in the lower cavity, and wherein the shaped wedge tapers towards the rear overhang, and wherein the shaped wedge, during advancement or rotation of the fastener, is urged rearward by the fastener, such that the shaped wedge exerts the upward force on the support member and the downward force on the rail through the aperture. 
     
     
         18 . The stadium fitting of  claim 17 , wherein the fastener comprises a bolt that extends through a hole in a front wall of the support member and, during advancement or rotation of the fastener, threads into an insert within the lower cavity. 
     
     
         19 . The stadium fitting of  claim 11 , wherein the fitting member comprises a seat assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The stadium fitting of  claim 11 , wherein the fitting member comprises an armrest.