Bench with modular structure

Abstract

A bench having a modular structure and comprising several seats, which rest on a longitudinal beam supported on at least two feet. An individual seat is formed by a seat panel which can be complemented by a backrest and lateral armrests, as well as tabletops. Benches of this kind can be used, for example, in airports and ferry terminals as well as long-distance train stations. The seat panels, backrests and tabletops are removably fixed to the longitudinal beam by the use of retaining plates. The feet and armrests are removably fixed directly to the longitudinal beam. The longitudinal beam extends along the full length of the bench, consists preferably of a double-walled aluminum hollow profile and has a regular, triangular cross-section with three longitudinal side faces as well as longitudinal grooves, situated in the area of the edges. The retaining plates are pieces of U-shaped rail sections cut to the required length. A retaining plate connected to a seat panel or a table top rests on the upper, first side face of the longitudinal beam, while retaining plate connected to the backrest contacts the rear surface of the longitudinal beam. The principal advantages of the bench are its variable configurations, the fact that it can be assembled at the place of use and that functional units can be easily replaced. Considerably less transport space is required for the delivery of unassembled functional units.