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1、Fixed seating arrangement having a swing arm shroud with a sliding shield memberBACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to fixed seating arrangements, and more particularly to a swing arm shroud with a sliding shield member for restricting access to pinch points on a swing arm
2、assembly of a fixed seating arrangement.Fixed seating arrangements incorporating cantilevered swing arms are a well known alternative to traditional seating arrangements. Fixed seating arrangements utilizing swing arm assemblies are commonly found in lecture halls, classrooms, laboratories, and rest
3、aurants. Examples of such fixed seating arrangements are illustrated in Protzman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,535,999, Barecki et al., U.S. Pat.No. 3,486,790, Ostertag, U.S. Pat. No. 3,709,555, and Allen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,065, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.Each of the n
4、oted patents discloses common design features incorporated into fixed seating arrangements utilizing swing arm assemblies. Many of these seating arrangements typically include an elongated table or counter supported by an upwardly extending pedestal. The pedestal is permanently secured to the floor
5、via a base member. Attached to the pedestal near the base member is typically at least one laterally extending chair support arm. The support arm is attached to the pedestal, for example, by a tubular support sleeve. A pivotal connection is interposed between the sleeve and the chair support arm. Th
6、e pivotal connection allows the chair to be pivoted on the cantilevered support arm within a predetermined range between a sitting position near the table and an entry or exit position away from the table. The pivotal connection, however, while beneficial in providing ease of entry and exit from a c
7、hair, creates potentially hazardous pinch points.In response to this problem, the prior art has demonstrated numerous possible solutions. For example, Allen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,065, discloses a journal box and cover configured to shield portions of the connection of the cantilevered support arm and
8、 the pedestal. The journal box, however, does not completely restrict access to the pinch point and is limited to support arms that hang from a pedestal. Furthermore, the journal box does not provide an easy means to remove the box if maintenance on the assembly is required.Protzman, U.S. Pat. No. 3
9、,535,000, Barecki et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,790 and others do not provide any additional shield members. Instead, these assemblies have attempted to alleviate the problem by providing a tight fit within the joint structure formed between the annular housing and the support flanges. This approach i
10、s unsatisfactory because, even when the fixed seating arrangement is initially installed and the joint is tightly arranged, there still exist thin pinch points capable of snagging loose clothing or paper. As the assembly undergoes additional use in the lecture hall or other area, the materials begin
11、 to wear, the joints loosen and the pinch points become more defined, thereby creating a hazard for fingers as well as clothing, books and papers. Furthermore, because the area remains exposed, it becomes prone to accumulation of dust, dirt and grease and other contaminants.It can thus be appreciate
12、d that there is a need for an improved protective member for the pivotal connection of cantilevered swing arm seating arrangements. In view of the foregoing, it is one object to provide a shroud that restricts access to pinch points associated with swing arm assemblies while maintaining a desired ma
13、ximum operative range and avoiding the problems associated with prior art fixed seating arrangements.It is another object of the subject invention to provide a shield assembly that may be utilized in connection with any variety of fixed seating components and swing arm arrangements, and is not limit
14、ed to any preferred swing arm arrangement.A still further object of the invention is to provide a protective shroud with a sliding shield member which does not require significant modifications to existing fixed seating arrangements. Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a shroud wh
15、ich is effective but is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.Consistent with the foregoing objects, the present invention contemplates a protective shroud, a shield assembly with a slidingshield member configured to restrict access to the pinch points in a swing arm assembly, and a method of restri
16、cting access to pinch points in a swing arm assembly, which are disclosed in suitable detail to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention.In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a shield assembly includes a housing unit defining a base receiving region. The housing includes an opening in an upper wall, which is configured to allow a table support pedestal to extend therethrough. The housing further includes a side wall opening configu
