WO2012107894A1

WO2012107894A1 - Compactly transportable seating for on-site assembly and corresponding methods

Info

Publication number: WO2012107894A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/050581
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dan Raz; Zeev Geva; Zeev SCHREIBER; Amir RAZ
Original assignee: Paltechnica Nitzanim A.C.C. Ltd.
Priority date: 2011-02-09
Filing date: 2012-02-09
Publication date: 2012-08-16

Abstract

A shipping configuration for seats, particularly suitable for use in public transportation, includes a shipping container containing packed with sets of components for assembling wall-mounted seats. Each set of components includes a seat shell for attachment to a wall-mounted support structure to form a seat. The seat shells are nested with each other for compact storage within the shipping container. The seat shells are preferably press-formed sheet-metal structures. Also provided is a method for assembling such seats, including their support structures, in situ.

Description

Compactly Transportable Seating for On-Site Assembly and Corresponding

Methods

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to seating and, in particular, it concerns compactly transportable seating systems suitable for on-site assembly, particularly for railway carriages and the like.

Train bench seats are manufactured in production floors, using for example welding machines, and are typically transported and installed in train wagons as pre- assembled, heavy and sizeable pieces of furniture. Train bench seats installed to the car's perimeter walls may have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or more passenger seats and hence are heavy pieces of furniture that require expensive transportation and installation.

There is therefore a need to provide train bench seats that are easily packaged, transported and installed in the train cars.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a shipping configuration for compact transportation of seating for on-site assembly, and a corresponding method of assembling a seat.

According to the teachings of certain embodiments of the present invention there is provided, a method for assembling a wall-mounted seat comprising: (a) providing on the wall at least an upper horizontal member; (b) attaching a plurality of shaped ribs to the wall by attachment to at least the upper horizontal member to form a support structure; and (c) attaching to the support structure a seat shell so that the seat shell is supported by the shaped ribs to form a seat.

According to a further feature of an embodiment of the present invention, the seat shell is a press-formed sheet-metal structure.

According to a further feature of an embodiment of the present invention, the seat shell is configured to nest with other similar seat shells for compact transportation. According to a further feature of an embodiment of the present invention, the seat shell is attached to the upper horizontal member via a hook-in-siot engagement configuration.

According to a further feature of an embodiment of the present invention, the support structure and the seat shell are sized and shaped to define a multi-person bench seat. In some embodiments, the seat shell extends for a full length of the multi- person bench seat. In others, the seat shell is one of a plurality of seat shells each of which extends along only a part of a length of the multi-person bench seat.

According to a further feature of an embodiment of the present invention, the step of providing further comprises providing a lower horizontal member, the upper and lower horizontal members being separated by a given vertical spacing, and wherein the plurality of shaped ribs are attached to both the upper and lower horizontal members.

According to a further feature of an embodiment of the present invention, the step of providing is performed by attaching the upper and lower horizontal members to the wall.

According to a further feature of an embodiment of the present invention, the upper and lower horizontal members are interconnected by a plurality of vertical spacers to define a frame.

According to a further feature of an embodiment of the present invention, the step of providing is performed by providing specification of required features of the upper horizontal member to a party responsible for design or production of the wall.

According to a further feature of an embodiment of the present invention, a lower cover is attached to the support structure such that the seat shell and the lower cover at least partially delineate a substantially closed inner volume bounded by the wall.

According to a further feature of an embodiment of the present invention, the wall is part of a railway carriage.

There is also provided according to the teachings of an embodiment of the present invention, a shipping configuration comprising: (a) a shipping container; and (b) a plurality of sets of components for assembling wall-mounted seats, the plurality of sets of components being packed within the shipping container, each of the sets of components comprising: (i) a plurality of shaped ribs configured for mounting directly or indirectly on a wall to form a support structure; and (ii) a seat shell for attachment to the support structure so as to be supported by the shaped ribs to form a seat, wherein the seat shells for the plurality of sets of components are nested with each other for compact storage within the shipping container.

According to a further feature of an embodiment of the present invention, the sets of components further comprise at least an upper horizontal member configured for attachment to a wall, and wherein the plurality of shaped ribs are configured for attachment to the upper and lower horizontal members.

According to a further feature of an embodiment of the present invention, the seat shell and the upper horizontal member include complementary hook-and-slot engagement features.

According to a further feature of an embodiment of the present invention, the support structure and the seat shell are sized and shaped to define a multi-person bench seat.

According to a further feature of an embodiment of the present invention, the seat shell extends for a full length of the multi-person bench seat.

According to a further feature of an embodiment of the present invention, the seat shell is one of a plurality of seat shells each of which extends along only a part of a length of the multi-person bench seat.

According to a further feature of an embodiment of the present invention, the sets of components further comprise at least an upper horizontal member and a lower horizontal member configured for attachment to a wall separated by a given vertical spacing, and wherein the plurality of shaped ribs are configured for attachment to the wall by attachment to at least the upper horizontal member. According to a further feature of an embodiment of the present invention, the upper and lower horizontal members are interconnected by a plurality of vertical spacers to define a frame.

According to a further feature of an embodiment of the present invention, each set of components further comprises a lower cover for attachment to the support structure such that the seat shell and the lower cover at least partially delineate a substantially closed inner volume bounded by the wall.

There is also provided according to the teachings of an embodiment of the present invention, a shipping configuration comprising: (a) a shipping container; and (b) a plurality of sets of components for assembling wall-mounted seats, the plurality of sets of components being packed within the shipping container, each of the sets of components comprising at least a seat shell for attachment to a wall-mounted support structure to form a seat, wherein the seat shells for the plurality of sets of components are nested with each other for compact storage within the shipping container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate corresponding elements or sections throughout.

With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice, hi the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of a 7 seat train bench seat, constructed and operative according to an embodiment of the present invention, assembled on a wall of a railway carriage;

FIG. 2 illustrates a wall frame of the seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 A illustrates a plurality of support ribs attached to the frame of FIG. 2 to form a support structure of the seat of FIG. 1 ;

FIGS. 3B and 3C are isometric enlarged views of a rib from the support structure of FIG. 3 A;

FIG. 4 A is a lower isometric view of the support structure of FIG. 3 A;

FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of a circled region of FIG. 4 A as indicated;

FIG. 5 A is a lower isometric view of the seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of a circled region of FIG. 5 A as indicated;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a seat shell from the seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the support structure of FIG. 3 A with addition of a lower cover, and ready to receive the seat shell of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 A is a rear isometric view of the seat shell of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of a circled region of FIG. 8 A as indicated;

FIG. 9 A is a rear isometric view of the support structure of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of a circled region of FIG. 9A as indicated;

FIG. 10A is a cut-away view of the seat of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 10B and IOC are enlarged views of circled regions of FIG. 10A as indicated;

FIGS. 11 A and 1 IB are isometric views illustrating a shipping configuration of the components of a plurality of the seats of FIG. 1 (2-seat and 7-seat versions) packed within a shipping container, where the walls of the shipping container have been rendered transparent to reveal the contents; FIG. 12 is a schematic isometric view of a 4 seat train bench seat, constructed and operative according to an embodiment of the present invention, employing a plurality of separate seat shells;

FIG. 13 illustrates upper and lower horizontal members from the seat of FIG. 12, attached to a wall;

FIG. 14 illustrates a plurality of support ribs being attached to the members of FIG. 13 to form a support structure;

FIG. 15 illustrates the support structure of the seat of FIG. 12 with addition of a lower cover;

FIG. 16 illustrates the support structure of FIG. 15 during attachment of the seat shells;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged rear isometric view of a seat shell from the seat of FIG. 12; and

FIGS. 18A and 18B are isometric views illustrating a shipping configuration of the components of a plurality of the seats of FIG. 12 packed within a shipping container, where the walls of the shipping container have been rendered transparent to reveal the contents.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The principles and operation of seats, shipping configurations and methods of assembly according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-18B illustrate various embodiments of seats, shipping configurations and methods of assembly according to the teachings of the present invention.

In general terms, an aspect of the present invention provides a method for assembling a wall-mounted seat 100 (FIG. 1) or 200 (FIG. 12) supported on a wall 10 by at least an upper horizontal member 102 and a lower horizontal member 104 (FIGS. 2 and 13), separated by a given vertical spacing. In certain preferred embodiments, the horizontal members 102, 1.04 are interconnected by a plurality of vertical spacers 106 to define a frame (FIG. 2). The horizontal members may be components of the assembly shipped together with other parts of the seat, for attachment to the wall in situ, or may be integrated with the wall as part of a dedicated wall design prepared for attachment of seats according to the teachings of the present invention.

A plurality of shaped ribs 108, 110 are mounted between upper and lower horizontal members 102, 104 (FIGS. 3A-4B and 14-15) so as to project outwards from the wall, thereby forming a support structure (FIGS. 7 and 15). On or more seat shell 112, 212 are then attached to the support structure so that seat shell(s) 112, 212 are supported by the shaped ribs to form a seat.

The term "shell" is used herein in the description and claims to refer to an outer layer of a structure which typically lacks sufficient structural strength to provide the required functionality alone, but cooperates with an underlying support structure to offer a highly advantageous combination of properties. The shell is typically implemented as a relatively thin layer of generally uniform thickness material, and typically relies upon structural support from other elements in order to provide the rigidity or strength required for its function. Most preferably, the seat shells of the present invention are implemented as press-formed sheet metal structures.

It is a particular features of certain preferred embodiments of the present invention that seat shells 112, 212 are configured to nest with other similar seat shells for compact transportation, thereby providing profound advantages over pre- assembled furniture in terms of shipping costs. At the same time, various preferred embodiments of the present invention allow assembly of the seats on site without requiring skilled workmanship or unusual tools. These and other features of certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will be further described below.

The present invention is described as relating to "wall-mounted" seats. The word "wall" is used herein to refer to any and all generally upright surfaces to which seats are to be mounted, and includes various partitions and other upright support structures, even where they perform no additional function other than as a support for seats.

Certain embodiments of the present invention enable manufacturing and installing of the train bench seats that overcome the difficulties and limitations of the prior art train bench seats by using a wall frame hung on the train car side walls and modular parts that are transported conveniently in parts, and are installed easily onto the wall frame. In some cases, installation is achieved by a click-in installation mechanism that cannot readily be disassembled without specialized tools, or is otherwise rendered relatively tamper resistant, as described herein below by way of example.

According to certain embodiments of the invention, the form of interconnection between parts is designed such that, after a part is clicked-in into a joint, it can be removed only by using specific tools not typically accessible to passengers, such as screwdrivers for non-standard-head screws or other specialized tools.

In some embodiments, the train bench seat strength and stiffness is obtained only after the bench seat parts are installed in place in the train car, which allow convenient transportation and installation of the bench seat parts on one hand, and strong and durable bench seat usage after installation in the train car on the other hand. Specifically, at least part of the structure preferably has an open profile which is closed by fastening the structure to the wall of the train carriage, thereby generating a more rigid resulting structure. In structural terms, the seat structure can be viewed as a relatively thin layer ("skin" or "shell") which is supported and made more rigid by a skeletal support structure, typically formed primarily from a sequence of vertical ribs. This construction lends itself to the use of an open profile for the "skin" component, which can then be compactly nested with other identical (or similar) components for compact packaging for shipping to the assembly location.

In some preferred embodiments, the parts of the bench seat are manufactured by cold press, including features defining various for interlocking engagement or other forms of connection between elements, such that no joining by welding or any other irreversible joining technique is needed prior to shipping, or during installation of the parts in the train car. Most preferably, no pre-assembly of parts is required prior to shipping, such that the parts can come directly off the production line for packing into shipping containers with requiring an assembly line at the production facility.

The seats are preferably also modular in the sense that the various different components are identical and interchangeable between assembled seats, and parts of the bench seat can be easily swapped out and replaced by an unskilled person with the required simple tools.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the train bench seats are made of a metal part produced in cold press with no upholstery or pads and hence the train bench seats are durable and their maintenance is simple and inexpensive.

In some embodiments of the present invention, hot press may be used for manufacturing the metal bench seat parts. In other embodiments plastic parts may be used. Furthermore, any known material and process for manufacturing the train bench seat parts are in the scope of the present invention and may be used according to embodiments of the present invention.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

FIG. 1 illustrates a 7 seat train bench, according to embodiments of the present invention. Attached to the train side wall 10, a 7 seat bench 100 is shown. The metal parts of the bench seat (tin or stainless steel for example) are manufactured by cold press, including the click-in grooved joints, and no irreversible joining by welding or any other means are needed prior to the easy click-in or otherwise straight-forward mechanical engagement for installation of the parts in the train car. Complementary inter-engaging of the bench seat parts allows easy installation of one part to the joint of a second part. Preferably the assembly is rendered resistant to vandalism by use of assemblies which can only be opened by using non-standard tools supplied by the manufacturer, such as star-head bolts or the like. Hence, passengers cannot easily uninstall or vandalize the train bench seats. In certain preferred embodiments, the train bench seat strength and stiffness is obtained only after the cold press metal parts are installed in the train car connected to the train side wall, which allow convenient transportation and installation of the bench seat and strong and durable bench seat usage after installation. The train side wall provides a stiff frame for the bench seat. According to embodiments of the present invention the bench seat composed of cold pressed metal parts strength and stiffness lean on the train side wall stiff frame.

FIG. 2 illustrates the wall frame of the 7 seat train bench, according to embodiments of the present invention. The wall frame 102, 104, 106 is attached to the train side wall and preferably has features configured to receive connection of ribs 108, 110, typically in the form of inter-engaging slots and projections. Holes are provided to connect the wall frame to the train carriage wall with screws. The wall frame lower beam 104 and upper beam 102 are shown here (FIG. 2) connected by vertical connecting elements 106, rendering the frame structurally well defined, such that the wall frame can be supplied together with the bench seat parts or may be part of the train car side wall construction. Alternatively, vertical connecting elements 106 may be omitted, instead employing upper and lower beams 102 and 104 mounted directly to, or integrated as part of, the carriage wall. Although not illustrated here, in certain cases, lower horizontal member 104 may also be omitted. In such cases, support ribs 108, 110 are attached to the sole horizontal member and preferably additionally secured to the wall, such as by self-tapping screws or the like.

Turning now to the features of the exemplary preferred embodiments in more detail, as seen in FIG. 3A, the shaped ribs are typically subdivided into internal support ribs 108 and end-forming ribs 110. A preferred example of a structure of internal support ribs 108 is shown more clearly in FIGS. 3B and 3C. Specifically, FIGS. 3B and 3C illustrate a center rib 108 of the 7~seat train bench, according to embodiments of the present invention. The center rib 108 inter-engages with features at corresponding locations of the wall frame, and is typically fixed with screws or bolts. A lower plate 114 (FIGS. 5A and 7) is preferably at least partially supported by engaging projecting tongues 116 beneath center ribs 108, and is further fastened by screws or bolts. The center rib 108 is preferably manufactured by a cold pressing process from sheet metal and preferably has a contoured shape with an indented portion 118 that gives extra strength to the rib.

FIGS. 6 and 8A-8B illustrate the upper sheet ("seat shell") 112 of the 7 seat train bench according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one preferred set of implementations, seat shell 112 is a single piece of metal produced by a cold pressing process from a blank of sheet metal material, and is preferably contoured to provide a comfortable shaped seat design with an individually defined sitting positions and a convex back support to provide lumbar support. As best seen in FIG. 8B, an upper edge of seat shell 112 is preferably formed with interlocking features configured to interlock with complementary features of horizontal support member 102. In the example illustrated here, seat shell 112 is formed with a series of spaced-apart hook elements 1.20 which are configured to engage corresponding slots 122 of upper horizontal member 102 (best seen in FIGS. 9A and 9B), typically connected via an arcuate insertion motion, so that seat shell 112 is effectively hung from horizontal support member 102 when deployed.

An exemplary geometry of attachment of seat shell 112 to upper horizontal member 102 and of lower cover 114 to lower horizontal member 104 is further illustrated in the cut-away views of FIGS. 10- IOC. As seen in FIG. 10B, a closure strip 124, typically of silicone rubber or another suitable resilient material, is deployed to conceal the upper engagement features and prevent collection of dirt or insertion of fingers into the hollow elements of the structure. Most preferably, as mentioned earlier, the various screws or bolts 126 (FIG. IOC), used here and throughout the structure to attach the various components, are chosen to have non-standard heads, thereby rendering them resistant to tampering and vandalism.

Turning now to FIGS. 11A and 11B, these illustrate a preferred shipping configuration for the seating system of the present invention, deployed within a shipping container 124. A plurality of sets of components for assembling wall- mounted seats, such as seat 100 of FIG. 1, packed within the shipping container. As mentioned earlier, seat shells 112 are nested, thereby greatly reducing the shipping bulk for a given number of seat units. It should be noted that benches of different lengths can be combined in a single shipping container, as exemplified here by a combination of 7 seat units (shells 112) and 2 seat units (shells 112a). As will also be clear to a person of ordinary skill in the art, the structure described above can readily be scaled to units of any number of seats.

Most preferably, as shown here, the various ribs and other components are also compactly stacked within the shipping container. It should be noted that lower covers 114 have been omitted from these drawings for clarity, but can readily be stored, close packed against each other, along one side of the container.

It should be noted that, in some cases, not all components are shipped together. For example, in some cases, specification of required features for the horizontal member(s) may be provided to a party responsible for design or production of the wall, for inclusion as an integral part of the wall structure, hi such cases, the horizontal members or frame need not be shipped at all. In certain cases, one or more container may be packed with all the seat shells and another with all the support ribs.

In the example of FIGS. 1-11Β, a single seat shell 112 extends for the full length of multi-person bench seat 100. In alternative embodiments, as will be exemplified below with reference to FIGS. 12-18B, a plurality of seat shells 212 are used for a multi-person bench seat 200, with each shell extending along only a part of the length. In the case shown here, each seat shell 212 corresponds to a single seat of the multi-person bench seat 200. In other respects, the structure, assembly and mode of use of seat 200 is generally similar to that of seat 100 described above, and will be understood by analogy thereto. Equivalent elements are labeled similarly.

As before, a number of seat shells 212 are nested densely in a shipping container, in contrast to prior art train bench seats that are assembled in production floors and are heavy pieces of furniture that require expensive transportation means. Thus, packing, storing and transporting the present invention train bench seat parts are convenient and inexpensive operations. The hook-and-slot joints described hereinabove are an example of joints that may be used in some embodiments of the present invention. Other joints, such as screws, nuts and bolts and generally any type of joints may be used in embodiments of the present invention. Preferably, assembly does not entail any irreversible joining process, such as welding. By avoiding irreversible joining processes, modular replacement is facilitated of any part which becomes damaged without leading to damage to adjacent parts during disassembly and reassembly.

Advantageously, the present invention train bench seat parts are designed for convenient, effective and inexpensive packing, storing and transporting. Furthermore, the present invention train bench seat parts are designed for easy installation in the train cars and easy replacement of a part by any person. According to a particularly preferred option, no preassembly of parts is performed at. the manufacturing location(s). Instead, each component is shipped, typically compactly packaged or nested with other similar components, to the assembly location where the entire structure is assembled and fixed in position in a single procedure. This reduces the costs of the manufacturing process, and allows distributed manufacturing of the different components by different production processes (e.g., skins by cold press techniques, ribs by molding etc.), in different factories and at different locations according to the availability and costs of the production processes, raw materials and shipping.

Although presented herein in the context of a railway carriage, seats according to the teachings of the present invention may be used to advantage for installation in a wide range of other contexts, particularly in passenger vehicles such as trains, road vehicles, ships and airplanes. Embodiments of present invention bench seats are also envisaged for use in static structures, such as airport halls, train station halls, public building halls, theaters, streets, parks and boulevards and the like.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which axe, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as are commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods are described herein.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for assembling a wall-mounted seat comprising:

(a) providing on the wall at least an upper horizontal member;

(b) attaching a plurality of shaped ribs to the wall by attachment to at least said upper horizontal member to form a support structure; and

(c) attaching to said support structure a seat shell so that said seat shell is supported by said shaped ribs to form a seat.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said seat shell is a press-formed sheet-metal structure.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said seat shell is configured to nest with other similar seat shells for compact transportation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said seat shell is attached to said upper horizontal member via a hook-in-slot engagement configuration.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said support structure and said seat shell are sized and shaped to define a multi-person bench seat.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said seat shell extends for a full length of said multi-person bench seat.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said seat shell is one of a plurality of seat shells each of which extends along only a part of a length of said multi- person bench seat.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of providing further comprises providing a lower horizontal member, said upper and lower horizontal members being separated by a given vertical spacing, and wherein said plurality of shaped ribs are attached to both said upper and lower horizontal members.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said step of providing is performed by attaching said upper and lower horizontal members to the wall.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said upper and lower horizontal members are interconnected by a plurality of vertical spacers to define a frame.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of providing is performed by providing specification of required features of said upper horizontal member to a party responsible for design or production of the wall.

12. The method of claim 1_? further comprising attaching to said support structure a lower cover such that said seat shell and said lower cover at least partially delineate a substantially closed inner volume bounded by the wall.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the wall is part of a railway carriage.

14. A shipping configuration comprising:

(a) a shipping container; and

(b) a plurality of sets of components for assembling wall-mounted seats, said plurality of sets of components being packed within said shipping container, each of said sets of components comprising:

(i) a plurality of shaped ribs configured for mounting directly or indirectly on a wall to form a support structure; and

(ϋ) a seat shell for attachment to said support structure so as to be supported by said shaped ribs to form a seat,

wherein said seat shells for said plurality of sets of components are nested with each other for compact storage within said shipping container.

15. The shipping configuration of claim 14, wherein said seat shell is a press-formed sheet-metal structure.

16. The shipping configuration of claim 14, wherein said sets of components further comprise at least an upper horizontal member configured for attachment to a wall, and wherein said plurality of shaped ribs are configured for attachment to said upper and lower horizontal members.

17. The shipping configuration of claim 14, wherein said seat shell and said upper horizontal member include complementary hook-and-slot engagement features.

18. The shipping configuration of claim 14, wherein said support structure and said seat shell are sized and shaped to define a multi-person bench seat.

19. The shipping configuration of claim 17, wherein said seat shell extends for a full length of said multi-person bench seat.

20. The shipping configuration of claim 17, wherein said seat shell is one of a plurality of seat shells each of which extends along only a part of a length of said multi-person bench seat.

21. The shipping configuration of claim 14, wherein said sets of components further comprise at least an upper horizontal member and a lower horizontal member configured for attachment to a wall separated by a given vertical spacing, and wherein said plurality of shaped ribs are configured for attachment to the wall by attachment to at least said upper horizontal member.

22. The shipping configuration of claim 21, wherein said upper and lower horizontal members are interconnected by a plurality of vertical spacers to define a frame.

23. The shipping configuration of claim 14, wherein each set of components further comprises a lower cover for attachment to said support structure such that said seat shell and said lower cover at least partially delineate a substantially closed inner volume bounded by the wall.

24. A shipping configuration comprising:

(a) a shipping container; and

(b) a plurality of sets of components for assembling wall-mounted seats, said plurality of sets of components being packed within said shipping container, each of said sets of components comprising at least a seat shell for attachment to a wall-mounted support structure to form a seat,

25. The shipping configuration of claim 14, wherein said seat shell is a press-formed sheet-metal structure.