Baby table chair usable as shoulder harness

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a baby table chair which is usable as a shoulder harness for carrying a baby. The table chair comprises a chair portion (1) for seating the baby thereon, an arm portion (2,3) for supporting the chair portion (1), a pair of shoulder belts (4a,4b) which are mounted between the chair portion (1) and the arm portion (2,3), and an arm mounting portion (10,20) for rotatably supporting the arm portion (2,3). The arm mounting portion (10,20) positions and fixes the arm portion (2,3) in front of the chair portion (1) for holding a table with the arm portion (2,3) thereby using the table chair as such, and under the chair portion (1) for using the table chair as a shoulder harness.

Description: The present invention relates to a baby table chair as stated in the preamble of claim 1. Such baby table chair is already known from US-PS 4,938 400. It comprises a chair portion for seating a baby thereon, an arm portion having an end being mounted on said chair portion for supporting said chair portion, and a shoulder belt having an end mounted on said chair portion. From US-PS 5,046,651 a baby table chair being usable as a shoulder harness is known having a chair portion for seating a baby thereon, a fixing portion for fixing said chair portion to a table, and a shoulder belt for carrying said chair portion on the users back. An object of the present invention is to provide a further article which serves both as a baby shoulder harness and a baby table chair. A baby table chair according to the present invention is characterized in that another end of said shoulder belt is mounted on the arm portion, and in that an arm mounting portion is provided for mounting said end of said arm portion on said chair portion, said arm mounting portion being capable of rotatably supporting said arm portion for implementing a state of positioning said arm portion in front of said chair portion for using said table chair as such by holding a table with the arm portion and a state of positioning said arm portion under the chair portion for using said table chair as a shoulder harness, as well as positioning and fixing said arm portion in position for implementing said two states, respectively. The table chair according to the invention can be stood up on the floor through the arm portion, when the same is used as a shoulder harness. When the table chair is devised to be stably stood up while seating a baby on the chair portion, it is possible to use the table chair as a chair which is set on the floor. The table chair according to the present invention can be also used as a shoulder harness as described above, whereby it is not necessary to prepare a table chair and a shoulder harness independently of each other, and the table chair can be suitably applied to a house having only a limited space. Thus, the table chair can be used as such and as a shoulder harness in a simple structure. The arm portion is positioned and fixed by the arm mounting portion in each state, whereby the inventive baby table chair can be stably used in safety. The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a table chair according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is used as such; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view showing the table chair according to the embodiment, which is used as such similarly to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the table chair according to the embodiment, which is used as a shoulder harness; Fig. 4 is a plan view showing an arm portion provided in the table chair according to the embodiment, which is in a stored state; Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the table chair according to the embodiment, which is in a stored state; Fig. 6 is a side elevational view showing an arm mounting portion on the table chair according to the embodiment; Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line A - A in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a side elevational view showing a rotary member provided in the arm mounting portion; Fig. 9 is a front elevational view showing the rotary member provided in the arm mounting portion; Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line B - B in Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line C - C in Fig. 8; Fig. 12 is a side elevational view showing a stop plate provided on the arm mounting portion; Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line D - D in Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line E - E in Fig. 12; Fig. 15 is a side elevational view showing a case provided in the arm mounting portion; Fig. 16 is a side elevational view showing the case of Fig. 15 as viewed from a rear side; Fig. 17 is a side elevational view showing the rotary member in a state of the table chair which is used as such; Fig. 18 is a sectional view showing the rotary member which is rotated by loosening a knob; Fig. 19 is a side elevational view showing the rotary member in a state of the table chair which is used as a shoulder harness; Fig. 20 is a side elevational view showing the relation between the arm portion and a support pipe; Fig. 21 is a side elevational view showing stop holes formed in the arm portion and the support pipe; Fig. 22 is a side elevational view showing the stop hole of the support pipe, which is rotated for storing the arm portion, and that of the arm portion; Fig. 23 is a side elevational view showing an embodiment according to the second aspect of the present invention; and Fig. 24 is a sectional view showing a forward end of an arm portion provided in the embodiment shown in Fig. 23. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a table chair according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is used as such. Fig. 2 is a side elevational view showing the table chair according to this embodiment. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a chair portion 1 which is made of cloth or the like is supported by a metal frame etc. which is provided on its upper portion. According to this embodiment, a U-shaped metal pipe is so employed that arm mounting portions 10 and 20 are mounted on both side surfaces of a frame of this metal pipe. The chair portion 1 is provided on its front lower portions with openings 9a and 9b for passing the legs of a baby who is seated on the chair portion 1 therethrough. Ends of arm portions 2 and 3 are mounted on the arm mounting portions 10 and 20 respectively. These arm portions 2 and 3 are divided in intermediate portions thereof into linearly extending first arms 2a and 3a and second arms 2b and 3b which are formed by downwardly, frontwardly and upwardly extending parts. Caps 7a and 8a of rubber or the like are mounted on forward ends of the first arms 2a and 3a respectively. Similar caps 7b and 8b of rubber or the like are also mounted on forward ends of the second arms 2b and 3b respectively. A shoulder belt 4a is provided between the upper part of the chair portion 1 and a part of the arm portion 2 which is close to the forward end of the second arm 2b. Another shoulder belt 4b is also mounted between the upper part of the chair portion 1 and a part of the arm portion 3b which is close to the forward end of the second arm 3b. On the other hand, a waist belt 5 is provided between parts of the arm portions 2 and 3 which are close to the forward ends of the second arms 2b and 3b. When this table chair is used as such, the arm portions 2 and 3 are positioned in front of the chair portion 1 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, to be attached to a table 6 through the first and second arms 2a, 3a, 2b and 3b holding the table 6 therebetween. As shown in Fig. 2, the arm portion 3 whose end is supported by the arm mounting portion 20 can be rotated about the arm mounting portion 20, to be positioned under the chair portion 1. The other arm portion 2 shown in Fig. 1 can also be rotated about the arm mounting portion 10, to be positioned under the chair portion 1. Thus, the arm portions 2 and 3 are rotated to be positioned under the chair portion 1 and fixed in this state so that the table chair is used as a shoulder harness. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the table chair which is used as a shoulder harness. Referring to Fig. 3, the arm portions 2 and 3 are downwardly positioned to loosen the shoulder belts 4a and 4b, thereby allowing the user to carry the shoulder belts 4a and 4b on his shoulders. The waist belt 5 comes into contact with the user's waist so that he can carry the chair portion 1 on his back, thereby carrying the baby in a back-to-back state. The table chair according to this embodiment can be used as such and as a shoulder harness, by implementing the two states of positioning the arm portions 2 and 3 in front of and under the chair portion 1 respectively. Further, the table chair according to this embodiment has a compactly storable structure. Fig. 4 is a plan view for illustrating this structure. The chair portion 1, the shoulder belts 4a and 4b etc. are omitted from Fig. 4. As to a support frame 33 for the chair portion 1, only a part located between the arm mounting portions 10 and 20 is illustrated while the remaining parts are omitted from Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, support pipes 31 and 32 are inserted in the arm portions 2 and 3 respectively, and ends of these support pipes 31 and 32 are fixed to the arm mounting portions 10 and 20. Thus, the arm portions 2 and 3 are rotatable about the support pipes 31 and 32, to inwardly direct the second arms 2b and 3b as shown by one-dot chain lines in Fig. 4. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the overall table chair, which is compactly folded by rotating the arm portions 2 and 3 and inwardly directing the second arms 2b and 3b. As shown in Fig. 5, the table chair according to this embodiment can be folded in a compact state to be stored in a smaller storage portion when the same is not used. An operating mechanism of each arm mounting portion is now described in further detail. Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view showing the arm mounting portion 20. The support frame 33 for the chair portion 1 is passed through an upper part of the arm mounting portion 20. This support frame 33 is mounted on the arm mounting portion 20 by securing pins 34 and 35. Still another securing pin 36 is mounted on a lower part of the arm mounting portion 20. The arm portion 3, which is formed by a metal pipe, is inserted in the arm mounting portion 20, so that the support pipe 32 received in the arm portion 3 is further deeply inserted in the arm mounting portion 20. Fig. 7 is a sectional view, taken along the line A - A in Fig. 6, showing the arm mounting portion 20. Referring to Fig. 7, the arm mounting portion 20 is formed by a pair of half cases 21 and 22, a rotary member 40 which is provided in the cases 21 and 22, a stop plate 24 which is mounted on the case 22, and a knob 25 which is provided on the stop plate 24. A shaft 26 is provided on the center of the knob 25, and a bolt portion 26a is provided on a forward end of this shaft 26. This bolt portion 26a is fitted with a nut 27 which is provided in a hole 21a of the case 22. The rotary member 40 is provided around the shaft 26 which is arranged in the cases 21 and 22. The support pipe 32 is passed through the rotary member 40. A spring 28 is provided around the shaft 26 in a space between the stop plate 24, which is provided on the case 22, and the rotary member 40. This spring 28 urges the stop plate 24 toward the exterior. Referring to Fig. 7, the knob 25 which is provided on the stop plate 24 is rotated clockwise so that the bolt portion 26a provided on the forward end of the shaft 26 is fitted with the nut 27 to bring the stop plate 24 into contact with the surface of the case 22. Fig. 8 is a side elevational view showing the rotary member 40. Fig. 9 is a front elevational view of the rotary member 40 as viewed from a pipe receiving hole side. Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line B - B in Fig. 8, and Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line C - C in Fig. 8. Referring to Figs. 8 to 11, a through hole 41 is formed in the center of the rotary member 40, to receive the shaft 26. Further, angular stop holes 42a to 42d and circular stop holes 43a to 43c are formed in a peripheral portion of the rotary member 40. As shown in Figs. 8 and 10, other holes are also formed in remaining portions of the rotary member 40 in addition to the angular and circular stop holes 42a to 42d and 43a to 43c for attaining a rib structure, in order to reduce the weight of the rotary member 40 while maintaining its strength. As shown in Figs. 9 and 11, a pipe receiving hole 44 is formed in the center of the rotary member 40, in order to receive the support pipe 32 and the arm portion 3. A portion of the pipe receiving hole 44 which is close to its inlet is formed in a size corresponding to the diameter of the arm portion 3, while a portion beyond a step 44a is provided with a receiving hole which is in a size corresponding to the diameter of the support pipe 32. Thus, the arm portion 3 comes into contact with the step 44a, while the support pipe 32 which is received in the arm portion 3 is further inserted in a deeper portion. Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of the stop plate 24 as viewed from an inner side. Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line D - D in Fig. 12, and Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line E - E in Fig. 12. Referring to Figs. 12 to 14, a through hole 24f is formed in the center of the stop plate 24 for passing the shaft 26 therethrough, while angular projections 24a to 24c and circular projections 24d and 24e are formed on its periphery to project toward the inner side. Fig. 15 is a side elevational view showing the case 22, and Fig. 16 is a side elevational view of the case 22 as viewed from an inner side. Referring to Figs. 15 and 16, through holes 22g and 22h are formed in an upper portion of the case 22, in order to pass the securing pins 34 and 35 fixing the support frame 33 for the chair portion 1 therethrough. Still another through hole 22i is formed under the through hole 22g, for passing the securing pin 36 therethrough. While the stop plate 24 is mounted on the case 22 as hereinabove described, through holes 22a, 22b and 22c and circular through holes 22d and 22e are formed in positions corresponding to the angular projections 24a, 24b and 24c and the circular projections 24d and 24e respectively. Further, a through hole 22f having a larger diameter is formed in a position corresponding to the through hole 24f which is formed in the center of the stop plate 24. The shaft 26 is passed through this through hole 22f, while the spring 28 which is provided around the shaft 26 is stored in this through hole 22f. As shown in Fig. 7, the circular projection 24e of the stop plate 24 is passed through the through hole 22e which is formed in the aforementioned case 22, to be inserted in the stop hole 43c of the rotary member 40 provided in the interior. Thus, the respective projections of the stop plate 24 are inserted in the stop holes of the rotary member 40, thereby suppressing rotation of the rotary member 40 and positioning the same. Fig. 17 illustrates a state of the rotary member 40 which is provided in the case 21. In the state shown in Fig. 17, the arm portion 3 is positioned in front of the chair portion 1, so that the table chair is used as such. Referring to Fig. 17, those of the stop holes provided in the rotary member 40 for receiving the projections of the stop plate 24 are shown in a hatched manner. In more concrete terms, the angular projections 24a, 24b and 24c and the circular projections 24d and 24e of the stop plate 24 are inserted in the angular stop holes 42d, 42a and 42b and the circular stop holes 43b and 43c of the rotary member 40 respectively. Thus, the rotary member 40 is inhibited from rotation and positioned, whereby the table chair can be used as such in a stably supported state. In order to use this table chair as a shoulder harness, the arm portion 3 must be rotated to be positioned under the chair portion 1. In this case, the knob 25 is rotated anticlockwise as shown in Fig. 18, to leftwardly move the shaft 26. The stop plate 24 which is leftwardly urged by the spring 28 is further leftwardly moved by such leftward movement of the knob 25, whereby the circular projection 24e of the stop plate 24 is disengaged from the circular stop hole 43c of the rotary member 40. The remaining projections are also disengaged from the corresponding stop holes, thereby allowing rotation of the rotary member 40. The arm portion 3 is rotated in this state, to be positioned under the chair portion 1. Fig. 19 shows the arm portion 3 which is rotated and positioned under the arm portion 1. In this state, the knob 25 is again rotated clockwise to move the stop plate 24 toward the rotary member 40, thereby inserting the respective projections of the stop plate 24 in the stop holes of the rotary member 40 and fixing the same. Referring to Fig. 19, those of the stop holes provided in the stop plate 24 for receiving the projections are shown in a hatched manner. Since the rotary member 40 is rotated by 90° from the state shown in Fig. 17, the positions of the stop holes receiving the projections are deviated. In more concrete terms, the angular projections 24a, 24b and 24c and the circular projections 24d and 24e of the stop plate 24 are inserted in the angular stop holes 42c, 42d and 42a and the circular stop holes 43a and 43b of the rotary member 40 respectively. Thus, the projections of the stop plate 24 are so inserted in the stop holes of the rotary member 40 that the arm portion 3 can be fixed in respective states of the table chair used as such and as a shoulder harness, thereby attaining stably support states. A mechanism for inwardly rotating the second arm 3b of the arm portion 3 is now described. As shown in Fig. 20, the support pipe 32 is passed through the arm portion 3. The support pipe 31 is also passed through the arm portion 2 in a similar manner. The following description is made only with respect to the arm portion 3. As shown in Fig. 21 in an enlarged manner, a through hole 32a is formed in an end portion of the support pipe 32. This through hole 32a is adapted to receive the shaft 26 which is provided on the center of the knob 25. A stop hole 3c is formed in a position of the arm portion 3 corresponding to each circular stop hole of the rotary member 40. Further, a stop hole 32b is also formed in a similar position of the support pipe 32 which is inserted in the arm portion 3. Each circular projection of the stop plate 24 is inserted in these stop holes 3c and 32b. Thus, the arm portion 3 is fixed in the position for attaining the state shown in Fig. 20. When the knob 25 is rotated anticlockwise to extract the projection of the stop plate 24 from the stop holes 3c and 32b similarly to the above, the arm portion 3 can be freely rotated along arrow shown in Fig. 21. Thus, the arm portion 3 is rotated to inwardly position the second arm portion 3b. Fig. 22 shows the arm portion 3 which is rotated in the aforementioned manner. Due to such rotation, a stop hole 3d which is adjacent to the stop hole 3c overlaps with the stop hole 32b of the support pipe 32. In this state, the knob 25 is again rotated clockwise to insert the projection of the stop plate 24 in the stop holes 3d and 32b. Thus, it is possible to position and fix the arm portion 3 while inwardly bending the second arm 3b. According to this embodiment, it is possible to use the table chair as such by moving and fixing the arm portions to and at the positions in front of the chair portion through the arm mounting portions. On the other hand, it is also possible to use the table chair as a shoulder harness by loosening the arm portions which are fixed to the arm mounting portions and moving and fixing the same to and at the positions under the chair portion. Fig. 23 is a side elevational view showing an embodiment according to the invention described in claim 3. Similarly to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, an arm mounting portion 20 is provided on an upper part of a chair portion 1, so that an end of an arm portion 53 is rotatably mounted on this arm mounting portion 20. A forward end of the arm portion 53 is divided into first and second arms 53a and 53b, which are provided with caps 8a and 8b on forward ends thereof respectively. Another arm portion (not shown) is also mounted on another arm mounting portion (not shown) on an opposite side of this figure. According to this embodiment, openings 9b and 9c are provided in front and rear surfaces of the chair portion 1 for passing the legs of a baby therethrough. Thus, it is possible to seat the baby in both of face-to-back and back-to-back states. As shown in Fig. 23, it is possible to rotate the arm portion 53 about the arm mounting portion 20 to be positioned under the chair portion 1 and fix the same in this state, similarly to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2. The downwardly positioned state of the arm portion 53 is shown by one-dot chain lines in Fig. 23. According to this embodiment, the forward end of the second arm 53b is bent substantially at the right angle. Fig. 24 is a sectional view showing the forward end of the second arm 53b. As shown in Fig. 24, an inner pipe 53c is inserted in the forward end of the second arm 53b, and a cap 8b is mounted on this inner pipe 53c. The inner pipe 53c is provided with a plate spring 53e, which is provided thereon with a lock pin 53d. This lock pin 53d is passed through a hole which is formed in the inner pipe 53c, to be inserted in a hole 53f which is formed in the forward end of the second arm 53b. The lock pin 53d is outwardly urged by the plate spring 53e. Thus, the lock pin 53d which is inserted in the hole 53f provided in the forward end of the second arm 53b is adapted to lock the inner pipe 53c in its position. In order to stand up the table chair according to this embodiment by the arm portion 53 thereby using the same as a shoulder harness, the lock pin 53d is downwardly pressed and the cap 8b is grasped to extract the inner pipe 53c. The lock pin 53d is inwardly forced against the urging force of the plate spring 53e, whereby the inner pipe 53c is extracted and moved in this state. Reaching the position of a hole 53g which is formed in a forward end portion of the second arm 53b, the lock pin 53d which is outwardly urged by the plate spring 53e is inserted in this hole 53g, thereby locking, positioning and fixing the inner pipe 53c. Fig. 24 shows this state in one-dot chain lines. Thus, it is possible to stand up the table chair through the arm portion 53 by further extending the forward end of the second arm 53b. When the angle for bending the arm portion 53 is properly adjusted so that the forward end of this arm portion 53 can be further extended, it is possible to stand up the table chair while seating the baby on the chair portion 1. This state is extremely convenient for carrying the baby on the user's back or putting it down. Further, it is possible to use the table chair as a chair which is set on the floor. The arm mounting portions are not restricted to the aforementioned structure so far as the same can position and fix the arm portions in the states of the table chair used as such and as a shoulder harness. The arm portions are not restricted to the aforementioned structure having forward ends which are extended to stand up the table chair, so far as the table chair can be stood up in a state for serving as a shoulder harness. While the arm portions are so rotated that the second arms are inwardly positioned for storage, the present invention is not restricted to such a rotating structure of the arm portions. Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Claims: A baby table chair being usable as a shoulder harness, comprising: a chair portion (1) for seating a baby thereon; an arm portion (2,3) having an end being mounted on said chair portion (1) for supporting said chair portion; and a shoulder belt (4a, 4b) having an end being mounted on said chair portion (1), characterized in that another end of said shoulder belt (4a,4b) is mounted on said arm portion (2,3); and in that an arm mounting portion (10,20) is provided for mounting said end of said arm portion (2,3) on said chair portion (1), said arm mounting portion (10, 20) being capable of rotatably supporting said arm portion (2,3) for implementing a state of positioning said arm portion (2,3) in front of said chair portion (1) or using said table chair as such by holding a table (6) with said arm portion (2,3) and a state of positioning said arm portion (2,3) under said chair portion (1) or using said table chair as a shoulder harness, as well as positioning and fixing said arm portion (2,3) in positions for implementing said two states respectively. A baby table chair in accordance with claim 1, characterized by a pair of said arm portions (2,3) and a pair of said arm mounting portions (10,20) respectively, said arm portions (2,3) are formed by first and second arms (2a,3a;2b,3b) respectively so that said first arms (2a,3a) are positioned on said table (6) and said second arms (2b,3b) are positioned under said table (6) in said state of said table chair being used as such. A baby table chair in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that said second arms (2b,3b) are provided to be inwardly rotatable about said first arms (2a,3a), said table chair being foldable by inward rotation of said second arms (2b,3b). A baby table chair in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that said another end of said shoulder belt (4a,4b) is mounted on said second arms (2b,3b) of said arm portions (2,3). A baby table chair in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that it is capable of being stood up by said arm portion (2,3) in a state being used as a shoulder harness. A baby table chair in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that pipes (53c) are inserted in forward ends (53b) of said second arms (2b,3b) so that said pipes (53c) are extracted to extend said forward ends (53b) of said second arms (2b,3b) and to bring the same into contact with the floor, thereby standing up said table chair.

Inventors: INOUE KEIJI, KASSAI KENZOU, INOUE, KEIJI, KASSAI, KENZOU
Applicants: APRICA KASSAI KK, APRICA KASSAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A47D1
IPC codes: A47D13, A47D1