Patent Publication Number: US-9895005-B2

Title: Convertible child seat

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/001,274 filed May 21, 2014, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of support devices for children, and more particularly to a child&#39;s seat or high chair having interchangeable support assemblies allowing for convertibility of the device for multiple applications. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Children&#39;s support devices are well known in the industry. Support devices such as high chairs offer a secure resting place in which a caregiver can feed or entertain a child. Traditional high chair support devices include a seat that is fixedly coupled to a base, generally providing a single configuration for use, or a seat fixedly coupled to a height-adjustable base. These support devices are generally configured to be stationary, and receive only one child at a time in a specific upright position and/or serving specific or limited purposes. 
     Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for improvements in support devices to provide a plurality of functions and expanded utility in a variety of situations and applications, and with children of different sizes and development levels. It is to the provision of an improved children&#39;s support device meeting these and other needs that the present invention is primarily directed. 
     SUMMARY 
     In example embodiments, the present invention provides an improved children&#39;s support device, such as for example a child&#39;s seat or high chair, having a base and a reconfigurable support or seat assembly. In example embodiments, the reconfigurable support or seat assembly is detachably mounted to the base, and multiple different support or seat assemblies can be interchangeably mounted to the base to serve multiple different purposes and/or accommodate children of different ages, sizes or development levels. 
     In one aspect, the present invention relates to a support device for children. The support device preferably includes a base assembly comprising a frame, and a plurality of interchangeable support assemblies configured for removable attachment to the base assembly. The base assembly includes a first coupling element, and each of the plurality of interchangeable support assemblies include a second coupling element for cooperative engagement with the first coupling element. 
     In another aspect, the invention relates to a support device for children. The support device preferably includes a base assembly having a frame with a pair of front legs and a pair of back legs. The base assembly preferably also includes upper support members extending coaxially upward from each of the front legs. The base assembly preferably further includes a pair of base couplings. The support device preferably also includes a plurality of interchangeable support assemblies, each support assembly including a pair of support assembly couplings for releasable attachment to the base assembly couplings. 
     These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a first perspective view of a children&#39;s support device according to an example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a second perspective view of the children&#39;s support device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an assembly view of the children&#39;s support device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up view of a side configuration of a reconfigurable tray component of the children&#39;s support device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C  show alternative support assembly configurations of the children&#39;s support device of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. 
     Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. 
     The present invention relates to a support device for children, which is reconfigurable into a plurality of different configurations to serve multiple different functions and/or to accommodate children of different ages, sizes or development levels. In example forms, the support device generally comprises a seat or support assembly and a base assembly adapted to support the seat or support assembly at an elevated position above a floor or other support surface. In representative embodiments, the seat or support assembly is configured to receive and support at least one child. 
     Example configurations of the seat or support assembly comprise a chair type seat having a substantially vertical backrest portion coupled to and extending upwardly from a substantially horizontal seat portion. The seat assembly can further include a pair of arm support or armrest portions coupled to and extending upwardly or outwardly from opposite sides of the seat support portion or the backrest portion. The support device can optionally include a belt, harness, or other retention mechanism or means for retaining the child within the seat, and/or a crotch post, horn, or other mechanism for positioning the child in an upright seated position. The crotch post can be integrally formed with or coupled to said seat assembly or base assembly. 
     The base assembly is configured to support the seat assembly above a substantially horizontal support surface. In representative embodiments, the base assembly is constructed of a substantially rigid polymer such as polypropylene, a rigid metal, and/or any other structural supporting material(s). The base assembly can optionally be height-adjustable to allow a user to selectively vary the elevation of the seat or support assembly above the floor or surface upon which the base is positioned. For example, the base assembly can comprise one or more supports including a pair of telescoping tubular support members slidably engaged with one another and selectively positionable at a plurality of heights to effectively raise or lower the seat assembly. Optionally, the base assembly can include one or more castors, wheels or other rolling/sliding means to facilitate movement of the support device across a support surface. 
     The base and/or the support assembly can further comprise additional features and/or accessories. For example, a footrest configured to support the feet of a seated child can be provided. Moreover, various embodiments of the support device can include a tray mounted to the base and/or to the support assembly, and configured for supporting toys, bottles, food, and the like, and which can optionally also serve as a child restraint mechanism. The support device of the present Invention can be modular and reconfigurable for use in two or more modes. For example, the base assembly and seat assembly can be used in combination in a first high chair mode, the base assembly can operate independently in a toddler seat mode, and/or the seat assembly can operate independently in a booster seat mode. The child support device furthermore can be selectively converted to a non-high chair device, such as a chair/table combination or a rocker. 
     With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1-5  show an example embodiment of a support device  200  according to the present invention. The support device  200  comprises a base assembly or support structure  202  configured to rest on a floor or other support surface, and a seat or support assembly  204  configured for receiving and supporting a child in an elevated position. The seat assembly  204  of this embodiment comprises a chair-like support having a backrest portion  212 , which is optionally pivotably and/or removably coupled to a substantially horizontal seat support portion  210 . In example embodiments, the backrest recline adjustment comprises a one-button or single-actuator recline release mechanism. 
     The base assembly or support structure  202  of the example embodiment comprises a base frame  216  comprising a pair of base frame members  217  extending generally horizontally and parallel to one another, with a plurality of legs  226   a - 226   d  descending therefrom, configured to rest on a support surface. One or more of the legs  226   a - 226   d  can optionally terminate in wheels or casters  228   a - 228   d.  The base assembly  202  further includes one or more substantially upright or angularly inclined upper frame members or upper support members  218   a,    218   b  ascending from the base frame  216 . The upper frame members  218   a,    218   b  can optionally be selectively extendable and retractable, such that a caregiver can adjust the height of the support device  200 . For example, height adjustment may be enabled by provision of telescopingly coupled upper extension arms  219   a,    219   b  slidingly mounted to extend and retract relative to the upper frame members  218   a,    218   b  as indicated in  FIG. 3 , and lockable in a selected height setting using a snap button spring lock or other conventional positional adjustment and locking mechanism. In example embodiments, a two-button or double-actuator height adjustment mechanism is provided. The support structure  202  can also optionally include a hinge or pivot mechanism that rotatably couples the upper frame members  218  to the base frame members  217 , thereby permitting the support structure to be selectively folded into a collapsed or compact configuration for storage or transport. 
     In example embodiments, the base assembly  202  comprises a modified A-frame configuration, with the base frame members  217  being a substantially horizontal cross-member, and the legs  226   a - 226   d  tapering downwardly and outwardly away from the base frame to provide improved stability. In the depicted embodiment, the upper frame members  218   a,    218   b  comprise substantially continuous and coaxial extensions of the front legs  226   a  and  226   b,  tapering upwardly and inwardly with their top ends spaced vertically above a medial portion of the base frame members  217 . In this manner, the base  202  forms a generally equilateral triangular support structure with the seat supported in cantilevered fashion by the upper frame members  218   a,    218   b,  and positioned generally at or proximal the apex of the triangular support structure at a point of intersection of the extended axes of the tapered legs  226   a - 226   d,  thus forming a structurally and aesthetically balanced assembly. 
     The seat assembly  204  can optionally also be reconfigured by repositioning the seat portion  210  and/or the backrest portion  212 , by removal of one or the other of the portions of the seat assembly ( FIG. 3 ), and/or by interchanging one or more portions of the seat assembly with seat or support components of different types, sizes or formats ( FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C ). In this manner, the support device  200  is reconfigurable into a plurality of different configurations to serve multiple different functions and/or to accommodate children of different ages, sizes or development levels. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C , the high chair-like seat assembly  204  ( FIG. 5B ) can be removed and interchangeably replaced with a cradle or baby station seat assembly  204 ′ ( FIG. 5A ) for infants, a booster seat assembly  204 ″ ( FIG. 5C ) for toddlers, and/or other seat assembly configurations adapted to different uses or applications, or to different ages or stages of development of the children using the support device  200 . 
     The seat assemblies  204 ,  204 ′,  204 ″ can each comprise upper extension arms  219   a,    219   b  extending therefrom and having a universal coupling profile for interchangeable engagement and removal from the upper frame members  218   a,    218   b  of the base assembly  202 ; or alternatively, the upper extension arms can comprise part of the base assembly and the interchangeable seat assemblies can be attached to the base assembly by means of universal coupling hubs or receivers  240  affixed at the top ends of the upper extension arms. If provided, the coupling hubs  240  and the seat assemblies  204 ,  204 ′,  204 ″ respectively comprise first and second coupling elements that releasably engage one another to secure the seat  204  to the base  202 , and allow ease of removal and interchangeability. The coupling hubs  240  optionally also comprise an angular positioning and retention mechanism allowing adjustment of the recline angle of the seat  204  relative to the base  202 . In the depicted embodiment, when viewed from the side ( FIG. 2 ), the coupling hubs  240  are positioned at or proximal to the apex or peak vertex of the generally equilateral frame triangle defined by the extended axes of the upper frame members  218   a,    218   b  and the back legs  226   c  and  226   d,  and the front and rear caster wheels  228  are positioned at the lower or base vertices of the frame triangle. 
     In example forms, the seat assemblies  204 ,  204 ′,  204 ″ comprise a substantially rigid seat frame or substructure material with a flexible and resilient padded lining, and optionally a soft goods covering material that is removable for washing or replacement. For example, the seat assembly can comprise substantially rigid seat shell formed of plastic or a hard foam, a padded lining comprising foam, poly fill, or other conventional soft fill material, and a cover comprising vinyl or other easily cleanable material. The seat  204  or the frame  202  can optionally also comprise a footrest for supporting the feet of a child seated on the support device  200 , which can optionally be removable and/or provide for adjustment of its position. The depicted example embodiment further comprises a tray  222  that can be positioned in one or more orientations, for example, in a laptop orientation as shown in  FIG. 1 , or a side orientation as shown in  FIG. 4 . The tray  222  can optionally be configured for attachment to the seat  204  and/or to the frame  202 , and can be removable and/or repositionable thereon. The depicted example embodiment further comprises a storage compartment  224  coupled to the base assembly  202 , optionally incorporating a cover or lid for opening or closing access to the storage compartment. 
     In an example method of use, a parent or caregiver selects a support assembly such as for example any of seats  204 ,  204 ′,  204 ″, and mounts the support assembly to the base assembly  202 . The position of the support assembly may be adjusted by the caregiver, for example by raising or lowering its height, inclining or reclining its angle, or otherwise repositioning or reconfiguring the support assembly. A child is placed in the support assembly, and optionally secured by the straps or seat harness. If provided and used, the footrest and/or tray can be adjusted to the desired position, and items can be inserted and/or removed from the storage compartment as desired. The support device  200  may be used for various functions, such as for example a cradle, a baby station, a high chair, a changing table, a booster seat, or other functions. The support device  200  can preferably accommodate children of different ages, sizes or development levels, including for example, newborns or infants, toddlers and small children. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.