Patent Publication Number: US-6910735-B2

Title: Adjustable support structure and method of using the same

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to a support structure, and more particularly, to an adjustable high chair. 
   Conventional support structures, such as high chairs, are typically used to support young children during feeding and other activities. In general, conventional high chairs have a single size and/or configuration, and therefore, sometimes do not comfortably fit different sized children. Parents may need to purchase different sized support structures or one or more inserts that can be used to adjust the size of the support structure to accommodate different sized children. 
   A need exists for a support structure that can be adjusted to fit children of different sizes. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A support structure includes a seat and an adjustable portion that is coupled to the seat. In one embodiment, the adjustable portion is pivotable relative to the seat. The seat includes an actuator that can be moved relative to the adjustable portion to dispose the adjustable portion in multiple positions. 
   In another embodiment, the seat includes adjustable portions that are pivotally coupled to the seat. In this embodiment, the seat includes actuators that can be moved relative to the adjustable portions to dispose the adjustable portions in multiple positions. The adjustable portions can be positioned to change the size of a receiving area of the support structure. In one embodiment, the actuators are independently movable. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front schematic view of an embodiment of a support structure according to the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a top schematic view of the support structure of  FIG. 1  in a first configuration. 
       FIG. 3  is a top schematic view of the support structure of  FIG. 1  in a second configuration. 
       FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of another embodiment of an infant support structure according to the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the support structure of FIG.  4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of an embodiment of a seat according to the invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a rear view of the seat of FIG.  6 . 
       FIG. 8A  is a side view of the seat of FIG.  6 . 
       FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional side view of a hook of the seat of  FIG. 7  taken along the line  8 B— 8 B. 
       FIG. 9  is a top view of an embodiment of an actuator according to the invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of the actuator of FIG.  9 . 
       FIG. 11  is a front view of the actuator of FIG.  9 . 
       FIG. 12  is a front view of an embodiment of a support according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 13  is a rear view of the support of FIG.  12 . 
       FIG. 14  is a top view of the support of FIG.  12 . 
       FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional top view of the support of  FIG. 12  taken along the line  15 — 15 . 
       FIG. 16  is a cross-section side view of the support of  FIG. 13  taken along the line  16 — 16 . 
       FIG. 17  is a top view of the support structure of  FIG. 4  in a first configuration. 
       FIG. 18  is a top view of the support structure of  FIG. 4  in a second configuration. 
       FIG. 19  is a top view of a portion of the support structure of FIG.  18 . 
       FIG. 20  is a top view of a portion of an alternative support structure according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 21  is a top view of another embodiment of a support structure in a first configuration according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 22  is a top view of the support structure of  FIG. 21  in a second configuration. 
       FIG. 23  is a top view of another embodiment of a support structure according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional top view of the support structure of  FIG. 23  illustrating multiple configurations of the support structure. 
       FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional top view of another embodiment of a support structure according to the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A support structure includes a seat and an adjustable portion that is coupled to the seat. In one embodiment, the adjustable portion is pivotable relative to the seat. The seat includes an actuator that can be moved relative to the adjustable portion to dispose the adjustable portion in multiple positions. 
   In another embodiment, the seat includes adjustable portions that are pivotally coupled to the seat. In this embodiment, the seat includes actuators that can be moved relative to the adjustable portions to dispose the adjustable portions in multiple positions. The adjustable portions can be positioned to change the size of a receiving area of the support structure. In one embodiment, the actuators are independently movable. 
   A perspective schematic view of an embodiment of a support structure according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . In the illustrated embodiment, the support structure  10  is a high chair for an infant or a child. In alternative embodiments, the support structure may be any other structure that can support a child or infant, such as a swing, a stroller, a bassinet, a play yard, etc. The support structure can be referred to alternatively as a child support structure or an infant support structure. 
   Support structure  10  includes a support portion  20  and a back portion  30 . The back portion  30  includes openings  32  and  34  formed therein. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the openings  32  and  34  are located inwardly and spaced apart from the perimeter of the back portion  30 . 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the support portion  20  is integrally formed with the back portion  30 . In an alternative embodiment, the support portion  20  and the back portion  30  are separately formed and coupled together. 
   The support structure  10  includes supports or support members  40  and  42 . The supports  40  and  42  are pivotally mounted in the openings  32  and  34  of the back portion  30 . The supports  40  and  42  are selectively disposable in retracted positions  44  in alignment with the back portion  30  (see  FIG. 2 ) and in extended positions  46  in which the supports  40  and  42  extend forwardly from the back portion  30  (see FIG.  3 ). When the supports  40  and  42  are in their first positions  44 , the support structure  10  has a first configuration  50 . When the supports  40  and  42  are in their second positions  46 , the support structure  10  has a second configuration  52 . 
   The seat portion  20 , the back portion  30  and the support members  40  and  42  collectively define a receiving area  36  in which an infant or child can be placed. The size and configuration of the receiving area  36  is different in the first and second configurations  50  and  52 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the size of the receiving area  36  is smaller when the support members  40  and  42  are moved to their extended positions  46 . The smaller receiving area  36  provides additional comfort and stability for the occupant of the support structure  10 . 
   An alternative embodiment of a support structure according to the invention is illustrated in FIG.  4 . In this embodiment, the support structure  100  is a high chair for an infant or a child. In alternative embodiments, the support structure may be any other structure as described above with respect to support structure  10 . 
   The support structure  100  includes a frame  110 , a tray  120 , a footrest  122 , and a seat or seat portion  130 . In one embodiment, the frame  10  includes front legs  112  and rear legs  114  that are coupled to bases  116  and  118 , respectively. Bases  116  and  118  are configured to engage a support surface on which the support structure  100  is placed. 
   The seat  130  includes a seat back  132  and a seat bottom  133 . In this embodiment, the seat back  132  and the seat bottom  133  are integrally formed. In an alternative embodiment, the seat back  132  and the seat bottom  133  can be separately formed and coupled together. 
   The seat back  132  has side walls  134  and  136  that form part of the perimeter  138  of the seat back  132 . The seat back  132  also includes a front surface  140  and a rear surface  142 . In the illustrated embodiment, the seat back  132  includes openings  144  and  146  formed in the front surface  140 . 
   The front surface  140  defines an interior surface  148  that forms part of a receiving area  172  in which a child or infant can be placed. The seat bottom  133  also defines a portion of the receiving area  172 . The occupant of the support structure  100  in the receiving area  133  can access the tray  120 . 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the support structure  100  includes supports  250  and  280 . Supports  250  and  280  are pivotally coupled to the seat back  132 . As discussed in detail later, the supports  250  and  280  are movable between several positions relative to the seat back  132 . The supports can be referred to alternatively as adjustable portions and support members. 
   A rear perspective view of the seat  130  is illustrated in FIG.  5 . The seat back  132  includes a rear surface  142  and mounting structures  150  and  152 . In this embodiment, the mounting structures  150  and  152  extend rearwardly from the rear surface  142  of the seat back  132 . 
   In the illustrated embodiment, mounting structure  150  includes a rear wall  158  and a side wall  156  that extends around the perimeter of the rear wall  158 . The rear wall  158  and the side wall  156  define a cavity  155  therebetween. Support member  280  is pivotally mounted to the mounting structure  150  as described in detail later. The rear wall includes an opening  176 . 
   In one embodiment, the side wall  156  includes an upper opening  161  and a lower opening (not shown). The support member  280  is mounted to the side wall  156  via the openings in the side wall  156 . The side wall  156  and the rear wall  158  also define an opening  146  in communication with the cavity  155 . 
   Similarly, mounting structure  152  includes a rear wall  160  and a side wall  157  that extends around the perimeter of the rear wall  160 . The rear wall  160  and the side wall  157  define a cavity  154  therebetween. Support member  250  is pivotally mounted to the mounting structure  152  as described in detail later. The rear wall  160  includes an opening  175 . 
   In one embodiment, the side wall  157  includes an upper opening  162  and a lower opening (not shown). The support member  250  is mounted to the side wall  157  via the openings in the side wall  157 . The side wall  157  and rear wall  160  also define an opening  144  in communication with the cavity  154 . 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the support structure  100  includes an adjustment mechanism  200 . The adjustment mechanism  200  includes the support members  250  and  280 . The adjustment mechanism  200  also includes actuators or handles  210  and  230  that are pivotally coupled to the seat back  132 . The actuators  210  and  230  are configured to selectively engage and move the support members  250  and  280 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the actuator  210  includes a body  212  and an extension  220 . The body  212  is integrally formed with the extension  220 . In an alternative embodiment, the body  212  and the extension  220  can be formed separately and coupled together. The actuator  210  is discussed in detail with respect to  FIGS. 12-14 . 
   Similarly, the actuator  230  includes a body  232  and an extension  234 . The body  232  is integrally formed with the extension  234 . In an alternative embodiment, the body  232  and the extension  234  can be formed separately and coupled together. 
   The actuators  210  and  230  are pivotally coupled to the seat back  132 . The actuators  210  and  230  are located proximate to mounting structures  150  and  152 , respectively. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the actuator  210  is mounted so that the extension  220  of the actuator  210  extends through opening  146  and engages support member  280 . The actuator  230  is mounted so that the extension  234  of the actuator  230  extends through the opening  144  and engages support member  250 . 
   In one embodiment, the seat back  132  includes several sets of flanges that extend from the rear surface  142  of the seat back  132 . The actuators  210  and  230  are pivotally coupled to the flanges. Some of the flanges are illustrated in FIG.  5 . 
   In one embodiment, flange  163  extends from the rear surface  142 . Flange  163  includes an opening  168 . The opening  168  is configured to receive a protrusion  214  located on the actuator  210  as discussed in detail later. 
   Similarly, flange  165  extends from the rear surface  142  and includes an opening  169 . Opening  169  is configured to receive a protrusion  236  located on the actuator  230  as discussed in detail later. 
   An embodiment of a seat according to the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 6-8B . In this embodiment, the seat  130  includes a front surface  140  and rear surface  142 . As discussed above, the front surface  140  includes an interior surface  148  that is located inwardly from the perimeter  138  of the seat  130 . 
   The seat back  132  includes mounting structures  150  and  152  that are coupled to the seat back  132 . The mounting structures  150  and  152  define cavities  155  and  154  in which the supports  280  and  250  are mounted, respectively. 
   The seat back  132  includes coupling locations  190  and  192  located proximate to the mounting structure  152 . Each of the coupling locations  190  and  192  includes an opening (not shown) in which an extension located on the support  250  is inserted. The support  250  is mounted to the coupling locations  190  and  192  and can pivot about the extensions relative to the front surface  140  of the seat back  132 . The support is described in detail with respect to  FIGS. 12-16 . 
   Similarly, the seat back  132  includes coupling locations  194  and  196  located proximate to the mounting structure  150 . Each of the coupling locations  194  and  196  includes an opening (not shown) in which an extension located on the support  280  is inserted. The support  280  is mounted to the coupling locations  194  and  196  and can pivot about the extensions relative to the front surface  140  of the seat back  132 . 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8A , the seat back  132  includes a pair of flanges  163  and  164  coupled to the rear surface  142 . Flange  163  includes opening  168  in which a protrusion on the actuator  210  is inserted. Similarly, flange  164  includes an opening (not shown) in which another protrusion on the actuator  210  is inserted. The actuator  210  is mounted to the flanges  163  and  164  and can pivot about the protrusions relative to the rear surface  142 . 
   The seat back  132  includes a pair of flanges  165  and  166  coupled to the rear surface  142 . Flange  165  includes an opening  169  in which a protrusion on the actuator  230  is inserted. Similarly, flange  166  includes an opening (not shown) in which another protrusion on the actuator  230  is inserted. The actuator  230  is mounted to the flanges  165  and  166  and can pivot about the protrusions relative to the rear surface  142 . 
   The seat back  132  also includes hooks or catches  184  and  188  coupled to the rear surface  142  of the seat back  132 . Hook  184  is illustrated in FIG.  8 B. In one embodiment, hook  184  includes a stand  185  and a protrusion  186  proximate to an end of the stand  185 . In the illustrated embodiment, hook  188  can have a structure that is substantially similar to hook  184 . As described in detail below, biasing elements that are used to bias the supports  250  and  280  are coupled to the hooks  184  and  188 . In an alternative embodiment, the biasing elements can be coupled to a single hook or catch disposed on the rear surface  142  of the seat back  132 . 
   An embodiment of an actuator according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11 . In this embodiment, the structures of the actuators  210  and  230  are mirror images of each other, and therefore, only actuator  210  is discussed in detail. Actuator  210  can be referred to alternatively as a handle or an adjustment handle. 
   Actuator  210  includes a body portion  212  and an extension  220 . The body portion  212  can have any shape or configuration that enables a user to manipulate the actuator  210 . 
   The body portion  212  includes protrusions  214  and  216  that extend outwardly from opposite ends of the body portion  212 . Protrusions  214  and  216  are configured to engage the openings formed in flanges  163  and  164  on the rear surface  142  of the seat back  132 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , each of the protrusions  214  and  216  has a tapered portion. The tapered portions facilitate the coupling of the actuator  210  to the seat back  132  by providing a surface that allows the actuator  210  to be snap fit into place on the flanges  163  and  164 . 
   The extension  220  extends outwardly from the body portion  210  as illustrated in FIG.  9 . In one embodiment, the extension  220  includes a first portion  222  and a second portion  224  that is oriented at an angle with respect to the first portion  222 . The distal end  225  of the second portion  224  includes a cam surface  226 . The cam surface  226  is angled or tapered with respect to the extension  220  as illustrated in FIG.  10 . 
   An embodiment of a support according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 12-16 . In this embodiment, the structures of the supports  250  and  280  are mirror images of each other, and therefore, only support  250  is discussed in detail. Support  250  can be referred to alternatively as a support member or an adjustable portion. 
   In this embodiment, the support  250  has a perimeter  251  and includes a contact portion  252  and a mounting portion  254 . The perimeter  251  has substantially the same shape or configuration as opening  144  in the seat back  132 . The support  250  is sized so that it can be received in the cavity  155  and be flush with the front surface  140  of the seat back  132 . 
   The contact portion  252  includes a front surface  260  and a rear surface  262 . During the use of the support structure  100 , the front surface  260  is the surface that engages the occupant of the seat  130  (or a liner or other structure that engages the occupant). In the illustrated embodiment, the front surface  260  has a curved or contoured configuration as shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . In alternative embodiments, the front surface can have any shape or configuration. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 15 , the actuator  250  includes ribs  264  and  266  coupled to the rear surface  262 . Each of the ribs  264  and  266  has an abutment  268  and  270 , respectively, located proximate to an end of the particular rib. In this embodiment, the ribs  264  and  266  are oriented at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane. The ribs  264  and  266  are oriented at an angle that follows the trajectory of the tapered surface  226  on the extension  220  of actuator  210  as the actuator  210  rotates. In one embodiment, the angle of the tapered surface  226  is copied based on the orientation of the ribs  264  and  266 . 
   The mounting portion  254  includes posts or extensions  256  and  258  that extend in opposite directions from the support  250 . As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , each of the extensions  256  and  258  includes a tapered surface that facilitates the coupling of the support  250  to the seat back  132 . In the illustrated embodiment, the support  250  includes an opening  261  extending from the front surface  260  to the rear surface  262 . 
   Now the operation of an embodiment of a support structure according to the invention is described with reference to  FIGS. 17-19 . Initially, the supports  250  and  280  are mounted in the cavities  154  and  155  of the seat back  132  and the actuators  210  and  230  are coupled to the flanges  163 - 166 . 
   When the supports  250  and  280  are located in the cavities  154  and  155 , the supports  250  and  280  are in their retracted positions  290  as illustrated in FIG.  17 . In these positions, the front surfaces  260  and  281  of the supports  250  and  280  are substantially aligned with the front surface  140  of the seat back  132  and the seat  130  has a first configuration  180 . 
   An infant or child is placed in the receiving area  172  of the seat  130 . If the caregiver wants to change the size of the receiving area  172 , for example, to make it smaller, the caregiver can manipulate the actuators  210  and  230  to move the supports  250  and  280  to their extended positions  292  illustrated in  FIG. 18  (see the direction of arrow “A”). In the illustrated embodiment, the actuators  210  and  230  are independently movable. 
   Actuator  210  can be moved inwardly to engage the rear surface  282  of support  280 . As the actuator  210  is moved inwardly, the cam surface  226  at the end of the extension  220  engages and passes over the abutments  288  and  289  on the ribs  284  and  286 . Once the cam surface  226  passes over the abutments  288  and  289 , the cam surface  226  can travel along the ribs  284  and  286  on the rear surface  282  of the support  280 . The frictional engagement of the cam surface  226  on the ribs  284  and  286  enables the support  280  to be moved into and positioned at a number of locations with respect to the seat back  132 . When force is applied to the support  280 , the support  280  moves rearwardly until the cam surface  226  engages the abutments  288  and  289  on ribs  284  and  286 . 
   The support  280  is illustrated in an extended position in FIG.  19 . In this orientation, the extension  220  of actuator  210  is moved along the ribs  284  and  286  on support  280 . The actuator  210  can be moved until the extension  220  engages the abutments  288  and  289 . 
   Actuator  230  can be moved inwardly to engage the rear surface  252  of support  250 . As the actuator  230  is moved, the cam surface at the end of the extension  234  engages the abutments  268  and  270  on the ribs  264  and  266  on the rear surface  252  of the support  250 . Once the cam surface passes over the abutments  268  and  270 , the frictional engagement of the cam surface on the ribs  264  and  266  enables the support  250  to be moved into and positioned at a number of locations with respect to the seat back  132 . When force is applied to the support  250 , the support  250  moves rearwardly until the cam surface of the actuator  230  engages the abutments  268  and  270  on ribs  264  and  266 . 
   The supports  250  and  280  can be moved into their extended positions  292  and the seat  130  has a corresponding second configuration  182  as illustrated in FIG.  18 . In this configuration  182 , the receiving area  172  of the seat  130  is smaller than in the first configuration  180 . 
   When the user wants to increase the size of the receiving area  172 , the user pivots the actuators  210  and  230  inwardly along the direction of arrow “B” to their retracted positions  290  illustrated in FIG.  17 . If sufficient force is applied to the actuators  210  and  230 , the extensions of the actuators  210  and  230  will ride up and over the abutments on the respective supports  250  and  280 . When the actuators  210  and  230  are pivoted out of engagement from the supports  250  and  280 , each of the supports  250  and  280  is biased to its retracted position  290  by a corresponding biasing element. 
   In one embodiment, the support structure includes a softgoods material  300  can be placed on the seat  130  in a conventional manner (see FIG.  19 ). The softgoods material  300  includes an elastic member  310 , such as an elastic band, that is coupled to the rear surface of the softgoods material  300 . The elastic member  310  inserted through the opening  283  on the support  280  and through the opening  176  in the mounting structure  150 . One end of the elastic member  310  is coupled to hook  188  on the rear surface  142  of the seat back  132 . The elastic member  310  can be coupled to the hook  188  in any conventional manner, including forming a loop that can be placed over the hook  188 . 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the softgoods material  300  includes another elastic member (not shown) that used relative to support  250  and mounting structure  152  in the same manner as elastic member  310 . The elastic members can be coupled to the same hook or different hooks on the rear surface  142  of the seat back  132 . 
   The elastic member  310  pulls the softgoods material  300  rearwardly, thereby biasing the support  280  rearwardly toward its retracted position with respect to the seat back  132 . When the support  280  is in its extended position, the rearward movement of the support  280  is limited by the engagement of the cam surface  226  with the abutments  288  and  289  on the rear surface of the support  280 . The user can apply the necessary force to the actuator  210  to move the cam surface  226  up and over the abutments  288  and  289  to allow the support  280  to move to its retracted position. 
   An alternative embodiment of a portion of a support structure according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG.  20 . In this embodiment, the actuator  510 , the support  580 , and the seat back  432  are substantially the same as actuator  210 , support  280 , and the seat back  132  previously described. The support  580  is biased rearwardly with respect to the seat back  432  by a biasing element  320 . In this embodiment, the biasing element  320  is coupled to a rear surface of the support  580  and to the rear wall  458  of the mounting structure  450 . In one implementation, the biasing element  320  can be a spring. In other implementations, any structure that can bias the support  580  rearwardly with respect to the seat back  432  can be used. 
   An alternative embodiment of an infant support structure is illustrated in  FIGS. 21 and 22 . The support structure  600  includes a seat  610  with a seat back  612  that defines a portion of a receiving area  614 . In this embodiment, the seat  610  includes a pair of supports  620  and  630  that are coupled to the seat  610 . The seat  610  also includes a pair of actuators  640  and  650  that can be manipulated to move the supports  620  and  630 , respectively, in a manner substantially similar to actuators  210  and  230 . 
   In this embodiment, the seat back  612  does not include any cavities or recesses in its front surface  616 . Each of the supports  620  and  630  is movably coupled to the seat back  612  and thus, is not located in a cavity. In one embodiment, the supports  620  and  630  are pivotally coupled to the seat back  612 . In an alternative embodiment, the supports  620  and  630  can be coupled to the seat back  612  for translational or linear movement relative thereto. 
   The supports  620  and  630  can be coupled to the front surface  616  of the seat  610 . For example, upper and lower flanges  626  (only the upper flange being shown) and upper and lower flanges  636  (only the upper flange being shown) can be coupled to and extend from the front surface  616  of the seat  610 . 
   Support  620  can be pivotally mounted on flanges  626 . Similarly, support  630  can be pivotally mounted on flanges  636 . In one embodiment, the supports  620  and  630  include pivot pins which can be integrally formed or coupled to the supports  620  and  630 . Each of the pivot pins can be inserted into an opening in one of the corresponding flanges. 
   The supports  620  and  630  can be disposed in multiple positions that relate to different configurations of the seat  610 . The supports  620  and  630  can be disposed in first or retracted positions  622  and  632 , respectively, which correspond to configuration  602  of the seat  610  in which receiving area  614  is relatively large (see FIG.  21 ). The supports  620  and  630  are substantially in contact with or proximate to the front surface  616  of the seat back  610  in their retracted positions. In this embodiment, each of the supports  620  and  630  has a relatively small thickness. 
   The supports  620  and  630  can also be disposed in second or extended positions  624  and  634 , respectively, which correspond to configuration  604  of the seat  610  in which receiving area  614  is relatively small (see FIG.  22 ). 
   An alternative embodiment of an infant support structure is illustrated in  FIGS. 23 and 24 . The support structure  700  includes a seat  710  with a seat back  712  that defines a portion of a receiving area  760 . In this embodiment, the seat  710  includes a pair of supports  720  and  730  that are coupled to the seat  710 . The seat back  712  includes recesses  716  and  718  formed in the front surface  714  of the seat back  712 . 
   Support  720  is coupled to the seat back  712  for linear or translational movement. In one embodiment, support  720  includes pins (not shown) that can slidably engage slots formed in the seat back  712 . The pins can be integrally formed or coupled to the support  720  and are configured to travel along the length of the slots in the seat back  712 . The slots can be located in any of the surfaces that define the cavity  716 . 
   Similarly, support  730  is coupled to the seat back  712  for linear or translational movement. In one embodiment, support  730  includes pins (not shown) that can slidably engage slots formed in the seat back  712 . The slots can be located in any of the surfaces that define the cavity  716 . In an alternative embodiment, the supports  720  and  730  can include a pinion that is engaged with a movable rack on the seat back to move the supports along the seat back. 
   In this embodiment, the seat  710  includes actuators  740  and  750  that are coupled to the supports  730  and  720 , respectively. The actuators  740  and  750  can be manipulated by a user to move the supports  720  and  730  relative to the seat back  712 . The actuators  740  and  750  can be inserted through holes or openings (not shown) in the seat back  712 . The openings are configured to allow actuators  740  and  750  to move to control the movement of the supports  720  and  730 . 
   In one embodiment, actuators  740  and  750  can be flexible fingers that are coupled to the supports  720  and  730 . The engagement between the actuators  740  and  750  and the supports  720  and  730  can be any type of engagement, including a toothed engagement, a frictional engagement, or a pivotal engagement. The actuators  740  and  750  can have any structure that enables the actuators  740  and  750  to be retained in a particular position relative to the seat back  712 , thereby retaining the supports  740  and  750  in their corresponding positions. 
   The supports  720  and  730  can be moved between retracted positions  722  and  733  and extended positions  724  and  734 , respectively. The size of the receiving area  760  defined by the supports  720  and  730  and the front surface  714  of the seat back  712  changes when the supports  720  and  730  are placed in their various positions. 
   When a user moves actuator  740  along the direction of arrow “C,” support  730  moves linearly from its retracted position  732  to its extended position  734  (shown in dashed lines). Similarly, when a user moves actuator  750  along the direction of arrow “D,” support  720  moves from its retracted position  722  to its extended position  724 . The actuators  740  and  750  can be moved in opposite directions to move the supports  720  and  730  from their extended positions to their retracted positions. 
   An alternative embodiment of a support structure according to the invention is illustrated in FIG.  25 . In this embodiment, the support structure  800  includes a seat  810  that is similar to seat  710 . The support structure  800  includes supports  820  and  830  that are movably coupled to the seat  810 . In this embodiment, supports  820  and  830  are slidably coupled to the seat  810 . 
   Supports  820  and  830  can be moved into retracted positions  822  and  832  and into extended positions  824  and  834 . In this embodiment, supports  820  and  830  can be manipulated by a user without the assistance of any actuators. A user can slide the supports  820  and  830  between their respective positions. 
   In an alternative embodiment, the cavities of the seat back can extend to the outer perimeter of the seat back. 
   In an alternative embodiment, the support structure can include a seat back that does not include any cavities in which supports are located. In such an embodiment, the supports can be coupled to the seat back for linear or translational movement along the front surface of the seat back. The supports can be coupled to the seat back using any type of sliding connection, including a pin and slot arrangement or a rack and pinion type arrangement. 
   In an alternative embodiment, the supports coupled to a support structure can be moved simultaneously. In one example, the supports can be moved by a common actuator. In another example, the supports can be moved by actuators that are linked together for movement. 
   In alternative embodiments, the cam surface of the extension of the actuator can have any configuration. Similarly, the extension may include any number of portions, including a single straight portion. 
   In an alternative embodiment, the supports can be movably coupled to the seat back in any particular manner. 
   In alternative embodiments, the biasing element can have any structure that causes the support to move into its recessed position with respect to the seat back. Alternatively, the biasing elements can be coupled to any part of the support structure. 
   In an alternative embodiment, the support structure can use a single elastic member instead of two separate elastic members to bias the supports rearwardly. 
   In an alternative embodiment, a detent locking arrangement can be used to locate and secure a support in a particular orientation with respect to the seat back. 
   In an alternative embodiment, the actuators of the support structure can be arranged so that the actuators travel over center to retain the supports in their extended configurations. In this embodiment, no biasing elements are needed to retain the supports in their extended configurations. 
   In another embodiment, one of a hook or loop type material can be located on the rear surface of the softgoods and the other of the hook or loop type material can be located on the front surface of a support. The hook and loop type materials can be used to couple the softgoods material to the support. When the softgoods material is mounted on the support structure, the resiliency of the softgoods biases the supports rearwardly with respect to the seat back. 
   While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.