Patent Publication Number: US-8118684-B2

Title: Infant support structure with a collapsible frame

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/109,798, entitled “Infant Support Structure With A Collapsible Frame,” filed Oct. 30, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an infant support structure and in particular, to an infant support structure with a collapsible frame. The present invention relates to a frame for an infant support structure that includes a lock mechanism that is configured to maintain the collapsible frame in a deployed or use configuration. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional infant support structures include a frame. Some examples of such infant support structures include, but are not limited to, bouncers, swings, infant seats, and high chairs. Often the frame of an infant support structure is collapsible or foldable. 
     There is a need for an infant support structure that includes a frame that has a mechanism that maintains the frame in a deployed or use configuration and that is easy to manipulate by a user or caregiver to collapse or fold the frame. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an infant support structure that has a collapsible frame that includes a first frame portion including a lower portion configured to engage a support surface and a second frame portion including a lower portion configured to engage the support surface. The second frame portion is pivotally coupled to the first frame portion, and the second frame portion is positionable in a deployed position and in a collapsed position relative to the first frame portion. The frame includes a release mechanism that is coupled to the second frame portion. The release mechanism is configured to receive part of the first frame portion to secure the second frame portion in its deployed position. The frame also includes a support portion that is supported by the collapsible frame. 
     In one embodiment, the release mechanism includes a housing and a biasing mechanism with the housing being mounted to the second frame portion and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. As a result, the biasing mechanism biases the housing into its locked position. In another embodiment, the first frame portion includes an upper end and a lower end, and the second frame portion includes an upper end and a lower end. The upper end of the second frame portion is pivotally coupled to the upper end of the first frame portion. 
     The second frame portion can be a rear frame portion that includes a first leg, a second leg, and a lower member coupling the first leg and the second leg to each other. In this implementation, the release mechanism is coupled to the first leg of the rear frame portion. In addition, the infant support structure may include a second release mechanism coupled to a leg portion, with the second release mechanism being configured to receive part of the first frame portion to secure the second frame portion in its deployed position. In one method of operation, the first release mechanism and the second release mechanism can be moved substantially simultaneously. The first frame portion includes a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion. A first release mechanism is configured to receive the first engaging portion, and a second release mechanism is configured to receive the second engaging portion. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the present invention relates to an infant swing with a front frame portion and a rear frame portion. The rear frame portion is pivotally coupled to the front frame portion and the front frame portion and the rear frame portion are collectively positionable in a deployed configuration and in a collapsed configuration. The rear frame portion includes a lock mechanism that is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The lock mechanism in its engaged position receives a portion of the front frame portion to secure the front frame portion and the rear frame portion in the deployed configuration. The lock mechanism in its disengaged position is configured to release the portion of the front frame portion to allow the front frame portion and the rear frame portion to move to the collapsed configuration. The infant swing includes a seat portion that is movably supported by the front frame portion. 
     The lock mechanism may include a housing and a biasing mechanism. The housing of the lock mechanism is pivotally mounted to the rear frame portion and the biasing mechanism biases the housing into the engaged position. In one embodiment, the front frame portion includes a pair of hubs and a front leg assembly with two upper ends. Each of the hubs is coupled to one of the upper ends of the front leg assembly and the lock mechanism is configured to receive a portion of one of the hubs. 
     In another embodiment, the rear frame portion includes a first leg portion and a second leg portion. Each of the leg portions is pivotally coupled to the front frame portion and the lock mechanism is coupled to the first leg portion of the rear frame portion. In yet another embodiment, the infant swing includes a second lock mechanism that is coupled to the second leg portion. The second lock mechanism is configured to receive part of the front frame portion to secure the rear frame portion in its deployed position. In one exemplary mode of operation, the first lock mechanism and the second lock mechanism can be moved independently of each other 
     In another embodiment, the infant support structure includes a first connector, a second connector, a first frame member, and a second frame member. The first frame member is fixedly coupled to the first connector and to the second connector and configured to engage a support surface. The second frame member is pivotally coupled to the first connector and to the second connector. The second frame member is configured to engage a support surface and is positionable in a deployed position and in a collapsed position relative to the first frame member. The second frame member includes a lock mechanism coupled thereto with the lock mechanism being configured to receive a portion of the first connector to retain the second frame member in its deployed position. The infant support structure also includes a seat portion that is supported by the first connector and the second connector. 
     In one embodiment, the first frame member includes a first leg member and a second leg member, and the second frame member includes a first leg member and a second leg member. Each of the first leg members is coupled to the first connector, and each of the second leg members is coupled to the second connector. The lock mechanism is coupled to one of the leg members of the second frame member. In an alternative embodiment, the lock mechanism is coupled to a first leg member and the infant support structure includes a second lock mechanism that is coupled to the second leg member of the second frame member. The second lock mechanism is configured to receive a portion of the second connector. In one exemplary mode of operation, the first lock mechanism and the second lock mechanism can be manipulated simultaneously. In addition, the lock mechanism is pivotally mounted to the second frame member. 
     In one embodiment, the first connector has a body portion and a housing rotatably coupled to the body portion. The second frame member includes an upper end that is coupled to the housing. The housing is rotatable relative to the body portion when the lock mechanism is disengaged from the first connector. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an infant support structure according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a schematic block diagram of an alternative embodiment of an infant support structure according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an infant support structure according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the infant support structure illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the infant support structure illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the infant support structure illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the frame of the infant support structure illustrated in  FIG. 2  with the support portion removed. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear view of the frame illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the frame illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are perspective views of a portion of the frame illustrated in  FIG. 6  in a locked configuration. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a portion of the frame illustrated in  FIG. 6  in an unlocked configuration. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of another portion of the frame illustrated in  FIG. 6  in an unlocked configuration. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the frame illustrated in  FIG. 6  in a collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the frame illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lock mechanism according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view of the lock mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  is a bottom perspective view of the lock mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 18  is an end view of the lock mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of the lock mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
         FIGS. 20 and 21  are exploded views of the lock mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
         FIGS. 22 and 23  are side views of the connector of the frame illustrated in  FIG. 6  in different configurations. 
         FIG. 24  is a bottom perspective view of the connector illustrated in  FIG. 22 . 
         FIG. 25  is a side view of the connector illustrated in  FIG. 22 . 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1A , a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an infant support structure according to the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the infant support structure  10  includes a frame  20  that has frame portions  22  and  24 . The frame  20  of the infant support structure  10  also includes a lock mechanism  26  that is coupleable to the frame portions  22  and  24 . The term “lock mechanism” used herein can be referred to alternatively as a release mechanism or a latch or latch mechanism. The lock mechanism  26  can be used to maintain the frame portions  22  and  24  in a spaced apart or deployed configuration. In one embodiment, the lock mechanism  26  can be coupled to frame member  24  and detachably coupled to frame portion  22 . In particular, the lock mechanism  26  can be configured to receive a part of the frame portion  22  to prevent frame portion  22  from moving relative to frame portion  24 . The detachable engagement of the lock mechanism  26  and the frame portion  22  is illustrated in  FIG. 1A  as a dashed line  28 . 
     The infant support structure  10  also includes a support portion  30  that is configured to receive and support an infant or child. In one embodiment, the infant support structure  10  can be an infant swing. In other embodiments, the infant support structure can be a high chair, a bouncer, or other structure that can be used to support an infant. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1B , an alternative embodiment of an infant support structure according to the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the infant support structure  50  includes frame portions  52  and  54 . Frame portion  54  is mounted for movement relative to frame portion  52 . Frame portion  54  includes lock mechanisms  60  and  70  that have biasing mechanisms  62  and  72  that force the lock mechanisms  60  and  70  into their engaged or locked positions. A user can manipulate the lock mechanisms  60  and  70  against the biasing mechanisms  62  and  72  to disengage the frame portion  52  from the lock mechanisms  60  and  70 . In another embodiment, each of the frame portions  52  and  54  is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the other of the frame portions. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-5 , an embodiment of an infant support structure according to the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the infant support structure  100  includes a frame  110  that is configured to be placed on a support surface  90 . The infant support structure  100  includes a support portion  700  that is configured to receive and support an infant. The frame  110  is positionable in a deployed or use configuration  112  as shown in  FIGS. 2-5 . 
     The frame  110  has a first frame portion or member  200  and a second frame portion or member  400 . The first frame portion  200  can be referred to alternatively as a front frame portion. Similarly, the second frame portion  400  can be referred to alternatively as a rear frame portion. Referring to  FIG. 4 , frame portion  200  includes an upper end  202  and a lower end  204  with a lower portion  210  that is configured to engage support surface  90 . Similarly, frame portion  400  includes an upper end  404  and a lower end  402  with a lower portion  410  that is configured to be placed on a support surface  90 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , frame portion  200  includes a leg assembly  220  that has legs  230  and  240  and a lower member  250  that is coupled to the legs  230  and  240 . Leg assembly  220  can be referred to in this embodiment as a front leg assembly  220 . The legs  230  and  240  can be referred to alternatively as leg portions or leg members. The legs  230  and  240  and lower member  250  can be formed separately and coupled to together using fasteners, such as screws. Alternatively, the legs  230  and  240  and the lower member  250  can be integrally formed. While legs  230  and  240  and lower member  250  are illustrated as made of wood, in other embodiments, those components can be made of different materials, such as plastic or metal. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the frame  110  includes hubs or connectors  300  and  350  that are disposed on opposite sides of the frame  110 . Each of the leg assemblies  220  and  420  is coupled to each of the hubs  300  and  350 . In one embodiment, leg assembly  220  is fixedly coupled to the hubs  300  and  350  using fasteners, such as screws. As a result, the hubs  300  and  350  move with the leg assembly  220  and can be considered to be part of frame portion  200 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the lower member  250  is an elongate member with opposite ends  252  and  254 . Leg portion  230  has an upper end  232  and a lower end  234  to which a foot  235  and end  252  of lower member  250  is coupled. Similarly, leg portion  240  has an upper end  242  and a lower end  244  to which a foot  245  and end  254  of lower member  250  is coupled. The upper end  232  of leg portion  230  can be coupled to connector  300  via fastener  260 . Similarly, the upper end  242  of leg portion  240  can be coupled to connector  350  via fastener  262 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , some of the features of the connectors  300  and  350  are illustrated. As shown, connector  300  includes a body portion  302  that has an inner surface  304 , an outer surface  306 , and a lower end  308 . Connector  350  includes a body portion  352  that has an inner surface  354 , an outer surface  356 , and a lower end  358 . The body portions  302  and  352  can be referred to alternatively as housings or members. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , frame portion or member  400  is illustrated in its deployed or use position  460  with lower members  250  and  450  located proximate to or engaging the support surface  90 . The frame portion  400  can be a rear frame portion and can include a leg assembly  420 , which in this embodiment can be referred to as a rear leg assembly  420 . In this position  460 , one of the upper ends of leg assembly  420  is coupled to coupler  320  which is pivotally mounted to the body of the connector  300 . One of the upper ends of leg assembly  220  is coupled to coupler  330  which is fixedly mounted to or formed integrally with the body of the connector  300 . Connector  300  includes an engaging portion  270  that is engaged by a lock mechanism  500  that is coupled to the leg assembly  420 . The lock mechanism  500  receives the engaging portion  270  and as a result, prevents the movement of the leg assembly  420  relative to the connector  300  and leg assembly  220 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the leg assembly  420 , which in this embodiment is a rear leg assembly, is illustrated in detail. Leg assembly  420  includes leg  430  and leg  440 . The legs  430  and  440  can be referred to alternatively as leg portions or leg members. Leg  430  includes an upper end  432  and a lower end  434  to which a foot  435  is coupled. Similarly, leg  440  includes an upper end  442  and a lower end  444  to which a foot  445  is coupled. The leg assembly  420  also includes a lower member  450  that is elongate and that has opposite ends  452  and  454 . In one embodiment, the ends  452  and  454  are connected to feet  435  and  445 , respectively. In alternative embodiments, the feet  435  and  445  may be formed integrally with the legs  430  and  440  or the lower member  450 . In this embodiment, the legs  430  and  440  and lower member  450  are formed separately and coupled to together using fasteners, such as screws. Alternatively, the legs  430  and  440  and the lower member  450  can be integrally formed. While legs  430  and  440  and lower member  450  are illustrated as made of wood, in other embodiments, those components can be made of different materials, such as plastic or metal. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , leg assembly  420  includes lock mechanisms  500  and  600  coupled thereto. The lock mechanisms  500  and  600  are configured to engage, and in particular receive, portions  270  and  272  of the frame portion  220 , respectively. The lock mechanisms  500  and  600  are illustrated in their locked positions in  FIG. 5 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the infant support structure  100  includes a support portion  700  that is movably supported by the frame  110  for reciprocating motion relative thereto. A drive mechanism (not shown) is operably coupled to the support portion  700  to move the support portion  700  back and forth relative to the frame  110 . As shown, each of the connectors  300  and  350  includes a mount  312  and  362  rotatably coupled thereto, respectively. The mounts  312  and  362  include openings  314  and  364 , respectively. One or both of the mounts  312  and  362  are connected to the drive mechanism of the infant support structure  100 . 
     The support portion  700  includes a frame  710  to which a pad or softgoods portion or assembly  720  is mounted. The frame  710  includes hubs  712  and  714  on opposite side of the frame  710 . The hubs  712  and  714  may include recline mechanisms (not shown) that can be manipulated to adjust the inclination of the frame  710 . The support portion  700  also includes hanger arms  730  and  732  that are coupled at their lower ends to hubs  712  and  714 , respectively. The upper ends of the hanger arms  730  and  732  are inserted into openings  314  and  364 , respectively, and secured therein using fasteners, such as screws. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6-8 , the frame  110  of infant support structure  100  is illustrated with the support portion  700  removed for ease of reference. In  FIGS. 6 and 7 , frame portions  200  and  400  are shown coupled to connectors  300  and  350 . The lock mechanisms  500  and  600  are positioned to maintain the frame portions  200  and  400  in their deployed or use positions. As a result, the frame  110  is in its deployed or use configuration. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , one leg of frame assembly  200  is connected to coupler  370 , which is formed integrally with connector  350  and as a result, does not move relative to the body of the connector  350 . Coupler  380 , however, is pivotally mounted to the body of the connector  350  and can rotate about axis  375  along the direction of arrow “A.” As shown, leg assembly  420 , and in particular, upper end  442  of leg  440  is coupled to the coupler  380 . As a result, when coupler  380  rotates, leg  440  also rotates in the same direction. Lock mechanism  600  is coupled to leg assembly  420 , and in particular, to leg  440 . Lock mechanism  600  is illustrated in  FIG. 8  in its locked or engaged position  602  in which it receives a portion of the connector  350  to prevent movement or rotation of leg  440  and coupler  380  about axis  375 . 
     Similarly, coupler  330  is pivotally mounted to the body of connector  300 . Leg assembly  420 , and in particular, the upper end  432  of leg  430  is connected to coupler  330 . As a result, when coupler  330  rotates, leg  430  also rotates in the same direction. Lock mechanism  500  is coupled to leg assembly  420 , and in particular, to leg  430 . The upper end  432  of leg  430  is coupled to coupler  330 . Lock mechanism  500  is illustrated in  FIG. 8  in its locked or engaged position  502  in which it receives a portion of the connector  300  to prevent movement or rotation of leg  430  and coupler  330  about its rotational axis. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9-10 , close-up views of the interaction between leg assembly  420  and connector  300  is illustrated. The lock mechanism  500  is pivotally mounted to leg assembly  420  by a bolt  530  that defines a pivot axis  505 . The lock mechanism  500  is illustrated in its locked or engaged position  502 . In this position  502 , the lock mechanism  500  engages or receives engaging portion  270  to prevent leg assembly  420  and coupler  330  from moving. In  FIG. 10 , the axis  305  about which the coupler  330  can rotate is illustrated. In particular, leg  430  and coupler  330  can be rotated along the direction of arrow “B” about axis  305  from the illustrated deployed position to a collapsed position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the upper end  342  of leg  340  is connected to coupler  370  by a fastener  264 . Coupler  380  is pivotally mounted to the body of the connector  350  and has upper end  442  of leg  440  connected thereto. As shown, lock mechanism  600  is moved by a user along the direction of arrow “C” about axis  605  to its unlocked or disengaged position  604 . When the lock mechanism  600  is in its unlocked position  604 , the engaging portion  272 , and in particular end  273 , of connector  350  is disengaged from lock mechanism  600 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , lock mechanism  500  is rotated about axis  505  along the direction of arrow “D” to its unlocked or disengaged position  504 . In this position  504 , the lock mechanism  500  does not engage and is spaced apart from the engaging portion  270 . As a result, leg  432  can move along the direction of arrow “E” away from the engaging portion  270 . As shown, the lock mechanism  500  includes a body  510  that has a receptacle  520  that is configured or shaped to receive the end of the engaging portion  270 . 
     When lock mechanisms  500  and  600  are both moved to their unlocked positions, leg assembly  420  can be moved to its collapsed position  462  as illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . When leg assembly  420  is in its collapsed position  462 , the leg assemblies  200  and  400  are proximate to each other and the lower members  250  and  450  are proximate to each other. As shown, the frame  110  is then in a collapsed configuration  114 . Referring to  FIG. 13 , the legs of the leg assembly  420  rotate about axes  305  and  375  along the directions of arrows “F” and “G,” respectively. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15-21 , an exemplary embodiment of a lock mechanism according to the present invention is illustrated. In one embodiment, the lock mechanisms  500  and  600  may have the same configuration and components. In an alternative embodiment, the lock mechanisms  500  and  600  may have different configurations or even configurations that are mirror-images of each other. While only lock mechanism  600  is illustrated in  FIGS. 15-21 , it is to be understood that lock mechanism  500  may have similar components and a similar manner of operation. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , lock mechanism  600  includes a body or housing  610  that is made from molded plastic. The body  610  has an engaging portion  612  that a user can engage to impart motion to the housing  610  when it is mounted to a leg of the frame  110 . While engaging portion  612  is illustrated with several bumps or protrusions formed thereon, in other embodiments, the engaging portion may be planar or flat. The housing  610  includes a receptacle  620  formed therein that is used to receive part of a receiving portion of a connector, as described above. As shown in  FIGS. 15 ,  16  and  21 , the housing  610  includes walls  622 ,  624 ,  625 ,  626 , and  628  that collectively define the receptacle  620 . Wall  628  may be angled to provide additional resistance to the movement of the engaging portion that is disposed in the receptacle  620 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , a housing  660  is coupled to the body or housing  610 . This housing  660  is removably coupled to body  610  by a fastener  666 . As shown in  FIGS. 18 and 21 , the body  610  includes flanges or extensions  630  and  640  that extend from body  610  and define a receiving area or channel  635  therebetween. Area  635  is configured to receive a leg of leg assembly  420  therein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , extension  630  includes an opening  632  formed therein. Similarly, extension  640  includes an opening  642  formed therein. The openings  632  and  642  are sized to receive a fastener  695  therethrough to mount the body  610  to a leg of the leg assembly  420 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the lock mechanism  600  also includes a biasing mechanism  680 , which in one embodiment, is a torsion spring with ends  682  and  684 . The biasing mechanism  680  is used to bias or force the lock mechanism  600  into its locked or engaged position  602 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , an engagement or projection  664  extends into the space  635 . The projection  664  is inserted into or aligned with a slot that is formed in the leg of the leg assembly  420  to which the lock mechanism  600  is mounted. The projection  664  does not move relative to the slot when the lock mechanism  600  is rotated. One end (end  682  as described below) of the biasing mechanism  680  is coupled to the projection  664  and as a result, is held fixed or relatively stationary. The other end (end  684 ) of the biasing mechanism  680  is coupled to the housing  610  and accordingly, the biasing mechanism  680  provides force to bias the housing  610  into its locked position. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 20-21 , the housing  660  is removed or decoupled from the body  610 . The housing  660  has an inner surface  662  that defines a cavity  663 . A sleeve  670  has projection  664  formed thereon. The sleeve  670  is rotatably mounted to the body  610  on a shaft  672  that extends outwardly from the outer surface of mounting portion  640 . End  682  of the biasing mechanism  680  is coupled to the sleeve  670  via a slot. A wall or stop  690  is also formed on mounting portion  640 . The stop  690  includes a slot formed therein in which end  684  of biasing mechanism  680  is inserted. With ends  682  and  684  of biasing mechanism  680  coupled to different components that move relative to each other, the biasing mechanism  680 , in this embodiment a torsion spring, is used to bias the lock mechanism  600  into its locked position  602 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 22-23  and  25 , the connector  350  is illustrated with its moving coupler  380  in a collapsed position  383  (see  FIGS. 22 and 25 ) and in a deployed position  381  (see  FIG. 23 ). When only connector  350  is illustrated in  FIGS. 22-25 , it is to be understood that connector  300  may have similar features and components with the notable change that connector  300  in large part is a mirror-image of connector  350 . In this embodiment, the connector  350  includes a molded plastic body  351  with a piece of wood  353  having opposite ends  272  and  275  coupled thereto. In different embodiments, the connector  350  may be a single component or piece of material. In other embodiments, the ends  272  and  275  of the connector  350  may be integrally formed with the body  351 . As shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 , coupler  370  is fixed to the body  351  and in this embodiment, coupler  370  is integrally formed with the body  351 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 24 , a lower perspective view of the connector  350  is illustrated. As shown, engaging portion  272  includes end or tip  273  and end  275  includes an opening  277  for a fastener (not shown in  FIG. 24 ). The lower end  358  of the body  351  includes an edge  372  that defines an opening  374  into an interior or cavity in the body  351 . The coupler  380  includes a body portion  382  and a sleeve  384 . The body portion  382  is positioned within the body  351 , which can be formed by coupling to connector portions together using fasteners or other conventional techniques after the body portion  382  is in its position. A fastener, such as a screw, can be inserted through the lower end  358  and an opening in the body portion  382  to rotatably mount the coupler  380  to the body  351  of the connector  350 . 
     The sleeve  384  extends outwardly through opening  374  and is configured to receive the upper end of a leg of a leg assembly therein. The leg can be coupled to the sleeve  384  by a fastener or other coupling mechanism. The range of motion of coupler  380  is determined by the length of the opening  374 . 
     In various embodiments, the quantity of legs and leg assemblies that can be pivoted or rotated relative to each other can vary. In addition, the quantity of lock mechanisms and the locations of the lock mechanism can vary. The lock mechanisms can be placed at higher or lower positions along the legs than the positions in the illustrated embodiment of the infant support structure. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the upper ends of leg assembly  220  may be pivotally coupled to connectors  300  and  350 . In addition, the upper ends of leg assembly  420  may be pivotally coupled to connectors  300  and  350 . In this embodiment, lock mechanisms are coupled to each of the legs or portions of the leg assemblies  200  and  400  that are pivotally coupled the connectors  300  and  350 . The lock mechanisms can be mounted and operated in the same manner as lock mechanisms  500  and  600  in that movement of both of the leg assemblies  200  and  400  can be prevented as desired. 
     In different embodiments, the frame of the infant support structure according to the present invention can vary. In one embodiment, the legs and/or lower portions of one or both leg assemblies can be substantially linear and not curved. In another embodiment, the frame can be used or function as a high chair. In yet another embodiment, the front leg assembly can include a single leg with a lower member and the rear leg assembly can include a single leg. Accordingly, a single lock mechanism can be provide on one of the leg assemblies to maintain the frame in its deployed configuration. 
     Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, it is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer,” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration.