Patent Publication Number: US-8540312-B2

Title: Infant support with independently repositionable legs

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/016,481, filed 18 Jan. 2008 and entitled “Infant Support with Independently Repositionable Legs,” which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/835,267, filed 30 Apr. 2004 and entitled “Infant Support with Selectively Covered Tray”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,328,941. Each of the aforementioned disclosures is incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates generally to infant supports, and more particularly to infant supports that include tray members. 
     Infants and children are often not tall enough to reach conventional tables while seated in conventional chairs. Accordingly, high chairs, booster seats, and other types of infant supports have been developed, which provide a suitable feeding environment for infants and small children. Some high chairs and booster seats include tray members that may be used to support food or other items for the infant or child. 
     Conventional high chairs and booster seats that include tray members, however, do not include lids or other types of covering devices configured to cover the feeding surface of the tray members. Thus, food and/or other items that are placed on the tray members may fall from the tray members during the transportation of the tray members. For example, after an infant or a child has finished eating a meal, a parent or a caregiver may attempt to transport the tray member of the high chair or booster seat with the remaining food on the tray member. As the parent or caregiver transports the tray member, the remaining food may slide off of or otherwise fall from the tray member. Additionally, any food that was not consumed by the child during a meal must be stored in a separate container, rather than remaining on the tray because the tray cannot be covered. 
     Thus, a need exists for a high chair, a booster seat, or other type of infant or child support that includes a tray member that has a lid or other device configured to cover at least one side of the tray member. Further, a need exists for such an infant or child support where the tray member can be attached to the support in a storage position and transported as an assembly with the lid or other device covering the tray member. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An infant support includes a seat and an upright member that extends from the seat. A tray has a first member, a second member, and a third member. The first member of the tray is configured to be removably coupled to the upright member. Additionally, the second member of the tray is configured to be removably coupled between the first member and the third member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a generic embodiment of an infant or child support having a tray member in accordance with the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a child support in accordance with the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a partially exploded view of the child support of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are perspective views of a base member of the child support of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the base member of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the base member of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 8  is a rear view of the base member of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of the base member of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a leg portion of the base member of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  are side views of the leg portion of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an adjustment member of the base member of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a coupling member of the base member of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded view of the tray member of the child support of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the tray member of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of the tray member of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the tray member of  FIG. 15  taken along line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a first member of the tray member of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a second member of the tray member of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 21  is a top view of the second member of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of the second member of  FIG. 20  taken along line  22 - 22  of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a third member of the tray member of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of the third member of  FIG. 23  taken along line  24 - 24  of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the child support of  FIG. 2  in a collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 26  is a partially exploded perspective view of the child support in a collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a child support in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a generic embodiment of an infant or child support  100  that includes a base member  102  and a tray member  110 . The base member  102  includes a seat member  104  and an upright member  106  that extends from the seat member  104 . In one embodiment, the seat member  104  is configured to support an infant or a child in a seated position. In one embodiment, the upright member  106  is a backrest and is configured to support a back of an infant or child that is seated on the seat member  104 , or otherwise prevent the infant from sliding from the seat member  104 . In another embodiment, the upright member  106  is an arm portion and is configured to support an arm of an infant of child that is seated on the seat member  104 , or otherwise prevent the infant from sliding from the seat member  104 . Trays for use with infant supports are disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/954,448, filed on Sep. 18, 2001, entitled “Removable Tray Insert and Tray Set,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     The tray member  110  includes a first member  112 , a second member  114 , and a third member  116 . The first member  112  of the tray member  110  is coupled to the upright member  106  of the base member  102 . In one embodiment, the first member  112  of the tray member  110  is removably coupled to the upright member  106 . 
     The second member  114  of the tray member  110  is configured to be positioned between the first member  112  of the tray member  110  and the third member  116  of the tray member  110 . 
     In one embodiment, the second member  114  of the tray member  110  is configured to be positioned between the first member  112  of the tray member  110  and the third member  116  of the tray member  110  such that there is an open space or cavity between the second member  114  of the tray member  110  and the third member  116  of the tray member  110 . In one embodiment the second member  114  is configured to be removably coupled to the first member  112  of the tray member  110 , and the third member  116  of the tray member  110  is configured to be removably coupled to the second member  114  of the tray member  110 . 
     The terms “infant” and “child” are used herein interchangeably. Specifically, the terms “infant” and “child” should be interpreted to mean the same thing. For example, an infant support is the same as a child support and vice versa. 
     One implementation of the infant support discussed above is now described with reference to  FIGS. 2-25 .  FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate an embodiment of an infant or child support according to an embodiment of the invention. The infant support  200  includes a base member  210  and a tray member  270 . The base member  210  includes a seat or seat portion  212 , a back member or back portion  214 , and a pair of arm portions  216  and  218 . The back portion  214  of the base member  210  and the arm portions  216  and  218  of the base member  210  are coupled to, and extend from, the seat portion  212  of the base member  210 . The back portion  214  of the base member  210  and the arm portions  216  and  218  extend upwardly from the seat portion  212  of the base member  210 . In other words, the back portion  214  and the arm portions  216  and  218  are upright members or portions. 
       FIGS. 4 through 9  illustrate the base member  210  according to an embodiment of the invention. The arm portions  216  and  218  are integrally or unitarily formed with the seat portion  212  of the base member  210 . In an alternative embodiment, the arm portions  216  and  218  are not integrally or unitarily formed with the seat portion  212 . Rather, the arm portions  216  and  218  are pivotally coupled, fixedly coupled, or otherwise coupled to the seat portion  212 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the back portion  214  is pivotally coupled to the seat portion  212  of the base member  210  and may be placed in an upright or use position ( FIG. 4 ) or in a parallel, collapsed, or storage configuration ( FIG. 5 ). In an alternative embodiment, the seat portion is not pivotally coupled to the seat member. Rather, the seat portion is integrally or unitarily formed with the seat member. In a further alternative embodiment, the back portion  214  is removable from the base member  210 . 
     The back portion  214  includes an extension member  215  that extends into and is retained within an opening  213  of the seat portion  212  to pivotally couple the back portion  214  to the seat portion  212 . The back portion  214  includes a locking portion  220  that cooperates with a locking portion  226  of the seat member  212  to secure or lock the back portion  214  in its upright or use position (See  FIG. 5 ). The back portion  214  includes a perimeter wall  219  and the extension member  215 . As shown in  FIGS. 25 and 26 , the perimeter wall  219  defines a recess  217 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the locking portion  220  of the back portion  214  includes a flange  222  that extends from a rear portion  223  of the back portion  214  and defines an opening  224 . The locking portion  226  of the seat portion  212  includes a projection  228 . The opening  224  of the back portion  214  is configured to receive the projection  228  of the seat portion  212  when the back portion  214  of the base member  210  is in its upright or use configuration to retain the back portion  214  in its upright or use configuration. The flange  222  may be bent or flexed such that the projection  228  is removed from the opening  224  to allow the back portion  214  to be pivoted with respect to the seat portion  212  to convert the back portion  214  from its upright or use configuration to its parallel or collapsed configuration. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the back portion  214  and/or the seat portion  212  include another mechanism for securing the back portion  214  in its upright or use configuration. For example, in one embodiment, a pair of straps with a snap or buckle system is used to secure the back portion  214  in its upright or use configuration. In another embodiment, the back portion  214  does not lock into its upright or use configuration. In other words, neither the back portion  214  nor the seat portion  212  include a locking portion in such an embodiment. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, when the back portion  214  is in its upright or use configuration, the base member  210  is configured to support a user, such as a child, in a seated position. For example, a child may sit on the seat portion  212  of the base member  210 . Once the child has sat on the seat portion  212 , the child may rest or otherwise lean against the back portion  214  of the base member  210  and may rest an arm on one or both of the arm portions  216  and  218  of the base member  210 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the base member  210  includes a back portion and does not include arm portions. In another alternative embodiment, the base member  210  includes an arm portion and does not include a back portion. 
     Arm portion  216  defines openings  236 ,  238 , and  240 . Similarly, arm portion  218  defines openings  237 ,  239 , and  241 . The arm portions  216  and  218  also each include a coupling portion  221  and  225 , respectively. As will be discussed in detail below, the coupling portions  221  and  225  are configured to cooperate with coupling portions  279  and  280  of the first member  274  of the tray member  270  of the child support  200  to removably couple the tray member  270  of the child support  200  to the base member  210  of the child support  200 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, each of the arm portions  216  and  218  define a cavity (not illustrated). Coupling members  242  and  244  are coupled within and extend or protrude from the cavities that are defined by each of the arm portions  216  and  218 , respectively. Coupling members  242  and  244  are structurally and functionally similar. Accordingly, only coupling member  242  will be discussed and illustrated in detail. As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , coupling member  242  includes a base  246  and projections  230 ,  232 , and  234 . The base  246  of the coupling member  242  is configured to be coupled within the cavity defined by arm portion  216  such that the projections  230 ,  232 , and  234  protrude through the openings  236 ,  238 , and  240 , respectively, of the arm portion  216 . 
     Although in the illustrated embodiment the coupling members each include three projections, it is not necessary that the coupling member have three projections. In one embodiment, the coupling members each have less than three projections. In another embodiment, the coupling members each have more than three projections. 
     In one embodiment, the coupling member  242  is coupled to arm portion  216  via an adhesive, such as glue. In another embodiment, the coupling member is coupled to the arm portion via another known coupling mechanism, such as radio frequency (RF) welding or a mechanical fastener such as a screw. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the coupling members are not coupled to the arm portions. Rather, in one embodiment the arm portions each include projections that are integrally or unitarily formed with the arm portion. In a further embodiment, each of the projections is individually formed and is coupled to the arm portion. 
     The base member  210  includes leg portions  246  and  248  that are slidably coupled to the base member  210 . The leg portions  246  and  248  are configured to be placed in an extended configuration ( FIG. 4 ) to raise the seat portion  212  of the base member  210  with respect to a support surface. The leg portions  246  and  248  are also configured to be placed in a retracted configuration ( FIG. 5 ) to lower the seat portion  212  of the base member  210  with respect to a support surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the leg portions  246  and  248  may also be placed in a middle configuration (the leg portions  246  and  248  extend from the base member  210  further than they do in the retracted configuration but not as far as they do in the extended configuration). 
     Leg portions  246  and  248  are structurally and functionally similar. Accordingly, only leg portion  246  will be illustrated and described in detail. As illustrated in  FIGS. 9 through 12 , leg portion  246  includes a support portion  250  and an adjustment portion  252 . The support portion  250  is configured to contact a support surface to allow the base member  210  to be placed on and supported by a support surface. The adjustment portion  252  of the leg portion  246  includes multiple receiving portions  254 . As will be described in detail below, the receiving portions  254  are configured to receive extension portions  258  of an adjustment member  256  of the base member  210 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the leg portions are not slidably coupled to the base member. For example, the leg portions may be fixedly coupled to the base member or may be integrally or unitarily formed with the base member. In another alternative embodiment, the base member does not include leg portions. Rather, the base member is configured to be placed directly upon a support surface. 
     The base member  210  includes adjustment members  256  and  257 . The adjustment members  256  and  257  are slidably coupled to an underside  211  of the seat member  212 . 
     The adjustment members  256  and  257  are structurally and functionally similar. Accordingly, only adjustment member  256  will be illustrated and described in detail. As best illustrated in  FIG. 13 , adjustment member  256  includes a body portion  260 , a handle portion  262 , and extension portions  258 . 
     The adjustment member  256  also includes several slots  264 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 9 , a fastener such as a screw  265  extends though the slots  264  of the adjustment member  256  and is coupled to the underside  211  of the seat member  212 . The fasteners  265  are configured to slide within the slots  264  of the adjustment member  256 . Accordingly, the adjustment member  256  is slidably coupled to the underside  211  of the seat member  212  and is configured to slide with respect to the base member  210  in the directions indicated by arrows A and B. In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment member  256  is biased, such as via a spring (not illustrated), into engagement with the leg portion  246  (i.e., in the direction of arrow A). In another embodiment, the adjustment member  256  is not biased in either the direction of arrow A or the direction of arrow B. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment member  256  includes multiple grooves  259  (only two are illustrated in  FIG. 13 ). The grooves  259  are configured to receive and slide along ribs or rails  213  that are disposed on the underside  211  of the seat member  212 . In an alternative embodiment, the adjustment member does not include grooves and the underside of the seat member does not include rails. 
     The leg portion  246  is slidably coupled to the base member  210  such that each of the extension portions  258  of the adjustment member  256  extend into and are received by a corresponding pair of receiving portions  254  of the leg portion  246  when the adjustment member  256  is moved in the direction of arrow A. A corresponding pair of receiving portions  254  is the pair of receiving portions  254  disposed an equal distance from the support portion  250  of the leg portion  246 . The receipt of the extension portions  258  of the adjustment member  256  by the receiving portions  254  of the leg portion  246  secure or otherwise lock the leg portion  246  into position with respect to the base member  210 . 
     Accordingly, the leg portion  246  may be placed in any one of its extended configuration, retracted configuration, or middle configuration. A user may grasp the handle portion  262  of the adjustment member  256  and apply a force on the adjustment member  256  in the direction of arrow A. When the force applied by the user overcomes the biasing force and any frictional force, the adjustment member  256  will be moved in the direction of arrow A with respect to the base member and the extension portions  258  of the adjustment member  256  will be withdrawn from the receiving portions  254  of the leg portion  246 . The leg portion  246  may then slide with respect to the base member  210  and be positioned into another of its extended configuration, retracted configuration, or middle configuration. The user may then release the handle portion  262  of the adjustment member  256  thereby causing the adjustment member  256  to move in the direction of arrow B (via the spring biasing) and causing the extension portions  258  of the adjustment member  256  to be received by another corresponding pair of receiving portions  254  of the leg portion  246 . 
     It should be understood that, in the illustrated embodiment, the interaction between adjustment member  257  and leg portion  248  is similar to the interaction between adjustment member  256  and leg portion  246  as described above. In an alternative embodiment, movement of one adjustment member  256  or  257  causes a corresponding movement in the other adjustment member  256  or  257 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the child support  200  may be removably secured or coupled to a larger support structure such as a conventional chair. Specifically, the base member  210  includes attachment straps  227 . Each of the attachment straps  227  are coupled at one end to the base member  210  and include one portion of a two portion coupling device, such as a buckle, a snap, or hook and loop material, coupled to another end of the attachment straps  227 . Accordingly, each of the attachment straps  227  may be wrapped around a larger support structure, such as a conventional chair, and coupled to another attachment strap  227  via the coupling devices. 
     In another embodiment, the child support includes another coupling mechanism, such as suction cups or a latch mechanism, to removably couple the child support to a larger support structure. In yet another embodiment, the child support does not include attachment straps or any other device for coupling the child support to a larger support structure. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, an infant or child user may be secured on the seat portion  212  of the base member  210 . Specifically, the child support  200  includes retaining straps  229 . Each of the retaining straps  229  are coupled at one end to the base member  210  and include one portion of a two portion coupling device such as a buckle, a snap, or hook and loop material, coupled to another end of the retaining straps  229 . Accordingly, each of the retaining straps  229  may be wrapped around an infant or child user and coupled to another retaining strap  229  via the coupling devices. 
     In another embodiment, the child support does not include retaining straps or any other device for securing a child or infant to the seat portion of the base member. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 15 through 24 , the tray member  270  of the child support includes a first member  274 , a second member  290 , and a third member  310 . The first member  274 , the second member  290 , and the third member  310  are configured to be stacked or otherwise placed on top of each other in a nesting configuration. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 19 , the first member  274  of the tray member  270  includes a front portion  275 , a rear portion  276 , a first side portion  277 , and a second side portion  278 . The first member  274  of the tray member  270  also includes a substantially continuous side wall  285  that extends from, and bounds the periphery of, a top surface  286  of the first member  274  of the tray member  270 , defining a recess  272  in first member  274 . 
     The first side portion  277  and the second side portion  278  of the first member  274  each include coupling members  279  and  280  respectively (only coupling member  280  is illustrated in  FIG. 19 ). The coupling members  279  and  280  each include a flange portion  281  and an opening  282 . Each of the openings  282  of the coupling members  279  and  280  is configured to receive one of the projections, for example,  230 ,  232 , and  234 , of the arm portions  216  and  218  of the base member  210  to removably couple the tray member  270  to the base member  210 . Specifically, the coupling member  279  of the first side portion  277  of the first member  274  is configured to be removably coupled to arm portion  216  of the base member  210  and the coupling member  280  of the second side portion  278  of the first member  274  is configured to be removably coupled to arm portion  218  of the base member  274 . In other words, the first member  274  of the tray member  270  is configured to be coupled to and extend between the arm portions  216  and  218  of the base member  210  when the first member  274  of the tray member  270  is coupled to the base member  210 . 
     The resilient flange portions  281  of the coupling members  279  and  280  include edges  289  that are configured to abut the projections, for example  230 ,  232 , and  234 , of the arm portions  216  and  218  of the base member  210  that are immediately adjacent to the projection  230 ,  232 , and  234  of the base member  210  that is received by the openings  282  of the coupling members  279  and  280 . 
     The tray member  270  is removable from the base member  210 . Specifically, the resilient flange portions  281  of the coupling members  279  and  280  are configured to be bent or otherwise flexed by a user to remove the projections, for example  230 ,  232 , and  234  of the arm portions  216  and  218  of the base member  210  from the openings  282  of the coupling members  279  and  280 . In the illustrated embodiment, each of the arm portions  214  and  216  of the base member  210  include three projections. Thus, the tray member  270  may be removably coupled to the arm portions  216  and  218  in one of three different positions to allow the child support  200  to be used by different sized children or infants. Depending upon the position of the tray member  270 , a different projection  230 ,  232  and  234  will be positioned in the opening  282 . In alternative embodiments, the projections are on the coupling members  279  and  280  and the openings are on the support arms  216  and  218 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 18 , in the illustrated embodiment, the first member  274  of the tray  270  includes a retention member  330 . The retention member  330  extends from a lower surface  332  of the first member  274  of the tray  270 . The retention member  330  is configured to retain a child seated on the base member  210  when the tray  270  is coupled to the arm portions  216  and  218  in a first position. The retention member  330  is configured to be disposed within the recess  217  defined by the perimeter wall  219  of the back portion  214  when the tray  270  is coupled to the arm portions  216  and  218  in a second position opposite the first position as shown in  FIGS. 25 and 26 . When the tray member  270  is coupled to the base member  210 , the retention member  330  is disposed such that a leg of a child of infant seated on the base member  210  is on each side of the retention member  330 . Accordingly, the retention member  330  is configured to retain a child or infant on the base member  210 . In an alternative embodiment, the first member does not include a retention member. In another alternative embodiment, the retention member is coupled to the seat  212 . 
     The rear portion  276  of the first member  274  of the tray member  270  includes an opening  283 . Additionally, the side wall  285  of the first member  274  includes a U-shaped depression  287 . As will be discussed in detail below, the opening  283  is configured to receive a portion of the second member  290  of the tray member  270  to removably couple the second member  290  of the tray member  270  to the first member  274  of the tray member  270  and the U-shaped depression  287  is configured to allow a user to grasp the second member  290  of the tray member  270  when the second member  290  is coupled to the first member  274 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 20 through 22 , the second member  290  of the tray member  270  includes a first wall  292  that extends from a top surface  294  of the second member  290  and a second wall  296  that extends from the top surface  294  of the second member  290 . The first wall  292  of the second member  290  defines with top surface  294  a first receiving portion or recess  298  that is configured to received and support items such as food items. The second wall  296  defines a second receiving portion or recess  300  that is configured to receive items such as a cup or bottle. In the illustrated embodiment, the second member  290  of the tray member  270  is sized such that it will fit within a conventional dishwasher and is made of a dishwasher safe material such as, for example, propylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyethylene, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, which will not deform or significantly degrade under temperature conditions typically found in a conventional household or commercial automatic dishwashing machine. In an alternative embodiment, the second member  290  is made of a flexible material such as a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). 
     Although the second member  290  of the tray member  270  is illustrated and described as having walls  292  and  296  that extend from and define different sized receiving portions, it is not necessary that the second member  290  have such walls  292  and  294 . In an alternative embodiment, the second member has a single receiving portion or recess that is configured to support items such as food items and beverages. In a further alternative embodiment, the second member of the tray member is not sized to fit within a conventional dishwasher. In yet a further alternative embodiment, the second member of the tray member is not made of a dishwasher safe material. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the second member  290  of the tray member  270  includes an edge  302  that extends around the perimeter of the second member  290  and defines a channel  304  that similarly extends around the perimeter of the second member  290 . The second member  290  of the tray member  270  also includes a coupling portion  306  that extends within the channel  304  of the second member  290 . The coupling portion includes engagement members such as projections or tabs  308  and  309  that are disposed a distance from each other. 
     The channel  304  is configured to receive a portion of the side wall  285  of the first member  274  of the tray member  270  when the second member  290  of the tray member  270  is placed on top of the first member  274  of the tray member  270 . Additionally, the coupling portion  306  of the second member  290  is configured to removably couple the second member  290  to the first member  274  when the second member  290  is placed on top of the first member  274  of the tray member  270 . Specifically, the projection  308  is configured to extend within the opening  283  of the first member  274 . Additionally, the projection  309  is configured to cooperate with a portion of the side wall  285  of the first member  274 . Accordingly, the coupling portion  306  grips or otherwise retains a portion of the first member  274  to removably couple the second member  290  of the tray member  270  to the first member  274  of the tray member  270 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the second member  290  of the tray member  270  includes extension members  305  and  307  (best seen in  FIGS. 18 ,  22  and  26 ). The extension members  305  and  307  extend from the edge  302  of the second member  290  proximate the coupling portion  306 . The extension members  305  and  307  are configured to cooperate with a portion of the first member  274  of the tray member  270  to retain the projection  308  of the coupling portion  306  within the opening  283  of the first member  274 . As illustrated in  FIG. 26 , the extension members  305  and  307  nest within a recess  273  of the first member  274 . 
     The extended members  305  and  307  are configured to flex such that when a user lifts the second member  290  with respect the first member  274  proximate the front portion  275  of the first member  274 , the extended member  305  and  307  flex to allow the projection  308  to be removed from the opening  283 . In one embodiment, the extension members  305  and  307  cooperate with a portion of the first member  274  of the tray member  270  to retain the projection  308  within the opening  283  such that a user cannot remove the second member  290  from the first member  274  by lifting the second member  290  with respect to the first member  274  proximate the rear portion  276  of the first member  274 . Additionally, in one embodiment, the extension members  305  and  307  cooperate with a portion of the first member  274  of the tray member  270  to grip or grasp a portion of the first member  274 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the second member  290  includes a single extension member. In a further alternative embodiment, the second member  290  does not include an extension member. 
     The coupling portion  306  of the second member  290  is configured to flex or bend. Accordingly, to remove the second member  290  from the first member  274 , the second member is lifted with respect to the first member  274 . Specifically, a user can place a finger in the space defined by the U-shaped depression  287  of the first member  274  and grasp the second member  290  of the tray member  270 . The user can then lift the second member  290  with respect to the first member  274  thereby causing the coupling portion  306  to flex or bend such that the projection  308  is removed from the opening  283  of the first member  274 . 
     The second member  290  of the tray member  270  also includes coupling portions or grooves  301  and  303 . As will be discussed below, the coupling portions or grooves  301  and  303  of the second member  290  are configured to cooperate with projections  316  and  318  of the third member  310  of the tray member  270  to removably couple the third member  310  to the second member  290 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , the third member  310  of the tray member  270  includes a side wall  312  that extends downwardly from a bottom surface  314  of the third member  310 . The third member  310  also includes projections  316  and  318  that extend inwardly from the side wall  312 . The projections  316  and  318  are configured to cooperate with the coupling portions or grooves  301  and  303  of the second member  290  of the tray member  270 , respectively to removably couple the third member  310  to the second member  290 . 
     In one embodiment, the side wall  312  of the third member  310  of the tray member  270  abuts the second member  290  of the tray member  270  when the third member  310  is coupled to the second member  290 . In other words, a seal is formed between the second member  290  and the third member  310  when the third member  310  is coupled to the second member  270 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, when the third member  310  of the tray member  270  is coupled to the second member  290  of the tray member  270 , a space is disposed between the top surface  294  of the second member  290  and the bottom surface  314  of the third member  310 . In other words, when the third member  310  is coupled to the second member  290 , the top surface  294  of the second member  290  and the bottom surface  314  of the third member  310  define a cavity. 
     Thus, when an object or an item such as food is disposed on the top surface  294  of the second member  290  and the third member  310  is coupled to the second member  290 , the item is sealed, trapped, or otherwise retained within the cavity between the second member  290  and the third member  310 . Although the tray  270  is described primarily as having three tray members, in some alternative embodiments, the tray may include only two members. For example, in such an embodiment, the first tray member and another tray member are removably coupled together to define a cavity between the first tray member and the other tray member. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the third member  310  of the tray member  270  includes handle portions  320  and  322 . The third member  310 , including the projections  316  and  318 , is configured to flex or bend. Accordingly, to remove the third member  310  from the second member  290  a user may grasp the handle portions  320  and  322  and may flex or bend the third member  310  such that the projections  316  and  318  are removed from their cooperating relationship with the coupling portion or grooves  301  and  303  of the second member  290 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the third member does not include handle portions. Rather, a user may grasp the third member along the perimeter of the third member and may flex the third member to remove the third member from the second member. In a further alternative embodiment, the entire third member is not configured to flex or bend. Rather, only a portion of the third member, for example a portion proximate one of the projections is configured to flex or bend to allow the projection to be removed from its cooperating relationship with the coupling portion or groove of the second member. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the third tray member and the other tray member to which it is coupled can be coupled by a tongue-in-groove arrangement (e.g., a Tupperware® type of connection). In other words, the various tray members may be coupled completely around their perimeters or around only a portion of their perimeters. 
     Although in the illustrated embodiment, the second member  290  of the tray member  270  is illustrated and described as being removably coupled to the first member  274  and the third member  310  is illustrated and described as being removably coupled to the second member  290 , the members  274 ,  290 , and  310  need not be configured as such. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the third member of the tray member may be removably coupled to the first member such that the second member is disposed between the first and the second member. 
     Additionally, although in the illustrated embodiment, the first member of the tray member is configured to be coupled directly to the base member, the first member need not be configured to be coupled directly to the base member. In an alternative embodiment, another member of the tray member is configured to be directly coupled to the base member. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 25 and 26 , the child support  200  may be placed in a collapsed or storage configuration. In this configuration, the back portion  214  of the base member  210  is in its parallel configuration and the tray member  270  is coupled to the base member such that the back portion  214  is disposed between the tray member  270  and the seat member  212 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tray member  270  may be coupled to the base member  210  in a reverse configuration. In other words, the tray member  270  may be rotated 180 degrees from its use position prior to coupling the tray member  270  to the base member  210  to place the child support  200  in its collapsed configuration. In addition, when the child support  200  is in its collapsed configuration, the leg members  246  and  248  are placed in their retracted configuration. As illustrated in  FIG. 25 , when the child support  200  is in the collapsed configuration, straps  227  can be coupled over the tray member  270 . The free end  350  of strap  227  can be pulled in the direction of arrow A and then secured to itself via a conventional fastener as indicated by arrow B. 
       FIG. 27  illustrates a child support in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The child support  400  includes a base member  410  that has a back portion  414 , arm portions  416  (only one arm portion is visible in  FIG. 26 ), and a seat portion  412 . In one embodiment, the back portion  414  and the arm portions  416  are upright members and extend upwardly from the seat portion  412  of the base member  410 . 
     The child support  400  also includes a tray member  470  that is removably coupled to the base member  410 . Specifically, the tray member  470  includes a first member  474 , a second member (not visible in  FIG. 27 ), and third member  510 . The second member of the tray member  470  is configured to be coupled between the first member  474  and the third member  510 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the first member  474  of the tray member  470  includes a coupling portion  476  that is configured to cooperate with a coupling portion  415  of the back portion  414  of the base member  410  to removably couple the tray portion  470  to the base member  410 . 
     In one embodiment, the coupling portion  476  of the first member  474  includes an opening and the coupling portion  415  of the back portion  414  includes a projection. The opening of the coupling portion  476  is configured to receive the projection of the back portion  414  to removably couple the first member  474  to the back portion  414 . In an alternative embodiment, the coupling portion  476  of the first member  474  includes a projection and the coupling portion  415  of the back portion  414  includes an opening configured to receive the projection. 
     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 can 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. For example, any type of coupling mechanism may be used to couple the tray member to the base member. Additionally, any type of coupling mechanism may be used to couple the various members of the tray member together.