Patent Publication Number: US-8985687-B2

Title: Infant chair apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201210087485.3 filed on Mar. 28, 2012, and to Chinese Patent Application No. 201310084093.6 filed on Mar. 15, 2013, the entirety of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present inventions relate to infant chair apparatuses. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Infant high chairs are commonly used to seat a young child so that a caregiver can conveniently serve a meal to the child. The high chair usually provides a stable support that cannot entertain the child. Therefore, there is a need for an infant chair apparatus that can entertain a child and address the foregoing issues. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present application describes infant chair apparatuses. In one embodiment, the infant chair apparatus includes a support frame, a seat pivotally connected with the support frame about a pivot axis and provided with a coupling member, and a swing drive assembly connected with the seat and the support frame. The swing drive assembly includes a spring having a first end affixed with the support frame and a movable second end, wherein the spring is operable to apply a spring force that is converted into a driving torque applied on the coupling member to impart a swing motion to the seat, and a torque adjusting mechanism respectively connected with the second end of the spring and the coupling member, the torque adjusting mechanism being operable to adjust a position of the coupling member relative to the seat. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment an infant chair apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view illustrating a seat part of the infant chair apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of portion A shown in  FIG. 2  illustrating a torque adjusting mechanism provided on the seat; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view illustrating a support frame of the infant chair apparatus shown in  FIG. 1  without the seat; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of portion B shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view illustrating a portion of a swing drive assembly provided in the housing shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the torque adjusting mechanism shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the torque adjusting mechanism shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view illustrating exemplary operation of the torque adjusting mechanism; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view illustrating the infant chair apparatus of  FIG. 1  under another perspective; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a recline adjusting mechanism provided in the infant chair apparatus; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic view illustrating a switch of the infant chair apparatus in a swing disabling state; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic view illustrating the switch of the infant chair apparatus in a swing enabling state; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic view illustrating a variant embodiment of the torque adjusting mechanism; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic view illustrating exemplary operation of the torque adjusting mechanism shown in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic view illustrating another embodiment of an infant chair apparatus; 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic view illustrating the infant chair apparatus of  FIG. 16  under another perspective; 
         FIG. 18  is schematic view illustrating a seat part of the infant chair apparatus shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic view illustrating a torque adjusting mechanism provided in the seat of the infant chair apparatus shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic view illustrating the assembly of the torque adjusting mechanism shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic view illustrating a support frame of the infant chair apparatus shown in  FIG. 16  without the seat; 
         FIG. 22  is a schematic view illustrating a portion of a swing drive assembly in the infant chair apparatus shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a schematic view illustrating a variant embodiment of the torque adjusting mechanism shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a schematic view illustrating another variant embodiment of an infant chair apparatus; 
         FIG. 25  is a schematic view illustrating the infant chair apparatus shown in  FIG. 24  without the seat; and 
         FIG. 26  is a schematic view illustrating the seat of the infant chair apparatus shown in  FIG. 24 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1-13  are schematic views illustrating an embodiment of an infant chair apparatus. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the infant chair apparatus can include a support frame  1 , and a seat  2  pivotally connected with the support frame  1 . A recline adjusting mechanism  3  and a swing drive assembly  4  may also be assembled with the seat  2  and the support frame  1 . The seat  2  can be provided with a switch  5  operable to switch between a swing enabling state where the switch  5  holds the recline adjusting mechanism  3  in an unlocking state for allowing a swing motion of the seat  2 , and a swing disabling state where the recline adjusting mechanism  3  is allowed to operate between the unlocking and locking state to adjust and lock the seat  2  in place. When the switch  5  is in the swing disabling state, the chair apparatus can be typically used as a high chair. When the switch  5  is in the swing enabling state, locking movement of the recline adjusting mechanism  3  is blocked so that the seat  2  can freely swing driven by the swing drive assembly  4 . 
     The support frame  1  can include a housing  11  arranged at each of the left and right side, and a front leg frame  12  and a rear leg frame  13  having upper ends respectively assembled with the housings  11 . The leg frames  12  and  13  can have an extended length so that the infant chair apparatus may be used as a high chair. Left and right side portions of the seat  2  can be respectively connected pivotally with the housings  11  via pivot shafts  6  that define a transversal pivot axis about which the seat  2  can rotate relative to the support frame  1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  10  and  11 , the recline adjusting mechanism  3  can include a handle  31 , two flexible transmission members  32 , and two latches  33  that respectively are assembled adjacent to the housings  11  and connected with the two transmission members  32 . The handle  31  can be assembled with the backrest  23  of the seat  2 , and can be movable vertically along the backrest  23 . The transmission members  32  can be cables, cords, wires, strips, and the like. Each transmission member  32  can have a first end connected with the handle  31 , and a second end connected with one latch  33  associated therewith. The two latches  33  can be disposed at the left and right sides of the seating portion  24  near a lower end of the backrest  23 . The latches  33  can be movable along a transversal axis to engage with and disengage from any of a plurality of locking openings  34  formed through the housings  11 . A spring  35  assembled with each latch  33  can be operable to bias the latch  33  to engage with the locking openings  34 . 
     When the recline adjusting mechanism  3  is in the locking state, each of latch  33  can be respectively biased by the spring  35  associated therewith to engage with one of the locking openings  34  to hold the seat  2  at a desired inclination relative to the support frame  1 . Rotation of the seat  2  about the pivot axis of the pivot shafts  6  can be thereby blocked. 
     When the inclination of the seat  2  is to be adjusted, an operating pad  312  arranged at an upper end of the handle  31  can be pulled upward so as to displace the handle  31 , which drives displacement of the latches  33  via the transmission members  32  to disengage from the locking openings  34 . The recline adjusting mechanism  3  can be thereby unlocked, and the seat  2  can be rotated until it reaches a desired inclination. Once the seat  2  is arranged at the desired inclination, the latches  33  can engage with another set of the locking openings  34  to lock the seat  2  in place. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  12  and  13 , the switch  5  can be pivotally assembled with the backrest  23 . In one embodiment, the switch  5  can include a shaft portion that is assembled through an elongated slot  311  of the handle  31  and has a radial arm  51  (as better shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 ), and a rotary knob affixed with the shaft portion. The elongated slot  311  can extend parallel to a lengthwise axis of the backrest  23 . The switch  5  can rotate relative to the seat  2  between a first position (as better shown in  FIG. 12 ) allowing the handle  31  to be operated to lock and unlock the recline adjusting mechanism  3 , and a second position (as better shown in  FIG. 13 ) where the switch  5  continuously holds the recline adjusting mechanism  3  in the unlocking state. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , when the switch  5  is in the first position, the radial arm  51  can extend substantially horizontal so that the handle  31  is allowed to move to a lower position for locking the recline adjusting mechanism  3 . This corresponds to a swing disabling state in which the recline adjusting mechanism  3  can lock the seat  2  in place and can unlock to permit adjustment of the inclination of the seat  2 . In the swing disabling state, the infant chair apparatus can be typically used as a stationary high chair. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , when the switch  5  is in the second position, the radial arm  51  can turn to a substantially vertical position, and push and hold the handle  31  to an upper position. The recline adjusting mechanism  3  thereby can be continuously held in the unlocking state. This corresponds to a swing enabling state in which the seat  2  is not locked with the support frame  1 , and locking movement of the recline adjusting mechanism  3  is blocked by the radial arm  51  of the switch  5 . In this configuration, the seat  2  can be driven by the swing drive assembly  4  to freely swing relative to the support frame  1  about the axis defined by the pivot shafts  6 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the seat  2  can include a backrest  23 , a seating portion  24  connected with a lower end of the backrest  23 , and a coupling member  421  arranged at a lateral side portion of the seat  2 . The seat  2  can be assembled with the support frame  1  at a position between the housings  11 . The coupling member  421  can receive the application of a driving torque by the swing drive assembly  4  to impart a swing motion to the seat  2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-9 , The swing drive assembly  4  can include a spring  41 , and a torque adjusting mechanism  42  respectively connected with the spring  41  and the coupling member  421 . 
     As better shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the spring  41  can have a first end affixed with the housing  11 , and a movable second end connected with the torque adjusting mechanism  42 . The spring  41  can exert a biasing force that is converted through the torque adjusting mechanism  42  into a driving torque which is applied on the coupling member  421  for imparting a swing motion to the seat  2 . 
     The torque adjusting mechanism  42  can be operable to modify the position of the coupling member  421  where the driving torque is applied on the seat  2 . More specifically, the torque adjusting mechanism  42  can be operable to adjust an initial length of the spring  41  so as to modify an initial spring force, and/or to change the position of the coupling member  421  on the seat  2 . The ability to adjust the position of the coupling member  421  on the seat  2  allows to change the lever arm of the driving torque applied on the seat  2 , which can set a desired range of swing amplitude. In one embodiment, the torque adjusting mechanism  42  and the spring  41  may be arranged at one side of the seat  2 . In other embodiments, a set of the same torque adjusting mechanism  42  and the spring  41  may be arranged at each of the left and right sides of the seating portion  24 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  7  and  8 , the torque adjusting mechanism  42  can include a driving member  422  and a flexible transmission member  425 . A side portion of the seat  2  can include a linear elongated slot  21 . The driving member  422  can be a screw thread that is pivotally connected with the seat  2 , and extends adjacently along the slot  21 . An end of the driving member  422  can be affixed with a rotary knob  423  that is outwardly accessible for facilitating manual operation. The coupling member  421  can have a protrusion  421   a  that projects outside the slot  21 , and a threaded hole through which the driving member  422  is engaged. Accordingly, a rotation of the driving member  422  can drive a displacement of the coupling member  421  along the slot  21 . 
     As better shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  6  and  9 , the housing  11  of the support frame  1  that is adjacent to the torque adjusting mechanism  42  can include a pulley  111 , and an opening  112  for passage of the transmission member  425 . The transmission member  425  can be a cable, a cord, a wire, a strip, a tape, or the like. The transmission member  425  can be connected with the movable end of the spring  41  at one first end, wrap around the pulley  111 , travel through the opening  112 , and connect with the protrusion  421   a  of the coupling member  421  at one second end. This routing can define a first segment of the transmission member  425  that extends linear between the spring  41  and the pulley  111 , and a second segment of the transmission member  425  that extends linear between the pulley  111  and the coupling member  421  and intersects the first segment at an angle. The slot  21  can extend along a direction that intersects the second segment of the transmission member  425  at an angle. 
     When the driving member  422  drives the coupling member  421  to move along the slot  21 , the second end of the transmission member  425  and the coupling member  421  can move in unison along the slot  21 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the torque adjusting mechanism  42  can further include a stop member  424  adapted to limit an axial displacement of the coupling member  421  along the slot  21 . The stop member  424  may be affixed with the seat  2 , and include a hole through which the driving member  422  can be assembled. 
     When the rotary knob  423  is operated to rotate the driving member  422 , the coupling member  421  can slide upward or downward along the slot  21 , which modifies the angle between the first and second segments of the transmission member  425 . The housing  42  can also include a slot  113  through which the protrusion  421  a of the coupling member  421  can project to connect with the transmission member  425 . The slot  113  can have a fan or curved shape that can delimit a maximum range of amplitude in the swing travel of the seat  2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 9 , the force exerted by the spring  41  can be transmitted along the transmission member  425  and converted into a driving torque applied at the coupling member  421  on the seat  2 . The lever arm of the driving torque can be defined as the distance between the pivot axis of the pivot shafts  6  and the second segment of the transmission member  425  extending between the pulley  111  and the coupling member  421 . 
     When the coupling member  421  moves relative to the seat  2  along the slot  21 , the transmission member  425  attached thereto can draw a slight displacement of the spring  41  that modifies its length. The displacement of the coupling member  421  relative to the seat  2  can also modify the direction along which the second segment of the transmission member  425  extends, which changes the lever arm of the driving torque applied at the coupling member  421 . As a result, the range of the driving torque applied on the seat  2  can be adjusted. Referring to the example shown in  FIG. 9 , a greater torque  1   a  can be adapted to drive a swing motion for a child of a higher weight, whereas a smaller torque  1   b  can be sufficient to drive a swing motion for a child of a smaller weight. With the torque adjusting mechanism  42 , a suitable torque can be accordingly applied in accordance with the weight of the child to provide a smooth and comfortable swing motion. Problems such as excessive swing amplitudes when the child is lighter in weight, or insufficient swing amplitudes owing to a heavier child can be thereby overcome. 
     In alternate embodiments, the slot  21  may be modified to have a curved shape so that movement of the coupling member  421  along the slot  21  would not result in a change in the length of the spring  41 . 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  are schematic views illustrating a variant embodiment of the torque adjusting mechanism  42  shown previously. One difference of the torque adjusting mechanism  42  shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15  includes the configuration of the slot  21 , which can linearly extend along the same direction as the second segment of the transmission member  425  extending between the pulley  111  and the coupling member  421 . The lever arm of the torque applied at the coupling member  421  can be defined as the distance between the axis of the pivot shafts  6  and the second segment of the transmission member  425  extending between the pulley  111  and the coupling member  421 . The other component parts and connections can be similar to the embodiment described previously. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , a controlled displacement of the coupling member  421  along the slot  21  can cause the spring  41  to deform, which results in a change in the applied spring force. While the coupling member  421  moves along the slot  21 , the lever arm  1   c  of the driving torque can remain constant. As a result, the torque applied at the coupling member  421  on the seat  2  can be desirably adjusted. 
       FIGS. 16-22  are schematic views illustrating another variant embodiment of the infant chair apparatus. This embodiment can be partially similar to the embodiments described previously. The recline adjusting mechanism  3  can include the handle  31 , the two transmission members  32  and two latches  33 ′. Each of the two housings  11  can include a plurality of locking openings  34 ′ for engagement of one adjacent latch  33 ′, and a curved slot  36  that connects with the locking openings  34 ′. The latches  33 ′ can be respectively guided in movement along the slots  36 , and can respectively engage with any of the locking openings  34 ′ to lock the seat  2  at a desired inclination. 
     The handle  31  can be assembled with the backrest of the seat  2 . Each transmission member  32  can have a first end connected with the handle  31 , and a second end connected with one latch  33 ′ associated therewith. The two latches  33 ′ can be pivotally assembled at the left and right sides of the seat  2 , and can respectively engage with any of a plurality of locking openings  34 ′ formed through the housings  11 . A spring  35 ′ assembled with each latch  33 ′ can be operable to bias the latch  33 ′ to engage with any of the locking openings  34 ′. 
     When it is operated, the handle  31  can pull the transmission members  32  upward, which drives the latches  33 ′ to respectively disengage from the locking openings  34 ′ and enter the slots  36 . As the seat  2  is pivoted to modify its inclination, the latches  33 ′ can respectively slide along the slots  36 . Once the seat  2  is at the desired inclination, the handle  31  can be released, and the latches  33 ′ biased by the springs  35 ′ can engage with a corresponding set of the locking openings  34 ′ to lock the seat  2  in place. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 18-20  and  22 , the seat  2  can include a coupling member  421 ′ where a driving torque can be applied to impart a swing motion to the seat  2 . More specifically, a side portion of the seat  2  can have a guide slot  21 ′ through which the coupling member  421 ′ can be movably assembled with the seat  2 . 
     The torque adjusting mechanism  42  can be operable to modify the position of the coupling member  421 ′ along the guide slot  21 ′. The torque adjusting mechanism  42  can include the flexible transmission member  425  and a driving member  422 ′ provided as a rotary part. The transmission member  425  can have a first end connected with the movable end of the spring  41 , and a second end connected with the coupling member  421 ′. The driving member  422 ′ can have a central shaft pivotally connected with the seat  2 , a first end connected with the coupling member  421 ′, and a second end opposite to the first end that is movably connected with an actuator button  423 ′. 
     The actuator button  423 ′ is movable radially relative to the rotation axis of the driving member  422 ′. Moreover, the actuator button  423 ′ can have an engaging protrusion  423 ′a that can engage with any of a plurality of grooves  22 ′ provided on the side portion of the seat  2  at different radial positions relative to the rotation axis of the driving member  422 ′. A spring  424 ′ can be assembled between the actuator button  423 ′ and the rotary member  422 ′. The spring  424 ′ can bias the actuator button  423 ′ for urging the engaging protrusion  423 ′a to engage with any of the grooves  22 ′. When the actuator button  423 ′ is depressed, the engaging protrusion  423 ′a can disengage from any of the grooves  22 ′. The driving member  422 ′ then can rotate to drive displacement of the coupling member  421 ′ along the slot  21 ′, which in turn pulls on the transmission member  425  to modify the direction along which the second segment of the transmission member  425  extends between the pulley  111  and the coupling member  421 ′. Once the coupling member  421 ′ reaches the desired position, the engaging protrusion  423 ′a can engage with one of the grooves  22 ′ to lock the actuator button  423 ′ in place. The driving member  422 ′ and the coupling member  421 ′ can be thereby rotationally locked. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the slot  21 ′ can have a linear shape, and the coupling member  421 ′ can be movably connected with the driving member  422 ′. When the driving member  422 ′ rotates, a relative displacement between the coupling member  421 ′ and the driving member  422 ′ can occur to facilitate driving of the coupling member  421 ′ along the slot  21 ′. In other embodiments, the slot  21 ′ can have a curved shape, and the coupling member  421 ′ may be fixedly secured with the driving member  422 ′. 
       FIG. 23  is a schematic view illustrating a variant embodiment of the torque adjusting mechanism shown in  FIG. 19 . In  FIG. 23 , the transmission member  425  is replaced with a spring  425 ′ that has a first end connected with the housing  11 , and a second end connected with the coupling member  421 ′. Moreover, the spring  41 ′ can also be commonly connected with the coupling member  421 ′. Both the springs  41  and  425 ′ can be extension springs. Like previously described, the position of the coupling member  421 ′ relative to the seat  2  can be changed by, for example, operating the driving member  422 ′. A movement of the coupling member  421 ′ relative to the seat  2  can adjust the spring forces respectively exerted by the springs  41  and  425 ′, and the lever arms of the torques respectively applied by the springs  41  and  425 ′ relative to the pivot axis of the pivot shafts  6 . With this construction, the total torque applied by the springs  41  and  425 ′ at the coupling member  421 ′ on the seat  2  can be accordingly adjusted to provide a desired swing motion. 
       FIGS. 24 and 26  are schematic views illustrating another embodiment of the infant chair apparatus. In this embodiment, the swing drive assembly  4  can include an coupling member  421 ″ that is affixed with the seat  2  at a lateral side of the backrest, and can be guided for movement along a slot  113  formed in the housing  11  during the swing travel of the seat  2 . The spring  41  can have a first end connected at a pivot point of an armrest  16  on the support frame  1 , and a second end connected with the coupling member  421 ″ of the seat  2 . The pivot axis of the pivot shafts  6  where the seat  2  is pivotally assembled with the support frame  1  can be located adjacent to a front portion of the seating portion  24 . When the seat  2  swings relative to the support frame  1  about the pivot shafts  6 , the coupling member  421 ″ can move along the slot  113 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 24 , the infant chair apparatus can further include cushion springs  8  respectively disposed adjacent to the pivot shafts  6  and connected with the support frame  1  and the seat  2 . The cushion springs  8  can prevent the seat  2  from bouncing forward during the swing travel. 
     Embodiments illustrated herein describe infant chair apparatuses that can include a recline adjusting mechanism operable to set a desired inclination of the seat, and a swing drive assembly operable to impart a swing motion to the seat. The swing drive assembly can include a spring operable to exert a spring force that can be converted into a driving torque applied at a coupling member on the seat, and a torque adjusting mechanism operable to modify a position of the coupling member relative to the seat to adjust the driving torque. Moreover, the infant chair apparatuses can include a switch having a swing disabled state in which the infant chair can be used as a stationary chair, and a swing enabling state in which a swing motion with an adjustable amplitude can be imparted to the seating portion of the chair relative to the support frame. As a result, the infant chair apparatus can be more versatile in use. 
     Realizations of the infant chair apparatus have been described only in the context of particular embodiments. These embodiments are meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. Accordingly, plural instances may be provided for components described herein as a single instance. Structures and functionality presented as discrete components in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the inventions as defined in the claims that follow.