Patent Publication Number: US-2022225790-A1

Title: Convertible children&#39;s seat

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/137,797 filed Jan. 15, 2021, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to the field of infant and children&#39;s gear, and more particularly to a rocker that is convertible into a children&#39;s seat or a children&#39;s bouncer. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Children&#39;s supporting devices such as seats, rockers, bouncers, sleepers, bassinets, and the like are commonly used to hold infants and other small children during rest, play, and entertainment. Infants are supported in a supine position whereas toddlers and other small children are supported in a more inclined position. In some cases, a caregiver must acquire a new seat or rocker when the child grows from an infant to a toddler. Continuing developments and improvements are sought in the field of child seats and rockers that accommodate the seating position of both infants and toddlers. 
     It is to the provision of a children&#39;s seat convertible between different modes meeting these and other needs that the present disclosure is primarily directed. 
     SUMMARY 
     In example embodiments, the present disclosure provides a convertible children&#39;s seat that may be interchangeable between a rocker mode, a bouncer mode, and a stationary seat mode. 
     In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a children&#39;s seat for supporting a child over a support surface. The children&#39;s seat includes a child support port and a base portion. The base portion is reconfigurable so at to allow selective use of the children&#39;s seat as a bouncer, a rocker, or a stationary chair. In example embodiments, the base portion includes a base frame with one or more base members having curved or rounded bottom surfaces. The base portion further includes a kickstand that is pivotally coupled to the base portion and is pivotable between an extended position and a retracted position with the kickstand engaging the support surface in the extended position. The base portion further includes a bouncer frame with base support members having first ends and second ends opposite the first ends, a front crossbar extending between the first ends of the base support members, and upwardly angled extending side members extending from the second ends of the base support members. In example embodiments, the bouncer frame is detachably coupled to the base portion and is reconfigurable between an extended position and a retracted position, the bouncer frame engaging the support surface in the extended position. The base portion may further include one or more feet or stoppers. In example embodiments, the child support portion includes a seat assembly adapted for receiving and securing a child or infant. The child support portion may also include a motion control device which departs motion to the child support portion. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a convertible children&#39;s seat. The convertible children&#39;s seat includes a base frame, a seat assembly, a kickstand, and a bouncer frame. The convertible children&#39;s seat is configured for selective use in a bouncer mode, a rocker mode, and a stationary chair mode. In example embodiments, the kickstand and bouncer frame are connected to the base frame and each of the kickstand and bouncer frame is selectively reconfigurable between an extended position and a retracted position. In the bouncer mode, the kickstand and the bouncer frame are in the extended positions. In the rocker mode, the kickstand and the bouncer frame are in the retracted positions. In the stationary chair mode, the kickstand is in the extended position while the bouncer frame is in the retracted position. 
     In yet another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of converting a 3-in-1 children&#39;s seat between a bouncer mode, a rocking mode, and a stationary mode, the children&#39;s seat having a seat assembly supported by a base frame with a kickstand moveable between an extended position and a retracted position and a bouncer frame moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. The method includes moving both the kickstand and the bouncer frame to the extended positions for the bouncing mode, moving both the kickstand and the bouncer frame to the retracted position for the rocker mode, and moving the kickstand to the extended position and the bouncer frame to the retracted position for the stationary mode. 
     These and other aspects, features and advantages of the disclosure will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of example embodiments are explanatory of example embodiments of the disclosure, and are not restrictive of the disclosure, as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a convertible children&#39;s seat according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom, side perspective view of the convertible children&#39;s seat of  FIG. 1  according to an example embodiment, showing the convertible children&#39;s seat in a children&#39;s seat mode. 
         FIG. 3A  shows the convertible children&#39;s seat of  FIG. 1  in a bouncer mode. 
         FIG. 3B  shows the convertible children&#39;s seat of  FIG. 1  in a rocker mode. 
         FIG. 3C  shows the convertible children&#39;s seat of  FIG. 1  in a stationary chair mode. 
         FIGS. 4A-4C  show the convertible children&#39;s seat of  FIG. 1 , showing the convertible children&#39;s seat in various modes of use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of example embodiments taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed disclosure. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. 
     Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. 
     With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1-4C  show a plurality of examples of a convertible children&#39;s seat  100  that may be converted into a bouncer, a rocker, or a stationary seat according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. In example embodiments, the convertible children&#39;s seat comprises a support frame  10 , a seat assembly  20 , and a bouncer frame  30 . 
     In example embodiments, the frame  10  is constructed of any suitable material such as, for example, plastic, metal, wood, polymer, composite, or other suitably rigid materials known in the art. In particular embodiments, the seat assembly  20  is formed from soft goods attached to the frame  10 . In some embodiments, the seat assembly  20  further comprises additional padding  28  for providing comfort and support to an infant or toddler using the children&#39;s seat  100 . The seat assembly  20  also includes a harness  22  configured to be selectively attached to the seat assembly  20  to secure a child in the seat. In particular embodiments, a toy bar  24  is releasably and rotatably coupled to the frame  10 . One or more toys or other soothing/entertaining devices may be releasably or fixedly coupled to the toy bar  24 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the convertible children&#39;s seat  10  may further include a control device  26  secured to a front portion of the seat assembly  20 . In other embodiments, the control device  26  may be permanently secured to the seat assembly  20 . The control device  26  may be used to impart a bouncing motion, a rocking motion, or a vibration onto the convertible children&#39;s seat  10 . In some embodiments, the control device  26  may also store and play music or other sounds to soothe an infant seated in the children&#39;s seat. 
       FIG. 1  shows the convertible children&#39;s seat  100  in a bouncer mode  200 . According to various embodiments, the frame  10  includes left and right frame or base members  12 . The left and right base members or legs  12  are mirror images of each other and have a generally trapezoidal shape. In example embodiments, the left and right base members  12  have a curved bottom surface enabling the children&#39;s seat  100  to rock when placed on a support surface such as for example the floor or the ground. In alternate embodiments, the legs or base members may be any suitable shape having a rounded, rocking base or bottom surface. In particular embodiments, the curved bottom may include one or more interference members  14  such as feet, stoppers, etc., for limiting the rocking movement of the children&#39;s seat while in the rocker mode. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the children&#39;s seat  100  includes front feet  14  for limiting the forward rocking motion of the rocker. In alternate embodiments, the children&#39;s seat  100  may include front and rear feet for limiting the forward and backward rocking motion of the rocker. 
     In particular embodiments, the children&#39;s seat  100  also includes a rear kickstand  16 . The kickstand  16  is pivotally coupled to the left and right base members  12  and is selectively moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. According to example embodiments, the kickstand  16  can be extended to engage the support surface to prevent the children&#39;s seat  100  from rocking for example in the stationary or bouncer modes. In the retracted or folded position, the kickstand  16  is selectively pivoted or otherwise moved so that it does not engage the support surface, and therefore, the children&#39;s seat is able to rock, depending upon the position of the bouncer frame  30 . In example embodiments, the kickstand  16  is pivotally coupled to the frame members  12  with any suitable fastening mechanism such as screws, bolts, rivets, adhesive, welding, friction fit, etc. In some embodiments, the kickstand  16  may be releasably coupled to the children&#39;s seat  100  so as to allow the kickstand  16  to be removed entirely from the frame  10  when the kickstand is not needed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the bouncer frame  30  includes base support members  32  having a front crossbar  34 , and a pair of upwardly and forwardly extending side members  36  that extend from the rear ends of the base support members  32 . In the depicted embodiments, the base support members  32 , the front crossbar  34 , and the upwardly extending side members  36  are integrally formed from a suitable resilient material, such as for example, metal. Further, the upwardly extending side members  36  are resiliently deflectable downwardly toward the base support members  32 . According to example embodiments, the bouncer frame  30  is selectively reconfigurable between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the bouncer frame  30  engages the support surface and provides an elastic or spring-like support to allow for example the front end of the children&#39;s seat  100  to bounce up and down, as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 4A . For example, when an infant is placed in the convertible children&#39;s seat  100 , the infant can be gently bounced by applying pressure to the seat assembly  20 , for example the front or the back of the seat assembly, such that the upwardly extending side members  36  are resiliently bent downwardly slightly and then resiliently returned to the original position. In other words, the bouncer frame  30  is configured to facilitate a bouncing motion as shown in  FIG. 4A . The bounce mode can be engaged with or without the kickstand  16  in the extended position. In the retracted position, the bouncer frame is positioned so that it does not engage the support surface and the seat is supported substantially by the frame members  12 , as shown in  FIG. 3B . In alternate embodiments, the bouncer frame  30  may comprise a plurality of components, for example the base support members  32 , the front crossbar  34 , and the upwardly extending side members  32 , which can be joined or otherwise assembled together to form the bouncer frame. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A-3B , to convert the convertible children&#39;s seat  100  from the bouncer mode  200  to the rocking mode  300 , the bouncer frame  30  is removed from the base members  12 . The bouncer frame is then rotated 180°, or upside-down, and then reattached to the base members  12  so that the bouncer frame does not engage the support surface. In example embodiments, the bouncer frame  30  is coupled to the base members via a post or peg on the bouncer frame that may be inserted into openings in the base members  12 . In alternate embodiments, the bouncer frame  30  may be releasably attached to the frame  10  via any suitable method. To convert the convertible children&#39;s seat  100  from the rocking mode  300  to the stationary mode  400 , the kickstand  16  is pivoted or otherwise positioned so that it engages the support surface, as shown in  FIG. 3C . According to example embodiments, the children&#39;s seat is supported by the front feet  14  and the kickstand  16  in the stationary mode  400 . In example embodiments, the kickstand  16  elevates the rear end of the children&#39;s seat so the seat is positioned more vertically than it is in the rocking or bouncer modes to allow more of an upright seated position rather than a lying position. See  FIG. 4C . 
       FIGS. 4A-4C  depict the grow-with-me aspect of the convertible children&#39;s seat  100 . The grow-with-me aspect allows the seat to adapt to fit the needs of the child as he/she grows and develops. For example, during the first few months of an infant&#39;s life, a care-taker can use the bouncer mode  200  to soothe the infant. As the infant grows and develops more muscle control, the rocking mode  300  may be used to calm the child. Finally, once the child becomes a toddler and is able to stand or stay seated upright on his/her own, the convertible children&#39;s seat  10  can be converted to be used as a stationary seat  400 , with or without the additional padding. 
     While the disclosure has been described with reference to example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the disclosure, as defined by the following claims.