Patent Publication Number: US-6666505-B2

Title: Reclining child seat

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to child seats and, in particular, to a reclining child seat. 
     Parents and care givers for infants and children routinely use seats or chairs in the care of children. For example, a care giver may place a child in a high chair to assist in feeding the child. The care giver may also use a mechanized child swing to sooth or entertain a child. 
     Infants and small children often pass from wakefulness to sleep in just a few minutes. Many parents are familiar with the experience of having a child fall asleep in a high chair while eating a meal. Mechanized swings are also used help a child go to sleep. However, when a child falls asleep in a high chair or a swing, the child is usually in an upright position. This body position often prevents the child from resting well. Thus, a child care giver must lay the child down for the duration of the child&#39;s sleep. However, removing the child from the seat may cause unwanted disruption to the child&#39;s slumber. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have an improved child seat that may be easily reclined to allow the child to recline and sleep without disruption. 
     While reclining seats are known in the art, there exists a need for a reclining child seat that can be operated easily. There further exists a need for a child seat with a back rest that may be adjusted simply and locked into position securely. A need also exists for a reclining child seat which allows the child care giver to choose the desired adjustment angle of a seat back relative to a seat surface by seeing potential engagement positions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, a chair comprising a seat member, a back rest, and first and second recline mechanisms is provided. The chair may form part of a child swing or a child high chair, for example. The seat member includes first and second back rest support portions, each having a tooth-receiving member at an upper exterior surface thereof. The back rest is pivotally connected to the seat member. The recline mechanisms each include a lever mounted to the back rest. The lever has a tooth for receipt in the tooth-receiving member, and the lever is movable between an engaged state and a disengaged state. When the lever is in the engaged state, the tooth engages the tooth-receiving member to prevent rearward pivotal motion of the back rest relative to the seat member. When the lever is in the disengaged state, the tooth is disengaged from the tooth-receiving member. When the levers of the first and second recline mechanisms both are in the disengaged state, the back rest is allowed to pivot relative to the seat member. 
     The tooth-receiving member of each back rest support portion may comprise a slot formed at the upper exterior surface of the back rest support portion. The tooth-receiving member may be a first tooth-receiving member, and each back rest support portion may further comprise a second tooth-receiving member. In such an arrangement, the levers may position the back rest at a first angle relative to the seat member when the teeth of the levers engage the first tooth-receiving members, and the levers may position the back rest at a second angle relative to the seat member when the teeth of the levers engage the second tooth-receiving members. The tooth-receiving members may be formed at the upper surface of each back rest support portion at locations to correspond to different recline angles of the back rest relative to the seat member. 
     The back rest further may comprise a side fender with a window disposed therein, and the lever may comprise a grip extending through the window. In addition, the lever may be biased to the engaged state by a spring element, such as a spring or a spring arm. 
     The lever may comprise an upper portion having guide nub, a lower portion having a pivot member, and a spring retention post, and the back rest may comprise a first rib having a guide reception slot, a second rib having a pivot reception slot, and a spring bearing area. In another embodiment, the lever may comprise an upper portion having guide nub and a lower portion having a pivot member, and the back rest may comprise a guide nub bearing area, a spring arm bearing area, and a pivot axle. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a chair is provided that comprises a seat member having first and second sides, a back rest pivotally connected to the seat member, and first and second recline mechanisms. Each side of the seat member has a tooth-receiving member. The recline mechanisms each include a lever mounted to the back rest. The lever has a barbed tooth, and the lever is movable between an engaged state and a disengaged state. When the lever is in the engaged state, the barbed tooth engages the tooth-receiving member to prevent rearward pivotal motion of the back rest relative to the seat member, and, when the lever is in the disengaged state, the barbed tooth is disengaged from the tooth-receiving member. When the levers of the recline mechanisms are both in the disengaged state, the back rest is allowed to pivot relative to the seat member. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, a chair is provided that comprises a seat member having first and second sides, a back rest pivotally connected to the seat member, and first and second recline mechanisms. Each side of the seat member has a first set of tooth-receiving members. The recline mechanism each include a lever mounted to the back rest. The lever has a set of teeth, and the lever is movable between an engaged state and a disengaged state. When the lever is in the engaged state, the set of teeth engages the set of tooth-receiving members to prevent rearward pivotal motion of the back rest relative to the seat member. When the lever is in the disengaged state, the set of teeth is disengaged from the set of tooth-receiving members. When the levers of the recline mechanisms are both in the disengaged states, the back rest is allowed to pivot relative to the seat member. The chair may include first and second sets of tooth-receiving members. The first set of tooth-receiving members may comprise a first pair of adjacent slots formed in the seat member, and the second set of tooth-receiving members may comprise a second pair of adjacent slots formed in the seat member spaced from the first pair of adjacent slots. The set of teeth may comprise a pair of teeth arranged to selectively engage the first and second pairs of adjacent slots. 
     According to still another aspect of the invention, a method for changing a position of a back rest of a chair relative to a seat member of the chair is provided. The method comprises providing the chair with a back rest support portion. The back rest support portion has a plurality of tooth-receiving slots on an upper exterior surface thereof. The method also comprises mounting a lever to the back rest, the lever having a tooth for receipt in the tooth-receiving slots. The method further comprises engaging the tooth in a first one of the tooth-receiving slots to position the back rest at a first angle relative to the seat member; disengaging the tooth of the lever from the first one of the tooth-receiving slots; pivoting the back rest relative to the seat member; and engaging the tooth in a second one of the tooth-receiving slots to position the back rest at a second angle relative to the seat member. The disengaging step may include deforming a spring that biases the lever into an engaged state. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, a chair is provided that comprises a seat member, a back rest pivotally connected to the seat member, and a recline mechanism. The back rest support portion has a tooth-receiving member. The recline mechanism includes a lever mounted to the back rest, and the lever has a tooth for receipt in the tooth-receiving member. The lever is movable between an engaged state, in which the tooth is received in the tooth-receiving member, and a disengaged state, in which the tooth is disengaged from the tooth-receiving member. When the lever is in the engaged state, inclining the back rest causes the lever to assume the disengaged state. 
     Various preferred embodiments of the invention will now be set forth in more detail. These embodiments are provided by way of example only, and should not be construed as limiting. Other embodiments as would occur to those skilled in the art are also within the spirit and scope of this invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, appended claims, and the accompanying exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, which are briefly described below. 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a reclining child seat shown as part of a high chair structure in accordance with the present invention, with exemplary back rest recline positions shown in phantom; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the reclining child seat of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a portion of the recline mechanism of the reclining child seat of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged, detail view of the recline mechanism of the reclining child seat of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional side view of the recline mechanism shown in FIGS. 1-4; 
     FIG. 6A is an enlarged, detail view of the recline mechanism of FIGS. 1-5 in an engaged state; 
     FIG. 6B is an enlarged, detail view of the recline mechanism of FIGS. 1-5 in a disengaged state; 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of another embodiment of a reclining child seat shown as part of a high chair structure in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a front view of the invention shown in FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of yet another embodiment of a reclining child seat suitable, for example, for use in a child swing, in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the reclining child seat of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the reclining child seat of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a seat member of the reclining child seat of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a portion of the recline mechanism of the child seat of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 14 is a partial cross sectional side view of the recline mechanism shown in FIGS. 9-13; 
     FIG. 15A is an enlarged, detail view of the recline mechanism of FIGS. 9-14 in an engaged state; and 
     FIG. 15B is an enlarged, detail view of the recline mechanism of FIGS. 9-14 in a disengaged state; 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention provides a reclining child seat that includes a back rest pivotally connected to a seat member so that the back rest can be selectively pivoted to various recline angles relative to the seat member. In use, a child may sit on the seat surface, and the back of the child may be supported by the back rest. As the angle of the back rest is adjusted by a parent or child care giver, the child seat will support the body of the child in various body positions. For example, when the back rest is fully reclined, the body of the child will be supported in a more restful horizontal position. In contrast, when the back rest is fully inclined, the body of the child is supported in an upright, sitting position. 
     FIGS. 1-7 illustrate a reclining child seat in accordance with the invention. The reclining child seat  10  forms part of a child high chair  1  in this embodiment, as shown in FIG.  1 . The reclining child seat  10  may comprise a seat member  100 , an adjustable back rest  200 , and recline mechanisms  300  on either side of the seat  10 . These components of the reclining child seat may be constructed of plastic that has been injection-molded, blow molded, or formed by other conventional molding techniques. The recline mechanisms  300  may be used to adjust the angle of back rest  200  to a plurality of angles with respect to the surface of seat member  100 , as shown in phantom. Here, three levels of recline are shown; however, it will be understood that the child seat can be formed to adjust to a different number of recline angles. 
     An exploded rear perspective view of the reclining child seat  10  is shown in FIG.  2 . The adjustable back rest  200  may be pivotally connected or mounted to seat  100 . The seat member  100  can include generally planar seat section  110  upon which a child can sit. Back rest  200  can include a generally planar back rest section  210 . The plane of the back rest section  210  can intersect an axis defined by or parallel to the rear boundary  114  of the seat section  110 . In this regard, the back rest  200  may be connected to the seat member  100  via hinge members  160   a ,  160   b  disposed along the rear boundary  114  of the seat section  110  and the lower boundary  214  of the back rest section  210 , respectively. This hinge  160   a ,  160   b  allows the back rest  200  to pivot relative to the seat member  100  to thereby adjust the angle between the back rest section  210  and the seat section  110 . In other embodiments of the invention, the back rest  200  may be connected to the seat member  100  by a pivot point on either side of the back rest or by a pivot axle disposed parallel to the rear boundary of the seat surface. Other pivot means known to those skilled in the art are also within the scope of the invention. 
     The seat member  100  can include left and right seat sides  126  and  128 , each having an arm support portion  132  and a back rest support portion  134 . Arm support portion  132  is disposed toward the front of seat member  100 , while back rest support portion  134  is disposed toward the rear of seat member  100 , as shown in FIG.  2 . When the back rest  200  is connected to the seat member  100 , and the back rest is in an upright position, the arm support portions  132  generally are in front of the back rest  200 . The back rest support portions  134  generally define that part of the seat member  200  that the back rest  200  contacts through its range of motion. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the upper surface or edge  136  of the seat member  100  between the arm support portions  132  and the back rest support portions  134  is contiguous, the seat member  100  being a unitary molded piece. In other embodiments, the top surface  136  between the arm support portions and the back rest support portions need not be contiguous. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the arm support portions  132  include fixtures  138  adapted to receive a child tray (not shown). This child tray can be used to support foodstuff or toys for the child. When the child tray is not present, the arm support portions  132  may be used by the occupant of the child seat as arm rests. 
     The back rest support portions  134  of the left and right seat sides  126  and  128  guide the motion of, and support the load borne by, the back rest  200 . The back rest support portions  134  may be connected to each other by a rear support  140 . The rear support  140  may serve as a brace or strut to prevent flexion or deformation of the child seat as the seat section  110  receives a load. The lateral stability of the rear support  140  also may prevent left and right sides  126  and  128  from collapsing inward toward the center of seat surface  110  as the load of the child bears downward on seat surface  110 . This rear support  140  also can support the back rest  200  when the back rest  200  is positioned in a fully reclined position. 
     The upper exterior surface  136  of each back rest support portion  134  may include spaced tooth-receiving members, or tooth-receiving openings,  150 , such as slots, apertures, depressions, holes, or notches. Openings  150  are adapted to receive engagement teeth  314  of an engagement lever  310 , as will be described below. 
     The child seat  10  of the present invention is provided with recline mechanisms  300 , shown generally in FIG.  1 . The recline mechanisms  300  inhibit or enable the motion of back rest  200  relative to seat member  100 . The recline mechanisms  300  may also control the angle at which back rest  200  may be fixed relative to seat surface  110 . 
     Each recline mechanism  300  comprises an engagement lever  310 . The engagement levers  310  are mounted to the right and left sides of the seat back  200 , as shown in FIG.  2 . The engagement levers  310  each include teeth  314 . The teeth  314  on the engagement levers  310  may engage respective openings  150  on the back rest support portions  134  of seat member  100  to lock the back rest  200  at a selected recline angle relative to the seat member  100 . The engagement levers  310  are mounted to a back side of the back rest  200  between side panels of the back rest section  210  and fenders  220 , as seen in FIGS. 3-5. The engagement levers  310  are mounted for movement between an engaged state (FIG. 6A) and a disengaged state (FIG.  6 B). Spring elements  390  may bias the engagement levers  310  to the engaged state. 
     The assembly of an engagement lever  310  to the back rest  200  is shown in greater detail in FIG.  3 . The engagement lever  310  may comprise an upper portion  320  and a lower portion  330 . The lower portion  330  of the engagement lever  310  has a pair of teeth  314 . The lower portion  330  also has a pivot member, or pivot tongue,  312 . The upper portion  320  of the engagement lever  310  has a guide nub  316  and a spring retention post  318 . The engagement lever  310  also has a gripping surface  350  that may be configured with notches or contours for fingers or palms. The engagement lever  310  may be shaped to have rounded, smooth surfaces. 
     As mentioned above, the engagement lever  310  is connected to the back rest  200  between a fender  220  and a side panel of the back rest section  210 . The fender  220  is shown partially cut away in FIG.  3 . The back rest  200  is provided with a plurality of ribs  222 ,  224 , and  226  disposed between the back rest section  210  and the fender  220 . Guide rib  226  is provided with a guide slot  236  to receive the guide nub  316  of the engagement lever  310 . Spring retention rib  224  is provided below the guide rib  226 . Pivot rib  222  is provided with a pivot slot  232  to receive the pivot tongue  312 . Spring element  390  may be a spring that extends between the spring receiving post  318  of the lever  310  and spring bearing surface  228  of the back rest  200 , as shown in FIG.  5 . The spring  390  provides a biasing force about pivot  312  in the direction of arrow X of FIG. 5 to bias the lever in an engaged state, in which teeth  314  engage appropriate openings  150 . It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the spring  390  may be placed in any number of locations so as to exert a force to bias the engagement lever  310 . In addition, the spring  390  may be integrally appended to either the back rest  200  or the engagement lever  310 . 
     FIG. 4 illustrates how the engagement lever  310  interacts with openings  150  in the back rest support portion  134  to operate as a recline mechanism  300  of the child high chair embodiment shown in FIG.  1 . In FIG. 4, the fender  220  is shown partially cut away in order to more fully illustrate the manner in which the engagement lever  310  engages with the back rest support portion  134 . As can be seen, guide nub  314  is positioned in guide slot  236 ; spring  390  is seated on spring receiving post  318 ; and pivot  312  is positioned in pivot slot  232  (not labeled). The pivot  312  serves as the fulcrum of the engagement lever  310 . The engagement lever  310  is rotatable at least partially about the pivot  312 . 
     FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional side view of a recline mechanism  300 , as shown in FIGS. 1-4. The teeth  314  of the engagement lever  310  are shown engaged in the first of a series of openings  150 . In this embodiment, the teeth are positioned side-by-side, and the openings  150  are formed as sets of adjacent slots disposed at points A, B, and C along the arc of the back rest support portion  134 . The openings  150  may be disposed equidistant from the pivot axis defined by hinge  160  (FIG. 2) so that the back rest  200  can pivot about the hinge  160 . The teeth  314  engage tooth-receiving members or openings  150  on the back rest support portion  134  of the seat member  100  to lock the back rest  200  in place at a first angle corresponding to the set of slots disposed at point A, a second angle corresponding to the set of slots at point B, and so forth, to establish the recline angle of the back rest  200  relative to the seat section  110 . 
     As previously mentioned, the back rest support portion  134  on either side of the child seat  10  is provided with a plurality of tooth-receiving members or openings  150 , such as slots, notches, or holes. These openings  150  may be disposed serially along the arc of the back rest support portion  134  within the plane of motion of the engagement lever  310 , as shown in FIG.  5 . The various positions A, B, and C along the back rest support portion  134  of openings  150  define the various angles to which the back rest  100  may be adjusted. When the engagement teeth  314  are engaged in the openings  150 , the back rest  100  is locked into position at the corresponding angle. 
     The engagement lever  310  has at least two states, an engaged state and a disengaged state, shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B respectively. The lever  310  is biased to the engaged state of FIG. 6A by spring  390 . In the engaged state, the teeth  314  of the engagement lever  310  are engaged in openings  150  on back rest support portion  134  of the seat member  100 , as shown in FIGS. 4,  5 , and  6 A. In this state, the spring  390  exerts, by way of lever  310 , a force on the wall defining the opening  150  to prevent the engagement teeth  314  from moving. Accordingly, the back rest  200  is prevented from pivoting and is locked in position. In addition, the guide nub  316  on upper portion  320  of engagement lever  310  may be biased to the end of guide slot  236  in guide rib  226 . 
     The state of the engagement lever  310  may be changed by rotating the lever  310  about pivot  312  against the bias of the spring  390 . Rotation of the lever  310  causes the spring  390  to extend or compress from its biased state, depending on the type of spring used and upon how the spring is disposed in relation to the lever. The spring  390  of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6B is compressed upon movement of the lever  310  from its engaged state to its disengaged state. Other spring variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. As the engagement lever  310  rotates about the pivot  312 , the engagement teeth  314  disengage from the openings  150  and thus the lever  310  disengages from the back rest support portion  134 . 
     FIG. 6B shows the lever  310  in the disengaged state. To disengage the lever  310 , a user may place his palms against the front of the fenders  220  and wrap his fingers around the sides of the fenders  220  to contact the grip surface  350  of the levers  310 . The user then can apply pressure on the levers  310  by squeezing the levers  310  toward the front face of the back rest  200 . When pressure is exerted on the upper portion  320  or grip surface  350  of lever  310 , the pivot  312  pivots in pivot slot  232  (hidden) to allow the lever  310  to rotate. As the lever  310  rotates, the teeth  314  disengage from openings  150 . The back rest  200  then is free to pivot along the axis corresponding to the rear boundary  114  of the seat section  110 . 
     FIG. 5 illustrates another aspect of the invention. The teeth  314  of the engagement lever  310  may include barbs  315 . Barbs  315  assist in more securely locking the back rest  200  in position. In use, the slope of the barb  315  allows the tooth  314  to easily slide into slot  150 . Once in the engaged state, the spring  390  biases the engagement lever  310  to cause the barb  315  to abut an interior surface of back rest support portion  134 . Thus, when barbed tooth  314  engages tooth-receiving member  150 , the barb  315  prevents the tooth  314  from being lifted out of slot  150  and locks the back rest relative to the seat member. To disengage the tooth  314  from the slot  150 , the lever  310  may be disengaged by applying pressure to grip  350 , which causes the lever  310  to pivot about pivot  312 . Application of sufficient pressure on grip  350  allows the barb  315  to clear the slot  150 . 
     It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to an engagement lever having a pair of teeth that engage a pair of slots. Any appropriate number of teeth may be provided in a set of side-by-side teeth. Likewise, any number of slots may be provided per set of slots. In addition, the openings  150  of the invention are not limited to rectangular slots, and the teeth  314  of the invention are not limited to those having a rectangular bite pattern. The teeth and corresponding openings may be any suitable shape. 
     In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6B, sets of adjacent slots  150  are employed instead of a single wide slot for each recline position A, B, and C. Use of adjacent slots, as compared to a single wide slot, allows a sufficient amount of material to be retained along the back rest support portion  134  of the seat member  100  and thus aids in preserving the structural integrity of the top surface  136  of seat sides  126 ,  128 . 
     FIGS. 7-8 illustrate another embodiment of child seat  10  implemented in a high chair  1 ′. In this embodiment, a back rest  200 ′ includes a side fender  220 ′ having a recession  250 . A recline mechanism  800  suitable for use with this seat  10 ′ includes a lever  810  having an outwardly extending grip  850 . The recession  250  allows the grip  850  to extend beyond fender  220 ′ so that the grip  850  can be viewed from the front of the child seat, as shown in FIG.  8 . 
     FIGS. 9-14 illustrate another embodiment of a reclining child seat in accordance with the invention. The reclining child seat of this embodiment is particularly suited for use in a child swing (not shown). 
     As shown in FIG. 9, the reclining child seat  5  includes a seat member  500 , an adjustable back rest  600 , and a recline mechanism on either side of the seat  5 , generally indicated  700  in FIG.  10 . Each recline mechanism  700  can include an engagement lever  710  and tooth-receiving members  550 . The back rest  600  can be adjusted via the recline mechanism  700  to a plurality of angles with respect to the seat surface in a manner similar to that illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     An exploded view of reclining child seat  5  is shown in FIG.  11 . The adjustable back rest  600  is pivotally connected or mounted to seat  500 . The seat member  500  includes seat section  510 , and the back rest  600  includes back rest section  610 . The back rest section  610  intersects an axis defined by or parallel to the rear boundary  514  of seat section  510 . 
     The back rest  600  is connected to the seat member  500  via a hinge assembly  560   a ,  560   b  disposed along the rear boundary  514  of the seat section  510 . This hinge assembly  560   a ,  560   b  allows the back rest  600  to pivot relative to the seat member  500  to adjust the angle between the back rest section  610  and the seat section  510 . Other pivot connections may also be employed in seat  5 , such as those discussed above in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6B. 
     As shown in FIG. 12, the seat member  500  includes left and right seat sides  526  and  528 , respectively, each having an arm support portion  532  and a back rest support portion  534 . The earlier discussion relating to the configuration of arm and back rest support portions  132 ,  134  also applies to arm and back rest support portions  532 ,  534 . The arm support portions  532  each can include fixtures  538  adapted to receive a child tray (not shown) for foodstuffs and child toys. In addition, like the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6B, the back rest support portions  534  may be connected to each other by a rear support  540 . 
     The upper exterior surface  536  of each back rest support portion  534  includes spaced tooth-receiving members, or tooth-receiving openings,  550 , such as notches, slots, apertures, depressions, or holes. The openings  550  are adapted to receive an engagement tooth  314  of an engagement lever  710 , as will be described below. 
     As shown in FIG. 11, an engagement lever  710  has a single tooth  714 . The tooth  714  of lever  710  is configured to interact with notches  550  on the back rest support portion  534  of seat member  500 . The engagement levers  710  are mounted to a back side of the back rest  600  between side panels of the back rest section  610  and fenders  220  (partially cut away in FIG.  11 ). The engagement levers  710  are mounted for movement between an engaged state (FIG. 15A) and a disengaged state (FIG.  15 B). A spring element  790  biases each engagement lever  710  to the engaged state. Spring element  790  may be a spring arm, as shown in FIG.  11 . 
     The assembly of the single-toothed engagement lever  710  is shown in greater detail in FIG.  13 . The engagement lever  710  includes tooth  714 , a pivot mouth  712 , a spring arm  790 , a guide nub  716 , and a grip  750 . The fender  620  may have a window  640  disposed therein to provide access to grip  750 , as shown in FIG.  13 . In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 13, window  640  is elliptical or circular, and grip  750  is formed of elliptical or circular contours. Alternatively, the engagement lever  710  can be formed without grip  750 , and the fender formed without a window, so that, when the lever is mounted to the back rest  600 , it is substantially concealed by the fender  620  and not visible from the front of the child seat  5 . 
     As seen in FIG. 13, the back rest  600  is provided with a pair of ribs  624 ,  626  disposed between the side panel of the back rest section  610  and the fender  620 . Back rest  600  may be further provided with a wall  625 . The wall  625  guides the motion of lever  710 . Rib  626  may comprise a guide rib to retain the guide nub  716  of engagement lever  710  in a compression fit. A stop rib  624  is provided below guide rib  626  to limit forward movement of the engagement lever  710 . The back rest also includes a pivot axle  622  that extends between the side panel of the rear surface section  610  and the fender  620 . The pivot mouth  712  of the lever  710  can bite the pivot axle  622 . When the lever  710  is mounted to the seat back  600 , the spring arm  790  compresses against wall or spring arm bearing area  621  of the seat back  620  to provide a biasing force to lever  710  about pivot  622 . 
     FIG. 14 shows a cross sectional view of the recline mechanism  700 . The tooth  714  of the engagement lever  710  is shown engaged in the last of a series of notches  550 . In this embodiment, the notches  550  may be disposed equidistant from the pivot axis defined by hinge  560  (FIG.  10 ). Notches  550  are disposed at each point A, B, C along an arc of the back rest support portion  534 . The tooth  714  can be disengaged from notches  550  as described in connection with FIGS. 15A and 15B below. As can be appreciated from FIG. 14, once lever  710  is disengaged, the back rest  600  can be adjusted to a plurality of recline angles represented by the location of the notches  550  at points A, B, and C. Once at the desired angle, the lever  710  then can engage the appropriate notch  550  corresponding to that angle. The tooth  714  engages tooth-receiving member or notch  550  on the back rest support portion  534  of the seat member  500  to position the back rest  600  in place at a first angle corresponding to the notch disposed at point A, a second angle corresponding to the notch at point B, and so forth, to establish the recline angle of the back rest  600  relative to the seat section  510 . 
     A recline mechanism  700  of the child swing chair  5  is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 15A and 15B. In FIG. 15A, the recline mechanism  700  is shown with engagement lever  710  in its engaged state. The engagement lever  710  and grip  750  are biased away from the back rest  610  by the spring arm  790 . Tooth  714  interacts with a notch  550  in back rest support portion  534  to prevent the rearward pivotal motion of the back rest  600  in position relative to the seat member  500 . 
     FIG. 15B shows engagement lever  710  in the disengaged state. When a user exerts pressure on the grip  750  of lever  710 , the lever  710  pivots about pivot axle  622  (hidden). As lever  710  pivots, the tooth  714  disengages from the notch  550 . Once the lever  710  is disengaged, the back rest  600  can pivot about hinge  560  (FIG.  10 ). 
     The recline mechanisms of the present invention operates similarly in the various embodiments of the invention. Operation of a recline mechanism of child seat  5  of FIGS. 9-15B now will be described by way of example. A user facing the front of child seat  5  applies pressure to grip  750 , pulling grip  750  toward the front of the child seat. This causes the tooth  714  of the engagement lever  710  to disengage from notch  550  in the back rest support portion  534  of seat member  500 . The user then may adjust back rest  600  to a desired angle. Since the notches are located on an exterior surface  536  of the back rest support portion  534 , the user can visually gauge where to position the back rest  600  by the location of the notches  550  (FIG.  15 B). When the tooth  714  of the engagement lever  710  is aligned with a notch  550  corresponding to the desired recline angle, the user releases the pressure on grip  750 , and the tooth  714  engages the notch  550  to position the back rest  600  in place. The back rest  600  may be inclined or reclined as appropriate using this method. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the rear support  140 ,  540  of the described embodiments may further serve as a recline block. For example, when the engagement lever  310 ,  710  of the child seat is in the disengaged state, the back rest  200 ,  600  is free to pivot about hinge  160 ,  560 . It may be undesirable to allow the back rest  200 ,  600  to pivot beyond a certain angle. The rear support  140 ,  540  prevents the back rest  200 ,  600  from pivoting beyond this angle when lever  310 ,  710  is disengaged. A user also may deliberately recline the back rest  200 ,  600  fully, allowing the back rest  200 ,  600  to rest on rear support  140 ,  540 . When the back rest  200 ,  600  is fully reclined to rest on rear support  140 ,  540 , teeth  314 ,  714  of engagement lever  310 ,  710  may not be engaged in any openings or notches  150 ,  550 . 
     FIG. 14 illustrates another novel aspect of the invention. Although a user must apply pressure to grip  750  to disengage the tooth  714  from the notch  550  to recline the back rest  600 , the back rest  600  may be inclined without applying pressure to grip  750 . The notch  550  in back rest support portion  534  has a forward slope  551  and rear face  552 . In its engaged state, the tooth  714  abuts the rear face  552  to prevent the back rest  600  from further recline. However, when a user facing the front of child seat  5  pulls the back rest  600  forward, the slope  551  guides the tooth  714  out of the notch  550 , and the back rest  600  can be inclined in the direction of the motion. 
     Thus, the back rest of the invention may adapted to be inclined more rapidly than it is reclined. It may be useful, for example, to recline back rest slowly and carefully if a child has fallen asleep while sitting upright in the child seat. However, if a child in the reclined position has awoken, it may be advantageous to be able to incline the back rest rapidly, without having to grip the recline mechanism directly. 
     In the embodiments described above, a recline mechanism is provided on the left and right sides of back rest. However, it will be understood that, in alternative embodiments, the child seat may be provided with a single engagement lever on one side of the back rest. In addition, the embodiments described above illustrate engagement levers mounted to the rear surface of the back rest. However, the engagement levers also may be located on the front, side, or other appropriate portion of the back rest, as would occur to those skilled in the art. 
     When a reclining child seat is provided with a pair of recline mechanisms, tooth-receiving openings are spaced identically on each side of seat member. To adjust the angle of a reclining seat having a pair of recline mechanisms, a user facing the front of child seat may disengage the levers by applying pressure to both levers simultaneously. The user may then adjust back rest to the proper angle. The user may be able to visually gauge the proper recline angle by examining exposed openings in the back rest support portion. When the teeth of the engagement levers are aligned with the openings corresponding to the desired recline angle, the user releases the pressure on the grips and the teeth engage the openings to position the back rest in place. 
     The width and spacing of openings, notches, or slots may be designed such that both levers need not be precisely aligned simultaneously. In addition, the recline mechanism may be designed such that the slope of the barb  316  (FIG. 4) or the slope  551  of the notch  550  (FIG. 14) guide the teeth into the engaged state when the teeth are only approximately aligned with the openings, slots, or notches. 
     While embodiments described above relate to use of a reclining child seat in the context of a child high chair and a child swing, it will be understood that the reclining child seat of the present invention may be adapted for use in a child restraint seat, an infant tote, a bassinet, or any other application where it may be desirable to have the ability to position the body of a child in either an upright or reclined posture. In addition, while the embodiments described above are directed to seats and chairs for infants and children, the invention is not so limited. As will occur to those skilled in the art, the recline mechanisms of the present invention may be useful in reclining chairs for adults or in other applications in which it may be desirable to have the ability to adjust the angle between two seat parts. 
     It should also be understood that the invention is not limited to the geometric configurations of the seat member and the back rest shown in the figures. Both the seat member and the back rest may be contoured to satisfy aesthetic or ergonomic requirements. 
     Given the disclosure of the present invention, one versed in the art would appreciate that there may be other embodiments and modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, all modifications attainable by one versed in the art from the present disclosure within the scope and spirit of the present invention are to be included as further embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is to be defined as set forth in the following claims.