Patent Abstract:
High chairs and methods to use high chairs are disclosed. An example high chair includes a frame and a seat, wherein the seat defines a slot and is shaped to funnel spills toward the slot.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/494,760, entitled “High Chairs and Methods to Use High Chairs,” filed on Jun. 30, 2009, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/968,526, entitled “High Chairs and Methods to Use High Chairs,” filed on Jan. 2, 2008, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/883,277, entitled “High Chairs and Methods to Use High Chairs,” filed on Jan. 3, 2007, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to child care products, and, more particularly, to high chairs and methods to use high chairs. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Small children are typically placed into high chairs that secure and support the child when, for example, the child is being fed. Such high chairs typically include a seat attached to a frame and a tray attached to either the seat or the frame. The seats in conventional high chairs are typically fixed in one position so that the seat is elevated above a floor to a level that is convenient for an adult to feed the child from the adult&#39;s sitting position. At times it would be convenient for a parent or other caretaker to adjust the position of the seat on a high chair. Prior attempts at creating adjustable chairs have focused on making the height of the seat variable with respect to the floor. 
         [0004]    Conventional high chairs also include trays that can be affixed and removed from the front of the seat. The trays provide a serving surface for providing the child with food, drinks and other items such as eating utensils and/or toys. In addition, the trays may include a tray insert that can be easily removed to clean spills that end up on the tray. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an example high chair showing the chair in an upright position with an example headrest in an extended position. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the example high chair of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the example high chair of  FIG. 1  with the example tray extended away from the example seat and the example headrest in a retracted position. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of an example slidable connector used to change the distance between the example seat and the example tray of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of an alternative example high chair with an example threaded connector to change the distance between the example seat and the example tray. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a rear view of the high chair of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the example seat of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the example seat showing an example catch basin. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a partial perspective bottom view of the example highchair of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the high chair of  FIG. 1 , showing the example seat and example tray in a lower position closer to the support surface. 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional view of an example connector used to change the distance between the example seat and tray of  FIG. 1  and the support surface. 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the high chair of  FIG. 1  showing the chair in a reclined position with the headrest in a retracted position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 13A  is an exploded, left perspective view of an example rotating joint used to recline the example seat of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 13B  is an exploded, right perspective view of an example rotating joint used to recline the example seat of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the high chair of  FIG. 1 , showing the chair in a folded position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]      FIGS. 1-14  illustrate an example high chair  100  that is adjustable in several respects. The example high chair  100  of  FIG. 1  may be fit to a child of virtually any size, and may be adjusted to a child as he/she grows over time. For example, a seat  102  and a tray  104  of the high chair  100  are adjustable along a frame  106  of the high chair  100 . In addition, the distance between the seating surface of the seat  102  and the tray  104  is adjustable. Furthermore, the seat  102  may be reclined with respect to the frame  106 . The high chair  100  also includes an adjustable headrest  108  and an adjustable footrest  110 . The tray  104  is laterally adjustable with respect to a back  112  of the seat  102 . The seat back  112  may be raised or lowered to properly position the headrest  108  relative to the child. In addition, the frame  106  may be collapsed into a folded position, as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0021]    More specifically,  FIGS. 1 and 2  show the example high chair  100  with the tray  104  positioned a first distance above the seating surface of seat  102 . The distance between the tray  104  and the seat  102  as can be seen by comparing  FIGS. 2 and 3  (the tray  104  is at a higher position above the seat  102  in  FIG. 3 ). In the illustrated example, the tray  104  is coupled to the seat  102  through a first side post  114  and a second side post  116 . Each side post  114 ,  166  is located toward a side of the seat  102  and tray  104 . The seat  102  and tray  104  also are coupled through a crotch post  118 . The crotch post  118  serves as a child restraint. Each of the first side post  114  and the second side post  116  includes a plurality of indentations, apertures or holes  120 . A first connector  124  slidably couples the first side of the tray  104  to the first post  114 . A second connector  128  slidably couples the tray  104  to the second post  116 . A first actuator  122  is located on the first slidable connector  124 , and a second actuator  126  is located on the second slidable connector  128 . Each actuator  122 ,  126  is capable of selectively releasing a corresponding pin  130  ( FIG. 4 ) from one of the holes  120 . When both actuators  122 ,  126  are actuated, the first slidable connector  124  and the second slidable connector  128  are free to slide along the first side post  114  and the second side post  116 , respectively. Although two actuators are shown in the illustrated example, any number of actuators may be used (e.g., only one of the first actuator  122  or the second actuator  126  may be included). A cross-sectional view of one of the connector  128  is shown in  FIG. 4 . In the illustrated example, the connectors  124 ,  128  are identical or mirror images of each other and, thus, only one connector  128  is shown and described in detail. 
         [0022]    To move the seat  102  with respect to the tray  104 , the first actuator  122  and the second actuator  126  are depressed against the force of a spring  129  (see  FIG. 4 ) to cause a side pin  130  to disengage a respective one of the plurality of indentations or holes  120  of the posts  114 ,  116 . In the illustrated example, a flange  131  of the actuator  126  is moved to engage (e.g., cam) the side pin  130  when the actuator  126  is depressed to thereby cause the pin  130  to rotate out of engagement with the hole  120 . 
         [0023]    As noted above, the connectors  124 ,  128  and the actuators  122 ,  126  are substantially identical, thus, there is a side pin  130  associated with each of the first and second actuators  122 ,  126 . With the side pins  130  disengaged from holes  120 , the first and second slidable connectors  124 ,  128  may be moved along the first and second posts  114 ,  116 , respectively to a desired position. Movement of the first and second slidable connectors  124 ,  128  along the first and second posts  114 ,  116  changes the distance between the seat  102  and the tray  104 . The first and second slidable connectors  124 ,  128  may be moved to a lower position on the first and second side posts  114 ,  116  to fit a larger and/or older child in the high chair  100 , and the first and second slidable connectors  124 ,  128  may be moved to a higher position on the first and second side posts  114 ,  116  to fit a smaller and/or younger child in the high chair  100 . 
         [0024]    Furthermore, as the first and second slidable connectors  124 ,  128  move along the first and second side posts  114 ,  116 , the seat  102  moves along the crotch post  118 . In some examples, the crotch post  118  may telescope. When the seat  102  is in a desired position with respect to the tray  104 , the first and second actuators  122 ,  126  are released such that the pins  130  move under the influence of their respective springs  129  and engage with respective ones of the plurality indentations or holes  120  to fix the seat  102  at a distance below the tray  104 . In the example of  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , the tray  104  is fixed at the top of the posts  114 ,  116  and the seat  102  is adjustable to different positions along the posts  114 ,  116 . 
         [0025]    In an alternative example shown in  FIG. 5 , the seat  102  is height adjustable relative to the tray  104  in a different manner. In the example of  FIG. 5 , the tray  104  of the illustrated high chair  500  is fixed on the top of the side posts  514 ,  516 . The seat  102  is slidably mounted to the crotch post  518  via the alternative actuator  135 . In this example, the actuator  135  is a knob that is threaded on the crotch post  518 . By rotating the actuator  135  (i.e., the threaded knob  135  shown in  FIG. 5 ) beneath the seat  102  at the center of the chair  500 , the seat  102  is moved up or down (depending on the direction of rotation of the knob  135 ) relative to the crotch post  518  and, thus, relative to the tray  104  to thereby adjust the distance between the seat  102  and the tray  104 . As a result of this structure, one control is used to threadingly adjust the position of the seat  102  relative to the tray  104 . The range of travel of the seat  102  relative to the tray  104  in the example of  FIG. 5  is may be about one inch, although other ranges of travel would likewise be appropriate. 
         [0026]    Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the example high chair  100  also includes the adjustable footrest  110 . The footrest  110  of the illustrated example is coupled to one or more extension posts  132 . The footrest  110  is couplable to the extension posts  132  at different positions. As a result, the distance between the seat  102  and the footrest  110  is variable and may be changed to accommodate children of varying heights. The footrest  110  may be coupled to the extension posts  132  through any type of fasteners including, for example, Valco® pins and/or actuators and pins similar to the first and second actuator  122 ,  126  and pins  130  described above. In the illustrated example, springs loaded pins are used to engage apertures or holes  137  found in the posts  132 . Four height adjustment positions  137  are shown in the illustrated example. However, any number of height adjustment positions may be included. In addition, the distance of travel between each height adjustment and/or the overall range of travel of the footrest may be any desired distance. For example, each height adjustment position may be an inch from an adjacent height adjustment, and the overall range of travel may be, for example, four inches. 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-3  and  6 , the example high chair  100  also includes the adjustable bolster or headrest  108 .  FIGS. 1 and 2  show the headrest  108  in a deployed or extended position (i.e., with the bolster wings  134  of the headrest  108  at least partially pivoted forward).  FIG. 3  shows the headrest  108  in a retracted position (i.e., with the wings  134  of the head rest  108  pivoted flat against the back  112 ). The foldable wings  134  pivot outward (away from the seat back) to support a small child&#39;s head, for example, during feeding, etc. In the illustrated example, at least a portion of the wings  134  extends to a rear of the seat  102 . A bolster actuator  136  ( FIG. 6 ) located on the rear of the seat  102  is used to retract and/or extend the one or more wings  134 . In the illustrated example, the bolster actuator  136  is an elongated lever or paddle, which, when moved to a deployed position, forces (e.g., cams) the one or more wings  134  outward to an extended position in which the one or more wings  134  are folded outward and able to support the head of a child. The bolster actuator  136  may also be moved to a retracted position to pull the wings  134  to an unfolded position in which the wings  134  are flattened against the front of the seat  102 . In the illustrated example, the bolster actuator  136  may be moved to one or more intermediate positions between the deployed position and the retracted position to move the wings  134  to semi-folded positions. 
         [0028]    The illustrated example includes an upholstered the headrest  108 . The headrest  108  also includes padding to form a cushion or pillow. Alternatively, the headrest  108  may be un-upholstered and/or may be upholstered together with the seat  102 . Also, in some examples, the headrest  108  may not include foldable wings. 
         [0029]    In the illustrated example high chair  100  as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  7  an  8 , the seat  102  includes a seat pan  138 , a seat support structure  139 , a seat back  112 , and a seat frame  142 . The seat support  139  may be a fabric seat support such as, for example, mesh, or the seat support  139  may be a plastic component or any other suitable material. The seat support  139  of the illustrated example is fabric and includes a seat support frame  141 . In some examples only the seat support frame  141  supports the seat  102 , and no fabric support  139  is included. In this example, the frame  141  is implemented as a metal tube frame. The seat support  139  may be coupled to the seat frame  142  via any suitable mechanical or chemical fasteners. 
         [0030]    In the example of  FIGS. 7-8 , the seat pan  138  is supported in the seat support  139  via a lip  143  that is integrally formed with the seat pan  138 . The lip  143  is sized to fit over and support the seat pan  138  on the seat support frame  141  of the seat support  139 . In the illustrated example, the seat pan  138  is removably coupled to the seat support  139 . Therefore, the seat pan  138  may be removed from the high chair  100  for cleaning, storage or the like. 
         [0031]    The seat pan  138  of the illustrated example high chair comprises a slick polyurethane foam seat. The seat pan  138  is molded as a unitary structure and forms a slick, spill resistant, surface during the molding process. The seat pan  138  is easy to clean and is soft to the touch. 
         [0032]    In the illustrated example, the height of the seat back  112  is adjustable. As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  6 , there is a clamp  144  disposed on the rear of the seat back  112  to slidably couple the seat back  112  to the seat frame  142 , a portion of which, as shown in  FIG. 6 , forms a U-shaped post. This portion may be a separate component from the remainder of the frame  142 , i.e., not integrally formed therewith. The clamp  144  includes a seat back actuator  146 , which may be implemented by any suitable actuating device such as, for example, a knob, push button, lever, etc. When the seat back actuator  146  is activated, the clamp  146  is released from the seat frame  142  and the seat back  112  may be raised or lowered with respect to the seat pan  138  to accommodate children of varying sizes. When the seat back  112  has been moved to a desired position, the seat back actuator  146  is returned to a locked position to fix the position of the seat back  112  to a particular position relative to the seat frame  142 . In some examples, the seat back actuator  146  may causes the clamp  144  to engage one or more of a plurality of holes (not shown) on the frame  142  via a pin and spring connection similar to the other pin and spring connections described herein. In other examples, the clamp  144  maybe slidably moved to any of an infinite number of positions along the frame  142  and secured to the frame  142  via a friction fit. Adjusting the position of the seat back  112  enables the headrest  108  to be positioned to suit the child. The chair  100 , thus, can grow with the child. In addition, adjusting the height of the seat back  112  adjusts the position of the child restraint  210  to properly conform to the height of the shoulder of a child seated in the chair  100 . 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  9 , the example tray  104  includes a base tray  148  and top tray  150 . The base tray  148 , which is only exposed when the top tray  150  is removed, is permanently affixed to the posts  114 ,  116  adjacent the front of the seat  102  and may be used in the same manner as the top tray  150  when the top tray  150  is removed (e.g., for holding a child&#39;s snacks, meals, drinks, toys, etc.). In addition, the base tray  148  acts as a passive restraint to retain the child in the seat. 
         [0034]    The top tray  150  of the illustrated example is laterally adjustable or slidable with respect to the base tray  148 . Consequently, the top tray  150  is laterally adjustable with respect to the seat back  112 . Therefore, the top tray  150  may be adjusted to accommodate children of varying sizes and/or to provide additional room that may be needed, for example, to remove a child occupying the high chair  100 . To adjust the top tray  150  with respect to the base tray  148 , a tray actuator  152  is activated. In the illustrated example, the tray actuator  152  is a push button, but any suitable actuating device may alternatively be used. The tray actuator  152  is depressed to disengage the top tray  150  from the base tray  148 . The example top tray  150  includes one or more cables or tethers  154  (see  FIG. 9 ). Each tether  154  has a first end and a second end. The first ends of the tethers  154  are coupled to the tray actuator  152 . The second ends of the tethers  154  are coupled to a respective clasp  156  (one of which is shown in  FIG. 9 ). Each clasp  156  includes teeth  158  to engage corresponding detents (not shown) on the base tray  148 . When the tray actuator  152  is depressed, the tethers  154  move to retract the clasps  156  to thereby cause the teeth  158  to disengage the detents and allow the top tray  150  to slide relative to the base tray  148  and/or to be removed therefrom. The top tray  150  is moveable fore/aft to any number of different positions. In the illustrated example, there are four different positions at which the top tray  150  may be laterally secured relative to the seat back  112 . However, other numbers of positions would likewise be appropriate. To fix the top tray  150  in a position relative to the base tray  148 , the tray actuator  152  is released to move the tethers  154 , extend the clasps  156 , and engage the teeth  158  with the detents in the base tray  148 . 
         [0035]    The tray  104  of the illustrated example also includes a removable insert or liner (not shown) that can be removed for cleaning. Furthermore, the entire top tray  150  may be completely removed from the base tray  148  to, for example, place the top tray  150  and the insert in a dishwasher for cleaning. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-3  and  10 , the seat  102  and the tray  104  may be moved together to different heights along the frame  106 . In the illustrated example, the frame  106  includes one or more front legs  160  and one or more rear legs  162 . The front legs  160  and rear legs  162  are coupled via hubs  164  and, in the illustrated example, form an A-frame structure. In the illustrated example, a crossbar  166  couples the front legs  160  to provide lateral stability. Similarly, a second crossbar  166  joins the rear legs  162 . Each front leg  160  and rear leg  162  of the illustrated example high chair  100  includes a wheel  170  depending from a foot  168 . 
         [0037]    To moveably cantilever the seat  102  and tray  106  assembly from the frame  106 , the first side post  114  is coupled to a third slidable connector  172 , and the second side post  116  is coupled to a fourth slidable connector  174 . In the illustrated example, the third and fourth slidable connectors  172 ,  174  are coupled to the front legs  160 . However, in other examples, the third and fourth slidable connectors  172 ,  174  may be coupled to the rear legs  162 . Each of the third slidable connector  172  and the fourth slidable connector  174  of the illustrated example includes a height actuator  176 . A cross-section of the fourth slidably connector  174  and the height actuator  176  is shown in  FIG. 11 . In the illustrated example, the height actuators  176  are identical or mirror images of each other. As with the posts  114 ,  116 , each of the front legs  160  includes a plurality of indentations, apertures or holes  178 . 
         [0038]    To move the seat  102  and the tray  104  with respect to the frame  106 , the height actuator(s)  176  are depressed against the force of a bias spring  177  to cause a locking pin  179  to disengage a corresponding one of the plurality of holes  178 . The height actuator(s)  176  may operate in a similar manner as the first and second actuators  122 ,  126  described above. Thus, after the third and fourth slidable connectors  172 ,  174  are moved to a desired position to adjust the overall height of the seat  102  relative to the floor or other support surface, the height actuator(s)  176  are discharged to engage or reengaged the pin  179  with a corresponding one of the plurality of holes  178  to thereby fix the seat  102  and tray  104  at a position on the frame  106  with respect to a ground or floor upon which the high chair  100  is placed. Four height adjustment positions are shown in the illustrated example. However, any number of height adjustment positions may be included. In addition, the distance of travel between each height adjustment and the overall entire range of travel may be any suitable distance. In the illustrated example, each height adjustment position is one inch from an adjacent height adjustment, and the overall range of travel is ten inches. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the seat  102  of the illustrated example is coupled to the first side post  114  via a first joint  180  and also is coupled to the second side post  116  via a second joint  182 . In the illustrated example, the first and second joints  180 ,  182  are coupled to the first and second slidable connectors  124 ,  128 , respectively. In other examples, the first joint  180  and/or the second joint  182  may be coupled to the first side post  114  and/or the second side post  116  directly, indirectly or otherwise. The joints  180 ,  182  are also coupled to opposite ends of a crossbar  184  upon which the seat  102  is mounted. The joints  180 ,  182  enable the seat  102  to recline or rotate with respect to the cross-bar  184 , first side post  114 , second side post  116 , frame  106 , tray  104 , etc., as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0040]    The joints  180 ,  182  are substantially identical or mirror images of each other. Thus, in the interest of brevity, only one joint  182  will be described. An exploded view of the joint  182  is shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B . The joint  182  includes an outer, non-rotating or fixed end  186  (also referred to as an outer gear wheel), a cam  188 , an inner gear or lock  190  and a rotating-end  192 . The non-rotating end  186  includes fixed teeth  194 , and the lock  190  includes rotating teeth  196 . The rotating end  192  also has complementary teeth  197  (see  FIG. 13B ). A lever  198  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  6  and  12 ) on the rear of the seat  102  is operatively coupled to the joint  182  by, for example, a cable (not shown) threaded through one or more components of the chair  100  to the joint  182 . The lever  198  and/or the cable of the illustrated example is spring loaded. To change the tilt angle of the seat  102 , the lever  198  is actuated, which pulls the cable and causes the cam  188  to remove the lock  190  from engagement with the non-rotating end  186  of the joint  182  and move more deeply into the rotating end  192 . When the locking rotating teeth  196  are disengaged from the fixed teeth  194 , the lock  190  and the rotating end  192 , which are coupled via the rotating teeth  196  and the complementary teeth  197 , are freely rotatable relative to the fixed end  186 . The seat  102 , thus, may be moved to a desired angled position. Once the seat  102  is reclined or raised to the desired angle, the lever  198  may be released, which allows a spring  199  to move the lock  190  back into engagement with the non-rotating end  186 . In this position, the rotating teeth  196  of the lock  190  engage both the complementary teeth  197  of the rotating end  192  and the fixed teeth  194  of the non-rotating end. This engagement prevents the rotating end  192  from rotating relative to the fixed end  186  and locks the seat  102  in the desired position. 
         [0041]    In the illustrated example, the seat  102  has a large number of reclined positions over approximately 32.5° of rotation. The maximum angle of recline for the seat back of the illustrated example is approximately 43°±5°. However, other numbers of positions, other ranges of rotation and/or other maximum angles of recline would likewise be appropriate. 
         [0042]    The example high chair  100  also includes a slot  200  in the seat pan  138  as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  7  and  8 . The seat pan  138  is shaped to funnel spilt food, liquids and/or other items to the slot. A catch basin  202  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  6 , and  8 ) is removably secured beneath the slot  200  to collect the food, liquid and/or other items that funnel into the slot  200 . The catch basin  202  may be removed, emptied and reassembled around the slot  200 . Funneling spills through the slot  200  into the catch basin  200  increases the efficiency of cleaning the high chair  100  as less food, liquid and other items are likely to end up on the floor and/or remain in contact with a child seated in the chair  100 . The catch basin  202  may be secured adjacent the slot  200  via any suitable means. In the illustrated example, the catch basin  202  is secured to the seat  102  by engaging a ridge  203  that circumscribes at least a portion of the slot, as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the example high chair  100  also includes fold actuators  204 ,  206 . The fold actuators  204 ,  206  are shown as push buttons but any suitable actuating device may be used as well. The fold actuators  204 ,  206  are depressed to enable the chair  100  to be folded ( FIG. 14 ) for storage. In the illustrated example, the fold actuators  206 ,  204  are spring biased to the locked position. Depressing the fold actuators  204 ,  206  against the force of the springs dislocates corresponding pins (not show) carried by the rear legs from bores (not shown) in the hubs  164  to enable the rear legs  162  to pivot forward. The fold actuators  204 ,  206 , pins and springs may be implemented by, for example, Valco® pins. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the example high chair  100  is proportioned such that the example high chair  100  stands without assistance, even when the high chair  100  is in the folded position. In the illustrated example, the top tray  150  is removed and attached to the rear of the high chair  100  to make the folded high chair  100  more compact. 
         [0044]    The illustrated example high chair  100  includes a restraint or harness  210 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The harness  210  is shown as two straps that are coupled to the seat back  112  via the headrest  108 . In other examples, the harness  210  may be coupled to other portions of the seat back  112 . In addition, the straps of the harness  210  may be secured to the seat back via a ring such as, for example, a D-ring or  0 -ring or via any other suitable mechanical or chemical fasteners. In such an example, D-rings are passed through the openings in the seat back  112  in a first orientation and positioned in a second orientation behind the seat to prevent removal of the harness straps from the seat back  112 . In the illustrated example, the material of the harness  210  is sewn onto itself, for example, in the shape of a ‘T’ on the rear side of the seat back  112  to prevent retraction through the opening. Because the seat back  112  is height adjustable and the harness  210  passes through the seat back  112 , the position of the harness  210  can be easily adjusted by adjusting the height of the seat back  112 . The harness  210  in the illustrated example is attached to the crotch post  118  via a clip to form a three-point harness. In other examples, the harness  210  may be coupled to the crotch post  118  via a T- or Y-shaped shield or plate to form a five-point harness. 
         [0045]    In an alternative example a three point harness that acts like a five point harness is provided. This harness (referred to as a pseudo 5-point harness) includes three solid points and two soft points of attachment. The three solid points are the fixed connections between the belts of the harness and the seat  102  of the high chair  100  at the seat back  112  with the D-rings and the crotch post  118 . Thus, two of the fixed points are located above the shoulders of the child. The third fixed point is located at the crotch post  118 . A Y-shaped connector is included in the pseudo 5-point harness. The Y-shaped connector has a latch on the bottom of the Y that secures into a latch fixed to the crotch post  118 . The wings of the Y-shaped connector are positioned and dimensioned to resiliently engage opposite side walls of the slick foam seat  102  to form two friction fit locks—one on each side of the child, thereby forming the two soft attachment points noted above. The two soft points are friction fit points. 
         [0046]    Returning to the example of  FIG. 1 , as a result of the adjustability of the seat back  112 , the seat back  112  need only be provided with two shoulder apertures or holes  212  for the harness  210 , instead of a series of holes to raise or lower the harness  210  as the child grows. Instead, the height of the seat back  112  can be adjusted so that the shoulder belts of the harness  210  are positioned properly relative to the child. The shoulder height of the child harness  210  is automatically adjusted as the seat back  112  is moved to properly locate the headrest  108  for the child, so there is no need for multiple openings on the seat back for the harness  210  to pass through. In the illustrated example the height of the seat back  112  is infinitely adjustable within an approximately 6 inch range of travel. Other approaches such as employing a number of fixed positions and/or other ranges of travel would likewise be appropriate. 
         [0047]    Although certain example methods and apparatus have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0