Patent Abstract:
A highchair comprising a base arranged to rest on a floor, a carrier mounted on said base and adjustable in a substantially vertical direction with respect to said base, and a seat comprising a substantially horizontally extending seat surface connected to said carrier, wherein said carrier extends substantially downward from the front edge of said seat surface.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority of U.S. provisional application 60/834,207 filed on Jul. 28, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a highchair. In particular the invention relates to a highchair with height adjustment, comprising a base arranged to rest on a floor and a seat connected to said base comprising a substantially horizontally extending seat surface, wherein the seat is adjustable in a substantially vertical direction with respect to said base. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Highchairs for children with height adjustment to accommodate for their growth are well-known in the field. Such highchairs are for instance described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,961, international patent application publication no. WO 95/30360 and international patent application publication no. WO 2006/031112. In those highchairs the height of the seat surface can be adjusted by moving the seat up and down along two uprights of the base. 
         [0004]    The inventions aims at a highchair that is comfortable and safe, that can be used in many stages of a child&#39;s life and that is easy to adjust and use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to one aspect of the invention the modular highchair comprises a base arranged to rest on a floor, a carrier mounted on said base and adjustable in a substantially vertical direction with respect to said base, and a seat comprising a substantially horizontally extending seat surface connected to said carrier, wherein said carrier extends substantially downward from the front edge of said seat surface. Such an arrangement makes it easy to adjust the height of the seat, and furthermore there is no need for unnecessary parts of the base to extend above the seat surface when the seat is in the lower positions, as the entire base can remain under the seat surface at all heights. Also an empty space is provided between the base and the seat. 
         [0006]    Preferably a backrest extends substantially upward from the rear edge of said seat surface. The height of the backrest thereby does not change when the height of the seat adjusted. 
         [0007]    Preferably said carrier is mounted on and movable up and down along the front side of said base. 
         [0008]    Preferably said carrier extends downward and slightly forward from said front edge of said seat surface. Preferably said carrier forms a leg support of said seat. Preferably said carrier is substantially plate shaped. The carrier is thereby completely integrated in the seat. 
         [0009]    Preferably said base comprises two spaced apart front legs, and preferably said base also comprises two spaced apart rear legs. Preferably said base comprises two spaced apart front legs and a cross member connected to the front legs, wherein said carrier is movable on the cross member. Preferably said front and rear legs are connected by a horizontally extending substantially H-shaped or U-shaped connecting portion. Preferably said connecting portion is substantially U-shaped, wherein the lateral connecting portion of said U-shape extends near the front side of the base, and said carrier is mounted to said lateral connecting portion of said U-shaped connecting portion. 
         [0010]    Preferably the highchair comprises a locking device for locking the seat at a desired height relative to the base, said locking device comprising a lever being formed by a lower portion of said carrier and movable between a locked position wherein said lower portion extends in the lateral plane through the carrier, and an unlocked position wherein said lower portion extends in front of said plane. 
         [0011]    Preferably the lever is a hinged lever mounted on the carrier with at least one cam, and at least one substantially vertical rack mounted on the base having a scalloped surface with ridges and grooves, such that the cam can be rotated around the hinge axis into and out of a chosen groove of the rack in order to lock the vertical movement of the seat. Preferably said lever is hinged at its upper end, and extends downward abutting a fixed portion of the carrier in the locked position. Preferably said lever comprises a secondary lock for locking the lever against the carrier in the locked position. Preferably said secondary lock comprises an operating handle near the lower edge of the lever for operating the secondary lock. 
         [0012]    Preferably said lever is plate shaped and is integrated in the plate shaped carrier in the locked position. 
         [0013]    Preferably said highchair comprises at least one gas spring, one end of which is mounted on the base and the other end of which is mounted on the seat. Preferably said gas spring extends substantially vertically in the carrier. 
         [0014]    Preferably said carrier is mounted on the base by means of at least one substantially vertical guide member mounted on one of said base and carrier and a connector member mounted on the other one of said base and carrier, meshing with said guide member and vertically movable along it. Preferably said connector member is detachably connected to said guide member, such that the seat and carrier is detachable from the base. Preferably the connector member and guide member are arranged such, that the connector member can be lifted from the guide member if the seat is moved beyond the uppermost position. 
         [0015]    According to another aspect of the invention the highchair comprises a base arranged to rest on a floor, a carrier mounted on said base and adjustable in a substantially vertical direction with respect to said base, and a seat comprising a substantially horizontally extending seat surface connected to said carrier, wherein said base entirely extends under the plane of said seat surface. 
         [0016]    According to another aspect of the invention the highchair comprises a base arranged to rest on a floor, a carrier mounted on said base and adjustable in a substantially vertical direction with respect to said base, and a seat comprising a substantially horizontally extending seat surface connected to said carrier, wherein the highchair comprises a locking device for locking the seat at a desired height relative to the base, said locking device comprising a hinged lever mounted on the carrier with at least one cam, and at least one substantially vertical rack mounted on the base having a scalloped surface with ridges and grooves, such that the cam can be rotated around the hinge axis into and out of a chosen groove of the rack in order to lock the vertical movement of the seat. 
         [0017]    According to a further aspect of the invention the highchair comprises a seat made of a substantially rigid material, and removable accessories such as a harness, a bumper bar, a crutch bar and/or a footrest, said seat and accessories comprising attachment means for attaching the accessories to the seat, wherein said attachment means comprises at least one slot in said seat and at least one attachment clip on said accessory that fits into said slot, said clip and slot combination comprising a resilient tongue and edge snap connection that lock said clip into said slot upon insertion, and wherein said slot is formed such, that said snap connection can be released by inserting an unlocking tool into said slot. 
         [0018]    According to a still further aspect of the invention the highchair comprises a base arranged to rest on a floor, a seat comprising a seat member and a leg support member extends downwardly from a front edge of the seat surface, the leg support member is slidable mounted on the base, a locking device mounted between the base and the leg support member and movable between a locked position and unlocked position so as to lock the seat at a desired height relative to the base. Preferably the base includes two inverted U shaped legs and a cross member connected between the two legs, the locking device is mounted on between the cross member and the leg support member. Preferably the locking device includes a lever pivotally connected mounted on the support member with a cam surface, and at least one substantially vertical rack mounted on the base having a scalloped surface with plurality of ridges and grooves, when the locking device is in the locked position, the cam surface is engaged with the one of the grooves to lock the seat at the desired height relative to the base. Preferably the rack is in the form of a T-profile, the leg support member of the seat includes an extrustion mated with the rack so that the leg support member is detachably connected to the base and can slide along the rack 
         [0019]    According to a still further aspect of the invention the highchair comprise a base frame, a seat comprising a seat member and a leg support member extends downwardly from a front edge of the seat surface, the seat is movable mounted on the base and the leg support member includes a main portion and a cover portion pivotally connected to the main portion, wherein the cover portion of the leg support member is moved between a first position where the cover plate is in the same horizontal plane of the main portion and the seat is locked relative to the base in a desired height position; and a second position where the cover plate is pivoted relative to the main portion to an forward position and the seat is free moved relative the base. 
         [0020]    According to a still further aspect of the invention the highchair comprises a base frame includes two inverted U shaped legs and a cross member connected between the two legs, a seat comprising a seat member and a leg support member extends downwardly from a front edge of the seat surface, the leg support member is detachably mounted on the cross member and having a latch clip to prevent the seat from being removed from the base. Preferably the cross member of the base includes a rack in the form of a T-profile, the leg support member of the seat includes an extrustion mated with the rack so that the leg support member is able to slide relative to the base to a desired height position, and the latch is attached to the extrusion so as to extend under the T-profile. 
         [0021]    Further aspects of the invention and advantages thereof are described in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    The invention will be further explained by means of the preferred embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0023]    FIGS.  1 A/B/C shows perspective views of a modular highchair with accessories in accordance with the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective exploded view of the modular highchair with accessories of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the disassembled modular highchair of  FIG. 1  in a box; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of the guide member as shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0027]    FIGS.  5 A/B shows perspective views of the secondary locking mechanism of the highchair of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5C  shows a cross-section of the carrier with the secondary locking mechanism and the footrest of the highchair of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  shows a partly open perspective view of the carrier with locking mechanism of the highchair of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]    FIG.  7 A/B shows a cross-section of the carrier with the locking mechanism of the highchair of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of a detail of the carrier with footrest of the highchair of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9A  shows a perspective cross-section of the connection of the bumper bar with the backrest of the highchair of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9B  shows a perspective view of the connection of the crutch bar with the seat surface of the highchair of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 9C  shows a perspective view of a detail of the highchair of  FIG. 1  with bumper bar, crutch bar and tray; 
           [0035]      FIG. 10A  shows a perspective view of the harness of the highchair of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0036]    FIGS.  10 B/C show perspective cross-sections of the buckle of the harness of  FIG. 10A ; and 
           [0037]    FIGS.  11 A/B show a perspective cross-sections of the connection between the harness and the seat of the highchair of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0038]    In the figures is shown a highchair  1  that has height adjustment, and a number of removable components that give the highchair modularity. The highchair  1  comprises of a seat  2 , a base  3  and a number of removable components such as a footrest  4 , tray table  5 , a harness  6  complete with buckle  7 , a combined bumper/crutch bar  8 , 9 , and a cushion  10 . The base  3  forms the legs  11 ,  12 ,  12 ,  14  of the chair  2  and the seat  2  moves vertically over the front of the legs  11 ,  12  to provide the height adjustment. The seat  2  is locked in position vertically by means of a mechanism  15  such as an over centre cam  1501  which clamps onto a component of the base  3 . The form of the seat  2  consists of a seat surface  201 , an upwardly extending back surface  202  and a downwardly extending leg surface  203 . The base  3  consists of two inverted U shaped legs  301 ,  302  with a cross member  303  that runs between the two front straight sections of the legs. The leg surface  203  of the seat  2  is connected to this cross member  303  and can slide vertically over this surface when the mechanism lock  15 , which comprises for example an over centre cam  1501 , is released. The height adjustment movement is assisted by means of motion control hardware, such as gas springs  1502 . 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  the highchair comprises of a seat  2 , a base  3  and a number of removable components such as a footrest  4 , tray table  5 , a harness  6  complete with buckle  7 , a combined bumper/crutch bar  8 ,  9 , and a cushion  10 . 
         [0040]    The form of the seat  2  consists of a seat surface  201 , an upwardly extending back surface  202  and a downwardly extending leg surface  203 . The seat exterior is made from, for instance, an injection moulded plastic, such as Polypropylene, and consists of two major parts, a front shell  204  and a back shell  205 . An internal frame  206  is sandwiched between these two shells  204 ,  205  and the three parts are fastened together, preferably using a combination of snaps  207  and screws as shown in  FIG. 6 . The internal frame  206  is made from, for instance, folded sheet steel. This internal frame  206  provides some additional rigidity to the seat  2  and has a further two functions. The first is to provide the height adjustable connection between the seat  2  and the base  3  and the second is to house the axle  1503  for the rotating the mechanism  15 , which comprises for example an over centre cam component  1511 , that locks the height adjustment as shown in  FIGS. 5C ,  6  and  7 A/B. A section of the leg surface  203  of the front and back shells  204 ,  205  is open and a separate moveable cover  208  fills the gap. This moveable cover  208  is attached to the over centre cam (or similar) component  1511 . The moveable cover  208  and the cam component  1501  are made, for instance, from injection moulded polypropylene. The cam component  1511  and the moveable cover  208  fit together to form the height adjustment lock handle assembly  15  as shown in  FIGS. 5C ,  6  and  7 A/B. This part also houses a secondary latch assembly  1504 . The secondary latch assembly  1504  is comprised of a lever handle  1505  and a latch  1506  and is attached to the back of the moveable cover  208 . The latch  1506  and lever handle  1505  are, preferably, injection moulded polypropylene components. A compression spring  1508 , or similar actuating component, fits between the moveable cover  208  and the latch  1506  to keep the latch  1506  in the upward (locking) position. When the moveable cover  208  is rotated to its lock position (flush with the front and back shells  204 ,  205 ) the latch  1506  fits behind a section of the internal frame  206 . The latch  1506  also contains an angled surface  210  as shown in  FIG. 5C  so that the internal frame  206  pushes the latch  1506  down when the moveable cover  208  is rotated to the locked position. The back shell  205  incorporates two long slots  211 , behind which are, for instance, two aluminium extrusions  212 ,  213  that are fastened to the internal frame  206 . Inside both of the slots  211  are located gas springs  1502  (or similar devices). The top end fittings of the springs  1502  are retained by the back shell  205  and the internal frame  206 . The lower end of the gas spring  1502 , the pin, has a small rounded or chamfered plastic cap to aid in the assembly of the seat  2  to the base. 
         [0041]    The base  3  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  consists of two inverted U shaped components  301 ,  302  which create four legs  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14  with a single cross member  303  that runs between the front two ‘legs’  11 , 12 . The two inverted U shaped components  301 ,  302  are made from, for instance, rectangular Aluminium extrusion that is bent to comprise three straight sections and two radii. Each inverted U component  301 ,  302  provides a front and back leg. The front and back legs  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14  are not parallel and the angle between the top of the inverted U shape and the legs on either side is greater than 90 degrees. The two inverted U shape components  301 ,  302  are separated by a cross member  303  that fits between the two front ‘legs’  11 ,  12 . The two inverted U shape components  301 ,  302  are also not parallel with each other as they are angled outwards at the foot end. The cross member  303  is, for instance, a folded sheet steel component with an injection moulded polypropylene cover. The cross member is fastened between the two front legs  11 ,  12 . Four feet  1101 ,  1201 ,  1301 ,  1401  are fitted into the cut ends of the legs  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 . The feet are likely to be made from injection moulded polypropylene. Fastened to the cross member  303  are two injection moulded T-profiles  304 ,  305  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , which are for instance made from POM or Nylon. These two profiles  304 ,  305  are made to fit inside the two aluminium extrusions  212 ,  213  that are attached to the internal frame  206  of the seat. The T-profiles  304 ,  305 , in length, are longer than the height adjustment range. They have a recess  306  down the middle to house the gas spring  1502  (or similar device) and they have a scalloped surface section  307  on which the cam component  1501  clamps against. The top end is chamfered to provide ease of assembly. 
         [0042]    On assembly of the seat  2  and the base  3 , the two aluminium extrusions  212 ,  213  in the seat  2  are slid over the two T-profiles  304 ,  305  of the base. As this is done, the pin end of the gas springs  1502  complete with end caps comes into contact with the end wall of the T-profiles  304 ,  305  and this begins to compress the gas spring  1502 . When the seat  2  reaches its highest most lockable position in relation to the base  3 , two plastic latch fingers  214  clip under each T-profile  304 ,  305  to prevent the seat from being removed again accidentally. These plastic latch fingers  214  are attached, for example, to the aluminium extrusions  212 ,  213  of the seat frame work. 
         [0043]    In addition there are a number of removable parts. There is a footrest  4  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 8  which will be made for instance using gas assisted injection moulding of polypropylene. This is attached to the height adjustable lock handle assembly  15 , and therefore moves with it. When the height adjustable lock handle assembly  15  is in the unlocked position, the foot rest  4  can be easily removed by flexing it open. Two protrusions  401  fit into two slots  1509  in the cam component  1511 . 
         [0044]    There is also a bumper bar  8  as shown in FIGS.  2  and  9 A/B that is permanently attached to a crutch bar  9  by means of snaps for example. The ends of the bumper bar  8  are rotated into through-holes  215  in the back surface  202  of the seat  2 . A small protrusion  801  on the ends of the bumper bar  8  fits into a small recess  217  in the through-holes  215  in the back surface  202 , thereby holding the bumper bar/crutch bar  8 ,  9  assembly in place when the crutch bar  9  is clicked in place. The crutch bar  9  has a flexible snap  901  which, when the end of the crutch bar  9  is pressed into a through-hole  219  in the seat surface  201  of the seat  2 , clicks into place locking the whole assembly. By pushing on a section  902  of the crutch bar  9  the snap  901  is pushed back and the crutch bar/bumper bar  8 , 9  can be removed. These parts are to be made from, for instance, gas assisted injection moulding of polypropylene. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  10 A and  11 A/B there are five attachment clips  601  that allow attachment of the harness  6  to the seat. These attachment clips  601  fit into through-holes  220  in the back surface  202  and seat surface  201  and are held in place by a snap  602  moulded into each attachment clip. To remove the harness  6  a tool  618  needs to be inserted from the back/underside of the seat  2  to release the snap  602 . There are two attachment clips  601  for the left and right shoulders  603 ,  604 , two for the left and right waist  605 ,  606  positions and one for the crutch position  607 . These attachment clips  601  are to be, for instance, made from injection moulded polypropylene. A soft webbing is used for the harness  6 . Three lengths are used. One length runs from the left shoulder to the left waist position and contains a buckle clip  608 . One length runs from the right shoulder to the right waist position and also contains a buckle clip  609 . The other length joins the crutch attachment clip  610  to the buckle  7 . The buckle  7  as shown in FIGS.  10 A/B/C, including the two buckle clips  608 ,  609 , is made from five plastic components that are for instance made from injection moulded ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene). There is the front half  701  and back half  702 , which comprise the buckle housing; a flexible button  703 ; and two buckle clips  608 ,  609  that each contain a flexible snap  615 ,  616 . When the button  703  is compressed, it causes the flexible snaps  615 ,  616  to release from behind a rib  704  in the front half  701 . Two compression springs  705  are incorporated to propel the buckle clips  608 ,  609  out of the buckle housing upon compression of the button  703 . 
         [0046]    A tray table  5  fits over the bumper  8  bar as shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  2  and  9 C. Two protruding ribs  501 ,  502  fit into the through-holes  215  of the back surface  202  of the seat  2  along side the bumper bar ends. Two tray snaps  503 ,  504  are located in the inside edge of the tray and click to the bumper bar  9 . To release the tray  5  these snaps  503 ,  504  are bent rearwards and then the tray  5  can be pulled up and away from the seat  2 . This part will be made for instance from injection moulded polypropylene. A removable foam cushion  10  as shown in FIGS.  1 A/B/C and  2  can be added to the seat  2  for small babies. 
         [0047]    The cube size of a product, prior to being purchased by a consumer, needs to be minimised to make best use of shipping container capacity and to minimise storage requirements. In order to minimise the cube size of the boxed highchair  1 , the seat  2  and the base  3  are produced as two separate parts which allows them to be nested together in a box and therefore conserve space, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0048]    It is desired that a consumer be able to assemble the highchair  1  with ease without following extensive instructions and without the need for tools. It is also preferable that a consumer be able to disassemble the highchair  1  and return it to its original box should they need to return the product to the factory for repair, be moving house or want to put the product into storage. However this should only occur through a deliberate action. Disassembly should not occur by accident. 
         [0049]    The two parts are easily fitted together by the consumer by first fully opening the height adjustment lock handle assembly  15  and then sliding the two aluminium extrusions  212 ,  213  in the back of the seat  2  over the two T-profile components  304 ,  305  of the base. Two gas springs  1502  will begin to exert a force as the seat  2  is pushed over the profiles  304 ,  305 . As the seat reaches its highest lockable position in relation to the legs  11 ,  12 , 12 ,  14 , a “click” sound will be heard indicating that the seat  2  is now attached to the legs  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 . The seat  2  and legs  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14  can now only be separated when required only through a deliberate action. 
         [0050]    Incorporated into the seat  2  are two aluminium extrusions  212 ,  213  or similar. These two parts slide over the two T-profiles  304 ,  305  that are attached to the cross member  303  between the legs  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14  of the base. Two gas springs  1502  (or similar devices) are situated in the centre of each of the two pieces of aluminium extrusion  212 ,  213  and these fit inside the two T-profiles  304 ,  305  when the seat  2  is assembled onto the base  3 . One end of each of the gas springs  1502  is connected to the seat  2  and as the seat  2  is assembled on to the base  3  the other end of each of the gas springs  1502  makes contact with the end wall of the T-profiles  304 ,  305 . When the seat  2  is pushed down to its highest lockable position with relation to the leas  11 ;  12 ,  13 ,  14 , four plastic latch fingers  214  (that are elastically deformed during the assembly) snap back into position preventing the seat  2  from being removed from the base  3 . These must be pushed apart before the seat  2  can again be removed from the base  3 . 
         [0051]    The consumer would like their purchase to serve them for as long a time as possible. By adding a height adjustment mechanism to a high chair  1 , the chair  1  can be used for a longer period of time. The chair  1  is able to be lowered as the child grows. Also the height adjustment allows for the parent to adjust the chair  1  should they want to feed the baby while they are themselves, for example, seated on a couch. 
         [0052]    Should the consumer fail to lock the height adjustment mechanism, through normal use of the highchair  1 , the mechanism should lock itself. It should also be visually obvious to the consumer whether or not the highchair  1  height position is locked. It is furthermore desired that the height be adjustable to any chosen position between the highest and lowest available positions rather than restricting adjustment to only a few positions. It is also required that the height adjustment be easily performed by an adult using both hands. It is also important that the height adjustment can not be accidentally released by either the child in the high chair  1  or a sibling. Furthermore it is desired when the height is locked that any play between the seat  2  and the base  3  will be removed or at least minimised so that there is no rattling or feeling of instability/flexibility that would serve to give the chair  1  an unsafe feel. 
         [0053]    The locking function as shown in FIGS.  5 A/B/C,  6  and  7 A/B consists of a primary and a secondary locking device  15 ,  1504 . The primary locking device  15  uses, for instance, an over centre cam quick-release type lock. The cam  1501  is positioned so that when a load is applied to the chair  1  the cam  1501  will rotate to the locked position. This means that whenever a child is seated in the chair  1  the weight of the child will cause the mechanism to lock. When locking, the cam  1501  comes into contact with a scalloped surface  307  on the T-profile  304 ,  305 . The scalloped surface  307  is used to increase the contact area between the cam  1501  and the clamping surface and also increases the vertical component of force, to oppose forces that would initiate movement in the upwards or downwards directions. When the cam  1501  is in the locked position it pushes firmly against the T-profile  304 ,  305 , thereby removing any play between the seat  2  and the base  3  and creates a rigid structure. 
         [0054]    When the height adjustment lock handle assembly  15  is in the unlocked position, it is sticking out from the leg surface  203  of the seat  2 . Therefore it is obvious to the user if the seat  2  is not in the locked position. 
         [0055]    Because a cam type mechanism is used rather than the more usual pin/hole type mechanism, there is less limitation in the number of positions available for the seat  2  to be set at. The addition of gas springs  1502  (or similar devices), which gently propel the seat  2  in the upward direction when the cam  1501  is released, simplifies the height adjustment. The user can push down on the seat  2  with one hand and when the desired height is achieved can then lock the seat  2  using the other hand. 
         [0056]    Without gas springs  1502  (or similar devices) the user would need to pull the seat  2  up to the desired position which is a more difficult action. This would create the possibility that the whole chair  1  is lifted off the floor rather than only the seat  2  being moved upward or the possibility that the seat  2  is pulled on one side only, which could lead to the seat  2  becoming skewed and adjusting would then become difficult. 
         [0057]    The prevention of accidental release is provided through a secondary latch  1504  which must first be released before the height adjustment lock handle assembly  15  can rotate. The secondary latch  1504  is released by sliding the lever handle  1505  down as shown in FIG.  5 A/B. The rotating follows the sliding movement providing a smooth secession of movements rather than two disjointed movements. 
         [0058]    As described previously, the seat  2  contains, for instance, two aluminium extrusions  212 ,  213  which slide over two T-profiles  304 ,  305  that are attached to the cross member  303  between the legs  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14  of the base  3 . In the centre of the extrusion  212 ,  213  there is a cut-out which allows the cam  1501  from the cam component  1511  to protrude through. The two T-profiles  304 ,  305  on the cross member  303  of the legs  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14  have a scalloped surface  307  which the cam  1501  makes contact with when in the locked position. The cam component  1511  itself is attached to the moveable cover  208 . Inside of the plastic seat shells  204 ,  205  is the internal frame  206  which contains the axles  1503  that the cam  1501  (and height adjustable lock handle assembly  15 ) rotate about. The secondary latch  1506  is located on the back of the height adjustable lock handle assembly  15  and can be slid downwards with the fingers, allowing the cam  1501  to be rotated. When in the upwards position the latch  1506  fits behind a section of the internal frame  206  which prevents the rotating of the cam  1501 . When the lever  1505  is moved downward the latch  1504  is also moved and the cam  1501  is then free to rotate. A compression spring  1508  fits between the moveable cover  208  and the latch  1506  to keep the latch  1506  in the upward (locked) position. The latch  1506  is pushed down by the seat&#39;s internal frame  206  pushing against an angled section  210  of the latch  1506 . 
         [0059]    As well as suiting a range of ages it is desirable for the child&#39;s caregiver that the highchair  1  can be modified to suit the particular child&#39;s needs as well as those of the caregiver. 
         [0060]    The tray  5  should be removable for cleaning and the highchair  1  should still be able to be used without the tray  5 . Also the relevant Standards state that a crotch bar  9  is mandatory when the tray table  5  is in use. For small babies a harness  6  is desired but this should be able to be removed for bigger children. It is desired that both the footrest  4  and bumper bar  8  be removed when they are no longer required. 
         [0061]    The seat can be easily changed as the baby grows and their needs change. The high chair  1  can be converted from a standard baby&#39;s high chair  1  to a normal child&#39;s chair  1  by removing the different components as shown in  FIG. 1 . The tray  5  can only be used when the crotch bar/bumper bar  8 ,  9  is in place thereby complying with the Standards. Once the tray table  5  is removed, the crotch bar/bumper bar  8 ,  9  is still in place giving extra versatility to the high chair  1 . 
         [0062]    A soft cushion  10  is included in the design for very young children. When the child is bigger this can be removed by first removing the harness  6 . The harness  6  is attached to the chair  1  by means of attachment clips  601  that can only be removed by use of a tool  618 . The tool  618  must be inserted into the slots  220  in the back shell of the seat  2  and this in turn pushes a flexible snap  602  of the attachment clip  601  away allowing the attachment clip to be released. The tray  5  is easily removed by first releasing the tray snaps  503 ,  504  on the inside of the tray  5  and then sliding the tray out of the slots  215  in the back surface of the seat  2 . The bumper bar  8  is released in a similar manner. There is a snap  901  in the crutch bar  9  that is released by pressing on a flexible section  902  of the bar  9 . This then allows the crutch bar  9  to be pulled out. The bumper bar  8  can then be rotated out of the slots  215  in the back surface of the seat  2 . The foot rest  4  can be removed by first releasing the height adjustment lock handle assembly  15 , and then the foot rest  4  can be detached one side at a time by pulling the footrest  4  open. 
         [0063]    Buckles that are complicated to fasten are less likely to be used by the caregiver. It is desirable that the harness buckle  7  be simple and easy to use by the caregiver. The buckle  7  is attached to the length of webbing that fits between the child&#39;s legs. Two buckle clips  608 ,  609  are attached to two lengths of webbing, one that goes over the left shoulder of the child and to the left of the child&#39;s waist and one that goes over the right shoulder of the child and to the right of the child&#39;s waist. The two buckle clips  608 ,  609  can be clipped independently into the buckle  7 . 
         [0064]    The buckle  7  is made from five plastic components. The front half  701  and back half  702  of the buckle  7 , which comprise the buckle housing; a flexible button  703  and two buckle clips  609 ,  610  containing a flexible snap  615 ,  616  that is flexed on compression of the button  703  and is released from behind a rib  704  in the back half  702 . Two compression springs  705  are incorporated to propel the clips  608 ,  609  out of the buckle housing on compression of the button  703 . 
         [0065]    Although the invention is described herein by way of the preferred embodiment as an example, the man skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0