Abstract:
A convertible highchair assembly includes a seat frame, a booster seat detachably installable on the seat frame, a tray detachably mountable on the booster seat and having a plurality of sockets, and a plurality of leg extensions selectively attachable to any of the support frame portion and the tray, each of the leg extensions having a connecting end. The seat frame includes a support frame portion and a seat portion affixed with each other, the seat portion being adapted to receive a child. The connecting ends of the leg extensions are attached to the support frame portion for configuring a highchair, and the connecting ends of the leg extensions are respectively inserted into the sockets while the tray is removed from the booster seat for configuring a standalone table, the leg extensions providing standing support for the tray.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This patent application respectively claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/124,450 filed on Dec. 19, 2014, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/176,889 filed on Mar. 18, 2015, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to highchair assemblies for children. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Highchairs for children typically include a rigid frame on which a seat is supported above the floor, and a tray attached to the seat. Conventional highchairs usually have a large footprint and an oversized tray that may occupy substantial space in a kitchen or a room, which may make it difficult for a caregiver to organize the eating area in a room with limited space. Moreover, most traditional highchairs have a limited sitting space that can only accommodate children of certain age. As the child grows up, the highchair may quickly become unsuitable for seating the child. 
         [0006]    For solving the aforementioned problems, some approaches propose a highchair having a removable child seat. The removable child seat can accommodate a young child. When the child seat is removed from the highchair, the larger sitting space of the highchair can receive a child of a higher age. Even if this approach is adapted for accommodating children of different ages, it is still limited to highchair uses. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there is a need for an improved highchair design that is more versatile, and can address at least the foregoing issues. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The present application describes a highchair assembly that is easy to operate, and can be converted to multiple configurations according to the child&#39;s age and needs. In one embodiment, the highchair assembly includes a seat frame, a booster seat detachably installable on the seat frame, a tray detachably mountable on the booster seat and having a plurality of sockets, and a plurality of leg extensions selectively attachable to any of the support frame portion and the tray, each of the leg extensions having a connecting end. The seat frame includes a support frame portion and a seat portion affixed with each other, the seat portion being adapted to receive a child. The connecting ends of the leg extensions are attached to the support frame portion for configuring a highchair, and the connecting ends of the leg extensions are respectively inserted into the sockets while the tray is removed from the booster seat for configuring a standalone table, the leg extensions providing standing support for the tray in the configuration of the standalone table. 
         [0009]    In some other embodiments, the present application also describes a tray suitable for use with a booster seat. The tray includes a rigid tray body having a plurality of sockets that is attachable to a booster seat, and a plurality of latches assembled with the tray body at locations respectively adjacent to the sockets, the latches being operable to engage with a plurality of leg extensions for providing standing support to the tray as a standalone table. 
         [0010]    Advantages of the structures described herein include the ability to provide a highchair assembly that is easy to operate and more versatile in use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a highchair assembly; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the highchair assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view illustrating the highchair assembly of  FIG. 1  with a booster seat detached therefrom; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view illustrating another configuration of the highchair assembly without the booster seat installed thereon; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view illustrating an independent use of the booster seat with a removable tray installed thereon; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view illustrating an independent use of the booster seat without the tray; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a is a schematic view illustrating another configuration in which the tray is configured as a standalone table and a seat frame of the highchair assembly is configured as a standalone chair; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view illustrating the seat frame of the highchair assembly alone; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view illustrating the construction of a foot member of the seat frame; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating the booster seat alone including a seat portion and a backrest assembled with each other; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective bottom view of the booster seat; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view illustrating the seat portion of the booster seat; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a schematic view illustrating the backrest of the booster seat; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view illustrating how the backrest is locked with the seat portion in the booster seat; 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is an enlarged view illustrating the assembly of a latch with a armrest of the booster seat, the latch being used for locking the booster seat with the seat frame of the highchair assembly; 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view illustrating a removable tray attachable to the booster seat of the highchair assembly; 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view illustrating an underside of the tray; 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a schematic view illustrating an inner construction of the tray including a plurality of latches for locking leg extensions with the tray; 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  is an enlarged view of portion E shown in  FIG. 18 ; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  is a schematic view illustrating another example of assembling a plurality of latches in the tray, the latches being used for locking the tray on a booster seat. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]      FIGS. 1-3  are schematic views illustrating an embodiment of a highchair assembly  100 . The highchair assembly  100  can include a seat frame  102 , a plurality of leg extensions  104 , a booster seat  106  and a tray  108 . The seat frame  102 , leg extensions  104 , booster seat  106  and tray  108  can be assembled together to form a highchair. The highchair configuration as shown in  FIG. 1  can be suitable for receiving a young child, who can sit in the sitting area defined by the booster seat  106 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the booster seat  106  can be provided as a detachable seat, which can be removed according to the needs. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view illustrating another configuration of the highchair assembly without the booster seat  106  installed thereon. In this configuration, the leg extensions  104  are attached to the seat frame  102  to form a highchair. Unlike the highchair configuration of  FIG. 1 , the sitting area of the highchair configuration shown in  FIG. 4  is defined by the seat frame  102 , and is a larger than the sitting area of the booster seat  106 . Accordingly, the highchair configuration shown in  FIG. 4  may be suitable for seating an older child. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 5-7  are schematic views illustrating other configurations of use that may be set with the seat frame  102 , leg extensions  104 , booster seat  106  and tray  108 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are schematic views illustrating a configuration in which the booster seat  106  can be independently used on an adult chair. Referring to  FIG. 5 , when it is removed from seat frame  102 , the booster seat  106  with the tray  108  mounted thereon can be placed on an adult chair for use as an infant feeding booster seat. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the tray  108  may be removed from the booster seat  106  so as to leave more room for receiving a taller child on the booster seat  106 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view illustrating another configuration in which the seat frame  102  and the tray  108  are respectively converted to a standalone chair and a standalone table. In this configuration, the tray  108  is detached from the booster seat  106 , and the leg extensions  104  are removed from the seat frame  102  and attached to the tray  108 . The coupling of the tray  108  with the leg extensions  104  can form a standalone table. Moreover, the seat frame  102  without the leg extensions  104  attached thereto can be used as a standalone chair having multiple legs  120  and  122  capable of standing independently on a floor surface. The height of the seat frame  102  configured as a standalone chair, and the height of the table formed by the assembly of the tray  108  and the leg extensions  104  are respectively smaller than the height of the highchair configurations shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . Accordingly, the chair and table configuration shown in  FIG. 7  can be easily accessible to a child for play and entertainment. 
         [0036]    Detailed construction of the seat frame  102 , leg extensions  104 , booster seat  106  and tray  108  is described hereinafter with reference to  FIGS. 8-20 . 
         [0037]    In conjunction with  FIGS. 1 ,  FIG. 8  is a schematic view illustrating the seat frame  102  alone. The seat frame  102  can include a seat portion  110  and a support frame portion  112  affixed with each other. The seat portion  110  can have a seating surface  114  for receiving a child, a seatback  116 , and a left and a right sidewall  118 . The seatback  116  and the sidewalls  118  can respectively project upward from the seating surface  114  to define at least partially a sitting area of the seat portion  110 . In some embodiments, the seat portion  110  including the seatback  116  and the sidewalls  118  may be formed as an integral body made of molded plastics. 
         [0038]    The support frame portion  112  can include a plurality of legs  120  and  122  projecting downward from the seat portion  110 . The legs  120  and  122  can be exemplary formed tubular segments, e.g., made of a metallic material. The legs  120  can be front legs, and the legs  122  can be rear legs. Two brackets  124  can be respectively affixed with the legs  120  below the seat portion  110 . A removable footrest  126  (better shown in  FIGS. 1-4 ) can be attached to the brackets  124  when the seat frame  102  is used in a highchair configuration. When the seat frame  102  is used as a standalone chair, the footrest  126  can be removed, and the legs  120  and  122  can provide independent standing support on a floor surface. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the legs  120  and  122  can have lower ends respectively affixed with foot members  128 . The foot members  128  can have a similar structure.  FIG. 9  is a schematic view illustrating the construction of one foot member  128 . The foot member  128  can be a plastic part having a pad  130  and an insert portion  132  connected with each other. In one embodiment, the foot member  128  including the pad  130  and the insert portion  132  may be formed as an integral body by plastic molding. When the seat frame  102  is configured as a standalone chair, the legs  120  and  122  can stand on a floor surface with the pads  130  of the foot members  128  in contact against the floor surface. The insert portion  132  can be connected with a resilient tongue  134  having a distal end provided with a knob  136 . When the foot member  128  is assembled with one leg  120  or  122 , the insert portion  132  can be fixedly fitted into the hollow interior of the leg  120  or  122  with the pad  130  exposed outward. Moreover, the resilient tongue  134  can be received inside the leg  120  or  122 , and the knob  136  can protrude outward through a hole formed through the leg  120  or  122  for locking engagement with one leg extension  104 . The resilient tongue  134  can act as a latching member for locking one leg extension  104  with the leg  120  or  122 . 
         [0040]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1-3 , the leg extensions  104  can respectively attach to the legs  120  and  122  of the support frame portion  112  for configuring a highchair. Each of the leg extensions  104  can be an elongated tube segment having a connecting end  104 A provided with a hole  137 . The length of each leg extension  104  may be greater than that of the legs  120  and  122 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 1, 8 and 9 , when the leg extensions  104  are attached to the legs  120  and  122  of the support frame portion  112 , the pads  130  of the foot members  128  can be respectively received in the connecting ends  104 A of the leg extensions  104 , and the knobs  136  of the resilient tongues  134  can respectively engage with the holes  137  on the connecting ends  104 A of the leg extensions  104 . The legs  120  and  122  and the leg extensions  104  attached thereto can exhibit an overall smooth profile, and the pads  130  of the foot members  128  can be substantially concealed inside the leg extensions  104  for preventing protruding features that may be undesirable in use. 
         [0042]    For removing the leg extensions  104  from the support frame portion  112 , the knobs  136  can be pushed inward to disengage from the holes  137  of the leg extensions  104 . The leg extensions  104  can be thereby unlocked, and removed from the legs  120  and  122 . 
         [0043]    Referring again to  FIG. 8 , the seat portion  110  can further be affixed with a beam  138 . In one embodiment, the beam  138  can be exemplary formed as a tubular segment, e.g., made of a metallic material. The beam  138  can extend continuously along a rear and a left and a right side of the seat portion  110 . More specifically, the beam  138  can extend along the respective outer surfaces of the seatback  116  and sidewalls  118 , and can slope downward toward a front of the seat portion  110  at the left and right sides thereof. The seat portion  110  can have a region  110 A extending above the beam  138  at the rear, left and right sides thereof. In one embodiment, the beam  138  may be joined with the legs  120 . The beam  138  can define a support surface for the booster seat  106  when it is installed on the seat frame  102 . 
         [0044]    In conjunction with  FIG. 1 ,  FIGS. 10-13  are schematic views illustrating the construction of the booster seat  106 . The booster seat  106  can include a seat portion  140  and a removable backrest  141 .  FIGS. 10 and 11  show the seat portion  140  and the backrest  141  assembled with each other,  FIG. 12  shows the seat portion  140  alone, and  FIG. 13  shows the backrest  141  alone. The seat portion  140  can have a bottom portion  142  protruding downward that can provide independent standing support on a floor surface or an adult chair. The seat portion  140  can further have an upper seating surface  144  for receiving a child, a rear wall  146  and a left and a right armrest  148 . The seating surface  144  can have a sitting area that is smaller than that of the seat portion  110  of the seat frame  102 . The rear wall  146  and the armrests  148  can respectively project upward from the seating surface  144 . In one embodiment, the seat portion  140  including the rear wall  146  and the armrests  148  may be formed as a unitary body made of molded plastics. 
         [0045]    Each of the armrests  148  can have an inner cavity  150  that is opened downwardly and is delimited at least partially between an inner sidewall  148 A and an outer sidewall  148 B of the armrest  148 . The inner sidewall  148 A is adjacent to the seating surface  144 , and the outer sidewall  148 B is located at the outer side of the armrest  148 . The outer sidewall  148 B can have a lower edge  152  that rises obliquely toward a rear of the seat portion  140  and lowers toward a front of the seat portion  140 . A top of the rear wall  146  can be connected with a bend portion  153  that extends along a width of the seat portion  140 . The bend portion  153  can at least partially define an inner cavity  153 A that is opened downwardly and respectively connects with the inner cavities  150  of the two armrests  148 . Moreover, the bend portion  153  can have a lower edge  154  that is connected with the lower edges  152  of the two armrests  148 . 
         [0046]    As better shown in  FIG. 12 , the seat portion  140  can further include two mount slots  156  for assembling the backrest  141 . The two mount slots  156  can be respectively formed in the armrests  148  (e.g., in the inner sidewall  148 A thereof) near the rear wall  146 . In one embodiment, each of the mount slots  156  can have a T-shape. Moreover, the seat portion  140  can be assembled with two latching members  158  that are respectively disposed adjacent to the two mount slots  156 . The two latching members  158  are operable to engage with the backrest  141  for locking the backrest  141  with the seat portion  140 , and to disengage from the backrest  141  for allowing its removal. 
         [0047]    In conjunction with  FIGS. 10-13 ,  FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the backrest  141  locked with the seat portion  140  via the latching member  158 . The two latching members  158  can be similar in construction, each of which can include an elongated segment  160 , a bend portion  162  and an actuating portion  164 . The bend portion  162  and the actuating portion  164  can be respectively connected with the elongated segment  160  at two opposite sides thereof. The bend portion  162  can extend generally perpendicular to the elongated segment  160 , and the actuating portion  164  can have a curved shape for facilitating its operating with a finger. Moreover, a region of the elongated segment  160  between the bend portion  162  and the actuating portion  164  can be formed with a knob  166  having an angled surface  166 A. In one embodiment, the latching member  158 , including the bend portion  162 , actuating portion  164  and knob  166  may be integrally formed as a single part. The bend portion  162  can be fixedly connected with an interior of the seat portion  140 , and the knob  166  can protrude into an interior of the mount slot  156  associated therewith. The elongated segment  160  can elastically deflect relative to the bend portion  162  to cause the knob  166  to engage or disengage the backrest  141 . 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the backrest  144  can have two protruding bosses  168  respectively protruding outward at a left and a right side edge  141 A of the backrest  141  near a lower end thereof. Each boss  168  can have a T-shape, and can be provided with an opening  168 A. 
         [0049]    When the backrest  141  is assembled with the seat portion  140 , the two bosses  168  can be respectively inserted into the mount slots  156 . As they slide into the mount slots  156 , the bosses  168  can respectively push against the angled surfaces  166 A of the knobs  166 , which causes respective deflection of the elongated segments  160  of the latches  158  away from the side edges  141 A of the backrest  141  to allow further downward travel of the bosses  168 . Once the bosses  168  are fully inserted in the mount slots  156 , the elongated segments  160  can elastically deflect toward the side edges  141 A of the backrest  141  to cause the knobs  166  to respectively engage with the openings  168 A of the bosses  168 . The latches  158  can thereby block upward displacement of the backrest  141 , and the backrest  141  can be locked with the seat portion  140 . 
         [0050]    For removing the backrest  141 , the actuating portion  164  can be pulled outward to cause deflection of the elongated segment  160  and disengage the knob  166  from the corresponding boss  168 . Once the two latches  158  are disengaged, the unlocked backrest  141  can be removed from the seat portion  140 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , the booster seat  106  can further include two anchoring latches  170  respectively operable to engage with the seat portion  110  of the seat frame  102  when the booster seat  106  is installed on the seat frame  102 . The two anchoring latches  170  can be respectively assembled with the two armrests  148 , and can respectively extend into the inner cavities  150  thereof. The two anchoring latches  170  can have a same construction, and can be respectively connected pivotally with the seat portion  140  of the booster seat  106 . In conjunction with  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 15  is an enlarged view illustrating the assembly of one latch  170  with one armrest  148 . The latch  170  can have an actuating portion  172  and a latching portion  174 . In one embodiment, the anchoring latch  170  including the actuating portion  172  and the latching portion  174  can be formed integrally as a single part. The actuating potion  172  can be exposed outward through the outer sidewall  148 B of the armrest  148 , and the latching portion  174  can protrude into the inner cavity  150  of the armrest  148 . Moreover, a spring  176  can be respectively connected with the anchoring latch  170  and a fixed point of the seat portion  140 . The spring  176  can bias the anchoring latch  170  to a locking state for engagement of the latching portion  174  with the seat portion  110  of the seat frame  102 . 
         [0052]    As better shown in  FIGS. 4 and 8 , the seat portion  110  of the seat frame  102  can have two slots  178  respectively formed on the left and right sides of the region  110 A above the beam  138  for receiving the locking engagement of the anchoring latches  170 . 
         [0053]    When the booster seat  106  is installed on the seat portion  110  of the seat frame  102 , the armrests  148  and the bend portion  153  of the seat portion  140  can respectively rest in contact with the beam  138 , and the region  110 A of the seat portion  110  can be received in the inner cavities  150  of the two armrests  148  and the inner cavity  153 A of the bend portion  153 . The booster seat  106  can be thereby supported at least partially by the beam  138 , and lateral and back and forth displacements of the booster seat  106  relative to the seat frame  102  can be prevented. Moreover, the two anchoring latches  170  can respectively engage with the two slots  178  under the biasing action of the springs  176  to lock the booster seat  106  in place. For removing the booster seat  106 , the actuating portions  172  can be respectively depressed to disengage the anchoring latches  170  from the slots  178 . The unlocked booster seat  106  then can be removed from the seat frame  102 . 
         [0054]    As better shown in  FIG. 11 , the booster seat  106  can further include two storage drawers  179  for receiving at least partially a restraint harness (not shown) of the booster seat  106 . The storage drawers  179  can be assembled with the bottom portion  142  of the seat portion  140 . The restraint harness received in the storage drawers  179  may be deployed for attaching the booster seat  106  on an adult chair. 
         [0055]    In conjunction with  FIG. 1 ,  FIGS. 16 and 17  are schematic views illustrating the tray  108 . The tray  108  is detachably installable on the armrests  148  of the booster seat  106  over the seating surface  144  of the seat portion  140 . The tray  108  can include a rigid tray body  180  adapted for receiving items such as drinking bottles, bowls, dishes, etc. In one embodiment, the tray body  180  may be formed by the assembly of one or more casings, e.g., an upper and a lower casing. 
         [0056]    The tray body  180  can define a front side  108 A, a rear side  108 B, a left and a right side  108 C and  108 D, and multiple corners  108 E (e.g., 4 corners  180 E) of the tray  108 . The front and rear sides  108 A and  108 B respectively join with the left and right sides  108 C and  108 D at the corners  108 E. The rear side  108 B of the tray  108  is close to a child sitting on the booster seat  106  when the tray  108  is installed thereon. 
         [0057]    The tray body  180  can be assembled with two latches  182  (better shown in  FIG. 17 ) for locking the tray  108  with the booster seat  106 . More specifically, an underside of the tray body  180  can have a cavity  181  delimited transversally between a left and a right sidewall  181 A, and the two latches  182  can be respectively disposed adjacent to the left and right sidewalls  181 A near the rear side  108 B of the tray  108 . In one embodiment, the latches  182  may be pivotally assembled with the tray body  180 . Each latch  182  can have a plurality of teeth  182 A projecting into the cavity  181 , and an actuating portion  182 B that is affixed with the teeth  182 A and exposed at the underside of the tray  108 . In one embodiment, the latch  182  including the teeth  182 A and the actuating portion  182 B can be formed integrally as a single part. When the tray  108  is installed on the booster seat  106 , a top of the armrests  148  of the booster seat  106  can be respectively received in the cavity  181  respectively adjacent to the left and right sidewalls  181 A. The teeth  182 A of each latch  182  can engage with a locking slot  184  (better shown in  FIG. 10 ) provided on the outer sidewall  148 B of the corresponding armrest  148  to lock the tray  108  with the booster seat  106 . The locking slot  184  can have a plurality of indentations for engagements of the teeth  182 A. Each latch  182  can be respectively biased by a spring  186  (shown with phantom lines in  FIG. 17 ) toward a locking state where the teeth  182 A engage with the locking slot  184 . Moreover, each actuating portion  182 B may be independently operable to cause unlocking displacement of the corresponding latch  182  for disengaging the teeth  182 A from the locking slot  184  of the booster seat  106 . 
         [0058]    Rather than the pivotal connection described above, another embodiment may have the latches  182  slidably assembled with the tray body  180 , which is schematically shown in  FIG. 20 . In this case, the latches  182  can respectively slide along a transversal direction (i.e., extending from the left side  108 C to the right side  108 D of the tray  108 ) to lock and unlock the tray  108  with respect to the booster seat  106 . 
         [0059]    To facilitate unlocking operation of the latches  182 , the tray  108  may further include a release member  187  that is coupled with the two latches  182  and can be operable to drive concurrent unlocking displacements of the two latches  182 . For example, the release member  187  can be slidably assembled with the tray body  180  at the front side  108 A, and can be respectively coupled with the two latches  182  via two linkage arms  188 . The two linkage arms  188  may be made of an elastically deformable material, and can be curved to respectively extend toward the left and right sides  108 C and  108 D of the tray  108 . Each linkage arm  188  can have two ends respectively connected with a corresponding latch  182  and the release member  187 . When it is pulled outward, the release member  187  can drive sliding displacements of the linkage arms  188 , which in turn cause the latches  182  to move (e.g., rotation or sliding displacement) for respectively disengaging from the armrests  148  of the booster seat  106 . 
         [0060]    As better shown in  FIG. 18 , the release member  187  can be further connected with a spring  189 . The spring  189  can bias the release member  187  toward the interior of the tray body  180  to an initial position corresponding to a locking state of the latches  182 . 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the tray  108  can further include a plurality of sockets  190  configured to receive the insertion of the leg extensions  104 . The sockets  190  can be affixed with the tray body  180  at locations respectively near the corners  180 E of the tray  108 . Each socket  190  can include a pocket in which the connecting end  104 A of one leg extension  104  can be inserted for attachment. The pocket of the socket  190  can be formed in the tray body  180 , and opened at the underside of the tray body  180 . Moreover, an inner sidewall of the pocket can include one or more ribs  191 . When one leg extension  104  is inserted into the socket  190  (for clarity only one leg extension  104  is exemplary shown in  FIG. 17  with phantom lines), the ribs  191  can respectively engage recesses  104 B provided on an outer surface of the connecting end  104 A of the leg extension  104  to assist in properly orienting the leg extension  104  and prevent its rotation in the socket  190 . It will be appreciated that alternate embodiments may place the ribs  191  on the leg extension  104 , and the recesses  104 B on the inner sidewall of the socket  190 . 
         [0062]    In conjunction with  FIGS. 16 and 17 ,  FIG. 18  is a schematic view illustrating further construction details of the tray  108 , and  FIG. 19  is an enlarged view of portion E shown in  FIG. 18 . Referring to  FIGS. 18 and 19 , each socket  190  can be respectively associated with a latch  192  operable to engage with the connecting end  104 A of the leg extension  104  for locking the leg extensions  104  with the tray  108 . The latches  192  can have a similar construction. Each latch  192  can include a sleeve  192 A, a locking arm  192 B and a release button  192 C, which are all affixed together as a unitary part. In one embodiment, the latch  192  including the sleeve  192 A, locking arm  192 B and release button  192 C may be formed as an integral part. The sleeve  192 A, locking arm  192 B and release button  192 C can protrude from the sleeve  192 A in different directions. Moreover, the latch  192  can be connected with a resilient member  193 , which is operable to bias the latch  192  toward a locking state. In one embodiment, the resilient member  193  may be formed integrally with the latch  192 , so that the latch  192  and the resilient member  193  may be provided as a single part. 
         [0063]    All of the latches  192  can be assembled with the tray body  180  in a same way. A post  194  affixed to the tray body  180  can be disposed through the sleeve  192 A to pivotally connect the latch  192  with the tray body  180  adjacent to one corresponding socket  190 . The post  194  can extend along a direction substantially perpendicular to a major support surface of the tray body  180 , so that the rotation axis of the latch  192  can be substantially perpendicular to the major support surface of the tray body  180 . An end of the locking arm  192 B can extend into the pocket of the socket  190  via a slot  196  formed through an inner sidewall of the socket  190 . The release button  192 C can be exposed outward through an opening of the tray body  180  for operation. The resilient member  193  can have a distal end anchored with a sidewall  198  affixed to the tray body  180 . 
         [0064]    When the connecting end  104  of the leg extension  104  is inserted in the socket  190 , the latch  192  can be rotationally biased by the resilient member  193  to a locking state in which the locking arm  192 B engages through the hole  137  on the connecting end  104 A of the leg extension  104  for locking the leg extension  104  with the tray  108 . The spring force applied by the resilient member  193  may cause a stop lip  195  (better shown in  FIG. 19 ) provided at a side of the release button  192 C to abut against the tray body  180  at a border region of the opening where the release button  192 C is exposed, which can limit the course of the latch  192  and stop it in the locking state. Moreover, the release button  192 C can be depressed to cause unlocking rotation of the latch  192 , which disengages the locking arm  192 B from the connecting end  104 A of the leg extension  104 . 
         [0065]    Exemplary operation for converting the highchair assembly  100  to various configurations of use is described hereinafter with reference to  FIGS. 1-20 . Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , suppose that a caregiver wants to configure the highchair assembly  100  for seating a young child. The lower ends of the legs  120  and  122  of the seat frame  102  can be respectively inserted into the leg extensions  104 , and the resilient tongues  134  of the foot members  128  can be respectively engage with the holes  137  on the connecting ends  104 A of the leg extensions  104  for locking the leg extensions  104  with the seat frame  102 . The leg extensions  104  can thereby provide standing support for the highchair assembly  100 . Moreover, the booster seat  106  can be installed on the seat frame  102  such that the lower edges  152  of the armrests  148  and the lower edge  154  of the bend portion  153  respectively rest in contact on the beam  138 , and the anchoring latches  170  can respectively engage with the slots  178  on the region  110 A of the seat portion  110  received in the inner cavities  150  of the two armrests  148 . The booster seat  106  can be thereby supported at by the beam  138  and securely locked with the seat frame  102 , the booster seat  106  lying above and substantially out of contact with the seating surface  114  of the seat frame  102 . 
         [0066]    For installing the tray  108  on the booster seat  106 , the tray  108  can be placed such that the top of the armrests  148  are received in the cavity  181  at the underside of the tray  108 , and the latches  182  of the tray  108  can respectively engage with the armrests  148  of the booster seat  106  to lock the tray  108  with the booster seat  106 . 
         [0067]    In case the tray  108  is unused, the latches  182  can be unlocked by respectively operating the two actuating portions  182 B at the left and right sides  108 C and  108 D of the tray  108 , or by pulling the release member  187  at the front side  108 A of the tray  108 . As a result, the two latches  182  can move for disengaging from the armrests  148  of the booster seat  106 , which can then be removed from the booster seat  106 . 
         [0068]    For converting the highchair assembly  100  from the configuration of  FIG. 1  to the configuration shown in  FIG. 4 , the actuating portions  172  at the left and right sides of the booster seat  106  can be respectively operated to disengage the anchoring latches  170  from the seat portion  110  of the seat frame  102 . The unlocked booster seat  106  then can be removed from the seat frame  102 , which converts the highchair assembly  100  to the configuration shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0069]    The booster seat  106  detached from the seat frame  102  may be used independently for seating a child on an adult chair as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In this configuration, the storage drawers  179  may be opened so that the restraint harness (not shown) of the booster seat  106  can be pulled out and attached with the adult chair. 
         [0070]    For converting the highchair assembly  100  to a lower standalone chair configuration as shown in  FIG. 7 , the knobs  136  of the legs  120  and  122  can be depressed so as to disengage from the holes  137  of the leg extensions  104 , and the unlocked leg extensions  104  then can be removed from the legs  120  and  122  of the seat frame  102 . The seat frame  102  alone can thereby form an independent chair of a height smaller than that of the highchair assembly  100 . The standalone chair formed by the seat frame  102  can stand independently on the legs  120  and  122 , and can receive a child on the seating surface  114 . 
         [0071]    For converting the tray  108  to a standalone table configuration as shown in  FIG. 7 , the leg extensions  104  can be respectively inserted into the sockets  190  of the tray  108 , and the latches  192  can respectively engage with the holes  137  on the connecting ends  104 A of the leg extensions  104  to lock the leg extensions  104  with the tray  108 . The tray  108  can be thereby configured as a standalone table capable of standing independently on the leg extensions  104 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the standalone table formed by the assembly of the tray  108  with the leg extensions  104  can be compatible for use with the standalone chair formed by the seat frame  102 , i.e., the standalone table can be used by a child sitting on the standalone chair formed by the seat frame  102 . Moreover, the standalone chair formed by the seat frame  102  may also be conveniently stowed under the tray  108  of the standalone table. 
         [0072]    Advantages of the structures described herein include the ability to provide a highchair assembly that can be converted to different configurations according to the child&#39;s age and needs. 
         [0073]    Realizations of the highchair assembly have been described in the context of particular embodiments. These embodiments are meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the inventions as defined in the claims that follow.