BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of high chairs for children. More particularly, the present invention relates to folding and collapsible high chairs.

High chairs and folding chairs, such as lawn chairs, are generally known in the art. Further, some folding high chairs are known. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,750.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention include a collapsible high chair having a softgoods attachment supported by a collapsible frame. The collapsible high chair may include a releasably mounted tray. Embodiments include softgoods attachments that are easily removable from the frame and softgoods attachments including integrated carry bags. For example, embodiments may include passive restraints such as a horn extending from the underside of the tray or a webbing restraint mounted near the front of the seat. Embodiments of the collapsible frame may include vertical legs.

In a first aspect, the collapsible high chair may include a frame including a plurality of legs oriented generally perpendicularly to a supporting surface, and a plurality of side frames, each of the side frames interposing a respective two of the plurality of legs; a soft goods attachment affixed to the frame, the soft goods attachment including a seat and a back; and a passive restraint mounted proximate a front of the seat, the front of the seat being opposite the back.

In a detailed embodiment of the first aspect, the collapsible high chair may include a first side and a second side and the passive restraint may include a first segment of webbing extending between the first side and the second side and a second segment of webbing extending between the first segment of webbing and the seat.

In another detailed embodiment of the first aspect, the collapsible high chair may include a locking mechanism mounted between a front two of the legs and the passive restraint may be integrally formed with the locking mechanism. In a further detailed embodiment, the passive restraint may include a horn extending from the locking mechanism towards the seat.

In another detailed embodiment of the first aspect, the collapsible high chair may include a tray releasably coupled to the frame and the passive restraint may include a horn extending toward the seat from the tray. In a further detailed embodiment, the collapsible high chair may include a first side and a second side and the horn may be generally centered between the first side and the second side when the tray is coupled to the frame. In a still further detailed embodiment, the horn may extend substantially entirely between the tray and the seat.

In another detailed embodiment of the first aspect, the soft goods attachment may be releasably coupled to the frame. In a further detailed embodiment, the soft goods attachment may include at least one pocket adapted to receive a portion of at least one of the legs. In another further detailed embodiment, the soft goods attachment may include an integrated carry bag, the integrated carry bag at least partially containing the frame and the soft goods attachment when the high chair is in a collapsed configuration.

In yet another detailed embodiment of the first aspect, each of the side frames may include two diagonal segments, each of the diagonal segments including a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotably coupled to one of the legs and the second end being pivotably and slidably coupled to an adjacent one of the legs, the two diagonal segments of each side frame being pivotably joined proximate their midpoints.

In still another detailed embodiment of the first aspect, the collapsible high chair may include a locking mechanism interposing two of the legs, the locking mechanism including two arms, each of the two arms being pivotably and slidably coupled to a respective one of the two legs; wherein the locking mechanism is operative to maintain a separation between the two legs when the high chair is in an extended configuration.

In a second aspect, the collapsible high chair may include a collapsible frame including a first front leg, a second front leg, a first rear leg, a second rear leg, a first diagonal segment pivotably connected to the first front leg and pivotably and slidably connected to the second front leg, a second diagonal segment pivotably connected to the first rear leg and pivotably and slidably connected to the first front leg, a third diagonal segment pivotably connected to the second front segment and pivotably and slidably connected to the second rear leg, a fourth diagonal segment pivotably connected to the second rear leg and pivotably and slidably connected to the first rear leg, and a locking mechanism including a first arm slidably and pivotably connected to the first rear leg, and a second arm pivotably connected to the first arm and slidably and pivotably connected to the second rear leg; and a tray releasably mountable on the collapsible frame.

In a detailed embodiment of the second aspect, each of the first front leg, second front leg, first rear leg, and second rear leg, may be oriented generally perpendicularly relative to a supporting surface. In another detailed embodiment, the diagonal segments may be obliquely oriented relative to the legs when the high chair is in an extended configuration and the diagonal segments are generally parallel with the legs when the high chair is in a collapsed configuration. In yet another detailed embodiment, the first arm and the second arm may be generally perpendicularly oriented relative to the first rear leg and the second rear leg when the high chair is in the extended configuration and the first arm and the second arm are obliquely oriented relative to the first rear leg and the second rear leg when the high chair is in the collapsed configuration.

In another detailed embodiment of the second aspect, the collapsible high chair may include a soft goods attachment mounted to the frame, and the soft goods attachment may include a seat and a back. In a further detailed embodiment, the soft goods attachment may be releasably attached to the frame. The soft goods attachment may include an integrated carry bag.

In another detailed embodiment of the second aspect, the tray may be mounted proximate a front edge of a seat supported by the collapsible frame and the tray may include a horn extending from the tray towards the seat proximate the front edge of the seat. In yet another detailed embodiment, the collapsible high chair may include a first segment of webbing extending between a first side of the high chair and a second side of the high chair proximate a front edge of a seat supported by the collapsible frame and a second segment of webbing extending from the first segment of webbing to the seat.

In a third aspect, the collapsible high chair may include a frame including a plurality of legs and a locking mechanism interposing two of the plurality of legs, the locking mechanism including two arms, and the locking mechanism being operative to maintain the lateral separation between the two of the legs when the collapsible high chair is in an extended configuration; a softgoods attachment releasably attached to the frame, the softgoods attachment including a seat and a back; a tray releasably mounted to the frame; and a passive restraint.

In a detailed embodiment of the third aspect, each of the two arms of the locking mechanism may be pivotably coupled to one of the two legs. In another detailed embodiment of the third aspect, each of the two arms of the locking mechanism may be slidably and pivotably coupled to one of the two legs.

In another detailed embodiment of the third aspect, the passive restraint may include a horn extending from the tray toward the seat. In another detailed embodiment of the third aspect, the passive restraint may include a first segment of webbing extending laterally across a front of the seat generally parallel with the front of the seat and a second segment of webbing extending from the first segment of webbing to the seat. In yet another detailed embodiment of the third aspect, the softgoods attachment may include a plurality of pockets adapted to receive respective portions of at least some of the plurality of legs therein. In still another detailed embodiment of the third aspect, the softgoods attachment may include an integrated carry bag, the integrated carry bag at least partially containing the frame when the collapsible high chair is in a collapsed configuration. In another detailed embodiment of the third aspect, the frame may include a plurality of legs oriented generally perpendicularly to a supporting surface and a plurality of side frames, each of the side frames including two diagonal segments, each of the diagonal segments including a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotably coupled to one of the legs and the second end being pivotably and slidably coupled to an adjacent one of the legs, the two diagonal segments of each side frame being pivotably joined proximate their midpoints. In yet a further detailed embodiment, each of the two arms of the locking mechanism may be coupled a respective one of the diagonal segments of one of the side frames.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments. The drawings are only to serve for reference and illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a high chair in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an exemplary collapsible high chair frame with the soft goods attachment removed;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of an exemplary collapsible high chair frame with the soft goods attachment removed;

FIG. 4 is a left side elevation view of an exemplary collapsible high chair frame with the soft goods attachment removed;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of an exemplary collapsible high chair frame with the soft goods attachment removed;

FIG. 6 is rear elevation view of an exemplary collapsible high chair frame in the collapsed configuration;

FIG. 7 is a right side elevation view of an exemplary collapsible high chair frame in the collapsed configuration;

FIG. 8 is a detailed rear elevation view of an exemplary locking device;

FIG. 9 is a detailed front elevation view of an exemplary locking device;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of an exemplary locking device;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an exemplary integrated passive restraint including a locking mechanism;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary integrated passive restraint constructed of webbing;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an exemplary high chair in a collapsed configuration; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an exemplary high chair in a collapsed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary collapsible high chair 10 may include a frame 30. The frame 30 may support a soft goods attachment 12 including a seat 14, a back 16, sides 18, 20, and a lower portion 22. The frame 30 may also support tray 24. A child may be seated on the seat 14 of the exemplary collapsible high chair 10 facing the tray 24 with her back supported by the back 16.

FIGS. 2-7 depict an exemplary frame 30 without the soft goods attachment 12. The exemplary frame 30 includes two generally vertical front legs 32, 34 and two generally vertical rear legs 36, 38. The legs 32, 34, 36, 38 may be generally straight or may include curves for aesthetic or structural reasons. For example, the lower ends of the legs 32, 34, 36, 38 may include portions curved outwardly near the supporting surface.

In the exemplary embodiment, the legs 32, 34, 36, 38 are interposed by collapsible side frames 42, 44, 46, 48, each of which is generally an X-shape. The exemplary frame 30 is manipulatable between a collapsed configuration (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) and an extended configuration (shown in FIGS. 1-5).

In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-7, each collapsible side frame 42, 44, 46, 48 includes two diagonal segments 72, 74, 76, 78, 82, 84, 86, 88. The lower end of each of the diagonal segments 72, 74, 76, 78, 82, 84, 86, 88 is pivotably connected to a fixed connector 52, 54, 56, 58, which is mounted to a respective leg 32, 34, 36, 38 at a fixed location. The upper end of each of the diagonal segments 72, 74, 76, 78, 82, 84, 86, 88 is pivotably connected to a sliding connector 62, 64, 66, 68, which is slidably connected to a respective leg 32, 34, 36, 38 above the corresponding fixed connector 52, 54, 56, 58. The two diagonal segments 72, 74, 76, 78, 82, 84, 86, 88 forming each collapsible side frame 42, 44, 46, 48 are pivotably connected proximate their midpoints with a pivotable connector 92, 94, 96, 98. In the exemplary embodiment, pivotable connector 92 comprises a block through which both of diagonal segments 72, 74 extend.

The rear legs 36, 38 of the exemplary embodiment are interposed by an exemplary locking mechanism 108. As shown in FIGS. 8-10, an exemplary locking mechanism 108 includes two arms 102, 104 and a knob 106. The lateral ends of each of the arms 102, 104 are pivotably coupled with the sliding connectors 66, 68 on rear legs 36, 38. The medial ends of each of the arms 102, 104 are pivotable about rivet 110. In the extended position, rivet 114 engages recess 118 in arm 104 to lock arm 102 relative to arm 104 as shown in FIG. 9. In the collapsed position, rivet 114 engages recess 120 to lock arm 102 relative to arm 104 as shown in FIG. 6.

Exemplary tray 24 is releasably coupled to the frame 30 by tray mounts 28. Tray 24 may be coupled to the frame 30 using any manner known in the art, such as releasably engageable tubing sections including one or more snap buttons. Exemplary tray 24 includes a horn 26 extending downward from proximate the center of the underside of the tray 24. Horn 26 may interpose a child occupant's legs, thereby preventing the child from sliding between the tray 24 and the seat 14, thus serving as an integrated passive restraint.

To disengage rivet 114 from the recesses 118, 120, a user rotates knob 106 about rivet 112. This rotation is operative to move rivet 114 within slot 116 of arm 102, thereby withdrawing rivet 114 from recess 118 or recess 120. In the exemplary embodiment, a user standing behind the collapsible high chair 10 rotates knob 106 in a counter-clockwise direction to disengage rivet 114 from the recesses 118, 120. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 108 may include a spring member 122 biasing the pin 114 toward the end of the slot 116 where it engages the recesses 118, 120. This may be accomplished by rotationally biasing knob 106 in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 8. In addition to the components discussed above, the locking mechanism 108 may include a torsion spring 122, a locking pivot arm 124, washers 126, and a spacer 128.

FIGS. 11 and 12 depict exemplary embodiments of integrated passive restraints 210, 220. FIG. 10 shows an exemplary integrated passive restraint 210 that includes a locking mechanism 212. Arms 214, 216 are interposed by the locking mechanism 212, which may operate similar to locking mechanism 108 described above. Locking mechanism 212 may include a downwardly extending tab 218. When the high chair 10 is occupied by a child, arms 214, 216 and tab 218 may serve to prevent the child from sliding out of the seat 14.

FIG. 12 shows an integrated passive restraint 220 which may be constructed of webbing. A horizontal segment 222 and a vertical segment 224 are attached to the high chair at the sides 18, 20 and the seat 14, respectively, for example. The vertical segment 224 extends between the horizontal segment 222 and seat 14. When the high chair 10 is occupied by a child, horizontal segment 222 and vertical segment 224 may serve to prevent the child from sliding out of the seat 14.

FIGS. 11 and 12 also depict a harness 208, which may be affixed to the back 16 of the soft goods attachment 12. The harness 208 may include one or more segments of webbing and one or more buckles as is known in the art.

FIGS. 13 and 14 depict an exemplary embodiment high chair 10 in a collapsed configuration. In this exemplary embodiment, soft goods attachment 12 includes a portion extending around the collapsed frame, thus forming an integrated carry bag 13. The carry bag 13 may include one or more closures such as a zipper 15. Also, the integrated carry bag may include one or more straps or handles.

Components of the frame 30 may be constructed from metal and/or plastics. For example, the legs 32, 34, 36, 38 and side frames 42, 44, 46, 48 may comprise metal tubes. Exemplary fixed connectors 52, 54, 56, 58, sliding connectors 62, 64, 66, 68, end caps on the legs 32, 34, 36, 38, etc., may be constructed from plastic. The tray 24 may be constructed from molded plastic, for example. An exemplary locking mechanism 108 may include metal arms 102, 104 and pins 110, 112, 114 and a plastic knob 106. The soft goods attachment 12 may be constructed from a flexible fabric, such as nylon, and may include mesh, webbing, nonwoven fabrics, and/or other similar materials known in the art.

In an exemplary embodiment, the soft goods attachment 12 may be easily removed from the frame 30. Such a feature may facilitate easy washing or replacement of the soft goods attachment 12. One or more pockets 17 in the soft goods attachment 12 may slide over rear legs 36, 38, for example. The soft goods attachment 12 may be attached to the frame 30 using one or more screws (which may be utilized with washers or grommets), snaps (where one part of the snap is on the frame 30 and the corresponding part of the snap is on the soft goods attachment, for example), zippers, hook and loop closures, and the like.

While exemplary embodiments of the invention have been set forth above for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the inventions contained herein are not limited to the above precise embodiments and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the stated advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein to fall within the scope of the invention, since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.