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Adjustable high chair

Adjustable high chair description/claims

The present invention relates to a high chair assembly to enable an adult to feed an infant at a height which is comfortable for the adult. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention is particularly adapted to enable the infant to be disposed over a range of different heights, including particularly close to the ground. Another particular feature of the present invention, while the invention is not exclusively limited thereto, is that of a high chair assembly which is easy to fold into a configuration especially adapted for storage.

One known form of high chairs is configured in an A-frame to support a seat portion of the high chair. Such high chairs do permit some adjustment of height as well as adjustment to make the high chair somewhat more compact for storage. However, such high chairs do not collapse or fold in a particularly compact manner and therefore require a relatively large amount of room for storage. Known high chairs are often sold in a flat pack configuration and have parts which assemble by clicking the parts together. However, these high chairs do not easily come apart to facilitate compact storage. Furthermore, most known high chairs have a rigid seat portion which further adds to the bulk in the storage configuration.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a high chair assembly which addresses at least some of the aforementioned disadvantages or provides the public with a useful choice.

The foregoing prior art discussion is not to be taken as an admission of common general knowledge.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a high chair assembly for an infant including: a frame for resting on a supporting surface; and a seat support which is removably mounted on the frame, the seat support providing support for a seat wherein the seat support is adapted to be self-supporting on the supporting surface when selectively removed from the frame.

The frame may comprise a number of legs which engage with the supporting surface. In one alternative embodiment, the frame may comprise a pedestal type structure. However, in a most preferred form of the invention, the frame is a cantilevered construction which includes a base portion and a leg portion. The base portion may comprise frame members which define a rectangular base frame. Preferably, the leg portion extends upwardly from one side of the base portion and is inclined over the base portion for balance. There may be two leg struts which respectively support either side of the seat support. The frame may be made up of hollow metal sections which are fitted together with plastic molded fittings whereby the plastic molded fittings provide for relative adjustment. For example, the leg portion may be pivotable relative to the base portion for folding to a storage configuration.

The frame may support the seat support to be height adjustable. This may be achieved by the leg portion being extensible. For example, the two leg struts, of the leg portion may be telescopic and adjustable between a plurality of positions. One or more locking devices may be provided to lock the leg struts into position with one or more release actuators to selectively release the locking devices.

The releasable mounting between the frame and seat support may be achieved by the frame and seat support having mutual engagement portions. For example, the seat support may have a pair of spaced protrusions which engage with complimentary recesses in the frame. More specifically, the frame may comprise hollow extrusions in which the protrusions are received. In an alternative configuration, each of the frame and seat support may be provided with complementary fittings.

Preferably the releasable mounting is provided with a safety feature to preclude the seat support from being inadvertently removed from the frame. As such, the seat support and the frame may lock together with one or more release actuators to provide for disengagement. Preferably, the one or more release actuators require both hands to operate. Accordingly, latches may be provided in two spaced dispositions on the frame or seat support requiring two hands to operate respective latches. The latches may operate by a push button in each case.

The seat support may also be moveably mounted relative to the frame so that the seat may be adjusted between upright and inclined positions. Accordingly, the seat support may be pivotally mounted to the frame. Further, a locking device may be provided to lock the seat support in case of the various positions with release actuators provided to facilitate movement from one position to another.

As set out in the above statement of invention, the seat support is self-supporting in that it supports the seat in an upright or inclined position on the supporting surface. On removal from the frame, the seat support may be ready adapted for self-support on the supporting surface. Alternatively, the seat support may require adjustment for self-support on the supporting surface. For example, a support leg may be moveable from an inoperative to an operative position. Most preferably, the seat support may comprise a seat frame together with a supporting leg frame which is pivotally mounted to the seat frame. One or more locking devices and/or release actuators may be provided to effect movement of the pivoting leg frame.

The seat support may support a rigid seat. However, in a more preferred embodiment, the seat support is in the form of a support frame which supports a seat constructed of flexible material. For example, the seat may be comprised of cloth or fabric with weight supporting straps.

The high chair assembly may also be provided with a tray. Preferably, the tray is carried by the seat support for removal with the seat support when it is removed from the frame.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a high chair assembly for an infant including: a frame for resting on a supporting surface; and a seat support in the form of a peripheral frame supporting a seat and backrest comprised of flexible material supported on the frame, the peripheral frame being moveably mounted relative to the frame for movement between two or more positions including an upright and an inclined position.

The frame may incorporate any of the features described above in connection with the first aspect of the invention. The seat support may have any of the features described above in connection with the first aspect of the invention. Preferably the assembly is such that the tray does not pivot with the seat portion. The flexible material may also incorporate a footrest.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a high chair assembly for an infant including: a frame for resting on a support surface, the frame having a base portion and a leg portion which is pivotally mounted on the base portion for selective movement between an operative configuration and a folded configuration in which the leg portion lies substantially co-planar with or at least substantially parallel to the base portion; and a seat support providing support for an infant seat.

Preferably, the seat support is pivotally mounted on the frame for selective movement between an operative configuration and a folded configuration in which the seat support lies substantially co-planar with or at least substantially parallel to the frame.

Accordingly, the high chair assembly may be packed down to a relatively flat configuration which makes the assembly easy to carry and/or store. To facilitate the flat storage, the seat support may provide support for an upholstery or cloth seat as described above. Furthermore, the high chair assembly may also include a tray which is removable or foldable to facilitate storage.

Preferably, locking devices are provided to lock the high chair assembly in each of the configurations. Release actuators may also be provided to facilitate movement between the various operative and folded configurations. Any of the features described above in accordance with the first aspect of the invention may be incorporated into the third aspect of the invention.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a high chair assembly for an infant including: a frame for resting on a support surface, the frame having a base portion and a leg portion extending upwardly from one side of the base portion and inclined over the base portion; and a seat support mounted on the leg portion providing support for a seat, wherein the leg portion of the frame is adjustable in length to provide height adjustment for the seat support.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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