CN118716801A - Convertible chairs and booster seats for children - Google Patents

Abstract

A convertible booster seat for positioning on a conventional chair or for use as a freestanding chair, the convertible booster seat characterized by a pair of folding legs rotatably connected to a booster seat base and configurable in generally opposed folded and unfolded positions. The legs are moved between collapsed and expanded while being moved longitudinally relative to the seat base to improve stability when the booster seat is used as a freestanding chair and to enable the legs to be fully received under the seat base when collapsed.

Description

Convertible chairs and booster seats for children

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 63/493,447, filed on March 31, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a portable seat for young children, and more particularly to a portable seat that can be quickly and conveniently converted into a booster seat for use with a chair or a freestanding chair.

Background Art

Convenience and ease of use of child care accessories are increasingly important considerations for consumers. This is particularly important for child booster seats. Booster seats are designed to be placed in the seat of a chair to elevate the child occupant for better access to an adjacent table.

Consumers may desire the added convenience of a booster seat. Means and mechanisms to conveniently secure the booster seat to a chair to prevent the seat from moving to a position where the booster seat falls from the chair. Trays may also be attached to booster seats to provide a dedicated eating surface for independent use by a child occupant, or to provide a catch surface between a regular table and a child to minimize food falling from the table.

Consumers may also desire alternative booster seat configurations that allow adjustment of the booster seat height above the chair seat. Such a height may be desirable to provide room for a child occupant's legs below the level of the booster seat, or to allow an attached dining tray to extend above an adjacent table surface so that the occupant can be positioned more closely adjacent to the table. Designers must ensure that booster seat configurations are provided with adequate stability in these alternative configurations.

Convenience and ease of use remain major concerns for consumers. As seats gain additional features and functionality, designs must enable the seat to be easily reconfigured into a compact form to allow for easy transportation and use by parents and other users.

What is needed is a booster seat having an attached tray and adjustment means to vary the height of the booster seat above its resting surface, which booster seat can be easily folded into a compact, portable configuration for easy transportation. The height adjustment means should also provide stability in all modes of use. Other features and advantages will become apparent from this specification. The disclosed teachings extend to those embodiments that fall within the scope of the claims, regardless of whether they achieve one or more of the above requirements.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a convertible booster seat for positioning on a conventional chair or for use as a stand-alone chair. The booster seat includes a pair of folding legs rotatably connected to a booster seat base and positionable in generally opposing folded and deployed positions. When folded, the legs are disposed substantially below the seat base. When deployed, the legs extend downwardly from the seat base. Deploying the legs also allows the legs to move longitudinally relative to the seat base to improve stability when the booster seat is used as a stand-alone chair.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for repositioning a foldable leg on a convertible booster seat, the mechanism including a cam and guide arrangement that longitudinally displaces the leg forward and rearward in unison with movement of the leg between a folded position and a displaced position. The leg may be pivotally connected to a seat base and the cam and guide arrangement may be integrated into the pivotal connection.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a convertible booster seat that is configured to fold compactly. The folding legs are displaced longitudinally as the legs are moved toward the folded position, thereby enabling the legs to nest within the structure of the seat base. When the booster seat is used as a freestanding chair, unfolding the legs toward the deployed position displaces the legs rearwardly to improve stability.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable convertible booster seat including a movable seat back connected to a seat base. An armrest having a support link interconnects the seat back and the seat base and coordinates the folding of the seat back. A tray is connectable to the armrest for movement therewith, and coordinated folding of the seat back and armrests moves the tray to optimize the compactness of the folding booster seat. In one embodiment, the tray moves forward and downward when the seat back is folded. In another embodiment, the tray includes a downwardly extending "anti-submarine" horn that is displaced forward a distance sufficient to position the horn forward of the forwardmost edge of the seat base.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable booster seat including a latch configured to retain the seat base and seat back in an operable configuration and to allow selective unlocking to allow the seat to be folded. The latch may be further configured to include a carrying handle for subsequently carrying the seat once folded.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable, convertible booster seat for positioning on a conventional seat or for use as a freestanding chair that is durable in structure, inexpensive to manufacture, requires no maintenance, is easy to assemble, and is simple and effective to use.

These and other objects are addressed by a convertible booster seat for positioning on a conventional chair or for use as a stand-alone chair, the booster seat featuring a pair of folding legs rotatably connected to a booster seat base and configurable in generally opposing folded and deployed positions. Moving the legs between folding and deploying simultaneously moves the legs longitudinally relative to the seat base to improve stability when the booster seat is used as a stand-alone chair and enables the legs to be fully stowed under the seat base when folded.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed disclosure of the present invention, particularly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible booster seat embodying aspects of the present invention, showing the folding legs deployed for use as a freestanding chair;

FIG2 is a side view of the convertible booster seat of FIG1 ;

FIG3 is a view from below the convertible booster seat of FIG1 ;

FIG4 is a perspective view of the convertible booster seat of FIG1 showing the folding legs stowed or folded for use as a booster seat;

FIG5 is a view from below the convertible booster seat shown in FIG4;

FIG6 is a side view of the convertible booster seat of FIG4 ;

FIG7 is a rear view of the convertible booster seat of FIG4;

FIG8 is a perspective view of the convertible booster seat of FIG1 shown in a fully folded configuration;

FIG9 is a side view of a convertible booster seat configured as in FIG8 ;

FIG10 is a bottom view of the convertible booster seat configured as in FIG8;

FIG11 is a partial view of a folding leg showing one embodiment of a longitudinally displacing cam;

12 is a partial view of the underside of the seat base showing the folding connection for the folding legs and longitudinal cam guides of FIG. 11;

FIG13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the folding leg showing the leg latch mechanism in a latched configuration; and

14 is a partial cross-sectional view of a folding leg showing the leg latch mechanism positioned to release the latch.

Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same parts throughout the drawings. Where a reference numeral includes a designation of a specific orientation (e.g., "R" or "L"), the use of the reference numeral without the orientation designation generally indicates the structure without indicating a specific orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, a child seat 10 is shown that is convertible for use as a stand-alone chair (FIG. 1) as well as a booster seat (FIG. 4). The child seat 10 includes a base 12 having a seating surface 11 and a backrest 14 on which a child can sit. The child seat 10 can be converted between a stand-alone chair and a booster seat by repositioning the legs 16R, 16L, which are movably coupled to the base 12 and can be configured in an elevated configuration (FIGs. 1-3) or a non-elevated configuration (FIGs. 4-5). When the legs 16R, 16L are in the elevated configuration, the legs 16R, 16L increase the height of the base 12 above the surface on which the child seat rests compared to the height when the legs are in the non-elevated (folded) configuration.

7 and 8, the backrest 14 is pivotally coupled to the base 12 at a pivot connection 142 that is pivotable about a backrest axis 100 between an upright position and a folded position. The upright position of the backrest 14 shown in FIG1 allows a child to ride in the child seat 10. The folded position shown in FIG8 allows the child seat to be compactly configured for storage or transport.

The backrest 14 may include a backrest latch mechanism 143 configured to hold the backrest in a vertical orientation. The latch mechanism is movable so that the backrest can be selectively released to allow the backrest to be folded relative to the seat base. The latch mechanism is preferably disposed on the backrest and may include a sliding member 144 that is bidirectionally movable to engage a portion of the seat base to hold the backrest in a vertical orientation, and when selectively moved in the opposite direction, the sliding member may be disengaged from the seat base and allow the backrest to move. The movement of the sliding member 144 may be achieved by an actuator 145 that is configured to allow a user to easily reposition the sliding member. The latch mechanism may further include a carrying handle 146 that is configured to allow a user to easily carry the child seat when in a folded configuration. The carrying handle may be positioned to allow the folding seat to be suspended below the carrying handle when being carried by a user.

The backrest pivot connection 142 to the seat base may include a detent or similar biasing mechanism to hold the backrest in the folded position. The user moves the backrest 14 from the folded position by applying sufficient force to the backrest to overcome the biasing force.

Armrests 22R, 22L may be provided and pivotally connected to the backrest 14 at proximal ends 222R, 222L for movement about the armrest axis 110. The armrest supports 24R, 24L pivotally interconnect the armrests 22R, 22L and the base 12 at respective axes 120, 130, thereby creating a linkage that coordinates the folding movement of the armrests with the folding movement of the backrest. The linkage is preferably configured to move the armrests forward and downward as the backrest moves toward the folded position. When folded, the armrests are positioned laterally adjacent to the backrest to minimize the height dimension of the folded seat.

A tray 26 may be provided and connected to the armrests 22R, 22L for movement therewith. The tray improves the utility of the child seat 10 by providing a bounded surface to hold food or other items that may be of interest to a child occupant of the seat. The tray 26 also helps to restrain the child occupant within the seat due to its position above the child occupant's legs and knees when attached. Tray horns 28 may be provided on the tray to prevent the child occupant from sliding out of the seat when the tray is attached by limiting the open space below the tray and above the seating surface 11.

When the seat is folded, the articulated folding movement of the armrest and armrest support displaces the tray 26 forward and downward. The articulated movement and position of the tray horn are configured to displace the position of the end 281 of the tray horn 28 forward of the front end of the seat base so that when fully folded, a portion of the horn can extend below the upwardly facing surface of the seat base, thereby being more compact. The contour of the rear end 262 of the tray allows the backrest 14 to be folded adjacent the seat base without the top end 141 of the backrest 14 impacting the tray, which may otherwise limit the extent to which the backrest can be folded.

The movable legs 16R, 16L are connected to the base 12 by respective couplings 17R, 17L, each of which may include a shaft portion 174 that engages with one or more shaft receiving portions 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the shaft portion 174 is provided on the movable legs, and the shaft receiving portion 124 is provided on the base 12. The shaft portion and receiving portion may be configured without a side-specific configuration. A reversal of the relative positions of the shaft portion and the shaft receiving portion is contemplated.

Each link 17R, 17L also includes a cam and guide arrangement configured to displace the leg longitudinally relative to the seat base as the leg moves between the raised and non-raised configurations. The leg link includes one or more cams 176, 177 engageable with the cam guides 126, 127 to cause longitudinal displacement as the leg rotates. The cam-to-cam guide configuration is side specific (cams 176R, 177R, 176L, 177L; cam guides 126R, 127R, 126L, 127L). The cam and cam guide profiles on the respective legs are typically spiral and mirror images of each other so as to cause longitudinal leg displacement in the same direction even if the legs rotate in opposite directions as they move between the raised and non-raised configurations. In the illustrated embodiment, cams 176 and cam guides 126 are oppositely disposed at corresponding ends of the leg pivot axes 150R, 150L of the respective legs to control the fore-aft displacement of the legs according to rotation. This control prevents the legs from freely moving or moving backward along the pivot axis.

The base 12 includes a cavity 13 located on the underside opposite the seating surface 11, in which the legs 16R, 16L are received when configured in a non-elevated (folded) orientation. This arrangement and configuration of the legs allows the child seat 10 to be stably reset on a surface when the legs are in a non-elevated (folded) orientation.

The fore-aft displacement of the legs 16 along their respective pivot axes 150 causes the legs to move forward as they pivot toward the non-raised (folded) position so that they can be received in the cavities 13 on the underside of the seat base. Unfolding the legs to rotate them toward the raised position causes the legs to shift rearward along the pivot axes 150. This rearward displacement of the legs improves the stability of the seat when it is used as a free-standing chair.

The legs 16R, 16L each include a leg latch mechanism 162R, 162L, which is configured to releasably lock the selective legs into an elevated configuration. For clarity, the right and left side reference numerals are omitted from Figures 13 and 14; the same features may be present in both latch mechanisms. Each leg latch mechanism 162 may include a bidirectional movable sliding member 163 that can slide between a latch position (Figure 13) and a release position (Figure 14). The sliding member 163 includes a latch end 165 that is engageable with a latch structure 128 formed in the seat base to keep the leg 16 in an elevated (deployed) orientation. The actuator end 169 is disposed opposite the latch end to provide an interface for the caregiver to selectively release the latch mechanism to move the leg. The leg latch mechanism 162 may include an elastic member 164 to bias the position of the sliding member 163 toward the latch position. In the illustrated embodiment, the sliding member 163 in the leg latch mechanism 162 moves inwardly toward the leg pivot axis 150 to lock the leg in place, and moves in the opposite direction to disengage the latch end 165 from the latch structure 128 and allow the leg to pivot away from the raised (deployed) position. The latch mechanism can be released by pulling the actuator and sliding member outwardly away from the pivot axis 150. This movement retracts the latch end 165 and disengages it from the latch structure 128, thereby allowing the leg to rotate from the raised (deployed) position.

The leg latch mechanism 162 can also interact with the seat base to keep the leg in a non-elevated (folded) orientation. When the leg is moved to the non-elevated (folded) position, the sliding member is extended to the locked position by the biasing force, wherein the locking end 165 engages with the retaining edge 129 on the base 12. The sliding member also includes a ramp 166, which pushes the sliding member away from the latched position against the biasing force when the leg 16 is rotated without any additional user action. When the ramp pushes the sliding member toward the release position, the user can overcome the resistance of the biasing force by applying sufficient force to each of the legs, thereby moving the legs from the folded position. The inner surface of the seat base cavity 13 can be further configured with a guide to maintain contact with the latch end 165 when the leg is rotated, thereby pushing the leg to the deployed position once the initial rotation begins.

Although the example embodiments shown in the drawings and described herein are presently preferred, it should be understood that these embodiments are provided by way of example only. Therefore, the present application is not limited to specific embodiments, but extends to various modifications that still fall within the scope of the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be changed or reordered according to alternative embodiments.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of different example embodiments are illustrative only. Although only some embodiments are described in detail in the present disclosure, it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art who review the present disclosure that many modifications are possible (e.g., changes in the size, dimensions, structure, shape and proportion of different elements, parameter values, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without departing essentially from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter cited in the claims. For example, an element shown as being integrally formed may be composed of multiple parts or elements, the position of the element may be reversed or otherwise changed, and the nature or quantity of the discrete element or position may be changed or changed. Therefore, all these modifications are intended to be included in the scope of the application of the present application. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be changed or reordered according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any device plus function clause is intended to cover the structure described herein as performing the described function, and not only covers structural equivalents, but also covers equivalent structures. Without departing from the scope of the present application, other replacements, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the example embodiments.

Claims (19)

1. A convertible chair for children, the convertible chair comprising: Seat base; Raise the outriggers; and A coupling mechanism connects the riser leg to the seat base and is configured to simultaneously displace the riser leg along the axis as the leg rotates about the axis. 2. The convertible chair of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a cam. 3. The convertible chair of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism limits rotation of the elevation leg about the axis between an elevated configuration and a non-elevated configuration. 4. The convertible chair of claim 2, wherein the seat base further comprises an interior cavity configured to receive the elevation leg when in the non-elevated configuration. 5. The convertible chair of claim 3, wherein the coupling mechanism limits displacement of the raised leg along the axis between a forward position and a rearward position. 6. The convertible chair according to claim 1 further includes a backrest pivotally connected to the seat base, an armrest pivotally connected to the backrest, and a support link pivotally connecting the armrest and the seat base to each other, and the backrest can be pivoted between a relative vertical configuration and a folded configuration. 7. The convertible chair of claim 6, wherein the backrest further comprises a latch mechanism configured to selectively secure the backrest in the upright configuration. 8. The convertible chair of claim 7, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a handle. 9. The convertible chair according to claim 6 further includes a tray, which can be selectively attached to the armrest for moving together with the armrest, and the tray has a downwardly protruding angular portion, and the end of the angular portion is arranged above the upward sitting surface of the seat base when the backrest is in the vertical position, and the end of the angular portion is arranged below the upward sitting surface and in front of the front end of the seat base when the backrest is in the folded position. 10. The convertible chair of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to releasably lock the elevated leg in a first predetermined orientation. 11. The convertible chair of claim 10, wherein the locking mechanism is further configured to resiliently retain the elevated leg in a second predetermined orientation. 12. A convertible booster seat for a child, the convertible booster seat comprising: a seat base having a seating surface, a cavity disposed opposite the seating surface, and a fore-aft axis; and A first raising leg and a second raising leg, wherein the first raising leg and the second raising leg are movably connected to the seat base and can be positioned in approximately opposite non-raised positions and raised positions; wherein moving the raising legs between the non-raised position and the raised position causes the legs to rotate about respective folding axes approximately parallel to the fore-aft axis and simultaneously causes the raising legs to shift longitudinally along the respective folding axes. 13. The convertible booster seat of claim 12, wherein the connections of the first and second legs to the seat base each pivot about respective first and second pivot axes. 14. A convertible booster seat according to claim 13, wherein the corresponding connecting members of the first raising leg and the second raising leg each include a cam structure, the cam structure acts on a guide structure arranged on the seat base, the cam structure and the guide structure are configured to cause the first raising leg and the second raising leg to shift forward and backward respectively when each raising leg rotates around the pivot axis of the raising leg between the raised position and the non-raised position, and the rotation of each leg toward the non-raised position causes the leg to shift forward, so that the leg can be received in the cavity. 15. A convertible booster seat according to claim 14, wherein each raised leg further includes a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism being configured to releasably lock each corresponding raised leg in the raised position, the locking mechanism being further configured to resiliently retain each corresponding raised leg in the non-raised position. 16. The convertible booster seat of claim 12, further comprising: a backrest rotatably connected to the seat base; and a pair of spaced-apart armrests pivotally coupled to the backrest and disposed adjacent opposite lateral side seat bases, each armrest having a support link pivotally connecting the armrest and the seat base to each other, the backrest being pivotable between a relative upright configuration and a folded configuration, movement of the backrest causing the armrests to move in unison with the backrest. 17. The convertible booster seat of claim 16 further comprising a tray selectively attachable to the armrests to span the space between the armrests, the tray having a downwardly projecting horn, an end of the horn being disposed above an upwardly facing seating surface of the seat base when the backrest is in the upright position, and an end of the horn being disposed below the upwardly facing seating surface and forward of a front end of the seat base when the backrest is in the folded position. 18. The convertible booster seat of claim 16, wherein the backrest further comprises a latch mechanism configured to selectively secure the backrest in the upright configuration. 19. The convertible booster seat of claim 18, wherein the latch mechanism includes a handle.