GB2498421A - An infant chair with integrated storage - Google Patents

Abstract

A childâ s chair comprising a base providing a seat 8 over integrated storage space 6, a displaceable infant back support and a crotch harness 7. Preferably the back support is rigid and is attached to the seat with collapsible flexible wings which serve to brace or strengthen the back rest. The chair may serve as a childâ s booster seat with integrated drawers 6, attachable to a conventional chair via straps 3. The chair optionally comprises a separable covering 10 for the upper or lower body. The covering may be attached to the crotch harness 7. The base may be formed from plastic or carbon, may be moulded or padded for comfort and may be covered in a durable synthetic plastic coating to facilitate cleaning.

Description

AN INFANT CHAIR

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an infant chair, more particularly but not especially a portable infant chair.

Background

People regularly travel with their óhildren to a variety of locations and in some places the facilities to providing seating for young children may not be available.

Although highchairs are commonly available sometimes they may already be used or may not fit into the space provided.

It may be possible to bring your own child seating however carrying highchairs long distance may not be practical and such items may not be easy to fit in a vehicle Sometimes booster seats may be added to standard seating however this often does not provide back support for the child and therefore on some surfaces this may not be suitable for example on bench seating.

The present invention arose *to overcome the problems associated with seating a child when dedicated child seating is not available, by providing a portable, collapsible dedicated childs seat.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Granted United States patent US 7 571 961 (GOLD et al) discloses a foldable seat assembly having an outer shell including a back support, sidewalls and a bottom member, the combination comprising: a cushioned seat member having at least one hinged support panel between said sidewalls and spanning a width of an underside of said seat member; an upright back support to which said seat member is hingedly connected; and foldable sidewalls extending forwardly from said back support along opposite sides of said seat member.

Granted United States patent US 6 692 072 (NELSON et al) discloses a booster seat comprising: a base having a lower surface sized to rest upon a chair seat and an upper surface generally parallel to the lower surface; a seat back hingedly connected to the base at a rearward portion of the booster seat and constructed to be folded toward and secured against the base for storage; an adjustable strap extending from the booster seat a length sufficient to secure the booster seat upon a chair; wherein the upper surface and the lower surface are spaced apart by at least about 1 inch when supporting a child weighing about 20 poundsthereupon to provide an elevated seating position; and wherein, with the seat back folded against the upper surface of the base for storage1 the booster seat has an overall thickness, measured perpendicularly to the lower surface of the base, of less than about 3.5 inches.

United States patent application US 5 332 286 (ATHERTON et al) discloses an invertible booster seat apparatus for use with a chair having a supporting seat and a laterally concavely curved seat back, said booster seat comprising: a pair of spaced apart side supports, each having a first support portion for engaging the supporting seat and a second support portion for defining an armrest, said side supports being invertible such that said second support portions engage said supporting seat and said first support portions define armrests; a seat section that interconnects said side supports between said first support portions and said second support portions, said seat section having a first seat surface for supporting a person thereon when said first support portions engage said supporting seat and an opposite second seat surface for supporting a person thereon when said second support portions engage said support seat; said seat section further having a horizontally, convexly curved rearward edge for conformably engaging the laterally concavely curved seat back of the chair; each said seat surface having a raised rim portion formed along said rearward edge and having a height that is less than the height of said side supports; a substantially fully open first back region formed adjacent said first seat surface and between said second side support portions for cooperating with said curved seat back of said chair to define a seat back for a person seated on said first seat surface; and a substantially fully open second back region formed adjacent said second seat surface and between said first side support portions for cooperating with said curved seat back of said chair to define a seat back for a person seated on said second seat surface.

In contrast the present invention provides a temporary seating solution which minimises disturbance in a local area and messiness with regards to a child's clothing.

Summary f the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an infant chair comprising: a base providing a seat over integrated storage, a displaceable infant back support, and a crotch harness.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an infant chair comprising a seat and at least one detachable covering with a temporary attachment means, in which the at least one covering is arranged in use to cover at least a portion of the infant.

The infant chair is preferably portable and positioned in use on a structure such as a conventional chair so that it may be suitable to accept a child and provide adapted seating for an infant or child.

Preferably the base is formed from a box which may be used as a booster seat to ensure the child is elevated from the standard chair or bench, for example so as to be able to reach a table.

Advantageously the base is formed from a lightweight, durable material such as synthetic plastic or carbon. Most preferably the base may have rounded corners so as not to have any sharp edges on which the child may come in contact with.

In preferred embodiments the base has an upper surface that may be moulded or padded so as to comfortably accept the child's bottom when seated. In some embodiments the base may include a removable panel on which the child sits on so that it may be easily cleaned or adjusted to fit different sized/aged children. 3.

Preferably the base includes at least one strap to secure the infant chair to the structure. Typically the strap may be adjustable so that it may be adapted to fit various structures. The straps may be adjusted by means of a buckle, clip or hook and loop means such as Velcro (Trade Mark).

It is envisaged that any straps may also be used for carrying the device when not in use.

Ideally the base includes at least one storage compartment so as to allow complementary items such as baby wipes, a changing mat, and drinks to be stored.

Typically the storage compartment may be a drawer or cupboard within or attached to the base that may be easily accessed by a user. Preferably the compartment has openings which may be positioned on the base's sides or front so as to be accessible when the seat is in use with a child in place.

In preferred embodiments the base connects to the back support along more than one side of the base, and in use is displaceable to an angle of at least 90 degrees in respect of the base's horizontal surface.

Preferably the back support may be rigid so as to provide sdpport to the child and may be padded so as to provide comfort, and braced or strengthened by flexible, collapsible or concertina wings along the base. In other embodiments the back support may be flexible so as to accept and absorb deformation under pressure from the child weight.

Ideally the base and the back support may be coated in a durable, wipe clean material such as synthetic plastic so as to be easily cleaned.

Ideally the back support also includes at least one strap to secure the back support to the structure for example a chair back. Typically said strap may be adjustable so that it may be adapted to fit various surfaces. The straps may be adjusted by means of a buckle, clip or hook and loop means such as Velcro (Trade Mark).

The back support may be hinged to the base or have a flexible connection to enable a pivot mechanism around a fixed point. Most preferably the pivot mechanism is limited by a brace which joins the base and back preventing opening beyond a predetermined angle or range of angles.

Typically the brace is a triangular portion of material that may be easily folded when the back support is down laying perpendicular to the base but that limits displacement of the back support in use. In some embodiments the brace may be a cord or plurality of cords.

The portable infant chair includes a crotch harness to hold the child in the seat wherein preferably said harness includes at least a belt to pass around the child's waist, and a band passing between the legs of the child, thereby preventing the child from slipping off the portable infant chair in use.

Said harness is ideally fastened in use to the base and may be detachably attached to the back support and/or wings, for example wherein in some embodiments the crotch harness replaces or forms the wings.

In preferred embodiments the portable infant chair includes extensive flexible and preferably transparent covering over the child when seated, for example wherein the covering can act to prevent dirt, food or messiness soiling the child's clothing, such as either or both of legs and top.

Said covering or coverings may in some embodiments be transparent or translucent and is/are envisaged to be highly deformable so as to effectively cover all manner of shapes1 and permit and facilitate multiple attachment points.

The attachment means to the chair, is typically formed or fitted by a plurality of reversible and temporary snap fasteners, press studs, hook and loop such as Velcro (Trade Mark), or zipper, that may removably attach the coverings to the infant chair when the child is seated.

In preferred embodiments the covering may be attached to the crotch harness wherein the bib covering may be attached temporarily horizontally across the crotch harness and extend to the wings or back support, being secured about the child's neck, so as to provide a full bib covering. There may be provided a lower limb covering, which may be formed of highly resiliently deformable sack or bag which may be envisaged to contain the child's lower limbs in entirety and be attached in use horizontally to the crotch harness and around to the wings or back support also.

In some further embodiments the coverings may overlap or be attachable to each other in ordet to further prevent or minimize damage to the chair as well as the child's / clothing.

In preferred embodiments the portable infant chair underside may include grip strips so as reduce movement in use for example to prevent the chair from sliding off the surface on which it is placed.

In some embodiments the seat or chair may also include storage loops for holding items such as bottles. Ideally the loops may be elasticated so as to accommodate various sized items.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the infant chair; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the infant chair; Figure 3 shows a view of an embodiment of the infant chair from underneath; and Figure 4 shows an isometric view of an embodiments of the chair ready for transport or storage.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figured, the infant chair comprises: a base providing a seat 8 over integrated storage 2, 6, 9, a displaceable infant back support 10, and a crotch harness 7.

The chair has a back support 101 braced by wings 11 wherein said back support 10 and wings 11 are both fixed to a seat 8, and on top of storage 2, 6, 9, serving in total to form the base.

The base thereby provides storage side pockets 2, drawers 6 and storage for a elongate planar mat 9 which may be envisaged to be used as a changing mat 9.

The base and back support 10 are provided with straps 3 to attach to a separate structure such as a conventional chair (not pictured).

The pictured embodiment includes two separate coverings 1, 5 which fasten to the crotch harness 7 at the attachment means 4.

In Figure 2b separate arm covering is pictured in form of sleeves 12. Said sleeves may have elasticated cuffs.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and chatiges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the inventiàn to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention

Claims (2)

1. <claim-text>Claims 1. An an infant chair comprising: a base providing a seat over integrated storage, a displaceable infant back support, and a crotch harness.</claim-text> <claim-text>*2. An infant chair according to claim 1 wherein the back support is rigid and in which the chair further comprises collapsible wings attached to the back support to the seat.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. An infant chair according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the chair further comprises a separable lower limb covering arranged in use to engage a portion of the chair and to cover the lower limbs of an infant.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. An infant chair according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the chair further comprises a separable upper body covering arranged in use to engage a portion of the chair and to cover the upper limbs of an infant.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. An infant chair according to claim 3 or 4 wherein said covering is attached in use to the crotch harness.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. An infant chair with reference to the figures.7. An infant chair comprising a seat and at least one detachable covering with a temporary attachment means, in which the at least one covering is arranged in use to cover at least a portion of the infant, Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1 A portable infant chair with a collapsed configuration comprising a displaceable back support (10) folded on a base (B); and an uncollapsed configuration in which the back support (10) is folded up revealing a removable seat on the base (B) to receive an infant seated over integrated storage in the base accessible through a front panel (6), and a crotch harness (7) attached to the base (8) and belt attached to the crotch harness (7) in which the belt comprises detachable means (4) attachable to a separate upper body covering (1) and lower limb covering (5).
2. 2. An infant chair according to claim 1 wherein the collapsed configuration the removable seat (8), crotch harness (7), belt, upper body covering (1) and lower limb covering (5) attached to the belt are hidden under the back support (10). * * . *3. An infant chair according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the back support (10) is rigid and in which the infant chair further comprises collapsible wings (11) attaching the back support (10) to the seat.4. An infant chair according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the lower limb covering (5) *.... is arranged in use to cover the lower limbs of the infant. ** *5. An infant chair according to any preceding claim wherein the upper body covering (1) is a bib.6, An infant chair according to any preceding claim wherein the upper body covering (1) and lower limb covering (5) are separable.7. An mEant chair according to any preceding claim wherein the removable seat is a panel.8. An infant chair according to any preceding claim wherein the removable seat is adjustable to fit different size children.9. An infant chair according to any preceding claim wherein the removable seat is cleanable. 9 -10. An infant chair as hereinbefore described with to reference to the figures. * * * . * fl C * . * * ** * * ** * * *</claim-text>