EP3053485B1

EP3053485B1 - Adjustable booster seat

Info

Publication number: EP3053485B1
Application number: EP15002984.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alex E. Soriano; John Matthew Thomson; Jacob Sclare; Charles Simons; Steve Burns
Original assignee: Kids Il Inc
Current assignee: Kids2 Inc
Priority date: 2010-09-15
Filing date: 2011-09-15
Publication date: 2017-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 2031-09-15
Also published as: EP2615946A2; WO2012037395A2; CN203483162U; CA2811302A1; EP3053485B8; EP3053485A1; ES2560002T3; US20120061999A1; WO2012037395A3; EP2615946B1; EP2615946A4

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

Various embodiments of the present invention described herein generally relate to an adjustable booster seat for a child and, in particular, to an adjustable booster seat having a child support with an adjustable height and tilt angle.

Description of Related Art

Children's booster seats are commonly used to provide an elevated seating surface for a child. For example, many booster seats are configured to be placed upon an adult chair in order to provide a seating surface that is better suited for supporting a child and elevated above the seating surface of the adult chair. Such booster seats are often used when feeding a child as it is desirable for the child to be seated in an elevated position that is nearer to the surface of a dining table or more easily accessible by a parent. However, the preferred position for a child during feeding can change as the child matures. For example, the preferred seating position for an infant may be relatively high to accommodate the infant's short height and may be reclined as the infant many be unable to sit upright in a chair. Likewise, the preferred seating position for a toddler may be lower to accommodate the toddler's taller height and less reclined as the toddler is able to sit upright.
In order to provide a variable seating position for children of different ages and sizes, more recent booster seats have been configured such that their height and recline angle can be adjusted. For example, U.S. Publication No. 2010/0181808 discloses a seat configured to swivel, recline, and raise to accommodate a child during feeding. However, existing booster seats provide such variable seating positions through the use of large, complex seat repositioning mechanisms. To accommodate these mechanisms, existing booster seats are often excessively wide, making them difficult to fit on certain chairs (e.g., adult chairs having armrests). In addition, the complexity of these seat repositioning mechanisms makes the booster seats costly to manufacture, difficult to use, heavier to carry, and less reliable.
In WO 2007/112883 a high chair is described. The high chair is adjustable in height above the floor by means of telescopic supports.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved adjustable children's booster seat that incorporates a simple, low-cost, reliable, lightweight, and easy to use mechanism for adjusting the seating position of the booster seat.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided, an adjustable children's booster seat. as defined in claim 1. Some preferred features are defined in the dependent claims.
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to an adjustable children's booster seat. According to various embodiments, the adjustable booster seat comprises a child support configured for supporting a child, and a frame configured for resting on a seating surface of a chair and suspending the child support above the seating surface. The frame comprises a pair of vertically adjustable arms operatively connected to lateral sides of the child support and may be such that the child support can rotate about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation. The booster seat may further comprise at least one tilt control device configured to be actuated by a user between a secured configuration and an adjustable configuration. The tilt control device permits the child support to be rotated about the horizontal axis of rotation when in the adjustable configuration and prevents the child support from being rotated about the horizontal axis of rotation when in the secured configuration. The booster seat further comprises one or more height control devices configured to be actuated by a user between a secured configuration and an adjustable configuration. The one or more height control devices permit the vertically adjustable arms to be moved upwardly and downwardly with respect to the frame when in the adjustable configuration and prevent the vertically adjustable arms from moving downwardly with respect to the frame when in the secured configuration.
Various other embodiments of the present invention are directed to an adjustable children's booster seat comprising a child support configured for supporting a child; a frame configured for resting on a seating surface of a chair and suspending the child support above the seating surface, the frame comprising a pair of vertically adjustable arms operatively connected to lateral sides of the child support, and one or more height control devices configured to be actuated by a user between a secured configuration and an adjustable configuration. The one or more height control devices permit the vertically adjustable arms to be moved upwardly and downwardly with respect to the frame when in the adjustable configuration and prevent the vertically adjustable arms from moving downwardly with respect to the frame when in the secured configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of an adjustable booster seat according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a cutaway side view of an upright frame member according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows a side view of a vertically adjustable arm according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 shows a cutaway side view of a vertically adjustable arm inserted within an upright frame member to form a height control device according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 shows a cutaway side view of a tilt control device secured to a vertically adjustable arm according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6 shows a rear perspective view of an adjustable booster seat having a tray according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7 shows a front perspective view of an adjustable booster seat having a tray according to one embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 8 shows a perspective view of an adjustable booster seat secured to a chair according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to an adjustable children's booster seat. According to various embodiments, the booster seat generally includes a frame configured to suspend a child support (e.g., a child seat) such that both the height and tilt angle of the child support can be adjusted. In particular, one or more tilt control devices and height control devices are provided on the booster seat to enable a user to easily adjust the child support height and tilt angle. The frame is also generally configured to have a narrow profile, thereby enabling the booster seat to fit on a wide variety of chairs. In certain embodiments of the booster seat, such as those adapted for feeding a baby, the booster seat also includes a removable tray and one or more straps configured to safely secure the booster seat to a chair.
Figure 1 illustrates an adjustable booster seat 5 according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the adjustable booster seat 5 generally comprises a frame 10 and a child support 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 10 includes a base 102, a pair of upright members 110, and a pair of vertically adjustable arms 120. As described in greater detail below, the vertically adjustable arms 120 are operatively connected to lateral sides of the child support 20 and are configured to be selectively secured at different heights within the upright members 110 via a height control device. This functionality allows the height of the child support 20 with respect to the frame's base 102 to be selectively adjusted by a user to a preferred position. In addition, as described in greater detail below, the child support 20 is operatively connected to the vertically adjustable arms 120 such that it is permitted to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis. In particular, at least one of the vertically adjustable arms 120 includes a tilt control device 130 at its interface with the child support 20 that enables a user to selectively secure the child support 20 at different tilt angles relative to the frame 10.
As shown in Figure 1, the child support 20 includes a seating surface 202 having an upwardly extending crotch restraint 203, and a removable backrest 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the child support 20 comprises a seat formed from a substantially rigid shell and may include padding disposed on the seating surface 202 and backrest 204 to provide a comfortable support for a child. However, according to various other embodiments, child support 20 may comprise any suitable child support (e.g., a frame suspending a fabric seating surface) capable of being secured to the frame 10 as described herein.
In the illustrated embodiment, the frame's base 102 is a generally rigid platform configured for resting on a support surface (the surface of a chair) and providing a stable support base for the remaining components of the booster seat 5. As described in greater detail herein, the base 102 also defines a plurality of strap connection points 104, each of which comprises one or more apertures through which a securing strap can be threaded and attached to the base 102. In addition, as shown in the rear view of Figure 6, the base 102 defines a transport handle 106 configured to be gripped by a user when transporting the booster seat 5. In addition, in certain embodiments, the base 102 may be positioned on a rotating track, or other rotation mechanism, in order to enable a user to selectively rotate the child support 20 about a substantially vertical axis of rotation.
The frame's upright members 110 extend upwardly from lateral sides of the base 102 and are generally configured to support the vertically adjustable arms 120 and, thereby, the child support 20. According to various embodiments, the upright members 110 may be separate components affixed to the base 102, or may be formed with the base 102 as a single molded part. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the frame's upright members 110 have a length greater than their width, providing a relatively thin profile. In addition, the upright members 110 are positioned adjacent the lateral edges of the base 102. As such, the frame 10 is narrow profile with a reduced width in at least the areas of the frame 10 likely to be adjacent the armrests of a chair on which the booster seat 5 is positioned. The width of the frame 10 in these areas is generally equal to the lateral distance between the outermost walls of the two upright members 110. As the width of the frame 10 is reduced, the booster seat 5 is able be positioned in a wide variety chairs, including chairs having armrests. For example, in one embodiment, the width of frame 10 between the outermost walls of the upright members 110 is approximately 17.5 inches.
As noted above, the upright members 110 and vertically adjustable arms 120 include a height control device to effectively adjust the height of the child support 20. Figure 2 illustrates a cutaway side view of one of the upright members 110. As shown in Figure 2, the upright member 110 includes substantially vertical side walls 111, which extend upwardly from the base 102. The vertical side walls 111 define an interior channel 112 having an upper opening 113 at the upper ends of the vertical side walls 111. In the illustrated embodiment, the interior channel 112 extends downwardly into the base 102.
At the lower end of its interior channel 112, the upright member 110 includes two rows of teeth 114. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the teeth 114 extends outwardly from the inner walls of the channel 112 and is angled slightly upwardly toward the upper opening 113. As such, each pair of adjacent teeth 114 defines an angled cavity 115. As described in greater detail herein, the teeth 114 and cavities 115 are configured to engage a portion of a vertically adjustable arm 120 inserted into the channel 112 as part of a height control device.
Figure 3 illustrates a side view of one of the vertically adjustable arms 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the vertically adjustable arm 120 comprises an elongate body 121, an upper armrest 123, and a tilt control device 130. According to various embodiments, the elongate body 121 is a generally rigid member and has a thin profile dimensioned to fit within the interior channel 112 of the upright member 110. As shown in Figure 3, the elongate body 121 includes a central protruded portion 122, which protrudes slightly from the face of the elongate body 121 and extends along the length of the elongate body 121. The arm 120 further includes a pair of retractable fingers 125, which extend outwardly from the sides of the body's central protruded portion 122. As explained in greater detail below, the retractable fingers 125 can be actuated by a handle 126 (shown in Figures 1 and 4) provided on the opposite end of the arm 120. The upper armrest 123 is positioned adjacent an upper end of the elongate body 121 and extends outwardly from the elongate body 121. As explained in greater detail below, certain embodiments of the armrests 123 are configured to receive and secure a tray to the booster seat 5.
Figure 4 shows a cutaway side view of one of the frame's vertically adjustable arms 120 positioned within one of the upright members 110. According to various embodiments, the arm 120 is configured to move vertically within the upright member 110 and to be selectively secured at a user-preferred height. In particular, the arm's handle 126 is configured to act as an actuation mechanism to enable a user to adjust the arm 120 between an adjustable configuration, in which the arm 120 may be moved vertically within the upright member 110, and a secured configuration, in which the arm 120 is secured at a user-preferred height within the upright member 110.
In particular, as shown in Figure 4, the arm's retractable fingers 125 are positioned in chambers 128 within the vertically adjustable arm 120. The fingers 125 are also operatively connected to the handle 126 by connecting members 127. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting members are thin, elongate plastic pieces (e.g., polypropylene strips). The handle 126 is biased to an extended position by a spring 129, which is disposed between the upper end of the handle 126 and the upper edge of the vertically adjustable arm 120. When the handle 126 is in its extend position (shown in Figure 4), the connecting members 127 push the fingers 125 out of the chambers 128. Accordingly, when the fingers 125 are each aligned with one of the cavities 115, the fingers 125 extend into the cavities 115, as shown in Figure 4. When the fingers 125 are extended into the cavities 115 and engaged with the teeth 114, the vertically adjustable arm 120 is prevented from moving upward and downward and is thus in a secured configuration. In other words, the handle 126 is generally biased toward an extended, secured configuration in which the height of the vertically adjustable arm 120 is fixed with respect to the upright member 110.
However, by pulling the handle 126 upward, a user can actuate the arm 120 to an adjustable configuration in which the height of the arm 120 can be adjusted. As will be appreciated from Figure 4, when the handle 126 is pulled upward, the spring 129 is compressed and the connecting members 127 pull the fingers 125 upward such that they are retracted into the chambers 128. With the fingers 125 retracted and no longer engaged with the teeth 114, the arm 120 is free to move upwardly and downwardly within the upright member 110. In the illustrated embodiment, each row of teeth 114 defines four cavities 115. As such, using the handle 126, a user can selectively secure the arm 120 at one of four different heights.
As the child support 20 is operatively connected to the vertically adjustable arms 120, adjusting the height of the arms 120 with respect to the upright members 110 necessarily adjusts the height of the child support 20. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment of Figure 4, the teeth 114, cavities 115, fingers 125, handle 126, connecting members 127, chambers 128, and spring 129 comprise a height control device configured for adjusting the height of the child support 20.
According to other embodiments, springs may be disposed in the chambers 128 in order to bias the fingers 125 and handle 126 to an extended position. Such springs positioned in the chambers 128 may be provided in place of, or in addition to, the spring 129 shown in Figure 4. Furthermore, in other embodiments, additional teeth 114 may be provided within the channel 112 to provide additional height settings for the vertically adjustable arm 120. In yet another embodiment, the position and orientation of the components of the height control device may be reversed, For example, in one embodiment, the teeth 114 and cavities 115 are defined on the elongate body 121 of the vertically adjustable arm 120, while the retractable fingers 125, handle 126, connecting members 127, chambers 128, and spring 129 may be positioned on or within various portions of the upright member 110.
In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 1, height control devices are provided in both of the upright members 110 and vertically adjustable arms 120 on each side of the child support 20. As such, in the illustrated embodiment, a user may adjust the height of the child support 20 by pulling the handles 126 on each side of the child support 20, moving both vertically adjustable arms 120 to a desired height, and releasing the handles 126 to secure the child support 20 at the desired height. However, in other embodiments, only one height control device may be provided (e.g., in only one of the upright member-arm combinations 110/120, while the other arm 120 is configured to move with the height controlled arm 120). In other embodiments, additional height control devices may be provided (e.g., in additional upright members 110 and vertically adjustable arms 120). In addition, as will be appreciated from the description herein, the height adjustment device shown in Figure 4 represents only one embodiment of a height adjustment device adapted for use with the booster seat 5. Indeed, it is contemplated that other devices may be adapted to enable the vertically adjustable arms 120 to be adjusted and selectively secured by a user at various heights with respect to the upright members 110.
Figure 5 shows a cutaway side view of a tilt control device 130 provided on one of the vertically adjustable arms 120. According to various embodiments, the tilt control device 130 is configured to permit the child support 20 to selectively rotate with respect to the arm 120. As shown in Figure 5, the tilt control device 130 comprises a rotating member 131 and a fixed member 132. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixed member 132 is affixed to the arm's elongate body 121 just below the armrest 123.
The rotating member 131 is rotatably secured to the fixed member 132 such that it may rotate about an axis 133. In the illustrated embodiment, the axis 133 is generally perpendicular to the illustrated surface of the elongate body 121 and, as such, is substantially horizontal and would extend outwardly from the page of Figure 5. In addition, the rotating member 131 is affixed to a lateral side of the child support 20. For example, Figure 6 shows a rear view of the booster seat 5. As shown in Figure 6, the rotating member 131 is connected to a lateral side of the child support 20, just below a lip extending around the perimeter of the child support 20.
In order to control the rotation of the child support 20, the fixed member 132 includes a plurality of teeth 134 defining cavities 135 therebetweeen. The rotating member 131 includes a trigger member 136, which is connected to the rotating member 131 by a pin 137 such that the trigger member 136 can rotate about the pin 137. The trigger member 136 also includes a finger 138 configured to engage the fixed member's teeth 134 (e.g., by being positioned within one of the cavities 135). As shown in Figure 5, the trigger member 136 is positioned substantially within the rotating member 131, but includes an exposed surface near the upper end of the rotating member 131 such that the trigger member 136 can be actuated by a user. The exposed surface of the trigger 136 is also visible in Figure 6.
According to various embodiments, the tilt control device 130 is configured to be actuated between a secured configuration, in which the child support 20 is prevented from rotating with respect to the vertically adjustable arms 120, and an adjustable configuration, in which the child support 20 is permitted to rotate about the axis 133. Figure 5 illustrates the tilt control device 130 in a secured configuration. As shown in Figure 5, when the trigger member's finger 138 is positioned within one of the cavities 135 and thereby engaged with the fixed member's teeth 134, the rotating member 131 is prevented from rotating with respect to the fixed member 132. As a result, the child support 20-which is connected to the rotating member 131-will not be permitted to rotate with respect to the vertically adjustable arm 120.
To actuate the tilt control device 130 to an adjustable configuration, a user may press the exposed surface of the trigger member 136 such that it rotates about the pin 137, thereby causing its finger 138 to be moved out of contact with the teeth 134. With the finger 138 disengaged from the teeth 134, the rotating member 131-and thereby the child support 20-are free to rotate about the axis 133. To actuate the tilt control device 130 back to a secured configuration, the user may allow the finger 138 to realign with one of the fixed member's cavities 135 and release the trigger member 136 such that the finger 138 reengages the teeth 134. In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 5, the fixed member 132 defines three cavities 135, which permits the child support 20 to be secured at three distinct angles with respect to the vertically adjustable arm 120.
According to various embodiments, a spring may be provided within the rotating member 131 in order to bias the trigger member 136 to the secured configuration. In addition, the trigger member 136 may be dimensioned such that, when it is in the adjustable configuration and rotated by a user, the finger 138 skips over the top surfaces of the teeth 134 in order to provide a "clicking" sensation to the user that indicates when the finger 138 has been realigned with a different cavity 135. Furthermore, the fixed member 132 may be provided with additional teeth to provide additional tilt angle settings for the tilt control device 130. In yet another embodiment, the position and orientation of certain components of the tilt control device may be reversed. For example, in one embodiment, the teeth 134 and cavities 135 are defined on the trigger member 136, while the finger 138 is defined within the fixed member 132. In addition, as will be appreciated from Figure 6, the rearward end of the frame's base 102 extends further back than child support 10 will in its most reclined position. As a result, the base 102 can be placed on a chair such that its rearward end contacts the back of the chair and prevents the child support 20 from contacting the chair's back when the child support 20 is reclined.
In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 1, one of the vertically adjustable arms 120 includes the above-described tilt control device 130 at its interface with the child support 20, while the other vertically adjustable arm 120 is rotatably connected to the child support 20 without a tilt control device 130. In such an embodiment, the single tilt control device 130 is able to control the tilt angle of the child support 20. However, in other embodiments, additional tilt control devices 130 may be provided (e.g., at the interface of the child support 20 and both vertically adjustable arms 120).
As noted above, the child support 20 also includes a removable backrest 204. Referring back to Figure 6, the removable backrest 204 is shown connected to the lower portion of the child support 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the backrest 204 is configured to engage a ridge 207 along the child support 20 and be removably secured by a clip 206. According to various embodiments, the backrest 204 may be removed to accommodate larger children (e.g., children having shoulders wider than the backrest 204) or replaced with another removable backrest of a different size.
Figure 7 illustrates the booster seat 5 with a tray 30 attached. According to various embodiments, the tray 30 is configured to be removably secured to the arrests 123 of the vertically adjustable arms 120 (e.g., using clips or other conventional attachment devices). As will be appreciated from Figure 7, as the tray 30 is secured to the armrests 123, the child support 20 can be tilted forward and backward independent of the tray 30. In other words, in the illustrated embodiment, the tray 30 does not tilt with the child support 20. In other embodiments, the tray 30 may be configured to rotate about pins positioned at either of its ends. In such an embodiment, the armrests 123 may define locking mechanisms configured to receive and secure the tray's pins and permit the tray to rotate about either pin.
In addition, certain embodiments of the booster seat 5 include one or more securing straps configured to secure the booster seat 5 to a chair. Figure 8 shows the booster seat 5 secured to a chair 6. In the illustrated embodiments, the booster seat 5 includes a plurality of securing straps 40 attached to strap connection points 104 on the frame 10. According to various embodiments, the securing straps 40 may include one or more fasteners (e.g., side release buckles) to enable a user to quickly and easily secure the straps 40 around portions of the chair 6. For example, as shown in Figure 8 , the straps 40 can be secured around the seating surface and backrest of the chair 6 in order to secure the booster seat 5 to the chair 6.
According to various embodiments, the booster seat 5 shown and described herein provides a stable child support having a height and tilt angle that can be easily adjusted by a user. In addition, the components of the booster seat 5 providing this functionality can be easily assembled, have a low manufacturing cost, and are very stable.

Conclusion

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

An adjustable children's booster seat (5) comprising:
a child support (20) configured for supporting a child;

a frame (10) comprising a base (102) configured for resting on a seating surface of a chair (6), and wherein the frame (10) is configured for suspending the child support (20) above the seating surface, and

wherein the frame (10) comprises a pair of vertically adjustable arms (120) and a pair of upright members (110), wherein each upright member (110) defines a vertical channel (112), and wherein each vertically adjustable arm (120) is operatively connected to a lateral side of the child support (20) and is positioned at least partially within one of the upright members (110); and

one or more height control devices configured to be actuated by a user between a secured configuration and an adjustable configuration, wherein the one or more height control devices permit the vertically adjustable arms (120) to be moved upwardly and downwardly with respect to the frame (10) when in the adjustable configuration and prevent the vertically adjustable arms (120) from moving downwardly with respect to the frame (10) when in the secured configuration.
The adjustable children's booster seat of Claim 1, wherein the height control device (114, 115, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129) comprises a locking mechanism configured to selectively secure the child support at two or more predefined heights with respect to the frame.
The adjustable children's booster seat of Claim 2, wherein the height control device comprises:
a plurality of teeth (114) defined within the vertical channel (112) of at least one upright member (110); and

one or more retractable fingers (125) positioned on at least one vertically adjustable arm (120), wherein the one or more retractable fingers can be selectively retracted and extended via a movable handle (126) disposed on the at least one vertically adjustable arm (120), and wherein the one or more retractable fingers (125) are configured for selectively engaging the plurality of teeth (114) defined within the vertical channel (112) when the at least one vertically adjustable arm (120) is inserted within the vertical channel; and
wherein the height control device is in the secured configuration when the one or more fingers (125) are engaged with the vertical channel's teeth (114) and wherein the height control device is in the adjustable configuration when the one or more fingers (125) are disengaged from the vertical channel's teeth (114).
The adjustable booster seat of Claim 1, wherein the one or more height control devices comprise a pair of height control devices, each height control device being configured to selectively secure one of the vertically adjustable arms (120) at a user preferred height within one of the upright members (110).
The adjustable booster seat of Claim 1, wherein the upright members (110) have a length greater than their width, and wherein the upright members are positioned proximate lateral edges of the frame (10).
The adjustable booster seat of Claim 1, wherein the vertical channel (112) defined by each upright member (110) comprises a substantially enclosed vertical channel (112) defining an upper opening (113); and
wherein each vertically adjustable arm (120) is inserted though the upper opening of, and positioned at least partially within the substantially enclosed vertical channel of, a respective upright member (110).
The adjustable booster seat of Claim 1, wherein the child support includes a removable backrest (204).
The adjustable booster seat of Claim 1, further comprising one or more securing straps (40) operatively connected to the frame (10) and configured for being releasably attached to the chair in order to secure the booster seat (5) to the chair.