US3294440A

US3294440A - Universal child's chair

Info

Publication number: US3294440A
Application number: US510741A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leonard J Broder
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-12-01
Filing date: 1965-12-01
Publication date: 1966-12-27
Anticipated expiration: 1983-12-27

Description

Dec. 27, 1966 L. J. BRODER UNIVERSAL CHILD'S CHAIR Filed Dec.

United States Patent 3,294,440 UNIVERSAL CHILDS (IHATR Leonard J. Broiler, 207 Skyline Circle, Apt. 37, Grand Prairie, Tex. 75il5i} Filed Dec. 1, 1965, Ser. No. lll,74ll 7 Claims. (Cl. 27--150) My invention relates in general to chairs for children and in particular to improvements in childrens chairs such that their utility more closely approaches universality.

Previously developed childrens chairs such as highchairs have the disadvantage that they fit essentially only one size child. That is, the depth of the seat is unalterably and rigidly established, as are the placement of the foot rest, the height of the chair above the floor, and the height of the tray above the seat. While it is true that the position of the tray relative to the back of the chair usually may be selectively determined on prior art childrens chairs, this feature of itself does not make the chairs suitable for use by children of all sizes and ages. This means that each chair has limited usefulness since it will fit a particular child for only a limited range of time during his growth. Since it is uneconomical to buy a number of chairs for a child during diiferent periods of his growth, the child must continue to use the same chair for years. Consequently, the chair often gives improper support with possibly detrimental results to such things as the childs breathing, posture, and comfort.

It is therefore the general object of my invention to provide a universal childs chair, one that may be comfortably utilized by essentially any child, irrespective of age or size.

Another object of my invention is to provide in a childs chair a tray that includes improved means for establishing the tray in a position in front of the child and for establishing a position of the tray enabling the child to conveniently enter or leave the chair.

Another object of my invention is to provide in a childs chair a seat member and tray which cooperate to provide comfortable support for a child of any size or age.

Another object of my invention is to provide a variable position foot rest in a chair having a variable position pedestal with the foot rest and the pedestal utilizing elements of the same structure in establishing their selected positions.

These and other objects are effected by my invention and will be apparent from the following description taken in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which:

.FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a universal childs chair constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the childs chair of FIG. 1 as viewed from a position beneath the seat member of the chair;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of portions of the childs chair of FIGS. 1 and 2 as seen looking along the lines III-11! of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of fastener means utilized to establish selected positions for the tray of the childs chair;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section view of the fastener means of FIG. 4, with portions thereof realigned from their position shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of two telescoping, tubular sections of the pedestal structure of my childs chair and the positioner means utilized to establish a fixed relationship in the relative axial positions of the telescoping members;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of locking ice means that are utilized in establishing a selected depth of the seat member of my childs chair; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the foot rest shown in perspective in FIG. 1.

The numeral 11 in the drawing designates a chair structure having a back member 13 and a seat member 15. In this particular embodiment seat and back members are formed of one contoured, integral piece of material of satisfactory composition, such as wood or plastic.

The chair structure 11 is supported by a pedestal 17 that includes in this instance three telescoping,

tubular sections

19, 21, and 23. The pedestal 17 is maintained in a vertical position by suitable means such as feet 25 which extend laterally from the lower telescoping section 19. The feet 25 are preferably tubular having curved section bottom contour so that the chair can be easily moved across the floor even with a child in it. Referring to FIG. 6, lower section 19 receives intermediate telescoping sections 21 and each of the sections has vertically spaced apertures 27 which may be selectively aligned with each other to receive a positioner means 29. Included in the positioner means is an inserter element 31 that has an outer curved portion 33 adapted to extend through the apertures 27 of the telescoping members. A shoulder 35 is provided toward an inner region of the inserter element 31 and is attached to a spring 37 that urges the inserter element outward into apertures 27.

The spring 37 of FIG. 6 is secured, as indicated by numeral 39, by a suitable means such as spot welding to the intermediate telescoping member 21. To establish a new position between intermediate telescoping member 21 and the lower telescoping member 19, the inserter element 31 of the positioner means 29 is depressed until its outer, curved portion 33 is free to slide past the inner surface of the lower telescoping member 19. This enables the intermediate telescoping member 21 to be moved upward or downward until the inserter element 31 becomes aligned with the next adjacent aperture 27 of the lower telescoping member 19, at which time the inserter element will be urged outwardly by spring 37.

The upper telescoping member 23 has a similar positioner means 29 (not shown) so that its position relative to intermediate telescoping member 21 may be selectively established.

A foot rest 41 is secured to the pedestal 17 by insertion into the previously described apertures 27 of an up per hook member 42 (see especially FIG. 8) that extends from the planar upper surface 43 of the foot rest. The foot rest has a lower surface 45 which has a narrow extension 47 that is preferably vertically aligned with the hook element 42 to extend into selected apertures 27. Thus, the hook element 42 and the narrow extension 47 cooperate with the apertured telescoping members to retain the foot rest 41 in a selected vertical position. This is an advantageous arrangement since the same apertures 27 used to establish the selected relative positions between the

telescoping members

19, 21, 23 are utilized in establishing the vertical position of the foot rest 41.

Upper telescoping member 23 is secured to seat member 15 of the chair structure by a suitable fastener means 48 as shown in FIG. 2. The seat member 15 of the chair structure 11 has a shallow inner region 49. The arms 51 of the chair are formed of strips of material, such as metal, which extend from the back member 13 of the chair underneath the seat member 15 thereof and which then curves upwardly and backwardly to form parallel arms 51 spaced above and along the respective sides of the seat member 15. The arms 51 have in an upper region thereof a plurality of horizontally spaced apertures 55 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The arms 51 are sized such that detachable elongated members 53 may be added along the length of the front edge of the seat member 15 to increase the depth thereof. Thus, the seat member has variable depth to accommodate children of essentially any age and size. The detachable elongated members 53 are secured in position by locking means 57 (see FIGS. 2 and 7), which in this instance comprise a latch 59 that has one extremity pivotably secured to one detachable member 53 by suitable means such as a screw 61, and which has a slot 63 in the other extremity thereof for receiving a shaft 65 with a head thereon. The shaft may be secured to the adjacent detachable member 53 or to the seat member 15 of the chair structure.

Secured to the lower surface of tray 67 is a hinged bracket 69 and a pivotable bracket 71 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The hinged bracket 69 has one portion 73 secured to the tray by suitable means such as screws 74 and a downwardly extending portion 75 that is hinged to the portion 73 to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis when the tray is positioned on the arms. Downwardly extending portion 75 will depend substantially vertically from the hinge and includes a plurality of spaced apertures 77.

A pivotable bracket 71 has a portion 79 that is secured by suitable means such as a washer and nut 80 to a downwardly extending post 82 which is attached to the lower surface of the tray 67 by screws 84. A downwardly extending portion 81 of the pivotable bracket has apertures 77. The apertures 77 in the downward extending portions of both the hinged and

pivotable brackets

69, 71 may be aligned with selected apertures 55 in the arms of the chair structure. A releasable fastener means 83 may then be inserted into these selected apertures of the arm and of the downwardly extending portions of the

above brackets

69, 71 to establish both vertical and horizontal locations for the tray.

The apertures above are preferably rectangular and the fastener means 83 include a body portion 85 (see FIGS. 4 and that may be received by the apertures. A shoulder 87 is provided on one extremity of the body so that the fastener means has limited axial movement with respect to the apertures. A rotatable end section 89 is secured to a shaft 91 of the body 85 and is retained thereon by one or more balls 93 that rotate in a raceway which has disposed therein at 90 degree intervals a respective depression 95. When the rotatable end section 89 is in the retainer position, as shown in FIG. 4, the ball is resting in a respective depression 95 and the end section 89 is disposed normal to the body portion 85. When the end section 89 is in the release position, as shown in FIG. 5, the ball is resting in a respective depression 95 and the end section 89 is disposed parallel to, or in alignment with the body portion 85. The one or more balls 93 are retained by a compression spring 97 and a plug 99 that is secured to the rotatable end section 89.

In operation, the vertical height of the chair structure 11 is established by depressing the positioner means 29 in either or both

telescoping sections

21, 23 and by thereafter extending or retracting the telescoping sections. The positioner means 29 automatically springs into a locking position due to the action of spring 37. Then, the foot rest 41 is positioned at the correct vertical height for the leg length of a child by inserting the hook element 42 and the narrow extension 47 into selected apertures 27. Next, the detachable elongated members 53 may be inserted or Withdrawn from the seat member by the previously described manipulation of the locking means 57 to establish the correct chair depth for the leg length of a particular child. Also, the vertical and horizontal position of the tray 57 with respect to the chair structure 11 may be varied by rotating the rotatable end section 89 of fastener means 83 and by thereafter retracting the fastener means. Then selected

apertures

77, 55 of the brackets and arms may be paired. Thereafter, the fastener means 83 may be inserted into the paired apertures and locked into position by moving the rotatable end section 89 of the fastener means. To remove a child from the chair the fastener means 83 associated with the hinged bracket 69 may be retracted so that the downwardly extending portion 75 thereof may be moved to a position not to interfere with the movement of the tray about the substantially vertical axis defined by the pivotable bracket 71. Consequently, the tray may be moved to an out-of-the-way position without the necessity for taking utensils such as dishes or glasses from the tray, and may be easily and conveniently moved back to its original, locked position.

It should be pointed out that the pedestal structure should be made up of at least three telescoping members. Also, while in the embodiment shown, the means for varying the depth of the seat comprises one or more of the elongate members 53 juxtaposed adjacent the front edge -of the seat, it is recognized that other depth varying means may be used within the scope of my invention in accordance with the broader aspects thereof.

It should be apparent from the foregoing that I have provided an invention having significant advantages.

The provision of a universal childs chair that may be comfortably utilized by essentially any child, irrespective of age or size is in itself a significant advantage.

The combination of a seat and tray structure which cooperate to provide good support for essentially any child is especially advantageous. As a child grows, for example, elongated members 53 may be added to match the childs longer legs. Also, the position of the tray relative to the back and seat of the chair structure may be selected such that the tray snugly fits comfortably just below the wast of any child.

Moreover, the provision of a tray that pivots about a substantially vertical axis is an advantageous way to move the tray to an out-of-the-way position while the child enters or leaves the chair. Also, the variable position foot rest and telescoping chair supporting pedestal leads to significant advantages. Not only can the foot rest be moved to a position to accommodate the leg length of a particular child, but both the foot rest and the telescoping pedestal utilize the same means to establish their positions. That is, the apertures previously described perform two simultaneous functions, thereby simplifying the structure.

While I have shown my invention in only 'one form, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

I claim:

1. A universal childs chair comprising:

(a) a chair structure including seat and back members and support means therefor;

(b) means for varying the depth of the seat of said chair structure;

(c) a tray carried by said chair structure; and

(d) means releasably connecting said tray with said chair structure to enable selectivity in both the horizontal and vertical locations of said tray.

2. The childs chair as defined by claim 1, wherein the means for varying the length of said seat comprises one or more detachable, elongated members juxtaposed adjacent the front edge thereof.

3. A universal childs chair comprising:

(a) a pedestal having at least three telescoping members with vertically spaced and alignable apertures therein;

(b) positioner means for insertion into an aligned pair of said apertures to establish the overall height of said pedestal;

(c) a foot rest having vertically spaced protrusions for insertion respectively into a selected pair of said apertures to establish a vertical position of said foot rest; and

(d) a chair structure supported by said pedestal.

4. The childs chair as defined by claim 3 wherein a tray is carried by said chair structure; and fastener means releasably connect said tray with said chair structure to enable selectivity in both the horizontal and vertical locations of said tray.

5. The childs chair as defined by claim 4 wherein said fastener means includes parallel arms having horizontally spaced apertures; a hinged bracket secured to said tray for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, with vertically spaced apertures formed in a downwardly extending portion thereof; a pivotable bracket secured to said tray for enabling rotation thereof about a substantially vertical axis; with vertically spaced apertures formed in a downwardly extending portion thereof; and releasible fastener means for insertion into selected apertures of the downwardly extending portions of said brackets and into selected apertures of said arms to enable said selectivity in the hoirzontal and vertical locations of said tray.

6. A childs chair as defined by claim 3 wherein said pedestal has a base portion comprising a plurality of feet fixed to and extending outwardly from the bottom portion of the lower telescoping member, the feet being tubular and having curved section bottom contour.

7. A universal childs chair comprising:

(a) a pedestal;

(b) a chair structure including seat and back members supported by said pedestal, said chair structure including two parallel arms spaced above and along the respective sides of the seat member;

() a tray carried by said arms;

(d) a hinged bracket pivotally secured to said tray, with a portion extending downwardly therefrom for movement about a substantially horizontal axis;

(e) a pivotable bracket secured to said tray, with a portion extending downwardly therefrom that enables rotation of said tray about a substantially vertical axis;

(1?) fastener means for securing the downwardly extending portions of said brackets to respective ones 6 of said arms, with at least the fastener means associated with said hinged bracket being releasable to permit rotation of said tray about the substantially vertical axis defined by said pivotable bracket;

(g) the downwardly extending portions of said brackets including vertically spaced apertures for selective alignment with horizontally spaced apertures formed in said arms, and said fastener means being insertable into aligned pairs of apertures in a respective arm and a downwardly extending portion of one of said brackets.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 165,853 2/1952 Lydon 297-148 X 496,739 5/ 1893 Kennedy 248-'7 X 1,465,291 8/1923 Walker 297-437 X 1,964,216 6/1934 Sargent 297-437 2,155,813 5/1939 Veal 297-151 2,466,350 5/ 1949 Anderson 297-383 X 2,605,987 8/1952 Brown et al 248-408 2,664,143 12/1953 Licaisi 297-154 X 2,675,066 5/1954 Ohman 297-151 X 2,707,020 5/1955 Nobbe 297-151 X 2,741,299 5/1956 Bargen 248-407 2,767,774 10/ 1956 Derby 297-149 2,799,324 7/1957 Anderson 297-150 X 2,979,118 5/1961 Gelrnan 297-150 3,181,828 5/1965 Cramer 297-338 X FOREIGN PATENTS 898,765 6/1962 Great Britain.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

JAMES T. MCCALL, Examiner.

Claims

1. A UNIVERSAL CHILD''S CHAIR COMPRISING (A) A CHAIR STRUCTURE INCLUDING SEAT AND BACK MEMBERS AND SUPPORT MEANS THEREOF; (B) MEANS FOR VARYING THE DEPTH OF THE SEAT OF SAID CHAIR STRUCTURE; (C) A TRAY CARRIED BY SAID CHAIR STRUCTURE; AND (D) MEANS RELEASABLY CONNECTING SAID TRAY WITH SAID CHAIR STRUCTURE TO ENABLE SELECTIVITY IN BOTH THE HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL LOCATIONS OF SAID TRAY.