WO2008061341A1

WO2008061341A1 - Transformable chair

Info

Publication number: WO2008061341A1
Application number: PCT/CA2007/002053
Authority: WO
Inventors: Patrice Guillemin
Original assignee: Patrice Guillemin
Priority date: 2006-11-20
Filing date: 2007-11-16
Publication date: 2008-05-29

Abstract

A transformable high chair is described herein. The chair comprises a double seat arrangement, including first and second opposite seats, pivotably mounted to a standing frame assembly so as to be movable between a high position where the first seat is positioned upward and the second seat is positioned downward to a low position where the second seat is positioned upward and the first seat is positioned downward. The first and second seats are advantageously asymmetrical, so that in its high position, the high chair, which can be equipped with a harness and a tray, is suitable to receive a toddler. In a low position, the chair, is suitable to receive an older child and can be used adjacent a table. The standing frame includes a locking system which has to be unlocked in order to move the chair between the high and low positions.

Description

TITLE

Transformable Chair

FIELD

[0001] The present invention concerns chairs such as high chairs.

Moreover specifically, the present invention concerns a transformable chair.

BACKGROUND

[0002] High chairs for infants are generally constituted by a supporting structure and a seat mounted thereto which is designed to accommodate the child. The seat can be associated with a table. Many variants of high chairs exist in the art. According to one of these variants, the seat is mounted to the supporting structure so as to be tiltable. It can further act as a support for a plate and/or a cup and at the same time in some cases prevent the child from falling forward.

[0003] In many instances, the supporting structure includes two triangular lateral upright elements, which are optionally connected to each other by means of one or more interconnection cross-members.

[0004] Most of the high chairs on the market allow a tray to slide and be adjusted in many positions. Mechanisms are also provided for reclining the backrest in several positions and adjusting the height of the seat shell.

[0005] A first drawback of these high chairs from the prior art is that most of the above listed extra features are not used by parents and create cavities, mechanisms, and small areas that are difficult to clean after meals. [0006] A second major drawback of most of the high chairs from the prior art is that they are adapted for a specific age of children.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] In the appended drawings:

[0008] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a high chair according to an illustrative embodiment of a transformable chair from the present invention, the high chair being illustrated in a high position;

[0009] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the high chair from Figure 1 ;

[0010] Figure 3 is a back perspective view of the high chair from

Figure 1 , the high chair being illustrated in a low position;

[0011] Figures 4A and 4B are side elevations of the high chair from

Figure 1 , illustrating the high chair respectively in high and low positions;

[0012] Figures 5A and Figure 5B are front elevations of the high chair from Figure 1 , illustrating the high chair respectively in the high and low positions of Figures 4A and 4B; and

[0013] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a leg assembly of the high chair from Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0014] In the following detailed description, same or corresponding elements are generally indicated by same reference numerals. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0015] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a transformable chair comprising:

[0016] a standing frame assembly; and

[0017] a double seat arrangement including first and second opposite seats; the seat arrangement being pivotably mounted to the frame assembly so as to be movable between a first position where the first seat is positioned upward and the second seat is positioned downward to a second position where the second seat is positioned upward and the first seat is positioned downward.

[0018] Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following non restrictive description of illustrated embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] A transformable chair 10 according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference first to Figures 1 to 3.The chair 10 is in the form of a high chair for toddler (see Figure 1). However, as will be described hereinbelow, the chair 10 is reversibly transformable to a chair suitable for an older child (see Figure 3).

[0020] The high chair 10 comprises a standing frame assembly 12 defining support legs 72 and 80, a double seat arrangement 14 including first and second opposite seats 16 and 18, a tray 20 to be removably mounted to the double seat arrangement 14, and a three-point security harness 22 also to be removably secured to the double seat arrangement 14.

[0021] As will be described hereinbelow in more detail, the double seat arrangement 14 is pivotably mounted to the standing frame assembly 12 so that the seat arrangement 14 is movable between a high position, where the first seat 16 is positioned on top of the second seat 18, and a low position, where the second seat 18 is positioned on top of the first seat 16. Changing from the high position to the low position is achieved via a 180-degree rotation of the seat arrangement 14.

[0022] As will also be described furtherin in more detail, the first and second seats 16 and 18 have different configurations and are so positioned relatively to the base of the standing frame assembly 12 and therefore to the floor that each one is adapted for a different age group of children.

[0023] With reference to Figure 2, the double seat arrangement 14 is in the form of a one-piece plastic body. The body 14 includes a seat portion 24 defining two opposite sitting surfaces 26-28, two identical side panel portions 30 positioned on opposite lateral sides of the seat portion 24, and a double back rest element 32 extending from a back side of the seat portion 24 between the two lateral sides. [0024] Each side panel portion 30 is in the form of an hourglass shaped panel having a narrow portion 34 at the level of the seat 24.

[0025] Each side panel portion 30 includes a cylindrical aperture 36 for pivotably mounting the seat arrangement 14 to the standing frame assembly 12. The two cylindrical apertures 36 are aligned and define a pivoting axis 38. The apertures 36 are both offset relatively to the seat 24. This offset causes the seat 24 to be positioned higher when the seat arrangement 14 is positioned in its high position (see Figures 1 and 4A) and lower when the seat arrangement 14 is positioned in its low position (see Figures 3 and 4B).

[0026] Turning now briefly to Figures 5A and 5B, the side panel portions 30 are asymmetrical relatively to the seat portion 24, yielding a smaller height hi between the first sitting surface 26 of the seat 24 and the first distal ends 50 of the side panel portions 30 when the seat arrangement is in its first position (see Figure 5A) and a greater height h2 between the second sitting surface 28 of the seat 24 and the second distal ends 54 of the side panel portions 30 when the seat arrangement is in its second position (see Figure 5B).

[0027] The side panel portions 30 are also thicker on the side of the first sitting surface 26 yielding a narrower seat than of the opposite side (see width w1 on Figure 5A and width w2 on Figure 5B).

[0028] This asymmetry of the side panel portions 30 and more specifically the smaller dimensions of the first seat 16 allows a toddler (not shown) to be well maintained therein while the chair 10 is in the high position (see Figures 4A and 5A), and the chair 10 to accommodate an older child (not shown) after it has been flipped to its low position (see Figures 4B and 5B). [0029] The side panel portions 30 have also a gradually increasing thickness from their distal ends 50 and 54 to their proximate ends adjacent the respective seat surface 26 and 28. This characteristic of the seat arrangement also provides for an easier insertion of a child in the chair 10 in either one of the two positions allowed and greater stability and comfort for the sitting child.

[0030] Returning to Figure 2, an annular recess 40 is provided around each aperture 36 for complementary receiving a mounting disk 42 of the standing frame assembly 12.

[0031] As can be seen for example on Figures 4A and 4B, the back rest element 32 has a flared V-shape which generally complements the profile of the side panels 30 therebetween.

[0032] The back rest element 32 defines first and second back rests

44 and 46, each defining an angle with a respective one of the two opposite sitting surfaces 26 and 28.

[0033] Returning to Figure 2, the tray 20 comprises a tray portion 55, a crotch bar 56 underneath the tray portion 55 and two parallel side arms 58 extending therefrom. The tray 20 further includes two grooved elements 60 integral the tray under the tray portion 55 so as to be generally aligned with a respective side arm 58. Each of the two grooved elements 60 (only one shown) is for complementary receiving a respective elongated protruding element 62 (only two out of four shown) provided on the side panel portions 30 of the double seat arrangement 14 in a slide rail arrangement.

[0034] The distal ends of the side arms 58 further include perforated tongues 64 to cooperate with buttons 66 provided on the top surfaces of the side panel portions 30 adjacent the back rest element 32 for further securing the tray 20 to the double seat arrangement 14. Other locking mechanism can alternatively or additionally be provided.

[0035] Anchors 68-70 are secured to the double seat arrangement

14 to receive the three-point security harness 22. More specifically, first and second anchors 68 are secured on the back rest 44 and a third anchor 70 is secured on the front side of the seat portion 24.

[0036] The anchors can be omitted on the back rest 46. Indeed, since the chair 10 is intended to be used by older child when in its low position, the harness 22 is believed to be optional while in this position. The tray can also be omitted while the chair is in the low position.

[0037] The tray 20 and harness 22 are of course optional. They can also be configured differently. Other fixation or securing means can also be provided on the double seat arrangement 14 to removably mount the tray 20 and harness 22 thereon than the illustrated systems.

[0038] Even though the double seat arrangement 14 has been described as an integral one-piece, it can be assembled from a plurality of parts. For example, the back seat 32, seat portion 24 and side portions 30 can be made all or in parts from different pieces. The seat arrangement 14 would however still be configured with apertures defining a pivoting axis offset relatively to the seat portion, so as to yield the two different sitting heights.

[0039] Turning now briefly to Figure 2, the standing frame 12 will now be described. [0040] The standing frame 12 is in the form of a trestle comprising a pair of inverted V-shaped frame elements 72 linked by first and second crossbars 74-76. In addition to bring stability to the frame 12, the second cross-bar 76 is positioned to act as a foot step/rest to help a child climb in the chair while it is in the low position.

[0041] With reference to Figure 6, one of the two identical inverted

V-shaped frame elements 72 will now be described.

[0042] The inverted V-shaped frame element 72 includes two leg members 78 and 80 assembled by a double seat pivoting mechanism 82. As will be described hereinbelow in more detail, the double seat pivoting mechanism 82 further allows locking the double seat arrangement 14 in one of the two positions selected by the user. The inverted V-shaped frame element 72 further includes a leg blocking mechanism 84 for locking the legs 78 and 80 in an open position.

[0043] The seat pivoting mechanism 82 includes the mounting disk

42, to be fixedly mounted to the double seat arrangement 14 via a pivot pin 94, a disk engaging element 86 for coupling the second leg member 80 to the pivot pin 94 and for selectively engaging the disk 42 in one of two orientations corresponding to the seat arrangement 14 being in respectively the high and low positions, a leg-mounting element 90 for coupling the first leg member 78 to the pin 94 and a protective cap 92.

[0044] The pin 94 is secured to the disk 42 coaxially therefrom via a

C-ring 93. As will now become more apparent, the pin 94 further acts as a link between the first and second legs 78 and 80. The pin 94 is provided with a head 95 at its free end which acts as a knob. [0045] The leg-mounting element 90 is secured to the first leg member 78 adjacent its proximate end via fasteners 96 (three according to the illustrated embodiment). The leg-mounting element 90 includes a circular aperture 98 to allow passage to the pivot pin 94.

[0046] The disk engaging element 86 is secured to the second leg member 80. For that purpose, it includes apertures 102 to allow passage for the fasteners 100 therethrough.

[0047] The second legs 80 also includes a recess 106 shaped so as to complementary receive part of the disk engaging element 86, thereby contributing to maintaining the element 86 secured to the leg 80.

[0048] The disk engaging element 86 also includes a pivot pin aperture 108 to allow passage to the pivot pin 94 therethrough, and a locking pin aperture 110 to allow passage to a locking pin 112, the purpose of which will now be described.

[0049] The locking pin 112 is mounted to the disk engaging element 86 in the aperture 110 for reciprocal movement therein and so as to be biased towards the mounting disk 42.

[0050] More specifically, a biasing member, in the form of a compression spring 114, is provided on the side of the disk engaging element 86 facing the mounting disk coaxially the locking pin 112. The distal end 118 of the locking pin 112 is secured via a c-ring 120 to a ring 116 provided at the distal end of the spring 114. The proximate end of the locking pin 112 is provided with a knob 122. [0051] The protective cap 92 is secured to disk engaging element 86 using fasteners 104 (two, according to the illustrated embodiment). Glue or other fastening means can also be used. The cap 92 includes an elongated aperture 124 to allow access to the pivot pin 94 and to the locking pin 112.

[0052] The optional protective cap 92 allows two main functionalities: it provides better aesthetic to the frame element 72, and it serves a safety purpose by preventing a user from hurting himself while the first and second legs 78-80 are moved as will be described hereinbelow.

[0053] The disk 42 includes a central aperture 126 to receive the pivot pin 94, which is secured therein by the c-ring 93. The mounting disk 42 is fixedly mounted to the double seat arrangement 14 in the annular recess 40 via screws (not shown). Four apertures 128 are provided in the disk 42 for that purpose.

[0054] The disk further includes two radially opposite engaging apertures 130-130' which are selectively to be engaged by the locking pin 112 when the seat arrangement 14 is pivoted between the high and low positions. The disk 42 is of course appropriately oriented on the seat arrangement 14 so that the engagement of the pin 122 in either one of the two apertures 130-130' rightfully positions the seat arrangement 14 in a corresponding one of the high and low positions.

[0055] As will now become more apparent, the pivot pin 94 further acts as a linkage between the first and second legs 78 and 80.

[0056] The leg blocking mechanism 84 is in the form of an arm 132 pivotably mounted to the leg-mounting element 90 via a pivot pin 133 received in an aperture 134 of the element 90 provided therefore. The arm 132 further includes a knob 136 secured at the longitudinal end opposite the end that includes the pin 133. The bottom of the disk engaging element 86 is complementary shaped to receive the arm 84.

[0057] Since the only link between the two legs 78 and 80 is the pivot pin 94, nothing prevents their movements towards and away each other and therefore their bringing together, for example during shipping of the chair. However, positioning the leg blocking mechanism 84 so that it complements the disk engaging element 86 causes the two legs 78-80 to be locked in the inverted V-shaped frame configuration illustrated for example in Figure 1.

[0058] Returning to Figure 2, the second legs 80 are provided with rollers 138 at their distal ends. The rollers 138 are mounted to the legs 80 so as to contact the floor only when the chair 10 is tilted backwards.

[0059] A transformable chair according to the present invention is not limited to having a frame element as illustrated in the appended drawings. Any frame, structure or body allowing to receive a double seat arrangement such as the arrangement 14 including first and second opposite seat and to allow pivoting such arrangement between a first position where the first seat is positioned upward and the second seat is positioned downward to a second position where the second seat is positioned upward and the first seat is positioned downward can also be used.

[0060] For example, the double seat pivoting mechanism and more specifically the disk engaging element 86 can take other forms. [0061] The leg blocking mechanism 84 can also take other forms.

For example, it can be provided between the first and second cross-bars 74-76.

[0062] Even though the inverted V-shaped frame element 72 has been illustrated with its parts assembled using fasteners, other fastening means can be used including, without limitations, glue or welding when the parts are made of metal. They can also be snap fitted.

[0063] In operation, the pair of first legs 78 are spread apart from the second pair of legs 80 and the leg blocking mechanism 84 is engaged. This step if of course not performed every time the chair 10 is used and usually only when the chair 10 is for example picked up from storage or used for the first time.

[0064] If the chair 10 is not in the desired position between the high and low positions, the locking pin 112 is pulled and the double seat arrangement is pivoted between the actual position and the other high or low position while the pin 112 remains pulled. It is to be noted that, as a safety feature, the pivoting of the arrangement 14 has to be performed while the pin 112 is pulled. Therefore, the changed between the two positions cannot be executed inadvertedly. Of course, such an operation is executed without a child or a toddler being in the chair.

[0065] The configuration of the seat arrangement 14 is not limited to the one described and illustrated herein. For example, the side panel portions 30 are not limited to having hourglass shape. For example they can be in the form of frame defining arm rests. [0066] Also, the seat arrangement 14 can be configured and sized so that the first and second opposite seats 16 and 18 are symmetrical and identical.

[0067] Even though both seats 16 and 18 are illustrated as having elongated protruding element 62 for receiving the tray 20, such elements can be omitted for example for the seat 18, which corresponds to the low position. Indeed, in this position, the chair can be used in connection with a table (not shown).

[0068] The main components of the chair 10 are made of plastic or of any other polymeric material. They can also be made of another material such as wood and metal.

[0069] It is believed to be within the reach of a person skilled in the art to use the present teaching to modify the high chair according to the illustrative embodiment for use in other applications. For example, a transformable chair according to the present invention can be movable between a conventional table chair position and a bar stool configuration. In such an application, the harness and tray is omitted. Also the general shapes and configurations of the dual seat arrangement 14 and of the standing frame 12 can be modified since safety is less an issue for such a particular application. For example, the side panel portions can be omitted for the bar stool seat or for both seat. A side structure in the form of a frame is then used to mount the double seat arrangement to the standing frame.

[0070] Even though the present transformable seat has been described with reference to a high chair 10 which is movable between high and low positions following a 180 degrees rotation of the seat arrangement 14 about an axis which is parallel to the seat portion 24, it is believed to be within the reach of a person skilled in the art to use the present teaching to conceive a transformable high chair according to the present invention wherein a double seat arrangement is mounted to a standing frame so as to be pivotable from 180-degree about an axis which is for example perpendicular to the seat portion.

[0071] According to a further illustrative embodiment (not shown), it is the seat arrangement which is provided with pivot pins defining the pivot axis while the standing frame includes apertures to receive these pivot pins.

[0072] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation. Hence, although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of illustrative embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit, scope and nature of the subject invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A transformable chair comprising: a standing frame assembly; and a double seat arrangement including first and second opposite seats; the seat arrangement being pivotably mounted to the standing frame assembly so as to be movable between a high position where the first seat is positioned upward and the second seat is positioned downward to a low position where the second seat is positioned upward and the first seat is positioned downward.

2. A transformable chair as recited in claim 1 , wherein the double seat arrangement includes a seat portion defining first and second opposite sitting surfaces respectively associated to the first and second opposite seats and side structures extending from opposite lateral sides of the seat portion; the double seat arrangement being pivotably mounted to the standing frame via its side structures about a pivoting axis; the pivoting axis being offset relatively to the seat portion.

3. A transformable chair as recited in claim 2, wherein the side structures extend towards both the first and second seats.

4. A transformable chair as recited in claim 3, wherein the side structures are side panels.

5. A transformable chair as recited in claim 4, wherein the side panels extend higher from a side thereof corresponding to the second seat than from a side thereof corresponding to the first seat.

6. A transformable chair as recited in claim 4, wherein the side panels are thicker on a side thereof corresponding to the first seat than on a side thereof corresponding to the second seat.

7. A transformable chair as recited in claim 2, wherein the pivoting axis is parallel to the seat portion; the double seat arrangement being so mounted to the standing frame assembly that moving between the high and low positions is achieved by a 180-degree rotation of the seat arrangement about the pivoting axis.

8. A transformable chair as recited in claim 2, wherein the double seat arrangement further includes at least one back seat secured to the side structures therebetween.

9. A transformable chair as recited in claim 2, wherein the first seat is configured as a high chair for toddler and the second seat is configured as a table chair.

10. A transformable chair as recited in claim 2, wherein the first seat is configured as a bar stool and the second seat is configured as a table chair.

11. A transformable chair as recited in claim 2, wherein the standing frame assembly includes a seat pivoting mechanism for pivotably receiving the double seat arrangement.

12. A transformable seat as recited in claim 11 , wherein the seat pivoting mechanism includes a pair of disks secured to the double seat arrangement on the side structures thereof coaxially the pivoting axis, a pivot for pivotably mounting the double seat arrangement to the standing frame via the pair of disks, and a disk engaging element movably mounted to the standing frame assembly for selectively engaging at least one of the pair of disks in a first or second position corresponding to the double seat arrangement being positioned respectively in the high or low position.

13. A transformable chair as recited in claim 1 , wherein the standing frame assembly is in the form of a trestle.

14. A transformable chair as recited in claim 13, wherein the trestle includes a pair of inverted V-shaped frame elements movable between open and a close configurations; the standing frame further including a leg blocking mechanism to selectively lock the trestle in the close configuration.

15. A transformable chair as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a tray removably mounted to one of the first and second seats of the double seat arrangement.

16. A transformable chair as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: a security harness removably mounted to one of the first and second seats of the double seat arrangement.

17. A transformable chair as recited in claim 1 , wherein the double seat arrangement is a one-piece body.

18. A transformable chair as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first and second opposite seats are asymmetrical.