The present invention relates generally to the field of children's products, and more particularly to a child support device having a tray.
Conventional high chairs and other child supporting devices generally include a tray and/or a tray liner, which provides a generally flat surface on which food and beverages can be placed. However, trays and tray liners known in the art generally display their contents to the child occupant of the child support device, within reach of said child. As a result, it is widely known that caregivers have difficulties feeding fussy and/or fidgeting children, and conventional high chairs and high chair trays are typically not equipped with features for preventing a child from interfering with the items supported by the tray. As such, a child may grab a cup or dish of food as it is being prepared on the feeding surface of the tray or while the child is being fed, and dump the food and tableware on the ground, himself, the caregiver, etc. Additionally, a child who sees certain food items on a tray may exhibit a resistance to, or preference for, those or other food items, adding yet more difficulties for a caregiver. Moreover, a caregiver may have personal items such as a cell phone or jewelry, etc., that he wishes to remain out of reach of a child seated in the child support device.
Thus, needs exist for a child supporting device and tray that includes features for hiding items out of view and/or reach of a child occupant. It is to the provision of these needs, among many others, that the present invention is directed.
In example embodiments, the present invention provides improved stimulation and entertainment for child support devices. In representative examples, the invention relates to a tray accessory for a child support device. The support device can be for example a high chair, booster seat, jumper, entertainer, rocker, bouncer, or the like. Particular example embodiments of the support device include a support frame configured to rest on a support surface (e.g. a floor or the ground), and a child seat supported above the support surface by the support frame.
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a child support for receiving a child and having a child tray coupled thereto, comprising a tray body defining a first substantially planar surface having a shallow recess configured to receive articles intended for a child positioned within the child support device, and a first auxiliary tray moveably coupled to the tray body. The first auxiliary tray is operable to selectively extend from a retracted position, wherein the auxiliary tray is at least partially concealed by the tray body, to an extended position beyond the perimeter of the tray body, wherein the auxiliary tray is positioned substantially out of reach of the child while in the extended position.
In another aspect, the present invention relates to a high chair having a seat for receiving a child therein, having a first tray proximal the seat and configured for receiving an article for a child, the first tray defining a first surface. The high chair also has a second tray defining a second surface, the second tray also configured for receiving an article for a child and movable between a first position wherein the second tray is at least partially concealed from view by the first tray, and a second position wherein the second tray is at least partially extended beyond the perimeter of the first tray. The first and second surfaces are substantially parallel and the second tray is substantially out of reach of a child seated in the high chair when the second tray in is the second position.
The tray and/ or tray insert dimensions may be adjusted for customizing trays and inserts to fit commercially available children's support devices of various dimensions.
These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of example embodiments of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of example embodiments of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.
With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views,
Referring to
The base tray 120 and optional tray liner 140 are preferably made from a polymer material (plastics) such as, but not limited to, a polycarbonate, a polystyrene, a polyethylene, an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or a combination thereof, which will not deform or significantly degrade under temperature and dampness conditions typically found in a conventional household or commercial automatic dishwashing machine, typically around 200 degrees F. In other embodiments, these tray components can be made of silicone, wood or metal, or any substantially rigid material suitable for use in a children's product. The upper surfaces of the base tray 120 and tray liner 140 can include ridges, lips, dividers, undulations or other textures, but both generally provide a substantially flat planar surface as depicted in the drawing figures.
The auxiliary tray 130 is preferably made of a polymer material such as, but not limited to, a silicone, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, thermoplastic rubber, a polycarbonate, a polystyrene, a polyethylene, an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or a combination thereof, which will not permanently deform or significantly degrade under temperature and dampness conditions typically found in a conventional dishwashing machine. As shown in
The base tray 120 or tray insert 140 can optionally be provided with additional accessories, such as snap-in or clip-on toys and/or feeding dishes, such as plates or bowls. Alternatively, such accessories can be integrally formed with the tray assembly 110. Generally, the depicted example embodiments are similar except for the distinctions discussed herein and the depicted embodiments in the drawing figures are numbered similarly such that reference number 200 refers to a component that is similar to components 100, 300, X00, etc. 210 refers to a component that is similar to components 110, 310, etc., and so on and so forth throughout the drawing figures.
Each depicted example embodiment will now be discussed with more specificity. For instance,
Generally in use, a child is positioned in the seat of a child support device according to any of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention. The child may be fed by a caregiver or feed himself from the tray. The caregiver may conceal articles out of reach and/or sight of a child seated in the child support device by positioning such articles on the auxiliary tray.
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/152,845 filed Apr. 25, 2015 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/215,943 filed Sep. 9, 2015, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62152845 | Apr 2015 | US | |
62215943 | Sep 2015 | US |