Patent Application
20250160536
The present disclosure is generally directed to portable seating for small children, and more particularly to a portable seat that may be quickly and conveniently converted for use as a highchair or a standing platform.
Portability and convenience of use of childcare accessories are increasingly important considerations among consumers. This is particularly important for chairs, stools, and other products designed primarily for use in the home where space is usually limited. To this end, many such products are designed to be easily adaptable to fulfill multiple needs with a single product and collapsed into a compact configuration when not in use.
Many learning activities for children occur in the home kitchen or other locations having elevated counters or work surfaces. Elevated work surfaces in most residential settings are typically located approximately 36 inches above the floor. In order for young children to view and access these elevated surfaces, an elevated step or platform is required. Young children may have difficulty maintaining stability and balance on a step stool. Optimal access to countertop surfaces for a young child requires a step height of 15 to 18 inches above the floor. These demands have given rise to a new device, the learning tower, which provides an optimally located standing platform and an elevated structure above the platform to provide stabilizing handholds or guards for the child.
Stability of a standing platform requires a substantial spatial footprint which presents problems for storage of the apparatus when not in use. The problem is compounded when the standing platform structure is single purpose and does not include adaptability to allow it to fulfill other needs for the child.
What is needed is a multi-purpose structure that can fulfill the standing platform need and a secondary need, such as an elevated toddler chair or highchair. Additional benefits will be realized by a combination standing platform and toddler chair that is foldable into a compact configuration for storage when not in use. Other features and advantages will be made apparent from the present specification. The teachings disclosed extend to those embodiments that fall within the scope of the claims, regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the aforementioned needs.
In one aspect, a toddler chair that is easily convertible to a standing platform without the need for tools is provided. The toddler chair includes a support frame having a front leg and a rear leg configured to stably support a standing platform and an elevated seat assembly for the toddler. The seat assembly includes a seating portion and a backrest portion connected to an elevating frame. The seat assembly may include an armrest. The seating assembly is vertically moveable in relation to the support frame. The seating and backrest portions are moveable in relation to each other. A linkage interconnecting the seating portion and the support frame controls movement of the seating portion as the seat assembly is moved in relation to the support frame. In one mode of use the seating assembly disposed generally above the platform and is operable as a seat for a child. In a second mode of use, the seating portion is repositioned into general alignment with the backrest portion to allow a child to stand on the platform below.
In another aspect, a convertible toddler standing platform and chair includes a front leg and a rear leg that are hingedly connected to allow the legs to be positioned in a compact arrangement when not in use. A moveable platform is pivotally coupled to the front leg. A pivoting linkage interconnects the platform and the rear leg. The platform and pivoting linkage allow the front and rear legs to be selectively positioned in an operable configuration for use and a folded configuration for storage. When configured for use, the platform is generally horizontally disposed between the front and rear leg with the distal legs ends spaced apart for stability. A travel stop is provided to engage the linkage and retain it and the platform in a stationary operable position. The pivot arrangement of the linkage is positioned slightly over-center when the travel stop is engaged to inhibit unintended reverse pivoting movement of the linkage while the standing platform/chair is in use. The over-center arrangement also minimizes stresses in any latching mechanism that may be provided to prevent accidental or unintentional movement from the operable configuration. Platform movement toward the folded configuration pivots the rear leg toward the front leg for a more compact stowable arrangement.
In another aspect of the invention, a toddler chair includes a support frame having a front leg and a rear leg configured to stably support a standing platform and an elevated seat assembly for a toddler. The front and rear legs are hingedly connected to allow the support frame to be arranged in a deployed configuration for use or a folded configuration for storage when not in use. The standing platform is pivotally coupled to the front leg and to the rear leg through an interconnecting pivoting linkage which coordinates movement of the support frame. When folded, the standing platform is repositioned to stabilize the folded frame and allow it to stand unsupported in a generally upright and stable manner.
In another aspect of the invention, a toddler chair includes a support frame having a front leg and a rear leg configured to stably support a standing platform and an elevated seat assembly for a toddler. The front and rear legs are hingedly connected to allow the support frame to be arranged in a deployed configuration for use or a folded configuration for storage when not in use. A moveable foot is provided on a distal end of the rear legs which extends the effective length of the rear legs and allows the platform to stably stand when in the folded configuration. The moveable foot is biased toward the extended position. The biasing force is easily overcome when the chair is moved to the unfolded configuration and angled relation of the rear leg to a floor surface moves the moveable foot into a retracted position.
In another aspect of the invention, a toddler chair includes a support frame having a front leg and a rear leg configured to stably support a standing platform and an elevated seat assembly for a toddler. The seat assembly includes a seating portion and a backrest portion which are moveable in relation to each other and the frame. A linkage interconnecting the seating portion and the support frame controls movement of the seating portion as the seat assembly is moved in relation to the support frame. In one mode of use the seating assembly disposed generally above the platform and is operable as a seat for a child. In a second mode of use, the seating portion is repositioned into general alignment with the backrest portion to allow a child to stand on the platform below. The front and rear legs are hingedly connected to allow the support frame to be arranged in a deployed configuration for use or a folded configuration for storage when not in use. Movement of the standing platform and seat assembly are coordinated so that the frame may be folded and unfolded when the seat assembly is configured in either the seating mode or the standing mode.
In another aspect, a convertible standing platform and toddler chair includes a support frame having a front leg and a rear leg configured to stably support a standing platform and an elevated seat assembly for the toddler. The seat assembly includes a seating portion and a backrest portion connected by an elevating frame. The seating assembly is vertically moveable in relation to the support frame and configurable for use as a toddler seat or for a standing platform. The seating and backrest portions are moveable in relation to each other. Moving the seating assembly toward the standing platform mode of use moves the seating portion into alignment with the backrest portion and generally shifts the seat assembly rearwardly to allow the standing platform to be positioned closely adjacent to a cabinet supporting a countertop thereby allowing a child standing on the platform to access the countertop.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
The advantages of this invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed disclosure of the invention, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to represent the same parts.
Referring to the figures, a convertible toddler chair and standing platform apparatus 10 is shown with a collapsible frame 15 comprising a front leg 20, a rear leg 30, and a platform panel 40. The front and rear leg are pivotally coupled at their proximal ends by hinge 18 and pivotable about a hinge axis 200 between an unfolded configuration (
A seat assembly 50 is provided and selectively configurable as a seat to support a toddler occupant (seating mode) or to reposition a portion of the seat to provide clearance for a toddler to stand comfortably on the platform panel 40 (standing mode). The seat assembly 50 includes a seating panel 54 and a backrest panel 56. An elevating frame 51 is moveably connected to frame 15 adjacent to the hinge 18. The elevating frame 51 is selectively positionable in generally opposing lowered (
A retention mechanism may be provided to hold the elevating frame 51 in at least the raised position until selectively repositioned by a user. The retention mechanism 70 may include moveable pawls 72 positioned inside of the telescoping extension 55 and engageable with the front leg. The pawls 72 may include resilient biasing members to urge the pawls into a locking engagement with the interior portion of the leg. The leg interior may be configured with features to aid in the pawl engagement, such as a rack or spaced-apart recesses or protrusions. A release actuator 74 may be provided and operably connected to selectively disengage the pawls 72 from engagement with the telescoping extension and allow the elevating frame 51 to be moved with respect to the frame 15. The operable connection may include a rod, cable or the like. The release actuator may be located on the elevating frame 51 to allow ease of operation by a user when grasping the armrests 52 or elevating frame 51 to adjust the configuration of the seat assembly 50. The elevating frame may also be restrained in an elevated position by other means, including seating panel linkage, discussed hereinafter.
Seating panel 54 and backrest panel 56 may be hingedly or pivotally connected allowing rotational movement of the seating panel 54 between a generally horizontal alignment generally parallel to platform 40 below and angled in relation to the backrest panel allowing its use as a seat to support a child (seating configuration,
A seat linkage 60 interconnecting the foldable frame 15 and the seating panel 54 may be provided and configured to coordinate seating panel 54 movement with movement of the elevating frame 51 between elevated and lowered positions. One embodiment of seat linkage 60 may include an elongate link member 65 pivotally connected at a first pivot point 67 to the frame 15 and at a second pivot point 68 the seating panel 54. The seat link 60 may include separate link members 65 disposed on opposite sides of the seating panel 54 so that the respective first and second pivot points 67, 68 define first and second pivot axes 220, 230. The link members 65 and location of the first and second pivot points 67, 68 may be configured to coordinate rotation of the seating portion 54 about hinge axis 210 as the back panel 56 is raised and lower by movement of the elevating frame 51. The spatial relationship of the first and second end 67, 68 pivot points may be configured to position the link member 65 in an over-center configuration to maintain the elevating frame 51 in the elevated position either in lieu of or in combination with retention mechanism 70. As best illustrated in
An alternative embodiment of the seat linkage 600 is illustrated in
The guide slot 654 may be configured to limit the range or rotational motion of the seating panel 54. The guide slot 654 configuration and may permit additional vertical movement of the elevating frame 51 to an acme in the second direction and allow the seating panel 54 to rotate toward the standing position, continued rotation of the seating panel aligning the seat linkage over-center, accompanied by a slight movement of the elevating frame toward the first position. The alignment of the first and second links is such that the linkage locks the seating panel in the standing position. The weight of the elevating frame 51 and backrest panel 56 holds position in an over-center alignment of the seat linkage 600. Reconfiguring the seating panel requires lifting the elevating frame slightly toward the second position while initiating rotating of the seating panel 54 toward the horizontal seating position which releases the over-center linkage alignment and allows continued movement of the seating panel 54 as it is moved to the seating configuration and the elevating frame moves toward the first position. Primary link member 651 may be curved to improve fluidity of motion as the seating panel is moved.
Secondary link member 652 includes pivoting connections at opposing ends, a first connection 655 pivotally connected to the front leg 20 of the foldable frame 15 and a second connection 656 pivotally connected to first link member 651. The location of second connection 656 is proximate to pivot connection 681 and configured to coordinate with the primary link member 651 to rotate the seating panel 54 with vertical movement of the elevating frame 51. The pivoting connections of secondary link member 652 in combination with the positioning of primary link member so that an end 657 of the guide slot 654 abuts the guide member 671 to stabilize support for the seating panel 54 when the seating panel is in the horizontal, seating configuration.
In the standing platform mode, the seat assembly, including the elevating frame 51, the seating panel 54 and the backrest panel 56, may be configured to create a guide barrier generally along three peripheral sides of the platform panel 40 and at a location above the platform panel surface to provide a handhold for stability of a child user of the standing platform. The telescoping motion of the elevating frame 51, preferably aligned with the angled orientation of the front leg 20, causes the backrest portion 56 which may be fixed to the elevating frame 51 to move upwardly and slightly rearwardly. In an embodiment best illustrated in
In an embodiment, platform panel 40 may be pivotally connected directly to the front leg 20 at a front pivot 41 for rotation about a first platform axis 240 and indirectly through a pivotally coupled platform support link 42, the interlink causing rotation of the platform panel 40 as the legs are moved between the folded and unfolded configurations. The support link 42 is connected to the rear leg at a leg pivot 31 (pivot axis 250) and to the platform panel 40 at a platform pivot 43 (pivot axis 260). A stop 32 may be provided on the rear leg to engage the support link 42 and limit the degree of support link rotation as the legs rear 30 are moved toward the unfolded configuration. This limitation establishes the extent of the leg unfolding movement and maximum space between the distal ends of the front and rear legs.
Leg and platform movement in an embodiment as the frame is moved from the unfolded to the folded position is illustrated in
Platform panel 40 weight and angle of the support link 42 in relation to its pivot connection 31 to rear leg 30 when unfolded is slightly over-center so that weight of the platform holds the chair legs 20, 30 in the unfolded configuration and the support link 42 in adjacent contact with the stop 32. The over-center locking alignment biases the unfolded support legs toward the unfolded configuration thereby minimizing stresses on any latching mechanism that may be provided to retain the support legs in the unfolded configuration. Folding the frame requires first lifting the platform panel 40 slightly to begin moving the support link (rotating the link counterclockwise as illustrated in
In the folded position of collapsible frame 15 the distal ends of the front and rear legs 20, 30 are brought closely adjacent to reduce the space required for storage. Pivoting movement of the platform 40 moves its rearward end 48 downwardly proximate to the distal ends of the front and rear legs 20, 30. The platform panel may be further configured so that when in the folded orientation, the rearward end 48 may contact the floor surface and, in concert with the front leg foot 25, allow the folded apparatus to stand generally upright on a floor surface.
The pivoting axes including hinge axis 200, first and second axes 220, 230 for the seat linkage and platform pivot axes 240, 250, 260 are all transversely arranged to the folding frame and parallel to one another. The second pivot axis 230 may or may not align with the hinge axis 200 of the folding frame. In the exemplar embodiment, second axis 230 and hinge axis 200 are non-coaxial.
An alternative embodiment of standing platform 40 and its folding arrangement is illustrated in
In order to allow the folded frame to stand stably when folded, an extendable foot 37 is provided on the distal end 35 of each rearward leg 30. The extendable foot 37 is moveable between generally opposing retracted (
Referring to
The seat assembly 50 may also or alternatively include provisions to secure a child occupant in the seat when the apparatus 10 is configured as a toddler seat without a separate infant seat, best illustrated in
Referring to
While the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures and described herein are presently preferred, it should be understood that these embodiments are offered by way of example only. Accordingly, the present application is not limited to a particular embodiment, but extends to various modifications that nevertheless fall within the scope of the appended claims. The order or sequence of any processes or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present application. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present application.
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 18/750,564, filed on Jun. 21, 2024, and claims priority benefit to provisional patent application 63/532,188 filed on Aug. 11, 2023, the entirety of which are incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63532188 | Aug 2023 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 18750564 | Jun 2024 | US |
| Child | 19029671 | US |
