U.S. patent application number 10/193808 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-23 for swivel high chair.
Invention is credited to Myers, Peter Jonathan.
Application Number | 20030015903 10/193808 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26889364 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030015903 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Myers, Peter Jonathan |
January 23, 2003 |
Swivel high chair
Abstract
A high chair for feeding a child is disclosed. The high chair
includes a base and a chair sized to support a child. The chair is
supported on the base at a height suitable for feeding a child. The
chair is rotatable relative to the base about a substantially
vertical axis.
Inventors: |
Myers, Peter Jonathan;
(Wheaton, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN
Paul C. Craane
Sears Tower
233 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 6300
Chicago
IL
60606-6357
US
|
Family ID: |
26889364 |
Appl. No.: |
10/193808 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60304952 |
Jul 12, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/344.21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 1/002 20130101;
A47D 1/0085 20170501; A47D 1/004 20130101; A47C 3/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/344.21 |
International
Class: |
A47C 001/06 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A high chair for feeding a child comprising: a base; a chair
sized to support a child, the chair being supported on the base at
a height suitable for feeding a child, the chair being rotatable
relative to the base about a substantially vertical axis.
2. A high chair as defined in claim 1 further comprising a serving
tray.
3. A high chair as defined in claim 2 wherein the tray is removably
secured to the seat for rotation therewith.
4. A high chair as defined in claim 2 wherein the tray is mounted
to the base such that the chair is rotatable relative to the
tray.
5. A high chair as defined in claim 4 wherein the tray is
cantilevered to the base.
6. A high chair as defined in claim 4 wherein the base includes a
first section supporting the tray and a second section supporting
the chair, and a first one of the first and second sections can be
moved relative to a second one of the first and second sections to
separate the seat and the tray.
7. A high chair as defined in claim 6 wherein the seat is only
rotatable relative to the tray when the first section is displaced
a distance from the second section of the base.
8. A high chair as defined in claim 6 wherein the second section of
the base includes rollers to facilitate movement of the second
section of the base from the first section of the base.
9. A high chair as defined in claim 1 further comprising a latch
for selectively securing the chair against rotation about the
vertical axis.
10. A high chair as defined in claim 1 wherein the chair is mounted
to the base such that it can be reclined.
11. A high chair as defined in claim 1 wherein the base includes a
first section and a second section, and a first one of the first
and second sections can be separated from a second one of the first
and second sections to position the seat for rotation.
12. A high chair as defined in claim 6 wherein at least one of the
first and second sections of the base includes rollers to
facilitate separation of the first and second sections of the
base.
13. A high chair as defined in claim 1 wherein the base includes a
vertically extending post and the chair defines an opening to
receive the post such that the post defines the vertical axis.
14. A high chair as defined in claim 13 wherein the chair defines a
post receiving area located beneath a seating surface of the chair,
and the seat is secured to the post beneath the seating
surface.
15. A high chair as defined in claim 13 wherein the opening is a
slot dimensioned to permit rotation of the chair about the post and
tilting of the chair relative to the post.
16. A high chair as defined in claim 15 further comprising a first
notch, a second notch, and a projection separating the first and
second notches, wherein when the post is located in the first
notch, the chair is secured in an upright position and when the
post is located in the second notch, the chair is secured in a
reclined position.
17. A high chair as defined in claim 14 wherein the chair has an
upright position and a reclined position.
18. A high chair as defined in claim 17 wherein the chair can be
rotated when it is in the reclined position and when it is in the
upright position.
19. A high chair as defined in claim 1 further comprising a
turntable rotatably securing the chair to the base.
20. A high chair as defined in claim 19 further comprising a latch
for selectively securing the chair and turntable against rotation
relative to the base.
21. A high chair as defined in claim 1 wherein the base includes a
first support and a second support, and a first one of the first
and second supports is pivotable relative to a second one of the
first and second supports to collapse the base.
22. A method of feeding a child in a high chair comprising:
securing the child in the high chair; rotating the high chair from
a first position to a second position; and feeding the child.
23. A method as defined in claim 22 further comprising: securing
the chair in the second position.
24. A method as defined in claim 22 further comprising: rotating
the high chair from the second position to a third position.
25. A method as defined in claim 22 further comprising: reclining
the chair.
26. A method as defined in claim 22 further comprising: rotating
the high chair from the second position to the first position; and
removing the child from the high chair.
27. A method as defined in claim 22 further comprising rotating the
high chair from the second position to the first position after
feeding the child; and removing the child from the high chair.
28. A method of feeding a child in a high chair, the high chair
comprising a base, a chair being supported on the base, and a tray
mounted to the base parallel to the chair, the method comprising:
securing the child in the chair; reclining the chair; feeding the
child.
29. A high chair comprising: a base having a first section and a
second section, the base having a first erected position wherein
the first and second sections are adjacent one another and a second
erected position wherein the first and second sections are spaced
from one another; and a seat mounted to the base for rotation about
a substantially vertical axis, wherein, if a child is seated, the
seat can only be rotated relative to the base if the base is in the
second erected position.
30. A high chair comprising a base; a seat rotatably mounted to the
base; and a tray mounted to the base such that the seat can be
rotated relative to the tray to position the child for feeding.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Serial No. 60/304,952, filed on Jul. 12, 2001.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] This disclosure is generally related to high chairs for
children, and more particularly to a high chair that has a seat
that can swivel.
BACKGROUND
[0003] High chairs are known which include a seat for supporting a
child. The seat is typically elevated above a floor to a level that
is convenient for an adult to feed the child from the adult's
sitting position. Prior art high chairs have a fixed seat that is
oriented in a forward-facing direction of the high chair. When the
high chair is situated on a floor surface, the seat position is
forward facing at all times. It is sometimes desirable to re-orient
the direction in which the child and high chair seat face. To
re-orient the seat so that it faces in a different direction, the
entire high chair must be rotated relative to the floor
surface.
[0004] Prior art high chairs include trays that can be affixed and
removed from the front of the seat. The trays provide a serving
surface for providing the child with food, drinks and other items
such as eating utensils and/or toys. Some prior art trays can be
slid toward and away from the seat along a straight line.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example high chair
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention and shown with the seat in a forward-facing
orientation.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a front view of the high chair of FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a side view of the high chair of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the base in
the extended position and the chair pivoted to a side facing
position.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a top view of the high chair of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the high chair of FIG.
1.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a rear view of the high chair of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the high chair of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another example high chair
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention and
shown with the seat in a forward-facing orientation.
[0014] FIG. 10 is a front view of the high chair of FIG. 9.
[0015] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the high chair of FIG. 9.
[0016] FIG. 12 is a side view of the high chair of FIG. 9.
[0017] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the high chair of FIG. 9
with the seat rotated counterclockwise to a position about
45.degree. from the forward-facing orientation.
[0018] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the high chair of FIG. 9
with the seat rotated counterclockwise to a position about
135.degree. from the forward-facing orientation.
[0019] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the high chair of FIG. 9
with the seat rotated counterclockwise to a position about
225.degree. from the forward-facing orientation.
[0020] FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the latching lever and
turntable of the high chair of FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EXAMPLES
[0021] An example high chair 10 constructed in accordance with the
teachings of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. The illustrated high
chair 10 includes a base 12 and a seat 14. The base 12 includes a
number of legs 16. The legs 16 of the base 12 are dimensioned to
engage a ground surface to support the seat 14 at a height above
the ground surface such that an adult seated in a conventional
chair can easily feed a child seated in the chair 14.
[0022] The chair 14 is sized to support a seated child. The child
can be of any suitable age and ability, but is typically incapable
of comfortably eating from a conventional table when seated in a
conventional chair.
[0023] Significantly, the seat 14 is rotatable relative to the base
12 about a substantially vertical axis. Preferably, the seat 14 can
rotate in either a generally counterclockwise or generally
clockwise direction through 360.degree. while remaining fixedly
secured to the base 12. A seat 14 can also be provided where the
seat can pivot through angles less than 360.degree. if desired.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, the high chair 10
preferably includes a serving tray 18 to support food, drinks and
other objects (e.g., eating utensils, toys) at a height and
position accessible to a child seated in the chair 14. The serving
tray 18 can be of any desired shape, size and material. Preferably,
the tray 18 is constructed of a washable, non-porous, and stain
resistant material such as plastic. The tray 18 preferably includes
a raised perimeter or recessed central area 20 (see FIG. 5) to
provide a reservoir for catching spilled liquids and the like.
[0025] Preferably, the tray 18 is mounted independent of the seat
14 such that the seat 14 can be rotated independent of the tray 18
to facilitate placing a child in the chair 14 or removing the child
from the chair 14 without requiring movement or removal of the tray
18. Oftentimes, the most difficult time of feeding is when a child
is impatiently waiting in a prior art high chair for the food to
arrive on the tray or impatiently waiting to get out of the prior
art high chair during post meal clean up. Pivoting the seat 14
independent of the tray 14 as shown herein permits an impatient
child to be placed in the seat 14 after the food is present on the
tray 18 and/or to be removed from the seat 14 before the clean up
activities are completed.
[0026] In the example of FIGS. 1-8, the tray 18 is removably
attached to a tray support 24. As most easily seen in FIGS. 1 and
6, the illustrated tray support 24 includes a pair of legs 26 and a
support surface 28. One end of each of the legs 26 is mounted on
the base 12. The opposite ends of the legs are coupled to the
support surface 28. In the example of FIGS. 1-8, the tray support
24 is fixedly mounted to the base 12. On the other hand, the tray
18 is removably mounted to the tray support 24 via a conventional
releasable connection such as tabs and slots, friction fit,
portable catch arms, etc. Thus, the illustrated tray support 24 is
not removable from the base 12, but the tray 18 can be removed from
the tray support 24 for cleaning and the like.
[0027] As most easily seen in FIG. 4, in the example of FIGS. 1-8
the base 12 includes a first section 30 supporting the tray support
24 and the tray 18, and a second section 32 supporting the seat or
chair 14. As also shown in FIG. 4, the first and second sections
can be slidably displaced between a closed position (for example,
the position of FIG. 3) and an extended position (for example, the
position of FIG. 4). To facilitate this displacement, the second
section 32 of the base 14 is mounted on rollers 38, while the first
section 30 of the base 14 frictionally engages the ground surface.
Thus, the second section 32 of the base 14 can be rolled away from
the first base section 30 via the rollers 38 to separate the seat
14 and the tray 18.
[0028] To provide the base 12 with structural integrity, the base
12 includes a frame 40. The frame 40 is preferably formed of metal
tubes joined together or integrally formed to provide a U-shaped
base member 42 (see FIG. 2) that engages the ground surface and a
horizontally extended rail portion 44. The rail portion 44 is
fixedly connected to the legs 26 of the tray support 24 via
conventional fasteners such as bolts, screws or rivets. To this
end, the legs 26 preferably bend backward after extending
downwardly and forwardly from the support surface 28 as shown in
FIG. 4.
[0029] To support the rail portion 44 of the frame 40 in a
generally horizontal position, the first section 30 of the base 12
includes downwardly extending legs 16 joined by a cross-member 50
(see FIG. 2). The legs 16 and cross-member 50 are preferably
integrally formed of molded plastic. Preferably, each of the legs
26 of the tray support 24 extend through a respective hole defined
in the first base section 30 where they rest upon ledges formed
interior to the first base section 30. The legs 26 are preferably
secured to the ledges of the first base section by conventional
fasteners such as screws, bolts or rivets.
[0030] To provide for relative movement between the first and
second base sections 30, 32, the second base section 32 is slidably
mounted to the horizontal rails 44 of the frame 40. Like the first
base portion 30, the second base portion 32 comprises two legs 16
joined by an upper cross-member 56 (see FIG. 7). However, the
second base member 32 also includes a lower cross-member 58 joining
the legs 16 for enhanced structural rigidity. The legs 16 and the
cross-members 56, 58 of the second base member 32 are preferably
integrally formed of molded plastic.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the forward end of the second base
member 32 defines two semi-cylindrical yokes 60. Each of the yokes
60 slidably receives one of the horizontal rails 44 to slidably
secure the second base member 32 to the frame 40.
[0032] To restrain a seated child in the high chair, the tray
support 24 preferably includes a divider 64 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). As
most easily seen in FIG. 2, the divider 64 extends downwardly in a
generally vertical orientation from the support 24. As shown in
FIG. 4, the seating surface of the seat 14 preferably defines a
notch 68 that receives the divider 64 when the first and second
base portions 30, 32 are slid to their closed position and the seat
14 is forwardly oriented. This cooperation between the notch 68 and
the divider 64 permits reclining of the seat (see FIG. 3) as
explained below, while ensuring a seated child cannot slide out of
the seat 14 under the tray 18. To this end, one leg of the seated
child is preferably positioned on each side of the divider 44.
[0033] Although for simplicity of illustration it is not shown in
the drawings, the high chair 10 preferably also includes a
conventional safety restraint in the form of a three-point seat
belt for securing the child in the seat 14.
[0034] Because of the presence of the divider 44 and the tray
support legs 26, persons of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that the seat 14 cannot be rotated when the first and
second base portions 30, 32 are in the closed position (see FIG. 3)
and a child is seated in the chair 14. Instead, the seat 14 can
only be rotated relative to the base 12 and tray 18 when the second
base section 32 is displaced a distance from the first base section
30 and/or vice versa. The cooperation of the notch 68 and divider
64 provides a lock out against rotation of the seat 14 even when no
child is seated in the chair 14.
[0035] To provide for rotation of the seat 14 relative to the base
12, the second base portion 32 is provided with a substantially
vertically oriented cylindrical post 70 (see FIG. 8). Preferably,
the post 70 is integrally formed with the top of the second base
portion 32. The area of the base 12 around the post 70 provides a
support surface for holding the seat 14 at a desired height.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 8, the bottom of the seat 14 preferably
includes a semi-spherical projection 72. An opening 74 is centrally
formed in the semi-spherical projection 72. The opening 74 is
dimensioned to receive the post 70. To secure the seat 14 to the
post 70 after the seat 14 is positioned on the base 12 with the
post 70 extending through the opening 74, a washer 76 and fastener
78 (e.g., a screw) are secured to the top of the post 70. The
washer 76 prevents the seat 14 from being lifted off of the post 70
while permitting free rotation of the seat 14 about the post 70.
The semi-spherical projection 72 of the seat 14 ensures that the
post 70, the washer 76 and the fastener 78 are disposed below the
seating surface and do not contact the child. To this end, a flat,
padded seating surface (not shown) is preferably secured on the
seat 14 in a conventional manner to thereby seal off the interior
of the semi-circularly projection 72 from the child.
[0037] To permit tilting of the seat 14 between an upright position
and a reclined position (see, for example, FIG. 3), the opening 74
in the bottom of the seat 14 is preferably a slot as shown in FIG.
8. To provide for stability against unwanted tilting of the seat
14, the slot 74 preferably includes scalloped side portions so that
the slot 74 defines at least two separate chambers or notches 82,
84. The chambers 82, 84 are in open communication, but are
separated by inwardly extending projection(s) forming the scalloped
side edges. By forcing the chair 14 forward or backward, such that
the projection(s) pass the post 70, the adult user can secure the
seat 14 for rotation about the vertical axis 70 in either the
reclined or upright position.
[0038] While the seat 14 can be constructed in many ways, in the
illustrated example it comprises two molded plastic parts, namely,
a back rest 88 and a seat bottom 90. Preferably, the back rest 88
and seat bottom 90 are secured to one another via fasteners such as
bolts, screws or rivets.
[0039] The seat bottom 90 can define a recess in which the child is
secured that is trapezoidal in shape; i.e., wider at the top and
narrower at the bottom. Such a trapezoidal shape may accommodate
children of all sizes, with the smaller children fitting snuggly in
the narrower bottom and larger children accommodated by the wider
top.
[0040] While in the example of FIGS. 1-8, the tray support 24
includes two legs 26, it is presently preferred that one of the
legs 26 be eliminated such that the tray 18 is cantilevered to the
base 14. In such an approach, the relative movement between the
base sections 30, 32 is preferably eliminated. In such an approach,
the divider 44 is eliminated or mounted to the seat bottom so
rotation of the seat 14 is not inhibited by the divider 44.
Although in the example of FIGS. 1-8, the seat 14 is secured in the
forward facing position by the presence of the divider 44 and seat
bottom notch 68, a separate latch may optionally be provided to
secure the seat 14 at various angular positions relative to the
base 14. In the example of FIGS. 1-8, no such separate latch is
needed because the divider 44 provides this latching function when
the seat 14 is forwardly oriented and, when the seat 14 is pivoted
to, for example, remove the child from the chair 10, no such
latching is needed.
[0041] Another example high chair 110 constructed in accordance
with the teachings of the invention is shown in FIGS. 9-16.
Whenever possible, structures in the example of FIGS. 9-16 that are
like structures in the example of FIGS. 1-8 are referred to with
the reference numerals from FIGS. 1-8 summed with 100. The high
chair 110 as shown in FIGS. 9-12 is illustrated with a seat 114
positioned in a forward-facing orientation. As used herein, this
forward-facing orientation is referred to as the zero degree
(0.degree.) orientation or the starting seat position.
[0042] The example high chair 110 has a base 112 and a seat 114
supported on a top end of the base 112. The illustrated base 112
has a pair of leg assemblies 111 coupled to one another at a common
pivot 113 located at their respective top ends. Each leg assembly
111 includes a pair of legs 116 extending downward from the pivot
111 and spaced apart from one another. The lower ends of each pair
of legs 116 of each leg assembly 111 are interconnected by a
transverse beam 158 for structural rigidity. The respective
transverse beams 158 and the bottom ends of the 116 simultaneously
rest on a ground or floor surface that supports the high chair 110
to further provide the chair 110 with ample stability during
use.
[0043] In the present example, the base 112 has a seat support 117
(see FIG. 12) positioned near the upper ends of the leg assemblies
111. A pair of trunnions 119 are carried on opposite sides of the
seat support 117. In one example, one of the leg assemblies 111 is
a fixed assembly which is affixed to and depends at an angle from
vertical downwardly from the trunnions 119 with one leg of the
assembly 111 extending from each trunnion 119. The other leg
assembly 111 is a pivotable assembly which is pivotally attached to
the fixed trunnions 119 with one leg of the pivotable assembly 111
pivotally coupled to each trunnion 119. The pivoting leg assembly
can pivot about an axis toward and away from the fixed leg assembly
in this example.
[0044] Each trunnion 119 of the disclosed example includes an
interior or inwardly facing bearing surface (not shown). The upper
end of each leg 116 of the pivotable assembly 111 has a cooperating
or mating bearing surface that bears against the inwardly facing
bearing surface of the respective trunnion 119. The bearing
surfaces at each trunnion 119 provide stability for the pivot and
also permit the leg assemblies 111 to rotate easily toward and away
from one another.
[0045] The seat support 117 of the high chair 110 illustrated in
FIGS. 9-16 has a top surface on which a turntable assembly 121
rests. The turntable assembly 121 is coupled to the seat support
117 at a pivot or rotation axis. In this example, the pivot is
generally centrally located relative to the turntable assembly 121
and seat support 117, although the pivot position can vary
considerably and yet provide a chair seat that swivels
appropriately as desired. A bottom surface of the turntable
assembly 121 faces and slidably bears against the top surface of
the seat support 117. The pivot defines a generally vertical axis
about which the turntable assembly 121 can rotate relative to, and
on top of, the seat support 117. In the example of FIGS. 9-16, the
turntable assembly 121 can rotate in any direction through a full
360.degree., about the seat support pivot. A swivel high chair can
also be provided wherein the chair seat can pivot through angles
less than 360.degree. if desired.
[0046] A high chair seat 114 is carried on a top surface of the
turntable assembly 121 in the example of FIGS. 9-16. The high chair
seat 114 includes a seat back 188, a seat bottom 190, and a leg
rest 123 depending from a forward edge of the seat bottom 190. A
tray 118 is removably coupled to, and optionally rotated with, the
high chair seat 114. As is known to those of ordinary skill in the
art, the tray can be adjusted fore and aft relative to the seat
back 188 and can also be completely removed from the high chair
seat 114 when desired via a conventional latching system.
[0047] When mounted on the turntable assembly 121, the high chair
seat 114 can swivel on the seat support 117 about the pivot or
rotation axis and relative to the base 112 in accordance with
movement of the turntable assembly 121. As shown in FIG. 13, the
high chair seat 114 can be pivoted to a position that is 45.degree.
from the forward-facing position shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG.
14, the high chair seat 114 can be rotated to a position that is
135.degree. relative to the forward-facing orientation of FIG. 9.
As shown in FIG. 15, the high chair seat 114 can be rotated to a
position that is 225.degree. relative to the forward-facing
position. In each of FIGS. 13-15, the high chair seat 114 is
rotated in a counterclockwise direction with reference to the
0.degree. position. As will be evident to those having ordinary
skill in the art, the high chair seat 114 can also be rotated to
alternative orientations other than those shown in FIGS. 9 and
13-15. By way of examples, not limitations, the high chair seat 114
can be rotated and positioned 90.degree. from the forward-facing
position, 180.degree. from the forward-facing position, and/or
270.degree. from the forward-facing position. Then, the high chair
seat 114 can be oriented in positions other than those shown and
described herein.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 9, the high chair 110 of FIGS. 9-16
includes a lock and release mechanism 131 for locking the turntable
assembly 121 in a particular selected orientation relative to the
forward-facing position and for releasing the turntable assembly
121 so that the rotational orientation of the high chair seat 114
can be adjusted. In the illustrated example, the lock and release
mechanism 131 includes a release button 133 that, when depressed,
releases the high chair seat 114 and turntable assembly 121 from
its present orientation. The lock mechanism is structured so that
the turntable assembly 121 once moved from its present location,
can be rotated to a next available orientation, even when the
release button 133 is no longer depressed. To this end, the lock
and release mechanism in cooperation with the seat support 117 and
the turntable assembly 121 includes a detent device providing a
finite number of selectable high chair seat positions relative to
the forward-facing orientation. In the example of FIGS. 9-16, the
circumferential edge of the turntable 117 includes a plurality of
notches 135 for receiving a spring biased latch 133 of the
mechanism.
[0049] In another example, the lock and release mechanism is a
lever that is pulled in order to release the high chair seat 114
and turntable assembly 121 from its current position, and to permit
the high chair seat 114 and turntable assembly 121 to be rotated to
alternative positions. As will be evident to those of ordinary
skill in the art, various lock and release type mechanisms can also
be utilized within the scope of the present invention. For the
illustrated high chair, it is desirable that the high chair seat
114 automatically lock into a next nearest selectable detent
position after being released from a current position utilizing the
lock and release mechanism.
[0050] The swivel high chair of FIGS. 9-16 can also include a
height adjustable feature. To this end, the leg assemblies 111 or
some other portion of the base 112 can be provided with height
adjustable segments so that the high chair seat position can be
selectively varied relative to a ground surface on which the high
chair 110 rests.
[0051] The swivel high chair of FIGS. 9-16 also includes a seat
reclining feature. To this end, the turntable assembly 121 has a
pair of opposed upstanding plates 137, 139. One plate 137 (see FIG.
9) carries the release button 133 and is associated with the lock
and release mechanism. The other plate 139 (see FIG. 14) has a
plurality of openings 141 for receiving a seat recline pin 143. The
pin 143 can be received through one of the openings 141 to select a
desired seat recline angle.
[0052] In using one of the high chairs illustrated herein to feed a
child, one would first safely secure the child in the seat via a
seat belt or the like. One would then rotate the high chair from a
first position (e.g., the position of the seat when the child is
placed therein) to a second position (e.g., a position facing a
conventional chair the adult wishes to use in feeding the child or
a tray so that the child may be fed from the tray). The adult would
then feed the child in the normal manner. After the child is fed,
the high chair may be rotated from the second position to the first
postion, for example, and the child removed. In the example of
FIGS. 1-8, the rotation from the second position (e.g. facing the
tray) to the first postion (e.g. parallel to the tray) may permit
the child to be removed prior to the post meal clean up of the tray
while limiting the disturbance of the tray.
[0053] Optionally, the chair is releasably secured in the second
position. If desired, the chair could be further rotated to a third
position which is different than the first and second positions
(e.g., to permit a second adult to continue feeding the child or to
permit removal of the child prior to post meal clean up). As a
further option, the seat could be reclined backward or positioned
upright to best suit the needs of the child and adult. In fact,
depending on the age and abilities of the child, it may be
desireable, using the example of FIGS. 1-8, to recline the seat
without rotating the seat. That is, if the child is placed in the
high chair of FIGS. 1-8 with the seat oriented as in FIG. 4 and the
seat is reclined, the distance between food on the tray and the
child's mouth does not significantly increase.
[0054] Although certain example apparatus and methods have been
disclosed and described herein, the scope of coverage of this
patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers
all embodiments of the teachings of the invention fairly falling
within the scope of the appended claims, either literally or under
the doctrine of equivalents.
* * * * *