High chair

Abstract

A high chair features various modes of adjustability and enhanced utility. The height of the chair can be adjusted using a single hand that engages a rear handle. The height of a seat platform of the chair can be adjusted separately relative to the tray. The tray itself is ergonomically designed for the benefit of the caregiver. A removable tray liner facilitates after-meal clean-up. Wheels on the underside of the tray ease fore/aft adjustment. A pivoting back rest of the chair minimizes rearward shift of the center of gravity of the occupied chair, thus requiring a smaller chair footprint. Further, an accessory bar pivoted to a seat back portion of the chair provides readily accessible entertainment.

1 . A chair comprising: 
 a seat including a seat bottom portion; and    a tray including a central portion and a raised rim surrounding the central portion,    wherein the tray is removably supported at a front of the chair above the seat bottom portion so as to be accessible by the seat occupant, and    wherein a front portion of the rim has an undulate height profile.    
   
   
       2 . A chair according to  claim 1 , wherein the front portion of the rim comprises a medial portion flanked by two rest portions that are lower than the medial portion.  
   
   
       3 . A chair according to  claim 2 , wherein the front portion of the rim comprises two shoulder portions that are higher than the two rest portions, each of the rest portions being flanked by the medial portion and a respective shoulder portion.  
   
   
       4 . A chair according to  claim 3 , wherein the rest portions have gently curved upper surfaces and rounded upper edges.  
   
   
       5 . A chair according to  claim 4 , further comprising a removable, flexible tray insert that generally conforms to and covers the central portion of the tray and at least the immediately adjacent portions of the rim.  
   
   
       6 . A chair according to  claim 5 , wherein the central portion of the tray and the portion of the insert that covers the central portion of the tray are substantially flat.  
   
   
       7 . A chair according to  claim 5 , wherein the insert includes a rim to conform to and cover the rim of the tray.  
   
   
       8 . A chair according to  claim 5 , wherein the insert is self-supporting, whereby the insert can be stably supported on any flat surface as a rimmed place mat when removed from the tray.  
   
   
       9 . A chair according to  claim 1  in the form of a child high chair.  
   
   
       10 . A tray comprising: 
 a central portion; and    a raised rim surrounding the central portion, and    wherein a portion of the rim has an undulate height profile.    
   
   
       11 . A tray according to  claim 10 , wherein a front portion of the rim has an undulate height profile.  
   
   
       12 . A tray according to  claim 10 , wherein the tray is adapted to be removably supported at a front of a chair for access by the chair occupant.  
   
   
       13 . A tray according to  claim 10 , wherein the front portion of the rim comprises a medial portion flanked by two rest portions that are lower than the medial portion.  
   
   
       14 . A tray according to  claim 13 , wherein the front portion of the rim comprises two shoulder portions that are higher than the two rest portions, each of the rest portions being flanked by the medial portion and a respective shoulder portion.  
   
   
       15 . A tray according to  claim 14 , wherein the rest portions have gently curved upper surfaces and rounded upper edges.  
   
   
       16 - 19 . (Canceled)  
   
   
       20 . A chair comprising: 
 a seat including a seat bottom portion and a seat back portion; and    a tray removably supported at a front of the chair above the seat bottom portion so as to be accessible by the seat occupant,    wherein the seat comprises a bearing surface that adjustably supports the tray for fore-and-aft movement, and the tray comprises a top side, an underside, and at least one wheel mounted to the underside to rotate, the wheel supporting the tray for fore-and-aft movement on the bearing surface.    
   
   
       21 . A chair according to  claim 20 , wherein the seat comprises an occupant restraint at the front of the chair above the seat bottom portion, and the bearing surface comprises a portion of the top surface of the occupant restraint.  
   
   
       22 . A chair according to  claim 21 , wherein the occupant restraint comprises at least one recessed portion so as to function as a lower tray when the tray is removed.  
   
   
       23 . A chair according to  claim 20 , wherein the tray comprises a plurality of wheels mounted to the underside to rotate, the wheels supporting the tray for fore-and-aft movement on the bearing surface.  
   
   
       24 . A chair according to  claim 23 , wherein the bearing surface comprises a central longitudinal portion and two lateral longitudinal portions, the tray has two laterally spaced wheels and a central wheel, and each wheel rides on a respective longitudinal portion.  
   
   
       25 . A chair according to  claim 21 , wherein the central longitudinal portion of the bearing surface has a recessed track for the center wheel.  
   
   
       26 . A tray adapted to be removably supported at a front of a chair for access by the chair occupant, the tray comprising: 
 a top side;    an underside, and    at least one wheel mounted to the underside to rotate for movably supporting the tray on a bearing surface of the chair.    
   
   
       27 . A tray according to  claim 26 , wherein the tray comprises a plurality of wheels mounted to the underside to rotate about parallel axes for movably supporting the tray on a bearing surface of the chair.  
   
   
       28 . A tray according to  claim 27 , wherein the plurality of wheels comprises three wheels, two of the wheels being laterally spaced and rotatable about a common axis, and the third wheel being centrally located and rotatable about an axis offset from the common axis.  
   
   
       29 . A height-adjustable child high chair comprising: 
 a seat including a seat bottom portion and a seat back portion, the seat bottom portion having a downwardly extending leg rest portion;    a floor-engaging frame supporting the seat, the frame including a front member in supporting engagement with the leg rest portion, the leg rest portion being slidable relative to the front member; and    an adjustable support for the rear of the seat comprising adjustably engageable mating portions of the frame and the seat.    
   
   
       30 . A height-adjustable child high chair according to  claim 29 , wherein the adjustably engageable mating portions comprise vertically spaced support elements carried by one of the seat and the frame, and a latch assembly selectively engageable with the support elements, the latch assembly carried by the other of the seat and the frame.  
   
   
       31 . A height-adjustable child high chair according to  claim 30 , wherein the support elements comprise a toothed rack on the frame, and the latch assembly comprises a movable tooth carried by the seat that selectively engages teeth on the rack.  
   
   
       32 . A height-adjustable child high chair according to  claim 30 , wherein the support elements comprise a toothed rack at each side of the frame, and the latch assembly comprises a pair of movable teeth carried by the seat, each tooth of the latch assembly selectively engaging teeth on its respective rack.  
   
   
       33 . A height-adjustable child high chair according to  claim 32 , wherein the latch assembly comprises a transverse bar pivoted transversely to the seat with a tooth of the pair of movable teeth at each end thereof, and the bar includes a handle for pivoting the bar between latched and unlatched positions.  
   
   
       34 . A height-adjustable child high chair according to  claim 33 , wherein the handle comprises a grip portion adapted to be engaged and supported by the fingers of one hand, and a heel portion adapted to be raised by the heel of the same hand when the grip portion is engaged, and wherein upward movement of the heel portion unlatches the teeth of the bar to permit vertical movement of the seat relative to the frame.  
   
   
       35 . A height-adjustable child high chair according to  claim 29 , wherein the seat and the frame have mating guide surfaces that are in contact throughout the range of seat height adjustment and resist tilting of the seat.  
   
   
       36 . A height-adjustable child high chair according to  claim 29 , comprising a handle located behind and centrally of the seat bottom portion and operatively coupled to at least one of the mating portions, wherein the handle comprises a grip portion adapted to be engaged and supported by the fingers of one hand, and a heel portion adapted to be raised by the heel of the same hand when the grip portion is engaged, and wherein upward movement of the heel portion disengages the mating portions to permit vertical movement of the seat relative to the frame.  
   
   
       37 . A height-adjustable child high chair comprising 
 a seat;    a floor-engaging frame including opposed side portions at opposite sides of the seat; and    a height-adjustable support assembly between the seat and the frame, the support assembly comprising: 
 a toothed rack on each side portion of the frame;  
 a movable latch on the seat having a tooth at each side thereof for selectively engaging the teeth of the respective racks; and  
 a handle for moving the latch between latched and unlatched positions.  
   
   
   
       38 . A height-adjustable child high chair according to  claim 37 , wherein the handle is centrally located on the seat.  
   
   
       39 . A height-adjustable child high chair according to  claim 37 , wherein the latch comprises a transverse bar pivoted transversely to the seat, the handle being located on the bar for pivoting the bar between latched and unlatched positions.  
   
   
       40 . A height-adjustable child high chair according to  claim 39 , wherein the handle comprises a grip portion adapted to be engaged and supported by the fingers of one hand, and a heel portion adapted to be raised by the heel of the same hand when the grip portion is engaged, and wherein upward movement of the heel portion unlatches the teeth to permit vertical movement of the seat relative to the frame.  
   
   
       41 . A height-adjustable child high chair according to  claim 38 , wherein the handle comprises a grip portion adapted to be engaged and supported by the fingers of one hand, and a heel portion adapted to be raised by the heel of the same hand when the grip portion is engaged, and wherein upward movement of the heel portion unlatches the teeth to permit vertical movement of the seat relative to the frame.  
   
   
       42 . A height-adjustable child high chair according to  claim 37 , wherein the seat and the frame have mating guide surfaces that are in contact throughout the range of seat height adjustment and resist tilting of the seat.  
   
   
       43 . An adjustable child high chair comprising: 
 a seat including a seat bottom portion and a seat back portion pivotally mounted relative to the seat bottom portion about a transverse pivot axis to move between an upright position and a recline position, the two seat portions defining a seat bight region along the seat bottom portion between a first transverse axis, where a lower edge of the seat back portion intersects the seat bottom portion when the seat back is in the upright position, and a second transverse axis, where a lower edge of the seat back portion intersects the seat bottom portion when the seat back is in the recline position, wherein the pivot axis is located above and forwardly of the seat bight region.    
   
   
       44 . An adjustable child high chair according to  claim 43 , further comprising armrest portions, wherein the seat back portion comprises lateral extensions that are pivoted to the armrest portions about the pivot axis.  
   
   
       45 . An adjustable child high chair according to  claim 44 , wherein the armrest portions are integral with the seat bottom portion.  
   
   
       46 . An adjustable child high chair according to  claim 43 , wherein the seat bottom portion is curved upwardly at the rear thereof, and the seat back portion is similarly curved at the bottom thereof to slide closely past the seat bottom portion throughout a range of adjustment of the seat back portion relative to the seat bottom portion.  
   
   
       47 . An adjustable child high chair according to  claim 43 , comprising a releasable latch mechanism for selectively immobilizing the seat back portion in a desired position.  
   
   
       48 . An adjustable child high chair according to  claim 47 , wherein the latch mechanism comprises a row of notches on the seat bottom portion, and a retractable bolt carried by the seat back portion and engageable with a selected notch.  
   
   
       49 . An adjustable child high chair according to  claim 47 , wherein the latch mechanism comprises two laterally spaced rows of notches on the seat bottom portion, two retractable bolts carried by the seat back portion, each bolt engageable with a selected notch of its respective row of notches, and a handle on the seat back portion operatively connected to both bolts for simultaneous actuation of the bolts.  
   
   
       50 . An adjustable child high chair comprising: 
 a seat including a seat bottom portion and a seat back portion pivotally mounted relative to the seat bottom portion about a transverse pivot axis so that the seat back portion can move through a range of adjustment relative to the seat bottom portion, the seat back portion having a lower edge, the lower edge of the seat back portion overlapping the seat bottom portion,    wherein the pivot axis is located above and forwardly of the lower edge of the seat back portion throughout the range of adjustment.    
   
   
       51 . An adjustable child high chair according to  claim 50 , further comprising armrest portions, wherein the seat back portion comprises lateral extensions that are pivoted to the armrest portions about the pivot axis.  
   
   
       52 . An adjustable child high chair according to  claim 51 , wherein the armrest portions are integral with the seat bottom portion.  
   
   
       53 . An adjustable child high chair according to  claim 50 , wherein the seat bottom portion is curved upwardly at the rear thereof, and the seat back portion is similarly curved at the bottom thereof to slide closely past the seat bottom portion throughout the range of adjustment of the seat back portion.  
   
   
       54 . An adjustable child high chair according to  claim 50 , comprising a releasable latch mechanism for selectively immobilizing the seat back portion in a desired position.  
   
   
       55 . An adjustable child high chair according to  claim 54 , wherein the latch mechanism comprises a row of notches on the seat bottom portion, and a retractable bolt carried by the seat back portion and engageable with a selected notch.  
   
   
       56 . An adjustable child high chair according to  claim 54 , wherein the latch mechanism comprises two laterally spaced rows of notches on the seat bottom portion, two retractable bolts carried by the seat back portion, each bolt engageable with a selected notch of its respective row of notches, and a handle on the seat back portion operatively connected to both bolts for simultaneous actuation of the bolts.  
   
   
       57 . An adjustable child high chair comprising: 
 a seat including a seat bottom portion having a seating surface and a seat back portion having a back support surface, the seat back portion pivotally mounted relative to the seat bottom portion about a transverse pivot axis so that the seat back portion can move through a range of adjustment relative to the seat bottom portion,    wherein the pivot axis is located above the seating surface and forwardly of the back support surface throughout the range of adjustment.    
   
   
       58 . An adjustable child high chair according to  claim 57 , further comprising armrest portions, wherein the seat back portion comprises lateral extensions that are pivoted to the armrest portions about the pivot axis.  
   
   
       59 . An adjustable child high chair according to  claim 58 , wherein the armrest portions are integral with the seat bottom portion.  
   
   
       60 . An adjustable child high chair according to  claim 57 , wherein the seat bottom portion is curved upwardly at the rear thereof, and the seat back portion is similarly curved at the bottom thereof to slide closely past the seat bottom portion throughout the range of adjustment of the seat back portion.  
   
   
       61 . An adjustable child high chair according to  claim 57 , comprising a releasable latch mechanism for selectively immobilizing the seat back portion in a desired position.  
   
   
       62 . An adjustable child high chair according to  claim 61 , wherein the latch mechanism comprises a row of notches on the seat bottom portion, and a retractable bolt carried by the seat back portion and engageable with a selected notch.  
   
   
       63 . An adjustable child high chair according to  claim 61 , wherein the latch mechanism comprises two laterally spaced rows of notches on the seat bottom portion, two retractable bolts carried by the seat back portion, each bolt engageable with a selected notch of its respective row of notches, and a handle on the seat back portion operatively connected to both bolts for simultaneous actuation of the bolts.  
   
   
       64 . An adjustable child high chair comprising: 
 a seat including a seat bottom portion having a seating surface with a centerline and a seat back portion having a centerline, the seat back portion pivotally mounted relative to the seat bottom portion about a transverse axis so that the seat back portion can move through a range of adjustment relative to the seat bottom portion,    wherein the pivot axis is located above the portion of the seating surface along its centerline and forwardly of the portion of the seat back portion along its centerline.    
   
   
       65 - 76 . (Canceled)  
   
   
       77 . A child high chair comprising: 
 a seat including a seat bottom portion and a seat back portion; and    an accessory bar pivoted to the seat about a transverse axis, the accessory bar being movable between a forward position in which the bar is disposed in front of the seat back portion for access by the seat occupant, and a retracted position in which the bar is disposed above and/or behind the seat back portion.    
   
   
       78 . A child high chair according to  claim 77 , wherein the accessory bar is padded.  
   
   
       79 . A child high chair according to  claim 77 , wherein the accessory bar is pivoted to the seat back portion of the seat.  
   
   
       80 . A child high chair according to  claim 77 , wherein the accessory bar is generally U-shaped.