Convertible high chair system

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a convertible children's high chair and a booster seat. According to various embodiments, the convertible high chair generally comprises a first child seat supported above a floor by a high chair frame, and a booster seat configured for being removably coupled to first child seat. The booster seat is configured such that, when detached from the high chair's first child seat, it can be used apart from the high chair (e.g., secured to the seating surface of a standard chair or another generally flat support surface). In certain embodiments, the booster seat includes a base surface configured to stably support the second child seat on a separate support surface (e.g., without the need to be attached to or mounted on a separate base or support member).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A child seat configured to be removably coupled to a high chair seat assembly, comprising:
 a base portion;   wherein said child seat is configured to fit securely on top of the high chair seat assembly in a first mode of operation;   wherein said base portion is configured to rest on a flat support surface without a need for an additional separate support member between the flat support surface and said base portion in a second mode of operation;   wherein the child seat further comprises at least one strap for securing the child seat to the flat support surface in the second mode of operation; and   wherein the base portion comprises at least one compartment for containing a strap within a storage compartment, the storage compartment being repositionable between an open configuration and a closed configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The child seat of  claim 1 , wherein the child seat cannot be coupled to the high chair seat assembly unless the storage compartment is in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The child seat of  claim 1 , wherein a bottom of the base portion comprises non-slip pads. 
     
     
         4 . The child seat of  claim 3 , wherein a bottom of the base portion comprises protrusions that act as feet, and wherein the non-slip pads are positioned on the protrusions for gripping the flat support surface. 
     
     
         5 . The child seat of  claim 1 , wherein the strap is retained within the storage compartment when the storage compartment is in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         6 . A child seat configured to be removably coupled to a high chair seat assembly, comprising:
 a base portion comprising first and second shoulders extending upwardly from first and second sides of a seating surface; and   wherein said child seat is configured to fit securely on top of the high chair seat assembly in a first mode of operation such that at least a portion of the base portion fits securely between upwardly extending shoulders on the high chair seat assembly;   wherein said base portion is configured to rest on a flat support surface without the need of an additional separate support member between the flat support surface and said base portion in a second mode of operation;   wherein the child seat further comprises at least one strap for securing the child seat to the flat support surface in the second mode of operation, and   wherein the base portion comprises at least one storage compartment for containing a strap within the storage compartment, the storage compartment being repositionable between an open configuration and a closed configuration.   
     
     
         7 . The child seat of  claim 6 , wherein the base portion comprises recesses below the first and second shoulders, wherein the recesses are configured to receive corresponding shoulders of the high chair seat assembly in the first mode of operation. 
     
     
         8 . The child seat of  claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the strap can be withdrawn from the storage compartment when in the open configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The child seat of  claim 8 , wherein each of the at least one storage compartments hinges outwardly from the closed configuration to the open configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The child seat of  claim 6 , wherein the child seat cannot be coupled to the high chair seat assembly unless the storage compartment is in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The child seat of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one storage compartment forms an obstruction preventing engagement of the child seat with the high chair seat assembly when the storage compartment is in the open configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The child seat of  claim 6 , wherein the child seat cannot be coupled to the high chair seat assembly if the strap is not contained within the storage compartment. 
     
     
         13 . A child seat configured to be removably coupled to a high chair seat assembly, comprising:
 a base portion;   a seating surface configured to support a child thereon; and   first and second shoulders extending upwardly from first and second sides of the seating surface;   wherein said child seat is configured to fit securely on top of the high chair seat assembly in a first mode of operation;   wherein said base portion is configured to rest on a flat support surface without the need of an additional separate support member between the flat support surface and said base portion in a second mode of operation; and   wherein the base portion comprises recesses below the first and second shoulders, said recesses configured to receive corresponding shoulder portions of the high chair seat assembly in the first mode of operation;   wherein the base portion comprises a pair of storage compartments for containing a strap within the storage compartments, each storage compartment being repositionable between an open configuration and a closed configuration; and   wherein the base portion comprises non-slip pads for gripping the flat support surface in the second mode of operation.   
     
     
         14 . The child seat of  claim 13 , wherein a bottom of the base portion is not complimentary to a top of the high chair seat assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The child seat of  claim 14 , wherein the bottom of the base portion comprises protrusions that act as feet, and wherein the non-slip pads are positioned on the protrusions for gripping the flat support surface.