Convertible toddler chair and standing platform

Abstract

A toddler chair convertible to a standing platform including a foldable support frame with front and rear legs configured to stably support a standing platform and an elevated seat assembly for a toddler. The seat assembly includes a seating portion, a backrest portion, and a moveable elevating frame. 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 configuration the seating assembly disposed generally above the platform and is operable as a seat for a child. In a second configuration, the seating portion is repositioned into general alignment with the backrest portion to allow a child to stand on the platform below.

1 . A convertible toddler chair and standing platform comprising:
 a frame assembly having a front leg and a rear leg, the front and rear legs being pivotally connected and configured to enable movement of the legs about a folding axis between folded and unfolded configurations;   a seat assembly disposed above the platform and moveably connected to the frame assembly by an elevating frame, the seat assembly including a seating panel and a pivotally coupled backrest panel; and   a seat linkage having a primary link and a secondary link, the seat linkage interconnecting the seating panel and the frame assembly, the seat linkage coordinating movement of the seating panel toward a standing mode with elevating frame movement in a first direction, and coordinating movement of the seating panel toward a seating mode as with elevating frame movement in a second direction opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         2 . The convertible toddler chair and standing platform of  claim 1 , wherein the front leg includes a first guide and a second guide, wherein the primary link pivotally connects at a first end thereof to the seating panel, the primary link having a slot adjacent to a second end, the slot engaging the first guide, and wherein the secondary link is pivotally coupled at one end to the second guide and pivotally coupled to the primary link at an opposite end. 
     
     
         3 . The convertible toddler chair and standing platform of  claim 2 , wherein the first guide and the second guide are equally radially displaced from the folding axis. 
     
     
         4 . The convertible toddler chair of  claim 2 , wherein the slot interacts with the first guide to limit movement of the seating panel between the seating mode and the standing mode. 
     
     
         5 . The convertible toddler chair of  claim 1 , wherein the seat linkage is configured to restrain the seating panel and elevating frame in the standing mode in an over-center alignment. 
     
     
         6 . The convertible toddler chair and standing platform of  claim 1 , wherein the elevating frame further comprises a telescoping connection with the front leg configured to allow bi-directional movement between raised and lowered positions, the raised position corresponding to the seating panel being positioned in the standing mode. 
     
     
         7 . The convertible toddler chair and standing platform of  claim 1 , further comprising a platform panel pivotally connected to the front leg and moveable between folded and unfolded positions. 
     
     
         8 . The convertible toddler chair and standing platform of  claim 7 , further comprising a platform link interconnecting the platform panel and the rear leg, the platform link operable to move the platform panel between unfolded and folded positions as the legs are moved between folded and unfolded configurations. 
     
     
         9 . The convertible toddler chair and standing platform of  claim 7 , wherein the platform is moveable between the folded and unfolded positions while the seating panel is positioned in either the standing mode or the seating mode. 
     
     
         10 . The convertible toddler chair and standing platform of  claim 1 , further comprising a tray table selectively connectible to the seat assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The convertible toddler chair and standing platform of  claim 1 , wherein the rearward leg further comprises a distally disposed extendable foot moveable between generally opposing retracted and extended positions, the extendable foot when in the extended position increasing the effective length of the rearward leg. 
     
     
         12 . The convertible toddler chair and standing platform of  claim 10 , wherein the extendable foot includes a biasing element configured to bias the extendable foot toward the extended position and allow movement toward the retracted position as the rearward leg is angled as the frame assembly is unfolded and the extendable foot contacts a surface. 
     
     
         13 . A convertible toddler chair and standing platform comprising:
 a foldable frame assembly having a front leg and a rear leg, the legs being pivotally connected and configured for movement about a folding axis between folded and unfolded configurations;   a seat assembly moveably connected to the frame assembly, the seat assembly including an elevating frame, a backrest panel and a seating panel rotatably coupled to the backrest panel, the backrest panel connected to the elevating frame for movement therewith and the seating panel rotatable between a seating mode and a standing mode; and   a seat linkage having a primary link and a secondary link, the seat linkage interconnecting the seating panel and the frame assembly and coordinating movement of the seating panel toward the standing mode with elevating frame movement in a first direction, and coordinating movement of the seating panel toward a seating mode as with elevating frame movement in a second direction opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         14 . The convertible toddler chair and standing platform of  claim 12 , wherein the primary link is pivotally connected to the seating panel at a first end of the primary link and includes an elongate slot and an opposite end of the primary link, the elongate guide slot engaging a first guide member disposed on the front leg, wherein the secondary link is pivotally coupled at one end thereof to a second guide member disposed on the front leg and pivotally coupled to the primary link at an opposite end thereof, wherein the guide slot interface with the first guide member limits rotational movement of the seating panel. 
     
     
         15 . The convertible toddler chair and standing platform of  claim 12 , further comprising a standing platform. 
     
     
         16 . The convertible toddler chair and standing platform of  claim 14 , further comprising a platform link coordinating movement of the standing platform with movement of the folding frame assembly between folded and unfolded positions. 
     
     
         17 . The convertible toddler chair and standing platform of  claim 12 , further comprising an extendable foot distally disposed on the rearward leg, the extendable foot moveable between generally opposing retracted and extended positions, the extendable foot when in the extended position increasing the effective length of the rearward leg. 
     
     
         18 . The convertible toddler chair and standing platform of  claim 17 , wherein the extendable foot includes a biasing element configured to bias the extendable foot toward the extended position and allow movement toward the retracted position as the rearward leg is angled as the frame assembly is unfolded and the extendable foot contacts a surface.