WO2024236067A1

WO2024236067A1 - A chair for a child

Info

Publication number: WO2024236067A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/063428
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nichola Leanne Hargreaves; Nick GOODWILL
Original assignee: Mamas and Papas Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Mamas and Papas Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2023-05-17
Filing date: 2024-05-15
Publication date: 2024-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-17
Also published as: GB202307376D0; GB2630285A8; GB2630285A; GB2630285C; GB2630285B

Abstract

A chair for a child A chair for a child is provided. The chair comprises: a seat having a seat base for the child to sit on, a seat back and side walls on either lateral side of the seat base; and a securing assembly for selectively securing the child within the seat. The securing assembly comprises: a belly bar having first and second ends and a bar body extending between the second ends, wherein the belly bar is configured to couple to respective side walls of the seat at the first and second ends such that the bar body extends between the side walls at a height above the seat base; and a crotch post having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the bar body of the belly bar and the second end is pivotally coupled to the seat base, wherein the belly bar is configured to be selectively decoupled from the side walls of the seat, and wherein the belly bar and crotch post and configured to pivot about the second end of the crotch post in a direction away from the seat back.

Description

A chair for a child

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to chairs for children and is particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with highchairs for children which provide improved ease of access for placing a child into a seat of the highchair.

Background

Young children are often placed into chairs, particularly highchairs, whilst eating or being fed. The highchair provides a comfortable seating position for the child whilst eating or engaging on other seated activities. Highchairs are often configured such that the child seated in the highchair is at a similar height to an adult when seated. This can allow the child seated in the highchair in interact more easily with adults sitting at a table and improves the ease with which the child can be fed by a seated adult.

Due to the height of the seat of the highchair, it is important that the highchair includes suitable features for securing the child safely within the highchair.

Statements of Invention

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a chair for a child, the chair comprising: a seat having a seat base for the child to sit on, a seat back and side walls on either lateral side of the seat base; and a securing assembly for selectively securing the child within the seat, the securing assembly comprising: a belly bar having first and second ends and a bar body extending between the second ends, wherein the belly bar is configured to couple to respective side walls of the seat at the first and second ends such that the bar body extends between the side walls at a height above the seat base; and a crotch post having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the bar body of the belly bar and the second end is pivotally coupled to the seat base, wherein the belly bar is configured to be selectively decoupled from the side walls of the seat, and wherein the belly bar and crotch post are configured to pivot about the second end of the crotch post in a direction away from the seat back. The belly bar may comprise first and second coupling pins provided at the first and second ends of the belly bar respectively. The seat may comprise first and second recesses respectively formed in the side walls of the seat. The first and second coupling pins may be receivable within the first and second recesses respectively in order to couple the belly bar to the seat.

The securing assembly may comprise an actuator configured to selectively retract the first and second coupling pins into the bar body to thereby decouple the belly bar from the seat.

The seat may comprise first and second protruding portions protruding inwardly from the first and second side walls respectively. The first and second ends of the belly bar may comprise channels for receiving the first and second protruding portions respectively. The belly bar may be slidable relative to the seat, such that movement of the belly bar relative to the seat is guided by engagement between the first and second protruding portions and the channels. The first and second protruding portions may be formed at least partially around the first and second recesses. The first and second coupling pins may be disposed within the channels.

The first and second protruding portions and/or the channels may be configured such that engagement between the first and second protruding portions and the channels guides sliding movement of the belly bar to align the first and second coupling pins with the first and second recesses respectively. For example, the first and second protruding portions and/or the channels may be configured such that engagement between the first and second protruding portions and the channels guides sliding movement of the belly bar towards and away from the seat base. The securing assembly may be configured such that the belly bar couples to the seat when the first and second protruding portions are received within the channels and the belly bar is in a closest position to the seat base.

The first and second protruding portions and/or the channels may be configured such that engagement between the first and second protruding portions and the channels restricts or prevents pivoting of the securing assembly about the second end of the crotch post. The length of the crotch post, e.g. between the first and second ends of the crotch post, may be selectively extendible. The crotch post may comprise a first part extending from the first end toward the second end and a second part extending from the second end towards the first end. The first part is slidably coupled to the second end to enable the length of the crotch post to be selectively extended.

One of the first and second parts may comprises a slot extending partially between the first end and the second end and the other of the first and second parts may comprise a pin received within the slot. Sliding of the first and second parts relative to one another may be guided and/or limited by engagement between the pin and the slot.

The second end of the crotch post may be pivotally coupled to an underside of the seat base.

The actuator may be slidably coupled to the crotch post. The actuator may comprise a pair of guide surfaces. The coupling pins may comprise guide surface engaging elements configured to engage the guide surfaces. Sliding the actuator relative to the crotch post may causes the coupling pins to be moved by virtue of the engagement between the guide surfaces and the guide pins.

The coupling pins may comprise a distal portion and a proximal portion. Distal ends of the distal portions of the coupling pins may be receivable within the first and second recesses respectively in order to couple the belly bar to the seat. The distal portions may be movably, e.g. slidably, coupled to the proximal portions. The distal portions may be biased to move into a position in which the distal portions are receivable with the first and second recesses respectively. The guide surface engaging elements may be provided on the proximal portions of the coupling pins.

Distal portions of the first and second coupling pins may comprise angled surfaces. The angled surfaces may be configured to engage the first and seconds protruding portions when the belly bar is slid relative to the seat and urge the respective distal portions away from the side walls on which the corresponding protruding portion is formed.

To avoid unnecessary duplication of effort and repetition of text in the specification, certain features are described in relation to only one or several aspects or embodiments of the invention. However, it is to be understood that, where it is technically possible, features described in relation to any aspect or embodiment of the invention may also be used with any other aspect or embodiment of the invention. For example, features described in relation to the first mentioned aspect may be combined with the features of the second mentioned aspect.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1A is a front perspective view of a chair for children according to arrangements of the present disclosure;

Figure 1B is a partial front view of the chair shown in Figure 1A;

Figure 2 is a partial front perspective view of the chair shown in Figure 1A, which a belly bar of the chair in a raised position;

Figure 3 is a partial front perspective view of the chair shown in Figure 1A, showing the belly bar of the chair in the raised position and a forward position;

Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the chair shown in Figure 3, showing the belly bar is a retaining position; and

Figure 5 is a front perspective view of a belly bar for the chair shown in Figure 1A showing internal components of the belly bar.

Detailed Description

With reference to Figures 1A and 1B, a chair 100 according to arrangements of the present disclosure comprises a seat 110 having a seat base 112 for the child to sit on, a seat back 114 and first and second side walls 116a, 116b at respective lateral sides of the seat base 112. The chair 100 may further comprise one or more legs 120 for supporting the seat above a surface, such as a floor, on which the chair 100 is placed. The chair 100 further comprises a securing assembly 200 for selectively securing the child within the seat 110. In particular, the securing assembly 200 may be arrangeable in a securing position (illustrated in Figures 1A and 1 B), in which the securing assembly 200 acts to secure the child within the seat 110, and an open position (shown in Figure 3), in which the securing assembly 200 is positioned so as to improve access to the seat (compared to when the securing assembly is in the securing position) and thereby improve the ease with which a child can be placed into or taken out of the seat 110.

The securing assembly 200 comprises a belly bar 210 and a crotch post 250. As depicted, the belly bar 210 comprises first and second ends 210a, 210b for coupling to respective side walls 116a, 116b of the seat, and a bar body 212 extending between the first and second ends, e.g. across the seat 110. The first and second ends 210a, 210b of the belly bar may be coupled to the respective side walls 116a, 116b of the seat, when the securing assembly 200 is in the securing position. As depicted, when the first and second ends 210a, 210b of the belly bar are coupled to the seat, a leg space 102 is created underneath the belly bar 210, e.g. between the belly bar and the seat base 112, for the child’s legs to fit through when they are seated on the seat base. When the child is sat on the seat 110 and the securing assembly 200 is in the securing position, the bar body may extend across the child’s lap, e.g. in front of the child stomach, to at least partially secure the child within the seat 110.

The crotch post 250 comprises a first end 250a and a second end 250b. The first end 250a of the crotch post is coupled to the bar body 212 of the belly bar. In particular, the first end 250a of the crotch post may be coupled to the bar body 212 at a central position on the bar body between the first and second ends 210a, 210b of the belly bar. The second end 250b of the crotch post is pivotally coupled to the seat base 112. Referring briefly to Figure 4, the second end 250b of the crotch post may be pivotally coupled to the underside of the seat base 112. As depicted, the crotch post may comprise a portion 254a, which extends beneath the underside of the seat to a position on the seat bas at which the crotch post is coupled to the seat base underside.

By coupling the securing assembly 200, e.g. the belly bar 210 and crotch post 250, to the seat 110 in the manner disclosed herein, an inside surface of the seat may be smooth, e.g. having no sharp corners and/or discrete changes in direction over the surface. Additionally or alternatively, when the securing assembly 200 is in the open position, there may be no gaps between the inside surface of the seat and components coupled to the seat 110. The chair 100 described herein may thereby be configured to improve the ease with which the inside surface of the seat 110 can be cleaned, e.g. when the securing assembly 200 is in the open position.

The crotch post 250 may extend from the belly bar 210 at an angle of about 90° relative to the bar body 212, e.g. a direction in which the bar body principally extends across the seat. For example, the bar body 212 may extend across the seat 110 in a lateral direction and the crotch post 250 may extend in a direction with a vertical component, e.g. substantially vertically, between the belly bar 210 and the seat base 112. As mentioned above, the first end 250a of the crotch post may be coupled to the bar body 212 at a central position on the bar body between the first and second ends of the bar body. The crotch post may therefore bisect the leg space 102 underneath the belly bar in a lateral direction to create sub-spaces for the respective legs of the child to pass through on either side of the crotch post 250.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the belly bar 210, e.g. the first and second ends 210a, 210b of the belly bar, is configured to be selectively decoupled from the side walls 116a, 116b of the seat, and the belly bar 210 and crotch post 250 are configured to pivot about the second end 250b of the crotch post in a direction away from the seat back. The securing assembly 200 may thereby be arranged in the open position, shown in Figure 3, improving the ease with which a child may be placed into or taken out of the seat 110.

Referring to Figures 2 and 5, the belly bar 210 may comprise first and second coupling pins 220, 230 provided at the first and second ends 210a, 210b of the belly bar respectively, and the seat 110 may comprise first and second recesses 118a, 118b formed in the respective side walls 116a, 116b of the seat. The first and second coupling pins 220230, e.g. distal ends 220a, 230a of the first and second coupling pins, may be receivable within the first and second recesses 118a, 118b respective, in order to couple the belly bar 210 to the seat 110.

The securing assembly 200 may further comprise an actuator 260, such as a button or slider, which can be actuated by a user, e.g. pressed or slid, in order to retract the first and coupling pins 220, 230 into the bar body 212 of the belly bar. As depicted, the actuator 260 may be formed on the crotch post 250. When the first and second coupling pins 220, 230 are retracted into the belly bar, the coupling pins, e.g. the distal ends 220a, 230a of the coupling pins, may no longer be received within the recesses 118a, 118b. The belly bar 210 may thereby be decoupled from the seat 110. The actuator 260 may thereby enable the belly bar 210 to be decoupled from the seat 110 using one hand. A user may thereby be enabled to move the securing assembly 200 from the securing position into the open position using one hand.

The crotch post 250 may be configured such that a length of the crotch post between the first and second ends 250a, 250b may be selectively extendible in an extension direction DE. AS described herein, the length of the crotch post 250 may be extended or retracted as part of the process for moving the securing assembly 200 between the securing position and the open position. As depicted, the crotch post 250 may comprise a first part 252 extending from the first end 250a towards the second end 250b, and a second part 254 extending from the second end 250b towards the first end 250a. The first and second parts 252, 254 may be coupled together to enable movement, e.g. sliding, of the first part 252 relative to the second part 254 to thereby extend the length of the crotch post 250 between the first and second ends. In other words, the first and second parts 252, 254 of the crotch post may be slidable coupled to one another. For example, as depicted in Figure 5, one of the first and second parts, such as the second part 254, may be received within an opening 252a formed in the other of the first and second parts, e.g. the first part 252. The one of the first and second parts, e.g. the second part 254, may be slidable into and out of the opening 253a formed in the other of the parts, e.g. the first part 252.

One of the first and second parts 252, 254 of the crotch post may comprise a slot 254b and the other of the first and second parts may comprise a pin 252b received within the slot. The slot 254b may extend a distance in the direction in which the first and second parts 252m 254 slide relative to one another. Engagement between the pin 252b and the slot 254b may thereby guide sliding movement of the first and second parts 252, 254 relative to one another. In particular, an extent of movement of the first part 252 relative to the second part 254 may be limited by the length of the slot 254b. In other words, when the pin 252b reaches the end of the slot 254b, further relative movement of the first and second parts 252, 254 in a correspond direction may be restricted or prevented. In other arrangements, the crotch post 250 may comprise any other feature for guiding and limiting sliding movement of the first and second parts 252, 254 of the crotch post and/or for enabling the length of the crotch post to be selectively extendible.

Returning to Figures 2 and 3, the seat 110 may comprise first and second protrusions 120a, 120b, which protrude inwardly from the first and second side walls 116a, 116b respectively. The belly bar 210 may comprise channels 214, 216 formed at the first and second ends 210a, 210b respectively. The channels 214, 216 may comprise a closed end 216a and an open end 216b, and channel walls 216c extending between the closed end and the open end. The securing assembly 200 may be configured such that the belly bar 210 is movable relative to the seat so that the protrusions 120a, 120b enter the respective channels 214, 216 through their open ends.

The first and second protrusions 120a, 120b and the channels 214, 216 may be configured such that when the first and second protrusions are received within the respective channels, engagement of the protrusions with the channel walls 216c guides movement of the belly bar 210 relative to the seat 110. The channels 214, 216, e.g. the channel walls, may extend in a direction substantially parallel with the extension direction DE of the crotch post 250. Sliding movement of the belly bar 210 relative to the seat 110, e.g. when the protrusions 120a, 120b are received within the channels 214, 216, may be facilitated by the extension/retraction of the crotch post 250.

The protrusions 120a, 120b and channels 214, 216 may be configured to guide movement of the belly bar 210 into a position in which the first and second coupling pins 220, 230 can be received within the recesses 118a, 118b formed in the respective side walls 116a, 116b of the seat. The chair 100 may be configured such that the first and second coupling pins 220, 230 are aligned with the recesses 118a, 118b when the protrusions 120a, 120b are received, e.g. fully received, within the channels 214, 216. For example, the first and second coupling pins 220, 230 may be aligned with the recesses 118a, 118b when the protrusions 120a, 120b are at, e.g. in contact with, the closed ends 216a of the respective channels.

As depicted, the channels 214, 216 and protrusions 120a, 120b may be configured to guide movement, e.g. sliding movement, of the belly bar 210 towards and away from the seat base 112. For example, the channels and protrusion may be configured to guide movement, e.g. sliding movement, of the belly bar in a vertical direction. The first and second coupling pins 220, 230 may be aligned with the respective recesses 118a, 118b when the belly bar 210 is in a closest position to the seat base 112.

Referring to Figures 2 and 4, the channel walls 216c may extend in a direction perpendicular to a pivot axis AP about which the securing assembly 200 can pivot relative to the seat 110. Accordingly, when the protrusions 120a, 120b are received within the channels 214, 216. Engagement between the protrusions and the channel walls my restrict or prevent pivoting of the securing assembly 200 relative to the seat 110. As depicted in Figure 2, in order to move the securing assembly 200 from the securing position to the open position, the belly bar 210 may be moved, e.g. lifted into a raised position, such that the protrusions 120a, 120b are no longer received within the channels 214, 216, to enable the securing assembly 200 to be pivoted forwards, e.g. away from the seat back 114.

In the arrangement depicted in the Figures, the protrusions 120a, 120b are formed at least partially around recesses 180a, 180b. Further, the coupling pins 220, 230, e.g. the distal ends 220a, 230a of the coupling pins, are disposed within the channels 214, 216. However, in other arrangements, the protrusions 120a, 120b may be spaced apart from the recesses 118a, 118b. In such arrangements, the coupling pins 220, 230 may spaced apart from the channels 214, 216. Furthermore, in other arrangements, the protrusions 120a, 120b may be formed on the first and second ends 210a, 210b of the belly bar and the channels 214, 216 may be formed on the seat 110.

Returning to Figure 5, the coupling pins 220, 230 may comprise distal portions 222, 232 and proximal portions 224,234. Distal ends 222a, 232a of the distal portions of the coupling pins may be receivable within the recesses 118a, 118b. The distal portions 222, 232 of the coupling pins may be coupled to the proximal portions 224, 234 at proximal ends 222b, 232b of the distal portions. The distal portions 222, 232 of the coupling pins may be slidably coupled to the proximal portions 224, 234. In particular, the distal portions may be slidable relative to the proximal portions in directions towards and away from the side walls 116a, 116b of the seat, e.g. perpendicular to the side walls, which may be a lateral direction of the chair 100. Accordingly, the distal portions 222, 232 may be slidable relative to the proximal portions 224, 234 in direction into and out of the respective recesses 118a, 118b on corresponding side walls of the seat. The coupling pins 220, 230 may comprise a biasing member 238, such as a coil spring, configured to bias the distal portions 222, 232 in direction towards the corresponding side wall 116a, 116b of seat. In other words, the distal portions 222, 232 may be biased in an outward direction relative to the belly bar 210. The distal portions are thereby biased such that the distal ends 222a, 232a of the distal portions are received within the respective recesses 118a, 118b.

The distal ends 222a, 232a of the distal portions may comprise angled surfaces 222c, 222c. The angled surfaces may be arranged such that the angled surfaces engage the respective protruding portions 120a, 120b when the belly bar 210 is moved, e.g. slid, relative to the seat 110, e.g. towards the position in which the coupling pins 220, 230 are aligned with the recesses 118a, 118b, and urge the distal portions 222, 232 away from the respective side walls 116a, 116a of the seat, e.g. in inward directions of the chair, so that the coupling pins 220, 230 can move past the protruding portions 120a, 120b.

As shown in Figure 5, the actuator 260 may comprise a button moveably, e.g. slidably, coupled to the crotch post 250. In particular, the actuator 260 may be slidable relative to the first and/or second parts 252, 254 of the crotch post in an actuation direction DA. As depicted, the actuator 260 may be provided on, e.g. movable coupled to, the first part 252 of the crotch post.

The actuator 260 comprises one or more, e.g. a pair of, guide surfaces 262. As depicted, the guide surfaces may comprise guide slots. The first and second coupling pins 220, 230 may comprise guide surface engaging elements 226, 236, such as guide pins, configured to engage the one or more guide surfaces 262, e.g. respective ones of the pair of guide surfaces. For example, the guide pins may be received within respective guide slots. As illustrated, the guide surface engaging elements 226, 236 may be provided, e.g. formed, on the proximal portions 224, 234 of the coupling pins. The one or more guide surfaces 262 may be angled relative to the actuation direction DA such that movement of the actuator 260, e.g. in the actuation direction DA, causes the guide surfaces 262 to engage the guide surface engaging elements 226, 236 and urge the coupling pins 220, 230 to move. In particular, moving the actuator, e.g. in the actuation direction DA, may cause the coupling pins 220, 230 to move the towards or away from the respective side walls 116a, 116b of the seat. The securing assembly 200 may comprise a actuator biasing member 256, such as a coil spring, configured to bias the actuator 260 in a direction in which the coupling pins 220, 230 move towards respective side walls 116a, 116b of the seat, e.g. into the recesses 118a, 118b. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although the invention has been described by way of example, with reference to one or more exemplary examples, it is not limited to the disclosed examples and that alternative examples could be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A chair for a child, the chair comprising: a seat having a seat base for the child to sit on, a seat back and side walls on either lateral side of the seat base; and a securing assembly for selectively securing the child within the seat, the securing assembly comprising: a belly bar having first and second ends and a bar body extending between the second ends, wherein the belly bar is configured to couple to respective side walls of the seat at the first and second ends such that the bar body extends between the side walls at a height above the seat base; and a crotch post having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the bar body of the belly bar and the second end is pivotally coupled to the seat base, wherein the belly bar is configured to be selectively decoupled from the side walls of the seat, and wherein the belly bar and crotch post are configured to pivot about the second end of the crotch post in a direction away from the seat back.

2. The chair of claim 1, wherein the belly bar comprises first and second coupling pins provided at the first and second ends of the belly bar respectively, wherein the seat comprises first and second recesses respectively formed in the side walls of the seat, wherein the first and second coupling pins are receivable within the first and second recesses respectively in order to couple the belly bar to the seat.

3. The chair of claim 2, wherein the securing assembly comprises an actuator configured to selectively retract the first and second coupling pins into the bar body to thereby decouple the belly bar from the seat.

4. The chair of any of the preceding claims, wherein the seat comprises first and second protruding portions protruding inwardly from the first and second side walls respectively, wherein the first and second ends of the belly bar comprise channels for receiving the first and second protruding portions respectively, and wherein the belly bar is slidable relative to the seat, such that movement of the belly bar relative to the seat is guided by engagement between the first and second protruding portions and the channels.

5. The chair of claim 4, wherein the first and second protruding portions are formed at least partially around the first and second recesses.

6. The claim of claim 4 or 5 when depending on claim 2, wherein the first and second coupling pins are disposed within the channels.

7. The chair of any of claims 4 to 6 when depending on claim 2, wherein the first and second protruding portions and/or the channels are configured such that engagement between the first and second protruding portions and the channels guides sliding movement of the belly bar to align the first and second coupling pins with the first and second recesses respectively.

8. The chair of any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the first and second protruding portions and/or the channels are configured such that engagement between the first and second protruding portions and the channels guides sliding movement of the belly bar towards and away from the seat base.

9. The chair of claim 8, wherein the securing assembly is configured such that the belly bar couples to the seat when the first and second protruding portions are received within the channels and the belly bar is in a closest position to the seat base.

10. The chair of any of claims 4 to 9, wherein the first and second protruding portions and/or the channels are configured such that engagement between the first and second protruding portions and the channels restricts or prevents pivoting of the securing assembly about the second end of the crotch post.

11. The chair of any of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the crotch post between the first and second ends of the crotch post is selectively extendible.

12. The chair of claim 11 , wherein the crotch post comprises a first part extending from the first end toward the second end and a second part extending from the second end towards the first end, wherein the first part is slidably coupled to the second end to enable the length of the crotch post to be selectively extended.

13. The chair of claim 12, wherein one of the first and second parts comprises a slot extending partially between the first end and the second end and the other of the first and second parts comprising a pin received within the slot.

14. The chair of any of the preceding claims, wherein the second end of the crotch post is pivotally coupled to an underside of the seat base.

15. The chair of claim 3, or any of claims 4 to 14 when depending on claim 3, wherein the actuator is slidably coupled to the crotch post, wherein the actuator comprises a pair of guide surfaces, wherein the coupling pins comprise guide surface engaging elements configured to engage the guide surfaces, and wherein sliding the actuator relative to the crotch post causes the coupling pins to be moved by virtue of the engagement between the guide surfaces and the guide pins.

16. The chair of claim 2 or any of claims 3 to 15 when depending on claim 2, wherein the coupling pins comprise a distal portion and a proximal portion, wherein distal ends of the distal portions of the coupling pins are receivable within the first and second recesses respectively in order to couple the belly bar to the seat, wherein the distal portions are movably coupled to the proximal portions, and wherein the distal portions are biased to move into a position in which the distal portions are receivable with the first and second recesses respectively.

17. The chair of claim 16 when depending on claim 15, wherein the guide surface engaging elements are provided on the proximal portions of the coupling pins.

18. The chair of claim 16 or 17 when depending on claim 4, wherein distal portions of the first and second coupling pins comprise angled surfaces, wherein the angled surfaces are configured to engage the first and seconds protruding portions when the belly bar is slid relative to the seat and urge the respective distal portion away from the side wall on which the corresponding protruding portion is formed.