Abstract: A restraint device is provided for securing and supporting an infant. The device includes a shell assembly formed to include a chamber sized to receive the infant. The shell assembly includes first and second spaced apart side walls and a generally rigid end wall defining a boundary of the chamber. In one embodiment, the rigid end wall includes a yieldable section movable between a fixed first position and a yielded second position in response to a force acting against the yieldable section. In another embodiment, the restraint device includes an upper shell portion coupled to a lower shell portion and a foldable seat situated inside the lower shell portion to provide means for supporting a lower portion of an infant.

Abstract: An infant restraint device is provided for securing and supporting an infant inside a motor vehicle. The device includes a shell assembly having upper and lower shell portions pivotally coupled together. The upper shell portion can be positioned in either a first generally planar orientation or in a second angular orientation with respect to the lower shell portion. A locking mechanism is provided for securing the upper and lower shell portions together in either the first or second orientations. In the first generally planar orientation, the device provides a car bed for the infant. In the second angular orientation, the device provides a standard rear-facing infant seat. A collapsible lower support surface provides a seat for the infant when the device is in the angular orientation. The lower support surface bends along a flexible portion when the upper shell portion of the device moves to the planar orientation to provide a generally planar support surface for the infant.

Abstract: A lock-release mechanism is mounted on the back of a foldable high chair to control relative movement between the chair back and the underlying seat and leg assembly. In use, the bolt-release mechanism can be actuated manually to permit the high chair to be folded from an unfolded use position to a partly folded safety stop position and a fully folded storage position.

Abstract: Hingedly connected rectangular panels are used to construct demountable module assemblies useful alone or in combination as multifunctional furniture items. A modular dressing table includes four such module assemblies secured in a two-by-two matrix, and a restraint belt and pad affixed to the top of the matrix. The module assemblies are provided with an aperture to allow user access to the interior space of said assemblies for storage.

Abstract: A swing assembly for a small child is provided. The swing assembly includes first and second upright swing support frames, with each support frame being formed from a pair of upstanding support members. A base member is provided for rigidly fixing the pair of upstanding support members side-by-side one another in substantially perpendicular relation to an underlying surface. A swing seat is provided as well as hangers connected to the seat for suspending the swing seat in the swing-receiving space. The hangers are pivotally connected to the upper portions of the spaced-apart pairs of upstanding support members so that the hangers and the swing seat pivot about an axis that extends between the pairs of upstanding support members during movement of the swing seat relative to the first and second swing support frames.

Abstract: A baby walker is provided and includes a base, seat for carrying a load, a frame operably connecting the base and the seat for permitting relative movement of the seat and the base between a fully collapsed position and at least two elevated positions, and a control system coupled to the base for selectively engaging the frame to position the seat in one of the at least two elevated positions to aid in preventing inadvertent movement of the seat to its fully collapsed position. The base includes a pair of eccentrically mounted pivot arms for lowering the base to a braking position upon movement of a support wheel on one of the pivot arms over an edge of an underlying surface.

Abstract: Hingedly connected rectangular panels are used to construct demountable module assemblies useful alone or in combination as multifunctional furniture items. A modular dressing table includes four such module assemblies secured in a two-by-two matrix, and a restraint belt and pad affixed to the top of the matrix. The module assemblies are provided with an aperture to allow user access to the interior space of said assemblies for storage.

Abstract: An improved carriage incorporates an automatic braking system that detects and reacts to the presence of a ledge and substantially inhibits movement of the carriage over the ledge. The carriage includes three rolling units pivotally coupled to a base in spaced relation about the periphery of the base. Each rolling unit includes a pair of wheels. A high friction pad is mounted on the base and presented toward the underlying surface for frictional engagement therewith. Movement of any one of the wheels over a boundary edge of the underlying surface causes the rolling unit supporting such wheel to pivot from a normally horizontal rolling position to a pivoted position. Such pivoting movement acts to collapse the carriage thereby lowering the high friction pad into frictional engagement with the underlying surface. A warning system is desirably provided for indicating engagement of the high friction pad and the underlying surface following collapse of the carriage to alert nearby persons of such collapse.

Abstract: A foldable child's high chair has a use position wherein an occupant can occupy the chair and a folded position wherein the chair can be folded for storage. The chair includes a seat having a base portion and a back support portion. The back support portion includes a stationary section and a movable section which is movable to position the child. A retaining latch is provided for retaining the movable section in at least two different selected positions relative to the stationary section. A frame is provided for supporting the seat and includes a front leg and a rear leg. A first pivot is provided for pivotally coupling the base portion to the front leg, and a second pivot is provided for pivotally coupling the base portion to the rear leg. A third pivot is provided for pivotally coupling the back support to the rear leg. A rigid link member and a pair of pivots are provided for coupling the back support portion to the base portion.

Abstract: A juvenile car seat for supporting a child is disclosed. The seat includes a bottom seat portion and a back support portion. A barrier shield is provided which includes an arm member, a first shield member, and a second shield member. Each of the first and second shield members is pivotally coupled to the arm member for pivoting between a use position generally above and parallel to the bottom seat portion, and a storage position generally to the side of the bottom seat portion. A latch and buckle are provided for fixing the first and second shield members in the use position. A shoulder harness is also provided. The shoulder harness includes a first shoulder strap connected between the back support portion and the first shield member, and a second shoulder strap connected between the back support portion and the second shield member.

Abstract: A foldable child's high chair has a use position wherein an occupant can occupy the chair and a folded position wherein the chair can be folded for storage. The chair includes a seat having a base portion and a back support portion. The back support portion includes a stationary section and a movable section which is movable to position the child. A retaining latch is provided for retaining the movable section in at least two different selected positions relative to the stationary section. A frame is provided for supporting the seat and includes a front leg and a rear leg. A first pivot is provided for pivotally coupling the base portion to the front leg, and a second pivot is provided for pivotally coupling the base portion to the rear leg. A third pivot is provided for pivotally coupling the back support to the rear leg. A rigid link member and a pair of pivots are provided for coupling the back support portion to the base portion.

Abstract: A foldable child's high chair has a use position wherein an occupant can occupy the chair and a folded position wherein the chair can be folded for storage. The chair includes a seat having a base portion and a back support portion. The back support portion includes a stationary section and a movable section which is movable to position the child. A retaining latch is provided for retaining the movable section in at least two different selected positions relative to the stationary section. A frame is provided for supporting the seat and includes a front leg and a rear leg. A first pivot is provided for pivotally coupling the base portion to the front leg, and a second pivot is provided for pivotally coupling the base portion to the rear leg. A third pivot is provided for pivotally coupling the back support to the rear leg. A rigid link member and a pair of pivots are provided for coupling the back support portion to the base portion.

Abstract: An infant's vehicle chair includes a base with upwardly extending supports and a seat body pivotally coupled through the supports to the base. The seat body is constructed from molded plastic and includes channels housing a reinforcing tubular member which extends generally across the bottom of the seat, up the back of the seat, across the back of the seat, down the seat back, and along the bottom of the seat. The ends of the reinforcing tubular member are formed to provide two loops through which a vehicle seat belt is passed to secure the chair to a vehicle seat in a rearward-facing orientation.

Abstract: A step stool has a top step that is foldable alongside a next lower step to form a large platform. The platform stool has a pair of hinged frame assemblies that are laterally spaced apart to embrace a plurality of uniformly ascending elevated steps disposed therebetween. A first step and a second step situated above the first step are journaled for pivotal movement to the frame assemblies. A pair of laterally spaced-apart step linkages support the first and second elevated steps. A third elevated step is supported between the frame assemblies. A pair of laterally spaced-apart platform linkages support the third elevated step in either a top position above the second step or a lower position alongside the second step. A pair of platform brackets can be mounted on the rear legs substantially adjacent to the second elevated step. The stool can further include a pair of latch assemblies.