Folding high chair

Abstract

A high chair including a carriage frame having a backrest connected thereto, a front frame pivotally connected to the carriage frame, the front frame having a seat connected thereto, wherein the carriage frame is lockable with respect to the front frame, at least two legs pivotally connected to the carriage frame, wherein each of the legs is generally U-shaped and includes a right side, a left side and a bottom portion, the bottom portions having approximately equal widths, and a fold release handle positioned on the carriage frame, wherein the fold release handle is adapted to unlock the carriage frame with respect to the front frame, thereby allowing the high chair to move from an upright position to a folded position, wherein, when the high chair is in the folded position, the sides of the legs are partially nested together and the bottoms of the legs are approximately adjacent to each other such that the high chair is compact and stands freely on a surface.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present application relates to folding chairs and, more particularly, folding high chairs for children.

Various high chairs are commercially available, many of which may be folded to facilitate packaging, carrying and stowing. In general, such chairs are stable when in an upright, unfolded configuration, but they are not adapted to freely stand upright on a floor, the ground, a driveway or other surfaces when they are in a compact, folded configuration. Instead, such chairs must be leaned against a wall, laid flat on a floor or the like. A folding high chair that stands freely on many types of surfaces and that has a convenient carrying handle may be easily transported like a suitcase, positioned under a table or removed from a car, for example.

Commercially available high chairs may also provide various seat restraint devices, such as a strap, to prevent the seated child from sliding forward on the seat. However, the feet of the child may become hooked on such restraints when a user places the child into or lifts the child out of the seat. Alternatively, the user must fasten the restraining device into place after putting the child in the seat and then unfasten the restraining device to remove the child.

Accordingly, there is a need for a folding high chair that is adapted to stand freely on many types of surfaces.

Furthermore, there is a need for a folding high chair that may easily be carried with one hand when the chair is in a folded configuration.

Furthermore, there is a need for a folding high chair having a passive seat restraint that allows a user to put a child in and out of the seat quickly and easily.

Furthermore, there is a need for a folding high chair that is adjustable for different sizes of children, for numerous seat heights and for different seatback angles.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the folding high chair includes a carriage frame having a backrest connected thereto, a front frame pivotally connected to the carriage frame, the front frame having a seat connected thereto, wherein the carriage frame is lockable with respect to the front frame, at least two legs pivotally connected to the carriage frame, wherein each of the legs is generally U-shaped and includes a right side, a left side and a bottom portion, the bottom portions having approximately equal widths, and a fold release handle positioned on the carriage frame, wherein the fold release handle is adapted to unlock the carriage frame with respect to the front frame, thereby allowing the high chair to move from an upright configuration to a folded configuration, wherein, when the high chair is in the folded configuration, the sides of the legs are partially nested together and the bottoms of the legs are approximately adjacent to each other such that the high chair is compact and stands freely on a surface.

In another aspect, the folding high chair is adjustable between an upright position and a folded position and includes a carriage frame having a backrest connected thereto, a front frame pivotally connected to the carriage frame, the front frame having a seat connected thereto, at least two legs pivotally connected to the carriage frame, wherein each of the legs is generally U-shaped and includes a right side, a left side and a bottom portion, the bottom portions having approximately equal widths, a kick panel pivotally connected to the front frame, the kick panel having a recess therein, and a footrest pivotally connected to the kick panel, wherein, when the high chair is in the folded position, the footrest is adapted to nest in the recess and the kick panel is adapted to nest under the seat.

In another aspect, the folding high chair is adjustable between an upright position and a folded position and includes a carriage frame having a backrest connected thereto, a front frame pivotally connected to the carriage frame, the front frame having a seat connected thereto, at least two legs pivotally connected to the carriage frame, wherein each of the legs is generally U-shaped and includes a right side, a left side and a bottom portion, the bottom portions having approximately equal widths, and a passive seat restraint extending from the seat, wherein, when the high chair is moved from the upright configuration to the folded configuration, the passive seat restraint moves from an up position to a down position.

Other aspects of the folding high chair will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a folding high chair;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the chair of FIG. 1 in an upright configuration and with a backrest in a normal position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the chair of FIG. 2 in an upright configuration and with the backrest in a reclined position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the chair of FIG. 1 in a partially-folded configuration and with a tray removed;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the chair of FIG. 4 in a fully-folded configuration and with the tray removed;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the back rest of the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7A is a partial perspective view of the chair of FIG. 1 with a back rest cover removed, while the backrest is in a normal position and a back rest release handle in a locked position;

FIG. 7B is a partial rear perspective view of the chair of FIG. 7A, wherein the back rest release handle is in an unlocked position;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a main frame of the chair of FIG. 1, shown with the assembled backrest;

FIG. 9A is a partial front perspective view of the chair of FIG. 1 with a seat and other elements removed to reveal a fold release handle in a locked position;

FIG. 9B is a partial front perspective view of the chair of FIG. 9A, wherein the fold release handle is in an unlocked position;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a kick panel and a passive seat restraint of the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is an exploded top perspective view of a tray of the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the tray of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a back perspective view of the chair of FIG. 1 in the folded configuration with a tray attached to the backrest; and

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a leg adjustment release of the chair of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For clarity, references to “left-right,” “back-front” and “forward-back” will be from the vantage point of a seated child.

As shown in FIG. 1, one aspect of the folding high chair, generally designated 2, includes a carriage frame 34 and a front frame 38 pivotally mounted to a right hub assembly 37 and a left hub assembly 36. The chair 2 may also include a seat 6, a backrest 4, a left armrest 29 and a right armrest 24, all of which are collapsibly connected to the carriage frame 34 and the front frame 38. The chair 2 may further include a front leg 12 and a back leg 14, each having a generally U-shape with a right side, a left side and a bottom.

The widths of the bottoms of the front and back legs 12, 14 may be approximately equal. The left sides of the front and back legs 12, 14 may be pivotally connected to the left hub assembly 36 and the right sides of the front and back legs 12, 14 may be pivotally connected to the right hub assembly 37.

The chair 2 may further include a fold release handle 18 (see FIG. 9) located on the bottom of the carriage frame 34. The fold release handle 18 may be actuated to allow the chair 2 to be changed between an upright configuration and a folded configuration. When the chair 2 is in the folded configuration, the sides of the front and back legs 12, 14 may be partially nested together and the bottoms of the front and back legs 12, 14 may be approximately adjacent to each other such that the chair 2 is compact and stands freely on a surface.

The chair 2 may be manufactured using materials and processes well-known in the art. For example, the chair 2 may be constructed from metallic and/or polymeric materials.

As shown in FIG. 1, the chair 2 may include a tray 10, a kick panel 26 and a footrest 8. The tray 10 may be adjustably and/or removably attached to right and left arm rest 24, 29. A pair of spaced-apart feet 22 may attach to the bottom of front leg 12 and a pair of spaced-apart feet 23 may attach to the bottom of back leg 14, thereby providing a stable support for the chair 2 in both the upright and folded configurations on many types of surfaces. Such surfaces may include a floor in a building, a concrete surface, an asphalt surface, an inclined surface and an irregular surface such as the ground.

The chair 2 may be configured in numerous ways to accommodate children of various sizes, to maximize utility and to provide for easy carrying and stowing. In addition to the fold release handle 18 (see FIG. 1) for changing the chair 2 between the upright and folded configurations, the chair 2 may also include a backrest release handle 16 centrally located on the top of the backrest 4 to adjust the backrest 4 between a normal position and a reclined position. The chair 2 may also include a leg adjust release 20 on each side of the front and back legs 12, 14 for incrementally adjusting the seat height of the chair 2. The chair 2 may also include a tray release handle 28 centrally located on the front of the tray 10 to allow back-front adjustment of the tray 10, thereby accommodating children of various sizes.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, the chair 2 may also include a passive seat restraint 42. The passive seat restraint 42 may be centrally located on the front edge of the seat 6. The passive seat restraint 42 may fit between the legs of the seated child and may help to prevent the child from sliding forward on the seat 6 and falling out of the chair 2. To remove a seated child from the chair 2, a user may remove the tray 10 from the chair 2 and lift the child up only as high as required for the child to clear the passive seat restraint 42. Even with the tray 10 still attached to the armrests 24, 29, the user may remove the child from the chair 2.

FIGS. 2-5 are side elevational views of the chair 2 in various positions/configurations and may be viewed in combination to appreciate the versatility of the chair 2. FIG. 2 shows the chair 2 locked in an upright configuration with the backrest 4 locked in the normal position and the tray 10 attached to the armrests 29, 24. FIG. 3 shows the chair 2 locked in the upright configuration with the backrest 4 locked in a reclined position and the tray 10 attached to armrests 29, 24. FIG. 4 shows the chair 2 partially folded, but not locked, and with the tray 10 removed. FIG. 5 shows the chair 2 locked in the folded configuration with the tray 10 removed.

The arrangement of the chair 2 is next described with particular reference to FIG. 4, which shows the right side of the chair 2 in a partially folded, but not locked, position. The carriage frame 34 may pivot about a metal tubular axle 106 (indicated in FIG. 4 by its axial center point on right hub assembly 37) that spans left hub assembly 36 and right hub assembly 37. The axle 106 transfers the weight of the seated child approximately equally to the front and back legs 12, 14. The backrest 4 may pivot about a backrest/seat hinge 98, which may include a metal pin (hidden) supported on each end by the carriage frame 34. The backrest 4 may be positioned between a pair of rearwardly extending blades 108 (right and left) of the carriage frame 34. Left and right armrests 29, 24 may pivotally attach to the carriage frame 34 at a pair of armrest pivots 100 (right and left). The front frame 38 may have a generally H-shape and may be formed from metal tubing and may include a pair of sliding ends 92 (right and left) that are slidably retained within the right and left armrests 24, 29. The front frame 38 may have a pair of pivoting ends 94 (right and left) that pivotally attach to the right and left hub assemblies 37, 36 at a pair of front frame pivots 93 (right and left).

When a user actuates the fold release handle 18 (see FIG. 9), sliding ends 92 of the front frame 38 slide within armrests 29, 24 in a direction moving away from the backrest 4 and the top of the backrest 4 swings in the forward direction, as shown in FIG. 4. The front frame 38 includes a span bar 96 that connects the left and right sides of the front frame 38 and pivotally supports the front portion of the seat 6. The back portion of the seat 6 pivotally attaches to the backrest/seat hinge 98, which is supported on each end by carriage frame 34. When a user actuates the fold release handle 18, the top of the seat 6 folds against the front of the carriage frame 34 and the backrest 4.

Still referring to FIG. 4, the top of the kick panel 26 may pivotally attach to the front of the seat 6 at a kick panel hinge 102. The bottom of the kick panel 26 may pivotally attach to a linkage 40 at a footrest hinge 104. The linkage 40 may be formed from a metal rod and may have a generally U-shape with a pair of free ends 110 (right and left) that attach to right and left hub assemblies 37, 36. A front span portion 112 of the linkage 40 may retain the footrest 8. When a user actuates the fold release handle 18, the top of the footrest 8 may fold against the front of the kick panel 26 and the back of the kick panel 26 may fold against the bottom of the seat 6.

FIG. 5 shows the chair 2 locked in the folded configuration. Back leg 14 may partially frame the front leg 12. When in the folded configuration, the feet 22 of the front leg 12 and the feet 23 of the back leg 14 provide four spaced apart points of contact on a surface such that the chair 2 may stand freely, yet the feet 22, 23 are spaced close enough together such that the chair 2 is compact for storage and easy to carry. When the chair 2 is locked in the folded configuration, the backrest 4, the carriage frame 34 and the front frame 38 are substantially nested within the front leg 12 and the back leg 14, while the seat 6, armrests 24, kick panel 26 and footrest 8 (partially or completely hidden in FIG. 5) are completely nested within the front and back legs 12, 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, the backrest 4 may be locked into the normal position such that the backrest 4 forms a first angle A1 with true vertical. As shown in FIG. 3, the backrest 4 may be locked into the reclined position such that the backrest 4 forms a second angle A2 with true vertical, wherein the second angle A2 is greater than the first angle A1. The magnitude of the first angle A1 may vary, but may correspond to an ergonomically correct eating posture for a child, as known in the art. Similarly, the magnitude of the second angle A2 may vary, but may correspond to an ergonomically correct reclining posture for a child, as is also known in the art. For example, an approximate range of magnitudes of the first angle A1 may be about 1 to about 30 degrees. An approximate range of magnitudes of the second angle A2 may be about 10 to about 90 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 6, the backrest 4 may include a front cover 21, a back cover 31 and a generally A-shaped back release frame 17, which may be unitarily formed with the back release handle 16. The back release frame 17 may include a pair of back release locks 44 (right and left) projecting outwardly at the bottom of each side. The locks 44 may extend through a pair of slots 25 (right and left) formed into the sides near the bottom of the front cover 21.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the back cover 31 of the back rest 4 may be removed to show how locks 44 of the backrest release frame 17 operatively engage a pair of recesses 50 (right and left) formed on the inside of the right and left blades 108 of the frame 34. The recesses 50 may be shaped to operatively engage with the locks 44 such that the backrest 4 may pivot about the backrest/seat hinge 98 between the normal and reclined positions only when a user actuates the backrest release handle 16. A pair of metal wire compression springs 114 may bias the backrest release handle 15 to the locked position. A user may also grip the backrest release handle 16 to transport the chair 2 while it is in the upright configuration.

As shown in FIG. 8, the carriage frame 34 may include a front portion 124 that attaches to a back portion 122 with fastening screws (not shown) that are assembled through a plurality of bosses 120 molded into the back portion 122. A generally U-shaped frame tube 116 may be assembled between the front and back portions 124, 122 such that a plurality of holes 118 of the tube 116 align with the bosses 120. The frame tube 116 may provide structural rigidity to the frame 34 in the highly stressed regions where the backrest 4 attaches to the carriage frame 34. The carriage frame 34 may slidably retain the fold release handle 18 such that a pair of release locks 56 (right and left) extend through a pair of slots 128 (right and left). The fold release handle 18 may include a pair of oval shaped bores 126 (right and left) that are aligned on the ends of a fold release frame 52 to circumvent axle 106, as shown in FIG. 9A.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the fold release handle 18 may operatively engage the right and left hub assemblies 37, 36 to lock the chair 2 in either the upright or folded configuration.

FIG. 9A shows the fold release handle 18 in the locked position with right and left locks 56 engaged in a pair of upper slots 54 (right and left) of right and left hub assemblies 37, 36, respectively. Oval bores 126 circumvent axle 106 about which carriage frame 34 rotates during folding. A plurality of walls formed into the back portion 122 of the carriage frame 34 guide the up and down movement of the back release frame 52.

FIG. 9B shows fold release handle 18 in the unlocked position, with right and left locks 56 disengaged from upper slots 54, thereby allowing frame 34 to rotate about the axle 106. When the carriage frame 34 rotates about the axle 106 completely to the folded configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, and a user releases fold release handle 18, right and left locks 56 engage with a pair of lower slots 55 (right and left) formed into the hub assemblies 37, 36, respectively. The hub assemblies 37, 36 are shaped to interact with the carriage frame 34 such that when a user changes the chair 2 from the upright configuration to the folded configuration, the carriage frame 34 and the front leg 14 swing through an arc. The arc of the carriage frame 34 may be larger than the arc of the front leg 14.

As shown in FIG. 9B, the left hub assembly 36 may include a front left arm 132 and a back left arm 134. The front left arm 132 may slidingly retain a front left leg 12B of the front leg 12. The back left arm 134 may slidingly retain a back left leg 14B of the back leg 14. The right hub assembly 37 may include a front right arm 133 and a back right arm 135. The front right arm 133 may slidingly retain a front right leg 12A of the front leg 12. The back right arm 135 may slidingly retain a back right leg 14A of the back leg 14. Each arm 132, 133, 134, 135 may include a leg adjust release 20 that is engageable with a plurality of spaced apart holes 136 on the front leg 12 and the back leg 14.

In order to adjust the seat height, a user may simultaneously depress the pair of leg adjust releases 20 for the front leg 12 to disengage the leg adjust releases 20 from holes 136 and adjust the length of the front leg 12. Similarly, a user may simultaneously depress the pair of leg adjust releases 20 for the back leg 14 to disengage the leg adjust releases 20 from holes 136 and adjust the length of the back leg 14. Release of each leg adjust release 20 allows it to lock into one of the holes 136 when a user has appropriately set the leg length such that the leg adjust release 20 is aligned with one of the holes 136.

As shown in FIG. 10, the restraint 42 may include a pair of attachment tabs 58 that may be inserted into a pair of tab retainers 60 on the top edge of the kick panel 26. A pair of fasteners (not shown) through holes 59 may attach the restraint 42 to the kick panel 26. The kick panel 26 may also include a recessed surface 27 for receiving the footrest 8 when the chair 2 is in the folded configuration. When a user changes the chair 2 from the upright configuration to the folded configuration, the restraint 42 moves together with the kick panel 26 from an up position to a down position between the legs 12, 14.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the tray insert 62 may include a plurality of compartments 63 in which a user may place food, toys and other items for the seated child. The tray release handle 28 may be connected to the bottom of the tray 10 and may pivotally attach to a left release arm 66 at a left pin 76 and to a right release arm 68 at a right pin 78. The left release arm 66 may include a left boss 84 that pivots about a left pivot boss 74 and the right release arm 68 may include a right boss 82 that pivots about a right pivot boss 72. The left arm 66 may also include a pair of posts 70 spaced apart and aligned to engage with a plurality of armrest holes 138 (see FIG. 9B) of the left armrest 29. Similarly, the right arm 68 may include a pair of posts 70 spaced apart and aligned to engage with a plurality of armrest holes 138 of the right armrest 24. When a user depresses the tray release 28, the right arm 68 and the left arm 66 simultaneously spread apart and disengage from the armrest holes 138. A user may then adjust the position of the tray 10 to any one of multiple front-back positions, thereby adjusting the distance of the tray 10 from the backrest 4. A spring 49 may bias the tray release 28 to the forward direction such that the right arm 68 and the left arm 66 move closer together for engaging holes 138.

FIG. 13 shows chair 2 in the folded configuration and with tray 10 attached in a stowing/carrying position to backrest 4. The tray 10 may be removably attachable to a pair of tray supports 142 (left and right, see FIG. 3) extending from the back of the backrest 4. Each tray support 142 may include a pair of retention wells 140 (FIG. 3) into which posts 70 of the tray 10 may lock. A user may depress the tray release 28 to remove the tray 10 from the tray supports 142 prior to changing the chair 2 from the folded configuration to the upright configuration.

As shown in FIG. 13, the fold release handle 18 may provide a convenient carrying grip when the chair 2 is in the folded configuration. To change the chair 2 from the folded to the upright configuration, a user may remove the tray 10, spread the front leg 12 from back leg 14, actuate the fold release handle 18 and pull the backrest release handle 18 in the outward direction. A user may continue swinging the backrest 4 about hub assemblies 36, 37 until the carriage frame 34 locks into the upright configuration.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the leg adjustment release 20 as it may be assembled onto the front leg 12 and the front left arm 132. A fastening pin 144 may be inserted into a pair of holes 146 in the front left arm 132, a pair of holes 154 in release button 150 and a hole 155 in the release lever 148 to pivotally retain the release button 150, lever 155 and a spring 152 in the front left arm 132. To release the leg adjust 20, the user may push an end 156 of the button 150 such that the lever 148 disengages from one of the holes 136 in the leg 12. The user may simultaneously push the leg adjust 20 on the opposite side of the front leg 12 to allow the leg 12 to telescope within the front right arm 133 and the front left arm 132. The user then may release each leg adjust release 20 and allow the lever 148 to find and engage a different hole 136 that is close to the desired seat height adjustment.

Although the folding high chair is shown and described with respect to certain aspects, it should be understood that modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification. The folding high chair includes all such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A folding high chair comprising:

a carriage frame having a backrest connected thereto;

a front frame pivotally connected to said carriage frame, said front frame having a seat connected thereto, wherein said carriage frame is lockable with respect to said front frame;

at least two legs pivotally connected to said carriage frame, wherein each of said legs is generally U-shaped and includes a right side, a left side and a bottom portion, said bottom portions having approximately equal widths; and

a fold release handle positioned on said carriage frame, wherein said fold release handle is adapted to unlock said carriage frame with respect to said front frame, thereby allowing said high chair to move from an upright position to a folded position,

wherein said sides of said legs are partially nested together and said bottoms of said legs are approximately adjacent to each other when said high chair is in said folded position.

2. The high chair of claim 1, wherein said legs are adapted to allow said high chair to stand freely on a surface.

3. The high chair of claim 1 further comprising a kick panel and a footrest collapsibly attached to said front frame, wherein said footrest nests in a recess of said kick panel and said kick panel nests under said seat when said high chair is moved from said upright position to said folded position.

4. The high chair of claim 3 further comprising a passive seat restraint connected to said kick panel, wherein said passive seat restraint moves from an up position to a down position when said high chair is moved from said upright position to said folded position.

5. The high chair of claim 1 further comprising a pair of armrests pivotally connected to said backrest and said front frame.

6. The high chair of claim 5 further comprising a tray removably connected to said pair of armrests, wherein a distance between said tray and said backrest is adjustable.

7. The high chair of claim 6, wherein said tray includes a tray insert having a top surface divided into a plurality of compartments.

8. The high chair of claim 1, wherein said seatback is reclinable.

9. The high chair of claim 1 further comprising at least one leg adjustment release positioned on each of said legs, wherein said leg adjustment releases are adapted to extend a length of said legs.

10. The high chair of claim 1 further comprising a pair of spaced apart feet attached to said bottom of each of said legs.

11. The high chair of claim 1, wherein said backrest, said carriage frame, said front frame and said seat are substantially nested within said legs when said high chair is in said folded position.

12. A folding high chair adjustable between an upright position and a folded position comprising:

a carriage frame having a backrest connected thereto;

a front frame pivotally connected to said carriage frame, said front frame having a seat connected thereto;

at least two legs pivotally connected to said carriage frame, wherein each of said legs is generally U-shaped and includes a right side, a left side and a bottom portion, said bottom portions having approximately equal widths;

a kick panel pivotally connected to said front frame, said kick panel having a recess therein; and

a footrest pivotally connected to said kick panel, wherein said footrest is adapted to nest in said recess and said kick panel is adapted to nest under said seat when said high chair is in said folded position.

13. The high chair of claim 12 further comprising a fold release handle positioned on said carriage frame, wherein said fold release handle is adapted to unlock said carriage frame with respect to said front frame, thereby allowing said high chair to move from said upright position to said folded position.

14. The high chair of claim 13, wherein said sides of said legs are partially nested together and said bottoms of said legs are approximately adjacent to each other when said high chair is in said folded position, thereby allowing said high chair to stand freely on a surface.

15. A folding high chair adjustable between an upright position and a folded position comprising:

a carriage frame having a backrest connected thereto;

a front frame pivotally connected to said carriage frame, said front frame having a seat connected thereto;

at least two legs pivotally connected to said carriage frame, wherein each of said legs is generally U-shaped and includes a right side, a left side and a bottom portion, said bottom portions having approximately equal widths; and

a passive seat restraint extending from said seat, wherein said passive seat restraint moves from an up position to a down position when said high chair is moved from said upright position to said folded position.

16. The high chair of claim 15 further comprising a fold release handle positioned on said carriage frame, wherein said fold release handle is adapted to unlock said carriage frame with respect to said front frame, thereby allowing said high chair to move from said upright position to said folded position.

17. The high chair of claim 16, wherein said sides of said legs are partially nested together and said bottoms of said legs are approximately adjacent to each other when said high chair is in said folded position, thereby allowing said high chair to stand freely on a surface.

18. The high chair of claim 15 further comprising a kick panel and a footrest collapsibly attached to said front frame, wherein said footrest nests in a recess of said kick panel and said kick panel nests under said seat when said high chair is moved from said upright position to said folded position.

19. A folding high chair comprising:

a carriage frame having a backrest connected thereto;

a front frame pivotally connected to said carriage frame, said front frame having a seat connected thereto, wherein said carriage frame is lockable with respect to said front frame;

at least two legs pivotally connected to said carriage frame, wherein each of said legs is generally U-shaped and includes a right side, a left side and a bottom portion, said bottom portions having approximately equal widths;

a fold release handle positioned on said carriage frame, wherein said fold release handle is adapted to unlock said carriage frame with respect to said front frame, thereby allowing said high chair to move from an upright position to a folded position;

a kick panel pivotally connected to said front frame, said kick panel having a recess therein;

a footrest pivotally connected to said kick panel; and

a passive seat restraint extending from said kick panel, wherein said passive seat restraint moves from an up position to a down position when said high chair is moved from said upright position to said folded position,

wherein said footrest is adapted to nest in said recess, said kick panel is adapted to nest under said seat, said sides of said legs are partially nested together and said bottoms of said legs are approximately adjacent to each other when said high chair is in said folded position, thereby allowing said high chair to stand freely on a surface.

20. The high chair of claim 19 further comprising a pair of armrests pivotally connected to said backrest and said front frame.

21. The high chair of claim 20 further comprising a tray removably connected to said pair of armrests, wherein a distance between said tray and said backrest may be adjusted.