SEAT FOR A SWING

Abstract

A seat for a swing that comprises a base, an upper frame, a plurality of spacers coupling the base to the upper frame, and a divider, wherein the seat is capable of being suspended from a fixed component by a suspension means, and the divider is located within the base and the upper frame. The divider is capable of acting as sizer for adjusting the size of the seat for the swing. Additionally, the divider serves to separate the seat for the swing into two separate compartments for use by two children simultaneously. In preferred embodiments, the divider may be removed to provide more space for the child.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to swings, and more particularly to a seat for a swing that allows one or two children to safely and comfortably swing.

BACKGROUND

A swing consists of a hanging seat that allows individuals to swing through the air. Swings may be found in children's playgrounds, in circuses and on porches. The seat of a swing is usually suspended by an appropriate suspension system, such as a rope or chain, from a fixed support that is typically a horizontal bar, such as a tree branch, a beam, a rafter, or the like. Once a swing is in motion it continues to oscillate until external interference or drag brings it to a halt.

Most babies and toddlers find swinging relaxing and enjoyable. However, most children out grow their baby swings in a few months. A limitation of existing baby and toddler swings is that they are designed to hold children of one age and developmental stage.

Swinging is something that is enjoyable, both alone and as a shared experience, and can be enjoyed by babies and older sibling. However it is desirable that a swing suitable for two children, be also usable and enjoyable by a single user.

Twin swings are typically designed for a single age group. Accordingly, there is a need for a seat for a swing that accommodates children of different ages safely and comfortably.

Numerous patents have been issued for swings. The following discuss but few examples and should not be construed to imply that an exhaustive search has been carried out.

U.S. Pat. No. 686,420 to Powell, describes a combined swinging chair and crib wherein the swinging chair can hold two individuals and can be turned into a crib when parts of the swing are moved around. This swing is bulky and difficult to carry and store, and is designed for use by a single toddler at a time.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,545,295 to Miller, describes a swing for two riders, characterized by versatility of movements determined and controlled by the cooperative efforts of both riders or resultant from their competitive opposition. This swing is not intended to be used by babies or toddlers.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,615,119 to Irwin, which describes a pair of swings arranged in tandem with respect to one another and supported by means of flexible chains. This swing does not provide for adjustment based on the size of the child or for independent entry and exit of an older child.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,205,406 to Wangkeo et al., which describes a baby swing crib for an infant which includes a basket suspended from a chain. The swing is designed for use by a single toddler at a time. This swing does not adjust to the size of the child or allow for a child to comfortably sit in the upright position.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,736 to Brown, which describes a convertible child's play swing which has a seat with a base panel having a pocket and the swing includes a seating surface stiffener sized for removable placement within the pocket. When the stiffener is removed the seat is more pliable and accommodating to a baby, whereas when the stiffener is inserted into the pocket, the seat becomes rigid and supports the body of a toddler sitting in the upright position. The swing also does not provide for simultaneous use by two children, for the adjustment to the size of the child.

Accordingly, there is a need for a seat for a swing that can be adjusted to the size of the child and that can be configured to be used for more than one child at the same time, thereby fostering the shared swinging experience. Furthermore, there is a need for the swing to be lightweight and easily transportable and storable.

SUMMARY OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to a seat for a swing comprising: a base, an upper frame vertically separated from the seat and disposed thereabove, and a divider, wherein the seat is capable of being suspended from an anchor by a suspension system coupled to the seat, and the divider engages the base and/or the upper frame to divide the seat. The upper frame forming at least a partial guard rail about the base. Preferably, the base is separated from the upper frame by a plurality of spacers. Certain embodiments comprise side walls which separate the upper frame from the base.

In one optional embodiment, the invention further comprises the suspension system, and optionally, also the support from which it is suspended.

Optionally, several elements described above may be formed integrally as a single unit.

Preferably, the base is oblong, and the upper frame comprises at least one crossbar. More preferably, the upper frame comprises a plurality of crossbars. In one embodiment, the upper frame comprises two long crossbars and two short crossbars.

Preferably the swing comprises a coupler for attaching the divider to the seat. The coupler typically comprise a plurality of components or portions of elements already described, which cooperate to couple the divider and the seat or portions thereof. Preferably, the coupler comprises a protrusion on one component and a receptacle on another component.

In one embodiment the coupler is formed by the divider having at least one bottom protrusion protruding from its lower side and the base is provided with the receptacle for engagingly receiving the bottom protrusion. Additionally or alternatively, there is provided at least one side protrusion on the side of the divider and at least one receptacle located on at least one long crossbar for receiving the at least one protrusion.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one protrusion is located on the base and/or on at least one long crossbar, and/or at least one side wall in certain embodiments, and the receptacle is located on the divider.

In yet another embodiment of the coupler, the divider has notches on its sides capable of engaging a pair of long crossbars substantially parallel to each other. Preferably the notches is dimensioned to engage the crossbars so as to allow adjustable fixing therebetween.

In certain embodiments the divider is permanently attached to the base or at least one of the long crossbars of the upper frame or one of the side walls. Preferably however, the coupler is constructed to allow adjustably fixing the divider relative to the seat. To that end, the protrusion engages the receptacle and the divider can be selectively moved and fixed in place utilizing a locking mechanism.

Optionally, the seat further comprises at least one tie, with a top end of the at least one tie attached to the short crossbar, or forming the short crossbar, and a bottom end removably attachable to the base.

Optionally, the tie is selected from a group comprising a solid bar, a bungee cord, a rope, a chain, a T, Y or V shaped crotch strap, a T-bar, and an triangular cloth member.

Optionally, the base comprises a slot or a hole, and the tie comprises a matching closure. Preferably, the closure on the tie is selected from the group comprising knots, beads and toggles.

Preferably, the dimensions of the swing follow the American Home Use Outdoor Toy Standard Number ASTM F11. Additionally or alternatively, the dimensions of the swing follow the European Standard EN-71.

In alternative embodiments, the seat further comprises at least one additional tie spanning between a long crossbar and the base, to allow a child to sit safely with his feet protruding from the space between the base and the long crossbar, the child's legs straddling the tie. Preferably, the tie in such embodiment is detachable from the base.

In an alternative embodiment the seat for the swing further comprises a curtain wall. Optionally the curtain wall is flexible. Typically the curtain wall is removably attachable to the base and the upper frame around the perimeter of the base to create an enclosure.

In some embodiments, the divider may also serve to divide the seat for the swing into two separate compartments.

Preferably, the seat for the swing is lightweight and easily transportable by one individual.

Optionally the seat further comprises at least one of: padding which can be inserted on either one or both sides of the divider; a tray that is removably attachable to the upper frame; and a carrying case, wherein the seat is collapsible, compactable and capable of being stored in the carrying case.

Typically the divider can also be removed.

Optionally the base is padded.

A second aspect of the current invention is directed to a method of sizing a seat for a swing comprising the following steps:

• • a. attaching an upper frame to a base via a plurality of spacers;
  • b. inserting a divider into the upper frame;
  • c. moving the divider to the desired location along a coupling mechanism; and
  • d. affixing the divider in place.

Optionally the method further comprises the steps of attaching a curtain wall to the base and the upper frame, and locking the curtain wall in place to the upper frame.

Further optional steps of the method are to remove the divider and insert padding on the base.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a better understanding of different aspects of the invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying Figures, wherewith it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of the seat for the swing in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2A is a front view of the divider;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a short crossbar of the upper frame of FIG. 1, with it's corresponding tie;

FIG. 2C is a view of the base from below;

FIG. 3A shows a divider in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3B is an end view of a seat of one embodiment of the invention including the divider of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is an end view of a seat, showing a novel V or Y shaped crotch-tie in accordance with an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the base of FIG. 4A, showing mechanism for locking the tie to the base;

FIG. 5 is an isometric projection of a further embodiment where the long crossbars are coupled to base via side walls, (similar to that of FIG. 4), schematically depicting a child swinging therein;

FIG. 6 is an end view of a seat showing a novel triangular tie in accordance with yet another alternative embodiment;

FIG. 7A shows an isometric view of the seat for the swing with the divider removed and a food tray being attached to the upper frame of the seat;

FIG. 7B shows the food tray detached from the seat, and

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the seat configured as a cradle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2A-C, a seat 10 for a swing is shown. The seat 10 comprises an upper frame 11 comprising two short crossbars 12 and two long crossbars 14, attached to a base 16 at a fixed distance therefrom. Preferably the upper frame is vertically separated from the base by a plurality of spacers 18. A suspension system 20 is attached to the seat 10, either to the upper frame 11 and/or to the base 16.

In these specifications the term ‘suspension’ and equivalently ‘suspension system’ should be construed to mean any manner of attaching the seat to an attachment point of a fixed support, in a manner that will allow the seat to at least partially rotate about the attachment point. The skilled in the art will recognize that such suspension is well known in the art, and may be implemented in a plurality of ways, including, by way of non-limiting example, cords, rope, belts, straps, chains, rods, and the like. Commonly, the suspension utilizes a plurality of support lines, the lines being any convenient means such as chains, rods, ropes, straps, belts, and the like. The support system attaches to an anchor on the seat. The anchor comprises at least one attachment point that provides coupling between the seat and the suspension system. In most embodiments several anchor points are provided either on the base of on the upper frame, but anchors on the divider or other parts of the seat are explicitly contemplated. It is noted that the term anchor may include more than one anchor point and that a combination of attachment points may form the anchor in accordance within the meaning provided in these specifications.

The term ‘coupler’ refers herein to cooperating parts which allow secure attachment of one element of the seat to another element of the seat. The coupler typically comprise a plurality of components or portions of elements already described, which cooperate to couple the divider and the seat or portions thereof. Preferably, the coupler comprises a protrusion on one component and a receptacle on another component. The receptacle may be a track, a hole, a series of holes, a profile dimensioned to cooperate with a second profile, a slot, a channel, and the like. Optionally the receptacle is dimensioned to receive at least one edge of the divider which acts as the protrusion. The receptacle may be continuous or discontinuous. It will be understood by the skilled in the art that the coupler may be implemented in a wide variety of manners, and the selection of the specific way by which the divider is coupled to the seat—be it to the base, the crossbar(s) or both, is a matter of technical choice, and the term coupler encompasses the different choices.

In one embodiment, the suspension system 20 is attached to the base 16 and passes through holes present in the spacers 18, the long cross bars 14, and the short crossbars 12 of the upper frame 11, enabling at least the short crossbars to be slid along the suspension lines. The suspension system 20 may be attached to a fixed support (not shown) such as a tree branch, a beam, a rafter, a bar or a purpose built framework, and the like, to suspend the seat for the swing 10 therefrom.

Spacers 18 may be rigid, or gain the required stiffness by tension. The spacers may be implemented by tubes, rods, and the like, but they may also be embodied by ropes, chains, cords, and the like. The ends of suspension lines 20 may be utilized as spacers, such as by utilizing knots or friction mechanisms therein or rings therearound to support the cross bars 12, 14 in desired positions. The spacers may also be firmly connected to long crossbars 18 or to base 16 or to both. Spacers may be shaped in the form of a side wall along the length of the seat as shown in FIG. 5.

The suspension lines may be coupled to the upper frame which may in turn be coupled to the base, or the lines may be coupled directly to the base.

Divider

It is a particular feature of the invention that a divider 22 is provided. Although in some embodiments it may be a permanent fixture, the divider 22 is preferably removably located within the seat 10, and attaches to the base 16 and/or to the upper frame 11, typically to the long crossbars 14 thereof.

The term ‘divider’ should be construed as a wall or a partition, having a height and width greater than its thickness, and extending vertically from the base or the upper frame to functionally divide the space loosely defined by the base and the upper frame vertically separated therefrom, into separate sections. The divider may extend the complete distance between the base and the upper frame, or part thereof, and may further extend beyond the margins defined above. As described in more detail below the divider may inter-alia, act to separate the seat into two portions to provide personal space to each of the two children using the swing simultaneously, function as a back-rest, or just to limit the space for a single user and prevent slippage.

As shown in FIG. 2A, in one embodiment, the divider 22 has one or more protrusions 32 protruding from the underside of the divider 22. The protrusion(s) 32 of the divider 22 are insertable into one or more tracks 26 (FIG. 1, FIG. 2C) located on the base 16. Preferably the divider 22 can be moved along the tracks 26 to allow for the seat 10 to be effectively sized to the size of the child or children. Preferably the divider 22 is then fixed in place by a locking mechanism.

Implementation of the locking mechanism will be a technical choice clear to the skilled in the art, and may comprise, by way of non-limiting example, a bolt and screw interaction operable within the receptacle, matching hole or holes, friction based devices, detents with cooperating members, spring, bolt, clamp, rotating and other closures, and the like.

It should be noted that in alternative embodiments, one or more protrusions (not shown) analogous to protrusions 32 may be located on the side of the divider 22 instead of on the bottom edge of the divider 22 for engaging one or more corresponding receptacles or tracks (not shown) capable of receiving the protrusions that are located on or in the long crossbars 14. Alternatively or additionally, a protrusion may be located on the base or on the long crossbar, to engage a notch located on the divider. In a further embodiment notches (not shown) may be located on the sides of the divider so as to allow the divider to engage and slide along the long crossbars 14 (not shown). Yet another embodiment contemplates movable protrusions such as bolts being located in the seat or in the divider, to engage receptacles on the opposite member. The skilled in the art will readily recognize that a large plurality of attachment methods are common in the art and the invention is not limited to any particular attachment method or mode.

Although optionally the divider is fixed, preferably the divider 22 can be adjusted for various purposes, such as to allow a child to sit or to support a sitting child, or to allow two children to sit on either side of the divider.

The divider 22 is typically able to fulfil more than one function. Firstly it enables a large seat to be sized to hold a small child comfortably and securely. Depending on how the child sits, the divider may further serve as a back rest or as a side wall. Secondly the divider can serve to define individual spaces for two children swinging simultaneously. This enables two children to play together while minimizing the tendency to squabble by each one claiming that the other is crowding his space.

With reference to FIG. 3A, in a further embodiment, the divider 322 is hexagon shaped and is provided with pegs 324 that engage corresponding holes or continuous tracks in the side bars 14 of the upper frame 11, thereby allowing positioning of the divider.

FIG. 3B, which depicts an end view of the seat along axis X-X′ (with the tie not shown for clarity), is a simplified depiction of an embodiment where the divider is attached to the upper frame. In this option, the divider does not extend all the way to the base. However if the divider does not extend all the way to the base, it is preferable that it extends to a distance of at least 6.5 cm therefrom, so as to prevent trapping a child body part between the divider and the base.

In one embodiment where divider engages crossbars, the width of the divider is about 23 cm. It is noted that there are American and European safety standards governing the design of children's furniture in general, including infant swings, and that various embodiments preferably conform to those standards.

Crossbar and Tie

Preferably, the short crossbar 12 is movable along the suspension system 20 lines, so that a child can move a short crossbar 12 upwards along the suspension lines and enter the swing, by sliding his/her legs below the cross bar 12. Two children may sit back to back, with their backs to the divider 22, and with their legs protruding outwardly from under each short cross-bar 12. Once the child is comfortably seated, the cross-bar will be pushed down until it rests on the long crossbar 14 or on the spacers 18.

Similarly, one or two children may sit parallel to the divider 22, with their feet protruding under a long crossbar 14. Alternate methods of using the swing by two children include the children facing the same direction, in opposite directions or one facing a direction perpendicular to the other, with one sitting with his/her back to the divider 22 and with his/her feet protruding under a short cross bar and a second child sitting with feet protruding under a long cross bar 14.

With most embodiments a tie 28 is preferably provided. FIGS. 2B and 2C depict on example of such tie. Tie 28 is attached at a top end to one of the short crossbars 12, and is removably attachable to the base 16 by a closure. By way of non-limiting example, a closure may be achieved by inserting the bottom of the tie 28 into a slot 33, and then moving the tie 28 until a bead 30 on the end thereof engages a socket 34 on the underside of the base 16 (see FIG. 2C).

The bead 30 may be of various shapes and sizes. Where the tie 28 is a strap, cord or rope, it may be a knot in the tie 28. The knot may be decorative. In some embodiments the tie 28 is elastic or at least includes an elastic segment, such as a length of bungee cord or the like.

The tie may be configured in numerous manners, and need not be a simple strap. By way of example, with reference to FIG. 6, the tie 128 may be a crotch strap, with a sleeve part that slips over the crossbar 12. It can also be a rigid T, V or Y shaped section (FIG. 4A) that hangs down from the short crossbar 12. In certain embodiments the upper portion of the tie may form the crossbar or a portion thereof. In the embodiment shown, the closure comprises an elongated knob 130, and as shown in FIG. 4B, the socket 134 in the base 116 is an elongated hole, without a slit 33. In such embodiments, the knob 130 is inserted through the socket 134 and rotated 90° to lock in place. The skilled in the art will again recognize that the selection of any on of the numerous manners of implementing a closure is a matter of technical choice.

FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of the invention, that enjoys several advantages, one of which is inexpensive manufacturing. A child 5 sitting in a seat 100 for a swing, comprising (i) a single elongated component 82, having a U shaped cross section with the elongated component serving as the base, the long cross bars of upper frame and the spacers; (ii) the divider 84, that may also serves as a stiffener, to maintain the shape of the elongated component, and (iii and iv) a pair of end units 86 that are preferably injection molded and each combine a short cross bar and tie that serves to restrain the child. Thus seat 100 includes the functionality of base, upper frame, divider, spacers and ties, as in the basic seat 10, mutatis mutandis, and may be suspended via suspension system 20, despite comprising a smaller number of separate components. Optionally, the elongated component 82 and the divider 84 may be a formed as a single piece, however preferably the divider is removable. Utilizing at least one track (not shown) molded in the elongated component will allow removal of the divider, while the track may provide added rigidity to the structure. Preferably, the end units 86 are formed as Y shaped tie, and may be slid along the suspension lines or rotate outwardly from elongated component 82.

FIG. 6 depicts an end view along axis X-X′, of a seat 110 in accordance with yet another embodiment. The divider 122 has tapering side walls, and the tie 228 is a triangular piece of cloth with an upper sleeve that at least partially wraps around the short crossbar 12, and is connected by an elastic cord 36 to a closure, such as bead 30.

Notably, during use, the short crossbar 12 is coupled to the base 16 by the tie, either rigidly or elastically, thus preventing the short crossbar 12 from moving upward on the suspension system 20. In this manner a child sitting in the seat for the swing can have his/her legs straddling the tie 28, and the combination of the short crossbar 12 and the tie 28, when locked in place, secures the child in the seat of the swing. The short crossbar 12 is locked in place by attaching the tie 28 to the base 16 via any desired attachment system. The tie 28 thus may serve two purposes; it holds the short crossbar 12 to the base 16 preventing the short crossbar 16 from moving upward. Additionally, when a child's legs straddle the tie 28, it prevents the child from sliding out of the seat 10 for the swing. Clearly, such functionality is not required if the crossbar is otherwise attached to the seat structure and the bar is thus prevented from moving along the suspension system.

It should be noted that in some embodiments, an additional tie (not shown) may be attached on to the long crossbars 14 so that a child can sit alongside the divider 22, with his legs straddling the additional tie.

With reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B an optional detachable tray 50 is shown. The detachable tray 50 can be attached to the side of a seat, and may serve as a support for a variety of accessories. Usefully, when tray 50 is attached to the seat 10 the swing seat 10 can serve as a feeding seat, for example, in lieu of a conventional high chair.

Preferably, if long crossbars 14 are hollow or provided with cavities, rods 52 protruding from tray 50 can be slid into the hollows or cavities of rods 14, thereby serving as attachment points for coupling the tray 50 to the seat 10. Such a coupling points will be able to take very high torques, but it will be appreciated that other coupling methods may be used.

In some embodiments, the divider 22 of seat 10 may be detached, and with sufficient ties, especially wide triangular or V or Y shaped ties along the periphery, or, with reference to FIG. 8, with curtain wall 60 inserted into or around the seat and attached thereto via attachment members, such as press-studs and the like, or by hanging from the cross bars, the seat 10 for the swing can be used as a cradle. Optionally, a plurality of spacers 18 may be used to couple the upper frame 11 to the base 16 and to serve this purpose.

Optionally, padding may be placed on the base 16 on either one or both sides of the divider 22, to make the seat more comfortable to sit on or for lying on.

It will be noted that all dimensions given, and proportions are by way of illustration only, and are not limiting.

As explained, the divider 22 can serve as a sizer to size the seat 10 for the swing to hold one child comfortably and safely. When used as a sizer, the divider 22 may serve as the back of the seat. Additionally, the divider 22 serves to divide the seat for the swing into two separate compartments, so that two children can use the seat at the same time to lie down, or to sit back to back, front to back, front to front or side to side. Furthermore, the divider may be removed completely, so that the seat may be used for a very large person to swing, or as a cradle.

It will be appreciated, as shown by way of example in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, that the various elements of the swing seat can be manufactured singly and separately, or that several elements may be co-fabricated as unitary components, perhaps by injection molding. In FIG. 5, the short cross bar and tie were fabricated as one element (part 86), and the base, long crossbars and spacers may be fabricated as a single elongated element 82. Indeed, the divider 84 may be co-fabricated with the base, spacers and long cross bars, such as by injection molding, or permanently fastened thereto, or may be removable.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to what has been described hereinabove merely by way of example. While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other embodiments, changes, and modifications may be made therein in light of the present disclosure. Thus the present specifications including the claims, are therefore aimed to cover all such changes and modifications, including equivalents, combinations, sub-combinations of various elements described above, the described embodiments, and their equivalents, as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention, without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention for which letters patent is applied.

Claims

1. A seat for a swing comprising:

a. a base, dimensioned to allow at plurality of children to be seated therein;

b. an upper frame vertically separated from the base and disposed thereabove;

c. a vertically extending divider couplable to the base, or to the upper frame, or to both; and,

d. an anchor for attaching the seat to a suspension system.

2. The seat as claimed in claim 1 further wherein the divider is removable.

3. The seat as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a coupler for coupling the divider to the seat.

4. The seat as claimed in claim 3, wherein the coupler comprises a protrusion and at least one corresponding track, the track is coupled to the seat, or to a portion thereof, such that the divider may be moved along said track and secured thereto at a plurality of locations.

5. The seat as claimed in claim 4, wherein said track is selected from the group comprising continuous grooves, continuous slots, a plurality of notches, and discontinuous row of holes.

6. The seat as claimed in claim 4, wherein the track is coupled to the base.

7. The seat as claimed in claim 4, wherein the track is coupled to the upper frame.

8. The seat as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism to lock the divider in position relative to the base.

9. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the divider is permanently attached to the seat.

10. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper frame comprises at least one substantially horizontal crossbar.

11. The seat as claimed in claim 10, wherein the divider is coupled to the crossbar.

12. The seat as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a tie for securing a child thereto.

13. The seat as claimed in claim 12, wherein the tie is removably connectable to the base or to the crossbar, or to any combination thereof.

14. The seat as claimed in claim 12, wherein the tie is integral to the crossbar.

15. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anchor comprises a suspension system having a plurality of lines comprising of ropes, cords, belts, straps, chains, rods, or a combination thereof.

16. The seat as claimed in claim 15, wherein the upper frame comprises at least one short crossbar, capable of sliding along the suspension system.

17. The seat as claimed in claim 1, further comprising sidewalls extending generally vertically from the base.

18. The seat as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one attachment point, and a removable tray coupleable thereto.

19. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat is collapsible.

20. The seat as claimed in claim 1 wherein the divider serves to divide the seat into two separate compartments.

21. A seat as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper frame comprises long crossbars, the seat further comprising spacers integrally connected to the long crossbars.