HIGH CHAIR ACCESSORY TRAY

Abstract

The invention is directed to a high chair accessory tray for the purpose of providing a safe and enjoyable workstation for children to do arts and crafts and other types of projects and/or activities. The high chair accessory tray generally includes a main body portion that is dimensioned and configured to be secured to and cover a majority of the top surface of the food tray. In another embodiment, the high chair accessory tray is dimensioned and configured to be secured directly to the high chair and to replace the food tray while the child does arts and crafts projects.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/414,089, filed Oct. 28, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a high chair accessory tray.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known high chairs typically are sold with a removable food tray. Many parents have found that it is beneficial to secure their child to a high chair when doing arts and crafts and other activities. This is so the child is contained within a given space, therefore containing any mess that may result from the activity to a given space around the high chair. This makes clean-up much easier and prevents the mess from spreading to other areas. However, the known food trays do not provide a large enough top surface for use when the child is doing arts and crafts projects. Furthermore, the food tray does not offer places to safely contain the supplies that are required when doing arts and crafts projects.

Thus, in view of the inadequacies of the known high chair food trays, there has been a need for a high chair accessory tray, and a method of attaching the same to a high chair, for effectively providing a safe, enjoyable, and self-contained workstation for children to do arts and crafts projects.

The present invention provides a solution to the above problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a high chair accessory tray for the purpose of providing a safe and enjoyable workstation for children to do arts and crafts and other types of projects and/or activities. The high chair accessory tray generally includes a main body portion that is dimensioned and configured to be secured to and cover a majority of the top surface of the food tray. In another embodiment, the high chair accessory tray is dimensioned and configured to be secured directly to the high chair and to replace the food tray while the child does arts and crafts projects.

A first receptacle is attached to the main body portion and is positioned adjacent a distal side of the accessory tray. A second receptacle is attached to the main body portion and is positioned adjacent a lateral side of the accessory tray.

In one aspect of the invention, a high chair accessory tray is disclosed for attachment on top of a food tray of a high chair wherein the food tray includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The high chair accessory tray includes a main body portion that is dimensioned and configured to be secured to and cover a majority of the top surface of the food tray. The main body portion includes a top surface and a bottom surface with the top surface including a generally flat workspace for doing arts and crafts or other activities.

The high chair accessory tray can include a first strap having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the first strap is secured to the main body portion. The high chair accessory tray can include a second strap having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the second strap is secured to the main body portion. The distal ends of the first and second straps are dimensioned and configured to be connected for securing the main body portion to the top surface of the food tray.

A buckle can be attached to the distal end of the second strap, the buckle being dimensioned and configured to receive the distal end of the first strap to form a continuous loop of strap.

In another aspect of the invention, a hook material can be attached to the first strap and a loop material can be attached to the second strap, wherein the hook material is removeably secured to the loop material to form a continuous loop of strap.

In another aspect of the invention, a lip extends from the top surface of the food tray and a ridge extends from the bottom surface of the main body portion, wherein the ridge is dimensioned and configured to be removeably secured to the lip by a tongue-and-groove connection.

At least one receptacle can be positioned along a periphery of the main body portion, wherein the at least one receptacle is dimensioned and configured to hold items useful during performance of activities.

In another aspect of the invention, at least one slot can be positioned along a periphery of the main body portion, and at least one accessory box can be provided having an attachment arm that is dimensioned and configured to be removeably secured to the at least one slot, wherein the at least one accessory box is dimensioned and configured to hold items useful during performance of activities.

In a preferred embodiment, the high chair accessory tray includes a top surface that is larger than the top surface of the food tray. This provides a larger workspace for a child to perform activities while seated in the high chair.

In another embodiment, the invention discloses a high chair accessory tray for attachment to a high chair in lieu of a food tray, wherein the high chair includes at least one support element. The high chair accessory tray has a main body portion including at least one connector, wherein the at least one connector is dimensioned and configured to be secured to the at least one support element. The main body portion includes a top surface and a bottom surface with the top surface including a generally flat workspace for doing arts and crafts or other activities.

In one embodiment, the high chair includes two support elements, and the high chair accessory tray includes two connectors, each being dimensioned and configured to be secured to the two support elements, respectively.

The high chair accessory tray can include at least one receptacle positioned along a periphery of the main body portion, wherein the at least one receptacle is dimensioned and configured to hold items useful during performance of activities.

In one aspect, the high chair accessory tray includes at least one slot positioned along a periphery of the main body portion, and at least one accessory box having an attachment arm that is dimensioned and configured to be removeably secured to the at least one slot, wherein the at least one accessory box is dimensioned and configured to hold items useful during performance of activities. The high chair accessory tray includes a top surface that is larger than the top surface of the food tray.

In another aspect, the at least one connector is dimensioned and configured to be secured to the at least one support element in a snap-fit relationship.

In another aspect, the at least one connector is dimensioned and configured to be secured to the at least one support element in a collar-and-shaft sliding relationship.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a first embodiment, wherein the accessory tray has built-in receptacles and wherein the tray is attachable to the food tray with straps wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded assembly view of the high chair, the food tray, and the accessory tray.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the high chair after the accessory tray has been secured to the food tray with the straps.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the accessory tray after it has been secured to the food tray with straps.

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate a second embodiment, wherein the accessory tray has built-in receptacles and wherein the tray is attachable to the food tray by a tongue-and-groove connection, without the need for straps wherein:

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded assembly view of the high chair, the food tray, and the accessory tray.

FIG. 5 illustrates another exploded view of the bottom surface of the accessory tray.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate a perspective view and a top view, respectively, of the accessory tray after it has been secured to the food tray with the tongue-and-groove type of connection.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded view of a third embodiment, wherein the accessory tray is attachable to the food tray with straps. In this embodiment however, the accessory tray includes slots around the perimeter. This will allow a variety of accessories and/or receptacles to be interchangeably inserted into the slots during use depending on the particular activity of the child.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 10 illustrate a fourth embodiment, wherein the accessory tray has built-in receptacles and wherein the tray is attachable to the high chair with connectors that are the same as the connectors on the food tray. As shown, the food tray is removed and the accessory tray is then attached. In particular:

FIG. 9A illustrates an exploded view of the connectors of the food tray being separated from the support elements of the high chair.

FIG. 9B illustrates an exploded view of the accessory tray having connectors positioned on the bottom surface thereof and which are adapted to receive the support elements of the high chair.

FIG. 10 illustrates the accessory tray after it has been secured to the high chair with type of connection described above.

FIGS. 11-12 illustrate a fifth embodiment, wherein the accessory tray includes slots around the perimeter to receive removable accessories and/or receptacles, and wherein the tray is attachable to the high chair with connectors that are the same as the connectors on the food tray. As shown, the food tray is removed and the accessory tray is then attached. In particular:

FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded view of the accessory tray having connectors positioned on the bottom surface thereof and which are adapted to receive the support elements of the high chair 10.

FIG. 12 illustrates the accessory tray after it has been secured to the high chair with type of connection described above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a first embodiment, wherein the accessory tray has built-in receptacles and wherein the tray is attachable to the food tray with straps.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded assembly view of the high chair 10, the food tray 20, and the accessory tray 40. The high chair 10 includes support elements 11, 11, seat cushion 12, and seat back 13. The food tray 20 includes top surface 21, lip 22, and connectors 23, 23. The accessory tray 40 includes one or more pairs of straps 41, 42, 43 which can be used to safely secure the accessory tray 40 to the top of the food tray 20 (see FIG. 2). The ends of the straps can be connected together with buckles, clips, hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, and the like. The accessory tray 40 includes a top surface 45 that is preferably larger than the top surface 21 of the food tray 22. In one embodiment, the top surface 45 measures approximately 24 inches by 20 inches. The accessory tray 40 includes a rectangular receptacle 46 that is intended to secure a water paint kit or any other item. The accessory tray 40 further includes one or more circular receptacles 47, 48 that are intended to secure a variety of art tools such as crayons, markers, play-doh, play-doh tools, paint, colored pencils, paintbrushes, or any other items. In other embodiments, the receptacles 46, 47, 48 can be shaped and dimensioned to secure other items such as toys, games, electronics, beverages, food, and the like.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the high chair 10 after the accessory tray 40 has been secured to the food tray 20 with the straps.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the accessory tray 40 after it has been secured to the food tray 20 with straps 41, 42, 43. As illustrated, the accessory tray 40 is larger than the food tray 20 and extends beyond the perimeter of the food tray 20.

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate a second embodiment, wherein the accessory tray has built-in receptacles and wherein the tray is attachable to the food tray by a tongue-and-groove connection, without the need for straps.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded assembly view of the high chair 10, the food tray 20, and the accessory tray 50. Unlike the first embodiment, this accessory tray 50 does not require the use of straps to safely secure the accessory tray 50 to the top of the food tray 20 (see FIGS. 6-7). The accessory tray 50 includes a top surface 55 that is preferably larger than the top surface 21 of the food tray 20. In one embodiment, the top surface 55 measures approximately 24 inches by 20 inches. The accessory tray 50 includes a rectangular receptacle 56 and one or more circular receptacles 57, 58 that are intended to secure a variety of items as described above.

FIG. 5 illustrates another exploded view of the bottom surface 59 of the accessory tray 50. A ridge 51 extends away from the bottom surface and is provided in the same shape as the lip 22 of the food tray (see FIG. 4) to enable a tongue-and-groove type of connection.

FIGS. 6-7 illustrate additional views of the accessory tray 50 after it has been secured to the food tray 20 with the tongue-and-groove type of connection. As illustrated, the accessory tray 50 is larger than the food tray 20 and extends beyond the perimeter of the food tray 20.

FIG. 8 illustrates a third embodiment, wherein the accessory tray 60 is attachable to the food tray 20 with straps 61, 62, 63, 64. In one embodiment, the top surface 65 measures approximately 24 inches by 20 inches. In this embodiment however, the accessory tray 60 includes rectangular slots 66, 67, 68 around the perimeter of the top surface 65. This will allow a variety of accessories and/or receptacles to be interchangeably inserted into the slots during use depending on the particular activity of the child. In one embodiment several accessory boxes 71, 72, 73 are insertable into the slots 66, 67, 68, respectively. In other embodiments, accessory boxes of various sizes and shapes can be used, depending on the intended activity of the child.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 10 illustrate a fourth embodiment, wherein the accessory tray has built-in receptacles and wherein the tray is attachable to the high chair with connectors that are the same as the connectors on the food tray. As shown, the food tray is removed and the accessory tray is then attached.

FIG. 9A illustrates an exploded view of the connectors 23 of the food tray 20 being separated from the support elements 11, 11 of the high chair 10. It should be noted that the types of connectors and support elements are not limited and can vary depending on the design of the high chair.

FIG. 9B illustrates an exploded view of the accessory tray 80 having connectors 83, 83 positioned on the bottom surface thereof and which are adapted to receive the support elements 11, 11 of the high chair 10. In this way, the accessory tray 80 is attached to the high chair 10 in the same manner as the food tray 20. In one embodiment, the top surface 85 measures approximately 24 inches by 20 inches.

FIG. 10 illustrates the accessory tray 80 after it has been secured to the high chair 10 with type of connection described above. As illustrated, the accessory tray 80 is larger than the food tray 20.

FIGS. 11-12 illustrate a fifth embodiment, wherein the accessory tray includes slots around the perimeter to receive removable accessories and/or receptacles, and wherein the tray is attachable to the high chair with connectors that are the same as the connectors on the food tray. As shown, the food tray is removed and the accessory tray is then attached.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded view of the accessory tray 90 having connectors 93, 93 positioned on the bottom surface thereof and which are adapted to receive the support elements 11, 11 of the high chair 10. In this way, the accessory tray 90 is attached to the high chair 10 in the same manner as the food tray 20. In one embodiment, the top surface 95 measures approximately 24 inches by 20 inches.

FIG. 12 illustrates the accessory tray 90 after it has been secured to the high chair 10 with type of connection described above. As illustrated, the accessory tray 90 is larger than the food tray 20.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented to illustrate the principles of the invention and not to limit the invention to the particular embodiment illustrated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by all of the embodiments encompassed within the following claims, and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A high chair accessory tray for attachment on top of a food tray of a high chair wherein the food tray includes a top surface and a bottom surface, the high chair accessory tray comprising:

a main body portion that is dimensioned and configured to be secured to and cover a majority of the top surface of the food tray;

wherein the main body portion includes a top surface and a bottom surface with the top surface including a flat workspace for doing arts and crafts or other activities.

2. The high chair accessory tray of claim 1, further comprising:

a first strap having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the first strap is secured to the main body portion;

a second strap having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the second strap is secured to the main body portion;

wherein the distal ends of the first and second straps are dimensioned and configured to be connected for securing the main body portion to the top surface of the food tray.

3. The high chair accessory tray of claim 2, further comprising:

a buckle attached to the distal end of the second strap, the buckle being dimensioned and configured to receive the distal end of the first strap to form a continuous loop of strap.

4. The high chair accessory tray of claim 2, further comprising:

a hook material attached to the first strap;

a loop material attached to the second strap;

wherein the hook material is removeably secured to the loop material to form a continuous loop of strap.

5. The high chair accessory tray of claim 1, further comprising:

a lip extending from the top surface of the food tray;

a ridge extending from the bottom surface of the main body portion, wherein the ridge is dimensioned and configured to be removeably secured to the lip by a tongue-and-groove connection.

6. The high chair accessory tray of claim 1, further comprising at least one receptacle positioned along a periphery of the main body portion, wherein the at least one receptacle is dimensioned and configured to hold items useful during performance of activities.

7. The high chair accessory tray of claim 1, further comprising:

a first receptacle positioned adjacent a distal side of the main body portion;

a second receptacle positioned adjacent a lateral side of the main body portion;

wherein the first and second receptacles are each dimensioned and configured to hold items useful during performance of activities.

8. The high chair accessory tray of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one slot positioned along a periphery of the main body portion;

at least one accessory box having an attachment arm that is dimensioned and configured to be removeably secured to the at least one slot, wherein the at least one accessory box is dimensioned and configured to hold items useful during performance of activities.

9. The high chair accessory tray of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the accessory tray is larger than the top surface of the food tray.

10. A high chair accessory tray for attachment to a high chair in lieu of a food tray, wherein the high chair includes at least one support element, the high chair accessory tray comprising:

a main body portion including at least one connector, wherein the at least one connector is dimensioned and configured to be secured to the at least one support element;

wherein the main body portion includes a top surface and a bottom surface with the top surface including a flat workspace for doing arts and crafts or other activities.

11. The high chair accessory tray of claim 10, wherein the high chair includes two support elements, wherein the high chair accessory tray includes two connectors, each being dimensioned and configured to be secured to the two support elements, respectively.

12. The high chair accessory tray of claim 10, further comprising at least one receptacle positioned along a periphery of the main body portion, wherein the at least one receptacle is dimensioned and configured to hold items useful during performance of activities.

13. The high chair accessory tray of claim 10, further comprising:

a first receptacle positioned adjacent a distal side of the main body portion;

a second receptacle positioned adjacent a lateral side of the main body portion;

wherein the first and second receptacles are each dimensioned and configured to hold items useful during performance of activities.

14. The high chair accessory tray of claim 10, further comprising:

at least one slot positioned along a periphery of the main body portion;

at least one accessory box having an attachment arm that is dimensioned and configured to be removeably secured to the at least one slot, wherein the at least one accessory box is dimensioned and configured to hold items useful during performance of activities.

15. The high chair accessory tray of claim 10, wherein the top surface of the accessory tray is larger than the top surface of the food tray.

16. The high chair accessory tray of claim 10, wherein the at least one connector is dimensioned and configured to be secured to the at least one support element in a snap-fit relationship.

17. The high chair accessory tray of claim 10, wherein the at least one connector is dimensioned and configured to be secured to the at least one support element in a collar-and-shaft sliding relationship.