FLOOR ACTIVITY SEAT
An activity seat includes a frame, a seat assembly, and a tray. The tray may be coupled to the seat assembly for use while the activity seat is in a raised configuration or coupled to the frame for storage while the activity seat is in a lowered configuration. When the activity seat is in the storage or lowered configuration and the tray is coupled to the frame, the tray nests within the frame so as to maintain the activity seat in a generally flat configuration.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. Application Serial No. 63/254,345 filed Oct. 11, 2021, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates generally to the field of children’s products, and more particularly to children’s seats.
BACKGROUNDSitting upright is an integral step in the early stages of a child’s development. Once the child is able to hold up their own head, they can begin practicing sitting upright. Parents and guardians may assist the child with sitting up or may utilize a pillow or other support to help encourage a baby to develop the skills and strength necessary to sit upright. However, there are drawbacks to the parental/guardian-assisted and pillow-assisted approaches to helping an infant learn to sit up. For example, with the parental-assisted approach, the parent must physically assist the child by placing their hands on the child’s back at all times.
Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for improvements in children’s seats for assisting children with sitting upright. It is to the provision of a solutions meeting these and other needs that the present disclosure is primarily directed.
SUMMARYIn example embodiments, the present disclosure provides an activity seat for assisting a child with sitting upright. Generally, the activity seat is configured for supporting a child above a support surface. The seat comprises a seat assembly coupled to a frame assembly. The seat further includes a tray that is releasably coupled to the seat assembly or the frame assembly.
In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a folding activity seat. The folding activity seat preferably includes a frame and a seat pivotably coupled to the frame. The seat is also preferably reconfigurable between a first height and a second height.
In example embodiments, the folding activity seat comprises an arm pivotably connected to the seat and the frame. The arm may comprise a locking mechanism operative for releasably locking the arm in a plurality of pre-determined positions. The plurality of positions may comprise an upright position, a prone position, and an intermediate position between the upright and prone positions. The locking mechanism may comprise an operable actuator, a locking wheel or wheel lock aligned to the operable actuator, and a biasing component urging the locking wheel towards the actuator. The locking wheel may comprise a plurality of radially extended teeth. The arm may comprise a recess substantially in the shape of the locking wheel and configured to receive the locking wheel therein. Optionally, frame may comprise a recess configured to receive the locking wheel in a plurality of predetermined positions.
In another example embodiment, the folding activity seat comprises a connector or adapter for releasably connecting a seat accessory. Optionally, the seat accessory is a toy bar assembly or a canopy assembly.
In yet another example embodiment, the folding activity seat includes a tray releasably coupled to the seat. Alternatively, the folding activity seat includes a tray releasably coupled to the frame. When releasably coupled to the frame, the tray nests within the frame.
In still other example embodiments, the folding activity seat includes a detachable seat sling. Optionally, the seat sling may include a child receiving portion and a ground-covering.
In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a collapsible child supporting apparatus for supporting child over a support surface. The child supporting apparatus includes a frame having a base portion and a pair of arms pivotably connected to the base portion, a seat assembly pivotably connected to the arms, and a tray assembly removably connected to the seat assembly in a use configuration. Preferably, the child supporting apparatus is reconfigurable between an erected position and a collapsed position. Preferably, in the erected position, the pair of arms are substantially transverse to the base portion and, in the collapsed position, the pair of arms are substantially parallel to the base portion.
In example embodiments, the child supporting apparatus may be reconfigurable between the erected position, the collapsed position, and an intermediate position between the erected and collapsed positions. Optionally, the base portion may also include connectors for removably connecting the tray assembly in a storage configuration. Optionally, the seat assembly may include a seat ring connected between the pair of arms and a seat cover, the seat cover having a first portion detachably secured to the seat ring and a second portion extending from the first portion and covering at least an area under the seat assembly. Preferably, the child supporting apparatus also includes a canopy or a toy bar detachably connected to the frame
These and other aspects, features and advantages of the disclosed example embodiments will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of example embodiments are explanatory of example embodiments on the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of example embodiments taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.
With reference now to the drawing figures,
As shown in
In example embodiments, each of the rear-frame portions 110 include one or more apertures 108 for receiving and releasably retaining a least a portion of the tray assembly 300. In example embodiments, with the first rear-frame and second rear-frame connected to one another, at least one pair of apertures 108 are aligned and configured to receive and releasably retain the tray assembly 300 as described in greater detail below.
In example embodiments, the frame base assembly 102 is generally U-shaped and may further include a base frame crossbar 106 connected between the foot portions 112 for providing additional support to the frame base 102. In alternate embodiments, the frame base assembly 102 may be any suitable shape. For example, the frame base 102 may comprise two separate l-shaped portions, two T-shaped portions, and/or any other suitable shape or configuration that will provide a stable support for the floor activity seat 10 on a support surface. In particular embodiments, the crossbar 106 includes one or more apertures or connectors 108 for coupling the tray 300 to the frame assembly 100. In example embodiments, the frame base assembly 102 further includes a cutout or handle 122 for making it easier to carry and transport the floor activity seat 10 when in the folded or collapsed configuration.
The seat assembly 200 includes a seat ring or seat frame 202 removably connected to the support arms 104 (as shown in
Referring to
Referring back to
In the depicted embodiment, each of the tray arms 302 include an elongated user-operable member or lever 316 having a first end 310, a second end 312 opposite the first end, a user interfacing surface 306, and a retaining tooth 308. As shown in
As shown in
In example embodiments, the lower, proximal ends of the brackets extend outside the arm housings and are pivotably secured to the feet 112. The upper, distal ends (opposite the proximal ends) of the brackets 414 are pivotably secured to the seat ring adapters 416. As shown in
In the depicted embodiment, each of the support arms 104 comprises a lower locking mechanism 126. The locking mechanism 126 generally comprises a locking wheel 402 and a compression spring 406 positioned between the locking wheel and the outer shell 408 of the support arm 104. The locking wheel 402 comprises a gear-like profile (i.e., an annular disk with radially extending teeth 404), as shown in
As shown in
In example embodiments, the wheel cavity 120 of foot 112 is configured to at least partially receive the locking wheel 402 in the first and second wheel lock positions, for example corresponding with the activity seat 10 in the fully upright, raised configuration and the intermediate configuration, respectively. For example, in the first and second positions, a portion of the wheel lock 402 is positioned within the wheel cavity 120 of foot 112 and another portion of the locking wheel is positioned within the wheel cavity 412 of support arm 104. In other words, the wheel lock 402 is positioned in both wheel cavities 120 and 412 simultaneously. Accordingly, the wheel lock 402 prevents the foot 112 and support arm 412 from slipping or rotating relative to one another until the wheel lock is moved completely into the wheel cavity 412 of the support arm 104 and out of the mating plane. In example embodiments, to unlock and move the support arms 104, both wheel locks 402 must be completely pushed into the wheel cavities 412 simultaneously by depressing the actuator caps 116 on both sides of the activity seat 10 together. In particular embodiments, the wheel locks 402 do not align with the wheel cavity 120 when the activity seat is in the collapsed configuration. Accordingly, the wheel lock 404 remains outside the mating plane and does not interfere with the movement of the support arms 104. In other example embodiments, the wheel cavity 120 of foot 112 may be configured to receive the locking wheel 402 in a third position corresponding to the activity seat in the fully collapsed configuration in addition to the first and second wheel lock positions described above.
As shown in
Similarly,
While the invention has been described with reference to example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions, and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.
Claims
1. A folding activity seat, comprising a seat and a frame, wherein the seat is pivotably coupled to the frame, and wherein the seat is reconfigurable between a first height and a second height.
2. The folding activity seat of claim 1, further comprising an arm pivotably connected to the seat and the frame.
3. The folding activity seat of claim 2, wherein the arm comprises a locking mechanism operative for releasably locking the arm in a plurality of pre-determined positions.
4. The folding activity seat of claim 3, wherein the plurality of positions comprises an upright position, a prone position, and an intermediate position between the upright and prone positions.
5. The folding activity seat of claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism comprises an operable actuator, a locking wheel aligned to the actuator, and a biasing component urging the locking wheel towards the actuator.
6. The folding activity seat of claim 5, wherein the locking wheel comprises a plurality of radially extended teeth and wherein the arm comprises a recess substantially in the shape of the locking wheel and configured to receive the locking wheel.
7. The folding activity seat of claim 5, wherein the frame comprises a recess configured to receive the locking wheel in a plurality of pre-determined positions.
8. The folding activity seat of claim 1, further comprising a connector for releasably connecting a seat accessory.
9. The folding activity seat of claim 8, wherein the seat accessory is a toy bar assembly or a canopy assembly.
10. The folding activity seat of claim 1, further comprising a tray releasably coupled to the seat.
11. The folding activity seat of claim 1, further comprising a tray releasably coupled to the frame.
12. The folding activity seat of claim 11, wherein the tray nests within the frame when the tray is coupled to the frame.
13. The folding activity seat of claim 1, wherein the seat comprises a detachable seat sling.
14. The folding activity seat of claim 13, wherein the seat sling comprises a child receiving portion and a lower ground-covering portion.
15. A collapsible child supporting apparatus for supporting a child over a support surface, comprising:
- a frame comprising a base portion and a pair of arms pivotably connected to the base portion;
- a seat assembly pivotably connected to the arms; and
- a tray assembly removably connected to the seat assembly in a use configuration,
- wherein the child supporting apparatus is reconfigurable between an erected position and a collapsed position,
- wherein, in the erected position, the pair of arms are substantially transverse to the base portion and, in the collapsed position, the pair of arms are substantially parallel to the base portion.
16. The collapsible child supporting apparatus of claim 15, wherein the child supporting apparatus is reconfigurable between the erected position, the collapsed position, and an intermediate position between the erected and collapsed positions.
17. The collapsible child supporting apparatus of claim 15, wherein the base portion comprises connectors for removably connecting the tray assembly in a storage configuration.
18. The collapsible child supporting apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a canopy detachably connected to the frame.
19. The collapsible child supporting apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a toy bar detachably connected to the frame.
20. The collapsible child supporting apparatus of claim 15, wherein the seat assembly comprises a seat ring connected between the pair of arms and a seat cover, the seat cover comprising a first portion detachably secured to the seat ring and a second portion extending from the first portion and covering at least an area under the seat assembly.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 11, 2022
Publication Date: Apr 13, 2023
Applicant: KIDS2, INC. (Atlanta, GA)
Inventors: Frank M. TYNESKI (Roswell, GA), Alexander PADGETT (Atlanta, GA)
Application Number: 17/963,670