CN120417815A

CN120417815A - Child seat systems for infants and toddlers

Info

Publication number: CN120417815A
Application number: CN202280102728.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 马丁·拉尔斯·埃里克·比拉特; 艾米·玛丽亚·拉尔松
Original assignee: Hanni Co ltd
Current assignee: Hanni Co ltd
Priority date: 2022-12-22
Filing date: 2022-12-22
Publication date: 2025-08-01
Also published as: EP4637479A1; WO2024132144A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a child seat system (100) for placing a child, which child is an infant or young child, the child seat system (100) comprising-a seat base (200) comprising a seat base surface (201) on which a child can be placed and a seat base frame (202) supporting the seat base surface (201), the seat base frame (202) being configured such that it provides an accessible storage volume (203) bounded by a boundary area of the seat base frame (202), -a ring-shaped seat support (300) removably mounted at the seat base (200), and the ring-shaped seat support (300) being configured such that in the mounted state a child placed on the seat base surface (201) is circumferentially surrounded by the ring-shaped seat support (300) around a normal central axis (N) of the seat base surface (201), in particular in a plane perpendicular to the normal central axis (N) of the seat base surface (201), the ring-shaped seat support (300) being configured such that the ring-shaped seat support (300) can be fully inserted into the storage volume (400), the tray is removably mounted to the annular seat support (300) for operation in a working position and removably mounted to the seat base (200) for operation in a storage position, while in the storage position the tray (400) limits the storage volume (203) to an additional boundary region. A flexible child seat system is thus provided that is adaptable to children of various sizes and ages and provides improved construction in terms of portability.

Description

Child seat system for a child placed as an infant or young child

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a child seat system for placing a child, either an infant or a young child.

Background

In order to safely place children in certain environments (e.g. floors, tables, chairs, etc.), especially in the case of dining, seats for children (corresponding chairs) are known. Such chairs may be configured, for example, as highchairs, booster chairs or infant safety booster chairs, or have other configurations.

Generally, each chair is suitable for children of a particular age range, for example for infants or young children. In the context of the present patent application, an infant refers to a child of one year or less, while a young child refers to a child between one and five years of age. Due to the different needs of infants and young children, there are different chair configurations for children and young children in infancy.

Many existing chairs designed for children do not adequately meet the needs of parents or caregivers. Several different types of chairs are commonly used, especially also in different locations, e.g. at the floor during play or at the table during dining, including e.g. stand-alone highchairs, booster seats, table-attached chairs, etc. It is expensive to use several chairs simultaneously for a certain child, and these chairs are often suitable for children of a certain age range or size range. If the child is outside of this age range, a new chair is needed that reflects the needs of such a growing child.

Young infants are known to have different growth needs than older infants. For example, infants between four and five months are supported seated persons who can only sit with assistance, about six to seven months, and infants begin to gain their ability to sit independently. About eight to eleven months, the infant gains the ability to stand and eat by himself. By the time they are two years old, children develop their ability to sit in booster seats and child seats.

Many of the currently available chairs or seats for five month old infants are too small and too constrained for a two year old child. In addition, smaller infants require chairs that are relatively rigid and are constructed to provide the necessary support and safety. The child plays a role of an additional safety feature in limiting movement of the child, particularly in preventing the child from sliding or falling off the chair, by a close fit of the seat (e.g., by a corresponding support). Furthermore, such a tight fitting support facilitates cleaning in case of spilled food. Infants (especially older children of two years or older) may find these chairs including corresponding supports too constrained and uncomfortable. Thus, different chairs are required for children of different ages and sizes.

CN202027224-U discloses an exemplary children's dining highchair comprising a frame, a chair seat and a dinner plate, wherein the dinner plate is used for holding food or other articles. The chair seat is arranged on the frame, the dinner plate is detachably arranged on the chair seat, the back side of the dinner plate is provided with a clamping structure, and the clamping structure is clamped with the frame. Said utility model indicates that the proposed dining chair should have a simple structure, be safe and easy to store when it is disassembled.

However, the proposed chair is still relatively complex in its construction, it is difficult to disassemble, and it has significant drawbacks in terms of portability and mobility due to its size. Furthermore, the chair is inflexible to use for older children who leave the infancy and need fewer safety features.

US20170119172 discloses another chair for children showing booster seats comprising a storage compartment for a tray and/or a storage compartment for a securing strap. The strap-storage compartment may be formed in the base and include an access opening having a closure for retaining the strap in the compartment. A substrate may be provided for stability and support.

Such a chair as proposed by US20170119172 discloses a more compact construction which improves the portability of the chair. However, such chairs also provide a low level of flexibility, as they can only be used as booster chairs for children of a particular age range.

US20190365118 discloses a chair that is more flexible in terms of usability for children over a wide age range, which provides an improved child seat that allows for easier cleaning and is suitable for children of various sizes and ages. Such child seats may include features such as a removable seat pan having upwardly curved edges to retain debris within the seat pan and allow for easy cleaning. The seat pan may be removed to enlarge the chair for a growing child to fit within the child seat. For additional flexibility, the child seat may incorporate a height adjustment mechanism to support the seat and match the child's stature. The height adjustment mechanism may also be used to snap the child seat to the table top.

The chair has high flexibility in terms of use for children of various sizes and ages, however it has the disadvantage of being constructed as a large number of parts, which causes problems in terms of portability, transportation and storage of these parts, without requiring a part of these parts.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible child seat system which is suitable for children of different sizes and ages and which provides an improved construction in terms of portability.

Disclosure of Invention

The above-mentioned problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. It should be understood that the independent claims of one claim category may be formed similarly to the dependent claims of another claim category. Further embodiments of the present disclosure are the subject matter of the further dependent claims and the subject matter of the following description with reference to the drawings.

Thus, a child seat system for placing a child, in particular a dining child seat system, the child being an infant or young child, is provided, the child seat system comprising a seat base surface on which the child can be placed (in particular in a front-side direction) and a (in particular ring-shaped) seat base frame supporting the seat base surface, however the seat base frame being configured such that it provides an accessible storage volume limited by a boundary region of the seat base frame. Further, the child seat system comprises an annular seat support removably mounted at the seat base, yet configured such that in a mounted state a child placed on the seat base surface is circumferentially surrounded by the annular seat support about a normal central axis of the seat base surface, in particular in a plane perpendicular to the normal central axis of the seat base surface, yet further configured such that it is fully insertable into a provided storage volume, a tray removably mounted at the annular seat support for operation in a working position and removably mounted to the seat base for operation in a storage position, yet in which the tray limits the storage volume to an additional boundary area.

The proposed child seat system has a modular construction in that the seat base, the seat base in combination with the annular seat support, and the seat base in combination with the annular seat support and the tray can be used independently. This has the effect that the chair can be adapted to the requirements of children of different sizes and ages, in particular infants and young children. Thus, such child seat systems provide a high level of flexibility to adapt the seat to the needs of a particular age and/or size of child. Thus, the costs of different chairs due to the growth of children may be reduced, as the proposed child seat system may be used in a relatively long age range of children, in particular, for example, from months to years of age.

Furthermore, the child seat system is highly compact in that the annular seat support may be stored in a storage volume provided by the seat base. It is advantageous if the child grows and the ring-shaped seat support and tray are no longer used due to the child's growth. No additional space is required as the annular seat support fits fully into the volume provided by the seat base. In the installed condition, the annular seat support circumferentially surrounds the child on the seat base surface about the longitudinal axis of the child.

It is particularly advantageous if the annular seat support is configured to enclose a child located on the seat base surface about a normal central axis of the seat base surface. The normal central axis of the seat base surface is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the child located on the seat base surface. The central axis is arranged in a normal direction, i.e. in a normal direction to the seat base surface, said normal direction being perpendicular to the seat base surface.

This compact construction is also advantageous in terms of portability or mobility. When the child seat system needs to be transported, the child seat system provides itself with a compact transport container.

The child seat system itself provides a storage volume for the main components of the child seat system, in particular all the components, which are flexible and modular. This reduces the likelihood of loss or damage to unused components. It also provides the possibility to store other components of the child seat system or other devices commonly used in child seat systems, such as mats, drinking bottles, tissues, plates, cups, etc. of the child seat system.

According to the proposed child seat system, the tray has not only a function in its working position, said function being a function of supporting a tray, food, toy, etc. The tray also functions when it is arranged in the storage position. In the storage position, the tray serves as a cover (corresponding covering) for limiting the storage volume provided by the seat base frame. In the storage position, the tray protects the components arranged in the volume and prevents them from falling out. At the same time, the pallet itself is effectively stored in the storage position. This provides a compact and efficient construction which in particular also enables a child seat system that is easy to carry and move.

The child seat system includes a seat base. The individual seat bases may be considered booster seats. The seat base comprises an area in which a child will be placed if the seat is in use, in particular by sitting. The area is the area on which the child should be positioned and should be considered the seat base surface. The seat base surface is arranged such that a child sitting on the seat base surface is generally sitting in an upright position, i.e. the seat base surface is generally horizontally oriented during use. Thus, when the seat base is in operation, the normal direction of the seat base surface is generally vertical, and thus generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the child when the child is on the seat base surface.

Further, the child may be positioned on the seat in a particular direction, e.g., from the direction in which food is served. The side may be considered as the front side. The seat base may be configured to support a child in a particular position on the seat, for example, for a child's leg or by raising an edge portion included with the seat base. This orientation of the child relative to the seat base is particularly relevant if the seat base is used in combination with an annular seat support and tray. Typically, the tray is arranged on the front side of the child seat system, and the annular seat support is configured to provide room in the front side direction for the legs of the positioned child.

The seat base frame supports the seat base surface. This means that the seat base frame receives the weight of a child placed on the seat base surface. The seat base frame may be placed on a chair, table, floor or other location. The seat base surface may be raised relative to a support structure in which the seat base frame is located. This allows the seat base itself to function as a booster seat. The seat base frame may be annular in shape, thereby increasing the mechanical stability of the seat base frame for receiving the weight of a child. The seat base surface may be separately attached to the seat base frame or may be configured as part of the seat base frame.

The seat base has a configuration that allows for the provision and confinement of the storage volume provided. This limitation of storage volume is provided by the border area of the seat base frame. Moreover, the seat base surface may provide a boundary region for limiting the storage volume. Such a seat base frame may include a closure surface, such as a massive wall, and a grid-like structure or other configuration is also possible that allows defining an accessible and usable storage volume in which the annular seat support may be stored. The boundary region need not be a continuous surface, but rather should be configured to prevent the annular seat support and potentially other items stored in the storage volume from falling out during use or transport of the child seat system.

The child seat system also includes an annular seat support removably mounted on the seat base. The annular seat support is configured such that in the installed state a child placed on the seat base surface is surrounded by the annular seat support, in particular in a plane perpendicular to the normal direction of the seat base surface. This means that the child is circumferentially surrounded by the annular seat support. This provides a safety arrangement for the child, and furthermore the annular seat support may be used by the child for stability or balance purposes.

The annular seat support may be particularly useful for infants before they can sit stably on themselves. Thus, the use of a ring-shaped seat support is particularly advantageous if the child is still in infancy, however, it can also be used at a later age.

The seat base and the annular seat support are aligned in their configuration such that the annular seat support can be fully inserted into the storage volume provided by the seat base frame.

The annular seat support may be considered to be in the stowed position when stored in the storage volume of the seat base. The annular seat support may be considered to be in an operative position when mounted on the seat base.

The child system also includes a tray removably mounted to the annular seat support. When the tray is mounted to the annular seat support, the tray is arranged in an operative position, allowing the tray to be used by a child or caregiver. The tray may be used, for example, to play toys, to eat meals, to provide food, and the like. The operating position of the tray is usually arranged in a horizontal position, i.e. in a plane perpendicular to the normal direction of the seat base (and correspondingly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the child).

In addition, the tray is also removably mounted to the seat base. If the tray is mounted to the seat base, particularly to the seat base frame, the tray may be arranged in the storage position. If the tray is arranged in said storage position, the tray limits the storage volume by means of a respective boundary region, typically its working surface or a surface opposite to the working surface of the tray. The seat base frame and tray are configured such that the annular seat support is fully insertable into the storage volume and the tray can operate as a lid or cover for the storage volume with the annular seat support fully positioned in the storage volume.

Preferably, the tray is configured such that the working side of the tray (i.e. the side of the tray used in the working position by placing e.g. toys, food thereon) faces the volume in the storage position.

It is advantageous if the tray is mountable at the end of the seat base (in particular at the end of the seat base frame that is arranged opposite the seat base surface). In operation of the seat base, the end will correspond to the underside of the seat base. This arrangement of the tray at the seat base frame allows for maximization of the available volume bounded by the seat base and the tray.

In another embodiment of the child seat system, the seat base is constructed as one piece and the storage volume is limited by the boundary area of the seat base surface and the seat base frame. Constructing the seat base such that it is provided in one piece allows for a stable and at the same time light construction of the seat base. Furthermore, if the seat base is constructed in one piece, maintenance of the seat base, such as for example inspection screws or other fixing elements, is not required. The same advantages exist if the annular seat support is constructed in one piece. Preferably, the seat base and the annular seat support are each constructed in one piece.

In another embodiment of the child seat system, the annular seat support is configured to have a hollow frusto-conical like shape comprising lateral support walls, whereas the hollow frusto-conical like shaped annular seat support comprises a seat support top edge and a seat support bottom edge in the mounted state and in a normal direction of the seat base surface, whereas a seat support volume is defined by the space arranged between the seat support top edge and the seat support bottom edge, whereas the seat base frame is configured to have a hollow frusto-conical like shape comprising lateral frame walls, whereas the hollow frusto-conical like shaped seat base frame comprises a frame top edge and a frame bottom edge in a normal direction, whereas a frame volume is defined by the space arranged between the frame top edge and the frame bottom edge, whereas a frame volume is larger than the seat support volume.

If the frame volume is greater than the seat support volume, the seat support may be fully placed in the storage volume provided by the seat base frame. It is particularly advantageous if the maximum distance of the frame top edge from the frame bottom edge in the normal direction is equal to or greater than the maximum distance of the seat support top edge from the seat support bottom edge.

The hollow frustoconical-like shape of the annular seat support and the hollow frustoconical-like shape of the seat base frame may each preferably be configured to have a symmetrical cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the normal direction of the seat base surface.

The shape of the cross-section may be, for example, circular, oval, rectangular, triangle-like or have other shapes, especially shapes comprising rounded corners and/or curved portions. In particular embodiments, the hollow frustoconical-shaped annular seat support may have a clover-like cross section.

In a preferred embodiment, the maximum extension of the annular seat support in the normal direction N is smaller than the maximum extension of the seat base frame in the normal direction N.

Due to the hollow frustoconical-like shape of the annular seat support and due to the hollow frustoconical-like shape of the seat base frame, the diameter of the cross section generally varies in the normal direction. For example, the respective cross-section of the annular seat support or seat base frame may increase (in particular in a linear manner or in a stepwise manner) or decrease (in particular in a linear manner or in a stepwise manner) in a direction away from the seat base surface. In certain embodiments, the diameter of the cross-section may be constant in the normal direction.

The increase in diameter of the cross-section of the hollow frusto-conical-like shaped annular seat support in a direction away from the normal to the seat base surface is advantageous because it collects objects that fall or are handled in an uncoordinated manner by children, for example. This may be, for example, toys, food, dishes, cutlery, such as spoons, etc. Thus, this shape of the seat support acts as a funnel. Further, this shape allows for easy positioning of the child on the seat base surface when the seat support is mounted on the seat base. The funnel shape allows for easy nesting of the child due to the increased cross-section at the top edge of the seat support, and guides the child into the annular seat support toward the seat base surface where the child will be located.

The reduction in the diameter of the cross-section of the hollow frusto-conical shaped annular seat support in a direction away from the normal to the seat base surface is advantageous as it allows for a tighter or more closed fitting configuration around the child. In other words, the freedom of movement of the child is reduced, allowing the child to have more reliable stability and increasing the safety aspects of the chair.

Preferably, the shape of the hollow frusto-conical like annular seat support and the shape of the hollow frusto-conical like seat base frame correspond to each other. For example, the cross-section of the hollow frustoconical-like annular seat support and the shape of the hollow frustoconical-like seat base frame may have the same shape, but may have different dimensions. The dimensional relationship of the cross-sections may be configured such that a hollow frustoconical-like annular seat support may be inserted into the frame volume, in particular in a guided manner, however guiding may be provided by the side walls of the annular seat support and the seat base frame being adapted to each other.

For example, the seat base frame and the annular seat support may each have the shape of a hollow truncated four-sided pyramid, however the annular seat support defines a seat support volume that is less than the frame volume defined by the seat base frame. The side length of the respective hollow truncated four-sided pyramid may be configured such that the hollow truncated four-sided pyramid shaped annular seat support fits into the hollow truncated four-sided pyramid shaped seat base frame. The distance between the walls of these hollow truncated four-sided pyramids may be configured to be less than 1cm, in particular less than 0.5cm, in particular less than 0.1cm when arranged in the storage position.

It may be advantageous that the hollow frusto-conical-like shape may vary circumferentially in its extension in the normal direction (corresponding length). In this context, circumferential variation means that the variation in extension may be provided in a circumferential direction about a normal central axis, i.e. an axis passing through the center of the seat base surface in the normal direction.

For example, the hollow frustoconical-like shaped annular seat support may have a smaller extension in the normal direction at the front portion (in particular the length of the lateral frame wall) than at the rear portion, in particular compared to the length of the lateral frame wall at the rear portion in the normal direction. This allows for a variable shape of the annular seat support and an opening structure for positioning the legs of a child, for example. In addition or as an alternative thereto, the hollow frusto-conical-like shaped seat base frame may have a smaller extension in the normal direction at the front portion (in particular a smaller length of the lateral frame wall) than at the side and/or rear portions, in particular a length of the lateral frame wall in the normal direction at the side and/or rear portions. This allows for a variable shape of the seat base frame, e.g. a lifting of the seat base frame in a normal direction at the side and/or rear portions by the seat base surface.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the child seat system, the lateral support wall is configured with an inclination angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the normal direction of the seat base surface, whereas the lateral frame wall is configured with an inclination angle with respect to the same plane, whereas the minimum angle difference from the plane to the lateral support wall deviates from the minimum angle difference from the plane to the lateral frame wall by at most +/-20 degrees.

This has the effect that, in particular in combination with a correspondingly selected cross-section of the hollow frustoconical ring-shaped seat support and the hollow frustoconical seat base frame, a highly compact storage state inside the frame volume can be achieved, since the tilting of the side walls is compatible.

To determine the minimum inclination angle through the respective plane, the outer surface of the lateral frame wall or the inner surface of the lateral frame wall may be considered. The outer surface of the lateral frame wall is the surface facing away from the storage volume, whereas the inner surface of the lateral frame wall is the surface facing towards the storage volume.

Preferably, the minimum angular difference of the annular seat support and the seat base frame are each substantially constant in the normal direction. However, if the minimum inclination angle varies in the normal direction, the average value is also used as the minimum angle difference.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the minimum inclination angle or the lateral support wall and/or the lateral frame wall is substantially constant in the circumferential direction about the normal central axis, i.e. in particular all sides of the hollow truncated cone-like shape of the annular seat support and/or the seat base frame may each have substantially the same minimum inclination angle through the plane.

Accordingly, as minimum inclination angle through the respective plane, an outer surface of the lateral support wall or an inner surface of the lateral support wall may be considered. The outer surface of the lateral support wall is a surface adjacent to the inner surface of the lateral frame wall when the annular seat support is arranged in the storage position. The inner surface of the lateral support wall is the surface opposite the outer surface of the lateral support wall.

In case the minimum inclination angle of the outer surface of the lateral frame wall through a plane perpendicular to the normal direction and the minimum angle difference of the inner surface of the lateral frame wall through the same plane, it is advantageous to consider the inclination angle of the inner surface, as said surfaces define the boundary area of the storage volume.

It is further advantageous if the outer surface of the lateral support wall is configured with an inclination angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the normal direction of the seat base surface, whereas the inner surface of the lateral frame wall is configured with an inclination angle with respect to the same plane, whereas the minimum angle difference from the plane to the outer surface of the lateral support wall deviates from the minimum angle difference from the plane to the inner surface of the lateral frame wall by at most +/-20 degrees, in particular at most +/-15 degrees, in particular at most +/-10 degrees, in particular at most +/-5 degrees, in particular at most +/-1 degree.

In particular, the minimum angle difference is not equal to 90 degrees. Such a configuration may be described in a funnel arrangement as a funnel, as exemplarily outlined with the shape of the hollow truncated tetrahedral pyramid shape of the annular seat support and the seat base frame. Due to the angular arrangement, the hollow frustoconical-like annular seat support is configured as a first funnel (in particular a tighter funnel) which, due to its angular configuration, can be stored in a second funnel (in particular a wider funnel) provided by the hollow frustoconical-like seat base frame. The minimum angle difference is relevant and not absolute because the annular seat support can be flipped 180 ° for storage into the storage volume.

It is particularly advantageous if the frame top edge defines a frame top region, whereas the seat support bottom region is smaller than the frame top region, the seat support bottom region and the frame top region are configured such that in the storage state the lateral support walls and the lateral frame walls are in contact with each other in a circumferential direction about the normal central axis, in particular whereas the lateral support walls and the lateral frame walls are configured to extend parallel to each other. This allows a highly compact arrangement, since in the storage position of the annular seat support, the annular seat support contacts the seat base frame. This configuration provides for efficient use of the storage volume, with little or no space wasted in the storage volume and available for other items.

The described regions (i.e., frame top region, frame bottom region, seat support top region, seat support bottom region) are preferably configured as openings rather than solid surfaces.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the cross-sectional shape of the top and bottom regions of the support is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the top and bottom regions of the frame. It is advantageous if they differ only in size, for example in terms of the amount of area in square meters or square centimeters. This enables two or four highly compact arrangements.

In a first exemplary configuration, the frame bottom region is smaller than the frame top region. This allows a small footprint of the seat base in terms of the required standing area, which is, however, disadvantageous in terms of the mechanical stability of the seat base. In general, the small footprint of the seat base is also unimportant because the chair, table, floor, or other object upon which the seat base is placed is typically large enough to receive the seat base.

In a second exemplary configuration of the seat base, the frame bottom area is greater than the frame top area. This allows for stable positioning of the seat base and the seat base is difficult to invert when a child is located on the seat base surface.

In the installed state, the hollow frustoconical-like annular seat support may have two support configurations, which may preferably be combined with the second exemplary configuration of the seat base.

First, the cross-section of the hollow frustoconical-like annular seat support may increase with increasing distance from the seat base surface in the normal direction. This means that the seat support top area is larger than the seat support bottom area.

Second, the cross-section of the hollow frustoconical-like annular seat support may decrease with increasing distance from the seat base surface in the normal direction. This means that the seat support top area is smaller than the seat support bottom area.

Both configurations can be stored efficiently in the storage volume provided by the seat base frame, especially if the minimum angle difference of the lateral support wall and the plane and the minimum angle difference of the lateral frame wall and the plane are equal. However, even if the minimum angular differences are not equal but different as described above, the requirement that the lateral support wall and the lateral frame wall contact each other in the circumferential direction in the storage state results in a highly compact arrangement, providing the available storage space defined by the volume of the seat support.

Both configurations of the annular seat support are possible because the annular seat support can be rotated 180 degrees relative to the seat base after being uninstalled to be fully inserted into the frame volume. In the second configuration, the seat support top region is in a storage position adjacent the frame top region. Here, the flipping of the annular seat support is not required. In the first configuration, the seat support bottom region is in a storage position adjacent the frame top region, i.e., a 180 degree flip of the annular seat support is required to fully insert the annular seat support into the storage volume provided by the seat base frame.

The following configuration is particularly advantageous in combination with the second configuration of the seat base. In the case that the cross-section of the hollow, frustoconical like annular seat support increases with increasing distance from the seat base surface in the normal direction in the installed state, the seat support bottom area is preferably smaller than the seat support top area. Furthermore, the support bottom area is preferably smaller than the frame top area. Furthermore, the support bottom region and the frame top region may preferably be configured such that in the storage position of the annular seat support, the lateral frame wall and the lateral support wall are in contact along a bottom edge of the annular seat support. Furthermore, the seat support top area may preferably be smaller than the frame bottom area. Further, the seat support top region and the frame bottom region may preferably be configured such that the lateral frame wall and the lateral support wall contact along the seat support top edge. Furthermore, the minimum angular difference between the lateral support wall and the lateral frame wall and the plane is preferably equal. This configuration allows for a highly compact storage in the event that the annular seat support is not mounted and stored into the volume provided by the seat base. The annular seat support may be stored into the space provided by the seat base by flipping the annular seat support 180 degrees and fully inserting it into the storage volume provided by the seat base. According to said embodiment, the lateral support wall and the lateral frame wall are in full contact with each other in the circumferential direction (i.e. in an angular region of 360 ° around the normal central axis).

By changing the shape of the annular seat support and the shape of the seat base frame, a contact configuration of the lateral support wall and the lateral frame wall can be selected which establishes only a number of contact points between the lateral support wall and the lateral frame wall in the circumferential direction, still achieving a stable storage position of the annular seat support in the frame volume. Furthermore, the contact of the lateral support walls and the lateral frame walls in the circumferential direction is preferably, but not necessarily, arranged entirely in a specific plane perpendicular to the normal central axis. There are wide variations in the construction that allow the advantages of a flexible child seat system to be realized. In particular, the shape of the seat base frame and annular seat support may vary widely, while still being a hollow frustoconical shape.

In particular, in the case of a minimum angular difference of the lateral support walls from the plane and a minimum angular difference of the lateral frame walls from the plane being equal, the walls may be in contact along their entire extension in the normal direction. Alternatively, they may be arranged parallel to each other at a distance of less than 1cm, preferably less than 0.5cm, whereas the lateral frame wall and the lateral support wall do not touch along their entire extension in the normal direction. This configuration maximizes the remaining storage volume for other items, such as cushions, bottles, etc., when the annular seat support is in the storage position, and on the other hand, by contacting the lateral frame walls, the annular seat support may be secured in the storage position along the circumference of the lateral support walls. In case the lateral support wall and the lateral frame wall are in contact with each other along the entire length in the normal direction, their surfaces may be configured to be made of a material with sufficient hardness to avoid scratches in the respective walls in the storage position and when inserted and removed from the storage position. In the normal direction, the annular seat support may be fixed by a tray.

This means that the annular seat support is widely fixed when stored in the frame volume and is hardly movable or not movable in the frame volume. This is particularly advantageous in situations where the child seat system is transported from one location to another (e.g., home to restaurant and back).

In another embodiment, the annular seat support is removably mounted at the seat base by a fin-slot (fin-slot) latch system. Such a fin-slot latch system is technically easy and provides a reliable connection between the seat base and the annular seat support. The fin-slot latch system includes at least one fin and at least one opening configured as a slot. The at least one slot is configured to receive the at least one fin.

The fin-slot latch system includes at least one latch element. Such a latch element is configured to secure or lock the at least one fin to the at least one slot, thereby providing a sufficiently reliable and secure connection of the seat base and the annular seat support in the installed state. This connection is sufficiently secure if the annular seat support and seat base can only be intentionally removed. The annular seat support, which may be inserted into a slot provided in the seat base, may comprise a fin. However, the fins may also be provided by the seat base and the annular seat support may include slits into which the fins may be inserted.

The latch element may comprise, for example, a bolt to lock the fin in the slot when the fin is inserted into the slot. Furthermore, such a latching element may for example comprise a snap element or a snap element, which is secured, for example, by means of a resilient restoring force. For example, the fins may have mechanical tension and/or may comprise protruding portions that provide the possibility to lock the fins reversibly in a fixed position in the receiving slit. Furthermore, at least one multipart fin may be used, the plurality of fin elements of which have slightly different directions with respect to the slit-shaped opening, which may be used for fixing the multipart fin in the slit-shaped opening, for example by warping. The slot-latch system allows the seat base and the annular seat support to be arranged and secured in a defined position in an easy manner.

In particular, the seat base may comprise at least one slit-shaped opening which may be directed towards at least one fin comprised by the annular seat support and which is configured to receive such a fin, whereas the annular seat support and the seat base may be removably attached to each other by inserting, in particular latching, the at least one fin into the at least one slit-shaped opening. It has been shown that a plurality of fins and corresponding slits are advantageous for achieving a stable and defined arrangement of the annular seat support and the seat base relative to each other.

In the case of multiple fins, the individual fins may have separate different functions, such as a guiding function or a latching function. For example, a first set of fins including at least one fin may be configured as guide fins that facilitate attachment of the annular seat support and the seat base. For example, the second set of fins including the at least one fin may be configured as latch fins that provide locking of the annular seat support and the seat base in the installed state. In particular embodiments, all of the fins included in the plurality of fins may include a latch element. This provides a very stable connection of the annular seat support and the seat base, however, flexibility is reduced because several latch fins need to be unlocked in case the annular seat support is removed from the seat base.

In another embodiment, the seat base comprises a front portion, a rear portion arranged opposite to the front portion, and two side portions connecting the front and rear side portions, whereas the seat base comprises at least three slit-shaped openings, whereas the two side portions each comprise at least one slit-shaped opening and the rear side portion comprises at least one slit-shaped opening, whereas the at least three slit-shaped openings are arranged on the seat base such that the fins of the annular seat support can be inserted by approaching the annular seat support base to the seat base along the normal direction. By approaching in the normal direction is meant that the annular seat support and the seat base are approaching in relation to each other in the normal direction, preferably approaching the annular seat support from the upper side of the seat base, which is arranged in the operating position, i.e. opposite to the direction of the normal vector of the seat base surface. However, the seat base may also approach the annular seat support in the direction of the normal vector of the seat base surface to insert the fins into the slit-like openings.

This is advantageous because on the one hand the number of fins can be kept relatively low. Three fins would be sufficient, on the other hand, a reliable connection between the annular seat support and the seat base could be provided. The front portion corresponds to a front side of the seat base, the front side being a direction in which the face of the child is oriented when the child is on the seat base.

In case the annular seat support comprises three fins, the construction may be further improved, whereas two of the three fins may be inserted into the slit-shaped openings of the side portions, in particular one fin per side portion, and configured to guide the position of the annular seat support during installation, whereas one fin, in particular a multipart fin, may be inserted into the slit-shaped opening of the rear portion, whereas the slit-shaped opening of the rear portion and/or the fin to be inserted into the rear portion is configured to establish a latching connection between the annular seat support and the seat base. This is a safe and comfortable solution for securing the annular seat support to the seat base. Furthermore, the annular seat support can be easily and quickly removed, if desired.

In another embodiment, the tray includes a first securing means and a second securing means, however the first securing means is configured to removably mount the tray in the operative position on the endless seat support, whereas the first securing means and the second securing means are configured to secure the tray in the storage position. This means that the same fixing means (i.e. the first fixing means) are used for fixing the tray in the working position at the annular seat support and for fixing the tray in the storage position at the seat base. In addition to the first securing means, second securing means are used to secure the tray in the storage position.

In another embodiment, the first securing means is arranged at a first edge of the tray and the second securing means is arranged at a second edge of the tray, whereas the first edge and the second edge are arranged in mutually opposed storage positions at a tray plane perpendicular to a normal central axis, whereas the second securing means comprises a latch element whereas the seat base is configured to receive and secure the latch element. The tray plane is a plane perpendicular to the normal central axis when arranged in the storage position, and includes the tray. The first fixing means are arranged on one side of the tray in the plane of the tray and the second fixing means are arranged on the opposite side of the tray in the plane of the tray. This achieves a stable locking of the tray in the storage position when the fixing means are spatially distributed. The second securing means is further configured as a latching element which interacts with the seat base such that in the latched state the tray is securely locked at the seat base. The seat base is configured such that it can receive the latch element and provide a locked condition with the latch element. In this locked state, the tray cannot be accidentally removed from the seat base (and correspondingly from the storage position).

In a further advantageous embodiment, the tray is shaped such that in the storage position the tray forms a recess together with the seat base frame, in particular an open area in which the storage volume is not limited by the tray, whereas the recess is dimensioned such that the recess can be used as a carrying handle, whereas the recess is further dimensioned such that the annular seat support cannot be removed from the storage volume without removing the tray from the storage position. The recess may be further dimensioned such that the annular seat support is held in the storage volume by a tray arranged in the storage position. The recess improves portability of the child seat system if the tray is arranged in the storage position, since the child system can be easily carried.

With reference to the above-described embodiments, it is further advantageous to use a hollow frustoconical-like shaped annular seat support and such a recess configuration. The hollow frusto-conical-like shape defines a seat support volume, which is a sub-volume of the frame volume, which may be used as a storage space for additional items. The recess may be configured such that the recess does not overlap with the support bottom region (and correspondingly the support top region), regardless of whether the edge is adjacent the tray in the storage position. This allows the use of the support volume as a storage volume without the risk that items may fall out of the recess, which may be configured as an open area. In the case where the recess is not configured as an open area, this risk does not occur.

In a further embodiment, the annular seat support and/or the seat base are formed separately or jointly in the installed state as an opening structure in the front-side direction, through which the legs of the child can be arranged in the front-side direction. This allows for a convenient, comfortable and safe sitting experience. The open structure may be provided by the annular seat support alone or may be established by a combination of the annular seat support and the seat base.

In another embodiment, in the installed state the opening structure comprises one opening configured to be divided by a removable mounting strap into a first opening portion and a second opening portion, whereas in the installed state the strap is arranged such that a first leg of the child can be guided through the first opening portion and a second leg of the child can be simultaneously guided through the second opening portion, in particular the strap is arranged such that it symmetrically divides one opening. This construction is advantageous because it requires little material and is therefore a lightweight construction. This improves portability and mobility of the child seat system. Furthermore, if not required, the belt may be stored in the seat base. However, straps are typically only required when the annular seat support is mounted at the seat base. The belt may also be stored in the volume provided by the seat base without the need for an annular seat support. In such cases, a tray is also typically not required, which means that the belt can be safely stored in the seat base together with the annular seat support, whereas the volume is closed by the tray arranged in the storage position.

Furthermore, the problem is solved by a ring-shaped seat support for a child seat system according to any of the preceding claims, which ring-shaped seat support is however configured to enclose a child placed on a seat base to which the ring-shaped seat support is removably mounted, which ring-shaped seat support comprises at least one fin for mounting the ring-shaped seat support at a seat base, such that the seat base is able to receive the at least one fin for removably attaching the ring-shaped seat support at the seat base, and which ring-shaped seat support is however configured to have a hollow truncated cone-like shape comprising a lateral support wall, which lateral support wall comprises a minimum inclination angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the normal direction, which minimum inclination angle deviates from the lateral frame wall comprised by the seat base frame by at most +/-20 degrees with respect to the plane, which hollow truncated cone-like shaped seat support is however dimensioned such that it can be fully inserted into the storage volume provided in the seat base. The annular seat support may include all or any combination of the components of the annular seat support described in connection with the child seat system.

Furthermore, the object is solved by a tray for a child seat system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, whereas the tray comprises a first securing means and a second securing means, whereas the first securing means is configured to removably mount the tray in a working position on an annular seat support for the child seat system, whereas the first securing means and the second securing means are configured to secure the tray in a storage position on a seat base frame comprised by a seat base to which the annular seat support is mountable, whereas the tray is configured to at least partially limit a storage volume provided by the seat base when arranged in the storage position, whereas the first securing means are arranged at a first edge of the tray and the second securing means are arranged at a second edge of the tray whereas the first edge and the second edge are arranged in a relative position in a tray plane perpendicular to a direction of a seat base surface comprised by the seat base, whereas the second securing means comprise a latch element to secure the tray in the storage position. The tray may include all or any combination of the components of the tray described in connection with the child seat system.

In an advantageous embodiment, the tray is shaped such that, arranged in the storage position, the tray forms a recess together with the seat base frame, in particular an open area in which the volume is not limited by the tray, whereas the recess is dimensioned such that the recess can be used as a carrying handle and the recess is further dimensioned such that the annular seat support cannot be removed from the storage volume without removing the tray from the storage position.

Furthermore, the object is solved by a seat base for a child seat system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the seat base comprising a seat base surface on which a child can be placed and a seat base frame supporting the seat base surface, the seat base frame however being configured such that it provides an accessible storage volume defined by a boundary region of the seat base frame, the seat base frame however comprising at least one slit-like opening configured to receive the annular seat support comprising at least one fin for removable attachment of the annular seat support and the seat base, the seat base frame however being configured to have a hollow frusto-conical-like shape comprising lateral frame walls, the lateral frame walls however comprising a minimum tilt angle to a plane perpendicular to the normal direction, the minimum tilt angle deviating from the minimum tilt angle of the lateral support walls comprised by the annular seat support by at most +/-20 degrees, the hollow frusto-conical-like shaped seat base frame however being dimensioned such that the annular support can be fully inserted into the storage volume. The seat base may include all or any combination of the components of the seat base described in connection with the child seat system.

Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The disclosure is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments specified in the schematic drawing of the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary child seat system, however the tray is mounted on a seat support, which is mounted at the seat base,

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the example child seat system of fig. 1, however the child seat system is in an exploded state,

Figure 3 shows a perspective view illustrating the storage concept of an exploded exemplary child seat system,

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the child seat system, however the seat support and tray are arranged in a storage position,

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a child seat system that may be used with a child.

In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements unless otherwise specified.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary child seat system 100. The child seat system 100 includes a seat base 200, a seat support 300, and a tray 400. The seat support 300 is configured as a ring and is removably mounted on the seat base 200 according to fig. 1.

The seat base 200 may be used alone, in combination with the annular seat support 300, or in combination with the annular seat support 300 and tray 400, depending on the requirements of the child for which the child seat system 100 is to be used.

The tray 400 is removably mounted at the annular seat support 300. Removably mounted means that the seat base 200, the annular seat support 300 and the tray can be connected to each other in a reliable manner and can be detached from each other in a controlled, in particular easy and quick manner.

The seat base 200 is made in one piece. This allows for ease of use and ease of disposal. The seat base 200 includes a seat base surface 201. The direction perpendicular to the seat base surface 201 is defined as the normal direction, and the axis passing through the center of the seat base surface in the normal direction is the normal center axis N. A child, particularly an infant, may be placed on the seat base surface 201. With the annular seat support 300 mounted at the seat base, smaller children, for example, between 12 months and 18 months, may also be placed.

The seat base surface 201 is supported by the seat base frame 202, providing a mechanically stable foundation for the seat base surface 201. The seat base frame 202 includes lateral frame walls 204 that are capable of transferring the weight of the child to the support structure in which the seat base is located. Such a support structure is not shown in fig. 1 and may be a table, chair, floor, etc.

The seat base frame 202 defines a storage volume 203 through the seat base surface 201 and the lateral frame walls 204. The seat base frame 202 may be raised relative to the seat base surface 201 in a normal direction at an edge of the seat base surface 201. This elevation of the edge portion of the seat base 200, and correspondingly the edge portion of the seat base frame 202, allows for a more stable seating position for the child on the seat base surface 201. Further, these raised portions of the seat base frame 202 may provide additional storage volume. The elevated portion may preferably be arranged at a left and/or right side portion and/or a rear portion of the seat base frame 202 when viewed in the forward direction F.

The seat base frame 202 is constructed as a hollow structure. In the example shown, the seat base frame 202 is configured to have a hollow, frustoconical-like shape configured as a hollow, truncated four-sided pyramid. In a plane perpendicular to the normal direction, the seat base frame 202 has a square-like cross section, whereas the corners of the square-like cross section are configured to be rounded.

The annular seat support 300 is considered annular in that it provides a closed structure circumferentially about the normal central axis N. This allows the child to be placed in a safe manner, as support is provided to the child over a 360 degree angular range about the normal central axis N. The annular seat support 300 is also made in one piece, providing easy handling, low maintenance work and mechanical stability.

The annular seat support 300 is also constructed as a hollow structure. In the example shown, the annular seat support 300 is configured to include a hollow frustoconical-like shape configured as a hollow truncated tetrahedral pyramid. In a plane perpendicular to the normal direction N, the annular seat support has a square-like cross section, whereas the corners are configured as circles.

The annular seat support 300 comprises a lateral support wall 301 which may have a variable extension in the normal direction along its circumference, i.e. about the normal central axis N of the seat support surface 201.

For example, the extension of the lateral frame wall 204 on the front side F in the normal direction may be reduced compared to the extension of the lateral frame wall 204 at the side and rear portions in the normal direction. Moreover, the extension of the lateral support wall 301 on the front side F in the normal direction may be reduced compared to the extension of the lateral frame wall 204 at the side and rear portions in the normal direction.

In this way, a leg opening structure O may be achieved that allows positioning the child's legs such that they face in the forward direction F when the child is positioned. The leg opening structure is created by the loop seat support 300 and the seat base 200 together. The four-sided pyramid shape of the annular seat support 300 is substantially provided by the lateral support walls 301.

According to fig. 1, the belt 500 may be installed on the endless seat support 300 and the seat base 200, in particular at the seat base belt securing element 210 comprised by the seat base 200 and at the seat support belt securing element 310 comprised by the endless seat support 300.

Preferably, the belt 500 comprises an end unit that can be latched (including snapped or snapped) into the seat support belt securing element 310 and/or into the seat base belt securing element 210. In the installed state, the belt 500 divides the opening structure O into the pair of opening portions. The two opening portions are configured such that in each portion one leg of the child can be positioned simultaneously, guided through the two opening portions respectively. This provides a stable seating position for the child on the seat base surface 201 surrounded by the annular seat support 300.

Furthermore, a seat base securing strap, not shown in the figures, may be provided for securing the seat base to a support structure (e.g., a chair) in which it is located. To this end, the seat base frame 202 may include openings to receive such seat belt fasteners to safely mount the seat base 200 to a support structure. These openings are preferably disposed proximate to a frame bottom region of the seat base frame 202. The seat belt may be stored in the storage volume when the seat base is not in use or the seat base 200 cannot be secured to the support structure by the seat belt, such as when the seat base is on a floor.

Fig. 1 shows the annular seat support 300 in combination with a tray 400 in an installed state, in particular in an operating position. The tray 400 is mounted by the first fixture 401. These first fixing means 401 interact with tray fixing elements 304 comprised by the annular seat support 300. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the tray securing element 304 is configured as a receiving opening at an opposite side portion of the annular seat support 300 near the front side F.

The receiving opening 304 is configured to interact with the first fixing means 401 such that the tray 400 can be (in particular pivotably) fixed at the annular seat support 300. The first fixing means 401 are configured as two elastic bars arranged on the rear side of the tray 400, i.e. on the side facing away from the front direction F. The two resilient bars each include an end unit receivable by the receiving opening 304 to removably secure the tray 400 at the annular seat support 300.

Tray 400 is shown in its operative position, i.e., a position in which the tray may be used by a placed child for play, dining, or other activities. In the operative position, the tray 400 is generally disposed perpendicular to the normal central axis N. The tray working surface 405 faces upwardly, i.e., is disposed perpendicular to the normal central axis N and distally relative to the seat base surface 201.

Fig. 1 also shows a second securing device 402 included with the tray 400 that is configured to secure the tray 400 in the storage position shown in fig. 4. Since the tray 400 is arranged in the working position in fig. 1, the second fixture 402 is not used.

The seat base 202 and the annular seat support 300 are hollow structures. The seat base frame is configured to include a hollow frusto-conical-like shape. Such a seat base frame 202 has a rectangular-like or square-like cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the normal central axis N. The annular seat support 300 also includes a hollow frusto-conical-like shape. Moreover, the annular seat support 300 is configured to have a rectangular-like or square-like cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the normal central axis N.

Fig. 2 shows the child seat system 100 according to fig. 1 in an exploded state. The tray 400, the annular seat support 300, and the seat base 200 are shown separated from one another.

In addition to the elements already shown and explained in fig. 1, a guide fin 302 arranged at the left-hand side portion of the annular seat support 300 and a latch fin 303 arranged at the rear-hand side portion of the annular seat support 300 can be seen in fig. 2. The other guide fin is arranged on the right-hand portion of the annular seat support 300, but is not visible in the perspective view shown in fig. 2.

The latch fins 303 are configured as multipart fins that allow the annular seat support to be removably secured at the seat base 200 if the guide fins are properly disposed in their respective slit-like openings 209 included in the seat base frame 202. The latch fin 303 includes three portions (two edge portions and one center portion), however the edge portions and the center portion are tensioned such that if the latch fin 303 is inserted into the corresponding slit-shaped opening 209, the latch fin is fixed in the slit-shaped opening 209 by the elastic force of the edge portion and/or the center portion of the latch fin 303.

As already noted, to secure the annular seat support 300 at the seat base 200 (and accordingly the seat base frame 202), the seat base frame 202 includes a corresponding number of slit-like openings 209 configured to receive the guide fins 302 or the latch fins 303. The slit-shaped opening 209 is formed by the top edge of the seat base frame 202 (i.e., the frame top edge 205). The frame top edge 205 defines a frame top region 207 of the seat base frame 202. The guide fins 302 and latch fins 303 are part of the seat support bottom edge 306 of the annular seat support. This is typically the edge that is oriented toward the seat base 200 shortly before the annular seat support 300 is attached at the seat base frame 202.

The annular seat support 300 also includes a seat support top edge 305, which is the edge of the annular seat support 300 distal in the normal direction relative to the seat base surface 201. The seat support top edge 305 (respectively seat support bottom edge) defines a seat support top region 307 (respectively seat support bottom region 308) by its edge boundary. The seat base frame 202 also includes a frame bottom edge 206 that defines a frame bottom region by an edge boundary. The seat support top region 307 is configured to be smaller than the frame bottom region (see fig. 4, reference numeral 208).

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the child seat system 100 in an exploded state. In this view, the seat base 200 is flipped upside down. In this orientation, the non-inverted annular seat support 300 may be fully inserted into the storage volume 203 defined by the hollow structure of the seat base frame 202. In particular, the guide fins 302 and the latch fins 303 may be stored in the space provided by the raised side and rear portions of the seat base frame 202.

It can further be seen from the view of fig. 3 that the seat support bottom region (see reference numeral 308 in fig. 2) is smaller than the frame top region 207 (see also fig. 2), which is oriented downward in fig. 3. Furthermore, it can be seen that the seat support top region 307 is smaller than the frame bottom region 208 (oriented upward in fig. 3).

Furthermore, it can be seen that in the configuration shown in fig. 3, the inclination angle of the lateral frame wall 204 (in particular the inclination angle of the inner surface of the lateral frame wall through a plane perpendicular to the normal direction) is substantially the same as the inclination angle of the lateral support wall 301 (in particular the outer surface of the lateral support wall 301) of the annular seat support 300 through said plane.

The frame top and bottom regions 208 are aligned with the seat support bottom and seat support top regions 307 such that, in the stowed position, the lateral frame wall 204 circumferentially contacts the lateral support wall 301, and particularly the support top edge 305, about the normal central axis N.

This enables a very compact arrangement allowing the additional storage volume bounded by the lateral support walls 301 of the annular seat support 300 as a boundary region. The additional support volume is not used by the annular seat support 300 and is free to be used for other items that should or need to be stored, such as at least one cushion for the seat base, seat securing straps, straps for separating leg opening structures.

Fig. 4 shows the child seat system 100 in an exploded state, however the annular seat support 300 is fully inserted into the storage volume 203 provided by the seat base frame 202 and the seat base surface 201. I.e. the annular seat support is arranged in the storage position. Further, the tray 400 is shown in its storage position, thereby serving as a cover for the storage volume 203 by providing an additional boundary area that limits the storage volume.

In the storage position, the tray 400 is mounted to the seat base frame 202, and in particular to a bottom portion of the seat base frame 202, by the first and second fixtures 401, 402. The first fixing means 401 comprising two resilient bars interact with the tray fixing element 211 of the seat base frame 202. The first fixing means 401 is arranged at a first tray edge 403 and the second fixing means 402 is arranged on a second tray edge 402 opposite the first tray edge 403. The working surface 405 of the tray 400 is oriented away from the storage volume 203, i.e. looking away from the normal direction N of fig. 1, and is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the normal direction N, i.e. the tray plane TP.

Each tray securing element 211 receives one of the resilient bars included in the first tray securing device 401. Further, the second securing device 402 is latched to the seat base frame 202. The first and second fixtures 401, 402 together provide a secure mounting of the tray 400, which in turn locks the tray 400 at the bottom of the seat base frame 202.

The first tray edge 403 has a concave shape. The shape provides a recess R when the tray 400 is disposed in a storage position at the seat base frame 202. The recess R is dimensioned such that the recess R can be used as a carrying handle. Furthermore, the recess R is further dimensioned such that the annular seat support 300 cannot be removed from the storage volume 203 without removing the tray 400 from the storage position. This increases the mobility and portability of the child seat system 100.

Further, fig. 4 shows a plane P perpendicular to the normal central axis N. An exemplary tilt angle IF of the seat base frame 202 through plane P is shown herein. When the seat base 200 and/or the annular seat support 300 can be flipped over, the minimum tilt angle between the lateral frame wall 204 and the plane P (and correspondingly the minimum tilt angle between the lateral support wall and the plane P) is relevant.

The minimum tilt angle IF shown is shown here for the outer surface of the lateral frame wall. However, it is particularly interesting IF the inclination angle IF of the outer surface of the lateral frame wall 204 through the plane P and the inclination angle of the inner surface of the lateral frame wall 204 through the plane P are substantially the same. The outer surface of the lateral frame wall 204 is the surface facing away from the storage volume 203, whereas the inner surface of the lateral frame wall 204 is the surface facing towards the storage volume 203.

Where the inclination angles of the outer and inner surfaces of the lateral frame walls 204 are different by plane P, it is preferable to consider a minimum inclination angle of the inner surface of the lateral frame walls 204 and a minimum inclination angle of the outer surface of the lateral support walls. When the annular seat support 300 is disposed in the storage volume 203, the outer surface of the lateral support wall 204 is the surface adjacent the inner surface of the lateral frame wall 204. Preferably, the minimum angular difference of the inner surface of the lateral frame wall 204 with the plane P is substantially the same as the minimum angular difference of the outer surface of the lateral support wall with the plane P.

Fig. 5 shows the child seat system 100 in a so-called child mode. The annular seat support and tray are removed from the seat base 200 and disposed in a storage position in a storage volume provided by the seat base frame 202. Thus, older children may be located on the seat base surface 201 supported by the seat base frame 202. The normal center axis N is arranged perpendicular to the seat base surface 201 and hits the center of the seat base surface 201. The seat base frame 202 includes lateral frame walls 204. In addition, fig. 5 shows a frame top edge 205 defining a frame top region 207. The frame top edge 205 includes three slit-shaped openings 209 that remain unused when only the seat base is used as a booster seat. Further, in fig. 5, the support bottom edge 206 is shown, as well as the seat base belt securing element 210. Thus, the seat base 200, when used alone, may be used as a compact and stable booster seat for infants.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations exist. It should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents. In general, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.

List of reference numerals

100. Child seat system

200. Seat base

201. Seat base surface

202. Seat base frame

203. Storage volume

204. Lateral frame wall

205. Frame top edge

206. Bottom edge of frame

207. Frame top region

208. Frame bottom region

209 Opening, slit-like

210 Seat base strap securement element

211 Tray fixation element for seat base

300 Seat support, annular

301. Lateral support wall

302. Guide fin

303. Latch fin

304 Tray fixation element of seat support: receiving opening

305. Seat support top edge

306. Bottom edge of seat support

307. Seat support top region

308. Seat support bottom region

310. Seat support belt securing element

400. Tray for holding food

401 First fixing device, clamping connection rod

402 Second securing means latching element

403. First tray edge

404. Second tray edge

405. Pallet working surface

500. Belt with a belt body

IF tilt angle frame

P is perpendicular to the plane of the normal central axis

TP tray plane

R concave part

N normal central axis

O leg opening structure

F forward direction

Claims

1. A child seat system (100) for placing a child, the child being an infant or a young child, the child seat system (100) comprising:

A seat base (200) comprising a seat base surface (201) on which a child can be placed and a seat base frame (202) supporting the seat base surface (201), while the seat base frame (202) is configured such that it provides an accessible storage volume (203) bounded by a boundary region of the seat base frame (202),

An annular seat support (300) removably mounted at the seat base (200), while the annular seat support (300) is configured such that in the mounted state a child resting on the seat base surface (201) is circumferentially surrounded by the annular seat support (300) around a normal central axis (N) of the seat base surface (201), in particular in a plane perpendicular to the normal central axis (N) of the seat base surface (201), while the annular seat support (300) is further configured such that it can be fully inserted into the provided storage volume (203),

-A tray (400) removably mounted to the annular seat support (300) for operation in a working position and removably mounted to the seat base (200) for operation in a storage position, whereas in the storage position the tray (400) limits the storage volume (203) to an additional boundary area.

2. The child seat system according to claim 1,

Wherein the seat base (200) is constructed in one piece and the storage volume (203) is defined by the boundary region of the seat base surface (201) and the seat base frame (202).

3. The child seat system according to claim 1 or 2,

Wherein the annular seat support (300) is constructed in one piece.

4. The child seat system according to any one of the preceding claims,

Wherein the annular seat support (300) is configured to have a hollow frusto-conical like shape comprising lateral support walls (301), while the hollow frusto-conical like shape of the annular seat support (300) comprises, in a mounted state and in a normal direction (N) of the seat base surface (201), a seat support top edge (305) and a seat support bottom edge (306), while a seat support volume is defined by the space arranged between the seat support top edge (305) and the seat support bottom edge (306), while the seat base frame (202) is configured to have a hollow frusto-conical like shape comprising lateral frame walls (204), while the hollow frusto-conical like shape of the seat base frame (202) comprises, in the normal direction (N), a frame top edge (205) and a frame bottom edge (206), while a frame volume is defined by the space arranged between the frame top edge (205) and the frame bottom edge (206), while the frame volume is larger than the seat support volume.

5. The child seat system according to claim 4,

Wherein the lateral support wall (301) is configured to have an inclination angle with respect to a plane (P) perpendicular to a normal central axis (N) of the seat base surface (201), and the lateral frame wall (204) is configured to have an inclination angle (IF) with respect to the same plane (P), while the minimum angle difference from the plane to the lateral support wall (301) deviates from the minimum angle difference from the plane (P) to the lateral frame wall (204) by at most +/-20 degrees, preferably at most +/-15 degrees, preferably at most +/-10 degrees, preferably at most +/-5 degrees.

6. The child seat system according to claim 5,

Wherein the seat support bottom edge (306) defines a seat support bottom region (308) and the frame top edge (206) defines a frame top region (207), and the seat support bottom region (308) is smaller than the frame top region (207), the seat support bottom region (308) and the frame top region (207) being configured such that in the storage state the lateral support wall (301) and the lateral frame wall (204) are in contact with each other in a circumferential direction about the normal central axis (N), in particular the lateral support wall (301) and the lateral frame wall (204) being configured to extend parallel to each other.

7. The child seat system according to any one of the preceding claims,

Wherein the annular seat support (300) is removably mounted at the seat base by a fin-and-slot latch system (209, 302, 303).

8. The child seat system according to claim 7,

Wherein the seat base (200) comprises at least one slit-shaped opening (209) which may be directed towards at least one fin (302, 303) comprised by the annular seat support (300) and which is configured to receive such a fin (302, 303), while the annular seat support (300) and the seat base (200) may be removably attached to each other by inserting, in particular latching, the at least one fin (303) into the at least one slit-shaped opening (209).

9. The child seat system according to claim 7 or 8,

Wherein the seat base (200) comprises a front portion, a rear portion arranged opposite to the front portion, and two side portions connecting the front and rear side portions, whereas the seat base (200) comprises at least three slit-shaped openings (209), whereas the two side portions each comprise at least one slit-shaped opening (209) and the rear side portion comprises at least one slit-shaped opening (209), whereas the at least three slit-shaped openings (209) are arranged on the seat base (200) such that the fins (302, 303) of the annular seat support (300) are insertable by approaching the annular seat support (300) to the seat base (200) along the normal direction (N).

10. The child seat system according to any one of the preceding claims,

Wherein the tray (400) comprises a first securing means (401) and a second securing means (402), and the first securing means (401) is configured to removably mount the tray (400) in the operative position on the annular seat support (300), and the first securing means (401) and the second securing means (402) are configured to secure the tray (400) in the storage position.

11. The child seat system according to claim 10,

Wherein the first securing means (401) is arranged at a first edge (403) of the tray (400) and the second securing means (402) is arranged at a second edge (404) of the tray (400), while the first edge (403) and the second edge (404) are arranged opposite each other on a Tray Plane (TP) perpendicular to the normal central axis (N), while the second securing means (404) comprises a latch element (402), while the seat base (200) is configured to receive and secure the latch element (402).

12. The child seat system according to any one of the preceding claims,

Wherein the tray (400) is shaped such that in the storage position the tray (400) forms together with the seat base frame (202) a recess (R), in particular an open area (R) in which the storage volume (203) is not limited by the tray (400), whereas the recess (R) is dimensioned such that the recess (R) can be used as a carrying handle, whereas the recess (R) is further dimensioned such that the annular seat support (300) cannot be removed from the storage volume (203) without removing the tray (400) from the storage position.

13. The child seat system according to any one of the preceding claims,

Wherein in the installed state, the annular seat support (300) and/or the seat base (200) form an opening structure (O) in the front direction (F) of the seat base (200) by means of which the legs of a child can be arranged in the front direction (F) independently or jointly.

14. The child seat system according to claim 13,

Wherein in the installed state the opening structure (O) comprises one opening configured to be divided by a removable installation belt (500) into a first opening portion and a second opening portion, and in the installed state the belt (500) is arranged such that a first leg of the child may be guided through the first opening portion and a second leg of the child may be simultaneously guided through the second opening portion, in particular the belt (500) may be arranged such that it symmetrically divides the one opening in the installed state.

15. An annular seat support (303) for a child seat system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the annular seat support (300) is configured to enclose a child placed on a seat base (200) to which the annular seat support (300) is removably mounted, and the annular seat support (300) comprises at least one fin (302, 303) for mounting the annular seat support (300) at the seat base (200), such that the seat base (200) is capable of receiving the at least one fin (302, 303) for removably attaching the annular seat support at the seat base, and the annular seat support (300) is configured to have a hollow frusto-conical-like shape comprising a lateral support wall (301), while the lateral support wall (301) comprises a minimum tilt angle relative to a plane (P) perpendicular to the normal direction, the minimum tilt angle being set up to a fully conical shape of the seat base (300) with respect to the plane (P), the support being insertable into the annular base (300) by a maximum of 20 degrees of deviation from the minimum tilt angle relative to the plane (P).

16. A tray (400) for a child seat system (100) according to any one of claims 1-14, wherein the tray (400) comprises a first fixing means (401) and a second fixing means (402), whereas the first fixing means (401) is configured to removably mount the tray (400) in an operative position on an annular seat support (300) for the child seat system (100), whereas the first fixing means and the second fixing means (401, 402) are configured to fix the tray (400) in a storage position on a seat base frame (202) comprised by a seat base (200) to which the annular seat support (300) is mountable, whereas the tray is configured to at least partially restrict a storage volume (203) provided by the seat base (200) when arranged in the storage position, whereas the first fixing means (401) is arranged at a first edge (403) of the tray (400) and the second fixing means (402) is arranged in a direction normal to the first edge (404) of the tray (400) and to the second edge (404) of the seat base (200) is arranged in a plane comprising the edge (404) of the second base (200) opposite each other, the second securing means (402) however comprises a latch element to secure the tray at the seat base frame (202).

Seat base (200) for a child seat system (100) according to any one of claims 1-14, comprising a seat base surface (201) where a child can be placed and a seat base frame (202) supporting the seat base surface (201), while the seat base frame (202) is configured such that it provides an accessible storage volume (203) defined by a boundary area of the seat base frame (202), while the seat base frame (202) comprises at least one fin (302, 303) configured to receive the annular seat support (300) and at least one slit-like opening (209) of the seat base (200), while the seat base frame (200) is configured to have a hollow frusto-conical-like shape comprising lateral frame walls (204), while the lateral frame walls (204) comprise a minimum tilt angle deviating from the annular seat support (300) comprising a minimum tilt angle of the lateral support walls (301) to a fully conical shape (203) being set up to the seat support (300) dimension.