HK1109557B - Highchair with adjustable seat - Google Patents

Description

High chair with adjustable seat

Technical Field

The invention relates to a highchair with adjustable seat, comprising a frame, a support device connected to the frame and forming a bearing plane for supporting the frame on a ground surface, and a seat part.

Background

From US4109961 a chair with an adjustable footrest and an adjustable seat is known. The chair is made of wood and comprises two parallel upright portions formed with recesses in which plate-like portions for the seat and footrest can be received so that a person can sit thereon and can optionally support the feet.

Disclosure of Invention

A problem with this known chair with adjustable seat is that the weight of the chair is heavy. It is an object of the present invention to provide a highchair with an adjustable seat in which less material is used for weight reduction. According to a second aspect, it is an object of the invention to reduce costs.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the frame comprises at least two substantially parallel uprights which in the use position of the highchair project at least partly obliquely above the loading plane, and in that the highchair further comprises a part which is adjustable along the uprights, such as a seat part, which is provided with engaging means for engaging the two uprights, wherein said engaging means has at least one receiving cavity for engaging a part of the way around the uprights (part of the way around the uprights). The upright is engaged such that movement of the upright in the linear direction of the engaging means/adjustable part is prevented. The seat part itself becomes part of the frame and contributes to the rigidity of this frame. The uprights are positioned and held relative to each other by this particular engagement. This is in contrast to the prior art, where the seat is loosely disposed between the upright portions of the chair. The receiving cavity may be partially open. The upright may be arranged in the receiving cavity via the open side of the cavity. The opening of the receiving cavity will be substantially parallel to the upright, i.e. substantially at right angles to the plane of the adjustable part, which is usually a plane parallel to the carrying plane. The upright extends at an angle in part above the load-bearing plane. The load bearing plane is partially parallel to the floor on which the chair is placed. This bearing plane is generally a horizontal plane. However, in case of a raised ground surface, the bearing plane will be different from the ground surface.

According to a preferred embodiment, the engaging means has an opening for receiving the upright. Because the uprights are engaged in a closed manner, the uprights are positioned relative to each other by the seat part. The opening is a particular form of receiving chamber according to the invention, i.e. a closed chamber. Because the cavity is closed, the upright cannot be released.

According to a preferred embodiment, the two uprights together form part of a substantially U-shaped tube. The two uprights can thus be manufactured from one basic material, for example a tube. According to a preferred embodiment, the uprights are formed by bending metal tubes, such as steel tubes, into a U-shape. The upright part of the highchair to which the seat part must be attached is thus formed from one basic material. Various parts such as a seat or backrest may be connected to the U-shaped part. The backrest is preferably arranged inside the base of the U-shaped part.

In another preferred embodiment the support means comprise a tubular section, preferably provided with support points. The same material can thus be used for the support means. The support points may be arranged at different positions along the tubular part, for example in the form of pedestals.

The support means preferably comprises a U-shaped tube. Whereby the supporting means can be formed with the same manufacturing method as the uprights of the upright parts of the frame.

In a preferred embodiment the two substantially U-shaped parts of the upright part and the support means for the frame are interconnected at the outer ends of the legs. Hereby is obtained an exceptionally simple frame, wherein the adjustable parts, such as the seat part, are used as additional stiffening means for positioning the parallel upright parts at a mutual distance.

In a preferred embodiment the outer ends of the uprights for forming two parallel uprights form part of the supporting means. The weight arranged on the frame, in particular on the seat part, will thus be transferred directly to the supporting means via the uprights. According to this embodiment a V-shaped frame is obtained, wherein one leg of the V-shape forms part of a supporting means forming a carrying plane for supporting on the ground, and wherein the other leg is a part of the frame positioned standing from the supporting means, which part forms a parallel upright for engaging with the adjustable part.

The parallel uprights preferably each have an adjustment portion, wherein the uprights are substantially straight over a length of at least 10cm, and the two uprights are parallel with respect to each other. An adjustable part, for example a seat part, can be engaged on this adjustable part and thus a highchair with an adjustable seat is obtained, wherein the position of the seat can be displaced by at least 10 cm.

According to another embodiment, the adjustment part extends substantially obliquely above the support means. A chair with a substantially V-shape is thus obtained, wherein the support means form one leg of the V-shape and the adjustment part forms the other leg of the V-shape. By adjusting the seat along the adjustment portion, for example for a larger child, the seat portion will be displaced obliquely downwards along the adjustment portion, so that the centre of gravity of the user of the chair is not only displaced towards the support means, but also displaced in relation to the support means. This takes into account, inter alia, the fact that when the height of the chair user increases, he/she also has longer legs, so that the distance between the backrest and the seat can be increased.

The recess of the engagement means is preferably arranged at an angle relative to the seating surface of the seat part, which angle is substantially equal to the angle of the upright relative to the loading plane. Thereby forming substantially a zigzag shape between the load-bearing plane, the upright and the seat part. The seat part will then be arranged substantially horizontally when the loading plane is horizontal.

The highchair also preferably comprises a bumper, preferably a table or a dinner tray, provided with engaging means for engaging the two uprights, wherein the engaging means have at least one opening for receiving the upright. The use of the table portion/bumper prevents the child from being able to leave the seat. Furthermore, this adjustable part also has an additional stiffness function for the frame. By using two adjustable parts, the two uprights of the frame can now be positioned in two positions relative to each other.

The table part/bumper preferably comprises a crotch bar (crotch bar) extending from the bumper/table part to the adjustable seat part, the crotch bar having an adjustable length. The crotch bar engages on the seat part, preferably by means of a bayonet fitting. A recess is arranged in the seat part for engagement with a crotch bar on the seat part. Due to the adjustable length, different distances between the bumper and the seat may be taken into account.

The engagement means for engaging the upright preferably comprises a protruding movable, preferably slidable, part which is preferably biased by spring means and which can be received in a recess arranged in the upright. By means of the controller, the protruding part can be retracted and the adjustable part can be unlocked and adjusted.

The support means may be provided with a soft material to prevent damage to the floor during displacement of the chair over the floor.

The U-shaped portions of the support means and upright portions of the frame are preferably connected to each other at an angle, preferably at an angle between 20 ° and 70 °, in a further preferred embodiment between 30 ° and 60 °. Thereby obtaining a V-shaped frame. The connection of the supporting means of the chair frame to the upright parts is preferably somewhat elastic. Thereby a comfortable effect for the user of the chair can be achieved. This is particularly advantageous when the chair is used for children.

The adjustable part forms a modular part of the chair. Examples are seats, crotch bars, tables and footrests. All these parts further strengthen the frame due to the engagement means with the recess.

The two recesses and the possibility of tilting the adjustable part, wherein the upright is transferred from a first recess in the engaging means to a second, larger recess, create at least two positions of use, a first position in which the adjustable part is clamped around the upright and a second position in which the adjustable part is slidable along the upright of the chair.

In one embodiment, the adjustable portion is continuously adjustable along the uprights/tubes of the frame, for example by a clamping engagement. The engagement means is preferably a fixing means whose position can be fixed. The fixing portion is formed of plastic, for example, by injection molding. In a preferred embodiment, in one engaging means for one upright, the two recesses have two axes at an angle to each other. One recess is larger than the other. The smaller recess is substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the tube of the frame. From this clamping position the engaging means can be tilted against a resistance so that the tube of the frame springs back from one recess to the other, i.e. from a smaller recess to a larger recess. The upright received in the larger recess can be easily displaced to a new position. At the desired position, the adjustable part can be tilted back and fixed on the tube of the frame. By closing the joint, the tubes of the frame are positioned relative to each other with the support means, in particular the footrest.

The adjustable portions, in particular the seat portion and the footrest, are preferably in a rigid form, and the uprights can be received in recesses on the engaging means at the outer ends of either side of the adjustable portions.

In another embodiment, the engaging means may for example be formed by two plastic parts joined together, wherein the upright is enclosed between the joined parts forming the recess.

In another embodiment, the frame of the chair may be engaged in a different manner. In particular, hook fasteners are also possible here.

According to one embodiment the engagement/fixing means of the seating surface on the frame is clampingly engaged on the frame. In one embodiment the fixing means comprise a handle provided with a pin which can engage in a positioning hole in the frame, in particular the upright. The seat surface can be secured in a desired position using the handle. At a desired distance in the upright tube, a hole is arranged in which a pin can engage, so that the seat surface can be fastened. The handle is pivotally connected to the seating surface and can be operated.

The controls (in this case, the handles) are preferably arranged on the underside of the seat surface so that they are less accessible to the user, particularly for the child using the chair. In another embodiment, the mounting takes a continuous form.

The buffer rod is preferably formed by a bent tube which is provided on the outer end of the support means, in particular the engagement means for the uprights, wherein the crotch bar is arranged substantially in the middle of the bent tube. On the free end of the crotch bar, a fixing device is arranged, which is provided, for example, with a pin and which can cooperate with a recess in the (adjustable) seat surface. A rigid connection to the crotch bar and thus to the bumper bar with respect to the seat surface can thereby be obtained.

According to another embodiment, the chair according to the invention comprises a dinner tray. This is also an additional strengthening means for the frame. The dinner plate is provided with a crotch bar. The crotch bar may be connected to the seating surface.

The dinner tray is preferably provided with engaging means for engaging on the frame. The fixing means preferably engage on a projection with which the backrest tube is fastened to the frame. The fixing means of the dinner tray are preferably formed by clamping means, which preferably comprise two parts hingedly connected to each other. The first part is fixedly connected to one arm of the dinner tray. The second part is hingedly connected to the first part and is provided with a projection which can engage in a recess on the frame, in particular a recess arranged on the outside of the fixing means of the backrest on the frame. This may be a recess in the longitudinal direction of the fixing means of the backrest on the frame, which is substantially parallel to the tube received therein. The tube and/or the protrusion may thereby be in clamping engagement.

The invention also relates to a special tube for a frame of a highchair, in particular an adjustable highchair. According to the invention, the tube has a substantially circular cross-section. The tube also has a recess or ridge disposed in the outer periphery. In the ridge, an outer periphery of a support part of the highchair, for example a seat part or a backrest part, in particular a plastic support part, can be received. The outer periphery may be partially received by the recess and partially concealed. The outer periphery of the plastic part is sharp and may cause accidents or injuries. A part of the peripheral edge of the support part can also be received in an auxiliary part on the inside of the tube of the frame, wherein the auxiliary part has a contact surface for the seat surface.

Drawings

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment,

figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment,

figure 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment,

figure 4 is a perspective view according to the detail shown by arrow IV in figure 2,

figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line V-V in figure 2,

figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in figure 1,

figure 7 is a perspective view according to the detail shown by arrow VII in figure 2,

figure 8 is a perspective view of a seat and crotch bar according to another embodiment,

figure 9A shows a detail of another embodiment of the engaging means of the dinner tray,

figures 9B and 9C show details of the engagement means of the backrest,

figure 10 shows a detail of a backrest and a tube for a frame according to the invention,

figure 11 shows details of the adjustable seat portion.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a highchair 1 with an adjustable seat according to a first embodiment. The highchair is made up of a number of frame parts, including a first parallel upright 2 and a second parallel upright 3, which are interconnected by a U-shaped portion 4. The uprights 2, 3 and the connecting portion 4 are formed by a single bent tube.

The frame further comprises a support means 5 formed by a U-shaped tube provided with a plurality of support points 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 formed by a stand which in use is supported on the ground (not shown). Fig. 1 shows a highchair in use on the ground (not shown).

The outer ends of the uprights 2 and 3 are formed by bent pieces 11, 12, which bent pieces 11, 12 are in the embodiment shown tubular parts connected to the U-shaped parts 2, 3, 4. The curved portions 11, 12 are releasably connected to the pipe ends of the uprights 2, 3, and the abutments 8 and 7 are connected to the other outer ends of the tubular portions 11, 12. The weight on the uprights 2, 3 will press directly on the supports 7, 8.

The uprights 2, 3 form an angle alpha with the bearing plane of the support means 5. The bent portions 11, 12 are bent around substantially the same angle U. In the use state shown in fig. 1, the tubular portions 2, 3, 4 project obliquely above the support means 5. The angle is preferably between 20 ° and 70 °, and in the embodiment shown is approximately equal to 45 °.

Uprights 2 and 3 have adjustment portions extending through a length indicated by arrow 13. This part of uprights 2 and 3 is substantially straight and the two uprights are here parallel.

On the inside of the U-shaped parts 2, 3, 4 of the obliquely extending frame parts of the frame there is also a backrest part 14, which is formed for example of plastic. The backrest part is nail-shaped. The backrest part is provided along the periphery with a receiving edge which can receive the tubular part 4 and with engagement means 15 which engage on the uprights 2 and 3. The engagement means 15 can be clamped or engaged on a recess in the upright 3.

The highchair 1 is further provided with adjustable parts 16 and 17, respectively a seat part and a footrest. The seat portion 16 will be shown in more detail in figures 4, 5 and 7. The footrest is shown in more detail in fig. 6.

The seat part 16 has a seat surface 17 and an elbow 18, wherein engagement means 19 and 20 are arranged on the outer end. Engaging means 19 and 20 are engaged on uprights 3 and 2 and are movable over the adjustment part as indicated by arrow 13. The engagement means are shown in more detail in figure 5. The engagement means is provided with a recess through which the uprights 2 and 3 project.

Also shown is a dinner tray 21 formed by a tube 22, engaging means 23, 24 arranged on the outer end of the tube and engaging on the tubular part 4 of the frame, and a table top 25 clamped between the engaging means 23 and 24 on the inside of the U-shaped tube 22. A crotch bar 26, arranged on the underside of the tray, is connected to the tray and extends into a recess in the seat 17. This connection is shown in fig. 7.

In the embodiment shown, the engagement means 23, 24 are similar to those of a seat. Which are joined to a portion of the tubes 2, 3, 4. The recess, in which the engaging means engage, may be arranged at a suitable position in the tube. In another embodiment, the engagement means 23, 24 engage on the clamping means 15 of the backrest. This is shown in fig. 9A, 9B and 9C.

Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of a highchair 30, in which the tray 21 is replaced by a cushioning rod 31 consisting of a bent tube 32, which bent tube 32 is provided at both ends with clamping means 33, 34 and in the middle with a connecting piece 35 connecting the bent tube 32 to a crotch bar 36, which crotch bar 36 is joined to the seat 16 by means of a joining means 37.

Fig. 3 shows a highchair 40 with an adjustable seat 16 of a third embodiment. The frame is formed with two U-shaped parts consisting of tubes, wherein the U-shaped parts are interconnected at both ends of the tubes, so that a V-shaped highchair is obtained in side view.

Fig. 4 shows a view according to arrow IV in fig. 3. The underside of the seat 17 is shown. Upright 3 is also shown, on upright 3 engaging means 27 fixed to the outer end of footrest 17 are fixed. The engagement means 19 of the seat 16 are also shown from the underside on the adjustment part of the upright 3, wherein the relevant clamping and fixing means are made visible on the upright 3.

The upright 3 is received in the recess 28 of the engagement means 27 and the recess 29 of the engagement means 19.

The upright 3 has a partially rounded periphery. On the rear side (if fig. 1 and 2 are front views) upright 3 is flat and provided with a plurality of recesses 50. In which recesses protruding means of the engaging means can be received, whereby one of the adjustable parts can be fixed to the upright. In the embodiment shown according to fig. 4, the engaging means 19 is a projecting part 51 forming part of the controllable element 52, which projecting part 51 can be moved according to arrow 54 by means of a guide means accommodated in the engaging means 19. A projection 55 of the guide of the part 51 is shown, which acts in the direction of the arrow 54. In the use position shown in fig. 1 and 2, a controllable pull-tab (controllable catch)52 is located on the underside of the engagement means 19, so that a child using the highchair 1 or 30 cannot easily reach this controllable element 52, whereby the seat can be approved for use. Fig. 5 shows a cross-section of a controllable element. The controllable block 52 is biased in the direction of the recess 50 of the upright by a spring tension, in the shown embodiment a helical spring 56. When the user engages the projection 57 and moves it according to arrow 55, the protruding part 51 will be moved out of the recess and the upright can be moved according to arrow 58, i.e. along the upright 3.

Fig. 5 also shows that the seat plane, indicated 59, forms an angle a with the upright 3, which is the same as the angle a in fig. 1. The seat in fact forms a Z-shaped profile with the upright 3 and the support means, which forms the bearing plane. Thereby creating a seating surface that is substantially parallel to the load-bearing plane of the support device. When the chair is arranged on a horizontal surface, the seat is also arranged horizontally.

The engaging portion 19 is formed by injection molding.

Fig. 4 also shows an engagement means 27 provided with two recesses. The axes 60 and 61 of the two recesses are marked. A portion of the peripheral edge 62 of the recess associated with axis 60 is visible, while a portion of the peripheral edge 63 of the recess associated with axis 61 is visible. The diameter of peripheral edge 62 is smaller than the diameter of peripheral edge 63. Since upright 3 is not perfectly rounded, peripheral edge 63 is not perfectly rounded either.

Fig. 6 shows a cross section of the engagement means 27. In the position according to fig. 4 and 6, the upright is in clamping engagement by the peripheral edge 62 of the first recess. Footrest 17 is thus clampingly fixed to upright 3. In order to tilt footrest 17 upwards according to arrow 64, the resistance caused by clamping projection 65 of the engagement means must be overcome and once this resistance is overcome, the upright will be received in the recess with axis 61. This recess has a larger diameter and the upright is not in clamping engagement. The upright can now be adjusted along the upright according to arrow 66 and brought to a new position. The adjustment is continuous. When the new position is reached, the footrest is tilted back to a substantially horizontal position in which the upright is again received in the recess having the first axis 60. The footrest is now in turn connected clampingly to the upright and cannot be moved. The footrest may be used as a support for both feet of the child.

The tray, seat and footrest and the bumper bar all have a plurality of rigid parts to ensure that the engagement means which engage on the uprights at the respective outer ends have in each case a fixed mutual distance. The respective recesses of the engaging means on either side of the adjustable part have axes which are in each case separated by a distance 67. This ensures that the distance between uprights 2 and 3 in the case of randomly adjustable parts is substantially equal to this distance 67 in each case. The adjustable part thus forms an additional part of the frame which ensures the mutual position of the uprights relative to each other. The highchair according to the invention can thus be assembled with very simple means and additional rigidity is obtained by positioning the adjustable parts. The highchair according to the invention therefore has at least one adjustable part.

Fig. 7 shows a detail of the underside of the seat 17 according to arrow VII. Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the seat 17. In the seat 17, near the seat center, two recesses 70 are arranged, through which protruding parts 71, 72 formed by the hooking parts of the crotch bar 36 pass. The hooking elements 71, 72 can be inserted in the recess 70 and project therein beyond the underside of the seat 17. On the underside, a rotatable locking disk 73 is arranged which can be rotated according to arrow 74. In the open position, the hooks 71, 72 may be arranged to pass through the recess 70, and then the tray 73 may be rotated by the graspable projection 75 to a position as shown in fig. 7, in which the formations 71 and 72 are engaged over the tray and not released.

Fig. 7 also shows the connection of the elbow 18 to the seat 17 by means of a connecting element 76.

Figure 9A shows another embodiment of the engagement means for the uprights, in this case the engagement means of the dinner tray. Arranged on the outer end of the tube 100 is an engagement means 100 comprising two parts 102, 103, wherein the second part 103 is pivotably connected to the first part 102 on an axis 104. Both parts can be obtained by injection moulding. Fig. 9B shows the means of fastening the backrest 14 to the tubes 3, 4. The illustrated engagement device 110 is different from the engagement device shown in fig. 1. The engagement means is optionally clamp-connected to the pipes 3, 4 in a threaded manner. Thereby securing the fastener. The engaging means 110 is provided with a receiving space for a tube 111 of the backrest.

The engaging means 110 is further provided with a groove 112 extending substantially in a longitudinal direction parallel to the tube. The protrusion 113 of the second hinge part 103 may be received in the groove 112, as shown in fig. 9C. The projection can be positioned in the recess 112 by means of the operating means 114 and the engaging means 101 engage on the clamping means 110 of the backrest.

In one embodiment the clamping means 110 are located between the upright 3 and the U-shaped part 4.

Fig. 10 shows a support part 130 for a chair or a highchair. This is related to the backrest. The backrest is formed as a nail-shaped part and is enclosed between the U-shaped bases of the frame 131. On the inner periphery of the frame 131, an auxiliary portion 132 made of plastic is arranged, which is provided with a contact surface 133 and fastening points 134. The contact surface is attached to the outer periphery of the backrest 130 and the fastening points can be attached to the corresponding portions 135 on the backrest using fastening means such as screws.

The peripheral edge 136 is received in a ridge or recess 137 of a tube 138 which connects the two uprights 139, 140 of the frame to each other. Engagement means for the uprights are arranged on the outer end of the tube 138. The tube has a circular cross-section but is also provided with a ridge over its entire length that can receive the edge 136. Thereby resulting in a substantially smooth connection of edge 136 over ridge 138. Because of the ridge, the edge 136 need not take an inclined shape.

Fig. 11 shows comparable details of the adjustable seat part. Here, the tube also has a substantially circular cross-section. The ridge is disposed in the tube. The peripheral edge is received in the ridge.

The invention has been described on the basis of a number of embodiments. It should be noted that different combinations of a plurality of the described measures are suitable for some applications. The subject matter of the sub-applications is not limited to these components with the advantages described above, but may also relate to the measures described above, the advantages of which have been omitted for brevity of the description.

Claims (13)

1. A highchair with adjustable seat, comprising a frame and a support device connected to the frame and forming a bearing plane for supporting the frame on a ground surface, wherein the frame comprises at least two substantially parallel uprights which in the use position of the highchair project at least partially obliquely above the loading plane, and wherein the highchair further comprises a seat part adjustable along the uprights, the seat part being provided with seat engagement means for engaging both uprights, wherein the seat engagement means has at least one receiving cavity for engaging a portion of the path around the upright, wherein the two uprights together form part of one substantially U-shaped upright, wherein the backrest is arranged inside the base at the end of the U-shaped upright remote from the carrying plane.

2. The highchair according to claim 1, wherein the parallel uprights are formed of steel tubes bent into a U-shape.

3. A highchair according to claim 2, characterized in that the backrest has a receiving edge along the periphery in which the tubular portion of one of the parallel uprights can be received.

4. The highchair according to claim 1, wherein the receiving cavity is an opening for receiving one of the parallel uprights.

5. A highchair according to claim 1, characterized in that said supporting means are formed by tubular portions.

6. A highchair according to claim 5, characterized in that the tubular portion is provided with support points.

7. The highchair according to claim 5, wherein the support means comprises a U-shaped tube.

8. The highchair according to claim 7, characterized in that the frame is formed by two substantially U-shaped portions, wherein the legs of the respective U-shaped portions are interconnected.

9. A highchair according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer ends of two parallel uprights form part of the supporting means.

10. The highchair according to claim 1, wherein said parallel uprights each have an adjustment portion, wherein the uprights are substantially straight over a length of at least 10cm, and wherein the uprights are parallel with respect to each other.

11. The highchair according to claim 10, wherein the adjustment portion extends obliquely above the support means.

12. A highchair according to claim 1, characterized in that the recess of the seat engagement means is arranged at an angle relative to the seat surface of the seat part, which angle substantially corresponds to the angle of the upright relative to the loading plane.

13. The highchair according to any of claims 1-12, further comprising a table portion provided with table engaging means for engaging two uprights, wherein the table engaging means has at least one opening for receiving an upright.